BT Calgary Blogs

What a gorgeous day to spend at Lilith Fair! I had a wonderful time taking in the sun and fantastic music with friends.  Sarah sounds as spectacular live as she does on her new album Laws of Illusion. McLachlan is such a shining light on stage when she at down and started playing the piano the whole stadium was on their feet and listened intently to every note she sang.  Thxx for sending in a gorgeous pic of Sarah Mike Morrison!

Sheryl Crow played a phenomenal set.  She surprised and delighted fans by bringing her little 3 year old son Wyatt up on stage to play percussion – SO adorable!

I spotted Theo Fleury and his wife Jennifer in between sets.   Always love catching up with them and Theo has been working hard with Alberta Theatre Projects developing a new play based on his book

Local designer Paul Hardy (who designed Sarah McLachlan’s Juno dress in 2009) saw McLachlan before the big show – she stopped into his atelier in Kensington Saturday to do a bit of shopping.  Sarah and Paul will be collaborating with the Alberta Ballet in their new work featuring McLachlan’s music and Hardy’s designs.

Brett Wilson hosted a section of his closest 100 friends at Lilith before heading off to Africa with his kids to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Check out the video behind the scenes.

Great stuff this morning on BT…

Stylist Karen Judge brought by some beautiful spring/summer shoes from stores across Calgary – and all different price ranges.

Shoe Shopping with Karen Judge

The boots I’m holding up in the above picture are from Check Mate Shoes. Open toed boots – great option for Stampede?

Also this morning, celebrity gardening and landscaping expert Carson Arthur stopped in with some great eco-friendly tips for our yards.

Put down the saw Andy...

A great tip from Carson to keep away the slugs and fruit flies in your garden and flower patch: Throw a bunch of garlic in a jar with water, marinate for 24 – 48 hours. Pour into a spray bottle … and spritz away.  Thanks Carson!

A final note – if you know someone who’s going through a divorce and needs some advice we met two women behind a Divorce Seminar in Calgary this week. Bhairvi Johnston and Wendy Olson-Brodeur talked about things to do before you call the lawyer, the importance of having a suppport system of friends and experts and the key financial mistakes that people make when splitting their assets.

Bhairvi Johnston and Wendy Olson-Brodeur

Their seminar dates are May25th, June 9th and 24th. More info at their website: www.tfds.ca

Royalty in Calgary!

Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet  of the Netherlands was in Calgary to mark the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands.  She laid a wreath for our fallen soldiers on Friday May 21. The wreath was made by John Freriksen, owner of La fleur. What an honor, I had the exclusive with the Princess which aired this morning on BT .  

Judy Gabriel at the De La Soul Concert, Olympic Plaza.

 The 3rd Annual  Live Style Urban Arts Festival was one I’m glad I didn’t miss out on, because the legendary De La Soul echoed through the downtown as fans crowded the stage at Olympic Plaza. Before the old school rappers took the stage, local artists, including Lady C and Dragon Fli Empire, warmed up the crowd. It was a feast for the eyes and ears, as various hip hop dancers, rappers, singers and poets took the stage as the crowd waved their arms in the air and called for more.  The festival was a great start to the long-awaited outdoor party season!

Eric Braeden and Judy Gabriel at a lunch for more than 20 women, at West Restaurant and Bar!

Victor Newman has nothing on the real Eric Braeden, who had thousands of women swooning over him at the Calgary Women Show. Several generations of fans came out to see him in the flesh and asked him questions about his real life. Talk about a captive audience! They hung on his every word: most of which concerned his upbringing, his fitness regime and his advice on maintaining a happy 40+ year marriage! That said, he did dish on some behind-the-scenes trials, tribulations and triumphs that he has experienced throughout his Young and the Restless career.

Speaking of young, I got to interview him at the brand new downtown hot spot, West Restaurant and Bar in Scotia Centre. 20 die hard fans got to hang out with Mr. Braeden in a private dining room, and I was there to witness the mayhem. The Daytime star was relaxed and casual, as was his meal, an Alberta Beef  burger and fries!

He is suave, he is sexy and he is Billy Dee Williams, need I say more!

From the Jovan musk commercials to the movie cult Colt 45, and the Star Wars Franchise, he has done it all. Billy Dee Williams has had a career that any actor would be envious of.  He has had 40+ years in the film and television industry. He is know internationally as “Lando Calrissian” from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. Williams can also be seen  in Batman (’89), Moving Target (’96) and Undercover Brother (’02), just to name a few. 

Billy Dee Williams and Judy Gabriel sit down for a chat!

I’ve been a fan of Billy Dee Williams for many years, but finally sitting beside him and talking to him I was mesmerized by his charm and charisma. He is a class act.

From the bridge of the Starship Enterprise to a booth at Mango Shiva, Brent Spiner is known all over this planet and, without a doubt several more, as Data. For such a well travelled guy, he seems quite at home here on Earth! All kidding aside, Brent Spinner is one of the most engaging and personable Hollywood actors I have had the privilege of sitting down with. We had a fantastic conversation over a vegetarian dinner at Mango Shiva, with a few friends. Later, we stepped outside on Steven Avenue for an exclusive interview, which aired on Breakfast television. I met up with Spiner the next day at the Calgary Comic Book Expo where her signed autographs for thousands of adoring fans! He signed one for me as well!

Brent Spiner and Judy Gabriel at Mango Shiva!

English Actor Malcolm McDowell has a career that spans more than forty years. He is one of my favorite actors who is known for his roles in the films If, A Clockwork Orange, Blue Thunder, Tank Girl and O Lucky Man! . He is an amazing actor who has worked both in film and television, including Star Trek Generations, Entourage, Heroes, the animated film Bolt, the 2007 remake of Halloween and  2009’s Halloween II.

Malcolm McDowell and Judy Gabriel hanging out!

I had the pleasure of chatting with him when he was here for the Calgary Comic Book Expo. I have never meet an actor that made me laugh until my belly ached! He is an incredibly smart and witty man but, most of all, he is very down-to-earth and real!

Jason Blaine and the band stopped by our BT studio this morning with his newest CD – “Sweet Sundown.” ( www.jasonblaine.ca ) A busy guy - he is opening for Brooks and Dunn – who performed last night in Calgary.

Jason Blaine on BT

Jason talked about his home in Nashville and the tragedy that’s unfolding there with flooding. Thankfully, Jason’s house is on “high” ground – but he mentioned his neighbors aren’t as lucky — and have since moved into his basement. The Grand ‘Ole Oprey is flooded as well. Jason’s wife flew in from Nashville for his show in Calgary last night — from a flood – to a winter/spring storm. How’s that for nasty timing?

Thanks Jason – and good luck on the road.

Susanne