In these (musical) notes from the underground, Asphyxiation embodies the collective frustration with “the system” and transmutes this anger into powerful prose that galvanizes the listener away from political despair and into action.

“It’s going to be a very romantic night out,” Rodney Brown says about Lightfoot for Lovers, his “prelude to Valentine’s Day” Gordon Lightfoot dance and concert on February 7 at the Italian Cultural Centre.

Fondue isn’t hurried, and that’s the point: it’s food designed to slow things down and bring people together around the table, weird bits and all.

February is here and love is in the air. Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate our romantic relationships, whether that be with tried-and-true classics like chocolates and flowers or through something novel like a new, adventurous experience.

Local artist, filmmaker, and illustrator Shayne Ehman’s upcoming exhibition, Loose Trucks, invites visitors to experience how decades immersed in the world of skateboarding have shaped his choice of subject and his way of seeing.

Having lived in Thunder Bay for my whole life, I’ve had the opportunity to visit almost every single restaurant in town. After adventuring to different cities around the globe, and from my expertise in local cuisine, I came to the conclusion that when it comes to culinary scenes, there’s truly no place like home.

Tempting. Terrifying. Timeless. These are the three words director Spencer Hari uses to describe Cabaret, Badanai Theatre’s upcoming production. Set in 1930s Berlin, Cabaret transports the audience to the city’s infamous Kit Kat Klub, and delves into the lives of patrons, hosts, and outsiders alike.

Curious about the local scene, I asked friends what dating is like in Thunder Bay. The consensus was bleak but predictable: a microscopic dating pool where you’re always one degree away from someone you know, an abundance of “holding a fish” profile photos, and the occasional rejection for “not being country enough.” Beyond the regional quirks, the darker side of online dating remains universal—ghosting, harassment, and endless dead-end conversations.

Passing through lifetimes of yellows and reds

Not to or from a thing, we run and run

“If you had a brick house and painted it pink, it would still hold the same as a brick house, even though it looked soft and squishy,” says local artist Hope Heart, whose debut art exhibit Not Too Sweet aims to prove that pink and strength are not mutually exclusive.

Artists Darcy Tara McDiarmid and Chantal Russo create an immersive environment where wildlife, traditional knowledge, and dream imagery unfold through four atmospheric films.

Beefcakes’ debut album, Goin’ Postal, is nine tracks of musical absurdism, in the best way. It’s got all the instrumental prowess of Primus and all the irony of Viagra Boys mixed into one post-punk, thought-provoking, experimental playthrough.

Bringing the tastes of the southwestern coastal state of Kerala, India, to Canada, the owners are inspired by homemade masalas and authentic traditional recipes passed down from their families

Showshoeing, skating, arts and crafts—people of all ages will find something to love at this year’s Winter FunDays. The popular (and free) city-run event returns to Marina Park this winter, running from 2 to 4 pm on Sundays from January 4 until March 15.

The beaming lights, the ecstatic energy of the fans, and the pounding of the drums in your chest are only some of the sensations you can expect at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on January 17, when Thunder Bay’s own Lockyer Boys—brothers Will and Charlie Lockyer—return home for their first headlining show, Locals Only.

A new year does not always have to mean new beginnings. The adage about not fixing what’s not broken is not always popular in politics, where leaving your mark means making change.  The passing of Bill 68 last November has created this scenario of breaking, not fixing, the Lakehead Regional Conservation Authority (LRCA).

Irish author, poet, and playwright Oscar Wilde says, “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” This is something Cambrian Players will explore with their upcoming Green Room reading of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde.

Enter Ciorbă Rădăuțeană (say: “CHOR-buh ruh-dah-oo-TSEH-ah-nah”). A creamy chicken (or turkey) soup made with shredded meat, blended veggies, and a splash of white wine vinegar, it’s perfect for being snowed in during Alberta clippers, polar vortexes, and other ridiculous January weather.

If Christmas music isn’t your thing, the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium lined up just the concert for you. Concert-goers filled the open pit and got ready to mosh as Toronto-based punk rock band PUP and British Columbia hip hop duo Snotty Nose Rez kids took the stage for a night of hard-hitting musical catharsis.

As the simple matchbox is physically enlarged through Remus’ work, its new scale evokes wonder in all these little details that might otherwise be missed. And, seeing their wear alongside design techniques of days past brings forth a sense of longing for a cultural point in time that no longer exists.