YULE DUEL 2016 GUIDE FOR CHOIRS

Table of Contents About Yule Duel... 3 About May s Place.... 4 Fundraising Tips and Tricks.... 5 Frequently Asked Questions.... 7 About the Organizers.... 12 Offline Donations.... 14 GUIDE FOR CHOIRS 2

About Yule Duel Yule Duel brings together choirs from across the Lower Mainland to sing Christmas carols loud and proud from the sidewalks of Gastown. The best in show go head-to-head in a series of sing-offs on the main stage, with adjudication from local personalities and awards presented in various categories. Proceeds from choir fundraising, plus button and ballot sales on show night, benefit May s Place, a hospice in Vancouver s Downtown Eastside. Yule Duel is our community s first street-carolling competition. Yule Duel is fast becoming Vancouver s signature holiday event. Join In The Fun For established choirs: Yule Duel is a fantastic, low-pressure performance opportunity for any choir looking to reach new audiences or rehearse a holiday program in a high-energy environment. For businesses and community groups: Forming a choir is fun team-building experience, a valuable opportunity to reach new audiences and a unique way to give back during the holidays. While individuals should certainly be comfortable singing loud for all to hear, this event is more about holiday spirit than radio-worthy vocals. Choirs of all abilities are welcome. Limited space is available for choirs, so act fast to secure your spot. 3

About May s Place An end-of-life refuge for the most vulnerable 333 Powell Street, Vancouver BC For over 25 years May s Place has offered care and compassion to vulnerable and marginalized people in the Downtown Eastside, giving them a chance to enjoy comfort and dignity in their last days. Often times our patients lives have been touched by extreme poverty, homelessness, abuse, mental health issues, and addictions. At May s Place, they are welcomed warmly, respected, and surrounded by friends, family, and caregivers. For some residents, it s the first time they ve had a warm bed to sleep in or a room to themselves. This six-bed facility provides a peaceful environment filled with natural light and home comforts. Staff are trained to provide care to people with complex issues, offering a range of supports that are particular to their needs, including family reunification, reconnection with faith or culture and options for long-term care when needed. May s Place delivers end-of-life care to about 50 people each year, ensuring that their last days are filled with dignity, warmth, and kindness. May s Place allowed our son to go to a better place with dignity. Everyone was so caring and loving. Ken s life was so hard for him. You saw it that he was cared for and respected regardless of who he was. We, as a family, thank you. - Dale and Shirley, parents of Ken, who passed away at May s Place hospice GUIDE FOR CHOIRS 4

Fundraising Tips and Tricks DID YOU KNOW? Every donation of $20 or more will receive a charitable tax receipt. 1. WHAT IS YOUR GOAL? We challenge each choir to raise $1,000 or more. If you have 10 choir members, that s only $100 each. Calculating individual goals helps your choir members see your collective goal is totally attainable. Don t stop at the minimum dream big! The Bloom Group is a registered charity, and has served the community for over 50 years. May s Place was the first freestanding hospice in Western Canada and is the only hospice in Vancouver s Downtown Eastside. 2. WHY FUNDRAISE? All proceeds from Yule Duel support May s Place, a hospice in Vancouver s Downtown Eastside that provides compassionate end-of-life care to some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Choirs that raise $1,000 or more are eligible for two awards adjudicated by our judging panel, Best Vocal Performance and Most Creative Performance. The Top Fundraising Choir receives a special award and a performance on our main stage. Raise the most money and you are guaranteed a moment in the spotlight. Some patients arrive at May s estranged from family. Staff have been able to reunite some patients with loved ones before passing away, and have even helped coordinate weddings. 3. WHO SHOULD YOU ASK? Everyone! Reach out to friends, family and co-workers, as well as people in your personal networks, such as your faith community, social clubs or neighbours. 4. WHEN SHOULD YOU ASK? May s Place provides compassionate care to approximately 50 people and their families, each year. You can start fundraising any time, but we recommend choirs begin fundraising in September. This gives your choir up to 3 months to reach your fundraising goal, and allows your fundraising to coincide with your rehearsals as you gear up for Yule Duel on December 1, 2016. In addition to end-of-life care, The Bloom Group also operates housing, women s shelters, and a pension management program. We house and support over 2,000 vulnerable people every year. 5. HOW SHOULD YOU ASK? With enthusiasm and with confidence. Update your fundraising page regularly with rehearsal pictures to inspire and engage your supporters. Be sure to actually ask supporters to make a donation. Sharing your choir fundraising page is a great start, but include a specific ask, such as: Please make a donation today or Click here to support my choir. BY EMAIL» Use a creative subject line: You won t believe what I signed up for this holiday season! Ask people to donate and include a link to your choir s fundraising page. 5

ON SOCIAL MEDIA» Post pictures and videos as you gear up for Yule Duel, using the hashtag #yuleduel2016. Ask people to donate and include a link to your choir s fundraising page. OFFLINE» To collect offline donations, use the donation form at the end of this package. Print off as many copies as you need.» Offline donations can be made by credit card, cash or by cheque, made payable to The Bloom Group. The Bloom Group is the non-profit operator of May s Place hospice.» The Bloom Group can add offline donations to the fundraising total on your choir s fundraising page. Send your offline donations to The Bloom Group at 391 Powell Street, Vancouver BC V6A 1G5. Offline donations will be added to your page as they are received and processed. We will notify you when offline donations have been received and added to your total. Offline donations must be received by 4pm Monday November 28, 2016 to be included in your fundraising total by Yule Duel on December 1.» All offline donations must be received by The Bloom Group by 4pm, December 15, 2016 at 391 Powell Street, Vancouver BC V6A 1G5. GUIDE FOR CHOIRS 6

Frequently Asked Questions WHEN AND WHERE IS YULE DUEL 2016? Yule Duel takes place Thursday December 1, 2016, from 6-8:30pm on Water Street in Gastown. WHEN CAN I REGISTER? Registration for Yule Duel 2016 opens June 1 and closes October 1. Choir space is limited register early to reserve your spot. IS THERE A REGISTRATION FEE OR COST TO PARTICIPATE? No. HOW DO I REGISTER? Beginning June 1, 2016, go to www.yuleduel.com/sing for complete registration instructions. HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN BE IN MY CHOIR? Your choir should have a minimum of 6 members and a maximum of 25. We may be able to accommodate larger choirs register early and contact us at events@thebloomgroup.org The ideal choir size is about 10-12 people. 7

WE AREN T PROFESSIONAL SINGERS. DOES THAT MATTER? Not at all. Singers of all abilities are welcome. That said we encourage everyone to prepare and ensure they can entertain the crowds with a polished performance, whatever level you are at. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? Expect to sing for thousands of spectators in a beautiful outdoor venue. Expect to see and feel some holiday spirit. Approximate Event Outline Event Kick-Off: 6pm Street-Carolling Competition: 6:15-7pm Choirs and Spectators Gather at Main Stage: 7-7:15pm Performance by Featured Guests: 7:15-7:45pm Duels and Presentation of Awards: 7:45-8:15pm Event Close: 8:15-8:30pm During the street-carolling competition, expect spectators to come and go as you perform. During the carolling competition judges will also be circulating, adjudicating in two categories: Most Creative Performance and Best Vocal Performance. When the judges arrive at your tent ramp up the energy and aim to impress! WHAT SHOULD WE SING? Sing any songs you think are festive and fun. You do not have to sing traditional Christmas carols (although if that s what you re into, go for it). Songs should be appropriate for a family audience. Creative interpretations or renditions you think will help you stand out from the crowd, are strongly encouraged. WHERE WILL BE SINGING? On event night (Thursday December 1, 2016) you will be singing under a tent designated for your choir, located on Water Street in Gastown. You will receive a map indicating your choir s specific singing location prior to December 1. Water Street will be closed to traffic during the event. GUIDE FOR CHOIRS 8

HOW LONG WILL WE BE SINGING? Street carolling, in your choir s tent: 45 mins to 1 hour. You may repeat a short set of songs several times, or create an entire set that fills 45 mins to an hour total. Street carolling is the first half of the evening (approximately 6.15pm-7pm). On stage, if you qualify: 30 seconds. If your choir is a finalist in one of our award categories, you will be invited to duel on our main stage. You will have only 30 seconds to perform pick a 30-second excerpt from your best song, and be prepared to duel! The duels are on the event main stage, during the second half of the evening (approximately 7.15-8.15pm). Only the Top Fundraising Choir and the choirs that are finalists in our three other award categories will perform on the main stage. WHAT ARE THE AWARD CATEGORIES? HOW DO WE WIN AN AWARD? Awards are given for: Top Fundraising Choir: The choir that raises the most money. The Top Fundraising Choir will perform their best 30-sec excerpt on the main stage. People s Choice Award: Determined by audience voting. During the street carolling competition (6.15-7pm), spectators can purchase a ballot and Yule Duel button for $5 each. Spectators cast their ballot for their favourite choir at the Voting Booth. Spectators can purchase and cast as many ballots as they like. Votes must be cast by 7pm. The choirs that receive the most and second-most ballots will duel for 30 seconds each on the event main stage. The winner will be chosen by audience applause. Best Vocal Performance: Open to choirs that raise $1,000 or more. Determined by judging panel. During the street carolling competition (6.15-7pm), our judging panel will circulate amongst choirs. Judges will determine the finalists in the Best Vocal Performance Category. The two finalist choirs will duel for 30 seconds each on the event main stage. The winner will be chosen by the judges. Most Creative Performance: Open to choirs that raise $1,000 or more. Determined by judging panel. During the street carolling competition (6.15-7pm), our judging panel will circulate amongst choirs. Judges will determine the finalists in the Most Creative Performance Category. The two finalist choirs will duel for 30 seconds each on the event main stage. The winner will be chosen by the judges. Every choir should be prepared with a 30-second excerpt to sing if they are called to duel. You may repeat the same song if you are a finalist in more than one category. 9

WHAT IF IT RAINS? This is a rain or shine event. Choirs will be performing under tents. Dress warmly. You will be outside the entire time. CAN WE PLAY INSTRUMENTS? Yes, so long as they are acoustic. Your performance should be primarily vocal. WHERE DO WE GO ON EVENT NIGHT? You will receive a map indicating your choir s specific singing location prior to December 1, along with specific instructions on when to arrive and how to check in. WHAT SHOULD WE BRING? Most importantly, your fans! Aside from a crew of supporters, bring very little, except what you can carry on your person. There is no area to securely store belongings. Organizers are not responsible for lost or stolen belongings. SHOULD WE DRESS UP? Choirs are not required to dress up, but creative and coordinated costumes are strongly encouraged. Creative costuming is considered by judges adjudicating the Most Creative Performance Award. GUIDE FOR CHOIRS 10

WHERE DO WE WARM UP? Feel free to arrive early and rehearse in your tent, before the event starts. There is no designated rehearsal area. ARE THERE WASHROOMS? Public portable toilets will be set up on the event site. HOW DO WE GET THERE? WHERE DO WE PARK? Street closures will be in effect surrounding the event venue. Participants are strongly encouraged to take public transit. Waterfront and Stadium Skytrain Stations are conveniently located just a few blocks away from Water Street. Many buses run parallel to Water Street (W Cordova, Hastings, Pender). Check Translink for information on how bus routes may be affected by road closures. HOW CAN FRIENDS AND FAMILY SUPPORT US? Your fans can support you by: Donating online Coming to Yule Duel on Thursday December 1, 2016 Purchasing as many ballots (and Yule Duel buttons) as they like and casting their vote for your choir, during the street carolling competition (6:15-7pm) Taking pictures and videos and posting them to facebook, twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #yuleduel2016 Cheering you on! DON T SEE YOUR QUESTION ANSWERED? CONTACT US AT EVENTS@THEBLOOMGROUP.ORG 11

About The Organizers THE BLOOM GROUP May s Place is operated by The Bloom Group Community Services Society. The Bloom Group has provided some of the most progressive social services in Vancouver s Downtown Eastside for over 50 years. A registered charity, The Bloom Group operates hospices, emergency shelters for women and women-led families, supportive mental health facilities, and a trustworthy financial management program for vulnerable seniors. GASTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY The Gastown Business Improvement Society, a not-for-profit association, promotes the shared interests of commercial property owners and businesses located within the neighbourhood boundaries, supporting the area s growth and development, while making a positive impact on the community. GUIDE FOR CHOIRS 12

For 25 years May s Place has provided end-of-life care to vulnerable people in the Downtown Eastside. 1 $25.00 GIFT $500.00 My gift is in support of: PAYMENT OPTION Card Holder Name: (name of choir) I ve enclosed cash or a cheque made payable to The Bloom Group. (The Bloom Group is the non-profit operator of May s Place). OR Please charge my credit card: $50.00 $100.00 $ Charitable tax receipts will be sent to the address or email address provided, for donations of $20 or more. The Bloom Group Community Services Society is a charitable, non-profit organization, and the operator of May s Place hospice. Our charitable tax number is BN108021544RR0001. 2 Visa Mastercard American Express CSV: Expiry: / number back of card MM YY Many of our terminally-ill residents have grappled with poverty and homelessness their entire lives. Thank you for giving them peace, dignity, warmth and kindness when they need it most. Choir Members» The Bloom Group can add offline donations to the fundraising total on your choir s fundraising page. Send your offline donations 391 Powell Street Vancouver V6A!G5. Offline donations will be added to your choir's page as they are received and processed. We will notify you when offline donations have been received and added to your total. Card Number: 3 YOUR INFORMATION Name: Street Address: City: Province: Phone Number: Email: Signature: Postal Code: Offline donations must be received by 4pm Monday November 28, 2016 to be included in your fundraising total by Yule Duel on December 1, 2016. All offline donations must be received by The Bloom Group by 4pm, December 15, 2016. The Bloom Group acknowledges all of our donours in our Annual Report. Please check this box if you wish to remain anonymous. SAVE THE DATE: YULE DUEL IS DECEMBER 1ST, 2016 WATER ST, GASTOWN GUIDE FOR CHOIRS 14