Luminary Awards

Valerie Pringle and Hamlin Grange are the Masters of Ceremonies. We all have to stand for the playing of the vice regal salute for the entrance of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Then Amoy sings the national anthem, official greetings, introductory remarks, acknowledgements then dinner. Lance and the group stretch out playing some cooking jazz numbers. Then the live auction of a Mercedes-Benz C250 4matic, Dinner Chair address, Vice Chancellor Awards, a vocal performance by singers Shawna-Gae Turner and Rory Frankson pictured below with me.

Then the student acknowledgement, then the Luminary Award presented to Harry Belafonte and  the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia The Honourable Mayann E. Francis by the Pro Vice Chancellor. Harry Belafonte spoke to the audience via the internet on large screens on both sides of the stage. Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu also sent his best regards via a taped message. Then we all played the finale. Quite an evening. It was about midnight when the musicians began to pack up. "Day light come and I want to go home."

Guests Arrive

As the guest arrive and look through the silent auction Joy Lapps is serenading us with the mellow tones of the steel pan. In the photo you can see Amoy Levy who will be singing Oh Canada, Joy Lapps, myself in the mirror and Edwin Huizinga playing violin in the string section of Lance's band. At this point we were told that Mr. Belafonte would not be coming due to bad weather at the airport in New York as all the dignataries current and former city mayors are filing in.

After the rest of the band and string players arrived there was the usual waiting around for the sound techs to finish their set up. Then we ran through the charts that Lance had prepared while checking the mics and balances. After the rehearsal there is always the waiting around while the guest arrive and before we officially go on stage.

Sound Check Rehearsal

I showed up at the ballroom at 3:30pm for the rehearsal. The techs were still setting up and wiring up the stage. In the picture you can see music director Lance Anderson discussing with singer AJ Brown the form and tempos etc. of the Harry Belafonte songs like Day-O and Island In The Sun we will be performing tonight. AJ is from Jamaica and he flew in especially for this event. A few years ago Lance produced AJ's debut CD which I played flute and whistle.

Fundraiser for the University Of The West Indies (anatomy of an event)

In the Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville, Toronto there was a benefit gala fundraiser for The University of The West Indies. The guest of honour was Harry Belafonte who was to receive the luminary award. In the afternoon the hotel, catering, event planners and audio staff set up the room.

Otello

Although I like to think I support my fellow musicians I am embarassed to admit I haven't been to the Four Seasons Centre for the performing arts since its construction.  I was just pondering this thought when an old friend offered me a free ticket to the opera tonight in the expensive Royal Box. Seems like a sign from God. My friend thought he bought tickets to Carmen but by mistake he ordered Verdi's Otello. The problem with Otello he said is that there are no hit songs.
 In the Royal Box we were surrounded by old well established captains of industry and commerce. I often wonder how much they really understand about the music. A few of them were playing with their iphones and looking up Olympic scores during the performance. They were leaning across the railing during the intermissions doing the old form of social netwoking.
 I really liked the interior design of the building - open, sleek and modern. As for the performance I was happy to see some old friends from University playing in the COC orchestra.

EAP

Went to the emerging artist network meeting at 23 Beverly Koffler Gallery. Met some interesting people and had a bite with animator Patrick Jenkins afterwards. The building had no heat as it is scheduled for demolition. Interesting networking with your coat on.

Midas

Went into Q Music to do some work and check the files that Aiden had sent via FTP. Unfortunately the Midas mixing desk wasn't working so we did some editing and organizing some of the music files instead.
After we finished we went to see Lisa and the twins at the hospital.

Twin Blessings

Congratulations to my dear friends Lisa Keaney and Donald Quan on the birth of their lovely twin daughters today.  We have been in a lot of hospitals in the last six months my friends and it is great that finally that era is coming to a close and we have something wonderful to rejoice about.

Happy Valentine's and Happy Lunar New Year!

It is curious that St. Valentine's and Chinese Lunar New Year both fall are on the same day this year. My very best wishes to everyone. Here are some more photos from the Chinese New Year Live Show that was rebroadcast in Guangzhou and Shanghai China.

Lighthouse

Congratulations to the members of Lighthouse for a great show at The Queen Elizabeth Theatre celebrating the release of 40 Years of Sunny Days CD and DVD package. What an amazing catalogue of songs you have created.  I looked at the date on my continuity notes and we filmed the DVD on May 23rd 2005. It just shows how in the music business it often takes a long to bring projects to release. Good job on the viola DQ.

Truman Show?

I can see that my perfomance has already been posted online by a few different sources. There are also a number of shots by various photographers as well. In 2010 there really is nowhere to hide.

Chinese Lunar New Year Gala

Concert call at 6:30pm. Got into makeup and waited until 7:30pm when the curtain went up. It always seems once a big show like that starts rolling it is like a train that can’t be stopped. Once I got on stage I was a little taken a back that the audience was fully lit. Of course this was because it was being filmed. However, I always feel a little uncomfortable if the audience isn’t in darkness and I think the patrons also feel a little self conscious.

Four Minutes Medley

 

RK with Lin Xiaoqui (Erhu)

Mandarin Song

Sound Check

Afternoon soundcheck at 3pm. All the groups went through the blocking again for the TV cameras.

Dress Rehearsal

Doing the on stage dress rehearsal at the theatre. The television crew from Wow TV is set up as well. The proper lights haven't been hung and focused yet and there are problems with the microphones. I am using a lapel and mounted wireless microphone that keep cutting out. Hopefully, they will have that sorted by tomorrow. My main job is learning how to switch from the Chinese shirt in my first song to the white western jacket in Butterfly Lovers in only 25 seconds.

New Irish Flutes

Visited Irish flutist Loretto Reid last night. Showed her some new Irish flutes that were sent to me by a flute maker Geoffrey Ellis in California. Talked about Celtic music and instruments and old times.

Earthquake in Sichuan

Another earthquake in Southwest China on Sunday. The epicenter was near a small town of Moxi, causing one fatality, and injuring 11 others. The quake of May 2008, killed 70 thousand people and affected the lives of millions.

Penny Whistle

Ordered some new penny whistles today. Different keys. E flat, D and C. I am getting different colours this time so it is easy to tell the difference while switching on a darkened stage.