LUGO 2018

LUGO has been a tradition that belongs to me and a good friend. Most of the time, other people have joined us on the adventure, but this year we decided to go just the two of us. We did run into someone that we hadn't seen in a long time, and so she joined us in the photo booth.

It was a very different experience from past LUGO events that we have attended (2013, 2014 & 2015) as this is the first time it has been held since the new art gallery opened -- Remai Modern -- and so it was wasn't the same close feeling that it had in the past. It also didn't feel as interactive as it had in previous years.

This is also the first year that we went for supper before the party, and I made the mistake of eating too much food -- like way too much, I couldn't even drink water or I'd burst. It totally worth it, though, except that I missed out on the opportunity of tasting delicious foods (especially deserts) from local restaurants.

There was some really great music to dance to, including 3 Ninjasks, and we had a lot of fun figuring out how to pose in the photo booth. There was a lady that was doing some lettering in chalk of things people are thankful for or appreciate, and so we would stop by every once in a while to see how it had progressed. I have learned not to devour both my starter and entree, and will have more space for snacks -- and water -- next time.

My carrot brooch is from Nuff Nuff Toys in Chile.

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What I Wore: LUGO 2015

As you know, I always have a fun time experiencing LUGO, and, for me and many others, part of that experience is expressing yourself through fashion. This year's theme was Lugo Gold, so I decided to go wimple with a statement necklace. I wore a cute top that I had picked up on vacation from FCUK, some leggings from Jacqueline de Yong, black booties from Call it Spring, and a gold necklace that is so old I can't remember where it came from -- probably Forever 21.

I decided to go with the leggings because, honestly, I didn't want to shave my legs, and I went with a tank top so that I would stay a little cooler while dancing -- LUGO tends to get a bit warm with all of the people that are there. I chose the necklace because, well, it's gooooold, and I wore the booties because I wanted to elongate my legs without having to wear sky-high pumps. My feet were still exhausted by the end of the night. How do people wear shoes like that all day long?

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Lugo Gold: LUGO 2015

What an amazing experience LUGO was this year -- 2014 and 2013. When we arrived we received numbers on golden stickers that we were to stick to ourselves, but what we didn't know is that there was a station where people could write anonymous letters to each other using a typewriter, stickers, or a pen, and seal them in an envelope for another person to come along and deliver to the person wearing the number that corresponded to the number on the envelope. I thought it was a fun adventure, and a great way to get people to socialise with each other in a way that they would not have throughout the evening. My friends and I spent a lot of the time asking people "What's your number?" and then delving into a conversation about the envelopes, and creating some in the moment relationships that lasted throughout the night.

As always, there was great food -- I ate the churros from Duck Duck Goose and the pulled brisket taco from Congress Beerhouse -- and amazing performances of music, spoken word, art and dance -- we saw the most fantastic drag queens Kiki Roquette & Puffy Von Pop N Fresh, and listened to a group that, sadly I do not know the name of, but had a really fun mixture of sweet beats and guitar riffs.

It was a fantastic night of glitter cannons, golden glitter face embellishments, laughter, dance and art. This Lugo really lived up to it's title: Lugo Gold.

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#GoLUGO2014

This past Saturday was the annual fundraiser event for the local art gallery where artists, performers, musicians and restaurants from around the area get together for an awesome party -- I shared my experience last year, too. This year I tried boar bacon and tomato jam from Congress Beer House, and a chocolate pate from Calories -- both of which were absolutely delectable.

I also enjoyed listening to music from Minor Matter and Powder Blue, and when I first arrived I caught a performance from Ball and Chain Theatre. When we weren't listening to music or watching an act you could find us in the photo booth, checking out the art installation from Laura Payne, or adding to the art installation that guests were invited to help create. At the end of the night we danced away to music from The Gaff, Charlie Hustle & Mr. Fudge.

LUGO has become a tradition for my friend and I that we hope will continue for many years. It's such a fun was to support the arts, as well as local artists.

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Just the Coolest Fundraiser Ever

This Saturday, I had the most amazing experience. I went to a fundraiser for the local art gallery, but that it was no ordinary fundraiser. It was a huge party -- not the boring gala type -- where you could taste local food, listen to local bands, as well as other musical groups and performances -- including Kay the Aquanaut -- create art, and have fun with a photo booth, all while chatting, and dancing, with like-minded people.

My day started with purchasing a pair of Manitobah Mukluks to wear to the party. I am in love with them. I've always wanted a pair, and I finally decided to break down and buy some. I knew I wouldn't regret my decision when I noticed my feet got cold after taking them off while trying them on in the store.

Before heading out for supper with my family, I got ready to go to the party. Because of my hair challenge, it is quite difficult for me to do my hair, so I looked up some photos of braiding and decided to do two braids that wrapped around my head -- trust me, there will be details later.

There was music playing as we arrived, but the first band that we stopped and listened to, called Shooting Guns, was a really heavy psychedelic rock band. I'm not usually a fan of that kind of music, but I actually liked them. There were no words to go with their music, and I think that made a difference for me. 

The other band that we listened to was Young Benjamins. They are a folk rock band, and more my style. Their music was full of fun beats that were easy to dance to. I hope that you'll check out music from both of these bands!

One of the coolest things of the night was a live drawing project that was being created by comic artists and illustrators right there as people were watching. You could enter to win the drawing for a very small fee.

Does your local art gallery ever put on fundraisers like this?

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