Toronto-based designer Lucian Matis was born and raised in Romania.

If you’ve seen the ice sculptures once, and skating on the canal isn’t your thing, then Winterlude can seem like more of a tourist festival than something that brings real energy to the city. But a new event, one that brings together fashion and molecular gastronomy, aims to shake up the staid images winter in Ottawa.

The American Express Winterlude Food and Fashion Evening gives local fashion lovers a glimpse of what’s to come at Ottawa Fashion Week when Toronto-based designer Lucian Matis presents his vivacious and alluring Spring/Summer 2013 collection. (This is the second year that OFW has partnered with Winterlude; OFW runs February 8-10.)

Marc Lepine, the winner of the 2012 Canadian Culinary Championship and the chef/owner of Ottawa’s Atelier restaurant, will set the stage with a five course meal. Anyone familiar with Lepine’s fare will know he brings flare and creativity, as well as a sense of adventure, to every plate. This is high-end, experiential eating at its best.

While Lepine will undoubtedly pull the foodies in (the $165 ticket, which includes wine, is a steal), we wanted to chat with the young designer chosen to add the sartorial finale to this special event.

SHOP TALK: Your education includes studies in art, painting, graphics. How do these influence your collections? Who is your favourite artist?

Lucian Matis: My art studies have helped me enrich my array of duties by allowing me to design my own fabrics, create more sculptural silhouettes, at times shoot the look books or campaigns. It allows me to never get bored of my job.

I have a few fine artists that I respect but as far as them influencing my work as a designer I think one of my favourite fine artists is Gustav Klimt.

The prints for the Spring/Summer collection were inspired by the designer's travels in Morroco.

ST: How does your heritage affect your fashion collections?

LM: My European sensitivity for fashion design is what really shows my roots and my heritage.  I was raised with a European sensibility and now that I live in Canada, I am able to combine both continents into a new flavour in fashion.

ST: You won an award from the Fur Council of Canada in 2002. How do you see the place for fur in today’s fashions?

LM: I love fur and love working with fur. I would love to have it incorporated into my clothing a lot more and maybe next season will have it used to a larger extent. Fur is something I haven’t explored enough but I look forward to using it more.

ST: We love the prints from the spring 2013 collection that you presented at Toronto Fashion Week, and that you will bring to the Winterlude event. What inspired this collection?

LM: The prints for SS13 are inspired by Morocco. I wanted to take the viewers on an exotic trip and have them experience my dream of Marrakesh.

ST: What do you hope to gain from the Winterlude event? Why did you decide to participate?

LM: As one of the main events in the capital of Canada it was a privilege to be invited to show my work. It is a market I haven’t yet fully tapped into and would love to explore more of.  Any creative fashion event that exposes Canadian talent can only benefit our industry.

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AN EAT PRAY LOVE VALENTINE’S
Luca Spaghetti — yes, that’s his real name — is a character portrayed as the quintessential Roman in Elizabeth Gilbert’s novel Eat Pray Love. In preparation for Valentine’s Day, the man behind Gilbert’s many adventures in Italy shares passionate sights and stories of growing up in Rome, romantic Roman recipes, and the inside scoop on his whirlwind ride of Eat Pray Love. Valentine’s dessert buffet on Friday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. $50, includes an autographed copy of Luca Spaghetti’s book Un Amico Italiano; Eat, Pray, Love in Rome. St. Anthony’s Banquet Hall, 523 St. Anthony St. www.showoneproductions.ca

One of the photos from the Gallery Egypt exhibit, which takes place at the Library and Archives on Sunday, Feb. 12. Photo by Mohamed El Maymoony

GALLERY EGYPT (FREE!)
It’s been just over a year since the uprising in Egypt, and Ottawa-based Egyptian communities are aiming to explore its international relevance through a unique event at the Library and Archives. Events include a talk on the role of women role in revolutions, spoken word poetry by Sumaiya Beshir, and piano music by Anastasia. Photography from the Egyptian revolution will also be on display; see website for full schedule. Sunday, Feb. 12. 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St. www.galleryegypt.ca

SHANKER & ROMPS + GARAGA + BANDITAS
Three local favourites descend on hipster haven Raw Sugar  this Friday. Indulge in treats and savoury goods, including vegan and gluten-free options, and have a pint of Beau’s while you take in a mix of pop, garage, and rock music. Friday, Feb. 10, 9 p.m.. $6. Raw Sugar Café, 692 Somerset St. W. www.rawsugarcafe.com

SEXAPALOOZA

Sexapalooza offers a range of demos and vendors.

Vanilla Ottawa gets a little kinky this weekend with the fifth annual Sexapalooza consumer show. Wicked Wanda’s fetish shop is sponsoring the Dungeon attraction, where free how-to sex education will be offered in B.D.S.M., food play, and more. There are over 20 workshops available as well as lots of shopping and risqué entertainment. Stage shows include burlesque and pole dancing, bondage demos, and drag queens. Friday Feb. 10, 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday Feb. 11, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., and Sunday Feb. 12, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.. Ottawa Convention Centre, 55 Colonel By Dr. $18 online, $20 at the door (cash only), or $30 for a weekend pass. 19+ event. http://www.sexapalooza.ca/shows/Ottawa_2012

THE PSYCHIC EXPERIENCE
Interested in contacting the Other Side? Matthew Stapley, a local Ottawa psychic and medium, will channel answers from the spirit world for Ottawa Little Theatre audience members this weekend. In a positive and inspirational speech he will detail the various shifts happening in the physical, mental-emotional, and spiritual worlds. Jennifer Clark, Ottawa’s first Angel Therapy practitioner opens the show. Saturday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Ottawa Little Theatre, 400 King Edward Ave. $30, a portion of  the proceeds goes to Operation Come Home. http://www.thepsychicexperience.ca/

WED BY HAND
Make tying the knot an expression of personal flair. Ottawa’s indie wedding show, Wed by Hand, returns for its second year featuring D.I.Y., handmade, and eco-friendly vendors and workshops. Couples can design their own bouquets and invitations on the spot, then learn how to create a flawless ceremony or plan a wedding on a budget. New this year is a tasting room filled with local and artisanal food, including vegan cakes and gourmet brownies. Saturday, Feb. 11. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Glebe Community Centre. 175 Third Ave. $10. www.wedbyhand.com

UNDERCURRENTS

Emily Pearlman and Nicolas Di Gaetano will perform Live From the Belly of a Whale in this year's undercurrents festival. Photo by Andrew Alexander.

Independent theatre companies present six inventive shows at the GCTC’s undercurrents festival this month. Kicking off the festival is Live from the Belly of a Whale, a local project that has been fine-tuned since it won awards at last year’s Fringe festival. Other works from emerging artists in Canada will also be performed. Productions run approximately one hour and are presented five times throughout the 10-day festival, which runs from February 7 to 19 at the Studio Theatre in the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre. See website for full schedule information. $15 for single tickets, $40 for 3-show Flexpass, $60 for 6-show Flexpass. Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, 1233 Wellington St. W. www.gctc.ca

WINTERLUDE AT THE MUSEUM
Indulge your inner child with Winterlude activities at the Museum of Civilization: build an igloo with MEGABloks, play giant board games, and try your hand at traditional Inuit crafts. Crafts in the Children’s Museum Studio, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 and Sunday, Feb. 12.; games (and MEGABlok fun) in the Grand Hall, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 12. Both free with museum admission. Canadian Museum of Civilization, 100 Laurier St., Gatineau. www.civilization.ca

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WINTER JAZZFEST
It’s Ottawa’s first ever Winter Jazzfest. Chill music will be performed by internationally-recognized jazz artists and heaps of local talent; acts include Oliver Jones, the Quinsin Nachoff’s Quartet, the Christine and Ingrid Jensen Quintet, Rémi Bolduc Jazz Ensemble, Megan Jerome, and Renée Yoxon. Visit the Ottawa Jazz Festival website for tickets and schedule information. The festival runs Thursday, Feb. 2 through Saturday, Feb. 4 in venues across downtown.

After the Dance (18 x 24, acrylic on panel) by Andrew King will be part of the After 8 exhibit at Wall Space Gallery.

AFTER 8
After 8 is local artist Andrew King’s fourth solo show. It was inspired by a recent trip off the highways of the U.S., specifically the ‘after 8′ scene, when small town diners and motels are take on a surreal atmosphere. His media explores the journey through an era of Americana that is now fading. The exhibit marks eight years of painting for King. Vernissage: Saturday, Feb. 4, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Exhibit runs until Saturday, Feb. 25. Wall Space Gallery, 358 Richmond Rd.. www.wallspacegallery.ca

STEW COOK-OFF
Fancy yourself a culinary critic? This Friday, sample stews from Byward Market businesses and pull for your favourite entry in the People’s Choice Awards. Bundle up, bring the family, and be a part of the 20^th anniversary of this annual celebration. For $10, it’s all you can eat stew, with all the proceeds going to a local charity. In front of Café 55, 55 ByWard Market Square. Friday, Feb. 3, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. www.byward-market.com

NAUGHTY NOVELISTS (FREE!)
Get hyped for a happy Valentine’s Day with scintillating readings from three Ottawa novelists. Barbara Sibbald (The Book of Love), Jasmine Aziz (Sex and Samosas), and Patricia K McCarthy (The Crimson Time — a Vampire Crawl) will discuss sexy subjects and read from their provocative novels. Thursday, Feb. 2. 7:30 p.m. Venus Envy Sex and Bookstore, 320 Lisgar St. www.venusenvy.ca

WINTERLUDE OPENS (FREE!)
Watch fireworks light up the first night of Winterlude. This year’s theme is “Fire and Lights From 1812 to 2012: Forging the Canadian Spirit.” The official opening ceremony will feature historical characters, drummers, and storytelling around cozy firepits. Fireworks are at 9 p.m., followed by an outdoor DJ dance party with Kytami and The PhonoGraFF! Friday, Feb. 3, activities start at 5 p.m., Canadian Museum of Civilization, 100 Laurier St., Gatineau. http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/celebrate/winterlude

NEW BRUNSWICKERS IN WARTIME
Get interactive with this exhibit that explores history through the touching stories of maritime Canadians: build your own miniature para-trooper using household materials, get a closer look at some of the equipment and clothing displays, or take a walk along the Ottawa river in snowshoes. (A guide will take you through the history of snowshoe technology, but bring your own snowshoes.) Activities take place on weekends throughout the month of February. Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Place. www.warmuseum.ca

WINTERLUDE COMES TO OTTAWA THEATRES
Suburbanites can enjoy Winterlude closer to home this year thanks to a partnership with community theatres. One of the highlights of this series is Alberta-born country singer Paul Brandt, who brings his Give It Away Tour to Centrepointe Theatre’s main stage to kick off the festivities. Other events will run through Winterlude’s three weekends at both  Centrepointe Theatre and Shenkman Arts Centre. Paul Brandt tickets: $56.75. Friday, Feb. 3, 8 p.m. Centrepointe Theatre, 101 Centrepointe Dr.

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JIM BRYSON AND THE WEAKERTHANS

Ottawa folk-god Jim Bryson and Winnipeg band The Weakerthans are teaming up to bring the city the smooth, folksy tunes it’s come to expect from the band. The group will promote their songs from their newest album, the Falcon Lake Incident. Friday, Feb. 11.  8 p.m. Capital Music Hall, 128 York St. $19.50 advance + service charges. http://www.spectrasonic.com/

View From Lakeshore by Andrew King

DEPARTURES: AN EXHIBITION OF NEW WORKS BY ANDREW KING (FREE!)
Local artist Andrew King is showing his latest collection at the Wall Space Gallery. The Carleton grad says his work is inspired by a year that changed his life, starting with the end of his marriage. Like his journey from hard times to new beginnings, King says Departures is a personal and artistic experiment. Until Feb. 21.  358 Richmond Rd. wallspacegallery.ca

PAINTED LIPS AND LOLLY LICKS: THE SEXY FILM FESTIVAL
If Sexapalooza ended too quickly for you, the Mayfair Theatre gets a little sexy on Friday night in this third installment of their annual sexy film fest. Adult film star Bree Olson will judge a competition between erotic short films from Ottawa and around the world (full line-up here). They’re sure heat things up. Friday, Feb. 11. 9:30 p.m. $6 members, $10 non-members. www.mayfairtheatre.ca

MELTING (FREE!)
Winterlude is still in full force this weekend, and it’s not just about ice carving and BeaverTails. Melting is a photography exhibit that captures the snowmen of Ottawa in all their asymmetrical, carrot-nosed glory. The images will be on display on the walls of the underpass at Rideau Street and Sussex Drive — until April, when the city says goodbye to its snowmen for another year. www.pinkslippersproductions.com

PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS CANADIAN CUP OTTAWA INVITATIONAL
The city gets a dose of wild west as professional bull riders compete for the title of toughest rider at the Ottawa Invitational. Watch the pros get tossed around by bulls in this daredevils-only sport. Saturday, Feb. 12. 7 p.m. Scotiabank Place, 1000 Paladium Dr. $40-$60. www.pbrcanada.com

MUSICALLY SPEAKING WITH ALEX ROSS
The New Yorker’s music critic, Alex Ross, will share his musical insights in a lecture titled, “The Lamento Connection: Bass Lines of Music in History.” The talk, which traces recurring motifs, riffs, and bass lines across almost a thousand years, is sure to enlighten even the most knowledgeable of music geeks. Sunday, Feb. 13, 1:30 pm. National Arts Centre, Panorama Room, 53 Elgin St. $10. www.nac-cna.ca

STEPHAN THOMPSON: DIRT PAINT (FREE!)
Visual art and environmentalism intersect in this exhibit of new works by Stephan Thompson. With a focus on making his artistic imprint as environmentally friendly as possible, Thompson gave up using traditional materials a few years ago; he now mixes his own paints and incorporates beeswax and recycled materials in his works. But he’s not just an eco-warrior — his art is touching and captivating, primitive and humbling. Vernissage Thursday, Feb. 10, 5:30. Show runs until March 6. Ottawa Art Gallery, Art Sales and Rentals Gallery, 2 Daly Ave. www.ottawaartgallery.ca

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SOCK ‘N’ BUSKIN’S ONE-ACT COMEDY FESTIVAL
Sock ‘n’ Buskin kicks off their 2011 season with a one-act comedy festival. The nine short plays range from adaptations of Shel Silverstein’s No Dogs Allowed to original skits by Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s own Adam Smith. With a dynamite, lightning quick line-up appealing to all, the comedy fest promises to be “wickedly funny.” Runs Thursday to Saturday, Feb. 3 to 5. 8 p.m. $12, $8 students. Kailash Mital Theatre, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., 613-520-3770. www.snbtheatre.com

Photo by Dave Bastedo

SARAH HARMER & GENTLEMAN REG
The folk rock songstress takes the stage armed with a guitar and her beautiful voice for this all ages show. A staple of the Canadian music scene for years, Harmer’s lovely melodies and poignant lyrics manage to be relaxing, heartbreaking, and rousing all in one go. Toronto darling Gentleman Reg opens the show. There are still tickets left, but they’re selling fast! Saturday, Feb. 5. 7 p.m. $32.50. Bronson Centre, 211Bronson Ave., 613-755-1111. www.bronsoncentre.ca

WINTERLUDE
The month-long festival starts this weekend, helping you remember that winter can be a wonderland. With a packed schedule and lots of free events, the festival is always a pleasure. Our top pick for this weekend? The Canadian Museum of Civilization launches the party with a free evening (Friday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.-11 p.m.) of special lighting effects, an interactive fire experience, amazing sound performances, a DJ dance party and, at 9 p.m., a pyrotechnical extravaganza to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada. Winterlude runs Friday to Sunday, Feb. 4 to 21. Various events and locations. www.canadascapital.gc.ca/winterlude

MISSING LIVES

One of the most powerful things an art exhibit can do is bring you closer to understanding the incomprehensible — in this case, the disappearance of 34,278 people during the Yugoslav wars. The exhibit, a collaboration between Canadian author Rory MacLean and award-winning photographer Nick Danziger, documents the efforts to find and repatriate the missing loved ones of 15 families, through words and images. This highly insightful, moving exhibit runs until Sept 5. $12, $10 seniors and students, $8 children, $30 families. Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Place, 819-776-8600. www.warmuseum.ca

RICH AUCOIN
There’s no shortage of great shows this weekend, but money on Rich Aucoin is a sure bet. This Halifax dance-pop musician is fantastic live, with more confetti and balloons than a kid’s birthday party. The combined experience of catchy pop beats and found-footage video art makes for a sweaty, euphoric show totally unlike your typical concert. If you miss out this weekend, mark your calendar for Feb. 18, when he comes through Ottawa again to blast our winter blues away. Friday, Feb 4. 8 p.m. $10. Cafe Dekcuf, 221 Rideau St., 1-888-222-6608. www.spectrasonic.com

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Move over poutine, the soup truck is here

Soup Truck. It’s an idea that seems to make perfect sense. Ottawa certainly has its share of chip trucks; why not serve steaming hot bowls of healthy homemade soup instead of greasy fries? Jacqueline Jolliffe, a self-professed foodie and environmentalist, decided to combine her two passions into a new business and Stone Soup Foodworks was born.

While dreams of creating a soup empire simmer away on the backburner, Joliffe is working towards two immediate ambitious goals: 1) to launch her soup truck on the ice at Winterlude and 2) to develop a “Soupscription” catering service — delivering 2-litre jars of fresh homemade soup to weekly subscribers’ doors. I met Joliffe on Tuesday evening in the kitchen space she rents in The Causeway Work Centre in Hintonburg. There, she was stirring, straining, and seasoning three different soups for the 20 customers that have signed on since December. There was peanut butter and yam soup; Berkshire chorizo and potato soup; and a white bean, leek, and cabbage soup. She makes everything — including the stocks — from scratch, using locally-sourced mostly organic ingredients.

Jacqueline Jolliffe believes we need convenient accessible good food.

These days most of her energy is spent working to complete the renovation of the neglected 1978 chip truck with the help of family and friends. It has been a huge challenge. In addition to the external makeover, they have had to install a fridge, six-burner stove, double sink, lights, venting, and plumbing as well as figuring out what will be needed to make the truck solar-powered (a longer-term goal). While it’s all coming together, Joliffe acknowledges she’s a bit nervous about securing the necessary food truck permit in time to hit the ice for Winterlude. Assuming all goes well, the menu is already planned — she’ll offer two different soups and two types of chili served with True Loaf bread — hearty, healthy alternatives to the deep-fried delicacies that are synonymous with skating during the festivities in February.

The countdown to Winterlude is on but Jolliffe seems to be taking it all in stride. “I thought it would be simpler,” she laughs. But clearly, this is a labour of love. “It’s great, I get to do something I believe in.”

For more information, check out: www.stonesoupfoodworks.ca

UPDATE: Look for the Soup Truck on the canal during Winterlude on Pig Island, across from Lansdowne starting Thursday, February 3.

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Au Pied de Cochon illustration by Tom Tassel

Stuffed maple-glazed quail is not exactly standard sugar shack fare. But Martin Picard, owner of Montréal’s Au Pied de Cochon restaurant, is not your standard chef. His legions of adoring fans get their long johns in a knot this time of year trying to secure a coveted reservation for the celebrated Cabane à Sucre Au Pied de Cochon, a one-of-a-kind haute sugar shack located in St-Benoît de Mirabel, Quebec. The APDC folks started accepting email reservation requests on December 1^st. But there is some sweet news for Picard devotees in the capital: yesterday, Ottawa’s Winterlude organizers announced that Picard has agreed to recreate his famous gourmet sugar shack extravaganza in the Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization on February 4. The four-course meal with wine, which marks the official opening of Winterlude, costs $125 plus tax.

I was pleased to see that Taste of Winterlude will be more than just a series of set menus at participating restaurants around town. Instead, organizers have tried to inject some creativity into the event by developing unique “culinary experiences”, something that you wouldn’t otherwise find on a regular evening (dueling sommeliers at Play, dining with farmers at Murray Street, a playful Québécois feast at the Wellington Gastropub…) as well as walking tours of food shops and a cocktail party where guest wear bathrobes (at Spa Nordik)! Events run between Jan. 27- Feb. 21, 2011. For details visit: http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/taste-of-winterlude/. Tickets go on sale starting Dec. 9.

And if you find yourself seeking even more culinary adventures to fire things up through the coldest months of the year, check out Montreal’s popular urban winter party: High Lights Festival from Feb. 17-27, 2011. This year’s surprising theme is Celebrating Women, and it continues to pair international chefs with Montréal chefs. Chef Anne‑Sophie Pic, the sole woman in France to have earned three Michelin stars, will be among 50 exceptional women chefs and wine producers from around the world who will come to Montréal to take part in the festival. Pretty cool, eh?

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