June 20th was the opening of the London West End musical hit, “Jolson, the Musical”. Trust the English to take an American superstar and do an unbelievably exciting musical on his life. Brian Conely is a British TV star who is so eerily like Jolson, you feel it IS Jolson. All the hit songs are there. Sally Ann Triplett as Ruby Keeler sings and dances up a storm. Jolson’s bad reputation is not hidden but we also see the heart of the man. The blackface segment is offered with no apology, and what seemed like a torrent of complaints from the black population ended up with even them saying that the blackface was historically correct and not demeaning to the blacks.

For those who don’t know Al Jolson’s history, he started with minstrel shows and all the members were in blackface. Jolson hits such as “Mammy”, “Toot Toot Tootsie”, “California Here I Come”, “Sitting on Top of the World”, “By the Light of the Silvery Moon”, “Swanee”, “Blue Skies”, “April Showers”, “Red, Red Robin”, “Carolina in the Morning”, “Give my Regards to Broadway”, “Sonny Boy”, and all the showstoppers.

But, it is Brian Conley who steals the show and he deserves the acclaim. He is magnificent. The show’s producers, Paul Elliott, Laurie Mansfield and Greg Smith, wisely brought the complete company-actors, stage hands, and most of the musicians- to Toronto. From Toronto, they will go to Australia, but the word is out on Broadway and, no doubt, they will be casting an American company.

“Ragtime”, the hit musical from Livent, plays Toronto until August 31st, and then prepares for a December opening at the new 42nd St Ford Theatre for the Performing Arts on Broadway. A second company just opened in Los Angeles at the Shubert Theatre and, like in Toronto, received ecstatic reviews. Road companies are obviously going to be mounted for this musical sensation of the blacks, immigrants and white society.

“Rent”, last year’s Broadway success musical, will open at the Roal Alexandra Theatre in October. Casting is completed with newcomers, but there will probably be a road company as well.

HIGHLIGHT...
The Chin International Picnic is the world’s largest and longest running picnic in history. The 31st annual picnic was recently held for a four day period over Canada’s 130th Birthday on July 1st.

With three stages, a circus, International Shopping Bazaar, boxing and wrestling matches, a bicycle tournament, beer garden, many fast food outlets featuring Italian, Portugese, German, Asian Canadian and other ethnic sources, a plethora of food eating contests, entertainment from most of the 32 multi-cultural races that are programmed on Chin radio and TV and many other activities.
At Miss Chin Bikini, a bevy of 19 beautiful girls competed for the top honor, and the crowd of 100,000 spectators, mostly men, went wild. Katia Corriveau, an 18 year old Canadian, was the winner. She won an incredible array of prizes. There was concern from picnic officials that some of the contestants might go topless, but it never happened. The municipal government just passed a law, that women could go topless if they so desired. And some are doing so. But none of the Miss Bikini contestants out of the respect to the beloved and well-respected picnic founder Johnny Lombardi, did.

The Mr. Chin Bikini contest followed with 20 entries, and all were topless. The 100,000 spectators mysteriously changed to mostly women who were even more hysterical. The winner was a Canadian Italian hunk named Ralph Verre who also won an impressive pile of prizes.

Johnny Lombardi is one of Canada’s most valuable and admired citizens. He was born in Toronto in 1915, the son of Italian immigrant parents. In his early 20’s, he joined a dance band and then formed his own orchestra, playing big band sounds. In 1942, he enlisted in the Canadian Army and received declarations and honors for the Battle of Britain, France and Germany Stars, Defense Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the War Medal 1939-45. His broadcasting career began with CHUM radio producing his own hourly show of Italian music. In exchange, he brought in his own advertisers. The concept worked! He branched out, becoming an impresario and concert promoter. In 1966, his dream to own an ethnic community radio station came true, with CHIN radio, now serving more than 32 cultural communities.

Johnny is still very active in the radio station as a concert promoter and impresario. Every Sunday at noon, Johnny hosts an Italian TV program on City TV, broadcasting live from the CHIN lobby, and he remains a very active fund raiser for several charities. Johnny hosts the international segments of the annual Variety Club Telethon, Hospital for Sick Kids Telethon, Radiothons, and sits on the board of directors for several charitable organizations, hospitals and community awareness programs. Asked why he keeps up this fast paced and busy lifestyle, Johnny says: “I could have retired years ago, but I like what I am doing so much that I don’t want to leave!” His three children-Lenny, Theresa and Donina- are all part of the CHIN experience and are managing all aspects of the business. “I tell my kids that the only way they’ll get me out is to carry me!” Johnny has received more than 50 awards from charities, all government levels including the prestigious Order of Canada and awards from Italy and other countries.

MOLSON AMPHITHEATRE, KINGSWOOD AMPHITHEATRE...
Just a few of the big names playing the big venues this July are : Patti LaBelle, Rush, James Taylor, Aerosmith, Tina Turner, Santana, Bill Cosby, Weird Al Yankovic, The Who and Barry Manilow.

Our two large jazz festivals, Du Maurier Downtown Jazz Festival in June, and the Beaches International Jazz Festival in July, are separated by caravan ’97, which are 40 pavillions representing the great cultural capitols of the worlds and are spread across the city and Caribana at the end of July which starts with a colourful parade of tons of steel and mass bands and Caribbean floats and goes on for a week of partying.

A lot more going on. These are just a few of the meanderings!!!!