Performers at the Rockpile

Over the past little while,  I have had occasion  to hear some wonderful music at The Rockpile  bar and nightclub  in Toronto.   Both emerging artists and seasoned performers showcase their talent  here every 3 month in a venue called La Musique Circle, organized by Deirdre Mallehe.   Entrants can win prizes, including free recording time---a very valuable prize indeed!
Here are just  some of the artists I enjoyed  hearing in recent months.

Lyric Dubee.  Already a music-world veteran at age 16, Lyric has opened for and shared the stage with performers such as Usher, Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, Lee Aaron and many more top artists. He released his first album at age 12 ,---for which he wrote all the songs. A versatile artist, he is equally at home  playing rock, pop, blues and jazz. In earlier years, he was active in modelling, theatre, dance , ----and acting, which he thoroughly enjoys. However, music is his main focus. At th time of this performance,  his 4th album was near completion.

Alyssa Grace.   Up and coming artist Alyssa sings Pop, R&B.  She was awarded silver and bronze medals at the World Championship of Performing Arts competition held in Hollywood California,  where she signed her first contract with InDaSoul Entertainment. Be sure to check out her terrific music video on You Tube.

Multi-talented Jay T  hails from Mississauga Ontario.  He performs Hip Hop, Pop, RnB.  He is also a rapper, actor and MC.   A mesmerizing performer.

Tori Hathaway.  Tori is just 16 , but no stranger to performing in front of an audience. In fact, you can can see her perform live  at Yonge and Dundas Square  on July 5th . as part of  the all-day celebrations there on that day. Her new CD will be available for sale at the on-site store.
Tori is brimming with charisma, energy and enthusiasm as she performs her own music. Very talented, very likeable.

Harpin' Norm Lucien started playing the harmonica around '68  Over the years he played with a vast variety of musicians.  Though comfortable playing  in an array of styles from folk to swing, he has developed a distinct style of his own. Recently he has added guitar and lyrics to his harp playing. Playing 2 instruments simultaneously -so effortlessly, - just amazed me.

I take great pleasure in photographing these recurring events and am already looking forward to the next one. 

Fashion Show in Honour of a great lady of Fashion

I love fashion and I have modelled in a great many,  in years gone by.  Lately though, since my switch to behind the lens,  I am content to photograph them.
This latest show recently, was close to my heart , as I reconnected with those friends who are still working the runways.   This show was very different  in that it was a Celebration of Life  , in honour of our friend Eda .  Eda Cucakovich had a wonderful career as a fashion model , before turning to co-ordinating and producing major events such as Canada's Bridal Show.
We lost Eda prematurely,  a year ago,  but decided to honour her memory with one last large-scale  show, -just the way she would have wanted it.    Several of Canada's top designers were represented and the evening was a great success.
Here are a few photos I took during the course of this evening of entertainment and fashion.
Hope Eda was looking on with pride.

                                                        List of Participating Designers.

The Perks of Event Photography

A friend, Lucila, just wrote a book and she hired me to capture key images of  her book launch .  Her launch was part of an all-day motivational seminar put on by motivational speakers and best-selling authors Raymond Aaron  and Jack Canfield. The latter sold over 500 million books worldwide. Who has not heard of  "Chicken Soup for the Soul"   co-created by Mr Canfield?  (a collection of inspirational, true stories, about ordinary people's lives.)  It was a great pleasure to meet him.

                                                     
                                                                      Jack  Canfield

I was there to photograph Lucila  introducing her book,--- her  exuberant spirit , her joy as she accepted her award -- but at the same time, I was also privileged to  be sitting in on a great presentation by Raymond Aaron  from whom I learned a lot about branding  and  important keys to success in general.
I had photographed Raymond Aaron once before, -and it was great to see him again.

           
                                           Raymond Aaron presenting Lucila with her award

Who knew a book about real-estate could be so funny? 

Event photography is all about capturing the right moment, unobtrusively.  Lucila will enjoy looking back at this moment in time,  when she sold the 1st copy of her book while elaborating on its title--Is it Time to Buy or Sell?