COURAGE and KINDNESS GO A LONG LONG WAY.
Passion is one of those great things in life that have so many meanings and yet, at the same time you can’t really put it into words. On May 17th, 2017 the Karda family home just north of Georgetown, caught fire and went up in flames, they unfortunately lost everything except a box of partially burned photos in the attic, no one, thank God was harmed in this fire. Joe Pinto the booking agent and sound tech and staff at SPOT 1 GRILL and MUSIC HALL, at 289 Rutherford Road in Brampton created this thoughtful Charity event, the Phoenix Celebration, Karda Rising. Once the Karda family heard what Joe and Spot 1 had in mind, they decided to help utilize their own generosity to assist the fundraiser & donate the proceeds raised to help others worse off then themselves, like local mothers and children that are homeless & a decision was made. The KARDA family passionately donated $2,260 raised from this event, plus clothing, soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, dental floss, hair brushes
to the Halton Women’s Place
Phil Karda lost valuable instruments like his
1959 Strat in this awful fire.
The Phoenix Celebration – KARDA charity event drew in 100’s of passionate music lovers on June 25th. I have never been more moved, this fundraiser oozed warmth and most of all LOVE for man kind.
The Spot 1 Grill and Music Hall provided a delicious spaghetti, meatball and salad buffet off their incredible menu and a stellar rock and roll lineup. Starting out with soothing acoustic covers by non other then Larry Melton, who performed with a huge heart (considering he had a heart attack a week prior). He was well enough to rock us with fantastic covers. Larry’s vocals were bang on each artist he covered, ranging from Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” to “Pink Houses” by John Cougar Mellencamp or Bryan Adams “Summer of 69,” he was a true delight to listen to. Up next came local Brampton artists, Late Night Sanity
who performed some blues rock infused covers like Santana’s “SMOOTH,” mixed with their unique & flavored originals “Socialite” and “Money Stack.” They are a crowd favorite, make sure you check them out when they return to Spot 1, as they play there often or follow them on Facebook.
Phil and Denis Karda also celebrated on an intimate note by renewing their wedding vows on this their 25th Anniversary and their daughter Erin and husband Joe’s 1st year Anniversary as well.
This couple define Endearment. Congratulations on 35 years together and your 25th Anniversary Denis and Phil. Corinthians 13 expresses the value of the Karda Families hearts. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes &
always perseveres.
Denis and Phil got to finally dance to their original wedding song choice, performed that night by Larry Melton, a cover version of Bad Company’s “Feel Like Making Love.”
25 years ago it was a different couples dance as parents chose a more wedding appropriate song then.
The evening kept moving smooth and was fully entertained by internationally acclaimed
and ever engaging, musical celebrity and MC,
Michael Williams (MUCH MUSIC).
Highlight for Kevin Brazolot was realizing his musical peer John McKinnon was about to perform.
Practically Hip’s Dean Hughes and John McKinnon spread it on thick with their Tragically Hip Tribute set featuring true Canadian songs
we have grown up listening too. This incredible acoustic set consisted of “Boots or Hearts,” “Head by a Century,” “Fiddlers Green,” “New Orleans is Sinking,” “COURAGE” (which I thought was 1 of the most relevant songs of the night), REM’s “Loosing My Religion” and John McKinnon
wowed us with an appropriate, emotional solo version of George Harrison’s “HERE COMES THE SUN.”
Next,
I was impressed by the accuracy of Strictly Sabbath, I have seen quite a few Ozzy Tributes, however, these guys truly nailed it for me. I am partial to hard rock and female bass players, so this act did not disappoint. This band had the right stage presence and kept their audience , they belted out hit after hit featuring crowd pleasing versions of
“War Pigs,” and “Paranoid.”
https://www.facebook.com/Strictly-Sabbath-122862321135614
I had goose bumps waiting to see Daytime Entertainment’s Emmy Award winning, internationally acclaimed composer, singer, songwriter/producer and guitarist, Phil Naro, who is most known for being the front-man for BIlly Sheehan’s band – TALAS back in the 80’s as well, he wrote songs for Peter Criss (former KISS drummer) and for Lee Aaron’s 1989 multi platinum selling album “Body Rock.”
http://www.philnaro.com
Phil amazed the audience with his vocal range, spanning 4 octaves. He introduced his original “Black & Blue” and got Kevin and I cuddling on the dance floor to Alice Cooper’s “Only Woman Bleed” and “Owner of a Lonely Heart” by Yes. He cut into a more current era featuring his version of “Wonder Wall” by Oasis.
Finishing off the fantastic evening, was SHEER HEART ATTACK-Queen Tribute. However, we had to depart and only had the pleasure of capturing their explosive version of Under Pressure, right into the incredible Fat Bottom Girls.
missing the full set and surprise guest,
James Prichard of AC_DC Tribute
“For Those About To Rock.”
Karda family and Joe Pinto would like to thank the prize sponsors & congratulate the winners listed below who took home some amazing stuff at the PHOENIX RISING CHARITY for HALTON WOMEN’S PLACE.
Joe Pinto wishes once again a big thank you to Dave Harvey’s DRUMMERS CHOICE for providing music gear, MC Michael Williams, CONNIE on the door, ALL THE GIRLS ON THE BAR and FLOOR, KITCHEN STAFF, MONTY GREIG who crashed the BLACK SABBATH set with his incredible FRANK SINATRA “NEW YORK NEW YORK.”
“Also a BIG HUG and THANK YOU to a great man with a Big heart, Chef and SPOT 1 owner TONY DE LUCIA, for providing a great venue and for an endless stream of support for the local communities since 1984.
We couldn’t do this without you ! ” – JOE PINTO
I Deb Draper, know what it’s like to assist those in need, it is a wonderful overwhelming great feeling, one of the main reasons I wake up with enthusiasm in the morning, it’s what moves me so much that it makes me cry. I am impressed with the impact the hearts of few have made on the lives of many. So if everyone could be more like the KARDA family, as passion is rarely big nouns like, cars, computers, or dogs. They’re usually verbs, and they’re usually specific, hearts of those that care, and those that are in need. If you love to help others, spread the word every day trying to do it the best you possibly can, and pretty soon everybody around you will catch the passion – like a fever.
Without passion, nothing great ever gets built or in this case rebuilt. Passion fuels innovation, builds a fantastic team and makes the impossible possible.
Your greatest passion is within you & you too can continue to donate online “in honor”
of The Phoenix Celebration at:
http://haltonwomensplace.com/ways-to-give/make-a-donation.
Photos by Kevin Brazolot and Deb Draper.