Perfect Fit

Three, two, one...one! One more day until you see our models on stage. That’s right, it is tomorrow, get yourself ready for lots of fun. 

All month long we were telling you stories about our awesome models, but there is one more story to tell. It is a story of a perfect fit and why our  below-the-belt fashion show is going to be a great night out. 

Back in September, A Salute to the Moustache team stepped into a venue called Measure,  we immediately realized that we found the perfect venue for our event. It somehow just felt right: the atmosphere, the layout, friendly staff - we couldn’t ask for a better fit. 

Measure is a place that you want to tell your friends about and then say “Hey! Let’s hang out there tomorrow”, a place where you want to linger longer over a friendly chat, even after the show ended. Measure defines itself as a bar of music, which is a play of words referring to a bar as a measure of music in musical notation. Also referring to a measure in the bar and a measure in the kitchen - things closely tied with music in this welcoming place. 

The owner of Measure, Bill Clary 

Two days ago our team visited Measure to finalize details of the upcoming fashion show and had a chance to chat with Bill Clary, the owner of Measure. Bill, whose moustache meets the highest Movember standards, shared with us why Measure decided to partner with A Salute to the Moustache. 

Although our event differs from Measure’s usual format of live band performances, it welcomingly opened its doors for Movember. The cause is close to Bill’s heart and he participated in the movement in the past. “I watched Movember grow from the funny little thing into a big power house for men’s health,” he said, and then admitted men do not think enough about their health. “I salute to Movember for having a fun way to get people talking about men's health problems for a whole month. From there it stays in people’s minds all year long.” 

Measure helps people fulfill their dreams and helps support various causes. “It’s not hard to say yes to a charity. I don’t have a music talent, but I have a music space which we made approachable.” 

The venue re-opened as Measure last April and since then has found opportunities to support several cancer charities and has partnered with Horizons for Youth, which serves homeless and at-risk youth. The first charitable event Measure held was similar to Movember's motives; it was for a man whose friend was diagnosed with cancer. He needed to raise $2,500 to enter into the ride to concur cancer. “It was a huge success: the minimum was met plus a bunch more. For Measure’s first foray into using the space to give back to the community, it was a great feeling to be able to host such a great event so soon after opening.” 

When it comes to music, Measure doesn’t limit itself to one genre, it is open to rock, R&B, hip hop, rap. “There is enough space and days in the month for different types of music,” explained Bill. “We don’t turn anyone away. We are trying to build something that will last, something that makes musicians happy and the fans happy.” Young and mature bands find support for their talent and rock on stage in Measure almost every night.

"I think you should come on Monday night to have a great night and support Movember, Mo Sistas and a Mo Bro from Centennial college," said Bill. So come one out! It will be a fantastic night for a fantastic cause. See you tomorrow! 

Last but not Least

TGIF!!!! But unfortunately we’ve got some bad news ladies. Today is the last day we introduce you to a model. But fear not! On November 25^th, you will be able to see all 12 of the models we’ve featured in the flesh in our ‘below the belt’ fashion show.

Meet our final model, Joshua Moore.

Joshua grew up in Barrie, Ontario, where he explains, “in 1900 the first ever recorded recipe for the butter tart was written.” Joshua graduated with an English and Communications degree from York University. After working at Marketwire, he aspired to get into Public Relations and is currently a fellow classmate studying Public Relations and Corporate Communications at Centennial College.

Joshua supports Movember because, “the moustache is a great conversation starter. It rethinks old notions of masculinity, with a fun and inclusive initiative.” Joshua is also happy that Movember has expanded to include the issue of men’s mental health. 

Joshua lives by a simple motto when it comes to living a healthy and active lifestyle: “Don’t be lazy. Laziness is the root of all evil.” Joshua does whatever he can to stay active, including taking the stairs, walking and biking where he needs to go, and makes it a point to stand up whenever he can.

As for Joshua’s favourite iconic moustache, well that’s none other than rock legend Frank Zappa.

Make sure to visit Joshua's Mo Space to help him change the face of men's health http://ca.movember.com/mospace/6953717 

I'm Sorry It's Not Friday

Did you wake up today thinking it was Friday then sadly realized it was Thursday? Trust me, you're not alone! But you know what makes me feel better? Male models.

Meet our next model, Massimo De Menech.

Massimo, 24, is a University of Windsor alum who majored in Political Science. Currently, he is a fellow classmate to the A Salute to the Moustache team studying Corporate Communications and Public Relations at Centennial College. Massimo hosted a CCC Snow Day event last night with his teammates in support of Kidsport, which was a huge success

Massimo decided to join the Movember movement this year for two reasons. Massimo explains, “I’ve never grown a moustache before in my life and I always wanted to see if it would turn out like a creeper or if it would actually look good.” But Massimo isn’t just doing it for the sake of looks. “There’s a lot of charities dedicated to female health, breast cancer, and female awareness we need to embrace that there’s men out there in the world who do suffer from cancers that attack only men and the awareness needs to be raised over all for cancer research,” Massimo says.

Massimo stays healthy by participating in one of his passions: soccer. Massimo has played soccer his entire life, “since I could take my first steps,” he explains.  Soccer has allowed Massimo to stay healthy, active and mentally focused. For the past eight years, Massimo has passed on what he’s learned to the kids he coaches in hope for a healthier future for them.

What’s Massimo’s advice on staying healthy? “Get off your ass. You can’t sit down and do nothing you need to become active, you need to become fully aware of yourself.”

Massimo will be strutting his moustache on November 25^th after Gone with the Wind charmer, Clark Gable

Check out Massimo’s Mo Space and help him change the face of men’s health http://ca.movember.com/mospace/6953849

Your Hump Day Moustache

Good evening ladies and gents! Happy hump day.

We would like to introduce you to, the one and only, Matt Adams.

Matt, 23, is the Ecosystem Director at ThinkOn, a cloud computing company. He also grows a fabulous moustache.

“I wouldn’t say that I excel at many things but I am great at growing facial hair,” said Matt. He grows his stache for a great cause and he said, “it would be a shame to waste a good thick moustache.”

Movember has only fortunately affected Matt in a positive way. He loves the fact that his moustache is a symbol for men’s health. “The simple things feel good,” said Matt. Recently, Matt had a conversation with his hockey team about men’s health and the importance of getting checked. The conversation would have never happened if someone hadn’t commented on the growing moustaches in the locker room.

Matt stays healthy by playing hockey, working out at the gym and going for walks on his lunch break at work. When asked what advice he could offer on the topic of staying healthy and active, he touched upon a topic that often gets overlooked. “Getting enough sleep each night is one of the best things that you can do to stay healthy,” said Matt, “it’s amazing how many people get less than six hours of sleep a night.” Matt knows what a good sleep can do and he explains that “sleep will work wonders in every aspect of your life.”

Matt is inspired by the iconic moustaches of Lanny McDonald, Wendel Clark and George Parros.

Lanny McDonald

Get excited to see Matt’s moustache Nov. 25 as he struts down the catwalk.  

Don’t forget to visit Matt’s Mo Space and donate to help him change the face of men’s health http://ca.movember.com/mospace/5663257

If you’re looking to join us and Matt at our A Salute to the Moustache event contact us at salutetothemoustache@gmail.com for ticket information. 

Sorry ladies, this MO is spoken for

Happy Tuesday everyone! Meet our next model, Chris Campbell.

Chris, 32, is a Supervisor at Supply Chain Management.

He is happily married, so keep your hands off ladies! Chris says, “I support Movember as a way to grow hair where my wife will normally not let hair grow. Just kidding…not really. I do it as a way to raise money for prostate cancer and men’s mental health, but also as a way to create conversation and awareness. All while having fun at my own expense.”

Chris lives a healthy and active lifestyle. He enjoys going for long runs and is a certified scuba diver. He traveled to many exotic places to scuba dive and recently went to Grenada. He knows the importance of healthy living and says, “it’s important to stay active and to find something that you truly enjoy doing.” He is looking forward to planning his next scuba diving adventure. 

As for his favourite iconic moustache he says, “it has to be Salvador Dali because it doesn’t get any crazier than that.”

We look forward to seeing Chris on the runway Nov. 25^th! 

Let's Talk!

A man dies from prostate cancer every 22 minutes. Nine hundred and forty new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed in Canada in 2013. One in five men will experience a mental health issue this year. 

It can happen to anyone, it can happen to the one you love. The realization sends shivers, huh? If you are like A Salute to the Moustache team, the stats probably doesn’t agree with you. If there is something to keep such threats as cancer or mental health issues from happening to loved ones, it should be done! 

A Salute to Moustache partners with the Movember Foundation to combat men’s health problems. Last year $42.6 million were raised for men's health in Canada by Movember supporters. The proceeds went to fund research to improve physical and mental health outcomes for men. 

Every dollar counts. This year the newly launched program Movember Report Cards, which can be found on movember.com, brings Movember on a new level of transparency. “We’re hoping that Mo Bros and Mo Sistas can learn a little bit more about the good their dollar is doing with, through these report cards,” says Michael Braiden, Partnerships and Business Development Coordinator in Canadian branch of the Movember Foundation.

Michael Braiden
Partnerships and Business Development Coordinator
in Canadian branch of the Movember Foundation

Growing moustaches in November means becoming a walking billboard in support of men’s health, and helping start discussions on the painful issue of testicular and prostate cancer and mental well-being. “Through the power of the mo, men across Canada are starting to think and talk about their health,” says Braiden. He sees mo as a perfect conversation starter. And don’t worry if your mo hasn’t grown big and bushy. “The weaker the mo, the better the conversation,” he says. Last year in Canada, 247,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas engaged in the movement. “Our goal for this year is to get one more man talking and taking action about his health.” 

Michelle Bryckman
A Salute to the Moustache team member

Movement to support serious issue doesn’t have to be all somber. It is about fun and enjoying being a part of  generation Mo. “Mo Sistas and a Mo Bro hosting A Salute to Moustache fundraiser place a fun twist on the serious issue in the ‘bellow the belt’ fashion show,” says Michelle Bryckman, a member of A Salute to Moustache team. Twelve male models who care deeply about the cause will strut on the runway showing off their moustaches and popular menswear.

“It’s a great idea. It involves the models and the crowd, all while encouraging discussion about men’s health. It’s a perfect example of the creativity that a Mo Bro or Mo Sista can use to inspire men to think about their health and be more proactive,” Braiden comments on the fundraiser. 

Megan Lynda
A Salute to the Moustache team member

Following their creativity impulse, A Salute to the Moustache wants to make sure that no one is left out this Movember. “If you don't have a moustache yet – not to worry – we’ll bake one for you,” says Megan Henry, another team member of A Salute to the Moustache , releasing information about the Moustache Bake Sale in the Centre for Creativity and Communications on Tuesday Nov. 19. 

So, let’s get staches (or even eat some if you are coming to our Moustache Bake Sale) and discuss the question: how can we, as a community, work to change the face of the men’s health?

Let the Countdown Begin! One Week Until the Big Day!

Guess what Mo Bros and Mo Sistas?! We’re exactly one week away from our A Salute to the Moustache event!

We hope you’re as excited as we are. We have an amazing night planned out for you filled with snacks, music, prizes, and models!

Our model of the day is Vandious DeSouza. Vandious, 32, is a Ryerson alum who majored in Business Management. Fun fact: Vandious also completed part of his education at the University of South Australia. Vandious is currently a Project Manager at Bombardier.

Vandious decided to participate in the Movember movement because, “not only does Movember
facilitate open dialogue and understanding of the health risks that men face, it also allows [him] to participate in the community and bond with fellow supporters.” Vandious is well aware of the impact the unity of the moustache creates. Vandious explains, “it is the kind of initiative that any man can participate in and be walking symbols of awareness for men’s health and provides me with a sense of self-awareness to not take anything or anyone for granted.”

Vandious stays active by participating in friendly competitions with his friends. You can find Vandious competing in everything from basketball, soccer, table tennis and even trampoline dodgeball.

For those looking to stay healthy and active Vandious recommends the “good in, good out” philosophy. Vandious explains, “the healthy foods you eat, literature you read, positivity you surround yourself with and a little sweat, will result in a more sound mind, body and soul.”

You can expect Vandious to be rocking the moustache of an old Hollywood gem, Clark Gable, for the month.

Don’t forget to visit Vandious’ Mo Space and donate to help him change the face of men’s health http://ca.movember.com/mospace/595946

If you’re looking to join us and Vandious at our A Salute to the Moustache event contact us at salutetothemoustache@gmail.com for ticket information.