Entertainment Notebook:: The MUHC Foundation and the Beat 92.5’s Raise Craze; Eva The Louse; Myra's Kids; The Headliners and more

The MUHC Foundation, in collaboration with The Beat 92.5 and Pink in the City, raised $95,000 at the ninth edition of the MUHC Foundation’s Raise Craze to support breast cancer care at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). Local clothing store la Vie en Rose also agreed to generously match all donations up to $35,000 underscoring their commitment to advancing health care in Quebec.

The four co-hosts from The Beat 92.5—Lee Haberkorn, Claudia Marques, Kim Kieran and Mark Bergman—enthusiastically agreed to dye their hair pink for the cause, and Lee and Mark shaved their heads on October 30, motivating the community to step up in support of breast cancer care during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “I joined Raise Craze because I wanted to actively build a healthier world for my daughter Scarlett, and for future generations,” said Haberkorn. “ I’ve lost someone close to me to cancer, and I know how hard it can be on a family. We’re extremely proud to use our platform to shine a light on such an important cause and support the incredible work being done at the MUHC.”

Raise Craze always draws a massive outpouring of support from the community. With one  in eight women predicted to receive a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, it explains why so many feel connected to the cause. “I joined this beautiful fundraiser on behalf of my darling friend Sarah, a survivor of breast cancer, and in support of all the women fighting breast cancer right now,” added Marques. “Our listeners have a huge heart, and it was amazing to see how everyone came together to raise these crucial funds. Together, we’ll strike our breast cancer!”

As Quebecers continue to rally behind this vital cause, collective efforts are bringing hope to countless women and their families—especially since so many of us are touched by cancer and share the MUHC Foundation’s big dream to end it as a deadly disease.“My grandmother, and some of my closest friends are true warriors, and I think of them every time I get a breast exam,” says Kim Kieran. “ I joined the MUHC Foundation’s Raise Craze for them, and for everyone affected by breast cancer. Today, we witnessed the power of our community coming together to make a real difference—we’re honoured to be part of this fight to beat breast cancer.”

With funds supporting the very best minds in breast cancer care at the MUHC, the sentiment at the Glen hospital on October 30 for the shave, was that we are on the cusp of something transformative. The shave, done during a live broadcast of The Beat Breakfast Club, was filled with hope for a future we are all playing a part in building. "Today, we came one step closer to a world where cancer doesn’t claim the lives of those we love,” commented Bergman. “ It’s important that we honour the countless women courageously fighting breast cancer and remembering those, like my mother, who lost their battle. We stand with you, cheer you on, and are fighting to build a future where we put end to breast cancer once and for all!”

Raise Craze is as successful as it is each year because Quebecers believe so deeply in the cause. If it wasn’t for the generosity of MUHC Foundation’s donors and The Beat’s listeners, MUHC’s cancer experts wouldn’t have all the resources they need to work on breakthroughs in care and to improve the lives of the thousand women treated each year with a newly diagnosed breast cancer.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the commitment of partners like The Beat 92.5, la Vie en Rose and Pink in the City, we are making transformative strides in breast cancer research and ensuring patients receive the best care possible,” stated Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation. “Our mission at the MUHC Foundation is to build a world where women don’t just survive, but thrive post-treatment.”

Since the beginning of the partnership in 2016, Pink in the City, which began Raise Craze, has raised over $1 million for the MUHC Foundation. These funds have been instrumental in advancing breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care at the MUHC. “It’s heartwarming to see the community come together for a cause that affects so many women,” said Denise Vourtzoumis, President of Pink in the City. “ Our partnership with the MUHC Foundation and The Beat 92.5 is helping us take the next steps in providing lifesaving, holistic care for breast cancer patients—and ensuring that they have all the resources they need to feel supported throughout their healing journey.”

Funds this year are supporting the MUHC’s Breast Clinic Wellness Program, led by Dr. Sarkis Meterissian, who famously shed his own locks for the cause three years ago. The Wellness Program looks at the whole person—physical, emotional, and mental health—helping women regain their strength, confidence, and sense of self after cancer.

EVA THE LOUSE: A total of 175 students were front and center on Wed. Oct. 30 at the official red carpet launch for the illustrated children’s audio book and CD of The Adventures of Eva The Louse at the Palace Convention Centre in Laval. Greek- Canadian opera singer Dimitris Ilias, along with Maria Diamantis of Chroma Musika, have overseen this major project. For the past 25 years their work has promoted high quality music activities for Canadian children, their families, their local communities as well as the general public. Since its establishment in 1999 the company has produced a plethora of concerts, seminars and recordings ranging from ancient Greek music to contemporary Canadian and Hellenic composers and video game audio material.

“The Adventures of Eva the Louse” recounts the tale of a village of lice located on the head of a boy named Paul. “When he comes home, the parents ambush Paul and they put him under and they start to de-louse him and cut his hair.” Mr. Ilias explains. “There is an ecological disaster at the Village of the Lice, so these rivers of shampoo wash away their homes.”

At the launch the students performed with acclaimed composer Giannis Georgantelis and illustrator Philippe Béha. “This has been a unique educational journey, showing how literature and music can inspire and educate our children in remarkable ways,” said Mr. Ilias. “This event isn’t just a performance—it’s the result of 18 months of dedication, teamwork, and learning that highlights the power of creativity and community.”

Watch this report by Pamela Pagano for CityNews Montreal  

MYRA’S KIDS FILM: With November recognized internationally as Children’s Grief Awareness Month, Myra’s Kids Foundation is making an effort to sensitize youth and the community at large about the reality of children’s grief. They have launched The Missing Piece: The Reality of Grief, a 20-minute documentary which followed 20 young adults, at the organization’s summer retreat for grieving children this past August. The Missing Piece: The Reality of Grief gives audiences a first-hand look at how grief has impacted the lives of these teenagers and the courage, strength and bravery that they have exhibited following the death of their loved ones. Bravo to Jon Reider, Corrie Sirota and the entire team. I had a chance to see the film and it is very moving. It has not been formally launched to the public so stay tuned for news on that.

Watch this report on CityNews Montreal 

There will also be a co-ed pickleball tournament dedicated to the memory of Matthew Morton on Sun. Nov. 10 at Club PKL (660 Rue Bridge). There will be teams of two (a single player will be matched). It is $300 a team and the suggested fundraising goal is $1,000 a team. Whether you're a pickleball pro or new to the game, this tournament promises to be an unforgettable experience, bringing together our community to play, remember, and support children in need. Jonathan Morton, Sasha Guindi and Stu Reider are the event co-chairs. For more information, call (438) 346-7989 or e-mail info@myraskids.ca. Matthew Morton was a devoted husband, father, brother, son, uncle, grandson and friend, whose life was marked by deep love for his family and an unwavering commitment to those around him. A brilliant medical educator and physician, his career was celebrated with many awards and accolades, but it was his warmth, generosity, and close friendships that truly defined him. He is remembered with love by his wife, Heidi, and their children, Brooke, Zachary, and Joshua. His legacy continues to inspire those who were fortunate to know him. Info: https://myraskids.crowdchange.ca/90391

THE HEADLINERS: The Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence and the Strangers in The Night Foundation will hold a comedy fundraiser on Sat. Nov. 16 (8 pm) at the Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel (800 Place Leigh-Capreol) in Dorval, One Night of Laughter with The Headliners 2 will be co-hosted by CJAD’s Jay Farrar., Christine Long of CTV and Mitch Melnick of TSN690. Featured performers will include Mike Paterson, Gino Durante, Derek Seguin and special guest Kate Davis from CBC’s Debaters. Pre-show music will be provided by Augie. There are general admission and VIP tickets available. The latter will includes a pre-show four course meal., with a partial tax receipt

Info: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-headliners-2-proceeds-to-benefit-tdpcr-sitn-foundation-tickets-1021590804597?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

VROOM AT NFB: Veteran film producer Robert Vroom is joining the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) as the new producer with the Eastern Documentary Unit, Executive Producer Nathalie Cloutier has announce. Based in Montreal, he will work closely with anglophone directors and co-producers in the Montreal region and across Quebec to strengthen English-language non-fiction storytelling. He brings a deep knowledge of the Quebec film sector to his new post, along with a commitment to collaborating with underrepresented communities and helping to guide inspiring stories to the screen.

Vroom has been working in the film and TV industry for over 25 years. After receiving his MFA from the American Film Institute, he immersed himself in television series, both scripted and documentary. After seven years of living in LA and travelling the world, Rob moved to Vancouver to work on the CSA-nominated documentary series The Beat, where he helped showcase the struggles of the Downtown Eastside. He then went on to be a part of the Webby Award-winning Best Documentary series Heritage and the James Beard Award-nominated feature-length documentary Funke.

In 2012, Vroom returned to his hometown of Montreal to start his own production company with the intent to collaborate with auteur filmmakers. His feature film credits include Pat Kiely’s Three Night Stand and Another Kind of Wedding, Jeff Barnaby’s Blood Quantum, and Sarah Watts and Mark Slutsky’s You Can Live Forever. I hope you're well! I'm reaching out about the Montreal premiere of Three Women of Swatow, coming up November 5 to 24 at Centaur Theatre. A darkly comedic play by acclaimed playwright Chloé Hung, and directed by Sophie Gee, this gripping production features an outstanding cast, including Shiong-En Chan, Qianna MacGilchrist, and Julie Tamiko Manning.Bringing to light the complexities of family dynamics, cultural expectations, and the scars left by cycles of abuse, the play blends suspense, absurdity, and poignancy as it tells the dynamic story of three generations of Chinese-Canadian women who must come together to deal with an unexpected and bloody situation.

THE ATHLETE: Les Films du 3 Mars will present The Athlete, directed by Marie-Claude Fournier and produced by Trio Orange, with Caroline Bergoin as line producer, as a world premiere at the CINEMANIA French Film Festival. The screening will be held on Thursday, November 7 at 6 p.m. at the Cinémathèque québécoise, in the presence of the director and  the charismatic young man whose journey is at the heart of the documentary. The film will then be released in Quebec on Dec. 13.The Athlete introduces us to Dorcelus, a young Montrealer of Haitian origin determined to qualify for the Olympics and prove to his close-knit family that his dream is within reach. A cross between a family saga, a sports film and an intimate portrait, this documentary offers a rare glimpse into Dorcelus’ quest to make his mark. The film is in its original French, English and Haitian Creole version, with English subtitles

You can watch the trailer here 

KELLOCK DEPARTING: After nearly 10 years at the helm of Montreal’s beloved Repercussion Theatre, Amanda Kellock will be stepping aside as Artistic and Executive Director to make way for new leadership. Sje was chosen as Artistic Director in 2015 and came to the role with a long-standing love of and relationship to Montreal’s Shakespeare-in-the-Park. Having attended the shows as a teen, she first performed with Repercussion as Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2004 and has since directed or acted in over a dozen productions for the company.. During her tenure, she brought a blend of artisticexcellence and social relevance to her Shakespeare-in-the-Park programming, deepening relationships with park partners and community stakeholders, and striving to put Repercussion on the national map.“I’m incredibly proud of the work that the company has done during my time as Artistic Director, including how we navigated the uncertainty of Covid lockdowns,” she said. “ There have been challenges, of course, and I always wished I could do more, but I’ve learned so much since I first stepped into this role, and am so grateful to everyone who has been part of the Repercussion family, including our audiences, over the past 10 years. Overall, I’ve tried to make good art, to bring thoughtful magic to the shows we’ve created, and to engage our audiences in a meaningful conversation. But I have also struggled for many years to balance this important work with an ongoing illness in my family, and have reached the point where I need to recalibrate. Now it’s time to pass the torch to someone else, to see what else is possible, both for Repercussion and in my own artistic journey.”

THRIVE PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY: Erica Diamond will present The Five Pillars of Self-Care and Well-Being on Thu. Nov. 7 (2 pm) at the Federation CJA West Island Office (96 Rue Roger-Pilon) in Dollard. In this 60-minute interactive talk, she will explore essential strategies for maintaining well-being in today's fast paced world. This presentation will cover physical health, mental clarity, emotional balance, social connections, and purposeful living. By focusing on these pillars, attendees will learn practical tips and techniques to enhance their overall quality of life, prevent burnout, and achieve sustained success both in their personal lives and professional careers. Diamond is a media expert, professional speaker, bestselling author, host of her own Erica Diamond Podcast, founder of Bliss Essential Oils and Busy To Bliss Self-Care Membership, a certified Life and Career Coach, Yoga and Meditation Teacher and a mom. There is no cost. Sign up here 

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