Modern Luxuria Vol 37 JUNE 2023

Beauty is

COSMETIC

LASER

PUBLISHED BY MODERN LUXURIA LTD.

FOUNDER

Elsa Amorim

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jelena Bojic

MANAGING EDITOR

Beryl Bacchus

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Brandy Belitsky

COPY EDITOR

Lucie Oosterveld

BRAND AMBASSADOR

Gordana Bosiocic

CONTRIBUTORS

Brandy Belitsky

Mona Rose Butler

Twyla Campbell

Marcia J. Hamm

Steven Hope

Katherine Kingston

Jin Media

Francesca Roznicki

Tom Sedens

Emily Welz

Modern Luxuria is a digital magazine and is published monthly.

For subscription inquiries email: hello@modernluxuria.com

No part of this magazine, including text, photographs, illustrations, advertising layouts or other graphics may be reproduced in any way without the prior written consent of the publisher. Modern Luxuria Magazine is not responsible for loss, damage or any other injury to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork (including but not limited to drawings, photographs, or transparencies) or any unsolicited material. By accepting and publishing advertisements, Modern Luxuria Magazine is in no way endorsing or guaranteeing the quality of service or product with those advertisements.

Thank you

Beryl Bacchus Managing Editor

Beryl Bacchus has had an extensive career with over 20 years in the fashion, events and entertainment worlds. Spending time in Montreal, Toronto and New York, she moved to Edmonton just over a decade ago and is excited to bring her passion for community to Modern Luxuria Magazine and help showcase the talent and vibrancy of Edmonton from a fresh perspective.

Contributors

Twyla Campbell is a freelance writer and food columnist for CBC Radio (Edmonton). She is a seasoned traveler who seeks unique destinations both local and abroad. A proud supporter of Canadian wine and sustainable food producers, Twyla is a regularly sought food panelist and judge for culinary competitions in Canada.

Francesca Roznicki is a creative entrepreneur and busy mom of two boys. Always passionate about interior design, she has worked exclusively within the interior design and home building industry in Edmonton. When she isn't busy shuffling kids to sports practice and writing for her clients, she's scouring the local real estate listings and diving into decor magazines with a piping hot Americano.

Mona Rose Butler, originally from Vancouver, brings with her to Edmonton a background in lifestyle writing within the luxury realm. When not working or training for her next strongman competition, she can be found exploring the restaurants and coffee shops of Edmonton or taking her dog, Pixel, on adventures.

Marcia J. Hamm is a lover of all things wine, but is especially passionate about Italy's native grape varieties. She is a WSET diploma holder, an Italian Wine Scholar and one of only 15 Italian Wine Experts In the world through the Vinitaly international Academy (VIA). Marcia also loves to sing, ride her bicycle, have dinner parties and relax on the patio.

Steven Hope Is an award winning creative, working in commercials and film around the world. He often uses minimalism in his work, allowing the concept to stand alone.

Tom Sedens is a husband, father of 3, lover of pie and a world traveler that has explored over 50 countries. He is an accredited member of AJAC (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada) who loves driving anything, anytime, anywhere.

As we enter the delightful embrace of June, with what feels like an early summer in Edmonton, we couldn’t be more excited to present our latest edition of Modern Luxuria to you. With a blend of events, fashion, profiles of notable Edmontonians, cuisine and more, we have curated a collection of stories to start your summer well.

This month, we talked to another catalyst for change in the community, Rona Fraser, who has spent over two decades at The Nina, working tirelessly to raise awareness and funds to support artists with disabilities.

On the fashion side of things, we hosted our first Fashion In Motion event in partnership with West Edmonton Mall, and we are happy to bring you some of those moments in this edition. The event was a huge success, from the unique venue set in the Drive race track themed as a New York streetscape, to the creative direction curated by Mantra Movmnt. Modern

Editor's Note

Luxuria gratefully collaborated with West Edmonton Mall’s team Ken Christensen, Sarah Ward and Adam Beckett, who managed to create perfect harmony between dance, fashion, and avantgarde spaces. Little Warriors’ founder, Glori Meldrum, shared from her heart about her on-going vision for Little Warriors, as a portion of the proceeds from the Fashion in Motion event are being donated to that worthy cause.

In our cuisine section, you’ll find a story on the extraordinary dining experience at Toast Culture, where they are pushing the boundaries of your standard morning food.

Additionally, we visited a pottery studio, Viva Clay, where artist KJ MacAlister has been developing an arts studio, an educational space and even pottery date night events.

It’s always such a great pleasure for us to unveil these local stories, find the hidden gems, share their inspirations, motivations, and personal journeys with you. And every month, we see that more readers open the magazine, so your support continues to inspire us to deliver new content that reflects and presents the best of what our city has to offer.

We invite you to enjoy the June edition of Modern Luxuria and allow it to be your guide as you explore some new and some familiar places in Edmonton. Here’s to a month filled with great experiences, longer days and shorter nights, warm temperatures, patios and festivals!

Fulfilling Work and Advocacy for Artists with Developmental Disabilities

Putting a spotlight on art and disabilities: Rona Fraser

WORDS BY JELENA BOJIC

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN HOPE

Rona Fraser has had the opportunity to witness the transformative power of artistic expression first-hand over the last two decades. That’s the time she has spent growing and developing various parts of The Nina (Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts). Seeing fresh and unique perspectives the artists bring to The Nina made Rona a real advocate for the cause, keeping her engaged and inspired to contribute to this community for over 20 years.

What is something interesting that happened to you recently?

Let’s start with the fun side of things - I love anything outdoors. I’m a runner and love spending time outside as much as possible. As a family, we spend a lot of time glamping. Just last weekend, we were in Bright Creek and we stayed in a yurt. And before that, we’ve stayed in a geodome, and in tent sticks. We absolutely love glamping; something really fun to do with the family and the dog.

Tell us about your work at The Nina; how long have you been there?

For just over 20 years, in some capacity. After I did my schooling; marketing at NAIT and Arts and Cultural Management at MacEwan, I was working with an event management company and then started my own. The Nina hired me to do their grand opening for the centre, which was over 20 years ago! And I’ve taken on many different roles at the organization over the years, I just love it so much. I’ve just stepped down from the Executive Director position, so I can focus more on the fundraising side of things. I love my time here and don’t think that I can ever not be involved in some capacity with the centre.

It is so interesting that you spent so many years with The Nina, and watched it grow and become a recognizable name in the community. How does that feel?

That is so wonderful to hear! That’s been a big part of what we do – raising awareness, and it’s a big part of our mission, going out there and changing perceptions about who can be an artist, and what somebody with developmental disabilities can do. The fact that our name is getting out there and people are putting it together that the level of talent, skills and qualities is so high, that is such an important achievement for us. I’ve done many different roles here but the development role is obviously my favourite and that’s what I want to do; create partnerships and strategies to move forward, especially with some of our long-term funding challenges. We have a long waiting list now, over 100 people, and we are looking at how to accommodate all of them. So many people want to come and create, we just need to make capacity for them.

What do you find most rewarding about working in the fundraising arena?

I don’t really look at it as asking for money, but I focus on creating partnerships. That’s what really makes a difference, finding something that’s of value to both sides. Things like our patron program where you get to become involved, have lunch with the artist, and get to know them. It’s a winwin, and as a donor, you’re giving just as much as you’re getting. It’s easy to show our donors the impact of their support – they come in and see the work that’s being done and it’s such a feel-good environment. You can’t be in a bad mood when you go to The Nina!

Favourite things about Edmonton?

For sure it’s the people, the festivals, and the community. It’s an incredibly supportive community. Over the years, with my events management company, we’ve done a lot of festivals and large scale fundraisers, and the way this city comes together and supports different causes is incredible. We are not scared of anything… My daughter went travelling through Europe for a month and she spent most of her time with Albertans. They were the ones doing all the fun stuff, jumping into the water, scuba diving; we have this special sense of adventure. And of course, our gorgeous river valley has to be mentioned.

What’s your favourite spot you like to visit often?

Beaumaris Lake. It’s in north Edmonton and so beautiful, one of the city’s best kept secrets. It’s a special little spot, the lake is gorgeous, and it always has pelicans, wild life, and it’s right in the city! It’s about a 3-4 kilometer walk around the lake, with a library and ice cream shop, so it’s one of our favourite places to go in the summer.

Favourite festival in the city?

Folk Fest, definitely one of our favourites and we go every year. But my company also produces a fun festival that raises money for a charity called Dog City Festival. It’s a fun event with lots of activities like a talent show, live music and you get to bring your dog!

Who was your mentor that helped you shape your career path?

I was very fortunate and came across some great people, so I actually have three people that left a mark and helped me shape my career and professional development. Wendy Hollow who started the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts; the most incredible person who quit a high paying job as an Executive Director to take a fraction of the salary and start The Nina. I also worked with Sallie Johnson, from SJ Event Management and she taught me so much, particularly on how to build partnerships within the arts community. And someone I call PB, Pastor Bob from North Pointe Church who is the most hardworking man, and taught me how to build relationships and how to support people. ‘If you’re there for people, they’ll be there for you’, is something I learned from him.

What would you love to see at The Nina in the future?

We’d love to eliminate the wait list and have resources to support all of those people who are eager to start creating art. We’ve already substantially extended our hours to be able to offer more support. Also, we’d love to dive into different mediums. We offer dance, but it would be wonderful to bring in more focus on dance, music, performing arts, digital media and animation. Expanding on programs and capacities are our biggest goals. Bringing the large scale installations out to the community has been very successful and we’d like to continue to do that. It helps people understand who we are and the art that we’re capable of doing.

What are your top three luxuries that you can’t live without?

Original artwork

Live entertainment events

My Baba’s beautiful crystal wine glasses (wine just tastes better out of these)

WWW.THENINA.CA

An unforgettable evening of fashion, food, and charity

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN HOPE AGENCY MODE MODELS HAIR & MAKEUP DENEE NOEL LOCATION DRIVE - WEST EDMONTON MALL

Set against the backdrop of the adrenaline-fueled indoor go-kart track “Drive”, located in the iconic West Edmonton Mall, Drive In Motion unfolded in a dazzling display of style and innovation. Attendees were treated to a fusion of fashion and culinary delights, as local street food vendors tantalized their taste buds with a myriad of flavours. The runway showcased the latest trends from local high-fashion boutiques, while DJ Kwake curated a mesmerizing playlist that perfectly complemented the energy of the evening. Here are some of the top looks for summer from some of Edmonton’s trendiest shops.

MODELS:

Anastacia Raniuk

Connor Welk

Emily Steman

Trudy Kuropatwa

Gift Atomssa Noah Stephens

MODELS: Tayla Watts Jenna Watts

Constance Berdnikova Zoë Wilson

Savannah Henry

MODELS:

Ellary Witherspoon

Erin Rempel

Lexi Hart

Stefanie Derksen

Shan Forbes

Tong Deng

Ephraim Humilde

Lachlan Brownell

Penuel Onafeko

MODELS:

Trudy Kuropatwa Emily Steman

Brynn Foster Matéa Boucher

MODELS: Connor Welk

Kale Jones

Noah Stephens Quinn Sparkes

MODELS:

Ellary Witherspoon

Erin Rempel

Stefanie Derksen

Shan Forbes

Tong Deng

Ephraim Humilde

Lachlan Brownell

Penuel Onafeko

MODELS: Anastacia Raniuk Brynn Foster Gift Atomssa Matéa Boucher Lexi Hart

MODELS: Tayla Watts Jenna Watts

Constance Berdnikova Zoë Wilson

Savannah Henry

MODELS: Connor Welk

Kale Jones

Noah Stephens Quinn Sparkes

1. Harry Rosen Emporio Armani Pyjama Set www.harryrosen.com

2. Harry Rosen L'Objet Chess Set www.harryrosen.com

3. Harry Rosen Boss Stripe Slippers www.harryrosen.com

4. House Of Knives Legnoart Memorabile Wine Set www.houseofknives.ca

7. Cocktail Culture Shake & Stir Series Bar Set www.cocktail-culture.ca

5. Cocktail Culture Beer Tasting Kit www.cocktail-culture.ca

8. Harry Rosen The Star Wars Archives www.harryrosen.com

6. The Helm Clothing Zegna Canvas Backpack www.thehelmclothing.com

9. Cocktail Culture Double Old Fashioned Glass www.cocktail-culture.ca

Land Rover Defender - Designed with Purpose

A 4x4 icon - reimagined for the next generation

WORDS BY TOM SEDENS

PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

ITfeels like Land Rover has been with us forever. In 1948, the Series I was introduced at the Amsterdam Motor Show. And now, Land Rover is celebrating 75 years of heritage with the new Defender 75th Limited Edition.

With an instantly recognizable silhouette, modern, compelling proportions and sophisticated surface treatments, everything about Defender is designed with integrity and purpose.

The Defender’s raised hood, sculpted grille and precise details carry over, but this special limited edition sees the introduction of the Grasmere Green colour - even the wheels are painted to complement the body - along with a 75 Years graphic and exclusive exterior design detailing.

You’ll find LED lighting all around, with Matrix LED headlights and some of the coolest square LED tail lights you will ever see.

Defender’s durability and function continue on the inside. Its versatile interior has received similar treatment, with the Cross Car Beam finished in brushed Grasmere Green Powder Coat with laser-etched 75 detailing on Cross Car Beam end caps. The seats are upholstered in leather, with the “hockey stick” on the centre console featuring Robustec material – the most robust fabric available on Defender.

These interior finishes ensure the cabin is as hardwearing and durable as the exterior. But it’s not all business inside. The Limited Edition is based on the high-specification HSE trim, with a comprehensive list of standard equipment. You’ll find everything you need to enjoy your trip, including an intuitive 11.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, headsup display, wireless device charging and the staggering 700-watt Meridian Surround Sound system whose 14 speakers and dual channel subwoofer deliver crystal-clear highs and rich, deep bass.

A full suite of driver assistance technology is standard, including the 3D Surround Camera system.

When it comes to enjoying the scenery around you, there is an innovative folding fabric roof or the option of a sliding panoramic roof overhead and of course those iconic high-mounted safari windows.

The 75th Limited Edition is powered by Land Rover’s P400 powertrain, a 3L inline-6 with mild hybrid technology that puts out 395 HP, and a stump-pulling 406 lb-ft of torque at 2000 RPM.

It performs admirably, accelerating with ease in any situation, and can tow up to 3500 kg.

But what is all the luxury and power in the world if it can’t take you to new places? The Defender continues its legacy of being the world’s go anywhere 4x4 with its unrivaled all-terrain capability.

With a lightweight monocoque architecture chassis, configurable Terrain Response modes, almost unbelievable 37.5 degree approach and 40 degree departure angles (with the suspension set to off-road mode), and a ludicrous water wading depth of 900 mm, this is the toughest and most capable Defender yet.

A masterful implementation of durability and function, tested to the extreme. It doesn't just look tough - it is tough, capable of tackling the most challenging conditions with absolute confidence.

The Land Rover Defender - tough, capable, unstoppable and without compromise when it comes to comfort, luxury and technology.

WWW.LANDROVEREDMONTON.COM

Pizza, Beer, and Salad Bowls!

Toast Culture pushes the boundaries…and they’re delicious

WORDS BY TWYLA CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHY EMILY WELZ

THEconcept behind a restaurant centered around toast would seem obvious: toast some bread and top it with delicious things like avocado or smoked salmon. To make it extra breakfast-y by adding an egg wouldn’t be unusual; after all, toast is a standard morning food. But, at Toast Culture, they’re not really into “standard”, and for that, we can be grateful.

If you’ve had any of the Eggs Benedict (the Hollandaise is dreamy) or the Avocado B.L.T., you’ll know of what I speak. From the selection of toasted items, that B.L.T. is the number one seller, and for good reason.

On top of a perfectly toasted slab of Bon Ton Bakery sourdough spread with basil aioli, is a heaping helping of what should be the obvious (bacon, lettuce, and tomato). But, the bacon is Meuwly’s capicola and the lettuce is arugula, and what ties it all together is a basil aioli and a generous swath of smashed avocado. The sum of these parts is a beautiful thing to behold, and to eat.

At Toast Culture, owner Josh Wilhelm is a stickler for parts. The capicola, for instance, is something that Wilhelm says he’s “married to”—as in nothing else compares.

“There are a few things that may cost more, but that I go out of the way to get,” he says. “That capicola is one of them.”

Bread from Bon Ton Bakery, which he calls “inspiring” is another ingredient he’s not willing to part with, as are the coffee beans from local roastery, The Colombian, and craft beer that rotates on four taps.

Wilhelm, who once repped for Phillips Brewing out of Victoria, feels good about supporting craft brewers, especially now that he’s supplying stellar pizza to go with it from a special menu offered Wednesdays to Sundays, 3 to 8 p.m.

“In February of 2022, we tapped into the pizza market and haven’t looked back,” he says of the “Birch and Bear” pizza nights modeled after The Mill in San Francisco, a café that offers fresh baked goods and coffee but switches to pizza service at night.

The Birch and Bear theme lends itself well to marketing and merchandising, but the words were chosen for deeper meaning. The birch tree is a nod to vegan and vegetarian pizzas and salads, while the bear nods toward those with more carnivorous cravings. If you’re stuck between the two worlds, the capicola and potato pizza is a great choice and one that begs to be paired with a craft brew.

These savory ‘zas are also available at Ale Architect, one the growing number of breweries located on Happy Beer Street, a designated area of Edmonton along 99 Street south of Whyte Avenue that sees seven breweries within a few minutes’ walk of each other.

Find Toast Culture and Birch and Bear under the same roof at 11965 Jasper Avenue. Get your breakfast, brunch, and your pizza too. Life is full of little luxuries; these are a few of them.

WWW.TOASTCULTURE.COM

WWW.BIRCHANDBEARPIZZA.COM

WWW.HAPPYBEERSTREET.COM

Dessert In A Glass

Change up dessert after dinner to satisfy the sweet tooth

WORDS BY MARCIA J. HAMM PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

‘Tis the season for fresh fruits and blended drinks. Bring the blender out from its hiding spot at the back of the cupboard, serve up some rich, decadent and creamy delights that are designed for slow sipping, and savour every drop! Instead of serving dessert on a plate, why not serve it in a glass?

Strawberries are typically available all year round, but this is the time when we can get strawberries grown in our own backyard. Check your local grocery store for berries from British Columbia or try picking your own at several U-Pick locations around the Edmonton area such as Happy Acres U-Pick Farm in Spruce Grove that is open from May to September. Once you have your bushel of berries, it’s time to whip up a strawberry daiquiri! Keep some berries fresh, but frozen are also needed for this frosty, eye-catchingly vibrant drink. It’s easy too, requiring only four ingredients which makes it the perfect drink to beat the summer heat.

Classic Strawberry Daiquiri for 2

4 oz white rum

½ c fresh strawberries, chopped

1¼ c frozen, chopped strawberries

Juice of one lime

Add ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into two margarita style glasses and garnish with lime slices and whole strawberries. Skip the rum if you prefer a mocktail version!

As a kid, in the summer, it was always a treat to have a Popsicle, Fudgesicle or even a Revel - those chocolatey coated vanilla ice cream bars. But nothing beats the Creamsicle in classic orange flavour! A classy cocktail popular in the 1960s and ‘70s was called the Golden Dream; which in fact, tastes like a boozy Creamsicle. Creamy with a strong orange flavour, it’s just sweet enough with subtle notes of licorice and the all-important vanilla cream.

Golden Dream

1 oz Galliano liqueur (vanilla)

1 oz Cointreau

1 oz orange juice

½ oz heavy cream

Add all ingredients to a blender and add two handfuls of ice. Blend until smooth and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange wheel.

One of the most iconic desserts that is on many a restaurant menu is the Mudslide. Put in your glass and it’s a chocolate lover’s dream, and always classy. Make it even more decadent by blending it up with vanilla ice cream for the frozen Mudslide version!

Frozen Mudslide

1 oz Vodka

1 oz Kahlua

1½ oz Irish Cream (like Baileys)

2 scoops vanilla ice cream

½ c ice

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a coupe rimmed with chocolate sauce.

At your next dinner party, if dessert is served, use your imagination, and make it into one you can drink. Key Lime Pie, Tiramisu, Chocolate Truffle, Peach Melba, Baked Alaska…the possibilities are endless!

Clay, Connection and Community

Where artists grow and a dream is kept alive

WORDS BY MONA ROSE

BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

Even before Viva Clayworks was her own, KJ MacAlister was intimately familiar with the studio, having spent 17 years making, teaching, and being taught in the space. In 2017, she took it over from Elli Grassmuck who opened the studio in 1995, and made a commitment to expand the studio to better serve the artists in the community and those who are seeking their art. With this commitment came a new name: Viva Clay.

“We have grown since we opened, offering more class time slots, more pottery night experiences, more markets, and more opportunities for staff to learn the business side of this craft,” KJ explained.

It’s common for businesses in the art world to maintain multiple income streams in order to thrive and within this, Viva Clay has developed an extremely varied demographic. While their 6-week classes are predominantly women and there may be fewer men; their age ranges are far more spread out. The pottery night experience adds even more diversity, welcoming those with and without experience to try their hand at a crash course behind the throwing wheel.

“We were one of the first studios to be able to offer Pottery Night Experiences on a long-term schedule. This is a great ‘date night’, a perfect gift experience, and a delightful way to celebrate a family get together, or work team-building. This is a one-time-only, 90-minute introduction to throwing pottery on the wheel. You enjoy a demo, make the work, choose the glaze and we do the rest of the work and call you when your piece is complete!”

Viva Clay not only gives people a space to make art, but it is also a place for people to purchase ready-made art as well. The studio regularly hosts markets with staff and student pieces on display, as well as KJ’s own ceramics.

To those separated from the world of ceramics, it might seem like a non-issue to call oneself an

artist, but to KJ, it was something that took time to settle with as a title. For many years she called herself anything but an artist: maker, craftsperson, tradesperson, and after 23 years, finally, artist.

“I enjoy the act of creation. I enjoy the surprising brainstorms of ideas and problem-solving that this material, this world of techniques offers me. I have been gifted with the time and space to create in any direction I wish. An outside viewer may not be able to see an identifying thread through my body of work. I am that thread.”

Looking toward the future of Viva Clay, KJ aspires to a larger space with a second classroom and individual studios, and to build anticipation for their markets across the city. Her own future eventually lies in Salmon Arm, at Viva Clay’s sister location, The Workshop Studio and Gallery, currently being tended to by a staff member,

“That location is the land I want to retire on, have a studio to putter around in and be surrounded by artsy friends and lush gardens. In the meantime, I met an amazing person who asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up and I said an artist retreat would be a great dream. He agreed, so together we started The Workshop Studio and Gallery. It is the baby sister to our Edmonton location, offering classes and the opportunity to fire pots in our wood fired kiln.” WWW.VIVACLAYWORKS.COM

WORDS BY FRANCESCA ROZNICKI PHOTOGRAPHY STEVEN HOPE

THEworld of furniture and lighting has seen a lot of changes in recent years with new trends emerging, and old ones being reimagined. From minimalist designs to bold colours and patterns, there is something for everyone in this rapidly evolving industry and Park Lighting is the place to find it.

Located in the heart of Edmonton's west end, Park Lighting and Furnishings is a furniture and lighting boutique that offers a wide range of contemporary, modern, and classic designs. What started in 1980 as a DIY electrical shop on bustling Whyte Avenue, has now grown to a second store, Cartwright Lighting in Calgary, as well as a massive 31,000 sq/ft showroom in Edmonton. Always on the cusp of current trends, Park Lighting and Furnishings owner, Jared Johannesen knows a thing or two about up and coming styles.

The black fixtures we are seeing in so many designs these days continues to trend upward, Johannesen explains. “We are seeing black still to be the strongest finish choice for us, followed by brass. There are still many people that are looking to mix finishes either with existing finishes in the home, or to curate their own design inspiration.” He goes on to say, “We are seeing many natural materials being used such as rattan, alabaster, wood and now travertine to create warmth and texture.”

He mentions the rise of wall lights in new and creative applications, such as floating shelves, art lights, or bedside wall lamps. The other big shift is the use of vanity and island lighting. “Vanity lights are now often replaced with pendants in the bathrooms, and instead of three pendants over an island, we are often seeing two oversized pendants. Although subtle, these changes can really enhance the space,” Johannesen says.

Johannesen has also noticed a shift in trending furniture as of late. The ever trendy grey is slowly being replaced by a modernized take on blonde oak furniture with clean lines. For timeless trendy

designs, he suggests lots of neutrals with the occasional pop of earthy colours such as soft oranges, yellows, and greens mixed with smooth textures like linen and wood.

When shopping for lighting and furniture, everybody’s needs and preferences are different, so being able to communicate what you need and want with your lighting and furniture expert is important. “Breaking down the spaces in a house makes the whole project less daunting and allows us to focus on specifics. Of course, scale, finish, placement, light output, light colour and controls are all part of completing the project.” explains Johannsesen. He continues, “If there is opportunity, lighting should also be part of the initial planning stages of a home. If it’s an afterthought, the flexibility and control are lost.”

Park Lighting can be found in Edmonton at 10353 - 170th Street and Park Furnishings can be found next door at 10363 - 170th Street.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIN MEDIA INC

DANCE GROUP MANTRA MOVEMENT EMCEE KLARISSA PARADIS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHERINE KINGSTON

YEG in June

We hand-picked some of Edmonton’s best events for the month of June

WORDS BY BRANDY BELITSKY PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

International Children’s Festival of the Arts

June 1 – 4 - St.Albert Place

With a rich lineup of engaging activities and entertainment, the International Children's Festival of the Arts offers a diverse range of experiences for attendees of all ages. From interactive workshops and creative arts and crafts stations, to live performances and engaging storytelling sessions, the festival is designed to ignite imagination and foster a sense of wonder in young minds.

WWW.STALBERT.CA/EXP/CHILDFEST/

Nextfest

June 1 – 11 - The Roxy Theater

Nextfest is a dynamic and diverse arts festival that showcases the work of emerging artists from various disciplines. With a jam-packed lineup of performances, exhibitions, and workshops, Edmonton’s emerging arts festival offers an immersive experience for both artists and attendees. Nextfest serves as a platform for young creatives to share their talents, collaborate, and connect with audiences, fostering a vibrant arts community and celebrating the next generation of artistic voices.

WWW.NEXTFEST.CA

Sustainival

June 8 – 11 - Fan Park @ ICE District

Sustainival is a unique and thrilling event that combines sustainability and amusement park fun. As the world's first green carnival, it offers rides and games powered by renewable energy sources. With a focus on environmental awareness, Sustainival educates and entertains attendees through interactive exhibits, workshops, and eco-friendly attractions, promoting a greener future in an exciting and engaging way.

WWW.SUSTAINIVAL.COM/EVENT/EDMONTON

Soundtrack Music Festival

June 16 - 17 - Kinsmen Park

The Soundtrack Music Festival is Edmonton’s best kickoff to summer! Set against a picturesque outdoor backdrop at Kinsmen Park, the Soundtrack Music Festival brings together top-tier artists from the ‘90s, 2000s, and today. With a vibrant atmosphere and a lineup of renowned musicians including Nelly, Third Eye Blind, Mother Mother, Ashanti and more, The Soundtrack Music Festival offers an unforgettable weekend of entertainment.

Edmonton Drag Festival

June 17 - Louise McKinney Riverfront Park

Edmonton’s very first Drag Festival celebrates the artistry and diversity of drag culture. With jaw-dropping performances, dazzling costumes, and captivating shows, the festival showcases the talent and creativity of drag artists from both local and international scenes. With a vibrant atmosphere and a supportive community, the Edmonton Drag Festival promises an unforgettable experience filled with entertainment, laughter, and fabulousness.

WWW.EDMONTONDRAGFESTIVAL.CA

Royal Canadian International Circus

June 8 - 18- West Edmonton Mall

The Royal Canadian Circus is a spectacular event that brings the magic of the circus to Edmonton. With thrilling acts, awe-inspiring acrobatics, and captivating performances, the circus transports audiences into a world of wonder and excitement. From daring aerial stunts to mesmerizing animal performances, the show delivers non-stop entertainment for all ages.

WWW.ROYALCANADIANCIRCUS.CA/EDMONTON

WWW.SOUNDTRACKMUSICFESTIVAL.CA