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The Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Gala 2013

August 2, 2013
Nick Lee
arts, charity, culture, gala
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Junior Carnival King

Dubbed “An Evening to Discover”, the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Gala was a colourful night to remember. The warm, sunny weather was perfect for the evening starting off by being greeted at the Liberty Grand entrance by the elaborately decorated Junior Carnival King and Queen leading into the VIP reception at the outdoor courtyard for cocktails, silent auction and photo opportunities with the intricate, colorful costumed masqueraders. Dinner inside included speeches and special performances including Calypso/Soca music to dance the rest of the night away for the after party.

Guests in attendance included NDP members, Olivia Chow and Andrea Horwath.

Proceeds from the fundraising efforts go to the Caribbean Children Foundation (TCCF) www.tccfangels.com

Olivia Chow

Jocelyn and Ron Evangelista

You can still get in on the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival action with the Panorama steelpan festival today (Friday, August 2nd) at Allan Lamport Stadium.

Then on Saturday, August 3rd there’s the Grand Parade, dubbed as the biggest Carnival party in North America from Exhibition Place along Lakeshore Boulevard for a 3.5 kilometre stretch. For more info about the Grand Parade visit http://www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com/2013-04-09-19-49-10/grand-parade.

Watch CTV’s Promo video here:

Full gallery below. For more info visit www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com

: Olivia Chow

: NDP Leader, Andrea Horwath

World MasterCard Fashion Week Spring 2014: Mercedes-Benz Start Up Designers Announced

July 30, 2013
Nick Lee
fashion
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After presentations and semi-final runway shows across the country searching for the next generation of talent, the short list of Mercedes-Benz Start Up fashion designers have been announced. The program is Canada’s platform for emerging fashion designers with a total of 8 finalists in the group runway show with Spring/Summer 2014 collections to be featured at World MasterCard Fashion Week on Tuesday, October 22 at 7pm.

At the Mercedes-Benz Start Up runway show in Laval, QC. Image courtesy of IMG

With Carlos Fogelman from HIP AND BONE announced as the 8th and final designer, the finalists are:
Hilary and Louanna Murphy, Dreamboat Lucy (Calgary, AB)
Malorie Urbanovitch, Malorie Urbanovitch Women’s RTW (Calgary, AB)
Cécile Raizonville, Matiére Noire (Laval, QC)
Pedram Karimi, PEDRAM KARIMI (Laval, QC)
Carlos Fogelman, HIP AND BONE (Laval, QC)
Eliza Faulkner, Eliza Faulkner Designs (Winnipeg, MB)
Hussein Dhalla, HD Homme (Kitchener, ON)
Jonathan Shimoni, Faded Lifestyle (Kitchener, ON)

One of these emerging fashion designers will be named at the finale in October 2014 with continued mentoring from industry experts and a solo runway show at World MasterCard Fashion Week in March 2014 as well as an editorial feature in FASHION Magazine. Past awarded designers include MARTIN LIM and DUY.

Check out the full runway show of Mercedes Benz Start Up Spring 2013 on YouTube here (opens new window)
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ABOUT MERCEDES-BENZ START UP
MERCEDES-BENZ START UP is an ongoing initiative that provides a national platform to discover and support up-and-coming Canadian designers. By connecting these gifted individuals with an experienced panel of industry insiders, the program mentors Canadian talent to help them hone a broad range of skills and elevate their profile through unique and exclusive opportunities. Unprecedented access to experts, combined with invaluable real-world practical experience, equips participants with a comprehensive roadmap to success and the knowledge and confidence required for a thriving career in fashion. For more info visit http://www.mercedes-benzstartup.com/

For more info about World MasterCard Fashion Week visit worldmastercardfashionweek.com

VELD Music Festival hits Toronto this weekend

July 30, 2013
Nick Lee
concerts, music, party, Past Events
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The 2nd annual VELD Music festival hits Downsview Park this Civic Holiday long weekend. There’s only 50 VIP wristbands left with 65,000 to 70,000 people expected to attend this massive music festival. With 30 DJs performing over the 2 days, headliners include Above & Beyond, Kaskade, Steve Angello, Dada Life, Steve Aoki and Deadmau5.

For more info check out www.veldmusicfestival.com

Check out the 2013 teaser video here:

Official video from last year

Check out what some people are saying about VELD

toronto! just got added to the 2013 #VeldFest @VELDFest this saturday!!! pic.twitter.com/k4dhXJsBKI

— DILLON FRANCIS (@DILLONFRANCIS) July 29, 2013

#VELDFest is around the corner! #Toronto #EDM http://t.co/qJLEZl98tA

— Stilez (@stilez) July 23, 2013

19 days until #VELDfest! Are you ready!? pic.twitter.com/kXDOK2N1kj

— VELD Music Festival (@VELDFest) July 15, 2013

Also check out our photos from Digital Dreams 2013 from last month.

Save the Date: Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary’s 60th Birthday Bash

July 25, 2013
Nick Lee
charity, gala, Past Events
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Save the Date! As we’ve mentioned before, Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary will be celebrating 60 years with a cosmopolitan fête themed after the era when it first started – in the 1950s on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at the Ritz Carlton in Toronto. Live music will be provided by Canada’s own charismatic jazz crooner, Matt Dusk, and his Big Band Orchestra.

“Celebrate 60″ is about the commitment to rebuild Mount Sinai Hospital’s Labour and Delivery facility and provide sustaining funding for research and education in womens’ and infants’ health at Mount Sinai Hospital.

For more info visit www.celebrate60.ca

Matt Dusk and the Big Band Orchestra will be performing at the Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary’s 60th Birthday Bash at Ritz Carlton | Photo: Nick Lee

Check out photos from Mount Sinai’s Champagne Tea Celebration to kick off the 60th birthday celebrations

Recap from Future Sinai’s Sinai Soiree at Casa Loma

About Mount Sinai Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital is an internationally recognized, 472-bed acute care academic health sciences centre affiliated with the University of Toronto. It is known for excellence in the provision of compassionate patient care, innovative education, and leading-edge research. Mount Sinai’s Centres of Excellence include: Daryl A. Katz Centre for Urgent & Critical Care; Frances Bloomberg Centre for Women’s & Infants’ Health; Christopher Sharp Centre for Surgical Oncology; Centre for Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Centre for Musculoskeletal Disease and the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute. For more information about Mount Sinai Hospital, please visit www.mountsinai.ca

2013 Canadian Country Music Association Award Nominees Announced

July 21, 2013
Nick Lee
awards, concerts, industry, music
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Emerson Drive (with 2 nominations this year including Group or Duo of the Year) will be performing live at the 2013 CCMA Awards Broadcast on Sept 8, 2013

The 2013 CCMA (Canadian Country Music Association Awards) are being held in Edmonton, Alberta on Sunday, September 8th, marking Canada’s biggest night in country music. It will be aired live on CBC with encore airings on CMT Canada starting at 10pm ET.

On the morning of July 17th, an official CCMA nominees announcement was held here in Toronto at the Storys Building with industry and media present as well as Autumn Hill and Emerson Drive in attendance giving a sample of their performances. Even though both bands showcased just vocal and acoustic guitar duets, their talents shined through. Emerson Drive will also be giving a live performance at the awards broadcast as well as Dallas Smith and The Band Perry.

Dean Brody, Gord Bamford and Terri Clark are among the biggest nomination leaders. Gord Bamford leads with 7 nominations including CCMA Fans’ Choice, Album of the Year, CMT Video of the Year, Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Record Producer(s) of the Year, Male Artist of the Year.

Voting for the CCMA Fans’ Choice Award winner is now open. To vote and to view the complete list of CCMA Award nominees visit www.ccma.org. All voters will be entered into a draw to win the Ultimate Fan Contest which includes a trip to Edmonton to attend Country Music Week and present the Fans’ Choice Award at the CCMA Awards Broadcast.

Autumn Hill

Lindi Ortega, nominated for Roots Artist of the Year

Gord Bamford leads with 7 nominations including CCMA Fans’ Choice, Album of the Year, CMT Video of the Year, Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Record Producer(s) of the Year, Male Artist of the Year