Giorgio Mammoliti (Image: toronto.ca)
Mayoral candidate Giorgio Mammoliti’s camp is scrambling to find a new lineup for next Wednesday’s Rock the Vote night at Tattoo Rock Parlour. Headliner The Darcys pulled out after learning they’d be playing in support of his campaign, writing on their blog that they were initially told the event was a benefit for Sheridan College:
We do not know Mammoliti personally, but we know that his politics have opposed Bill 167, which extends spousal benefits to same-sex couples. Though we do not endorse a specific candidate in the mayoral race, we cannot support Mammoliti. We are sorry for the confusion but hope you can sympathize with our predicament.
Apparently, the Darcys found out about the event when Post contributor and Toronto Public Space Committee campaigner Jonathan Goldsbie tweeted about the event and the band:
goldsbie: I’m just gonna assume @itsthedarcys (described by the Star as “Thom-Yorke-does-Crazy-Horse”) are supporting Mammoliti ironically. #voteTO
itsthedarcys: @goldsbie this is the first we have heard about this show, since it was refaced as something new. thanks for the heads up
goldsbie: @itsthedarcys What had it previously been?
itsthedarcys: @goldsbie – something for Sheridan College
The Star asked Mammoliti about the cancellation, and he said, “I have no comment. Thanks for the call, anyway.”
Make Your Exit, another band scheduled to play, also cancelled yesterday, citing identical reasons: they thought they would be playing for Sheridan but don’t support Mammoliti’s campaign.
Mammoliti’s spokesperson told the Star and the Post that the event is more about encouraging young adults to vote. “This event is not about Giorgio Mammoliti,” Dan Leggieri told the Star. “It’s really just a social awareness event to get youth aware that there’s an election coming up in October.” Still, Soraya Mangal, a spokesperson for the company responsible for planning the event, tells the Post that the concert was always billed as a Mammoliti event.
• Hyacinth Presents: Rock Your Vote with Giorgio Mammoliti [Facebook]
• Mammoliti rock concert loses more rockers [National Post]
• CANCELLED – March 31st @ Tattoo Rock Parlor [Darcys]
• Band drops Mammoliti gig [Toronto Star]
Is Toronto Life going to do a roundup of who all is running for Mayor? I’ve never even heard of this candidate before. Maybe one of those articles with each candidate and their stance on key issues so we know who to pay attention to when voting comes around.
March 23, 2010 at 4:36 pm | by PatrickIt’s obviously not Giorgio’s event. I mean, have you seen the poster? Sure, a Mammoliti head shot takes up most of the top third of the poster, but if it was his event, wouldn’t his big happy face take up all of the poster? Of course it would. And if you go to the Facebook page for this event, there are five photos, all of this same poster. You know, the poster with Giorgio’s happy face in the most prominent position. So I have no idea why any sane person would think it was Giorgio’s event. Maybe these rock musicians partake of too many drugs?
March 24, 2010 at 12:57 am | by Tom SawyerThanks for the call.
Mammoliti clearly is not interested in addressing the issue that he has a record of homophobia. A person who is not commited to diversity has no business running for mayor of Toronto.
March 24, 2010 at 8:49 am | by Mittonia@Tom Sawyer: maybe the posters weren’t ready when they booked the bands?
March 24, 2010 at 12:07 pm | by Blah