The RAS Report - December 2009

Wow, where has the time gone? And where is our snow?? Believe it or not, here in Winnipeg, we’re still waiting for our white Christmas…

As 2009 comes to a close, we’d like to acknowledge everyone – clients, media, associates, colleagues, suppliers, friends and family – for another tremendous year. Whether you’ve hired RAS Creative to work on your behalf, referred us to someone else, mentioned something in the media that we were promoting, or just taken a few minutes each month to read the RAS Report… THANK YOU!! You seriously make it all worthwhile.

We’re especially grateful to all of our clients for keeping us so busy this year. Here is some of their latest news…

MUSIC

Even though Sonia Funk now lives in London, England, she hasn’t forgotten her Manitoba roots. She recently released Karel, a collection of traditional Christmas songs that are currently in heavy radio rotation across the prairies, and getting spins across Canada. www.soniafunkmusic.com

Sheena Grobb and music producer Dan Donahue spearheaded a campaign against hunger and poverty this holiday season. They wrote a beautiful song called Empty Bowl Winter with all proceeds going to Winnipeg Harvest. Many members of the Winnipeg media stepped in to provide back up vocals for the recording. www.sheenagrobb.com

Local hip hopper Catskill has influential friends in online places. Multi-platinum recording artist Akon has given the Winnipegger a mention on his Facebook page, for the Catskill song that ‘disses’ Kanye West. www.myspace.com/catskillmc

FILM & TELEVISION

Accolades continue for Amreeka, nominated for three Spirit Awards in the categories of Best First Screenplay (Cherien Dabis), Best Actress (Nisreen Faour) and Best Feature. Winnipeg’s Buffalo Gal Pictures is a co-producer on the film. www.buffalogalpictures.com

Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story will debut on CBC Television March 28 and 29, 2010. The four-hour mini-series is co-produced by Frantic Films, E1 Entertainment, and 5 for Fighting. It stars Jared Keeso as Don Cherry and Sarah Manninen as Rose Cherry. www.franticfilms.com

William F. White is presenting a one-day workshop for safe operation of Airstar Balloons. Intended for IATSE lighting and grip technicians, participants will work with 4k tungsten and 4.8k HMI balloons to learn how to operate them on-set. January 6 at the William F. White warehouse. Register through Film Training Manitoba, or contact Steve Morrisson at William F. White for more info. www.whites.com

William F. White is offering two days of RED CAM workshops. The first day is for on-set data technicians with hands on education provided. The second day is for producers and production managers to learn about options for RED shoots, and budgeting and crewing requirements. Register through Film Training Manitoba, or contact Steve Morrisson at William F. White for more info. www.whites.com

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Winnipeg Mardi Gras is coming February 12 and 13 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, in support of a number of participating charities. Unmask your senses with the sizzling sights, sounds and tastes of Mardi Gras, including live music from Louisiana’s own Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters. www.winnipegmardigras.com

The Winnipeg Folk Festival recently announced their 2010 festival will be five days long, from July 7 to 11. Early-bird tickets will go on sale February 14 – what a great Valentine’s Day present for your sweetie! www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca

ACTIVE LIVING

Have you visited the new Moksha Yoga Winnipeg studio at 1090 Waverley Street?? In addition to yoga classes, they offer healthy food and free WI-FI at the Calm Unity Café, retail products, and daycare service. Class passes are interchangeable between both the Waverley and Donald studios. www.mokshayogawinnipeg.com

HOSPITALITY & TOURISM

Place Louis Riel recently opened their new ‘urban diner’ called The Ground Floor. This distinctive dining choice is the perfect location for the daytime business crowd, and social outings in the evenings and on weekends. It offers affordable casual dining with a flare for ‘comfort food’ as good as homemade. www.placelouisriel.com

THE HONOUR ROLL!

RAS Creative would like to make mention of everyone we had the pleasure of working for in 2009 – may we say the best clients ever!

Ø Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards
Ø Aircraft Pictures
Ø Animiki See Digital Productions
Ø Arbor Records
Ø bluessmyth
Ø Buffalo Gal Pictures
Ø Catskill Music
Ø Charton-Hobbs
Ø Eagle & Hawk
Ø E1 Entertainment
Ø Film Training Manitoba
Ø 5 for Fighting
Ø Flo
Ø Frantic Films
Ø Holmes Creative Communications
Ø Howard Pitch Entertainment
Ø Jaylene Johnson
Ø Manito Ahbee Festival
Ø Manitoba Hydro
Ø Marr Consulting
Ø Moksha Yoga Winnipeg
Ø Morier Benefits
Ø Patti Henderson
Ø Pinewood Lodge
Ø Place Louis Riel Suite Hotel
Ø Portage & Main Press
Ø Red Lightening Event Planning
Ø Serena Postel
Ø Sheena Grobb
Ø Sister Dorothy
Ø Sonia Funk
Ø Tracy Bone
Ø Travel Manitoba
Ø Vision Quest Conference
Ø waNda wilsoN
Ø Winnipeg Folk Festival
Ø Winnipeg Mardi Gras
Ø Winnipeg Rowing Club

If you’re name is on this Honour Roll – THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS! If it’s not… we’d love you to be on next year’s list! Contact us to find out how RAS Creative can help make YOUR ideas happen next year and beyond…

HAPPY HOLIDAYS & BEST WISHES FOR 2010!

www.ras-creative.com
rascreative@yahoo.ca
204-783-7600