Tag Archives: Samaritan Mag

‘Migrant Dreams’ Explores Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers Program

Ontario greenhouses

Ontario greenhouses

For all the rah-rah about how well it treats its citizens, provides a safety net for the less fortunate and supports refugees and immigrants, there’s a semi-secret underclass Canadians should be ashamed about the way they’re treated — temporary foreign workers.

Brought in to Canada on restrictive short term contracts to do farming, manual labour and “jobs Canadians won’t do,” temporary workers are often exploited in this country.

A recent documentary about this subject called Migrant Dreams explores this subject in depth.

I spoke to director Min Sook Lee about it for Samaritan Mag.

To read the full interview click here.

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Filed under Films, Shameless Promotion, Television

Manifesto Supports Toronto’s Hip-Hop Culture

Manifesto

Manifesto

One of the marquee hip-hop events on the Toronto event calendar that isn’t 100 per cent OVO/Drake-ified is the announce fall concert/event series Manifesto.

Manifesto caps each fest with a free concert at Yonge-Dundas Square that matches up-and-coming locals with huge international stars.

I interviewed Manifesto chair Che Kothari in the lead up to this year’s event for Samaritan Mag.

To find out what his vision for Manifesto’s future is, click here.

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Filed under Concerts, Culture, Music, Shameless Promotion

Rae Spoon’s Bathroom Dance Party

Rae Spoon

Rae Spoon

Musician Rae Spoon’s “I Hear Them Calling” video is more than just a dance party in a bathroom.

It’s also a musical metaphor that confronts the monster that is transgender rights.

Spoon explained the video in an interview I did with them for Samaritanmag.

To read it click here.

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Filed under Dance, Music, Politics, Shameless Promotion

Samaritan News 10 Pack: Tragically Hip, Gord Downie, More

Secret Path

Secret Path

I’ve been doing a bunch of stuff  over at the music-ish charity ‘n’ good news website Samaritan Mag.

Here’s a batch of recent news pieces:

The Adventure Club Cross-Canada Cineplex Screening To Aid Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

Hedley Play Concert at Perth High School that Won Cancer Fight Fundraiser Draw

Pros And Cons Prisoner Music Program Gets $25k David Rockefeller Fund Grant

Re:Sound Event Raises $20k For Unison Benevolent Fund

Gord Downie to Play Two Charity Concerts in Support of His Secret Path Reconciliation Project

Tragically Hip Tour Generates More Than $1 Million For Brain Cancer Research

Music Monday And Youth4Music Music Education Programs Receive NAMM Foundation Grants

Gord Downie’s Secret Path Project To Support Truth & Reconciliation Efforts

Black Eyed Peas’ ‘WHERESTHELOVE’ Star-Studded Song, Video To Combat Violence, Racism

U.S. Government Gets Cheesy To Help Farmers, Those With Food Insecurity

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Filed under Culture, Music, Shameless Promotion

Closer To The Heart Explores Classic Canadiana

Sloan and Broken Social Scene perform at a past Closer To The Heart

Sloan and Broken Social Scene perform at a past Closer To The Heart

At the most recent Closer To The Heart benefit for the Regent Park School Of Music the likes of Sean Cullen, David Diamond & Mr. Zero (The Kings), Stephen Stanley (ex-Lowest of the Low), Kevin Kane (Grapes of Wrath) and Tara Slone (ex-Joydrop, co-host Rogers’ Hometown Hockey) performed classic Canadian covers all with the goal of helping raise money for music education.

I spoke to Karen Pace, the organizer of the event, for Samaritanmag.

To read the full interview click here.

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Filed under Music, Shameless Promotion