York University’s 50th anniversary will be celebrated in grand style with a gala concert on March 28 in the Tribute Communities Recital Hall, 112 Accolade East Building. The invitation-only event will feature performances by York grads and will be hosted by guest emcees drawn from the University’s accomplished alumni. The guest emcees for the gala are Barbara Budd (BA ’74), host of CBC Radio’s “As It Happens”; Canadian writer Katherine Govier (MA ’72), author of eight novels and three short story collections; and CTV Weekend News anchor Sandie Rinaldo (BA Spec. Hons. ’73).
Although this concert is by invitation only, 25 pairs of tickets will be given away to York students, faculty, staff and alumni. To enter the draw, click here. The contest closes at 5pm (Toronto time) on March 9. For contest rules, click here.
The entertainment will be drawn from the pool of talented performers who got their start at York University. The performances will range from the jazz styling of well-known vocalist Matt Dusk (BFA Spec. Hons. ’02) and an opera aria by Vania Chan (BFA Spec. Hons. ’08), currently pursuing her master of music degree in classical coice at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, to a humorous ballet by choreographer and York faculty member Susan Cash (BFA Spec. Hons. ’78, MA ’07).
Other performers include: dancer Nicole Rose Bond (BFA Spec. Hons. ’05); choreographer Darcey Callison (PhD ’09); and musical direction by Andrew Craig (BFA Spec. Hons. ’93), host of CBC Radio’s "Canada Live". Also performing are Jazz vocalist Rita di Ghent (BFA ’83); writer and actor Diane Flacks (BFA Spec. Hons. ’88); Latin American vocalist Amanda Martinez (IMBA ’99); dancer and choreographer Yvonne Ng (BFA Spec. Hons. ’87); author Nino Ricci (BA Spec. Hons. ’81); vocalist Suba Sankaran (BFA Spec. Hons. ’97, MA ’02); the a cappella chorus Wibi Jazzin; and choreographer and dancer Sashar Zarif (MA ’07).
The script for the event is being developed by Jacintha Wesselingh (BFA Spec. Hons. ’98). All of the participants, both onstage and backstage will be York alumni or current students, with the exception of the Gala’s producer, Phillip Silver (former dean, Faculty of Fine Arts).
The concert is at 7pm and will be preceded by a reception at 6pm. Performers will join guests in a post-concert reception.