“This Little Light” by The Rainbow Collective is out today via Hidden Pony Records/Universal Music Canada, along with the official music video. Comprising over 20 Canadian vocalists of diverse genres, identities, ages, races and genders brought together by singer/songwriter/advocate Theo Tams, The Rainbow Collective stands as a testament to strength, courage and pride. “This Little Light” is an anthem of hope that speaks to the struggles the 2SLGBTQIA+ community faces in an increasingly divided world. All proceeds from the song will support The 519 Community Centre’s Pay It No Mind Fund, which provides emergency financial aid to racialized Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary community members to cover essentials.
After facing months of homophobic messages and comments on his social media platforms, Tams wrote the song with Andrew (Marty) Martino and Liz Rodrigues. Tams recognized the privilege of having a support network he could turn to, but others around the globe aren’t so fortunate. It is a criminal offense to be gay in a third of countries in the world and 64 UN member states, and in six of these, being LGBTQ is punishable by the death penalty. In the U.S., Florida has passed a “don’t say gay” bill, making it illegal to talk about other sexual orientations in the school system. Alberta just passed legislation that directly puts trans/non-binary kids and teens in potentially unsafe environments.
Tams had originally planned to release the song as a solo single, but he felt compelled to expand his vision and began reaching out to fellow Canadian queer artists to join him in bringing the song to life. Soon enough, the Rainbow Collective was born.
“This is the story of all of us. We are artists. We are songwriters. We are queer and we are advocates in our community for the right to simply exist, to shine in the way we were all meant to,” says Tams. “I truly believe that every person who identifies under the rainbow umbrella will hear themselves in this song. We are up against some of the scariest legislature and proposed bills that we have seen in decades and all of this threatens not only our happiness but our safety as well. This song is an anthem, it is a message, it is a declaration, for every person who has ever felt silenced and pushed to the fringe of our society simply for being who they were meant to be. Some may feel silenced, but we are a whole collective willing to speak on their behaves until they have the confidence or find the safety needed to do so themselves. I want these kids and teens and young adults to know that being their authentic selves isn’t wrong; that they are enough, and worthy of a life of peace, happiness, respect and contentment.”
The Rainbow Collective includes:
Theo Tams (he/him; Coaldale, AB; Pop/R&B)
Amanda Rheaume (she/her; Métis Nation; Ottawa, ON; folk)
BAYLA (she/her; Montreal, QC; pop)
Billy Newton-Davis (he/him; Cleveland, OH; jazz)
Bryn (she/her; Toronto, ON; pop)
Chrisy Hurn of Basement Revolver (they/them; Hamilton, ON; indie rock)
Erica Fox (she/her/they; Toronto, ON; pop/rock)
Iskwē (she/her; Métis Nation; Winnipeg, MB; singer-songwriter)
Jeffery Straker (he/him; Punnichy, SK; folk/roots)
Kayla Diamond (she/her; Toronto, ON; dance/pop)
memyself&vi (she/her; Qatar; alt-pop)
Micah Barnes (he/him; Vienna, Austria; jazz)
Priyanka (she/her when in drag; Whitby, ON; dance-pop)
Ralph (she/her; Toronto, ON; alt-pop)
Raymond Salgado (he/him; Vancouver, BC; pop)
Ryland James (he/him; Deseronto, ON; pop)
Sebastian Gaskin (they/them/he/him; Tataskweyak Cree Nation; Toronto, ON; singer-songwriter)
Steven Taetz (he/him; AB; contemporary roots/jazz)
T. Thomason (he/him; Halifax, NS; pop)
Tafari Anthony (he/him; Toronto, ON; pop)
Your Hunni (they/them; Toronto, ON; indie pop)
Zenon (they/them; Calgary, AB; alt-R&B)
The 162th edition of North America’s most historic race, the Queen’s Plate, took place at Woodbine Racetrack yesterday. Fans being able to return back to the grandstand was something to cheer about. Even at 50% capacity at which tickets were sold-out with safety guidelines in place, the energy was electric still with reduced fanfare like activations, concerts and pop-ups.
The $1-million race was taken by SAFE CONDUCT, a New York-based son of Bodemeister who held-on gamely to the wire under U.S. jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., to win by a head. The 1 1/4 mile affair was run in a quick 2:02.8, the Phillip Serpe trainee owned by WellSpring Stable paying $8.00 to win on a $2.00 bet as the race favourite. Mitchell Kursner bred the colt and was present for the festivities with his family.
Prior to the race, the Jockey Class of ’21 posed together for a group shot!
The class of ’21! #QueensPlate #QP21 pic.twitter.com/e6ABDMBvOW
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) August 22, 2021
Bettors wagered a whopping $16.1 million on the Queen’s Plate Sunday card, up from last year’s $14.5 million. The boost in popularity Woodbine has seen amidst the pandemic has continued with a spiked interest from U.S bettors who turned to the Toronto oval, while other tracks had closed.
In addition to action-packed racing, some notable names visited yesterday including Canada’s most decorated Olympian of all time, Penny Oleksiak, a vision in pink. Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Walk of Fame inductee Jim Cuddy graced us with his presence, performing with his Trio on the track apron, while Universal Music Canada emerging artist Ryland James performed the national anthem. Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Elisabeth Dowdeswell arrived at the event by carriage, in a manner fit for the queen that she is!
So amazing Oleksiak shared our Snaps with her followers as well, a class act!
Canada’s most decorated Olympian of all time, Penny Oleksiak, at the #QueensPlate. #QP21 pic.twitter.com/tA4wogdRNT
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) August 22, 2021
Several enticing stakes races lined the race card as well, giving the betting public some exciting options to wager.
The $350k Grade I Highlander would go to Stronach Stables’ SILENT POET. The hard-knocking six-year-old notched the biggest score of his career under regular pilot Justin Stein. Frank Stronach and his team at Adena Springs North also were present for celebrations. Trainer Nick Gonzalez received several congratulations from other horses’ connections, and he gestured to the sky in thanks at his late wife Martha who had passed last year.
The $175k Grade II Dance Smartly Stakes was taken by Christophe Clement trainee MUTAMAKINA, under jockey Dylan Davis. The formerly French-based mare by top sire Nathaniel, has found success in North America by way of the New York circuit.
The $150k Grade III Ontario Colleen Stakes took place earlier on the card with OUR FLASH DRIVE making it a perfect three-for-three in 2021 for Team Mark Casse and Live Oak Plantation. Patrick Husbands was aboard the score.
Was very excited seeing 79-1 shot MAMBOINTHEFOREST take his leg of the Turf Endurance Series under Sahin Civaci for Trainer Ron Sadler and Owner Phillip Lanning. You might recall this is the horse whom won me my Sovereign Award earlier this year for Outstanding Photograph! He won for me and that’s my story! Still waiting for the chance to visit him on the backstretch one day to give him some mints!
An awesome tidbit is that Stronach Stables’ RIPTIDE ROCK ran a hard-fought second in the Queen’s Plate. I remember joking when I took this Selfie with him and his mom Irish Influence – just a couple days old – that he’d one day be a Queen’s Plate winner… and we never would’ve guessed he’d almost do it!
I remember kidding with @AdenaSprings that I was taking a pic with a future #QueensPlate winner, but who’d have known he would almost get it done? #QP21 runner-up Riptide Rock, a valiant second, as a days-old baby. pic.twitter.com/kJTXC6oWJN
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) August 23, 2021
Woodbine‘s next marquee card Woodbine Mile Day, takes place Saturday, September 18, 2021.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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