Hey *|FNAME|*! This is the new newsletter for The Checkerboard Guy! We've sent this to you because you've connected with David Aiken in the past and we figured you'd be keen to stay in touch and to hear what's happening in The Checkerboard Guy's world. If you'd prefer to keep in touch via Facebook or Twitter the links are in the sidebar; if you'd like to opt-out of this newsletter click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this e-mail.

Early February saw The Checkerboard Guy travel to India for the very first time to perform for the Canadian Tourism Commission at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) in Mumbai and New Delhi. Three days in each city, an average eight mini shows (15 - 20 minutes) per day and an extraordinary reaction to this Canadian Comic's crowd-pleasing tricks and infectious energy! In fact, response to The Checkerboard Guy was so popular that special security guards were posted around the Canadian exhibit space during the shows to help manage the crowds. Organizers of the OTM shows had never seen anything like it in the twenty years that they've been running events and recognized The Checkerboard Guy with a special award to acknowledge his contributions to the success and popularity of this year's shows. Long days performing meant very little time to explore and enjoy 'Incredible India' but 'the cbg' did find enough time to do a bit of shopping and enjoy some hairy scary auto-rickshaw rides! Great shows! Great Food and Fun Adventures! India was a blast!

The Olympic Report
For seventeen days between February 12 - 28, Vancouver played host to the world for the XXI edition of the Winter Olympic Games and shortly after getting home from India, The Checkerboard Guy was doing his part to keep Olympic visitors laughing and smiling in the heart of downtown! The Province of British Columbia set up shop in Robson Square which became the unofficial hub for visitors wanting to taste some of the Olympic spirit that transformed the city during The Games. Not only did The Checkerboard Guy perform, he also helped orchestrate the BC Street Jam program which brought nine different world-class performers together for a run of over one hundred and forty performances. Crowds wowed, laughed, gasped smirked and were amazed by the program and The Checkerboard Guy became the unofficial Team Canada representative in the not yet recognized sport of snow-ball juggling! Now if only the IOC would consider making it a demonstration sport in Sochi in 2014.