Riverdale Share to take a year off
Fall 2011
Twentieth anniversary show planned for December 2012
The popular concert has been cancelled for 2011, but planning for the 2012 show continues.
Riverdale Share, the annual Holiday concert which aims to raise good cheer - along with money for local neighbourhood charities - is taking a year off. Instead, it will wait until December 2012 to hold its 20th anniversary community show.
The decision was made after one of the key organizers for the grassroots, volunteer initiative, Susan Baker, the volunteer executive director, has had to take time off for a family matter - helping to care for her father.
"Our dedication, commitment and boundless enthusiasm for this cause is unwavering, however as our dear friend, the late Jack Layton poignantly expressed, it is important to take time out when life challenges us in other ways," said Baker in a message to sponsors and supporters in the community. The extra time, she assured, will be put to good use for next year's show.
"While this much loved annual event is sure to be missed this holiday season - we are thrilled to be able to contribute an extra year of planning and preparation to ensure that the 20th Anniversary (show) is marked in a significant and impactful way. "This celebratory performance is not only a finale for our first two extraordinary decades, but will also launch us into the many decades to come."
This past summer the charity distributed more than $28,000 in a ceremony attended by local recipients, sponsors and supporters.
Over the past 19 years, the Riverdale Share community concert has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and truckloads of food for families in crisis in the Riverdale community.
The show has attracted an impressive list of stars, many of them local, who join fellow local artists on stage, such as former Barenaked Ladies' frontman Steve Page, the Tragically Hip's Gord Downey, Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy, rock music's cult heroine Mary Margaret O'Hara, country legend Russell deCarle (Prairie Oyster), Great Big Sea's baritone Murray Foster, pop group Moxy Früvous, comedian Luba Goy, CBC personality Jian Ghomeshi, the Bebop Cowboys, Gregg Lawless and many more.
- Norm Nelson
Riverdale Share hands over $28,000
Spring 2011
Riverdale Share is known for its annual charity holiday concert in December, and on Tuesday, May 31 – the hottest day of the year in Toronto thus far, when the temperature finally cracked the 30-mark, it held its annual spring ceremony to award grants from the money raised.
The ceremony, which distributed $28,000, was held at Whistler’s Grille, 995 Broadview Ave. (at Mortimer) and attended by grateful local charity officials, sponsors and supporters. Susan Baker, the event’s longtime volunteer executive director, pointed out that this year’s show will mark a notable milestone - the 20th anniversary. Work and planning has already begun on this year’s show - already pencilled in for Saturday, Dec. 10 - and, of course, any and all support would be appreciated, including those who wish to help through volunteering or sponsorship which covers the cost of producing the show. Over the past 19 years, the Riverdale Share community concert has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and truckloads of food for families in crisis in the Riverdale community. The show has attracted an impressive list of stars, many of them local, who join fellow local artists on stage, such as former Barenaked Ladies’ frontman Steve Page, the Tragically Hip’s Gord Downey, Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy, rock music’s cult heroine Mary Margaret O’Hara, country legend Russell deCarle (Prairie Oyster), Great Big Sea’s baritone Murray Foster, pop-group Moxy Früvous, comedian Luba Goy, CBC personality Jian Ghomeshi, the Bebop Cowboys, Gregg Lawless and many more. Riverdale Share Community Association is a registered non-profit, volunteer-driven organization whose mandate is to produce a large, inclusive, festive celebration while raising money for families in crisis within the Riverdale community. The Tuesday event paid tribute to one of its long-time volunteers, Rick Hand, who died in 2009. “For as many years as we can remember, Rick was responsible for converting the Danforth Music Hall into a magical Christmas wonderland for the Riverdale Share Concert,” Baker said of the “much-loved” volunteer. “Although the concert always took place during Rick’s busiest season, we could always count on him and his daughter Quinn to show up bright and early with big smiles and warm hugs for everyone. “We were extremely touched that Rick’s family – (wife) Diane, (and kids) Quinn and Tyler – requested that donations to Riverdale Share be made in Rick’s name.” And that donation was also handed over by the family May 31 to the Blake Boultbee Youth Outreach Service. Quinn, in a moving speech, outlined how they had benefited from their father’s love and attention throughout their lives and how the family wanted to support a group helping less fortunate youth. Riverdale Share also announced that the Thundercloud Fund, which was started in 2008 in memory of another beloved volunteer Helen Thundercloud who passed away was also put to good use in 2010. “This year, there was a single mom and her two children who lost everything when their apartment burnt down,” said Baker. “With monies from the Thundercloud Fund, we were able to help this family start to get back on their feet again by providing them some of the daily essentials like new clothes and toiletries, furniture and kitchenware. Meanwhile here’s a list of this year’s recipients which were presented their grants at the Tuesday event, followed by a brief outline of the work they do in the community: BLAKE BOULTBEE YOUTH OUTREACH SERVICE (BBYOS): a community-based agency established in 1989 to provide comprehensive services to high-risk youth and their families in the Blake Boultbee community, a high density, low income area of east Toronto. BBYOS provides intensive individual, group and family counselling and therapy, community outreach, life skills training and crisis intervention that offers options to these at-risk young people and their families.Visit http://www.bbyos.org/; BLAKE BOULTBEE YOUTH OUTREACH SERVICE - BOYS AND GIRLS GROUP: this is a weekly group for boys and girls between 10 and 13 years in a community of various racial and ethnic backgrounds. It focuses on group counselling, self-esteem, self-worth and image, health/nutrition, peer support, violence and abuse (physical, emotional and mental). The goal is that these children develop non-violent communication and conflict resolution skills, a healthy sense of self and feel a sense of empowerment and control in their lives. Visit http://www.bbyos.org/; BOOK BAG AND READING CLUB - PARENT RESOURCES DROP-IN CENTRE: a community program initiated in 2006 by literacy teacher and children’s author Seilah Currie, for newcomer families in the Gerrard Street East area of Toronto. Children read engaging books that are tailored to their individual skill levels to ensure that reading attempts are enjoyable and successful. Volunteers from the community work one-on-one to help with any challenging vocabulary before the books are sent home for extra practice. Picture books for pre-schoolers and chapter books for proficient readers are also available to borrow. BROADVIEW COMMUNITY YOUTH GROUP (BCYG): this charity created in 2007 provides summer and holiday camps, as well as specialty programs on weekends and will soon provide after-school programming for children between the ages of four and 12 in east Toronto. Programs are offered in one of three streams - health and fitness; creative and performing arts; and fun educational. The BCYG is the only youth-oriented group of its kind within this community, and as a result, fills a large void by providing programs and services geared towards children and youth. Visit http://www.bcyg.ca/; NELLIE’S - ENDING VIOLENCE: since 1973, Nellie’s has been operating programs and services for women and children who have and are experiencing oppressions such as violence, poverty and homelessness. Nellie’s is a community-based feminist organization which operates within an anti-racist, anti-oppression framework. Its Ending Violence Support Group exemplifies its dedication to using education and advocacy to affect social change when working with survivors of abuse, as well as learn and discuss different ways to end violence in their lives. Visit http://www.nellies.org/ RALPH THORNTON CENTRE - CHILDREN AND YOUTH AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM: this program was developed in order to respond to the need for safe, educational and enjoyable activities for South Riverdale Children, especially those who face challenges due to school problems, family income and social marginalization. This program runs five days a week and matches primary school children with trained volunteers to help with homework, and participate in a variety of social, artistic, recreational and environmental activities. Visit http://ralphthornton.org/ RALPH THORNTON CENTRE - RIVERDALE YOUTH CHILDREN MENTOR PROGRAM: this program helps newcomer children from the Chinese community adjust and adapt to their new Canadian culture. One-on-one support is provided as students are given English language work that is catered to their individual needs and abilities. Cultural adaptation and social skills are developed through various interactive group activities. Visit http://ralphthornton.org/ SOUTH RIVERDALE CHILD-PARENT CENTRE: a family support program that offers a parent-child drop-in, parenting workshops and a book and toy lending library. Open five days a week and Saturdays in the winter, the centre is open to families with children from birth to six years. The staff offers referral services and informal counselling to all families. Visit http://webhome.idirect.com/~srcpc/Annual Riverdale Share Christmas Concert
Winter 2010
When we think of neighbourhood, many things come to mind. In this part of the city, we might think of comfortable older homes, great gardens, and a canopy of trees that shelters us from the fast pace of the downtown core. We think of kids playing in the park, neighbours becoming friends and, perhaps, people banding together to make life a little better for those who live here. All of these things make us happy to come home at night, believing we live somewhere special.
Twenty years ago, Bill Usher and Maggie Callahan felt the same way and thought a Christmas community concert would give residents a chance to get out and celebrate. If you could bang a drum, you were in. The BIA got involved and somehow the concert made a little money through ticket sales, then the next year it made a little more – and then a little more. Sue Baker and others joined in to sell tickets, kids became ushers, and artists donated their time.
Today, seventeen years after first volunteering, Sue is the Executive Director of the Riverdale Share Concert, volunteering full-time to make sure it gets off the ground each Christmas. It takes a load of people with a crazy amount of commitment to pull it all together. And every year there is a unique challenge that somehow is overcome. She explained that once, in the early days when things got a little tough financially, Ken McLaughlin at Remax kicked in with $5000 – and then did so for 10 years! When his tenure ended, The Big Carrot picked up the ball and is still the title sponsor.
So what is this concert all about? As Sue says, “There is always a big discussion about why we do the show. Do we do it to help the charities that apply to us for funding? Or just to celebrate our great community and bring it together? Really, it’s about 50/50. Early on we decided to give the proceeds to families in need. Today all the money raised from ticket sales is donated to non-profits in the neighbourhood.
Currently we’re raising around $30,000 for charity each year, with our sponsors carrying the costs of the show.”
And when asked about the challenges they face these days, Sue explains that with ticket prices of only $15 they have to work hard at generating enough sales to meet the requests for assistance. Then they have to find sponsors to support the event. Costs have risen over the years from renting the venue to advertising, equipment rentals for light and sounds – the list goes on. While the performers – and there are many – donate their time, and local restaurants and businesses donate help, “the biggest problem is getting volunteers! And the hardest part is when we’re planning the show.
The planning committee meets once a week at 7:00 and the artistic committee at 9:00. We try to balance the show so that we have things for kids and adults, an equal mix of male and female performers, and representation from different ethnic groups. We always have a local choir. And we have Santa. Gravity Circus is always involved … and we try to have a couple of our more famous residents. We’ve had The Tragically Hip, Jim Cuddy, Steven Page, Murray McLauchlan, Martha and the Muffins … but then we also have the guy from down the street. The hardest part is trying to get that balance in 17 acts.”
Once it’s all over, there are the proceeds to consider. During the spring, organizations apply for funds for various projects and in May, “We do a second show up at the Estonian Hall, called Bebop-a-looza. We have a silent auction and give away the money raised at the Christmas concert. It’s a big dinner-dance. Magic Oven prepares all the food, Mill Street gives us all the beer, Fermentations gives us all the wine, The Bebop Cowboys donate their time as the house band and we invite six or seven performers sing with them.”
So, after all these years, and all this work on behalf of her community, what will happen now that Sue is thinking about moving on? “Well, I’m always on the look-out for somebody coming in who might be someone I could pass the torch to, like Bill passed the torch to me. Riverdale Share has given me a life I never expected. It’s been a truly wonderful gift. We have a whole slew of high school students that still work for us but have gone off to university. They started as elves, recruited for the poster party, ushered, and were runners on the day. And one of them is thirty years old now and a mom. She actually became a board member, and she started when she was ten or twelve! There are lots of people with experiences like that. Committee members have kids who have never missed a show. They’ve been coming since they were born! And we’re brainwashing them to take over!”
They’re all programmed for Share! Keep an eye out for tickets for the Riverdale Share Christmas Concert at St. Barnabas Church, 361 Danforth Ave. Tickets are available at www.riverdaleshare.com or at Treasure Island Toys and The Big Carrot. Shows are on Dec 11, at 2:00 and 4:30 pm
Riverdale Share back at St. Barnabas
Tickets will go on sale Monday, Nov. 15 at two Danforth locations - The Big Carrot and Treasure Island Toys - as well as on the local charity's website at www.riverdaleshare.com
"We're just starting to put the show together. We're in our first round of asks," said volunteer executive director Susan Baker.
Historically, those 'asks' have received a lot of positive responses from local musicians, including last year's appearances by ex-BNL founder Steven Page along with a crowd-pleasing reunion of legendary children's performers Sharon, Lois and Bram, all guided by longtime band leader Steve Briggs and musical director Tom Leighton.
The past couple of years have also seen visits from such local luminaries as Blue Rodeo co-founder Jim Cuddy and veteran folk artist Murray McLauchlan.
This year will mark the 19th year for the show, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local charities, not to mention providing a great family show, and Baker said volunteers are always needed, particularly this year organizers are looking for:
* publicity-promotion person: "the publicity part is important to us not so much because we need to sell tickets because we don't have a big problem doing that. The publicity part is more necessary just for name recognition when we're looking for sponsorship and donors. We could be better known," said Baker.
* "eight strong people" to do the load-in Friday and then the load-out Saturday night. Volunteers will be able to enjoy the after-event party for 90 minutes to two hours when they will be summoned to do the load-out.
* experienced audio and lighting hands: "If we get some more volunteers that have a little audio and lighting experience we can cut down on the people we have to hire so that'll help."
After 17 years at the Danforth Music Hall, Riverdale Share will set up stage for the second straight year with its new host.
"This year will be a lot easier because we know what to expect, and the church has been so warm and friendly to us and inviting that we're better just to stick where we are," said Baker.
Riverdale Share raises $20,000
The Riverdale Share annual holiday concert in December, which had Steve Page and Sharon, Lois and Bram leading a volunteer contingent of local performers, raised $20,000.
And organizers of the long-running holiday fundraiser, held Saturday, Dec. 12 at St. Barnabas Church on the Danforth, have already set the date when they will give the money away to local charities that operate in the Riverdale area - Saturday, May 1 at the third annual Bebop-a-Looza dinner.
As usual, representatives from the recipient organizations will be on hand for supporters to meet.
And as usual, Riverdale's critically acclaimed Bebop Cowboys will be back with their special musical guests to provide the finger-snappin', toe-tappin' swing music.
Ticket info for the annual dinner will be posted shortly at www.riverdaleshare.com
Supporters should also note the concert video from 2009 has been posted on the website (click on 2009 videos), including performances by Page and Sharon, Lois and Bram.
More coverage on the Music Notes blog on our website at www.insidetoronto.com
Riverdale Share Concert
Nothing new to report on the Riverdale Share annual concert, held Saturday, Dec. 12 at St. Barnabas Church on the Danforth. I said it last year in my review, and I’ll say it again - best entertainment ticket $15 can buy.
I was curious as to how the change of venues - from the Danforth Music Hall (now home to the Toxic Avenger musical) to a venerable church - would shake out. It worked for me, for one reason - size. The new venue featured an even more intimate setting while still being spacious.
The sound was rich, which is a good thing, given the calibre of musicians volunteering their time. Everything starts with the house band under musical director (and pianist) Tom Leighton and band leader (and guitarist) Steve Briggs, and complete with horn and string sections. It’s worth the price of admission itself.
They were as at home backing Tabby Johnson in a rousing gospel rendition of Go Tell it On the Mountain as they were backing Russel deCarle and Michael Berube in jazzy versions of ageless holiday standards, respectively, Winter Wonderland and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
The whole show was uniformly great, and I don’t want to mention too many more or I might as well just go through the entire list which you can get from the program. I will note the youngsters, however. Frankland Choir - the youngest performers. Wow. Great job. And particularly to the youth in Spraoi, Gentlemen of the Jury and the Tanners, it’s alway great to see that kind of blossoming musical talent.
Also, a very nice close-out by Mia Sheard on Lennon’s Happy Xmas. Had to wipe away a tear or two on that one, as usual.
Last but not least – as if the above wasn’t worth the price of admission – were the star turns by two favourite local international acts, former Barenaked Ladies co-founder Steven Page and legendary children’s performers Sharon, Lois and Bram. Their music is special in my family’s life, including their holiday CDs which are part of our collection, and it was special to see them on stage at St. Barnabas.
Both received rousing and warm ovations, Page for a stand-out version of his own Hanukkah Blessings from the BNL Holiday CD and Sharon, Lois and Bram leading a spirited, audience-participation Twelve Days of Christmas.
For those who would like to attend another Christmas benefit, Mia Sheard will host the The Christmas Show Dec. 18 and 18 (Fri/Sat) at the Rivoli on Queen Street in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank and The Stephen Lewis Foundation. Cost is $18 and if you’re able, a non-perishable food item would be appreciated. Check it out at http://mouthpartsandwings.ca/
Riverdale Share announces tentative lineup
Former Barenaked Ladies' Stephen Page and famed children's group Sharon, Lois and Bram are among a strong cast of local musicians who have already pencilled in the date of the always anticipated 18th annual Riverdale Share Concert, which will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12.
There's a couple of changes this year.
First, it's being held on a Saturday; second it's at a new location at St. Barnabas Church, 361 Danforth Ave. (between Chester and Broadview subway stations, south side); and third, there's two shows at 2 and 4:30 p.m.
A sellout is expected, but tickets are still available at three Danforth locations:
* The Big Carrot,
* It's My Party,
* and Treasure Island Toys.
The charity concert, in support of local non-profit community organizations, has traditionally been well supported by local entertainers, many of them native to Riverdale or East Toronto.
Others musicians who have also signed up for this year include Sproai, Soul Influence, Gentleman of the Jury, Northern Legs Southern Fists, The Jazzabelles, Jory Nash, Russell deCarle, Tabby Johnson, Luba Goy and Mia Sheard.
Tickets are $15 each and people are being asked to bring a food donation.
Visit www.riverdaleshare.com for details.
CAROL SING
As usual, Riverdale Share will get the community warmed up with its annual sing-along, which will be held this year at The Second Cup at Danforth and Hampton avenues Friday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to noon.
And if you're wondering about the midday Friday time slot, Riverdale's volunteer president Susan Baker assures in an email - "it's a P.A. day! Bring the kids."
"All are invited to join a spirited gaggle of neighbours, volunteers and performers as they gather for their traditional sing-along. Even Santa shows up. Help us decorate the Riverdale Share Peace Tree."
As well The Second Cup, longtime sponsor of Riverdale Share, will donate a dollar from every beverage sold on Dec. 11 and 12 to the Riverdale Share Concert.
Annual holiday show slated for Dec. 12, tickets on sale Nov. 16
Riverdale Share. Children and adults sing Christmas carols at the 17th annual Riverdale Share Concert 2008 Sunday Dec. 7 held at the Danforth Music Hall. The venue for the annual concert has now been moved to St. Barnabas church on Danforth Avenue. Mirror file photo/DAN PEARCE
The annual Riverdale Share holiday benefit concert, a perpetual sell-out in recent years, has a new home, day and format.
Remaining unchanged from last year is the price – $15.
This year’s 18th annual edition will be held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, on the south side of Danforth Avenue at Hampton Avenue (between Broadview and Chester subway stops), on Saturday, Dec. 12 and the format will feature two shows, at 2 and 4:30 p.m.
Tickets, which have been a hot commodity in recent years, will go on sale to the general public on Monday, Nov. 16 both online at www.riverdaleshare.com and at three locations on the Danforth – Treasure Island Toys, the Big Carrot and It’s My Party.
Those who have supported the local charity either through sponsorships (which range from $1,000 to $5,000) or as a ‘friend of the charity’ (ranging from $100 to $500) will have an opportunity to pre-order their tickets two weeks in advance.
Each concert will be able to hold about 500 people, right in the church sanctuary.
“The moment I walked in, I felt this was it,” said longtime Riverdale volunteer and current executive director Susan Baker. “It just felt right. I could see us in there. I think it will be beautiful. It just felt warm and cozy and community and grassroots and all the things that are important to us.”
Traditionally, the concert, for the past 17 years, has been held on a Sunday at the Danforth Music Hall, but this year the venerable Danforth venue is debuting what it hopes will be a long running musical – The Toxic Avenger.
The theatre did offer to make its ‘dark’ night available, which is Monday, but Riverdale Share would basically have had to build a stage in front of the stage to make it work.
Baker said they were even considering taking the show slightly out of the area – to Rosedale Heights School for the Arts (at Bloor and Castle Frank) – when Faiza Ansari from Greektown on the Danforth suggested a location right under their noses, literally across the street: St. Barnabas. Baker said the church put out the welcome mat.
But just not on a Sunday, for obvious reasons. And hence the switch to a Saturday show.
“They want us there and we want to be there,” said Baker. “Perfect.”
Obviously not as big as the Danforth Music Hall, organizers will rectify that somewhat by working the volunteer musicians twice as hard, performing for two shows.
Riverdale and the surrounding area is home to many of Toronto’s working musicians and they have come out in droves in support of the charity, including those with national or international profiles such as Murray McLaughlin last year and in previous years Steve Page and Jim Cuddy, just to name a few.
The church will require more preparation work than was required for the Danforth Music Hall, which already had a ready-made stage complete with lights and sound system.
On the other hand, organizers will have more preparation time at St. Barnabas.
And fortunately, said Baker, they also have had wonderful support over the past several years from Frontier Sound and Light, the production company they use.
Riverdale Share, which has raised thousands of dollars over the years, makes its annual funding announcements at a spring gala, which also serves as a fundraiser. As usual, Riverdale Share intends to warm the community up with its pre event holiday sing-song at the Second Cup on the Danforth, and full details will be announced a little later.
For those wishing to help out, “what we’re looking for now, the main priority, is looking for ‘sponsors’ and ‘friends’.”
In-kind donations are definitely also welcome, in particular in two areas.
- T-shirts: ”what we’re really looking for now is a t-shirt sponsor, somebody who would be willing to donate the t-shirts we give to the performers and the volunteers;
- A printer: “the printer that’s donated all our printing for many, many years now at absolutely no cost has retired and closed his business so we’re looking for a new printing sponsor, so that’s another thing we’re reaching out for...It was a fairly big package he did for us and he never wanted thanks in the program, we always tried to put his name on the t-shirt or in the program, or make him an official in-kind sponsor – and he never wanted it. So we were never able to thank him the way we usually do, but we sure miss him now.”
Volunteers are also welcome, in particular during the day of the concert.
“Driving around, doing pick-up, loading in the show, loading out the show, we can always use people in those areas.”
