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Announcing the 4th Annual Dream Serenade Benefit Concert

4th Annual Dream Serenade Benefit Concert poster

For the past three years, the Dream Serenade Benefit concert has treated audiences to an array of renowned artists while celebrating the community of children with exceptionalities and their caregivers.

We’re so pleased to announce that the fourth annual instalment will once again take place at its home in Toronto’s legendary Massey Hall on Saturday, November 11th, 2017.

This year’s performers include Sloan, Sam Roberts, Owen Pallett, Skydiggers, Hannah Georgas and The Big Sound. We’ve also lined up a few special guests that will not disappoint! (If you were at last year’s show, you’ll know not to arrive late…)

Please join us to raise funds, awareness, and to give thanks to this wonderful community. Tickets are on sale Friday, September 15 at 10am EST through the Massey Hall website, by phone or box office.

— Hayden & Christie

The First Three Years

Dream Serenade was established in 2014 by Toronto musician Hayden Desser and his wife Christie Greyerbiehl, who also produce the event, as an annual concert to benefit Toronto’s Beverley Junior Public School and other GTA schools that support children with special needs, and to support the Family Relief Fund, which provides respite to parents and caregivers. The evening is also a celebration of teachers and volunteers who care for the city’s children year-round. “This annual concert is not just a way to contribute much-needed funding to those who need it most,” commented Greyerbiehl. “It’s also an evening that celebrates the tireless work of the teachers, parents and caregivers who provide essential support to our city’s children – and who do so without much in the way of applause.”

In just a few short years, over $150,000 has been raised thanks to those who generously volunteered their time and talents. “Dream Serenade began as a way to raise funds for our daughter’s incredible school, but it’s become so much more than that,” added Hayden. “It’s become an essential part of our lives, and the ideal way to celebrate this community of inspiring people.”

Past performers include:

2016 2015 2014
Broken Social Scene Bahamas Feist
Gord Downie Joel Plaskett Matt Berninger & Aaron Dessner from The National
Barenaked Ladies Serena Ryder Billy Talent
The Persuasions Hayden Barenaked Ladies
Dan Mangan Kevin Hearne and Thin Buckle Sarah Harmer
Hayden TUNS Hayden
Amy Millan The Weather Station Jason Collett
Lou Canon Choir! Choir! Choir! Grey Lands
Lou Canon

Some words on Dream Serenade:

The massive audience seemed both extremely enthusiastic about the cause and entirely open to the somewhat unconventional format — short sets from a wide range of performers…though Hayden was the de facto recipient of all this affection, the outpouring of love and creativity showed that he has clearly tapped into a very special idea for a very extraordinary cause.”

— 10/10, Chris Bilton, Exclaim! Magazine

But it was the quiet moments that set the Dream Serenade apart: when one could give pause and appreciate the collective of musicians gathering for an extraordinarily vital cause. […] The second annual Dream Serenade was referred to as a “night out” for fans, but given the intimate nature of the performances it felt more like a night in with friends: both local and out-of-town musicians let their guard down for a special, unforgettable evening.”

— NNNNN, Joshua Kloke, Now Magazine

For over five years, Toronto songwriter Hayden Desser and his wife, Christie Greyerbiehl, have been hatching a plan. It started coming together bit by small, embryonic bit, beginning when their first child was born with a rare chromosome condition that triggered a developmental disability. But despite the unexpected challenge, hope, not sadness or surrender, prevailed. […] Recently come to fruition, that idea became Dream Serenade.”

— Todd Aalgaard, Post City Magazine

I took in Hayden’s Dream Serenade through an older but not necessarilyer lens this year. When he played No Happy Birthday solo, with a slow-motion video of his non-verbal daughter projected in the background, the emotional weight completely moved me.”

— Joshua Kloke, “7 Shows That Made Now Critics Cry This Year”, Now Magazine