For those of you who do not know it, My son, Ben the pianist, and I started a concert/brunch series last January, at my dear friend's restaurant - Mazal Tov Cuisine. Mazal Rabi has created delectable delights for years at this restaurant. She truly is one of Windsor's best kept secrets. Her brisket is by far the best I've had. But it's her Israeli salads that I go gaga over! Her desserts are sinful. And she's kosher.
The idea for this concert series began last Hannukah at our annual Hannukah party. We've had this party for 28 years now. I have one rule for my guests: I'll prepare the food, you prepare to entertain - sing, dance, play music, tell jokes - whatever, but you must perform. And oh! how my guests have performed!!!!!! It helps to have professional singers and musicians as friends.
Every year we hear the same conversations...there is no place in Windsor where singers etc. can perform and try out new songs on an audience. This year, while eating at Mazal's, I had an epiphany. Have concerts at the restaurant. Mazal loved the idea.
Our first concert was in January. "PIANO, PZAZZ, WITH A LITTLE JAZZ ON THE SIDE." It was a huge success, so in February we had BRUNCH WITH THE BARD AND OTHER ROMANTIC NOTIONS. Another hit.
March was OMELETTES AND OPERA, OY VEZ! with Canada's leading bass/baritone, Steven Henrikson.
April - SPRING IS SPRUNG, and May - TRA LA, THE LUSTY MONTH OF MAY.
This month's concert is JUNE-OUR TRIBUTE TO BROADWAY AND THE TONYS.
It's going to be a lot of fun, as always, and Mazal presents a feast. And I am inviting everyone to come. The cost is 25 dollars all inclusive. Space is limited to 100 people so call now to book your table. 519 252 0221 or 519 730 0315.
Mazal Tov's is located at 1653 Ouellette Avenue, right next to the Jewish Community Centre.
Be there or be square!

Friday, June 20th....what a dismal and awful day! Actually, when I think about it, the entire month of June has been extraordinary in its awfulness. Don't misunderstand, my family and I are fine. It's everything around us. Like yesterday at the radio show. On the air for five minutes and all of a sudden I can't get the microphone to turn on! Listeners heard a Jazz Quartet for twenty minutes while I tried to fix whatever the problem was. Being technically challenged, this was a nightmare.
Finally got the microphone to work. Just then Ilan walks in, trips, and spills coffee all over the c/ds I had lined up, my notes, AND posters for the 6th Concert/Brunch that is happening at Mazal Tov Restauraunt on June 28th. All of them ruined!
For a while that seemed to be all that was going wrong. Then, in the middle of an interview with Professor Gil Troy, specialist in American Politics, after I had just finished asking him just how bad Obama has been so far, everything went black. With a bang. It's very, very dark in CJAM when the lights go out. Very dark. And scary.
It seems there was a fire at Vanier Hall that blew out the generators.
Never did get back on air for my show.
I thought today would be better. UPS actually called to tell me when they arriving with a package. That was thoughtful.
There were thunderstorms in the morning, but it cleared up enough for me to get my swimming and water exercises completed. That was good.
Had breakfast, let the dogs out, made a cup of tea, then sat at the computer to write the next act of a play I am writing. I suddenly realized that it was very quiet in my backyard and the dogs were no where in sight.
I rushed out in a panic, fearing that one of the gates had been left open. But, no, that wasn't the case. My two lovely, sweet, gentle boys had discovered a bunnie, chased it down and killed it, and were now resting under a tree in the backyard EATING it! Their faces were covered in bunnie fur and blood.
I was hysterical. "I used to be the head of the Bunnie Brigade at a wildlife sanctuary for crying out loud," I screamed at Max, my Shepherd/Collie mix. He slunk away as I continued. "Bunnies are sweet!" I ranted.
Then I saw my vegetable garden...that sweet bunnie had eaten all of the leaves off of my fig tree and squash plants.
"Job well done boys," I said as I gave them each a bath. "Just don't do it again."
Never did get back to writing my play.