Oct. 31, 2024 MEDIA INFORMATION/FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PLEASE ADD TO EVENT LISTINGS:
CANADA’S RISING STAR - COMEDIAN MAE MARTIN TO HOST SHOW IN
TORONTO FOR BIRDSONG NEW MUSIC FOUNDATION
“THE SIMPLE HUMAN KINDNESS SHOW” - A DIFFERENT KIND OF BENEFIT!
WHEN: DECEMBER 15, 8:00-10:30 PM
Doors open 6:30 PM for pre-show
WHERE: LULA LOUNGE- 1585 Dundas St. W., Toronto
HOW MUCH: Tickets can be purchased from: www.lula.ca
EARLY BIRD: Sit-down seats: $60. / Stand-up: $50. DOOR PRICE $60.
The show will include MAE MARTIN hosting and doing a set followed by indie music from Birdsong original artists: ROBERT PRIEST, ALLAN KINNEY, ASHLEY BELL, DUSTIN HARDER, ROBIN BENEDICT, JORDAN GOW, D.M. LaFORTUNE, and JHMAL KING with the Birdsong Band. Music Director is BRYANT DIDIER; Executive Producer is MARGARET KONOPACKI.
Much sought after soloist RUSSELL BRAUN, one of Canada’s Juno Award winners, a lyric baritone with his luminous voice, is part of the special presentation. He will sing a set with CAROLYN MAULE on piano. This is also the premiere of Robert Priest's new song “Simple Human Kindness” (co-writer Allan Booth) and the video premiere for that song directed by PETER LYNCH.
From MARTIN: “I am so excited to host, perform and be part of this charity’s fundraiser because what they do is so very close to my heart. I believe that if there was less stigma in the world, one of my closest soul-mate friends musician David Martin would be on stage with me. We both have the same name but are not related but he was my brother; always with a guitar strapped to his back, he was unique! This event is an effort to create a show that brings a message of kindness home through indie music. Music helps me cope and creates the hope that together we can help to stop the stigma and discriminating against people who have mental illness.”
From ROBERT PRIEST: "I composed a song that was the perfect fit for this important charity which I am part of due to my health issues. Sometimes all you need to get through the day – is a little simple human kindness.”
From RUSSELL BRAUN: “This organization is so very timely and there are so many young and even established musicians struggling. I’m not perhaps the most eloquent but I do have a voice, at least here in Toronto as an educator and performer, and so I am very excited to lend my voice at this concert. Music can bring us together as a society so we can do better.”
From Founder/Executive Producer MARGARET KONOPACKI: “This event is a culmination of seven years of work to showcase our artists in Toronto in a great venue. The music and lyrics tell the story better than I do. I believe creating New Music can create the healing stepping stones for people who struggle, and it becomes a transformational journey to wellness. We’re not going to fix everything about mental illness, but we can give people who struggle a voice. Their music is our journey to encourage, not discourage.”
MAE MARTIN is a Canadian-British actor, screen-writer and comedian now living in Los
Angeles. They are most well- known for writing and starring in the hit Netflix show ”Feel Good” (2020-2021), a semi-autobiographical comedy drama with MARTIN as the main character, for which they won a BAFTA award. The show deals with addiction and abuse, as well as struggles with one’s sexuality or gender. Mae identifies herself as non-binary.
This is Birdsong New Music Foundation's fifth show since it was founded in 2018. Come and support New and Live Music!
MUSIC IS OUR VOICE FOR CHANGE AND EMPOWERMENT
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For further information, interviews, media invitations, or high res photographs, please contact Margaret at:
623-341-0726
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT AND CHARITY:
Birdsong New Music Foundation was founded to honor the memory of unknown musician John David Martin-Konopacki (1987-2017). Due to a sense of hopelessness and feeling stigmatized because of his struggle with mental illness (bipolar and substance use disorder), David exited at age 30. Birdsong, founded by his mother Margaret, is dedicated to helping others like him find a way out of the darkness of life with mental illness by using music as a path to wellness.
Credits for the production of the video for “SIMPLE HUMAN KINDNESS” song (written and performed by Robert Priest; co-writer: Allan Booth) -- Music Producer: Greg Kavanaugh; Production company: WASKA MEDIA/Coma Edits; Executive Producers: Taylor G. McConnachie, Patrick Cameron, and Jimi Kinistino.
More about Mae Martin:
Martin hosted the Canadian Screen Awards in May 2024 and has just wrapped up a new Netflix series WAYWARD, about a school for troubled teens in a bucolic but sinister town. Filming ended October 16th. Mae Martin was born in Toronto, Ontario in 1987.
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