Author Archives: fordhampr

MEET CLAUDJA BARRY, ONE OF THE LEGENDARY LADIES OF DISCO

Yes, I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for 70s & 80s music – in fact, the disco era was my “coming of age” – you could always find me dancing at Toronto’s big clubs and hotel lounges where I became part of the “disco dollies” set who were out dancing 3 or 4 nights a week. Exhausting? Yes, but as Gloria Gaynor said…”I Will Survive”.  There were so many incredible queens of disco including Donna Summer, Candi Staton, Anita Ward, Tina Charles and one of my favourites, CLAUDJA BARRY.

So famous was she, Claudja has been featured in the book “First Ladies of Disco” by James Arena (avail. on Amazon) and even wrote the forward to the book.Claudja has built an amazing recording career, as well as acting in Hollywood films and on theatre stages creating unforgettable characters, after studying at the world-famous Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York City. She’s performed in plays in both NYC and Toronto, then went off to Europe starring in numerous stage productions in the UK and Germany where Claudja met successful Munich-based music producer Jurgen Korduletsch. Together, she and Korduletsch formed a creative partnership with Jurgen producing and Claudja co-writing and performing. Her full bio is available on her website: https://www.theclaudjabarry.com/bioI had the pleasure of meeting Claudja this past summer, when she made a special appearance at the annual Pride concert in downtown Toronto. She is still so gorgeous, articulate and passionate about her career so I was thrilled when she agreed to be interviewed for my blog – I just wish I could have gone to visit her in the Caribbean to deliver the questions in person…

Claudja, what an incredible and lengthy career you’ve enjoyed…and are still enjoying. With your #1 hit on the Billboard dance Chart in 2006, and subsequent recordings, are you still enjoying live appearances and fan meet-n-greets?  Performing is my lifeline to joy and pleasure. I feel alive whenever I’m in front of an audience. The immediate feedback is something that I enjoy. I get schooled at each performance. Meet and greets used to be interesting because I meet new people and longtime fans, but we have to be much more aware of who we’re meeting up close and personal.I understand you originally fell in love with theatre and also studied voice and classical music. Was it your theatrical experiences that triggered your love of singing and embracing disco music which, in itself, was very theatrical? I just wanted to perform on whichever platform or genre presented itself. I would have loved to do opera. I studied for 3 years…I would have been a great CARMEN. I would have had to continue studying for another 7 years, but along came Boogie Woogie Dancin Shoes…a little different from Carmen LOL.  Looking back now, I’m terribly proud of being among the pioneers who developed and defined DISCO Music. I think of myself as being the Leontyne Price of Disco music. Throughout the 80s, you spent time in Europe, performing and recording, and you partnered with German producer, Jurgen Korduletsch, who helped create some of your biggest hits. That must have been an extraordinary experience for you…can you share any stories from that period of your career?   JK was my producer throughout my recording life. He, along with Bobby Orlando and Jorg Evers, created the sound of Claudja Barry. During that time musicians from the Munich Philharmonic played on most of my albums. We recorded in Munich and toured all through Europe. One of the most exciting countries was Italy. I remember opening the Festival Bar in front of 100,000 people in the Verona Arena. What a thrill that was for me.

 

Over the years since disco ruled the radio airwaves, you have continued to work both as a singer & recording artist, but also developing your filmmaking skills. Can you tell us about your current documentary project.  I’m producing a documentary on the impact of disco on today’s pop music….but more on that at a later date.

You’ve had so many “firsts” in your long career including becoming the first inductee into Canada’s Black Music Hall of Fame along with legendary pianist, Oscar Peterson. What other honours and awards have you received?


You’re enjoying a resurgence in popularity, especially with younger music fans discovering your artistry, are you planning any concert appearances or tours in 2025?  That is my plan. I’m in talks with concert promoters specializing in disco-themed tours and concert presentations.

Thank you so much, Claudja, I can’t wait to see what next year holds for you; I’m looking forward to viewing your documentary.  Claudja’s music videos are available on YouTube and you can follow her on social media, too.  IG @claudja_barry

LEGENDARY MUSICIAN “NASH THE SLASH” IS SUBJECT OF NEW DOCUMENTARY….now nearing completion

When I first arrived in Toronto in the mid-70s (from Australia, via UK), I was obsessed with disco and all the popular dances – I quickly became one of Toronto’s “disco dollies” who danced at all the popular clubs, getting the crowd hot and thirsty, and becoming known as a draw for the crowds. The high point of my club career was dancing on stage with Barry White & The Love Unlimited Orchestra when they passed through Toronto. Loved the man, loved the voice, loved the kaftans! But disco was already on the outs and I was looking to embrace something new and by accident I discovered the underground world of alternative, punk, electronic and, well, let’s just say the bizarre world of Nash the Slash. I guess I was drawn to his theatrics as well as his musical skills. A one-man band who could rock out with his violin & mandolin and pull in jaded punters who were looking for something new, something independent, something extraordinary.You may have heard of Nash the Slash but if you haven’t, Nash was a unique musician who bound his face in bandages to perpetuate the mystery of anonymity. He straddled the worlds of punk rock, prog-rock, classical and industrial (before it had a name.) And he was considered a ground-breaker in contemporary music circlesHe was an extraordinary entertainer who attracted attention from others of his ilk: debuting in 1975, Nash the Slash used then unheard of tape-loops, a drum machine run through fx pedals, a glockenspiel and an electric violin and mandolin to create a live score for the legendary 1929 Salvador Dali/Luis Bunuel surrealist film, Un Chien Andalou.

And according to Lester Bangs of Rolling Stone magazine….“Nash the Slash is the kind of opening act that makes the headliner work that much harder.”

Along with other local indie bands like Songship (fronted by Mary Margaret O’Hara & Peter Mifsud), I would follow Nash wherever he played, marveling at his deft violin playing, as well as his distinctive compositions. I was working at a concert event at The Diamond Club (now The Phoenix), when I got to hang out with him backstage after a rousing performance – poor guy was drenched in sweat so with a promise from me not to tell anyone what he looked like, he started peeling off the layers while I held out a plastic shopping bag to collect the sodden bandages. I will keep my promise.When I learnt about the documentary being made about him and the need for funding, I offered my publicity services to Colin Brunton, Exec. Producer of Nash the Slash Rises Again!  I recently chatted with Colin (pictured below) and asked him to share his memories of Nash and tell us about the Go Fund Me program so I could reach out to his fans through my blog and social media networks….Colin, what first inspired you to make a film about Toronto’s mysterious musician, and entertainer? And when did Side Three Media take the lead?  Nash was a good friend of mine, and I’d always wanted to make a film about him, but the idea really took root when he passed away in 2014.  I had an idea of how to approach it, but schedules didn’t work out, and Side Three got the rights a couple of years later.  I teamed up with them a year or so after that.

You had a great relationship with Nash that started in the 70s – how did that come about?  I met Nash in 1973, when I was a teenager working at Gary Topp’s Original 99 Cent Roxy Theatre in the east-end of Toronto. The Roxy was a vital gathering place for the counterculture, turning people on to not just an eclectic programme of films, but also cutting-edge music between shows, and it had a reputation as a place where you could openly smoke weed. It was wild.  Nash was a regular there and lived in an apartment behind the projection booth, a living Phantom of the Opera.  We became friends. As our careers progressed, I’d hire him to do film soundtracks, and we kept in touch until the end. I wasn’t allowed to phone him before noon. Toronto had an amazing underground/alternative music scene back in the mid-70s and into the 80s – how did Nash (and you) navigate those waters? How did Nash become such a cult figure?  The mid-seventies in Toronto was a defining period of culture in this city:  pre-packaged hippie culture was on the outs, and the world was begging for something new. It was an exciting time.
Nash was a wildly creative musician with an artistic integrity not often seen anymore. He also had a flair for promotion and was able to keep his true identity a secret for decades.  His shows were mind-blowing: a one-person electronic orchestra on stage surrounded by banks of equipment and tape-machines, custom FX boards, an electric violin and electric mandolin; film images projected onto a screen; jigsawing violins to death and breathing fire.  Totally entertaining. What most fascinated a group of twenty-year-olds we had a test-screening for was his ability to do all of this without computers; he was one hundred per cent analog. He was a very clever guy. Genius. Did Nash produce music videos and if so, did MuchMusic support him by frequently showing them across the country back when MM was a real music tv network?  Nash was just too weird for the mainstream, so he did everything himself: promotion, management, marketing, everything. He was the first musician in Canada to create his own record label; the first to use tape-loops; the first to run drum machines though FX pedals. He never received grants to make videos, and record companies weren’t interested. Nash had a few videos that got played, but without a major label behind him, he never made it into heavy rotation on MuchMusic. But he gave great interviews and was a favourite amongst City TV’s “The New Music” which he was on a lot in the 80’s.

This film should fill in some gaps in Canadian music history – with the recent success of documentaries on MuchMusic itself, Doug & the Slugs and now The Tragically Hip, it seems the country is finally ready to celebrate unique Canadian recording artists. How do you think Nash would feel about being celebrated in this manner?  I’ll tap my foot to Doug & The Slugs, and I like Gord Downie, but Nash was more creative, original and daring. Canada is famous for ignoring their own and no one has been more grievously ignored than Nash the Slash.  Once this film gets out into the world, I’m sure he’d say, “It’s about fucking time!After several Gov’t & private funding rounds, the production still needs another $40K for completion, hopefully the bulk of which would come from both the Canada Council and the Toronto Arts Council. But most likely you’ll need $s from fans of Nash and the public, hence the crowd-funding campaign. Any message you’d like to send out to fans of Nash and the Canadian music industry as a whole?  We’re hoping the arts councils come through, but we’re not banking on it.  We need support at the grass-roots level:  people donating, no matter how small. They get their name in the credits, a shout-out on social media, and bit of a dopamine rush.  And they’ll be able to say that it couldn’t have happened without them; it’s a chance to have their name attached to something very cool and kind of underground.  Toronto’s going to be a lot more interesting with Nash the Slash back in it.

So good luck to the filmmakers: Colin Brunton, Kevan Byrne, Leanne Davies and Tim Kowalski.  This is a film that needs to be made and shown – they are currently only $40K short of their goals. If you’re a music fan, esp. lovers of indie artists and Canadian music history, visit the GoFundMe page and even if it’s $20, please donate tohttps://www.gofundme.com/f/nashtheslashrisesagain

Follow the producers on these social media platforms:
www.facebook.com/NashTheSlashDoc 
www.instagram.com/nashtheslashdoc
www.x.com/nashtheslashdoc
www.tiktok.com/@nashtheslash24

INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED FLUTIST/COMPOSER RON KORB LAUNCHES LATEST ALBUM WITH STANDING ROOM ONLY CONCERT

Last Friday night, fans, family and friends gathered at Toronto’s 3030 Dundas West music venue and cheered, stomped, danced and even conga’d as RON KORB introduced his latest album, World Canvas, to a capacity crowd. The album’s 18 tracks incorporate Latin, Asian, Middle Eastern and European themes recorded by Ron and his band of award-winning musicians contributing their skills on a diverse range of instruments from multiple cultural heritages. It truly was a canvas of world music that took listeners on a journey of sound discovery.After the show, I asked Ron to share his impressions of the night and he graciously offered the following…

Ron, congratulations on a wonderful night of music and entertainment. We all loved the show out in the audience…how was it for you up on stage?  Because there was a lot of new material in the show it’s always that mixture of excitement and concern about how it will come off and how the audience will react. But from the moment I walked out and played the first note it just felt great.

The players from the Samba Squad added some serious Brazilian vibes – you incorporated so many diverse music elements, how difficult is it to find players who are expert on the various cultural instruments?  We are very lucky in Toronto because it is a place where so many cultures live and thrive. Although I had some difficulty finding Korean musicians in Canada this time, I have known master percussionist Rick Shadrach Lazar and his group Samba Squad for decades so it was fairly easy and fun to incorporate the Brazilian vibe and to get them to play the show live. (below – Xiaoqiu Lin on the erhu)You had so many other musicians in the audience with whom you’ve played and recorded – that was very respectful (and exciting for us in the audience) to see so many award-winning and world-renowned players coming out to support your new album. So who were they?  That was a wonderful night with so many people in the business in attendance. Off the top of my head, there was veteran guitarist Bill Bridges who toured with Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Eartha Kitt, Vic Damone, John McDermott & Bowfire, and a kinder gentleman you will not find. Sharlene Wallace a fabulous Classical & Celtic harpist, Johannes Linstead an incredibly popular award-winning guitarist, bass player George Koller from the original The Shuffle Demons who has worked with Holly Cole, Herb Ellis, Art Farmer. Saxophonist John Panchyshyn, flutist Jamie Thompson and jazz singer Tanya Wills. I’d also like to shout out to radio vet Brian Master from Chum FM and photographer Yosh Inouye who shot several iconic album covers for Max Webster, Ian Thomas and the covers of 2112, Hemispheres and A Farewell to Kings from the Canadian power trio Rush, and Siobhan Grennan former producer at MuchMusic currently working at Zoomer Media and 96.3 The New Classical.

The show ended with 2 encores and a massive conga line dancing around the club – did you think you’d see that?  My original idea of having the CD release in a club was that I wanted it to be really fun. I was motioning to the audience to get up and clap along but when it exploded into to this huge conga line and it really made me laugh. From the corner of my eye I saw the chef and wait staff dancing, too. It so beautiful to see people having such a great time.

And further congratulations for your just-announced inclusion of Global Canvas on the Grammy World Music nomination ballot. When will you hear whether the album made it on the full voting ballot?  Global Canvas is on the ballot and voting closes October 15th. We will see who gets nominated for the World Music Grammy on Friday, Nov 10. I would really like to thank my core band of Ray Hickey Jr, Bill Evans, Steve Lucas and Larry Crowe for all their support and dedication in the studio and onstage throughout the decades.

Thanks, Ron, and good luck with this year’s Grammy selection.

I’d like to give my own shout-out to Ron’s wife, Jade (below), who not only manned the ticket and merch. table on the night, but also designs Ron’s album covers and a multitude of other support duties. She always looks so glamorous and is a welcoming presence at his concerts.As the night wound down and after 2 encores, Ron happily joined in with a meet-n-greet, posing for selfies and signing copies of the CD… I managed to snap a couple of celebrity pics of two of my favourite music people congratulating Ron: international guitar guru Johannes Linstead and popular singer Tanya Wills… Based on audience response, Global Canvas is destined to become another hit album for Ron – there was no doubt as each new track played was met with glorious applause and foot stomping! You can stream the album via Spotify, iTunes or your favourite platform, and several videos have been uploaded to YouTube. CDs are available from Ron’s website:  www.ronkorb.com and I encourage you to follow Ron on social media (linked from his website).

So thumbs up to Ron and his amazing group of musicians who rocked the stage at 3030 Dundas…and I’ll leave the final word to Ron’s #1 fan, Susan,  who apparently approves of Global Canvas!!

GRAMMY WINNER RON KORB LAUNCHES LATEST ALBUM “GLOBAL CANVAS” WITH OCT. 4 CONCERT IN TORONTO

Internationally-renowned flutist and composer Ron Korb is again sharing his love of world music with his latest album full of Latin, Middle Eastern, European and Asian  influences, played by outstanding culturally diverse musicians.  The physical CD of Global Canvas drops officially on Friday October 4th with a special concert on at the 3030 Dundas West club (details at end of blog). He will be joined on stage by many of the artists who recorded the 18 tracks with Ron, including Bill Evans (piano/keyboards), Steve Lucas (bass), Xiaoqiu Lin (erhu), Larry Crowe (drums), Victoria Yeh (violin), Rick Shadrach Lazar (Latin and Middle Eastern percussion) Ray Hickey Jr (guitar & koto) plus other guests.

I’m going to let Ron tell you about the project himself…..

You always give us beautiful cover art (photographs) and liner notes on your albums. Your wife, Jade, is a talented photographer and a brilliant design collaborator, creating such beautiful covers for all your albums. It was pointed out to me by one of your dedicated fans that this is the first time you’re shown without a flute in hand. Why the change in style….are you re-branding?  The Global Canvas cover and album design wasn’t a conscious rebranding but the image just felt right. It is the idea of having a blank page from which the inspiration will spring. If you look closely you will even see subtle white brush strokes adding some texture and the white shirt I am wearing just blends into the canvas texture. We did try the opposite approach of having explosive vivid colours representing the energetic world music grooves on the CD but in the end this seemed more true somehow. Now that I think about it, the introspective cover portrait really captures the look of someone working out ideas in their head. 
Ron incudes a track called “Angkor Wat” that was inspired by a trip to Cambodia with Human Rights activist Arn Chorn Pond, to whom Ron was introduced by one of the most famous artists of the past 40+yrs. Watch this video to learn who….

And what’s next once Global Canvas is out in the world…do you have special performances lined up or more film work?  I have been invited to perform in Ricky Kej’s group in Dubai in January. Ricky is a 3 time Grammy winning artist and very well known and popular in his home country of India. There are some other great performing opportunities materializing in 2025. I also play on Ricky’s new album and also Masa’s new single Kashira.  In my life, I never know what new thing is around the corner. Film work or studio always comes up very quickly so we shall see what the New Year will bring.

If you’d like to join Ron at his launch concert in Toronto you can click on his website for full details: www.ronkorb.com
GLOBAL CANVAS album release concert
Friday October 4th at 3030 Dundas West in The Junction (Toronto)
Doors open 7pm – Show starts 8pm
Tickets $35 at door or $30 in advance from Ron’s website or via Eventbrite.ca
To reserve your table, contact club 3030 Dundas W at 3030.table.reservations@gmail.com

Follow Ron on social media: Fcbk + IG @RonKorb

INDIE FILMMAKER PATRICIA BEBIA MAWA UNVEILS UPCOMING DEBUT FEATURE FILM RELEASE

Yesterday, I had the privilege to attend a special screening for the production team behind THE LIFE COACH, the new feature film written and directed by local and international media maven PATRICIA BEBIA MAWA. Due for theatrical release in November, The Life Coach traces the emotional journey of Gary Johnson, a success life coach whose own childhood was traumatic, violent and mentally abusive that creates a shaky foundation from which he has built an over-achiever’s career. So many scenes will resonate with many viewers, I’m sure.

But Patricia has allowed for many sparkling comedic moments that give all the characters (and the audience) breathing space. Lead actor Kosa Akaraiwe  is brilliant and inhabits all aspects of Gary’s personality. This actor is destined for greatness!

Leading lady Lorraine, is played by Lindo Osifo, who is caring, kind and tries to make a connection with Gary even though he is struggling with so many personal issues including his aversion to connectivity and closeness with women.

Viewers should look for two fabulous supporting characters – Lorraine’s best gal pal, Georgette, played by Souha Usman. – we’d all love to have a best friend like her. And the sassy, saucy and sexy Maria Frankis who plays the ultimate femme fatale Jennifer who knows how to be seductive but with a wink-wink humour. Loved those ladies.

I don’t want to give the story away too soon. I’ll write a more in-depth review and actor profiles closer to the November release date but keep an eye out for The Life Coach screening at the Caribbean Tales Int’l Film Fest over the next 10 days here in Toronto. Here’s the trailer….

Thanks again for inviting me to your special screening, Patricia. Time now to start planning our media campaign to promote the November release.

MEET BOBBY DEL RIO – WRITER, ACTOR, TV HOST, DIRECTOR, INTERNET STAR…what can’t this guy do??

I met Bobby Del Rio what seems like a lifetime ago, when we both worked at Toronto’s ReelWorld Film Festival – I was the publicist, Bobby was the feature film programmer (and a filmmaker himself). Over the year’s, I’ve watched as he steadily built his career, starring in numerous film & tv projects, he also wrote stage plays, films and tv scripts, then pivoted and adopted online presenting becoming one of the most internationally popular and internet savvy hosts on the Clubhouse platform. He’s embraced the world of high finance & investing, and showed his ability to understand crypto-currency, AI and other techno-platforms that are all so foreign to me! He’s now one of the stars of a successful new tv series “Poly is the New Monogamy” in a role written for him by show creator and long-time friend Cat Hostick.  So of course I had to sit down to do an interview Q&A with him this past week. Here’s what Bobby had to share…..Bobby, you started off as a playwright, garnering so many awards as well as media & fan kudos and industry recognition. Can you remember the first play you wrote that was produced on stage?  My first produced play was called Name It Yourself! at the 1999 SummerWorks Festival. It was an experimental play that was this really weird but unique meta experience of a playwright abusing his own creations.

And then you won the inaugural Robertson Davies Playwriting Award for writing When Children Fall for the University of Toronto Drama Festival. How did that honour impact your career? Was that the motivation for your incredible run of plays produced over the next 5 years?  I never thought of myself as a writer until I won that playwriting award at U of T. After all that initial publicity as a playwright, I started experimenting with every genre I could – as I was really just trying to learn the craft of writing. It was all so unexpected, so the world saw me learning how to write plays as I kept getting so much attention for being a young playwright. You moved seamlessly into film, grabbing all sorts of supporting and guest roles on tv and in film – did that re-focus your sights on a career in film?  For sure. I went to theatre school, where Shakespeare was God. As I started booking larger and larger roles in film/television, I became more interested in the medium of film/tv.

In 2009, you appeared in every frame of the short film Unlocked which premiered at Toronto Int’l Film Festival then was sold to CBC tv. Was this the real turning point for you when it came to leadership in filmmaking?  It was definitely a career highlight. There weren’t many opportunities for Asian actors back then. Paul Lee and Jean Yoon (both from Kim’s Convenience) were also in the film – and I believe it was the first time any of us had actually been part of TIFF. Really cool experience.

You spent some time as Canadian feature film programmer for Toronto’s ReelWorld Film Festival which is where you and I first met. How did that gig impact your career direction & goals?  Tonya Lee Williams has helped my career so much. That job gave me so much confidence. I made so many friends across Canada in the film business, and it inspired me to write/direct my own feature film The Market.Yes, then came The Market, your play & subsequent feature film about the stock market and the “suits“ who lived the Wall Street dream. It seemed like the creative floodgates swung open even wider for you after that and you explored many other opportunities with multiple entertainment and news genres. How did you feel with so many options?  I honestly just focus on what’s in front of me. I was always a top student, so I just look at everything like doing my homework. lol

In 2020/21, Clubhouse became the most popular professionally-targeted social media platform, esp. for those in showbiz, and you were able to communicate with so many legit movers and shakers who, again, opened creative doors for you. How did you discover Clubhouse and how did you become one of the top Clubhouse personalities?  It was super random. My friend just invited me, said I would be good at it. I got so popular by accident. I just made people laugh, made lots of friends, then somehow became one of the top personalities in the world. The universe gave me the platform. I feel incredibly grateful & lucky for all that Hollywood/international exposure. I did 65 interviews around the world, making me the subject of national news in Canada which  landed me a Hollywood agent from the app during the Covid pandemic.In 2022, you became one of the highest-paid television personalities in Canada, hosting/writing 40 episodes of The Daily Drop for News Forum/Blockchain TV. What was that?  I hosted & wrote my first television series. I had many offers come to my team because of Clubhouse – and hosting that tv show about crypto was the best offer I got.

And now, you’re cast as a series regular in the new tv series Poly is the New Monogamy (on Hollywood Suite tv network) which is garnering so many thumbs-up from critics and audiences. How did that show come to be?  Cat Hostick is one of my best friends. She literally wrote the role for me, playing one of her character’s best friends. LOLIs there a 2nd season for Poly? And will you be in that, too?  There’s definitely lots of interest. Many people are exploring options with us, but nothing is confirmed yet.

What’s next for Bobby Del Rio?  I’m currently also hosting/writing another tv series about technology called Open Source (with News Forum). It launched the day before Poly dropped on Hollywood Suite. It’s a busy time in my career. I premiered 2 tv series in 2 days – starring in both.  Here’s the link: https://www.thenewsforum.ca/opensource

Bobby, if fans want to follow you for news and work updates, which social media account can they follow? My social media hands are:  @bobbydelrio on Instagram and @Bobman on Twitter/X 

The GEM EXPO July 26-28 IN TORONTO, PLUS META EXPO FOR WELLNESS & ALT. HEALERS

I had a fabulous outing today to The Gem Expo, along with its sister show, The Meta Expo (featuring healers, psychics and alternative wellness practitioners). OMG, each time I attend one of the 3x a year shows, I find new bling to admire (and buy!) and learn new things so today was no exception. To get things started, here’s the creator of these hugely successful shows, Salim Moorani, to tell you about Gem & Meta Expos….

Thanks, Salim. So let’s head into the main hall…

I spoke first with the lovely lady from Choden La Himalayan Silvercrafts who attends every show with her stunning silver and gemstone jewellery…

You can see more on their Instagram: @chodenla_silvercrafts

Then I dropped by www.thearguscollection.com booth and spoke with Alison whose daughter runs this unique business. Look at these lovely gems imported from Vietnam….

I really connected with the lady who runs www.bellajewelsdesign.ca  I found a number of cute gold rings (esp. the little square ring pictured 2nd row, 2nd from left) and necklaces but I managed to resist the temptation! You can check out more of her gems on IG: @bellajewels.design

And now for something completely different: www.oldsoulproject.com offers unique therapy “beads” to help those afflicted with arthritis or neuropathy in their hands (and that includes me). Owner Alex D’Oliveira will explain…..


Alex was gracious enough to create one just for me so I’ll enjoy the wee exercise “balls” for my fingers.

There was lots of my favourite Lapis Lazuli today, including these cutlery handles which definitely would NOT go in the dishwasher! I then found the Dea Terrae booth (below) that included raw gems and fossils…apparently the Newmarket-based store is expecting a shipment of dinosaur fossils soon. Keep watch for those via their Instagram: @deaterra So much to see – if you love precious and semi-precious stones you can buy them raw, tumbled & polished or ready made into beautiful jewellery, like these pendants below….

If you’d like to check out Gem Expo and Meta Expo this weekend, you can find the shows at the Hyatt Regency, 370 King West in downtown Toronto and the times are: Friday 11:30 – 8pm, Saturday 10 – 6pm and Sunday 10 – 5pm
Tickets for both shows combined are: Adults: Daily only $10.00, Weekend pass $20, Students & Seniors $5, Kids 12 and under are always free! All the details & directions can be found here: https://thegemexpo.com/

 

MEET TALENTED AUSSIE DOCUMENTARIAN BENJAMIN SCOTFORD WHOSE LATEST FILM FOLLOWS WWI FEATURE FILM CAST & CREW

As you know, I search out any Australian film or TV news I can find online – so much content is not shared with those of us on the other side of the world: streaming platforms for films are geo-blocked due to distribution deals that don’t include the Canada/US territory so I have to live vicariously thru my Down Under production mates and various news sources. I recently discovered a very talented filmmaker, BENJAMIN SCOTFORD (pictured below) who produced an exciting behind-the-scenes documentary titled IN THE TRENCHES that follows the machinations of a feature film production called Before Dawn, directed by Jordan Prince-Wright.Benjamin’s doc has been getting lots of buzz on the festival circuit and this past weekend, was premiered at the Revelation Film Fest presented in Perth, Western Australia (my childhood/teenage home) – the WWI action/adventure feature was filmed in the southern part of the state complete with muddy trenches (hence the title of Ben’s film), cannons and gunfire, and Ben took his own crew into the fray, following the actors, the director and crew, to shoot all the activity from the busy set. It was quite the feat – staying out of the way yet capturing all the action of a war film production in close-up.
Director’s Statement: This documentary is intended to be a standalone story, enjoyable for a wide range of audiences, even if they are unfamiliar with Before Dawn or Australia’s involvement in WWI. I have aimed to capture the story in a manner that closely reflects my first-hand experience of witnessing a group of dedicated filmmakers working against a mountain of obstacles before knowing the final outcome.
I spoke with Benjamin recently and asked that he share his thoughts and stories…from the trenches.

How difficult was it for you to shoot all the behind-the-scenes footage amongst the film crew, the mud and the actors?  There’s always an element of challenge with BTS footage because the most important part of your job is to stay out of the way and avoid disrupting the production itself. That said, it’s quite a fun challenge to find ways of filming what’s happening while keeping a low profile and staying out of the way. One big challenge with this project was that I also had to look out for my own camera gear among the rainy conditions and muddy set. By the end, I had worked out a streamlined setup that protected my gear from the wet weather, while still having the flexibility to move quickly and get quality footage.
Aside from that, a lot of the creative challenges come down to building scenes through the on-set footage to help tell the story in the edit. I had to make sure that each time we moved location, I got a variety of shots that could build upon each other. Sometimes this meant following different crew members in a way that would showcase their process. It is easy to get one or two good angles of something happening, but having a series of shots that tell a full story really helps in the edit. What inspired you to undertake this project?  I love watching behind the scenes content and noticed recently that there hasn’t been a regular influx of high quality, insightful documentaries in that space. I’ve always thought it would be a fun area to work in, and since I’ve started doing it, I’ve grown more and more passionate about seeing it done in an innovative way.

I know you’ve submitted to film festivals around the world…are you hoping to showcase your doc via streaming platforms, too? Maybe Prime or Netflix?  Absolutely! Details to come soon. Am sure there was a great deal of camaraderie on-set – were you and your small crew included or did you remain separate from the feature film folks?  A bit of both. During lunch breaks and other moments throughout the day, we enjoyed getting to know the cast and crew and feeling like a part of the team. However, we did try to stay a little bit separate on set so that we could tell the story from a more observational perspective. Overall, it really did feel like we were all part of a big team, since we were all going through a very similar experience together. Did you relate to the young director/producer Jordan Prince-Wright, both being of the same generation of filmmakers? Did that make you sympathetic to his tremendous responsibility?  Yes, I’ve got a lot of respect for the way Jordon works and how much he is able to accomplish. I’m not sure I would want as much pressure as he’s under, but it’s been inspiring to see him make it work as well as he has. I think passion breeds passion. Seeing how much he was putting into the project got me really excited to bring the same level of passion to my part, which also transferred to the team I was working with for the behind the scenes. Hopefully, we’ll see you at film/doc festivals over the coming months – what’s next for you?  Exciting times! We are hoping to screen In the Trenches in some more film festivals, since a lot of our target market is made up of people who are excited by the filmmaking process. I’m also producing behind the scenes content for a few other films, and working towards doing a lot more of it in the future.

Thanks, Benjamin. So here’s a taste of what an incredible shoot this was, for both the feature filmmaker AND documentarian, Scotford.

Photos courtesy of Keana Naughton

You can follow Ben on his filmmaking journey via LinkedIn or https://www.facebook.com/benjamin.scotford

The doc made me proud to be an Aussie, especially one who loves the movies. Bravo, Ben…I can’t wait to see more of your work.

INTRODUCING THE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF AUSTRALIA

The International Film Festival of Australia aims to recognize and honor exceptional artists, directors, producers, and the commendable works of feature films, short films, and documentaries from around the globe. The IFFA reaches out across all continents, unites cultures, and celebrates the power of storytelling. So after seeing numerous Instagram and Facebook posts (you know I love anything about my homeland of Australia) I decided to reach out and learn more about this new, diverse film festival.

When was the IFFA established and why – was there a specific creative gap to fill?  IFFA was established in 2021 with its first Awards night in 2023. The International Film Festival of Australia (IFFA) is dedicated to celebrating the captivating world of cinema. As a key player in Australia’s film and digital industry, IFFA showcases outstanding work in feature films, short films, documentaries, and digital media. We are passionate about both local and international talent, and our mission is twofold: to promote Australian films globally and to bring exciting cinema to Australia.  At IFFA, we firmly believe that art transcends boundaries, bridging gaps between cultures, nations, and communities. Through innovative storytelling, technological marvels, and raw human emotions, we strive to foster connections and create a global community united by the power of the silver screen.Who is the Founder and what is his background?   The IFFA’s director and the creator who brought the festival to life is Jatinder Kumar (pictured below). Born in Delhi, India in 1980, he moved to Melbourne in 2007 and embraced an entrepreneurial spirit which began in India after he graduated from the University of Delhi in 2002. He encountered many people from the film industry and began networking with them; having always been interested in film, this began his passion for the world of cinema, culminating in the creation of his own production company, Creative Production Studio, with a short film shot and several projects in development, including a series and a feature film.
Kumar’s IMDb profile:  https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm15864117?ref_=hm_prof_photo

This passion for film and cinema is what ultimately led Kumar to create IFFA. Born from the challenges he faced in his own career, IFFA represents his ideals for removing barriers of diversity within the industry, bringing all communities to one stage, and providing an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to showcase and celebrate their work. Starting a new festival from the ground up is no easy task, and Kumar had to wear many hats to bring his brainchild, IFFA, to life. The first annual IFFA (2023) had a great attendee turnout including local and international VIPs, such as consulates and international film stars and directors. Reception from guests, filmmakers and actors alike was one the biggest highlights, and the venue and sponsor support was phenomenal. More than that, support and submissions flowed in from around the world, which was the best proof of IFFA’s concept and reach. (Canadian Consulate representative pictured below L)Does the Festival target emerging filmmakers or does it embrace established, more mature creators?  The festival targets both emerging and established filmmakers on the one stage.With the numerous online platforms for viewing films, docs, shorts, etc. do Australian filmmakers embrace non-theatrical distributions for their projects and how does IFFA support that?  Australian filmmakers have increasingly embraced non-theatrical distributions through online platforms, driven by the need for wider audience reach and the flexibility of digital viewing.

IFFA supports this trend through:

  • Partnerships with Streaming Platforms: We are open to collaborating with leading online platforms to showcase films globally.
  • Promotion and Marketing Support: We promote films on our website, social media, and through press coverage.
  • Dedicated Non-Theatrical Awards: We recognize excellence in online releases with our annual awards night.
  • Networking Opportunities: We facilitate connections between filmmakers and digital distributors.

Being based in such an isolated country, how does IFFA reach out to filmmakers and industry creatives from around the world?  IFFA employs several strategies to connect with the global film community:

  • Online Submissions and Networking: We use a robust online platform for film submissions, making it easy for filmmakers worldwide to participate. Our virtual networking events also facilitate global connections.
  • International Partnerships: IFFA collaborates with international film festivals, industry organizations, and cultural institutions to foster global relationships and cross-promotional opportunities.
  • Social media and Digital Marketing: We leverage social media and digital marketing campaigns to engage with a global audience, keeping filmmakers and industry professionals informed about festival updates and opportunities
  • Festival Ambassadors: We appoint festival ambassadors in various regions to promote IFFA and encourage submissions from their local film communities.

Through these efforts, IFFA successfully bridges the geographical gap and maintains a strong global presence, ensuring diverse and international participation.Does IFFA offer any online/streaming of the awards or special screenings for those of us around the world?  IFFA does not offer online streaming, but we hope to stream the annual awards night through our website in the future.
You can follow the Festival’s activities via social media:

Instagram:  @iffaawards
https://www.facebook.com/iffaawards
https://www.tiktok.com/@iffaawards
and their website: https://www.iffa.com.au/

Well congratulations to Kumar and all at IFFA and we’ll look forward to this year’s festival later this year, on the 5th of November at the Palms at the Crown Casino in Melbourne.

 

REBEL BUBBIE BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE AT OPENING NIGHT OF TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL

Congratulations to Bruria Cooperman and her director Eva Almos on last night’s opening of Rebel Bubbie, Inc. at the Alumnae Theatre as part of this year’s annual Toronto Fringe Festival. The theatre was mostly populated by friends and family (and Bruria has a big family) who laughed throughout her 60-minute show recounting stories of her life and what it means to now be a “bubbie” (Jewish grandmother). Even as a first-timer at the Fringe, Bruria owned the stage and seemed very comfortable sharing her thoughts and experiences, never shying away from recounting some of the naughtier moments in her life.So here’s a little background on the show, the stories and the bubbie….  Hot off her scene-stealing appearance in the Adam Sandler film, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, Bruria Cooperman is a semi-reformed, self-confessed renegade who wrote and stars in an unfiltered one-woman comedy, co-written with Almos.  As we learn, she was always in search of adventure, discovering that marriage won’t stop you from being arrested, banned from a casino, being taken into police custody in Yugoslavia for nudging a mule (!) or getting kicked-out of a bagel joint. From performing improv in NYC in the 60s & 70s, being at Woodstock, to drag racing, floating in a weightless space tube, authoring books – Rebel Bubbie has done it all…and only arrested twice (she holds up 3 fingers in a sly aside from the stage!) Cooperman has led a life of trail-blazing: she was part of the first generation of children born in Israel, post-Holocaust. From an early age, she exhibited an attitude of “Hey, look at me!” This adventurous child got into all manner of scrapes with her playmates and on her own. Always finding humour in the darkness, she wrote a book about children born to Holocaust survivors titled For This I Survived? Children of Survivors Beyond the Trauma (avail. on Amazon). When the curtain came down on last night’s show, Bruria was surrounded by well-wishers who embraced her and offered kudos and encouragement for the rest of the run.

And head of ACTRA Toronto, David Gale (pictured below L) also dropped in to congratulate Bruria on her show Emmy-nominated creator Eva also had friends come out to support the show (pictured below, R) and she was pleased to sit and relax after the show…The Toronto Fringe Festival runs over the next 10 days at various locations with numerous plays, musicals, puppetry and dance so check out their website for details Rebel Bubbie, Inc. show is 60-min. and all shows are staged at the Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkley Street, Toronto.
Info & Tickets: www.FringeToronto.com
Here are the dates and times:
Thursday, July 4th   6:00 pm  $10.00     Thurs July 11th   8:15 pm $15.00
Saturday, July 6th   12:30 pm $15.00      Friday July 12th  6:00 pm $15.00
Sunday July 7th      2:15 pm   $15.00       Sat. July 13th  3:15 pm $15.00
Wed. July 10th  6:00 pm   $15.00

Again, congrats to the one and only REBEL BUBBIE!