Celine Dion and Arcade Fire don’t typically share the concert stage, but they will on Oct. 1 in a benefit to raise money for the family of Denis Blanchette, who was fatally shot the night of Quebec’s provincial election, Sept. 4.
Blanchette was a lighting technician working at the Parti Québécois victory rally at Montreal’s Metropolis when he was shot outside the club by a suspect who was trying to get in through a backstage door, CBC reported. Another worker, David Courage, was injured, reportedly by the same bullet that killed Blanchette.
Other performers in the upcoming benefit include Patrick Watson, Coeur de Pirate, Ian Kelly and Vincent Vallières, with surprise guests scheduled to appear.
Tickets for the event, organized by Montreal production company L’Équipe Spectra, range from $80 to $175. Proceeds go to a trust fund (Fiducie Denis Blanchette) for Blanchette's daughter, as well as a fund for Courage, the injured worker.
Richard Henry Blain has been accused of the first-degree murder of Blanchette, one of a total of 16 charges. He will appear in court on Oct. 11, 10 days after the benefit.
The benefit concert will be held at the Metropolis, the same venue where the shooting took place. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster. Those not attending but wishing to make a donation can do so at the Metropolis website.
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