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Toronto-Based Belizean Pop Sensation Skyzz Unveils Captivating New Single ‘Without You’

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Skyzz, the pop singer known for his 2021 risqué summer anthem “Lento Y Pegadito,” drops his newest single, “Without You.” This latest offering delivers an enticing combination of Top 40 and pop elements, guaranteed to touch on that soft spot for his audience.

Growing up with a love of music, Skyzz found his passion when he played drums at a young age, revealing his natural talent for the instrument. So talented that at age 17, he used his dream and a pair of drumsticks to pursue his music career further. His musical influences draw from Alternative Rock, R&B, and Reggaeton. However, deep down, Skyzz’s inspiration originates from his Belizean foundation.

In late 2022, Skyzz curated a concert at the renowned Don on Danforth to ceremonialize his latest EP, “Skyzz.” This moment, alongside winning Manitoba’s CJ107’s title of Most Talented Performer in 2017, demonstrates his technical skill and ability to draw an audience.

The inspiration for “Without You” stemmed from the sudden and tragic passing of his best friend, pillar of strength and lifelong confidant. From this sorrow, Skyzz had to mold an avenue for his healing, as the loss, he shares, “was simply too great to endure.” But with help from his longtime friend and mentor, Michelle Gold, Skyzz saw the need to tell his story through the development and production of “Without You.”

“Sometimes, in the face of inconceivable loss, we forget that the world will go on and death is simply a part of life that cannot be avoided,” he adds on, “even for the ones we love most.”
He continues, “I made this song in the hopes that someone who is facing tragedy, be it loss of life or the loss of love, understands that they are not alone.”

“Without You” tugs on the heartstrings and takes the listener on a journey of grief and emotional discovery. The production on its own feels nostalgic, Skyzz’s emotion through his singing reverberates throughout the song from start to end. Only a few artists manage to force the listener to take on their frame of mind. Skyzz does this effortlessly, and one can hope that anyone experiencing loss can survive it and learn to endure “even if the world is forever less beautiful without them.”

Special Episode of “Remembering with Jeff Sammut” Podcast Pays Tribute To His Father

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Available now, the 36th episode of the heartfelt podcast “Remembering with Jeff Sammut” will be released here and various podcast platforms. Hosted by Jeff Sammut, host of Canada Now on SiriusXM Canada, this special episode serves as a poignant tribute to Jeff’s late father, Emmanuel Sammut, who battled Alzheimer’s and passed away in 2021.

In a deeply moving and personal episode, Jeff Sammut invites listeners to join him on a unique journey of remembrance with featured guest none other than Rita Sammut, Emmanuel’s devoted wife of over half a century and his primary caregiver during his battle with Alzheimer’s.

Jeff reflects on the significance of “Remembering” and its unexpected evolution throughout the year. The podcast, born out of a simple idea, has blossomed into a platform where Jeff has had the privilege of delving into the lives of remarkable guests across various fields, from pop culture and sports to music. For the concluding episode of the year, Jeff chooses to make it deeply personal, sharing his family’s journey and highlighting the importance of open conversations about Alzheimer’s.

By openly discussing his family’s experience with Alzheimer’s, Jeff hopes to encourage listeners to share their own stories and support organizations dedicated to battling this challenging illness.

“I hope the listeners are encouraged to speak out about their experiences with Alzheimer’s and support societies and foundations who do amazing work in battling this illness and supporting caregivers,” says Jeff. He further encourages listeners, regardless of their experiences with Alzheimer’s, to engage in meaningful conversations with their loved ones.

The Huron Carole Unveils Unforgettable Musical Journey, Airing on APTN, APTN Lumi, and Eastlink Community TV

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In a harmonious celebration of the holiday season, Tom Jackson’s The Huron Carole – Angels Without Wings – proudly announces multiple television presentations. Following its APTN premiere December 14, expect 9 encore presentations from December 18-26, on-demand viewing on APTN Lumi, and 3 airings on Eastlink Community TV. This iconic variety concert, taped at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax, promises an unforgettable experience of seasonal music, featuring stellar performances by renowned artists.

Immerse yourself in the magic of The Huron Carole, a musical journey curated on the ancestral lands of the Mi’kmaq people. The special showcases unique interpretations of classic tunes by a lineup of extraordinary talents, including Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, Loreena McKennitt, Beverley Mahood, Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy, Andrea Menard, PIQSIQ, and Shannon Gaye.

Noteworthy additions to the cast include Sullivan’s Crossing stars Morgan Kohan, Chad Michael Murray, and Scott Patterson, who will guide viewers on how to contribute to a noble cause during the broadcast. This collaboration serves as a heartfelt call to action, encouraging viewers to help The Huron Carole save lives.

For those compelled to make a difference, please consider contributing to Emergency Management at the Canadian Red Cross by visiting their dedicated donation link here.

Join us on this musical odyssey as we come together in the spirit of giving, embracing the joy of the season, and extending a helping hand to Canadians in need. The Huron Carole promises an evening of heartwarming performances and charitable endeavors.

Please visit huroncarole.ca for artist info, viewing times and how to watch on APTN Lumi.

Ilana Glazer Announces 2024 Live Tour

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Today, stand-up comedian, actress, filmmaker and activist Ilana Glazer announced her 2024 live comedy tour across North America. The 20-date Ilana Glazer Live! run kicks off on Thursday, January 18 in Kingston, NY at Ulster Performing Arts Center, with stops in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, New York and more before wrapping up on Thursday, May 2 in Toronto, ON at Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre.

Ilana Glazer is a creator and comedian who co-created and co-starred in the critically acclaimed series BROAD CITY. Her debut stand-up comedy special, THE PLANET IS BURNING is on Amazon Prime, and her film FALSE POSITIVE which she co-wrote and starred in, was produced by A24 and available on Hulu. She was also cast in the film ROUGH NIGHT and THE AFTERPARTY for Apple TV+. Ilana is the co-founder of the non-profit Generator Collective, which was founded in 2016. Generator Collective defines minimal civic engagement and aims to humanize policy through people-powered stories on social media. Ilana is currently on tour for ILANA GLAZER LIVE, performing stand up comedy across the country.

ILANA GLAZER LIVE! 2024 TOUR DATES:
Thu Jan 18 – Kingston, NY – Ulster Performing Arts Center
Fri Jan 19 – Englewood, NJ – Bergen Performing Arts Center
Mon Jan 29 – San Diego, CA – Balboa Theatre
Thu Jan 30 – Pomona, CA – Fox Theater
Thu Feb 01 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
Fri Feb 02 –Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre
Wed Feb 07 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
Thu Feb 08 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre
Fri Feb 09 – Portland, OR – Newmark Theatre
Tue Feb 13 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
Thu Feb 15 – Los Angeles, CA – The Theatre at Ace Hotel
Thu Mar 07 – Coral Springs, FL – Coral Springs Center For The Arts
Wed Mar 13 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre
Thu Mar 14 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater
Sun Apl 07 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
Wed Apr 10 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
Tue Apr 16 – Phoenix, AZ – Orpheum Theatre
Thu Apr 25 – Washington, DC – Warner Theatre
Wed May 01 – Montreal, QC – L’Olympia
Thu May 02 – Toronto, ON – Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Center

Laufey Announces “Bewitched: The Goddess Tour” For Spring 2024

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GRAMMY-nominated Icelandic-Chinese artist, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Laufey has confirmed “Bewitched: The Goddess Tour” for spring 2024. The tour will see Laufey performing in notable venues across North America including multiple nights at the Masonic Theatre in San Francisco, The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Radio City

Music Hall in New York City, The Anthem in Washington DC, and more, as well as a special performance in London at the Royal Albert Hall. General on sale begins Friday, December 8 at 10am local time.

The new dates follow Laufey’s completely sold out North American tour this fall and UK/European tour next February/March in celebration of her critically acclaimed album Bewitched. The album, which was released in September, broke the record as the biggest debut for a jazz album on Spotify in history, and debuted at #2 on Spotify’s Global and U.S. Album Charts, as well as #23 on the Billboard 200 (just behind the debuts from Olivia Rodrigo, and V from BTS), #1 on Billboard’s Independent Albums Chart, #1 on Current Traditional Jazz Albums Chart. More recently, Bewitched was nominated for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album” at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards and the album’s hit single “From The Start” is now RIAA-certified GOLD in the U.S., as well as GOLD in Australia and Canada.

Los Angeles-based Laufey (pronounced lāy-vāy) was raised between Reykjavík and Washington, D.C. with annual visits to Beijing. In 2020, while still a student at Berklee College of Music, Laufey released her debut single “Street by Street,” which went on to top the Icelandic radio charts. In 2022, she released her debut full-length, Everything I Know About Love, which reached #1 on Billboard’s Alternative New Artist Album chart, featuring the popular track “Valentine” that peaked at #1 on the Spotify Jazz Chart. Today, she has over 1 billion streams across all platforms and is the biggest streaming artist from Iceland in the world.

LAUFEY LIVE
February 10—Dublin, Ireland—The Academy (Matinee) SOLD OUT
February 10—Dublin, Ireland—The Academy SOLD OUT
February 11—Glasgow, Scotland—SWG3 Galvanizers SOLD OUT
February 14—Manchester, UK—Albert Hall SOLD OUT
February 15—London, UK—EartH SOLD OUT
February 16—London, UK—EartH SOLD OUT
February 17—London, UK—EartH SOLD OUT
February 20—Paris, France—Le Trianon SOLD OUT
February 21—Brussels, Belgium—La Madeleine SOLD OUT
February 23—Hamburg, Germany—Grosse Freiheit 36 SOLD OUT
February 25—Stockholm, Sweden—Nalen SOLD OUT
February 26—Copenhagen, Denmark—Vega SOLD OUT
February 27—Berlin, Germany—Astra Kulturhaus SOLD OUT
February 29—Milan, Italy—Magazzini Generali SOLD OUT
March 3—Lausanne, Switzerland—Les Docks SOLD OUT
March 5—Cologne, Germany—Carlswerk Victoria SOLD OUT
March 6—Amsterdam, Netherlands—Melkweg SOLD OUT
March 9—Reykjavík, Iceland—Eldborg Harpa SOLD OUT
March 10—Reykjavík, Iceland—Eldborg Harpa SOLD OUT
March 13—London, UK—Roundhouse SOLD OUT
April 8—Vancouver, BC—Queen Elizabeth Theatre
April 9—Seattle, WA—Paramount Theatre
April 12—San Francisco, CA—Masonic Theatre
April 13—San Francisco, CA—Masonic Theatre
April 16—Phoenix, AZ—Arizona Financial Theatre
April 18—Dallas, TX—Winspear Opera House
April 19—Austin, TX—Bass Concert Hall
April 20—Houston, TX—713 Music Hall
April 22—Atlanta, GA—The Tabernacle
April 23—Nashville, TN—Ryman Auditorium
April 25—Washington, DC—The Anthem
April 28—Chicago, IL—Chicago Theatre
April 30—Toronto, ON—Massey Hall
May 3—New York, NY—Radio City Music Hall
May 6—Philadelphia, PA—The Met
May 7—Boston, MA—Wang Theatre
May 16—London, UK—Royal Albert Hall
June 25—Pittsburgh PA—Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts (with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra) SOLD OUT
June 28—Ottawa, ON—Ottawa Jazz Festival
June 29—Montreal, QC—Montreal International Jazz Festival August 7—Los Angeles, CA

Frank Turner Presents Lost Evenings For First-Ever Canadian Dates

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Frank Turner’s award-winning festival, Lost Evenings, is heading to Canada for the first time on 19-22 September 2024 for its seventh instalment.

Having successfully sold out events in previous years in London, Berlin, Boston and Anaheim, California – the four-day festival will take place at the brand new Theatre at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. Promoted by Live Nation, the multi-stage event will occupy many rooms of the new venue providing a full programme of live music, panels, workshops and more.

Tickets for Lost Evenings VII are now available here.

Each night of the festival will see a different headline show from Frank Turner who over the course of four nights will play over 80 different songs. As is tradition, the opening night on Thursday 19th September will be an intimate Acoustic Duo show with Matt Nasir and friends; on Friday 20th September Frank and his band The Sleeping Souls play songs taken from the First Five Albums – ‘Sleep Is For The Week’, ‘Love, Ire & Song’, ‘Poetry Of The Deed’, ‘England Keep My Bones’ and ‘Tape Deck Heart’. On Saturday 21st September the band will play a punk rock set featuring tracks from the new as-yet unreleased and highly anticipated album. Then, for the last night on Sunday 22nd September a Greatest Hits Set will close the festivities.

Running concurrently across the weekend will be the second stage named as the Nick Alexander Stage. Named after the merchandise manager and long-time friend of Frank’s, who was tragically killed in the Paris, Bataclan attack in 2015 – the stage plays host to some of the best emerging acts – personally selected by Frank. The full line-up of acts for the two stages will be announced in due course.

Augmenting the evening live performances will be a full programme of additional activities under the banner of ‘Last Minutes’. These include pop-ups, open mic sessions and the Xtra Mile Recordings daytime showcase as well as panels, masterclasses and workshops where leading industry insiders, musicians, experts and music professionals offer insight and advice to audiences. More information to come.

Speaking about Lost Evenings VII, Frank says, “It’s my favourite time of year again, seems to keep coming around quicker. After a triumphant time in Anaheim this year, I’m pleased and proud to announce that the seventh instalment of my very own Lost Evenings festival will be taking place in Toronto in September 2024. The festival keeps growing, and Toronto is one of my favourite cities in the world, so it’s a perfect match. See you all in the Great White North.”

Thursday 19th September: Acoustic Duo Set with Matt Nasir
Friday 20th September: Losing Days – The First Five Albums
Saturday 21st September: Hard Core – New Album & Punk Rock Set
Sunday 22nd September: Greatest Hits

Weekend passes are available to buy at 10am EST / 3pm GMT / 4pm CET / 7am PST on Friday 8th December 2023. Day Tickets will be available at a later date but for now only Weekend Passes are available. The festival is an all-ages show.

The success of Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings Festival has been built steadily since 2017 as the festival continues to cement its reputation as an event with community and camaraderie at its core. The first two years were held at London’s Roundhouse and surrounding Camden venues, before its international debut at Boston’s House Of Blues in 2019. 2020’s event was due to take place in Berlin but was unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic. It returned in 2021 to the Roundhouse in London, and finally made it to Berlin Columbiahalle the year after.

All events sold out in advance, with this year’s festival at House Of Blues, Anaheim, California selling out 9 months up front. Crowds packed out all the daytime satellite events, each stage from start to finish and of course coming together each evening to share and rejoice in 4 very different performances from Frank.

Lost Evenings won the AIM Best Independent Festival award in 2017.

Preston Pablo Announces Upcoming Headline Show At Toronto’s Axis Club

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Today, quadruple platinum, JUNO Award-winning Canadian singer/songwriter, Preston Pablo announces upcoming headline show at the Axis Club in Toronto. The performance, scheduled for February 8, 2024, promises to captivate audiences with Pablo’s signature blend of soulful melodies and electrifying stage presence.

Pablo, a rising star in the music industry, has quickly gained a reputation for his unique and genre-defying sound. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of musical influences, his performances seamlessly blend elements of R&B, pop, and jazz, creating an enchanting fusion that appeals to a wide audience. A lot has happened since Preston’s last Toronto headline show which had quickly sold out – he went on to win Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 2023 Junos along with a live performance of his smash hit “Flowers Need Rain”, earning nominations as well for Single of the Year and TikTok Juno Fan Choice, received recognition from Forbes Canada’s 30 under 30, collaborated with Karan Auhla and Ikky on hit single “Admiring You”, joined NF on his national Canadian tour as well as performed at the Osheaga music festival. Most recently, Preston released his latest single “Dance Alone” to DSPs to much acclaim. “Dance Alone” has been loved by fans since Preston first posted a snippet of the unfinished song on TikTok. After seeing all the love for the song, the demand was high for him to finish the track and release it with over 35K total creations using the original unreleased sound on TikTok, and growing.

After such an exciting year, Preston is more than ready for this return to Toronto, saying of the upcoming show, “Can’t wait to be playing again in Toronto! This city is my second home and I’ve missed playing here. So much has happened since I my last show here. I can’t wait to be back.”

Tickets for the Axis Show Toronto will be available Friday December 8 at 10am local time, and can be purchased through Live Nation’s official website.

For more information about Preston Pablo, please visit his official website at www.prestonpablo.com.

Jessi Cruickshank Announces First Comedy Special Taping at The Opera House

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Jessi Cruickshank is filming her first stand up comedy special and you are invited to the taping! For one night only, see the comedy show that’s been called “absolutely hilarious!” “the best live show I’ve ever been to!” and “an unforgettable night out!” It happens March 9, 2024 at Toronto’s Opera House and tickets are available here.

Called “The Funniest Woman On Television” (The Province) you know Jessi from The AfterShow, eTalk, The Goods, New Mom, Who Dis? and Phone A Friend, but you’ve NEVER seen her like this. LIVE, CHILDLESS and TELLING ALL… about marriage, motherhood, celebrities, underpants and MORE. Get ready to laugh, cry, and laugh until you cry for one night only with Jessi. Hire a babysitter, grab your best friends or make it a date and GET OUT OF THE HOUSE for your last chance to see JESSI LIVE!

Ciara Back on Track with Music, Fashion Projects

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In the early 2000s, Ciara catapulted into the music scene, making waves with infectious hits like Goodies and 1, 2 Step. More than two decades later, the Princess of Crunk’s contributions to the R&B genre have made her an airwave staple, leading to her being featured on SiriusXM’s The Flow channel alongside fellow artists like John Legend, Khalid, Ne-Yo, Usher, and more, among other streaming and radio channels.

Today, we’ll dive deeper into her recent accomplishments, taking a look at her sustained presence in the music industry as well as how she’s taken the fashion world by storm.

Career beginnings

Before the release of her chart-topping debut album Goodies in 2004, the R&B sensation had already been working behind the scenes in the music industry, writing hits like Got Me Waiting for American Idol winner Fantasia. After studio executives saw her potential, her career quickly took off, with her dynamic stage presence and sultry vocals establishing her as a rising star. Over the years, Ciara evolved not only as a singer-songwriter but also as a style icon, captivating audiences with her fashion-forward choices.

Taking on the fashion sphere

As her musical career flourished, Ciara proved her mettle as a multi-hyphenate artist, becoming a brand ambassador for Revlon and signing modeling contracts with Wilhelmina Models and later, IMG Models. This shift came as no surprise to fans, especially considering her penchant for appearing on the red carpet rocking high-fashion designer wear from the likes of Balmain, Julien Macdonald, Alexander Vauthier, and Christopher Kane.

Even when she’s not splashed across the pages of glossy magazines or strutting down red carpets, Ciara’s versatility and incredible fashion taste cannot be ignored. In 2023, the chart-topper made headlines when she was spotted donning a pair of Oakley sunglasses during a trip to Japan. A closer look at an Instagram post made by her husband reveals that Ciara hopped on the athletic-wear bandwagon, combining the sporty Oakley BXTR sunglasses with a motorcyclist-inspired outfit and lace-up boxer-style shoes.

Recently, the Grammy Award-winning singer has also been tapped by fashion brand Bebe for the launch of a capsule collection. Unlike many of the collabs we see today, Ciara will be fully involved in the campaign, stepping into the role of creative director as well as being the face of the collection. Ultimately, this venture showcases her flair for design, cementing her status as a multifaceted artist.

Newest music release and what else we can expect from Ciara

In August 2023, Ciara released CiCi her first EP, promoting it with the release of two singles Forever featuring Lil Baby and How We Roll featuring Chris Brown. The latter was featured in a TikTok video where a pregnant Ciara can be seen dancing with her best friend, La La Anthony.

In an interview with Apple Music explaining the album’s title, the singer remarked, “It’s not an alter ego. It’s me, but when I get a little more gritty, and I put that stank in that thang, turn up,” she said. “And there’s just something about when they start doing that, it’s an attitude and an energy that comes out of me. And it’s me, but it’s like me to the 10th power. But she’s fearless.”

Maybe it’s this fearlessness, too, that helped her land the role of Nettie in the movie musical The Color Purple, which earned an impressive $25 million at the box office after two days of release.

Accolades, including multiple Grammy nominations and BET Awards, have rightly celebrated Ciara’s enduring impact and talent within the entertainment industry. Her journey from R&B sensation to a multi-talented personality, model, and entrepreneur, alongside her role as a devoted mother of four exemplifies her dynamic skills and resilience that have made her the icon we know today.

My Next Read: “Why Sinéad O’Connor Matters” by Allyson McCabe

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A stirring defense of Sinéad O’Connor’s music and activism, and an indictment of the culture that cancelled her.

In 1990, Sinéad O’Connor’s video for “Nothing Compares 2 U” turned her into a superstar. Two years later, an appearance on Saturday Night Live turned her into a scandal. For many people—including, for years, the author—what they knew of O’Connor stopped there. Allyson McCabe believes it’s time to reassess our old judgments about Sinéad O’Connor and to expose the machinery that built her up and knocked her down.

Addressing triumph and struggle, sound and story, Why Sinéad O’Connor Matters argues that its subject has been repeatedly manipulated and misunderstood by a culture that is often hostile to women who speak their minds (in O’Connor’s case, by shaving her head, championing rappers, and tearing up a picture of the pope on live television). McCabe details O’Connor’s childhood abuse, her initial success, and the backlash against her radical politics without shying away from the difficult issues her career raises. She compares O’Connor to Madonna, another superstar who challenged the Catholic Church, and Prince, who wrote her biggest hit and allegedly assaulted her. A journalist herself, McCabe exposes how the media distorts not only how we see O’Connor but how we see ourselves, and she weighs the risks of telling a story that hits close to home.

In an era when popular understanding of mental health has improved and the public eagerly celebrates feminist struggles of the past, it can be easy to forget how O’Connor suffered for being herself. This is the book her admirers and defenders have been waiting for.