Credit: AP Photo/Lucy Pemoni
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What can one guy and a guitar do, really? Star in a film, perhaps, and bring awareness to climate change and other environmental issues. Jack Johnson plays an acoustic guitar in the new documentary "En Concert," which chronicles his 2008 tour through Europe. But he does something else, too. He comes across as someone who believes in what he's doing. Maybe that's because he's doing some good by singing and carrying a tune.
Proceeds from the "En Concert" film, which hits stores on Tuesday, Oct. 27, will benefit the Kokau Hawaii Foundation and the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation. The 2008 tour captured in the film also benefited the two charities.
The Kokau foundation supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawaii. So by buying a copy of "En Concert," you're supporting kids and green music. The DVD is 80 minutes long, and a deluxe edition includes a companion CD ($50 if you pre-order it from Johnson's web site). Johnson's publicist was nice enough to send along a preview DVD to this blogger.
The Kokau foundation is a nonprofit that teaches kids to be stewards of the Earth. "We support hands-on learning activities that engage their senses and make lasting impressions on children's minds," according to the group's web site. "We believe our keiki are the seeds of change to preserving and protecting our beautiful islands." That's "keiki," Hawaiian for "child." Projects by the foundation have included composting lunch waste, starting an on-campus garden and keeping beaches clean.
The other charity, the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, donates to local causes in cities and communities where Johnson plays, according to Hawaii Magazine.
But those aren't the only two charities Johnson and his bandmates work with. At his web site, you can find a long list of organizations that he and his bandmates have supported through the years.
There's also a social action network there called All At Once. The idea is to bring fans together to make positive changes in their communities. This year, the focus is on sustainable agriculture and community and school gardens. If you sign on to the network, you can download a free song and listen to it while you type.
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