19 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

David Foster Foundation to mark 40 years with event next year in Victoria

“Plans are already in motion for a very special event in Victoria, where we’ll come together to honour four decades of supporting transplant families across Canada,” the foundation’s CEO said on social media

 

https://www.timescol...ctoria-10875712

 

 

He will be 76 next year.

 

 

 

Foster was born in Victoria, British Columbia, the son of Maurice "Maury" Foster, an office worker, and Eleanor May Foster (née Vantreight), a homemaker. In 1963, at the age of 13, he enrolled in the University of Washington music program. In 1965, he auditioned to lead the band in an Edmonton nightclub owned by jazz musician Tommy Banks. Banks mentored Foster in jazz, producing records, and the music business. After one year there, he moved to Toronto to play with Ronnie Hawkins. In 1966, he joined a backup band for Chuck Berry. In 1972, he moved to Los Angeles with his band Skylark.

 

https://en.wikipedia...ki/David_Foster

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 30 June 2025 - 06:34 AM.

[Bambam]

Of all the memorabilia in his personal collection I know I have one item David doesn't have nor that he's never ever seen, that being a B & W 8.5 x 11 glossy of a fifteen year old DF dancing on dad's old teen dance show on CHEK, circa 1965. Another connection is that I bought his mom's 1977 Dodge Charger SE in the mid-80's. That thing was a rocket and earned me many a speeding ticket here and in Vancouver lol. Its always nice to see a wealthy celebrity continuing to do nice things for others without necessarily making a national or international spectacle of themselves.

[Victoria Watcher]

without necessarily making a national or international spectacle of themselves.

 

He literally did have a reality TV show about his family though.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 30 June 2025 - 08:54 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

The future of the series was thrown into doubt on July 11, 2005 when Thompson filed for divorce from Foster the day after the show premiered.

[Victoria Watcher]

Two guests paid $30,000 each for tickets to the David Foster Foundation’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Victoria next year, including VIP access to the rehearsal and special seating at the Symphony Splash.

 

https://www.timescol...nation-11119763

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 August 2025 - 01:57 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Josh Groban, Jay Leno among guests coming to Victoria for David Foster Foundation fundraiser

 

This year, on Aug. 7 and 8, the foundation is hosting a pair of events in Victoria to mark four decades in operation.

 

Guests will include singer Josh Groban, multi-platinum vocal group The Tenors – TV and Broadway star Katherine McPhee – late-night host Jay Leno, America’s Got Talent finalist Daniel Emmet, American Idol top-10 finalist Pia Toscano, and more to be announced closer to the August dates.

While an full guest list has not yet been released, the weekend will begin with a black tie gala on Aug. 7 at the Victoria Conference Centre. Then, an exclusive “VIP-afterparty” featuring live performances by The London Essentials and the Rhapsody Orchestra will be held at the Fairmont Empress, all in support of the foundation.

The next day, musicians will descend on Victoria’s Inner Harbour for the David Foster & Friends 40th Anniversary Concert.

The concert includes performances by David Foster, accompanied by the Victoria Symphony, as well as other musical guests and acts that have yet to be announced.

 

[...]

 

Organizers tell CHEK News they are eyeing free and ticketed areas for the concert, though exact arrangements are still in the works.

 

https://cheknews.ca/...raiser-1310553/

[Victoria Watcher]

https://davidfosterf...ration-weekend/

 

[Victoria Watcher]

Foster will be accompanied by the Victoria Symphony at the Inner Harbour event, with surprise guests expected to appear.

 

https://www.timescol...august-11983953

 

 

Curious as to how/where they are going to stage this.

[Mike K.]

Victoria pulls off events like this, and it’s still considered less cultured than Kingston, Ontario?

I mean, c’mon now. What’s Kingston got going on? A punk show, again?

That Hudson Williams guy will be long forgotten and David Foster will still be putting on Victoria events with $20k price tags.

[Victoria Watcher]

“This one is going to be our last major fundraiser of the foundation,” Mike Ravenhill, chief executive officer of the David Foster Foundation, told the Times Colonist on Tuesday. “David and I were talking, and we thought, why not come back to Victoria, where we started, and do our last major fundraiser?”

The foundation, which provides financial support for families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants, has assisted upwards of 1,600 families with a variety of non-medical expenses, including travel, accommodation and mortgage assistance.

The foundation will move away from large-scale events in the future, Ravenhill said, in order to transition from a fundraising foundation into an operational foundation that administers its multimillion-dollar endowment.

 

https://www.timescol...august-11983953

[Victoria Watcher]

Foster will be accompanied by the Victoria Symphony at the Inner Harbour event, with surprise guests expected to appear.

 

https://www.timescol...august-11983953

 

 

Curious as to how/where they are going to stage this.

 

 

Foster will perform on a floating barge accompanied by the Victoria Symphony at the Inner Harbour event, with surprise guests expected to appear.

“We are going to take the bar and raise it,” Ravenhill said.

 

https://www.timescol...august-11983953

 

 

So it's the Symphony Splash just one week later than usual?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 11 March 2026 - 03:50 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

David Foster and friends to play free Inner Harbour concert in August

 

https://www.timescol...august-11983953

[Mike K.]

One week later means it’s not on the long weekend. Is that a good idea?

[Victoria Watcher]

One week later means it’s not on the long weekend. Is that a good idea?

 

Yes.  Long weekends are not good to attract locals.

[Mike K.]

Hmmm. So we’re trading out Splash on a long weekend and doing this instead? Is that the plan?

[Victoria Watcher]

Hmmm. So we’re trading out Splash on a long weekend and doing this instead? Is that the plan?

 

Did we all think it was a bit fishy that almost a year out, SS said they would not operate in 2026?  Maybe they just had to stay quiet for this.  Seems fair, and win-win.

[Mike K.]

Yeah this aligns, doesn’t it? Interesting.

[Victoria Watcher]

If DF just brings in one big sponsor, he can pay the symphony out of pocket I guess.

 

Victoria still gets a free show (everyone wants free) but maybe he sets up a VIP grandstand or two with big payers.

[Mike K.]

Sounds pretty good.

Maybe Hudson Williams can sponsor the show. That’ll wake him up for a bit and he can meet the locals.

[Victoria Watcher]

'Snowbird 1' arrives in Sidney after 3,500-kilometre journey

The CT-114 Tutor jet that led the iconic Canadian Snowbirds into history more than 55 years ago landed at the B.C. Aviation Museum on Tuesday.

https://www.timescol...ourney-12083730

 

 

The museum, run by volunteers and reliant on small grants and admission fees, is raising funds to cover the costs of transporting, reassembling and restoring the aircraft. It’s just over halfway to its goal of raising $60,000, said Dempsey.

 

It’s also starting a fundraising campaign to build a $2-million hangar to house the jet and other recent acquisitions, including the Martin Mars Hawaii waterbomber and Cold War-era Starfighter jet.

 

The museum has already received $50,000 from one donor for its hangar, which would include a reinforced roof for a walkway mezzanine and hanging airplanes.

 

The museum plans to host an open house over the August long weekend, where current members of the Snowbirds will sign autographs, along with dozens of alumni, said museum president Stephen Hale.

 

The event will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the David Foster Foundation 40th anniversary gala on Aug. 6 and 7, when the Snowbirds will do a flypast to honour the Victoria-born musician, who is also an honorary Snowbird.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 01 April 2026 - 04:47 AM.