ELENA RARDON
ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS
The former Zellers building on Third Avenue is now home to a new window display put up by the Zattzoo Project.
The new display features musical instruments and pictures of local musicians who have competed in the youth Battle of the Bands competition.
The decorations were put together by the Zattzoo Project, a non-profit organization in memory of musician Zakkaree Coss, who passed away in a car accident at the age of 22 in 2014. The Zattzoo Project, named after Zakkaree’s childhood nickname, is made up of family and friends, and is composed entirely of volunteers, whose goal is to promote young musicians in the community. The project’s fundraising is aimed at Zakkaree’s age group, since he was also a young musician.
“We just want to ignite the light in these kids,” said Kim Blake, Zakkaree’s mother.
Because the Zattzoo Project is non-profit, its accounts are emptied each year.The funds raised by the Zattzoo Project go towards a Port Alberni Youth Battle of the Bands competition in May.
The object of the competition, Blake said, is promotion. They find bands looking to promote their music and give them a chance to be heard. Most groups then go on to be hired for other events.
“It’s really rewarding for us, too,” Blake said.
Last year’s Battle of the Bands had six bands participating, while this year’s participants doubled, with 13 acts from all over the island.
Last month the Zattzoo Project also held a successful Halloween Midnight Monster Mosh Mixx-up.
To find out more about the Zattzoo Project, check out their Facebook page. And in the meantime, check out the corner window of the former Zellers building across from 7-Eleven to see the Zattzoo Project’s new display.