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Archive for the ‘Celebrities’ Category

Colin James rocks Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts

Friday, March 25th, 2011 by Dan Cooper

Colin James and Dan Cooper

Featured in the photo above: Colin James and Dan Cooper

The house was rocking with the great sounds of Colin James at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts on March 19th. James is a Canadian boy who rose to fame in the 1980’s and became a global star with two hit singles Voodoo Thing and Five Long Years.

In his early years he opened for the likes of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top and the Rolling Stones; he appeared on the Late Night shows with David Letterman and Conan O’Brien and is a multi-Juno winner.

A consummate professional and a superb guitarist, James is a musician’s musician. The confidence that comes with maturity can be heard in his voice and seen in his electrifying stage performance. He did not disappoint on this night. The performance was one of the best of the season, and what better place to see such a great concert than at the intimate stage of the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. The Centre is a tremendous gift to Oakville and area – for local talent as well as international stars like James. If you have never caught a show there, I encourage you to treat yourself to the experience. It’s a blast.

James is just the latest in a string of the best Canadian artists we have brought to Oakville through the Dan Cooper Concert Series. Other renowned artists include Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, Randy Bachman, Jann Arden, Holly Cole and just recently the reunited Platinum Blonde to name a few.

The arts are an important element in the cultural fabric of a community. Live performances, dance and music feed the minds and souls of its citizens and that is critical for a well-balanced and culturally rich community.

The Centre has been providing an important stage for local theatre and concerts and professional performances by artists from across Canada and around the world since 1977. The Mission of the Centre is to provide Oakville residents with a place to learn about themselves and the world around them through dance, music, storytelling and theatre.

I’m proud to be associated with of this wonderful organization by bringing a number of top shows and performances each year through the Dan Cooper Concert Series. The desire by The Dan Cooper Team to provide support for the arts is a testament to our commitment to give back to the community in which we work and live. We are not simply in the business of selling properties and helping buyers find homes. We are an integral part of this terrific community. We are your neighbour, our children go to school here and we shop in the same grocery stores. This is our community and The Dan Cooper Team is proud to play a part in shaping its character and its success.

We are involved in a number of good causes in Oakville and Burlington, and our support for the Oakville Centre is just one more example of our commitment to help build a better community.

I invite you to watch for upcoming performances that make up the summer portion of the Dan Cooper Concert Series. Please check the Centre’s website www.oc4pa.ca for an update on these and some of the other terrific concerts that you can enjoy in one of the most intimate theatres in Canada.

Dan Cooper is an award-winning broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage – the Number 1 Royal LePage Team for Canada in 2009. He can be reached at 905.338.3737, direct line at 905.849.3303 or through his innovative and interactive website at DanCooper.com. Be sure to catch the Dan Cooper Real Estate Series on DailyWebTV.com. For his free booklet How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar – Fast! or his Guide to Oakville Real Estate, please call The Dan Cooper Team.

Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Burlington, Colin James, Community, Dan Cooper Concert Series, Oakville, Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts | No Comments »

Record amount raised for a good cause at the Candlelight Ball

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010 by Dan Cooper

John Oliver, Debbie and Dan Cooper - Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Candlelight Ball

Featured from left to right is John Oliver, President & CEO Halton Healthcare Services with Debbie and Dan Cooper.

One of the many organizations to which I provide significant support is the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH). One of their major fundraising functions I support is the Annual Candlelight Ball and this year’s event, held on November 6th, raised a record $700,000 net.

This money is desperately needed to purchase equipment for the OTMH and the New Oakville Hospital. The provincial government provides limited funding for new equipment and so it is up to us in this community to ensure our hospitals are well equipped and able to provide a high level of care. Providing proper health care is a cornerstone to building a strong and caring community. We are fortunate to live in a town in which the citizens rally around a cause and offer major support. The OTMH Foundation is just one recipient of our generous support, and that giving was demonstrated in a major way at this year’s 19th Annual Candlelight Ball.

The event itself was an outstanding social occasion that treated the patrons to a culinary adventure featuring a Parisian menu prepared by Food Network host, CityLine guest and restaurateur Michael Bonacini and his team of chefs from the Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill. “We’re delighted to be involved once again in the OTMH Candlelight Ball,” says Bonacini. “The sense of community here in Oakville is really quite special, meaning when Oakvillians rally, they really rally,” Bonacini adds.

“Joie de Vivre (Joy of Living), this year’s OTMH Candlelight Ball, exemplifies what we are trying to accomplish with the proceeds from this, and, for that matter, every gala,” says Kathy Mundy, chair of the gala volunteer planning committee. “This is our largest annual fundraiser and this year’s proceeds are going to purchase a new infant warmer for our Special Care Nursery, a critical care ventilator, an anaesthesia gas machine and an ultrasound machine, all of which will be used in both our existing and new hospitals. These machines will help our medical professionals give our community Joie de Vivre.”

Our local health-care system relies on all of us to help them build a level of care that is second to none. The Dan Cooper Team has been supporting worthy causes such as the OTMH Foundation for many years. We are not simply in the business of buying and selling homes – we are an integral part of the community; this is our home too, and so we care about the quality of life here just as much as you do. “Give where you live” is a motto we live by and we are proud to be working and living in such a great and caring community.

If you haven’t attended a Candlelight Ball, do yourself a favour and experience something special and support a great cause. The next gala is November 5th, 2011.

Dan Cooper is an award winning Broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage – the Number 1 Royal LePage Team for Canada in 2009. He can be reached at 905.338.3737, direct line at 905.849.3303 or through his innovative and interactive website at DanCooper.com. Be sure to catch the Dan Cooper Real Estate Series on DailyWebTV.com. For his free booklet How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar – Fast! or his Guide to Oakville Real Estate, please call the Dan Cooper Team.

Posted in Annual Candlelight Ball, Michael Bonacini, Oakville, Trafalgar Memorial Hospital | No Comments »

One of Canada’s hottest bands is reuniting and coming to Oakville

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010 by andrews

Dan Cooper and Platinum Blonde

Featured in the photo from left to right are Sergio Galli, Dan Cooper and Mark Holmes.

Remember Platinum Blonde? Like many of you, I grew up listening to their hits in the 1980s. They were one of the hottest bands in North America with singles topping the charts and two albums going platinum. Their name mocked the Hollywood Glitter at the time, but their music was hard edge and serious. Their concerts drew tens of thousands of fans and they became magazine cover material and led a fashion revolution.

It’s been more than 20 years since they’ve appeared as Platinum Blonde, but today the band is getting back together and I’m excited that one of their first concerts before launching a Canadian comeback tour is at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts as part of the Dan Cooper Concert Series.

Mark February 26th on your calendar because it’s going to be one heck of a reunion. The hall is going to be rocking and if you enjoyed their music as much as I did, you won’t want to miss this party. OCPA is such a great venue for any performance. There isn’t a bad sightline in the theatre and with seating for only 464 people, you are completely up front and personal with the performers. When Platinum Blonde rockets back onto the charts, you will be able to say you were there.

Platinum Blonde emerged from the Toronto club scene with the hit EP Six Track Attack in 1983 that was later extended into a double platinum LP Standing In The Dark. A short year later the group had four hit singles hogging the airwaves across Canada and their Juno nominated Standing In The Dark and Doesn’t Really Matter music videos were getting plenty of airplay on the then novel Much Music channel. Their second album sold six times platinum. Their outstanding success put them in the Music Hall of Fame.

And then the band disbanded, almost as quickly as they had burst onto the scene. They had settled down in California and eventually drifted apart. Guitarist Sergio Galli, a Toronto native, returned to Ontario and began following another passion – designing and building homes. He studied architecture, got his design designation and began designing and building multi-million dollar custom homes – many of them right here in Oakville. He continues to build under Sergio Galli Design Build. You can see some of his work at www.sergiogalli.ca.

And while he has a passion for designing beautiful homes, the desire to get back onstage has become equally as strong, Sergio says today. “I’m looking forward to performing before an Oakville crowd,” Sergio says. “I have a soft spot for the town. I worked here and enjoy the people here. Oakville has been a great town to me.” It was through his home building that I got to know Sergio and we became friends. I was excited when he told me recently that Platinum Blonde was getting back together and we immediately talked about my sponsoring one of their first concerts before they launch their Canadian tour – and to do it right here in Oakville.

This is going to be an unbelievable party. Details are still being worked out and I will have more on those in future columns. I’m also proud to announce that a portion of the proceeds from this concert will be helping a great local cause – the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton. I have a deep commitment to this community and I give back every opportunity I get. I support a number of great organizations here and BBBSH is just one of those who need our help. They provide mentoring and programs for the youth-at-risk in our community, helping them become better citizens and future community leaders.

“We are so grateful to Dan Cooper and Don Parans (owner of Concept Lighting stores in the GTA) for providing Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton for this fabulous opportunity as the recipient of funds raised at the upcoming Platinum Blonde concert,” says Jules Graham-Hood, BBBSH executive director. “This is a great opportunity to enjoy an evening of superb entertainment and reminisce about the ’80s, all in support of youth-at-risk in our local communities. These funds support positive mentoring programs for these kids which make a positive impact in their lives forever! BBBSH requires $1,000 a year to match a child today in a Big and Little program versus $58,000 a year to keep a child in juvenile detention because they do not have a positive mentor in their lives…the choice is easy to make.”

So there you have it – an evening of Great Music for a Great Cause!

Dan Cooper is an award winning Broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage – the Number 1 Royal LePage Team for Canada in 2009. He can be reached at 905.338.3737, direct line at 905.849.3303 or through his innovative and interactive website at DanCooper.com. Be sure to catch the Dan Cooper Real Estate Series on DailyWebTV.com. For his free booklet How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar – Fast! or his Guide to Oakville Real Estate, please call the Dan Cooper Team.

Posted in Big Brothers Big Sisters, Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Platinum Blonde | No Comments »

Successful friends help to motivate and inspire

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 by Dan Cooper

Dan Cooper and Kevin O'Leary

Peter Gilgan, Dan Cooper, Jim Balsillie, George Hincapie, Tim Hockey

Featured in the left photo are Dan Cooper and Kevin O’Leary. Featured in the right photo are Peter Gilgan, Dan Cooper, Jim Balsillie, George Hincapie, Tim Hockey.

I’ve always believed that if you hang around successful people, you will find success yourself. Whether by gaining insights and knowledge or simply being inspired, the lessons learned from those who excel will help you in life and business. I have been fortunate to have befriended many business and community leaders who have inspired me and provided me with invaluable business acumen. They have been instrumental in my personal and business growth.

Outstanding entrepreneurs and leaders such as Kevin O’Leary – best known as one of the dragons on CBC’s popular reality show Dragons’ Den – Peter Gilgan, president of Mattamy Homes – Canada’s largest home builder – and Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Research in Motion – the maker of the BlackBerry.

Kevin is my kind of entrepreneur. He vowed at a young age to always be his own boss and launched his incredible career with $10,000 borrowed from his mother to start up a software publishing company – SoftKey – which became The Learning Company and was eventually sold to Mattel for $4.2 billion. Kevin was among the top shareholders.
He went on to invest in a variety of successful enterprises but is best known for the nightly Lang and O’Leary Exchange on CBC News Network and his tight-fisted role on Dragons’ Den. On the latter, he has a knack for one-liners that get straight to the point – “You can’t cry your way to success” and “I’m not trying to make friends, I’m just trying to make money.” When it comes to business, Kevin doesn’t fool around. He is a mercenary and the result of his approach speaks for itself.

Peter Gilgan is among those rare business leaders who did not go to university, but rather followed a passion for building homes and making money. What he accomplished was to build the country’s largest home building empire with communities all over Ontario, in Alberta and in the U.S. Does Peter regret not pursuing a higher education? “I’ve never stopped learning,” he said in a recent interview. “I found the rate at which I was educated in school was not quite fast enough – if the subject interested me. If it didn’t interest me, it was really too slow – you were bored to death. And I had a preference to get out and start making money.”

Interestingly, Peter was honoured this year by Wilfrid Laurier University’s business school as its outstanding business leader. What I admire most about Peter is not only his business success, but his generosity as well. His philanthropic philosophy is inspiring and one that I have tried to emulate. Peter has given back to his community of Oakville in a big way. I have written often about my own philanthropy and Peter is one of the people who have been a personal inspiration.

Jim Balsillie made headlines not only with the BlackBerry, but his unsuccessful bids to bring an NHL team to Hamilton. Over the past few years he has made offers on Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators and last year Phoenix Coyotes. Jim’s commitment to his community and his innovation in business leadership have been widely recognized. In the late 1990s he was honoured with the Canada Award for Business Excellence. He received honourary Doctorate of Laws from Wilfrid Laurier University and from Dalhousie University and he was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, the highest designation that the institute confers.

These are but a few of the many people I have had the pleasure to get to know – who have inspired me, helped me to fashion my guiding principles and reminded me the power of giving back to the community. If you want to be successful in business and life, surround yourself with people who will motivate and inspire you.

Dan Cooper is an award winning Broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage – the Number 1 Royal LePage Team for Canada in 2009. He can be reached at 905.338.3737, direct line at 905.849.3303 or through his innovative and interactive website at DanCooper.com. Be sure to catch the Dan Cooper Real Estate Series on DailyWebTV.com. For his free booklet How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar – Fast! or his Guide to Oakville Real Estate, please call the Dan Cooper Team.

Posted in Celebrities | No Comments »

Celebrities, golf and raising money for a great cause!

Monday, June 28th, 2010 by Dan Cooper

Dan Cooper Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament

Featured in the photo from left to right:
Craig Walkins, Matt Dunigan, Dan Cooper, Frank Dunigan

I’m proud to be partnered with a great organization such as the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton. Their work has a tremendous impact on children at-risk in our community, providing critical mentorship programs for children and youth of all ages who need our help.

And I’m immensely pleased that the first Dan Cooper Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament held on June 24th at Glen Abbey was a sold out affair and is fully expected to have reached BBBSH’s goal of raising $60,000. I want to thank all those who participated to make this inaugural invitational a huge success, and to the celebrities who made time for this great cause – CFL greats Matt Dunigan and Miles Gorrell, Canadian actor Art Hindle, sports broadcaster and former NHL executive Gord Stellick to name a few.

Jules Graham-Hood, BBBSH Executive Director, had these kind words, “We are very grateful to have Dan and his team looking at a long-term relationship with BBBSH and our ‘Give Where You Live Work and Play’ campaign. Next year has some new surprises in store for our more fair weather golfers who wish to play a little and enjoy a little pampering and delicacies in support of BBBSH.”

It can be a challenge when there are several golf tournaments each day for worthy charities, not to mention donor fatigue. However grassroots charities such as the BBBSH are preventative in focus, helping children in the early stages by providing mentorship that has a positive impact that lasts a lifetime with these kids of all ages. Our young people are our future leaders and it is critical that we provide all the support we can to ensure they develop into good citizens, business people and community leaders. Few of us may be aware that there are hundreds of youth at-risk here in our own community. Often, our comfortable and insular lives shield us from some very hard truths in our back yard. This reality, however, is only too clear to the great people and volunteers at BBBSH.

“Give where you live” is a slogan adopted by many charitable organizations across North America, but it really does sum up my own personal philanthropic objectives and the approach of the Dan Cooper Team when it comes to donations and giving back to the community. I have chosen a number of outstanding organizations in which to make significant contributions. The new Oakville Hospital will be built in the very near future and so I have pledged a percentage of my commissions to the Oakville Hospital Foundation because I believe a strong and vibrant community needs state-of-the-art health care for its citizens.

I was also proud to be the venue sponsor for Comic Vision at Le Dome on North Service Road East in April. This is Canada’s most successful night of stand-up comedy and fundraising in support of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Other organizations I support include the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. Culture and arts are also critical for the well-being of a community and I’m proud that my Dan Cooper Concert Series brings internationally acclaimed performers to our small corner of the globe. To find out who is performing in the coming months visit www.oc4pa.ca.

I encourage all of you to give back to the community in any way you can; whether it is with money or time or both. Your efforts and contributions help make our community stronger and a better place in which to live.

Dan Cooper is an award winning Broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage – the Number 1 Royal LePage Team for Canada in 2009. He can be reached at 905.338.3737, direct line at 905.849.3303 or through his innovative and interactive website at DanCooper.com. Be sure to catch the Dan Cooper Real Estate Series on DailyWebTV.com. For his free booklet How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar – Fast! or his Guide to Oakville Real Estate, please call the Dan Cooper Team

Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Celebrities, Charity, Comic Vision, Golf, Oakville Hospital Foundation, Sports | No Comments »