Following in the footsteps of the Wakefield Grannies, Chelsea guitar prodigy Julian Geisterfer is playing a little music for the soul and holding a benefit concert for AIDS orphans in Africa.

"I was touched by the plight of teenage orphans in Africa who are left to raise their younger siblings after their parents died of AIDS" says the 14-year-old guitarist. "I saw what the Wakefield Grannies were doing to help grandmothers in South Africa, and I thought we can do the same for teenagers."

CHILD2CHILD

The Child2Child benefit, an afternoon of jazz, blues and classical music, comes to the Wakefield United Church Feb. 25. Tickets cost $12 each or $20 for families and the money raised will go to the Grannies partner organization, the East Bank clinic, in Alexandra Township, South Africa.

"He wanted to do this and he approached the Wakefield Grannies to see if we could assist to help him reach the kids" explained Wakefield Granny Brenda Rooney. "He wanted the money to go to child-headed families. Out of 200 kids in the clinic we support there are many child-led families, and we’ll make sure it gets to them."

BUDDING STAR

A local star, Geisterfer recently perfiormed with Chelsea folk legend Ian Tamblyn. Geisterfer’s goal is to raise $1,500 at the upcoming event.

"He’s an amazing classical and jazz guitarist... He’s just an incredibly talented child," said Rooney. "I think it’ll be a really good concert. It’s quite wonderful that young people get involved and try to do something."

For more information contact Michael Geisterfer at 613-325-4055 or email michael@mgintermedia.com.