Red Around Town: July 19

Cyndi Lauper and friends came to Deer Lake Park in Burnaby and swept the crowd away with music and some memories. The lady is a trouper and the True Colors Tour attracted over 8,000 people to the site. The duet with our resident International superstar Sarah McLachlan was a treat… I was a host at the 7th Annual Penticton Elvis Festival in Penticton. This small Okanagan town puts on an amazing series of events all weekend long and wouldn’t you know it summer arrived just in time. The Champion “Elvis” placing first is Ben Klein, who now goes on to Memphis for the Ultimate Elvis competition sponsored by Graceland. You can see Ben on August 31 at the P.N.E. Salute to Elvis. Local Elvis tribute artist Justin Shandor placed second. It’s official, talk show host Wink Martindale and wife Sandy will be here at the P.N.E. on August 31 for the annual Salute to Elvis on the 51st anniversary of his visit here. Wink was the first television host to interview Elvis on his Memphis television show Dance Party in early 1956. His wife Sandy once dated Elvis… 99.3 The Fox is presenting Angels and Airwaves at the Commodore Ballroom on August 7. The frequency asked me to tell you that they are sold out… My friend Glen Campbell put on a terrific show at the Red Robinson Show Theatre a few weeks back. His work on the 12-string guitar is something to behold. He is considered by most as one of the world’s best on the instrument…

“Click me – I talk!”

Cirque du Soleil has done it again with the biggest attendance in years. I learned from some of the management of the company that they are working on another show for Las Vegas, where there are currently 5 Cirque shows, including one saluting The Beatles titled Love, the next project for 2009 is Elvis… I visited Urban Rush hosts Michael Eckford and Fiona Forbes to discuss my unexpected mentions on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno where Dana Carvey mimicked my voice and talked positively about his visit to my venue in Coquitlam. Jay also had been to the theatre and mentioned that. What an honour to be recognized across America… While visiting Shaw TV, I talked with Michael and Fiona who are awaiting word about their contracts being renewed for another season. I sincerely hope they get a positive answer because they have wonderful chemistry and this is one of the best locally produced shows in our town… Did you know George Carlin played the River Rock Show Theatre last year and was scheduled to return to the theatre in November? Sadly he passed away a few weeks ago at 71… My personal thanks to Kim Gough, Program Developer of the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria for notifying me that I am to be included in the 150th Anniversary of British Columbia becoming a crown colony exhibit titled Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and B.C. I will be included in a giant collage of 132 influential British Columbians, known as The Party. This boy from Fanny Bay and his family thank you for this great honour.

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