 |
|
Friends, Have you got your tickets yet for Lansdowne Follies 3? This variety show featuring great musical talent, some parody, some intelligent talk and lots of spirit will take place two weeks from today on Sunday, April 15 at 4 p.m. at the Mayfair Theatre. Where else can you enjoy such great entertainment while taking a stand for the public good? All proceeds from Follies 3 go to the Friends of Lansdowne for the legal challenge. It's been four months since our case was heard by the Ontario Court of Appeal. There has still been no ruling and we have no indication of what the outcome will be. We take comfort from the fact that the Court is clearly giving serious consideration to the important issues we raised. The fact that the legality of the agreement between the City and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) is still before the courts has not stopped the City and the developers from promoting the project as if it were a done deal. This week, Minto announced the name of its proposed residential development -- the very original Minto@Lansdowne. You will also see OC Transpo buses sporting signs promoting the New Lansdowne. Don't be taken in by this sales job. The future of Lansdowne is in the hands of the judges. Friends of Lansdowne is holding a fundraiser, Lansdowne Follies 3 on Sunday, April 15 at 4 p.m. at the Mayfair Theatre. Why do we need to keep raising money? We don't think it's right that the City's lawyers have been paid $1 million more than our lawyers have. So we are doing our best to raise funds to compensate Steven Shrybman and the great legal team from Sack Goldblatt Mitchell for their work. But in typical Friends of Lansdowne style…we want to have some fun with our fundraising. So Lansdowne Follies III will feature some great music and a great time. Here's the line up of wonderful artists who are donating their time and their talent in support of the cause. Ian Tamblyn is a Juno award winning singer and songwriter who has recorded 29 albums and written over 1500 songs. In 2010, he received the English Songwriter of the Year award at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Ian appeared at the first Follies where he introduced his original song "Village", which he donated to Friends of Lansdowne. It's a powerful anthem about what will be lost if the Lansdowne Partnership Plan goes ahead. (You can listen to the song here). Metis singer-songwriter, Amanda Rheaume is a powerful vocalist and one of Ottawa's brightest young musical talents. Her most recent album, "Light of Another Day" is an acoustic-based LP that focuses on themes of hope, community and new beginnings -- all themes that resonate with those who are fighting for a better future for Lansdowne Park. Just Voices is an energetic community choir based in Ottawa, Ontario. They sing songs on activist and protest themes such as social injustice, war and the environment. Expect to sing along. You'll also hear from Steven Shrybman -- who's not only a great lawyer but a compelling speaker with a knack for making complex legal arguments comprehensible to all. The past two Follies shows have sold out. You can get the $30 tickets in advance at Compact Music (both locations), the Ottawa Folkore Centre or at the Mayfair Theatre. Or you can get them at the door. If you would like us to set aside some tickets for you, please email friendsoflansdowne@gmail.com. The Follies 3 offers a chance to enjoy great music in a unique, historic theatre with like-minded people. At the same time, you'll be supporting the fight for transparent and accountable local government and helping to make sure our City Council puts public interests before private profit. So join us on Sunday, April 15 at 4 p.m. at the Mayfair Theatre (1074 Bank Street at Sunnyside) for Lansdowne Follies 3. And plan to go out for dinner at one of the many great independently-owned restaurants in Old Ottawa South, the Glebe and Old Ottawa East after the show. |