Pop-Up Concert Number Four

We are so excited about this Pop-Up Concert; we have no idea what will happen at this venue. There is quite a bit of security so it could be tricky!

In any case, we are performing on Sunday Sept 11 at 8PM. This is the first weekend of the Toronto International Film Festival, and we have made sure that our Pop-Up venue is smack dab in the center of all the excitement.

As always, our concert has no admission charge and everyone of all ages is welcome. Even dogs are welcome at this particular venue.

If you want the details and info, send me a message by going to my website and clicking "write".

(hint: it is old-school, was once grand and is now a bit of a dump. Totally my kind of place.)

Jack Layton. July 18, 1950 – August 22, 2011

Statement today from Jack Layton's wife and two children:

"We deeply regret to inform you that The Honourable Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, passed away at 4:45 am today, Monday August 22. He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and loved ones. Details of Mr. Layton’s funeral arrangements will be forthcoming."

This is such a sad day for Canadians. Jack Layton accomplished the seemingly impossible and also the historical: he led the NDP to victory as the official Opposition Party in the House of Commons. Entirely likeable (no matter what the politics, most people had to agree that Jack Layton was utterly charming and intelligent), his battle with cancer was handled elegantly with the media, never used in any way to gain support or sympathy - in fact, few people knew the extent of his second battle with cancer, including his adoring colleagues who worked in his office.

My husband was part of the advertising team that created all the television spots for Layton's winning NDP campaign. Working within a budget, it was decided that our humble kitchen would be used as a set for one of the ads for free, to save a few thousand dollars paying for a location. Even this small contribution on our behalf to Layton's legacy makes me proud.

Jack Layton was a true supporter of the arts, a study in tenacity and conviction, and a great Torontonian; I feel blessed and inspired to have witnessed firsthand his success and incredible accomplishments. Rest in peace.

Pop-Up Concert Number Three

This Pop-Up Concert was an entirely different experience altogether! At Hazelton Lanes we got booted out. At Loblaws we could have been dancing around in gorilla suits for all they cared. But we found a delighted and appreciative audience at Indigo (the downtown Toronto location).

As usual, we asked beforehand that our invited supporters use utmost discretion at our Pop-Up location (not asking staff when/where the concert is, not hanging around the piano expectantly before we get there, etc). One of the nicest memories of this particular Pop-Up is seeing people emerge from the various rows of books, escalators and entrances as we started playing. It was so lovely.

We were even on Global News, la di da!

Below, the clip from our performance. It runs just over 5 minutes. Enjoy.

Pop-Up Concert Number Three: August 14

Our next Pop-Up concert will be held downtown Toronto on Sunday August 14 at 2PM.

Hint: everyone in the place may be feeling a bit blue.

If you want to come, please send me a note to: "hello at lenni jabour (one word) dawt cawm." (spambots could well be my number one pet peeve).

Irvine Welsh's "Ecstacy"

My song "Side Streets + Parked Cars" has been chosen to appear in the film "Ecstasy", based on the book by Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting) and directed by Rob Heydon.

If you would like to be updated on the trailer and film release dates etc, please follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IrvineWelshsEcstacy

Pop-Up Number Two

So on a burning-hot Sunday afternoon, Alex, Anna and I bombarded the grand piano that sits in all its loneliness on the mezzanine level of Loblaws in Forest Hill.

I felt quite tongue-in-cheek about selecting Loblaws as one of our Pop-Up sites, even bringing along my eco-shopping bags so that I could simply get groceries after playing (provided we didn't get kicked out, which we did not).

Many seniors were there, some with their caregivers. The odd young family came and went, unsure about our antics but clapping nonetheless. Loblaws employees on break from the shopping chaos below gave us nary a sideways glance. A homeless man with a beat-up guitar case seemed to really listen closely to the lyrics. A real motley crew, the people who hang out on the mezzanine level of Loblaws. Us included, with our music stands and vintage summer dresses.

The girls and I had a good time, giggling that store announcements blared between the lines of our only quiet song, laughing our heads off at my little daughter and her buddy Stella dancing wildly and hopping around to the music, smiling at each others' pretty harmonies.

It was such a different experience from our Pop-Up at Hazelton Lanes. No one shutting us down, a real spacial distance between us and the audience - but also more strangers expressing appreciation. And interestingly enough, the sound was quite good up there. I was of course not amplified in any way, but my voice carried across the room really well.

The Toronto Star was there and wrote a very nice article about us in today's paper:
I will upload video soon.

Pop-Up Concert Number Two tomorrow!

Sunday July 17 at 1PM. Send me a message at my full name, all one word, at gmail dot calm.

I will let you know the mid-town Toronto location, and if you are able to make it please do use utmost discretion when you arrive as our concert has of course not been previously arranged with the venue.

Hope to see you!