Andrew Boon wanted to do something special to showcase Notre Dame College School’s new theatre.
He also wanted to find a way to hold a fundraiser for the school – something to replace selling popcorn or other, smaller scale fundraisers that put the onus on students and parents.
“With our new theatre, we realized we had the opportunity to ask our community to come out for a night and support our school,” Boon said. It was also an opportunity to bring the community into Notre Dame.
Anyone who knows Boon even a little knows he’s a music fan with a broad range of tastes, but particularly loves The Beatles.
In 2015, he and former Lakeshore Catholic Principal Glenn Gifford created the Lakeshore High School Concert Series, which included performances by The Spoons (2015), Great Lakes Swimmers (2016) and Sloan (2018). The concerts raised funds for projects at the school and the school supported by Lakeshore Catholic in Dominica.
So it’s little surprise he’d look to bring back the successful event at Notre Dame College, with “the Canadian Beatles” Sloan as the inaugural act in a jam-packed show in the new theatre on October 10.
Why Sloan?
Boon describes Sloan “the Canadian Beatles,” noting “their incredible talent” and kindness to fans. Kindness is a big deal at Notre Dame, which uses the tagline “kindness lives here.”
The biggest deal was the first song of the second act, which included the Notre Dame Choir performing (name of song) onstage with the band.
“The fact that they let our students come up and sing with them was an experience they will not forget,” Boon said.
In the end, the community came through, raising about $8,000 for the school.
With that kind of success, it’s hardly a surprise a second show is planned for the spring. A second concert will take place at Notre Dame on March 28. Stay tuned for the big reveal.