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New book documents Toronto's hardcore punk scene of the 1980s

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When it comes to the punk rock era, the first thing that probably comes to mind is music blasting from a British garage in the 1970s.

But, those unfamiliar with local music history might not know that a decade later in the 80s, Toronto was actually a mecca for the international hardcore punk scene. 

A new book coming out this Saturday explores that epoch in city history, diving deep into a side of T.O. that few of us have ever seen.

Tomorrow is Too Late—co-authored by Shawn Chirrey and Derek Emerson, with contributed writing from Simon Harvey of Ugly Pop—is a hulking 320 pages of raw documentation that will officially go on sale this Saturday. 

It's a massive compilation of over 150 interviews with participants in the Toronto Hardcore (TOHC) scene, zines, concert flyers, and gritty never-bef0re-seen photos from photographers like Toronto legend Jill Heath, a.k.a. Jill Jill. 

tomorrow is too late

Photo of a circle pit at an Ildikos concert. Photo by Joel Robinson via Tomorrow Is Too Late.

Each copy comes with a seven-inch EP of unreleased tracks from 10 Toronto bands. 

"We really took a DIY approach and did it the way we would have done it back in the day," says Chirrey, who worked on the book with Emerson for two years before self-publishing.

"It's about more than just the bands and the music." 

Though you can expect the usual mention of topics like drug use and violence sprinkled here and there, the book goes into the world of queercore, homocore, and riot grrl genres, touching on everything from skinheads to veganism along the way.

And of course, covering the long lost music venues of Toronto, like the legendary Larry's Hideaway by the old Maple Leaf Gardens, or the DMZ in Chinatown, where the LCBO now sits.

The book will be released at a concert this Saturday at Hard Luck Bar where five 80s TOHC bands like Negative Gain and Sudden Impact will reunite for a throwback performance. 

Tickets are sold out right now, but you can still pick up a copy of Tomorrow Too Late online on Big Cartel for $49.99.


This is what Toronto looked like in the 1940s

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Toronto of the 1940s was a tale of two halves. The draining effects of the second world war kept the city in a state of austerity until 1945, when the six-year conflict finally drew to a close.

In the years that followed, an uptick in the economy saw the construction of new affordable housing, the start of building work on the Yonge subway line, and increased attention to solving slum conditions in the inner city.

The decade also brought unspeakable tragedy. In 1949, 118 people died when the SS Noronic, a lake steamer docked overnight on the Toronto waterfront, caught fire and rapidly burned. The disaster is still the worst loss of life from a single event in the history of the city.

Here's a look back at Toronto of the 1940s.

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Northeast from the old Bank of Montreal building at the corner of King and Bay, demolished for First Canadian Place.

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Store selling bankrupt stock at Dundas and Bay carrying an ad for Clayton's department store.

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A Joy Oil gas station earmarked for demolition at Dundas and Parliament prior to construction of Regent Park.

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Peggy's Cigar Store and Gold Seal Pharmacy on Dundas St. E. in Regent Park.

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Moving house.

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A muddy laneway that had drawn the attention of the Department of Street Cleaning.

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South side of Queen Street W. at York. Now the site of the Sheraton Hotel.

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The Scholes Hotel on Yonge St.

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Fire at Lyons Furniture Store.

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Kids playing on Gerrard.

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Crooked store on Adelaide St. W.

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"A Good Hotel"

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The old Toronto Star Building on King Street W. near Bay.

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A Toronto Star newspaper stand.

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The Maple Leaf stockyards in the Junction.

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Sweet Caporal cigarettes for sale at University and Dundas.

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Collection of trailers being used as homes near Centre and Gerrard streets.

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Street cleaning team inspects a pile of garbage.

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The exterior of the Union Hotel.

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The historic Walker House hotel at Front and York streets.

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Construction of the Bank of Nova Scotia building on the northeast corner of King and Bay.

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North up Bay from Adelaide.

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The pool at Sunnyside.

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Bathers on Sunnyside beach.

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Boathouse on the Toronto Islands.

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Sailboats on a tranquil Toronto bay.

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Toronto police show off their new uniforms,

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Kids in a "typical classroom," 1940.

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High school fitness class, 1942.

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Dentist prepares to examine a girl at a high school clinic.

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Doctor performs a routine health examination at a Toronto school.

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Kids sleeping on cots at the Wilkinson Open Air School. Outdoor educational facilities were established to help combat tuberculosis on the assumption fresh air and good ventilation would be beneficial to health.

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Visiting nurse feeds a baby.

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Toronto Island milkman makes deliveries using a sled.

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Toronto's Department of Street Cleaning's baseball team.

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The baseball Toronto Maple Leafs take to the field.

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Ticket lineup at Maple Leaf Stadium at Bathurst and Lake Shore.

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The view from the stands.

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The Toronto snowstorm of December 11, 1944 is a contender for the worst of all time. In just over 72 hours, 55 cms of snow fell on the city, burying streets waist-deep. The wind and weight of snow was so severe that a Queen streetcar was knocked on its side, killing one. 21 people died as a result of the weather, 13 of them from cardiac arrest while shovelling.

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A snow-covered parking lot during the storm of 1944.

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Crews armed with shovels attempt to dig out a clear path on Bay Street.

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Dutch immigrants at Union Station puzzle over a 1947 Ontario road map.

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The typing pool at in unidentified office building.

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Wartime "Food for the People of Britain" drive by the city's Department of Street Cleaning.

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Food packages being wrapped for shipment to the UK.

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Contestants in the Miss War Worker beauty contest.

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Soldier with a baby at Union Station.

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Returning soldier embraces children at Union Station.

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Soldier locked in a passionate embrace on return to Toronto.

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All smiles as a soldier returns from the second world war.

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Miss Toronto 1947 poses for photos at Union Station.

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City of Toronto tug "Ned Hanlan" in dry dock.

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The Royal York hotel and skyline from the gutted upper deck of the SS Noronic. The lake steamer nicknamed The Queen of the Lakes caught fire while docked on the Toronto waterfront in early hours of September 17, 1949, killing 118 people.

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The side of the burned out SS Noronic. In the aftermath of the fire, an investigation found the design of the ship was partly to blame for the high death toll. Many people leapt to their death on the dockside, others died from smoke and burns.

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A machine prepares to break ground for construction of the Yonge subway in 1949.

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Dignitaries pose for ceremonial groundbreaking photos in the cab of a digger.

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Subway construction workers begin digging down on Yonge St.

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The excavated ground beneath Yonge St. in the late 1940s.

This might be the most exciting new candidate for Toronto mayor

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The election for mayor of Toronto is just two weeks away, and media coverage of the race's top contenders is ramping up. 

As the debates rage on, two out of 35 candidates vying for a spot at the helm of the city have all but monopolized the press: incumbent mayor John Tory, naturally, and his supposed main opponent, former City of Toronto chief Planner Jennifer Keesmaat

Since Keesmaat's entry into the race against her former boss, the Johnny vs. Jenny rivalry has been the major through-line of the election so far. One could almost be led to believe the whole thing is a two-horse race. 

But just beyond the limelight, another candidate is slowly gaining traction ​​​with a bold platform and, arguably, some of the best debate performances so far. 

Saron Gebresellassi, a 31-year-old lawyer, has been making some impressive jabs at Tory and Keesmaat, giving both longtime political heavyweights a run for their money at the debate hosted by Global News.

Aside from being the youngest candidate by at least a decade or two to participate in the televised debates, the Eritrean-Canadian activist-turned-lawyer is the only woman of colour in the core group of candidates. 

As a young lawyer, the Ryerson grad has taken on some very high-profile civil rights cases representing women, including suing Starbucks for $1 million, and fighting a maternity-leave dismissal. 

Having moved to Toronto from Eritrea in 1989 and grown up in York Square community housing by Jane and Lawrence, Gebresellassi's platform is taking a heavy stance on policing and affordable housing. 

Gebresellassi has put the heat on Keesmaat and Tory on the issue, and says if elected, she'll declare a state of emergency for the issue, calling for 20,000 new affordable housing units. 

She's also proposing to make public transit completely free for everyone: something that neither Keesmaat nor Tory have even mentioned working toward, let alone implementing. 

She did Tweet that she'd be a little late to the Mayoral Transit Debate in Scarborough last month, but to be fair, she was taking the TTC there. 

Aside from knowing sign language—which not many candidates do—Gebresellassi also plays the flute, which is pretty cool too.

10 things to do in Toronto today

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It's a big day for events in Toronto as members of the Tragically Hip perform a free concert in Yonge and Dundas Square and the Toronto After Dark Festival showcases some gory goodness. Artists add meaning to a storage space and soup is being served over at the Gardiner Museum.

Events you might want to check out:

Choir! Choir! Choir! (October 11 @ Yonge—Dundas Square)
Part of the Meet Up series at YDS, Rob and Johnny of the Hip are teaming up with Choir! Choir! Choir! for a free concert.
Empty Bowls (October 11 @ Gardiner Museum)
Empty Bowls returns with gourmet soups served up in donated bowls by local makers in support of Anishnawbe Health Toronto.
Mike Shinoda (October 11 @ Rebel)
Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda hits the stage with a mix of new and old tunes from his Fort Minor music project alongside Don Broco.
A Night at the Movies (October 11 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
Get silly with Toronto's Grape Witches during a night of 90's teen classic flicks paired with a specially-curated selection of organic wines.
Bursting Bubbles (October 11 @ Toronto Media Arts Centre)
Part of the Rendezvous with Madness festival, artists debut new works meant to explore the nature of evolving solitudes.
Not Dead Yet (October 11-14 @ Multiple Venues)
Punk and lots of it hits venues across the city for a big DIY hardcore punk festival with local and national acts arriving to get in on the action.
X Avant New Music Festival (October 11-14 @ Music Gallery)
Bear Witness of A Tribe Called Red looks to curate this multi-day musical festival centred around identity, art and featuring many Canadian acts.
Black Star (October 11-17 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
The second edition of this film series looks to celebrate Black excellence in film with a special selection of screenings, beginning with Love Jones.
Toronto After Dark Film Festival (October 11-19 @ Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre)
Feature films and shorts of the horror, thriller and sci-fi persuasion are being screened over nine nights, just in time for spooky season.
Holding Patterns (October 11-21 @ Planet Storage)
Art Spin's latest project will see a storage facility converted into an art exhibit meant to explore movement, space, belonging and transition.

Condo of the week: 468 Wellington Street West

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This massive 6,000-square-foot hard loft conversion once belonged to the late Bill Jamieson, an eccentric artifact dealer who reportedly collected shrunken heads.468 wellington street west toronto

The apartment has lost a stripper pole, according to real estate gossip site The Mash, but the listing states it has gained about $1 million in upgrades and renovations.  

468 wellington street west torontoThis is the second time this year the unit has been put up for sale, previously it was listed in May 2018.

468 wellington street west torontoThe place is three storeys tall with all the staples of a hard loft, including soaring 14-foot ceilings, exposed brick, concrete floors and industrial barn doors.468 wellington street west toronto

On the main floor, which is actually the third floor, the foyer flows right into the open plan living room and kitchen. Rooms filter off on either side. The place is bright and airy.

468 wellington street west torontoThe living room area is the largest part of the whole unit. It’s so expansive that I wonder if it echoes.

468 wellington street west torontoOff the living room there’s a really cool little bar area, that would be perfect for entertaining.

468 wellington street west torontoThe kitchen is spacious and has top of the line stainless steel appliances. I’m not a huge fan of the yellow accents in the room, but I have to admit it does add a pop of warm colour in a fairly cold environment.

468 wellington street west torontoThe master bedroom is huge and has exposed brick walls and polished concrete floors. It doesn’t seem as cozy as I would like a bedroom to be but it’s stylish nonetheless.

468 wellington street west torontoThe master bedroom also has walk-in closets and a large en suite bathroom with a fascinating granite tub.

468 wellington street west torontoThis floor also has an office, den and another bedroom.

468 wellington street west torontoThe lowest level houses a wine cellar and a recreation room.

468 wellington street west torontoOn the ground floor (read: second floor) there’s a spare bedroom with an en suite bathroom.

468 wellington street west torontoAs for outdoor space, there’s a decent sized balcony, which has space for a BBQ and a planter.468 wellington street west toronto

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Bragging rights. This place belonged to a famed shrunken head collector, its floors were graced by the likes of Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler and the building itself is one of the most sought-after apartment buildings in Toronto. Plus, it’s one of the largest hard lofts in the city, so there’s a lot you can talk about at dinner parties.

468 wellington street west torontoMove On If

You believe in ghosts. Billy died in this condo suddenly in 2011. According to The Globe and Mail, the cleaning lady found him on his 57th birthday on the couch. Then again, with Halloween coming up you can turn it into a great ghost story.468 wellington street west toronto

Toronto Restaurant Openings: Dim Sum Queen, Emmer & Ash, Thor Espresso Bar

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Toronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest food news in Toronto and gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

Open now
Recently reviewed
Opening soon
  • Nerd bar Storm Crow Manor now has an official opening date for its Toronto location at 580 Church Street (at Dundonald): October 22.
  • Emmer & Ash, a bakery/restaurant set to open in 2019, will replace what was formerly the Boulevard Cafe at 161 Harbord Street in Harbord Village.
  • Niuda, a hand-pulled noodle shop, will soon be taking over the shuttered H2 Kitchen at 204 Queen Street West (at St. Patrick).
  • Ronto's, which will serve "memorable flavours of the world," is having its grand opening on October 19 in what was the short-lived Fargo's Snack Bar (and a Smoke's Poutinerie before that) at 772 College Street in Little Italy.
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Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to editors@blogto.com.

Someone in Toronto is trying to sell a haunted Ikea couch

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Happy Halloween! October is the time when spooky delights come to life, and every year it feels the haunt starts earlier. 

For one unlucky Toronto resident, the paranormal happenings came a bit too early—and in an absurd way.

"Ever since I've brought this couch into my apartment, I have been having recurring nightmares involving hellish imagery, sleep walking and quite a bit of insomnia," reads a for-sale post listed in Toronto's section of craigslist. 

"I have seen and felt the seats compress when no one is sitting on them and the couch makes creaking noises at night regularly between 3 and 4 am."

That's right—if you're looking for a nice Halloween spook, but also somewhere nice to sit, you could consider purchasing this haunted couch. 

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The posting for the haunted Ikea couch as shown on Craigslist.

And, like all good haunted items with a back story, the chilling chesterfield was allegedly won "in a game of chance" from a mysterious man passing through Toronto.

The grey Ikea-brand KIVIK two-seater was listed about two weeks ago, and it seems no one has taken up the offer. But, for just $150, this sinister sofa is all yours. 

Despite the small snag of being potentially possessed by a poltergeist, the poster ensures "it's quite comfortable." Just a small price to pay for comfort, I guess. 

Mouse spotted inside patty store at TTC subway station

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Toronto is known for its great food and countless places to find it, even in subway stations on the go

However, one of these underground snack spots may not be the best choice right now.

A video posted to Instagram this week shows a mouse chowing down on some patties in Kennedy Station.

The spot in question is the Gateway Newstand located inside the station, which coincidentally had a DineSafe infraction this week for "Failure to protect against harbouring of pests." 

This isn't the first time rodents have been found in Toronto restaurants and posted online (not even the first this year, or the first at a subway station in Scarborough), and it will definitely not be the last.

If you're hungry for a snack as you rush to catch your train, perhaps consider something pre-packaged, or check out the DineSafe website if you're really unsure. 


Win VIP passes to Screemers

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Screemers has finally opened its doors in Toronto. The haunted scream park features seven haunted houses and a Midway of Mayhem with thrilling rides. Want to go? We've teamed up with the scream park to give you a chance to win a pair of VIP passes.

7-Eleven is now doing home delivery in Toronto

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Sometimes, the world graces us with wonderful news that changes the game completely.

Today, that news comes in the form of a slushie-lover's dream come true: 7-Eleven now has delivery. 

That's right—the iconic source of week-old taco meat, cheap condoms and dubious-looking hot dogs will now deliver your late-night guilty-regret food right to your door.

The convenience store chain has partnered with Foodora to offer a huge selection of its stuff for delivery, including everything from chicken wings to beef jerky, gum to cold medicine, ice cream, bottles of soda, candy bars, and even a cup of coffee. 

You can even mix and match your slushie flavours and have them sent to you. Is this the future?

The service will begin with delivery hours between 10 a.m. and either 10 p.m. or midnight, depending on the day, with plans to move toward a 24-hour window. It has started in Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver and Calgary. 

Delivery fees fall between $3.50 and $4.50 depending on how much you order, but when you're sitting in your underwear watching your 12th episode of Say Yes to the Dress and reeeeaaaaaaally want a taquito, well, the price might be worth it.

Weekend events in Toronto October 12-14 2018

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Weekend events in Toronto bring forth a very special experience as WATERLICHT takes over the Gardiner Expressway with a magical light display. A big poutine party is happening in Yonge and Dundas Square and markets, film, music and lots more are set to get you out and about.

Events you might want to check out:

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.
Fob Mob (October 13 @ Chinatown Centre)
A celebration of pan-Asian diasporic narratives is on with a series of events, pop-ups, parties and collaborations that look to inspire and empower.
Ossington Village Alleyway Party (October 14 @ Argyle/Foxley Alleyway)
After a buracratic-related hiatus, this neighbourhood alleyway party is back with a day of food, drinks, activities, live music and a clothing swap.
Living Hyphen Launch Party (October 12 @ Page One)
Living Hyphen is launching its inaugural issue that looks to showcase and celebrate the diverse voices found in Canadian art and literature.
Call of Duty Escape Room (October 12-14 @ Captive Escape Rooms)
Gather your crew and live out your Call of Duty fantasies inside this escape room with multiple teams competing to get to the Blackout Room.
Food Truck'N Friday (October 12 - November 23 @ Rainhard Brewing Co.)
A fleet of food trucks is pulling up to Rainhard Brewing to kick off a series of festivals that pairs street food with cold brews at the Aleyards.
Yoga and Wellness Show (October 13-14 @ Enercare Centre)
Everything needed to step up your yoga and wellness game from nutrition, health, merch and motivation are on at this big show.
Big Rock Barn Burner Concert (October 12 @ The Opera House)
Toronto's own The Darcys and Girlfriend Material are performing alongside indie rock heavyweights Mt. Joy for a one-night concert set.
Game of Thrones Live (October 14 @ Scotiabank Arena)
The epic Game of Thrones score comes alive to fill the Scotiabank Area with the same suspense, thrill and excitement of the show.
Pandamonium (October 14 @ The Opera House)
Dumbfoundead, Dao Kahn, Nøise Club and more set to take the stage during this big showcase of Asian-American and Asian-Canadian artists.
Trevor Powers (October 14 @ Horseshoe Tavern)
Formally known for Youth Lagoon, this electro experimental pop artist has continuously evolved his sound into something new and different.
Studio 54 (October 12 - November 21 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
This documentary not only showcases the disco and debauchery at this storied club, but how it also challenged the homophobic attitudes of the day.
South African Film Festival (October 13-14 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
Films that tell the story of South Africa's history and culture take to the big screen to inspire, provoke deep conversation and warm the heart.
Phenomena (October 13 @ The Royal Cinema)
Part horror, part fairytale, a young Jennifer Connelly stars as a telepathic teen encounters a serial killer in this Motörhead-scored flick.
A Raisin in the Sun (October 14 @ Revue Cinema)
The 1961 classic film based on Lorraine Hansberry's play gets Bechdel Tested and accompanied by a panel discussion on women in theatre.
The Video Dead (October 14 @ Handlebar)
Spooky vibes are afoot during this "nonsensical yet admirably creative" 1987 film about a cursed television.
ROM Friday Night Live (October 12 @ Royal Ontario Museum)
Paty it up inside the museum during this week's FNL featuring performances by Narcy and Maya Killtron, plus food, drinks and art.
Boobyball Wild West (October 12 @ Rebel)
Strap on the boots and break out the cowhide for this big country-themed, all-night fundraiser in support of Rethink Breast Cancer.
You Better Work (October 12 @ Buddies in Bad Times)
Strut, toss and shake at this big dance party dedicated to all things Drag Race with hot hits, pop, R&B and an epic lip sync battle.
90s Video Dance Party (October 12 @ Gladstone Hotel)
The film that defined the decade (sorry, Kids) is celebrated during this big Clueless-themed 90s jam with all the yellow plaid you can handle.
Prophecy (October 12 @ Round)
Darkness is on at this pre-Halloween (but really all the time) dance party featuring a night of post punk, goth, industrial and electro beats.
X Avant Late Night (October 13 @ Mod Club)
Dance it out to beats from around the Americas and the African diaspora during this big party as part of the X Avant New Music Festival.
Leaside Block Party (October 13 @ Trace Manes Park)
Over in Leaside is the first annual block party with a full day of activities, food and drinks, entertainment, local vendors and more.
Bring Your Own Lean (October 13 @ Collective)
Toronto's underground hip-hop scene is throwing it down with a night of fresh trap, rap and hip-hop, plus a big freestyle battle.
Synthesexer (October 13 @ The Piston)
This weekly dance party is celebrating five years of synthy smooth grooves with a stellar lineup of alt-electro, house, trance, new wave and more.
Spooky Parkdale Flea (October 13-14 @ Northern Contemporary Gallery)
The Parkdale Flea returns with handmade goods to get you good and spooked with gifts, decor, art, food and more in time for Halloween.
Gym Shark Pop-Up Store (October 13-14 @ 950 Dupont St)
Step up your workout game with new threads from Gym Shark as the American activewear brand arrives for a two day pop-up.
Fab Fall Flea (October 14 @ ildsjel)
Local vendors are gathering for a big flea in the Port Lands for a day of hand-crafted speciality goods, food and drinks.
The Leslieville Flea (October 14 @ Ashbridge Estate)
Specializing in vintage and handcrafted goods, this curated community market is back with everything to get you ready for fall.
Vegan Oktoberfest Market (October 14 @ The Great Hall)
For all the vegans who love a good Oktoberfesting, this market is jam-packed with vegan goodies in the style of traditional German treats.
Drop, Swap and Shop (October 14 @ Evergreen Brick Works)
Bring your gently used items to be donated or swapped, while taking a look at the other goodies available. You never know what you'll find.

U of T ranked the top university in Canada

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The annual university rankings from Macleans are out for 2019, and there are few surprises. 

Simon Fraser took the top spot for comprehensive schools, while Mount Allison took home gold for primarily undergraduate institutions. 

However, a small upset took place in the medical/doctoral category, where U of T tied with McGill for first place. 

As noted by Macleans, the two schools have long battled for the top spot, with McGill typically pulling ahead. 

Furthermore, U of T was at the top of the list for reputation overall. It took first place for "highest quality" and "leaders of tomorrow," but fell just short on "most innovative," landing at second place behind Waterloo. 

U of T also made headlines a couple weeks ago, when it landed on the list of the world's best universities, coming in 21st.

10 small restaurants in Toronto worth the squeeze

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Small restaurants in Toronto can actually be worth cramming in, if the food is on point. Thankfully the menus are more than worth it at these restaurants around town that barely hold more than 20, sometimes even less. If you know Toronto, though, you know sometimes the smallest spaces put out the biggest flavours.

Here are some small restaurants in Toronto worth the squeeze.

Hanmoto

Toronto restaurateur Leemo Han is known for his small, moody, quirky spaces, and this 30-seater near Dundas and Ossington where seats fill up quick is no exception.

Japango

Dine on raw fish prepared barely feet away at the sushi bar inside this teensy-weensy 530-square-foot restaurant near Dundas and University.

Vit Beo

Since there are only 14 seats in this new school Vietnamese snack bar in Bloorcourt, the late night spot is often crammed.

Honest Weight

This cute Junction restaurant is actually confined within a fish shop, which supplies the freshest catches for the menu.

Uncle Mikey’s

At 25 seats, this Korean snack bar near Dundas and Brock is an intimate venue for noodles and mapo tofu accompanied by fine wine and craft beer.

Itacate

There’s basically just a little picnic table and a ledge for seating at this unexpectedly epic taco joint on St. Clair West hidden inside a butcher shop.

Sang-Ji Fried Bao

This definitive authentic spot for Shanghai fried buns in North York barely seats 15 at old school wooden tables.

Sukhothai in the Canary District

Approximately 20 people could be seated at a time in this postage-stamp version of one of Toronto’s favourite Thai restaurants in one of our newest neighbourhoods.

Artisan Noodle

This space near Yonge and Finch can be packed with 17 people max, but the handmade pulled noodles almost seem to taste even better slurped shoulder-to-shoulder with other patrons.

Roywoods

Approximately 20 can be seated at this licensed version of a popular island takeout spot on Ossington, where the legendary jerk chicken sandwiches can be washed down with a Red Stripe or strong rum cocktail.

Condo rents in Toronto just climbed to a record high

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Another day, another update on the ridiculous price of living in Toronto.

According to real estate group Urbanation, the average price of renting a condo in the city just broke a record. 

After a 7.6 per cent jump from last year, the new average price for condo renting is a staggering $2,385 per month.

The cost of rent per square foot went up by 9.4 per cent, or $3.26 per square foot.

Supply of new units is not growing fast enough to keep pace with the amount of buyers in the market, creating tightening conditions every passing quarter.

However, the number of units currently being constructed is at a 30-year high: 11,172. As these units are finished, it should ease a bit of the tight demand and short supply.

21 attractions in downtown Toronto that are a must visit


Magical holiday train is coming to Toronto

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What's more festive than a magical train lit up with holiday lights, making its way across snowy Canada to help give food to the less fortunate? Only two magical trains lit up with holiday lights, of course. 

CP's holiday trains will once again be making their twin voyages across both Canada and the U.S., stopping in 164 communities along the way. Both begin in Montreal, with the Canadian train starting November 27 and the U.S. train starting November 25.

The Canadian holiday train will pass through Toronto on November 29 from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., making a stop at CP Lambton Yard, located at 750 Runnymede Road. 

At each stop, visitors are encouraged to bring a food donation for a local charity. Attendance is completely free, and the event will feature live performances and Canadian artists Terri Clark, Sierra Noble, and Kelly Prescott.

Toronto's next giant party is in the basement of a mall in Chinatown

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This Saturday, the usually-quiet basement of the iconic Chinatown Centre will transform into an all-day party of pop-ups, karaoke, and dance battles. 

FOB MOB, an event dedicated to celebrating pan-Asian communities, will be throwing a massive jam in the lower level of the cultural Spadina stalwart.

The event will run from noon to 7 p.m., featuring cyphers and live performances, plus a market of over 15 vendors including THE COLLECTI.VE, Queer Asian Youth, the Asian Community AIDS Services and buttons from Be Awesome Shoppe

Hannia Cheng of organizing group Support Your Local Collective says FOB MOB is meant to "build community" and "get all the Asians doing cool shit under one roof." 

"We're trying to [activate] that basement by building bridges between generations, and for me personally, creating more spaces for queer artsy Asian people to hang out." 

Visitors will also be able to flex their skills at a number of activities like a karaoke competition, a Transformers vs. Gundam Wing-themed dance battle and a Smash Bros. tourney. 

If you're not the competitive type, you can squeeze into the "bò bía" photobooth by Francesca Chudnoff or head to the "Speedy Artists Mingle Zone" where creatives can come together, speed-dating style. 

Shock and confusion as Deciem stores in Toronto remain closed

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News of the abrupt closure of Toronto-based brand Deciem has sent the beauty world into a tizzy.

The 'abnormal beauty company,' lauded for its innovative and affordable skincare formulas announced on Monday that it would be shutting down all its stores, save for a single location in the U.K.

The mysterious circumstances surrounding the closure—which, according to the Instagram post could be temporary—has left thousands of dedicated (cult-like, almost) Deciem users worldwide grasping for answers.

Local employees of the brand, too, have been properly screwed over, with shifts at all stores across Toronto being temporarily suspended while Deciem gets its business in order.

As of right now, the main Deciem website appears to have gone under, though sites for The Ordinary, the brand's most popular line, and the  more expensive Niod, are still up and running. 

Meanwhile, lovers of the brand's inexpensive line are stocking up where they can.

Taking to a bevy of social media chatrooms popping up online, people are sharing the latest information about where to still buy Deciem products and speculating about the befuddling behaviour of Deciem's eccentric CEO Brandon Truaxe.

Truaxe's strange behaviour has been well-documented by several news outlets over the last year. 

Starting with what can only be described as an erratic takeover of Deciem's social media in January, followed by a string of controversial activity online, it seems Truaxe's series of unfortunate events have reached a boiling point.

In response to his sudden and sometimes incoherent IG video announcing Deciem's closure, Estée Lauder has hit him with a lawsuit in an attempt to remove him from the helm of the beauty brand. 

The global fashion and beauty giant is an investor in the brand and was in Toronto courts today seeking that Truaxe be prohibited from any involvement in the company and also hand over the reins to Deciem's various social media accounts.

Truaxe, for his part, did not appear in court but has been posting frequently on Instagram throughout the day including an incoherent video from some hotel in Amsterdam.

As for Deciem, all Toronto stores remain closed with no sign of activity. The brand's head office at 517 Richmond East is similarly a ghost town.

10 things to do in Toronto today

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Friday is ripe for parties as events in Toronto today have a nice selection of ways to shake your booty. WATERLICHT ignites space under the Gardiner and food trucks gather for a beerin' in the Aleyards. 

Events you might want to check out:

ROM Friday Night Live (October 12 @ Royal Ontario Museum)
Paty it up inside the museum during this week's FNL featuring performances by Narcy and Maya Killtron, plus food, drinks and art.
90s Video Dance Party (October 12 @ Gladstone Hotel)
The film that defined the decade (sorry, Kids) is celebrated during this big Clueless-themed 90s jam with all the yellow plaid you can handle.
Prophecy (October 12 @ Round)
Darkness is on at this pre-Halloween (but really all the time) dance party featuring a night of post punk, goth, industrial and electro beats.
You Better Work (October 12 @ Buddies in Bad Times)
Strut, toss and shake at this big dance party dedicated to all things Drag Race with hot hits, pop, R&B and an epic lip sync battle.
Big Rock Barn Burner Concert (October 12 @ The Opera House)
Toronto's own The Darcys and Girlfriend Material are performing alongside indie rock heavyweights Mt. Joy for a one-night concert set.
Boobyball Wild West (October 12 @ Rebel)
Strap on the boots and break out the cowhide for this big country-themed, all-night fundraiser in support of Rethink Breast Cancer.
Bell Box Mural Art Exhibit (October 12 @ Super Wonder Gallery)
Public art takes to the gallery as the work of local artists who've made the ugly Bell boxes into something more goes on display.
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.
Studio 54 (October 12 - November 21 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
This documentary not only showcases the disco and debauchery at this storied club, but how it also challenged the homophobic attitudes of the day.
Food Truck'N Friday (October 12 - November 23 @ Rainhard Brewing Co.)
A fleet of food trucks is pulling up to Rainhard Brewing to kick off a series of festivals that pairs street food with cold brews at the Aleyards.

Sold! Rustic Toronto home by the lake goes for $2.6 million

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I feel like there’s an unspoken rule that any property on a waterfront must look like a cottage or a beach house in the Hamptons.

While this modest four bedroom, four bathroom house doesn’t have the cottage exterior, it definitely gives off cottage vibes. There’s wood panelling in most rooms, there's a sunroom and of course, there's an obstructed view of the water.

181 Lake Promenade TorontoThe main floor has your typical living room, dining room, kitchen. The living room has a great view of the lake thanks to the large windows.

181 Lake Promenade TorontoThe kitchen is spacious and has been recently updated with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. I can’t for the life of me understand why they have two different types of wood for their cabinets. My eye is twitching from the inconsistency.

181 Lake Promenade TorontoThe rest of the house is quite dated and needs substantial renovations. For example, the bathrooms look like they haven’t been updated since the 50s or 60s with the green and brown porcelain.

181 Lake Promenade TorontoThe bedrooms are on the small side, but are bright.

181 Lake Promenade TorontoThe entire basement has wood panelled walls, giving off 70s poker night vibes.

181 Lake Promenade TorontoDespite the lacklustre decor, when you step outside you truly understand why this place is worth it. The sprawling lawn, the huge shading trees, and the stunning view of Lake Ontario make you forget that you’re only a 10-minute drive from the QEW.    181 Lake Promenade Toronto

The Essentials
Why it sold for what it did?

Well, it certainly wasn’t for the decor. Lakefront property is a rarity in this city, so when one becomes available, it gets snapped up quickly. This place was no exception—it only lasted six days on the market.181 Lake Promenade Toronto

Was it worth it?

Absolutely! Sure, you’re going to have remodel or at least do some hardcore renovations, but look at the property you’re getting.181 Lake Promenade Toronto

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