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We sat down with chef, food writer, and event creator Channon Russette-Mondoux, the brainchild behind the upcoming Canadiana Festival, and peppered her with questions and answers about the Festival, the ever-growing popularity of The Red Green Show, and why you need to attend this year's Festival.
I grew up in pretty meager surroundings, my single parent mom recounted that when she came home from the hospital, the only piece of furniture she had was the dresser my clothes were in and my crib, which was the bottom drawer. However, I don't ever remember feeling "poor" until I was in 5th grade when other kids made fun of me. I was pretty much an eternal optimist until then.
My earliest memory of fundraising was in 1st or 2nd grade when we brought a box around for UNICEF while trick or treating, and we would collect change for children from other countries. It felt good to help someone. I had an uncle who was a missionary, and he talked about how many people in other places had less than we did, and that was held over our heads during dinner on the regular ("eat your peas, there are starving children"). And that was saying a lot. But if I was helping someone else, that meant my situation wasn't so bad. As I got older, I raised funds for organizations like United Way and the Canadian Cancer Society (my Meme had stage 4 breast cancer for years), and I was inspired by Terry Fox to step up and help (no pun intended). Later, I became involved in Neighborhood Watch (it's still hard to spell neighborhood that way) and Habitat for Humanity. I have done numerous fundraisers like United for Ukraine and Baklava for Turkey or have been cooking for nonprofits to help them with their events. It's just a part of being a good member of my community.
Through the Canadiana Fest in 2023, we managed to raise about $9K for the local food bank community and another $500 for a local scholarship fund with our partners, The Chef and Cook's Association of Kalamazoo Battle Creek.
I think I might have understood the concept of asking for help from a young age, as having received it from many sources, I feel more comfortable asking for it from others. The flip side of fundraising is when you have a good cause and present it honestly and passionately, you can get people to help you. It's amazing what you can get when you ask for it (politely, of course ;-)
Regarding my personal life and the influences on why the Canadiana Fest, Here is an interview with Global Ties Kalamazoo Executive Director and Canadian Expat from Hamilton On at NPR's Story Corp. At the end of the pandemic, in a nutshell, while working on a fundraiser for Ukraine, I'd decided, "If the girls can't get to Canada, Canada is going to come to the girl," and here we are with the largest Canadian cultural Festival outside of Canada.
Typical Canadiana Festival goers are primarily American and might fit into a few categories we like to refer to as "Canadian Curious" (are interested or curious about the Festival or the culture or both), "Canadian Forward" (they emulate Canadians, maybe even speak a little/lot of French, play hockey, eat Canadian food, love our comedy (like Red Green for instance), or are "Canadian Adjacent" (maybe they lived in Canada or near it - like a lot of Michiganders who Canada surrounds on three sides, or they married or have a relationship to a Canadian, have family who are from Canada or maybe work for a Canadian company) and even some who we carefully refer to as "Canadienvious" - those who would love to be Canadian! And, of course, we had actual Canucks who came to share and experience what others think of our homeland.
Based on our exit survey and social media, we found that festival goers were primarily women (although it was pretty balanced between the sexes), ages 25-55, and live within a 50-mile radius (however, 16% of attendees traveled from farther than 50 miles away, and we had attendance by people from 9 states (as far away as Washington D.C., Tennessee, and Kentucky) and 3 Canadian provinces (Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan) in our first year.) In addition, we had over 78 distinct zip codes across the United States (primarily Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois) and Canada. Most of the people who attended had families, and many of them brought children.
Guests were primarily caucasian, but we had many people who were First Nations or Indigenous, African American, or identified as not caucasian. In addition, about 10% of people identified as LGBTQI. It was a very typical festival-goer crowd in Michigan, and it matched the demographics of Discover Kalamazoo (the local tourism center). But people were missing last year that we've made an effort to connect with this year- the residents and neighbors of the community where the festival site is on the northeast side of Kalamazoo. I felt that we weren't very good hosts if the neighbors weren't coming, so we created the "Families Have Fun at Canadiana Fest" program, which even includes scholarships for those who aren't financially able to attend and really focus on youth and families enjoying a good time on us.
ABSOLUTELY NOT! As a matter of fact, the most fun thing seems to be not being a Canadian and coming for the experience of getting to know the culture of another country. Our exit survey results got comments like "It was incredible to meet people from another country who would talk about their experiences ."But Canadians who came expressed that they often learned something new about their own country and walked away feeling proud that others want to get to know us and appreciate what Canada has done. It's a nice shot in the arm of cultural self-esteem. We invite Canadians abroad and at home to come and celebrate with us.
We also make an effort to ensure every one of every ability can come and enjoy the Festival by providing;
We also have made concerted efforts to ensure those that may be financially challenged can come by offering reduced ticket prices (only $10 in June), senior and veteran discounts (only $10 all the time), students 13-20 are only $5 and children are free. We also offer up to 200 scholarships for adults and children at free or reduced lunch levels through community partners who nominate them. They get both admission and hospitality courtesy of B.C. Pizza (one of our sponsors) and Discover Kalamazoo Sports.
Our first year, we held a "Celebrity Look Alike Contest"- half of the participants came dressed as Red Green. People come dressed as Red Green and other characters on the show because they are beloved icons of Canadian humor and are immediately identifiable. Red's (Steve) comedy makes people feel good about themselves because they know they don't have to hurt others to be funny; they feel like they can identify with our culture as they see Red as a symbol of Canadian hilarity, kindness, and witty banter. The Red Green show is an example of how we can make fun by gently poking others and, honestly, laughing at ourselves with some kindness. That is very Canadian. I also think that for men, it gives them a chance to poke fun at themselves without feeling bad about being a guy and to sort things out to address things that maybe they'd like to see change in themselves.
"The comedy mindset is a belief that most situations have a humorous potential that we can use to take the sting out of frustrating events. When we see the humor in a situation, we are less likely to take things personally and more capable of responding constructively."
Steve Smith's and the Red Green comedy is all in good humor, with no need for profanity or graphic sexual language. My friend Dann Systma, co-founder of Crawlspace Eviction and Comedy Theatre, told me how sitting down and watching Red Green with his elderly Dad was a bonding moment as both laughed hysterically at the same jokes and enjoyed it equally. You can't say that about most comedy shows or comedians today. Steve Smith's comedy transcends culture, time, and mindset. It reminds me of the era of comedy classics like Milton Berl, which could be watched by anyone from anywhere and any walk of life, and everyone would enjoy it.
Which includes a "Canuck Canteen."World Champine Poutine Competition and Passport (get a passport for five samples of delicious poutine for $25 and get to participate in the popular vote).
The Eclectic Kitchen, The Eclectic Kitchen with Channon Mondoux, Chef Channon, Chef and Cooks Association of Kalamazoo/Battle Creek (CCA KZ/BC), Clearly Canadian, Kzoom, SWYM Media, Townsquare Media
Air Canada, The Red Green Show, Discover Kalamazoo, Downtown Kalamazoo, Millenium Restaurant Group, State Theatre
Delegation Québec, Gordon Food Service
B.C. Pizza, Dement & Marquardt, Grand Rapids Griffins hockey, Jones Dairy Farm, Select Stay, Sleep Inn
Bronson Hospital, Chicago Butter Tart Company, Color Street by Bridgette Jackson, who will be doing "Canada" nails for fundraising for food banks! D&W Fresh Market, Disability Network of Southwest Michigan, Dana Feckovics, Translation Coordinator, Southern Straight First Nations Drum, Girl Scout Troup 80172, Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association, Kalamazoo Curling Club, Kalamazoo Scottish Country Dancers, Kalamazoo United LAX Lacrosse, Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society, Le Caribou à lunettes, Public Media Network, Western Michigan University Athletics, VFW Red Arrow Post 1527, YMCA of Kalamazoo
Our biggest drive is to help others (last year, we put just shy of $9K total into local food banks and $500 to the Chef and Cook's Association Scholarship program) 2024 recipients of fundraising include:
Southern Michigan Food Bank
Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes
Chef and Cooks Association Culinary Student Scholarship
VFW Post 1527
This year, we are focused on raising funds via the auction of various items, including:
Which red-green character do you think you are most like and why?
Cross between;
Kelly Cook (Sugar Lyn Beard)
And Harold Green
Why?
Well, Kelly Cook was hilarious and just so perfectly cast as a person who, although she loves the concept of Red Green and probably more likely any money it makes but is critical and sarcastic about every aspect of the show, honestly makes the show so funny, and she says it in THE nicest way possible but not outright offensive- - "You're too old to be having fun Mr. Green" She is the child-like adult in the room. If they ever do a remake of Red Green Show, I hope we will have more characters like her.
Harold-the over-enthusiasm and crazy resourcefulness, never-ending optimism, and the touch of naïveté and wonder that Harold brings with him is something I try to project when it comes to the Canadiana Fest and really everything I do. Harold Green is the epitome of a cheerleader. I want to be that cheerleader, supporter, encourager, enabler, or whatever word you want to use to describe the person who is championing the Canadian culture and persona and for the Canadian people to honor and represent them. The world can be an unkind place, and everyone needs a friend and cheerleader. That is what Harold is to Red; he is his cheerleader. I love and miss home for many reasons, and I'm grateful to be a Canadian. I know that Canada is experiencing significant change and upheaval and an identity crisis. I've done my best to bring the best version of the culture of Canada that I know and
Canadiana Fest will be held at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place in downtown Kalamazoo on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Come visit The Red Green team as we transport the Possum Lodge to the Festival. We will have merch, surprise guests, unveilings, hapless antics, tomfoolery, and more. You can get your tickets here.
