The Community Edition: February 2015

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 5 • FEBRUARY 2015

A CLOSE SHAVE

THE LONG-STANDING TRADITION OF A STRAIGHT RAZOR. PAGE 8-9

RADICAL CHOIR RETURNS PAGE 11

SCENES OF CEDAR HILL PAGE 10

FOLK ROOTS PAGE 13

FEBRUARY 2015 // @THECOMMUNITYED

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Volume 3, Issue #5 Next issue: March 4, 2015 75 University Ave. W Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5 519-884-0710 x3564 Advertising All advertising inquiries should be directed to Tammy Rowe at 519-884-0710 x3560 trowe@wlusp.com THE COMMUNITY EDITION TEAM Editor-in-Chief Allison M. Leonard allison.leonard@wlusp.com Publisher Bryn Ossington bryn.ossington@wlusp.com Photo Editor Matt Smith

Production Manager Lakyn Barton Briefs Editor Tegan Thuss Arts & Culture Editor Anna Beard Urban Editor Andrew Morgan

Online Editor Juliana Gomez CONTRIBUTORS Jamieson Cox Heather Davidson Cameron Dearlove Mark Groulx Dave Emrich Jennifer Freitas Dan Herman Will Huang Stacey Jacobs

Jon Johnson Craig Leach Alistair MacLellan Bryn Ossington Christine Proctor Dani Saad Kurtis Thomas Julia Vasilyeva

WLUSP ADMINISTRATION President Executive Director Advertising Manager Treasurer Vice-Chair Director Director Director Corporate Secretary Distribution Manager Web Manager

Dani Saad Bryn Ossington Tammy Rowe John Pehar Abdiasis Issa Shelby Blackley Neha Soni Taylor Berzins Laura Buck James Blake George Liu

The Community Edition is the monthly magazine version of the Cord, the official student newspaper of the Wilfrid Laurier University community.

Started in 2012, the Community Edition is an editorially independent newspaper published by Wilfrid Laurier University Student Publications, Waterloo, a corporation without share capital. WLUSP is governed by its board of directors.

Opinions expressed within the Community Edition are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, The Cord, WLUSP, WLU or McLaren Press. All content appearing in The Community Edition bears the copyright expressly of their creator(s) and may not be used without written consent.

The Community Edition is created using Macintosh computers running Mac OS X 10.5 using Adobe Creative Suite 4. Canon cameras are used for principal photography.

The Community Edition’s title font is Brandon Grotesque, an open source font created

by HVD Fonts.

The Community Edition is a member of the Ontario Press Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For additional information or to file a complaint, contact info@ontpress.com or call 416-340-1981.

The Community Edition circulates monthly. Normal circulation is 33,000 and enjoys a readership of over 60,000. The Community Edition subscription rates are $20.00 per term for addresses within Canada.

Preamble to the Community Edition Constitution The Community Edition will keep faith with its readers by presenting news and expressions of opinions comprehensively, accurately and fairly. The Community Edition believes in a balanced and impartial presentation of all relevant facts in a news report, and of all substantial opinions in a matter of controversy.

The staff of the Community Edition shall uphold all commonly held ethical conventions of journalism. When an error of omission or of commission has occurred, that error shall be acknowledged promptly. When statements are made that are critical of an individual, or an organization, we shall give those affected the opportunity to reply at the earliest time possible. Ethical journalism requires impartiality, and consequently conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest will be avoided by all staff. The only limits of any newspaper are those of the world around it, and so the Community Edition will attempt to cover its world with a special focus on the community of Kitchener-Waterloo. Ultimately, the Community Edition will be bound by neither philosophy nor geography in its mandate.

The Community Edition has an obligation to foster freedom of the press and freedom of speech. This obligation is best fulfilled when debate and dissent are encouraged, both in the internal workings of the paper, and through the Community Edition’s contact with the community. The Community Edition will always attempt to do what is right, with fear of neither repercussions, nor retaliation. The purpose of community press is to act as an agent of social awareness, and so shall conduct the affairs of our magazine.

The party of the year is coming back. Send us your ideas for #SteelRails15 • MATT SMITH PHOTO EDITOR

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURE

8-9 LOST ART OF THE STRAIGHT SHAVE G & T BARBERS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR CONVERSATION AND LINE UPS - TCE GOES UNDER THE BLADE TO SEE WHAT KEEPS CUSTOMERS COMING BACK

NEWS

3 5 5 5

PRENATAL CARE BRIGHT FUTURE FOR APOLLO COSTLY DEVELOPMENT SOUNDS OF STONE SOUP

URBAN

6 7 10 10

LESSONS IN CHEESE SKIN CARE FOR THE SEASON CELEBRATING CEDAR HILL HEART YOUR PARTS

ARTS & CULTURE 11 12 13 14 15 15

RADICAL CHOIR IS BACK COCKTAILS AND CANVASES BREWING COMMUNITY REVIEWS OPINION: LESSONS IN LENT LISTINGS

LETTERS

Greetings, welcome to the inside cover.

You know, there’s something special about sitting down to read a new issue of the Community Edition. It’s like getting a parking space at the Kitchener Market on a Saturday, or leaving Starlight early to beat the rush at Cheeses Murphy, or riding a 7 bus and passing by the iXpress. The feeling of “yeah, I’m going to read some awesome stuff about my community.” Maybe that’s just me.

If when enjoying TCE you feel the need to express that awesome feeling but are at a loss for words, try using some of these sample phrases: “hey, that’s cool,” “I’m going to check this place out for myself,” or “hmm, interesting.” Go ahead and try those aloud now.

Good. Now you’re ready for the great content created specifically for you by our team of contributors. A choir with a message gets a restart, and Dani’s face gets a straight razor refresh and the reopened Boathouse provides a home for a nascent folk music series.

We look at the standard of pre and postnatal care in Canada, and take you on a walk through Cedar Hill.

As TCE urban editor, I in particular want you to look forward to a gripping variety of stories from the TCE urban team in this issue and the issues to come. We’re stepping up our game. Hmm, interesting, that’s cool.

Yeah, I thought you’d say that.

Andrew Morgan Urban Editor Jules, thanks for making TCE a thing. We’ll miss you.

- Al

FEBRUARY 2015 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

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NEWS

NEWS BEAT

CANADA BEHIND IN PRENATAL CARE

The view from upstream CAMERON DEARLOVE CONTRIBUTOR A Finnish newborn is laid down for her first night of sleep. Unlike a Canadian baby, this Finnish baby is sleeping in a box - just like her mother and grandmother before her. That this baby is sleeping in a box is not due to neglect or poverty, but because Finnish society has made a longstanding investment in giving their children the best start possible.

In 1938, the Finnish government started sending “maternity packages” to low-income expectant mothers. In 1949, the packages became universal.

The package contains all kinds of items a child will need in their first year: clothes, outer-wear, a sleeping bag, wash products, a toothbrush, even a picture book. Also included is a small mattress, turning the box into the first bed for the baby. The contents are updated each year, not only to keep up with changing styles, but also with changing research and attitudes.

A bottle used to be included, but was removed to encourage breastfeeding.

Disposable diapers have given way to cloth diapers, for environmental reasons.

The program isn’t only material — it has become part of Finnish culture, a symbol for investing in children.

“The package includes a book for the child, which is good for child development. Giving the first book to a child is to encourage the parents to read to their kids,” says Reija Klemetti, Senior Researcher at The National Institute for Health and Welfare in Finland, a country often topping world rankings for education.

Canadian social programs tend to be means-tested, whereas Finnish social programs, including the maternal package, tend towards universality.

“For decades, Finnish pregnant women have known that if they seek antenatal care early enough they will receive the grant – and use of antenatal care increased clearly after making the grant universal,” says Klemetti. “My guess is that if the program ended, we would miss some early antenatal check-ups – maybe for those who most need it.”

With their investment in children, Finland’s infant mortality rate is 4% what it was in the 1930s, and nearly half Canada’s. It’s no wonder Finland is ranked as the best place in the world to be a mother. Canada is ranked eighteenth.

“Even though Finland is not a poor country anymore, I still think that the program is important,” said Kaisla Seppälä, a mother from Tampere,

Finland, who received the package last year before her son Miiko was born.

“It is also a good way to make sure that every baby gets basic toiletries and some clean clothes.”

Mika Gissler, a researcher with the National Institute for Health and Welfare, doesn’t see the program ending soon. “It would be political suicide to suggest stopping the maternity packages. People know it, accept it, and 95% of first time mothers choose to get their own package.”

Information of this widely-praised program is available in a globalized world, but Canadian babies are not sleeping in boxes like their Finnish counterparts. Other jurisdictions’ best social and health policy ideas are not being implemented at home.

The rising costs of healthcare, particularly with aging baby boomers, will put tremendous strain on all other areas of the budget, and potentially bankrupt our health care system altogether - or so the conventional wisdom goes.

“In Canada there is little attention being paid to the social determinants of health,” said Dennis Raphael, Professor of Health Policy and Management at York University. “There is little media attention to these kinds of studies, and major disease associations refuse to acknowledge the social determinants’ implications for preventing life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.”

Raphael sees a reluctance in Canadian politicians to grasp the connection between living conditions and health. “Instead, we are distracted by a health care, a reactive approach to illness that precludes consideration of broader determinants shaping the unequal distribution of premature

death.”

Today we know that social and financial inequities — particularly the experience of poverty — has a greater impact on our health than our healthcare system, genetics, even lifestyle choices. For a society facing spiking healthcare costs, the social determinants of health (things like housing, food security, social inclusion, early childhood development, employment, and working conditions) arguably present the greatest public policy opportunity since the creation of our social safety net, after the Second World War. While Canada is at the forefront of research in the social determinants of health, we are laggards in turning this research into healthy public policy — while Finnish babies benefit from sleeping in their care-filled boxes, Canadian children rest outside the box.

If the social determinants of health hold such promise, what are we doing locally, provincially, and nationally to apply these ideas? How do we rewrite conventional wisdom so that governments, institutions and communities are using the powerful social determinants framework to encourage longer, healthier, happier lives?

The Community Edition is launching a series called “The View From Upstream,” to address some of these questions. Follow along as we explore upstream solutions to some of our biggest challenges.

Cameron Dearlove is a community developer and advocate for healthy public policy in Waterloo Region.

Questions and ideas can be sent to cameron@thedearlove.com.

COUNCIL TO VOTE ON GARBAGE

Region of Waterloo councillors are discussing the possibility of the closure of four rural waste transfer stations, new fees and challenges with institutional, commercial and industrial waste.

Staff wanted to close the four township transfer stations last year to save about $411,000 in annual operating costs. Instead, politicians agreed to keep stations open twice a month on Saturdays until Mar. 31 of this year. Once again, there is a proposal for the stations to be closed. The main concern is roadside and natural area dumping, without a designated station.

CAFÉ FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS Mark Kryshtalskyj, a University of Waterloo student, was selected as one of 36 business leaders by Next 36, a non-profit business leadership program for students based in Toronto. Kryshtalskyj’s startup business, Rockstar Café, only exists in the realms of the World Wide Web — but he hopes to open a brick-and-mortar coffee house that will be a communal hub for student startups to convene, collaborate and network.

Not only will it be a hot spot for student entrepreneurs but it will also strive to be sustainable and waste-free. He envisions the space to have bookable meeting rooms, communal tables for collaboration and an event space for startups to host events.

UW RESEARCH WINS FEDERAL GRANT University of Waterloo researchers, who are part of a national network that was awarded nearly $37 million in federal funding, are developing technology that helps seniors be independent and healthy at home. Two of the projects in process by UW for AGE-WELL, a Canada-wide network, are wearable devices to avoid bedsores and sensors to alert caregivers about worrisome behaviours. The network received $36.6 million over the next five years in order to tackle the objective of applying technology to the issue of helping solve health and safety challenges for the elderly.

FINLAND’S INFANT MORTALITY RATE IS

4% WHAT IT WAS IN 1930.

NEARLY HALF OF CANADA’S.

95% OF FIRST TIME MOTHERS CHOOSE TO GET THEIR OWN PACKAGE

FINL AND IS THE #1 BES T PL ACE IN T HE W O R L D TO BE A M OT H E R .

CANADA IS #18

GRAPHIC BY LAKYN BARTON

WORKING CENTRE EARNS FUNDING The Working Centre will receive $1.1 million to help build 19 affordable housing units in Kitchener. The Working Centre was one of seven organizations that submitted interest for money being handed out by the region for affordable housing projects.

The money will supplement rent for the individuals staying in the units and any rent gathered from the tenants will be used to offer various supports.

FEBRUARY 28, 2015

THE PARTY OF THE YEAR IS

BACK! Putting the FUN back in FUNdraiser.

Disco dance the night away with costumed friends, cocktails and extreme entertainment all in support of THEMUSEUM. $100 Young Professionals/University Rate (35 and Under) To Secure Your Ticket: Email Studio54@THEMUSEUM.ca, Call 519-749-9387x238 Or Visit Studio54.Club

THEMUSEUM.ca

D OW N TOW N K I TC H E N E R

FEBRUARY 2015 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

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Toronto theatre owners are met with incredible support for Apollo Cinemas at 141 Ontario St. in downtown Kitchener • HEATHER DAVIDSON, CONTRIBUTOR

COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR APOLLO CINEMAS JULIA VASILYEVA CONTRIBUTOR

Apollo Cinema, a new independent, single-auditorium movie theatre has claimed its place in downtown Kitchener.

After operating Fox Theatre in Toronto the owners have big ideas for their newest venture. One of their approaches is offering beer and wine to theatre-goers.

Owners Andy Willick, Daniel Demois and Matt MacKinnon are aiming to appeal to the growing student popula-

tion in Kitchener-Waterloo.

“I think that students and alcohol is a natural combination, but also we like cult movies, we like horror movies and I think playing that stuff will tailor to the students and hopefully get students out to those events,” Willick said.

“There’s probably more of a student audience for horror movies and some of the more unique things that there are.”

Support for the theatre goes beyond the student population. An opening

evening hosted a number of community partners eager to take-in flicks and host events in the new downtown space.

The cinema has revamped the somewhat historical building at 141 Ontario Street in the middle of downtown Kitchener. According to Willick, the location was once a Hyland Odeon theatre that was open for over 25 years.

“We took out all the seats, we put a new carpet in, we rebuilt the snack bar,” he continued.

“We did it from scratch to get it just the way we wanted it, so it’s been kind of intense.”

Willick said opening the cinema in this location has made them a part of the revitalization of Kitchener’s growing downtown core.

“A lot of people are moving back to the downtown and working in the downtown with the expansion of some of the local companies,” said Willick.

Expecting to partner with local microbrewers and chocolatiers, the Apollo is looking forward to opening

with little fear of being overlooked in a world of online streaming and Netflix.

“You have food in your fridge but you still go out to eat, right,” Willick continued.

“As much as things are more accessible than they used to be, you can’t ever replace going to a comedy and laughing together as a group — that doesn’t go away. [Watching at home is] less of an experience than coming to a theatre and sitting with other people in a group and watching a movie together.”

THE SOUNDS OF STONE SOUP CRAIG LEACH CONTRIBUTOR

Condos and student apartments dominate WR’s development docket. • WILL HUANG, CONTRIBUTOR

UNAFFORDABLE HOUSING WR’S HOUSING MARKET NOT SERVING COMMUNITY NEEDS

DAN HERMAN COLUMNIST Kitchener-Waterloo’s evolution as a centre for high-tech, post-secondary education and advanced manufacturing makes it easy to forget about the issues that still face the region.

Amongst the most important – and of increasing prominence given rising house prices and the gentrification of the urban core – is the topic of affordable housing.

Despite the addition of over 2,000 new affordable and supportive housing units that have been brought online since 2000 — including recently announced projects to add 15-19 units by the local Working Centre — demand still far outweighs supply with over 3,500 families across the region still waiting.

The issue is far from a simple one, given the number of stakeholders involved and a recent forum hosted at the Region of Waterloo Museum by

Member of Parliament Adam Vaughan (Trinity-Spadina), aimed at opening up a dialogue on the issue here in Kitchener-Waterloo. Vaughan, previously a city councillor in Toronto, has been witness to the extreme end of the issue with over 90,000 households in Toronto on waitlists for affordable and supportive housing. He says that this represents “centuries” of waiting, a sure sign that our current system isn’t working.

Locally, the demand for affordable and supportive housing has been growing, and will continue to do so as an aging population, unstable job market and continued pressure on middle-income wages leave many on a precarious financial footing.

Meeting this growing demand faces several challenges. Speaking at the forum, Waterloo mayor Dave Jaworsky noted that in Waterloo, land price increases have been driven primarily by intensification in the core and have crowded out non-profit oriented development. The same is happening in Kitchener where mayor Berry Vrbanovic observes that the need for housing must be complemented by strategies and dollars for mental health support and community

building. Vrbanovic notes that such investments are proven to be effective and provide a positive return on investment.

Regional councillor Karen Redman notes that mitigating these marketdriven trends will require a collaborative effort between all levels of government, along with both private and non-profit partners. However, doing so will ultimately require an infusion of dollars. As it stands, just eight cents of every tax dollar we pay goes to municipalities, this despite the fact that over 60 per cent of the infrastructure we depend on is serviced locally. And as Vaughan noted, “you can’t build supportive housing with tax cuts.”

Rather what’s needed is a vision and a strategy for ensuring safe, stable and affordable housing for all members of our community. Developing a national housing strategy that provides cities with the dollars, and flexibility, to build local solutions will be key. As it stands, Canada is the only G8 country without a national housing strategy.

Strides have been made in developing culture, community and economy, but don’t get lost in the #kwawesome hashtags, we’ve got a few steps to go.

According to the World Health Organization, as of Jan. 18, 2015, there have been nearly 22,000 reported cases of Ebola — with all but six occurring in West African nations. This outbreak, the most widespread Ebola epidemic in history, has claimed the lives of over 8,500 people since being officially declared in March 2014.

On the front lines is Doctor’s Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), an international, non-governmental organization that has sent 302 international staff to the embattled region in hopes of treating, monitoring and educating those affected by Ebola.

It was these dire revelations and the inspirational work of MSF that helped Alan Quarry and his business partner, Glen Drummond, come up with the idea for Stone Soup WR: A Benefit Concert in Support of Doctors Without Borders.

“This organization (MSF), and the people behind it, put themselves at risk every day to help others,” says Quarry. “I think a community effort, like Stone Soup, is the perfect way for Waterloo Region to step-up on the world stage.”

Named after the well-known folk tale, Stone Soup tells the story of a beleaguered traveller who comes to a village with nothing more than an empty pot. Being refused food, the traveller proceeds to fill the pot with river water and a stone and sets it over a fire. Curious villagers inquire into what the traveller is doing, to which

THE PERFECT WAY FOR WATERLOO REGION TO STEP UP ON THE WORLD STAGE

ALAN QUARRY, CONCERT CO-ORGANIZER

they’re answered, “making stone soup” and all that is needed are a few ingredients to improve its flavour.

Before long, the entire community has contributed resources into making a hearty soup that is then fed to the entire village, benefitting all.

“By coming together as a community, much like the parable, we too can make an incredible difference in the lives of many,” says Quarry.

Those coming together to add their own ingredients to the proverbial pot include several local entertainers, artists and businesses.

Hosted at THEMUSEUM, Stone Soup WR will feature musical performances

by Safe As Houses, Fred Smith, Joni NehRita and The Beggar’s Banquet.

Food will be catered by Little Mushroom and will accompany drinks from Block 3, Innocente and Waterloo Brewing Co. There will also be an exhibit, curated by artist and entrepreneur Jennifer Gough, who has chosen a few local artists to showcase their work. Photography submitted to FLASH WR will also be on display.

Attendees will be able to bid at a silent auction, featuring several oneof-a-kind items, while local business have offered up over $3,500 in door prizes.

The money raised, through ticket sales and the silent auction, will go directly to Doctors Without Borders.

FEBRUARY 2015 // @THECOMMUNITYED

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URBAN

URBAN BEAT

PROTECTING HERITAGE OF UPPER DOON

Doon area councillor Yvonne Fernandes and the district’s representative on the city’s heritage committee, will be invited to meet with planning staff and those proposing major renovations, construction or demolition in the Upper Doon area. Planners are also encouraged to look at ways to improve communication with the neighbourhood about heritage applications. Specific guidelines on heritage applications in Upper Doon will also be included in a city-wide review of the zoning bylaw, a new study on Kitchener’s cultural heritage landscape and an update to the city’s urban design manual.

MOVING BRICK BY BRICK Pedestrians dig out of uptown Waterloo after receiving over 30 cm of snow on Monday, Feb. 2.• MATT SMITH PHOTO EDITOR

LEARNING WAYS OF CURDS & WHEY

MICKEY MCGUIRE’S CHEESE SHARES A HISTORIC CRAFT AT THE KITCHENER MARKET

The eight 400-hectolitre beer tanks at Brick Brewing Co. Ltd. were moved from the company’s historic Waterloo facility to its new Kitchener facility on Bingemans Centre Drive. The move is the first phase of Brick’s transition from Waterloo to Kitchener — expected to be completed by October. Brick is shutting down the Waterloo brewery and adding a brewhouse to the Kitchener facility, which currently houses bottling, packaging and distribution operations.

RIM PARK RENOVATIONS TO BE COSTLY

In addition to a near $1 millionoperating subsidy in 2015, Waterloo will spend another $600,000 to upgrade artificial turf at RIM Park. Councillors voted to do the upgrades — as well, about $40,000 was set aside for structural upgrades.

SOUP’S ON

Market vendor Mike McGuire began his history in cheese nearly 40 years ago after adopting a friend’s business. • MATT SMITH PHOTO EDITOR

CRAIG LEACH CONTRIBUTOR “I love the history of cheese,” said Mike McGuire, owner of Mickey McGuire’s Cheese.

“Think of Brie Du Meaux. The first documentation dates back to the year 774, during Emperor Charlemagne’s reign. You’ve got Taleggio, out of Italy – dates back to the 10th century.

There’s a sheep’s milk cheese called Ossau-Iraty, named after the Ossau Valley and the Irati Forest in the Basque region of France. That variety has been manufactured for more than 4,000 years.”

It doesn’t stop there. McGuire’s knowledge of this indispensable dairy product bounds beyond specific

varieties.

“The Romans are credited with perfecting the method of cheese making that we use today. They developed the process of using calf rennet and were the first to add salt.”

Important sustenance to fuel empire building.

“All the Roman Legionnaires received a ration of somewhere between two to four pounds of cheese a week.

High in protein, travelled well and kept reasonably well. They took that technology to the whole of the Roman Empire. We still use all those same methods today.”

McGuire’s own history with cheese goes back to 1975 in Aylmer, Ont., when he and a friend, Gil, got into the bulk food business.

“Gil was selling a little bit of cheese and was doing a terrible job at it, and he knew it,” said McGuire with a quiet chuckle. “So I took his equipment, a small cooler, and cleaned it up. He

gave me the name of his supplier and I went and saw him and bought some cheese. I was in the cheese business.”

From these beginnings, McGuire has built his own small empire that spans a popular brick-and-mortar location in Dundas, and regular attendance at St. Jacob’s, Trails End and the Kitchener market.

“I’ve always been in the market business,” he says proudly. “All my life, even before I had my driver’s license, I was selling at farmers’ markets.”

For McGuire, there’s something about vending at the market that he doesn’t get at the store.

“I really enjoy the market” he shared, affectionately calling it a “carny atmosphere.”

Always searching out new product to offer his customers, McGuire sources his cheese from a combination of distributors and manufacturers.

“How many varieties of cheese are there?” he asked rhetorically, “the only

limit on the variety of cheeses is the imagination of the cheesemaker.”

As one of the few cheesemongers at the Kitchener Market, McGuire encourages customers to shop around.

“We’re one of two or three vendors at the market. Go try them out. Try everything that’s there and pick what you like.”

Passionate about his product, McGuire encourages his customers to explore the world of cheese. He gladly hands out free samples to marketgoers.

“I don’t care whether it’s the least expensive, or the most expensive, if you don’t try it, you’ll never buy it,” he said, before quickly adding with a laugh, “just don’t come for lunch.”

Mickey McGuire’s Cheese sets up shop at the St. Jacob’s, Trails End and Kitchener Market during regular operating hours. The store location can be found at 51 King St. West in Dundas, Ont.

Sandi McCrory, Janet Uffelman and Norma Weiner launched The Soup Sisters in Kitchener-Waterloo in 2011, in support of ROOF and Marillac Place. The organization partners with The Culinary Studio in Waterloo on Tuesday nights, where soup is made in a modern, professional, and openconcept environment. Anyone is welcome to pay the $55 participation fee, which covers fresh local ingredients, equipment, supervision and the venue. Once the soup is made, participants sit down to a simple supper of soup, salad, bread and wine. Each event produces approximately 150-250 servings of fresh soup that sustains a local shelter.

Fancy yourself an urbanite? Want to share that passion with KW? Then write for the Community Edition’s urban section! Email us at communityeditor@thecord.ca.

FEBRUARY 2015 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

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Pure & local JENNIFER FREITAS COLUMNIST

MUSEUM

Cycling. Local beer. Startups.

Street festivals. Small business.

ARE ANY OF THESE IN YOUR DATING PROFILE? NEED TO SPEND LESS TIME BROWSING DATING PROFILES? GREAT. WE’RE LOOKING FOR NEW URBAN WRITERS. EMAIL COMMUNITYEDITOR@THECORD.CA.

I heard some good news this morning – we have more winter behind us than we have in front of us. I can hear the sighs of relief. However, we still need to be mindful of the cold, dry weather that continues to surround us – at least for a little while longer.

Winter gives us the quest for hydration — chapped skin, flare-ups of eczema and rashes, even wrinkles and fine lines appear more prominent. Unfortunately for us, this is also the time when our bodies slow down. In order to achieve the moisture, circulation and cellular turnover that we know keeps us gorgeous, we have to work a little harder to make it happen.

STAY ACTIVE Sweating helps bring oxygen and nutrition to your skin, lifts your mood, and lowers stress. Sweating also stimulates the natural release of oil (sebum) that is necessary for moist, plump skin and healthy scalp.

BE NUTRITIOUS Avoiding the sniffles is a bonus of supporting your immune system, but vitamins like C and D are also imperative for good skin health. Immuneboosting Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory effects, perfect for sensitive skin, which seems to be more sensitive in the winter. Add a slice of lemon to your water, the anti-oxidants will also help stimulate liver enzymes keeping you detoxed. Don’t forget your minerals either. A staple of mine is zinc, which is essential for collagen formation, tissue healing, helps regulate oil production and fights inflammation and redness.

BE FRIENDS WITH FATS Extra moisturizing in the winter isn’t enough to replace a diet that hydrates from within. I seriously don’t go a day without eating an avocado! Not a fan of this creamy, green goodness? Try nuts or fish. Walnuts, in particular, are a great plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for protecting skin and hair from harsh winter weather.

SEASONAL SKIN CARE In the colder months it is good to take stock of what products you are using. Due to drier air, it is wise to use a cream cleanser to wash or even try oil cleansing. Foam cleansers, natural or not, can dry out your skin. Try adding a toner to your repertoire (they make them for men too). Products containing rose water or green tea are good choices. Lastly, be sure to be hydrating with a day cream, lock that moisture in, and a night cream is a necessity. Natural ones are best, as you want to be feeding your skin antioxidants and vitamins and not just wrapping your skin with a petroleum laced film. Consider adding a face serum too. Straight up oil, like Rosehip will provide some extra skin softening hydration.

These suggestions don’t need to be hasty resolutions, but rather intentions to be mindful of. Each day make a beautifying choice, incorporate them into your daily rituals and don’t get thrown off by the frustrations the winter season may throw at you.

Have a suggestion for our Pure and Local columnists? Email us at communityeditor@thecord.ca!

A CLOSE SHAVE

THE COMMUNITY EDITION GOES UNDER THE BLADE TO EXPERIENCE THE LONG-STANDING TRADITION OF A GOOD STRAIGHT SHAVE..BY DANI SAAD. PHOTOS BY MATT SMITH. Walking into a traditional barbershop, it’s instantly familiar. In the age of supposed interconnectedness, it is one of the few places that force us to come together and share a common, inescapable experience; everyone has hair that grows. The profession has changed over time, but modern barbershops remain inviting, timeless and distinctly cool. Uptown’s G & T Barbers and Men’s Hairstyling is no different.

The shop opened its doors in 1971 and the interior drags the decade with it. The chairs, workstations, décor and employees are charming and accumulated after many years in business.

Pictures of old-time movie stars smile across their frames to contemporary athletes, both mounted on sunshinecoloured walls of old. The barbers themselves span several decades, conveying a certain timelessness of the trade.

Modernity has snuck past these vintage barbershop watchdogs and into the shop. TVs, usually set on sports, hang from the wall and there are phones in the hands of some waiting patrons. Most prefer company and conversation to their phone screens – in this place anyway.

One of the most prominent offerings of a bona fide barbershop is a straight shave – a traditional shave with a single blade that typically folds up into its handle. Straight shaves are synonymous with the barbershop experience and speak to the skill-level of the shop.

Like so many others, I trust G & T with my hair. On this day, I hoped to put the shop’s degree of skill on display and opted, with some apprehension, for my first straight shave.

Eddie is my regular barber so naturally I approach him for my first time under the blade. Eddie, and the other barbers, are consummate professionals, coordinated in black shoes, black pants, white shirt and dark tie.

Eddie looks at home here and that’s because he has been here a while.

“I’ve been at the shop for about 13 years,” Eddie explains. “My father used to work here and then I got into it.”

Eddie’s connection to the shop goes far beyond his time at G & T. His father worked here for 21 years before passing away.

“He used to take me in when I was a little kid and I used to watch, watch, watch. Clean the shop, sweep, you know what I mean.”

Eddie is small, wiry and intense. His eyes are alert through his glasses. He is friendly, speaks quietly but clearly and has one of those voices that forces you to listen. He has a scant, uniform layer of stubble on his face and head, not unlike a petite Jason Statham and with a similar assuredness.

Eddie moves quickly and with purpose and often. When making the

familiar trip from chair to work station for a sip of coffee or to exchange tools, he slides to a stop rather than stepping. Working Monday to Saturday, Eddie must slide across this same patch of floor thousands of times.

Something about the way he does it suggests it’s one of those things – like the job itself – that never gets old.

As I approach the chair Eddie checks in to ask, “Have you had one of these before?”

I tell him no, not really and that I’d had a straight-shave trim a few years back to shape my beard. It seemed far too long an answer in the space of assuredness and tradition.

“Do you just want to shape up around the beard or what do you want?” Eddie asks.

“We can just take it all off.” I respond.

“Oh, even better” he replies.

Eddie quickly takes a trimmer to my short beard to reduce it to a more manageable stubble.

Eddie slides away again to get towels, I’m sure he’ll wear the floor thin on the oft-treaded path.

As I sink into the chair and await Eddie’s return, I take in my surroundings. Golf is on the television and the topic of conversation. While the technology has changed, the barbershop conversation could have been from any decade. Several newcomers join those already waiting.

Eddie returns with the necessary tools and puts a rolled towel at the rear of my neck. Doing his best Sweeney Todd, Eddie cranks the chair back and I go nearly horizontal in preparation for the shave.

Neither of us exchange words as Eddie continues to prepare and the comfortable silence is reinforced by a hot towel being wrapped around my face. Under my chin and then up around my face to my forehead, Eddie moves the towel in rhythmic motion I’m sure he’s performed thousands of times. He rotates hot towels for a few minutes, getting one hot and wet while the other one rests on my face. The first two are surprisingly hot. The next two are much more soothing.

I lose track of my count but my face is wrapped and unwrapped at least six times.

Eddie quickly gets rid of the towels and starts into the shaving cream. It feels like there is hot water mixed in there but my eyes are closed as he starts to massage the mixture into my skin with a brush. It’s wildly relaxing.

The massage lasts a few minutes but it’s easy to lose track of time in the chair.

Eddie puts the brush away and brings the blade close to my right sideburn, indicating the shave is about to begin.

“This is going to be a little rough, because, you know.”

With that, Eddie begins to remove the hair from my face; first my cheeks, then around the mouth – another confident rhythm in Eddie’s memorized motions. He goes with the grain and then against it, smoothly transitioning from one direction to the other. It isn’t painful but he was right, it isn’t smooth. From around my mouth he moves to my neck and then above my lip.

A chair over, a small group enjoy an audio clip of an angry caller in Saskatchewan, phoning in to complain about the weather report.

He shaves under my nose and then replaces the cream on my face before going over my entire face again, in what I think is same order as the first time. I hadn’t considered it initially, but I realize now it takes a certain amount of trust to let someone near your neck with a blade.

As Eddie drags the blade upward from my chin to under my lip, the shaving portion of the ritual concludes. By the last stroke, I’ve lost all track of time.

The carousel of rotating towels begins again, starting warm and ending cold to close up the pores and help the skin. My face yearns for more cold towels as Eddie removes the last one.

Instead, he grabs what appears to be a perfectly formed ice cube (what I now figure was an alum block) and begins blotting my face. It stings like a paper cut each time it makes contact with my skin.

Soon, Eddie switches from blotting to a full on massage, rubbing the rock all over my face and neck. The affected area appreciates the cold.

“It’s good for your skin”, Eddie reassures me, and despite the sting, my face does feel better after.

One final towel greets my face and Eddie returns me to 90 degrees in the chair. He takes this opportunity to remind me of my imminent return to the familiar seat.

“You’re due back soon for a haircut, how long has it been?” he asks.

“About three weeks,” I reply, “maybe a little less.”

“All right, that’s it,” says Eddie as I get up from the chair. I’m rushing to get to the cold winter air for my confused face, which hasn’t been clean-shaven in some time.

“Thanks very much Eddie.”

I exit the shop baby-faced but instilled with some kind of accomplishment or nostalgic step to manhood.

I’m already looking forward to seeing Eddie again in a couple weeks.

A reliable barber is hard to find, taking the time to revert to tradition is even harder. Reducing to fewer blades, one to be exact, is the first step on the path to the lost art of a straight shave.

FEBRUARY 2015 // @THECOMMUNITYED

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Sexplanations

with Stacey

STACEY JACOBS COLUMNIST This year Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week is February 9 – 13. This year’s theme, as in past years, is Heart Your Parts. This Campaign is hosted by the new organization, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights (sexualhealthandrights.ca).

The Canadian Federation for Sexual Health, Canadians for Choice, and Action Canada for Population and Development have joined forces to become a progressive, pro-choice charity promoting sexual and reproductive health in Canada.

The namesake ‘parts’ referred to include the vulva, the vagina, the uterus, the cervix, the ovaries, the penis, the testicles and the prostate gland.

By acknowledging, respecting and loving these parts of your body you can ensure they are healthy, just as you would any other part of your body.

Bodies work as a whole and if one part is not healthy, the body is not healthy.

People have experienced incedible trauma because they did not acknowledge these body parts, never looked at or touched these body parts, or they were too uncomfortable or embarrassed to see a health care provider about these body parts. Surely a moment of embarrassment is worth your life. These vitally functioning body parts are cause for human existence and deserve some recognition.

There are simple things you can do to ensure you heart your parts.

Get tested and treated for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), have consensual sex, use condoms every time you engage in sexual activity, use flavoured condoms for oral sex, look into the HPV and Hepatitis vaccines.

Become familiar with your reproductive parts (yes I am telling you to play with yourself) and see a health care provider if you notice any changes in these parts, or there is any soreness, redness or swelling.

I knew a woman who ignored a cancerous tumour on her vulva until it was the size of a golf ball, and by the time she went to see a health care provider it was too late.

If you have a cervix, get regular Pap tests. This means every three years, if your test results are normal. According to the Ontario cervical screening program, cervical cancer will be found in approximately 1,500 individuals in Canada in 2015 and at least one person will die every day from this disease.

If you have testicles, do regular self-testicular exams. According to Testicular Cancer Canada, testicular cancer occurs most often in men between the ages of 20 and 39, and is the most common form of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 34.

It is also among the most treatable when caught early. To learn how to check them, go to testicularcancercanada.ca.

Join Planned Parenthood Waterloo Region in the #HeartYourParts selfie challenge by taking a selfie of you holding an I heart my parts sign and tagging #HeartYourParts and #PPWR. Have a question for Stacey? Email us at communityeditor@thecord.ca.

Cedar Hill hosts one of the most eclectic mixes of architecture and housing design in Kitchener. • MATT SMITH PHOTO EDITOR

IF STREETS COULD TALK: CEDAR HILL FROM THE LESS-TRAVELLED TO THE LESS-APPRECIATED, THE CE IS PROFILING THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE EVOLVING NEIGHBOURHOODS OF WATERLOO REGION

MARK GROULX CONTRIBUTOR Great cities are comprised of great neighbourhoods. From the lesstravelled to the less-appreciated, TCE is exploring the good the bad and the evolving neighbourhoods of Waterloo Region.

Just up hill from the Kitchener Market, you’ll find heavily populated, highly historic and unappreciated grouping of homes; welcome to Cedar Hill. Bordered by King St. East, Courtland Ave. East, Benton St. and Madison Ave. South (sorry, no Don Drapers on this Madison Ave.) Cedar Hill hosts everything from apartment buildings, detached homes and townhouses in an eclectic street grid. Residents of the lively grid populate the Kitchener Market on Saturday mornings Cedar Hill is changing considerably, and is truly a case study in the transformational demographic and economic forces in Waterloo Region.

Cedar Hill was historically the residential heartland for workers in Kitchener’s manufacturing sector. In the 1970s, city planners began to permit the development of towering apart-

ment blocks that have contributed to a diversity of living arrangements on the edge of a rapidly revitalizing downtown.

In part due to the exodus of downtown populations triggered by the post-war suburban boom, by the 1980’s Cedar Hill was developing reputations of drug association and crime. These notorious, gritty, anecdotes have been hard to shake.

In response, a 2011 city by-law sought to ban all new multi-unit housing as means of addressing neighbourhood issues. Ultimately, the by-law was challenged on human rights grounds and scrapped following an Ontario Municipal Board hearing.

Still, with all its challenges, a brief walk down Church St. reveals the history, diversity and charm of this evolving neighbourhood. East of Benton St. a monolithic apartment building casts its shadow over the neighbourhood, and stares across the street at a well-kept, Italianate home, with a brick coach house and precisely manicured hedges. Further the neighbourhood hosts the Charles Street Men’s Hostel, juxtaposing Cedar Street’s newly-built, three-storey walk-up apartments.

Recent developments, like this one are signaling a change in housing preferences within this traditional working class neighbourhood. During the week, your walk will be accompanied by school-bound children getting

ready for the bus and walking to school. On Saturdays, you pass shoppers carrying fresh produce up the hill from the farmer’s market or strolling toward a downtown cafe.

Above all, Cedar Hill is a neighbourhood of contrast. Rich and poor, old and young, established residents and millennial newcomers, living in a pocket on the edge of downtown. It offers protection to some of the Region’s most vulnerable citizens through a range of social services, yet attracts the eye of some of the most powerful entrepreneurs in the local redevelopment game. A clash of interests, values and viewpoints will ensure one of Kitchener’s oldest neighbourhoods also remains one of its most dynamic.

HEBEL PLACE An easily missed one-way, oneblock street. Hebel is a remainder of an older Kitchener — a time before the high-rises and our emerging high-tech industry. Houses cozy up to the street and porches create a comforting sense of community.

SANDHILLS PARK In a dense neighbourhood with looming apartment buildings, Sandhills Park is the neighbourhood’s big backyard. With overlooking houses and a stepped walkway, entering the park gives you the sensation you are entering a private and special place.

A great contrast to the busy dense neighbourhood that surrounds it.

Pupuseria Latinos: Located on the corner of Eby and Charles Streets, grab a meal at one of Kitchener’s finest El Salvadorean restaurants. This eatery at the corner of Eby and Charles St. is quaint and welcoming, just like the Cedar Hill neighbourhood. The enchiladas are a must, if you are anywhere near downtown.

HALL’S LANE If you are looking for a different face of Downtown, take a walk or bike down Hall’s Lane. Reminiscent of Toronto’s narrow and enigmatic alleyways, Hall’s provides a different perspective on Kitchener, as you make your way past loading docks, back entrances, and the aging facades of Kitchener’s downtown businesses.

Keep an eye out for some of downtown’s best graffiti art.

SITE OF THE OLD WATER TOWER A rust-tinged sky blue water tower used to stand watch over Kitchener from the top of Cedar Hill. In 2011, after nearly a century, downtown’s sentinel was dismantled, but not without some resistance from the surrounding community. In 2013, a recommendation was made by Kitchener staff that the lands be purchased by the city for potential use as a community garden.

If you find this site, see if you can also find the mural of this lost relic located just down the hill on King Street Suggest a neighbourhood! Email us at communityeditor@thecord.ca.

FEBRUARY 2015 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

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ARTS & CULTURE

ARTS BEAT IMPROV OF THE HEART

“Write Before Valentine’s Day” is an improv show that uses written material provided by the audience to launch comedic improvised scenes. The show will be presented, Friday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. at K-W Little Theatre. People are welcome to simply attend the pay-what-you-can show, which is a fundraiser to help KWLT replace the roof of their building, and they can bring one page of original writing (comedic or dramatic).

Keep an eye out for our public art profiles next month featuring pieces like ‘Pedestrian,’ pictured above. • MATT SMITH PHOTO EDITOR

KW WILL SING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

AFTER A HIATUS, THE RADICAL CHOIR RETURNS WITH A ‘SIMPLE SONG OF FREEDOM’

FINE-TUNING THE GRANT PROCESS The Region of Waterloo Arts Fund says it has some fine-tuning to do on its grant review, and other processes, after piloting a new evaluation system in 2014. The fund changed how it reviews grant requests last year by including a panel of people from the arts community to decide the merit of applications. As part of 2015 regional budget deliberations, the board is requesting a five per cent funding cut from last year — about $12,000 — be reversed, and that an extra five cents per capita in funding be allotted. The arts fund is an incorporated entity and does not report to regional council for approval on the grants it hands out. The revisions are intended to make the Council more accountable and accessible to the community.

THEMUSEUM’S FUNDING WOES

Local musician Richard Garvey leads the choir in practice at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Kitchener. • MATT SMITH PHOTO EDITOR

ANNA BEARD ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR I’ve never been the kind of person who holds signs on the street to encourage social change. I’m more of a ‘tweet angrily from bed’ kind of girl - a cheerleader for those who actually go create social change. However, this being a new year and all, when I caught word that Kitchener’s Radical Choir was banding back together and having a new members meeting, I jumped at the chance to go and see what the hype was all about.

I had my expectations going into the meeting – guitars, wool hats, cozy sweaters; an eclectic bunch of 20 and 30-somethings who want to use singing to deliver a message.

I’m happy to report that when I joined them during their first meeting on Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Kitchener’s civic district – I found just that and a great deal more.

Radical Choir originally came together and had a good run between 2008 and 2012, before falling by the wayside of busy schedules. The group sang covers and originals of politically

themed songs that pushed for social change both locally and globally.

Laura McDonald, an alumnus of the original choir was back in action on Sunday, with high hopes of rebuilding the momentum the choir originally had.

“Radical Choir was a massively formative period in my life, so I’m looking forward to having that again. The big thing for me is that it was a really reinvigorating experience – coming together every week and having a joyful time – it really refreshes the spirit.”

Like me, there were a lot of people who were experiencing Radical Choir’s unique community for the first time.

I say community because within 15 minutes, we were together in a circle, chatting, warming up our vocal chords and any feelings of apprehension had long since evapourated.

Singing your name to 30 or so strangers is a really great way to jump into the fire.

The bulk of Radical Choir’s first practice was focused on making everyone feel at home and comfortable. We broke out into smaller groups of five to discuss what brought us to practice, what we love about singing, our favourite type of music. During this chat I met Emma Dines who was checking out Radical Choir after missing out on its first iteration due to a busy schedule.

“I saw the choir perform at a city

event a few years ago and thought it was pretty cool,” said Dines. “I would have liked to join a professional choir but can’t afford the time commitment.

I really like the ethos of this group and what the choir sings about is closer to my interests and heart – so it’s a double whammy.”

Our breakout groups had to report back and present our findings through speech, song, or of course, dancing.

My group chose to do a rendition of Destiny’s Child’s “Bootylicious” given, a variety of factors and a collective early 2000s adolescence.

As our practice went on, we learned more about Radical Choir itself, from the two individuals who brought us all together – Richard Garvey and Janice Lee. Most people know Garvey from his silk-like, folk performances across Waterloo Region. Lee, also a folk artist, is likely best known for her story telling and poetry. Both are fixtures within the local art ecosystem and are the perfect culmination of passion and talent to reignite the choir. They would be first to tell you that they aren’t really in charge. Radical Choir is led by everyone.

Beth Murch, another poet and spoken word artist – and fellow alto – had her first taste of Radical Choir alongside myself.

“I heard rumors of the Radical Choir and then I saw it was resurrect-

ed on Facebook so I thought I’d be in it this time around,” explained Murch.

“I like singing and I appreciate that it’s people coming together who share similar concerns for the world and our community. It’s nice that it’s noncompetitive, that it doesn’t matter if you’re a super star, and that it’s about relaxing and having a good time” Towards the end of the session we started diving into songbook content.

As an easy introduction, we tackled Bobby Darrin’s “Simple Song of Freedom” in four-part harmony.

While it proved to be an exceptional task for our group at first, by the time our session was ready to come to a close, we sounded pretty close to on-point.

As we wrapped up, I started to realize how lucky I was to have had the chance to witness a community forming around me. The members of Radical Choir are not standoff-ish; they are warm and welcoming. They are not judgmental; they are passionate.

This group of 20 and 30-somethings is much more than guitars, wool hats, and cozy sweaters. They are a group of funny, talented individuals, who want to raise awareness about issues that are important to members of our local and global communities.

If you want to sing for social change or want to learn more about Radical Choir they want to meet you!

For the fifth year in a row, THEMUSEUM has received $120,000 from the City of Kitchener’s Arts and Culture Sustainability Fund.

Each year, THEMUSEUM has requested the same amount to ensure cash flow for the organization, but councillors were less than eager to distribute the support this year, and did so with the notion that next year funding may decrease. THEMUSEUM is one of three pillar organizations receiving money from the Arts and Culture Sustainability Fund. The other two are the K-W Symphony and the K-W Art Gallery (they only receive $40,000 per year).

Councillors would like to cut back funding to THEMUSEUM and distribute it to other arts startups and smaller art groups.

FEAST FOR THE SENSES Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery is hosting a sensory experience like no other on Thursday, Feb. 12. Inspired by the artwork in the galleries, Feast for the Senses will feature a special guest chef and sommelier serving up delectable tastes, carefully coupling artworks with complementary tapas courses and wine pairings.

KW|AG executive director, Shirley Madill, will offer insights into the artworks chosen by the chef, along with a tour of the exhibitions.

FEBRUARY 2015 // @THECOMMUNITYED

Wear Out There

MIXING COCKTAILS AND CANVASES PAINT NITE LEADS AMATEUR ARTISTS IN ‘DRINKING CREATIVELY’ AT LOCAL PUBS

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CHRISTINA PROCTOR COLUMNIST Hello Waterloo Region. Let me take this opportunity to introduce myself.

My name is Christina Proctor and I’m our community’s fashion blogger at www.WearOutThere.com. Born in Kitchener and raised in the picturesque town of Elmira, I’ve spent my years exploring our great cities and outlying areas. There is something truly unique about our community. It has only been through my experiences travelling abroad, that I’ve come to realize there is no greater place to live and work than Waterloo Region.

There is a distinct energy that surrounds us where innovation, development, and entrepreneurship are driving forces, inspiring us to be or become the best versions of ourselves.

We are citizens looking to make a difference, follow our passions, and live life on our terms.

It should come as no surprise that this positive and spirited culture extends into our shopping environments, as our friends and neighbours are setting up shop and bringing top fashions to the streets of Waterloo Region. Let this column be your guide, as we meet our small business owners, uncover top shopping spots, and discuss topics related to beauty, style, and overall good feelings towards the self. Aren’t we lucky the best shops are just down the street?

There are numerous benefits to shopping in your community. When you buy locally, rather than at a multinational or chain store, twice the money remains in the community.

David Boyle, a researcher at the New Economics Foundation, has shown that local purchases are twice as efficient in keeping local economies alive.

By choosing to shop local, business owners are able to hire more talent, pay higher wages, make purchases at your workplace, and invest more in local charities. Who knew your purchasing decisions had such impact?

In an area as dynamic as Waterloo Region, where we have such quality in our small businesses and fashion retailers, it’s an easy choice to pay a visit to their locations. Yes, there is an economic impact, which will ripple throughout our community, but you can also expect better service.

“Independent store owners genuinely care about you and they care about their business,” says Mary Reger, owner of Alexandria’s Shoes For Women in St. Jacob’s, when I went for a visit. Let’s not forget how enjoyable it is to spend a day perusing small boutiques, looking for truly unique pieces.

Economic impact, superior service, and fabulous items? Yes, I will be making my purchases count this year.

It truly is the strength of local and regional economies that is integral to the wellbeing of citizens, communities and society as a whole.

HAVE A QUESTION OR SUGGESTION FOR CHRISTINA’S COLUMN? EMAIL US AT COMMUNITYEDITOR@ THECORD.CA

Paint Nite events are currently being held in over 90 cities in the U.S. and 18 internationally. • MATT SMITH PHOTO EDITOR

TEGAN THUSS BRIEFS EDITOR Paint brush in one hand, alcoholic beverage in the other — these are the starting ingredients to a great night out.

Paint Nite introduces social art to the masses. Participants are asked to paint a blank canvas with either a reproduction that the instructor takes them through step-by-step, or their own imaginings. The event takes place in a pub or restaurant, where alcoholic beverages are available for purchase, since the motto is to “drink creatively”.

No prior painting experience is necessary to enjoy this evening out — just an oath pledged, with hand on canvas, that there will be no complaining, no judgement and each participant will

try their best to have fun and enjoy the experience. Paint Nite was founded by Sean McGrail and Dan Hermann, after having attended a party where they painted and drank wine.

“In March 2012, we launched the first Paint Nite at Clery’s, a bar in Boston’s Back Bay neighbourhood,” said McGrail.

Since then, Paint Nite’s popularity has expanded significantly, having reached out internationally.

“Paint Nite is continuing to add new markets on a monthly basis. Right now, Paint Nite events are currently being held in 90 cities in the U.S. and 18 internationally, we expect that number will continue to increase as we sign on new markets across the world,” McGrail stated.

McGrail believes the idea continues to be popular because, “people are looking for something different than a typical night out at the bar — and Paint Nite provides that. Many find that they really enjoy embracing their

more creative side, and decide to come back regularly.”

Social media has played an extensive role in getting the event off the ground, as more and more people take photographs of their evenings out and share them through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

“People see the experience that their friends have shared, and want to learn more about it. Social media has also helped recruit licensees in new, untapped markets, which allows us to continue to expand,” said McGrail.

Licensee for Paint Nite KitchenerWaterloo, Erin Bunting does not have a degree in fine arts or a career in painting — in fact, she graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). After graduating, Erin moved to Vancouver and was looking for something fun to do and a good way to meet people. She found Paint Nite and loved it. While looking through their Facebook page, Bunting noticed that

they were hiring and she applied. After training, and finding her groove, she moved home to K-W and brought the experience with her.

“It’s an environment where people can come and paint and not be judged,” Bunting states. “This is just a social activity where people can come, they can eat, they can relax…they don’t even have to paint what I’m painting, they can throw paint on the canvas if they had a tough day at work.”

After having finished the reproduction, the most exciting part of the evening is noticing the uniqueness of each painting created. Knowing that the image is the same for most — it is interesting to see the different colour choices, texturing, and object placement, all of which emphasize the creativity of each individual painter. It also makes for a great take away, which can be hung proudly — and signed — in your home.

COMIC CON COMES TO KITCHENER

COSTUME-CLAD CONVENTION AIMS TO FILL A VOID IN KITCHENER ENTERTAINMENT

KURTIS THOMAS CONTRIBUTOR In the pantheon of geek culture, few things are more celebrated then the holy grail of all events, Comic Con. What started in San Diego as a celebration of all things comic book, has now evolved into a pop culture mecca.

Every year, celebrities and fans from all walks of popular culture – movies, television, and video games, descend on San Diego to partake in the culture they love with other like-minded fans.

On Feb. 28, comic lovers can stay home instead and visit Kitchener city hall. As Kitchener Comic Con aims to emulate what fans have come to expect and love from similar events around the world.

“We had Oktoberfest, we had the Blues Festival, but it seemed like the “geekier” culture was kept under the rug. With Con-G (a con that ran for 6 years in Guelph) wrapping up… it left us with Toronto, Niagara Falls and Hamilton as our closest options,” explained Dennis Claveau, media organizer for KCC. For the organizers of Kitchener’s first Comic Con, community involvement is their driving force.

“We’ve been focusing on highlighting local artists, local cosplayers, local businesses and showing just how

Comin Con will take over Kitchener city hall on Feb. 28. • COURTESY KITCHENER COMIC CON talented Waterloo Region is,” said Cleaveau. “We want to support local entrepreneurs and talent, because they make this city and region what it is.”

So far the community has responded with nothing but positivity.

Claveau explained that first time con-goers are sure to find something new to experience or purchase.

“Attendees should expect to be wowed and tempted by the amazing original artwork, brilliant original comic books and crafts that our vendors are selling. We do have vendors that are selling unique licensed merchandise (Pokemon Plushies, etc.)

as well.”

Dressing up as favourite characters from comics, cartoons and movies, better known as cosplaying, is a large part of any convention and the KCC will be having a costume contest for crafty fans.

The other main draw of any con is a roster of guest speakers. While none have been announced yet, Claveau assures that they’ll have speakers that will impress both older and younger fans.

There’s still time to snag a table if you’re a vendor looking to get involved.

“We are still accepting applications

for vendors and volunteers! It’s one of the best ways to get eyeballs on your talents.”

Despite this being the first time an event of this type and size will be happening in KW, Claveau is nothing but optimistic.

“I can’t tell you how many people told me that a convention would “never work” in this area and well, we’re proving that wrong! We’re building it, and they are coming.”

Kitchener Comic Con takes place Saturday Feb. 26, at Kitchener City Hall. Admission is free.

FEBRUARY 2015 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

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Bearface on beer JON JOHNSON COLUMNIST

The newly renovated Boathouse stage hosts musicians for Folk Roots Brew every Wednesday. • MATT SMITH PHOTO EDITOR

A NEW FOLKING TUNE AT BOATHOUSE FOLK ROOTS BREW TO BOLSTER WATERLOO REGION’S MUSIC SCENE, COMMUNITY

ALLISON M. LEONARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Call it a resurrection of sorts. The strums of ukuleles, peaks of clarinet and rolling notes of piano are coaxing The Boathouse from a long hibernation. Folk Roots Brew, a weekly music series is proving to be an alarm for a city that’s waking to a reinvigorated folk music scene and environment of community support.

“I hope it kind of feels like coming home every week,” says Richard Garvery, series presenter. “You come to Boathouse on Wednesday and you know what you’re going to get, but it’s always full of surprises and emotion and connection.”

In its previous life, The Boathouse existed in a similar – albeit minimized – capacity. The space acted as a common ground for all walks of life including local and travelling artists.

The location’s deep-running root in community arts inspired a stipulation that Bill McTavish, Boathouse owner,

keep an emphasis on music.

The Boathouse lineup echoes Garvey’s first brainchild, Folk Roots Stew, a series held at Café Pyrus with dual purpose – bolstering both folk music artists and audience alike. It’s a process not without its challenges in an evolving city.

“The process of gentrification is changing our city a lot,” says Garvey, in discussion about the Boathouse revolution. “And these changes are special and there is potential but we have to care for each other before thinking of profit and prosperity.”

The delayed opening of the Victoria Park pub caused continued relocation of the priming Folk Roots Brew installations. Queen Street Commons and Imbibe acted as temporary homes for the vagabond series until The Boathouse’s late open in mid January.

While Garvey’s honeyed voice and stringed songs aren’t uncommon in the Folk Roots Brew soundscape, he acts primarily as presenter – a position often laden with instability.

“Honestly, I really needed a weekly gig to keep going. I almost gave up on Kitchener, but then this came up, and I got a grant,” says Garvey. “Financially, I might do better to move to Toronto

IT’S KIND OF LIKE COMING HOME. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO GET BUT IT’S ALWAYS FULL OF SURPRISES AND EMOTION AND CONNECTION. RICHARD GARVEY FOLK ROOTS BREW ORGANIZER … but I know everyone here, I feel comfortable here.”

Garvey is no stranger to meeting hurdles in developing a music scene.

The solutions are often on his own shoulders: play another show (he’s averaging upwards of 100 gigs annually), pay for sound out of pocket (most of Garvey’s shows host a sliding-scale cover) or promote fervently (it’s not uncommon to see Garvey plastering telephone polls with posters for upcoming sets). Folk Roots Brew is a little different. While Garvey is the clear backbone of the series, its success is brewed in community support.

“I think people are as excited as I am, audience and artists,” says Garvey.

“I’ve got people, 17 to 75 emailing me

to play the Boathouse.”

The Boathouse reincarnate has far more seating than its predecessor, all of which has been filled during the Wednesday night folk sets to date.

Garvey attributes the turnout at each show to the purpose behind it.

“It’s always going to be a show with a lot of intention in it.”

The reverberations of every acoustic guitar to grace The Boathouse stage is slowly rolling away the proverbial stone that encased a vibrant folk music scene in Waterloo Region. A new kind of audience emerges; one that is ready to support so many of the Region’s artists who desperately awaited The Boathouse stage.

In November, a brewpub opened in uptown Waterloo bearing the name of the city’s founder, Abe Erb. It’s a bold move to take on the name of a local historical figure, as it gives you a lot to live up to.

I avoided going in for the first little while, giving them time to work out the kinks and to make sure their Founder’s Beers were available (they were frequently sold out shortly after they opened). I’m happy to report that I finally made it in, and it seems like they’ve done old Abe proud.

Abe Erb sells their own beer, brewed on site, that they call their Founder’s Beers alongside a well-curated guest tap list. When I was in, the home brews they had on tap were the Buggywhip IPA, Das Spritzhaus, which is a hefeweizen, and Whiplash, an Imperial IPA. As a fan of IPA’s, I was prepared to be disappointed by the Buggywhip. If you try to make an IPA that has a wide appeal, you’ll often end up with something that is less hoppy and flavourful than I would like. Buggywhip isn’t super hoppy, but the hops are plentiful, and the overall flavour is quite good.

Rather than just a thin body with a hit of hops, this beer has a nice full body.

Das Spritzhaus was pretty much exactly what I think of when I think of a hefeweizen. There’s a subtle banana flavour, but not too much. A nice yeasty-ness, but not too much. Overall, this is a solid, successful effort.

After the Buggywhip, I have to say I was a little let down by Whiplash.

Imperial IPAs are usually hoppier and more flavourful than their non-Imperial counterparts. While this one was, it just didn’t take it as far as I would like to see, based on the flavour they brought out in the Buggywhip. It’s probably more palatable for your average drinker, but I wanted more.

My beers accompanied a delicious burger, with fries that tasted fresh from a chip truck. The look and feel of the decor is executed well, and creates a great atmosphere. Overall, Abe Erb is doing things right and I look forward to going back soon.

HAVE A QUESTION FOR JON? EMAIL US AT COMMUNITYEDITOR@ THECORD.CA

Words. Folk music. Craft beer. Knitting.

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FEBRUARY 2015 // @THECOMMUNITYED

14

REVIEWS LABEL REVIEW

Weird Canada, a Canadian music collective operates from a covert location above King Street Cycles in uptown Waterloo. • MATT SMITH PHOTO EDITOR

CANADIAN MUSIC COLLECTIVE IN UPTOWN JAMIESON COX CONTRIBUTOR No one would blame you for missing it — it’s hiding in plain sight, nondescript, above an uptown bike shop — but one of Canada’s most vital and celebrated underground collectives calls Waterloo home.

Founded in Edmonton in 2009 by Aaron Levin, Weird Canada’s mis-

sion is to “encourage, connect, and document creative expression across Canada,” as per their website; they do so by promoting community, amplifying marginalized voices, and serving as an accessible entry point for people around the country interested in supporting and making experimental, non-traditional art.

It’s a mission that’s been helped along by a few major pieces of recognition: its online incarnation was named “Best Canadian Music Site” by CBC Radio 3 in 2011, and won a $50,000 FACTOR grant in early 2013. The grant was used to fund the establish-

ment of the Wyrd Distro, a nonprofit online store that gives fans the chance to buy physical copies of Canadian music like the kind featured on the main site.

After an intermediate period spent running Weird Canada from Toronto, Levin and partner/editor-in-chief Marie Flanagan now use Waterloo as the organization’s headquarters; many of its major components are based here, from editing the website to shipping out product associated with the Distro. And despite changes to Weird Canada’s scale and prominence as a Canadian music institution, Flanagan

ALBUM REVIEW

maintains that their core vision hasn’t shifted much.

“Our vision has been consistent since the beginning, and I can’t imagine anything that would sway or deter us.”

Though Weird Canada has served as a launching pad for a few artists now receiving international critical acclaim, the most rewarding part of Flanagan’s work is the measurable impact of her actions, whether on tiny artists who stretch every dollar or the hundreds of community members who believe in the site’s mission and support its operation. And with those

PLAY REVIEW

FOR CAST AND AUDIENCE ALIKE BRYN OSSINGTON PUBLISHER

Elliott Brood comes to Starlight Social Club Feb. 26 • COURTESY ELLIOTT BROOD

ELLIOTT BROOD EVOLVING

JUNO WINNERS MOVE FROM FOLK TO POP IN NEW ALBUM

DAVE EMRICH CONTRIBUTOR Coming off the success of winning the 2013 Juno for roots and traditional album of the year for their third album Days Into Years, Elliott Brood are back with a new album, ripe with all the Canadian alt-country twang that you can handle.

The album, entitled Work and Love opens with “Little Ones.” It’s a song that has the guts of Bruce Springsteen style heartland rock, combined with piano and slide guitar to elicit even more emotion.

The following track, “Nothing Left” pairs the raspy Jason Shevchuk-esque

artists and members spread across thousands of kilometers and every province and territory, it takes a ton of coordination and clarity to keep Weird Canada running effectively.

“I have learned to be incredibly organized and disciplined, and to consider the user above all else,” she explained.

Despite those challenges, Flanagan finds herself inspired and encouraged by the vitality and creative potential of our community.

“Kitchener-Waterloo is an incredible place to be right now... Pay attention to show posters and events, and start exploring. This city is full of secrets.”

vocals with a melody that would make the deepest of folk-punk ballads jealous.

Delving deeper into the album is one of Brood’s most ambitious tracks to date, “Mission Bell.” It features a backing trumpet line that brings on visions of spaghetti-like Western films.

Never ones to shy away from breaking the mould, the trio quickly has you biting into a clichéd “face melting” guitar solo.

Followers of Elliott Brood’s earlier work on Mountain Meadows and Ambassador will recognize that their following album Days Into Years was a different, more mature sound. It’s safe to say that Work and Love is no exception to a continued evolution, as they find themselves in a far more pop laden sound. Don’t worry though – purists will still find plenty of the interesting treats that gave Elliott Brood the genre nomenclature of “death

country” in the first place.

That said, the most shining example of hooky, pop radio-friendly sound would be on the uncharacteristically upbeat “Jigsaw Heart.” This is arguably the stand out track from the album; “Jigsaw Heart” really pushes the envelope as far as Brood’s Canadian indie radio success goes. This song seems like it draws influence from the entire gamut of today’s biggest Canadian bands, from The Strumbellas to The Arkells, while still maintaining that signature twang that only Elliott Brood could provide.

It’s safe to say that Elliott Brood’s Work and Love is another impressive notch on the belt of the Toronto band, which is slowly becoming a Canadian mainstay. With an album such as this, it’s safe to say that they’re sure to put on a fantastic show when they come to the Starlight on Feb. 26.

It’s not everyday that you see the cast of a play smile their way through a dress rehearsal having as much fun when things are going wrong as when they go right. But for FASS, the faculty, alumni, staff and students amateur theatre company based out of the University of Waterloo it is all part of the brief but intense five-week process.

This year’s installment of the annual production, “FASS Fables: Tales from Mother Geese” strings together a series of stories about the UW student experience with the help of some familiar characters from fables and childhood stories.

The company – which has been around for over 53 years and boasts 110 members in cast and crew – is as much, if not more, for themselves as it is the audience.

“My goal this year was to take all the funny ideas from different people and cobble them together into as cohesive a script as FASS usually gets,” says Michael L. Davenport, chief script writer.

Davenport oversaw the collaborative process with a team of writers who pieced together stories of student life with familiar stories like Cinderella, Rapunzel, Harry Potter and insights about campus life, jabs at Laurier and more internet memes than Reddit.

Peppered throughout the play were spoofs on pop songs like Frozen’s “Let it go” and “All about that bass” mocking UW’s campus for being all about

the cranes, “no green space.”

Highlights included subtle running gags with signage for “future LRT stop” appearing in every scene, a significant monologue composed primarily of cheese puns and a delightfully charming sign holder announcing the passing of two weeks in the play.

The play itself runs a little long which is no doubt a result of the collaborative writing process but the cast and writers seem to be well aware.

To offer a concept of time, the LRT construction is done by the end of the play.

For Rami Finkelshtein, this year’s director, he is extremely proud of the work the entire cast and crew have done.

“I’m very proud of everyone and all the actors for putting this together as fast as we can. There is a lot of things I didn’t think could look as good on stage as they did in the short amount of time that we had to put it together.”

For him the short, some would say rushed, five-week production schedule and the inclusive nature of FASS are integral to the philosophy of the group.

“Everyone who auditions gets a part.

That is one of our founding philosophies and that is what we live by. Even if you don’t want a part on stage, we appreciate everybody’s help in the background, foreground, anywhere you want to be,” says Finkelshtein.

The final number of the play doubles as a call for new members encouraging the audience to sign up. Catch one of four permances of “FASS Fables” Feb. 5-7. More information at fass.uwaterloo.ca.

FEBRUARY 2015 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

OPINION

LESSONS IN LENT ALISTAIR MACLELLAN CONTRIBUTOR

February marks one of the most pivotal parts of the liturgical calendar, the beginning of Lent — which leads to Easter, one of the most important Christian religious observances (not just a sweet long weekend). It’s a time of reflection and sacrifice, where many give up something they love for a specific period of time.

For those of you who can’t remember Sunday school or never went to church, before Jesus started walking around talking about love and peace, he went into the desert to hang out and meditate. During that time, Satan came and tried to get him do all sorts of things. I have the same problem when it comes the chip aisle in the grocery store, but Jesus didn’t cave like I do for Ms. Vickies. Some of you may recall the similar yet slightly less impactful story of the 2002 romantic comedy, 40 days and 40 nights, where Josh Hartnett decides to give up any form of sexual contact for Lent, something that would probably be pretty hard for someone as handsome as Hartnett.

In a religious sense, giving up something for 40 days is supposed to impart a sense of spiritual empathy for the temptations Jesus felt in the desert — in a secular sense, that sacrifice can allow you to give up something that is impacting your potential.

Over the next week, count how many hours you sit in front of Netflix and Facebook, or how many beers you have. Think about what you might do instead and how that might impact the following months. You don’t need to be religious to participate in Lent.

Have you wanted to write the great Canadian novel, but just can’t seem to find the time? Here is your opportunity. Put down the remote for 40 days and spend those hours composing the elegant prose you had deep inside you

this entire time.

Students! You have the most to gain, just based on the timing of Lent.

Imagine how much less stress you would have if you gave up drinking for Lent. Just picture those mornings you would have regularly spent trying not to throw-up after breakfast. You could be studying in the library, preparing for finals, or finishing those papers you will probably start two days before they are due. Your future self – who gets into medical school or law school – will thank you for your brief disruption of keg stands and Jello shots.

For those into health and fitness, give up something in your diet just to see how it impacts your well-being.

What would life be like without coffee? It might really suck to find out, but maybe at the end of the 40 days you are sleeping better and feeling less anxious. Don’t be afraid to experiment with sacrifice. Understand that you have the ability to control certain aspects of your life and gain strength from them.

If you are interested in giving it a try, here is the game plan. This year Lent starts on Feb. 18, on what some churches refer to as Ash Wednesday.

If you are giving up booze, like me, it may be more fitting to refer to the day as “Huge Hangover Day.” Now all you need to do is experience the emotional, self-exploring roller coaster all the way to Easter weekend.

In all honesty, if I knew I was going to be nailed to some wooden beams

by Roman Centurions, I would have probably have spent my time in the desert drinking as much of that bibletime, sulphite-free, organic wine as possible. However, since my future holds more positive potential, I look to Lent as an opportunity to test my willpower and improve my health.

We live in a society that rarely has to wait, rarely has to give up anything, so every now and then it seems prudent to experience sacrifice just to remind ourselves how lucky we actually are.

Whether you’re giving up gum or gluten, let us know how you’re doing on Facebook and Twitter, tag @TheCommunityEd!

LISTINGS MUSIC FEBRUARY 7 Robi Botos Trio The Jazz Room, 8:30 p.m., $20 Run with Kittens The Boathouse, 9 p.m., $10

FEBRUARY 8 Lucas Stagg Group Jane Bond, 8 p.m., 19+, $10

FEBRUARY 11

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Community Edition

ALL RATES AVAILABLE AT WLUSP.COM EMAIL ADS@WLUSP.COM

FEBRUARY 25

FEBRUARY 13

Folk, Roots, Brew: Thames River Valley Boys & Anthony Damiao The Boathouse, 8 p.m., $5

Write Before Valentine’s Day KWLT, 8 p.m., pay what you can

FEBRUARY 26 Elliot Brood w.s.g. Wilderness of Manitoba Starlight Social Club, 8 p.m., 19+, $15 adv

FEBRUARY 27 The Audio Device, The Draughtsmen, & Big Fraser The Boathouse, 8 p.m., $6

Folk Roots Brew: Luka/ Kaleigh Mason/ The Rozell Carraro Outfit The Boathouse, 8 p.m., $6-$10

Rachel Therrien The Jazz Room, 8:30 p.m., $18

FEBRUARY 12

Turboprop Sextet The Jazz Room, 8:30 p.m., $20

Ron Hawkins and the Do Good Assassins Starlight Social Club, 8 p.m., 19+, $18 adv

FEBRUARY 13 Francois Jalbert The Jazz Room, 8:30 p.m., $18

FEBRUARY 14 Neil Zirconium and the Diamonds Are Forever band Starlight Social Club, 7:30 p.m., 19+, $12 adv Music for Stage and Screen Knox Presbyterian Church, 7:30 p.m., $20 Vinx/Julie Michels Quartet The Jazz Room, 8:30 p.m., $18

FEBRUARY 15 The Aquamaniacs Jane Bond, 8 p.m., 19+ Starlight’s Family Day Party Starlight Social Club, 10 p.m., 19+

FEBRUARY 18

FEBRUARY 28

ARTS FEBRUARY 7 Artists At Work: Stained Glass KPL - Forrest Heights, 1 p.m.

Paint Nite K-W: Burning Sunset Bobby O’Briens, 4 p.m., tickets via paintnite.com KWLT Presents: Who’s Crazy Now KWLT, 4:30 p.m., $15

FEBRUARY 8 Rotunda Gallery February exhibit: Amy Roger’s Accidental Orbs Kitchener Rotunda Gallery, 9 a.m.

Berlin Tower ARTSPACE February exhibit: Tri-City Stopgap: Founding Members Exhibition Berlin Tower Space, 9 a.m.

Exhibition @ KW|AG - In Absentia An Te Liu KW|AG, 1 p.m.

FEBRUARY 17 Paint Nite K-W: Italy Symposium Cafe, 7 p.m., tickets via paintnite.com

FEBRUARY 22 Walk the Talk: Vault Tour @ KW|AG KW|AG, 2 p.m., $10+HST

COMMUNITY FEBRUARY 7 Free Flicks: Schooled KPL - Central Library, 2 p.m.

Shake & Skate Waterloo Town Square, 7 p.m.

Stone Soup WR Benefit Concert THEMUSEUM, tickets $45, via stonesoupwr.com

FEBRUARY 10 Free Flicks: Animal Farm KPL - Central Library, 6:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 11 Beer & Blooms THEMUSEUM, 6:30 p.m., 19+ Opening Reception: A Year of Flowers KPL - Central Library, 7 p.m.

FEBRUARY 12 Feast For the Sense - An Evening of Art, Food and Wine KW|AG, 7 p.m., $50 + HST

FEBRUARY 13 Sassy Ray Burlesque: A Valentine’s Cabaret The Registry Theatre, 8 p.m., $20 adv

FEBRUARY 14

Exhibition @ KW|AG - Soliloquy Shirin Neshat KW|AG 1 p.m.

Free Flicks: Dear Zachary KPL - Central Library, 2 p.m.

FEBRUARY 10

FEBRUARY 21

Genticorum - Quebecois Trad Folk Power Trio The Jazz Room, 8 p.m., $20 adv

Paint Nite K-W: Love Under Cover Symposim Cafe, 7 p.m., tickets via paintnite.com

Free Flicks: Good Food, Bad Food KPL - Central Library, 2 p.m.

FEBRUARY 20

FEBRUARY 11

FEBRUARY 28

Ted Gibbons Band The Jazz Room, 8:30 p.m., $16

Führerbunker: An Experimental Chamber Opera by Andrew Ager The Registry Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

Kitchener Comic Con Kitchener City Hall

FEBRUARY 21

FEBRUARY 12

Free Flicks: The Central Park Five KPL - Central Library, 2 p.m.

Folk, Roots, Brew: The Mackenzie Blues Band & Shesabus Band The Boathouse, 8 p.m., $5

THANKS.

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FEBRUARY 19

Tom Guarna Quartet The Jazz Room, 8:30 p.m., $18

Contemporary Art 101: Lunchtime Lecture Series @ KW|AG KW|AG, 12 p.m.

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