VOL 28 SEPTEMBER 2022
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Arts & Culture
Shawn Oates shares his path of happiness through the sounds of country music 48
Cuisine
Fall fashion spotlight – Hudson’s Bay at Kingsway 16 Note Summer reflections – Editor’s Note 8 Wine
Fashion
Lindsay Porter, a local chef, will be competing in Top Chef Canada X 40 Profile
- 5September 2022 Highlights
From chilled whites and rosé, to full bodied red wine – we are ready for fall with these worldwide favourites 44 Decor
Artful arrangements take the centre stage with these custom made floral designs 52
Erasing the stigma around mental health through his love of music – John Cameron 10
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PUBLISHED BY MODERN LUXURIA LTD. FOUNDER Elsa Amorim EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jelena Bojic MANAGING EDITOR Beryl Bacchus GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brandy Belitsky COPY EDITOR Lucie Oosterveld BRAND AMBASSADOR Gordana Bosiocic VOL 28 SEPTEMBER 2022 COVER Photo by Cooper & O'Hara Photography CONTRIBUTORS Brandy Belitsky Mona Butler Twyla StevenMarciaCooperAshleyCampbellChampagne&O'HaraPhotographyJ.HammHope Nev Ostoin Tom ModernEmilySedensWelzLuxuriais a digital magazine and is published Formonthly.subscription inquiries Nohello@modernluxuria.comemail:partofthismagazine,including
- 7September 2022
Contributors
Beryl Bacchus Managing Editor
Tom Sedens is a husband, father of 3, lover of pie and a world traveler that has explored over 50 countries. He is an accredited member of AJAC (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada) who loves driving anything, anytime, anywhere.
Twyla Campbell is a freelance writer and food columnist for CBC Radio (Edmonton). She is a seasoned traveler who seeks unique destinations both local and abroad. A proud supporter of Canadian wine and sustainable food producers, Twyla is a regularly sought food panelist and judge for culinary competitions in Canada.
Nev Ostoin is a lover of the outdoors, and winter being her favourite season makes her a perfect fit in Edmonton. Her passion is capturing every-day moments around the city, obsessing over perfectly framing each shot. Nev's favourite transportation method is her bike, and she can be found enjoying coffee at Kaffa or a good glass of wine at Rosso. Her photography focus is always on and the camera is always within arm's reach.
Beryl Bacchus has had an extensive career with over 20 years in the fashion, events and entertainment worlds. Spending time in Montreal, Toronto and New York, she moved to Edmonton just over a decade ago and is excited to bring her passion for community to Modern Luxuria Magazine and help showcase the talent and vibrancy of Edmonton from a fresh perspective.
Mona Rose Butler, originally from Vancouver, brings with her to Edmonton a background in lifestyle writing within the luxury realm. When not working or training for her next strongman competition, she can be found exploring the restaurants and coffee shops of Edmonton or taking her dog, Pixel, on adventures.
Marcia J. Hamm is a lover of all things wine, but is especially passionate about Italy's native grape varieties. She is a WSET diploma holder, an Italian Wine Scholar and one of only 15 Italian Wine Experts In the world through the Vinitaly international Academy (VIA). Marcia also loves to sing, ride her bicycle, have dinner parties and relax on the patio.
Emily Welz is an internationally published photographer and stylist. Before running her photography studio full-time, she worked in media communications and literacy advocacy. Her passion for storytelling inevitably led her to pursuing photography, creative direction, modelling, styling, and set design.
— Jelena
IT’S September – the month we’re transitioning from vacations to work, from summer holidays to back to school, and back to reality. For many, remote work has been a reality for the past few years and going back to in-person work may be quite an adjustment. Whether we like it or not, work and personal life have blended into each other, allowing for an environment where we can manage our time better on both ends. Blurred lines between the two seem to be helping us create better work/life balance, be smarter with work time and time off, and can work to our advantage. That may be why this year, September has a bit of a different feel.
An exciting event is in the works with our busy Modern Luxuria team. On September 12th, we are bringing you the BiancoNero mixer, happening at 5:30 pm at Buco Pizzeria & Wine Bar downtown. Appetizers, drinks, live music, special guests and great networking opportunities are only some of the highlights of this event. We are so excited about being able to see you in person again and to start some of our signature events again. Reflecting on the past month, we have to note that the city lost one of its absolute heroes - Ben Stelter, a six year old boy who was battling brain cancer and who showed incredible courage and love throughout.
- 8www.modernluxuria.com
As Edmontonians gathered to say goodbye to Ben, a funeral procession was passing by one of his favourite places, Rogers Place. We saw hundreds of people with photos of Ben, flags, signs, teddy bears...so much love and kindness were sent to him and his family that day as a thank you for his extraordinary spirit, courage and perseverance. We will forever remember his smile, holding McDavid’s hand, enjoying every hockey game, every outing, every moment with his loved ones. He taught us so much - how to face hardship with a smile, how to remain positive, and how to look for those special moments with those you love, even in the hardest of times.
Thank you, Ben, for being a part of our lives.
Editor's Note
Discussion Around Mental Health
John ChangesCameronLives
Transforming the
WORDS BY BERYL BACCHUS PHOTOGRAPHY BY COOPER & O'HARA PHOTOGRAPHY
- 12www.modernluxuria.com
What inspired you to introduce CRESCENDO?
It wasn’t until about 2009, when I did my first concert called Soaring with Song at the Winspear. There was a group of young kids that were doing this big concert, and they asked me to be involved. So that was the first go round of watching these young kids perform and the audience going, ‘Hang on. Who are these people?’ And that was good. I thought, ‘Okay, I love that’. So that was June of 2009, and in December of 2009, we decided to bring the Singing Christmas Tree back but with a twist and with the intent of trying to raise more money for local charities. The production had stopped in 2005. We started with Santas Anonymous, the Christmas Bureau and different charities like that. When we made the decision in 2009, we didn’t have the structure, we didn’t have the orchestra, and we didn’t have the venue. We had no music, we had no conductor. We had nothing. We had to buy the rights. We had to buy the structure. We put the show together and that was our first Singing Christmas Tree production at the Jubilee Auditorium.
WE are all born with a special gift. John Cameron’s gift is using his dynamic talent to make the world a better place. Some will know him as the Chairman of Keller Construction, while others will know him as founder of the John Cameron Changing Lives Foundation, bringing awareness of mental health causes and initiatives through the power of music and performance. Were you born and raised in Edmonton? I was born in Drumheller, home of the dinosaurs. We moved to Edmonton in 1968. That’s when the Edmonton office for Keller Construction opened. My dad started with Ernie Keller back in 1962.
Tell us a bit about your childhood and where your passion for performing and entertaining came from?
I’ve always wanted to do a show of the piano greats like Elton John, Billy Joel, and John Legend with The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the Winspear. So, 2017 was our first CRESCENDO. We did Queen, Led Zeppelin, and all kinds of stuff and the total focus was mental health. Mental health has impacted my family, so I wanted to give time to talking about it.
When did you realize your love of performance and entertaining could do good and make a difference for charity?
Growing up, I was into sports. I played hockey lots and golfed; but as a kid we would always drive to Calgary to go to my Grandma’s house. She had this big old piano and she would play it, my mom would also play it, and so then I would start to play it. My mom and dad saw that I liked the piano. They got me into lessons right when I was five years old and I continued doing piano lessons and organ lessons. I remember playing the piano for our choir in grade four, but I didn’t seriously get into performing until 1981 when I started going to church downtown and saw the Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree. I was eighteen years old. There was an orchestra. There was a huge 150 voice choir every Sunday. The music was spectacular. I watched it and then I got involved. I sang in it for years and then I conducted it for years. So that’s kind of where I got started.
- 13September 2022
The musical term crescendo means start small and get louder and I wanted to get louder and louder, and let people talk about mental health. For many, many years, you couldn’t talk about it. But it’s changed. Now people need to talk about it and can get help.
- 14www.modernluxuria.com
The creativity behind your shows is spectacular. How do you begin to build out the program? I have a close team of two. Emmanuel Fonte is a co-producer and musical director and conducts the orchestra. He helps me with song selections and creativity. Donovan Robinson is a co-producer. He is the technical side, so what’s going to be on the LED, what the stage construction is going to be, the whole lighting and sound, and all that stuff. My job is two fold. Raise money, because these shows cost a lot of money, and help select all the songs and put the show-flow together. We have quite a large stable of singers that have sung with us over the last twelve years. We are always looking for more and we are always getting people saying they would like to audition. I’d like to get more local Edmonton and local Calgary (CRESCENDO Calgary) people. Initially, we brought in Ruben Studdard, Mark Massari, and The Canadian Tenors, so people would go see them, and see the production that Edmonton was putting on. They would then listen to local singers and go, ‘Okay, the Canadian Tenors are good, but the Edmonton people are good too’. We want to highlight as many local musicians as we can. You are also the Chairman of Keller Construction. How do you balance the two worlds? Up until about three years ago, it was tough. I was doing Keller full time, and this full time, and I worked long, long hours; but I’m thankful now that I have a great management team. I actually sold some of the company to Tim Coghlan. He’s now the president and CEO, and he and his executive team now run Keller which allows me to give 95% of my time to the John Cameron Changing Lives Foundation. As anybody would say, you are only as good as the team around you. So the team I have at Keller is absolutely amazing, and prior to Covid, the team I had at the Foundation was awesome too. It’s the people you put around the table that get you Also,through.the support of my parents and my family. If it wasn’t for them, I couldn’t do this. They have just been great supporters. My sister, my mom and dad, and my daughter…my daughter for sure.
What does the future look like for The John Cameron Changing Lives Foundation? Continuing to create amazing experiences. What can readers do to support the John Cameron Changing Lives Foundation?
Money is always the goal. It would be great if I could get sponsorship to backstop the cost of the production. My goal would be to have ticket prices for as low as $10 so everybody could come see it and everybody could feel lifted. Everybody could feel change. But we are not there yet. We put on concerts to make an impact, to make a change, to affect people. WWW.JOHNCAMERON.COM
- 15September 2022
- 16www.modernluxuria.com Spotlight on Fall Fashion PHOTOGRAPHY STEVEN HOPE AGENCY MODE MODELS INTERNATIONAL MODELS BRAYDEE CARDINAL, CONNOR WELK, MACKENZIE SWEENEY, MYA WHITE
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- 17September 2022
This season merges those relaxed, breezy notes of summer with the more textured, warm, earthy tones that cooler days bring.
September’s photoshoot was inspired by new collections at Hudson’s Bay; you’ll see some summer cues blended into the fall looks, as we played with composition and to bring ideas and inspiration for one of the most favourite fashion seasons.
layers,
WWW.THEBAY.COM Mya: Chi Chi London Pewter One Shoulder Dress Mackenzie: Sondergaard Gray Plaid Pant, Sondergaard Gray Plaid Blazer, Impuntura White Buttoned Shirt, Call It Spring Grey Lexxx Sneaker Connor: Jack & Jones Heatwave Knit Crew Neck, Jack & Jones Bill Beau Summer Drawstring Pant Oxford Tan Braydee: DKNY Fuchsia Pleated Tie Neck Dress
- 18www.modernluxuria.com Braydee: Only Tessa Long Sleeve Midi V Knit Black Dress, Hunter Mid-Calf Boots Mya: Buffalo Paityn Turtleneck Oatmeal, Hunter Tall Boots
- 19September 2022
Mackenzie: Hudson North Blush Rose Short Sleeve Button Shirt, Jack and Jones Tapered Paul Black Check Pant, Call It Spring Grey Lexxx Sneaker
- 20Connor: PRODUKT Nathan Bomber Jacket, Navy Blazer, Jack & Jones Eli Resort Shirt Relaxed , RQRD Drawstring Pant, Call It Spring Grey Lexxx Sneaker Mya: Dex Gathered Padded Shoulder Buttoned Front Top, Molly and Bracken Pull-On Cuffed Pan, Navy, Guess Coral Oversized Purse, Etereo Blue Scarf Mackenzie: Hudson North Blush Rose Short Sleeve Button Shirt, Jack and Jones Tapered Paul Black Check Pant, Call It Spring Grey Lexxx Sneaker
- 21September 2022 Braydee: DKNY Blue Pleated Satin Midi Dress, Etereo Earrings Mya: Dex Gathered Padded Shoulder Buttoned Front Top, Molly and Bracken Pull-On Cuffed Pan, Navy, Etereo Blue Scarf
- 22www.modernluxuria.com Mackenzie: Chaps Flat Front Blue Short, Chaps Burnt Blaze Plaid Button Front Shirt, PRODUKT Casper Bodywarmer Connor: TJ Flex Stretch Straight Denim, Tommy Hilfiger White Tee, PRODUKT Casper Jacket Black
- 23September 2022
Braydee: Molly and Bracken Hello Curry Ladies Woven Dress, Pieces Faux Leather Leggings, Etereo Feather Earrings
- 24www.modernluxuria.com
- 25September 2022 Mya: Lili Sidonio Young Ladies Woven Shirt White/Black Pieces Juliet Skirt, Aventurine Lili Sidonio Young Ladies One Shoulder Knitted Top Black, Etereo Feather Earrings Mackenzie: Guess Slim Tapered Eco Viera Wash Denim, Only & Sons Striped Knit Top, Selected Homme Forest Blazer, Call It Spring Grey Lexxx Sneaker
www.modernluxuria.com
Braydee: MinkPink Valentina Midi Printed Dress with Slit, Etereo Feather Earrings
The Return of GroomingMen’s
WORDS BY MONA ROSE BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHY NEV OSTOIN
- 29September 2022
The quick cut has long dominated the world of men’s hair, but Black Forest Barber Shop is leading the way, as men begin once more to hold their grooming habits to a higher standard
Jason and his team at Black Forest Barber Shop are leading by example, not only with the space, but with their own appearances as well: a man is well dressed, well groomed, and deserves self-care.
Thoughtfully designed, modern, clean, and bright; it’s a space that invites you to stay a while. Here you won’t find a single messy station dusted with hair trimmings or shelves overflowing with dozens of product lines for sale.
The experience begins the moment you step through the door.
- 30www.modernluxuria.com
“Our real passion is to keep it really simple and clean so that when everybody comes in, they are automatically enjoying the atmosphere. Second to that is getting them in our chair, a great consultation, attention to detail, and then giving them the service they’re looking for. We push quality, we aren’t trying to get guys in and out and say, ‘Here, give us $20’,” said Jason Hatheway, owner of Black Forest Barber Shop. Therein lies one of the key factors that sets Black Forest Barber Shop apart from most salons that service men or the typical barbershop: time. The men’s grooming experience has been reduced down to cheap and fast, but Jason doesn’t want to be beholden to the quick turnover model of relying on walk-ins. He and his team are building on getting to know their clients and creating lasting relationships, so that in 20 years they could see the children, or even grandchildren, of their current clientele.
- 31September 2022
The shop is a bastion to the acknowledgement that men deserve to be pampered too. Whether spurred on by a significant other, or by their own desire for self-improvement, men want to look good and smell good, but since the interest in grooming has been pushed aside for so long, they need somewhere to learn. At the shop, they are spreading the idea that it is okay for men to take pride in their appearance; whether you’re a doctor or a construction worker, you can look good - you don’t need to look like you’re fresh off the job site all the time.
- 32www.modernluxuria.com
Black Forest Barber Shop is bringing back barbering in the more traditional sense, while also leading the way in the revolution of men’s self-care. Expect haircuts, hot shaves, beard trims, facials, and even massages done expertly.
“We want to teach each one of our clients self-care. Of course, you’re going to come in and we’re going to give you a service, but we’re also going to send you home with the necessary essentials that you need to continue that care at home.”
BLACK-FOREST-BARBER-SHOP.BUSINESS.SITE
September 2022
- 34www.modernluxuria.com Luxury, Power, Practicality … Electrified WORDS BY TOM SEDENS PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED Combining a spacious SUV with four-door coupe styling, the Audi e-tron Sportback electrifies the driving experience
- 35September 2022
- 36www.modernluxuria.com
THE Audi e-tron Sportback tries to do it all - and it succeeds. It starts off with the spaciousness and functionality of an SUV, and combines this with a sleek and sporty silhouette, thanks to the Sportback styling. Underpinning it all is a powerful electric drivetrain that balances performance and efficiency perfectly.
- 37September 2022
The elegance of the Sportback’s tapered roofline and four-door coupe styling is immediately evident, blending flowing lines and sharp creases for a look all its own. Fusing sleek, modern lines and muscular aggression, the e-tron Sportback’s visual identity is completed with a set of staggering 22-inch rims that fill the wheel wells to perfection. The drag coefficient is 0.28 Cd, making this an incredibly slippery vehicle when it comes to aerodynamics. That helps minimize resistance, and therefore maximizes the vehicle’s range. The drama starts before you even get in - locking and unlocking the car greets the driver and passengers with ultra-cool animations from the matrix-design head- and tail-lights. Climb into the roomy cabin, and you’ll find a plush modern world crafted of world-class materialsValcona leather, stitched panels and beautifully textured soft plastics - and a sleek design with the latest technology throughout. Behind the perfectly-shaped steering wheel is a fully digital dash allowing the driver to choose exactly what they want to see. Centered above the console are two touchscreens - one that handles the Bang & Olufsen audio system, navigation and vehicle functions, and a second one that is dedicated to the climate control system. Rear passengers aren’t second-class citizens - all the wonderful touches and finishes continue to the back, and there are plenty of charging plugs and a separate climate control panel for each passenger in the back. But the e-tron Sportback isn’t just luxurious, it is also practical. With a large cargo hold and plenty of flexibility, thanks to the split-folding rear seats, the Sportback happily functions as a road trip partner or hockey practice taxi. Range anxiety in electric vehicles is a real thing - but it does not have to be with the e-tron Sportback. Its battery boasts a range up to 362 km and using a DC fast charger, the battery can be topped off from 5% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
Massiveconditions.brakes bring things back to earth, and even regenerate power and charge the battery when being applied. And if your lifestyle requires some toy hauling, the e-tron Sportback can be equipped to tow up to 4,000 pounds. There is nothing the Audi e-tron Sportback can’t handle. It does it all - in luxurious silence.
The e-tron Sportback uses two asynchronous electric motors to create an electric version of Audi’s world-famous Quattro all-wheel drive. The motors combine to make 402 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, and propel the vehicle from standstill to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Handing all that the driver can throw at it is the remarkable adaptive air suspension that adjusts each corner continuously, reacting to the road and the driver. This makes for perfect driving dynamics - a buttery smooth ride as well as incredibly competent handling. The car’s height can even be adjusted to suit the driver’s needs and the road
- 38www.modernluxuria.com
WWW.AUDIEDMONTONNORTH.COM
- 39September 2022
- 40www.modernluxuria.com
Hometown Chef to Compete in Top Chef Canada X
ON September 26th, Lindsay Porter will represent Edmonton in the 10th season of Top Chef Canada, marking the first time a chef from Alberta’s capital has made the cut.
Porter is also no stranger to Food Network competitions. While she may not have bested Bobby Flay (Beat Bobby Flay), in 2020, she reigned supreme in both Guys Grocery Games (2018) and Fire Masters (2019), winning both.
- 41September 2022
Seasoned competitor, Lindsay Porter, is in the running
“My biggest fear was not being myself. I just wanted to have fun, get to know people and be authentically me.”
As one might assume, competing on Top Chef Canada brings with it a guaranteed amount of stress which Porter says is “high but different” than other competitions. With three shows under her belt, she had some idea of what to expect, but still, competing under the constant supervision of a camera made her nervous and overthink what she was doing. The discipline it took to focus was tiring.
WORDS BY TWYLA CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY WELZ
Porter, head chef at The Common, is beloved amongst the city’s industry professionals and patrons. Over the past 18 years, she has not only worked at several notable restaurants in Edmonton but also operated her own, London Local, from 2017 until she closed it in 2020.
- 42www.modernluxuria.com
Other competitors on Top Chef Canada have that skill too, though, and Porter says depending on instinct and going with tried-and-true dishes that brought her joy is what she relied on to keep her attention on the task at hand. Long days of shooting brought both physical and mental exhaustion, but the most difficult part, according to Ms. Porter, was dealing with so many emotions. “You can be happy one minute and extremely upset the next. It’s extreme.”
Authentic Lindsay Porter is a delight; good-natured both in and out of the kitchen, and a skilled cook who exemplifies grace under pressure—at least to those of us watching (or waiting for her food).
WWW.THECOMMON.CA
- 43September 2022
For anyone thinking of applying for a high-level competition like Top Chef Canada, Porter has some advice: “Know your stuff and don't listen to others. Don't let them get into your ear. Be yourself and be confident.” Watch how it all pans out. The premiere of Top Chef Canada X airs Monday, September 26th, on Food Network Canada.
A worldwide favourite taking centre stage Making the Case Cabernetfor WORDS BY MARCIA J. HAMM PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED
- 45September 2022 WITH the first day of Autumn only a couple of weeks away, many of us find ourselves moving from the chilled white and rosé wines to the full-bodied, structured, warming reds. It’s becoming sweater weather after all, cooler weather is inevitable, and the backyard fire pit might be getting more use. I think it prudent to start with a little red wine 101: White wine is made by fermenting just the grape juice, whilst red wines are fermented with the skins intact, giving red wine its colour. With some exceptions, all pulp of red grapes is clear, so the skins are needed to give the wine colour. The thickness and hue of the skins will indicate how dark the resulting red wine will be. Ruby, garnet, and purple are used to describe colour. Also, red wine has a component called tannin, which comes from the skins, but also the seeds and sometimes the stems. Tannin is the drying astringency in your mouth after tasting and swallowing red wine. If you have ever drank over-steeped black tea or eaten a green banana, you will understand that feeling on your teeth and tongue! Cabernet Sauvignon is the progeny of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. This favoured son is a late ripening grape, dark skinned and provides robust tannin, structure and intensity with typical aromas and flavours of black currant (cassis), cedar and pencil shavings (graphite).
2015 Chateau Cantenac Brown Margaux Third Growth Bordeaux It’s a well-known fact that except for a handful, all Bordeaux are blends in varying percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and others. On which side of the Gironde Estuary the Chateaux are located, determines which grape is dominant. Cantenac Brown, in the prestigious Médoc appellation of Margaux, was given third growth status in the 1855 Classification system. With 65% of this blend being Cabernet, it has all the markings of an ageable wine, which reflects in the price point of around $145. Blackberry, cassis, and spices dominate with hints of pencil shavings, toasty oak, and lots of firm, chewy tannins.
- 46www.modernluxuria.com
2018 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon
- 47September 2022 2019 Stag’s Leap Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Chile may not be well-known for world class Cabernet, but the Montes winery is one of Chile’s most important, founded in 1987.
The winery, established in 1970, is probably most famous for its winning Cabernet in the now famous Paris Tasting of 1976, put on by the late Steven Spurrier. That competition essentially established Napa Valley as a premier wine growing region of the world. The Artemis, even with its 15.5% abv shows balance with rich and flavourful black fruits, spice, with fine-grained tannins.
Alpha signifies the premium line of Montes wines and showcases vineyards that have been converted to ‘dry farming’. This means grapevines must source water on their own by digging their roots deep into the soil. For a wine that has an SRP of around $25, it offers complex notes of blackberry, fig, cassis, and dark chocolate, with subtle hints of leather and tobacco. The tannins are perfectly rounded, and the finish is impeccable. The well-loved Cabernet Sauvignon is not just available to the rich and famous: you can find great quality Cabernet in all price points.
- 48www.modernluxuria.com
- 49September 2022
WORDS BY BERYL
The Path to Happiness for Shawn Oates BACCHUS BY ASHLEY CHAMPAGNE
PHOTOGRAPHY
Following in the footsteps of Brett Kissell, Dean Brody, and Paul Brandt, Edmonton’s own Shawn Oates is next in line to take the stage at the Canadian Country Music Awards
- 50www.modernluxuria.com
- 51September 2022
THE oldest of three siblings, Shawn Oates will talk about the great family he came from, but admits he started hanging out with the wrong crowd in high school, which led him to some bad years of getting into trouble and substance abuse. He credits his music and his family for getting him out of that Takingperiod. his guitar everywhere, Oates acknowledges he wrote some pretty dark songs at that time, but music was one of the things that allowed him to escape and allowed him to get his feelings down.
“When people would ask me why, I couldn’t really explain it, but I could sing it,”
Shawn Oates started playing guitar and singing around fourteen. Country music was not on his radar at the time. He found himself mostly into hard rock and anything that was catchy. He fronted a few rock bands in his teenage years before turning to country music. “The new country sound really intrigued me and I really dug the songwriting and I just got right into it,” he says. You will hear the excitement in Oates’ voice when he talks about this new found direction. “I’ve changed my life completely, and right now I’m all about life, love and good times, and that’s pretty much all I want to write about. The way the world is right now, I don’t want to be writing sad Oatessongs.” has not only collaborated with award-winning producer Jeff Johnson and hit songwriter Rod Black, he has also opened for Canadian country artist Jess Moskaluke and east coast rockers, The Trews. He will be headlining his own show in September in Calgary.
WWW.SHAWNOATESMUSIC.COM
The new music video for This One’s on Me dropped last month, and the song is already at over 100,000 streams. Oates is getting ready for his performance at the Canadian Country Music Awards showcase. “I’m going to play a bunch of songs that I have not released yet. I did a cover of Dust on the Bottle. I’m going to go there, have fun, and see what happens.”
Oates Mostlyremembers.selftaught,
Finding Florals for Fall WORDS BY MONA ROSE BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED Why say goodbye to florals in the fall when you could pick from dried arrangements in earthy autumnal tones or fresh blooms in dark moody hues? Let your creativity flow by creating your own or choose from premade pieces designed to suit any mood.
WWW.FLEURSFLOWERS.CA
Fleurs Flowers Located on Europa Boulevard in West Edmonton Mall, Fleurs Flowers offers luxurious floral arrangements, both fresh and dried. If your style is moody and eclectic, the Amour Heart Box makes a bold statement: dark blues, purples, and greens accentuated with pops of brightness will effortlessly draw the eye to it no matter where the attarangment is in the room. If your home leans towards a more neutral aesthetic but you still want to decorate with a bit of drama, the Luxe Dried Bouquet is quite certainly your dream piece! With height and texture, it is bursting with charm without risking a clash with your decor. Being that it’s dried, with the proper care, the Luxe Dried Bouquet can be a long term statement piece.
- 55September 2022
- 56www.modernluxuria.com
WWW.PAMPASGAL.COM
Pampas Gal Edmonton-based, but online only, Pampas Gal offers a selection of preassembled arrangements and all the styles of pampas, palm fronds, dried florals, and vases you need to take your floral centerpiece into your own hands. Create an arrangement that will not only last you through fall, but also be an excellent accent to your home all year. Dark brown and beige bunny tails and pampas stalks, set off by a black palm frond make for an perfect autumnal bouquet. For those who are already looking past September and into October, tucking a sprig of orange baby’s breath along with the black fronds will tie your bouquet into the rest of your early Halloween decorating.
WWW.LUXEBPAMPASGRASS.CA
While Luxe B Pampas Grass is popular across North America, the Edmonton area can count itself lucky to have the special privilege of shopping in-person at their Leduc showroom. If you are looking to add a dramatic centerpiece to your space, then Luxe B Pampas Grass has the tall, flowy grasses for you. They sell individual stalks in natural hues, as well as in pops of colour, and a number of vases for you to choose from. Once you peruse the arrangements, you will find yourself hard pressed to resist their allure. From light and airy Maui to the moody Cypress, why wouldn’t you want to make one of these artfully arranged floral designs your own?
Luxe B Pampas Grass
- 59September 2022
- 60www.modernluxuria.com WORDS BY BRANDY BELITSKY PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED APerfectPictureHome Luxury meets pleasure in this Audie Benson Estate splendor
- 61September 2022
IF you want a home with a story to tell, this 3.75 million dollar home at 53 Riverridge Road in rural Sturgeon County comes with its own motion picture! “Finding Mr. Right”, an upcoming romcom starring Canadian actors Elena Juatco and Marcus Rosner, was filmed on the .72 acre property. This stunning 4 bedroom, 9 bathroom, walk-out bungalow is the perfect setting for a romance both in fiction and real life.
- 62www.modernluxuria.com
- 63September 2022
Located in Sturgeon County, just minutes from St. Albert, Riverstone Pointe is one of Edmonton’s best kept secrets. You’ll have the best of both worlds with the serenity of the countryside, and the city just a short drive away. Every home on this subdivision is stunning and is worth the drive even if just to take in the sights.
- 64www.modernluxuria.com
The kitchen, located off the dining room, is a chef’s fantasy, boasting high-end stainless steel appliances including an eight-burner gas range stove with a double oven. A gorgeous, circular built-in breakfast nook is masterfully situated off the kitchen with its own windows, filling the space with ample natural light.
Granite countertops and cherry wood cabinets offer old-world charm in this award-winning kitchen, with stone accents throughout. A balcony off the kitchen includes plenty of space for suntanning, barbecuing and enjoying outdoor meals on hot summer nights.
Once you enter through the front door, you’ll be immediately wowed by the detail that Audie Benson has crafted into this dream home, from the 20’ open vaulted cherry ceilings, to an exquisite formal dining room and music room. A wall-to-wall library completes the area with a sliding ladder and lots of natural light for reading.
- 65September 2022
- 66www.modernluxuria.com Why vacation when you can live in your own resort? The master bedroom, situated on the main floor off the living room, includes its own bar, walk-in closet and five piece ensuite with double sinks and a jacuzzi tub.
- 67September 2022
- 68www.modernluxuria.com
From top to bottom, this extravagant home is not missing a single detail and the outside doesn’t disappoint either. The yard is fully landscaped from front to back with double waterfalls, bridges and rose gardens. A drive-through portico offers plenty of space for parking with an oversized quadruple attached garage with its own boot room, and a separate, detached double garage.
- 69September 2022
Head down the stairs to the walk-out basement for all the entertainment you need. The rec room includes a bar, an old-world wine cellar, and a walk-out patio which leads to the beautifully landscaped backyard with stunning country views. A complete movie theater is situated off the rec room including reclining leather seats and a large projector screen. Three bedrooms can also be found in the basement, all with their own three-piece ensuite bathrooms. One bedroom has been converted into a fitness room, complete with a massage area.
Audie Benson Estate Homes is an Alberta home builder with over forty years of experience building custom estate homes in Edmonton and surrounding area. Their tradition of innovative design solutions, quality materials, professional craftsmanship and competent follow-up service gives each of their homes a true and lasting value.
WWW.AB-ESTATEHOMES.COM
- 70www.modernluxuria.com
