KICK OFF PRESS CONFERENCE FOR SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL

MEDIA ALERT

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Heats up Toronto

Major change to the Grand Parade route to increase viewing opportunities. New Festival events. Mas Costume Fashion Show

Tuesday, May 21st 11.30 am – 12.30 pm

May 13, 2013 (Toronto) –  Media only is invited to join MPP Laura Albanese (Tourism, Culture and Sport) at the official media launch for this year’s Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival. The York South-Weston MPP will be joined at the podium with new and returning corporate and media sponsors, and festival executives at the ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE.

What: The Festival Management Committee, members of the Toronto Mas Band Association and The Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes, will be releasing key information about this year’s Caribbean Carnival.

Why: There have been major venue changes and programme additions to this year’s three week carnival. As well, there are new corporate sponsors and a new Caribbean media sponsor supporting the Carnival this year.

Who:  Speakers include: Laura Albanese, MPP for York South- Weston and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Leslie Lewis, Ontario Science Centre, Singer Dan Hill, Christine Williams, Vice President, Toronto East District Scotiabank, Bob Hepburn Toronto Star columnist and TV personality Pooja Handa (CP24).

Entertainment / Photo Op Soca Artist – CONNECTOR, Solmon Cupid's Steelband Orchestra, Toronto Mas Band Association - Costumes parade

When: Press event 11.30 am to 12.30 pm

Where: PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE.
Free Parking if you notify me

For more information about the programmes and events, please visit the festival’s official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is located at 19 Waterman Avenue, Toronto. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Fax: 416-391-5693;

Email: info@ torontocaribbeancarnival.com. Stephen Weir Festival Publicist. Phone 416-489-5868
Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

Canada's best landscape art, Holly Cole, Marci Ien and award winning chef all part of Moonlight Gala at the McMichael Gallery

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Holly Cole To Headline McMichael Gallery's Moonlight Gala June 8th

Holly Cole to appear at the Moonlight Gala

May 13, 2013 Kleinburg, ON – The McMichael Canadian Art Collection will host the second annual Moonlight Gala, a memorable evening of gourmet cuisine, curated libations, and dancing under the stars on Saturday, June 8, 2013. Entertainment will be headlined by internationally acclaimed jazz chanteuse Holly Cole, singing fan favourites and some new songs from her latest album, NIGHT, on an open air stage specially created on the grounds of the McMichael for the event.
A self-professed night owl, Cole is anticipating a magical evening of art and festivity: “The McMichael and the Group of Seven represented there have been an inspiration to me and so many other Canadians for years. I'm thrilled to be able to offer my voice for this wonderful event and I look forward to an inspired evening under the stars and moon.”
Marci Ien, co-host of CTV’s national morning show, Canada AM, will act as the evening’s emcee. Along with dining and dancing, guests will have a chance to bid on outstanding original artwork, generously donated by leading contemporary artists. The Gala Silent Auction features works by Charles Pachter, whose pop images are icons of Canadian art, and by internationally renowned photographer, Yuri Dojc, among others.
Chef Jamie Kennedy, known for his innovative and sustainable approach to Canadian cuisine will provide Gala-goers with a unique gastronomic experience. Award-winning Toronto landmark, Via Allegro Ristorante, holder of the world’s largest scotch collection, will also be on hand with an array of wine and spirits, including a scotch bar and martini bar.
"On June 8th, the McMichael will shine with all its natural beauty and magnificent art, as we transform the gallery and the grounds to celebrate the Moonlight Gala,” said Tina Tehranchian, McMichael Trustee and Event Chair of the fundraiser. “This will be an enchanted evening and a chance to fall in love with the McMichael all over again, while showing your support for Canadian art and culture."
Proceeds from the event will be used to create a lasting impact on Canadian art and culture by supporting excellence in educational programming and inspiring exhibitions at the McMichael.

EVENT DETAILS:

What: McMichael Moonlight Gala 2013
When: Saturday, June 8, 2013, 7:30 p.m. – midnight
Where: McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg
Attire: Elegant chic
Tickets may be purchased online at mcmichaelmoonlightgala2013.eventbrite.ca or by calling 905.893.1121 ext. 2207
Single tickets, $350
Group Packages (10 tickets), $3,000

About the McMichael Canadian Art Collection

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of almost 6,000 artworks by Canadian artists, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, as well as First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. The gallery is located on 100 acres of northern landscape and hiking trails at 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in the City of Vaughan.

For more information: www.mcmichael.com.
For more information on the Gala: www.mcmichael.com/moonlightgala

Moonlight Gala Media Contact

Stephen Weir
416.489.5868 or 416.801.3101
stephen@stephenweir.com

McMichael Canadian Art Collection Media Contact
Wendy Campbell
Media Relations and Online Presence Manager
905.893.1121 ext. 2201
wcampbell@mcmichael.com

MEDIA INVITE TO ATTEND SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL PRESS CONFERENCE

THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN

MEDIA LAUNCH FOR SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL IS SET FOR MAY 21st.
Dancers in costume. Speakers. Important news about the Festival. Pan artistes.
Ontario Science Centre
Free Parking

BTW: Actual presser from 11.45 to 12.20.
You must RSVP with me: stephen@stephenweir.com

MEDIA ALERT FOR COMING EVENTS EDITORS, ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIETY EDITORS

Attention: Events Editors. Arts / Entertainment Editors

Marci Ien

McMichael Canadian Art Collection

The 2nd annual McMichael Canadian Art Collection’s premier fundraising event, Moonlight Gala, will be held under the stars, the evening of June 8^th.  The event will feature jazz chanteuse Holly Cole and the food of culinary expert Chef Jamie Kennedy. Host of the evening is Canada AM's Marci Ien.

One of the highlights of the evening will be the Scotch Bar. Via Allegro Ristorante, a Toronto award-winning landmark restaurant returns to the Gala, inviting guests to sample a wonderful array of Curated Libations:  Wine Tasting, Scotch Bar, and Martini Bar, featuring the  “Moonlight Vodka Martini”.

The gallery is expecting over 500 people to attend this special evening. Single seat tickets are $350. Proceeds of this event support excellence in interactive and accessible educational programming and inspirational exhibitions, creating a lasting impact on Canadian art and culture now and in the future.

About the McMichael Canadian Art Collection 
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of almost 6,000 artworks by Canadian artists, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, as well as First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. The gallery is located at 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in the City of Vaughan. For more information: www.mcmichael.com

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For pre-event interviews and to cover the Moonlight gala please contact Stephen Weir, event publicist, 416-489-5868, stephen@stephenweir.com. http://moonlightgala.mcmichael.com/

King of Trinidad Carnival is now running the Caribbean Carnival parade in Toronto

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Experienced hand at the wheel of Toronto’s Carnival. Curtis Eustace now the Parade Manager

Curtis Eustace

 Toronto, ON, 05.01.2013 – The Festival Management Committee announced today that Curtis Eustace has been named the Parade Operations Manager for this year’s Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade.  The Parade annually attracts over 1-million spectators and participants.

Curtis Eustace is an experience parade organizer, cultural event promoter and participant in Carnival style events in Toronto and throughout the Caribbean.  He replaces long-time parade manager Sam Lewis who retired at the end of the 2012 festival.

Mr. Eustace is the founder and bandleader of two very successful Mas Bands in Toronto - Carnival Nationz and the All Spice Mas Band.  He has been an integral member of the Toronto Mas Band Association for over a decade, and was founding board member of the Festival Management Committee (the non-profit board that oversees the annual Toronto festival).

In 2012 Mr. Eustace was named as one of the top 50 persons of Caribbean Heritage living in Canada and promoting Caribbean culture.  Mr. Eustace is revered in Trinidad, the birthplace of the Carnival parade.  He has won the title of King of Carnival of Trinidad and Tobago a record nine times!  As well Mr. Eustace has promoted and managed large scale concerts and cultural events in Toronto.

“ This is a key appointment for the festival,” explained festival CEO Denise Herrera-Jackson. “Curtis responsible for the efficient planning and execution of the Grand Parade for the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival and the execution of the of Junior Carnival Parade as well.  Curtis will make sure that all of the bands get out on the parade route and that we put on the BEST show that Toronto is ever going to see!”

The Junior Parade will be held Saturday July 20^th at Downsview Park in North Toronto.  The Grand Parade will be held on Saturday August 3 along Toronto’s Lakeshore Blvd.

About Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival

The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 46th year, it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. As Carnival is an international cultural phenomenon, the great metropolis of Toronto and its environs will come alive as the city explodes with the pulsating rhythms and melodies of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Chutney, Steel Pan and Brass Bands. The Festival Management Committee oversees the running of North America’s largest outdoor festival.

Corporate sponsors of this year’s festival include: Scotiabank, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, The Government of Canada, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Ontario Place, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Liberty Grand, and Grace Kennedy Foods.

For more information about the programmes and events, please visit the festival’s official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is now located at 19 Waterman Avenue. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Fax: 416-391-5693; Email: info@ torontocaribbeancarnival.com.  Media Info: Stephen Weir Festival Publicist. Phone 416-489-5868 Cell: 416-801-3101 Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

Renfrew Tales. Townsmen guitarist retires from his day job!

He Is No Longer In Town. 

Milliken Turns Out The Lights And Goes Home (To Play Guitar)

I stopped by the King Edward Hotel in downtown Toronto Wednesday night on my way to the a dance performance at the Fleck Theatre (a Norwegian troupe using soccer moves to create a 55-minute dance). This was important Renfrew business, so I broke down and wore a clean shirt and a tie, and lotsa cologne. Open bar but I showed some respect and didn't let my Valley thirst roots show. The guest of honour at this high-end retirement party was for the adopted son of Renfrew and the Renfrew Valley.
It was a retirement party for David Milliken - former guitarist for the Townsmen, former editor of the Renfrew Mercury and former news editor at the Ottawa Journal. And, as of tomorrow he is the former vice president of Canada News Wire (the people who move press releases and financial statements across Canada). Great retirement party - editors of newspapers, TV station managers, bankers, fundraisers, PR people, friends of the family, and me.
David Milliken was the lead guitarist for the Townsmen, a group that at one time rivalled the Staccatos (Five Man Electrical Band), the Mandala and the Reason's Why for the record number of times they performed at the Bayview Pavillion in Cobden (and the Rec Centre back in  Renfrew).
They were one of Canada's top Rock and Roll dance bands out of Ottawa during the 60s. The Townsmen had five national selling singles, including I'm Such a Dreamer, Funny How Love Can Be, We're Doing Fine, Lion Sleeps Tonight, He's In Town. That was back in the 60s. In the 70s he ran the Mercury, married a local girl and then moved way out of town (Ottawa) never to hoist a boilermaker at the White House again.
At the time I had a weekly column in the Mercury. I lost touch with David when I moved out of Renfrew. That is, until the early 80s when I walked into Canada News Wire and asked their help in sending out across Canada a picture of a military project I was helping promote - a tank that could fire mini-cruise missiles at the Red Menace. The weapon meant to protect NATO troops in West Germany but the Berlin Wall came down before it was deployed. Dave was fascinated by the project and helped us get it into newspapers across the country, and since then we have been friends, albeit with decade long gaps in between.
Anyway it was great seeing him go out on his own terms at the age of 67. Says he is going to golf, play his music and maybe write a book. Think his band is called the Beavers - sounds a whole bunch sexier than the Townsmen.

Group of Seven Sweet Music At The McMike This Sunday

Many years ago I helped Toronto Jazz great Tony Quarrington get access to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.  We toured the gallery together and he eventually wrote and recorded his seminal Group of Seven Suite. The gallery let him use a Group of Seven painting for the CD cover.  The suite was performed only twice at the gallery.  Now a decade later, Tony is returning to the public gallery in Kleinburg to perform it again - one time only!

Group of Seven Jazz Concert At The McMichael Gallery this Sunday, April 14.

Tony Quarrington's the Group of Seven Suite

Sunday April 14, 2013 at 2:30 p.m.

In 2001, Tony Quarrington fulfilled a ten-year dream when he recorded his eight-part Group of Seven Suite, performed that same year at the McMichael. Eleven years later, Quarrington returns to the gallery for another performance of his musical tribute to the Group of Seven.

The event will be hosted by the JAZZ FM91's Jaymz Bee who is celebrating his 50th Birthday. Musicians who participated in the Suite's original recording including Jane Bunnett, Jeff Bird of Cowboy Junkies,and Brian Dickinson, will join Tony Quarrington in this exceptional performance. The band will also feature Larry Cramer, Roberto Occipinti, Mike McClelland, and vocals by Laura Smith.

The Group of Seven Suite was inspired by the works October Gold by Franklin Carmichael and Mountain Portage by Fred Varley which are currently on view at the McMichael.

Note: Concert price includes gallery admission. A special tour of the Group of Seven works will be offered at 1:00 p.m.

Prix Fixe Menu from 12:30 p.m.
$25 (taxes & gratuity not included)
Cashew & Clive Café located on lower level
Reservations: 905.893.1121 ext. 2262

Breads: Freshly Baked Breads & Flat Breads served with butter, hummus & olive tapenade

Salads: Romaine heart lettuce with a creamy garlic parmigiano dressing, croutons and crispy pancetta OR Spinach Salad with pomegranate seeds, strawberry, Quebec chevre & Balsamic vinaigrette

Main: Fettuccini Fungi with asparagus in a butter, sage, white wine sauce with a hint of cream OR Parmagiana chicken breast with apricots bacon & goat asiago over a vegetable medley and roasted potatoes

Dessert: Brownies with Vanilla gelato

Beverage: One soft drink, One freshly brewed coffee/tea

Cost: general public: Concert Only $25, Students with valid ID $20

(Note: Prix Fixe Menu not included)
McMichael members: Concert Only $20 (Note: Prix Fixe Menu not included)

Reservation: Required

A bus to and from the McMichael will be available, departing from the Rex Hotel, 194 Queen St. West, Toronto at 12:00 p.m. and returning at 5:00 p.m. Cost: $5 per person. Registration required. 905.893.1121 ext. 2209