In anticipation of our 2010|11 Season at Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, we created a video (with the help of Stephen Chung of Still Moving Images and Brent Kitagawa) as an introduction to the year ahead at our Halls. We hope you enjoy and please feel free to share it!

Let us know what shows you’re looking forward to!

Stephen McGrath is Soundboard Editor and Media Relations Manager at Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall

Peter Frampton got me in trouble when I was a kid. My older brother’s record player was in his bedroom underneath the window. I would spend a lot of time secretly listening to his records while he was out of the house and I mean really listening to records (as loud as possible) for all the nuances and instrumentation. A turning point in listening to music came along for me when I first heard Frampton Comes Alive!. I couldn’t understand why I liked it so much; after all, it was a live record and sounded nothing like those studio recordings I was accustomed to. And I’d ask myself, “What is that weird talking guitar thingy on ‘Do You Feel like We Do’?” (At 3:41 is the Talk Box.) Even the sun coming through the window liked it, so much so, that it softened the large disc into an unplayable shape. I was going to be in unplayable shape if I didn’t find the money to replace it before he got home. I replaced it but didn’t escape my brother’s strength.

The album has an ease to it and makes you feel like you are in the audience. I could almost see the shared glances between band members Frampton, Sheldon, Mayo and Siomos. Cameron Crowe (Journalist/Director) wrote the liner notes for Frampton Comes Alive! and remarks “the full range of live material, both acoustic and electric is here. Even the audience enjoys a major role throughout and as always, Frampton & band perform with the earnestness and competence that we’ve come to expect.” Another song that absolutely blew my mind in those days, and still does, is the live version of Breakdown off of Tom Petty’s live album, Pack Up the Plantation: Live! The audience hijacks the song from vocalist Tom Petty.

I learned two things from the album Frampton Comes Alive!. Firstly, music and performance are sometimes beyond description no matter how hard you try. It’s taken several years for me to realize why it was such an influential record in my archive. There are lots of live records out there but this one may have been the catalyst for getting me involved in music as a career. It was the live audience and knowing that you had one shot at each and every song with no opportunity to stop and re-record. It is hard to recreate a live show but this album inches closest to being there for me. Frampton is an entertainer, performer, artist, musician and band member. I don’t think things have changed for Frampton in his many decades of performing. The songs continue to be patient and build and undulate, much like melted vinyl. The other thing I learned was, if the sun is shining upon your record player, close the curtains.

Greg Henderson is Programming Associate at Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall

Each year it creeps up on me. I don’t do too much advanced planning, yet I end up being entertained every night. Just for Laughs hits Toronto with what I expect will be a fairly decent amount of jokes about the G20 and the heat wave. Using some of the cities great entertainment venues JFL not only exposes great comedic talent it also showcases that Torontonians have the ability to laugh at ourselves.

Massey Hall welcomes back Emmy winner Louis CK. I was first introduced to him through the Opie and Anthony Show on XM Radio about 3 years ago. He was talking about being a parent and how selfish his daughter is. I was howling! Did you see his set last year? The Sarah Silverman hosted Gala had Louis CK closing out the show. The only bad part of his set was it seemed to be too short. The cool part of the program was Silverman was on fire. I’m sure having CK host the late Gala Saturday night will provide plenty of Louis HAHAs. You might want to warm up for his Gala with a few Louis CK videos that you can find on YouTube. Here’s the clip that went viral last year. Just be cautious going there, the videos might trap you indoors on your computer for hours.

Everything’s Amazing & Nobody’s Happy

Tonight is Russell Peters at Massey Hall. If you’re going, try to have a sip of beer each time he says the word “Brampton”, maybe don’t. You may not make it through the show. I have seen Peters a number of times and he never disappoints.

Go see the shows, and enjoy the funny side of the city. Thanks JFL for once again making Toronto smile.

Jeff Leake is the Director of Music Programming at XM Radio (follow him @theleake)

So – one of the first thing I noticed when I joined the Toronto Symphony is that orchestral musicians inner clocks are timed just like any band; for late night. Mornings are groggy but in the evening, musicians are buzzing. I’m actually a bit surprised that June 19 is the TSO’s first ever Late Night concert.

The Late Night concept came about after TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian conducted a similar concert at Tonhalle, Switzerland. He ran the idea by some of our tsoundcheckers at a post-concert party and well, here we go.

What can I tell you about Beethoven’s 9^th…the “Choral,” his Ode to Joy? I can tell you it’s a masterpiece and has been since its premiere in 1824, written during Beethoven’s later period (when most of his contemporaries thought he was going crazy.) I can tell you that it proved his contemporaries wrong and that it was revolutionary, ushering in the romantic era and foreshadowing the massive symphonies of Mahler and Bruckner. I guarantee that you can hum the theme. We’ve all heard it many times; but hearing it live…with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, a stellar cast of soloists and the impressive Mendelssohn choir, you understand why it holds this place is music history. You’ll feel it in your gut, in the hairs on the back of your neck, in your twitching tear ducts (and yes, it will be the music, not the triple rye you brought into the hall.)

If you are attending, join TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian, after the concert with guest artists and TSO Musicians for an audience-wide post concert party with DJ CCENTURIESS on deck. It’s our last concert of the 09-10 season, so celebrate with us.

Listen to TSO Beethoven 9 podcast with Tom Allen

Laura Quinn is the Senior Manager, Public Relations with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Bruce Cockburn has been very influential in the lives of all the members of Barenaked Ladies. Whether it be his incredible guitar playing, his social conscience, his beautiful songs, or his fabulous Eye Wear – Bruce has left his mark with us.

Throw in the fact that we covered one of his biggest hits and it became our first hit – then Barenaked Ladies at least owe Bruce a tribute night, perhaps even a nice dinner some time…. Congratulations for this night, Bruce – we love you and your music.

- Barenaked Ladies

Barenaked Ladies perform Wednesday, June 16 2010 as part of Canadian Songbook: 40 Years of Bruce Cockburn at Massey Hall

The problem with watching a Hollywood actor perform in a very character driven role is that you can easily be distracted by their own well-known public life. Maybe it’s just me, but sadly, I don’t just see a race car driver, I see Tom Cruise acting like a race car driver and Tom Hanks acting as though he is friends with a volleyball. I mean, I know they are very accomplished actors and all, but it’s just how I see them. Some actors,  though, can blur the line between their real selves and the characters they portray. For example, even though we know him as the loving (though sometimes troubled) brother from Six Feet Under, if you were on the same side of the street as Michael C. Hall, wouldn’t you cross the road?

Not unlike Hall’s fiercely convincing portrayal on HBOs Dexter, when John Malkovich takes the stage this evening as character Jack Unterweger, we’ll be compelled by his transformation to serial killer. Cleverly, we are invited within the first few moments of The Infernal Comedy: Confessions of a Serial Killer, to embrace the man and eerily witness as he blurs that line between Actor and character through simply a name.

“My name. Jack.” He tells the audience, “You might ask what’s so special about being named Jack?”

“Only that Jack, as you may know is Johannes or Hans in German, Juan and Giovanni in Spanish and Italian.

And of course, John. John may seem a common name. Just John.

But if you wear this name, women will love you or hate you -- call you a liar or pervert -- but they will never leave you alone.

Like it or not, that is the truth…”

To blur the lines even more, this fictional story is based on the truth. And yes, Unterweger was a very real convicted murderer, who in 1976 was sentenced to life imprisonment for the killing of a teenage girl in his native Austria. While incarcerated, he learned to read and write and with such proficiency he, as the show notes promote, “reinvented himself as a literary celebrity” with his best selling and highly acclaimed prison-autobiography, titled Fegefeur (Purgatory).

Widely viewed as a “triumph of rehabilitation” by 1990 he was granted a presidential pardon and paroled. The short story (you can read his long story here) -- Unterweger  worked as a journalist and famously tracked stories on crime, travelling from Austria into Germany and even over to Los Angeles, in an effort to interview and research possible connections to unsolved murders of working prostitutes.

Eventually the crimes were traced back to him, reportedly after chasing Unterweger  through the US and parts of Canada. He was returned to Austria and tried and convicted on 11 counts of first-degree murder. According to Wikipedia, “On 29 June 1994, Unterweger was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. That night, he committed suicide at Graz-Karlau Prison by hanging himself with a rope made from shoelaces and a cord from the trousers of a track suit. He is reported to have used an intricate knot identical to that used on the murdered prostitutes. Because he died before he could appeal the verdict, under a technicality of Austrian law, Unterweger is officially to be considered as innocent, despite the original guilty verdict.”

The Infernal Comedy, which comes to Massey Hall tonight (Friday) and tomorrow, is inspired by Unterweger’s story. It takes place after the author’s death, with Malkovich portraying the already deceased killer, now launching his latest book. Speaking directly to the audience, the mood darkens with the live soundtrack performed by the world-renowned Vienna Academy Orchestra as well voices of two sopranos who sit in to symbolize the “women in Unterweger’s life.”

Maybe it’s simply that you can be too well-known to be in the acting business?  Or maybe it’s the thought of being manipulated by a serial killer that loans a certain authenticity to an actor’s rapport with an audience?

What I’d like to know is, after these shows, if you see John Malkovich out and about, will you stay on the same side of the road?

Stephen McGrath is Soundboard editor and media relations manager at Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall

Here it is, in their own words…

Planet Maurie Photo ©2010

Taking our Roy Thomson Hall concert virginity away was none other then Diana Ross!  She is undoubtedly one of the Motown greats and to see her right here in Toronto was amazing!  I love her countless smash hits to begin with, but adding a full orchestra to her concert experience was incredible!  Both Matthew and I went to the concert not really knowing what was in store, but we were absolutely blown away by the experience.  Our seats were great!!  And it didn’t take long before we were on our feet, caught up in the infectious beats and her classic hits.

Planet Maurie Photo ©2010

One thing that makes Diana stand out among other artists I’ve seen in concert is the fact that she makes eye contact with you as you dance!  She smiles at you – it really makes you feel like you’re part of the show.  In fact, between two songs, she said “While you’re staring at me, I’m staring back at you… I see ALL your beautiful smiles!“  I have to say though, that one of the highlights for me, was halfway through the show Diana kicked off a back-to-back set of upbeat favorites starting with “I’m Coming Out”.  I don’t think I’ve danced like that in a long time.

During her set, there was no doubt that Diana saw us, as she stood in front of Matthew and I and smiled.

I thought there was no way it could get cooler; she then pointed at us and signaled us to come on stage!  WHAT!?  REALLY?!   So, not missing a beat we climbed up on stage and shook what our mama’s gave us!

I couldn’t believe it, we were actually on stage with Diana Ross!  She was laughing and had a great time with us.  It was unbelievable!  She gave us a hug and we went back to our seats.  It’s a moment we will never forget.

Thanks Diana, you’re so awesome! and thanks to Roy Thomson Hall  for being the perfect venue to see this live act.

Maurie Sherman & Matthew Almeida

Conan O’Brien recently listed his 5 favourite clips on youtube.  And so it got us thinkin’ -- what are some of your favourite coco moments??

In anticipation of his performance at Massey Hall in Toronto this weekend, here is a list of our top 5 favourite clips of him:

1. LOST

2. Welcome, to the Jungle

3. Superbowl Bud

4. Pale Force!

5. Hulk

and a quick encore…

the string dance!

Shelagh Rogers and Peter Gzowski

I’ll admit never having the opportunity of actually meeting Peter Gzowski. I can certainly recall the tone of his voice though, (as many of us can) as fondly as I do any of my close friends. Through my recollections and recent readings I can tell that his legacy is far reaching, beyond the tens of thousands of engaging conversations he conducted on air and into our alarm clocks, televisions and car stereos for so many years. A champion of adult literacy, a mentor to many and friend to those who surrounded him.

Our intention with this post is to capture a glimpse into his character, through the voice of those who knew and worked with him. Thank you to everyone that contributed their memories and we hope this encourages others to celebrate his legacy.

“He set off in search of the best of Canada, and because he thought it was important, we did too. Somewhere along the line, he became part of what he was looking for.”
–Stuart McLean

“Everywhere I travel in Canada, people still come up to me and talk about Peter. He had a way of reaching through the radio–as if he were right beside you in your kitchen or your car. People still have his picture up on their fridges and desks. He loved this country and it loved him right back.  And he loved the stories of this land. As for me, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing had it not been for Peter. He gave me some really good breaks. His biggest lesson comes down to two words “Just listen.” And it’s true. Just listen. It’s all we have to do.”
-Shelagh Rogers

“Peter’s influence on who we are and how we define ourselves as Canadians is significant. His love of books and authors and words has raised millions for literacy and I’m delighted that Monday’s event continues to celebrate his legacy.
I could say – that my being at the CBC is in, a large part due to him and on occasion find myself ‘channeling’ for advise and support!!”
-Denise Donlon

“Peter was one of the few people who could change my mind about things.  He had a powerful intellect and knew how to use it.  Inside him though was a kid who never grew up.  I recognize that because I have one of those inside me. One of my best times with Peter was when our two kids got in an aeroplane and went out to play.”
-Murray McLauchlan

“Peter was a stickler for rules. The rules of grammar, the rules of Scrabble, and especially the rules of golf. Being the somewhat duffer that he was, he had an encyclopaedic knowledge
of the Rules of the Royal and Ancient in St Andrews. He had me convinced that one could take ten strokes off your game by learning and knowing the by-laws that govern the game. Of
course, being as competitive as he was, I know it was a case of gaining any edge he could. Once, when I actually beat him in a game of Scrabble at a rain-delayed golf tournament, he barely spoke to me for a week. I felt like a chastized son, for he was a real father figure to me. I miss him.”
- C. David Johnson

On Monday evening at Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, Frontier College, Canada’s original literacy organization, presents an inspiring evening of words and music, hosted by Shelagh Rogers, to celebrate 25 years of Peter Gzowski’s literacy legacy. Proceeds from the event will support Frontier College. For further information or to purchase tickets, click here

It has been three years since we (Women Fully Clothed) have performed in Toronto. We’ve been touring Canada, we’ve taken our show to Edinburgh and Chicago. We’ve meet some incredible people, seen some breathtaking sights, eaten large quantities of amazing (and sometimes not so amazing) food, shopped at countless stores and drank gallons of Tim Horton’s coffee … and now we are back in Toronto!!

We were beyond excited when presented with the idea of premiering our brand new show, Older & Hotter, at Massey Hall. We’ve all seen such wonderful performers there over the years and still can’t believe we are going to grace that same stage … tomorrow! We can’t wait to share our new show with the wonderful Toronto audience.

Teresa Pavlinek performs Friday, May 7 at Massey Hall as a member of acclaimed sketch comedy troupe Women Fully Clothed