TORONTO, ON, June 2010 – Masala! Mehndi! Masti! (M!M!M!) kicked off its 10^th annual free festival with a gala reception on July 23, 2010 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre at the Exhibition Place in Toronto. In the true Indian tradition of ‘moo meetha karo’ for celebrating this milestone year, the gala offered a splendid array of cookies, pastries and a huge four piece cake, beverages and was attended by Senatrix(Senator) Salma Atta-ullah Jan who brought greetings from the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada, MPPs Harinder Thaker and Kathleen Wynne who represented the Premier McGuinty and the Province of Ontario. Other special guests included festival artists, sponsors, community and business leaders of the community.
 

Popular Bollywood actor Boman Irani, who recently won 3 awards for his role in ‘3 Idiots’, was the headliner for the M!M!Movies! segment. The star enthralled festival goers with his Q&A sessions and the “In Conversation With” talk show. His humility and willingness to meet and talk to his adoring fans was heart warming. A retrospective of Boman’s movies was screened at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.  

Opening night headliners, sarod supremos, and sons of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan accompanied by Toronto’s own tabla artist Vineet Vyas captivated the audience with classical Indian music.  

Saturday kicked off with the first ever MMM Seniors’ Desi Idol contest where several seniors showed off their musical prowess. Throughout the day there were power-packed performances, conversations with the artists, theatrical pieces culminating with three headlining performances. The Toronto Tabla Ensemble returned to MMM’s stage after 10 years and captivated the audience. Salman Ahmad, founder of South Asia’s biggest rock band, Junoon, and also known as ‘Pakistan’s Bono’, rocked the Bandshell Park, as he sang classics and favourites prompting screams of delight from the girls of all ages, and shouts of approval from the guys as everybody joined in chorus with this “Dada” of South Asian rock. Salman also released his book and CD “Rock and Roll Jehad” and signed autographs.  

Boman Irani took the stage next, presenting a surprise performance, strumming on a guitar, along with many of Toronto’s children, to sing ‘Give Me Some Sunshine’ from the super hit movie ‘3 Idiots’. The crowds went wild as they joined in with gusto. The Government of Canada conferred Boman with a citation for his contribution to the arts. 

Saturday night’s headliner, Suzanne D’Mello, one of India’s hottest rising playback singers, who has sung several hit songs in ‘Ghajini’, ‘Dhoom 2’, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, ‘Kites’ and many more, sent the crowds in to foot tapping ecstasy, setting them on fire as they dubbed her ‘India’s Queen Latifah!’ It was an evening of pure dynamite! 

Kudos to tremendous rising talent TV’s Husein Madhavji, Mandippal and Richard Wilson who sparked a fire at M!M!M!’s chillout! Jonita Gandhi and Umesh Patel presented wonderful film and Gujarati music, and the husband wife duo Hemant and Vaishali Panwar danced with great style and energy.  

Throughout the festival, Toronto’s painters and artists displayed their works at M!M!M!’s perennial favourite- The Artists’ Walkway. 

And of course the popular State Farm Meena Bazaar was abuzz with activity as many indulged in their shopping impulses. A ‘Khaana Sutra’ food lane was replete with taste-bud tantalizing delights from all over South Asia and even Thailand and Malaysia.  

Sunday saw the MMM Seniors’ Desi Idol finals take place. Jorge Miguel’s Flamenkathak was a fusion of flamenco and kathak bridging two cultures that were one a thousand years ago.  

Mybindi.com’s 9^th annual Comedy Night took place at the festival and was a huge success yet again. Even Boman Irani made a surprise visit to the event to the delight of the audience. 

The fabulous 3 day festival was brought to a close with a deafening bhangra session aptly named ‘Bhangin’ in the Park!’ featuring Dhol Circle, Deep Jandu, Double  AA, Paul Nanuwa and Avalla. A superb finale to 10 years of celebrating South Asian culture in Canada! 

With the support of sponsors Tim Hortons, OMNI TV, Etihad Airways, Mobilicity, Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Toyota, State Farm and a multitude of government agencies and media partners, M!M!M! produced its largest festival yet with five major headliners and over 70 other performances and presentations set across 4 stages, a food market, bazaar and a visual artists walkway, wowing crowds for 3 days.  

The festival’s management and volunteer team ensured that patrons were well taken care of and enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and all performances ran on schedule despite rain on Saturday. This is a huge achievement given the size and scale on which Masala! Mehndi! Masti! is run. 

For more festival information visit : www.masalamehndimasti.com

The Canadian Soccer Association announced today that its two September Men’s International Friendly matches in Toronto and Montréal will be broadcast live on Rogers Sportsnet. In the first of their two match home series, Canada faces Peru on Saturday 4 September at BMO Field in Toronto. Three days later Canada will travel to Montréal to take on CONCACAF rival and 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ participant Hondruas at Stade Saputo on 7 September. Both matches will be carried live across the nation on all four Sportsnet channels.

“It is our pleasure to announce that this September’s men’s national team matches will be enjoyed both by our supporters in the stadium and by fans from coast to coast,” said Canadian Soccer Association General Secretary Peter Montopoli. “Following the strong following by Canadians of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, we are excited to bring world class international soccer to Canada. We look forward to providing this country’s passionate soccer fans an opportunity to see Canada on home soil.”

The two matches will mark Canada’s return to international action following the completion of this summer’s 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Canada’s most recent matches featured two South American opponents, first falling to FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finalists Argentina before drawing with Venezuela in May.

The Toronto match will be Peru’s first under new head coach Sergio Markarian. The Uruguayan was recently hired in July of this year and has been charged with leading Peru in the 2011 Copa América and the qualification process for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. Tickets to the upcoming Canada-Peru soccer friendly are available through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.ca or 416.872.5000). The match, presented by Sony, will kick off at 17.30.

Canada will host 2010 FIFA World Cup™ participant Honduras on Tuesday 7 September at Stade Saputo in Montréal. Canada last faced Honduras at the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the quarter final stage. Honduras won 1:0 on a penalty kick goal. In 2010, Honduras was one of three CONCACAF nations that participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Fans can purchase tickets for the Canada-Honduras International Friendly via Admission at www.ADMISSION.com or 1.800.361.4595. Group rates are available in select sections with the purchase of 10 or more tickets. The match, presented by BMO, will kick off at 19.30.

For Canada and head coach Stephen Hart the focus now turns to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. The two upcoming international friendly matches will be part of Hart’s early preparations in advance of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup (schedule also yet to be announced).

Rogers now makes it easy to stay connected with family and friends here in Canada and abroad with its International Value Plan.

 

For $33.95 (Plus $5.95 system access fee (non-government fee), 9-1-1 Emergency Access Fee, Message Relay Service and taxes apply) per month, for customers who subscribe to any Rogers Cable TV package and/or cable Internet, this home phone plan offers unlimited local calling, two calling features of your choice and 200 international long distance minutes to landline destinations within 30 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UK and Sri Lanka. Putting an end to PINs, contracts and calling cards, this plan makes it possible to stay in touch with loved ones everyday, no matter where they are.

 

To stay connected with your world, switch to Rogers today.

Call 1 888 Rogers1 or visit www.rogersdesiconnect.com

On Saturday, July 10, 2010, 10 a.m., at the Cedarvale Ravine cricket pitch just south of the Phil White Arena, 443 Arlington Avenue, Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21, St. Paul's West) will step up to the pitch again with his team of local residents to compete against three strong teams in the Fourth Annual Ward 21 “Cricket in the Park Event”.

The 13 Division team, coached by Staff Inspector David McLeod, will be defending its championship title in these friendly games aimed at strengthening relations between community members and the local police division.

Participating teams include Team 13 Division, The New Dawn Moravian Church Team and The British Methodist Episcopal Church Team as well as Councillor Mihevc’s enthusiastic team of community members.

“This is a great opportunity for residents and local police officers to meet face to face, enjoy an afternoon in a fun environment and start building connections that will ultimately make our community safer and stronger,” said Councillor Mihevc.”

After the matches, team captains and event co-organizers Councillor Mihevc and Staff Inspector McLeod will present a trophy to the winning team and most valuable players. All community members are invited to watch the family-friendly games and cheer for their favourite team.

“Cricket is an international sport, which makes it a perfect game to engage the diverse population in Ward 21. Local residents have a passion for cricket that many 13 Division officers share and I know this year’s event will be a great success,” said Staff Inspector McLeod.