Showing posts with label Comedians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comedians. Show all posts

On The Run Comedy Tour to stop in Newmarket

Recently the promo and entertainment providing team TPE hooked Stellar Hall & Event Centre up with, that being 90 Nickel Entertainment and Arthur Jr Music, held their latest installment in an array of entertainment they've been bringing to town, featuring a night of live Hip-hop performers.

On The Run Comedy Tour - Stellar Hall - Sat July 12 2014
The event which was originally supposed to also feature headliner hip-hop artist FREEWAY, one of Jay Z's original crew, was a success despite a less than the usual stellar attendance - mostly because main man FREEWAY couldn't make it due to a murder in the family. Go figure. Regardless, the performers on the night put on a great show with rappers, free-stylers and hip hoppers coming from as far as Scarberia to get in on the deal and an opportunity to bring it to Newmarket. And bring it they did yo.


I once asked a hip-hop artist what the difference was between a hip-hopper and a rapper and he said that hip hop was an attitude. I think I get that now after a night of watching the performers and how they encouraged each other to support the other artists etc. It reminded me of a community support team...a culture even...and maybe that is what he meant by it being an attitude. Cool. Or Dope rather.

To my liking, the back up semi headliner of the evening, Rapper, Prince P, was not at his best this night. Good, but not his best. He seemed rehearsed yes, polished yes, but he also had some back beat vocals on the track which sometimes seemed to override the stage vocals as his voice seemed a bit tired this night, and I wanted to feel more emotion - not motion - go into it. In other words there is going through the motions and there is projecting your emotion or feeling, and I wasn't feeling it early on.....until the towards the end when a free-style-like collaboration, including with Maurice Weeks himself from AJM FAM, seemed to get things / him going and that finally upped the energy in the house. Weeks and the FAM belted out a few numbers, including the newly dropped single, The Payment. The performers by midnight had gotten right into it, transforming their energy into the room to bring it to a fevered pitch as people continued to arrive - and no one leaving!

Rapper Prince P
Stellar Hall staff did a sweet job keeping the beers cold, and the fresh snack & deli menu was delish while the lighting was spot on - finally! - as it's taken us a while to get a grip on that part of the house atmosphere with what we have had to work with, but now with some additions it's down to a fine art and looks great,

Next up on the slate, Stellar Hall and TPE, in cooperation with the AJM FAM and 90 Nickel Entertainment, present the ON THE RUN COMEDY TOUR coming Saturday July 12. 

Playing a parody off Jay z and Beyoncee's "On The Run" tour this On The Run comedy show tour stop features headliners Keesha Brownie and Kevin Christopher along with some lead-up comedians to complete a great night of comedy, followed afterwards by some live music artists.

Have you got a Brownie!

Keesha Brownie is a Stand-Up Comedian who offers up a unique blend of her Canadian & West Indian heritage through her material. The graduate of Second City is also a Producer of some highly successful live shows such as; ‘Jokers Corner’ and ‘Underground Comedy Railroad’ with both touring from the G.T.A. to Montreal.
 

Found a P-Nut....Found a P-Nut...Found a P-Nut last night!

Kevin Christopher is a veteran stand-up comic, on-air host and actor as well as the voice of the Cartoon Hero Ninjamaica! The rap album available on iTunes was nominated for a ‘Tim Simms Award’, he's featured on the TV documentary special ‘Nubian Disciples of Comedy’ which aired on C.T.V., and Kevin's inexpensive life improvement tips’ led him to make appearances on the hit TV show “Buzz”! Wow.  Along with his hilariously bizarre stories and comical slapstick act-outs, Kevin Christopher, aka P-Nut, is sure to leave you with an  sore jaw from laughing so hard..don't say we didn't warn you! Warning may cause jaws to hurt!


Doors Open 7PM for nibblers & cocktails, show starts 8pm, $15 Cover. Reserve for large tables only. Book a table of 12 - $150. To reserve call Stellar Hall @ 905-830-9441

Warning some material may be deemed offensive to some. Tough Titties. Lol.

TP out!

Top Live Talent Coming Near You!

Headliners Glass Ampp rocked Stellar Hall
Recently I was involved in an event that hit town, and I must say I got a good taste of what Arthur Jr Music and Captured Films have been up to - witness the array of talent they were able to assemble for the Newmarket stop of the Talent Search Concert Tour 2014 - and as well I earned a new respect for Farley Flex - Canadian Idol's judge who, up until now, I'd regarded as possibly Canada's token "Randy Jackson" or some shit - no offense meant, just my experience is we often try to copy what they do (like American Idol) and sometimes too literally methinks. But Farley really impressed me with not only his work ethic - rarely leaving the judges area - but his genuine love for entertainment and by caring enough to stick around and offer advice to the contestants. Now that was class. To boot, the info I heard him dish, I agreed with 100%, so I respect his entertainment opinion as well.

Danny Barker
All idol chat aside, there really was some spectacular talent showcased on the evening with host M.C. and co-organizer Danny Barker (along with Maurice Weeks of Arthur Jr Music) doing a solid job moving the night along from talent to talent and genre to genre. There were a few technical issues due to it being a new venue for the guys, but in the end they got it figured out so the bands could wail and and the Comics and Hip Hop contestants could perform. We also got a taste of the hard rock band Glass Ampp and you can expect to hear lots from this talented quartet in the future - wow. I leaned in to Farley to mention how good I thought they were and he informed me he's managing them. Good on him / them and I look forward to their upcoming e.p. release. Remember the name - Glass Ampp.

Maurice Weeks
Speaking of releases, Maurice Weeks of Arthur Jr Music also performed along with some members of the the A JM Family - including some cuts from The Payment which is to be released in May 2014 with beats written by the same guy who wrote for Eminem! NOW RELEASED. This was also the first time I'd heard Maurice perform and freak! he's quite a talent. He's able to rap with the best of them as it were, but also has a commanding stage presence combined with a unique style and 'smooth" voice and lends himself to holding a tune - often as he reels off the lyric others might simply rap straight up. Having previously heard a recorded version, it was also great to listen and see the transition and that it carries over very well to live. I look forward to the full e.p release!

Goliath Paw
The show itself featured 8 hip hop acts 5 bands and 5 comedians, with Contour winning the band category and Goliath Paw coming in second, and being one of the judges, I can tell you Goliath Paw were good, but did lose points with me for having some music beats recorded - wherein had they entered the Hip Hop category they likely would have won it, which Farley Flex pointed out to them as well post contest.

Top Comedians were funnyman Mark Anthony with American Jake Leland second, and Hip Hop acts had Doggie & D Show coming out on top with Douce taking second place. Winners continue on in the tour and win marketing packages, video and recording time.

The night ended with some comments and observations by Farley Flex as he announced the winners offering constructive bits of info  - from telling Contour's lead singer to find another barber,


"Seriously dude, you can't be a front man with that hair cut." Farley Flex

to telling Goliath Paw they entered the wrong category but the most important advice he gave out on the night, was highlighting the need for the acts to be themselves and bring themselves out on stage - not try and emulate some American hood or fashion they saw on a c.d. cover or whatever.

" You need to stand out from others not be the same. I can see 50 other acts just like you. "

Two of the judges Farley Flex and Tom Pearson
 " Do you want to be stars...or superstars? To do that, it is critical you stand out from the rest."

" You're not American, you didn't have that experience, so why are you presenting that?"

" Seriously, I'd rather you be shit and original than the best copy in the world of someone"

Farley Flex , Talent Search Concert Tour 2014, Newmarket stop

Notwithstanding there was still a good amount of entertaining performers on the night and certainly worth the price of admission, and who knows, maybe a star is born!?

Here's some other upcoming Gigs these guys have coming to town in May 2014!


Contour, winners of Best Band & worst hair cut categories!
All Photos By Glenn Rodger

Schweet!

People roll into Stellar Hall
The Judges yo

Tom Pearson and Maurice Weeks

Underground Method
Hip Hopper Entity

The boys!
Stand up comedy winner Mark Anthony and Farley Flex





  

Farley hams it up with comedian







Newmarket Entertainment Talent Search Tour 2014

It's not often I get excited about about a live show these days, as far too often I'm stuck feeding the same old, same old routine, dealing with cover band loving bookers, too afraid to let a talented original performer in the door. But every now and then something comes along to spark my passions, and nothing can feed my easily bored diverse palate for original material, than a talent search - one including Canadian Idol's Farley Flex as a judge no less. Hey don't knock it, the guy's connected to talent, make no mistake.

Talent Search Concert Tour 2014 presented by Captured Films & Arthur Jr Music brings that to town at Stellar Hall & Event Centre April 18 and more. At this writing no less than 9 Hip Hop acts have thrown their hats into the ring for the Newmarket swing of the talent tour and search, or onto the stage as it were,

along with 5 bands, 5 comedians and looks to be stokingly

Shaping up to honour its namesake as a Stellar Show!

Cameo performances can also be expected by some of the judging panel which includes in addition to Flex, TV & Film / Video Producer / Performer Tom Pearson, members from Glass Ampp, Anthony Champion, & The AJM FAM. The coolness is, it doesn't end there - with summer tour dates also awaiting the winners of the talent search by Arthur Jr Music and Captured Films in addition to all the other stuff, including a Grand Prize of $5,000 in industry goodies - like shoot time on a Red Epic Cam like Robo Cop and Transformers used!

Don't Miss This Event
Anyone with an inkling of getting their toes wet in " The Biz" should attend this phenomenal talent search and performances event - even if it's just to attend and enjoy the awesome entertainment that will no doubt be on display and it's an opportunity to hear music at its earliest rawest form, before the molds of the industry set in or schmooze with some industry pros.


How Can U Gain Entry!? Follow The Links Below or Call - 647- 333 - 2205

Get an invite to attend!
Attend in the audience for the talent showcase at any of the upcoming event play down dates across Ontario and you're in for a real sweet treat yo! See more on Facebook!

Check out TP's video interview with AJM's Maurice Weeks.
You want exposure or online support? contact TPE @tpeproductions@gmail.com

TP Out!

Actor Audition Opportunities..Never too old for the casting couch!

Actors have an interesting life to say the least. In my case I haven't really attacked being a full time or even a part time actor for tv and film for various reasons since I was in my 20's, but I never gave up the dream. As I gazed around the casting couch room full of competing 20 somethings, I wondered if it wasn't too late.

First, as a single dad it was next to impossible with the hours / times of day demanded and not steady enough to sustain you over the early years with kids, besides from my experience, having come home to a tits-up babysitter on my floor with a 3/4 empty bottle of rum on the table and a guilty looking roomer who you'd also had to rent a room out to to in order to survive skulking nearby, all night daycare was not an available option.

TP Original Producer / Co-creator / Performer while still in Film school
But I always kept a toe in "The Biz", and that is exactly what I told the likely Director and Casting Director the other day before exiting the audition room. I also thanked them for the opportunity and left( kissed ass with eye contact) thinking I'd almost aced it. There were a few things I could have done better, like my air guitar performance and my directed "mock anger to the cameraman look", but I'll come back to that.

I always keep my eyes to the ground for opportunities for anyone who comes across the TPE front, but on occasion something will spark that competitive spirit in me and personal desire to act / perform. I just didn't it expect to come in the form of a national campaign with me as one of three stooges-like characters dressed as giant condoms and projecting a message about " consent".

Time to explain. here's an excerpt from the casting search: 

Scenario 1

Superhero - The camera is close up on you. you’re a superhero that just saved the world from rickets, or something. look like it.


2) Hot dogs - look down in front of you. there is a hot dog assembly line, hundreds, thousands of wieners are going by …. after a while they start to look …… less than appetizing.


3) Tightrope - you’re standing facing stage right. you have to walk five feet, mimicking walking across a tightrope over a deep canyon.  


4) TV - you’re facing us, pretending to watch TV. we’ll toss you a tv convertor for a prop. we’ll provide the sound effex, every few seconds the channel on the TV changes, and we’re looking at you react to what you see on the screen. no one, of course, knows what’s on the screen. this is what you’ll hear.
5) Finally …. you gotta dance. ..60's style - you have about fifteen seconds.
Tom Pearson
We’ll play the music...

You Get the picture?...Sigh....Let's face it..if Actors are willing to resort to lowering themselves to such standards just to be a part of a national campaign as a giant condom then they, er we, are nothing more than common publicity whores, so I've changed my mind, I'm not interested in the role anymore........I wonder if they'll call? I hope so, Ah, er, I mean, I'm glad they haven't.

Hey! With the invent of products like VIAGARA, the casting couch is always in play as well, so never give up your dreams! Ha. See you in the movies!

TP Out!

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

Extreme Potty Humour

Recently I wrote a blog that was penned as a promotion for a stand-up comedy show, done through a blog featuring a posting of a stand up routine. It was laiden with adult humor, some of it outrageous, and was a re-creation of a stand up routine - not anyone's real life. The content was meant to be humourous, crude humour at times yes, but humour nevertheless. Okay, Okay, maybe the viagara stuff was way off the scale, but that's what exaggerations do, they break them.
Humour is subjective..just ask Alfredo!

Comedy through stand-up is an exaggeration of things we hear about from people around us, our environment, and from ourselves, in snippets, and then blown up to outrageous proportions. It's not meant to be taken literally nor personally. This particular routine was more down the road of George Carlin to give you an idea as opposed to....who? They all seem to use some crude humour come to think of it now a days.

I always thought of Tim Allen from Tool Time  as clean cut, and would certainly relate him to family shows and kids, but man his stand-up show is all out adult crude and rude! I couldn't believe listening to his routine the other day when I caught him on t.v., as no subject seemed taboo. When he started getting into the jokes about how he farts more now that he's older but hides it better, I tuned out...but for someone else they may have found that funny! Not me and to each their own, but I certainly wouldn't hold it against him or perhaps boycott Tool Time or anything for using adult humour in a made up stand up routine aimed at an audience of adults. Tool man Tim would still be welcome at any trades shows featuring tools I'm sure loaded with familys and kids getting pics with him because people are able to separate " Standup Tim" from "Tool Time Tim" and don't relate the two. I guess that's kind of what I expected through posting a standup routine - that mature people could separate the two.



This being said I can see now how access to the blog I had posted could have resulted in youths accidentally coming across it at some point - and although I had placed a large warning in red warning that content may have been offensive to some, and mentioned 18+, youths may still have been able to accidentally stumble across it or the link to it if they "searched" for TPE blogs at any time in the future so I decided to move it.
Standup humour in an Elvis Impression can be funny

Maybe catch a live Yuk Yuk's show!

Meantime here's some safe, "Clean" Potty Humour for you! 

If you don't like Potty Humour then I suggest you don't read below!


                  Stand-up Ala Tim Allen from Tool Time style...

"The Dance"

Soon after I'd moved into a new neighbourhood I'd gone for a long walk with the kids to discover the local shops about an hours walk away, and 3/4's the way there I suddenly realized I was wearing white pants, after I'd suddenly realized the little fart I'd just had..wasn't a fart at all! And I also realized at that point, talk about stating the obvious, that I needed a bathroom..badly...and I still had like..blocks to go! I crossed the street as fast as I could, taking all my concentration to look cool...kids oblivious to my dilemma and demanding the usual things at the usual rapid fire pace as you stroll at break-neck speed son's little feet barely touching the ground, and it takes all you have to simply concentrate on gripping his hand and pushing the stroller with the other while keeping your bowels contained until you get there. You've managed to find a style that allows you to keep your butt cheeks clenched. Kinda like a penguin running toward water, a polar bear on his tail.

Finally you reach the closest (donut) shop shoving a looney in your kid's hand to keep them amused on a video game for a "minute" as you dash to the bathroom ...Frick!..the door's locked!

At this point you start doing "The Dance". Come on you all know what I'm talking about.  You've all done it I'm sure. You start bouncing from one foot to the other as if somehow doing that will stop the...flow.. from coming exploding out of you......Hey, maybe it does work? Maybe it spills over from your bladder and back and forth into each leg as long as you keep moving you keep catching the internal overflow. Who knows why we do it but we do. You look like you're doing a sit down version right now maam? Do you have to go to the bathroom? No? You sure? because if you do it's okay. I know what it's like. Or use it as an excuse to leave the show. Shit I would! Someone embarrassing me like that. No pun intended.Anyway where was I? Sorry ma'am, I was just kidding. I know women are notorious for holding it. Anyway, yea, so suddenly You hear a flush! Finally the end is in sight!..but "The Dance" has gotten more and more intense as your intervals of changing foot leanings is now down to milliseconds on each you await the door opening your inners ready to burst now..then you hear tap water running..Shoot! You had to get stuck behind someone clean!.. 

Never mind your frickin hands your mom was a liar! " 

The Dance" has taken on another dimension now and then you just can't stop it anymore! First it's just a slight release..a splatter..but you're pretty sure you can hold it to that, and then there's another as you're still doing the dance try to control it, and finally the door opens! For that brief moment you're able to stop the dance as he passes by and you manage to look completely at ease, then the millisecond he passes you zip in ripping at your pants button as you close the door and lock it.. but excrement is now just exploding out of you everywhere!

And I mean everywhere and it just kept coming like a frickin' machine gun out of control!
Potty Humour : The driver first thought impaired, had the dance.

Yea, and you've already mentally resolved now that the day's over, you're just hoping to get out unnoticed at this point! But...shit, sorry, couldn't help myself, Shit! not only do you have to clean it off yourself, but off the floor, the walls, the ceiling? Ceiling? How the...? ..and oh yea, the "white" pants....or you could get out as fast as you can and leave it with some poor attendant...gulp..Hey I did my best...Seriously!

Somehow I got my son's attention and managed to get him to phone a cab from the payphone clear across the room from me as I cleaned up as best I could...crap in every conceivable crevice that my lower body seemed to muster..folds I never knew existed emerged. It was disgusting..I'd a kicked me out for Christ sakes..even the mirror had some dots of proof...or poo-f.

I stayed with my back to the wall all the while we waited. The great single dad outing experience over before it began and the novelty of having allowed the kids sweets at the donut shop wearing off as they realized the promised exciting outing was coming to an end. You try explaining about having an accident and they become louder,

" You had an accident? You mean you pooed yourself!" 

" Sshhh....I'll explain later.Want another pop?"

Finally the cab comes! And if you can believe it likely the only day I can recall ever getting picked up by a beautiful cab driver, in my life I mean, usually I got someone who I'd be happy if they just spoke english, but this was like a godsend! And so here I am trying to be be personable, and charming as I sit not quite all the way down on my seat so my pants don't stick to my skin, the smell starting to become apparent I'm sure as I laughed and pointed at my kids and shrugged at her. No I didn't, but it was definitely not my most swaggering moment I can tell you.

After I got out I flashed a smile and goodbye but forgot to walk backwards giving her a full view I would imagine..future chances likely all gone in one shitty moment...all in all it was just one really shitty day!

 Have a Good One!

PS: Did it all happen exacly like this? Of course not, it's an exaggeration, but if I told you my driver's name was Raj and was personable speaking perfect english etc would it have been as 'effective? I doubt it.

TP