Now in its ninth year, the Hughton family’s annual fundraiser is set to take place on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. at TCU Place. It will be the second Music for the Gut performance at the downtown convention centre; previous shows were held at Grace-Westminster United Church and at Cornerstone Church.

Master of ceremonies Jamey Hughton said more than 70 performers are involved with Music for the Gut this year, including many who are new to the variety show. More than 25 songs will be performed during the concert.

“It’s a very cool experience for the performers to be up on such a big stage in one of the city’s best entertainment venues,” said Hughton, a past president of the Saskatoon chapter of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. “In terms of the quality of the whole performance — from sound to lighting — you can achieve so much and audience members will love it.” Hughton’s brother Jordie, a baritone singer and voice teacher in Saskatoon, founded the concert series in 2011 and serves as the artistic director.

The eclectic program will feature a 50-voice choir performing pop and rock hits and musical theatre standards, accompanied by a 14-piece orchestra. Music for the Gut performers include members of the Saskatoon Fireside Singers, the Saskatoon Summer Players, the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, University of Saskatchewan music students and graduates, and Saskatoon Academy of Music teachers and students. Singer-songwriters Theresa Sokyrka, Jay Semko and Brianna Burtt will also perform.

The money raised by Music for the Gut is provided to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada (CCC), a national charity that is focused on finding cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and on improving the lives of people affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). According to CCC, one in 140 Canadians lives with inflammatory bowel disease — among the highest rates of IBD in the world. IBD inflames the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and disrupts the body’s ability to digest food, absorb nutrition and eliminate waste in a healthy manner. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can also cause life-threatening complications and debilitating symptoms such as abdominal cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, fever, bleeding, anemia, fatigue, and joint inflammation, swelling and pain.

Although Crohn’s and colitis can be diagnosed at any age, people are more frequently diagnosed before the age of 30. Raising money and awareness about Crohn’s and colitis is very important to the Hughton family, since three of the four family members live with IBD. Concert producer Tara Hughton —Jamey and Jordie’s mother — was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in her early 30s, while Jamey was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 1997. Jordie was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2010.

Jamey and Jordie’s father and Tara’s husband, Basil Hughton, also participates in Music for the Gut by serving as the house manager. “Awareness has been building for the event, and I hope local awareness around Crohn’s disease and colitis has also increased in general since it started. It’s important to carry on that momentum, I think,” said Jamey Hughton. “I’ve also met new people at the shows over the years who express that they have IBD, or who then get involved with our local CCC chapter, and there are connections and an impact made. That’s special to see.” Since it was founded, Music for the Gut has raised about $125,000 to help find a cure for IBD.

Hughton said the show will “leave your expectations in the dust and stampede over them like the wildebeest in The Lion King.” “Some of the most positive feedback comes from those attending the show for the first time,” he said. “I’ve heard a lot of reactions from people who are like, ‘Wow. That was bigger, and better, than I had ever imagined.’ ”

For more information about Music for the Gut, go online to musicforthegut.com. Tickets range from $26 – $39, plus service charges, and are available at tcutickets.ca

-Shannon Boklaschuk