A newly formed company, Inglorious B Productions, will have as its inaugural performance a show called Inglorious Women: Toronto, a fundraising event where all proceeds will be donated in aid of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic.
The clinic was established in the memory of Barbra Schlifer, whose life was taken by violence on the night she was to be admitted to the bar of Ontario on April 11, 1980. The Clinic helps approximately 4,000 women a year to build lives free from violence through counselling, legal representation and language interpretation and was the first clinic in Canada to specializes in providing free legal services to women who experience violence.
According to the press release from the Company, Danie Friesen and Renée Salewski, Co-Artistic Directors, were prompted by the stream of voices flowing from the theatrical and musical communities over the past year, calling out sexual harassment and assault in their workplaces. By donating the funds raised to the Clinic, Friesen, Salewski and the over 20 performers are donating their time and talents, hoping to make a sizable contribution to an organization that helps underrepresented women build lives free from violence by providing counselling, legal advice and fees.
“So many women are speaking out about the ills of our industry, from control of artistic expression to disrespect of mind and body. Acknowledgment and support is vital,” explained noted Toronto-area stage director/playwright/performer Renée SalewskI. “We aim to offer both. In the not so recent past, I have faced the need for legal advice and personal counselling for both personal and professional reasons. I could not have afforded to receive those services without help from dear friends and kind connections. I am privileged and grateful to have those people in my sphere, and it compels me to give back to an organization like the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, which helps underrepresented women build lives free from violence in whatever form they are facing it.”
The concert, featuring established and up and coming operatic and musical theatre talent, will take place at 7:30 pm, on June 1st at St Andrew’s Church in downtown Toronto. The artists will treat the audience to some of their favourite classical and musical theatre numbers, with a few entertaining surprises along the way.
The list of artists in the inaugural performance include Allyson Devenish, Christina Faye, Beste Kalender, Kira Braun, Cassandra Warner, Elisabeth Polese, Annie Ramos, Allison Arends, Danie Friesen, Cara Adams, Marcelle Boisjoli, Renée Salewski, Hilary June Hart, Ramona Joy Carmelly, Emma Char. Joining them are “The Allies,” male artists who are supporting this initiative — Michael Robert Broder, Alexander Hajek, Cole Kapoor, Justin Welsh, Robert de Vrij, Cairan Ryan, and Paul Williamson.
St Andrew’s Church / 73 Simcoe Street, Toronto / Friday June 1, 2018 at 7:30
Ticket: $20 at the door/$15 Advance/Free for children under 12. Advance booking at Brown Paper Tickets: https://m.bpt.me/event/3417647 Email: ingloriousBproductions@gmail.com
- SCRUTINY | Opera Atelier’s All Is Love Makes Triumphal Return - April 15, 2024
- SCRUTINY | From The Heart: Ema Nikolovska And Charles Richard-Hamelin Offer Unique Program At Koerner Hall - March 26, 2024
- SCRUTINY | The Glenn Gould School Spring Opera Presents A Superb Dialogues Des Carmélites - March 22, 2024
