Pat Blythe – We’re engaged!….films….a cruise….and music

NEWS FLASH!!!! ….and I’m so excited. Elated…..ecstatic actually. I’ve been buzzing around flashing “the picture”. So many congratulations on FB. You know that little dance you do in one spot while laughing and squealing….the five-year-old in you busting out….well that’s what I’ve been doing. Yesiree…..I am welcoming another daughter into the family. Thom finally popped the question over the weekend while away with his lady love, in the middles of the St. Lawrence River (on an island) and #isaidoui is now trending. It took Chris six years to propose….it took Thom three. A slight improvement (grin).

The centrepiece of the ring is my birthstone, a blue sapphire and a gift from Chris for my 40^th birthday. Its original setting was a ring made specially to “lock in” with my wedding band. Now it begins its journey as a family heirloom. I am a bit verklempt.

The Ring

Dear Angie, you are welcomed into this family with open arms. Thom is one very fortunate man. Besides, you give great hug! Love you both to the moon and back.

Smooth Jazz, smooth cruise……

Try and find a seat…..

Another summer and another jam packed cruise through the harbour of Toronto. Eddie Bullen’s Smooth Jazz Cruise aboard the River Gambler sells out every year. A gorgeous night, great food, fantastic live music provided by Bullen and his band with a number of guest artists including Liberty Silver, Larnell Lewis, singer Shannon Maracle and smooth jazz/jazz reggae saxophonist Arturo Tappin (Luther Van Ross, Roberta Flack).  It all makes for a fantastic evening of pure enjoyment.

Our host for the evening, Eddie Bullen

I’ve photographed the past four cruises and every year there’s something new plus we’ve had stunning evenings…..every time. There’s always a surprise guest artist, this year it was Arturo Tappin who wowed the crowd and circled the entire upper deck playing to the crowd. A truly vibrant and dynamic performer, he had everyone up and dancing and the ladies swooning. He was on fire!! Referred to as the “saxist” horn player the islands have produced, this Barbadian travels the world performing with artists ranging from Ellis Marsalis, Frederick “Toots” Herbert to Edmond Montague Grant (Electric Avenue).

Some photos of the cruise below. I’m in the midst of creating scrapbook so look for it at A Girl With A Camera “The Picture Taker” https://www.facebook.com/pblythephotos/ on FB sometime over the weekend.

Liberty Silver (centre) with singer Shannon Maracle (right) with friend

(l-r) Quincy Bullen, Rob Christian, Andrew Stewart, Sarah Thawer

Sarah Thawer

Eddie Bullen in his “happy place”

Rob Christian hanging on to his sax as Andrew Stewart works his bass

Shannon Maracle

Arturo Tapping walkabout

Arturo Tappin

Cards anyone…….?

Waiting for a meeting to begin at The Grand Gerrard and I discovered an interesting stack of cards. Designed and made by a company called Cards Against Humanity, this particular set was designed specifically for National Canada Film Day (NCFD), a massive one-day event celebrating…..you guessed it…..Canadian films and filmmakers. The annual tradition (NCFD, not the cards) began in 2012 to encourage people everywhere to watch a Canadian film. In 2018 alone there were 800 events across the country and around the world. This year, on April 17, it was a special celebration….100 years of Canadian cinema with over 1,000 screenings and events in 600 Canadian communities and 25 countries.

The phrases, sayings and words on the cards are sooooooo Canadian. Many of them had me busting a gut as I visualized Chasing Brent Butt on a Segway or Nothing or Wearing a parka with your Halloween costume or Speaking enough French to confuse foreigners or Organic kale-infused Nanaimo bars or how about Poutine gravy in a supersoaker (open wide now….)?

…..and speaking of films, The Female Eye Film Festival (FeFF) has a new home at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Designed to celebrate and honour women in film from around the world, Leslie Ann Coles started FeFF almost 20 years ago. It has grown from a tiny, home-grown celebration to truly international festival attracting films from Asia, Europe, the U.S., Russia, the United Kingdom and of course from across Canada, all written, directed, produced and “teched” by women.

I have worked with Coles on a couple of projects, most recently on her launch of her documentary Medlody Makers: You Shoulda’ Been There and am always excited to photograph FeFF. This year’s festival takes place from October 3 to October 6, 2019. Check out the films and the talent. Click here https://www.femaleeyefilmfestival.com/  for more details.

The following music was playing the entire time I was writing this…..some of my music mix from my trusty, “not-always-so-smart” smart phone. A rather eclectic mix at best but I love all of it.

Samba Pa Ti – Santana

One of my all time favourite artists

Catch and Release – Julian Taylor

Elements – Lindsay Stirling

Written for Syd Barrett, co-founder of Pink Floyd…..

Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd

Abraham, Martin and John – Dion

MacArthur Park – Richard Harris

One of my favourites by Segarini although the version I listen to is sans drums.

Groucho Marx – Cats and Dogs (Bob Segarini)

Everyday People – Sly & The Family Stone

A Fifth of Beethoven – Walter Murphy

Love Has Found A Way – Spirit

Love the high hat “moment”…..tst tst…..

Incense and Peppermints – The Strawberry Alarm Clock

I’m going to cut this column super short. It’s already after 2pm in the afternoon. Busy day yesterday, attending one of my shows, Eddie and Quincy Bullen Jazz Review at Cherry Cola’s last night and making Mulligatawny soup until 3:30am this morning. Don’t ask…..

By the way, anyone ever heard of a “slouchy hat”? Me either. I call ‘em a toque but then….to each his own (insert smart ass grin here)

Cheers!

=PB=

Pat’s column appears every Wednesday.

Contact us at: dbawis@rogers.com

In “real” life Pat Blythe has spent the past 32 years as a consultant and design specialist in the telecommunications industry. After an extended absence Pat is now heading back to the GTA clubs, immersing herself in the local music scene, tasting what’s on offer, talking to people and writing once again — sharing her passions and her deep love of music. Together for 34 years, Pat also worked alongside her late husband Christopher Blythe, The PictureTaker©, who shot much  of the local talent (think Goddo, Frank Soda and the Imps, Plateau, Buzzsaw, Hellfield….) as well as national and international acts,  Currently making her way through 40 years of Chris’s archives, Pat is currently compiling a photographic history of the local GTA music scene from 1975 to 1985. It continues to be a work in progress. Oh…..and she LOVES  to dance!