2011 Doors Open Toronto

Doors Open Toronto, one of the city's most popular events takes place again,  this week-end.  Free access is provided , to buildings of architectural, historic, social and cultural significance.
This year, there is a photography contest held,  City in Focus, --as part of a special focus on architecture and photography.  For further details,  look up www.toronto.ca/doorsopen  The list of buildings to visit, is huge. Here are just a handful of my picks;

Native Child and Family services of Toronto--30 College St

I photographed this fot Amoi Magazine, a few months ago,and was impressed by how different and unusual it is. 

Ontario Association of Architects Headquarters

111 Moatfield Dr.,   Toronto

Gardiner Museum-dedicated to ceramic art.

111 Queens Park

Gooderham "Flatiron" Building

49 Wellington St.

Elgin Winter Garden Theatre

189 Yonge St. 

Scadding Cabin--Toronto's oldest surviving house, built in 1794.

1 Yukon Place, Toronto

Catch this show if you can!

Listen up actors, aspiring actors, performers, (everyone really,)

Should you be heading to L.A. this coming week, you might like to take in a comedy show at the Hollywood Improv, 8162 Melrose Street West Hollywood. The show called "Crazy Sexy Cool," stars ex-pat comedienne Carla Collins, a VERY funny lady!  I know!--I caught her act on her recent visit to T.O.
I also bought her new book, called "Angels, Vampires & Douche Bags"  I thoroughly enjoyed it, and laughed til I cried.
Even better news; you can obtain free tickets to this event, by emailing Michael Mitchell at  bigmikecomic@yahoo.com

Enjoy!

Hilarious book!-trust me. 

Eldon Thiele, also known as the one-man band Zwerg

I have been following the career of singer-songwriter  Eldon Thiele closely, because he is a very talented performer, but  just as importantly, because he is a genuinely nice guy . He was a real pleasure to work with and shoot a while back, and we came up with some amazing images. And, even though he is back in his home-town of Moncton, he keeps in touch and never fails to notify me when my shots of him appear in yet another publication or website, and lists my credit under the pics.  
Here is what the Times in New Brunswick, has to say about him;

Then, on Sunday afternoon, Moncton singer-songwriter Eldon Thiele, also known as the one-man band Zwerg, will be launching his fifth recording.

Rather unpretentious, Zwerg often falls into the category of a popular local recording artist that many people recognize but are challenged to remember from where exactly. He began singing onstage at the age of three, and began studying piano at age five under the watchful guidance of his music teacher father, John Betts. He later attended the prestigious Notre-Dame D'Acadie music school, going on to win numerous 1st place awards at the Greater Moncton Music Festival.

Since those early successes, Zwerg's first two releases, Sepsis and To Myopic Mutts, were featured extensively on national radio shows Radiosonic and Brave New Waves, and were well-received by college radio. Zwerg has collaborated extensively with the likes of John Mullane (In-Flight Safety), Rick White (Eric's Trip/Elevator), Tim Isaac (Isaac & Blewett), Danny & Mike Bourgeois, and Stacy Ricker (Sol). He has shared the stage with such musical luminaries as Jessica Rhaye, Matt Mays and El Torpedo, and Wintersleep.

Sunday afternoon at PlanB, located at the corner of Saint George and Lutz streets, he will be joined by the considerable and dynamic talents of Alex Madsen (The Divorcees) and Robin Anne Ettles (Mel Keith & The Strombachs, Sol, Dangerous Parade). Showtime is set for 4 p.m.

Wishing you continued success Eldon, hope you will perform in Toronto - real soon.

Your friend, 

Lisa

For this shoot, Eldon did his own makeup too, -plus, provided the accessories! A  VERY talented  and multi-faceted artist. 

Celebrated Toronto Photographer

I would not want Photography Month to go by, without mentioning the city's most celebrated photographer,   Edward Burtynsky. He is showing his series about oil at the ROM this month, presented with the Ryerson Gallery and Research Centre and Scotiabank Group.
Burtynsky's lens conveys an impassive threat; a slow-moving industrial vampirism . These photographs are about humankind and what we have made of the earth.  I find them disturbing,--which, I think, is probably the artist's intention.
By the way, for those photographers who are still debating film-versus-digital, here is what he says; "My new digital Hasselblad gets better results doing aerial work than I could ever get with film"

Ed Burtynsky

Contact Photography Festival

May is such an exciting month! so much to see and do.
May is photography month, when the Contact Photography Festival  displays photo exhibitions throughout the GTA. How broad is Contact's reach? Broad enough that exhibitions can be found even in high security zones such a Pearson international Airport's domestic departures plaza, past the xrays and metal detectors.
One exhibitor there, is Josef Schulz, whose works capture the mundanity of workaday temporary architecture (all corrugated metal and right-angles. But he does so, in dazzling colour.

80 Spadina Ave. houses may art galleries. Their walls are resplendent with fine art photographs, such as the ones below.

At the Contact Gallery-Lucas Blalock's "Portrait Study"

Also at the Contact Gallery,  Jessica Eaton's  pinhole photography.

Darn, I missed it!

Heard of the Barenaked Ladies?  'Course you have!  (Well some years back, when the group was just starting out, they text-ed me, wanting to hire me as their official photographer. (They found my info.  in an ad I ran at the time) I had one of my first fancy phones and I was not completely familiar with all its functions, did not pay attention to the sign alerting me re. a new text. When finally I did read the text and replied, it was too late. They felt snubbed . Most unfortunate.
But I digress; this morning, I read about ladies who were barenaked literally!  You  see, yesterday, May 14th, was World Naked Gardening Day! says the article in The Star.  "May 14th is the day when we should all get outside and tend our gardens, flower boxes and yard, clothed as nature intended. Nude gardening is comfortable,  (no need to roll up our sleeves) -saves on laundry, and makes for a quick personal clean up--just hose down."

Wonder if we could implement this in our condo? Maybe next May 14th, we could all be "hanging out" on our balconies , tending to our flower boxes,   "as nature intended."  The REAL barenaked ladies!  (?)
A real good opportunity for event photography?

Back at the photography show.

Well, I did go back to the photo/video show. (see previous blog) Just couldn't stay away, -though I was fighting a virus and had no voice. Luckily, I did not need to talk, just listen, at the various lectures I attended. Photography is ever changing , and I find it very important to keep up with the latest techniques, innovations , latest gear  and software that is coming out. To stay on top of things, requires a constant commitment. It is a challenge---but it is good. I am never bored!

                                                    A lighting demonstration at the show.

 A photography exhibit caught my eye, featuring the work of an international  street photographer; Carlos Scott Wilson. Educated in photography at the New York School of Visual Arts and the Costa Rican School of Photography, his international experience led his photos to be published in various books as well as the National Geographic. The following photographs though, were captured on the streets of Toronto--and with a small, compact camera.
I love to see the work of other photographers and during the month of May, opportunities abound. (As mentioned prior, May is Photography Month. )

Photography and Video Show

May is Photography Month. So many exhibitions, throughout the city!
Today, I went to the Photographic, Video &  Digital Imaging Show, at the International Centre. It is a 3 day event for the amateur as well as the professional photographer, videographer. Of course there are plenty to see,  and to learn too, since there are lectures throughout the day on various topics related to photography. I sat in on 5 or 6.
I felt like a kid in a candy store among all those goodies (new cameras, lenses, lighting equipment etc.) and my willpower was sorely tested!  Luckily, the lectures followed one another closely, so I left myself little time  to be tempted. (Might go back Sunday though!}
I also saw some wonderful images by the winners of the 14th annual Ontario Secondary School Photo Contest.
Here are some of my favourites;

Photographer; Holly Mc.Murther , Centennial Secondary School

Photographer; Leah  Currie,  Rosedale Heights

Pghotographer; Holly Fretwell, Nelson High School

The two just above, impressed me because of the simplicity of the subject matter. Here, ordinary everyday objects are elevated to works of art. --Just proves,---you can find suitable subjects to photograph right in your own back yard!

The Fountain of Youth

I found it!  The Fountain of Youth!   It happened by accident , this afternoon, on my way to the photo lab. I was deeply immersed in thought when all of a sudden, ....there it was...the billboard!  The Tshirts say it all. They each have a photograph of a baby on them, implying that if you drink Evian water, you'll reverse the aging process drastically.  Bring it on!  Obviously, Evian Co. has a keen sense of humour. But,...some passer-by on Queen St did one better; he/she suggested that the girl and guy in the photograph, are actually 80 ---as in years old!  (see the no. 80 scribbled there)
Someone also scribbled  "I have to pee!"  in huge bold letters , underneath, --suggesting that there just may be a "down" side , to drinking all that water.!...... but heck! that's a small price to pay.
I'm stocking up on Evian water---and buying stock!

Happy Mother’s Day!!!!

I seldom remember jokes -especially punchlines--but this one is short and to the point and one I just couldn't  forget;
"Being a mother is hard work!  If it were easy, men would do it!"  --now if only I could remember who said it!

To all the mothers reading this, I wish you  a very Happy Mother's Day!

An evening of fun and laughter.

They say laughter is good medicine, and last night, I decided get me a dose. An actor named John Fraser , was the performer giving a one-man show at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.   It was billed as "The Comedy Stylings of John Fraser---an Evening to Benefit Prostate Cancer"   As he explained it, he had beat cancer thanks to his capable doctors, and staff, and their associates, and this evening's entertainment was his way of giving back , in that all proceeds will be directed to Prostate Cancer Canada.
Over an hour and a half, John told us his life's story in such a comedic way, he had us all rolling in the aisles.   His sidekick, who played his Guardian Angel, was none other than well-known Canadian actor (we don't say "actress" any more,- remember?) ---Peggy Mahon. The program said "Peggy is participating in this benefit performance with expressed permission of Canada's Actors' Equity Association."  As  with all angels, --she was invisible, only to be heard, --not seen.
It was a great evening, a very funny one, ---in aid of a very serious subject---a great cause.

The Living Arts Centre

Back at City Hall

It was a lovely day yesterday---for a change--and I decided to spend it, immersed in art---again!
So, back to Mississauga City Hall I went, to take a closer look at the pieces  in the art show I spoke of . (see previous blog) But this time, in addition to inspecting the paintings, sculpture and photography displayed inside, I took in the art works displayed outside, where works of art abound. Some could be called murals, some, I guess, are graffiti. But you see, I consider aesthetically pleasing graffiti to be art too!---and I am glad I am not the only one.  Take a look, and see if YOU agree!

Mississauga city hall

I went to Mississauga City Hall on business today,  but ended up spending the afternoon.  In the spacious lobby, an art exhibition greeted me . Paintings, sculpture, photography,--a feast for the eye.
Down the hall, a slide show showed the works of local artists. Works that will be auctioned tomorrow, at the   Art Gallery of Mississauga's 8th annual auction. Beautiful images!  It has been said that beauty is  food for the soul and I for one, couldn't agree more;

Clock Tower---Susan Clark

Evening Glow--Haliburton

Joanne Lucas Warren

Designated Waiting Area--Simon Jensen

Sun Fish --Gil Caldwell

Renner

Fall on the Doon,--Jiri Ustohal

For auction updates, visit www.artgalleryofmississauga.com

Our Hazel, on Fox News.

Though my photography studio is downtown, I have lived in Mississauga practically since most of it was still farm land.  I greatly admire our mayor, her astuteness, forthrightness, her courage and stamina.  She demonstrates this last quality often,   e.g. I remember seeing the photograph of her last year, at 89, bicycling to City Hall-in Mississauga, in support  of "Leave your Car at Home" week.   I was so sorry that I did not get to take that photo!  (I did interview and photograph her for an editorial piece a little earlier on. She told me her late husband was a photographer too. and so, we hit it off, ---though she did tell me that I was lucky that her dog liked me,  or else----no dice.  Oh yes, I'd better explain that this was at her home.
Hazel's popularity extends across the border too. Last Saturday for example, she appeared on  Mike Huckabee's TV show. She was billed as the 90 year old mayor who slashed her city's debt and balanced its budget. It was a regular love-in as Huckabee praised McCallion and mentioned she won 76 per cent of the vote in the last election.
Huckabee ended the segment by presenting McCallion with a New York Rangers jersey which he acknowledged she probably wouldn't want to wear in public---and he was right!   ---as you can see on the cover of Mississauga life!