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Make your own bubble tea Labothery opening second Toronto location
Toronto's favourite DIY bubble tea shop is opening up a second location in the PATH this fall.
Just six months after launching its super popular first location on Bay Street, the city's most creative boba shop, Labothery, has announced a new store in the Richmond-Adelaide Centre.
People passing through the food court will soon be able to concoct their own cups of bubble tea at the laboratory-themed shop with vials of flavours and containers of tapioca, among other toppings.
The new location will likely feature Labothery's signature lab coat-wearing 'technicians' to help you customize your drink.
According to their IG post, they'll also be collaborating with another yet-to-be-named brand.
If this new store is anything like the first, you should expect some serious lineups outside the shop before getting your hands on some DIY boba.
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Toronto is getting a new live music venue
A new live music venue is always a victory in Toronto, even if it’s the transformation of an old one.
After the owners of Seven44 (formerly known as Chick N’ Deli) were locked out of the building by landlords, it’s now becoming something called Mount Pleasant Rose.
Although the vibe will certainly be refreshed with a complete facelift to the space, like Chick N’ Deli, Mount Pleasant Rose will be a place to go for frequent live music and chicken wings, among other standard pub fare.
They’ll have performances from local talent, drink and food specials every night of the week, a patio and of course, Toronto’s favourite meal: brunch.
Mount Pleasant Rose is located (you guessed it) on Mount Pleasant just south of Eglinton.
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Justin Trudeau popped up everywhere in Toronto this weekend
Justin Trudeau was all over town this weekend, making an appearance at two huge cultural street festivals and even dropping by one of Toronto's favourite old school Italian joints to show love for some cheesy crusts.
The PM hit up the venerated pizzeria Vesuvio Pizzeria—which has been open in the Junction since 1957—on Saturday and took a minute to take a picture with the Vesuvio staff.
Our different perspectives, our different backgrounds, and our different stories are all part of what make our communities and our country strong. What a beautiful day to celebrate our diversity at Toronto’s @TorUkrFestival and @PolishFestival. pic.twitter.com/LuVdAP7ygU
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 16, 2018
He also attended the Roncesvalles Polish Festival that day in support of Canada's largest annual Polish festival, now in it's 14th year.
He took to the festival's main stage around 2 p.m. to make a speech to the massive crowd on busy Roncy.
And afterwards took about a million selfies with the fangirl and fanboy citizenry.
Before Roncy, Trudeau was at the Ukranian Festival on Bloor West, as was his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland, and leader of the Conservatives, Andrew Scheer.
To people's delight, the PM made a speech in traditional Ukranian Vyshyvanka-style attire, following which he swaddled some babies (as PMs are prone to do) and took a million more selfies after that.
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See inside the offices of Toronto's hottest startups
As Toronto's reputation as an international tech hub continues to grow, a new startup seems to pop up every day, some more curious than others.
Later this month is the opportunity to see where the magic happens at many of the offices around the city that are working on innovating the field of tech and putting Toronto on the map.
Startup Open House is part of Elevate Toronto, a tech festival that attracts some of the biggest names in the industry for a week of events and talks on the future of technology.
Wealthsimple, Foodora, MaRS Discovery District and Shopify are among some of the companies that will be opening their doors for curious minds to drop by and see the inner workings of some of the city's biggest tech players.
Also slated to welcome looky-loos are Parachute Coffee, Univjobs, Coinsquare, and Showpass, plus co-working spaces like WeWork and OneEleven.
Sadly, we're still a long way off from getting a peek inside of Microsoft's new Toronto office, but you might see a dog or two running around when Startup Open House happens on September 27.
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Someone dumped money all over a Toronto highway
Yogurt spills aside, "There's cash all over the road" has got to be the most delightful reason for a traffic jam in recent Toronto history.
That doesn't make it any less dangerous, but at least it's more interesting than a slow tow truck.
OPP Sergeant Kerry Schmidt confirmed on Monday that provincial police received multiple calls on Sunday afternoon about $20 bills spilling onto the 400 Highway near Vaughan.
Today we went blacklight neon mini-golfing because it is hot af. The place we went to is in the middle of a dying power centre, Walmart-scale dying mall. A 30 theatre complex, a number of bars, all shuttered. This is right where and at the same time at the $20s spilled on the 400
— jordanclaire (@jordanclaire) September 16, 2018
Witnesses say that people stopped their cars and went out onto the busy freeway to grab for money — all of which was gone by the time police and MTO officials arrived to the scene.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
All the cash was retrieved by the time OPP and MTO crews arrived in the area. https://t.co/XP4REcwTZ3
— Jeremy Cohn (@JeremyGlobalTV) September 16, 2018
Schmidt said that he has no information on where the money came from or how much of it there was in total.
Global reporter Jeremy Cohn wrote that calls came in about $20 bills "all over" the northbound lanes of Highway 400 near Highway 7 late Sunday afternoon.
Shockingly, none of those who stopped to collect the money have yet to come forward with additional details. I guess this makes it a case of finders-keepers.
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Toronto ramen joint can't keep up with overwhelming demand
A Toronto ramen joint has blown up in popularity after announcing their inclusion in a museum dedicated solely to ramen in Japan.
It’s a big deal because Ryus Noodle Bar is the only Canadian inclusion ever in the museum that only rarely selects non-Japanese vendors for a place in one of their stalls. Ryus fans have always known the ramen here is world class, though.
However, the new fans of this local ramen joint have impacted the restaurant’s ability to stay open long hours.
Normally open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, during the past week the restaurant has had to shut early. Yesterday they closed at 5:30 p.m. after running out of broth.
It’s great to see this local business bouncing back after a fire devastated their location on Baldwin. Chef-owner Ryuichiro Takahashi spoke about their success on our podcast.
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Bacchus Roti is closing after 33 years in Toronto
One of Toronto's very best roti spots is closing down for good next month after 33 years of setting the bar for Caribbean food in the city.
Goodbye to Bacchus Roti Shop. As of October 14, it'll be one more Parkdale institution gone.
Located at 1376 Queen St. West, Bacchus is known for its flavourful Guyanese and Barbadian menu items — specifically its vegetarian rotis stuffed with spinach, squash, mushroom, potatoes, chickpeas and green beans.
"We have grown this business with love, from a humble 4 seat restaurant to what it is today," reads a statement sent to us by Robert Bacchus, whose parents Dick and Sue opened Bacchus Roti Shop in 1985.
"We've moved locations, gotten bigger, been on TV, won awards; all made possible by the support of our amazing customers," the statement continues. "Retiring the restaurant is a decision only complicated by the relationships we've built here."
Bacchus might be my favourite roti in the city.
— Geoff Snack (@geoffsnack) December 23, 2010
In 2012, Bacchus was featured in an episode of The Layover. The late Anthony Bourdain visited the restaurant to cure his hangover with a jerk chicken roti.
Robert says that his parents are closing the restaurant to pursue new adventures, and that they're happy to have already beaten the odds by running a small family business for 33 years.
Shout out to Bacchus for having the best roti in town but also being like nah we don't work on weekends. That's real
— Sasha (@sashakalra) August 13, 2017
"Bacchus Roti Shop has been considered a staple of Parkdale, one that many know they can come to get great tasting food," said Robert by email.
"However, when looking toward the future, [my parents] feel it is hard to move the business to the next generation to continue the legacy, so they have decided it is a good time to transition to something new."
Bacchus Roti in #Parkdale just gave me 10% off entire meal bc they didn't have the beer I wanted while I was waiting. Love that place #roti
— Ryan English (@RyanAEnglish) July 31, 2014
The Bacchus family hasn't yet revealed what that something new will be, but Robert says their space will be leased out as a restaurant — a good one, he hopes, for the people of Parkdale.
"While nourishing bellies, it seems we've also nurtured some unforgettable friendships," reads the family's statement. "And those friendships built on good food and conversation have been the highlight of our time here and we thank you all."
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Messed up Tim Hortons smile cookies are back in Toronto
Get a smile, give a smile, laugh at grotesque icing faces. Buy a cookie because now you're hungry. Everybody wins when it's Smile Cookie time!
Tim Hortons is back at it again this week with its annual fall fundraising campaign for local charities. You know, the one where they sell $1 chocolate chip cookies with pink mouths and blue eyes? Or, in the case of some cookies, pink smears and blue globs?
The Canadian coffee giant is selling these famous 'Smile Cookies' between now and Friday, at which point 100 per cent of the proceeds will go to charities, hospitals and community organizations across the country.
Customers often dig deep to buy whole batches of little faces for their colleagues and friends, who in turn take pictures of the cookies to flood my Instagram and Twitter feeds with.
The campaign's motto is "Get a Smile, Give a Smile," which throws to the fact that actual Canadians benefit from the sale of each and every cookie.
Indeed, Tim Hortons raised over $6.5 million last year alone with its Smile Cookie campaign, helping countless people through organizations such as The Sick Kids Foundation, The Children's Breakfast Clubs and DAREartsFoundation for Children.
This year, they're also assisting the Toronto-based organizations Canadian Military of Mental Health and Friends of We .
Giving to charity makes people smile. Organizations that benefit from funds raised, like Children's Wish, also make people smile.
But the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign is about so much more than charity. It's about hilariously messed up cookie faces.
It's about cookies that get smushed in the bag en route to their destination.
Some cookies make smiles of their own in the form of duplicate cookie faces.
It's about cookies with dripping eyes.
And cookies that only have one eye, like cyclopes.
Cookies that make you go "NO."
And cookies that make you scream "YASSS!"
It's cookies you can face-swap with.
And cookies you can fail to impress a dog with.
Cookies that you can kind of creep people out with. Like, is it just me, or do these cookies seem agro?
When you look at the adorable cookie pictured in Tim Hortons' marketing materials, these weird faces somehow get even more hilarious.
One might almost wonder if some artists are messing the cookies up on purpose for the lulz.
Hey, no judgement here. The messier the better.
You can still pick one or 50 of these puppies up at Tim Hortons locations all over Canada until Friday.
Hopefully you find funny ones and post pictures of them online for me to laugh at. Get a smile, give a smile, remember?
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10 things to do in Toronto today
Sexuality is at the forefront of events in Toronto today as the Bi Arts Festival kicks off a week of programming with a big dance party. Elsewhere, a civic discussion is underway and musical performances abound.
Events you might want to check out:Bi Arts Festival Opening Party (September 18 @ Glad Day Bookshop (Church))
A week of celebrations in honour of bisexual people opens with the lunch of a new zine, Crush, followed by a big dance party.
Campaign: The Making of a Candidate (September 18 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
The Our Beautiful City series continues to explore the civic matters facing Toronto with a documentary about David Miller's 2003 mayoral campaign.
White Denim (September 18 @ Horseshoe Tavern)
Austin's White Denim draws from a wide range of influences that all come out in their eclectic rock sound that borders on experimental.
Fireside Tales (September 18 @ Dufferin Grove Park)
This BYOB (blanket) fireside storytelling session has some of the city's best orators spinning tales alongside the crackling flames.
Show For A Reputable Charity (September 18 @ Comedy Bar)
The laughs are on in support of Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto with all proceeds from the show being donated.
True Stories Toronto (September 18 @ Garrison)
The only qualification for a story to be heard during this show is that it must told without notes, told in less than 10 minutes and be completely true.
Never Shout Never (September 18 @ Velvet Underground)
Emo punk rockers Never Shout Never tone it down a notch and return to the 101 during their all-acoustic tour.
Harlem Duet (September 18 @ Tarragon Theatre)
Director Djanet Sears places a modern twist on Othello to tell the story of love, loss and loyalty at a Harlem college.
Where Do We Start? (September 18 @ Gladstone Hotel)
This week's WDWS looks to tackle a difficult subject that effects nearly everyone in Toronto: housing, and the politics behind it.
Tilian (September 18 @ Sneaky Dee's)
Playing on rock and pop elements, Tilian's makes music with a message; light to the touch and for the firebrand at heart.
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House of the week: 124 Park Road
I love a good historic home and this one is historic alright. Built before Confederation in 1857, Rosedale’s Geary house is the oldest home in South Rosedale. The outside of the house reminds me of the old plantation homes in the South with the wrap-around veranda.
Inside, the house has real character with touches of modernity throughout. The place is truly stunning with soaring 14-foot ceilings, large windows and the sweeping spiral staircase.
The upgraded kitchen manages to fit into the historic vibe of the house while still having all the latest high-end appliances.
There’s plenty of living space with five bedrooms, nine bathrooms and enough common areas to host an entire family reunion.
The master bedroom is spacious, bright and cozy.
The master en suite is the height of luxury with an over-the-top silver polished bathtub dead-centre. It’s certainly a statement piece.
My favourite room in the entire house is the beautifully wood-panelled library. It looks like the Clue library came to life.
The basement is any sports fanatics dream. There’s a ball hockey court, an in-home gym and a billiard room that looks a bit like a hall of fame at the moment.
There’s also an epic wine cellar and a steam sauna in the basement.
But the coolest thing about this house is there’s an underground tunnel (yes, tunnel) that connects the main house to the coach house at the back of the property! I hope there’s a hidden door that leads you into the tunnel. Maybe it’s in the library…
Outside there’s a large, secluded backyard, hot tub, and a swimming pool. The backyard drops down into the ravine where, according to the listing, there’s enough room “for a small soccer pitch, or ice hockey rink in the winter.”
Specs
- Address: 124 Park Road
- Price: $18,800,000
- Lot Size: 167.45 x 185 feet
- Bedrooms: 5
- Bathrooms: 9
- Parking: 6
- Walk Score: 70
- Transit Score: 90
- Listing agent: Chestnut Park Real Estate Ltd.& Sotheby’s International Realty Canada
- Listing ID: C4053816
![124 Park Road Toronto]()
Good For
Good ForHosting parties. Whether it be an epic murder mystery party, family reunion or ball hockey tournament, this house has the room to host all that and more.
Move On If
You’re not “Crazy Rich Asians” rich. This place is a luxury few can afford. The property taxes alone are more than most people’s yearly salary.
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10 movies that missed the mark at TIFF
Making a film is hard. Sometimes you get brilliance, and sometimes the result is a film you wished was better than it ended up being. I managed to avoid much of the latter this year, though I still saw a number of films that either didn't quite manage to stick the landing or crashed spectacularly.
Here are my biggest movie misses from TIFF 2018.
Destroyer
Time will not be kind to this Nicole Kidman heist film. Slicing out some of the "humanizing" subplots and focusing on the burnt-out cop character may have rescued Karyn Kusama's folly, but as it stands it's a film that's depressingly dull and relying on some supreme stupidity for its plot to even work.
Assassination Nation
Many people love this film. I do not. Since seeing it way back at Sundance my derision for it hasn't lapsed. A classic "it's not for me" movie that I think is both boring and cheapening of the supposedly progressive ideas it pretends to present.
Red Joan
A bait-and-switch bit of nonsense, we're promised Dame Judy Dench in a spy thriller only to be snookered by a hoary framing device that sets up a flashback where most of the film takes place. It plays like a terrible TV show, complete with saccharine strings to emphasize the emotionally plodding points. Awful.
Everybody Knows
Also a cheat since I saw it back in May, but if I can celebrate Cannes selections let me take a moment to be appalled that this dud took the spot of far more worthy (and perhaps challenging) films that could have easily trumped this soap-operatic nonsense.
Donnybrook
Jamie Bell can be great (his turn in Skin helped win that film the Platform jury prize), and he gives his all to make this noir-ish thriller work. Yet there's so much misguided angst in the film, too many times that characters do dumb things just to move the plot along. It has its moments, but far too few of them.
Kursk
I wanted to love this film, honest, and there are many positive things to say about it. The production design is great, the acting pretty good, and it's a film no one else had the courage to make. While it wasn't a complete disaster, Vinterberg's film never quite found its footing, floundering as it tried valiantly to save its storyline from sinking.
Meeting Gorbachev
Werner Herzog had the opportunity to really delve into the complexity of this remarkable man and instead presented a hagiographic tale of the former Soviet leader. It's clear that the filmmaker was more in awe of his subject than anything, dropping his usual sardonic shtick (save for a funeral march) to the doc's detriment.
Nektrotronic
A cheat, for it's one of the few films I didn't stay for, but I have it on good authority that it's "dopey nonsense". I never leave a film, and lasted all of three minutes before knowing I had to check out to save my soul.
Hotel Mumbai
A film about a day-long reign of terror on citizenry doesn't call for an entertaining romp, but it does demand a precise and accomplished one. Anthony Maras desperately tries to make the the horror relatable for general audiences, resulting in a film with loads of death that somehow softens the truly diabolical nature of the attacks it brings to the screen.
Papi ChuloIf there was one film I despised with a fiery rage this was it. Ostensibly the story of a weatherman who economically enslaves a day labourer as a kind of poverty prostitution, only to be rewarded for his narcissistic nonsense, this is a film that didn't generate nearly enough protest from the audience guffawing at the cheap humour and overt racism.
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This is what Drake's Toronto mansion looks like right now
Slowly but surely, the pieces are coming together for Drake's long-awaited Bridle Path mega-mansion (a place that some of us like to call Casa Yolo, for obvious reasons.)
The Canadian rapper and one-time Degrassi kid has been working on his hometown palace project for years, first buying the land itself for $6.7 million in early 2016.
Since that time, Champagne Papi has been sharing sporadic footage of the build, in bits and pieces, with his fans via Instagram— most recently on Sunday night.
Drake shows progress of his Toronto home via his IG story. pic.twitter.com/p9MGyeNKGb
— Word On Road (@WordOnRd) September 17, 2018
Every new image shows a home that's closer to completion, and those posted to the artist's Instagram Stories on September 16 are no exception.
Screenshots by the fan site Word on Road show a sprawling black and white estate with tons of windows, a courtyard and at least two huge garages (or guest houses?) next to the main home.
As expected, the massive house at 21 Park Lane Circle has a basketball court. The nets are already up, according to Drake. Floors are next.
— Word On Road (@WordOnRd) September 17, 2018
Designer and builder Ferris Rafauli has been equally forthcoming with the project since starting it back in 2016.
On Friday, he too posted a video of workers putting things together inside the mansion with the caption, "Science in motion."
He mentioned @champagnepapi in the caption and also used hashtags such as #superhomes #megastructures and #luxurymansions.
This particular luxury mansion isn't finished yet, but it appears to be getting close.
If the rumours are true, standout features will include at least two saunas, a massage room, hot tubs, a piano room, a screening room, a jersey museum, an awards room, three bars, and an "extravagant indoor pool." Plus, a closet for all those Birkin bags.
We'll all know soon enough, I suppose. Who builds something this opulent not to show it off on Instagram?
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10 free things to do in Toronto this fall
The top free events in Toronto for fall 2018 are stacked with things to do that won't cost you a cent. Halloween on Church returns and a light display takes over The Bentway. Nathan Phillips Square becomes a winter wonderland and the Wu-Tang Clan arrive for a free concert.
Events you might want to check out:Nuit Blanche (September 29-30 @ Multiple Venues)
Soak up the arts and culture of the city during this all-night art festival happening all over, inside and outside, with local and international artists.
Wu-Tang Clan (September 30 @ Rebel)
One of the most legendary rap groups brings the pain to Toronto as part of the Never Jaded arts series and a totally free concert.
Pedestrian Sundays (September 30 @ Kensington Market)
With the weather getting cooler, PS has just two dates left in the fall for you to get your fill of food, music, performances and games in the street.
World Press Photo Exhibit (October 2-23 @ Brookfield Place)
Some of the most impactful, moving and visually appealing images from the last year in photojournalism arrive for your viewing pleasure.
Waterlicht (October 12-14 @ The Bentway)
Large, cascading waves are set to overtake the area under the Gardiner as Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde's epic light display comes to town,
Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship (October 13 @ Yonge–Dundas Square)
Everything has been leading up to this: music, food and a big poutine party with three eating competitions to see who comes out victorious.
Night of Dread (October 27 @ Dufferin Grove Park)
Our innermost fears are channeled though pageantry, music, masquerade and dance at this annual outdoor Halloween party.
Halloween on Church Street (October 31 @ Church Street)
Back again is this huge Halloween block party along Church Street with live music and some of the best costumes you'll see in the city.
Kawaii Land (November 17 @ Design Exchange)
This Kawaii festival will include meet-ups, events, cute fashion, cute artwork and, well, cute everything!
Holiday Fair In Nathan Phillips Square (November 30 - December 23 @ Nathan Phillips Square)
Nathan Phillips Square transforms into a huge winter carnival with a marketplace, skating, food trucks and entertainment all month long.
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Toronto is getting a lending library for party supplies
Neighbourhood parties are great for building communities, bringing attention to small businesses and of course, for the good vibes.
What they're not so great for is the environment — especially in a city where it costs more money to store event supplies than it does to simply buy them from the dollar store, every single time, and then throw them in the garbage.
This is the idea behind Block Party Supply: A soon-to-launch lending library for community events in Toronto.
The organization will function similar to the the groundbreaking Toronto Tool Library, which lets members borrow everything from hammer drills to camping stoves for up to seven days at a time.
Block Party Supply isn't lending out lawn mowers, but the concept is similar in that it helps to reduce waste (and clutter for people who maybe only need a folding table once every couple of years.)
Organizers say that their aim, aside from facilitating no-waste community parties, is to "empower residents to host events that bring folks together" and "unlock the potential of city-owned storage space that is unused or under-utilized."
"We will be helping to make awesome fun happen in streets, laneways, parks and yards next year by sharing key supplies needed to make the magic happen," says community organizer Jode Roberts, who is launching the library with support from the City of Toronto’s Community Waste Reduction program.
Other collaborators on the project include the Friends of Christie Pits Park, Toronto Tool Library and Centre for Local Research into Public Space (CELOS).
Roberts says they're currently in the stage of compiling an inventory of useful, durable items, but that supplies will be available to borrow as of Spring 2019.
You can learn more this Sunday, September 23, at a launch event with the David Suzuki Foundation and Repair Cafe TO in Christie Pits Park between noon and 4 p.m.
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The top 10 new restaurants in Toronto from summer 2018
New restaurants that opened in Toronto this summer gave us brand new options for traditionally-made tortillas, locally-raised meats, and new kinds of dumplings and sushi. It can be tough to keep track of all the exciting new restaurants that open over the short and busy summer months, so here they are rounded up. You're welcome.
Here are my picks for the top new restaurants that opened in Toronto this summer.
Quetzal
Grant van Gameren brought his signature upscale touch to yet another Latin American project on College this summer, the low-ceilinged Quetzal featuring ingredients sourced from Mexico and a traditional clay comal used for making tortillas from scratch.
M'eat Resto Butcher
Locally-raised meats are butchered on site and served at this Riverside restaurant. Mostly focusing on beef, the menu is an exciting rotation of cuts that usually always includes one superb burger.
Aniq
Though Roncesvalles Village may have bid farewell to jazz bar Gate 403 this year, this Asian fusion cocktail bar popped up in its place serving dishes like raw seafood tartares and craft beer.
Sang-Ji Fried Bao
Where you used to be able to get soup at Big Beef Bowl you can now get Shanghai-style fried soup dumplings. Steamy bao may not seem like the thing to eat during a sweltering summer, but they’re divine no matter what time of the year it is.
Petty Cash
This spot on Portland just off King by the same people behind Baro and Home of the Brave has an ethos of “fresh and familiar” with a menu that combines burgers, chicken sandwiches and hummus plates.
Mezu
This corner spot on Dundas West that replaced an Italian sandwich place has been turning out ssam lettuce wraps and bulgogi beef with house kimchi on their patio all summer.
Alma
House noodles and dumplings along with Oaxaca cheese, avocado and egg sammies are now available for brunch in Bloordale from this spot in place of the former Nordic offerings from Karelia Kitchen.
Blondies
The Food Dudes tackled a new concept this summer in the form of made-to-order thin crust pizza with options for pies with red or white house sauces and toppings like Ezzo pepperoni. Head to Leslieville and get your last strawberry rooibos soft serve of the summer here.
Alobar
Et voila, the new restaurant from the folks behind Alo and Aloette has finally opened in Yorkville, serving much-anticipated cocktails and takes on foie gras.
Narami Sushi
Hand rolls are the order of the day at this sushi spot that opened on Ossington this summer, in a block of businesses slotted in below a newly constructed condo.
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This animal sanctuary near Toronto looks like the happiest place on earth
You might be familiar with Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary already, though you don't even know it. Awarded by Amazon as "Best Book of the Year" and a New York Times Best Seller, 'Esther the Wonder Pig' has captivated the hearts of thousands.
You've most likely seen this smiling 600-pound pig cover star at every bookstore in the GTA, but you probably didn't know that the back story of Esther began on a farm just 40 minutes outside of Toronto in Campbellville.
The Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary was created by two animal lovers, Steve and Derek, when a little rescue pig named Esther entered their lives. From there, an animal sanctuary was born, and Esther - a social media icon - was born.
Since 2014, the sanctuary has rescued and rehabilitated countless abused and neglected farm animals including goats, cows, horses, donkeys, chickens, turkeys, sheep, rabbits and cats. (All their adorable head shots are on the website).
Visiting the farm, you can't help but feel the happiness radiating from these rescued animals, whose future would have been incredibly bleak if Steve and Derek hadn't stepped in.
Happily Ever Esther is frequently open to the public year-round for tours and special events, so be sure to check out their calendar for details. Tours usually last about an hour, followed by a Q&A period.
If you want to get involved further, the farm is always looking for volunteers to care for the animals (giving pot-bellied pigs belly rubs is mandatory!) and help out around the busy farm.
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Red Bull Music Festival is coming to Toronto for the first time
Red Bull Music Festival is a travelling festival that’s been all around the globe, hosting unreal events and performances. This October, the festival will finally be stopping in Toronto for the first time ever.
The festival has previously visited New York, Berlin, Paris, and Chicago, just to name a few.
Earlier today, Red Bull announced the line-up for this 9-day extravaganza around the city. From October 17 to 25, festival-goers can expect collaborative performances from local and international artists, as well as a talk with a music industry legend.
Punk-rocker Alice Glass will partner with director Floria Sigismondi to create something called “The Doll House” at The Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District, while r&b duo dvsn will perform with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thompson Hall.
Producer Scott Storch, who’s responsible for huge pop hits like Beyonce’s “Naughty Girl” and Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River”, will speak at CBC’s Glenn Gould Studio about his experiences in the industry.
Toronto’s emerging ballroom scene will also get the “Paris Is Burning” treatment with a party at the Design Exchange. Competitors will take it to the runway for a chance to win prizes, followed by an afterparty.
Then, Red Bull Music Festival will close out this 9-day affair with COLLISION, a showcase of Toronto hip hop artists on the come-up.
For a full listing of events and tickets, you can visit their website.
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Fall foliage will be exceptionally colourful in Toronto this year
It may still feel like summer outside, but Toronto is now only four days away from the autumn equinox — which means that everything green is about to die.
But oh, what a beautiful death it will be!
In its annual long-term fall forecast this week, The Weather Network predicts that Southern Ontario will experience a "milder than normal" October and November.
The heat and humidity we're experiencing now will continue until the end of September, if meteorologists are correct, but it won't be nearly as bad as it was during the record-breaking rash of heat waves we saw in 2017.
Experts say that things will cool off slightly in early October before warming up again — especially in November — and that we'll see fewer rainstorms than normal over the next few months.
It's going to be warmer than normal in the GTA over the next few months, according to meteorologists. Image via The Weather Network.
What this all means, in part, is that deciduous trees will hang onto their leaves a bit longer than usual. Also, you won't need to pay for express shipping on that turtleneck.
"Peak fall colours will be later than normal this year," writes Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham in his forecast.
"But the fall foliage should be much more colourful than last year."
In other words, our annual explosion of red, orange and yellow treetops will be worth the (slightly longer than usual) wait.
Stake out a spot while you still can, friends. Tourists love dying leaves even more than cherry blossoms, which, as I'm sure you well know, is saying a lot.
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Win passes to X Avant XIII
The Music Gallery is back with another edition of the internationally acclaimed X Avant New Music Festival this October. If you're looking to check this out, we have some good news. We've teamed up with them to give you a chance to win a pair of passes.
Check out all the contest details here.
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