David Foster brought Hollywood to his hometown Saturday night, and Victoria showed up.
The Inner Harbour was packed with music fans for the Saanich-raised producer’s free 40th anniversary concert, with a star-studded lineup performing from a floating stage as crowds watched from the B.C. Legislature lawns, the waterfront and even the water itself.
The celebration got an unmistakably Canadian start. After O Canada, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds roared over the harbour, sending the crowd’s eyes skyward before the music got underway.
Josh Groban, Katharine McPhee, CeeLo Green, The Tenors, Pia Toscano, Daniel Emmet and Loren Allred joined Foster for the celebration, turning the harbour into a massive outdoor stage.
For Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, there was something particularly fitting and sentimental about seeing Foster return to the region where he grew up, surrounded by artists he has worked with throughout his decades in the industry.
“I think it’s amazing. I’m really excited to see this many people down here for a free concert,” Alto said.
“But today’s pretty special. You’ve got a hometown boy who’s made big, big news, obviously, throughout the world. He brought a lot of friends here that are very, very famous, and very talented. Being able to be here with all these people, to really enjoy spectacular evening. It’s fantastic.”
Foster is one of the most successful producers and songwriters in the music industry, with 16 Grammy Awards to his name. Over a career spanning decades, he has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand.
Foster’s work off the stage has also become a defining part of his legacy. The David Foster Foundation supports Canadian families whose children require major organ transplants, helping ease some of the financial burden that comes with caring for a seriously ill child.
The fundraising gala the night before also drew an extraordinary guest list, including Bill Gates, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
During the concert, the hosts announced that $14.5 million had been raised at the gala.
In a report updated Aug. 6, 2024 and based on the foundation’s 2023 financial information, Charity Intelligence gave the foundation a one star rating and a D+ grade for financial transparency.
The watchdog says the foundation had $43 million in cash and investments at the end of 2023, while spending about $1.6 million on programs and grants.
Charity Intelligence also raised questions about fundraising costs and said the foundation did not meet its charitable disbursement quota in 2023.
Charity Intelligence says the report was sent to the David Foster Foundation for review.
In a statement the foundation said “For forty years, The David Foster Foundation has supported Canadian families with children requiring major organ transplants, providing critical financial support for all non medical expenses to families during an incredibly challenging time. Overhead and administration costs are covered by the Foundation’s interest earned and dividends from the endowment fund. 100% of all money raised through the Sponsor a Family fundraising goes directly into a restricted funds account that can only be spent on the families.”
Thousands gather for a night of music
By early evening, the waterfront had become a patchwork of picnic blankets, lawn chairs and people standing shoulder to shoulder, all waiting for the first notes to rise from the harbour.
Among them was Chelsea Skaalrud.
“I think we’re so lucky to have events like this in our city,” Skaalrud said. “It brings the whole community together, as well as tourists who are here visiting, and it’s such a great event that means so much to so many families.”
Victoria resident Karen Tuttle made sure she would have a good view.
She arrived in the early afternoon to claim a spot near the front, settling in hours before the evening’s performances began.
“This is magical,” Tuttle said. “I was just on my phone telling my daughter, she’s missing out big time not coming down here.”
Tuttle said she was trying to convince her daughter to come downtown after spending the day listening to the sound check.
“It was bone chilling. It was so beautiful,” she said.
For Caroline Bickerton, the concert was an unexpected discovery.
The Barrie, Ont., resident was visiting her brother in Victoria when she happened to come across the event.
“I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh. David Foster. I love him,’” Bickerton said.
“I’ve listened to everything he’s produced, all the songs he’s written, and I was shocked that there’s actually a free event for this.”
“I’m just so impressed. Very excited to be here,” she said.
The harbour itself became part of the audience.
People gathered along the shoreline and B.C. Legislature lawns, while others took kayaks and paddleboards onto the water to watch the performances from just beyond the floating stage.
During the concert, a paddleboarder fell into the water near the stage and appeared to struggle to get back onto his board. Emergency crews on paddleboards came over to assist, helping him onto a ladder and into the VIP area.
Police then approached and placed the man in handcuffs before escorting him away from the area.
As the evening continued, the spectacle moved beyond the stage.
A drone light show illuminated the sky above the harbour, followed by fireworks that lit up the waterfront.
For one night, Foster’s hometown region was the backdrop for a celebration that brought his music, his longtime collaborators and the waterfront setting together in the city where it all began.
