Light the Night celebrates 10 years in 2014

Jan van de Stool_editorialLight the Night will celebrate 10 years in 2014 with a final benefit concert at the City Recital Hall Angel Place on Monday 27 October.

The annual benefit has been raising money and awareness for leukaemia research over the past decade, with over $400,000 been donated to The Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation, targeting a cure for leukaemia.

Hosting the 2014 concert will be international musical therapist and hilarious YouTube sensation, Jan van de Stool. Jan is a Light the Night favourite having hosted the concert for the past couple of years, and notoriously drawn the Light the Night raffle with her own unique flair.

Performers at this celebration will include musical theatre favourites Lucy Durack (Wicked, Legally Blonde) and Trevor Ashley (Priscilla Queen of The Desert, Les Misérables) as well as jazz chanteuse, Emma Pask who is best known for her continuing collaboration with noted Australian virtuoso James Morrison. There will be a number of special guest appearances from past hosts including Rob Mills (Grease, Legally Blonde) and TV host Brendan Moar (Dry Spell Gardening).

Light the Night is inspired by Matthew Rennie, a brave man who fought a three year battle against leukaemia. Sadly, Matthew passed away shortly before the 2007 concert but has been well remembered. Light the Night was created by Matthew’s two brothers, musical theatre performers Shaun and Adam Rennie, with friends Monica Smith and Greg Smith.

Shaun Rennie is thrilled to be celebrating 10 successful years. “It is with great pride, much excitement and a little sadness that we announce that this years Light the Night will be our 10th and final event,” said Rennie.

“My brother Matthew was an amazing young man who has continued to inspire others to help in the fight against this disease for the past 10 years. Having raised over $400,000 for leukaemia research is an incredible legacy.”

“It seems right that this years Light the Night will be held on the anniversary of Matt’s passing, and we invite everyone who has been a part of the Light the Night family over the past 10 years to come and celebrate with us. It’s going to be one hell of a show!”

All monies raised from this year’s concert will fund the Light the Night Research Grant that supports a promising new Gene Control in Acute Leukaemia project being undertaken by St Vincent’s Hospital’s Haematology Research Team.

Light the Night
City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney
Date: Monday 27 October 2014 – 7.30pm
Bookings: (02) 8256 2222 or online at: www.cityrecitalhall.com

For more information, visit: www.lightthenight.com.au for details.

Image: Jan van de Stool