THE SHINE 14th ANNUAL CONCERT TO BE HELD AT TORONTO’S LULA LOUNGE ON MARCH 5
AMAZING LINEUP INCLUDES THE 2023 SHINE BURSARY WINNERS
The SHINE Concert raises funds for the SHINE Music Bursaries, celebrating the memory and music of Jim Fay, James Gray, Doug Queen, and Bruce Adamson –Toronto musicians who inspired others to music and who died too young. Bursaries are awarded to young people (16-24) from the GTA and surrounding communities who wish to pursue their practice or study of folk or traditional music but who face financial barriers. Awards are presented at the SHINE Concert.
Sunday March 5th, 2023 ~ 6-10pm
Location – Lula Lounge 1585 Dundas W. (one block west of Dufferin)
Tickets just $25 via EventBrite or at the door.
Awesome Line Up!
- Michael Boguski (of Blue Rodeo)!
- Derek Downham & Friends!
- Samantha Martin!
- and the 2023 SHINE Bursary Winners!
Why it’s special: Every year, funds raised at the previous year’s concert are awarded to this year’s bursary recipients – young people who face significant financial barriers to their study and practice of folk music.
How it started: When Jim Fay died in 2008, just days shy of his 45th birthday, his family and friends chose to celebrate his life and music not with a plaque or a tree but with an annual concert and a bursary in his name… When James Gray (formerly of Blue Rodeo) died of a sudden heart attack in 2013, his friends and family decided to honor his memory in the same fashion, and we became the SHINE Music Bursary. Since 2016, SHINE has been celebrating the memory of Doug Queen, accomplished musician, teacher, and member of the Toronto rock/bluegrass band Jughead, who tragically died in 2014. In 2020, SHINE embraced the family and friends of Bruce Adamson, brilliant lead guitarist for Toronto band Staggered Crossing and great contributor to this city’s music community until his untimely death in 2015. So this year we will award bursaries named for Jim, James, Doug, and Bruce. The loss of a husband, brother, friend, son, is no less painful but SHINE allows us to come together and remember them. And in remembering we keep alive their gifts and the power of music to heal and inspire.
What it’s achieved: this year will bring us to 86 bursaries awarded totaling $86,000 since we began back in 2010.
In the words of one winner: “I won the SHINE Music Bursary and it really changed my life for the better! As a winner I felt accomplished and like I was doing something for myself that meant something to my entire community. I was able to perform at the SHINE concert and the amount of support I received from people I did not even know was amazing and I couldn’t have possibly asked for a better experience. The money I received helped me continue my post-secondary education and it was much needed and appreciated. Lately, I have been writing and continuing with my love for singing on my own time and truly building up to become who I want to be in the future. The SHINE Music Bursary truly is an amazing opportunity for musicians in financial need and it really gave me that boost of confidence I needed to take some very important steps into the right direction both creatively and intellectually!” Renee
“Two years ago I had the pleasure of being one of the bursary winners for SHINE! I had performed a few places before then, but performing at SHINE is one performance I will never forget. Since then I have been one fearless performer. I perform at parties and weddings and in just one month I have an audition in New York City! Whenever an opportunity passes I now say to myself “just go for it”. I’m thankful for such an amazing opportunity.” Daniella
UNABLE to ATTEND? Tax-receiptable donations to the SHINE Music Bursary can be made via our CanadaHelps page or by clicking on “Donate Now” on our website.
The SHINE Music Bursary is administered by SKETCH, a community arts initiative engaging young people who live homeless or on the margins. Sketch is a Canadian Registered Charity 859128332RR0001
Organizers: all volunteers, friends and family members making sure that the music continues to SHINE.
“Yeah we all shine on, like the moon, and the stars, and the sun.” ~John Lennon