Gordon Lightfoot Forums - Orillia Opera House benefit concerts

http://www.orillia.ca/en/News/index....e-1bb3feeb7562

Lightfoot comes home for two benefit concerts

Posted on Tuesday October 09, 2012

The Sunshine City’s native son, internationally-acclaimed singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, will mark his return to the Orillia Opera House stage next month with two charity fundraising concerts to benefit the Opera House and Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH).

Tickets for “Gordon Lightfoot in Concert” go on sale this Thursday, October 11 at 11 a.m. The shows are 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 11 and tickets are $75 each. To secure tickets, call the box office at 1-705-326-8011 or 1-888-ORILLIA or visit www.orilliaoperahouse.ca. In person, tickets can be purchased at the Orillia Opera House, 20 Mississaga St. W.

“I'm looking forward to performing in Orillia once again,” Lightfoot said. "The Opera House holds some very fond memories for me and I'm pleased that the proceeds will go towards two very worthy causes that are close to my heart."

Apart from a surprise appearance at 2012 Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia this past summer where he performed two songs, Lightfoot hasn’t played in his home town since 2009. Back then he again played two benefit shows with proceeds split between the same two causes. Tickets were in such demand that all 1,400 were gone within 48 hours.

“Gordon’s longstanding commitment to his hometown and to the hospital is both heartwarming and inspirational,” said Elisabeth Riley, OSMH President and CEO. “We look forward to seeing him back on the stage that bears his name.”

“Gordon has given back to the community and the hospital in so many ways,” said Nicole McCahon, Executive Director of the OSMH Foundation. “People may not realize but the force behind these benefit concerts has always been Gordon himself. We’ve never asked him to perform, or to donate proceeds to the hospital. It’s something he has always done out of the goodness of his heart and we are incredibly grateful.”

Lightfoot’s history of performance at the Opera House can be traced back to 1950 when, as a 10-year-old, he won second place at an amateur talent show singing “Bless This House.” He never forgot Orillia throughout his incredible rise to fame, and Orillia never forgot about him. Lightfoot and the historic circa 1895-venue became linked forever in 1997 when the Opera House’s theatre was renamed the Gordon Ligthfoot Auditorium.

“We are so grateful for his continued generosity and support for this venue and are always very excited to welcome him home," said Krista Storey, Orillia Opera House General Manager. “Back in 2009, people traveled from as far away as Halifax to see him perform in his own hometown theatre. We expect there’ll be just as much excitement and interest this time around.”

Media contact information:

Krista Storey

General Manager

Orillia Opera House

gm@orilliaoperahouse.ca

705-325-2095

Jaclyn Bucik

Community Relations Specialist

Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital

705-325-2201 ext. 3617

jabucik@osmh.on.ca.