G1
TEAM MEMBERS
KATERINA GANG
Where were you born?
I was born in Montreal.
What's your ethnic background ?
I’m Hungarian on my father’s side, and French-Canadian on my mother’s side.
How many years have you been in Montreal for?
I have lived in Montreal my whole life. It is my amazing home and always will be.
Favorite activity or place to go in Montreal ?
I really enjoy going to comedy shows. Montreal has a great comedy scene, especially in the summer. The Comedy Nest is one of my favourite venues
Favourite cultural district in Montreal and why ?
I thoroughly enjoy China Town. I very much enjoy the food at the atmosphere.
CARL BINDMAN
Where were you born?
Montreal! Here! This city! My home! My one true love! Etc.!
What's your ethnic background ?
Miscellaneous caucasian/colonizer. Belgian, German, Lithuanian, and, uh, I wanna say Ukrainian?2
How many years have you been in Montreal for?
Born here, then moved to AMERICA when I was 2, then moved back when I was 4, and have been here since. You do the math. I'm lazy.
Favorite activity or place to go in Montreal ?
The Atwater Market, no doubt. It's perfect. I love it.
Favourite cultural district in Montreal and why ?
Uh I'm not sure what this means but I'll call it the Plateau because it's a nice mishmash of a bunch of stuff/people/places and it really drives the multicultural/pluralistic engine of Montreal.
MELISSA GONZALEZ LEY
Where were you born?
Seville, Spain.
What's your ethnic background ?
My father’s side of the family is from southern Spain and then my mom’s side of the family is a mix. My grandmother is a “pure laine” Québécoise whose family had lived in Lachine for many generations.
How many years have you been in Montreal for?
Since I was three years old so it’s been 18 years.
Favorite activity or place to go in Montreal?
I love thrift shopping and eating ice cream on the Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue boardwalk.
Favourite cultural district in Montreal and why?
Around St Laurent there’s an abundance of cool, quirky restaurants and shops. I love the Main because it has spirit, charm and interesting people from all over the world.
OLIVIA O'MALLEY
Where were you born?
Vancouver, British Columbia
What's your ethnic background?
I am a large mixture of ethnicities. I am Norwegian, English, Italian and Irish.
How many years have you been in Montreal for?
2 years now, time flies!
Favorite activity or place to go in Montreal?
I love trying new restaurants in Montreal. There are so many restaurants that I love in Montreal. My friends and I have a forever-growing list of restaurants we want to try. I would say my favourite restaurant is Lola Rosa. It is a cozy restaurant in the McGill ghetto that serves comfort vegetarian and vegan food.
Favourite cultural district in Montreal and why?
I love Old Montreal. The streets are so beautiful they have done such a good job of preserving the historic architecture. I always find myself getting lost and walking aimlessly but I don’t mind it because there are so many boutiques, art galleries and restaurants tucked in hidden corners. Whenever I am there it feels like I am on vacation in Europe even though I am still in Canada.
ZOE DOBSON
Where were you born ?
Born in Toronto, Ontario
What's your ethnic background ?
My background is mainly french - my mother is from quebec and so are her parents. On that same side I am also part Métis due to my grandmother's roots. On my dad's side you'll find more French - this time from southern France as his father is Nicoise. His mother is from England so there's also a little british in my blood. The short and sweet is that I'm a melting pot.
For how many years have you been in Montreal for ?
1 year
Favorite activity or place to go in Montreal ?
Trying new restaurants throughout MTL. I love food and because it's a relatively new city for me, It's a chance to explore.
Favorite cultural district in Montreal and why ?
Little Italy, again because of my love of food. There are amazing Italian bakeries specialty food stores and restaurants. Also, Jean Talon market is in that area, which I shop at frequently.
CHRISTINA PAPPAS
Where were you born?
Born and raised in Montreal! Jewish General baby!
What's your ethnic background ?
I’m 100% Greek, both sides of my family come from Central and Northern Greece. My mom’s parents immigrated to Canada about a half a century ago and my dad’s grandparents both came over to start a family of 7.
How many years have you been in Montreal for?
I have been here for 20 years! All my life!
Favorite activity or place to go in Montreal ?
Hands down Saint Anne-de-Bellevue! The beautiful boardwalk, the quaint shops and the small town feel are super appealing to me; especially seeing as it’s still on the island of Montreal. It’s a not-so-far-away-getaway!
Favourite cultural district in Montreal and why ?
I like Parc Ex because I feel like it’s the immigrant capital of Montreal. There’s so many cultures that pass through there, so many speciality shops and restaurants; it’s just a huge melting pot of all sorts of people and there’s always something new to explore!
CLAUDIA BARBIERO
Where were you born?
I was born here in Montreal.
What's your ethnic background ?
I am of Italian Decent. My grandparents on both sides immigrated to Canada from Italy to escape poverty and settled in Montreal.
How many years have you been in Montreal for?
I’ve been here since I was born so for twenty years but my grandparents moved to Montreal in the 60s.
Favourite activity or place to go in Montreal ?
I love playing soccer and I love watching soccer. My absolute dream would be to go watch a soccer game In Italy, but until then my favourite thing to do in Montreal is go watch the impact play.
Favourite cultural district in Montreal and why ?
My favourite cultural district to visit in Montreal would have to be Little Italy, because I’ve grown up going there most of my life. My dad would bring me there for Italian week, grand prix weekend, and I would come with him when I was younger to see his friends at the restaurants and bars on the street.
CALVIN CASHEN
Where were you born ?
Dallas, Texas
What's your ethnic background ?
Irish and Cherokee Indian
For how many years have you been in Montreal for ?
About six months
Favorite activity or place to go in Montreal ?
I like to catch a concert around downtown; preferably at intimate venues such as La Sala Rossa or Bar Le Ritz. Although, more sizable venues like the Corona Theatre and The Rialto aren’t bad options, either. They are beautifully constructed and offer richer acoustics.
Favorite cultural district in Montreal and why ?
I really enjoy Chinatown due to it’s assorted restaurants, shops and Asian inspired ambience. The district’s pork buns are a huge highlight for me.
ALEXANDRA COLATOSTI
Where were you born ?
Montreal, Canada.
What's your ethnic background ?
My parents are both of Italian descent. My father was born in Canada, and my mother was born in Italy, in a very small-town named Cassino. My paternal grandparents come from a town called Ripi in the province of Frosinone in Italy.
For how many years have you been in Montreal for ?
I have lived in Montreal my whole life.
Favorite activity or place to go in Montreal ?
I love going to concerts, museums and checking out different restaurants; there’s such a wide variety of them in Montreal, it’s easy to try new things.
Favorite cultural district in Montreal and why ?
My favourite cultural district in Montreal is Little Italy. There are a lot of shops, bakeries and restaurants I grew up going to with my grandmother so I always get a (literal) taste of nostalgia whenever I go back.
ETIENNE LAJOIE
Where were you born?
I was born in Lachine, Montreal.
What's your ethnic background ?
Mother from Ottawa, grandparents on her side from Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Father from Rouyn-Noranda, grandparents on his side from Quebec
How many years have you been in Montreal for?
19 years.
Favorite activity or place to go in Montreal ?
I like to hang out in coffee shops around Atwater market [Notre Dame St.] I really like to go shows in small venues around Montreal such as Sala Rossa, La Vitrola, Casa del Popolo and Bar Le Ritz.
Favourite cultural district in Montreal and why ?
I like Little Italy, I think it's becoming a vibrant neighborhood. I love Jean Talon market and I prefer it to Atwater market. My grandparents were Italian so Italy has a special place in my heart. Milano is also a great place to go for Italian products I find.
SANDRINE PELLETIER
Where were you born?
I was born in Saint-Jérôme, Laurentides .
What's your ethnic background ?
I'm so "pure laine" that i've probably got maple syrup through my veins
How many years have you been in Montreal for?
I've been living in Montreal for almost a year now, even though I still go back north on the weekends to see my friends and family.
Favorite activity or place to go in Montreal ?
I love to run, so the Mount-Royal for sure.
Favourite cultural district in Montreal and why ?
I'll go with the "petit portugais," simply because that's where I live at the moment and there's a lot of cool cafes and boutiques. Plus the portuguese are really warm people, it reminds me of the good time I had when I spent my summer in Algarve at 18.