Hope for Haiti brings together local talent

Matthew Sitler

January 27, 2010

BRACEBRIDGE — The public can support Haiti earthquake victims by attending Muskoka’s Hope for Haiti concert this Friday, Jan. 29 at Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre in Bracebridge.

The concert, which starts at 7 p.m., will feature a host of local artists who have come together in the spirit of goodwill.

It was planned by local resident DJ (Don) Smith. It is being billed as an evening of song and charity.

“DJ Smith came to me at the theatre with this great idea to do a Haiti fundraiser,” said Tara Bartok, Rene Caisse marketing and box office manager. “We jumped on-board right then and there.”

Bartok said the theatre is really happy with the support that is building for the show.

“We’re getting a lot of sponsors,” she said. “We’ve also had a lot of people calling about making donations. There will be door prizes and we’re doing a silent auction that night. People are really responding well to it.”

With 12 artists already set to perform, including well-known local names like Steve Ambrose, Emma Gibbs and Shawn Roper, the evening promises to be filled with great entertainment.

Tickets are $15 and available at the box office door the night of the concert, but they can also be purchased from DJ Smith or ahead of time at the box office.

As well, a unique partnership is making tickets available for people who cannot afford them. Some people are making cash donations, but aren’t attending the concert, which is making the free tickets available.

“If you would like to give a cash donation, but cannot make (the concert), we are setting these tickets aside to give to those who may not necessarily be able to afford to give a donation or to have a great night out,” said Bartok. “We would also like to thank Northern Lights Employment Resource Centre for helping us with this.”

These free tickets will be available through DJ Smith and Northern Lights, said Bartok.

Also, all money raised through the concert will be matched dollar for dollar by the National Bank of Canada, she added.

“We’re going to have tax receipts here for anyone who would like one,” said Bartok.

All proceeds from the concert will go to the Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund.