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MuchFACT Annual Screening Party

December 23, 2012
Nick Lee
Events, music
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MuchMusic’s Lauren Toyota

What better way to celebrate the Best of Toronto than by supporting Canadian talent! MuchFACT (which stands for A Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) does just that by funding music videos, EPK, viral video and website productions with the support of MuchMusic and MuchMore, divisions of Bell Media.

Members of the Music Industry Community were in attendance at the annual MuchFACT special screening of 15 different music videos with contributions by MuchFACT spanning various genres of music. We spotted recording artists Massari, Tyler Medeiros, Mia Martina, MuchMusic’s Lauren Toyota, Degrassi’s Melinda Shankar and more. It was a crowded evening on both floors of Screen Lounge. Shout outs to our fellow blogger friends who were there as well and our friend, Chris Strikes, who directed an upcoming short film called One Night a Stranger.

What a great action packed night in celebration and support of Canadian music!

Massari, Mia Martina, Tyler Medeiros

David Kines, chairman of MuchFACT

We ran into our director friend, Chris Strikes

Second from left: Melinda Shankar from Degrassi

About MuchFACT
MuchFACT (A Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent), is the groundbreaking music video, EPK, viral video and website production fund, exclusively sponsored by MuchMusic and MuchMore, divisions of Bell Media. Established in 1984 to increase the number of quality music videos produced in Canada. It was also concurrent with the launch of MuchMusic which committed a percentage of its gross annual revenues to stimulate music video production. Two years later, when MusiquePlus went on the air, it also became a sponsor when it launched in 1986, as did MuchMore when it launched in 1998. This also marked the creation of PromoFACT, an electronic press kit and website production fund for Canadian artists, independent record labels and artist management companies. Originally named VideoFACT, the organization changed its name to MuchFACT in September, 2009. Along with the name change, the PromoFACT program expanded to include viral music videos and other digital music-related content intended for digital distribution.

Since 1984, MuchFACT has handed out over 64 million dollars to over 5,300 projects, helping to launch the careers of a majority of Canada’s most prominent musicians such as: Feist, Nelly Furtado, K-OS, Celine Dion, Barenaked Ladies, The Tragically Hip, Sam Roberts, Arcade Fire, Blue Rodeo, Matthew Good, Bran Van 3000, Sarah McLachlan, Gordon Lightfoot, Great Big Sea, Sloan, Bruce Cockburn and k.d. lang.

For more information visit MuchFACT.

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A Toronto Christmas in support of Glassfrog

December 23, 2012
Nick Lee
Events
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Toronto’s own Oxford Beach hosted their 3rd annual A Toronto Christmas in support of Glassfrog International Aid Organization. Held at the Steamwhistle brewery in the heart of downtown Toronto, the evening was packed with Christmas party people. There were reindeer antlers for everyone, a candy bar, live music by Stiffler’s Mom and DJ Rouge and DJ Mike Wilson.

Our friend, Daniela Correia, Miss Brazil Canada 2012

You can also check out these photos on our Facebook album as well.

ABOUT GLASSFROG International Aid Organization
GlassFrog is a nonprofit organization that provides basic human needs in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Their projects use on the ground resources to support sustainable economic and social benefits in the communities they assist.

For more information about GlassFrog, visit http://tinyurl.com/glassfrogFB

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“It’s Your Moment” in Support of Look Good Feel Better

December 19, 2012
Nick Lee
charity, Events
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Ian Russell, Maddie Dalzell, Matthew Cramp

It was a great turnout for a fun charity event, “It’s Your Moment”, to raise awareness and funds in support of Look Good Feel Better, a program that supports women experiencing cancer. What a heartwarming night in memory of Emmy Duff, the first teen spokesperson for Look Good Feel Better, who passed away in her battle with cancer. There was Stella and Dot jewellery available for sale and a fashion show with Roushelle Green, Miss Petite Canada, as well as models who were close friends of Emmy Duff. Care Finch, president of I.R.I.S. entertainment and host of “I On Music”, was the emcee for the evening. There were many beauty stations to get pampered at including hair, makeup, hand massages and scarf tying. This was a truly local, homegrown effort with a group of Centennial College PR students who planned the event.

Care Finch hosting the evening

Donna Lindell, Miranda Lam writing inspiring messages on hearts to be put on the wall

Jess Gatens and Katherine Odlum writing inspiring messages on hearts to be put on the wall

Jess Gatens, Katherine Odlum at the slideshow in memory of Emmy Duff, first teen spokesperson of LGFB

Emily Evans and Maddie Dalzell at the slideshow in memory of Emmy Duff, first teen spokesperson of LGFB

There was a raffle and auction tables with handmade Christmas wreathes, beauty gift baskets, Niagara wine tours and much more. The event raised a net amount of $4,806.62 with support by Stella and Dot online jewellery sales continuing after the event. This money will be used by Look Good Feel Better to continue helping women who experience cancer to feel more confident through magazines, nation-wide workshops and “how-to” videos.

Great efforts by these young and motivated PR students who want to make a positive change in the world!

Event organizers: Jessica Gramigna, Brittany Cornish, Cheryl Heisler, Hannah Sunderani, Kassandra O'Brien

Event organizers (left to right): Jessica Gramigna, Brittany Cornish, Cheryl Heisler, Hannah Sunderani, Kassandra O’Brien

Photos by Vanessa Vandenburg from Van and Hamid Kouchak from House of Moments.

ABOUT LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER
Launched in 1992 by a charitable foundation of the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CCTFA), Look Good Feel Better is Canada’s only cancer charity dedicated to empowering women to manage the effects that cancer and its treatment have on their appearance, and often on their morale. Over 130,000 women have been helped through our workshop.

At the heart of Look Good Feel Better is a free, two-hour hands-on workshop in which women whose appearance has been affected by cancer and cancer treatment learn how to look and feel a little more like themselves again. Guided by experts through our Signature Steps, they master simple cosmetic techniques, explore hair alternatives, and learn about cosmetic hygiene, nail and skin care. Participants take home a complimentary kit of cosmetics and personal care products that are generously donated by the member companies of the CCTFA.

To learn more about Look Good Feel Better visit www.lgfb.ca
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Jess Gatens and Katherine Odlum

BestofToronto.net’s Holiday Gift Guide 2012

December 15, 2012
Nick Lee
charity, shopping
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GIFT GIVING FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Bluenotes Tee for Kids Help Phone

“Buy a tee, help a kid.” Get a Bluenotes tee designed in collaboration with seven of Canada’s musical artists. 100% of the proceeds of the tee support Kids Help Phone and the fight against bullying. Artists who collaborated on the tee include Simple Plan, Lights, Hedley, Kardinal Offishall, Alyssa Reid, Walk Off the Earth, and the Gregory Brothers. The tee is inspired by pop star, Cyndia Lauper’s song “True Colors”. The featured musical artists recorded a remake the “True Colors” song which is available for purchase through iTunes with proceeds going to Kids Help Phone. The tees are only $10 and are available for a limited time at all 120 Bluenotes locations across Canada or go to bluenotes.ca to purchase online.

Wildlife Adoption in support of WWF

Who wouldn’t love to adopt an at-risk wildlife species in support of the World Wildlife Fund as a gift? We think the Giant Panda would be perfect. Click here to check out the WWF store and all the selection of adorable stuffed animals. Most importantly, you’ll be supporting WWF’s conservation efforts and you’ll also get an applicable tax receipt.

Octaspring Pillows

Octaspring Pillows with many memory foam Octapillow springs

Traditional mattresses have used metal springs or memory foam. With metal springs pressure points can be uncomfortable. With traditional memory foam you get support but a lack of airflow leading to overheating and humidity. Octaspring features a springs made of memory foam to try to achieve the best of both springs and memory foam. Just launched in Canada, who couldn’t use a better mattress, or if that’s not a practical gift, how about starting with a pair of Octaspring pillows to try out the same comfort technology that is used in their mattresses. You can get them from SleepCountry. To learn more visit octaspring.ca

Fitzroy Boutique

Anchor bracelets from Fitzroy Boutique right here in downtown Toronto. Only $22.

Anchor bracelets from Fitzroy Boutique, $22

TTC Token Cufflinks

Here’s something original! What’s more Torontonian than cufflinks featuring vintage TTC tokens? Check them out on Etsy (via Torontoist).

Bulgari Octo Maserati Special Edition
If money were no object, consider this incredibly intricate collaboration between Roman watch-and-jewelry Bulgari and Modena-based high-end sports car maker, Maserati. The Bulgari OCTO Maserati Special Edition timepiece which retails for $32,000. It features a sapphire caseback bearing the Maserati trident emblem. It’s a sporty 45 mm timepiece with several intriguing complications including a jumping hour with the hour displayed at the window at 12 o’clock. At the unorthodox 6 o’clock position is the Bulgari calibre GG 7800, a manufacture movement from the brand’s Swiss workshop in Le Sentier. The advantage of this configuration is that the hour indicator is never obscured. The calfskin strap is inspired by Maserati’s car seat upholstery. The dial resembles the Maserati radiator grille. Ask our friends at Bandiera Jewellers for a closer look at this magnificent timepiece.

Bulgari OCTO Maserati Special Edition Timepiece

Naked News Standup Comedy at Yuk Yuk’s [NSFW]

December 10, 2012
Nick Lee
Events
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Eila Adams, Katherine Curtis, Rachel Simmons, Erica Stevens, Whitney St. John, Rachelle Wilde

Katherine Curtis, Rachel Simmons, Eila Adams, Whitney St. John, Erica Stevens, Rachelle Wilde

Billed as the “first ever naked stand up comedy show”, 5 ladies from Naked News came out to Yuk Yuk’s downtown to attempt some stand-up comedy.

It was a sold out night with 250 patrons including a group of 50 celebrating a young woman’s 26th birthday.

Could the entertainment have been funnier? Absolutely. But what do you expect for $4 admission including tax? It was a pretty good bargain actually! Just the right amount of variety and for that it fit the bill nicely.

What the audience may not have expected was the multitude of amateur male comedy acts before and after including 2 writers for Naked News. Surprise, you didn’t know you had to sit through and watch Yuk Yuk’s Amateur Tuesday! At least the males weren’t naked. After the Naked News ladies did their performance, a bunch of people left. The majority of us felt guilty enough to stay and endured even more amateur male stand up comedy. One was more tolerable than the other.

If you’re interested, watch for more upcoming Naked News live performances including Katherine Curtis performing at Future Conin Markham on December 30th.