INTERVIEW: MARK RUFFALO & COBIE SMULDERS ON "THE AVENGERS"

Mark Ruffalo & Cobie Smulders in Toronto - April 2012

Toronto was lucky enough to host the Canadian Premiere for Marvel's The Avengers and after doing a busy day of Press, Stars Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk/Bruce Banner) and Cobie Smulders (Agent Maria Hill) graced a Fan and Media-lined Red Carpet at Scotiabank Theatre.

Despite running a bit behind, Oscar-nominated Ruffalo navigated the Carpet with great prowess, balancing his time between Outlets and Fans, spending a gracious amount of time signing Autographs and posing for Photos. Dressed a perfectly-tailored Suit and looking in fine form, the Actor is embracing his increasingly-distinguished looks, sporting a few new gray hairs since I last met him in 2008 at TIFF.  

For the first-time ever on-screen, Marvel's The Avengers brings together Superheroes The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), The Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Captain America (Chris Evans) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth), joining them as one force in a fight to save Earth from the ruthless Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Although at this time I am unable to post a Review of the Film, I can say that Joss Whedon masterfully interweaves several complex Superheroes' stories here in an explosive Spectacle.

With the likes of Lou Ferrigno, Eric Bana and Edward Norton having once filled the role of iconic (and destructive) Superhero The Hulk, I asked Ruffalo what unique traits he will be bringing to the table in Marvel's The Avengers. "I'm not sure", he tells me humbly.  "The one advantage I have is that I am the first Actor to play both Bruce Banner and The Hulk, so I hope that brings him alive in ways which CGI alone couldn't.". 

JORDAN KNIGHT, JOEY MCINTYRE & MARIO CANTONE AT "CHUM FM CHRISTMAS WISH BREAKFAST"

Joey McIntyre & Mario Cantone  in Toronto - December 2011

The Fun was in full-force bright and early today at Toronto's Masonic Temple for the annual CHUM FM Christmas Wish Breakfast. The Event is in support of the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish Campaign which together with Toronto Social Services, supports over 300,000 people who need Toys and Financial Aid over the Holidays.

Fans arrived at the Venue as early as 5:30 AM to see performances from Toronto's v. own LIGHTS and New Kids on the Block Hearththrobs Jordan Knight and Joey McIntyre, flying in to perform Peace on Earth three hours into the Show.  Super-funny Sex and the City Star Mario Cantone (a Friend of McIntyre) also made an appearance singing Baby It's Cold Outside on-stage together before hoards of devoted, screaming Ladies.

Although the Gentlemen were in a rush following the Show, they came outside to give out some Hi-fives and Handshakes to Fans.  "Sorry it was so short today!", Knight apologized on his way out. Cantone was super-nice to pose for a quick Snap.

To find out how you can donate to the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish, click here.

See more Photos below:

LIGHTS AT TORONTO ALBUM RELEASE PARTY FOR "SIBERIA" | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Lights at Toronto Album Release Party for Siberia - October 2011

Friends, Family and a few select Media were invited out to celebrate the release of Toronto Singer/Songwriter Lights' sophomore studio Album, Siberia from Universal Music Canada. Tucked away in the trendy Ossington x Bloor area, the Party was held at cozy The Piston, which the Juno Award-winning Singer/Songwriter admitted she rather liked, this being her first time there.

Lights' Manager, CBC Personality Jian Ghomeshi, took to the stage and delivered some heartfelt thanks to all those who played a part in her success story, rather excited that in her next round of touring she will be playing larger venues than ever before - an indication of her growing popularity. He also eluded to having been met with some minor setbacks in the process of releasing Siberia, including a change in American distribution and also having to acquire a bit of legal assistance in recent months.  All is well now and ready to go with this Collection of grittier, more progressive tracks, with Ghomeshi praising Lights' vision saying, "She's always been three of four years ahead of everybody else.".  He praised Universal Music Canada for trusting their creative process, which was done independently.

Lights & Ghomeshi

The Singer/Songwriter before beginning her four-song Set, had her Father Eric to thank, telling the intimate group how he had flown-in all the way from Surrey, BC just for the occasion.  Lights gave us a taste of Tracks like Where the Fence is Low (a favourite of her Father), Everybody Breaks a Glass (ft. Shad who performed the track live), current single Toes and also the sublime Acoustic number Cactus in the Valley, which she strummed her Guitar along to.  

Following her performance, both Ghomeshi and Lights herself were gracious enough to walk over and thank me for coming out to show my support. Although she didn't notice, I got a mouthful of her hair in my mouth when we exchanged a hug, which didn't taste... unpleasant!

SINGER LIGHTS SPOTTED IN TORONTO ON THE TTC

LIGHTS & Mr. Will-W.

Anyone who disagrees that living Toronto is the most awesome thing ever is a jealous Liar. Just earlier I was out running some errands and while boarding the Westbound Train, I spotted none other than the beautiful and talented Juno Award-winner, LIGHTS.  She was dressed in a knitted Cap, a Hoodie and a thin Jacket fit for this warmer weather we're finally experiencing.

Telling her I was shocked to see her on the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission, for you Out-of-Towners), she smiled at me "Yeah, I live here so I'm always taking it!".

I did interview LIGHTS a couple years back, but to this day have never actually met her, so it was a blessing to have gotten a chance to say "hi" properly. Click here to read my Interview with her.

After asking her about her new Music she quietly revealed to me, "I'm not supposed to say, but the new Album will be out in August".  I probed for a few more details to what the Sound will be like on the new Disc seeing that the Jian Ghomeshi Prodigy seems to have carved an Electropop niche for herself on debut The Listening.   She told me, "You're going to be shocked.  It's totally different from my last Album!". 

Coincidentally, LIGHTS got off at my stop and after asking nicely, she agreed to taking a Photo together on the Train before we both got off as onlookers soon began realizing there was someone famous in their presence.  She was so sweet and shook my hand, telling me it was nice to meet me.  Aww!  Love her.  Careful not to be a Creeper, I detoured over to a separate exit to give her some space.

Follow LIGHTS on Twitter here.

ELLIE GOULDING AT THE PHOENIX IN TORONTO | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Ellie Goulding at The Phoenix - Toronto, March 2011

British sensation Ellie Goulding finally made her Toronto debut this evening at The Phoenix Concert Hall.  Despite a conflicting schedule with the 2011 Juno Awards, I still made it out to enjoy this refreshing talent after having sung her praises last year when first discovering her debut Disc, Lights.  Since then, the Album has been re-packaged and re-released earlier in the month and now she is touring Theatres in North America finally.  

Playing to a packed House, Fans wanted more clearly after the hour-long Set had ended.  Goulding had performed a selection from Lights including Under the Sheets, Every Time You Go, The Writer and an encore which included my favourite, Starry Eyed.  She even threw-in a minimalistic rendition of Elton John's Your Song, which kept the crowd under her control - not an easy feat for an Artist performing at this venue.

A multi-Instrumentalist, the Audience witnessed Goulding alternating between Drums, Guitar and Keyboards as she delivered a genuine performance with her stellar vocal range.

REVIEW: ELLIE GOULDING - LIGHTS

Fans of a younger Björk are going to eat her up.  Hailing from Hereford, England, Ellie Goulding has come a long way for a girl whose mother used to tell her to "shut up" when she sang at home; apparently, her voice was "weird".  A drama student on hiatus, Goulding decided to take up music fulltime and after convincing much blogged about electro-pop darling Frankmusik to collaborate together with a message on Myspace, it wouldn't be long before she landed a deal with Polydor (Universal Music) and won a Critic's Choice Award at the 2010 BRITs. She is the next big thing.

Goulding's debut album Lights has been eagerly anticipated for quite some time among those in the music circle and it is a gorgeous collection of ten songs which leave the listener excited for more.  And I am impressed that Universal Music is releasing the album in Europe and Canada simultaneously before that big U.S. release, which seems to be a wise strategy for any artist dependent on Internet buzz.  It worked for Gaga.  This debut effort contains many gorgeous tracks like current single Starry Eyed, This Love (Will Be Your Downfall), The Writer and Wish I Stayed.  Under the Sheets is most accessible of all and was a fitting first single, but had only lukewarm reception. A majority of the tracks are produced immaculately by up-and-comer Starsmith, who is currently at work on Kylie Minogue's next studio effort, so this is a sneak preview of what the sound of 2010 will be like.