They do it for fun year-round, but once a year, the Vaudevillians hit the stage to help younger generations of aspiring performers.
This year marks the 10th year the senior entertainment troupe will present its variety show in support of a bursary for Douglas College performing arts students.
The Surrey-based Vaudevillians entertainers formed in 2001, simply to have fun, but soon felt they needed a more meaningful purpose. They decided to raise money to support youth in the performing arts hoping to keep live theatre alive. They incor
porated as a non-profit organization, joined forces with Douglas College to establish a bursary and worked with the Arts Council of Surrey to establish another scholarship in honour of Fran Dowie, a well-known old time Vaudevillian who performed with the group before his passing.
In 2004, with trepidation, they rented the Surrey Arts Centre. It turned out there was no reason for worry. Two weeks prior to opening, they were sold out.
This year marks the 10th anniversary at the Surrey Arts Centre. The Vaudevillians have raised more than $100,000 to date and 20 students have been presented with bursaries or scholarships.
This year, they will perform two shows Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The show will bring back fan favourites, as well as new numbers. And performing with the seniors this year will be eight-year-old singer Tyson Venegas, winner of the B.C. Junior Talent contest.
All tickets are $20, available by phoning the Surrey Arts Centre (13750 88 Ave.) at 604-501-5566 or online at tickets.surrey.ca