Arts at the Marina

Leamington Municipal Marina/Rick Atkin Park, 101 Robson Rd.

Celebrate the arts with us!

The Leamington Arts Centre proudly presents the 32nd annual Arts at the Marina outdoor arts and crafts show.

This two-day event held at the scenic lakeside Leamington Municipal Marina/Rick Atkin Park, features dozens of artisans on display, live local music, food and refreshments.

Sat July 25, 10 am to 6 pm

Sun July 26, 10 am to 4 pm

Admission:
By Donation of your choice… $5, $10, $20 or more depending on your group size… Arts at the Marina is a major fundraiser for the LAC as a not for profit charitable organization.

Become an exhibitor!
All forms of arts and crafts, food and beverage vendors are welcome.

ARTS @ THE MARINA is one of the regions oldest and most widely acclaimed fine arts & crafts shows which attracts visitors from all over each year featuring roughly 85+ arts and crafts artisans and food vendors with live performances by local musicians.

Each year Arts @ the Marina continues to gain recognition and attention. Over the years it has become a highly anticipate event for residents and has become a significant tourist attraction for the region.

Deadline & Requests
• Applications are open until July 24 or until all spaces are full. Spaces are available on a first come first serve basis, it is recommended that exhibitors apply early.

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The Mama & Family Expo Returns For A Sixth Year . . . More space, more activities and an extra day of shopping this June!

We all know it takes a village to raise a family, but occasionally it feels like we’re doing it alone. Have no fear, help is here!

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, The Mama & Family Expo — presented by Three Lambs Registry & Baby Boutique — is bringing the village back to parenting in Windsor and Essex County.

This year’s one-of-a-kind family trade show takes place at the Tecumseh Arena, 12021 McNorton Street, for two days — Friday, June 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Attendees come to find and shop for the finest pregnancy and parenting essentials, while being treated to samples, pampering, swag and workshops.

Friday is geared toward parents. While kids are welcome, this night features pampering, giveaways, speakers, entertainment and craft stations — all for adults. Moms and dads are encouraged to come out and bring their friends for a fun evening.

Saturday is family day and features programming, contests and activities for the entire family!

Teanna McKay, Producer of The Mama & Family Expo, is proud of the relationship they have built with the community over the years.

“The Mama & Family Expo has a proven track record and we continue to strive to make our Expo and parenting event stand out as a leader in our community for a place to find top products, businesses and service providers for parents and their families,” she expresses. “We seek new and innovative partners who will improve our event and further our mission of providing a social experience through offering shopping, pampering, services, sampling and other activities.”

According to McKay, exhibitors are carefully vetted through an application process, which allows them to curate the very best possible businesses that will help build their vision.

“For 2022 we are excited to move to Tecumseh Arena,” says McKay. “This larger space is all on one level making it easier for strollers and small children, plus it provides larger aisles for shopping and more space to have lots of new activities!”

The increase in show space also allows for more exhibitors, including the best products in baby and maternity, sleep wellness specialists, health and wellness professionals, pampering services such as infant massage and beauty products, handmade items including one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories, and décor, child care, education and community programs.

In addition, there are plenty of cool companies in the Exhibitor Village with interesting products and services.

Embrace Dental Hygiene is conducting free dental checks for children. The Beadiva is doing on-site DIY workshops of their Mommy and Me bracelets. Music For Young Children is offering music classes (obviously LOL!) and performances during the event and The Art Lab has a slime bar for the kids.

The 2022 Expo also features new activities and areas including . . .

The Main Stage featuring celebrity influencers, health and wellness seminars, musical entertainment, interactive how-to-demos, all sponsored by The School House Academy Daycare Services.

A new Health, Wellness & Pampering Pavilion where attendees can find exhibitors who want the best for you inside and out, sponsored by Shred Shop Wellness Complex + Elevate Health Boutique Inc., has also been added.

Since the Expo is all about family members having a fun and comfortable time while they visit from booth to booth, The Comfort Cabana features an infant feeding lounge and private change tables. This is thanks to two sponsors, Knowledge First Financial and Rana Eye Care.

The Enchanted Castle is sponsored by The Kids Shoppe, The Balloon Artist and Biz X magazine. It is a magical kingdom complete with a fairy tale décor where kids — big or small — can meet their favourite storybook characters. Guests enter the balloon castle to find the classic storybook princesses and princes from Evermore Princess Parties, who provide story time, colouring pages, crafts, sing-a-longs and photo-ops.

“The Dad Den” was created for the men in a child’s life and is an area housing activities and seminars just for them. This special section has a lounge and is packed with experts (like the Fantastic Fathers Community Group), products and services for the modern dad.

As well, a number of local makers are on site, with one-of-a-kind products, handmade with love, sponsored by the Urban Art Market.
Over $1,000 in Mama Expo Dollars from the Motor City Community Credit Union are being given away to be spent at the event! Plus, free swag bags go to the first 100 people in attendance on both Friday and Saturday.

One day passes are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Weekend passes valid for both Friday and Saturday are $8 in advance and $15 at the door on Friday. Children under 12 can attend at no charge on both days.

Tickets are available online and in local stores such as: Three Lambs Registry & Baby Boutique (see address in their section to follow); The Kids Shoppe (see address in their section to follow); the Urban Art Market (548 Chilver Road, Windsor) and Baby Envy Boutique (1645 Wyandotte Street East, Windsor).

The Expo also supports a charitable cause. A portion of the ticket sales are going directly to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwestern Ontario. The Red Shoe Society of Windsor-Essex has a booth and Kids Craft Table on site, with volunteers collecting donations as well.

As for health and safety policies, McKay and her team are dedicated to creating a safe environment for attendees and exhibitors. As we live and adapt to a post-COVID-19 world, masks and face coverings are recommended for everyone aged two and older.

“We are increasing our cleaning schedule and will be disinfecting high-touch and high-traffic areas multiple times a day,” indicates McKay. “We have a one-way directional flow, sanitizer stations throughout the event and large aisles to allow for physical distancing.”

You can keep up to date with the latest information about the event on: TheMamaExpo.ca.

But first, until the Expo opens its doors to the public, let’s fill you in a bit more about these partners, sponsors and supporters. The companies are also some of the vendors you and your family can meet when visiting The Mama & Family Expo this June.

Presenting Partner: Three Lambs Registry & Baby Boutique

Located at 13444 Tecumseh Road East in the St. Clair Beach Plaza (Manning Road and Tecumseh Road East), Three Lambs Registry & Baby Boutique specializes in all things baby, including — but not limited to — nursery furnishings and décor, baby shower registries, strollers, car seats, clothing, toys, gifts and more.

“We strive to offer the best products at the best prices, and try our best to curate products for everyone’s style, budget and needs,” says Jeanine Jodoin, Owner of Three Lambs Registry & Baby Boutique who began the business in 2015. “We offer concierge style shopping experiences for those in a hurry, and free registry consultations and registry creation services. We are also the area’s largest nursery furniture showroom!”

Jodoin tells Biz X she has participated in the Expo in the past and is excited to be this year’s presenting partner.

“The Mama & Family Expo is a great way to engage with the community,” she believes.

Jodoin adds: “It’s also an opportunity to introduce people to our wonderful curation of fabulous products and friendly service.”

Want to know more? Visit: ThreeLambs.ca and their booth at the Expo!

Sponsor: The Kids Shoppe

Searching for Windsor’s premier children’s and maternity resale shop? Look no further than a locally owned and operated business, The Kids Shoppe found at 2950 Dougall Avenue in Windsor.

Established in 2015, The Kids Shoppe buys and sells new and gently-used children’s clothing, toys, books, baby gear and maternity clothing.

“We offer sellers the opportunity to recycle nearly-new items and get paid on the spot,” says Klara Pardal, Owner of The Kids Shoppe. “Savvy shoppers can browse an immense range of items, from clothing to toys to strollers to home décor, all up to 70 percent off regular retail!”

Her business is always in attendance at The Mama & Family Expo in order to stay abreast of the latest happenings and innovations in the baby and motherhood industry. Find out further details about this company on: TheKidsShoppe.ca.

Cover story Continues on Page 30

The post The Mama & Family Expo Returns For A Sixth Year appeared first on Biz X magazine.

Photo: Tony Todd has played some evil characters in his career, but he is the nicest down-to-earth guy you will ever meet, as our writer Jason Kerluck (also pictured) lets our readers know in this exclusive interview. Photo by Rod Denis – Biz X magazine

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL – BIZ X TALKS WITH TONY TODD

At the end of this past September, the region was treated to a visit by many celebrities from the horror and Sci-Fi genre. It was all thanks to recent Biz X Award winner “Windsor ComiCon” (WindsorComiCon.com), an event that brought the stars and their fans together again for the fourth year in a row.

As detailed in our article, immediately following the event, there was something for everyone who appreciates the world of super heroes, horror flicks, and comic books. But, it’s those visiting celebrities that take the experience to the next level for many fans.

To meet an actor face to face, when you have only watched them on the big screen is a treat indeed. For many, it was former wrestler-turned-movie-star Tyler Mane (Michael Myers in the Halloween movies and Sabretooth in X-Men) they wanted to meet. To their delight, while imposing in size, he was a gentle giant and fans left grinning ear to ear.

But for some, even Mane wasn’t geeky enough. That’s because while he has had his giant hands in many different franchises, he simply can’t beat the current King of Geekdom . . . the incomparable Tony Todd!

Biz X magazine seized an exciting opportunity, during the two day event, to sit down and interview this accomplished actor. And we were promptly taken to school when it comes to the world of movies!

Among his many acting credits, Todd has played Candyman, Kurn in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1990-1991) and was the voice of the Fallen (2009) in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. 

Get comfy and read on as we get to know the man behind the roles.

Biz X: Welcome to Windsor!

Tony Todd (TT): Thank you. First time in Windsor. I’ve heard about it all my life. Right over the bridge . . . I’ve been to Detroit plenty of times. Aren’t you guys’ kissing cousins?

Biz X: Oh yeah. Always been that way.

TT: Lots of marriages in between the countries.

Biz X: For sure, and for us going to a Red Wings game is no harder than going downtown Windsor. It’s faster for us to get to Detroit, than to see a Blue Jays game.

TT: That’s crazy!

Biz X: It’s an absolute thrill to meet you…

TT: Thank you.

Biz X: Ever since I was young…

TT: We are all younger once! (laughing)

Biz X: …one of my favourite episodes of (Star Trek) The Next Generation was when you were Kurn. And I loved that play up that we didn’t know who you were . . . . you were some jerk that was giving Worf a hard time…

TT: Why was I a jerk? (laughing)

Biz X: Because you were being mean to everybody! (laughing)

TT: (Recounting the scene) I come on board to figure things out and talk to my brother. They feed me (bleeping) food that was barely edible. I farted for four days . . . . I farted like an American! Not that Star Fleet was all American, it was many nationalities all represented. It was the future! We are all unified!

Biz X: Everyone was holding hands and loving each other.

TT: Thank you.

Biz X: We saw that back then, that sense of mischief, that smirk, that look like you’re loving putting people in those positions. We saw that unsettling look also in Candyman as well. Where did that look come from?

TT: Well, I was an only kid, and every Christmas I’d buy myself a new Monopoly set and I’d play it myself . . . I didn’t need other people. And the people I did invite over were stupid, I mean they were my dear friends, but they couldn’t play the game. They didn’t know when to buy Park Place or anything like that.

Biz X: They weren’t in on it . . .

TT: They would buy the easy (stuff), like Oriental Avenue and all that to be a slum lord all of their lives. I had other ambitions. I just wanted to be King of the Villains!

(Writer’s Note: While I thought Tony had gone on a bit of a tangent, I realized his Monopoly analogy showed his view of the world growing up versus those around him. He wasn’t happy doing what everyone else was doing, he was hungry and wanted more. This wasn’t going to be the last bit of cleverness he had in store for me.)

Biz X: You can see that, you see a character that has control over the situation. Now, you’re like geek royalty to so many. You’ve done Transformers, you’ve done The Flash, you’ve done Star Trek, and you’ve done horror stuff. You’ve done so many different things. You’ve done voice acting as well as acting on screen, and you come through so well when you’re voice acting. With all of that, which do you prefer?

TT: Well I come from the theatre, that’s my first love. I have my Masters in Theatre. I went to Trinity Repertory Company in Rhode Island . . . I won two Tony Awards. I’ve been on Broadway twice, as well as regional theatre.

Biz X: So is this a third thing you’re into?

TT: That’s my number one love! I was offered three plays recently, one was Richard the Third as Buckingham . . . couldn’t do it. I had an offer to do a play in my hometown of Hartford, Connecticut in the play Sunset Baby, but SOON I’m going to have to go back to the stage. Every time I go onto the stage it feeds me in a way I cannot describe to you.

Biz X: I have friends that act on stage, and that sense of being in the moment, that linear story, start to finish, the whole story.

TT: It’s working with an ensemble people you’ve spent the last two or three weeks with working to that night . . . it’s like a salad coming to full life! Then after that I’ll get a call to do a TV show or a movie. I’ve been in some good ones . . .

Biz X: You’ve been in some amazing ones!

TT: But, those that you get are paper thin after you read Richard the Third.

Biz X: How do you top that?

TT: We had just seen a movie with Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason, The Goodbye Girl, where he plays a Shakespearean actor that moves in. Have you ever seen that movie?

Biz X: No I haven’t.

TT: OK, well you’ve got to see it. It’s really funny, one of Richard’s early roles — he was already there. He was just having fun, the actor moves in and crashes (not wanting to ruin it for me) . . . da da da . . . you’ll see it! I’m not saying it’s my favourite move EVER. I don’t want people to get it wrong. Double Indemnity would be closer to that . . . Sunset Boulevard.

Biz X: So this is a list of movies we need to watch!

TT: You’ve never seen Double Indemnity?

Biz X: No I haven’t.

TT: You should be STRUCK from the Earth! (laughing)

Tony Todd interview continues on PAGE 45

The post UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH TONY TODD appeared first on Biz X magazine.

Biz X Was There – Wedding Extravaganza 2018

There is still time to get to the 31st annual Wedding Extravaganza 2018 – “The Big One” at the Caboto Club in Windsor Sunday January 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.!

This show is Southern Ontario’s largest wedding show with two full floors of wedding excitement, free gifts and over $25,000 in prizes.

Admission is $12 and with over 200 wedding professionals and an interactive wedding gallery plus three fashion shows daily.

This is an event you won’t want to miss!

Saturday’s show was fantastic as usual with businesses like Guarda Luna; New Dimensions; Designs by Diane; Mastronardi Winery; Collins Formal Wear; Ambassador Golf Club; Unwined; The City Grill Event Centre and more on site!

Photos below by Rod Denis.

[See image gallery at bizxmagazine.com]

The post Biz X Was There – Wedding Extravaganza 2018 appeared first on Biz X magazine.

Skip the Hassle!  Take Advantage of Transit Windsor’s Auto Show Express Package

Let Transit Windsor be your ride to the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)!  Purchase the Auto Show Express package and you’ll receive direct door-to-door service to Cobo Center and admission to the show. The cost is $25.00 per person. If you’re looking for tunnel bus tickets only, the cost is $10.00 for a roundtrip bus ticket.  All tickets are sold in Canadian funds.  Transit Windsor accepts U.S. funds at par and all change is given in Canadian funds.  Discounted admission tickets for seniors (65+) or children (7-12) are only available at Cobo Center for $7.00 U.S. Children aged 6 and under are free with a parent or guardian.

Express Packages are sold daily at the Windsor International Transit Terminal (WITT), 300 Chatham Street West from 7am until 9pm and at Transit Windsor, 3700 North Service Road East, Mondaythrough Friday, from 8:30am until 4pm.  You may also purchase your tickets at any City Customer Care Centre.

The NAIAS public show runs from January 20 to 28. Doors open daily at 9am and close at 10pm, except on the final day when they close at 7pm.  There will be no admittance to the show one hour prior to closing.  During peak travel times, regular Tunnel Bus service is augmented with additional buses to Cobo Center based on demand. Fully accessible service is provided.  All buses leave from the downtown transit terminal, with the last bus leaving at 7pm during tunnel closure days.

A reminder, proof of citizenship is required when crossing the Windsor-Detroit border. 

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