Season's Greetings! Catching up, here's what I've been up to for the last little while. It's a happy way for me to say goodbye to a very productive 2014. It's been a whirlwind of excellent entertainment, with a hearty dash of extraordinary experiences.
My January WISDOM OF THE AGES column in Good News Toronto
Kevin Frank (Artistic
Director of the Second City’s Toronto Training Centre), Bianca Lakoseljac, (Author, Summer of the Dancing Bear) and Tenor Michael Schade (Tenor, Canadian Opera Company) share the pivotal events
in their lives that turned into positive outcomes.
‘Tis the season for peace, goodwill, and joyful giving—especially being mindful of those less fortunate. This month percussionist John Rudolph (Toronto Symphony Orchestra), Jeanne Beker (Fashion Television) and Robbie Lane (AM 740 - The Sixties at Six) reveal the charitable organizations they stump for that are dear to their hearts.
My December WISDOM OF THE AGES column in Good News Toronto
‘Tis the season for peace, goodwill, and joyful giving—especially being mindful of those less fortunate. This month percussionist John Rudolph (Toronto Symphony Orchestra), Jeanne Beker (Fashion Television) and Robbie Lane (AM 740 - The Sixties at Six) reveal the charitable organizations they stump for that are dear to their hearts.
It’s a good thing that in the Creative Arts there is no “mandatory”
retirement age, because as actor Sheldon Davis (Rob Ford The Musical), author Catherine Gildiner (Coming Ashore), and producer-performer Ross
Petty (Cinderella) tell us, they are doing what they love. By doing so, evidently
they garner tremendous ongoing satisfaction, inspired by the very act of
sharing their talents.
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| With Mark Kingwell |
Covered the prestigious PEN Canada Benefit, part of the International Festival of Authors. Chatted up Mark Kingwell, Author and U of T Philosophy professor. The
featured event was his in-depth interview with filmmaker and new
author David Cronenberg (Consumed: A Novel).
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| David Cronenberg & Mark Kingwell |
Fun fact: I was an 'Extra' in Cronenberg's cult
film RABID waaaaaay back in 1977. I was part of a horde of people who
ran out of a subway car
screaming, when a rabid-frothing monster-person started biting other
passengers. LOL.
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One Sunday afternoon Vinnie and I drove out to the Citadel Theatre in Hamilton with our pals Wendy & Dean. We saw Hammer Entertainment's home-grown version of The Addams Family Musical . It wasn't particular ooky or spooky, but it was definitely a kooky, slightly uneven production. Suffice it to say that I loved the 2nd act.
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| With Olivia Tharme in character as sombre Wednesday Addams |
Lovely young thespian Oivia Tharme was a standout in her role as Wednesday Addams.
Unbelievable, that this was only my second foray into Hamilton, after 35 years in Toronto! But I found an irresistible Groupon deal for the show, so off we went, and I'm glad we did.
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Of all the shows I've seen in quite a while, the most unique and intellectually stimulating was the Art of Time Ensemble's 'The Poem/The Song' musical experience at the Enwave Theatre at Queens Quay West. The Art of Time Ensemble's #1 fan and featured artist, national treasure Margaret Atwood read a brand new poem accompanied by original music. Among an illustrious and talented line-up, versatile singer-songwriter Gregory Hoskins entertained with a fantastic spin on Leonard Cohen's work. After the show, I enjoyed chatting with Gregory Hoskins, and Ms. Atwood.
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| With singer-songwriter Gregory Hoskins, and my friend Lucia |
This was such a soul-enriching event, that now I am eagerly awaiting the Spring offerings of the Art of Time Ensemble, which will feature dance icons Peggy Baker (Dancemakers) and James Kudelka (National Ballet of Canada).
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Had a blast at the opening night of Ross Petty's Cinderella. As the purple-bedecked Evil Stepmother Revolta Bulldoza, he was deliciously vile. Dan Chameroy as Fairygodmother Plumbum was a scene-stealing riot. My friend Lidia
and her daugher Kasia were completely enthralled and we all laughed
ourselves silly over the hilarious antics of the entire cast. I was particularly impressed with the multi-media effects which enhanced this holiday production.
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It's always fascinating to see things from a behind the scenes perspective. One recent afternoon I covered the rehearsal of the Air Farce comedy troupe's annual New Year's Eve Show, over at CBC-TV.
My friend Renee joined me that evening for the actual taping. The cast thanked those of us in attendance for venturing out and braving the worst winter storm of the year to see them. It sure was a pretty Herculean task to get there that day, but seeing the show, made it all worthwhile.
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| AIR FARCE cast (l to r): Darryl Hinds, Luba Goy, Alan Park, Penelope Corrin, Craig Lauzon, Aisha Alfa, and Don Ferguson
If
you aren't venturing out this New Year's Eve, you can enjoy the zany
antics of this legendary comedy troupe, on TV, in the comfort of your
own home - regardless of the weather.
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The most magical evening ever...
Had one of the MOST extraordinary evenings of my life tonight when Diane Dupuy and the Famous PEOPLE Players bestowed a Medal of Honour upon Youth Empowerment Motivational Speaker Spider (Chuck) Jones.
Vince and I were special guests at the head table. I was absolutely thrilled when Diane's daughter, FPP Publicist Jeannine Dupuy, explained
that one of my Good News Toronto 'Wisdom of the Ages' columns (Celebrities Paying Kindness Forward) which featured Spider and Diane, was the
catalyst for this event!
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| Diane Dupuy honouring Spider (Chuck) Jones |
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| With my husband Vince in the Famous PEOPLE Players VIP room prior to the show. |
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| Vinnie and I in our fancy duds! |
I was extremely honoured that the table-program featured my article! It was a gala evening, with a wonderful dinner and the show SLEIGH BELLS RING was a delight. I actually found myself invited to do an impromptu hula dance as part of the show - and of course, being a good sport, I did! This clever blacklight puppet show show was nimbly directed by Diane's daughter Joanne Dupuy, FPP Artistic Director.
Pix! Pix! Pix! Pix from this this amazing event:
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| Special moments |
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| The most magical evening ever... Giving my speech honouring Diane Dupuy of the Famous PEOPLE Players and the honoree of the evening, Motivational Speaker Spider (Chuck) Jones |
Jeannine Dupuy, the incredible publicist of the Famous PEOPLE Players and organizer extraordinaire of the evening, playing pugilist with the real deal - the dapper gent Spider Jones
Spider & Vince: Pow! Thwack! Crunch! ;)
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| Me playing pugilist with a 3-time Golden Glove Champ!!! Who'd a thunk it? |
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| Spider and his lovely wife Jackie |
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| Fabulous couple |
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| Close-up of the Medal of Honour (front and back) |
This is a condensed version of my speech:
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Thank you, I am so excited to be here, in honour of two of
my personal heroes Diane Dupuy & Chuck ‘Spider’ Jones!
What a fabulous event, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary
of Diane’s extraordinary Famous PEOPLE Players, and Spider Jones being awarded their Medal of Honour. When Diane’s daughter Jeannine told me that my column was
the inspiration for tonight’s gala event to honour Spider, I was absolutely
thrilled. It’s moments like this that gives the work that I do true meaning.
Diane Dupuy and Spider Jones are the kind of people I
look up to for direction and inspiration. They also come from Hard Knock
beginnings, one way or another, and instead of taking the easy way out and
succumbing to negativity - external or internal, by becoming bitter, or
disillusioned, and giving up on themselves... With tremendous effort and
discipline, they chose – they made a deliberate choice – to rise above their
individual circumstances to follow a dream of a better life.
To me, what’s special about Spider and Diane is that when
they finally did succeed, they didn’t do what some might have done, and sit on
their laurels, but instinctively these very special people were compelled to
share what they’ve learned along the way. It’s what makes them tick. It’s how
they’re built. Kindly giving others a hand up along the way, helping others to
shape and realize their own dreams. They inspire folks like the developmentally
challenged, and youth at risk, to believe in themselves and to realize that
their dreams are achievable too. Diane and Spider are (like the title of
his book – Out of the Darkness) a beacon of light not
only in our community - but to humanity.
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As 2014 draws to a close, I want to wish you all the very best in 2015.
