Anything For Love: Celebrating Meat Loaf at Caesars Windsor

I remember the day that I got the call; “you won 2 tickets to see Meat Loaf!” I felt like I had won the jackpot as his iconic music had flowed through my life for years, especially during the ultimate heartbreak of unrequitted love. I felt a real connection especially to the lyrics.  

Sadly, he cancelled the show due to illness. As time passed by, I kept hoping that I would get another opportunity to see him live, but in 2022, he was whisked away, just like a bat out of hell.

Now in 2025, I finally had my chance to wear my bat necklace with pride and practice my pelvic thrust.

Meatloaf alumni band members from The Neverland Express with powerhouse vocalist and American Idol Winner, Caleb Johnson, rocked Caesars Windsor with their homage to the rock and roll hero himself, Meat Loaf. An added bonus after intermission was a little tribute to the cult classic film; The Rocky Horror Picture Show.


Highlights of the night for me:

👉The tribute to Meat Loaf on screen with interviews, and clips of his early acting days in Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny, Fight Club and of course, Rocky Horror Picture Show.

👉Caleb singing his entire heart out during I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad.

👉 Singer Lyssa Lynne and Caleb had awesome chemistry together performing a crowd favourite, Paradise by the Dashboard Light.

👉The Neverland Express alumni – world-class guitarists; Randy Flowers and Paul Crook. They were just incredible.

👉Everyone standing up doing the iconic Time Warp together.

Was everything perfect? No. There were some noticeable sound distortions happening on stage and I wish there would have been some more theatrics during the second half for honouring to RHPS. Tell me Caleb wouldn’t have looked sizzlin’ in at least some bold makeup, a mesh shirt, or heck even some high heels while singing Sweet Transvestite?!

Overall, it was a fun show and worth seeing – thanks to Jay and Jamie for the double date!! Although I never got the chance to see Meat Loaf perform, Caleb’s infectious energy was as close to having all my rock and rolls dreams come through.

💜Caesars Windsor

💜Celebrating Meat Loaf

Advocacy Through Lived Experiences: 211 Community Panel Member

I wanted to share some advocacy work that I've been involved with and continue to be part of moving forward in 2025.

I'm proud of my contributions as a 211 Ontario Community Panel member and you can read a quote from me on this blog!

Learn how 211 Ontario’s Community Panel is using lived experience to drive meaningful change.

https://211ontario.ca/from-lived-experience-to-lasting-impact-211-ontarios-community-panel

💜211 Ontario

Scrub Me In Nursing Podcast!

 

Hey everyone! 

My husband Bill has been doing editing work for Junior and Anthony - two amazing nurses who have the #1 nursing podcast, so I wanted to share more with my readers!

👉More about the podcast:

Welcome to The Scrub Me In Nursing Podcast with Junior and Anthony, your go-to podcast for all things nursing!

Get ready for a dose of laughter, insightful discussions, captivating stories, and deep dives into educational topics. Whether you're a seasoned nurse or just starting out, join Junior and Anthony as they bring their unique perspectives and expertise to the table.

Tune in each week for an engaging blend of learning and entertainment, where every episode promises to leave you informed, inspired, and entertained.

YouTube videos upload Monday evenings for the visual audience.

https://www.youtube.com/@ScrubMeInPodcast


Listen to the podcast on any platform: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2381716

New episode launches and more fun content:

💜IG instagram.com/scrubmeinpodcast

💜TikTok tiktok.com/@scrubmeinpod

Crafted With Love: Café Amor & Art Review

Life has become about enjoying the quieter moments, as well as exploring more of the neighbourhoods here in Windsor, Ontario.  If you’re ever strolling down Ottawa Street, you’ll want to stop in at Café Amor & Art, a cozy shop located at 1464 Ottawa St. where a small family business has blossomed into an inclusive space for all who walk through their door.

They have an assortment of specialty drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, flavoured coffees, teas and of course, a variety of home-made soups, sandwiches and mouth-watering pastries. 

As you wait for your order (or you can have a seat and a staff member will bring it to you), there is aesthetically vibrant Latin-American artwork, hand-crafted jewellery, pottery, and such a sense of cultural authenticity throughout the cafe to enjoy.

A frothy rich latte, hearty pulled pork sandwich, side of tangy coleslaw, and unique style of chicken noodle soup with crunchy tortilla chips (as shown in the top photo) hit the spot on a rather cold and chilly day. No dessert this time, but that’s just another reason to return.

When you get the vibe that you're not just a customer to them, but more like family, you know that's love.  

💜Website: Café Amor & Art 

💜Follow on IG Café Amor & Art

You Can Be My Friend: Junie B. Jones - The Musical

Photo credit: Bloomsbury House Stage Production

After what has seemed like endless days of grey skies from morning till night, Sunday turned out to be a beautiful blue sky and sunny day.  It was a perfect way to spend the afternoon at the Chrysler Theatre seeing Bloomsbury House Stage Production of Junie B. Jones – The Musical! 

Starting off, Director, Martin Ouellette was able to bring to life many of the characters from the beloved Junie B. Jones book series from author, Barbara Park. The show had impressive choreographed dance scenes, meticulously derived from Julia Pastorius that were set to heartfelt and fun musical numbers. Having an all-adult cast playing multiple roles, including adorable first graders, elevated this experience making it truly an all-ages family show to enjoy. 

It was a packed theatre with kids excitedly in their seats, holding onto their Junie B. Books and awaiting the moment when the very first song “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax” would start off this high energy production. 

👉Junie B. Jones (played by Charlotte Salisbury) was just like the character from the book, emulating Junie’s exuberant personality, mature wisdom and quick-witted antics on stage. She was a joy to watch, all complete in her brightly striped leggings and tutu – vision of Costume designer, Carly Morrison Hart.

👉Herb (played by Gianluca Ieraci) gave another stand-out performance, especially with his mannerisms and adorable connection to Junie B in the bus scene, where we get to see best friends in the making.      

👉Sheldon (played by Bill Dileva) – a first grader allergic to fake meat, cheese and dairy, who is often pushed out of his comfort zone and highly accident-prone, dove straight into this role and really had perfect comedic timing throughout the show. Bill's unique talents as a performer shone as he took centre stage with sheer confidence doing a solo of Sheldon’s anthemic “Half Time Show” performance. 

👉Daddy (also played by Bill Dileva) showcased his unbelievable juggling skills on stage, as the audience cheered wildly.  His scene with Mother (Alysia Therrien) who sang beautifully in the song “When Life Gives you Lemons” was also another really special moment together, encouraging Junie B to not give up when times get a little rough in life.

👉May (played by Krystal Laframboise) gave a highly gratifying performance as Junie B’s antagonist in the show.

👉Mr. Scary (played by Craig Gloster) was anything but scary! He was the kind and encouraging teacher figure that makes you want to come to school every day and who can forget Mrs. Gutzman, played by Laura K. Bird, the nurturing head cook, baking your favourite cookies and sending you off to math class relaxed.

👉Other actors rounded out the production, playing multiple characters including Lucille, Camille and Chenille – played respectfully by Alysia Therrien, Julia Pastorius and Krystal Laframboise, who were really fun to watch on stage and gave sassy performances. Alex Hristoff, was convincing in her child-like portrayal of José, Junie B.’s bilingual friend.

👉The final song, “Writing Down the Story of My Life” mixed in comedic elements and sweet sentiments of how to trudge through the hard parts of life and was the encouraging message that we all need to hear sometimes.

                            

💜What's playing next? Visit Bloomsbury House

💜Upcoming shows at the Chrysler Theatre

Book Review: Dear Me by Anthony Maria

Ah love. It’s an emotion that can make you feel like you’re that delicious maraschino cherry on the top of a mountain high ice cream sundae. On the other hand, love can be so heart-breaking that it is like a disease that slowly eats away at you, with an insatiable smile, until there is nothing left, but an empty soul.

In the novel, Dear Me, written by local author, Anthony Maria, he speaks of a love that you would think only exists in the romantic’s handbook, but in fact, we've all felt it. Mason Gallo has fallen deeply in love with a mysterious woman named Keats Cameron, while on a trip to Niagara Falls, but is devastated when she disappears from his life, only sending cryptic letters, and making brief phone calls to him, which makes him feel like he is on the brink of insanity.

Copyright: Anthony Maria

Returning back to Windsor, where he left the old days behind, Mason hopes to find answers. The recollection of how they first met and all the feelings that flood Mason every day because of Keats sudden disappearance are told to us. She’s his addiction, plain and simple. He is on a quest to find his beloved Keats, at any cost, at any length, even if that means he will search for her forever. 

Meeting many colourful characters along the way, he is faced with agonizing realization that not only the love of his life is slipping away, but there are far more skeletons in his closet that he could have ever dreamed of.

👉My thoughts:

A little on the twisted side, yet brilliant authors like Brett Easton Ellis and Chuck Palahniuk, better take some notes because Anthony’s stylistic writing takes it to a whole new level.

The book is well-written, with subtle poetic sentiments that fill our hearts with hope, yet also laced with intense rawness and explicit language and subject matter, but will still send shivers down your spine.

I also love the fact that Windsor is the main focal point, where Caesars (in this book, known as Casino Windsor) is a prime location, along with Riverside Drive, Victoria Avenue, Hiram Walker, etc. There are also some highlights from our neighbouring city, Detroit Michigan, that are mentioned here, like  the Renaissance Centre and Joe Louis Arena.

I won’t mince words here. You’re in for a psychological mind-fu*k that keeps your heart pounding through every page. In the end, when you think that you are losing something so dear to you that you can’t seem to go on, remember that the truth is out there, you just have to be prepared to find it.

💜Anthony’s book is available online: Dear Me

💜You can also purchase his book by contacting him through IG page

 or by email: anthony.henry.joseph.maria@gmail.com

Mindful Money Tips for 2024

Image by Blissful Muse

Whenever I think of money, I always recall the scene in The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler and part of this quote in the above photo! 

Is money the root of all evil? Is debt inevitable now that we're into 2024? Does anyone still keep money jars on top of their fridges?! All good questions. While money can sometimes bring out the worst in humanity, carrying some debt is nothing to be ashamed of. Being able to lower financial stressors that is in our control though can be life-changing.

Here are some mindful money tips that will definitely help you to keep more money in your pocket (or on top of your fridge).

👉 Get rid of FOMO – Fear of Missing Out.

If you shop online often, you might be prone to buying products because your favourite celebrity or influencer endorses it. Perhaps you also saw it go viral on any social media platform, in particular Tiktok. This can rack up tons of unnecessary spending and increase those dopamine receptors to get the latest hit in your brain each time you click your finger or mouse to “add to cart”.  Unfortunately, this can be a recipe for disaster when you get your next bank statement.

Instead of ordering right away, leave it in your “virtual” cart for a few days and even up to a week. Then revisit your cart with all the purchases you felt compelled to put in there and go through each item. Chances are, you didn’t need most of what was there, but the allure and excitement got the best of you.  Cha-ching! Money saved. By training yourself to do this on a regular basis, you’ll become more mindful of needs vs wants.

👉 Make A Dent In Your Debts

If you have looming debts that never seem to decrease because you are paying such high interest rates, a simple way to lower them is to call up the company (or multiple ones) and try to negotiate a lower rate. If you have been consistent with paying off your account, this can definitely help your case.  Even if you’re not, try to see what you can accomplish, you’re not losing anything, just some time maybe listening to elevator music until a human voice says hello.  While this is not a guarantee, there is a good chance you can lower at least a few lingering debts.                                                                                                                         

👉 Make A List & Check It Twice

This is a must!  Making a list keeps you on track of what you need to buy. Don’t deviate from it. There are so many temptations when shopping, especially in the grocery store.  I don’t know how many times I have heard people say “I just came in for one thing, and I spent X amount on stuff I don’t even need.”    It’s all about accountability, so if you stick to what you have written down or what’s on your phone, you’ll come home with fewer regretful purchases.

                                                      

👉  Schedule Your Outings

Instead of making multiple trips out throughout the week, whenever possible, try to make a route so you can run all your errands once.  This can be challenging for health appointments, but for other things that you need to do, it is doable if you have a plan.  If you drive, this saves having to fill up on gas more often. 

Depending on your personal accessibility, skipping the car ride and opting to walk or bike is another great way to deal with your to-do list. It saves money with wear and tear on your vehicle, improves your health and reduces environmental impact.  If none of these feel suitable, utilize your local transit system - it's not free, but still can be another more affordable and beneficial option.

👉 Fees Fees Fees!

From paid streaming services to magazine subscriptions, sometimes the monthly automatic withdrawal is not in our favour because we have no idea what we’re even paying for. We just see our account balance dip and shrug it off because we're drowning in debt, what's a little more? 

That's a really toxic mindset to stay in. Take back the power and realize you can control this spending. Make a conscious effort to go through all your subscription services and see what you’re actually using.

Then, if you’re not willing to opt out completely, see if there is a cheaper way to downgrade your membership for a while. You might not miss it and realize the service is no longer serving your needs,  Most often, there are services you just forgot to cancel because you initially got roped into the free tempting trial.  

If you are looking to reduce your spending further, a great tip is to utilize any libraries in your community.  My local library is a great place to borrow items like books and movies, digitally or in-person. Best of all, it’s free – as long as you show your library card.   

                                                                         

So although it may be overwhelming at first, just chip away at each of these suggestions. Don't committ to doing everything at once. It's good to start a financial reset at the start of the year, but really any time at all. If you feel stressed, remember the old saying though, Rome wasn't built in a day. I hope that some of my tips here will help you make good decisions for your financial future. 

💜Closing up this blog, some of my readers from around the globe have sent me their own tips that I thought I would share here. If you have any, I’d love to hear from you, so just send me an email from my webform on the right-hand side, or comment below (messages are monitored due to spam) as I read everything!

💌Donna from Michigan -With rising prices, we make an effort to cook at home. Having a large family, it has saved us hundreds of dollars a month. We still love to eat out to support our favourite local restaurants, but have scaled back to making it a special treat just once in a while.

💌Shawn from London - Meal prepping has been a game-changer, not only for my wallet but my waist too. I would encourage everyone to set a few hours aside and prep meals for the week.

💌Eric from Toronto - Prices here are crazy and most of my pay cheque goes to rent! The money I save from brewing my coffee at home instead of grabbing one on my morning commute to work, I can nicely tip my fav barista when I do actually go out and treat myself to a latte.

💌Abby from Windsor - I always look at the clearance shelves and have found some staple items highly discounted that help me save money.

💌Sana from India -I have only 1 credit card and cut up the rest to prevent overspending!

💌Joanne from Alberta - Hey Muse! Green-thumb Prairie gal here - I love to garden and save lots of money growing vegetables here. It is hard though with weather being unpredictable, but I get a decent harvest - fingers crossed this year! I like to share my veggies with neighbours. 

You Gotta Thai Here: Thai Palace Restaurant Review

Lovely ambience here

Meal featured: fresh tofu spring rolls and chicken Pad Thai

Originally a Torontonian, I always loved the diversity of not just the people but the variety of cuisines and cultures that intermingled within our community. Moving to a much smaller-populated city like Windsor, Ontario, and being a Windsorite for many decades, it didn’t take long to realize that our local restaurant community here was filled with passionate creators who made mouth-watering dishes for their patrons and offered top-notch customer service. 

The restaurant scene here has continued to blossom into a food-lovers paradise for all palates. Sadly as some doors closed, others ones have opened. If you’ve ever run a restaurant or know someone who has, you know the blood, sweat and tears that goes into it. 

Today I wanted to mention Thai Palace, a special gem in our city that has been around since 2007 and offers authentic Thai cuisine. They have a wide range of menu items from delicious fresh spring rolls to start your meal off to flavourful noodle dishes and an assortment of curries – which can be spiced to order (spice level of 0 to 5), or they let you know it’s already spiced hot at a starting level 1!  It is a welcoming place for everyone, as there are vegetarian and vegan options available and gluten-free too.

Thai Palace excels at offering high food quality, generous portion sizes, a warm atmosphere, as well as daily specials to enjoy for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner. You can also do take-out and just recently, they now offer delivery. As this may feel typical to your favourite restaurant, I wanted to share a special moment that I witnessed with my husband one evening that made us really pause and smile.  

While waiting for our food, among many other patrons in the restaurant, we saw one of the staff sit down at a table and actually assist someone dining alone with their meal. This person had a visible disability. The staff member sat down in a chair and helped feed the customer without hesitation. It was a beautiful experience and honestly not something either of us had seen before during a busy evening rush. It made a lasting impression.

From that day, we’ve been back many times and shared great memories with others, over a little pad thai and bubble tea beverages.  So many of our celebrations (anniversaries, birthdays, etc) have been spent here over the years and you know, that little dash of humanity always makes a meal taste better.

💜Website: Thai Palace

Don't Stop Make-Believing: Mr. Dressup Documentary Review

The Magic of Make-Believe is a documentary by Robert McCallum and was a special one-night screening event at WIFF, here in Windsor, Ontario, celebrating the life of beloved children's entertainer, Mr. Dressup.  

This one is for all the kids (especially the Canadian ones eh!) growing up who remember making toilet paper roll crafts and couldn’t wait for Mr. Dressup (Ernie Coombs) to open his colourful Tickle Trunk that was filled with treasures and would ultimately spark our imaginations for decades to come.              

There are some heart-felt interviews sputtered throughout the film, including Andrew Phung (actor/comedian), Eric McCormack  (best known on Will & Grace), Scott Thompson (from the brilliant sketch comedy series, Kids in the Hall) and countless other celebrities who recall special moments from their own lives, watching Mr. Dressup. As well, we get to hear from Ernie’s children who share fond memories of their dad from early ages, up to the final goodbye.

Not surprising, the kind, thoughtful, and welcoming character of Mr. Dressup didn’t just translate on screen, but was actually Ernie’s natural demeanor in his regular life outside of TV land. He was the kind of man who embraced everyone with an open heart. Ernie loved his family and never failed to acknowledge friends in the industry who supported him throughout his life, especially long-time pal, Fred Rogers (well-known as Mr. Rogers, another beloved TV show entertainer from the era), who jump-started Ernie's career by simply believing in him.

This iconic children’s tv program ran for almost 30 years, with more than 4000 episodes on CBC.  One of many interesting facts shared in the documentary shows quite a progressive representation in media. Mr. Dressup’s interaction with two puppets known as Casey and Finnegan were both played by Australian puppeteer, Judith Lawrence. Casey was always considered non-gendered, which made it easy for any child to identify with the character.

When remembering Ernie’s life and all the joy he brought to others, there is a level of gratitude that is unspoken from our lips but remains deeply in our hearts.  From the wise words of Ernie, “keep your crayons sharp, your sticky tape untangled, and always put the top back on your markers."

A Sure Bet: Guys & Dolls Musical Review at the Capitol Theatre

Photo courtesy of John Chan

No luck has been needed as Arts Collective Theatre’s (ACT) production of Guys and Dolls showing at the iconic Capitol Theatre in Windsor, Ontario, truly dazzled theatre patrons once again. 

With the creative vision of Artistic Director, Chris Rabideau and Assistant Director, Cristina Orlando,  Musical Direction by local and internationally renowned composer Ian Smith, and dance choreography by Tiffany Chan, made for an incredible afternoon of sights and sounds.  

Set in Depression-era Time Square, Guys and Dolls is filled with many colourful characters and tells the stories of sinners, like big shot Nathan Detroit (played by Michael Rice), who runs a notorious floating crap game and is looking for his next spot to earn some quick money. Getting not so subtle hints from his sweetheart of 14 years, Miss Adelaide (Avonlea Smith), a headliner at the sizzling Hot Box Club, he needs to curb his gambling ways to take the plunge and marry her already. 

We also have the suave doll-magnet, Sky Masterson (Gianluca Ieraci) who unexpectedly falls head over heels in love with mission worker, Sarah Brown (Jamie Brown-Hart). Their love is put to the test when Sarah believes he has set up an illegal game at the mission.                                                                                  

Highlights:

👉First and foremost, my husband, Bill – Total bias here to include a review of his magical performance, but honestly, even if I didn’t know him, he really knocked my socks off. As a professional magician in his every day life, he had a few tricks up his sleeve to delight audiences.  He was part of the terrific ensemble cast, singing, dancing, and had a fun role of acting a little tipsy (intentionally!). I had no idea he could move and groove on stage like this.                           

👉Gambler, Nicely Nicely Johnson - Kyle Cloutier was just a joy to watch on stage – quick-talking and such an exuberant personality. Being one of the sinners, he’d still probably whistle a cab for you on the hustling and bustling streets of New York.

👉Big Julie -  Leave it to ACT to switch things up and take “Big Jule” from the original musical and give us a treat with “Big Julie” played so confidently by Florine Ndimubandi.  She was a powerhouse in the song “Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat.”

👉Adelaide - Avonlea Smith dominated the stage in the song “Adelaide’s Lament”. It was performed so well, highlighting her incredible vocals and ability to engage in a role so vivaciously that obviously she was destined to play.  

👉Nathan Detroit - Adelaide’s beau in the show, Micheal Rice, sang straight from the heart and was rather convincing that he could change his ways, with his declaration of love to Adelaide, in the song, “Sue Me.”  His comedic timing was perfect in so many scenes.         

👉Sky and Sarah – Gianluca and Jamie Brown-Hart have such chemistry that steamed up the stage -holy moly. Apart, Jamie holds the gift of innocence on stage that never wavers from her character, which is remarkable to watch.  Gianluca’s thick tousled hair and New York-ish quirks of a sleazy sinner is spot on, and his vocals would truly make Frank Sinatra proud. 

👉Arvide Abernathy – Jim Walls is the ultimate endearing grand-father figure of Sarah. Honestly, can we just give him a big hug? Just a genuine performance all around.

👉“Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat” wait for it, hallelujah! Heidi Richards, as General Cartwright really shone in this scene with her energetic gospel stylings. You have to experience this whole scene for yourself.

👉The choreography from the dance scenes were amazing and kudos to Tiffany Chan as well as technical dance instructor Leslie McCurdy for being able to create routines that evoked a lot of energy and passion with every step. 

👉Costume Manager, Moya McAlister and designer Valentine Yaghobzadeh brought a new level of New York chic fashion with bright, bold and sparkly outfits that made a statement and to reminiscence the time period with hints of modern flair.                                                       

Having a slight inside scoop of the dedication that everyone gave to perform in Guys and Dolls, along with the many hours of laundry that had to be done after these passionate performers left the stage every night, I am so happy that I was able to see this musical, which is one of my all-time favourites, in such a refreshing new way. 

As well, I applaud the diversity for casting individuals of all walks of life, and true community spirit that Arts Collective Theatre (ACT) brings to Windsor, Ontario. 

As the curtains close next week for this production, excitement continues on for what they’ll have in store for 2024.

💜Arts Collective Theatre

💜Capitol Theatre Windsor

Good For The Soul: WSO with LaKisha Jones at the Capitol Theatre

We chose to get balcony seats so it was a nice view. 

Quick snap before the performance on Sat. Sept 23, 2023 - 8 pm.

 

It was a fun evening out at The Capitol Theatre this past weekend here in Windsor, Ontario. There is such nostalgia entering the building as it brought back great memories of a really special Valentine's date concert experience with Bill way back in 2009, which seems like so long ago!  Since that time, we've been back many times to enjoy various performances.

The Windsor Symphony Orchestra never disappoints with another wonderful evening of music. These musicians are really hard-working and so gifted with their instruments and performances.  To elevate the experience further, Flint Michigan's powerhouse of soul, LaKisha Jones crossed onto Canadian soil to share her beautiful voice with all of us.

It was a bit of a surprise not to see Robert Franz conducting on the stage that night, but his Assistant Conductor, Francisco Hernández Bolaños took his place and definitely held his own with his comedic charm with the audience between sets and of course, his passionate conducting style.  

LaKisha Jones was truly a sight to behold, every time she appeared on the stage in a different vibrant outfit. Her grace, confidence and voice through every song showed what a superstar she truly is.   

A few highlights:

👉The unique musical style of the WSO performing 2001 - Space Odyssey

👉James Bond medley - another nostalgic moment for me, as I had a previous online handle, known as 007! 

👉I Will Always Love You  - I was transported back to The Bodyguard soundtrack. LaKisha knocked it out of the park with her vocal range and emotional performance.

Celebrating the opening of Windsor Symphony Orchestra's Toldo Pops Concert Series, there's plenty more fantastic performances to come that no doubt will earn our R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

💜Performance schedule/booking tickets: WSO website

💜IG LaKisha Jones 

Find Your Grail: Stratford’s Spamalot Review

The ridiculous and pun-filled humour in Stratford Festival’s 2023 production of Monty Python’s Spamalot is a hilarious musical comedy from Eric Idle and John Du Prez that is directed by Lezlie Wade and Choreographed by Jesse Robb.  With elements from the 1975 motion picture “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, this one has a whole new flavour of obscurity that is combined with incredible performances, toe-tapping dance numbers, intricate stage elements, and vibrant costuming that is fit for royalty or maybe a dominatrix.  

The story revolves around King Arthur and his eccentric bunch of Knights of the Round Table who go in search of the elusive Holy Grail. It is completely bonkers, as we all know that nothing always goes to plan in life. Nonetheless, we are here for the laughs and all the mishaps!

Jonathan Goad leads this impressive production, playing King Arthur, with Eddie Glen as his submissive squire, Patsy. Included are: Aaron Krohn (Sir Lancelot), Trevor Patt (Sir Robin) and Liam Tobin as Sir Dennis Galahad.  Also to note, many of the actors played multiple roles, which was most impressive.

You'll be in for plenty of surprises that will literally and figuratively moo-ve you (yes a terrible pun inserted intentionally, you’ll know why after seeing Spamalot). There are also catchy musical numbers that will have you singing along with the multitude of talent that graces the stage from many of Stratford’s finest performers. 

Highlights:

👉All and I mean ALL the groan-worthy puns!

👉The French Taunter whose insults you could slice with a baguette.

👉Knights Who Say "Ni" (couldn’t stop laughing!) 

👉“He Is Not Dead Yet” was performed so brilliantly.

👉The spicy, sultry and spunky “Lady of the Lake” played by Kimberly-Ann Truong

👉Eddie Glen who played Patsy felt like he was meant to be born on stage, as his comedic timing was perfect. 

And more (but I’m not spoiling anything else!)  

The level of mockery that you’ll hear and see on the stage is done in the usual Monty Python style and so there are no shortage of laughs that may seem a little uncomfortable if you’re not familiar with the dry British humour. 

There are plenty of ideological themes throughout that may offend as well, but like many musicals from Stratford, this performance gets some tweaks with clear messages of love and humanity tossed in for good measure, something that is definitely rattled in today’s world.                      

And so my friends, with that gentle warning, I would encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and see Spamalot at the Stratford Festival’s lovely Avon Theatre.  

On a personal note, this was a great way to spend our upcoming 15th anniversary together, as my husband and I are big Monty Python fans and love finding any reason to go and see performances in Stratford! It’s really our home away from home. 

By audience demand, more shows have been added. Truly another production that deserves much praise and multiple viewings!  

Go in with an open mind and heart and always look on the bright side of life.

💜Official website for more info and tickets: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/

Seasons Of Love At Stratford Festival: Rent Musical Review

In honour of yet another brilliant mind gone too soon, Jonathan Larson (creator of smash sensation Rent) it was a very emotional 2023 trip to the Stratford Festival. We got to experience an artistic masterpiece of musical theatre from director Thom Allison, and music director, Franklin Brasz that holds such a passionate and sentimental value. With an outstanding Rent cast, thanks to the brilliant casting from Beth Russel, we can raise from our seats and proudly shout from the rooftops that love IS love.

If you’ve seen the film Rent, or even Larson’s, Tick, Tick... Boom! be prepared for something completely out of the box with this musical that is provocative, progressive and full of energy. The stories share many common themes, such as: struggle, identity and belonging. 

Choreographer, Marc Kimelman, has the ability to transform moments on stage into memories that will live on far beyond when the curtains close.

                                                                

A few highlights for me:

                                                                                                         

👉Gabriel Antonacci’s touching version of "One Song Glory".

👉Nestor Lozano Jr.'s portrayal as drag queen and life-giving Angel, who is appropriately named with an angelic vocal range and stunning presence on stage.

👉Lee Siegel’s emotional “I’ll Cover You” (reprise). The flood gates opened and there wasn't a dry eye around.

I can go on and on,  but I won’t because reading about this experience is just one layer, you need to be there, watching the vulnerability unfold on stage.  While it might shock some audiences with a handful of provocative scenes and language that could offend, we’re getting past the surface here and digging deep into the emotional rawness of these characters lives told through performance and song. 

Maybe you’re not an addict,  confused about your identity, hiv+ or even on the verge of a mental breakdown,  but you know what? If you are, that's alright. You still deserve to live a life of dignity. Why? Because as echoed in the musical, life can be really fu**ing weird!

While going through a lot of struggles right now, Rent couldn’t have come out at a better time to teach me some valuable lessons that can often be forgotten in moments that we cannot change and cause great amounts of despair.  

For anyone out there trying to navigate the darkness, forget regret or life is yours to miss.

Don't let time run out, book your tickets for the 2023 season!

💜Official website: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/

Musing At The Museum: Chimczuk & AWE

May is Museum Month and after having a great time visiting the historic Maison François Baby House, it was a good reminder that we still needed to take a trip to the Chimczuk Museum and Art Windsor-Essex.  

There was so much to explore on all 3 levels, so I just compiled some of my favourites art pieces and exhibits that really caught my eye. 

-Windsor Essex Underwater display

-Flowing Forces is an interactive immersive experience

-A to Z Wall - Chimczuk Museum Exhibit

-Windsor's Cycling History

-Emma McGee

Bouquet, 2023

oil on board

-Sara Graham

Solivagant Findings (Threshold) 2022-23

dye sublimation on cut aluminum panels

Courtesy of the artist and MKG127

-Sara Graham

Where the Points Meet (1-4), 2021

collages and ink on paper

Courtesy of the artist and MKG127

-Daphne Boyer

Hung Out to Dry, 2019

photographed maple leaves, printed on Japanese paper

and hand-coloured with pigmented pencils, handspun paper thread

Courtesy of the artist

                                                       

-Jennifer Willet - When Microbes Dream, 2020-2023

Project Assistants: Domenica Mediati, Angela Awada, Jude Abu Zaineh, Lisha Laing, Aleeza Tariq, Kadila Adili, Phil Habashy, Justin Elliott, Michael Lucenkiw, Gillian Hughes, Ashley Hemmings, Megan Andrews, Hadia Nadeem, Lyndsay Mckay, Brodie Macphail, Dunia Roba, Garvin Chinnia, Cri Kosti. 

wall installation including adhesive wallpaper, collage material,  living microbes and algae.

-Ruth Cuthand - From the series Don’t Breathe, Don’t Drink, 2016
E.coli/Giardia/Typhoid Fever
glass beads, thread, cloth backing
Collection of the University of Saskatchewan, 2020

Plan your visit: 

💜AWE - Art Windsor-Essex 

💜Chimczuk Museum

Tea Time at Presotea

Presotea is one of the most popular and successful Taiwanese franchise teahouses, with over 300+ stores in Canada. If you do a quick search, they have multiple stores here in Windsor-Essex County and a new one opened up close by in Tecumseh. 

If you’ve never had Boba tea before (rather what many call “Bubble” Tea), it’s something to try out, especially the weirdly enjoyable sensory experience of sucking up the chewy tapioca balls with a straw – at least it is for me!  

They have a huge menu to choose from that has so many different tea varieties with delicious fruits like mangoes, pineapples, bananas, passion fruit, etc...  Every tea is freshly brewed when you order, which is great. You can also find little icons next to each drink item, so you know whether it contains ingredients like dairy, eggs, nuts, gluten, caffeine, or even if it can be ordered hot or cold. 

The staff were really friendly at the St. Clair Beach location that we went to and more than happy to answer any questions, as this was our first time here. The atmosphere was very bright with all the neon green furniture and I loved all the chalk wall art. No complaints with our drinks either. They were really refreshing and tasty. 

We ordered:                                                     

Regular sized Passion Fruit Green Tea with tapioca & Lychee Jelly and Cocoa Banana Crème Slush. A bonus is their BOGO offer right now (buy 1 drink, get 1 for 50% off), so you'll want to grab that deal.

With warmer days ahead, I'm looking forward to our next bubble tea adventure soon!

💜PresoTea

Choose Wisely: Erie St. Gastro Pub Food Review

One thing to love about Windsor is the food. We have so many places that have been in business for ages, and for good reason. As life changes, as it always does, it's exciting to see plenty of new local spots with creative and passionate chefs that are popping up that really seem to have the bones for lasting a long time - well, as long as they are supported. 

Erie St. Gastro Pub has a great minimalistic look but is still bright and welcoming with elegant touches of decor. If you're in the mood for a hearty burger, a little asian fusion or even something off the vegetarian/vegan menu, this might be the place for you.  

Dinner & Thoughts:

Steamed Dumplings (Appetizer)- A great start to the meal. We had veggie dumplings which were tasty with a sweet chili sauce. The freshly chopped green onions were a nice addition.

Pho -  I haven't had Pho (pronounced "fuh") in a while, so I was excited to try it out here. It had a heaping amount of chicken, noodles, and a very flavourful broth - I could taste the coriander with every slurp. The bowl was large enough that I have a bit of leftovers for lunch.

Double Pork  -  If you know Bill, he loves a good pulled pork sandwich. He really enjoyed his meal - the pork was soft enough but still with a little bit of chewiness. He also really loved the blend of mustard, chipotle mayo and honey ginger bbq sauce and the Vietnamese slaw. It was incredibly filling.

Usually a side salad is nothing special, but this one was elevated with the right amount of lettuce, shredded carrots, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, a little slice of avocado (he didn't eat that but a nice touch regardless). It was complemented by a delicious carrot/ginger dressing.

Warm hospitality - Maggie was top notch as our server, with a bubbly personality and just so accommodating to whatever we needed from the moment we sat down to the time we left.  We don't drink alcohol (if you do, they have a huge menu to choose from) but that was not an issue at all, as our glasses never remained empty for long, whenever passing by to check on us.  

Overall, I am confident to say that this time, we have chosen wisely. :) 

💜Website: Erie St Gastro Pub

💜Facebook

Uncovered: The Miriam Conspiracy by Bob MacKenzie

Copyright: Bob MacKenzie

Cover design by Joanne Gervais

I really enjoyed reading The Miriam Conspiracy. This was quite an intense read from start to finish!  It's the latest novel written by Bob Mackenzie. As a Canadian-based author, his expressive poetic musings and captivating novels have been published worldwide and have received numerous prestigious awards.

With the untimely deaths of family members, coupled with isolation on her homestead, Miriam begins to write personal confessions in a private journal that reveal more than anyone would ever imagine.  Her sister, Cassie, is just like a puppeteer - trying to pull the strings, which can feel rather relatable in a family dynamic, but with more sinister underpinnings.  The words off the pages begin to haunt the dreams and lives of deeply curious students who are searching for answers. Many other questions are posed from the ancient past to what lies ahead in the future, if one will actually exist.  

Bob has a keen way of playfully toying with the reader in this fictional piece of work set in the heartlands of Alberta, yet paralleling many realities of the current climate on the topics of political corruption and fanatic religiousity.  

The characters Zach and Evie truly play off each well and together, create an even more complex layer to the overall story, as they begin to realize watchful eyes have secrets of their own to conceal.

It is often said that it is a blessing and curse delving into the fragile human condition. Every page is a deeper dive into a story that ultimately challenges and shapes our own beliefs in a way that also leaves much to the imagination.

*2023 - Bob sadly passed away. This review is now in memory of Bob.

💜Order your copy directly from Bob's publisher here: The Miriam Conspiracy 

💜Other online retailers: Amazon.ca  Amazon.com

Voices Carry: She Said Movie Review

 

She Said, directed by Maria Schrader takes investigative journalism to another level, as New York Times journalists Megan Twohey (played by Carey Mulligan) and Jodi Kantor (played by Zoe Kazan) spearhead a story that would finally give women a voice to speak out about their experiences against one of most affluent Hollywood producers, Harvey Weinstein.

It is no surprise that powerful men often feel that they are in a position to have the upper hand and can use many forms of coercive control to get what they want.  The word “narcissist” is a word that is well-known in our vocabulary, but until we witness this behaviour, it only scratches the surface of what a person with this type of personality disorder can be capable of.  

The portrayal of Harvey in this film is chilling. It is a mirrored reflection of many men (in this particular case, but can be applied to any gender, of course) who believe they will never be caught because they are under a delusion that they are untouchable. We are reminded that as this case unfolds, the illusion of this idea is deeply flawed.  

The mix of emotions here is strong, as recollections of events are told and of course all the loop holes that impede justice. There is no linear path sometimes for conviction, which is frustrating and we can see the pursuit for the truth is painstakingly hard. We hold an uneasy feeling of wondering if justice will ever prevail. 

I thought this film was executed very well and Mulligan and Kazan’s performances exposed their character’s emotions in a raw way that didn’t take away from the story itself, but actually made it stronger. There is always risk to revealing dark secrets when evidence is not clear cut, but the phrase often used of “he said, she said” doesn’t apply here as all the pieces come together and we get to see more people come out of the shadows and one of the most prolific New York Time stories published that can never be unseen.

Some may feel that Weinstein was just another victim of his earlier life circumstances, plagued by mental illness and the incredible pressures of the Hollywood lifestyle. These and many other factors allowed for his behaviours to be overlooked and unnoticed. 

She Said is a liberating film to watch and as I reflected, I thought of a song that I loved to karaoke. It is called Voices Carry – by 'Til Tuesday with an empowering chorus “hush, hush, keep it down now, voices carry” which can be an anthem sung loudly for women (or any person for that matter) who has experienced the devastating and often long-standing wounds of abuse.  

💜Resources to reach out to:

Support links- Ontario

Canadian Mental Health

National organizations

Get Ready To WIFF at the Windsor International Film Festival

October and into November is an exciting month to experience the sheer pleasure of viewing independent, passionate and visionary film makers at the 2022 Windsor International Film Festival. 

Let's be honest as well, not everything shown will be someone's cup of tea, but I know you'll still find many enjoyable ones from the lengthy list here. 

From the website: WIFF is a cultural, charitable organization that celebrates the art of cinema by showcasing Canadian and international film and filmmakers. Delivering exceptional experiences through film, WIFF strengthens and enriches community while promoting the creative economy.

DIVERSITY OF PROGRAMMING - Increasing the exposure of Canadian and international film to all audiences and offering programming which appeals to and is representative of people in our community.

INTEGRITY - Developing and nurturing respectful relationships with each other, our volunteers, audience, partners and the film industry.

EDUCATION -Being a vehicle to increase knowledge of film and the film industry.

QUALITY OF LIFE - Contributing to the quality of life for Windsor-Essex residents that comes from having a vibrant arts community

SUSTAINABILITY - Operating under the highest standards that will ensure the continuance of the festival for years to come

URBAN ARTS COMMUNITY - Being part of a cultural hub and vibrant arts community in the downtown core


Reviews coming soon and will be updated!

The Pez Outlaw

Nowhere Special

Hello, Bookstore

The Phantom of the Open

 

Worth Every Penny: 2022 Stratford’s The Miser Review

After seeing the incredible production of Chicago at the Festival Theatre, another opportunity led us to fill the gas tank up and head right back to our beloved Stratford this week to be part of an exciting video taping of the hilariously- modernized stage show The Miser, staring Colm Feore and directed by Antoni Cimolino. Not only that but we had front-row tickets, something that was extra special and gave my husband and I the opportunity to get quite a view.

Before sitting, a quick photo before the show started.

Lots of cool props on stage to set the tone!

Molière's 1668 satire comedy is spun quite a bit differently with Ranjit Bolt’s new adaptation of The Miser, which doesn’t take itself too seriously and is riddled with pop culture references and plenty of millennial nods that explore the conflicts of greed, family legacy, love and who could forget, money.

Charlie (Qasim Khan) is head over heels for penniless Marianne (Beck Lloyd), and sister Eleanor (Alexandra Lainfiesta) is smitten by the butler, Victor (Jamie Mac), yet they are both consumed with fret over the notion to tell their wealthy, curmudgeon father, Harper (played by Colm Feore) who will gladly axe them entirely out his inheritance, if they don’t succumb to his demands.

Meanwhile, Harper is up to all sorts of trickery of his own, devising an arranged marriage for his daughter and planning to actually marry Marianne with a little help from matchmaker, Fay (Lucy Peacock).

Paranoid that everyone is out to steal his money, chaos erupts with poignant moments to reflect upon and scenes that leave you in pure full-bellied laughter.


Some highlights:

👉Taking things to another level, my husband told me that my eyes lit up when I first saw Colm Feore walk onto the stage. He shined as Harper, giving such a passionate performance and showing his tremendous skill of physical comedy.

👉Charlie, played by Qasim Khan. What a delight to watch perform. He had a sharp quick-witted tongue and commanding presence on stage that leaves the entire audience laughing whenever he flounced into the room.

👉Ron Kennell as Jack – a wearer of many hats (chef, chauffeur) and is down-right hilarious and cooks up quite a performance.

👉The set and costume design by Julie Fox was outstanding, especially the ridiculous pastel-like purple top hat and bell-bottomed ensemble that Harper (Feore) slipped into, which had discount Rocky Horror attendee meets Abba vibes!

We’re taken on a wild ride here with some surprising twists along the way that I’m not going to spoil for you. Fitted with yet another perfectly-crafted cast that brings loads of humour, talent, and laughter, The Miser is, as my title says, worth every penny!

Have you seen this one yet? If so, leave me a comment or send me a message via my webform! I always love to hear from my readers.

Visit the website to see what's currently playing.

*Tickets are available to see The Miser until Sat. Oct 29th, 2022.

💜https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/