All posts tagged with: Photos

Last night the Vancouver International Marathon Society released images of the 2013 BMO Vancouver Marathon finishers medals. This year there are two designs, one featuring a male and one featuring a female runner. The new finisher medal design features the race logo, slogan “Ran Van”, and a silhouette of a male runner against the skyline of Vancouver.

The silhouette of the male figure featured on both the full and half marathon finishers medals have what many believe to be a striking resemblance to my official 2012 BMO Vancouver Marathon finishers photo.

In my official 2012 finishers photo I can be seen with one arm above my head and the other reaching up. It was at this exact moment that I was doing a little dance to cheer myself up for completing another marathon, despite finishing 20 minutes after my original goal time. I would be photographed again approximately 20 second later, after receiving my finishers medal, completely in tears because I had not reached my personal goal.

Typically when a marathon finisher crosses the finish line they are either looking down at their watch to stop the time on their pace watch, or have both hands high above their head in celebration, smiling for the camera, as it taught by every training clinic.

Assuming the artist who came up with the design, with many rounds of feedback from the Vancouver International Marathon Society stakeholders, it is likely to conceive that my 2012 finishers photo was the most likely source of inspiration in the development of the male silhouette figure.  Based on the general position of the figures arms, along with some creative license of adjusting the shape of the head because of the camera angle, and the adjustments of the shorts and legs, it’s a pretty close match-up.

Need further evidence? Last year I was an official blogger for BMO Vancouver Marathon, and am I also one of the most well known and respected bloggers in Vancouver’s running community. Because of this, photos of me are widely available on the internet through Google searches. The creative artist behind the photo would have also had access to all the official race photographer, Marathon Photo, photography, to source inspirational images during the creative development phase.

The race organizers have no officially commented if my photo indeed inspired the silhouette image, but looking at all the facts, there’s a pretty good chance.

As participants of Canada’s largest 10km road running race lined up this morning at the start line for the Vancouver Sun Run, the skies may have been blue and grey, but most participants wore blue and yellow in honour of the Boston Marathon. The 29^th annual run, celebrating community spirit, health, and fitness saw 48,196 registered participants, slightly below the previous year.

Finishing first place was Paul Kimugul of Kenya, winning the Men’s Overall division with a time of 29:04. Second place finisher, Ian Burrell of Tuscon, Arizona, finished in 29:17, and third place finisher, Edwin Kaitany of Kenya crossed the finish line at 29:36. The first Canadian male to cross the finish line was Victoria’s Clifford Childs at 30:09.

For the second year in a row, Natasha Fraser from Port Moody, BC, finished first place in the Women’s Overall division and the Canadian Female, with a time of 32:42. The second place finisher was Lindsey Scherf at 33:01, and Lioudmila Kortchaguina of Toronto finished third overall female at 33:25.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2013 Vancouver Sun Run!

Personal Results:

• Overall: 1545
• Chip Time: 44:59
• Pace: 4:30
• Male 30-34: 232/2,777 (top 8%)
• Male Overall: 1,307/20,377 (top 6%)

A jewel-encrusted hat

It’s an art-lovers paradise. Over 63,000 works of art ranging from drawings and sculptures, to painting and antiquities span the 300,000 square feet of exhibition space at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas.

Visitors could easily spend days wandering the galleries and exhibit halls, studying and learning about art and culture from around the world; from treasured pieces of history right through modern art.

A sarcophagus on display

To facilitate the broad mandate of the museum, The MFAH has multiple buildings dedicated to exhibits, galleries, and education. Guests are invited to attend lectures and tours to learn more about the special features at the museum.

Now through May 27, 2013, Picasso Black and White, is currently on exhibit. It’s a fantastic display of works from the world-famous artist.

There are a few ways to save on admission for the MFAH (guests are still required to purchase tickets to the special event exhibits):

• Purchase tickets online and save $1 on adult tickets
• Thursday’s are complimentary general admission thanks to a corporate partnership with Shell; however, do note that there will be many families and school-aged children.
• Save up to 46% off general admission and visit four other Houston attractions by purchasing a Houston City Pass.

Solid gold slippers

The MFAH is located in the museum district in downtown Houston at  1001 Bissonnet, Houston. It’s easily accessible by the light rail line or by car.

History is preserved through precious paintings on display.

“Traveling around for work for five years straight, staying in different hotels gets tiresome and lonely,” explained 25 year old retired gay porn star, Travis Irons. “But, if I had to choose, then I guess I would say any of the W’s are nice.”

If you’re like Travis, and are bold, like to express yourself, and do it with class, style, and funk, then next time you’re in Atlanta, you’re going to want to book your stay at the W Midtown Atlanta.

The swanky property boasts sensational customer experience, fantastic views of the city, and rooms that will blow your mind. Not only is it totally up beat, but it’s also located just a few minutes walk from the gay village. You can’t go wrong.

From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed into a surreal world, where the only thing that matters is you. As you drive up, you’ll be greeted by a team of attentive bellman and valet’s, ready to whisk you into the lobby so you can quickly get checked in, and off to your awaiting room.

The rooms are fabulous! Ranging from two-queens to two-bedroom suites, each room has a personality of it’s own. In true W Hotel style, bold colours mix pop against black and white backgrounds. The textures of fabrics, wall coverings, décor accents, chandeliers, and surfaces, all add to the visual and touch sensations throughout the room.

W Hotels rooms are for people who are confident. Why is that? Bathrooms aren’t tucked away in the corner. They are on display. The bedrooms have floor-to-ceiling glass rain-fall showers that peer right through to the bathroom. Speaking of bathrooms, the soaps, monogrammed linens, bathroom accessories are nothing more than amazing too; they make you want to scream out in excitement.

There’s nothing better than sliding into a king size bed with crisp white sheets, bolster pillows, and overlooking a view of the city. That’s exactly what you’ll find here. Even if you’re just wanting to lounge around, there is a chaise lounge calling out against the window, perfect for curling up with a book, watching the sunset.

If you’re in town and are entertaining a group, the parlor is set up with comfortable seating for a small crowd. Turn up the music from the in-suite sound system, order up a few items off the room service menu, and crack a bottle of Grey Goose, and you’ve got one hell of a party!

The hotel also has a gym in the lower level with both cardio and weight equipment. If you want to be pampered, Bliss Spa can take care of that. There is a whisky lounge inside the hotel, along with Spice Market, for modern fusion fare.

Relax. Enjoy yourself. Be you. The W Midtown Atlanta is exactly what you need to spice up your next visit to Atlanta!

For more information on exiting things to see and do, including gay-friendly restaurants, nightlife, and accommodations, check out Gay Atlanta.

Guest Room: ★★★★★

Bedding: ★★★★☆

Towels and Toiletries: ★★★★☆

Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★★★

Customer Service: ★★★★★

Overall Experience: ★★★★★

Have you every wondered how the news gets put together from start to finish, and how it’s broadcast around the world? In Atlanta, CNN’s global headquarters has opened their doors and offers a 55-minute guided walking tour throughout the studio to show you exactly how it’s done.

CNN’s global headquarters serves more than 1 billion people in 212 countries. The Inside CNN Studio Tour allows visitors to go behind-the-scenes to see just how news stories are put together and aired on television. Some lucky guided tour guests will even get a chance to read the news! At the end of the tour, visit the CNN Store to purchase photos from the tour and cool branded merchandise.

Tours are offered daily from 9:00am – 5:00pm, with tours departing every 10 minutes. It’s recommended to make reservations can be made in advance, but drop-ins are welcome by visiting the box office to secure a specific tour time. News happens around the clock, but your best chance to see a live broadcast are weekdays from 10:00am – 3:00pm.

To get the best deal on the CNN Studio Tour, purchase the Atlanta City Pass. One ticket booklet can save 42% on admission to CNN and four other Atlanta attractions including the nearby World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium.

For more information on things to do in Atlanta, visit the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

A staycation in metro Vancouver doesn’t instantly mean getting a hotel room in downtown Vancouver. Hotels in the downtown core can be expensive, especially for the value / budget conscious person who wants to enjoy the local area.

In nearby New Westminter, the original capital city of British Columbia, the Inn at the Quay offers great value and is a good option for a staycation. It’s convieniently located just a few minutes walk from SkyTrain, so there’s no need to drive if you already live near public transit.

Recently renovated, the Inn at the Quay has a variety of room choices, most of which overlook the Fraser River. Rooms are comfortably decorated in vibrant colours. The beds are comfortable and the rooms are outfitted with 32” LCD TV’s, workstations, and complimentary WiFi.

Located inside the hotel is the Boathouse Restaurant. The menu options include lobster ravioli, prime rib, muscles, and salmon. There are fresh dinner features every night of locally sourced seafood.

Next door there is the New Westminster Quay, with shops and dining options. Saturday’s there is a farmers market with all kinds of local baked goods, vegetables, fruit, and hand-crafted products.

If you’re looking for a fun evenings of cocktails, consider checking out Drink Urban. They have a full menu of hand-crafted cocktails, martinis and seasonal drink features.

If you’re celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or just want an escape from your every day, consider a getaway to the Inn at the Quay.

Guest Room: ★★★★
Bedding: ★★★
Towels and Toiletries: ★★★
Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★★
Customer Service: ★★★★
Overall Experience: ★★★★

From Tim McGraw to Lady Antebellum, Bruno Mars to Jake Owen, the 2013 Houston Rodeo had a full line-up of concerts featuring a wide-range of fantastic acts. On Thursday, March 14, Pitbull hit the stage in front of over 144,000 fans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas; the fourth busiest night of the 2013 rodeo.

The hip-hop artist was delivered to the stage in a black SUV and immediately had the crowd excited for the show. Performing hit-after-hit, the entire concert was electric. Pitbull thanked Houston and Texas many times for their support, pleasing the crowd.

While the concert performance was fantastic, someone really needs to give Pitbull some new dance moves and help him out with his clothing options – at every live concert he only has three hip-shaking moves, and he only wears a black suit with a black shirt and sunglasses. Really? Come on.

The stage, which spun a full 365 degrees, was assembled in the centre of the stadium and featured eight massive screens. From the lighting to the fireworks, the show was visually impressive. The sound quality was very good for such a large stadium; concert goers were moving and shaking throughout the one-and-a-half hour long performance.

Tickets for the full evening of events, which included singing of the national anthem, professional rodeo events, kids rodeo event, and the Pitbull concert ranged from $18-$300.

Photo Credit: Jay Minter

Photo Credit: Jay Minter

After five days of heavy rainfall warnings for metro Vancouver, participants in the 2^nd annual WestVanRun 5K  and 10K run/walk woke up to clear, blue sunny skies for the Sunday, March 3, 2013 event held in West Vancouver, BC. The sold-out event had 98 participants in the 10k race and 198 in the 5k race.

The community run, targeted to both professional and recreational runners saw members of the UBC run team front and centre in both race categories. The majority of the participants were recreational runners of all ability levels.

The race started in Ambleside Park and worked its way 2.5km up the West Vancouver seawall, to the turn-around point. The 5k participants did one lap of the course, while the 10k runners completed two laps.

Photo Credit: Jay Minter

Along the fast, flat course, many on-lookers and spectators watched as participants dodging the waves that crashed against the seawall, spilling over onto the course. Runners were spoiled with stunning views of Stanley Park and the Lions Gate Bridge.

If you live in metro Vancouver and are looking for a good, early season 10k to test your time, WestVanRun is your run!

Personal Finish Results: While not a personal best, it was a solid 43m 33s finish time, coming in 13^th place overall (4^th place male 30-39 / 11 male overall), wit a 4:22/km average pace.

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.

Perched high above the banks of the North Saskatchewan River and on the edge of downtown Edmonton, Alberta, is the distinctive Coast Edmonton House. The 45 story hotel boasts 299 guest rooms and a host of amenities for both corporate and leisure travellers.

At the time the property opened in 1971, it was the tallest building in Edmonton, standing at 121 metres (397 ft). Over the years the property has undergone multiple renovations in the guest rooms, public areas and most recently the conference centre.

All the rooms in the hotel are suites, complete with full kitchens, sitting areas and bedrooms. The suites are spacious and include private balconies. This Coast property has new beds, sheets, and eco-friendly towels – which all travellers appreciate. The hotel offers complimentary high-speed, wireless internet and local calling.

Guests at the hotel are welcome to use the pool, hot tub and gym, located on the mezzanine level. Also on the mezzanine level is a convenience store, perfect for picking up snacks and refreshments. Rutherford’s Restaurant & Lounge is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering standard American fare, and an assortment of beer and wine (cocktails and martinis are not available). Room service is a good in-hotel dining option and only has a nominal service charge.

Photo contributed by Matt Pruse.

If you’ve been on the road for a while, the hotel does have self-serve laundry facilities so you can have clean clothes to continue on your journey, and dry-cleaning available. This property is also pet-friendly.

Guest Room: ★★★

Bedding: ★★★★

Towels and Toiletries: ★★★★

Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★

Customer Service: ★★★★

Overall Experience: ★★★★

Nestled in the quiet pine forests along the peaceful Harrison River is one of the most romantic getaways the Fraser Valley has to offer. Located two hours east of Vancouver, Pretty Estates Resort, quite possibly one of the best-kept secrets the areas has to offer, especially during the winter months.

The resort property is home to a lovingly resorted Victorian home and a small group of luxury log cabins.The log cabins are located adjacent to the fairways of the 18-hole golf course and overlook the Harrison River. Each log cabin offers the essential amenities for a romantic weekend getaway for two.

Inside guests are welcomed to a beautiful, warm wood-paneled walls and beam rafters reaching to the peak of the cabin’s roof. A river-rock wood-burning fireplace becomes the centerpiece of the cabins interior, perfect for a cozy night relaxing by the fire enjoying a bottle of wine.

A king size poster bed sits high above the wood floors. The crisps white sheets and fluffy duvet are warm and inviting.

Even the bathroom has been carefully designed for romance. A two-person jetted soaker tub sits above the heated slate floors. The wood beam detail continues to the vanity area, framing the mirrors. The slate and glass shower is bright and has a wonderful rainfall showerhead.

There’s no need to worry about fussing over the cooking either. Right on the property is a restaurant serving up all the classic Canadian favourites including roast beef and Yorkshire, prime rib, and salmon. During holiday’s the chef’s go to work putting out traditional seasonal meals such as roasted turkey dinner with all the fixings. The kitchen staff works hard to source items produced in the Fraser Valley and from BC like local herbs and greens, cheeses, seafood and wine.

In the morning, guests staying in the luxury cabins receive a basket full of breakfast treats and hot coffee. The morning breakfast changes throughout the year and can include potato hash browns, warm fresh baked muffins, and smoked thick cut bacon.

In addition to the log cabin accommodation, the resort also offers guests the option to stay in the original home of the Pretty family, one of BC’s founding entrepreneurial families that helped build the economy throughout the 20^th century. The home, which has been converted into an Inn, is filled with family history, beautiful antique furniture and wonderful collection of artwork from around the world.

While at the resort, guests are encouraged to make full use of the property. Early in the winter is the annual Eagle Festival. The area is home to the most concentrated group of bald eagles in the world. Over 1,000 people will come to the resort the third weekend in November to watch the birds soar overhead, roost in the trees and feast of the salmon from the river. The property is also home to an eagle nest, located in one of the tallest and largest Douglas Fir trees on the 18 hole golf course.

Sandpiper Golf Course is open year-round. Guests are welcome to walk along the pathways around the perfectly manicured course. At almost every angle, there are picture-perfect scenes, from the rugged snow covered mountainsides to the panoramic views of the Harrison Valley.

Getting to Sandpiper is easy. It’s located 2 hours east of Vancouver (25 minutes from Abbotsford) along the Lougheed highway. The resort welcomes overnight guests from February through December.  For romantic weekend vacation packages, visit their website.

This past summer Joe Jonas came to Vancouver to perform at the Summer Playland Festival at Playland / PNE. The 45 minute set was a shot stopper for many Jonas Brother fans who were able to get within just a few feet of the outdoor stage.

It might be early in the ski season, but it’s definitely mid-winter ski conditions at Big White Ski Resort, located in the Thompson Okanagan. The resort has been blessed with over 150cm of snow and the base just keeps building!

It’s the snow! Not kidding you. In the winter the coastal precipitation cools as it comes inland, which falls as dry, powder snow. The abundance of snow is incredible. Over 750cm each year!

Variety is a good way to describe the 105 marked runs. From glades and powder filled bowls, to perfectly groomed cruisers and black-diamond chutes, there’s every kind of skiing and snowboarding your heart desires. The longest run stretches over 7km (4.5 mi)!

You won’t be waiting in line either like you do at other large ski resorts. There are 16 lifts including a six-person chairlift, five quad chairs and seven other types of ski lifts. The 60 acre TELUS Park has terrain features for beginners, all the way up to professional.

If you don’t ski – don’t panic! You have options. There are snow limo’s that can take you on a tour of the mountain so you can experience the entire resort. Or spend your day relaxing at the spa, having coffee overlooking the spectacular Monashee mountains, skate on Canada’s highest outdoor skating rink, or take a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride.

Once you’re off the slopes, the fun continues in the ski-in/ski-out village. There are almost 30 restaurants and bars on mountain for après-ski entertainment. From grab-and-go and casual dining, to small plates and thick steak dinners, chances are you won’t go hungry.

After dinner relax with a glass of Okanagan wine at the Kettle Valley Steak House or get a group of friends together at the Bull Wheel for drinks. As the night goes on, you’ll find a lot of the locals and younger crowd partying at Snowshoe Sam’s.

If you’re travelling as a couple, or a small group, there are 17,000 beds on mountain. While hotel rooms are obvious choice, there are plenty of other options including townhomes and luxury log cabins.

Big White Ski Resort is located 56km (23 mi) from Kelowna, BC. If you’re traveling from Vancouver there are a few options. Driving is pretty easy – take the Coquihalla (Highway #5) to Merritt and then the Connector to Kelowna (Highway 97C). It’s about a 4.5 hour drive in the winter. Just remember to drive slow. Another option is to jump aboard a charter bus line, like Destination Snow, where you can just relax and enjoy the time hanging out with friends and not have to worry about the driving part. Finally, the fastest option is aboard WestJet, offering multiple non-stop daily flights to Kelowna International Airport.

For more information and travel packages visit the Big White Ski Resort website.

On November 23, 1963, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35^th President of the United States, was visiting Dallas, Texas. At approximately 12:30pm, as the Presidential motorcade made it’s way through the city, rifle shots rang out, and the area known as the grassy knoll would become a national historic landmark.

The Presidential motorcade travelled north on Houston to Elm Street, then turned West on Elm. The area is called Dealey Plaza, and it was built in the 1930’s and named after George Bannerman Dealey. The plaza is located on Houston Street between Elm and Commerce. The grassy knoll is located on the north side of Elm Street.

Today, the plaza has many points of interest and plaques describing the events that took place. The exact location of the assassination on Elm Street is marked with a large white “X”.

Overlooking Dealey Plaza is the building famously known as the Texas School Book Depository, now known as the Dallas Country Administration Building and the home of the Sixth Floor Museum. It was built in 1901. This is the location where investigators found evidence they believe prove the fatal shots were fired.

The museum takes visitors through an audio tour, recounting the history leading up to the fateful day, chronicling and reconstructing the assassination events in great detail through film footage, photographs, and artifacts.

On the sixth floor, visitors can see the exact location where there sniper, accused Lee Harvey Oswald, was perched. The entire scene is preserved exactly as it appeared the day of the shooting.

The museum also presents the findings of the Warren Commission, addresses conspiracy theories, and the legacy of President JFK.

Getting around town or going on a long road trip, you want a ride that is safe, good on gas, and fun to drive. If you’re looking for your next vehicle, check out the 2013 Ford Escape SE.

The interior is extremely comfortable and built for driver comfort and safety. The steering wheel is equipped with controls for Bluetooth and radio/music, to cruise control and dashboard navigation, meaning the hands never have to leave the wheel. The driver also has audio control for hand-free activation of smartphones synced with the Microsoft MyFord navigation system.

The seats are particularly well designed. The 2013 Ford Escape is one of the few vehicles on the market today with an appropriately positioned headrest. The heated black leather driver seat is adjustable from almost every direction, including lumbar support.

The interior cabin is spacious and has seating for five. The entire roof seems to open up entirely when the giant panoramic power sun/moon roof is completely open. There is even a large stow area at the back, which can be opened and closed from the remote fob.

It’s pretty good on gas too, thanks to the 1.6L eco-boost engine. In the city, it’s relatively good on gas, while on the highway it is as efficient as possible. And just because it’s “eco”, doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with power. This SUV has all the get-up-and-go power you’d expect from a traditional six cylinder engine, only this one gets way better gas millage.

It’s an easy drive too, with the six speed, select-shift automatic transmission. Choose to drive as a regular automatic, or take control on winter roads or pulling heavy loads by shifting into manual transmission mode with just the flick of a switch.

The exterior is very sporty, with roof rails, heated mirrors and sporty 17” wheels. The tinted windows offer both privacy and temperature control from the hot sun. The SE edition comes with a tonneau cover and perimeter alarm.

The 2013 Ford Escape SE is currently retail priced at $35,949. Stop in to your local Ford dealer to take one for a test drive. Check out the Titanium Edition for even more features including park assist and safety cruise control.

Photo Credit: Jay Minter

Photo Credit: Jay Minter

It was near perfect weather conditions with crisp, moist, autumn air and dazzling sunshine for the 2^nd annual Vancouver Historic Half held on Sunday, November 25, 2012 in Stanley Park. There were 297 participants for the half marathon event; the last long distance race in metro Vancouver for 2012.

The majority of race participants were loyal, year-round, recreational runners. They are the ones that train year round for both local and destination long-distance running events.

Two laps of the Stanley Park seawall meant the flat course was fast paced. The course was relatively easy, with the exception of the small hill climb at the end of the race, which caught even the seasoned long distance runner’s off-guard.

Photo Credit: Jay Minter

Photo Credit: Try Events

Although some personal bests were set, the course is not a Boston qualifier; however, it is a solid local race and is part of the BC Race Series. Chris Napier took home the overall win with a first place finish at 1:18:45.

There were an additional 197 participants in the 10km race and 72 in the 5km.

Personal Results:

• Gun Time: 1:45:00
• Chip Time: 1:44:54
• Place Overall: 54/297
• M 30-39 Place: 13/31

An entire city under one roof. That pretty much sums up the Gaylord Opryland Resort near Nashville, Tennessee. The Gaylord Opryland, now part of the Marriott portfolio of properties, is the largest non-casino hotel in continental U.S. It’s a fantastic year-round vacation destination, especially when visiting Music City.

Inside there are 2,881 guest rooms, including 174 suites and 757 rooms overlooking the atrium gardens. Each room is individually climate controlled and has complimentary high-speed wireless internet. The contemporary styled rooms are spacious and offer all the amenities you would expect from a high-end resort property.

There is over nine-acres of indoor atrium space filled with gardens, water features, shops, restaurants, lounges and activities. You could easily spend a week and never have to go outside. Start the day with coffee at a garden coffee shop, relax in the afternoon on an indoor riverboat ride, have a romantic dinner for two in an American steakhouse, and end the night off dancing at one of the many night clubs.

It’s so gigantic inside, you’ll need a map or a smartphone to get around! It’s well worth the stay when visiting Nashville!

Guest Room: ★★★★★

Bedding: ★★★★★

Towels and Toiletries: ★★★★★

Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★★★

Customer Service: ★★★★★

Overall Experience: ★★★★★

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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.

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.