Gainey FoundationGainey Foundation Concert March 14
Posted By ELIZABETH BOWER, EXAMINER STAFF WRITER
Jackson Delta and James McKenty of the Spades will belt out some songs.
4th Line Theatre artistic director Robert Winslow will perform skits focusing on the connection between entertainment and hockey.
And there’s sure to be lots of laughter from the evening’s emcee, comedian Steve Patterson.
Those are some of the acts in the tentative lineup for next year’s Gainey Family and Friends Concert at Showplace Peterborough, but if there’s one performer who organizers can always count on, it’s definitely crooner John McDermott.
“He always says, ‘I’m in. Count me in.’ He doesn’t hesitate or even look at his schedule,” said Examinermanaging editor Ed Arnold, a concert organizer, during yesterday’s announcement at Showplace that the concert will be held March 14.
The concert, which raises funds for the Gainey Foundation in support of arts and environmental education for youth, seems to inspire that kind of loyalty.
Last year, the event drew a star-studded lineup including Greg Keelor, of Blue Rodeo, Sarah Harmer as well as The Sadies while raising almost $122,000 for the Gainey Foundation.
Hockey legend Bob Gainey, a Peterborough native and Montreal Canadiens general manager, created the foundation with his family in memory of his daughter, Laura, and wife Cathy.
The foundation helped fund the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre at Trent University, which officially opened yesterday.
Bob Gainey said yesterday was a special day after touring through that centre and then announcing yet another concert, which will further boost the foundation.
“It makes us think: What can we do next?” he said.
He said he’s appreciative of the community’s support and is excited about the upcoming concert.
“I think this year will be our best show yet,” Gainey said.
Ross Garland, General Electric’s general manager of large motors, said he’s proud that GE Canada is sponsoring the concert for the third consecutive year.
Garland said he attended yesterday’s official opening of Camp Kawartha and was moved to see such a beautiful facility that, a few years ago, had only been an idea.
He attends each year’s concert and, as the sponsor, usually addresses the crowd. “I’m the one guy on the stage each year with no talent,” he said with a laugh.
Mayor Paul Ayotte, who was also at yesterday’s announcement at Showplace, said the concert is well supported because the Gainey family is so well-respected in Peterborough.
“Bob was born and raised in Peterborough and he has never forgotten his roots,” Ayotte said.
Peterborough’s fortunate to have so much artistic talent for the concert, Ayotte added.
Songwriter Cyril Rawson will again be part of next year’s concert.
The Peterborough resident, who has worked with singers Anne Murray and Keith Urban, said he’ll likely bring one of the singers he’s working with to perform at concert.
“It’s a great cause,” Rawson said.
Meanwhile, Gainey said he’s happy to have a concert next year but doesn’t know if there will be a show in 2011.
“These things have a lifetime,” he said.
NOTES: Mayor Paul Ayotte used to beBob Gainey’shockey coach. Ayotte said he used to coach Gainey on the Immaculate Conception midget hockey team.
MeanwhileDon Barrie,who was also at yesterday’s concert announcement at Showplace, said he used to be Gainey’s teacher at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School.
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Concert facts
What: Gainey Family and Friends Concert.
When: March 14 at 7 p. m.
Where: Showplace Peterborough.
The lineup so far: Comedian Steve Patterson as MC, Peterborough Pop Ensemble, Kris Newby, Barry Haggarty Band, Cyril Rawson, Jackson Delta, James McKenty of The Spades, Rob Winslow of 4th Line Theatre and John McDermott.
Tickets: $100 and available at Showplace or The Peterborough Examiner.
Call: Showplace at 742-7469 or The Examiner at 745-4641, ext. 252.