Mike's Bloggity Blog

So with the Royal Wedding, we all knew that Canadian networks would be salivating over the ratings of the once in a lifetime event.  Really, it was like the Olympics only with a bit more Pippa. It was one of those days that years from now we’ll ask, “Where were you when…”  What the Canadian networks want to know, is what channel specifically.

In a matter of minutes, both CBC and CTV released press releases declaring that they were the winner of the ratings war.  That’s right, apparently they both won.  Now maybe it’s because I’m not actually a journalist, but I think I’m going to need help to break this one down:

First CTV announced: “Canadians Say “I Do” to Bell Media With Canada’s Most-Watched Royal Wedding Coverage.”

Minutes later, CBC announced: “More Canadian tune in to CBC News’ Coverage of Royal Wedding Than any other network. “

Hmm.  See the confusion.

According to CTV’s release: 1.5 Million Canadians watched Bell Media’s Coverage of Ceremony. While CBC’s says that the network’s coverage of the William and Kate’s wedding ceremony attracted more than 1.7 million viewers.

If those numbers stick, it would seem that CBC is the clear winner.  So I’m confused to why CTV can say that they deserve the ratings crown?  Anyone care to explain this to me?

Fun fact: In total, 5.2 million Canadians watched William and Kate get married!

Oh network publicists, you are one with the written word and it confuses the hell out of me.

Truth:  Besides one episode by accident, I’ve actually never seen an episode of The Trailer Park Boys.  I know, how anti-Canadian of me.  And even though I’m from the maritimes, the show always just seemed to pass me by and then it eventually seemed silly to try and get on the wagon….or trailer.

Well if you’re like me and feel like you’ve always been missing out, you’re in luck.  Alliance Films just announced that Trailer Park Boys – ‘The Complete Collection’ The box art for the DVD collection alone is hilarious and for only $69.99 it might just be the super fans dream.  Details for the collection haven’t been released but I’m getting the box set includes the entire series on DVD and the two motion pictures that were released.

The collection will be out on May 17th.  What do you think?  Will you be making the trip back to Sunnyvale Trailer Park?

Happy Weekend!  Have you recovered from the crazy week?  Between Royal Weddings and Hockey Playoffs, you’re probably exhausted.  But if you’re in Calgary and looking for something to do, here are some suggestions, courtesy of the one and only Mark Hopkins.

Mump and Smoot: Cracked
April 26-May 15, 2011
Martha Cohen Theatre, EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts
www.atplive.com

Horror clowns! Clowns from hell! What I’m trying to say is, this isn’t your standard clown show. Mump and Smoot come from the planet Ummo in a parallel universe, where they speak Ummonian and worship the god Ummo. This iconic clown duo has been performing their unique brand of theatre for 23 years, full of blood, dismemberment, friendship and transformation.

You guys, I am so excited for this show. If you’re in the habit of saying silly things like “I don’t like clowns” or “I don’t go see theatre”, come to Mump and Smoot: Cracked for a shift in your worldview.

Make It Calgary!
April 29-May 1, 2011
Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre (197 1st St SW)
www.makeitproductions.com

This event has a great tagline: “The Handmade Revolution”. Make It is a combination of craft show and party, where you can buy unique and ethically made goods by top artisans from across Canada and dance to bumpin’ tunes by local DJs. With everything from jewelry to stuffed animals, photography to handbags, you’re sure to find a one-of-a-kind item to rock your collection.

Slow Dance Party
May 1, 2011 – 8:30-11:30 pm
Club Sapien (1140 10th Ave SW)
www.girltalkevents.com

Remember that Jr. High dance, when you spent the whole night just dying to dance with that irresistible guy or girl, working up the nerve until finally it was the last song of the night and deciding, yes, yes, you’re going for it! … only to find them dancing with someone else?

The Slow Dance Party is like that, except without the crippling anxiety and adolescent drama. It’s all slow songs, all night long, so you can sway the night away with your partner or the cute stranger that caught your eye. There are Dance Cards, Designated Dancers and Secret Mailboxes to help with your slow-dance experience… and I’m the event’s co-host, so you can even dance with me!

Special Monday Bonus: Federal Election
May 2, 2011
www.elections.ca

Voting is awesome. Please vote.

…Stephen Harper!

Are you surprised?  Or did you expect nothing less.

Here’s what the major Canadian newspaper had to say about the candidates:

Michael Ignatiaff: “His campaign failed to show how the Conservative government has failed, and why he and the Liberals are a preferred alternative.”

Jack Layton: “He has shown that a federalist party can make serious inroads in Quebec, but it has come at the cost of an unwelcome promise to impose provisions of Quebec’s language law in federal workplaces.”

Stephen Harper: “He has built the Conservatives into arguably the only truly national party, and during his five years in office has demonstrated strength of character, resolve and a desire to reform. Canadians take Mr. Harper’s successful stewardship of the economy for granted, which is high praise.”

The paper had nothing to say about Elizabeth May or Gilles Deceppes.  To be fair, they didn’t have anything to say Mikkel Paulson either.  What?  You do don’t know who Paulson is?  He’s the leader of Pirate Party of Canada.  Duh!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, tourists like the Calgary Stampede, Calgarians wait the extra week and share their love for The Calgary Folk Music Festival instead.

Today, Calgary’s best festival launched their entire line up for the weekend that will take place on July 21 to July 24th at Princes Island Park.

I’m still sorting through the press releases but here are some of the bands that have already got me planning my tarp strategy. (Tarp reference explained:  Unless you have a tarp, it’s essentially impossible to secure a spot for the four day musical festival. I learned that the hard way last year!)

Some Calgary Folk Musical Festival highlights include:

New Brunswick’s Matt Anderson.

Nova Scotia’s Joel Plaskett

From Montreal, Patrick Watson

Ontario’s Blue Rodeo

Also from Ontario, City and Colour

And of course, k.d Lang!

Tickets are on sale now!

You probably wouldn’t know it, but growing up I was a HUGE wrestling fan, specifically the WWF.  I remember basically scheduling my entire eight year old life around anything number of WWF programs. I’d go and help my dad with Saturday groceries, but only if he promised to back in time for the wrestling.  We had a giant body pillow and I essentially beat the shit out of it pretending I was a wrestler.   My parents won’t talk about it, but I’m pretty sure they wanted to send me to a psychologist after Shawn Michaels kicked Marty Jennety through the pane glass window of the Babershop.  I was DEVASTATED.

Well even though that was a long time ago, earlier this week I got to meet Bret Hart and to say I freaked out, would be a complete understatement.  He was co-hosting Breakfast Television in Calgary and I knew that it would be my chance to meet someone that was essentially my idol growing up.  I’m not being sarcastic, I couldn’t imagine anyone cooler or more Canadian than the “best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.”

While my encounter with Bret was short, it was something that I’ll never forget.  He’s suffered a stroke and moves a little slower than he used to.  His voice is quiet but he still carries himself with the confidence that made him an international superstar.

How nervous was I?  Look at my shoulders in the above picture,  it looks like I’m trying touch my ears with them. So completely and totally nervous.

Bucket list, you just got shorter.

Truth be told I don’t really download a lot of apps.  Besides using my Iphone for its actual purpose (a phone), it is usually just a little Angry Birds, Plants Vs. Zombies and some Instagram. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not always looking for new apps.

One of my favourite new discoveries is an Iphone App for the Newfoundland band Hey Rosetta!  Now I’m probably going to get destroyed by some angry music blogger, but I’m actually not too familiar with bands having their own apps, so I was definitely curious to check it out.

The app is FREE (magic word!) and allows you to stream full songs (yah!), watch videos (cool!) and follow the bands tweets (meh) and read the Hey Rosetta blog.

Is it an app that you absolutely must have?  Probably not, but if you are stuck on the bus or in line at the bank, at least you’ll have some great music to pass you by.

Click here to out the app yourself!

Fans of this blog know that I probably the world’s biggest Rankin Family fan.  And not just any Rankin family fan, I’ll take them anyway I can get them.  I’ll listen to Molly Rankin, The Rankin Sisters and most certainly Jimmy Rankin. Essentially, if their name is Rankin, I’ve got a tattoo dedicated to them.

So you can imagine my excitement when Jimmy announced a brand new Canadian tour today!  The tour is in support of his newest album, entitled Forget About The World and features none other than Keith Urban and Serena Ryder!  I know right?  Crazy.

Fun fact: Years ago, Jimmy actually opened for Keith Urban on his Canadian tour.  Guess we’re not the only once who are quick to become Jimmy fans!

Music fans across Canada will benefit from a unique opportunity to see Rankin perform in a more intimate setting on this upcoming tour.  Rankin strips down from a full-band to an acoustic duo with guitar and backing vocals by long-time band-mate, Jamie Robinson.  Okay, you won’t admit it but some of you got excited when you saw the words ‘Rankin’ and ‘Strips’ didn’t you!

Check out the tour dates below, if you’re a big fan, you can buy your ticket and an autographed CD at the same time on Jimmy’s website.  Yeah, we’re totally on a first name basis.

04.28 – Wakefield, QC – The Blacksheep Inn
04.29 – Burnstown, ON – Neat Coffee Shop
04.30 – Blyth, ON – Blyth Art Centre
05.01 – St. Thomas, ON – Princess Ave. Playhouse
05.04 – Toronto, ON – Hugh’s Room
05.05 – Hamilton, ON – Studio Theatre
05.06 – Chatham, ON – Mary Webb Centre
05.07 – Stratford, ON – Masonic Hall
05.08 – Alliston, ON – Gibson Centre
05.11 – Calgary, AB – Ironwood
05.12 – Red Deer, AB – The Hideout
05.13 – Calgary, AB – Ironwood
05.14 – Lethbridge, AB – Geommatic Attic
05.15 – Edmonton, AB – Haven Social Club
05.17 – Fort MacMurray, AB – Keyano Theatre
05.19 – Chipman, AB – Chipman Hall
05.20 – Fort St John, AB – Lido
05.21 – Fort St John, AB – Lido
05.22 – Prince George, BC – Artspace
05.24 – Langley, BC – Cascades Casino Summit Theatre
05.27 – Halifax, NS – Casino Nova Scotia
05.28 – Fredericton, NB – The Charlotte Street Arts Centre
05.29 – Saint John, NB – Bourbon Quarter
05.31 – Truro, NS – Marigold
06.01 – Pictou, NS – Decoste
06.02 – Georgetown, PE – King’s Playhouse
06.03 – Sydney, NS – Membertou
06.04 – Mabou, NS – Strathspey Place

So what does it take to get you to vote?

For some people it’s politics, others it’s values.  But for some, it’s sexiness.  Yes, sexiness.

A Toronto based blog called Zach Bussey is putting a new spin on this year’s elections and are currently looking for Canada’s Sexiest Election Candidate.  That’s right, after 56 match-ups and more than 250,000 votes, the competition has reached its final round, with some quite surprising and shocking results.

Surprising because, much to my happiness, a completely bald guy (Scott Milton- Green) is still in the running, shocking because so is Michael Ignatieff (Liberal).  The two guys have reached the finals with other contenders Justin Trudeau (Liberal) and Halifax’s Michael Dewer (Green). NDPs and Conservatives have been shut out of this particular election. Also, when did hippies get hot?

The NDP had a little more luck with Canada’s sexiest women candidates with Nadine Bailey making the final round.  Green Candidates Ilona Niemczyk and Cory Carriveau are going up against the Liberal’s Farah Kalbouneh.  How pissed is Olivia Chow right now?

Will knowing your MLA is hot make you care about the elections?  If so, you should vote now.

It’s probably been a while since you’ve heard the name Alexz Johnson.  The former star of CTV’s Instant Star found mild success as singer (How Strong Do You Think I Am is still in fairly regular rotation on my Ipod.)  Horror movie fans will remember Alexz as the girl done in by a nail gun in Final Destination 3.

Well today marks the release of Alexz’s new album Reloaded, and while I haven’t had a chance to give it a spin yet, I’m impressed with what I’ve heard from the singer so far.  Granted, the only song I’ve heard was filmed poolside, but seriously have a listen, this girl has some seriously talented chops.  Related, how weird is that expression.

I’m not really sure Look At Those Eyes was filmed poolside, but I’m guessing it has something to do with the acoustics, which sound really good.  For an extra laugh, listen to how she says “four” at the beginning.  Makes me laugh every time.

Based on this song alone, I think I’m going to check out Reloaded.  I always feel like I have to give CTV built artists a second chance, after all, it’s not their fault.  Yeah, I’m talking to you every single Canadian Idol contestant ever.

Thanks to Bloggity reader Tripti for the musical tip!