The global music business is experiencing demonstrable growth for the first time since the 1990s, and according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) sales of music reached US$17.3 billion in 2017 an increase of 8.1% on 2016. But this increase in the global marketplace is not representative of certain areas of the world. In particular, popular music in Africa has benefited from shrewd independent artists and self-promotion, largely through global social media channels such as Mdundo, which covers East Africa and allows artists to upload their music themselves.
In celebration of freedom and diversity, Lamport Stadium will be alive with the sound of steelpan music as steelbands compete in the Pan Alive Competition to decide Ontario’s Champion Steelband on Aug. 3, 2018. Artistic director Rhoma Spencer tells us about her role in the festival as well as a new event on the Friday night leading up to the Peeks Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade, also known as, Caribana [article, video].
“As I was painting, I really wanted a sense of their presence being here, so I would listen to their music, which is incredible music,” says artist Adrian Hayles, from the balcony of a nearby building overlooking the Yonge Mural. [article/video].
Consider yourself lucky. You get the chance to see images that were on show in Brendan Meadows’ exhibition IPSEITY at Liss Gallery in Toronto during the CONTACT Photography Festival. Take a look.
The duality of Brendan Meadows’ images is undeniable but we first see the familiar artful lines and darkroom techniques found in the work of two important figures in American fashion photography, Harper’s Bazaar’s illustrator-turned-fashion-photographer Lillian Bassman and Berlin-born, Jewish photographer Erwin Blumenfield, whose portraits of American movie stars, society ladies, iconic Vogue covergirls dominated the culture from the 1940s to the 60s. [see photos from the IPSEITY exhibition]
Vancouver-based artist Brendan Meadows has had a successful career as a commercial photographer taking pictures of celebrities, musicians and models for the last 10 years, but IPSEITY, his latest collection takes his work in a new direction and opens up new possibilities for the future of photography. [article and exclusive video interview below]
It’s a beautiful sight to see on a summers’ day by the waters of Lake Ontario, toes curled up, gripping the hot sand, bodies leaning back into a parsva virabhadrasana reverse warrior pose doing yoga on the beach.
It was time to take a break, she said, when Kate Spade sold her company she built with her husband Andy Spade and her other two partners Elcye Arons and Pamela Bell, to Neiman Marcus. Kate raised her daughter for about 9 years. When her daughter was becoming independent at 12, Kate decided to join the world of fashion again.
This Is Nigeria is an inspired piece of work by a “brilliant and highly distinct” (Bahd) actor, musician and entertainer, who also happens to be as funny as the first guy. [article, video]
Donald Glover’s SNL performance was memorable, but come Sunday, people will be talking about the Childish Gambino video for This Is America. [article, video]
