Shannon Stewardson knows how hard local families work to help young people achieve their dreams in the arts.
As the director of Tri-City Dance Centre, she's seen, time and again, the lengths to which parents will go to help their talented children make their way in a highly competitive world.
Whether it's to pay for training at a high-quality ballet summer program or to cover the costs of an overseas education, parents are sacrificing everything - borrowing money, even taking out second mortgages - to make those dreams a reality.
Stewardson has also seen what happens when parents simply can't afford to pay for those dreams.
"Kids were losing their opportunities because their parents just didn't have the money," she said.
Talking to those parents gave her an idea: "We should form something that directly benefits the youth in the performing arts, because there's nothing."
The result? The Backstage Youth Performers Society, formed as a not-for-profit society in 2007 to help provide financial assistance and opportunities for young people in theatre, music and dance. Since its inception it has awarded more than $15,000 in scholarships to young artists.
But it can't continue to help youth without money - and that's where A Night of Stars comes in.
The gala fundraiser is being held on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Massey Theatre to help raise money to fulfil the society's mission.
Well-known local actor David Adams will MC the event, which will include a roster of dancers, musicians and actors - both young adults who are making their way in the professional world, and emerging talents who are still needing a hand to achieve their dreams.
Among the headliners are young indie musician Laurell, a Vancouver-based singer who won a Western Canadian Music Award for Pop Album of the Year, and Cody Karey, a young tenor pop vocalist discovered by David Foster whose self-titled debut album has been released by Verve Records.
Also headlining is soul singer Omar Khan.
They're joined by a cast of talented performers that includes Absolute, Forest and the Sea, The Source Dance Company, the Arts Umbrella Graduate Company, KTL Co., OTW Crew with Mac Harmon, Pacific Northwest Ballet's Anna Laird and more.
"There's something for everybody in this show," Stewardson said. And she noted that, at $18.50 and $23, tickets are affordable. "It's less than the cost of going to a movie and buying popcorn."
Stewardson said she's hoping to see a good turnout at the gala, but she admits it's been harder than they'd hoped to fill seats.
"Everybody says they want it, but when it comes right down to it, it is exceptionally difficult to get the support," she said.
She noted they're up against a societal bias towards sports - where young athletes have more funding opportunities than young artists, and where people who wouldn't think twice about spending more than $100 on a Canucks game balk at spending $20 to support young talent.
But she's hoping people will turn out to see the showcase of talent, which she bills as "the next great things out of British Columbia."
To buy tickets, call 604-521-5050 or see tickets.masseytheatre.com.
A separate, pre-show VIP reception featuring wine, appetizers and desserts is also available. Tickets for that are $20.
The night will also feature a silent auction with a wide variety of items. The auction is already underway at http://www.32auctions.com/BYPSGala1, and bids will close at the gala.
For more on the society and the gala, see its website at www.byps.org.
