Entertainment Notebook: Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert returns for its 29th year;

At a time when digestive health, sustained energy, hormonal balance and responsible consumption are on the minds of Quebecers, the Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert returns for its 29th year with a clear goal: to offer concrete, accessible and tasty solutions to eat better, better understand your body, and consume more consciously. From March 20 to 22 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, the Expo will bring together 300 exhibitors, experts, nutritionists, chefs, brand creators, and passionate artisans. For three days, the public can taste, learn, exchange ideas and leave inspired, with practical tools to transform their daily lives.

“Eating well isn’t about depriving yourself: it’s about discovering, enjoying, and understanding what really nourishes your health,” says Renée Frappier, President and Founder of the Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert .”The Expo is much more than an event: it’s a space to meet and share knowledge where science, gastronomy, and awareness converge. We want to empower people, give them reliable guidance and show them that it’s possible to take care of themselves without sacrificing pleasure.”

The Expo fosters direct contact with producers, founders and artisans. Organizations such as La Milanaise, Land Art, Inéwa, Moulin Abénakis and Maison d’Herbes exemplify this commitment to offering products aligned with the values of quality, traceability and sustainability. This vision is also embodied by companies such as Indigo Soda, which actively contributes to the local economy while demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.

The 2026 program brings together chefs, nutritionists and experts to share practical, current, and inspiring content, combining science, delicious food and solutions applicable to everyday life. Dom Cooks will present a protein-rich soup in collaboration with Savoura and La Belle Excuse, demonstrating that healthy food can be both nourishing and comforting. Jean-François Plante and Geneviève Plante will reinvent bistro food with a delicious vegetarian approach in collaboration with Les Herbes salées du Bas-du-Fleuve, Savoura and Moulin Abénakis, notably highlighting its nutritional yeast and its everyday uses. This friendly gathering, full of practical tips, will inspire visitors to recreate simple, delicious bistro cuisine. Ève-Lyne Auger (La Fraîche)  will showcase the trend of sophisticated mocktails… done simply. Local bubbles from Indigo Soda, Toundra’s new blueberry-cardamom spread: with aromatic freshness and elegant combinations, these alcohol-free creations are easy to make at home! alias

A vegan for nearly 15 years, Caroline “Loounie” Huard cooks creatively and with curiosity. In this workshop, she will share her practical tips to incorporate a wide variety of plant-based foods into your menu, simply and easily, without ever getting bored. Isabelle Huot will talk about how sugar is everywhere in our food.

 The complete program is available here 

CONCERT TIME: The Orchestre Métropolitain will present Echoes of the Forest on Tuesday, March 31 (7:30 p.m.) at the Maison Symphonique de Montréal. Under the direction of conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, this concert explores an evocative three-part program, from the Tragic Overture by Johannes Brahms to the celebrated Cello Concerto by Antonín Dvořák, performed by internationally renowned soloist Jean-Guihen Queyras, and culminating in Symphonie de la forêt (Forest Symphony) by Rita Strohl, a rediscovered score that fully embodies the theme of the performance. There is something truly magical about unearthing a long-forgotten masterpiece. As its notes come to life, suspense and wonder intertwine. With his baton Nézet-Séguin breathes fresh energy into the evocative and nuanced music of French composer Rita Strohl, whose Symphony of the Forest has recently been rediscovered. The concert will begin with a short yet deeply moving work by the conductor’s favourite composer, Brahms’s Tragic Overture. Following this, the stage will welcome long-time OM collaborator and internationally celebrated soloist Jean-Guihen Queyras. Together, they take on Dvorák’s breathtaking Cello Concerto, considered by many to be the instrument’s most challenging piece.

ICONIC ARTISTIC CIRCUIT: The Art Souterrain Festival has announced the return of its iconic artistic circuit with an 18th edition that promises to be especially impactful and unifying. This year’s edition will unfold in the heart of the revitalized downtown core, at Place Ville Marie and Centre Eaton from April 25 to May 10. In addition to this central offering, several partner satellite venues will host complementary artworks and activities across different neighbourhoods of the city as part of the Satellite Circuit. This initiative follows the resounding success of the previous edition, which captivated the general public and delighted cultural partners, strengthening opportunities for showcasing and engaging with the contemporary art scene. This new edition will bring together some twenty local and international artists, including several major figures in contemporary art. Born in Tehran and based in Tiohtiá:ke/Montreal, Hadi Jamali works at the intersection of installation, interactivity, and time-based media. His projects explore visual and sound archives to question displacement, memory, and perception. His work has been presented in Canada, Europe, and Asia. Info: https://festival2026.artsouterrain.com 

TOHU: The programming of TOHU’s 21st season continues with the presentation of WOW: WORLD OF WORDS from March 26 to 29 in the circular hall. Following the huge success of their last show at TOHU and acclaimed international tours, KALABANTÉ is back with its latest show. Offering a new and unexpected stage experience, this immersive performance explores the transmission of knowledge, the meeting of cultures, and the magic of mutual respect. Blending ancestral rituals with aerial innovations, WOW: WORLD OF WORDS blurs boundaries and builds bridges between tradition and modernity.

Dynamic, spectacular, and colorful, and warmly applauded at the latest Edinburgh Fringe Festival, WOW: WORLD OF WORDS showcases the exceptional talents of its musicians, dancers, and acrobats, who perform among suspended hammocks, acrobatic balls, and human percussion in a breathtaking visual fresco. Three emblematic figures—the boubou, the staff, and the white hair—lead this artistic odyssey toward an unforgettable poetic fusion when two opposing groups succeed in erasing the white line painted on the ground. Under the direction of Yamoussa Bangoura—director, composer, and choreographer— the KALABANTÉ company, proudly based in Montreal’s Saint-Michel neighborhood, offers a unique moment where the audience’s sense of wonder can be summed up in a single word. It is geared towards kids aged eight and up. 

ROUGEAU ON THE ROOF: I dropped by the Salon National de L’Habitation MTL over the weekend at the Palais  des Congrés. What a great event! Among those on hand was champion wrestler Jacques Rougeau, who is now part of the roofing business. He is the official spokesman for Couvreur Couv-Toit, a 21 year old company based in Laval. What a smart move to bring on the charismatic Rougeau. Rep Bruno Picciano told me what a dream it is to have such a high-profile member of the team who clients can’t wait to meet.  My big question was this: will Jacques actually climb on to someone’s roof?  He laughed at that prospect, but did tell me that at the age of 65 he will get back in the ring at a wrestling gala in Gatineau.

THE RUBIN REPORT: Here is this week’s report from Stewart “Rock ‘N Roll” Rubin,  a retrospective on a Fabulous Flashback: The Musical Journey of Mike Uzan.

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down for a one-on-one interview with my friend and an incredible local musician, Mike Uzan. Like many great musical stories, Mike’s journey didn’t begin with a guitar in his hands—it began on a baseball field.

At just 10 years old, Mike’s first passion was baseball. He played the game for more than 30 years, mainly as a pitcher, though he always loved being behind the plate as a catcher. Personally I ( Rubin ) always believe that people who grow up playing team sports carry that spirit into their lives. They understand teamwork, collaboration, and how to support others—qualities that translate beautifully into the world of music.

Although he had always wanted to play, Mike didn’t pick up a guitar until later in life. The moment that pushed him to finally start came from a simple but memorable question from a younger teammate on his baseball team: “How old are you, man?” That question sparked something in him, and at 40 years old Mike decided it was time to follow the musical dream he had always carried.

Mike describes himself as a completely self-taught musician. He cannot read music and openly laughs about his early days learning the instrument, describing himself as “brutally incompetent” in the beginning. But determination can take you far. Mike dove headfirst into learning—watching YouTube tutorials, asking questions, studying other musicians, and picking the brains of anyone willing to share their knowledge.

A major turning point came when he met Gary Overall. When Mike formed his first band, The Fabulous Flashbacks, Gary became both bandmate and mentor. Mike credits Gary with teaching him more about music in a single year than he had learned in the previous three.

The original band lineup included Mike on rhythm guitar and vocals, Lee Scouten on bass and vocals , Michel Tordjman on drums, and Gary Overall. Lead guitars and vocals The four musicians clicked almost instantly—not just musically but personally as well. Their harmonies and friendships formed the backbone of the band. A few years back Gary suffered a stroke and was no longer able to sing or play guitar . After looking for a perfect fit for the band along came Kirk Fontaine and later on Jim Reed both are amazing guitar players and vocalists

This week marks an anniversary many people remember vividly—the week the world shut down for COVID-19 six years ago. It was a time when phrases like social distancing, two meters apart, and mask mandates became part of everyday life. People stocked up on toilet paper and flour while wondering when normal life would return.

During that difficult time, Mike came up with an idea that would bring a community together.

Once people were able to gather outdoors safely, Mikefest was born.

Every Friday Saturday, or Sunday afternoon all weather permitting, Mike would set up outside his garage with an acoustic guitar and a small speaker. Neighbours would come out wearing masks and sit at safe distances while he played music for the street. What began as a simple gesture quickly turned into something special. People who had been isolated for weeks finally had a reason to gather—safely—and reconnect with one another.

Friendships were formed. Smiles returned. For a few hours every weekend afternoon, music helped people feel human again.

Mikefest continued long after the pandemic restrictions ended. The last official gathering was Mikefest 35 on May 18, 2024. Mike has since attempted three times to hold Mikefest 36, but the weather hasn’t cooperated.

Still, Mike isn’t giving up.

“I won’t give up on 36,” he told me. “It really brings the neighbourhood together, and it’s one of my favorite ways to present my music. I often have guest musicians join me.”

One of Mike’s favorite memories in music came on June 30, 2007, when The Fabulous Flashbacks opened for legendary Canadian band The Stampeders at the Brockville Riverfest. For any musician, sharing the stage with an established act is a milestone moment—and one Mike still treasures.

Today, Mike continues performing throughout Montreal and beyond, playing in bars, restaurants, social events, and private functions. His repertoire focuses on classic rock from the 1960s and 1970s, performed both acoustically and with full bands. While he loves the energy of playing electric guitar in a band setting, he also enjoys the freedom and intimacy that comes with performing solo on acoustic guitar.

Mike has also used his music to support important causes. One event particularly close to his heart is Night of Hope and Dreams, organized by my friend Yosi Knecht. At this annual event, Mike performs as guitarist and backup singer for the Night of Hope and Dreams band.

The evening raises funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night campaign, a cause that means a great deal to many involved. The initiative began after Yosi’s daughter survived leukemia, and it has since grown into a powerful event that combines music, community, and philanthropy.

Mike currently keeps himself busy with three musical projects including his latest

Retroactive (The Mike Uzan Band) – a high-energy 1970s dance band.

The Retroactive lineup features:

Michel Tordjman – Drums

John Bowie – Bass

Cedric de Saint-Rome – Keyboards (Grammy Award winner)

Rosalie Cerro – Vocals

Tanya Nielsen – Vocals

Clifford Schwartz – Lead Guitar & Vocals

Mike Uzan Rhythm Guitar & Vocals

Many people may recognize the name Clifford Schwartz. Seven years ago he stepped in and purchased the struggling Montreal Wheel Club, bringing the legendary venue back to life and transforming it into one of Montreal’s most vibrant live music spaces.

The Wheel Club has become a home stage for both The Fabulous Flashbacks and Retroactive. The bands recently performed a sold-out Bee Gees tribute on March 7, 2026,

Whether performing on a festival stage, inside a packed venue, or in his driveway for neighbours during a global pandemic, Mike Uzan’s music has always been about connection.

His journey—from baseball fields to band stages—shows that it’s never too late to follow a passion. Through perseverance, friendship, and a love for classic rock, Mike has built something special not just for himself, but for the community around him.

And if the weather finally cooperates, the neighborhood may soon be gathering once again for Mikefest 36.

For more information on Mike Uzan and upcoming performances, you can find him on Facebook.

Have an item for the SJN? E-mail mcohen@thesuburban.com and follow me on Instagram @Mikecohencsl