Lip-syncers go to battle for Women’s Place
It’s a fundraising contest decided by the live audience. So, what to do when there’s no audience? For Lip Sync Battle Niagara organizer Amy Layton, it’s all in the thumbs.
Held Wednesday night, the fifth annual event in support of Women’s Place of South Niagara used the thumbs up symbol from hundreds of online viewers to decide the winner.
When the glitter settled, Niagara’s Cathalina Overholt lip synced to Rick Springfield and Pink to beat out seven challengers at Greg Frewin Theatre. But for Layton, a Niagara Falls realtor, the real prize was $3,475 raised during the pandemic for Women’s Place. Online viewers of the event were asked to do
nate a minimum of $20 to watch and vote.
“The highlight for me was seeing my sister in the Zoom room on the big screens, waving to her and watching her have a great time,” said Layton. “I do this event in her honour as she’s a survivor of domestic violence and this is the first time she’s been able to see the show.”
From the start, the pandemic played havoc with the show. Normally held in November, Layton pushed to have it earlier in the event the province goes into lockdown again.
With many businesses struggling, she was worried she wouldn’t get local sponsors. A handful came through, allowing the show to be livestreamed through Niagara company WeeStreem. Once it started, the two-hour show had hundreds of viewers across Canada and dozens in the U.S.
“One person even told me it was great to see her family member as well as they live out of town and they haven’t been able to see much of them lately,” said Layton.
Layton expected the pandemic-affected show to raise about $2,000 and it nearly doubled that.
“Just connect with people in your community and you’ll find those who are just as willing to help do something as you are. Every time.”
Layton was overwhelmed after the event.
“Our community of Niagara, and beyond, put their opinions and drama away for one night and all came together to support those women and children who are trying to escape domestic violence,” she said.
People can still donate to the event until Oct. 8 by emailing amylayton@royallepage.ca.