Fashion event; Sample Sale

Hi guys, I am really looking forward to the Sample Sale that Lucian Matis is having on Friday, August 19th , at 300 Campbell Ave -ste 201 (buzz 201)
Maybe I will see you there?

Lucian is an exraordinary talent. This Romanian-born (drop-dead gorgeous) fashion designer moved to Canada in 1999. He graduated from Ryerson University in 2003, but not before winning many fashion awards , among them, the Alfred Sung award for great design talent.
Lucian's first professional collection was presented at L'Oreal Fashion Week in March 2007. Accolades and praise followed quickly, including a special guest appearance on Canada's Next Top Model His collection was then featured in a group show during the Festival of Fashion and Design --in Dundas Square! Following this, Lucian was invited to participate in the 1st season of Project Runway Canada. In addition, Lucian was featured in an in-depth profile on Fashion Television, in the fall of 2007. Since then, Lucian's fashions have been featured in magazines such as Flare, Lush, Elle Canada, Tribute (France).
I predict well-deserved international success for this young designer and am excited at the prospect of wearing his creations.

Really Different Ad Campaign.

Imagine this; a man and a woman approach the only available parking spot in a mall, in their respective cars. And......you'll NEVER guess! The chivalrous man gives way to the woman and encourages HER to take the spot. She ends up inviting him to dinner and to meet her family! Lest you think me crazy, let me explain;
There is an advertising campaign sweeping through Canada's largest cities, encouraging people to be good, do good and encourage goodness everywhere. This particular ad campaign isn't out to sell people anything. How refreshing! The idea behind the "social movement" is to get people to donate a little generosity. "What we're trying to do is encourage a change in behaviour.." says Mark Serman who created the campaign along with Toronto based advertising agency Zulu Alpha Kilo.
Across the country, about 350 media entities such as magazines, newspapers, radio stations, T.V. networks and websites are participating in the campaign. Even Canadian actor Jason Priestley donated time to do radio spots for the campaign.
The intent is just to use our collective ability to do something different, do something philanthropic " Zak Mroueh said. "Each of us , and in each of our companies, we can kind of redeploy some of our commercial energy into a socially responsible direction We can't rely on government to change things, so it's incumbent on each of us as individuals to try to do something"

Hear ye.....hear ye!!!

     Zak Mroueh and Mark Sherman are the brains behind People for Good

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.