Island Breeze

On Thursday, I attended an album release party for The Tiki Collective. Their new CD entitled Muse contained both Jazz standards and Jazz versions of pop songs. I didn't love this style of easy-listening arrangements. From the opening number, I was picturing the opening theme to the classic video game series Monkey Island.

Two things redeemed the evening for me. First, I had no idea a venue like the Berkeley Field House existed in Toronto. I have passed by it numerous times and have always thought it was a club given the gated fencing. It turns out behind the anonymous façade was an airy, rustic spot with a tiny stream, tree house and pretty wedding venue.

Secondly, Muse was meant as a spotlight for the female singers in the city. Not all of them were here tonight, but they were all wonderful performers: Lily Frost, Jocelyn Barth, Genevieve Marentette, Melissa Lauren, Mingjia Chen, Tyra Jutai, Paget Biscayne, Avery Raquel, Irene Torres, and Denielle Bassels.