News
Announcing the 5th Annual Dream Serenade Benefit Concert
Dream Serenade returns for the 5th year, this time at Roy Thomson Hall! Further details about this year’s performers will be announced in September.
We hope to see you there!
About Us
Dream Serenade began in 2014 as an event to raise funds for Toronto’s Beverley Street School and services for children with developmental and or physical disabilities and their caregivers. The reach of these show proceeds has now grown to benefit other like-minded schools in the city, support a year-round Family Relief Respite Fund and establish a Summer Bursary Fund to assist eligible Toronto-area families in accessing summer programming.
The show, created by Toronto musician Hayden Desser and Christie Greyerbiehl, features unique live performances and collaborations from local and international artists who generously donate their talents to this worthy cause.
Previous years have included memorable appearances by: Feist, Gord Downie, members of The National, Broken Social Scene, Barenaked Ladies, Billy Talent, Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, Sloan, Bahamas, Serena Ryder, The Persuasions, Joel Plaskett, Sarah Harmer, Tanya Tagaq and many others.
Announcing the 4th Annual Dream Serenade Benefit Concert
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
Announcing the 3rd Annual Dream Serenade Benefit Concert
We’re very excited to announce the third annual Dream Serenade benefit concert on October 22, 2016 at Toronto’s Massey Hall. Those of you who have generously supported us over the last couple of years know how special this night has become: artists like Feist, Matt and Aaron from The National, Bahamas, Serena Ryder, Barenaked Ladies, Billy Talent, Joel Plaskett and many others have generously volunteered their time and talents to perform intimate and inspiring performances on the stage of the legendary Massey Hall. Over $125,000 has been raised towards schools and services for children with developmental and / or physical disabilities, a new playground is underway for the students of Beverley Street School, a Family Relief Fund offering respite services is now active and last year we were able to award $20,000 to Toronto’s George Webster Elementary School for upgrades to their classrooms.
This annual concert is not just a way to contribute much needed funding to those that need it most within this community, but it’s an evening that celebrates the tireless work that teachers, parents and caregivers provide year round to children in our city, without the applause. This year, Broken Social Scene, Dan Mangan, Amy Millan (of Stars), Barenaked Ladies, The Persuasions, Lou Canon and more will help give us another unforgettable night. We hope you will join us.
Dream Serenade has become much more than its beginnings as a way to raise funds for our daughter’s incredible school. It’s now a very important part of our lives and a perfect way to celebrate a community of inspiring people.
— Hayden Desser & Christie Greyerbiehl (co-presenters)
Tickets for Dream Serenade ranging from $25-$100 can be purchased at the Massey Hall box office, by phone at 416-872-4255 or online at masseyhall.com
Thank you for attending the 2nd Annual Dream Serenade
The Second Annual Dream Serenade Benefit Concert has come and gone. It was a spectacular celebration of the community of children with developmental and / or physical disabilities and their teachers, parents and caregivers. If you joined us, thanks again for your support. If you missed it, please consider it next year and read NOW’s perfect score review of the show here: https://nowtoronto.com/music/concert-reviews/dream-serenade/
It’s also not too late to donate to this wonderful cause. Here’s the link: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/dream-serenade/