Every other Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

So without further delay, let me introduce two Shameless Women, the amazing Madeleine Shaw and Suzanne Siemens…

Showing that “it is possible to build a successful business with feminist and social values while bringing prosperity to the local and global community,” partners Madeleine Shaw and Suzanne Siemens have combined their passions, creativity and business skills to defy cultural taboos and successfully bring Lunapads to the masses while helping to reduce the estimated 14 billion pads, tampons and applicators that are deposited into North American landfills every year.
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Are you ready for tantalizing teases, beautiful bodies and, yes, bawdy burlesque?!

It’s time for Toronto Burlesque Festival 2010 “MeTOPolis: The Future of Burlesque!”

Starting July 21st and continuing to the 25th, this year’s ferocious festival packs each night full of “bump ‘n grind” performances including appearances by Roxi Dlite, the first Canadian to win the Burlesque Hall of Fame title.

You’ll also be able to see Satan’s Angel in the flesh, “a veritable legend” who last appeared in Toronto at The Victory Theatre in 1969!

“Now in our 3rd year, the Festival offers a unique opportunity to experience the best of burlesque and variety entertainment. Each of our performances features outstanding acts from Toronto locals, burlesque and variety artists from across Canada, and many international headlining acts that have earned top accolades in the Burlesque world!

In 2010, we build connections with the history of our art form with the current Revival, and turn our eyes to the future for “MeTOPolis: The Future of Burlesque!””

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Every other Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

So without further delay, let me introduce the wonderful Pearl Luke…

Pearl Luke is the author of two critically acclaimed novels: Madame Zee, which was a book club pick for Chatelaine, Flare, and CanadianLiving magazines and was long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, is a fictionalization of the life of the mistress of one of Canada’s cult leaders.

Burning Ground, which was a Globe and Mail notable book of the year, won the Commonwealth Prize for Best First Novel in the Canada/Caribbean region, and was short-listed for the Chapter/Robertson Davies Prize, the Georges Bugnet award, and the Canadian Booksellers’ Libris award, is the story of a bi-sexual woman and her unconventional love relationships.

Also a former writer-in-residence for the city of Taipei, Taiwan, Pearl currently writes and mentors writers online, privately from her website, www.be-a-better-writer.com. As this week’s Shameless Woman, she tells us why we shouldn’t be afraid to follow what excites us.
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As I started to see the links pop up on the internet about Wonder Woman’s new “makeover,” I began to repeat in my head, “Please let it be good! Please let it be good!”

I am not a comic aficionado and bow to those with greater super-hero knowledge than I, but I’ve loved Wonder Woman ever since my much-adored older sister would slip into her Wonder Woman bathing suit and fight poolside crime.

On Twitter, OutTV described the costume change as “less…impractically attired.”

To be honest, my first reaction was, “WTF?!!” (you can check out a pic of the full “makeover” below as well as some pics of the former Wonder Woman).
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Every other Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

So without further delay, let me introduce the amazing Abena Malika…

Photo by Sandy Nicholson

Have you ever felt the jitters? If Abena Malika has, you wouldn’t know it from the amazing work she does as both an actor and equally talented singer. With an impressive resumé that includes credits from both television and theatre, Abena is also the recipient of the 2007 NAACP Theatre Award for ’Da Kink In My Hair (San Diego Repertory Theatre) and has toured as a singer with Toronto band Jacksoul, as well as opening for James Brown on his last Canadian tour.

Currently performing in Soulpepper’s production of Jitters, which previews today (June 24th) and opens June 30th, Abena has taken time to answer our questions as this week’s Shameless Woman.
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Thanks to our friends in Tomboyfriend for letting us know about “the antidote is the venom”, an awesome fundraiser for Shape Your Life happening in Toronto on June 26th.

Featuring Ivan E. Coyote, Sasha Van BonBon, Tomboyfriend, DJ Holly Rock, and the Newsgirls boxers.

Here’s the info from the organizers:

Please help us kick off PRIDE week by joining us for a very special fundraising event starring Ivan E. Coyote, Sasha Van BonBon, Tomboyfriend and some of the Newsgirls boxers. Following the show, DJ Holly Rock will be spinning until the early morning.

For one night only, the Newsgirls Boxing Gym will be turned into a theatre/dance hall. Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm, dancing starts around 10pm.

This fundraiser is in support of the Shape Your Life program. Shape Your Life is a recreational boxing program for women and trans people who self-identify as survivors of violence. Shape Your Life is based on the premise that physical exercise and sports can help our minds and bodies heal from the impact of violence and abuse. Being part of an empowering fitness environment can improve self-esteem and encourage positive changes in our lives. Survivors have a right to express the anger they feel at the injustices in their lives in ways that are positive and safe. Exploring healthy aggression in a safe space can help us express ourselves and build confidence. Boxing can help us get in touch with how strong we already are and contribute to building futures that are free of violence.
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Every other Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

So without further delay, let me introduce the amazing Suba Sankaran…

Suba Sankaran is a DORA award-winning, JUNO-nominated multi-musician (voice, piano, percussion). Regularly performing across North America, Europe and Asia with world music ensembles Autorickshaw and Trichy’s Trio, she also seamlessly crosses genres with artists such as the FreePlay Duo (with Dylan Bell) and Retrocity (80s a cappella revue). She has also performed for Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and Peter Gabriel.

In demand as a choral director, arranger, educator and composer, she has composed, recorded and produced music for theatre, film, radio and dance, including collaborations with Oscar-nominee Deepa Mehta. And she’s this week’s amazingly Shameless Woman.

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A collaborative explosion of creativity between Toronto and its artists.

June 18th, 19th and 20th.
ALL EVENTS FREE!

Over a hundred of Toronto’s established, emerging and youth artists come together under one roof for a multidisciplinary explosion of original works and creative happenings. Artistic disciplines, cultures, and generations blur as Toronto audiences and artists share their creative spark.

Ranging from choreographed pieces inspired by simple, everyday tasks, to vocalists disguised as architectural wonders, to bedtime stories and site-specific theatre, New Waves offers something for all ages and interests, free of charge.
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Every other Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

So without further delay, let me introduce the wonderful Shaheen Ashraf…

Sitting on the Board of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, Shaheen Ashraf was born in Karachi and grew up in a little town called Khulna (then East Pakistan). She came to Canada in 1976 with 4 young children and once they were grown, she became involved with several volunteer organizations “to help other human beings,” her aim in life. Holding a diploma in Hotel Management, she is presently enrolled in a Psychology & Social work course and works full time with her husband as an administrator of a Ship Brokering firm. She also takes the time to answer our questions to let us know why being pushed into a corner can make you resilient and empowered.
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