The pandemic is putting the kibosh on so many holiday traditions it’s enough to think we are all dealing with a new lump of coal every day. But today, one of the city’s beloved Christmas music specials announced it would continue the tradition but also go nationwide with a new two-hour broadcast concert. The 16th annual Andy Kim Christmas Special will be broadcast on Citytv and Citytv.com live from the El Mocambo on Dec. 19.
“I was on the verge of having to postpone the 16th year of my Christmas show and was truly bummed out. I kept thinking of all the people who are having a difficult time economically, spiritually and emotionally,” says Kim. “I did not want to abandon the purpose of my yearly show — giving to those in need at this time of year. With the support of Live Nation Canada, Rogers and Air Miles, I am excited to bring the Andy Christmas Special from coast to coast for the first time and hopefully raise an incredible amount of money to very worthy causes through the power of music.”
The concert is set to feature the music of Andy Kim, Barenaked Ladies, Broken Social Scene, Buffy Sainte-Marie, City and Colour, Glass Tiger & Roch Voisine, Jully Black, Ron Sexsmith, Sam Roberts, Sarah McLachlan, Serena Ryder and William Prince.
The concert is shaping up to be an old-school variety show with a strong charitable component. During the broadcast, viewers will be prompted to donate to the concert’s three causes: Crew National, CAMH Gifts of Light and Food Banks Canada.
The broadcast is slated for 8 p.m.