Becel’s One Small Thing to Love Your Heart Concert

Almost a year in the making, and a proud moment for the sponsor, Becel, the concert came to fruition on April 23, 2009 to further spread the important message.  The show was simulcast in 109 theatres across the country for free.

The evening started with wine and hor doeuvres compliments of Canwest.  The PHD group, honored to be a part of such a wonderful cause represented well, with all the ladies looking smashing in red!!  That color may not have been visible on some of my male colleagues, but I was assured that it was somewhere on them.  My collaborateur who shall remain nameless (I still need my job) thought that was T.M.I, but my guess was they meant red socks (keeping it  g-rated)

The program ran smoothly and on time.  The first performance was by Chantal Kreviazuk, elegant behind the piano, sang her heart out (no pun intended).  I could sing along to most of the songs.  Even though I am not a country fan, I am definitely a Chantal buff.  What stuck in my head was the big guitar (it must have a proper name but having grown up in Zimbabwe with little exposure to such instrument, I can get away with calling it a big guitar) It produced such an amazing sound and the guy who was playing it made it look like it was a piece of cake.

Deborah Cox, accompanied by a massive band was next.  For a woman who had just delivered baby #3 two months earlier, she looked unbelievable and soon had the house on its feet.  She livened the show as she gyrated tirelessly throughout her rendition.  Her last song was the inspirational "Beautiful U R" and had the crowd singing along.

Intermittently, short films documenting the changes in lifestyle made by women struggling with weight and health were shown (some of whom were in the audience).  Their stories touched a lot of hearts and hopefully a lot of people were encouraged to use stairs and of course switch to Becel.

Last but not least was Diana Krall, who left the audience still wanting more.  not having an appreciation for jazz, I am now a beginner fan - her performance was that spectacular.  Just looking at her so drowned into the piano and how she stroke every key with finesse made me feel like taking piano lessons.  She covered some of the songs by Nat King Cole and the one that got the audience giddy was called "Frim Fram Sauce" part of it goes like……

                                       I don’t want French fried potatoes,
                                                  Red ripe tomatoes,
                                                  I’m never satisfied.
                              I want the frim-fram sauce with the ausen fay
                                             With chafafah on the side.

Instead of "I want Frim Fram Sauce" she crooned I want Becel.  Talk about great PR, Unilever couldn’t have asked for more.  I was also a proud moment for the "amazing" PHD team.  She was a perfect ending to a perfect evening.

I am hoping that you will also be inspired to do One Small Thing - my pledge is to use the stairs - what’s yours?