Theatre Spotlight Shines through Merlene Samuel-Cephas' Legacy

Jan and Merlene

It is with great sadness that I write this blog. The other day, Merlene Samuel-Cephas, died. I've known Merlene since my kids were, well kids, first meeting her when I approached her about teaching an acting class for tv and film which she thought was a great idea. I also taught production / lighting for theatre / film and myself and the kids and youths would create our own mini productions. She gave me a chance when seemingly no one else would and for that I am always grateful.

During that time, my mom would also come in with me on occasion after hours and assist me in making some set pieces for stage productions. Often we'd all sit around and chat as well as Merlene's mom Verna (who also left us way too soon of cancer), and I really admired the way everyone was treated like a family. Husband Jan would often roll in, kids in tow and help close up too. Of course, as the kids got old enough, they also joined their extended theatre 'family".

Spotlighters do songs from Rent - Int Day Erad Poverty

I taught there just out of film school, before digital editing and such was as accessible as it is today, so I'd crudely edit our productions on VHS tape and we'd watch the clips in the following class. The youths loved it and I'd always loved the idea of a youths film making club, so Merlene gave me a chance to do that. My own kids joined the "family" at that point and continued on after my one season teaching with Spotlight Theatre School, taking on a full time position in the city.

My son who'd never acted a day in his life and is terrified of people and crowds, played a lead role, "Daddy Warbucks", and was unbelievable. Only trust in Merlene and her staff could have done that

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

and I'm forever grateful. My daughter, who sings like an angel and is chock full of talent, learned a different lesson when passed over in the same production for the lead Annie. I think she was only 8 or 9, and I tried to explain that it was her first play and it didn't mean she wasn't good but she wasn't having it and quit. A year or so later she realized Merlene had been right and always wanted to go back but was embarrassed for quitting. I wish I'd done more to make it so; as it was an opportunity lost to have her surrounded by good people, and with no mom around, great role models like Merlene, and, increasingly, her former students who would often return after university to teach classes for her, so committed to her they were/are. And it was Merlene who talked me into playing a lead, "Gus Sharkey", in her 50's era musical for the first time ever, as we played to two sold out nights.

Spotlight's " Voice Impact Project" entertains community

Merlene was already involved with poverty issues long before I was, offering out her community squads free for productions to low income communities. Many a year I had Spotlight performers visit York Region housing communities, who  also all took on her great attitude when they came, and in town for International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. I helped start Operation Sparrow , chairing the board for 4 years, and Merlene was the 1st to offer free spots to kids we would place. Just this summer someone called not able to afford theatre camps but with one call she was able to.

She never asked for anything and never said no.


But times were tough too, and Merlene silently struggled with holding on to the theatre / building -  the theatre named in honour of her father - time and again passed over for grants - first having to give up half the location and finally moving to another, losing the home base stage, lighting booth, and all the fixings they had there. This likely would have defeated most people, but when I ran into her again and found out what had happened, Merlene was completely upbeat about it, focusing on the positives - like less pressure to pay for a building full time wherein now they could rent locations for productions but hold rehearsals and classes in a smaller suitable locations. Later on I believe she created a new partnership for the school that still contained the word Spotlight, Arts Spotlight Theatre, still finding away to keep it going.

Merlene's dedication was felt beyond the stage

Recently, Merlene heard we'd been squeezed out of grant money to support our long running youth road hockey event which was free, gave out a cash scholarship, fed the kids for the day, and entertained them which Merlene's crews sometimes were asked to, as well as her feature former students come out to sing O Canada as well as for a Remembrance Day radio show, an Acapella young adults group she sent me who were sensational. Ironic now she's passed near that date.

When she heard about our dilemma with the road hockey event, Merlene offered to "piggy back' us on her grant through a 'fitness element" and adjust it to include us. The timing was wrong for it to work, but just the fact she would offer spoke volumes to me about the type of person she was. Rare is too common a word to describe her. It was at that time I think she had told me she had cancer and also told me she was very glad to have got to know me and that she really respected me. At the time I wasn't thinking cancer as in, "can kill you" cancer, and just blew it off as Merlene being nice as usual, but in reflection, she may have known that could be the last time she'd speak with me and she wanted to tell me. I bet she did that to a lot of  people she knows. Always thinking of others.

It was nice to be able to help Merlene for a  change when she approached me about a location for dinner theatre for her adult classes as I knew just the spot, having put on a number of shows there myself and knowing her needs, and knew it was a great fit, with good hearted owners that would work with them on costs...Again sold out shows for the two nights! I wish I'd gone now.

I can't imagine the pain her husband Jan and the kids are going through right now, but as I try and see through my tears as I write this, just know that you were all blessed to have had her in your lives as long as you did, and that she will always be with you everywhere you look in this community. Be strong and take the lessons she gave about selflessness and sacrifice and live your lives as if she's watching... because she is.

I'm sure you will also see an arts award created in Merlene's honour, because it's now on my radar, and, in her "living life", I don't feel Merlene got the true accolades and community recognition she deserved, always willing to let others get, and quietly accept being passed over because others were deserving...Well no one is more deserving Merlene. No one. Rest in Peace.


Your Friend,

Tom

A family fund for the family has been set up at this link for donations.

Good Times Bar & Grill - Music Unplugged by Sound Police

Good Times one of first community youth programs supporters

Sometimes it takes an action that defies logic for your instincts to stand up for the little guy, or gal in some cases, and reinvest time and effort into a business you had once written off. Everyone deserves a second chance and no less a business owner that has been a provider of stage time for a variety of entertainers over the years from magicians, to karaoke, to Elvis Impressionists to Blue Grass Circles to you name it, as well as a supporter of the community.

I'm talking about Good Times Cafe, Bar & Grill, as recently I testified at their tribunal hearing in order to clarify a condition violation they've been charged with and its interpretation that is continually costing Good Times' owners time and money to fight - that being a provision of her liquor license that she not be allowed to play any "amplified" music. At all! Not a radio, juke box, band, D.J. for a party, Christening , birthday, nothing! And one would suppose the ban includes a tv with music videos playing - as of course the music tracks in movies or commercials would technically be " amplified" - and considering what they are trying to do to the lady now by pulling her license and fining her( she's since been temporarily reinstated) simply for having one speaker playing music at a low level but through an "amplification" allowing them to charge her for this "offense" - don't put it past them. To me this has all been overkill.

Good Times donated closing party in 2007 for team

Owner Nawal  had previously gone 6 years as a business (taking over from brother Sam) hosting different events from parties, to dances, to theme nights - sometimes with live entertainment sometimes not - until an eagle-eyed disgruntled resident looked up her conditions and discovered the loophole. The same couple had previously tried to get the police involved claiming excessive noise but repeatedly the local police would come and hear nothing disturbing when they arrived and eventually actually asked them to stop calling as testified to by the couple themselves! Ends there right!? Wrong! Next the determined couple worked on the loophole through the licensing route and it has gripped Good Times ever since.

" Good times, bad times, I know I've had my share....." Led Zeppelin

Hurricane Mike has performed at Good Times

She paid $ at first "offense"- being taken off guard as she was as they threatened to take her license immediately if she didn't - and otherwise she couldn't survive with her high location rent and inflexible landlord. She's come to see that the liquor licensing board can have deep pockets (of your tax money fyi), are lawyer-ed to the max, and are tough to fight. They even applied to have me excluded from giving testimony even though I attended the original hearing some 7 years ago. The hearing has had me come back at 3 different times as the lawyers strategically hoped I'd either drop out or not show up. Not to mention have her tribunal representative - Dorian Baxter a.k.a. Elvis Priestly - removed. Oh yea, stay tuned folks this thing is getting interesting.

Winning Road hockey 2006 Good Times Cafe Mulock Hawks

I did show up however, and was able to attest to the fact that the condition mentioned regarding no amplification on that license was meant to be about the outside of the establishment - just like the other two conditions mentioned. At the time an elderly licensing board rep gentleman (since retired) took notes by hand as he struggled to keep up as I recall, and repeatedly he'd ask for clarification as he got caught up. Clearly he had lost track of the fact that the conditions discussion had moved to the outside of the establishment as we had just asked about a patio - which was also mentioned as a condition on the licensing document. At any rate, I certainly don't forget the kiddyoke or entertainment provided for community kids for the road hockey event / team. I also recall the free magician at their anniversary party along with belly dancers and live acoustical band and the all day food discount specials.

" In over 19 years in and around the hospitality industry I've never heard of any business whether a restaurant, bar, or otherwise that is told they can't have anything whatsoever for sound. Even Ma and Pop dry cleaners can have a radio.  No, the provision noted at the time was being discussed for the outside of the establishment and I remember it clearly."
Tom Pearson

My testimony additionally conceded that Nawal did have growing pains as an owner originally but then I turned towards the complainant in "court"and said,

" There was a time when I might be sitting down right beside you. She had had some growing pains as an owner new to the business and had made some mistakes, but that was some years ago and she has shown a willingness to change and to work with the community"

Local Dan is not short..he has a disability.. karoake offers fun he can get to

She no longer has All Ages shows for example which she was not ever really set up for properly in my opinion. But she learned some harsh, costly lessons from it all and has really struggled to gain back some former customers since as a result. I also added in testimony that they need draw a distinction if they must between different types of 'noise' as a  punk show will certainly be 'louder"than a karaoke for example and an acoustical jam is not a metal jam. Events I've put on outdoors in town permit me an allowed decibel level - and that is what need be done if they really want to be fair about allowing a business to carry on with some music / sound inside. No body - alcohol, gaming, or otherwise should have the power to restrict a business from having some music inside their establishment for the pleasure of both patrons and staff as well as to enhance business through its ambiance.

Despite the doom and gloom of the sound issue, if you go check out Good Times now the feeling is upbeat especially with the latest license reprieve and the food has never been better. I had Nawal's own special sandwich that is like a grilled panini stuffed with fresh lettuce, seasoned chicken and other fresh ingredients and exclaimed, "Nawal this is unbelievable, this is what you need to get out there - your great food! And I meant it. I've noticed a vast improvement in the food quality from her humble beginnings as well as her (and daughter's) hospitality / service in general from years back as obviously some of the time spent in the trenches has paid off with some good product and Good Times!

Drop in and check them out (again)  for lunch or a casual dinner or meeting or come out for Open Stage Friday's (no amplification) and help support local entertainment and this business owner to fight for your right to have music and a stage for the arts!
<a href="http://www.restaurantica.com/on/newmarket/good-time-cafe/23507405/"><img alt="Good Time Cafe on Restaurantica" src="http://www.restaurantica.com/on/newmarket/good-time-cafe/23507405/external-reviews/logo-white-l.png" style="border:none;width:180px;height:38px;"/></a>
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tp out

Newmarket's longest running business

KEEP MOM AND POP MAIN ST ALIVE

Did you know that during the war Myers on Main in Newmarket was the only place for miles to get new candies and such and people working at the Tannery would line up down the block to pay them back on payday? During the war, candies were a treasure and later when the town's only grocery store burnt down they began to offer milk and such and it wasn't uncommon for the Myers' to get a call at one o'clock in the morning for baby's milk or something, and they'd come open the door for the person. This must be how the term "Convenience Store" came about!

Small businesses can't afford temporary set-up stores competing

When candies died out as a reliable single market item and convenience store chains emerged later on, Myers adjusted and began selling costumes and such.

Halloween is usually the next "look forward to" affair in many peoples minds after Thanks-Giving, and to that end Myers on  Main, Newmarkets longest running family owned business, has been taking care of the communities needs for...ever!

It's amazing that some people have seen  Myers for years yet never knew they sold costumes, make-up etc. In recent years they've been plagued by fly-by-night costume houses that open for Halloween after which close up shop and take their money back to the U.S.A. Meantime Myers pays employees year round.

Winning wall design rejected by town Bylaw Officer

It's bad enough Mom & Pop Main St have to compete with the Wallmarts and Targets which threaten the very existence of Main St.'s but to have to deal with businesses allowed to open up during busy season  and then close up while Myers is a town taxpayer year round is outrageous! What other industry allows this? How would the Mayor feel if a Toronto charity came to town to scoop all the donations for it's hospital once a year during the height of our hospital's fundraising season and took it back to Toronto? Oh that's right they are already doing this for a "charity" ice-hockey enterprise.

Toronto business wall

To make matters worse, the struggling Myers Costumes On Main keeps getting graffitied and ordered to pay for removal by an overzealous by-law officer who seems to have a lot of power.
See video!


To try and get around the repeated graffiti tagging & removal at expense to the elderly owner Jenny, Myers' manager Casandrah held a wall mural contest. The town had been enthusiastic about the idea, with Councilor Joe Sponga coming out and assisting the process, but the problems with the  same by-law officer continued dubbing the winning mural a "sign" and can't be used? Huh? Who is this guy? We are allowing our by-law officers decide what is art and what is appropriate for one's own business?Does he decide? What is the process for decisions?

Yet Graffiti-like sign allowed at town's Youth Centre - What gives?

If town council wants to slough this off on the town's longest running family business go ahead but don't expect Myers Costumes to fold up their tent and leave town like the fly-by-nighters this town allows in. She's survived worse than an egotistical by-law officer and I'm sure will endure much more . In fact they even opened a new, albeit temporary location, in Downtown Bradford for the Months of October / November since that town doesn't have a costume house and no fly-by-nighters as yet, although Walmart is  and they too bulk up on costume stock.

Myers Costumes has all kinds of selections

Who knows? If it does well maybe she'll just leave town and take up shop there. What's one more long time business gone from Main St. Right?

"Buy local" should mean beyond produce and such. As a longtime resident I urge you to support your local Main St...before they all go! 

Tom Pearson

Quest for Youth comes to an end

My Quest for Youth came to an end finally with the completion of final audio editing to the piece I entitled, " Shoots, Scores. Shoots, Scores was created with the Quest for Youth's overall themes in minds including mental health, marginalization and "coming out of the shadows" - creating a reach out message to educators to existing programs in the community.

In this case I chose road hockey since it is a real entity started in a mixed income, Mulock Village Newmarket community, in response to a growing need to engage the local youth.The idea started out as a 'challenge" with the community team challenging another to a game of road hockey and we included free hot chocolate and the like.

The following year we had 4 teams entered into the then 2nd Annual Friendly Neighbourhood Youth Road hockey Challenge, but prior a local youth who'd been volunteering in the community and determined to change his former lifestyle was murdered in town outside a local Tim Horton's Donut shop. This kid grew up with a biker leader as a dad, so his efforts to live a changed life needed applauding we felt, and as well the community youth were traumatized by it and received no therapy or counseling. In fact the local papers erroneously stated that the youth, Mike Thornhill, lived in "the patch" at the time of his death which was not true - although his family(mom and him) had previously - thus the kids were even alienated from that connection to a dead neighbour who'd teach the local youths guitar. So we added the Mike Thornhill Friendship Award to be given to the kid most valuable to his or her community and who usually forms the team - showing leadership in doing so.

Artist William Oliver painted live during Quest For Youth live show

The event encourages youths 12 - 18 to form their own Road hockey teams, enter free and they are fed on the day too with a trophy given the winning team in addition to the award nominees received.At any rate the March break ending Saturday event grew and 10 years later it continues to act as an opportunity for kids to play an organized team tourney alongside their peers with community and team pride...and its all still free.

So with this in mind I wrote a script that included a kid from back when I was a kid and when road hockey was everything to kids and then jump it to the present at the end to connect the dots and show how the tradition continues to build esteem and friendships and now even language / culture barriers for newcomer kids to Canada and as a way to learn about (and ultimately love)the national game of hockey.

"Billy" in Shoots, Scores

I took situations from real life experiences, including my own and others', to ensure an authentic storyline, and combined them to tell it in such a way as to leave it somewhat open to interpretation. For example there is a hospital scene but I don't explain why..it could be from mental health or an overdose or maybe he was busted?...the storyline leads you there but leaves a gap of time where the viewer is forced to use conjecture.

It was sophisticated audience so I was trying to tailor something that included this forcing possible choices from their own experiences with students to become their subconscious conjectured reason. They were literally educators attending the Quest for Youth 3 day forum - so to perhaps think of a particular student or situation where the student appeared uncaring or unresponsive or "changed" from good student to bad was a goal. The hope is/was to have teachers care enough to look for possible underlying issues and then reach out somehow - and in cases where income may be part of an issue and transportation a community "program" like the road hockey tourney fits in as it encourages teams to practice etc leading up to it as well all the while they are active and learning life coping skills..just don't know it!

Filming - or technically video taping - Shoots, Scores was a unique experience. I had to act as Writer, Locations Manager, D.O.P., Camera Operator, Director, Actor, Co-Editor, Voice-over - including both a man and woman arguing!) and lighting even! Oh and had to pull it all together with actors, locations etc in 2 weeks!

My first script was very good I thought, but off topic a bit, and then it was suggested I include the annual road hockey event and away it went. I wrote it in one night. It's not great, but it's good and I took particular care in making sure the actors came off o.k., as none really had experience on camera - and some no acting experience at all!

Several of the young actors chosen actually have afflictions that can sometimes lead to marginalization, and later in life sometimes to despair or even homelessness, and I encompassed this by having a real life experiences poet, David Rogers Author of The Dark Road a book of poetry, read his poem Lessons Learned, at mid point of the movie. For Quest purposes David read it live onstage. but I've captured a reading by him on video too.

Author Dave Rogers rehearses reading for Quest Producer

Those afflictions for some of the kids I worked with on Shoots, Scores had included A.D.D., Aspergers Syndrome, one a multitude of mental health ailments and others no "issues" at all, but I took it as a personal challenge to ensure you can't tell who's who and think I pulled it off. Or rather they did. The kids didn't need any prodding just direction and trust and then their talent took over! And just like the road hockey event they "played" side by side with everyone / peers with no special labels.  

All inclusive without pandering, in fact I'd argue ultimately enhancing Shoots Scores not only as an onscreen product but fitting the theme so much more so than anyone knew!

After the 1st day of filming actually one of the mothers came up to me and said I was doing a great job and that she was surprised how much I was getting out of her son. He has  Asperger's she'd said, and I remember thinking about that and replying, 


 "No I didn't. I don't care what he has. He's doing a good job regardless. He's listening to direction and I've not been treating him any differently really."


I did notice his eye-line tended to sway at times but so what, like any actor's might, I adjusted by breaking the script lines down into smaller stretches and then spliced them all together at the end! I knew they'd be surprised when they saw the final product at the Quest for Youth Showing, and know they were happy, at least witnessed by the big hug I received after the showing, but I've now finished adding a few bells and whistles to it and look forward to getting copies out to all those parents of the kids who participated and for it airing in the new year on Rogers Tv..

Congrats to all who were involved and I hope you all learned a little bit about film making - if not about life itself!

TP Out!

Here's some words from a participant's parent who made the experience all worth doing......

Stellar Hall Now Rocks Newmarket!

It was almost a year ago when Deli House owner Johnny Cutroni and I were sitting around discussing ways to better utilize the beautiful Deli House Catering's Hall. Having been a caterer out mostly for many of the 1st 17 years in business, D.H.C. had been more accustomed to people holding events and them catering staff and food but now has a hosting facility, and as I reminded owner Johnny at that time, one with a history as well.

One of DHC Hall's 1st live band events

Located above the long-time operating Stellar Lanes bowling alley on Stellar Lane in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada I remember Deli House Catering's Hall as the old "Spotlight" nightclub and other similar attempts at clubs, and then someone informed me that years ago it was the spot in the area for "big name" entertainment of its time, I think we're talking the 50's or 60's, at any rate it was built for and with excellent acoustics for live acts which lends itself to today's model, in addition to the rich entertainment history it shares.

I relayed this to Johnny and we discussed how to make it so. Firstly I'd said we have to let the right circles know. In addition to the search engine adjustments we would make for those searching for facilities, we would go right to some of them and let them know we exist. Egads, maybe even use the phone!

First stop was a nearby jam spot called - The JAM SPOT! - Ha, and to connect with owner operator Max. Max's JAM SPOT location has an excellent in-house soundproofed rooms facility with snack bar capability and is the spot for numerous bands, local and not, to hone their stuff. Max's facility also is a good size for hosting C.D. release party's, recording and such as well, but for an occasion perhaps needing more room and access to a full in-house bar, catering facilities and staffing availability D.H.C. Hall makes sense.

After that we made sure to inform several on-line groups related to bands and entertainment, post some events and the make the availability of such an exception local hall known to the area artists and promoters.

DHC Hall for bookings or NY's tickets call TP at 289-221-0928

TPE hosted some live nights such as American Bandstand Night and also another kickback to the and 70's / 80's billed as "Rockin Deli Nights" a sort of a kick back to an area club called the Rockin Deli which had been an area icon for many a year back in the day and known for it's live entertainment. We used a couple of bands that we got recommended through Max as a show of faith that we meant business about getting acts going here and that it was a venue worth utilizing when the Jamspot or a bar wasn't the right fit. Here you even have an option to license the liquor yourselves so if you optimize that you can ensure a payback - especially if you're fairly sure you have a certain number of attendees coming that drink! And speaking of which we needed to get some younger blood into the mix to optimize the hall's potential.

The first promoter I brought in was a guy who had a good reputation for having good quality entertainment with attending younger guests that showed a little respect for the facilities hosting. That's a way of putting it. Ha.The last thing we wanted in there was a bunch of yahoos ripping up the joint and this was precisely why Josh was brought onto the scene - having a track record of some well executed events.

Eventually we met his associates and liked what we heard and what they could additionally do in terms of experience with the technical aspects from sound to lighting as well as security and now look forward to the
Shows coming this Dec 15 featuring an ALL AGES event from 5:30 - 9:00 pm featuring AMBER CHANGING reunion with Brandon Barraclough, Throne of Death, Ten Cent Pistol,  Quaker, & Kelsii Smirlies only $10 bucks! 
Followed by (starts at 10pm) 19 Plus Show with The Salads returning to their roots for their 1st show in York Region in 3 years with Everglo, Paper Fortunes, and The Expos Folk an acoustical addition to the show's repertoire.Tickets are $15.

Dan & Murray Acoustical Experiment at the Rockin' Deli Night

On Dec 7 D.H.C. Hall AKA Stellar Hall is also the location for the "Southlake Rock Fest" including performances from Crooked Zebras, Stephanie Greg Band and Four Hour Window w their C.D. release. Tickets $15.
Proceeds to Southlake Hospital.
 New Year's Eve D.H.C. has the Highway 11 Cruisers hosting a (public welcome) party with a Buffet Dinner, DJ, Live Ent, Dancing, Midnight Buffet, Mini-Casino - raffle, Texas Mickey - 2014 - $65 per, $25 without dinner.
   
FUTURE - Look for some innovative and exciting entertainment to be phased in next such as dinner shows/comedy. One idea we're looking to resurrect is a"Tiny Talent Time"-like show that would feature kids as the talent! Shown in a variety show-like format it would allow local kids to showcase their talent in for family, friends and an audience in a real setting. The idea kicking around is to allow the kids booked to be in the show eat free, all others would order from menu choices. Done right this should work in this market. And its an exciting, innovative way to get kids much needed (to hone their talent) stage time!

So come check out any of these upcoming events if you want to be able to see some great talent and enjoy great hospitality in a phenomenal atmosphere or come talk to us about putting on an show and we'll work with you!

Later,

TP Out!

Shoots, Scores Debuts at Quest for Youth 2012

I'm drained physically, and to be honest a little emotionally having just gotten through the Quest for Youth 2012. I'm also a little frustrated. Not that way! Keep your minds out of the gutter!

TP brought in Author David L Rogers to the live show

"Coming out of the shadows" sub theme

 Firstly I endured countless hours on it (this Quest For Youth), not so much on the life-like 'maze" workshop I assisted on as Street Outreach's Chaundra and YRDB's Scott did most of the work there, but having written and directed the video portion of the performance piece - and I can overlook not getting any verbal mention or stage accolades even though I brought in 75% of the youth and performers that were used in the show and then spent hours shooting, directing, re-shooting, even acting myself while operating the camera, doing voice-over, working with mostly completely 'green" actors to make them credible and a last 12 hour straight editing session (this is a very time consuming to clip scenes to just the right position and audio) all to ensure we got it all done

 - only to have the "professional" audio/video guy (not from Rogers) bring up the wrong clip to start it off with. Talk about a " Doh!" Moment!

TP introduced art phenom William to the Quest for Youth

I immediately jumped into action when it became apparent they'd started the wrong clip but after traveling half-way across a big hall, the usual array of blank scared-live-to-air faces looked back at me when I told them they were starting with the wrong one, so I sought out the production truck.

Every live production of size will have a production truck, you just have to look for it. As it happens I know someone there (at Rogers) and so all is well I suppose since we can get it right before it airs on Rogers TV via editing. Location Director Dan was good about it and as well I had a good chat with Rogers Executive Producer, David Blackwell, who I remember from when I produced and hosted a show for Rogers some years back called "Out & About".

It pre-dated the current models of "York Region Living" etc but had a more humour and skitsy- like on- location presentation, such as one time we spoofed Rocky with me training for a "chicken wing eating contest" which was a real event being held for a charity at a local eatery and we pre-taped me as "Jockey" training, then live-to-tape eating wings and fighting a giant chicken on location, all to the theme of Rocky. Ha.

I had labelled them 1 through 5. How do you screw that up?!
Thank goodness for Rogers TV as we can fix it before it airs!

Tom & Principal Actor Mark as "Billy" in Shoots, Scores

Anyway today was supposed to be my Rocky day, they were debuting my film. Not just me either. I'm still pissed about it ( although mellowing by the minute) because not only did I spend time on it but there were a lot of other people involved and in the production who also had expectations of seeing a complete production. The guy who did editing with me, K.G. Campbell, was up with me until 5 am working it to make sure we had it, only to see the opening scene left out, so he deserves the respect of the production completely shown as well. But I certainly don't regret the experience and got to do some good work with and meet some good people. And despite the missing scene many didn't seem to realize it or were still complimentary about it.

I may not have been up at the curtain call, but I certainly was more than an onlooker and will try to protect the integrity of the participants in this film, and to that end will endeavour to make sure the full production reaches the screens so everyone can go home happy - and I can finally rest. As a Film-maker you stress about these types of things because when people do see your work, you want them to love it or hate it based on what you did and were satisfied attaching your name to.

Tom Pearson

Youth Mural Art Contest - July 1st Newmarket

 There is still room for entries to the Youth Mural Art Canada Day contest at Main St Newmarket!

As we do our last minute scurrying to get everything ready it looks like the 2012 Youth Mural Art Contest being held July 1st at 37 Main S South in Newmarket, Myers Costumes on Main, is shaping up!

The event wouldn't have happened if not for sponsors such as Home Depot who is covering the painting supplies, as well as Covernotes on Main who is sponsoring a couple gift certificate prizes as

is Touching Soles Travelling Spa, and Myers Costumes is feeding the volunteer performers while TPE Productions provided the network marketing and on site strategics.Covernotes also supplies the farmer's market with fresh coffee & tea as seen in above video.

What we plan to do is allow youths to paint a large square on the wall as representative of what they could do on a full wall. Entries online or on canvass or other form can also be submitted up until July 1st. Your entry will be photographed and whited over until another entry. Each entry will be judged.

11 year old William Oliver is already an accomplished Artist, having won several competitions previously.

 

11 year old William Oliver, already an accomplished artist and provincially ranked martial artist at the ripe old age, has entered two pieces for the contest. One depicts the general theme the (Myers) store manager has communicated she'd like to see, depicting old Newmarket and modern day, with the Artist choosing an abstract-like technique.

 The second entry, William felt strongly that since it's a costume house wall, then Stonehenge which has spooky elements to its "image" to begin with and emanates from Oliver's piece, might be considered as well!

Young William is unable to attend July 1st which is why he's submitting early, but you can view his work on location at Myers Costumes on July 1st or view some fabulous on site youth artwork that day and see all the designs that form while listening to some live, youthful, entertainment and enjoying some BBQ!

Good Luck William and everyone!

Press News Release: Youth Mural Art Contest

Myers Costumes on Main wall

For Immediate Release – Thursday June 14 2012

Event: Youth Mural Art Contest

Location: Myers on Main Costumes – 37 Main St S Newmarket

Date: July 1st Time: 11AM – 6PM

Media call: 289-221-0928

July 17 2012 PRLog Internet Press Release & Distribution :

Canada Day Youth Mural Art Contest in Newmarket Ontario

Calling all aspiring Youth Mural Artists!

  Are you an aspiring mural artist interested in painting on a large (11ft x 40 ft)Main St. store wall?

Are you a youth with crafts or art to display, make on site or sell, musician?

Contest: We’re looking for youthful artists (or teams of artists) up to 27 years of age to come out and paint your interpretation of Newmarket, old or new OR an example of your work, using any style preferred, inside one of several large frames to be painted on the wall of Myers Costumes on Main store on July 1^st Canada Day. Your submission can be, but does not have to be, a mini version of what your full mural piece would look like. Paint is supplied for on-site participants only. Each wall piece will then be examined by a judging panel of Newmarket residents and councilors who will choose one winning entry.

Myers Costumes on Main St in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada

  The winning person (if a team would choose a Director) will then get to design the final full wall mural to be placed on at a later 2012 date. Participants who cannot make it out July 1st can still submit an entry for consideration (online or for display on site at Myers) to be considered the final full wall mural.

Submissions can be made by any youth for consideration as the full mural piece and can be forwarded to be displayed online until a decision is made this fall. From the submissions one design will be chosen for the final wall mural or if the judges decide possibly several side by side, with final choices determined by the judging panel.
   The final mural to depict Newmarket old and or new will cover the entire north wall of the costume house at a later date and have the distinction of being one of Newmarket’s first mural artists! Entries may opt for one theme - such as heritage - however final wall will include all the elements thus a side by side another artist option would have to be chosen by the judges. Artists can opt to enter side by side versions (up to 3) as their entry as well. Prizes TBA.

  Myers will be co-hosting a B.B.Q. as well on site JULY 1 to feed participants and dish out to the public as well as music including an ongoing "Open Stage" Live Entertainment with all b.b.q. funds raised going towards a worthy cause and a prize to be given the winning wall art entry upon final reveal.

   You(th) interested? Register online at www.tpeproductions.com

  Increase your chance of securing a spot by sending and posting your renditions of what your wall mural    may look like too!

TP Re-visits Spotlight Theatre School

Spotlight Theatre's " Voice Impact Project" visits a York Region community in 2009

Main St Newmarket

 I ran into an old friend and colleague, Merlene Samuels - Cephas, who has run Spotlight Theatre School out of Newmarket for the past "umptine" years (which equals about 26) while attending the annual local Santa Claus parade the other day. I was actually down that way to cover (P.A.C.C. News Report) Occupy Newmarket which was slated to meet at 11am at the Fairy Lake Park pavilions, or so I  had thought, but as no one was there when I'd arrived I'd wondered over to the nearby parade, having been some mention of the group possibly joining it the week prior at the first general meeting. Turned out I was 2 hours early. Ho, Ho, Haa! As the parade ended and people disbursed, I began to walk up the still closed Main St where the TP supported 'Friendly Neighbourhood Youth Road Hockey Challenge" was also held, and where the "Spotlight Singers" had kicked it off with "O Canada" this past March Break, when I suddenly heard my name.

 "Tom, how are you?"

 It was Merlene. I can't actually recall how we first met, but I do know I had both my kids in her theatrical school at one point - Hey! My son as Daddy Warbucks!? Who Knew! Ha - anyway I was a single dad and producing an improv show for tv and live shows then, as well as attending film school, so it was a jugglers life for me at that time!

'Rapper TP" surrounded by Hip Hopp sensations Krhyme Syndicate perfomers at the 2011 FNY Road hockey Challenge

 Upon graduating I approached Merlene about starting a class that focused on acting for TV & Film as well as the tech side of productions, as I pointed out that screen acting was very different than for live theatre and we'd include producing a "movie" at the end as part of the parcel, an idea which was ahead of its time with the finished version edited manually (via my fresh-out-of-film-school skills!) and shown on VHS.

Merlene and the school embraced the idea and it was a fun time for me..of course they also managed to rope me into committing to being a principal performer in Spotlight's Adult Troupe's performance ( I played Gus Schultz a big time music Producer! ha!), a musical complete with dancing which I'd never done professionally or otherwise and which gave me some apprehension but I think I pulled it off without embarrassing myself too much and the crowds seemed to love the show, so I guess we did okay. I even donned my Elvis suit some days prior, and stood on the street "thank-you very muching" and directing traffic towards tickets while pointing to a rented registration sign between croons! Ha. One time Reverend Elvis Baxter as he's known world-wide pulled up and asked me to do a 'thank-you, thank-you very much' for him, which I did, to his reply - " Yup that's pretty good" or something like that - Ha! As if I'd possibly soil poor Elvis' image by being road-side - meantime he's using impersonations to grow a congregation! Ha! Hey, more power to him, whatever works! Funny, he never mentioned God though!

 Tom appears on TV to promote TP sponsored annual youth road hockey event  A move to ban road hockey locally was squashed in part by pressure from TP in the media~!

TP does Elvis!