Copyright 2004 Toronto Star Newspapers, Ltd.  
Hamilton Spectator (Ontario, Canada)
February 9, 2004 Monday Final Edition
SECTION: LOCAL; Pg. A03
LENGTH: 595 words
SOURCE: The Hamilton Spectator
BYLINE: Jennifer Morrison

An idea conceived over a bottle of wine among friends five years ago has become one of Hamilton's most important concerts of the season.

The fourth annual Elizabeth's Concert of Hope held Saturday raises funds and awareness in the fight against ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

"It's absolutely phenomenal," said Elizabeth Grandbois, founder of the Concert of Hope and its namesake. "It's galvanized the whole community and they're all pulling in the same direction. It's quite remarkable that it has garnered their trust."

The concert raised $300,000, pushing the four-year tally past the million-dollar mark to $1.25 million.

"This is just indicative of how important goodwill is in a community. When people know there's a need and they can help in some way, it gives them a reason to put themselves out "

This year's sold-out concert featured what one performer coined the "Royalty of the Canadian Music Industry."

New-age Celtic composer Loreena McKennitt started the evening, followed by songwriter Dan Hill, and guitar sensation Jesse Cook.

Concert of Hope regulars Ian Thomas and Murray McLauchlan, as well as Mark Jordan and Cindi Church, Hang Time Circus and Quagmyre, added to the great evening.

"It's a great privilege to be part of this very noble undertaking," said McKennitt, who is working on a new album which she hopes to have ready in 2005.

Even before the performers took to the stage at the Dofasco Centre for the Arts, the gala was in high gear as the city's best-dressed mingled over cocktails and finger foods, and placed bids on items in a silent auction.

At a private reception for corporate sponsors upstairs before the show, Grandbois sat in her wheelchair positively beaming, looking elegant in a black suit and eye-catching beaded necklace.

A long line of friends, well-wishers, and strangers waited patiently for a chance to talk with Grandbois, even for a few seconds. "You made it? Mayor Di Ianni made it," an excited Grandbois said as Hamilton's mayor came running at her with Burlington mayor Rob MacIsaac by his side, giving her a big hug.

"I wouldn't have missed it," Di Ianni said to her.

"That says a lot. He was double booked and he wasn't going to come tonight ... but he made it," she said later.

Grandbois was diagnosed with the fatal ALS disease six years ago. She attributes her relatively good health to an experimental and unconventional combination of drugs (similar to an AIDS cocktail) which she has been taking under the care of Dr. John Turnbull, head of the ALS clinic at McMaster University Medical Centre.

The event was hosted by CH TV news anchor Connie Smith, who sits on the committee and is a close friend of Grandbois.

Smith kept the audience entertained trying to guess how many times she would change her outfit.

"It sort of felt like the Oscars with Connie there in her designer gowns each time she came out," Grandbois said, adding that Smith had six wardrobe changes.

This year, Grandbois dedicated the show to her close friend Bill James, who died last summer from ALS. James was given the same drug therapy that has been working for Grandbois, but it wasn't effective for him. James was instrumental in helping Grandbois organize the first three concerts. As the show ended, Grandbois read a moving letter she'd written to James, describing the evening.

The concert has been staged in Hamilton so far, but plans are under way for a fifth Concert of Hope on April 1 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.