tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44270989691420087852024-03-13T20:44:14.064-04:00AU COURANTCulture, style, arts and media in Toronto, Canada, The World.Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-76420286451765197442009-05-16T13:15:00.011-04:002009-05-16T13:27:24.514-04:00Cinematheque Ontario Summer Season 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUnHvPq4ss7IWZ7aBK2yus9uGhltdiTPuueOkySyWezN8i8EM9Xgzy5ZOa4V1QhpdDQNpXO-mcUP0sExv-Tk-cITvWv8GJfVf7wpJZMiszUf-JC4DS5_q6Ma7i-ytgHnQwrilbPkb_64X/s1600-h/cologo.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 67px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUnHvPq4ss7IWZ7aBK2yus9uGhltdiTPuueOkySyWezN8i8EM9Xgzy5ZOa4V1QhpdDQNpXO-mcUP0sExv-Tk-cITvWv8GJfVf7wpJZMiszUf-JC4DS5_q6Ma7i-ytgHnQwrilbPkb_64X/s400/cologo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336472073748378786" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/">Cinematheque Ontario</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> has officially announced their summer 2009 season line-up of films and it begins Friday, May 22! Cinematheque Ontario is a "screening programme dedicated to presenting the history of world cinema on the big screen in carefully curated retrospectives." It is a venue that provides access to great films—from various eras and originating from all over the world—that we might not have access to outside of a university cinema studies classroom. You might be able to rent or download some of them, but here you get a chance to see important domestic, North American and foreign classic, historical and contemporary films on a big screen for a true cinematic experience. Read on for my recommendations.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The summer season of Cinematheque Ontario promises to be great and is packed with must-see films. Coinciding with the exhibit <a href="http://www.ago.net/surrealthings">Surreal Things at the Art Gallery of Ontario</a> from May 9 to August 30, the film line-up features many Surrealist classics. In May, there will be </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/shortprogdetail.aspx?spId=1587&GrpId=0"><i>Un Chien Andalou</i> (1929) and <i>L'Âge d'or</i> (1930)</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, collaborations between artist Salvador Dalí and director Luis Buñuel; the first film in Jean Cocteau's famous Surrealist Orphic trilogy, </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/shortprogdetail.aspx?spId=1586&GrpId=0"><i>The Blood of a Poet</i> from 1931 and the 1931 Jean Vigo short <i>Taris, roi de l'eau</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">; </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/shortprogdetail.aspx?spId=1588&GrpId=0">a trio of short films</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> including two from Germaine Dulac—</span><i style="font-family: georgia;">La Coquille et le clergyman</i><span style="font-family:georgia;"> (1927) and </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Thèmes et variations</i>—and one from Henri Storck, <i style="font-family: georgia;">Pour vos beaux yeux</i><span style="font-family:georgia;"> from 1928. The Surrealist theme continues in June with the classic 1924 Dada short </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/shortprogdetail.aspx?spId=1585&GrpId=0"><i>Entr'acte</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, directed by René Clair, as well as a free screening of </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/shortprogdetail.aspx?spId=1602&GrpId=0">several short films by Man Ray (and one from Marcel Duchamp)</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> spanning from 1923 to 1929.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The Cinematheque programme </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/programme.aspx?programmeId=261">Fallen Angels: The Films of Otto Preminger</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, running from May 29 to July 2, focuses on classical Hollywood films by the great American director. Several of Preminger's films feature starlet Gene Tierney: the 1944 film noir </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1525&GrpId=0"><i>Laura</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1530&GrpId=0"><i>Whirlpool</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> from 1950, and </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1531&GrpId=0"><i>Where the Sidewalk Ends</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> from 1950. Among many other films, the programme also includes the 1939 mystery crime drama </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1527&GrpId=0"><i>Anatomy of a Murder</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, starring James Stewart and Lee Remick.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">A special event programme to catch is </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/programme.aspx?programmeId=259">Nouvelle Vague: The French New Wave, Then and Now</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, running from July 3 to August 22. The best of these include Jean-Luc Godard's most accessible cerebral film, </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1488&GrpId=0"><i>Breathless</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> from 1959, as well as two great films from François Truffaut—the bohemian romance-drama </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1491&GrpId=0"><i>Jules et Jim</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> from 1961 and </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1501&GrpId=0"><i>The 400 Blows</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> from 1959.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Films to see in <span style="font-weight:bold;">May </span>include Alfred Hitchcock's psychoanalytical thriller from 1945 </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1570&GrpId=0"><i>Spellbound</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, starring Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck, as well as Sergei Eisenstein's monumental propaganda film from 1925— featuring intellectual montage techniques—</span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/shortprogdetail.aspx?spId=1623&GrpId=0"><i>Battleship Potemkin</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">. In </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >June</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">, don't miss Michelangelo Antonioni's 1966 thriller </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1542&GrpId=0"><i>Blow Up</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, set in swinging '60s London. In </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">July</b><span style="font-family:georgia;">, check out the 1953 slapstick comedy from Jacques Tati, </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1552&GrpId=0">Les Vacances de M. Hulot</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, part of the programme </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/programme.aspx?programmeId=263">Scatterbrained Angel: The Films of Jacques Tati</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, running from July 31 to August 11. Also make sure to see the Italian neo-realist classics </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1569&GrpId=0"><i>Bicycle Thieves</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> directed in 1948 by Vittorio de Sica, </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1472&GrpId=0"><i>Rome Open City</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> directed in 1945 by Roberto Rosselini, and </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/filmdetail.aspx?filmId=1473&GrpId=0"><i>La Strada</i></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> directed in 1954 by Federico Fellini. The latter two of these films are part of the special event programme </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/programme.aspx?programmeId=258">Signore and Signore: Leading Ladies of the Italian Cinema</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, running from July 10 to August 21.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">For more information, check out </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://cinemathequeontario.ca/calendar.aspx">Cinematheque Ontario's complete schedule of film screenings</a> as well as <a style="font-family: georgia;" href="https://maxtix.tiffg.ca/max/10.52.64.42-6000/maxweb.exe">the list of ticket prices</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">. Unfortunately, according to </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.cinemathequeontario.ca/generalpolicies.aspx">Cinematheque's General Policies</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, it looks like as of April 5, 2009, you will no longer be able to use a Cinematheque ticket stub to gain free admission to the AGO.</span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-46651218722804341782009-05-10T21:11:00.001-04:002009-05-11T09:59:32.242-04:00Viktor & Rolf Design Costumes for Opera<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO25X5IFxL9ywYt7LJN81PYEEIU3XdW2HAVnTzGaMmFH6r3tLmwXahK-PeqRDy8Ix1oXXyFXhZfWZrMnVB_K1nTE1kYuclgpOaQnHa8KUSg7TOgjftK9WhxPOFb4UtcCK0lNvhyphenhyphen8GWdL9/s1600-h/ViktorRolfOpera_V_28Apr09_PR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO25X5IFxL9ywYt7LJN81PYEEIU3XdW2HAVnTzGaMmFH6r3tLmwXahK-PeqRDy8Ix1oXXyFXhZfWZrMnVB_K1nTE1kYuclgpOaQnHa8KUSg7TOgjftK9WhxPOFb4UtcCK0lNvhyphenhyphen8GWdL9/s400/ViktorRolfOpera_V_28Apr09_PR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331282989086131858" /></a><br />Avant-garde Dutch fashion designers <a href="http://www.viktor-rolf.com">Viktor & Rolf</a>—who have a gorgeous new interactive website complete with enchanting musical score—have created costumes for Robert Wilson's adaptation of the romantic opera <i>Der Freischütz (The Freeshooter)</i> by Carl Maria von Weber. The project is a natural extension of Viktor & Rolf's penchant for the surreal, the outrageous and the dramatic, as well as their runway shows staged as spectacles or performance art productions. The duo used almost one million Crystallized™ Swarovski elements to create the garments. This marks their second costume collaboration with Wilson—in November 2004 they created looks for <span style="font-style:italic;">2 Lips and Dancers and Space</span> for the Netherlands Dance Theatre. <br /><br />According to <a href="http://http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/090429-viktor--rolf-design-opera-costumes.aspx">Vogue.co.uk</a>, the wardrobes for the soloists of <i>Der Freischütz</i> will take the form of "3D constructions in bright saturated hues and words emblazoned across the front of panels and shoulders, while the choir will adopt traditional German inspired costume - think dirndls and lederhosen." The image above left is Viktor & Rolf's whimsical floral design—"she will be a huge singing bouquet of flowers"—for the character Agatha, played by Juliane Banse.<br /><br />The opera premieres at the Festspeilhaus Baden-Baden in Germany on May 30, 2009. For more images of the stunning costume collaboration as well as a Q&A with the designers, see the post from <a href="http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/high-note-viktor-and-rolf-at-the-opera/">The New York Times' Blog The Moment</a>.Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-3734196193309318962009-05-04T20:06:00.000-04:002009-05-04T20:10:48.485-04:00Musical on the Life of Yves Saint Laurent in the WorksAccording to <a href="http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/marciano-for-governor-viktor-and-rolf-team-with-robert-wilson-2098404#/article/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/marciano-for-governor-viktor-and-rolf-team-with-robert-wilson-2098404?page=4">Women's Wear Daily</a>, French singer Alain Chamfort and songwriter Pierre-Dominique Burgaud are working on creating a musical based on the life of Yves Saint Laurent. The stage production will chronicle the late couturier's rise to fashion icon, beginning with his early days designing at Christian Dior. On the songs, Saint Laurent's partner Pierre Bergé commented, "They are very good. They are moving."<br /><br />Yves Saint Laurent passed away from brain cancer at the age of 71 in June 2008.Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-55537907370464381442009-05-03T11:43:00.002-04:002009-05-03T11:54:50.577-04:00dZihan & Kamien Release Third Studio Album "Music Matters"<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdXIxcNe4K2Mez_mpmnMU1kNnfwI1XpSjX84kxcYGBGl42a_VKybVC3vojYN2SdkufidpmRb_nRU_ljYnRA2tFaxdJkolnQXIKGrYBdavp9gIvJuLKdTAYZXtQEg95g8cCm74cAwBFPuS/s1600-h/music+matters.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdXIxcNe4K2Mez_mpmnMU1kNnfwI1XpSjX84kxcYGBGl42a_VKybVC3vojYN2SdkufidpmRb_nRU_ljYnRA2tFaxdJkolnQXIKGrYBdavp9gIvJuLKdTAYZXtQEg95g8cCm74cAwBFPuS/s200/music+matters.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331624549759131522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">Austrian downtempo house and acid jazz music duo dZihan & Kamien released their third studio album "Music Matters" on Couch Records late last month in Europe. They have begun to once again challenge their musical sensibilities, exploring melodies and songs in a new, more organic way. They have also enlisted the Icelandic singer, songwriter and trombone-player </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.helgijonsson.com/">Helgi Jonsson</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> to lend vocals to the recordings. On their website—</span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.dzihankamien.com/">www.dzihankamien.com</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">—the pair explains that the recordings were made in a "vintage" way, quite opposed to how they approached their previous outings, "Freaks and Icons" and "Gran Riserva". Intentionally avoiding their usual reliance on electronic techniques of sampling, cutting and editing, on "Music Matters" they perform and play almost all instruments themselves. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Music Matters" is very eclectic overall and the tempo ranges greatly across songs, from high energy dance or electro tracks to mid-tempo pop songs to slow guitar or piano laden ballads. There is a hint of the duo's usual penchant for jazz, house and dance styles on songs like "Busted", but the album heavily incorporates elements of alternative rock and pop in tunes like "Take a Minute", "The Time" and "Summer Fever", aspects of folk in songs like "I Wish", and edgier electro pop in other tracks like "Bazooka" and "My Music". Although it is clear they are exploring a new musical direction here, dZihan & Kamien's own signature style is imprinted indelibly on the songs and their traditional emphasis on melody shines through.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">No word yet on a North American album release or tour—hopefully we can expect both soon! Visit the </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.dzihankamien.com/">dZihan & Kamien website</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> to listen to full streaming samples of "Music Matters" and other albums.</span></span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-2947836286335795642009-05-02T11:24:00.004-04:002009-05-02T11:41:12.862-04:00Maison Martin Margiela Launches Houseware Line<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRSW_BSbQfqr9IdoN3gxKfjqgZ94dMbGu4U3v9Pn-BGq8rgbmg-IGaqwH9HHrYWE8tCMRMdkox4CoYPZVaJeaZqpFghCtxkcq4FlZ9Z-0Lp33yGVpzvbmf1L1T3X_tgB1j73kc2_fyepp/s1600-h/untitled.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRSW_BSbQfqr9IdoN3gxKfjqgZ94dMbGu4U3v9Pn-BGq8rgbmg-IGaqwH9HHrYWE8tCMRMdkox4CoYPZVaJeaZqpFghCtxkcq4FlZ9Z-0Lp33yGVpzvbmf1L1T3X_tgB1j73kc2_fyepp/s400/untitled.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331251851640357506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">According to </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/maison-margiela-launches-home-line-2110311?src=nl/mornReport/20090422">Women's Wear Daily</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">, last week Maison Martin Margiela unveiled its new furniture and home decor prototypes at the international furniture and design fair Salone del Mobile in Milan. Some of the new items on display include trompe l'oeil wallpaper, bookshelves, lamps, carpets and wool rugs. Completion of the project is still ongoing and will either take the form of objects and furniture designed in a self-produced line or in the creation of one-off partnerships. Maison Margiela will moreover accept commissions from individuals, may become involved in public interior design and architecture, and could collaborate with hotels and restaurants.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">According to the brand's chief executive officer Giovanni Pungetti, "Margiela has always produced objects to complement the stores, but it used to be more about style than business. We thought the Salone would be a good opportunity to introduce the new direction in which the Maison is expanding. There are no limits. This installation is a visual stimulus, from fashion to lifestyle and atmosphere."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">The home decor collection will be put into production and sold in Maison Margiela stores or showrooms next year. In the designer's inimitable avant-garde and tongue-in-cheek style, recycled bottles will become lamps, a chair can turn into a swing, and a calendar is constructed of white cotton sheets, which can be used as napkins.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">View a slideshow of images from the Milan furniture fair at </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/maison-margiela-launches-home-line-2110311?src=nl/mornReport/20090422#/slideshow/article/2110311/2110527">Women's Wear Daily</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span></span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-8018218587442378622009-04-26T20:51:00.004-04:002009-05-02T11:33:47.957-04:00Vivienne Tam Teams Up With HP On New Laptop<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFFOAJEvnxSM21UBZPBErZi6PMKuCBsDMIBEwFhEZ34u_Wh4_linN2cpUjz9oWRM64EAIMWmiLo6hE6eWzVmD2fF4FxnuRMInQwfr2t6IA9rPjksYp2ki6XUqr2f7v1uQEWMS308SYyZe/s1600-h/08fashionistahead.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFFOAJEvnxSM21UBZPBErZi6PMKuCBsDMIBEwFhEZ34u_Wh4_linN2cpUjz9oWRM64EAIMWmiLo6hE6eWzVmD2fF4FxnuRMInQwfr2t6IA9rPjksYp2ki6XUqr2f7v1uQEWMS308SYyZe/s400/08fashionistahead.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329161144630518034" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.hp.com/">HP</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> and New York City-based fashion designer </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.viviennetam.com/">Vivienne Tam</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> have partnered to create a new laptop—</span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/feature_stories/2008/08fashionista.html">the HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">—which was released in January. </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2008/080909xa.html">In a press release from HP,</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> this stylish piece of technology—designed specially for the modern woman on the go—is described as "the world's first 'digital clutch'". This collaboration represents the first time a computer company has teamed up with a celebrated fashion designer. With Tam's design on the exterior and HP's hardware on the inside, the laptop encompasses both the portability of a mini computer and the appearance of a fashion accessory.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">The top of the HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook features purple and pink peony flowers on a deep red background. The design is carried over inside the laptop, underneath the keypad. An embroidered storage sleeve was also created to complement the computer, protecting it while it is being carried as a clutch. Tam's design—inspired by her signature "China Chic" style—blends Asian and Western cultures, antiquity and modernity, technology and fashion. The designer's goal was to come up with a design scheme that would evoke the feeling of peace and tranquility of a garden. The peony is a symbol of prosperity, good fortune and happiness in Chinese culture. Tam also chose the peony because of its beauty and the fact that it has many layers of unfolding blossoms, paralleling the multiple layers of a woman's life. Her concept is further represented by the Chinese symbol for double happiness, which is imprinted upon the enter key on the laptop's keyboard. Now that's attention to detail!</span><br /><br /></span><center style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxefxAJWTzg6yekid97g2zvwXq9KgMCq4t9Mt3VvkazjS_Y__Xqt_NnSinJIbCulI667v2l6W3tWH7Wgi2BCLwluLW2RNLTxP8R9-6puy0Pqd1WEfjvw3gQVIEFo3raJy04_yBCx-DABw/s1600-h/08fashionista-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 61px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxefxAJWTzg6yekid97g2zvwXq9KgMCq4t9Mt3VvkazjS_Y__Xqt_NnSinJIbCulI667v2l6W3tWH7Wgi2BCLwluLW2RNLTxP8R9-6puy0Pqd1WEfjvw3gQVIEFo3raJy04_yBCx-DABw/s400/08fashionista-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329163053310465874" border="0" /></a></span></center><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">To promote the new product, in September HP partnered with <a href="http://www.glam.com">Glam.com</a> to launch a fully integrated virtual experience to inspire fashionable women around the world to discover design inspiration online. The interactive campaign—available at </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.tech-chic.com/">www.tech-chic.com</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">—includes a virtual catwalk, a designer tour hosted by Tam, and a "design bot" gadget that encourages users to adorn their own computers with wallpaper, icons and a screensaver, all designed by Tam.</span></span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-45791548048917221202009-04-24T11:45:00.002-04:002009-04-24T11:46:59.513-04:00Róisín Murphy at the V&A Opening of 'Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones'Once again my love for fantastic music and fashion have collided with the Victoria and Albert Museum's recent exhibit "Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones"—<a href="http://www.vam.ac.uk/microsites/hats-anthology/video.html">the V&A website features videos</a> of various personages at the event including the one and only Róisín Murphy. I'm a big fan of her music (both solo and with the now-defunct Moloko) as well as her eccentric sense of style—you'll remember <a href="http://aucourantblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/roisin-murphy-covers-roxy-musics-slave.html">I wrote about her cover of Bryan Ferry's "Slave To Love" and the costumes in her live show</a> last month. Unfortunately she is not wearing a hat in her appearance, but does claim she made an effort to create a sense of one with her hair.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3712956&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3712956&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />And of course it wouldn't be a fabulous hat-themed event without an appearance by famed milliner Philip Treacy.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3713071&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3713071&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Róisín asks a good question: "Why do people not wear more hats? It finishes an outfit off." Hats aren't as widely worn today as they were in the 1950s and before—if you watch old movies as much as I do, especially those from the Classical Hollywood era of the late 1920s to the late 1950s, you'll notice men are rarely seen without a topper and women frequently don a variety of fantastic hats. The covering of ones head was a proper sartorial rule back then. And who doesn't have a strange love of ladies' miniature hats, placed at a jaunty angle, from the late 1930s and early '40s? See the 1940 film "His Girl Friday" for a fantastic one worn by Rosalind Russell.<br /><br />Whether for fashion or protection from the elements, hats are making a definite comeback, for both men and women. I myself own quite a few in a variety of fabrics to suit every season. This summer I'll be wearing a wide brimmed tan and gold straw sunhat and a beige straw fedora, both by <a href="http://www.joe.ca/">Joe Fresh Style</a>. I only wish someone could do something to solve the oft-lamented problem of hat-hair...Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-70805848941397709322009-04-22T16:33:00.002-04:002009-04-22T16:35:51.466-04:00Banana Republic Canada (Not So) Secret SaleBanana Republic sent around a coupon early this morning for a three-day-only secret sale. Although the ad specifies it is for their "best customers only," it can surely be used by just about anyone! Since I love sharing a great deal, be sure to print out the coupon below to receive 30% off your entire instore purchase (including sale items) at any of Banana Republic's Canadian locations from April 24 to 26, 2009.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyev75mKfZbPxAjFw5r2uwmVBOnjw6Jp3UX4z5S2d4PZiH5vIfr01k4AesaPwSNEtMlsvCxJbD24FxHqERbCLCh4xQVBmgJEaeajA0uYWdsNMYO_1zVIYladf4GrC9HrP_nhzu_EUgIGHf/s1600-h/untitled.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyev75mKfZbPxAjFw5r2uwmVBOnjw6Jp3UX4z5S2d4PZiH5vIfr01k4AesaPwSNEtMlsvCxJbD24FxHqERbCLCh4xQVBmgJEaeajA0uYWdsNMYO_1zVIYladf4GrC9HrP_nhzu_EUgIGHf/s400/untitled.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327616829809652114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><u>The fine print</u><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*Offer valid April 24 - 26, 2009 at Banana Republic Stores in Canada only. Not valid online or at Banana Republic Factory Stores. Qualifying amount applies to merchandise only, not value of Giftcards purchased, alterations, applicable taxes, or shipping and handling charges. No adjustments on previous purchases. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts, including Gap Inc. employee discount. Reproductions or photocopies will not be accepted. Gap Inc. is not responsible for lost or stolen offer.</span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-19069201173410772252009-04-19T20:18:00.004-04:002009-04-19T20:38:46.104-04:00Lisa's Cosmetics & Fragrances Warehouse Sale<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">The spring warehouse sale for Lisa's Cosmetics/Fragrances Inc. is only a couple of weeks away. I go to this sale every so often when I need to replenish my perfume supply—the savings are just amazing: up to 80% off!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">There you'll find make-up and skin products from Elizabeth Arden, Smashbox and Red Earth Cosmetics. There's also health and beauty products from Neutrogena, Aveeno, Dove, Pantene, L'Oreal, Sunsilk, Johnson & Johnson, Olay and Jergens. As for fragrances, there are too many designers to name here, but to give you an idea of what they stock: Armani, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Escada, Givenchy, Guerlain, Lancome, Oscar de la Renta, Yves St. Laurent and so many more. My personal favourite is L'Eau d'Issey by Issey Miyake. All designer items are authentic (though watch out for the obvious lower end imitations that they sometimes sell) and they even have great gift sets.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The Lisa's Cosmetics sale is taking place at 1380 Rodick Road in Markham, Ontario from May 2 to 5, 8 to 9 and 15 to 18. Hours: Saturday 9:00am to 6:00pm; Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm; Monday, Tuesday and Friday 10:00am to 8:00pm. Cash, credit (MasterCard & VISA) and Interac accepted.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">For more information, check out </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://lisascosmetics.com/">lisascosmetics.com</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">.</span><br /><br /></span><center style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1380+Rodick+Road+markham+ontario&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=31.500974,92.548828&ie=UTF8&ll=43.865599,-79.344206&spn=0.008572,0.022595&z=14&output=embed" scrolling="no" width="425" frameborder="0" height="350"></iframe><br /><a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=1380+Rodick+Road+markham+ontario&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=31.500974,92.548828&ie=UTF8&ll=43.865599,-79.344206&spn=0.008572,0.022595&z=14" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></span></center>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-29631198557982767612009-04-13T18:04:00.006-04:002009-04-14T22:31:18.542-04:002009 CONTACT Toronto Photography Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnnV62M3cLmzJp5JyMswnBPZK_nXJA8I9Py31sINCMTe46beQZllVFx0cbrgIX1F1gmpSQCHK6NnWR5G7_PY_CjYH_5pow-9VjfRGGiAhh48BHJhtsLOGMx-fy1IVJqn-rC0hMsUQ7GVG/s1600-h/contact_logo.jpg.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 34px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnnV62M3cLmzJp5JyMswnBPZK_nXJA8I9Py31sINCMTe46beQZllVFx0cbrgIX1F1gmpSQCHK6NnWR5G7_PY_CjYH_5pow-9VjfRGGiAhh48BHJhtsLOGMx-fy1IVJqn-rC0hMsUQ7GVG/s400/contact_logo.jpg.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324304718702310530" /></a><br />The website for the 2009 CONTACT Toronto Photography Festival—taking place throughout the month of May—is now live: <a href="http://www.contactphoto.com/">www.contactphoto.com</a>. This year's theme is STILL REVOLUTION. According to the festival website, "CONTACT 2009 examines how each significant innovation in photography’s evolution has radically altered the creation and consumption of images, irrevocably changing the history of visual representation."<br /><br />CONTACT features a variety of photography shows—<a href="http://www.contactphoto.com/featureexhibitions.php">featured exhibitions</a> and <a href="http://www.contactphoto.com/exhibitions.php">open exhibitions</a>—at a number of venues, including the Stephen Bulger Gallery, the Drake Hotel, the Nicholas Metivier Gallery, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Gladstone Hotel and many others. It also encompasses <a href="http://www.contactphoto.com/installations.php">public installations</a> at places like Harbourfront Centre, Toronto Pearson International Airport, the Royal Ontario Museum, and various TTC Subway Stations. Moreover the festival is hosting film screenings on Saturday afternoon and <a href="http://www.contactphoto.com/films.php">films on photography</a> are being aired by TVO, including documentaries on Edward Burtynsky ("Manufactured Landscapes"), Annie Leibovitz ("Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens") and Helmut Newton ("Stars by Helmut Newton"). There are also series of <a href="http://www.contactphoto.com/lectures.php">lectures</a>, <a href="http://www.contactphoto.com/magnum.php">a photography workshop</a>, and <a href="http://www.contactphoto.com/events.php">other events</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.contactphoto.com/view.php?sec=programs&eventid=1622">The launch party</a> and opening of the festival's primary exhibition is being held from 7:00pm to 10:00pm on Friday, May 1 at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA), 952 Queen Street West.Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-42852703202327855202009-04-13T17:24:00.004-04:002009-04-13T17:49:53.892-04:00The 2009 Toronto Jewish Film Festival Launches This Weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekCipNYCKhmZWGqBOaZWvYxZtBx_jjQQNPp546fqv7wDmLHIUoFy6W7SqBdScQYR7hyoC9kQQRICHSHPkAnIqWEKrpfDVfzFto4PCbV6tDLa2wbTG6uIcu1SWCaAiQ-A_MDvqJxP4vwPj/s1600-h/untitled.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 365px; height: 61px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekCipNYCKhmZWGqBOaZWvYxZtBx_jjQQNPp546fqv7wDmLHIUoFy6W7SqBdScQYR7hyoC9kQQRICHSHPkAnIqWEKrpfDVfzFto4PCbV6tDLa2wbTG6uIcu1SWCaAiQ-A_MDvqJxP4vwPj/s400/untitled.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324292887264471554" /></a><br />The <a href="http://www.tjff.com/index.php">Toronto Jewish Film Festival</a> launches its 17th edition this weekend, running from April 18 to 26, 2009. A full schedule of screenings and events as well as ticket information is available on the festival website: <a href="http://www.tjff.com/index.php">tjiff.com</a>. There is a wide variety of films being screened, from documentaries like the two-part "Being Jewish in France (Comme un Juif en France)" to comedies including "Bart Got a Room" featuring William H. Macy, and dramas such as the Hungarian and Romanian co-production "Gruber's Journey". There are even some Classical Hollywood musicals—"Bells Are Ringing," starring Judy Holliday and Dean Martin, and "The Band Wagon," featuring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, both directed by Vincente Minelli. <br /><br />On the festival website, <a href="http://www.tjff.com/index.php?pid=55">Executive Director Helen Zukerman explains</a> that due to economic concerns, they have tried to make the festival affordable and accessible by keeping prices in line, offering some free programmes, and expanding its reach into Richmond Hill with two screenings. Chair Aviva Zukerman Schure also describes the festival's initiative FilmMatters, a Trillium-supported project that seeks to attract students of all denominations to free screenings throughout the year and at the festival. These films address contemporary issues arising from the multicultural nature of the city, including topics of diversity, stereotyping and racism.Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-55702408353763229772009-04-13T16:56:00.003-04:002009-04-13T17:19:33.910-04:00Brian Eno Creates Generative Music App for iPhone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0e4VvFRlOVd4sb4lmNwpQ8M68uoZ-OFrteDERGLGbkt-19_9oFrfvmEOda5gRQFEhToVZ8weNgAFukfqJl1I_Fx8p1HrNSmhNjsUNLywHCeflBnLj5nTxz2zs2fLwzNuyQ2NQQcrJKeh/s1600-h/appicon.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 84px; height: 85px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0e4VvFRlOVd4sb4lmNwpQ8M68uoZ-OFrteDERGLGbkt-19_9oFrfvmEOda5gRQFEhToVZ8weNgAFukfqJl1I_Fx8p1HrNSmhNjsUNLywHCeflBnLj5nTxz2zs2fLwzNuyQ2NQQcrJKeh/s400/appicon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324288588847448290" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Former Roxy Music member and ambient music pioneer </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.enoshop.co.uk/">Brian Eno</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> has collaborated with musician and software designer </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.peterchilvers.com/">Peter Chilvers</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> to create a generative music application called Bloom for the iPhone and iPod touch. It was released in October and is available through iTunes. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://generativemusic.com">The Bloom website</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> describes it as "part instrument, part composition and part artwork," as the application allows the user to create intricate patterns and unique melodies. When idle, a generative music player activates, producing an infinite number of compositions and corresponding visualisations. <br /><br />According to Eno, "Bloom is an endless music machine, a music box for the 21st century. You can play it, and you can watch it play itself."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">View a demonstration from an iPhone user below via YouTube.</span><br /><br /><object style="font-family: georgia;" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CXLKR3HFA4s&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CXLKR3HFA4s&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-19844656201088849492009-04-12T17:10:00.005-04:002009-04-12T17:20:26.053-04:00NYU Student Creates Social Art Experiment Featuring Cute Robot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcG4uhApfCBS384-LZlkVCjyTrjHLagTmonKK-ClFx1sP0iEAiviicDkwRm8iwLXCeA7bOK-lv37Qr5tfD8PVuB8xfx9LLqJfgvoCxEIs7v3jDZGi05pzaa1T6tSkOrLcYw3j99iiLq6TL/s1600-h/untitled.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcG4uhApfCBS384-LZlkVCjyTrjHLagTmonKK-ClFx1sP0iEAiviicDkwRm8iwLXCeA7bOK-lv37Qr5tfD8PVuB8xfx9LLqJfgvoCxEIs7v3jDZGi05pzaa1T6tSkOrLcYw3j99iiLq6TL/s200/untitled.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323917851098948354" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://i.gizmodo.com/5208357/nyu-student-conducts-most-adorable-robot-experiment-ever">Gizmodo, the Gadget Blog,</a> reported yesterday on an art experiment conducted by an NYU student involving an adorable little cardboard-covered, smiley-faced robot. Starting in the Northeast Corner of Washington Square Park, the "tweenbot" has its intended destination—the Southwest corner of the park—displayed on a flag. Since it is only able to move forward in a straight line—it cannot move sideways, backwards or turn around—the robot is dependent on the kindness of strangers to help it around obstacles and direct it so that it may reach its goal.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >The project explores social interactions and connections as well as human relationships to public spaces and things encountered within them. </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >On her website <a href="http://www.tweenbots.com/">www.tweenbots.com</a>, Kacie Kinzer—The Tisch School of the Arts student who created the art experiment—explains her concept and motivation: "In New York, we are very occupied with getting from one place to another. I wondered: could a human-like object traverse sidewalks and streets along with us, and in so doing, create a narrative about our relationship to space and our willingness to interact with what we find in it? More importantly, how could our actions be seen within a larger context of human connection that emerges from the complexity of the city itself? To answer these questions, I built robots."<br /><br />The robot was able to complete its journey in 42 minutes, thanks to a total of 29 pedestrians who intervened to help the bot along the way—when it became stuck in a crevice or pothole or trapped against a curb—and aim it in the right direction.<br /><br />As for Kinzer's reactions to the results of her experiment: "The Tweenbot’s unexpected presence in the city created an unfolding narrative that spoke not simply to the vastness of city space and to the journey of a human-assisted robot, but also to the power of a simple technological object to create a complex network powered by human intelligence and asynchronous interactions. But of more interest to me was the fact that this ad-hoc crowdsourcing was driven primarily by human empathy for an anthropomorphized object... a creature that mirrors human characteristics of vulnerability, of being lost.. As each encounter with a helpful pedestrian takes the robot one step closer to attaining it's destination, the significance of our random discoveries and individual actions accumulates into a story about a vast space made small by an even smaller robot."<br /><br /></span><embed style="font-family: georgia;" src="http://blip.tv/play/AejAL5OoUw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="390"></embed>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-15260234571686507932009-04-11T16:51:00.005-04:002009-04-12T14:43:28.245-04:00From The Journeys of Röyksopp<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://aucourantblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/new-royksopp-album.html">As mentioned in a previous post</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, </span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Norwegian electronic music duo <a href="http://royksopp.com/">Röyksopp</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> released a new album recently entitled "Junior" along with first single "Happy Up Here." The second single "The Girl and the Robot," featuring Swedish pop singer Robyn, will be released May 25. Now on their website (and embedded below) you can view a quirky promotional video featuring clips from the album and an interview with the duo—Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge—directed by Andreas Nilsson entitled "<a href="http://royksopp.com/the-journeys-of-royksopp">From The Journeys of Röyksopp</a>." The video is accompanied by the caption:</span><br /><br /><i style="font-family: georgia;">A friend of mine, a wise man from Sweden, once said to me:<br />“Sometimes 1+1=3. Or 12. Or perhaps not even a number.<br />Sometimes 1+1 could equal a horse.”<br />Even more confused?<br />Then check this out…</i><br /><br /><object style="font-family: georgia;" width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3764833&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3764833&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">At the very end of the video is a special (and surprisingly catchy) marching band version of "Happy Up Here"!</span><br /><br /><object style="font-family: georgia;" width="400" height="230"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3832662&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3832662&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="230"></embed></object></span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-87613339417088691622009-04-11T15:55:00.006-04:002009-04-13T10:39:02.603-04:00TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival Line-Up Announced<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsFzvJHwiE46a6sh2aBKCilOAJqqg7viQsCNW26e0R_By8ak8hRxmH035GKXyY5KZtHLVXiXcErEPtB0PCRr31k4jKoKkzLozw7Efs_N-W3z-BCkbKQZEcX12HaFDbxdYNpeJdcZMk9SV/s1600-h/picture-15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsFzvJHwiE46a6sh2aBKCilOAJqqg7viQsCNW26e0R_By8ak8hRxmH035GKXyY5KZtHLVXiXcErEPtB0PCRr31k4jKoKkzLozw7Efs_N-W3z-BCkbKQZEcX12HaFDbxdYNpeJdcZMk9SV/s400/picture-15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323536316929112642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">The TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival has made available a schedule of concerts and ticket information for this year's events on its website </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://tojazz.com/Pages/Toronto_Downtown_Jazz_Festival_pgM217.asp">tojazz.com</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">. The 23rd edition of the festival will take place this summer, running from June 26 to July 5, 2009. Featured artists include jazz greats Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny and Branford Marsalis, avant-garde group Medeski, Martin & Wood, jazz-influenced pop-rock group The Sea and Cake, legendary crooner Tony Bennett and many, many more at various venues around the city including the Canon Theatre, the Four Seasons Centre, Nathan Phillips Square, the Opera House, the Danforth Music Hall, The Supermarket, The Pilot and Harbourfront Centre.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.thestar.com/article/614118">According to the Toronto Star</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, the announcement of the festival lineup comes about two weeks earlier than usual in consideration of the impact of a weak economy on the entertainment funds of consumers. As Executive Producer Pat Taylor, explained, "We need a longer lead time to sell tickets." While last week's news conference revealed many acts, the full schedule of opening acts, club listings and possibly another major headliner or two will be finalized before the program is officially printed in early May.</span><br /><em style="font-family: georgia;"></em></span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-58922987376150954732009-04-06T21:04:00.005-04:002009-04-06T21:24:39.777-04:00Sun Life Financial & The Toronto Public Library Team Up For The Museum and Arts Pass<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48Qkq8wbHhOX4gc_VND1L3tQffeRq791ywUQqMEE6daqevqLh_spFgoHtyVqHvQJsMVFTJMSRGWf0O1IS8RhagJyZyImpfQV91_45q_WQERZdS0vQxwabsN7Fa2GnuM7fsggK0fSu-DQC/s1600-h/map_web_banner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48Qkq8wbHhOX4gc_VND1L3tQffeRq791ywUQqMEE6daqevqLh_spFgoHtyVqHvQJsMVFTJMSRGWf0O1IS8RhagJyZyImpfQV91_45q_WQERZdS0vQxwabsN7Fa2GnuM7fsggK0fSu-DQC/s400/map_web_banner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321753886346692242" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.strategymag.com/articles/magazine/20090401/upfrontsunlife.html">Strategy Magazine</a> recently announced the March 7 launch of the <a href="http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/spe_ser_museum_arts_pass.jsp">Museum and Arts Pass (MAP)</a></span> expansion. Sponsored by <span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.sunlife.com/">Sun Life Financial</a> as part of the company's Making the Arts More Accessible program, the extension is geared toward improving community access to culture and the arts in a time when the recession has eaten into many a pocketbook.<br /><br />The MAP program—which originated in July 2007—provides free passes to a host of Toronto's major cultural institutions. Now available at all 99 library locations, a MAP can be borrowed from a Toronto Public Library branch using a valid adult Toronto library card much like a book and used to gain entry for one family into places like the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Casa Loma, the Museum of Inuit Art, the Bata Shoe Museum and the Ontario Science Centre, among many others.<br /><br />Linda Hazzan, director of marketing and communications at the Toronto Public Library, explains: "We circulated over 21,000 passes in 2008," due to increased demand as well as the library's focus on "free universal access to culture."</span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-45848327583636871702009-04-05T22:55:00.005-04:002009-04-05T23:11:20.066-04:00Joe Fresh Mobile Beauty Box Tour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQb-qSl0zDG-5F2DI1pd7RimNf-AS1usiN4EjpOnTrdTcYb1sKHh_Hcg6E_CP_9YbqVLOZMcg_lsQaduSDHliYbZ8cQM6axBLjKqE5ra1lcdlY1YNBOkOWOrY3OAFKWjWV4tb-U3jkEAJ/s1600-h/n80275912312_1108.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQb-qSl0zDG-5F2DI1pd7RimNf-AS1usiN4EjpOnTrdTcYb1sKHh_Hcg6E_CP_9YbqVLOZMcg_lsQaduSDHliYbZ8cQM6axBLjKqE5ra1lcdlY1YNBOkOWOrY3OAFKWjWV4tb-U3jkEAJ/s400/n80275912312_1108.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321410462396778290" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I previously announced the launch of </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.joe.ca/">Joe Fresh Style</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">'s </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://aucourantblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/joe-fresh-launches-cosmetic-line_11.html">make-up line</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> and </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://aucourantblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/now-online-joe-fresh-spring-2009.html">its new website</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> here. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now to promote the new cosmetics collection, </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.joe.ca/en/beauty/">Joe Fresh Beauty</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> is taking to Canada's streets with their Mobile Beauty Box Tour. Visiting major cities across the country, the portable cosmetics studio will have two make-up artists on hand offering free makeovers and with them, a complimentary $5 Joe Fresh Beauty Gift Card that you can use against your next purchase from the make-up collection carried at </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.superstore.ca/">Loblaws Superstores</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Joe Fresh Beauty has been using social networking to generate buzz—Joe Fresh Style has been advertising via <a href="http://twitter.com/JoeFreshStyle">Twitter</a> and the company also created event pages on Facebook to invite consumers to sign up and attend. In the Greater Toronto Area, the Mobile Beauty Team will be hitting </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?sid=7149da1fe0ee5e8e4f2c1180a31bf8e4&eid=68677643058&ref=search">Yonge and Dundas Square on April 30</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">, </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?sid=7149da1fe0ee5e8e4f2c1180a31bf8e4&eid=67722734810&ref=search">The St. Lawrence Market area on May 1</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">, </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?sid=7149da1fe0ee5e8e4f2c1180a31bf8e4&eid=63099814699&ref=search">Queen Street West at Soho Street on May 2</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">, and </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?sid=7149da1fe0ee5e8e4f2c1180a31bf8e4&eid=63688111242&ref=search">Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre on May 3</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">For events around British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, check out </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.facebook.com/s.php?k=100000004&id=58059542579&gr=5&act=future&sid=7149da1fe0ee5e8e4f2c1180a31bf8e4">the Joe Fresh Mobile Beauty Box Facebook events listings.</a></span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-73263054886818445792009-04-04T23:11:00.004-04:002009-04-04T23:27:37.571-04:00Opera For A New Age<span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIWzrSa6hi9OZ7A-OLZQuGwlWOTtjCCsPXAS9fVMCtD5VRiS3srXl-39TQAfeFu7tCRIZ5-7gFA5trujnm5ozU2VBdeW-GJyxhJwETLP0O3j0tHSCErz3Z2nQmq36hKR3dl9LCoLgqdJM/s1600-h/untitled.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 86px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIWzrSa6hi9OZ7A-OLZQuGwlWOTtjCCsPXAS9fVMCtD5VRiS3srXl-39TQAfeFu7tCRIZ5-7gFA5trujnm5ozU2VBdeW-GJyxhJwETLP0O3j0tHSCErz3Z2nQmq36hKR3dl9LCoLgqdJM/s400/untitled.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321043299221470306" border="0" /></a><br />Since September 2007, Toronto's <a href="http://www.coc.ca/">Canadian Opera Company</a> has been offering a promotion for those between the ages of 16 and 29 through the <a href="http://www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/Under30/OperaforaNewAgeTickets.aspx">Opera for a New Age</a> program presented by TD Bank Financial Group. With valid photo identification, those under 30 years of age can purchase opera tickets for just $20.00! You can purchase online at the <a href="http://www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/Tickets/OperaForANewAgeAvailability.aspx">Canadian Opera Company's website</a> using the promotional code "DEAL", over the phone at (416) 363-8231 (or 1-800-250-4653) or in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts at 145 Queen Street West. <br /><br />Approximately 150 seats are reserved in sections 3D, 4C and 5B for each performance under this price. That sounds like a lot but they sell out fast! Unfortunately there is a limit of two tickets per person per opera, so that complicates group outings slightly, but it's still a great promotion geared to attract a younger generation that may not be as enthusiastic about the opera (not to mention the normally pricey tickets).<br /><br />Opera for a New Age tickets went on sale this morning for the Spring 2009 season, which features three operas: Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra," Puccini's "La Boheme" and Britten's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." I'm hoping to see the latter two operas; Shakespeare is always a good bet and I'm looking forward to seeing the opera that inspired the modern-day adaptation, RENT. </span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-53778336180974075332009-04-03T20:46:00.004-04:002009-04-03T20:59:04.362-04:00Diane Von Furstenberg Designs Eyewear<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugRi7NsEjdZoGfw_1oXumuQ8JWa_eAcNhd8ptE-YK8QYLsYUBFltpHzOOkXmyhCf3gzUVL8Ix1Ak2kijTmJW1Qlj3Lc-l3Nk5a_7GhA52SOGVDLxnFZlR-eiBLA7jOFZ-wUvOrLs9p_Xs/s1600-h/dvf+logo.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugRi7NsEjdZoGfw_1oXumuQ8JWa_eAcNhd8ptE-YK8QYLsYUBFltpHzOOkXmyhCf3gzUVL8Ix1Ak2kijTmJW1Qlj3Lc-l3Nk5a_7GhA52SOGVDLxnFZlR-eiBLA7jOFZ-wUvOrLs9p_Xs/s400/dvf+logo.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320634399015885394" /></a><a href="http://www.wwd.com/markets-news/von-furstenberg-adds-eyewear-2077513?src=nl/mornReport/20090323">According to Women's Wear Daily</a>, fashion designer <a href="http://www.dvf.com">Diane Von Furstenberg</a> is adding eyewear to her sartorial repertoire. She has teamed with Marchon Eyewear to develop and distribute a line of sunglasses and prescription lenses, which will reflect DVF's brand identity of independent spirit and timeless design.<br /><br />On the subject of the collaboration, Al Berg, president and CEO of Marchon, told WWD: <span id="dnn_ctr775_VMContent_lblContent">“Diane von Furstenberg has created classic and confident designs that we look forward to translating into both sun and optical collections. Her ability to make fashion effortless and easy for all women is a coveted position in the fashion industry, and it is a great honor to bring the global brand to our ever expanding group of designers." Diane Von Furstenberg explained, </span><span id="dnn_ctr775_VMContent_lblContent">“Glasses are necessity, protection and glamour. You need a company that knows how to balance the technical with the fashion—no one does this better than Marchon.”<br /><br />The DVF eyewear collection will have its retail launch in January 2010, selling in DVF shops internationally as well as in department stores and select specialty boutiques.</span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-56835933847655435832009-04-02T22:24:00.006-04:002009-04-03T20:46:40.200-04:00Rufus Wainwright's Opera To Get North American Debut at 2010 Luminato<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIClaxukdrR6MyVo7tAfPxaM4xgWsPtuDuxDA-aY0Jg5KXJMwuOkLiw4hRGxtcerJwC67RpU9Ru1KboIgyf5b0Ju3RAedczcpUvbRiQtODGXdq7OaV09C79FXAZcX1uu3Wm3j-pR-aTAd3/s1600-h/539394638_4239b50f70.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIClaxukdrR6MyVo7tAfPxaM4xgWsPtuDuxDA-aY0Jg5KXJMwuOkLiw4hRGxtcerJwC67RpU9Ru1KboIgyf5b0Ju3RAedczcpUvbRiQtODGXdq7OaV09C79FXAZcX1uu3Wm3j-pR-aTAd3/s200/539394638_4239b50f70.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320290332885290434" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090331.AWAINWRIGHT31/EmailTPStory/TPEntertainment">According to the Globe and Mail</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, Canadian singer-songwriter </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.rufuswainwright.com/">Rufus Wainwright</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">'s new opera "Prima Donna" will have its North American premiere at Toronto's </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.luminato.com/">Luminato Festival</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> in 2010 and its world premiere in Manchester in July. The opera—for which Wainwright wrote the score and a French-language libretto—is set in Paris in 1970 and tells the story of an aging opera singer who strives to regain her international status as a top soprano. The work was co-commissioned by Luminato, the Manchester International Festival and the Melbourne International Arts Festival. In a statement yesterday, Wainwright related his feelings that his composition of the opera was a "daring and risky" venture and thanked Toronto "for having the guts to make it happen."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">This month, Wainwright is set to premiere in Berlin his musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's sonnets, which he composed along with the Berliner Ensemble.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.luminato.com/2009/">2009 Luminato Festival</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> runs from June 5 to 15 and takes place in various locations around the city.</span></span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-73492046014482456712009-04-01T17:40:00.007-04:002009-04-02T00:13:53.468-04:00French Connection Warehouse Sale in Toronto<div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLOfnedvMXwZw2ATDk3EDu5meKvERQ9B9GGUEnyTlA0N3nSiJhqdqydda4ucVmOsOGDhxOTH5s73dFr_OUQXBqrJ8xPLx5T9y8_lL1skZsTNWqzmldtl_Evfw4sg-hYl2yJOi77xugo3b/s1600-h/FCUK+warehouse+sale.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLOfnedvMXwZw2ATDk3EDu5meKvERQ9B9GGUEnyTlA0N3nSiJhqdqydda4ucVmOsOGDhxOTH5s73dFr_OUQXBqrJ8xPLx5T9y8_lL1skZsTNWqzmldtl_Evfw4sg-hYl2yJOi77xugo3b/s400/FCUK+warehouse+sale.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319841523717572194" border="0" /></a><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">French Connection is having their spring/summer clearance event this April! The warehouse sale is taking place at 14 Advance Road in Etobicoke (the west end of the Greater Toronto Area) from Wednesday, April 8 to Saturday, April 11 and continuing from Wednesday, April 15 until Sunday, April 19. The hours are as follows: Monday to Friday, 10:00AM-7:00PM and Saturday to Sunday, 10:00AM-6:00PM.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you are driving, your best bet is to take the Gardiner Expressway. If you're taking public transit, Kipling Station on the Bloor-Danforth subway line is not too far away, about a 15 minute walk south. Etobicoke is a bit of a trek but you never know what gems you might find, for example, the perfect spring dress for the improving weather!</span><br /><br /><center><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=14+advance+road+etobicoke+ontario&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=31.769553,93.164063&ie=UTF8&ll=43.63974,-79.533205&spn=0.02174,0.036478&z=14&iwloc=addr&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=14+advance+road+etobicoke+ontario&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=31.769553,93.164063&ie=UTF8&ll=43.63974,-79.533205&spn=0.02174,0.036478&z=14&iwloc=addr" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small></center>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-63301608016587880392009-04-01T16:13:00.004-04:002009-04-01T17:07:39.996-04:00Cronenberg Plans Sequel to Eastern Promises<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">It's difficult to report on April Fool's Day for obvious reasons, but this rumour is true. </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.canada.com/entertainment/movie-guide/story.html?id=1451968">The National Post</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> reports that MTV News announced yesterday David Cronenberg's plans to make a sequel to Eastern Promises, the award-winning film released to acclaim in 2007 at the Toronto International Film Festival. Cronenberg revealed that he is working on a follow-up film along with the actor Viggo Mortensen, the screenwriter Steven Knight, the producer Paul Webster and Focus Features. If and when the film is finalized, it would mark the third collaboration between the Canadian director and Mortensen, who starred in both Eastern Promises and Cronenberg's 2005 film A History of Violence. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/03/30/exclusive-david-cronenberg-making-plans-for-%E2%80%98eastern-promises%E2%80%99-sequel/">Cronenberg told MTV</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, "We are moving forward with it. We all are excited about the idea of doing a sequel... We are going to have a meeting very soon between me, Steve Knight and Paul Webster to discuss what the script would be. I have some very strong ideas about what I would like to see, but I would like to hear what they have to say as well. And then after that, if all goes well, Steve goes away and writes a great script. If we all like it, we make it." Cronenberg admitted that although he has never before felt the inclination to revisit his work, "It’s the first time I’ve ever been in a situation where I actually want to do a sequel to something. I’ve never had the desire to do that before. But in this case, I thought we had unfinished business with those characters. I didn’t feel that we had finished with Nikolai and we had done a lot of research that was more than we could stuff into that one movie."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The conclusion of Eastern Promises certainly did impart a sense of unfinished business, seemingly leaving itself open to the possibility of a sequel. The film ended with the revelation—one which gave rise to as many questions as it answered—that Mortensen's character, a Russian gangster named Nikolai, is working undercover for a British intelligence service. While Nikolai will most likely be the focus of the forthcoming film, so far there are no conclusive reports as to the appearance of other central characters or the participation of actors, most notably the British midwife Anna played by the actress Naomi Watts and the Russian gangster Kirill played by the actor Vincent Cassel.</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/611439">The Toronto Star also reports</a> that Cronenberg is being honoured by the government of France with the Légion d'Honneur at a private ceremony in Toronto. Cronenberg is slated to begin shooting his first blockbuster in September and he wants the production to be based in the city. The $150 million thriller for MGM—based on the 1979 novel The Matarese Circle by Robert Ludlum—will star Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington as rival spies who join forces.Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-20790480987072691762009-03-31T22:36:00.001-04:002009-03-31T22:40:26.229-04:00Lacoste Joins Save Your Logo Campaign<div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzOyNkZrcX1cwH6a_hh4TWaGPjiMaEFvy34fD6H7sZJEyeEx79oyBc6HeWTLmlaJm5QcY3qNROnzfPNXgd-3gmeSXeXuctUVVrDFKdT3H8DHfERGo_Y1o2qieM4o4E2-LiLLZL6Yo5LxG/s1600-h/LACOSTE+Save+Your+Logo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzOyNkZrcX1cwH6a_hh4TWaGPjiMaEFvy34fD6H7sZJEyeEx79oyBc6HeWTLmlaJm5QcY3qNROnzfPNXgd-3gmeSXeXuctUVVrDFKdT3H8DHfERGo_Y1o2qieM4o4E2-LiLLZL6Yo5LxG/s400/LACOSTE+Save+Your+Logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319541774949717394" border="0" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.strategymag.com/articles/magazine/20090401/upfrontlacoste.html">According to Strategy Magazine</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.lacoste.com/">Lacoste</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> recently made a 1.5 million Euro pledge to join the </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.saveyourlogo.org/">Save Your Logo</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> campaign. This initiative—launched in late 2008 by the World Environment Fund (WEF), the Global Environment Facility, the World Bank, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)—encourages companies to contribute to the preservation of our planet's biodiversity by assisting in the protection of the animal or species that represents their brand. As quoted in </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090324/sc_afp/climatewarmingspeciesindustryfashion">Yahoo! News</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, at the launch of the campaign, France's Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo announced: "Companies that have profited from the positive image of these animals now have a chance to show their recognition." The IUCN reports that at least one bird out of eight, 25 percent of mammals and one out of every three amphibians are threatened with extinction.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Lacoste has been working with the founding organizations to develop projects for a three-year crusade to protect fifteen species of crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gavials. The Paris-based company is the first international brand to join the Save Your Logo campaign as well as the first apparel company to feature a brand badge—René Lacoste chose the crocodile as his emblem in 1927. Michel Lacoste, chairman of the board of Lacoste, explained: "We feel that any company should behave as citizens of the world, and this goes farther than just looking after alligators."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Hopefully Lacoste's participation will encourage other animal-branded companies to do the same—there are certainly many such examples: Puma, Jaguar, American Eagle, Moosehead Breweries, Alexander Keith's with its deer, Peugeot and MGM with their lions, Esso with its tiger, Airness with its panther, and perhaps even Kelloggs' Froot Loops with its toucan!</span></span>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-68233587265300986822009-03-30T18:14:00.005-04:002009-03-30T18:26:50.726-04:00The Big Fashion Sale by Quebec Designers: La Grande Braderie de mode québécoise 2009<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAILuyml6Tya8ac_V58I4VG5JAY3DSKSrCJ44CoXcaqzqJPpI4dJoLTEcg1eGDtdcR7oB5i_zN_lYsKblIZcECIx3tFPF0ZnCYD0P-RlCjciPb68Ys2as4hDrn9k72d13W9nzJ11NOjLs/s1600-h/S09banner2_fr.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAILuyml6Tya8ac_V58I4VG5JAY3DSKSrCJ44CoXcaqzqJPpI4dJoLTEcg1eGDtdcR7oB5i_zN_lYsKblIZcECIx3tFPF0ZnCYD0P-RlCjciPb68Ys2as4hDrn9k72d13W9nzJ11NOjLs/s200/S09banner2_fr.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319110777390188626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">As much as I love Toronto, this sale definitely makes me wish I lived in Montréal!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">La Grande braderie de mode québécoise for Spring 2009 will be held from Thursday, April 16th to Sunday, April 19th at Marché Bonsecours, 350 St-Paul Street East in Old Montréal. The annual fashion sale of the top 50 Quebec fashion designers features samples and inventory-surplus womenswear, menswear, kidswear, handbags, hats, jewellery and accessories all marked at 50% to 80% off. Designers include Nevik, Muse, Dubuc Style, Nadya Toto, Marie Saint-Pierre, Shan, Envers, Michel Desjardins, Jean Airoldi, Sheila Dassin, Silikon, Rudsak, Lili-les-bains, Sylvie Germain, Geneviève Dostaler, Bodybag, Old River, Dino Gaspari. Visit the </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.braderiedemodequebecoise.com/index_english.htm">Braderie website</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> for more information on the sale.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">My favourite participant at the Braderie is </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.mackage.com/">Mackage</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">, who sent me the below invitation to the VIP night on Wednesday, April 15th. Click on the image to get an enlarged version that you can print out and present at the event to be admitted!</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoeTu2l6yPErqn-YrKcFBdKkGqmXZQnG2-fT6ARXEuEtHRVGgav9chZR7peYr_67LCXOLgYzBXIgRs_M7twVQjFtWXW4R6V7mHobuV28H5NSYJIMEZ4lgdWarhmzvwz8WG1wCrUXtUpE4/s1600-h/20090330-104251-pic.jpg.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoeTu2l6yPErqn-YrKcFBdKkGqmXZQnG2-fT6ARXEuEtHRVGgav9chZR7peYr_67LCXOLgYzBXIgRs_M7twVQjFtWXW4R6V7mHobuV28H5NSYJIMEZ4lgdWarhmzvwz8WG1wCrUXtUpE4/s400/20090330-104251-pic.jpg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319109750427531010" border="0" /></a></span></div>Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427098969142008785.post-9188721652508008372009-03-30T17:53:00.005-04:002009-03-30T18:03:23.847-04:00First Ever Zac Posen Ad Published in Fanzine137<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-WThPiPayXYqWnZVDQURk_7WqvQsSS7fMIBSh8YxoZ-PVVpz8i5qmdWX7siudtV2JYiENEswo5-gO0UPHx9BuPVJKi7QZ5VYRrX0-WhuiF2J0xKv8kGMowBy19dKwwROfQxksKUKk1YT/s1600-h/memo-zac-posen.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-WThPiPayXYqWnZVDQURk_7WqvQsSS7fMIBSh8YxoZ-PVVpz8i5qmdWX7siudtV2JYiENEswo5-gO0UPHx9BuPVJKi7QZ5VYRrX0-WhuiF2J0xKv8kGMowBy19dKwwROfQxksKUKk1YT/s400/memo-zac-posen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319104221034756930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.wwd.com/media-news/fashion-memopad/posen-for-an-ad-and-more-on-gianni-agnelli-2084422?src=nl/mornReport/20090330">According to Women's Wear Daily</a>, <a href="http://www.zacposen.com">Zac Posen</a> has accepted an offer by publisher Luis Venegas to create a double spread print advertisement for the Spain-based international indie fashion magazine <a href="http://www.fanzine137.com/index_11.htm">Fanzine137</a>. For the campaign, Posen himself directed the photoshoot in December at his friend Lorraine Kirke’s house. He enlisted photographer Ellen von Unwerth, stylist and friend Christopher Niquet and model Alexandra Tomlinson—in the ad she wears one of Posen's spring leopard-kiss print powder pink dresses and holds a cat. The resulting image—Posen's first ad ever—appears in the spring-summer issue of the magazine.<br /><br />The New York-based fashion designer said he was inspired by Ava Gardner in the movie "The Barefoot Contessa" and classic Fifties Revlon advertising. Posen explained, "The hardest part was selecting the best image. You want something that grabs the attention on the page and something that is simple, direct and cohesive. I wanted it to be pure and true to yourself and to your customer."Lauren Rosenblumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189275039580286368noreply@blogger.com0