THE HELICOPTER HAS LANDED: A play so big they had to build a theatre for it deserves a party just as grand. To that end, the opening night bash for Miss Saigon held at Pier 23 on the waterfront was, well, massive. Turn left at the Huey and you’re in the land of tuxes, along with an amazing array of food, drink and desserts- all gratis, naturally. The big kick of the evening came after midnight when sailing ship the “Empire Sandy” pulled up out back to welcome us on board. They started serving breakfast and took off for a cruise around the harbour until 3 a.m. Unbelievable. Among the 2,000 lucky stiffs who got in were [024-001] Nestor Dionisio, seen here with his daughter, Ma-Anne, who just happens to be the star of the show. Also whooping it up were [024-002] actor Lisa Olafson with her boyfriend, Tim Howar, who plays one of the Marines in the play. Among the other cast members on hand were [024-003, L-R] “Hustler,” Radel Navel, and “Gigi,” Jinky Llamanzares. Taking in the celebrations was [024-004] artist Frank Stella, designer of the paintings that adorn the Princess of Wales theatre. The carousel of never before published images follows. Can you identify anyone?
SPINNING WHEELS: Last Thursday the Elmo was host to the Craig Ross Memorial Benefit, a fund raiser for the Team Ross 66 Family in honour of the late bike courier and Boozass member. The team is trying to raise enough bucks for them to attend the Cycle Messenger Championship in Berlin in August. Among those offering support was [024-030, L-R] Jeff Beardall of the Satanatras, who were on the bill for the night (seen here doing a cigarette trick he says he learned as a speech writer for Rene Levesque), and, putting up with his foolishness, writer Karen Leggat. Also, [024-031, L-R] Steve Goof of the BFOGs and Drool of Random Killing, who contributed a set to the show. In the crowd were [024-032, L-R] Vikki the Schlickster (who travels by bike and hammock), illustrator Nicholas Sinclair and Craig’s old roommate, Shanon Cassells, who’s in fashion. Never published previously photos follow.
STAND UP AND SING! The Great Canadian Karaoke Challenge held its Ontario Finals at the Reunion Bar in the Sheraton Centre Hotel on Saturday. For the past eight weeks, competitions have been held all over the country to determine who goes on to the National Finals on June 20 – to be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton. The 30 finalists who took to the mic on Saturday had been whittled down from over 4,000 hopefuls, with the top two advancing. And the winners are … [024-038, L-R] 1st place winners Sonjia Vascotio and Beatrice Rose-Langford, seen here with 2nd and 3rd place finishers Donna Lee Blackwell and Michael O’Grady. Among the finalists who didn’t make it to the winners’ circle were [024-039] David Lovegrove and [024-040] Boss Man “G”. Many never previously published images follow.
CLIMB ON UP: The Treehouse Cafe on Church has opened up a new performance space upstairs called “My Treehouse.” Opening night Saturday was a cozy, intimate affair, what with most of the city enthralled by the “hak-ee” game. Among those performing at the grand opening was [024-049] Bitch Diva, well known to both Queen and Church St. audiences, who you can just call Bitch, “because I love it when you talk dirty.” Hanging around the back were [024-050. L-R] musician John Alcorn, who opened the night, and stand-up comic Marla Lukofsky, the evening’s MC. Do you recognize anyone in the outtakes?
Steven Lungley(https://eyespytoronto.com)