The 7th Annual Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF)!

The 7th Annual Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF)

The Film Festival for Commuters

Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 10:30 AM

Southbound Platform, Dundas Station

Join TUFF filmmakers and Executive Director, Sharon Switzer

TTC Chair Karen Stintz,

Randy Otto, President of Pattison Outdoor Advertising

--  TUFF dates - September 6 - 16, 2013.

--  TUFF times - Every 10 minutes on subway platform screens across

Toronto's subway.

--  TUFF style - we like our films short, sweet... and silent!

--  TUFF films - 85 screening over 11 days plus an above ground video

billboard series

--  One of the largest audiences in the world; average 1.3 million daily

--  The largest North American "underground" film festival

(subway...underground)

--  Top 3 films and the City of Toronto Naish McHugh Award selected by this

year's Guest Judge, Canadian maverick filmmaker, Bruce McDonald

--  Selected one of MovieMaker Magazine's "20 Coolest Film Festivals" (2010)

--  For TUFF details visit http://www.torontourbanfilmfestival.com

One Music Fest ft. Snoop Dogg

By:  by Michael Crowley

Hey you! Yeah you! Stop with all the questions about Snoop Dogg, Snoop Lion, Who’s lying… stop. Snoop Dogg is a bonafide living legend with one of the largest portfolio of hit songs dating back to the early 90′s. When Snoop performs… he takes you on a music journey from The Chronic, DoggyStyle, Deep Cover, his days with Pharrell to present. It’s a musical mind-trip like no other. Until you here Snoop perform, you almost forget how many classic songs this guy has actually produced. Below is a write up from one of Snoop’s pervious shows:

“……And the coolest part about catching Snoop in concert is the fact that he performs with a live band. Again, it would be very easy to spare that touring expense but performing with a band lends an element of spontaneity and energy that just can’t be duplicated by simply rapping over a series of pre-recorded beats. And make no mistake, there were people onstage spinning. But they meshed with the band nicely.

….Snoop’s band consisted of one DJ and two keyboard players as well as live players on both bass guitar and drums. Rounding out the stage ensemble was someone in a novelty dog costume (who at different points during the show brandished everything from oversized novelty joints to a gigantic phallic object), three scantily clad female dancers, several others on the mic and of course Snoop’s Uncle Junebug (who, might I add, may hold the best gig in live music as he basically wanders aimlessly around the stage drinking, smoking and nodding his head at attractive concertgoers he sees sitting close. He was eventually led offstage, towel draped across the shoulders in a fashion I think would’ve made James Brown proud. Hey, someone has to do it).

Snoop performed hits across his once unthinkable twenty year career delving especially deep into his 1993 solo debut Doggystyle. “Tha Shiznit” and “G-Funk” both came early (the latter featuring a cameo by The Lady of Rage herself Robin Allen preceding a performance of her 1994 hit “Afro Puffs”). But the crowd went craziest for “Who am I (What’s My Name?),” “Gin and Juice” and “Ain’t No Fun (If The Homies Can’t Have None).”

And Snoop played to the crowd as well as anyone I’ve seen. Striking a casual pose atop an amp, he serenaded the ladies of the front row with “Sensual Seduction,” reaching down to sign items for fans and holding hands with them as he sang. Following that, Snoop requested a moment of silence for “this small chronic break” before teaming up with the aforementioned Rage.

Throughout the hour set, Snoop reminded fans just how many hits he’s had dabbling briefly in his portion of Dr. Dre collaborations like ”Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” and “The Next Episode.”

“P.I.M.P.,” “Snoop’s Upside Ya Head,” “Young, Wild and Free” and “Drop it Like it’s Hot” all followed. But it was “Drop it Like it’s Hot” that took best in show. The Neptunes production values combined with the live keyboards to really steal the show musically. The keyboards just sounded fantastic and the song had all the Snoop swagger…”

www.onemusicfest.com 

Easy All Stars for Island Vibes!

Following up on Easy Stars All-Stars’ hugely successful reggae tribute albums Dub Side of the Moon (2003), Radiodread (2006) and Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band (2009) comes the New York-based reggae tribute super-group’s adaptation of the greatest selling record of all time – Michael Jackson’s Thriller. 

Easy Star’s Thrillah will be released in the UK in August 2012 and a 16 date UK tour has been confirmed for November 2012, which coincides with the 30th Anniversary of the original album’s release. The band’s live show is legendary, and having performed at Glastonbury Festival 2009 on 3 days across 3 stages (including the Pyramid Stage), was nominated for a UK Festival Award. Easy Star’s Thrillah brings back several of the reggae stars from previous albums, such as vocalists Michael Rose (Black Uhuru), Steel Pulse, Luciano, Mojo Morgan (Morgan Heritage), alongside the diverse roster of guests, including Yossi Fine (David Bowie, Lou Reed, Stanley Jordan), Joe Tomino (Dub Trio/Matisyahu), Andy Farag (Umphrey’s McGee), and horn tracks courtesy of Israel’s highly-acclaimed funk/hip-hop band Hadag Nachash.
 www.easystar.com

Joining the Easy Stars are Jamaican roots legend Prince Alla with Mista Savona, electronic artists Jpod (Canada) and Spoonbill (Omelette Records), NZ’s Cornerstone Roots & 1814, Mama Kin, Sydney’s reggae invasion Kingtide and The Strides, Uk producer Lotek and over 80 bands, Dj’s, Dance Troupes, Visual and Circus acts.

Season and Day Tickets are available from www.rudekatrecords.com and www.oztix.com
Check www.islandvibe.com.au for more full program and festival info.

Ammoye Prepares to Make Her Exit!

Canada’s undisputed Reggae songstress prepares to make her ‘exit’ to Serbia’s prestigious Exit Festival!

Spanning July 12^th to 15^th, Ammoye will perform for her growing Serbian fan base on the Positive Vibrations stage managed by Wenti Wadada.  “Ammoye performed for us last year and had the fans wanting more so we had to bring her back!”

In 2011, Ammoye rocked fans with her hits “Lost Love,” “Still in Love” and “Shooting” establishing the star as the first Canadian to be accepted by Serbians.  Of her first visit Ammoye said “the people are so loving, and really appreciate Reggae music.  Being there is truly a blessing.”  This year, Ammoye will drop “Radio,” and “Addicted” which are the artists two newest singles which have amassed global traction with DJ’s whose fans have requested both songs back to back.

In honor of Ammoye’s home country, Jamaica, and its celebration of 50 years of Independence, Ammoye will perform an excerpt of “Jump for Jamaica” produced by Courtney John and The Wizard honoring the spirit of the country which has touched all countries around the world.

The 2012 installment of the Exit Festival includes performances from Eryka Badu, Duran Duran and Guns n Roses and takes place in the beautiful and magical Petrovaradin fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia. Apart from quality music program that it offers, the festival is a place of wild fun, where music fans enjoy the cool atmosphere of the fortress and the positive energy of the city.
 
Year after year the number of visitors is getting bigger. More than 2 billion people from over 60 countries around the world have visited the festival so far. Young people come from different parts of the country and Europe.

As a part of her experience, Ammoye will be chronicling her experiences with a photo diary which will be posted to her Twitter timeline @AmmoyesMusic!

Look out for the launch of Ammoye’s website this week which will include the trailer for the video “Radio” coming soon!  Remember to connect with Ammoye via Twitter @AmmoyesMusic. 

2012 Reggae on the River Artist Line Up!

With the 28th annual Reggae On The River a little over two months way on the weekend of July 21 & 22, the Mateel Community Center is gearing up for another great year of festival fun and is excited to announce the full list of confirmed talent for this year’s event.  Featuring nearly 30 classic and cutting-edge reggae and world music artists on two stages, the 2012 festival will feature Toots & The Maytals, Midnite, Lady Saw, Romain Virgo, Calypso Rose, Turbulence, Fantan Mojah, Duane Stephenson, Nkulee Dube, Tosh Meets Marley, Pato Banton & The Now Generation, Yami Bolo, Oliver Mtukudzi & Black Spirits, Alika, Bambu Station, Reemah, Daniel Bambaata Marley, Humble Soul, Lady Passion,  i-Kronik, Winston Jarrett & Guidance Band, Junior Toots, Indubious, Casper Loma Da Wa & The Mighty 602 Band, Winstrong, Yellow Wall Dub Squad, The Lions, Streetkind, Synrgy, and Juce, plus top local DJs and sound systems.  Additionally, the event will also host more than 80 craft, food, and non-profit vendors, a lively kid zone, and an irie weekend on the banks of the majestic Eel River.  

Tickets are on sale now at www.reggaeontheriver.com  and at select local and North Bay outlets for a price of $110 for the weekend pass.  Advance tickets are advised as this event sells out.  Please visit the ticket page of the festival website for a list of current ticket outlets and please note that single day tickets will only be available at the gate this year.