Guess what? I have been coaching long enough that I have gotten the chance to see what my former students have turned into in their adult lives. I am sure it won’t be long before I start teaching my ‘skating kids'” kids 🙂
Arlene Paculan and her sister Tracy were part of a group of kids I taught during my time in Mississauga. They were sweet and polite and for almost two years, Tracy spoke for both of them. I swear to you that Arlene was so shy, she would rarely speak to me. She would look at me from under impossibly long eyelashes with soulful brown eyes. They are close in age and with little to distinguish them from each other in terms of exchanges with me, I used to mix them up constantly. So much so, that we finally came to the conclusion that I would call them Tralene. An affectionate nickname that we still use today for a giggle.
Imagine my total surprise when Arlene told me that she was going to embark on a performing career. I couldn’t wrap my brain around her decision to study at the Randolph Academy in Toronto for musical theatre. It seemed to me that hat she was not perhaps the most obvious choice for performing.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. she has a great voice and stage presence and is slowly but surely creating a name for herself.
We had a chance to catch up to talk about her current career and how skating has affected it:
Tomorrow, Arlene has organized, is presenting and performing in a show she calls Wonder Women 4 in which some of the proeeds will go to support The Red Door Shelter – here are the details:
My name is Arlene Paculan, and I’m Executive Producer from Lene, Mean, & Green Productions. LMG Productions is a local company that produces events to showcase independent artists around the GTA along with raising funds for different charities and associations.
We have partnered up with This Girl Friday (another local company) to put on our next event titled, Wonder Women IV, which takes place on Wednesday April 25th. Below is our press release for more information about the event and attached is our poster. We hope that you can attend as well as help us promote the event through your website.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email or at (416) 458-9721.
Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon,
Arlene Paculan
LMG Productions
Lene, Mean, & Green Productions
Member of the Mississauga Arts Council
For Immediate Release: March 24, 2012
Wonder Women IV – Women on a mission to spread awareness for Red Door through their words and songs.
Take a mid-week break from the grind and help us celebrate with four amazing, talented and beautiful women who will be performing songs and words from their hearts and souls. They will be showcasing stories and experiences through music and spoken word, along with raising… awareness for charities that aid women and children trying to rebuild their lives from the aftermath of domestic abuse.
You will be serenaded by the beautiful and incredibly hilarious Second City Veteran Kat & The MP3, shocked and titillated by slam poet and sizzling sensation Cathy Petch, to be brought back to a reality with the dark and ironic poetry of Lizzie Violet, then carried off into a beautifully lyrical wonderland by jazz/pop singer-songwriter Arlene Paculan.
Wonder Women was created by Mississauga native and singer-songwriter, Arlene Paculan, who had an idea to showcase female singer-songwriters of different genres, put them in front of different audiences so their fan base grows, as well as raise funds and awareness for associations that are female driven. Arlene is currently planning her 5th Wonder Women which will be held at the Amphitheatre at the Celebration Square in Mississauga.
Admission for Wonder Women is $10 at the door with part of its proceeds going towards Red Door that assists women who have been victims of domestic abuse. Along with the night of live music and words, enjoy some delicious food and drinks from The Central Bar & Restaurant (603 Markham Street, Toronto, ON M6G 2L7). Doors open at 7 pm and the first performer will take the stage at 7:30 pm. Be prepared for a night of amazing vocals, melodies, words and food!
Curious about who’s who? Check the ladies out!
Arlene Paculan
www.arlenepaculan.com
Cathy Petch
http://www.cathypetch.com/
Kat Leonard
http://katleonard.com/home.cfm
Lizzie Violet
www.lizzieviolet.wordpress.com
You have a chance to win prizes throughout the night!
*Books
*CDs
*And much, much more!
If you’re interested in donating prizes, please message Arlene Paculan at imworthitinfo@yahoo.ca or Lizzie Violet at lizzieviolet13@gmail.com
Thank you for your support and see you on the 25th!
For more ways to connect with Arlene – here are some links:
http://www.myspace.com/arlenepaculan
http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/Arlene-Paculan