www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 5, 2008 - 3 Democrats in Oakville are singing a happy tune By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Oakville was all about American politics Wednesday, thanks to the filming of a Democrat music video that took place at The Moonshine Café. With feet tapping, hands clapping and hips shaking, American Democrats living in Canada and a handful of Canadians, came out to hear and take part in the shooting of Oakville artist Paul Rooney's song Your Time Has Come. "The song is about JFK (John Fitzgerald Kennedy)," said Rooney, who identifies as being Canadian with an interest in American politics. "But there is a link between JFK and the Democrats with Obama today." Through a coincidental encounter, Rooney was able to meet with the Canadians from Democrats Abroad, the official Democratic Party organization for the American population living outside the United States, and talk about his song. The Democrats in the GTA immediately loved the idea of a song, according to Susan Alksnis, an active volunteer in the organization. "I was looking on Canadian websites about Obama and I found there wasn't a lot on him. So we plan to put this video up on YouTube and let the world see it because Obama's campaign is a people's campaign," she smiled. Adrienne Jones, chair of Democrats Abroad Canada, agrees with Rooney's belief that JFK and Obama share a strong resem- DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER SONG FOR OBAMA: Paul Rooney, right, sings Your Time Has Come, with the help of members and friends of Democrats Abroad, at the Moonshine Café on Wednesday night. The song was recorded for a video supporting U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. blance with one another. "Obama is echoing what's there all along: quality, charisma, that sense of commonality. He's relatable and approachable," said the organization's chair, when describing the similarities between the former U.S. president and the hopeful Obama. "Even Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy's daughter, said that of all politicians seen, it was Obama who reminded her of her father," recalled Alksnis. "It worked out really nicely," she added, looking at the crowd of more than 65 people who attended the event. For Alksnis, and the rest of the Democrats Abroad group, the main priority is to encour- age Americans to vote in the elections. An estimated seven million Americans live overseas, with about 700,000 in Canada. While there is a strong community in Toronto, according to Jones, there isn't a chapter in Oakville, nor the Halton region. That's where Alksnis's work kicks in. Although she's been living in Canada for 10 years, she's still active in American politics. While attending and giving a speech at an Obama rally in Hamilton recently, Alksnis met several Oakville residents interested in forming an Oakville Democrats group. Although the video filming marks their second event, the word is spreading quickly, with approximately 10 active volunteers in Oakville already. "We are a grassroots movement," explained Alksnis. "Everyone is a volunteer and we don't charge dues," she said, before the sound of music filled the café. As Rooney started to sing, "Pete Seegar, Martin Luther ... your time has come ... Barack Obama ... your time has come," the faces of Alksnis, Jones and the rest of the Democratic supporters glowed with confidence in hopes of Obama's victory. Visit www.democratsabroad.org for more information about voting Democratic in this year's elections and www.republicansabroad.org for information on how to vote Republican. You can also vote Democratic online at www.VoteFromAbroad.org. The deadline to register is Oct. 4. To volunteer with establishing an Oakville chapter, email Alksnis at sueka@cogeco.ca. DANCE MUSIC MUSICAL THEATRE DRAMA FINE ARTS PRE-K AFTERNOON ARTS ADVENTURE CAMPS BIRTHDAY PARTIES Offering Oakville the finest in arts exploration and development. Registration Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30-8:00 pm Friday 8:30-6:00 pm Saturday 9:30-5:00 pm Voted THE Best Children's Dance Instruction and Music School Year after Year www.oakvilleacademy.com 1011 Upper Middle Road East & Eighth Line 905.844.ARTS (2787)