Gala Draws 300+ to Support Young Artists of Hamilton
By Rob Faulkner, HWDSB
More than 300 attended the HWDSB Foundation Gala to benefit the young artists of Hamilton.
Talent – from clowning to drama to music – flowed in LIUNA Station Nov. 12 as more than 300 educators and community members filled the Grand Ballroom for a new gala dedicated to supporting the arts in HWDSB schools.
The HWDSB Foundation launched the Young Artists of Hamilton Benefit Gala, sponsored by Meridian Credit Union, to help provide all students with access to the arts. Foundation Chair Wayne Joudrie made it clear that poverty holds students back, and should end now.
The Government of Canada, he said, “passed a motion on November 24, 1989 to end child poverty” and 26 years later “the needle hasn’t moved.” But the Foundations’ making a difference because “together we can do anything,” he told the crowd.
The HWDSB Foundation is a charity that operates at arms-length from HWDSB. It raises funds in the community to help students in need and to support schools with funding that enhances curricular programming and experiential learning opportunities.
The gala certainly tapped into Hamilton rich offerings of arts, music, dance and theatre. Entering the former train station, guests walked by artwork by students from a variety of schools. They could pose for a photo booth, jot their name down in the silent auction and hear event MC Pierre Kountouris’ booming voice announcing acts on stage.
Singer-songwriter Tomi Swick was there; so was Harrison Kennedy; headliner and Juno winner Steve Strongman brought his electric blues to really get the party hopping. “We all need support,” Strongman said. And thanks to the gala, young artists are getting what they need.
Student talents were also well-represented, with the Westmount Jazz 1 Big Band; the Glendale Dance Team led by teacher Valerie Moore; the Sherwood Funk Band that is gaining fame on the HWDSB circuit; Saltfleet’s communications technology program that handled the night’s media needs and live photo stream; and the antics of a Sir Allan MacNab Drama class who used the Pochinko Clowning style to present an eight-minute clowning version of Romeo and Juliet, called Clownio and Fooliette.
There was even a surprise entertainer, who almost left Kountouris speechless when he hoped on stage. Director of Education Manny Figueiredo hopped the small step, slung on his guitar and despite not playing as often as he’d like, sung and played a cover of the song Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).
And that Green Day tune could very well have been hinting at the joy of discovering a creative passion in one of HWDSB’s schools.
“It’s something unpredictable, but in the end is right, I hope you had the time of your life.”
Enjoy some photos from the night, with thanks to Saltfleet students for their great photography.
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- LIUNA Station
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- Student art on display.
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- Meridian Credit Union presents its major sponsorship of $25,000 for the gala.
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- (L-R): Steve Strongman and Harrison Kennedy.
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- Westmount Jazz 1 Big Band
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- Glendale Dance Team
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- Silent auction items
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- Board Chair Todd White with a young future artist and fellow Trustees Penny Deathe and Jeff Beattie.
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- Clownio and Fooliettte
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- Director of Education Manny Figueiredo plays for the crowd.
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- Foundation Chair Wayne Joudrie cites child poverty’s injustice.
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- Headliner Steve Strongman
Updated on Friday, November 13, 2015.