WAR CHILD CANADA held its THE WORLD THAT’S POSSIBLE Gala last night at The Royal Ontario Museum. With a star-studded roster of names, the affair raised funds in support of the millions of children and families impacted by war and violence in Afghanistan, Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and Iraq.
Dining on a menu crafted by both Chef Mark McEwan and Chef Shen Ousmand of the Aga Khan Museum, guests enjoyed performances by the likes of Metric, Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother) and Chantal Kreviazuk, the latter honoured with the Founder’s Award for her work with the organization. Originally slated to attend were War Child Ambassadors Amanda Seyfried and husband Thomas Sadoski, along with JP Saxe, although obligations held them from making in to Toronto. Deborah Cox, who had received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame this past weekend, also made an appearance.
The evening was hosted by ET Canada‘s Sangita Patel and also included a Silent Auction.
Radnor graced the audience wth a special appearance and acoustic performance on guitar and can be seen most recently on Apple TV+‘s acclaimed new Series FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE, alongside Claire Danes, Lizzy Caplan and Jesse Eisenberg. So gracious of him for one, to come to our City in a rare appearance, but also to stop for a quick Photo while in the scramble looking for his SUV.
More on the organization and event here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Presented by el Mocambo, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala took place tonight at Massey Hall, honouring the best in Canadian Music and on an international stage. Hosted by Marie-Mai, among those honoured tonight in are legends like Alanis Morissette, Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance, David Foster and Daniel Lavoie. The event concluded the inaugural Song & Score Week presented by RBC Emerging Artists which included a Songwriting Masterclass with Foster, in addition to a Songwriters’ Circle with the likes of Fefe Dobson, Tyler Shaw, Tim Hicks, TOBi and Ruby Waters.
In addition to tonight’s Honourees, the list of talent performing in tributes and presenting, was an A-List including Corey Hart, Alessia Cara, Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger and Ryan Peake, Deborah Cox, Jessie Reyez, Charlotte Cardin, Serena Ryder, plus a special appearance by Olivia Rodrigo. So honoured to be there for this monumental moment in Canadian Music History.
A Highlight Reel of the evening’s most memorable moments:
See some Snaps from the evening:
Visit the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame website for more here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Here for only a five-day engagement in Toronto at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, Jekyll and Hyde comes to the City after a successful four-year Broadway Run, before continuing on its North American Tour in Washington, D.C. The Musical stars American Idol Finalist Constantine Maroulis who since has made a splash on the Great White Way in Rock of Ages and here he plays the Role of Dr. Henry Jekyll and his Alter-ego Edward Hyde. Toronto’s v. own R&B Star Deborah Cox (now a Resident of Miami) also is featured front and center as Lucy. Jekyll and Hyde is an odd story of a Scientist who uses himself as an Experiment in his quest to find a cure to some of Mankind’s greatest medical problems. This however, unleashes his inner-demons, creating far greater a Dilemma than he could have anticipated.
Following their Performance tonight, Maroulis was spotted bundled in a cozy Burberry Sweater, spending time with his Fans and going directly first to one Woman who waited by the Stage Door in her Wheelchair. Humble, he assumed Fans were waiting for his Co-Star Cox, telling everyone that she would be out in a moment, not thinking for a moment that the commotion might have been for him. He tells me and another Fan that he wishes that he could have more time in the City and maybe even a chance to do a Preview Show or two before launching it in each City, but as is the case with a Tour, the tempo is quick. He is pleased with the great feedback he has been receiving for his dual-role Performance, especially as the darker Hyde.
Cox exited soon after, donning much more simple straightened locks than the voluminous wigs she is required to wear in her Role. She spent a fair amount of time shaking hands and posing for Photos and was more than happy to sign one of my favourite R&B Discs, One Wish. The GRAMMY-nominated Singer/Actress states to me that she is hoping v. much to begin work on a full-length Disc, but for now Fans will have to do with a Powerhouse Dance Single she just released last week, (From the Ghetto) Remember Me.
There’s still time to catch Jekyll and Hyde. Click here for Tickets.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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