#SPOTTED: ELTON JOHN RECEIVES GLENN GOULD PRIZE IN TORONTO

With a remarkable career spanning over six decades, Sir Elton John has received almost every accolade imaginable, being an EGOT. He added to his list of accolades last night in Toronto as he received the Glenn Gould Prize at the 15th edition of the gala, held at Great Canadian Casino Resort.

The Glenn Gould Prize is recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious international cultural honours. Established in 1987, it awards a living individual of any nationality or creative discipline whose lifetime body of work has profoundly enriched the human condition and reflects the innovative spirit of legendary Canadian pianist Glenn Gould. The Prize includes a CDN $100,000 award for the Laureate. In keeping with the Prize’s deep commitment to mentorship, the Laureate also personally selects a young artist to receive the CDN $25,000 Glenn Gould Protégé Prize.

At the commencement of the Gala, John after being seated with longtime partner David Furnish, was seen in an introduction video explaining the profound influence pianist Glenn Gould had on him musically. The evening was capped-off with John on stage with a group of specially-curated Canadian artists paying tribute to him throughout the night for a rendition of “Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road”.

Canadian mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo was hand-selected by John to receive the  Glenn Gould Protégé Prize as well.

The Glenn Gould Foundation which focuses on fostering innovation with education access and mental health resources, received at $25,000 donation from the Great Canadian Casino Resort, prior to the Gala.

In attendance for the Gala were:

Eric McCormack
Diana Krall
Sarah McLachlan
The Beaches
Ron Sexsmith
Jeremy Dutcher
LOONY
Emily D’Angelo
Ryan Wang
Noah Parets
Saya Gray
The Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell

Some highlights from the Red Carpet:

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Learn more about the Glenn Gould Foundation here.

(Photo/viideo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#INTERVIEW: DEPARTURE HONOURS 2026 – JACOB TIERNEY, SARAH MCLACHLAN, LILLY SINGH, MAGGIE KANG AND MORE

Honouring Canadian Trailblazers and their groundbreaking accomplishments, the second edition of DEPARTURE HONOURS took place last night at Toronto’s Koerner Hall with a star-studded group of notables in attendance. The Departure Festival + Conference is a re-incarnation of what formerly was Canadian Music Week, running from May 4–10, 2026, that acts as a hub for music, technology, art, and media. It combines a high-level industry conference with a city-wide festival featuring live music, comedy showcases, and film

Honoured this year were:

Lilly Singh (Trailblazer Award): Recognized for her impact as a creator and trailblazer.

Bruce Allen (Lifetime Achievement Award): Honoured for his decades-long career in music management, representing artists like Bryan Adams and Michael Bublé.

Sarah McLachlan (Allan Slaight Humanitarian Award): Recognized for her philanthropic work and musical contributions.

Maggie Kang (Cultural Innovator Award): The creator/director of KPop Demon Hunters, who was also awarded a Key to the City of Toronto during the festival earlier in the day.

Jacob Tierney (Creative Impact Award): Writer, director, and producer known for Heated Rivalry and Letterkenny.

The Remix Project (Industry Achievement Award): Recognized for their work in empowering youth in creative industries. 

Heated Rivalry star Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova was in attendance to present Tierney with his award.

The Gala was hosted by CTV personalities Traci Melchor and Tyrone Edwards.

Some highlights from the Red Carpet as we were joined by special contributor Angela McLean, including last night’s Honourees, who reflect upon their success and their path to where they are now:

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There still are several exciting conferences, film screenings, showcases, and more to check out. Details are at departureto.com.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#SUPERBOWL: WATCH THE BEST 2014 SUPER BOWL COMMERCIALS

It was another star-studded Super Bowl and more than ever Companies are hoping for Big Ticket Stars to push sales of their Products through the roof with the power of Celebrity Endorsement. The likes of Scarlett Johansson, Ellen DeGeneres, Bruce Willis, U2, Tim Tebow, Laurence Fishburne, Bob Saget, John Stamos, David Coulier, David Beckham, Sarah McLachlan, Stephen Colbert, Terry Crews and several more graced our Television Screens this year as we watched the Seattle Seahawks demolish the favoured Denver Broncos.

Here are some of this year’s more memorable TV Spots:

Ellen DeGeneres dresses-up as Goldilocks for newly-launched Beats Music. Watch here.

David Beckham for his H&M Bodywear Spring Collection. Watch here.

A young Girl is told she soon will be a Big Sister, but not without a cost to her Parents.  Watch the Cheerios Commercial here.

Stephen Colbert for Wonderful Pistachios.  Watch here.

U2 for Bank of America in support of the RED Campaign.  You can download their new Single Invincible free on iTunes for 24 hours. Watch here.

Audi delivers the laughs with a fictitious Dober-huahua Breed of Dog. Even Sarah McLachlan joins-in on the fun! Watch here.

Laurence Fishburne takes us back to The Matrix for Kia. Watch here.

Terry Crews & The Muppets for Toyota. Watch here.

Budweiser salutes a Hero with a big, warm Welcome Home.  Watch here.

Budweiser melts our hearts with a Golden Retriever Puppy and a Clydesdale Horse.  Watch here.

Doritos takes us on a journey through time in a Time Machine.  Watch here.

Doritos pays homage to The Lone Ranger. Watch here.

Oikos reunites John Stamos with Full House Co-Stars David Coulier and Bob Saget.  Watch here.

Heinz makes us happy with their original glass bottle. Watch here.

(Photo/video credit: NFL.Com)

#SPOTTED: THANDIE NEWTON IN TORONTO FOR “HOPE RISING” FUNDRAISER

Here as a surprise Guest, the amazingly talented and sweet Thandie Newton showed her support for a fantastic cause tonight at Roy Thomson Hall.  The BAFTA Award-winning Actress who last visited the City during TIFF 2010 (read more here), came to deliver a Speech at the Hope Rising Fundraiser in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which hopes to turn the tides of AIDS/HIV in Sub-Saharan South Africa.  Over the past 10 years, the Foundation has contributed more than $55 million to those Countries affected most by the Pandemic. Newton, who just celebrated her Birthday yesterday, was dressed in a pair of stunning, shimmery Pants and currently is at-work on TV Series Rogue.

Joining the Cause tonight were four-time GRAMMY Winner and Pop Icon Annie Lennox and three-time GRAMMY-winning Canadian Songbird  Sarah McLachlan.  African Diva Angélique Kidjo also was fittingly featured as one of the Evening’s Headliners.  After the two-and-a-half hour Concert which had all three Performers collaborating on Lennox‘s Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves and Sweet Dreams, they each made a quiet and quick exits out of the Venue in Suburbans with their respective Entourages. 

For those of you who missed the Affair, CBC Radio One has plans to air the Concert on Friday, November 30, 2012.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)