TD Jazz Singer/Songwriter Laila Biali’s Summertime Favourites
Embracing the last leg of summer, JUNO award-winner Laila Biali is warming up her vocal chords for her can’t-miss Arts Commons Presents TD Jazz debut. On Sunday, August 22, see Laila take to the Jack Singer Concert Hall stage from the comfort of your own home in the closing virtual performance of JazzYYC’s 2021 TD Summer Jazz Festival. Pre-register here to book your spot for this free virtual show.
For those who are coming down with the end-of-summer blues, Arts Commons is here to remind you that summer is still raging. In the spirit of keeping the summer vibes going as long as possible we asked Laila to share some her summertime favourites. From Björk to Bikram yoga, here are Laila’s summer 2021 essentials.
What she’s listening to: “I never tire of listening to Björk. My favourite album of hers is Vespertine. Björk is one of the most sonically satisfying artists to listen to for me. Her music – and specifically Vespertine – blends lush classical strings arranged by Vince Mendoza with an Icelandic choir and beats created from a combination of samples and the experimental performance duo Matmos. To me, she’s one of the most creatively daring and free artists to have ever existed. And her voice is at once warm, powerful, child-like and other-worldly.”
What she’s watching on TV: “Almost anything BBC Masterpiece Theatre puts out with gorgeous scenery. I loved Poldark – the more recent series. BBC Masterpiece Theatre shows take me into another world. I get to travel back to an England of days gone by and glimpse what life might have been like for the aristocracy and all the classes below them. The scenery, costumes and acting are almost always top-notch (as with Poldark), and stunning grassy hills, cliff views and tempestuous waves are almost always heavily featured – which are like a massage for the eyes and soul, especially with travel restrictions still largely in place.”
What she’s doing to unwind: “My hubby got me into Bikram yoga – a 90 minute hot yoga series – back in 2008. Because of the pandemic, I haven’t been able to go to classes for a long time, but that’s where warmer summer days come in. You can set yourself up just about anywhere and at least do the standing series, which is about 50% of the class and gives you a nice toning stretch. It’s a standing meditation of sorts, and as good as couples therapy for Ben and I!"
Laila’s perfect summer day: “Wake up with a beautiful decaf espresso, sipped on the balcony with a cool summer breeze. Eat breakfast at a gorgeous restaurant where the food is locally sourced. Go for a long walk or hike with a picnic packed for lunch with a view. Relax in the afternoon with my favourite smoothie. Dinner would be much like breakfast – at a fun restaurant that favours locally sourced dishes. Then drinks under the stars. All of this would be done with our family trio for maximum enjoyment.”
Laila’s List of Summer Must-Haves
Alba Mineral sunscreen
non-DEET bug spray for all the hiking
Water, water, water + Vitamin C & Electrolytes
Podcast downloads
My Sennheiser earbuds
My hubs and my boy
Turkish towels (light, fashionable, super quick drying)
Reusable insulated water bottle
Liven the tail end of your summer by pre-registering here to see Laila Biali perform as part of Arts Commons Presents’ TD Jazz series, presented in association with JazzYYC.
