NAYA RIVERA PARTNERS WITH WINNERS & HOMESENSE IN TORONTO FOR THE SUNSHINE FOUNDATION

Naya Rivera in Toronto - July 2012

"It didn't take much. It was just a question of whether I had the day off and I'll be there!", says stunning Glee Star Naya Rivera. The Actress/Singer flew into Toronto yesterday, her first-ever appearance in the City on her own other than having toured with her Cast Mates last June. Dressed in an eye-catching neon number, she colour-coordinated perfectly to shine a bit of her radiance to the Occasion.  That Occasion of course being her working together with Winners and HomeSense in their on-going efforts for the Sunshine Foundation. The Clothing and Home Furnishings Retailers since 1999 have been helping make the dreams of disabled and severely ill Children come true.

Attaching her name to a noble Cause is nothing new to Rivera.  Since propelling to Stardom in her starring role as Cheerleader Santana Lopez on Fox's prolific Musical Comedy Series, the Actress/Singer has shown her support for a variety of Organizations raising awareness for the GLBT Community, Alzheimer's Disease, Autism and Down Syndrome.  "I'm definitely always looking for any cause that I feel really is making a difference and it doesn't matter where it is", Rivera says. "Obviously, Kids are very near and dear to my Heart having Siblings and always growing-up with younger Kids.".

Appearing alongside Rivera this Morning were Fraternal Twins Ty and Jasmine (pictured above), born prematurely and  suffering from Cerebral Palsy.  Although Jasmine appears calm and reserved, her Brother Ty is the Yin to her Yang, being the outspoken one.  They are just an example of the Children who are benefiting from the kind and hard work of the Sunshine Foundation, recently spending a magical week at Great Wolf Lodge with fond memories of endless Buffets and Prizes. "A Kick-off?  Is she here to play Football or something?", jokes a spirited Ty, drawing a big laugh from Rivera after she is introduced to myself and two other Journalists on her reason of visit. "He's definitely a Comedian!", Rivera jokes.

NAYA RIVERA IN TORONTO FOR THE "SUNSHINE FOUNDATION OF CANADA"

Naya Rivera in Toronto - June 2011

Gorgeous Glee Star Naya Rivera will be arriving in Toronto on Monday, July 30, 2012 to lend her voice to a Cause dear to her Heart.  Rivera will help launch the Spread a Little Sunshine Campaign for Winners and Homesense's 13th annual Fundraising efforts in support of the Sunshine Foundation of Canada.  

The Foundation was established in 1987 by a London, Ontario Police Officer whose Son passed away from Muscular Dystrophy.  It aims to make the dreams come true of Children with severe disabilities and life-threatening illnesses. Currently the Foundation has eight Chapters throughout Canada.

This marks Rivera's first-ever Canadian appearance outside of the Glee Franchise. The 25-year-old Actress who stars on the Series as Santana Lopez, also currently is at work on her debut Disc to be released via Sony Music.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

RICKY MARTIN ON THE SET OF "GLEE"

Ricky Martin on the set of Glee

How awesome is this? International Megastar Ricky Martin just wrapped his first day on the set of Glee and Tweeted the above Photo. The Singer is filming a Spanglish-themed episode which also will feature Gloria Estefan. The role of Spanish Teacher seems to be a recurring hotspot for Celebrities with Gwyneth Paltrow previously playing the role of Holly Holliday on the Series.

The Cast of the Show also got a little starstruck with Lea Michele Tweeting a Photo together with Martin, praising "He's seriously the sweetest and such a great fit for our show!". Michele has known Martin since she was eight years-old when they were both in Les Miserables together.

Cory Monteith took to Twitter expressing his excitement, "We have a new Spanish Teacher".

"GLEE THE 3D CONCERT MOVIE" SOUNDTRACK TRACK LIST

Glee the 3D Concert Movie Motion Picture Soundtrack

If you had a blast at Glee Live! In Concert! like me, soon you'll be able to re-live the magic as Glee the 3D Concert Movie hits theatres on August 12, 2011! Preceding its release is the Motion Picture Soundtrack for the Movie, in-stores on August 9, 2011, featuring all tracks performed on the Tour.  To read my Review of one of their four Toronto Shows, click here.

The Track List for Glee The 3D Concert Movie (Motion Picture Soundtrack) is as follows:

"KLAINE" & "BRITANNA" DOUBLE-KISS AT "GLEE LIVE! IN CONCERT!" DUBLIN

Heather Morris & Naya Rivera kiss in Dublin

Dublin Gleeks got "duble" the shock last night with the conclusion of the Glee Live! In Concert! Tour!  In a skit where Heather Morris' Brittany is to seduce Darren Criss' Blaine, then being confronted by Chris Colfer's Kurt, the audience saw both Kurt and Blaine (known affectionately by Fans as Klaine) go in for a kiss, asserting their love for one another before a sea of screams.

Brittany however definitely wasn't left-out this time either, with Naya Rivera's Santana arriving on-stage and surprising just about everybody by kissing Brittany, adding further to their simmering romantic story line on the Series. Will we be seeing more of Britanna in the coming third season of Glee? Les wait and see!  How fitting for Pride Weekend!

In the meantime watch the exchanging of kisses below:

"GLEE LIVE! IN CONCERT!" AT TORONTO'S AIR CANADA CENTRE - REVIEW, PICS & VIDEO

Glee Live! In Concert! at Toronto's Air Canada Centre

At last, Torontonians have had a chance to witness the greatness that is the Glee Live! In Concert! Tour tonight at Air Canada Centre and it is everything I hoped it would be ...and more!  The 90-minute Show is a high-energy spectacle without a lull to be found. Taking the stage at 9:00 PM to roaring cheers, the Set began with The New Directions appearing on-stage performing what is now known as one of the Cast's signature tunes, Don't Stop Believin' (Journey).

Bridged by brief Video Montages of Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) hilariously expressing her distaste for the New Directions, an endless array of spirited Covers were delivered like Dog Days are Over (Florence & The Machine) by Jenna Ushkowitz & Amber Riley; a sultry delivery of I'm a Slave 4 U (Britney Spears) by Heather Morris; a soulful Ain't No Way (Aretha Franklin) by Riley; a Katy Perry one-two of Firework and Teenage Dream - the former sung by Lea Michele and the latter by Darren Criss & The Warblers; River Deep, Mountain High (Tina Turner) by Naya Rivera and Riley; Kevin McHale's wheelchair-free performance of Safety Dance (Men Without Hats); and group deliveries of songs like Born this Way (Lady Gaga) and Somebody to Love (Queen).

The Synergy felt from this extremely-talented Cast simply was magical. Although this evening's Setlist stuck mostly to Pop, steering away from some of the more Showtunesque moments found in the Musical Sitcom itself, this choice in Musical Direction was a right one considering the young demographic of the Audience.  Everything from the Singing to Choreography to Stage Production was tight and I contemplate myself wanting to see it allover again.  

GLEE LIVE! IN CONCERT! TO HIT TORONTO ON JUNE 11, 2011

Cast of Glee

Best news all year! Fox has announced today that the Cast of Glee will be heading out on the road again with their Glee Live! In Concert! Tour. And Toronto's Air Canada Centre will be one of their stop-offs on June 11, 2011! Yes!!!   Justice is served at last!

The Tour will be running from May 21 to June 18, 2011. Ticket prices have not yet been announced, but I will pay anything for these. ANYTHING.

Cast members who have committed to the Tour include: Lea Michele (Rachel), Amber Riley (Mercedes), Chris Colfer (Kurt), Kevin McHale (Artie), Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina), Mark Salling (Puck), Dianna Agron (Quinn), Naya Rivera (Santana), Heather Morris (Brittany), Harry Shum, Jr. (Mike), Chord Overstreet (Sam) and Darren Criss (Blaine).