Earlier tonight Canadian rock band Finger Eleven visited and played in the same studio where I record my podcast, Welcome!
Here’s a short video I made of their visit.
Very cool!
Lee Lifeson Art Park
On Saturday September 17, 2016, Toronto officially opened up one of its newest parks: Lee Lifeson Art Park. Named after the founding members of the iconic Canadian progressive rock band, Rush, the park is a celebration of the musical contributions of Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.
It is now part of music folklore that Lee and Lifeson met in the Willowdale neighbourhood of the former city of North York.
On Saturday, all three members (Neil Peart was absent) received the key to the city by Toronto Mayor John Tory.
iab MIXX 2016
Ladies and gentlemen. Your emcee for today, me! Wow! so much has changed over the past couple of years.
I’m just over six months in as iNvolved Media/Active International’s new Director of Social Strategy. I’m really proud of my podcast, Welcome! And now, I’ve been asked to host and emcee one of the iab Canada’s tent pole events: MIXX 2016.
This year’s MIXX hopes to “explore the meaning of “ME” in the context of big data.” Check out the MIXX 2016 website for details on how to register. The event takes place on September 21, 2016.
Here’s an interview I did at work about iab Canada and this year’s MIXX.
Welcome #43: MP Salma Zahid
As many of you know I live in Scarborough. Last year we had an election that saw the Federal Liberals, led by Justin Trudeau, defeat Stephen Harper’s Conservative Party. During the election, only one person running for office came to my home: Salma Zahid. I wasn’t going to vote for Roxanne James who was with the Conservative Party. I was actually leaning towards the NDP.
But when Salma came to my office one of the things she promised me was that if the Liberals won and she was my MP, that I could count on her to help fix Bill C 51.
Here’s my conversation with the MP for Scarborough Centre, Salma Zahid.
Music by Aafraz Mulji.
Listen here:
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Welcome! #42: Richard Peddie (former President + CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment)
To many Toronto sports fans the name Richard Peddie is a familiar one. He was the President and CEO, for almost a decade and a half, of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment.
Today Richard Peddie is my guest. We chat about his career before he was in the Toronto sports spotlight, various MLSE events and what continues to drive Richard Peddie today.
This is a conversation you will enjoy!
Music by Aafraz Mulji.
Listen here:
Girth Radio
MixCloud
iTunes
Google Play Music
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You can also subscribe to the podcast via RSS Feed if you’re so inclined.
Welcome! #41: The Tragically Hip with Gregg Tilston
In today’s episode I speak former musician and good friend Gregg Tilston. Back on Episode #7 we chatted about Gregg’s career to date. Today, Gregg and I discuss the recently completed Man Machine Poem Tour.
Gregg has a unique perspective on Canada’s favourite band, The Tragically Hip. In the mid to late-80s Gregg was in a new wave pop band called International Boundaries (INB). The management company they signed with also had a new band from Kingston on their roster: The Tragically Hip.
Music by Afraaz Mulji.
Also features music by The Tragically Hip: Last American Exit and Ahead By A Century.
Listen here:
Girth Radio
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iTunes
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You can also subscribe to the podcast via RSS Feed if you’re so inclined.
Welcome! Episode #40: Morgan P. Campbell
Earlier this month all eyes were on Rio, Brazil as the best athletes competed in the latest edition of the Summer Games. In a few episodes I’m going to speak with Georgia Sapounas. Georgia is the digital team lead for Team Canada and was my guest on Episode #28. When Georgia comes back from her vacation after the Olympics she’ll be joining me in studio to chat about Team Canada’s athletes.
Today I speak with the award-winning writer from the Toronto Star, Morgan Campbell. Morgan is a returning guest of the podcast. He made his first appearance on Episode #18.
Today, instead of talking about how Canada fared against the world’s best, we talk about how the media covered these games.
Music by Afraaz Mulji.
Listen here:
Girth Radio
MixCloud
iTunes
Google Play Music
Stitcher
TuneIn
You can also subscribe to the podcast via RSS Feed if you’re so inclined.
Skratch Bastid spinning tunes at Samsung
All week long, Samsung has been hosting a pop-up activation in downtown Toronto ahead of its latest Galaxy release. I happened to walk by the location yesterday after leaving the Blue Jays game a bit early. You wouldn’t believe what happened next! I literally bumped into Toronto’s own Skratch Bastid playing in front of a small and intimate crowd.
He’s been a favourite of mine for some time now.
Rio 2016 Olympic Moment: Evan Dunfee
Everyone loves the Olympics. Even the harshest critics among us can find a feel good human story once in a while. As we all experience the Olympics I’ll attempt to share a favourite moment.
Speed walking usually earns some snickering and double takes. However, these are amazing athletes just like many others in Rio, Brazil. Canada’s Evan Dunfee is one of our elite athletes. And he is also a leader in the speed walking community.
.@EvanDunfee's a class act and is our #StepUpStandTall moment of the day. @canadiantire https://t.co/WuQ3kUmuo8 https://t.co/F7exrLT9PA
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) August 20, 2016
Rio 2016 Olympic Moment: Erica Wiebe
Everyone loves the Olympics. Even the harshest critics among us can find a feel good human story once in a while. As we all experience the Olympics I’ll attempt to share a favourite moment.
Erica Wiebe went from never winning a point in university wrestling to winning a Gold Medal in freestyle wrestling at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil. Congratulations Erica!