I first met Lorraine Segato in 1979, or was it 1980? It doesn’t matter, really. She was fronting Mama Quilla II, a local Toronto band, and I caught their show somewhere on Queen St W, probably The 
Cameron House, or The Horseshoe Tavern, she advised me. Recently, I had been informed that she was currently the Artist in Residence for Regent Park, a Toronto community in the midst of revitalization. Curious, I made arrangements to sit down with her, and learn more about the Residency.
Spearheaded by Mitchell Cohen, President of Daniels Corp., a Toronto developer actively involved in re-building Regent Park, the program is designed to enhanced the community’s arts and cultural scene. The unlikely union of Segato, a lifelong social activist, and Cohen, a corporate big wig, was made possible by Cohen’s dedication to the arts, and to Regent Park. As the first Artist in Residence, Segato’s 2 year term allows her to build the framework and template of a program, that all future Residents will follow.
Her mission includes finding new ways to enrich, celebrate, and draw attention to this changing neighborhood. Her vision is selflessly awe inspiring. While developing the cultural and artistic talent pool of Regent Park, Segato envisions turning this into an international venture, by offering Residencies to artists around the globe. To help achieve this lofty goal, she has created 3 projects. First, she has recorded a new version of her iconic song, ‘Rise Up‘, first recorded by Parachute Club in 1983. ‘Rize Time‘ has a gospel arrangement, and an introduction by Regent Park poet, Mustafah. Proceeds from its sale will 
be donated to the Regent Park Artist in Residency program. She has created ‘The Legacy Salon‘, a 5 part series in which she interviews people who have contributed to the culture of Toronto. And finally, she is about to launch ‘Wild Women (Don’t Get The Blues)‘, a 5 part cabaret series in which she, and other artists perform the music of female singers who, she believes, impacted music significantly. The illustrious list includes Etta James, Amy Winehouse, and Annie Lennox. Segato informed me that there will also be a special guest from Regent Park performing. How cool is that?
Driven by her desire to give back, Segato states that she is looking to teach others from the mistakes she has made. Giving back is the key for her. She feels it is her civic duty to help. The sense that the more you give, the more you get seems to permeate her Residency. Given all that she has accomplished, and all that she has given, I believe it to be true. I am impressed. With the program, and with the woman. If the Artist In Residency was an elected position, Lorraine Segato has my vote.
So, if you live in Toronto, or live nearby, head down to Regent Park, and take a look at the transformation. Check out the PaintBox Bistro on Dundas St E., and catch ‘Wild Women (Don’t Get The Blues)’.
https://soundcloud.com/timeprophet/rize-time-feat-mustafa-the-poet
To purchase ‘Rize Time”: http://www.lorrainesegato.com/dair/
To find out more about ‘Wild Women (Don’t Get The Blues)’: http://blog.paintboxbistro.ca/wild-women-dont-get-the-blues-show/
https://www.facebook.com/ICantBelieveMyEarz
https://icantbelievemyearz.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/review-archives/
@cntblievemyearz
I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EARZ 