Don't KISS and tell...

Okay. I am! Yesterday, I was invited to see KISS perform at the closing of Heavy MTL. It was a little bit of a departure from what I am used to in terms of concerts and multimedia spectacles, but in my quest to showcase the best in arts and entertainment, I immediately jumped onboard.

Upon arrival onsite, you could just tell this was a hardcore festival and no ballet. So maybe I should have gotten a tattoo, worn black, and gotten some chains, but there I was and ready to dive in. I was wearing a navy polo but I was the only person on site wearing a polo t-shirt; one in-a-series of wardrobe misses.

My sidekick for my night out at Heavy MTL was Donnie Whalberg’s future wife, a music industry professional who has worked with KISS a number of times in the past year.

We arrived early to take in everything that the backstage had to offer. Little did we know that celebrity chef Chuck Hughes (Garde Manger & Chuck's Day Off) did all the catering. I was once told the importance of good food on tour (good food = happy artists). Chuck has been everywhere these days: sitting next to a good friend en route from Toronto to Montreal, NBC’s Today Show in MTL, and now Heavy MTL.

Although I was a bit skeptical to try his food for the very first time where he had to cook for so many people, I did anyway because I was hungry (and I also felt I needed to bulk up for the evening). It was amazing: lentil salad, a mini meatball sub and poutine! Delicious! After chatting with Chuck my sidekick and I were ready for the main stage.


Thousands were in attendance and some people even brought their children. Special shout out to the people at St John Ambulance who were on hand inside the first aid tent! Having friends inside this tent somehow made me feel safe. For example, if I got hurt in the mosh pit, I knew exactly where to go (if I could get out). Luckily, our all access pass enabled us to watch the show from a great location away from the massive crowd.


KISS was amazing (complete with fireworks, lots of pyro, and of course their over-the-top costumes) but this night was all about the experience. Memorable indeed!

Celebrity chef Chuck Hughes and Donnie Whalberg's future wife (or should I say Chuck Hughes future wife)

KISS...

I'd like to end this post with Amy Winehouse. A true talent and the kind of voice that you rarely come across. The definition of a star. She was unique and it's a tragedy that she left this world at only 27. RIP Amy. 

Weekend Picks: All About Laughs!!!!!!!!!!!

Just For Laughs kicked off its English programming on Thursday night with the Nasty Show hosted by  Jeffrey Ross: The Roastmaster General from the Comedy Central Roasts. HSP was in attendance for both shows and it was a solid comedy show filled with lots of laughing. It's a staple at the fest and a must see this year.  Limited tickets are still available for shows tonight. Check hahaha.com for ticket availabilities. If you cannot attend tonight, JFL just added two new shows on July 29 at 8pm and 10:30pm. 

Jeffrey Ross makes an appearance on the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda to promote Just For Laughs. He returns again to host the July 29 Nasty Show's as well.

I love Montreal for so many reasons but my absolute favourite thing about Montreal is the CREATIVITY! When I heard about the Pinkarnaval as part of Just For Laughs street festivities, I knew right away it will be awesome. 

Inspired by fashion icon Jean Paul Gaultier's humour in his designs, Pinkarnaval will host two events on Saturday and Sunday night. Tonight kicks off with a parade paying tribute to Jean Paul Gaultier. In collaboration with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, more than 1,600 volunteers will take part in this parade that starts at 7:30pm. Costumes inspired by Gaultier's looks and giant 20-foot inflatable puppets (the first of their kind) will light up the streets of Montreal where Gaultier will be in attendance.

On Sunday, at Place des Festivals, a staged outdoor version of the parade will be presented.

Jean Paul Gaultier's iconic stripes have been taking over the city. Even on a taxi!

One final note, don't forget that the Ethnic Show begins next Thursday. hahaha.com for ticket info.

NBC Today Show Showcases Montreal's Best (Moves)!

NBC’s Today Show has been the go-to for all things morning news for more than 6 decades (the show first aired in 1952). For the first time ever, NBC’s final hour of its four-hour Today Show stepped out of its Rockefeller Center studios to broadcast LIVE from Montreal. More than 1,000 people were in attendance for the live taping. Tourism Montreal spearheaded this initiative and it has been estimated that NBC's visit to Montreal was worth more than 13 million dollars in media value. 

Two shows showcased Montreal with one of them being LIVE. I was privileged to work on two stories with the gang at the Today Show: choreographer Debra Brown and a piece on Just For Laughs. What a memorable morning!

In addition to showcasing Debra Brown and Just For Laughs, celebrity chef Chuck Hughes prepared drinks for Kathie Lee and Hoda (these ladies do love their cocktails), and the Barenaked Ladies and Cirque du Soleil performed for Kathie Lee, Hoda and the crowd. 

Kathie Lee and Hoda's big entrance: A horse-drawn carriage (wasn't the biggest fan of this - it was hot outside) and a Montreal Police officer. 

A few seconds into Thursday's live broadcast. You could see the excitment on both Kathie Lee's and Hoda's faces. There is no doubt they were happy to be in Montreal.

Debra Brown kicked off the show by adding some moves to iHoda's playlist, a weekly segment where Hoda surprises Kathie Lee with a song.

Debra Brown, Emmy winning choreographer of 11 Cirque du Soleil shows and has also worked with such international superstars including: Aerosmith, Celine Dion, Madonna and Shakira.

Debra brought some help to get the crowd going. Jeff Mortensen was a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance Canada and is now currently working on Snow White with Julia Roberts. 

Debra with agent extraordinaire Barry Garber. 

Fans couldn't get enough of Kathie Lee and Hoda. The pair signed autographs and posed for pictures with the crowd during commercial breaks. 

Jeff, Debra and myself pose for a photo.

Kathie Lee and Hoda take a few seconds to pose for a photo with me. 

MERCI FRANCE (ROUEN TO BE EXACT)!

What a "European" weekend it was and I didn’t even have to get on a plane – not that I am boycotting them or anything. With the world’s favourite newlyweds in town on Saturday (still upset of the type of welcome that Montreal gave them) and French singer Amaury Vassili’s concert last night, my weekend was filled with some awesome memories. After a relaxing day spent in the country celebrating my 30th birthday (doesn’t get any better than this), HSP was invited by the folks at IMC to see Amaury Vassili close the 7th annual Mondial Choral in Laval.

At 22, Vassili is the youngest tenor in the world. Needless to say his voice did not disappoint. Think Josh Groban meets Il Divo with a charming French accent. Vassili was accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra and a choir. The staging was dazzling with stellar projections and lighting. I was extremely impressed. Even though the concert was in Laval, I felt as though I was watching a performance at an established outdoor concert hall. Congratulations to the team of organizers of this particular festival.

To add some drama and effect to Vassili's overall performance, it started to rain during the finale. Believe me, I am used to the whole touring outdoors thing, but I never had to use a garbage bag to keep me dry. On tour, I was always prepared with billy boots and rain jacket. I guess there is a first time for everything. 

On Vassili's third visit to Montreal, he wowed the crowd with renditions of Con te partiro (Andrea Bocelli), Who Wants to Live Forever (Queen), Leonard Cohen’s classic Hallelujah, and songs from his two albums Vincero (2009) and Cantero (2010). This was Vassili’s first time performing with a live orchestra and choir at the same time. It defintely suited him. Management should take note. Everything set the mood for a memorable night highlighting a young, fresh, and talented young man with a bright future ahead of him.

Born and raised in Rouen, France, it was at age nine when he discovered his passion for singing. In 2011, Vassili was a finalist at the prestigious Eurovision Song Contest. Celine Dion won this  competition back in 1988.

Vassili is on his way to becoming a household name here in Canada. What a treat it was to see him perform live. 

A Royal Visit.

After some serious “Where’s Waldo” or should I say where’s Will and Kate, I was able to locate the newlyweds on some photos I took on my iPhone. It would have been nicer to see Will and Kate up close, but given the fact that there were some protestors, security wasn’t taking any chances.

Aside from the negativity surrounding the visit, it was refreshing to be standing next to so many supporters who were cheering “Will and Kate.” One woman I met arrived at noon from Burlington, Ontario. While she was there with her children, they were more concerned with the guy selling ice cream on the street.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge where only in Montreal for a few hours and in this short time, I wished we could have shown them how wonderful Montrealers are without the whole protesting thing.

This is one press tour that I would love to be a part of.

Tonight, it’s off to Laval to see French tenor Amaury Vassili (youngest professional tenor in the world) perform at Le Mondial Choral Loto-Québec.