What an amazing day this was for TASSO! It started with a band meeting in the lobby of our Ibis hotel, under the slightly overcast skies of Australia's comparatively mild (by Canadian standards) and wonderful winter. Once oriented, TASSO as a group went on a guided tour of the historic Rocks district down by the Harbour and learned about Australia's fascinating history as a former penal colony. After the tour, everyone walked around to sight-see on their own. The beautiful architecture and quaint coffee shops, the art galleries and unique boutiques- there was so much to admire. Free to have lunch on our own, several of us went as a group to a true gem of the neighbourhood offering exquisite Italian food. With full bellies and the growing excitement of what the evening would soon offer, ... read more

Today, TASSO got up in the morning at around 8 o'clock and had a band meeting before heading as a group to the world-famous Taronga zoo. When we arrived, Mr. Cupid joked that zoo should keep at least half of the band members for a new exhibit called "The creatures behind the pan." We didn't take it personally. The zoo was a blast! TASSO saw kangaroos, wallabies, red pandas, zebras, Indian elephants, koala bears, performing seals, lions, tigers, lemurs, a Tasmanian Devil with amazingly large teeth, and most rare, a platypus. Australia is home to the world's deadliest snakes and spiders. We saw them too, safely behind glass. The band members grabbed snacks and lunch at the zoo using the AC Conversion cards brought to them by corporate sponsor, CIBC. Thanks CIB'Free! In the afternoon TASSO ... read more

Sydney welcomes TASSO! We have arrived after what feels like a two-day flight across the globe. Once we cleared Customs, we reunited with Ben Tepper and his family, and also with Maeve Ellis. Both arrived before us. We then collected our luggage, met our tour guide, Catie, and our coach driver, David. Our day began with an orientation tour of Sydney. What a beautiful city! Along the way, we picked up the J-boys and their family, and went to have lunch down at Bondi Beach. This is where we also reunited with Sebastien and his family. Although it is winter here, the beach was full of people surfing, swimming, and just enjoying the sun. The temperature was 20C-plus! If this is winter we'll take it. After lunch we checked into our ibis hotel at around 2:00 ... read more

At Toronto, Pearson International Airport ready to depart! In this photo, a shout out to the folks at CIBC AC Conversion VISA. They will be taking care of all our meals by giving every member an AC Conversion VISA card which each person is allowed a predetermined amount of money to cover meals for the duration of our trip. Thank you! You can see the AC Conversion VISA link on our website.... read more

We had breakfast from 7-9 AM this day. Salmon left at 8:30 for a directors meeting as the festival decided who is playing for the finale tomorrow and what to play. The rest of us had a free morning, did laundry, etc. we then went to the hub for a hot lunch and after lunch we left at 1PM to head for Kemnay. WE all got the Kemnay in time for our technical rehearsal at 2 PM. We all put our uniforms in the green room in which time we learned that the truck carrying our pans had a flat tire on route which delayed everything by 2 1/2 hours. Jack, our tour guide, spoke to the owner of the local fish and chips restaurant and he agreed that if we bought Mars bars at the ... read more