A Refugee Story: In 2014 Leyla S. escaped from Syria to Iraq leaving her beloved Kurdistan. “My place” as she refers to it. It was on April 13, 2017 when Leyla arrived at the Victoria Airport, having traveled for almost 48 hours through 3 countries and 4 airports in order to get here. She did not know, until she changed planes in Vancouver, that there would be people to meet her and support her as she made her way in this new land. Due to circumstances beyond her control she had to leave her husband behind as she made this journey. Imagine the courage! It was at this same time that Louise n'ha Ruby began five months of homelessness searching for her place to belong, to find home. Can you tap into what it felt like as you remember a time when you felt lost – in limbo perhaps? As Leyla describes it “Hope means life...the power to continue....” “I cannot begin to imagine what it is like for a refugee but I can relate to feelings around being powerless, without a home” commiserates Louise. “So I wanted to do something to contribute to the James Bay Refugee Initiative and be part of the solution to bringing someone else home.” In this case the committee is working to bring Leyla's husband to Victoria to join her.
For Louise n'ha Ruby, this means gathering musical friends together for a wonderful and eclectic mix of music for a Sunday afternoon concert in aid of the James Bay Refugee Initiative. Louise will be joined by accompanist Gordon Miller and drummer Kelby MacNayr and special guest artists Pauline Karch and Lisa Bosman.
Also featuring the Premiere Performance of:
SOMOS an amazing new auditioned a cappella Womyn’s vocal performance ensemble under the direction of Louise n'ha Ruby. Their repertoire is based on songs of the heart and empowerment from artists such as Sweet Honey on the Rock, Ferron and Judy Small.
All proceeds from this concert will be given to the community organization helping sponsor Leyla's husband to join her here in Canada sometime soon.
Sunday March 24th 2:30 PM
Tickets: $20 https://www.eventbrite.com/
James Bay United Church
511 Michigan Street
If you are unable to attend the concert, but wish to support the community's work with refugees, you can make a tax deductible donation on line right now through our secure site. DONATE NOW Thank you!
Hello Friends of the James Bay Refugee Initiative
When you last heard from us it was with a note from Leyla in which she spoke about loving her new life in Victoria, about her gratitude for the ways in which she has been cared for and supported, and the loneliness she experiences living in Victoria when her husband and family are so far away. With that in mind we have begun the work necessary to sponsor Leyla’s husband, Ahmad; a move we see as a continuation of our sponsorship of Leyla. PLEASE READ MORE
Listen to Leyla's message of hope (begins at the 11 minute point in the service)
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Louise n’ha Ruby is a professional singer, songwriter, actor and voice teacher with live concert and television performances to her credit. With extensive training in both the classical and jazz genres, she has been performing and teaching for decades. Her style is ever changing and developing but the essence of working with the breath and the body remains. She has been greatly inspired by her work with Rhiannon and this influence is evidenced in her approach to music and to life.
Pauline Karch has been performing for over 30 years. She has studied classical, musical theatre, jazz, and improvisational singing. She currently performs with a ground breaking acting and vocal improvisational troupe called “Moving Voices”. Pauline has performed with a jazz trio for numerous public and private events held at the Government House, as well as Jazz Vespers at St. John’s United Church.
Lisa Bosman is not a stranger to the stage. Her background is full of theatrical musings from LA to New York, David Mamet to Shakespeare. While her background is Musical theatre her first love has always been to play and sing onstage. She started playing the piano by ear at a young age and took up playing the guitar around 11. Her greatest influences are Janis Ian and James Taylor. Lisa is honoured to be a part of this beautiful cause.