KA — When I met you, I was not expecting such a down to earth generous person as with the field you are in, most of the guys are not so genuine. How do you keep both feet on the ground?

SH — I started at the bottom and understood every step of the way. It allowed me to understand the value of things and most importantly the value of people, trying very hard in never taking things for granted. I was told at a young age that who ever you meet on the way up will be the ones you meet on the way down so stay true, humble & genuine…part of that lesson came from family. I stay grounded by surrounding myself with real things, spirituality, family, good friends and the basic values of life.

KA — The thing I was struck by was your particular sense of style; part ‘boho’ part retro, part Bond. Have you ever thought of going into fashion from the design perspective?

SH — Its funny you ask…I actually started my career in fashion but more on the retail manage- ment & buying side but quickly got bored and felt isolated. Fortunately my fashion experience led me to special event planning mixing both fashion & event production and giving birth to my first event brand “Don’t tell my booker” in 1998 with now offices in Paris, Miami & Montreal and with more than 10 international events a year. I’m also currently working on developing a premium denim line out of Montreal for worldwide distribution

KA — DTMB (Don’t Tell My Booker) is a phenomenal success, all the events that you do seem to be an immediate success. At the obvious risk of it not being a secret after we print, what is “your secret”?

SH — Secret huh? hahaha! If I tell you I will have to kill you!!(007)…Seriously though…it’s the combination of many things.1.CREATIVITY: I’m always looking for the wow factor in a DTMB event, the fear of doing just a regular thing scares me that’s why I spend a lot of time thinking outside the box. People need to escape and I’m there to give it to them. 2. AMBIANCE: ambiance is extremely important but often underestimated. It’s about understand- ing the flow of a room, knowing what and how to program the evenings entertainment. 3.CREDIBILITY: Make strong contacts and build your credibility, people talk and doors open 4.PERSISTENCE & STRONG WORK ETHIC: I always say, “you’re only good as your last event” That saying is what keeps me working hard, if you aim for the stars and only reach the moon well that is still good ‘cause your still out there.

KA — What new projects are on the burner?

SH — Always new projects on the burner, it’s what keeps me alive? I’m working on developing new hosting cities for DON’T TELL MY BOOKER. DTMB merchandising. A new denim line for early 2011. Also on the horizon restaurants, clubs and hotels…the more projects I have the hap- pier I get

KA — What is it about Montreal that seems to draw us back, even though the rewards are not close to being equal to the massive efforts?

SH — I left this city many times and for long periods of time but coming back always felt like home. Probably because things don’t change much, so you can leave for a while, come back, and always know what to expect…My only two set backs have been the cold weather and the lack of unity between French & English speaking Quebec. If both parties worked on one agenda, this city would be invincible. Montreal needs to start acting like a big city…so once again, blame it on politics.

KA — When do you take a break?

SH — I don’t …I live and breathe this stuff but no ones complaining here.

KA — When KA decided to do Best of Canada, you were an immediate choice. Does this sort of thing really make a difference to the person who receives it?

SH — Of course It does….most people who are passionate of their job never expect rewards , I know I don’t but being acknowledged sure gets appreciated…so thank you KA mag.

KA — Who is Stevie B.?

SH — Happy, passionate, inspired, determined and always ready.

KA — When we look at your resume, it seems that it must be humanly impos- sible to do as much as you do. However you seem to do it with seeming ease, what’s your secret?

CS — I surround myself with great people and I try to spend quality time doing quality things.

KA — Everyone seems to believe, or want to believe that “it” is easy; that others always have it easier than they do, and that’s why that person reached some sort of success. I think that somewhere along the line, someone always had to give us a hand up, who was that “someone” for you?

CS — I believe the team I surround myself with at any given point in my career is responsible for assisting me in getting me to the next level.

KA — In order to manage the careers of others, what is the most useful char- acter trait to have?

CS — Being an active listener.

KA — KA Magazine has voted you Best of Canada 2010, one of the reasons was to create more awareness of the person behind the scenes; the necessary one that by design is over-looked but completely necessary in the success of the client. Why do you think that in general the people in your profession keep such a low profile?

CS — It is important to keep a low profile, as you never want your personal ego or attitude to transfer to your clients’ goodwill.

KA — If you could have a clone, what would he be doing as a job?

CS — He will be doing interviews and sleeping for me.

KA — What motivates you on a daily basis to do your best, even when there is no one else seeing it?

CS — Providing for my family and knowing that I have people’s dreams in my hands.

KA — How important is family to you?

CS — I love my family and I want to make them proud.

KA — What music is on your playlist?

CS — Candi Staton and all my artists.

KA — What single act of kindness have you witnessed recently that brought a smile to your face?

CS — Witnessing my mother’s volunteer work in her town.

KA — Tell us something about Chris that we need to know?

CS — I am a dreamer and it takes me a while to accept reality.

KA — Who is Chris?

CS — Honestly, I am not completely sure who I am. My only

certainty is what I want to do.

KA — Music in it’s most positive seems to be all about the love. Was love the main factor in your choice
of being a DJ?

TM — Yes, my choice to work in the music industry was because since my childhood I have been in love
with music .  The first gift I asked Santa Claus for was for a Michael Jackson Thriller vinyl record. It is
thanks to MJ that I realized that my life would revolve around music.

KA — You have played practically in every major city in the world. Where have you received the most love
for your music?

TM — In Belgrade, Moscow and Sao Paulo and of course lovely Canada (just to name a few places) I
received the most love for my music.  In these cities, the crowd is only interested in music, just music,
no non-sense.  This is great for a DJ because he/she is able to play music that the crowd is really
passionate about.

KA — When you played at Paris Hilton’s live private Concert in Cannes, why was this party so
much fun for you?

TM — I don’t know if I would use the word “fun” to describe the party….It was business as usual…
Paris is a cool girl but the people did not come for the music, they came for her.

KA — You have played private parties for Francis Ford Coppola to Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee
in between, but still you shun having your photos splashed about with celebrities — why is this?

TM — LOL. I am too cool for the celebrities. I play for so many that it makes no difference. …No
seriously, these parties were really private and the celebrities were there to have a good time and
enjoy themselves so no photographers were allowed.

KA — DJ’s have become “gods” to their followers in most cases creating fans who follow the DJs
more intensely than the artists whose music they are playing, Where do you see this trend going.?

TM — I don’t know if I am considered to be a “god”…But thanks a lot for the  compliment.  I have
been in this business for the past 18 years and I have seen a huge evolution for DJs. This evolution
is both good and bad.  Good for DJs who really love what they do and are talented. And bad for
imposters who pretend to be DJs but only do it for the money and not for the love of music.
To answer your question, I am not sure where this trend is going becaus already 10 years
ago it was said that DJs would no longer exist because of technology but look at what’s
happening today….

KA — You have collaborated with cult DJs such as Carl Cox, “Daft Punk” then went ahead and dived
right into playing with Hip Hop heavy weights Cut Killer and DJ Mase to name a few. How were you
able to do this transition in a field where DJs become genre specific and entrenched in one particular
style?

TM — I am someone who adapts myself and I simply love music. Hip Hop, House…whatever its
the same love.  I am a House music DJ but my background is Funk, Soul, Blues and R&B. I believe
that working with various genres is beneficial because it takes music to a different level. For me,
working with different styles of music gives another dimension to my productions.

KA — Which City in the world inspires you the most and challenges you to be your best always?

TM — New York baby. New York inspires me…just like Jay-Z says.

KA — How do you create down time to recharge your batteries?

TM — The best way for me to recharge my batteries is  spend time with my family. My aunt cooks
for me, and I hang out with my cousins. This is great because it grounds me. In this business
there is a lot of bullshit and its important to know where one comes from and who one is. Its with
my family and friends that I seek refuge from all the fakeness that exists in the nightlife industry.

KA — What’s on your personal playlist?

TM — This is a difficult question for me.  Like I told you, I love music…all of it.

KA — What single act of unselfish love has created the most profound effect on you and how you
see the world?

TM — The single act of unselfish love I received was from my grandmother , god rest her soul. This
gave me the right values and morals and showed me that you need to fight for yourself in life.

KA — How do you keep grounded while performing to thousands of adoring fans?

TM — Staying yourself and never forgetting where you come from.

KA — What’s your personal mantra?

TM — My mantra is that I am able to live off of my passion.  This is rare…and I am lucky because
I am one of the few people who is able to do this.

KA — When life gets you down, how do you switch this up and create positivity?

TM — I go into my studio and I make music. Making music is my way to escape negativity
and make me positive!

KA — Music has the power to change the way we think and see the world around us, how
do you as a DJ use this power to effect positive change?

TM — By spinning and spreading my love of music everywhere I can make positive changes.
Everyone loves music, whichever style it may be so we are all connected by one love. This is
the power of music and being a DJ.

KA — A fact of the industry is that middle is the norm we live in a world of marketing to
the masses which tends to choke true talent- how did you rise above this?

TM — I did not do anything to rise above this. I am just who I am and play the music that
I love. It is thanks to you and my fans that I am where I am today. Thank you for this.

KA — How important is “giving back” to you?

TM — I think it is very important to “give back”. In this business if you don’t “give back”
you are alone. The reason why I am so international is because every time I play I “give back” the energy
and the love that I receive when I spin. I spin in the best venues because they always trust me.

KA — Who is Tito Miami?

TM — Tito Miami is just a random guy who is passionate about music…..who wants to meet him ? :)

www.titomiami.com

KUBE — ST. TROPEZ

If I was wishing to have the perfect word to replace “best of both worlds” that word would be KUBE. The Kube St. Tropez is that rare  place where you get to have your cake and eat it too. Situated close enough to the night life of St. Tropez (for those times that you wish to take in that side of the French Riviera) and yet, it is far enough from the nightlife to give you that mini-resort feel.

Kube is the latest offering from the operators of the Murano hotels and sister to the Kube Paris. Located on the edge of town in Gassin, near the Villa Marie and the Villa Belrose, the Kube has done something not seen on this side of the French Riviera. It has taken the old and made it new. Kube has taken what was the former Caesar Domus and recreated it into a thing of beauty.

The hotel is a bit of urban zen, right smack in the middle of “old money” St. Tropez. The rooftop bar is actually more of a bay view lounge, where you will feel that much closer to heaven as DJs play for guests until the early morning.

This hotel could be considered style with space. The choice of room sizes range from S,M,L,–XXL, and guests actually have a chance to stay in something larger than a closet, while enjoying the magic of the French Riviera. The location of this hotel makes it a perfect choice for those wishing to have a break from the stress of the city while still having an urban experience.

The Perks: Sky Bar, beautiful design, Djs, beautiful people, private chef.

Jet Set cool: 13 Chemin de Rogon de la Valette St. Tropez- Gassin 83580 France (33) 1 42 05 20 00

THE SETAI — MIAMI

Living in Montreal sort of makes you a bit on the “hard to impress” side. Being from a city of beautiful bars and restaurants as a given, makes it even that much harder to be moved, shaken or stirred by the offerings of a less than amazing experience.

The bar at the Setai is one such experience that even to a jaded Montrealer, will leave you amazed by it’s clear beauty. The bar, on the roof top of the Setai, is set partially inside of the hotel with a lounge area (on the roof ) set up along side. The thing that is amazing with this area, and the Setai for that matter, is the “minimal, with feeling” décor — You are left feeling deserving of the time spent here.  Unlike most recent builds, where you wonder if you (the client) were an after-thought — the Setai makes you feel that you were the only one they thought of.

The word “ultra luxurious” has been used by so many, that it has become an anti-climax. The Setai is deserving of another word, but for now we will have to use this one knowing that you will not be disappointed. The Setai is one of those hotels that have managed to do the difficult well, and without effort.

The rooms have everything that you can imagine and some you might not have even thought about as standard fare. King size bed, plasma screen TV, espresso machine, surround-sound CD and DVD system, rainfall shower – and much more.

The décor is Asian influenced, but not cliché. The walls are teak wood, the decorations are real jade, and the larger suites come with a sitting area, full kitchen, and jacuzzi. There are three pools with different temperature settings. A full service spa, two full service restaurants, one Asian and the other a more casual Grill.

The Perks: Perfect crisp white linens, the concierge service that contacts you before you even arrive in Miami to help plan your stay, a penthouse suite fit for royalty (would need it’s own separate review), perfect sunshine for a week.

True luxury: 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 520-6100

ATLANTIS — DUBAI

I have been to the Atlantis in Bahamas and the experience was one to remember. I could not help myself in thinking if they would do another one somewhere else. With the Atlantis Dubai, my question has been answered. The sister hotel to the Atlantis (now we have to put Bahamas behind the word to be sure of which one we are speaking), details in geography aside… we get to focus on details in destination. The Atlantis Dubai has plenty.

Located on the Palm Dubai in the center of the Palm’s crescent, this hotel is definitely one with a view. Continuing a reoccurring theme in these reviews, the Atlantis features so many water themes, that one begins to feel like they are truly in the lost city of Atlantis. The hotel even has guests suites with wall sized aquariums. The lost Chambers Suites are exclusive to the Atlantis, with both bedroom and bath views directly into the Ambassador Lagoon with over 65,000 species of marine animals. If that wasn’t impressive enough, they have thrown in a personal butler for good measure.

Something that was of special interest to me, was The Dolphin Bay Lagoon with it’s seven interconnected pools, offering possibly the only dolphin rescue and rehabilitation center for stranded dolphins in the Arabian Gulf.

The Atlantis is so full of aquatic attractions that we tend to over look that it also is a 5 star hotel with great food and rooms. The rooms are perfect, the food is perfect, and the service is perfect. Now, lets get back to the Ambassador Lagoon shall we…?

The Perks: 24 hour room service, butler service, rooms with a view, water sports, spa.

Lost City Found Paradise:  Atlantis The Palm, Jumeirah Dubai. UAE  (+971) 4 426 2000

HALF MOON — MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA

Question: When is a vacation, not just a vacation?

Answer: When that vacation becomes an experience.

The Half Moon Jamaica is just that, an experience. Something that leaves you smiling and feeling good from beginning to end. With a list of features that would take this whole article to write about, (we might just have to do a full review to give you the complete picture) it is truly a trip to paradise.

Situated on it’s own private beach, the resort is one of my favorites in Jamaica. Private butlers, horse back riding, parasailing, jacuzzis, saunas, and a full service spa are just a few of it’s features. This is one of those resorts that you would have to take two trips just to get started.

The sunset is breathtaking and the sound of the ocean stays with you for weeks after you have left this tropical paradise. With all of this, the one thing that stuck with me the most were the golf carts. It was so much fun to drive around on these electric golf carts that I felt like a kid again and I look forward to this. The Half Moon is so large, that to get around, guests either take the long walks from area to area, or use these golf carts.

The villas make you feel like you are in your own home, and leaving this “experience” was one of the few times that I actually felt like I was leaving home. But I know that I will be back again.

The Perks: Beautiful beaches, verandas overlooking the ocean, ocean breeze, spa, stress free luxury, championship golf course.

Ocean Luxury:  Rose Hall  Montego Bay, Jamaica W.I. (876) 953-2211