PLAYING IT FORWARD: When cuts to public school funding meant Vancouver’s inner city children had limited or no access to music education, long-time Downtown Eastside area resident Kathryn Walker decided to do something about it. She rallied support in the community for a music academy that would not only teach music but use it as a means of transforming young lives. In 2007, the Saint James Music Academy was born with roughly 40 students participating in after-school music programs. Today nearly 200 students take part — for free — receiving music instruction and meals, with another 250 children involved in outreach programs. The academy was once again the beneficiary of the fourth Sing It Forward concert staged at the Vogue. Local musicians including KOS, Bear Mountain and Bend Sinister came together for the all-ages charity concert founded by Hey Ocean’s David Vertesi and his wife, Ambrosia. A reported $40,000 was generated from the music benefit.
MOVIN’ ON UP: Led by Lorne Segal, the Courage to Come Back Awards is always a life-affirming heart-warmer. The annual awards dinner pays tribute to B.C. residents who have demonstrated extraordinary courage in their recovery from illness or adversity. Segal kicked off the campaign and call for nominations on the 34th floor of the Scotiabank Tower. The reception, attended by former recipients, dignitaries and scads of media, was a far cry from the awards inaugural launch where a modest group gathered in the basement of Coast Mental Health’s former Mount Pleasant offices 17 years ago, recalled Segal and Coast CEO Darrell Burnham. Since then, awareness and profile of the organization’s efforts have grown with nearly 4,300 recipients of its many programs and services. Nearly $10 million has been raised from the annual gala-do to promote recovery of persons with mental illness. The 2015 edition will be in May.
AND THE BAND (LEADER) PLAYED ON: Legendary bandleader Dal Richards continues his swingin’ ways. Showing no signs of slowing down, the maestro recently played his 76th consecutive New Year’s gig at Richmond’s River Rock Resort and Casino, an impressive run that began at the Palomar Supper Club in 1938. The B.C. Entertainment Hall of Famer marked his 97th birthday with a party held at his Beatty Street home and orchestrated by his wife, Muriel Honey, who’s responsible for filling Richards’ busy social calendar. Friends and family filed into his Crosstown pad for the milestone celebrations. Attendees, including fellow Hall of Famers Red Robinson and Christopher Gaze, joined in a chorus of “Happy Birthday” led by the nonagenarian.
