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JUNE 18-JULY 1 2014 VOL. 01 ISSUE 14 URBANITENEWS.COM
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Taking an Ontario craft beer road trip g
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summer cocktails Five speciality drinks from a few downtown bars
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Exploring Windsor via mobile
VIEWS THE ‘DECLINE YOUR VOTE’ EFFECT The election is over. The Liberals earned a majority government, Hudak is out, Windsor lost representation … we get it. Undoubtedly by now you’ve read all the opinions and columns about the provincial election, its importance and outcome, and how it’s going to affect your day-to-day life and pocketbook. One of the things that’s yet to be discussed (as results at the time of publishing have not been printed) is the outcome of the grassroots Decline Your Vote campaign. Local media darling and political animal Paul Synnott launched declineyourvote.ca, an education campaign geared towards informing Ontarians of their right to officially decline their vote in lieu of casting a ballot for a specific candidate. And inform Ontarians he did … A Google search for ‘decline your vote’ turns up no less than 136 articles, endless tweets and dozens of blog posts. In the final weeks of the election, Synnott’s campaign was referenced in dozens of articles and on various platforms including Huffington Post, the Globe and Mail, Vice, CBC, and even Al Jazeera. The day before the election, however, the proverbial shit hit the fan. A post to the popular link sharing site Reddit spurred users to discuss if the campaign was actually a right wing voter suppression campaign funded by conservatives, both big and small ‘c.’
THE URBANITE » URBANITENEWS.COM » JUNE 18-JULY 1 2014 » 2
Instead of reaching out to Synnott for comment, Reevely relied heavily on the crowdsourced ‘investigation’ that the armchair activists of Reddit discovered, namely tweets that Synnott posted espousing right wing ideology, the fact that he’s friends with known members of right wing parties, and that in the past he’s managed a Conservative campaign; how salacious and revealing. What will be interesting to see is the amount of electors who opted to decline their vote. Declined ballots are recorded separately from spoiled ballots and proponents believe it sends a powerful message to the establishment; an increase in declined ballots reflects implies voters are unsatisfied with the options offered. At the end of the day, the purpose of declineyourvote.ca was to increase voter turnout and while we know that Ontario voter turnout increased for the first time in 24 years, we don’t yet know if the number of voters who declined increased. If there are substantially more declined ballots than in years past, voter turnout could be even higher than currently reported. As Synnott explained in a response to the Citizen: “[The] right to decline includes informing [voters] that [they] actually have to show up and vote, which increases turnout. Once you have that ballot in your hand, I have no control over what you might do with it.” And no one can argue against the notion that increasing voter turnout is something for which we should constantly strive. — JON LIEDTKE
The story was picked up by Ottawa Citizen columnist David Reevely who decided to write what can only be described as a hatchet job in an attempt to capitalize off of the left’s cynical fear that the right actively tries to suppress voter turnout.
Publisher/Editor: Natasha Marar (natasha@urbanitenews.com) Managing Editor: Jon Liedtke (jon@urbanitenews.com) Art Director: Stephen Hargreaves Contributors: Loren Mastracci, Rino Bortolin, Paul Synnott, Kieran McKenzie, Jamie Greer, Stephen Hargreaves, Sean Previl, Dan Savage, Jay Verspeelt
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NEWS
THE URBANITE » URBANITENEWS.COM » JUNE 18-JULY 1 2014 » 3
App helps explore Windsor-Essex
Mobile app connects residents and visitors with events, bike lanes, bus times and more
SEAN PREVIL Exploring Windsor and Essex County will soon be as easy as opening an app on your phone.
restaurant that is known for its burgers, a park with a soccer field or a specific bus stop.
Parallel 42 Systems, a Windsor based company, has created an iPhone application called Explore Windsor-Essex to allow people to easily discover local parks, restaurants, events and many other features of the area.
According to Sartori, the listings are made possible because of data provided by the City of Windsor and the corporations of Lakeshore, Essex, Kingsville, and the Essex Region Conservation Authority.
Parallel co-founder Doug Sartori said the idea came to him in 2013 when he was informed that maps provided by the City of Windsor were not usable for the iPhone and this spurred him and his friend Jason Pomerleau to work on ways of better exploring the community through technology.
Sartori said he’s most excited for the upcoming update to include event listings for the app.
“Jason and I then partnered up and formed Parallel 42 in June of 2013 and one of the main reasons for the partnership was to develop map-based applications primarily based on community open data,“ said Sartori. The app is simple to use. Users can choose from a list of options to show various Windsor-Essex restaurants, recreation trails, parks and other amenities and activities. Users can also search for specific options, including finding a
“You can centre on your location and identify where things are happening today or tomorrow,” said Sartori. “Then you can look and get some specific details on the event.” Parallel has teamed up with The Urbanite to present the regional events section of the app because the newspaper has the audience Sartori and Pomerleau look for in their app users. “In terms of the residents of this community, kind of the young, active lifestyle is what we’re trying to promote,” said Sartori. “The Urbanite had a good match in terms of the demographic who we’re trying to reach.”
Natasha Marar, publisher and editor of The Urbanite, said she thinks the app will help expose locals and visitors to more of the city and connect them to the newspaper’s approximately 300 online event listings each month. “Some people in Windsor-Essex are still less familiar with the different assets within our region,” said Marar, adding the partnership with Parallel 42 works well because both companies have similar goals. “We’re (both) trying to reach very active adults in the Windsor-Essex area. We’re looking at young adults who want to get out and explore the region and engage in a variety of different social events,” said Marar. “The app also allows us to captivate newer audiences, people who don’t know as much about what’s happening in this region.” Sartori said the app is currently available on the Apple App Store with event listings to be added shortly and has garnered almost 300 downloads. He added there are plans for for the app to be made available on Android phones in the coming months.
Developer Doug Sartori, Parallel 42 Systems, demonstrates his company’s new mobile » Photo Sean Previl; screenshots courtesy Parallel 42 Systems
Q
Rose City Politics:
»What do the provincial
election results mean to us?
Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Liberal government are embolden with a majority mandate. What is your reaction to the provincial election?
I say ironically because Piruzza was a fine MPP. She showed great integrity and sound judgment in her short term and worked tirelessly for Windsor West.
Rino Bortolin
So not only did the province go Liberal and not rid the government of the corruption the NDP campaigned on, but in Windsor West we lost a stellar MPP and our only representative in that majority government. We have been relegated to political wilderness in Windsor-Essex. Anyone who tells you it doesn’t make a difference is either lying to you or has no idea how the political landscape is forged.
I see the breakdown of the NDP as the issue most worth noting in this election. People once again showed that while scandal and mismanagement plagued the Liberals, people feel most comfortable with the Liberal ideology and policies. Aside from their core base of conservatives, Ontarians were scared of Hudak’s vision and policies. This election was triggered by the NDP who, for political reasons, voted against one of the most NDP-friendly budgets in history. The iron was hot and they felt they needed to strike now while they had the chance. Party members and MPPs spewed rhetoric promising an NDP government. Andrea Horwath was often ranked as the most likeable leaders yet they came out of this election with the same number of seats going in and ended up in third place in a majority government. They have ceded any power they had in the legislature and have once again duped people into thinking they could be a viable alternative but come nowhere near winning the election. The brightest moment for the NDP happened in Windsor West where Lisa Gretzky beat Liberal incumbent Teresa Piruzza. The NDP campaign ran on the banner of eliminating the corruption in government because they had no platform to speak of. This message ironically resonated enough with voters to elect her to the legislature.
Rino Bortolin
My one question is simply, when will the NDP turf Horwath and admit failure?
Kieran McKenzie Well at least Windsor-Essex got it right. I have to acknowledge that my NDP minority prediction was clearly incorrect. After having a few day to reflect, however, I come to the conclusion that the results of this provincial election while not entirely baffling are — I have to say — at least somewhat unsettling. With the Liberal Party (still) embroiled in scandal, this was supposed to be the ‘vote the bums out’ election. So how did we end with a Liberal majority? Let’s start with the obvious: people just don’t like Tim Hudak. His policy agenda is obtuse and Ontarians just never accepted that he could deliver change in a balanced and compassionate way: “he’s a big meanie ... no way I’m voting for that guy.”
Husband, father (of three), chef/co-owner Rino’s Kitchen & Ale House. Rino Bortolin is a passionate advocate for all things local especially local food. Bortolin’s community activism focuses on local municipal issues, having run for city council in 2010. He’s contributed on many local campaigns at all three levels of government.
So then what about the NDP — in some respects it was a perfect storm ... a scandalous Liberal party, an unpalatable Tory leader and a genuinely likeable NDP leader in Andrea Horwath. The NDP should have contended to form government. As Machiavelli taught us, fear is a great motivator ... but being feared in this case was not better. What we actually learned this election is that it’s better to be hated (Liberals) than feared (Hudak). It was fear of Tim Hudak that led Ontarians to buy into the strategic voting frame (#StopHudak) whose inevitable outcome given the Parliamentary configuration just prior to the writ drop was another Liberal government. In this region we got it — you don’t have to vote for one thing you hate to stop another you fear. I wonder why so many progressives across the province couldn’t get there? Of course it didn’t help the NDP either that so many notable leftists in Ontario are still happy to cut off their nose to spite their face. But that’s another column entirely. Paul Synnott Shock has to be the universal reaction across Ontario to the outcome of last Thursday’s election. Most people were expecting a Liberal minority government not much changed from 2011’s results. Despite all their usual bluster and noise, no one besides NDP true believers was expecting Andrea Horwath to have any hope of
Kieran McKenzie
Political activist/organizer with a passion for social justice issues. A lifelong Windsor-Essex resident, Kieran McKenzie holds an honours BA in political science from the University of Windsor and has been campaigning in both elections and on issues since he could walk.
becoming premier. This was PC Leader Tim Hudak’s race to lose and once again he managed to do it. His “Million Jobs” plan made an easy target for the Liberals and his pledge to cut 100,000 civil service jobs was used like a hammer to beat him relentlessly. While he was promising a fiscal responsibility Ontario needed the voters overwhelmingly rejected his version of it. With the exception of a few seats that changed hands between the Liberals and NDP, the Liberals achieved their majority at the expense of the NDP. As far as my Decline Your Vote campaign goes, we won’t know the results until Wednesday when Election Ontario publishes the Official Elections tallies. Despite some late campaign charges of voter suppression and being the “mastermind of an evil conservative conspiracy,” my only goal was to educate voters. Greater turnout by disaffected voters was the goal and from all reports this is what was achieved. Ontario voters have chosen to keep the spending taps running instead of balancing the budget. Unions, contractors and Liberal friends will be cheering the results; four more years of the good times. Here’s hoping we don’t wake up in 2018 with Canada’s biggest hangover and wondering what hit us.
Catch the Rose City Politics crew in every issue of The Urbanite. Have a question? Tweet us @urbanitenews or email info@ urbanitenews.com. You can also listen to Rose City Politics Wednesday’s at 8 p.m. on CJAM 99.1 FM.
Paul Synnott
Paul Synnott is a committed small ‘c’ conservative with libertarian influences, community activist and co-host of Rose City Politics. He has worked on many federal, provincial and municipal campaign in various aspects including campaign management. No dogs, cats or kids, his passion is politics and the City of Windsor.
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THE URBANITE » URBANITENEWS.COM » JUNE 18-JULY 1 2014 » 5
Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co.
An Ontario craft beer road trip *never drink and drive
Beau’s has 12 beers to tantalize your tastebuds and their Tom Green milk stout is one to rival Walkerville Brewery’s, but we’re not sure if it pairs well with “daddy’s sausage.” On the free tour customers will receive tastings of all their tap beers. Patrons will be shown the old and new brew houses and how the beer is kegged and bottled. Tours are on demand and can be done any day of the week. While you’re there be sure to see the Canadian Parliamentary Cats located on Parliament Hill. It is a cat sanctuary that looks after feral cats that are the descendants of cats the federal government kept on its property to kill off rats in the 19th century.
JAY VERSPEELT Summer is descending upon us and for many folks beer is a great way to combat the foul sweat that beads along our brows.
Gananoque Brewing Co.
Summer is also a time for road trips. Our 401 corridor is clad in artisanal breweries that beg to be toured by thirsty travellers. When you leave town this season make sure to check out these breweries.
While Gananoque is a town of little more than 5,000 residents, their brewery produces 120,000 litres of beer a year — more than 24 litres per resident! We don’t know if the town is drunk all the time, but drinking some of their beer couldn’t hurt.With six beers to try, tours cost $10 including samples or for $20 patrons receive a six pack as well. The brewery features a 50-foot bar which the owners claim is the longest in Gananoque. As long as you’re there check out the Thousand Islands Playhouse, a New Orleans style building on the water with GBC on tap. She Loves Me, a musical romantic comedy, is playing June 20 to July 19.
Amsterdam Brewing Co. In Toronto and North York is Amsterdam Brewing Co. and by now, you’re in need of some fuel, and probably gasoline for your car too. Amsterdam Brewery is located 8 km off the 401. It’s home to Boneshaker, an IPA so strong it could melt the livers of Bob and Doug Mackenzie. Twelve other beers are brewed in Ontario’s Amsterdam. This is the brewery to keep your eye on. Every beer they put out is gold. Their free Saturday tour starts at 1 p.m., runs for half an hour and encompasses all the things you would see on a tour with the added bonus of being able to sample all available tap beers free of charge.
Grand River Brewing Another hour down the road, as sobriety sets in, your tires will be rolling into Cambridge, a city that looks like it was dropped off from nineteenth century England. About 10 km off the 401 in the city’s south side is Grand River Brewing. The brewery has 11 beers to sample in a myriad of styles from a 4.5% light ale to an 8% stout. On the tour, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., you’ll see a historic knife factory now housing the brewery where you will hear about Guelph’s water from limestone wells that makes for hard water beers. Tours are $10. Before you get back on the road, be sure to check out the Cambridge Mill an “earth to table” fine dining restaurant that overlooks Grand River’s Grand River.
Railway City Two hours outside of Windsor will bring you to Saint Thomas, a small community which at one time was the railway city of the country. Railway City brewery can be found on the city’s upper east side. The brewery has eight beers on tap to sample, their signature being the extremely hoppy Dead Elephant. On the tour you’ll see the production area where the beer ferments and is taken to the labelling section where bottles roll off the line. Tours cost $5 a tasting with a keychain or $7 with a pint glass to take home.
Core cocktails
Five summer cocktails from Windsor’s downtown Jameson Slushie Where: The Windsor Beer Exchange Although The Beer Windsor Exchange is known for its variety of beer, the staff make a pretty damn good cocktail. It comes in a pint (to disguise its true nature?) and it’s the alcoholic version of an orange freezie. Not too sweet, the Jameson and Triple Sec make for a delicious yet noticeably boozy drink. $7
Peach & Mint Julep Where: The Rockefeller One of the most creative versions of a Mint Julep around town, this beauty deserves an A+. It is particularly recommended on a hot day, as it resembles a snow cone. Recommended for those who savour their drinks slowly! $12
Slider Caesar Where: Whiskey River Speakeasy Are you peckish but eager to drink? This combo alcohol-food is ideal to satisfy both needs. It comes with a pulled pork slider on a classic Canadian caesar. Vegetarian and seafood options are also available. $9
All Night Endo Raspberry Smash Where: The City Grill This layered berrylicious drink speaks to the girly girl in you. Made with raspberry compote, Ciroc Berry and Chamboard, this fine cocktail will give you a delightful buzz. $10
Where: South Detroit The pineapple and banana liqueur in this drink embrace each other, creating a delicious fruity concoction. Not too strong, one of the main ingredients in this beauty is Sauza Gold Tequila. $9
» Words and photos Loren Mastracci
Fresh summer salads
NATASHA MARAR
Asian Cold Noodle Salad Great by itself as a vegan-friendly salad, or add grilled shrimp to turn this into a light dinner. 200 grams of rice vermicelli noodles 1 large carrot, shaved 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced diagonally 4 scallions, white part only, thinly sliced diagonally 1 mango, julienned handful of mint leaves, roughly chopped handful of cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
Directions
Dressing: juice, 1 lime 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar 1 tsp granulated sugar pinch salt
Cook the noodles according to directions on the packaging, drain and refresh under cold water. Drain again and pat dry with paper towels. Meanwhile, combine all dressing ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Assemble the other ingredients, reserving some of the herbs for garnish. Toss the noodles with ingredients and dressing and top with remaining herbs. Chill for at least one hour. Serves 4 to 6.
Watermelon Feta Salad The cheese and watermelon is an unusual combination, but the salty cheese cuts the sweetness of the watermelon making this a refreshing side salad for any barbecue or summer meal. 4 cups watermelon, diced 3/4 cup feta cheese, diced handful of mint leaves, roughly chopped Dressing: 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tsp light olive oil salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
Directions
Prepare first three ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk ingredients for dressing and add to watermelon mixture. Chill salad for at least one hour. Serves 4.
Creamy Dill Potato Salad The plain yogurt combined with vinegar adds a zingy creaminess to this salad without the extra richness of full mayonnaise potato salads. 5 medium red potatoes 2 scallions, sliced handful of fresh dill 1/2 cup 3% plain yogurt 2 tbsp light mayonnaise 1½ tbsp rice wine vinegar salt and cracked black pepper, to taste 4 inches of cucumber, thinly sliced (optional)
Directions
Dressing: juice, 1 lime 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar 1 tsp granulated sugar pinch salt
Place potatoes into a pot of boiling water and cook till tender. Drain the potatoes and rinse with cold water. Drain again and dice potatoes (1-inch square) when cooled. In a bowl, combine remaining ingredients and toss with potatoes. Chill until ready to serve. Serves 4 to 6.
Âť Photos Jay Verspeelt
ARTS
Ask a brewer... The five enemies of beer
with brewmaster Paul Brady
Q: What are the five enemies of beer? Paul Brady, master brewer: As a producer, there’s five enemies of beer: light, time and motion, heat, oxygen and the brewmaster. I’ve got to fight the first four enemies of beer and I acquiesce to my position as the fifth enemy. Light: As far as light goes, that’s why we use brown bottles, that’s why the good brewers and good breweries use brown bottles, it fights the light-struck. If you’ve ever had a beer from Holland in a green bottle, there’s a particular flavour there that you can pick up, we refer to it as light-struck: that’s damage done to the beer by light … the term skunky is also what we refer to as light-struck.... I don’t think it’s intentional, but I think some of them have branded themselves that way and they can’t get away from that branding, the colour of the bottle if you will. Some breweries with green bottles have made taller six packs and they’ll wrap the top of the bottle with paper … to try and fight [light-struck]. Time and motion: Just like anything, time can be an enemy, and as they say, the only thing that can defeat the mountains is time. There’s a few ways that time can be a factor, because as a producer, I have to think how long of a shelf life the beer has. Time can tie to the other enemies because the longer it’s on the shelf the more light-struck it can get, the more chance oxygen can creep into the package, the more chance it can be heated and the temperature can change. Time is an open variable, the longer it’s there the more possibility things can happen and there is no true flavour to associate with time; it’s just longer the time, the more possibility for off-flavours to develop. Heat: Have you ever left a case of beer
on the front porch, forgotten about it, and came back and tried to get it cold and it’s just not right? That’s terrible, you just don’t do that to good beer, especially unpasteurized beer like I produce. The coolness keeps the environment protected and minimizes the chance for bacteria to thrive and keeps metabolic rates low. And cold beer is just good. I do prefer a semi-warm beer sometimes, but on a warm summer day, there’s nothing better than a cold beer. Oxygen: Oxygen and air is an enemy because it’s got so many things it can do to the beer. It can oxidize the beer … and it can create two major off flavours. Initially when beer gets oxidized, you’ll start to taste an almost wet paper or wet damp cardboardness, it blands out the beer in the middle of the beer … I find personally that as oxidation ages, you get an almost raisin, tart fruit notes, rich burnt notes, which is actually a style sought after sometimes called Old Ale; sometimes people oxidize the beer on purpose in order to not have to let it sit around for five years aging. Oxygen also allows for infection because things can get into the beer, and there’s a slew of off flavours that can come from that, anything from butterscotch, green apple … if you ever get a sour beer, that’s an infection … something else got in there. There’s so many ways for [infection] to happen that I lose sleep everyday over it. As far as keeping it fresh, the best bet you can do is hope you’ve got a [brewmaster] providing you with the highest quality in the first place and then as a consumer you’re job Brewmaster: I consume the most beer in the world [laughter] … There will not be fresh beer because I am the fifth enemy of the beer.
IIIII
of 5
THICK AS THIEVES LIE CHEAT STEAL S/R
Windsor’s Thick as Thieves have been bubbling of late, slowly building up steam. With their live performances, followed by a string of videos on YouTube, this ragtag collective of punks and musical misfits have created something so beautifully honest it’s tough to dismiss. Lie Cheat Steal is their debut EP (just released a week ago); a four-song introduction to a sound that is both simple in its idea and enormous in its delivery. This multi-instrumentalist ensemble features at least five members, employing traditional folk instrumentation like guitars, upright bass, banjo, mandolins and washboards, with strong male and female vocals, and songs that combine punk rock attitude with Appalachian hillbilly. Kyle Murphy’s Shane MacGowanand Hank Williams snarl is perfect to lead the vocals throughout, and Ashley O’Neil’s vocals (most evident on “Red Handed”) are the perfect riot girl June Carter Cash compliment. The production is top notch, although many would argue it’s minimalist and almost sounds home recorded. But under the guidance of Kaiser Productions and doing straight off the floor live recording, they’ve managed to captured the heart and soul of the songs, while also allowing each unique instrument to shine through appropriately. “Whiskey,” the EP’s closer, is definitely going to be their live staple singalong for years to come. But hands down, “Red Handed” is the song on which this band best delivers their Windsor-Essex stomp down at its finest. The spoons create an amazing locomotive percussion, Murphy’s snarl is at its best, and O’Neill’s vocals power the ending to a great county mosh. If this is what they’ve created in their short existence so far, it’s with great excitement this listener looks forward to their continued maturation. — JAMIE GREER
III
of 5
LANA DEL REY ULTRAVIOLENCE INTERSCOPE
American songstress Lana Del Rey has lifted the veil of mystery over the followup to her successful 2012 breakout album, Born to Die. Born to Die won over critics and fans, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and selling over 1 million copies. The stakes are high for her second major label release, which came out Tuesday. Ultraviolence, taken from the name of Anthony Burgess’ 1962 dystopian novel A Clockwork Orange, is a crafted hymn that is relentless in its melancholy. Opener “Cruel World,” which clocks in at six minutes and 39 seconds, is provides a long segway into the similarly slow-paced title track. With a name like Ultraviolence, one would expect an assault of the senses but the pulse barely rises by only a few beats with the single “West Coast” and “Pretty When You Cry.” Del Rey has managed to make Portishead’s 1994 album Dummy seem sunny and uplifting. She’s successfully produced the sonic opposite to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy.” “Sad Girl” is basically the theme for the whole album. Del Rey casts herself in a number of female archetypes: love sick, revenge seeker, the other woman and a distressed damsel. Ultraviolence is 11 tracks, closing with a cover of Nina Simone’s “The Other Woman.” A bonus edition features three tracks and fourth song, “Is This Happiness,” is exclusive to iTunes. Sprinkled through Ultraviolence is producer Dan Auerbach’s (Black Keys) influence of psychedelic guitar tones, but it’s never enough to break the bleak, atmospheric vibe. Piano and string arrangements bring some energy and beauty to songs such as “Old Money.” While the songwriting is strong and Ultraviolence has a few gems showcasing Del Rey’s maturity and vocal range, the record lacks the all-American edge and kitsch of her previous work, instead delivering the miserable verse of self obsessed teenage diaries. — NATASHA MARAR
THE URBANITE » URBANITENEWS.COM » JUNE 18-JULY 1 2014 » 09
the Windsor Scene
THE SPOOKY BUT NICE
w/Jamie Greer
RICKY BYRD
SLUMLORD
Ricky Byrd plays Windsor unplugged
Hardcore music showcases, locals Siren Phase and Bobby Sproat drop albums JAMIE GREER It may be World Cup season for most of the world, but these next two weeks offer an amazing array of local and national touring acts coming through Windsor, with several days each week offering something definitely worth checking out. With little fanfare, Dave Houle’s Supermansion unveiled their third volume of music, Brujeria! Working again with longtime collaborator Nick Belulis (Neverending White Lights, the unquiet dead, Porcelain Mary), Houle once again built a 70s horror movie soundtrack as interpreted by Clutch and Kyuss. Like past endeavours, Houle enlisted members of various local projects to flesh out the cast of characters, including members of Lodown, Jet Trio, The Vaudevillianaires, Theory of Everything, Grand Maris and Ashes of Soma. The album is available locally at Dr. Disc Records or Villains Beastro, or online at supermansion.bandcamp.com. On Wednesday, June 18, Rose City Promotions brings another hardcore/metal showcase, headlined by Edmonton’s hardcore specialists, Slumlord, and Montreal’s Hopeless Youth. Windsor support comes from Days Fade, Heart & Harm and The Line Drawn. It all takes place at The Windsor Beer Exchange (493 University Ave. W.), an all ages event at 6 p.m. for only $7. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee Ricky Byrd (best known as the lead guitarist for Joan Jett & The Blackhearts during their 80s heyday) performs a very special
“Unplugged” performance at The City Grill (373 Ouellette Ave.) on Thursday, June 19. For $50, you get a three-course dinner plus entrance to this intimate performance from a true New York rockstar. His guitar riff from “I Love Rock N’ Roll” is perhaps one of rock and roll’s most recognizable riffs. Friday, June 20, as part of the Carrousel of Nations festival, Toronto’s Lemon Bucket Orchestra brings their 14-member entourage and their self professed “Balkan Klezmer Party Punk” sound to the Serbian Centre (6770 Tecumseh Rd. East). Their latest album, Lume, Lume, was nominated for a Juno Award for Best World Music album in early 2014, and they’ve been showcased on CNN, CTV , CBC and Fox News amongst others). This show’s an early one at 7 p.m., $17 in advance or $20 at the door. Next Level Syndicate is throwing another showcase as part of the NXNL (North By Next Level) series, which showcases independent hardcore and noise bands in Toronto and Windsor, during the same time as NXNE. The Dominion House (3140 Sandwich St.) plays host to a night of music on Saturday, June 21 that features Toronto’s Good People and Bird Death, plus sets from hardcore jazz fusion quartet (yes, hardcore jazz fusion). Violent Vatican (who are releasing their anticipated EP this night), the technical noise terrorists Toque, and “fecal noise” masters, The Shits. Doors are at 6:30 p.m. and it’s only $7.
Always a treat when Pitch Union returns to the stage. These guys were a major part of Windsor’s early 2000s stoner metal scene. Thundering chugging metal, they’ve sadly slowed down on their live performances, but they return for a show at their home base, The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, below Pogos) on Saturday, June 21. London’s Swerve opens the show. Upstairs at The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West, beside Pogos) on June 21, Nuit de les Femmes presents a showcase of three rising young singer/songwriters who are really maturing into some of the city’s finest storytellers. The Lamb, Zarasutra and Naomi Rachel round out what should be a beautiful night of music. 10 p.m. start and it’s pay what you can. Toronto’s noise rock outfit Greys has been wowing Windsor audiences the past year or so and they’re returning on tour to support their debut album, If Anything, with a show at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. W.) on Tuesday, June 24. Windsor’s current reigning noise rock band, CELLOS, will be sharing the stage that night in what should be a show of the year candidate. Windsor’s elusive garage pop band The Spooky But Nice have scored an opening spot for The Trews when they hit Detroit on Friday, June 27 at The Shelter (below Saint Andrew’s Hall). After a lengthy silence, it’s great to see The Spooky But Nice performing live with more frequency.
Two more local album releases on Friday, June 27, with Siren Phase at Phog Lounge (with Aeron’s Wake and London’s Opus Rex) for prog and hard rock aficionados, while indie pop singer/songwriter Bobby Sproat drops his second release, The Happy EP, at Windsor Beer Exchange, with Better Weather and Braiden Mitchell opening up. The year 2014 is shaping up to be a year of strong releases from not just some of the city’s veterans, but a great class of new sounds and energies infecting the music scene. The dark swamp rootsabilly blues of Hamilton’s Dead City Soul Revue return to Windsor with a show at Phog Lounge on Saturday, June 28. These guys have been building a great buzz locally with their sultry rock and roll live shows, and on this night they’re joined by local rockers TUG (featuring members of Charles & The Righteous, Vultures?, The Golden Hands Before God, Theory of Everything and Voodoo Kin Mafia). Hamilton thrash metallers Threat Signal bring their #RiseAgain Tour through Windsor on Sunday, June 29 with a stop on the west side. Playing at the Dominion House, Threat Signal is bringing St. Catharines’ Wretchedpain and Toronto’s My Hollow, with local metal giants Reasons Lost kicking things off. All ages show at 6 p.m. and is $10 at the door.
SAVAGE LOVE
THE URBANITE » URBANITENEWS.COM » JUNE 18-JULY 1 » 10
» Not All Menz Q:
I’m a fairly boring person by your column’s standards in that I’ve always identified as a straight male into typical relationships. I’ve realized, after multiple long-term relationships that were unsatisfying, that monogamy isn’t for me. I would like to have a main, fulfilling, and committed relationship without limiting myself sexually or emotionally. I’ve struggled to remain faithful in the past and don’t want to cheat on anyone. I just want the rules to fit me so that I don’t have to be considered a cheater. Do you think this detail is something I should disclose to my family and friends? I don’t want to cause unnecessary awkwardness, but I also want people to love and accept me for who I am. I feel like this is an issue that activism isn’t addressing, and while polyamory seems to be more common today than in the past, I don’t see anyone who is publicly “out” as is the case with most of the queer community. I’m also not too deeply involved with that community, so maybe I just don’t see the activism happening. Pondering Over Life’s Yearnings
A:
If you’re not seeing anyone who is poly and publicly out, POLY, then you’re not watching Showtime, which broadcast two seasons of Polyamory: Married & Dating, and you’re not paying attention to poly activists who are out — like Diana Adams, an attorney (dianaadamslaw.net) who specializes in nontraditional family relationships. “I applaud POLY for considering boldly coming out as polyamorous to his family and friends,” said Adams. “We need more people to come out in order to destigmatize polyamory. I came out as poly in the national media six years ago, and I built my career as an attorney advocate for
queer and polyamorous families.” Adams recognizes that not all poly folks can be out—some work for conservative employers, some could lose custody of their kids—but she believes that poly people who can be out, should be out. “For those of us who have the privilege to be out, I encourage us to speak our truth, which will support a cultural understanding of healthy relationships beyond monogamy—and, of course, help us find like-minded partners. In POLY’s case, I urge him to learn more about poly first. Poly has become a major subject of media attention, with profiles of out poly people published practically weekly. Link up with groups like Loving More (lovemore.com) and Open Love NY (openloveny.com), and follow people like me on Twitter (@dianaadamsesq), and he’ll get tuned in to the nationwide activism that’s happening. He’ll also get tapped into resources for creating successful poly relationships.” And a word about those successful poly relationships: Just like successful monogamous relationships, poly relationships have limits—both sexual and emotional. But instead of coming to an agreement with one partner about those limits, you have to hammer out agreements with two or more partners. So when you say you want to be poly so that the “rules fit you,” POLY, you better be using the plural “you” and not the singular. “Poly may not be easier to maintain than his monogamous relationships,” said Adams. “Poly works for emotional ninjas who possess tremendous emotional awareness and communication skills to create their own agreements with their partner(s). If POLY is ready for that level of effort, poly may work for him so well that he’ll want to tell the world.”
Q:
I’m a 27-year-old straight guy, and I’ve been in a monogamous relationship with an awesome girl for four years. Our sex life is pretty open and healthy, although it has lost some steam since the first couple of years—but that’s normal, right? For the last year or so, every time we have sex, I find myself fantasizing that I’m with someone else. A cute barista, an old fling, that MILF on the bus—in my mind, I’m fucking all kinds of people but never my girlfriend. Am I cheating on my partner? Is this a bad sign for our relationship? Should I admit this to my girlfriend? Should we try an open relationship? Mind Fucking Other Women
A:
If fantasizing about fucking someone else while you’re fucking your partner is cheating, MFOW, then we’re all adulterers. It’s not a great sign that you’re doing it every time—you might wanna will yourself to focus on her at least every other time. As for telling her, well, that depends on how secure she is. If she’s realistic about the fact that you’re both attracted to other people, perhaps you can broach the subject—you may even be able to share your fantasies about others during sex. But that means you’ll have to hear about the baristas, flings, and DILFs who turn her on, too, MFOW. Which raises another question: How secure are you?
Q:
In the wake of the killings at Isla Vista, and all the #YesAllWomen and #NotAllMen hashtag campaigns, I want a change in the dialogue. I want to hear the story of the man who warned a woman after he found out a friend was planning on drugging her, the story of the man who dropped a
friend when he found out that his friend had assaulted his girlfriend, the story of the man who blamed the vindictive ex for posting private naked photos and not his female partner who was being victimized. I want to hear those stories. Can you ask your readers to send in stories that will give us women hope that the men who say they are on our side understand and are standing up for us in their everyday lives? One Sad Woman
A:
The #YesAllWomen and #NotAllMen were not concurrent, complementary Twitter hashtag campaigns, OSW. After Elliot Rodger decided to murder the women who had rejected him—women he felt entitled to, per his deranged and misogynistic “manifesto”—millions of women began tweeting under #YesAllWomen about the sexism, sexual violence, and misogyny they experience on a daily basis. When some men— but not all men (sorry)—began responding to those tweets with variations on “We’re not all like that!” the #NotAllMen hashtag was born, OSW, and it was a critique. As Phil Plait wrote at Slate: “Why is it not helpful to say ‘Not all men are like that’? For lots of reasons. For one, women know this. They already know not every man is a rapist, or a murderer, or violent. They don’t need you to tell them… Instead of being defensive and distracting from the topic at hand [misogyny, sexism, violence], try staying quiet for a while and actually listening to what the thousands upon thousands of women discussing this are saying.” So I’m a little hesitant to invite men to share their not-all-likethat stories, OSW, because I agree with Plait: Maybe men
should shut up and listen? And then there’s this: It’s also entirely possible for a guy to do the right thing on one occasion—dropping a male friend who did something shitty to a female friend—and then immediately turn around and do something deeply shitty himself. Men shouldn’t be encouraged to think that one noble act frees them—frees all of us—from our collective responsibility as men to fight sexism and misogyny. (A quick note to my fellow faggots: What’s in fighting sexism and misogyny for us? Well, homophobes hate us because they perceive us to be like women—we’re effeminate, we’re cocksuckers, we’re penetrated. Homophobia is misogyny’s little brother, and a less misogynistic world is going to be a less homophobic world. So if you won’t fight sexism and misogyny for the sake of your moms, sisters, nieces, and female friends—and there’s something wrong with you if you won’t do it for them—then do it for yourselves, boys.) But I’m running your letter, OSW, and inviting women—stick a cork in it, menz—to jump into the comment thread and share your stories about men who’ve done the right thing. This is not meant to exonerate men of their responsibility to fight sexism and misogyny, or to minimize the problem because “not all men are like that,” but to give men who are reading concrete examples of what it looks like when a dude fights sexism and misogyny. On the Lovecast, orgasm control and toe curling: savagelovecast.com.
» BY DAN SAVAGE » MAIL@SAVAGELOVE.NET » @FAKEDANSAVAGE
EVENTS
FIND AND SUBMIT EVENTS AT SATURDAY, JUNE 21 URBANITENEWS.COM/EVENTS Convocation - School of Academic Studies & School of Nursing (Chatham) COMING UP St. Clair College | 10:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 Pure Detroit Fisher Building Tour Convocation - School of Business Pure Detroit | 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. & Information Technology Pure Detroit Guardian Building St. Clair College | 1 p.m. Tour Pure Detroit | 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Convocation - School of Engineering Technologies & School of The Art of Eating Food & Wine Skilled Trades Festival St. Clair College | 6:30-9 p.m. Lakewood Park South 5 p.m.-1 a.m. | $12 ADV/$15 ATG Grabbing the Brass Ring Pelee Motor Inn | 5:30-9 p.m. The Wizard of Oz Detroit Opera House | 7:30 p.m. My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult w/ DJ Toxic Rainbow & CharacWindsor King Fest teristics The Shelter (Detroit) | 7 p.m. | $16 The Capitol Theatre | 3 p.m. (show); 7:30 p.m. (competition) | $15-165 Luke Bryan w/ Cole Swindell & Lee Brice DTE Energy Music Theatre (Clark- Swans & XiuXiu son) | 7-11 p.m. | $ 33.50-$68.50 St. Andrew’s Hall (Detroit) | 8 p.m. | $20 Broken Bells w/ Elf Power The Majestic (Detroit) | 8 p.m. | $ TV Taping Show The Comedy Quarry | 9 pm. | $12 30.50 THURSDAY, JUNE 19 A3C Circuit Show St. Andrew’s Hall (Detroit) | 10 p.m. | $10 Convocation - School of Health Sciences, School of Media, Art & Design & School of Nursing St. Clair College | 1 p.m. 2014 Garden Party & Art Sale Detroit Artists Market | 4-8 p.m. 3rd 3rsdays Monthly Mixer The Bistro At The River | 5:307:30 p.m.
Martina McBride Caesars Windsor | 9 p.m. | $30 ¡DO! Phog Lounge SUNDAY, JUNE 22 Windsor King Fest The Capitol Theatre | 10:30 a.m. (show); 1:30 p.m. (competition) | $15-$165 Chikara Presents: Goldfinger The Majestic (Detroit) | 2:30 p.m. | $20
Live Nation Presents Logic Convocation - School of Commu- While You Wait Tour w/ QuESt & DJ Rhetorik nity Studies St. Andrew’s Hall (Detroit) | 6 p.m. St. Clair College | 6:30 p.m. | $18.50 Ricky Byrd The Big sLow Down Vol: V The City Grill | 7 p.m.-12 a.m. | Phog Lounge | 6-10 p.m. | $15 $50 (inc. dinner) (inc. dinner) MUSIC: Circuit des Yeux + the TV Taping Show Arch Mystics The Comedy Quarry | 8 & 10:30 MOCAD (Detroit) | 8 p.m. | $5 p.m. | $12 FRIDAY, JUNE 20 Nature Of w/ Zarasutra Phog Lounge The Art of Eating Food & Wine Festival MONDAY, JUNE 23 Lakewood Park South 5 p.m.-1 a.m. | $12 ADV/$15 ATG Slow Roll - Greektown 2 Detroit Bike City | 6:30 p.m. In Your Element Fashion Show Olde Walkerville Theatre | 7 p.m. Fireworks Night | $15-$25 The Bull n’ Barrel | 8 p.m.-2 a.m. The Outer Vibe Fireworks Night Magic Stick Lounge (Detroit) | 7 Art Gallery of Windsor | 7-11 p.m. p.m. | $5 ADV/$7 ATG Windsor King Fest The Capitol Theatre | 7:30 p.m. | $15-165 DJ Double A Phog Lounge | 10 p.m.
Ford Fireworks Riverfront downtown | dusk TUESDAY, JUNE 24 Explore Windsor-Essex App Launch Rino’s Kitchen & Ale House | 4-6:30 p.m.
THE URBANITE » URBANITENEWS.COM » JUNE 18-JULY 1 2014 » 11 Women’s Economic Forum Gatsby Party Oxley Estate Winery | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | $35 - $45 Mix @ The Max: Eastern Bloc Party! Detroit Symphony Orchestra | 7 p.m. | $15-$25
Stand-prov: The Set List Show The Comedy Quarry | 9 pm. | $12
WEEKLY MONDAYS
Sebastien Leger The Boom Boom Room | 10 p.m. Open Mic Surgery w/ James O-L Phog Lounge | doors 9 p.m. | $5 Siren Phase w/ Aerons Wake & Opus Rex Phog Lounge
Dead Kennedys w/ East Bay Ray, Klaus Flouride, DH Peligro & Skip SATURDAY, JUNE 28 Mc Skipster St. Andrew’s Hall (Detroit) | 7 p.m. Arts at the Marina | $20 Leamington Municipal Marina | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Boston w/ Cheap Trick DTE Energy Music Theatre Pure Detroit Guardian Building (Clarkston) | 7:30 p.m. | $20Tour $99.50 Pure Detroit | 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Painted Palms w/ Saint Pepsi & Pure Detroit Fisher Building Tour Lord Scrummage Pure Detroit | 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Magic Stick Lounge (Detroit) | 8p.m. |$10-$12 Lydia Lunch RETROVIRUS + No Wave Revisited lecture Cellos w/ Greys MOCAD (Detroit) | 8 p.m. | $8Phog Lounge $12 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 Chelsey Danfield Taloola Café | 8-9 p.m. FILM + ARTIST TALK: Kevin Jerome Everson Stand-prov: The Set List Show MOCAD | 7 p.m. The Comedy Quarry | 8 & 10:30 p.m. | $12 Nothing More The Shelter (Detroit) | 7p.m. Dead Samaritans Arkells w/ Step Rockets, George Villains Beastro | 10 p.m. Morris & The Gypsy Chorus Dead City Soul Revue Magic Stick Lounge (Detroit) | 8 Phog Lounge p.m. | $10 ADV/$12 ATG
TUESDAYS Open Stage Night w/ Year’s of Ernest Dominion House | 5 p.m. V.O.M.I.T. (Vocal Open Mic Instrumental Talent) Villains Beastro Open Mic w/ Jamie Reaume The Manchester Pub Open Mic w/ Pat Robitaille The Willistead | 8:30 p.m. WEDNESDAYS Wacky Wexican Wednesdays w/ Dee Russ Dominion House | 5 p.m. P.U.K.E. (People Using Karaoke Equipment) Villains Beastro The Groove Trio FM Lounge | 8 p.m. Vice Aerial Phog Lounge | 10 p.m. Dave Russell Dominion House Tavern THURSDAYS Celtic Night w/ Mark Crampsie Dominion House | 5 p.m.
THURSDAY, JUNE 26
SUNDAY, JUNE 29
Your City, Your Ideas Windsor Star News Café | 6-8 p.m.
Kayaking the Detroit River - EastFunk Junkies side Edition Maheras Gentry Park (Detroit) | 9 The Manchester Pub | 10 p.m. p.m. | $20-$40
USS The Bull n’ Barrel | 6:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Drinks x Design City Cyclery | 6 p.m. FRIDAY, JUNE 27 SKIN 2014 Walkerville Brewery | 7 p.m.-1 a.m.
Arts at the Marina Leamington Municipal Marina | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. MONDAY, JUNE 30 3 Year Anniversary The Bull n’ Barrel | 11:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
Open Mic w/ Anderson FM Lounge | 10 p.m. FRIDAYS
Crystal Head Fridays Level 3 Vodka Emporium | 10 p.m. Loveless Fridays w/ Daniel Victor The Loop | 10 p.m.
Slow Roll - Fountain Bistro/Beach After Work Party Rino’s Kitchen & Ale House | 7 p.m. Bar Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band Detroit Bike City | 6:30 p.m. DTE Energy Music Theatre (ClarkTUESDAY, JULY 1 ONGOING son) | 7:30 p.m. | $15-$79 Chicha Libre MOCAD (Detroit) | 8 p.m. | $10 American Idol Live Caesars Windsor | 8 p.m. | $25
Windsor Canada Day Celebration & Parade Wyandotte and Devonshire streets | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Jude Abu-Zaineh Artspeak Gallery | until June 20 Somewhere/Elsewhere: Sue Cole Phog Lounge | until June 30
Scott H. Biram w/ Austin Lucas & The Hand In the Ocean Magic Stick (Detroit) | 8 p.m. | $10 - $12
Summerfest Windsor Riverside Festival Plaza | 1-11 p.m. (weekdays); 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (weekends) | until July 1
Sara & Ryan Fontaine Taloola Café | 8-9 p.m.
313 photo exhibition Detroit Artists Market | until July 12
Friday Night Lights Bike Tour Windsor Eats | 8:30 p.m.
aswemaythink: Scott Carruthers and CAPUT MORTUUM: Sasha Opeiko Artcite | until Aug. 2
Bobby Sproat CD Release w/ Better Weather & Braeden Mitchell The Windsor Beer Exchange | 9 p.m. | $5
WE WON’T COMPETE Art Gallery of Windsor | until Sept. 21