Everett Smith . King of Tap

Dapper dancer Everett Smith could barely sit still at a recent community event . If there was even a slight volume of music, Everett would be tapping his feet or silently snapping his fingers . It was obvious from those moments that Everett was born to dance. From national touring shows; Tap Dogs to stage performances in Grease and Footloose and dancing alongside musical heavy hitters such as Tom Cochrane , Katy Perry and others Everett doesn't seem to miss a step. Often remembered from " So You Think You Can Dance Canada " in 2009 , Everett was the only tap dancer to make the finals . Everett shared the stage with country superstar Terri Clark raising funds for cancer research . I was so lucky to have gotten to interview him just recently.... 1. what styles of dance do you excel at other than tap ? I pride myself in being a very diverse dancer and I credit my broad range of ability to the amazing mentors that I’ve had throughout my upbringing and throughout my years of training. They didn’t train me in just a single genre, they trained me to be an entertainer across all forms of dance. Our dance studio, Bringing Tap Back, is actually expanding starting September 2014! We will be offering ballet, jazz, hip hop, movement and partnering as well as our extensive tap programming. I believe that every tap dancer should be well-rounded and fully-backed and supported with technical training in all genres. 2) at what age did you begin to dance and was it love at first step or did you grow to love it ? I started at the age of 3. My parents threw me into it because I had an abundance of energy! Apparently I wasn’t very keen on dancing for the first couple of weeks as my mother recalls, but ever since I got the hang of it I’ve never looked back! 3) as the uncle of a 13 year old boy who takes jazz,ballet and tap I ask , were you teased or tormented being a boy who danced ? How did you overcome this ? Yes I was teased and tormented, I overcame it by learning to run faster!! With all seriousness, I had great parents who were really supportive and told me to keep my chin up, to always believe in my dreams, to stay positive and that things will always work out in the end, and here we are! 4) Dancing alongside country superstar terri clark must have been thrilling. Which other entertainer would you love to get on stage with and kick up your heels ? I would like to get on stage with an artist like Justin Timberlake. Someone who again, isn’t just a single-genre artist; who can pick up any instrument and play it with ease! 5) speaking of Terri clark..you danced alongside her in "tapville" and raised funds for cancer research. What are some of your favorite charitable causes ? Have you done other charity events ? I co-founded a charitable cause called “two tappers, one cause” with all proceeds going to our local community’s food bank. We’ve had two very successful events with that! As well, I was part of “tapping for toonies”, where we helped Tim Horton’s raise money for Camp Day. I am often a guest speaker at elementary and high schools in the area as a motivational speaker where I talk about bullying and other issues related to my profession as a male dancer. 6) if not dancing , what do you think you would be doing for a living ? It’s a hard question to answer because I’m quite the hobbiest! I’m not really sure to be completely honest, but everything that I seem to be interested in is somewhat related to the arts whether it be painting, drawing, architecture, prop set builds etc. 7) tap seems to be everywhere now. What do you think attributes to its huge poplularity. I think that a new young and aggressive approach of the dance has definitely sparked some interest within our younger community. As a tap community, we continue to pull from and learn from the teachings of our mentors while continuing to form and develop our own voices. As a tap dancer, we’re finding more opportunities through social media and televised programming to share what we love! 8) if given the opportunity to be in any past or present broadway show, which would it be ? I would have loved to be in a broadway show called “Black and Blue” which opened on broadway in 1989 and closed in 1991. The show was choreographed by immaculate tap dancers such as Henry LeTang, Fayard Nicholas and included dancers such as Savion Glover, Jimmy Slide, Lon Chaney, Bunny Briggs and Diane Walker. Many of which I still continue to look up to today. 9) serious final question. Could you teach someone like me , with two left feet to dance ? Anyone can learn how to tap dance. It’s a funny saying “having 2 left feet”. I personally am only equipped with one left foot and still I’m able to create just as much beautiful music as that of my right. Looking forward to working with your two left feet! ........... With every step to the dance floor Everett makes ; comes forth his passion for dance and inspiration for others to do the same. While some think entertainment artists are stars for winning awards and standing ovations ; I believe Everett is a star because he gives back. I had admired Everett as a dancer prior to the interview but after learning more about the man in the tap shoes , I respect him as the giving person I had learned about . For more about Everett .check out http://www.bringingtapback.com Photos Copyright @2014 Laura Domnar

journal workshop feedback form

Name:
Email Address:
Did you find the class to be enjoyable ?	Yes No Prefer not to nswer
Would you recommend others of this workshop ?	Yes No Maybe
On a level of 1 to 10 , with 10 being extremely enjoyable and 1 not enjoyable, how did you find the workshop ?	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
How relaxed did you find the atmosphere ?	Very relaxed Somewhat relaxed Just about right To strict
If a smaller length follow up workshop were offered, would you be interested ?	Yes No Maybe
What was your overall feel for the workshop ? Did you get anything from it ?
Will you continue on with your journal ?
In your opinion:; how could I improve on these workshops.? Are they too lengthy ? Too short ? Anything else you would feel to inprove them .
thank you for taking the time to complete this feedback form.

Get your own free form like this one.

http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php

http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php

No tears for my father

No tears for my father
check out my review then read the book

Levi Kreis-Imagine Paradise -The Review

Ok ! So here it is. My review of Levi Kreis' latest cd "Imagine Paradise " folled by a remix cd of "Gonna be Alright "

“Imagine Paradise” Levi Kreis. The Review

If I did not know I was experiencing the musical talents of one man : I would think I was listening to a compilation of great songs by a mix of equally great musicians. Levi has such a wide range of vocal capabilities. Sometimes sounding as if Billie Holliday has somehow taken part of Levi's soul; but it's all his own .

An album driven by heart and soul; Imagine Paradise shines on through.
I would be hard pressed to select one song from the twelve that stand out.
They all stand out on some level and all stand on their own. Any one of them; in my opinion could be the next single.

If you have ever bought a CD and only found one or two to your liking; this is not one of them. I can almost guarantee that you will enjoy them all.

“Imagine Paradise” starts off smooth and sultry with “Timeless (we are)” I could envision myself slow dancing thinking of lasting love. Levi says “Timeless (we are) is the song that is his personal favourite,and I can see why .

“any way you wanna” is more upbeat number about living your life as you want. It is a motivational kick.”

“taking back my boogie” I dare you to stay still listening to this track. A guaranteed toe tapper. It is about having a Mr or Mrs right in life, rather than a Mr or Mrs. Right now.

“all over again”: I found this tear inducing yet tenderly sweet. I found this about falling in love all over again with the one you are with.

“deeper love” is soulful,rhythmic and bluesy, Stands on its own.

“love revolution” feat. Qboy. Levi proves again he is the master of all genres. A love anthem for the ages. Kicks off with a jump start !

“4 letter word” -simply being afraid of love or showing love.

“so much better” a fast paced song. Interpretive. “let it go” go with the feeling or let it go.

“Never will I” . As Levi says “ Love is beyond space and time” Love lives, though partnerships end. Memories often carry us through.

“It ain't Over” with Sam Harris. One of; if not the best duets ever ! Voices perfectly synced ! Gotta love the 70's disco beats .

“what love is” stunning, both lyrically and musically.

“let it go” breaking up and moving on. An evocative song. Speaks to me of faith,hope and strength.

Twelve songs. Think of Levi Kreis' “Imagine Paradise” as a dozen of the finest roses;each unique,yet equally beautiful.

For more information on Levi...www.levikreis.com
For more information on Vision 9 Records .. www.vision9records.com

Available on www.itunes.com or suggest your local music CD store get it !

______________________________________________________________________

I have done a few CD reviews in the past. Most recently Levi Kreis' “Imagine Paradise”
At the same time I had the opportunity to review that one; I was offered to do a review on “gonna be alright-mixes” which is also a Levi Kreis song .

As much as I love both the song and Levi; I had trepidation about reviewing a remix CD.
In most instances;any remix cds I have had come my way to review; I have declined.
I love extended play songs but not at the risk of not knowing who the original singer was, after studio and mixer magic; making some tenors out to have echoed voices likened to Betty boop.

Sometimes remixes com off as rap battles. Who can extend the song the longest with the biggest bass and scratch effects.

Most remix cds have 4 or 5 versions. “gonna be alright -mixes” has 11.
I set me copy aside for a few days while listening to “imagine paradise”: I thought that, out of fairness to Levi and Jared Jones (cd producer) I would give it a listen.

I was pleasantly surprised. Very danceable and enjoyable. Not overly extended and Levi's voice was distinctly his own .

He was not drowned out by dubs and heavy bass or overly used tribal beats .
Jared Jones had won me over.
His own mix “2K13 club mix “ is my favourite. High on dance ability but keeps bass to a minimum.
The only track that did not appeal to me on such high levels as the remaining 10 tracks was the final track; the Matt Moss Dub Mix”
All in all I give this mix CD 10 turntables out of 11.

side note: Levi has put out calls in the recent past for mixed versions of his songs. Winners have had their mixes on a CD with money generated by sales to benefit many HIV and other causes. \
Props to Levi.

Levi Kreis "Imagine Paradise"

How you describe Levi Kreis' style of music may depend on which track you listen to first. Levi may very well be a different breed of musician. He is definitely not a "one trick pony". R and B. Gospel.pop.Soul He has it all covered. If you want ballads that grab you by the heartstrings or pop that will keep you dancing in the club; Levi has it.

Levi Todd Kreis was born November 4 1981 in the town of Oliver Springs Tennessee; not far from Pigeon Forge; home of none other than Miss Dolly Parton. In 2005; Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" put out a call and challenge to write, record, produce and package a cd. 1000's applied but only 4 were chosen to attempt the arduous task. This was a huge break for Levi; as he and his team won the challenge. This was for a special edition of The Apprentice for XM Satellite radio. Levi played the character of "Roger" in the national tour of RENT; south of the border. He also played the character of "Adam Meiks" opposite Matt McConaughey and Bill Paxton in Paxton's directorial debut "Frailty". Though some say this was a minor role; it and Levi had a huge impact on the movie Levi went on to act in the award winning independent film entitled "Don't Let Go "

One of the most exuberant, energetic and highly entertaining characters of Jerry Lee Lewis is bestowed upon Levi. He starred as Jerry Lee Lewis in Broadways "Million Dollar Quartet" winning the esteemed TONY award for best featured actor in a musical. Levi had to step away from the piano as Jerry in 2010 after an injury.

In 2009; I saw him perform at a local festival. He had no swollen ego or false airs about him. There he stood barefoot; standing on the grass; singing his heart and soul out. Hundreds if not thousands around him. Levi has the gift; that when he sings; though you may be just one in the crowd; it feels as though he is singing for and to you. I had been a fan of Levi's before the event and had made a Levi fan t-shirt; hoping to meet him. Only to thank him. But; there I stood; standing beside a tree; my sister urging me to step out of the shadow of the tree and myself; to say hello and give him thanks. Oh. How I wish I had. I also had the extreme pleasure and privilege of reviewing Levi Kreis' newest cd "imagine paradise" as well as the "gonna be alright" remix cd. Thank you to Evan from vision9records.com and Jared from jrd.com for getting me in contact with Levi and for the encouragement that still continues. Extreme thanks to Levi. Thank you for allowing me to get to know you better and letting me let others know of and about you. Thank you for allowing an "amateur" like me to give it a go. I think where "it" went is phenomenal. Thank you for the feedback; not only on this interview and reviews but the other as well. Thank you for reminding me like you did in 2009 that everything's " gonna be alright" I hope to see you soon barefoot-not hiding from behind a tree.

An Interview with Levi Kreis 

Levi Kreis 

1. You have a deep spiritual side. Have you always been spiritual or did an event spark that spirituality and bring it forward ?

I"ve always been a very sincere boy when it comes to spirituality. I could say that it was because I was born into a family that was very sincere about their religion, but I think I would have felt the pull to be a wisdom seeker regardless. It's my personality. I always long to know the underlying truth about things. I'm a natural investigator, and that expresses itself by the need to study different schools of spiritual, religious, and metaphysical thought.

2. Million Dollar Quartet is a huge hit. You were also in Frailty with Matthew McConnaghy . Do you still have the need or desire to do more acting or is music "Priority one"

Absolutely. I've taken the last two years to restructure my music business, learn how to do things smarter, more efficiently,and how to concentrate my investments in areas that reap the greatest financial reward. I'm a one man business, and the goal is to create multiple streams of passive income. If acting were a lesser priority, it would only be because acting jobs are work for hire jobs that force me to depend on an employer. My goal is to build something that financially sustains me the rest of my life. It's simply a numbers game.

3. So many musical "artists" have gimmicks. You don't. You are a true artist. Often "gimmicky" artists make it too top 10. Not going as far as donning metal tatas; if you adopted a gimmick; if only for one show,what would it be ?
Fun question! I would probably make over my entire image to a 70's leather boi, from the wardrobe to those awesome graphics and fonts of the late 70's. (I actually don't know how much of a gimmick that would be though as I think it's just an extension of me...in my fantasy mind. Yeah, I would have to go that route. Or maybe go completely Peter Berlin!

4 . I was lucky enough to see you perform at Tri-Pride in Kitchener Ontario a few years ago. You performed your set barefoot. Are you a true nature boy at heart; loving the simple things in life? If you could afford it; what would be your one "guilty pleasure" be ?

So funny you mention that. I was hope for Knoxville Pride and performed barefoot. I performed at church last Sunday barefoot. I am. There's a pagan/wiccan part of my history that I used to talk about more often. I'm an amalgamation of many things now a days. But yes, there is something so grounding about feeling that ground connection when performing. Simple things bring me great joy. I don' like life getting to complicated or fancy. My one guilty pleasure: hmm. I have a pretty healthy diet - but my guilty pleasure right now is Keebler's "Grasshoppers". Girl Scouts have been hiding the fact that someone makes thin mints just as good as they do.

5, i saw you on Oprah in the audience when Harry Connick was on. Some compare you to him .. (I myself find you better looking). Is he one of your "idols" ?

Thank you! I have looked to him often for the same reasons as I look to my hometown girl Dolly Parton. They seem to have never lost their hometown essence, down-home roots, and genuine rapport with those who support their music. They are truly stand-out examples of fan appreciation! I aspire to have and maintain that level of expressed appreciation and accessibility.

6. Speaking of "idols" or "role models" do you think it is fair of fans to describe an artist as such ?Does this make you feel more of a commodity than a person?

I'm not fond of anything that elevates entertainment to a status above other vocations. First of all, entertainment is such a self consumed business. You wanna talk about heros, there are people out there saving lives every day while I'm consumed with pushing a single to radio. The world has a funny obsession with fame, and artists judge themselves against it and often forget that there are ways of taking what we do and creating a larger give back. I think anyone who takes their gift and uses it to make the world a more loving place - that is a role model! I am committed to doing that the best way I know how.

7. How would you personally describe "hitting the big time" or "stardom" ?

Stardom will always be a moving target that will make a man crazy to chase. It is also an entirely subjective idea. The only thing there is to do in life is to do what makes you feel fulfilled and expressed. Everything else is ego seeking approval from a world who will elevate you one minute and knock you down the next. For an artist to be consumed with stardom, to me is misery and soul-sucking. Living in LA for years, I found "the big time" being my sole obsession to the point of losing my own unique voice. It's a dangerous dance to court the concept.

8. If I had a magic wand and could grant you the wish of performing with any artist; who would it be ? ( this interviewers choice would be for you to do a duet with Dolly Parton )

As the child winner of the "Best Young Talent" award at Dollywood, Yes, I would say Dolly Parton as well.

9. The recent release of your cd " imagine Paradise" has garnered some rave reviews. When recording an album; do you try to "one up" the previous or stick to doing your best at the time.

I really tried to do what made me the happiest musically without giving much consideration to how it would be received or how it would be compared to the previous works. This album was the first time I got to be creative without the weight of worrying about how it would be accepted in the "industry" with radio, etc. It was the most fun I've ever had recording because it's the freest I've ever been when creating.

10. Which song on "imagine paradise" has ;if possible to choose just one, the most meaning to you?

Timeless (We Are). I feel really proud of that song. As a craftsman of songs, I strive to create songs that feel like you have known them forever and sound like they are timeless classics. If I may say so myself, this may be the closest I've ever gotten to creating a classic love song. I'm very proud of it

Dear Ms Dolly Parton

I am hoping on hope that somehow you manage to see this and read it.  I know some people (I know you are a star) but stars are people first have aides or secretaries or fan clubs answer letters.
This is not really a letter. It is just something I wanted to see about doing.

I have recently asked a friend of mine this question.." If I had a magic wand and could grant you the wish of performing with any artist; who would it be ? ( this interviewers choice would be for you to do a duet with Dolly Parton )" My friend replied "As the child winner of the "Best Young Talent" award at Dollywood, Yes, I would say Dolly Parton as well."

I can only imagine his reaction when he was announced as the winner; and at Dollywood of all places.
I have no idea what he looked like as a small child; excited by hearing his name announced. Maybe he was a mop topped freckle faced and bare footed lad; hopping nervous yet excited on winning.

Maybe it was that win that set him on the road to fulfilling other dreams; not only of his; but of others.
I am writing this to you but not just for you Miss Dolly.
I am writing it for anyone who has ever had a dream (no matter how small others may tell us it is or unattainable)
I am writing it for myself as well.
Years ago a small lad won Best Young Talent.
Years later he is creating and making his own music and sharing it.
Years later Miss Dolly you are still kicking butt and still inspiring.

It comes down to dreaming and the going for the dreams. Not letting others stand in your way.
Miss Parton. In a small way-writing this letter to you may have been one of mine. To learn more about a boy who won at Dollywood and finding him quite accidentally on youtube may very well be a dream of mine.

My dream. Was and remains to write.
To write of you and Levi doing a duet one day would be a whoa moment.
Unlike music- none of what I write can be described as a "hit" but writing is what I do. I sleep and dream .

Thank You
Joe Lethbridge