Volume 2, Issue 1 - Dec. 3-16, 2014

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dec. 3 - 16 2014 vol. 02 issue 01 urBaNiTeNeWs.coM

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From the vault

a local publisher and the Windsor star team up to to chronicle the city’s history in a new book »HOLIDAY FeATuRe

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Unique gifts from the region’s best shops & artisans

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Recently, the Ontario Municipal Benchmarking Initiative published its yearly report comparing service delivery across municipalities.

Windsor ranked at the bottom for fire related injuries and property losses. This new data comes in the context of a major restructuring within the Windsor Fire Department that will see staffing cuts, a reduction in the total number of fire stations in the community and the removal from service of one fire engine.

This plan according to the City of Windsor will improve service for 50,000 residents by building new stations in better locations. The Windsor Professional Firefighters Association counters that these cuts are clearly coming at the wrong time. Who’s got it right?

Don Merrifield The OMBI report showed the continued trend of increasing fire related injuries and increased response times that have been occurring for years in Windsor. This shows there has been a problem with the current organization for years. The city plan has finally done what has obviously been needed for years and that is reorganize how and from where the city will provide fire services. The plan approved by the fire chief and city will improve response times to 50,000 residents and streamline staffing by eliminating seven positions whose job was to drive district fire chiefs to calls. When the reorganization is done, the daily compliment will go to 50 from 53, and include two new hires. No frontline staff are being eliminated. Sorry being a district fire chief chauffeur isn’t “frontline.”

The whole reorganization stemmed from the arbitration process that has been ongoing for many years. In the end (as always) the city was forced to pay the demands of the union because that’s how arbitration

»ROSe cITY POLITIcS

Will fire dept. cuts burn citizens? works in this province. They say “we want this,” the city says “we can’t afford it.” It goes to arbitration and the arbitrator says to the city, “pay them what they demand,” and you and I get to write a higher cheque in our tax bill. It’s a great system. They call it “collective bargaining” because collectively the taxpayers always get screwed. What a bargain. This time around, knowing they’d have to pay, the city informed the firefighters union that to cover the costs there would have to be a reorganization because believe it or not, there isn’t a neverending stream of money flowing into the city coffers. If this was really about public safety concerns the union could of said, “ok, we understand that. Let’s possibly take a little less than our small 15 per cent pay increase, reduced work hours from 48 to 42, and maintain the same number of employees and trucks in service.” It seems it’s only about public safety when it’s someone elses money.

Usually when a public sector union isn’t going to get their way they pull out the old, “This is about public safety. This is about the kids. This isn’t about money.” Now it seems even when they do get their way and have the richest contract in Ontario (and amongst the highest paid in the world) it still isn’t enough. To quote Gordon Gekko: “Greed, is good.” I will avoid the irony of how many of the executives in the union, and some members don’t live in Windsor and have their families protected by volunteer fire services.

Kieran McKenzie Public safety policy choices are always challenging and force decision makers to search for a delicate balance between fiscal responsibility and keeping people safe. This debate has been front and centre in Windsor for several months as the Windsor Professional Firefighter’s Association and the City have been butting heads over a new plan brought forward that will see significant impacts with respect to the deployment of our resources and the quality of service.

It’s very unfortunate, in my opinion, this process has become so politicized that it’s stunted in many respects the opportunity to have a serious discussion about the quality of fire services in our community and the expectations that we as citizens have around said services. These discussions are always challenging due to the magnitude of what’s at stake if we don’t get this right.

Moreover, given what has come to light through the OMBI study it’s clear that we need to have that discussion.

For many years now the city has been in an ugly labour dispute with its firefighters … eight years in fact. That protracted collective bargaining situation has led to some pretty public bad blood that’s been aired by parties on both sides of the negotiation table, so much so that one has to ask: is politics trumping policy here?

Frankly, I don’t know. But the timing of some pertinent events, to me, is instructive.

Don Merrifield Jr.

Fourteen years as a Windsor realtor, musician, father of one son Miles, politicsrun financially conservative yet socially liberal. Merrifield Jr. was a candidate in the 2010 municipal election in Ward 3 for city councillor, a cigar aficionado, motorcycle enthusiast and lover of travel.

Publisher/Editor: Natasha Marar (natasha@urbanitenews.com) Art Director: Stephen Hargreaves Contributors: Jamie Greer, Dan Savage, Jay Verspeelt, Jenn McMullan, Syx Langemann, Nicholas V. Nedin

Inquiries and sales: 226-674-0140 Information: info@urbanitenews.com News tips: tips@urbanitenews.com Letters: letters@urbanitenews.com

The arbitration award came in late October 2013. Just a few weeks later on Dec. 10, a massive reorganization plan that will leave the community with one less station, three fewer firefighters on shift at any given time and one less engine in service was passed unanimously by council.

Worse, this plan was developed without any significant input from the individuals who are actually putting out fires in the community … the firefighters themselves. It’s been widely reported that the city invited firefighters to comment on the report just prior to it being tabled for approval but let’s get one thing straight: asking for a rubber stamp is not consultation.

Also, when were the public meetings held where the community was offered the opportunity to provide input about fire services? Certainly a reorganization this substantive needs more input than just a council meeting.

This is first and foremost a public safety issue with budgetary implications. It has morphed in many respects into a very public continuation of an ugly collective bargaining negotiation that at best only debatably holds the interests of the citizens at the centre. This speaks to many of the systemic problems we have in our community. I hope our incoming council can work to improve the relationship it has with its workforce and citizens so we can leverage their unique expertise and insight to improve services throughout the community.

Kieran McKenzie

Political activist/organizer with a passion for social justice issues. A lifelong WindsorEssex 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.

Copyright 2014 Urbanite Media Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the written permission of the publisher. The Urbanite is available free of charge. Subscriptions are available by mail at $60 per year.

The Urbanite 380 Pelissier St., Unit 204 Windsor, ON N9A 6W8 urbanitenews.com @urbanitenews | #theurbanite

»FOOD

Like an indie Cracker Barrel, the Steve Bro designed Snack Bar-B-Q opens this month

» Photos Jay Verspeelt

Trendy Bar-B-Q worth a pig in a poke

New downtown “hipster barbecue” tastes a good as it looks jay verspeelt The air may be cooling outside, but a local entrepreneur is heating up downtown with his big barbecue flavours.

Local entrepreneur Mark Boscariol has opened numerous restaurants across the city, including Chanosos, Walkermole and Tecumseh Roadhouse. Since August, he’s gutted and renovated Maroon Bros. to fill the void left by the former restaurant and the loss of nearby landmark Tunnel BARB-Q. “I hope we’re making barbecue for the next generation,” said Boscariol. “Everything is going to be a la carte. Sides aren’t some

kind of foregone conclusion that end up on your plate because you ordered the meal.

Everything that makes it on your plate has to earn its way on to your plate.”

Snack Bar-B-Q is akin in decor of The Willistead Restaurant, which was also designed

by Steve Bro. It features a wall made from cassette tapes, New York subway style tile, penny inlays in the bathroom wall and other eclectic mish mashes of rustic, urban and industrial design. Some of the cues come from Toronto restaurants like Snackbar 416 or Electric Mud. The space also features a 100-plus CD

jukebox that will have a large selection of Windsor and Detroit music.

Boscariol’s partner and chef, Jim Renaud, described the food as “hipster barbecue” with items such as white BBQ sauce, blackened cauliflower and tofu smoked on site.

Despite barbecue being synonymous with meat, the space is “vegetarian friendly.”

The restaurant hopes to merge the idea of tapas into the realm of comfort food. Renaud said he would like to see customers try several items rather than just a rack of ribs.

“Obviously, you’ve got big items like ribs

but the way that we’re going to design the menu is you don’t have to have a full set of ribs or a half set. If you want to order two or three bones you can,” said Renaud, adding, “I’m trying to get away from those huge portions where you’re stuck with fries or beans.”

Renaud would like the space not just to be a place to come and eat, which they say is geared to a student budget, but also a place to have a drink. Boscariol envisions it as a community hub.

Snack Bar-B-Q, located at 39 Chatham St. E., will light up its grills by mid-December.

Adorned with wood, stone and hides from Columbia and the Amazon, Wineology opened its doors last week

» Photos (top left) Jay Verspeelt, courtesy Wineology

»FOOD & DRINK

New Walkerville wine bar opens

Concept restaurant Wineology hopes to uncork the sommelier in everyone NATASHA MARAR One Windsorite is bringing his passion for wine and worldly travel experience to a new restaurant and bar in Walkerville.

Wineology opened its doors last Thursday at 1646 Wyandotte St. E. in the space formerly occupied by The Velvet Restaurant, which closed last fall after 90 years of business.

sphere will draw couples looking for a cozy and romantic evening out.

meat and cheese platters and stone pizza that pairs well with its wines.

Wineology has developed relationships with local suppliers such as Copper’s Hawk Vineyard, Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery and Mastronardi Estate Winery.

Wineology’s rustic decor is inspired by years of travel. Boulos sourced wood and cow hide from the Amazon and Columbia to create large communal tables, chairs and benches that seat 68. Ambient lighting is achieved through careful placement of chandlers and wall sconces.

“We’re offering wine from all over the world, but at the same time we’re supporting our locals too.”

“There’s a lot of wine lovers in the city, but there’s no place to go to,” remarked Boulos.

“If you go to a wine festival in the summertime you’ll see a lot of people. … Neros is too expensive or The Keg is a steakhouse.

There’s not a place that has a lot of privacy and a big selection of wine. I think this is the right place.”

“I think wine goes well with wood and candles,” Boulos said. He hopes the atmo-

BUCK A SHUCK

HOME OF THE

“It’s been in my mind for seven, eight years. I always liked wine, plus I took wine (courses), and a lot wine tasting tours in Italy, France, California, South Africa, all over the world,” said Jean-Claude Boulos, who co-owns Wineology with his brother Justine.

“I’m doing this for fun more than anything,” said Boulos, who runs another business in addition to his day job as an electronics engineer. Boulos said his work as an engineer takes him out of the country at least once a month, allowing him to take in wine tours during his travels.

Wineology offers several wine flights of three to four samples of wine. Flights will be based on a “grape of the month,” Old World wine, New World wine or Essex County wines. The tasting bar also features a menu of cheese and chocolate fondue,

Wineology is open Tuesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, visit wineologybar.ca.

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What is a session beer?

Today, a session beer has essentially come to mean a low alcohol or low gravity beer … you can drink more of them for a longer period of time without feeling the ill effects of the alcohol.

Can you have a session beer in different styles?

You can have any style of session beer you want as long as the alcohol content is somewhere, I’d say approximately four per cent. That pretty much defines a session beer, or lower even.

Is there a particular style that’s more suited to being a session beer?

Some would argue that lagers were essentially [session beers], maybe lighter ales but in this day and age there are session IPAs. That is the most popular IPA that’s popping up on the market right now.

That sounds like that doesn’t make sense.

What it is, it’s a lighter bodied, lower alcohol beer but still has a strong hop flavour and finish so people are drinking full flavour beer but it’s not as heavy or alcoholic as IPAs tend to be much stronger on the “Richter” scale of alcohol we’ll say.

What’s the point of creating a session ale?

The point is, let’s say you want to go to the baseball game and drink really good craft beer and you don’t want to hold on to the

same beer all day and have it get warm because it’s pretty strong to drink four of them in an hour and still function, so if you have a session beer you can enjoy the flavour. You’re drinking a good beer and you can enjoy many of them without without getting completely schnockered, I’m sure there’s a technical term. Enjoy more beers with less effect.

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What’s different in the brewing process?

Actually there is, there’s a few ways you can pull off a session beer. I can’t really describe all of them in the short-term, but essentially what you’re doing is putting fewer sugars into your base product. So lets say your volume stays the same, lets say a cup, and to have a standard beer you’d have say five grams of sugar. With a session beer you’d try to only give it four grams of sugar in the same cup because the sugar then relates to the alcohol content later. The yeast will eat the sugar.

You’d make a less sugary wort and you’ll have a less alcoholic beer. Yu can still add a ton of hops like you would in an IPA and it’s just not as alcoholic. You could do this to a stout or anything your heart desires.

Would you drink a two per cent beer?

I would and I have. On a hot summer day there’s nothing like a nice two and a half per cent sour beer, you can just put them back. It’s actually what farm workers used to get/. They’d call them farmhouse ales, which is one of the original session beers, … there’s nothing like a nice saison or farmhouse ale in the summer while mowing the lawn, sign me right up.

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»DRINK

CC make another splash in the whisky world The Whisk(e)y Chef stops by to show off new spirits and award the Whisky Cup natasha marar New whiskys are flowing from the barrels at Canadian Club.

The Windsor-based distillery recently launched two new Chairman’s Select whiskys: 100% Rye and Maple.

Matt “The Whisk(e)y Chef ” Jones is a whisky ambassador for Beam Suntory, which owns Canadian Club.

“I’m basically an extension of the distilleries … I travel coast-to-coast,” said Jones.

“I get to preach the gospel of whisky as it were, making cocktails and educating trade and consumers on the differences between the whisky and how they’re produced.”

Jones said it’s the first time in the company’s 156-year history its produced a 100% rye whisky. “There are only four or five 100% ryes in Canada, the rest are blends.”

“We’ve nicknamed our Canadian whisky ‘rye,’ but the truth is the overwhelming majority barely has any rye in it,” he said. “... This one here is a bolder style of whisky, 100% rye with spicier, more flavourable robust notes that work in a cocktail …”

The Canadian whisky category in general is softer and lighter than a bourbon, so it makes a different style of cocktail all together, said Jones.

“The cocktail itself is a little time capsule, a little cup of Americana. The cocktails that did survive prohibition are coming back, these forgotten cocktails as they were,” said Jones. “The culture of whisky has changed a lot in Canada, especially in the last 10 years. We’ve been drinking vodka in our cocktails for a very long time and whisky is coming back in a big way. We’re happy to be a part of that, as well as the renaissance of the classic cocktail.”

The cocktail resurgence, which Jones explained began in San Francisco, New York and throughout Europe, is gaining steam in Windsor with more establishments offering craft cocktails.

For the Canadian Club whisky launch, a Whisky Cup competition was held at its brand centre on Riverside Drive.

Bartenders from The Bourbon Tap & Grill, The Dominion House, The Foundry Pub and The Willistead Restaurant were invited to compete in The Whisky Cup. Mixologist were given two weeks to design two cocktails using Canadian Club’s 100% Rye and C.C. Maple whiskys. At the competition, they spent five minutes preparing the cocktails for three judges.

Mark Dutka from The Willistead won the challenge for his Maple Beet Shrub and Pomander orange rye cocktails.

Matt Jones mixes up a few signature Canadian Club cocktails Dutka, a third generation bartender and owner of Hung Charcuterie, attributes his cocktail creativity to his love of food.

He used his own cured bacon atop of the Maple Beet Shrub cocktail.

» Photo Jay Verspeelt

“I think about it as food. When I want to eat something, I need balance. You need salty, sweet, sour. You need all those flavours, and I take the same thing when I make drinks too.”

»FOOD

A Salvadorian fest

Mi Casita serves traditional Salvadorian fare and Mexican cuisine Nicholas V. Nedin Central American cuisine, in most people’s minds, tends to get written off or jumbled into one amorphous blob of Mexican-ish food, and that is a huge mistake.

The Republic of El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America. Bordered on the north by Guatemala, on the east by Honduras and on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean, El Salvador was a colony of Spain until 1821 and became an independent nation in 1898. What followed was years of military juntas, coup d’etats, and despotic dictators who kept the people in a state of perpetual poverty.

With poverty comes innovation in terms of cuisine. The inedible is shaped, molded and worked until it isn’t just edible but delicious. An example of this, is the 6 the urbanite Dec.03-16 2014

quintessential Salvadorian staple, Pupusa.

A bastard brother of the Mexican tortilla, Pupusa is a flatbread made from corn flour which is traditionally stuffed with cheese, chicharron* and beans.

Another staple of Salvadorian cuisine is Yuca, a root vegetable also known as Cassava. Yuca is kind of a mix between a potato and a banana in texture and flavour and is one of the most popular sources of carbohydrates in the developing world.

Salvadorian’s know how to prepare Yuca like noone else that I have come across.

I had eaten Salvadorian food before while living in Calgary but it wasn’t until last month that I realized that Windsor had it’s own Salvadorian eatery. Mi Casita, located at 429 Wyandotte St. E., is a great little find.

Serving both traditional Salvadorian fare as well as Mexican cuisine, Mi Casita has some dynamite dishes that will introduce you to the flavours of El Salvador.

To start I recommend the Yuca Con Chicharron. Crispy and creamy fried Yuca sticks, and salty porky chunks of chicharron topped with a delicate cabbage salad that has bright acidity which cuts through the richness of the yuca and the pork.

You then need to order pupusa, like 10 of them (or three I guess). They are smaller than the pupusa I was familiar with but no less tasty. They come with sides of tomato sauce and pickled peppers and cabbage, but they are more than good on their own.

Finally the Chili Relleno was recom-

mended to me by my server, which is a Salvadorian take on a central Mexican stuffed pepper dish. A Poblano pepper is stuffed with cheese and pork, simmered in a deeply flavourful sauce and battered in egg. The dish is served with rice and beans which at many Latin restaurants could be a throwaway but at Mi Casita they just make you want to keep eating.

Overall, if you are interested in keeping on your growing edge with food and especially Latin food, Mi Casita is a place I highly recommend. *Chicharron is generally pork skin (or whatever is left over) that has been cooked down and ground into a paste or fried into a pork rind type consistency. Either way it’s pretty much everything that is right with the world.

the urbanite . gift guide hmmm... whisky

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»HOLIDAYS

Never mind the mall, shop small

Finding the holiday gifts that make you look like the best gift giver ever

It’s that time of year again when we dig into our pockets and max out credit cards in the name of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and any other wintertime holiday plagued by consumerism.

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On the upside, getting out to the shops is a good excuse to explore the latest and coolest from a growing crop of Windsor independent retailers. A BMO survey estimates the average Canadian shopper will shell out around $600 on gifts this season. But that doesn’t mean your whole budget should be spent on mass-produced merch.

Stay out of the mall; the massive retail chains in the malls and big box parks are stocked with the most overproduced and uninteresting potential gifts. Wandering from Wal-Mart to Target to Sears looking for something interesting to make that special person in your life feel special is torture, but finding that one-of-akind gift at a small retailer makes your shopping easier and your special someone feel even more special.

We’ve scoured the best of the region, from Windsor to Essex, Detroit and even localized Esty shops with those oh-so-cute, yet practical handmade beer journals. Some are handcrafted in Windsor, others are unique products that local retailers have picked because they are wellmade and not just because the profit points are high enough.

No matter how you shop this season, remember that when you spend money with local retailers you support our city from the inside out. You’re growing our neighbourhods and keeping your hard earned cash in Windsor.

1. Suit package (jacket, trousers, shirt, tie, socks, shoes) from $199 @ Freeds, 1526 Ottawa St., Windsor or freeds.com 2. Shinola Runwell watch 47mm (made in Detroit) $550 USD @ Shinola, 441 W Canfield St., Detroit or shinola.com 3. Brooklyn Bean Roaster (K-Cups) $17.72 @ Personal Coffee Service, 3873 Walker Rd. or personalservicecoffee.ca 4. Sprucewood Shores Warm ‘n Cozy mulled wine (made in Harrow, ON) $11.95 @ LCBO locations or sprucewoodshores.com Dec.03-16 2014 the urbanite 7

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5. Detroit Bikes B-Type 3-speed bicycle (made in Detroit) $699 @ City Cyclery, 553 Lincoln Rd., Windsor or citycyclery.ca 6. Pushers Co. (made in Windsor) $39.99 @ Pushers Co., 487 Ouellette Ave., Windsor or pusherscollective.bigcartel.com 7. Papa D’s Tropical Hot Sawce (made in Windsor) $10 @ various shops or hotpapads.com 8. Ceramic Coffee Dripper $24.99 @ Salute Espresso Bar, 2090 Wyandotte St. E., Windsor 9. The Trouble With Brunch by Shawn Micallef, Coach House Books $13.95 @ Biblioasis, 1520 Wyandotte St. E. or biblioasis.com 10. Canadian Club 100% Rye (made in Windsor) $24.95 @ LCBO locations 11. From the Vault: A Photo History of Windsor by Craig Pearson and Daniel Wells (published in Windsor) $39.95 @ Biblioasis, 1520 Wyandotte St. E. or biblioasis.com 12. Nygaard Design Wooden Lotus Wall Clock (made in Windsor) $54 @ nygaarddesign.com 13. Detroit Coney Island Christmas cards (made in Detroit) $16.50USD (for 10) @ shoppeninsulas.com

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14. Faerhaven soaps, shampoo bars, a shaving soap made from Walkerville Brewery beers (made in Windsor) $35 (6-pack) @ 378 Devonshire Rd. or shopeco.ca 15. Tim Beaudry Designs leather bags (made in Windsor) from $69 @ City Cyclery, 553 Lincoln Rd., Windsor or citycyclery.ca 16. “Ventricle” hand-blown sculptural vase designed by Eva Milinkovic $call for pricing @ Tsunami Glasswork Inc., 2440 Central Ave, Windsor or tsunamiglassworks.com 17. Party dress $130 (made in Windsor) @ Hello Beautiful Custom Fashion & Bridal Boutique, 532 Pelissier St., Windsor 18. JBL Pulse wireless Bluetooth speaker/light show $229 @ Kelcom Wireless, 363 Eugenie St. E., Windsor or kelcomwireless.ca 19. McClure’s Party Pack (garlic & dill, spicy, sweet and spicy pickels, Bloody Mary mix and bags of kettle chips) $35 (made in Detroit) @ various locations or mcclurespickles.com 20. Beer Journal by Pocket Squares Paper Co. (made in Windsor) $14 @ etsy.com/ca/shop/PocketSquares

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»ALBum RevIeWS

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WHILE WHALES SLEEP FILTH AND ECHOES S/R

It’s a real shame that jazz has fallen so far out of favour with music listeners because the beauty of a largely lyricless genre is the sweeping moods and emotions that it creates. But in it’s place for the modern person there’s prog.

Filth and Echos is the debut album from While Whales Sleep, a sort-of Windsor supergroup with members from Cellos and Learning. Available online via Bandcamp, the EP is an emotional display of progressive rock, not unlike guitarist Chris Elkjar’s other project, Gentleman’s Gun Club. In fact, While Wales Sleep covers a Gentleman’s Gun Club song on the record, if “cover” is the appropriate word.

From a sonic standpoint the album is very well produced. The drums cut through the tracks viciously. The recording was done both at home and at Sound Foundry in Kingsville. On the whole the guitar work, which is the heart of the album, is similar to Boys Night Out but there’s something else that’s hard to place. It’s familiar but illusive. It’s almost as if Minus the Bear collectively had a psychotic episode and wrote an album from a sanitarium.

Naming the songs when there is no poetry turns them into placeholders.

The naming of tracks on this record is dramatic and serious with titles like “John Glenn’s Heartbeat” and “I Was Blocking the Sun, You Waved Good-bye.”

“While Whales Sleep, Wasps are Breeding” is the standout song of the album. It rolls out in a sub 80s pop fashion before it blows up in its last third. The guitar leads are outstanding.

The only strange thing, which has less to do with the record itself, is that seeing While Whales Sleep live evokes Spinal Tap moments when there are two bass players performing at once but it does give the sound a “Big Bottom.”

— JAY VERSPEELT

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DEPERUSE DEPERUSE S/R

Several years ago, a young musician named Kevin Echlin began venturing into the local music scene, creating a buzz with such an obvious talent for songwriting. A brief spell in the United States and Echlin was back in Windsor where he unleashed the surprise hit of 2013, the amazing orchestral pop band Heavy Suns. After several well received shows, Heavy Suns went quiet and, once again, the local scene was denied the voice that Echlin has shown in only sporadic bursts.

But he’s back with a new project, Deperuse. Whereas Heavy Suns was more akin to orchestral roots projects like Fleet Foxes or Band of Horses, Deperuse sees Echlin traverse a slightly different path. Deperuse, recorded entirely by Echlin himself, follows more of a psychedelic dream pop closer to Ariel Pink or Panda Bear. Fans of Echlin’s previous work will find a refreshing new twist on his golden voice, with music similarly different yet eerily familiar.

The album is available online now and it’s already creating a buzz on the indie music scene, receiving favourable reviews on notable music blogs around the world. With 12 beautiful tracks, including the haunting pop first single “Winter Banal Blues,” it’s not a question of if Kevin Echlin will break out, but simply when.

— JAMIE GREER

»BOOKS

Windsor Star opens photo vault with new book From the Vault expores city’s heritage through 1,100 original images

Reading From the Vault and then walking through the city seeing the changes offers a sense of Windsor’s history

» Photos/photo edits Jay Verspeelt

JAY VERSPEELT From The Vault: A Photo History of Windsor is a photographic record of the beginnings of our city.

Released by local publisher Biblioasis last month, the book signifies a tremendous undertaking in telling the story of this region.

For over two years, Windsor Star reporter Craig Pearson and Biblioasis publisher Dan Wells worked on the book. The authors and publishing team spent thousands of hours combing through Windsor Star archives (and its previous incarnations) to assemble almost 450 pages and 1,100 photographs dating from the 1860s to 1950. Almost double the amount of photos were pulled and scanned for the making of this book, many never before published.

This is a book brings about nostalgia and longing for the city’s classic, and sadly forgone architecture. Most of the buildings depicted in this book will be unrecognizable to many Windsorites, unless they’re avid readers of International Metropolis. Make no mistake this is a book of architecture, because architecture outlives people.

But people are buying, the book has sold more than 5,000 copies since being released on Nov. 27.

It’s interesting seeing people in these photos, these were real people, Windsorites. Yet, the connection to them seems so far removed.

In a way it feels like they’re from another world. At the very least they’re better dressed than we are now.

At a glance, the volume appears to be largely focused on the 1920s, Windsor’s great claim to fame. It was a time when Al Capone came around, along with the Purple Gang and all rum runners alike. When the city was in a time of boom and grand hotels were being built.

From the Vault is broken down into 31 sections highlighting different aspects of everyday life in Windsor. Its visual representation will give a reasonable measure of insight to politics, liquor, transit, disasters and more of the day.

chronologically and photos within sections jump sporadically.

The book is the first of two volumes, the next of which will focus on 1950 to the present. A release date has yet to be announced, but Wells said at the book’s launch event that it “may be in a few years.”

It’s heartbreaking to see photos of places like the Carnegie Library or the British-American Hotel knowing that we’ll never step foot in them. Hopefully, this book will help the city foster a deep appreciation for what’s left.

Most notable of those sections is Windsor, which shows the progression of how the city’s core developed. It is however a little frustrating that sections are not laid out

»ART

Paint one, drink one

Paint Nite pairs a night out with a creative outlet over a few drinks Jenn McMullan With the popular social art event Paint Nite making its way to Windsor, going out for a weekday night cap just got a lot more colourful.

“It’s been described as the best friend night, date night and girls’ night out,” said creative director Dan Muldoon. “They get a great teacher that takes them step by step through the process, and at the end everyone has their own one of a kind painting.”

The event combines a night out for a drink with an instructor guiding you through a group art class. Muldoon said the company provides everything from the art instructor to easel, canvas, paint, brushes and apron.

Muldoon was first introduced to the idea when he participated in the event in Vancouver. He said he knew it was a niche that

would fit well in Windsor, and called up childhood friend and artist Judy Depassio to help host the event.

Nite not only allows for an alternative after hours event, but is a great way to stimulate the mind.

“The whole idea is to have fun while you’re creating a new experience,” said Depassio.

“A lot of people might go to a bar for drinks, pool, karaoke, those kind of things. I think Paint Nite kind of fills in the gap for another kind of venue that is new and exciting.”

“For a date night you’re both sitting beside each other, doing something together and you’re being creative at the same time,” said Muldoon. “You can talk, you can drink, you can paint, so it’s a good way to meet new people.”

Paint Nite, which started at the end of October, has been held at various local establishments. Upcoming events include Dec. 3 at Cramdon’s, Dec. 4 and 11 at The Dominion House Tavern, Dec. 8 at Loreleis Bistro and Dec. 9 at Johnny Shotz. The painting starts each night at 7 p.m. and the cost to attend is $45.

Depassio, who has been an art teacher in both Windsor and Detroit for 15 years, said this kind of creative outlet is very eye opening to many participants.

Both Muldoon and Depassio agree Paint

“It’s a really interactive, creative expression that you can have fun with and experience a different kind of evening,” she said. “People are expressing an individuality that possibly most people have not tapped into.”

“Most people have never taken a pen or a brush or anything like that, to try and create anything. … they’re going down a road they’ve never travelled before.”

Depassio said this road can lead down a path which can bleed off the canvas and seep into other parts of people’s daily life.

“There’s a saying: ‘think outside of the box.’

While I usually say there’s no box, be fearless. That kind of thinking is really therapeutic because it allows you to be free in very different areas in your mind that you never thought that you could be.”

For more information about Paint Nite, visit paintnite.com or e-mail dan@danielmuldoon. com.

Dec.03-16 2014 the urbanite 11

»local music

Still wet behind the ears, Sieraslave are making an impression on the local scene

» Photo Syx Langemann

Teenage kicks right through the night Sieraslave release their debut LP between math tests and gym classes Jamie greer Oscar Wilde once mused that “youth was wasted on the young,” but in rock and roll, it’s a needed proponent. No one showcases the passion and energy of rock and roll youth like Sieraslave, a newer outfit on the Windsor scene about to release their selftitled debut album.

Though they formally became Sieraslave in July, the seeds of the band go back a little bit further. Drummer Siera Simoni and guitarist/vocalist Nathan McNevin first met several years back attending Jam Space’s Jam Academy program, where local kids are taught to play and hone their instrumentation, the dynamics of playing together in a band and working on compositions.

One of Sieraslave’s teachers at Jam Academy was Cellos drummer David Allan. “I think it really goes to show the benefits of the program, getting the kids on stage early at some of the key local venues and showing them what’s possible if they really dig in, work hard and make good contacts,” said Allan.

“I still teach Siera drum lessons every week and have done so for the past four years. She has an incredible dedication and passion for playing the drums ... The band has a bright future ahead.”

Drawing on a combination of classic and modern rock influences, Sieraslave — which also features Dane Roberts on vocals and guitar and Shaun Miller on bass — have already made an impact on the local music scene with opening slots at Phog Phest and the Leamington Tomato Festival. For their debut album, many bands will start small 12 the urbanite Dec.03-16 2014

and record themselves. Not SieraSlave — they went right to one of the city’s biggest hit makers, producer Marty Bak of SLR Studios, whose production credits include Ashes of Soma, One Man’s Opinion, Cowboys in Cardigans and Inoke Errati. Bak’s always found a way to polish up a band’s sound and find the big hooks, so it’s going to be interesting how he’s handled the task of working with such a young band — after all, three of the four members are only 16 years old.

While many underage acts restrict themselves to DIY house shows, Sieraslave have jumped headfirst into the local music scene, playing at area venues with confidence and a swagger that can only come with the innocence of youth. The Urbanite spoke with three-quarters of Sieraslave about their ambitions and the importance of going through the Jam Academy program.

How did the Jam Academy experience prepare you for what became Sieraslave?

Nathan McNevin: My experience in Jam Academy didn’t just prepare me for Sieraslave, it taught me how to interact with members of band and work collaboratively with other musicians. It also gave me confidence because it gave me an opportunity to play shows. I also thought the healthy competition with other bands was cool and that you can always learn something from other musicians.

Siera Simoni: It taught me how to gel with other people in bands and they made me

experienced. They also taught me how to be a better drummer.

Dane Roberts: Jam Space helped me get comfortable performing, they made me feel at home. Dave Allan in particular helped me a lot and helped build my confidence.

How does the songwriting process work in Sieraslave?

McNevin: My songwriting process is an ever changing organic thing. Everytime I write a song it is a unique and surreal experience that is hard to put into words.

Roberts: Songwriting is a very personal thing for me. Generally I get a picture in my head of the idea or message of the song. I picture characters in the song and the setting and then I write music or lyrics around the general message that I am trying to convey.

What inspired you to want to be a part of a band? What music influences the band?

Simoni: To play music, haha! I love rock music and I am passionate about playing drums!

Roberts: I think the first time I wanted to be in a band was after listening to a U2 album and I remember feeling an emotional connection to a sound. I thought that was the coolest thing in the world, it wasn’t just sound it was emotional.

McNevin: I am not inspired. There is no inspiration for my will to be in a band … for me it is not an option. I am addicted to music and can’t imagine not being in a band.

Anything from a jingle for a commercial to an epic symphony, it is all part of the whole that is music, there is a place for everything.

Some of my favourites are the classics, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix ...

How was your experience recording your first album?

Roberts: The recording process was awesome! I was nervous going into it, but it was fun even though it was hard work.

Simoni: It was fun recording an album. I got to learn about the recording process, which was a lot more complicated than I thought!

I also enjoyed playing drums for a full 10hour session when we laid down the drum tracks.

McNevin: I found that it was everything I hoped it would be. Recording with Marty Bak at SLR exceeded my expectations. I also enjoyed being able to add creativity in the studio to make the songs even better.

What do you have planned for 2015?

Simoni: I hope we get as much exposure with Sieraslave as (we) can. I hope the band is able to play many shows both in Windsor, and throughout Ontario.

Sieraslave plays a sold-out album release show Sunday, Dec. 14 at Venue Music Hall.

THe WalKervilles

leggy

the Windsor scene

paul cargNello

w/Jamie Greer

»LOcAL muSIc

aM800 starts spinning local music

Walkervilles team up with Sam Roberts, political punk Paul Cargnello drops by and Leggy!

Every Sunday, 93.9 The River DJ and local music enthusiast Dan McDonald hosts a tremendous new program on AM800 called Hear & Now, spinning the best in new independent Canadian music. The real perk of the show is it showcases almost entirely Windsor-Essex based music, peppered with some bands from elsewhere across Ontario. For those who haven’t seen many of the local acts that have emerged from the area in the past decade, this program, which airs from 5-7 p.m., is a great introduction to what this county is capable of producing musically, as well as a great reminder to those of us who have been a part of the scene just how lucky we are to have this local music.

Speaking of local musicians, it was just announced that local “Rose City soul” sensations The Walkervilles were selected to open for the Sam Roberts Band at Caesars Windsor on Feb. 15. With the Casino and WFCU Centre (who selected local revolution folk duo Rustbelt Revelators to open for the Steve Miller Band last month) now turning its eyes to local music for major events, and with local festivals like Fork & Cork, Phog Phest, Harvesting the FAM, Carrousel of Nations and Windsor Pride boasting mostly local musical lineups, local music exposure has never been higher to the general audience. As many of us suspected, the new audience are becoming fans of local bands with a ferocity like never before.

Political Montreal singer/songwriter and Stomp Records recording artist Paul Cargnello (formerly of The Vendettas) brings his bluesy punk tales (backed up by new outfit The Suspense) to Windsor in support of his brand new album, The Hardest Part is You’ll Never Know. Fans of The White Stripes, Black Keys or Jon Spencer Blues Explosion will love the high octane dirty blues of this celebrated Francophone rocker. He’s joined by local indie rocker Walter Senko tonight at The Windsor Beer Exchange (493 University Ave. W.). It’s a great Wednesday deal for only $5.

On Thursday, Dec. 4, Toronto indie rockers Say Yes return to Windsor for a show at The Dominion House (3140 Sandwich St.). Signed to Dine Alone Records and featuring former members of such bands as Alexisonfire, Jersey and Saint Alvia, Say Yes has been hitting Windsor with some frequency of late, most recently as one of the featured bands at Fork & Cork festival this past summer. They’ve got two killer local acts in support: Ryan Yoker’s rock and roll bandits R.Y.E. and the alt. rock power of Falling With Glory.

Zara Dureno is a local singer/songwriter who performs under the moniker Zarasutra. She comes from local rock and royalty — her mother is notorious rock and roll queen Colleen Dureno (aka Tex Sin) from such past bands as Dead Heat, Tulane Blacktop and The Hard Liquors. But despite her punk rock bloodlines, Zarasutra has emerged as one of the local scene’s most tender singer/songwriters, featuring a refreshing sense of self fragility mixed with the hope and passion of love. On Friday, Dec. 5, she’s releasing her debut album, Uncertain Assertions, at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. W.), with a solid opening cast of new faces to the local music scene: Joey Strasburg, Little Fox, Jo Meloche (of Diane Motel) and Brad Devine.

Pantera fans will want to check out The Dominion House on Saturday, Dec. 6 for the 4th Annual Dimefest, paying tribute to legendary fallen guitarist Dimebag Darryl of Pantera. Local acts like Devilz By Definition, Them County Bastardz, Harbinger and The Pathway Home, plus London’s Tortured Saint will be rocking in homage of the musical legacy left by Dimebag’s guitar work. They’ll be mixing their own material with a battering of Pantera covers for a night of rock and roll remembrance.

Another CD release goes down this weekend, with acoustic rockers Fix Legend drop We Are Everything on Saturday, Dec. 6 at The Windsor Beer Exchange. Bobby Sproat, Lele Danger Band and Philip Bosley are opening the show.

Rock and roll veterans The Dead Samaritans headline a benefit show on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Milk Coffee Bar (68 University Ave. W.), with all proceeds going to the Windsor Youth Centre this holiday season.

The Dead Samaritans are joined by George Manury (who formerly teamed up with Dead Samaritan Dennis Cantagallo in ten indians), Guitar Eddy, and Ashley Granger

(Dead Heat, Tulane Blacktop).

If you dig jangly dreamwave garage pop like Dum Dum Girls or The Raveonettes, Cincinnati’s Leggy are coming to Windsor with a show at Phog Lounge on Sunday, Dec. 6, with London’s So Young (a perennial Phog favourite).

»savage love w/Dan Savage

Labia of Love

Q:

Ihave been insecure about the way my vagina looks for as long as I can remember. When I was young, I would fantasize about the day I would grow pubic hair long enough to cover its unsightliness. That day never came, and I was left with an enormous insecurity about it. My labia minora is oversize quite a bit. I know that this is not uncommon, but its unattractiveness holds me back from receiving oral sex. I don’t even let my long-term boyfriend go down on me because I’m afraid he’ll think it’s gross and ugly. He assures me that he doesn’t care about the way it looks, but I can’t bring myself to let him do it.

Any advice that might help dispel a lifetime of genital embarrassment?

Minora Is Majora

Lips, MIM. Dr. Herbenick also recommends Femalia and I’ll Show You Mine, two other books that celebrate the broad diversity of vulvas. “The Vagina Monologues is another must-read,” said Dr. Herbenick, “especially the monologue about Bob. It’s about one woman who, through positive sexual experiences with a vulvaloving partner, comes to appreciate her vulva.”

Really! And wouldn’t that be cool and possibly, quite literally, lifechanging?

feel better about their genitals after getting the labia they want,” said Dr. Herbenick. “MIM should review before and after photos “There are also events MIM first so she can see what kind of could attend, like Betty Dodson’s labia she’s likely to have afterward. bodysex workshops in New York Many surgeons have a certain (expensive but empowering) that ‘style’ that they tend to do over are all about helping women enjoy and over again.” their vulvas and their sexuality.

For a stay-at-home version, MIM But please, MIM, Dr. Herbenick could watch Dodson’s video ‘Viva and I both want you to give books la Vulva’ by herself or with her and videos and seminars a chance Which brings us to your partner, boyfriend.” first. “If MIM is open to receiving MIM. He’s into you and would vulva-loving propaganda from like to go down on you. If you’re So let’s say you’ve read the me, I will gladly send her a care quoting him accurately—if he’s books and watched the videos package of books, postcards, and telling you that he doesn’t care and attended the seminars and other fun things in hopes that how your vulva looks—then he’s smoked the pot and allowed the she might learn to love her labia,” doing “assurance” all wrong. He’s boyfriend—also high, perhaps said Dr. Herbenick. “But I’d also saying, “I am willing to go down blindfolded—to go down on you, be among the first to send her a on you despite the unattractiveand you feel no differently about congratulatory card on her new ness of your vulva,” when he your vulva. What then? labia if she decides surgery is the “I study vulvas and needs to be saying, “Your vulva is right option for her. After all, I’m vaginas, and what beautiful, and I want to go down “If nothing helps MIM see her a vulva supporter whether that people think of vulvas on you.” Show him this column, long labia for the national treasure person’s vulva is the one they were and vaginas, so of course I want MIM, and after he apologizes for they are, then yes, there’s surgery,” born with or the one they had MIM to love hers,” said Dr. Debby screwing up the assurance thing, said Dr. Herbenick. “And while made for themselves sometime Herbenick, a sex research scientist let him go down on you already. marketing for labiaplasty has later in life.” Follow Dr. Herbenick at Indiana University and a sexual mostly been a thing for the past on Twitter @DebbyHerbenick. health educator at the Kinsey “What would it cost MIM to al10 to 15 years, doctors have been Institute. Dr. Herbenick coaulow her boyfriend to try to give doing these surgeries for ages. A thored Read My Lips: A Complete her oral sex, even if just for 30 I am a 24-year-old few tips for MIM if she decides Guide to the Vagina and Vulva, woman who loves evseconds?” asks Dr. Herbenick. “If to go this route: Her insurance and along with her coauthor Dr. erything butt—except she thinks she would enjoy the may not cover it and, yes, it can Vanessa Schick, she researched butthole. Anal penetration and sensations and pleasures of oral be painful (it’s surgery), and it what people like or dislike about anilingus are hard limits for me, sex, if not for her genital embarwill take several weeks to heal vulvas and vaginas. What they but the most sensitive erogenous rassment, why not have a glass before she can have sex or even learned should come as a comfort of wine or a beer, and kick back sit comfortably again. A challenge zones on my body are my cheeks, to you, MIM. and see if she can enjoy it even with vulva surgeries, of course, is crack, and coin slot. But I can’t briefly?” Or why not pot, MIM? a possible risk of loss of or change figure out a clear way to commu“Just as many people in our study Speaking from personal experinicate this. Terms like “ass play” to sensation, and there is very talked about loving long labia as generally mean assHOLE play. I ence: Pot works wonders for some little research on the long-term talked about loving smaller labia,” people with body issues. (Indican’t be the only person who feels outcomes of these surgeries, in said Dr. Herbenick. “So long this way. Help a girl get her ass vidual results may vary.) spite of the claims on many surlabia are not universally regarded worked (but not fucked), and give geons’ websites.” as ‘unsightly.’ In some cultures, me a term!

“MIM could do it in the dark if women start pulling their labia Nuts For Butts she wants. She should breathe Dr. Herbenick suggests that if from an early age to make their deeply and play music she likes,” you opt for surgery, you look for Some sexual interests labia minora longer.” said Dr. Herbenick. “Make it a surgeon who has done many and/or limits are too less about sex and more about labiaplasties. “I’m not a fan of the complicated to be exI would suggest that you get your exploration. She might find that way some doctors market their pressed with a simple term, NFB. hands on a copy of Read My she can get over her insecurities. surgeries, but, yes, some women

A:

Q:

A:

14 the urbanite Dec.03-16 2014

So you’ll have to use your words: “I love having my butt played with—cheeks, crack, coin slot— but my butthole is off-limits. Get on my ass, not in it.”

Q:

This girl just hit a bump with her boyfriend. I offered to do something he secretly wanted to try, and he said, “Urinate on me.”

I get the fantasy—surrender, being marked, the naughtiness. However, I can’t imagine liking it and I do not want to build it into our repertoire. Set aside that I have no idea how to do it so it’s sexy, safe, and sanitary. Is it okay to negotiate “one-and-done” and put it on my “No” list afterward?

Wet And Wild

A:

You can certainly negotiate a “one-and-done” agreement, WAW, but if you find the idea of pissing on your boyfriend upsetting—if the thought doesn’t just leave you cold but actually revolts and/or traumatizes you—then you don’t have to go through with it. (You’re not trapped in some piss-fetish version of The Merchant of Venice, WAW. You don’t need a Portia to rescue you from this verbal contract.) As for sexy, safe, and sanitary: You don’t have to find it sexy, he’s not going to drown, droppeth your gentle rain upon him in the tub.

On the Lovecast, Damon L. Jacobs on the PrEP controversy: savagelovecast.com.

» BY DAN SAVAGE » MAIL@SAVAGELOVE.NET » @FAKEDANSAVAGE

event listings

FIND AND SUBMIT EVENTS AT Jack Daniels Guitar Giveaway URBANITENEWS.COM/EVENTS The Bull N’ Barrel | 10 p.m.

COMING UP

SATURDAY DEC. 6

WEDNESDAY DEC. 3

Windsor Youth Center Benefit Milk Coffee Bar

Son Step w/ Hush, The Kid From Sly Why, Justin Krolczyk, Junior Bob & THE (WEMAKE) Phog Lounge Paul Cargnello w/ The Suspense, Walter Senko & Bridgeway The Windsor Beer Exchange | $5 Christmas Tree Decorating Mackenzie Hall | 11:15 a.m.

THURSDAY DEC. 4

Holiday Bazaar Tecumseh Vista Academy | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Steve Oriet The Bull N’ Barrel | 2-4 p.m.

AUDITION: Suddenly, Last Summer Kordazone Theatre | 3 p.m.

Acclarion Art House of Detroit (Detroit) | 3:30 p.m. | $35

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest The Bank Theatre | 2 p.m. | $8$10 Say Anything & Saves The Day w/ Reggie and The Full Effect The Fillmore (Detroit) | 6 p.m. | $23-$37 Leggy w/ So Young & Safe Word Phog Lounge | 9 p.m.

MONDAY DEC. 8 Gourmet Raw Food Workshop REVOLUTION Fitness Studio | 6-9 p.m. | $85 AUDITION: Grease Windsor Light Music Theatre | 7-10 p.m.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against TUESDAY DEC. 9 Women Memorial Ford City Christmas Market & University of Windsor | 4:30 Max Pellicano Tree Lighting p.m.

Caesars Windsor | 3-8 p.m. | Gino & Liz Marcus Community $15+ Complex | 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Noel Night MOCAD (Detroit) | 5-10 p.m.

Brian Burke Quartet Every Time I Die w/ The Ghost Phog Lounge Attila w/ Crown the Empire, Inside, Architects, Hundredth & Like Moths To Flames & Sworn Backtrack Bush w/ Our Lady Peace, You In St. Andrew’s Hall (Detroit) | 6 Me At Six, Smashing Satellites The Fillmore (Detroit) | 6:30 p.m. | $17 & Twin Atlantic p.m. | $20.50-$35 The Fillmore (Detroit) | 5:30 Counting Crows w/ Twin Forks p.m. | $36.50-$60 Jason Benci The Fillmore (Detroit) | 6:30 Comedy Quarry | 8 p.m. &10:30 p.m. | $30-$70 Vinyl Theatre w/ Bowery At p.m. | $15 Midnight & Le Voyage WEDNESDAY DEC. 10 St. Andrew’s Hall (Detroit) | 6 Fix Legend Album Release w/ p.m. | $10 Bobby Sproat, The Lele Danger Holiday Salon & Schmoozer Band & Philip Bosley Biblioasis | 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

The Crane Wives w/ Woven The Windsor Beer Exchange | 8 Tangles & Oak Bones Relient K w/ Blondfire & From Magic Stick Lounge (Detroit) | 8 p.m. | $5 Indian Lakes p.m. | $8 ADV/$10 ATG Yelawolf St. Andrew’s Hall (Detroit) | 6:30 St. Andrew’s Hall (Detroit) | 8 p.m. | $18 FRIDAY DEC. 5 p.m. | $22 BioART BOUFFANT The Static Dial w/ Ponyshow, Drown the noise, Black Eyed Olde Walkerville Theatre | 7:30Moon Walks & The Paper Susan, Genghis and the Khans 11 p.m. | $5-$10 Sound Villains Beastro | 9 p.m. | $5 Magic Stick Lounge (Detroit) | 6 THURSDAY DEC. 11 p.m. | $8 ADV/ $10 ATG Andrew MacLeod & Tara Watts Christmas Luncheon & Bingo Slayer w/ Suicidal Tendencies & Phog Lounge Life After Fifty | 12-4 p.m. | Exodus Styx $7-$8 The Fillmore (Detroit) | 6:30 Caesars Windsor | 9 p.m. | p.m. | $39.50-$59.50 $35.25+ AUDITION: Grease Windsor Light Music Theatre | Winter Wonderland SUNDAY DEC. 7 7 p.m.

Level 3 Vodka Emporium | 9 p.m.

Christmas Comic Con 3 The 52nd Ann Arbor Film FestiSt. Clair Centre for the Arts | val 16mm Touring Program Jason Benci 12-7 p.m. | $8 MOCAD (Detroit) | 8 p.m. | $5 Comedy Quarry | 9 p.m. | $15 Comedy Night Villains Beastro

Zarasutra CD Release w/ Joey Strasburg, Little Fox, Jo Meloche & Brad Devine Phog Lounge | 9 p.m. | $7

Gourmet Raw Food Workshop REVOLUTION Fitness Studio | 1-4 p.m. | $85

Phog’s Retro Arcade Phog Lounge

FRIDAY DEC. 12 Members Christmas Party Life After Fifty | 2-6 p.m. | $17$20 Hansel und Gretel Kordazone Theatre | 7 p.m. | $10-$15 Friday Evening After Work Party w/ Colton Young Rino’s Kitchen & Ale House | 7-10 p.m.

WEEKLY MONDAYS Open Mic Surgery w/ James O-L Phog Lounge | doors 9 p.m.

TUESDAYS Open Stage Night w/ Andrew Macleod and Leigh Wallace Dominion House | 5 p.m.

V.O.M.I.T. (Vocal Open Mic Instrumental Talent) Villains Beastro

Monster Drawing Rally MOCAD (Detroit) | 7:30 p.m.

Free One-on-One Entrepreneurial Coaching WEtech Alliance | 12-1 p.m.

Detroit Che The Shelter (Detroit) | 9 p.m. | $10

Open Mic w/ Jamie Reaume The Manchester Pub

Halli Borgfjord Comedy Quarry | 9 p.m. | $15 Poor Player Phog Lounge

Open Mic w/ Pat Robitaille The Willistead | 8:30 p.m.

1-on-1 Entrepreneurial Coaching WEtech Alliance | 12 p.m.-1 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS

SATURDAY DEC. 13

P.U.K.E. (People Using Karaoke Equipment) Villains Beastro

I See Stars w/ Rahizel The Shelter (Detroit) | 6 p.m. | $15

Vice Aerial Phog Lounge | 10 p.m.

Hansel und Gretel Kordazone Theatre | 7 p.m. | $10-$15 Opening Reception: Welcoming A Bygone Landscape Cass Cafe | 7-10 p.m.

Halli Borgfjord Comedy Quarry | 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. | $15

Trivia Night w/ Francois Jacques The Manchester Pub | 7 p.m.

Dave Russell Dominion House Tavern FRIDAYS Sky High Fridays Level 3 Vodka Emporium | 10 p.m.

Loveless Fridays w/ Daniel Victor The Loop | 10 p.m.

Black Girls Rock : One Single Rose w/ TBA Phog Lounge

After Work Party

Rino’s Kitchen & Ale House | 7 p.m.

SUNDAYS Dusty

SUNDAY DEC. 14

Dominion House Tavern

Take Tom’s Stuff Phog Lounge | 2-8 p.m.

Hansel und Gretel Kordazone Theatre | 2 p.m. | $10-$15 TUESDAY DEC. 16 Open Mic Poetry Phog Lounge

ONGOING Possible Futures: What is to be done?

Art Gallery of Windsor, The Leamington Arts Centre, Leamington; The Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex, Lasalle; Drouillard Road, Ford City; The Capitol Theatre | until Jan. 11 Art for the Holidays Detroit Artists Market | until Dec. 30 Doin’ the Louvre Holiday FUN(d) raising exhibition Artcite | until Dec. 24

Sweets & Treats With Santa Art Gallery of Windsor | 2-5 p.m.

Dec.03-16 2014 the urbanite 15

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