maya chendke - photo by diana di mauro

I was invited to the launch of Maya Chendke's new book, Awake but Dreaming, at the Shangri-La in Toronto. Awake but Dreaming explores the pitfalls of fame and the cult of celebrity. The main characters hail from Toronto and Maya made sure to include as many local favourites as she could, and even had these Toronto gems show off their goods her launch. Boutiques, bakeries and custom made cocktails all told the story of Awake but Dreaming from Maya's and her characters' perspective. I just started reading the book, and so far I'm loving it. It's a fun, easy read that has already taken me on a worldwide adventure and reminded me of how great it is back home. Check out the photo gallery and slideshow below, and don't forget to check out Maya's new book. You can read a chapter for free on her website or purchase it here and here.

the book! awake but dreaming by maya chendke

Click below to see the pic by pic gallery!

Photos by Michael Cooper, Canadian Opera Company

How many times have you watched an opera and wanted desperately to tell the director what you really thought about the production? Or perhaps you had a question about how the soprano managed to pull off such a glorious pianissimo high C in Act II? Well, the Canadian Opera Company is giving you that chance. On Saturday, December 4, during the CBC Radio 2 Saturday Afternoon at the Opera broadcast of Verdi’s Aida, you have the chance to do exactly that. Kind of like giving you your own, personalized, running commentary for the entire show.

The people you will have the opportunity to interact with are conductor, and COC Music Director, Johannes Debus, as well as cast members Sondra Radvanovsky (Aida) and Jill Grove (Amneris).

I encourage opera lovers from all over the world to listen in on the internet, and contribute with their thoughts. The more ideas shared, the more fruitful the experience for everyone.

The interactive chat (or rant if you feel so obliged) will take place during the radio broadcast, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, on December 4.

To listen online go to http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/ and click the “LISTEN” link near the top of the page. Those in Canada can listen on the radio, on CBC Radio 2, 94.1fm.

The interactive chat will take place at http://www.coc.ca/Broadcasts/Aida.aspx

Ritorna vincitor!

Con affetto

Keep reading to see production photos

Music often inspires art, but rarely do musical containers inspire artists to greatness.  Jennie C. Jones brings the beauty of cassette tapes, Sony Walkmans, and CD jewel cases to the world of Modern art.  She creates drawings and collages focusing on the delicate lines and angles of hard plastic casing.  In her words:

"My practice is both a comment on and a continuum of the conceptual ideology of jazz, an honoring of the deep radical legacy of its experimentation, of hybrid modernist forms, of wit, of riff — the turning of a phrase onto itself."

All art: Jennie C. Jones http://jenniecjones.wordpress.com/

Click Here For The Full Gallery

It was only a matter of time before Georgia Jagger made a name for herself.  The 17 year old model has the fortune of good genes inherited from her mother Jerry Hall and father Mick Jagger making her a dead ringer for Brigitte Bardot. Georgia's career began early this year as the face of Hudson Jeans.  She is one of the new faces of Rimmel, and a new star for Versace.

Photos from Corriere della Sera and RDuJour

Marie Claire Italia's January issue features a limited edition calendar photographed by Karl Lagerfeld, featuring actress Anna Mouglalis and model Baptiste Giabiconi.  The theme is Italian Cinema (think Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida and Marcello Mastroianni), featuring moments from 25 iconic films and flaunting European cruise collections, a smattering of couture and a Fendi fur worn in Luchino Visconti’s “Conversation Piece” in 1974 and designed by – who else? - Lagerfeld. This is Lagerfeld's second time shooting a limited edition calendar for Marie Claire.

Models display creations by designer Sonia Rykiel for H&M 2009-2010 ready-to-wear collection on December 01, 2009 at the Grand Palais in Paris. / /...

Models display creations by designer Sonia Rykiel for H&M 2009-2010 ready-to-wear collection on December 01, 2009 at the Grand Palais in Paris. / /...