Image courtesy of ICRF

Taste for Life 

We’re always up for eating our city’s finest…especially when it’s for a great fundraising cause. The Israel Cancer Research Funds’ New Leadership Division is putting on an evening featuring bites from Dolcetto & Co., Moishe’s, Ryu Tapas, Rise Kombucha and more to raise funds for cancer research. DJ Tiguru will provide entertainment while Brahm Mauer will keep our glasses full. A silent auction is on the itinerary too!

When: June 18, 7p.m.

Price: $60/Door

Where: Espace Reunion, 6600 Hutchison, 514-448-4981, www.espacereunion.ca

Photo courtesy of Bota Bota

Gourmet Drift Away at Bota Bota

There’s nothing like starting off a long weekend by hitting up the spa for a relaxing evening. Add on amazing food from chef Eric Gonzalez from Auberge Saint-Gabriel with a cocktail at the outdoor bar and we’re in heaven. Bota Bota will also be featuring a DJ to compliment our tasting plate, glass of wine and visit to the water circuit.

When: June 21, 5p.m.

Price:  $65/With reservation, $75/On site

Where: Bota Bota Spa, corner de la Commune W. and McGill, 514-284-0333, www.botabota.ca

Image courtesy of Vieux-Montreal

Music Zone Old Montreal

Every Tuesday and Wednesday this summer during the lunch hour, Place d’Armes will be giving Old Montrealers a reason to get outdoors with live musical performances. Ranging all genres, including pop, rock, jazz, folk and more, lunch hour will be a new way to discover our city’s musical talents.

When: June 18 – September 4, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 12p.m-1p.m.

Price: Free

Where: Place d’Armes, between Saint Jacques and Notre Dame

Photo courtesy of Loto Quebec International Fireworks

Loto Quebec International Fireworks

The Montreal sky will light up once again this summer with spectacular fireworks presentations. The season kicks off on June 22 with Australia on the roster featuring an evening of Magic of the Movies. The light display will be accompanied by music from great movie score composers. We can buy tickets for an up front view at La Ronde or find our own viewpoint in Old Montreal.

When: June 22 – August 3

Price: $49.33-$72.32/La Ronde

Where: LaRonde or seen from many Old Montreal locales

Photo courtesy of La Fête Nationale du Québec

Fête Nationale
It’s time to get out the blue and white and celebrate Quebec’s birthday. With bashes happening all over the island and beyond, Montreal’s main event is at Parc Maisonneuve. On the itinerary are music performances by Les Porn Flakes, Marie-Mai and more, as well as celebratory fireworks.

When: June 24, 8:45p.m.

Price: Free

Where: Parc Maisonneuve, 4601 Sherbrooke St. W., 514-872-6555, www.montreal.com/parks/maisonneuve.html

Besides the luxury denim basics, the brand also has a fun side that keeps people talking. Their novelty items include the world’s heaviest pair of jeans (they stand up on their own!), glow in the dark jeans, raspberry scratch and sniff jeans and thermochromic jeans that change colour with temperature. Pair that with his charismatic personality and the way his eyes twinkle when he talks about his products, and it’s no wonder he’s been called the Willy Wonka of jeans. Did I mention that he offered me some funky Japanese candy as soon as we met?

When did you know you wanted to work in the jean industry?

Almost forever. My family has been in this crazy business for 65 years, starting with my grandfather making work wear. My father even made a brand of jeans named after me when I was born.

The Naked & Famous logo, a satire of a celebrity-obsessed culture.

Have you turned away any celebrity giveaway requests besides Justin Bieber?
We’ve had a lot of requests, but we always say no. We’re not an anti-celebrity brand, we’re just not celebrity obsessed. Some people ask me if I would be mad if I saw Brad Pitt wearing my jeans. My answer is no – I would be just as happy to see him wearing them as any other person, because I know he is a happy customer and he bought them himself.

What’s a typical day like for you?

It depends on the season – if it’s show season, I might be in Paris, Berlin, Japan, Korea, LA or San Francisco. I travel 110 days out of the year. In other seasons, I might be organizing photo shoots, making sure samples arrive on time, getting models or designing the lookbook. Because it’s a small business, we don’t really have titles and everyone does everything. It’s is a wild adventure!

Naked & Famous Denim founder, Brandon Svarc (photo courtesy of Naked & Famous)

What do you love most about your job?

I love creating something from nothing; taking rolls of denim and turning them into a product that people love and obsess about. That’s also why I like origami.

One of the advantages of raw denim is durability. Have you heard any cool fan stories about how long their jeans have lasted?
My favourite story is about a guy who was wearing our 21 oz jeans when he got into a motorcycle accident. He hit an oil patch, crashed and went flying at 55 mph. He had a badly bruised knee, but other than that he says our jeans saved him and he walked away without a scratch. He was very upset when the paramedics arrived and had to cut the jeans off of him. Luckily the story has a happy ending because his insurance paid for the motorcycle, and for the jeans, so he came in and bought himself another pair!

How do you feel about your nickname “the Willy Wonka of jeans”?

I think it’s great! If I wasn’t in the jean industry, I’d probably have a crazy candy brand. I have mad respect for Willy Wonka, he is a brilliant innovator.

What do you love most about Montreal?

When I’m on the road and tell people I’m from Montreal, I always get an amazing reaction. People have nothing but great things to say about the city and that makes me pretty damn proud.

Where do you like to shop?

Style Labo on St. Laurent & Bernard is amazing. I collect old industrial furniture/memorabilia and love going there, and to the Marché aux Puces St. Michel for that stuff.

Complete this sentence: You know you’re in Montreal when…

…the number one hangover food is poutine!

Jeans available in Montreal at Tate+Yoko, Influence U, Tozzi Boutique, Holt Renfrew, Les Etoffes, Boutique Archive, Alibi.

How did you get started in the greeting card business?

I began designing greeting cards the summer before starting law school, out of a desire to work with my hands again.  During law school, the greeting cards were put on the backburner while I focused on my studies, although I did start to get my line into stores and sold at the occasional craft fair (I actually met my husband at one of these craft fairs in 2008!). It wasn’t until I was almost finished with law school – and facing the prospect of unemployment – that I started to take it more seriously.

For me, the challenges were mostly psychological: having the courage to go in a different direction, dealing with opposition from friends and family, and trying not to feel like a failure in the face of it all.

You work with your mother and your husband. What’s it like to work with family? Who’s the boss?

I think my mom and husband would definitely say that I am the boss!  Fortunately, we design independently, so there’s not a lot of conflict there. I do enjoy working with family, though, and I’m really glad that my mom and husband have been able to express themselves artistically as part of Chelleline Cards.

You cards are handmade collages. How long does it take to make each card? What is the process?

It depends on the card. Some cards take 5-10 minutes to make, while others can take closer to 30 or even 45 minutes.

With new designs, I start out by sketching the image on paper. I then trace the image onto tracing paper, cut the image out, and scan it into my computer. I have a software program that then converts the scanned image into an image to be cut by my cutting machine. I feed the paper into the cutting machine and it cuts the image out. I do this for each color, and when I’ve cut out all the pieces, I glue them together onto the cardstock, and voilà! A new card is created.

What makes your cards special and unique?

Our imagery and technique. I try to stay away from trends and themes that are too obvious, and to design what I’d like to see in a card.  Any design that is related to a trend (like our hot air balloon or octopus-themed cards) is purely accidental.  Also, since collage is such a time-consuming craft, you don’t see this layered technique very often in the greeting card world.

Where do you find the inspiration for your cards?

I have a soft spot for sea creatures, which can be traced to numerous trips to Sea World as a child, as well as to my extensive stuffed animal collection. I also find inspiration in childhood memories, fairy tales, folk traditions, and everyday life. I came up with the idea for our “Sisters” card last summer, when I was waiting for my husband in the Concordia lobby. I saw two little girls sharing a drink together. One was taller than the other and bent down so that it was easier for the smaller girl to drink from the cup. It was so adorable!

How does Montreal life influence your work?

Montreal’s architecture and the French language have worked their way into my designs.  Last year, I created a series of linocut block print cards based on Habitat 67 and the iconic winding staircases of the city.  These linocuts were actually based off my husband’s photographs of these places. By popular demand, I’ve also designed a line of French language greeting cards, including our “Bonne Fête Octopus” and “Merci mille fois” cards (the latter featuring several rows of fleurs-de-lys).

What are your most popular cards?

Our most popular cards are our “Crossroads of Love” and “Heart Bubbles” cards. In Montreal, our Native American, “Mother and baby Nerpa seal” and “Bonne Fête Octopus” cards have been very popular. The octopus and seal cards are inspired by a stuffed animal octopus and seal that I own, so I’m very happy that these cards appeal to other people, too! Our postcards, which are designed by my husband, are also a big hit in Montreal.

What are your favorite spots in Montreal?

The Westmount Conservatory (greenhouse) is a real gem; I love the Victorian design. I like walking down Avenue Duluth. It feels like a pedestrian street, with nice architecture, great restaurants and cute boutiques. Jean-Talon Market is a great place to visit in season. The Museum of Fine Arts, Contemporary Art Museum, and the McCord Museum are also nice to visit anytime of the year. I’m also a fan of ArHoma, a bakery in our neighborhood, and Le Roi du Wonton, a Taiwanese restaurant in downtown.

What are you plans for your business in the future?

I’d like to expand our line of hand-drawn cards, and launch a new line of greeting cards based on my husband’s photographs. I would love to bring Chelleline Cards into more boutiques, and am planning to exhibit at the National Stationery Show in New York next year. We’ll see what happens!

Chelleline Cards can be found in the boutiques of the Contemporary Art Museum of Montreal, the McCord Museum, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. We’re also available at Papeterie Casse-Noisette in the Old Port, Librairie Drawn & Quarterly, Faon , Librairie FORMATS, Coccinelle Jaune, and Tah-Dah!

Chelleline website, Facebook, and Twitter

Mia Serata outdoor lamps by Twist

Don’t overlook outdoor lighting – Mia Serata garden lamps look great day and night, and they provide enough light for you to enjoy the outdoors at all hours. Made in Quebec City by Twist Production, a company specialising in ambient outdoor lighting, the lamps are available in various sizes. And they’re designed to weather our hot summers and cold winters, so leave them out all year long.

Mia Serata lamps ($289 – $898) are available in Montreal at Léo Victor, Le Balconier, and Alphaplantes.

Planters by Objets Mécaniques

These planters by Objets Mécaniques are handmade from cedar planks, and are ideal for a patio or balcony. They’re available in two sizes, and the combination of natural wood with painted elements gives the flower boxes a modern organic look. In 2012, two architecture graduates both named Ariane combined forces to form design studio Objets Mécaniques. In their Montreal atelier Ariane Martel-Labrecque and Ariane Ouellet-Pelletier produce a wide range of handcrafted objects that embrace the imperfections of local, natural materials. 

Cedar Planters ($95) are available online from Objets Mécaniques.

 Assae Collection by L2P Design

The Assae Collection is a series of outdoor furniture by Montreal’s L2P Design. Assae includes a dining table, side table, chairs, and bench, all 100% made in Montreal. Founded in 2009 by industrial designer and cabinetmaker Pilippe Béland, L2P Design specialises in wooden household furniture, made and designed locally in the Rosemont atelier.

Assae is available from L2P Design and at Le Balconier.

Vice & Versa by Otis & Samson

These brightly coloured artworks can be admired on your patio: Montreal painter Pierre Otis and Quebec sculptor Jacques Samson have teamed up to create their Vice & Versa Series – artwork for the outdoors. The sculptural three-dimensional paintings are protected against both sun and water, and are guaranteed to endure Montreal weather.

Vice & Versa outdoor art available exclusively at Le Balconier. 

Air Plants by Manix Design

Those of us with limited outdoor space can still spruce it up for summer. With no need for water or soil, these air plants in assorted concrete bases by Manix Design are ideal for the city dweller’s balcony or windowsill. Manix Design is Montrealer Manix Laliberté, and he creates just about anything out of concrete. He designs custom works and small run production, and all pieces are handmade.

Air Plants in Concrete ($40-$75) are available from Manix Design.

Interested in other locally designed items? Check out these Montreal-made lamps and kitchen accessories. 

Make it Private Island Exotic

For the ultimate wedding, it doesn’t get any more romantic than a private island in Fiji. It may take a while for the flights and boat ride to Matangi Private Island Resort, but it’s worth it. Jackie Scarnici, who recently had her wedding at Matangi, couldn’t stop raving about her experience. “We got the wedding package and they did everything,” she says. “They took us to get our marriage certificate when our plane landed, before we even went to the island. They coordinated with the minister and set it all up on a location on the beach with a private dinner, cake, flowers and champagne.”

Matangi Private Island Resort, Matangi Island, Figi, 888-628-2644

It may not be quite as exotic as the South Pacific, but the Caribbean offers plenty of beautiful beaches for a wedding. At Paradisus Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic you can opt for the Royal Service and have your own butler. He’ll help arrange a ceremony in a gazebo along the beach and a romantic dinner before you return to your room with a rose petal covered bed and a bubbling Jacuzzi.

Secrets Maroma Riviera Cancun is a luxurious resort on one of Mexico’s best beaches. They offer a wedding coordinator to organize your ceremony, prepare your wedding attire and take care of all the details, down to your flowers. You’ll also receive a special turn down and a mimosa breakfast in bed the next morning.

Paradisus Punta Cana, Playa de Bávaro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, 809-687-9923
Secrets Maroma Beach, Carretera Federal 307, Chetumal-Cancún Km. 306.5, Solidaridad, Q. Roo, México 77710, 52-984-877-3600

Climb a Mountain

If you prefer land to the sea, you can still find options for the perfect Wedding Moon. At Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler, you can get married between the mountains and lake. Splurge on the 1400 square foot Rainforest Suite, where you can have the Executive Chef cook you a private meal.

For the avid skier, it’s hard to beat Lumiere Telluride, the intimate boutique hotel that you can ski right in and out of. Since individuals can marry themselves in the state of Colorado, you can work with the concierge to have your ceremony on or off the slopes, with a photographer to capture every moment and a celebration waiting for you back at your room.

Nita Lake Lodge, 2131 Lake Placid Rd, Whistler, BC V0N 1B2, 888-755-6482
Lumiere Telluride, 118 Lost Creek Lane, Telluride, Colorado 81435, 866-530-9466

Hit the City

The hustle and bustle of the city can add to the ambiance of a Wedding Moon. The Fairmont Vancouver can not only coordinate your wedding and celebration, but they can also arrange to have your wedding shown via Skype to your friends and family, allowing you the intimacy while the loved ones still feel a part of your special day.

The Trump International Hotel & Tower New York is just across the street from the city’s famed Central Park, where they can arrange a horse drawn carriage to bring you to your perfect wedding location. After the ceremony, return to their hotel for dinner at the three Michelin Star Jean Georges Restaurant to toast your nuptials before enjoying your honeymoon in Manhattan.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2W6, 604-684-3131
Trump International Hotel & Tower New York, One Central Park West, New York, NY 10023, 212-299-1000

Have you always wanted to write?

Writing was always something I enjoyed and it came fairly naturally, but I never thought a career in fiction was very realistic. But eventually I grew sick of working for the glory of supervisors while awaiting layoff. So as unlikely as it seemed, I resolved to somehow make fiction my life. Luckily, things went my way.

Undercurrent, published under the pseudonym Paul Blackwell, hits shelves on July 23rd.

You publish a new book this summer. What is it about?

My book is a young adult thriller called Undercurrent. It’s about a teenage boy who goes over a waterfall and wakes in a twisted version of the life he once knew. The book is the first published under my pseudonym, Paul Blackwell.

Why do you write under a pseudonym?

My Paul Blackwell books target an older audience, and feature both mature themes and intense scenes with graphic violence. So I wanted to separate the brands to prevent my younger readers from stumbling upon them. Also, it’s kind of fun to have an evil alter-ego…

Your books are all pretty dark. Why is that?

That’s a good question! I’m not a particularly dark person. I just enjoy entertaining people and fell into it. That said, I’m looking forward to writing something funny and heartbreaking. Fans of The Joy of Spooking already know that I love humour as much as horror.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m always trying to catch up with my reading, so I just started two books: The Yiddish Policeman’s Union by Michael Chabon and Pincher Martin by William Golding.

What is your favourite book by a Montreal author or set in Montreal?

I don’t like playing favourites but one of the last Montreal books I read that impressed me was Barney’s Version by Mordecai Richler. I’m a sucker for stories with unreliable narrators. I was also in the movie version, appearing as a groomsman in the wedding scene.

What do you recommend for people looking for a good summer read?

When it comes to beach reading, I’d probably go for a Stephen King, like Under the Dome. But at a thousand pages long, remember the sunscreen!

For crime, I’d recommend anything by Scottish author Ian Rankin. Edinburgh has been my second home for years, so I’m very biased on this one.

I read a lot of Ray Bradbury when I was young, and when I think of short stories, I still first think of him. One of my greatest thrills as an author was seeing my name directly above his on a list of stock I once stumbled across.

Finally, Light in August by William Faulkner is probably my favourite work of literary fiction.

What is your favourite place in Montreal to read?

Come summer, I like reading in Murray Hill Park (as known as King George Park) in Westmount. Besides the view of the river in the distance, I enjoy the ergonomic benefit of reading on a steep slope.

What is your favourite place to write?

It really varies. I’ve been living this past year in a quiet little coach house in NDG, where I mostly just write on the couch. But sometimes I’ll head out into the world. Then, I’m most often at nearby Shaika Café.

What is your favourite spot to buy books in Montreal?

I love our city’s great second-hand book shops – any of them. For kids and teen literature though, it’s definitely Babar bookstore on Greene Avenue.

Do you have any quirky writing rituals?

Is procrastination quirky? Because it’s my most enduring ritual.

Round, golden and light, they require minimal effort to prepare, but they’re best saved for the weekends because the batter needs to sit for an hour to yield thick and fluffy results. Unless, of course, you’re willing to sacrifice 60 minutes of sleep on a workday with excellent reason, but who are we kidding here?

The buttery, delicate lattice on the surfaces that forms while cooking gives way to soft, plush crumb spotted with bleeding blueberries that are either sweet or a little sour. Stack ‘em up, spread that butter and slowly pour that sticky-sweet maple syrup destined to fill each nook and cranny.

Breakfast is served!

Total time: 1 hour and 25 minutes

Prep: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 and 1/4 teaspoon white granulated sugar

1 cup milk

1 egg

1/2 tablespoon butter, melted, plus extra for cooking

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Directions

1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar.

2. In a small bowl, beat together milk and egg. Incorporate wet ingredients into dry ingredients, and stir until just-combined. Don’t worry about getting a smooth consistency. The important thing is not to overmix.

3. Mix in butter and fold in blueberries. Set aside for 1 hour.

4. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat, butter the surface (repeat for every pancake) and pour in 1/2 cup of batter. When bubbles begin to form on top, flip it over and brown the other side. Served hot with butter and maple syrup.

They haven’t known each other for long, but they instantly clicked over cheese at the Jean-Talon Market a few months ago. Soon after, they found a truck in Upstate New York, and as Medalsy puts it, “The rest is history.” Their commitment might seem a bit rushed. Medalsy could have tested the waters of their professional dynamic by hiring her to work at his restaurant, Ariel, but he didn’t. That’s how confident he is about their partnership.

He and the masked superhero are contributing a menu featuring four items that will change monthly, all heavily revolving around local produce.  Right now, the Super Truck is serving an applewood-smoked duck breast salad in a toasted tortilla cone, a crispy chicken and bacon burger on a soft, sweet brioche bun slathered with spicy garlic mayo, jerk chicken in a lettuce wrap for a low-carb treat and finally, an Ariel favourite: breaded and fried mac and cheese sticks made with three types of cheeses, herbs and mustard.

“Food trucks root for each other here. We hope people will stop by and have a laugh with us even if they are eating a taco from Grumman ‘78 or fresh shucked oysters,” Medalsy says about competition.

“Food trucks have been a massive part of the cuisine in so many cities that are seminal to the culinary world. We’re just glad to get out of the kitchen and out on the streets,” he says, eager for the Super Truck to be a part of Montreal’s hopeful rise through the ranks of the food truck world.

Follow Super Truck on Facebook and Twitter for all its scheduled stops.

A few orders of business when it comes to rhubarb. First, the leaves are poisonous… you can touch them but you definitely don’t want to eat these large elephant-ear like greens and I’d suggest washing your hands well after handling them. Second, rhubarb can be eaten raw. Great for salads and salsas this vegetable-cum-fruit is more versatile than we once realized.

There are two main varieties of Rhubarb in Quebec: One that is bright red from bottom to top of the stalk and one that is slightly red on the bottom but mostly green otherwise. My personal preference is for the ruby red variety (named Canadian Red), not only for its truly striking colour but also because it tends to be more on the sweeter side. Unfortunately it can be harder to find than the greener variety, but don’t worry, I’ve got a trick for you below.

I found a spectacular bunch of the Canadian Red rhubarb at the Jean Talon market this weekend and wanted to highlight it’s visual effect. Here’s my recipe for Rhubarb Lemonade (with or without cherries):

Rhubarb syrup

1 cup Canadian Red rhubarb, cut into ½ inch pieces*

1 cup of honey or sugar

1 ¼ cups water

For the lemonade

4 lemons, juiced

2 ½ cups water

1 cup Rhubarb syrup (give or take a few tablespoons)

*What if you can’t find the Canadian Red? Since green rhubarb is readily available I cheat by adding in 4-6 juicy Bing cherries to help the lemonade achieve a vibrant red hue. Using honey instead of sugar can make the colour  a little less vibrant, but the honey is a healthier option. Up to you!

Directions

Start by making the syrup: Add all ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a slow boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until the rhubarb falls apart and the syrup is a nice red colour. Strain the syrup through a fine sieve. Keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks.

For the lemonade begin by mixing the lemon juice and water in a large bowl. Add enough syrup to taste (around 1 cup should do the trick). Add ice, stir and enjoy. And if you’re feeling frisky, add a little vodka and/or soda water for a real summer treat!

Shop Doc

Get a glimpse into the inner workings of iconic fashion mecca, Bergdorf Goodman in the stylish doc Scatter my Ashes at Bergdorf’s, featuring designers and tastemakers including Tom Ford, Joan Rivers, Mary-Kate Olsen, Nicole Richie, Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs, starting this weekend at Cinema du Parc.

3575 Parc Ave., Montreal, 514-281-1900, www.cinemaduparc.com

Block Party

Fundraise at Sunrise

Join fellow yogis on the summit of Mont Tremblant on Sunday morning to perform 108 sun salutations to fundraise for Halfway Houses supporting female victims of violence in the Laurentiand. Sponsored by JUNA Yoga in collaboration with the Yoga Mala Foundation, 12 yoga teachers will host 9 Sun Salutations with an unbeatable view. $20 donation. Meet at 9:30 am at the bottom of the cabriolet, BYO Yoga Mat!

Veggie Wars

Typically, vegans are lovers not fighters, unless it comes to their food. This Saturday June 15 at Le Drugstore (1366 Ste-Catherine East), ChuChai, Crudessence and Panthère Verte will face off, each off backed by an urban farmer, blogger, food supplier and volunteers from the crowd at the Vegan Rumble and Shake. Cook, eat and dance the night away starting at 8:30 pm. Tickets ($20) available for pre-sale at info@nutrisco.ca.

Check out the Facebook event page for more details

Ooh-la-la Latin

Considered one of the most important Latin musicians in the past decade, Columbian pop/rock artist Juanes will be performing an intimate set (compared to his usual stadium shows) at Metropolis this Sunday evening. Definitely a concert to please all the senses.