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Muggles, Hogwarts and Quidditch -The Potted Potter Toronto Experience!

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By N. Balani

The Potted Potter experience began way back in 2005 in England when Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner were asked to do a 5-minute street show style presentation on the first 5 Harry Potter books for fans waiting for the release of the sixth book at midnight.

They never imagined that more than a decade later they would still be performing an extended version of that magical show all over the world! This outstanding show has toured from England to Australia to Hong Kong to Dubai and now is in its fourth tour of Toronto and will go on to other cities in the USA.

This two-man parody on the world of Harry Potter will keep you rolling in laughter whether you are 6 or 66 or even the age of Lord Voldermort! The show involves a Harry Potter expert (James Percy) and a person who is definitely not a Potter expert (Brendan Murphy) trying to present a 70 minute summary of the entire 7 tomes of the Potter saga. To enjoy the slap-stick humour of this show you do not even have to know the difference between a HufflePuff and a horcrux or the names of all the creatures from the Book of Magical Creatures. The plot is simple and so is the stage set (low key wigs and hats), but the comedy is rich and a rare chance to see improvisation theatre at its very best. Continue reading “Muggles, Hogwarts and Quidditch -The Potted Potter Toronto Experience!”

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CARABRAM 2018: Cultures, costumes, cuisines!

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Carabram, Brampton’s Multicultural Festival has expanded. This year they included a central site at South Fletcher’s Sportsplex, to showcase additional cultures, music and food as well as an International Bazaar. In addition, The World of Food Pavilion was part of the central site as well an International Market Bazaar with artisans and commercial vendors from Arabia, Latin America, Pakistan, Hawaii, Ukraine and Nepal.

A small stage was set up to present music, dance and songs, as well as demonstrations including Ted Talk style presentation. The Main stage, beside World of Food, continued to showcase top entertainment from around the world.

Carabram, Canada’s oldest cultural festival was on July 13, 14, and 15 at eight venues across the city. In addition to the new South Fletcher’s site, there were pavilions located throughout the city. Canada returned to the UNIFOR Local 1285 Hall,

Caribbean and China were at Chris Gibson Recreation Centre. The rhythm of the islands, the pulsating beats of the drums and the steel band made the audiences sway to the reggae music and whine to the calypso singers. At the China Pavilion, entertainment   included Lion Dance , Kung Fu (Wushu), Qipao fashion show, GuZheng (Chinese Zither), Tai Chi and Taekwondo. Continue reading “CARABRAM 2018: Cultures, costumes, cuisines!”

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Cirque de Solieil’s ‘Corteo’ Brings a New Kind of Circus to Town!

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–By Nita Balani

Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Corteo’ opened at The Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa for a limited engagement of six shows until Sunday June 24 and will be doing the Canadian tour with stops in Toronto (December), Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and Vancouver, amongst other cities.

Thought to be inspired by the work ‘The Portrait of an Artist as a Clown (National Gallery of Canada)’, the production has enthralled 8 million people worldwide since its debut in 2005 and is now seen in a more contemporary version. It brings the circus world of tumblers, acrobats, jugglers, celestial creatures, and many more wondrous acts to life. Corteo, which means a joyous procession, is a festive parade by a clown, Mauro, who has passed on and is a celebration of his life and the people he left behind. The sets are simple yet spectacular to portray the celestial world and the one we live in as Mauro pictures his life and funeral taking place through various enthralling acts. The show depicts quiet, graceful angels taking care of Mauro and is juxtaposed with the humorous buffoonery of his friends and circus colleagues.

The spectacle is divided into several acts each of which display a different type of art or circus skill. It opens with the mastery of the acrobats on swinging chandeliers which is breathtakingly beautiful and unique. Continue reading “Cirque de Solieil’s ‘Corteo’ Brings a New Kind of Circus to Town!”

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ART OF BANKSY HITS TORONTO OFF THE WALLS!

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— by Nita Balani

Toronto’s art scene reached a height with The Art of Banksy hitting the circuit with its North American premiere right here in The 6ix. It is especially promising for Toronto’s art circle to have Banksy’s prized exhibits on display here in our city as it further cements our place on the art map. There are over 80 pieces on display all installed with perfect lighting and is the largest blockbuster Banksy exhibit ever.

Banksy of the U.K. needs no introduction to most art lovers and graffiti artists. He rose to popularity from his illegal street art on the walls and buildings all over London and the United Kingdom because his satirical commentary on the political and social environment hit home with the general public. He grew rapidly from graffiti artist to an internationally acclaimed personality because he spoke a universal truth that resonated across all borders and cultures. And yet nobody knows who he is. His real identity has never been revealed!

The Art of Banksy’s curator (and former manager/friend) Steven Lazarides and his dream Team – co-curator Chris Ford, Live Nation and Starvox Exhibits, have done an exceptional  job of presenting Banksy’s chefs d’oeuvre with a unique flair.

None of the art pieces on display have been pulled off the walls or streets. Continue reading “ART OF BANKSY HITS TORONTO OFF THE WALLS!”

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Yoga, the discovery of your Self

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By Rangarajan

The Sanskrit word ‘Yoga’ simply means ‘reunion’. Reunion implies an existing state of separation. You are separated from your real Self and blissfully unaware of it too! Ignorant of your Self, you identify with your body, mind and intellect and endlessly chase the world for happiness. Yoga is the search and pursuit of your real Self, culminating in Self-discovery, the native home of happiness.

Yoga is pursued fourfold. Hatha yoga, predominantly addressed to the body and vital pranas, ward off lethargy, indulgence and energy dissipation. It renders the body conducive to spiritual quest.

Karma yoga is dedicating actions to a higher ideal vis-a-vis working for a mundane, mechanical survival. Bhakti yoga relieves your mind from the self-inflicted bondage of attachment to stable identification and devotion. Jnana yoga shifts the direction of intellect from unending terrestrial concerns to transcendental enquiry upon the Self.

Since every human is composed of body, mind and intellect, the pursuit of the fourfold yoga, in proportion to individual constitution is indispensable for evolution. Due to its relative ease of demonstration, practise and immediate appeal to the body, postures and breathing in hata yoga, has hit worldwide eminence in no time. Continue reading “Yoga, the discovery of your Self”

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Mississauga’s MARTY Awards 2018: Top Artists Honoured

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— by Jatin Naik

Mississauga’s very own MARTY Awards was celebrated earlier this month on Thursday May 10. Leading artists from diverse fields were honoured at the 2018 MARTY awards ceremony hosted by the Mississauga Arts Council (MAC). The awards were presented at the Mississauga Convention Centre to a full house of attendees. A large number of nominated artists walked the red carpet as the evening unfolded, mingling with the media personnel covering the event. The Mississauga Arts Council was pleased to announce the following winners at the 2018 MARTY Awards ceremony in the below mentioned categories :

Festival of the Year – Tim Horton’s Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival

Lifetime Achievement – Gary Clipperton
Hazel McCallion Volunteer of the Year – Rita Ferguson
Laurie Pallett Patron of the Arts  – Pratt & Whitney Canada
Emerging Visual Arts – Kathlynn Hoang
Established Visual Arts – Huan Chen
Emerging Music Solo – Instrumental – Mason Victoria
Established Music Solo – Instrumental – Rob Tardik
Emerging Music Solo – Vocal – Abhishek Venkatachalam
Established Music Solo – Vocal – Alessia Cohle
Emerging Music Group – The Dreamboats
Established Music Group  – VIVA Trio
Emerging Media Arts – Francesco Philip Reale
Established Media Arts – Cathleen MacDonald
Emerging Literary Arts – Michelle Hillyard
Established Literary Arts – Eric Walters Continue reading “Mississauga’s MARTY Awards 2018: Top Artists Honoured”

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Mississauga’s Goan descent Ian D’Sa and his band Billy Talent honoured at Canadian Music Week!

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— Lachman Balani

On their silver anniversary, Mississauga’s powerhouse band, Billy Talent, was honoured with the coveted “Legends of Live” award at the Canadian Music Week festival on May 11, catapulting them into the ranks of former winners “Tragically Hip” and “Blue Rodeo”. The award ceremony was hosted by Canadian Paul Shaffer of David Letterman fame.

Billy Talent formed back in 1993 and have since come a long way, opening up for Guns ‘n’ Roses at their Toronto performance in 2016 and have headlined arenas like the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. They have also performed in many places in Europe. The original band members consisted of  Goan origin Ian D’sa (lyricist and producer), Ben Kowalewicz (vocalist),  Jonathan Gallant(Bassist) and Aaron Solowoniuk (drummer), who due to multiple sclerosis left a couple of years ago and was replaced by Jordan Hastings of Alexisonfire. However to his credit and despite his MS condition, Aaron showed up to accept the award and marked the occasion by delighting the attendees by performing for one of their songs, “Rusted from the Roof”. Jordan took over for the next song “Try Honesty.”

The evening was showered with performances from other bands with many more people, companies and venues being honoured adding yet another notable Peel region winner at the ceremony, the Metalworks Production Group, for best audio visual production company of the year. Metalworks is the brainchild of Gil Moore, former member of “Triumph”, one of Canada’s topmost internationally renowned bands. Continue reading “Mississauga’s Goan descent Ian D’Sa and his band Billy Talent honoured at Canadian Music Week!”

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JASHN- A LAVISH AFFAIRÉ raises the bar for South Asian Fashion Experience in Toronto!

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By N. Balani

The Greater Toronto Area fashion world was rocked by this one of a kind event held over the weekend at the Red Rose Convention centre In Mississauga.

Fashion brain and former Femina Miss India, Liza Varma teamed up with locals Sharad Lall Mathur and Rajiv Malhotra, to bring together the best in fashion design, models and global expertise. Top gun fashionistas Anju Modi, Shyamal and Bhumika , Satya Paul, Pallavi Jaikishan, Vikas Makhija, Jainee, Prarena Grover and Mohey-Manyavar creations  from India along with Mississauga-based designer Diinesh Ramsay,  Arpan Vohra from the London fashion scene, Rozzy Surii- a familiar face in the Canadian Fashion weeks of Vancouver and Calgary- plus many more graced the spectacular event.

The three day fashion extravaganza opened with a beautiful gala evening filled with dance, music, food and entertainment keeping true to its name Jashn – meaning a celebration. Apart from the elegant runway shows, this splendid affair had exhibits by luxury wedding planners like Vogue Wedding Company and luxury jewellery brands Art Karat and Red Dot amongst many others showcasing their designs and services throughout the weekend.

This event, one of the first of its kind aims to bring in the world of South Asian designers not just for a fashion show but to further Indo-Canadian ties and meld fashion industry with global business opportunities.

As Designer Shyamal put it “the bridal collections we showcase brings India to the world in the form of craft or couture with sensibility to the Western world- it is a kind of fusion”. Continue reading “JASHN- A LAVISH AFFAIRÉ raises the bar for South Asian Fashion Experience in Toronto!”

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MYSTIC INDIA: MAGICAL, MUSICAL, MESMERIZING!

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Ever so often, a great show that comes to town leaves an indelible impression on the audiences.  Recently, Cleveland witnessed “Mystic India: The World Tour” (“Mystic India”), a Bollywood dance spectacular.  The show, created and choreographed by Aatma Performing Arts’ founder Amit Shah, features renowned musicians, brilliant dancers, breathtaking aerialists and acrobats, and nearly 1,000 opulent costumes.

Namaste Newsline team had an opportunity to watch the show at the Playhouse Square last weekend.  The show was promoted by AIPNO (Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio) for a charitable cause.  One could feel the heightened sense of excitement in the air that evening.

The entire experience right from the outset, till the way to the grand finale was amazing.  If you’ve   never been to India, watching this show, would give you a feel for all things Indian! The show engrossed   the audience into India’s diverse culture!

The opening number, which was spiritual in nature, at the “temple”, before taking the audience on a regional tour of India.  There were enjoyable dances from regions like Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu!   The production also showcased dances from the Mughal period as well, and needless to say, a segment was devoted to Bollywood.

The stage effects and lighting enhanced the ambience of the show.  Kudos to the production for focusing on every detail to create the Mystic India experience. The choreographers utilized every inch of the stage, presenting the all the scenes very creatively.  In addition, the story teller, did a great job with his diction, which enhanced the experience. The fusion of dance, theatre and stunning visual effects is a magical, mystical merger of the old and new! Continue reading “MYSTIC INDIA: MAGICAL, MUSICAL, MESMERIZING!”

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World’s First Diamond Trading on BlockChain Unveiled! Experience Unique Crypto-Assets!

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AL KASIR GROUP LAUNCHES DIAMOND TRADING ON THE BLOCKCHAIN

On April 15th, at an event held at the iconic Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Members of the Private Office of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Obaid Al Maktoum – AL KASIR JEWELLERY TRADING L.L.C & AL KASIR PORTAL L.L.C announced the launch of Diamond Trading on the Blockchain with three Diamond backed Crypto Assets.

Al Kasir Group is a joint venture between Dr. Amit Lakhanpal and Private office of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Obaid Al Maktoum who belongs to the members of royal family of the ruler of Dubai.

Dr. Lakhanpal is an Indian entrepreneur, property developer and author. Dr. Lakhanpal is the founder and CEO of the Money Trade Coin Group. He is the author of the book “The World of Crypto Currency”. Dr. Lakhanpal is also called the Chief Managing Director of real estate development agency Flintstone Group and the founder of FlintBeats, an event agency founded in 2015.

Cryptocurrencies with their underlying Blockchain technology are increasingly popular amongst individuals, financial institutions and governments, however many of them view cryptocurrencies as objects of radical speculation and high volatility. Since they are subject to potentially huge price corrections, most cryptocurrencies are practically a poor store of value and means a barter-like exchange. This gives rise to a need for a more secure alternative.

For the first time ever, the world is about to experience a set of three crypto-assets by IGI certified real diamonds. Being backed by a real-world Asset, these three crypto-assets; AL, AL HAQEEK & AL FALAH are better capable to store and translate value due to a base measure or gauge around which their value revolves. Diamonds are an ideal asset backing for crypto-assets since they are rare, taking a billion years to develop, have several millennia of history as a recognized store of value, and are small and therefore easily stored and transported. Continue reading “World’s First Diamond Trading on BlockChain Unveiled! Experience Unique Crypto-Assets!”