Sam Roberts Convinces Andy Kim To Take Christmas Concert To Montreal

By Karen Bliss 12/1/14 | www.samaritanmag.com

Mr. Andy Kim — photo courtesy of Andy Kim Christmas.
The Andy Kim Christmas concert has become an annual thing in Toronto, selling out, attracting an assortment of Canadian talent to the stage and most importantly raising money for various charities. This year marks the 10th year the legendary songwriter of “Sugar Sugar” and “Rock Me Gently” puts on the event and the first time he’s adding a second city.

“Sam Roberts thought it would be a great idea if I took our Christmas Show to Montreal this year so I'm doing that as well as the Toronto show,” Kim tells Samaritanmag.

The Montreal show — Dec. 13 at Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre — features Roberts, Ron Sexmith, Patrick Watson, Amy Millan (of Stars) and Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene). Tickets are $30.50 (plus service charges) at Evenko and benefit The Starlight Children’s Foundation. More artists will be announced.

In a press statement, Starlight Canada’s executive director Brian Bringolf said, “The Starlight Children’s Foundation is a leader in providing in hospital and out patient services to seriously ill children and their families. In Montreal, Starlight touches over 5000 children each and every month. Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada is delighted to embark on this relationship with Mr. Andy Kim.

“Andy’s songs have brought so much joy to so many adults for so many years,” he added, “it is only fitting that this fundraiser will help Starlight bring joy to many Montreal children suffering from serious illness.”

The Toronto Show — Dec. 10 at Virgin Mobile Club — features Lights, Finger Eleven, Platinum Blonde, Neverest, Beverley Mahood, and Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning and Drew. Tickets for the 19-+ concert are $25 (plus S.C.) are available at Ticketmaster and once again benefit Gifts of Light, which Kim selected last year as well. It provides Christmas gifts for patients of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) who are often without family during the holidays.

“What a beautiful program to help at this time of year,” Kim tells Samaritanmag. “Christmas arouses emotional memories in all of us and to know that Gifts of Light is reaching out is inspiring. Having personally gone to CAMH and seen what Gifts of Light can do is the reason this is our charity again this year.

"I feel that some people are just forgotten, especially at this time of year — especially patients such as the ones I've seen at CAMH and I sometimes feel that there is not much I can do to help change this cycle. Gifts of Light makes me feel that its program can capture a special moment and make a patient's world better and stronger and healthier."

Kim says more artists may be added to the shows and that everyone donates their time and talent. “I've been blessed to have so many artists help me year after year. Nonetheless I still get anxious about who can make it and who can't and who will care enough to buy a ticket.”

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* Samaritanmag.com is an online magazine covering the good deeds of individuals, charities and businesses.