About

JJNewza17Newzapalooza burst out of the newsrooms of Toronto in 2004 like a bat out of hell on a very tight deadline. Founded by the late, great newsman Jonathan Jenkins (above, left, with Jaymz Bee), the idea was simple — harness the innate competitiveness of local reporters and editors and marry it to their undying belief that they can, in fact, do it better themselves. The result — instant rock bands, itching to square off against their bitter rivals, all for the benefit of a worthy cause, the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada.

Newzapalooza has since featured bands from the Toronto Sun, Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, National Post, CTV, Canadian Press, MTV Canada, Jazz 91.1 FM, Huffington Post, Hamilton Spectator, Thomson Reuters, CityTV, a merry band of freelancers, Vice Canada and the CBC. These fearless acts, some talented, some merely bold, have raised more than $180,000 for the foundation — and had a damn good time doing it.

Jonathan, who loved getting up on the stage to perform at Newzapalooza with his Toronto Sun bands over the years, passed in April 2014 after a brief fight with cancer. In 2015, the CAFC honoured the Newzaopalooza organizers with a community award. We know Jonathan would have loved it. Jonathan’s family accepted the award.

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Our organizing committee is comprised of Natasha and Rob Granatstein, Jim Rankin, Michelle Shephard, Moe DoironRobyn Doolittle, Tanya Talaga, Graeme RoySarah Boesveld and Lauren Pelley.

Our Honourary Chairs are Dexter and Maizey.

Special thanks to Toronto Star interns, who have volunteered to work the event for many years, as well as Aneurin Bosley, who got the web site up and running. Brian Hughes deserves kudos as well for designing our tickets for the past couple of years. Big bow to Athena Towers and staff at The Opera House. We love the venue and your unreserved support for this event and the cause.