LSM Newswire: Cut To The Drummer Gala and Art Auction

CUT TO THE DRUMMER

art is drawn to the beat.

A benefit for the MS Society of Canada's Scholarship Program

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Steam Whistle Brewing, The Roundhouse, Toronto

Hosted by Darrin Pfeiffer of 102.1 The Edge/Goldfinger

& Aaron Solowoniuk of Billy Talent

Performances by

Archie Alleyne with Jesse Barksdale

Jeremy Taggert of Our Lady Peace

and from Montreal, Scott Russell

CUT TO THE DRUMMER features 50 portraits of 50 drummers by 50 artists. The month long exhibition at the Steam Whistle Gallery is being launched with this one night only GALA and ART AUCTION hosted by two drummers - Darrin Pfeiffer of 102.1 The Edge and Goldfinger, along with Aaron Solowoniuk of Billy Talent, who initiated the Scholarship Fund. This exclusive event will offer art and music fans first crack at the 50 unique and often startling portraits on display with a Silent Auction and exclusive reception. The portraits are expected to fetch between $300 - $2500 each.

The Gala includes special performances by Toronto's premier jazz drummer Archie Alleyne with Jesse Barksdale, Jeremy Taggert from the multi-million selling, and 4 time Juno Award winning Our Lady Peace, and Montreal's Scott Russell with an extraordinary performance on the Cajon.

Following the Gala, Cut To The Drummer will open to the public at 9:30pm, with Darrin & Aaron and some of their friends spinning tunes throughout the evening.

The portraits include an international mix of drummers - the talented, the notorious, the influential - from jazz great Tony Williams to Led Zeppelin's John Bonham. From Neil Peart of Rush to Travis Barker of Blink 182. The illustrators in this group show have had their work commissioned by every major publication in Western culture - magazines, newspapers, Broadway posters, books, postage stamps, product packaging, t-shirts, CD covers. They are the aesthetic leaders of our times.

The drummer, often hidden by equipment and relegated to the back, is the goalie of the band, and a vital presence in the music. So too the commercial artist, whose work does not always hang on the wall, but plays a crucial role in defining our world. It is fitting to bring the drummers and artists to the front of the stage.

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system. In Canada, three people are diagnosed with MS every day. F.U.M.S. is an annual concert by Billy Talent and Friends to support the MS Society of Canada Scholarship Fund. The Fund was initiated by Aaron Solowoniuk, who was diagnosed with MS in 1998. Internationally recognized artist Sandra Dionisi launched the Bepo+Mimi Project in 2007 as an initiative to shift industry and public awareness to the inherent value of original artwork. After meeting Aaron, Cut To The Drummer was conceived and Sandra is producing this show in conjunction with JOINT Design Advocacy.

CUT TO THE DRUMMER GALA and ART AUCTION

Thursday, February 5, 2009 7:00PM to 9:30PM

$150 includes Private Reception and Silent Auction

Tickets on sale now at www.ticketweb.ca

CUT TO THE DRUMMER Art Exhibit February 5 - 28, Steam Whistle Gallery

Opening Reception: Thursday February 5, 2009, 9:30pm

Special Guest DJs Darrin Pfeiffer and Aaron Solowoniuk

$10 advance, $15 at the door

Tickets on sale now at www.ticketweb.ca

Steam Whistle Brewing, The Roundhouse

255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto 1-866-24-0-BEER

www.steamwhistle.ca