This year, the outreach theme is food insecurity, and beneficiaries will include the Ottawa Food Bank and the Centretown Community Food Centre. St. Matthew’s other fundraising initiatives—its online boutique and the annual scarf and jewellery sale also raise money for the Ottawa Food Bank OFB) and the marmalade sale directs all of its profits to the Centretown Community Food Centre and the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund.

“On behalf of the Ottawa Food Bank, our agencies, and neighbours who turn to food programs for support during trying times, thank you for St. Matt’s help and generosity,” wrote Tricia Johnson, OFB’s director of communications and development.  “Your work and caring are deeply appreciated and needed more than ever before.”

The catalogue will include works by acclaimed artists Gordon Appelbe Smith, Bruno Bobak, Ed Bartram, Liliane Clement, Martha Rakine, Clemence Wescoupe and Ottawa photographer Jennifer Dickson. International art includes a fine piece by English watercolourist Reuben Wards-Binks and an intriguing carved wood painting by Emmanuel Emvic, an important Nigerian artist.

The auction features some unusual items this year such as a vintage Power Wheels Barbie Corvette for very young drivers, a Sky-Watcher Newtonian 8” telescope and a steel Zeppelin Pull Toy 1930, modelled after the Graf Zeppelin.

And look for unusual books, fine china, jewellery, Persian rugs and antique silver. Each year, St. Matthew’s bakers and cooks’ offerings of Christmas baked goods and meals are hot ticket items.

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in the Glebe held its first major auction in October 2005 when a relatively minor repair uncovered a need for major work on the church’s exterior. The auctions held since have supported other needed property work and dedicated 15 to 50 percent of net revenues to outreach partners.

Beneficiaries have included the Multifaith Housing Initiative, the Council of the North suicide prevention program, FACES refugee program, the Youth Services Bureau and the Black Canadian Scholarship Fund. Last year’s auction sponsored two rooms in Cornerstone Housing for Women’s new building.

Prior to 2020, auctions were all day in-person events that included food, wine and a tea room. Held every three years, they included live and silent auctions, netting $50,000 to $80,000 each. During the pandemic, St. Matthew’s switched to online auctions in 2020 and now online auctions are held each November. Online auctions typically raise more than $40,000.

St. Matthew’s is grateful for the support provided by Amica, The Glebe, Capital Home Hardware in the Glebe, Davidson’s Jewellers and artist Donna Lynd.

The post St. Matthew’s Online Treasures Auction returns appeared first on Perspective.

Nalini began singing at age three and will perform with her husband and bassist Adrian Cho, who is the founder and artistic director of the Ottawa Jazz Orchestra (OJO). A teacher with Carleton University’s Learning in Retirement/Lifelong Learning program since 2011, Cho has been dubbed a “cool guide to hot jazz” by the Ottawa Citizen. He is also an accomplished wildlife photographer.

Singing and writing in four languages, Nalini has performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival and released several acclaimed albums. In Ottawa, she sometimes sings at the National Arts Centre’ Fourth Stage with the OJO. She has also given gala performances for former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Sir Paul McCartney.

Joining Nalini and Cho for the church event will be Mike Tremblay, a superb saxophonist who often performs with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and is co-founder and director of the Carleton University Jazz Camp. His performance credits include Natalie Cole, Alanis Morissette and Lou Rawls.

The intimate Jazz & Tapas event will be held at the back of the church from 4 pm to 6 pm, a space with excellent acoustics. It is sponsored by Amica The Glebe which will also provide some tapas such as marinated lobster caps, duck confit spring rolls and caramelized brie and pear.

A delicious range of nibblies will be served including donations from local restaurants and food merchants. The last event received contributions from Flipper’s Seafood Restaurant, Von’s Bistro, Café Morala (now Happy Goat Coffee Co.), Erling’s, Irene’s Pub and Light of India.

Tickets will include food, entertainment and non-alcoholic beverages. A complimentary glass of wine or beer is included in the adult ticket price. There will also be a small silent-auction table.

After the last event in 2018, many guests offered enthusiastic compliments on the food and the décor, noting the night-club ambiance with black table cloths, red napkins and candles. “A resounding success all round, music, food, community and ambience,” one of them said.

Half of the proceeds will go to the Black Canadian Scholarship Fund (BCSF) administered by the Ottawa Community Foundation. Since 1998, the fund has provided bursaries for first-year university students who have graduated from Ottawa area high schools. Last year four scholarships of $6,000 each were awarded.

Tickets can be purchased through St. Matthew’s online boutique (auctria.events/stmatthewsboutique.com) Adults: $60, Students, (not including alcoholic beverages): $40. Saturday, May 11, 4 to 6 pm, St. Matthew’s, 130 Glebe Ave. entrance, just west of Bank St.

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The post Jazz fundraiser returns to St. Matthew’s on May 11 appeared first on Perspective.