Announcing 2020-21 Honorees to BC Entertainment Hall of Fame
The BC Entertainment Hall of Fame (BCEHOF) today announced its 2020-2021 BCEHOF inductees. These two new StarWalk Stars and four StarMeritus Stars from the world of music, dance, theatre and film/television will join the 300+ previous inductees who have been recognized for their significant contribution to the province’s entertainment industry and cultural landscape.
The BCEHOF is divided into two prestigious categories: StarWalk Stars and StarMeritus Stars. StarWalk Stars recognizing high profile artists in the entertainment industry and StarMeritus Stars reserved for pioneers of the industry receiving special merit for their outstanding contribution to the performing arts in British Columbia. All inductees have enhanced the province’s cultural profile both locally and on the world stage.
StarWalk members are featured on the Granville Street sidewalk in downtown Vancouver and on the StarWall photo gallery in the Orpheum lobby. StarMeritus members, previously known as “Pioneers”, are acknowledged with brass plaques on display in the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame gallery at the Orpheum Theatre.
The 2020-21 StarWalk Stars: President and Founder, LEO Awards; Film and Television producer/writer, Walter Daroshin and South Asian award-winning screenwriter, producer, and director R. Paul Dhillon. Both StarWalk Stars are known for their artistic accomplishments and public service contributions.
The 2020-21 StarMeritus Stars: International and National award recipient – Musician (guitarist), Don Alder; Actor, Singer, and arts advocate; Candus Churchill; Pioneer of the BC Music Industry and Juno Award winner, Lynne Partridge and Manager, producer and entertainment publicist, Valerie (“Valley”) Hennell.
“The BCEHOF is proud and excited to present a very diverse and impressive group of StarMeritus and StarWalk inductees who represent artistic excellence in British Columbia,” stated BCEHOF President Rob Haynes. “While we are limited this year due to COVID-19, we look forward to scheduling and celebrating their individual inductions over the coming months to honour their contribution.”
Read the full press release here
2020-21 StarWalk Stars
Walter Daroshin – Producer, Screenwriter, Director
Walter Daroshin is the President of Troika Productions Inc., Chair of The Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Foundation of BC, Founder and President of the Leo Awards and a Member of the Vancouver International Film Festival Advisory Council. Troika’s film and television programs have been broadcast in 30 countries and screened at film festivals throughout the world. Walter has been nominated for and received numerous National and International awards. He has adjudicated the British Columbia Arts Awards Program, the Yorkton Short Film and Video Festival, the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, the Utah High Adventure Mountain Film Festival, the Whistler Film Festival, the Reel 2 Real International Youth Film Festival, the Okanagan International Film Festival and the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television’s Gemini and Genie Awards.
R. Paul Dhillon – Producer, Director, Screenwriter
R. Paul Dhillon is an award-winning journalist, screenwriter, producer and director based in Vancouver, Canada. He has also done freelance writing for mainstream publications like The Vancouver Sun and Georgia Straight newspapers, where he was a film critic. Dhillon’s early work includes TEARS AND SIGHS on the abuses of alcohol in the South Asian community as well as a WATNO DUR, a Variety television show. Other credits include THE SAINT SOLDIER (1999/2000) – a one-hour documentary on B.C.’s Sikh community. SLICES OF MY LIFE (1992/93), a slice of the immigrant experience and SOUTH VAN STUD (1992), a play for Expressions ’92 Youth Festival. He has written, produced and directed numerous documentaries for televisions as well as two feature films, including his debut SWEET AMERIKA, a story set around the time of 9/11 about a Sikh grocery store owner in New York. Dhillon’s popular music documentary THE BHANGRA GENERATION and Sweet Amerika were acquired by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Dhillon also produced 13-part music Documentary Series BHANGRALICIOUS, which he wrote and directed for national broadcast. He has also written numerous screenplays, including the thriller OF HEAVEN AND HELL and crime drama B TOWN BOYZ. He also wrote, produced and directed his latest feature THE FUSION GENERATION, which was released theatrically on August 30th, 2019.
2020-21 StarMeritus Stars
Three-time World Champion Acoustic Guitarist Don Alder performs with a passion rarely seen. Alder, often referred to as the “Hendrix” of Acoustic Guitar continues to “Wow” audiences around the world with his “jaw dropping” performances. His guitar fireworks and soulful singing makes his shows highly entertaining and talked about for days. Guitar Player Magazine Senior Editor Michael Molenda says “Alder, is a Guitar Star in the making and can hold an audience with the best of the seasoned pros”. Carly Rae Jepsen says “Just saw the most amazing guitarist, still shocked this morning” Ray Daniels, Mgr, RUSH, says “Alder should be famous around the world”. He has shared the stage with name artists including duets with Carly Rae Jepsen, Astronaut Chris Hadfield, Shayne Koyczy and Grammy winners, Angelique Kidjo and John Parr. Don’s performance in Malaysia garnered him a Brand Laureate Personality Award. The only other Canadian to receive this award is Chris Hadfield (astronaut).This award is to recognize Don’s unique contributions using his guitar and music to help and inspire others around the world. He is a top artist for multiple endorsements and has been featured in all the top guitar magazines.
Candus Churchill was born into a musical family in Louisville, Kentucky. At sixteen, Candus and her family moved to Washington, D.C. where she joined a band called The Passion. While there, she joined another band aptly called Destiny. It was then she realized her true calling as a professional vocalist. Soon Candus was hired by Candi Staton, a popular R&B singer and recording artist to tour the United States and Canada. Candus moved to Los Angeles where she worked for Motown Records and Paramount Recording Studios. She soon joined the rock/funk group DragonFly and toured extensively, ending up in Canada in 1983. Candus branched out into acting in theatre, television, and film. She has 100 acting and soundtrack credits for television/film since 1988 including The Good Doctor, Supergirl, The X Files, numerous Hallmark Movies and more. Some of her theatre credits include To Kill A Mockingbird, Little Shop Of Horrors, Wang Dang Doodle, The Black and Gold Revue, Santa’s Got Soul, and The Colored Museum. In 1991 Candus, along with Hall of Fame recipient, Marcus Mosely, created Vancouver’s contemporary gospel music scene. They were joined by Hall of Fame recipients, Sibel Thrasher and Lovie Eli to form The Circle of Voices, Vancouver’s first contemporary black gospel group. Under Candus’ administration, they became The Gospel Experience, a seminal force in Vancouver gospel music for over two decades. Candus supports an extensive list of BC and global charities, a history of service stretching many years.
Lynne pioneered performing rights in Western Canada, launching the BMI Canada office in 1968. She has been a constant source of knowledge, information, and inspiration to young and established artists in British Columbia. In 1987, she was honoured with a Special Achievement Juno for her tireless work on behalf of creator’s rights. Lynne has served as Director of Communications for the Songwriters Association of Canada, Tour Manager and Publishing for The Irish Rovers. She has served on numerous entertainment related Boards and organizations such as, CARAS, PROCAN, ArtSpring, Salt Spring Island Folk Club and BMI.
Valley is a true entertainment pioneer and mainstay of the BC arts scene as a writer, producer, artist manager, music publisher and arts advocate. She has managed the careers of several well-known BC artists including BCEHoF Inductees Ann Mortifee and Rick Scott, produced a dozen award winning albums and countless seminal performing arts events and series. Valley is recognized throughout the music industry as a force for integrity, fair dealing, and positive change. Her numerous national and local award awards are a testament to her talent and dedication to the entertainment community in British Columbia.
