Theatre review: Into The Woods

From May 16 to June 2, 2024, the Harold Greenspon Auditorium at Cote Saint-Luc (CSL) City Hall hosts a production that promises to enchant and captivate audiences: “Into The Woods,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. This iconic piece of musical theatre, originally directed on Broadway by Lapine, has been delighting audiences for over thirty-five years, winning 18 Tony Awards along the way.

Synopsis

Sondheim and Lapine masterfully bring beloved storybook characters together in a timeless, relevant, and iconic musical. The CSL Dramatic Society, under the artistic direction of Anisa Cameron, with musical direction by Nick Burgess, and assistant directors Jordana Dobski and Adam Daniel Koren, has crafted a production that blends community spirit with professional-caliber performance.

Highlights

Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, the producer and narrator of the show along with Councillors Andee Shuster and Mitch Kujavsky, expressed the community-centric ethos of the production: “This is a wonderful reminder of the sense of community we feel in Cote Saint-Luc, where our own stories intersect with each other and our lives are richer for it. With this production, we paid tribute to our family members, friends, and neighbours who are there to celebrate our happy ever after and who stand beside us to help us navigate through the dark and fearsome woods.”

Mayor Mitchell Brownstein plays the narrator

Councillor Andee Shuster adds, “We all love fairy tales because they’re highly enchanting, but they are also steeped in life lessons. Similarly, Into The Woods will make you laugh and make you cry, but it will also make you think.” Brownstein concludes, “In fairy tales, we all enjoy the happy ever afters. However, real life is not so simple. Still, we keep journeying along to our next adventures, trying to learn new lessons to help us build a better world together.”

Artistic Director Anisa Cameron shares a personal connection to the show: “I have loved the show since I was 10 years old. I grew up mesmerized by the original Broadway cast captured on an old VHS tape my parents had recorded. Little did I know then how much this magical tale would weave its way into the fabric of my life and inspire me in countless ways.”

Outstanding cast

The singing, dancing, costumes, stage design and live musical accompaniment were absolutely magical – far greater than what one might expect from community theatre.

The cast of Into The Woods includes several familiar faces from previous CSLDS productions. Jeanne Motulsky’s portrayal of the Witch is extraordinary. Her voice, movement, and facial expressions are captivating, making her a standout performer. Motulsky is well-known to local audiences from her performances in “Cabaret,” “Hairspray,” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.”

Noah Century and Renee Hodgins as the Baker and his Wife deliver stellar performances, bringing depth and warmth to their central roles as they navigate the Witch’s sinister tasks for them to have a child. Natalie Demon shines as Cinderella, with a remarkable voice that captures the character’s essence beautifully.

Councillor Andee Shuster

Councillor Andee Shuster plays Jack’s Mother with an extraordinary voice, reflecting her extensive experience as a professional soprano soloist. Sam Stein, well-known for past performances in CSLDS and Yiddish theatre plays the Mysterious Man. He brings authenticity and passion to his role, making the audience feel the full range of his character’s emotions.

The two princes, played by Joel Bernstein (Cinderella’s Prince and the Wolf) and Philip-Olivier Jean (Rapunzel’s Prince), form an extraordinary duo. Their dynamic performances, filled with humour and charisma, leave a lasting impression. Although I had many favourites in this non-stop action musical, err Shakespearean rap, the two of them stood out for me.

Long-time librarian Eden Pelletier makes a brilliant debut with the CSLDS as Cinderella’s tree mother, showcasing a magnificent voice that complements her performance. Shout-out to bean-stock climbing Thomas Watson (Jack), Melody Grant (Little Red Riding Hood), Karyn Pellatt-Caron (Lady Giant) and the howling Sophie Gaudreau (Rapunzel). Regretfully, I am leaving out some wonderful names. They all deserve great credit and standing ovation for an extraordinary performance where each and every one helps to carry this show to new heights on the local stage.

Cameron bursting with creativity

Special recognition goes to Anisa Cameron, whose direction has been a driving force behind this production. Raised by actor parents along the Las Vegas strip, Cameron brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the CSLDS. Her passion for theatre shines through in every aspect of this show. CSLDS is lucky to have her as its creative genius as was Bialik High School where she created several extraordinary performances. After the pandemic slow down in all things theatre and entertainment, it is clear that the creative juices in Anisa were boiling over and ready to explode back onto the stage.

Artistic Director Anisa Cameron

Nick Burgess and the live band deserve a special shoutout for their outstanding musical accompaniment, which adds an extra layer of magic to the production. The support from sponsors, supporters, and volunteers of CSLDS has been crucial in bringing high-quality musical theatre back to the local stage.

The theatre-in-the-round experience enhances the immersive nature of this production, making it a must-see event. Montreal media is abuzz about this show. Don’t delay—buy your tickets today and experience the enchantment of “Into The Woods.”

A rebound year for vCOP

As 2023 draws toward an end, the members of Cote Saint-Luc volunteer Citizens on Patrol can be proud of their efforts. While we started off the year still with a corps of volunteers that was weakened and diminished coming out of the pandemic, we reinvigorated and reestablished the group as a unique and well respected community service.

Our leadership team of Supervisors Elaine Meunier, Susie Schwartz, Mitchell Herf and Jeff Smith along with our professional staff of Public Safety Director Philip Chateauvert and Chief Jean-Marc Dubois and I met often to strategize and plan for a return to our previous numbers in terms of membership and shift coverage.

L-R: vCOP Leadership Team 2023: Glenn J. Nashen, Jean-Marc Dubois, Mitchell Brownstein, Elaine Meunier, Mitchell Herf, Susie Schwartz, Jeff Smith. Missing: Philip Chateauvert.

We renewed our training, returned to regular patrols, increased our coverage and welcomed two new cohorts of recruits. And with the worrisome security situation close to home, related to the war in Israel, we were out patrolling our streets, watching over our religious institutions, shul-goers, students and all others. We showed our community that we are there for them, watching out and providing another level of security when anxiety is high.

As Chair of vCOP, I’m proud of what we have been able to achieve and the positive impact we have had in our community. Thanks to all of our members for keeping ‘active in orange’.

Elaine Meunier and Jean-Marc Dubois present Patroller of the Year certificate to Marty Labow

At our end of year holiday dinner at the ACC, we congratulated our most active members. Our Top Patroller Award for most hours went to Marty Labow. And the vCOP Special Recognition Award went to Fred Golt.

Jean-Marc Dubois with Special Recognition Award recipient Fred Golt and Jeff Smith

Best wishes to all of our dedicated patrollers for a Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May our darkest days be filled with the lights of the menorah, blinking lights on the trees and whatever else brings light, hope and inspiration.

Mayor Mitchell Brownstein and Elaine thanked each volunteer for their service to the community

Nicole Nashen encourages PM Trudeau to stand with Jewish students

Nicole Nashen, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, MP Anthony Housefather (Oct. 27, 2023)

My daughter, Nicole, met today with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mount Royal Member of Parliament Anthony Housefather and Outremont MP Rachel Bendayan.

Nicole spoke about the horrors inflicted upon Israelis like her aunt and uncle who barely survived the murderous Hamas attack at Kibbutz Kfar Azza, about the safety concerns of students on campus and the need for Canada to continue its strong support for the Canadian Jewish community.

Nicole, 23, a McGill Law student, has witnessed the near daily rallies on and around the university campus where protesters have shouted “intifada”, and glorified Hamas’ terrorism.

Nicole told the Montreal Gazette this week that many Jewish students, including herself, have felt “alone and scared” as they read comments by their peers on social media “defending the barbaric attack that Hamas committed” or while witnessing “protests on or around our campuses where our classmates are chanting for another intifada, a violent uprising against Jews and Israelis.”

Posters on campus calling for “intifada until victory” are “truly terrifying” to Jewish students, she said. “I should not have to pass by posters calling for violence against me just to get to the library. These posters were a direct threat to me and other Jewish students on campus, in an environment were we have a right to feel safe.”

Nicole recounted her experiences to Housefather in a student meeting the MP organized this week and reiterated her sentiments to the Prime Minister today in a private meeting with a dozen other Jewish students.

“Mr. Trudeau listened intently to my story and experiences and was visibly moved,” Nicole said. “He spoke about his strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas terrorists, within the confines of international law. I was impressed by how knowledgeable he was about the Canadian Jewish experience and Antisemitism, and by how passionate he was in his words of standing with the Jewish community.”

Nicole previously served as President of Hillel Concordia and as a councillor on the Concordia Student Union. She advocated for the CSU to apologize to the Jewish community for years of Antisemitism.

A day of learning and serving in CSL

Na’kuset speaking with students from Bialik High School

Yesterday was a special day for me in Cote Saint-Luc. It began with a short ceremony on the Human Rights Walkway, an educational project that is unique here and makes our city a little more special. I’m proud to have been involved in this project from the outset. What made the day special was the induction of Na’kuset, the leader of the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal and other programs to help improve the lives of urban Indigenous people.

Interestingly, Na’kuset was adopted by a Montreal Jewish family and credits her bubby with inspiring her to discover her Indigenous routes and to contribute to her community.

You can watch the event here. It was was championed by my good friends Councillor Mike Cohen and Mayor Mitchell Brownstein. Mike ensured that students from local schools were in attendance to learn and to be inspired. Mitch often speaks passionately about following one’s dreams and to pursue happiness all the while contributing, giving back to community.

In that spirit, my evening was dedicated to service to community. As you know, I enjoy helping others within the public safety umbrella. I got involved in politics because of this. I pushed for recognition of paramedics in Quebec, created the first municipal bike helmet law in Canada, established our EMS first responder service and later Quebec’s first volunteer Citizens on Patrol.

I also love cycling, so what a great evening it was to head out on vCOP bike patrol with my friend Mitchell Herf. There were lots of people out walking and playing on an unusually warm fall evening. Along the way we came across a friendly, outgoing Montreal Police officer, Marc-Antoine Legault.

Glenn J. Nashen, Police Officer Marc-Antoine Legault, vCOP Supervisor Mitchell Herf

Marc-Antoine has been with the department for 13 years, almost all of them in our area, served by Station 9 (and neighbouring Station 11). Previous to that he was a CSL Public Security officer for two years.

With specialized training in speed radar technology, Officer Legault can often be seen with his “speed gun” pointing down the street looking for motorists driving excessively fast. We noticed him (actually he spotted us first, of course) near the Westminster underpass. In fact, he had already ticketed motorists speeding at 70 km/h in the park zone on Westminster that is marked with a speed limit of 30 km/h. Also, he flagged down a car going 68 km/h in the underpass, which is a 50 km/h zone.

Officer Legault monitoring speed at Westminster underpass

Marc-Antione loves working in the neighbourhood. Some of his shifts begin 6AM, at other times 10:30AM. On this evening he was on solo patrol. Many days he works with a partner. Just seconds after we finished chatting he caught another speeder.

Officer Legault pulling over a speeder on Westminster Ave

He’s aware of excessive speed complaints on Cavendish Boulevard and recently conducted an operation near the Cavendish underpass. So be forewarned! Skilled professionals from the Montreal Police Department are coming after you if you’re speeding excessively and putting yourself and others, especially kids in park zones at risk.

Great crossing paths with you Marc-Antoine, particularly on a slow moving bike. It was a great day in CSL. We’re lucky to be part of this community of residents, volunteers, emergency responders and leaders like Na’kuset who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of others.

There are so many more examples of people deserving of shout out in the community. Feel free to add yours in comments below.

Read more: A day of learning and serving in CSL

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An anglo community, a dramatic society and the singing mayor of Côte-St-Luc, Montreal Gazette

The Côte-St-Luc Dramatic Society is back — with Mayor Mitchell Brownstein — with an adaptation of the hit Broadway musical comedy Something Rotten!

Brendan Kelly  •  Montreal Gazette

Published May 22, 2023 

Côte-St-Luc Dramatic Society artistic director Anisa Cameron, right, at a rehearsal for Something Rotten! with Côte-St-Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein. PHOTO BY PIERRE OBENDRAUF /Montreal Gazette

Often what you hear from English Montrealers are concerns about the future of the community, with many feeling anglos are under siege from a provincial government that does not seem all that friendly toward them. Brownstein is a community member who has voiced exactly those concerns.

But there’s another, lighter side to Brownstein: He just wants to get up on stage and sing.

That’s part of the reason that — back in 2010, when he was a Côte-St-Luc councillor — Brownstein went to Anisa Cameron, who was running the theatre program at Bialik High School, to ask whether she was interested in running a theatre company.

That was the beginning of the Côte-St-Luc Dramatic Society. More than a decade later, Brownstein happily reminisces about what a blast it was to sing Beauty School Dropout in the amateur theatre troupe’s hit performance of Grease in 2012. The Dramatic Society is back after a three-year pandemic hiatus with an adaptation of the 2015 hit Broadway musical comedy Something Rotten! It is set to run at the Wagar Auditorium May 25 to June 11.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the English community throughout the island of Montreal to see quality theatre,” Brownstein said during a phone interview from his office at Côte-St-Luc City Hall.

“The main job of a municipal government is to provide services, and what better service can we provide than an opportunity for the community at large — outside Côte-St-Luc as well — to come and have an absolutely wonderful moment in time. Something Rotten! coasts through the history of musical theatre and it’s so uplifting. Bringing this to the island of Montreal is really special, particularly at this time when people are craving more English activities.”

Cameron, who is the artistic director of the Dramatic Society, said it’s great to see a city support the arts.

“I think it’s unique, not just in Montreal but across North America, that a municipal government sees the value in the cultural development of its population. … It’s enriching for the people involved. It’s completely transformative for myself,” Cameron said.

The Dramatic Society raises money from local donors and is not funded by the city.

Its 2018 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat had a sold-out run and was remounted the following year at the Segal Centre.

Something Rotten!, written by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, is about a pair of Renaissance-era sibling playwrights, Nick and Nigel Bottom, who try to take on the rock-star playwright of that time, William Shakespeare. They create a new form of theatre: the musical. Brownstein plays Nostradamus, which he calls a major supporting role.

As Brownstein talks of how much fun it was to play Wilbur Turnblad, the husband of Edna, in their production of Hairspray a few years back, it begs the question: Will Brownstein turn to the stage full time if and when he retires as mayor?

“Probably, you can’t do everything forever,” Brownstein said. “I do have a philosophy of life that guides me as mayor. You need to do things in your life that you find joy in and that provide joy to others. That’s how I run the city. It’s not just the Dramatic Society. Whether it’s swimming programs or ensuring we provide the best service with our public works, it’s about making people feel good and doing our best to make people feel happy. And Something Rotten!, for anyone who comes to the show, you give them two and a half hours of happiness.”

Something Rotten! runs May 25 to June 11 at the Wagar Auditorium, 5785 Parkhaven Ave. Ages 10 and up. $31.44-$40.84, csldramaticsociety.com.

Celebrating Safely in CSL

CSL volunteer Citizens on Patrol (vCOP) and volunteer Emergency Medical Services (EMS) first responders were on duty this week ensuring a safe and joyous celebration for Lag B’Omer.

Hundreds were in attendance in Yitzhak Rabin Park on Westminster Avenue.

We’re always looking for new recruits and might have found few new two-wheeled volunteers (in about 10 years).

Chag Sameach.

CSL blood donor clinic sets new record

Cote Saint-Luc’s annual blood drive, aptly named in honour and memory of my dear departed friend, Ruth Kovac, was a resounding success this week. A record-breaking 162 donations were received and will help save countless lives.

My daughter Nathalie and I were warmly greeted by Peter Kovac, CSL Communications Chief Regine Banon, and a host of brightly clad volunteer Citizens on Patrol. This was my 65th donation and I look forward to returning again and again.

Ruth would have been so proud. Her profound efforts in the annual blood donor clinic and other emergency services speak loudly to the Talmudic phrase that, “She who saves one life as if she has saved the entire world.” Ruth was and continues to be a life-saver by enabling others to give.

Peter Kovac greets Nathalie and me

Proud to give for the 65th time

CSL volunteer Citizens on Patrol looking for new members: Information Session on April 19

The City of Côte Saint-Luc is looking for new recruits for its unique and active volunteer Citizens on Patrol (vCOP) program and will hold an information session on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at 7pm at City Hall, 5801 Cavendish Blvd. Registration is required. Visit CoteSaintLuc.org/vCOP to register for the information session.

The program trains volunteers to patrol the streets of Côte Saint-Luc in marked vans, on electric scooters, on foot and on bicycles. The volunteers notify local agencies about emergency and non-emergency situations. They serve as skilled observers throughout the community. Volunteer patrollers also help out at community events, deliver books to shut-ins and check on residential properties while homeowners are on vacation. They also assist Public Safety at major incidents (such as water main breaks, major fires, power outages and downed wires) to help secure perimeters.

Côte Saint-Luc was the first city in Quebec to implement this neighbourhood-watch-on-wheels program in 2006. Similar programs have been established in communities throughout Canada and the United States.

Prospective volunteers do not have to be Côte Saint-Luc residents, however they must be age 18 or older. Many are retirees who patrol on three hour shifts every week or two. Trainees will learn about first aid, Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and the use of Automated External Defibrillators, fire extinguishers, two-way radios and in patrol and surveillance techniques.

For more information visit CoteSaintLuc.org/vcop, call 514-485-6800 #5106, or send an e-mail to vcop@CoteSaintLuc.org.

Quotations
“vCOP volunteers work alongside public security, police, fire and EMS services to add to Côte Saint-Luc’s substantial safety initiatives. Our program is an extraordinary way for citizens to give back to their community. We provide training and support to our members and they will gain new, unique experiences and wonderful camaraderie.”

• Glenn J. Nashen, Chairman

“Our vCOP patrollers help to increase safety in our city. We can always rely on vCOP to help out at events or emergency situations. We are so fortunate to have this amazing resource in Côte Saint-Luc.”

• Councillor Steven Erdelyi, the council member responsible for vCOP

Photo: Glenn J. Nashen and Mitchell Herf on patrol. Photo credit: Glenn J. Nashen

One mom’s love and inspiration for 50 years, bringing smiles to kids at the Shriners

Phyllis Nashen with Jennifer Bradley and Andrea Poupart of the Shriners Hospital in Montreal for her 50th annual gift giving visit

Just prior to Christmas, my mother paid a visit to the Shriners Hospital carrying a colourful bag of neatly wrapped gifts for kids she did not know and would never meet. Slowly making her way across the lobby with her walker, heading toward the large, beautifully decorated Christmas Tree, mom was comforted in remembering that this act of loving kindness is what she did every year, for the past 50 years!

Mom is now 94 years old and while the creeping march of dementia challenges her daily, she has never forgotten her love of children and compassion for the kids at the Shriners. Like clockwork, she spent the last few months picking out gifts, wrapping them with care and reminding her caregiver and I to drive her for this most important delivery: Her 50th annual visit to the Shriners!

For mom, it’s not about the size of the gift, but the value of giving and caring. It’s about her knowing that one child would not miss out on receiving something for the holidays, that one child without family close by should not be forgotten. These thoughts preoccupy her and cause her concern as though these kids were her very own.

And that’s what the holidays are all about: Selfless acts of loving kindness. Just like the candles of the Chanukah Menorah brightening the darkness, mom seeks to spread light, hope and happiness.

There are many injustices in life. Dementia ravages so many lives. The aging process is not always graceful and far from easy. My mother is trying to find her way without my father, her husband of 71 years, who passed only three months ago.  Yet, this loving matriarch of our large family, and her life story, gives us all hope and inspiration just as it does to a few kids at the Shriners.

As we look forward to a new happier and healthier year, I hope my mom’s story will brighten your day and give you an extra reason to smile. Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. Happy New Year.

 

Phyllis Nashen with her grandchildren, Jeremy and Nathalie, dropping off Holiday gifts with Stephanie at the Shriners Hospital (Dec. 12, 2018)

 

Granddaughters Nicole and Nathalie Nashen (aka Phyllis’s Elves) deliver gifts at the Shriners Hospital (Dec. 3, 2010).

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Read more:

One thousand lives touched by the kindness of a quiet mom

Phyllis Nashen with Shriners Public Relations Director Kelly Thorstad (Photo Jeff Nashen 2021)

Celebrating vCOP: Getting active again

What a great evening we had last week at the Cote Saint-Luc Aquatic and Community Centre “Ballroom”. With 45 members of the volunteer Citizens on Patrol in attendance at the end of year holiday party it was a successful and fun event.

We thanked several members who received their pins for 5, 10 and 15 years of membership.

Mayor Mitchell Brownstein and his wife Elaine were in attendance. The mayor thanked all of the volunteers and encouraged them to keep active and to enjoy all that they do to benefit their community. City Councillor Steven and Erdelyi, responsible for vCOP was also there and thanked everyone for their important contribution to keep our city safe.

Congratulations to the vCOP Most Valuable Patroller of 2022: Martin Labow.

vCOP MVP 2022: Martin Labow in his iconic orange

Our Top 10 Patrollers for 2022 received certificates. They are:

• Issie Karpman
• Kenny Corber
• Bernie Band
• Marty Croitoru
• Allan Bramson
• Jeff Smith
• Elaine Meunier
• Allan Plotnick
• Sheldon Polansky
• Susie Schwartz

Councillor Oren Sebag, responsible for EMS and Public Security, as well as City Manager Jonathan Schecter, were on hand to congratulate the dedicated volunteers, many of whom returned to active duty as soon as the organization returned last Spring after a two-year lockdown.

The food arranged by Marco and Gio from the ACC’s Aqua Café was enjoyed by all. Overall it was an pleasant evening out! Special thanks to our wonderful vCOP Supervisor Elaine Meunier and Team Leader Susie Schwartz for their wonderful organizing talents as well as to Chief Jean-Marc Dubois and Director Philip Chateauvert for pulling it all together, as usual.

A Recruitment Drive will begin in January. Please talk up vCOP to friends, neighbours and family. We’re looking for a few good people!

L-R: Cllr. Oren Sebag, Cllr. Steven Erdelyi, EMS Chief Eddy Afram, Director Philip Chateauvert, Chair Glenn J. Nashen, Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, Chief, Jean-Marc Dubois, City Manager Jonathan Schecter

Nostalgia and appreciation: Recap of CSL ceremony celebrating many years of service

It was a fun day for all who participated in the Cote Saint-Luc 2022 Golf Classic and picnic in the park. However it was especially meaningful to me and my friend, former Councillor Sam Goldbloom, as the two of us were recognized for our many years of service in political office.

Here are the video clips from the event with appreciation to event chairs Cllr. Mike Cohen, Cllr. Dida Berku and former Men’s Club chair Mannie Young. Also, many thanks to Mayor Mitchell Brownstein who produced an entertaining and personal overview of our exciting challenges together at City Hall.

I am thankful to be friends and colleagues with all of our mayors and city councillors, past and present, as well as MNAs and MPs and city staff. Each week I am still approached by a resident with a question about the city or politics, many thinking I am still in office! Often, I will refer them to my blog where I have amassed over 2000 posts about city matters.

My time serving constituents at city hall was an absolute honour and privilege. Although I’ve been approached to run again, at different levels of government, I am enjoying my professional career and wonderful time with family. But one never knows what lies ahead…

Mayor Mitchell Brownstein and Councillor Mike Cohen remarks at CSL Golf Classic, Aug. 9, 2022

Councillor Dida Berku remarks at CSL Golf Classic, Aug. 9, 2022

Former Councillor Glenn J. Nashen remarks of appreciation and nostalgia, CSL Golf Classic, Aug. 9, 2022

CSL Golf 2022-08Download

My golf buddies: Peter Lipari, owner operator of IGA CSL Rd., MNA David Birnbaum and Councillor Mike Cohen

Picnicking with Councillors Mitch Kujavsky and Lior Azerad

Councillor Mike Cohen, fmr. Councillors Glenn J. Nashen and Sam Goldbloom, Councillor Dida Berku and fmr. Men’s Club chair Mannie Young at Meadowbrook Golf Course (GJN 2022)

CJN: YidLife Crisis going back to where they came from in “A Closer Luc”

By Ilana Zakon, CJN

By now, you may have heard of the Montreal yiddishist comedians known as YidLife Crisis. 

After all, Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman have been written about once or twice this year at The CJN, not to mention the article they wrote themselves near the end of the weekly newspaper’s life.

Jamie, who’s now based in L.A., is coming home next month to join Eli for a cheekily titled event, A Closer Luc.

Montreal is where this project started, but the past few years have found them veering into more of the “Global Shtetl.” Meaning, they’ve been exploring other Jewish parts of the world including England, the United States and Israel—oh, and let’s not forget the exotic land of Toronto. 

But the duo realized they’d never done a hyper-local homage to the area they grew up in, Côte St. Luc, a residential family-friendly city right next to Montreal, with a large Jewish population.

Now, after receiving a $25,000 grant from the Montreal Arts Council, their neighbours will get the tribute they deserve. 

“Côte St. Luc is home in our hearts,” says Eli. No matter how far and wide in the world we go. Côte St. Luc has indelibly left its imprint on us.”

As a result, they’ll finally be able to cater to an audience who gets all their inside jokes, and show off all that the neighborhood has to offer for “anyone else that dares to venture in.”

The area is jokingly referred to as “Côte St. Jew.” Drive through and you’ll have a hard time finding a house without a mezuzah in the area, so the nickname certainly rings true!

With plenty of synagogues and kosher restaurants nearby, it looks like the shtetl is still going strong.

A Closer Luc will take place in the Harold Greenspoon Theatre of the CSL Library and will be presented as a live variety show with video and music. (Jamie plays piano. Eli plays guitar.) They guarantee “thought-provoking shtick,” albeit with no money refunded if it falls short—because it’s free.

For fans of their comedy outside of Montreal, they will be continuing their U.S. tour this September with two shows in Florida. Hey, maybe you’ll snowbird earlier this year.

Be sure to sign up here to check out A Closer Luc in person on Aug. 17 from 7-8 p.m. or watch it unfold anywhere via YouTube.

Anti Bill 96 protest calls on Quebec government to respect rights of all citizens

Anti Bill 96 protest calls on Quebec government to respect rights of all citizens

Bill 96 fails to find the right balance

Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather has drafted an excellent piece that was published this week in The Gazette and Le Devoir which he co-signed with fellow Liberal MPs Marc Garneau (Notre-Dame-de-Grace-Westmount), Patricia Lattanzio (Saint-Leonard-Saint-Michel) and Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis).

Before the Bill was adopted, Anthony spoke with Elias Makos on CJAD about his concerns. You can hear the interview here. He also spoke on Power and Politics with Vassy Kapelos. You can watch the interview here.

In the op-ed Anthony raised the issue of the violations of the Constitution which require the courts and National Assembly of Quebec to treat English and French equally. He also raised the issue of the preemptive and omnibus use of the notwithstanding clause and the importance of having this inappropriate use of the clause addressed by the courts.

Federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, David Lametti, confirmed that the government will intervene in the Court case related to Bill 21 when it reaches the Supreme Court. Minister Lametti also indicated that we would consider intervening in other cases involving Bill 96 and will carefully monitor the implementation of the law. He voiced his own discomfort with many provisions of the law related to access to services in health care, justice, and other matters.  He pointed to the concerns of the English-speaking minority, indigenous Canadians and new immigrants. 

“For those who were waiting for the government to speak to Bill 96 in a clear way this has now occurred and led to Premier Legault demanding the federal government stay out of it,” Housefather said, assuring that, “our government will not back away from defending the rights of minority language communities, including English speaking Quebecers.”  

Sidney Margles, MP Anthony Housefather and Glenn J. Nashen at the anti Bill 96 Rally in Place du Canada on May 26, 2022

Appeals court says class action lawsuit against Mont-Tremblant can proceed

Happy skier, Barry Nashen

Law suit launched by Barry Nashen after Mont Tremblant refuses to refund ski pass holders after closing down for pandemic

La Presse reports that the early closure of ski resorts at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 frustrated many season pass holders. Those who frequented Tremblant may receive financial compensation.

The Court of Appeal has just authorized a class action against the 102-run ski resort.

Skier Barry Nashen, my brother, who is acting as the class representative, is seeking a refund proportional to the number of days he was deprived of skiing compared to the announced schedule of 113 days. This amounts to approximately $150. He is also asking for $100 in punitive damages because of the breach of the service contract, which he argues violates the Consumer Protection Act.

In the spring of 2020, Quebec had decreed the closure of the ski mountains as of March 15. Season passes sold at Tremblant that year allowed access to the mountain until April 19.

Barry Nashen requested a cash refund for the unused days, which was denied. Instead, the resort owner, Alterra Mountain Company, gave him a $50 credit that could be applied to his membership renewal the following season.

The class action includes all consumers who purchased a 2019-2020 “Tonik” ski pass for Mont Tremblant, including those who purchased the “Privilege Package” entitling them to hot chocolates and discounts. Any skier who corresponds to this definition is automatically part of the action without having to show up.

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In the first instance, Judge Chantal Corriveau had rejected the claim, notably because the 113 days of skiing advertised are not “a guarantee”, but a “maximum”, she had justified. In addition, the consumer is clearly informed when purchasing a season pass that it is non-refundable, “for whatever reason”, unless he or she takes out cancellation insurance.

However, the Court of Appeal believes that the magistrate imposed “too high a threshold of proof on Barry Nashen at the authorization stage” and “analyzed incomplete and contradictory evidence in a more than perfunctory manner” in order to draw “premature” conclusions.

The class action is being led by lawyer Joey Zukran of LPC in Montreal of the law firm LPC Avocats.

Barry said “Tonik” pass holders who were promised 119 days of skiing. The shortfall amounts to 23% of the season. “When you prepay for services and these services aren’t delivered, you are entitled to a refund,” said Nashen.

Under Quebec’s consumer protection act, even in the case of ‘force majeure’, a refund is due to the consumer for services paid in advance when those services are not rendered. In this case, many thousands of skiers and snowboarders purchased the Tonik ski pass at Mont-Tremblant.

“One of the benefits of 41 years in business (and two years of life strategy coaching) is that I know when it’s time to stand up for my rights and hold the other party accountable,” Barry Nashen said. “As you do anything is as you do everything!”

Barry Nashen’s story was originally featured in La Presse in June 2020. The ruling by the Court of Appeal appeared in La Presse this week.