FACES Magazine April 2015 - Dominique Desmarais

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAGAZINE DIRECTORY Editor In Chief Justin MacKinnon

features

6-8 | Joannie Rochette

22-24 | Lights

Publisher Hank’s Paw Publishing (A division of 2384399 Ontario Ltd.) Creative/Art Director Vicky Sun Operations Director Joshua Chartrand

10-13 | Dominique Desmarais

14-16 | Kurt Browning

Fashion & Beauty

26-29 | FACES Fashion

30-31 | Spring Coats 32 | Spring Dresses for $150 or Less 33 | How to Transition Your Wardrobe from Winter to Spring

18-19 | Dallas Smith

34 | 5 Nail Polish Shades to Try This Spring 34 | 5 Great Tips to Help Reduce Stress 35 | Spring 2015 Beauty Trends 36 | Eco-Friendly Brands 37 | Finding the Right Style of Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

20-21 | Harland Williams

Around Ottawa

38-39 | Runway for HOPE

Communications Director Kelly Tranmer Photographers Gord Weber Greg Kolz Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images Justin Nolan Key Andrew Slough Cover Photo: Getty Images Gord Weber Contributors Kayla Keenan Duong Hoang Ashley Arbour Janelle Durocher Alex Feeney Kyle Dupont Brian Morton Kevin Brackstone Neil Jeffrey Amanda Murphy David Rowan Erin Maxwell Gen Williams Jessica M Kayla S Connor W Tristan A Accounting / Finance Linda Zhang Contact 613-591-6093 info@facesmag.ca @facesottawa www.facesmag.ca 3

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Apr 2nd World Autism Awareness Day

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26 SUN 27 MON 28 TUE Apr 26th Just For Laughs Road Show Centrepointe Theatre

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FEATURES

Joannie

Canadian Olympian Comes to Ottawa

6 | April 2015

Canada recently celebrated the five-year anniversary of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. There were many memorable moments throughout the Games, but perhaps none were more poignant or powerful than watching Joannie Rochette earn a bronze medal in the women’s figure skating competition, just two days after her mother died of a sudden heart attack.

Recently, FACES magazine had a chance to speak with Joannie, who will soon be coming to Ottawa as part of the Stars on Ice 25th Anniversary Tour, to find out how life has progressed for her since Vancouver 2010.

Rochette

“I’ve been going to Stars on Ice since I was very young. To me it was always quite magical to see all the skaters I used to watch competing,”

For many Canadians, seeing you earn an Olympic bronze medal so soon after your mother passed away is one of the most enduring memories they have of the Games. What is it like for you to look back on your Olympic experience five years later?

Is it something you think about often, or only when people ask you about it?

Mostly when people ask me about it, because it’s already been five years. But it’s always special when people remind me of it. On Twitter for instance, when it was the five-year anniversary of that performance, some fans posted videos. It’s always nice to see how it touched people, because I was only trying to do my best, do my job, and skate as well as I could.

It was such a weird experience, having to live that in front of people. But everyone was so supportive, and I was so lucky to be surrounded by a great team. I think that’s a big reason why I was able to stand up on that ice in Vancouver. I also think many people would have had the same thoughts or courage to go on that ice. But for me, of course, it happened at a time when all the media was covering the event and it was very publicized. It’s weird because, when it happened, I was in such a bubble that I don’t remember much.

But when I look at it now, I don’t really know how I was able to skate, because I would certainly not like to relive that moment. It was not a happy time in my life.

I remember five years before those Games, I had a friend whose mother died of cancer, and we were just training regularly. There was no big competition coming up, but still she came back to the rink one week after. I couldn’t understand why she was back at the rink so quickly, but she told me there was nothing she could do at home that would bring her mother back, and she was the most happy while she was on the ice. That kind of stayed with me. So when it happened to me in Vancouver, that’s what I realized, that staying in my room or going home wouldn’t bring back my mom. I had to do it. I had to try at least. I was lucky to do well.

At what point did it sink in that you had accomplished your goal of becoming an Olympic medallist?

I think after the short program, because before that I didn’t know

how I would be able to skate or if I’d be able to put one foot in front of the other. I think after the short program I realized that I still knew how to skate and it could still happen. I knew my long program was my best and my strongest program, and I had a good chance, so it was pretty exciting to be in third place after the short.

Just being on the podium, when I was there with the medal around my neck, that’s when I realized it, but it took a few weeks for it to really sink in.

What’s life been like for you since retiring from the competitive circuit? Do you miss competing?

I do miss competing on the international circuit, but I still do competitions when I can. I participated in the Japan Open and the Medal Winners Open. I love it. I love the adrenaline. But I also love to be able to perform more freely and being in shows, and showing different sides of my skating.

Soon you will be embarking on a nation-wide tour in celebration of the Stars on Ice 25th Anniversary. What is it that makes Stars on Ice so popular?

I’ve been going to Stars on Ice since I was very young. To me it was always quite magical to see all the skaters I used to watch competing, and to see them in a different landscape, all mix on the ice and have fun and skate without the pressure and the nerves.

Every year we try to renew ourselves, show something else, and frankly, I think Kurt Browning has played a big role in keeping the fans interested in the show. He’s done so much for skating during his career and also as a professional skater. It’s great to have him, of course, because it represents a continuation from the beginning of Stars on Ice to today. I really admire him.

When we spoke with Kurt Browning recently, he told us how excited he was to be hosting the entire Stars on Ice cast at his cottage for five days in preparation for the tour, which sounds like a very unique team-building exercise. Describe the closeness you share with the other skaters while you’re on tour.

It’s pretty intense, because we spend four weeks together. We really get time to bond. Usually when we compete we’re so focused

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FEATURES on our competition, even though we room together and we eat together, we’re not the same people as when we do shows. Now we’re going to be at Kurt’s cottage, cooking together and trying to live together. We’ll fight and have fun.

As a group it’s pretty strong moments that we live. It’s been ten years for me, but 25 years for Kurt. For one month, we’re really together almost 24/7 during the tour. We practice together, we do the show together, we eat together, we travel on the bus together at night. It’s quite intense. This year I think Kurt really likes that part of us all bonding together. I think that’s why we’re all going to his cottage and hopefully that helps us create something different for Stars on Ice. Ottawa is the second of twelve stops on this year’s cross-country tour. Is there anything special about performing in the Nation’s Capital?

Every city has a different vibe and is special. Ottawa is pretty cool because we get to go to Parliament and walk around town. Especially this year, it’s going to be May and it’s going to be beautiful. There have been so many competitions in Ottawa. My first Olympic qualifier was in Ottawa; it’s where I qualified for Turino in 2006. I’ve been to Nationals in Ottawa a couple of times, and Skate Canada International happened there, so it’s a great skating city. It’s great to see the fans there every year.

Figure skaters have very devoted and enthusiastic fans. How has social media impacted the sport of figure skating, in terms of a skater’s ability to interact with their fans?

I think it’s pretty cool now because you can get direct feedback on the show. It’s cool that the Stars on Ice audience has grown through the years with it. Now that we have new fans that are following us on Twitter and are asking about our programs, it’s become more interactive.

When I was young, I couldn’t send Kurt Browning a question or Tara Lipinski a question on Twitter and hope to get an answer back. But now people can. I mean, sometimes I’ll get a question right before a show or right after, and I can directly respond to that person. So it’s pretty cool.

I think it’s great that a whole new generation is coming to watch Stars on Ice, and the fans really are the reason why we exist, (they’re) why we have a job. I think all the skaters are very aware of that. It’s cool to be able to interact with them. We really respect and are so lucky to have those fans. We are also lucky that some of them have grown with us, like those who used to come and watch Kurt in the beginning, but also to have so many new fans. So many new fans are just people who watched skating during the Olympics in Vancouver and in Sochi and are coming to the show, and hopefully that will be the new generation that will grow old with us, and stay with us for the next 25 years.

“Life is so short, I want to enjoy it and I want to have new passions.”

8 | April 2015

Elite athletes such as you tend to be very disciplined and goal-oriented. You’re only 29 years old, what are some of your future goals and ambitions?

Skating-wise, I still want to evolve as a skater. It’s great to feel that I can still improve year after year. In the bigger picture, life is so short and I want to have so many more experiences than just skating, and I feel that since I was three or four years old all I’ve really done is skating. Life is so short, I want to enjoy it and I want to have new passions.

I’m not the same person I was when I was twenty, and I’m going to be thirty next year. I just want to have different experiences. I want to keep working with the Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation, do corporate speaking engagements, or do PR campaigns with companies. Those things are great, but I want to find something else, maybe go back to school, or find something else that I can apply all the learning that I’ve made with skating. That’s my goal for the next thirty years of my life.

You can follow Joannie on Twitter @JoannieRochette, and you can also see her perform with Stars on Ice at the Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, May 3rd. Tickets for the show and meet & greet packages are available at www.capitaltickets.ca

FEATURES

Dominique Desmarais After only just turning 17, Dominique Demarais has already established herself as someone to watch for in the fashion world. She has taken on a successful modelling career that has opened the door to many possibilities. She has been featured in several local publications, including FACES, and has big plans for international travel. When she’s not in school or walking down a runway, Dominique excels in music – singing and playing guitar.

FACES caught up with Kanata’s top model to discuss music, modelling, and her plans for the future.

10 | April 2015

You were born in Kanata, tell us a little about what life was like growing up for you in Ottawa’s west end.

I don’t think that my family could have chosen a better area to raise my sisters and I. Growing up in Kanata gave us so many opportunities to build relationships, and you would never get bored with the amount of places to go. We were able to develop a really great family dynamic in our neighborhood. If I had the chance to relive my childhood all over again, I would probably still choose to grow up in Kanata, because of all of the great memories that I have had.

At what age did you first start playing guitar? What made you choose to play the guitar versus other instruments?

I picked up my first guitar when I was about 10 years old. I had developed a strong musical background with playing the piano since the young age of 5, and was drawn to learn a new instrument. I had always thought that the performers on stage looked so cool playing their guitars and decided I wanted to challenge myself and see if I could do it. Initially, I started playing the guitar to accompany my vocals. I began by learning the acoustic guitar, and then went on to play electric as well. I find that having a piano theory background has helped me tremendously in being able to learn the guitar as quickly as I did. I find peace in singing and playing these instruments, as losing myself in a melody gives me a break from reality for a few minutes. I don’t think I’ll ever see the day where I make decision to put down my guitar for good. Music has been a part of my life since I was a little girl and I plan on keeping it with me for as long as I can.

Did anyone inspire you to pick up and start learning the guitar?

Neither of my parents plays any instruments, and my sisters never really had the same interest in learning the piano when we were little. I grew up admiring the artists that I listened to and that I saw perform live on stage.

My inspiration to pick up my first guitar probably came from watching guitarists having so much fun at concerts, and hearing the beauti-

ful melodies that they created. I wanted to do the same and felt that it would accompany my vocals all the better. After thinking about it for a while, I brought it up to my mom and she set up lessons for me right away. Although I was inspired by famous artists, it was my mom’s immediate support and encouragement that really pushed me to start playing.

How did you first get into modelling? Was this something that you always wanted to do?

I had always admired the models within the pages of a magazine. I remember going into a bookstore when I was young and seeing photos of Kate Upton on the cover of Vogue, and immediately becoming amazed with the artwork. From then on, I had been intrigued by the modelling industry, as it seemed like so much fun to me. Near the beginning of summer a few years ago, I finally called into an agency and they had me book an appointment with their agents. As soon as I met the team, I fell in love with the industry and all of the opportunities that it had in store for me. To this day, I am just as passionate as the young girl who walked into her first meeting, completely unaware of what she had just discovered.

What accomplishment are you most proud of to date in your modelling career?

Modelling has presented me with so many great opportunities. I would have to say that being awarded the People’s Choice Award for ELLE Canada’s 2014 Model Contest has been one of my greatest accomplishments so far. It was amazing to be recognized by one of the country’s top magazines and really helped in getting my name out there. I’m definitely proud that I have been awarded this title among so many other great competitors.

What do you enjoy most about modelling?

For me, modelling is a lot more than just posing for a camera. I love being able to watch my appearance transform into a completely different character, and then becoming this person during a photo shoot. Strutting down that runway and having fun, both in front of and behind the camera, is what made me really fall in love with modelling. I have gained

so much confidence and knowledge throughout my career so far, and cannot wait to see what the next few years have in store for me.

Who are some of your favourite models – and do you have any particular designers that you want to work with one day?

So many models inspire me with my own career. Some of my all-time idols would be Candice Swanepoel, Cara Delevigne, Kendall Jenner and Nina Agdal, to name a few. I keep up with their recent work on social media and always love seeing what they’re up to. I’d be flattered to one day work with Karl Lagarfeld, Marc Jacobs and Valentino Garavani. That would be such a dream.

What are your future goals and plans for your modelling career? Are you planning on travelling to pursue this career?

I haven’t set out a plan that I want to follow directly, since I believe in accepting each challenge as it arises. However, I have signed with a few Canadian agencies which allows me to travel around frequently. I’m also planning on traveling overseas in the near future, possibly to Asia or Europe. I’m curious to discover foreign cultures and am obsessed with traveling, so I am grateful for the many travel opportunities that are available to me within the modeling industry. It allows me to pursue my passion for traveling while doing something that I love. As for my plans, I have no way of telling what’s coming in the future. I’m really focusing on taking advantage of each opportunity that is given to me, and working as hard as I can to keep them coming.

What advice would you have to give for anyone trying to get into the modelling industry?

Get started right away. The sooner that you put yourself out there, the sooner you will begin to understand the industry and to recognize its amazing possibilities. I had been considering modelling for a long time and wish that I had begun sooner to gain more exposure and knowledge at a young age. If it’s a field of interest to you, you should definitely explore it to be able to take advantage of all

“To this day, I am just as passionate as the young girl who she had just discovered.”

11 | April 2015

FEATURES

12 | April 2015

of the opportunities that the industry has to offer, rather than waiting and wishing that you did.

It’s also important to have thick skin, especially within the modelling industry. You are constantly being compared to others in every way possible, which can get overwhelming at times. It’s crucial that you do not take anything personally and that you stay true to yourself. The modelling industry is definitely tough to break into, but once you figure out the ropes, it’s lots of fun.

You have mentioned before that you want to be a doctor. What sort of doctor would you like to become – and what interests you most about this profession?

As I’m still young, I’m not a hundred percent sure as to what I want to do with my future. I have, however, grown interested in the medical field and am considerong pursuing a career as a doctor. I think that becoming a surgeon would be fascinating, but I’m not yet convinced that I would be able to handle all of the sudden panic and pressure. I have also looked into becoming a physician or a nutritionist, which both seem intriguing to me as well. I do believe that as humans, it’s important to know the anatomy of our own species. In becoming a doctor, I would be able to gain knowledge of this subject and pass it on to peers. I think that dedicating myself to a career which involves helping others would be fulfilling, and would keep me grounded and prepared for any situation.

What role has your family played in your success to date?

My family has been incredibly supportive throughout my life. It’s great knowing that I will always have them encouraging and inspiring me to keep moving forward. My mother has especially been with me each step of my modelling career, accompanying me to castings and bookings in various cities and always wanting to be up-to-date on all of my recent projects. I cannot explain how fortunate I am to be surrounded by such caring people, as they inspire me with each decision that I make and keep me grounded in the process. My family’s support makes me all the more determined to be successful, and I value making them proud.

You have mentioned that you want to get into acting – what is it about acting that interests you the most? Do you have a favourite actor or actress?

Acting gives you the chance to become a completely different person for a while and it seems like a lot of fun. I like to keep challenging myself and to try new things, because you never know, you could possibly discover another one of your passions. I want to put myself out there and see just how far I can push myself and get out of my comfort zone. A few of my favorite actors would have to be Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston and Matt Damon. Every role that I have seen them portray has kept me on the edge of my seat. They are such amazing actors.

What do you like best about living in Ottawa?

The best thing about living in Ottawa is the variety that you can find in our city. Being the capital of Canada, Ottawa has so many great attractions, with the Rideau Canal definitely being one of my favourites. There are lots of educational and job opportunities as well, and I find that everyone is very friendly and kind. I’m grateful that my family has chosen such a beautiful city to raise me in.

What is your favourite concert you’ve ever seen live? Who are some of your favourite artists and performers.

I remember seeing Taylor Swift for the first time a few years ago and absolutely loving every minute of it. Even though it’s not my all-time favourite type of music, I do enjoy listening to her songs and have so much respect for Taylor as a performer. If you took a peek at the music library on my phone, you would probably find lots of Beyoncé, some Sam Smith, Vance Joy, Ariana Grande, Chris Brown, and maybe a few random EDM or hip-hop songs. I don’t have one particular type of music that I stick to. I like to keep my library varied and tend to choose songs depending on my mood.

What is the best advice any one has given you about becoming a model or performer?

Coming into the industry, I had barely any knowledge about what to do or how to do it. I didn’t

“You have to remain true to yourself and immune to losing your own identity. It’s important never to give up and become discouraged, because all of the that ‘yes’.” know what I was getting into or what to expect.

It’s the advice that I received from my agents, others in the industry and my mother that were able to help keep me humble and determined.

I learned that it’s vital to have thick skin in this industry, as you’re constantly compared to your peers and that nothing should be taken personally. Just because one person says that your hair isn’t right for their campaign, does not mean that it isn’t right for someone else’s. You have to remain true to yourself and immune to losing your own identity. It’s important never to give up and become discouraged, because all of the ‘no’s are worth it once you finally get that ‘yes’. The best advice that I have received was to put my happiness as the first priority and to ensure that it was kept in place before anything else. It’s definitely a tough industry to commit yourself to, but once you develop the tools to become successful, everything will fall into place.

Twitter: @domdesmarais Instagram: @domdesmarais

13 | April 2015

FEATURES

Kurt

Browning to offer. So figure skating was full and it was more about crack the whip, chase the girls, and tag, than waltz, jumps and spins. I think I was just one of the kids who forgot that boys don’t figure skate. I was just having so much fun and the friendships were great, and when I started jumping, then that was it; I was hooked!

You retired from competitive figure skating in 1994, and yet, twenty-one years later you’re as popular as ever. You serve as a commentator, a choreographer, a director, and you still perform for audiences around the world.

What keeps you so motivated?

You know what, it’s kind of like a good relationship or a good love affair. It keeps renewing itself, and that’s all I can say. I’ve never had the kind of injury that has taken me out of the sport and I’ve had such positive feedback from audiences. That’s kept me motivated.

It’s the humdrum stuff at the rink that somehow hasn’t gotten tiring to me, like the quiet time with my earphones on, when I’m making up a new program, or just trying to keep my two triples and my one double axel alive at the age of 48. It hasn’t become boring for me yet; the relationship is still strong.

Kurt Browning has been a household name in Canada for what seems like forever, and for good reason. He’s a four-time Canadian Champion, a four-time World Champion, a three-time Olympian, and his list of accomplishments goes on and on. The question is, what keeps this Canadian icon going so strong?

FACES Magazine caught up with Kurt during preparations for his 25th consecutive season with Stars on Ice, to find out some of the secrets to his incredible success.

14 | April 2015

Take us back to the very beginning, how old were you when you first laced up skates?

I think I was about 7, I guess. It was on a couple of sheets of plywood in the backyard that my dad sprayed with a hose.

It sounds like a very Canadian scene. What prompted you to pursue figure skating, instead of hockey, skiing, or some other winter sport?

The big trick was that in my hometown of Caroline, in central Alberta, they put a roof on the arena. When they did that, every kid started skating in whatever program (the arena) had

You talk about audiences and the energy you’ve drawn from them over the years.

Your fans have always been, and continue to be, impressed by your intricate footwork, innovative choreography, and of course your charisma. Most people would say you make skating look almost effortless. Yet, there’s no denying that the sport is incredibly demanding and takes quite a toll physically. How have you been able to withstand the rigours of figure skating for so long?

I’ll be honest, as an amateur competitor, I was competing injured way more (often) than people knew. My back was a constant struggle.

And I would say that my tenure as a profession-

al for over 20 years has been smoother injurywise than my competing years. When I started, my back was so bad that I almost didn’t skate in the Albertville Olympics and probably, in hindsight, I shouldn’t have. But (Canadian pair skater) Paul Martini worked with me and he, along with Tomas Schramek from the National Ballet of Canada, changed my posture. They changed where I put my arms on my landings.

They changed a few small, but fruitful things.

And I think those (changes) allowed me to skate with a relatively bad back all these years.

I fight it everyday. I get up in the morning and I have stretches and I have certain exercises; it’s constant. But, if I do it right and I time it right, then show time comes around and I don’t

World Champion Figure Skater feel it, especially with adrenaline. But that’s about it. There have been pulls and there have been tears. Last year I tore my hamstring by two and a half centimeters. I did 13 shows, in 15 days, in 5 different countries across Europe with a torn hamstring, and that was not pretty.

But basically I’ve been lucky.

Your longevity really speaks to your determination, stamina and perseverance.

There’s one stat I’m really proud of: Including U.S. Stars on Ice and Canada Stars on Ice, I’ve done well over 800 shows over 24 years, and I’ve only missed one half of one show because my plane was late. I’ve never missed even one of my two solos in 800 shows, so that’s 1600 solos that I haven’t missed. I can’t believe it. I haven’t had any toothaches, no broken bones, and I don’t how come that’s happened. So this is my 25th year with Stars on Ice and I’m crossing my fingers that I can get through twelve more (shows), so I can say I got through 25 years clean; except for that one day when the plane was late.

The Canadian Stars on Ice tour began in 1991, and you’ve been a part of it since day 1. In fact, for most people, Stars on Ice and Kurt Browning are practically synonymous.

What is it about Stars on Ice that keeps you coming back year after year?

What keeps me coming back is that Stars on Ice has actually undeniably become a part of who I am. I know the show is only one month out of twelve a year, but I still associate my worth with how I’m skating with Stars on Ice. It’s always been my barometer of how I’m doing. It’s replaced the World Championships for me every year. It’s been where I want to peak.

This year is a hugely important year for me. 25 years is a milestone that I think should be celebrated for the franchise and for myself. That’s what this show is going to do I hope.

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FEATURES

Take us behind the scenes and tell us what’s involved in terms of preparation, and what it’s like once you and your cast mates take the show on the road.

I actually work a little untraditionally. I’ve been working with Geoffrey Tyler; someone I first met when I was doing a pantomime stage show, a live stage show in downtown Toronto, about seven or eight years ago. I was playing Peter Pan, of all things. Geoffrey was playing one of the Lost Boys. He lived really close to me, so we ended up taking the subway together all the time, and became fast friends.

Through him I realized I had access to music that I didn’t know about, use of computers that I didn’t have, editing music. Geoffrey’s a signer and a writer, and he’s a director and a dancer and an actor. I found that working with him rounded me out. We’ve choreographed different theatres together and he’s kind of learned how to skate.

So the process starts with us. Just being there, looking at each other, saying things like “I’ve seen something cool”, or “I’ve always wanted to do this”, or “What does the show need this year?” We just start asking so many questions until we have answers to some of them. It’s a puzzle.

I’ve wanted to have the Stars on Ice cast skate a group number to Supertramp, since about 1995. So I’m putting that in. We’re having a very extensive group number to Supertramp with a stage presence.

We’re telling a story on the ice, not necessarily just doing our skating skills as much acting and using the skates to tell a story. It’s kind of a risk. So people are going to be, in the second half of the show, seeing something we really haven’t done before.

“I’m laughing at myself, because you make yourself a promise when you’re younger, and then you get older and you laugh at that promise. ” 16 | April 2015

So the first half of the show is a look back at the first twenty-four years, using the skaters’ solos this year to reference back to something that has inspired them from the past. The second half is definitely using the cast to show you what we can do this year to keep people coming back to Stars on Ice next year.

When you’ve been asked previously about the pressure skaters face in competition, you’ve said “Everything is easier when you are where you want to be.” You’ve worked extremely hard to get to this point in your life, so the question is, are you where you want to be?

Yeah. I’m actually very happy that I feel confident that I’ll be able to perform at a level that is satisfying. I’ve told myself that I will quit professional skating a little bit early, so that I wouldn’t be skating badly in any of my performances, that I would still feel strong. I think that I’m pushing it as I get to 25 (years with Stars on Ice), and yet I might be back next year. I’m laughing at myself, because you make yourself a promise when you’re younger, and then you get older and you laugh at that promise. I’m very happy about where I am, and I’m excited to continue my career. I also have access to a (Stars on Ice) cast that would jump off a cliff for me, like lemmings, and I really feel their support.

Soon I’ll actually be taking the whole cast to my cottage, and they’re all going to stay with me. We’re going to rehearse the show for five extra days more than usual to try to get this Supertramp program choreography. And all the skaters are basically donating those five days so that I can do this. It’s like their gift to me. I’ve got the best cast, the best friends, fans that have been supportive for years, and a body that I still think can get me through this and a heart that still loves skating. So, damn right, I’m in a good place!

You can follow Kurt on Twitter @KurtBrowning and the Stars on Ice 25th Anniversary Tour @StarsOnIce.

FEATURES

From playing in the Canadian rock band called Default to becoming a solo country music superstar, Dallas Smith has proven that his music is where it’s at! His past as part of a rock band has allowed him to create a perfect mix of rock and roll and country music! Becoming the only Canadian male country artist to have a hit-single (“Wastin Gas”) rated #1 on the country charts for 2 weeks in a row, playing in Afghanistan for the U.S. and Canadian troops and having a sold out tour all across Canada, Dallas Smith has quickly become one of Canada’s biggest country superstars.

FACES Magazine had a chance to catch up with Dallas Smith and discuss his passion for the music industry, challenges faced over the years, his various experiences as a country artist and his thoughts so far on his sold out Tippin Point Tour in Canada.

Canadian Country Singer

Dallas Smith 18 | April 2015

You were born in Langley, BC in 1977. What was high school like? How was life growing up in BC? It was great. It’s such beautiful weather in BC. I actually still live in Langley, it’s great!

As a kid, did you have a favourite singer/ band? What about now?

I was a huge classic rock fan. I listened to the Beatles, Nirvana, all those great bands!

Previously in your life, you were the lead singer for the rock band called Default. How was that experience? What prompted you to leave that band and become a solo country artist?

It was a fun experience early on in my life. We toured the world, released a bunch of records, it was good! I always had a passion for country music. I made a trip down to Nashville in 2009. I had no expectations with my career at that point, I just enjoyed it. I got matched up with some talented writers and the guys down there believed in me and helped me do it!

“

country music n ia d a n a C e th t things abou One of the great everyone s w o n k e on that every is y r t s u ind

”

Out of all of the places you’ve travelled to for performing concerts, which place was your favourite and why?

Being taken to the coalition base in Afghanistan. The Canadian Government took us out there to play for the coalition troops for the Americans and the Canadians. That was the most amazing music experience I’ve been a part of. Who we were playing for, it was a visual I’ll never forget. The jets taking off, doing coalitions while we were playing, it was an amazing experience.

When you decided to break apart from Default and pursue a career singing country music, what types of challenges were you faced with immediately?

Being a part of a band is so different from being your own band. It was a challenge and I had to push myself to become better, I still am.

That would have to be the biggest challenge.

When you’re not performing or writing music, what sorts of things do you like to do to keep yourself busy and entertained?

I love golf, I just take out frustrations on the golf ball. My dad and I always go golfing and we go with a couple buddies; it’s a great getaway.

When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career singing country music?

It happened slowly, not overnight. Like I said, in 2009 when I was in Nashville to get things rolling, that was a huge step towards the country music world for me. It was a concept that I was thinking about for a while, finally I just decided to make the trip down there and start pursuing it.

Do you have any pre-performance rituals that you do before each concert you perform at?

We try to have a couple laughs beforehand. On tour on the bus, there’s not many problems.

Whenever you’re travelling with airlines, you need to make sure to have a few laughs and show up in a good mood. Shake off whatever the days puts on us and go out there to have a good time!

Out of all of your songs, which song is the most significant to you and why?

For me, it would be “Somebody Somewhere,” the first single I released and sold. I remember sitting at home and waiting to see if country radio would add me and my song, and see if people would like me and my songs. It was definitely the biggest one for me.

Recently, you performed at Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa and had Jordan McIntosh and Kira Isabella open for you. Tell us a little bit about that experience. Are you good friends with the two of them?

Yeah! One of the great things about the Canadian country music industry is that everyone knows everyone. I enjoy both of them. I’ve gotten to know Jordan more over the past few years, he comes to a lot of my shows and I always invite him to come to any of them. He’s a bright kid and I think he has a bright future ahead of him.

Your single, “Wasting Gas”, was quite the success. Were you surprised with the turnout of the song?

Not really. I knew that song was right up everyone’s alley. If you liked my music, then I knew you would like that song. The reaction on the radio was wild. It was #1 for the two weeks in a row and I’m the only Canadian male country artist to accomplish that on the country radio. So that is pretty amazing to see, for everyone to get behind that song, it was pretty neat.

Your album, “Jumped Right In” has had great feedback and results. Before you released it, how did you feel about the album?

I didn’t know that country radio would get behind what I did, I wasn’t sure if they would close the door on me or not. Soon after, I knew it was going to get a shot and people would hear it, I felt confident that it would

do well. It means so much to me because it kicked that door down for me, it was great!

Throughout your career, you’ve earned many awards and nominations, such as 5 CCMA Award nominations, nomination for Country Album of the Year at the 2013 JUNO Awards, and the list goes on. Out of all of these accomplishments, which one meant the most to you and why?

Not really anything in particular. I’m not really a big award guy. I won a Juno with my band before. I’ve gotten a few here and there, but I’m not huge on them. Nominated is great, because they’re acknowledging that you’re doing well, but I’m just not a big award guy.

My dream is just being able to play for a ton of people. That’s a big deal!

When you’ve come to Ottawa in the past, is there a spot that you enjoy visiting the most? How do you usually like to spend your time when you’re in Ottawa?

I don’t think I’ve ever had a day off in Ottawa.

I usually go there when it’s wet and cold, so that limits what I can do. I’ve got friends in Ottawa that say great things about it. It would be nice to have some time off there, but I haven’t had it too often.

Your current tour, “Tippin Point Tour 2015” with Charlie Worsham is sold out. How’s the tour going so far?

Tour is going great. We started off in the Maritimes. The crowds are fantastic, they like to drink, that’s for sure! I’ve been there a couple times and it’s always fun! The crowds get crazier as we go west so it’s going to get better and better as the tour goes on!

You will be playing in Ottawa on February 12th, 2015. Are you excited for the concert?

How do the fans in Ottawa compare to other places?

Every city has some little thing. I think music fans don’t really care where artists come from, as long as they’re good. People like to let loose, have a few drinks and listen to the music. Country music fans like to shake off the real world, a country music fan is a country music fan regardless of where you go! @dallassmith

19 | April 2015

FEATURES

“I don’t think I’ve ever sat down and written a joke in my life. I basically just go on stage and just

What was life like growing up in Toronto?

It was weird because I was in one of the first gangs ever. After my fourth or fifth crime, I was okay with it (laughs). Only kidding. Growing up in Toronto was a blast; I love Toronto. Our house was right by the Don River, which is an extremely polluted river that ran through the suburbs. I spent many of my days wandering around in that toxic pudding; it’s probably what demented me for life.

Who were some comedians that you looked up to growing up?

I’d probably say most of the Second City cast.

Growing up, I wasn’t into stand-up as much as I was into funny actors like Don Knots, Jerry Lewis, the Second City cast and people like that.

Harland Williams A successful actor, comedian, author, artist, musician and radio personality, Harland William has accomplished so much. Originally from Toronto, Harland has become famous for his humorous roles in films like Dumb and Dumber, Half Baked, Freddy Got Fingered, Employee of the Month, and the list goes on. He’s a seasoned veteran of the late show circuit with countless appearances on Letterman, Leno and Conan. Harland has done stand-up comedy specials for HBO, CTV,

20 | April 2015

Comedy Central and CBC. More recently, Harland Williams has branched out as an accomplished author and illustrator of a series of children’s books, as well as the curious mind behind his Harland Highway podcast.

FACES Magazine spoke with Harland to learn about his life as he prepares for his triumphant return to Ottawa from April 30th-May 2nd at Yuk Yuk’s.

How old were you when you did your first stand up gig and what was the experience like?

I remember it vividly. I don’t remember my exact age though; I think I was 22 or something. I went on amateur night at Yuk Yuk’s in downtown Toronto. At that time, I think it was the only comedy club in Canada except for one club in B.C. There were 20 guys and I had to go up first. The emcee was a guy named Ron Vaudry who was a pretty edgy guy. It was a pretty edgy night but I jumped in feet first and just went for it.

When did you know that you wanted to do stand-up for a living?

I knew I wanted to do it as a living before I even stepped on stage. I just realized I wanted a life where I could be in control. A life where I didn’t have a boss, could travel, could do something fun, and a job that could branch off in so many other areas. I knew I could make a lot of money if I was good at it and I could get in to movies and T.V. I just thought it was a great springboard for a professional life.

You studied animation at Sheridan College, but your passion was/ is drawing. What attracts you to drawing and what motivated you to pen children’s book?

It’s kind of like comedy because it is a form of imagination where there are no boundaries. When you’re up on stage doing stand-up, there are really no boundaries to what you can say or do – it’s the same with drawing. Your brain manifests whatever crazy images that come into it, and drawing just let’s you express it. So I guess I love to express the freedom of our artistic freedom!

Is it true that you were a forest ranger after college?

Actually I was doing that during college. I would go to college and then in the spring and summer, I would head up north and work as a forest ranger. It was amazing. I wish everyone could do it. I think working in a remote wilderness really puts you in touch with the world. Not just the world of man but also the real world – the world of nature – the world where energy goes through the rocks, the trees and the lakes. I feel like I had a real golden opportunity to connect with the real world.

You’ve enjoyed exceptional success on stage and in film and television. Do you have a preference to stand up over acting in film and television?

I love it all! Movies are like dinosaur bones because they last forever.

I could perform to 60,000 people and when I’m gone and they’re gone, the moment’s gone. Movies hold on to everything forever and that’s why I find movies to be the most magical. Movies preserve that moment when you’re funny, how you look and, really, they preserve everything. People hold movies in their hearts, whereas T.V. just kind of comes and goes. There’s great T.V., but I don’t think people hold T.V. in their hearts the same way they do with movies. Movies are a part of everyone’s lives.

I heard that you don’t do drugs and turned down Half Baked multiple times. How did you end up doing the movie?

I just finally came to the conclusion that I am an actor and I’m playing a role. I played a serial killer in There’s Something About Mary and I’m not killing people in real life. So I kind of put it down to that and realized I’m just doing a role. It was a little tough because sometimes your roles in movies have an effect on people that see them, so that one was a tough call for me. At the end of the day, I thought I’m an actor and I have to step into different acting roles.

How do you prepare for non-comedic roles, and do they attract you as much as comedic roles?

I find non-comedic roles harder. They’re much more challenging for me because comedy is just something that flows through me. So being funny comes naturally. Chopping the comedy off and keeping it very real and dramatic is tougher for me. So I always say yes to a dramatic part because it’s a challenge. I don’t get many non-comedic roles but when I do, I’m excited because everyone loves a challenge!

Describe your writing process for comedy.

Well I don’t sit down and write. I don’t think I’ve ever sat down and written a joke in my life. I basically just go on stage and just let it flow. I talk to the crowd, throw ideas out, open my mouth and let concepts come out. I let my comedic sensibility fill in the blanks. I’ll walk on a stage and start talking about trains, UFO’s or whatever. I let my comedic sensibility fill in the blanks and hopefully make it funny.

That’s my writing process.

What advice would give young Canadian comedians trying to make it in the industry?

I always think people should try and be original. Stand-up comedy is such an open art-form and so many comedians go down the same path. I would remind young comedians to explore, and realize you can do anything you want up there. Try and find your original point of view. I don’t just mean a voice, but to search for anything you want up there that you believe is funny and let it happen. Don’t take the same path others do. Find your own road and get your comedy bulldozer to knock your own trees down. Forge your own comedic identity. It’s hard to do because it’s easier to follow the trail that’s already been cleared, but the people that really make it and stand out in the end are the ones that carve their own paths. That would be my advice.

Do you think the process of creating your own path in stand-up comedy is easier, the same, or more difficult for Canadians vs.

Americans?

I think if you’re true to it and it’s in your heart, it’ll make it easier.

It’s easier creatively and spiritually. It might be harder business-wise at first, but if you look at people like Steven Wright, Emo Philips, Mitch Hedberg and Steve Martin, they probably had a rough time at first. But once they got over the hump and people recognized their uniqueness and originality, then they were held up on a pedestal. It’s a mixture of difficulty meets acceptance, and then you just keep rising up. You have to be willing to take the bad with the good.

Tell us a little bit about your podcast, The Harland Highway.

It’s a pretty crazy podcast! It’s kind of my twisted points of view and perception of the world mixed with my library of a couple-dozen wacky characters that I do on the show. It’s kind of like theatre of the mind and I got into it because it lets me expand my expression of a comedic theme or notion. On stage, you have to structure quick jokes but with a podcast, if I want to ramble on about skunks for 4 hours I can. I can’t really do that on stage. It’s very liberating and it lets you expand your comedic repertoire.

Your sitcom, Package Deal, is shot primarily in Vancouver. Do you enjoy returning to Canada to film and do stand-up?

It’s a mixed blessing. I like coming home because it’s “home” but at the same time, I left home because I thought I was going to see the world. One year I thought I’ll shoot a movie in Africa, then Tibet and then maybe another movie in the Amazon. Whenever I get called back to shoot a movie in Toronto or Vancouver, I think “Oh okay, yeah I grew up there.” I love the work but it’s always fun to go somewhere that you’ve never been before. I’m fortunate to do a lot of that!

What can fans expect when they come to see your show here in Ottawa?

I’ve put on a lot of weight, so I’ll probably take my stomach out and slap a lot of them right in the face with my jelly rolls. Yeah, I’m not really fat but I thought that would be something fun to say! They can expect the unexpected. I like to make stuff up on the spot; I write on the stage, every night will be a different performance. So if they want to see something that’s not super traditional, then they’re going to have a great time at my shows! @HarlandWilliams

“I would remind young comedians to explore, and realize you can do anyjust mean a voice, but to search for anything you want up there that you 21 | April 2015

FEATURES

Lights

Canadian Singer/Songwriter

Over the course of her career, Lights has acquired a dedicated army of fans. Quite literally, they call themselves Lights Army. Her infectious beats, feel-good melodies, and deeply intimate lyrics have changed the Canadian electro-pop landscape. And she has the accolades to prove it. Her third studio album, Little Machines, has earned great critical acclaim.

FACES recently got the chance to hear about her upcoming concert in Ottawa, her thoughts on the writing process of an artist, and to talk frozen yogurt. Lights will be performing with One Republic on April 21, at the Canadian Tire Centre.

When you were young, you and your family travelled all over the world. How do you think experiencing those different cultures influenced you as a person, how has it influenced your music?

I feel really lucky to have seen those things growing up. I’ve toured around a lot and I’ve built this platform for myself, and I’m glad that I know what to use it for. I grew up seeing the reality of the world, the reality of a lot of third world countries.

Nobody has it like we do here in the western world, and I think it’s hard to really believe it if you don’t see it. I grew up around it, so it has always been common knowledge for me. So I try to use my platform for the best causes that I can. I have been a World Vision ambassador for years now, and sponsor children on every Canadian tour that I’ve taken. The last tour we sponsored almost 100 kids from the same village in the Philippines. It’s really amazing that I’m able to do things like that.

Do you have a favourite country or place that you have visited?

I love the Philippines. I think I have this connection because I lived there for a few years, but I’ve actually never played there.

I was hoping that I would get a chance to play there sometime soon. I just love the people and the culture. It’s so beautiful. In terms of places that we have played, I love Amsterdam. It’s so progressive, and when it comes to eco-friendly ways of living, it’s really nice to see. I was really inspired by that when writing this last album. My dad is a green architect and my mom is kind of a hippie, so it has started to really influence me over the course of the last few years.

Who were some of your favourite musicians growing up?

Growing up, I listened to a lot of what my dad listened to. A lot of old rock and roll – Supertramp, Electric Light Orchestra, The Beatles, The Doobie Brothers... I listened to all kinds of things growing up, and it ultimately taught me about music through these old records. I remember one of the first experiences I

22 | April 2015

ever had breaking down a song and figuring out the song sections, chord progressions and changes was listening to Even in the Quietest Moments by Supertramp – one of the best records ever. There were lots of bonding moments between me and my dad with those records too.

How would you describe your musical style in just three words?

Electronic. Campfire. Rock.

Do you enjoy being on tour? What do you miss most about home when you are away?

I just miss the continuity of it. Interestingly enough, over the last couple of years tours have felt more like home than anything. And that’s because now that I have a little one, I always have my family with me. The hardest part of being on tour is always being away from your loved ones. When I have my baby next to me every day it’s awesome. Very tiring, (laughs) but wherever you go, you make that your home. So I’m pretty lucky, I get to bring home on the road with me a lot. I just miss waking up in my own bed, looking out into my yard, playing video games and just having the kind of day that you can determine for yourself, not having everything scheduled out for you.

Speaking of your daughter, Rocket, what is the best part about being a new mom?

There is this power that comes with knowing that you are feeding into somebody’s life, their outlook and their personality. You want to impact that as positively as possible, so you try to be the best person that you can be. As a result, it brings out the best in everybody. She’s a total little shining light.

You and your sister were actually both pregnant at the same time. What was that experience like?

It was awesome! It was really nice to commiserate together. It was my first time and her second, so not only did I get her ad-

vice, but I got it in real time. We had our babies only 5 days apart. It’s really hard to plan something like that!

Your latest album, Little Machines, has been nominated for a Juno Award for Pop Album of the Year. What was the process like, writing this album?

It was a long, tumultuous path for this one. I think for every record, it gets a little harder to figure out what you want to say and do. You kind of want to one-up yourself every time. I remember before Siberia, I had this bout of rediscovery, or writer’s block. It took a lot of exploration of my creativity in other areas. I painted a lot and wrote a lot of poetry, in hope that it would lead to a better understanding of my craft. And I think it did in the long term. I ended up writing 43 songs for this record before I realized I had everything there.

The first single off the album “Up We Go” was a big hit.

The latest song, “Running With the Boys,” has a really fun, nostalgic kind of feel to it. What was your inspiration for writing it?

That song is a good example of where a lot of the inspiration came from for the entire album. It has that nostalgic feel. I had to put myself back in the mind frame that I had years ago when I was a kid. That time before you really worry or know too much about the industry, or know too much about what’s expected of you. There are numbers and money, and you just do things because they make you happy.

That’s something that I think we should all do more. As a kid, you do it just because you’re living in the moment. You have this great imagination and dreams. I wanted to recapture that about my youth. I don’t want to feel the other way.

It’s really hard on creativity. Too much logic is the arsenic of creativity.

23 | April 2015

FEATURES

“Too much logic is the arsenic of creativity.”

You will be performing at the Juno Awards ceremony this Sunday, do you ever feel like it’s somehow different performing in front of a room full of your peers?

For sure it’s different. I am excited for it. It’s my first time playing on the Juno broadcast. We’ve played on the gala night before, but then you’re playing for people having dinner. This is a whole different experience. I think it’s not necessarily so different because you’re performing in front of your peers per se, but because it’s totally not a natural show. Everything is timed for television and you’re there waiting, but you have try to be as natural as possible.

You will be performing in Ottawa with One Republic in April at the Canadian Tire Centre. You have performed here before, what is your favourite part of visiting the city?

It’s a beautiful city. I love the river and the vibe. The summertime there is my favourite. Winter is not so great. But I love it in Ottawa, and I actually have some family there so it does feel a bit like home when I go. Plus my fans there are amazing, so we’ll see how many of them turn up to the One Republic show. I think it’s going to be really fun.

What would you say is your proudest accomplishment?

There have been a bunch of those over the course of my career. The most recent one, I would say, is having a frozen yogurt flavour named after me! In all of the Canadian Menchie’s for a month, there is a flavour called Up We Dough, which is a take on my song “Up We Go,” and it’s cookie dough flavoured. On March 11 there is Lights Day and I’m doing a bunch of appearances at Menchie’s. 20% of all flavours sold that day will be going to MusiCounts, which helps to provide instruments to kids who don’t have access to them.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Oh I have no idea. It’s kind of crazy. I remember I used to have answers for that, but as life turns out, it’s never what you expected. And that’s not a bad thing. It has blown me away over the course of the last 8 years where my life has taken me. I would never have pictured myself on tour, with a little baby girl, and a frozen yogurt named after me. Life is so full of surprises. All you can really do is just go with the flow, and go after those things that make you happy.

For me, that’s going to be making music, making sure that my number one priority is my family, and taking time to be healthy and enjoy life. I’ve learned that you can’t spend all of your time trying to be successful. You have to spend your time trying to be happy. If making music comes with that, that’s amazing.

Twitter: @lights http://music.iamlights.com

24 | April 2015

Probationary Periods at Work Getting the Protection You Seek By: Alayna Miller The start of an employment relationship is often an optimistic time, but also a time of uncertainty for both parties. To counter this, employers may seek protection by way of a probationary clause in an employment contract and employers and employees may seek clear termination of employment provisions.

These areas are necessarily intertwined.

Probationary clauses may have less significance than an employer would like, especially in a non-unionized, provincially regulated environment. Effectively, an employer always has the option to dismiss a lacklustre performer, or a worker with whom it has a personality clash, provided it does not do so for discriminatory reasons or in bad faith, and provided it is willing to pay severance or give appropriate notice, or a combination of the two. The measure of the severance package may be stipulated in an employment contract or, if not, amounts to reasonable notice or pay in lieu of notice at common law. So unlike in a unionized environment where this freedom to dismiss disappears after a probationary period, it is always open to an employer outside that environment.

A probationary period in and of itself does not mean that an employer can end the relationship without cause during that time by giving the employee nothing. In Ontario, the Employment Standards Act requires that an employee who works for three months or more be provided with termination pay or notice of termination as set out in the Act. Thus, an employer may wish to stipulate that during the probationary period, it may end the relationship without cause by providing the minimum entitlements under the Employment Standards Act. If this is not stipulated and no other contractual terms respecting termination govern that period, then the employee will have a common law entitlement to reasonable notice of the termination of her employment, which may amount to much more.

So why bother with a probationary period? As an employer, you may wish to set expectations with an employee that you will be monitoring suitability and fit. You may wish to postpone certain benefits or perks until this period is passed. If the employee cannot meet the requirements of the role or work within a team, an option to terminate for cause during the probationary period arises. The threshold for doing so will be lower than after a probationary period runs out, but not insignificant. Before coming to such a conclusion, an employer must provide an employee with a reasonable opportunity to demonstrate competence and fit. To do so, performance feedback is important throughout. Still, in this scenario, an employee may have minimum termination entitlements under the Employment Standards Act, which sets a higher test for establishing

cause than the common law.

To use a probationary period effectively, it is important to set out in an employment contract a duration, process, and expectations, and to specify terms under which the relationship may come to an end. Ensure that the employee agrees to the terms before commencing employment. Separate termination provisions may be set out respecting the post-probationary period.

If an employer wishes to maintain the ability to extend a probationary period with a limited termination entitlement, it should expressly say so in the employment contract. Otherwise, this form of discipline may not be available and an employee may claim constructive dismissal. This is especially true if extending the probationary period means that termination entitlements remain capped or benefits withheld.

Clarity of expectations and entitlements is critical to starting off an employment relationship positively and to navigating its early stages. Probationary periods can assist both parties, if they’re implemented properly.

Alayna Miller practices in employment, labour and human rights law at Mann Lawyers LLP. Mann Lawyers LLP is a full service law firm operating in Ottawa’s Hintonburg area.

This article is not intended to provide legal advice. Should you require legal advice, please contact Mann Lawyers LLP at 613.722.1500 or visit mannlawyers.com.

Alayna Miller

Colleen Hoey

Mann Lawyers LLP 613.722.1500. www.mannlawyers.com

25 | April 2015

FASHION & BEAUTY

FACES FASHION Bomber Baracuta $428 Pants

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The Last Conspiracy $328 Photos by Gord Weber Hair and Makeup by Taryn Miller All apparel provided by Schad and Wolf & Zed

26 | April 2015

Shirt Designer’s Remix $178 Skirt Designer’s Remix $248 Shoes Designer’s Remix $358

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FASHION & BEAUTY

Jacket Black Denm $1298 Shirt Helmut Lang $298 Jeans

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Spring Coats Burberry $1179.35

30 | April 2015

Steve Madden $129.14

It is almost time to shed those heavy layers and opt for lighter styles. Classics like trench and utility coats will always be in style.

Soft, pastel colours will be big this season, but a bold coat can also be a great way to add a pop of colour into your spring wardrobe.

Rag & Bone $1179.35

FASHION & BEAUTY

32 | April 2015

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Hailey Logan

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How to transition your wardrobe from

Winter to Spring

1

2

Spring is a time for fresh starts.

Unfortunately, here in Canada, our harsh winters tend to fade out slowly.

Transitioning your wardrobe to spring apparel can be tricky while the weather is still making up its mind about which season it is. These basics will help guide you through the next few months.

Colour

1 2 3 4 5 6

Pair your winter staples with brightly coloured pieces. A bold statement piece like a bright scarf, necklace, or top can instantly refresh a drab outfit that you have been wearing all winter.

3

Textures 4

Opt for different fabrics. Gradually ditch the heavy, wool pieces and gravitate more toward more cotton, jersey, denim, etc.

Layer

Adding light layers is a great way to stay comfortable and stylish with the unpredictable Ottawa spring weather. The safest bet is to stick with colours that are in the same palette, and keep your base pieces fitted so you don’t lose your shape and the outfit doesn’t look bulky.

Outerwear

Find the perfect, light spring jacket to pull all of your looks together. Switch out that bulky winter coat for a light trench, leather jacket, bomber, or blazer. These are all versatile pieces that will carry you through until summer.

Footwear

5 6

Although it’s not quite warm enough to rock sandals and flats just yet, you can still keep your toes warm and safe from slush in stylish booties that go with just about anything.

Accessories

It’s time to pack away the mittens and toques, but you can still accessorize with light scarves, sunglasses, and brightly coloured jewellery.

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G l a c i er G r ay

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FASHION & BEAUTY

5 Na i l Po l i s h S h a d e s t o T r y T h i s S p r i n g

5 Great Tips to Help Reduce Stress 1

Take deep breaths. No matter how stressed you may feel, you need to make sure you’re breathing properly and deeply. It will do wonders for your stress level!

2

Socialize. Whether you’re stressed out at work, during a game, or even just at home, reach out to your family or friends and have a discussion. They will help you through whatever issue you’re facing. Just make sure to share what’s going on and they will be able to help.

3

Get up and have a drink of water.

Many people will work too heavily on one thing and will forget to hydrate.

They will become warm, start to sweat and will become even more stressed out. Get up and have a drink of water. It will help you relax and will cool you right down!

4

Laugh out loud. Everyone loves to laugh. Laughing is great for your body, as it lowers cortisol (your body’s stress hormone) and will also boost your brain’s natural feel-good chemicals, which will improve your overall mood. Read a comic or something that will make you laugh, it’ll change your day for the better.

5

Turn on some music. Music is a great way to lower blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety. Make sure to have a playlist ready that has some songs that you know will always cheer you up; it’s the perfect solution!

Fresh Faced Spring 2015 Beauty Trends

Hourglass Ambient lighting powder in ‘Dim Light’ MAC Blush in ‘Stay Pretty’

MAC Lipstick in ‘Sweetie’

To bring out her beautiful eyes without adding too much makeup, her look was kept soft and clean, and neutral tones were used. For an undone hair look, loose tousled curls kept with the natural and effortless look.

Inspired by Spring 2015 runway trends: neutral eye, with a hint of soft shimmer on the lids for some added glow. Her eye creases were softly contoured to give a bit of definition. Instead of eyeliner, the artist opted for lots of mascara. A fresh pink shade was chosen for blush and a soft highlight for a youthful glow. The whole look was tied together with a soft, mid-toned pink lip.

Hair and makeup by Taryn Miller

35 | April 2015

FASHION & BEAUTY

Eco-Friendly Brands In honour of Earth Day 2015, which falls on April 22, here are a few of our favourite eco-friendly clothing companies whose products are available here in Ottawa:

TOMS For each pair of shoes sold, a pair is donated to a child in need Eyewear sales also contribute to help restore sight to thousands worldwide

MATT & NAT

Support creation of sustainable water systems Sustainable, vegan materials

Eco-friendly Cruelty-Free

G-STAR RAW

Vegan

Uses organic cotton and recycled materials Their initiative, Raw For The Ocean, makes denim from recycled ocean plastic

ROOTS Canadian Eco-friendly initiatives include using organic, sustainable and recycled materials and couriers that use hybrid trucks

TEN TREE Canadian

NUDIE JEANS Uses 100% organic cotton Fair Trade The company has taken many measures to reduce carbon emissions

36 | April 2015

10 trees are planted for every item purchased

Finding the Right Style of Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

Round

Face is wider than it is long

Round lenses or Aviators

Oval

Face is longer than it is wide

Heart

Wider forehead and pointed chin, with defined cheekbones

Almost any style works well with oval shaped faces!

Cat eye or Wayfarer

Gucci $450

Gucci $777

McQueen $497

Burberry $313

Kate Spade $189

Max Mara $222

Gucci $450

Gucci $534

Saint Laurent $424

Ray Ban $150

Ray Ban $147

Ray Ban $151

37 | April 2015

Best style for your shape

Square, angular shapes that add definition to your face

Square

Outline is wide at all points, with broad forehead and strong cheekbones

AROUND OTTAWA

RUNWAY FOR HOPE

38 | April 2015

AROUND OTTAWA

RUNWAY FOR HOPE

T H E FA C E S D I F F E R E N C E

WHY CHOOSE FACES MAGAZINE? FACES Magazine is Ottawa’s premier and FREE publication that showcases everything that makes Ottawa great. FACES is the best quality print publication with the most competitive rates in Ottawa.

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HOW FACES HELPS YOU PROMOTE Advertising in FACES Magazine is a partnership. Stretch your advertising dollar by being in FACES, which is seen around the city, at events, on the radio and on TV.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAGAZINE DIRECTORY Editor In Chief Justin MacKinnon

Cover Story

6-10 | Mark Stone

24-25 | Sophie Moroz and Ryan Lindsay

Publisher Hank’s Paw Publishing (A division of 2384399 Ontario Ltd.) Creative/Art Director Vicky Sun Operations Director Joshua Chartrand Communications Director Kelly Tranmer

Entertainment

26-27 | FACES Time Capsule: Ottawa in 1989 features

12-15 | Jesse Palmer

28 | Mother’s Day Gift Ideas 29 | 9 Facts on the Bunny 30 | Why Page 31 | Best and Worst Easter Candy

16-19 | Dustin Lynch

32-33 | The Tourist: Washington D.C. 34-35 | This is the Future of Tech 36 | 5 Great/Bad Ideas for April Fools’ Pranks Sports

20-23 | Billy Boyd

39 | Best NHL Goalie Nicknames 40 | Greatest Canadian Golfers 41 | Top 5 Most Dangerous Teams for the 2014-2015 NBA Playoffs Around Ottawa

41 | Mardi Gras 4 | April 2015

Photographers Gord Weber Greg Kolz Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images Justin Nolan Key Andrew Slough Cover Photo: Getty Images Gord Weber Contributors Kayla Keenan Duong Hoang Ashley Arbour Janelle Durocher Alex Feeney Kyle Dupont Brian Morton Kevin Brackstone Neil Jeffrey Amanda Murphy David Rowan Erin Maxwell Gen Williams Jessica M Kayla S Connor W Tristan A Accounting / Finance Linda Zhang Contact 613-591-6093 info@facesmag.ca @facesottawa www.facesmag.ca

COVER STORY

6 | April 2015

Mark Stone

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1992, Ottawa’s Mark Stone has quickly become a dominant forward for the Senators. Having played in the WHL for 4 years and then the AHL for only 2 years, Stone has quickly made the jump to the big leagues and has become one of the best performing rookie players in the NHL. With 8 points in 19 games in the 2013-2014 season and 33 points in the 2014-2015 season so far, Mark is one of the highest-potential rookies in Senators history. One thing is for certain – Mark Stone has earned his place here in Ottawa.

FACES Magazine had a chance to catch up with the Senators rookie to discuss life in Winnipeg, his experiences in the WHL and AHL, his passion for hockey and his thoughts on being part of the Ottawa Senators NHL hockey team.

How was life growing up in Winnipeg? Did you enjoy high school?

Yeah I only went to high school there for two years in Brandon. I still have a lot of childhood friends there so I love going back to see them and hang out with them in the summers.

As a kid, what were some of your favourite hobbies?

I started playing video games at a young age and then golf took over my life in the summers, I haven’t looked back since! I started golfing around 10 and it’s been my favourite thing to do in the summer since then.

Who was your favourite hockey player when you were a kid? What about now?

My favourite hockey player was Mats Sundin. I watched him play every Saturday night on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nowadays, I always enjoy watching Crosby play, I just think he’s the best player out there.

You were drafted in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. What was this experience like for you?

I wasn’t even at the draft, I was actually at my cabin more worried as to whether or not I was going to be drafted. The first guy to call me was my agent to tell me that I had been drafted by Ottawa. The first person I talked to after that was Bob Rose, he was the Western Scout for Ottawa so he had called me to congratulate me.

Before joining the NHL, you played in the WHL and the AHL. How did you find the transition from the WHL and AHL into the NHL? Playing Junior was a ton of fun in Brandon. You learn the

Faces Interview with Senators Rising Star

ropes of how to play a 72 game schedule. Turning pro with Binghamton during the lockout was a bit of an eye opener just to see the speed and strength of all the guys. Finally making the jump to the NHL- you realize how tough it is to get to the league and it’s even harder to stay.

In your 2010-2011 hockey season with Brandon, you recorded 106 points and were 3rd in overall WHL scoring.

What was this milestone like for you?

It was pretty cool. In the first two years, I wasn’t much of a scorer. Then in the 3rd year, I really broke out and found ways to score. I think I actually tied Nugent-Hopkins, so that was pretty cool for me to be able to say I was tied for 3rd in the league with “Nuge”.

You scored your first NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens on January 4th, 2014. What was this feeling like for you?

It was incredible. You don’t realize the feeling until it actually happens. You always think you know what you’re going to do and you think you have your celebration planned out but when it went in, I was more shocked than anything. For it to finally go in, you just look at your teammates and kind of scream out of excitement.

Do you have any pre-game rituals that you do before each game? What about on-ice rituals?

I don’t have any pre-game rituals but I do have a lot of bad habits that I do. I nod my head with my helmet; I do a ton of different and weird things on the ice. I’m not sure if they’re

“

You realize how tough it is to get to the league and it’s even harder to stay.

7

| April 2015

COVER STORY

superstitions, they might just be bad habits for me.

Over the years, you have won several awards for your performance in hockey. Is there a certain award that has meant the most to you and why?

I’d have to say being one of the top 3 players at the World Juniors for Canada, that was a pretty cool one for me.

Which player have you become closest with on the Senators?

Why do you think this is?

Cody Ceci. I lived with him, he let me stay at his place all summer.

We had a good bond going and got along well. He’s a laid back guy, so it was fun.

You wear #61 on your jersey. Is there a history or reason behind your number?

I was 16 when I was growing up, but MacArthur is a veteran guy so he wore that one and I just kind of swapped the numbers around.

Growing up, who was your favourite team?

Until I was 4 it was the Jets. The only games we got were Calgary and Toronto in Winnipeg. Those were the two teams I watched the most, so I’d have to say they were my favourite.

Out of all of your 18 goals this season, which goal has meant the most to you and why?

It would have to be the one in Carolina. Turris dangling through the whole team and finding me with his backhand for the overtime winner.

8 | April 2015

What were some of your favourite memories from playing in the WHL? You just generate so many friends. You go to high school with a bunch of guys then you generate bonds with them and on the road. Just being with the guys in Junior, it goes by so quick and I definitely miss it.

Which line do you enjoy playing with the most and why?

The one I’ve been playing on lately has been pretty good, with Kyle and Milan. It’s been going pretty well. They’re easy guys to play with and we’ve been able to score goals on a nightly basis.

When you aren’t playing hockey or practicing, what sorts of things do you like to do with your free time?

I like to relax. I love going downtown and walking through the market, the malls, it’s one of my favourite things to do on off days.

How do you find it is playing in Ottawa? Do you enjoy it?

Yeah it was an adjustment for me moving from Winnipeg to Ottawa. There are a lot of similarities with the weather. The downtown area is incredible, there’s so much to do. With the Canadian Tire Centre, it’s a blast and it’s great playing there with a great group of guys.

but I do have a lot of bad habits

You played only 2 years in the AHL before becoming a fulltime NHL hockey player. Why do you think you were able to adjust to the NHL so quickly?

I had a lot of good mentors on the way. A lot of guys stayed positive with me. I had a lot of guys help me out when I was feeling down, they would always help when I wasn’t feeling the best. Their support was really helpful.

What is your go-to pre-game meal? What about after the games?

I usually have a penne and rose sauce with broccoli, sausage and shrimp with a salad. After the games, we’ve been going to the Bierhaus for a bit to get some food in us with the guys. Napoli’s is my favourite restaurant to go out for a great homemade meal.

“

@MStoner61

I don’t have any pre-game rituals

that I do. I nod my head with my helmet.

”

9

| April 2015

COVER STORY

“

It was incredible. You don’t realize the feeling until it actually happens.

10 | April 2015

FEATURES

Jesse Palmer has gone a long way since his days at St. Pius X High School. The Ottawa native went on to play college Football at the University of Florida, followed by several seasons in the NFL. He also starred in the fifth season of the ABC series, The Bachelor.

After retiring from playing football, Jesse began his broadcasting career.

He has appeared as a colour commentator and analyst for several major American and Canadian networks, including Fox, ABC, ESPN, SEC, CTV, and TSN. He is a correspondent for CTV’s eTalk, covering both sports and entertainment, and has hosted two shows on the Food Network.

Although he now resides in New York, Jesse has maintained his down to earth Canadian roots. He recently spoke with FACES about what it was like growing up in the Capital City, the best parts about working on live television, and gave his input on one of the big questions about the upcoming NFL draft.

JESSE PALMER FORMER NFL QB + TV ANALYST 12 | April 2015

What was it like growing up in Nepean?

I loved growing up in Nepean! I grew up in a little forested neighbourhood called Pine Glen, where a lot of senior citizens lived. There were, however, a handful of families who each had 3 boys (like my family). Needless to say, those kids who were may age became the kids I hung out with most as a young boy. I still brag to people that I’m from the same hometown as Steve Yzerman.

Do you ever get the chance to come back and visit the city now? If so, do you have any go to spots?

I come back about two or three times a year to visit my childhood friends, who I am still very close with today.

I have a place in Montreal, so it’s very easy to just hop on the train. When I’m home I usually just hang out at my buddies’ homes, but more recently we’ve all been hanging at a restaurant called Evoo on Preston St, which my buddy Elias owns. Not only do they serve fantastic Greek food, but I think his lamb chops are the best in Ottawa!

Your father played for the Ottawa Rough Riders, was he your inspiration for getting involved in football?

My dad was definitely my biggest inspiration for playing football, but he didn’t force it upon me. He was always very supportive of my brothers and I, and he promised to help guide us towards whatever we decided we wanted to pursue in our lives, be it is sports or whatever else. In our house growing up, you would have never known that our Dad played in the CFL. There was no memorabilia, jerseys, helmets, pictures or trophies displayed anywhere. Instead, Dad kept all of that tucked away in my parents closet. So when I little, I would sneak into their closet and try on his jerseys, and stare at his pictures on the wall. Those are probably the earliest memories I have of football.

Who were some of your biggest influences growing up?

I would definitely say my parents. They both were tremendous role models for my brothers and I. They taught us valuable lessons such as discipline, hard work, commitment to excellence and teamwork. They instilled in us that if we really wanted to achieve our dreams in life, sometimes we would have to make sacrifices. These were all very valuable lessons for life, both on and off the football field.

“

What was it like going from high school in Ottawa to university in Florida?

The University of Florida was a complete culture shock for me at first. Everything was different from what I was used to growing up in Nepean. The way people spoke, the clothes they wore, the food they ate. Religion was a much bigger part of everyone’s daily lives (being in the South). Football was also religion! People eat, breathe and sleep Gators football in Gainesville, FL. That was a nice surprise for me, because I finally felt like I was in a place where people cared about and loved the game of football as much as I did.

Football wasn’t as big a deal in Canada, where hockey is “king.”

Did you ever run into times where people would give you a hard time about being Canadian?

I used to get teased by my teammates for being Canadian, and I sometimes still do today (laughs). I think I was the first Canadian to ever play at Florida, which I am very proud of. Like most Americans, I am very proud of my country, and I think that got under the skin of some of my friends from time to time. I remember in my first practice as a Gator in the spring of 1997, I one-hopped a pass attempt to a receiver downfield. Our head coach Steve Spurrier immediately said to me: “That doesn’t count down here. It may be legal to bounce the ball to your teammate in Canada, but he has to catch the ball in the air down here in the US”. I still laugh to myself when telling that story.

You have really done a little bit of everything – from playing professional sports, to analyzing them, to starring in reality TV shows and lots in between. What has been your favourite role so far?

I’ve been so lucky to experience so many things up to this point in my career. Everything I’ve done has been so rewarding and fulfilling, yet they were all such different experiences. Realizing my childhood dream (since I was 7 years old) and playing professional football in the NFL was, and has always been the most gratifying experience in my professional life, so I would have to say that was my favourite experience thus far.

PEOPLE EAT, BREATHE AND SLEEP GATORS FOOTBALL IN GAINESVILLE, FL. THAT WAS A NICE SURPRISE FOR ME, BECAUSE I FINALLY FELT LIKE I WAS IN A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CARED ABOUT AND LOVED THE GAME OF FOOTBALL AS MUCH AS I DID.

”

13 | April 2015

FEATURES

You have hosted two shows for the Food Network. Do you have a favourite dish that you like to cook at home?

Believe it or not, I don’t cook very often because I am always traveling! I spend so much time in hotels that I’m never in the kitchen. I am however an incredible “orderer” of food at restaurants, or when using room service.

Do you prefer the work you do on camera or behind the scenes?

I enjoy the thrill of being on live TV. I think former athletes are always searching for something in their post-playing days to simulate the adrenaline of game day, which is really difficult to find. I do take a lot pride in all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, the hours of film study, the interviews, the research and preparation before you step in the booth /studio on game day. They say that “success is when preparation meets opportunity,” and I apply the same work ethic to my broadcasting career as I did when I played in the NFL.

“

What is it like working with the team for ESPN’s Thursday Night College Football?

It’s a really cool experience. When I played at Florida, my teammates and I would always watch the Thursday Night game, because it was a “primetime” game, and the only game on that night.

It was kind of like watching Monday

Are there any interviews that you have done throughout your broadcasting career that really stand out? Any childhood idols that made you nervous, or funny moments?

I interviewed Dan Marino at the Super Bowl a few years back, and needless to say I was nervous the entire time. He was one of my biggest idols growing up.

I had a poster of him in my bedroom and used to wear his jersey to school. Today, I love whenever I interview my former coach Steve Spurrier who is now the head coach at South Carolina. As he’s talking, I always have so many memories running through my mind from when I played for him at Florida.

Winston or Mariota – what are your thoughts?

I think these are two sensational prospects (as evidenced by their Heisman trophies), with tremendous upside, although each has a major question mark entering the draft. In my opinion, Jameis Winston is more prepared and stands a better chance of being successful early in his career on the field because of the pro-style system he ran at FSU, and because of his football IQ (which is off the charts). There are, however, concerns regarding his maturity and leadership, stemming from off the field altercations that plagued him throughout his collegiate career. Marcus Mariotta, meanwhile, enters the NFL

two develop throughout their careers.

What are some of your favourite things to do in your free time?

I love to travel. I try and take between 3 to 4 “vacations” per year during the football off-season. I recently got to spend 10 days in Brazil with my youngest brother Christian during Carnival, which was incredible! I also enjoy weight lifting and running year round, which is a necessary evil considering my passion for food. I love eating.

If you had never got involved in sports, what do you think you would be doing now?

That’s a great question that I ask myself a lot. Ever since I was a kid, my dream was to play QB in the NFL, and I never had a Plan B. Once I got to university, I knew I needed to have a backup plan, so I got two separate degrees - one in Marketing and one in Political Science, just in case football didn’t work out. My thought process was that maybe I could become an ambassador to Canada. I like to think that I would’ve been positioned in Paris or Rome. Wishful thinking, I know…

What is one thing that most people would be surprised to learn about you?

A lot of Americans are shocked that A) I’m not American and B) I speak French and a little bit of German. I was also

EVER SINCE I WAS A KID, MY DREAM WAS TO PLAY QB IN THE NFL, AND I NEVER HAD A PLAN B. Night Football in the NFL. Over the past 7 years I’ve been lucky enough to work with so many talented broadcasters on the Thursday crew, such as Chris Fowler, Craig James, Erin Andrews, Rece Davis and David Pollack. Just this past season I joined the legendary Brent Musburger in the booth for the SEC Network’s primetime game every Saturday, which has also been an unbelievable experience.

14 | April 2015

without any off the field drama, and demonstrates rare athleticism for the QB position. Many, however, believe he is a “product of the system” with respect to the up-tempo spread offense that Oregon runs. Therefore, there are concerns whether or not his game can translate to the pros. The QB position is one of the most difficult to evaluate in all of pro sports, so it’ll be exciting to see these

10.7 lbs when I was born and the doctor almost dropped me, which probably explains a lot…

Instagram: jessejamesqb3

”

FEATURES

From playing in an incubus cover band to becoming one of the best country music artists out there, Dustin Lynch has earned himself a seat among the top country artists in today’s world.

Born in Tullahoma, Tennessee, Dustin decided to move to Nashville to pursue a career in the country music world, just as he always wanted to do. From playing at small clubs to playing in front of hundreds of thousands of people around the world, Dustin has certainly made it in the country music world, especially with some of his hit singles such as “Cowboys and Angels”, “Where It’s At” and the list goes on! Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel, performing at country music award shows/festivals, being heralded as one of Country music’s Sexiest Men of 2014 in People Country, US Weekly and Closer Weekly, Dustin continues to keep his fans happy.

FACES had a chance to chat with Dustin to reflect on life growing up in Tullahoma and Nashville, his passion for country music, the making of his songs as well as his thoughts on coming to Ottawa to perform with Randy Houser and Luke Bryan at the Canadian Tire Centre on May 2nd, 2015.

You were born and raised in Tullahoma, Tennessee. What was high school like?

Were you part of any school teams or groups?

I grew up in Tullahoma, Tennesee which is about 1.5 hours South of Nashville. I always wanted to play football but I was never big enough, I was fast- but never big enough. I fell in love with playing golf early on; I was actually on the golf team. I took that career with me to college and I got a full scholarship in college playing golf.

As a kid, what were some of your favourite things to do?

I loved anything outdoors, it’s still the same. Anything outside, whether it’s riding motorcross, hunting, fishing, anywhere on a river, surfing, it’s just about being outside and being active. I get to travel a lot so I’ve started taking up surfing!

Who was your favourite country artist when you were a kid? What about now?

It’s a tie between Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and George Strait. Those were the guys that really got me into loving country music. Alabama was great too. I’m a huge fan of the current country music artists, but I still like to go back to older music too.

I think music inspires people to do things, and for me, it was to go to Nashville and start writing music.

You eventually moved to Nashville to attend college. What program were you enrolled in? Did you enjoy it?

Yeah I went to Lipscomb University and my goal of going to college in Nashville was to immerse myself in the country music world.

I didn’t know anybody that had done it and I had no friends in Nashville, it was just me.

I had to figure it out on my own. I studied biology and chemistry. When I wasn’t studying, I was out on the streets trying to do the whole “music” thing.

You first started performing at a place called Bluebird Café. What was this experience like for you?

Yeah the Bluebird Café is still the same spot it always was. My heroes used to sing up there, Garth Brooks sang up there, so I went there and learned very quickly.

Listening to the hit song writers tell their stories on how their songs inspired them and how they went about writing them – it’s something I like to soak in and go back to and practise. It definitely takes practise and I’m still practising.

Was country music always your favourite genre of music? Aside from country, are there any other genres that you also enjoy listening to?

Country music has always been my favourite genre. My first band I was ever in was an Incubus cover band. We covered mainly Incubus, and a few other bands. The only guys that played drums and guitar in my hometown didn’t like country. So that’s what we liked to play. We were teenagers, so we liked to rebel a little bit and listen to rock music. That was my first band, but I always knew country music was my following and I wanted to pursue it.

“We were teenagers, so we liked to rebel a little band, but I always knew country music was my following and I wanted to pursue it.”

16 | April 2015

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FEATURES

When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career as a country music artist?

Were your family and friends supportive right from the start?

It started early on; I can actually remember dressing up like Garth and running around the house with a little guitar and a cassette recorder. It’s just always been there and it’s always something I wanted to do. It’s one of those things that seemed impossible to achieve.

There were some questioning moments from my parents, they asked me if I was sure this is what I wanted to change, etc., but they’ve been very supportive and they’re still my biggest fans ever.

They provided an opportunity for me to dream like that and make me believe it was possible to go after it.

In 2011, Justin Moore’s manager discovered you, which eventually led to a management contract with L3 Entertainment, a publishing deal with Super 98/The Song Factory, as well as a record deal with Broken Bow Records.

Tell us a little bit about this experience for you.

That was a prayer answered. He actually came across my songs on Myspace. I had a few songs I had written up on there and he liked what he heard. I was playing at his house, and a few weeks later we had a record label and played for them. It all happened so fast. It went from a guy playing for wedding receptions and frat parties all over the East and having a day job, to having a salary to write songs for a living – it was mind-blowing for me that I had finally made it and was making a living writing music.

Hopefully they let me do it for a while!

A lot of people describe your music as being similar to George Strait’s, but with a modern element. If you had to compare yourself to another country musician, would it be George Strait or is there another artist you think that is more similar to you?

I don’t think I’m worthy of that comparison, but I am very flattered! I really worked hard at getting that fit, trying to keep traditional influences with our new twist of contemporary music that we’re doing. We can do both and live in the modern world with the more kind of rock-influenced music, but we can also pull off some throwback stuff. It’s fun. It keeps the album interesting and keeps people guessing.

It’s always nice to do both.

In 2012, “Cowboys and Angels” was released and quickly became a hit, making it to one of Billboard’s Top 5 Country Songs of 2012.

How did it feel to see your song become so popular? Were you surprised with the response that the song received or did kind of know it would be a hit?

Yeah I knew it was a good song. To have that on the radio, it was super cool. It was tough though. To be the first single, and to be a very traditional sounding song, in this day and age on the radio it’s always going to be a battle. People

18 | April 2015

started reacting and relating to the song, people that I didn’t know all over the world.

They started reacting to it just like my friends and family did who had heard the song 3 years prior. We had played it a lot and I knew people liked it and requested it, so I knew it had some sort of impact on people. It was shocking and mind-blowing to hear the stories and see how it affects people. It’s amazing what a song and music can do to people’s lives, and even to my life. We’re having fun watching all of that go down!

You’ve made appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, CBS This Morning, FOX & Friend’s All American Summer Concert Series, and MTV’s Best of 2012 Concert. Out of all of these, which were you most nervous for? Which did you enjoy the most?

Live TV is really nerve-wracking because most of the time you’re not even using most of the equipment you’re used to. It’s usually theirs or something that they brought in for you and there’s not a whole lot of time. It’s hop on stage, ready and go! There you are for the whole world to see. Jimmy Kimmel was such a blast, because the back stage was so much fun.

It’s very laid back. There’s a bar, and it’s super relaxed. Then you hop out and play for what’s pretty much just like a club until about 5pm.

Then you go down the street and get a couple patios on the table and whenever it aired, we’d get to watch it together. It’s nice to be able to celebrate it afterwards!

Out of all of the places you’ve travelled to for concerts, which destination did you enjoy the most and why?

For me, it’s the places that I never would have dreamed I’d go to. Growing up in Tennessee, I never really got to travel to anywhere outside of a handful of states that I could drive to.

So when I hopped in an airplane and went west to the desert and California, the Pacific Northwest, it was amazing. I’ve not yet been to Canada, so I’m excited to see what that brings.

I loved the Pacific Northwest, the climate out there on the West Coast is just mind-blowing to me, and it’s something I’m not used to. So I would say that’s been the coolest destination to me, just because it’s been the most bizarre and the most different culturally.

In 2013, you had the opportunity to perform at the 2013 CMT Music Awards. Tell us a little bit about that experience?

These awards shows are so much fun. As a country music fan, you grow up watching them.

Now, to be able to pop out and walk the carpet and have music to talk about to all these reporters then hop on stage and perform in front of fans and the whole world on TV is crazy! That goes for all of the concerts I’ve been a part of, they’re all a dream come true and it’s a really good feeling!

What is your favourite type of pickup truck?

Favourite type of beer?

Well, I’m not required to say this, but Chevrolet gives me a new truck each year actually! So my favourite truck would be a Chevy for sure!

My favourite type of beer changes a lot. I love local brews. Because I travel so much, I get to try a lot of different local brews from different microbrewers. We like to sample the local beer.

I really like Miller High Life beer, not a lot of people drink it down here in the States though.

Do you have any pre-performance rituals that you do before your concerts?

I have to have fresh breath; I’m always brushing my teeth. I check my fly on my pants about 10 times before I walk out there because that would so very embarrassing. I have this OCD thing so I have to check.

Your newest hit, “That’s Where It’s At” has also been a great success and has become increasingly popular. Tell us a little bit about the making of this song?

“Where It’s At” is a song that really came in on the very front end of my writing and findings for songs for my second album. I liked it a lot at first. I had it for so long, but it really wouldn’t go away. Finally, I realized I hadn’t gotten tired of the song, let’s go in and see if we can make it into something bigger and better. We walked in the studio and it was one of those magical moments that happens every now and then in the studio where the musicians just start playing parts and you think “Wow, this is sounding like a special song.” Those guitar parts came together instantly just like they do on the air. We knew we had something and I started thinking that the song felt like a huge summertime single. It was a song that we liked, but we weren’t looking at like it was a single. Then it became the first single and started the album. It’s amazing whatever fairy dust is thrown on the song in the studio can completely change your train of

time coming to Canada and I know our music has been up there playing a lot, we just haven’t had the opportunity to get up there and play shows, so I’m really excited to get up there and play our show for the first time. I’m excited to see who shows up early to see us, hopefully a lot of people! Me being the new guy out there, I’m excited and we’ll see what happens! The goal is to get out there and make a lot of new fans and have a good old time. I like going first because it gives me time to get backstage and mix a drink and enjoy myself too!

When you aren’t working, what sorts of things do you like to do with your free time?

It goes back to being outdoors. It depends on what the hunting season is. I like to be on the lake fishing or in the woods hunting deer, turkey or ducks, geese, whatever I can hunt. That’s my reset button. Being with family and friends, going home to see my Mom and Dad, niece and nephew, that is really the great way to relax and have that foundation of real life- just take it back to the hometown for a few days!

Have you ever been to Ottawa before? Are there any specific places that you’d like to visit when you come?

I have a few friends in Vancouver and I’ve met people from Northern Ontario, but Ottawa is an unknown world to me and I’m excited to explore it! I hear the hunting and fishing is great so I could definitely make some friends up there in that world.

For all of the other people in the world who are working to become a famous country artist, what advice would you give to them?

My advice for people getting started; you need to learn how to write songs. Don’t sign any contract whatsoever until you’re in Nashville, Tennessee with one of the major record labels and a major publishing company. There’s a lot of publishing companies with great people, but

twist of contemporary music that we’re doing. ” thought and how it’s presented to the world.

On May 2nd, you will be coming to Ottawa to perform with Randy Houser and Luke Bryan.

Are you excited for this concert? Have you become good friends with Randy and Luke?

Yeah we’re great friends. It’s such a fun tour because we were good buddies and we like to hangout. Even if this tour wasn’t happening, we’d still be hanging out together. We’re having a blast making music. For me, this is my first

they can’t always get the job done at the level you want it to be done. They could tie you down contractually and put you in the hole. I would say call DMI, ASCAP, or Seasack in Nashville.

They have a whole team that’s there to deal with young artists and young writers and they’ll steer you in the right direction, not the wrong direction. It took me about six years to figure that out, so that’ll save you six years. @dustinlynch

19 | April 2015

FEATURES

Billy Boyd

Star of “Lord of the Rings” Born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1968, Billy Boyd has come a long way! After the loss of both of his parents, Billy began to follow his passions for both singing and acting. He played music with his friends and performed in several school plays. After leaving his job as a book binder (where he actually bound and printed the book for The Lord of the Rings), Billy applied for The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where he was quickly accepted. He

20 | April 2015

continued doing plays in Scotland until he received word that he was offered the part of Pippin in the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001). He is also well known for his roles as Barret in Master and Commander (2003), and Glen in Seed of Chucky (2004). In 2014, he co-wrote and performed the song “The Last Goodbye” in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.

Currently, Billy is in a Scottish band called Beefcake, whose newest album, The World

of Things, will be released in May 2015.

FACES had a chance to catch up with Billy Boyd to discuss his journey throughout The Lord of the Rings films, his passion for music and acting, the different experiences he’s had so far in his career, future projects and his thoughts on the Ottawa Comiccon event, in which he will be making an appearance.

You were born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1968. What high school did you attend?

Were you part of any school groups or teams?

Nice. I went to school at a place called Cranhill, which was a housing estate in Glasgow.

They started it in the 60’s. They became a rough place because kids had nothing to do, they didn’t build any community buildings.

In high school, I swam on the school team, I was a good swimmer. One of the guys I swam with was Billy Johnson and we started a band together. Billy and I still play in a band today, so I’ve known Billy, also known as “BJ” in the band, since we were 14 years old. I was the better swimmer!

What was your favourite part about growing up in Scotland?

There were a few things. My son named Jack was always keen to go camping; we had never gone camping together yet. I remember, as a boy, going camping with my friends because we lived very close to good camping sites.

Even when I’m in Scotland now, my place is about 45 minutes drive from where we camp.

It felt like we were right in the middle of the wilderness, with whales, your friends, camping and swimming, it was pretty amazing. That and music both stuck in my head.

As a child, what were some of your favourite activities and hobbies?

The only sport we really did was football; I was talking to an American father about that.

The kids that play soccer in America are just as good as anyone else in the world until they get to 14 years old, but they can’t quite get that jump to play with the European teams.

I think part of that is that there is so much choice of sports in the US. You start with soccer then go into baseball, hockey, and football.

Growing up in Scotland, you only play football.

My memories with my friends are coming home from school and playing soccer for 4

hours, then go to bed. We would do the same thing day after day!

Was becoming a famous actor always a dream job for you? When did you first realize that you had a passion for acting?

That’s a good question actually! When I left primary school, I started acting in school plays. My teacher thought I was good at it and she told my parents I should try to join some clubs. I started acting in more plays.

You wouldn’t tell anyone that you wanted to be an actor, so I had this sort of secret life of wanting to be an actor. It wasn’t until I left school and started working. I worked for 7 years and realized I wanted to become an actor, so I went to drama school.

As a child, who was your favourite actor?

What about your favourite singer?

I watched all the American movies. I remember there was a moment that I went to the cinema to see Gregory’s Girl. It is a wonderful by a filmmaker called Bill Forsyth, great Scottish filmmaker. It was about a football team and a girl joins it, then the goalkeeper falls in love with her. It was great. I remember thinking that there are great movies about Scotland, not just American high schools and The Breakfast Club. When I watched Bill’s movie, I remember feeling great knowing that it was such a great Scottish movie. My favourite actor was Robert De Niro. He was such an incredible actor. My favourite musician was Neil Otten and Joy Division. I also liked Adam and the Ants. There was a Scottish underground music scene that broke out a little bit. I loved bands like Teenage Fan Club, the Suit Dragons, and BMX Bandits. They were all bands that I used to do plays with at the Dolphin Arts Centre, so that was pretty neat.

You had your first taste of acting when you were 10 years old and you were part of your school’s production of Oliver

Twist. Which character did you play in the production? What was this experience like for you?

I was the artful dodger. I loved the experience. We found out after I was cast that the play was going to be on when we were on a family holiday at a place 2 hours away. My parents said they would drive me up and I would do the part of the dodger. That support really stuck with me. It’s the kind of family support that you look for.

After leaving school at 17 years old, you worked at the bookbinders for 6 years, which was actually where the Lord of the Rings trilogy was printed and bound. What was that job like for you?

It was kind of fun. It has a sort of scene where everyone would always play jokes on each other. I really have to write a movie about it at some point. I kind of enjoyed it, but it was repetitive. I remember saying “Wow, I can’t believe I have to do that again.” The people there were great, I had a lot of fun.

Some of the guys that taught me how to do it have retired lately, so I’ve gone to see them at their retirement parties. It’s great!

You attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Tell us a little bit about what this experience was like for you?

It was everything that I had hoped I was going to do. When I was 17, and an apprentice doing the same job, to be able to go and learn about these great poets and writers - it was a great experience for me! I still love to support the academy. Actually, in a couple of weeks, some of the students are going to New York to showcase some talent, so I’m going to go up there and try and support them. I think it’s a great thing that they’re trying to get more kids that aren’t as fortunate to go to the academy and give them a chance for life in the arts industry and provide them with proper

“You wouldn’t tell anyone that you wanted to be an actor, so I had this sort of secret life of wanting to be an actor.”

FEATURES

education. I’m a big supporter of that.

You received a call from your agent about auditioning for The Lord of the Rings movies, which you thought was a long shot. 2 months later, you found out that Peter Jackson was coming to London to meet and audition you in person. What was it like for you to hear that Peter Jackson was going to see you in person for the audition?

It was really cool. He was meeting a few people for each part actually. We knew at that point that it was narrowed down from everybody to just 4 people for each part. It was really exciting and I had a lot of fun. That’s the great thing about Peter, it’s great fun and it helps you remember what art should be. Plays are called plays for a reason, and that’s what it felt like making those movies. It was a lot of fun and people were allowed to be creative, It was wonderful.

During the middle of a show rehearsal, you received a call from your agent and you were offered the part of Pippin for The Lord of the Rings. Tell us a little bit about what this was like for you?

I worked in a place that was a new writing centre for plays at the time. It was similar to Hamlet. I had just got a mobile phone and I came out at lunch to try my new phone and saw that I had a message from my agent that

said, “Give me a call when you get a second.” I called her and she said, “Guess who’s going to New Zealand for 2 years?” It was great.

What were some of your favourite memories from shooting these movies? What was it like filming multiple movies at once?

The memories are so huge, especially since it was over a 4 year period of going to the most beautiful places in the world. We would take helicopters to places that were so nice and environmentally protected that they were actually places that humans were not allowed to visit.

Nobody had been there, we felt like the first people that had been there since the dinosaurs!

It was such a privilege. Most of it was just thinking about the nature that we saw. It felt real. It felt like we were the fellowship marching across Mother Earth. It was exciting!

Do you have any pre-performance rituals that you do before stepping in front of the cameras for each scene?

Different movies have different things. I sometimes like to use music. A lot of the time I’ll have headphones with me and use music to get me in the mood. With Pippin, I liked to have a scarf nearby because I always felt a little homesick from the Shire. The scarf helped me remind myself of that.

You are an extremely talented singer with

incredible soundtracks that have played throughout The Lord of the Rings series, as well as The Hobbit. Have you always had a passion for singing ? If so, who was it that inspired you to sing?

I think I always have. I played in bands with BJ since I was 14. My Dad was a singer in Glasgow, but he did actually go to America, to Detroit, to be a club singer. I like lyrical singers, singers who sing about things. John Lennon was a big hero. Lou Reed, I was lucky enough to see him live a few times.

Throughout the years of working on set for The Lord of the Rings, what was it like for you to work with Peter Jackson? Was he always supportive?

He must have been so tired with these huge films. Every day, he would check everything for the film from the day before. He was up until 3am and starting again at 6am, he must have been so tired! The great thing about Pete was that he would have a complete image of the film before he started. However, he’s totally open to the artists, whether it’s actors, art designers, etc., he would be totally open to set up a short meeting with us to collect ideas for the movies.

He would be totally open to our ideas. Most directors want it their way only, but Pete was totally open to new ideas, which made it really exciting!

“

My Dad was a singer in club singer. I like lyrical

22 | April 2015

Out of the three “The Lord of the Rings” movies, which would you say was your most preferred movie to be a part of? Who did you become closest friends with?

I really loved the third one. For me and for Pippin, that’s when he finds his place in the story and what part he has to play. I’m closest with Dominic Monaghan. We were so lucky to play Merry and Pippin. We’re so alike and I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who makes me laugh that much. I was actually at dinner with him last night and it was just great, thinking about how we were so lucky. Another great thing about Pete is that he is able to see things in people and characters. It felt natural playing Merry and Pippin together.

All of the actors in the Fellowship actually got matching tattoos. Whose idea was this and how did it come about?

From what I remember, we were all trying to think of a way of remembering everything because it was such a huge part of our lives, so we wanted to do something. I think it was Viggo and Dom together who came up with the idea of getting tattoos. It seemed like a permanent way of saying, “I remember this.” We went to a famous tattoo artist in Wellington who was getting near the end of his career. He was never open on Sundays and it was the only day we had off. So, he opened it up on a Sunday for us and we spent the day in his tattoo parlor. I was the

first one to get the tattoo.

What was the experience like for you going to Con? What question do you get asked most often?

I really liked Con and I feel like over the years it’s changed a bit. The first time I went to the convention, it felt much more underground and more guys. Now it feels like everyone goes for a day out with their families. It feels more like a carnival event now whereas it used to feel more serious. It’s so much fun and there’s such a positive energy there. As for the most common question, I always get asked “What was your favourite moment?”

You have said before that you are very proud of where you come from and where you grew up. What is it about Scotland that you enjoy so much? How has growing up there helped you become who you are today?

There’s something very real about Scotland.

You see it in the music, the poetry, the comedy.

There’s a joy for life and whether that joy is laughing at things that have gone wrong and acknowledging that. There’s something very real about Scotland that I like. I like truth and honesty; I think Scotland has that in abundance.

Because it’s a small place, it’s easy to get to what feels like the wilderness. You can be up on a mountain in a couple of hours, you can be on a beach, you be in a huge city and hear some

of the most beautiful music in the world. The people are just so fun here.

What are your current passions in life? Are there any future projects that you’re working on?

Yeah! I’m really into working. I get ups and downs with what I like to do. I’m really just working to write music and acting, stuff like that. I just finished an album with Beecake and it’s going to be released near the end of May, I’m really excited about that! I feel like it`s the best music we’ve made and we’ll definitely be going to tour with that album and do more promotion than we usually do. There are a few projects, one with Dom Monaghan. We have a TV and a movie project. I was actually up in Canada doing an episode of Motive with Charles Martin Smith. We put an episode together in Vancouver. Charles was great, I love Charles Martin Smith. He’s lived there for years so he was showing me around too.

You will be making an appearance at the Ottawa Comiccon event from May 8th-10th.

Have you ever been to Ottawa before and are you excited for the event?

Yeah, going to the Capital at last! I’ve been all over, but excited to be getting to Ottawa, it’ll be great fun! @BillyBoydActor

Glasgow, but he did actually go to America, to Detroit, to be a singers, singers who sing about things. John Lennon was a big hero.

23 | April 2015

FEATURES

Sophie Moroz How has the experience been so far, working with this new station?

Working for Bell Media has been an incredible experience. No expense is spared to make sure our listeners get the best country music experience, both on and off the air.

We’ve got some very exciting concert and trip giveaways coming up and I love being a part of that.

What do you like most about country music?

Country music is fun and relatable. There’s no better way to get over a bad breakup than listening to a good country song, there’s also no better way to get ready for a night out than blaring some Miranda Lambert.

Which summer concerts are you most looking forward to this year?

We have some huge country music acts coming to Bluesfest, that’s one I’m really excited about (I’m a huge Keith Urban fan) and of course Boots & Hearts is one music festival that cannot be beat!

What is the #1 song on your most played list right now?

I’m all about Thomas Rhett right now. His music is so catchy and upbeat. Just love him.

He’s really growing on me. Loving his new song “Crash and Burn”.

24 | April 2015

What is your favourite thing about working with Ryan Lindsay?

My favourite thing about working with Ryan? He never has a bad day. No matter what he’s always smiling. How could you not love working with someone like that? Also he does the best impression of just about anyone. His Luke Bryan is spot on.

If you were not a radio broadcaster, what do you think you would be doing?

I would be an aerobics instructor. I’m crazy like that.

What advice would you give to young people looking to get into radio broadcasting today?

Do not get discouraged – ever. It’s a long road to success and it can take a while but the great thing about this industry is that hard work is truly rewarded. Someone WILL notice and when they do…you’ll be ready.

What is one thing that most people would be surprised to learn about you?

I think most people don’t know that I’m addicted to documentaries. I’m a huge history nerd. Love anything that dives into our past.

I suck at Jeopardy though.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

5 years? That’s a long way’s away…next question. @sophiemoroz

Ottawa’s New Country 94

How did you get involved with Ottawa’s New Country 94?

They called me and I came running. I love country music!

Ryan Lind How did you first get into radio broadcasting?

Honestly, I’ve always kind of leaned toward this business. I won a contest when I was very young, and got to pop in for a tour of a station in town, and fell in love with it when I realized the guy doing the show was getting paid to “be an idiot.” Mom always said, “do what you’re good at.”

Have you always been a big fan of country music?

It’s always been around in my life. I really enjoy the direction the music has been heading toward recently, and there are no fans like country music fans, anywhere! Go to a country concert if you’ve never been… it’s an experience all on its own. The fans know every word to every song, and everyone has an ear-to-ear smile the ENTIRE show. It’s electric.

Who were some of the musicians that influenced you the most growing up?

My influences are really all over the map, thanks to a pretty stellar education in music from my parents when I was growing up. The list, however, would be way too long. They taught me to appreciate music for what it is, and encouraged me to not only find my own music to love, but learn several instruments as well. Heck, I ended up having to choose radio or playing with my bands, at one point. Radio won out by a

dsay hair, because it actually paid the bills.

What was the most memorable concert that you have attended, and why?

The very first EDGEFEST lineup that rolled through town. The lineup was incredible, and the energy across the crowd all day was amazing.

Who is the one country music artist that you would like to interview the most?

Carrie Underwood… solely to demand a return of Mike Fisher to Ottawa. (In exchange, we’ll give her a late draft pick and future considerations).

What are your favourite things to do in your spare time?

Playing “tractors” with my son. I play a little guitar and try to remember a time when I could actually sing. Also I like to cook and I’ve been playing ball hockey with the same guys since I was 15.

What is the best part about working at Ottawa’s New Country 94?

The music really makes it easy to wake up and have a blast every morning! Being home is huge, too.

Having popped around the country quite a bit for this business, it’s been amazing to be home in a familiar place with familiar faces and family all around.

How does this station set itself apart from other radio stations?

Aside from the fact that we’re playing the hottest format in North America right now we don’t pretend to be something we’re not. What you hear on the air from any of us is exactly what you get from us – day in, day out. I’m not “playing a character” on air; I’m me and Sophie is Sophie. They let us be us. That’s something hard to explain, really, but it’s something that sets us apart.

Tell us something that we probably wouldn’t know about Sophie Moroz.

She does “the Elaine” perfectly!

Seinfeld fans: find her, and ask her to do it. It’s uncanny. She also gets really huffy if you make fun of cauliflower, and belts out anything Randy Houser so loud that I have to leave the studio.

What is it like when you two work together?

It’s a blast, really. We’re kind of that brother/sister combo you went to school with that were in different grades, but hung with the same people. Alike in some small ways, but different enough to make it fun! @THEryanlindsay

ENTERTAINMENT

WORLD NEWS

FACES TIME CAPSULE

Tens of thousands of Chinese students rally in Tiananmen Square

The fall of the Berlin Wall

École Polytechnique Massacre

The Dalai Lama (Tibet) wins Nobel Peace Prize

POPULATION : 5,190,000,000 MUSIC

MOVIES

Record of the Year & Song of the Year

Album of the Year

Academy Award for Best Picture

Don’t Worry Be Happy Bobby McFerrin

Faith George Michael

Rain Man

Cops

Seinfeld

The Simpsons

Baywatch

SPORTS

SINGLES ALBUMS

TV

My Prerogative Bobby Brown

Straight Up Paula Abdul

Like a Prayer Madonna

The Little Mermaid

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Hangin’ Tough New Kids On The Block

Garth Brooks Garth Brooks

Girl You Know It’s True Milli Vanilli

Batman

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

26 | April 2015

Super Bowl Stanley Cup San Francisco Calgary Flames 49ers

World Series NBA Oakland Champions Athletics Detroit Pistons

Ottawa in 1989

George H. W. Bush US President

WEATHER

CANADA NEWS

Hottest Day in Ottawa: JULY 24TH

34

째C

Coldest Day in Ottawa: DECEMBER 27TH

- 29

째C

The last day of the snow season with snow reported on the ground was April 2nd

Brian Mulroney Prime Minister of Canada

POPULATION : 27,380,000

FASHION ICONS

BEST SELLERS

BIRTH

comingsoon.net

Car Honda Accord

Dakota Johnson

DEATH

findagrave.com

Lucille Ball

pophistorydig.com

Debbie Gibson

billboard.com

Madonna

Taylor Swift Toys Game Boy

Book Clear and Present Danger Tom Clancy

MARRIAGES

flavorwire.com

Chris Brown

popsugar.com.au

Janet Jackson

accessatlanta.com

Cyndi Lauper

boxingjunkies.com

Sugar Ray Robinson

famousfix.com

likes.com

Dorothea Hurley & Jon Bon Jovi

Michael Jordan & Juanita Vanoy

empireonline.com

Daniel Radcliffe

fanpop.com

Bette Davis

foxnews.com

Ted Bundy

27 | April 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas With Mother’s Day around the corner, these gift ideas are sure to impress the most important woman in your life.

David’s Tea, The Spring Collection

$27.50 The perfect gift for every tea lover.

Flowers Brighten up her day with a beautiful arrangement from a local flower shop, like Ottawa Flowers.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed The book that inspired the film is an emotional, funny and inspiring story about how much one woman can overcome.

Wine Club Membership Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

There are tons of great wineries in Ontario to choose from, and you can have a different selection of wines delivered to her doorstep every month.

$128 This light and floral scent is perfect for spring.

A Day At The Spa A classic. Every mother deserves a relaxing day off, where someone else takes care of her.

28 | April 2015

1 2 3 4

9

Facts on the Bunny

5

More than half of the world’s rabbits live in North America.

6

Although most people think rabbits are almost always quiet, they actually communicate vocally to one another quite often, with different types of vocalisations that communicate different messages to each other.

7

Rabbits will often stand on their hind legs to allow themselves to get a better view and see if any predators are nearby.

Rabbits reproduce much quicker than many other animals.

When rabbits are born, they are actually born with their eyes closed and they have no fur on their bodies.

Rabbits have nearly 360 degrees panoramic vision. This enables them to detect predators from all angles and their only blind spot is right in front of their nose.

Rabbits can jump up to 1 metre high and 3 metres long.

This is because they have very strong hind limbs.

8 9

When a rabbit sees a predator, they will thump their hind legs to alert the other rabbits that the threat is nearby.

Rabbits have been recognised as symbols of fertility and rebirth, which is how they get their association with spring and Easter.

April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness and funds in support of autism. It is estimated that 1 in 68 children are identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here are some things you might not know about autism.

1

Autism is more common in boys (1 in 42) than girls (1 in 189).

3

2

4

No one is sure what causes autism, but it is considered a genetically based condition.

It is possible to detect autism in infants as early as 6 months old.

There is no cure for autism, but there are behavioural therapies that are proven effective.

5

Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.

7

6

8

The rate of autism has steadily grown over the last 20 years.

Despite it’s significant growth and prevalence, autism is severely underfunded.

A 2008 study found that the mortality risk of those with autism is

nearly twice that of the normal population.

9

Children with autism do make progress, but early intervention is key.

10

Autism costs the average family roughly $60,000.00 per year.

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

WHY

?

WHY DO PEOPLE PERFORM PRANKS ON APRIL FOOLS’ DAY? A day of pranks on neighbours and friends has existed since the Roman festival of Hilaria. Different dates between March and April have been cited as the source of what evolved into April Fools’ Day. The first references to a fools’ day goes back to the 1500s and 1600s. Over time, the tradition of making April 1st the official day of pranking stuck.

FEAST OF FOOLS

OTTAWA TULIP FESTIVAL

WHY ARE EGGS ASSOCIATED WITH EASTER? Christians who celebrate Easter believe that Jesus was entombed and resurrected from the dead. Early Christians associated eggs as a symbol of an empty shell that hatches and yields life. The egg represents the tomb from which Jesus resurrected. Originally chicken eggs were painted but the tradition has evolved to plastic and chocolate eggs.

WHY DO PEOPLE SAY THAT APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS? Obviously rain helps flowers grow, but the idiom goes back to the late 1800s. First recorded in 1886, the line begins with March winds and April showers bringing May flowers. However, the origin is from the United Kingdom where April is one of the rainiest months.

This is due to the jet stream moving northwards, which causes strong winds and rain from the Atlantic.

WHY DOES A BUNNY GIVE EGGS AT EASTER? Many Easter traditions are associated with life and rebirth. During spring, rabbits give birth to large litters. German tradition associated the life-giving litters of rabbits with fertility and Easter.

German immigrants to the United States brought the tradition of an egg-delivery bunny and the tradition remains today.

Solid Chocolate Bunnies BEST AND WORST

EASTER CANDY

You can’t crush an entire solid bunny in one sitting, the foil is a pain to peel off and this will stay in your fridge for weeks before you have any desire to consume more chocolate.

Marshmallow Jelly Beans

Great concept, terrible execution. Awful sticky marshmallow wrapped in a coating of bad jelly bean. Oh, what’s that? You don’t like artificial sugar fruit?

Peeps

Do they look cool? Yes. Are they a classic? Yes. Are they more fun to watch in the microwave than eat? Yes.

BEST Mini Eggs

Chocolate, crunch and small. Pour into a bowl with milk and eat like cereal – they’re that good.

Hollow Chocolate Bunnies All the wow factor benefits of a big, solid bunny without the problems.

Creme Eggs

This Easter classic has employed dentists for generations, and now comes in multiple flavours!

WORST

ENTERTAINMENT

THE TOURIST: HOTELS/RESTAURANTS /NIGHTLIFE

WRITTEN BY JOHN DOE

FEATURING:WASHINGTON

D.C.

STAY: THE W HOTEL D.C. -

-

515 15TH STREET NW

EAT:

CHEZ BILLY borhood of Petworth is a favourite amongst foodies and food

3815 GEORGIA AVENUE NW 32 | April 2015

BAR THE GIBSON

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2009 14TH STREET NW

NIGHTCLUB JOSEPHINE LOUNGE

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1008 VERMONT AVENUE NW

MUST SEE THE WHITE HOUSE

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1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW 33 | April 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

THIS IS THE FUTURE OF TECH

MHOX EYE -- bioprinted human eyes for

d

SONY SMARTEYEGLASS -- reality eyewear prototype available for developers next month

34 | April 2015

allow users to

SMARTPHONE DONGLE TEST -- detects HIV & syphilis within minutes via IPhone

n i t s e t a l e th nological design ---tech

SENSOR-POWERED SEATBELTS -- measures heart

ELECTRONIC TATTOO -- monitor brain, heart and

rate to detect sleepy drivers

muscles to help doctors see patient’ health

for safer product transportation

35 | April 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

5 Great Ideas for April Fools Prank

The good old candy worm in the apple prank. If you or your family have apples in a bowl at the house, take a few apples and poke holes in them. Then, place the gummy worms in the holes. It’ll get them every time.

1 Infest your co-worker’s office with fake rats. Buy 20 stuffed rats at the grocery store and put them all over your co-worker’s office.

Cruel, but very entertaining to see them react.

Plant grass seeds in your co-worker’s keyboard.

Within a week or two, grass will start to come out of the keyboard and they’ll have no clue what is going on.

2

Put an air-horn under a Co-worker’s seat and attach it to the main pole in the seat. As soon as they sit down, it’ll make a loud sound and will get them jumping right back out.

If there’s a carton of milk in the fridge, take a container of food colouring and add a few drops.

It will trick everyone who goes to use the milk. It is completely harmless and won’t affect the freshness, just the colour!

3 Grab a bag of Oreos and detach the top. Scrape off the white filling on the inside and replace it with white toothpaste. It’ll get them every time!

The classic two-door prank on your roommates. If you live in an apartment with two bedroom doors facing each other, you have the perfect setting for a great April Fools’ prank. Take a thick piece of string and connect one end of the string to one bedroom door handle and attach the other end of the string to the opposing bedroom door handle.

4 Everyone loves a candy apple, right? Try replacing the actual apple with an onion. They’ll go in thinking it’s a normal candy apple, but they’ll come out with just stinky breath!

This one never gets old.

The whoopee-cushion.

Place a whoopee-cushion on a chair right before a friend of family member is about to sit down. It’ll always get a few laughs out of people!

5

Throw a colleague a surprise balloon party, with extra emphasis on the balloon aspect. Fill their office with hundreds of blown up balloons. If they ask you why, just tell them you wanted to throw them the biggest balloon party ever. It’ll annoy them just enough to make it humorous!

5 Bad Ideas for April Fools Pranks 36 | April 2015

TITANIC REMEMBRANCE DAY April 15th 10 FACTS ABOUT THE TITANIC

1

Observed on April 15th – the day Titanic sunk in the North Atlantic in 1912 – but the ship struck the iceberg on April 14th.

2

A novel called Futility, written in 1898 by Morgan Robertson, chronicled the fictitious story about an unsinkable ship called Titan that struck an iceberg in April and sunk.

3

Titanic was nearly as long as the Empire State building is tall.

4

A first class suite on Titanic cost £870 (over $100,000.00 today)

5

The SS Californian was close to Titanic and may have saved some of the stricken passengers and crew. However, the wireless operator went to bed 10 minutes prior to Titanic hitting the iceberg.

6

53% of passengers and crew could have survived if the lifeboats were full. Only 31% actually survived.

7

The passengers on Titanic were some of the wealthiest in the world. John Jacob Astor IV had an estimated net worth of roughly $85,000,000.00 at the time (over $1.6 billion today).

8

The budget spent on the movie Titanic ($200 million) cost more than the Titanic itself ($7.5 million in 1912 and about $150 million in 1997).

9

Titanic is the only ocean liner to have ever sunk due to an iceberg collision.

10

The chief baker on Titanic “fortified” himself with alcohol and this is accredited to him having survived nearly 2 hours in the cold waters prior to being rescued.

Inst a to s ll a pro et ti m gram mat ch y es and mable our sche temper thermo s atur dule es t tat . o

Replace your air filters freq uently to ensure better efficiency. A cl ean filter allows for smoo ther airflow an d less work for your heatin g and cooling systems.

Saving T y g ips r e En

Unplug small appliances when not in use.

Heavy blinds an d drapes can ke ep the cold air out in the winter and the warm sun in the sum mer.

bath Take a shower instead of a bath. A r. wate hot the s time five t abou uses

Design at don’t u e one day a m se elec tricity. onth where y where Ho ou yo games u use candle st a lights-ou . s and p t lay boa party rd

d undry an ads of la s. lo ll fu Wash rature r tempe use lowe

ž ur fridge Keep yo . y c n ie c mum effi

s that tbulb r than h g i l g e -savin s long nergy ten time e e s o U t st up can la al bulb. m a nor

axifull for m

April 22nd

Earth Day

Reduce t puter, c he brightnes s on yo ell and ur com t use an d redu ablet to incr ce cha e ase the rging f ir requen cy.

SPORTS

Best

es m a n k c i N e i l a o G NHL In honour of Senators goalie Andrew “The Hamburglar” Hammond, we are listing some of the best (and a few of the most unflattering) goalie nicknames from around the NHL over the years.

Jim Carey

tective The Net De

Ed Belfour

Eagle Eddie the

Patrick Roy

ck Saint Patri

Curtis Joseph

nd

Andrew Hammo

Felix Potvin

CuJo

urglar The Hamb

Cat Felix the

Kirk McLean

Dominik Hasek

James Reimer

rk Captain Ki

ator The Domin

Martin Gerber

Johan Hedberg

ber Darth Ger

The Moose

eim Optimus R

Nikolai Khabibulin ll ulin Wa

The B

Andre Racicot

Racicot “Red Light”

39 | April 2015

SPORTS

SPORTS

Arguably Canada’s best golfer, Weir won the Masters in 2003. He also spent 110 weeks in the top-10 world rankings for 4 years.

Brooke Henderson She’s only 17, and she’s local. Brooke Henderson is a promising Canadian golfer who turned in December 2014 and already has 3 pro wins.

40 | April 2015

GREATEST CANADIAN GOLFERS

Mike Weir

The U.S. Masters tournament is one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf. Canada has an impressive history and bright future in golf. Here are some of the greatest Canadian golfers.

George Knudson Tied with Weir with most wins on the PGA Tour, with 8. He’s widely considered one of the purest and most naturally talented Canadian golfers of all time.

Marlene Streit She is the only Canadian member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

This is likely due to her having earned just about every amateur title available to win.

Moe Norman Probably the best ball striker in Canadian, and possibly even all golf, history. He never made in a big splash in the pro circuit, but enjoyed great success at the amateur level.

Sandra Post The first Canadian to be part of the LPGA, Post won a championship in 1968. It took a decade to get back on top, where she remained for quite some time.

Top 5

Cleveland Cavaliers

Golden State Warriors

With Lebron AKA King James making his return to Cleveland, the Cavaliers have had a great second half of the season, having recently won 18 of 22 games towards the end of January. Since January 15th, 2015, the Cavs have held the NBA’s top offense and the 11th best defence. Look out to see what King James will bring to the NBA playoffs.

With the help of both Stephen Curry as well as Klay Thompson, the Warriors have managed to take 1st place in the Western Conference (as of March 1st). The Warriors have the league’s 2nd best offense, with 109.5 points per 100 possessions on the entire year. Moreover, they have allowed only 99.7 points per 100 possessions, which is the league-low in the NBA.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Atlanta Hawks

Memphis Grizzlies

Up until the Trail Blazers acquired guard Arron Afflalo, the team had been struggling. However, since they acquired Arron, the team has bounced back completely. There are very few teams that are able to match up against Portland’s top 6 players, which definitely makes the team a dangerous playoff matchup for any other team in the NBA. They will heavily rely on their top 6 players, as they don’t have much depth besides these top 6 players. Only time will tell what the team can do in the playoffs!

The team held a 10-game lead over the next closest team in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks are one of two teams to rank among the top 5 teams in both defensive and offensive efficiency in the 2014-2015 NBA season. This team has lots of depth. Look out for what they can do in the playoffs!

The Grizzlies have the 2013 defensive player of the year, Marc Gasol, who has been leading the way! They are on pace to have a top-10 defence for the 5th straight season, which has allowed them to be the only team able to make that claim over the span of 5 seasons. The Grizzlies “Big Three”, Gasol, Randolph and Conley have all put up incredible points as of lately. We will have to wait and see what they bring with them to the NBA Playoffs.

Most Dangerous Teams for the 2014-2015 NBA Playoffs

MARDI GRAS

41 | April 2015