A new resto-lounge has arisen from the ashes of 55 Colborne. Can the marriage of a fun, laid-back atmosphere and high-energy dance floor survive the 55 Colborne Curse or will it fly too close to the sun? And is it a good sign if a circus performer is the highlight of your night.
Read my review of Switch in the bars section.
Free corkage specials allow Toronto diners to enjoy the best of both worlds: a restaurant quality meal and a bottle of wine that won't break the bank. It's no secret that the mark-up on wine at your average restaurant borders on the outrageous, but it's through booze that many establishments make their money, so it's hard to get too upset about it. That said, restaurateurs tend to understand that on slow nights, it sometimes makes sense to offer an incentive to get diners in the door. Enter the BYOB corkage deal. Grab yourself a decent bottle from the LCBO, and the places below will open it for free. Everybody wins!
Nota Bene
Nota Bene's free corkage special after 9pm might be my favourite one of the bunch. 9pm doesn't strike me as particularly late, and it's on offer every night of the week. The food ain't half bad, either — so bring something worthy. One bottle limit.
Cava
Head here for Iberian tapas on Sundays when the corkage fee is waived. Just don't bring Cava, that'd be tacky.
Universal Grill
This cosy diner-like restaurant at Dupont and Shaw has been offering free corkage on Sundays for a few years now, which all the more incentive to head over to try their excellent ribs.
The Wine Bar
Head here on Mondays for no corkage. The staff will even help pair what you bring with the locally focused small plates on offer.
The Rosedale Diner
Probably the best thing about the Sunday and Monday no-corkage special at the Rosedale Diner is that the restaurant is like 50 metres away from the biggest LCBO in the city. Also, the menu is decidedly un-diner like, so suitable for a good bottle.
Tabule
Monday and Tuesdays are free corkage nights at Tabule, a great Middle Eastern spot near Yonge and Davisville (and now at 810 Queen East). Think Gewürztraminer for something that will work with most of the menu offerings. Limited to groups under 10.
Il Sogno
Nearby Italian joint Il Sogno breaks with the standard Sunday/Monday practice by offering free corkage on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Quince
Completing the trifecta of Yonge and Davisville area restaurants with free corkage nights, Quince wants you to BYOB on Mondays and Tuesdays to pair with its French fare. Do yourself a favour and snag something from the south of France at the LCBO. It'll save you coin and complement the food.
Trevor Kitchen and Bar
Trevor won't force you to dine altogether that early in the week to get its corkage special, either. Available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, it's a great way to make fine dining much more affordable. Drop $30 on a bottle of wine at the LCBO and that's about what you would have paid for something that's $75+ on the regular list.
Table 17
Head to Riverside's Tavble 17 on Sundays and Mondays for free corkage, a busy room, and great bistro fare.
THE $1 CLUB
OK, so it's not free, but both Crush Wine Bar and the Miller Tavern offer $1 corkage on Mondays. That's not too bad, either.
For more corkage deals in and around Toronto, check out Corkage Toronto. I can't verify that all the information is accurate, but it's certainly a good start. Know of a free corkage deal in Toronto? Let us know in the comments.
Thanks to the New Listerine UltraClean for sponsoring our wine-soaked adventures.
Summer Street festivals in Toronto offer some of the best opportunities to soak up different cultures from around the world. Our various street festivities run from June to early September and include everything from Pride week to Woofstock to African, Caribbean and Latin American cultural celebrations, among a vast array of others.
TOP PICKS
Most promising new festival
Dundas West Fest
This Saturday, June 8, Dundas West Fest will shut down Dundas between Roxton and Lansdowne. There will be tons of sidewalk shopping, with vintage picks on sale from Penny Arcade Vintage, Chosen Vintage, Philistine, and more. (There will also, of course, be lots of food, drink and entertainment). Happy treasure hunting!
Best Party
Pride Toronto
Pride is definitely one of Toronto's best-known festivals, to the point that we're actually hosting World Pride in 2014. This year's festival, which always includes tons of music, dancing, drag shows, nudity and other proud displays of sexuality, will take place from June 21 to 30. The 33rd annual Pride parade will be on June 30.
Best for dancing
Salsa on St. Clair
Salsa on St. Clair is an exciting, colourful festival that will take over the stretch of St. Clair between Bathurst and Winona on July 13 and 14. There's dancing in the streets, great music, spicy food, and drinks aplenty. Torontonians of all ages come out to this street party, including families with small children, teens, and elderly folk with young spirits. Warning: parking is a nightmare every year. Leave the car at home and have a few wobbly pops instead.
Best for Food
Taste Of Lawrence festival
The Taste of Lawrence is billed as an "International food and cultural festival" and takes over the stretch of Lawrence Ave. E. from Warden to Birchmount on July 5 to 7. This year will feature disco, snacks from around the world, and an attempt to make the world's longest charm bracelet, among other activities.
Most musically inclined
Beaches Jazz Festival Streetfest
This portion of the jazz festival will shut down Queen St. E. between Woodbine and Beach Ave. Check out the link above for a list of about 50 Canadian bands that will flood out into the streets. This part of the festival falls between July 25 and 27, and streets become closed off for pedestrians in the evenings only.
Biggest crowds
Taste of the Danforth
Taste of the Danforth has been going on for 20 years, and it's one of Toronto's more well-known street festivals. It focuses, of course, on delectable Greek eats. Get your souvlaki, Greek music, and entertain your children, all in one go. Isn't that what everyone wants? This year, the festival will run from August 9 to 11.
MORE FESTIVALS
June
Annex Festival on Bloor
This Sunday, June 9, Bloor St. will come alive all the way from Spadina to Bathurst. There will be a main stage set up at Bloor and Brunswick, with a battle of the bands at 1 p.m. and a parade of various entertainers. There will also be craft vendors, and street performances by members of the Fringe Festival.
Woofstock
Does seeing a daschund dressed up like a hotdog amuse you? How about a shitzu in a tutu? If cheese is your thing, so is this festival. Woofstock takes place this weekend, June 8 and 9, in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood.
Taste of Little Italy
Taste of Little Italy takes over College St. from Bathurst to Shaw for a weekend every summer. This year, there will be special Italian cocktails on offer at a bunch of the area's restaurants, as well as food specials and artisans and musicians set up in the streets. The festival runs from June 14 to 16.
The Junction Summer Solstice Festival
Get your pagan on with the Junction Summer Solstice Festival on June 22. It's happening along Dundas St. W. from Quebec Ave. to Indian Grove. It's a green-powered event, with fresh food on offer, lots of nods to the DIY lifestyle, a ferris wheel, and the Junction Flea Night Market.
Waterfront Festival
The tall ships are in town from June 20 to 23, and there will be a festival in celebration of that which will take place on Queens Quay from Sherbourne to Spadina. There'll be a parade, theatre, kids games, live music and dance, with an extra charge for tours of the ships.
July
Festival of South Asia
The Festival of South Asia is a food-focused event that closes down the streets of the Gerrard India Bazaar, along Gerrard from Coxwell to Greenwood. Much of the information for this year's event is still TBA, but the festival will definitely be a good spot to get your fill of Bollywood music and try a variety of South Asian cuisine. This year's festival of South Asia will take place on July 6 and 7.
Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto (RIP, Caribana)
This festival has been going on in the city, under one name or another, for the past 46 years. It's a beautiful expression of Caribbean culture, with gorgeous costumes, lots of dancing and chances to enjoy different cuisine and visual arts. It runs for three weeks, from July 9 to August 4. The main event for many is the parade, which will fall on August 3.
BIG on Bloor festival
BIG on Bloor celebrates the culture of Bloordale, and it will shut down Bloor St. between Dufferin and Lansdowne on July 20 and 21. Billed as a celebration of arts, culture, community and small business, the festival will include a marketplace that takes over the street and feature over 200 vendors selling everything from crafts to art and food.
September
Taste of the Kingsway Festival
The Taste of the Kingsway festival is the answer to a foodie's wildest dreams. It will feature visits from celebrity chefs, a fresh food market, international cuisines, and "culinary theatre." The events take place from September 6 through 8 along Bloor St. W. between Montgomery Rd. and Prince Edward Dr.
Cabbagetown Festival
Toronto's most delicious-sounding little village is holding its own festival on September 7 and 8. Parliament St. will close down from Wellesley to Gerrard to accommodate street partiers. The festival includes a robust look at all dishes from around the world made with cabbage. (Jk). In reality, there will be lots of locally made art for sale in the street fair, from oil paintings to jewelry.
Toronto Ukrainian Festival
Billed as "North America's largest Ukrainian festival," this event has been running in Bloor West Village for 17 years. This year's festival will fall on September 13, 14, and 15, and it will include a parade, lots of live music put on by top Ukrainian performers, and exposure to Ukrainian arts and culture.
Roncesvalles Polish Festival
The Roncesvalles Polish Festival is apparently the largest Polish festival in North America. Running on Sept. 14 and 15, the festival offers polka, pierogies, and Polish folklore. If you head to a Polish-themed dinner, though, beware: they can put away the vodka, and you can easily wind up on your ass if you're not careful.
What's your favourite summer street festival in Toronto? Let us know if there's one we've missed!
Photo by BruceK on Flickr
In case you haven't been following along (like where are you?), the narrative surrounding the alleged existence of a video depicting Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine continues to deepen. Last night, Gawker revealed the location of the house where the alleged video was likely shot (and where the photograph that accompanied the initial story is reported to have been taken). Hours later, both the Globe and the Star released their own stories that allege Ford was a regular visitor to 15 Windsor Rd., which they claim is reputed to be hub for drug activity.
Mentioned in both the Star and Globe articles is the fact that home was the site of armed invasion on May 21, five days after the initial story broke. That's pretty much as far as the papers take it, but a couple of hours ago Gawker published a follow up piece that cites an anonymous source who describes the circumstances surrounding the invasion and the existence of the alleged tape. Not only that, the publication also highlights a comment made on Toronto Mike's blog, which potentially corroborates the story put forward by its source.
It's not for us to say whether or not this source or the story is accurate, but it's surely worth reading. Taken in conjunction with the other reports that have surfaced in the last 24hrs, an even more troubling narrative, one that potentially ties together a number of the strands left open when the initial story broke, is starting to take shape. That said, the video — if there is one — has yet to be seen by the public, Ford's camp is staying mum, and in some sense it's just "business as usual" at city hall.
That last part is genuinely scary.
As NXNE 2013 approaches, it's hard to imagine what a Toronto summer would look like without the annual influx of bands, artists, filmmakers, media, and comedians (media and comedians, because one is not like the other).
Yet once upon a time in 1995, North by North East launched as a smaller, three day Canadian version of Austin's South by South West festival. Festival organizers had no idea how huge it would grow.
Now, the week-long NXNE reigns as one of Canada's biggest festivals. And while the bookings are less inspired than those at Pop Montreal, or even smaller festivals like Sled Island and Obey, it's a hell of a lot more exciting than Canadian Music Week, or (we're guessing) last week.
2013's festival will kick off slowly on Tuesday, June 11th, and pick up speed by the day: Thursday through Sunday will see big name live acts playing free shows at Yonge and Dundas Square, and venues all over Toronto will host 1,000 bands and artists from around Canada and across the globe.
This year, we're not going to give you a list of shit you need to bring like a water bottle, phone charger, or sunscreen. You're grown ass people. We're going to let you know what your ticket options are, and try to get you up to speed on the storm of art and not quite art that's hitting Toronto next week.
Ticket options for NXNE aren't that complicated. Don't buy your pass or wristband until you decide what you want to see. Then go here. If you only want to see free stuff at Yonge and Dundas, then you don't need a pass. If everything good is happening Thursday, then you just want a one-day wristband. If you need to see Calexico or FLAG, you want in on the "Spotlight Series."
Oh, and given that you're likely to be snapping away while you're out and about at shows, why not tag your pics on Instagram with #nxneTO13 and we'll post the best of the fest on the homepage.
Feeling ready? No? OK, take read on for our 2013 NXNE pre-game yearbook.
MOST ANTICIPATED ACT
The way people in the state of Georgia say "Luda" is one of the best vocal idiosyncrasies ever: that pride, that drawl! After Big Boi canceled his summer tour due to injury, NXNE enlisted fellow Atlantan Ludacris to cover the empty headliner slot on their Yonge & Dundas rap line up. While Torontonians won't infuse the artist's name with the same divine southern flavour, appreciation for Luda's unique and decade spanning career is strong and his name will be buzzing all week.
His sound: Southern crunk
See him: Yonge & Dundas Square, Sun June 16 9PM
MOST HATE-ABLE
As it should be (um?), the most hate-able band on the festival marquee is the one in the largest font: The National. Check out this writer who wrote like 1000+ words examining his deep, sometimes overwhelming hatred of the Brooklyn-via-Ohio band.
While I have to admit that I get it, The National also seem like honest, hardworking dudes: see this Hayden VS The National #dad2dad interview.
Their sound: Dad indie. Which is a thing now, congrats.
See them: Yonge and Dundas Square, Fri June 14th
MOST PROMISING
We're rooting for DIANA, and not just because everyone else is. This pleasant Toronto band has got it going on in every direction (mostly into our ears).
Their sound: Hazy pop
See them: The Horseshoe, Thurs June 13 10PM
BIGGEST COMEBACK
Who isn't making a some kind of comeback at NXNE 2013? Kidding aside, let's go with Induced Labour, a heavy, insane former Toronto underground band featuring members of Doom Tickler, Pon De Replay, Soupcans, Disguises and Thrashed Gene re-uniting for (apparently) one night only.
Their sound: Like totally freaking out noise-complaint-inspiring jams.
See them: Double Double Land AKA Rehearsal Space, Fri June 14th 10:45PM
BEST NAME
Winnipeg rocker boys The Bokononists took this one easily: Bokononism is a religion invented by the late Kurt Vonnegut in his novel Cat's Cradle. The satirical faith, which had its own extensive vocabulary, was based on the idea that a set of harmless "untruths" could better society. We're all suckers for campy literary references.
Their sound: A night out in highschool (if you had a backpack covered in patches)
See them: St. James Gazebo, Thurs June 13 6PM | Rivoli, Thurs, June 13 1:30AM
DUMBEST NAME
No question it's Montreal's Majical Cloudz. Devon Welsh's former experimental, sax infused indie band Pop Winds were really cool. Then, as he embarked on his solo project, super friend Grimes gave the debut tracks a hand up, so while it wasn't surprising to see a talented, connected (his dad was on Twin Peaks! Awesommme) guy get signed to Matador Records, that name will always creep me out. The incorrect "j" and "z" added to the grade seven stoner vibe the moniker carries might serve a meaningful purpose for Welsh (e.g. proving that a band with such an MSN messenger-y name can get a record deal is basically performance art).
His sound: Experimental pop
See him: BLK BOX, Sat June 15 12AM
MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE
That's right, we're employing a terrible non-adjective right after making fun of Majical Cloudz. Deal. I've put a lot, I mean a lot, of thought into what act will get you the most likes on Instagram. Then I got bored and picked Marker Starling (formerly Mantler), because chances are he'll be wearing a white suit and sitting at a huge Rhodes piano, singing his heart out about movie theaters, broken hearts, and regret. Make us cry, Marker Starling.
His sound: R&B / jazz / soul / outsider pop
See him: The Piston, Wed June 12 12AM
MOST STREET CRED
We'll be proud to say we called it: Ryan Hemsworth. From his recent Back Street Boys bootleg remix to his daring DJ sets, Hemsworth is delivering a reckless art into the Toronto/Halifax electronic scene. He'll be one of those names the NXNE haters drop like, "Fuck NXNE, except Ryan Hemsworth obvs."
His sound: Perfect web graphics
See him: BLK BOX, Sat June 15 1AM
TEEN PICK!
What are teens into nowadays? Many exciting kinds of music. Yet most NXNE shows are 19+, so that leaves teens with fewer choices. I also don't know many teens, so I can't speak as to what the general rumble is. Of the all ages shows, what SHOULD teens attend? Let's pick Maylee Todd because she's bright, she's cool, and as Eric Boshart discovered recently, she gives the pop diva thing a radical twist. She's also playing at the free Live in Bellwoods series, which guarantees green grass and good vibes.
Her sound: Street style funk
See her: Trinity Bellwoods Park, Thurs June 13 time TBA
MOST LIKELY TO WEAR CORPSE PAINT WITH SUNGLASSES
Toronto's Man Made Hill is a Pleasance Records staple, and while his weird outsider dance proj is unpredictable, I'm most intrigued by what he'll be wearing.
His sound: Deformed beats & psyched out synths
See him: Double Double Land aka Rehearsal Space, Thurs June 13 11PM.
MOST LIKELY TO LEAVE GLITTER ON STAGE
Fin's gem covered electronics, minimal beats and waves of delay, backwards loops and sweet, low strained intonations are a rare thing to witness live (tip: she might only play for a minute, so don't be late). The visual artist's solo project is the closest thing NXNE will have to Grouper this year, but that's not meant to be a comparison: this woman is making a reality of her own.
Her sound: Baltimore's DIY lofts under two miles of ocean
See her: Creatures Creating, Sat June 15 9PM
MOST UNEXPECTED
The fact that Joey Bada$$ is good. Winner of second dumbest name at NXNE, this up and coming Brooklyn rapper will deliver a solid set at Yonge & Dundas. I know this because my smartest friends keep bugging out about it.
His sound: Lo-fi / old school meets new school
See him: Wrongbar, Sat June 15 1AM | Yonge & Dundas Square Sun June 16 8PM
MOST WTF
How do you say Tonstartssbandht? Learn it now because that's the secret tagline for NXNE this year. If you can say "Tahn-starts-bandit", then boom, you're cool. Note: Montreal/NYC via Florida band get a hall pass because they're actually fucking great.
Their sound: Lo-fi experimental psych
See them: BLK BOX, Thurs June 13 1AM | Comfort Zone, Sat June 15 12AM
BEST DRINKING GAME
Take a shot (pack a flask or you'll go broke) every time you overhear the phrase "member of Fucked Up". Also works all year as a Toronto drinking game (nsfw if you work in media). Not drunk enough? Replace with "Broken. Social. Scene." There, you are wasted. Happy NXNE.
Their sound: Guitars, synths, other shiny instruments.
See them: You can't not.
MATCHMAKER
The show you'll most likely hook up at depends on what you're into. Right? Wrong. It's this hot and steamy Ell V Gore 12" release. Everyone is going to be sky high... with pride for Toronto's sexiest alley rats. The show also includes Kontravoid, Jubal Brown, No Joy and Tonstartssbandht playing until super, ultra late. It will be dark. Everyone will smell awful. No one gets out alive... alone.
Their sound: dirty gothic punk
See them: EP release: BLK BOX Thurs, June 13 11PM | 2nd show: The Garrison Sun June 16 10PM
CLASS CLOWN
Dan Deacon tours in a school bus that runs on vegetable oil and he dresses like a dude who really, truly believes unicorns once existed and could again. Search out his smartphone app before you check out the Baltimore composer's technicolour electronic odyssey live.
His sound: Experimental, but fun!
See him: The Horseshoe, Thurs June 13th 12AM.
MOST LIKELY TO WEAR PLAID
Every second Canadian musician (and fan) at NXNE will be wearing plaid. Possible drinking game: one shot per set per band member wearing plaid. Don't drink and drive. We're not going to tell musicians how to dress, but we do ask that they look for meaning within bottomless pits of flannel. What does a seemingly diverse closet of identical shirts in slightly varied colours and line widths say about you as a musician? Deep questions.
Plaid is the uniform of the working man. While it insists: "I'm really into not being into looking like I'm trying to be special", it also says "I am really not special and there's no reason for me to be up here: we are all equal, join me brothers and sisters". Whoah, culty conspiracy, or just a trend that needs to meet its Hegelian inevitability?
Their sound: Probable guitars.
See them: If you don't see them, the bartender should cut you off.
MOST LIKELY TO TALK POLITICS
Illustrator and musician Alex MacKenzine's new-ish solo project Petra Glynt is gaining steam, but we know she'll never be an archetypal buzz act because she's busy pursuing truth and being, you know, an artist. She's also one of the most approachable public faces in Toronto. Petra Glynt's NXNE performances promise diverse percussion and electronic instrumentation, powerful vocals, and challenging themes.
Her sound: lo-fi soul hallucinations
See her: Creatures Creating, Thurs June 13 11PM | Comfort Zone, Sat Jun 15 9PM
TOP NXNE DATE NIGHT
Montreal's BRAIDS can take forever to soundcheck which can get everyone a little up tight, but their nice spacey pop and pretty vocal harmonies should get everyone into a dreamy, handholding state. Plus this show will be wall to wall bodies so you and your cute date with basically have to get real close (pro-tip: if your date has anxiety and wants to leave, do the right thing and walk them outside for a cigarette/vom in the alley).
Their sound: Psychfolk electronic whispers
See them: The Comfort Zone, Thurs June 13th 11PM.
MOST FORGETTABLE
Punk night at Yonge & Dundas. Punk is old news and things still suck: bands treat it like a job now and if you're into that, have fun moshing around I guess. Wild West inspired Social Distortion are headlining.
Their sound: Self proclaimed "cow punk" rocker dudes who won't say anything about Turkey
See them: Yonge and Dundas Square, Thurs.
FESTIVAL UNDERDOG
Grunge is dead but there's something about Roomrunner, a plaid (sigh) clad band of dudes from Baltimore, that makes us want to ruffle their hair and say hey, it's alright. We'll make room for Roomrunner.
Their sound: Hardcore infused everything's-funny early-Sebadoh stoner vibes.
See them: The Garrison, Thurs June 13th 11PM
PS: Don't leave, because US Girls is playing afterward! Awesome.
Who did we miss? Leave us your pre-game yearbook nominations, NXNE drinking games, and one liners in the comments.
Lead photo by Denise McMullin
In case you missed it, the Rob Ford story took an even darker turn yesterday when Gawker revealed details of a violent home invasion at the home where Rob Ford was pictured with shooting victim Anthony Smith. The site reports men regularly visited the house demanding the alleged video and later stormed the house with metal bars, beating the occupants.
Meanwhile, The Star is reporting the @PeeTeePeee Twitter account that has reported inside details of the Ford saga is Michael Prempeh, a special assistant to the mayor who quit on Friday. The account provided cryptic glimpses of the reaction to the original Gawker and Star stories from inside the mayor's office.
Despite the setbacks, the accusations of drug use, and the ongoing numerous high-profile departures from his office, Rob Ford's approval rating appears remarkably steady, proving Ford Nation really is loyal servant. The latest figures put the mayor's approval rating at 43%, roughly the same as it's been since January 2012.
Police have linked the disappearances of three men in Toronto's Church and Wellesley neighbourhood. Skandaraj "Skanda" Navaratnam, Abdulbasir "Basir" Faizi, and Majeed "Hamid" Kayhan vanished between 2010 and 2012 and were previously considered separate cases. Cops haven't ruled out foul play. "The concern is definitely there," a local bar manager told the Star.
Plans are afoot for major renovations and a new addition at 1 Spadina Crescent, the gothic revival masterpiece halfway up the Toronto's grand avenue. The University of Toronto will unveil a major restoration and extension project for the empty building next Tuesday. Until then, everything's hush-hush.
Also in development, Riocan, the developers behind the proposed Bathurst Street Walmart store, didn't exactly get a warm welcome during last night's community meeting. The company's lawyer was repeatedly jeered when he claimed the big box store would benefit the area. Riocan's plans still need to go through city council.
Anyone that's had a bicycle stolen in Toronto knows what a terrible violation it is to lose your mode of transportation to some thieving scumbag. Tapping into that vein of frustration, Twitter user Sinead Brown posted a lengthy rant on a telephone pole near where her bike was swiped and was even kind enough to provide the key to the lock that was also taken. Hasn't everyone wanted to do this at some point?
Transit riders rejoice - Walmart is coming to a shelter near you. Yep, that's right. City dwellers long deprived of the joyless big box experience can now use their smartphones to buy Proctor and Gamble products off a poster. The Walmart shelters are scattered across downtown and midtown areas.
Don't forget - the Yonge line will be closed Saturday and Sunday between Bloor and Union stations for signaling upgrades. A shuttle bus will run every three minutes between Rosedale, King, and St. Andrew stations but it's probably just best to use the University line, which will be running as normal.
IN BRIEF:
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: W/blogTO Flickr pool.
The photos of the week collect each of the editor-selected photos of the day into one post for a contest to be decided by our readers. Sponsored by Posterjack, the photographer whose image receives the most votes will be awarded with a voucher code for a 24"x36" poster print of their work.
All the rules and fine-print can be found in the original announcement post on the blogTO Flickr page. One thing to add, however, is that the voting period ends at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, after which the winner will be contacted with the good news.
For those photographers whose images are featured below, please feel free to give us a little information about your shot — i.e. where and when it was taken — in the comments section. Who knows? Maybe your description will sway voters in your favour!
Lead photo by Javin Lau.
Toronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious events: festivals, pop-ups, winemaker dinners, supper clubs and other food related happenings in Toronto this week and next. You can find us here every Friday morning.
THIS WEEK
UPCOMING
OTHER NEWS
Wednesday night at the Molson Amphitheatre was a glittering tribute to sex, love, and peace on earth: American rapper Pitbull was joined by the reigning Gonzo of pop, singer, song writer, and reality star Ke$ha. Though a quarter of the crowd were between the ages of say, eight and 16, penis costumes, sexual innuendo and not-even-innuendo were as abundant as glitter and booty shorts. It was an outrageous party in the most choreographed of ways.
Check out this slideshow for a visual recap of the event.
Photos by Brian Morton
Exactly 20 years ago today, as the final notes of Starship's paen to 80s era commercial rock "We Built This City on Rock'N'Roll" faded away into the murky 440 hz fuzz of amplitude modulation, Toronto's once mighty Top 40 radio station AM CFTR 680 was re-born as the city's very first all-news radio station, 680News, where it remains today as the most successful radio station in all of Canada.
CFTR began life in 1962 on 1540 kHz as CHFI-AM, simulcasting CHFI-FM. In 1971 it changed its call letters to CFTR, standing for "Canada's First Ted Rogers," honoring founder, owner and all around media guru Ted Rogers. The station flirted with different formats over the years, at first championing Top 40 and giving 1050 CHUM a run for the coveted title as most popular Toronto music station. Known in the industry as a trend setter for modern radio programming, CFTR switched to adult contemporary in 1986 and found great success with its commercial free Sundays, as well with popular DJs like Tom Rivers, Mike Cooper, and later Tarzan Dan. However at the dawn of the 1990s, it had become obvious that music ergo advertising revenue on AM was drying up, and a radical overhaul was necessary to survive.
A few markets in the US had successfully experimented with the all-news format, but the concept was untested in Canada in both radio and television. At the time, CNN had only recently completed its first decade on the air, and the value of a 24/7 news service was amazingly still considered niche. Had it not been for the breathless under-the-Baghdad-desks broadcasts from Wolf Blitzer and Bernard Shaw during the Gulf War of 1991, it's conceivable that even CNN would have remained an obscure cable channel, and the format of all news would have taken even longer to gestate as a sustainable commercial and populist enterprise. War, what is it good for?
After looking at the so-called "AM problem" in depth, CFTR toyed with the idea of switching to an all-news format, spurred on by rumours that rival 640AM was close to doing the same: no one wanted to be the last station still playing music on AM radio in Toronto. Thanks to some meticulous planning and research from CHFI News' director at the time John Hinnen, who had visited WINS 1010 New York, the originators of All News radio (tagline: "You give us 22 minutes we'll give you the world") and formulated a six-day turnover plan.
After acquiring their news manual, Hinnen was confident he could overhaul CFTR into a top shelf All News station. Now he just needed a buy-in. "The board called up Ted and asked him what he thought" recalls Hinnen, now General Manager of 680s News and VP of News, Rogers TV and Radio. "They said, hey Ted, we're making a million bucks a year now and if we do this we'll probably lose 5-7 million a year for the next few years. Ted said, sounds like a plan, let's do it. So, the entrepreneurship of a guy like Ted Rogers is the only reason why a station like 680 is around today. If you look at guys who are worried about quarters, it's a much different environment, but because Ted being Ted, he was prepared to invest in the long term, and we started making a profit in year five. Now it is the most profitable radio station in the country"
Hinnen recalls "It was an interesting launch. That week was crazy, totally crazy. People thought we were crazy. The competitors just couldn't believe we were doing this, they thought it was a waste of money".
While most of CFTR's existing on air personalities at the time were given pink slips (including Tarzan Dan, who went on to a prolific broadcast career at YTV as host of HITLIST), the news staff survived and eagerly stepped into the breach of this brave new All News era. Thankfully this carryover included the dulcet tones of Traffic reporter Darryl Dahmer: "I'd already been with the radio station for 20 years. We knew that this was coming and the shock was to change the major format of music, because we were at the top of the heap. But the seers had looked at what was going to happen on the horizon and I thought, great, traffic is part of the news department, so hopefully I will continue to have a job. And I'm still here today."
Dahmer: "I've seen a lot of transitions in the 50 some odd years I've been in the industry, but to make a change like this, and then realize the concept, it was absolutely fascinating to have news at your fingertips 24 hours a day. We all thought it was a pretty good thing. We missed the music because when we were working in the music format, we were part of the product, and now we're delivering the product."
Asked about the jazzy signature tune which accompanies all his TV commercials and has become another de facto aural mark of 680News, Darryl admits he was unsure of it at first. "I had nothing to do with it and I didn't think much of it when I heard it, but now it's grown on everyone. It's like mushrooms on the side of a tree. It's an absolute perfect piece of music as a bed for the commercials. I'm really proud of our commercials, they introduce our audience to one of the main things we do for them which is traffic reports".
In addition to Dahmer's essential airborne Traffic reports, another thing 680News has delivered consistently well in the last 20 years is consistency itself. John Hinnen remembers "In 1994 we were offered the Leafs rights for 4 years, so we thought about it and said no. The way we're gonna win is to be consistent, and I think that this is the most consistent radio station in the country in so far as we haven't changed formats.
The people are consistent, Darryl Dahmer has been with Rogers since 1973, the longest serving employee with Rogers is Russ Holden who started in 1967, at least a half a dozen of us who have been here since day one, myself, James Monroe, Gloria Martin. The fact that we haven't made a ton of changes, people have come to expect what this is, we've looked at it as a utility, as opposed to a radio station."
Has the rise of Twitter, and citizen journalists armed with smart phones and loose standards changed the way in which 680 operates, especially with pressure to break news before anyone else?
"Twitter now has certainly become a great source for tips, sometimes for news and information" wryly notes Hinnen. "We try and treat it in such a way that it's another source for us, and we'll try to check things out best we can. But traditional media needs to think of themselves in a slightly different way now, we're all trying to be competitive, but rather than get the story first, get the story right, and more importantly to be fair, but in terms of journalistic integrity, there's a real challenge to the media right now, which was a real problem with Boston coverage, Cleveland coverage, even the Rob Ford story, which we held off running that morning.
I believe 680 and City were the only media that held off. We didn't run the story until we'd had a chance to at least provide some balance so we wanted to make sure that we had a comment from Ford before we ran the story because to me it was such a damning accusation."
680News remains as relevant today as when it first launched 20 years ago, with radio now being only one platform for their reporting, but if the power goes out or your smartphone runs out of batteries it is ultimately the most important.
"We're a 24 hour a day wheel. When people tune in they know what they're gonna get. And it's exciting to provide this information in all the forms that we do to our audience. We edit this material on the fly, so it's not stale dated, like a newspaper. We say, when you read a newspaper, you're reading old news..." says Darryl Dahmer, not untruthfully.
Happy birthday 680News, here's to the next 20!
Retrontario plumbs the seedy depths of Toronto flea markets, flooded basements, thrift shops and garage sales, mining old VHS and Betamax tapes that less than often contain incredible moments of history that were accidentally recorded but somehow survived the ravages of time. You can find more amazing discoveries at www.retrontario.com
Weekend brunch is Toronto tradition — but not exclusively so, of course. It just seems that way sometimes, if only because we collectively seem to talk about it so much. But, so what? Even if we do go overboard on mythologizing our love of brunch, the tradition is as comforting as the food itself, especially after a night of indulgence. Moreover, Toronto's brunch options just get better and better. By way of demonstration, this set of photos from our Instagram followers highlights some of the eye-poppingly good options that are out there. Below are some of the best submissions we received.
For a truly hunger-inducing exercise, check out all the photos in our #brunchTO stream.
Breakfast sandwich at 7th Sister by saraash
Waffles at the Drake Cafe by adrnc
Beef pastrami at Fabernak by thingsineversay
Eggs Benny at O&B Canteen by gracekmwong
Srawberry pancakes at the Whippoorwill by uwland_lee
Mashup at Saving Grace by katebron
Flowers for brunch at the Guild by catfishmarlowe
Open-face breakfast sandwich with bacon and duck eggs at the Farmhouse Tavern by ltdsupplybeer
Traditional Irish breakfast at the Ceili Cottage by itsdaveholms
Lead photo of the Waffles Benedict at Starving Artist by adds29
Newly opened in the former site of the Barn at Church and Granby, this new pub has some pretty big shoes (or rather a really big space) to fill. While queer dance parties are already booking nights on the upper floors, the downstairs is now geared towards students with budget friendly pitchers and cheap eats. Whether the space will appeal to either of these constituencies is yet to be seen.
Read my profile of The Marquis of Granby in the restaurants section.
The annual art party of the year went down last night at the Power Plant. Functioning as a fundraiser for the gallery and an excuse for the Toronto art world (and their supporters) to get dressed up and shit-faced, this year's party bore the theme "15 minutes" because, as Andy Warhol told us, we each get a chance to be famous if just for one night.
Check out all the looks from the Power Ball in our Style section.
Imported from Calgary, this doughnut shop might not have much going for it in the atmosphere department, but that's much of a concern considering the quality of the goods on offer. Yup, these are the real deal. With offerings like maple bacon, s'mores and peanut butter cup, you'll forget that Tim Hortons is somehow a thing.
Read my profile of Jelly Modern Doughnuts in the baked goods section.
The 113-year-old Hotel Waverly, the faded historic building at College and Spadina, could be knocked down along with the Silver Dollar music venue to make way for new student accomodation under plans by The Wynn Group, a Toronto-based rental group and building developer.
If the project gets the green light, the Silver Dollar will get an all-new venue on the ground floor of the 20-storey building. The haggard and insalubrious hotel that dates back to 1900 wouldn't come back.
As currently proposed, the 14,676 square-metre, 20-storey tower would include 202 rental units targeted specifically at students and 1,622 sq. m. of retail space at ground level. The 2nd floor will host a "boutique" version of a Wynn Group fitness studio.
"It's a wooden structure so we have a lot of issues," says Paul Wynn from the Wynn Group of the Hotel Waverly. "We would rebuild the Silver Dollar, that's our intention, and build student housing above it."
"Instead of having the steps going up as you have now it would just be one main level. The same room basically, of course improvements: better equipment, a higher ceiling and it will be all open instead of a break as it is now."
The at-grade retail level will also be home to a small juice bar branded with the fitness studio and an entrance to the developer's new offices on the second floor.
The Wynn Group has owned the Hotel Waverly - previously spelled Waverley - since 1985. Wynn says the company has been talking about building something on the site for "1,000 years at least." He settled on the idea of student apartments when his daughter struggled to find a place to live while studying at the University of Toronto.
The current specifications call for 70 below-grade vehicle parking bays and 202 bike spots. Five ring and post spots will be provided outside the new Silver Dollar and gym. A loading bay and access to parking will be built off Douglas Campbell Lane behind the current hotel.
The kindest thing you could say about the Hotel Waverly is that it has a strong reputation. A former resident reached out to blogTO in November alleging regular disputes over rent and other charges, issues related to hygiene, and various other safety concerns. The claims were never verified.
The building at 484 Spadina opened in 1900 offering "pleasant, homelike accommodation" and is one of the city's oldest continually operating hotels. Canadian poet Milton Acorn lived there for many years and it's rumoured Martin Luther King's assassin James Earl Ray stayed there while on the run from cops in America, though he claimed in 1993 he had never heard of the place.
In popular culture, the historic building has provided a backdrop in the movie Killshot and a couple of music videos.
Wynn expects it to be at least two to three years before anything happens. "If I had a magic ball, I'd tell you," he says. "We'll take our time on it and see what happens."
What do you think of the designs? Do you think the Hotel Waverly building should be saved and incorporated into the tower or has it been neglected for too long?
MORE IMAGES:
Plan of the proposed 70-metre tower.
The view down Spadina from the north.
The view northeast from College west of Spadina.
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Images: The Wynn Group/Kirkor Architects and Planners, Peter Grevstad/blogTO Flickr pool.
The best sliders in Toronto don't take the definition (griddle cooked mini beef patties) too literally and instead encompass all manner of delicious, miniaturized sandwiches on a bun. These sliders include everything from sweetbreads to pulled pork and even fish and tofu varieties — the most common criteria seemingly their diminutive sizes served in multiples. They may be small, but there are plenty of big flavours to go around.
Here is the list of the best sliders in Toronto.
See also:
The Best Burger in Toronto
The Best Cheeseburgers in Toronto
The Best Old-School Burgers in Toronto
Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this June 7- 9, 2013.
MUSIC
Field Trip
Finally, Field Trip day has arrived! Arts & Crafts record label have been hyping their 10th anniversary for awhile now and the main event is happening this Saturday at Fort York. Broken Social Scene reunites for a headlining performance at Field Trip along with Feist, Stars, Bloc Party, Dan Mangan, Timber Timbre, Jason Collett and label newbies like The Darcys and Cold Specks. Music is the main event but there will be plenty of other things happening at one-day festival--buy handmade goods at the Etsy Village, visit Norman Wong's photography exhibit and eat and drink like it's the Toronto Underground Market because food trucks will be everywhere.
Tickets are still available (as I write this) at FieldTripLife.com along with the day's full schedule and grounds map (hint: be prepared to shuffle between two stages a lot). This day is going to make your summer worthwhile, rain or shine.
Fort York Garrison Common (250 Fort York Boulevard), June 8, 2013, 12PM $93.50-$142
For more music listings, check out our This Week in Music and June Concerts post.
PARTY
ROM Friday Night Live
ROM is hosting non-stop parties this weekend but Friday Night Live is really the only one that matters. With a focus on indigenous arts in honour of Aboriginal History Month, the evening will include performances by DJ Bear Witness from A Tribe Called Red and Craig James Laur. There will be art by Greg Staats, Amanda Strong and Alana McLeod and sartorial contributions by Charm Logan, Sage Paul and J'net Cavanagh. Buy tickets online if you want to party at the ROM for one of the final Friday Night Live events for 2013.
Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen's Park), June 7, 2013, 7PM $12 general, $10 student
MARKET
Gladstone Flea
Anita Clarke of I want I got and Jen McNeely of She Does the City have curated a marketplace in the heart of the Gladstone Hotel. Gladstone Flea will feature handpicked vintage goods, crafts, jewelry, design pieces and clothing for those who love thrift wear but can't deal with rummaging. A fun, friendly event, this flea lasts one day only, closing at 4PM.
Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West), June 8, 2013, 10AM Free
FASHION
Kastor & Pollux Pop-Up Shop
Local online fashion outlet Kastor & Pollux celebrates its second anniversary with a pop-up shop at Queen West boutique Sauvage, taking place this Friday and Saturday. The pop-up, which will also feature the launch of the brand's fifth collection, begins early at 11AM but the launch party takes place after the shop closes down, at 7PM on Friday night. Check out some preloved clothing and new accessories whether you come to shop or come to party.
Sauvage (644 Queen Street West), June 7-8, 2013, 11AM Free
WORN Fashion Journal presents: Secondhand Prom
Your second chance to correct all your prom fashion mistakes is here. Maybe it's ten years too late for you or maybe you're the type of person who can still fit into your prom outfit but whichever it is, WORN Fashion Journal is inviting you to relive it at Secondhand Prom. A party to launch the 16th issue of Toronto's best indie fashion magazine, the evening will include music by This Broken Mixtape and cake by baker Corey Moranis. Wear your old prom clothing or maybe even your parents if you want to win the award for class clown, just come by the party and pick up the latest issue of WORN, which is included with admission.
Church of the Holy Trinity (10 Trinity Square), June 8, 2013, 9:30PM $10 advance, $15 door
For more fashion listings, check out our This Week in Fashion post.
FESTIVAL
Dundas West Fest
Twelve city blocks are participating in Dundas West Fest this Saturday to show off where all the cool kids hang. Dundas Street West, from Lansdowne to Rowtown, will participate in this new street festival that will showcase a full day of music, arts, food, shopping and kids' activities. Check out special highlights like busker zones and have a drink on one (or more) of the 40 patios that Dundas has to offer. Can't make it to this street festival? There's a lot more where that came from.
Dundas Street West, June 8, 2013, 11AM Free
Annex Festival on Bloor 2013
Bloor Street is closing down for Annex Fest, which is essentially like Dundas West Fest on a smaller scale and northward. So what's so special about this festival? The Tranzac Club has curated all performances, fixing together a range of local performers to hit the stages all day, including Michelle Rumball and The Lemon Bucket Orchestra. FRINGE Festival performers will also be on-hand, providing street entertainment for the crowds that will be shopping, engaging performers and eating. The festival takes place on Sunday and will include Bloor Street being closed.
Bloor Street West (between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street), June 9, 2013, 11AM Free
Looking to forecast your summer? Check out our summer street festivals roundup.
FUNDRAISER
Luminato presents: BIG BANG BASH PARTY
Luminato is upon us and fashion design duo Viktor&Rolf have been commissioned to create a catwalk installation exclusively for the Toronto festival. Unveiled tonight at the festival's inaugural fundraiser Big Bang Bash, the installation, titled Dolls, will be the centre of several performances. The BBB follows a cocktail reception and a gala dinner, which are pretty pricey so if you're looking to just check out the art piece and join in on the later festivities, opt for only the party tickets.
Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen's Park), June 8, 2013, 9:30PM $200+
FOOD
Toronto Raw/Vegan Festival
Healthy, cruelty-free and eco-friendly are terms you'll hear a lot this weekend because the Toronto Raw/Vegan Festival is taking place on Saturday and Sunday at 918 Bathurst Centre. This free festival will feature speeches by raw food experts and chefs as well as food samples and learning tools. The event is free so if you're curious to learn the why and how of raw and vegan diets, now is your chance!
918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media & Education (918 Bathurst Street), June 8-9, 2013, 10AM Free
Artisanal Food Market
Harbourfront Centre opens its first artisanal food market with local food vendors and independent producers selling their fresh foods. Pura Quinoa, Upper Spice, Eudora's Fine Foods and Coffeecology are just some of the artisans who will have booths set up for marketgoers to sample and buy their foods. In addition to this market, the World Café will also be open, selling cuisines from international cultures. The market is free and open all weekend long.
Harbourfront Centre (235 Queen's Quay West), June 8-9, 2013, 12PM Free
For more food listings, check out our Toronto Food Events post.
ART
4th Annual Graffiti Festival
Toronto's best in graffiti spend Friday night in school at the 4th Annual Graffiti Festival. Taking place at Central Tech, local artists like Bomba, Jimmy Chiale, Elicser, Jah and Danilo will display their graffiti works at an event hosted by Rich Kidd and Mia Skye. The event, which serves to show the power that graffiti can have on kids and a community, will feature works by students in addition to professional artists. The show is free and has attracted thousands in the past so be prepared for a big crowd filling the school halls.
Central Technical School (725 Bathurst Street), June 7, 2013, 12PM Free
Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.
Photo of Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew by Kayley Luftig in the blogTO Flickr pool
NXNE invades Toronto, featuring heavy-hitters like Big Jay Oakerson and Donnell Rawlings. That said, they're not the only show in town. Follow me as I walk you through This Week In Comedy...
MON JUNE 10 - SUN JUNE 16 / NXNE / ALL OVER THE PLACE / ALL TIMES OF THE EVENING
Most of the attention is paid to the musical acts hitting the city, but make no mistake: the comedy's going to be fire. We have everyone from the Toronto favourite Big Jay Oakerson to the man I'll always remember as Senator Clay Davis' driver, Donnell Rawlings. There's really too many great acts for me to name here, so click here for the complete line-up.
WED JUNE 12 - SUN JUNE 16 / LAMONT FERGUSON ft. MATT BILLON & AARON POWER / ABSOLUTE COMEDY / 2335 YONGE / 8PM / $6-15
Lamont played the trumpet so well in high school that he got to open for Ella freakin' Fitzgerald. But what about his comedy? Well, he's done Comedy Central, won the Seattle International Comedy Competition, and opened for Cosby, Shandling, Carlin...wowzers. You know you're on your way when I only have to mention the last names of the people you've opened for.
SAT JUNE 15 / GREG BEHRENDT / COMEDY BAR / 945 BLOOR W / 8M & 1030PM / $20
Never heard of Greg? He was a Script Consultant for Sex and the City, and co-authored the best-seller and Oprah-featured He's Just Not That Into You. Yeah yeah yeah but what about his stand-up? Well, he's been on Conan, Leno, and JFL. When you combine great writing with great stand-up chops, the world is your oyster!
SAT JUNE 15 / FAN FICTION: WALKING DEAD EDITION / 945 BLOOR W / MIDNIGHT / $10
Now, technically, this is a NXNE show, but it's popularity and loyal following is so large that they deserved their own feature. Adam Ward, producer extraordinaire, brings us the Walking Dead edition of Fan Fiction. Oh, and did I mention that a make-up artist will be on hand to zombify all in attendance?! Killer idea!! If you want tickets, send an email as fast as possible to adam [.] ward [@] hotmail [.com].
About the Author: This is Michael Jagdeo, and I refuse to write about myself in the third-person. My blog, Diary of a Stand-up Comedian, walks you through the up's and down's (they're mostly down's, really) in my quest to become a killer comic in Toronto.
