The Young Centre Supports UNICEF Canada With The Canwest Cabaret Festival

Albert Schultz, General Director of the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, today announced that the Canwest Cabaret Festival, which takes place over the Hallowe'en weekend (Oct 29 - Nov 1), will support UNICEF Canada. 50% of all ticket sales of A Tribute to Danny Kaye, a cabaret performance starring Albert Schultz and Don Francks, will be donated to UNICEF. The Young Centre also invites festival audience members to make donations to the giant UNICEF box located in the Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Atrium.

Albert Schultz, a long-time friend of UNICEF, and Canadian artist and activist Don Francks take their musical and charitable inspiration from the late and beloved entertainer. Schultz and Francks will be backed by an amazing trio of musicians: Colleen Allen, Steve Hunter, and Dave Young. "Kaye was the original UNICEF celebrity representative," said Schultz. "And he was a Goodwill Ambassador from 1954 until his death in 1987. To coincide with our tribute to his work as an entertainer, we're honoured to acknowledge Kaye's generous spirit with this donation to UNICEF."

For 33 years, Kaye circled the globe on UNICEF's behalf, making speeches, giving performances, acting as master of ceremonies for special events, and informing the public about the needs of children worldwide.

"I believe deeply that children are more powerful than oil, more beautiful than rivers, more precious than any other natural resource a country can have. I feel that the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life is to be associated with UNICEF." - Danny Kaye

A Tribute to Danny Kaye - Saturday, October 31, 2:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 1, 6:00 p.m.

The second annual Canwest Cabaret Festival brings together over 150 of Canada's most diverse and exciting artists under the same roof for more than 60 unique performances. Every corner of the Young Centre is teeming with activity all weekend long.

The Canwest Cabaret Festival begins on Thursday, October 29, and runs until Sunday, November 1, at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, located at 55 Mill Street, Building 49, in the Distillery Historic District. Tickets will be on sale October 14, 2009. Ticket prices: Concerts $20. Buy 3 concerts and save 20%. Gala Opening Night $100 (includes exclusive pre-show reception and 3 concerts). Student Festival Pass $30 (access to all concerts 5 minutes before show time, subject to availability) ID required. Tickets are available by calling the Young Centre box office at 416.866.8666 or online at www.youngcentre.ca or www.canwestcabaret.ca.

Can west is the Title Sponsor of the Canwest Cabaret Festival. TD Canada Trust Music is a Songbook Performance Sponsor. The Canwest Cabaret Festival is generously supported by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, the Ontario Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, and the City of Toronto. The Young Centre Resident Artist Program is generously supported by Donna and Gary Slaight.

The Young Centre for the Performing Arts is an award-winning, multi-venue performing arts facility located in the Distillery Historic District. Anchored by Soulpepper Theatre Company's year round season and George Brown College's Theatre School, the Young Centre is a home for Toronto's leading artists and arts organizations across all performance disciplines. The Young Centre presents the very best in theatre, dance, music and spoken word in a state-of-the-art setting.

UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and HIV and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.ca