#sugarshack

Spring in southern Ontario came in slowly, but the sugarbush always knew before anyone else did. The ground was soft underfoot, the maple trees bare and silver in the afternoon light, and the air carried that mix of damp earth, wood smoke, and something sweet boiling somewhere deeper in the bush. It was the kind of place that looked ordinary until the light hit it right.

This one belonged to Wells’ uncle.

He’d come out for a couple of days to help with the season just long enough to lend a hand, get out of the city and long enough to be away from Coach to give him some time and space to think about the job offer he was struggling to make a decision about. Wells came to do the kind of work that came around every spring whether anyone at his Uncle's farm felt ready for it or not. Carrying sap pails, checking lines, hauling split wood to the sugar shack, moving between the trees in worn jeans, muddy boots, and a flannel shirt hanging open over a fitted white tank that clung more by the hour. Wells looked very right in the middle of it.

That was the problem.

Something about Wells in a southern Ontario sugarbush made the whole thing more distracting than it had any right to be. Maybe it was the broad shoulders between the maples. Maybe it was the way the tank held close at the chest once the work got going, or how the mud on his boots and the dust on his jeans only made him look better instead of rougher. Maybe it was just the fact that Wells could make actual physical labor look far too good without even seeming to try.

By late afternoon, the sugar shack had become the center of everything: steam rolling out into the cool air, the windows glowing, the evaporator running hot, and Wells stepping in and out of it with his sleeves shoved up and the scent of smoke and maple all over him. His uncle might have been focused on the sap, the fire, and the timing of the boil, but Wells had become his own kind of problem — warm from the work, forearms tight from carrying full pails, and just smug enough to know the setting suited him.

And it really did.

Every time he stopped at the woodpile to catch his breath, every time he stood in the shack doorway with steam curling behind him and the last of the light catching on his face, he looked like he’d wandered into the most flattering version of rural Ontario imaginable. The whole sugarbush glowed by then, wet ground, bare branches, golden light slipping through the trees, and Wells stood right in the middle of it like spring had decided to build itself around him.

He said he was only there to help his uncle for a couple of days.

That was technically true.

But by the end of the afternoon, with the woods turning gold, the syrup still running, and smoke and sweetness clinging to his shirt, Wells had turned a simple visit to the family sugarbush into something a little harder to ignore.

The sweetest part of the property was supposed to be what was boiling inside the shack.

By sunset, that was at least debatable.

I’m glad you asked!

Watching Fred Pellerin’s “Il était une forêt” got me super nostalgic around episode 4, about his sugar shack he had built to make his own maple syrup. He invited a recently immigrated Moldovan family to participate in the various tasks to make this jeweled sweet, and prepared them a traditional sugar shack meal! I haven’t been to a sugar shack in years (thank you, retail work life).

My anglophone fiancée hasn’t even heard of them before dating me!!! We gotta fix that lol.

For anyone in Quebec, here’s a list of sugar shacks to visit! It’s sadly a dying tradition, what with COVID impacts and people going out a lot less than they used to.

https://www.easterntownships.org/article/829/seven-exceptional-sugar-shacks

Courirleloupgarou.org also has a post about Sugar Shack Magic! Simply type sugar shack in their search bar and you’ll be golden!

Soul Food: The Fine Arts - Sugar Shacks

By: Natalee Gilbert

With open arms, Soul Food: The Fine Arts took in all walks of life and allowed passionate creatives to express theirselves freely. Beyond a non-existent canvas, souls were captivated by the performer’s artistic flair. Through the means of all-around awareness, relatability and just having fun — Soul Food: The Fine Arts created a settling ambience. But really, it was everyone involved who made this event worthwhile. It was hard to not take notice of the musician and poet’s way with words. In the hands of urgency, they reeled out inner thoughts, doubts even fears. Other times, they would lend a hand (with precaution). Still, everyone was there to simply enjoy the arts. Sparks flied, friendships rekindled and networks formulated in a smooth manner.

A tale of all tales — Soul Food: The Fine Arts is one for the books. Certainly, this event will go down in history.

Here are 5 creatives that I had the pleasure to speak to with at this diverse event and thank you Big Dawg K for the opportunity:

Ivan Polanco: A singer/songwriter who creates R&B and acoustic pop music — Ivan Polanco is one who provides within his lyrics that he’s just a young man growing up in this day in age. Sure, every guy has love/heartbreak songs but for him its to a certain extent. In his perspective, his music speaks about what a young man encompasses during his growth. Sonically, Ivan’s voice embodies real emotion and care. Moreso, it’s very soft, crystallized and adaptable to change when needed be. Initially Polanco started his music career with the drums. Since his dad was also fond of singing and songwriting, he would play the drums for him from time to time. But Pacheco’s dad seen it more as a hobby. Being a self-taught musician, Ivan decided to dabble into singing and sought to write his own music. A source says that Polanco knew Big Dawg K earlier on. But they lost contact, reconnected and discovered (10 years later) that they both were still making music. In a span of 9 years, Polanco has released 4 albums. Currently, he’s working on another called To Grow. Essentially, it comes with the notion that “this man is 26,” he’s grateful for those he’s encountered and very proud of his journey. Besides being an artist, Polanco is a personal trainer. His advice to all is to be happy with who you are. “Find your voice.” he adds.

LINKS:

1. Website: https://ivanpolanco.com/home

2. Instagram: @ivanpolanco.music

Bobby Sanchez: Bobby Sanchez is one who passes it forward. In the name of education — Sanchez does his part in informing the world about current issues that are (sometimes) unheard of. But really, he wants to be more than heard. Sanchez aims to decolonize the way others think and reconstruct the past in a narrative that’s centered around the indigenous perspective. Apart from this, Sanchez’s cadence depicts the pain felt by our ancestors. In pursuit, his words are taken with much intensity and remembrance. A 24 year old hip-hop artist and poet from New Rochelle, New York — Bobby Sanchez started writing raps/poetry seriously after leaving high school. Back then, it helped him to find purpose and healed him from the depression he was going through at the time so, he went with it. At the break of dawn, Sanchez keeps his family in mind because they keep him motivated. Funnily enough, his ancestors are also a source for inspiration. Sanchez adds “I can feel their [his ancestors] presence on a daily basis.” A strength of his in music, comes from the truth. “It takes courage to speak out against issues that others are not talking about.” For instance, his song “Pasion” was him, looking within to find a truth. To warm up, he reads books about new concepts so it can be added between the lines of his rhymes. “Most books have to do with colonialism, relating to Latin America, as well as indigenous cosmology.” Sanchez says. Currently, Sanchez is sitting on about 9-10 songs. He plans on releasing them every week for the next couple of months.

LINKS:

1. Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bobbysanchezmusic

2. Instagram: @bobbysanchezmusic

Lady Kay: The saying “..walk a mile in someone else's shoes.” goes a pretty long way. Especially when you’re Lady Kay. At most, empathic — Lady Kay possesses the skill to feel and understand. As part of her execution, Lady Kay gives a powerful delivery when it comes to speaking the world’s truth. Still, it gets tough for her to do so, when revealing her own. To define her style, Kay says its moreso persona poems. Essentially, Kay goes into their perspective but it can get difficult at times when she has to come for herself. For instance Kay’s poem ‘Don’t Sleep With An Artist’ takes a jab at those who get romantically involved with artist. And funnily enough, she is an artist. Sometimes, she even offends those who listen unintentionally because they believe her poem is about them. But, she’s just doing her part through bold statements and social awareness. Lady Kay put the pen to the pad in 3rd grade. Then she pursued spoken word after high school. Kay adds “I’m not really emotional, but I can write out feelings.” Really, this is what pushed her towards poetry. Now, Kay is apart of a collective called Femsovl. The goal for all 3 is to create events that are calm, cool and collected. In Kay’s words, she relates with this: “To speak your truth whether on a soap box or stage. Its all you" From her poetry, Lady Kay wants others to feel the intensity. She is currently working on a book that’ll include short stories, interactive pieces and illustrations.

LINKS:

1. Instagram: @kaybeethelady

Smoove Babii: One who armors the heart on his sleeve — Smoove Babii speaks from within and astounds others with his familiarity on personal experiences. But really, he self-identifies as “a fireball of energy who just demands attention with his presence.” Smoove Babii comes with the intent of being a safe haven for those who need it. He’d like for people to feel safe when they tune in. However, what he really means is that he’d like for others to feel safe being theirselves. Babii adds “I want them to feel safe by knowing their not the only ones in life going through or has been through what they might experience.” In a passionate tonality, Babii is able to reel out inner emotions. To put it further, his poetry is raw, aggressive and often times, understanding. Likewise, there’s no theme to his mastery. “My mood really determines how creative my poetry gets.” Smoove Babii says. Speaking of which, his favorite verse out of his poems is: What to do? Is the question I ask myself every day. MJ has been trying to tell us for years that, THEY DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT US! So, I talk to THE MAN IN THE MIRROR as I put my coat on. Everybody wants to be THRILLER but they out there trying to make us GHOST! I get BUTTERFLIES in my stomach every time I walk out my door. Seeing who's trying to ROCK WITH ME! Hope my family doesn't have to REMEMBER THE TIMES I MOONWALK back through my door. Look at my brothers as JACKSON 5 and go to school to learn my ABCs and make it easy as 123 and stop leaving BILLY JEANS and chasing these girls to ROCK THEY WORLD! We all are not SCARECROWS, WE ALL HAVE BRAINS, we must show them that WE ARE NOT ALONE and together we are INVINCIBLE so they can just BEAT IT with all those images of all us being SMOOTH CRIMINALS! This is bigger than being BLACK OR WHITE, that's why I get down on my knees and pray at night. Not to forgive me for my sins or beg to let me in but for forgiveness, just in case the cops have to JOE JACKSON me and I can't see my kids. 

From Smoove Babii’s upcoming poetry expect it to be more personal, deep, and talk about adventures that have formed him into who he is. Also, expect poetry albums and poetry EP’s as well. Maybe even a collab with Oliver The Writer. His first EP is out now on SoundCloud. It’s called Welcome To My Ghetto Gospel.

LINKS:

1. Soundcloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/user-515974176/sets/welcome-to-my-ghetto-gospel

2. Instagram: @smoovebabii

Acoustic Cat: Acoustic Cat reminds us why we fell in love with music to begin with. As he goes to great lengths to bring back fine tunes, Acoustic Cat adds his flair through guitar progressions and gruffness. Likewise, Cat goes for a sound that’s more 60’s-70’s. To start off, Acoustic Cat got his big break after joining a rock/medal band. Although he toured around New York City with them and considered them “brothers”, Cat ventured off on his own. To describe what he goes for, its moreso a “naked” sound. In a word it’s an exploration of rock, jazz and everything in between. On the other hand, Acoustic Cat says his now-solo career is a learning curve. But the more he does it, the easier it gets. One message he tries to tell others is to stay positive. Through life’s ups and downs, Cat won’t stop until his sound becomes universal.

LINKS:

1. Website: www.acousticcat.com

So, tonight I went out with some friends:

-Vincent, a fellow trans man

-Iliana, his girlfriend

-Edwin, a non-binary folk

-Alexis, my significant other

-Renaud, a questioning person

And many others (They’re not in order in the picture btw).

We went to a quebequer place called « Cabane à sucre » or Sugar Shack in English. It’s basically a place where we play folklore and eat lots of maple syrup in every possible way: sausages cooked in syrup, ham in syrup, pancakes, etc. There’s also this super awesome thing called « tire » which I would call Maple toffee in English? It’s basically heated syrup poured on snow, then you roll it around a popsicle stick and it’s super yummy. It’s called « tire » cause that word is the French equivalent to « drawn » which is pretty much what you have to do to get it.

We then went to walk in the forest in the dark, pretending we were all in The Unknown from Over the Garden wall, telling each other’s to « beware the beast who hides in the dark » and searching for horses and frogs (knowing very well there are no frogs at this time of the year cause they hibernate).

I was super happy but was still crippled by dysphoria and it was the same with Vince, so we just stopped, took each other’s hands and screamed our lungs out for a good minute, scaring the shit out of everyone.

Favorite song atm. He is fantastic live also. “Return to the ground, it’s from it you are taking, for dust we are and dust we will return.”