The week ahead...

Monday, October 8

As today is Canadian Thanksgiving, I assume that The Hour will be a repeat broadcast. On behalf of The Stroumboulopouli, I would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, October 9

Stephen Lewis (former United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa and all around fine person) joins George at the Newstand.

Also, on the show will be Leon Eric "Kix" Brooks III and Ronnie Gene Dunn, better known as Grammy and Country Music Award winners Brooks & Dunn.

Wednesday, October 10

Super-talented Scottish singer and songwriter K. T. Tunstall.

Holocaust survivor and one of Canada's most controversial citizens Dr. Henry Morgentaler.

(Special reminder for Ontario residents...TODAY is Provincial voting and referendum day...please be sure to get out and vote!!!!)

Thursday, October 11

Hip-hop renegade M. I. A. will be on the program. Also joining George will be entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank O'Dea, co-founder of Second Cup.

The Vote Out Poverty night

The evening was hosted by Mary Walsh and she did an excellent job as host and sometimes political moderator.

The evening was interspersed with videos, live music and politicians. The highlight of the evening was an amazing speech by Stephen Lewis.

This is the the program for the evening.
The Nylons.

Then Ontario's political leaders were invited to speak for 3 minutes about what they would do to end poverty. Only one of the party leaders came up to speak, Howard Hampton of the NDP the other speakers were there as proxy for the other leaders. Green Party was a no show.
Jack Layton and Ken Dryden were also given the microphone for a minute. Mary Walsh kept them in line.

After the political fun The Hidden Cameras played.

Videos vignettes interspersed the entertainment with messages from people who live in poverty in Ontario.
The videos were produced by Deveaux-Babin Productions with help from Ryerson's Film and Television program.

The numbers of poor living in one of the richest provinces in Canada is shameful as the crowd kept chanting to reminding all the politicians and media who would listen...

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings also played some rockin' guitar.

In the second half of the evening George Stroumboulopoulos came on stage. He was there to introduce the most anticipated speaker of the evening. Even though G was in obvious pain he did an amazing job on the intro.
The crowd gave Stephen Lewis a standing ovation at the beginning and at the end of his speech.
Stephen Lewis spoke and everyone was totally enthralled. He talked about what we (as a nation) have committed to the world for poverty issues, and how far short we have come to those targets... or the fact that Canada has refused to even naming what we will contribute in future projects.
He talked about the studies done in Ontario about the disparity between the rich and the poor and how the gap has only grown.
He is an eloquent and passionate speaker and I wish he would address Parliament and Queen's Park once in awhile to remind them of their obligations to humanity.

Susan Aglukark did the closing songs for the most unique evening and date I have ever been on.
There is something so romantic about a political rally.

I can relate very well to the issues of living in poverty in the GTA . Choosing between paying the rent and buying food... pay the rent of course, it helps me keep thin. Many of the people I know count on overdraft and if they are lucky credit cards to get them through the month. I am sure the Banks love that. One paycheck missed is a crisis. I can only imagine how much harder it is for those who don't get a paycheck. That's all I am saying before I get more political than that...
Vote!
and if you can Vote Out Poverty!

On the show this week.....

Upcoming interviews:

Monday , Oct 01
Jason Priestley - The diverse and interesting celebrity is involved with a new show.
(Please tell me the coiffure is GONE!)


Monday , Oct 01
Creflo Dollar - Televangelist discusses his controversial message of material wealth.
(Would that message be: "Send money!" ?)

Tuesday , Oct 02
Parvez Sharma - A gay Indian Muslim exploring Islam and homosexuality.
(Some would say, proves Ahmadinejad wrong!)

Tuesday , Oct 02
Joan Jett - The rock guitarist and singer has a new album.
(Hmmmm....embarrassingly just sang; "I Love Rock N' Roll", at Karaoke this weekend.)


Wednesday, Oct 03
Tzeporah Berman - She has been arrested and even called an enemy of the state.
(Looking forward to seeing)

Wednesday, Oct 03
Carlo Rota - He stars in two hit shows on either side of the Canada - U.S. border.
(LOVE this guy!)

Thursday , Oct 04
Danny Glover - A famous actor but also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
(As long as there's no toilet scenes)