Broadway Hits and a great committee team effort highlight 2019 CSL Cats Committee Benefit Concert

A capacity crowd of well over 300 people attended the Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee’s (CSLCC) annual benefit concert on   October 24 at the Syd Wise Auditorium of the Wagar Adult Education Centre. Featured performers  for Broadway’s Greatest Hits were the Musicians of the World Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Joseph Milo. There were also solo performances by soprano Olivia Charette-Hancinsky, baritone Burney Lieberman and saxophonist Gideon Vigderhaus.

Conductor Joseph Milo. (Photos by Rami Negev)

Funds raised will go towards the CSLCC’s Trap, Neuter, Release and Adopt Program. 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.  In the latter case, efforts are made to assist the feeders in the community. The committee has also rescued a number of  kittens and found homes for them.  

Councillor Mike Cohen, responsible for Animal Protection in the city, chaired the event. Diane Liebling is the chair of the CSL Cats Committee.  Fern Collier-Pereira once again organized a highly successful bake sale which supports the committee's program for outdoor feeders. Malka Labow, Ronnie Roter and Randi Kader introduced a new raffle,  with more than $3,000 worth of prizes up for grabs. Alexandra Cohen served as emcee.

The Expedia Cruise Ship Centres table.

Event sponsors were Expedia Cruise Ship Centres, with franchisee Sean Flynn; Gestion;  Elm Investments, Rozenblat Realty Group and Parkhaven Towers; and D’Arcy McGee Liberal MNA David Birnbaum.

Anthony Housefather, Mitchell Brownstein, Mitch Kujavsky and Mike Cohen.

Thanks to Liberal MP for Mount Royal Anthony Housefather, Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, Councillor Mitch Kujavsky and Chris Savard from the Office of David Birnbaum for their encouraging words. Chris presented a cheque of $500 from the committee from our MNA.

Chris Savard (left) presents a cheque from David Birnbaum.

Musicians of the World

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 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. They have been rehearsing at Côte Saint-Luc City Hall for many years and as part of the arrangement, they agree to perform a benefit concert once a year for the CSL Cats Committee. We are very grateful to Conductor Milo and his talented team!

The orchestra in action.

On this night they performed a beautiful array of Broadway hits from the likes of West Side Story, the Wizard of Oz, Les Miserables, Aladdin, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady and Fiddler on the Roof.

Olivia Charette-Hancinsky

Olivia Charette-Hancinsky

Olivia Charette-Hancinsky is a multi-talented Montreal soprano known for her “captivating stage presence,”  “sparkling upper register” and “extensive range”. She speaks seven languages and plays seven instruments. Olivia just completed her Bachelor’s degree in Classical Performance at McGill University under Professors Winston Purdy and Joanne Kolomyjec, receiving the Margaret Kalil award for “Vocal Excellence” (2018), and the “Tomlinson Award” (2018, 2019) for “advanced musicianship skills”. Her passion for performing started at the young age of three with piano, dancing and singing. Since then, she’s sung in a wide variety of concerts, ranging from Jazz & Big Band to Musicals and then opera. This led to performances on international stages such as Tel Aviv University Israel, Florence Italy, Salzburg Austria, Montreal & Los Angeles Jazz Festivals, Maison Symphonique, Oscar Peterson Hall, Queen Mary cruise ship, Frank Sinatra’s Estate, PBS TV New York and finally Carnegie Hall.

Olivia’s innate musicality inspired her to arrange, conduct and sing with a girls’ choir claiming second  place at the Heritage Fair in NYC. Similarly, she choreographed, arranged and conducted a boys’ team to 1st place in Montreal’s GLEE Competition. This led to being the youngest recipient of “Saint Lambert’s Cultural Personality Award.” She has played the title role of Marian Paroo in The Music Man, performed in A Chorus Line, sang in the North American premiere of James Garner’s Much Ado! and Die Zauberflöte, both directed by Patrick Hansen at McGill, and performed the role of Flora in Verdi’s La Traviata. Her latest appearances onstage were in Canada’s largest summer opera festival in Edmonton this year, where she performed in Cole Porter’s Kiss me Kate, and Benjamin Britten’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, while understudying for Tytania, the fairy queen.

Burney Lieberman

Burney Lieberman

Burney Lieberman is a long time performer of 32 years with the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre. Burney sang with the Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue choir for 22 years, and is currently with the Chevra Kadisha Synagogue choir- directed by Joseph Milo.

Burney has performed in 2 major movies, one of which he is extremely proud, to have sung the Kol Nidre as cantor in “Enemies, A Love Story”, the other movie being, “Barney’s Version.” Burney is a professional photographer , providing his images to hotels and private collectors.

Fantastic Raffle

There was also a fantastic raffle. The grand prize was  a three night stay at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Old Montreal, with a fully cooked morning breakfast each day, evening receptions and dinner for two at the restaurant valued at $1,200. 

Alexandra Cohen, Ronnie Roter, Malka Labow and Randi Kader.

A number of beautiful paintings were available. Internationally recognized multimedia artist  Valeriya Khomar  donated a gorgeous painting of a menorah on a glass light box. It includes a functioning lamp, with light bulbs inside. Valeriya's true belief, her philosophy, is that through Art, unity among people becomes a reality. Her goal is to show that the universal language of Art brings individuals together, regardless of their upbringing.  Norma Nutkevitch was the lucky winner.  

Mike Cohen, Norma Nutkevitch and Valeriya Khomar.

 Other prizes, broken down into lots, were as follows:

Lot #1 Ben and Tournesol gift Basket

Lot #2 Stokes Gift Card, Spa Mani Pedi G.C, Golteez G.C (Gift Card)

Lot #3 Casablanca Florist G.C, Spa Mani Pedi G.C, Paragraph Books G. C

Lot #4 Stokes G.C, Foula Manicure, G.C, Paragraph Books G.C. 

Lot #5 Salon Carina G.C, Foula Manicure G.C, Spa Mani Pedi G.C

Lot #6 Billionaire Brows G.C, J and R Kosher G.C.  Mtl. Bagel G.C

Lot # 7 Foula Set of Acrylic Nails, Montreal bagel G.C

Lot #8 Avanti: Mani and Blow Dry G.C, Foula Mani G.C

Lot #9 2 Porcelain Cat mugs and plates, Mtl Bagel G.C

Lot #10 2 Hand Made Cat mugs, Foula Manicure G.C, Fruiterie Maruti G.C 

Lot #11 E Qulib Gift Bag   with spa cosmetics , Foula Manicure G. C

Lot #12 Little Bear gift Bag with 50$ G.C, Dermally Shampoo and Conditioner

Lot # 13  Two Paintings made by Frank Elekes

Lot # 14 Pharmaprix Gift Basket, Annie Young Gift Certificate

Recognizing Others For Supporting Our Event and Cause

We also wish to thank Shelley Schecter, Barbara Hilliker and the Côte Saint-Luc Hospital for Animals.

Thanks to our devoted fundraising committee.

This event could have never taken place without Janine West and her team at the CSL Public Library. They assumed responsibility for the concert last year.  Thanks to Danielle Belanger,  Lisa Milner, Justin Burnham and Farrah Mohammed as well as Maurizio Giobbi from Parks and Recreation, Wagar  Principal Nick Katalifos and his caretaking staff, sound man Jeffret Karkour, photographer Rami Negev, Darryl Levine, Regine Banon,  Ruth Farrugia and  our wonderful Volunteer Citizens on Patrol (VCOPs).

Here is a video of the entire event.

CSL Cats Committee enjoys successful benefit concert

 By Councillor Mike Cohen

City Liaison  to the Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee

For the second year in a row the Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee (CSLCC) and Educhat presented a benefit concert August 22 at the former Wagar High School (now Marymount AdultEducation Centre) featuring the magnificent Musicians of the World SymphonyOrchestra. We wish to thank  conductor Joseph Milo and his wife Lucy Ravinsky for the wonderful partnership they have established with the City of Côte Saint-Luc and our committee.

Here are some video  highlights from the concert, with thanks to Darryl Levine.

I introduced the evening.

Once again the event sold out, with more than 300 people in attendance. They all left smiling. 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, 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.

The evening featured words of welcome from yours truly (as official liaison between the city and the committee), Mayor Anthony Housefather,  Councillor Sam Goldbloom, Liberal MNA for D’Arcy McGee Lawrence Bergman and Howard Liebman, the chief of staff to Mount Royal Liberal MP Irwin Cotler. Councillor Glenn J. Nashen was also in attendance as were English MontrealSchool Board Commissioners Marvin Helfenbaum, Joseph Lalla and Ellie Israel.

 

Councillor Goldbloom with Darlene and Jessyca from Safari Pet Centre.

Thanks to Norm Zimmerman of Steve’s Music Store for assisting us with equipment needs. We were pleased to have with us Jessyca DeSanctis and Darlene Ovenstein of the SafariPet Centre chain. Bravo to their stores for now “only” selling homeless cats provided by the Valleyfield SPCA (a no kill shelter). Stay tuned for the next edition of the new Precious Pets newspaper, published by Bram D. Eisenthal, which will feature a story about the concert.

While the Milo Orchestra brought the crowd to its feat countless times, so did solo performances by Alexandra Cohen and soprano Brigitte O’Halloran  

Joseph Milo and his orchestra respond to the applause.

The Musicians of the World Symphony Orchestra (MWSO) was founded in 2006 by Mr. Milo and  Ms. 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.

Brigitte O’Halloran is a Canadian soprano, originally from New Brunswick, who lived for many years in Italy before studying music in Quebec. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Performance in classical voice at Laval University and went on to attain her Master’s Degree and a Superior Specialized Studies Diploma, studying with Yolande Parent at the University of Montreal. She has been awarded the Hydro Quebec grant for promising young musicians and has been a two-time recipient of the Georges Cédric Ferguson Grant from the University of Montreal.

Alexandra Cohen has been performing in musical theatre since she was six years old in community and school productions, and acting in film, TV, and radio productions such as Rumours (CBC) and Prom Wars (Philms). She also frequently sang the national anthem for the Montreal Juniors hockey team and at Canada Day celebrations. She has been studying voice for three years with Joanne Fillion. Recently, her school’s glee club competed at the Show Choir Canada National Championships at the Sony Centre in Toronto. Alexandra was awarded Top Female Triple Threat performer at this competition. Her most recent film, Tale (Randfilm), continues to be screened at international film festivals. Alexandra is thrilled to be able to combine two of her loves, musical theatres and cats, in tonight’s performance on behalf of the Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee.

Alexandra, accompanied on piano by  Mariana Muscaliuc, sang two songs: How Will I Know by Whitney Houston and Gimme Gimme from the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. She also served as the evening emcee.

 

This orchestra is simply superb.

The orchestra began the program with musical expressions of the classical era, with Gioacchino Rossini’s overture to the Famous Barber of Seville opera, followed by the first movement of the most popular symphony, Beethoven’s fifth symphony, which is played in worldwide concert halls and on television commercials. They then went on to Brahm’s Hungarian Dance #5, the last of those czardas like dances, and continued with the aria every soprano should sing, from Puccini’s opera Gianis chicchi. They closed the first part of the concert with a much loved piece that no symphony orchestra would dare not play: Bolero by Ravel.  The second half presentation featured music from some of the longest running Broadway shows, such as The Phantom of the Opera, Porgy and Bess, The Sound of Music, and Les Miserables. The evening conclude with a varied selected of combined jazz and Big band music composed by the world-renowned Cole Porter and band leaders who have set the tone for that style of heart-warming and dance inviting rhythms. 

A special cats opera encore number.

Before the start of the second half, Shelley Schecter presented an Award of Merit to Barbara Hilliker, a warm and caring women who takes in many homeless cats at a time, fosters them and then finds good homes for them to live in. Barbara is an angel.

Special thanks to lead staff persons Alvin Fishman, Harold Cammy, Regine Banon, Darryl Levine, Peter Kopitas, Ruth Farrugia and Janine West for their work on the file.

Our committee will now get back to our duty of Trap, Neuter, Release, Adopt and Educate. The latter includes making owners of outdoor cats aware that they now need a license and a tour of schools  by Alexandra Cohen and members of her committee.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact us at 514-485-6800 ext. CATS and access our website at www.cotesaintluc.org/cats.