For the activists, Allan and Alec Steinwall opened the evening with a cozy, laid back version of Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush" that was only missing a campfire and a couple of Labatts, or Sleemans.

And, although his fans in the crowd were yelling for CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revival) Allan later continued on vocals and acoustic guitar with his comforting rocking chair version of John Prine's "Illegal Smile".

Beginning his version of the Animals' "House of the Rising Sun" quietly and methodically, George Lewis later commanded his audience to join him in singing the last few verses, resulting in musical therapy with the raising of voices in unison and ending with a swaying and rousing finale.

Chris Lam's "Prison of the World" was a heartfelt and solemn tribute he wrote to a man, once a client of Operation Springboard, who was just getting his life together when he was randomly and cruelly stabbed to death.

Conjuring up the ghost of Buddy Holly as he performed the lively "Accidentally in Love" by the Counting Crows (from the Shrek 2 soundtrack), Chris Lam lit up the stage with his enthusiasm.

Framed by its exquisite musical tapestry and earnest vocals reminiscent of Dan Fogelberg, the lyrics of Peter Eastmure's "New Year's Eve" wich cautions that every day we make the choice to turn things around and make a difference:
“Blown like a leaf... I was on a cosmic ride
There’s the rich with the beef
And the poor on the streets
Soaked in humility and pride.
What tomorrow brings let the Peace Bells ring
But tonight it is New Year’s Eve.”

Once again, Mr. Eastmure's lush melodies were a treat in "The Fresh & The Dry (The Essence of Shine)", a slow, emotional piece that laid bare romantic disappointments.

For spoken word fans, Rose Allen-Gordon gave a reading of the well-known Reason, Season, Lifetime which attempts to make sense of why people flow in and out of our lives. Ending with the thought-provoking question: “When did you last take a stand for something you believed in?”, Ms. Allen-Gordon referenced some of the true revolutionaries (Che Guevara, Ghandi, the Dalai Lama) and the tragic events (hurricane Katrina, the tsunami, innumerable wars) of our lifetime.

As Carolyn T. took over the stage with her spiritual version of Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry", and an especially soulful take on Bill Withers's "Lean On Me", the room heated up with clapping and singing along as her praise-the-Lord gospel vocals flowed freely forth.

In a duo reminiscent of Hosers Bob and Doug McKenzie, Paul Persyko and Bert Steenburgh, the "Soul Brothers of Downtown Brampton" conjured up a couple of O'Keefes, a shack, and, yes, that campfire in their comical version of "Long Shadow" of Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros fame.

The cool jazz trio of Corey Beckford, Eric Hagley and John Vanloo brought to the stage sophisticated renditions of Donnie Mcclurkin's "Great is your Mercy" and Kenny Dorham's "Blue Bossa". Their breezy arrangements transitioned effortlessly from Latin sensibilities, to gospel-inflected flavours.