A Letter To Our Readers:
August is almost done... the salt air is being replaced by evermore ivy rather quickly. Looking back on the past few months I can say without a doubt we Saskatchewan-Summered correctly. This summer has personally been the best summer I have had in literal years. Being surrounded by the most beautiful human beings, making art, and keeping my inner whimsy alive has been the goal for the summer and every box has been checked. Though I cannot lie, I have been in haunted Halloween mode for the past few weeks..(tabling this for now).
I wanted to very happily introduce the cover of our fourth edition, one of those beautiful human beings I have had the pleasure of being around a few times this summer..
Anna fcking Haverstock.
Anna is one of, if not, thee coolest and most authentically genuine people I know. Our paths crossed a few summers ago when I was lucky enough to have Anna on my Jazz Fest schedule. I left her set (and my shoot) thinking "wait... we have people like this in Saskatoon?" I was blown away by how rad she was. After that, our paths would again cross occasionally but it wasn't until this year at Drag Race YXE when Anna and I truly bonded. And if you are a Saskatchewan local you might giggle at what Anna and I bonded over... I don't exactly remember how we got on this topic, I'm sure there was a mix of queer humour with a sprinkle of light religious trauma.. but we somehow got on the topic of Black Strap Youth Camp. Since then, I have had the absolute pleasure of photographing (and accidentally doxxing) Anna at Saskatoon Pride, and again at the Sask Jazz Festival.
To me, Anna is the exact embodiment of a role model, and someone I very much look up to. I was able to watch the Girls Rock Camp Showcase at the Broadway theatre earlier this month where Anna was teaching drums to young girls during the summer holidays. The whole time I was sitting in the audience thinking "I wish this was a camp that was around when I was a kid". Anna's support for Youth, Arts and Queer Spaces are exactly why I am very proud and honoured to have her on the cover of AND?
Please welcome, Anna Haverstock, everyone.
From the desk of:
Alysia E. Androsoff
In my own life, my life experiences heavily influence my music and lyrics. - Anna Haverstock
Hi Anna!! Thank you so much for being here for our music edition! I hope you can tell me a little bit more about yourself and your journey as an artist. When did you first start playing music, and what did that look like for you?
I started playing guitar when I was about 8 years old I believe and was usually found secretly practicing in my Mom’s basement. I didn’t think of myself as a singer and that happened much later in life, as an adult.
What has been your biggest inspiration for your music?
I’ve always been surrounded by good music, as my mom has impeccable music taste, so listening to the greats really inspired me. Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Tracy Champan etc.
In my own life, my life experiences heavily influence my music and lyrics.
What does your creative process look like?
Typically I would get a little tune stuck in my head and I’ll try to put lyrics to it. I’ll sit down at my guitar and think about things in my life or friends lives and see how I can put those words to the little guitar lick or chord progressions I’ve come up with.
What musicians are you currently gravitating towards right now!
-I love the bands Blondshell, Momma and Bully. Also really enjoying the new Robyn, Annabelle Dinda, and Snail Mail.
What has been your biggest takeaway or lesson while making music/or the industry?
You always have to stay true to yourself and stand up for yourself. Don’t back down. You deserve the opportunities just as much as the next cis-man band. Don’t forget it!
Is there anything you’d like to say your friends, fans… and maybe the haters/trolls!
Hi besties! Stay gay!
AUGUST INS:
1. The Beaches
2. Black Cat Tavern
3. Living room karaoke
4. Girls Rock Camp
5. Your local theatre
6. Elote hotdogs
7. AI Protests
8. Irish Goodbyes
9. Patios
10. Making your own merch
AUGUST OUTS:
1. Tim Hortons
2. Heckling performers
3. Collage Drive
4. Yelling in public (or anywhere tbh)
5. K*v*n H*rt movies
6. Bad movie soundtracks
7. Record stores not having new albums on release day
8. Award snubs
9. Releasing additional songs on only one platform
10. Photoshop crashing
time heals everything,
doesn't it?
for most i'm sure that's true..
but (un)fortunately for me,
i've picked at things since before
I could remember..
the sides of my fingernails,
always bleeding.
the coaster at the bar top,
always shredded into oblivion.
and the wholes in the knees of my jeans,
always larger than intended.
time heals everything,
but not for me.
if anything,
the wound grows deeper,
the thoughts become more intricate,
and the anxiety in the back of my throat..
if i could ask the genie for a wish,
if i could cross my fingers behind my back,
and if i was lucky enough to see a shooting star,
maybe i'd wish that time would heal
maybe that would mean i could let go..
but (un)fortunately for me,
I've never gotten over anything.
- Alysia E. Androsoff
The Beaches, Rotary Park (Review).
I spent the day checking my weather app on the hour. The clouds were lingering and sprinkling on and off. As the day went on, the clouds grew darker and finally the thunder came rolling in. " That was thunder," I texted my best friend Kris. "I know, I could hear it that time," he replied. I came inside and neither of us acknowledged the weather outside. Time passed, and we continued to not acknowledge it, not because we were trying to hide from the fact that the concert we had been waiting so long for could be cancelled, but because there was actually nothing to acknowledge.
I looked out my window and the skies let up, seemingly in perfect time for my bestie and I to get an uber to Saskatoon's Rotary Park. After our drive weaving through the maze of construction that is our current city, we arrived at a completely fenced in area overlooking the river bank. There were rows of food trucks, along with concession, full bars, band merchandise and a VIP area. To the right side of the park people of all ages gathered in front of the stage. The opener had just finished their act and there was a brief intermission which was the perfect time to grab some Beaches Merch.
Kris and I ventured to the merch booth where we picked up the cutest white t-shirts with a black bra outline on them. After waiting no longer than 15 minutes, we decided it was time to make our way to the stage and claim our ground. We ventured to the left of the standing area, and for some angelic reason, with only maybe 10 minutes until The Beaches came on... we.got.barricade.
Moments after we got our photos in front of the stage (duh), the band came on, and Kylie stood right in front of us. When I am telling you Kris and I screamed basically the entire night, it's true. We waited months for this, and in that time, we prepared. Neither of us missed a lyric or skipped a beat.
The Beaches performed a full set, and I truly don't think they missed a song off of their last two albums. Jordan and her voice were absolutely electric. Eliza killed the drums (correctly). Kylie smiled at us, a few times!!! But the entire reason we were there was obviously because of our lesbian of the year, Leandra Earl. She absolutely rocked the night away, and stole the show with Kris & my favourite song, Lesbian of the Year (Acoustic).. (and yes I cried!!!)
It truly was the best night of summer 2026, but also a memory I will hold onto for ever. This has been my second time seeing The Beaches, and I will forever be a life long listener. Kylie and Leandra hopping across the stage = core memory.
Anyways! Til next time!
Alysia E. Androsoff
Upcoming Events:
Wax Mannequin with Anna Haverstock - August 27 Black Cat Tavern
"welcome to my dreamscape, say farewell to my nightmares" an Art Exhibition by Alysia E. Androsoff - September 2 - October 31, The Eye Gallery
Dear Diary - an evening of revisiting our writings of yesterdays - August 28, Art Bar
Art in the Park Summer Festival - August 30, Buena Vista Park
BarangGAYS: A Drag Fundraiser - September 11, Art Bar
WEGO - Remai Modern, August 30 and 31
August Playlist
1. The Knife - Gracie Abrams
2. hate that i made you love me - Ariana Grande
3. Sorry For Your Loss - The Beaches
4. august - Taylor Swift
5. Help Me - Joni Mitchell
6. Docket (feat. Bully) - Blondshell
7. Whatever You Wanna - Annabelle Dinda
8. Talkin' Bout a Revolution - Tracy Chapman
9. Lonesome Is A State of Mind - Djo
10. serena joy - Olivia Rodrigo
Credits:
Photography + Editing: Alysia Androsoff
Concept: Alysia Androsoff + Anna Haverstock
Model: Anna Haverstock
Venues: Broadway Theatre, Black Cat Tavern
Events: Saskatoon Pride, Sask Jazz Festival