Celebrating our own Canadian Talent

Hi guys!
I hope most  of you will be watching the Canada's Walk of Fame Awards. it will be shown on Global/slice, Sunday Oct. 23 at 8p.m.
More immediate though, is the Festival itself , held Sept. 29 (today!)  til Oct. 2   today, Burton Cummings will be performing at Massey Hall. Chantal Kreviazuk performs Sept. 30  (I just caught up on her life-story so far. Some of it very sad. )  K'Naan is up on Oct 1.   Comedy Night in Canada , Oct 2, features my favourite comedienne Carla Collins, as well as Mike MacDonald, Jessicas Holmes , The Doo Wops and Mark Debonis.  The host will be Jon Dore.
On Oct . 1 at the Elgin Theatre, Red Carpet and Star Unveilings; 3.30-5p.m. Canada's Walk of Fame will be celebrating the 2011 Canada's Walk of Fame Inductees:  Dr. Roberta Bondar, musician Burton Cummings,  athlete Daniel Nestor, Actress  (oops, I forgot! we now should say "actor" even for females) Sandra Oh, comedian Russell Peters, novelist Mordecai Richler  (Loved "Barney's Version , -didn't you?)
and Drake (Allan Slaight Award recipient)  Howie Mandel will be hosting.
Plus, there will be an exciting line-up of free programming at David Pecaut Square(formerly Metro Square)-on sept 30, Oct 1, Oct. 2.

See you there!  Let us all support our wonderful Canadian talent.

                                     
                                   I took this a little while ago when I last saw Carla in performance .
                                   Funny lady!  She will be at Massey Hall on Oct. 2
                                   Comedy Night in Canada. Don't miss it!

The Misadventures of a Photographer.

Hello friends, I would like to tell you a true story. Today, upon reflection, it is amusing. Yesterday, it was anything but!
It was a beautiful , bright,  sunny in the financial district in downtown Toronto.  I was on my way to do an editorial shoot for one of the magazines. Loaded with equipment -photography gear, - I made my way , underneath the office tower from P2, to a maze of corridors  and was happy to see a sign directing me to the elevator. This was a freight elevator. I soon piled my photography equipment in there and the door closed behind me. I pressed the button for the appropriate floor.  Nothing happened.  After a couple of tries, still nothing happened. so, I tried selecting other numbers, other floors---just in case.  No success. The elevator stood still. I reasoned that probably, a special card is needed to activate this elevator and since I have no such thing, I  should just get off.    Easier said than done!  I pressed P2 again, where I still was,  but the door remained shut. By now, I  was worried.   AH! Now I saw the Emergency button. this gave me hope. I pressed this red button, thinking, all will be well soon. Nothing!  Not a sound.   Now, I was scared. Really scared!  My mind started racing;   I had no food in my  handbag, not even an energy bar. Soon, my blood sugar would fall very low. What with that and the stress of this situation, my anxiety attacks, so long dormant,  would  now reappear. Is this elevator totally airtight ?--I wondered. How long before I run out of air?   I'm not allowed to die, ----I have a shoot to do!  They will fire me!  (What?)
What about my doggy? --He will miss me.   So, I banged my wrist against the heavy door of this grungy elevator and screamed for help.   No one heard me. It was hopeless.  To make matters even worse, the week-end was starting. It was Friday afternoon!   No one would use this freight elevator  for at least 2 days now,  maybe more, if there is no freight being delivered for a while. I must conserve my energy ,--I mustn't keep banging too hard-or yell incessantly.
After what seemed like an eternity---but was actually only a few minutes, -just as I was starting to resign myself to my fate ;  at best, a very long week-end in isolation, ( no cell phones, no computer, no newspaper, no T.V)----a miracle happened. Someone pressed the button on the 6th floor, called up the elevator and got in. He was most surprised by the reception he got;  I jumped on him, hugging and kissing him, in tears of utter joy!   I was saved!

Does anybody  out there think that the life of a photographer is easy or smooth?
Read my book.  It will be coming out soon!


Lisa

P.S. Have a great week-end------and stay clear of freight elevators!

Actor Val Kilmer here for The Film Festival

Francis Ford Coppola brought his latest film "Twixt" to Toronto International Film Festival,  (TIFF)  and with good reason. At this annual public film fest, in 2010 for example, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens at downtown Toronto venues. In the last few years, total attendance at TIFF has exceeded 260.000. Founded in 1976, TIFF is now one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. According to some, the Festival is second only to Cannes in terms of high-profile pic, stars  and market activity.
Last night, I was fortunate to attend  the after-party, celebrating Mr Coppola's film Twixt. The invitation was extended by Val Kilmer, who plays a hack horror writer. (Kilmer's character is tormented by his inadequacy and the fact that he needs to write crappy books for a living) there is a lot more; very funny moments of Kilmer's character trying to write, conversations with what seems to be the spirit of a dead girl etc. This is a meaty role indeed, that shows the actor's great versatility. A role that most actors would kill for. No wonder he was in a celebratory mood at the party. --A good time was had by all!
Congratulations Val, hope this film will bring you more well-deserved acclaim  and maybe even a nomination.
The film festival continues. Stay tuned for more news;

P.S. The party was held at the new Thompson Hotel.  I was anxious to check out the 360 degree  view of the city from the rooftop terrace. I am glad I did! Take a look;

The view from on high! The magnificent Toronto skyline, as seen from the rooftop of the Thompson Hotel. You can walk all around, to get a 360 degree view!  Plus, ---are you ready for this? --there is a swimming pool up there!--all lit up and very inviting. Imagine sipping champagne in the pool while enjoying the sight of T.O's skyline --maybe with a friend or lover. Now THAT'S living!  It gives new meaning to living the HIGH LIFE!--ha....ha...

Rexy the movie star

Hi y'all!
Am I becoming a stage mother?...ha....ha....      Like a proud mom,   I am happy to report that Rexy, --my little Yorkie,  is quite the movie star! While his acting is not quite the caliber of Lassie, for example, he is doing great. Last Wednesday was just one of many of his happy days on set. this time, the production was
the daring new series called "Lost Girl"  It is about mysterious young Bo, a succubus who drains the sexual energy of humans  to feed, heal and kill. Her co-star Kenzi---played by Ksenia Solo, has just won a Gemini award for Best Featured Supporting Actress-for Lost Girl.  Ksenia's character Kenzi is world-weary, even at her young age. With the soul (and heritage) of a former Eastern-Block/communist regime kid, she's prone to do whatever it takes to survive.    With Rexy, though,   between takes, Ksenia steps out of character long enough to  show her softer side.  See below;

Obviously, the feeling is mutual. I am jealous!

Rexy enjoys a hug from Ksenia while camera crew is setting up the next shot (below)-on Bloor Street. 

Rexy's close-up. This actor's headshot was also shot by Lisa . (I bribed him---with treats!)