Helen Volkow is an actor gal pal of mine, and we were in the Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding Show that played in Vancouver each week for 14 continuous years.

She played Nona, my mom, and wore a gray wig to make herself appear older than me.

I was with the show for the last 18 months of the show – as Nunzio, the father of the groom.

On the day after the last show in June 2009 – I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital – with blood gushing out of my mouth.

It turned out to be stage 3 throat/tongue cancer, and I was only given a 40% chance of surviving.

A radiation therapist inspired me to ‘never give up‘ by telling me I should believe that I am in the forty percent group that survives this type of cancer.

I have always been a ‘glass is half-full,’ and I have never believed in luck.

I have always had to make my own luck in life – by remaining focused on my dreams and never giving up.

If you are a regular reader, you probably remember my mentioning Jackie – a volunteer at the cancer center in Abbotsford, whom I met several years ago – and she had only been given a 10% chance of surviving her cancer!

If you are facing a serious health problem – do not let the odds deter you from fighting – even if there is only a 1% chance of survival – because it is better than 0%.

Besides, you probably buy lottery tickets – even though your odds of winning the jackpot are about 14 million to 1 – which means that you already believe in ‘never giving up!‘

During the Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding Show run, several actors and I met at various venues to watch our other cast members perform.

Or sometimes, we would gather for coffee to stay in touch.

One of the singers who performed in our ensemble was Dane Warren, a talented crooner.

He and Sabrina Prada thrilled the wedding guests of the show, and I have seen each of them perform at other venues, as well.

Some of us formed a dinner club, where we would meet to watch one of our fellow actors perform, and Dane’s performances were always a ‘must attend’ event.

The first performance was at a dinner theatre on Commercial Avenue – and he was doing a lot of Frank Sinatra tunes.

He even dressed like Ol’ Blue Eyes.

I remember sending him a request to do My Way – one of my favorite tunes.

I also loved his version of New York.

I have attended many of Dane’s performances, including West Side Story, and several solo performances at casinos in the Lower Mainland.

And I often saw Helen in the audience, too.

Helen is an accomplished actress; until recently, I thought I was younger than her.

Imagine her playing my mom – even though she is younger than me!

But she did, and I enjoyed working with her and the other talented actors.

Annette and I went to see Helen perform in the Sound of Music – and she played two characters!

The last time I saw Helen was when Annette and I attended Dane’s performance at Massey Theatre in 2019.

It was a tribute to Frank Sinatra, and he had an orchestra accompanying him.

Helen was seated with one of her friends, several seats beside us.

Before the show – I had read a review/interview on Facebook about Dane – and that’s when I realized he and I had much in common.

Here’s a copy/paste of the article:

Dane Warren was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he has been a musical theatre actor for over 15 years and has appeared in many amazing productions, such as Oklahoma! Crazy for You, Titanic, Bye Bye Birdie, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, and most recently, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast as Gaston.

His love for the golden age of music and film began at a very young age, and who else could completely dominate the world of entertainment more than Frank Sinatra?

It began with all the fabulous musicals Frank made with Gene Kelly and Bing Crosby, then moved on to his iconic discography, including his amazing live albums like “Sinatra Live at The Sands” and eventually looking back to Frank’s origins as a young artist.

Without a doubt, he was the world’s FIRST Popstar!

There’s only one word to describe how I feel about Sinatra: obsessed.

Dane has had the privilege of traveling the world, bringing his love of Frank Sinatra and his music to thousands through concerts, and being a performer for Holland America and Princess Cruise Lines.

Dane looks forward to sharing Sinatra’s music and his story on tour this holiday season.

We had the chance to ask Dane some questions:

1. Throughout your musical career, what have been your greatest challenges, and how have you overcome them?

I’ve faced many challenges in my career. Struggling to find work. Having to work jobs I never liked because I couldn’t get gigs. Getting gigs and not being paid. And then finally got gigs that paid, but I was in over my head. Not being able to pay rent. Not having money to be able to buy food, and when I did, I’d spend it on a new mic or singing lessons.

However hard all that was, it was never as difficult or as challenging as self-doubt. I struggled a lot with that over the years and many times wanted to give up, but I persevered.

Something that really helped me to overcome that self-doubt was something my voice teacher Joseph Shore shared with me.

He said, “There will be many people who will lie to you in this career. There will be those who will tell you that you were great when you weren’t, and also those who will cut you down when you actually did well out of jealousy or competition. The only thing an artist can do is keep true to himself about his own performance in an objective way and, when he does – seek other opinions. But only seek them from those who you trust and are also knowledgeable in your art form.“

Which makes complete sense. Once I started listening to the right people, I grew confident as an artist.

2.  What are some of the most memorable performances that you have been a part of?

Christmas with Sinatra tour last year on Vancouver Island was particularly great for me because I got to reunite with some musician friends of mine James Darling and the great Rick Kilburn. It was a very nice experience getting to know the guests from the different cities on the Island, getting to meet the mayors, and becoming a part of the community.

I’ve done some amazing and big shows all over, but I’m most proud of the group I have for this season’s tour of Christmas with Sinatra. Working alongside my lovely lady Mandy Rushton and getting to work with the Bruce James Orchestra has been a dream come true.

We’re looking forward to doing some great projects together in the new year and beyond

3.  What are some of your favorite things to do in Vancouver for fun? (Sightseeing, restaurants, etc.)

Well, Mandy and I love going out to some really great restaurants in town. Some for the food and others for the music.

Our favorite hangs are Marcello Pizzeria & Ristorante on Commercial Drive for their Gnocchi Quattro, which is like dying and going to pasta heaven.

And Frankie’s Jazz Club on Beatty St. in downtown Vancouver. We get to have great cocktails at Frankie’s and listen to some of the best Jazz musicians in town! That is when we’re not playing there!

We also just like taking a day to be tourists in our own City. Take a drive out to Steveston to Fisherman’s Wharf or take a nature hike to a hidden lake off the sea-to-sky highway.

Christmas with Sinatra occurs this Friday, December 13, 2019, at Massey Theatre.

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When I read that passage – about how Dane had never given up on his dream – it reminded me of my challenges growing up with nothing in my pockets but holes and nothing in my heart but two dreams: to be in love AND to be successful in my career.

I failed one dream but am still working on the other one!

I have always cheered for the underdog – because I have always felt like an underdog.

And there is nothing as exciting to see as an underdog winning at something.

If you are not lucky, you must make your own luck!

Dane and I are living proof!

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It was magical, and after the show, Helen, Annette, and I met with Dane to give hugs and congratulate him for an outstanding performance!

My gal pal Sannie Tsui, and I, attended one of Dane’s performances at the Hard Rock Casino in Vancouver.

Here’s a photo of us after the show:

I have also seen Dane performing with two other talented musicians, and the trio is known as MAD Jazz LIVE. MAD is an acronym for their name: Mandy. Aaron and Dane.

During the Covid restrictions, MAD continued performing online – and they were fabulous!

Mandy has a beautiful voice, and Aaron is also very talented on the keyboard.

They were made to perform with each other!

About three weeks ago, I noticed one of Dane’s Facebook Page posts about their weekly performances at the Sea House Restaurant in Yaletown.

The shows run from 6 – 9:00 PM – so I asked Annette if she wanted to see Dane perform again.

She is also a big fan of Dane and MAD Jazz LIVE.

However, we would only be able to stay until 7:00 PM because we need to be home to give Holly and Sugar (her cat) medications at 8:00 PM – and it is an hour’s drive from Vancouver to my place in White Rock.

We made reservations for 5:30 PM and hoped to get seats close to the stage.

We arrived at the restaurant/pizzeria at 5:15 and were seated at a table at the front.

Annette ordered food, and I ordered a glass of wine (I cannot eat solid food since my cancer treatments ended in 2009).

I took this photo of Annette through my wine glass:

During the first set – I stood nearby to take video clips of the group performing – and enjoyed the music.

Dane announced that the cards on each table could be used to send song requests (and tips).

Table card with a link to their website

I was impressed at how professionally MAD Jazz LIVE presented themselves, and we loved their performance.

Here is a clip of one of the songs:

The evening was fantastic and we were so happy, I told Dane that we would come back the next week to see them again!

I also mentioned that I would try to get our mutual friend Helen Volkow to join us.

Before we left – Dane dedicated this song to me:

Annette and I were happy that we came to see MAD perform, and I planned to contact Helen Volkow as soon as we got home to invite her to next week’s dinner show – as our guest.

She accepted my invitation, and I told Dane we would be at the next show.

But the next day, I was rushed to Peace Arch Hospital and spent the next four days in the ICU – with a broken heart.

Here is the link to that story: Electric Shock of a Lifetime

And I was unsure if I could attend the next MAD performance on Sunday night!

UPDATE: Sunday, April 10, 2022

I left the ICU of Peace Arch Hospital on Thursday afternoon and went straight to bed.

Being with my Holly Golightly was great – and I slept through the night.

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On Saturday, I stayed in bed all day – and was feeling depressed from watching the news coverage about the invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing slaughter of women and children!

It is difficult to focus on writing when my mind is somewhere else.

I also had planned to drive to Yaletown to catch another set of MAD Jazz LIVE on Sunday night if I was feeling well enough.

Earlier in the week, I had written to my gal pal, Helen Volkow, to invite her to join Annette and me as our dinner guest.

She agreed to meet us at the restaurant at 5:30 PM – so I was determined to go – come hell or high water.

I think the last time I saw Helen was at Dane’s awesome ‘Tribute to Frank Sinatra’ performance at Massey Hall in December 2019.

I was looking forward to seeing ‘Nona’ again.

We arrived at the restaurant before 5:30 PM, and Helen was already seated at our reserved table – in front of the stage.

During Dane’s opening monologue, he mentioned that the Sea House had an incredibly delicious – pears and walnuts pizza – on the menu.

If I could eat solid food – that would have been what I ordered – but I ordered a bottle of Merlot wine instead.

Annette and Helen chose traditional Italian dishes and passed on the pear and walnut pizza – so I was a bit disappointed.

I wanted to know how a pears and walnuts pizza tasted!

During the performance – Dane announced that he would celebrate his birthday at next week’s show.

Annette, Helen, and I agreed to attend that show, too.

Here are some of the video clips I took of the MAD Jazz LIVE performance – including a song I had requested:

The night was very special, and it was great to visit with Helen and catch up on the news.

We also made plans to return to the Sea House on April 3rd to celebrate Dane’s 43rd birthday!

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But sadly, the next day, I learned Spanky’s father had passed away.

I met Spanky’s family about twenty years ago, and I know his family was very proud of him.

And despite my teasing Al Ryan (Spanky) a lot on these pages – it is because I love and respect him.

Terrance Ryan (May 17, 1937 – March 28, 2022)

Rest in peace, Terry!

To be continued.

UPDATE: April 12, 2022

First, I apologize for the delay in completing this story – but I have been having a lot of difficulty with pain in my jaw.

This morning, I spent three hours in the ER department of the Peace Arch Hospital – because of the swelling and ongoing pain.

The doctor gave me three prescriptions, and I just picked them up from the drug store, but when I got home, I noticed that they were all in capsule form – and they were too large for me to swallow.

I called the pharmacy, and they are trying to see if there is a liquid version for the new prescriptions (antibiotics and pain medication).

The pharmacist said she had called the manufacturer and was told that the capsules could not be opened and sprinkled on yogurt – as I do with crushed pills.

She will check with the ER doctor who saw me this morning to see if he can prescribe something liquid or pill.

So, I will have to wait to hear back from her.

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I want to finish this story about MAD Jazz Live by posting a song I requested Dane play.

It was performed on April 3rd, a day before he celebrated his 43rd birthday!

Unfortunately, I could not find the video clip I took of Annette and Helen – so I can’t post any more photos – but the girls tried the ‘pear and walnuts’ pizza and said it was delicious!

So, if you can go to the Sea House restaurant on Sunday night – please tell Mandy, Aaron, and Dane, that Danny says HELLO!

And be sure to try the pear and walnut pizza!

And be sure to leave a tip for MAD Jazz LIVE!

UDATE: – May 2022

A few weeks later, I was admitted to Surrey Memorial Hospital for my jawbone replacement surgery and almost died in ICU the evening after.

But I did survive because I Never Gave Up!

Dedicated to Dane, Mandy, Aaron, and Helen

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away
If you can use some exotic booze
There’s a bar in far Bombay
Come on, and fly with me; let’s fly, let’s fly away

Come fly with me; let’s float down to Peru
In Llama land, there’s a one-man band
And he’ll toot his flute for you
Come on, fly with me; let’s take off in the blue

Once I get you up there where the air is rarefied
We’ll just glide, starry-eyed
Once I get you up there, I’ll be holding you so near
You may hear all the angels cheer because we’re together

Weather-wise, it’s such a lovely day
Just say the words, and we’ll beat the birds
Down to Acapulco Bay
It is perfect for a flying honeymoon, they say
Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away

Once I get you up there where the air is rarefied
We’ll just glide, starry-eyed
Once I get you up there, I’ll be holding you so very near
You might even hear a whole gang of cheers ’cause we’re together

Weather-wise, it’s such a koo-koo day
You just say those words, and we’ll beat the birds
Down to Acapulco Bay
It’s so perfect for a flying honeymoon, oh babe
Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly
Pack up; let’s fly away!

Pack a small bag.

Songwriters: Jimmy Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn
Come Fly with Me lyrics © Concord Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Here’s what Danny is listening to now: Drowning in a Tub Full of Tunes