ILLUSIONISTS CREATE FREAKY THRILLS
For the past three years, I’ve been the technical coordinator for one of the weirdest stage shows in Calgary, A Brush With Death. I run the lights and sound and get paid almost nothing for it, but I love every minute of it.
My inner nerd has always been fascinated with the supernatural. A Brush With Death is a weird mix of sideshow freak entertainment, supernatural séance, and Penn & Teller style comedy entertainment.
Yeats Wong, the producer and creepy host of this bizarre show, says, “I first set up A Brush With Death as a nightclub act for Halloween in 2010. But the response was so awesome, I decided to continue the show as an ongoing series throughout the rest of the year too, and every show has sold-out since.”
When asked about the type of people who attend his show, Wong replied that it tended to be a ‘date’ event. “Surprisingly, most of the ticket buyers are women, buying tickets for them and their spouse to attend. These are the same couples who go to see horror movies and thrillers together.”
I visited the venue, Fort Calgary’s Burnswest Theatre, with Yeats, checking out the backstage and control rooms. The previous shows had been at Lolita’s Lounge, in Inglewood. “I picked Fort Calgary because of the classic feel of the theatre and the surroundings,” says Wong, “but there’s also this very cool and creepy vibe to the building.”
One of the recurring themes at A Brush With Death is contacting and interacting with spirits from beyond the grave, and the upcoming show is no exception. “The nearby Deane House has a reputation as being the most haunted house in Canada. Its history includes many unusual deaths, including suicides, murder-suicides, and homicides,” comments Wong. “During our show, our psychic medium Gwyn Auger will attempt to make contact with the ghost of Deane House.”
The show also includes a significant element of danger and risk to the performers. Each show features some death-defying stunts. “For the April show, our headliner, Jason Werhun, is planning a rather harrowing effect with kitchen knives, and if anything goes wrong, he’ll end up in the hospital.”
Each show, Wong and his deviant troupe also explore the genre of sideshow freak entertainment, known in the business as ‘blockhead acts’. Some of the more shocking effects are purely for the gross-out factor and include skewers, fish hooks, and fake blood. “It always sounds far gorier than it actually is,” chuckles Wong. “I actually think of my show as a comedy stage show, and, maybe it’s just my weird sense of humour, but I find fake blood really funny.”
“This show, I’m bringing in guest star Ryan Pilling for his third return to Brush With Death. He’s absolutely hilarious and has worked on stage with comedy stars such as Colin Mochrie from Who’s Line is it Anyways?”
I asked Yeats about his influences and inspirations. He says, “I’ve always been a fan of cheesy horror films – Evil Dead and Nightmare on Elm Street. The more a film tries to scare me, the funnier I find it. Maybe I’m wired wrong?”
Yeats’ background is in magic and mentalism, with heavy influence from ‘edgier’ magicians such as Penn & Teller, David Blaine, and Criss Angel. “One of my favourite entertainers was Harry Anderson. You know, the judge from Night Court in the 80’s? Before and after his TV stint, he was an accomplished nightclub magician, with an awesome reputation for edgy and quirky entertainment.”
The next showing of Brush With Death is on April 28th, 7:30pm at Burnswest Theatre, Fort Calgary. Tickets are available at www.BrushWithDeath.ca, and minors are only admitted when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parental discretion is highly recommended.
Elle Nguyen || Top Image Courtesy of Phocal: Immortal Images
Image Gallery Courtesy of BrushWithDeath.ca
RUNWAY MONTHLY APRIL 2012
Runway Monthly kicked off their monthly series with a fantastic lineup of fashion talent and runway worthy outfits. Displayed against the beautiful backdrop of The Bank, Runway Monthly exhibited works from N.R.T. Fashions, Crystal Mckenzie, and Pout Clothing.
Image Courtesy of AYuen.Photo
Kyle Nylund hosted the evening in a stunning cocktail dress that literally lit up the room with little LED lights. A wondrous cityscape draped, petalled, ruffled, rolled, and wrapped Kyle in a creative art that elevated him to fashion stardom.
The Bank overflowed with fashion patrons, who cheered on their favorite designers. Runway Monthly proved Calgary has a hunger for fashion and that Calgary also has the talent to sate fashion addicts’ cravings through beautiful collections and professional organization. Many fans are looking forward to the next show on May 15th, 2012.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Nicole Rita Tomney proves that she is more than just a high fashion designer. In this collection, Tomney uncovers her talent in ready-to-wear clothing. Her womenswear featured desaturated colors matched with lace and fur to create a very romantic and edgy look.
I also love the pronounced necklines of the menswear. The collections felt very commercially targeted but still retained that signature N.R.T. flair.
CRYSTAL MCKENZIE with PRIMITIVE CULTURE
Crystal Mckenzie styled the runway models with loose fits and flowing fabrics. The sheer dress paired with print leggings caught my eye with its edgy black trimmings against a feminine, white fabric. The other outfit shown here screams Diana Ross, style icon!
Kirsten Summersgill showcased a clean cut and tailored collection for Runway Monthly. I love the interesting shapes Summersgill used to color block – undefined geometrics that flowed with the shape of the body. Also, the gold details against the black canvas created a very classy look – great for daytime to nightlife wear.
RUNWAY – THE OUTFITS
Elle Nguyen || Images Courtesy of Fela Photography
HAIR WARS 2012
Flames Central has a capacity for approxiamately 900 people for a cocktail reception, so it was a wonder how Hair Wars was able to pack in 1300 people for this event. As media, I would not attend Hair Wars again. There was no way to cover the event without an assigned media pit, room to jot down notes, or way to see the details of each hair show. When I looked around from my squashed spot in the crowd, however, I realized Hair Wars really doesn’t need any media coverage. The place was absolutely packed with roaring fans, all excited for the first Supreme Salon Hair Wars competition in Canada.
Some fans arrived at 6 PM for the 8 o’clock show and were surprised that there was no seating at all, except for the VIPs (if you can attend as VIP, do it!). The standing room was packed shoulder to chest all around the runway. It was such an uncomfortable experience and with the show running late into the night, many fans gave up the fight and left within a few minutes of the first hair show. If you can’t see the show, why stay?
Behind the scenes was a much more pleasant and dramatically exciting experience. Thanks to Twyla of Numa International Institute of Makeup and Design (NIIMD), Calgary Fashion was on site to see the backstage magic of Curious Hair – Skin – Body Salon.
With 19 years of experience, Jaimie Rankin was a great addition to the Curious Salon team for Hair Wars. As Head Instructor of NIIMD, Rankin teaches that a face is a display of art. Inspirations for Rankin’s art come from her dreams of creating extravagant looks for Cirque du Soliel, so it was not surprising to see stunningly detailed makeup work showcased in the show for Curious.
Rankin had only one week to prep her students for their first time to showcase their work on a stage. ”My students did a phenomenal job. I’m so proud”, says Rankin. Using air brushing, gems, textures, and bright colors, Rankin’s team sculpted fashion editorial versions of favourite Disney’s princesses and villains. The looks were boldly strong and matched the overall look of each Disney character.
Curious and Edges Salon were obvious crowd favourites – both received thundering applause and cheers. So, it was shocking to see neither salon place in the top three. Tatiana, a model for Edges Salon, was appalled when she received the news. “At first, I was very upset that we didn’t win, but when I saw how complex the other hair styles were, I understood.”
Twisted Banana won the Calgary competition and will be competing in the Regionals down in Las Vegas. Divas placed second, and DelMar Hair and Esthetics grabbed third place.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Salon: Twisted Banana
Winner of Hair Wars competition in Calgary
When I first saw this design, I thought it was ruffled fabric gather together. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was all hair!
How did Twisted Banana get that ruching effect using hair?!
Salon: Edges
Madonna – Like a Prayer
I love the Madonna inspired looks of Edges Salon! This specific hair style caught my attention with its mix of color, textures, lengths, and shape.
Salon: Edges
Madonna – Don’t Tell Me
Wouldn’t this be a the perfect fashion forward accessory for the Calgary Stampede – a giant cowboy hat made out of hair.
Salon: Divas (Red Deer)
Garden of Eden
You can tell Divas took a lot of time a care in creating their looks for the Hair Wars competition. The details and texture/shape fusions of this hair style are insane!
Elle Nguyen || Photos Courtesy of AYuen.Photo
EVENT REVIEW – PEACE BRIDGE CELEBRATION
Thousands of eager Calgarians gathered on March 24th, 2012, waiting to be the first to cross the Peace Bridge. ”Many believe, myself included,” says Mayor Nenshi, “not enough people would use it. Let’s prove them wrong.” Not only did Calgarians prove the bridge is more than a “beautiful and bold structure” (Nenshi), but the Peace Bridge is also a symbol of Calgarians’ appreciation for art, culture and community.
Designed by Santiago Calatrava, this “feat of architecture, engineering, and beauty” (Nenshi) spans 130 meters across the Bow River. According to City of Calgary – Transportation Division, the unique design will “minimize the environmental impacts of construction and permanent bridge installation over the Bow River”.
In addition, the bridge is solidly built to withstand Calgary’s flood cycles, last a minimum of 75 years, and “act as a symbol of commitment of the people of Calgary to a healthy, active and beautiful city” (City of Calgary – Transportation).
The Peace Bridge is not just a pedestrian bridge. The 6.2 meters wide passageway includes two pedestrian walkways divided by a wide cyclist pathway, creating a more than sufficient space for both pedestrians and cyclists to commute side by side.
Celebrations were announced for 2 PM, but people began arriving on site at noon to enjoy the delicious food from the food trucks. At first, I was concerned that not many people who show up for the opening celebrations. A chill-to-the-bone wind ravaged Prince’s Island Park, and the sun seemed apathetic to the day’s joyous activities. Thousands of Calgarians braved the cold and surprised the city with a demonstration of community diversity and support.
The Peace Bridge Celebration was more than a red ribbon cutting for the opening of a new structure in Calgary. This celebration proved that “we have learned a lot as a community”, says Mayor Nenshi, and that Calgarians are able to bridge the gaps that separate us.
Elle Nguyen || Photos Courtesy of Yeats Wong & Lorie Boychuk
EVENT REVIEW: WALKING IN SUNSHINE 2012
March 8th marks the international celebration of respect, love and appreciation towards women. It is the “perfect day to celebrate and support women. That is why Ruby chose this day,” acclaims Master Sarah Moanies, MC of the “Walking in Sunshine” Dinner Event.
A fundraising event for the Sonshine Community Services, “Walking in Sunshine” was an intimate dinner service, fashion display and conversation, and simple marketplace. The dinner tables were beautifully decorated with pink blossom centerpieces, and a gorgeous carved wood piano lounged in a corner of the room, strummed to life by Calgary’s Songbird, Brittany Robart.
The event also included poetry readings by Deborah Miller. Deborah Miller brought out laughter and nods of empathetic emotions through her descriptive word play. Miller easily captured the audience’s attention with her skills in telling stories and humor.
Seated comfortable in the second room of the Lougheed House, I missed the graceful descent of the models down the staircase. Dressed in fashions from local designers, the models showcased each piece from table to table. Fashion fans were grateful to view the designs up close, touch the fabrics and accents, and discuss the details with fellow fashion lovers. Make-up and hair for the models were provided by Douglas Cressman and DelMar College.
EDITOR PICKS
Couture by Laura
I love the subtle floral prints of this spring jacket displayed on a neutral canvas. The loose fit of the leather jacket makes it the perfect luxurious, yet causal outerwear.
Hannelore Ponto
Accented with handmade loops and gold accents, the bomber jacket is an “American piece that has stood the test of time,” says Masters, and the Chanel Jacket “is, of course, considered an iconic piece”. Many appreciated the soft leather and the textured fabric of both jackets.
Natalie Robinson
Robinson has exquisite talent in quilting. Her jackets capture the creativity of her imagination beautifully on fabric.
Ruby Ellen Designs
Johnson proves her versatility as a custom clothing designer through her latest collection, Ice Cream. This collection is all about texture and flow.
The models were not the only ones clad in Ruby Ellen Designs. This lovely lady in blue is wearing a design by R.E.D. as well (also showcasing a necklace by Anne B. Accessories).
After the fashion show, guests were invited to Dori’s Doll’s Secret Garden – a “one on one interaction with the designers and talent” (Masters Sarah Monies). Expecting a garden themed open forum, the Secret Garden turned out to be a simple Marketplace featuring local vendors.
Elle Nguyen || Images Courtesy of Kaye Castejon
EDITOR PICKS – PARKSHOW 2012
Everyone was amazed with the wondrous production of PARKshow. “It’s the best organization in the world hands down. I will always say good things about PARK,” says Marsina King, designer of MaNoKin Design. “Their reach and insight in success makes it so easy for designers to get their work out there, and for PARK to be a non-profit organization that can put on a show of this caliber is unbelievable.”
First year designer to showcase in PARKshow, Anya Dionne of Dionne Dionne, was very happy to be able to watch the show. “It’s unusual to be in the crowd. PARK really takes care of everything.” Ashley Quan of Apiana Que agrees, “PARK is about helping designers and artists. I feel very supported by them. Their shows are always so professional.”
THE DESIGNERS & EDITOR PICKS
EKUMENIK
Ekumenik embraces the Fall/Winter Season with loose fits and warm knits. The big bold stripes in darker, yet vibrant shades are eye-catching.
LIGHT + SOUL APPAREL
The boldly colored tribal prints of the poaches were dazzling and matched the design of these comfortable bottoms.
HOAKAN + HELGA
Worldly styles and textures emanated from this collection. The soft leathers of the handbags showcased the best of vintage fashion.
MANOKIN DESIGN
MaNoKin displays the best of feminine beauty with deliberate cuts to peek-a-boo skin. The earthy, neutral tones wrapped the models spectacularly.
KARA
The contrasting colors and fabrics make the Kara collection stand out. I fell in love with the asymmetrical cuts and fabric fusions.
CHANTEL TRAUB
Sheerness was the theme of Chanel Traub Fall/Winter Collection, creating stylized fashion creations.
APIANA QUE
Apiana Que defies the conventions of Fall/Winter collections and brightens the runway with shocking colours and vivid patterns. This collection was inspired by the colors of the Madagascar chameleons.
DIONNE DIONNE
Matched with comfortable knits and the cutest heart detail, stripes make a striking appearance on the runway with Dionne Dionne. Her elegant wedding dress also captured wed gasps from the crowd.
REBECCA KING
This collection beautifully reflected worldly styles through interesting cuts and accents. King’s runway felt like a trendy, high class presentation of “It’s a Small World”, the beloved Disney attraction.
BANO EEMEE
Bano eeMee showcased a shopaholic’s dream collection for Fall/Winter jackets. I am a huge fan of his jackets, the exquisite detailing in his collection, and the variety of colors available for each style.
EMOGENE COUTURE
The voluminous dresses of Emogene Couture captured my eyes instantly. Emogene demonstrates the flirty nature of women perfectly in this Fall/Winter collection.
RUBY WOO COUTURE
Elegant dresses from Ruby Woo graced the runway, sparkling as they floated across the floor. These spectacular outfits could easily be mistaken for celebrity red carpet gowns.
Elle Nguyen || Images Courtesy of AYuen.Photo
THE PINK FROSTED GALA
The Pink Frosted Gala hosted by Dori’s Diamonds was a night full of fashion, food, and great company.
The fashion shows from MaNoKin Design and Ruby Ellen Designs gave the guests a sneak peek into what these fashion designers have planned for Spring/Summer 2012. MaNoKin Design Spring/Summer Collection is all about happiness and love. Lace and pointelles graced the runway on pale tone tops and skirts. Marsina King, designer of MaNoKin Design is focusing more on separates and skirts this season.
Ruby Johnson is re-branding her collection this year, inspired by her experience last year in New York. Ruby Ellen Designs is transforming into R.E.D. Haute Couture, a design house that specializes in custom design outfits. Johnson showcased two runway collections, but it was the second runway collection that really reflected her brand transformation.
Dori’s Dolls exploded from a box, dressed in custom designs from the second runway collection, a collaboration with Dori’s Diamonds, MaNoKin Design, and R.E.D. Haute Couture. This presentation was part of a performance of fashion, dance and music. The very talented violinist, Sophie Serafino, kicked off the performance with dramatic musical demonstration. Two dancers followed up with an exciting routine that interacted with the crowd and rotated the Dolls around the room. Overall, the fashion performance was a beautiful display of fashion, music and dance talent that was greatly appreciated by the guests.
For a “Pink Frosted Gala”, I didn’t feel wrapped in pink, despite wearing a pink dress. Niki Middleton, a freelance model, also comments on the lack of pink, “Elle and I are the only ones in the crowd wearing pink!” But the minor detail didn’t really bother Middleton. She thought the best part of The Pink Frost Gala was the Marketplace. Along the walls, vendors manned their booths and catered to the guests’ inquires about the products they showcase.
The booth featuring Catalaya Floral Design and Gifts was a delight to all the senses. Fresh flowers decorated the booth in arrangements of unique boutonnieres, stunning hair clips, and gorgeous bouquets. Many of the hair pieces were featured on the models. Catalaya also showcased a collection of bath salts. These sensually smelling bath products are hand crafted in Drumheller.
Jen Maslak of Catalaya believes in high quality products, affordable arrangements and originality. “I won’t bring anything in that is carried in chains,” says Maslak. Each gift set can be customized to fit your style, tastes, and budget.
These tasty wonders caught my eye once I entered the hall. The towering treats from Yann Haute Patisserie were the perfect favours for this fashion event. I wish the towers were at every table, so all party patrons could enjoy these delectable sweets. There were, however, small samplings of Yann treats available from the booth for a small price.
Yann Haute Pastisserie specializes in French pastries, but what makes this bakery special? The authentic French sweets are masterly crafted by a French Pastry Chef with 15 years of international work experience tucked under his chef hat.
This little purple zebra print wonder sparkles with black and white crystals and is topped off with a soft leather bow.
I couldn’t help but bring a Niche clutch home with me! I always love the color and texture fusions of the Niche brand, and I’m not the only one. Vincent of Binzento Vincente also loves the textures, especially the feel of horse hair on the clutches.
For Spring/Summer 2012, you can expect to see more bright colors and color blocking on Niche clutches. This year, Beenish Natasha of Niche will be working with European and American designers. Natasha says, “I always look for quality and originality in designers”.
Niche wasn’t the only one bringing out the sparkles that night. Dori’s Diamonds accessorized the runway models with flirty, feminine pieces. I found that most of the jewelry speaks out to the younger crowd – accessories with dessert shapes, hearts and other cute characters decorated the booth. Simple, elegant pieces were also available to add a fashionable finish to a trendy, everyday look or add flair to any business outfit.
Blo, the blow dry bar, was on site with an array of products and knowledge. Guests who visited their booth were treated to mini touch-ups to their make-up and hair, but the guests weren’t the only ones pampered. Blo also styled the hair of the models for the runway shows.
The last booth I visited was hosted by Givenchy. It definitely had the most extravagant design. The booth was decorated with celebrity posters, sparkling crystals, and exquisite displays of perfume.
The night concluded with a lively performance from The Kirby Sewell Band. Music from Blues, Rock, Gospel, Country & Soul drew guests to the dance floor. At the end of the night, guests left with gifts, smiles, and memories of good times.
Words & Photos by Elle Nguyen
IN RETROSPECTIVE: THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
In the bottom floor of Sociale, waitresses dressed in lingerie and flirty Santa costumes greeted guests as they entered. It was a night of grand discounts. Three designers presented their wares on black clothed booths: Dori’s Diamonds, Nuage 9, and ElectroFur.
Dori’s Diamonds showcased a variety of styles from charm necklaces to delicate floral pendants. My favorite piece was the necklace made of gold beads, fur accents, and a bronze chain.
It was a spacious set-up with a very long runway that looped around the room. Unfortunately, only part of the runway leg was properly lit for optimal viewing of the outfits. The rest of the crowd was subjected to a dimly lit fashion performance, which worked out great for Electrofur but was a hindrance for Nuage 9.
All handbags featured on the runway were hand crafted and accented with crystals. Hina Haq, owner of Nuage 9, is moving towards providing Calgarians with a high-end collection. Some select clutches have handset crystals and others are comprised of handwoven materials, demonstrating Haq’s care for high quality and detail. The handbag designs are sophisticated and classy – suited for an older, professional client. The crystal designs are delicately intricate and glimmer boldly in light, making them excellent adornments on nightlife accessories.
Nuage 9 isn’t limited to handbags. A client had commented on the scarcity in the variety of hat styles in Calgary and complimented Nuage 9 on providing a diverse collection.
Even before the runway show, the crowd took an immediate liking to ElectroFur. Several guests had purchased glowing boas. One woman purchased one for her mother: “She’s 80. She’s going to love it!” Apparently, ElectroFur makes a great gift for people of all ages! When asked about the makings of ElectroFur, David Lee, the designer, kept his lips sealed. “It’s magic” was his only reply and I believe him!
The idea of ElectroFur grew from David’s experience with the Burning Man Festival. “”While contemplating the making of a fur type costume for the annual Burning Man event, I was playing around with flexible lighting in my living room. The phone rang. I dropped everything, brushed up against my white faux fur coat and it fell on top of the lighted wire. When I came back and saw the fibers of the fur glowing, that was the genesis of the construction of a full length white faux fur coat.” By implanting a lighting system into the jacket, the glowing attire attracted “onlookers with eyes so wide and jaws dropping with disbelief with what they were witnessing”.
Powered by AA batteries, wearers of this glowing clothing line have the option of print, color and color change ability for their select accessories. For more information, visit the Electrofur website.
Words/Photos by Elle Nguyen
GARDEN VARIETY SHOW
The Garden Variety Show has a different layout than any other show I’ve seen in Calgary. It is run like a TV talk show with performances and interviews with guests intermingled together into a night of wonder, comedy, and personality.
The most wondrous act of the night was delivered by Malcolm Russell, a magician who has performed a show on all 106 islands of Scotland! That’s quite a feat. When he arrived on scene with ropes in hand, I was sure this wasn’t going to any ordinary performance with ropes. His performance was so smooth and seamless that the audience was left wondering if his explanation of static electricity was really true.
Aytahn of Circus Montreal also brought out amazed gasps from the audience. Dressed in a classy, clean cut suit, he wowed the audience with balancing a bouquet of roses, books and a chair on his face. He received the loudest applause when he juggled ping pong balls using only his mouth. The sight was like watching a busy Bingo machine bouncing ping pong balls about. The audience absolutely loved it.
To keep the energy high, James Jordon, host of Garden Variety Show also introduced great comedy acts. The murder ballad by Ryan Pilling was the best display of comedy that night. The happy notes of Pilling’s voice and his banjo mixed with the dark words and a Bluegrass melody created such an ironic moment that resulted in wholehearted laughter.
The Junkyard Symphony took a different approach to comedy, using childish, clowny acts more appropriate for children’s birthday parties. While Dylan drummed beats on an array of recycled materials, Jonny amused the crowd with less-than-impressive acts of juggling. The audience, however, was very supportive and participated without reluctance when brought up on stage.
Personality is what makes The Garden Variety Show so special. Not only does Jordan introduce interesting performers to Calgary, he gives the audience a chance to peer into the hearts and minds behind it all. After each act, Jordan invites the performer to a live, laid-back interview. It was through these sessions, that I learned how Dan the One Man Band redefined the definition of a street performer.
Dan was the last act of the show and the crowd absolutely loved him. Dan has been performing in Calgary for 20 years as a one man band. Back when he was starting, he would reluctantly introduce himself as a street performer. “You mean like the guys that play music outside of liquor stores?” people would ask.
Nowadays, when he tells people what he does and people excitedly reply “like ‘Dan the One Band?’” and he proudly states “I am ‘Dan the One Man Band.’” Dan plays the roles of all members in a band – harmonica, guitar, drums, percussion, and vocalist. It was a wondrous performance of one man and eight instruments that rocked the audience and had them shouting for more.
The next Garden Variety Show is February 23rd, 2012 and will feature Yeats and Gwyn of “A Brush with Death”, an underground macabre magic and morbid comedy show for adults. Tickets are $12.50 and can be purchased online here.
Words by Elle Nguyen
SAVE THE DATE – LE CHÂTEAU EXPERT STYLE EVENT
It gives us great pleasure together with Le Château and expert stylist Kim Flanagan to invite you to discover a new and sophisticated Le Chateau! Join us at the Le Chateau Expert Styling Event (Wednesday October 26th) for an exciting shopping experience that includes professional wardrobe – building counseling, complimentary edibles and music by DJ Roofeo. The first 100 guests to meet with Calgary’s favoured stylist Kim Flanagan will enjoy an exclusive $25 gift towards any purchase made during the event.
See you there!
