The level of your discomfort during the play An Unsafe Space will depend greatly on which fence or fences you're sitting on.  Be prepared to be at least somewhat uncomfortable for at least part of this play ... If you dare to attend at all that is.

An Unsafe Space reminds us that mechanisms of political correctness are not necessarily as corrective as they appear to be.  Some are designed to make the offending party feel less guilty about their existence, than they are about actually correcting anything politically.    

Now who'd have thunk that the practice of Land Acknowledgements wouldn't be a home run.  Well, me, the first time I heard about the practice happening in our public schools.  Partly because my grandson is Indigenous on his father's side.  

Considering his "In" status does that not exempt him from standing there as the other students espouse a mantra that basically has their eyes glazing over like the Lord's Prayer once did mine?  

I fully agree with the plays sentiment that Land Acknowledgements at public gatherings don't do anything.  If you truly want to make up for theft you start by returning the object that you stole.  You don't apologize for taking it ...  (*cough* … Justin) … Then decide to build a oil pipeline through it. (*cough" ... *cough* … Trudeau) 

At the very least you could start by making sure that Canada's Indigenous people's have drinkable water.  Now there's a pipeline for ya!     

Otherwise, An Unsafe Space deals with a myriad of those politically correct issues that you don't talk about in polite society.  An Unsafe Space doesn't tell you how to think.  It doesn't tell you what to think.  It simply reminds you to think. 

The World Premier of An Unsafe Space will be on stage at the Tranzac Club until January 20th, 2019.  Click here for more information and tickets.  

Are you ready for the hottest singles party to kick off the New Year? Toronto's "Elite Divorce Party" - www.carmeliaray.com/elite-divorce-party - kicks off 2019 with new “relationship goals” at the Thompson Hotel Lobby Bar, 550 Wellington Street West on Friday, January 18, 2019 from 7:00pm to 12:00am. 

TV & Radio Personality Rob Pagetto, Celebrity Matchmaker and Online Dating Expert, Carmelia Ray and Corporate Event Planner Amber Walker, team up to throw the hottest singles party in the New Year! This action packed event will celebrate and inspire divorced singles to step into dating with a positive attitude plus build community. This event celebrates and educates divorcees plus the singles who are now dating during or after divorce.

General Early-Bird admission is $50.00, which includes a free drink & appetizers. Early Bird VIP Tickets are $125.00 for free drink & appetizers, and a chance to win the "Matchmaking Grand Prize" valued over $5,000.00 in gifts and services from the generous sponsors! The winner will be announced at 11:00pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.carmeliaray.com/elite-divorce-party/ and for more information call: 1-855-321-LOVE (5683).

TORONTO, ON  – Following a nearly five-year break from touring, Rush returned to the stage in 2002 to support the trio’s seventeenth studio album, Vapor Trails. During the tour, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart played to some of the biggest crowds of the band’s career, including 40,000 people at the tour’s final stop in Rio de Janeiro. That concert was released in 2003 as RUSH IN RIO, which was certified gold in the U.S. and Canada. 
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That live album was originally released on CD and DVD but has never appeared on vinyl – until now. RUSH IN RIO will be available on January 18 via Anthem/ole label group as four 180-gram LPs. The set is presented in a heavyweight gatefold jacket and comes with a code that allows the music to be downloaded digitally. 

Back on August 27th, 2018 I sent an email to a member of the management team at Toronto Community Housing jokingly suggesting that they "hire me as a media consultant".  I would be thrilled to help them formulate a method of highlighting TCHC tenants and events with media releases, as well as, social media posts that distribute positive messaging about life in their hoods.  
   
Little did I know how profitable that could be.  Not until they hired their Change Management Consultant for 1.3 million dollars.  Admittedly, the Change Management Consultant would be a temporary position ending when the desired change had taken place.   A media consultant, on the other hand, would be a long term position as the Toronto Housing Corporation seems to be in need of someone to run triage on the negative publicity on top of formulating some independent in-house content.

Recently, Toronto Community Housing added me to their approved vendors list as a photographer.  Theoretically, that's one foot in the door.  Unfortunately, I can already feel the squeeze as they lean on that door.  There is the desire of some staff to bring me in to the communications department.  Not exactly a consultant but definitely up my alley.  The naysayers in the organization would ease up on that door if I signed a Non Disclosure Agreement.  

Signing on that dotted line is not something I can or will do.  But, it does make me wonder if all employees at Toronto Community Housing have had to sign a  Non Disclosure Agreement.  What about all the peeps on their approved vendors list?  Most importantly what about that Change Management Consultant - the 1.3 Million Dollar Man?   

Never mind the fact that I believe that Toronto Community Housing is being very hypocritical in hiring him to begin with.  Ever since Kathy Milsom was christened the new CEO at TCHC we have heard the phrase ad nauseum "tenant-centric".  It's hopeful in theory.  Yet misleading in practice.   

There are some highly motivated TCHC tenant advocates that have been participating in a number of tenant-centric related events dealing with engagement that I am hoping leads to something closer to tenant empowerment.  Tenants have been actively involved in defining what a volunteer is within TCHC and making some thoughtful recommendations when it comes to the Tenant Engagement System Refresh.  

These discussions have involved defining the roles of Tenant Volunteers (Tenant Rep Tenant Leader, Key Holder, Community Garden Coordinator … ) - Mind you they stayed relatively clear of any definition of a tenant advocate that would have any teeth.  

The dialogue also involved the types of training that tenants felt was necessary to fulfill their duties.  Everything from community organization, to marketing, to public speaking, to conflict resolution, to grant writing.  - I requested that training sessions be treated as combined staff/tenant learning opportunities.  I can't see anything but positives resulting from such an approach.

The final issue was volunteer recognition.  Whether that recognition should take the shape of plaques/awards, appreciation dinners, or honorariums among other items.  There seemed to be a great deal of hesitancy when it came to honorariums.  Staff wouldn't even commit to advocating for positive monetary reinforcement for tenants.

Meanwhile, someone at TCHC signed on the dotted line for an outside change management consultant to the tune of 1.3 million dollars?  Shame on Kathy Milsom.  Shame on TCHC. 

Maybe the next round of consultations could be about defining "tenant-centric". Cuz TCHC doesn't have a red hot clue.

Yesterday Matt Dusk sang a few Christmas tunes over lunchtime to an appreciative audience at the First Canadian Place in downtown Toronto.  When I sent the event link to my mom with a youtube link she immediately said yes.  But, she questioned whether or not I would get anything out of the experience myself.   .      

Well, this was, once again, a time where Mom and I could combine two of my favourite things (food and music).  Then, there was the caramel apple pie crisp at Denny' after I wolfed down my brunch omelette before I even thought to take a picture of it.  LOL   Not to mention that I actually do like Matt Dusk and his crooner vocal styles.  (I can appreciate good music no matter what genre.)  

This delightful interlude was a  brief promo stop for his full length concerts series at Roy Thompson Hall next week, as well as, a plug for his new album Jet Set Jazz. 

David Gray's Gold In A Brass Age  was produced by Ben de Vries, son of producer and soundtrack composer Marius de Vries, His first album of new material in four years - arrives just ahead of a run of headline shows, commencing at Cardiff’s St David’s Hall on Friday, 15th March and including London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, 17th March before culminating with two nights at Dublin’s Bord Gais Theatre on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April. Two Canadian shows will happen this coming June in Toronto and Vancouver. ​

 … when you really didn't have to.  Bree I would strongly urge you to release some acoustic versions of your music so people can appreciate some of that vocal training you have had. 

Bree Taylor has been trained by the A-List vocal coach Bob Garrett who has worked with legends Pavarotti, Audrey Hepburn, and Donna Summer.  If I was him I would be palm to forehead right now.  What were you thinking cluttering up such vocal talent with all that unnecessary instrumentation?   

Honestly, Bree I love your lyrics, I love you vocals. I just have a serious case of OCD and can't stand clutter.  Not even in music.     

I have never been to the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo before last night.  The first thing I did when I found out they were returning for their 24th year was Google them.  Do you know I couldn't find any food pics?  SMH  I believe I have rectified that situation. 

Needless to say, this is one place that I would have definitely utilized an All You Can Eat pass.  .

In case you didn't already know it's not just a food and "wine" show.  There were plenty of other alcohols flowing last night.  When you glance at the Exhibitors map you can see that they have the very necessary Fine Wine Lounge.  Then as you wander around you encounter the Craft Beer Area, the Craft Distillery District, and the Spiritology Pavilion.  In other words, if wine is not your thing they still  have a liquid refreshment that will meet your personalized taste.  I ever found bottled water for me.  :) 

So if your looking for a place to wind down after that crazy Black Friday gift  shopping you will want to head over to the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo.  You deserve to treat yourself.  Cheers!