An impressive array of Toronto artists will gather together at Lee’s Palace this Friday for a concert benefitting three boys who lost both their parents in January under horribly tragic circumstances.
Oakville, Ont., resident Katherine Newman was found stabbed to death in her home; moments before police discovered Newman’s body, her estranged husband, Kyle Newman, drove his car into the lot of a Halton Police Service station and repeatedly crashed his silver Nissan into a manned police cruiser. As back-up officers emerged and confronted him, Kyle left his vehicle and, brandishing an eight-inch knife, charged at them threateningly. When he ignored the officers' orders to stand down, Newman was shot and killed.
As police continue to investigate the connections between the two shocking deaths, the only certainty is that Katherine and Kyle are both gone and their young children, James, Joshua and Thomas, have lost their parents. In order to offer them some semblance of solace and financial support, Katherine’s cousin, Justin Stayshyn, reached out to his musical community and co-organized this Friday’s event, which benefits the Newman Boys Trust Fund.
A founding and former member of the Hidden Cameras, Stayshyn has deep connections within Toronto’s music community. He texted his friend Lisa Moran (who managed the esteemed, now-defunct Three Gut Records label) as the tragedy was unfolding and she was on a coincidental trip to Toronto. Even in transit from her home in New York City, Moran began to ponder ways to help Stayshyn and the Newman family.
“I made a donation to the fund that weekend but didn’t really feel like it was enough,” Moran recalls. “I thought about the Tibet House Benefit I’ve been involved with in New York since 2006. I felt inspired by the gathering of musicians that happens each year, with each artist playing a couple of songs. It’s a joyful concert despite the somber situation in Tibet and it’s chaired by Philip Glass.
"I’m on the advisory committee for the benefit and volunteer my time each year during rehearsals and run of the concert at Carnegie Hall. And so I wondered if maybe I could put something of similar spirit together in Toronto to raise funds that could be donated to the boys.”
Indeed, Moran has curated a remarkable evening of GTA-based performers: Jim Guthrie, Andre Ethier, Nathan Lawr, Casey Mecija (of Ohbijou), Basia Bulat, Bry Webb (lead singer of Constantines), Light Fires (featuring Gentleman Reg and James Bunton of Ohbijou), Sandro Perri and Owen Pallett are all scheduled to appear and play short sets.
“I wrote to the community of artists in Toronto who I worked with at Three Gut Records first – Reg, Owen, Jim, Nathan and Bry – and they were all quick to state their desire to be a part of the concert,” Moran explains. “Then artists I loved seeing live when I lived in Toronto, like Andre Ethier. I thought of musicians who were supportive of Three Gut and Casey Mecija came to mind immediately; she did a school project on Three Gut when she was studying at Ryerson! And Sandro, whose new album I love so much and hadn’t seen perform in years. Also, Basia Bulat, whom I work with now and is friends with Justin; she actually drove him home to be with his family when this all happened in January.
“Basia had suffered the tragic loss of her friend Alexandra Dodger not long before this tragedy touched Justin’s family and I know her compassion runs deep for Justin to have lost his cousin so suddenly.”
According to Stayshyn, the family is grateful for the considerate display of support. “We're still all in an extended state of shock, but doing our best to piece things back together slowly,” he says. “The boys are now living with their uncle and aunt and their three cousins.”
Beyond proceeds from the concert, the Newman Boys Trust Fund has received contributions from friends and family, and the general public is welcome to make donations, big or small.
“A portion of the funds raised at the show on Friday will be going to the Halton Women's Place, a crisis and shelter for women serving the Oakville area where Katherine was murdered,” Stayshyn says. “There are also plans for a run for Katherine in June and a fundraising dinner in Hamilton.”
The Newman Boys Benefit Concert features Jim Guthrie, Andre Ethier, Nathan Lawr, Casey Mecija, Basia Bulat, Bry Webb, Light Fires, Sandro Perri and Owen Pallett, and takes place at Lee’s Palace in Toronto Friday, April 20. The show begins sharply at 9 p.m.
Related links:
Jim Guthrie Q&A: A journey from indie rock to indie gaming
Why Three Gut's reunion matters [The Grid]
Wrath of Khanna: The Breakfast Club with Andre Ethier
Wrath of Khanna: The Breakfast Club with MINOTAURS
Wrath of Khanna: The Breakfast Club with Ohbijou
Wrath of Khanna: The Breakfast Club with Basia Bulat
Wrath of Khanna: The Breakfast Club with Bry Webb
Here's why we need more Gentleman Reg
Wrath of Khanna: The Breakfast Club with Sandro Perri
Owen Pallett: Live from Signal Fest on this week's Sessions Podcast