See You at the Movies?

Last years filming in downtown Detroit of the latest instalment of the Transformers movie franchise may be the start of something big for not only Detroit but Windsor as well. The respective cities skylines, Ambassador bridge and wide variety of backdrops make for an attractive place to shoot movie and television productions. With a proposal to build a movie studio in Essex county being worked on right now as well could this area become Hollywood North? The success of the Windsor International Film Festival has established an interest amongst Winsdorites as movie buffs. Big budget movies being filmed in our own backyard? It is rumoured that parts of the next Batman flick are going to be shot in Detroit. Would you spend the time to be an extra in a film?

by Tim FairhurstBiz X Magazine

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The Circus Comes to Town

Today the famed Cirque du Soleil comes to Windsor for a series of shows at the WFCU Centre. Combining circus entertainment with art, acrobatics and music Cirque du Soleil is performing a blend of Eastern performances with Western circus influences. The Dragon (East) and the Lion (West) come together in their latest performance called fittingly “Dralion”. World class performers and athletes and stunning special effects make any Cirque de Soleil event something you will remember. I was fortunate enough to see the troupe in Montreal under a circus tent at the ports of the Quay and was amazed at the level of showmanship and production value. Before or after the show make an effort to try a new restaurant. With a multitude of diversified dining establishments in and around the Windsor area there has never been a better time to try a specialty dinner for a reasonable price. Whether its Thai, Indian, Italian or Chinese there’s always something different to try. Sampling food from other cultures is a great way to expand your horizons and maybe even make new friends. Make this weekend an international affair and tour the world without even leaving Essex County!

Cirque du Soleil performs 8 shows and is town thru Wed thru Sunday. Go to http://www.wfcu-centre.com/ for tickets and info.

by Tim FairhurstBiz X Magazine

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Get a WIFF of This!

Well its that time of year again. Yes, I’m talking about the Windsor International Film Festival (http://www.windsorfilmfestival.com/). Showcasing some great Canadian and foreign independent films and filmmakers the festival is a not-for profit organization whose mission is to recognize and celebrate the art of cinema. Each fall Windsor plays host to a weekend of screenings of some of the most eclectic and diverse documentaries, dramas and short films with visits by some of the filmmakers themselves. Scott McFadyen and Sam Dunn make a return appearance this year for a Q&A about some of their latest projects. Yours truly met them at the festivals incarnation where they screened their documentary film Metal: A Headbangers Journey and answered questions after the show. The festival also sponsors a short film contest for filmmakers called 48 hour Flickfest (http://www.48hourflickfest.com/) . Contestants have 48 hours to write shoot and produce a short film. The top ten films will be screened before select features at the festival. In its fifth year The Windsor International Film Festival is gaining momentum and always offers an interesting and different cinema experience. It’s a cool excuse to get out for a night (or afternoon) on the town before the snow flies and support an ambitious local initiative. An opening night gala at Caesars with screenings at the Capitol Theatre means that there will be something for everyone. Check it out and chime in with what you are going to see. I’m going to try and catch Chris Rock’s Good Hair flick and the musical rockumentary featuring Jack White, Jimmy Page and The Edge from U2 called “It Might Get Loud”. I hope it does. See you at the movies.

by Tim Fairhurst

Biz X Magazine

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