Get to know a Static contributor: Catherine Lacbay

catherine lacbay

Static’s second issue, First Times in Toronto, is out October 20th. So to celebrate, over the month, you’ll get to know the contributors of the issue through some of their first times in Toronto.

Catherine Lacbay returns to issue 2 with a heartwarming story about helping people in need. No stranger to the zine, Catherine’s guide to show-hopping graced the centre spread of the first issue. Catherine somehow manages to get done what three people must do within a day, every day, working two jobs, living in Etobicoke and running the music blog Buying Shots for Bands. Yes, she actually buys shots for bands.

First job was at a movie theatre in Etobicoke. I started when i was 17 and worked there for 3 years (side note: I haven’t had a job for under 3 years in my entire life). I ate a lot of popcorn and watched a lot of movies, in that order. I cleaned the popper and asked if people who came to the concession stand if they wanted to “make that a combo.” I also probably checked your ID for 18+ movies, which always felt silly. I quickly moved up the “ranks” and become a supervisor before ending my employment there are corporate team trainer. I left that job a year into university to get paid less working in retail, just so I wouldn’t have to work those late hours anymore, but missed the free movies for a good 2 years after I left.

Actually, who am I kidding? I still miss free movies.

First favourite neighborhood was Bloor West Village. Some of my closest friends grew up in that area and I always loved the feel of it – sort of old fashioned oddly mixed with high class shopping. Plus High Park is right there and you can’t go wrong with a mini-zoo that has llamas!

First concert was Blink-182 and Silverchair at Maple Leaf Gardens (!) in 1999. It was just after Enema of the State was released and I was looking forward to seeing Blink-182 live, but what I was most excited about was seeing Silverchair. I seriously had the biggest crush on Daniel Johns. The first CD I ever owned (read: stole from a friend) was Frogstomp and Silverchair will forever be one of my favourite bands. I’d go back and see that concert a thousand times over.

First bar/club I went to: I can’t remember the name of the club. I do, however, remember that it was my 19th birthday and I was so drunk that I broke a shot glass doing a shot without using my hands. I never had a fake ID, so I made sure my 19th birthday was one to remember… or not remember?

First outdoor concert: Probably Edgefest ‘05 at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. That year I saw Alexisonfire and Billy Talent, but I’m fairly certain my favourite act of the day was Rise Against.

First record store was probably Rotate This, simply for ticket purchasing purposes, but the first record I got at a record store was at Criminal Records.

First in-store was, I think, Steven McKay at Soundscapes last year. I actually had the chance to interview him before he played, so I guess that makes my first in-store extra fun.

First favorite book is still probably my favourite book – To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

First library was in my neighbourhood in Etobicoke. I used to spend so much time there with my dad. He’d be browsing magazines and borrowing CDs while I tried to decide which Babysitters Club or Sweet Valley High book (or something equally as embarrassing) I wanted to read that time.

Perhaps I’ll also add that the first library I ever fell asleep in was Scott Library at York University.

First celebrity sighting was: I grew up on the same street where Brendan Shanahan grew up. He’s quite a bit older than me though, so he was already well on his way to becoming famous NHL player when I was growing up, so mostly I lived on the same street as his mother. My most notable story has to be when my brother dragged me to get an autograph from him when he brought home the Stanley Cup in 1997. I remember he laughed when I said my name was “Catherine with a C”. Speaking of that autograph, I should probably find it, eh…

Aside from happenings in my neighbourhood, which I hardly remember, I was working when Hilary Duff made an appearance at my movie theatre. It was the premiere of “A Cinderella Story” and she walked the “red carpet” and I stood on it blocking the crowd. (Side note: If you know me, you might recognize the humour in that, given my size.)

First kiss was: It was probably my best friend in elementary school. Or maybe it was another guy in my class that I kissed in order to make said best friend jealous. I was totally up to no good early in life.

First heartbreak was: See above (the best friend, not the other one). I made him listen to “Head Over Feet” by Alanis Morissette in my room one day, which has to be the cheesiest thing I’ve done in my life (and also very embarrassing). I remember being so confused about having feelings for my best friend. Things never worked out and 13-year-old me was crushed.

First New Year’s: I think the first New Year’s I spent without my family was at Nathan Phillips Square. I can’t remember who played that year, but it was probably some cheesy Canadian pop star.

First Valentine’s Day: It was probably spent at the movie theatre I worked at. For a long period of my life, I celebrated everything there.

First time I went to the islands: Virgin Music Festival in 2008. Highlights include The Kooks and The Fratellis and Foo Fighters. So fantastic. I didn’t really get to explore much of the Islands then, though.

First trip out of Toronto was: I’ve been traveling out of the country all my life, but the first time I left Toronto with friends instead of family was to the Dominican Republic as a high school graduation present to myself. It was the first time I ever felt free.

First time I got lost was probably the first time I ever set foot on campus at York University. Perhaps I’ve been more lost in places downtown, but that was certainly the first time I ever felt really overwhelmingly lost.

If I had a last day in Toronto, I would probably eat/drink at all my favourite places (burritos at Big Fat Burrito, nachos at Sneaky Dee’s, sangria at Red Room, etc.) and then enjoy some local music with friends, probably at the Horseshoe Tavern where I’d give Tyrone (best bouncer ever!) a high five.

Issue 1 goes into final production mode

Melody 3

Berry 1

Greer 1

Aviva 1

jessica 1

Catherine 1

Last night was the final production night! Melody finished her second article, Berry laid down her page (and Greer added some artwork), Aviva seemingly destroyed her page (but didn’t), I put my touches on the cover and editorial page (while Aviva fell asleep) and Catherine ogled over her layout by Juliana. It was successful and there were plenty of high-fives. AND NOW WE ARE DONE. And taking it to the printers today. GET PSYCHED, guys.

We’ll be unveiling cool details all week… :)