Michael Buble, Don Cherry and Ron MacLean among six inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame 2015

Michael Buble, Musician

Don Cherry and Don MacLean, Hockey Broadcasters
Coach's Corner 

Loren Green, Actor
Cineplex Legends Inductee

Silken Laumen, Athlete

Wendy Crewson, Actor

Lawrence Hill, Author

Canada's Walk of Fame 2015 takes place Saturday, November 7 at Toronto's Sony Centre. The event will honor this year's Canada's Walk of Fame Inductees (above) and the Allan Slaight Honour recipient, Shawn Mendes. Presenters for this year's Inductees are:

Trevor Linden for Michael Buble

Rex Murphy for Don Cherry and Ron MacLean

Richard Hatch for Lorne Green

Johann Koss for Silken Laumann

Brian Topp for Wendy Crewson

Molly Johnson for Lawrence Hill

Shawn Mendes, the 17-year-old singer/songwriter and multi-platinum recording artist, will perform on stage at the event. Also on the program is four-time JUNO Award winner Johnny Reid, performing music from his upcoming album (What Love is All About), to be released November 13, 2015. The ceremony, hosted by Jason Priestley, will be filmed for national broadcast on Global and is scheduled to air on Thursday, December 17 at 8PM ET/PT.

Canada's Walk of Fame acknowledges the achievements and accomplishments of successful Canadians in the fields of music, science, literature, sports, film and social justice. A series of maple leaf-like stars is imbedded along 13 designated blocks in Toronto, located in front of Roy Thomson Hall, The Princess of Wales Theatre, The Royal Alexandra Theatre on King Street and Simcoe Street. The first group was inducted in 1998. To date, 161 Canadians have been honored.

My Life and My Love of Horses: An Exclusive Afternoon with William Shatner at the Calgary Stampede

Who knew that Captain Kirk likes horses? Obviously he does, as William Shatner is a headliner at this year's Calgary Stampede. My Life and Love of Horses: An Exclusive Afternoon with William Shatner is the kick-off event for the 102nd edition of the Calgary Stampede, which runs July 4-13. 

One of the goals of the Calgary Stampede is to make urban and rural connections during the 10-day event. With Shatner being both a Hollywood actor and a passionate horseman, organizers thought he would be the perfect person to make that connection.

The 83-year-old Montreal born actor will appear in the Palomino Room of the BMO Centre on Thursday, July 3 at 3PM. The cocktail-style event will feature commentary from Shatner, followed by a Q&A. Tickets are $305 for General and $405 for VIP -- the latter includes a pre-reception and photo op with Shatner. Tickets are available at the Calgary Stampede website (click on for a fun video featuring Shatner, who will also be the Stampede Parade Grand Marshal on July 4).

Headliner entertainment during the Calgary Stampede includes Shania Twain (July 9-10), Paul Brandt (July 11), Keith Urban (July 12) and Reba McEntire (July 13). 

Canada Scores Gold at Academy Awards: Swag Includes Canadian Products

Depending where you get your Hollywood news, this year's Oscar swag bags passed out to certain nominees* were valued anywhere from $20,000 to $85,000 each. But the most common dollar amount being tossed around is $55,000 -- and that's a lot of gratis product for folks who can afford to buy it on their own! Officially called "Everyone Wins at the Oscars" Nominees Gift Bags, they're produced by the LA niche marketing company Distinctive Assets. 

Two Canadian companies were represented in the swaggery, one based east, the other west. Quebec's Rouge, located in Notre-Dame-Des-Bois in the Eastern Townships, produces organic maple product. In addition to being included in the 2013 Oscar swag bag, they scored swag with the Grammy Awards, too. For the March 2, 2014 Academy Awards show, nominees were showered with $280 worth of Rouge products: syrups, salad dressings, jellies and maple mustard. They also received a certificate of adoption for a live maple tree in Quebec.

Vancouver-based Rocky Mountaineer was also included in the Oscars VIP gift bags. The nominees who don't take home an Oscar will receive a three-day trip for two in premier GoldLeaf Service onboard Rocky Mountaineer's Coastal Passage route. The new route will make its debut on May 10, 2014 and travels between Seattle, Washington and Banff, Alberta in the Canadian Rockies. Travelers will stay at luxurious hotels along the way. 


*The Everyone Wins at the Oscars VIP gift bags were given to nominees for Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress and Best Director.

CBC's 'Dragons' Den' - Auditions Across Canada, January 18 - March 1, 2014

One of my favorite reality shows is CBC's Dragons' Den. Beginning in January, they are hosting auditions both in person and online across Canada. So if you're an entrepreneur with a product that's Dragon friendly (and Kevin friendly!), it's time to put your pitch together and head to a city for a live audition.

The Dragons' Den 2014 Audition Tour kicks off on January 18, 2014 in Toronto and wraps up there on March 1. But there are plenty of stops on the six-week tour; full details may be found on the Dragons' Den website, along with an online application. Here are the 36 stops on the nationwide tour: 

Jan 18 - Toronto, ON - CBC Toronto
Jan 23 - Windsor, ON - Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
Jan 24 - Sarnia, ON -  The Lambton Inn
Jan 25 - London, ON - The Windermere Manor
Jan 25 - Montreal, QC - Concordia University
Jan 25 - Vancouver, BC - Century-Plaza Hotel & Spa
Jan 29 - Peterborough, ON - Trent University
Jan 29 - Regina, SK - Delta Regina
Jan 29 - Surrey, BC - Sheraton Vancouver, Ghilford Hotel
Jan 31 - Nanaimo, BC - Vancouver Is. Conference Center
Jan 31 - Saskatoon, SK - TBA
Feb 1 - Calgary, AB - Mount Royal University
Feb 1 - Victoria, BC - Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
Feb 1 - Winnipeg, MB - CBC Manitoba 
Feb 6 - Burlington, ON - TBA
Feb 6 - Collingwood, ON - TBA
Feb 6 - Sudbury, ON - Radisson Hotel
Feb 8 - Barrie, ON - TBA
Feb 8 - Ottawa, ON - Residence Inn by Marriott Ottawa
Feb 8 - St Johns, NFLD - TBA
Feb 12 - Oshawa, ON - TBA
Feb 12 - Saint John, NB - TBA
Feb 14 - Charlottetown, PEI - CBC PEI
Feb 14 - Quebec City, QC - Hilton Quebec
Feb 14 - Waterloo, ON - The Tannery
Feb 15 - Edmonton, AB - University of Alberta
Feb 15 - Halifax, NS - Centre for Entrepreneurship, Ed & Dev
Feb 15 - Montreal, QC - Concordia University
Feb 19 - Kelowna, BC - TBA
Feb 21 - Abbotsford, BC - Best Western Plus, Regency Inn
Feb 21 - Medicine Hat, AB - Esplanada Arts & Heritage Ctr
Feb 21 - Niagara Falls, ON - Scotiabank Convention Centre
Feb 22 - Calgary, AB - Mount Royal University
Feb 22 - Hamilton, ON - CBC Hamilton
Feb 22 - Vancouver, BC - Century-Plaza Hotel & Spa
Mar 1 -  Toronto, ON - CBC Toronto

Holiday Classics 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' and 'A Christmas Carol' have Canadian connections

Two of my favorite holiday shows, A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and A Christmas Story (1983), have Canadian connections. I recently watched a report on CBC's The National, and learned that Halifax drummer Jerry Granelli is the lone surviving musician of the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The popular trio provided the soundtrack for A Charlie Brown Christmas (Guaraldi died in 1976).

Granelli, a San Francisco-born drummer who moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia in the early '90s, hadn't played the music since its debut nearly 50 years ago. But this past weekend, the 72-year-old musician took to the stage once again to play the familiar tunes, this time in Halifax. Read the complete story (with video) about the reunion of the drummer and the Peanuts gang on the cbc.ca website.

Also aging nicely is A Christmas Story, which turns 30 this year. Although Cleveland, Ohio gets all the glory for being the setting of the film, the classic holiday movie has Canadian roots. Here's an excerpt from the Canadian magazine Maclean's:

"Very little of the film -- two shooting weeks of nine, in fact -- were filmed in the city. In what may come as a blasphemous shock to American fans, the rest of the movie was filmed on a sound stage in Toronto and on location in St. Catharines, Ont." 

Read the full story here: A Christmas Story has surprising Canadian roots. No matter where it was filmed, it's a family favorite, and we'll be watching it this weekend. 

If your travels take you to The Buckeye State, A Christmas Story House is open year-round in Cleveland for public tours. Now "restored to its movie splendor," Ralphie's house is located just across the street from A Christmas Story Museum -- which contains props, costumes and memorabilia from the movie (including Randy's snowsuit). And yes, you can even buy one of those famous leg lamps or deluxe bunny suit pajamas from Aunt Clara in the museum's gift shop. (Photo courtesy A Christmas Story House)

Toronto International Film Festival: 366 Films Screened September 5-15, 2013 (Trailer Mashup)

The Toronto International Film Festival opens on Thursday, September 5 and runs through September 15, 2013. This year's festival features 366 films (288 features and 78 shorts), including146 world premieres and films from 70 countries. Among those from Canada are 31 features and 24 features making their world premiere. The festival plays on 34 screens throughout Toronto. The Festival's Official Film Schedule is available at tiff.net/festival.

Seattle Times movie critic Moira Macdonald wrote a preview piece about the festival: Toronto International Film Festival kick-starts the fall movie season. She'll be posting on her Popcorn & Prejudice blog during the first half of the festival when the majority of big films are screened. I'll be following along. 

The Toronto Film Festival is #3 on indiewire.com's 10 Best Fests list. Number 1 is the Festival de Cannes in May, while Sundance comes in at number two (January 16-26, 2014). The Seattle International Film Festival made indiewire.com's list of 50 Leading Film Festivals. 

Canada Day: Vancouver Hosts Canada's Largest Birthday Party Outside Ottawa

Jack Poole Plaza, with the Olympic Cauldron, will host the Main Stage
Photo by Sue Frause

Monday, July 1, is Canada Day. Across the country, Canadians will be celebrating their 146th birthday, with the largest party in the nation's capital of Ottawa. But on the west coast, Vancouver's 26th annual Canada Day at Canada Place is the second largest celebration in the country. The all-day waterfront party includes 13 hours of free family fun, topped off by a parade and fireworks show in the evening.

More than 250,000 people are expected at the city's largest waterfront party that features 25 music and dance performances; a Citizenship Ceremony; the Canadian Armed Forces; and the Port Metro Vancouver Zone (new this year). Also making their debuts this year are the Extreme Canada Zone (extreme sports displays) and the Great Canadian Invention Zone. 

Canada Place. Photo by Sue Frause.

Coast Capital Savings Main Stage

(Jack Poole Plaza | 10 AM - 7 PM)

• 10:00 | Blessing by Chief Ian Campbell | First Nations
• 10:15 | Beverley and the Billionaires | Children
• 11:00 | Kelly Brock | Country
• 12:00 | ShowStoppers | Glee Choir
• 1:00 | Wild Moccasins | Aboriginal Cellist & Fancy Dance
• 2:00 | The Cancons | Rock Covers
• 3:00 | Washboard Union | Folk Rock
• 4:00 | Santa Lucia | Latin Funk Rock
• 5:00 | The Boom Booms | Pop Rock
• 6:00 | BIF Naked | Pop Rock

The daytime activities are followed by the Canada Day Parade at 7PM. The fifth annual parade starts at the corner of Georgia and Broughton Streets and features more than 60 entries, including the Vancouver Canucks "Fin" and the BC Lions. 

Two barges in Burrard Inlet will feature a simultaneous pyrotechnic show
Photo by Sue Frause

The Canada Day Burrard Inlet Fireworks Show at 10:30 PM is Vancouver's only two-barge (Coal Harbour & Dundarave) simultaneous pyrotechnic show. The 30-minute show will be simulcast to music broadcast by Classic Rock 101 and the Port Metro Vancouver app. Shaw TV will also do  a live broadcast. Best viewing locations for the fireworks include Dundarave, Ambleside, Crab Creek, Harbour Green Park, Coal Harbour, Stanley Park and North Vancouver. There will be ticketed viewing at Canada Place.

JUNO Awards: Carly Rae Jepsen and Leonard Cohen Among Winners

Michael Buble is host for the JUNO Awards CTV broadcast on Sunday, April 21. 

The Prairies were humming with music on April 20 as 1,150 Canadian music industry members gathered to toast 35 JUNO Award winners at the 2013 JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards. Hosted by Jian Ghomeshi at Regina's Credit Union Eventplex, the evening featured performances by JUNO Award nominees and winners, along with tributes to some of Canada's most influential names in music. 

The celebration started off with a country medley featuring four 2013 JUNO Award nominees: Dean Broday with Colin James, Donny Parenteau and Kira Isabella. The musical Cohen family was well represented, with Leonard Cohen winning Artist of the Year the same night that his son Adam Cohen made his JUNO Awards debut as both a nominee and a performer. The elder Cohen wasn't in Regina to accept his award, but his singer-songwriter son picked up the statuette for his father. 

The Weeknd was a big winner, earning JUNO Awards for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and R&B/Soul Recording of the year. Metric's album SYNTHETICA picked up three awards: Alternative Album of the Year, Jack Richardson Producer of the Year to band member James Shaw and art director Justin Broadbent Recording Package of the Year.  Carly Rae Jepsen won for Pop Album of the Year with Kiss. A special tribute was made to Tom Cochrane as the recipient of the 2013 Alan Waters Humanitarian Award. A complete list of winners may be found online at the JUNO website.

Seven remaining JUNO Award categories will be announced Sunday, April 21 during a broadcast on TV from Brandt Centre in Regina. The show is hosted by Canadian crooner Michael Buble, who has a new CD coming out April 23 titled To Be Loved. Here's the broadcast schedule: 

• Atlantic Canada | 9 PM AT (live)
• ON/QC | 8 PM ET (live
• SK| 6 PM CT
• MB/AB | 8 PM CT/MT
• BC | 8 PM PT

World Umbrella Dance Celebrates Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry blossoms in bloom in Vancouver's Stanley Park. Photo by Sue Frause.

The seventh annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the return of spring to the BC city. It kicked off April 4 and runs through the end of the month, celebrating the blossoming of Vancouver's 40,000 cherry trees, which include 55 varieties.

On Saturday, April 13 from 1-3 PM, 500 dancers are expected to participate in the premiere of the World Umbrella Dance at the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza. Choreographed by Bollywood super star Shimak Davar, the volunteer dancers will be wielding black, yellow and hot pink umbrellas* created by artist Anthony Redpath. Accompanying the dancers will be the drums of the Tetsu Taiko Percussion group.

Photo by Sue Frause

The World Umbrella Dance will move to the beat of Shiamak's new release, Shabop, meaning "to dance without worry and celebrate life." The theme is in keeping with the festival's fragile and fleeting cherry blossoms. Other events include Tree Talks and Walks; Plein-Air Blossom Painting ; Haiku Invitational; and Bike the Blossoms.

*If you'd like to purchase one of the World Umbrella Dance umbrellas, they're available for $24.99 online and at The Urban Tea Merchant and VanDusen Botanical Garden Shop.

Vancouver's False Creek from Granville Island. Photo by Sue Frause.

'Tony Bennett: The Art of Anthony Benedetto' on display in Montreal through April 14

Although Montreal en Lumiere is long gone (the next edition is February 20-March 2, 2014), the art of the winter festival continues on. Montreal en Lumiere and the Galerie of the Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan are presenting the Canadian premiere of Tony Bennett: The Art of Anthony Benedetto through April 14, 2013. 

The exhibit of 40 art works by the internationally renowned artist and singer is on display at the Galerie and is free to the public. A popular performer in Montreal, Mr. Bennett created a piece titled Louis Armstrong when he was a guest artist in 2000. For the 14th edition of Montreal en Lumiere in 2013, he created this exhibition of some of his loveliest pieces, signed Anthony Benedetto. They include 41 watercolors and two sketches created between 1986-2012. Three of them are original paintings that are part of the permanent ocllection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. 

The Galerie is permanently installed on the second floor of the Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan. The non-profit organization showcases the original works of the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal collection. They include creations of Jean-Paul Riopelle, Marcel Barbeau, Corno, Armand Vaillancourt, Francis X. Pavy, Zilon, Lhasa de Sela, Miles Davis, Frederic Back, Miyuki Tanobe, Diane Dufresne, Richard Seguin and Yves Archambault -- the festival's poster designer for nearly 25 years. The Galerie also has limited-edition signed and numbered silkscreens, including works by Robert Lapalme and Alfred Pellan, available exclusively at the Galerie.

Also located at the Galerie is the Bell Exhibition of the Legends of the Festival, a small museum with a display of instruments, stage clothing, trophies and personal items from some of the jazz performers over the past 30 years. They include costumes worn by Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald, guitars of Jeff Beck and Ben Harper, and the legendary hat worn by Leonard Cohen. On the third floor is the Mediatheque Jazz/La Press and its collection of archives including the works of journalist Len Dobbin, jazz magazines, photographs, CDs, video recordings and archives. 

Hours are Tuesday-Wednesday, 11:30 AM to 6 PM and Thursday-Saturday, 11:30 AM to 9 PM. Closed Mondays. The Galerie is located at La Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan, 305 Ste-Catherine St. West, Montreal. Free Admission.

Tickets for Herbie Hancock at TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival On Sale March 16

I'm a Herbie Hancock fan and would love to see him when he's in Vancouver this summer. The Grammy Award winner is one of the headliners during the 28th annual TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival. The 11-day summer festival runs June 21-July 1 and features Herbie Hancock at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Sunday, June 30 at  7 PM. The festival is produced by Coastal Jazz & Blues Society.

Tickets for the Herbie Hancock concert go on sale Saturday, March 16 at 10 AM  at www.northerntickets.com, 604.569.1144 or toll-free in North America at 855.551.9747. They may also be purchased at the Vogue box office at 918 Granville Street in downtown Vancouver.

Herbic Hancock is acclaimed as a legendary pianist and composer, and been an integral part of jazz movements since the '60s. He played with the Miles Davis Quintet, and his '70s recordings combined electric jazz with funk and rock. In the '80s, Rockit and Future Shock marked his foray into electronic dance music, and today he is active in both the electronic pop and acoustic jazz worlds. 

He received an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Score in 1986 for his Round Midnight film. His 14 Grammy Awards include two for his globally collaborative CD, The Imagine Project. Many of his compositions are modern standards, including Watermelon Man, Maiden Voyage and Chameleon.

Grammy Award winning bassist, vocalist and composer Esperanza Spalding will be performing at the Vogue Theatre on June 23 at 9 PM. Tickets for her show went on sale in December.

'Rebelle' ('War Witch') big winner at first ever Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto

I finally got around to watching the first ever Canadian Screen Awards that were broadcast on CBC television on March 2, 2013. I wasn't alone. According to the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, more than 2.9 million people tuned in to CBC for the broadcast, which earned an average audience of 756,000 viewers. 

The new awards honor achievement in both Canadian television and film, replacing the Gemini (television) and Genie (film) Awards. 116 awards were handed out to performers, craftspeople and producers in 22 film categories, 89 television categories and five digital media categories during three evenings of awards shows during Canadian Screen Week. 

Hosted by Canadian funny man Martin Short (I rode in an elevator with him at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver a number of years ago), I found it to be entertaining (Andrew Ryan of The Globe and Mail, not so much). Although Short played himself most of the evening, he also did his hilarious Jiminy Glick routine, interviewing such stars as Arlene Dickinson, Alan THicke, Rick Mercer and Catherine O'Hara on the CBC Red Carpet with Canadian comedian and actor Shaun Majumder. Ed Grimley also made a brief appearance.

Short made a grand entrance ala Peter Pan, flying high above the stage to Fly Me Through the Moon. His Scottish bagpipe routine was spot on and when he realized he didn't win any awards (he was nominated for two), he commented about his losses: "My rock bottom is still your wildest dreams." Only Marty could get away with saying that!

Some of my favorite winners were Sarah Polley for Best Documentary (Stories We Tell); Meg Tilly for Best Actress in a Drama Series (Bomb Girls); Best Reality Series to Dragons' Den; and Best Variety Host to George Stroumboulopoulos (now in his 9th season on CBC). Best Dramatic Series went to Flashpoint, while Heartland star Amber Marshall won the inaugural fans' choice award called Canada's Screen Star.  Quebec film Rebelle/War Witch won 10 of its 12 nominations, including Best Motion Picture and Best Achievement in Direction for Kim Nguyen.  

From the Toronto Star: "Canadian Screen Awards nickname the Candys gains traction. Fans of the late comic actor John Candy think he'd make a great namesake for the Canadian Screen Awards."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper congratulates Canadian Oscar winners of 85th Academy Awards

Suraj Sharma as Pi Patel in Life of Pi | Image courtesy Twentieth Century Fox

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued an official statement today to congratulate the Canadian winners at the 85th Academy Awards held February 24, 2013:

"On behalf of Canadians, I would like to congratulate Guillaume Rocheron, Mychael Danna and Jim Erickson on receiving the most prestigious honour that the entertainment industry can bestow, an Academy Award. 

Guillaume Rocheron took home an Oscar for Best Visual Effects in Life of Pi, while Mychael Danna took home an Oscar for Best Original Score for the same film. Set decorator Jim Erickson also won an Oscar for Best Production Design for his contribution to the film Lincoln. 

Congratulations are also in order to Doug James, a Canadian software developer who was one of the first Academy Award winners of the year. With his three colleagues Nils Thuerey, Theodore Kim and Markus Groww, he won a Technical Achievement Award for developing the Wavelet Turbulence software. 

We are very proud that Candians in the flm industry continue to shine on the world stage receiving regular critical acclaim. Our Government will continue to support the Canadian filmmaking industry though contributions to the National FIlm Board of Canada and Telefilm Canada. We will also continue to provide incentives for Canadian programming and production, such as the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. 

Once again, warm congratulations to all the Canadian winners and nominees. I wish them every success in their future endeavours."

Two of the three Canadian Oscar winners live in British Columbia. Jim Erickson is a resident of Saltspring Island, while Guillaume Rocheron lives in Vancouver. Mychael Danna, born in Winnipeg, lives in Toronto.

Vancouver Comedy & Arts Fest features Martin Short, Margaret Cho, Bob Saget and dozens more

Martin Short

The Vancouver Comedy & Arts Fest is ready to roll in 2013. The 11-day festival, February 7 - 17, has grown considerably since its debut in 2004 when it was known as the Vancouver Comedy Fest. 

This year's festival takes place in ten downtown venues, and features comedians, music, DJs, live podcasts and parties. The Opening Gala is Friday, February 8 at The Centre in Vancouver (formerly the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts), and features Canadian funny man Martin Short. Appearing with the talented comedian are Kristen Schaal, Matt Kirshen and Wil Anderson. 

As an aside, I had a brief moment with Mr. Short a number of years ago in the elevator of The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. When I got on to go to the lobby, I noticed the only other passenger was a sorta short man, facing the elevator mirror and adjusting his toque. When he turned around, it was Martin Short! Complete with a maple leaf on his winter toque, wearing a trench coat and sneakers. We chatted a bit and he was just like you think he'd be -- fun and friendly!

Among the other 40 comedians at the festival are Bob Saget, Margaret Cho, Maria Bamford, Marc Maron, Reggie Watts, Wil Anderson and Kurt Braunohler. In addition to The Centre in Vancouver, the venues include Lafflines Comedy Club; VENUE; Biltmore Cabaret, Rickshaw Theatre;The Kozmik Zoo; The Playhouse Theatre;Yuk Yuks Vancouver; The Comedy MIX; and The Orpheum.

Canadian Screen Awards replace Gemini and Genie Awards, broadcast March 3 on CBC

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television announced its first Canadian Screen Awards nominees in film, television and digital media. The nominees were announced on Jan. 15, 2013 in a webcast from simultaneous news conferences in Montreal and Toronto.

The new awards honor achievement in both Canadian television and film, replacing the Gemini (television) and Genie (film) Awards. This year's debut Canadian Screen Awards includes nominees in 116 categories (22 film, 89 television, 5 digital media).  One of the nominees, Rebelle / War Witch, has been nominated for an Oscar (Best Foreign Film).

Canadian Screen Week, which runs Feb. 26-March 3, culminates in the inaugural two-hour Live Broadcast Gala on Sunday, March 3 on CBC at 8 PM. It will be hosted by actor and comedian Martin Short. As a personal aside, my claim to fame with Mr. Short is riding in an elevator with him at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver a number of years ago. He was just like how he appears on TV and in the movies, funny and friendly!

A Canadian Screen Awards statue has been designed by Endeavour and made in Prince Edward County, Ontario by Wallis Awards. It symbolizes two screens with the public at the core. The specialty manufacturing company is owned and operated by Glen and Susan Wallis, who have worked with the Academy for the past 18 years. The statues are manufactured measure 32.5 centimeters high and weigh 2.5 kilograms. Endeavour has also created a trailer for the Canadian Screen Awards, which was unveiled during the nomination announcement on Wednesday. 

SELECT FILM NOMINEES

Best Motion Picture

• L'Affaire Dumont | Nicole Robert
• Inch'Allah | Luc Dery, Kim McCraw
• Laurence Anyways | Lyse Lafontaine
• Midnight's Children | David Hamilton
• Rebelle / War Witch | Pierre Even, Marie-Claude Poulin
• Still Mine | Tamara Deverell Jody Colero, Avi Federgreen, Michael McGowan

Achievement in Direction

• Michael Dowse | Goon
• Xavier Dolan | Laurence Anyways
• Deepa Mehta | Midnight's Children
• Kim Nguyen | Rebelle / War Witch
• Bernard Emond | Tout Ce Que Tu Possedes / All That You Possess

Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role

• James Cromwell | Still Mine
• Patrick Drolet | Tout Ce Que Tu Possedes / All That You Possess
• Marc-Andre Grondin | L'affaire Dumont
• David Morse | Collaborator
• Melvil Poupaud | Laurence Anyways

Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role

• Evelyne Brochu | Inch'allah
• Genevieve Bujold | Still Mine
• Marilyn Castonguay | L'affaire Dumont
• Suzanne Clement | Laurence Anyways
• Rachel Mwanza | Rebelle / War Witch

SELECT TELEVISION NOMINEES

Best Comedy Program or Series

• Good God (Shaftesury)  Christina Jennings, Ken FInkleman, Scott Garvie, Jan Peter Meyboom
• Kenny Hotz Triumph of the Will (Entertainment One)  Kenny Hotz, James Crouch
• Less Than Kind (Breakthrough Entertainment, Buffalo Gal Pictures) Ira Levy, Marvin Kaye, Phyllis Laing, Mark McKinney, Chris Sheasgreen, Paula Smith, Peter Williamson
• Michael: Tuesdays & Thursdays (Rhombus Media Inc.)  Niv Fichman, Sari Friedland, Bob Martin, Don McKellar
• Mr. D (Topsail Productions Ltd., Mr. D S1 Productions Ltd., Mr. D S1 Ontario Productions Ltd.)  Gerry Dee Michael Volpe

Best Dramatic Series

• Arctic Air (Omni Film Productions Limited) Ian Weir, Michael Chechik, Gary Harvey, Gabriela Schonbach
• Bomb Girls (Back Alley Film Productions Ltd., Muse Entertainment Enterprises, Back Alley Films) Janis Lundman, Michael MacLennan, Adrienne Mitchell, Michael Prupas
• Continuum (Timely productions Inc.) Simon Barry, Tom Rowe, Patrick Williams 
• Flashpoint (Flashpoint Season IV Productions Inc.) Anne Marie La Traverse, Bill Mustos
• King (Indian Grove Productions Ltd.) Bernard Zukerman, Greg Spottiswood

Wynonna Judd cancels Saskatchewan concert due to motorcycle accident

I happen to be in South Dakota, so it was big news in the local media about the recent motorcycle mishap involving Wynonna Judd's husband, Michael Scott "Cactus" Moser. He and Wynonna were riding motorcycles near Rapid City, South Dakota when something went terribly wrong. Here's the explanation from her official website on August 19, 2012:

"Moser and Judd went for a ride together on separate bikes before her scheduled concert in Deadwood, SD yesterday (Aug. 18). Moser collided with an oncoming vehicle and was transported to a local hospital. He is being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries. Wynonna was not involved in the accident."

An update on August 20 had more information:

"Further details regarding the motorcycle accident involving Wynonna Judd's husband and drummer, Michael Scott "Cactus" Moser, have been made available. Moser's left leg was severed at the scene of the accident and doctors in Rapid City, SD amputated the leg above the knee. He has also undergone surgery to his hand. Judd and Moser appreciate all of the quick medical and police responders as well as the hospital staff and well-wishes from family, friends and fans."

An article in the Rapid City Journal had more information about the accident that occurred near Hill City, South Dakota: Wynonna Judd's husband injured in car-motorcycle accident near Hill City. Wynonna & the Big Noise canceled their outdoor performance that was scheduled for Friday, August 24 at the Bear Claw Casino and Hotel in Carlyle, Saskatchewan.

Vancouver's Wedgewood Hotel: BC Residents' Rates

If you're a resident of British Columbia, the lovely Wedgewood Hotel & Spa in downtown Vancouver has a spring gift for you: a special BC Resident Rate of $159 per night double occupancy, now through Easter Monday (April 9, 2012). The offer includes:

• Luxurious accommodation in category of your choice
• Complimentary valet parking
• Complimentary European Continental Breakfast in Bacchus Restaurant
• 10% off dinner menu in Bacchus Restaurant

Reservations must be made directly with the hotel. Call 604.689.7777 or 800.663.0666. Or book online at www.wedgewoodhotel.com and enter promo code: BCRES. Here are some spring events in the city. Check Tourism Vancouver's website for other calendar items:

• Hockey: Home games of the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on March 28, 30, 31 and April 3 and 7.
• The Wizard of Oz:  Watch this classic movie with the original score performed live by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on April 2 at the Orpheum Theatre.
• Easter in the Park: Take a ride on the Stanley Park Miniature Train, go on an Easter Egg Hunt, meet Easter bunny and watch the Easter Chick and Puppet Shows. April 6-9.
• The Great A-Mazing Egg Hunt: Meet Mr. E. Bunny at the VanDusen Botanical Garden, plus take part in crafts and hunt for eggs in and around the maze. April 6. 
• Emily Carr and the Theatre of Transcendence: Paintings and drawings of the forest in the 1930s and early 1940s at the Vancouver Art Galley through Sept. 9, 2012.

The Wedgewood Hotel & Spa is located at 845 Hornby Street, just off Robson.

Photo by Sue Frause.

'Top Chef: Texas' three-part finale episode filmed in Whistler, BC

I was surprised when watching Top Chef to see that the next expisode, airing on Bravo USA on Feb. 15 and Food Network Canada on March 5, is set in Whistler. After all, season nine's title is Top Chef: Texas, and featured a record 29 chefs, twice the number of past seasons. After the initial contest, they were narrowed down to 16. I guess they want the chefs to chill out in Whistler after heating things up all over Texas -- but the competition is going to be intense.

It's been a fun food season, with such luminaries as Oscar-wining actress Charlize Theron, comedian Pee-wee Herman and vocalist Patti LaBelle appearing on the show. Returning to the judges' table again were Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons (who hails from Toronto). New this season on the judging team are chefs Emeril Lagasse and Hugh Acheson.

In January of this year, Tourism Whistler welcomed the Emmy and James Beard Award-winning culinary competition series to the resort to film one of the final episodes. The "deal was done" through the efforts of Tourism Whistler, Tourism Vancouver, Tourism British Columbia, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and the Canadian Tourism Commission.

As far as what will be on the Whistler episode, it showcases "unique experiences in the resort as part of the culinary challenges among contestants." Got that? And no doubt the chefs and judges stayed at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, one of the sponsors. The final two episodes are being filmed in Vancouver, and will air Feb. 22 and 29 on Bravo USA and March 5 and 12 on Food Network Canada.

Whistler is a major dining destination in British Columbia, and Araxi one of its many fine restaurants. Photo by Sue Frause.

Canadian singer and songwriter Justin Hines is hitting his prime

I hadn't heard of Justin Hines until this morning when I saw him featured on CBS Sunday Morning. What an inspiration. In fact I was so inspired, I ordered his Chasing Silver CD.

Justin, now 29, was born in Newmarket, Ontario with Larsen syndrome -- a rare genetic joint condition. He uses a wheelchair, and in addition to being a singer, songwriter and poet he plays guitar, harmonica, bass guitar and keyboards. He's an advocate for numerous causes and charities and often performs at fundraising events. He is the founder of the Justine Hines Foundation, which provides for people with disabilities.

I'd love to hear him in person at some point, but it looks like I'll have to wait -- none of his upcoming shows (dates below) are where I'll be in the new year. In the meantime, I'll enjoy listening to his music. Here's a video from the his latest CD, Justin Hines Days To Recall, titled Say What You Will. It's making big waves around the world. Bravo Justin!

Dec. 21, 2011 - Lebovic Centre for Arts & Entertainment - Stouffville, Ontario

Jan. 20, 2012 - River Run Centre - Guelph, Ontario

Feb. 8, 2012 - The Tower Theatre - Fresno, California

Home for the holidays: Christmas movies and specials airing on CBC

I look forward to the Christmas movies and specials on TV, and CBC is a big part of that holiday blend. Here are some of the seasonal highlights airing on the Canadian network this December. Click on the link above for all the CBC programming during the holidays.

• Dec. 13 - 22 Minutes: Holiday Special - 8 PM
• Dec. 13 - Gerry Dee: Life After Teaching - 9 PM
• Dec. 14 - Dragons' Den Holiday Special - 8 PM
• Dec. 14 - Season of Song: Canadian Tenors & Friends - 9 PM
• Dec. 15 - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - 8 PM
• Dec. 15 - Stars on Ice 2011 - 9 PM
• Dec. 16 - Polar Express - 8 PM
• Dec. 18 - P&G Family Sunday: I'll Be Home For Christmas - 5 PM
• Dec. 18 - Mickey's Christmas Carol - 7 PM
• Dec. 18 - Frosty Returns - 7:30 PM
• Dec. 18 - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - 8 PM
• Dec. 19 - The Santa Clause - 8 PM
• Dec. 20 - The Santa Clause 2 - 8 PM
• Dec. 21 - The Santa Clause 3 - 8 PM
• Dec. 22 - A Christmas Story - 8 PM
• Dec. 23 - Nativity - 8 PM
• Dec. 23 - George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight: Holiday Special - 11:05 PM
• Dec. 24 - Kids' CBC Holiday Morning - 6 AM
• Dec. 24 - The Cat in the Hat | Snow Man's Land - 8 AM
• Dec. 24 - Super WHY! Twas the Night Before Christmas - 8:30 AM
• Dec. 24 - The Doodlebops: A Happy Doodle Christmas - 9 AM
• Dec. 24 - Leon in Wintertime - 12 Noon
• Dec. 24 - Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe - 6:30 PM
• Dec. 24 - Season of Song: Canadian Tenors & Friends - 7 PM
• Dec. 24 - Miracle on 34th Street (1994) - 8 PM
• Dec. 24 - Scrooge - 10 PM
• Dec. 25 - Handel's Messiah - 12 Midnight
• Dec. 25 - The Queen's Christmas Message - 12 Noon
• Dec. 25 - Disney Parade - 12:05 PM
• Dec. 25 - Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol - 2:25 PM
• Dec. 25 - Lassie - 4:50 PM
• Dec. 25 - Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - 6:30 PM
• Dec. 25 - The Queen's Christmas Message - 8 PM
• Dec. 25 - A Heartland Christmas - 8:30 PM
• Dec. 26 - Anne Murray: Friends and Legends - 9 PM
• Dec. 27 - Happy Feet - 8 PM
• Dec. 28 - Dragons' Den: Holiday Special - 8 PM
• Dec. 29 - Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie - 8 PM
• Dec. 30 - The Mansbridge Conversations: 2011 - 9 PM
• Dec. 31 - Scotiabank Hockey Tonight - 6:30 PM

Rockefeller Center in New York City - December 2008

Photo by Sue Frause