advertisement
FYI

Acts Rally Behind Dec. 17 Unison Fundraising Concert

The Unison Benevolent Fund assistance program for the Canadian music industry is in the frontline when it comes to offering support for a sector that has been hard hit by the pandemic.

Acts Rally Behind Dec. 17 Unison Fundraising Concert

By External Source

The Unison Benevolent Fund assistance program for the Canadian music industry is in the frontline when it comes to offering support for a sector that has been hard hit by the pandemic. A virtual concert has been announced for Thursday, December 17 at 8 pm EST. Billed as Canada In Unison Holiday Special: In Concert, it features a large and impressive cast. 


On the bill (so far) are Iskwe + Tom Wilson, Jim Cuddy, July Talk, Matthew Good, members of Mother Mother, Neon Dreams, Ruth B., Sam Roberts Band, Sarah Harmer, Scott Helman, Tim Hicks, The Glorious Sons, and Tom Jackson. The virtual event includes elements of live along with newly pre-recorded performances and beyond the entertainment value, it is designed to draw attention to the increased demand and urgency to support the Canadian music industry during the lockdown as the need for support increases with so many music people out-of-work and in-need.

advertisement

With venues, tours and festivals shut down and indefinitely paused due to the covid virus, those in the music industry who rely on the live business for revenue have been severely impacted, leaving numerous entertainment professionals out of work and requiring emergency relief assistance that Unison provides.

Since the beginning of the global pandemic, the request for Unison services has increased by 5,500% with over $1.2M in funds already allocated and paid to support over 2,200 people in the business as the need for support continues to grow.

Says Unison Board Chair Bernie Breen: "As requests for help continue to increase substantially, and we head into the winter months, the Unison Benevolent Fund hopes that it can continue to raise the much-needed funds to ensure stability and resiliency in the Canadian music industry over the course of this pandemic and beyond, We are extremely grateful to the artist participants and everyone that has supported us over the years and during these challenging times.”

advertisement

Tickets for the event are $30 (taxes included) and are available for purchase at sessionslive.com/canadainunison/tickets.

All proceeds and donations collected from Canada In Unison Holiday Special: In Concert will support the Unison Benevolent Fund – amplifying their efforts and focus on helping those most in need.

Donate here 

About Unison Benevolent Fund

Unison Benevolent Fund is a non-profit, registered charity that provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community. We are here to help professional music makers in times of hardship, illness or economic difficulties. Unison Benevolent Fund is an assistance program – created and administered for the music community, by the music community – designed to provide discreet relief to music industry professionals in times of crisis through financial assistance and counselling and health solutions.

For more information on Unison Benevolent Fund please visit: unisonfund.ca  Facebook  Instagram  Twitter

advertisement
William Shatner at the 22nd Annual VES Awards hosted by the Visual Effects Society held at The Beverly Hilton on February 21, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.
JC Olivera/Variety

William Shatner at the 22nd Annual VES Awards hosted by the Visual Effects Society held at The Beverly Hilton on February 21, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.

Rock

William Shatner To Go Where He’s Never Gone Before on Heavy Metal Album Featuring Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden Covers

The 94-year-old TV icon teased that the untitled LP will feature 35 "metal virtuosos."

Forget about second acts in American life, TV legend William Shatner is up to his fourth, maybe 10th act at this point. The 94-year-old actor best known for playing the irascible James T. Kirk on the original Star Trek series and movies, as well as police sergeant T.J. Hooker in the 1980s is boldly going where even he hasn’t gone before.

In an Instagram post on Thursday (Feb. 19), the mutli-hyphenate performer who made his musical debut in 1968 with the beyond bizarre The Transformed Man LP featuring his florid readings of The Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” and Elton John’s “Rocket Man,” announced that he’s prepping his first heavy metal album at an age where metal typically goes into your body rather than comes out.

keep readingShow less
advertisement