fourONEsixSTYLE

This is what I love about politics. There’s a whole lot of talk about what’s right and wrong but when it comes down to it it’s really all about action.

Last election I did my research to see how much (or how little) the political parties in my riding, Parkdale - High Park, were doing to support the environment. It was on everyone’s agenda and they were all purporting to support it. The release I wrote last election, A Greener Campaign will show you just how well the other parties act on their promises, however this little video will show you that too, in only 9 seconds.

Despite promises from the Liberal, the NDP or even the Conservatives, only the Ontario Green Party have spent the time to plan and deliver an agenda that will put the environment on the right track while being sure that your tax dollars are not spent frivoulously (read NDP) by your future government. Besides that you’ve got to love a leader like Frank de Jong who blasts by Howard Hampton’s idling tour bus while on his bicycle.

PS. Election day is Wednesday, October 10th. Get out and vote!

I’ve been sitting on the edge of the fence, deciding whether I wanna pay my $80, for day one of Virgin Festival on Toronto Island September 8th. I would’ve gone for Amy Winehouse and Bjork but now the bitchy crooner has dropped out and I don’t feel like paying the bucks to see cute little Bjork perform for only an hour or two. I’ve seen her on the Island before and it was okay. The view sucked for everyone unless you were on a picnic table or right at the front since the grounds have no naturally built-in gradient.

My fav show/concert ever was Bjork at the Hummingbird Centre, each song built up methodically over 15 minutes, layering effects by computer technicians Matmos, a choir from Greenland, a harp and Bjork herself emerging on stage as if in a fairy tale. Virgin festival, with its wham bam attitude, won’t come close to comparing.

Winehouse was really the clincher for me, having missed her appearance at The Mod Club earlier this year, but she’s cancelled all her September shows and is out of the line up for Branson’s big music festival. Must have something to do with all the gory details emerging from a bloody fight with her beau. Hope those two sort out their drug problems before Winehouse’s father-in-law convinces everyone to boycott her and business plummets. Despite her drug issues and bitchy demeanour I would’ve dropped the cash in a sec to see her. Now I’m dropping my plans to go to V-fest instead.

Island residents be warned, Wakestock is back bigger and badder than ever. The event is celebrating ten adrenalin filled years and promises to be a huge blow out, mixing punk and hip hop culture under a banner of edgy board sport (and bikini) competitions.

There’ll be no shortage of eye-candy - you can check out motocross, skateboard, wakeskate and of course wakeboard events. Last year I wasn’t sure what to expect, I thought I’d be stuck in the stands miles from nowhere hoping for a glance of the action. Instead I was knee deep in warm water leaning on a rail while riders landed sick tricks right in front of my face. You’ve got to be able to appreciate what these kids can do.

Just as hype as the sport side is what’s happening on stage all weekend. Wakestock seems to be pushing the Grammy angle, bringing big names to perform music at this summer’s show. I’ll be getting jacked on beats by De La Soul, Lupe Fiasco and Del The Funky Homosapien while taking a schoolin from punk pros Goldfinger and The Deftones.

With such a wicked mix of events on the island it’s really as good as it gets for those of us in TO who love beach life. You can wander the island, watch the waves and get some sweet inspiration from athletes who’ve trucked in from all over the world just to show you what they do best. If that doesn’t get you jacked maybe a dunk in the lake will do it for you.

Wakestock starts today, runs until Sunday. Ticket prices vary. Catch the ferry to Centre Island.

(photo Wakestock 01 by hotmshr)

It’s not often Toronto’s Terminal One at Pearson inspires me to break into song and dance. That might be different after watching Feist’s new video My Moon My Man. Next time I find myself strolling down the moving sidewalks looking at our sparkling city under a full moon I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold back. I just hope there’ll be a few others that join in.

The jetsetting Canadian singer songwriter has been away for awhile. I’m happy to hear she’s just moved back to Toronto where she’s filmed a few videos for her upcoming album The Reminder, scheduled for release in Canada and the US today. For now Feist is working solo but her past musical collaborations led her to work with with Broken Social Scene and former Toronto roommate Peaches.

My man Craig Williams, Location Manager on Feist’s recent videos which were shot over several nights at the airport, said they were ton of fun to work on. It’s a catchy song too. See what people are saying about the video on blogTO.

The weekend’s here and I wanted to let you know that the itunes canada free download of the week is K-OS’ new Electrik HeaT - the Seek - wiLL, the music video that my man just finished working on last week. If you were a fan of Rob Base in HS you’ll dig the funky base line. The pic attached is a little peak onto the set, and the video to come.

roy thomson hall
Originally uploaded by 416style.

This one of my favourite stories, and one most people don’t believe….

One night a bunch of us were wasted at a friend’s place when we got a call that Tiga - Montreal superstar and owner of legendary nighclub Sona - was spinning at Roy Thomson Hall. What a venue! My friends were inside and said it was fantastic. Could we make it? It was my idea to try to do it and it seemed like everyone was game.

We got to the door at 3:30am and security was adamant they wouldn’t let any more people in. Think that was gonna stop us?Nearby we stumbled upon Metro Hall and someone had an epiphany - we were gonna “break in” by going underground.

Somehow we set off the alarms throughout the tower but nobody seemed to notice. Down below we made it to some food court and then decided the hallways to haul garbage were our way into the Hall. Now this wasn’t some Hollywood bank robbery - but we were surprisingly savvy for a bunch of drunk kids.

After a couple broken credit cards we jimmied our way into the long corridors, still with no one on our tail. A few minutes later we came around a bend and we were at the door opposite the party. This was one serious piece of steel though. We slammed and jumped and banged on the door but no one heard over the loud music, or maybe they just didn’t know how bad we wanted in.

Brett, my crazy actor buddy and partner in crime was standing beside me when we heard something coming around the corner. Big gulp!

Here’s where it gets Hollywood. Around that corner came two dobermans and a security guard running full speed ahead. We had no choice but to run! Someone yelled and we all bolted like we’d never done before. Crazy bit is, we didn’t know what was at the other end of the hallway we were running toward, but we kept going. It felt like forever. Finally we saw that the hallway led up some stairs. We hustled up them so fast and found two big sturdy doors. Full speed ahead.

We swung them wide open and found ourselves outside! Scott free! Does it get any better? I suppose we could’ve made it in to the party, but I still love running into that group of crazy friends and wonder what other adventures lay ahead. Next time I’ll tell you about catching a cab on the Gardiner.

DJ deko-ze
Originally uploaded by 416style.

I made it down to Toronto’s Pride after the parade to check out the scene, I should have expected that I would find it kinda sketchy. It was a Sunday afternoon after all and these “kids” have been giving it their all - all weekend. There were still some in costume and some fresh faces willing to pose for pictures. Some adorable sailors smiled for me on cue, while other shots I had to sneak around to get.

At the north end near the swing stage all the dorky types congregated - making me think Toronto’s gay scene is probably one of the most boring around; certainly not the same as Sydney’s salacious celebration. My girlfriends and I walked south along closed–off Church Street to a skinny “beer garden” in a parking lot with the floor covered in shipped-in sand and a sign saying “no barefeet”. We parked ourselves in some lawn chairs and sucked in all the corporate sponsorship. Ah. Pride. Isn’t it about throwing “off” conventions and breaking out of the mainstream?

I got a big laugh out of the crowd at one stage - after DJ Deko-ze (pictured) played for a jumping crowd DJ Jelo came on and played the kind of music that makes you think everyone is too wasted to really think about what they’re dancing to. Jelo was playing “Ghostbusters - who ya gonna call?” while mixing in techno beats, crowd-cheering tracks and the occasional siren to make it officially some of the silliest music I’ve ever seen a crowd go wild for; though it was enough to make the girls on stage take off their tops and let it loose for the ogling masses. Well, maybe only the straight security guard was looking - but he was definitely getting an eyeful.

In between all the made for the masses music and corporate culture was an occasional person just doing their own thing and loving life - whether dancing in the street or letting their pride hang out. It was moments like this that reminded me what this whole pride event is meant to be. Walking home I heard one Sydneysider talking to a friend back home saying “It was great - while it lasted”. I knew that after today all the rainbow flags would slowly come down and people would have to tuck their pride back in their pants until next year, but that sharing this weekend of freedom with all their friends was sure worth the trip.

photo 042
Originally uploaded by funkin.

Jay Kay’s funk bank Jamiroquai played at a little publicized concert at Toronto’s Koolhaus Friday night. A girlfriend called me late that afternoon to see if I wanted to try and get in somehow, even though it was already sold out. I was still game, only because she seemed very optimistic. I’d been listening to the band since high school and never seen them play live. At one point it didn’t look good, but my girl Rachel, in a stroke of genius, scored a way in for me and Liz as well as herself. A wonderful, fun and polite crowd nearly filled the place, everyone unable to stop shakin their thing. We danced the whole time and could’ve kept going for hours while Jamiroquai played classics like Cosmic Girl, Alright, High Times and You Give Me Something. Jay Kay also used the opportunity to promote the new CD “Dynamite” and played it’s signature track. I was impressed; more fun, danceable tracks by the group who knows how to get down and get funky. I was only put off a bit that the group didn’t seem to explore their musical range which includes several unusual instruments. I’d still definitely pick up the new CD, in fact I was just about to but noticed it isn’t yet available on itunes Canada. Big surprise. Guess I’ll have to go to the record store just like the high school days.