Nail art with the group chat is the new salon night
Big Night In is a series where Canadian experts and creatives share advice on how to spend a magical night at home. It's the ultimate guide to staying in — whether solo or with friends — featuring thoughtfully curated ideas that are anything but routine.
Take the gossip and deep chats offline for a nail-art session together. It's cheaper and more relaxed than a trip to the salon, and gives you the perfect excuse to hang while helping each other with tricky designs.
"It helps if you're in a group with an even number of people so you can work in pairs," said nail-art content creator Alison Nguyen. "That way, you can work on each other's nails or get some assistance, especially with your non-dominant hand."
For a salon experience at home, Nguyen recommends ensuring your "nail station" — whether you're using a desk or coffee table — is decluttered, dust-free and stocked with nail care standards: files, clippers, alcohol wipes and clean brushes for tidying up any mistakes. She also likes to use cuticle softener, a cuticle pusher, a nail buffer and a bright LED light, which you can invest in to take things to the next level.
When it comes to polish, Nguyen prefers a gel formula. But don't worry about breaking the bank on a whole new collection if you're just starting out. "Invest in a few shades you love, and if you want a lighter or darker shade, you can play around and mix the polishes together," she said.
Picking a theme for your nail-art session can be a fun way to stir up excitement and inspiration at the start of the night. "I like to focus on any holidays coming up and come up with a classic nail look incorporating elements of [that day]," said Nguyen. For example, for Valentine's Day, she'd opt for a "French tip with some dainty heart details."
Whatever design you settle on, the process is the same: start by filing your nails, do some cuticle prep, then get painting. Work on your non-dominant hand first while sipping on your drinks and chatting about life, Nguyen advises. Then, when it's time to paint your dominant hand, ask each other for help.
Her top tips to help things go smoothly? Take your time, keep your cleanup brush on standby and remember that less is more. "Don't pick up too much gel polish on the brush to avoid flooding and getting it on your skin," she said.
And, unlike a trip to the salon, there's no need to usher your friends out when you're done. Nguyen suggests putting on a movie and enjoying some dinner as you admire your fresh new nails.
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Winnipeg Free Press
26 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Career coda
Rocking out on a kid-friendly guitar as a four-year-old Elvis wannabe, Larry Desrochers could never have imagined he would go on to helm one of North America's leading regional opera companies for a quarter-century. The arts leader announced today he'll be stepping down in May 2026 as Manitoba Opera's general director and CEO after 25 years. He's Canada's longest-serving general director and one of the longest-serving general directors on the continent. His tenure includes producing and casting over 50 productions showcasing nearly 400 artists — more than 90 per cent Canadian with a 'Manitobans first' policy — with world-class performances grounded in savvy, eclectic programming. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Manitoba Opera's Larry Desrochers is Canada's longest-serving general director. 'Not in a million years did I ever think I would be working in the arts. It never crossed my mind at all; however, I think it all worked out just fine,' says the famously down-to-earth director, 66, who studied theatre at the University of Winnipeg during the mid-1980s and once nursed a passion to become a journalist. Upon recommendation of an ongoing leadership transition committee, his dual roles will be divided into two distinct full-time positions: artistic director and executive director. Desrochers, who hails from Baldur (population: 320), is currently putting the finishing touches on the 2026/27 season. He will become interim artistic director in early August, working in tandem with the company's newly appointed executive director, whose name will be revealed in July, while continuing to support the 52-year-old company until his successor is in place. A new artistic director will be announced next season following an extensive search, with Desrochers taking his final curtain call when his five-year contract officially expires on May 31, 2026. 'This is a pivotal moment in the evolution of Manitoba Opera,' MO board of trustees chairwoman Judith Chambers says in a press release. 'For 25 years Larry Desrochers has led with vision, creativity and a deep commitment to our community, helping to elevate the company's standing as one of Canada's leading opera companies. 'The new leadership model builds on the strong foundation Larry has established, and we are confident it will bring a reinvigorated focus, new ideas, and will position the company to grow and thrive in a changing arts landscape.' Desrochers's multifaceted 40-plus-year career has spanned opera, theatre and film as both artist and administrator. He's served as associate artistic director for the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, was the founding executive producer of the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival and executive director of the Winnipeg Film Group. JEFF DE BOOY / FREE PRESS FILES Larry Desrochers was the executive producer of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in 1988. Among the many feathers in his cap is producing and directing the opening and closing ceremonies for the 1999 Pan American Games, watched by a live stadium crowd of 30,000 and a televised audience of 1.93 million. For the games' grand finale, he helped organize a reunion of legendary Winnipeg band the Guess Who — there's that rock influence again — that also featured the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. His numerous awards and accolades include the University of Winnipeg's Distinguished Alumni Award (2000), Opera America's Distinguished Service Award (2010), Lifetime Honorary Membership from the Winnipeg Film Group (2011), and the Winnipeg Arts Council's Making a Difference Award (2012). His departure has already garnered fond words from colleagues: 'A steady, generous and wise presence in the Canadian opera sector for over two decades' said Association for Opera in Canada (AOC) executive director Christina Loewen, while Opera America president and CEO Marc Scorca called him a 'great colleague and cherished friend.' Desrochers admits he only planned to lead the company for an initial five years after being invited in early 2000 to help brainstorm ways to help the then-struggling troupe, which had a skeletal six-member board and ballooning deficit. Under his watch, Manitoba Opera currently boasts a $2.9-million operating budget and a healthy subscriber base of 1,842, with the decades-old deficit retired in 2019. His Midas touch has also been instrumental in raising money for a $10-million endowment fund that will help ensure the organization's future in perpetuity. 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If this opera was going to be done anywhere in the country, it needed to be done here, so that's why we worked so hard to make it happen,' he says of the first all-Indigenous led opera performed on a Canadian mainstage, a $1.1-million production that also led to Manitoba Opera becoming a signatory to the Winnipeg Indigenous Accord in 2024. Desrochers is also rightfully proud of navigating — and surviving — the global pandemic, during which so many arts organizations around the world shuttered their doors forever. Manitoba Opera pivoted to livestreamed performances, including the Sopranos of Winnipeg recital celebrating Manitoba's treasure trove of internationally acclaimed vocal artists. Those years also saw the launch of its hugely successful and nationally recognized Digital Emerging Artist Program. His intuitive leadership approach has forged a robust legacy of flourishing community education and outreach programs, with the company hosting an ongoing series of talks and panel discussions focused on such pertinent social issues as mental health and global strife as reflected in opera, making the centuries-old art form relevant for 21st century audiences. When it comes to his next act — and his own swan song with the company he's called home for a quarter-century — Desrochers says he's keeping his options open for now. ROBERT TINKER PHOTO Li Keur was the first all-Indigenous led opera performed on a Canadian mainstage. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. 'I don't look back very much, but prefer to look forward, ' he says, adding that future plans might potentially include directing, teaching or continuing to serve in his various advocacy and advisory roles. Opera buffs might even spot Desrochers and his writer/producer wife, Laurie Lam in the audience after next May — that early Elvis fan now a diehard devotee of the 'glory of opera' for life. 'Opera creates a transcendent experience, and there will always be a place for that,' he says about the future of the art form. 'While it's always evolved and styles have changed, it creates an immensely human experience, which is why it's so important to see it performed live, and especially in the 21st century. There's nothing like being in the audience. You're all laughing together. You're all crying together, and the interaction between the performers, orchestra and audience becomes a powerful, enriching experience that touches people on such an incredibly deep level.'
Winnipeg Free Press
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‘You cannot game it': Celine Song unpacks algorithm-era love with ‘The Materialists'
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Cision Canada
3 hours ago
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Just Vertical and GlobalMedic Launch Moldova Indoor Farm to Support Ukrainian Refugees and Local Communities
Vertical indoor farm in Eastern Europe will provide year-round fresh produce in a region plagued by security concerns and inadequate growing conditions. TORONTO, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ - A Canadian-built indoor farm is now feeding refugees and local families in Rîșcova, Moldova—offering a sustainable food solution amid war and food insecurity. The initiative, led by Just Vertical and GlobalMedic, marks the first time hydroponic technology has been deployed for humanitarian aid in the region. The farm, which is able to grow more than 1,000 plants at once, is now fully operational, providing year-round access to fresh, culturally significant crops in an area where farming is restricted by extreme climate conditions. Conflict, climate, and economic instability have made it increasingly difficult for communities to access fresh food. Post this Located in Eastern Europe, Moldova borders Ukraine and Romania. While historically an agricultural nation, the country faces harsh winters, economic constraints, security concerns, and logistical disruptions that make the supply of fresh produce almost impossible throughout the year. Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, over 1.9 million Ukrainian citizens have passed through Moldova, with around 127,000 currently residing in the country. This influx has significantly increased the demand for food and resources in stressed and vulnerable communities. This project provides an immediate food security solution while demonstrating how indoor farming technology can be applied in long-term humanitarian efforts. Award-Winning Documentary Captures the Impact A short documentary chronicling the project—"Moldova Feeds," directed by Just Vertical's Conner Tidd and Christopher Di Grazia —was recently awarded Best Short Documentary – Advertising at the 2025 Niagara Canada International Film Festival. The film features powerful visuals and first-person accounts of the farm's development, community impact, and refugee support. It was edited by Andrew King, a Toronto-based video editor with more than 15 years of experience in reality and non-scripted television in both Australia and North America. King's past work earned him a Canadian Screen Award nomination. Quotes "Conflict, climate, and economic instability have made it increasingly difficult for communities to access fresh food," said Conner Tidd, co-founder and CEO of Just Vertical. "By implementing hydroponic technology in Moldova, we're giving people the tools to grow their own food—helping to create long-term stability in an unpredictable world." "Food insecurity isn't just about access—it's about control," said Rahul Singh, executive director of GlobalMedic. "In Moldova, families who fled the war in Ukraine are trying to rebuild their lives while local communities face the strain of supporting them. This project ensures that refugees and their hosts have a sustainable, local food source, reducing dependence on unstable supply chains and foreign aid." Project Highlights First-of-Its-Kind Humanitarian Hydroponic Farm – The Moldova farm features 1,024 plant ports, each serving as a dedicated growing site, enabling year-round fresh produce production in a compact, resource-efficient system. Direct Support for Ukrainian Refugees and Local Communities – The farm grows culturally significant crops, ensuring the produce aligns with local diets and traditions. Technology-Driven Resilience – The green wall system optimizes space and efficiency, allowing communities to grow fresh, pesticide-free produce with minimal inputs. Award-Winning Storytelling – The farm's development and human impact are documented in an acclaimed short film, offering a rare window into how Canadian-led innovation is changing lives abroad. Global Humanitarian Collaboration – Made possible through a partnership between: Just Vertical – Provider of indoor farming technology GlobalMedic – Humanitarian aid partner Katalyst Kitchens – Local Moldovan implementation partner The Myhal Foundation – Project funder and philanthropic partner Expanding Impact in Eastern Europe – This is Just Vertical's first major project in Eastern Europe, setting the stage for future food security initiatives in vulnerable regions. About Just Vertical As the demand for sustainable food production continues to rise, Just Vertical is providing scalable solutions through its cutting-edge indoor vertical hydroponic farming systems. Designed for both commercial and consumer markets, the company's systems are changing how businesses, institutions, and consumers grow fresh produce in any space. Just Vertical's systems empower organizations to meet sustainability goals by producing fresh, local, and pesticide-free food all year round, using 95 per cent less water and significantly less land than traditional agriculture. Learn more at About GlobalMedic Founded in 2002, GlobalMedic (The David McAntony Gibson Foundation) is a Canadian charity committed to providing rapid and effective humanitarian aid to communities affected by poverty, disaster, and conflict. Driven by a team of professional humanitarians and dedicated volunteers, GlobalMedic ensures that critical aid reaches those who need it most—efficiently and effectively. Through innovative programs like the award-winning RescUAV initiative, the organization continuously improves aid delivery while maximizing impact and cost efficiency. Learn more or support GlobalMedic's mission, visit About Katalyst Kitchens Katalyst is a Moldovan initiative that empowers communities through entrepreneurship, food security, and education. By building commercial kitchens and training centers, it fosters local innovation, supports small businesses, and promotes self-sufficiency. Katalyst integrates social impact with sustainable development, helping individuals turn ideas into action and build stronger, more resilient communities. Learn more at About Myhal Foundation The Myhal Family Foundation, led by Rayla and George Myhal, advances healthcare, education, and humanitarian aid. Their contributions include a $10 million matching gift to St. Joseph's Health Centre, support for the Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation at the University of Toronto, and a $6 million pledge to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. The foundation emphasizes community impact, sustainability, and long-term development.
