Local metal band The Scepter performed a high-energy concert at Ottawa's Bruyère Health Hospital on July 21, granting the wish of patient Tim Berry, who wanted to attend a heavy metal show despite his fragile condition. The event was organized by clinical chaplain Roshene Lawson after she learned that Berry was feeling down about missing out on life. About 100 patients and staff attended the concert, which was held in a hospital boardroom transformed into a rock club with lights, fans, and guitar shredding skills on display.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Scepter, a metal band from Ottawa, performed at Bruyère Health, a hospital in the city, last week. The concert was arranged by clinical chaplain Roshene Lawson for Tim Berry, a 27-year-old patient who had expressed his wish to attend a heavy metal show. Berry had received bad health news and was feeling down, so Lawson helped make his dream come true by calling Scott McClinton, owner of the hard rock venue the Dominion Tavern in the ByWard Market, who recruited The Scepter for the event. The band performed in a hospital board room, transforming it into a makeshift rock club with lights and a high-energy show. Berry's wish was granted, allowing him to "rock out" with his friends at the hospital. The concert took place on a Tuesday last week, although the exact date is not specified.
Written for “Patient's Dream Concert” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article uses neutral language throughout, but phrases like 'rock out' and 'heavy metal might' may suggest a slightly more favorable tone towards the metal music genre. However, this signal is weak and could be interpreted as enthusiastic rather than partisan.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score +0.25 for article 118 · logged 2026-07-31
A concert to remember: Metal band rocks out at Ottawa hospital, granting patient's wish
The Scepter put on a show to remember at Bruyère Health
Hospitals aren't the usual venue for a high-energy hard rock concert, but that's exactly what took place at Ottawa's Bruyère Health last week, helping one longtime patient live out his dream of attending a heavy metal show.
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patient → remember → show
With a colourful light show, hair-blowing fans and aggressive headbanging, a board room at the hospital was transformed into a rock club last Tuesday after 27-year-old Tim Berry expressed his wish to rock out there.
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Berry → blow → wish
Roshene Lawson, a clinical chaplain at Bruyère Health, said she was visiting Berry after he'd received some bad health news and was dwelling on the things he'd missed out on.
"I said, 'Well, we can talk about all the stuff you've lost, or we can talk about how you want to live for however much longer you're around," Lawson said.
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Lawson → say → stuff
What Berry wanted was to attend a heavy metal show.
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wanted → want → show
Lawson called Scott McClinton, owner of hard rock venue the Dominion Tavern in the ByWard Market, who in turn recruited local band The Scepter.
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who → call → band
"It was a quick yes, and then he reached out to The Scepter, and they gave a quick yes," Lawson told CBC’s All In A Day.
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Lawson → reach → Day
"All of a sudden, people in heavy metal outfits with guitars and stuff are asking where the chaplain is."
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chaplain → ask → guitars
Berry's condition was deemed too fragile to leave the hospital, so the crew decided to bring the show to him.
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crew → deem → him
With Berry’s approval, it turned into a full-blown event for patients at Bruyère Health on July 21, coming together within a week.
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it → turn → week
"He had tears and I joked with him, I said, 'Are the tears because it's so bloody loud?'" Lawson said.
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Lawson → have → him
"And he laughed and he said, ‘No, I'm happy'"
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I → laugh → ?
Lawson said even the "tough heavy metal guys" had tears in their eyes, too.
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guys → say → eyes
"It was absolutely emotional," McClinton recalled.
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McClinton → recall → ?
"I never thought I'd cry during a metal show, but that definitely happened."
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that → think → show
The Scepter pulled out all the stops, making the most of the unconventional venue by using the space between each patient as a catwalk to show off their guitar-shredding skills.
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Scepter → pull → skills
"We had enough space with all the lights and stuff to still move around and go up to the patients and give them a little taste of our heavy metal might," said guitarist Josh Collins.
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Collins → have → might
After the show, Berry met with the band and got some merch including a T-shirt and CD.
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Berry → meet → shirt
Lawson said it was much more than a fun musical experience: It was about providing the best quality of life for a patient she helps navigate the ups and downs of hospital life.
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she → say → life
"I listened to what it was that would bring him meaning and value.
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that → listen → meaning
It's not my role to judge that," she said.
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she → judge → that
"It's my role to support and listen."
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It → support → ?
She said while a strong focus on medical care is crucial, the clinical team at Bruyère Health also prioritizes spiritual wellness.
"
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team → say → wellness
Sometimes we've got to think outside the box, and in this case I went to a heavy metal concert."
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I → get → concert
