A Letter from
SNAPEtobicoke
6 February 2011 Submit upcoming eventS at
www.snapetobicoke.com
Ahhh, February: a month of snow, cold and more snow. A month
where nothing happens and everybody stays inside. Although
tempting, our family has decided to embrace the winter and all that
it has to offer. There is nothing better than bundling up and going
for a skate at an outdoor rink like the new one at Colonel Samuel
Smith Park. What a joy to see the rosy cheeks on the children as
they race around the figure-eight. Seeing couples holding hands as
they skate reminds me that Valentine’s Day will soon be upon us.
I’ve already started to make plans for my wife and me. It
definitely will include a dinner at one of our local restaurants …
and the rest, well that’s for her to find out. I’ve also started to
plan for Super Bowl Sunday on the 6th. A few friends and I are
heading to a local watering hole to catch all the action – maybe
we’ll see you there.
We hope you enjoy this February edition of SNAP Etobicoke. Our
photographers had a great time frolicking in all the snow that we
were fortunate to have in the west end. In fact we sent a few of
them on special winter missions to see how west-enders like to
spend the winter. We headed out to Centennial Park to catch all the
action as city folk took full advantage of
this fantastic skiing and snowboarding facility. Keep flipping
to see pictures of skaters, cross-country skiers, toboganners,
snow-man builders, winter walkers and a whole lot more, all SNAP’d
right here in the ‘hood.
Make sure you have a peek at the key events section on page 17
and the events calendar on pages 18 and 19 for even more ways to
enjoy the month. Don’t forget that Family Day is com-ing up –
perhaps our calendar will give you some inspiration when deciding
what to do. As families start to plan for March break, parents will
surely want to flip through our March Break Camps section,
beginning on page 26, to see what is available for their
children.
Thank you to our loyal local business partners who have cho-sen
us as part of their marketing endeavours. Without their support we
couldn’t continue to bring you this newspaper that reflects our
neighbourhoods and the life that happens here.
As I sign off I hear on the news that the temperature is
drop-ping by another 10 degrees tomorrow. Brrrrr. Good thing I’ve
embraced winter. See you around town.
Peter FoyGeneral Manager/Publisher
SNAP Etobicoke Inc.Publisher Peter Foy tel: 416-420-9582 office:
416-604-2666 [email protected] Justin Harringtontel:
647-883-7226 office: 416-604-2666 [email protected]
Operations Kelly Kennytel: 416-604-2666
[email protected] ManagerMichael Orlandotel:
416-901-4201 office: 416-604-2666 [email protected]
DesignerJoel [email protected] etobicoke is
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centres.
the publication and all images remain the property of Snap
etobicoke inc. and may not be reproduced in any form without prior
written consent.
views expressed by any contributor are not necessarily that of
the staff or the publisher.
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ON THE COVER
chris, taissa, teri & ShariPhoto taken by: andrea
birbalsingh
The Nelson Canadian Dictionary defines the term crooner as one
who “sings popular songs in a soft, sentimental manner,” which
explains why this singing style has come to define Valen-tine’s Day
in much the same way as wine and roses.
The roots of the crooning vocal style may be traced back to the
1920s when singers such as Gene Austin created the style while
singing jazz standards backed by an orchestra or big band.
The invention of the microphone at that time allowed vocalists
to sing in a softer, more personal style than had been possible in
the days before microphones. Back then, popular singers had to sing
loudly to be heard over the band.
Interestingly, crooning shares characteristics such as smooth
phrasing and a light vo-cal tone with the Bel Canto or “beautiful
singing” style of Italian opera. Crooning also features jazz vocal
techniques and phrasing.
Crooning was initially looked down upon by many singers as a
“pretentious” vocal style. In fact, Frank Sinatra stated that he
was not a crooner even though he had been labeled as one. Other
notable crooners included Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Bobby
Darin.
Beginning in 1928, Rudy Vallée became the first hugely popular
crooner, especially among women. This achievement was helped by his
recordings and the fact that radio broadcasts were now heard
nationwide.
By the 1930s, crooning was being denounced as a “corrupting” and
“degenerate” vocal style by the New York Singing Teachers
Association and at least one religious leader. The New York Times
predicted that crooning was a fad that would soon pass.
Crooners, and their fans, proved them wrong however, with
crooning continuing to be at the forefront of popular music until
1954 when rock became the dominant style. Consequently, crooners of
the day such as Perry Como had their music renamed easy listening
or adult contemporary. Today, singers such as Tony Bennett, Harry
Connick Jr. and Michael Bublé carry on the tradition.
So, when you are planning the perfect Valentine’s Day, remember
that the crooners will be there to help you set the mood.
Ed Lettner owns The Music Studio in Etobicoke which has offered
music instruction since 1990. He is an honours graduate of the
Humber College Institute of Technology music program. Ed admits
that he relies
on crooners on Valentine’s Day. For information about the
programs at The Music Studio, please call 416-234-9268, email
[email protected] or visit www.themusicstudio.ca
VALENTINE’S DAY IS FOR CROONERS
by: Ed Lettner of The Music Studio
6 Burnhamthorpe Road (at Dundas St. West) in the Islington
Village Plaza - Free Parking
416.234.9268 | [email protected] |
www.themusicstudio.ca
Vocal • Piano • Guitar • Bass • Drums • Hand Drums • Clarinet •
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Established 1990
Excellence in Traditional & Contemporary Music Education
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