TORONTO (Reuters Life!) - The Canadian Opera Company in Toronto, best known for producing classical European operas for almost 60 years, is breaking new ground with an original hip hopera production on Wednesday.

Soprano Teiya Kasahara, baritone Justin Welsh, pianist Liz Upchurch, plus local rap DJs lil Jaz and T.R.A.C.K.S. composed the work in hip-hop beat mode, rather than operatic orchestration and vocals.

Their new work, "Hip Hopera", is a story about the challenges faced by an interracial couple.

"Because we had such a strong and clear focus of what we wanted to present in this piece, the creative work flowed quite smoothly and naturally," Kasahara explained.

"Even the fusion of the two genres just seemed to fit as we wrote the words and music, blending them together -- so did the genres of hip hop and opera."

Hip hop, which consists of rhythmic rapping over backing beats usually performed on a turntable by a DJ, may seem an unlikely style to combine with opera, but Nina Draganic, the opera company's programming director, discovered that the two musical genres make a good match.

We wanted to try to debunk some of the myths and challenge preconceptions around hip hop music and rap, which is seen in some circles as glorifying violence and misogyny, according to Draganic.

Casino Rama is pleased to announce the hilarious comedian, author and actor, Chris Rock, performing on July 15^th, 2008 LIVE at Casino Rama. Come prepared as he brings his sharply biting, cutting edge humour, wit and anger to the stage as part of his first international tour, "No Apologies".

Click the link below for more information!
http://www.casinorama.com/email/080430_29159A2C.html

Exclusive advanced ticket purchase for Players Passport^TM Club Members begins Sunday, May 4^th, 2008 at 12 noon, in-person only at the Casino Rama Box Office. Please note that a limited number of tickets are available for this advance on-sale.

Tickets for these performances go on-sale to the general public on Tuesday, May 6^th at 12 noon, and will be available in-person at the Casino Rama Box Office, all TicketMaster locations, by calling (416) 870-8000 and online at www.casinorama.com. Ticket prices do not include applicable taxes or service charges.

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MFM is looking for volunteers for the 2008 Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards and Conference

Sudbury , April 28, 2008 – The biggest event of the year is coming up on the weekend of May 9^th and 10^th and Music and Film in Motion (MFM) needs your help!  So why help MFM?  There are many reasons including supporting a growing, vibrant non-profit organization which is trying to create opportunities for young people, and diversifying Northern Ontario ’s economy.  If that’s not enough, do it for yourself, especially if you are interested in working in the music or film industries! 

Shifts will run from 9am to 1pm, from 1pm to 5pm, from 5pm to 9pm and from 9pm to 1 am on Friday, May 9^th and Saturday May 10^th

We are looking for volunteers to fill the following positions; Registration desk, Merchandise table, Ticket Takers, Drivers, Ushers, Photographers, and General Assistants
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According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, global sales of online music increased 40 per cent in 2007. In total, digital sales account for close to 15 per cent of recorded music sales. Global sales totaled $2.9 billion in 2007 compared to the $2.1 billion generated in 2006. Interestingly, the most downloaded song of 2007 was a Canadian offering – Avril Lavigne’s “Girlfriend.” Neilsen SoundScan has reported that Universal continues to be the highest-selling label in the country for 2007 with a 38.2 per cent share of the total revenues. For more information, visit the IFPI’s website at www.ifpi.org.