The best way to recover from your Nuit Blanche experience on Saturday Night...

The Andrew Scott Quintet is playing a Sunday afternoon show at the Pilot Tavern. There's no cover charge. It's kid friendly. There's a great menu. And all kinds of beer. Come and join us, won't you? You know you wanna.

La Belle Epoque Fall Music Series

MTN Media Relations has been working for the past month or so with the fabulous Sybil Walker and The Academy of Spherical Arts on a new music series featuring great singers in the intimate La Belle Epoque Room. I wanted to share some video footage that I shot of some of the talent from the first few shows so that you can get a taste of what this great series has to offer. Despite the fact that I have been "working" at these shows they have still been some of the most relaxing and pleasant evenings out I've had in a long time. I think that's saying a lot!

Heather Bambrick, multi award winner and Jazz FM radio personality is one of the most purely entertaining artists working in Toronto today. Here she is with her stellar band performing a tune familiar to Nancy Wilson fans, Look At Me Now.

Heather Bambrick

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Amanda Martinez (also familiar to listeners of Jazz FM) is one of the brightest lights in the Canadian Latin music scene and I think this footage of her performing one of her own compositions (with Heather's band) shows why. She's truly captivating.

Amanda Martinez

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Last week the electrifying Juno nominated blues diva Shakura S'Aida paid tribute to Nina Simone. Here she is with her band (including Robi Botos on piano) bringing down the house with I Put A Spell On You. You'll notice a jump in the quality of this video thanks to the fact that it was a two camera shoot. (Kudos to the Robeau for helping out with his newly acquired mad video editing skills too!)

Shakura S'Aida

Add to My Profile | More Videos

On Friday, October 5th La Belle Epoque will be presenting Carmen Unzipped with the wonderful pianist Patti Loach and the legendary opera star Jean Stilwell. It promises to be a really memorable evening. If you're in the T.dot, I hope you can make it out!

For more information, or if the videos on this page present technical difficulties, please visit La Belle Epoque Music Series

How do you solve a problem like Maria?

Coming Soon to a stage and a TV near you!

Take a look at my pics from today's press conference.

Wouldn't it be nice...

If the Jena 6 got half as much media play as OJ? I'm just sayin'...

Seriously? Do you people have to take ownership over everything?

Sign at a dry goods and candy store:

BABY BOOMERS FAVOURITE SNACK!
ALMONDS!

Cause, you know, Baby Boomers? They invented almonds.

Old Man Robeau

The Robeau said last week that he was "hurtling towards middle age like an asteroid towards Tea Leoni".

This weekend we had a party to celebrate his 40th. Don't think I've fully recovered. Here is the photographic evidence. Some shot by me, some by Mo and some by random party guests who, thankfully, grabbed the camera.

It was a marathon party, clocking in at just under 10 hours! What a pleasure to welcome family and friends from near and far.

As much fun as Saturday was, I plan on holding his 50th on our private island. It will be catered and staffed. My "man of the people" won't like it, but I'm insisting!

The night before. Welcome to your Heineken years.



Some of the party people, including the parentals and Batman...

Do I smell an alliance?

Oprah's support of Barack Obama has been well documented and much talked about. I, for one, think she will do the candidate a world of good.

But who would be Obama's hypothetical running mate? We know it couldn't be anyone who represents a "minority". The first black presidential candidate cannot saddle himself with a woman, a latino or a vegan. So that leaves your standard white male.

The other day, while flipping the channels I stumbled on Rachael Ray's talk show. Usually, I want to smother this woman with a pillow. While some of her quirks still annoy me, her on air persona seems to have calmed down some so I left it on to see who her first guest was.

Ladies and Gentlemen....who am I kidding? Ladies and Ladies (drum roll) Elizabeth Edwards!

You know who produces Rachael Ray's show, right?

Open Letter to all the Ladaes out there...

Using that Disney Princess (TM) Lunchbox as if it were a purse is not only not cute it makes you look like an R-tard.

New Rule

I've had this bottle of champagne in my fridge for months. Real champagne too, not sparkling wine. And I've been saving it. You know, for a "special occasion". Last night we drank that bottle of champagne. You know why? Cause it was a Tuesday night.

New Rule: From now on, champagne on a Tuesday, for no reason. Valentine's Day? Anniversaries? New Years? Franks and Beans and Diet Coke.

Separated at Birth

Yesterday, after a lazy breakfast with Reimer, who is spending some time in Toronto this fall, we popped into a costume shop that was having a big blow out sale. Like kids in a candy store, you might say. We have some history in this area. I laughed till my face hurt.

Here's Reimer in the bear head he regrets not taking home...



HEAD ONLY!



I'm pretty sure we have to do a Christmas show together now. I'm also pretty sure that we need to call ourselves "Illiterate Faggot".



I found some really cute scarves for 50 cents each, an evening bag for only $2 and cute beret that I procured for a mere $5. Reimer is usually one of those complimentary types, always with a nice thing to say about a girl and her appearance. I popped on my new hat and when I asked him what he thought he shook his head and said that I looked like Sam Kinson! What? Well, I never!!!

Upon some reflection, I think maybe he was right.

So, sue me!

For those of you that haven’t heard, 18 hours into the MDA Labor Day Telethon, 81 year old comedian Jerry Lewis went off on a riff with one of the cameramen. During the bit, he referred to the cameraman's son as an “illiterate faggot.” It's hard to explain. And on one level it was hard to watch. Lewis started to mutter "Noooo, nooooo" almost as soon as the word "faggot" left his lips. He knew he screwed up (and he has since apologized).

The fall out was immediate and full of righteous indignance. And yeah, I get that. It's not a nice thing to say. It's hateful and hurtful and inappropriate.

And I'll tell you this "illiterate?" not a funny word. "Faggot?" not a funny word. "Illiterate Faggot?" maybe one of the funniest things I've ever heard.

So, sue me! I don't know why it's funny to me exactly. Context? The mere level of how inappropriate it was? The concept of an illiterate faggot? I just don't know. I know this much; every single time I hear or think of the phrase "illiterate faggot" I get the giggles. If I had a punk band, it would SO be called Illiterate Faggot. I'm considering designing a line of baby onesies with the phrase emblazoned on the front. I know! Sardi's! They should name a sandwich the Illiterate Faggot! It would be ham and cheese, on something feminine like a croissant. And covered in ketchup. Because only an illiterate would put ketchup on a ham and cheese sandwich. All proceeds to the MDA!

Ain't NOBODY else that can sing like that.

This performance always gives me the chills. Rest in peace, Maestro. Thank you for the music.

Happy Long Weekend!