April Events

The Green Living Show - April 26, National Trade Centre
Speakers Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Ed Begley, Jr., Jean-Michele Cousteau were thought-provoking, amusing and inspiring, in that order. They all "walk the talk" with Kennedy offering anti-Bush facts to back up his many legal cases and Begley setting an example of "how to" live with a minimal footprint. It's ironic that, as a result of the TTC walk-out, many of us needed to car pool to reach the show at the CNE grounds. It was worth the effort for a full day of lectures, learning and loads of food samples. Mmm, chocolate with chili - don't snigger until you've tried it!

HotDocs 2008
It was another great year for documentary films at this specialized film festival, with the real magic lying in the insightful Q&A sessions.
Song Sung Blue, about the ups and down of a life-long Neil Diamond impersonator was a strong opening note. Filmed over an eight year period, with a back story that stretched out 20 years, it was a very personal tale indeed.
Couldn’t miss All Together Now, the “making of” story about the Las Vegas show LOVE featuring remixed Beatles tunes and staring Cirque du Soleil. I’ve seen LOVE twice and was pleased to say hi to Giles Martin.
And, how about At the Death House Door? The story of a minister who agreed to comfort the first prison inmate to receive a lethal injection in Texas. He eventually stayed on for the next 95 deaths, secretly tape recording his private thoughts and impressions each time.
Flow: for the Love of Water was a preachy and formulaic call to action. But the after party was terrific with the director and several talking-head stars from the film, including my personal hero, Maude Barlow. Meeting and chatting with her was the true highlight of HotDocs 2008. That didn’t diminish the power of two additional stories about big, Nobel Peace Prize-style heroism. First, Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai followed Wangari’s initial mission to organize women to plant trees in Kenya as it grew to a plan to reforest the country and inevitably to the development of her political power. Second was Triage: Dr. James Orbinski’s Humanitarian Dilemma. More than Romeo Dallaire’s account of the Rwandan genocide, Orbinski witnessed and served in many other horrific and war-torn locales. He embodies dignity as he negotiates the payment of $500 for armed rebels not to kill his colleague, who sits strapped to a chair in a communal courtyard. Heroism is often simple and straightforward - “I can’t hide behind a door,” he said plainly.
Regretted missing? Flicker, Monterey Pop, Standard Operating Procedure, Virtual JFK.

LifeFest - April 4 A fun few hours, compliments of Shoppers Optimum points. With plenty of free food samples no one goes away hungry: pro-biotic bread, drinkable yogurt, organic apple sauce, turkey and a multitude of fruity drinks to wash it all down. The number of free samples has gone down, but the fire fighters were still handing out razers. The key note speakers Margaret Trudeau and daughter-in-law Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau delivered powerful messages about overcoming physical challenges: seek the professional help that is available, accept support from family and friends, give back more than you get and spend time with nature.

St. Lawrence Market Customer Appreciation Night, Apr 3
With tasty and plentiful food samples (don't forget about the sprouts in the basement!) and continuous entertainment I say Thank You to our historic Market and the generous vendors. Performers included traditional Greek music, Saxophone Quartet, Irish jigs and reels, and eye-popping samba dancers. Missed piper Ian MacIntosh. Darn.
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March Events

Earth Hour - March 29 @8pm
What a buzz! Up the CN Tower, wedged between a couple of professional photographers - one with the Ontario government and the other putting together a newsletter for a private company residing in one of the towers. It was a shared experience as everyone who gathered at the windows called out the buildings as their logos were shut down. Biggest surprise: the Royal York was an early participant. Last holdout: Sherton Centre. Thumbs Down: to the Royal Alex Theatre whose constant blinking marquee on King Street was a call to boycott the the theatre by a group standing behind me.

Fire! - March 29 (thru April 19)
Ted Dykstra (2 Pianos, 4 Hands) and Rick Roberts (Traders) deliver the passion and damnation promised in the title. Loosely based on the lives of second-cousins Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart, the story unfolds through the singing (17 songs) and preaching of these lead characters, written as brothers here. This is a fabulous production with a dramatic, human script and clever sets. Deserving of the four Dora Mavor Moore Awards that were won when the play was first staged. I won't soon forget the hysterical site of Roberts leaping around the stage wearing his white patent loafers, righteous in his proclamations.

Real Estate & Wealth Expo - March 29th, Metro Convention Centre
Last year's "happening" in the "big" room with 50,000 note-taking fans was impossible to duplicate, but cashing in on the enormous success was good business and inevitable. But hey, don't be disappointed when Donald Trump shows up by via satellite (shades of Richard Branson in '07!!) and the program is adjusted by the minute, based on flight schedules. "Announcements will be made in the presentation room, if you stick around." No thanks. I dropped by for a little Donald on the way to the CN Tower to listen to the same speech he presented last year. Tony Robbins was the highlight in 2007

David Copperfield - March 28, Sony Centre
Yes, he's still around, touring through Toronto in a show he could pull off with his eyes closed. Don't get me wrong...I found him goofy and charming and I laughed for 90-minutes straight. But, that's an expensive chuckle at $80+ for a seat down front. After screening a promo video of celebrity references, featuring introductions by news and interviewing stars plus a nod from the Simpsons and the Family Guy, Copperfield arrived on his trademark motorcycle. He appeared casual and youthful in his sneakers, white t-shirt and baggy light demin shirt. With his career arc on the downturn it was refreshing to see the master making light of his now-famous dramatic flair. With every over-the-shoulder glance into the camera, it was obvious he was smirking at his own over-the-top style. Lots of audience participation including the card trick that culminated in a live scorpion (really!) pulling out the chosen card from the shuffled deck. Even the wooden re-telling of his grandfather's story, supplemented by vintage photos retained a kernel of sincere sentimentality. David Copperfield's got more talent in his top pocket than most of his contemporaries and his star shot so high and burned so brightly, that it will take many, many bored performances before crowds tire of the mystery and magic. He's the real deal, with or without the baggage.

Yundi Li - March 18, Roy Thomson Hall
This charming, young pianist was presented in recital as part of the Virtuoso Performance Series - right where he belongs. Crisp, clean and with a touch of flair Li danced through a program heavy with Chopin, some Schumann and Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" - all of them. While Lang Lang was on fire at his recital last year, igniting the crowd to a unified standing ovation, Yundi Li was white hot. His clean delivery was flawless and his delicate personal introductions to the movements were charming. It'll be interesting to watch his style mature.

Holistic Health Expo - March 14
Opening night celebrations included a lot of hype about Earth Hour, but the happening place was the Juice PLUS+ booth. Peter and John were very convincing about my need for more fruits and vegetables. Oh, and I won't have to buy (and clean) a juicing machine any time soon.

Toronto Art Expo - March 9, Convention Centre
I arrived early to view the show with no crowds. The artists were friendly and pleased to talk about their work. A few years ago, it was photographs on steel, this year my Wow-factor was turned on by a couple of artists working in wax. David Brown created traditional encaustic collages (below left) while Nina Sampaleanu developed 3-dimensional sculptures that resembled natural shapes such as ferns. Beautiful. I was captivated by the booth representing Australian Aboriginal fine art: Traveling Women by Nellie Nakamarra (below right). Opening night celebrations were also a treat with Jane Bunnett and the Havana Social Club heating up the stage while three scantily-clad dancers shook their way into the audience. Remember snowball dancing?

Jason Fowler - March 2
My favourite local singer/ songwriter was in concert for one night with Anne Lindsay at the Tranzac club in the Annex. It was a multi-faceted event with each of them taking turns at centre stage. The evening included a shout-out to their mothers, who were in the audience, and a set that featured an almost-forgotten Finnish instrument. CDs available at the door.

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(Whirly Ball team building - March 14)

February Events

Blue Rodeo still rides high in the saddle. Feb 28, Massey Hall
...and, after all these years, there's a good reason. They know their way around a love ballad and home town dance tune better than most. Starting the show at the front of the stage with a single snare drum and acoustic guitars drew focus on the musicianship of the team. Solos and harmonies alike were cheered by the welcoming crowd with Try appearing early in the program. Once the central black curtain was torn down, the light show kicked in and they rocked. And you just know the evening ended with a sing-along. Thanks to NOW Magazine for the front row, balcony seats!

Full Moon Eclipse - Feb 20








Also on Feb 20 - Disaster downtown:
6-alarm fire at Queen and Bathurst at dawn. 50 fire vehicles, 150 Firefighters, 14 buildings were affected including Duke's Cycle. Smoke was visible over downtown and the smoky smell reached 25 blocks away and into nearby subway stations.

In Bruges - aka The Thousand Faces of Colin Farrell - will lay to rest any question of this young man's acting abilities. The movie is more than the promised dark comedy/travelogue. Fasten your seatbelt and prepare for a wild ride. Actually, it's a tragedy by definition, but provides many absurdly comedic moments along the way. Only in the twisted world of writer Martin McDonagh can a would-be killer stop his victim from committing suicide. On the surface this is a story about paid killers on the lamb, but when all is said and done it is a warm-hearted buddy film with a conscience. Even Ralph Fiennes' mob boss character adheres to his own standard of honour. And, we were amused that he did. Please let me know what you think.

(a pre-show lobby concert set the mood)

African Footprint Sony Centre, Feb 7-9
Exuberant, energetic, enchanting. My only quibble is: with such a short run (three days) I was hard pressed to get my recommendation out to friends. It was a feel-good show from the start (with drums representing the heartbeat of Africa) to finish (in a hip hop flourish). In between, there was enough world-class tap dancing to keep me going for a couple of months. To call these performers dancers would be an understatement, as each of them is an athlete in top form, some proving they could step into Cirque du Soleil. The first major tap number got most of the men on stage tapping solo and eventually in concert while working with a small barrel as a prop – kicking it, drumming it, sitting on it, jumping on it. The second big tap number began as a friendly competition between the red-hued gum-boot and the yellow-clad tapper. It was an even match as a small army of back-ups joined each side. What unfolded made my jaw drop. And, I couldn’t forget a major component of the show – with minimal sets, the lighting provided the atmosphere in a simple yet effective way. Glad I didn’t miss it.

Robert Lantos: In Conversation Tues, Feb 5th Cinematique
Thanks to the fact that he’s not afraid of talking about himself, “warts and all” it was a very pleasant evening indeed. A jet-lagged Lantos capped TIFF’s Canadian Top Ten mini-festival recently, with the promise of returning admission prices if he or the audience fell asleep. Not a chance, while his professional career as film producer-plus was revealed casually over the course of the evening. Lantos put together six separate presentations, each representing a “chapter” in his evolution. From the heady days of In Praise of Older Women up to the current, award-winning Eastern Promises, he offered amusing insights into the Canadian film-making industry as well as his contributions to it. Admitting that he has learned more from his (very public) mistakes than his successes he managaed to add an extra soupçon of charm. And this 58-year-old national treasure has no plans to slow down, anxious to fulfill his vision on a number of projects he still has in mind. To use his own words: “projects he has to do” - it’s all about the passion.

Art at the Castle - Casa Loma hosted the Canadian Art Show with more than 85 artists, live music and reception. It was a much-needed breath of fresh air and splash of colour in the grey days of February. There was something for everyone: from glass work and acrylics to photographs and sculpture. The venue was a perfect showcase for the artists to discuss their work and perhaps make a sale.

January Events

Rain: The Beatles Experience
Now playing at the Sony Centre
With a heavy emphasis on the experience this is a show that will get even the most reserved Torontians on their feet and singing along. It was a love-in from start to finish with archival film footage and contemporary commercials to re-create the summer of love. The musicians are all top-notch and I gained a new appreciation for the important role drums played in the Beatles music. Give Peace a Chance!

U2 3D - IMAX ****!
Welcome to a new paradigm in entertainment. Remember how cool it was to lie back in the old McLaughlin Planeterium and rock to Laser U2 in the 80s? Or the excitement of the Rolling Stones on IMAX in the 90s? Well, add the depth of 3D and you are one with the cheering crowd as Vertigo kicks off the concert. The impulse to clap at the end of each song was unnerving and I'm sure I was singing aloud throughout, "I can't live...with or without you...oo, oo, oo,ooooooo" This is not The Last Waltz with behind the scenes interviews to get to know the musicians. This is a straight-up concert flick - it's all about the music.
Immerse yourself in the rhythm. Be thrilled.
Round 2 - OK, I saw this movie again in Feb. I rocked to the beat as Where the Streets Have No Name wound up the undulating crowd while flags of all nations dripped down on the giant screens behind the band. The tear in my eye lasted only second before I was laughing and singing along to the encouraging gestures of Bono. Man, it doesn't get any better than this for an old rocker!

January Retreat (or, how I spent my winter vacation) - Can you image a place where you don't have to lock your door or hear phones ringing for more than a week? Ah, the tranquility of it all. But this is also a place of serious work, where you'll need to practice sitting quietly and still for at least six hours each day. Welcome to Vipassana Meditation a technique handed down from the Buddha and taught in taped lectures that are viewed each evening. A peaceful, woodsy location, delicious vegetarian meals, Noble Silence (no chatter for 10 days!) and respect between participants all aid in the achievement of an environment that supports the work. Being there with a fresh blanket of snow and twinkling stars made it particularly magical. Discover who you really are and liberate your mind.

The Golden Compass - is one of those movies that deserves to be seen on the big screen. The first of three books about Lyra and her adventures, it's got magic, myth and mahem. Lyra overhears something she doesn't understand (where have we heard that before?) and is flung into a struggle between gobblers, gyptians and of course armored bears. Lyra is a brave girl - a wonderful role model for impressionable minds. She's also defiant, clever and successful - thanks to her mastery of the titular Golden Compass. I can't wait for next cinematic installment so will need to read the books to know what happens next.

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New Years day storm

December Events

White Christmas - Sony Centre ****
The Rockettes tapped their way into our hearts last year and White Christmas continued the tradition this year. Broadway-class musical with costume changes, set changes and a happy ending. The barn door opened, the snow fell and I had a tear in my eye. In the end, I skipped out of the theatre with a smile on my face. I'm happy this seasonal musical breezed into town and happier that I squeezed it in.

Andre Rieu - Hit All the Right Notes
December 14, Rogers Centre
It was a night to remember for the 20,000 or so mostly golden age fans who cheered and sang while witnessing what may become a statistic in the Guiness World Records. Add to the 122 metre-wide recreation of Vienna's Schonbrunn Palace: 96 chandliers, 2 ice rinks, 2 working fountains, 14 carriages pulled by 36 horses, 450 performers ending with 20,000 balloons. Oh, and the music was great!

Human Rights Watch Hosted a photo exhibit in BCE Place in December. Images that are meant to galvanize your feelings and move you into action.

BCE Place

November Events

Atonement ****
Film adaptation of Ian McEwan's tragic novel. For an adult male to painstakingly recreate the inner world of a 13 year old girl is admirable. To deftly drawn us into the horrors of war and wrap it in a love story is worthly of applause. Such is the breadth of Atonement. It's faithful to the book but like all screenplays some details are missing - and none of the essence has been lost. Much of the dialogue is drawn directly from the pages and the period as well as the costumes ring true - all the way down to Marshall's loafers. Strongly recommended, especially for the breath-taking 6 minute tracking sequence along the beach at Dunkirk.

Dmitri Hvorostovsky - Who could have imagined that a 45-year-old Russian baritone would be my next flavour-of-the-month? Well, not me! Move over Steven Pinker. It’s impossible not to fall under his velvety spell. And why resist? Just ask the 2500-or-so roaring fans during November’s triumphant muli-faceted concert at Roy Thomson Hall. And it wasn’t just his singing – it was that charming, boyish "geee, you liked it" grin that followed each number. In the end, the crowd applauded in unison while at least four floral bouquets were presented. How does a Canadian girl react when this superstar returns for his 3rd encore wearing a personalized Leaf’s jersey (#77) and sings O Sole Mio? Pass the smelling salts.

Whole Life Expo 2007
Crystals galore! Also, mini-massages, blood testing, aura photos, water filters, ethical funds, sprouts, hemp, and organic olives on a toothpick. Plus lectures on the dangers of microwave pollution, if you're worried about that sort of thing.
Photo Sensitive - exhibition celebrated Trillium Foundation's 25th anniversary. Images from 25 photographers were displayed at BCE Place from Nov 19-30.