VOLUME 7, ISSUE 10 • JULY 2019
STEEL RAILS 10TH BIRTHDAY PAGES 8-9
YOUR HAIR LOOKS SEXY PUSHED BACK
CENTURIES OF CENTRAL FRESH
NICOLE BENO SPLASHES COLOUR ON EBY
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IN THIS
ISSUE
VOLUME 10, ISSUE 8
JUNE 2019
THIS ISSUE OF TCE WAS FUELED BY BABY ATTICUS, BORN THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2019. AS THE FIRST EVER TCE BABY, THIS ONE GOES OUT TO YOU, KID.
FEATURE
8-9 STEEL RAILS 10TH BIRTHDAY
EDITOR’S PICK 11
CRAFT DRAFTS: A WALK ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 11 12 12 13 14 14 15 16
IN BRIEF THE SIDE HUSTLE: BANGS & BRAIDS ART$PAY’S NEW SPACE THE GREAT SWOON: GEORGE SWOONEY 519 SCHMECKS: COOKING ON OPEN FLAMES NEW VINTAGE SHOPPE MAKES OLD THINGS NEW EASY BEING GREEN: THE CARBON TAX? FRAMELINES: CENTRAL FRESH CUSTOM MADE JEWELRY WITH YOUNG HURON SAIL-ING AROUND THE REGION SEXPLANATIONS: NO MEANS NO HYPERLOCAL TRAVEL: GETTING BACK TO BASICS THEATRE, UNWRAPPED NEW TUNE REVIEW HARU NOON // EVENT LISTINGS NICOLE BENO ADDS COLOUR TO DTK
INSIDE
COVER BY JESSE DERRY
Volume 7, Issue 10 Next issue: August, 2019 75 University Ave. W Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5 519-884-0710 x3564
All advertising inquiries should be directed to Care Lucas at 519-884-0710 x3560 care.lucas@wlusp.com
THE COMMUNITY EDITION TEAM
WLUSP ADMINISTRATION
Editor in Chief Beth Bowles beth@communityedition.ca
President Aaron Hagey
Publisher Lakyn Barton lakyn.barton@wlusp.com Social Media Coordinators Brit Kovacs Ramona Leitao Staff Writer Melissa Embury Photo Editors Nick Stanley Paige Bush Jesse Derry General Inquiries info@communityedition.ca
CONTRIBUTORS Teghan Barton Nathalie Bouchard Aaron Hagey Safina Husein Rachael MacIntosh Andreas Patsiaouros Cara Vandermey Racheal Walser
Executive Director Lakyn Barton Advertising Manager Kurtis Rideout Directors Rosalind Horne Emily Crump Arshy Mann Alyssa Di Sabatino Kashyap Patel
COLUMNISTS Jenna Aquino Nick Benninger Justin Clouthier Stacey Danckert Stacey Jacobs Bashar Lulu Jabbour Juanita Metzger Erik O’Neill Kurtis Rideout John Roche
The Community Edition is an alternative monthly intended to engage and inform the 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 Community Edition, WLUSP, WLU or Centra Web. 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 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. 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 Waterloo Region. 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.
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IN BRIEF NEWS
ARTS
URBAN
CHOICE CONNECT APP LAUNCHES
STEEL RAILS HAPPENED
THE LRT IS FINALLY HERE, FOLKS
SHORE Centre, a sexual health resource centre in Waterloo Region’s launched their Choice Connect app nationally on June 19. The app, originally launched locally in 2017, matches users with the abortion provider nearest to them. The app now includes referral information for more than 120 abortion providers across the country.
Okay, we’ll probably stop talking about Steel Rails for another 8 months. But we do really appreciate a community who will support an art party year after year for a decade. And of course supporting a newspaper that puts on said art party. We feel incredibly lucky and here’s to another 10 years on and off the rails.
You’ve probably seen the full cars going up and down the line — the LRT is finally here. As reported by the CBC, the Region said there were more than 73,000 trips on opening weekend which was June 21-23. Now do we call it “catching the LRT”, “...the ION”, “...the train”, the “snakey-train”? And what do we call it when people realize it’s just public transit?
COUNCIL CLIMATE EMERGENCY
FOURALL FIRST IN POP UP SPACE
PEOPLE LIVING IN HOUSES
On June 22, Kitchener city council unanimously declared a climate emergency. This resolution is meant to draw attention to the severity of climate change. Kitchener joins more than 400 other municipalities that have made similar declarations, including Vancouver, Hamilton, London and also the federal government.
The retail space in front of Kitchener City Hall, formerly Open Sesame, was turned into a pop up retail space. Four All is first into the space for the summer season running June 28 - September 22. The home decor shop, A Million Elephants, is also sharing the the space this summer. The city has not announce a Fall pop-up yet.
A new condo development adjacent to Victoria Park is being built where previous structures once existed. We know, groundbreaking as florals for spring. That’s how development usually works. The previous structures housed people from various walks of life — probably different than the high-end condos. But also maybe not.
It rained all night that year. On Saturday, June 22, 2019, I stood and watched the first group of people enter LOT42 — the first 50 of 600. I watched the second bus come, the third, and the fourth, until all 600 of our guests were at our party. It’s in that first twenty minutes, when the school buses arrive, that the real panic sets in. Lakyn, Care and I look around, searching for final touches that still need to be placed. Although stress levels are high, it’s still my favourite view. It’s a formula that’s lasted 10 years — buy a ticket to a mystery party. We won’t tell you the location or the entertainment, but we promise you it will be fun. All the proceeds support the Community Edition. Every year is different; no two Steel Rails’ are the same. The only thing I can count on for consistency is the view from inside the party of that first group of people getting off the bus. It will always look the same.
It will always feel the same. It’s a strange mixture of nerves, stress, excitement and sadness that it’s almost over. I want to thank everyone who bought a ticket, trusting us. I want to thank everyone who donated at the bar, supporting the Community Edition. I want to thank all our sponsors who made this party happen; you’re one of the most important ingredients in this bizarre recipe. I want to thank my family and friends who came out and took an interest in this weird thing that I do every year. To all the artists, thank you for sharing your art with us, for working with strange requests and for engaging with our guests. This party is a celebration of you and the work you do in our community. To Anna, Emily, Paige, Victoria, Andreas, Brit, Chantal, Hayley, Kurtis, Aaron, Emily, Christina, Jer, Eric, Teghan, Will, Diana, Betsy, Travis and anyone else who
lifted anything heavy — thank you for volunteering your entire day to this party. Thank you for coming back every year. To Evan, thank you for being our sound engineer even though every year, you say: “this is my last year.” To Pat, thanks for the hug at the end of the night when I needed one. To Jesse, thank you for doing more than I ever expected you to and for still being enthusiastic at 2 a.m. To baby Atticus, thank you for waiting five days to be born so your parents could come to Steel Rails. Your mom really wanted to be there and you let her do that. We love you, kid. To my co-organizers, Lakyn and Care, thank you for more than I can even express. Thank you for being great partners. Thank you for riding the tiny train with me at the end of the night. Thank you for watching the view with me.
This exceptional body art was done at Steel Rails ‘19 by local make up artist Andy Le as a part of “Beauty” by Artline Salon. JESSE DERRY PHOTO
EDITOR’S NOTE: 10 YEARS OF STEEL RAILS
BY: BETH BOWLES
“The first bus is here,” my publisher Lakyn Barton yelled to me. She was standing at the front doors of LOT42, and I was in the neighbouring room. Steel Rails ‘19 was about to begin. I watched the first flood of people enter the space — curious, thirsty, ready to be entertained. I have watched that first flood of people get off that school bus four times now. In 2016, at my first Steel Rails (also at LOT42) I watched the first group of 50 people enter the party. Looking around with wonder and delight. In 2017, I was tending bar inside Max’s Sports World when the first group of people exited the bus and immediately lined up at my bar. I couldn’t pour beer fast enough. In 2018, at the Waterloo Central Railway Museum, I watched the first bus unload our guests into an outdoor garden. They walked underneath a balloon archway, rain clouds threatening the sky, music playing in the background.
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YOUR HAIR LOOKS SEXY PUSHED BACK
HAYLEY DICKINSON LAUNCHED BANGS & BRAIDS FULL TIME IN FEBRUARY
THE SIDE HUSTLE
JENNA AQUINO COLUMNIST Feeling stuck in the mundane routine of her nine-five job, Hayley Dickinson found a way to brighten up her life through embracing her life-long sewing skills and passion for styling hair. After months of putting in endless hours outside of her day-job, Dickinson is now the proud creator of Bangs & Braids, a hair accessory company based out of Galt — and her story is an inspiring one. “I had been a receptionist or administrative assistant at various local businesses for nearly 15 years. Just sort of doing paperwork, taking phone calls … I was in a creative lull and started to think, “maybe this is where my life is going, maybe I’ll be working in an office for the rest of my life. I just knew that wasn’t going to cut it for me,” Dickinson explained. “One day I was surfing through Pinterest and saw a girl with a hair scarf in, so I grabbed a piece of scrap fabric and tried making one for myself and I really liked it. That’s how it all started.” Dickinson began by sewing hair accessories for friends and family, and eventually decided she should be selling her work. She created the Instagram account, @bangs_braids and was thrilled by the positive
response she received, which encouraged her to take her side hustle one step further. “I opened my Etsy shop in August 2018, nearly one whole year ago. It has been really overwhelming and humbling. I’ve met some truly amazing makers and become part of a really cool community as a result,” Dickinson said. “I sell a variety of hair accessories through my shop. It started with the hair scarves and around that time, scrunchies were coming back in style full-force, so I started including them as well. I also wanted to make something for people who have finer or short hair, so I started creating top-knot ties as well, and they’re super fun!” Dickinson has just released her summer line of accessories, inspired by the tropical sticker book she uses to keep track of her labels. It is very bright and vibrant, full of bright florals, lemonade and popsicle colours. Thriving in this community of creatives, Dickinson remarked that the support she receives from local groups such as the Bossy Women Podcast and Etsy Waterloo Region has contributed to her success and made her work even more enjoyable. “The Bossy Women Podcast supports female owned businesses and they’re doing an amazing job of it. I was lucky enough to get to sell my products at the “Not Just A Night Market” event they hosted in May.” Dickinson also said that her experience at the Etsy show was also a huge highlight for her because she was able to connect with other talented vendors.
There is another show in September called Made in Canada that Bangs & Braids will also be a part of. Some people simply have a knack for making old things new again, and Dickinson has a unique ability to turn used fabrics she finds at antique shops and thrift stores – things like bedsheets and pillow cases – into gorgeous, hand-crafted hair products. “A lot of my hair ties are made out of vintage fabric. I like to give life to pre-loved textiles and save some fabric from the landfills. They’re just so pretty – I especially love the floral fabrics. I hate to think of them being tossed away, and it brings me joy to make them into something useful again,” Dickinson said. From a young age, Dickinson has been cultivating her hair styling skills as well as her talent for sewing. Her hope for the future of Bangs & Braids is that she will begin offering hair styling to clients as well. “I love how easy it is to just throw a braid in and change your everyday hair into a fun and different look. I would love to start doing people’s hair for things like festivals, concerts, date-nights and photoshoots. Even if someone just feels like coming over and having their hair done,” Dickinson said. On the subject of balancing her full-time job with her passion project, Dickinson said that balanceing the two kept her busy. “It’s really easy to get discouraged because at the end of the day you do get tired … you just have to keep your eye on the prize and know that you will achieve your end result,”
Hayley Dickinson is the owner of Bangs & Braids. She hand-makes scrunchies and hair scraves out of her Cambridge home. PAIGE BUSH PHOTO she said. As of February 2019, Dickinson has turned her beloved side hustle into a full-time gig, juggling a parttime job on the side to pay the bills. While there are still challenges, she is proud of herself for taking a leap of faith and offers advice for other makers hoping to do the same for themselves someday. “Just keep putting in the hours
when you can and don’t be afraid to call on your friends for help. A bottle of wine goes a long way!” Dickinson said. “It’s going to be really hard … but if you love what you do, it’s worth it. Bangs & Braids keeps me happy, and that’s important.”
NEW ARTIST INCUBATOR IN UPTOWN RACHAEL MACINTOSH CONTRIBUTOR Art$Pay is an organization that advocates for visual artists in the Waterloo Region. Over the last two and a half years, they have been working to help artists through efforts such as campaigning for fair pay, organizing exhibitions and events, and creating a directory of local artists to easily connect them to potential clients. “[Art$Pay] is designed from my perspective of what’s hard about being an artist and making that easier,” said Cathy Farwell, visual artist and manager of Art$Pay. Many people are aware that artists face financial struggles, but may not understand the factors that contribute to those struggles. Part of the issue is the undervaluation of art which results in artists getting unfair compensation for their work, if any at all. For example, artists are often asked by local businesses to hang their work on the business’s walls for sale. There is the idea that this will give an artist exposure and a chance to sell their work, but it can often be much more trouble than it’s worth.
“[The businesses are] getting free decor, they’re getting their walls covered, they’re getting that person to bring it in and to install it and to hang it — and the person who produces the art never even covers overhead. Even if they sell a piece or two, that’s not enough to cover [overhead],” Farwell said. Art$Pay works to get proper
“
ART INCUBATE IS A CONTINUATION OF OUR MISSION TO MAKE IT EASIER TO BE AN ARTIST IN KW.
”
-CATHY FARWELL, MANAGER OF ART$PAY
compensation for artists in situations like these and many others where their work may be undervalued. Recently, Art$Pay has added a new project to their already impressive line up, a program supporting up-and-coming artists called Art Incubate. The program provides five recent graduates of the University
of Waterloo Visual Arts program with free studio space for a year along with some funds to go towards materials and set-up. The current art incubate artists include Ioana Dragomir, Melika Hashemi, Andrew McKay, Steven Restagno and Jessie Rowe. “[Art Incubate] is a continuation of our mission to make it easier to be an artist [in KW],” Farwell said. “[It’s] an incubator where five people can work together, get to know each other, where I can help them get connected to the community, to other artists, to get them involved in exhibitions, help them find resources, materials, all that sort of thing.” The two houses, located at 52 Regina St. and 56 Regina St. North in Waterloo, were offered to Art$Pay at nonprofit rates by development company Hip Developments. The houses are the location of Art Incubate, along with several other Art$Pay initiatives such as a window gallery and a space for exhibitions and other events. Art$Pay’s Summer in the City exhibition is running from July 4 August 27. Information about this and many other Art$Pay events can be found on their website.
One of two Art Incubate locations of Regina and Bridgeport. JESSE DERRY PHOTO
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It wasn’t until the experience of gender roles in classrooms that Treviranus realized they weren’t the norm. In their senior year they helped reboot their highschool’s defunct Gay-Straight Alliance and discovered the term genderfluid. This discovery changed the game for Treviranus, who was on their way to the University of Waterloo. As they transitioned to their new community, they discovered the GLOW Centre and, slowly but surely, became heavily involved.
“
ANDREAS PATSIAOUROS PHOTO
THE GREAT SWOON WITH A LACK OF LGBTQ+ SAFE SPACES IN KW, BRIE TREVIRANUS BUILT THEIR OWN
RACHEAL WALSER CONTRIBUTOR It was a bright morning following the rainy week that washed out tripride, when bright eyes, a dashing smile, and a full on willingness to be taken down by any dog, at any time,
manifested in my doorway. Brie Treviranus, also known as local drag celebrity George Swooney, was living up to their stage name. The weekend previous, this nonbinary star was on stage in Victoria Park, clad all in black, lip-synching along with “If I Had You” by Adam Lambert. Single handedly, the power packed performance pulled event goers out from the safety of their tents, encouraging them to embrace not only their identities, but the true
experience of pride: belonging, even in the rain, even after the corporate sponsors left. When asked about it, Treviranus smiled. “That’s what drag does,” they said. “It brings people out from all sorts of places.” Treviranus is speaking from personal experience. “I grew up in Georgetown wearing passed down clothing from my three older brothers. I was always wanting to keep up with the boys.”
JUST TALKING TO MORE PEOPLE AND FINDING THAT I WAS NOT ALONE IN MY EXPERIENCE AND THAT OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME EXISTED — THAT WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL THING.
”
-BRIE TREVIRANUS, LOCAL DRAG STAR
“Just talking to more people and finding that I was not alone in my experience and that other people like me existed — that was such a beautiful thing.” A beautiful thing that only deepened, as the first time they ever went in drag was to attend “Drag Me to the Bomber.” The Bomber Pub at the University of Waterloo, though recently closed, held this event in the fall and winter terms. It was a standing room only
kind of event, completely sold out. “I remember watching Duey Hafta, and Jacked Tupp perform. I was so in love, it was amazing,” Treviranus said. But with the show facing low amateur sign ups, Treviranus summoned all their courage and wrote “George Swooney” on the spot. “It was terrifying,” they said. “But absolutely worth it.” At the time, “Drag Me to the Bomber” was the only place to start in drag. “It was the show to start in, but there were 300 people in the audience, and for a lot of people that served as a barrier,” they said. In 2016, having found a home in the GLOW Centre, Treviranus started the UW Drag Club. “I wanted to help create a safe space for people to explore gender and drag, without the massive audience or transphobic stereotypes. Mainstream drag can be really politically problematic sometimes and promote exclusionary viewpoints. That wasn’t what our drag was back when we started the club, and isn’t what it is today,” Treviranus said. “I started the club, because I needed it to learn about myself and I didn’t want other people on a gender journey to feel unsafe exploring, preforming and learning about their identities. It’s because of trans women of colour fighting to be on stage in a time when their identities were being persecuted that we have this incredible medium. And I, for one, am so, so grateful.” Follow George Swooney on instagram as @thegreatswoon to learn about upcoming shows.
BURN, BABY BURN: COOKING ON OPEN FLAME
519 SCHMECKS
NICK BENNINGER COLUMNIST It all started when the gas line on my hand-me-down barbecue rotted out. As crisis leads to creative solutions, the guts of the aging barbecue were ripped out and tossed aside unceremoniously. In its place, charcoal briquettes and way too much lighter fluid, and the patient lived to sear another steak. This began the humble beginnings of my love affair with cooking over live fire, leading to incredibly delicious results: salt, simplicity and smoke. Flash-forward 20 years and I’ll take every opportunity I get to cook over an open flame, or more specifically smoldering coals. Those early days, I was happy to cook on my charcoal DIY rig, spending extra time outside with my sous chef, “cold beer.” I waited for the coals to reach perfection, learning the ways smoke impacts flavor. Over time, it has evolved into so much more, like understanding what it takes to manage the fuel, which is quite a challenge compared to flipping a switch or setting an oven
When cooking over fire, have a fire extinguisher handy, and don’t put your hands close like this dummy in this stock photo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO temperature. This lesson was hard learned during my time working at a local wood-fired bakery, City Cafe. My role was a simple one, make the bagels in the morning, make pizzas for lunch. We sold a shit load of bagels and the temperature had to be just right — too low and they wouldn’t cook through in time and came out looking pale and flacid, too high and they burned on the outside
while staying raw inside. Once perfect temperature was achieved, it was a labour of love to keep it on target, tossing in a few extra logs was never an option to recoup temp as it would flare up and blacken the goods. I went to City Cafe expecting to learn the secrets behind their amazing products, and while I certainly did, the real takeaway was falling in love with
live-fire cooking and the challenges of keeping the oven happy. I learned how to maintain a medium high for bagels and hot as hell’s 7th circle for pizza, all powered by wood. How cool is that? Wood, smoke and char became part of my repertoire of flavors ever since. I’ve made smokers out of filing cabinets, wine barrels, even a wet cardboard box. I’ve roasted whole
pumpkins, cooked a seven course vegan feast in a field, whole goats, strung chickens and boy scout-style bannock all over fire and under the great blue sky. Few things make my culinary heart sing louder than that! Two summers ago, my friend and I set off into the forest at his cottage armed with a chainsaw, a left-handed cigarette and two tall boys each. Before the second beers were finished we had cut down three young maple trees, constructed them into a tripod and rigged up a grill on a pulley system. A leg of lamb and potatoes were on the grill before we needed further refreshments. Six hours of campfire smoke later, we feasted on the fruits of not only our culinary skills, but our bush craft skills. Using what was at hand, we truly created a special meal and an unforgettable experience. Get outside this summer and get yourself some of that experience. Trust me, it’s worth the effort and makes for an incredible edible memory. Check out the online version of this story for a recipe for one of my favorite dishes to cook for a group: coal roasted “full monty” rib steak. It’s an incredible dish and a real showstopper.
Nick Benninger is a local chef and restaurant owner.
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WHAT’S OLD IS COOL
GALT’S NEWEST SHOPPE, NICE TRY, WILL MAKE YOUR DENIM DREAMS WILL COME TRUE
SAFINA HUSEIN CONTRIBUTOR Nice Try, a new vintage shoppe has recently opened its doors in downtown Galt. Lauren Domonchuk, owner of Nice Try, explained that the idea behind the consignment store sparked as a result of her passion for vintage clothing as a teenager. “I feel like there was a point in time where all of a sudden Levi’s were the coolest thing ever. So I started going to Value Village … I would just think it was the most amazing thing when I would go and find Levi’s,” Domonchuk said. “I would cut them up and I would put studs on them. I have always loved vintage clothing.” In addition to her passion for vintage clothing, Domonchuk has always had a yearning for becoming an entrepreneur and owning her own business. “I was always thinking of little business ideas … since I was a teenager,”
she said. Once Domonchuk noticed a storefront for lease in downtown Galt, she took the plunge to making the space her own. Although small, Domonchuk was focused on creating a space for her store that was modern, incorporating open and simple ideas in terms of layout. “I wanted it to still feel as open as I could possibly make it, even though it’s incredibly small. I just wanted a simple vibe in here,” Domonchuk said. Since it opened in June, Nice Try and Domonchuk, herself, have seen lots of support from the community and her friends and family. In specific, Domonchuk has appreciated fellow small business owners in town sharing Nice Try on social media platforms. “It’s just nice to see that kind of support, especially in a small community. There’s tons of small businesses down here and they were all posting about it [on social media] when I first opened which is so nice. So it’s been really great in that sense,” Domonchuk said. For Domonchuk, owning her own vintage shoppe is her way of finding
a career that gives her a sense of happiness each day she comes to work. “I think that my love for vintage clothing is what made me want to open this; however, I just wanted to be doing something that I was passionate about because I’ve had so many jobs where I just am not passionate about it,” Domonchuk said. “It’s so nice to come to work every day and love what you’re doing.” In addition, Domonchuk is proud to be running a business that is environmentally-friendly and fosters a sustainable outlook. “Vintage is definitely so popular now which I think is great because it’s environmentally-friendly, in a sense,” Domonchuk said. “I try to not shop at big box stores … because it is so bad for the environment,” she said. By shopping at consignment stores like Nice Try, clothing can be recycled and reused. “I think it’s cool that this is a form of recycling. That’s something I’m really passionate about; reducing waste and not buying plastic,” Domonchuk said. “And, vintage is just cooler.” PAIGE BUSH PHOTOS
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE CARBON TAX?
EASY BEING GREEN
STACEY DANCKERT COLUMNIST This April, the long-promised carbon pricing system in Canada finally took effect — with a growingly heated anti-tax sentiment surrounding it. So what is it, how does it differ to our former cap and trade system, and why is it important? Many Economists have advocated for a carbon pricing system as the preferred method of cutting our carbon emissions. It aligns with a historically conservative approach of using market-based mechanisms, rather than government legislation, to encourage change. Even Preston Manning (former leader of the Reform Party) and the conservative
think tank, the Fraser Institute, have supported a carbon price. Carbon pricing is generally implemented in one of two ways: either through a cap and trade system (Ontario’s former system) or through a carbon tax (Ontario’s current system). Cap and Trade is essentially a limit on the amount of pollution emitted by businesses, who may buy unused amounts from other, lower emitting businesses. In theory, this system could work. However governments often give exemptions to high emitters that nullify much of the effect. This system tends to be more complicated, but can provide more certainty, and should lead to consumer pressure to decrease costs by limiting buying carbon credits. Alternatively, a carbon tax adds a price at the source of carbon-emitting fuels that then permeates through the entire system, effectively making carbon-intensive products (such as oil or gasoline) more
expensive. This price is thought to compensate (at least in part) for the hidden costs of adding carbon to our atmosphere, including those of severe weather events, food scarcity and health-related issues. This simple system can help rebalance the cost of products, encouraging people to choose fewer carbon-intensive items. As part of meeting our carbon reduction targets, the Canadian Federal government now requires some form of pricing in each province countrywide. As a result, four provinces have had a carbon tax imposed, including Ontario, in which taxes are collected and almost entirely redistributed evenly — resulting in most people receiving more money back than their carbon tax payments. What I really like about this is that this becomes a bit of an equalizer since those living in poverty tend to use very few resources, so they will receive substantially more back from the rebate than the increases will
cost them. Evidence suggests that pricing can be successful (i.e., Sweden). In fact, in BC, since implementing their own carbon tax, the economy has been the strongest across the country and personal taxes have decreased even while the carbon emissions have been reduced. Unfortunately, however, the current maximum of $50/tonne by 2022 proposed by the government will not be enough of a driver to lower our emissions to meet our Paris carbon targets. And although some argue that our global emissions are relatively low, Canada has the third highest per capita rate of emissions in the world! With an estimated cost to Canada of just 1 per cent of our GDP, we could meet Paris targets and eventually save double that in health care costs. Since the same drivers of climate breakdown also lead to pollution, even those who aren’t worried about human-driven climate
change should be angry that we pay such high health and economic costs while emitters pay nothing to pollute. Why should everyone have to pay the costs of climate change? Shouldn’t those who are creating the problem pay? Should we be worried about job losses? This is happening regardless of whether there is a tax or not and with these changes have come huge investments and great new opportunities. Perhaps surprisingly, more than twice the number of Canadians are employed in energy efficiency than the oil and gas sector, and it continues to rise! So while it isn’t perfect, our new carbon tax is an important first step to a cleaner, healthier environment.
Stacey Danckert is co-director of Waterloo Region Environment Network (WREN).
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FINDING AUTHENTICITY IN AISLE NINE
FRAMELINES
WORDS & PHOTOS BY ERIK O’NEILL Central Fresh is my local grocery store. Smack-dab in the middle of the otherwise food desert that is the Mount Hope area (I resist the Midtown rebrand). Central, for me, is the beacon of shining light inside an otherwise “slash and burn” stretch of Kitchener. The 66 year-old store remains vigilant over the years to adapt to the changes in the market, city, and clientele while always serving the community first. The most recent struggle for the store is the LRT construction, where in 2015, Central Fresh reported a
3-million dollar loss in sales. 14,000 people per week rely on Central to be their grocer. Central has always been able to keep up with the changing demographics of the city; in the 1950s and 1960s serving largely ethnic German, Polish, and Ukranian populations, now shifting to serve Asian, Latinx, and African communities as well. When the large discount grocery chains rolled in during the 1980s, Central shifted its focus to fresh, quality and affordable meats — the main source of its revenue to this day. I spent the morning in the store shooting with Helmut and Dennis. Collectively they have 101 years of experience working at the store (47 and 54 years respectively). Both started at the store pushing carts and
worked their way up to management positions. This is not to say you won’t find them stocking shelves. You will. In one of Kitchener’s few truly independent super markets, everyone wears many hats. Dennis is in his late 70’s and doesn’t know when he’ll retire. He loves the social aspect of working at the store, being part of the community, and remaining active. I really love this store. The people are wonderful and it’s one of the few places around DTK that I find truly authentic. I hope you’ll pop in for a jar of Central brand dill pickles soon.
Framelines is a photo-heavy column by local cinematographer and wannabe photojournalist, Erik O’Neill.
STEEL RAILS ‘19
AN INTERACTIVE ART PARTY // FUNDRAISER FOR THE NEWSPAPER YOU’RE HOLDING. WE TELL YOU NOTHING & YOU SHOW UP ANYWAY. 10 YEARS IS A BIG DEAL. WE THOUGHT WE’D CELEBRATE WITH A BANG.
HERE’S A BRIEF LOOK INTO SOME OF WHAT WENT DOWN ON JUNE 22. FIND MORE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. PHOTOS BY LINK MEDIA CO.
STEEL RAILS TURNED 10.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME TO OUR PARTY
AND A GIANT THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS WHO MADE IT ALL POSSIBLE.
JULY 2019 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA
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PAIGE BUSH PHOTO
TAKE A WALK ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
BEERS WITH LOW ABV’S ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY COMMON IN THE CRAFT BEER SCENE — BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
CRAFT DRAFTS
JUSTIN CLOUTHIER COLUMNIST With warm summer days supposedly here to stay, there are a lot of people who may find their weekends filling up fast. Neighbourhood barbeques, outdoor hikes, afternoons spent on a patio, yard work, or weekend getaways all get better with the addition of craft beer. I think that most of us at this time
of year start looking to something on the lighter side of the beer spectrum. I start to see a lot more lagers and radlers appearing at barbeques — which is great — but I want to take this space to highlight a different, lighter option: session beers. If you’re not familiar, a session beer is usually defined as a low alcohol beer that sits below 5 per cent ABV. That leaves us with a pretty big category with a full range of flavours and styles. There are times when I want a flavourful craft beer but I don’t want the effects of the alcohol content. Barbeques can last late into the night, work may need to get done after a pint at lunch, or editing a column can be way more enjoyable with a tasty session beer.
Session beers are not new — they have been around for a long time, but it seems that more and more of them pop up in the warmer months of summer. There are plenty of great options being produced across Ontario, but one huge advantage of living in Waterloo Region is the plethora of top-notch breweries we have right here at home. Most local breweries seem to always have at least one session beer available — there are some great ones out there. Short Finger Brewing Co. has two phenomenal beers that I want to highlight here. Eula (4.2 per cent) is a dry-hopped golden sour that is complex and oh so delicious! Short Shorts (3.5 per cent) is a series of American style Berliner weisse
beers that can have fruit or dry-hop additions; they are all refreshingly tart and tasty. Counterpoint Brewing Company has released two variations of Red Violin (4.7 per cent), a gose that has been fruited with whole berries. If this is on their list, you should get there quickly. Block Three Brewing Co.’s flagship King St. Saison (4.6 per cent) is a great well-balanced saison that’s easy drinking and pretty much always available. Innocente Brewing Co. has a crazy low abv Tafelbier (3.1per cent) that is very crushable with some great Belgian yeast characteristics. Together We’re Bitter’s Hydrocut (4.5 per cent), named after the famed
local bike haunt is a session IPA that is light and refreshing — great after some time spent on the trails. I think many have shied away from lower alcohol beers as they have had a bit of a bad reputation for being bland. Craft beer has always been about big bold flavours, but it’s also been about subtle well-balanced, well-crafted beers; session beers can be both. If you’ve dabbled in lower ABV beers before and weren’t impressed, I urge you to try again.
Justin is currently enrolled in the Brewmaster program at Niagara College.
JEWELRY INSPIRED BY
KITCHENER NEIGHBOURHOOD NATHALIE BOUCHARD CONTRIBUTOR Abbie Kingsbury is a mother, partner, business owner and jewelry maker in Kitchener-Waterloo. Under the name Young Huron, Kingsbury makes hand stamped brass and crystal jewelry meant to inspire others to wear their truth with custom-made pieces. The name Young Huron was inspired by the neighborhood where Kingsbury lives in Kitchener. Before Kingsbury started Young Huron, she was an English and art history teacher for seven years. With her career at a crossroads, and an opportunity to move from London to Kitchener, last year Kingsbury decided to pursue jewelry-making full-time by launching Young Huron. Last November, however, Kingsbury was going to close down Young Huron. After the sudden passing of her mother, Kingsbury contemplated her entire business model and purpose as a jewelry maker. “Through that experience, I realized [sic] how important custom pieces are. Up until that point, I was
creating pieces for everyone else and I started creating custom pieces for myself with my mother’s name and her birthday. I started using amethyst, which is her birthstone,” Kingsbury said. “I realized the power that that gave back to me when I would wear these pieces — and that was the moment where I said this is important. I need to keep doing this and I need to be able to give this feeling, even the smallest amount of solace and comfort, to other people.” The experience of losing her mother and reconnecting her grief with jewelry really did change Young Huron’s business model. “I just focus on the personal relationships that I can create with my customers,” she said. “I am able to build those relationships because often the pieces I am making have a very special meaning to them.” Kingsbury said that everyone’s order has some kind of story behind it. “It’s really genuinely special that they allowed me to become a very small part or play a small role in their memory, new beginning, or [future aspiration],” she said. Everything about Young Huron is rooted in KW. From starting the shop after moving to KW and counting success through regional and local markets, Young Huron
is continuing to make strides in Waterloo Region by working with local community members and businesses. “Everything, from my website to my branding photos, are all created in KW, utilizing the protected forest outside my house, appreciating all the beauty that surrounds us,” she said. “What I love about this city is that everyone is ready and willing to collaborate in such meaningful ways. Every market that I’ve done has a connection to other businesses [in the community], even some businesses are totally different from me, but we work so organically,” Kingsbury said. Young Huron has future aspirations of eventually moving into the vintage clothing business in order to continue the theme of repurposing and environmental sustainability. “Vintage and second-hand clothing is very important to me. For almost three years now, I’ve gone entirely second-hand. I won’t buy anything new for myself and my two daughters, for not only sustainability, but for the beauty of vintage and secondhand clothing,” she said. “I want to continue the idea of making the old new again which is an important aspect of Young Huron.”
Abbie Kingsbury is the owner of Young Huron. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO, COURTESY EMA SUVAJAC
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NICK STANLEY PHOTOS
SAIL-ING AROUND WATERLOO REGION RAMONA LEITAO SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR The Student Art Innovation Lab (SAIL) is making its mark around the Region. You may have seen it — a little silver trailer — at various events and venues around Kitchener-Waterloo. It was at The KW Multicultural Festival, Waterloo’s Porch Parties, Extend-A-Care Hands-On Activity Fundraiser and the KW Clay and Glass Museum — to name a few. “One of the things I’ve loved about
this trailer is that it has this mix of kind of being this DIY and grassroots program that’s very modest in a way. It’s just a trailer … but at the same time it’s this chameleon that can kind of become all these different things,” said associate professor of fine arts, Tara Cooper. Cooper teaches at the University of Waterloo and is one of the head Directors of SAIL. “The idea was really about outreach and alternative types of programming, thinking about site and location and other kinds of ways of connecting in terms of visual culture,” she said. “What I love about SAIL is that we can enrich what’s already happening in all of the work that people are already doing in the
city.” In the past three years, SAIL has organized multiple workshops that range from screen printing and painting, to exhibits that highlight current UW students’ as well as UW alumni’s work. “Because we have the University behind us [financially], I want it to be free. The event is free but you don’t have to pay us to come. We can come and do things for you and there’s no cost,” Cooper said. In addition to workshops and exhibits, the space is also used as studio space for emerging artists. Like many initiatives, SAIL first started out as a simple idea back in 2013. “One of my colleagues, [Professor]
Bruce Taylor … came up with this idea of our department running a student trailer,” Cooper said. “The thinking was that it could be this mobile space. Like a mobile exhibition space or an art lab.” Once the trailer was purchased, it took about two years to renovate and prepare it in such a way that it was versatile and adaptable to its surrounding environments. Now in its third year, Cooper believes that SAIL is settling into what its original purpose was supposed to be — collaborating with other local organizations and programs in the Region. “The vision was always to collaborate with local organizations as opposed to reinventing it or
making something new,” Cooper said. “It really was about the University connecting to the community in meaningful ways.” In addition to collaborating with groups like Art Shine and the Monica House, SAIL has also collaborated with elementary and secondary schools in the Region as a way to encourage students to check out UW’s Fine Arts Department. “[Now] I’ve learned so much about the city and connect with these organizations that I didn’t even know existed,” she said. You can catch SAIL this summer at the upcoming Cherry Festival on July 6.
BUILDING A WORLD THAT RESPECTS “NO”
SEXPLANATIONS
STACEY JACOBS COLUMNIST We live in a society that has learned not to take no for an answer. We have been socialized to hear no and take it as a challenge to change someone’s mind. It is seen as an invitation to push, persuade, and wear someone down. What does this mean for consent? What does this mean for abuse prevention? What does this mean for children?
When we say no, it means we do not want something, or we do not want to do something. When we push someone to change their mind, change their answer, we are forcing them to rethink their gut reaction of, “I don’t want to.” This causes us to doubt ourselves and our instincts. The coercive scripts (e.g. “come on”, “it will just take a minute”, “don’t you like me?”, “I know you want to”, “one can’t hurt”) that exist in our society, may not sound like a big deal on their own, but when we hear them over and over throughout our lives this pestering raises our tolerance for being bothered, bullied, harassed and even abused. As Bonnie J. Rough says in their book, Beyond Birds and Bees: Bringing home a new message
to our kids about sex, love, and equality, pestering, coercion, wearing someone down, becomes normalized. Resistance is expected. And it is expected that this resistance will end in surrender. In a society where we are trying to teach the concept of consent to children, youth and adults, not taking no for an answer is in direct opposition to the messages we are trying to send. As a Sex Educator, I am teaching young people that they have the right to say no, and they should respect someone else when they say no, in sexual and non-sexual situations. This would be an easier lesson to teach if we were already teaching young people that no is a final answer. If we respected the answer “no”
in everyday life, a red flag would more likely be raised when our no was not respected. This could alert people, including children, that something was not right, or someone had negative intentions. It could stop or prevent bullying, harassment, assault and abuse. If no was respected, there would be no confusion when someone said it. What society should be teaching and modeling is respect. If someone says “no,” we all need to respect this and say okay — even if it is not the answer we want to hear. We could be honest and say no when we wanted to, instead of making excuses or talking in roundabout ways. This could increase people’s comfort in everyday life, allow us to feel more relaxed, and ensure bullying,
harassment and abuse were not normalized. Next time someone does not respect your answer of “no,” confront them. Ask them why they are not listening. Ask them if their feelings are more important than yours. Don’t change your mind or let them wear you down. Let’s normalize that.
Stacey Jacobs is the sexual health educational manager at SHORE.
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JULY 2019 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA
JUANITA METZGER PHOTO
GOOD CONVERSATION OVER HOMEMADE BREAD HYPERLOCAL TRAVEL
JUANITA METZGER CONTRIBUTOR Esther and Wesley Weber welcomed our group of eight into their kitchen where the table was set with light refreshments. Typical of an Old Order Mennonite lunch, Esther stacked thick slices of homemade whole wheat and white bread at the head of the table, intending to be layered with rich butter, cheddar cheese and summer sausage. Sweet pickles, carrots and apple juice complimented the salty foods. “Don’t be shy, take two pieces,” Es-
ther said to everyone. “There’s plenty more.” I don’t doubt there is enough bread, cheese and meat to feed us all twice over. We arrived at the Weber farm, just south of Elmira, by way of the Waterloo Central Railway from St. Jacobs Market. Once we disembarked the train in Elmira, a tractor-pulled wagon bumped us through the town and private back lanes to the Weber’s 100-acre property that has been in Wesley’s family for four generations. Old Order Mennonites are a visible presence in Waterloo Region, known by their horse and buggy transportation, dark clothing and ability to live separate from society. But few people have regular interactions with the closed community unless you are a relative or have regular business dealings with local families.
The “Mennonite Excursion” that brings me to the Weber kitchen is a partnership between the WCR, the Elmira BIA and Kitchen Kuttings, an Elmira-based food shop that specializes in cheese and sausage. Esther and Wesley Weber, the Old Order Mennonite couple who offer their kitchen table as a place to learn something about Old Order Mennonite culture and history, were also integral to this experience. Once everyone had enough food on their plates, Esther pulled up a kitchen chair beside the counter and Wesley settled beside the wood burning oven that dominated one-third of the room. “So, what would you like to know? What questions do you have about Mennonites?” Wesley asked. For the next hour, Esther and Wesley answered questions and told stories: how they met and married; why the
youngest son gets to take over the family farm; how the community deals with medical care and education since they don’t pay taxes for government services; how families take care of their elderly at home for as long as possible; the changing nature of farming for young families as land in southern Ontario becomes more scarce and more expensive; what the singing sounds like in their churches; how they make a living; whether or not they play musical instruments and how young people decide to become church members. Neither Esther nor Wesley shied away from questions about the roles of women and men in the community. To the Webers, an invitation to their home on a Thursday morning is more than just a food sampling. In 10+ years of welcoming visitors to their kitchen, they have hosted people from across
the globe, as the collection of international fridge magnets can attest. “It’s an opportunity for a cultural experience and we like learning about other people, too,” Esther remarked. I learned a lot that I didn’t know (or had forgotten) about my own community and cultural heritage. The wall clock in the Weber’s kitchen chimed on the quarter hour just like the clock in my grandmother’s house. Grandma Metzger was an Old Order Mennonite and I grew up with Old Order Mennonite aunts, uncles and cousins. But that’s not an automatic pass toward full cultural understanding. Take it from me, there is “plenty more” to learn about cultures in your own backyard when there is the opportunity to travel down a farm lane for a conversation at the kitchen table.
WANT TO SEE YOUR AD IN THE COMMUNITY EDITION? EMAIL ADS@WLUSP.COM TO FIND OUT ABOUT PRICING. IT WILL LOOK BETTER THAN WHITE WORDS IN A BLACK BOX. WE SWEAR.
WE SERVE BEER (and wine)
APOLLOCINEMA.CA
JULY 2019 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA
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BENDING THE
CONVENTIONS
OF THEATRE TEGHAN BARTON CONTRIBUTOR
This summer, Unwrap Theatre, an innovative new arts experience that gives you a voice in the creative process, makes its debut in the Region. “Each audience, every night, is going to see a different show, a different staging or writing,” said Alten Wilmot, one of the co-founders. “Their voice is going to be very prominent in the development.” Founded by Wilmot and Breanne Tice, Unwrap wants to challenge how we engage with art, wanting to facilitate a collaborate process between creators, performers, and audiences. “We want to create a community that doesn’t separate the performers and the spectators or the patrons,” Tice said, explaining that audiences will “invest in a new creation” through engaging with the playwright, actors, and director after the performance to provide feedback. “Audiences will get a glimpse into the process of creation,” Wilmot said, “they’ll get to meet the playwright, ask them the questions like ‘what goes into creating a piece like this? Or ask the director ‘how do you take it off of a page and put it on a stage?’ So the theater starts to become something that’s
more ingrained in our community.” Artists will get to engage with their work in a live setting, with Unwrap producing shows that have gone “as far as it can go without an audience,” Wilmot added, encouraging the artists to make live changes to their work. Unwrap came about when Tice and Wilmot noticed a gap in the KW arts scene. “There’s so much talent in KW … but there’s really no company that’s staging and producing new contemporary work from all disciplines,” Wilmot said, offering up what they call “risky” work from new voices and ideas that are “already percolating in our society.” “We’re looking to produce and help develop work that allows audience members to get a glimpse into someone’s life that we regularly don’t get to see. Theatre allows us to empathize with that person and have a greater understanding of that person, which helps build our community as a whole,” explained Wilmot. At just 20-years-old, Wilmot and Tice are an impressive duo — young, ambitious, and deeply passionate about the arts. KW natives, they’ve been friends since childhood, meeting through their love of community theatre and dance.
Alten Wilmot and Breanne Tice founded Unwrap Theatre. TEGHAN BARTON PHOTO “We’ve developed a working relationship where we can be really good counterpart to each other. If one of us is really going off on artistic ideas, the other one can be the business brain and be like, ‘okay, but how is this going to work?” Tice said. Being a working artist in this area is a challenge, and living in Toronto for school – Tice at Ryerson and Wilmot at Sheridan – they recognize that they are part of the talent drain that KW is experiencing.
“ This is an awards-season-primed performance if I've ever seen one! Gives birth to a brand new star named Jessie Buckley!”
“The talent here is very, very evident, so why is it that we have to go other places for [contemporary art], why can’t we foster it right here?” Wilmot said. “There’s a big part of the arts that is making your own work or making it happen for yourself,” Tice said. “That was a really important lesson that I learned really young … and so why not be the ones to make it happen?” Tice and Wilmot are excited about their launch this month, as they said
that it’s not solely about entertainment, but the takeaway, also. Unwrap Theatre begins its pilot season with Dancing Under a Blanket, July 19-21 at the Registry Theatre. Tickets available at unwraptheatre.ca
NEW TUNE REVIEW
- Globe and Mail
A GLORIOUS TRANSITION ALBUM: Glorious Mourning by Sad Beach Boys LINK: https://sadbeachboys.bandcamp.com/releases
July 12-25
Original Princess
princesscinemas.com
Glorious Mourning is just that — it’s what you would expect from someone calling themselves “Sad Beach Boys,” but it’s also totally not. It’s got this sort of somber, summer vibe to it. You know, like the end of Dazed and Confused when “Tuesday’s Gone” scores the most epic bi-centennial hangover in American history? As “Sad Beach Boys,” recording artist Luke MacDonald – also known as Grizzly Waves – exudes transformation. Earlier recordings and performances under the Grizzly Waves moniker were denoted by the alt surf-rock, folk inspired sound that is increasingly present the further west you go. Glorious Mourning sees MacDonald stripping his art back to the essence. He begins by laying down some bright, jangly guitar melodies on top of the static pulse of a drum machine. The space between the two is filled up neatly with eerie synth leads and spacey vocals – one part reverb, twp parts nostialgia – and all of that is
anchored down with some wobbly bass. Glorious Mourning was released on June 21 and is available on streaming services and on cassette via 3 Nines Compact Cassettes. “100 per cent of all download sales will be donated to Stedman Community Hospice,” MacDonald wrote in a post sharing the album. “They showed my mom and family so much kindness and peace during her final days and I wanted to give something small back to them.”
- Kurtis Rideout, local musician, songwriter, producer Kurtis Rideout has released music with 3 Nines Compact Cassettes as STEVEDAVE.
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EVENT LISTINGS
WE’VE HAND SELECTED SOME COOL UPCOMING EVENTS AND WRITTEN SOME WITTY COMMENTARY. YOU’RE WELCOME.
THURSDAY JULY 4-7
SATURDAY, JULY 13-14
POUTINE FEAST WATERLOO TOWN SQUARE
KULTRUN WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL
VICTORIA PARK
VICTORIA PARK
Let’s be honest, cheese curds are essentially a party in your mouth, the soundtrack including squeaks of varying amplitudes. So when there’s an entire weekend dedicated to gravy boats, crispy fries and all things cheesy, we’ll be there. PS, bring your own reusable cutlery and reduce waste.
With artists from all over the world and events such as a silent disco, a panel discussion and a miniature play designed for one person at a time, this event is unparalleled. Head to Neruda Arts’ website to review the line up, apply to volunteer, or see the food vendors. You won’t want to miss this!
Put those microwavable ribs back into the freezer because you’ll be elbow deep in BBQ sauce and your teeth packed with various meats. There will be live entertainment, a Kids Fun Zone, and Ontario’s best in craft brews. So prepare to bump into acquaintances you regularly avoid and wear your stretchiest pants.
Food • Free • 11am-9pm
Music • Free • 12-11pm
Festival • Free • 12-10pm
SATURDAY, JULY 6
SUNDAY, JULY 14
SATURDAY, JULY 20
BLACKBRIDGE HARLEY DAVIDSON
BBQ FOR LOST PAWS
BARK IN THE PARK WEBER PARK
NONVIOLENCE DAY IN THE PARK
At this event, you can purchase dogs in a bun while supporting dogs on a leash! Each dollar you pay for your lunch will go towards helping find all the good boys that got a bit too adventurous for their paws. Lost Paws Inc. is a non-profit that helps find your lost fur friends, with their services being free of charge.
Good boys and humans alike are invited to bark in Weber Park, try your paws at trivia, and pant their way through Platinum Pooch’s agility demo. You can even prep your pooch for their very own fashion moment during the dog parade. This event will go on rain or shine so get your petting hand ready.
WR Nonviolence actively envisions a world free from violence but instead peace and justice, where human value and dignity are respected. This gathering will highlight the positive forces in the Region with group displays, local vendors, an area of reflection and crafts for the children. They are still looking for vendors.
Fundraiser • $5 • 11am-2pm
Good Boy Fun • Free • 1-4pm
Community • Free • 2-5pm
SUNDAY, JULY 7
SUNDAY, JULY 14
SATURDAY, JULY 20
SHOP SOUNDS: DTK GROCERY STORES
LEGACY GREEN
MOTHER BETH’S BIRTHDAY EVERYWHERE
COMEDY AT THE SAW CHAINSAW
I’ve always said there is nothing more intimate than a private concert series amidst fresh produce and artisanal cheeses. If the opportunity to sniff fresh greens while swaying to sick guitar riffs isn’t enough to compel you to attend, then the allure of all the musicians being kept a secret just might.
One could argue Beth Bowles’ birthday should be a national holiday, where one cries along to Bogues, or Adam Levine, and snacks on Princess Cafe’s entire menu. You can honor her birthday by donating to one of our favorite non-profit’s, Bullies In Need, to support good boys finding their fur-ever homes.
Save up your toonies for pitchers of Chainsaw’s finest brew and prepare to have to massage your face following this all-day comedy festival. A full day of belly laughs and performances by local improv groups, stand-up comics, and musical acts. Food trucks and children’s entertainment included.
Music • Free • 7-10pm
Birthday • Free • All Day
Comedy • $5 • 2-11pm
THURSDAY, JULY 11
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
THURSDAY, JULY 25-27
TIMELESS CAFE
COFFEE & CALLIGRAPHY
COMIC SANS ALL-STARS PATENT SOCIAL
QUEER SPAWN KW LITTLE THEATRE
Join in on an evening of coffee and hand lettering, in a workshop that will provide you with the skills to one up all your pals holiday cards and grocery lists. You receive an exclusive hand lettering workbook, one-onone coaching on proper technique and a sprinkle of encouragement. Suited for beginners or experienced.
Part of Alice’s Big Queer Comedy Show, they’re celebrating the one year anniversary of Comic Sans by bringing back some favorite acts, like Chanty Marostica and Ashley Cooper. This is an LGBTQ+ friendly and inclusive event with a fully accessible venue and gender neutral bathrooms available.
A one person show, work-shopped with Pat the Dog Theatre is a series of stories about growing up as a second generation queer spawn, a lesbian born of lesbians. It aims to normalize her parents while acknowledging the differences and homophobic truths in her upbringing. Created and performed by Kira Meyers-Guiden.
Workshop • $75 • 7-9pm
Comedy • $15-20 • 8-10pm
Theatre • $10-30 • 8-9pm
FRIDAY, JULY 12
THURSDAY, JULY 18
TUESDAY, JULY 30
CRUISING ON KING STREET KITCHENER CITY HALL
PLANT MARKET THE MOONSHINE CO.
EVERYWHERE
Grab your bonnet, a box of cigars and your station wagon because hundreds of classic cars are heading through DTK. This year they’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of Woodstock with live tunes, tribute bands, and enough food to clog your arteries for a full year. Get ready for a steady dose of exhaust fumes!
The Womxn and Briar Botanicals presents an evening filled with terrarium building workshops, astrology readings, and all things leafy. So, if you don’t have time for a pet, head over to this market and pick up a few soily pals. Raffle basket and donations are being accepted with proceeds going to the YWCA.
Today we celebrate our Photo Editor, Paige Bush’s, day of birth by only playing Bruce Springstein, watching sex scenes from The Room in public and wearing vintage Reba McEntire tees. Honor Paige-roni’s birthday by emailing us with ways to defend yourself against ant infestations and by tipping your Fat Sparrow servers.
Fun • Free • 2-10:30pm
Market • Free • 6-9pm
Birthday • Free • All Day
SATURDAY, JULY 13
FRIDAY, JULY 19
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1
AYCE CEREAL & CARTOONS APOLLO CINEMA
BRASS AND BREWS SECRET VENUE
TWB CO-OP BREWING
Pack your spoons and bowls because this event will serve you the cartoon fix you never realized you needed, because binge-watching is what? Fundamental. Complete with a smörgåsbord of cavity-inducing sugary cereals, with non-dairy options, you’ll see all your faves from the ‘60s through the ‘80s in 2D glory.
The details of this event are so secretive, I am almost convinced it doesn’t even exist. Nothing like a secret location to induce an anxiety attack. This pop-up concert will kick off the upcoming Waterloo Jazz Festival with three artists, three breweries and a commitment to providing one great night. Cheers.
Pick up your banjo, oil your beard, and head on over to TWB for their weekly acoustic folk jam. Haven’t played an instrument since middle school? Well, spectators are welcome and you never know, you might sip on enough brews to inspire an attempt at a solo performance by the end of the night. We believe in you.
Film • $10-14 • 10am-1pm
Fun • $20 • 7-10pm
Music • Free • 6-9pm
COMMUNITYEDITION.CA @THECOMMUNITYED
FRIDAY, JULY 19-21 DTK RIBFEST & CRAFT BEER SHOW
VICTORIA PARK
PAIGE-RONI’S DAY OF BIRTH
ACOUSTIC FOLK JAM
JULY 2019 // @THECOMMUNITYED
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EBY STREET JUST GOT A LOT MORE COLOURFUL
LOCAL ARTIST NICOLE BENO’S NEW MARKET WALK MURAL ON EBY STREET AIMS TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ART
MELISSA EMBURY STAFF WRITER Local artist and designer Nicole Beno, the winner of the Eby Street road-way mural competition, created Market Walk based on her interpretation of her weekly visit to the Kitchener Farmer’s Market. The mural, installed in June, was designed to last 10 years and is part of the development initiative that is part of Downtown Kitchener BIA’s strategic plan. “We strive to tell a story about downtown and create connections to the larger community. Nicole’s Market Walk is a cultural beacon created to connect with the thousands of people across the Region visiting the Kitchener Market every Saturday,” said Linda Jutzi, executive director for the Downtown Kitchener BIA. The project was a result of the Shape DTK initiative, which focuses on creating fun, vibrant streets where people can gather and experience their community. They aim to “engage the community through art to foster heartfelt urban experiences,” particularly in the east end of downtown. “I wanted to create it so that every time you see it, you pick out something new,” said Beno. Beno enjoys visiting the Kitchener Market weekly and she applied to the project because she would like to see more artwork in downtown Kitchener. The entire process was a year in the making from application to last month when the road mural was finally laid down on “It didn’t even occur to me that it would be going on the road, so it took a while to figure out what the best visual style could be, especially since it had to be simple. I couldn’t do really intricate designs because of the limitation and that was different because a lot of my work was actually very intricate and very textural. I also had to choose from a specific colour
palette too that could be painted on the road,” Beno explained. “I’m very curious how people will interact with it.” Beno’s mixed media mural art could also be seen prominently on the walls of what was once Open Sesame, the art bookstore and gallery outside of Kitchener city hall that closed it’s storefront a couple of months ago. The Objects of Desire art installation project for Lèche Vitrine is an artistic window display where every four months a new artist is asked to create a piece to be displayed outside Open Sesame. The project is a collaboration with CAFKA (Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area), made possible with the support of the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund. Beno first found out about the project while visiting the shop and meeting the curator. “I loved it. That was one of the first places I went to in the community when I moved to Kitchener. I was like, oh my gosh, [Open Sesame is] an art bookstore … I love this place,” she said. With a degree in Fine Arts and a MA in Design, Beno currently divides her time between working as a graphic designer and artist. Her practice explores different ways of making through the use of various found materials. “I’m most interested in the area where art and design meet, and blend together,” Beno said. “I borrow ideas, techniques and elements from both disciplines to create unique visuals and worlds which manifest into various forms such as illustrations, patterns, installations, graphic design and exhibitions.” When asked about her influences, she is greatly inspired by the famous French graphic design duo Antoine & Manuel who create dreamlike, surreal universes that blend sensation, emotion, touch and visual experimentations. “Even if I’m just making a poster, you can still really have fun with it. I love the way that graphic designers use things like play-doh to create things. I find that process really interesting. Or vice versa, when they start on a computer and then they make it look
real.” Beno has known she wanted to be an artist since she was young and always drew a lot. “I definitely got told that maybe I should find something else or maybe teach art, or do something else, like find some way to make it practical. But it was also the only thing that was really good at. My parents were really supportive. I think mostly because I just kept sticking to it. I think it was one of those things where I just kept doing it more and more and I didn’t really want to do anything else,” Beno said. These days, Beno is an accomplished local artist and designer whose work has been featured in Nuit Blanche, CAFKA, The Drake Hotel, TD Bank, OCAD University and the City of Kitchener. Her fine arts background often leads her to work on projects that are situated between art and design, where she borrows ideas, techniques and elements from both disciplines to create unique visuals and worlds. Beno feels it’s really important to her to be able to create a sense of organized chaos with her work. She described her approach to mixed media and graphic design collaging traditional graphic design elements and shapes with different textures. “I’m interested in the way that I can transform found materials and objects onto the computer to give it new meeting and even new context. I may start with a leaf, but then maybe when I finish it on the computer I find a really interesting quality about it — I zoom in or I look closer,” she said. “I like it when that moment happens because I think it’s interesting when I create work where you don’t know what it is right away. It’s a bit abstract, but then also people understand what it is — they’re like, I get this.” Beno said she would love to see more conceptual work and critical artwork in the community and she is trying to re-define how we interact with art through her work. “I’m most happy when I’m making,” she said.
Nicole Beno is the winner of the Eby Street road-way mural competition. Her mural, Market Walk, is based on her interpretation of her weekly visit to the Kitchener Farmer’s Market. NICK STANLEY PHOTOS