Senior Star 2010
Following 60 regional competitions and a star-studded National Final on October 18th in the Concert Hall at The Carlu in Toronto, 86-year old Vic Johnson of Gravenhurst, Ontario was named Chartwell’s 2010 Senior Star.
The star studded event featured performances from 10 finalists who were selected from more than 500 auditions across Canada last June. The show featured some of the country’s best senior talent and completely shattered traditional misconceptions about “slowing down” in ones’ later years.
It was a difficult decision for celebrity judges Gordie Tapp, Tim Louis and Dan Clancy each of whom are well-known performers who have made their own impact on the Canadian music and television industry. First runner-up Barry Greene hails from Prescott, Ontario while second runner-up, Carmencita Hill, resides in Mississauga, Ontario.
Vic Johnson originally played at The Carlu, a historic Toronto venue formally known as “Eaton’s Seventh Floor,” as a 10-year old student competing in a piano recital. 76-years later, he returned to the stage to dazzle the crowd with the piano composition ‘Dizzy Fingers.’ “This was a superb experience and I thank Chartwell for the opportunity,” said winner Vic Johnson. “Winning a prize is wonderful, but it was the enthusiastic response of the audience that gives me inspiration to continue.”
Featuring 10 finalists from across Canada, the event was hosted by Canadian icon Dinah Christie and featured some of the best performers over the age of 65 in Canada. Now in its fourth year, “Senior Star matters to Chartwell because it allows seniors to break out of a mold that our society often puts them in,” said Brent Binions, President and CEO of Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT. “All of our top ten finalists are winners and they each did a tremendous job in their performances.”
[This article was written by Sharon Henderson, Director of Communications for Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT]
