The Aluminum City Telethon, now in its 34th year, is set to take over Mount Elizabeth Theatre on October 20.
The show is set to bring in old favourites and new entertainment, perhaps most visibly in the form of co-hosts Sally Sousa and Pat Mouland, who have inherited the prestigious position as ACT hosts, as long-time host Monique Miller is no longer taking the job.
“I’m super excited because I think it’s quite an honour, but at the same time I’m really nervous because it’s live TV, and anything could happen, so I really have to be on my toes. It’s a nice challenge though, it’s something I’m looking forward to,” said Sousa, who joined Mouland in costume in the theatre for this article.
Mouland said that she was approached for the co-hosting duties, but felt confident knowing she’d have Sousa on stage with her.
“When I was approached to co-host with Sally I thought if I’m ever going to do it, being with Sally would certainly make it fun, and we could sink or swim together,” she said.
They say there will be a number of favourites performing, from Luso Dancers to gymnasts, and the magic show with Edwin Empinado.
“A lot of singing, a lot of dancing,” said Sousa.
The telethon, which will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., will be closed out at the end of the night with local band Swamp Water.
The two say that while Monique Miller left large shoes with her stint hosting, they’re not seeking to simply copy the formula she left behind.
“Monique probably had that feeling as well having to fill in for Doug Smith who had done it since the beginning,” said Sousa. “He was an institution here, and Monique was able to successfully fill his shoes by doing her own kind of thing.”
Mouland agrees.
“She certainly did leave some big shoes, and we’re not even going to try to fill them. So we actually bought a new pair of shoes,” she said. “And we’re going to go with a totally different style.”
The pair certainly play well off each other and it’s clear that there will be a lot of humour throughout the show.
“We’re okay with being goofy, coming out in costumes. I’m willing to challenge Kitimat to raise a certain amount in an hour, and I’ll come out in a goofy costume for my next hour hosting stint,” said Sousa.
“And I will be willing to support her doing that,” said Mouland.
Jokes aside, they say they have some tricks up their sleeves so they didn’t reveal too much of what to expect from them, but they did emphasize that the show takes a tremendous volunteering effort from everyone involved to put it on this year, and the whole team is committed to beating last year’s total, which was around $60,000.
And Sousa and Mouland said they’re sore losers so if people want them to come back, they better say so with dollars.
“If people like us, they better call in,” said Sousa.
Meanwhile if people wanted to reach the organizing committee for information, they can by either calling Margaret at 250-632-3144, ex. 27, or Angela at 250-632-4887.