Variety - The Children's Charity will benefit from two concerts on Valentine's Day weekend in addition to telethon

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      To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Variety Show of Hearts Telethon is going live again with two concerts taking place on Saturday (February 13) from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday (February 14) from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Centre in Vancouver (777 Hornby Street).

      With admission by donation, the shows are open to anyone and everyone who wants to help raise funds for kids with special needs. (The concerts are taking place during the telethon itself, which happens at the Theatre at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver throughout the weekend.)

      The inaugural telethon aired on October 8 and 9, 1966, from the Queen Elizabeth Playhouse, with many Vancouverites flocking to the theatre to see local talent and Hollywood celebrities.

      Over the years, several big names have performed at the fundraiser, including Ray Charles and David Foster, as well as Michael Bublé and Sarah McLachlan when they were just starting out. The late, great Dal Richards, an ardent Variety supporter, appeared on the inaugural Show of Hearts Telethon.

      The lineups for this year’s concerts are equally impressive. The February 13 show features 54-40, Sophie Simmons (daughter of musician-businessman Gene Simmons), Vancouver TheatreSports League, and members of the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.

      Five Alarm Funk is part of the Friday (February 13) lineup.

      Also appearing are Melissa “Charlie” Storwick, a 28-year-old singer-songwriter and actor from Calgary and the winner of The Next Star (Season 4), YTV’s Canadian reality show; local country-music singer-songwriter Aaron Pritchett; and Vancouver’s Five Alarm Funk, which blends Latin, hip-hop, funk, and afrobeat for its genre-bending sound.

      Jim Byrnes will perform on Valentine's Day.

      On Valentine's Day, blues legend Jim Byrnes will perform, as will recording artist Colleen Rennison and four-time Juno-winning vocalist Shari Ulrich. Other acts include singer, songwriter, and cattle rancher Barney Bentall; his son, Dustin Bentall; and Chilliwack, best known for 1980s hits like “My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)” and “Whatcha Gonna Do”.

      Colleen Rennison is also scheduled to sing on Valentine's Day, along with Chilliwack and Barney and Dustin Bentall.

      Tickets can be purchased at the Event Brite website. For more information on how to support Variety, the Children’s Charity, visit the Variety website or call 604-320-0505.

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