Sudbury Living - Spring 2008 - 9

COVER All About andora Topp is putting the finishing touches on the playlist for the evening’s show at Sudbury’s S.R.O. It’s New Year’s Eve, and it is the debut of the singer’s newest band, the Giselles. The trendy downtown bar is packed with revellers, the lights go on, and the sevenpiece band rocks the crowd through the night. When I spoke to Topp a few weeks later, she was feeling over-the-top, not because of the enormous cappuccino she was courting, but because she had just found out she’d be joining Michael Bublé on stage as a back-up singer when his tour made a stop in Sudbury. The busy mother of two was excited but humble about this unexpected gig, a major achievement and honour for any performer and another notable milestone for this rising artist. For two decades, Topp has been working in show business. A gifted actress and singer, she is fully bilingual, and comes armed with a marketing and business background, giving her the added advantage of being able to promote and sell her many different brands. She has a bachelor of arts (in French) from Laurentian University. Topp has performed with several bands including The Usuals, and the Co-operative, and she has appeared in numerous Theatre Cambrian productions. She is best known locally for her roles as the lead singer in the Rex Holmes and the Cheetahs, and for her pitch-perfect performances of songs made famous by Édith Piaf. Topp’s latest role with the Giselles is taking her down a different path. “Rex Holmes has always been a fun role,” explains Topp. “We have such a blast performing and really making a point of getting the crowd into every event we play. There is no stopping, just singing, dancing and a party atmosphere for the entire performance.” The Giselles on the other hand, offer audiences a more expressive performance. There is no lead singer and the focus is on the entire band that covers tunes from the 1960s to current pop and dance songs. She’s hopeful Sudbury audiences will be as accepting to the Giselles as they are to Rex Holmes and the Cheetahs (musicians John Newlands, Kevin Closs, Sean Perras, Pat Therrien and Chris Peplinski.) Pandora P

Sudbury Living - Spring 2008

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