Today marked the second Busking For Change event for War Child Canada.  Inspired by musician Raine Maida busking across Toronto for en entire day and donating the funds to their efforts, Canadian musicians busk all over the city for a day, offering free music in exchange for money for charity.  It’s an awesome idea, and it works; I passed a few bins in just one of ten locations this morning two hours in, and they were full of bills and coins of all denominations.

One of the big proponents besides Raine Maida is his wife Chantal Kreviazuk, one of my favourite singers (even if I thought her last album was bordering on dreadful).  Her music has been a staple of my life for eleven years now, with this song being one of my favourites by anyone.  I also admire her advocacy for mental illness.  She lost a boyfriend to suicide in her youth and has worked hard to educate others about mood disorders and their devastating impact.  This song is partially inspired by that event (the ‘bomb’ is finding out her boyfriend had ended his life), and it’s simple and honest.

Chantal set a goal of $30,000 today for herself; I have no idea if she made it, but as a salute, enjoy her music.

Day Twenty:  Surrounded – Chantal Kreviazuk