theguardian Singer Eva Avila throws support behind Gray Gives Back event
NATHAN ROCHFORD
The Guardian
Former Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila poses at a piano at the Confederation Centre before going on stage Sunday evening. Avila headlined Gray Gives Back, a benefit for international aid organization OneXOne. Guardian photo by Nathan Rochford
To the delight of teens, tweens and everyone in between, Canadian singer Eva Avila took the stage Sunday as the highlight of the charity event Gray Gives Back.
Presented by Colonel Gray High School as a benefit for OneXOne, a Canadian-based international aid organization that helps communities in Africa, Canada and around the world, the evening also featured performances by Colonel Gray students.
Organization founder Joey Adler said the evening was the first time OneXOne has ever been involved in what she called a ‘grassroots’ event.
Normally the organization works with celebrities and major corporations, but Adler said the opportunity to work with Colonel Gray was something she was looking forward to.
“It’s really exciting for us,” she said.
“Our dream was to take it to the grassroots, to take it to the youth of this country.”
She added while the money raised through the event is important, the focus is spreading awareness and getting youth involved.
“Whatever it is, it will be more than enough,” she said. “I don’t really care what the amount is. The real key for me is having a generation of socially aware people.”
Avila, former Canadian Idol winner and Canadian pop singer, stressed the importance of events like this.
“I’ve been supporting the cause ever since I found out about it,” she said.
“I’ve supported it many times, I just think it’s an amazing cause. We don’t realize how good we have it in North America.”
She added that as a performer she tries to do as much as she can to help.
“If we put our heads together we can save one life at a time,” she said.
“I think it’s a cause that should be important to everyone and as a musician you do what you can … I’m not just doing this because it’s my job. It’s important to do things that matter.”
She said while this is her third time on the Island, having performed at the Jack Frost Festival previously, she always enjoys her visits.
“I love the Island,” said Avila, who lives in Toronto.
“It’s very peaceful. It’s always nice to get away.”
Singer Eva Avila throws support behind Gray Gives Back event
Eva’s Myspace Blog
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Happy weekend!!!
Current mood: grateful
Category: Life
Hi all! Salut tout le monde!
It’s Saturday, and I hope you guys will enjoy the weekend. Wherever you are on the globe, I sure hope the weather is nice so that you can plan fun activities. Maybe a picnic at your local park, lunch on a patio, or if you’re near a beach please go sunbathing for me!!!
Je me suis levée très tôt ce matin. Je ne dors vraiment pas bien en général, et ce depuis 5 ans environ. J’ai beaucoup de troubles de sommeil. I always fall asleep quite quickly, but I cannot seem to stay asleep long enough to restore my energy. I usually don’t get more than 5 or 6 hours a night, and while some people think it’s plenty to get through your regular day with no problem, I beg to differ lol. Everyone is different, some of you are lucky and can feel perfectly refreshed after only a few hours of sleep. Not me. I need a minimum of 7 hours to feel decent. Slightly more than that and I wake up screaming YAY!!! Once in a blue moon I’ll wake up feeling rested. That’s painfully rare. And trust me my friends, I’ve tried everything you could think of. I’ve seen many doctors. Every suggestion that comes up in your mind, I’ve done it and been there. Baths, reading, meditating, eliminating certain foods, tea, pills, herbs… (legal herbs!) Snif snif 
Anyways, I really didn’t start blogging to complain about my poor sleeping skills lol. But yeah, I suck at it
On a good note!! I leave this morning for a beautiful, sunny, tropical and exotic island known as… Prince-Edward-Island. Heeheehee. Okay, it might not be all those things, however, I love PEI. I spent a few weeks there on vacation when I was 6 years old and only have great memories of that trip. My mom and her boyfriend had rented a gorgeous little cottage right on the beach. The red beach 
I remember being so astounded when I saw red sand… woah. I used to wake up ridiculously early and grab a stick and collect the dead jellyfish. Gross huh? LOL, hey, it kept me very entertained. So anyway, I have only gone back to PEI once after that, to perform at the Jack Frost festival, which was a couple of years ago, shortly after Idol. This time around, I’m heading back to perform for the One X One foundation, which raises money in order to offer shelter, food and clothing to african and north-american children in need. You know, we outta take a few moments once in a while to realize just how privileged and even spoiled we are in north america. Free clean water, convenience stores at every corner, safety almost everywhere we go, free health insurance in Canada… I could of course go on and on… And some people in the world have nothing. NOTHING. So if you think about it, we have it pretty good. I mean sure, we all have our baggage. Everyone has problems, frustrations, insecurities, fears, disappointments… I know I do. Who doesn’t? We just have to make an effort to remind ourselves that, compared to the pain that is experienced else where in the world, our every day average complication isn’t THAT bad. You and I are blessed.
So, my coffee is cold now. I’ve been too busy typing and forgot to drink it, lol. But see? I am so spoiled that I can enjoy a nice coffee every morning if I please. While I type on my laptop. Life is good and I am immensely grateful.
I am going to hop in the shower now, and finish packing my bright orange suitcase. It’s quite awesome having this suitcase because I can spot it from a distance quite easily. Merci Maman Elle sait toujours quoi m’offrir, hihi.
You guys have yourselves a wonderful weekend, filled with fun, safety, laughs, and gratefulness. Please say thank you to your mom and dad when they give you a ride somewhere, or make you dinner, or just say thank you for giving you life 
C’est si important de dire merci aux gens qu’on aime.
Lots of love to you my dears, bonne fin de semaine!
Câlin,
Eva le dragon
Eva’s New Blog
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Little update!
Current mood: chill
Category: Blogging
Hello darlings! How are you doing? 
I just thought I’d say what’s up to you guys, and let you know that I’m thinking of you always. You guys mean so much to me and without you I wouldn’t be able to do my dream job, so THANK YOU
I’ve had a good week, I’m getting ready to shoot the new video for “No more coming back”, which will be the next single, yay! I also have a nutty week ahead of me. I have the video shoot, then a rehearsal with my band, a gig on Thursday, and I leave for PEI from Friday to Sunday for a ONE X ONE benefit concert. I’m so excited about that, what a great cause. And I love PEI
Oh! And I have news for you my dears I recently enrolled in the Ross Petty productions Robin Hood musical, which will happen next winter in Toronto at the Elgin theatre. I am sooooo psyched, I’ve been wanting to get back into acting and musical theatre since I stopped doing it at 14 years old. I love it, it is so much fun. I’ll be playing Maid Marian Heehee!
Well, time for bed now. I just wanted to give you a quick shout. Thank you so much for your nice messages of encouragement and support. It means so much to me. I also would like you to keep your eyes on my Facebook profile, as I sometimes do a little “Q&A” for periods of time. I’ll indicate on my status that I’m answering questions from let’s say 1 to 2pm. It’s fun and that way you know I’m on my computer ready to answer and respond to your posts
Good night my friends, stay happy and healthy.
Eva
xoxoxo
P.S. Yes, I am now a Lost addict!!!!! As well as Desperate housewives, Grey’s anatomy and Gossip Girl. I watch it all online since I don’t have cable. Haha.
