Skip to main content

United for Ukraine Brings Acclaimed Artists to Toronto’s Meridian Hall for a Cause

int(107477)
A banner image for Attila Glatz Concert Productions and TO Live's
/By / Apr 14, 2022
SHARE

Toronto audiences will soon have the opportunity to provide support for Ukrainian families displaced from their homes through the performing arts.

Presented by Attila Glatz Concert Productions and TO Live, United for Ukraine is an exciting night of music and dance in support of Ukraine. Conceived and curated by Sonia Rodriguez, Heather Ogden, Evelyn Hart, and Attila Glatz, all of the net proceeds from this event will be donated to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation to help them in their mission of providing aid to those affected by the war in Ukraine.

“The performing arts represent a real global community,” says Sonia Rodriguez, co-curator of this benefit. “I’ve spent a career performing alongside people from all over the world, and felt a genuine need to do whatever possible to support the people of Ukraine in this time of crisis.” 

Emceed by Carolyn MacKenzie and Jeff McArthur, hosts of Global’s The Morning ShowUnited for Ukraine will feature a dynamic and varied program of music and dance by acclaimed artists across genres and disciplines.

Co-presenter Attila Glatz’s personal experiences are what motivated him to participate in this benefit. “I was a young boy living in Hungary at the time of the 1956 uprising among incredible political unrest under Russian occupation,” says the founder and executive producer of Attila Glatz Concert Productions. “I escaped to the west in 1968, and fast-forward to the present…the fact that we present concerts in a country where we don’t have to worry for our safety shows how fortunate we are. We have a real opportunity now — 3,200 of us do — to come together at Meridian Hall on April 28 to show our solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”

Performers for the evening include:

  • Superstar Ukrainian violin virtuoso Vasyl Popadiuk and the Papa Duke Band; 
  • International ballerina and Canada’s Walk of Fame inductee Sonia Rodriguez with principal dancers of the National Ballet of CanadaGuillaume CôtéHeather OgdenSvetlana LunkinaBrendan SayeJurgita DroninaHarrison James, and First Soloist Spencer Hack
  • Ukrainian dance company Kalyna Performing Arts Company;
  • Indigenous dance company Red Sky Performance;
  • Canada’s preeminent Ukrainian Women’s Choir, Vesnivka;
  • Opera singers Lara CiekiewiczNatalya Gennadi, and James McLennan
  • Dancers from Barvinok Ukrainian Dance School

“We’re honoured to co-present this benefit in support of the people of Ukraine, and to showcase the work of incredible performing artists lending their talents to this noteworthy cause,” says Clyde Wagner, President and CEO of TO Live. “Seeing the arts community come together like this is inspiring and TO Live is proud to help share this event with audiences in Toronto,” adds Josephine Ridge, Vice President of Programming at TO Live.


United for Ukraine will take place at Meridian Hall on Thursday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. To attend the benefit, purchase tickets here.

For individuals or organizations looking to sponsor this event and/or make a donation, please contact Sandra Bellisario at sandra.bellisario@tolive.com or 416-414-0341.  

Jessica Watson
WRITTEN BY

Jessica Watson

Jessica is a former associate editor at Intermission, as well as a writer, classically-trained actor, and plant enthusiast. Since graduating from LAMDA in the UK with her MA in acting, you can often find her writing screenplays and short plays in the park, writing extensive lists of plant care tips, or working on stage and screen (though she uses a stage name). Jessica freelances with various companies across Canada, but her passion lies in working with theatre artists and enthusiasts.

LEARN MORE

Comments

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


/
Production photo of 'A Strange Loop' at Soulpepper Theatre. iPhoto caption: 'A Strange Loop' photo by Dahlia Katz.

Announcing the winners of the 2025 Toronto Theatre Critics’ Awards

The Toronto Theatre Critics’ Awards jury has announced its 2025 results — 22 winners across 17 categories, plus a pair of special citations.

By Liam Donovan
lighthouse festival theatre iPhoto caption: A stock image of Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover.

Lighthouse Festival unveils casting for 2025 summer season

The Lighthouse Festival has announced casting details for its 2025 summer season. A mix of returning favourites and new faces will appear in five productions across its two venues in Port Dover and Port Colborne.

By Krystal Abrigo
Actors from the 2025-26 Crow's Theatre season. iPhoto caption: The 'Octet' company. Photos by Dahlia Katz.

Crow’s Theatre announces packed 2025-26 season, including major partnership with Soulpepper

Next season, Crow’s Theatre will stage work by Michael Healey, Dave Malloy, Eboni Booth, Erin Shields, and Tennessee Williams, among others. The company is also launching a three-year partnership with Soulpepper Theatre, which will involve four large-scale 2025-26 co-productions.

By Liam Donovan
Canadian Stage performing at the High Park Ampitheatre. iPhoto caption: Photo courtesy of Canadian Stage.

Canadian Stage reveals 2025-26 programming

World premieres from local playwrights Erin Shields and Kanika Ambrose feature in Canadian Stage’s 2025-26 season, announced this morning. The lineup also includes a Robert Lepage remount and a pair of Tony Award-nominated dramas.

By Liam Donovan
iPhoto caption: Production image of The Livrarian. Photo by Anita Murphy.

Inaugural Bealtaine Theatre Festival brings contemporary Irish theatre to Toronto

Toronto audiences will experience a diverse selection of Irish theatre, music, and storytelling as the Bealtaine Theatre Festival debuts from April 25 to May 25.

By Krystal Abrigo
iPhoto caption: Farren Timoteo in Made in Italy. Photo by Trudie Lee.

Theatre Calgary announces 2025–26 season

The 2025-26 season at Theatre Calgary features six productions, including a world premiere musical, a contemporary Canadian classic, and the return of a sold-out comedy.

By Krystal Abrigo