July 2001 - Nr. 7
Down On The Town
by Alexander Oolo
THE HEAT IS ON
Just when you thought nothing could beat this current heatwave...
Get ready everybody, the hottest and fastest show of the year is making its 16th return to Toronto’s Exhibition Place, July 13, 14, 15, 2001.
None other than THE MOLSON INDY is descending DOWN ON THE TOWN!
Treat yourself to 95 laps of pure thrill and excitement, breathtaking wheel-to-wheel action and mind-boggling speeds of 230 mph!
Check out who’s going to give 6-time winner and defending champion Michael Andretti a run for his money on Toronto’s temporary 1.755-mile street course.
Will it be one of Canada’s racing superstars, like Paul Tracy, Patrick Carpentier or Alex ‘Tags’ Tagliani?
Or
will the victor come from CART’s (Championship Auto Racing Teams)
international roster of world-class drivers, such as Germany’s Michael
Krumm, Scotland’s Dario Franchitti, Sweden’s Kenny Brack or the FedEx
Championship Series 2000 champion, Brazilian Gil de Ferran?
But whoever will take the checkered flag (defending polesitter is Sao Paulo-born Helio Castroneves) -nothing will move you faster than being at Molson Indy Toronto 2001.
This year’s race-day (July 15) in particular should make for an unforgettable experience.
During the Canadian National Anthem spectators would be well advised to look to the sky above. There they will see members of the Canadian Forces Parachute Team (The Sky Hawks) trailing smoke while proudly flying the Canadian Flag allthewhile performing dangerous aerial stunts and daring formations. But that’s not all!
Immediately following that, crowds will become even more dazzled by a Fly Past from a supersonic CF-18. It will soar a 1,000 feet over the Molson Indy Start/Finish Line while easily exceeding the speed of sound.
I can’t think of a more beautiful sound to proceed the roar and thunder of the cars once they will do battle below.
Leading up to the 3 hottest days of the year is another – fun-packed – venue called the Molson IndyFest – Racing For Kids!
Some say that the IndyFest is just as exciting as the actual race weekend...
Be that as it may be, but we are talking of an entire week of pre-race festivities!
Each year IndyFest succeeds in getting the community (racing and non-racing fans alike) revved up for the big event come Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
And so this year is no exception in featuring The social highlights of IndyFest, the Black & White Gala Dinner and the Driver’s VIP Party.
Mind you, there are many other happenings to attend.
Here are some of the funnest to attend: the Molson Indy Bike Challenge, the FedEx Challenge for Charity, Molson Indy Downtown, the FedEx Championship Series Transporter Parade, the CART Driver Autograph Session, the Molson Pit Party, and especially the Greg More Golf Classic (in support of the Greg Moore Foundation).
For more information on any of these or other events call the Molson IndyFest hotline at 416-966-6213.
What is most important about the Molson IndyFest – Racing For Kids! is its charitable aspect. That means that basically all funds raised during IndyFest will be donated to the Molson Indy Festival Foundation, which supports local children’s charities throughout Toronto.
And there you have it, all you need to know for Indy coming to town.
Well, not counting all the celebrities you might come across in downtown Toronto leading up to the big week end - Ashley Judd, Paul Newman, and David Letterman representing just some of them.
See you trackside - its gonna be a hot one this year!
THE MOLSON INDY - NOTHING MOVES YOU FASTER!
For event tickets call (416) 872-INDY, online www.molsonindy.com
Beaches International Jazz Festival
The groove, the funk and the beat are back at Toronto’s nicest neighbourhood, The Beaches.
This
is the thirteenth year the organizers – an ongoing, harmonious
collaboration between musicians, small & Big business and patrons – of
the annual Beaches International Jazz Festival (BIJF) aim at promoting
Canadian jazz at its finest.
Since they have succeeded in doing so for the past 12 years 2001 should make no exception. Especially when looking at the musical gems Musical Director, Bill King has come up with this time around.
Personally I’m really looking forward to four performances in particular.
First there is 23-year old pianist-bandleader Michael Kaeshammer, whose development we hear has made him more fluid and surprising in his approach of the ebony & ivory keys.
Then there is the Susan Arioli Swing Band. It should make for a refreshing listening-experience as they have resurrected the Swing of the 1930’s and 40’s with the occasional 50’s-tune thrown into the mix.
Bill King’s jazz- and blues rooted Saturday Nite Fish Fry is back and promises to sound as fresh and intense as last year’s session.
And lastly I’ll be eyeing one Joey DeFrancesco. Apparently he has taken the Jazz Organ playing to a whole new level. This would explain why he has been voted the world’s # 1 jazz organist in all major polling. Conclusion: this should make for one amazing set to take in.
All these acts along the other headliners will appear, July 28 + 29, 2001 in Kew Gardens off Toronto’s colourful Queen Street East.
As many of you know (many of you of course are attendees of this annual choice-venue), the Beaches International Jazz Festival does not only offer the above-mentioned main two-day event but also features its second-to-none StreetFest (July 25 – 29, 2001).
This year’s version of taking-it-to-the-streets means once again complete traffic closure on the festival’s main drag.
But there is something totally new for 2001.
The Festival has decided to add an additional stage at the historical and picturesque (!) R.C. Harris Filtration Plant (2701 Queen St. East). With the help of the Classic Jazz Society of Toronto, the plant location will showcase top-notch classic jazz artists and ensembles and is included as a component of the StreetFest.
This event will take place July 26 to July 28, 2001, always between 7:00 and 11:00 p.m.
Finally, 2001 will also see the repeat of last year’s well received (and successful) An Ovation of Jazz Benefit in support of the Toronto East General Hospital. The event takes place Wednesday July 25th at the Balmy Beach Club. For further information, please call (416) 469-6003.
This only leaves me with wishing every attendee to the 13th Beaches International Jazz Festival memorable experiences.
See you there.
Info: (416) 698-2152 or www.beachesjazz.com
Comments to: oolo@echoworld.com
