Young actor , rising star.

I like surprises, especially pleasant ones. Let me explain;
I just received my copy of "Performers" magazine, a publication by ACTRA, the union for Canadian actors in film, television and radio.
When I reached page 25, there was the face of a young girl that looked familiar. And then, I looked at the name; Ana Golja.
I photographed Ana when she was just beginning, --maybe 5 years ago? I could see her potential even then. Easy to work with, ability to take direction, lots of personality, at ease in front of my lens. I thought, by rights, she should make it. But, I wasn't sure. So many factors could be involved.
Then, I read this article.
Child-star Ana Golja , had lots of acting credits to her name already. Among them, "What's Up Warthog", "Connor Undercover", "How to be Indie".

Maybe I should have asked for her autograph way back then!
Oh well, maybe next time she comes.


Congratulations Ana! Wishing you much success!


Lisa

Off to take lots of exotic pics.

TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN!---not too many, I guess, but, I have some happy news to share, all the same:
In a couple of hours, I will be off to Europe, on what I hope, will be a terrific journey. (check back after the 30, when I will probably proclaim; "hear hear,.....read all about it!"
I forgot just how much time, effort and organization is required for a trip! I think I got the packing down pat, all colour co-ordinated clothes (or in my case, lack of colour?) all black and white, so I need carry only 2pairs of shoes, a couple of T shirts, jackets....and i can mix and match. Jeanne Beker would be proud of me-----I think! Oh, and a light rain coat! You never know, with the way the weather has been lately!
Oh and OF COURSE, I am taking al my modern gadgets IPhone, (got a travel pack, thank you! and even this way, Rogers will get me!) ....and my trusty DSLR camera. Can't help it. Just not willing to compromise and take a compact one. For one thing, the very low light conditions it is capable of photographing under, is miraculous. You'd think I would want to take a rest from photography on my time off, but photography is also my hobby----and this time, I will have no-one beside me that I would be driving crazy with it . So, look for ward to lots of interesting pics later, everyone.

Ciao,


Lisa

Opening Night of the BlackCreek Summer Music Festival

Yesterday evening, I was listening to vocal superstar Placido Domingo, who, together with our own Sondra Radvanovsky, provided the thrilling launch to the new BlackCreek Festival. He is universally considered one of the greatest tenors of all time.. and one of the greatest classical crossover artists. Winner of 10 Grammys and 2 Latin Grammys, he is known as "the King of Opera"
Yesterday, June 4th, started off on an ominous note -weatherwise. Cold, windy and raining heavily, the weather was sombre and off-putting, not at all the romantic evening on a warm summer's night under the stars I had been hoping for and the ads were hype-ing. I considered staying home, in fact. I'm glad I fought the urge. Listening to these 2 world-class artists, the beautiful music made everyone forget the cold as we clamoured for encore after encore. Then, a surprise ending..... as the music built up to a crescendo, .......fireworks!....a fitting ending to a sumptuous feast of opera duets and arias. The official opening of this promising new music festival.
The rest of the season, June , July, August, will see the likes of James Taylor, Lionel Richie, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall performing. Actors Dame Helen Mirren, Jeremy Irons and Jane Krakowski are also scheduled to appear. For a full listing, go to
www.blackcreekfestival.com

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