PRESENTING “ALLISTYLE” RUNWAY SHOW FOR THE CURVY WOMAN, WORLD MASTERCARD FASHION WEEK, TORONTO, OCTOBER 26, 2012.

AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL SEASON 10 WINNER WHITNEY THOMPSON WALKING THE SHOW

Toronto, ON – October 26, 2012 “Big Girls don’t cry” should be the name of this extraordinary new fashion line Allistyle, designed by Pam Shainhouse of Toronto.  She and her daughter used to go shopping for beautiful, fashion forward and flattering pieces for her daughter Alli Shapiro, who was a vibrant, young woman in her twenties going through chemotherapy treatments.  “She would cry after trying on clothes that were supposed to be for larger figures because they were so frumpy and made from cheap fabric like polyester blends” says Pam, Alli’s Mom.  This fashion-conscious young woman knew that she wasn’t going to find fashionable clothing for her new figure in traditional stores in Canada and wanted to start a line once she beat cancer.  When Alli passed away at the age of 26, her Mom’s vow was to carry on her vision of giving curvy women a better choice in clothing.   And she did just that. Read Full Press Release

Crazy for Cricket Gala

The Valley Park Go Green Cricket Field Project will hold its Crazy for Cricket Gala featuring comedian Sugar Sammy on Friday October 5, 2012 at the Delta Hotel Scarborough. This event is in partnership with Toronto Police Service and Crown Taxi and several other corporate cricket teams and sports fans. This gala will cap the $1.1 million Phase One Fundraising Campaign. Phase one will be completed by December 2012. DKPR is a communications and fundraising consultant for this project.

THE ALLISTYLE 2013 COLLECTION

THE ALLISTYLE  2013COLLECTION IS AN ALL CANADIAN LINE THAT’S COMFY, CURVY AND COLOURFUL FEATURINGDESIGNS BY NEW YOUNG DESIGNERS

Toronto, ON – August 9, 2012 Allistyle’s next generation of designsfor the extraordinary woman who wants to look fabulous and do good is a fashionline now featuring designs by several budding, young Canadian designers fromRyerson University in Tornto.  Allistyle, creative head and founder. PamShainhouse developed the line in 2011 as a tribute to her daughter Alli Shapirowho passed away at the age of 26 in 2006. 

WhitneyThompson, America’s Next Top ModelCycle 10 winner, is now the Executive Vice President and creative advisor forthe Allistyle.  She has a strong opinionabout ‘plus size’ fashion.  The firstfull-figured woman to win this U.S. national competition seen around the world,she believes women should be comfortable with who they are and make the most ofthe body that they were blessed with. 

She is a blogger who writes about being the best youcan be with the curves you have and is an advocate and Board member of theNational Eating Disorders of America in New York City.  "Allistyle clothing makes me feelbeautiful and comfortable. As a plus size model, I welcome clothing that allowsme to breathe, move freely and gravel with style.  I am so excited to be working closely withPam in the design of the new collection" says Whitney Thompson.

Whitney Thompson is not only the fresh face of Allistyle,but has a strong commitment in making this company a success.  She and Pam met at New York’s’ plus sizedfashion week in 2010 and became instant friends. 

 “This collection is designed with the activewoman in mind who wants simple yet classic designs that travel well, can gofrom the office to an evening out.  The coloursare bold and flattering, and each piece has a unique multi-seasonalfunctionality because of the wonderful eco friendly fabric.” Says Pam Shainhouse,Founder of Allistyle.

About Allistyle Canada

Allistyle was founded byAlli’s mom Pam, because they always wanted to create a fashion linetogther.  Alli was a fashion forwardwoman who went up and down on the scale during her chemotherapytreatments.   She had challenges goingshopping for beautiful, fashion forward and flattering pieces for her daughterAlli Shapiro, who was a vibrant, young woman in her twenties.  This fashion-conscious young woman knew thatshe wasn’t going to find fashionable clothing for her new figure in traditionalstores in Canada.  When Alli passed awayat the age of 26, her Mom’s vow was to carry on her vision of giving women abetter choice in clothing for sizes 14 and up. And she did just that.  Allistyleis now available in boutique shops in Toronto and online at www.allistyle.com

After forming Alli’s Journey(www.allisjourney.ca), a nationalcharity dedicated to raising money to provide special sanctuaries orcomfortable “chill out” rooms for young adults with cancer in hospitals such asWellspring at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Allistyle became the perfect challenge for Pam to design for women byhonouring those women who’s bodies have not only changed from cancertreatments, but also for women who love their curves and want to feel gorgeous,sophisticated and as beautiful as anyone else. Pam set to work and our Ryerson University students helped to design aline of sustainable, classic pieces made in Canada, fashion forward pieces forREAL women. 

Select pieces from thespring collection are now exclusively available at Gussied Up, 1090 Bathurst St. in Toronto.  Allistyle is available on line and will beavailable in the new Atlanta store at Perimeter Mall in Atlanta, GA in November2012.

Media Contact: 

Deborah Knight, dkpr publicrelations inc. (416) 200-3577

Von Maur new Atlanta location to take Allistyle's new collection.

The von Maur family opened its first store in the late 1800's. The rented store was 20 by 50 feet, located in Davenport, Iowa. We have come a long way since that cozy shop. Today, 27 Von Maur stores are scattered across 11 states: Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio; and still expanding. Our corporate headquarters and E-commerce store are still proudly located in Davenport, Iowa.

The strength of the Von Maur brand lies in our enjoyable and unique shopping experience. The backbone of this experience is our wide selection of brand-name merchandise, open and attractive store design, amenities that enhance the customer experience and our commitment to excellent customer service.
http://www.vonmaur.com

Cultural Festival musical line up announced for July 6 to August 10 in North York

For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

The 2012 Cultura Festival

Mel Lastman Square becomes a World in the Square for Six Friday Nights

Toronto, ON June 22, 2012:  Presented by John Filion, in partnership withNorth York Arts, an initiative of Toronto Arts Foundation, this year’s CulturaFestival will feature music ranging from Quebecoise Folk, Soca, Calypso, SouthAsian, Banjo Jazz, Blues, Flamenco, Chinese and Persian traditional performances.
"This event shows that culture is alive andwell north of the 401. Cultural travelers from across the city will want to geton the subway and head north because there is really nothing quite like theCultura Festival anywhere else in Toronto." said John Filion, Founder ofthe Cultura Festival.
On July 6, David Rudderopens the 2012 Cultura Festival with the sounds of Calypso.  Rudder’s unprecedented rise to fame in 1986has made him the subject of music critics around the world. From New York to London to Tokyo, where the Japanesehave released a CD of Rudder’s greatest hits complete with lyrics translatedinto Japanese, Rudder has been described as modern calypso’s most innovativesongwriter.
On July 13, Autorickshaw’smusic will ignite the square. Autorickshaw’s music lies on the cultural cutting edge, as contemporaryjazz and funk easily rub shoulders with the classical and popular music of India. Formedin 2003, Autorickshaw has become one of the most intriguing acts on the worldmusic and jazz landscapes, garnering 2004 and 2007 Juna Award nominations forWorld Music Album of the Year, winning a Canadian Independent Music Award in2005 and a John Lennon Songwriting Competition Grand Prize in World Music in2008.
On July 20, Le Vent DuNord, one of Quebec’s favourite folk bandswill show audiences why they are now one of the most-loved Quebec folk bands in the world.  They have received several prestigiousawards, including a Juno Award.   Thegroup’s current line-up consists of singers / multi-instrumentalists NicolasBoulerice, Simon Beaudry, Olivier Demers, and Réjean Brunet. Some of theirsongs come from traditional folk repertoire, while others are originalcompositions. Le Vend du Nord know how to deliver music that will move anycrowd – to their feet and in their hearts!
On July 27, Jayme Stoneperforms on the mainstage.  With musicinspired by folk traditions from around the world, his latest album, Room of Wonders, explores music from Norway, Sweden,Bulgaria, Brazil, Italyand North America. The repertoire includes amovement from Bachʼs French Suite, a Moorish sword-fighting dance and Stoneʼslush, edgy originals.  He is joined byKevin Turcotte (trumpet), Joe Phillips (bass) and Nick Fraser (drums).  His Juno Award-winning albums, most notablyAfrica to Appalachia, both defy and honor thebanjoʼs long role in the worldʼs music, turning historical connections intocompelling music.

August 3 , Silk Road(Qiu Xia He, Pipa & Andre Thibault, Flamenco Guitar) performs.  Silk Road Music consists of two groups headedup by Qiu Xia Heand Andre Thibault.Founded in Vancouver in 1991, the ensemblepioneered the kind of Chinese-Western musical fusions that one now hears inacts ranging from The Sparrow Quartet to Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road project. It has blended Chinese folk and classical music withCeltic, Latin, Arabic, Aboriginal, jazz, and blues music.  It developed two exciting educationalprograms to bring world music to school children, and in 2001, it created agroundbreaking recording and performance project that paired Chinese andEuropean-Canadian vocalists for bilingual duets of Chinese folk songs.  This dynamic group has earned a Junonomination, two West Coast Music Awards, two Canadian Folk Music Awardnominations, and countless enthusiastic reviews.

On the final Friday on August 10, Sarv Ensemble,returns to the festival for an encore performance.  Drawing inspiration from diverse classicaland folk traditions across Iran,they share this music through concerts, workshops, and outreach and communityevents. Sarv Ensemble presents music both in traditional contexts as well as incollaboration with artists from different traditions and disciplines. 

“Toronto Arts Foundationbelieves that the arts should be accessed and enjoyed in every part of thecity.  We are thrilled to be partneringwith Cultura, through North York Arts, as it is already an enormouslysuccessful festival, and one that is sure to grow each year.” said ClaireHopkinson, Executive Director, Toronto Arts Foundation.
Schedule
Cultura Festival 2012 willrun on the following Friday nights in July and August with Drew Gonsalveskicking off the first night at 7:00 pm on the side stage followed by DavidRudder performing on the mainstage from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  All performances thereafter are scheduledfrom 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. 
July 6 David Rudder / DrewGonsalves
July 13 Autorickshaw  / Matra Project
July 20 Le Vent Du Nord /Joanna Moon
July 27 Jayme Stone / SuzieVinnick
August 3 Silk Road (Qui Xia He) / Yongli Xue
August 10 Sarv Ensemble /Sina Salimi
The Cultura Festivalgratefully acknowledges the generous support of its sponsors and partners:Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Zip Car, Toronto Centre for theArts, Canterbury Place, Now Magazine, Toronto Public Library, Gibson House,Global Café, Hotel Novotel, Entripy, Small World Music, Reel Canada, DispatchTalent, Random Acts of Dance, Finding Rhythm Drumming and Percussion, LittleMonsters and Cheshire Unicorn Productions.
About Cultura
The Cultura Festival is anannual six week celebration of culture in North York.   Culturacelebrates the diversity of Torontoand the GTA by showcasing unique artistic talents, musicians, dancers, buskers,family-friendly drum circles and international food vendors. Each festivalevening closes with a featured film, displayed on a large screen. The festivalalso serves to benefit the local community, with funds from the proceeds ofbusker performances and a portion of vending sales being raised to supportlocally-based charities. 
Cultura began in 2010 asthe brainchild of John Filion, who sought to showcase the usability of public spaces(specifically Mel Lastman Square)outside of the downtown core, while simultaneously promoting the arts in anopen air and publicly accessible venue. Since this time, attendance has grownfrom 12,000 to close to 20,000 visitors in 2011.
Now entering its thirdyear, the Cultura Festival continues to serve as a highly anticipated event inthe city, providing a showcase of the arts in North York.
For more information aboutadditional programming including the film schedule, please visit www.culturafestival.ca
Media contact:  dkpr public relations inc., Deborah Knight, dknight@dkpr.ca 416.363.1255

http://www.culturafestival.ca

Great article in Hello Canada about Mr. Barry Manilow

Susan Catto from Hello Canada interviewed the music legend Barry Manilow about various aspects of his career and fame. What does he do when he's not making music? "There’s a million different projects and it’s just thrilling. I make music all the time. It’s what I love."

To read the full chat with Barry Manilow download the PDF below.

ROBERTO ALAGNA MAKES HIS CANADIAN DEBUT AT THE BLACKCREEK SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31

Toronto, ON (May 4, 2011) —The BlackCreek Summer Music Festival proudly presents the Canadian debut of one of the world’s most thrilling tenors, the renowned ROBERTO ALAGNA, bringing to a close the inaugural season of the festival on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets will go on public sale on Saturday, May 7 at 10:00 a.m. and may be purchased online at www.blackcreekfestival.com or by calling 1-888-860-7888. Tickets are priced at $169.50, $141.25, $102.00, $96.50, $68.00, $51.00 (including HST; additional service charges will apply). The box office at the Rexall Centre, York University, 1 Shoreham Dr., opens for ticket sales on May 14.

Joining Mr. Alagna in a program of arias and duets from the Italian and French repertoire will be acclaimed soprano SVETLA VASSILEVA, also making her Canadian debut.  The two artists will perform with the BlackCreek Festival Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Leonardo Vordoni.

Born in France of Italian heritage, ROBERTO ALAGNA’s career was launched when he won the top prize in the Pavarotti Competition in Philadelphia at the age of 24.  His Italian lyric tenor voice opened doors to the top international stages, from New York’s Metropolitan Opera to Vienna’s and London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.  Today he is hailed as one of the foremost living tenors, celebrated in both the Italian and French repertoire.  A frequent headliner at the Metropolitan Opera, he has been seen by millions around the globe in HD transmissions to movie theaters, as Don Jose in Carmen and in the title role of Verdi’s Don Carlo.  Audiences love his passion, dashing good looks and ardently lyrical tenor voice.

Mr. Alagna’s program at BlackCreek will salute the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification as a nation-state in 1861 by including a many selections by Puccini – both solo arias and duets with Ms. Vassileva.

SVETLA VASSILEVA, a native of Bulgaria, has enjoyed great success on many of the world’s leading operatic stages, from La Scala to Vienna, and from London’s Covent Garden to San Francisco.  She has sung a wide range of leading roles encompassing Puccini, Verdi, Mozart, and many other composers, collaborating with some of the major conductors of our time, including Chailly, Dudamel, Maazel and Mehta.  

Mr. Alagna’s and Ms. Vassileva’s BlackCreek program includes beloved arias and duets by Puccini and Verdi, including some of the most popular selections from Puccini’s La boheme, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, Turandot, La Rondine and Gianni Schicchi; Verdi’s Otello; and operas by Halevy and Zandonai.  There will also be orchestral and choral selections by Bizet and Mascagni.

 
ABOUT THE BLACKCREEK SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL
 
Plácido Domingo kicks off the inaugural season of the new BlackCreek Summer Music Festival at the Rexall Centre on the campus of York University on June 4. The 2011 season spans 14 weeks, from June to September, and also includes such renowned artists as singer-songwriters James Taylor and Lionel Richie; jazz legends Tony Bennett and Diana Krall; country superstars Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley; pops conductor Marvin Hamlisch leading an evening of "The Very, Very Best of Broadway" starring Raul Esparza, Jane Krakowski, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Martin Short; world-renowned classical conductor, Lorin Maazel, and his Castleton Festival Orchestra and Chorus in a program of "Music Inspired by Shakespeare" starring Academy Award-winners,  Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons, as well as a three-night residency with the great Maestro conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, including an "All-American Program" featuring James Earl Jones; plus other artists and concerts still to be announced...all performing "under the stars."
 
Tickets for all BlackCreek Summer Music Festival events may be purchased online at www.blackcreekfestival.com or by calling 1-888-860-7888.
 
For general information, or to sign up for the BlackCreek Summer Music Festival alerts, please visit our website at www.blackcreekfestival.com.
 
For full bios of the artists named herein, please visit www.blackcreekfestival.com/events.
 
For high-resolution photos of the artists named herein, please visit www.blackcreekfestival.com/photos.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlackCreekFestival

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/blackcreekfest

######


Media contacts:

Norman Zagier
Managing Director, Marketing and Communications
416-323-2333
nzagier@blackcreekfestival.com

Media interviews and event information:
Deborah Knight
dkpr public relations inc.
416-200-3577
dknight@dkpr.ca

BlackCreek Summer Music Festival To Go Social on Facebook® Platform

TORONTO, May 13 /CNW/ - The BlackCreek Summer Music Festival announced it will be going social on Facebook® Platform. 

The new annual summer music festival series will launch in Toronto on June 4 at the Rexall Centre at York University in Toronto with world renowned tenor, Plácido Domingo, in concert.  BlackCreek's inaugural season will feature Symphonic, Pop, Opera, Jazz, Broadway, Country and Gospel music concerts with renowned artists including James Taylor, Lionel Richie, Diana Krall, Tony Bennett, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, The London Symphony Orchestra, conductors Lorin Maazel and Marvin Hamlisch, and classical concerts featuring spoken performances by Dame Helen Mirren and  Jeremy Irons, with more artists still to be announced.

BlackCreek Summer Music Festival has incorporated social media at every level of the festival ensuring that fans have a truly social experience, whether they are attending the BlackCreek concerts in person or through the multiple online and mobile platforms available on a global basis.

The BlackCreek Summer Music Festival's social features include:

• Live Concert Streaming of the June 4th Plácido Domingo concert on his Facebook Page using Facebook Credits - a first.


• An application built on Facebook® Platform that will allow BlackCreek Summer Music Festival ticket buyers to group their friends and encourage them to join them at the BlackCreek concerts. The more friends on Facebook that buy tickets, the more they will be rewarded with ticket discounts, merchandise and exclusive content.


• When someone arrives at the BlackCreek Festival and checks in using Facebook Places, they are directed to a special VIP stadium entrance, and then they are invited to enjoy an exclusive VIP lounge that they can use before the concert, during intermission and post concert.  They will also have a chance to be upgraded to a Luxury Suite with all their friends that are attending the concert, as well as BlackCreek Festival virtual gift cards for free live streaming of the concert that they can send to friends that cannot attend live.


• Many more exclusive benefits will be announced throughout the summer.

"Facebook instilled in us the need to be 'Social by Design' from the very start of our business.  Social media has changed the way we live on a daily basis and our work on Facebook ensured that an enhanced social experience for our fans will be ubiquitous in everything we do." stated Kevin Albrecht, CEO, BlackCreek Summer Music Festival. "Let's face it; concerts are more fun when you are with your friends; in the era of social media, that means our fans have friends all around the world. We wanted to create an environment where you could share your passion for the music at BlackCreek with all of your friends no matter where they were."

The BlackCreek Summer Music Festival experience begins today, Friday, May 13 at 2:00 p.m. EST on www.Facebook.com/blackcreekfestival, with a Live Streaming Unplugged Interview with Plácido Domingo on the BlackCreek Summer Music Festival Facebook page. The interview will be conducted by Marvin Hamlisch- the multiple Oscar, Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning composer and pops conductor - who serves as the Artistic Advisor for the Festival's Broadway and Pops concert presentations:

Plácido Domingo Live An Exclusive Interview by Marvin Hamlisch Live from The National Press Centre in Washington D.C. Friday May 13 @ 2:00 EST

About BlackCreek Summer Music Festival
BlackCreek's 2011 season will host concerts throughout the summer months featuring Symphonic, Pop, Opera, Jazz, Broadway, Country and Gospel music with renowned artists including Plácido Domingo, James Taylor, Lionel Richie, Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, John Fogerty and The Levon Helm Band, Chris Botti and Pink Martini, iconic country artists Brad Paisley and Allan Jackson, The London Symphony Orchestra, conductors Lorin Maazel and Marvin Hamlisch, and classical concerts featuring spoken performances by Dame Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons, and more to be announced , all performing "On a warm summer's night…Under a northern sky." 

Facebook ® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.