One Night Stand with Usher @ the Kool Haus - Sat Nov 8!

ONE NIGHT STAND
USHER
LADIES ONLY
KOOL HAUS
LEGAL AGE 19+/R126007780
SAT NOV 8 2008 DRS 8PM

CA $80.50 - CA $126.00
Internet Onsale Info
Onsale to General Public:
Fri, 09/26/08 10:00 AM EDT
Visit: http://www.ticketmaster.ca for more info

Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson @ the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Canadian Chapter Fundraising Gala in Toronto

Prime Minister David Thompson and His Wife, First Lady, Mara Thompson - Photo by Carol A. Allen

Cheryl Phillips, MC & Publisher of Sway Magazine - Photo by Carol A. Allen


Barbados Prime Minister, David Thompson, was the Keynote Speaker at the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Canadian Chapter Fundraising dinner last Saturday at the Delta Toronto East Hotel in Scarborough, Ontario. Thompson, who was sworn in January of this year, urged foreigners to invest in Barbados to build a new health care facility to replace the country's current largest hospital, the Queen Elizabeth.

Nearly 600 people were in attendance at this gala affair.

Eddie Griffin & Friends @ Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY - Fri Oct 10!

The Fuller Woman Expo @ the Living Arts Centre, Mississauga, ON

Photos by Carol A. Allen

The Fuller Woman Expo, Living Arts Centre, Mississauga, ON, Sun Sept 15/08

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST--ET CANADA PARTY @ CASA LOMA AND THE ROSEWATER PARTY - Sept 10/08

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST PARTY @ Empire Lounge and the Mongrel Media Party @ The Distillery - Sept 8/08

The Black Films Rule! Party @ Manyata Courtyard Cafe, Sept 7

Capitol One Just For Laughs Comedy Tour - Wed Oct 29 & Thurs Oct 30!

Carol Allen with Finesse Mitchell, Essence Music Festival, New Orleans, 2008

THE CAPITAL ONE
JUST FOR LAUGHS
COMEDY TOUR

Hamilton & Toronto Shows!

The Capital One Just For Laughs Comedy Tour 2008 is back and taking Canada around the world! Brace yourself for an all-new show starring the hottest International comics on the scene today featuring a killer line-up of talent from Scotland, England, Ireland, Canada and the U.S. The Tour returns with host, Saturday Night Live alum, Finesse Mitchell; special guest and Scottish superstar, Danny Bhoy; Canadian talent Pete Zedlacher; Irish breakout star David O'Doherty and Brit funnyman Hal Cruttenden.

Location: HAMILTON PLACE THEATRE,
Hamilton Place Theatre, 50 Main S. W., Hamilton, ON
WED OCT 29 2008 7:30PM
ORCHESTRA LEVEL
CA $35.50 - CA $42.50
1ST BALCONYCA $35.50 - CA $42.50
2ND BALCONY
CA $35.50

Location: MASSEY HALL
VICTORIA & SHUTER, Toronto, On
THU OCT 30, 2008 7:00 PM & 9:30PM--Two Shows!
FLOOR SEATING
CA $59.50
BALCONY SEATING
CA $59.50
GALLERY SEATING - SECOND BALCONY
CA $35.50 - CA $45.50
Visit: http://www.ticketmaster.ca
http://web2.hahaha.com/microsite/ComedyTour/Home/

Carol's Note: Get a 15% discount on all show tickets when you enter the password FIRSTCLASS on Ticketmaster before Sunday, September 14!

Buju Banton Live @ the Kool Haus - Sat Oct 11!

Photo by Carol A. Allen - Reggae Sumfest 2007 in Jamaica

"UP CLOSE & PERSONAL"
BUJU BANTON
& THE SHILOH BAND
Featuring Machel Montano HD
TICKETS CAN NOT BE PICKED UP AT THE VENUE

** It is recommended that all tickets be picked up at least one day prior to the show at your nearest Ticketmaster Retail Location

Doors 10pm
Show 11:30pm

Buju, Lindo-P, Ron Nelson and more!

VIP Tickets include: unlimited food, two drink tickets, backstage pass and picture with Buju Banton.

KOOL HAUS
132 QUEEN'S QUAY EAST, Toronto, ON
SAT OCT 11 2008 DRS 10PM
GENERAL ADMISSION
CA $40.00

VIP Tickets: CA $80.00

Visit: http://www.ticketmaster.ca

Maxwell Live @ Massey Hall - Sun Oct 12!

WWW.LIVENATION.COM
Presents
MAXWELL LIVE 08 TOUR
with Jazmine Sullivan
MASSEY HALL
VICTORIA & SHUTER, Toronto, ON
SUN OCT 12, 2008 8:00 PM
CA $59.50 - CA $150.00
Visit: http://www.ticketmaster.ca

Digable Planets Live @ the Mod Club - Two Shows - Sat Oct 11 & Sun Oct 12!

Photo credit: www.arielpublicity.com
REMG PRESENTS
DIGABLE PLANETS
LGL AGE 19+ / DOORS @ 7PM
MOD CLUB THEATRE
722 COLLEGE ST WEST, Toronto, ON
Sat Oct 11 & Sun Oct 12 2008 8:00 PM
GENERAL ADMISSION
CA $24.50
Visit: http://www.ticketmaster.ca

Lloyd With J. Holiday Live @ Massey Hall -Thurs Oct 9! -- CANCELLED!!!!

FASTBREAK ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS
LLOYD
WITH J HOLIDAY
MASSEY HALL
VICTORIA & SHUTER, Toronto, ON
THU OCT 9 2008 8:00PM

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

Refunds at Point of Purchase only. Internet & phone orders will automatically be cancelled & refunded.

Robin Thicke Live @ the Kool Haus - Mon Oct 6!

Photo credit: www.robinthicke.com
REMG PRESENTS
ROBIN THICKE
ALL AGES / DOORS 8PM
KOOL HAUS
132 QUEENS QUAY EAST, Toronto, ON
MON OCT 6 2008 9:00PM
GENERAL ADMISSION
CA $34.50
Visit: http://www.ticketmaster.ca

The Toronto African Dance Festival @ Yonge & Dundas Square

Photos by Carol A. Allen

The Toronto African Dance Festival, celebrating the arts and culture of Africa, took place on the weekend of August 16 & 17 at Yonge Dundas Square . The event included a marketplace and craft sale.

Here are some highlights.

Beres Hammond Live @ the Kool Haus - Fri Aug 29

Beres Hammond & Carol Allen @ Reggae Sumfest 2007 in Jamaica

Jamaican music legend Beres Hammond makes a stop in Toronto on his latest tour in support of his upcoming VP Record’s album A Moment in Time. Beres is joined on stage by the Harmony House Singers & Band, and Courtney John.

Melanie Fiona Hall a.k.a Syren opens the show. Preshow and post show entertainment is provided by Mista Jiggz, P-Plus, Agile, Spex, Suppa Natty, DJ Chocolate and D.O.C.

Visit: http://www.ticketmaster.com for more info

Check out the video for Beres' hit song "Rockaway" on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl6bh43ugEs

The Ice Cream Comedy Show - Sat. Sept 6 @ the Rose Theatre Brampton!

Jay Martin TV Presents To You The Comedy Event Of The Year
'THE ICE CREAM COMEDY SHOW'


Y'ALL REMEMBER THE 2 MAN SHOW, THE MOST TALKED ABOUT COMEDY SHOW LAST YEAR!!

WELL IT'S BACK BIGGER AND BETTER AS THE DYNAMIC COMEDY DUO OF JAY MARTIN (THE MAN), AND TRIXX (THE HUMAN JUMP OFF),
RETURN TO MAKE YOUR BELLY EXPLODE......AND THIS TIME THEY ARE BRINGING MORE OF THEIR COMEDIC FRIENDS.

THIS WILL BE THE HOTTEST COMEDY EVENT OF THE YEAR!!!! ME SEH DAT!!


FEATURING: JEAN PAUL

PATRICK HAYE,

DARREL JOYCE FROM (COMEDY CENTRAL)

KYLE GROOMS FROM (THE DAVE CHAPELLE SHOW)


HOSTS: JAY MARTIN AND TRIXX

THIS LINE UP IS CRAZY!!! YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!!


DATE: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2008

LOCATION: ROSE THEATRE
1 THEATRE LANE
BRAMPTON, ON
TIME: 7:30PM -10:30PM

TICKETS: $32 Cdn

FOR TICKETS CALL 416-949-2766 OR GO TO WWW.MYROSETHEATRE.CA

TICKET LOCATIONS: BLADE RUNNER 905-456-8746 (BRAMPTON)

PLY DE RECORD 416-586-0380 (TORONTO-DOWNTOWN)

LOC N TWIST 905-462-1747 (BRAMPTON)

MAJESTIC BARBER 905-268-111 (MISSISSAUGA)

THIS EVENT WILL DEFINITELY SELL OUT!

BE ABOUT IT.....BECAUSE YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT IT!!

2-for-1 Admission to the CNE on Friday, August 29th!

Earth, Wind & Fire Blaze Up Casino Rama

Photos by Carol A. Allen

Last weekend, legendary R&B group Earth, Wind and Fire, graced the Casino Rama stages for two nights of exciting shows just an hour and a half north of Toronto in Rama, Ontario. The Grammy Award-winning group formed in 1969 in Chicago, Illinois is led by Maurice White and also includes his brother Verdine White on bass, Philip Bailey on vocals, and Ralph Johnson on percussion.

The group belted out many of their top-charting hits such as "Shining Star," "Reasons," "September," and "After the Love Has Gone" with most of the audience on their feet for the majority of the two-hour long show.

Currently signed to an exclusive deal with the Sanctuary Urban Records Group, founded by Matthew Knowles father of Beyonce Knowles, Earth, Wind and Fire continues to carve out an impeccable musical resume while giving their fans outstanding performances every time. With spotlights on all of the band members and each of them showcasing their individual talents, one could truly appreciate why they are undoubtedly one of the best R&B bands ever.

Amongst their many accolades including a Soul Train Award nomination and a Grammy Award nomination for their 23rd album titled Illumination, released in 2005, Earth, Wind and Fire received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. They earned three Grammy Awards in 1978 including one for their remake of the Beatles' "Got to Get You Into My Life" and have had multiple gold and platinum selling albums. This past May, Maurice White, Ralph Johnson, Philip Bailey and Verdine White each received an honorary doctorate degree from the Arts and Media College at Columbia College in Chicago.

While Earth, Wind and Fire continue to tour worldwide, they will launch a fall tour in the U.S. partnering up with vocalist Michael McDonald, beginning this September in New Hampshire.

The group will be celebrating an impressive 40th year in the business in 2009 and show absolutely no signs of slowing down.

Urban Music Association of Canada (UMAC) Launch Party on Mon Aug 18th!

The new Urban Music Association of Canada invites you to join us as we celebrate the official re-launch of UMAC on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 31 Mercer Street.

UMAC's re-organization plan has been launched with a new board of directors & officers. The association's goals moving forward will remain focused on building & serving our member constituency representative of UMAC mandates and mission statement.

Come out and meet the new board and schmooze with industry heads and some of Canada's hottest urban talent!

Invitation only.
Please RSVP to katrina@uomolife.com

Caribfest in Barrie @ Centennial Park, Sat Aug 16 & Sun Aug 17!

Chaka Khan Live @ the Kool Haus, Fri Aug 15!--New Date

The Chaka Khan concert scheduled for LAST Thursday August 7th, 2008 in
Toronto is NOW rescheduled TO this FRIDAY NIGHT August 15th.

Chaka Khan Concert is THIS Friday August 15, 2008.
At the original location The Kool Haus 132 Queens Quay E.
Doors Open @ 7pm.

Your tickets for the August 7th show,WILL be honored at the door, for THIS
Friday's show.

Tickets STILL available at all Ticketmaster Outlets, Rotate This, Sonic
Temple, by phone @ 416-870-8000 or on line at www.livenation.com

Just imagine hearing Chaka, LIVE doing some of her GREATEST hits: Do you
Love what you feel,Through the Fire, Sweet Thang,Tell me Something Good, I
feel for you, I'm Every Woman and much more.

Music for the Official after party by Dj Chris Nice & Da Voice Bobby D

The Official Toronto WBLK End of Summer Reunion Party @ Six Degrees, Sun Aug 31!

GoToAparty.com, Eddie Williams & Andy C Presents

The Official Toronto WBLK End of Summer Reunion Party Throw Back Edition
Labour Day Long Weekend Sunday August 31st, 2008 At Six Degrees Nightclub
2335 Yonge Street (N of Eglinton)

Featuring: All Of Your WBLK Hosts From Back In Da Day
Dj Huk-her~ Al Wood ~The Magic Man

Special Guest: Dj From Buffalo New York Dj Stoney
Also Featuring From the WBLK's Advance remix show Of the 90's
Dj Chris Nice & Dj 12" of pleasure ..("True Old School dj...vinyl only!”)

2 Floors With 2 Different Musical Vibes

Music By Dj Quincy of The Ebony Sound Crew & Dj Glen C Along With Choice
Mc Plus Old School Slow Music Set By The JuiceMan Jonathan Shaw

***Special Advance Tickets ONLY $9 and 37cents ($10) Stay Tuned ***

Visit www.GotoAparty.com for Full Details or Email: eddie@GoToAparty.com

Bobby Brown & Ralph Tresvant Live @ the Sound Academy is POSTPONED!

--------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: 08/20/08
In case some of you were planning to attend the Bobby Brown/Ralph Tresvant concert scheduled at Toronto's Sound Academy this weekend and haven't heard the announcement, this show is now postponed.

For tickets: You can return to your point of purchase and receive a full refund - for instance Play de Record, including your service charge, or from the promoter you purchased it from in the first place. If you purchased on Ticketmaster, call and you will be refunded.

--------------------------------------------------------

P O S T P O N E D!!!!!

SATURDAY AUGUST 23RD 2008
THE UNDISPUTED KING OF R&B ~ BOBBY BROWN
ALSO FEATURING RALPH TRESVANT, WITH SPECIAL GUESTS KIM DAVIS, UNTITLED & RAY ROBINSON
at the Triumphant return of the

FEVER ~
The BBQ. The BLOCKO.
THE CONCERT. THE AFTERPARTY.

Location: Sound Academy, Polson Pier, 11 Polson Street, Toronto, ON
DAYTIME // NIGHTTIME :: RAIN OR SHINE EXTRAVAGANZA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DAYTIME: 6PM - 10PM OUTSIDE
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Music by the Musical DJ Lineup Dreams are Made of:
STARTING FROM SCRATCH
Canada's Number One Club DJ - [Amnesia, Redemption, Sweet Tears, Flow 93.5fm - Traffic Flow Mixed Show/Critical Mix]
SKIMPY
The Ever Passionate - [Originals, Warner & Associates Events, The Soul Suite]
JESTER
Canada's Most Versatile ~ Stylus Radio Show of the Year - [Soul Kitchen, B-Boy Document, Icon, All Ah We, 89.5fm/Flow 93.5fm]
LINDO P
The DJ. The Artist. Canada's Top Solo Selector - [Black Jays is the Team]
MR. PRESTO
The 45 Magician - [Redemption, CHRY 105.5]
P-PLUS
Stylus Underground DJ of the Year - [Originals, 2000 Til, Cheers]
JASON CHAMBERS ~ ATTITUDE SOUND CREW
The Underground Legend - [Amnesia, Flow 93.5fm - Midday Mix]
DJ DOC
Jet Setter - [CHRY 105.5fm, (Black Jays/Konvict muzik),Kardinal Offishall's DJ]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NIGHTTIME: 10PM-3AM
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PERFORMING HITS FROM HIS LIMITLESS CATALOGUE WHICH INCLUDES...
GIRLFRIEND · MY PEROGATIVE

· DON'T BE CRUEL
· RONI
· EVERY LITTLE STEP
· ON OUR OWN • ROCK WITCHA • HUMPIN' AROUND • GOOD ENOUGH • THAT'S THE WAY LOVE IS • SOMETHING IN COMMON • GET AWAY
BBQ STARTS AT 6:30PM :: SHOWTIME 11PM :: PARTY TIL 3AM

Info: 416.826.7497 · 416.293.4812 :: myspace.com/ianespinet

facebook: patrick skimpy lewis · ian espinet
Presented by: Dreamchasers · Jay Martin
· Ian Andre Espinet
· Neddy Nyce
· Dwayne and Dave
Party People Productions

· Eleventh Hour

<<< CLICK HERE TO BUY $35 ADVANCED TICKETS >>>
http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100040DB919F5438?artistid=760446&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=202

Scotiabank Caribana 2008, Bon Voyage Boat Cruise & TD Irie Music Fest Highlights

Pix from Scotiabank Caribana Parade 2008/Eddie William's Bon Voyage Boat Cruise on the River Gambler and the TD Irie Music Fest featuring Jamaica's own Fab 5

Photos by Carol A. Allen

FAHRENHEIT @ SIX DEGREES - Sun, Aug 2!

FAHRENHEIT--KARIBANA SUNDAY
~~ The Party Where The Temperature Keeps Rising ~~
Location: Six Degrees, 2335 Yonge Street just North of Eglinton
Join the LADIES OF PLATINUM STAR ENTERTAINMENT (Carol A. Allen, Dionne Warren & Jules Francis) alongside some of Toronto's Hottest Promoters & DJs
LIMITED $25 advance tickets available while they last until August 2nd
Info: http://www.gotoaparty.com

Marcia Brown's "Common-Law" Returns for Encore Performances (Mon Aug 4 - Sun Aug 17)!

With shouts of Encore!!! Encore!! Encore!! when the curtains closed on the final performance of "Common-Law" in Brampton Sunday June 29, and the hundreds that were turned back because they did not have a ticket as well as the phone calls and emails received from those that heard about it after the fact and hence did not get a chance to see this awesome play, we have made a decision to return with "Common-Law."

Yes, we are back for a limited run and tickets are already being sold. so please check the schedule below and get your tickets early.

NORTH YORK - Jamaican Canadian Centre, 995 Arrow Road

Caribana Monday - August 04 - @ 7PM

BRAMPTON - **Cyril Clark Library Theatre, 20 Loafers Lake Lane, Heart Lake
Friday - August 08 @ 8PM
Saturday - August 09 @ 8PM
Sunday - August 10 @ 7PM

AJAX - J Clarke Richardson Collegiate, 1355 Harwood Ave N, Just North of Rossland

Sunday - August 17 @ 7PM

**We would like to inform you that there is limited seating at the Cyril Clark Library Theatre. It is a beautiful theatre, with the perfect ambiance for a stage play, but the capacity is small, so we are encouraging you to get your tickets in advance and early if you intend to attend "Common-Law" in Brampton.

Tickets will be available at all the regular ticket outlets at $30.00, you can check the website for a full listing. www.marciabrownproductions.com You can also reserve tickets through the web-site for pick up at the door at the advance ticket price or by phone at (416) 843-8787. We do ask however that you do not make a ticket reservation if you are not certain in attending the play for reasons I am sure you can appreciate.

We do hope the schedule above will meet the needs of those who are hungry to experience "Common-Law" for the first time....or those who have experienced it already but wish to experience it again...It is that good....bring a box a Kleenex cause yuh gwine laff till you cry..no joke.

For those of you that have already seen "Common-Law" , we thank you sincerely for your support and for the excellent PR you have done in telling others about it. To bring back some memories, we have posted some reviews and pictures from the last performances for your viewing pleasure. Just click on "NOW PLAYING" and scroll through the various sub-headings..enjoy

Lets keep our culture vibrant and alive in the city...mainstream plays can run for years at a time...we can do it too, with your support!!

With Love and Appreciation

Marcia Brown Productions

Visit: http://www.marciabrownproductions.com

Scotiabank Caribana In Full Effect in Toronto!

Caribana Official Launch @ Nathan Phillips Square: Pix by Carol A. Allen

The 41st Annual Scotiabank Caribana Festival officially kicked off at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square on Tuesday, July 15th with colourful costume displays, musical entertainment and pure clean fun.

There will be lots to do over the next couple of weeks with festivities including the Caribana Gala at the Liberty Grand on Friday, July 25th, and the crowning of King and Queen at Lamport Stadium on Thursday, July 31, leading up to the big parade along the Lakeshore on Saturday, August 2.

Visit: http://www.caribanafestival.com for more info on Scotiabank Caribana

Sean Paul/Akon/Wyclef/Kardi on Fire at the Molson Ampitheatre!

Pix by Carol A. Allen


On Thursday, July 10th, fresh off of a stop in Montreal, mega-artists Akon, Sean Paul, and Wyclef Jean tore up the Molson Amphitheatre. In fact, they not only tore up the stage, they lit it on fire and took the term "blazing" to a whole new level. Literally. Most of Wyclef's show was highlighted with flames, in fact, he took some time out to burn one of his guitars on stage. And, as if that wasn't enough, he paraded through the crowd, climbed up one of the posts and reminded everyone that he is the Carnival king throwing in some calypso music and encouraging everyone to wave whatever they could in the air in anticipation of Toronto's Caribana Parade which takes place on August 2nd. The place went wild.

Akon, born Aliaune Thiam, made a parachute entrance on to the stage following a short video spoof of him being denied entry into the country by an immigration official and overpowering the pilot to make sure that he reached his destination. He attempted to keep up with Wyclef's energy, even throwing in the calypso remix of his hit, "Don't Matter" from his Grammy-nominated second album, Konvicted to keep the crowd on their feet and in pre-Caribana mode. Intermittent bursts of fire and loud clashing sounds kept his show entertaining and even more so when he took his shirt off.

The 35-year old artist, who became popular after his 2004 song, "Locked Up" reached the US top 10, recently signed Toronto Hip Hop Artist, Jason Harrow aka Kardinal Offishall to his Konvict Muzik label . The first single "Dangerous" from the album, Not 4 Sale, just leaped into the Billboard Hot 100 charts Top 20 jumping from #23 last week to #16 this week. It's scheduled to be released on August 5.

Reggae Artist, Sean Paul, who had dancers on stage to help him out, kept the audience entertained although the sound system seemed to be a little distorted. That did not stop the crowd from screaming out the words to his popular hits which include, "Temperature," "Baby Boy" and "Gimme the Light." Overall, the fusion of Haiti, Jamaica, and Africa, with a mix of r&b, hip hop, zouk, reggae and calypso blended effortlessly and made the recipe for one phenomenomenal show. Big shouts to Kardi, Solitair and Lindo P always representing Toronto and doing their thing.