Honesty is the best policy
I read a ton of blogs and I came across this posting called:
The 10 Pillars of Great Relations between Charities and Consultants
Just thought I’d share this great quote:
Don’t mistake honesty with hurtfulness… This also goes back to respect. Being honest means we say what needs to be said because we know that we will all be something better for knowing it. Being honest means we share our fears, our nervousness… it means we show each other we are human and not perfect.
Mumford and Sons – Air Canada Centre, Toronto – Oct 25, 2011
Big stage. Bluegrass acoustic. Intimate lyrics at its best.
British folk rock band Mumford and Sons performed at the Air Canada Centre last night in Toronto. I must admit, I was a bit anxious to see this West London quartet perform in such a big venue. Playing in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre is an honour; the ACC is home to numerous big-wig acts who guarantee to take the stage with a bang. Can a folk- acoustic, accordion and up-right bass playing band with one album out grasp the attention of this audience? As they stepped on stage, the roaring Toronto crowd convinced me that this was the right place to be.
Mumford and Sons opened their act with Lover’s Eyes and immediately, I was in awe. The stage, the screen, the lighting, the music – everything about it was magical.
Marcus Mumford, lead singer of this folk-rock group told the crowd, “As we were passing San Francisco, we were asked, Why the F*ck are you not playing Canada?” He mentioned that he thought that we’d be sick of seeing them here. Clearly, the hosting city begged to differ.
With only one album out, their Toronto set-list was predictable although they did share a handful of new songs from their up-coming album, including two during their encore performance. Mumford explained “We’re testing your patience,” during their second last song of the evening. Though this song (song name unknown) was slow paced and provided a haunting melody, it didn’t take long for Mumford and Sons to pick up speed and give the crowd the song they all wanted to hear.
So Why Team Mumford?
Simple.
From trained musicians to the music-loving general public; we all love artists who play actual instruments: pianos, banjos, fiddles, the upright bass, and accordions – this music is real. The impeccable musicianship they share and the intricate lyrics that spill from their tongues leave the audience mesmerized by their talent.
As they wrapped up their almost 2 hour performance with The Cave, Mumford told the crowd “Have fun, have fun, have fun”. By the ‘thumbs up’ in the sea of people, and the entire audience jumping up and down in unison and clapping their hands to the beat, they did just that.
Eye Candy:
Hot Docs, Hot Docs, Watch Your Hot Docs!
Hot Docs, the Canadian International Documentary Festival is back from April 28 – May 8, 2011.
Here are some of my picks:
Becoming Chaz Becoming Santa The Bengali Detective Family Instinct Heart-Quake Jig Maids & Bosses New Castle Our Persian Rug People in White The Redemption of General Butt Naked Sira- Songs of The Crescent Moon Somewhere Between The Team When The Drum Is Beating + over 20 more….Save the dates!
A Haunting Melody…
I support Canadian talent. You should too.
Ps. Hawksley rocks my socks
[Pic belongs toA girl can dream…
Brand name clothing and fancy cars don’t intrigue me but ever since I was a little girl, there were 3 materialistic things I’ve always wanted:
1. Tree House
(obviously- not surprising) Something I tweet/talk about all the time. I’ve always lived in an apartment/condo in the city so building or owning one never happened.
2. An amazing library in my house with a secret room
I’m a little obsessed with books… and I like to play hide and seek 
3. A clear baby grand piano
(Well… duh)
I’d also love to live by the water and hopefully visit at least two different futbol stadiums and watch a couple games around the world every year. I’m so serious, I even said this during an interview.
Mandatory: An amazing and wonderful husband who will love me/ I will love till our dying days.
Bonus: If he will sing ME to sleep…
w/<3
-N
I miss the Leafs… and then there is Justin Bieber
Dear Ted, this is why I unintentionally bailed on you today. Please forgive me.
I’ve lost a few bets and this was the outcome of one of them.
To the person I lost the bet to: Thought I wouldn’t do it huh? Took me awhile to get to it but I did it. IN YOUR FACE!
Monica & David: A Love Story
“Guerrilla Film Making At Its Best” – Alexandra Codina
The moment David met Monica; he knew that one day he would marry her.
Marriage is a thought that has managed to linger through our minds at one point or another; may it be when we were little girls dreaming of prince charming and the perfect wedding, or for many who come to a realization that it isn’t something they want in their future. Regardless, surviving the first year of any marriage definitely deserves “kudos” in my books, but this pair accomplished this with an additional challenge – they both have Down syndrome.
Monica and David, a recent prize winner at the Tribeca Film Festival, is a love story about a couple with Down syndrome and their families who strive to support them with their every need. This documentary begins just before their wedding and takes us on a journey until they celebrate their first wedding anniversary. In this one year alone, David and Monica had many obstacles they encountered: from moving away and living with Monica’s parents, to leaving their support program and their friends, and David having diabetes. We get a glimpse of their everyday lives, including interviews with family members that show the crucial role their mothers play and the struggle to protect them in this intolerant world.
This film gives the audience a new perspective on the emotional strength of a person with Down syndrome or any other intellectual disability. It illustrates the need for one to desire more than just traditional expectations and pushes us to ask ourselves questions and explores thoughts that are incredibly intimate.
Waiting in line in the pouring rain outside Royal Ontario Museum Theatre was well worth it and many families and their kids were also present to witness this HotDocs documentary. Sitting in the audience, you can feel the emotional impact this comedic, yet brilliant film endured. You can sense joy; you can feel “hope”. Although Monica and David were not present at this screening (though they have been at many others), we had our own Toronto “Monica and David” present in the audience:
An engaged Toronto couple with director Alexandra Codina. The bride-to-be states when asked what she did for a living: “I work with kids… I play with them, I eat snack with them… I make them feel wanted”
“Monica & David” will have another screening on Sat, May 08 1:30 pm @ Alliance Cumberland Cinemas - (Rush tickets only, get there early!) Check it out if you can, or look out for it on dvd. This film definitely got my vote… and I took the pic to prove it.
For the love of Dallas Green
A simple heads up if you didn’t know already: City and Colour to perform with Tegan & Sara August 28th at the MOLSON AMPHITHEATRE.
Below are my favs.
Enjoy.
A Banksy Film
Question: Do YOU know Banksy’s work? If not, you’re clearly missing out.
I am so tempted to write a spoiler but I won’t since I think everyone should watch this film ( I’m sure you can find one online, but don’t read it!) . You know those movies that are corny, have horrible cinamatography and have absolutely no purpose for existence? This is definitely NOT one of those. If anything, this is a “feel- good, interesting, smile-the-next-day” kind of films.
Exit Through the Gift Shop had its debut at the Sundance 2010 Film Festival. This film takes you on an epic journey on Theirry Guetta- a French shop keeper turned documentary maker who attempted to locate and befriend Banksy.
“Thierry tried to make a film about me, but he was a lot more interesting than me, so now the film is kind of about him.”
It focuses on Mr. BrainWash who had an obsession with filming anything and everything (he mentions its because he lost his mother at a young age, and now fears sudden loss and has the urge to capture every moment). With apperances from other renowned artists such as: Shepard Fairey and Space Invader, this film is about how he became a street artist and his journey to success.
No, I don’t think this film will get you debate on whether something is art (or maybe you will) but it is however comedic and entertaining. Exit Through the Gift Shop was brilliantly done. Now go watch it!
Banksy’s art convey political, satirical and cultural messages and can be seen all over London. Unlike his work; Banksy’s identity is unknown.
Check out the websites: [ Banksy ] – [ Mr. BrainWash ]
[ Exit Through the Gift Shop ]
