Popular Juno Award-winning children’s performer Fred Penner will strike up some lively tunes at a fundraising concert next week in Lacombe.
The singer/songwriter who built a devoted following with his 12-season CBC TV series Fred Penner’s Place will perform a 6:30 p.m. concert on Thursday at St. Andrew’s Church in Lacombe.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Caring for Children Fund, administered by the Lacombe Family and Community Social Services (FCSS).
Penner has been dubbed “Mr. Multi-Media” for his diverse 25-year career, which has included an output of 12 children’s albums, countless energetic live shows, and compositions for other TV shows, including Tipi Tales (APTN/YTV).
The guy who magically crawled out of a hollow log on his TV show started out as a one-man band in his native Winnipeg.
Initially conflicted about career choices, Penner opted to become an entertainer after doing some “soul-searching,” following the untimely deaths of his sister, from Down Syndrome, and his father just a year later.
The married father of four stated he was inspired to perform by his sister’s pure love of music — and has never looked back.
Penner, an Order of Canada recipient and spokesperson for UNICEF and UNESCO, said he still gets fan mail to this day from some of the Canadian and 55-million American viewers who watched his TV show.
Tickets are $16 a person from the church office at 5226 51st Ave. in Lacombe.
For more information, call 403-782-3148.