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Pack your bags and enjoy the music!

Here’s a rundown of some of the multi-day festivals running up and down the Western United States and Canada this season:
(Not all the festivals have their artist line-up announced but genre and some featured artists are listed where available)

Country Thunder Arizona 2013 – Florence, AZ April 11-14, 2013 – Country – Toby Keith, Lady Antelbellum

Coachella 2013 – Indio, CA April 12-14 & April 19-21, 2013 – Multi-Genre – Stone Roses, Blur, Red Hot Chili Peppers

Stagecoach 2013 – Indio, CA April 26-28, 2013 – Country – Toby Keith, Lady Antelbellum

Bottle Rock Napa Valley 2013 – Napa, CA May 9-11, 2013 – Multi-Genre – The Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, Train

Sasquatch 2013 – George, WA May 24- 27, 2013 – Multi-Genre – Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Bloc Party

15^th Annual Punk Rock Bowling  - Las Vegas, NV May 25-27, 2013 – Punk – Bad Religion, Lagwagon, Subhumans

Ink N’ Iron 2013 – Long Beach, CA June 7-9, 2013 – Punk/Rockabilly – Tattoos, Hot Rods, Burlesque : Iggy & The Stooges, Sharon Jones & Dap Kings

Sled Island Music Festival – Calgary, AB June 19-22, 2013 – Multi-Genre – Jesus & Mary Chain, John Spenser Blues Explosion, Thee Oh Sees

Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2013 – Boonville, CA June 21-23, 2013 – Roots / Reggae – Damian Marley, K’naan

Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas  - Las Vegas, NV June 21-23, 2013 – EDM – Carnival Rides, Electronic Artists.

Victoria International Jazz Festival – Victoria, BC June 21- 30, 2013 – Jazz – Serena Ryder, Bettye LaVette, Esperenza Spalding

Boonstock 2013 – Gibbons, AB (near Edmonton) June 27- 30, 2013 – Rock / Dance – Everlast, Limp Bizkit, Benny Benassi, Eric Prydz

Waterfront Blues Festival 2013 – Portland, OR July 4 – 7, 2013 – Blues – Mavis Staples, John Hiatt & The Combo

Calgary Stampede 2013 – Calgary, AB July 5-14, 2013 – More than just cowboys, multi-genre music – Tim McGraw, Carly-Rae Jepsen, Raghav, Our Lady Peace

Keloha Festival 2013 – Kelowna, BC July 5-7,2013 – Rock/Pop – Tokyo Police Club, The Sheepdogs, The Pack AD

Vancouver Island MusicFest 2013 – Comox Valley, BC July 12-14, 2013 – Folk/Rock – Kris Kristofferson, Indigo Girls, Sue Medley

Rock The Shores 2013 – Victoria, BC July 13-14, 2013 – Rock – Weezer, Sam Roberts Band, Mother Mother

Vancouver Folk Music Festival – Vancouver, BC July 19-21, 2013 – Folk – TBA

Vancouver International Jazz Festival – Vancouver, BC July 21 – July 1, 2013 – Jazz – Herbie Hancock, Esperenza Spalding

Motion Notion  - Golden, BC July 25-29, 2013 – EDM – TBA

What The Festival 2013 – White River Canyon, OR July 26-28, 2013 – EDM – TBA

Center of Gravity 2013 – Kelowna, BC August 2-4, 2013 – Dance/Hip Hop – Lupe Fiasco, Morgan Page,

Pickathon 2013 – Happy Valley, OR August 2-4, 2013 – Indie Rock – Tift Merritt, Feist, Andrew Bird

Watershed Festival 2013 – George, WA August 2-4, 2013 – Country – Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Terry Clark

Shambhala Music Festival – Salmo, BC August 7-12, 2013 – Electronic

Edmonton Folk Festival – Edmonton, AB August 8-11, 2013 – Folk – Bruce Cockburn, The Head & The Heart, Neko Case

Squamish Valley Music Fest – Squamish, BC August 9-10, 2013 – Multi-Genre – Queens Of The Stone Age, Vampire Weekend, Band Of Horses

Outside Lands 2013 – San Francisco, CA August 9-11, 2013 – Multi-Genre – TBA

Rockin’ River Music Fest 2013 – Mission, BC August 15-17, 2013 – Country – Big & Rich, Joe Nichols, Brad Paisley

Salmon Arm Blues & Roots Festival 2013 – Salmon Arm, BC August 16-18, 2013 – Blues/Roots – City & Colour, The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer

Pacific National Exhibition – Vancouver, BC August 18 – September 2, 2013 – Multi-Genre – nightly concerts TBA

The Big Time Out 2013 – Cumberland, BC August 18-19, 2013 – Multi-Genre – Elliott Brood, Black Mountain

Burning Man – Black Rock Desert, NV August 26 – September 2, 2013 – Art/Experience

Bumbershoot Festival 2013 – Seattle, WA August 31-September 2, 2013 – Multi-Genre – TBA

MusicfestNW (MFNW) 2013 – Portland, OR September 4-8, 2013 – Multi-Genre – TBA

Rifflandia Festival 2013 – Victoria, BC September 12-15, 2013 – Multi-Genre – TBA

10^th Anniversary Decibel Festival  - Seattle, WA September 25-29, 2013 – EDM – TBA

BreakOut West Festival  - Calgary, AB October 3-6, 2013 – Multi-Genre/Conference – TBA

They were excited to share the new material, in particular the tracks they co-wrote on the album, as it showed the growth of the group. As they explained in the show, they wanted the album to reflect the diversity and range of the singers, so it included some pop-tinged original tunes – “World Stand Still”, interpretations of pop standards such as “Forever Young” and “Sorry Seems to Be The Hardest Word” and some classical pieces like “Nessun Dorma”. All of which they performed in the course of the 2+ hour set (including a brief intermission), their witty banter and gregarious camaraderie made the set move along quickly, never letting it drag. After telling the tale of how the song spawned great success for them, they wrapped up the set with their beautiful rendition of “Hallelujah”. After the applause died down they returned for an two song encore that finished with the brilliant powerhouse version of “Nessun Dorma” backed by the local Vancouver Pacific Spirit Choir featuring Fraser Walters’ mother. It was a lovely way to wrap up a homecoming concert.

The Lead With Your Heart Tour continues:

February 25                     *Barrie, ON                         Barrie Molson Centre
February 26                     *Kingston, ON                    K-Rock Centre
February 28                     Moncton, NB                      The Centre at Casino New Brunswick
March 1                             *Sydney, NS                        Centre 200
March 3                            *St. John’s, NL                    Mile One Centre
March 5                            *Halifax, NS                         Halifax Metro Centre
April 2                               Hamilton, ON                     Hamilton Place
April 4/5                           Toronto, ON                       Roy Thomson Hall
April 6                               Montreal, QC                      Place des Arts
April 8                               Québec City, QC                Théâtre Capitole
April 11/12/13                  Ottawa, ON                        National Arts Centre

*In select tour stops will help The Tenors launch their new fundraising campaign, “Feed With Your Heart”. This grassroots initiative has been created to support various charities and organizations in a number of communities across Canada.  The charities and organizations in the communities involved include several food banks and hospitals.

Follow The Tenors exploits across Canada on Facebook and Twitter @TenorsMusic

NAKED Underwear is giving shoppers the unique chance to surprise their man with the perfect fit by seeing before buying. Head to The Bay downtown Vancouver this weekend and you will be able to see how your husband or boyfriend would look in NAKED Underwear by customizing a live model to resemble your man.  While the model may not accurately resemble your guy, a wide variety of props will be available to adhere to the handsome model, including wigs, facial hair, eyeglasses and hats.  How often do you get the chance to get your hands on a sexy underwear model?

Once you’ve re-created ‘your man’, take a photo with the model and tweet it to @NakedUnderwear for a chance to win a professional Valentine’s photo shoot.

Visit the NAKED Underwear pop-up shop on the main floor of The Bay Downtown Vancouver February 8-10, 2013 for your chance to see him (in) NAKED for Valentine’s.

That is just what will happen January 17th at the Rio Theatre for the first time in Canada and just the 3rd time anywhere.  Vancouver’s The Broken Mirrors will play the album in its entirety before a live audience. Helping the night along, the band will be joined by some of their friends, local musicians and bands for this one-night-only event.

I asked The Broken Mirror’s Noah Walker what drew him to plan this performance, he said “That was an easy decision, it’s intriguing, an entire Beck album unrecorded. What does it sound like? There’s only one way to find out, play it”. He adds “Beck is a unifying figure in music, he is a shining example  that you don’t have to get stuck in any one genre and that it is quite alright to to mix it up and play blues, punk rock, hip hop, folk and even country!”

The night promises to be full of genre busting sounds, judging by the line up of other musicians including Headwater, Buckman Coe, Leah Abramson, and Van Driver.

Walker says of the night’s line up, “All of them can come together under one roof and make music together. These are a collection of songs where there is no definitive version.  By not recording them Beck has put such a high value on the live performance of these songs.”

This is a great night for everyone, Beck fans get to hear his latest work plus live music fans can show their support of their fave local bands and a great local venue.

Beckstravaganza takes place Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 8:00pm
at The RIO Theatre, 1660 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC

Tickets are $15 advance at The RIO Theatre box office, Red Cat, Highlife and Zulu Records in Vancouver, or online at www.riotheatretickets.ca

The public is encouraged to add their signature to the many political and public figures who support the project like; Virgin founder Richard Branson, artist Yoko Ono, Professor Noam Chomsky and Sting.  The public can also show their support and Wear The Taboo, the official t-shirt of Breaking The Taboo is designed by Vancouver artist and entrepreneur Dan MacDonald, 100% of the profits of the shirt goes toward advocacy work on the global drug policies.

Watch the movie below, then buy the shirt and become a @TabooBreaker!

To raise awareness and funds to support the cause, over the last four years, ONE DROP has hosted La Soirée ONE DROP in cities around the world and Vancouver is the grand finale of this year’s fundraising activities.  Expected to raise $1million, the event is sure to be one of the most talked about charity events of the year. Guests were treated to a spectacular soiree set under the tent at Concorde Pacific Place, featuring a specially designed food and beverage menu offered by Whistler’s renowned Bearfoot Bistro and friends, including Belvedere Vodka, Moet & Chandon, Lebron Cachaca, Vij’s, Black & Blue and Air Canada.

At a sneak preview earlier before the main event, ONE DROP interim Executive Director Catherine B. Bachand introduced Gianni Kovacevic a member of ONE DROP’s Global Leaders Circle and sponsor Kyle Washington, Chairman of Seaspan, a BC based association of marine companies. Hearing them speak about their drive to support ONE DROP, people got a sense of how passionate this organization in their quest to ensure safe, clean water is available for everyone.

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I took a look at some of my favourite pieces from what’s in store this week, but remember that new product arrives constantly so each week brings a whole new selection.

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Find these plus many more great pieces instore at the Topman downtown Vancouver or online at topman.com.

Grey Wool Stripe Peacoat, $164
Navy Shawl Collar Jumper, $48
White Multi Dots Short Sleeve Shirt, $50
Electric Eel Blue Crew T-Shirt, 2/$20
Made in England Port Hainault Herringbone Heritage Blazer, $270

The young Canadians were recently able to inspire the Dragons on CBC’s Dragon’s Den during their recent pitch, they had multiple offers and were able to come away with their $100,000 ask. The pitch impressed the Dragons so much that they were chosen as one of this seasons “Game Changers” a season 7 game co-sponsored by Ford Canada to recognise ‘the entrepreneurs who have gone above and beyond the boundaries of business’. Watch for more from Ten Tree Apparel as they continue to inspire and grow.

Meet the Ten Tree Apparel team in the video below!

“It’s a fitness and health conscious world out there right now. And fashion is something that goes hand in hand. It’s all about how you feel about yourself. People deserve to look and feel good about who they are. And great people deserve to be comfortable. I’m sure there are some designers out there who will disagree with me, but fashion begins and ends in your underwear.” says Primus.

The Cotton Collection includes: underwear in a brief and a trunk style, lightweight undershirts in v-neck and crew neck and a heavyweight fashion tee in crew, v-neck and deep v-neck. Packaged in the signature Naked box with its own wash bag to help keep your garment looking fresh and your style impeccable.

The Naked Cotton Collection debuts this weekend at fine retailers Holt Renfrew and Boy’s Co. and online at thenakedshop.com.

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