March of Dimes Canada welcomes the First Lady of Guitar

- The charity's annual Ability and Beyond Gala, presented by TD Bank Financial Group will feature a performance by Liona Boyd

TORONTO, May 20 /CNW/ - On Tuesday, May 25th guests at the TD Bank Financial Group sponsored Ability and Beyond Gala Dinner to benefit March of Dimes Canada, will have the chance to see a performance by the honoured guest performer, Liona Boyd, "The First Lady of Classical Guitar" accompanied by guitarist Srdjan Givoje. The dinner is taking place at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

The evening will be hosted by Global Toronto anchor Leslie Roberts, recently selected Toronto's Man of the Year for 2010.

In addition to performing, Liona will speak about her experience with Task Specific Focal Dystonia, a disabling condition that affects many musicians. Unable to play guitar as before, she was forced to completely reinvent her technique, focusing in the last few years on her singing and song writing abilities.

"In my case, Task Specific Focal Dystonia almost destroyed my life and I'm so happy to have found a happy and positive solution," says Liona.

In September 2009, Universal Music Canada released a milestone CD called "Liona Boyd Sings Songs of Love", with Srdjan Givoje, two voices and two guitars. It contains seventeen love songs including "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Baby Maybe", her latest music video. In November 2009, Universal released a second very different CD by Liona Boyd and Peter Bond called "Seven Journeys, Music for the Soul and the Imagination."

Liona Boyd has made twenty recordings, many of which have gone Gold and Platinum. She also has five Juno awards, five honorary degrees and has been awarded The Order of Canada. Liona's music can be heard by going to www.classicalguitar.com.

The Gala will also include a silent auction. Attendees will be able to bid on a private dinner with Liona Boyd and many other exciting items. As in past years, jeweller Louis Louro has created a gorgeous one-of-a-kind daffodil necklace, designed in consultation with Liona Boyd. Guests have the chance to take home the stunning necklace, valued at $16,500.

Other notable guests at the dinner include performers Justin Hines, Adrian Anantawan, Team Canada sledge hockey goalie Paul Rosen amongst others.

TD Bank Financial Group is the Presenting sponsor, sanofi-pasteur and sanofi-aventis are the Paul Martin Sr. Society Reception sponsors, gala sponsors are Louro Jewellers, Shoppers Home Health Care, Due North Communications and Dynamic Funds. Global Toronto is the media sponsor.

For more information on the dinner, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.marchofdimes.ca/gala.

March of Dimes Canada is a nationally registered charitable organization providing support services to people with disabilities, their families and caregivers across Canada. For more information about the necklace, the Gala Dinner, or the organization, please visit the website at www.marchofdimes.ca.

For further information: Ruth Kapelus, Media and Public Relations, March of Dimes Canada, 10 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON M4H 1A4, Phone: [phone] ext. 7258, Toll Free: 1-800-263-3463 ext. 7258, Fax: [phone], [email protected]