The Amazing Isy Aboagye Takes Her Talent to Screens Across Canada in CBC's Ukulele U

 

We were thrilled to learn that one of our Stuff to do KW families had some very big news! The amazing Isy Aboagye is starring in the new CBC Kids Saturday Morning Show and CBC Gem Streaming Show Ukulele U!

Many local families know that Isy has been performing locally at events like Kitchener Bluesfest and singing the National Anthem at KW Titans game.  We wanted to learn more about Isy's journey to our television and video screens across Canada so we asked her five questions about it.

Thanks to Isy for taking some time out of her hectic schedule for this interview and to her Mom Danielle for helping us set it up!

1. How did this role come about?

 I work with an agent in Toronto and audition for a lot of roles. Since COVID, most of the auditions are done online, so I sent in an audition tape and then had an opportunity to audition over Zoom with the Director, David Connolly, Melanie Doane, the Host, and a couple of other people. I had to learn some new songs and a couple of dances and then we just had some fun! I found out a few weeks later that I got the part and I was so excited! We recorded all of the music individually in a recording studio in Toronto and then finally got to meet the rest of the cast on the first day of filming in Hamilton. 

2. What is your favorite part of being on the show?

 Number one is the Music! The songs are so catchy and fun to sing and listen to. Everyone who has heard the music loves it! There are new versions of old classics and Melanie made some amazing new songs too! I also loved that I got to make so many new friends. It was so nice to be able to sing and dance with other people after we had been in quarantine for so long. We had to take a lot of precautions to be safe, but we still managed to have so much fun together. I’m so happy that I met everyone and that I made some really great friends. 

3. What advice do you have for other kids looking to follow this path? 

You need to practice, take classes and have fun! I take Vocal, Guitar/Ukulele and Acting lessons. It’s a lot of work to memorize new scripts and songs for auditions, but every opportunity gives you a chance to learn something new. Also, don’t get discouraged! You might audition for 100 roles and only get one, just keep being you and working hard. 

4. Who are your role models?

I really look up to a lot of musicians, especially older blues music icons like Etta James. I also really love more modern musicians like SZA, Alica Keys or Adele! I love the opportunity to learn from musicians. I’ve been really lucky that Kitchener has some really cool musicians who I look up to and who take the time to work with younger musicians like myself. When they take the time to mentor younger musicians, we get to learn so much and I really hope they know how much we appreciate their time and that they are role models to a lot of people like myself. 

5. What are your future plans?

I am going to keep working on becoming a better musician and actor. I am excited to be back to school and look forward to being able to hang out with friends and just be a normal teenager. I also can’t wait for everyone to see the new episodes of Ukulele U that come out every Saturday on CBC and stream on CBC Gem.

For more info visit these links

Uke U Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uke.u.kids/

Uke U Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ukulele-U-101309915777169

Isy's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/isabelle.aboagye/

Alan Doyle and the Beautiful Gypsies @ Centre In The Square – Enter To Win

We'll start with the Disclaimer – Yes, we did receive complimentary tickets, but this just means we're able to offer you a chance to attend the concert too! Enter the contest at the end of this post!

We’re so excited to hear that Alan Doyle will be at Centre In The Square on March 29^th and here are 5 reasons why you should be excited too.

5 Reasons Why You Need To Be Excited About Alan Doyle Coming To Kitchener Ontario’s Centre In The Square

1.       He is the lead singer of Great Big Sea – I still remember watching the 90s Run Runaway video and being instantly pulled to the TV to hear this unique sounding band mixed in amongst the grunge and boy band tunes they were playing at the time.

 

2.       Known for touring Canada in all kinds of venues – The band made a stop at the Lyric in Kitchener and being amongst the crowd that night you knew they fed off the energy of the audience and they put on a fantastic show.

 

3.       Played alongside Russel Crowe in Robin Hood – Alan Doyle portrayed one of Robin Hood’s Merry Men in the feature film

 

4.       Alan Doyle made several guest appearances on CBC’s Republic of Doyle – He became a recurring character on one of my all-time favourite television shows

 

5.       Made a documentary about collaborating with others – By watching Boy On Bridge you will learn how technology is bringing those in the music industry closer together.

 

Grab Your Tickets for Alan Doyle and the Beautiful Gypsies Concert

Known as lead singer for Newfoundland’s beloved Great Big Sea these past 20+ years, released his second solo album, So Let’s Go, in January 2015. Title-track lead single So Let’s Go, is a rousing rallying cry that’s only further proof of Doyle’s ability to draw the listener under his banner. Equally adept at drawing a crowd, Alan Doyle & The Beautiful Gypsies are taking their energetic show across Canada and the US in Early 2017.

 

This show will be very popular, so be sure to visit https://centreinthesquare.com/event/alan-doyle and grab you tickets before they are gone!

Now that we have you excited for this performance, we want to give you a chance to win a pair of tickets to the show!

Enter To Win

We are giving away a pair of tickets to see Alan Doyle and the Beautiful Gypsies @ Centre In The Square! Just enter the Rafflecopter contest below (it may take a minute to load) and be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of this post with why you would want to attend.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

RIOCAN #RedDotSafespot Bully Free Zone Launch - Media Coverage

 

 

RIOCAN Partners With Degrassi And Leave Out Violence

 

Wondering what the RIOCAN Red Dot Safe Spot is? Listen to what these Degrassi cast members have to say about it.

 

#RedDotSafeSpot Launch

Last weekend we were invited to attend the #RedDotSafeSpot launch at the Yonge Eglington Centre.

 

The event include members from the Degrassi televison show, local dignitaries and representatives from RIOCAN and Leave Out Violence all speaking about Bully Free Zones and what they will mean to them.

 

RIOCAN kicked off the event by letting everyone know that RIOCAN Malls are bully free zones.  Which means anyone report bullying to their security and info desk and the issue will be dealt with immediately. From the Red Dot Safe Spot "About Page"

These are places friends and family can rely on to provide a safe shopping environment, with the comfort of knowing that bullying is not tolerated.

To learn more about bullying we suggest checking out their FACTS page and their Frequently Asked Questions area.

After the RIOCAN presentation we were introduced to the Leave Out Violence (aka LOVE) Ambassador, greetings from a local council member, a mental health expert and three members from the Degrassi cast.  Each one of these young actors had something personal to say about how bullying had been a part of their life why they were glad to be a part of this project.

Afterwards we, along with a few of our friends, had the opportunity to meet the Degrassi actors

It was an inspiring event with lots of great initiatives to stop bullying.

What stood out for me the most was when one of the actors said

"Courageous people speak out against bullying".

We agree, so we are encouraging you to speak out against bullying! Join the conversation by using the hashtag #RedDotSafeSpot