20 Carlton Street, Suite 1032, Toronto, ON M5B 2H5
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LE NEWSLETTER

May 22, 2008

Back from vacation and ready to go!  Great friends, great weather and great food!  Tons of Canadian content below too so have a look.  Get your tickets for these two amazing events Heart and Soul on May 25th and the newest addition of DK Ibomeka's CD release on May 27th.  Mark your calendars!

Scroll down and find out what interests you - take your time and take a walk into your weekly entertainment news!

::HOT EVENTS::

Louise Pitre Stars In Heart And Soul With Special Guest Star Jackie Richardson – May 25, 2008

Source: Diesel Playhouse

(Toronto, ON)  Two of Canada’s National Treasures will take the stage together for one night only on May 25^th in the heart of the entertainment district at the Diesel Playhouse main stage, for an evening of unforgettable cabaret.  From Piaf and Brel to Broadway, Jazz and Gospel this will be an amazing evening of love, laughter and song for all ages.  Award-winning singer and actress Louise Pitre starred in Mamma Mia! in Toronto, across North America and on Broadway.  Louise also starred in Piaf, Jacque Brel, Annie Get Your Gun, Blood Brothers, Sweeney Todd with the Calgary Symphony, Song and Dance and many others. While living in New York, Louise was nominated for a Tony Award as well as winning the National Broadway Touring Award, a New York Theatre World Award, and the San Francisco Theatre Critics Circle. In Canada Louise has won 3 Dora Awards.

Jackie Richardson has thrilled audiences in Cookin' at the Cookery in Toronto across Canada and the USA.  Jackie has enjoyed much success on stage, in film and on TV.  She has also received great acclaim for her highly popular concert performances.  With Gemini, Juno and Jessie award nominations under her belt Jackie’s talent knows no limit.  Jackie is also a DORA winner.

This “Dynamic Duo” will be supported by Diane Leah at the piano, George Koller on bass and Tom Jestadt on drums.

SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2008
LOUISE PITRE STARS IN HEART AND WITH SPECIAL GUEST STAR JACKIE RICHARDSON
Diesel Playhouse
56 Blue Jays Way (south of King – East of Spadina)
8:00 PM
Tickets are priced at $49.50 and $59.50
Tickets are available by phone and in person
Diesel Playhouse - 56 Blue Jays Way, Toronto
Phone tickets - 416-971-5656 OR get tickets online at
www.dieselplayhouse.com

DK Ibomeka I’m Your Man

Source: Wynchwood Park Productions

DK Ibomeka (pronounced ee-bo-MECK-ah) celebrates the lyrics and melodies that inspired his need to sing with the Tuesday, May 27^th launch of his new album I'm Your Man - an album of jazz vocal classics produced by George Koller. With a three-octave range and huge emotional depth and power, DK Ibomeka is well-equipped to deliver a decidedly original spin on the classic jazz material he has chosen for his sophomore album I’m Your Man.

I’m Your Man sees DK backed by some of Canada’s finest players: George Koller on bass, Davide DiRenzo on percussion, Michael Shand on keys, Kelley Jefferson on sax and a special guest appearance by Pee Wee Ellis, long-time band leader for Van Morrison and member of the legendary James Brown horn section, the JB’s.

Produced by George Koller, I’m Your Man primarily features jazz standards including  “Our Love Is Here to Stay”, “These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)” and “I Get Along Without You Very Well” as well as jazz interpretations of “God Bless The Child”, “I Put A Spell On You” and Leonard Cohen’s ‘I’m You Man’. On I'm Your Man, DK offers his own distinctive, predominantly tender and soulful interpretations of some vintage classics. As noted UK jazz author Mike Hennessey says, "DK Ibomeka's interpretations on this album vividly demonstrate that he not only has an extensive range in terms of octaves, but also in terms of expressing emotion."

The 2006 release of his debut CD Love Stories quickly rose to the Canadian Top Ten jazz radio charts and launched DK on a two-year whirlwind of appearances that saw him tour Europe four times, debut in the UK at London’s Ronnie Scott’s and criss-cross his home country of Canada with performances at the Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Winnipeg jazz festivals and perform with the Kitchener-Waterloo symphony orchestra. Love Stories was launched to strong reviews in the UK and much of Europe in the fall of 2006. The UK based MOJO Magazine chose Love Stories as a “Playlist Pick” in their December 2006 issue. In Europe, DK was joined on tour with Pee Wee Ellis and also toured as a featured vocalist with the Diva Jazz Orchestra.

For the CD release, DK will be accompanied by Michael Shand (piano), George Koller (bass), Roger Travososs (drums) and Mark Patterson (guitar).

I’m Your Man Track Listing:

1. GOD BLESS THE CHILD 4:51
2. LOVE IS HERE TO STAY 4:17
3. I GET ALONG WITHOUT YOU 3:12
4. I’M YOUR MAN 2:59
5. YOU TURNED THE TABLES ON ME 3:25
6. THESE FOOLISH THINGS 5:06
7. THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU 3:41
8. SOME OF THESE DAYS 3:25
9. MY ONE AND ONLY LOVE 2:57
10. I PUT A SPELL ON YOU 7:03

Produced by George Koller. "God Bless The Child" produced & arranged by Peter Cardinali.

I'm Your Man: http://www.dkibomeka.com/audio/ImYourMan_DK_35.mp3

God Bless The Child: http://www.dkibomeka.com/audio/GodBlessTheChild34.mp3

My One and Only Love: http://www.dkibomeka.com/audio/MyOneAndOnlyLove_35.mp3

TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2008
DK IBOMEKA CD RELEASE
Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas St. W. (west of Dufferin)
Doors: 7:00PM
Show: 8:30PM
$15.00
Tel: 416 588 0307
info@lula.ca
www.dkibomeka.com

::TOP STORIES::

Canadian Independent Recording Artists’ Association (CIRAA) Announces New Executive Director And Launch Of The New Indie

Source: CIRRA

(May 21, 2008), TORONTO - The Board of Directors of the Canadian Independent Recording Artists’ Association (CIRAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Aisha Wickham Thomas as the organization’s first Executive Director. Wickham Thomas is one of the founding Directors of CIRAA, and recently stepped down from her Board position to take on this challenging and exciting new role to build on the organization’s mandate of advocacy, education and member services. Over the course of her career, Wickham Thomas has been focused on developing and promoting Canada's music industry, including past roles as the Canadian Talent Development Manager for Toronto radio station FLOW 93.5 and Executive Director of the Urban Music Association of Canada (UMAC).

CIRAA was formed in 2005, and over the past couple of years has been focused on enhancing the Board of Directors (appointing successful and well-respected indie artists Pavlo, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Ember Swift and Kathryn Rose); building the organization’s resources; and producing the organization’s flagship educational initiative, The New Indie.

The New Indie is an in-depth audio series featuring interviews with music industry experts discussing the new realities facing today’s independent recording artists. The New Indie is a valuable tool created to help artists navigate this music industry paradigm shift. The series, which is launching at next month’s North By Northeast Music and Film Festival & Conference, will be available to recording artists and music industry professionals around the world at all times, FREE for download at www.thenewindie.com and podcast at iTunes. The CD box set is available for purchase at all Long & McQuade locations.

Guests in The New Indie episodes include:

TERRY MCBRIDE, Nettwerk ● BOB LEFSETZ, The Lefsetz Letter ● RON SEXSMITH, Artist ● MICHAEL MCCARTY & BARBARA SEDUN, EMI Music Publishing ● RANDY LENNOX, Universal Music ● CHRIS TAYLOR, Entertainment Lawyer ● SHERI JONES, Jones & Co ● GRANT DEXTER, Maple Music ● GARY FURNISS & DAVID QUILICO, Sony Music Publishing ● HAYDAIN NEALE, Artist ● JONATHAN SIMKIN, 604 Records ● LOUIS THOMAS, Sonic Entertainment ● DEREK SIVERS, CD Baby ● ROBERT OTT, Ole Music Publishing ● WINTERSLEEP, Artist ● DENISE DONLON, Media expert ● DAN BROOME, True North Records ● IVAN BERRY, IB Entertainment ● BRIAN HETHERMAN, CIRAA Announces New Executive Director and Launch of The New Indie (May 21, 2008) 2 of 2 Cerberus Management ● TIM POTICIC, Sonic Unyon ● EMBER SWIFT, Artist ● JODIE FERNEYHOUGH, Universal Music Publishing ● STEPHAN MOCCIO, Artist ● CHRISTI THOMPSON, Thompson Management ● CHASE PARSONS, Chris Smith Management ● JOEL KROEKER, Artist ● ANNE-MARIE SMITH, Lonestar Music ● ROB SZABO, Artist ● VELMA BARKWELL, Sony BMG ● MIKE DENNEY, Fusion 3 ● JAMES PORTER, Ram Jam Management ● VIVIAN BARCLAY, Warner Chappell ● REDEYE, Artist ● BOB BAKER, Author ● JORY GROBERMAN, New Music West ● FRANZ SCHULLER, Indica Records ● GREG STEPHENS, Entertainment Lawyer ● BERNIE FIEDLER, Manager ● WAYE MASON, Halifax Pop Explosion.

For more information, please visit www.ciraa.ca or www.thenewindie.com.

Rocker David Cook wins "American Idol"

Source:  Reuters

(May 21, 2008) LOS ANGELES - Twenty-five-year-old singer David Cook won the coveted title of "American Idol" on Wednesday, dealing an unexpected defeat to silken-voiced teenager David Archuleta on the most popular U.S. television show.

Cook, who was bartending and playing in a band before he auditioned for the singing competition, stood back to applaud Archuleta and then bent over crying after host Ryan Seacrest announced the results.

"This is amazing, thank you," he said. (Reporting by Nichola Groom)

People With Sway - Michael “Pinball” Clemons

Source: www.swaymag.ca

POWERFUL BECAUSE... Everyone likes Michael “Pinball” Clemons. It’s really hard not to. His engaging personality, coupled with his strong leadership skills and drive, has benefited him his whole career: both on the field as the CFL’s all-time yardage leader, and on the sidelines with fans and players alike as Toronto’s beloved Argos coach. While this year was certainly a power year for Clemons — he was named the president and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts franchise and inducted into the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame — it has been his commitment and passion to community issues and youth that has made his influence truly inspiring.

POWER IS...

“If you want to show me a truly great person, don’t tell me about records or awards; don’t tell me about money or power. If you want to show me a truly great person, show me what that person has done for someone else. Consistent with that, true power is what you do for other people. Within that concept, I have never felt powerless, even when I didn’t have anything.

Now, in this position that is deemed a ‘powerful’ position, I understand that I am not powerful unless I use it for the benefit of other people. For me, the CEO position is a title, it’s more important to have the disposition of power rather than the position of power.

A great leader is one who can actually engage people. To give orders is really just a dictator. Great leaders can do so without having a position.

For me, true authentic leadership oozes out of your pores. It’s not something you pick up when you get to that position or that post; it’s a part of your entire makeup — whether it’s a husband, a dad, in the office, in the community, at the grocery store, wherever it is. True, genuine authentic leadership is real, and it manifests itself in every breath and step we take during the day.” – S.S.

Funnyman Peters To Talk Up Toronto

Source: www.globeandmail.com - Tenille Bonoguore

(May 16, 2008) Watch out, Canada. Comedian Russell Peters has been anointed Toronto's tourism saviour, and he's willing to take on the entire nation if it helps boost his hometown's cred.

In a bid to bolster flagging tourism - numbers are up, but visitor reviews are plummeting - the city's tourism bureau has called on the world-renowned funnyman to be its first "global ambassador."

And yesterday, anyone and everything was in his barbed sights.

Planning a trip to Vancouver? "Why, are you a heroin needle?"

Pausing at the Bay and Bloor intersection to loudly deride the city? "We don't come to your town and [say] 'Your town sucks.' We think it. We just don't say it."

The newly created role of tourism ambassador carries no diplomatic rights and no extra privileges, and barely even a paycheque if Tourism Toronto is to be believed. (It refused to reveal the financial details of the partnership yesterday, citing proprietary issues.)

While bemoaning the lack of embassy plates for his car, Mr. Peters still waxed lyrical about his chance to talk up his hometown.

"I really do love this city, so I have no problem bashing other cities in Canada," he said. "I'm sure that's not what they [Tourism Toronto] want me to do, but off the record I will."

Tourism Toronto president David Whitaker said the city plans to harness more of its homegrown star power, including other comedians, to trumpet Toronto to the world and "cut through the clutter" of world tourism.

In the new role, U.S.-based Mr. Peters will appear at major trade shows and meet convention planners and travel industry insiders. The duration of Mr. Peters's appointment has not been finalized.

"I can't be the ambassador and live here. Who am I going to tell?" he said with a laugh. "'Hey, this is a great city.' 'Yeah, spare some change?'

"... There are other great cities, but this happens to be the best one. It's like a lot of hot chicks, but we're the hottest."

So, what does the first global ambassador of Toronto tourism list as the top five local attractions?

"Five things to see in Toronto?" he said with a faux grimace. "Other than the CN Tower and the SkyDome? Other than that? Um, the Eaton Centre."

Yamaguchi Dances Off With Prize

Source: www.thestar.com - Associated Press

(May 21, 2008) Kristi Yamaguchi came into the Dancing With the Stars finale with a perfect score and left with the mirrorball trophy.

Her victory over pro football star Jason Taylor broke the string of four consecutive male winners. The figure-skating champion was the first woman to claim the Dancing crown since the show's opening season.

"This is just the icing on the cake," Yamaguchi said after her victory last night. "I honestly thank all the fans out there ... everyone who's made this a dream experience.''

Said Taylor: "I never, ever thought I would get to this point."

"Kristi is so deserving," he said.

Each of the season's celebrity contestants returned to the ballroom for the season final. Tennis champ Monica Seles, magician Penn Jillette, radio personality Adam Carolla, R&B singer Mario and actors Marissa Jaret Winokur, Marlee Matlin, Priscilla Presley and Steve Guttenberg each reprised their last dances and talked about their time on the show.

Past champs, including Drew Lachey, Kelly Monaco and Helio Castroneves, also appeared.

Yamaguchi was clearly the most talented contestant on Dancing With the Stars. But the only other woman to take the Dancing crown was Monaco in season one. With a viewership that's 75 per cent women, plus brazen displays of bare skin and sex appeal from her male co-finalists Taylor and Cristian de la Fuente, the hit ABC show had lots of suspense for the final episode.

And it drew plenty of viewers to Monday's broadcast: 19.2 million, according to Nielsen. It was the most-watched program of the night by far, with the largest audience for a Monday edition of Dancing in six weeks.

"You obviously have to get the technique, but (also) compete with the personalities that all the boys have," Yamaguchi told the Associated Press after Monday's performances. "I think their smiles and their personalities melt hearts across the country."

Figure-skating champ Yamaguchi got a perfect score of 60 on Monday's show, and has regularly topped the judges' scoreboard throughout the sixth season of the ABC dance-off. But viewer votes count just as much, and the combination is what determines the winner.

Red Wings Win Series 4-2

Source: www.thestar.com - Jaime Aron, Associated Press

(May 20, 2008) DALLAS–So much for the demise of the Detroit Red Wings.

Not only are they headed back to the Stanley Cup final, they again are looking like the club that dominated the regular season and most of the playoffs.

After consecutive losses hinted at vulnerability, the Red Wings bounced back strong in Game 6 of the Western Conference final, getting first-period goals from Kris Draper, Pavel Datsyuk and Dallas Drake on their way to knocking out the Dallas Stars 4-1 last night.

"We were relentless," Draper said. "It was just a solid first period and obviously the difference in the hockey game. We're back in the Stanley Cup.''

Detroit led this series 3-0 before running into trouble.

Now that the fear of a collapse is gone, the focus turns to winning its fourth Stanley Cup championship in 11 seasons.

The Red Wings will face the Pittsburgh Penguins starting Saturday at Joe Louis Arena, with the schedule following a Saturday-Monday-Wednesday pattern.

This will be Detroit's 23rd Cup final but first since 2002 despite having at least 100 points and winning the division every season since. The Red Wings lost to Anaheim in the conference final last season.

"We were close last year and as disappointing as last year was, it was a great learning experience for everyone young and old on this team," forward Kirk Maltby said. "I think it's a big reason why we're going back this year.''

Detroit had the most points in the league this season, then played even better much of the last six weeks. The Red Wings went nearly a month between losses, winning a franchise-record nine straight playoff games. It was the longest run by any team in 15 years and it put them a win away from eliminating the fifth-seeded Stars.

Dallas clawed back by limiting Detroit to a single goal in Games 4 and 5. The Red Wings exceeded that output in the first period last night, with all three goals coming on uncontested shots right in front of the net. Henrik Zetterberg added a short-handed goal early in the second period and the series was all but over then.

"I thought it was a combination of us hoping to win and Detroit pushing the issue to win," Dallas coach Dave Tippett said. "I think they had a real hard focus around our net.''

Drake and Zetterberg each had a goal and an assist. It was Zetterberg's 11th goal of the playoffs and Drake's first.

Drake, a 16-year veteran, is headed to his first final.

"It's a huge thrill for me," said Drake, who joked that he sat closer to Zetterberg on the bench and the scoring touch rubbed off. ``It's gratifying to contribute when you can.''

Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood didn't have to do much the first two periods, then got busy in the third. He passed all but one test, getting beat by Stephane Robidas during a power play.

Osgood improved to 10-2 this postseason. It was his 100th career playoff game and his 55th victory – his 48th for Detroit, passing Hall of Famer Terry Sawchuk for the franchise record.

"That was something that I wanted, one of my goals among others," Osgood said.

"It was a special night.''

Detroit's walloping knockout punch shouldn't have been a surprise. The Red Wings beat Nashville 3-0 to end the opening round, then crushed Colorado 8-2 to finish the second round.

"It really hurts to think of what we could have done," Turco said. "It's the ultimate disappointment of letting the guys down. It comes with the territory."

::TRAVEL NEWS::

Less Sex, More City

Source: www.globeandmail.com - Amy Verner

(May 17, 2008) It's almost impossible to measure how Sex and the City has altered the sex lives of its fans. Sure, there are women who insist that Samantha's fierce libido encouraged them to embrace their inner “trysexual” (someone who tries anything once). But a quantifiable increase in sex? Do tell.

A much easier case could be made for the HBO series' role in legitimizing footwear addictions and deifying shoe designers Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo.

But the show's greatest achievement has to be the way it depicted New York as the ultimate place to live, love and let loose. Locating the real-life stomping grounds of the four main characters – Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte – is not at all difficult, whether you take a bus tour or explore the shops, restaurants and neighbourhoods on foot – comfortable shoes recommended. And thanks to the Sex and the City movie opening May 30, there's more buzz than ever about Manhattan, the show's fifth and most fabulous star.

Though I lived there for three thrilling years, and many of the show's locations (Coffee Shop, the Louis K. Meisel Gallery, Luna Park) are the same ones I frequented, I devoted a recent trip to all things SATC.

I kicked off my pilgrimage with breakfast at Pastis, which wasn't the actual setting for the foursome's coffee klatches (shot at the Silvercup Studios in Long Island City) but appeared on the show a few times. Some say this Meatpacking District simulacrum of a French brasserie is past its prime, and Pastis has always served up better ambience than food. No matter. My egg-white omelette – Charlotte's default order – provided the perfect sustenance to begin the day.

The best way for Big Apple newbies to get a taste of Carrie and the gang's cosmopolitan life is to take the Sex and the City Hotspots tour, a gimmicky/glam idea conceived by Georgette Blau, whose nine-year-old company, On Location Tours, also shines a spotlight on The Sopranos and Central Park.

For $40 apiece, the mostly international and almost entirely female tour group hopped on a bus outside the newly restored Plaza hotel and listened to a “sexpert” point out such crucial plot spots as SoHo House (where the gals sneak up to the rooftop pool), Onieal's (the bar of choice for Miranda's hubby, Steve, and Carrie's one-time fiancé, Aidan) and a West Village Banana Republic (where Carrie and a fling make out in the fitting room).

Natasha Malinsky, my tour's bombshell guide, possessed plenty of behind-the-scenes knowledge (Sarah Jessica Parker got to keep all her shoes, and there is a major blooper in the opening credits) and worked the double entendres like a stand-up comedienne – informing us, for instance, that we would be “getting off” at several stops.

This was certainly true at the Pleasure Chest, ground zero for all things titillating. Charlotte bought her pink Rabbit vibrator here, and the gals on the tour swarmed the battery-operated pets with enthusiasm.

Magnolia Bakery, where the girls would often go to indulge – and is now so famous that it requires a bouncer during peak hours, was a highlight that followed a slow crawl up Greenwich Street.

Cathy Epstein, the director of marketing for On Location Tours, said ticket sales for the 31/2-hour tour have increased as much as 20 per cent since September, when the film began production.

“We're sold out seven days in advance as opposed to four days,” she said. “Onieal's is pouring 1,000 cosmos a week.”

The haute pub is the last stop on the tour. Epstein said more locations will be added once the movie opens.

Ask any New Yorker and they'll tell you they've noticed scenes being filmed en plein air, but only the cast and crew know which locations have made the final cut. The build-up is like foreplay.

“From our perspective, Sex and the City is probably the best commercial that's ever been made for the city of New York,” said George Fertitta, chief executive officer of NYC & Company, the city's official tourism organization. “The backdrop of the city, the role the city plays, the beauty, the glamour, the excitement, the energy – it's just wonderful to have other people promote the city like that.”

Can a film prompt a spike in tourism?

“I absolutely believe that it becomes an additional reason or a reminder for people to come to New York,” Fertitta said from his office just north of Times Square, adding that the number of tourists in the first quarter is already up a million, to 91/2 million, over the same period last year.

In response, hotels such as the Gansevoort, in the Meatpacking District, have created special packages that include store discounts, free cocktails and passes to nightclubs. Suzi DeAngelis, director of sales for the Gansevoort, said this is the first time the hotel has pegged a promotion to something as mainstream as SATC, but the district is perfect for today's likeminded gals.

“Down here, it's all about being young and chic,” she said, revealing that Christian Louboutin and Diane von Furstenberg have been guests.

For most New York locales, the benefits of having an association with SATC outweigh the drawbacks. One exception: nightclubs that are already thick with wannabes.

Lotus, a Meatpacking mainstay, appeared literally or in conversation three times throughout the show's run. Co-owner Jeffrey Jah, a 20-year veteran of the business, says the crowd he cultivates includes “tomorrow's next fashion designer, next artist, next poet and next rock star.” Translation: Poseurs need not apply.

But a shop or restaurant isn't guaranteed immortality just because it has been featured on the show. The oft-cited Moomba, a popular lounge in the late 1990s, closed years ago, and all attempts to turn the space into something else have failed.

The beloved French diner Florent, one of the first decent foodie destinations in the Meatpacking District patronized by a who's who of celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker, will close next month. No amount of namedropping will save it from an obscene rent increase – from a reported $6,000 a month to nearly $42,000.

Then there's Patricia Field, the show's eccentric costume designer and red-mopped merchant, who shuttered her West Broadway store and reopened it in the newly hip Bowery.

Currently occupying Field's SoHo space is a shoe store called Té Casan, which features a collection designed by actress Natalie Portman. At least that's a fitting fate – Carrie adores shoes – and a sales associate told me that an orange bag from the store will be in the movie.

Indeed, I spent much of my trip trying to suss out places or things that would be worthy of the SATC movie. In my imagined plot line, Carrie and Big meet for lunch at Insieme, a new midtown restaurant that serves authentic Italian fare, to discuss the wedding. She wants a blowout party, but he would much prefer inviting friends and family to Adour, Alain Ducasse's gorgeous and ambitious homage to France at the St. Regis Hotel.

Meanwhile, Samantha pays a visit to Kiki de Montparnasse, the ne plus ultra of specialty stores for lingerie. She purchases a pair of gold handcuffs and satin panties, which she shows off to her man Smith after their night at 1 Oak, the latest playground for pretty young things, which Jah opened last winter with fellow club kings Richie Akiva, Scott Sartiano and Ronnie Madra. The place boasts wood-barrelled ceilings, a black lacquered bar, murals by Roy Nachum and an area of staged seating for voyeurism. Says Jah, “You really have to know one of the owners to get in, or you have to have some amazing style or approach that wins the doorman over.”

Over to Charlotte, who spends the afternoon with her daughter at the New Museum in the Bowery – children are never too young to begin appreciating art, after all.

And Miranda has made reservations for herself and Steve at the newest Blue Ribbon outpost in Six Columbus, the modish addition to the Thompson Hotel empire. She orders omakase (chef's choice), and despite eating miso cod and baby sea eel sushi, he's still hungry, so en route back to Brooklyn they stop at Marlow & Sons, a Williamsburg canteen, where they share a meaty sandwich and a dram of Scotch before returning home to find son Brady sound asleep.

Of course, a stop at Manolo remains a must for these gals. Tourists too, says George Malkemus, the company's U.S. president. “She's a part of our lives. We have busloads of people who come outside and take pictures.” He says the inclusion of the shoe was never about product placement and he does not begrudge the inclusion of other labels. “If a woman only looks at one thing, it becomes boring.”

It's worth noting that when the series wrapped, the characters had all settled down somewhat. Less serial dating could potentially mean fewer retail and restaurant cameos. Privy to some SATC spoilers, Epstein of On Location Tours suggests a total of 14 locations. “You have to remember that the series took place over six years and the movie is two hours,” she says.

It didn't take me long to fall in love ... with an electric blue pair of Christian Louboutins.

Shortly afterward, an attractive young man called out, “I like your shoes.” Who knows where the red-soled heels will take me. Suffice to say they offer a better shot at meeting Mr. Right than a vibrating Rabbit.

::MUSIC NEWS::

People With Sway - Adrian Mckenzie

Source: www.swaymag.ca

POWERFUL BECAUSE... As the co-publisher and founding creative director of Urbanology magazine, Adrian McKenzie refuses to let Canada sleep on hip-hop.

Five years ago, McKenzie, 27, was a student at Seneca at York for digital media arts, where he says he used to make mock covers and read magazines like Word, XXL and The Source, and wonder when Canada would start promoting its own local hip-hop talent.

After teaming up with editor Priya Ramanujam, he started Urbanology, an urban lifestyle and entertainment magazine with a focus on music and promoting Toronto artists and youth initiatives. Started literally with money saved from friends and family, the magazine has gone from an original circulation of 6,000 in Toronto to selling almost 25,000 issues Canada-wide, with distribution in the United States.

Even more impressive has been the community initiatives, with McKenzie often speaking at schools to youth interested in publishing.

POWER IS...

“I do see myself as a powerful figure within my community and with people who are exposed to me. I just like helping people. Everyone knows they can come up to me and ask me for help, whether it’s kids asking me how to design their own magazine or an artist asking me for tips on the industry.

I always tell youth that you don’t have to be a rapper; you don’t have to be a dancer to be a success or even to be involved in the music industry. You can go into publishing, writing, design or into other areas. You just have to have the passion.” – S.S.

Craig David Readies Returns

Source: Ryan J. Hobbs, ThinkTank Marketing, Ryan@thinktankmktg.com, www.thinktankmktg.com

(May 15, 2008) *With 13 million album sales worldwide and still only 26 years old, Craig David has earned a reputation as one of the UK's foremost talents, as well as one of the nation's most successful musical exports. He's now poised to return with a new album 'Trust Me' on November 12th, already being heralded as his finest since the 2000 debut set 'Born To Do It.'

'Hot Stuff (Let's Dance)' combines Craig David's inimitable vocal gift with irresistible funk-infused beats and a sample of David Bowie's classic track 'Let's Dance.'

Recorded in Havana, Cuba with producer Martin Terefe (KT Tunstall, James Morrison) and writer/producer/mixer Fraser T. Smith (Craig David, Kano,
Beyonce, Plan B, Jamelia), the track '6 of 1 Thing' emphasises how Cuban musical culture influenced his new work, whilst the ballad 'Awkward' (highlighting guest vocals from a female west London star-to-be) features some of his most evocative lyrics to date. Other highlights include the infectious hook and insistent rhythms of the title track, and 'She's On Fire' which combines sublime bass with Craig's fluid lyrical flow.

Since becoming a global phenomenon with 'Born To Do It', Craig David has become a huge UK superstar with two #1 singles ('Fill Me In' and '7 Days') and a further ten appearances in the Top 10. All three of his albums have been chart hits: 'Born To Do It' (#1), 2002's 'Slicker Than Your Average' (#4) and 2005's 'The Story Goes' (#5).

A multiple-award winner who has earned three Ivor Novello Awards (including Songwriter of the Year and Best Contemporary Song), four MOBOs (one of which was for Best UK Act) and two MTV Europe Awards, Craig David has worked with a talented array of artists including Sting and Artful Dodger's Mark Hill and Pete Devereux.  Craig David also recently featured on Kano's Top 20 single 'This is The Girl.'

Former Stratford Star's Juno-Winning Music For Kids Wins A Juno And A Following

Source: www.thestar.com - Ashante Infantry, Pop & Jazz Critic

(May 18, 2008) Jen Gould's second act is paying off.

The respected film and stage actor – whom Toronto Star theatre critic Richard Ouzounian once described as being imbued with "a smile that could bring about global warming single-handedly" – has successfully transitioned to children's entertainment, selling nearly 20,000 copies of her Juno-winning debut disc Music Soup.

"Amazing, huh?" said the 37-year-old Montreal native, showing off the Children's Album of the Year statuette dominating the mantle in the sitting room of the North Toronto home she shares with her husband, two children and an English cocker spaniel.

Gould, who performs next weekend at the Green Toronto Festival, is less enthusiastic about the off-the-cuff acceptance speech she delivered last month upon the shock of beating out high profile nominees like the Doodlebops and Daniel Cook.

"It was horrible, apparently I need a script to talk," she groaned. "I know it's a cliché, but I didn't think I'd win. ... I just thought my husband and I would have a great weekend in Calgary."

The prestigious prize has meant more sales, gigs and store placement for the CD which evolved from Gould's maternity leave with daughter Shoshana eight years ago.

"I decided to fill the creative urge with children's stories written in verse," explained the York University grad who spent four seasons at Stratford prior to starting a family.

"She was an infant. So I was really writing for myself, reflecting my own childhood. Then, I couldn't find anyone willing to publish an unsolicited author. Later, I learned to play guitar and I thought I could put them to music."

Gould revisited Stratford, took on film and TV roles, such as The Associates and Passion of Ayn Rand, and further honed her verses after the birth of son Ethan three years ago.

Finally, she approached Gemini winning producer Ari Posner whom she knew casually from university and who embraced her proposal: "I have no money. I have all these songs. Do you think they're worthwhile?"

Posner arranged the tunes, recorded Gould's vocals and booked professional musicians. Nine months and $15,000 later – at the end of 2006 – Music Soup was quietly released online and at her neighbourhood store Toy Town.

There was no advertising budget, just email, word-of-mouth and Facebook. Before long Gould was getting orders from as far away as Israel and Australia, along with performance opportunities at Indigo/Chapters.

The clever, catchy songs, with spins on bedtime, bath time and bullying delivered in Gould's child-friendly mezzo-soprano, resonated with kids and their folks. "A huge influence in my life was Sesame Street and how accessible it is to parents," the singer-composer said, "because we all have to listen to the music."

Though already writing new songs, she's not finished with Music Soup. "I'm working on an animated video of 'Monster In My Closet.' I'd love to have an amalgamation of all the songs in video form, perhaps for TV or DVD. Ultimately, I'd like to take them back to their roots as a children's book that kids could flip though as they hear the songs."

Not that there's any chance of that idyllic scene unfolding at her house.

"They don't like to listen to Music Soup any more," she said of Ethan and Shoshana. "They're tired of it."

People With Sway - Kardinal Offishall

Source: www.swaymag.ca 

POWERFUL BECAUSE... Born Jason Harrow, rapper and Tdot ambassador Kardi will release the album Not 4 Sale on record label Konvict Muzik later in 2008, making him one of the few Canadian rappers to get love in the United States. Superstar Akon acts as executive producer, showcasing Kardi’s well-known local talents to the world.

POWER IS...

“You, me, powerful/ We’re fighting for this goal and we ain’t gonna stop!” (From the song “Powerfulll” (featuring Jully Black and Tara Chase.) – J.S.

Toronto Is One Of The Most Diverse Cities In The World, But Are We Still Supporting A Diverse Range Of Music?

Source: www.swaymag.ca - by: Lenny Stoute

Living in multicultural T-dot, you might figure that world music is the soundtrack of our lives. But you would be wrong, and a quick go-round with local radio and TV channels would rid you of that misconception.

However, that was not always the case. From the early to mid-’90s, world music was riding a high wave in Toronto. Reggae and African music were dominant, but the sounds of Brazil and Latin America were being heard and bhangra was bringing hybrid South Asian music into play.

Lizzy Mahashe was part of that first wave of African performers. Working with Pan-African unit Siyaka, Mahashe brought the sound of Joburg’s shebeens to Toronto’s dancing feet, and they were the better for it. Currently at work on a new album titled Celebrate, she’s the grand dame of African music.

“I feel African music is getting less attention than 20 years ago,” says Mahashe. “It doesn’t help that we all had such hopes for [radio station] Flow 93.5. That it would follow through and play African music, but all they have is one African show, and the majority of what they play is R&B and hip-hop.

“Nothing against that [music], but they get lots of other exposure. We were given to believe 93.5 would promote world music. That hasn’t happened. Apart from the college stations, there’s no support, and unfortunately, no club has come up to replace the Bamboo as a central base for world music.

“There’s a reasonable flow of international acts coming in and world music events at Harbourfront and AfroFest are certainly well-promoted, but not that many local acts benefit from those.”

African music has retreated to the burbs, says Mahashe, to intimate events like weddings and other celebrations where they’ll hire a couple of local acts. She decries the fact that no local promoters have come up from the community to create a venue, without which, she says, the scene will continue to stagnate.

Juno nominated Humble, born Simon Jonathan Vassell, is at the head of the newest wave of reggae artists.

Juno-nominated Humble is at the head of the newest wave of reggae artists. He shares a global background with many Toronto world music artists. Born in the United Kingdom to Jamaican parents, he moved back to Jamaica and lived in St. Elizabeth before coming to Toronto. He has been making music in Toronto for five years, but he can still see the scene through a newcomer’s eyes. Humble maintains a significant presence in Jamaica, where he’ll be completing his sophomore album due this spring.

“The reggae market in Toronto is growing, but not as quickly as I would like it,” says Humble. “This is unfortunate as it’s causing a lot of reggae talent to have to move to other places in order to make it. What I see taking their place is a lot of second-generation players of Jamaican parentage getting into the scene. In terms of how we’re seen in Jamaica, I think the Toronto scene is getting more talked about and getting a little more respect. On the island, they know about Toronto musicians like Steel, Blessed and myself.

“Once you get approval in Jamaica, then you’re really on the road. My path will be to really establish myself in Jamaica, maybe live there again for a while, and then return to build on my Jamaican reputation. It’s easier to get to the next level if you’re part of the scene on the island.”

Amanda Martinez could be the poster girl for Canadian world music. Born in Toronto to Mexican and South African parents, she studied in Mexico City and was exposed to a myriad Latin American styles. She returned to Toronto and tapped the local Cuban musical community for backing on her debut album Sola. This was doable because of the large pool of Cuban musicians in town, a feature found in few North American cities.

“Toronto is a good world music town because people here really celebrate each other’s culture,” says Martinez. ”Something unique and inclusive develops here because everyone’s open to different styles, and there’s such a wide variety of culture to experience.

“Unfortunately, Canada’s rep as a market and incubator of world music isn’t so strong,” says Martinez. “I attended a major conference in Spain last year, and I’ll just say Canada was woefully underrepresented by the government people responsible for that. This is nothing new; the actual marketing of world music from one of its richest sources has always been problematic.”

Adam Soloman is a 2005 Juno Award winner and a double winner at TAMA.

Martinez believes the solution is for the music to be promoted globally via video and concert DVD exposure, and as a platform for funding for a travelling caravan of Toronto world music performers showcasing at festival events around the world.

Like Mahashe, Adam Solomon was part of the first wave of African musicians to settle in Toronto. Originally a member of the Afronubians, the guitar virtuoso went off to form Tikisa, one of Canada’s best-known and loved African acts, which tours regularly across the country. Solomon is an icon of the African music scene and remains one of its most successful artists.

This most courtly native of Kenya put aside his deep concern for family caught in the conflict there to offer his take.

“Not so many African musicians are coming here to [Toronto] now, partly because of changes in the immigration policies. There are pockets like Lula Lounge, but it’s a shrinking scene. I think it will stay like that until a world music club opens downtown.

“Also, the club scene in most African countries is vibrant in a way people here can’t believe. Any decent musician can make a living in his country, sometime even without leaving his city. Maybe the word has spread and the African music scene in Canada doesn’t look so attractive. Also, you can’t ignore the impact of hip-hop on the youth of every culture.”

Solomon notes even name acts like himself and Madagascar Slim couldn’t make it without playing outside Toronto as much as possible.

“Lots of people tell me I could do much better if I moved to the U.S., but this is my country and I want to make a mark here.”

Rubin's Mysterious Magic In Studio Strikes Diamond

Source: www.thestar.com - Ben Rayner, Pop Music Critic

(May 18, 2008) Neil Diamond landed the first No. 1 record of his career last week with Home Before Dark, which says a lot about which age bracket currently controls the top of the album charts but a great deal, too, about the benefits that derive from associating oneself with producer Rick Rubin.

Rubin, who made his name in the early 1980s turning out tectonic production work for Public Enemy, the Beastie Boys, Slayer and the Cult, nowadays often seems less in demand for whatever sonic qualities he might bring to an album than his knack for refocusing long-in-the-tooth performers who've lost their way in the studio. Frederick Jay Rubin is, in fact, almost a brand at this point; people now pay automatic attention to any record with his name in the credits.

He earned his "fixer" reputation after coaxing Johnny Cash to a creative rebirth on his stark American Recordings series of acoustic albums during the 1990s. Rubin has shored it up, though, by taking on "rehab" projects by Donovan, a solo Mick Jagger, Tom Petty and the Bush-battered Dixie Chicks, with whom he won a Grammy last year for Taking the Long Way.

Diamond knew what he was doing, then, when he pursued Rubin to help him mount a comeback with 2005's 12 Songs. The record – a collection of spare voice-and-guitar tunes miles removed from the orchestral pomp that had been Diamond's stock in trade since the '70s – earned effusive reviews.

The two reportedly fought tooth and nail throughout the 12 Songs sessions, but Diamond later acknowledged in an Associated Press interview that Rubin's insistence he put his songs ahead of the production paid dividends. And so the two regrouped last year for Home Before Dark, a more sombre affair in the same, unadorned vein.

In the liner notes, Diamond confesses he's still mystified as to what the peculiar Rick Rubin magic is. "Rick would occasionally visit us out in the studio, have a quiet word with one of the musicians or whisper something to me, like, 'In the Buddhist religion the power of two people praying together is infinite,' " he writes. "Then he'd pad barefoot back into the dark of the control room where he'd lie down on the couch behind the engineers and go trancelike again into the music, leaving me to figure out what the hell he was talking about."

So what is it that Rubin does?

The guy has no professional studio training, but he does have an unerring ear for solid songwriting and how records should sound. He started producing rap records in the '80s, he has said, because he didn't think most hip-hop recordings sounded as vibrantly "live" as they should have. And when it comes to rock and metal – or rock/rap fusion pieces like the Beastie Boys' "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)" and the Run-DMC/Aerosmith smash "Walk This Way" – Rubin is a disciple of the timeless, meaty heft of Led Zeppelin's early recordings. Sonically, his choicest rock credits (The Cult's Electric, Slayer's Reign in Blood and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magik among them) haven't dated at all.

The more intangible of his talents as a producer, though, appear rooted in sheer, enthusiastic fanhood and a legendarily easygoing personality. Simply put, Rubin knows what makes (or, in some cases, made) an act good, and they listen to his ideas because they trust him.

He got Diamond and Cash to clear away excessive aural clutter and focus on their core strengths as singers and songwriters. With Run-DMC and the Dixie Chicks, he suggested stylistic change-ups that pushed their art forward while bringing their music to broader audiences. Run-DMC's landmark 1986 album, Raising Hell, gave white, mainstream rock fans their first taste of hip hop thanks to their brush with Aerosmith. Likewise, according to the U.K. newspaper The Independent, the Dixie Chicks were encouraged on Taking the Long Way to make "a rock album that leaned country" to cement a pop crossover outside North America.

"I feel like the job is like being a coach, building good work habits and building trust," Rubin told the publication. "You want to get to a point where you can say anything and talk about anything. There needs to be a real connection. My goal is just to get out of the way and let the people I'm working with be their best."

Rubin does connect with his charges in a very real way, and that might be his secret. He and Cash, for instance, became close friends, even taking daily Communion together during Cash's dying days, and wound up recording six albums' worth of material together.

"I didn't know very much about him," Diamond confessed last week to Britain's Sun newspaper. "Professionally, I knew a little bit, but mostly I started to work with Rick because I liked him."

His "only problem" with Rubin, as he told USA Today last year, "was his habit of hugging." Seems bearable enough.

Singer Zaki Ibrahim Is Making A Name For Herself With Her Soulfully Eclectic Mélange Of R&B, Hip-Hop And Jazz

Source: www.swaymag.ca - By: Del Cowie