It’s not unusual for people to wonder if bigger name bands would ever play a private, corporate or charitable event.  And the answer is: yes,  if the price is right. The fee range is huge and, of course, the bigger the name of the band, the higher the cost. Some bands are in the tens of thousands, others hundreds of thousands.

Charities often want to know if name bands will do events for free or a reduced rate. Sometimes. But usually only if they are already deeply invested in a cause or a person involved with the event.  If a name band does agree to play for free, there is a risk. Bands that are getting paid have a much better chance of appearing than those that don’t. They may even have some kind of arrangement with their agent that if a paying opportunity comes up on the same night that there’s a pro bono gig, the paying gig must be accepted.

Let’s say everything is going along perfectly: the band is available on the date they’re needed and the fee has been agreed upon. Then what? A whole lot of reading. The event planner has to read the contract and every rider that came with it – forwards and backwards.  She has to understand exactly what she is getting her company or charity into and what it will cost to proceed with this band.

There are usually additional, sometimes hidden costs, and knowing what those are can be the difference between a responsible event and a financial disaster.  Even the flight. There’s a big difference in the cost between an economy airline ticket to Calgary from Vancouver and a private jet from Japan.

In fact, there’s a very good possibility that members of the band will be coming in from a variety of cities and may have to be picked up separately. Some name bands will have riders about ground transportation and will require limos or town cars and professional drivers.

Name bands often expect per diems, intended  to cover certain costs when traveling. Sometimes bands prefer large per diems and pay for all of their expenses out of those. Other times, travel, accommodations, maybe even some meals will be covered, in which case per diems will be smaller.

Name bands usually have green room requirements, the first one being that there be a green room. A green room is simply a (usually) private room put aside for bands to gather. It is usually stocked with food, drink and other amenities. The items required are usually listed in a document  from the contract, often called a hospitality rider – and that document needs to be reviewed very carefully to ensure there’s nothing in there that will break the bank.

The technical rider is another standard document that accompanies Band contracts. It outlines sound, staging, lighting and other similar requirements that the host must provide.

Once a deal is signed, the event is obligated to provide the band whatever has been agreed upon in the contract and any riders that accompanied it. That can be anything from table space in the lobby for one star ‘s (Amy Grant)  favourite charity  to metal detectors and inspection of venues by police K9 unit for another (Barbara Streisand).

How seriously do bands take the riders? Very. The standard performance contract used by Van Halen famously had a line item for M&M’s with all the brown candies removed. Brown M&M’s were cause to cancel the show but still be fully paid for the gig. The band claims to have snuck that article in the  technical rider to see how closely local crews were reading the contract and riders.   If brown M&M’s were present, they felt they had a good indication that there would be problems ahead with the show.

Of course, most events can’t afford big name bands. The good news is,  a myriad of options are available at almost any price point. If the boss has his heart set on the rolling stones, however, start saving now. They come in at several million dollars.

Sharon Barwick is an award-winning event and wedding planner with Simply Elegant.

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This year, Three Days Grace, Tom Hanks, Nickelback, Dolly Parton and the Kratt Brothers all donated items (in some cases much more) that helped The James Fund raise money to help kids fight neuroblastoma, one of the deadliest childhood cancers.

Every year, the California Wine Fair sweeps across Canada. This year, in Toronto alone, it brought 400 premium wines from 125 of California’s top producers, the largest tasting tour of California wines in the great white north. As it was last year, The James Fund was selected by The California Wine Fair as the charity to run and benefit from the silent auction. And what a silent auction it was.

Spirited bidding broke out on several items, including this beautiful guitar autographed by every member of Three Days Grace. Even better, the band came to the event and had their picture taken with the winner. Band member Brad Walst and his wife Rhonda, who is on the board of The James Fund, secured a number of other wonderful items for the cause, including a Tiffany Silver Limited edition Kings of Leon flask, a guitar signed by every member of Nickelback and other exclusive one of a kind items.

And as they do at all of these events, everyone wanted to talk to Syd Birrell, the father of James Birrell, for whom The James Fund is named. Although it is too late for his own child, Syd works tirelessly for a day that other children will not die from neuroblastoma. Syd and Brad spent a fair bit of time talking about the cause and some of the important break-throughs coming as a result of the research The James Fund supports.

Tens of thousands of dollars were raised – but more importantly, neuroblastoma families had the chance to connect with new people and tell them about the important research being done at The James Birrell Lab at SickKids to help fight this most deadly of childhood cancers.

Thank you to our host, Rick Slomka.

Let’s do it again next year, shall we?

Photo credit: all photos by Susan McLennan

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It’s the nickel capital of the world. And while Sudbury is not what I would call a pretty town, it is beautiful.  And that’s thanks to its people.

I traveled with the Kratt Brothers to Sudbury recently. It’s a city that has seen its fair share of challenges of late. The mine is facing its longest strike ever and the economy is down. But the people are not. The are up. In every way possible. And more than anything else, they are courteous.

I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t the ubiquitous politeness we encountered everywhere we went, and especially from the thousands of people who came out to see their favourite tv stars. To a person, every member of the public was thoughtful and considerate. And while they formed lines for the autograph session, instead of “I was here first,” I overheard phrases like, “I’m sorry, I think you were ahead of me.” “Oh, excuse me, I bumped into you.”

Sudbury, you knocked our socks off! To Stephen, Tricia, Celine and everyone else with the City of  Sudbury and to all of your families and amazing volunteers, thank you. You were great fun to work with. To Lisa and Scott (a concierge who could hold his own in New York) from the hotel, wow, you made our stay really special. And to the thousands of you who came out to see the Kratts’ show and ESPECIALLY to those of you who waited in line with such patience and such a sense of community, we are grateful to each and every one of you for making our stay in your beautiful town (and yes, I do mean beautiful) so memorable.

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The women are all featured performers in a new television show called BIG VOICE which will air on the W Network. Each week, Elaine Overholt, vocal coach to the stars (Richard Gere, Rene Zellweger), gets to the heart of each woman’s singing persona and what’s holding her back, helping her dig deep within to find her inner power and strength through song. Every episode culminates in a fully produced performance of each woman’s song, usually one written by, for or about her.

One of the performers is Kelly Downs, the Director of Development and Volunteers at The Good Neighbours’ Club, a day club for homeless men who are fifty and over. Kelly is self possessed and beautiful, and it’s hard to imagine that at one time her life was as full of trouble as some of the members of the Club. BIG VOICE had filmed Kelly at the club and when Jack Lenz, the head of Lenz Entertainment, the production company behind the TV show, heard that The Good Neighbours’ Club was in urgent need of a fundraising event, he and his production team jumped in with both feet to bring the women’s acts to the stage.

Virtually every performer who is part of the first season of the TV show also performed, donating their time and their considerable talents to help older, homeless men in desperate need of hand up, not a hand out. And until the first rehearsal in the week leading up to this November 25 show called BIG HEARTS, BIG NIGHT, none of them had ever met before. But these sisters of song came together to help older men in their greatest time of need. And all of us involved with The Good Neighbours’ Club are truly grateful.

I’d love to tell you more about their stories – but the television show will do that so much better than I, so I will simply share a little about the incredible gifts they brought to this very special evening.

Kelly Downs

Kelly Downs kicked off the evening with a rousing number and later sang a touching song written by her father, a musician, who died unexpectedly only weeks ago, still beaming with pride in his daughter’s final performance for the tv show.

Tyla Bolte

The gracious Tyla Bolte sang a vampy fun number about stepping out into the world, stunning in a gorgeous floor-length gown and black veil draping part of her face.

Nuala Byles with Liz West, Lisa Hildebrandt, and Laura Robinson

Nuala Byles, an extremely accomplished Creative Director in advertising and design, sang a song that celebrated her love of life, which she has held more dear since a near death experience. Christopher Ward wrote the beautiful song “Step Into the Light” especially for her. Christopher Ward’s other songs include “Black Velvet,” made popular by Nuala’s sister Alannah Myles.

Michelle B

Michelle B. is the owner of one of Toronto’s most loved restaurants, The Corner House, near Casa Loma. In her previous life, Michelle B. had a top 40 hit and toured North America. Michelle wrote the song she sang called Slippin Away, a video of which was shot with accliamed Music Director “Little X.” Michelle B. and The Corner House very kindly donated an extraordinary bottle of wine for the auction.

Leslie Adlam

Leslie Adlam brought the house down with a rousing Gospel number that didn’t seem possible coming from a Business Analyst for one of Canada’s investment dealers located in the city’s financial district. Besides her gift of song, Leslie’s sense of humour had kept Elaine Overholt and the women of BIG VOICE in great spirits throughout the rehearsals.

Carol Fawcett with sisters Nanci Francis, Victoria Wright and Tracey Vogrin

An effervescent singer with great presence, Carol Fawcett sang with sisters Nanci Francis, Victoria Wright, and Tracey Vogrin. Together, they nailed a fabulous Big Band number inspired by their mother who was, in fact, a big band era singer.

Laura Robinson with brother Chris Robinson

Laura Robinson sang a lovely song she wrote for her father which she played with her brother, professional jazz saxophonist Chris Robinson. She also generously and beautifully sang back up for various other women over the course of the night. Laura is also one of the inventors of the game “Balderdash” and one of the authors of the most recent “Chicken Soup” book. Laura very kindly donated autographed books and games for the auction.

Lisa Hildebrandt and Josh Lavoie

Lisa Hildebrandt had a spell in her life where things were going about as well as they do in a country and western song – and that inspired her choice of musical genre. She held her own against any professional country and western singer and did a magnificent job.

Liz West and Josh Lavoie

Liz West is known and loved to Torontonians as the Entertainment Reporter for CityTV – but tonight she didn’t report, she was a STAR! Joined by Josh Lavoie, who had also sung with Lisa Hildebrandt, they sang beautiful harmonies and looked like they were having the time of their lives.

Margot Jane Kempton with Tyla Bolte and Laura Robinson

Margot Jane Kempton sang with such warmth, the whole room fell in love with her. She was joined by Tyla Bolte and Laura Robinson.

Roxy Cummings

Roxy Cummings lost both of her parents at a very young age and was basically left to raise herself. She’s done an extraordinary job – and no one who heard her that night could do anything but remember her.

Cara Volchoff and some of the Women of Big Voice

Cara Volchoff, the creative producer of BIG VOICE,  joined the women on stage for a breathtaking performance of “Natural Woman,” backing up the incomparable Elaine Overholt. Cara was fabulous to work with as we pulled the details together and she is hard at work on VERB.ATIM for the Helix Dance Project, which opens at  The Isabel Bader Theatre on December 11 (for tickets call 416.618.1682).

Elaine Overholt, Emcee, storyteller and Star of the Evening

Elaine Overholt told the stories of these women, introducing each one with love and thoughtfulness. Elaine Overholt rehearsed each of these women’s numbers, accompanying them when Jack Lenz was not. She held the audience spell bound and in the palm of her hand at the same time.

Jack Lenz

And then there is Jack Lenz. Jack saw senior men down on their luck and in trouble and asked how he could help. Jack Lenz is a world renowned musician and composer in his own right. He’s probably the busiest person you could ever meet – and yet he threw a tremendous amount of support and care into pulling together a fundraiser that will see at least 30,000 meals be served to men who otherwise would go hungry and face greater peril in the streets.

Jack Lenz then made a sizable donation on top of that which will allow the work of the Good Neighbours’ Club, under the very capable leadership of Dr. Bruno Scorsone, to continue. A remarkable man, Jack Lenz embodies the very spirit of giving and generosity.

Jack Lenz, Susan McLennan and Elaine Overholt

A big round of applause also goes to our technical team who donated their time, Stage Manager Nicole Paserin and our Lighting Operator Michael Bergmann who brought along colleague, Mike Wilson, to run the spot. To Mark and Laurie Rosenfield who offered immeasurable support in helping to set this up, to GNC’s Helen Hawkins, Kelly Downs, Adrienne McLennan, Charles Hill and Bruno Scorsone, to Babble On’s Deborah Keegan who worked tirelessly to help organize this event, and to Chris Lawrence, our fabulous auctioneer for the evening — well done. We couldn’t have done this without you.

Every one of you who was part of this event looked at the increasing need of those living in poverty in very hard times and said, “you are not alone. I will stand with you.” And that is the mark of a very good person.

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Paul Croutch lived a difficult life and died, tragically, from poverty and intolerance. His death was the result of a vicious beating administered by intoxicated soldiers from an armoury near the Good Neighbours’ Club, the closest thing he had to a home.

Croutch had more problems than friends, but those who were able to get close to him remember him for his quick mind and a fine sense of humour. Many of them gathered this past Tuesday to honour their friend and mark the First Annual Day of the Homeless, an event to remind us all that each of us is born with the right to dignity.

Deborah Keegan, Citytv’s Roger Petersen and Susan McLennan

There were so many who gave of their time and efforts to make the day a great success. Citytv’s Roger Petersen was a fabulous host, keeping the proceedings moving and engaging the crowd. Club members loved having the man they so often welcomed into the club via their television screen a part of their special day.

Gerard Kennedy speaks at Good Neighbours’ Club Day of the Homeles

MP’s Gerard Kennedy and Dan McTeague both rearranged their days on about 16 hours notice to be part of the event when former Lieutenant Governor James Bartleman, who was supposed to speak, was unable to attend because of an urgent and unexpected matter that arose.

Dan McTeague and Susan McLennan

Both Kennedy and McTeague spoke passionately and articulately, as they have so often for the voiceless and the downtrodden. They also pledged to continue their support for the Good Neighbours’ Club having had a chance to talk to the members and hear more about their lives.

Firebrand Councillor Paula Fletcher; Citytv’s Roger Petersen looking on

Councillor Paula Fletcher represented the City of Toronto and brought the house down with a fiery speech that advocating justice for all. The City provided the generous gift of the building in which The Good Neighbours’ Club lives.

Chief Bill Blair at The Good Neighbours’ Club

Metro Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair talked about the hardships so many who live on the streets face. Blair is the Vice Patron of Good Neighbours’ Club. Its Patron is Lieutenant Governor David Onley.

Metro Toronto Police Piper playing Lament for Good Neighbours’ Club members who died in last year

The eleven Good Neighbours’ Club members who have died over the last year were honoured with a Lament by a Metro Toronto Police Piper and a moment of silence which followed.  And then, as we hoped they would have wanted it, a barbecue followed, made possible thanks to a local Metro grocery department and the charm of Alex Zsager.

Charles Hill (Good Neighbours’ Club board chair) on Left with Alex Zsager, staff on right

Alex Zsager was once a club member and is now on the Good Neighbours’ Staff.

As always, I am profoundly grateful to Deborah Keegan who put a great amount of time and heart into The Day of the Homeless, as she does into each and every project. Both Deb and I are so thankful that Paul Croutch’s friend Ray May, a Good Neighbours’ Club member, was so willing to talk to the media and to share insight into Croutch’s life and death.

Ray did about a dozen interviews (about 30 media stories that we know of appeared) including The Toronto Star, The Toronto Sun, Metro, and 24hrs, CBC television, CBC radio, Radio Canada, Global News, and of course, Citytv.

Deborah Keegan, Ray May, and Susan McLennan

Babble On is privileged to have donated its services to be part of this special day. Thank you for letting us help you honour one of your own, a man who died tragically but whose death may prevent the deaths of others.

Let’s hope so anyway.

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There are some celebrities who truly embrace the spirit of giving back. ET’s Rick Campanelli and Triumph’s Rik Emmett and Dave Dunlop are three such men.

Emmett, who is one of the original Triumph members and Dunlop, a more recent addition to Triumph, played the Kerr Street Celebration in Oakville last week under the banner of their fabulous band, The Strung-Out Troubadours.

Rick Campanelli did the hosting honours and by all accounts, did a fabulous job. Co-sponsored by Kiwanis Oakville, the event benefited Kerr Street Ministries, a group that looks after Oakville’s neediest. I’m not sure the final numbers are in but word is that a good chunk of change was raised to help this truly fine organization.

About the Strung-Out Troubadours

Since Rik Emmett and Dave Dunlop formed the Strung-Out Troubadours in 2006, the duo has garnered significant critical acclaim including being named “Group of the Year” at the 2007 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. They perform both original pieces and covers and have come to be known as an act that satisfies a wide range of musical preferences. Emmett was an original member of the band Triumph and Dunlop performs with the re-formed Triumph.

About Rick Campanelli

Already one of Canada’s most popular TV personalities when he began with ET Canada in September 2005, Rick Campanelli’s onair career started after winning the 1994 MuchMusic Temp contest.

His easygoing, up-front style quickly made him a favourite of TV viewers from coast-to-coast. From his flying leap off a jagged cliff with Sean Paul, to his dive out of an airplane with the Foo Fighters, to the pounding he took from pro wrestler, Cain, his willingness to go the distance speaks volumes about his work ethic and dedication.

“You won’t find a nicer guy in this business. What you see is what you get and that’s why he has legions of fans who can’t get enough.”

-Zev Shalev, Senior Executive Producer, ET Canada.

About Kerr Street Ministries

Kerr Street Ministries (KSM) helps and gives hope to Oakville’s most vulnerable  citizens. Serving over 1800 people, KSM provides holistic support and care particularly for children and youth and low income families.

About SoChange:

SoChange provides opportunities for capacity building and shared change around the world. As an organization dedicated to advocacy, SoChange’s activities include brokering relationships with charitable organizations, planning fundraising events, and writing and consulting on project proposals and raise awareness for the non-governmental community. The organization exists to advocate, educate and stimulate active dialogue and tangible social change. SoChange envisions a world where extreme poverty is eliminated, human rights are respected, and the impact of HIV/AIDS is significantly reduced. Working locally and acting globally, SoChange is about influencing leaders and individuals here and abroad.

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