Youth from across the city will take the stage with established artists as Horizon Arts Camp holds its second annual RIZE Benefit Concert.
The concert raises funds for the camp, which allows children from at-risk communities to learn about - and participate in - the arts at a setting north of Toronto. Because the trips are largely subsidized, the camp is able to open its doors to children and youth who might not otherwise have a chance to enjoy that kind of experience.Camp Director Lisa Phillips said RIZE keeps with the camp's mandate of promoting the arts and is one of the key elements is ensuring Horizon's ongoing success."This year, we'd love to raise about $10,000 or more if we can," she said. "For us, the event is about celebrating the arts and sharing with the Greater Toronto community what we're all about."The majority of the camp's operating costs are covered by private and corporate donors, but Phillips said holding this year's concert at the prestigious St. Lawrence Centre For the Arts will only help RIZE become more of a signature event."It's amazing to be in such a nice, big venue," she said.This year's concert will include performances by CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award winner Peter Katz, jazz diva Theresa Tova, the Yakudo Traditional Japanese Drummers, the Esmerelda Spanish Dance Company and others.The show's highlights will include pieces by Horizon Arts Camp youth, who will perform two numbers."We have a musical performance - a tribute to Michael Jackson - where the kids will be playing live and singing and a dance group doing hip hop," Phillips said. "They've been rehearsing on Sundays every week, so they've really put a lot into this."The show's lineup reflects the diversity of the city and of the youth who benefit from Horizon Arts Camp's programming."I'm really excited about the multicultural mix we have," Phillips said.The RIZE Benefit Concert, sponsored by TD Canada Trust, will take place at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at www.stlc.com or by calling 416-366-7723.