Every person needs a companion as does every blog. The Other Side of Forty-Two is the companion to Lifeat42.com. This blog will focus on the lifestyle side of Robert Lavigne, while Life@42 will continue to focus on his leadership side.
Karen Thomson and Robert Lavigne Cheesing It Up at Grandelicious
On May 4, 2012, Karen and I were invited to attend the VIP Gala of Grandelicious in Brantford. It would mark the launch of the three day weekend event showcasing Food, Wine and Entertainment available in the Brant and Grand River region. The event would see thousands of people attending over the weekend, due in part by Lynn Crawford of the Food Network gracing the stage.
Honoured Dignitaries, Trevor Cherewka and Jamie Stephens (Organizers)
Chris Friel, Mayor of Brantford and David McKee, Brantford Town Crier
The VIP Gala started with Municipal, Provincial and Federal dignitaries extolling praise for what Trevor and Jamie were spearheading in the region. After the formal announcements, I caught up with Chris Friel (Mayor of Brantford), Jan Vanderstelt (Brantford City Council), and Phil McColeman (MP - Brant) to capture their insights on this event. David McKee (Brantford Town Crier) even graced me with a secondary reading of his speech from the opening ceremony.
What earmarked this as a successful event to me, was not the 4500 in attendance, the 35000 samples given out, the 34 vendors, the 44 booths, or the 8 musicians. For me, it was the fact that as I walked up and down the isles, I recognized the majority of the vendors, participants, attendees and volunteers. The fact that I have lived in Brantford for just shy of a year speaks volumes to the fact that it doesn't take long to see that there is an emergence of community leaders in Brantford. There is a new generation spawning multiple generations coming together to redefine what it means to live the Brantford lifestyle.
Brantford has been hard hit by the economic realities of a small town on the outskirts of a metropolitan mega city. One of the reasons I moved from Toronto to Brantford is to help this city redefine itself for the twenty-first century. It is events like this that remind me that I am not alone in this venture. Events such as the Grandelicious Food and Wine Show are a reminder that it only takes the will of a few to redefine the will of many.
On July 2011, I moved out of Metropolitan Toronto and took up residence in the small town of Brantford, Ontario. Saying goodbye to Toronto was one of the hardest decisions I have made in my professional and personal life. I blame that decision on three people: Kevin Smith, Walter Gretzky, and Karen Thomson.
Robert Lavigne says farewell to Toronto and the Big City Lifestyle
Before leaving Toronto, I attended one last "Epic" party, the Epic Meal Time 1,000,000 Subscriber Celebration. For those not familiar with Epic Meal Time, think Bacon meets Jersey Shore with a splash of Jack Daniels. This was a fitting way to say farewell to the big city lights of Toronto.
Yes, that is indeed a Bacon Volcano worthy of Epic Meal Time lore
Catering for that event was my friend Mackenzie Chiu. Now this was no small feat given the reputation of bacon infused chaos that is the Epic Meal Time fan base. Mackenzie and his team did not disappoint providing a main course of a roasted pig stuffed with four birds, aka a Turducken in a Pig.
EAT or DIE! - Mackenzie Chiu and Robert Lavigne
Which brings us to my brief return to Toronto to celebrate Valentine's Day 2012. Since my departure, Mackenzie Chiu established a new restaurant in Toronto called the Fuel House. I could not think of any other place I would want to have this celebratory dinner with Karen.
Much to her chagrin, this picture received over 30 likes on Facebook
Normally the Fuel House serves up pub-style food and sandwiches. However for Valentine's Day, Mackenzie Chiu offered a special Prix Fixe Menu, specially put together by Peter Pietruniak, to celebrate this special occasion.
Karen enjoyed a Shrimp and Citrus Salad appetizer followed by a Salmon + Lemon Herb Butter + Basmati Rice + Sauteed Vegetables main course. As for myself, I savoured a Cream of Spinach Soup with a main entree consisting of Grilled Flank Steak + Chimichurri Sauce + Casava Fries. For dessert, we both selected the Coffee Crème Brulee.
Pan Seared Salmon Filet and Steak Frites with two glasses of champagne
I enjoyed the food so much, I pulled Mackenzie Chiu aside and did a quick interview for this blog. I will be sharing that video and my insights on the Fuel House with you in a follow up post. Until then, I can honestly say the Victorian atmosphere was a perfect match for the meal selection. The place was buzzing with activity and they are gearing up for the expected summer growth spurt.
After our Valentine's Day meal at the Fuel House, it was off to the Panasonic Theatre to attend the premiere of Potted Potter in Toronto. I had been looking forward to this new production for over a month. As Karen had never read any of the Harry Potter books nor seen any of the movies, this would be a great way for her to experience all seven books in only 70 minutes.
Chalkboard drawings adorned every stairwell asking guest for comments
For those not familiar with Potted Potter, the show is the creation of Daniel Clarkson and Jeff Turner. The term "potted" is defined as "briefly and superficially summarized", it is also slang for being sloshed/hammered. I would not be surprised if Dan and Jeff came up for the idea for Potted Potter while frequenting local pubs in their native United Kingdom. The gist of Potted Potter is that Jeff plays Harry Potter and Dan plays literally everyone else in the seven books, all within 70 minutes.
Two actors, limited stage props and seventy minutes of hijinks ensued
On Valentine's Day, Potted Potter was making its North American debut in Toronto with a limited run that ends on March 25, 2012 (ticket info). After attending their four out of four star debut, I would not be surprised to see that run extended in Toronto or be transplanted to New York later in the year. Both Jeff and Dan were regularly engaging with the audience making for an interactive experience. I would look over at Karen throughout the show to consistently see a grin on her face, she clearly was enjoying Potted Potter.
After the premiere, we were delighted to be invited to the after show party by Associate Producer Marcello Cabezas. I am not normally one to attend after show parties, but this made for a fitting conclusion to this Valentine's Day in Toronto. We both got to meet and chat with Dan and Jeff and hear about their excursion to Canada. Both Dan and Jeff are as funny off stage as they are on stage.
Daniel Clarkson, Robert Lavigne and Jeff Turner - Potted Potter
Given that we were at the after party, I used the opportunity to interview not only Dan and Jeff, but the show's producers. I will be sharing these video interviews in subsequent blog entries over the coming weeks. The level of excitement shared by the entire production crew after the premiere was very apparent. This was clearly a successful launch of Potted Potter in North America and well deserved at that.
So after a three course of the Fuel House, Potted Potter and Toronto, Karen and I trekked back to Brantford. While I miss Toronto greatly, there is no denying that I have found a new home in Brantford. However, it is events and food like we enjoyed this Valentine's Day in Toronto that will always bring me back for limited engagements.
