Entertainment

Greg Quill’s Ironbark lights up Dora Keogh Dec.3

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 12:34

 Transplanted Aussie singer/.songwriter Greg Quill’s back in band formation after years of soloing and this one’s a kicker. The name’s Ironbark and along with singer/guitarist Quill, the lineup’s Cam MacInnes (guitar), Terry Wilkins (bass) and Bucky Berger (drums).

  Ironbark’s character is an extension of the traditional bush music and country-rock roots of core members Quill and Wilkins, whose musical kinship extends even further back than their time with fabled Australian country-rock bands Country Radio and Flying Circus, respectively, to Sydney’s folk, blues and jug band haunts in the late 1960s.  

Expat exiles in Canada since the mid-1970s, Quill and Wilkins have traveled separate but not distant musical trails till now.  Suddenly they find themselves side by side with a lifetime of accumulated musical information to share with MacInnes, a symphonic country-blues guitarist of astonishing versatility and Berger, one of Canada’s finest drummers, and a serial partner with Wilkins in countless renowned blues and roots music ensembles over the years, including Toronto’s much loved R&B outfit, Rough Trade.  Says Quill:”This is a new band, a confluence of bush music, bent country, progressive folk, old-time balladry, timeless rock 'n'roll and quirky lyricism, decades in the making, and now suddenly alive, alert and taking no prisoners”.

Showtime’s 9 p.m. at Dora Keogh 141 Danforth Avenue Toronto, ON

Cashbox Canada

Blacktooth Ent & Golden Spruce Ent Present Women of Rock Starring Doll, with co-stars Skullians & Sista Fista

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 12:58

In a world where coverage in Revolver's “Hottest Women in Metal” column replaces legitimate recognition, women who create and perform heavy music often face an uphill battle to get their work heard and their identities as artists respected. In response to this Blacktooth Entertainment and Golden Spruce Entertainment, have teamed up to put together a show that honours the women who rock in our own musical community.

It all throws down December 1st 2011 at The Garrison (1197 Dundas Street West). Ottawa's infamous alterna-metal rockers Doll will be joined by Toronto's own Skullians and Sista Fista. This rock-solid heavy music showcase is only $8 to attend. Doors are at 8pm, and we can't wait to see you there!

Ottawa-based Doll have received much praise for their skilful combination of alternative rock and heavy metal influences. The success of debut album, Inside The Dollhouse, earned them the chance to play and tour with bands such as Lacuna Coil, Genitorturers, Die Mannequin, Spinerette and Danko Jones. Their second full-length album, The Ragdoll Diaries, is expected soonest. The contrast of raw, honest lyrics with polished, sleek sound assures they are as sophisticated as they are genuine.

Skullians are a touch more raw, led by the brash and brilliant Candice Skullian. The sound is huge on frenzied drumming and snarly, jagged guitar riffage. Their violent, beer-and-sweat-drenched punk is the perfect antidote to cultural apathy. Like, if you’re in the bar you don’t have a choice.

13Thirteen Entertainment Wins Big with CMT Music Festival

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 12:55

On Thursday, November 17, 2011, 13Thirteen Entertainment's Kit Andrew, on behalf of his partners George Coito and Kenny Rubin, was honoured with Tourism Barrie's New Tourism Product Award for the wildly successful CMT Music Festival.

The CMT Music Festival, brainchild of the award-winning producers at 13Thirteen Entertainment, took place from August 26 - 28, 2011 at the Burl's Creek Family Event Park. The festival featured an extraordinary roster of country music performers, including Lady Antebellum, The Heartbroken, Corb Lund, Rascal Flatts, Ronnie Dunn and Blake Shelton. With 20 performers playing across two main stages, music fans from far and wide enjoyed an amazing weekend of country music talent.

“We just want to thank everyone that contributed to making this a success. The attendance exceeded our expectations for its inaugural year…The positive feedback we have received has inspired us to look forward to our 2012 festival,” says Andrew.

Hosted by Tourism Barrie, the annual Toast to Tourism Excellence Awards, sponsored by OLG, celebrates the achievements made by business partners, who contribute to the promotion of Barrie tourism.

"Tourism Barrie believes CMT Music Festival, a three day event, will continue to attract thousands of attendees, from not only the province but border-states, bringing great economic benefits to the City of Barrie and region" says Linda Wilson, Managing Director of Tourism Barrie.

Ross Petty Productions takes on The Wizard of OZ !

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 10:11

Lions and tigers and Ross Petty, OH MY!

Follow the yellow brick road to the Elgin Theatre this holiday season and celebrate Ross Petty Productions’ 16th consecutive fractured fairy tale with the world premiere of THE WIZARD OF OZ, an original Petty production adapted from the book by L. Frank Baum. This tradition of fractured fairy tales has become a staple of Toronto theatre.

Canada’s darling of musical theatre Elicia MacKenzie, stars as Dorothy, who, along with her dog Toto and Aunt Plumbum, yes, Stratford hunk Dan Chameroy reprises his role as the, er, bodacious Plumbum von Botox are swept away by a Tornado to the wickedly wacky world of Oz! No stranger to a Petty panto, Yvan Pedneault, former star of Rock of Ages and We Will Rock You, returns as the Tin Man, alongside Stratford’s Steve Ross as the Cowardly Lion, and the Shaw Festival’s Kyle Blair as the Scarecrow. Accompanied by her three stooges, Dorothy is lead down a yellow brick road to her only hope home, the Wizard of Oz, played by panto veteran, Eddie Glen.

Justin Bieber is not your lover

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 11/11/2011 - 02:13

As has been widely reported, Da Biebs is dealing with his very first paternity suit and he’s not taking it lying down. One Mariah Yeater alleges in a suit filed in San Diego, CA, that she and Bieber did the nasty, literally, in a bathroom in the backstage area after a gig. The estimated 30 secs. of unprotected sex (ouch) left Yeater preggers. Bieber for his part claims he never “met the woman” and says he intends on going the DNA testing route to completely clear his name.

Not only that but the boy prince says once that’s done Team Bieber intends on suing her pants off.

Ok maybe not that but this is being taken very seriously as an attack on the Bieber brand and everything it stands for. So dude says he'll go the route not just for his own self but “ to show there are consequences when somebody trumps up phoney allegations against a celebrity”.

To date there has been no comment from incumbent girlfriend Selena Gomez.

Cashbox Canada

Canadian Musician Presents Tom Jackson Live In Toronto

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 11/11/2011 - 02:11

With the changes in the music industry, live performance is now by far the most important part of any musician's career. Live gigs fuel CD sales, downloads, merch sales and in most cases, are the major part of a musician's income. And yet most artists spend little time working on their live performances.

Canadian Musician magazine is bringing Tom Jackson to Toronto for an exclusive one-day seminar on all aspects of that vital topic.

Tom Jackson's work as a Live Music Producer has helped shape the live shows of many of today's artists including Taylor Swift, Jars of Clay, Jordin Sparks, James Bryan, Casting Crowns, Francesca Battistelli, Gloriana and Divine Brown. Many of the acts you admire have all benefited from Tom Jackson's Live Music Methods.

Helping artists "create memorable moments", Tom's teaching and Live Music Producing has influenced artists from numerous genres for successful tours, events, and showcases.

Tom will be working live on stage, individually with two emerging Canadian artists. Attendees will be able to apply his personal techniques starting the next day.

This special seminar will be a career-changer for musicians, singers, songwriters, booking agencies, personal managers, music publishers, entertainment lawyers, concert promoters or anyone else involved in live performance.

Register today for this one-time only one-day seminar for only $75.00 - early-bird special of $49.00, available until November 15.

Sunday, December 4 2011, 10AM to 4PM. OISE Auditorium, 252 Bloor St. W., Toronto

BreakOut West announces the winners of the 2011 Western Canadian Music Awards

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 10/28/2011 - 13:37

Winnipeggers dominate as Del Barber wins two awards and Romi Mayes is Songwriter Of The Year for the third time

[PHOTO:Del Barber took the Independent Album of the Year award.]

In a brilliant stroke of inclusiveness, The Western Canadian Music Awards were held this year in Whitehorse, YT at the northern city’s high-tech Yukon Arts Centre during BreakOut West 2011.

Hosted by Grant Lawrence of CBC, The Gala saw strong performances from many of the award winners including Del Barber, Romi Mayes, Ridley Bent, Raphael Freynet, Sweatshop Union, Peter Hannan, Don Amero, & The Sojourners as well as this year’s 2011 Hall Of Fame recipients 54-40.

While the winners included many of the usual suspects, this year’s roster overall speaks of an increasing musical diversity on the Western landscape. Step it up,y’all.
Here’s a partial list of winners:

Ashley Macisaac ignites a Halloween hoedown at the Rose Theatre

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 10/28/2011 - 13:30

Story: Lenny Stoute

It could get scary Friday night (Oct.28). That’s when da killah in da kilt Ashley Macisaac hits the stage at Brampton’s Rose Theatre.

If that weren’t scary enough, he’s at it next night (Oct.29) at Oakville’s Centre for the Performing Arts. So you’ve been warned, something Celtic your way comes.
The tour’s been on the road since summer, pushing latest album Crossover, the first genre-bender from Macisaac in a decade. The tunes on it finds the bowman from Cape Breton swinging ‘n’stinging like it’s still Hi How Are You Today?

Not surprising as it was intended as a follow-up to that 1995 multi-platinum seller.

Its 12 songs are a mix of original compositions and radical re-workings of traditional numbers, arranged for fiddle and full-on rock band.

Earlier this year Ashley talked about the album with Cashbox Canada

“ Hi How are you Today was about my musical experiences from 10 to 18, when I first started entertaining professionally. Crossover is my musical brainwaves from 18 to 36.

“ At 18 I was a star and lived like a star, with all the recklessness that implies. I lived in hotels. Now I have a house, a normal life, money and I still get to make the albums I want to make.

“ I’m still taking risks but they’re different risks. Whatever genre I crossover to, the result, the song, has to have the Celtic strain in there and it has to be dominant. That puts me closer to the great Scottish crossover acts like (Celtic rockers) Runrig.

The “Garys” are Back and Malcolm Holcombe plays the Rivoli

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 10/21/2011 - 10:31

Story: Bill Delingat

November 11th 1978 a British skapunk band called The Police played the Horseshoe Tavern and to this day hundreds if not thousands of fans said they were there to see the Police kick off their first North American tour (the Outlandos D’amour tour) and witness Sting play an encore in his briefs.

Well bollocks to you all, as the truth of the matter is only a handful of punters were actually there over the two nights and that included the 2 ground breaking and now legendary promoters “The Garys”. Sting himself felt almost bad to accept payment for what we have heard (as we were not there) was an incredible show, but Gary Cormier was quick to respond, ” You were fantastic, I love your music and I will book you anytime”. Thus spawning a growing relationship between the band and the promoters and the now historic concert series “The Police Picnics” with the first on Sunday August 23 1981 in a farmers field in The Grove out by Trafalgar Road and Highway #5, in Ontario.

After a too long sabbatical from the music scene, where monster companies rule supreme, just like they did back then, The “Garys” are back; Gary Topp and Gary Cormier with one of many, we hope, joint ventures to bring new and eclectic music to our ravaged minds and ears, tortured by years of reality machine music and a slew of ripped off sound loops.

Malcolm Holcombe has been described in a recent press release by Gary Topp:

VIVE LA DANSE 25

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 10/21/2011 - 10:18

An Evening of Entertainment and Epicurean Treats
In Support of the DANCER TRANSITION RESOURCE CENTRE

The Dancer Transition Resource Centre turns 25 and is celebrating with panache at the legendary Imperial Room, with VIVE LA DANSE 25.

On Wednesday, October 26th, in the historic Imperial Room at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Sheila McCarthy and Geraint Wyn Davies will host a dynamic evening of entertainment and epicurean treats to mark the Dancer Transition Resource Centre’s 25 triumphant years of transforming dancers' lives and facilitating their transitions into, within, and from professional performing careers.

The evening’s performances will feature Canadian superstars from dance, music and theatre including: dance luminaries Aleksandar Antonijevic, Guillaume Coté, Greta Hodgkinson, Heather Ogden, Laurence Lemieux, Bharatanatyam dancer Atri Nundy, and the (oh so hot) urban Gadfly Dance Company; musical icons John McDermott, Dave Young and Jackie Richardson; stage stars’ piano man David Warrack (also the evening’s Musical Director), Stratford Festival’s Robin Hutton and Billy Elliot’s Kate Hennig.

Jackie RichardsonBeginning with the first steps in childhood, dance is one of the most demanding professions. Dance pushes the limits– physically, emotionally and financially–making transitions inevitable.