Author: DECOSTA Global

GUEST LIST

MEDIA INVITED

1. Suzanne Boyd – Editor in Chief, Zoomer Magazine
2. Vivian Vassos – Associate Editor, Zoomer Magazine
3. Adam Waxman – Editor, DINE Magazine
4. Aaron Morrell – Producer, The being Frank show
5. Alison Eastwood – Editor in Chief, HELLO Canada Magazine
6. Amoryn Engel – Reporter, National Post
7. Amy Verner – Style Reporter, Globe and Mail
8. Carla Warrilow – Toronto Bureau Chief, BizBash Toronto
9. Janine Falcon – Editor and Founder, Beauty Geek and The KIT Magazine
10. Bernadette Morra – Editor In Chief, Fashion Magazine
11. Lisa Ng – Founder and Editor, The Hip and Urban Girl
12. Wendy Kam Marcy – Editor, The Hip and Urban Girl
13. Fraser Abe – Reporter, Toronto Life
14. Rosey Edeh – Reporter, Entertainment Tonight Canada
15. Emma Yardley – Fashion Writer, The Toronto Star, Metro Toronto
16. JJ Thompson – Founder and Editor, The Compendium Daily
17. Ryan Emberley – Photographer, The Compendium Daily
18. Michelle Zerillo – Editor in Chief, DOLCE Magazine
19. Natalie Deane – Producer, Entertainment Tonight Canada
20. Glen Baxter – Host, In Fashion Television
21. Justin Edmead – CEO and Founder of TDot TV
22. Napthali McKenley – Photographer, TORO Magazine, Think Contra
23. Nathalie Atkinson – Reporter, The National Post
24. Matt O’Grady – Editor at Large, Report on Business of The Globe and Mail
25. Karen Kwinter – Style Editor, Canadian Living Magazine
26. Lisa Tant – Editor in Chief, FLARE Magazine
27. Linda Luong – Editor in Chief, WHERE Magazine
28. Jeremy Freed – Editor in Chief, SHARP Magazine
29. Sarah Kelsey – Lifestyle Editor, Huffington Post Canada
30. Si Si Penaloza – Contributor, The Globe and Mail
31. Rebecca Zamon – National Lifestyle Editor, Sun Media
32. Greg Hudson – Online Editor, SHARP Magazine
33. Steven and Chris – Hosts, CBC’s The Steven and Chris Show
34. Tracy Moore – Host, CityLine
35. Rita Zekas – Fashion Writer, The Toronto Star
36. Chad – Editor in Chief. Chad Magazine
37. Mahfud Ibrahim – Editor in Chief, MUDD Magazine
38. Monika Bhondy – Fashion Editor, ANOKHI Magazine
39. Michelle Bilodeau – Editor in Chief, Front Row Magazine

TASTEMAKERS/NOTABLES

1. Alex Filiatrault – Director of Marketing, Shangri-La Hotel
2. Ann Layton – President, Sirens Communications
3. Frank Campo – VP of Marketing, Trump International Hotels Toronto
4. Sophia Bikos – Entertainment Specialist, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
5. Don Schreifels – Director of Marketing, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
6. Gail McInnes – Creative Director, Magnet Creative
7. Ainsley Kerr – Director of Boobyball, Socialite
8. Ron Telpner – President and CEO, The Brainstorm Group
9. Andrea Bolley – Artist
10. Stacey McKenzie – Supermodel
11. Sandy Power – President, Warner Bros. Pictures Canada
12. Yasmin Warsame – Supermodel

CONFIRMED GUESTS
October 25th, 2011

1. JJ Thompson – The Compendium Daily, The Globe and Mail
2. Ryan Emberley – The Compendium Daily, The Globe and Mail
3. Frank Campo – VP of Marketing, Trump International Hotels Toronto
4. Gail McInnes – Creative Director, Magnet Creative
5. Sophia Bikos +1 – Entertainment Specialist, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
6. Ainsley Kerr +1 – Director of Boobyball, Socialite
7. Alex Filiatrault +1 – Director of Marketing, Shangri-La Hotel
8. Mary Symons +1 – President of Mary Symons Communications
9. Raymond Girard – SpaFax and enRoute Magazine
10. Carol Besler – Freelance Journalist, specializing in Jewellery
11. Sarah Casselman – Assistant Editor, FASHION Magazine
12. Catherine Nuggent and David Nuggent – Socialites
13. Kalandra Roach +1 – Development Officer, Bridgepoint Health Foundation
14. Andrea Bolley – Artist, Socialite
15. Chad +1 – Editor in Chief, Chad Magazine
16. Robert Gage – Celebrity Hairstylist
17. Karning Hum – Executive Producer, Canada AM
18. Shawn Gibson – Owner, Teatro Verde
19. Jeronimo Demiguel – Owner, Vintage One Wines
20. Wendy Natale – Fashion Editor, HELLO! Magazine Canada
21. Nolan Bryant – Fashion Blogger and Founder of NolanBryant.com
22. Tattiawna Jones – Actress, CTV’s Flashpoint, CBC’s Heartland, CBC’s Republic of Doyle
23. Chrissie Rejman – Supervising Producer, CityLine, CityTV
24. Candy Signorini – Senior Producer, CityLine
25. Sarah Nicole Prickett – Fashion Writer, FASHION Magazine, NOW Magazine
26. Sara Waxman – Editor in Chief, DINE Magazine
27. Donna DeMarco – Fashion Model
28. Laird Kay – Director of Architectural Services, The Wine Establishment
29. Phil Birnbaum – Fashion Writer

Following the success of the world premiere screening in Richmond Hill, film and television veteran Paula Brancati begins an exciting cross-country festival tour for her feature film, Moon Point, starting with the International Film Festival, Cinéfest Sudbury, on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at SilverCity Sudbury.

Next, Brancati heads to the Film North Festival in Hunstville (September 23), Edmonton International Film Festival (September 30), and ends with the Calgary International Film Festival (October 1 & 2). The team will then submit to festivals across the US and the world in the new year.

Moon Point is the funny story of an ambitionless 24-year old boy, played by Nick McKinlay, who travels hundreds of miles in a wagon hooked onto the back of his friend’s electric wheelchair hoping to track down his childhood crush. On their journey, the boys meet Brancati’s character Kristin, a sharp, sarcastic young woman who is running away from a relationship back home. Eager to join the boys on their adventure, she begins to realize that love can find you in unlikely places.

Brancati is best known for her portrayal of “Jane Vaughan” on the internationally acclaimed Degrassi: The Next Generation and her work on the Emmy-winning series Dark Oracle. Both roles garnered her Gemini Award nominations for Best Performance in a leading role. She is currently filming Season 4 of the CBC hit series Being Erica which premieres on Monday, September 26, 2011 at 9 p.m.

Graduating from television to the big screen for Moon Point came easy for Brancati. In 2003, she starred in the feature film Cold Creek Manor featuring Dennis Quaid, Sharon Stone and Twilight’s Kristen Stewart. In addition to Moon Point, Paula can be seen later this year in the ABC Family romantic comedy Desperately Seeking Santa.

Brancati’s passion for the arts started at an early age. She studied “Improvisation and Musical Theatre” with CharActors Theatre Troupe, jazz and ballet with the AB Dance School, and voice lessons at her high school.

An extremely versatile performer, Brancati is also a two time Dora Award nominee, earning nominations in the same year for her title role in Ross Petty’s musical adaptation of Cinderella and Van’s Sister in Dog Sees God. Other theatre credits include starring alongside Andrea Martin, Louise Pitre, and Mary Walsh in the Canadian premiere of the off-Broadway smash-hit Love, Loss and What I Wore, and most recently, reprising her role in Dog Sees God in a one-night-only performance at the New York International Fringe Festival’s Benefit series.

Other film and television credits include the Hallmark Channel feature The National Tree, CBC series The Blobheads, guest appearances on Life With Derek, Heartland, Radio Free Roscoe, Doc, Veritas, Kevin Hill, Painkiller Jane, Filthy Gorgeous alongside Isabella Rossellini, Angela’s Eyes, Disney Channel features Cow Belles and Jump In!

For more information on the film, please visit www.moonpointmovie.com.

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For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
Los Angeles 818.748.7517

Toronto – September 7, 2011

From A-listers to red carpet events, Purolator will be a part of Canadian and international film history as it proudly announces a three-year partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), as the exclusive sponsor in the Express and Ground Courier Services category.

TIFF has entrusted Purolator to help deliver the ten-day festival, from September 8 to 18, 2011, and year-round at its headquarters, the TIFF Bell Lightbox.
“Our company is proud to be part of a true Canadian success-story”, said Mr. Ramsey Mansour, VP Marketing at Purolator. “This new opportunity enables Purolator to play a ‘supporting role’ as part of a great Canadian cast and crew. We are very excited about the opportunity to work with TIFF in delivering entertainment to Canadians and around the world.”

TIFF has become known worldwide as the launching ground for many of the best Canadian, Hollywood and international films and is recognized as one of the most important film festivals around the world.

Purolator is also the proud sponsor of the screening of The Artist, a silent, black-and-white melodrama starring John Goodman and French actor Jean Dujardin, taking place at the Elgin Theatre on Friday, September 9, 2011 at 6 p.m.

Directed by Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist is a fabulously entertaining film which takes place at Kinograph Studios, Hollywoodland, from 1927 to 1931 during the silent film era and the stock market crash. The film premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival to rave reviews with Dujardin winning the Best Actor Award for his performance.

About Purolator

Purolator is Canada’s leading integrated freight and parcel solutions provider. Celebrating 50 years of delivering Canada, the company continues to expand its reach to more people, more businesses and more places across the country and around the world. Purolator is proud of its Canadian heritage and is well-positioned for future growth and success. As the recent recipient of the Logistics Quarterly Third-Party Logistics Sustainability Award, Purolator is growing globally in a sustainable manner while contributing to the well-being of the communities in which its over 11,500 teammates live, work and play.

For more information, visit www.purolator.com.

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Contact:
Karen White
Director, Corporate Communications
Purolator Inc.
905-712-1084 ext. 23241
Email: [email protected]

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
United States 855.596.2978

Toronto – September 6, 2011

We Ate the Children Last, written and directed by filmmaker Andrew Cividino, is an apocalyptic tale of medical misadventure based on a short story of the same name by Yann Martel, the Booker Prize-winning Canadian author of Life of Pi. The 13-minute short premieres as part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s prestigious Short Cuts Canada program at TIFF Bell Lightbox on September 14, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. and September 15, 2011 at 1 p.m.

After graduating with a BFA in film studies from Ryerson University’s School of Image Arts, Cividino created an award‐winning public service announcement in 2006 for the Ontario Film Review Board winning the TIFF /Motorola Motoreel Competition and Motorola’s Filmmaker of the Year.

In 2007, he founded Film Forge Productions and has produced and directed films with the support of the National Film Board of Canada and Bravo! We Ate the Children Last is the third short by Cividino whose other films include Norbert (2007) and Mud (2009).

Cividino’s vision for We Ate the Children Last was to present an effective satire of mass media-induced hysteria and human fallibility. The quick-thinking writer was able to quickly revise the screenplay when filming during the midst of the G20 Summit in Toronto last year. Cividino used riot scenes from the Summit to capture badly needed footage for the sci-fi horror movie, footage they otherwise couldn’t have afforded with their modest $30,000 budget.

The scenes of mayhem on the Toronto streets illustrated the social upheaval caused by the movie’s nightmare scenario: When a radical procedure called “Porsicure,” which transplants pig organs to cure cancer, turns into a tragic mistake. The human recipients of porcine organ, identified by angry red surgery scars on their chests, resort to eating garbage and then people, causing social disorder and global terror.

They planned to just shoot a few crowd scenes, mingling the film’s actors amidst unsuspecting regular citizens, but Cividino and his crew ended up in the middle of the downtown uprising, including the infamous Black Bloc looting and burning spree.

The crew members all inhaled tear gas and talcum powder and were smacked by police riot shields. Geoff Smart, the film’s associate director and co-screenwriter, had his arm singed by the exploding gas tank of one of the burning cop cars.

“It was worth all the effort,” Cividino says. “A few of us were singed, tear gassed, and butted over by riot shields — you don’t realize how close the police line is when you’re looking through the lens — but we got some incredible footage that feels like an authentic part of our film world.” The final editing revealed images that truly captured the dystopic world that Cividino envisioned.

Produced by Josh Clavir, Jonathan Hodgson, Karen Harnisch, Film Forge Productions, and with the support of BravoFACT Foundation, We Ate the Children Last is a thought-provoking and provocative film worthy of a TIFF debut.

Cividino lives and works in Toronto where he is currently developing his first feature-length film.

For show times and screening location information, visit: http://tiff.net/

For more information on Andrew Cividino and Film Forge Productions, visit: www.weatethechildrenlast.com
www.facebook.com/weatethechildrenlast

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For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
Los Angeles 818.748.7517

Toronto – August 24, 2011

In 2010, over 1500 women a day were subject to rape crimes in the Republic of Congo, a rate equal to 48 women per hour. From June 23rd to November, 2011, Premier Jour Fine Lingerie is asking people to help reach its 2011 goal of donating 1000 bras to the women of Congo by bringing in their gently used bras. With every bra donated, each person will receive a $25 gift certificate towards a new purchase, helping make a difference-one bra at a time.

Simple or sophisticated, modern or classic, conservative or sexy, let Premier Jour Fine Lingerie founder Alicia Vianga help you find your personal look this wedding season. Translated in English, “Premier Jour” is French for “The First Day.” Let Premiere Jour Fine Lingerie make your first day together as bride and groom a special one to remember.

“When shopping in a lingerie boutique, I encourage guests to be open minded,” said Alicia Vianga. “By trying on different styles of bras and panties, and even different sizes, you may find something you love and feel great in.”

With a reputation for its personalized service, Premier Jour Fine Lingerie founder, Alicia Vianga is one of a select few certified bra fitters in Toronto, ensuring that every bride wears the right fit and style. Premier Jour Fine Lingerie features many unique amenities, including a special bridal registration. This spring, brides can enjoy a private fitting with a trained stylist in order to find the best undergarments for their wedding gowns.

In addition to private consultations, Premier Jour also holds exclusive girls-night out packages, so that ladies can experience the difference of a perfect fitting bra.

The boutique has a large selection of sizes, ranging from 28-48 back and AA-K cup. Its extensive collection, which includes favourites among celebrities such as Eva Longoria, Carmen Electra and Madonna, ensures that there is something for everyone.

The in-store selection features elite collections of fine European lingerie, intimate apparel, lounge wear and nightwear from prominent designers including Aubade and Spoylt. For the honeymoon getaway, the boutique offers swimwear by Seaspray and Bali, with styles for every body shape.

Premier Jour Fine Lingerie’s Spoylt collection has been seen on popular television shows, including Desperate Housewives. As a professional bra specialist, Alicia Vianga has also been featured on various television series, including Dating 201, Love INC. and Plastic Makes Perfect.

Alicia Vianga has always loved lingerie. After travelling to Paris and visiting couture boutiques, she wanted to bring an authentic shopping experience to Toronto.

After the success of the first showroom in the city’s west-end, Premier Jour Fine Lingerie opened its full service boutique in the trendy Corso Italia area, at 1288 St. Clair Ave. W. For more information on Premier Jour Fine Lingerie visit its website at www.pjlingerie.com

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Available for interviews:
Premier Jour Fine Lingerie Founder and Stylist, Alicia Vianga

For interview opportunities please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
Los Angeles 818.748.7517

Toronto – August 16, 2011

As the eldest granddaughter of reggae music’s most iconic figure Bob Marley, Donisha Prendergast grew up in a world that revered the art and life of her grandfather. The documentary, RasTa: A Soul’s Journey, is at once an exploration of Rastafari, the inspiration for Bob Marley’s music, and Donisha’s desire to dispel any misconceptions about the livity of Rastafari.

There will be two private industry screenings of RasTa: A Soul’s Journey, taking place at NFB Cinema, followed by a reception at Scotiabank Theatre on September 12, 2011.

RasTa: A Soul’s Journey is directed and produced by Stuart Samuels, executive produced and produced by Patricia Scarlett and Marilyn Gray, and is in partnership with Citytv. Hat house Big it Up is the sponsor and partner, as creator of the official RasTa hat.

Online visitors can view the official RasTa: A Soul’s Journey website at www.rastaonline.ca, in which Donisha Prendergast invites visitors to share their thoughts with the rest of the world by stating what Rasta means to them. Now with 25,000 fans, visit RasTa: A Soul’s Journey on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/rastatrekka#!/rastatrekka?sk=app_141825669217394

RasTa: A Soul’s Journey unfolds as a personal odyssey that challenges the often cartoon perception of Rastafarians, and focuses on putting the story and the message of this movement into a personal and global perspective. Donisha’s film odyssey, therefore, is both personal and historical, as she balances revelations about Rastafari with self-discovery.

RasTa: A Soul’s Journey moves away from the more familiar images of Jamaica, towards the various ways in which this movement has gone beyond the tiny Caribbean Island. It reveals the ways in which the message of Rastafari has manifested itself in diverse cultures, how the tenants of Rastafari are rooted in history and how they are made relevant to contemporary issues. The film’s narrative unfolds as a voyage of discovery, driven by Donisha’s intense desire to understand the past and make a clear meaning of the present.

Donisha Prendergast encounters Rastafari communities in Israel, India, Jamaica, South Africa, Ethiopia, Canada and the United Kingdom. In these countries, she meets with men and women who have chosen a Rastafari lifestyle. She explores how the movement evolved in that particular place and ultimately hopes to find her purpose as a young Rasta woman.

RasTa: A Soul’s Journey features interviews with British/Jamaican writer and dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who is strongly influenced by the music and poetry of Jamaica and what he calls “street politics”; Reggae artist and successful entrepreneur Ras Levi-Roots, a Rastafarian who stands for peace, love and harmony amongst all people; Bob Marley’s youngest son Damien Marley; and Dr. Jake Homiak, curator of the exhibit Discovering Rastafari at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institute.

Founded by Patricia Scarlett, Scarlett Media Inc. is a television and film distribution consulting company, which develops ongoing relationships with international broadcasters and producers. The official website was made possible by Len Henry, the founder of Fashcam.

For more information, visit: www.rastaonline.ca.

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Available for interviews:

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
Los Angeles 818.748.7517

Toronto – August 5, 2011

Award-winning director and producer Rob Heydon has wrapped filming his latest project Ecstasy, a culmination of an 11-year journey. Based on the novel by Irvine Welsh, (the esteemed author of Trainspotting), Ecstasy combines Welsh’s provocative characters and superb story telling with shocking thrills and dark comedy, taking us on a journey into a crafty, drug fuelled contemporary satire on modern culture.

It’s been 11 years since Welsh first met Toronto filmmaker Rob Heydon to discuss the project. In that time, the film has had to recast a lead actor, move shooting to another country, and won and lost financing several times.

Starring talent such as Kristin Kreuk, Billy Boyd, Adam Sinclair, Colin Mochrie and Dean McDermott, the film captures Scottish writer Irvine Welsh as he entranced and shocked the literary world with his 1993 novel, Trainspotting. With more than 310,000 likes online, viewers can visit www.facebook.com/IrvineWelshsEcstacy and www.ecstasythemovie.com.

Shot in Sault Ste. Marie and Toronto, as well as Scotland and Amsterdam, Ecstasy follows the romance between Heather (Canada’s Kristin Kreuk) and Lloyd (Scotsman Adam Sinclair) as they explore a chemical romance and discover whether their love for one another is real or not.

Surrounding Lloyd’s personal story is a widescreen thriller taking the audience on a journey through the power politics of both the clubber and gangsters, along with the good and the evil.

“I want Ecstasy to be the most viscerally thrilling,
emotionally exhilarating and life-affirming film,” said Heydon. “It’s fast moving, kinetic, unstoppable, blazing with colour, surprise and energy.” Heydon added, “The world of Ecstasy is challenging. Many of the events are violent and
shocking, but above it all, I feel passionately this
is a story of great hope, love and rekindling faith.”

Lloyd’s emotional experience is at the heart of this film. Every step he takes leads him deeper into the secret world of his faith and love, forcing him to confront himself and his own beliefs and prejudices.

sing hand-held cameras, mixing up drama and real life, shooting fast to capture performance and the ever changing light, the film reflects the hypnotic essence of life that young people face today.

Ecstasy also features a soundtrack by Coldplay, Primal Scream, Tiesto, Deadmau5 as well as many Canadian Artists including Bonjay, The Mahones, Hawksley Workman and others.

Heydon has researched all sorts of ecstatic experiences, from the Ecstasy drug itself to dancing in a state of trance.

“Everyone is texting and e-mailing, like time has sped up,” said Heydon. “Everyone is in a rush to get there quicker, to reach a transcendental state as fast as they can.” Heydon added, “If there’s a pill, they’ll take it. But what are the repercussions of that on their family, friends and society at large?”

Rob Heydon has had a prolific career directing and producing over one hundred music videos and commercials. In 2003, Rob moved into feature films, shooting Go Further starring Woody Harrelson, which would win the Audience Award runner up prise at the Toronto International Film Festival. Heydon won a Juno Award for Best Music Video for Edwin’s Alive, which also won the People’s Choice Award at the Much Music Video Awards.

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Available for interviews, Rob Heydon, Irvine Welsh and talent

For more information:

Check out: http://www.ecstasymovie.com, www.askthebigman.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IrvineWelshsEcstacy
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/EcstasyMovie

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
Los Angeles 818.748.7517

Toronto – May 19, 2011

Canadian acting sensation and five-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee, Amy Matysio, stars in the upcoming smash comedy Single White Spenny, set to premiere on Showcase June 2nd, 2011.

At his recent divorce hearing, Spenny’s ex-wife accused him of being an immature, emotionally inept lovetard who lacked the skills to ever have a functional relationship. Outraged by these accusations, Spenny sets out to prove her wrong, which is slightly complicated by the fact that she was right.

Single White Spenny follows the unique universe and dating misadventures of Spencer Rice (Kenny vs. Spenny). Making her mark on the Canadian Comedy scene for over a decade, Amy Matysio stars as Spenny’s best friend Chelsea, who aids him in his dating pursuits. Unfortunately, she is relationship-challenged herself.

The stellar cast includes, Debra McGrath (Little Mosque), Nikki-Payne (Last Comic Standing), and Wayne Thomas York (Meet the Fockers). Single White Spenny is executive produced by Breakthrough Entertainment’s award-winning production team, Ira Levy and Peter Williamson (Less Than Kind, Kenny vs. Spenny), Spencer Rice, Howard Busgang (Sophie, The Tournament, An American in Canada), Tom Nursall (Without A Paddle, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, A Step Toward Tomorrow), David Steinberg (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm), Stevie Ray Fromstein (Roseanne, Two Guys and a Girl) and produced by Jonathan Walker (Testees).

Recently, Amy has been nominated for a 2011 Regina YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the Arts. In 2010 she was also a Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Arts Award nominee and at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival was recognized as on the Playback’s top 10 to watch this year.

Amy has been involved in various indie projects over the years including the feature film Mulligans’ and a star role in the CFTPA Indie Award nominated series Redemption, SK.’ Amy is also starring in the upcoming indie-feature mockumentary, The Guerrilla Picture Show, about two struggling comic actresses in their mid-thirties who decide to make a film about their colourful lives on a tight budget. The film is written by and co-starring Jenn Barr, a darkly funny, popular stand up comic from L.A.; directed by hot up and comer Chris Scheuerman; and produced by Princess of Darkness Films.

Continuing her work with the Canadian Cancer Society, Amy wants men to get real about their health. Amy’s infectious personality and razor-wit made The Real Men Screen Campaign an award-winning series of YouTube PSAs. She is also involved with the isadonercampaign.com, a campaign designed to encourage donors to share their decision to donate with others.

Amy starred opposite Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart and Anna Faris in Just Friends (2005). She also played alongside Woody Harrelson in Sleepwalking, which was produced by Charlize Theron and Infinity Features, and premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Other notable movies include Dolan’s Cadillac (2009) with Christian Slater, Finn on the Fly (2009), and I Accuse (2003). Amy has also appeared on episodes of insecurity, Corner Gas and Little Mosque on the Prairie.

Making her mark on the Canadian Comedy scene for over a decade, she is a five-time Canadian Comedy Awards nominee with General Fools Improv Theatre, which Amy has been a driving member of for 14 years. Amy is a truly valuable Canadian comedian with nominations in both 2008 and 2009 for the “Best Female Improviser” Award.

Award-winning stage actor, and imitable tour-de-force, her acclaimed stage work includes the one woman play The Syringa Tree, where she played 23 characters, speaking over 10 different South-African dialects. Known for her live work, her stage success is now carrying her into much of her TV and film accomplishments. This spring she was seen in Rabbit Hole, for Saskatoon’s Persephone Theatre, as well as Songs of a Prairie Girl, a Joni Mitchell retrospective which recently toured to Ottawa’s prestigious Prairie Scene festival.

For more information on Amy Matysio please visit:
http://www.amymatysio.com

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Available for interviews: Amy Matysio

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
Los Angeles 818.748.7517

In celebration of the first Italian Heritage Month in Ontario, and the 150th Anniversary of Italian Unification, IC Savings is presenting La Scala Chamber Orchestra live in Toronto at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on June 20th, 2011. The event is brought to you in cooperation with the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association, National Congress of Italian Canadians, Famee Furlane Toronto, Villa Charities, Comites and Centro Scuola e Cultura Italiana. The proceeds from the concert will go to the IC Savings Foundation, to help support important causes in the community.

La Scala Chamber Orchestra is an ensemble of classical musicians selected from Milan’s legendary La Scala Orchestra’s. It performed in prestigious theatres and concert halls around the world and collaborated with internationally known conductors and soloists. There will also be an invite only VIP reception that precedes the concert that will be held in honour of foundation supporters Luigi and Sergina Gambin, who recently passed away.

Before the big event, IC Savings will also be having their grand opening celebration for the newest branch located at 637 College St. on June 8th, 2011, in Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood. The opening will include a ribbon cutting ceremony and appearances by local politicians. Visitors have an opportunity to fill in a ballot to win a new limited edition Fiat 500, the iconic Cinquecento, currently on display at the branch.

As an active supporter of community development, IC Savings launched the IC Savings Foundation in 2009, a volunteer based organization that lends support to diverse charitable initiatives. It donates a percentage of its profits to the Foundation, which independently evaluates and underwrites requests for funding.

To date, IC Savings Foundation has funded over $600,000 to charitable initiatives in support of long term care facilities, seniors homes, community living organizations, art and cultural groups, and educational scholarship programs. The Foundation particularly has a special interest in funding special projects. Donated time and money has gone to numerous worthy causes, including the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, Canada’s Immigration Museum Pier 21, COSTI Immigrant Services, Villa Colombo Vaughan, Villa Leonardo Gambin, York University Endowment Fund, University of Toronto, the Abruzzo Earthquake Relief Fund, Opera York, Vita Community Living Services and Mens Sana Families for Mental Health.

For its third season, the IC Savings Foundation brings Festa in Piazza to Toronto. It is an annual fundraising event in support of various causes and will be held on May 27th, 2011 at the Famee Furlane located at 7065 Islington Ave. The event will include food stations, a casual dinner, performances and entertainment.

Celebrating 10 years of economic and social achievement, IC Savings’ success is based on two core values: Better Banking and a strong commitment to the community. The financial institution is entirely built on its relationship with its people and it prides itself on good old fashioned personal service. After a decade in operation, with five branches and a total of 50 employees, the credit union offers a full range of banking services including mortgages, chequing and savings accounts, retirement and investment products. Established in 2000, IC Savings opened its first branch in Woodbridge with a focus on personal service, the hallmark of co-operative banking.

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Quotes

“IC Savings is thrilled to take part in an event featuring such esteemed musicians. It’s an enriching and entertaining way to celebrate Italian heritage in Canada.”

-Fausto Gaudio, President & CEO, IC Savings

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Related Information

For more information, please visit: www.icsavings.ca

TORONTO-Canadian Comedy Award nominee, Second City Alumnae and star of her own comedy special on CTV and The Comedy Network, Anne Marie Scheffler is back with her 7th one person show, Suddenly Mommy!, taking place on the eve of this Mother’s Day.

Written and performed by Anne Marie Scheffler and directed by Debbie Tidy, the play happens at the Black Swan Tavern (154 Danforth Ave., upstairs), on Saturday, May 7th, 2011 at 8pm. Tickets can be purchased for $20 in advance from www.suddenlymommy.com and $25 at the door.

With the May 7th show close to sold out, Perfectly Norma Productions secured The Theatre Centre for a week run of Suddenly Mommy! from May 16th to 22nd, 2011.

The stage production is a funny examination of a woman who became a mom, a step-mom and wife with a guy she just met because she was getting older and didn’t want to miss out! Anne Marie discovers the truth: motherhood isn’t glamorous!

Women are expected to be yummy mommies in today’s society, but how exactly are you supposed to do it? Should Anne Marie give up all her hopes, dreams and yoga classes? Let them cry themselves to sleep and actually say ‘no’? Or figure out a way to have it all…whatever that means!!!!

Anne Marie Scheffler is a Toronto-based actress and playwright who made her mark on the theatre scene in 1994 with her first show, Situation: NORMA, which debuted at the 1994 Summerworks Festival and took her to selling out at The San Francisco Fringe in 1995, where a raving reviewer called her “a young Betty White.”

Other credits to her name include acclaimed shows such as, Watch Norma’s Back!, Leaving Norma, Dating Myself, Not Getting It and Got it Good.

Anne Marie has performed all over North America, including Atlantic City and Los Angeles, and her 5th show Not Getting It was made into a one hour comedy television special that currently plays on The Comedy Network. As a Second City Alumnae, she performed in What Fresh Mel is This? and Generation X Files.

Anne Marie has been in numerous television series, films and in over 40 commercials. Also a voice artist, she is the voice of Milestones Restaurant.

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Quotes

“Anne Marie Scheffler didn’t think motherhood would be this hard. She thought she could be the sexy showbiz mom, with a baby in one arm and a movie script in the other. Her jarring realization otherwise makes for a humorous and entertaining show. Scheffler is a charismatic, sparkling performer.”
-CBC Review

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Related Information

For more information visit: www.annemariescheffler.com