Sunday September 24, 2006 - Help Planeterra win the Oasis Neighbourhood Challenge!

A big THANK YOU to all who donated time and came out to help Planeterra cheer on Sunday at the Marathon Oasis Neighbourhood Challenge. It was a very early day for us, and we stayed until every one of the 10,000 runners / walkers passed. Samba Squad kicked off the morning with hi-energy, which tied in perfectly to GU Canada's Capoeira's enthusiastic brazillian martial arts! Samba Elegua finished off the day with their funky samba sounds! Through it all, we cheered and called out every runners name we could read off their bibs to personalize it for them. The stilt walkers were seen for miles! Even tho there weren't a lot of us, we gave it 100%. Thanks to the marathon coordinators for situating Samba Squad in our section! I know the runners appreciated the entertainment and support.
Thanks too to Bright Pearl restaurant & PVL Fit Foods Ltd.! Zero Gravity , Samba Elegua & GU Canada Capoeria.
Heartfelt THANKS for donating your time to help us promote Planeterra!

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada's newest, most exciting marathon. It will celebrate its 7th edition on September 24th, 2006, with more than 10,000 runners from over 30 countries. There will be a full marathon (42k), a 21k run and a 5k fun run and walk.

An integral part of the marathon is the Oasis Neighbourhood Challenge. The Waterfront Marathon passes through seven wards and seven neighbourhoods...

Who is the most active, the most fun, the most supportive, the best cheering and entertainment neighbourhood? WE ARE!

Ten cheering sections will be created along the route. In each section local neighbourhood charitable (not-for-profit) organizations will work along with the local City Councillors, and other community groups to create the best cheering section and compete for cash prizes.

It is the goal of the Neighbourhood Challenge to "activate communities" all for a great cause.

With your support and participation, one of your favourite neighbourhoods and their designated charity - Planeterra - can win cash prizes of $5,000, $2,000 or $1,000, as the top 3 Neighbourhood Cheering & Entertainment Centres*. As well, the overall winners will receive one year's worth of OASIS Pure Fruit Juices to donate to their charity! The top three winning neighbourhoods will be determined by our team of celebrity judges. Victory will be determined by how many spectators are out at each "ONC", by the enthusiasm they show, and by the quality of the entertainment offered. So come out and make some NOISE!

Come cheer with Planeterra - the G.A.P Adventures Foundation and you'll be a part of the Great Adventure People's Latin Fiesta! Cheer with us - dance, food & the Latin sounds of Samba Elegua and Samba Squad will set your feet on fire! The amazing acrobats from Zero Gravity Circus will mesmerize all at the best cheering section yet! [ed. note: Samba Squad voted best band on the course the last 2 years, by runners!].

WIN an amazing G.A.P Adventure! Contact us to reserve your cheering adventure and your chance to win! Call Elinor Schwob at 416-260-0999, Toll Free: 1-800-465-5600. Email: info@planeterra.org

Samba Elegua: Listen to a clip here (MP3)

Samba Squad rose from a community based drumming group into one of the most dynamic and sought after acts on the Canadian world and Latin music scenes. Samba Squad was awarded the UMAC (Urban Music Assoc. of Canada) Award for Best World Recording of 2001. The thirty-plus member drum group performs a variety of samba-based West African, Caribbean and Afro-Cuban styles of Carnival rhythms and has become one of the most exhilarating live music experiences in Toronto. www.sambasquad.com

With up to 20 players, percussion group Samba Elegua borrows its instruments from Brazils samba tradition and plays traditional along with original rhythms. Samba Elegua unites audiences and community members, empowers cooperative musical learning, and brings rump-shaking funk to the streets. The group originated at U of T with a few friends more than four years ago, and since then has performances all over the GTA: local arts festivals, parades, guerilla fashion shows, community action events such as Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington, and celebrations of all flavours.

Zero Gravity Circus: Incorporating talent from across Canada and around the world, Zero Gravity Circus features an entertaining variety of traditional and non-traditional circus-style disciplines, including Acrobats, Character acts, Acro-Balancing Acts, Fire Jugglers, Unicyclists, Stilt Walkers, Fire Eaters, Giant Puppets, Trampoline Acts, Break Dancers, Sword Swallowers and many more. Zero Gravity Circus' fantastical take on the circus tradition creates a spellbinding and unforgettable experience for everyone! www.zerogravitycircus.com

Watch the Brazillian Capoeria group GUC perform!

Developed over 400 years ago in Brazil, Capoeira is a combination of martial arts sequences, acrobatics and dance elements. The end result is an intense and dynamic physical diealogue between two players (capoeiristas).

The game of Capoeira takes place inside a circle called the roda (pronounced ho-dah). A pair of capoeiristas engage each other in the middle of this circle, which is formed by fellow capoeiristas who create an exciting ambience by clapping and singing to live music.

Capoeira is a martial art that emphasizes equity, community involvement, and self expression.

People of all races, age groups, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds practice Capoeira in various parts of the world.

Access/parking: Travel South on Parliament and park at The Distillery [south of Front Street], or on any of the streets [legal locations only!], and lots in that neighbourhood. Please note that you won't be able to cross Front Street from 7am to approx 7:30am because of the runners.