JR’S CHRISTMAS
Hamilton funny man JR Digs has raised $100,000 for charity with his annual Acoustic Christmas shows
JR Digs’ first Acoustic Christmas show was little more than a selfdare.
The Hamilton-based comedian and sometime late-night TV host had heard that the local innercity children’s group CityKidz was having a tough time raising funds.
Without any plans, he decided to take action himself. He asked Brodie Schwendiman, owner of the Casbah, whether he had any dates available at the club to hold a benefit show.
The only open night was Dec. 23, not a particularly good date to draw people out into the cold, but Digs took it anyway. He was glad it was the club’s lounge, the smaller of its two rooms — much easier to fill.
Digs had some visibility because of his Global TV show “Man with a Van,” in which he would drive around interviewing celebrities in his less-than-posh van. (The idea seemed ludicrous at the time, but is the in-thing in the U.S., á la Jerry Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.”)
Digs ran into Hamilton rocker Tom Wilson, asked him, then Tomi Swick signed on, and Mike Trebilcock of the Killjoys. The Casbah lounge was packed.
That was back in 2009. Heading into his 10th annual Acoustic Christmas benefit, Digs estimates he has raised some $100,000 for various local charities. And he wants to match that amount this year. It’s the same day as always, Dec. 23, but in a much bigger venue.
“That first show, I was just going to do it myself,” Digs says. “I thought all I need is the lounge, because not that many people like me. I figured 10 people would show up.”
In 2010, Digs moved into the main Casbah room. Same date. It sold out, too. Other big acts joined — Arkells, the Trews, Terra Lightfoot, Dave Rave, July Talk, even Randy Bachman.
By 2016, he needed a bigger space and moved the event to the expansive Digital Canaries film studios on Burlington Street. He
packed that too, but found the space less than cosy.
Last year, Digs found the Acoustic Christmas comfort zone when he moved the show to the New Vision United Church (the old Centenary United at 24 Main St. W., also known as The Music Hall). Its large wraparound balcony, fine acoustics and open floor space made it a good spot for a merry time.
This year, Acoustic Christmas returns to New Vision, with a cast that includes regulars such as Wilson, Trebilcock, Max Kerman of the Arkells, the Trews, Jon Harvey of Monster Truck,
Luke Bentham of the Dirty Nil, Brad Germain of Marble Index, Wayne Petti of Cuff the Duke, and Tyler Kyte of Dwayne Gretzky and a couple of surprise guests and newcomers including Niagara-based country star Tim Hicks.
“It’s our little Hamilton Last Waltz, everyone gets up and plays with everybody else,” Digs says.
The first 350 tickets sold quickly through social media. Since then, Digs says he has received permission from the city’s bylaw people to sell another 150. They go on sale online Friday, Nov. 23, at noon, and will likely sell out
quickly.
“There’s an inclination to want to make it bigger, but I didn’t want to do it that way,” Digs says. “To see some of your favourite bands in an acoustic Christmasy setting is special.”
As well, Digs has had Hometown Brew, of Langton, Ont., near Long Point, make a special batch of beer for the show. It’s called Acoustic Christmas beer and will be available at the concert and, for a limited time, at select Hamilton restaurants.
“We want to help out with homelessness and this year we have a goal of $100,000,” Digs says, noting this year’s chosen charities are Indwell and YWCA. “It’s the first year we’ve gone after corporate sponsorships.”