Thursday evening, August 22 with Musicians of the World
CÔTE SAINT-LUC CATS
COMMITTEE PLANS BENEFIT CONCERT
The Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee (CSLCC), established less than three years ago, will hold a fundraising concert on Thursday, August 22 (7:30 p.m.) at the former Wagar High School (5785 Parkhaven). Featured performers will be the Musicians of the World Orchestra (http://www.musiciansoftheworld.ca), conducted by Joseph Milo.
Funds raised from Beethoven, Broadway and All That Jazz – the Cat’s Meow will go towards the CSLCC’s Trap, Neuter, Release and Adopt Program and Educhat (www.educhat.ca), the volunteer organization headed by Shelley Schecter, which has spearheaded efforts in Côte Saint-Luc and elsewhere. There are many feral cats in the community. The CSLCC’s team of volunteers sets out to trap as many as possible, have them sterilized and then adopted or returned to the spot where they were originally found. The committee has also rescued a number of baby kittens and found homes for them. The city’s first ever cat licensing bylaw was adopted last fall.
Barbara Hilliker, who stepped up to assist the committee in the vital role of fostering cats awaiting homes, will receive the 2013 CSLCC Award of Merit.
Councillor Mike Cohen, who is the city’s official liaison to the committee, notes that the concert will be an opportunity for people who love animals to enjoy an evening of fine music while contributing to a good cause. In addition to the Orchestra, Brigitte O’Halleran , as well CSL resident and avid cat committee member Alexandra Cohen will give solo performances. Cohen, a Grade 11 student, will be releasing a special video she produced about the Trap, Neuter, Release and Adopt program that will be used for an educational activity in schools beginning in the early fall.
The Musicians of the World Symphony Orchestra (MWSO) was founded in 2006 by conductor Milo and his wife Lucy Ravinsky. This one of a kind orchestra was formed when it was discovered that a great pool of professional musicians, recently immigrated to Montreal, had no opportunity to make use of their valuable talent in their new home. The MWSO was created, not only to provide these new Canadians with the opportunity to engage in their main passion; making beautiful music in an orchestral setting, but to give them back the professional dignity they had enjoyed in their homelands and most especially, to share their wonderful talents with the music lovers of Montreal.
The MWSO is composed of 55 musicians: about 80 percent of its members are from 15 countries around the world, while the remaining 20 percent are natives of Montreal who successfully facilitated the integration of the newcomers. To date, the orchestra has entertained Montreal audiences with over 30 performances, including several benefit concerts as well as having produced several recordings. The orchestra has also been selected as the subject of four documentary films. They have been rehearsing at Côte Saint-Luc City Hall for many years and as part of the arrangement, they agree to perform a free concert once a year. The CSL Cats Committee and Educhat are the 2013 beneficiaries.
Tickets are only $10 each (tax included) and can be purchased now at the following locations: the main desk at the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library (5851 Cavendish Boulevard); the Côte Saint-Luc Aquatic and Community Centre (5794 Parkhaven Avenue); and the Côte Saint-Luc Hospital for Animals (7930 Baily Road). Tickets can be purchased at the first two locations by credit and debit card or cash and cash only at the Animal Hospital.
Councillors Cohen and Sam Goldbloom note that information will be available that night for people interested in possibly joining the committee or adopting a cat.
For more information call 514-485-6806, ext. 2200 or log on to www.cotesaintluc.org/cats.
