Back in Toronto. It's been a summer with a wonderful balance of some interesting gigs with several different musicians and the down time between at our cottage. I made a promis to myself to take advantage of every opportunity to get out on the windsurfer ….. and really got lots of time on the water!
This Sept 20 '13 the Wexford Gleeks – where Tom teaches – get to be on stage at the Air Canada Centre backing up astrosaut Chris Hadfield and the Bare Naked Ladies. They also performed on the original recording of "Is Somebody Singing?" written by Chris and Ed Robertson. Chris recorded his part while in the space station!! Perhaps a space first! Tom did the vocal arrangement and the project was over seen by the CBC and producer Paul Mills.
Over last I was involved with 2 small theatre shows in Prince Edward County. One was a revue of "County Songs" most of which have been performed in earlier shows, one the other was based on Rum Running Stories from that area. Long time County writer Suzanne Pasternak was behind the helm.
Here is the cast of Rum Runners '13 (Jenica Hammett, Suzanne Pasternak, Rick Zimmerman, Mark Despault and Tom Leighton.
Back in the end of June Conrad and I played at a mostly blue grass style weekend near Belleville called the "Just Past the Pines Jamboree". It was fun to be involved there and we heard some 1st class music as well.
Tom teamed up with Rick Bauer to do Canada Day duties at the Waring House, July '13. They did a "Cross Country Cavalcade" with gave songs and tunes from Sea to Sea to Sea. As always, Waring House did it up right with a terrific fireworks display.
While down in the Maritimes Tom got to sit in with the PEI Summer Revue which was a hit show that featured Mark Haines teammed up with Island funnyman Partick Ledwell. It was a terrific show and really brought out the best of both talents. I sure enjoyed myself.