pg.

4 Contents
pg. 8

Mike Pearce:
Canadian Soldier ......... 4

Comic Jam at the

Whitewater ................... 6

pg. 14 The Cat Comes Back ...

... Again ........................ 8

The Minstrel of
Mattawa .................. 9

Events Listings ......10-13

......16-22
pg. 24

SAB Rocks .................14

John Weiss .................23

pg. 26
The Fishin` Musician
..................24

MBM Entertainment
..................26

events listings editorials

business reviews
take-out menus

www.solventmagazine.com
local news
free classifieds updated daily...
03
 There is nothing that Solvent anticipates with as much eager-
ness as doing a follow up interview with a healthy and happy
Cpl. Mike Pearce.

He has recently been deployed to Afghanistan, and agreed to

do the following interview before he left.

As Mike has said, people tend to see the uniform, and not the
man, so he was glad to provide North Bay with an opportunity
to know a man that wears the uniform.

It is difficult for people to avoid equating the soldiers that fight

the war with the politics that have given birth to it, when disin-
genuous politicans hide behind the soldiers to avoid criticism.
“Support the Troops” is interpreted as “Support the War”, and
that guarantees soldiers will get flak from the anti-war move-
ment.

Regardless of whether this war is just, or necessary, Canadi-

ans should be proud to have a guy like Mike in our Forces. It
is impossible to say whether all soldiers are deserving of our
support, but one thing for sure, is that this man is deserving.

S: How do the Armed Forces choose which
troops to send to Afghanistan?
MP: The army will say that there are a certain
number of slots in a task force. Notification will
go out to all the Units and all the Regiments. The
Units and Regiments, will be allotted, based on
their size, a number of troops that will be allowed
to attend tour. From there it is up to the Unit to
decided specifically who is best suited to go.
S: You volunteered?
posed to war and fighting, and the Army. I used to
watch the news and I saw all this fighting and all
this war, and it changed me inside. I was opposed
to the fighting, but I saw suffering and dying, and
it disturbed me to the point where I had a realiza-
tion. I said to myself: “As unfortunate as it is
that we have fighting and war, someone has to do
something about the atrocities that are committed
on a daily basis.” It drove me to the point where I
said I am that “someone”.
S: So it was a sense of duty that propelled you.
S: How would you describe the difference be-
tween Mike Pearce and Cpl Mike Pearce?
MP: Before I was in the military, I wasn’t very
athletic. I was overweight. I wasn’t very intel-
ligent. I had no wit. I was very plain, very simple,
very ordinary. Immediately after I joined the
army, I dropped 40 pounds, and I gained a lot
of muscle. I gained integrity and discipline. The
army will teach you to do things that no normal
person would ever do. I was changed in a big
way.

MP: Yes.
S: So even though you are already in the forces,
combat deployment is still voluntary?
MP: At my level, yes. There are two components
to the Armed Forces, reg forces and reserve.
Since I am a reserve, I have the opportunity to
decline or just not put my name in.
S: What is the difference between the reg forces
and reserve forces?
MP: The intensity and regularity of training.
S: Will you join the reg forces eventually?
MP: That’s my plan. I’m comfortable where I am,
and I can gain experience before I fully commit
to a career. The reserves is an excellent opportu-
nity.
S: When did you realize that you want to be a
soldier?
MP: When I was a young man, I was very op-
MP: Sure it was a sense of duty. I don’t know if it
was duty [arising from the fact that] I didn’t have
a job, but it was certainly a point of honour. It is
honour that drives me to do the things that I do
now. It never
S: You saw an important and dangerous job that
needed to be done, and because of your sense
of honour, you decided that it was not a job you
could ask someone to do on your behalf, you
would instead do it on the behalf of others.
MP: I felt responsible to take the situation into
my own hands. There are people out there who
want change, but aren’t capable of doing some-
thing about it.
S: Will you spend your entire career in the army?
MP: At this point in my life, I think so. The army
has changed me spiritually and fundamentally
right down to my sense of ethics. Every compo-
nent of my life and my being has been changed
by the army. I’ve been in so long now, that it is
the only thing that I know. I don’t know if I could
go back to doing a civilian job.
S: By virtue of your training in the Canadian
Armed Forces, you have become a better person,
not only physically, and mentally, but also ethi-
cally?
MP: Yes, and at first I tried to fight the changes.
At first I tried to resist. It’s an instinct to resist
change and not take on things that are new. I was
so fundamentally against it at first. But then …
as soon as I … I guess the word I would use is
“break”. So once I “broke” from training, spiritu-
ally, and mentally, even physically, that was it.
S: Do other soldiers experience the same point of
“breaking”?
MP: That is what they call it, and it is part of
the training process. Everyone in this profession
experiences it for sure.
S: Before “breaking” you were resisting the
changes that were occurring in you and after
breaking, you stopped resisting?
MP: You don’t want to lose your sense of individ-
uality. You are who you are and no one can take

04
that away from you. Someone can change you
and shape you into something new though. That’s
what they try to do to you in training. Now that I
have undergone that process, I couldn’t imagine
my life otherwise. I don’t know where I’d be or
what I’d be doing. I don’t even want to know. I’m
very thankful for how I am today.
S: You made an allusion to your spirituality
earlier. Has your training created your spirituality
within you or has it reinforced your pre-existing
spirituality?
MP: It is definitely something new. Spirituality
is difficult to comment on, because it is difficult
to relate in words how someone feels inside, but
I am overwhelmed every day when I wake up. I
am overwhelmed with a sense of duty, and my
integrity drives me to protect people everyday.
Whether I am walking downtown, and I see
something happen, I am completely compelled
to help people all the time. I want to help and
protect those in need.
S: When you say “spirituality”, so you separate
that term from its religious applications?
MP: You could call it religion, spirituality, or
maybe, if you’re not a believer, you could call
it ethics or morals. I’m not sure what it is, but it
drives me.
S: What weapons are you trained on?
MP: It changes over the years, as weapons
systems you already know get phased out, and
new ones are brought in that you learn. I am
trained on 9 or 10 weapons systems. All small
arms weapons ranging from pistols, shot guns,
rifles, and various machine guns. I also know
anti-armor weapons, indirect fire weapons such
as mortar, grenade launchers, and many different
kinds of hand grenades.
S: Do you have a specialty?
MP: In my platoon, I am the general purpose
machine gunner.
S: You guys aren’t so specialized that someone
else in your platoon can’t do your job if you go
down.
MP: Our training program is designed so that
every soldier can fill a variety of roles. Let’s say
that I am taken out in combat, be it mortality
or wounded or whatever the case may be, there
are any number of others who can pick up my
weapon and replace me.
S: Is this unique to the Canadian Armed Forces
or do soldiers in all armies have that level of
flexibility?
MP: Not all forces are based around the idea that
each soldier should be able to do anything. That
is because it is expensive to train soldiers as thor-
oughly as Canadian soldiers are trained.
S: So Afghanistan will be your first combat
deployment?
MP: Live fire combat? The real deal? Yes, it will
be.
S: Obviously, you would not be a human being
if you did not think about the perils you will
face. How does your training prepare you to face
danger?
MP: We have a lot of support groups. There are
many counselors to help you deal with com-
bat stress. Our forces are dedicated to helping
soldiers through whatever difficulties they may
have. I feel safe knowing that no matter what
happens to me, I will always have someone to
take care of me.
S: You deserve no less for what you are putting
on the line for us civilians. Have you envisioned
combat and how your training will hold up under
the extreme pressure of combat?
MP: At this point in my career, I have had
enough training that my job has become second
nature to me. When you begin training, you are
overwhelmed, because there is so much stuff to
do and remember, and it is physically exhausting.
After a while, it all becomes natural, and your
reactions become instinctive almost.
S: How does your family feel about you being a
soldier?
MP: My family was supportive of me joining,
because my family has a several generations of
history in the military. My father was certainly a
big influence. Now that a combat deployment is
coming closer, it is different. They never thought
that I would be going overseas, into danger, put-
ting my life on the line.
S: So their attitude has changed now that they
know that you will be seeing combat?
MP: Definitely. They say things like: “What did
you do today at work?” And I say something like
“I got issued body armor to protect myself when
I am overseas”. They don’t say much. They’ll
say “Oh, that’s nice”. When I talk about the fact
that I have to go and fight in a war, they don’t say
anything. They are very quiet.
S: From the lack of reaction, do you sense worry?
MP: Absolutely. They are terrified. I can see it in
their eyes. I think they are trying to pretend that
it isn’t happening. They are trying to pretend that
their son isn’t going overseas to fight a war.
S: I imagine that one of the things that gives you
strength as you are preparing to go is the shared
experience with your fellow soldiers. Do you
feel the bond between yourself and your brothers
in arms strengthening as your deployment ap-
proaches?
MP: For sure. You use the term brothers in arms,
and it is something I hear often. In the military,
you suffer with these human beings that you
work with every waking moment of every day.
You grow bonds with them. The people that you
refer to as my brothers in arms, are just brothers
to me. There are people that I have suffered with
through my entire career, and I don’t call them by
their name or their rank, I call them “Brother”.
I have a very hard time describing in words the
bond that is created when you are in a trench with
someone for 10 days.
S: The bond you have with someone with whom
you will face danger, must be entirely different
than bonds you can have with anyone else.
MP: I only know one person that isn’t in the army
that I can relate to on the same level as I can with
my brothers in the army, and that is only because
I have known him my whole life.
S: Speaking of a bond between soldiers that is
intrinsic to the fact that you share experiences
with them, do you think that your existence as a
soldier creates a separation between yourself and
the civilians that you are sworn to protect, who
can’t possibly understand what you will be going
through in Afghanistan?
MP: Certainly. All joking aside, and I have to
say that I am not speaking on behalf of everyone,
but there are people in the military who regard
civilians as little more than an irritation. Person-
ally, I believe that anyone who is physically and
mentally capable of protecting those in need, is
obligated to do so. My whole belief system is
based on this.
S: Your motives as a soldier are based on your
sense of honour and your sense of duty. Now, you
just described citizens as little more than irritants,
but those are the people that you are prepared to
make the ultimate sacrifice for.
MP: I didn’t say that I consider them to be an
irritant, but it is very difficult for me to talk
about civilians. I have walked down the street in
my uniform and I have been spat on, and I have
been called things like “warmonger”. I have had
people that I have never met in my life flip me
the middle finger and throw shit at me. Every
time it happens, I question myself. Why should I
protect someone who has that kind of attitude?
S: You are prepared to sacrifice yourself for
someone who might show nothing but scorn for
your efforts.
MP: It bothers me to think that without hesitation
I will stand in front of bullets for these people. I
care about them, and it rattles me in my founda-
tion to be treated like this. I just don’t understand
it.
S: By the same token, you must encounter a lot of
people who are thankful for what you do.
MP: People come up to me all the time and thank
me. People shake my hand and say thanks for
doing a great job. I’ve been hugged. People try
to give me gifts sometimes. The pros certainly
outweigh the cons. I admit that I get more posi-
tive than negative. But I have had completely
ignorant people come up to me and say “ Canada
should stay the fuck out of Iraq !!” Immediately,
I think “You’re a silly goose, because we are not
in Iraq.” I’ve put up with a lot of garbage because
people are ignorant.
S: Would it make a difference to you if the job
that you are doing on behalf of our country was
better recognized by the average person you meet
in the street?
MP: No
S: Your gratitude is not one of your motives.
MP: I might question myself more if everyone
was against me, but I would still honour my
obligations and do my job.
S: Do you feel that some people who are against
war, are against you because you are the manifes-
tation of war that they see in the street?
MP: Yes, I am a symbol to them. I am not a hu-
man being that has feelings. I am just a uniform
to them.
S: Take care of yourself Corporal, and thanks for
your efforts.
05

m e
C o
at
T he C
All good things must come to an end. But
sometimes they come to an end, and a be-
ginning, before going to Deep River shroud-
ed in mystery.
Not long after 3 Legged Cat supposedly
reunion/final show at Cecil’s, a 3 Legged Cat
CD Release Party was announced for June
14 - also at Cecil’s. At this event, fans of
the band will be able to purchase a live CD
recorded at the farewell show.
Three Legged Cat got their start at the
Cecil’s Jam Night. When Tiff Broome-Mclean
had just started working there as a server,
Dave Moffat was playing an acoustic show
there one night. As he performed the song
“Creep” by Radiohead, Tiff was overheard
by John “JP” Parnell, saying that she could
also play that song - perhaps better than
Moffat. JP, who at the time was the booking
manager at Cecil’s, immediately challenged
Tiff to back up her words on stage at the next
Jam Night.
Tiff says that getting on stage for that first
time was tough, but not as tough as JP was
making it not to get on stage. A star was born
at Cecil’s Jam Night, and Tiff gives much
credit to JP for getting her started.
Tim Bionda, guitarist for Three Legged Cat
was working as the live sound engineer at
Cecil’s at the time. Tim fondly recollects the
moment that he decided that he might like
to become musically involved with Tiff. “She
would tip toe to the mic, put her head down,
and play very quietly, but I always thought
08
s B a c k ... A gai n
From Left: Tim Bionda, Tiff Broome-McLean, Tyler Chartrand
the songs were pretty and I thought she
was good. Nothing really clicked until I saw
her play one of the same songs in her living
room, and she played it with no inhibition at
all. She just belted it out, and I knew right
then that I have to play in a band with this
person.”
The band needed a drummer so Tim re-
cruited Tyler Chartrand, formerly of Skrote,
Humphrey Bogart, Inhumane, Empyrean
Plague, and Genitile. “I knew Timmy, who
was in Humphrey Bogart and Skrote with
me way back, and he told me he knew this
amazingly hot beautiful singer that was also
an awesome singer, so ...” say Chartrand
when asked how and why he joined this
band.
Tim and Tyler are influenced by punk and
metal respectively, and these influences
come out in their playing. Bringing a classic
rock and top 40 influence to the band, is the
other guitarist, Damien Thibodeau, aka “The
Shredder”, who reputedly knows every radio
song ever written.
For the upcoming show, 3 Legged Cat will be
joined by Jake Rockburn on bass, formerly of
Red and White, and Alicia Turner a vocalist
from the band Indecent.
The band is very pleased with the live album
and looks forward to making it available to
the public at their June 14th show at Cecil’s.
To guarantee a copy, fans of Three Legged
Cat would be advised to join their group on
Facebook, and pre-order a copy.
Ronnie Lafrance, front house engineer, and
Chris Blackwell who did the mixing and mas-
tering both did a great job says Bionda. Lisa
Gibson from SAB and the Family Band, did
the graphic design.
For years, 3 Legged Cat was a fixture on the
North Bay scene. They had a long run host-
ing a very successful jam night at Cecil’s,
and twice made the finals of Northern Ontar-
io Band Wars sponsored by Molson. In 2003
it was at a place called the Falcon in Garson.
“That place was great.” Bionda says wist-
fully, “They took Canadian Tire money. You
could buy beer with Canadian Tire money!!!”
The next year the finals were held at 100
Georges in Sudbury on two of the coldest
days of the year. “We spent about 200 bucks
on gas running the van in the parking lot.”
Bionda claims, and when asked why the van
was running in the parking lot so much, he
replied: “It was our dressing room, but I will
admit that there was smoke seen billowing
from our dressing room.”
The reunion show at which the album
was recorded, was supposed to also be a
farewell show, as Tiff is leaving to go live in
Alaska with her husband Tim, who is with
the Air Force. This CD Release Party is now
officially the last show of 3 Legged Cat, but
there is a persistent rumour about Deep
River. Before Tiff divulges too many details
about the mysterious Deep River gig, Tim
cuts in to conclude that” You never know how
long it’ll be gone, but the Cat always comes
back.”
 The Minstrel of Mattawa
Very often, downtown is enlivened by the sounds
of Roger Boulanger playing his violin on the side-
walk between TD Bank and Cheapskates.

Hailing from Mattawa, Roger has been bowing

the strings for 6 years. As a career landscaper,
now retired, he describes himself as an outdoors
person, and busking is a great excuse to be out-
side, meeting people, and enjoying the summer
weather.

The response that Roger has gotten from people,

and merchants in the DIA, has been gratifying and
is what keeps him coming back. Jeff Serran of the
DIA, is credited with helping Roger find the best
place to share his talent with passers-by.
When asked why he thinks there aren’t more
buskers out on Main St, he speculates that people
are nervous about playing publicly. He hopes that
he inspires some other musicians to give it a shot.
During his busking sessions, Roger has already
met quite a few musicians and is thinking that
there might be some collaborative busking in his
future.

Making friends is definitely not least among

reasons that Roger plays music for people. He is
quick to relate experiences he has had meeting
new people on the street.

“There are family services next to the bank, so

that brings a lot of mothers with their kids. They
stop and the mother explains to the kids what I am
doing. They tell the kids what a violin is, and why
I have the case open in front of me. Sometimes
they are only about 18 months old, and the mother
will give them some coins to put in the case. But
sometimes the kids don’t want to part with the
coins, and the mother has to pry the hand open so
the coins fall into the case. Sometimes when the
kids catch on to what it is, every time the mother
and child come by me, the child asks for money to
put in the case.”

Next time you see Roger perpetrating some

music on Main St., don’t be a stranger.

09
 Events
Saturday, June 7, 2008 Monday, June 9, 2008

Dig Newton Colin

Cecil’s Cecil’s
3$ Cover 10 PM
10 PM No Cover

The Cronics
The Fraser Tuesday, June 10, 2008
3$ Cover
9:30 PM
Johnny Williams
Klassic Kountry Cecil’s
The Fraser No Cover
Saturday Matinee 10 PM

Cody Allen
Renee’s Cafe Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Northern Ontario native Cody Allen has
been gaining recognition as a distinct solo
artist with an insightful, funky style. He Free Wing Night
accompanies himself on acoustic guitar and Moose’s Loose Change Lodge
creates his own style and sound, a cross 1 Free Pound of Wings after 11PM
between rock, folk and country. His memo- 3$ Cover
rable voice & powerful lyrics create music Live DJ
that sounds both natural and vintage. Cody
has been compared to to Raine Maida, the Jake Thomas
lead singer of Our Lady Peace. Some of the Cecil’s
artists who inspire him are Jeff Buckley, No Cover
Paul McCartney, John Mayer, Dave Mat- 10:00 PM
thews Band, Matthew Good, Blue Rodeo
and Tomi Swick. Hump Day
Cody Allen plays pubs, concert halls and The Fraser
festivals and has opened for Faber Drive, 12.75 Pitchers
Hello Operator, Pat Robitaille, Suzie Mc- No Cover
Neil, Autoswitch, Trooper, Rides Again, 9:30 PM
Flatlined & more. Tunes from his CD,
Little Things Mean So Much (2005) have
seen National airplay and his second CD Thursday, June 12, 2008
will be available soon.
8:00 PM
7$ Cover Hit and Run
100 Georges
UFC 85 : Bedlam Featuring MIC PRO
at Boston Pizza / The Moose 10:00 PM
Hughes vs. Alves in the main event. No Cover
Fights shown free at both of these locations
Check ufc.com for details Molson Karaoke Night
The Fraser
Super Saturdays Draw date for the following prizes will be
The Zoo held on June 26th - must be present to win
A different party every Saturday. 1st - 2 people will each win $500
10:00 PM 2nd - Karaoke Machine
3rd - Coors Light Leather Barstools
Book Signing There will also be tons of giveaways for
Gulliver’s Books everyone!
Celebrate the launch of Wynterblue 10:00 PM
Publishing’s Confabulation, a compilation 2$ cover
of works by local writers, many of whom
will be present to meet you and sign their Tyler Hall and the Easy 3
work. Wynterblue is a new publishing Cecil’s
house in North Bay. Meet Karin Lacroix, No Cover
its prime mover. 10:00 PM
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Margaret Trudeau
Capitol Centre
Sunday, June 8, 2008 Raising Voices and Changing Lives
Together, the Northeast Mental Health
Centre and the Canadian Mental Health
Karaoke and Wing Night Association - Nipissing Regional Branch,
Cecil’s present former First Lady of Canada,
39 cent wings Margaret Trudeau to share her inspirational
10:00 PM journey about living with a mental illness.
No Cover We invite you to participate in an evening
of hope, understanding, awareness & ac-
Industry Night ceptance.
The Fraser Special performance by the North Bay
12.75 Pitchers Interlink Choir
No Cover Tickets: $15.00
7:00 PM
Reel Big Show
Capitol Centre Superstar Thursdays Refueled
Movie Night at Capitol Centre The Zoo
check www.capitolcentre.ca for details. Presented by MBM Entertainment
7:00 PM DJ Femme Fatale (top 40, hip hop, reggae)
DJ Jimbo (hip hop, house)
3$ with flyer
4$ without
sponsored by: Exodus
Friday June 13, 2008
Peter Cliche Band
Cecil’s
3$ Cover
10:00 PM
MLC
The Fraser
3$ Cover
9:30 PM
Shrine Circus
Memorial Gardens
There will be two performances - one at
4:00 PM and another at 7:30 PM. Buy one
ticket at $17.50 and receive a second ticket
free!!! Call the box office for details at
474-3770
Deadline for Band Wars Registration
Capitol Centre
Event is on June 28, deadline to register is
the 13th.
Sarah Craig & James Matt
Renee’s Cafe
Blues meets Bluegrass with Sarah Craig &
James Matt
A self-described ‘Sudbury girl’, Sarah
Craig (see sarahcraig.ca) performs jazz as
tasty and clean as Ramsey Lake water. In
the tradition of Billie Holiday, her smoky
vocals set the stage for her bluegrass- and
gospel-inspired jazz songs. The Laurentian-
educated musician played with the Sultry
Jazz Trio, The Sudbury Jazz Orchestra and
indie-rocker OX, which allowed her to tour
the British Isles and Canada. Her upcoming
release is ‘The Threshing Floor’ produced
by Paul Dunn.
Roots don’t get much more country than
Jim Matt’s. With his big smile, big boots
and big country guitar licks, he leans into
his tunes as if his life depended on getting
it across just right. Growing up in Engle-
hart, he put his hands to pencil and fingers
to fret, writing sweet down-home melodies
and playing songs for many years. Then he
was picked up by multi platinum-selling,
Grammy Award-winning producer Pete
Anderson (he handles Dwight Yoakam,kd
lang, Roy Orbison, Blue Rodeo and now,
Jim Matt). Pete described Matt’s voice
as ‘purebred country crisp and clean as a
summer morning on a pristine lake. Jim
represents the sort of talent that comes
along only every ten years. He’s so focused
it’s a gift’. Recorded in LA, Jim’s album
‘All My Wild Oats’ is a fresh take on C&W
backed up by Dwight Yoakam’s band,
including Sudbury fiddler Donnie Reed.
8:00 PM
10$ Cover
New Movies at Galaxy
Galaxy Cinemas
The Happening
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Descha-
nel, John Leguizamo
A man takes his family on the run when
the world turns upside and a cataclysmic
natural crisis threatens to end the world.
The Incredible Hulk
Director: Louis Leterrier
Starring: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim
Roth
The Incredible Hulk kicks off an all-new,
explosive and action-packed epic of one of
the most popular superheroes of all time. In
this new beginning, scientist Bruce Banner
(Edward Norton) desperately hunts for a
cure to the gamma radiation that poisoned
his cells and unleashes the unbridled force
of rage within him: The Hulk.
Living in the shadows -- cut off from a life
he knew and the woman he loves, Betty
Ross (Liv Tyler) -- Banner struggles to
avoid the obsessive pursuit of his nemesis,
General Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt),
and the military machinery that seeks to
capture him and brutally exploit his power.
Young People F...ing
Director: Martin Gero
Starring: Aaron Abrams, Diora Baird,
Sonja Bennett
Each of live stories traces a single sexual
encounter between each couple, leading
from “Foreplay” through to “Afterglow”.
Each couple’s attempt to have ex is met
with an endless stream of complications.
The Couple, Abby (KRISTEN BOOTH)
and Andrew (JOHN DEAN), try to spice
up their stale love life, only to discover
that things are worse than they thought.
Matt (AARON ABRAMS) and Kristen
(CARLY POPE) are The Friends, lifelong
buddies, one sick and the other sick of
love. Their plan to sleep together goes off
the rails when romance rears its ugly head.
The Exes, Mia (SONJA BENNETT) and
Eric (JOSH COOKE), hook up again for
old time’s sake, while trying to hide the
feelings they still have for one another. In
The First Date, world-class playboy Ken
(CALLUM BLUE) comes clean about
his history to his nave young date Jamie
(DIORA BAIRD), learning some of her
secrets in the process. The Roommates,
Dave (PETER OLDRING) and Gord (EN-
NIS ESMER) are normally at each other’s
throats, but set aside their differences for
a threesome with Gord’s girlfriend Inez
(NATALIE LISINSKA). In each case, the
couple (and trio) discovers that sex isn’t
always simple.
We Pay You Fridays
The Zoo
It’s about time students got paid to party.
Enter before midnight, and The Zoo will
give you 5$ to do with, whatever you wish.
10:00 PM
Saturday, June 14, 2008
3 Legged Cat
Cecil’s
CD Release Party
3$ Cover
10:00 PM
MLC
The Fraser
3$ Cover
9:30 PM
Rural Roots
The Fraser
Saturday Matinee
North Bay Downtown Farmers’ Market
Parking lot(McIntyre St.)across from City
Hall
Pastries and breads, honeys and jams, and
a beautiful array of fruits and vegetables
are carefully arranged for you. Handmade
crafts are gently set out. Proudly we show
our wares, including pottery, fabric crafts,
jewellery, toys, and soaps.
Open 8:30 to 13:00 every Saturday from
Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving
weekend.
11
 Events
Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Jimbo
Waterfront - Kate Pace Way Cecil’s
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM No Cover
10:00 PM
Nipissing Motorcycle Ride for
Canadian Tire Governor General’s Fellowship
Register online or at Canadian Tire parking Capitol Centre
lot Friday 2 till 8pm, or Saturday morning 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM
before 10am. Parade leaves CTC at 10:30,
to be followed by poker run. Free meal at
end of ride for first 200 registrants. For Tuesday, June 17, 2008
more info, call Chopper Cameron (752-
5566) or Terry Daigle (497-7520)
Johnny Williams
Matthew Good and His Band Cecil’s
Capitol Centre No Cover
Opening act: The Spades 10:00 PM
7:30 PM
Charley Pride in Concert
Northern Biosphere Memorial Gardens
WKP Kennedy Gallery 7:30pm. All seats are reserved. Tickets are
An exhibition of new works from the already on sale at a cost of $67.75 each for
Permanent Collection. Including a selec- the first 10 rows of floor seats and $59.75
tion of works by Doug Donley and some for all other seats. Purchase 20 tickets or
recent acquisitions by Paul Kelly and Jane more and receive a $2 per ticket discount
Bonnell. along with one complimentary seat to the
show. Call the box office at (705) 474-
Garry White 3770 to order over the phone with Visa or
Renee’s Cafe Mastercard or stop in between the hours of
Join us for a delicious dinner and enjoy 10am and 4pm, Monday through Friday.
beautiful instrumental music featur-
ing Garry & Renée. Or stop by later to
enjoy their music over drinks and dessert. Wednesday, June 18, 2008
White played professionally for many
years on the Toronto jazz scene including
stints with The Platters, Tommy Hunter, Free Wing Night
Hagood Hardy, Moe Koffman and other Moose’s Loose Change Lodge
jazz legends. He is a gifted player with a 1 Free Pound of Wings after 11:00 PM
dynamic guitar sound. His influences range 3$ Cover
from Chet Atkins to Lennie Breau and Wes Live DJ
Montgomery. This show with bassist Renée
White includes jazz, blues, Latin, 60’s Jimbo and Colin
rock’n’roll, folk and traditional. Cecil’s
7:00 PM No Cover
No Cover 10:00 PM

Summer Blues Cruises: David Rotundo Hump Day

Chief Commanda II The Fraser
One of Canada’s premier harmonica play- $12.75 Pitchers
ers returns to the Chief this summer with No Cover
his brand of “swinging blues”. www.davi- 9:30 PM
drotundo.com. Come and see Jake Thomas
on the Upper Deck. Life. Money and Illusion
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM The Hibou Boutique
Join Mike Nickerson, author of the new
Super Saturdays book “Life, Money & Illusion; Living on
The Zoo Earth as if we want to stay,” for a discus-
A different party every Saturday. sion at Hibou Boutique, about choosing
10:00 PM our future.
*Please, B.Y.O.C. - Bring your own chair/
Summer Stroll lawn/folding chair to this event - Thank
Downtown North Bay you!
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sunday, June 15, 2008 Thursday, June 19, 2008

Karaoke and Wing Night Hit and Run

Cecil’s 100 Georges
39 cent wings Featuring MIC PRO
10:00 PM 10:00 PM
No Cover No Cover

Industry Night Molson Karaoke Night

The Fraser The Fraser
$12.75 Pitchers Draw date for the following prizes will be
No Cover held on June 26th - must be present to win
1st - 2 people will each win $500
Reel Big Show 2nd - Karaoke Machine
Capitol Centre 3rd - Coors Light Leather Barstools
Movie Night at Capitol Centre There will also be tons of giveaways for
check www.capitolcentre.ca for details. everyone!
7:00 PM 10:00 PM
2$ cover

Monday, June 16, 2008 Superstar Thursdays Refueled

The Zoo

12
Presented by MBM Entertainment The WKP Kennedy Gallery and Near
DJ Femme Fatale (top 40, hip hop, reggae) North Mobile Media Lab present Canadian
DJ Jimbo (hip hop, house) multi-instrumentalists and songwriters Bob
3$ with flyer Wiseman and Ruth Minnikin
4$ without Doors: 8:00 PM
sponsored by: Exodus Performance: 9:00 PM
Tickets: 8$
Friday, June 20, 2008 The Baked Potatoes Folk Band
Renee’s Cafe
The band consists of Michelle Dawney
Capones (vocals), Allison Long (vocals), Ryan Fog-
Cecil’s arty (bass, piano, guitar, backup vocals),
3$ Cover Shane Bryson (guitar, bass, backup vocals)
10:00 PM and Ian Paul (violin, guitar, bass, percus-
sion, keys, backup vocals). The group will
After the Lounge play acoustically-oriented folk/blues/jazz
The Fraser songs, including many cover tunes and
3$ Cover some original material. They have a very
9:30 PM laid-back, easy-listening sound.
8:00 PM
Relay For Life 7$ Cover
CFB North Bay 22 wing
Celebrate: the lives of those who have had New Movies at the Galaxy
cancer Galaxy Cinemas
Remember: loved ones and their battle
against cancer Get Smart
Fight Back: against a disesase that takes Director: Peter Segal
too many. Starring: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway,
Join the biggest cancer event to make the Alan Arkin
biggest diference. When the headquarters of U.S. spy agency
Experience the Magic! Control is attacked and the identities of
Volunteer - donate your time and make it its agents compromised, the Chief (Alan
an event to remember. Arkin) has no choice but to promote his
Participate - join a team to raise money for ever-eager analyst Maxwell Smart, who
the cause. has always dreamt of working in the field
Register on line or call Susan at 705-472- alongside stalwart superstar Agent 23
9072 ext 224 (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson). Smart is
or visit us at 147 McIntyre St W, unit 101 partnered instead with the only other agent
North Bay On. whose identity has not been compromised:
Experience the exitement of being part of a the lovely-but-lethal veteran Agent 99
nationwide event raising funds in over 480 (Anne Hathaway). As Smart and 99 get
locations across Canada. You’’ve never felt closer to unraveling KAOS’ master plan
better staying up all night! - and each other - they discover that key
KAOS operative Siegfried (Terence Stamp)
King of the Hill Dragway and his sidekick Shtarker (Kenneth Davi-
Jack Garland Airport tian) are scheming to cash in with their net-
June 20 - 22, 2008 marks the 6th annual work of terror. Given little field experience
King of the Hill Dragway. Drag racers and even less time, Smart - armed with
from Ontario, Quebec, Michigan, and New nothing but a few spy-tech gadgets and his
York will compete for over $40,000 in unbridled enthusiasm - must defeat KAOS
prize money. This year’s event will be big- if he is to save the day.
ger and better as racing starts at 12:00 noon
on Friday for all classes. Special attractions Global Metal
include Jet Cars, Gamblers Race, Classic Director: Scot McFadyen
Car Show and much more. $130,000 raised In GLOBAL METAL, directors Scot Mc-
to date for the new North Bay General
Hospital.
Fadyen and Sam Dunn set out to discover
how the West’s most maligned musical
genre -- heavy metal -- has impacted the
Ron Parisien @
LAST DAY: Chaos in the Colour world’s cultures beyond Europe and North 142 Oak St W
WKP Kennedy Gallery America. The film follows metal fan and
Art by Jacqueline Amber Carter anthropologist Sam Dunn on a whirlwind North Bay ON P1B 2S7
May 31 - June 20 journey through Asia, South America and salon T 705 474-0288
The exhibition depicts figures calm against the Middle East as he explores the un- esthetics T 705 474-0523
a turbulent sea of color. Aspects of this derbelly of the world’s emerging extreme
exhibition are autobiographical document- music scenes -- from Indonesian death
ing the struggle of the individual against metal to Chinese black metal to Iranian
external forces beyond one’s control; this is thrash metal, GLOBAL METAL reveals a For all your professional hairstyling needs
where the exhibition gets its title “Chaos in worldwide community of metalheads who
the Color”. The title of the exhibition relays aren’t just absorbing metal from the West phone Ron at 474-0288
what is being communicated between the -- they’re transforming it. Creating a new
spokes of the color wheel to the audience. form of cultural expression in societies
Each piece acts as a conversation in color dominated by conflict, corruption and
with the viewer; captivating the audience massconsumerism. Your Stylist that pays attention to every detail.
with radiating reds and vibrant oranges,
color is the tool being used to convey the The Love Guru
spectrum of feelings felt by the artist to Director: Marco Schnabel
the viewer. The works in the show focus Starring: Mike Myers, Jessica Alba, Justin
primarily on the colors with which the fig- Timberlake ... stay tuned to what’s
ures are placed against rather than engulfed Pitka (Myers) is an American who was left
in. This placement of the figures in each at the gates of an ashram in India as a child happening in the Bay
piece makes the backgrounds of the works and raised by gurus. He moves back to the with Solvent Magazine
convey the meaning for each work, while U.S. to seek fame and fortune in the world
each figure acts to anchor the viewer in the of self-help and spirituality. His unortho-
sea of colors. dox methods are put to the test when he
must settle a rift between Toronto Maple Events Listings at
Bob Wiseman and Ruth Minnikin Leafs star hockey player Darren Roanoke
WKP Kennedy Gallery (Malco) and his estranged wife. After the
www.solventmagazine.com
 Events
split, Roanoke’s wife starts dating L.A. Sears Court, Northgate
Kings star Jacques Grande (Timberlake) ‘’Midsummers Dream’’ Flower & Veg-
out of revenge, sending her husband into etable Show. Themed exhibits & displays.
a major professional skid - to the horror 11:00 to 4:00
of the teams’ owner Jane Bullard (Alba)
and Coach Cherkov (Troyer). Pitka must Amy Speace
return the couple to marital nirvana and get Renees Cafe
Roanoke back on his game so the team can Rising star Amy Speace is a street-smart
break the 40-year-old “Bullard Curse” and folk/Americana artist with an edge,
win the Stanley Cup. prompting comparisons to artists like Neko
Case, Lucinda Williams and Roseanne
We Pay You Fridays Cash. A world-class voice, award-winning
at The Zoo songs and an engaging stage presence led
It’s about time students got paid to party. the North American Folk Music Alliance
Enter before midnight, and The Zoo will to nominate her as their “Emerging Artist
give you 5$ to do with, whatever you wish. of the Year.” Folk music icon Judy Collins
10:00 PM calls Amy Speace “one of my favorite new
songwriters.” Amy will be featured on Judy
Collins’ upcoming all-star tribute album,
Saturday, June 21, 2008 Born to the Breed which includes artists
such as Joan Baez, Rufus Wainwright,
Dolly Parton, Dar Williams, Shawn Colvin,
Capones Leonard Cohen and Arlo Guthrie. A city
Cecil’s girl who grew up on old country music
3$ Cover and immersed herself in everything from
10:00 PM opera to garage rock, Amy writes smart,
genre-bending songs, infused with empathy
After the Lounge and a poetic directness, that bridge the gap
The Fraser between folk, country and rock. Heavy
3$ Cover touring in the United States and Europe has
9:30 PM propelled her into the international spot-
light. “Amy Speace is a one-in-a-million
Aftica With Richard Kennedy artist. Voice, tunes, spirit, charisma . . . the
The Fraser whole package.” – Mark Wehner, Producer,
Saturday Matinee Nashville’s Americana Tonight.
8:00 PM
North Bay Downtown Farmers Market 10$ Cover
Parking lot(McIntyre St.)across from City
Hall Super Saturdays
Pastries and breads, honeys and jams, and The Zoo
a beautiful array of fruits and vegetables A different party every Saturday.
are carefully arranged for you. Handmade 10:00 PM
crafts are gently set out. Proudly we show
our wares, including pottery, fabric crafts,
jewellery, toys, and soaps. Sunday, June 22, 2008
Open 8:30 to 13:00 every Saturday from
Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving
weekend. Karaoke and Wing Night
Cecil’s
Relay For Life 39 cent wings
CFB North Bay 22 wing 10:00 PM
Celebrate: the lives of those who have had No Cover
cancer
Remember: loved ones and their battle Industry Night
against cancer The Fraser
Fight Back: against a disesase that takes 12.75 Pitchers
too many. No Cover
Join the biggest cancer event to make the
biggest diference. King of the Hill Dragway
Experience the Magic! Jack Garland Airport
Volunteer - donate your time and make it June 20 - 22, 2008 marks the 6th annual
an event to remember. King of the Hill Dragway. Drag racers
Participate - join a team to raise money for from Ontario, Quebec, Michigan, and New
the cause. York will compete for over $40,000 in
Register on line or call Susan at 705-472- prize money. This year’s event will be big-
9072 ext 224 ger and better as racing starts at 12:00 noon
or visit us at 147 McIntyre St W, unit 101 on Friday for all classes. Special attractions
North Bay On. include Jet Cars, Gamblers Race, Classic
Experience the exitement of being part of a Car Show and much more. $130,000 raised
nationwide event raising funds in over 480 to date for the new North Bay General
locations across Canada. You’’ve never felt Hospital.
better staying up all night!
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
King of the Hill Dragway Kate Pace Way
Jack Garland Airport 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
June 20 - 22, 2008 marks the 6th annual
King of the Hill Dragway. Drag racers Reel Big Show
from Ontario, Quebec, Michigan, and New Capitol Centre
York will compete for over $40,000 in Movie Night at Capitol Centre
prize money. This year’s event will be big- check www.capitolcentre.ca for details.
ger and better as racing starts at 12:00 noon 7:00 PM
on Friday for all classes. Special attractions
include Jet Cars, Gamblers Race, Classic
Car Show and much more. $130,000 raised Monday, June 23, 2008
to date for the new North Bay General
Hospital.
Colin
Flower and Vegetable Show Cecil’s
No Cover in time, sooner or later we come to this
10:00 PM very thing: people sitting around listening
while a story weaves a magical trance in
language, somewhere between conversa-
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 tion and singing. That’s why this ‘telling’ is
called WORDMUSIC.
DAVID CALDERISI has been an actor,
Johnny Williams theatre director, and teacher for more than
Cecil’s 40 years. Recent appearances include the
No Cover Patriarch of Jerusalem in Soulpepper’s
10:00 PM “Nathan the Wise”, Pantalone in Pleiades
Theatre’s “The Amorous Servant”, and in
North Bay Horticultural Society the title role of Vittorio Rossi’s “The Car-
Christ Church, 890 Vimy Street penter” for Centaur Theatre in Montreal.
General Meeting at 7:00 PM. Strawberry He has also appeared in feature films,
Social & Guest speaker Jim Aldridge on series television, and performed in hun-
Bees. dreds of radio plays. Feature film credits
include, “Power Play”, with Peter O’Toole
and Donald Pleasance; “High Point”, with
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Richard Harris and Christopher Plummer;
and “Brown Bread Sandwiches”, starring
Giancarlo Giannini. He played featured
Free Wing Night roles in such television series as “The
Moose’s Loose Change Lodge Saint”, “Dr. Who”, “The New Avengers”,
1 Free Pound of Wings after 11PM “The Littlest Hobo”, “Night Heat”, “Top
3$ Cover Cops”, “Forever Knight”, “Secret Service”,
Live DJ “Street Legal”, “La Femme Nikita”, “Trad-
ers”, “Fast Track”, “Earth: Final Conflict”,
Peter Cliche “The Associates (in which he was a regu-
Cecil’s lar) and others. He is heard regularly as
No Cover actor and poetry reader on CBC radio.
10:00 PM 8:00 PM
No Cover
Hump Day
at The Fraser Superstar Thursdays Refueled
$12.75 Pitchers The Zoo
No Cover Presented by MBM Entertainment
9:30 PM DJ Femme Fatale (top 40, hip hop, reggae)
DJ Jimbo (hip hop, house)
3$ with flyer
Thursday, June 26, 2008 4$ without
sponsored by: Exodus
Hit and Run
100 Georges Friday, June 27, 2008
Featuring MIC PRO
10:00 PM
No Cover Tera Cain
Cecil’s
Molson Karaoke Night 3$ Cover
The Fraser 10:00 PM
Draw date for the following prizes will be
held on June 26th - must be present to win Brasstastic
1st - 2 people will each win $500 The Fraser
2nd - Karaoke Machine 3$ Cover
3rd - Coors Light Leather Barstools 9:30 PM
There will also be tons of giveaways for
everyone! Chippewa Secondary School’s 5oth
10:00 PM Reunion
2$ cover Memorial Gardens
Chippewa Secondary School is hosting
Chippewa Secondary School’s 50th its 50th Reunion from June 26 to June 29,
Reunion 2008. Register now at www.chippewaraid-
Memorial Gardens ers.com
Chippewa Secondary School is hosting
its 50th Reunion from June 26 to June 29, Dr Jazz North
2008. Register now at www.chippewaraid- Renee’s Cafe
ers.com A hot band, playing dixieland, traditional
jazz, Latin, bebop and more. Band leader
WORDMUSIC and dynamic performer Chris Portinari fell
Renee’s Cafe in love with jazz as a teenager growing up
WORDMUSIC is based on the idea that in London, England. Moving to Canada,
WORDS composed by gifted poets, when he became a prominent figure on the jazz
TOLD by gifted actors, become, in effect, scene in Ottawa, leading the orchestra at
MUSIC. Well-respected Canadian actor the prestigious Chateau Laurier Hotel, and
David Calderisi has performed on stage, producing the first Ottawa International
screen and radio for decades. He brings Jazz Festival. He has toured the country
you tonight’s program, consisting of five with the National Press and Allied Work-
pieces chosen because each of them tells a ers Jazz Band as well as leading bands in
very evocative story. Few people, it seems, Mexico, the Bahamas and other Caribbean
have experienced poetry in this way. Most venues for Club Med.
poetry recitals are READINGS, whereas Lead guitarist Garry White is a veteran
for this event, there is no paper in sight. of the Toronto jazz scene and a versatile,
The performer sits on a stool and TELLS gifted player. His inspiring guitar sound
the stories. Judging by responses to earlier shows many influences, ranging from Chet
performances it seems this touches a very Atkins to Lennie Breau, Ed Bickert and
deep root in all our memories. No matter Wes Montgomery. He has played with The
which culture we come from, if we go back Platters, Tommy Hunter, Hagood Hardy,

when we are wrong ... please inform us, and
send photo submissions, articles, editorials, to
editor@solventmagazine.com
keep us posted about your upcoming events
events@solventmagazine.com
18
Events
Guido Basso, Moe Koffman, Peter Apple-
yard, Ed Bickert, Norm Amadeo and many
other jazz greats.
8:00 PM
10$ Cover
New Movies at the Galaxy
Galaxy Cinemas
Wall-E
Director: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Fred Willard, Jeff Garlin, Ben
Burtt
The Earth is now an uninhabitable trash
heap and humans have hired an inept
company to clean it up. The only problem
is, of the hundreds of thousands of robots,
called WALL-E’s, sent to pick up the trash,
only one remains operational. That is until
another robot mysteriously arrives and
changes everything.
Wanted
Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Starring: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman,
Terence Stamp
After the murder of a father he never
knew, Wes discovers powers beyond his
dreams. He becomes the latest recruit in the
Fraternity - a secret society of assassins -
and develops lightning-quick reflexes with
superhuman agility. Wes soon learns his
league of henchmen has but one mission:
carry out the death orders of the mythologi-
cal Fates, weavers of every man’s lifeline.
We Pay You Fridays
The Zoo
It’s about time students got paid to party.
Enter before midnight, and The Zoo will
give you 5$ to do with, whatever you wish.
10:00 PM
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Tera Cain
Cecil’s
3$ Cover
10:00 PM
Brasstastic
The Fraser
3$ Cover
9:30 PM
Klassic Kountry
The Fraser
Saturday Matinee
North Bay Downtown Farmers Market
Parking lot(McIntyre St.)across from City
Hall
Pastries and breads, honeys and jams, and
a beautiful array of fruits and vegetables
are carefully arranged for you. Handmade
crafts are gently set out. Proudly we show
our wares, including pottery, fabric crafts, beautiful duet harmony singing and expert
jewellery, toys, and soaps.
Open 8:30 to 13:00 every Saturday from
Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving
weekend.
Chippewa Secondary School’s 50th
Reunion
Memorial Gardens
Chippewa Secondary School is hosting
its 50th Reunion from June 26 to June 29, Special, and fiddler Erynn Marshall and
2008. Register now at www.chippewaraid- most recently part of a Rounder Record
ers.com
North Bay Triathlon
Olmstead Beach
Registration 2 till 4 p.m., Kids Tri 4 till 6 London Town” which was distributed to
p.m.
Sunday June 29
Adult Triathlon
Registration 7:30 till 8:30
Starts: 9:00 a.m.
Viewpoints
WKP Kennedy Gallery
“I believe the Nipissing Shores & foothills
of the Laurentians to be one of the most
beautiful areas on this planet. However,
beauty can be found wherever nature is
allowed to survive unspoiled by the hands
of men. The difference is beautiful.
During the month of April, 2007, I was
fortunate enough to travel though the
southern United States (Arizona, Nevada
& California), and found the changing
landscape of the desert, the vegetation, the
forests, the animals, the legends, history
and the incredible geology of the whole
region to be inspirational and at times
almost spiritual.
The most awe-inspiring experience was
the Grand Canyon, where I was able to
view the canyon and the Colorado River
from several vantage points before it began
to snow. The appearance of the canyon
radically changed in the space of about 15
minutes, presenting an unbelievable sight
of snow laden trees and totally transformed
vistas.
The legends and history of the area give
one a glimpse into what life must have
been like when settlers first arrived. I
was most interested in the ancient native
dwellings and was able to view one built
into a huge red/orange rock surrounded
by acres of sand and also “Montezuma
Castle” carved into a cliff. Apparently it
had been built on the shore of a lake at one
time. This lake has since dried, leaving
the dwelling high above. Both areas are
protected as they are considered “at risk”.
Beautiful native pottery, silver & turquoise
jewelery, woven baskets, etc. could be
found in shops and on roadsides in differ-
ent areas. I was and am very impressed
by the artistic talent of the southwestern
natives.
Using acrylic, collage and plaster to create
3-dimensional effects I have attempted to
depict some of the “viewpoints” encoun-
tered on this journey from Mesa, Arizona
to San Francisco, California.” - Freda
Barret
Opening Reception: 1 PM - 4 PM
Wet T-Shirt Contest
Fanny’s
Local Contestants
Great Prizes
Start: 11:00 PM
contestants show early to register
Ragged But Right
Renee’s Cafe
Ragged But Right consists of performers
Kathy Reid-Naiman and Arnie Naiman.
Expect a dazzling, fun and intimate
evening of entertainment complete with
acoustic instrumental playing from a duo
that has been on the folk music scene
for more than 30 years! Their repertoire
is filled with wonderful and tasteful
old-time and bluegrass gems of long ago.
Arnie Naiman is mostly known as one of
Canada’s finest clawhammer banjo play-
ers for his previous banjo recordings and
performances with Chris Coole, The Banjo
banjo compilation “Old Time Banjo
Festival”. Kathy Reid-Naiman is known
for her award winning children’s music
recordings including “A Smooth Road To
new families throughout Ontario as part of
the government’s Newborn Literacy Kit.
Acoustic guitars, banjos, dulcimer, banjo,
 Have you been burned,
uke and nothing but great songs all eve- TONS OF GIVEAWAYS...EVERY 20
ning! Their latest CD is Down Harmony
Road
MINUTES
$10 ADVANCED TICKETS
beaten or outsmarted
8:00 PM $15 AT THE DOOR
10$ Cover by a local business?
Super Saturdays Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Zoo
Reoccurs weekly on Saturday
A different party every Saturday.
10:00 PM
Johnny Williams
Cecil’s
would you like to prevent
No Cover
10:00 PM the same thing from
Sunday, June 29, 2008
HBC Run for Canada
Algonquin Park- Mew Lake
happening to others?
Karaoke and Wing Night HBC Run for Canada at Algonquin Park.
Cecil’s Join friends, family and thousands of other
39 cent wings proud Canadians and get a running start on
10:00 PM
No Cover
your Canada Day celebrations. Location:
Mew Lake Campground in Algonquin
have you received
Park. The 6th Annual HBC Run for Canada
Industry Night which raises money for Canadian athletes. exceptional value or
The Fraser The day includes a scenic 10km run, a 3km
$12.75 Pitchers
No Cover
walk and a 1km kids run. For more infor-
mation please visit www.hbcrunforcanada.
service from a local
ca or call 1-866-JULY-1st.
Chippewa Secondary School’s 50th
Reunion Canada Day Celebrations
business?
Memorial Gardens Waterfront - A.C.T. Shelter
Chippewa Secondary School is hosting This year’s Canada Day Festivities kick
its 50th Reunion from June 26 to June 29, off at 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Official cake
2008. Register now at www.chippewaraid-
ers.com
cutting ceremonies; suprvised sporting
activities for children hosted by Kidsport;
would you like to
North Bay Triathlon
musical entertainment, food vendors and
carousel rides. A fireworks finale will recommend this business
Olmstead Beach complete the celebration at 10:00 a.m.
Registration 2 till 4 p.m., Kids Tri 4 till 6
p.m.
Fireworks cruise from 8:30 p.m. - 10:30.
tickets $18.00 available at Chief Ticket Of-
to others?
Sunday June 29 fice on Government Dock or call 494-8167.
Adult Triathlon
registration 7;30 till 8:30 All Heat Pet Rescue Garage Sale
Starts: 9:00 a.m. Benjamin James Parking Lot
Please come out and support All Heart Pet
check out the business
Reel Big Show Rescue while “shopping” for the perfect
Capitol Centre
Movie Night at Capitol Centre
deal!! Help raise money to cover vet bills
and purchase new fencing for the shelter.
reviews section of the
check www.capitolcentre.ca for details.
7:00 PM
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
solvent web-site.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008

Karaoke
Free Wing Night
Moose’s Loose Change Lodge
www.solventmagazine.com
Cecil’s 1 Free Pound of Wings after 11PM
10:00 PM 3$ Cover
No Cover Live DJ
Official Canada Day Stoplight Hump Day
The Zoo The Fraser

BUSINESS
CANADA DAY STOP LIGHT PARTY $12.75 Pitchers
Whats that you ask.... No Cover
When you come into the club you will be 9:30 PM
given the option of taking a red, yellow, or
green glow stick. If your in a relationship NBMCA Enviro Daycamp
or simply are not interested in hooking up Conservation Authority, 15 Jan
then take a red glow stick. Grab a yellow The NBMCA’s Summer Enviro Daycamps

glow stick if your not sure what you want
to do but want to keep your options open,
and a green glow stick if your single and
ready to mingle.
Crazy DJ Lineup
DJ FEMME FATALE - 90’s, Dancehall,
Soca
DJ JIMBO - Top 40, Hip Hop
DJ ELLIPTICAL - House
LIVE PERFORMANCES
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
SPECIAL GRAND PRIZE
DRESS 2 IMPRESS - CLEAN, SEXY,
REVIEWS
are designed to provide children aged 6-12
years old with a fun filled outdoor (and in-
door) experience. Each day has a different
environmentally based theme. Campers can
register for a single day or for the entire
week (Monday to Friday)and have the op-
tion of additional before or after care. The
daycamp is held in the NBMCA’s Natural are
FREE MARKET
Classroom at 15 Janey Avenue in North
Bay. Outdoor activities take place onsite
at the Laurentian Escarpment Conserva-
tion Area. The camp costs $105/week or
$26/day. Optional before (8:30 am-10:00

JUSTICE
COOL am) and after (3:00 pm -4:30 pm) care are
SPONSORS: available at $3.00/session.
Secret waxing
Tanamania
Maddhatter tattoo’s New Movies at the Galaxy
EXODUS
And many more soon to be announced!!!!
Galaxy Cinemas
Brought to you by Solvent
 Events
Hancock It’s about time students got paid to party.
Director: Peter Berg Enter before midnight, and The Zoo will
Starring: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, give you 5$ to do with, whatever you wish.
Jason Bateman 10:00 PM

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

Director: Patricia Rozema Saturday, July 5, 2008
Starring: Stanley Tucci, Abigail Breslin,
Joan Cusack
Kit Kittredge, a 9-year old girl, endures Axis Theory
hardships growing up during the Great The Fraser
Depression. 3$ Cover
9:30 PM

Thursday, July 3, 2008 Rural Roots

when we are wrong ... please inform us
send photo submissions, articles, editorials, to
editor@solventmagazine.com
keep up posted about your upcoming events
events@solventmagazine.com
Hit and Run
100 Georges
Featuring MIC PRO
10:00 PM
No Cover
Molson Karaoke Night
The Fraser
Draw date for the following prizes will be
held on June 26th - must be present to win
1st - 2 people will each win $500
2nd - Karaoke Machine
3rd - Coors Light Leather Barstools
There will also be tons of giveaways for
everyone!
10:00 PM
2$ Cover
LAST DAY: Florida - A Feast of Flowers
Ferneyhough Gallery
Clemes - Fullerton - Gouin - La Pierre
Superstar Thursdays Refueled
The Zoo
Reoccurs weekly on Thursday
Presented by MBM Entertainment
DJ Femme Fatale (top 40, hip hop, reggae)
DJ Jimbo (hip hop, house)
3$ with flyer
4$ without
sponsored by: Exodus
Friday, July, 4, 2008
Axis Theory
The Fraser
3$ Cover
9:30 PM
2008 Ontario Family Fishing Weekend
Contact for Location
License-free fishing week-end. For
more information, please visit http://on-
tariosnearnorth.on.ca/eventsnewmonth.
php?activemonth=July
The Ontario Family Fishing Weekend is
run in conjunction with National Fishing
Week, July 5-13, 2008.
Carole Davidson: Transfiguration
Renee’s Cafe
Come meet the artist and see ‘TRANSFIG-
URATION’ her exciting three-dimensional
show. This is Copper, brass, aluminum
and sliver solder in a decidedly artistic
state! Her art produces a most harmoni-
ous presentation of tasteful and attractive
works. This is Carole’s second solo show
here and she has also had very successful
shows elsewhere, including at the Kennedy
Gallery. Also enjoy live instrumental music
featuring great guitarist Garry White, with
bassist Renée White.
The Fraser
Saturday Matinee
North Bay Downtown Farmers Market
Parking lot(McIntyre St.)across from City
Hall
Pastries and breads, honeys and jams, and
a beautiful array of fruits and vegetables
are carefully arranged for you. Handmade
crafts are gently set out. Proudly we show
our wares, including pottery, fabric crafts,
jewellery, toys, and soaps.
Open 8:30 to 13:00 every Saturday from
Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving
weekend.
2008 Ontario Family Fishing Weekend
Contact for Location
License-free fishing week-end. For
more information, please visit http://on-
tariosnearnorth.on.ca/eventsnewmonth.
php?activemonth=July
The Ontario Family Fishing Weekend is
run in conjunction with National Fishing
Week, July 5-13, 2008.
Shirantha Beddage
Renee’s Cafe
Join us for a wonderful night of instru-
mental jazz featuring Shirantha Beddage
on baritone sax, Garry White on guitar and
Renée White on bass. Shirantha Beddage is
an emerging talent who is swiftly making
his mark as an accomplished multi-reed in-
strumentalist, pianist, composer, instructor
and bandleader. He is currently the Direc-
tor of Jazz Studies and Assistant Professor
of Theory at Columbus State University’s
Schwob School of Music in Columbus,
Georgia. Originally from Ontario, Canada,
he received his Doctorate in Jazz Studies
and Contemporary Media from the East-
man School of Music in Rochester, New
York, under the tutelage of Ramon Ricker,
Harold Danko, Bill Dobbins and others.
Mr. Beddage holds a Master’s degree in
Jazz Performance from William Pater-
son University in New Jersey, where he
studied under baritone saxophonist Gary
Smulyan. During his undergraduate studies
at Toronto’s Humber College, Shirantha
studied with saxophonist Pat LaBarbera.
Shirantha’s debut album, “Roots and
Branches”, is available worldwide through
Jazz Excursion Records. The Rochester
release of the album was accompanied by
a feature performance at the Rochester
International Jazz Festival 2006.
He has performed extensively with jazz,
classical and pop groups in Canada and the
United States, including Johnny Mathis,
The Temptations, the Steve Houghton/Bri-
an Lillos Jazz Orchestra, Harold Danko and
the National Youth Band of Canada. He
recently participated in the world premiere
performance of William Fastenow’s “Ef-
florescence” with the North Bay Symphony
Orchestra (North Bay, Canada, 2006). He

www.solventmagazine.com 7:30 PM
No Cover
is a contributing author to the text, “Jazz
Pedagogy: A Canadian Perspective” (edited
by Brian Lillos), available through Jamey
We Pay You Fridays Aebersold Publishing. Please see www.
The Zoo shiranthabeddage.com. Dr. Shirantha Bed-

20
dage Director of Jazz Studies, Columbus Featuring MIC PRO
State University 10:00 PM
8:00 PM No Cover
10$ Cover
Molson Karaoke Night
UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin The Fraser
Boston Pizza / The Moose Draw date for the following prizes will be
Rampage vs. Forrest Griffin in the main held on June 26th - must be present to win
event. 1st - 2 people will each win $500
Fights shown free at Boston Pizza and The 2nd - Karaoke Machine
Moose 3rd - Coors Light Leather Barstools
10:00 PM There will also be tons of giveaways for
everyone!
Super Saturdays 10:00 pm
The Zoo 2$ Cover
A different party every Saturday.
10:00 PM Superstar Thursdays Refueled
The Zoo
Book Signing Presented by MBM Entertainment
Gulliver’s Books DJ Femme Fatale (top 40, hip hop, reggae)
Meet Port Loring author George Walters, DJ Jimbo (hip hop, house)
and his illustrator, wife Ruth Walters, 3$ with flyer
signing copies of his story collection One 4$ without
More Story. sponsored by: Exodus
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Friday, July 11, 2008

Sunday, July 6, 2008
Euphoria
Karaoke and Wing Night The Fraser
Cecil’s 3$ Cover
39 cent wings 9:30 PM
10:00 PM
No Cover LAST DAY: Viewpoints
WKP Kennedy Gallery
Industry Night I believe the Nipissing Shores & foothills
The Fraser of the Laurentians to be one of the most
$12.75 Pitchers beautiful areas on this planet. However,
No Cover beauty can be found wherever nature is
allowed to survive unspoiled by the hands
2008 Ontario Family Fishing Weekend of men. The difference is beautiful.
Contact for Location During the month of April, 2007, I was
License-free fishing week-end. For fortunate enough to travel though the
more information, please visit http://on- southern United States (Arizona, Nevada
tariosnearnorth.on.ca/eventsnewmonth. & California), and found the changing
php?activemonth=July landscape of the desert, the vegetation, the
The Ontario Family Fishing Weekend is forests, the animals, the legends, history
run in conjunction with National Fishing and the incredible geology of the whole
Week, July 5-13, 2008. region to be inspirational and at times
almost spiritual.
Reel Big Show The most awe-inspiring experience was
Capitol Centre the Grand Canyon, where I was able to
Movie Night at Capitol Centre view the canyon and the Colorado River
check www.capitolcentre.ca for details. from several vantage points before it began
7:00 PM to snow. The appearance of the canyon
radically changed in the space of about 15
minutes, presenting an unbelievable sight
Tuesday, July 8, 2008 of snow laden trees and totally transformed
vistas.
The legends and history of the area give
Johnny Williams one a glimpse into what life must have
Cecil’s been like when settlers first arrived. I
No Cover was most interested in the ancient native
10:00 PM dwellings and was able to view one built
into a huge red/orange rock surrounded
by acres of sand and also “Montezuma
Wednesday, July 9 Castle” carved into a cliff. Apparently it
had been built on the shore of a lake at one
time. This lake has since dried, leaving
Free Wing Night the dwelling high above. Both areas are
Moose’s Loose Change Lodge protected as they are considered “at risk”.
1 Free Pound of Wings after 11PM Beautiful native pottery, silver & turquoise
3$ Cover jewelery, woven baskets, etc. could be
Live DJ found in shops and on roadsides in differ-
ent areas. I was and am very impressed
Hump Day by the artistic talent of the southwestern
The Fraser natives.
$12.75 Pitchers Using acrylic, collage and plaster to create
No Cover 3-dimensional effects I have attempted to
9:30 PM depict some of the “viewpoints” encoun-
tered on this journey from Mesa, Arizona
to San Francisco, California.” - Freda
Thursday, July 10, 2008 Barrett

We Pay You Fridays

Hit and Run The Zoo
100 Georges It’s about time students got paid to party.
Events John Weiss
Enter before midnight, and The Zoo will give you 5$ to do
with, whatever you wish.
10:00 PM

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Euphoria
The Fraser
3$ Cover
9:30 PM

Aftica with Richard Kennedy

The Fraser
Saturday Matinee

North Bay Downtown Farmers’Market

Parking lot(McIntyre St.)acros
Pastries and breads, honeys and jams, and a beautiful array
of fruits and vegetables are carefully arranged for you. Hand-
made crafts are gently set out. Proudly we show our wares,
including pottery, fabric crafts, jewellery, toys, and soaps.
Open 8:30 to 13:00 every Saturday from Victoria Day week-
end to Thanksgiving weekend.

Rick Fines
Renee’s Cafe
At 44, Canadian folk artist Rick Fines is a veteran of the folk John Weiss and Altared States curator, Ian-Patrick McAllister
and blues circuits in North America. He tours from the Gulf of
Mexico to the Arctic, from BC to NYC this year alone, bring-
ing his understanding of blues, finger-style and bottleneck
guitar. He has eight Maple Blues Award nominations and won
for Acoustic Act Of The Year twice and won Songwriter of
the Year this year with Suzie Vinnick. Rick took first place in
the Sweetgum Bottom Acoustic Blues Competition (Alabama,
Oct 2005), and his song “Riley Wants His Life Back” won
first place in the blues category of 2003 International Song-
writing Competition, with B.B. King one of the judges! His
work with Jackson Delta (for 15 years) brought nominations
from both the Juno and the Handy Awards. He has played for
legendary blues piano player Pinetop Perkins, songstress Col-
leen Peterson, folk icon Penny Lang and many others. This
show is brought to Renee’s Cafe by Michele Bateman/Decent
Exposure Music.
8:00 PM
12$ Cover

Super Saturdays
The Zoo
A different party every Saturday.
10:00 PM

VENUE DIRECTORY

100 Georges Altared States

246 First Ave. W
476-2666

Boston Pizza
50 Josephine
494-9191

Capitol Centre
150 Main St. E
474-4747

Cecil’s Eatery and Beer Society

300 Wyld St.
472-7510

Ferneyhough Gallery
157 First Ave.
476-1534

The Fraser Tavern

680 Fraser
476-2100

Galaxy Cinemas
300 Lakeshore Dr.
476-6151
Photos by David Bentley
Leo’s
112 Spencer

22
 John Weiss
John Weiss, is by any measure, an institu-
tion within the North Bay art scene. Having
taught at W.J. Fricker for 30 years, he has
inspired generations in this community with
a love of art. Recently, his art was shown
at Flux Gallery in a show called “Altared
States”, which was curated by Ian Patrick
McAllister. Look for his next show in the fall
at WKP Kennedy Gallery.
Solvent (S): I guess the worst way to start off
an interview like this would be to ask a broad
general question such as “What do you think
of your art”?
John Weiss (JW): I wouldn’t want to answer
that question. I’d rather find out what you are
thinking and feeling about one of my paint-
ings, than for me to tell you anything about
them. Art is what you get out of it.
(S): You believe the relationship between
artist and audience is interactive rather than
dictatorial. I can imagine that it’s difficult
when someone experiences your art, and
still looks to you to articulate a set of impres-
sions for them.
(JW): If a person has ideas and an open
mind, then a conversation is like an elastic, it
can go in all different directions. Otherwise, it
just isn’t happening.
(S) I noticed that the response that a lot of-
people had upon entering the Altared States
opening was an emotional one, it was mood
altering.
(JW): It was more like a celebration and my
art has that attitude.
(S): Part of what you were able to accom-
plish with this show was to radically change
a person’s context. You transported people.
People walk in off the street, enter “Altared
States”, and leave “Hockeyville” a long way
behind.
(JW): We could have been in the Village,
we could have been on Queen St., we could
have been in Berlin. We could be anywhere,
and it is also timeless. That is what I like
about showing art.
(S): Do you think that your role as citizen,
teacher and artist in North Bay has been to
bring some cosmopolitan attitude here to
Hockeyville?
(JW): It certainly isn’t a mission or anything,
but I am what I am, I am who I am, and this
is my world.
(S): So the cosmopolitan exposure is a
happy accident of your existence here.
(JW): It is more like a collision than a happy
accident. This is in fact Bambi-killerville, or
Hockeyville as you say it. I have collided with
it on occasion. Ian did too. He got stabbed
within months of moving here.
(S): That wasn’t a very good welcome to
North Bay.
(JW): I like nature and I like where I live,
and I like the people here, but you won’t find
me at closing time outside of a bar, in case
someone doesn’t like the shirt I’m wearing
or the fact that his girl was dancing with me.
I’d rather go to Toronto and be in a club with
3000 like-minded people, or Gay Pride in
Montreal or any fetish party where people
tend to do their thing, whatever that is, with
respect. You might encounter someone who
is acting like a dog, and that’s his thing. And
you can do whatever you want. Bottom line
is if you aren’t paying my bills, I’m not fucking
you, and I’m not in love with you, then I don’t
give a shit what you do.
(S): You just mentioned Ian Patrick McAllis-
ter, the curator of Altared States. I think it is
interesting that you have lived in North Bay
for 30-something years, become an institu-
tion within this community, and then a rela-
tive newcomer is the one who has a vision
of how to express your work that he wants to
present to the public. Did it take the perspec-
tive of someone from outside of this commu-
nity to see your work the way Ian has?
(JW): I don’t think it was that. Although we
attended 20 years apart, we both graduated
from Ontario College of Art, and had many
of the same teachers and influence while we
were there. I think it was our common back-
ground and influences that gave him insight
into my work and what I am trying to do.
(S): One of the fun things about your opening
was the fact that a lot of your former students
showed up, and it was the first time they met
you in a social setting.
(JW): That made the opening feel like a
performance piece.
(S): Back to Ian again, and his role as cura-
tor. He said that your house is a piece of
art unto itself. One of things he wanted to
accomplish was to recreate the attitude that
your house has, in a gallery environment.
(JW): That was totally his idea, and I thought
it was great. I asked him what he wanted,
and he said “Basically I want this, that, your
art, your spirit, and your mind.” He took my
art, furniture, and things that I collect and
have lying around my house, to represent
me and my environment.
(S): Ian told me that the whole concept of the
show revolves around the idea that you are
inseparable from your art. One should not be
considered separately from the other.
(JW): Yes, and then there is the concept
of the Altars. I was raised as a German
Lutheran, so I got the guilt and the punish-
ment. These Altars are placed at the foot
of my paintings, and objects of interest are
placed on them because I am honouring the
things I love. I don’t want people to see dead
animals on these Altars, I want them to see
the lost spirits. I love nature. In my paintings
there are tribal references that work with the
arrangements on these altars. It is about
nature and life. My art shows reverence for
those things.
(S): There is a lot of Marlene Dietrich rever-
ence in your art.
(JW): I’m German born, and she was a
decadent German lesbian goddess. She
was androgynous, and wore a top hat, and
a tuxedo. She carried a cane, and smoked.
She was really over the top for her time. Now
it wouldn’t be a big deal.
(S): So you pay homage to pioneering
spirit of Marlene Dietrich. During the Altared
States exhibition, you had former students,
who are still making art, bring their art in to
show you. Did you ever feel tempted to give
them a mark on it?
(JW): No. I never wanted to give marks on
art. I’d rather give an encouraging comment
like: “You’ve succeeded”, or “You’ve gone
beyond yourself since the last time I saw
your work”, or “You are into a new phase
now.” Well, hello how are you? (In greeting
to Jessica Roy who enters the gallery)
Jessica Roy (JR): Great now that I am done
for the week.
(S): Take off your clothes and stay awhile
and look around.
(JR): Take off my clothes? It’s not that kind
of visit is it?
(JW): No no.
(JR): I love all the big murals.
(JW): All of this is my work. The whole thing.
You’ve basically just walked into my house.
Except it is an art lounge on Main St.
(JR): Suddenly North Bay feels so cultured.
(JW): We try.
(JR): Now can you do something about Tim
Hortons?
(S): John hasn’t defeated Hockeyville quite
yet.
(JW): But I did defeat a guy with a space
between his two front teeth that he used to
shoot spit through. So, take a look at all the
art, and if you would like to chat about it, the
artist is right here.
23
steph leroux is...
the fishin’
musician
If determination and enthusiasm count for
anything in this world, Steph Leroux will
eventually have a successful fishing show
on network TV. His show will feature fellow
musicians who are also avid anglers.
With a show that features his own passion
for and knowledge of fishing in the north,
and the unique personalities that make up
the Northern Ontario music scene, Steph
seems to have a winning formula.
Episodes of The Fishin’ Musician can be
found at www.stephsfishinline.com.
(S): Doing episodes of the fishing show right
from your own dock must be nice. You can
get those fish right onto the BBQ before the
inspector comes along.
(SL): That’s why there’s nothing in my
freezer.
(S): No one’s going to get evidence against
you without doing an autopsy.
(SL): I can do a lot of these shows right
where I live. I did the “Shallow Casting” epi-
sode off my dock. I did the “How to Build an
Ice Shack” right in my yard.
(S): You have good ice fishing at your place?
(SL): Oh yeah. I got 4 shacks out this winter,
and 2 of them are right in front of my house.
I’m also doing the smoke-house cookery
shoot at my place.
(S): I watched the salmon rowe instructional
you did from your kitchen. That was informa-
tive. I didn’t even know what that was.
(SL): That is an amazing bait. A killer bait.
I’ve heard there are new regulations coming
in. They might ban it. It’s too good. There’s
a constant flow of flavour coming off of that
rowe sack.
24
(S): The fish get one whiff of that and jump
right on your BBQ eh? You should combine
drum lessons with your live bait tutorials.
(SL): You know it. Fishin’ and drummin’ is my
whole life.
(S): One thing with the shallow water casting
video…
(SL): In that video I purposefully fouled an
overhand cast because I want people to see
… (S): One of the fascinating things about
(S): Are you sure that was on purpose?
(SL): I’m sure.
(S): Easy to say that after the fact.
(SL): The avid fisherman is going to pick that
up. I purposely did it because I wanted to
show that in a tight shallow water situation, I
wanted people to see that the overhand cast
is the wrong choice in technique.
(S): It also will show your viewers that you
are human and can make mistakes just like
anyone else. But your second cast went to
within an inch of where you wanted it.
(SL): I practice target casting and I can put a
lure on top of a loonie at 40 feet.
(S): I guess in the shallow water, you can
see the fish, and you want to put that lure in
its mouth if possible.
(SL): Presentation of the bait has to be very
specific. If bait doesn’t seem natural, an 8
to 10 pound Rainbow isn’t going to bite. It’s
a very smart animal. It didn’t get that big
because it is easily fooled.
fishing is that it is a mind game between you
and your quarry, but your quarry is unseen.
At least when you are hunting a deer, you
can follow the tracks, track it down, see it,
and shoot it. The drama plays out visually.
But, with a fish, a lot of the action takes place
in your imagination. One of the things you
said in your shallow casting video is that you
present the bait perfectly, then you walk it
back a foot at a time to simulate a wounded
minnow. To be as effective as you are as a
fisherman, you must be able to visualize the
drama playing out between the fish and the
bait, without being able to see the action.
(SL): I’ve studied a lot of predator/prey
relationships. What fish do is … they will sit
in a secluded area, whether it be a weed bed
or under a log, and they know that ambush
point. When they sit in a structure, and when
a bait fish comes by, they ambush really
quickly without any notification to the bait
fish. Depending on the species of fish, the
strike can be extremely fast. I’ve seen salm-
on and trout attack flies and come 3 and 4
feet out of the water. They have their attack
perfectly planned out and they don’t hesitate
when the presentation is exactly right.
(S): This under-the-surface drama that you
can’t see play out, but you are an actor in,
is it ever useful for you to become the bait?
Become as one with your bait and see the
underwater environment from the perspec-
tive of bait?
(SL): This goes back to the days when my
dad put the mask, fins, and snorkel on me
and got me underwater to take a look at
aquatic life. I actually envisioned myself as
a small fish swimming along. Sitting at the
mouth of a stream in Trout Lake I remember
watching as a pike took a small perch. That
really opened my eyes to the underwater
feeding situations that happen. I thought
to myself, what if I were a small fish swim-
ming along and all of a sudden this huge
fish came up from behind me and attacked
me. Thinking like that, I eventually learned
to move my line in the way that I moved as a
small fish underwater. The bait has to move
in an uncertain way in order to entice the big
fish hiding in his ambush point, to attack.
(S): I saw on the site the interview you did
with the Paul-Martin brothers down at Rock-
well Music. Are those guys fishermen as well
as musicians?
(SL): The Paul-Martin brothers are from
Sudbury but they are originally from way up
North and their family harvested by nets and
by spears for many years.
(S): Spears?
(SL): Ya, that’s the native way.
(S): You should do an episode on spear
fishing.
(SL): Well, there are regulations against that.
As sport fishers, we can’t use that technique.
We can’t spear game fish, but we can spear
coarse fish like suckers and the like.
(S): Is it easier to use a spear than a rod?
(SL): I wouldn’t say it’s easier …
(S): You have to get in the water to use a
spear …
(SL): Ya, you have to get up close to use
a spear. I witnessed something that was
incredible when we were on a salmon run a
few years back on the north shore of Huron.
We pulled into this spot called Whitefish Falls
and there was an old chap sitting there on a
rock with two young boys. He had two long
nylon cords going out into the water. The
boys had these long spears, and the spear-
head was not attached to the spear, it was
attached to the nylon cord. The boys would
walk out and drive the spear into a huge
salmon and the old man would stand there
and pull it in. By the time the boy walked
back in, the old man had the fish landed and
the spearhead free to reattach to the spear
and the boy went right back out.
(S): Mass production.
(SL): They had a good pile of fish. Of course,
they were native, and they had no limits. It
was an interesting thing to see.
(S): Have you ever seen them go at it with
nets during a salmon run?
(SL): I have seen a few native harvests hap-
pen with nets, and I just think they should
be a little more discreet about it. They take
everything they want. I respect it, being part
native myself, I do respect it. But that having
been said, I think the big females should go
back. At least put those back.
(S): I’ve seen natives outside of New
Hazleton in B.C. net off a fish ladder during
a salmon run. Loading truck after truck with
every fish going up that river to spawn.
(SL): That’s harmful. Those are prime spot-
ters. They’re there for a reason. I agree
with their harvesting rights. No problem, but
they’ve got to be conservation minded.
(S): Wiping out a river by netting off a fish
ladder ain’t conservation minded that’s for
sure.
(SL): That’s right. We were in Thornbury a
few years ago and saw an amazing rainbow
run. There wasn’t a fish under 5 pounds.
They have such healthy stocks of rainbow
in Thornbury and all across that shore from
Collingwood, right to Owen Sound. The runs
are incredible in the spring over there, and
it’s because the MNR has put limitations
on native harvesting. I wish some control
was exercised all the way around the Great
Lakes. I’m glad we’re moving in the right
direction here locally as well. The netting
has stopped on Nipissing, and we’re starting
to see some nice pickerel making a come-
back. Well, netting has been cut down quite
a bit, but I wouldn’t say it’s been completely
stopped. But, we see some nice pickerel
catches now and some nice whitefish catch-
es now that we weren’t seeing ten years ago.
(S): Do you think that one of the roles your
website and your TV show can play here in
the North is to promote the area and bring
some tourists up this way to enjoy the great
fishing?
(SL): Absolutely, there is great fishing up
here and great places to stay like Torbay
Cottages and the Waltonian Inn.
(S): And when you combine the great fishin’
with the personalities up here in the music
scene that like to fish, you might have a
golden formula.
(SL): With characters like Donny Boisso-
neault, Danny Colomby, and Peter Cliché
in the music scene here, there are lots of
interesting people that I want to get on the
show. There are lots of fishin’ musicians
around here.
(S): What about SAB? I heard he likes to
boat the odd bass.
(SL): SAB, of course. He’s got a beautiful
spot up there on Lady Evelyn Lake. We want
to connect sometime, and do a show up
there. That’ll be interesting. People say that
I’m a lot like him. We’ve even been mistaken
for brothers.
(S): Is SAB a better musician, or fisherman?
(SL): I’d have to say he’s a better musician,
because I haven’t seen any of his catches.
He tells me he rakes them in, but… I don’t
know. I haven’t seen any pictures. I’m look-
ing forward to bringing up people like Chuck
Jackson from Downchild Blues Band, Danny
Todd from Honeymoon Suite, Skip Prokop
and his son Jamie from Lighthouse, and
Jason McCoy from the Roadhammers. Some
local guys I want to have on the show are
guys like Russell Collins from the Sobriety’s
Rejects.
(S): Ruggy would be a wild fisherman. You
should get him out there spear fishing.
(SL): I don’t know if I want to put a spear in
his hand. But, I’m going to have Ben and
Paul from the Rejects as well. There are all
kinds of local personalities here to work with.
I’ll never run out.
(S): So where do we see Steph Leroux in
five years from now as a result of these
endeavours?
(SL): You’ll see me on OLN, you’ll see me on
TSN, you’ll see me on all the big ones, that’s
what I’m aiming for. I want to get internation-
al exposure for our community out of this.
(S): No one that talks to you or sees one
of your shows will ever doubt it. Good luck
Steph.

Culture travels with those who migrate out
of the big cities and move into the smaller
centres. This dynamic has rewarded North
Bay with the arrival of Umberto Pizzofer-
rato, Sherrel Thomas, originally of Toronto,
and Gam Dolo-Cooper from Ottawa, who
have joined to create MBM Entertainment.
Paul Williams of Madsick Graphics has been
working with MBM since the beginning and is
responsible for the creative and unique visu-
als that represent the company.
MBM has been organizing Superstar Thurs-
day Refueled at the Zoo Niteclub since Feb-
ruary 28, and due to the success of these
nights, has been asked to do their Canada
Day Party.
The mission statement of MBM Entertain-
ment is “to bring new things to places that
don’t get exposed to new things” says Pizzo-
ferrato. “I’ve been here for 5 years, and I was
hearing the same shit all the time. Now, at
the Zoo, we have a platform to do something
new, and share it with the people of North
26
From left: Gam Cooper, Umberto Pizzoferato, Sherrel Thomas
Bay. The Zoo gave us a chance, and they’ve
been great to work with, especially Johnny
and Julie.”
Umberto, Sherrel, and Gam started out by
throwing underground parties locally, and
they grew to the point where they thought
they could do well hosting similar events in
a high profile mainstream club. The man-
agement of the Zoo, who are always open
to exploring new concepts in the interest of
staying current, gave MBM a shot, and they
haven’t looked back.
Sherell aka DJ Femme Fatale spins old
school hip hop, reggae, soca and dancehall.
Gam is an MC and hypeman, and goes by
the name Goliath. Jeremy Kamau spins hip
hop and house music as DJ Jimbo, and is
not to be confused with Jimbo of “Jimbo and
Colin”, and “Karaoke and Wing Nite with
Jimbo” fame.
The line up for the Canada Day Stop Light
Party has been finalized and the special
guest performer has been announced.
Residents, DJ Femme Fatale and DJ Jimbo
will play along with DJ Elliptical who spins
house. JD Era who recently charted as high
as #2 on rap city with “Paper Chase”. He has
garnered critical acclaim for his Black Market
Mixtape Series. His new album, out in June
is called, “Coming to America”. Umberto
looking forward to bringing this emerging Ca-
nadian hip hop star to North Bay. “I respect
him, and I respect his management, for the
amount of work they put into the albums and
into the shows. If you heard this guy’s mix-
tapes you’d understand the money and work
put into them. One man respects another
man’s hustle.”
MBM stands for Mixed But Matched. When
asked how the group decided on this name,
Sherrel explains: “We’re mixed. Umberto
is Italian, Gam is Gambian, and I’m Jamai-
can. We’re from mixed cultures but we are
matched by our common interest in music,
hence Mixed But Matched Entertainment”