pride
#SPOTTED: TEGAN AND SARA SURPRISE FANS AT TD MUSIC CAFÉ IN TORONTO
Tegan and Sara may have been responsible for the rise in temperatures today in Toronto. The three-time JUNO Winners surprised all with a Pop-Up Concert at Roy Thomson Hall this afternoon as part of TD Bank‘s TD Music Café Summertime Series. The Calgary-born Twin Sister Duo known best for their recent Hits Closer and I Was a Fool achieved a Career High with their latest Disc, Heartthrob reaching the Top Three of the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart – their best performance yet. As an aside, TD’s MusiCounts Program, for which the Series is in support of, last year alone raised over $200k to organizations across Canada.
In their 40-minute Set today, they pleased Fans new and old alike sipping away on a variety of Sodastream Beverages, focussing much on their recent material before fielding questions from CBC‘s Jian Ghomeshi in an intimate Q&A afterwards. Their performance despite a hectic touring schedule which last saw them in Boston, still packed a punch and sounded pitch perfect.
A handful of Fans hoping to get “closer” to the Duo unfortunately didn’t have much luck as they were rushed into their SUV before heading-off to the Airport for a two-week hiatus. The Sisters will be back in Toronto at WorldPride 2014 at the end of June!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#SPOTTED: DIANA KING AND EN VOGUE HEADLINE “BLOCKORAMA” AT PRIDE TORONTO 2013
Before Destiny’s Child there was En Vogue. Those of us who grew-up in the early ’90s will have fond memories of our Airwaves dominated by the Girl Group responsible for smash Hits Don’t Let Go, Hold On, My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It), Free Your Mind and their Collaboration with Salt-n-Pepa, Whatta Man.
After surviving multiple Lineup changes which included Founding Members Dawn Robinson and Maxine Jones reuniting/departing the R&B Outfit, the Group now tours as a Trio with former The All-New Mickey Mouse Club Alumni Rhona Bennett, whom at one point was in-the-running for a promising Solo Career circa Britney Spears Era.
Those of us celebrating Pride in Toronto had the treat of witnessing a free Performance by En Vogue tonight at the 15th annual Blockorama, held at TD Wellesley Stage. Although there were several issues with sound – Co-Lead Vocalist Terry Ellis got the worst of if with her microphone levels being off the early part of their Set – they definitely wowed the Audience with their still-amazing Vocals. Zipping through their biggest Hits and also a Tribute Medley to the likes of Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Anita Ward, The Emotions and more, they certainly left the Crowd wanting more. And more they gave, performing a rousing Cover of Whitney Houston‘s I Wanna Dance With Somebody!
Their Handler was kind, collecting CDs and Albums from Fans, bringing them in to be personalized and on their way out, Security tried stopping Fans from getting Photos although both the lovely Cindy Herron and Bennett were nice to accommodate me, despite my Camera failing to fire in the dark with the latter.
Photos below:
Earlier in the day, I was lucky enough to meet amazing ’90s R&B/Reggae Diva Diana King, known best for her massive Hits Shy Guy and high-energy Cover of Dionne Warwick‘s I Say a Little Prayer. Just last year, King came out as a Lesbian on Facebook and even brought along her Girlfriend on-stage, who served as her DJ. Although her Set was brief, her Voice is still amazing and if not even stronger. She wrapped things up with Shy Guy, which had the Audience singing out loud as it vamped into a Remix.
See our Snap:
#SPOTTED: CARMEN ELECTRA AT PRIDE TORONTO 2013
With over 1.2 million people estimated to be in attendance this year, Pride Toronto kicked-off last weekend and concludes today. The annual Festival celebrating history, courage, diversity and future for the LGBTQ Community sees its Marquee event tomorrow, the annual Pride Parade, take place for the 41st consecutive year. Click here to view the Route.
Always a big draw to the Festival, Musical Talent this year includes En Vogue, Carol Pope, Diamond Rings, Anjulie, KAY, Diana King and Carmen Electra. The latter, whose eclectic talents include Writing, Acting, Modelling, Dancing and Singing too, performed original material tonight on the South Stage at Church x Carlton. Many don’t realize that Electra actually recorded a debut Disc back in 1993, produced by none other than Prince, and only recently returned to her roots. Sporting an edgy Electro/Hip-Hop/Dance Sound, Electra electrified on-stage even if her performance was brief with Tracks like Bigger D*ck and I Like it Loud, with the help of two Backing Dancers.
Upon leaving the Venue, Electra was nice enough to stop for a quick Snap (thanks so much to Reader Jay Stoney for taking it!), even offering to take more Photos with Fans before her Entourage shut it down, leaving a couple Fans disappointed.
For those curious about Electra’s sound, check out latest Single, I Like it Loud below:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Video credit: Citrusonic Stereophonic & Bill Hamel)
TORONTO WORLDPRIDE 2014: DATES & THEME ANNOUNCED
Toronto as you might know, is hosting WorldPride 2014 – deemed an international Celebration incorporating Activism, Education, History and Culture of global LGBTTIQQ2SA Communities. The dates for the Festivities have been confirmed to take place between June 20 to 29, 2014.
On the newly-confirmed dates, Pride Toronto Co-Chair Luke Amona says, “In the interest of good planning, the new dates ensure Toronto is capable of accommodating the predicted influx in tourism for WorldPride 2014.”.
In addition to these dates being confirmed, the Theme of the Celebration has been unveiled as Rise Up!. Yes, as in the 1983 Hit from Toronto Band, Parachute Club. Although a Teaser Video was leaked yesterday featuring the Song, Pride Toronto stated that they will in the next few weeks be releasing a new exciting Logo and official Teaser.
In Toronto Magazine, TD Bank and Pride Toronto hosted a Gala for WorldPride 2014 last night with a Toronto Gay Who`s Who in attendance, while in addition to the spirit of Pride, gathered for the chiseled Go-Go Boys, Cocktails and Daniel et Daniel Catering.
Oh yeah.
Click here to like WorldPride 2014 on Facebook.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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