Special Event: Give Girls A Chance Benefit

Announcing the Second Annual Give Girls a Chance benefit concert. Vancouver area musicians band together to help educate girls in rural Tibet. Thursday, April 29, 9 pm, at the Backstage Lounge, 1585 Johnston Street .

This year's performers are:
Judy Lea & Enrico Renz
Michelle Dumond
Irene Orallo & Sinmobile MillerEastman.

Last year's event was sold out.
Judy Lea is a Vancouver based singer/songwriter. Her music spans 60's pop/r & b to funky originals to jazz. She'll be accompanied by the fabulous Enrico Renz on guitar and back-up vocals.
Michelle Dumond is a "free-spirited gypsy musician with the soul of a jazz singer and the playfullness of a burlesque performer..." - Jennifer Layton, Indiemusic.com. (ps Michelle has a brand new CD!)
Sinmobile is an indie rock band currently located on the Sunshine Coast. Led by the song-writing team of Irene Orallo and Mike Soper, their hard hitting sound was derived from early days in the Vancouver underground music scene with former band Stick Monkey.
Joni Miller and Vince Eastman (MillerEastman) have been writing songs and playing together for nearly a decade. The original music is a little bluesy, a little rocky, with some world music influences. Their master plan is to comment on the world while making you dance. Rino Marrone on keyboards.

Mission Statement: Give Girls A Chance (GGAC) is committed to raising funds to change the world through education. GGAC is unique in that it identifies grassroots educational programs for girls, and champions these programs, because education is a basic right that is being denied to millions of girls around the world.

The studies have been done, reports have been written and all point to the education of girls as one of the most significant factors to improve the health, economy, communities and basic human rights all over the world.

We hope to see you there! It's gonna be a great night! Admission by donation.

www.givegirlsachance.org

info: millereastman@live.ca

News: Rio Theatre in New Hands

Dynamic duo... Watermelon and Shameless Lea aka. Corinne Lea ( former co-owner of Havana restaurant/gallery theatre) plus Mango Joe (owner of the Dollhouse Studios) and a roster of other investors, including Much Music's Moses Znamier just bought the Rio Theatre 1660 East Broadway just off Commercial drive! The coolest hood in Vancouver is going to have a new local live performance venue with a single screen movie theatre: film screenings, comedy, music, theatre, lectures, dance, festivals.... 455 luxury seats and 20 x 40 ft stage. Things are gonna get a lot more fun around here! Stay tuned for more updates...and ah...Harold and Kumar is playing till May 8th so ah...go see a movie at the Rio and support future arts and culture events! Whoo Hoo!

Live On The Drive: Gather & Give'r Party

Here are some highlights of a great party for a great cause I went to on Friday at the Libra Room.
Part birthday party for Commercial Drive's Riot clothing store owner, Brenda Mcguire, and part fundraiser for Gather & Give, a registered non-profit organization providing a variety of support services to organizations working with those in need: the homeless, those in transition, refugees, immigrants and individuals and families in crisis.
It was a night of great food, entertainment and people!


Elizabeth Mazzoni with DJ Michael Louw.


The Libra Room's Carly Tennant and Joee Brassard-Dejardins.



Wine girl, Elizabeth Mazzoni, tells me to talk to the hand.

Such a brilliant evening, I needed shades, so I borrow a pair.


Jennifer Lee, Executive Director of Gather & Give seemed very happy with this night's take.

Guitarist/producer Stephen Nikleva with mortgage broker Becky Burnham and songstress Monica Lee.

How cute can you get? Becky Burnham poses with ESL school Director Michelle Ronback.

The always charming Carly Tennant was one of the evening's MC's.

Riot birthday girl Brenda Mcguire gives a lucky, unidentified party'er a little sugar.

Fashion and colour consultant Corinne Ellingson.

Beautiful burlesque girl Corinne Lea gives us a taste of what's in store for later.

Musician Bruno Hubert looking very dapper.

Kameyo Melina from Riot's Main St. sister store, Hotbox Accessories.


Party goers Avery Cochrane & Dexter Fergie.

Live on the Drive: The Libra Room

Thursday night is always a great night at the Libra Room with the Monica Lee Band. Stay tuned to www.thedriveisalive.blogspot.com for word on their release of live music recorded at the Libra Room.





The ever-versatile Monica Lee on viola.

Here's some video of the band performing "Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be MC's":


See more Commercial Drive videos by tuning into our YouTube playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=478EF0B433DBB8C3


Libra Room promoter Joée Brassard-Desjardins with Monica Lee and Christina Cottell of IFG Creative Marketing



The vibrant Judy Lea tries on my fedora.


My hat got more action than I did! Elizabeth Mazzoni in the foreground and musician Bruno Hubert in the back.


Libra Room hostess Carly Tennant gives the camera a sly look!

Live on the Drive: Libra Room Grand Opening Party

A great time was had by all last night as the Libra Room had its grand Renovation & Expansion party. The night was also a celebration of the restaurant's new menu, and website! www.thelibraroom.com.

Musician and teacher Judy Lea!



Libra Room owner Rico Bondi giving thanks where thanks is due.






As Monica Lee sings: "Momma, don't let your babies grow up to be MC's"


John Korsrud and the gang.


The ever-smooth Goby Catt, front man for the Catt Pack.


The remarkably talented Bruno Herbert. Taking a break to enjoy the night.



Dan Lunn, from Swarm and CR Avery & the Boomchasers with Jesse Waldman of the Monica Lee Band


Just one of many of the night's lovely hostesses.


Where do bartenders hang out on their days off? Other bars, of course!
Bruce, barkeep at Falconetti's with Miriam Reid, who helped create the new decor!



Libra Room promoter, Joée Brassard-Desjardins.