Toronto ‘Calendar Firefighters’ to join top Canadian talent at Benefit Concert #BackFortMac

TORONTO, ON | June 8, 2016 – Some of Toronto’s infamous “Calendar Firefighters” will arrive at Roy Thomson Hall in firetrucks to raise awareness for the #BackFortMac Concert fundraiser to support the Red Cross Alberta Fire Appeal on June 27, it was announced today.

"Devastating events like the Fort McMurray fires may bring down the buildings, but they can never bring down the spirit of Canadians. We are incredibly proud of our brothers and sisters of the Fort McMurray Fire Department, not only for their courage in the face of a massive disaster, but in putting aside the losses of their own homes while doing a very difficult job. And we are equally honoured to be a part of this great event that will help the residents of Fort McMurray get back to their lives. It's a wonderful cause for a great city," says Toronto Professional Firefighters Association President Frank Ramagnano.

The Toronto Firefighters will get the evening going for previously announced talent, including: legendary songwriter and singer Jim Cuddy, who will perform with an orchestra and his long-time band member and violinist Anne Lindsay, renowned soprano Measha Brueggergosman, 5-time Juno Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Alan Frew of Glass Tiger, Canadian tenor John McDermott, classical guitarist and 5-time Juno Award winner Liona Boyd (& accompanist Michael Savona), Canada’s queen of soul and gospel Jackie Richardson, jazz vocalist Matt Dusk, The Lovelocks country duo , The Devin Cuddy Band, and Slaight Music artist Kayla Diamond.

#BackFortMac #TheConcert will be co-hosted by Arlene Dickinson (Dragon & CEO of Venture Communications), Colin Mochrie (Whose Line is it Anyway) and Deb McGrath (Little Mosque on the Prairie) on June 27 at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, with all proceeds going directly to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Fires Appeal.

#BackFortMac TICKETS available at www.roythomson.com/eventdetail/BackFortMac

#BackFortMac is being staged to help the thousands of citizens affected by the catastrophic and on-going fires around Fort McMurray, Alberta, and to let them know that Canadians stand with them.

These generous Canadians are donating their talent and Roy Thompson Hall has waived its rental costs; there are no admin fees for volunteer work.

Ninety per cent of the funds raised by #BackFortMac will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Fires Appeal, supporting families and individuals impacted by the wildfires in Alberta. Ten per cent of proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross disaster readiness program, which allows the Red Cross to be ready to respond to emergencies such as the fires in Alberta at a moment’s notice with its network of highly-trained staff and volunteers across the country.

The Working Group of caring Canadians staging #BackFortMac are:

Co-Chairs: Bruce Bowser, Arlene Dickinson, Jon Dwyer, Eileen Greene, Pradeep Sood

Executive Producers: Patti Jannetta & Adrian Luces.

Action Team: Tom Allison, Suzan Ayscough, Dave Baker, Michelle Baker, Aaron Barberian, Bessie Bullard, Rod Black, Mark Camilleri, Scott Carmichael, Joanne Cochrane, Sharon Cooper, Ivan de Souza, Jake Gold, Andrea Grau, Dan Jacob, Tanya Jivov, Norm Kelly, Eion Leggat, Maximillian Vogrin-Levy, Andrew MacDonald, Liisa Palokoski, Frances Peksyk- Cichocki, John Slighte, Dave Swan, Jon Trimandi, Joseph Turcotte, Monica Virmani and Vinay Virmani.

(C) Copyright Music For Miracles 2016.