Piano by Candlelight concert benefits the Open Door

The Piano by Candlelight benefit concert will raise funds for the church's outreach ministry, the Open Door, a day shelter and soup kitchen meeting the needs of Montreal's homeless.

"The Open Door has a solid history of successfully getting people off the street permanently," said Stuart. "Every dollar we raise will go directly to helping the destitute."

Stuart will be joined by cellist Catherine Little, percussionist Nathan Williams, and the female vocal ensemble from the Chorale of Reconciliation. Musical performances will include works by Albeniz, Chopin, Debussy, Amy Grant, Rachmaninov, Shostakovich, and Yann Tiersen. The soft light of dozens of candles will set the mood as parishioners read passages from the Scriptures selected to complement the evening's concert.

"With this concert, I can bring my faith, my testimony, and my gift of piano playing to not only help the needy, but I hope also to inspire those who will attend," Stuart says. "I've been given so much and in return, I'd like to 'pay it forward' to those who need it the most."

The Piano by Candlelight benefit concert takes places at St. Stephen's Anglican Church, 4006 Dorchester Blvd. (corner of Atwater) on May 1 at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets for the concert are $15 each and can be purchased at CLC Bookstore, 4257 Ste. Catherine St. W. Tickets will also be available at the door for $20. Student tickets are $10. The concert is free for children 12 and under.

For more information, contact Jana Stuart at 514-935-8753 or Ramon Herrera, director of the Open Door, at 514-939-1970 (during business hours).