Cirque - Like never before!

Over the last 8 years I've had the pleasure to enjoy several Cirque Du Soleil shows. Most of them here in Calgary and a few ones in Las Vegas.

I had the pleasure to take my wife to see Cirque O at the Bellagio courtesy of the Nickle Slot machine winnings at Treasure Island. I'm really not much of a gambler. We went to see the show and I was not really impressed. After having seen a few shows here in Calgary, I have to say this, and I do honestly believe this is true. The Shows we get here in Calgary with the Cirque tent, are nothing short of spectacular! The quality on the performance, production, and everything else that make a Cirque experience magical and that Cirque is known for is all there.

I went to see Kurios on their opening night here in Calgary and somehow, they managed to find a way to make acrobatics like they've never done before.

I wanted to bring my wife with me to this show, but we have a small 4-month-old baby that she didn't feel comfortable bringing with us to the show. She was afraid that Julieta might've start crying in the middle of the show and that we would've annoyed the people around us or just plain simple, ruin the Cirque experience for them.

My friend Bryan lucked out and came with me to the show and we had an amazing time. This is a great event that we have the chance to enjoy here, in our city. Make sure you plan a date night with your wife and kids, or with some friends, or perhaps just your girlfriend and you can go an enjoy it. This is a great show for everyone. I'm just saddened that I didn't convince my wife and baby to come with us. They surely would've enjoy it.

Food and Music Experience!

Canmore Uncorked is raising the bar on the way you decide to pair your food! Join the Culinary Symphony!

On April 13thand 14th, Chef James Holmes and a team of local Canmore chefs will blow your senses away by pairing food to the music of the Quartetto Gelato. The team of chefs and the Juno-nominated band have created a custom performance that pairs music with each dish.

Taste the music. Hear the food. The sights, smells, sounds, and tastes will come together to form the Culinary Symphony.

Canmore Uncorked

Have you heard of Canmore Uncorked?

It's a fantastic award winning Food and Drink Festival happening in our own backyard! For 13 days, 25 restaurants will feature 3-course meals showcasing their signature dishes at set prices! $19, $29 or $39 - Think about this for a second... A Chef will not put their name on any plate or dish. It's like you or I at work. If we're going to do something that has our name on it, we want to make sure that it's the best thing/project/email or what ever you wanna call it. Now, picture a Chef putting their name on a signature dish, how do you think it will taste? Now, how much do you think that dish should REALLY cost?! - These dishes are well priced by far! 

A few select people in Calgary got a chance to attempt their Launch Party at The Cookbook Co. Here in Calgary. And let me tell you that this event will bring some amazing food to everyone!

They started us with this PB and J Pork Belly 

Chef James Holmes made this and it was OMG Good! - Maple braised pork belly, roasted peanuts, strawberry balsamic puree, and apple slaw.
It was deliciously cooked! Crispy on the outside and so tender and moist on the inside. I really wanted to go for seconds but I knew I had to leave some room for what followed.

Meet the Risotto Balls, or as I named them that night the Amaze-Balls!
 

Chef Tracy Little made these while speeches were given and I was amazed by everything that was going on behind the kitchen counter. Lots of little movements. All of them happening very fast and in a very methodical way. Arancini Risotto Balls served with butternut squash, pine nuts, sylvan star gouda, and brown butter béchamel sauce (also known as white sauce).

And last, but certainly not least... Dessert!!! This is definitely the perfect size... this light and flavorful Profiterole with a Chambord & Foie Gras Mousse was the perfect way to end a great lunch day with all my foodie media friends. 

Canmore Uncorked is only happening for 7 more days... Most of their events are already sold out, but you still have time to make it out to some very cool ones that are taking food toa whole different level!

Think about it, Canmore is only one hour and twenty minutes from Downtown Calgary!

Keep a Roof Over Their Heads

 

I'm more than happy to announce that On Thursday, May 7th I'm joining other people in Calgary to help raise funds for the YWCA of Calgary.

On Thursday, May 7th, I'm going to brave the weather, Line-up outside the YWCA, wait for a cot in the gym and sleep homeless for just one night. I'll get to live what, sadly, lots of women have endured on many other occasions. I'm going to be needed your help as I help create awareness for the YWCA. 

I'm seeking donations to help Keep a Roof Over Their Heads - I'm going to leave the comfort of my house, I'll leave my wife, my newborn daughter and my dog for just one night to experience a homeless life. 

Please, make a donation and help get the YWCA the much needed funds to help them keep their doors open and to Keep a Roof Over Their Heads.

Wondering where will your dollars go?

Your donations provide direct opportunities for women and children to stabilize their lived and move from crisis to economic stability, through the programs and services that the YWCA of Calgary provides. Click here for more information on where your dollars go.

Home Tweet Home

Life has been a little crazy for the last 2 years and a bunch. My wife and I are now parents to a Beautiful baby girl. She was born December 2nd, 2014 and needless to say, all our "normal" has changed dramatically. I've been wanting to volunteer a bit more to help out my friends at different fundraisers but my time has been needed at home with my wife and my baby girl.

I finally got some time on my hands to help the guys from the Ronald McDonald's House of Southern Alberta thru my friends at the Calgary Home + Garden Show.

I was asked by my friends at Reformation PR to join the Home Tweet Home design to help raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House of Southern Alberta.

I have this beautiful wooden birdhouse and a $25 gift card to Michael's to help me with my design. The rest... Well, the rest is up to my creativity and my handy man skills... If you know me, you know that I always like to give my all to help others... This is no different. I will give it my all to make this birdhouse look fantastic!

Recycling or Upcycling... Pallets are taking shape.

On my last post I said that I got invited on a Media Challenge/Fundraiser by Brookline Public Relations taking place at the Calgary + Home Garden Show from February 28 until March 3 at the BMO Centre - Stampede Park.

The Challenge was to make anything that my little heart, and imagination, desired with 3 Pallets. The sky, and $120 dollars, was the limit! That got me thinking, doesn't really happen that often, and I wanted to build something that was of use around the house but at the same time different. Something that was hard to find.

I let my imagination wander and I also did a lot of clicking on pinterest... One click lead to another, one link took me from one page to another and then, I saw it...

IKEA - Malm Dessing Table

Trust me, I honestly don't know how I got to the IKEA website and found this Vanity Table... But I decided that this is something I could do and that I wanted to make. But I wanted to make it a little cooler, I wanted to add a distress/rustic look to it. It was time to put all those long hours of watching Bryan Baeumler on Disaster DIY to work. It's time to show people that you can learn something from watching TV.

On Friday evening I went out to Rona and Home Depot and bought my items, and on Saturday I started building... After 8 hours of building time on Saturday, 4 hours on Sunday and 2 hours on Monday, this is the progress so far...

It really hasn't been all that hard. As long you come in with a game plan, some drawings, an idea of what you want and how to accomplish it, determination and stubbornness... You can accomplish anything you want!

Please remember that this table will be up for auction at the Calgary Home + Garden Show and all the profits of this auction will be going towards the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

What do you think? Not bad for a radio guy, eh?!

Ps- If you will like to take a crack at making your own, I will give you the best piece of advice, something I wish I would've thought off before starting to make this. Buy and wear gloves! Those slivers and splinters HURT like you have no idea!

Keep it KooL Calgary!

Pallet Design Competition

For the last few days I've been emailing back and forth with the lovely ladies of the 2013 Calgary Home + Garden Show. I was asked if I would like to take part on this years Pallet Design Competition... The challenge is to "Show off your creative flare by turning simple wooden shipping pallets into interior design treasures". That really doesn't seem to hard to do. I like to think as myself as a crafty/handy guy with a good knowledge of whats trendy, useful and at the same time... That looks good.

Then I was given the details: "You will be provided with three pallets and a $125 design budget to create your masterpiece." 3 pallets doesn't seem like much... I think I can work with that! But then, the pressure is on... "The finished pallets will be auctioned off at the 2013 Calgary Home + Garden Show, with proceeds going to the Make a Wish Foundation, Calgary."

OK. I shall not panic. This is the time to put to practice everything I've learned from watching lots of Disaster DIY episodes, everything I've learned on Pinterest, and my craftiness. I shall not let Bryan Baeumler down.

Today I got the 3 pallets delivered here to the KooL Studios. Man, they're bigger than I thought they would be! Tonight I shall spend lots of time on Pinterest and try to find something KooL to do.

To me, this is a no-brainer.To help the Make-A-Wish foundation of Southern Alberta by making something that will go up for auction and at the same time it will me useful to someone else. It's a win-win situation.

Let's see how it goes.