Happy New Year friends!  Yes it’s February but with Chinese new year celebrations just over I’ll still wish u a superb Year of the Dragon, Gong Hei Fat Choi and all good things.

Speaking of good things, some work I filmed recently airs this week. First up is J.J. Abram’s mystery series “Alcatraz” on Fox.  I co-starred with Jorge Garcia & Sarah Jones on the episode “Guy Hastings” and I play Guy’s daughter Annie.

You may notice something different about me ‘cuz I wear dark brown contact lenses – a first for me and bizarre just how much it changed my appearance (but luckily not my vision).  During the shoot I especially enjoyed the enthusiasm of writer/creator/producer Bryan Wynbrandt – that guy had a great energy about him.  And I am hooked on this oh-so intriguing series!

Also had a great experience on CW network’s “Supernatural” and I dare you to say the episode title 5 times fast, are u ready for it?  “Plucky Pennywhistle’s Magical Menagerie”.  A fave moment (besides acting with hunks Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles) was when a feisty old Chinese lady ran right through our set during filming outside my “home” because she had a bus to catch!  uh that’s a cut, folks.

The entire crew is tight and the 2 leads as fun & welcoming as they are believable as brothers.  Wanna know what else impressed me?  Jared cheerfully & obligingly did an on-camera interview between set-ups and Jensen knows all about curling bonspiels and other Canadianisms  ; )

The life of an actor requires sacrifice and devotion so props to all who take it on.  I feel such gratitude to live a life of creativity and work with talented actors, artists, creators, crew, and musicians of all kinds.

It’s a new year, a new start, so what do YOU feel most grateful for?  Would love to hear!

I can honestly say I’ll never forget meeting Jack after he leapt up onto my stage at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre as I performed for the Toronto Chinese Business Association (TCBA).  As my ‘unusual’ usual solo show goes, I was singing Cantonese, Mandarin, French, and English, but it’s always fun having an audience participate too.  Often tho’, audience volunteers (ok, victims) are reluctant to come onstage in front of 500+ people, but not so that night…

The September Gala took place barely a month before the 2008 federal election, so imagine my shock when none other than NDP Leader Jack Layton sprinted up – smiling and ready for, well, anything!  Good-natured throughout, he obligingly donned an ‘Elvis”-style belt, scarf and sunglasses. Then the crowd roared with delight as the talented local band Dynasty backed up new duo “Layton & Lini” for an entire, very energetic number onstage.

Perhaps he never did get my political vote, but without a doubt he’d win my vote for the man with the most palpable ‘joie de vivre’.  May you Rest in Peace Jack, and may your family and all who mourn you find comfort knowing you were so admired and made a difference to many.

“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”      Jack Layton

I consider it my special birthday treat to have played a part on the final season of “Smallville” – how many of you know this TV series holds the Guinness World Record for longest consecutive-running Sci-Fi TV show in the USA?!  Wow, huh?

I played a news reporter grilling Oliver Queen (aka the Green Arrow played by Justin Hartley) alongside Lois Lane (Erica Durance) and Clark Kent (Tom Welling).  The 3 of them and their crew were a great group to work with; it’s a laid-back, fun and tight-knit family after 10 seasons together.  Tom wasn’t feeling well, had the sniffles, but you’d never know it as we did several takes under gloomy, drizzly skies (perfect for creating atmosphere tho’) PLUS one very powerful wind machine – more like a 737 jet engine blasting wind and leaves around us!  Every few minutes the elevated metro Skytrain would glide past the studio backlot in Burnaby and I still wonder if its transit passengers watched us filming in “Metropolis”.

Another treat was having none other than Executive Producer and showrunner Kelly Souders as my director.  She’s been a vital part of this production for many, many years and it showed (in a good way).  During one part of a scene, Erica and I “have words” a few feet from the 2 male leads.  I wanted to give her plenty to react to so I remained in character as we improvised heated lines…but never did I expect my improv lines would wind up in the aired episode!  Good thing I’d done my backstory and worked my craft even when I thought my body microphone was off.  Otherwise they would’ve heard me comment how handsome the cast is – tall, fit, perfect teeth.  Kinda gets you thinking what others may hear (or interpret) when you’re unaware, no?

So…what do YOUR words or actions say about you when you think no-one’s paying attention?  Are you cheerful or complaining?  Optimistic or pessimistic?  Kind  about others or dismissive?  Or disparaging?

Heck, even no one IS listening – might it be an idea to focus on the positive?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

with Zhang Jun

For this show I sang in 3 languages but did Avril Lavigne sing Mandarin? Did she even sing onstage? Yes, she was there onstage but you’ll have to read on to find out what she did.  For the 2nd year in a row I was pleased to perform onstage for a joint-production of Fairchild and Shanghai TV, this one being a Countdown to Shanghai Expo 2010 show.  It airs across Canada on May 24. I’m told it’s already aired in Shanghai to an audience of over 200 million.

Avril Lavigne

Wish I could say the same for Avril. I really was hoping she’d blow me away, perhaps singing some Mandarin in her song “Girlfriend” (as mentioned in my last LEBlog). No such luck – she didn’t sing at all and just came out and interacted a bit with the Expo mascot and emcees onstage. She was also named Canadian Ambassador of Expo 2010, but for my $ I’d rather be entertained by Canada’s newly-appointed commissioner general of Expo 2010, Dashan, aka Mark Rowswell – you’ve got to hear this guy! We worked together on Beijing TV years ago and not only can he speak Mandarin faster than most locals there, but he’s also hilarious. Hmm, I’m noticing a funny connection here – we 3 all lived in Ottawa, go figure, so where’s my invite to Shanghai Expo…eh?!?

Fei Yu-Ching & Wei Wei

Earlier this week I shot a movie trailer called “My Brother’s Story”, written by choreographer Paul Becker www.paulbeckerchoreography.com and based on his own life story. It’s a dance/action/drama about the journey 2 boys take after being abandoned by their mother and raised by their father. I played the mom and the make-up gal did quite the job giving me (the look of) a black eye for one of my scenes – ouch! Not to mention the fine 80’s hairstyle and clothes…

‘Twas some heavy emotional scenes for me, but Paul, who also directed, was very personable and focused to work with. He’s done remarkable work in dance and choreography at such a young age including work with the Jonas Brothers, So You Think You Can Dance Canada and many films. I wish Paul and his crew the best of luck getting this made into a feature film!

with Hins Cheung

Barely into 2009 and loving the variety and great new people I’m working with.   I was the opening act here for “Canto popstar” Hins Cheung ???. I’m leery to call him that because this guy is the real deal – a very talented songwriter and musician with an excellent voice – far from what I usually consider most Cantopop singers to be.  He also happens to be very personable, speaks good English and has accomplished much success across Asia and beyond, which is quite a feat since he comes from Guangzhou, China; not exactly a music hotspot.

We had fun filming a video together then he had a meet ‘n greet with all the sponsors and contest-winning fans; Hins’ schedule is very demanding.  In fact, this led to a commotion after the concert because he cut his encores short so he could catch a late flight to Toronto where he had another concert the very next night.  Some fans complained he should have sung longer and the outcry reached as far as the entertainment papers in Hong Kong!  I heard the same complaint about Madonna’s concerts last fall, but guess it’s good to be wanted for more, no?!  (Not that I’d know about ‘Madge.’.. I had to sacrifice my ticket to see Madonna in Vegas last November when I booked a tv commercial for Sylvan Learning that very same weekend.  Do you know Murphy’s Law ? But I’m glad I stayed ‘cuz I love my work and enjoyed filming with the big sis of the lil’ girl in my “Under the Bed”  tv spot for BC Cancer).

Speaking of Madonna…did you know hers + other ‘Western’ songs are translated to Chinese? I love singing the Anita Mui ??? version of “Careless Whisper”.  I like to begin singing in English then surprise the audience by switching to Cantonese.  Mui Yim-fong, known as “Madonna of Asia”, died far too young at the age of 40 but made such an impact with her talents and low, dramatic voice.

Today’s version of an ‘Asian Madonna’ would probably be A-mei ??? and for the Hins concert I learned her Mandarin dance song “Bad Boy”.  Had fun onstage with dancer/choreographer Raphael Wong; we’ve done lots of shows together and he’s a good guy.

Years ago I was part of a huge outdoor concert in Taipei with many Asian superstars performing.  I knew I’d have dancers backing me up while I sang and assumed the cute girl with platform boots putting sparkles on her face next to me was one of them.  Imagine my shock when the producer informed me that “apart from Andy Lau she is the biggest star here – that’s A-MEI don’t you know?!!”  Oops.  The crowd of 30,000 went crazy when she came onstage to sing just before my turn.  Hey, doesn’t that mean A-mei opened for ME?!

English Bay

Finally it’s been a while without yet another bizarre snowstorm – we “Wet” coasters are NOT used to all the white stuff!  Looks gorgeous, but it sure changed plans throughout the month of December, and I have yet to catch up with all my nieces and nephews out of town (…bad, sad Auntie)

One snowfall began Dec.17, the day of the much-anticipated live Miss Chinese Vancouver Pageant 2008 produced by Fairchild TV.  I was asked to perform and learned another new Mandarin song, but  feel the best entertainment happened backstage.  The frantic pace of those 10 beauty contestants changing outfits & even hairstyles to match each outfit was a live-tv-lesson in speed-dressing and the troupe of assistants and stylists ran non-stop.  Bear in mind the gals were there since rehearsals 12+ hours earlier so it was a verrry long day for them and you must admire the dedication.

with Gregory Rivers

Off-stage I really enjoyed chatting-in-Chinese with fellow blue-eyed blond Gregory Rivers ???; handsome Aussie event MC who for years was an actor with TVB in Hong Kong.  Now I can finally appreciate how surprising it is to hear Cantonese coming from the mouth of a “gwei-lo”!

I also got to know former pageant winner-turned actress Bernice Liu ??? who is lovely, smart and a fine dancer, not to mention a made-in-BC beauty.   Plus caught up with dynamo magician Nelson Chang (soon to be Oslen?) whom I haven’t seen since we both performed at Toronto’s Skydome for the big Chinese new year festival years ago.  Now called the Rogers Centre, it was so cavernous that for our event they had a ferris wheel indoors!

with Bernice Liu

Post-pageant I nearly fell on ice which would’ve been a disaster since I was filming a U.S. tv commercial (actually, three) over the next few days for Time Warner (no wonder I had little time to Xmas shop).  I played the role of office executive – if they only knew the truth that in my unreal “real” life I’m a glam-gal-entertainer singin’ all sorts of songs; two of my recent English faves being “Rehab” and Christina Aguilera’s fast “Ain’t No Other Man”.

P.S….as for New Year resolutions – while I like to believe we can all improve and evolve, I feel the best way to start a year is not with resolutions but with champagne & a To Do list.  As the Chinese say, to start eating an elephant, go bite by bite and you might just manage it.  Break it down into manageable bits.  Cheers to YOU, thanks for your support and all the best for 2009.  What’s on YOUR To Do list?

Kelly Chen

A friend phoned last night urging “Quick, Lini turn on the TV – I’m watching you onscreen singing at a concert in China!”  Well, he was partly right because I’d felt like I WAS singing in China that night!  This was a re-broadcast of the November ’08 “Our Chinese Heart” concert held at GM Place stadium (the same place Britney Spears and AC/DC play) for an audience of 13,000 p.  This was an ambitious variety concert produced by Asia’s largest broadcaster CCTV featuring many Asian stars such as Kelly Chen, Daniel Chan and more. http://www.ourchineseheart.com/jt/home.html

Onstage with Han Lei

It was quite the experience.  Namely because I’d been contacted to perform a Mandarin song I’d never heard of just one week prior to the concert.  Negotiations stalled and I was never signed……..until the VERY DAY of the show!!  I consider myself game for most challenges in my career (ok, except for the National Geographic acting shoot involving live tigers), I heard the song was brief so agreed to cram a month’s learning into a mere few hours.  Little did I know what was ahead…

Arrived at GM Place and was informed by the only crew person who spoke any English that I’d be singing this song with renowned Chinese singer Han Lei.  FOR. THE. SHOW. FINALE.  Ran through the song just twice with him and he’s a fine gentleman who speaks no English but has a gorgeous, soaring tenor voice.  My voice is alto, not exactly the best match for this duet.  Combine that with faulty ear monitors and you could say this tops challenges for moi.

@ GM Place

Somehow it all came together, we pulled it off, and it’s now been broadcast multiple times to over a billion viewers  – that’s a laaaarge audience.  I’m thankful to Vancouver performer Jack Li who helped me and I’m grateful to have experienced a venue of this magnitude.  I’ll just ask for a bit more notice for the next challenge, okay Universe?!

You can see more of the photos at http://www.linievans.com/photos.html

The theme was the Olympic spirit and I worked hard to pull off SOLO singing the duet from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Closing Ceremony – remember the beautiful haunting song by Sarah Brightman and Li Huan?  Not only is this in Mandarin + English, but also he’s a HE voice and her’s is very high… soprano that is.  I wish Chicago much luck in their hopes to host the 2016 Games.  As a proud Vancouverite, I know the excitement that comes with the Olympics – it’s our turn next in 2010.

Chicago Hilton

But the best was yet to come:  I stayed at the  grand Chicago Hilton hotel on Michigan Avenue and got up early for a walkabout in the ‘hood the morning after my show.  Right across from me in the crisp, cold sun was Grant Park, the very spot of Barack Obama’s acceptance speech.  Just weeks prior I had watched on TV  the president-elect speaking and moving the crowd of 100,000+.  Electrifying vibe and the motto of “yes we can”  on T-shirts and store windows has now was changed to “yes we did” – ya gotta love it!

The “Bean”

I loved the sun and the stunning architecture combining  gothic, historic buildings with modern, sleek skyscrapers.  Passed a CNN election bus still parked there then reached Millenium Park, which to me certainly looked well-worth the 4 year wait beyond it’s due date.  My fave sights were the ”Bean”, an enormous reflective sculpture and the Frank Gehry-designed  outdoor concert stage.  I must return here and spend more time…and this was even before I started shopping!  Ahhh, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Mag Mile and more : )