Just over a month removed from the tribute to Phil Collins, David Vertesi and crew were ready for another go 'round. This time, it was a tribute to arguably one of the greatest songwriters, Paul Simon. And, once again, it was all benefiting Sing It Forward and the St James Music Academy.
With the same backing band as last month -- Johnny Andrews on drums, Andrew Rasmussen on keys, Mike Young on bass, and Tristan Paxto on guitar -- there was a rotating selection of some of Vancouver's finest singers covering a range of songs from Paul Simon's oeuvre.

And like last month, it would be impossible to give a full rundown of the night, so I will touch on a few of the highlights for me. JP Maurice appeared a couple times throughout the night to sing some of my favourites from Graceland, the title track and "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes". A really fun cover of "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" came from Parker Bossley. The unparalleled voice of Dawn Pemberton deservedly got the biggest ovation for the namesake of the evening, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" as the last portion of the night cranked out the hits, one after one. And they wrapped up with a couple singalongs; Chin Injeti, didn't quite know the words to "Call Me Al", but it was okay because he was joined by not only Tonye Aganaba and the surprise guest of the night Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, but also the entire room singing along; and then the stage filling with everyone who sang that night for the big finisher, "Cecelia".

Now here's the rest of the night for your photographic enjoyment:

photos by Christine McAvoy

setlist
"I am a Rock" as performed by Louise Burns
"Mother & Child Reunion" as performed by Ben Worcester (of Said the Whale)
"Kodachrome" as performed by Tristan Orchard (of Bestie)
"Mrs. Robinson" as performed by Daniel McBurnie & Graham Gomez (of Good for Grapes)
"Slip Slidin' Away" as performed by Nat Jay
"The Boxer" as performed by Ali Milner (aka Willa)
"Crazy Love vol II" as performed by David Vertesi & Andrew Rasmussen
"Graceland" as performed by JP Maurice
"Hearts & Bones" as performed by David Beckingham (of Hey Ocean!)
"Late in the Evening" as performed by David Beckingham & Ali Milner
(intermission)
"Obvious Child" as performed by Ian Bevis (of Bear Mountain)
"Under African Skies" as performed by Andrew Rasmussen
"Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard" as performed by Parker Bossley (of Gay Nineties)
"Loves Me Like a Rock" as performed by Michael Bernard Fitzgerald
"Still Crazy After All These Years" as performed by David Vertesi
"The Sound of Silence" as performed by Adrian Glynn
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" as performed by Dawn Pemberton
"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" as performed by Steve Bays & Tonye Aganaba
"Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" as performed by JP Maurice
"You Can Call Me Al" as performed by Chin Injeti
"Cecelia" as performed by everybody.