Back when Pearl Jam was at their height, they had the clout to do anything they wanted. Anything.

On September 26, 2000, the band released 25 double CD live albums—what they referred to as “official bootlegs”—featuring performances from virtually every show they played on European tour in support of their Binaural album. Of those 25, five immediately made the top 200 album chart. This was the first time any act ever saw more than two new albums show up on the chart in the same week.

Two other sets just missed the cut. Had they made the charts that week, Pearl Jam would have joined The Beatles, The Monkees, and U2 as the only acts to that point with seven albums on the charts at the same time.

This was decades before Taylor Swift came along.

© 2023 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A question from new parents: “Should I expose my baby to live music?” The answer is “yes.”

A recent study at the University of Toronto revealed that infants have longer attention spans when experiencing live music. Sure, you might want to give them an iPad to stare at, but that apparently doesn’t work as well as live music. Videos don’t captivate them a whole lot but live music elicits physiological changes like a synchronization of heart rate to the music.

The final conclusion? “Findings suggest that performer–audience interactions and social context play an important role in facilitating attention and coordinating emotional responses to musical performances early in life.”

The big caveat? Volume. The live music cannot be too loud for those delicate little ears.

© 2023 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Flaming Lips are certainly unconventional and experimental. One of their weird projects was a very, very long song called “7 skies H3” which, in its original form, ran for 24 hours.

It consisted of several separate pieces, each running anywhere from 25 minutes to seven hours. If that wasn’t enough, just 13 copies were released on flash drives that were encased in actual human skulls. They went on the market (appropriately) on Halloween 2011 and cost $5,000. And yes, they sold them all. If you can’t find your own copy—imagine that—they also set up a website with the song on a continuous loop.

And if you would rather have a physical copy, there is an edited version that runs 50 minutes and was released for Record Store Day 2014.

© 2023 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Back in the 1930s during the Great Depression, there was a phenomenon known as the dance marathon. Basically, couples would take up a challenge to see who could remain dancing longer than anyone else. They were held in ballrooms and auditoriums and could continue for not just hours, but days and even weeks.

Spectators paid to watch, too. The longer the marathon went on, the higher the admission price. Couples had to stay in motion continuously resulting in blisters, injuries, and collapse from exhaustion.

Why would anyone subject themselves to such a thing? Like I said, it was during the Depression. Many people signed up for these marathons because it meant food, shelter, and a place to sleep, even if it was just a few minutes an hour. Those who won were given a cash prize. Hey, the Depression was rough. People were willing to do anything to survive.

© 2023 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

All the original Ramones are no longer with us. While Dee Dee died of a heroin overdose, his three bandmates suffered from different forms of cancer. Joey died of lymphoma. Johnny? Prostate cancer. Tommy suffered from bile duct cancer. Coincidence? Maybe not.

Some suspect these cancers are the result of the conditions of a loft on East 2^nd Street where the Ramones rehearsed and printed t-shirts. It was the former home of a plastic flower factory and some believe that the toxic residue left over from the chemicals used in their manufacture. They permeated the entire building.

Oh, and one more thing: Arturo Vega, the Ramones’ art director and the guy who designed and pressed up all those t-shirts in that loft? He also died of cancer.

© 2023 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

An annual car show in Kelowna on Saturday attracted hundreds of people.

The Show ’N Shine on Bernard Avenue had dozens of vehicles, ranging from vintage to new and heavily modified to exotics.

The crowd was just as varied, with young to old casually strolling the three-block event in the downtown core, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Organizers say around 100 cars were registered, but roughly 85 showed up.

The event was slated to run last month, but was rescheduled because of the McDougall Creek wildfire.

“It was a slow last two weeks of August (for local businesses),” said Mark Burley, executive director of the Downtown Kelowna Association.

“The weather is cooperating with us today, which is really great. And it’s not super hot, so it’s enjoyable to be out walking and checking out the cars.”

Burley said hosting the car show downtown is important for local businesses.

“We’ve had a tough four years if you really think about it,” he said. “The only thing that’s certain is uncertainty for business right now.

“A lot of businesses are trying to gauge how they’re doing, and they’re comparing sales back to 2019. We thought we were doing fine (for summer) and then we had that two-week shutdown (because of the wildfire), which hurt a lot of businesses.”

During the McDougall Creek wildfire, the province asked visitors to leave the Central Okanagan, which had a big financial impact.

“It started off not too bad, but August pretty much killed us,” said Scott Mawer, general manager of Memphis Blues BBQ House, adding summer business is what helps them get through winter.

Asked if the car show helps the bottom line, Mawer said yes, noting it’s been a slightly busier Saturday than normal.

“It brings a lot of people down (to the area),” he said. “We share with all the other restaurants.”

© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The City of Toronto is hoping a new program dubbed FitnessTO will allow fitness services to reach more people with an emphasis on affordability and flexibility.

FitnessTO, a membership program for people 13 and older, will allow access to over 65 community recreation centres offering drop-in group fitness programs including some aquatic programs, 40 weight and cardio rooms and 35 indoor pools with lane swimming.

Those age 13 to 18 as well as those 60 and older can get memberships, day passes and multi-visit passes at half price, the city says.

“We’re proud to provide accessible and flexible fitness membership options, making it easier for everyone to prioritize their well-being and stay active,” Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement.

“A healthier city is a stronger city. My thanks to City staff who have worked hard to expand benefits and increase options.”

The city stresses that free and lower-cost recreation programs are still available at many community centres.

As well, those receiving social assistance and living in Toronto are pre-approved for the Welcome Policy recreation fee subsidy while the city says those with a before-tax total family income below the Low Income Cut-Off threshold can apply for the Welcome Policy.

© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The B.C. Lions have secured a spot in the CFL’s post-season.

Taquan Mizzell ran in a pair of touchdowns as the Lions clinched a playoff spot with a 37-29 victory over the Edmonton Elks on Friday.

“It’s a big deal. Just ask teams that aren’t in the playoffs if making it in is a big deal,” said Lions head coach Rick Campbell.

“To get to 10 wins and to secure a playoff berth, which is your first goal in the regular season, it is going to make our last four games pretty interesting.”

Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., passed for 265 yards and two touchdowns to help B.C. (10-4) win three games in a row.

“It wasn’t pretty, but we got it done,” Adams said. “I know I have to be better for my team moving forward. We started off hot, but then I was kind of up and down.

“I just want to be better for the team, but it was a great win. Our team, we got fight in us.”

Canadian QB Tre Ford had two TD passes on 182 yards as Edmonton (4-11) saw its faint playoff hopes almost disappear.

“They did a good job game-planning, they were prepared for me. I couldn’t get out of the pocket and scramble much. They just did a good job containing me,” Ford said.

“Even though I still thought we didn’t execute to the level we wanted to, it was definitely a step forward.”

The Elks at least managed to score a point against the Lions after stunningly being shutout out in both of their previous meetings against B.C. this season.

“The last two times we played them, we didn’t score any points and looking back last year, they blew us out a whole bunch,” said Ford. “So, definitely a step in the right direction.”

The Lions came roaring out of the gate with a surgical opening drive, needing just seven consecutive successful plays to set up a five-yard touchdown pass from Adams to Justin McInnis.

Things didn’t go nearly as well on their next possession, however, as Adams floated a ball too high and it was picked off and returned 56 yards by Kai Gray for the pick-six TD, ending Edmonton’s season-long scoring drought against the Lions.

B.C. made up for it immediately, though, as Adams found Jevon Cottoy, who shrugged off a badly missed tackle attempt by Mark McLaurin and scampered 57 yards into the end zone.

The big plays kept coming on B.C.’s next possession as well, as a 68-yard punt return by Terry Williams set up a 13-yard TD run by Mizzell to give the Lions a 21-7 lead after the first quarter.

“We got outplayed in all three phases,” said Elks head coach Chris Jones.

“I thought, offensively, defensively and in the kicking game they beat us in this game. We’re closer than maybe what we were, but you don’t get consolation prizes for losing the football game.”

The Elks finally got their listless offence going late in the second quarter when Ford hit Dillon Mitchell in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown, the first offensive points recorded by Edmonton in 148:34 of gameplay against B.C. this season.

The Lions came flying right back as a 57-yard passing play to Keon Hatcher set up a 12-yard field goal by Sean Whyte.

Dean Faithfull kicked a 41-yard field goal for the Elks with no time left on the clock to make it 24-17 at the mid-mark.

Faithfull started off the third quarter with a missed 41-yard attempt that resulted in a single, but then nailed a 42-yarder with five minutes to play in the frame.

The Lions regained a bit of their cushion when Mizzell found a seam and turned on the jets for a 48-yard touchdown run.

Whyte kicked a 17-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.

Edmonton kept it interesting as Ford found Mitchell for a four-yard touchdown pass with just under three minutes left in the game to pull within six points.

Whyte booted a 40-yard field goal with 36 seconds left to put the game away for the Lions.

NOTES

Of the nine CFL teams that started seasons at 0-9 since 1958, only Edmonton this season and Ottawa in 1989 have managed to come back and record four wins … The game featured the two teams with the worst turnover deficits, with the Lions coming into the game at minus-eight and the Elks sitting at minus-12.

UP NEXT

The Lions play host to the Saskatchewan Roughriders next Friday. The Elks are on a bye week.

© 2023 The Canadian Press

Parkland RCMP said there are multiple injuries from a two-vehicle collision on Highway 16 westbound Saturday.

The westbound lanes are being rerouted at Ranger Road 20 and expected to last for at least two hours, RCMP said.

Motorists are told to expect delays and reminded to abide by the established detours.

More to come…

© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Nuit Blanche will be lighting up Toronto streets as more than 80 contemporary art projects decorate the city.

The free all-night celebration includes special exhibitions concentrated in Etobicoke, the downtown and Scarborough as well as installations in several other neighbourhoods. It runs from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday.

Mapping your route

Attendees can find information about artists, complete programming, as well as an interactive map on the city’s website.

Those preferring a a printed map can collect one at Bay Adelaide Centre at 33 Bay St. in the downtown core, at Humber College’s E Building at 11 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr. in Etobicoke and at Albert Campbell Square at 150 Borough Dr. in Scarborough.

Art projects will be clustered in Don Mills, East Danforth, Bloor-Yorkville, North York, Sterling Road, Fort York, Weston, West Queen West, as well as the downtown waterfront. Etobicoke, downtown and Scarborough will host full exhibitions.

The three exhibitions

Shoaling curated by Lillian O’Brien Davis, The Disturbed Landscape exhibition curated by Kari Cwynar and In the Aggregate curated by Noa Bronstein make up this year’s exhibitions.

Shoaling in Etobicoke is a multivocal exhibition focusing on “connections between land and water that link threads of memory, climate, race and labour through performance, video, sculpture and technologies.”

The Disturbed Lanscape downtown will highlight “the ever-present relationship between land, economy and power in urban environments.”

In Scarborough, In the Aggregate will see eight commissioned projects exploring ideas of “togetherness, friendship and collectivity pointing to Scarborough’s unique urban topography.”

Traffic impact

As a result of Nuit Blanche, the city says there will be several road closures, lasting beyond the event itself.

From 9 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Sunday, Temperance Street will only be open to local traffic between Yonge and Bay streets, while Queen Street will be closed to vehicles between York and Bay streets.

From 5 a.m. Saturday to noon on Sunday, Bay Street from Dundas Street West to Front Street West and all of Armoury Street, Albert Street and Hagerman Street will be closed to vehicles as well as a section of Elizabeth Street off Hagerman.

Beginning at noon on Saturday there will also be lane closures on Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive in Etobicoke.

The road closures and lane restrictions will include detours for some Toronto Transit Commission routes, but in addition to regular service, the TTC will also be running all-night service on Line 1 Yonge-University, Line 2 Bloor-Danforth and the shuttle bus network on Line 3 Scarborough. Additionally, day passes bought on Saturday will be valid until 7 a.m. Sunday.

There will be no changes to GO Transit service.

© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.