It has always been my hopes and dreams to see my childhood idol on stage performing her hit songs. When I was younger, my mother won the chance to see Janet Jackson in concert through a radio competition. I was too young at the time, so she took a family friend with her. I was disappointed that I couldn’t go that time because I knew Janet would never make her way back to Australia ever again! It’s always a rare opportunity to see good artists in Australia in concert so I had the feeling that I missed my one and only chance.

When I moved to Canada, I always hoped that I could see more concerts since artists travel to Canada more often as it is much closer for them and their fan base is probably much bigger. When I heard Janet Jackson was coming to Canada I was soooo excited but at the same time I was so disappointed that she would hold a show in Hamilton of all places! But my boyfriend offered to take me all the way to Hamilton which was 1 hour away from Toronto.

So on August 3, 2011, Janet’s one and only show in Canada, my boyfriend drove me all the way to Hamilton. It was a crummy of an evening – dark and rainy but I was so happy to be able to get to see Janet! She performed all her hits, and all my favourite songs. It brought back all the great memories of my childhood. I love Janet!

Janet Jackson #1s World Tour in Hamilton, Canada Video

Janet Jackson #1s World Tour in Hamilton, Canada Photos

On April 19, 2011 Diddy Dirty Money graced the stage at Koolhaus (Guvernment) in Toronto! I was soooo excited about this because I just LOVE Diddy AND Dirty Money. The combination of them on the stage was off the hook! The line up to get in was pretty long.. I think we waited 40 minutes to get in, which is really ridiculous because we already purchased our tickets prior to the event and it was freezing outside! I think it was like 2C at the time.

I managed to get some pretty awesome footage (despite the horrible bassy audio recording) but some even better photos. Please feel free to check out the videos and photos below!

I must say, Diddy Dirty Money rocked the stage but when Diddy did his classics set along with his Notorious B.I.G tribute it sent the crowd wild. It is a must see! I also can’t believe I finally got to witness the “Diddy Bop” live with my own eyes! It made me a very happy girl.

Diddy Dirty Money Videos

Part 1: Diddy Dirty Money

Part 2: Diddy Classics

Part 3: Notorious B.I.G Tribute and Diddy Dirty Money finale

Diddy Dirty Money Photos

OH MY GOSH! It is now the final countdown until the SGI-Canada Youth Festival which is on May 15, 2010. This means that there is only twelve days left. TWELVE!

This has been a long anticipated event. One whole year of planning has gone into this day and I’m sure it will be spectacular. Out of 3,000 tickets available at Roy Thomson Hall, there is under 500 remaining! I’m sure it will end up being a packed house and full of Soka Spirit! Remember, if you haven’t got your tickets for this event yet, you can purchase tickets online at Roy Thomson or directly at the box office.

Just to reiterate, this event is an event in conjunction with two wonderful organisations, Me to We and Free The Children. SGI Canada have partnered with these two organisations as they share the same values of empowering youth and we hope to work together to create many good things for this world. The co-founder of Free the Children, Marc Kielburger, will be guest speaking at the event.

Last weekend we had our dress rehearsal in the Ikeda Hall (main hall which we have our large meetings) and it was all cleared out to simulate the stage. It was a long day (10am to 5pm), where we had two run throughs and then leaders including Tony Meers (SGI Canada General Director) gave their encouragement and sincere thank you to each and one of us who has put their time and effort into making this event such a success.

This includes all the performers (Hip Hop Dance Group, Latin Dance Group, Youth Chorus, Youth Band, Musicians) and the Behind the Scenes group (marketing, public relations, hair & make up, people movers, coordinators) and so on and so forth! There are so many people participating in this event that I just know that the weekend of May 14 to May 15 is going to be amazing!

Here are some photos of the dress rehearsal and another sneak peek of the event!

Here’s Mai (Public Relations) and Louise (Hip-Hop Dance Group Coordinator)

Below are the hip-hop dance group getting their make-up done!

Leslie, Sammy and Young Chul after we got our hair and make-up done.

Here’s us being “gangsta”.. hahahaha

Above are the boys being gangsta..

Funny how there’s that little girl in the bottom-right hand corner! Haha.

Youth Chorus rehearsing while waiting to be called on stage.

Latin Dance Group waiting for their turn to go on stage. Do you recognise where they got their costumes from? It’s a H&M Dress from the Spring Garden Collection. Aren’t they lucky!!

Below are the youth band! Their shirts look so sharp and spiff! Cute!

Please keep in mind that there are so many other performers and segments that I haven’t shown in this post. The youth of SGI Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal are also making their way to Toronto to perform with us!

IT IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!!!!!

As you may know, I have been rehearsing for an event that is coming up in May. It’s been a long expected event and a lot of organization has gone into getting this altogether. The youth of SGI Canada in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal are getting together to perform original pieces of hip hop and latin dances, and choruses.

Further information about the event is below. There are 2,500 tickets up for grabs – get your tickets quickly!

“Me to We”, the social enterprise that supports Free the Children, and SGI Canada present “Your Victory is My Victory” a journey of youth empowerment through music and dance.  More than 400 youth performers from across Canada.

The co-founder of Free the Children, the world’s largest organization of children helping children through education, Marc Kielburger will be the guest speaker at the event. (Source: Roy Thomson Hall)

• Venue: Roy Thomson Hall
• Price: $35 – $25
• Purchase tickets: Click here