Neon News 130816 Double Trouble!

Hey Fanz!

It never rains but it pours!

Saturday, August 17, I have two gigs with two different bands:

Coming up:

Tomorrow, Saturday, August 17, The Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble will be playing the 3:30 matinee at legendary jazz bar The Rex Hotel, 194 Queen Street West. 

Later that same evening, Gordon's Acoustic Living Room continues its ten-year run of monthly gigs at The Free Times Café, 320 College Street (just west of Spadina) with a rare Saturday gig. As usual, we will play 8 pm to 11. As usual, there will be no cover charge.



Get there early to get a good seat, because it's a small room.

Wayne Neon

Neon News 130703 Thank you, Stanley Knowles!

Friends;

Having reached the age where a grateful nation sends me cheques every month in appreciation for my contributions to the economy over lo, these many years, I am stepping away from the demanding work of being executive director of Fair Vote Canada to concentrate on my career as a rock 'n' roll superstar.

In case that doesn't pan out right away, and since the nation isn't quite as grateful as perhaps it ought to be, I would be interested in hearing about any opportunities you may come upon for part-time or contract work in non-profit administration, communications, government and media relations, or any other work in the field of democracy, social justice, or poverty alleviation. I would consider full-time if the opportunity is sufficiently interesting.

If you call me a consultant, I won't be offended.

Of course, if you need any musical dirty deeds done dirt cheap, I'm your man. I sing, play a thousand instruments, and above all, love to compose and arrange.

Coming up:

Gordon's Acoustic living Room continues its ten-year run of monthly gigs at The Free Times Café, 320 College Street (just west of Spadina). See you there on Sunday, July 21, 8 pm to 11.

On Saturday, August 17, I'll be doing a twofer. The Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble will be playing the 3:30 matinee at legendary jazz bar The Rex Hotel, 194 Queen Street West.

That same evening, Gordon's Acoustic Living Room plays a rare Saturday gig at The Free Times.

Oh, and look for The Axes of Evil at Big On Bloor, July 20.

In the immortal words of Allen Toussaint: Everything I do gonna be funky—from now on.

Wayne Neon

Neon News 120411 and all that jazz

Hey Fanz!

Here's where I'll be playing in the next month:

Rambunctious
Electro Swing Club
Friday, April 13, 11:00 pm
$15 at the door
$12 in vintage attire!



Gordon's Acoustic Living Room
The Free Times Café
320 College Street (west of Spadina)
Sunday, April 15, 8 pm-11 pm
No cover,no minimum!

Year ten of monthly gigs continues. New tunes every month!



And this month is special because Bert is back! Our former bass player who moved back to BC will be with us again for a special appearance this month!

The Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble
Open Mic Night
Bloor Street United Church
300 Bloor Street West
Saturday, April 21, 7 pm
$20



A literacy coach, a construction supervisor and a policy writer are among the 12 singers who have been put through their paces to perform with the Mississauga Big Band at the first-ever Big Band Open Mic. The singers, who come from all walks of life, will realize their big-band dream on Saturday, April 21.

Each singer has “worked out” with the band to get a little more comfortable with the concept of sharing the stage with a conductor and 17 musicians. “It’s a lot different from singing with a smaller group,” says bandleader Rob Boniface. “If a singer does something unexpected, they learn in a hurry that 17 people behind them cannot all adjust at once. But even with the learning curve, I’m really impressed with the talent of the singers who are joining us.”

The audience can expect a fun array of different vocal styles, as the open mic singers tackle everything from soulful blues to fast-driving Sinatra songs.

Response from singers has been so positive that the band has set up a waiting list and is already thinking about Big Band Open Mic – the Sequel. The talent is definitely out there – and so is a big band that is committed to helping songsters across the GTA to realize their big band dream.

What: Big Band Open Mic with the Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble
When: Saturday, April 21, 2012
7:30 p.m.
Where: Bloor Street United Church
300 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Tickets: $20 per person, $10 for children and people aged 65 or older
To order, email rboniface@rogers.com or call Rob Boniface, 905-270-4757



and later that same night . . .

Rambunctious
La Palette
492 Queen Street West
Saturday, April 21
on the bar at midnight




Just one week later . . .

Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble
CD release featuring Bruce Cassidy
The Rex
194 Queen Street West
Saturday, May 5, 3:30 pm-6:30 pm



Songs from our new CD, "On the Periphery", plus a whole set of original tunes and arrangements by our conductor, Bruce Cassidy.



See you soon!



Wayne Neon

Proportional representation defined

The Oxford Dictionary online offers the following definition of proportional representation:

"an electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them"

This is, of course, wrong.

Proportional representation is not "an electoral system" at all. It is the desired outcome of an election, and a principle underlying several families of voting systems designed to achieve this outcome.

The definition could be greatly improved by adding one letter: "any electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them".

But this is still inadequate. Although the accurate translation of votes into representation is the immediate goal, the ultimate aim of fair voting reform is nothing less than the transformation of our political culture.

There are basically two types of voting systems—proportional systems and winner-take-all systems.

Winner-take-all, or "majoritarian" systems are designed to divide us into winners and losers.

A few winners, and lots and lots of losers.

Proportional voting systems are win-win systems. The goal is to provide representation for all, so that all voices are heard, and all the stakeholders are at the table when the decisions are being made.

Proportional voting respects and promotes diversity.

Proportional voting systems require the sharing of power. They are designed to create a more consensual type of government and a more civilized style of politics.

Above all, they are designed to give voters the power to hold politicians and political parties accountable.

And an end to phony majorities will make Government accountable to Parliament, as it should be.

Neon News 120211 Will you be my Valentine?

Hey Fanz!

Get your love on early with Rambunctious at The Lula Lounge on Sunday, February 12.

With The Holy Gasp and Jumple.

$8

Doors open 8 pm.

Also coming up in February:

Rambunctious

La Palette

492 Queen Street West,
Saturday, February 18, 2012

On the bar at midnight!

And the next night . . .

Gordon's Acoustic Living Room

The Free Times Café

320 College Street (west of Spadina)

Sunday, February 19

8 - 11 pm

no cover, no minimum

and yet more Rambunctious!

Mardi Gras

El Mocambo

454 Spadina Avenue (at College)

Saturday, February 25, 2012

What Americans Keep Ignoring About Finland's School Success

http://www.linkedin.com/news?actionBar=&articleID=1015598382&ids=dPoUe30Udz4MciMRe3wUdP8Qcj0Nb3AMdjcOe3oNc34IczwPe3ARdj4MciMPcPsMe3sMcz0N&aag=true&freq=weekly&trk=eml-tod2-b-ttl-1&ut=0lWu9Sjy2Kal41

Yet one of the most significant things Sahlberg said passed practically unnoticed. "Oh," he mentioned at one point, "and there are no private schools in Finland."

This notion may seem difficult for an American to digest, but it's true. Only a small number of independent schools exist in Finland, and even they are all publicly financed. None is allowed to charge tuition fees. There are no private universities, either. This means that practically every person in Finland attends public school, whether for pre-K or a Ph.D.

Neon News 111201 - Holiday Party Time

Been to El Mocambo lately? Now's the time!

http://www.opsbattleofthebands.com/index.html

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The Big Trouble Band

Battle of the Bands

El Mocambo

464 Spadina Avenue

Doors open 6 pm. We'll go on about 8:00.

Nine bands—twenty bucks! Proceeds to The United Way.

Come out and help us win!

Annex Live will be no more.

Come hear The Axes of Evil and say thanks to Graz for the good times.

Axes of Evil

Holiday Dance Party

Friday, December 2, 2011

Annex Live

296 Brunswick Avenue

8:00 pm — No cover!

What can I say? Fun just keeps happening in Barrie!

The Wee Stinky Band

StinkStockmas VII

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Sticky Fingers Bar & Grill

199 Essa Road, Barrie ON

With opening act Wail.

It's here! The new CD from MBBJE.

Perhaps you've heard it on Jazz FM 91.1?

Pick one up at the Christmas concert!

Sunday, December 11, 2011 2:00 PM

Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble

“Our Annual Christmas Concert”

Cooksville United Church

2500 Mimosa Row, Mississauga ON

Tickets: $20

Call Rob at 905-270-4757

for further details

Storyteller Night at Fedora Upsidedown

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Cameron House

408 Queen Street

PWYC (duh)

Rambunctious at 11 pm

Still Rambunctious!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Rambunctious—on the bar!

La Palette

492 Queen Street West

At midnight

PWYC

You get to choose!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Gordon's Acoustic Living Room

Ninth Annual All Request Night

The Free Times Café

320 College Street

8-11 pm

No cover, no minimum

Vote here for your favourite tunes:

http://www.xrays.com/galr/

Specializing in pagan rituals!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Rambunctious & The Kensington Horns

Winter Solstice Celebration

Kensington Market (outdoors)

6-8 pm

Starting somewhere near Augusta and Oxford

and ending up in Alexandra Park

And speaking of pagan rituals . . .

December 31, 2011

Patio Dave & The Lanterns

New Year's Eve

Simcoe Curling Club

Simcoe ON

info@simcoecurlingclub.ca

And that's about it for 2011!

I can already smell the haggis.

Wayne Neon

Wayne@wayneon.ca

416-407-7009