HURON CAROLE CONCERT SPREADS THE LIGHT ONLINE
Jackson's annual fundraising show `makes it a party' in communities across Canada
Viewers who sign up to watch the Huron Carole across Canada this year will receive a few extras from Tom Jackson and his crew.
It's all under the “make it a party” section of huroncarole.ca, a feature that allows viewers to communally embrace the festive spirit, even if the annual fundraising concert is being beamed directly to their computer screens rather than performed in a local venue.
“We sent out lyrics, chords to all the people that want to watch this and who want to help their community,” says the singer-songwriter, actor and activist. “We sent out lyrics so they can sing. We sent out cut-outs so they can wear things that can be fun to do. I've got this long hair, single braid. If I really work at it hard, I can make that braid stand up.
“The hair on the back of my head stands up,” he adds with a laugh.
As with most events this year, the Huron Carole has morphed into a virtual concert. Dubbed the Light Inside, the show will no doubt feature many of the same hallmarks — the Christmas carols, the expert musicianship, the storytelling — that have made it a favourite ever since Jackson first performed in 1987 at Toronto's Silver Dollar Saloon. One of the silver linings to moving it online is that the Huron Carole will reach even more communities, even if only virtually.
The virtual tour kicked off Tuesday in St. John's, N.L., before moving to Edmonton and Kelowna, B.C. On Dec. 1, it will be available in Jackson's hometown, with funds going to Calgary's Alpha House for the third year in a row. It's one of more than a dozen charities or non-profit groups that will benefit from Huron Carole this year.
Jackson and his wife Alison have become well-versed in how to produce online entertainment. The couple produced Almighty Voices, 12 hour-long episodes that began streaming on Youtube in early April and featured a who's who of Canadian performers. Whitehorse, Susan Aglukark, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Sarah Slean, Buffy Saint-marie and Liona Boyd were among the dozens who participated. All the musicians were paid and viewers were encouraged to donate to the Unison Benevolent Fund, a non-profit that provides counselling and aid to the Canadian music community. It seemed a herculean undertaking and Jackson jokes that his Calgary home has been turned into a makeshift TV studio. But the success of the series was proof that the Jacksons could bring a similar approach to Huron Carole.
“Yes it's different,” Jackson says.
“But I think it's different because it's infused with a different kind of purpose. It has the same DNA as the Almighty Voices project. It gives us a realization that empathy and hope, faith, compassion — all those words — are more valid to us this year for obvious reasons.”
In July, Jackson and fellow artists Tom Mckillip, Darryl Havers, John Macarthur Ellis, Kirby Barber and Chris Nordquist recorded this year's Huron Carole concert at Blue Frog Studios in White Rock, a facility well-known as a live recording theatre. The concert was edited by Matt Gillespie of Calgary's Joe Media, with sound mixed by Josh Gwilliam of OCL Studios just outside of town. The shows will be streamed in nine provinces and territories until Dec. 20. The concerts are listed at huroncarole.ca, which means viewers can essentially “pick your charity,” Jackson says.
The non-profit Christmas & Winter Relief Association, which Jackson formed with Alison, has raised more than $230 million in funds and in-kind services for various charities and relief organizations.
Born in Saskatchewan, the Cree artist has spent three decades as a singer-songwriter and actor with roles in everything from the children's series Shining Time Station to the 2019 violent dark comedy Cold Pursuit opposite Liam Neeson. Jackson became an officer of the Order of Canada in 2000 and earlier this week, he became one of eight people honoured as a Companion of the Order of Canada.
He has also had direct involvement with Alpha House, an agency that provides support for people living with alcohol or drug addictions and recently opened a new location in Lethbridge. The agency also provides a Downtown Addiction Outreach Partnership (or DOAP), a program Jackson volunteers for on the streets of Calgary.
“This is for people who are the most vulnerable in our society,” he says. “It is a lifeline. I can't overstate that. It saves lives. Alpha House saves lives.”
For a full list of Huron Carole concerts, visit huroncarole.ca.
Empathy and hope, faith, compassion — all those words — are more valid to us this year for obvious reasons.