Guelph Now!

For Sue

Sue Richards, writer and artist, is known to many Guelph residents as the creator of the Breast of Canada calendar, which raised money for breast cancer awareness. Now she finds herself something of a cause herself – the beneficiary of a fundraising concert.

 

“I don’t see myself as a cause, with ‘Save the Sue’ posters and all that,” says Richards with a laugh.

 

When she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease last year, the many people she has touched with her calendar and her friendship rallied to support her. A sold-out fundraising concert last Spring in Eden Mills helped get her through the summer. “I was blown away by the warmth and support,” says Richards. “I gave donors paper hearts with ‘thanks’ written on them. It felt like my own heart grew three times that day.” Sue is unable to work, and as an artist, is without the cushion of benefits.

 

Saturday night’s event will showcase Guelph musicians Jeff Bird, James Gordon and Sue Smith, as well as a silent auction with an array of gift certificates for healing services in Guelph.

 

Guelph’s pool of musicians is deep. The three featured performers are some of its foremost representatives. Jeff Bird plays with the Cowboy Junkies, Willie P. Bennett and Stephen Fearing; James Gordon has released over 30 albums, was a member of Tamarack and has toured extensively across North America and Great Britain. Sue Smith spent 10 years as part of the acclaimed vocal trio, The Bird Sisters, and has released her solo album, “I’m So”.

 

With a focus on healing, the silent auction offers certificates for acupuncture, the Alexander Technique, holistic energy therapy, massage, pilates, yoga and more. “Practitioners have been extremely generous,” says organizer Tannis Slimmon, a singer-songwriter herself.

 

The Guelph Youth Music Centre is at:

75 Cardigan Street in Guelph.

Doors open at 7 for the silent auction

Performance at 8 pm

 

Tickets are $25, cash only, available at the Bookshelf on Quebec Street, Wild Rose on Macdonnell Street, or by credit card at helpingfriends.ca .

 

Come out for an evening of music and healing – fun and friendship – this Saturday night.