November 2021 by The Walleye Magazine

FILM FREE ARTS Vol. 12 No. 11 MUSIC NOVEMBER FOOD 2021 CULTURE thewalleye.ca

Rodney Brown

Live from the Lakehead Sounds of the City Volume X

ALL TOGETHER NOW MUSICAL 30

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ART 44

ALL BANDS ON DECK 74

CURATING THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE 96

Advertising Feature

Join Tbaytel in Supporting a Flourishing Health Workforce in Northern Ontario Meet Dr Kayla Berst By Janine Chiasson

hunder Bay is home for me,” says Dr Kayla Berst. “Once I decided I wanted to practice medicine, I knew how great NOSM was and devoted myself to becoming as strong a candidate as possible so I could train and stay in Northern Ontario.” Even though NOSM has an extremely competitive admission process, her hard work paid off and Dr Berst was accepted right after university, joining a class of learners – many from Northern Ontario – who wanted to study and practice here. Now, Dr Berst is a family doctor with the Superior Family Health Team and she loves it – her teammates, her patients, everything. She credits her exceptional experiences at NOSM for her readiness to practice. “Learning was fantastic,” Dr Berst says, “particularly the third year Comprehensive Community Clerkship (CCC) which I did in Sioux Lookout – a concentrated 8 months where I learned what it’s really like to be a rural physician.” As a part-time teacher at NOSM, Dr Berst loves seeing her second-year students return in fourth year after a huge learning curve to gain invaluable clinical knowledge and skills. In a historically underserved region, NOSM creates physicians for the north by capitalizing on physician’s increased likelihood to practice in their hometowns or where they completed their

medical training. Dr Berst sees this in action. “Now, many of my classmates have finished their 5-year specialty programs and fellowships and they’re coming back to town,” she explains. “It’s great to refer to my colleagues – I know them, I can text or chat with them about a shared patient.” These connected NOSM graduates are becoming the new medical community in Thunder Bay and Northern Ontario – the perfect conditions for better interaction among physicians and specialists, and better outcomes for patients. None of this comes easy. Medical school is expensive – most students end up with a debt load of $200-250,000. Recognizing the importance of investing in people and initiatives that build strong, healthy communities in Northern Ontario, Tbaytel has formed a partnership with NOSM that begins with the creation of a Tbaytel Entrance Award to be awarded annually to three students for $10,000 each. Focused on diversity and merit, the award will help NOSM meet its goals of recruiting and supporting individuals to practice in Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote, and underserved communities. For Dr Berst, Tbaytel’s new award is a natural fit. “I really see Tbaytel,” she says. “When new local infrastructures are created or events being

“I really see Tbaytel... They take care of our neighbourhood above and beyond their telecommunications role.”

staged, I see the Tbaytel logo and their presence there in different facets of our community – sports and recreation, education, medical learning, volunteerism – you name it. They take care of our neighbourhood above and beyond their telecommunications role. It sets them apart from other providers.” When asked if staying Northern Ontario diminished her opportunities in any way, Dr Berst responds with an emphatic, “Heck no. We live in such a beautiful landscape and it’s wonderful here. I’m not a big city person and this is where I want to be,” she says. “I can raise my family in a dream home surrounded by trees, have dogs, go hiking, hang with friends, be active outdoors in every season, celebrate diverse cultures, be a doctor during the week, be a big part of the medical school – and being here makes it all possible.”

DONATE NOW Tbaytel Entrance Award Fund Tbaytel will match your donations to double the impact of your contributions to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. This new giving program will generate scholarship funding for NOSM medical students in Northern Ontario. Tbaytel is investing in our future doctors and we’re asking for you to join us. To learn how you can donate, visit: tbaytelforgood.net

Contents ■ 7 TheTOPFive FEATURES ■9 ■ 10 ■ 12 ■ 13 ■ 14

Editor-in-chief Darren McChristie Editor Adrian Lysenko adrian@thewalleye.ca Assistant Editor Rebekah Skochinski Senior Editor Tiffany Jarva Copy Editors Amy Jones, Bonnie Schiedel

Editorial Assistant Sara Sadeghi Aval Marketing & Sales Manager Alaina Linklater alaina@thewalleye.ca Photographers Patrick Chondon, Kevin Dempsey, Damien Gilbert, Aelin Foster, Chad Kirvan, Dave Koski, Kay Lee, Shannon Lepere, Marty Mascarin, Darren McChristie, Sarah McPherson, Laura Paxton, Keegan Richard

Ad Designers Dave Koski, Keegan Richard, Miranda van den Berg

Reproduction of any article, photograph or artwork without written permission is strictly forbidden. Views expressed herein are those of the author exclusively.

Superior Outdoors Inc. 242 - 1100 Memorial Avenue Thunder Bay, ON P7B 4A3

■ 18 ■ 19 ■ 21 ■ 22 ■ 24 ■ 26

THE GRINNING BELLY DRINK OF THE MONTH BREW IT YOURSELF A Playhouse for Foodies SUPERIOR SIP Cronos Café

■ 29

Confessions Of a Drag Dealer All Together Now Musical THE SECOND MOST PLEASURABLE THING WE DO IN THE DARK. A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES Heathers The Musical

■ 66 ■ 68 ■ 70 ■ 72 ■ 74 ■ 75 ■ 76 ■ 78 ■ 80 ■ 82 ■ 85

The Spicy Way to Save a Stray Through the Storm WALL SPACE: CharKuu 102 EYE TO EYE: With Ryan and Nic MacDonald STUFF WE LIKE All Bands on Deck CANNABIS CORNER Becoming Canadian THE ENTHUSIASTS Goods & Co. Market Aging BIG at Home Low and Slow is the Way to Go

MUSIC

■ 86 Back Under the

Bright Lights Concert Series Returns After Pandemic Hiatus ■ 90 BURNING TO THE SKY ■ 92 Jungle Legend in the North ■ 94 Madonna Lee ■ 96 Curating the Human Experience

FILM&THEATRE

■ 88

■ 30 ■ 33 ■ 34

■ 98 OFF THE WALL

THE ARTS

Def Sup’s 33rd Birthday FROM THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY’S COLLECTION ■ 40 Artisans Northwest ■ 42 Angry, Muscular, Hairy, Queer Femmes ■ 44 A Holistic Approach to Art ■ 46 A THOUSAND WORDS ■ 48 Giinawind Co.

OUTDOOR

■ 50

Beyond Running

■ 52 ■ 55 ■ 56

Writing as an Outlet THIS IS THUNDER BAY Seventy-Five Books and Counting GO LOCAL Thunder Bay Country Market Promoting Unity and Blue-Sky Thinking

CITYSCENE ■ 60 ■ 62

FOOD

■ 36 ■ 39

Art Directors Steve Coghill, R.G.D., Dave Koski, R.G.D. production@thewalleye.ca

The Walleye is a free monthly publication distributed on racks throughout Thunder Bay and region.

Sounds of the City Volume X Rodney Brown Live at the Bedrock The Apollo Live Music from the Lakehead ■ 17 Celebrating 60 Years of Symphonic Music

■ 64

REVIEWS ARCHITECTURE

■ 100 Waverley Park ■ 102 Tbaytel NOVEMBER

EVENTS GUIDE ■ 104 LU RADIO'S MONTHLY TOP 30 HEALTH

■ 106 The Second Dose: Why Bother? ■ 107 Providing Diabetes Care to Northwestern Ontario GREEN

■ 109 The Ghost of Radon THE WALL

■ 110 Surviving ■ 112 HOROSCOPES ■ 113 THE BEAT ■ 114 THE EYE

Telephone (807) 344-3366 Fax (807) 623-5122 E-mail: info@thewalleye.ca

TheWalleye.ca Where can I find The Walleye? thewalleye.ca/where-can-i-find-the-walleye/ Ad Deadline for our December Issue November 15th

106

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From Our Instagram Feed

We'll Do it Live!

ith the return of live music, I can’t help but feel nostalgic about the concerts that I’ve attended over the years. My first was an all-ages Gob show in Guelph when I was a teenager. Like in many high schools, there was almost a clique-like division with what music you listened to. You had the hip hoppers, the country music fans, the folkies, the hard-rockers, and with our small group, the punk-rockers (or to be more accurate, the pop-punk rockers). Live music has the power to do many things and, especially at a time of awkward adolescence, going to that show and experiencing the collective energy was a realization that our small band of misfits weren’t as alone as we’d thought. I still remember fighting tooth and nail at the end of the set for the drummer’s battered drumstick. For years I kept it in my bedroom like a talisman and reminder of that show. Every November we present our annual Sounds of the City, where we celebrate local musicians. For our 10th edition, we’re focusing on the artists, venues, and organizations that bring live music to the masses. No stranger to the stage, singer-songwriter Rodney Brown talks to Tiffany Jarva about staying committed to his Northwestern Ontario roots. Plus, did you know Thunder Bay is Canada’s smallest city to have a fully professional orchestra? Ayano Hodouchi looks back as the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra

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celebrates 60 years of symphonic music. Also in the cover story, Sara Sadeghi Aval speaks to musicians about The Apollo and what impact the city’s long-running music venue has had on them, I chat with the organizers of the grassroots, family-friendly festival Live at the Bedrock, and we profile six musicians who you have to hear live. Keeping with our music theme, we go Eye to Eye with the MacDonald brothers from The Honest Heart Collective, film columnist Michael Sobota shares his favourite musicals, and the Northern Policy Institute examines the music industry in Thunder Bay during COVID-19. Speaking of hitting the stage, we preview Badanai Theatre’s All Together Now and Paramount Live’s Heathers The Musical. Elsewhere in our November issue, we present two new columns: A Thousand Words, where we profile different photographers from Northwestern Ontario, and The Enthusiasts, a look into quirky clubs around the city. In his essay “The Day the Live Concert Returns,” Dave Grohl wrote, “We need moments that reassure us that we are not alone. That we are understood... we are instruments in a sonic cathedral, one that we build together night after night. And one that we will surely build again.” Judging from the pages of our November issue here’s hoping that time is now. - Adrian Lysenko

In Error

On page 11 of our October issue (Vol. 12 No. 10) the story “How Did the Nor’Westers Get Their Name?” incorrectly stated that Loch Lomond Lake is 350 feet/100 m above sea level rather than above Lake Superior.

Featured Contributor

Michelle McChristie

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Michelle fell in love with the city when she moved home after living in other areas of Ontario and Nunavut for about a decade. Shortly after, she and her husband Darren McChristie (editor-in-chief) founded Superior Outdoors magazine, which led to The Walleye. Michelle has been writing for The Walleye since day one and finds the continued growth and evolution of our arts and culture scene inspiring. Like many contributors of the magazine, she’s a huge Neil Young fan and sadly, was born a few decades too late to see him and The Squires play at the 4D and Westgate high school. Check out Michelle’s review of My Morning Jacket’s new album on page 98.

On the Cover Musician Rodney Brown plays a mahogany Guild guitar, which belonged to Sandra Hackler, now his wife, at North Branch Farms Kaministiquia in 1978. Photo by Jeff McKay

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“Experiential learning connects

me to our community” You belong here 6

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TheTOPFive

Novemburger

November 1–30 Various

Patties! Pickles! Buns! The United Way of Thunder Bay’s Novemburger is back and we can’t wait to see what the restaurants will cook up for this year’s event. All month long you can order a signature Novemburger at participating eateries in Thunder Bay (and Kenora!) and chow down for a good cause. Two dollars from each burger sale will go towards the United Way, an organization that focuses on addressing issues of poverty in our community. After you eat your burger, rate what you ate on the United Way of Thunder Bay website and watch for the winners to be announced for most Novemburgers sold and the Novemburger of the year. Do you have what it takes to try them all? Let the burger battles begin! uwaytbay.ca

November 13

NV Music Hall

Scott MacKay

An in-person album release party? Heck, yes. Hot off the heels of their new album release, More Harm, The Honest Heart Collective is kicking it off right at NV Music Hall on November 13. Confessional lyrics, a heartland rock sound, and an infectious energy that will wrap you in its captivating vibe, More Harm’s “inner fire burns bright,” according to Exclaim! Joining them are special guests The Treble, a four-piece alt-rock band from Winnipeg. Please note that ticket holders must follow all COVID-19 restrictions set by municipal, provincial, and federal health authorities on the day of the concert. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. The show starts at 8 pm and you must be 19+ to enter. Gather round and enjoy that live music glow! facebook.com/thehonestheartcollective

4 TBSO’s Good Vibrations November 18 & 19

Hilldale Lutheran Church Can you feel them? The TBSO is bringing some good vibrations this November and you can get your fill of what they have to offer live and in person! Featuring Paul Haas as conductor and Patrick Horn on viola, this show will take you through a four-year journey through the rarely performed C.P.E. Bach (that’s J.S. Bach’s son) symphonies. Then, the TBS Chorus is bringing glory and grandeur to Handel’s Coronation Anthems. Next, Paul Haas will take everyone on an otherworldly trip through Creole song, and the concert will close with Haydn’s rhythmical Symphony No. 101, nicknamed “The Clock.” The concert runs from 7:30 pm to 10 pm. Purchase tickets online or over the phone. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and the doors open 45 minutes before show time. tbso.ca

Cambrian Players Presents Treasure Island

November 17–21 & 24–27

Cambrian Players

Set sail for Spring Street! Cambrian Players is excited to present a great new adventure as they bring Treasure Island to the stage. Written by Robert Louis Stevenson, adapted by Bryony Lavery, and directed by Jordan Blaxill, this classic swashbuckling tale of Jim Hawkins and her quest for treasure. Bloodthirsty pirates and a devious captain raise the stakes for Jim and her companions, who must outsmart the villainous (L-R): Eric Tatrallyay, Kara Coates, and counterparts. A fun theatrical show Andrea Jacobsen. for the entire family, Treasure Island is docked at 818 Spring Street from November 17–21 and 24–27. All shows are at 7:30 pm, except for the show on the 21st, which is a 2 pm matinee. Tickets are available virtually via CanadaHelps.org by searching “Cambrian Players.” Follow Cambrian Players on Facebook and Instagram for future updates. Land, ho! facebook.com/CambrianPlayers

Robyn Dias

The Honest Heart Collective Album Release

Holiday Craft Revival

November 20, 21–26, 28

In-Person/Virtual

Live events are back! The Craft Revival is holding three sessions this year—the first is a swanky night out at Goods & Co. on November 20. Dress up, mingle, sip on a cocktail from Woodside Bar, and get advance access to local artists and makers. Prefer to shop from home? From November 21–26, you can shop online from over 150 vendors. And on November 28, stroll the in-person event in the Waterfront District and at Prince Arthur’s Landing. With over 20 venues and 150 vendors, you can shop to your heart’s content and thrill in an amazing urban market experience. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram for the latest and to read about their new status as a foundation, which will allow them to reinvest further into the arts community. The countdown is on! thecraftrevival.com

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Chondon Photography

where ever you find yourself, be ready with our winter collection

15% off winter casual outerwear with a donation of gently used clothing to Diabetes canada 710 BAL MORA L S TREE T

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F RE SHAIR.LOC AL LY.C O M

CoverStory

Sounds of the City Volume X Live music is life music. It’s concerts that unite us—intimate or elbow-to-elbow, swaying together, singing along even if we don’t know the words. There’s something dare we say slightly magical when a band puts together an album that resonates with periods in our life, or a song attaches itself to a time, place, or person in our life. Music is best when shared. It’s been a long road to the return to live music, and for this, our fifth Sounds of the City, we speak to those who have dedicated their lives to making music and to making sure it’s heard—carrying the songs to us, and to you.

Keegan Richard

-Rebekah Skochinski

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CoverStory

Rodney Brown performing at a Ken Moore Tribute in 2009

Rodney Brown “Sing Me the Songs” By Tiffany Jarva

“M

y first folk festival was an evening spot at Sudbury Northern Lights in 1977,” he says. “It was awesome. The PA was so good. The audience was pumped—they LOVED that I was singing Northwestern Ontario songs, and Damon Dowbak on mandolin blew them away.” After that first live festival performance, Brown was hooked. He would continue to return to Sudbury for many years to come, as well as perform at countless live events throughout his career.

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Brown grew up in the 1950s and 1960s as part of a musical family living in a coal-heated house in Westfort. His dad, Mel Brown, was a well-known country and western singer, rooted in gospel music. Brown, along with his two sisters, would harmonize with his dad, mostly singing songs in church and sometimes at family gatherings. “I had always kind of done it,” he says. In grade six, Brown started playing guitar. “My dad taught me the chords he knew.” Beyond singing at church and

Allan MacKenzie

Paul Jokelainen

Musician Rodney Brown’s first album Freedom in Me was released in 1977. He was only 22 years old. Just before the release of that album, he played his first live musical festival. Decades later, Brown continues to make his living as a musician in Northwestern Ontario. He continues to write, record, and perform live, including being part of this past October’s lineup for the live mini-festival, Heavy Rotation, at Red Rock and Mount Baldy. Rodney Brown at the home studio of Allan Mackenzie in 1977 with family, one of Brown’s first memorable public audiences was in grade eight, performing at an assembly at Kingsway Park Public school. “We played a song by The Animals, ‘Sky Pilot.’ I wasn’t very good at industrial arts and that teacher gave me a high-five after we played.” Brown’s first band was The Drifters; they played on local TV and at community centre dances. “We were just kids, but we still got paid. I might have been in grade seven or eight at that time,” he says. “We had a manager who would cart us around town in a VW van.” The Drifters played popular 1960s music at the time, from Jimi Hendrix to the Bee Gees. “Even back then I was writing my own songs and once in a while would throw in an original song.” In high school, Brown discovered Neil Young’s The Loner. “I loved the way he sang. I loved the teenage

angst,” he says. Bob Dylan was also a source of inspiration. “He opened up the world of folk music to me. Through him, I discovered Woody Guthrie as the people’s poet. Dylan sang about things like unions and mines in northern Minnesota. I’ve always liked the local stories in song.” He also gives a nod to singer songwriters like Eric Andersen, Murray McLauchlan, and Ian Tamblyn. “Ian is one of my heroes, my role models. He produced my first studio recorded album in 1980.” Brown also wrote songs and toured with Tamblyn. During his high school band days, Brown would save most of his original material for coffee houses. “Selkirk High School had some really good coffee houses. And from there I got to tour around and play at all the high school coffee houses.” At Earthshine on Simpson Street,

Paul Jokelainen

CoverStory

Brown performs with Washboard Hank and Reverend Ken at the Sudbury Northern Lights Music Festival (SNLM) In 1989 Brown got paid to work as a musician in a coffeehouse, from age 18 to 20, playing for a wide range of audiences, including senior home residents and clients from the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital. It is where he also met Sandra Hackler, his future wife and mother of two his children, and the inspiration for “Sandi’s Song” on his first album. “My first album was very special to me,” says Brown. “I was writing songs, playing, and recording them; not many people were making independent records in those days. It got international recognition. And it really did a lot for me.” The self-financed Freedom in Me, released in 1977, also includes the musical mastery of some other well-known local musicians like Damon Dowbak on mandolin, Wayne Breiland on drums, and Bill Oryniak on banjo. The musicians travelled on a mobile bus and, because of the desirable acoustics, songs were recorded at churches and halls around Thunder

Bay, including Wesley United Church, Lakeview Presbyterian Church, and the Finnish Hall. Freedom in Me was well-received by critics and was played on radio stations across the nation, including on CBC where he was interviewed often on shows like Morningside. Brown also convinced Select-omatic to include his songs on the local jukeboxes in Thunder Bay. “That was the beginning of my understanding of marketing and entrepreneurship,” he laughs. The album was distributed across Canada and is known in places as far away as England and Japan. “A working musician is what I wanted to be, and this album helped me do that.” When asked why he never left Thunder Bay to pursue music elsewhere Brown pauses and then laughs, “Either I was a coward and I was too scared to make the move, or I just love my hometown so much.” It was tempting to think about moving to Toronto and Alberta especially in the

1970s and 1980s, but in the end, he says, “I know it sounds cliché, but I do really love northern Ontario, the lakes and trees. And I always felt I could do it here.” Brown has toured across Canada. He has played and run workshops in England. For about a decade he focused heavily on children’s music, performing in local schools, and touring southern Ontario. “Kids won’t pretend to like you. You need to keep them engaged by playing echo songs or doing something physical,” he says. In the 1980s, Brown visited Indigenous schools in remote places like Webequie, Shoal Lake, and Grassy Narrows, working with students and encouraging them to write songs about their history. He would play guitar with them, film their songs, bring them home to edit and send them back. In more recent years, Brown has become known for his fur trade-era songs, including “The Big Lonely” and “Map Of Dreams,” which he performed at Stuart McLean’s Vinyl

A family jam with young Rodney Brown with his guitar, his dad Mel Brown standing with the guitar, his mom Inez (wearing glasses) beside him, and his Uncle Milas. Sister Linda has a ponytail and is at the piano with Brown’s aunt Jessie

Café Thunder Bay live show. In the mid-2000s, Brown also played his album The Big Lonely with the TBSO at the Italian Cultural Centre, and then toured his show throughout Northwestern Ontario including Fort Frances, Atikokan,and Kenora. In 2012 he hooked up with the TBSO once again. His music was scored as part of the album Fort William and performed live at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. “It was amazing,” he grins. “I get so much support from Thunder Bay, community groups, schools, and unions,” says Brown. “I can’t imagine doing anything else.” Visit rodneybrown.ca to stay up to date. This winter, Brown is working on a play called What Would Susan Say, featuring songs from The Big Lonely album, delving into the relationship between Susan and William McGillivray. Visit rodneybrown.ca to keep up to date

In the early years, Rodney’s wife Sandra Hackler (now Sandra Brown) helped to manage Brown’s career

Damon Dowbak

Brown, at 18 years old, playing his father Mel Brown’s Stewart guitar from Eaton’s on the stage at the Finn Hall with a winter backdrop

Rodney Brown (centre) performing with Pierre Schryer and Ian Tamblyn (L–R) at 2018’s Live From the Rock Folk Festival in Red Rock

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CoverStory

Aysanabee

Live at the Bedrock

have done it without Elly.” In August, for the second year in a row, organizers held concerts in a backyard in Port Arthur. And for the first time this year, a larger concert was held the following day at Roots to Harvest’s urban farm on Fort William Road. Performers included Aysanabee, Danielle Pollari, Greenbank, Greg Smith, Jean-Paul De Roover, Mad for Trad, Raine Hamilton, and Rodney Brown. Organizers also presented a virtual “best-of” version of the festival last October. “We had a wonderful response in 2020, including neighbours who tuned in from their porches or front steps, respecting the audience limit we had set for the yard,” Tose says. “This summer’s yard event was equally fun, and the larger concert held in the gardens at Roots to Harvest sold out at the 150 limit we set to ensure we were within COVID regulations.” As the administrative coordinator for the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society, Tose shared the story of the festival with their liaison at Canadian Heritage, who let her know a new stream of funding was being established to filter money to arts workers, musicians, technicians, and front of house crew. “Live at the Bedrock seemed

like the perfect avenue for conveying some of those funds to people in our community who had been struggling to find work during the first year of the pandemic,” she says. “So we decided to do the backyard event again but to also have a larger second day open to the public that would provide greater exposure for the performers as well.” Professionals were hired to film and record both festivals. Plus, for the larger public concert, an event coordinator was employed to assist them with social media, ticket sales, and front of house. “Everyone who was hired was chosen for their ability to be part of the community,” she says. Organizers say that the festival was only intended as a fill-in for the Live at the Rock Folk Festival in Red Rock. The festival is usually held in August, but was cancelled the last two years due to COVID-19. “I am very excited if next year we can go back to the Red Rock Folk Festival," McGoey says. Tose agrees. “We all really hope to be back at Pull-A-Log Park next summer enjoying the music and the community created there,” she says. “If Live at the Bedrock has briefly filled the human need for musical celebration and community, we are happy to have done our part.”

Danielle Pollari

Greg Smith

Music Festival Fundraiser Succeeds in Bringing People Together

Story by Adrian Lysenko, Photos by Patrick Chondon

he Live at the Bedrock Music Festival was born from a simple idea. “Caleb [McGoey] seemed to instinctively know that COVID had been isolating people over the winter and that music was a great way to bring them back

Jean-Paul DeRoover

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together,” says Elly Tose, co-founder of Live at the Bedrock Festival. McGoey, the other co-founder of the festival, is just 10 years old. “It was amazing how many people wanted to come to our tiny backyard event,” he says. “And I couldn't

Greenbank

CoverStory

The Apollo

A Tribute to Iconic Local Music Venue By Sara Sadeghi Aval

Adrian Lysenko

or many, The Apollo is a standing legend. A place for new artists, new music, and career-long friendships, the local landmark has birthed many talents. Sadly, after a long battle to keep the doors open, on October 15 the owners announced they were being evicted on November 1. The bar, which originally operated as a restaurant, was in service for over 25 years. As one of the most renowned music venues in Thunder Bay, The Apollo has seen touring bands and hometown favourites take its stage. After speaking to a couple of the musicians who frequented the venue, it’s clear why The Apollo has gone down in the city’s history for live music. Stories of nurturing audiences and friendly staff depict an image of a bar where “everybody knows your name”—a true small-town icon that’s been loved by generations. On Mike Luce’s third night in Thunder Bay, he planned to see a friend’s band play at the venue. The band was coming in from Edmonton and was unexpectedly delayed. Rather than leave, Luce went inside to meet the staff and owners. Luce had just completed music school and was looking to begin providing private music lessons, and after explaining that he was a professional music teacher, he landed his first job in the city as DJ and doorman for the bar. “It was a really special introduction to the city. It’s a great place not only because of the opportunity to play, but to develop your sound and music as an artist. You can get better without the pressure of the Auditorium’s audience,” Luce says. He later went on to form a band with The Apollo’s senior employee

Alex Pederson. Once Luce created his solo act in 2009, he consistently played at the venue, fond of the atmosphere. “It has all the best parts of a bar and a family living room.” The Apollo quickly became a major tour stop for passing bands. Luce recalls meeting all the local bands that played for touring acts. His most memorable evening though, was watching Juno award-winning band The Sheepdogs play a night at the beginning of their career. “Sheepdogs were playing for about five people that night, and look at them now.” The Apollo has always been a home for artists to pass through, share their music, and make memories. Ryan Weber, one half of The Weber Brothers, has a long-standing relationship with the venue. Weber and his brother began singing at an early age and currently tour Canada as their own group, along with being members of The Hawks, Ronnie Hawkins’s Canadian rock band. Although not originally from Thunder Bay, the band has made a home away from

home in the venue, and since their first tour in 2004, the duo has visited the downtown favourite again and again. “Every time we have toured the west we play The Apollo. That’s about 15 years now. We would leave Peterborough, hit Sault Ste. Marie, and drive straight to Thunder Bay. On the way back we would look forward to hitting the city again to be

greeted by the owners,” Weber says. “The owners always gave us a place to stay. When you’re touring sometimes you have van troubles, and they would let us recoup there for days, even a week if we needed.” “Thank you to the owners, and to The Apollo for the great nights,” Weber says. “We are grateful to know them.”

The Weber Brothers performing at The Apollo

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CoverStory

Live Music from the Lakehead Favourite song you cover:

We’ve never done a cover and don’t have any plans to, but “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” by The Smiths would be a fun one to completely mangle. “Police Story” by Black Flag would be fun also.

Best song you’ve written: Peter David Wragg

Of the songs that people can actually hear right now, “Drag the River,” from our most recent record Pariahs. It’s about the river of tears and the cops here in Thunder Bay. Honourable mention: “Renovicted,” which is about greedy landlords.

If you could collaborate with any musician/band, living or dead, who would it be and why:

Alienatör What’s your style/genre:

Post-hardcore. Sludge. Noise rock. Heavy music that’s cathartic and a little weird.

for at least six years now. Our current lineup has been together for about two years.

How long have you been around:

Who’s in the band:

This band played in front of people for the first time on Halloween 2015, as a two-piece. So we’ve been going

Brad King - vocals/guitar, Sean Skillen - bass/vocals, Simon Paquette - drums.

[The] Jesus Lizard, Neurosis, NoMeansNo, Unsane, Cursed, Melvins, Converge, Botch.

What would be your dream gig: It would be great to play a huge festival like Roadburn or something but since we haven’t played anywhere in a year and half, it’d also be amazing to play The Hunger, Tumblestone, or any random

What’s your style/genre:

A mixture of hip hop and pop rap. I sometimes mix it up to keep myself diverse.

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What’s the best thing about being part of the TBay music scene:

Lots of good friends and talented musicians. It’s a big enough scene to be diverse and interesting but small enough to have a sense of community.

Contact:

Email: alienatorband@gmail.com Facebook and Instagram: @alienatorband

Best song you’ve written:

What’s new:

If you could collaborate with any musician/band, living or dead, who would it be and why:

I’ve been making music for almost 10 years now. But I’ve been taking it seriously probably for the past nine months now, after having a big name change and taking my production and quality to the next level.

We’ve had a productive pandemic. We were halfway through writing our second album when everything shut down, so we kept exchanging ideas back and forth and got all the writing done. Now we’re back in shape and recording pre-production demos. The final product will be out some time next year and it’s easily the best stuff we’ve done.

What would be your dream gig:

My best song I’ve written I believe would have to be my song “Teenagers,” which was Top 5 in the Indigenous music countdown.

Sean Skiez

What’s new:

Favourite song you cover:

I do not cover songs but if I had to choose one to cover it would probably be something by Post Malone or MGK. I’ve been listening to a lot of their recent music and it’s got me hooked.

How long have you been around:

weekend show at Black Pirates Pub again. Maybe a good old-fashioned basement or driveway show. Let us know and we’ll come over and annoy your neighbours.

I would probably choose SonReal to collaborate with because he is one of my favourite artists of all time. He’s also Canadian and is just an all-around great guy. His music has helped me out of dark places and has gotten me through rough times.

To tour across Canada playing shows for different Indigenous communities and giving back to my people. Bring live music to places that don’t get live music. My new song “FryBread” is available on all streaming platforms. I’m working hard to potentially come out with my first EP/album in 2022 and just enjoying life and all its glory.

What’s the best thing about being part of the TBay music scene:

Getting to know everyone and sharing our skills and talents with each other. If we don’t support each other then we don’t see an impact. It’s all about mutual support.

Contact:

Facebook and Instagram: @iamseanskiez and @nativepoolboy

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Jake Vaillant and the Town What's is your style/genre:

Jake Vaillant: Gallows humour music for crowded broken elevators and other awkward situations and environs.

How long have you been around:

JV: Well, I was born in 89, and Kyle… I’d say collectively about 66 years—more if you [count] the other guys.

Who's in the band:

JV: The most current all-star fantasy draft boasts the virtuosic artillery of Olivia Korkola on the seemingly enchanted five-string fiddle. And of course the inimitable Kyle Shushack, my real-life cousin, dear bud, and Confidante Comrade-A-Primo in all matters concerning music or the abject violation of canon and future-law. Kyle Shushack: It has been a bit of a revolving door at times—or, like a series of cameos. Jake and I are consistent fixtures so long as geography permits. We have got to work with a ton of unique musicians and acts as sort of stage features in the past, but the new quintet is something special I think we gotta hold onto.

Jess Horricks, a bona fide legend and true troubadour. It has been an elucidating honour to collaborate closely with the both of them.

Favourite song you cover:

JV: Generally we don’t cover tunes, however; we are in the process of trying to get someone to let us mount a theatrical production of Tom Waits’ Nighthawks at the Diner.

Best song you’ve written:

JV: The best song I have written is always the song that I am trying to write or have just cracked and finally realized—the thing continues to grow, takes on a life of its own and comes to teach you and learns alongside you—but the truly best song and moment is that wherein the thought becomes the thing.

If you could collaborate with any musician/band, living or dead, who would it be and why: JV: Hildegard von Bingen…for secret reasons.

What would be your dream gig:

KS: Like a symposium of local bands and acts each joining us to work a tune of ours, everyone bringing a different flavour to the table in one massive showcase and celebration of collaboration and our region.

Contact:

Facebook: facebook.com/jake.vaillant

What’s new:

KS: We are in the laboratory stage with much of our catalogue, polishing, experimenting, writing, and plotting out some proper chats and arrangements. JV: It feels natural and a bit challenging, but in the most exciting of ways: raptured in discovery. We are also going to be working on a film score for a tasty dead-pan comedy dance flick my younger brother Jasper Vaillant has written and will be producing in Burnaby, B.C.

What is the best thing about being part of the TBay music scene:

JV: There is a magnificent air of interconnectivity here. People are willing to take risks creatively and personally and even when artistic differences abound, the artists themselves champion one another and lift one another up with a titanic strength Beethovian vigour.

Matt Migz

grungy breakbeat remix of the original, and something you’d hear in a dark humid room.

electronic music still remains in the U.K. It would be a proper night.

truly built the foundation for the generations beyond ours.

Best song you’ve written:

What’s new:

Since live shows became scarce when the pandemic began, I focused mainly on music production over the last two years, and I have been working with a Los Angeles-based multimedia creative agency called Spaced Visuals. I’ve got to be a part of some really cool collaborations, including one with Megan Thee Stallion and Mortal Kombat. I have also been preparing some new music releases, and the return of the Green House at the Centennial Botanical Conservatory on January 29, 2022.

Contact:

I honestly have a difficult time answering this question, because often the style I DJ can be quite different from the music I produce. For DJing, my heart lies in the sounds of blistering underground techno and tech house. At the same time I love providing a vibey atmosphere, and you’ll find me playing sets that cover the genres of house, hip hop, jazz, and R&B.

How long have you been around:

Last year I released Beat Tape, Vol. 1 and it was a very Phonk-inspired EP. Phonk is an internet subgenre gaining popularity, which takes influence from 90s Memphis rap, jazz, and modern hip hop. My favourite track from the EP is called “Retrograde”.

If you could collaborate with any musician/band, living or dead, who would it be and why:

I started out in the band scene back in 2008, but I have been an independent artist since 2010. Growing up with a music background, this is about the time I started teaching myself music production and DJing, and I was lucky enough to build my performance abilities during the early days of Black Pirates Pub and Crocks.

Justin Vernon, of Bon Iver. From a production standpoint, there are very few individuals who can continuously push a new level of expectation and ingenuity of sound design and place it into a cohesive body of work. I think he would provide unique perspectives of songwriting and production that would be applicable to any genre.

Favourite song you cover:

What would be your dream gig:

I have done my fair share of remixes in the past, but my most current and favourite remix is “Tokyo Drift (Underground Edit).” It’s a fast,

Dream gig would have to be at the Fabric Nightclub in London, England. The venue is such a right of passage for artists, and I believe the soul of

Instagram: @mattmigz Website: mattmigz.com

Ryan Mackett Creations

What’s your style/genre:

Uriel Lubuk

JV: Danny Erickson is my favourite kind of drummer: sensitive, enthusiastic, lyrical. An absolute beauty. Then there’s

JV: Keeping true to our carousel spirit of collaboration-lust and local lore, the dream gig I hold closest to my heart is a sorta Thunder Bay take on The Last Waltz by The Band.

What’s the best thing about being part of the TBay music scene:

How welcoming, supportive, and connected everyone is. You can leave the city for years, and when you return, the people here will make you feel like you have never left. I genuinely miss the individuals who have pushed the music, entertainment, and food culture in our downtown core. They have

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Best song you’ve written:

Our set list is pretty diverse, and we feel each song brings something valuable to the performance in its own unique way.

Keegan Richard

What would be your dream gig:

Reckless Abandon What’s your style/genre:

Rock and roll in attitude... we truly don’t know. Alternative rock? We draw influences from many genres and any music that stems from passion and emotion.

How long have you been around: After spending a long time fine-tuning

an hour of original material, our debut show was February 21, 2020. The literal calm before the storm.

Who’s in the band/group:

We are a three-piece band that consists of Joe Zamal - drums, Kai Leinonen bass/vocals, and Tony Picton - guitar/ lead vocals. A dang solid crew.

We played it on August 28, 2021. The goal was to get up on stage at the Tumblestone Music Festival here in Thunder Bay. There is nothing that can compare to the vibes of that environment. I heard it referred to as “live music for musicians.” Everyone is out there for a single purpose and that purpose is the music. Everything that makes the local music scene so special migrates out to Lappe for a weekend to create the best party of the year. We are forever grateful for that opportunity and maybe we’ll be lucky enough to rock that stage again in the future.

What’s new:

Live shows. Shows are finally happening. So, we have just been taking opportunities as they arise and will hopefully be recording our first album this winter. We really enjoy what we are doing and the insanely positive feedback we have been

Favorite song you cover:

Bernie Wolski: I will speak for the band when I say that our favourite cover is “Dancing Shoes”by the Arctic Monkeys.

Best song you’ve written:

Jennifer Swistun: I have taken a band vote, then thrown the ballots away! I think the best song that we have written is “Weapon of Prey.”

Zack DeJardine

If you could collaborate with any musician/band, living or dead, who would it be and why:

Erik Larson: Earth, Wind & Fire or Red Hot Chili Peppers. I think our style of music (funk/rock) would work well with both bands.

The Thirsty Monks What’s your style/genre:

What do you call a Tasmanian devil frontwoman, musically backed up by potential Tower of Power love children? The Thirsty Monks have struggled with placing an exact label on our musical style for years. But for the record, let's officially classify us as drunk-funk-rock!

Who’s in the band/group:

Jennifer Swistun – vocals/bass,

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Bernie Wolski – drums/vocals, Michael Kennedy – saxophone/vocals, Erik Larson – guitar/vocals, and Richard Tribe – keyboard/vocals.

How long have you been around: The band has come a long way in five years. The Thirsty Monks have been through a couple different bandmates but have locked in with five core individuals.

Michael Kennedy: Jamiroquai would probably be sweet because we love the band already. We could definitely make some pretty sweet acid jazzinfused funk.” Richard Tribe: Tedeschi Trucks Band. All of these artists share the same musical sound and positive vibe that he goes for. JS: Collaborate with Björk.

What would be your dream gig: Any gig at this point is a dream gig! Only because we were not sure when we could play again.

receiving has been a beautiful bonus.

What’s the best thing about being part of the TBay music scene:

Short answer: the band Femur. Long answer: the love. There is something special going on in our music scene. The smiles, the laughs, the hugs, the support, the talent. It’s phenomenal. Even before we were contributing our own art, we felt it and were attracted to it. We have been venturing downtown to check out the many talented artists almost every weekend for many years now. It is now our turn to spread the same energy. We are most excited to see what new bands will emerge from this pandemic situation. Many new young artists that have been quietly practising their art will soon emerge and shake up the scene. And we will have a spot in our future gigs to help provide a platform to show off this hidden talent.

Contact:

Instagram: @reckless_abandon_the_band Facebook: @recklessabandontheband

What’s new:

Thirsty Monks got to play three awesome venues in 2021! We never even thought this would be possible, but we got to play our beloved Tumblestone Festival this year! We were surrounded by a strong community, wonderful volunteers, and an amazing amount of artistic talent. In October, we got to play all over Thunder Bay! These dates included the Save the Apollo Fundraiser as well as THE THIRST 2 at Branch 5 for Halloween. There will be more music on the horizon as we plan to start recording again at the new studio in town, Pickled Egg Studios.

What’s the best thing about being part of the TBay music scene:

Thunder Bay is overflowing with writers, creators, and amazing artists. And now more than ever, the community is reaching out to restore the live music culture that was dormant over the past two years. During the pandemic, the Thirsty Monks took some personal time to write and relax. However, they are now more than ready to start it up again! All the members came back to the drawing board with something new and exciting. So, stay tuned!

Contact:

Facebook: @thethirstymonksmusic

Thunder Bay Museum

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A United Way event on October 4, 1983 at Intercity Shopping Centre with performances by the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra

Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra on stage rehearsal on October 10, 1972

Celebrating 60 Years of Symphonic Music

Thunder Bay is Canada’s Smallest City to Have a Fully Professional Orchestra By Ayano Hodouchi Dempsey

he Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra came from humble beginnings. The orchestra was formed in 1960 as the Lakehead Symphony Orchestra, after two Toronto musicians on their way to Edmonton stopped in Port Arthur because their car broke down. René Charrier and Douglas Dahlgren wandot talking with the musicians and the idea for a symphony orchestra was born. The two ended up moving to Port Arthur, and the first concert was held on November 29, 1960 in the Lakeview (now St. Ignatius) High School gymnasium. Forty-one local amateur musiciansered into Laskin’s Furniture and started playing on the display piano. Saul Laskin g participated. In 1970, the group changed its name to the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, following the amalgamation that year. Music director Dwight Bennett established the Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus in 1974 to complement the orchestra. Bennett started hiring more professional players, and Heather Morrison moved to Thunder Bay in 1976 to assume the role of principal keyboard, a job she kept for

43 years. “It was always my goal to find a community and become a part of it,” she says, and the TBSO provided that exact opportunity. The orchestra attracted young musicians eager for experience. Principal flute Penelope Clarke joined in 1978. She thought she would move on after a year or so, but ended up staying. “Thunder Bay is a really people-friendly town,” she says. “The young musicians that come here, they meet people, they feel supported,” she says. Principal oboe Colleen Kennedy, with the orchestra since 1981, agrees. “The welcoming atmosphere was part of why I chose to stay and have my career here. As a musician, it’s a wonderful feeling knowing that the community supports the arts,” she says. For the orchestra, moving into the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium in 1985 was “a big boon,” says Morrison. “It is one of the best orchestral halls in the country.” “Our orchestra is small, but the acoustics help the orchestra sound a lot,” Clarke says. The TBSO is the only fully professional orchestra between Winnipeg

and the Greater Toronto Area. Although small in size, with only 30 musicians currently, it has gained national recognition and was nominated for the Juno Award in 2019. Its small size has also helped nurture strong collegial relationships. Outside of the TBSO’s performances, many of the musicians form ensembles and perform in the community, enriching Thunder Bay’s cultural life. Looking back at her career with the orchestra, Morrison says the “musical bond” with fellow musicians was the richest part of her experience with the TBSO. If you think we’re lucky to have a symphony here, it’s not luck, points out Paul Inksetter, the general manager from 2000 to 2004. “It’s a lot of hard work,” he says. “And if we don’t do it ourselves, it’s not going to happen. Thunder Bay is actually a very small community to have a fully professional symphony orchestra.” The TBSO has faced numerous financial difficulties, but it has continued to grow, thanks to the dedication of the people of Thunder Bay who willed it to survive. “Just the fact that we are here is a testament to our tenacity,” says Linda Penner, president of the board of directors. “No other city our size in our country has enjoyed this kind of achievement. And for us to have sustained it for 60 years is a remarkable feat in and of itself.” While the pandemic has intensified conflicts between the board, administration, and musicians at many orchestras, that has not happened in Thunder Bay. “The management and board said, ‘We are going to support these people. We are going to find

a way to keep everyone going and paid,’” says Clarke. The musicians responded by putting in extra effort to come up with solutions, planning chamber concerts that could be performed without a conductor, since music director Paul Haas was stuck outside the country. Donors, too, stepped up. “It was very heartwarming to see the largesse of the community,” Penner says. “People spontaneously responded.” Penner, who recently won Orchestras Canada’s 2021 Betty Webster Award for her tireless contributions to the TBSO, says the wonderful relationship between volunteers, donors, musicians, staff, and the board is what keeps the TBSO going. “For me, it’s such a pleasure to be a part of something that’s greater than oneself,” she says.

Live concerts have resumed November 5 and 6 at the DaVinci Centre - featuring Nancy Freeborn November 18 and 19 at Hilldale Lutheran Church with conductor Paul Haas and the TBS Chorus December 2 and 3 at Hilldale Lutheran Church - featuring Dana Gilbert December 10 and 11 at the Italian Cultural Centre Northern Ghost, featuring Nick Sherman, vocals and guitar Go to tbso.ca/events for dates and times, tickes, and safety guidelines.

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Food carrots, winter squash, fennel, onion, etc. need to be started for a few minutes first before adding softer things like peppers, zucchini, broccoli florets, etc. And, if you have picky people at home, roasting veggies could

THE GRINNING BELLY

be your game-changer: flavourful, caramelized goodness. You can serve this with rice, quinoa, or pasta, or on top of a salad, and leftovers can be refrigerated for up to four days, making next-day lunches a snap.

Chicken and Veg Sheet Pan Dinner Serves 4-ish (makes about 8–9 cups) 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced into ½“ cubes 1 small onion, peeled and cut into ½” pieces 1 Tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil (brush/ spray with some oil) or parchment paper. Toss sweet potato cubes and onion chunks with oil and a little S&P. Spread in a single layer on the pan, pop in the oven, and bake for 10 minutes.

1 small head of broccoli, cut into florets 1 bell pepper, cored and cut into ½“ pieces 1 small zucchini, cut into ½” half-moon pieces 1 small delicata squash, cut into ½” pieces 2–3 garlic cloves, minced 2 medium chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 2 Tbsp olive oil Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon

In the same bowl you used for the potatoes, toss your prepped veggies and chicken. Pour over olive oil, lemon, and seasonings and toss everything to coat. Transfer all of this to the sheet pan, and spread it evenly. You may have to use two pans if it’s too crowded. Bake 15–20 mins longer, stirring once halfway through. Check chicken for doneness (165°F internal temp), and make sure the veggies are tender and starting to brown.

Salt and pepper 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

Just Sheet It By Chef Rachel Globensky Bayes

ands up if you want an easy dinner recipe for this week. With staggered return-to-office plans, family gatherings, team sports, and music lessons starting back up after an 18-month hiatus, I don’t blame you. You might think, “But after this week, things will slow down a bit again….” Riiiiiight. Easing meal prep can help lighten the load a bit. Enter sheet pan meals:

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so easy to prep (even ahead of time), cook, and clean up. You can mix and match the protein, veggies, and seasonings based on what you like, and what you have at home. This recipe uses many different veggies, skinless/ boneless chicken, lemon, and Italian flavours. If what I’ve listed here isn’t your jam, please feel free to switch it up. Just remember that harder veggies like sweet or regular potatoes,

¼ c shredded Parmesan cheese

Sprinkle on top and serve with desired side (pasta, quinoa, rice, etc.)

Food

DRINK OF THE MONTH

Christmas Cookie Latte

The Sweet North Bakery Drive Through Story by Rebekah Skochinski, Photo by Adrian Lysenko

ome mid-November, when the last few leaves have fluttered to the ground, we are ready to usher in the holiday season and all of the treats and traditions that accompany it (yes, that includes snow!). Friends, if you love this time of year as much as we do then you will love Sweet North’s Christmas Cookie Latte. Owner/ baker Erinn DeLorenzi uses her grandmother’s cookie recipes to infuse milk with delicious spices and nutty flavours—think gingerbread friends, nutmeg logs, and thumbprint and sugar cookies. Then their Sweet North blend espresso is added before it's topped with a blanket of whipped cream and cinnamon. Warm and comforting, it’s like sipping your childhood Christmas in a cup. As they bid you adieu from the drive through window, they’ll wish you to “have a sweet day,” and with this drink in hand, it’s impossible not to. *The Christmas Cookie Latte will be available as of November 12.

The Sweet North Bakery Drive Through 802 Fort William Road

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‘TIS THE SEASON TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON This holiday season is an extra special one. Celebrate with us at the Thunder Bay Keg. To book your holiday reservation, visit thekeg.com

735 Hewitson Street | 807.623.1960 20

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Food

Heart for Darkness Love of Dark Ales and Lagers

By Josh Armstrong, PhD, Certified Beer Judge

s the temperature drops and the nights grow longer, beer drinkers often shift their beer preferences towards the darkness—dark ales and lagers, that is. Dark brews range anywhere from brown to jet black in colour, and often have flavour descriptions that include things like chocolate, roast, nuts, caramel, coffee, raisin, and others. In the Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad tells the story of Charles Marlow and his journey into the interior of Africa. Here, I explore a lighter subject: the enjoyment found in dark beer. I often hear people say they don’t enjoy dark beers. Perhaps they believe in one or more of the many myths that surround dark beer: that they are heavy, too sweet or too full of calories, not hoppy enough, too high in alcohol, or other common misconceptions. Beer styles like stouts, porters, brown ales, and other dark beer have a very wide range of flavours and characteristics. They can range from malty and bitter to sweet and silky, and everything in between. Some are light, some pack a lot of punch. Don’t be afraid of the dark, you might just fall in love with it. Dark beers get their colour and their roast flavour from deeply roasted malts. Just as with coffee, all malt is roasted to some degree. The darker roasted malts—ones that get heavily kilned, leading to a robust Maillard reaction—provide melanoidins (large

polymeric molecules) and heterocyclics (ring-shaped molecules) that produce the colour, aromas, and flavours that are often associated with dark brews. It is flavours like espresso, dark chocolate, and toasted marshmallow that people tend to enjoy more in the winter months. Locally, we have delicious oatmeal stouts like Dawson Trail’s Oater Limits and Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.’s Skull Rock Stout. Both ales aren’t heavy and despite their dark nature—they are actually quite easy drinking and refreshing. The recently opened Lakehead Beer Co. is brewing an amazing coffee porter in collaboration with St Paul Roastery called In the Ground. The freshly roasted coffee pairs heavenly with the dark beer style, leading to flavours of chocolate, toast, and raisins. For any coffee lovers out there, this beer is a must-try! In addition to stouts and porters, there are a wide range of other dark beer styles that are worth exploring. Czech dark lagers have the smoothness and drinkability of a pale lager, but with a touch of added complexity. For those who attended the Saturday evening session of BrewHa! in September, you might have tried Godspeed’s Tmavý Ležák 12º, a beautiful dark Czech lager that is surprisingly light on your palate. Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. usually releases their “Darth Lager” in the fall—a smooth dark beer with a crisp finish.

Becky is a class act. Highly dedicated to her clients and always goes the extra mile. Thank you Becky! -Monique

(807) 623-3011 BeckyForester.com

BREW IT YOURSELF

Dark mild is an incredibly drinkable style from England, light in alcohol (<4% ABV) but still coming with that rich roast character from the darkly roasted barley. I personally don’t know of any Ontario examples of the style, but now that the border is reopening, head down to Minneapolis and try MPLS Mild at the Fulton Beer taproom. This brew combines six grains to create a garnet brown, silky, and smooth ale that is perfect for any drinking session. With a balanced mix of nutty, roast, and toffee malt characters, you won’t be disappointed.

A final dark beer style that I really enjoy are American brown ales. This style of beer blends the roasted malt character with a punch of American hops. It’s not often that a beer can provide a complex but harmonious mix of both malt and hop flavours, but this style is defined by that approach. A great example is made locally by Lakehead Beer Co.—their Deep Cuts American brown is one of my new favourite beers. Cheers to finding joy in the darkness! “If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny….” - Yoda

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Food he has been able to make his own with its eclectic decor and local offerings, but says he also enjoys the opportunity to be creative with food and to try new things. Stadey is also proprietor of Eat Local Pizza, and the new EatLoco Tacos, next to Brick & Mortar. These guys know the industry, the local market, and the local players. They are passionate about food, and they want to share their foodie excitement with you. Brick & Mortar is both a local grocery shop, and a physical site where Lankinen and Stadey can share their favourite ingredients and kitchen tools with customers. What they insisted on, says Stadey, is flexibility post-COVID. “What COVID taught us is all about building resiliency. Investing in your own logistics is paramount now.” What this means is creating a platform, and providing a location for collaboration. “It’s not about competition,” with other local food

Proprietors of Brick & Mortar Food Co. (L–R) Jim Stadey and Derek Lankinen

A Playhouse for Foodies

Brick & Mortar Food Co. is a Celebration of Food Story by Carrie Ivardi, Photos by Mikayla at Sparks Photography

hile almost every business has had to embrace online sales and curbside pickup, a new business in Thunder Bay is determined to dismantle our turbulent expectations from the past year. Welcome to Brick & Mortar Food Co., located at 18 St. Paul Street. This is a specialty grocer that is so much more, and could prove to be an antidote to some of the past year’s disappointments.

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Proprietors Derek Lankinen and Jim Stadey have compiled their love of food and their combined decades of experience in the restaurant industry to bring some of their wildest concepts to fruition. Lankinen started cooking as a teen, and he’s done the upscale thing, trendy fancy restaurants, as well as fast food. He gravitated to the snack and convenience market because of its lasting power. Beefcake’s Burger Factory in Current River is reliable, and a place

sellers, says Lankinen. Brick & Mortar is a place where other local chefs will be welcome to come and try new things. “Brick & Mortar is the playhouse where we’ll be coming up with kooky concepts.” This is another area, besides their passion for cooking, where both Stadey and Lankinen have experience to share. “We’ll leverage, say, ridiculous nachos, breakfast for dinner, stuff that wouldn’t really work in the long-term, but to try it for a week will be a lot of fun.” These experiments will follow some of the things they’ve tried recently, like Stadey’s Uncle Jimbo’s Marvellous Barbecue Steak Emporium. The things they want to try are on a big—and growing— list, and will serve to help others, as well, as new ideas flow into the grocers that share a kitchen with Eat Loco Tacos. Check out Brick & Mortar Food Co. on Facebook and Instagram @ brickandmortarfoodco.

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Food

New Superior Beer!

SUPERIOR SIP

Lakehead Beer Company Opens Its Doors

Adrian Lysenko

By Jeannie Dubois, Certified Pommelier and Sommelier

Lucas Goerzen of Lakehead Beer Company

hat more could our beautiful mecca of the north need, with yard upon yard of comfy and cosy Buffalo plaid, endless acres of coniferous trees, gorgeous Great Lake water, and ream upon ream of colourfully frosted persians? More fresh, locally brewed beer of course! Enter Lucas Goerzen and

Light Lager:

Full-bodied and flavourful, this subtle, clean, and crisp lager has mild notes of spice, floral German hops, peaches and pears, white bread, and nuts.

Light Ale:

Angus Reid, who have just opened Lakehead Beer downtown to much anticipation. Entering the fold with Sleeping Giant Brewing Co., Dawson Trail Craft Brewery, and the recently opened One Time Brew Co., Lakehead easily fits into the local beer scene with a hip, newly renovated space and great brewing pedigree (think Niagara College

Brewed with a widely assorted malt bill and variety of hops to an easy drinking sessionable strength, this ale would commonly be classified as a pale British mild, although it is more about balance than temperance.

IPA (India Pale Ale):

Formatted after the original forerunners of the American hopcentric movement, this classic IPA is dry hopped (all for aromatics not bitterness!) with Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook.

Pilsner:

Lakehead’s zag on the classic Pils zig. Utilizing a standard Pils recipe with a single, locally produced malt, the cheeky addition of low-key dry hops Spalt Select and American Nobel Simcoe add floral, pepper, and citrus to the aroma.

Find Lakehead Beer Company at 206 Park Avenue, or lakeheadbeer.ca.

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brewmaster!). The taproom features a sunken sub-floor level that hosts the new 10 hectolitre brewhouse, as well as their six stacked fermenters, while the main floor has an airy ambiance that lends itself to the cool behindthe-bar vibe, which features the eight brite tanks that your cool, frothy glass of beer is poured directly from.

Deep Cuts:

A rotating series of uncommon beer styles that are favoured by the brewers. Currently, an American brown (or Cascadian dark ale/black IPA, as you wish) is featured chock-full of nuttiness and creamy chocolate, bracketed by citrusy and resinous notes from the American hop additions.

Look forward to food being catered from our friends at Tomlin Restaurant coming sometime this month in the taproom, and until then enjoy the bar snacks and truly en pointe beer (in a glass or to-go in cans) that Lakehead is brewing up as the newest member of our northern beer community. Cheers!

In the Ground: A

collaborative series of beers created in conjunction with St Paul Roastery. Although the base beer may change, an addition of special selected and locally roasted coffee is a guarantee. Currently, the strong porter features an infusion of Costa Rican light roast and Peruvian medium/dark roast to ensue in an ale rich in milk chocolate and cocoa nibs, raisins, and toast.

Pale Ale:

Lakehead’s premier beer, available only in-house by the glass, is a meditative take on the original style, both balanced and harmonious, with a full malt profile and crisp, mild bitterness from the hop portfolio. Take away notes of herbal tea and orange.

available @

(807) 475-4755

J B E VA N S . CA

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Food

Owner Tom Theodoropoulos

Cronos Café Popular Diner Reopens

Review by Susan Pretty, Photos by Keegan Richard

he smell of coffee is in the air again. Word is out that a favourite diner has reopened, and the patrons couldn’t be more delighted. Owner Tom Theodoropoulos unlocked the doors to Cronos Café in September for take-out, and has recently expanded to dine-in as well. Bring on the nostalgia!

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Cronos Café was known as Lakehead Lunch back in the day (1967–1994). When Theodoropoulos’s father retired in 1994, Theodoropoulos took the biz over and turned it into Cronos Café. On a whim in 2018, he thought “I think I’ll close it at the end of the day and do something else,” and that’s what he did.

He went on to work at a local hotel for 14 months. Although it was a great learning experience, he found the kitchen life a bit loud. Theodoropoulos says he came to the realization he could do basically the same type of work at his own place in a much quieter and thoughtful environment. Customers will find that a lot of old favourites are back, even on the shortened menu, and there are plans in place to add to the lineup weekly until it’s close to the original. The Greek salad dressing is familiar and tangy, made with the highest-quality olive oil and plenty of goat feta atop the veg. When asked to share his secret Greek salad dressing recipe, Theodoropoulos replies wryly, “There are no secrets in the world of the internet. But I’m still not going to tell you!” The bacon mushroom cheeseburger was every bit as tasty as it

looked, crowned by caramelized onions. “My best sellers continue to be the Greek salad and the chicken Souvlaki, although there’s been a pickup in the sales of burgers,” Theodoropoulos notes. We can see why! Not a meat eater? The falafel wrap with fries is a tasty treat, with homemade tzatziki sauce, fresh lettuce, and tomato. And don’t forget the famous big milkshakes available in a myriad of flavours. If you can’t decide between coffee and a shake, just ask for an espresso milkshake. Cronos Café’s whole bean coffee has been roasted in-store since 2006 and is available by the half or full pound. This could make a great stocking stuffer. Cronos Café is open 4–8 pm, Wednesday to Saturday at 433 Syndicate Avenue South, or call 6229700. When you swing by with the fam jam, check out their new sign: “Good food for nice people!”

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FilmTheatre

Confessions Of a Drag Dealer Drag Shows 101 – Part 3

Story by Jimmy Wiggins, Photo by F. Crichton

good drag show involves two key elements: the performers and the audience. We’ve covered a bit about the performers but there are some things as a member of the audience you should know before attending a drag show, especially if it’s your first time. There are some unspoken rules that we follow to ensure that everyone, on stage and off, has a great time. We’re going to go over some basic drag show etiquette so that you and everyone around you have a great experience the next time you attend a show. As always, these are just the opinions of one person and should be used as a guideline and not taken as hardline rules. Remember Who Is Performing While an active audience is a big part of a drag show, it’s important to remember who is performing. Performers feed off the rowdy and enthusiastic energy from the crowd—it helps them get in the zone to put on a jaw-dropping performance, and tells the performers the audience is really enjoying what they’re doing on stage. Cheering, yelling and clapping are all part of the game. But remember not to try to outshine the queens/kings on stage. People are paying to see a drag show, not the “you show.” Be loud, be energetic, and have fun—but be respectful. Also, fans should never get on stage unless the performer invites them up. It doesn’t matter if it’s your birthday or your bachelorette party, or how drunk and/or funny you think you are—it’s disrespectful to both the performer and the rest of the audience. If there’s one thing that will get you called out during a show, it’s walking on stage without permission. It’s the easiest and quickest way to get kicked out of a show. So don’t do it unless you are invited. Tipping It might be gauche to talk about tipping in the regular world, but in

the drag world tipping is customary and is part of the whole drag show experience, especially if you’re in the front row with the best view. The cost of wigs, makeup, costumes, accessories, shoes, etc. adds up quickly and while some performers recycle older costume pieces to make new ones, there comes a point for every queen/ king when they need to update their wardrobe. If you want to see more from your favourite performer, the best way to show support is to tip. How to tip a drag queen/king is an art unto itself. Place the money in your hand and extend your arm towards the performer. Don’t put the cash in your mouth (yuck) or in the performer’s clothing unless expressly directed to do so by the queen/ king. Don’t get on stage or take over a performance space to tip unless the performer invites you. They may not take it right away but be patient. They will get to you. Because of the pandemic, our shows have started offering contactless tipping options for people in the audience who don’t carry cash but still want to show their support. When it comes to how much to tip, in the U.S., a reasonable tip is $1 to $5, but for those queens/ kings who really blow you away with their performance, it never hurts to throw in some extra cheddar. In Canada, we don’t have $1 bills and throwing coins at anyone is always frowned upon so $5 or more is an acceptable amount. You might be thinking, “Don’t these queens/kings get paid to perform?” Around here, the answer is yes, but there are places where drag performers only get paid in tips, or sometimes only the headlining performers get paid. Is it right? No. Does it happen? More often than it should. So if you can spare it, share it. Think about it like you would a server or bartender in a restaurant who gives you great service. Giving a little extra goes a long way and shows your

Mz. Molly Poppinz appreciation for their efforts. At the end of the day it’s entirely your choice to tip at a show and by no means is it mandatory. But if you like what you see and want to see more of it in the future, show some support and tip your performers. Touching/Consent This one should absolutely go without saying but sadly, this is a very common issue at drag shows, especially among people who are attending for the first time. Under no circumstances are you ever touch, poke, prod, fondle, or grab at a drag performer (or anyone else in the audience) unless they have expressly given you permission to do so. These are people performing for your entertainment, not animals at a zoo. Treat them the way you would want to be treated and don’t invade their personal space without invitation. Regardless of how good your intentions are, it is never okay to touch a performer’s body, wig, or makeup. Doing so could result in being asked to leave the show. Also, tipping does not give you a

free pass to cop a feel. If you need to squeeze a silicone breastplate or grab a firmly padded behind, go buy your own. Otherwise, DO NOT TOUCH. I repeat, DO NOT TOUCH. As local queen Mz. Molly Poppinz always says, “Consent is sexy.” Support Local Performers RuPaul’s Drag Race has been many people’s introduction to drag. But the fact is Drag Race is a heavily produced reality TV show and only represents a small part of what drag is as an art form in the real world. Many factions of drag haven’t even been seen on the show, which is why it’s so important to support local acts. There are lots of local or regional queens/kings out there pushing the boundaries of drag and coming up with new and innovative ideas. Just because a queen hasn’t been on Drag Race doesn’t mean their drag isn’t valid or that they can’t put on a really great show. Every single queen on Drag Race was a local performer at one point, so give lesser-known queens/kings a chance by going to their shows and supporting them.

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FilmTheatre

(L-R) Stephanie Stirrup and Emily Gernat rehearsing for an upcoming production

(L-R) Eden Hannah and Tegin Menei

All Together Now Musical Local Theatres Team Up for Global Fundraiser By Sara Sadeghi Aval

ne weekend. Forty countries. Over 5400 performances. Paramount Live and Badanai Theatre have teamed up to bring a piece of the worldwide Music Theatre International (MTI) event to Thunder Bay. All Together Now is meant to be a celebration of local theatre during the pandemic, with

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proceeds going to each local troupe that participates. “Licensing musical theatres shows can usually cost upwards of $20,000, so this is a rare opportunity to be granted free licensing from MTI to perform,” says Candi Badanai, one of the show’s directors. The licensing company released a roster of musical hits for use with

the theme of reflection and hope for the return to live theatre. The local crew has chosen 20 of the 40 available songs for their return to live performances. With Paramount Live Theatre’s youth actors and Badanai’s adult participants, the production is guaranteed to be family-friendly and enjoyable for all generations. The show also offers one of the first opportunities for parents and children alike to perform together. In total, 34 actors were chosen after an open call round of auditions. “This is a true community theatre production. We have people from all different theatre companies from around the city that have come together to make this show happen,” says co-director Robert Perrier.

“Although every local theatre is performing the same concept, each production will be different based on song choice. It’s not just one musical,” explains stage manager Josée Lauzon. “You have classics like ‘Seasons of Love’ from Rent and modern hits like Frozen. There are so many favourites and something everyone will recognize,” Perrier adds. Stephanie Levanto says coming back to the stage as an actor “has been amazing. To come back to a feeling of hope, and to know we will be able to do these things again.” Levanto will be a part of the Matilda musical number. For more information, visit @ plivetbay on Facebook.

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FilmTheatre

Movie Musicals By Michael Sobota

Dear Evan Hansen, today’s going to be an amazing day and here’s why.

- Evan Hansen (Ben Platt), writing to himself in the opening of Dear Evan Hansen

hen I was in university, I stage-managed a kick-ass production of the musical Oliver! It was exciting. I thought constructing a column about movie musicals would be easy and exciting. Foolish thought. From an original draft list of 47 I watched or re-watched 16—not all of them all the way through. Several of the classics I merely sampled to see if my original impressions still held true. Movie musicals are an odd, artificial lot. Even when musical plays work effectively on the stage, few survive a transfer to the big screen, where they inevitably are re-cast with Hollywood stars and made bigger, longer, and badly cut. Here are a few that I think are worth seeing on the big screen. A couple of these are stage-to-screen transfers but two are originals created specifically for the screen. No, not La La Land!

Everyone Says I Love You (1996)

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)

Gathering his usual assemblage of top-notch talent (here including Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore, Natalie Portman, Goldie Hawn, Edward Norton, Tim Roth, and Alan Alda), Woody Allen throws them into his only musical film. He didn’t tell this cast it was a musical until after they signed on, and all of them sang their songs but Barrymore (she was dubbed). Allen weaves a labyrinthian plot punched up with classic songs like “My Baby Just Cares For Me,” “Cuddle Up A Little Closer,” and “Makin’ Whoopee.” His story is about ordinary New Yorkers attempting to deconstruct first loves or create some. His script is one of his best: smart, witty, with dollops of charm and sizzling insights. If you’ve never seen it, watch it for the amazing finale, which begins at a New Year’s Eve party in Paris where everyone is dressed like Groucho Marx.

Co-creators of the brash, original television series, Matt Stone and Trey Parker pushed the boundaries further when they created this original musical film. It was released with an R rating, prompting teenagers to drag along a parent or older friend so they could get in to see it. I admit being gobsmacked at some of the wickedly delicious content. Parker and Trey take the show’s usual characters—mostly kids of school age or younger—and push their “potty mouths” into very adult situations. A highlight of the musical is a song sung by unhappy parents, lamenting the state into which their children have fallen, titled “Blame Canada!”. The song was nominated for an Oscar. This is a great original-forthe-screen musical.

David Byrne’s American Utopia (2020)

While American Utopia was originally put together by David Bryne (of Talking Heads fame) as a staged concert, a friend and critic signaled to him that the music Byrne had assembled suggested a narrative throughline. Byrne took that insight, redeveloped the show, and opened it on Broadway in 2019. He invited no less than Spike Lee to come and see a performance, whereupon Lee immediately agreed to turn it into a film. So what we experience is a hybrid, high-concept film of a staged live performance. In it, Byrne examines the “state of America”—its politics, culture, failings and strengths—with immediacy and edginess. His 20-member cast, all musicians, are constantly moving. They march, dance, and jump untethered from cables or cords in this highly percussive show. Lee’s cameras weave in, around, behind, and above the performers, keeping pace with the energy of the songs and narrative. In the smashing conclusion, Bryne invites us to join the ensemble on “A Road to Nowhere” and it seems exactly the right thing to do.

THE SECOND MOST PLEASURABLE THING WE DO IN THE DARK. A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES

Dear Evan Hansen (2021) Evan Hansen, a high school kid, writes letters to himself as therapy for his social anxiety. After a classmate, Connor, commits suicide, one of these notes is found in his pocket, and this triggers the narrative plot of his timely, complicated, and overly long musical. The weak elements of this movie adaptation (a screenplay by Steven Levenson based on his stage script, with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul) are Ben Platt in the title role—he is 28 years old, and looks it—and Stephen Chbosky’s direction, which typically makes everything bigger visually than it would be on stage. The showstopping song, “You Will Be Found,” begins with Platt stuttering alone in fear. It then builds to what looks visually like an American 4th of July fireworks explosion of faces, full screen. The best things are Pasek and Paul’s music and lyrics, which are intelligent, focused, analytical, character-driven, and empathetic, and the performances of Colton Ryan (who plays the dead Connor) and Kaitlyn Dever (as Connor’s sister Zoe). Despite its length, I got involved in the story.

I could easily recommend a couple dozen more movie musicals for your enjoyment, but here are at least six additional titles for this starter list: 42nd Street (1933), Oliver! (1968), Cabaret (1972), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Hair (1979), and The Lion King (1994).

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FilmTheatre

Heathers The Musical

Paramount Live Presents Adaptation of Cult Classic By Kris Ketonen

parts to that show.” The high school edition of Heathers The Musical is a revised, PG-13 version that makes a number of changes to the original production; among the changes are rewritten song lyrics. “We always try to get the input from our students, and they have always had Heathers at the top of their list,” Candi says. “They couldn’t be more excited.” The show includes a cast of 23 youth actors, who have been rehearsing twice a week in preparation for the November 25 premiere.

“There’s a lot of dancing, a lot of intricate moves,” Candi says. “We just can’t wait to get onto the stage.” This season will mark Paramount Live’s 12th year of operation. Producing director Lawrence Badanai attributes the company’s longevity to the opportunities it gives youth to express themselves and explore who they are. “That really is what builds their characteristics as humans,” he says. “A lot of the children and youth, and into the teenagers, it’s that part that they really like, and why they keep coming back.” “We find that later on, even when

they become teenagers and graduate from high school and they look back on Paramount Live, and they say it was one of the best experiences of their lives to be able to do that.” The new Paramount Live season also includes productions of the youth edition of Footloose The Musical, Four Seasons, Seussical KIDS, and Winnie the Pooh KIDS. Heathers runs from November 25–27 at the Paramount Theatre. For more information, visit the Paramount Live Facebook page @ plivetbay.

ne w

hunder Bay’s Paramount Live is turning to a cult classic to kick off its new children’s theatre season: Heathers. But the production won’t be quite what theatre-goers remember from the 1988 dark comedy film. “Apparently, during the pandemic, [Heathers] got very, very popular within the youth,” Paramount Live artistic director Candi Badanai says. “So, when the opportunity came along that there’s a high school edition, we jumped on that as soon as those rights came available. It’s fun, it’s dark, and there’s a lot of moving

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TheArts

Wall mural by Vicki Nerino, ceramic sculpture by Nathan Cross

Def Sup’s 33rd Birthday Local Gallery Reopens to Public Story by Sara Sadeghi Aval, Photos by Chondon Photography

“T

hese are the things you don’t plan. I guess that's why you call it chaotic. I like to call this exhibit chaotic synergy,” says David Karasiewicz, executive artistic director of Definitely Superior Art Gallery, during the walkthrough of their newest exhibit. The local gallery had its 33rd birthday on October 8 and 9 as part of their annual gala opening. Karasiewicz is standing at the entrance of the exhibit, where the first piece that catches the eye is a three-part piece by Patrick Doyle. The shapes on the canvas emerge as if by natural discovery, and each canvas tells a short story with people and their surroundings. Michel Dumont, an artist in residence at the gallery, stands with fans, taking pictures next to his ceramic bear sculpture that literally sticks out of the gallery wall. The work of Martin King, Candace Twance, and Sebastian Hardy adorns the room.

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There is embroidery, clay sculptures, and oil paintings blended to absolute perfection and collages depicting the past few years as apocalyptic. The smaller showcase room is dedicated to the Die Active collective, with spray paint and mixed media canvases surrounding a sculpture that changes depending on your position in the room. In the basement, the old theatre is showing a continuous stream of digital art films depicting the use of sound and imagery to create visual experiences for the audience. The contrast between the historic theatre building and the modern tech on screen is a unique experience. “The diversity of the show is usually pretty extreme, so we have everything and different levels of artistic excellence,” explains Karasiewicz, as the metal worked canoe hanging from the ceiling sways above us, mimicking waves on the lake. “The juxtaposition

between young artists like boy Roland next to established artists like [award-winning children’s book illustrator] Duncan Weller is incredible,” says the director. Karasiewicz feels good about seeing 33 up on the wall. “Most galleries that have been hit during the pandemic have unfortunately had to close,” he says. “Major

Art by Michel Dumont

institutions. Canadian Art magazine is gone. I’m happy that our art community has remained. The reason we have been able to continue is that our work happens mostly out in the community. We don’t stop at the gallery.” The exhibit is open to the public until November 13. Visit definitelysuperior.com for more information.

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TheArts

Flute By Penelope Smart, Curator, Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Artist: Harold Gesso Thomas Title: Flute Date: 1980 Medium: Wood, leather, beads, and thread Dimensions: 32.2 × 2.7 cm The flute is the sound of the wind. In some Indigenous stories, early flutes and other woodwind instruments were inspired by woodpeckers creating holes in tree hollow branches looking for bugs and termites. Wind blew through the trees and there was music in the air. There are many possibilities for the origin

of flute in North America/Turtle Island, including migration, myth, and cross-cultural influence. Like the wind itself, one single story is hard to pin down. This wooden flute, with open finger holes, was made by Harold Gesso Thomas (1952–1996), a well-known Mohawk artist from Akwesasne, also known as the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation. Thomas came from a family of artists and activists. He was the son of Georgia Thomas and Frank Standing Arrow Thomas, and brother to artist John B. Thomas. An active member of his community, he

FROM THE THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY’S COLLECTION

proudly designed an original logo for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. Thomas’s skills shone in woodcraft and design. Alongside the flute, which features leather and bead adornment, the gallery has five other works by him in our collection, including turtle rattles, bark rattle, small water drum, and a traditional Gustoweh headdress—all objects connected to ceremony, sound-making, and dance. It was clear that Thomas had an understanding, love, and appreciation for Haudenosaunee teachings, as passed on by the Iroquois generation after generation.

In my research, I couldn’t determine if Thomas played the flute or was a musician. His flute, however, led me to the music of David R. Maracle, who, like Thomas, grew up in Akwesasne. If you’re interested in hearing contemporary Iroquois flute music, I encourage you to check out Maracle’s compilations on Spotify and iTunes and hear his (original design) flute come to life (davidmaracle. com). There are many others, too. For further interest, there is also a documentary called Songkeepers (1999) that delves in the story of Indigenous flute music and its key players.

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Peter David Wragg

TheArts

Peter David Wragg

 Scott Robertson is a blacksmith. He will be taking part in the online event this year.

 Jennifer Caie is a fine artist, working on several types of surfaces, in acrylic.

Artisans Northwest

 Michel Riva is a woodworker and woodturner. He will be taking part in the in-person show this year.  Camille Overmeer works with fresh plants, trees and brush that are grown on her own property.

Celebrating 45 (+1) Years

ince 1975, Artisans Northwest has been promoting both creativity and a sense of community for local artists. The non-forprofit organization hosts Thunder Bay’s longest-running fine art show. In their early years, Artisans Northwest would organize multiple craft market events throughout the season leading up to Christmas. Since then, the venues, logistics, and artists have evolved to form their current—and much anticipated— annual fine art and craft show that

40 The Walleye

takes place in late November. The Artisans Northwest Fine Art and Craft Show is a juried show, where artists who are selected to participate are able to showcase their work among their peers. Lisa Ferris, longtime Artisans Northwest member and chair of digital presence, says, “We started out as a group of artists who wanted to support other artists and provide a venue that was accessible but also of a certain calibre.” Over the years, the collective and its events

Peter David Wragg

By Savanah Tillberg

TheArts program this year, with both an in-person and online presence. “We designed this show so that we could ensure that our artisans and patrons could participate comfortably,” says Ferris. Last year was the 45th anniversary of Artisans Northwest, but given the irregularity of the season, they withheld celebration. The collective is thrilled to announce that they will be publicly celebrating their 45th (+1) Anniversary this year as they welcome the community back into their shared creative space. On November 20 and 21, an in-person event will take place at the DaVinci Centre, where patrons can admire and purchase art. From November 22 to 29, patrons will be able to access participating artists’ digital selling platforms through the Artisans Northwest website. A digital guide outlining which artists will be participating in person, and which will be participating virtually is also available. Visit artisansnorthwest.ca for more info.

 Mac Squires does fine art on birchbark, and also is a published author. He will be taking part in the online event this year.  Susan Wright-Cassan is a woodworker and does intarsia. She will be in the online event this year.

 Amanda Strobel is a jewelry and accessory maker. She predominantly works in brass and has added silver to her medium. She is in the in-person event this year.

Peter David Wragg

 Jolene Papich is a jewelry maker. She is not taking part in the show this year, but has been in every other year's show she has been a member in.

Peter David Wragg

 Marg Duncan is a fibre artist. She works with yarn and fibre to knit and felt clothes. She is taking part in the in-person show this year.

 Barbara and Clint Kuschak work on glass and lamps. Barbara does a specialized painting, creating three-dimensional images. Barbara and Clint are taking part in the in-person event this year.

Peter David Wragg

resourceful executive team successfully organized their very first virtual show. For some members of the collective, this was their first-ever experience selling their work in a digital space. Though it presented certain challenges, Ferris says the online show allowed artists to learn new skills and enter new markets. Following the success of their virtual show, Artisans Northwest is excited to have the opportunity to present a hybrid

Peter David Wragg

have varied in size and frequency and Ferris says, “I find it fascinating to look back over the years and see how the histories [of the show] have changed but the goal has not, and that we are still a group of people who are connected through creativity.” Unfortunately, in 2020 Artisans Northwest was not immune to the COVID-19 pandemic, and their regular in-person show was unable to take place. However, the

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TheArts

alongside other local artists. The mural has been in the works since May when the group started meeting on Zoom to make a plan for the community art project. Bohémier’s section of the mural shows two hands reaching towards a spider, and the hands are sprouting flowers and fungi. Spiders are said to represent creativity, as they create their homes from nothing but themselves, and Bohémier says that inspired their art on the wall. “Creativity, in general, was super scary for me, so I thought it was

interesting how spiders, which I’m scared of, represent creativity,” they say. “Those hands represent embracing creativity and embracing that it’s gonna be scary, and to be gentle with yourself. Because those hands aren’t there to squash the spider, they’re there to invite creativity.” You can see the mural on Cooke Street. For more info, check out OatMilkLady on Instagram and Facebook @oatmilklady, TikTok @theoatmilklady and their website at oatmilklady.com.

Angry, Muscular, Hairy, Queer Femmes Art for Those the World Wasn’t Made For By Asia Gustafson Lex Bohémier

ex Bohémier draws angry, muscular, hairy, queer femmes to empower anyone who can relate, and many can. Inspired by their experiences, Bohémier uses digital art and paint to embrace their freedom of expression and “make art for the people the world wasn’t made for.” The artist, who was born and raised in Thunder Bay, has been creating and selling art since they were 14 years old. They started at the Die Active art sale, and now own their own business, shipping out prints, apparel, stickers, and tattoo sheets to a worldwide audience. Going by OatMilkLady, they have developed a style that many people online have felt a connection to, yielding more than 10,000 Instagram followers and 37,400 TikTok fans. An arts and gender studies graduate, Bohémier creates art from a feeling of anger at what the world deems acceptable or not, turning the normal and expected on its head and making art to admire. Bohémier

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looks at themself and others and sees beauty in the frustration female-presenting people face in the world. “As a queer person or as a woman you are going to be villainized no matter what, so you might as well look hot while doing it,” they say. Their artistic depictions show free and confident femmes cursing and doing as they please. “I remember being young and I played [sports] and was always aggressive and people would get bothered that I was aggressive,” Bohémier says. “They were like ‘What are you doing?’ Why are you doing that?’” They continue to have people question them in a similar way for getting mad, and for standing up when others would sit down. Regardless, they continue living life and making art without the judgment of others as they move up in the world as a successful artist and business owner. This summer, Bohémier participated in the painting of a mural as a part of the Solidarity Collective

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Ungodly Hour

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TheArts

inclusion and the natural aspect to health and fitness, providing both motivation and calm for those using the space. However, the most recent addition to Gagnon’s contribution to the city will be a new bus mural, done by Gagnon and six other local Indigenous artists. The bus will be unveiled in the coming months and is a culmination of all the concepts

found in Gagnon’s work. “We need to share our perspective and if that’s through art and murals then that’s how I’m going to add mine,” says the artist. Gagnon is currently showing her newest finished work, Anemki wajiw, at Definitely Superior Art Gallery. Follow her on Instagram @rootveggii.

A close-up view of the Haven Hostel mural

A Holistic Approach to Art

 The Haven Hostel mural, Asutta Aski

Local Artist Creates New Murals for City By Sara Sadeghi Aval

he alleys and forgotten walls of the city have fresh paint on them, thanks to local artists like Shelby Gagnon. Gagnon spent her summer creating four new collaborative murals for the public, all in line with a holistic approach to art. Gagnon is an Indigenous visual artist and has been continuously involved in community projects since graduating from Lakehead University’s visual arts program. Each mural is a combo of spray painting and hand painting, with themes of land, medicine, and healing appearing throughout each, as in her other works. If you’ve ever stayed at the Haven Hostel downtown, you’ll love the new colours surrounding the sides of the building. Gagnon and fellow artist Lora Northway brought to life a mural that pays tribute to the Indigenous ancestors. A tan hide stretched across wooden posts, draped in berries, and a wolf howling at the moon stand next to a Finnish rug depicting scenes of colonial impact on Indigenous people

44 The Walleye

and culture. With an almost surreal technique, and a powerful color palette, they’ve somehow created both a scene from a film and a storybook page on a wall. St. Paul Street has quickly become a hotspot downtown, and passersby can now also enjoy a new piece of local art visible in Cooke Street’s alleyway. Gagnon created the piece along with nine other artists (including Northway) to represent community and solidarity. The design stands out against the black brick wall, focused on “the connection between ourselves and the ecosystem around us,” according to Gagnon. Again, the moon makes an appearance, flanked by fish, rabbits, and berries. The linework connects each element while still allowing room for each to present itself to the viewer. Fitness fans at Rise Fitness studio have new inspiration on their walls, done by Gagnon and Northway as well. Different coloured flowers dripping in water, combined with bold lines, represent

 Gagnon's depiction of a howling wolf at Haven Hostel

 The freshly painted mural at Rise Fitness Studio

 Gagnon's segment of the Cooke Street collaborative mural

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TheArts

A THOUSAND WORDS

Tbay Bambino

T Where the Wild Things Are

Remarkable Wildlife Photography from Atikokan’s Alan Poelman Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photos by Alan Poelman Viral Elk

46 The Walleye

Superior Fox

he animals in Alan Poelman’s Instagram feed @alftown give us a rare glimpse of the wild world, where foxes, wolves, black bears, and great grey owls calmly look right into the camera, surrounded by their natural habitat and rendered in breathtakingly crisp, colourful detail. “They present an intricate kind of gaze; it’s that eye contact,” says the Atikokan photographer. “I’m really, really lucky in terms of my encounters.” Poelman, a social worker who works in mental health, got seriously into photography about five years ago. During his education, he wrote about the benefits of photography as a mental health tool, and he

Snowshoe Selfie

decided to take his own advice. “It’s like a mindfulness exercise—grounding yourself in the present moment, and the experiences that are happening when you’re there,” he says. “So you’re not thinking about past instances or encounters that you might be worried about, or ruminating about the future; you’re really engaged in that moment and focused on capturing either an animal or a very surreal landscape. That’s one of the aspects I like most about photography.” After a shoot, he says he feels lighter, or sometimes rides a wave of excitement for a day after a particularly memorable encounter with an animal, like a recent five-minute viewing of a lynx. A self-taught photographer

Atikokan Lights

who spent hundreds of hours both learning skills online and honing them in real life, Poelman says that he’s best able to come across animals when he gets up very early and spends time driving in likely areas. He explores the northwest as well as other spots in North America, with his camera buckled into the seat beside him so it doesn’t crash to the floor when he brakes suddenly after spotting an animal. A telephoto lens to take clear shots from a long distance is essential, of course, as is the ability to quickly frame the shot and snap the images before the animal moves on. While he’s best known for his wildlife and landscape images, it’s perhaps surprising that Poelman’s favourite

Midnight Milky at Moraine

TheArts

Lynx Encounter locales are in fact urban landscapes. “I actually like taking pictures of urban environments, like cityscapes at night time. Toronto and San Francisco have been some of my favourite places I visited and I enjoy those pictures the most.” Poelman’s work has been featured in Canadian Geographic and Mountain Life magazines, and he’s been hired by Ontario Parks and Travel Manitoba to capture their local landscapes and wildlife as well. He and a fellow photographer are interested in a gallery show someday soon. His ultimate gigs: “Iceland. I've never been there. I’d love to go and do some landscape photography and there’s some pretty cool critters around there as well. And I think it’s pretty cliché for a lot of photographers but an African safari—various large cats, elephants, zebras, giraffes— that would be a dream.” Follow @alftown on Instagram.

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TheArts also an awakening. I thought, ‘Why do I need to know what will happen next? Why can’t I just focus on what’s happening right now?’” Desmoulin envisions Giinawind Co. as an events space, hosting exhibitions, classes, concerts, paint nights, comedy shows, and a variety of other happenings that bring together artists and community members. One of the collective’s main priorities is apprenticeship: she sees it as a space where more established artists can teach and

nurture the next generation. Most importantly, she says, “Giinawind is inclusive. Giinawind means ‘we’ in Ojibway. We are an Indigenous-led and Indigenousfounded collective, but we are open to everyone.” The Giinawind Co. Collective Art Space is located at 311 Victoria Avenue East. On Instagram, follow the gallery @giinawind_co and Desmoulin @ice.bear.studios, or visit giinawind.com.

Musician Benjamin Murray, a member of the Earthling Art Collective

Giinawind Co.

Collective Art Space Opens on South Side By Susan Goldberg

acenia Desmoulin, a self-taught tattoo and mixed-media artist, had been operating a steadily growing tattoo business out of her home since 2017. More and more, she says, clients had been asking when she would take the leap to opening a standalone studio. Her answer was always the same: “When the right space comes along.” And now, the right space has come along. In October, Desmoulin officially launched the Giinawind Co. Collective Art Space. The bright, two-storey space features larger and smaller galleries on the ground floor, with room for offices and studios upstairs. Exposed brick and lots of wood accents give the space an organic feel. “I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for until I saw the space, and then I knew that it was exactly what I was looking for,” says Desmoulin, a member of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation. She recently worked with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks to create the graphic design for its Native American Initiatives webpage.

48 The Walleye

At Giinawind Co. (pronounced with a hard G), Desmoulin will be joined by fellow tattoo artist Dean McColeman, as well as musician Benjamin Murray of the Earthling Art Collective. They hope to expand the collective to include a wide variety of fellow artists who will set up studios, teach classes, and display work. From concept to launch, Giinawind Co. has come together in only a matter of months. “It’s been very fast, and very serendipitous,” says Desmoulinwho normally regards herself as a planner. But if the events of the last couple years have shown us anything, it’s that even the best-laid plans can go awry — as Desmoulin found out this past year when the pandemic, a brain injury, and a layoff forced her to rethink her plans and her priorities. In response, she took herself on a daylong hike to the Sleeping Giant. “I was out there for seven hours, entirely unprepared, with no food,” she recalls, laughing. “There was a lot of crying, a lot of self reflection. I really can’t recommend that anyone else do that, but it was

 Nibiinaabe, Jacenia Desmoulin  Nanabijou, Jacenia Desmoulin

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Outdoor

Beyond Running

Conquering 53 Kilometres on the Casques Isles Trail Story by Kim Latimer, Photos by Joshua Ferguson

Esker Norman featured in the short film Closer: Chasing Balance on the Casque Isles Trail

“W

hen you fall in love with running it seems to happen at a really deep level,” says Esker Norman, an ultra distance runner. You have to dig deep to run 53 kilometres (33 miles) along a rugged trail on Lake Superior’s shoreline. For Norman, it’s mentally therapeutic. That’s what gets him through it—much more so than the sense of competition, though he has that spirit too. He held the fastest known

Casques Isles Trail

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time for running the Casques Isles Trail that runs through Schreiber to Terrace Bay until a group of four male runners broke it this past summer. He still holds the fastest known time for running it solo, and is pursuing more ultra distances. Regardless of the speed, it’s difficult to wrap your head around the sheer determination, grit, and will it takes to run that far that fast, factoring in all the elements and unknowns Lake Superior is infamous for.

“When you're doing something difficult like that for eight hours straight, you hit low points. You know you’re going to face adversity, whether it’s physical or mental,” says Norman. “One of the things that can be really beautiful is to remind yourself in that moment that you're choosing to do it and it’s okay that you're experiencing something difficult. Remind yourself that the outcome of that process is going to be just another celebration of how

powerful you can be when you put your mind to something.” Local filmmakers captured Norman’s run in a short film called Closer: Chasing Balance on the Casque Isles Trail, documenting not only the run itself, but also Norman’s experiences with mental health. His wife’s miscarriage and his anger around that experience are what sparked him to start trail running. On the advice of a mental health counsellor, he tried taking a run.

Outdoor He’d always been active; in his career Norman works with youth in outdoor recreation. He’s an avid cross-country skier and rock climber. However, it was the running that “took over.” “Running is something I’m really passionate about. In the world of outdoor recreation there are studies of ‘the flow state,’ describing when you are in tune with your body and moment,” he says. “The point of meditation is to be present and aware of the things you’re feeling and being non-judgemental of those things. Trail running for me brings this feeling; like meditation, you have to pay careful attention to your foot placement, your breathing, and how you’re moving on the trail. That allows me to be so involved in that moment that I’m very present.” However, the long distances can be a difficult balance for family life. It involves a lot of dedication, time, and early mornings to squeeze in all the training. “The goals get bigger and bigger,” says Norman, which inevitably leads to even more running. Strength training and coaching has helped him prevent injury and run longer, but the single greatest motivator for Norman remains his mental health. He was surprised to learn that’s also the case with other ultra distance runners. “Being able to share about my difficulties with my mental health and the ways running has helped me is a big thing for me,” he says. “Different folks in the running world have told me they’ve taken solace in my story and there are all sorts of other people’s

stories—people who’ve experienced similar personal experiences with their mental health. It’s about finding a way to regulate.” For those interested in trying trail running, he recommends finding a group like the UpRiver Running for motivation, and not to be afraid to explore running short distances and noticing the effect it has on your mental health. “Work at your own level of challenge. For someone that might mean being able to run continuously for two kilometres. I think that is just as worthy, impressive, and exciting as a goal of running 200 kilometres.” Norman says some days will still be hard. “Professional runners remind people that there’s still a lot of hard days,” he says. “But I’ve never had a day where I’ve gone for a run and thought ‘Oh, I regret that.’ It’s always been worth it.”

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CityScene

Writing as an Outlet

Jason Wellwood Pens Book of Lyrical Poetry By Jamie Varga

or many people living with mental health struggles, the dark cavity of isolation

amplifies that pain to the point where we are forced to seek a release of some kind—an outlet that lets us get the thoughts out of our heads temporarily so we can learn how to take on the shadows that try to overwhelm us from time to time. For Jason Wellwood, that outlet has always been writing. This year, he released a book of his work that helped him get through some challenging times called Fuck

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You, I Love You. “I’ve always said that if anything was ever going to happen for me, it was going to happen through my writing, and I can’t just keep writing and stowing it away in notebooks on the shelf and hope that someday something magically happens,” Wellwood says. “So I just decided to start making things happen. I decided I wanted to put something out before I turn 50, and it just snowballed into this book.” A collection of what Wellwood calls lyrical poetry, Fuck You, I Love You is a compilation of his writing over the last decade or so, and it is his hope that sharing some of the experiences he went through will maybe encourage others to do the same. “I would love to believe that I’ll be part of some Orange County moment, where somebody finds my book buried in the sand and it sets them on some amazing life path,” he says. “But more realistically, if

one person reads my book and one line speaks to them and sets them on the right path, then mission accomplished.” Initially starting out with runs of hard copies available by pre-order through IndieGoGo, Fuck You, I Love You is also available through major online retailers, by reaching out to Wellwood himself, and hopefully in some local shops as well. Proceeds from the project will go towards Andrew’s Fund administered through Kelly Mental Health that offers financial assistance to men seeking help, and the Spice Of Life Initiative, a local group striving to help those generally in need of assistance within the community. For more information and other merchandise, including a special edition Hooligan Fuel Hot Sauce, visit fuckyouiloveyou.ca.

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This is Thunder Bay Interviews by Nancy Saunders, Photos by Laura Paxton

Tony: Thinking back to the concert, I would think it was in 1990, me and my wife were in Winnipeg and we went to Riverdance and Shania Twain. I haven’t gone to that many concerts but it was one of the best concerts I’d ever been to.

Kari: My first concert that I ever went to was Bryan Adams here at the Fort William Gardens. I was 13 years old and I remember it because my two big brothers and my big sister took me and I was just a young one so it was just awesome to hang out with my brothers and sister.

CityScene This month, we asked The Walleye readers to tell us about their first concert and why they remember it.

Argentina and Ernestine: The Jonas Brothers. The Jonas Brothers, yeah. In Winnipeg, in 2012. We went together; we’re sisters.

Deanne: The first concert that I can remember would probably be The Tragically Hip. They played at the Fort William Gardens. I remember it because I couldn’t believe that they came here and they were one of my favourite bands.

Tanner: Can I say the most memorable? The most memorable was Rascal Flatts. I’m a big country music guy and I went with one of my best friends. It was in Toronto, down at Budweiser Stage. Just the entire atmosphere of the place was electric—body to body, before COVID—and just incredible to be at. An incredible experience.

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CityScene

Seventy-Five Books and Counting Thunder Bay Public Library Celebrates Book Club Milestone

By Chelsea Cernjul-Marsonet, Community Hub Technician, Thunder Bay Public Library, Photo by Raili Zgrych

(L-R): Lori Kauzlarick, Chelsea Cernjul-Marsonet, and Richard Bee of Mary J. L. Black Public Library enjoy a few of the 150 titles read by the book clubs

ooking back on October, 2014: B.B. King held his last live performance, Malala Yousafzai won the Nobel Peace Prize, Taylor Swift released 1989, and 20 strangers gathered in the Community Program Room at the Mary J.L. Black Library for their first book club meeting. The book club became so popular it had to be expanded into two clubs to accommodate the availability of books. These book clubs have been meeting monthly ever since (minus some time lost due to COVID), and October 2021 marks the 75th book they have read and discussed together. Two book clubs equals 150 books read, 150 meetings, and countless memorable interactions, conversations, and new friendships. The library staff member who originally started the clubs was happy to watch the clubs grow over the years (there’s always a waiting list to join), and was surprised to hear of the upcoming milestone. The book clubs had to transition from in-person meetings at the library to Zoom meetings over the last year, but that has not stopped many members from actively participating and staying connected. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be part of a book club for so long, Mary Lou Warren, one of the

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original members, says, “you become friends, concerned with each other’s lives” and it “takes you out of your comfort zone.” Some of the members have been there for all 75 books. Linda Hughdie describes the book club as a “sisterhood of readers” and filling in meeting dates is the first thing she does with a new calendar. Have all the members loved all the books? “No!” says Tracey Gavin, one of the original 20. “But that is what a book club is all about. It offers up an opportunity to read something you might not have read otherwise, gives food for thought about a number of topics, and perhaps may lead you to your next great read.” If you’re interested in starting your own book club, the Thunder Bay Public Library offers a Book Club in a Bag service, available to anyone with a library card. It features 10 copies of the same title, and a set of questions for discussion as tools to host a book club. The titles offered by the service are popular and in demand. The collection currently has 224 titles, including many local authors such as Marianne Jones and Eleanor Albanese. For more information email bookclub@tbpl.ca and begin your own book club journey.

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CityScene

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(L-R) Kyle Lees, Merk, Bry Kotyk, and Ryan Mackett of Weirdworks Studio

Weirdworks Studio Story and photos by Leah Morningstar

hat do you get when you take four artists and put them together in one space? You get an art collective! Okay, it’s not that simple, but these four talented and well-known artists have done just that. Individually they are Chris “Merk” Merkley, Bry Kotyk, Kyle Lees, and Ryan Mackett; together they are Weirdworks Studio. Merk is a gifted comic bookstyle artist. His work has been featured in graphic novels such as Nowadays and Season of the Dead Hours (he authored that one too). Kotyk is also a comic book-style artist, who has published several graphic novels that follow the misadventures of God, Jesus, and the celestial realm in a long-running story arc called Welcome to Hereafter. Lees, another comic artist, has released two volumes of his humorous comic strips Ski Ninjas. Along with their books, all three also do commission work and have a long history of attending artisan sales throughout the city. They even host a well-established podcast about comic books, pop

60 The Walleye

culture, and other “nerdy” things called Zero Issues Comic Podcast. It is searchable on most podcast streaming apps. The newest member of the foursome is Mackett. Mackett is a bit different from the others because he isn’t known for comic book-style art. His style is a bit darker and focuses on music-inspired abstract designs, watercolour, and animals. So, four artists, but one collective. What is it about having a collective that makes it better than working alone? Many artists, including Mackett, Lees, and Kotyk, have full-time jobs outside their art. Sometimes only one of them is available for events, but with the collective, all artists can still be represented. All four agree that working on your own is fine, but working with friends feels safe and even fun. Merk says there’s definitely something to be said for being part of a group. “As a collective, we can encourage each other, inspire each other, hold each other accountable, and even collaborate on projects.” And Kotyk adds that having a permanent space is convenient. “I

definitely don’t miss setting things up at art shows then taking things down a few hours later.” And why did they brand themselves as weird? “We really wanted the name of our collective to reflect what people can expect from us,” says Merk. It’s a fair assessment. If you wander into the Weirdworks space to look around, you’re going to see some pretty weird prints. The four Golden Girls at the feet of Deadpool is one that comes to mind (Merk). The Care Bears fighting Godzilla is another example (Lees). Kotyk sells coffee mugs that say #1 God on them, plus he has a lot of Ninja Turtle related art. And Mackett, whose art is often inspired

by heavy metal music, is happy to fit into the weird category. All four artists are pretty proud to be weirdos. Their art often flashes to the masses like the fictional Bat Signal, but instead of Batman running to help Commissioner Gordon, it’s legions of comic book fans, pop culture lovers, and self-identified weirdos running to Weirdworks Studio. Definitely run and check out their space: upstairs at the Thunder Bay Country Market, Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Find the Weirdworks Studio artists on Instagram @merkanaut, @brykotyk, @thekylelees, and @ rymack_creations.

The Walleye

CityScene

Promoting Unity and Blue-Sky Thinking

Blue Sky Founder Cindy Crowe Recognized for Achievements By Pat Forrest

riving home from Fort Frances back in 2005, Cindy Crowe suddenly had a vision of what Spirit was asking her to do. “I had been receiving spiritual guidance for some time and all at once I could see clearly what I was

The Walleye

supposed to do with my life. You might call it divine intervention,” she says. That vision was Blue Sky Community Healing Centre. Blue Sky began in Crowe’s living room as a grassroots organization that welcomed participation from anyone

interested in learning more about Indigenous culture and practices. Moving to its downtown Thunder Bay southside location in the fall of 2013, Blue Sky rapidly became known as a welcoming place for all, from Elders, youth, and people staying at Shelter House to

community leaders and members of other local organizations. The centre has helped literally thousands of people learn about and participate in the lives of Indigenous people through interactive engagement and a non-judgmental style. Crowe bought a new home with 135 acres of land in Neebing in December of 2017 and the Thunder Bay commercial space was closed a year later. With access to bush property next to a conservation area and Lake Superior, Blue Sky is now able to offer land-based teachings and opportunities through programming, gatherings, and ceremonies to reconnect with Mother Earth and move forward on self-discovery and self-healing journeys. Crowe has likened Blue Sky to a potluck dinner where everyone brings something unique and interesting to the meal. “It’s a place to try something different in a warm and welcoming environment,” she says. In recognition of her work with Blue Sky, Crowe was recently named a finalist for the 2021 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards for the Social Change Award: Regional Impact. Her work was singled out from a pool of thousands of nominees and there are now 23 finalists across the nation who have been selected in seven categories. Crowe’s category will recognize female entrepreneurs who have made a profound and positive impact in society and who are dedicated to their unique brand of social change at a local or regional level. Representing the Central Region, Crowe is one of three regional finalists being recognized in this category. The winners will be announced and celebrated at the 29th annual awards gala, held virtually on Wednesday, November 17. The ceremony will be livestreamed around the world. Crowe says that, regardless of the outcome, she feels like she has already won. “No matter what happens, I’m grateful for the recognition and the exposure. I hope to inspire other individuals to embrace social change,” she says. Visit blueskycommunityhealingcentre.ca.

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RapportCU.ca 2021-10-13 10:30 AM The Walleye 63

CityScene

The Spicy Way to Save a Stray Hooligan Fuel Hot Sauce Fundraising Campaign Returns Story by Leah Morningstar, Photo by DZ Photography

n January of this year, residents of Thunder Bay were introduced to Kevin Cernjul and Kimberly MacKenzie, owners and proprietors of Hooligan Fuel Hot Sauce. They started Hooligan last summer, during one of the many lockdowns. Bored and wondering how to pay the bills, they decided to try out some family recipes for hot sauce. They experimented, tasted, handed out samples to friends, and perfected their recipes. They jumped all-in and their hard work has really paid off. The sauces are now available at multiple retailers and restaurants around town. The Hooligan brand has become well known and the customers are loving it. One thing they’ve always done,

64 The Walleye

since the beginning, is give back to the community. Supporting Thunder Bay has always been very important to Cernjul and MacKenzie and they’ve donated products to many fundraisers and loaned their time to many important projects. One of their favourite causes is that of animal welfare. Cernjul and MacKenzie adopted two cats (Cola and Biscotti) a couple years ago and found that being cat owners brought so much joy to their lives. They both care so much about the well-being of pets and have taken particular interest in helping connect families to rescued cats that need homes. This is the second year of the Hooligan Fuel Hot Sauce “Save a

Stray” fundraising campaign. Last year, animal rescue organizations really felt the financial strain from pandemic lockdowns and restrictions. “Last year we were able to donate over $1,300 to Save a Stray for supplies and operation costs,” Cernjul says. MacKenzie adds, “I hope we can donate even more this year—anything to ease the financial burden that comes with caring for these wonderful animals.” Part of the proceeds from each bottle of Crandemic, a flavour of hot sauce made with real

cranberries, will be donated directly to Save a Stray. Crandemic will be available online, as well as at several retailers all over the city, including Beefcake’s Burger Factory, Nomad, George’s Market, Dawson General Store, The Cheese Encounter, Agostino’s Deli, Fresco’s Deli, Creekside Nursery & Garden Centre, and Eat Local Pizza. Donations can also be made without a purchase via the Hooligan Fuel website. Visit hooliganfuel.com for more information.

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The Walleye

Matt Prokopchuk

CityScene

Through the Storm

How the Branch 5 Legion is Managing the Pandemic

live music—all crucial money-making ventures. Rob Cutbush is the Royal Canadian Legion’s vice president responsible for the Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario region and says the national organization has dedicated funds for individual branches to help with the bills, and that assistance from the provincial and federal governments has also been available. Cutbush, who is also a past president of Branch 5 and currently its property chair, says that the northside branch— which is typically very active with in-person events—was able to pull through, thanks to already being in good financial shape “with funds for a rainy day,” as well as making use of national legion and government assistance. And now, with indoor events once again allowed—with public health measures in place—Cutbush says that it’s nice to see Branch 5’s calendar filling up again. “Everyone was missing out on the social atmosphere,” he says. For information on upcoming events at Branch 5, follow them on Facebook. That’s also where the Waverley Park Remembrance Day ceremony will be streamed.

66 The Walleye

this year. One thing is clear, however— that with capacity limits almost guaranteed to still be in place on indoor and outdoor gatherings come November 11, Myllymaa says that, like last year, wreaths will be laid by legion officials rather than by members of the public, and that observance by the public will have to be done virtually, instead of in person. “We often have between 80 to 100 wreaths that go on that cenotaph, so just the logistics of managing that amount of people and staying within the rules […] is just too hard.” Planning for Remembrance Day is far from the only challenge area legions have faced during COVID. Pandemic restrictions forced branches to close their doors on two separate occasions since March 2020, shutting down things like inhouse food and drink sales, fundraisers, and other public events like

 Wreaths laid at the base of the cenotaph at Waverley Park at the 2019 Remembrance Day ceremony  A close-up of the inscription on the Waverley Park cenotaph

Anna Buske

bout one month prior to this year’s Remembrance Day, Katriina Myllymaa knew the November 11 ceremony, for which she leads the planning, would look different than on a typical year. But she wasn’t yet completely sure how. Myllymaa is the first vice president of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Port Arthur Branch 5, which is responsible for Thunder Bay’s northside ceremony at Waverley Park. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the observance would typically see about 1,000 people come to the historic greenspace to honour Canada’s veterans, Myllymaa says, as well as hundreds of current and former soldiers, cadets, and other representatives taking part in the ceremony itself. In an October interview with The Walleye, Myllymaa says that she was still awaiting confirmation on whether troops and cadets would be allowed to participate

Anna Buske

By Matt Prokopchuk

OF CLASSES % 60 STUDENTS 90 with less than

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 Negative showing the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Branch 5 Legion building opening at 229 Van Norman Street in 1950

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IN CANADA

 Negative showing the interior of the Branch 5 Legion building at 229 Van Norman Street during the Haggis Procession at the annual Robbie Burns Club Dinner in 1951  Negative showing the front of the new Branch 5 Legion building at 229 Van Norman Street in 1950

(Primarily Undergraduate, Maclean’s Magazine, 2021)

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CityScene

WALL SPACE

CharKuu 102

Adrian Lysenko

Boreal Forest-born Charcuterie By Adrian Lysenko

CharKuu 102 butcher Phil Boucher

that the pigs root up, their butcher, Phil Boucher (which aptly translates to “butcher” in French) took The Walleye on a tour of the homestead, specifically where things go from raw to ready.

 Arrows Arrows stencilled on the floor indicate the path CharKuu 102’s product takes from the time it arrives to the time it will eventually head out the door for consumption. Steps include processing the animal, going in the freezer, and curing.

Adrian Lysenko

rom speck to Italian salami to gourmet sausage, CharKuu 102 produces artisanal charcuterie from their heritage breed pigs. Tucked in the boreal forest off Highway 102 in the same woods

68 The Walleye

Adrian Lysenko

CityScene

 Sharpening the Scimitar Knife “I worked as a gaucho. We had to sharpen our knives every day, and it was like this one. We were using that one tableside, so it had to be really, really sharp,” Boucher says. “So they’re all in good shape.”  Recipes Written on the walls of the space are the recipes for the charcuterie products. This includes the percentage of salt or other ingredients to the weight of the meat. CharKuu 102 does an equilibrium cure instead of a salt box method because they believe it’s more precise and gives them more leeway on the amount of time the pork has to be in the cure.

Adrian Lysenko

 Prosciutto From the pig’s hind leg, these prosciuttos take a year to cure and will be ready on December 1. This will be the first round of prosciutto that CharKuu 102 has produced after experimenting with the ratio of salt to the weight of meat to find the perfect balance.

 Serving Up Speck One of the most popular items CharKuu 102 offers is speck. Cured and cold smoked, the heritage pork shoulder is seasoned with juniper, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

Scott MacKay

 The Drying Room An environment with controllable temperature and humidity, this is where the meat is hung until it’s ready to go.

The The Walleye Walleye 69 69

CityScene

EYE TO EYE

Honest Heart Collective's Ryan and Nic MacDonald in their old Westfort stomping grounds

With Ryan and Nic MacDonald As told to Adrian Lysenko, Photo by Kay Lee

yan and Nic MacDonald from the Thunder Bay rock band The Honest Heart Collective pride themselves on heart-on-sleeve storytelling in their music, so it’s no surprise that the brothers have the same openness when interviewed. We spoke with them about blue-collar jobs, guilty pleasures, and what’s been the hardest during the pandemic. On binge-watching: Ryan: Ted Lasso is probably my favourite right now.

The Walleye

Nic: The Morning Show is good too. At this point in my life, I think I get a bit guilty when I spend too much time in front of the TV. R: Oh yeah. I’m like, “I should be playing my guitar.” The pandemic was kind of brutal. I spent pretty much the whole month of January sitting in my underwear playing video games and watching Netflix. On guilty pleasures: R: I took up golf. I can’t really afford to golf, so I feel guilty about that.

N: You picked up the rich man’s habit. R: But I do love it. N: Honestly, YouTube. I find myself going into these insane YouTube rabbit holes, most notably fantasy BookTubers (like book reviewers) because I really love fantasy novels and I’ve got a decent collection coming along now. But I find myself watching more of their videos than I do reading the books. On working odd jobs: N: This is the funny thing. Ryan’s had a zillion jobs. I’ve mainly had one. R: I was a paperboy. N: We shared this paper route for a little while. R: Yeah but then I took it over. It was four blocks. So picture tiny 11-year-old me with two big bags every Saturday morning. [I] can fucking barely walk out the door. I had to walk half a block to even start those blocks over in Westfort. N: What a horrible job. R: My whole life I’ve had almost 30 jobs and I’m 30 years old. I just could not hold one down properly because the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do was play music. On what hit hardest during the pandemic: R: Losing live music and that ability to play live. N: There was a time where I put all my instruments down for like six months. R: Yeah, we just stopped. N: I didn’t even feel like a musician anymore. You still look on the Spotify stuff and that validates you and says “Yes, you are a musician and you’ve done these things and you’ve had these experiences.” But I’m not doing it right now and I haven’t been doing it in like six months, so am I even that anymore?” On favourite teachers: N: We went to Hyde Park Elementary, Kingsway Park Elementary, Westgate High School. R: Like a couple of true Westfort boys. N: A teacher that stands out? Paul Caccamo. R: Paul Caccamo. 100%. Basically Paul took a huge interest in what we were doing just because from a business standpoint, there was this business element to it, and he’s just a huge music fan.

N: He’s just a really cool guy and he’s a union guy. R: He works for the teacher’s union, he’s the vice-president. N: Yeah, he’s not teaching anymore. Our values just aligned. He was authentic to his students, to the ones that cared. R: He never gave us the impression that playing music was a dumb idea. N: Yeah, or a pipe dream. On not playing live shows during the pandemic: N: It’s been really hard for me in the last two years because when you’re not playing live, you’re not actually seeing the effects of your music on people. Because you never see the effects of music on people, really deeply. But at least when you play live you can say, “I gave these people a really good time tonight. I saw smiles on faces, I lifted spirits, I did my small part in—” R: In making someone’s week better. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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Avenue II Community Program Services (Thunder Bay) Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Avenue II Community Program Services is a non-profit organization that supports adults with a developmental disability. Avenue II services include employment, residential supports, community activities and customized passports services. The Nomination Committee is seeking applications from community members over the age of 18 years who are interested in joining the Board of Directors for a 3 year term who share the interests of the organization. Meetings are normally held from September to June. Please submit a resume to the:

Nominating Committee C/O Avenue II 122 S. Cumberland St. Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5R8 Or email to humanresources@avenueii.com Or email to avenueii@tbaytel.net Check out our website at: avenueii.com

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CityScene Rome Cast Iron Double Square Pie Iron

Stuff We Like

Chaltrek

For Sandwich Day By Amy Jones

Max’s Picnic Book

ovember 3, 2021 marks National Sandwich Day, and as it approaches we can’t help but wonder what John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, would make of his creation today. From lunchboxes to trendy cafés, from church basements to Michelin starred restaurants, from bahn mi to po’boy to PB&J, there is a sandwich for every person, every meal, and every day of the week. No matter whether you prefer mustard or mayo (mayo all the way), white or brown bread (brown), or what side of the hot-dog-as-sandwich debate you fall on (it most certainly is not), there is room for all of us in the sandwichsphere. Here is Stuff We Like for National Sandwich Day.

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196 Algoma Street South We all have our go-to sammies, but sometimes it’s good to shake things up. Written by the proprietor of Max’s Sandwich Shop, a cult restaurant in north London, Max’s Picnic Book will get those creative juices flowing, and maybe even help you find a new fave to take with you on your next al fresco dining experience.

404 Balmoral Street It might be called a pie iron, but its true calling is sandwich toasting. Think about a buttery, gooey grilled cheese toasted to golden brown perfection over a campfire and eaten under the stars. Now try to stop thinking about it. We bet you can’t.

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Mustard

Beeswax Wrap

Tomlin

Three Huggers

tomlinrestaurant.com Because we are an equal opportunity publication, we’ve reserved space in this column for both mustard and mayo. And even the staunchest mayo advocates will have to admit that Tomlin’s mustard, made with Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.’s 360 Pale Ale, is kind of the bomb.

threehuggers.com It’s time to upgrade the waxed paper of your childhood with this beeswax wrap from Three Huggers. Made from cotton, Canadian beeswax, pine resin, and jojoba oil, these wraps are a reusable alternative that keep food fresh longer because of their breathability. One pack comes with a small, medium, and large wrap, covering everything from tea sandwiches to giant hoagies.

$21.99

Kitchen Nook

168 Algoma Street South When something is good, people like to describe it as “the best thing since sliced bread.” But as dedicated sandwich aficionados, we would like to respectfully disagree. Slice your own bread to your exact perfect thickness with this stainless steel Zwilling bread knife—or even cut the crusts off if that’s your thing. We don’t judge.

$195

Roasted Garlic Aioli Nomad on Bay

307 Bay Street You know a sandwich is fancy when it’s not just made with mayo, but with aioli. And you know a sandwich is going to be delicious when it’s made with Nomad’s creamy, tangy, roasted garlic aioli. Boom, your sandwich just levelled up.

The Walleye

The Whole Hog Bread

Both Hands Wood-Fired Pizza & Bakery

Little Doo's Farm/Facebook

Zwilling Pro 8" Bread Knife (Scalloped Edge)

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297 Park Avenue To some, bread might just seem like a vessel for all your sandwich fillings. But for the true sandwich lover, the bread is an integral part of the whole. And what could be better than a loaf of this wood-fired sourdough from Both Hands, made with Brule Creek Farms whole wheat flour to cradle your brilliant creation in its soft, crusty embrace? Not much, we’d say.

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Reusable Sandwich Bag Juniper Bee Studio

etsy.com/shop/ JuniperBeeStudio While you’re upgrading, ditch the plastic ziptops in favour of these 100% cotton reusable sandwich bags. Lined with a waterproof PUL inner fabric, they’ll stand up to your sandwich no matter how juicy your tomatoes or how heavy you want to go on those condiments.

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Tokehouse.ca 2021-10-08 2:2373 PM The Walleye

CityScene

By Samrul Aahad, Economist, Northern Policy Institute

his September, at the Thunder Bay waterfront, the stage was set for the return of the Wake The Giant music festival. It was certainly a welcome sight given the pause on in-person events during COVID-19. Indeed, music is a huge part of Canadian culture, and Canada has produced many big-name artists. As well, Canadians have supported the performing arts industry passionately. According to the 2016 General Social Survey, seven out of ten Canadians went to a performing arts, artistic, or cultural event in 2016. Over the last two years, the number of performing arts companies has remained roughly the same across the communities of North Bay, Greater Sudbury, Elliot Lake, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, and Kenora: there were 74 companies in 2019, and there are 73 companies in 2021. In June of 2021, there were 26 companies in Thunder Bay, the highest compared to the other six communities. On the other hand, the number of people working independently

The Walleye

in the performing arts sector is a different story. With many of us spending more time at home during the pandemic, it seems more people were able to explore their passion for music. Thus, it seems that this part of the sector has seen a bit of a boom in some communities. Three

of the seven communities experienced an increase in the number of people working independently as artists, writers, and performers. More specifically, Greater Sudbury saw the biggest increase, from 21 to 31, followed closely by Sault Ste. Marie, from 5 to 14. However,

Thunder Bay, Timmins, and Elliot Lake, all saw a decrease of one independently working artist between 2019 and 2021. Now this isn’t to say that artists from Thunder Bay aren’t making an impact. Using artist stats from Spotify, total monthly listeners for a sampling of musicians ranged from the tens to the hundreds and even the thousands. Coleman Hell has 685,030 monthly listeners alone, followed by The Honest Heart Collective at 44,541. Stats also showed that listeners came from around the world including Los Angeles, Mexico City, Sydney, New York City, and Amsterdam. In order to maintain that impact and aid in the recovery of the arts and entertainment industry in Canada, investments have been made. In addition to $50 million in funding by the federal government, the Ontario government has committed to an investment of $2.5 million through the Unison Benevolent Fund’s COVID-19 Relief Program. More resources can also be found through Cultural Industries Ontario North, an organization dedicated to supporting film and music in Northern Ontario. As we continue to recover and reopen, make sure to grab your ticket and hop in line. And, of course, give a shout out to your favourite local bands and independent artists!

CityScene

On Every Corner, In Every Neighbourhood? A Look at Cannabis Retail

CANNABIS CORNER

e had other things on our mind back in April 2019. For those of us following the cannabis industry, it was an agonizing time. The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) was finally granting retail stores licences and two were promised for northern Ontario. What outrage, then, when we found that both stores were in Sudbury! Fast-forward two years and one ongoing pandemic later, and Thunder Bay now has its choice of cannabis retailers. By my count, we have nearly twenty stores in the city, both local and franchise, with some retailers operating multiple stores. The rapid expansion has, understandably, made a lot of Thunder Bayers wonder: how many cannabis stores does the city need? Local retailers can see how much the industry has evolved in such a short time. William Reynolds, a supervisor/budtender at Toke House’s Westfort location, says “The kind of questions we’re getting, the science-based way people are discussing cannabis and all the different products… it makes our staff need to be knowledgeable, to be able to meet their requests.” After establishing a second store in Current River

and third in Dryden, Toke House is in a good position in the local cannabis retail market, but it’s difficult to say what that market could look like in a year. Ontario is exponentially expanding the number of cannabis retailers. Recently the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) made headlines when they met their 2021 goal of approving one thousand retail licences for Ontario, an astronomical increase from the 100 licences they had granted by summer of 2020. AGCO is following a mandate that dictates trusting licensed cannabis retailers in an open market to keep communities safe from the black market. The strategy seems to be slowly working, as each quarterly report shows more and more of the black market being eroded by the legal one. Established markets, such as Colorado, have proved that a ratio of one store per 10,000 people meets the demand, but that means that the AGCO has only granted a third of the licences that Ontario could eventually support. While our 13 stores might match the city’s population, everyone knows that Thunder Bay also acts as a hub for the north. We might

Adrian Lysenko

By Justin Allec

still see an increase in stores, as it’s not the municipality’s decision, either. When the idea of cannabis retail was first floatd in Ontario’s Cannabis Licence Act, municipalities only had one option: in or out. The actual number of licensed retailers would be decided by the AGCO through association with OCS. The Act does not let municipalities decide the number of stores or their locations, save that they are 150 meters from schools. Even if AGCO grants more licences to Thunder Bay, it doesn’t mean success. Despite research showing that at present, no cannabis retailer has gone out of business and that 90% of all legal cannabis

purchased is through retail, in areas of Toronto they’re seeing situations where four stores show up on the same block. Anecdotes of stores making five to ten sales a day are common. While I don’t think Thunder Bay will approach that level of saturation, it does empower the customer. With so much selection for stores—which nonetheless all draw their product from the same source, the OCS—the traditional factors for retail success must then come into play: location, a store’s aesthetic, price, and customer service. The competition is just getting started.

Lunch, Dinner Apps & more:

(807) 623-8775 snpcatering.com @saltpeppertbay The Walleye

CityScene

John Potestio giving a lecture and book signing at the Thunder Bay Museum

Becoming Canadian Memories of an Italian Immigrant By Wendy Wright

hen John Potestio immigrated to Canada at the age of 14, he could not have known the ways in which being Canadian would seep into his whole being. Emigrating from Grimaldi, Italy after WWII, Potestio and his family began their new experience and adventure in Canada in Halifax, then took the train through Montreal and finally settled in their new home of Port Arthur. Along the way, Potestio was introduced to

The Walleye

Canadian ways and started to get acclimatized to his new country. Once in Port Arthur, those introductions continued. There were language barriers and differences in customs and traditions, but Potestio’s family grew into their life in a new country. Flourishing in a new world would be a challenge and adventure that Potestio took on, and he eventually became a proud Italian Canadian. Thunder Bay Museum Historical Society has released Potestio’s new book, Becoming Canadian: Memories of an Italian Immigrant. It is a tale of a new immigrant and his integration into what is now his home country. What started out as writing down stories of his life for his grandchildren became a book that would benefit the wider public. “I realized as I was writing that there were many things that could be of importance to others. As I wrote, I came to see that immigration stories can have a broad audience,” he says. Potestio considers himself a Canadian with strong Italian roots. Upon visiting Florence, Italy years after coming to Canada, Potestio recalls seeing a young traveller with a Canadian flag on his backpack. “I

felt something. I didn’t really know what it was, but I felt this sense of pride in being Canadian. This feeling that Canada is where I’m from. I hadn’t realized how attached I was to Canada.” Taking a trip through time and travelling with Potestio

is entertaining and thought-provoking. It continues to be a life well-lived. The book is available through the Thunder Bay Museum online at thunderbaymuseum.com, or in the museum gift store.

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CityScene

At a Measured Pace Author Doug Diaczuk Wins Again By Justin Allec

or most people, writing a novel would be akin to running a marathon, a handy metaphor to toss down when

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describing a long, difficult ordeal. Those comparisons fail for local author Doug Diaczuk. He’s celebrating the recent publication and release of his second novel, Just Like a Real Person, by Anvil Press. The feat becomes even more impressive when you consider that Just Like a Real Person won the 2019 International 3-Day Novel Contest—and that it was Diaczuk’s second time winning. So how do you pull off what many would consider to be the impossible? Diaczuk, just like any athlete, emphasizes practice and more practice. After six years as a lead reporter for TBNewsWatch. com and strong literary background anchored by Lakehead University’s English Master’s program, Diaczuk felt ready to tackle the 3-Day Novel Contest for the first time in 2015. “I had been writing a lot, not just

for work, but doing reporting really taught me how to get words on the page quickly without hesitating,” he says, “I set word count goals each day, and even though I fell short, the story still came together.” Chalk, Diaczuk’s debut, would go on to win a 2016 Northern Lit Award and earn Diaczuk his first publication. Amazed at his success, Diaczuk couldn’t help but eye the calendar for the next opportunity to enter the contest. By 2019, Diaczuk again felt ready. Far from masochistic, he describes how he goes about the contest: “It’s a misconception, you know, where you expect [during the contest] you would just drink all the coffee and eat candy and stay awake for three days, but I tried to take it easy. I set word goals for each day, ate well, slept as much as I could…I even went out on the second night, just to sit with a friend and get my head straight.” Diaczuk is fairly calm when discussing the experience, but Just Like a Real Person goes to some weird places, although that might just be a consequence of writing up to 10,000 words in a day. Whereas Chalk was experimental in its approach, using the second voice, Just Like a Real Person follows a more traditional—albeit unreliable—third-person stream-of-consciousness style. This allowed Diaczuk to get words down faster and chase the story, leaving traditional author worries by the wayside. Having won the contest twice now, Diaczuk is looking to take a bit more time on his next novel, though

he can’t deny the attractiveness of a firm deadline. He’s confident that a method that balances both the intensity of the contest and with his already considerable skill will let him follow his next story idea, as well as the one after that. Find Doug Diaczuk’s books at Entershine Bookshop or anvilpress.com.

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CityScene

Market space in the former Eaton's, at left is Loud Women Collective's boutique

Goods & Co. Market

Food and Community Hub in Former Eaton’s Building Opening Soon Story by Kris Ketonen, Photos by Keegan Richard

hunder Bay residents won’t have to wait much longer to experience a new food and community hub in the north core. The doors of the Goods & Co. Market, located inside the former Eaton’s building, are expected to be open in the coming weeks. “Everything is going really well,” owner-operator Maelyn Hurley says. “We’re down to the crunch, just trying to line up the last few details. There’s a lot of moving parts, but it’s definitely looking more and more

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final every day. We’re hanging up vendor booth signs, and decals on the windows, hours of operation on the door.” The 20,000-square-foot space will include 25 permanent storefronts, a number of pop-up shops, an art centre and gallery, a bar, and a strong sense of community. “I want it to be a space that everyone feels comfortable in, and that they can feel like they’re supporting our local business scene,” Hurley says. “I want it to be a major tourism

The Woodside Bar's slatwall and seating

attraction for Thunder Bay.” One of the vendors who will be operating out of the market is Jacqueline Johns, who’s opening a bakery there called Uncommon Baked Goods. Johns had been living outside of Thunder Bay for the last 20 years, and was showcasing her baked goods on Instagram. That led Hurley to reach out about Johns becoming part of Goods & Co. “It was really exciting to me to hear something new like this being started,” Johns says. “I made the decision to come back for the opportunity, because it just seemed too good to pass up.” Johns says she’s been working to get the Uncommon Baked Goods spot finished up, and aims to be operating sometime in November. “I hope it’s just kind of a larger meeting space where everyone can gather,” Johns says of the market. “I hope that it brings everyone together, and we can just kind of be a fun, happy community.” Paul Pepe, the city’s tourism manager, says the market will be a good thing for Thunder Bay’s north core. “It brings over 20 new businesses to the core,” Pepe says. “It’s a great infill project in terms of use of the space, and re-utilizing it, and

CityScene reopening it to the public. It creates more density, more things to see and do.” Pepe says the market will play a key role in developing the city’s tourism sector. “These kinds of experiences build and build and build off of one another, and they all serve to keep visitors in the community a little longer,” he says. “The longer you can keep a visitor in a community, the more they spend, and the more chance they’ll stay another night.” For more information, visit goodscomarket.ca.

Storefront glass, installed by Open Mind Interiors

Signage for The Woodside Bar, by Despres Metal Artwork

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CityScene

Aging BIG at Home Fostering Connections Among Seniors

Story by Kat Lyzun, Photo by lissalaine photography

s far as Nancy Angus is concerned, aging is nothing to fear. She has worked with seniors for more than 30 years, and learned valuable lessons about living a good life from her own mother, Sis Angus, who lived to be 102. As a member of the “seasoned” crowd now herself, Angus was inspired to create a social program for seniors based on the principles that governed Sis’s life: hug, smile, walk, talk, help. The Age BIG program aims to connect people 60 and older through bold, inquisitive, and grateful (BIG) actions and to help people live and age in place, in their own homes. Along with providing

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social connection, engagement, and friendship, Angus and her team develop events, programs, and services that align with seniors’ needs, values, and interests. “I think some people are afraid of aging, but there are things you can do to be proactive in your life and your homes to stay healthy,” she says. “The ‘bold’ in Age BIG, to me, is always lifelong learning. Instead of a bucket list, I like to think of it as a bouquet—things you’d like to try in your life, or revisit to add to your bouquet.” Angus intended for Age BIG to be full of in-person social gatherings, but that plan was scuttled by

the pandemic. Instead, she leaned on her two young and tech-savvy team members, Melissa Dafoe and Kassandra Fernandes, to set up Age BIG @ Home as a 13-week virtual session. It worked phenomenally. Over the last year and a half, participants have enjoyed everything from cooking lessons and haiku

writing to discussions on bird watching and geology. The exercise component is always popular, Angus says, particularly when modeled by fellow seasoned people. They also appreciated one-on-one coaching to learn how to use their devices and navigate Zoom meetings more confidently. “One of the biggest compliments I think we had was hearing that people were scheduling their [medical] appointments around their Age BIG sessions,” laughs Angus. “They didn’t want to miss it! We call ourselves the cosy couch community, and I think they really felt included and comfortable. That was really important to us.” As part of their strategy to encourage aging well at home, the team also offers sessions on “Little BIG Home Hacks,” where people share tips and hacks they use in their own homes to make things a bit simpler or easier to use. They also share information on trustworthy local businesses that can help out with things like yard work, cleaning, and decluttering. The fall session of Age BIG @ Home is underway, but there are more sessions to come. The next “Little BIG Home Hacks” presentation is free, via Zoom, on November 19 at 10 am. There will also be a presentation on “Bubble 8: Building Your Age-in-Place Team” on December 3 at 10 am. For more details and to register, visit agebig.com or call 627-3564. All are welcome.

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CityScene

THE ENTHUSIASTS

Low and Slow is the Way to Go

Thunder Bay Metal Detecting Group By Deanne Gagnon

(L–R) Ryan Cameron and Trevor Bellin of the Thunder Bay Metal Detecting Group

even years ago, Trevor Bellin purchased his first metal detector, a hobby he had been interested in pursuing since childhood. After searching online forums for fellow metal detectorists in Thunder Bay without any luck, he formed the Thunder Bay Metal Detecting Facebook group. Ryan Cameron stumbled across Gellin’s page while also looking for local metal detectorists. They connected and have been hunting together ever since. Initially, the group only consisted of five members, but has since grown to 130. Cameron credits the pandemic with their increase in members. “Part of the reason why it has grown so much is COVID because people are looking for

something to do,” he says. “At one point it was hard to buy [metal detectors] because more people were getting into it.” The group shares unique and interesting finds, and is a place to ask questions about metal detecting such as where are the best places to hunt and what are the best kinds of metal detectors. People have even asked for help finding lost jewelry. You don’t have to be a metal detectorist to join the group; there are lots of members who simply like to see the treasures people find. “A medallion commemorating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1896 from London is one of my favourite finds,” Bellin says. “That and my cartwheel penny—a penny produced in 1796. It was the one year

this penny was made and I found one. Some metal detectorists hunt their whole lives and never find something like this.” Cameron was hooked once he found an old silver coin. “It’s kind of like fishing—you don’t know what it is until you get it to the surface. That is the excitement, that and the story behind the find,” Cameron says. “Look at a coin from the 1700s. It travelled through time from England to here, to some spot on the ground. If only it could tell you how. How many people have touched it? Did it buy someone a beer? It's kinda cool to think about how it ended up there.” They do most of their hunting in city parks and last year when Boulevard Lake was drained, lots of

people turned up with metal detectors eager to have the opportunity to explore the bottom of the lake. Cameron offers some tips for beginners. “Swing it back and forth at a slow pace and as low to the ground as you can. There is an etiquette to metal detecting: leave it better than you found it, take your garbage, if you find something you might be able to find the owner of, return it, if you find someone else’s hole, then fill it in. As long as we don’t make a mess in the parks then they shouldn’t give us a hard time about it,” he says. For more information or to check out some of their cool finds go to Thunder Bay Metal Detecting Group on Facebook.

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Music

Back Under the Bright Lights

The Accomplished Alfie Zappacosta Returns to Thunder Bay By Michael Charlebois

lfie Zappacosta has never stopped. The 68-year-old ItalianCanadian musician has spent over 40 years in the music industry and can still deliver the smooth subtleties of 80s pop, rock, and jazz with ease. He loves performing, and with COVID-19 restrictions lifting across Canada, he’ll be able to get back to it after a two-year stoppage. A true

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journeyman in the industry, his two November shows at the Port Arthur Royal Canadian Legion Branch 5 will offer a return to regular life for Zappacosta and his fans alike. “I take great, great comfort in going back and forth across Canada,” he says. Zappacosta immigrated to Canada from Italy when he was only six months old. “I was pretty sure I wanted to be a hairdresser,” he says.

His affiliation with music was only through his brother’s band, and reasons for joining were largely superficial at first. “I thought: join the band, have fun, meet girls.” In the late 1970s he joined the band Surrender, but label executives immediately identified Zappacosta as the charismatic figurehead. He’s done a lot of different kinds of work under the umbrella of the arts: acting, singing, musical theatre, writing commercials. But his big break—the one that allowed him to make the arts a lifelong pursuit—was getting his song “Overload” on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack in 1987 alongside the likes of The Ronettes and Patrick Swayze. “It was kind of like a winning lottery ticket,” he says. “All of a sudden Dirty Dancing was the talk of the town. I felt incredibly elated by the

whole thing. It took us out of the cockroach-infested apartment. It got the kids through school.” From that point forward, Zappacosta acquired the time and resources to do what he wanted to do. He’s consistently put out albums every couple of years since the 1980s. His latest, Saved, was released in 2021, and is sure to be a staple of his newest set of shows. “Some people will think it’s wonderful, some people will say ‘I’d rather not.’ I just know that I did a very good record.” Zappacosta will be in Thunder Bay for two shows at the Port Arthur Legion on November 12 and 13. Tickets are $30 and are available at the Legion Club Room 3.

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Music

Concert Series Returns After Pandemic Hiatus Tour de Fort brings Juno Winners, TV Stars to Fort Frances Stage By Kris Ketonen

fter a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tour de Fort performance series is returning to the Fort Frances Townshend Theatre this winter. And excitement is building, Charles Fisher, president of the event’s board of directors, says. “I think people are very excited,” he says. “In August, we did sort of a relaunch outdoor show at Rainy Lake Square. We had four acts at that one, and the people that came out were really happy to be able to come back and do something that’s kind of normal. Already, people [are] asking about tickets, and how it’s going to work. It’s going to be different, but it’s still going to be a great season, and we’re going to get through it and then hopefully be more back-to-normal next year.” This year’s Tour de Fort series begins in early November, and runs through to May. Fisher says Tour de Fort organizers are putting measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the performances. “We’re at 50% capacity for the theatre, so our capacity goes down to 215,” Fisher says. “We’re going to have to practice masking, social distancing, and you’re going to need to have proof of vaccination to be able to get in.” Fisher says tickets will only be available for individual shows, as opposed to previous events that allowed patrons to buy one pass for all six performances. “We have to be very bang-on with what our numbers are due to the capacity issues,” he says. “We need to know that there’s exactly 215 people coming in.” For more information, visit tourdefort.com.

Tour de Fort Performances

November 3 - Middle Raged, a sketch comedy show featuring Geri Hall (This Hour Has 22 Minutes) and Gary Pearson (MadTV, Corner Gas) November 29 - Chantal Kreviazuk’s Christmas is a Way of Life, My Dear January 14 - DRFTR and Sleepy Jean February 10 - Twin Flames April 15 - Avery Raquel May 5 - Whitehorse

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Music

Poiseon Bild & Text

BURNING TO THE SKY

Charlie Watts

The Heartbeat of the Rolling Stones By Gord Ellis

harlie Watts was one of my musical heroes. Although I’ve never been a drummer—and kind of fear sitting behind them— watching Watts behind his Gretsch kit has always brought a smile. He was the calm in the storm that was (and still is) the Rolling Stones, and provided a steady hand when things got a bit too crazy, which was often, when it came to the world’s greatest rock and roll band. His death this past August 24, at the age of 80, was a shock, and a time of great sadness for rock and roll music lovers around the globe. Charlie was a steady rolling man, but he was not a metronome. He played to Keith Richards’s guitar, and so when Keith took flight, Charlie was there. That magical connection is the key to so many of the band’s greatest songs. Perhaps the most famous Charlie Watts/Keith Richards

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opening salvo is found on “Honky Tonk Women.” It is actually a cowbell that you first hear, but then Charlie is there, rolling in with that incredibly funky 2/4 drum beat. Nothing too fancy, but right in the pocket. The song continues and Charlie Watts is right up front in the mix, laying it down. Yet some time just before the classic Keith guitar solo, the song speeds up. It is subtle, but you can feel the excitement. Charlie is driving it, in the moment, double timing a bit, building to the finish. Then, he ends the iconic three minutes and two seconds with a cymbal crash. You can’t program that kind of thing. Then there is the classic Charlie Watts moment in “Bitch,” from Sticky Fingers. This propulsive, sweaty rocker is just one of the many riff-based songs the Stones pumped out effortlessly between 1965 and 1973—there would be

many great songs after this period, but those were the golden years. “Bitch” starts with the full band, and Charlie is right there too, of course. He punctuates the vocal and the guitar with snare shots and cool little Charlie drum fills. It is all so loose-limbed and funky. Then, once again, during the Keith Richards guitar solo, the beat turns around ever so slightly. You barely notice, as there is so much going on, but Charlie navigates it so brilliantly. How it happened, or if he made it happen, matters little. It works and is exciting. This is not click track music my friends. You can only make this kind of rock and roll standing in a circle as a band who has a killer drummer. I always loved how Charlie’s kit looked on stage. He was a minimalist and played a Grestch kit from the late 1950s that included ride cymbals that were decades old. It was vintage gear, but not for show. He played everything on the kit. The other incredible thing about him was how all the power of his playing seemed to come through his sticks. He moved remarkably little when he played and lacked the extreme physicality

of many classic rock drummers. He was a blues and jazz player at heart, right down to the way he held his sticks. His simple trick of omitting the hi hat on the 2 and 4 beat was just one key to his deep grooviness. That aesthetic bled over into the Rolling Stones sound and set them apart. They were a band that could swing like a bebop band, primarily because Charlie was the time keeper. Watts avoided the limelight, didn’t play drum solos and apparently hated everything to do with the rock and roll lifestyle. He loved jazz, his wife Shirley, and playing with his lifetime friends in the Rolling Stones. I’ve been a lifelong Stones fan but only finally got to see them in 2013 on the 50th Anniversary tour. The band was brilliant and the show amazing. When Jagger did the introductions and called out Charlie, his was the loudest ovation of the night. Everyone loved him, and what he stood for within the band and in music. Charlie Watts was the heartbeat of the Rolling Stones and will be sorely missed.

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Music

Jungle Legend in the North Marcus Visionary Brings Rich History to Atmos By Michael Charlebois

ver the course of three decades, Marcus Sills (a.k.a. Marcus Visionary) has played an essential role in popularizing jungle music in Canada, and maintaining its cultural relevance in the underground scene. Born and raised in Toronto, Sills was immersed in the world of DJing just as the style known as jungle music was gaining popularity in England in the early 90s. Jungle is known as the forerunner of drum and bass, and was largely developed by disenfranchised producers in London, England, who began experimenting with faster tempos and

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darker basslines. Toronto and London have long been connected through a generational web that links them both to the anglophone Afro-Caribbean culture. Sills, whose parents are Guyanese, took all of the moods and rhythms of his upbringing and fused them into a brand new genre. “That sound really kind of stuck because it was multicultural and had a little bit of everything: reggae, techno… it sounded like the future,” Sills says. “I think it’s that melting pot of sounds. It’s a fusion of everything I love.” Sills says pioneers like Potential Badboy, Rebel MC, and artists from

the label Reinforced Records are still his biggest influences. In his own right, Marcus Visionary is very much a pioneer for keeping the sound relevant in Canada. He plays everything within the world of jungle and drum and bass, which he says has ballooned into a very diverse genre since the early days. “I’m a DJ. The more diverse you are, the more bookings you get. So I learned how to play and appreciate all the different styles.” His knowledge of the genre and its place in history, however, is vital, and he still prefers a set that allows him to showcase that history. “I’m

still really attracted to the underground jungle sound,” Sills says. “The music I find is a little more honest, cutting-edge, and a little more soulful. I love being able to play something and kids tap into it right away. They can hear where drum and bass came from.” Marcus Visionary will be performing at Atmos on November 12 with local support from Lysis, Rhombi, and Tension. Marcus Visionary’s music is available on Mixcloud and SoundCloud.

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Music I’ll go up there for a year or two.’ And here I am, still here 27 years later.” Lee says the past two seasons have been challenging ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But there were some positives, as well. “Without an audience, musicians, I found, really responded with new levels of creativity and invention,” she says. “I think we’re really witnessing a transformation of the music industry.” “The world is discovering the need for art and music, and more than ever, people need beauty in their lives,” she says. “I think I speak for all of my colleagues, we are really pumped to get back… we certainly missed it.”

Madonna Lee Violin, TBSO

By Kris Ketonen Born: Seaforth, Ontario Instrument: Violin Age you started to study music: Violin at age 7 How long have you been with TBSO: 27 years What’s on personal playlist: Bach cello suites, Beethoven overtures Madonna Lee’s start on the violin was a matter of practicality. “I have eight siblings,” Lee, a violinist with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, says. “We all played music. My mom and dad thought if they kept us really busy, we wouldn’t get into trouble; I don’t know if that’s true.” “I’m the second-youngest in my family,” she says. “Since I had two older siblings who were already playing violin, it seemed like a

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practical choice.” Lee has built a long career around the instrument, and she says the lyrical qualities of the instrument and the challenge it offers are big parts of the appeal. “My hands are independent of each other,” she says. “It’s not like the piano, where you’re playing the same thing with both hands. I love the tone, and the register.” Lee studied at Wilfrid Laurier University before earning a diploma at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She then earned a degree at the University of Toronto, and soon after that, the TBSO was holding auditions in the city. “They had flown an audition panel to Toronto to listen to candidates,” she says. “I was already in the area. I auditioned, got the job, and I said ‘Oh,

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Lieutenant-Colonel Darla Oja presents Jennifer Hyslop, Chief Executor Officer with Canadian Mental Health Association with the Canadian Forces Liaison Council Certificate of Appreciation for support and time off given to Captain Kari Ranta-Ojala. Captain Ranta-Ojala was supported on numerous training requirements, which included time-off to complete his Logistical Officer course, participate in Operation LENTUS (Forest fires in B.C) and Operation LASER (Canadian Armed Forces response to worldwide pandemic).

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Scott Mackay

Music

Jamie Sky reading a love letter to live music

Michelle Addison at the Wake the Giant 2020 Festival

Curating the Human Experience Live Music Connoisseur Finishes Passion Project By Sara Sadeghi Aval

ichelle Addison’s job title should be “curator of the human experience.” Her talent for creating human connection between bands and their fans with live music concerts make her the ultimate fan and professional.

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Addison’s crush on music at a young age turned into a full-blown love affair after seeing Honeymoon Suite, a Canadian band that had gained popularity while she was in high school. “I was waiting outside, and the band had shown up early so

Ryan MacDonald reading a love letter to live music I got to go inside for sound check.” After showing the lead singer the handwritten lyrics on the band’s album, he gave her a guitar pick. Now Addison carries guitar picks with her every day, from picks from her first band signing and favourite concerts to an anniversary pick from her husband reading “I Pick You.” If you can’t tell by now, the woman loves live music. During the pandemic, Addison created an Instagram passion project called Love Letters to Live Music, featuring letters written by both fans and musicians to remind everyone how much we need and miss live music. Now, with live music slowly returning and the project ending, its substantial impact is clear. “Arley Cox wrote a poem inspired by this, Greg from Lukewarm and The Cold Ones wrote a new song once we asked him to write a letter, so many fans submitted their own love letters,” Addison says. Addison has since transformed four of the letters into short films, with Scott MacKay’s artistic help. “We picked four letters [from fans] and reached out to four musicians in town. The Foundry gave us their space to perform. And I loved the idea of the empty venue and the artist talking about the importance, value, and magic of live music on the stage,” explains Addison. She believes there will be a steady increase in the city’s music events as restaurants and venues begin making their spaces available again. The videos and other letters are available

on the project’s Instagram page @ loveletterstolivemusic. Addison was an organizer of the recent Wake the Giant festival and, doing what she does best, created a new addition to the festival in the shape of a Wellness Tent: a space for concertgoers to find comfort and resources if dealing with any issues while attending the event. Her focus on fan engagement and enjoyment have enabled her to curate experiences in her work and for family and friends looking for an unforgettable moment. Below is a segment of Addison’s personal Love Letter to Music, previously unpublished. You are the essence behind every live show. The way you create magic by bringing a room of people and music together is what is at the core of it all, it’s what connects us, resonates with us, and lifts us up like nothing else can. You are beyond amazing and there’s no way to fully describe your presence and the impact you have had on me. All I can say is that I am so very grateful that you are my companion in life and I love you with all my heart. Thank you for all the memories past and the adventures yet to come. I eagerly await the time when we will connect in person again, and no doubt it will be even more incredible than it was in the past, now that I truly appreciate what a gift you are in my life. With love until we meet again, Michelle xo Michelle can be found @gobeyondtheshow

Advertising Feature

November Entrepreneurs of the Month

Dave Zahodnik DZ Photography

Sean Spenrath

Dave Zahodnik DZ Photography

Wake The Giant

From left to right, Wake the Giant organizers Sean Spenrath, AJ Haapa, Amanda Bay, Greg Chomut Meet Sean Spenrath, one of the co-founders of the Wake The Giant (WTG) music festival, owner of Spen Films, and one of Oriental Garden’s top delivery drivers. Being an active community member, Sean is passionate about Thunder Bay and northern Ontario. In his spare time, you can catch him training for a 100 km ultra marathon or being the El Fuego in men’s league soccer. Through his career in education, Sean spent lots of time in Fort Hope, where he developed a deep appreciation for the meaning of community. While working in schools, Sean started a side project, Spen Films. Through this company, Sean was able to lean on his creative abilities by producing high-end commercials and developing his advertising knowledge. More recently, in 2019, Sean got together with a group of like-minded individuals to bring one of the largest music

festivals to northern Ontario. The WTG music festival is a celebration of cultures, with a spotlight on Indigenous culture and music. The festival features a mix of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists. The goal is to bring together different races, age groups, music lovers, and festival goers to one big event that brings the community closer together. What drew you to entrepreneurship? The first thing would be taking an idea and bringing it to life. This year at Wake The Giant was especially exciting, as there were a bunch of ideas floating around about having a Coachella vibestyle festival in Thunder Bay. I think we did really well in bringing that type of festival environment to our northern city. Entrepreneurship provides such a sense of adventure. The sense of

grinding to achieve your goals is very rewarding when you see the big picture come together. I truly enjoy establishing mutually beneficial relationships. The ability to help one another achieve goals is so satisfying. With Spen Films, allowing my creative side to shine is something I value. I have been very lucky to utilize skills that I have developed through Spen Films on larger projects like Wake The Giant. In-house advertising for video has been very beneficial. What is your most memorable moment being an entrepreneur? Perhaps my fondest memory was putting on school events in Eabametoong First Nation. That was the first big event that I organized. It was a Tough Mudderstyle race for the entire community. My most memorable moment as an entrepreneur is seeing all of my acquired skills, relationships developed, and years of experience come together to create something special in Wake The Giant. I relied on a lot of relationships I've established over the years to help grow it into the event it was. Wake The Giant is probably the most rewarding because it really was a culmination of years of developing different skill sets (grant writing, filming, advertising, building partnerships, and enjoying music festivals with the buds) and bringing all of those together to put on one of the largest music festivals in northern Ontario in just two years. Events like this provide such gratification, as they represent years of hard work and grinding. At Wake The Giant, there is always one moment throughout the day and night where I will pause at the back of the grounds and just reflect on how awesome it is that I helped create one of the most forward-thinking festivals in Canada. WTG is blazing a path for the rest of Canada and I am super proud about that. Who was your biggest inspiration/mentor? My biggest inspiration and mentor is constantly evolving. I am

always adding people to the list of people I admire. I do my best to emulate everyone on the list. The first would be my parents. They indirectly taught me a sense of patience by dealing with all of my energy. When I was teenager, I admired the filming of local legends Matt Popowich and Damien Gilbert. The boss, Que Bird, at Oriental Garden, is another. She’s taught me the importance of family and what it means to be a great boss. Living and working in Fort Hope, I was inspired by Luka Brkljacic and his teaching ability and his connection to students. Working at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, I find inspiration in the programming built by Ken Liddicoat, Greg Chomut, and Aaron Guthrie. Terry Fox is just a legend. Guy ran across Canada for something he believed in and ended up with a legacy so much bigger than what he initially thought was possible. My number one inspiration has to be my wife Samantha, though. She has taught me the importance of empathy and she's also just an absolute beauty. If you could go back in time what piece of advice would you give yourself? Work out and become the professional wrestler that you were born to be. Grind hard, build relationships, and always give back to the relationships that you establish. A thank you or something in return to someone helping you goes a long way. If you have a passion, follow it even if it’s hard because more people will jump on to help you along the way. Enjoy the little things. There was a cool moment behind the scenes at Wake The Giant this year where I was able to take pause with a good friend, who also needed a mental pause. We sat on the hilltop behind the stage and there was an artist playing his top three hit songs on a guitar for a camera. We managed to score a private three-person show of the lead singer of Third Eye Blind. It’s a moment that was super special and something we won’t soon forget. Enjoy the little things.

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OfftheWall

My Morning Jacket

I had high expectations for My Morning Jacket’s first release since their 2015 Grammy Award-nominated The Waterfall. After all, it was theoretically six years in the making and the product of a pandemic. The self-titled, ninth studio album seemed meh at first, but like a musical version of the law of increasing returns, sounded better with each listen. It opens with “Regularly Scheduled Programming”—frontman Jim James’s lament about trading real life for social media and getting lost in false realities while track two—“‘Love Love Love”—is James’s effort to encourage us to wake up to real love. The remaining nine tracks are mostly mellow and groovy tunes with a couple of southern rockers in the mix. Fans will enjoy the nine-minute “The Devil’s In The Details,” which features layered vocals and a subtle horn arrangement that would sound amazing reverberating in an outdoor venue (remember those?). - Michelle McChristie

REVIEWS

Future Past

Duran Duran

Leading up to the release of Duran Duran’s 15th studio album, Future Past, singer Simon Le Bon frequently teased that the project’s sound would be something new to the band entirely. Respectfully, I couldn’t disagree more. If anything, Future Past preserves Duran Duran’s iconic brand of punchy synth-pop complete with heavily reverberated drums and, of course, John Taylor’s groovy, disco-esque basslines. Most impressively, as the title might suggest, Future Past achieves this sound without feeling dated or repetitive—a feat that is due in part to the album’s colourful lineup of guest appearances, from Swedish pop singer Tove Lo to Japanese rock band CHAI. However, it’s English rapper Ivorian Doll’s verse on “Hammerhead” that epitomizes the finesse with which Future Past melds sounds old and new, as her emotive verse effortlessly melds with the track’s nostalgic sound. With throwback trends currently dominating popular music, Duran Duran’s latest effort feels like a necessary addition to the growing synthwave soundscape. - Melanie Larson

Friends That Faster Break Your Heart Samantha Fish James Blake

Ten years into his career, U.K. electronic artist James Blake has built a solid discography while collaborating with some of music’s biggest names. 2019’s Assume Form was a gem—a story of falling in love, with none of the syrupy feel-good. It was cold, paranoid, self-indulgent: a case study of an unlovable man reconciling with his relationship. It took months of unpacking to realize the callous beauty in Blake’s vision. One can hope that Friends That Break Your Heart might have the same fate. There are similarities: contemporary production, star guest features, and brutal self-examination. This time around, however, there’s a lack of both emotional sincerity and stand-outs. On the title track, a sombre acoustic guitar sets the stage for something heart-wrenching, but the lyric sheet reads like a high school diary. If I’m the guidance counsellor, I think he’ll be fine by the end of the week. Yet, the closer, “If I’m Insecure,” finds Blake at his most existential and he sticks the landing with a gorgeous arpeggio. Divisive as always, James Blake surely has another artistic statement under his belt.

A southern belle with cathartic guitar chops and soulful vocals, Kansas City native Samantha Fish turned heads when she burst on the blues music scene a dozen years ago. Innately inclined to expand her sound palette and splice genres together, on her latest album Faster she features 12 pop-rock oriented original songs linked by an underlying theme of empowerment. The opening title track crackles with heartbeat-raising flirtatious swagger, while a snarling guitar riff drives the take-charge vibe of “Twisted Ambition.” “Crowd Control” is Fish's dreamily rootsy reflection on vulnerability, and the album closes with “All the Words,” a stripped-down, poignant ballad about failed communication. All in all, this is a fun, often flamboyant collection of songs. It showcases Samantha Fish as an adventurous musician and earthy presence at the top of her game. Her talent for entertaining artistry shines throughout. - Ken Wright

- Michael Charlebois

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98 The Walleye

Storm Chasing

Spirit to Soar

Tanya Talaga and Michelle Derosier

Oliver James Brooks In an age of pounding bass and loud guitar riffs, it's refreshing to actually listen to music. Oliver James Brooks’s new album is a great example of “lean-in music,” where the audience is made to pay close attention to what they’re hearing rather than being overloaded with sound. The Toronto-based folk-rock singersongwriter’s soft yet haunting vocals conjure Elliot Smith while his melodies bring a Kurt Vile vibe. Recorded on an old Tascam 388 8” track tape machine, Storm Chasing is a nostalgic nod to the likes of old troubadours Young and Dylan, whose influence can be felt on the record. Standout tracks include “Two Best Friends,” “In A Bad Kind Of Way,” and title track “Storm Chasing,” which refers to Brooks becoming sober and describing the feeling of knowing how something will end before it begins. Taking influence from the past greats but making it his own, Storm Chasing proves that Brooks is definitely a musician to watch out for. - Adrian Lysenko

In 2017, Tanya Talaga published Seven Fallen Feathers, her award-winning book about the deaths of seven Indigenous students in Thunder Bay who had come from isolated communities in the north to go to high school. In Spirit to Soar, Talaga revisits Thunder Bay, this time cinematically, retelling the original stories and digging deeply into insights about the multi-layered environment and cultures of the city. As the principal narrator of the film, she also reveals how this material has personally changed her, and how she has come to know herself with newly felt connections. The weakness of the film is that it doesn’t tell us anything we haven’t already learned from her book, or her followup national speaking tour for CBC. A camera follows her everywhere, even from an overhead drone when she drives outside of Thunder Bay to visit an area where her mother grew up, only to discover the area is now a clear-cut in the forest. The film features many direct, first person interviews, including current students at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, one of whom says gently, with a smile and a genuine welcoming tone: “Get to know us, get to know what we’ve been through.” - Michael Sobota

The White Saviors

Music Lessons

Just try to imagine raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in honour of a late child to help build schools in Kenya, only to find out that the schools had already been built and that they were dedicated to someone else’s child? Or how about being promised a school—a place to learn, play and grow—and never getting it, no brick or book in sight? Unfortunately, these (alleged) scenarios were all too common when it came to the Kielburger brothers running the WE Charity. Donors and volunteers who were trying to turn pain into purpose later discovered the false assurances, lies, and deeply embroiled scandals associated with this organization. The White Saviors, a Canadaland production, takes you on an eye-opening journey exposing a foundation seemingly built on “kids helping kids,” but in turn ends up being a cult-like family preying on middle-class citizens using emotional manipulation. It’s a classic example of how non-profit organizations gain for-profit interests at the expense of those they intend to serve. Shockingly revealing, this podcast is a must-listen.

Bob Wiseman, former founding Blue Rodeo keyboardist, has written a wild pseudomemoir. The book echoes his improvisational style of playing, drifting from personal stories and snippets of philosophy to imagined conversations and playlists. Composed of short passages, the book weaves in the music lessons of the title by linking artists, songs, and even single notes to tales of everyday life. Wiseman’s mood varies through the volume, ranging from joyous to manic to angry and back—sometimes even within a single anecdote—leaving me with as many questions as it answered, such as his wished deaths for Dionne Warwick, Dolly Parton, and Neil Young, or his obsession with breakfast cereals. If you are looking for a Blue Rodeo tell-all, this is not your book. But if you’re looking for a glimpse into an amazing musical mind, grab it.

Olusola Adeogun

Bob Wiseman

- Lori Kauzlarick

- Andrea Lysenko

OVER $5.5 MILLION WON SO FAR! BUY TICKETS AT

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Architecture

Waverley Park Adrian Lysenko

Marking 150 Years By Laurie Abthorpe

Waverley Park's Victorian-inspired pavilion

Adrian Lysenko

ugh Wilson was dispatched by the provincial government in 1870 to complete a series of surveys in the Lakehead region. In 1871 he laid out the official town plot of Prince Arthur’s Landing, later to become Port Arthur. Within this survey, Wilson designated a portion of land known as “Reserve C,” an oval shaped lot inadvertently created during the construction of the Dawson Trail, as parkland—specifically “Waverly Park” as it was originally spelled. This designation of parkland shows Wilson’s foresight towards citizens’ need for access to natural recreational land, and this centralized location was ideal. Concerted efforts in the formation of Public Parks in Canada actually began years later, around 1880, and Ontario’s passing of An Act to Provide For the Establishment And Maintenance Of Public Parks In Cities and Towns did not take place until 1883. Waverley Park, 150 years ago,

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was described as being a bare dirt lot. Early use of the land was focused mainly on recreational sports, mostly cricket. It was through the Thunder Bay Cricket Club, authorized by council, that improvements to the ground were first made in 1882. Activity use then grew, with baseball games and foot races also taking place, which in turn grew public support for additional improvements. After surviving a public vote in 1884 on whether to retain the park or grant its use for the construction of a hotel, some land was expropriated. The eastern and western edges were set aside for the eventual construction of Central School and Port Arthur High School (later replaced by Port Arthur Collegiate Institute). With park support high, the Town of Port Arthur hired local land contractor Julius Somers to fence, draw, and grade the land in 1886. The following spring 100 trees, donated by Arthur Harvey of Toronto, were

Architecture

Thunder Bay Museum  Waverley Street in the winter, circa 1925, with the stone lookout visible

Thunder Bay Museum

 The Hogarth Fountain, donated by Marg Hogarth as a memorial to her husband, Major-General Donald McDonald Hogarth

Thunder Bay Museum

for Waverley Park, the pavilion was completed in 2018. Built upon the foundation of the former 1979 bandshell, this new gathering and performance space carries forward the tradition of hosting concerts and cultural activities. As the second oldest municipal park in Ontario and the first for Thunder Bay, Waverley Park, at 150 years old, has matured gracefully in its historical significance and cultural value alongside its beautiful landscape. Laurie Abthorpe is the heritage researcher for the Heritage Advisory Committee, which advises City Council on the conservation of heritage buildings, sites, and resources, and their integration into development. For more information on the city’s heritage resources, visit thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/heritage-in-thunder-bay.aspx.

Thunder Bay Museum

planted and fencing of the park was completed. In 1906, work on the grounds was needed once again, but this time it also raised the issue of ownership. The work was approved by council, and spurred Port Arthur to secure the patent from the Crown Lands Department. Papers promising the patent were received in 1907 with the official patent arriving in 1912. Eyes turned to Waverley Park as the ideal site for Port Arthur City Hall as well as a Carnegie funded public library in the early 1900s. However, in 1910 public concern for the park was put to rest by the Board of Parks, which plainly stated that no buildings could be constructed on the property. That settled, beautifications including new walkways and flower beds went on to be laid out that summer. The first of many permanent features in Waverley Park was constructed in 1911 as a tourism initiative. A lookout designed by Canada’s first landscape architect, Frederick G. Todd, was built, overlooking the park and Port Arthur down to the waters of Lake Superior below. In 1925, with funds raised by the Women’s Canadian Club of Port Arthur, the Waverley Park Cenotaph was erected in honour of those lost in the Great War. This monument, a community gathering place on Remembrance Day, also honours those lost in World War II and the Korean War. Military commemorations found elsewhere in Waverley Park include the Provincial Plaque recognizing Port Arthur’s Colonel Elizabeth Smellie, the first woman to achieve the rank of Colonel in the Canadian Army, as well as the monument honouring three Thunder Bay soldiers lost during the NATO campaign in Afghanistan. At the centre of Waverley Park is the Hogarth Fountain. Dedicated in 1965, the 1790-era neoclassical-inspired fountain from England, donated by Mrs. Hogarth, was installed as a lasting memorial to her husband, decorated officer and long-time MPP for the Port Arthur riding, Major-General Donald McDonald Hogarth. More recently added to Waverley Park is the Victorian-inspired pavilion. Spearheaded by The Coalition

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NovemberEventsGuide November 1–30 Novemburger Various

Novemburger is back! Order a signature Novemburger at participating eateries in Thunder Bay (and Kenora!) and chow down for a good cause. Two dollars from each burger sale will go towards the United Way, an organization that focuses on addressing issues of poverty in our community. See this month’s Top Five for more info. uwaytbay.ca

November 3, 9 pm Desi Disco

November 5 & 6, 7:30 pm TBSO: Breakout! Freeborn DaVinci Centre

The TBSO is featuring Thunder Bay’s very own Nancy Freeborn in a celebratory welcome back to their Northern Lights concerts! Nancy and her band join the TBSO to present some of the most powerful songs in pop music, including songs by Sia, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Janis Joplin, and more! Tickets are $45 and available by phone or online. tbso.ca

Until November 6 This Diwali, get ready for a one- Lunenburg Italian Cultural Centre

of-a-kind Bollywood party with 100% authentic Bollywood, pop, and mainstream Punjabi music in Thunder Bay! facebook.com/tbaydesidisco

November 11 Canada’s Drag Race Season 2 Viewing Party and Meet and Greet The Westfort

Meet and greet with Icesis Couture at the Westfort for Episode 5 of Canada’s Drag Race Season 2! 475-9114

November 11, 5:30 pm The Roast of Brenton Hagberg Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre

Join the Easter Seals Ontario for their 17th annual Celebrity Roast. Tickets are $125 per Magnus Theatre person and include a fourMagnus’s second production course dinner and a silent of the season is Lunenburg, auction. a romantic adventure info@easterseals.org written by Canadian

playwright Norm Foster. November 12, 9 pm November 3 Travel to the East Coast Marcus Visionary Tour de Fort: Middle from the comfort of your ATMOS seat in this mystery original. Raged Fort Frances Townshend Theatre

Tour de Fort is back for the 2021–2022 season with new acts. Sketch comedy show Middle Raged, featuring Geri Hall of This Hour has 22 Minutes fame and Gary Pearson of MadTV and Corner Gas, takes the stage. Tickets are $25. facebook.com/tourdefort

Tickets are available by phone Tuesdays to Fridays from 12:30–3:30 pm, or 60 minutes prior to each show. magnustheatre.com

November 6, 9 pm Pretty Ugly

Port Arthur Legion Branch 5

Marcus Visionary has been in the music game for almost two decades. Born and raised in Toronto, the artist is making an appearance in Thunder Bay with local support from Lysis, Rhombi, and Tension. See this month’s Music section for more info. atmostbay.ca

Featuring the music of The Judds, Dwight Yoakam, Martina McBride, and more. Admission is $20 at the door. 345-8232

Give today and support our future doctors In partnership with:

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November 12 & 13, 8 pm Alfie Zappacosta

Port Arthur Legion Branch 5

Juno and American Music Award winner Alfie Zappacosta will be performing at the PA Legion Branch 5 for two shows on November 12 and 13. Tickets are $30 and available at the Club Room inside the Legion. See this month’s Music section for more info. 345-8232

November 12 and 13 All Together Now Paramount Theatre

Badanai Theatre and Paramount Live have teamed up to bring your favourite musical numbers to the stage in their first performance since the pandemic. All Together Now is part of a global fundraiser for production companies happening across 40 countries. This will be a family-friendly show with a song to suit any generation. See this month’s Film and Theatre section for more info. facebook.com/plivetbay

Until November 13, noon–6 pm 33rd Anniversary DefSup Members + Die Active Exhibitions and Creator’s Project 7 Definitely Superior Art Gallery

This 33rd anniversary exhibition features work from DefSup Members, as well as Die Active collective members. The Creator’s Project showcases international video screenings by artists from Japan, Istanbul, Germany, and France. Admission by donation; all ages are welcome. See this month’s Art section for more info. definitelysuperior.com

November 13, 8 pm The Honest Heart Collective’s More Harm Album Release NV Music Hall

Celebrate a brand-new album by beloved locals The Honest Heart Collective, with special guests The Treble. This is a 19+ event. See this month’s Top Five for more info. honestheart.co

NovemberEventsGuide November 15– December 24 Clay Collective Ornament Fundraiser and Competition

Virtual/In Person at Goods & Co. Market The Clay Collective NWO (opening in the Goods & Co. Market) will be hosting a fundraiser for Dilico Christmas Gift Drive, which purchases gifts for children involved with Dilico. To raise funds, the collective will be selling Christmas ornaments and inviting clay artists from all over Northwestern Ontario to do the same, from their store location. Additionally they will be hosting a Best Ornament competition on Instagram @ claycollectivenwo. The date for the competition is TBA. facebook.com/ claycollectivenwo

November 17–20 & 24–27, 7:30 pm; November 21, 2 pm Treasure Island

Cambrian Players Theatre

Join the 2021–2022 Cambrian Players cast for a presentation of the famous Stevenson tale, adapted by Bryony Lavery and directed by Jordan Blaxill. See this month’s Top Five for more info. facebook.com/ CambrianPlayers

November 18 and 19, 7:30 pm TBSO: Good Vibrations Hilldale Lutheran Church

The orchestra begins a fouryear journey to explore the rarely performed C.P.E. Bach (J.S. Bach’s son) symphonies. The show also features the TBS Chorus bringing glory and grandeur to Handel’s Coronation Anthems., and Paul Haas taking an otherworldly trip through Creole song, featuring violinist Patrick Horn. Haydn’s immortal Symphony No. 101, “The Clock,” brings the concert to a close. See this month’s Top Five for more info. 345-8033

November 20, 9 pm Music Bingo Red Lion Smokehouse

Get your groove on! Music bingo combines your favourite tunes with bingo. Bring your friends, grab a beer, and get ready to win some prizes. $2 per card or three cards for $5. redlionsmokehouse.com

November 20, 9 pm Dr. Buck & the Bluesbangers Port Arthur Legion Branch 5

PA Legion Branch 5 presents music from Dr. Buck & the Bluesbangers. Admission is $10 at the door. 345-8232

November 20 One Stop and Shop

November 20–28 November 29 Holiday Craft Revival Chantal Kreviazuk: Christmas is a Way Various locations/Virtual of Life, My Dear Three events for local craft lovers! Shop from 200+ Ontario craft makers both online and/ or in person. Pre-orders can be made at Goods and Co. Market on November 20 (tickets required), online shopping is available from November 21–26, and the in-person fair takes place in the Waterfront District at over 25 locations November 28. See this month’s Top Five for more info. thecraftrevivaltbay.com

November 25–27 Heathers The Musical

Paramount Live Theatre

The Paramount Live Theatre School is proud to present Heathers The Musical, directed by Candi Badanai and Tegin Menei. See this month’s Film and Theatre section for more info. facebook.com/plivetbay

Fort Frances Townshend Theatre

One of the most iconic Canadian voices of her generation, Chantal Kreviazuk is a multi-platinum-selling, multi-Juno Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and actress. Kreviazuk returns to the Townshend Theatre performing music from her 2019 holiday album, Christmas is a Way of Life, My Dear. Tickets will be $25 each. facebook.com/tourdefort

Until November 21 Piitwewetam: Making is Medicine Thunder Bay Art Gallery

This commemorative exhibition presents artwork by Support local vendors with this the Gustafson family, showing annual holiday shopping spree. how beadwork and handmade A free family event. A few items come from an ecology non-profit organizations will of relationships and love. also participate to educate as Their bold designs are part of well as raise funds. Open from November 26, 8 pm a dialect of beadwork deeply 9 am to 2:30 pm. Road Worn Chaps rooted within Anishinaabe facebook.com/groups/ culture and way of being. The Port Arthur Legion Branch onestopandshop Gustafsons teach us that the 5 power of creating helps with November 20 & 21 PA Legion Branch 5 presents the process of grief and loss. the music of Road Worn Chaps. Flames of War This exhibition honours their Canadian Nationals Admission is $5 at the door. son and brother Piitwewetam 345-8232 in Thunder Bay (Rolling Thunder) also known as Jesse Gustafson. The Gameshelf November 27, 8 pm theag.ca This is the Thunder Bay Flames Our Tyme of War playgroup’s official Port Arthur Legion Branch Until November 21 participation in the Canadian 5 Itee Pootoogook: National Flames of War Tournament. Entry will be $20. PA Legion Branch 5 presents Hymns to the Silence Our Tyme, featuring country, gameshelf.thunderbay.com Thunder Bay Art Gallery folk, pop, and original music. This exhibition of the art of November 20 & 21 Admission is $5 at the door. Itee Pootoogook (1951–2014) Artisans Northwest 345-8232 gathers together more Craft Show than 60 drawings from the November 27, 9 pm late artist’s body of work DaVinci Centre Phiso and is the first full-scale Attend the 45th annual fine retrospective of his art. As ATMOS art and craft show in person at one of the key members of Robert Sargent, known the DaVinci Centre. Admission the third-generation of Inuit as Phiso, is a Canadian is by donation and online artists from Kinngait (Cape producer and DJ. Phiso will shopping is also available. See Dorset), Itee contributed to the be performing with local this month’s Art section for transformation of the creative support from Villain, Zumos, more info. traditions inherited from his Perspective, and Kerkz. Tickets artisansnorthwest.ca elders at the West Baffin are $20 and available online. Eskimo Co-operative’s Kinngait atmostbay.ca Studios. theag.ca

CLE Heritage Building

Until November 21 The Comfort Project Thunder Bay Art Gallery

A multi-arts community engaged project with participants of all ages and abilities, in collaboration with Willow Springs Creative Centre, Jumblies Theatre + Arts, Alzheimer Society, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, and Eleanor Albanese. theag.ca

Until December 1 Kwewog Giiwednog: Women of the North Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Artist Sharon Hunter has created a large mural that depicts three female figures dressed in regalia: mother Dana Boyer and daughters Brenna and Brooke Chiblow Boyer of the Mississauga First Nation. Hunter paints them standing along the Mississagi River at their pow wow grounds, looking across the horizon. This work speaks to the women’s prayers and respect for the water. The mural can be viewed on the gallery’s exterior wall throughout the fall. gameshelf.thunderbay.com

EVENTS GUIDE KEY

General Food Art Sports Music

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Music

LU RADIO’S MONTHLY TOP November Staff Spotlight:

1 The Zeldas* Cool Waves Cardinal Fuzz

9 Rick White* Where It’s Fine Blue Fog 10 Strangers Laundry A Voice For TV Self-Released

11 Birds of Maya Valdez Drag City

As the new commanderin-cheese of the CILU 102.7 Campus and Community Radio station, I have pledged to take the reins of this mighty local fixture while consciously retaining the artistic prestige that the station has been known for since its inception. I’m hoping to bring a fun and funky element to the airwaves, irreverent humour and garage rock nostalgia reflective of the days of Kilroy’s, and general musings on the world-class local music scene that we are fortunate enough to enjoy.

4 Rick White* Where It’s Fine Blue Fog

12 Faye Webster I Know I’m Funny haha Secretly Canadian

Song of the Moment: “Kitty Kitty” by Silence Kit

6 Unschooling Random Acts of Total Control - EP Howlin’ Banana

5 Max and the Martians All the Same Perpetual Doom

8 Sleepy Jean* Idle Hands Half Right

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20 Ducks Ltd.* Modern Fiction Carpark

15 Meat Wave Meat Wave Big Scary Monsters/ Wiretap

26 Dez Dare Hairline Ego Trip Self-Released 27 Tyler, the Creator Call Me If You Get Lost Columbia 28 CHAI WINK Sub Pop 29 Art d’Ecco* In Standard Definition Paper Bag

13 Alex Lefaivre Quartet* Naufragés Arté Boréal 14 Nevamind & Royal-T* The Yesmen Hand’Solo

7 blume hinges* Build Your Castle Inside of a Mountain Self-Released

17 Birds of Maya Valdez Drag City

19 underscores fishmonger underscores

3 Pond 9 Spinning Top

Station Manager

16 Boy Golden* The Church of Better Daze Six Shooter

18 Alex Lefaivre Quartet* Naufragés Arté Boréal

2 Liam Kazar Due North Woodsist/Mare

Adam Skaf

Check out our weekly charts online at luradio.ca and tune in to the Top 20 Countdown Mondays from 7–9 am. Keep it locked on 102.7 FM, online streaming at luradio.ca.

30 Steve Maddock* The Blues Project Cellar 21 Meatbodies 333 In The Red 22 Suuns* The Witness Secret City 23 Meatbodies 333 In The Red 24 Lady Blackbird Black Acid Soul BMG Rights Management 25 Sea of Lettuce* Sun/Moon - EP Sea of Lettuce

* indicates Canadian artist. Chart ranking reflects airplay during the week ending 12-Oct2021.

Advertising Feature

Innovation Centre BTIF Project Toy Sense/Auto Tool Sense

Darryl and Daria Boyer standing in front of their new in-store cafe

everything they have is stored in-house and must be meticulously tracked. With the POS system, the Boyers can control online sales, storefront purchases, and ordering inventory. The toy store also began shipping to places such as Denmark, Australia, and Germany in the last year, increasing their e-commerce presence and computer load. As well, the company offers wholesale purchasing on their online portal, allowing mass quantities to be sold using the new POS. “We’re really reflecting on how much we’ve grown. We’ve had

Darryl and Daria Boyer started with just an aisle of toys in their auto tool shop. One aisle became two, and since then they have become one of Canada’s largest independent toy stores. The Innovation Centre’s BTIF program has allowed the Boyers to upgrade their foundations and add a new computerized POS (Point of Sale) system to manage both their toy and tool inventory. With over 20,000 varieties of toys available

renovations happening since 2018, and we used the money we saved for local contractors. Anything to help run the business, especially at a time like this, helps,” says Daria. The owners applied to the BTIF program to enhance and upgrade their business processes with hardware and software sector, and were “walked through the process and given suggestions for approaching their issue,” says Darryl. Local businesses can find program information and how to apply on the Innovation Centre’s website, nwoinnovation.ca.

through their store alone, their need for heftier equipment was met with the funding provided. “We needed a faster machine for both businesses, and by purchasing this new computer we saved money in the long run,” says Boyer. Aside from their original warehouse, the company has a separate storefront on Bay Street to serve clients. Unlike usual chain stores, Toy Sense displays their entire inventory for customers in store, meaning

“It was top notch; we would recommend it 100%” The Walleye 105

Health

The Second Dose: Why Bother? By Steven Bill, Coordinator of Communications and New Media and Laura Dennis, Manager of Vaccine Preventable Disease, Thunder Bay District Health Unit

et’s be real: we’ve been really fortunate that our case numbers have been lower lately than they were in the third wave of this pandemic. One of the main reasons for that, according to our infectious disease experts and epidemiologists, is because we have had such a high uptake in vaccines. In fact, the TBDHU region has one

of the highest in the entire province. Not too shabby. That said, we’ve noticed some interesting data that has arisen over the past few months: while our rate of first doses has maintained a relatively consistent trend, our second dose completion rate has begun to slow down. In other words, some people went through with getting

their first dose but for one reason or another have been less inclined toward getting the second. It’s hard to say exactly why this might be, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to reinforce the importance and necessity of getting that second dose. Let’s begin by breaking out the science. There are two important types of white blood cells that work

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at combating the virus that causes COVID-19. The first are plasma B cells. When these cells first encounter the vaccine, they’re “educated” on how to make antibodies that can fight against the pathogen. The problem is that these cells are short-lived and within a few weeks, if there’s not a second dose, the antibodies they’ve been producing begin to experience a rapid decline. Next are the T cells, which identify a particular pathogen like COVID19. Their mission: seek and destroy. Although some of these T cells can linger in our bodies for years, we typically don’t have very many of them unless there is a second exposure to the pathogen. This happens when you get a second dose of the vaccine. Let’s say the first dose is studying for the exam, while the second dose is the professor letting the class know it’s an open book test on the day of the test. Both contribute to your success, but that textbook really seals the deal on securing that A+. The first dose primes our immune system to recognize the virus and then the second dose comes along and boosts the immunity, further protecting us from becoming seriously ill and giving us protection (memory) longer term. So that’s it. In a very real sense, you need to get the second dose if you want to optimize protection against the virus and continue with the current lower COVID case numbers in our region. Visit TBDHU. com/CovidClinics today to find out how and when you can get yours.

Health

Providing Diabetes Care to Northwestern Ontario

Staff at the Centre for Complex Diabetes Care

By Caitlund Davidson, Health Promotion and Communications Planner, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

ovember is Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot produce insulin or cannot use insulin properly. Insulin regulates the amount of sugar in our blood. Our bodies require sugar for energy, but too much sugar in our blood can cause damage to our organs. According to a recent report by Diabetes Canada, about 10% of Ontarians are living with diabetes. While people with diabetes make up only a small percentage of Ontario’s population, Northwestern Ontario has more people suffering from the illness than the provincial average. There are different types of diabetes and they range in severity. The Centre for Complex Diabetes Care (CCDC) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) provides care to adults with diabetes

in Northwestern Ontario who require intensive management. Approximately 15% of people living with diabetes fall into this category. “Diabetes affects the population of Northwest Ontario at a higher incidence than the rest of the province,” explains Jacqueline Veneruz, manager of diabetes care and bariatric medicine programs at TBRHSC. “People living with diabetes may require different levels of support for learning how to live with and manage this chronic condition. The CCDC aims to provide this support based on the individual needs and personal goals of each patient.” The CCDC serves the Northwest region from White River to the Manitoba border with two physical locations: in Thunder Bay, at the TBRHSC, and Sioux Lookout, at the Meno Ya Win Health Centre. To make the program more accessible

to those living across the region, phone or telemedicine visits are done to provide this health care service closer to home. Patients are referred to the CCDC by a primary care provider (physician or nurse practitioner) and will be accepted if they meet the criteria for intensive management. “Patients eligible for CCDC services may be experiencing barriers to accessing health care, like geography, language, mobility challenges, or lack of a primary care provider, have other medical conditions related to diabetes, have high blood sugar or frequently visit the hospital for reasons related to diabetes,” Veneruz says. Since other illnesses can also lead to increased blood sugar, the CCDC provides services to adults admitted to TBRHSC. This service contributes to in-hospital services by assisting with in-hospital diabetes

management, and ensuring patients have the resources and follow-up they need when discharged. Patients referred to the CCDC will receive care from a multidisciplinary team of specialized practitioners that support them in managing diabetes during their daily lives. The CCDC team consists of a physician, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, a pharmacist, registered dietitians, a social worker, a psychologist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a foot care specialist, and a wound care specialist. Access to care from the CCDC is available to patients as needed, with the ultimate goal of seeing patients graduate from the program after one year with the knowledge and skills to manage their diabetes. To learn more, please visit tbrhsc.net.

The Walleye 107

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Green

The Ghost of Radon By Kelsey Agnew, Program Coordinator, EcoSuperior

alloween is over, right? We’re safe now—all the ghosts are on holiday until next October. But what if I told you that as the colder weather comes and we spend more time indoors with our windows shut tight for longer and longer, we’re in fact, creating the perfect conditions for a different kind of not-so-friendly invisible presence in our homes? Lurking in our basements, sneaking in through the cracks of our foundations, wafting up undetected from our sump pumps, and invading the air we breathe is something not just spooky, but potentially very hazardous to our health. Yes, I’m referring to radon as the not-so-friendly ghost who can come uninvited into our homes.

Inhaling air with high concentrations of radon gas is the first leading cause of lung cancer in Canadians who don’t smoke. Imagine: your whole life you’ve staved off the urge to smoke cigarettes, recently started walking three times a week for exercise, and reduced your red meat intake, all to be the healthiest version of you. Then you go to your doctor’s and find out that you’re the “one” in the one in ten chance of non-smokers getting lung cancer from long-term exposure to radon gas—something that is completely preventable by testing your home for radon. If that isn’t scary enough, if you’re someone who smokes, you have a one in three chance of getting lung cancer if you’re exposed to radon at high concentrations in the

long term. Radon is measured in a unit of becquerels per metre cubed (Bq/ m3). Anything under 200 Bq/m3 is considered safe enough. However, 400 Bq/m3 is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. One woman from Ottawa, a non-smoker who developed lung cancer, realized that for five years her home had 3,250 Bq/m3, a concentration 20 times Health Canada’s guidelines. According to a study conducted by Health Canada in 2012, over 12% of homes in the Thunder Bay District have high radon levels, compared to the national average of 7%. In 2015 the Thunder Bay District Health Unit found that on average, 16% of homes in our community have radon levels with a concentration of 200Bq/m3 or higher. Thankfully, you don’t need to be an expert in witchcraft to expel this entity from your home. The first thing to do is test, using a certified long-term radon detector. DIY tests

are available from EcoSuperior, and Thunder Bay is also served by four radon mitigation specialists who can do the testing for you (see our website for details on both options). Then, fixes like getting a sump pump cover and sealing basement windows are among the easier solutions. This November, take action on radon, so that we don’t let anything invisible, scary, and spooky linger in our house once Halloween is done. Visit ecosuperior.org/radon for more information. EcoSuperior’s Radon Outreach work is made possible with support by Health Canada.

The Walleye 109

TheWall

Surviving Editorial by Jean-Paul De Roover, Photo by Shannon Lepere

Jean-Paul De Roover is a singer-songwriter, composer for film and tv, producer, and artistic director

colleague once told me the story of a young aspiring musician’s parents, who had approached him for advice on the first step their child should take to get into the music industry. His reply was short, rude, but indelible: “don’t.” As disheartening as that message was, he later explained that if you’re not driven and compelled to be a part of that world, it’s probably not for you. But if you can push through the hunger, the financial instability, the toll it’ll take on your body, and any number of other issues that you might experience—if you can survive those, then yes, “do.” This industry is not for the faint of heart. For those of you thinking that this last year and a half was the

universe saying “don’t,” take a deep breath and recognize that the pandemic has been an equalizer, bringing everyone back down to square one. It was a forced retreat, where some of us were creative or developed new skills. But some have left music altogether, not knowing if they might ever return. But that’s okay. There’s no set path for how we emerge from the pandemic, no “one easy trick” to return to normal, and certainly no timeline. You’ll see some musicians reemerge unscathed and it’ll make you jealous, bitter, depressed. Others will come out worse than you, and you’ll be grateful. I know, I’ve felt both ways. But I’m also here to remind you that it’s not about what

they do have versus what you don’t have—it’s about surviving. Even if you stopped playing, sold off your instruments, started a new career, or even moved to another city, that’s okay. You’re surviving. At the end of February 2020, I was on the cusp of a tour with a live band, vinyl albums in hand, and a promising album cycle ahead. Two weeks later we rushed back home early from what felt like the beginning of a horror movie. Every gas station TV showed headlines of a deadly virus inching closer. Suddenly, it was real. With the shutdowns came a long pause. A pause that somehow slowed even further. Eventually it slowed to a stop and I felt like my identity as a musician

was taken from me. Maybe you felt the same. No one should ever blame us for being victims of global circumstance. We’re surviving. Now the world is opening up again—but not for everyone. As adults we have access to vaccines yet the youngest populations are still at risk. While audiences might be craving to hear you hit your high note on stage, someone’s child might be headed for the hospital. You won't likely see me on an indoor stage for some time, as I’ll be waiting for those vulnerable demographics to be protected first. Because like I said earlier, it’s about surviving. And that next generation deserves a chance to be a part of music, no matter how much it hurts that we were told “don’t.”

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The Walleye 111

November Horoscopes Aries

(March 21–April 19) Home life is on the radar this month for this fiery sign. There may be some renos or just a general sense of a good, thorough declutter on the to-do list. Rams generally like to seasonally decorate a shade bit early, so plan some family time to go through some boxes and make a pleasant day of it. On the career front, things are moving. There are a few changes afoot, particularly for entrepreneurial types who are shaking up the brand. A change is as good as a rest, so they say.

Taurus

(April 20–May 20) The full moon in your sign on the 19th—and a lunar eclipse— might see some usually solid Bulls retreat for cover. The energies swirling around could potentially be exhausting, so don’t hesitate to pull the covers up over your head and let the rest of the world take care of itself. The last few months have been a whirlwind of change, so it might be time to retreat internally and take stock. Grab a babysitter and take some time with your partner to keep the lines of communication open.

Gemini

(May 21–June 20) Time to take a good, hard look in the mirror, Gemini. In your quest for independence, it’s all too easy to shut others out. Recognize that there’s no shame in asking for help. Reach out to others and you can be sure you’ll receive back the love tenfold. Other air signs factor significantly this month, and you may even meet another Gemini who will play a large part of your life in the coming months. A chapter has recently ended for you, but that leads to a different set of challenges. Friendship is a two-way street. Going for a walk in nature will clear your head.

112 The Walleye

By Sunny Disposish

Cancer

( June 21–July 22) Ruled by the moon, Crabs might find emotions surfacing to the forefront in and around the full moon on the 19th. The lunar eclipse at the same time is definitely a factor here as well. Big breakthroughs could potentially rock your world, but it’ll be for the best in the long run. A fire sign could be your best friend and ally right now. Cancers may turn their mind to travel this month and begin making plans, or perhaps even firming up plans that were previously tentative. Above all, travel safely and ensure all your documents are in order. Stay on top of things!

Leo

( July 23–August 22) November is a month for remembering. Plan to attend a ceremony or gathering on the 11th. It’s important to involve the young people in your household on this day as well. A family conversation will lead to ongoing positive communication in the weeks to come. Lions may be toying with a rather big idea right now. Although Leos are always expansive and inclusive, it may be better to hold this one under your hat for the time being. Sunny days are ahead!

Virgo

(August 23–September 22) These earthy home-dwellers sometimes need to be lured out of their comfy nests and out into the world! The new moon at the beginning of the month may have Virgos feeling decidedly more social, so why not plan an outing with folx who lift your heart and your spirit? Keeping in touch with dear ones near and far on the regular is important, for your sake and theirs. Take a deep dive with a new book and don’t come up for air until you’re done. Reading is a form of escapism, and sometimes Virgos need a little break from the world. Enjoy!

Libra

(September 23-October 22) Feeling a bit unbalanced at month’s start, Libra? Your ruling planet Venus is entering stoic Capricorn on the 5th, so things should balance out for the better around this time. Soon you’ll be the one inspiring people with your success story. Enjoy the process and think of the bigger picture. You have so much greatness to offer! Later this month, enjoy a new kind of shopping experience. This air sign is a giver and it’s time to get a jump on seasonal purchases in a new and exciting environment!

Scorpio

(October 23–November 21) Happy birthday month, Scorpions! The new moon in your sign on the 4th really amps up your energy cycle. You’ll have to make some hard and fast decisions as some new information comes to light around this time. Relationships might be a bit tricky and some feelings may get hurt, but realize the issue may only be a communication error. Smooth things over with your sultry ways. It doesn’t hurt to indulge your softer side once in a while, Scorp, and take the sting out of your words. All systems are go for a fine evening out with friends. Line up the babysitter and paint the town red!

Sagittarius

(November 22–December 21) Some Archers like to burrow inside when the days get shorter, but not this month! Late November birthday Archers will be celebrating in style this year! There may be a sense of making up for last year, so celebrate this ride around the sun like none other. Planning is key this month for fire signs, and Sagittarians are no exception. Sometimes the only way to stay grounded is to get those thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Socially, your life lights up and new friends are on the forefront. Treat yourself to a spa day!

Capricorn

(December 22–January 19) This hardworking sign is all about community this month! Volunteering and helping others are what’s important for this earthy sign. A neighbour may rely on you for a favour. Culinary Caps may find themselves in the kitchen, using their bountiful harvest to make delicious dishes to share with those in need. Just don’t forget those under your own roof who might be feeling neglected. Later this month, take time to gather with good friends with nothing on the agenda but a good time. A few laughs are in order.

Aquarius

( January 20–February 18) One of your ruling planets, Saturn, is highlighting limitations, challenges, and resistance this month. Ask yourself how you can make these qualities work in your favour. Are you harbouring a secret? Communication is key for airy water-bearers, so mid-month might be a good time for a deep heart-to-heart. Career-wise, expect a bit of shake-up this month. Give new policies and procedures a chance for adjustment, and then go forward with any feedback. You’ll likely be speaking for the masses, as Water-bearers have a knack for hitting the nail on the head.

Pisces

(February 19–March 20) Financials are on the uptick this month for these fun Fishy friends. A lucky windfall may just be around the corner. Show your generosity by treating your pals to lunch. After all, you can’t take it with you! Health matters are favourable, but do what you can to slow your roll. Life doesn’t have to be at a frantic pace all the time. Walking can be a godsend, and a problem may be figured out by the end of the month simply by mulling things over on a winding country road. Is it time to be adding to the animal family? You may be called to care for a furry friend. Embrace the possibilities!

TheBeat

FUTURE/VISION : reprocess six, digital painting/ processed, boy Roland

the summer I went blind By Holly Haggarty the sky blurred with smoke and the sun narrowed to a slow round blot like a child might paint on paper and the haze crept down till it seemed I looked out through thick-filmed spectacles to an unwashed world in drought of colour

white industrial blooms— but nothing is white really white paint, white sheets, even wedding white gowns are blushed pink or tinged blue or bleached yellow like peroxide hair going grey like the dingy concrete steps I sat on, afternoons, picking time grey was the new white

birch leaves that unfurled so sticky and wet with hope too soon aged, spotted, patched the apples tried a few scattered blooms but then curled to sleep, all alone without fruit until a radio host insisted otherwise I forgot my bushes— spirea, viburnum, astilbe— once flowered purple-pink

across the road houses lined up like coffin plots shrouded in cigarette gauze grey-beige roofs, grey-tan sides oh summer’s end, signs sprouted through the parched grass red and orange, green and blue but I say this by rote for they were not colours I saw but positions— wooden sabres, cardboard shields— weapons for the impending Armageddon

the only florals left in my strips of crumbly ground were curlicues of styrofoam that drifted like petals after a neighbour, one garbage day put out a colossal ripped box— a gift that kept on giving

The Walleye 113

TheEye

Robert "Banjo Bob" Balabuck playing at Heavy Rotation. Photo by Keegan Richard.

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