Some Montreal health care workers are stepping into this — line dancing!
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) community has been raising thousands of dollars for the causes of their choice through the MUHC foundation’s annual fundraiser: MUHC’s Got Talent.
And on Thursday, the Montreal Chest Institute (MCI) began preparing for the act they’ll be rocking at the upcoming show.
“Show us their hidden talents,” said Marie-Helénè Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation. “We have musicians, we have dancers, we have singers.”
“And today the team from the Montreal Chess Institute is actually practicing their act here.”
“We’re raising funds for pulmonary rehabilitation,” said Linda Ofiara, respirologist at the MUHC. “We have a lot of patients with respiratory diseases whether it’s pulmonary fibrosis, whether it’s chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis.”
The MCI, not the only ones participating.
Returning for its third year, MUHC’s got talent is filled with performances by multiple members from the health centre.
$425,000 was raised last year.
On Thursday, the countdown to the event was officially launched – teams and individuals now practicing for their big performances – happening in the fall in front of a live audience and judges.
“This is really heartwarming,” said Laramée. “This is what we’re about.”
“We’re about community and bringing everybody together.”
“The staff works so incredibly hard,” she added. “To be able to give them a moment like this in their day.”
Helping them take a step in the right direction, the LASSO Montréal festival — taking place Aug. 16 & 17 at Parc Jean-Drapeau – came together with Evenko and the Winslow Dancers to offer them line dancing lessons.
The same lessons offered to fans during the music festival.
“It’s a perfect fit for us and what we’re trying to do,” said Patrick Guay, Senior Manager, Booking, Concerts and Events, at Evenko. “It’s obviously for a great cause so we’re happy to be here.”
“It’s the reason why I’m here today,” said Jérémy Quirion, Dance Instructor with the Winslow Dancers. “Everybody needs to dance.”
“Yes, important.” he added. “For us it’s important.”
The MUHC foundation’s MUHC’s Got Talent is set to take place on Nov. 5 at the Beanfield Theatre in Little Burgundy.
“We’d love people to come out and enjoy the moment,” said Ofiara. “But also to help raise funds for our programs.”