“snapd” Offline and Online

18 Oct

screen-shot-2016-10-17-at-11-27-37-pmOver the last month, I’ve performed more in my hometown of Oakville more than downtown Toronto or those other 905 suburbs. It’s weird how these things happen, but I had 5 gigs all in row, all within a mile radius of each other in Oakville.screen-shot-2016-10-17-at-11-58-44-pm

This included the Oakpark Fall Fair (which is in my neighbourhood), the Denny’s Car Wash 100 Guys Who Care Charity Show, a Craft Beer Week Show at Longo’s Corks Restaurant on behalf of Cameron’s Brewery, as well as a show at Kelsey’s Restaurant, and Glen Abbey Golf Courses Eighteen Lounge.
With every show, there’d be photographers, and you never know exactly ‘who’ these photographers are (i.e TMZ?), but I determined that some of these photographers are probably from “snapd” – the community newspaper that is circulated in Oakville (and other GTA areas). They cover everything  going on in the community and the newsletter/paper is a staple across the GTA for every region.
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And I guess I was right, as I opened their latest edition, and saw a pic of myself at the Oakpark Fall Fair, and another pic aswell as Online (oakville.snapd.com) for the 100 Guys Who Care Charity show. Again, you never know who is watching you, but in this case, it was a welcome surprise. Thanks “snapd Oakville” for the free PR !

The Political Sports Gig – Blue Jays, Trump Clinton Debate

12 Oct

screen-shot-2016-10-17-at-11-07-51-pmThanksgiving Weekend in Canada is a time of reflection, and packing up the dreams of the past summer, to welcome Autumn, Jackets, Pants, and attitudes of the end of another year.

The 2016 Thanksgiving weekend was one in Toronto that was particularly ‘crazy’ as summer baseball continued. The Toronto Blue Jays were just on the cusp of winning their spot in a American league final, and at the same time – the crazy US debate of Presidential Nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton was going on – at the same time. I’m sure (i know i was) we were all  turning back and forth from Trump to Jays, from Jays to Trump. It was such a nutty night. screen-shot-2016-10-17-at-11-05-41-pm

I was slated at performing just outside Rogers Center at the Fox Fiddle City Centre. It was nuts – people all decked out in their Blue Jays uniforms tense and hopefull.

And at 10:30pm as the Jays won the game, and Toronto and Canada went nuts – the cheering was insane inside the Fox aswell as outside on the street…and at the same time, people were talking about Trump and Clinton (while cheering)..what a weird world we live in.

screen-shot-2016-10-17-at-11-10-45-pmI myself was asked to start performing, so i kicked off one of the longest straight shows i’ve done, performing from 10:30pm to 1:30am straight (no breaks) – leading a crowd of 300+ Torontoians in chants, songs, and claps. I’ve never heard so much ‘cheering’ for my songs ever before. It was nuts, but the ‘high’ of that night (Sunday Oct.9th) will live for a couple more weeks in my brain.

100 Guys Who Care / Denny’s Car Wash – Charity Show

29 Sep

img_0276It’s not everyday you get to perform at a car wash, and at the same time help a local charity. Infact I don’t know any fellow musician peers who ever had the opportunity to perform while soap, water, and dryer vents pumped around them cleaning sports cars.

The charity “100 Guys Who Care” is a GTA based Charity “man only group” that basically ‘networks’, and ‘raises and donates’ to a charity voted as ‘best’ of the groups choice. Their September location for their event was Denny’s Car Wash in Oakville. A great location, I alongside ‘The Ol fashion Butchery’ of Oakville , and my friends at ‘Cameron’s Brewery’ put on a great show of – Burgers – Beer and Live Music, while sports cars graced the backdrop.screen-shot-2016-10-17-at-10-12-56-pm

I remember the moon looking so bright as I sang Elton John’s ‘Rocket Man’ as well as singing Tragically Hips “Wheat Kings” , transforming a Charity Event to a night at the Cottage – with grand sports cars.

In the end the organizers thanked me and told me that it was an ‘over the top’ event . A great time had by all, for such a great cause. Thanks Guys!

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