Members of Toronto’s financial services industry spent an evening rocking out for a good cause on Wednesday, filling a downtown pub to capacity for Bay Street Rocks for Kids 2009.

A local rock and roll band of financial industry players entertained the crowd of roughly 400 people at sold-out charity event. Between ticket sales, a silent auction, raffle tickets and other activities, the event raised a total of $23,000 for the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness — a charity devoted to the prevention of child abuse and adult victimization.

Events such as this one have become regular occurrences for the rock band, called the Dealers, which formed roughly 15 years ago. The six band members include Mal Spooner, president and CEO of Mavrix Fund Management, Craig Allardyce, vice-president and associate portfolio manager at Mavrix, Adam Sherban, a bond trader with Dundee Securities Inc., David Telewiak, an advisor with Raymond James Ltd., Paul O’Brien, a corporate development consultant with Anthem Capital Group Inc., and Michael McIntosh of Barrington Capital Corp.

Weekly band practices and regular shows for charity across the country have become a source of stress relief and fun, according to Spooner. “We just love to play,” he said.

In recent years, the Dealers have held shows in Toronto, Vancouver, Quebec City, Halifax and Winnipeg, all in support of local charities.

“We try to do something for charities that don’t typically get a whole lot of funding,” said Spooner.

In the past, the band’s events have raised as much as $100,000 in a single evening. But in the current economic environment, Spooner said he was thrilled with the turnout and the funds raised. Having developed a reputation from regular shows in recent years, the Dealers have built up a strong network of support.

“Most of our guests, of course, are also from the financial services business, and they’ve taken quite a hit this year,” he said. “I’m happy to be able to raise anything for the charity under these circumstances.”

While many other financial industry charity events involve black-tie dinners and other formal affairs, Bay Street Rocks provides a more laid back environment for fundraising and socializing.

“Our events are tailored to the real working people that work in the financial services community – traders, stock brokers, portfolio managers – who aren’t really into the tuxedo and the symphony,” said Spooner. “We provide an outlet for folks that can’t afford to that sort of thing.”

Roughly two months of planning and organizing led up to Wednesday’s event, including extensive efforts gathering supporters and sponsors for funding and prize donations, and widespread advertising.

“It does take a lot of work,” Spooner said. For a night of rocking out with friends and colleagues, though, it’s always well worth the hard work, he adds. “It is thrilling.”

The Dealers wow the crowd at Bay Street Rocks



Mal Spooner, president and CEO of Mavrix Fund Management Inc., performs with his rock band the Dealers at their annual charity event, Bay Street Rocks for Kids 2009, on May 13 in Toronto. The event raised $23,000 for the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness.

IE