Next Monday 26 August, members of the arts community will come together at Slide Lounge in Sydney for an incredibly special cause: to raise funds and show their support for a performer, choreographer, teacher, friend and father – Ian Knowles – who is coming to terms with a recently diagnosed brain tumour.
I met the wonderful Ian Knowles in 2007 when I stepped into the rehearsal room for my very first professional musical – Fiddler on The Roof. An enormously generous, always smiling, kind hearted and incredibly talented performer, 'Knowlesy' (as he is known by friends and colleagues) became part of my very first show family. A very generous soul, he's always armed with a quick quip, a beaming smile and a lot of love to give. He is, in short, a beautiful man.
Not so long ago, this beautiful man was diagnosed with a stage 4 brain tumour and will be undergoing intensive radiation and chemotherapy treatment over the next few months. A shocking piece of news not only for Ian but also for his family, his young son and his countless friends.
Almost immediately after Ian's condition became known in the wider arts community, a plan was put in place to produce a fundraising concert for him at Slide Lounge, Sydney. Long time friend and colleague Rohan Seinor has been tirelessly organising the event (which will take place in just under one week in Sydney) and is honoured to be assisting Ian in any way he can.
“The fundraiser night is to help him with medical and other things such as the cost of flights to get his son down from Darwin to visit him as often as possible whilst undergoes 6 weeks of intensive radio and chemotherapy. I will do all I can to to help and support him”, said Seinor.
Seinor and Knowles moved to Sydney together as young performers from Perth and considers him a wonderful influence in the Australian arts community.
“He has made many contributions to our industry with his beautiful talent as both dancer and choreographer,” Seinor said of Knowles, who until his diagnosis had been most recently working at The Space in Melbourne.
Hosted by Rohan Seinor and Garry Scale, the Concert For Knowlesy will feature 18 magnificent performers including Simon Burke, Tom Burlinson, Michael Falzon, Meredith O'Reilly, James Lee, Martin Crewes, Trevor Ashley and Wayne Scott Kermond.
Tickets are $35 and are available at slide.com.au. Each ticket sold is $35 for Knowlesy.
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