Community Concert to Promote Harm Reduction Through Music
The Gettin' Higher Choir from Victoria is uniting the community this January with a concert titled "Sharing the Journey," featuring singer-songwriter Katharine Sontag from Eugene, Oregon. This event aims to support QomQem Coastal Connections and Peer2Peer Indigenous Society, both dedicated to harm reduction and health services in Victoria.
Choir co-directors Cathy Baker and Dick Jackson expressed their enthusiasm for collaborating with Sontag, highlighting the concert's diverse musical repertoire, which includes songs from Canada, South Africa, and classic British pop. The choir has a tradition of donating all net proceeds to local service organizations.
Baker emphasized the importance of community singing as a means of connection, while Jackson noted Sontag's musical vision aligns with their mission. The concert's title reflects the theme of togetherness, aiming to foster connections within the community, particularly for those facing housing instability or addiction challenges.
Sontag shared her excitement about performing in Victoria, praising the uplifting nature of the choir's music and its potential to inspire joy and compassion among attendees. She views singing as a form of activism that brings people together in solidarity.
```