About The Turtle Project
The Turtle Project will be an evening of live entertainment and the pinnacle fundraising event for the Anne Marie D’Amico Foundation. Inspired by Anne Marie’s character and in remembrance of her spirit, The Turtle Project will be held on December 3rd each year. It will be a culmination of the foundation’s fundraising and awareness efforts while commemorating Anne Marie’s birthday each year.
The meaning of the turtle transcends Anne Marie’s childhood nickname. It is a symbol of strength, stability, and longevity symbolizing the endurance of the foundation. The turtle also represents wisdom, peace, and good luck. The turtle’s charming demeanour represents tranquillity and their hard shell acts as a barrier protecting against the world’s hardships.
Performers
MC – Comedian
Michael Carbone
Mega Magic – Featuring Mike D’Urzo
Mike D’Urzo is an international award winning magician & mentalist. As the founder and creative director of Mega Magic, he performs in hundreds of shows annually for some of the largest corporations, theaters, theme parks, festivals and television networks. Mike was the winner of the “Canadian Entertainer of the Year” award by the Canadian Event Industry Awards. He was the 6-time recipient of the “Performer of the Year” award presented by Festivals & Events Ontario. He was awarded in the “Top 10 Magicians Worldwide” by the Wedding Industry Experts Awards and the Reader’s Choice Award for Best Entertainer by Special Events Magazine. He was also named in the Top 5 Magicians in Toronto by BLOG TO and won the Toronto Choice Award by Event Source. Mike is a member of the prestigious Canadian Association of Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Alfie Zappacosta – Singer
Alfie Zappacosta is undeniably one of Canada’s premier songwriters and performers with chart topping hits and a recording and acting career that has spanned 40 years. He continues to evolve as an artist by “doing it his way”, an effort that has been rewarded with an impressive song catalogue and a discerning loyal fan base. Alfie Zappacosta decided on a music career in his teens and set his sights upon being a guitarist. When his vocal dexterity and song writing proficiency were uncovered by a publisher while writing for his first original band “Surrender”, events would be put in motion to champion Zappacosta (dropping his first name) as a solo artist and bring him to the world’s attention. “Start Again”, “Passion”, “When I Fall in Love Again” and “Nothing Can Stand In Your Way” became staples on Canadian adult contemporary radio and Zappacosta became a personified Rock Star.
Black Stars Collective – Dance Group
Our group came to life in 2012 under the visionary direction of Esie Mensah, one of the top professional dancers and choreographers in Canada. The Black Stars is a coalition of afro-influenced dancers committed to becoming nowadays leader group of AfroFusion Dance. Their pallet of skills combines more than 7 African dance styles including Azonto, Kuduro and Ndombolo that they talently showcase as one flawless artistic expression.
While staying true to the art of African dance, every single dancer involved in this project doesn’t dream about what this dance represent today but what it will be tomorrow. Each of their previous individual experiences alongside renowned artists such as Janelle Monae, Nelly Furtado, Flo Rida, Jully Black and appearances in popular shows like So You Think You Can Dance Canada complete the puzzle of a bigger picture. The Black Stars tend to set the highest climax you can refer to when it comes to AfroFusion Dance.
Pepper – Singer
Queen Pepper’s penchant for music should come as no surprise, given her family background. Like so many great R&B and Jazz artists, the Toronto-based vocalist grew up singing in the church. “Music is in my family, and singing in church was my foundation,” she explains.
Her vocal ability was apparent from an early age, and as a young teenager, she toured through Mexico, Hawaii and California. At that point, Queen Pepper didn’t think she would pursue music as a full-time career, “it was something fun, and I thought I was good at it”. It wasn’t until after she followed other interests and tried a few different career paths that she felt an undeniable tug at her heart. With a yearning in her soul, Queen Pepper knew there was something else for her. She went on to finish a degree in Jazz, and began singing in the downtown clubs of Toronto, melding her love of old Soul, R&B with Jazz. Queen Pepper has graced many festival stages opening for great Canadian legends, including Holly Cole. A highlight for her is performing with the Hamilton Symphonic Orchestra alongside the Toronto Mass Choir.
Musical Performances From The Band Including:
Vito Rezza – 5After4