Tara Jeffrey
Adam Dumond’s ‘carpool-karaoke-style’ videos are making waves on Facebook — all for a good cause.
The local real-estate agent has been posting the online clips of local singers belting out tunes in the passenger seat while Dumond cruises around town to tease a fundraising concert at the Imperial Theatre on May 4.
The event, Sarnia Sings Vol. 1, features a slew of local performers backed by Toronto-based live-karaoke-style band Rock Star Live, all in the name of mental health and suicide prevention.
“Getting the singers has been the easiest part of this whole thing,” said Dumond, pointing to a lineup that includes Sarnia’s rising country star Eric Ethridge, radio personality Rob Jenkins, musician Andrew Borody, hairstylist Christopher Norton and plenty more, who jumped at the chance to take part.
Other performers include a local teacher, an 86-year-old, and a group of talented youngsters.
With the help of the Sarnia Community Foundation, funds raised will go toward setting up a grant program aimed at raising awareness about suicide prevention and mental illness.
The cause that caught Dumond’s attention after Canadian sports commentator and mental health advocate Michael Lansberg posted a video about suicide in Sarnia.
“There’s great people trying to do good things to raise awareness, and make sure we don’t miss anybody,” said Dumond. “This kind of highlights it in such a manner that gives people a good reason to donate or go to an event.”
The concert will pause for four ‘Moments’ when a number of people affected by mental illness and suicide will share their stories.
“They’re reminders, to bring everybody back to why we’re here,” he said.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Sarnia Sings, Volume 1
WHEN: Thursday, May 4, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Imperial Theatre
DETAILS: Tickets, $25, available at www.imperialtheatre.net
For more information, including Adam’s Sarnia Sings videos, visit Sarnia Sings on Facebook.