September 17, 2012

Publication title: ET Canada, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Unknown
Writer: Erin Cebula

Erin Cebula on Sarah McLachlan’s Voices in the Park

Let me start by saying that Sarah McLachlan is the closest thing I’ve ever seen to an angel on earth. She sings like one, she looks like one and unlike many in the entertainment industry – she acts like one too.

This weekend Sarah hosted Voices in the Park right smack in the middle of Vancouver’s Stanley Park. Not only was it a coup to secure Brockton Oval for a concert of this type, but Sarah created this event to raise money for the Sarah McLachlan School of Music. Her school provides support, instruction and instruments to underprivileged kids who would never normally have access to music. Sarah also managed to assemble a roster of Canadian and International talent that donated their time and talent to the cause.

Performing in front of a backdrop of mountains, oceans and cityscape, audiences were treated to the sweet sounds of Stevie Nicks, Jann Arden, Bryan Adams, Hedley and Sarah herself. Bryan delivered a crowd-pleasing stripped down set; Jann treated us to her trademark wit and Hedley explored their sensitive side – teaming up with Sarah for a sweet ballad and sandwiching me backstage. But the most buzzed about guest had to be President Bill Clinton. The former leader of the free world flew out from New York to tell Vancouver he never would have been President without music. It was a moving and very personal speech, but I (along with 10,000 others) kept waiting for a sax solo that never came.

Sarah – rocking her “find your voice” tee – introduced us to her “favourite president,” performed beautifully on both stages and made it that much easier to believe in angels.