Mike's Bloggity Blog

For the past four days, Calgary has been inundated with the best folk and country music that this entire world has to offer. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, this festival shows the best that Calgary has to offer. If every Canadian could see it, I’d day a relatively happy man, which is saying something.

I thought I would celebrate this year’s Folk Music Festival with a special award-themed blog post.  The results have not been tabulated by a jury, nor are they fair in any way.  Rather, they are just my way of summing up what was four amazing days of music, nature and fantastic people.

Best Beer: Rock Creek Dry Cider.
If I ever end up on Intervention, it will be because of this cider that kept me refreshed on the hot Folk Festy days.

Best Food:  BBQ Chicken from Calgary Slow Foods.
People kept stopping and staring, watching me eat the BBQ chicken. Lord knows they weren’t looking at me.  And no, I didn’t share a single piece.

Best “Why isn’t my mom here?” moment: Blue Rodeo
Is there a Canadian band that is more cross-generational and beloved more than Blue Rodeo?  Mom, can you please come to Folk Fest next year?  BR won’t be there, but seeing them made me miss you too much! (Plus, I know you have a secret crush on the ol’ J.Cud.)

Best Trend: Making friends.
No where has it ever been easier for me to make friends and hang out with them for the rest of the day than at Calgary’s Folk Music Festival. Everyone is so friendly and looking to have a good time.  Oh Folk Fest, where were you in High school?

Most annoying trend:  Child plate collectors.
When you order food at the fest, you get a nice place that can be redeemed for $2 if you bring it back.  Well, if you want that two dollars back, you better hold on to it tight because there are a handful of kids that go around and collect your plate “for you”, thus snatching up your two bucks in the process.  Some might call them entrepreneurs, but I’d much rather see that money go to their schools or a charity then into their Gap Kids-sized pockets.

Best schwag:  Trees!
On the way out of the gates, guests were given trees that were donated by Cenovas Energy.  I quickly planted it in my yard, already proving itself more useful than iphone screen cleaners and rusty buttons.

Best musical discovery: TIE.  New Country Rehab and Coeur de Pirate

With more than  68 artists playing the festival, you’re sure to find new bands that you can’t believe you don’t already have on your iTunes playlist, and New Country Rehab and Coeur de Pirate are my favourite discoveries of this year.  NCR is an amazing band from Toronto that not only remind me of Mumford and Sons, they rival them.  Old school country fans will love them and their Hank Williams inspired tunes.

Coeur de Pirate is a fantastic solo act from the wonderful city of Montreal.  Her voice is pure perfection and throughout her many appearances at the festival, developed a following that followed her from stage to stage, culminating in a outstanding performance on the Main Stage on Sunday night.

Buy either of their albums, it’s the easiest money you’ll spend this year.

Worst use of tarp:  These guys.
With only thirty minutes left of the entire festival, this tarp, which was only a few rows from the front, remained lonely and empty the entire day.

Best people in the world: Volunteers.
The entire festival is run by more than 1200 volunteers and while I wish I could and be amazing like them, I’m way to busy doing and loving all of the above.

Best “Yeah, she’s that good.”: k.d. Lang.
For not only living up to the hype, but taking it to a new level.  Yeah, she’s that good.

There’s been three BIG tour announcements in as many days, and I’m equally as excited about all of them.  I thought it would be best to round them all up in one big super blog post, because I’m just that kinda guy.

Up first, we have Dan Mangan, who just announced a brand new cross-country tour in support of his new album Oh Fortune. This have been coming up “aces” for Dan, who is just played Glastonbury, Canada Day on Parliament Hill and the Winnipeg Folk Festival, oh and he met Will and Kate too. Needless to say, things are going a-okay for my favourite Canadian bearded musician.

October 14th Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre
October 15th Kingston, ON – Sydenham United Church
October 16th Montreal, QC – Theatre Outremont
October 17th Quebec City, QC – Le Cercle
October 19th St John’s, NL – Cochrane United Church
October 22 Fredericton, NB – Wilmot United Church
October 25th Waterloo, ON – Starlight
October 26th London, ON – Aeolian Hall
October 27th Hamilton, ON – The Studio at Hamilton Place
October 28th Toronto, ON – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
October 29th Guelph, ON – Dublin Street Church
October 1st Winnipeg, MB – The Garrick Centre
October 2nd Saskatoon, SK – The Broadway Theatre
October 3rd Edmonton, AB – McDougal United Church
November 4th Calgary, AB – MacEwan Hall Ballroom
November 9th Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theatre
November 10th Victoria, BC – Alix Goolden Hall

Dan Mangan’s new album is called ‘Oh Fortune’ and it will be released on September 27th.

It’s hard to imagine a Hollywood with Kevin Smith and his highly original movies, so movie buffs are geeking out that the director is going to be making his way across the country to talk about all of his projects, including his new controversial thriller Red State. The director, who has made several Degrassi cameos, will be screening the film and following it up with a Q &A.
Written and directed by Smith, the flick stars Michael Parks, John Goodman, Academy Award® Winner Melissa Leo (I wish she was coming!) and Kyle Gallner (Any Veronica Mars fans in the house?) The movie tells the story of a group of teens who take on a group of fundamentalists with sinister agenda…is there any other kind?

His Canadian dates include:
August 14th Montreal (Theatre Hall Concordia)
August 15 at Toronto Underground,
Edmonton on August 16 at The Garneau
Calgary on August 17 at The Uptown
Vancouver on August 18 at The Vogue.

Tickets range from $50-$85.

Fresh of the news that they’ve been placed on the Polaris short list, Hey Rosetta! have just announced that another cross-Canada tour. The band, who should be WAY bigger than they are, seem to tour relentlessly for their adoring fans, me included.

Here are some of their upcoming tour dates. Fans of the band are probably lining up already, if you still thinking about it, can you just trust me and get your tickets. You can and will thank me later. Click here for a free download.

July 29th Summer in the Park North Bay, ON
July 30th  Osheaga Montreal, QC
July 31st Riverfront Jubilee New Glasgow, NS
August 2nd George Street Festival St. John’s, NL
August 6th HarbourFest Summerside, PE
August 7th  M-Fest Dartmouth, NS
November 12nd Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, BC
November 14th  MacEwan Ballroom Calgary, AB
November 15th Myer Horowitz Theatre Edmonton, AB
November 17th The Garrick Centre Winnipeg, MB
November 20th London Music Hall London, ON
November 24th Phoenix Concert Theatre Toronto, ON
November 25th Bronson Centre Ottawa, ON

If you happen to be in Calgary for the weekend and you’re looking for something cool to do, then look no further than this very blog post. As always, Mark Hopkins has whipped up a list of his top weekend activities going in and around the city that I keep forgetting is not the capital of Alberta.

Fiestaval Latin Festival
July 23-24, 2011
Olympic Plaza
fiestaval.ca

Samba, Salsa, Flamenco and Capoeira – this weekend, Calgary comes to life with Latin American culture! This free, family-friendly multicultural event brings a vibrant mix of dancers, musicians, vendors and revelers to Olympic Plaza.

Sun and Salsa Festival
July 24, 2011 – 11:00 am-5:00 pm
Kensington Rd & 10 St NW
www.visitkensington.com/sun-and-salsa

Over 500 gallons of salsa, in 40 different varieties – you’d better brace your taste buds before heading down to Kensington this weekend. The 18th annual Sun & Salsa Festival fills up 10th Street and Kensington Rd with sizzling-hot exuberance, including a pageant and a strongman competition… and, of course, buckets and buckets of salsa.

Historic Calgary Week: Trails & Tales
July 22-August 1, 2011
chinookcountry.org

As we continue to race through the days and look to the future, it’s easy to forget the Calgary has a rich history, full of stories and lessons. Historic Calgary Week gives us the chance to reflect on the city’s past, with tours of local landmarks and neighbourhoods – including Glenbow Museum, the Old Y Centre, Chinatown, churches, theatre, cemeteries and more – alongside talks, workshops and performances.

Now that the Calgary Stampede is over, this city has already quickly moved to its next big outdoor party: The Calgary Folk Music Festival. And people, this is my favourite, mostly because it feels so un-Calgarian, sitting outside listening to great music, exploring Prince’s Island Park. If given the choice, I would probably tell people choose the CFMF every.single.time.

While the festival is great, it does have its problems, mainly The Tarpies.  Last year, I called them the Tarp Nazis and got in trouble for it, so now I have to call them Tarpies.  They are the ones that claim the best spots on the grounds, but then rarely hang out to listen to the artists.  If they do sit on their tarps, they spend most of the time talking and not listening to the musicians on stage.  So with the Folk Festival now upon us, I’ve decided to not let the Tarpies, who hog spots and rarely share, ruin my fun.

In my Metro column this week, I look at how we can live together peacefully…if only they’d start sharing.

Click here to read my column on Metro.

Have I ever told you how weird my life is sometimes?  Well, if I haven’t, let me tell you now:  My life is weird.

Yesterday I got the chance to spend the entire day exploring the ins and outs of the Cirque Du Soleil show OVO.  It’s in Chicago right now, but it will be soon be making its way to Calgary, so they wanted me and a few other media have a sneak peak.

I actually  got to film a lot of the day for Visit Calgary, and will soon be posting videos that will come with a HUGE contest that anyone in Canada will be able to enter.  And yes folks, this one is BIG.

I thought I’d share with you some of the pictures though, it was an amazing day that I hope (no thanks to Alzheimer’s) that I never forget!

This is me trying on one of the many hats that they wear in the show. Sadly, they said I wouldn’t need much make-up.

Painful….for like eight different reasons.

Hanging out under the Cirque stage with Christian Laflamme (technical show manager).

Cirque Du Soleil’s OVO opens in Calgary on September 7th.

Hey Chicago, I’m bbbaaaaaaaaaaccccccck!

That’s right, I’m writing this blog post from Chicago, which has quickly become my favourite American city. The pizza!  The beer!  The skyscrapers!

So why am I here?  Well me and some other Calgary media, (that’s Shaw’s Erin Strate in the above photo), are here to go behind the scenes of Cirque Du Soleil’s OVO, which will be opening up in Calgary this September.  So today will be an insane day of exploring the big tent and eating with the cast and crew, I’ve heard their food is unbelievable.  I’ll hopefully be doing some really fun stunts too.  I’ll keep you posted!

Besides exploring Cirque, I’m also excited to be here because it’s HOT!  I just heard on Good Morning America it is the “hottest and most dangerous  day of the year.” It’s apparently the hottest day on record in Chicago in six years, and the humidity is insane! My dry, dry Calgary skin has been loving the moisture.  Being originally from the Maritimes, I’ve been missing the humidity like no ones business. So while the girls I’m with are freaking out about their hair, I couldn’t be happier!

Most people know Howie Dorough for being one part of the hugely successful boy group The Backstreet Boys. While AJ and Nick were off busy making headlines and reality shows, Dorough has quietly been cultivating a solid career that goes beyond stadiums filled with screaming fans.   Just a few weeks ago, Howie released his very first solo single and it’s been quickly been moving up the charts, even cracking the Top 30 MuchMure countdown.  If staying on top of two succesful careers and touring wasn’t enough, Howie D also has a management company named 3 Street Management, that has made stars out of Canadian acts like George Nozuka and Neverest.

On his recent trip through Calgary with the NKOTBSB tour, I caught up with Howie backstage to talk about his new single, the upcoming album and why it seems like Canada is his second home.

Your first solo album Back to Me will be out in November, how was the adjustment in the studio from working with a band, to doing a solo project?
It’s been an awesome journey for me. Each of the Backstreet Boys came from solo backgrounds, so we all had solo aspirations. But with the group, we really took time to work on that and the career of the group itself. But then, as time went on, our fans have been asking us, little by little, to do solo stuff. I’ve been working on mine for the past five years.

Why did you wait so long?
I wanted to make sure I took the time to find the right sound, because it’s all about the first impression. When you step outside of the box, some people might want you to go back to where you were, or other people might be excited and open their arms to you. But really it’s all about the music.

But it was awesome, you know, going into the studio, and now what’s going to be on the CD is really exciting.

How did you choose the songs for the album?
I’m a firm reliever that the cream will rise to the top. With the Backstreet Boys we recorded a lot of songs, because you just don’t know what’s going to be the best, what grows on people. I do listening sessions with my management or my wife, she’s really good at picking stuff. Certain songs will just move you, or linger in your head, so those are the ones that I keep coming back to.

What’s the writing process been like for you?
I didn’t really even start writing music until I was in the group. I was experimenting and it was rubbish. But in time, I was able to work with lots of great writers and I learned like a sponge. I learned from them the things to do, not to do and how not just the normal way of saying things.

How did you come up with the sound for it?
I started off a little more in the latin direction and then I thought about it more and more, I thought about our international fan base, and I didn’t want to zone in just one type of music that maybe isn’t appreciated world wide. So I decided to get back to the roots of Backstreet Boys and the Euro-dance feel, but I’ve always been a positive energy person, so the dance sound just really works with me.

How did you end up working with Canadian producers The Kuya Brothers on the first single “100” ?
I was doing a lot of writing for my own record, and then management had put the call out for people to write songs. I’m a firm believer in a hit song can come from anywhere. I’m not one of those artists that thinks, “I have to write every song myself.” It was one of my favourite songs and I fell in love with it. I do a lot of work in Canada, I’ve really studied the market up here and I’m familiar with things like CANCON and how to get your music heard on the radio. The video is actually directed by a Canadian director named RT. There’s something in the water here, just a lot of Canadian love.

You’ve developed a few Canadian artists with your management company 3 Street Management, what do you look for in Canadian artists?
It’s all about the full package. First of all, the music has to speak for itself. The fact that Neverest and George were self-contained, writing their own music and involved in the production of their sound was great. Neverest won me over when they performed for me acoustically, and it was straight raw vocals. They almost had a little bit of an Eagles vibe, then when I heard them produced with the music and their sound went to a mix of One Republic and The Backstreet Boys. They have different dynamics to their sound.

What sort of advice do you give your artists?
I think that’s there’s a benefit that I can relate so much. When they have questions about their shows or their songs, or audience reactions, they can look at me and tell them what I do myself, as opposed to just a manager who is just straight business and doesn’t know the artistic side. I always encourage them to be very hands on with their contracts, take them to the lawyers if you have to. I know in the early days of the Backstreet Boys, you sign deals that you look back on and wish you had someone go over it with you. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and maybe the mistakes that I made, gave me the chance to learn and help other people make the same mistake.

The Backstreets Boys have sold more than 100 million albums around the world, you still sell out stadiums, growing up, did you envision this sort of life?
I did. I really did. As a little kid, I always looked up to Michael Jackson, Madonna and New Edition and I always envisioned myself performing on the stage with lots of people. I don’t know if I knew exactly what was entailed in the work behind the scenes. A lot of people think it’s just waking up, performing later on in the night, going to the parties, they don’t realize the work that it takes to get to that point on stage and then stay at the level is even harder. There’s sound checks, videos, photo shoots and media. I enjoy all that, it keeps it different for me.

What do you think accounts for the group’s longevity?
I think it all boiled down to making the right choices. We pride ourselves in making good music, music that’s timeless. A lot of the stuff we didn’t write, but we didn’t have egos enough to say “this shouldn’t be on our record.” We made decisions like making sure we had the right team of people that could capture our vision, our sound. Also, we had to evolve, with our music, with our fans.

Let’s do a BSB Rapid Fire! Who was the last Backsteet Boy to…
Surprise you: Kevin Richardson
Teach you: All of them taught me golf.
Make you laugh: Nick.
Go to your house for dinner: Kevin and Brian.
Encourage your career: AJ
Watch a movie with you: AJ
Borrow your clothes: Brian’s the clepto, he’s the same size as me, so we have to make sure our clothes are separate.

For more on Howie, make sure you check out his website. “100” is available for download on Itunes and Back To Me has a November 22nd release date.

So have you noticed that Canada is under a little bit of a heatwave!?  I don’t know about you, but I for one love it! The sun, the water, the jean shorts! Truthfully, It’s the one time of year that I love being bald…it makes it so much easier to put sunscreen on.

But if you’re looking for a great way to cool down from the heat, this next contest is for you! I’ve got a glacéau vitaminwater prize pack that will help you stay refreshed and ready to take on the heat anyway you see fit!

It includes everything you need to have a picture perfect picnic during these warm summer months and it’s valued at more than $200!

It includes:
picnic basket
blanket
dishes and cutlery
mp3 portable speakers
ipod shuffle
his and hers flip flops
telescope
two cases of vitaminwater spark

To enter, tell me where is your favourite place to have a picnic and enjoy Vitaminwater?  Is it your backyard?  Or on a beach?  Where you sit and enjoy this sweet prize?

For a second second entry, tweet: “I want to win the perfect picnic basket with @mikesbloggity and @vitaminwater_ca! http://ow.ly/5I2wp ”

I’ll do a random draw from all the entries!

Rules:
1) Gotta live in Canada.
2) Maximum two entries per person.
3) Contest closes on July 24th at 11:59pm/MST

There’s nothing better than a good success story, and Tony LePage‘s story is full of all sorts of success.

A few months ago I had heard that a group of Canadians had been cast in the American production of Rock of Ages, but not the touring show, the real show, on BROADWAY. Since then, I’ve sorta been obsessed with their journey. What it must feel like to be a working actor in Toronto and then to be called down to the big leagues?

One of these actors was Tony Lepage, who had seen in several shows in Toronto and Calgary.  Not only did he land a part in Rock of Ages, which is currently being made into a film with Tom Cruise, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin and Mary J Blige, he is also the understudy for all eight parts in the show, which is a Broadway first.   Seeing as how he is performing eight shows a week, I was so happy that I got a New York Minute to talk to him about what it’s like to be living his dream.

First! How did you go from Stage West shows to Broadway?
Well it has been a huge dream and a long road, but worth every second of it. It’s funny you mention Stage West, because my first Stage West show was a huge turning point in my career, when I met Bob Foster. He was the MD for a show called “Canadian Explosion” and he is the best of the best. Since then I have worked with him on several shows including “The Boys in The Photograph”, which was another major coup for me as an actor, landing the lead role of John Kelly. It was there I met and worked with Ben Elton (the director and writer) who was so incredibly supportive of me and fantastic to work with. During that show I worked along side Andrew Lloyd Webber, which is a dream come true for any singer. Shortly after that show closed I was cast in the Canadian premiere of “Rock of Ages”, which played at the “Royal Alexandra Theatre” in Toronto. That is where I met the incredible creative force behind the smash hit Broadway musical that is “Rock of Ages”. We had an incredible run in Toronto, and then two days after that, I got the phone call I have been waiting for and working towards since I went to New York City on a high school trip 18 years ago… You’re going to Broadway.

Describe your first show on a Broadway stage. What does it feel like?
It was nothing short of exhilarating! The whole day, walking down 8th Avenue, turning left onto 44th, past “Phantom of the Opera”, on my left and “American Idiot” on my right, through the stage door and then doing the funnest show I have ever done in front of a packed screaming audience. There is nothing like it, I felt like I was outside of my body… magic.

What’s it like to be a Canadian performing on Broadway? Are there a lot of you?
In our show, there are 4 of us, all of whom were pulled from the Toronto production. There are a number of Canadians here, but it is a tough one to crack into. Now that I have “broken in” I feel like a member of some exclusive club, dues paid.

Rock of Ages is currently being made into a movie with Russell Brand and Tom Cruise. Have you had a chance to work with them yet?
We haven’t had the chance to work with them yet, but once the movie gets closer the producers have told us there will be some cross promoting and chances to do some stuff with them, which I am so excited for. It is going to be such an amazing time, when the movie and the Broadway production are both in theatres. This show is blowing up! Everyone should come and see “Rock of Ages”, it is so much fun, and the music is unbelievable, all hits form the 80s, the best night out in New York!

I envision living in NYC like either Rent or Sex and The City, which is more accurate?
My wife should field this question… but I would have to say both. It is an expensive city to live in so the Manolo Blahnik collection is not quite as extensive as Carrie’s, but we aren’t exactly lighting eviction notices in garbage cans on fire in our apartment for heat. I have definitely seen the Rogers and Mimis, walking right along side the Samanthas and Charlottes though. This is the greatest city in the world, and I love every second I am here.

You did lots of work in Toronto, how did it prepare you for New York City?
Toronto has such an incredible wealth of talent, and such a huge theatre community. I would say that the amazing people I got to work with, and the high level of work that is being done there, set the bar so high for me as a performer, that I am now ready to take on the competitive industry down here in NYC. Ready and willing.

What’s a typical day like for a Broadway performer?
Compared to most people, I am a bit of a weirdo in this case. Most people are creatures of the night, wake up late, stay up late. But I don’t tend to do that as much. My day consists of a coffee date with my wife Natalie, then a walk in either Central or Riverside Park. I have understudy rehearsals on Tuesdays for 4 hours and we do 8 shows a week so it’s busy, but we have a lot of the days to ourselves, so no better city to be in with the one you love right? We have made so many memories already. There is NEVER nothing to do.

There’s obviously a lot of people who would love to be in your (tap) shoes. What do you think you did right?
I took chances when I had to, and believed in myself. It’s all about perseverance and positivity. I took great advice from amazing talents along the way and tried to see everything as a learning experience. I have also had a support system from my parents and friends that has been so great. But truly, my wife has been my rock. This is such an intense business, and Natalie Roy is the most inspiring and supportive person I could have ever imagined to be with me on this crazy journey. I’m just glad I met her before she became famous…

It’s been a blast, I’m going to miss you and all your delicious food goodness.

See you next year!