#1: YOU CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Everytime they interview anyone over the age of 95, they always ask them their secrets to prolonging their life. Literally, all that have been interviewed have said...Music! Along with regular exercise and staying single, music has been an integral factor in keeping them youthful and energized. Music has many healing factors that most non-musical people don't realize. Music helps calm anxiety, stress, keeps you motivated to workout and shed some pounds and it makes you a happier more adjusted person overall.

Studies show that it is beneficial to our health, hence why they now have music therapy as an actual form of therapy. Music therapy is the skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Music has nonverbal, creative, structural, and emotional qualities.

#2: YOU GET TO SEE YOUR FAVOURITE ARTISTS LIVE!

Going to see one of your favorite musical artists live, can be such an exhilarating experience! The first time I saw Bon Jovi, Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey I was amazed! Although they were well into their careers when I was a teenager, finally got to check their shows before I hit my twenties (Except Boys II Men we covered them a few years ago, that was my first Boyz II Men concert, but I have met them before).

Very lucky that I have been able to catch a few of my all time favourite musical talents live. Many bands and artists whose concerts I wish I could have went to are either disbanded or have left this dimension; Michael Jackson, Selena, Nirvana and so many more. People attend concerts to support their favourite artists snd experience the music they have been listening to come to life. 

#3: YOU GET TO HANG WITH YOUR BFF'S!

There is no other feeling than going to see your favourite band/artists live in concert, with your best friends of life! Who else knows you better than your BFF's? You can let loose and sing the songs together, you can succumb to the teenieness together and it is guaranteed you will have the best of times TOGETHER!

Always have way too much fun at concerts myself when not working. No matter who I am with, we find a way to have an exceptional unique experience, even when I was underage and could not enjoy a festive drinkie to the soundtracks of our lives. As you get older live sets have a different vibe, it is like there is a whole other world you didn't know existed! 

#4: YOU MIGHT GET TO MEET YOUR FAVOURITE BAND OR ARTIST!

These days most major bands and artists have meet and greet packages you can buy to meet them. Heard those various packages are pretty stellar, some include photos taken with the talent, tickets to the show and collectable merch swag. Personally, I have never bought a meet and greet package, lucky enough to have met every artist alive under the sun that I have ever wanted to. And of course there are a few entertainers I really didn't care to come across.

How do you meet them without getting that MG pass you ask? Met many talents before, during or after the show. Some by coincidence, industry friends hooking this girl up or most importantly; working some serious magic to get those all access guest vip passes from the band and or their amazing tour family! However, be careful what you wish for because as they say: "Sometimes, its better never to meet your idol". 

#5: YOU GET TO MEET COOL NEW PEOPLE!

  It doesn't matter what type of concert or event you go to, you will meet at least one new person who has great taste in music and movies! Festivals regardless of type it is they are the mecca of events where you can meet the strangest, not so typical amazing people in the world! Music and movies go hand in hand and are often intertwined. Depending on the type, some festivals can catch a bad reputation when people focus on the negative situations, instead of on the giant picture; incredible films, fantastic tunes and a good ole time!

Sept. 11th 2001, TIFF day 6 of course I skipped the first few days of high school and yet was blessed enough to be back home  safe from NYC and grab the last avail room at a very popular hotel filled with TIFF delegates already in town for TIFF. We're talking A to D list Actors, Musicians, Directors, Producers etc. As we were about to check into the hotel an aquaintance saw me and waived me over to ask if I heard the news yet. The news was about a plane crashing into The World Trade Centre in New York. Seriously thought he was joking, I was just there! Stepped inside the hotel lobby to mad chaos, people were talking about it everywhere you turned, worried about travel plans back home, all of the airports were on lock down. People were staying at the hotel for business as usual, the festival or rocking a stage in the city that week. The hotel's concierge rolled out a tv and placed it at the end of the lobby for all the guests to watch. As soon as he found a working news channel we all gasped and watched in horror as a second aircraft hit the south tower of the WTC.

I will never forget that day, the most tragic and craziest of situations will bring people into your life you would not have expected. Many of the people I met that week I never talked to again, others I stayed in touch with, covered a set or film here and there and some I stayed friends with until their last breath. Moral of the story is; anything can happen, I'm just a regular girl who always follows her heart and along the way met some incredible people, thanks to the many festivals I have worked or simply attended.

#6: YOU GET TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE!

it is very important to go check out live bands and artists playing music in your city, town, wherever you live. Those bands and artists are yet to be discovered and most of them play for their survival and to keep creating. They need your support more than "Drake", "Maroon 5" or any of the "One Directioners". While those candy tuned big machine pop stars roll around in their cash, another super talented musician gives up their dream. 

Where do you think most of the major label artists got their start? Like Walk Off The Earth, at those same clubs the local bands play. At this rate, especially in Toronto, you better go see some local musical creators before all the remaining cool venues are shut down and taken over by condos and shops like the many before them. Who knows, you may encounter one of those super talented bands before they make it big!