Date and Time
Friday, June 2, 2023
Doors open 7:30pm
Performances start 8:00 PM
Location
El Mocambo
464 Spadina Ave. #462
Toronto, ON M5T 2G8
Tickets
Single Ticket: $75
Five Tickets: $325
Ten Tickets: $650
Purchase online, or call 416-361-6281
ABOUT CANFAR ROCKS
OUR GOAL FOR CANFAR ROCKS IS TO DELIVER AN EPIC CELEBRATION THAT RAISES AS MUCH AWARENESS AS IT DOES ATTENTION.
After two decades, CANFAR Rocks remains the definitive rock-and-roll event of the legal community, having raised over $4 million in support of CANFAR-funded researchers who are leading the way in HIV/AIDS research. This year, we want to amp up Bay Street and call on other industries like finance and insurance to step up to the mic and help us end HIV in Canada.
Our 600+ annual concert patrons range from die-hard Dylan fans to those who live for The Weeknd. Our lineup of uber-talented bands is as eclectic and diverse as the city of Toronto. This year, the bands return to perform and celebrate the best of glam rock over the 80s, 90s and early 00s!
DAVID PALUMBO AND MIKE CHALUT, OUR TIRELESS CO-CHAIRS – ALONG WITH SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE CANFAR ROCKS BANDS AND PARTICIPANTS – INVITE YOU TO GLAM IT UP! FOR THIS YEAR’S EDITION: A TRIBUTE TO 80S/90S GLAM ROCK! TORONTO’S MOST INFLUENTIAL LAWYERS AND BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS PUT CANFAR ROCKS IN THEIR CALENDARS OVER A YEAR IN ADVANCE.
CANFAR ROCKS HISTORY
IN THE 1990s, THE HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC WAS AT ITS HEIGHT IN TORONTO. NO TREATMENT WAS AVAILABLE TO FIGHT THE DISEASE. FOR MANY, A DIAGNOSIS EQUALED CERTAIN DEATH. A GROUP OF LAWYERS, TIRED OF WATCHING THE EPIDEMIC DEVASTATE THEIR COMMUNITY, DECIDED TO FIGHT BACK.
CANFAR Rocks (AIDSbeat) was created over 20 years ago to raise money in support of the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR), and its mission to fund all aspects of HIV research – from increased prevention efforts, increased opportunities for testing, improved health outcomes for people living with HIV in Canada, and reduced stigma. That research has had a huge impact. People can now access life-saving treatment. However, we can not allow ourselves to become complacent. Over 63,000 people in Canada living with HIV and on average, 4 people newly acquire HIV every 24 hours in Canada.
CANFAR Rocks continues to support CANFAR, through funding innovative research, national awareness programs, and dynamic partnerships, CANFAR remains a trailblazer in its mission to end HIV in Canada.
People's Choice Award
Guests pay to play! We encourage you to contribute and support your favourite band by voting the night of. The band with the most votes will take home the People’s Choice Award!
Live Auction
On the night of the event, guests will have the chance to bid on a selection of luxury items and experiences in our AIDSbeat live auction.
EVENT FOUNDER AND 2023 CO-CHAIRS
Event Founder, Patricia Olasker
Patricia Olasker is a Senior Partner in the Corporate/Commercial, Mergers & Acquisitions, Capital Markets and Mining practices at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP. She advises domestic and foreign acquirers, targets, hedge funds, special committees and investment banks in M&A transactions, proxy contests and shareholder activism. She represents issuers and underwriters in some of Canada’s most complex and innovative financing transactions. She also specializes in public market derivatives, the development of innovative structured debt and equity products, high-yield debt financings and Multijurisdictional Disclosure System (MJDS) offerings. Patricia advises boards of directors and special committees on corporate governance and transaction-specific matters. Ms. Olasker is also Vice Chair and Secretary of CANFAR’s Board of Directors.
Event Co-Chair, David Palumbo
David Palumbo is a Partner and Chair of the Corporate Transactions Practice Group at Baker McKenzie in Toronto. David practices in areas of capital markets and corporate law, focusing on public and private financings by both private and public issuers in sectors including natural resources, tech, healthcare and life sciences/biotechs. David is a member of the Firm’s North American Capital Markets Steering Committee and the Global Inclusion and Diversity Committee. In addition to acting as Co-chair of AIDSbeat, David serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of the You Can Play Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the inclusion for all in sports.
Event Co-Chair, Mike Chalut
[Bio coming soon]
2023 BANDS
A Cute Risk
A leading Climate Risk Planning company by day, Manifest Climate returns to the stage this year with “A Cute Risk and the Mant Band”. Following a successful debut in 2022, A Cute Risk is very excited to have new members this year for CANFAR Rocks, to help them Glam it Up! The band is grateful to be able to support such a good cause, and humbled to be able to play again on the iconic El Mocambo stage!
Blind Trust
Playing classic rock cover tunes for almost 20 years and still loving it, Blind Trust brings together rockers Chris Robertson on vocals, Richard Raymer on guitar, Jason Hoddinott on guitar, Stewart Borden on bass and Mark Masur on drums.
Sound Prediction
Making their wold debut at CANFAR Rocks, Sound Prediction is Kaitlin Siou (vocals & piano), Will Chalmers (vocals & guitar), and Guerreiro brothers Chris (bass) and Mitch (drums). Together, they found their voice in the alternative rock of the ’90s. Smashing Pumpkins? Check. Pearl Jam? Check. Radiohead? Double-check. Yes, Muse too – all interpreted through the flash and attitude of the glam era. The band is proud to be the latest in a long line of bands representing Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP at this year’s show.
Buy Tickets
Event Sponsors
