All posts tagged with: music

Since Billboard Magazine featured singer, songwriter, and actor, Levi Kreis as one of the top three fan-funded artists in their annual DIY issue in 2011, the talented musician has been hard at work perfecting his latest album, Imagine Paradise.

Levi’s latest album, Imagine Paradise, set to release on June 20, 2013, is filled with passion and expression from his personal experiences of sexuality and relationships, infused with R&B and dance music beats. Combined, it’s a firestorm of rhythms and soulful lyrics that come right from the heart.

“I had a brilliant opportunity of sitting on the phone with some of my dearest fans, hearing them convey to me the things that were on their heart and mind,” said Levi as he described how each song was inspired and customized thanks in part to the generous backers of the kick-starter funded album. “I then gave my best effort to answer them with a positive uplifting theme song. I’ve never done anything harder, and I’ve never done anything more rewarding. You realize how we are all the same when you invite other peoples life story to be your creative muse. I discovered that our lives may look different, but core human emotions bind us together in a way that is truly profound.

The result is a patch-work of Levi’s personal experiences and those of the funders stories. Inspire Paradise will be Levi’s sixth album release. He has had several songs featured on major network television shows including The Vampire Diaries, Sons of Anarchy, and The Apprentice, and has appeared on The View, David Letterman, and Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.

After saying goodbye to Los Angeles in 2012 and heading to Chicago, openly gay music singer, songwriter, and actor, Levi Kreis, was on a new path and excited for his future.

“My partner, his family, and the people I’ve come to know in Chicago enrich my life in a very authentic way,” Levi reflected on his move from California. “Resolving the years in L.A. and taking a huge risk into the unknown was right for me. It feels light to me.”

In February 2013, Levi released his latest single, So Much Better, with Vision 9 Records and UK label Enriched Records, followed by a mini-solo tour  promoting his latest works.

“I release my sixth album on June 20 call Imagine Paradise,” said Levi, explaining what he has in store for the rest of 2013. “In between all the hustle to promote new media, I’ll keep throwing myself out there for new acting roles.”

Recently Levi has shifted his outlook on life, releasing this fear of control.

“I feel more peace when I trust that something greater than myself is capable of guiding me to my most fulfilling life,” said the very religious songer. “I don’t know what that is, but I’m willing to sit in the question.”

Although deeply moved by spiritual powers, Levi looks inward on himself as his inspiration to continue to grow.

“I’m inspired in those moments where I feel the most distance from the opinions of others,” says Levi. “So much of my past has been controlled by an addiction to people pleasing. It has made my art impure and uninteresting at times, thinking if I did it like this, it would bring me approval by others. In those brief moments of self-empowerment, when my self-expression is untainted by the need for approval, those are the moments that inspire me the most. They grow me, because I then see pieces of me that I might not have seen before.”

It has taken Levi many years to scratch the surface of self-discovery, to put trust in others, and to abstain from what he and others would consider the evils of addiction, he leaves these words of advice for other artists…

“Happiness is not found in the attainment of some idolized accomplishment. It’s a choice. Right where you are. It’s within you, not without you.  Choose to be happy now. Chase nothing.”

First introduced to the dance scene in 1998 after moving to San Francisco, DJ Pornstar quickly became obsessed with becoming a DJ.

“I started DJing at house parties, clubs and raves, and by 1999 I was playing Castro Street Fair, the Halloween Block Party and San Francisco Pride stages,” said DJ Pornstar as he described how his career started to get off the ground.

The freestyle DJ blends tribal house and tech house with sprinkles of pop vocals.

“I’m inspired by South American producers and remixes from the UK,” explained DJ Pornstar. “I love funky fresh beat. If it’s too commercial, I won’t play it. I leave the fluffy stuff to the local bar DJ.

This is what separates the big name DJ’s from the amateurs. They push their creativity to the limit, seeking new ways to blend beats that have powerful movement and engage the crowds.

“Becoming known as a producer and an international DJ,” is what DJ Pornstar says his biggest personal achievements are today. “I performed in four continents and six countries within a matter of months, building a fan-base, and returning to several cities. I couldn’t ask for more.”

While DJ Pornstar has mixed some amazing songs over the years, his recent remix of Skyfall by Adel is his personal favourite track to date. He has plans to launch many more track throughout 2013.

“The moments that stand out the most are when someone comes up to me at the airport or at a random restaurant in a random city and asks me if I’m DJ Pornstar,” he laughed. “It’s interesting and inspiring to be recognized not only for my music, but for my persona.”

You can catch DJ Pornstar at a number of places throughout 2013 including:

• Share Night Club – Residency – Pornstars in Vegas (Las Vegas, NV)
• Gay Ski Week – Tom Whitman Presents (Mammoth Mountain, CA)
• Super Club (Dallas, TX)
• Jeffery Sanker Presents – Residency – FRESH (West Hollywood, CA)
• Liberace – TFD Presents – Celebrities Night Club (Vancouver, BC)
• Jeffrey Sanker Presents – White Party (Palm Springs, CA)
• Romain Presents – Booster – London Pride (London, UK)
• Flex Presents – Cleveland Pride (Cleveland, OH)
• Club Electro LuLu (Columbia)

It’s been almost 20 years since the British electronic rock band, MUSE, was first introduced to the music scene. High school buddies, Matthew Bellamy, Christopher Wolstenholme, and Dominic Howard, joined forces and their passion for progressive, alternative rock.

MUSE performed at Rogers Arena on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, as the final show on their 2^ND LAW North American Tour, western tour. They are on a quick trip back to the UK for one show, before returning back to North America for the second leg of their tour along the east coast and southern states.

Well known for outstanding concerts, the 2^ND LAW tour is a lighting, video, and audio spectacle. From a spaceship looking stage with screens all the way down to the floor, to a giant four-tier, multi-dynamic pyramid video and graphic projected screen system overhead; the show is full of colour and motion.

Throughout the almost two-hour set, the trio belted out a range of music from their six albums spanning from 1991-2012, including Survival, the official song of the London 2012 Olympic Summer Games.

In 2005, singer and songwriter, Levi Kreis, released his debut album, One Of These Ones. The openly gay musician wrote the collection of piano and vocal ballads based on guys he had made one-on-one encounters with, dated, deeply loved, and even a girl.

Openly gay musicians struggle to get recognized and picked up my major recording labels. It take a lot of time and determination for an artist to find success.

“I turned to my community after eight major record labels failed me,” Levi stated. “My community was the only audience I had, and some of them listened.”

In his second album, The Gospel According To Levi, gave Levi the opportunity to refocus and candidly tackle the issues around religion and sexuality.

“I wrote about my six years of reparative therapy to become straight, my redefining of God as an all-inclusive Love, and acceptance on self,” Levi explained as he described the journey of his life. “By my fourth album, Where I Belong, enough of my community was supporting my music that I was able to pour myself 100% in without a second job.”

Levi’s hard work paid off and whisked him off to Broadway. After seeing him perform on the big stage in New York and learning his story of his journey over the last seven years, success has been earned.

“I think the most fascinating things is to find songs that I’ve written for other guys used as theme songs for TV couples,” Levi said. “I Should Go, is a great example, written for a straight guy I had a painful crush on was used as a Damon and Elena’s theme song on the Season 2 finale of The Vampire Diaries, and Austin and Carrie’s reuniting theme song on Days of Our Lives.

There’s nothing more rewarding to Levi other than when he finds out that people learn about his music from their favourite TV moment and are shocked to find out the songs are written from a completely alternative perspective.

Levi Kreis is a Tony award winning actor, singer and song-writer who now lives in Chicago.

Dubbed ‘the home of country music’, The Grand Ole Opry in one of the most famous stages in the world for both upcoming and legends in country music. Thousands of people make their way each year to Opryland, just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, to experience the magic and history, and to hear The Show That Made Country Music Famous.

The Grand Ole Opry started out as a radio show in 1925 and has grown into a spectacular television show and live music venue attracting millions of views. The television show is airs on CMT Canada (Canada), Great American Country (USA), and online at opry.com. It’s not just country music, but also bluegrass, comedy and gospel, attracting everyone from rising stars to superstars to stand on the stage to entertain.

“The Grand Ole Opry celebrates the diversity of all the musical styles under the country music umbrella. In addition, the Opry presents the many generations of artists who have formed country music’s rich legacy and continues to forge its future course,” says Opry General Manager, Pete Fisher. “The key to the Opry’s longevity can be attributed to its ability to evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape of the times.”

The Opry called a number of venues home in Nashville before settling at the Ryman Auditorium in 1943. The Ryman Auditorium was a religious meeting house building in 1893 for Reverend Samuel Jones. After 31 years of amazing history, The Opry said goodbye to the Ryman, and moved to a new location.

The new, larger facility, located nine miles from downtown Nashville opened in 1974. The multi-million dollar venue was part of a larger entertainment complex and offered 4,400 theatre seats, state-of-the-art video, lighting and audio equipment to bring the hit TV show to life.

The Opry never forgot their past. When the new venue opened, a six-foot circle of the original oak stage in the Ryman Auditorium was cut and inlaid into the new stage at the new venue. The circle represents a piece of history, where thousands of legends once stood, including Uncle Dave Macon, Ernest Tubb, and Patsy Cline. Today, when the entertains take to the stage, they all take a moment to think about the famous names who have stood inside the circle.

In May 2010, the Grand Ole Opry House sustained significant damage after a two-day flood hit the area. The entire stage was underwater, but remarkably, the circle remained unbroken, and upon the restoration, the circle and the history continues.

Each year the Opry continues to inducts new members, welcome new talent, and remains as the home of The Show That Made Country Music Famous. Today, visitors can hear the musical talents from many country music stars including Montgomery Gentry, Diamond Rio, and Carrie Underwood.

Sound Quality: ★★★★

Staging / Lighting: ★★★★

Ticket Price / Value: ★★★★

Audience Interaction / Enjoyment: ★★★★

Overall Performance: ★★★★

Billy Elliot the Musical is the joyous celebration of one boy’s journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent that inspires his family and his whole community and changes his life forever.

From April 2-7, 2013, Broadway Across Canada presents Billy Elliot, the Musical at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in downtown Vancouver. The show runs 2 hours, 50 minutes, including intermission. It’s suitable for families, ages 8 and up.

From 10:00am on Friday, January 18 until 10:00pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013, readers of myWebbSite.ca have the special opportunity for pre sales:

• http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/139293/1106208?brand=bac
• Presale passcode: FAMILY

General tickets go on sale on Monday, January 21, 2013.

R&B and dance singer/songwriter, Wynter Gordon, has been gracing the music industry with her powerful lyrics for years. Although she has only just recently began producing her own songs and going on tour, she’s been at it for many years.

“I had a gift,” explained 27 year-old Wynter as she described how she got started into her music career. “I knew I had to do something bigger. There wasn’t any one thing that really stood out. The only thing I wanted to do was to make music.”

Prior to starting her own singing career, Wynter took her creative songwriting talents to some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Flo Rider, David Guetta, Mary J. Blige, and Jennifer Lopez.

As she developed her own love and deeper emotion for her music, Wynter put her solo career in high gear and released her debut album, With the Music I Die in 2011, featuring her three-time platinum (Australia) single, Dirty Talk.

In June 2012, Wynter released Stimela, the first song from a collection of four EP’s under the title, Human Condition.

“There are three more installments of the Human Conditions,” Wynter explained. “There are four parts per installment, and then the entire album will be released in early 2013.”

The second EP will be titled Human Condition: Sanguine.

“I hope to just be playing all over the world and reaching people,” said Wynter as she described what where she hopes to take her career over the next five years. “I want people surrounding me, who love me. I want to be as happy with myself as I am now.”

There’s a lot to come from Wynter in the coming months. Keep at watch out for updates!

*Photos taken at Northalstad Market Days Festival in Chicago, IL, August 2012.

Canadian based singer, songwriter, actor and dancer, Tyrell Witherspoon, has quickly become one of the fastest growing independent, openly gay recording artists in British Columbia. Since the release of his first single two years ago, Tyrell has travelled across Canada performing for thousands of people at a variety of festivals, Pride events, and at some of the hottest clubs.

Over the next two months, Tyrell will be working on the next part of his journey, expanding his music career through the help of his current and future fans.

“I have launched my first Pledge Music Campaign to raise money to help produce my new EP, Scorpio, which I would like to release this January,” Tyrell explained. “I’m looking to raise $3,000 to afford studio costs and production.”

As an independent recording artist, there are a lot of costs that go into producing an EP. Funds raised will be used to pay for studio sessions for vocal recordings, hire an engineer and producer to create the album’s overall sound, and to promote the album once it’s released to generate both awareness and sales.

“Twenty-five per cent of any dollars raised above and beyond my target will help benefit Out in Schools,” Tyrell said as he described how the organization helps combat bullying in public schools across British Columbia. “They truly do some amazing work that I absolutely stand behind and believe in.”

If you would like to make a contribution to the creation of Scorpio, you can make a pledge on Tyrell’s Pledge Music Campaign page. Each pledge comes with a  special thank you reward from Tyrell.

Many artists pander for the pink dollar, but for singer/songwriter, Wynter Gordon, it’s about creating music she loves and songs that connect.

So how does an artist get such a large gay following? Certainly having catchy songs and great personality help. Wynter has become a regular on the annual Pride circuit over the past few years as she continues to put out hit after hit.

“At first, I didn’t mean to,” said Wynter as she explained how she fell into performing at gay concerts and Pride events. “It just kind of happened.”

Over the past few years Wynter has performed at many events including the 2011 North American Outgames in Vancouver to the Halstad Market Days in Chicago in 2012.

“I just love being around all these festivals,” Wynter said. “There is so much love. I feel love and accepted, even with all my flaws.”

Yes, it’s true. Most people have flaws, but we try to disguise them. Some, better than others. But Wynter has a personal connection to the LGBT community.

“I’ve had to protect family members who were gay,” Wynter said in a very emotional voice. Wynter didn’t want to get into details publically, but she was visibly upset. “I have so much respect for what you guys stand for. To be different in that sense.”

For Wynter, it’s not about pandering to a demographic or target audience. She’s true to herself, her beliefs, and her passions.

You can be certain that we’ll be seeing a whole lot more of Wynter during Pride 2013.

Gabe showing off his abs and Calvin Klein underwear during his performance at the Summer Playland Festival in Vancouver.

Lead singer for Cobra Starship, Gabriel Saporta, has enjoyed a very exciting and fast paced music career. He was the creative energy for the formation of the synthpop band, which has put out four albums since they formed in 2003.

Cobra Starship is made up of five members, including Gabe (lead vocals). The other band members are Ryland Blackinton (guitar), Victoria Asher  (keytarist), Nate Novarro (drummer), and Alex Suarez (bass).

The New York based band has released four albums and is currently signed to record label Decaydance.

• While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets (2006–2007)
• ¡Viva La Cobra! (2007–2008)
• Hot Mess (2009–2010)
• Night Shades (2011–present)

Prior to founding Cobra Starship, Gabriel was the bass player and lead vocalist for the dance-punk band, Midtown. Gabe was born in Uraguay on October 11, 1979 and moved to New York when he was four years old. Gabe is a vegetarian, an active PETA member, and is currently dating fashion designer, Erin Fetherston.

In 2011, Gabe and the rest of the Cobra Starship band appeared on Season 4, Episode 5 of 90210, ‘Rock the Vote’,  and performed their new song, #1night.

Gabe also made an appearance on Season 5, Episode 24 of his favourite TV show, Gossip Girl, where he played a drug-addict named Zeke.

*Photos taken at the Summer Playland Festival in Vancouver, BC, July 2012. 

This week, 15 awards were handed out to LGBT musicians celebrating their achievements and talent in the music industry. It was all part of the annual RightOutTV music awards for Out artists.

The global competition raises awareness of LGBT musicians, their music, and their videos, while closer uniting the community and industry. Enteries were submitted from across the world including Portugal, Austria, Britain, Canada and the United States. There were two rounds of judging to determine the winners in each of the 15 award categories.

“This is only our second year and already the number and caliber of the artists submitting has reassured us that there is truly a need for this kind of acknowledgement for the LGBT music community,” says Marlee Walchuk, co- producer of the RightOutTV Music and Video Awards.

Winners of the 2012 RightOutTV Music and Video Awards:

• Best Video (Pro): Matt Zarley – Trust Me
• Song of the Year: Matt Fishel – Behind Closed Doors
• Best Song So Far: Matt Zarley – Change Begins with Me
• Best Video DIY (Do It Yourself): Corday – Weekend Warrior
• Best Pop/Rock/Adult Contemporary Video: Jeffery Straker – Gone
• Best Electronic/Dance/Hip Hop/R&B Video: Blinded by Stardust – Can’t We Just Dance Instead (feat. Biuna)
• Best Folk/Country/Jazz Video: Kat Devlin – Dear Emmi
• Best Performance in a Live Video: Rachael Sage – Everything
• Best “Living Room Performance”: Nhojj – He & Him
• Best Video So Far: Matt Fishel – Football Song
• Best Pop/Rock/Adult Contemporary Song: Jenn Foster – You Stayed
• Best Electronic/Dance/Hip Hop/ R&B Song: Darren Octert – This Modern Life (1984)
• Best Folk/Country/Jazz Song:  Summer Osborne – Be Still
• Fan Fave Award: Sonasfly

Starting off a career in adult entertainment can be difficult. With new amateur websites popping up almost every day, it’s hard to get noticed by the big studios. When Spencer Reed first got into gay porn over five years ago, it was a much different scene.

“I was recruited from MySpace,” Spencer said as he explained how his career in porn started. “All these companies started asking me and I was like, ‘why not?’.

Once he made the decision to explore the world of adult entertainment, Spencer started to tell his friends and family of his career move.

“My friends were really supportive,” Spencer said, describing the reactions he received. “There was no jealousy.”

However, his family had a much different reaction.

“My parents at first were not happy. They still aren’t now.”

Although his family today still isn’t 100% on board, he’s doing something that he enjoys.

“They are proud that I am DJing,” Spencer continued, referring to his parents thoughts on his career choices. “I’ve played all over the US, and I’m playing in Europe this fall.”

Spencer started DJing long before his career in adult entertainment. He started out DJing in 2005, at his friends house parties, as a way to have a bit of fun.

“I never intended on playing in clubs,” said Spencer, who modestly talked about his growing status as a club and circuit DJ. “Last year a friend in San Francisco introduced me to some people there, and it’s spiraled from there. It just took off.”

While Spencer enjoys his time on camera doing porn, he’s not sure how much longer he will be doing it.

“I love the vibe and energy from the dance floor,” said Spencer. While he hasn’t made up his mind on his career going one direction or the other, he admits he wants to continue to explore the world of DJing and promoting.

Carole Pope is no stranger to the music scene. For four decades she’s been pumping out the hits, shocking the world with her avant-guard style and vocalizing her political opinions. Most importantly, Carole recognizes that the way musicians do business today has dramatically changed since she started her career.

“It’s a nightmare trying to get out there,” Carole said, describing her challenges as a solo artist. “Not everyone is out there [on the internet]. People who are under 18, who are older, or love retro music just aren’t online. It’s so time consuming.”

While today’s up-and-coming artists struggle with being found, many use social media to try to gain traction for their music. Sites like YouTube, Facebook Twitter and mySpace are all being used.

“That’s the good thing about the Internet, you can reach world-wide,” Carole said, explaining how she’s leveraging social media to promote her new work. “You can be on iTunes too. Everything is just out there.”

But Carole also quickly notes, as good as the technology is, it also has its downfalls.

“Anyone can make a video,” Carole said in disgust. “They aren’t good. That’s annoying. The internet is a great way to get your music out, most people can’t perform live.”

While Carole has a long history of being a rock star, she finds traditional media, like radio, doesn’t play her music. She’s found it to be extremely frustrating and limiting. Instead, she’s turned to social media to get her music out.

“I have a PR person, but I still go on,” Carole said as she described her love / hate relationship with social media. “I like Twitter. It’s like a little sound byte. But I need to find more time to get on stuff like Facebook.”

Even experienced artists struggle with getting their music heard. It takes a lot of time and dedication.

“I have a duet with Rufus Wainwright that people don’t even know about!” Carole said.

Carole leaves these words of advice for upcoming LGBT artists, “Perform at Prides. Many will try to stuff LGBT artists, but play wherever you can. Be true to yourself as an artist. It’s very competitive.”

Photo contributed.

She’s a legendary Canadian rock icon. Carole Pope (born in Manchester, England). She’s best known for her avant-guard music, fierce attitude, and for her success as a lesbian performer.

“I was a closeted performer,” explained Carole Pope, as she described the beginning of her music career. “I wanted to be a rock star!”

Driven by politics, creative energy, theatre, and art, Carole’s band, Rough Trade, made a big impact on the music industry.

“With Rough Trade, we didn’t care about others opinions,” Carole explained. “We wrote what made us happy. We liked anything that was shocking and titillating. S&M and the leather-daddy thing was very exciting to me.”

As Carole’s popularity rose, and she continued to creatively express her feelings, the Canadian born singer-songwriter found it difficult to come out as a lesbian singer.

“It was hard to come out,” Carole explained. “There was no lesbian bar. Life and art just got smashed together. I came out on stage. I wore a bondage suit. I just started making out with chicks. I didn’t come out being a dyke; it just happened.”

Carole especially enjoyed her years with Rough Trade; however, she does have regrets, especially around not having found a good manager.

“I was shocked by our success,” Carole said as she recalled the fun times she had with her band. “We gigged for years.

Her most memorable moment was when she was playing in New York.

“I remember the first time we started working in New York and Lou Reed showed up with his tranny lover,” Carole said with a giant smirk. “I often thought about the audience that would show up. And the celebrities. I would think, ‘What are they doing here?’”

After years of success with Rough Trade came to a close, Carole branched out and started her own solo career.

“I don’t have anyone to answer to,” Carole said point blank. “I have nothing to prove now. I love performing. People dig it. I mouth off. It’s so much fun. Performing really is my strong suit.

Recently, Carole has been focused on promoting her latest album on a cross-Canada tour, with the highlight being Elton John’s fashion show launch in Toronto, Ontario. She’s continues to work on a new video, and this fall she can be found in both New York and LA as she continues to build her solo career profile.

It’s been almost three decades since Diamond Rio first got together in Nashville, Tennessee, and today, the original six musicians who founded the group are still together, making and performing country music.

The American country music group is well-known for their country rock style, with influences of traditional bluegrass. In their early days their songs were very traditional country-music themes, however, their more recent work is considered to be more pop-ballads. Consistently their music has had themes of religion.

Their first single, released in 1991 by Arista Records, Meet in the Middle, reached number one on the country music charts. Over the years they have earned 32 additional chart singles, including four number one hits, How Your Love Makes Me Feel (1997), One More Day (2001), Beautiful Mess (2002), and I Believe (2003).

To date, Diamond Rio has collected 13 Grammy Award nominations, two Top Vocal awards, four Group of the Year awards and three nominations for the GMA Dove Awards. In 2011 the group received their first Grammy Wards for Best Southern, Country of Bluegrass Gospel Album for The Reason.

Known as the rowdy redneck rebels who hold small-town values, Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry are the vocals behind the American country music duo, Montgomery Gentry.

Since they began playing together in the 1990′s, they’ve developed a reputation for country music that has a southern rock influence, their songs include themes of rural life and reflect on tolerance towards others with differing opinions.

In 1999, Montgomery Gentry, was awarded Favorite New Artist – Country, at the annual American Music Awards. In 2000 both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association named them Duo of the Year. In 2009, the duo was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

Over the years Montgomery Gentry has collaborated with Charlie Daniels, Toby Keith and Five for Fighting. In 2011 they met NY Country, and have plans for a Northeast concert series in early 2013.

Photo Credit: Mary Sheridan

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. On Sunday, September 30, with a mix of sun and clouds and cool autumn temperatures, the inaugural Surrey International World Music Marathon was underway.

The course for the full and half marathon events was the same; the half marathoners ran the 21.1km course a single time, and the full marathoners made a second lap. The elevation map made the route seem relatively easy, however, many experienced runners were caught off-guard on race-day once on the course. The route is full of twists, turns, steep downhill’s and long, steady uphill’s.

Overall the course is extremely beautiful, as it winds through residential and parklands. Well over half of the course is on secondary streets or parks, however, there are a number of sections of the course where runners are at close odds with traffic on some busier roads.

Volunteers worked extra hard to ensure the route was well marked and course-marshals were on-hand to ensure people were headed in the right direction.

It was evident on why the event has World Music in the title. Throughout the course, participants pass numerous stations where different music themes from around the world are presented. Brazil, India, Korea and Scotland were just a few of the countries that were represented along the course.

Operationally, the course was well set-up, the organizers ran a tight schedule, and things appeared to be well executed.

Photo Credit: Mary Sheridan

Two things in particular stuck out an executed exceptionally well. The finishers medal certainly is one of the biggest and most impressive pieces of bling for a half and full marathon event. Secondly, the half and full marathoners received a beautiful Adidas technical shirt that screamed quality and warranted many participants to wear it for the race and afterward.

The Health and Sports Expo was also well organized. Outdoors there was music and entertainment, and indoors a host of vendors from massage and nutritional supplements, to fitness programs and gadgets for runners.

Overall, for a first event, organizers deserve a huge congratulations. Pulling off both half and full marathon events is no small task. Well done!

Personal Standings

Overall, I’m extremely happy with my results for this race. I went into this race looking forward to getting back into long-distance races after taking the summer off training, to enjoy the scenery and have fun, and to be part of an exciting event in Surrey.

• Gun Time: 1h 45m 09s
• Chip Time: 1h 45m 08s
• Pace: 4:59m/km
• Overall Placement: 113/1029
• Gender Placement: 91/439
• M30-34: 13/40

Pop music lovers from around the world were introduced to Jessica Sutta in 2003 when she joined the Pussy Cat Dolls. Today, Jessica has launched a successful solo career and her popularity continues to grow.

Here are three things you might not know about

1. Jessica Sutta’s Rock’n Bod

Let’s be honest, Jessica has an amazing body, but how does she do it?

“I do Kundalini yoga,” Jessica said. “It’s changed my life. It’s a relaxing hour-and-a-half intense workout. It’s healing and magical.”

Kundalini is a physical, mental and spiritual yoga discipline that develops strength, awareness, character and inspires creative energy.

2. Jessica’s Mentor

Although Jessica may be inspired to be the next Kylie Minogue, that’s not who she looks up to as a mentor to help her reach her goals.

“My mom made me dream big,” explained Jessica, as she talked about who she looked up to the most. “She did it by supporting me and loving me. She worked three jobs to put into dance class. She wanted me to have the world”

That’s a pretty darn awesome mom, to be that passionate about wanting to give her daughter an amazing jump on life.

3. What’s a Girl to do…

Outside of our full-time jobs, we all have stuff we love to do in our spare time.

“I love arts and crafts” Jessica said, describing her favorite things to do in her down time. “I enjoy making vision boards and jewelry.”

In addition to her hobbies that allow her to express her creative side, Jessica also enjoys delving into spirituality, angle cards, and reading.

Hundreds of enthusiastic and cheering fans came out last night to see Owl City perform at Commodore Ballroom in downtown Vancouver. The room buzzed with excitement as the electronic band pounded out song after song, including their platinum hit Fireflies and their latest and hottest single featuring Carly Rae Jepsen, Good Time.

Lead singer, Adam Young, started the band in 2007 in his parents basement. Adam, is skilled in playing a variety of instruments including both guitar and drums. His music ranges from pop-dance songs to mellow instrumentals.

Owl City is currently promoting their latest album, Mid Summer Station, on a multi-country world tour.