Tag Archives: Canada

World-renowned keyboardist & musician David Sancious has a busy 2013 touring with long-time friends, appearing onstage with Sting on his “Back to Bass” Tour in Europe & North America and with Peter Gabriel on his “Back to Front” tour in Europe

David Sancious, long-time solo keyboardist, guitarist and composer, has another exceptionally busy year coming up touring with two of the most sought after musicians of our time: Sting and Peter Gabriel.

David will be touring in North America and Europe with his longtime friend, and twenty-year on-and-off performance partner, Sting playing throughout North America and Europe. The tour kicks off in Kelowna, British Columbia on May 30th then in Victoria on May 31st. Joining Sting and David on stage are Dominic Miller, Peter Tickell, Vinnie Colaiuta and Jo Lawry.

Last year also David joined the other original members of Peter Gabriel’s band that toured together twenty-five years ago, to reunite onstage to celebrate the Silver Anniversary of the groundbreaking album “So”. Touring throughout North America on Peter Gabriel’s “Back to Front” tour the band played to sold out audiences and rave reviews. David will reunite with the group performing with Peter this fall starting in Herning, Denmark September 28th. For more information and tickets please visit: petergabriel.com/livedates

Capturing the attention of Bruce Springsteen in the seventies at a jam session in New Jersey, David’s career as a musician kicked off at the young age of seventeen. An original member of Bruce Springsteens’ beloved E Street Band, David was invited to join a new band Bruce was forming. The group recorded three albums together and toured the country before David decided it was time to part ways.

David left the band to form his own group “Tone”, where he would showcase his abilities as not only a sensational musician, but as an equally talented composer, producer and synthesist. David recorded multiple albums with Tone and the accomplishments of these albums led him to become one of the most talented and sought-after keyboardists in the industry.

The notable artist has since worked and toured with musicians including Eric Clapton, Seal, Aretha Franklin, Santana, Jeff Beck, Yousou Ndour, Natalie Merchant and many others. David has performed on more than fifty albums since his 1973 debut album “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.” with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. The versatility of his sensational career has made it difficult to categorize his music. David, however, considers his art a mixture of harmony and melody from the jazz and classical traditions combined with rhythms from the rock and R&B traditions. David is considered by many as a “musician’s musician”.

In celebration of Sting’s sixtieth birthday David re-united with Bruce Springsteen and joined other musicians including Billy Joel, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Rufus Wainwright and Will.I.Am to perform some of Stings most recognizable songs at New York’s Beacon Theatre.

David has also been invited by the legendary jazz artist Jack Dejohnette to perform with him at the Woodstock Percussion Festival on September 7th in Woodstock. New York.

It can often be difficult to center oneself when surrounded by the stress and chaos of being an artist. Yet, somehow, David always manages to find his center and inner peace practicing yoga and mediation to keep him grounded.

When he finds time, David is in his studio recording his tenth solo album. For David’s complete discography please visit: davidsancious.com/discography

Social Media Handles

Website: davidsancious.com
Twitter: @DavidSancious
Facebook: David Sancious

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Kiran Ramgotra Sancious returns to teach her Indian Home Cooking Classes on June 28 – 30th, 2013 at World Renowned Omega Institute

Back by popular demand for a sixth year, Kiran Ramgotra Sancious shares her family’s coveted secret recipes to the Omega Institute located in Rhinebeck, New York on June 28 – 30th, 2013. The scent of freshly ground spices and complex curries perfumes the air in Omega’s cooking classroom during Kiran’s weekend workshop on northern Indian home cooking.

Kiran joins other outstanding teachers including President Bill Clinton, Pema Chodron, Bobby Mcferrin, and many other outstanding teachers at Omega’s Lifelong Learning series this summer. Omega Institute is co-founded by Elizabeth Lesser, a frequent guest and contributor on Oprah. Located in beautiful Rhinebeck, New York, Omega offers workshops, trainings, retreats, conferences and vacations.

Kiran moved from Vancouver, British Columbia to Woodstock, in upstate New York, when she met and then married famed musician David Sancious. David is touring this year with Sting and Peter Gabriel and has also played with Seal, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, and was in the original Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band. The world renowned musician couldn’t stop raving about Kiran’s famous cooking, and as the word spread, so did Kiran’s Indian cooking classes. She has shared her cooking techniques with celebrities including Uma Thurman, Jane Curtin, Donna Lewis, and Kate Pearson from the B52’s.

Kiran grew up in a family of cooks who celebrated their Indian heritage with culinary secrets handed down for generations. On a typical Sunday, there would be 20 women in the kitchen preparing food for up to 100 guests. Kiran’s mother began teaching her to cook when she was just seven years old, and now Kiran teaches her family’s unique and delicious recipes to private clients and small groups of people in their own kitchens throughout Canada and the United States. Kiran is currently writing her first cookbook. Visit: kiransindiankitchen.com for more information.

At Omega through hands-on learning, cooking demonstrations, and tasting, Kiran shares her family’s culinary secrets as students learn to prepare delicious, healing, healthy vegetarian meals and how to modify traditional dishes to meet specific dietary needs. She explore ways to cook with unique spice combinations while preparing dals; curries; parantha, roti, and naan breads; Indian desserts; lassi; and masala chai.

Though the flavors and procedures are typically intricate, Kiran teaches a process that simplifies Indian home cooking, making it accessible to everyone. The workshop is open to all. You will return home with delicious food, recipes, and the confidence to cook Indian food on your own.

Social Media Handles

Website: kiransindiankitchen.com
Twitter: @DavidSancious

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Ben Ratner and Loretta Walsh Collaborate on Vancouver Stage, in Play “Dinner with Friends”

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“Don’t just talk the talk; you’ve got to walk the walk”

Departing temporarily from the classroom, Vancouver-based acting coaches Ben Ratner and Loretta Walsh of Ben Ratner’s Haven Studio are slated to star in Dinner with Friends at Studio 398 on Granville Island in Vancouver, B.C. from November 8 to 17th, 2012.

Dinner with Friends, produced by Loretta Walsh and The Dirty Manhattan Equity Co-op, is a Pulitzer Prize winning play about the journey to find balance and truth in marriage and friendships, and the unspoken sorrow that can creep up on us as we approach middle age. After their successful run of Lobby Hero in 2010, actors Loretta Walsh and Noel Johansen have now joined forces with Jenn MacLean-Angus for a second round of independently produced theatre. This group is passionate about the Vancouver theatre scene and their energy is contagious. Talented director Jennifer Clement, a veteran of Vancouver stages, and cutting edge designer Peter Wilds, are also involved in the production of Dinner with Friends.

Rounding out the cast is a Vancouver favorite, award-winning actor/director/acting coach Ben Ratner. A professional actor for almost 25 years, Ratner started teaching in 1994 as a protégé of internationally acclaimed acting teacher and author Ivana Chubbuck. He went on to open his own “Haven Studio” in 2002 and rapidly earned a reputation for his highly demanding and thoroughly rewarding scene study classes. After years of studying alongside Ratner, Loretta Walsh, a former student, was hired to teach additional classes at “Haven Studio.” Ratner and Walsh are highly sought after with a lengthy waiting list in addition to the five classes they currently run. Ratner’s students include many of the top actors in the country. Many are currently working in film, TV and theatre across Canada, Los Angeles, and on Broadway. He is also in high-demand in Toronto, where he teaches workshops twice a year. Walsh is currently working with the newer actors at Haven Studio, inspiring them with her passion for the craft and preparing them for challenges ahead in the world of acting.

Donald Margulies has said that, like his other works, he wrote Dinner with Friends “to reflect observations I’m having at (this) time in my life … All around us, relationships are changing… It’s those notions of impermanence, the yearning for something else that I’m tapping into.” Dinner with Friends gives the audience an open and generous view into the world of two couples, long-time friends, who are characters that everyone can identify with. They are characters that are ordinary, vulnerable and ultimately human.

Dinner with Friends opens at Studio 398 on Studio 1398 at 1398 Cartwright St, Granville Island on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 and runs until Saturday, November 17, 2012.

About the Actors

Ben Ratner has been a professional actor for almost 25 years, started teaching in 1994 as a protégé of internationally acclaimed acting teacher and author Ivana Chubbuck. He opened his own “Haven Studio” in 2002 and rapidly earned a reputation for his highly demanding and thoroughly rewarding scene study classes. Today, he is sought after as a coach, mentor and teacher to many of Canada’s busiest actors, a great number of which are working internationally. While teaching in both Vancouver and Toronto, Ratner’s own acting, writing and directing career continues to flourish. With over 100 film and TV credits and numerous awards under his belt, he recently won his third Leo Award, this time for his guest-starring performance on CTV’s Flashpoint, and was also nominated for “Best Lead Actor in a Feature Film” for his work on Sisters & Brothers. A Jesse Award nominee for his portrayal of “Bobby” in American Buffalo, Ratner will return to the stage in November of 2012 to co-star in Dinner with Friends at Granville Island’s Studio 1398 alongside his studio administrator and fellow teacher at Haven Studio, Loretta Walsh. Ratner wrote, directed and co-starred in the feature film Moving Malcolm in 2003, directed an episode of CTV’s Robson Arms in 2005, and wrote and directed the short film Power Lunch in 2008. Most recently, he wrote and directed the feature film Down River, which will premiere in 2013.

Loretta Walsh is a classically trained acting graduate of the University of Southern Queensland in Australia. Walsh is an actor, theatre producer and acting teacher. She produced the critically acclaimed Vancouver production of ‘Lobby Hero’ at the Havana Theatre and was named one of Vancouver’s ‘Top 10 Artistic Leaders whose Stars are on the Rise’ by the Vancouver Sun. Selected theatre credits include ‘Lobby Hero’, ‘Othello’, ‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’, ‘Woman in Mind’ , ‘Black Comedy’ and ‘Hamlet’. Select Film and television credits include ‘Life Unexpected’, ‘The Troop’, ‘Chaos’, ‘7 Things to Do Before I’m 30’, ‘Down River’ and ‘OMG’ which just premiered at VIFF. Loretta formerly taught acting at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre and for Arts Express in Toronto before moving to Vancouver 5 years ago where she began studying with Ben Ratner. Loretta currently teaches acting at Ben Ratner’s Haven Studios in Vancouver.

What Some of Canada’s Top Actors Are Saying about Haven Studio:

“Working with Ben is an incredibly deep experience for me as an actor…He is absolutely in touch with, and really knows the craft. Ben is amazing!”
~Gabrielle Miller (Sisters & Brothers, Corner Gas, NCIS, Cold Case)

“Ben is a treasure – a rare combination of instinct, intelligence and compassion, who is awe-struck by what a student can do when she is plugged into her own intuition and creativity.”
~Brian J. Smith (Gossip Girl, Stargate Universe, Law and Order, The Columnist on Broadway)

“I credit many of my ‘breakthroughs’ to his insight, support, and trust, and highly recommend him to any actors seeking to go deeper into the work. Thanks Ben!!”
~Erin Karpluk (Being Erica, Godiva’s)

“He is, without a doubt, one of the finest teachers I’ve worked with.” ~Stephen Lobo (Continuum, Arctic Air, Little Mosque on the Prairie)

“The combination of the demanding material, the commitment and talent of my classmates and Ben’s forceful, yet passionate direction and guidance made me into the actor I am today – a confident and working one! He’s a remarkable teacher and man.” ~ Ali Liebert (Bomb Girls, Firefox, Afghan Luke)

“Loretta creates a space that’s completely safe, supportive and full of love. She knows when to push you and when to give you space. She has a keen eye and a way of communicating that ensures you understand on the level you need to. I feel like she really gets the things you need to work on and tailors the exercises and scenes so you can do just that: meet the challenges head on from a strong, supported place. I trust her completely and can’t wait to get back in class with this very special woman!” ~ Jennifer Spence (Continuum, Alcatraz, Stargate Universe)

Social Media Handles

Twitter: @loretta_walsh, @Dirty_Manhattan

Contact The Promotion People

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Email: lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca

Goldstein Douglas Entertainment Fearless Feature Film “Shame on Shelley Bennett” at MIPCOM

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Goldstein Douglas Entertainment is adding another top-level entertainment project to its roster, with its recent acquisition of the rights to distribute the film “Shame on Shelley Bennett”, starring the popular comic of the same name. Goldstein Douglas Entertainment will be representing the film at MIPCOM in Cannes from October 5-10, 2012.

The Midwest meets the Middle East in “Shame on Shelley Bennett”, a feature length documentary starring actor/comedian Shelley Bennett. The film is an honest and funny portrayal of Shelley’s journey as an American girl who falls for a Muslim man. Now, after getting married to Mohamed, she must face her own misconceptions and fears of Islam.

Shelley quickly immerses herself into a new culture and religion by participating in 30 days of Ramadan, and travels the world while creating a poignant dialogue through her stand-up comedy. Throughout her trials and tribulations, she is called an “ignorant American” and finds herself in the Middle East getting interviewed by Al Jazeera.

Finally, she grows to respect a culture and religion that she may never completely understand, while dealing with the harsh realities of an inter-faith marriage. Is love enough to bridge the gap between the West and the East or will their relationship bomb? The timely, political film also stars renowned comedian and actor Maz Jobrani.

Shelley Bennett is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She grew up in Southern Indiana and moved to New York after college. She has come a long way since her beginnings off-broadway and first television role, playing “Vivian Goodmanson” on “As the World Turns”. Shortly thereafter she moved to Los Angeles and has worked in TV and film starring opposite Emmy nominee Kaley Cuoco (Big Bang Theory) as well as Stacy Keach. She has done voice over work for Disney and has also performed as a stand-up comic all over Los Angeles including the Comedy Store. Just before the Arab Spring in Egypt, Shelley served as a film juror for the 19th Cairo International Film Festival for Children.

Also a part of the “Shame on Shelley Bennett” team is established Writer/Producer/Director Stephen Lentini. He has worked for the past 14 years in TV and film production, programming and branding for such networks FOX, NBC, MTV, VH-1, FUEL TV, Fox Sports Net, Fox Reality Channel, USA Networks, Spike TV, Discovery Channel, Court TV, TLC, Showtime and Lifetime. He has also written and produced other dynamic documentaries, including, “GMAC Big Wave Attack: The North Canyon” and “The Glacier Project”. Scripted feature film credits include, “Machine Head” and “Beware”.

About Goldstein Douglas

Established in July 2011, Goldstein Douglas Entertainment was created by entertainment industry innovators Bobby Goldstein and Cord Douglas.

Goldstein is the producer/creator of the long-running popular realty series “Cheaters”. In 1995, Goldstein created the concept of “Cheaters”—a vision for a new type of show that came long before the popularity of reality programming. After establishing his own television production company Bobby Goldstein Productions, Inc., Goldstein filmed the pilot for “Cheaters” and in fall of 1999, with the assistance of Cord Douglas as his distributor, moved forward with the sales of “Cheaters” worldwide. “Cheaters” airs in over 100 countries world-wide and will be reaching its 300th one-hour episode next season.

Cord Douglas has been in the programming distribution business for nearly 20 years. He has worked with programming in a multitude of genres. Cord has negotiated commissions and pre-sales for action-hour series, non-fiction series and tele-features with companies such as Disney/ABC, NBC Universal Cable Networks, Showtime, Spike TV, Discovery Networks, Court TV, and Fox Cable Networks. Cord is well respected in the business and has established connections with television networks throughout the world.

Social Media Handles

Website: shelley-bennett
Twitter: @ShelleyBennett7

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Goldstein Douglas Entertainment Represents Canadian Television Series “The Travel Guys”

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Cord Douglas of Goldstein Douglas Entertainment is pleased to announce that they have acquired the rights to distribute the popular Canadian Television Series “The Travel Guys”. Goldstein Douglas Entertainment will be representing the series at MIPCOM in Cannes this October, 2012.

“The Travel Guys” TV show is more than a travel information program; it is funny and personality driven. Jim Gordon and Darren Parkman helm the series and travel the world providing viewers with insight on both popular and undiscovered destinations; including tips on how to get there, where to stay, and what to see, all with a healthy dose of humor. Now in their 9th season, the show airs weekly in over 15 million households in Canada. They are very excited about their opportunity to work with Goldstein Douglas Entertainment and bring their show to an even wider audience. The Travel Guys have filmed over 100 destinations in 50 different countries including Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Caribbean, China, England, France, Hawaii, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, U.S.A. and the annual Film Festival in Palm Springs, California.

They have interviewed the biggest stars in the world – including Clint Eastwood, Leonardo DiCaprio, Helen Mirren, and Brad Pitt – and have experienced strange adventures, like: betting on coconut-plucking monkeys in Northern Malaysia; tumbling down a steep hill inside a giant ball, all for a sport New Zealanders call “zorbing”; petting a panda bear in Xian, China; drinking Guinness while singing songs with locals in a 500 year old Dublin pub, Ireland’s oldest; seeing the stunning sites 50 feet below the water’s surface while skidubing in Borneo; climbing above the clouds; snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef in Australia; dressing as samurai warriors in Osaka, Japan; and enjoying a true Bellini at its’ birthplace, Harry’s Bar, Venice, Italy. All in a days work!

JIM GORDON is Co-Host, Co-Writer and Co-Producer of The Travel Guys. Jim gained valuable experience in the movie industry while traveling to exotic locations for CBS TV and working on numerous TV series’ in Canada and USA. When he’s not on the road with The Travel Guys, Jim can be seen reviewing movies nationally every week on CTV News Channel. Jim writes for BC Lifestyles and Wineries Refined Magazine.

DARREN PARKMAN is Co-Host, Co-Writer and Co-Producer of The Travel Guys. With 20 years of media experience in radio, television and print Darren brings to the show travel experience gained as a Co-Host of a prime-time radio show aired from locations around the world. When Darren is not on the road with The Travel Guys he writes an entertainment column and travels the world writing a weekly travel column for Metro across Canada.

About Goldstein Douglas

Established in July 2011, Goldstein Douglas Entertainment was created by entertainment industry innovators Bobby Goldstein and Cord Douglas.

Social Media Handles

Website: travelguystv.com
Twitter: @TravelGuysTV
YouTube: youtube.com/travelguystv

Contact The Promotion People

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Twitter: @PromotionPeople
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Hello from The Promotion People!

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Welcome to The Promotion People blog! Stay updated on press releases and events!

The Promotion People, a Vancouver PR firm, is a major component in the arts and entertainment industry. Follow @PromotionPeople on Twitter!

The Promotion People was founded by Lesley Diana in 1994. Lesley leads the prominent publicity firm as President and publicist.

The Promotion People specializes in publicity for:

• Actors
• Musicians
• Television Shows
• Film productions
• Red Carpets
• Distribution Services

Client Quotes:

“Lesley Diana and I have been working together now for over 10 years. The Promotion People has garnered over 15 magazine covers, and countless television interviews and other print features, for myself alone. I feel lucky to have found such an amazing publicist.”
-Emmanuelle Vaugier, Two and a Half Men

“I have been working with Lesley and The Promotion People for eight years now, and couldn’t be happier with our partnership. She is a true professional and extremely gifted. Lesley has been an incredibly important part of my team and has worked beside me through new areas of my career that may have felt overwhelming and it not been for her support and keen guidance.”
-Gabrielle Miller, Corner Gas, Robson Arms

Quotes from the media:

“Lesley Diana and The Promotion People are my go-to team for the inside scoop on fabulous stars and personalities!”
-Erin Cebula, Entertainment Tonight Reporter

“The Promotion People are the best! Lesley and her team are professional, persistent and always get results.”
-Fiona Forbes, Host of Urban Rush

Contact The Promotion People

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
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Email: lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca