Category Archives: Uncategorized

PEOPLE PROFILE: Sonya Zhang

By Kat Leonard on | Leave a comment

Meet Sonya Zhang:
Student, artist, human being at large

sonya
Sonya Zhang is a featured artist in this year’s WonderFest West At Clarke Hall in Mississauga. She will be reading some of her original work. A student still expanding her mind and exploring the world, Sonya is also part of Ink Movement,  a Canadian youth-led nonprofit organization that encourages youth to express what’s on their minds. Here are 11 things about Sonya… 🙂
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1. I’m a student at White Oaks Secondary School. While I’m definitely passionate about furthering my education, I’d definitely say that most days I’d rather be at home writing or taking pictures.
2.Both the greatest challenge and reward of being a student is definitely being able to overcome challenges and achieve different goals in a safe space where it’s okay to make mistakes.
3. To me, being an artist is having the freedom to materialize whatever you’re feeling at the moment, and having the privilege of sharing it with others.
4. I definitely didn’t expect to be where I am right now five years ago. I was incredibly shy, self-conscious and I would do almost anything to not be noticed. Which is why it still surprises me today that I ever found the courage to get up on a stage and participate in an art form like spoken word that requires so much attention from the audience.
5. 5 years from now, I’d like to keep doing the things I love like photography, travelling and writing.
6. I would tell my 8 year old self that she doesn’t have to be good at everything. It’s ok if she didn’t make it to the soccer team. It’s ok if she failed that one math test. It’s ok if she didn’t get the lead role in the school play. She was ok then and she will be okay in the future as well.
7. I have so many questions for my 80 year old self. I really hope I end up as one of those cool grandmas with amazing cookies and inspirational life stories. Of course, I’d ask her what she did with her life and how she did it because I have no idea what I’m going to do with mine. Hopefully she’s nice and is still doing the things she loves.
8. I consider myself to be incredibly lucky. This sounds super cliché but I am so privileged to be born to a family of specific people, in a specific time in a specific country. I can only imagine how different my life would be if my parents hadn’t decided to immigrate to Canada all those years ago, or if I was born in a time where women didn’t have the right to an education.
9. Depending on who you’re asking, people would be super surprised to find out that I’m an introvert with too much to talk about. I have always, and still am super shy. However, if you can get me talking about something I’m passionate about I will literally never shut up.
10. I personally find the weirdest things funny. I find cat videos on YouTube funny. I find my 5 year old sister hilariously funny. Of course, I also find the American election this year hilarious.
11. I typically don’t put much thought into humanity and where it’s going because every time I do, as expected, I end up in a dark abyss questioning my humanity. Of course I wonder whether we’re all going to die if Donald Trump wins the election. I think about whether it was a mistake for Europeans to set foot onto that boat and “discover the new world”, killing millions of people and destroying cultures in the process. And even whether it was a mistake for our ancient ancestors to start that first fire, resulting in the creation of guns and bombs and wars. Of course, then I think about all the awesome things in life like puppies and Dr.Who and it all seems ok for a while.
12. My favourite quote is definitely: “We can complain because roses have thorns or rejoice because bushes have roses.” -Abraham Lincoln
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I love that quote! What a thoughtful and Wonderful young lady Sonya is! Please come see her perform at WonderFest West on June 4th! I am so looking forward to her performance energy! What’s WonderFest West? This… 🙂
wonderfest

Let’s Make Good Productions presents WonderFest West,
spreading empowerment through art! All ORIGINAL work!

Workshop facilitated by top breakdancer
and instructor Frost from Ground Illusionz
4pm – 5:30 $PWYC

Concert/Performances by artists from music,
to poetry, spoken word, storytelling, comedy, and visual art!
Doors open at 6pm
Performances start at 7pm

$10 advanced tickets through EVENTBRITE
until JUNE 1ST MIDNIGHT
$15 at the door

Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/wonderfest-west-june-2016-tickets-10457487627

Posted in: Uncategorized

WonderFest Panel & Play Series!

By Kat Leonard on | Leave a comment
WonderFest Painted Lady May1
Let’s Make Good Productions presents our first WonderFest Panel & Play Series
hosted by Arlene Paculan & Kat Leonard!
 
At Let’s Make Good Productions we aim to foster a nurturing community of artists and fans who can come together to empower one another to explore and build an incredible life. To us, this means showcasing and discussing the issues that face us all within the arts and the world at large. We really appreciate your participation in this thriving movement and invite you to join us for our new series of events which will consist of a panel of speakers discussing various topics, followed by our showcase of talent including musicians, comics, spoken word artists, visual artists and more.
Please contact us at letsmakegoodmail@gmail.com or on Let’s Make Good Productions Facebook  if you are interested in participating as a panelist or showcase artist. We love you. 🙂

SUNDAY MAY 1ST 2016 JOIN US!
The Painted Lady 218 Ossington, Toronto

6:00-7:00pm PANEL! FREE DISCUSSION!
Do It Yourself Careers in the Arts featuring:
Tony Roost of One Fire Movement, musician, activist
Marc Anthony Sinagoga, comedian
Signe Miranda, musician, coach, author
Dagmar Morgan, spoken word artist
 
8:00pm-10:00pm PLAY! PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE!
PWYC (Suggested $10) featuring:
Marc Anthony Sinagoga
Signe Miranda
Dagmar Morgan
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Like and follow and all that!
Facebook Event Page
Tony Roost Twitter: @OneFireMovement
Marc Anthony Sinagoga Insta/Twitter: @notmarcanthony
Signe Miranda Twitter: @signemiranda 
Dagmar Morgan
 
Let’s Make Good Productions Twitter/Insta@LMGProductions
Arlene Paculan Twitter: @arlene_paculan Insta: @ourleanpea
Kat Leonard Twitter/Insta: @katbandoo
WonderFest Painted Lady May1
Posted in: Uncategorized

Nasty family schemes go to hell in Coal Mine Theatre’s primal, raw & darkly funny Killer Joe — life with more cowbell

By Kat Leonard on | Leave a comment

There’s a mini-Lettsapalooza going on in Toronto right now – and last night, I stopped by Coal Mine Theatre to see their production of Tracy Letts’ Killer Joe, directed by Peter Pasyk. Chris Smith (Matthew Gouveia) is in big trouble. In deep with drug debts, he owes a mean son of a bitch named Digger […]

via Nasty family schemes go to hell in Coal Mine Theatre’s primal, raw & darkly funny Killer Joe — life with more cowbell

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Call For Artists: WonderFest West

By Kat Leonard on | Leave a comment

wonderfest

***CURRENT OPEN CALL***

Call for Artists! WonderFest-West happens Saturday June 4th , 2016 at Clarke Hall in Mississauga! We invite Mississauga local artists of all mediums to submit! ‪‬

Submissions forms are here:https://fs3.formsite.com/LMGProductions/form1/index.html

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For updates and details on current shows see Let’s Make Good Productions Facebook page!

To participate as an artist of any type, workshop leader, sponsor, participant, audience member and/or friend, connect on FB, email letsmakegoodmail@gmail.com, or submit here: https://fs3.formsite.com/LMGProductions/form1/index.html

Empowerment through art, everybuddy!
🙂

 

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Melanie Peterson’s Anywhere From Here a heartfelt, beautiful mix of playful, introspective & melancholy

By Kat Leonard on | Leave a comment

Saskatoon-born, Toronto-based singer/songwriter/actress Melanie Peterson celebrated the launch of her new CD Anywhere From Here at The Piston last night, with guest artist Bri-Anne Swan opening the festivities. And what a celebration it was! Swan opened with a short solo acoustic set of mostly original songs, opening with a gorgeous interpretation of Gordon Lightfoot’s “If […]

https://lifewithmorecowbell.wordpress.com/2016/03/17/melanie-petersons-anywhere-from-here-a-heartfelt-beautiful-mix-of-playful-introspective-melancholy/

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WonderFestTV Season 1 Episode 6

By Kat Leonard on | Leave a comment

WF pic

WonderFestTV with Kat Leonard & Arlene Paculan premiered on Rogers TV Cable 10 Mississauga in the fall of 2015. WonderFest TV, spreading empowerment through art, is an extension of Let’s Make Good Productions’ live events that encourage participants and audience alike to nurture creativity and confidence in art and everyday life. WonderFest TV showcases and celebrates various Wonder Women and Super Men who are in pursuit of a positive lifestyle as we explore topics of music, visual art, literature, spoken word, healthy self-esteem, fitness, nutrition, mental health, goal setting, business planning, finance and more. WonderFest TV is an entertaining launching pad to discuss ideas and illuminate resources that may inspire and enable viewers to educate themselves and take action toward their dreams and living a constructive way of life.  WonderFest TV: spreading empowerment right into the homes of viewers to boost confidence and creativity throughout the world, starting with Mississauga.

Welcome to this retrospective of Season 1, and stay tuned for Season 2 coming soon!

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Segment 1: What’s your Why?

 

Segment 2: Kat & Arlene chat with author Paul Dore!

 

Segment 3: Kat & Arlene with Lifestyle Consultant Shelley!

 

Segment 4, and final one of WonderFestTV Season 1: Kat & Arlene take selfie!

Thanks again for being part of our WonderFest community! You complete us!
See you for Season 2 airing on Rogers TV Peel imminently and coming to the internets soon too! 🙂 xoxox Kat & Arlene! Let’s Make Good Productions.

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WonderFestTV Season 1 Episode 5

By Kat Leonard on | Leave a comment

WF pic

WonderFestTV with Kat Leonard & Arlene Paculan premiered on Rogers TV Cable 10 Mississauga in the fall of 2015. WonderFest TV, spreading empowerment through art, is an extension of Let’s Make Good Productions’ live events that encourage participants and audience alike to nurture creativity and confidence in art and everyday life. WonderFest TV showcases and celebrates various Wonder Women and Super Men who are in pursuit of a positive lifestyle as we explore topics of music, visual art, literature, spoken word, healthy self-esteem, fitness, nutrition, mental health, goal setting, business planning, finance and more. WonderFest TV is an entertaining launching pad to discuss ideas and illuminate resources that may inspire and enable viewers to educate themselves and take action toward their dreams and living a constructive way of life.  WonderFest TV: spreading empowerment right into the homes of viewers to boost confidence and creativity throughout the world, starting with Mississauga.

Welcome to this retrospective of Season 1, and stay tuned for Season 2 coming soon!

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Segment 1: Kat & Arlene discuss getting out of your own dang way!

Segment 2: Kat & Arlene chat with Ernie Vicente and then he makes us laugh!

Segment 3: Kat & Arlene do Kundalini (Yoga!) with Jan!

Segment 4: You guessed it! Kat & Arlene discuss the weekly goals!

Thank you for being with us! Stay tuned for the season 1 finale and Season 2! Woo! Spreading empowerment through you and to you!

🙂

Posted in: Uncategorized, WonderFestTV | Tagged: , , , , ,

WonderFestTV Season 1 Episode 4

By Kat Leonard on | Leave a comment

WF pic

WonderFestTV with Kat Leonard & Arlene Paculan premiered on Rogers TV Cable 10 Mississauga in the fall of 2015. WonderFest TV, spreading empowerment through art, is an extension of Let’s Make Good Productions’ live events that encourage participants and audience alike to nurture creativity and confidence in art and everyday life. WonderFest TV showcases and celebrates various Wonder Women and Super Men who are in pursuit of a positive lifestyle as we explore topics of music, visual art, literature, spoken word, healthy self-esteem, fitness, nutrition, mental health, goal setting, business planning, finance and more. WonderFest TV is an entertaining launching pad to discuss ideas and illuminate resources that may inspire and enable viewers to educate themselves and take action toward their dreams and living a constructive way of life.  WonderFest TV: spreading empowerment right into the homes of viewers to boost confidence and creativity throughout the world, starting with Mississauga.

Welcome to this retrospective of Season 1, and stay tuned for Season 2 coming soon!

************

Segment 1: Kat & Arlene talk about values.

Segment 2: Kat &  Arlene talk ballin’ with Super Man Matthew Paculan.

 

Segment 3: Kat & Arlene talk music and business with recording Wonder Woman Roveena!

Segment 4: Kat & Arlene jibberjabber about goals and set a new one!

Thank you for being with us! Stay tuned for more episodes of Season 1 and a whole new Season 2 coming atcha on Rogers TV Peel Mississauga! 🙂

Posted in: Uncategorized, WonderFestTV | Tagged: , , , ,

WonderFestTV Season 1 Episode 3

By Kat Leonard on | Leave a comment

WF pic

WonderFestTV with Kat Leonard & Arlene Paculan premiered on Rogers TV Cable 10 Mississauga in the fall of 2015. WonderFest TV, spreading empowerment through art, is an extension of Let’s Make Good Productions’ live events that encourage participants and audience alike to nurture creativity and confidence in art and everyday life. WonderFest TV showcases and celebrates various Wonder Women and Super Men who are in pursuit of a positive lifestyle as we explore topics of music, visual art, literature, spoken word, healthy self-esteem, fitness, nutrition, mental health, goal setting, business planning, finance and more. WonderFest TV is an entertaining launching pad to discuss ideas and illuminate resources that may inspire and enable viewers to educate themselves and take action toward their dreams and living a constructive way of life.  WonderFest TV: spreading empowerment right into the homes of viewers to boost confidence and creativity throughout the world, starting with Mississauga.

Welcome to this retrospective of Season 1, and stay tuned for Season 2 airing soon!

***************

Segment 1: Kat & Arlene discuss self-mastery. 😉

Segment 2: Kat & Arlene inspired by Marcelino “Frost flow” DaCosta.

 

Segment 3: Kat & Arlene talk makeup and colour with Victoria!

 

Segment 4: Kat & Arlene sum up and talk goals!

 

Thank you for being with us! Stay tuned for subsequent episodes and seasons!
WonderFestTV: Spreading empowerment through you and to you! 🙂

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WonderFestTV Season 1 Episode 2

By Kat Leonard on | Leave a comment

WF pic

WonderFestTV with Kat Leonard & Arlene Paculan premiered on Rogers TV Cable 10 Mississauga in the fall of 2015. WonderFest TV, spreading empowerment through art, is an extension of Let’s Make Good Productions’ live events that encourage participants and audience alike to nurture creativity and confidence in art and everyday life. WonderFest TV showcases and celebrates various Wonder Women and Super Men who are in pursuit of a positive lifestyle as we explore topics of music, visual art, literature, spoken word, healthy self-esteem, fitness, nutrition, mental health, goal setting, business planning, finance and more. WonderFest TV is an entertaining launching pad to discuss ideas and illuminate resources that may inspire and enable viewers to educate themselves and take action toward their dreams and living a constructive way of life.  WonderFest TV: spreading empowerment right into the homes of viewers to boost confidence and creativity throughout the world, starting with Mississauga.

Welcome to this retrospective of Season 1, and stay tuned for Season 2 airing soon!

********

WonderFestTV Season 1 Episode 2 originally aired September 8, 2015 and featured life coach artist Elvira Hopper and musician Matt Zaddy.

Segment 1: Kat & Arlene discuss rising above fear.

 

Segment 2: Kat & Arlene chat with Elvira Hopper, life coach and artist!

 

Segment 3a: Kat & Arlene jibber jabber with musician Matt Zaddy.

 

Segment 3b: Matt Zaddy serenades us.

 

Segment 4: Kat & Arlene sum up and discuss the Goal of the Week!

 

STAY TUNED FOR SUBSEQUENT EPISODES!

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