Wake Up Winnipeg - Episode #45 (Wake Up Canada #1)

Wake up Winnipeg presents:

Episode 45 - Wake Up Canada (Episode #1)

Hosted Live/Produced/Recorded by: Aimless Andru
Air Date: 5/27/2010 on CJUM 101.5 FM / iTunes
Download Location iTunes.
Rebroadcast: 6/2/2010
Track Listings: http://aimlessandandy.blogspot.com

The big 45 - Over the hill, and out of the prairies!

Today, we took another step on behalf of you the fans, and for the Aimless & Andy Team and a first for Wake Up Winnipeg. . . We aired our first live national story.

On this episode, we broadcast live from Canada Place in Vancouver BC. We talked about our recent explorations out west.

We touched on our visit to Vancouver Island in which we celebrated Victoria day. We suggested to you the listener to find the busker who usually preforms outside of "The Empress" hotel just down by the boardwalk and underground gardens. If he's true to his word, and he is there every day. . . then you should have no problem finding him.

We also went on in great lengths about our visit to Chef Tojo's Japanese restaurant located on West Broadway in Vancouver BC. If you haven't read the review, please do!

We played a few tracks on this weeks show, tracks we picked as it happened so we didn't have the track listings readily available at time of air.

1) Said The Whale - Fish And Stars II
2) Classified - Oh...Canada.
3) Tegan & Sara - The Ocean.
4) Crash Test Dummies - Mmmm - Mmmm - Mmmm.

A big thanks go out to those friends and fans for their support out here in Vancouver, and to you all the listener for tuning into our little radio program.

Expect this weeks show in iTunes, FOR SURE!

Take care guys!

Wake Up Canada - Review - Tojos Sushi Restaurant

Wake Up Canada Review - Tojos Japanese Restaurant - Vancouver, British Columbia.

Photo's and Review By: Andru Valpy

Tojo's Restaurant

1133 W Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6H1J1

Tel: (604) 872-8050

Neighbourhood: Fairview
http://www.tojos.com

• Cuisine: Japanese, Pacific, Sushi
• Price: $$$$ ($45.00 or more)
  
• Aimless & Andy Rating: ***** (out of 5).
  
• Reservations: Suggested.
  
• Features: Fine Dining, Group Dining, Omakase.

According to Urbanspoon.com, the city of Vancouver has a total amount of 633 listed Japanese restaurants.

But out of those 633, there is only one that has consistently been number one on the list of Vancouver Magazines "Best Japanese Award" every year since 1988.

That award, goes to Tojo's.

Chef Tojo has been actively involved in Japanese cooking for a total of 42 years having started at the age of 18 in Osaka Japan.

After a fast 3 years of apprenticeship in Osaka, Tojo took his art over-seas to the City of Vancouver, where his journeys in Canadian Sushi began.

His work has taken him to places like The Martha Stewart Cooking Show in 2004, NBC's "The Today Show" with Katie Couric, The Fairmont Dubai grand opening (where he was the Guest Chef in "Tojo on One") and L.A where he has been a guest chef.

When I meet Tojo in person, I could instantly tell that the excitement he may have had at the age of 18, is still in his blood.

His art, is his passion.

For a lot of people, sushi is a quick healthy way to satisfy a craving, or take a date for that new sense of excitement.

But what many people may not realize, is that there is certainly an art that comes with sushi making. Those that have eaten at Tojo's will tell you, that his work is certainly art, and Tojo is the creative artist.

While there, I had a chance to trust Tojo to Omakase.
And I was not disappointed.

Omakase in Japanese culture means one entrusts the Chef to arrange a meal for his guests.

At Tojo's, Omakase features a combination of both hot and cold dishes which:

"embodies the essence of Tojo's culinary, and reflects the blessed environment of the region that bestows us with some of the finest ingredients in the world". - Tojo's Menu.

My meal started off with, Tojo's Tuna, which was probably the freshest of the popular appetizer I have ever had.

Most likely because it was served in Canada's seafood capital, British Columbia.

It was presented beautifully on ice.

Chilled, smooth, sprinkled with green onions and a matching green leaf to compliment the dish, my meal was off to a great start.



I was wondering how something so delicious could be beat.

I was then presented with a beautiful order of crab, presented in it's bright and colourful pink and orange shell. It was detailed with bright yellow flower petals, and made to perfection. The colour combination matched with the refreshing taste of the fresh sea crab was certainly pleasing to the taste buds.

Next, a sampling of what I believe was shiitake mushrooms.

To be honest, I was pleasantly distracted by Chef Tojo presenting the dish to me that I forgot what the exact name of it was. (ED Note: The name of the dish was not available at time of publishing).

Rest, assured. This tantalizing treat was fully appreciated. It was also new to me. I'm glad I tried it.

As this meal was the first in what we hope will be many for The Aimless & Andy Team, Chef Tojo felt it right to celebrate.

To do so, he presented us with the 2010 Celebration Roll, a roll exclusive to Tojo's.
This roll was created to capture the spirit of the 2010 Olympic Games which were held in Vancouver earlier this year.

It consisted of crab, pineapple and asparagus inside and blended with tuna, salmon, red snapper, spinach, and egg on top.

This was the first time I had ever heard of pineapple being used in a roll of sushi, and I can honestly say...It was amazing.

Complete with Olympic themed trimmings, beautifully crafted rolls and Chef Tojo's signature in blueberry sauce, this roll was thoroughly enjoyed and one that I will be coming back for again.

There are truly no real words that come to mind when describing this original piece. Other than flavorful, sweet, and for sure "tasty".

A personal suggestion would be to go and try it for yourself to find out what I am referring to.

I can certainly tell you that there will be celebration cravings that will most likely follow my visit. I hope to come back and do it again soon to satisfy them.

While enjoying our meal, I had to chance to see Chef Tojo present his Northern Light Roll
This roll was artistic in itself and upon review it is understood where the name came from.

This specialty roll, is filled nicely with wild prawn tempura, avacado, seasonal fruit and rolled in a cucumber crepe.

This dish was inspired by the Canadian Northern Lights, and yes. It shows.

The next item was a treat for me, as Chef Tojo surprised me with a form of BBQ dish that was presented and wrapped gift-like in a form of cooking paper.

I almost ate the paper...

When I unwrapped the serving and sampled the barbecued roll, I was once again impressed with Chef Tojos recommendation and his personal creativity. The roll was paired with asparagus and what appeared to be mushrooms.

The taste was superb!

My final sampling was personally presented and made for the occasion as well.

It was a Temakizushi roll which consisted of tempura prawn, avocado, and glazed with Chef Tojo's special sauce. I made a point to tell Chef Tojo that it was certainly delicious.



While finishing my meal, I had the opportunity to talk to a pair of regulars (turned friends!) who have been visiting Chef Tojo for 25 years religiously.

They told me the stories about those who have come through the doors of Tojo's throughout the the years of its operation.

It was also told to me that many artists, celebrities, and musicians grace Chef Tojo with their company on a somewhat frequent basis.

This list includes entertainment industry figures, musicians, celebrities, and even politicians from all over the world.

In fact, I learned that record label Sony Music found Chef Tojo's food to be so wonderful that they brought their international teams together under Tojo's roof during visits to Vancouver.

After having eaten there myself, I can see why. It only makes sense!

So the next time you are in Vancouver, and you are looking for just the right place to satisfy that sushi craving...why not head down to 1133 W. Broadway and visit Chef Tojo yourself.

Make sure you tell him Andru-San sent you!

Additional photographs will be made available in our Face-book Fan Page soon!

Until next time, take care!

-Av

(ED Note: A heartfelt thanks goes out to Chef Tojo and staff for arranging our visit, and for treating us to a wonderful evening and warm hospitality. ありがとう)

Review - Wake Up Winnipeg - One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest - Ellice Street Theater - 5/13/10

Review - ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST- The Ellice Street Theater

Photo's and Review By: Andru Valpy (andru(at)aimlessandandy(dot)com)





"Wire, Briar, limber-lock, Three geese in a flock, One flew east, one flew west, And one flew over the cuckoo's nest."

On Thursday May 13, 2010 I had the opportunity to head to The Ellice Street theater to review and photograph "One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest" thanks to an invite from the cast of the production.

If there was ever a bunch of young adults that could portray "cuckoo", it was those actors and actress involved in Thursday's showing. And that's said nicely.

I've sat on this review since Thursday because truly, (as much as an excuse as this may sound), I have had a hard time putting to paper the best way to describe how great the cast portrayed "One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest" as there was so much energy, passion, and action that occurred throughout the course of the evening.

Topped with the fact that the blocking, stage craft, and direction of the cast was certainly that of Broadway Caliber.

I'm proud to say that we have actors and actress who should belong on Broadway, right here in Winnipeg's core.

As the show started, you could certainly feel the dedication to character as Chief (portrayed by Josh Halbert) enters and sets the dark, mysterious role of his complex character. As the play continued, the audience was left to appreciate Josh's role in the presentation, as his role required him to be serious and silent for a majority of the play.

Next, the cast of loonies.

The entire group (composed of Billy Bibbit, Dale Harding, Chris Landowski, Drew Fillion and Paul Madziak) had the audience in stitches.

The group did a fantastic job of being "Cuckoo", and at times I was left wondering just how much fun they were having while on stage.



Enter Randle P. McMurphy (played by Jeff Wahl).

Wow, really.



Having seen Jack Nicholson portray McMurphy in the 1975 production of "One Flew Over the Cookoo's nest", I can respectfully say that Jeff did a very good job of making McMurphy his own character.

One could dare say that following in Jack Nicholson's shoes would be a challenge. Jeff made it look easy.

As McMurphy checked himself into his new home, he instantly burnt the bridges of Aide Williams, Aide Warren, Nurse Flinn, and of course, the infamous Nurse Ratched. (Played by Sarah-Anne Bartram, Sharilyn Palmer, Ali Tataryn, and Kami Desilets).

All four woman were beautiful in deliverance, blocking, and form. In fact, having seen Kami portray Nurse Ratched so well, I am almost afraid to wonder what she would be like in person! (ED Note: kidding, of course!) It was certainly displayed to McMurphy that she was not to be messed with.

Thankfully, there was someone on stage who had the courage to step up to Nurse Ratched, and that of course would be Dr. Spivey (Played by Sunny Sidhu).

It was interesting to watch Sunny as he played the part of the Dr.

He did a great job of being decisive, and yet cowardly when dealing with Nurse Ratched.


There are also worth-while actors and actress that made Thursday's presentation enjoyable and should be mentioned for sure.

Aide Turkle (played by Eugene Baffoe) was "spunky" in his role. It was fun to watch him take a task as night aide and turn it into his own little solo performance. It was apparent that he had fun in his deliverance.

There were also the "floozy's" played by the beautiful and talented Amy Simoes (who played Candy) and Ashley Hirt (Who Played Sandra).

These two girls went all out in their rolls, and most defiantly worked well with the cast.


The character relations between McMurphy and Candy were displayed wonderfully. The chemistry between the two was impressive.

Not to be forgotten, Miss Ashley Hirt also worked well with the cast and did an excellent job of having fun. It showed in her performance on stage.

Director Shawn Farrell did a good job in ensuring the run of "One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest" was smooth, visually appealing, and well blocked out.

We would like to thank the cast for having us out (again), and suggest to those of you who are interested to check out the interview posted in iTunes on Thursday and for sure you'll have a better idea as to what I am referring to.




We have also posted additional pictures in our Facebook Fan Page.

Thank you all for having us out!

-Av