The Dundas Museum and Archives is showcasing the work of late local artist Catherine Gibbon with a specialized nature-based focus exhibition
From Oct. 4 to Dec. 2, the Dundas Museum and Archives is showcasing Catherine Gibbon's art in a specially designed exhibition.
Catherine Gibbon was an artist based in Dundas who was also the founding member of Carnegie Gallery. She was a graduate of McMaster University with a degree in Art History. Gibbon was a self-taught artist who also received some mentoring from the Dundas Valley School of Art.
Her passions consisted of the environment and her art. Gibbon also worked as an Artist in Residence in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Saskatchewan. Her talents also extended to playing the wooden flute, and she performed with local traditional music groups.
Gibbon has showcased work in galleries in England, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, as well as public collections nationally and abroad.
The exhibition at the Dundas Museum and Archives is titled "Home / Ground," and it features artwork from Gibbon's estate.
"[It focuses] on works of a smaller scale that reflect the artist’s quest to capture landscapes both familiar and new," states the Dundas Museum and Archives website.
The event is free to attend, and it exhibits both drawings and paintings. The exhibition could be a great opportunity to pay tribute to a local artist if you are interested in the visual arts or environmental art.
This article has been provided by McMaster Alumni Association.
As we move away from Zoom lectures and Teams calls, taking examinations back on campus can suddenly begin to feel daunting. No matter how many exams you have taken at IWC, nothing can prepare you for the learning curve that is returning to in-person testing.
One way to ease this anxiety is by prepping as best as you can and picking a good study space. Whether that is dead silent or full of white noise, we’ve got you covered with all the best study spots on campus.
1. 6th Floor Mills: This spot offers complete silence and tranquility for those moments you crave pure focus. It is also a hidden gem, so it is easy to find a spot to sit at, even one with a window for a beautiful view of campus.
2. LR Wilson Lobby: This spot provides the white noise that many need to get into the zone. It is ideal for studying with friends or for a quick cram session after class. With vending machines and a coffeemaker within arms-reach, you are truly set up for success at LR Wilson.
3. MDCL Atrium: The atrium provides a sanctuary for those that thrive among nature. The floor to ceiling windows and quiet sound of the waterfall makes it easy to relax as you study for your upcoming test–no matter what the weather is outside.
If you are looking for more hidden gems, or wondering where to find these amazing spots, check out the full article here: https://medium.com/@peernet/top-10-study-places-at-mcmaster-university-79ccc4859ff2
Don’t forget to participate in our Exam Wishes giveaway taking place on December 8th and 15th on our Instagram page @mcmasteralumni1887.
If you’re looking for even more ways the McMaster Alumni Association can support you, make sure to check out our website at http://alumni.mcmaster.ca and take advantage of our offerings for second term.
C/O McMaster University
Hope you're ready to listen to "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)"
McMaster University's Office of the Registrar has announced a legacy graduation for the class of 2020 and 2021.
"The pandemic may have delayed your in-person celebrations, but the McMaster University community is planning a special event, just for you," read an email sent out to recent Alumni.
Recent graduates have been asked to fill out a form, which we suspect is to garner interest levels from past alumni.
"You serve your time in the spotlight. Cross the stage, take photos and celebrate your success with your friends, family and fellow Marauders!" stated the email.
Although much hasn't been announced about the graduation yet, the in-person event is set to take place during the week of May 23, 2022 at the First Ontario Concert Hall in Hamilton, ON.
This is a developing story.
C/O McMaster Marauders, Sherbrooke Athletics
Jessica Pearo-Rawlins is one of the newest inductees into the McMaster Sports Hall of Fame
Jessica Pearo-Rawlins is one of 2021’s four inductees into the McMaster Sports Hall of Fame. Immediately after the mandatory 10-year waiting period from which she graduated from McMaster, she was nominated and then selected by the Hall of Fame committee.
Pearo-Rawlins is one of the most decorated athletes, not only in cross-country, but in all of Marauders’ history. Pearo-Rawlins spent four years at McMaster studying Kinesiology from 2007 to 2011, where she earned many well-deserved accolades for both athletics and academics. During her time at McMaster, Pearo-Rawlins was named an Academic All-Canadian for three consecutive years, was awarded the female student-athlete community service award in 2009 and maintained the Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Scholarship for all four years.
Athletics-wise, Pearo-Rawlins was the first female Marauder to win an OUA gold medal in 2010. In addition, she became the first Marauder to win an individual gold medal at a CIS cross-country final in a five-kilometer run over hilly terrain. In addition, she is a two-time CIS first-team all-Canadian, three-time OUA first-team all-star and was named McMaster Female Athlete of the Year twice.
Back in 2011 in an interview with Daily News McMaster, Pearo-Rawlins explained that she was applying to physiotherapy graduate school, with the goal being to earn a master of physiotherapy at the University of Toronto. In the interview, Pearo-Rawlins explained that she hoped to one day run her own clinic and help athletes such as herself. Now, around 10 years later, her goal has become a reality with the opening of Prospect Physiotherapy in 2021.
“I worked at a great clinic called Lifespring to do therapy for about eight years and then transitioned into my own practice now, [for] which I've had a lot of help along the way. But that's sort of been my goal that I've been working towards so it's super exciting now that it's actually happened,” said Pearo-Rawlins.
She and her two coworkers each have their niche of athletes that they work with and Pearo-Rawlins focuses on runners such as herself. Currently, she works with the Newmarket Huskies Track Club and other local distance runners.
“They sort of sought me out just because of my background in the sport so just being able to treat patients that you are well acquainted with the type of injuries that they've had is very helpful for them just to be able to feel like I know what they're going through,” explained Pearo-Rawlins.
"They sort of sought me out just because of my background in the sport so just being able to treat patients that you are well acquainted with the type of injuries that they've had is very helpful for them just to be able to feel like I know what they're going through,"
Jessica Pearo-Rawlins, 2021 McMaster Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Something that has greatly helped Pearo-Rawlins during her time as a varsity athlete was the presence of supportive friends, family and coaches and this still carries forward today with the new challenges that come with opening her own practice.
“I tended to be anxious until he'd arrive at the course. And honestly, he wouldn't say much; it would just be like a hug and then I just felt like I could calm down. And so honestly, even carrying through into today like opening a clinic and a business is a big thing and just having that family support from really everybody in my life: my husband, my father-in-law [and] my dad, again just being that ear. I feel like I'm somebody who needs to vent a lot and talk things out and just have those people in my life that are able to hear me and talk me down,” explained Pearo-Rawlins.
While cross-country is a sport of individuals, it is the contributions of family members, fellow team members and coaches Rory Sneyd and Paula Schnurr that helped shape Pearo-Rawlins into the incredible athlete, businesswoman and physiotherapist she is today.
Former Mac football offensive lineman Jakub Szott takes us through his journey as a rookie to working for a spot on the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks
C/O Owen Mertens
It all began in Summer 2016 when Jakub Szott went from high school to a training camp with the McMaster University men’s football team. Moving from a small team to a team full of veterans, Szott was able to grow both as a player and a person.
“Honestly, I just tried to approach every single day with the same work ethic when I first came into the school . . . I have to keep fighting,” said Szott.
“Honestly, I just tried to approach every single day with the same work ethic when I first came into the school . . . I have to keep fighting.”
Jakub Szott
Aside from field play, teammates spend most of their time in the locker room. As a first-year player, Szott did recognize the age difference among the players and as years passed, he emulated the same experience for the rookies during his senior year.
However, it's not always about shining bright in the locker room. During Szott’s third year on the team, their head coach was fired towards the end of the season.
“We were just completely wondering what’s happening with our future. Everyone is working super hard in the off-season,” said Szott.
Fast forward to the following season, Szott’s fourth season on the team, when the team advanced to the prestigious Yates Cup, the trophy awarded to the champions of the Ontario University Athletics conference. After being down 10-0 to start the game, the Marauders fought back to defeat the favoured Western Mustangs by a score of 29-15 and claimed the Cup.
“Beating Western for the first time in my four years at university was truly an awesome experience . . . it goes to show how tightly knit our group was, to overcome everything that happened the year before and for us to grow and to be able to accomplish something like that,” said Szott.
“Beating Western for the first time in my four years at university was truly an awesome experience . . . it goes to show how tightly knit our group was, to overcome everything that happened the year before and for us to grow and to be able to accomplish something like that.”
JAKUB SZOTT
While winning the Yates Cup was a remarkable achievement for the athlete, his journey was nothing short of challenging.
“We suffered a ton of different injuries, we were having the next guy up and up, having to rotate guys in there shows our tight-knit group,” said Szott.
Fortunately, for Szott himself, while he suffered a concussion, he did not miss time as it happened during his bye-week.
Furthermore, as a leader on the team, Szott understood that he needs to instill personal responsibility into his own mistakes but also keep the team morale up after losses.
“Trying to be level-headed and positive and understanding the coaches' goals and moving past everything that comes,” said Szott.
Aside from winning the Yates cup, Szott’s personal favourite game was their homecoming game against the Waterloo Warriors in his most recent season.
“They didn't want to dress as many defensive linemen, so I kind of took that as a challenge as an offensive lineman and we rushed for over 200 yards that day,” said Szott.
“They didn't want to dress as many defensive linemen, so I kind of took that as a challenge as an offensive lineman and we rushed for over 200 yards that day.”
JAKUB SZOTT
When McMaster’s defence was able to shut down Waterloo’s offence that day, a unit that featured one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, Szott knew the team had something special on their route towards the Yates Cup.
After the fourth season of his undergraduate career, it was tough to adjust when COVID-19 locked down Ontario last March. That being said, Szott was fortunate enough to gain access to training equipment with gyms being closed.
“I've had some great guys that were able to hook me up with some racks to lift some weights . . . At the start I remember working with just bands and it’s not the same,” said Szott.
As Szott graduated this past December, he was still participating in activities with the McMaster football team since training camp in August.
“I did try to attend all the meetings that I got invited to and to stay in the loop because I can still come back . . . I don't want to close any doors because I did enjoy my time at Mac,” said Szott.
“I did try to attend all the meetings that I got invited to and to stay in the loop because I can still come back . . . I don't want to close any doors because I did enjoy my time at Mac.”
JAKUB SZOTT
Although he maintained his ties to the Marauders' program, Szott was ultimately drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in April 2020's CFL Draft.
“I have to be physically ready regardless of where I get drafted if I want to make the team,” said Szott.
As draft day approached, circumstances were quite unusual with online interviews, yet Szott enjoyed the process of dressing up and doing it within the comfort of his home.
Despite being drafted and successfully signed by the team, Szott still has lots of work to do to earn a spot on the final roster. While having an extra year to maintain conditioning and be physically ready for the tryouts, Szott’s coaches at McMaster have also been encouraging on his route to the CFL.
As the former Marauder mainstay has to compete against other offensive linemen at the training camp for a spot, Szott knows that he will most likely have to once again take that extra step to beat someone out and earn his spot.
Jasmine Ellis spreads positivity, creativity and light through her homemade accessories brand
C/O Wildflower Supply Co.
If you are a Disney fan, you may be familiar with the quote, “Do you suppose she’s a wildflower?” from Alice in Wonderland. Underneath the pretty, soft appearance, these flowers have a bold and unique character, growing brazenly and unapologetically almost everywhere in nature.
The resilience, beauty and fortitude that wildflowers represent inspired Jasmine Ellis to start Wildflower Supply Co., a handmade custom accessories brand.
Ellis is a McMaster alumna and previous Social Media Coordinator during Volume 87 of the Silhouette. She developed an interest in jewelry making while creating friendship bracelets for her and her friends.
In the spring of 2020, she wanted to pursue jewelry making more seriously by launching Wildflower Supply Co. on Instagram. The first pieces she sold were bracelets with her favourite quotes and custom messages.
Over the past year, she has slowly grown the brand with more custom orders and the addition of different types of bracelets, mask chains and collaboration projects with local poets and businesses.
Ellis credits the rapid success of her business to when she sold Black Lives Matter bracelets in June.
“At the time, I was just screaming into the void, it felt like, on Instagram in support of the Black Lives Matter movement . . . I know that speaking about it on social media is really important, but [I thought,] “How can I tangibly do something that feels important?”,” said Ellis.
In an effort to make meaningful, real contributions to the Black Lives Matter movement, Ellis ran a week-long fundraiser selling her Black Lives Matter bracelets. She received overwhelming support and sold over a hundred bracelets.
At the end of the week, she raised $1,870 which was donated to the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association of Hamilton and Gianna Floyd Fund.
The idea of sharing quotes through jewelry came from her and her mom’s longtime love of warm and inspirational messages, which are displayed throughout her house. It was also prompted by her first collaboration with poet Rebecca Leighton. Leighton’s lovely words were stamped on a gold cuff.
Ellis’ most recent collaboration was with Oksana Legault, the owner of 30 Wolves Designs, an online jewelry shop for handmade contemporary Indigenousbeadwork earrings. They picked their favourite lines from Indigenous poets to stamp on Ellis’ bracelets and sold them in a bundle with a pair of beautifully beaded earrings by Legault.
“[Collaboration launches] are probably the most intimidating and simultaneously the most fun projects that I’ve worked on for Wildflower . . ."
"[Those projects] make me push myself in ways that I wouldn't have otherwise thought to do, and it’s so fun to hear the creative process of the people that I work with, their stories and the reasons why they opened their business and continue doing what they're doing,” explained Ellis.
Ellis enjoys supporting and working with people who have important messages to share, and these messages are an important aspect of how she decides who to collaborate with.
Running Wildflower Supply Co. not only fulfills Ellis’ artistic endeavours, but it has also served as a coping mechanism during the current pandemic. As much as the pandemic has negatively impacted aspects of her life, she believes the brand wouldn’t have existed without it. Her jewelry brand is the real-life portrayal of a wildflower that has bloomed despite the harsh conditions, restraints and challenges.
The response to her accessory brand has all been kind and positive. Interacting with her customers for custom orders is one of her favourite parts of running the business, and she is still blown away by the amount of support she has received since the launch.
“The support from the community is the only reason why Wildflower has a following at all . . . It's the supporters that keep inspiring me to create new things, and they keep giving me new ideas and pushing me beyond my creative boundaries."
"I think it comes from them being themselves, so I encourage people to keep just being the most unapologetic best version of themselves because whenever they do that, in collaboration with me, everything new that I create is my favourite thing that I've created, and that comes from them,” said Ellis.
In the coming months, Ellis will also wrap up her master of teaching at the University of Toronto, and she hopes to begin supply teaching. However, she promises that Wildflower Supply Co. will remain an important community and a priority for her.
McMaster graduate’s new business is making jewellery both affordable and fun
Fashion choices, including jewellery, are inherently personal but can also be an accessory to explore and have fun with. However, jewellery especially is often seen as a luxury that is out of reach to students as affordability can often constrict choices. Businesses such as Emily O’Rourke’s No Prob Co are helping to make jewellery both more affordable and fun.
O’Rourke is a recent McMaster graduate and was the Editor-in-Chief of the Silhouette during Volume 89. She is currently working in public relations, but about a year ago when she had some time off during the holidays, she began to explore jewellery making.
A few months later when the pandemic began and she had more time, her hobby snowballed into No Prob Co.
“It's very much a nice passion project. I think I would put it that way. I love doing it and I love having that time to craft or to make things that I like . . . it's more of a fun thing to do instead of something I focused on as a business,” explained O’Rourke.
“It's very much a nice passion project. I think I would put it that way. I love doing it and I love having that time to craft or to make things that I like . . . it's more of a fun thing to do instead of something I focused on as a business,” explained O’Rourke.
O’Rourke mostly makes jewellery and hair accessories, but she has recently branched out into home goods, such as candles. All her products are made by hand and are available through her Etsy store.
View this post on Instagram
The reception has been increasingly positive, particularly over these past few months with O’Rourke now receiving orders from across Ontario.
“I really enjoy making things that are fun and exciting and part of my own personal tastes. Like things that I would wear myself or things that I'd buy myself, so I’m glad to know that other people share the same taste as me,” said O’Rourke.
“I really enjoy making things that are fun and exciting and part of my own personal tastes. Like things that I would wear myself or things that I'd buy myself, so I’m glad to know that other people share the same taste as me,” said O’Rourke.
While suggested prices are listed alongside each product, No Prob Co operates on a pay-what-you-can model. Financial accessibility is important to O’Rourke and part of what inspired the name for her business.
“I say no prob and no problem all the time and also I really wanted this to be like an accessible business . . . Accessibility is part of the “no prob” in the name because it's something that I feel I've definitely been relaxed about instead of like “these are my prices, this is what you have to pay”,” explained O’Rourke.
View this post on Instagram
As a recent graduate, she understands that affordability is of particular concern to students when shopping for jewellery, whether it is for themselves or loved ones.
“I think when I was a student, I was very disappointed when I couldn’t find things that I could afford that I liked . . . [but] if somebody else is making it and I can pay what I want, I think that's a lot more accessible and a lot more like inviting for students particularly,” said O’Rourke.
“I think when I was a student, I was very disappointed when I couldn’t find things that I could afford that I liked . . . [but] if somebody else is making it and I can pay what I want, I think that's a lot more accessible and a lot more like inviting for students particularly,” said O’Rourke.
O’Rourke acknowledged that while it might not be the most sustainable business practice, No Prob Co is more of a passion project than a business. She wants it to be something enjoyable not just for her, but for others as well.
“I really want someone to walk away with something they really like and I think at the end of the day that's why I make these things because I really like to make them. So people who maybe like the same things I do can buy them at the rate they want to buy them at and can walk away with something that they can cherish,” explained O’Rourke.
McMaster alum, four-time Grey Cup winner and Order of Canada officer has died.
David Braley, a prominent businessman and McMaster University alumnus, passed away at 79 at his residence in Burlington, Ontario. Prior to this death, he served as the owner of the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League.
Born in Montreal, Quebec in 1941, Braley moved at the age of two to Hamilton. Braley grew up in the Steel City and attended high school at Westdale Secondary. After studying a year of science at McMaster University, he began his business ventures at General Motors Acceptance Corporation, later moving to London Life Insurance. He purchased William Orlick Limited in 1969, which later became known as Orlick Industries Limited.
The City of Hamilton lost a beloved businessman, philanthropist & community champion today.
David Braley's contributions live on & continue to make our City a better place. His passion for community, arts & sport was immeasurable. My thoughts are with his family at this time. pic.twitter.com/EW3nx70iJk
— Mayor Fred (@MayorsArchive) October 26, 2020
Braley began his journey into the football world by becoming the owner of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1989. After three years, he sold the team back to its community ownership.
“I and the Tiger-Cats mourn David’s passing. He was an enthusiastic Hamiltonian and a wonderful benefactor to our community's hospitals and universities,” said Bob Young, Hamilton Tiger-Cats caretaker.
“I and the Tiger-Cats mourn David’s passing. He was an enthusiastic Hamiltonian and a wonderful benefactor to our community's hospitals and universities,” said Bob Young, Hamilton Tiger-Cats caretaker.
After a five-year hiatus, he purchased the BC Lion, which he owned until his death.
“David has been a proud and fiercely loyal owner of our team, a champion of the Canadian Football League and a leader for whom his love of our game and our country went hand in hand and spanned decades,” said Rick LeLacheur, President of the BC Lions Football Club.
“David has been a proud and fiercely loyal owner of our team, a champion of the Canadian Football League and a leader for whom his love of our game and our country went hand in hand and spanned decades,” said Rick LeLacheur, President of the BC Lions Football Club.
While serving as the owner of the BC Lions, he led the team from 8,000 to 35,000 fans at its highest point. He accomplished great things on the field as well, including leading the Lions to a combined 52-19-1 record in the 2004-2007 seasons. In that span, the Lions won the Grey Cup in 2006, one of three the team wins during Braley’s tenure.
It was heartbreaking to receive the call that David passed away. It’s a sad day for all the many people that David’s life touched. Condolences to his family. I love my friend! https://t.co/EF6uOVhmFW
— Wally Buono (@WallyBuono) October 26, 2020
While serving as the owner of the Lions, he also owned the Toronto Argonauts from 2010-2015, the first person to simultaneously own two CFL teams. During that span, they won the 100th Grey Cup in 2012. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame during the same year.
Aside from his football journey, Braley owned the then Vancouver 86ers soccer team, later known as Vancouver Whitecaps FC, from 1997 to 2000.
“When Mr. Braley made the decision, the primary reason he did it was because he knew that it was good for the community. I think that is most telling about his legacy. He will be missed,” said Bob Lenarduzzi, club liaison for Whitecaps FC.
“When Mr. Braley made the decision, the primary reason he did it was because he knew that it was good for the community. I think that is most telling about his legacy. He will be missed,” said Bob Lenarduzzi, club liaison for Whitecaps FC.
Braley’s athletic ventures advanced even further when he became a prominent voice as a director for the successful bid of the Pan-American Games to be hosted in Ontario.
From an academic perspective, Braley’s legacy continues to live strong to this very day. The David Braley Athletic Centre adopted his name in 2006 after his generous donation of $5 million to build the centre. A year later, the centre’s clinic, David Braley Sport Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre, was created after another million-dollar donation from Braley.
The McMaster community is saddened to learn of the passing of David Braley, a philanthropist, businessman, sports franchise owner, art lover and champion of all things #HamOnt. He was a generous, visionary supporter of McMaster, and he will be missed. | https://t.co/IiggbB4gSC
— McMaster University (@McMasterU) October 26, 2020
In this same year, Braley donated $50 million to build the David Braley Health Sciences Centre, a healthcare centre for the City of Hamilton’s public health services and for the Department of Family Medicine at Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.
“Mr. Braley’s incredible generosity has allowed us to support the health of our community through exceptional health care and high-quality teaching and research,” said Dr. Paul O’Byrne, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences. The centre opened in 2015 and won the World Architecture Award in 2019.
“Mr. Braley’s incredible generosity has allowed us to support the health of our community through exceptional health care and high-quality teaching and research,” said Dr. Paul O’Byrne, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Braley also served in the Senate of Canada from 2010 to 2013 as a member of the Conservative Party, appointed by then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He resigned in November 2013 without stating an official reason. Six years later, Braley was named an officer of the Order of Canada, recognizing his efforts as a Canadian leader to the sport of football and health research.
Braley is survived by his wife, three sons, stepdaughter and stepson.
This is part one of a three part series. Throwback Thursday looks to explore the past, present and future of Hamilton’s music scene through the eyes of those within.
The Hamilton music scene is ever-changing. The rise of Supercrawl over the past decade has given local bands a public platform that they might not have had access to otherwise. Through this Throwback Thursday series, I seek to uncover the recent history of Hamilton’s music scene, and how the city has developed the unique musical identity that it’s known for today. This will take the form of three profile-based articles focusing on interactions with the past, present and future of Hamilton’s music scene.
We will begin with a snapshot of Hamilton’s music scene in the 1990s. Our guide is a former Silhouette Arts & Culture Editor, and co-author of Canadian alt-rock music book "Have Not Been The Same".
Ian A.D. Jack began studying Kinesiology at McMaster in 1992. Although his studies were heavily focused on physiology and physical movement, Jack had a passion for music that stemmed from his childhood.
Jack recalled living in Thunder Bay as a child in the 80s, going to the local library and borrowing vinyl records which exposed him to a wide range of music. When Jack’s parents divorced, he turned to music as a comforting mechanism.
Photo C/O Ian A.D. Jack
“Music has been my saviour all along,” said Jack.
With the late 80s came the surge of bands such as U2, The Smiths and New Order, creating a new wave of music. Music was getting louder, heavier, but strangely more melodic as well. Jack was captivated by this style. He tried to emulate their sounds, find out as much as he could about the bands and build his music collection.
While Jack was at McMaster, he would spend all of his extra money at Cheapies Records and Tapes (67 King St. East), a staple record store in Hamilton’s music scene that is still around today. Cheapies does not confine itself to one type of music, allowing anybody to find their own interests in their vinyl record bins. After his first year of university he began writing for the Sil, after realizing that he would be sent new music for free so long as he wrote something about it.
“It was a great way of funding my habits and became a gateway for me to meet a lot of artists and my heroes,” said Jack.
In the past, the Sil used to have a dedicated pull-out section called Hamilton Entertainment Arts Directory, or HEAD. This section featured movie and album reviews, but also had a heavy focus on reviewing and interviewing local Hamilton-based bands. Jack wrote his first article for HEAD about alternative rock band, Rhymes with Orange. He continued writing for HEAD in his third year and became co-Arts Editor in his final year of school. HEAD was an important way for students to understand the music scene in Hamilton.
In addition to profiling Hamilton music, Jack’s section also featured interviews with bands such as Oasis and Blur. HEAD also ran interviews with notable people in the movie industry such as actor/director Kevin Smith, actor Don McKellar and director Noah Bombock.
In the 90s, there were two pubs on campus that hosted live music. The Rathskeller, now Bridges Café, typically housed Hamilton-based bands, and the Downstairs John, which has since been demolished to make room for L.R. Wilson Hall, typically hosted more well known Canadian bands. Jack described the city’s music scene as being rougher than it is today due to the minimal amount of exposure artists received as well as the undeveloped, underground scene they were playing in.
“Now, you have some more prominent artists like The Arkelles and White Horse, and you have Supercrawl. That festival didn’t exist [before],” said Jack.
Jack also recalls off-campus venues that would host live music. The largest of these clubs was called X-Club, housed on the second floor of a building at King William Street and John Street North downtown. Up and coming indie bands such as Jale, Doughboys and Pure would perform. Jack remembers tall posts extending from the floors to the ceiling, obstructing audience sightlines. Nevertheless, it was a great place to catch an indie show.
La Luna (306 King St. West), was another spot that would host smaller bands or acoustic sets. While primarily functioning as a Lebanese restaurant, it had a small space for live performances, hosting the likes of Dave Rave, Jale and Jacob Moon. This venue is still open today.
Jack noted that The Corktown (175 Young St.) sometimes felt dilapidated, but it hosted a number of punk and alt-rock bands. For that reason, it remained one of his favourite places to watch live music in Hamilton. One notable band who performed at Corktown was Junkhouse, a rock band helmed by Tom Wilson. This venue is still open today and frequently hosts live music.
While not primarily a place for live music, Fever, now Absinthe (38 King William St.), was a dance club playing alt-rock music. This style of music started to gain traction with more and more people throughout the city.
Throughout Jack’s university years in Hamilton, a few major genres dominated the Steel City’s music scene. Punk rock was made prominent in part to Teenage Head; rock n’ roll was from Junkhouse; folk rock came from groups like Crash Vegas; and power pop from bands like The Killjoys.
“Hamilton is like the Brooklyn to Toronto’s New York,” said Jack when describing the 90s music scene.
In Jack’s earlier years, many Toronto-based artists moved to Hamilton as rent was more affordable west of the city. The same is true of New York-based artists who move to Brooklyn.
“It’s financially logical and you also have a collective of creative people that can afford to be creative,” added Jack.
Jack graduated from McMaster in 1996 and went on to teach music in the elementary sector; however, his writing endeavours didn’t stop with the Sil. He co-wrote a book in 2001 called "Have Not Been The Same" that focused on the development of alternative rock in Canada from 1985 to 1995. Through this project, Jack had the chance to interview local Hamilton-based bands from his university days, such as Doughboys and Jale, in a process that came full circle for him.
On a more personal note, I had the pleasure of being taught by ‘Mr. Jack’ from grade four to six. Since my graduation from elementary school, we’ve kept in contact over the years. By coincidence, I also found my way to McMaster for my post-secondary education. When I told him I had accepted my offer, he told me to look into writing for the Sil. My first year was really about finding my own footing at the school, as is the case for many other students, which is why I wasn’t able to pursue his advice. At the start of my second year, he told me to reconsider writing for the Sil. I took him up on his advice and the rest, as they say, is history.
An inspiration not only to my music, but also to my personal morals and values and seemingly to my journalism career, thank you, Ian.
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By: Tanya Kett & Jillian Perkins Marsh
Some say that when they last attended a job fair employers told them to apply online, so they felt it was pointless to attend. If you have similar sentiments, I urge you to keep reading.
Employers may tell you to apply online (it does save paper!), but the real reason they are there is to get a sense of the person behind the resume that is submitted online — YOU.
Who are you? What do you have to offer? Why are you unique? Are you personable? Do you seem genuinely interested? What do you know about them? Answers to these questions can only be conveyed in an application to a certain extent. Make a real connection so that when your application does come across their desk, your name gets noticed.
How can you differentiate your application from other ones in the application pile?
Do your research. Explore the event website for the list of employers confirmed to attend and do some research on them before the event.
Tailor your elevator pitch. Make eye contact and shake their hand. Be bold, assertive, and with some confidence, introduce yourself. Tell them what you do or want to do, what you have to offer and why you are interested in them. Customize your pitch based on your research.
Ask useful questions. Based on your research, prepare some thoughtful questions to generate conversation after your introductions.
Be an active listener. Really listen to what they have to say; it is easy to start thinking ahead to what you will say next, but concentrate on being in the moment. After the conversation is over, jot down any suggestions they had for applicants before you forget.
Be ready to dig deeper. If you encounter an organization of interest that is not hiring in the area you are interested in, don’t despair. Remember that organizations recruit for many diverse roles and hiring timelines are often not predictable.
Invite to connect on LinkedIn. Visit your new contact’s profile and send your request from there, so you have an option to ‘Add a Note.’ Reference something from your conversation when you invite them to connect and thank them for their time in speaking with you at the event.
After you attend the event and employ the tactics above, you are ready to submit that online application. Don’t forget to mention the contact you spoke with at the Career Fair or Company Recruitment Event. Incorporate their suggestions and offer something you learned from them in your cover letter as part of why you are interested in applying.
Now imagine you did none of the above, just attended, had a few conversations and just applied online. Which application would you be most interested in?
Use what you’ve learned in this article at our SCENE networking night on March 21. This event is open to McMaster alumni and students in their final year. Register here: alumni.mcmaster.ca under Event Listings.
Read the full article on our Medium page.
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