They did it once and now they're doing it again! A few years ago Casey and James of Ohbijou got together and thought it might be a good idea to document the music being made by their friends at their home and practice space downtown Toronto on Bellwoods Avenue. Turned out they had a lot of friends making really great music. Teaming up with local label Out of This Spark for the release, the first Friends In Bellwoods compiliation was a hit with proceeds upwards of $11,000 being donated to The Daily Bread Foodbank.

So what happens when a few years later all your awesome friends are still making fantastic music? You put out a record, of course. Out of This Spark releases Friends of Bellwoods 2 this week with two parties celebrating the comraderie and neighbourhood avenue.

The first is on Friday, August 28th at Lee's Palace with performances by Ohbijou, Bocce, Forest City Lovers and Evening Hymns.

The second party starts pretty much the next morning on Saturday, August 29th at The Tranzac. The all-day all-ages revelry begins at noon and features performances by Bruce Peninsula, Great Bloomers, Tusks, Kids On TV, Snowblink, The Acorn and a ton of other Bellwoods friends and family. And there's a BBQ!

The double disc record itself is available at your local shops and features 40 rare and unreleased tracks by artists including Final Fantasy, Basia Bulat, Double Suicide, Timber Timbre, Snailhouse, Gentleman Reg, Katie Stelmanis, Great Lake Swimmers, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Hooded Fang and pretty much everyone else on the Bellwoods friend list. Proceeds from compilation's sales will again go toward The Daily Bread Foodbank.

So do yourself and a stranger a favour and pick up Friends In Bellwoods 2 (and 1 if you don't have it) and raise toast this weekend to a lovely little house on a lovely little street. It might just be the end of an era.

- posted by Kevin