I did it. I took the plunge and I, small town girl went to a fancy shmancy restaurant...

Amici isn’t your stereotypical spaghetti and meatballs type Italian eatery. Supporting local merchants by using their fresh meats, fish and produce, Amici is able to create new and exciting recipes while staying true to its Northern Italian, Tuscan roots.

The dining room has an elegant vibe with dark browns, and burnt orange-coloured walls.  It is uniquely set up in two tiers with tables and booths and seating for 80. I was sat in the lower tier along the windows at table 27. Classical Italian music played in the room, helping me feel relaxed and ready for an intimate dining experience.

I was promptly greeted by my server, and offered a glass of wine to start my night. My preference for wine is on the fruitier side, so he recommended the Alamos Chardonnay from Argentina for $8.25 per glass. He was bang on with his description as having “a fruity aroma, with hints of tropical fruit, pear and a buttery finish.”

The daily appetizer and entree specials were translated tableside from Italian to English. I had the Gamberi Sulla Risotto con Speck Tirolese; Tiger-Prawn Shrimp

wrapped in smoked Tyrolean bacon served on Parmesan risotto with a paprika and brandy cream sauce. I must say the results were pleasing. The Tiger-Prawn Shrimp had the perfect crunchy texture, while the bacon was seamlessly cooked. The buttery palate from the Chardonnay paired with the risotto, was an immaculate combination.

For dinner I chose one of the house specialties, the Carre d’Agnello Arrosto. Lamb lovers, listen up! If you don’t try this, you’re missing out on a flavor experience of a lifetime. This mouth-watering Provimi Rack of Lamb will run you $36.00 for the four bone and $48.00 for the six. The lamb chops are Dijon mustard crusted, cooked to your preference (I like the rarer side of rare), served with a red wine herb sauce and sautéed root vegetables. To go with it I was recommended a glass of the Australian Hickinbotham Shiraz-Cabernet that goes for $10.25. The combination had my tongue receptors moving, as the spice from the Shiraz, and the rich fruitiness of the Cabernet balanced well with the herb sauce, and the natural flavour of the Lamb.

Be sure not to fill yourself up with the succulent selections before you get to dessert. My first St. Honoré experience had me hooked. A puff pastry shell filled with

chocolate sponge cake, chocolate pastry cream, with strawberries and whipped cream tasted exactly how it sounds. One word. Delicious.

Reservations and formal attire is recommended if you’re planning a night out at Amici. Guests have worn jeans, but you should snaz it up a bit with a blouse or a blazer, or your waiter may show you up with his designer suit. Don’t let this intimidate you- yes it is a fancy place to dine, but you won’t have to study up on your mise en place table etiquette.  Rest assured, if you use the wrong fork, the servers would happily replace it for you, I know by experience.  

Fine dining isn’t something I do often, and at Amici I was pleasantly surprised. I felt I was in a classy environment without any stuffy pretentiousness.

Table 27, I’ll be back!

To elaborate on my last post, here are some tips!

Being a karaoke host, I have seen that it isn’t for everyone, but it wouldn’t hurt anyone if they tried. If you have never sung in public, today is the day you may want to start. For those who are interested in giving it a try, here are some basic steps on how to get over any of the first time karaoke jitters.

First, you should arrive early if it’s a popular venue in order to submit your request to sing. If you don’t, you will have to wait a long time to get up there.  You don’t necessarily need to include the song name right away, just your own. You can make it a bit more fun if you make up a goofy name, and the host will appreciate it.  Feel free to ask a friend if they will sing with you in order to ease your anxiousness.

Have a seat, relax, and order yourself a drink. Order two if you’re nervous. Grab yourself a book of all the karaoke songs, and start to think about songs that you know all of the lyrics to. Although lyrics are provided for you, never start with a song you think you know, or else once you’re up there you may feel slightly embarrassed. This reminds me of a quote I once heard, “Singing a song you don’t know? Don’t worry, that 15 second part you do know is coming up, and you’re gonna own that shit!”         

Grab a piece of paper, and jot down some songs that you find in the book. You’re more than likely to forget those songs, because other singers, and the loudness of the room may distract you.  Write it down.

The host will call you up. Don’t panic. You are here to have fun. Wear your smile and walk up to the stage in confidence like its no bid deal – it isn’t! If you do show signs that you’re nervous, the host might try to make you more comfortable by asking who you’re there with, and why you chose that song to sing. Remember, the host is your friend, and they want you do have a good time while you’re up on stage.

Whatever you do, never tap the microphone and say, “Is this thing on?” The host will not be impressed, he or she is there to do their job, and they will be sure to set their board accordingly to make you sound the best that you can.

Just before you begin, remember to smile, and find a focal point (aside from the karaoke screen) in the room. Whether it is the exit sign, or an advertisement on the wall. Making eye contact with the audience can be distracting, and can give you the impression that they may be judging you. Karaoke isn’t about judgment; it’s all about fun!

Take a big breath, and always remember to smile. The song will start, and you’re on your way! As you’re singing, your feelings about being up on stage can differ. You may still be afraid, or you may act oblivious to the fact that you are enjoying it, or you may realize that you love it.

Don’t worry if you mess up. It happens all of the time. Just be sure to not apologize, because nobody cares if you make a mistake. Just get back in there, and remember to smile.

If you chose a song that you don’t fully know, the host will generally help you out with the tune. Never walk off stage if you feel too embarrassed, because the most embarrassing thing is that you walked off.

The song will end, and the audience would generally applaud, if they don’t, don’t take it to heart. People are either too intoxicated, or the room hasn’t formed it’s karaoke energy. If you liked it, feel free to request to sing another song. If you didn’t you know you tried, and more than likely, once you get back to your seat, you may eventually want to go back up there. Karaoke is a bit of an addiction.

In the end, you may decide that karaoke isn’t for you, and that’s okay, you gave it a shot, and it only stung for a minute. If you found you enjoyed it, try and find other venues to go to for further experience. Never the less, you can’t say you haven’t sung in public.

Don’t forget to smile!

The Karaoke Host

The Karaoke Host...

Last year I went to a karaoke show with a girlfriend, and was pressured to go up. At first, I didn't want to, but with a bit of liquid courage should I say, I went up. What did I sing you ask? Adele's "Someone like you". It went... well.

I always knew I could somewhat sing, but when the host approached me after the song to ask if I was ever interesting in hosting karaoke, I was blown away. I didn't know what to say at the time.
We exchanged numbers and the next day I was invited to go train at a Saturday show!

My first training shift went well, and picked up the technical aspects quickly.

I started my own show at the Red Cactus on Corydon in February, which became a regular-based show. The ones who came out to my show were the dedicated ones and I saw them every week. It was always a lot of fun with them, and I made a comfortable environment for those who were nervous about their singing abilities.

The show at the Red Cactus eventually didn't stay as a busy show, and we had to shut 'er down. It's okay, I understan not all shows hit it off. It's part of the Karaoke business.

So what do I do now?

I approached my place of employment, Smitty's and proposed we have Karaoke on Fridays! They were all for it, and the first show was on July 6, and is still running strong!

I love to host, it's a fantastic way to meet new people, and give shy people a chance to come out of their bubble. What I mean here, is from my observations 90% of people who are nervous to sing, and go up, will go up again and again. It's getting over that first bump of self-consciousness. Try it.

I love to sing, but I find that I have sung the same songs for ever. These songs include:

-You Oughta Know- Alanis Morissette
-Something to Talk about- Bonnie Raitt
-What's Up- 4 Non-Blondes
-Piece of my Heart- Janis Joplin
-Turn Back Time- Cher
-White Rabbit- Jefferson Airplane

Perhaps it's my time to come out of my bubble and try a little something new...

How I've become...me?

In 2005, when I graduated high school, was when I decided that I wanted to do something in the media. I wasn't exactly sure what, so I explored my options.

I did a co-op placement at Kenora's television station where I wrote scripts, created and hosted segments, reported a quick daily news update, editing, produced live shows and more. This was a fantastic learning experience, and with this I began a love for camera work, and editing.

YouTube was (and still is) a fantastic resource for learning, and expressing creativity, so I decided to sign up! I created a few videos, posted them, and within a day I was getting overwhelming, positive feedback. After a few months, I started to make good friends through the resource, and eventually began to do collaborative videos which were featured.

In 2007, YouTube Canada was launched. The launch party was held in Toronto where many YouTube "celebrities" gathered for a meet and greet, and celebrated! I attended the gathering, and I met a lot of the people who I became friends with, and had a great time. I know it sounds like a crazy idea, but I don't regret it!

This video here is one that I made when I visited my sister in Kelowna, BC in 2007. I spent quite a few days by myself, and had no idea what to do... until my latop came in the mail :)

Enjoy!!!

Gadgets and Widgets and Templates, Oh My!

Gadgets and widgets and templates oh my! Gadgets and widgets and templates oh my!

Thank god for the PR class, otherwise I would be a shadow in the dark. Nah, that doesn't really make sense, but in a way it goes to show you how in the dark I was about all the Twitter and Blogger stuff. I'm slowly working my way to modern society, with all of the online sites. 

But there's hope for me yet! I'm finally understanding a lot of how all of the online social networks are working. At first I found Blogger quite confusing and all over the place. I would look at my fellow CreComm students' blogs, and compare their fantastic layouts, to my boring one. But finally, me Kim Leduc am finally understanding! 

Let's keep learning kids! 

The Introductory

The beginning of a new blog! How exciting! Ive never written a blog before, so this will be a bit of an adventure! What might this blog entail in the next couple of years? Perhaps a few of my passionate thoughts, my future plans, the exciting moments that have happened and that will happen! I feel that this is a great opportunity to share with everyone the person that I am!

Where to start?

Considering this is my very first blog ever, we might as well begin to just jibber jabber.
My first couple days at Red River have been memorable, especially with the outstanding instructors!(Not trying to brown nose or anything... But if you're reading this, does it help?!)
My classmates remind me a little bit of my acting classmates back in 2007. (Don't worry guys, this is a compliment!) The outgoing, comedic people that they are have made me feel comfortable in a new environment and for that, I thank them.

Where would I like to go with this knowledge I will gain in the next two years?

Two words- Jennifer Hedger. For those who don't know who she is, she is the leading woman in sports broadcasting for TSN. She is someone whom I admire for changing the way people look at sports news. She is a role model for women who would consider sports, or even broadcasting.
Women and sports? Something sexy about it don't you think?
With that, I'm not saying I would like to go into the sports industry as some sort of sex symbol, but to share my love for sports with the world.


Ciaobella,

Kim