3D printing has taken Toronto by storm this year. It's one of the hottest tech trends and for good reason. Can you imagine being able to print a pizza or burger at home? Sound like science fiction? It may not be.

At the recent MasterMind Talks event in Toronto, Roboticist Hod Lipson enlightened the crowd with the promises and perils of 3D printing machines that can make almost anything. Hod elaborated on the future of 3D printing being directly tied to printing your own food at home, similar to owning your own Star Trek food replicator.

Copying the methods from your traditional inkjet printer, 3D printers have the ability to produce layers of material to build up objects. Historically, these printers have been used for creating plastic moulds and prototypes, but a new generation of experimenters are replacing plastics with edible materials.

Although the models are relatively simple, the machine works in the same way as your printer at home. You upload an image, insert the edible ingredient you wish to use, and out comes your chocolate Picasso masterpiece. Although the technology is still primitive, as the majority of the manufactured food is simple liquids or powders, burgers with all the trimmings could be just around the corner.

Even with the tasty concept, 3D printed food still has a ways to go before it can be considered mainstream. Not only is it excruciatingly slow to print even the most basic models, the ingredients used are also very limited. If you were to invite guests over for a theoretical printed pizza party, you would have to set the date six months in advance before it would conceptually be ready.

For those looking to get started in the world of 3D printing, it's best not splurge on your own printer. They're simply too expensive right now with the price of entry level 3D printers coming in around $2000 and industrial models costing in the millions.

Luckily, there are 3D printers in Toronto where you can go and try out the technology. Although you won't be able to print your own food locally just yet, here are three Toronto 3D printers that can get you started:

Hot Pop Factory
Matt and Bi-Ying built their business on 3D jewellery, but they also have beginner friendly meet-up's and classes. They run events relatively often where you can learn the basics, create and print your own design, and bring it home with you. This is a great place to get started if you've never dabbled in 3D printing before.

Site 3
With a passion for 3D printing, you'll find an interesting combination of art and technology coming together at Site 3. They also host the monthly Toronto 3d Printers Meetup, where anyone can learn about 3D printing from the local Toronto experts. If you wanted stop in, you can check out their open night every Thursday where newcomers are not just welcomed, but encouraged.

3d Phacktory
Even though their brick and mortar shop borders into the more advanced territory of 3D printing, you can still get some basic models printed on their higher quality printers. As a nice advantage, if you lack the basic 3D printing skills, you can work with one of their consultants to mock up your 3d model as well. If you are looking to jump from beginner into intermediate or advanced territory, this may be the next place on your list.

Know of any other 3D printers in Toronto? Add them to the comment thread below.

Photo by Javin Lau

Toronto's humble (and now almost obsolete) telephone directory turned 134 years old this spring. The first ever book printed in Toronto to contain a list of people reachable by phone was printed on April 1 1879 on behalf of the Telephone Despatch Company Limited - the city's first phone company.

In the final years of the 1870s the telephone was in its infancy. The book, a small pamphlet really, was published before dialing, combined ear and mouth pieces, and the widespread adoption of residential phone lines. It even predates the ability to talk and listen at the same time. At just four pages long, the "list of subscribers" is really a list of early adopters of a radical new technology.

The Telephone Despatch Company was founded in 1878 by two brothers, Dr. Abner Mulholland and Melvin M. Rosebrugh, Hugh Neilson, and Charles Potter, an optician who became the company president. Melvin Rosebrugh was listed as the first manager.

Abner Rosebrugh and Charles Potter had history. The pair developed a technique for photographing the fundus of the eye in 1864 and had the city's first private phone line between their homes.

The company headquarters and 24-hour exchange was located at 10 King Street East, a few buildings west of Potter's opticians. According to historian and newspaper editor John Ross Robertson, the building was previously home to Thomas Haworth and Co., a wholesale hardware merchants. The Toronto Telephone Despatch Co. took over the space Haworth died in 1878.

By April 1879 the company boasted 40 miles of wire and was offering handsets to "any part of the city or suburbs." Not bad when you consider Alexander Graham Bell's invention had only been patented three years earlier.

Bell also held the Canadian patent for the telephone, which he partially transferred to his father, Alexander Melville Bell. The senior Bell leased the patent with his business partner Thomas Henderson to companies like the Toronto Telephone Despatch Company and the District Telegraph Company in Hamilton.

Making a simple call outside the local party line was ludicrously complicated by today's standards. Since there was no direct dialing, users had to call the central office, tell the operator which person they wanted to reach, and wait for the wires to be connected.

At the other end, a bell on the phone would sound, indicating an incoming call. To answer, the user had to flip a switch as shown on a piece of card. The operator would say "all-right" when the conversation could begin.

A red light on the side of the device glowed when the shared line was already in use and presumably hinted at a good time to eavesdrop.

"Speak slowly and distinctly, with some force, but not in a high tone," the book instructs, illustrating the limitations of the technology and the general unfamiliarity with telephones. "Let the telephone rest against the lower lip. While listening press the telephone firmly against the ear."

"At all times give your hearers ample time to transfer the telephone to their ear before you speak, and be certain a sentence is finished before you reply." Calls were expected to be kept under three minutes as a courtesy to other users.

Making a connection within the same line was easier: callers had to simply lift the receiver and signal the person with which they wished to speak. "If the call is not answered after repeating it, conclude they are absent, and ring no more just then." (that part really is in bold.)

According to Toronto Sun historian Mike Filey, the first commercial enterprise to purchase a telephone hook-up was the Queen's Hotel on Front Street, a predecessor to the Royal York.

The company's first private line was installed at Oliver Mowat's office in the old parliament buildings on Front Street. Mowat was the 3rd Premier of Ontario and a father of confederation. He began his political career as a city alderman and was the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario when he died in 1903.

The 1879 directory lists 56 private residences and businesses that were available by phone, including the Eye and Ear Infirmary, the Empress Hotel, the Globe newspaper, Union Pacific railway, and the Toronto Evening Telegram.

Notable among the early adopters was John Ross Robertson, the newspaper editor, historian, and later MP mentioned earlier, who listed a connection at his Evening Telegram office at King and Bay streets and home at 72 Bay Street.

Ambrose Small, the theatre tycoon at the centre of Toronto's most sensational unsolved mystery, may also have been available by phone: the Grand Opera House he worked at as a boy ripping tickets and serving drinks is also listed as one of the available businesses in the 1879 directory.

As printers of the book, Bingham & Taylor, an outfit located on Leader Lane, seem to have been given free ad space. The top and bottom of all but one page carries their name and promotes samples, estimates, "unique and desirable" typefaces, and high quality of their work.

The Toronto Telephone Despatch Co. lasted only two years before it was bought out by the Bell Telephone Company of Canada, a precursor to today's Bell Canada. Mike Filey reports Hugh Neilson took over as manager at this point and Bell remained at 10 King East for a few years longer.

When this year's local Yellow Pages lands on your doorstep remember its lengthy pedigree before you put it in the junk drawer and forget about it.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Images: Toronto Public Library, City of Toronto Archives, Chris Bateman/blogTO

Severely inclement weather has a way of making one question the very purpose of whatever activity has brought you out to bear through it in the first place. This is particularly relevant as it pertains to live music - if a few thousand people pay to suffer through a freezing cold rainstorm on a beach just to see a couple of bands, well, those bands better ensure they're giving their all and then some.

Thursday night's soaked festivities at Echo Beach put this pressure on two bands known for their subtlety and gradual refinement, rather than tangible bombast: London's the xx and Brooklyn's Grizzly Bear.

Being a casual fan of both bands and also amongst the cold huddled masses grouped next to Lake Ontario, I'm happy to say that the former justified the latter. While either group could've likely headlined the show, the xx's noir-pop lends itself to an after-dark timeslot, and their later set in particular proved particularly affecting to the dance-ready crowd on hand. Aside from beers seemingly priced by a random number generator, the setting wasn't half as dreary as it appeared at first glance, both bands doing such a good job of turning their own unique atmospherics outwards.

And so Grizzly Bear got things started early while concertgoers steadily trickled onto the mushy sands of the venue. Beginning with the propulsive "Speak in Rounds," one of the highlights from last year's prog-influenced Shields, the band were able to get the soaked crowd on board almost immediately. Despite the fact that the rain hadn't tapered off since the early afternoon, the audience danced and sang along to the baroque-pop jams while jellyfish-shaped lanterns bobbed ceaselessly behind the band.

"Knife", from their breakout 2007 album Yellow House, was an early highlight, and the ragged guitar workouts of "Sleeping Ute" and "On a Neck, On a Spit" also provided much needed respite from the natural sedative the band can sometimes provide. Michael McDonald was of course not on-hand to lend his yacht-rock sensibilities to the proceedings, but guitarist/singer Daniel Rossen more than made up for it with his rich, sonorous voice. He traded lines off with multi-instrumentalist Ed Droste on the set-closing "Sun in Your Eyes", and while there was none to be found anywhere, Grizzly Bear provided a good placebo effect.

It was the xx, though, who really shone on this night sans shine. The chemistry between all three band members was electric, immediate upon the opening loops of "Try" and continuing right up until the resignation of the encore-closing "Angels". Despite the freezing cold, the trio's bass-heavy tunes got the crowd hot and heavy, producer en vogue Jamie xx bringing a singular texture to the performance as he does their recorded counterparts.

Throughout the set, the band was accompanied by one of the more complicated, aestheticized lightshows I've seen in some time. At first consisting only black-and-white lights flickering behind the band, multiple colours began to converge with lasers shooting their eponymous logo. It elicited a giant response from the crowd, though both Oliver Sims and Romy Madley-Croft each mugged to the audience to receive rapturous applause at various points throughout the show.

The crowd was on their side from the get-go, so it took precious little needed from the bands to get the audience onboard - Droste thanked the audience for coming out in "this situation," and the xx dedicated their love to fans for their ongoing resilience.

Ultimately, it was a pretty great show, and it says something that a crowd inclined to have an awful time ended up clearly loving it, in spite of uncontrollable extenuating circumstances. Both bands are well worth their salt regardless of hype, and they remain absurdly accomplished live acts for their relatively young ages (both individually and collectively). Here's to hoping that continues to grow with time.

Grizzly Bear set
Speak in Rounds
Sleeping Ute
Yet Again
Knife
A Simple Answer
Foreground
Ready, Able
While You Wait for the Others
On a Neck, On a Spit
Two Weeks
Half Gate
Sun in Your Eyes

The xx set
Try
Heart Skipped a Beat
Crystallized
Sunset
Reunion
Missing
Fiction
Shelter
Nighttime
VCR
Islands
Chained
Infinity

Encore
Intro
Angels

Photos by Hannah Jor

Photo by ZensLens in the blogTO Flickr pool

Billy Idol played Casino Rama on Thursday, so I decided to make the trip up to Orillia to see the show, since he's somehow not playing Toronto on this tour. Was it worth the trip?

There seems to be a growing trend for mostly older bands to do the casino circuit in lieu of playing in nearby big cities. This is the first time I decided to check out a show there.

I had hoped to take my girlfriend to Rama by way of a two-hour scenic motorbike ride, but it was cold and rainy, so I considered the options. There's the Tai Pan Tour bus to Casino Rama, which is quite the deal at just $10 per trip. If you don't mind being beholden to their bus schedule. We rented a car instead. Rama is nearest to Orillia, so we decided to make an overnight trip of it, finding this quaint Hotel Champlain Quality Hotel via Hotwire.

After we checked in, I bumped into a friendly guy wearing a Billy Idol VIP laminate pass in the hotel lobby. His sister is the head of the Billy Idol Fan Club, he said. But he couldn't get us backstage. He did mention that if we got to Casino Rama by 5 p.m. we'd likely be able to get into the soundcheck.

Not being the hugest fan, though, we opted instead to check out what culture could be found nearby. We hit up the main drag of Orillia, strangely named Mississauga Street. It almost felt like home! There's a bunch of neat spots in town, like the Mariposa Market, where they had Muskoka Berry Tarts.

A few doors down, a lazy cat welcomed us in the window of Boudicca Used Books. Next door was Alleycats Music & Art, which was mostly filled with overpriced vinyl — not too dissimilar from Toronto.

They did have a cool selection of buttons, including one of Corey Heart.

And look who was staring down at me from the top CD shelf!

Across the street, I really wanted to check out Extreme Rockstar Clothing, figuring it looks like a place Billy Idol might be found hiding out in. But it was inexplicably closed on this early Thursday afternoon.

It was getting closer to showtime, so we found a place to eat nearby the hotel instead of getting there early and taking advantage of the $19.95 all-you-can-eat buffet at Casino Rama.

We arrived at Casino Rama to a rainy parking lot. Hey, at least the parking's free. If downtown Toronto ever got their own Casino, I bet parking would cost more than the buffet dinner.

We had about 45 minutes to kill before the show, so we walked around the casino complex, which I found really dark, except for the bright lights of the slot machines. It was pretty depressing, watching all these old ladies gambling away their pensions. Perhaps unique to Casino Rama, they've got a children's card game WAR that you can bet on and win (or lose) big!

By 8 o'clock it was showtime! Unlike most Toronto gigs I've been to, where there's a local supporting act, at Rama they get right down to business. We had 14th-row floor seats and everyone around us seemed older than us, making me wonder if they make a habit of comping casino regulars with free show tickets.

The front few rows appeared to be made up of Fan Club members. A few lucky female fans had a great time caressing Billy Idol's upper thigh. Billy didn't seem to mind. Nor did the laid back security. Try this move in a Toronto gig and you're likely to be tossed out by a meathead bouncer.

Behind us, though, was another story: Bored-looking couples in their 50s and gaggles of Soccer Moms, sitting on their hands during the performance.

Billy Idol was animated throughout his show, playing a few newer songs alongside big hits that at least got some of the crowd on their feet.

Hearing White Wedding and Mony Mony live were definite highlights of the trip. He did an amusing cover of The Doors' L.A. Woman, altering the lyrics to Ontario Woman. I almost missed hearing the usual call out of "Toronto, how do you feeeeeeeel?"

At 57, Billy Idol's still a class act. Full of bravado, fist pumps and handshakes to the faithful fans in the front rows. He even had a giant Sharpie on stage with him to sign autographs while singing.

Altogether, I'd say it was a welcome departure from the Toronto concert experience and definitely a memorable trip to Casino Rama. Maybe you'd consider checking out a show there next month if you're a fan of Alice Cooper, Whitesnake, Collective Soul, Third Eye Blind or Journey.

Photos by Roger Cullman Photography.

Out of the ashes of the former Annex Live space rises this new bar, which notably is (still) all about live music. Oh, don't forget the cocktails. Even if the focus is on beer and live shows, the drinks don't slouch.

Read my review of Measure in the bars section.

There's at least five other cafes within a kilometre of this new addition to College Street near Dufferin. Does that matter? Probably not. With good coffee and a bright space, there's almost certainly room for one more.

Read my review of the Brockton Haunt in the cafes section.

One of the best and worst parts of NXNE are the four nights of free concerts at Yonge Dundas Square showcasing international beloved recording stars and Billy Talent. If you can stand large crowds then it's an affordable (free!), unique night out. If you hate large crowds then it's a living hell. As a veteran of many a Yonge Dundas Square show, I'd like to share some handy tips straight from the trenches.

1. If you don't like crowds don't go. Even if you promised your dying best friend that you would see Social Distortion before you joined him in hell, don't go. It's not worth it bro. Seriously, avoid it at all costs.

2. If you're on the fence about your comfort with crowds, do this little simulation: get on the subway during rush hour at Yonge Station. Wrap your earbuds in tinfoil then loudly play one of the bands playing you don't really care for. Get off at Union, find a bathroom, use it, then get back on the subway and ride it to Dundas Square. Get off, find the nearest smoker then breath as deeply as possible. Do you still want to go?

3. Don't bring anything that you can't fit in your pockets. Carrying a shopping bag, for instance, for a long time can be a real pain. If you set anything down, it will take all your attention. You'll even find a backpack to be cumbersome. This year, I think I'll try out a fanny pack. YOLO.

4. Try to avoid making mental enemies of strangers to pass the time. Sometimes I'll pick out a person in front of me wearing a dub outfit and make fictions up in my head about their poor character. It's a fun way to pass the time but gets me all riled up to the point of distraction.

5. Piss, like a lot, before you get there. If you're standing in the crowd and need to go, it can literally take hours to find a bathroom and return to your spot. Tip: LCBO bathrooms.

6. The closer you get to the stage the better you will see. However, the closer you get the stage the more you'll be pushed, squished and have your tush touched.

7. Don't bother going with a group any bigger than 4-5 people. You will get split up and half the show will be spent trying to find them again in the crowd.

8. If you are a smoker do not smoke if you are in the crowd. Technically you are outside, but it's a really dick thing to do. Although if you are literally surrounded by people smoking, then light up!

9. If you see someone you only know causally but feel warm towards, don't be shy about saying hello. A friendly face is made friendlier by a large crowd. Plus they may have snacks.

10. If you're biking, don't bother looking for a spot to lock east of Bay St. Your time is better spent locking up far away and walking the remainder.

BONUS: Finally, enjoy the unique experience of being in a crowd for good reasons. It's an infinitely safer thing to be in a crowd to see Joey Bada$$$ then to protest a corrupt government or violently bemoan the loss of a favourite sports team. A crowd is a unique beast and provides fascinating insight into the way humans interact individually and as a collective. It's the closest you can get to being in a John Steinbeck novel without having to pick fruit for pennies and eat tumbleweed soup.

Oh, BTW here is the full line up.

Thursday June 13th
6:00 pm - Imperial State Electric
7:00 pm - The Flatliners
8:00 pm - Old Man Markley
9:00 pm - Social Distortion

Friday June 14th
6:30 pm - CTZNSHP
7:30 pm - Hayden
9:10 pm - The National

Saturday June 15th
1:00 pm - Riverdale
2:00 pm - Steve Hill
3:00 pm - We Are Scientists
4:00 pm - Blinker The Star
5:00 pm - Moon King
6:00 pm - Big Black Delta
7:00 pm - Teenage Kicks
8:00 pm - Millencolin
9:00 pm - Billy Talent

Sunday June 16h
3:00 pm - Mickey Avalon
4:00 pm - Deniro Farrar
5:00 pm - The Underachievers
6:00 pm - Fat Tony
7:00 pm - Smif N' Wessun
8:00 pm - Joey Bada$$
9:00 pm - Ludacris

Photo by indian nomad in the blogTO Flickr pool

Toronto events on June 12th, 2013

ART | Super Sketch NXNE at The Norman Felix Gallery
Another awesome event takes place tonight as part of the brand new art component of this year's NXNE fest. This evening at the Norman Felix Gallery, a Super Sketch party goes down, and similar events using this moniker have been happening all over Asia and gaining popularity. Tonight's event will be a multimedia collaboration of sorts, with group of visual artists using overhead projectors to accompany 4 different musical acts. A novel idea, and one originating in San Francisco in the early 1950s, with roots decades earlier in the tradition of projected scenery. Tonight's musical acts are ADC, CelloPhone, Nkrumah and Gal Musette, and they will have a colourful encounter with artists Andrew Foerster, Kristina Falcomer, Andrew Dunn Clarke, Random, Lavinia Ungureanu, Oded Levy, Jonna Pederson, Mandy Martin and Sarah Elminshawi.
Norman Felix Gallery (627 Queen Street West) 7PM $15

BOOKS & LIT | Chiaroscuro Reading Series
Chiaroscuro is a forward thinking reading series that you should be aware of, and is taking place both here in TO, as well as Ottawa and Vancouver. It happens on the second Wednesday of each month at Augusta House in Kensington Market, and Chiaroscuro focuses on what they refer to as "speculative fiction," which includes fantasy, sci-fi, horror and other related genres. Tonight's readings will come from short-fiction writer E.L. Chen, novelist Guy Gavriel Kay, "indie culture maker" Jim Munroe, Leon Rooke, and writer/musician Kari Maaren. Tonight's event will be hosted by Chiaroscuro program coordinator, Sandra Kasturi.
The Augusta House (152A Augusta Avenue, 2nd Floor) 8PM

MUSIC | Afrofest Celebrates 25 Years w/ NXNE Official Launch & Concert
Tonight, at the Gladstone Hotel, a special taste of Afrofest, as part of NXNE. This is a special launch party and celebration of the festival that will take place on July 6th and 7th at Woodbine Park. The "media launch" starts the evening off at 6:30PM, with announcements of the full lineup for the festival and other deets, and then the concert and party goes down at 8PM, with performances by Njacko Backo, Madagascar Slim, Foly Asiko, Tich Maredza Band, Trinity, and DJ Biggy. This year marks Afrofest's 25th anniversary, so this will be a party to reckon with.
Gladstone Hotel - The Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West) 6:30 / 8PM $10

FILM | Contact Dance International Film Festival
The Contact Dance International Film Festival begins this evening at Dovercourt House. With support of Bank of Montreal Financial Group, this festival will expose viewers to 14 independently-produced dance films from seven different countries, to be screened over the course of two days. Tonight's films include Contact Baby, a Canadian film about dance and pregnancy; Souvenir of a Summer Jam, the story of two women dancing at Earthdance; Negative Space/Positive Space; Sense 8, a film where contact dance techniques meet film production techniques; Between The Lines; Usual, a Japanese film, and In Touch a German film shot in Goa, India. The second night of the festival takes place tomorrow evening at The Revue Cinema.
Dovercourt House (805 Dovercourt Road) 8:45PM $10

CONTINUING

NXNE 2013

Be sure to check out our NXNE festival preview, top Toronto bands to check out at the fest, and our Yonge-Dundas Square survival guide.

Also Of Note

• NXNE: Mute, Elos Arma, Artful Vandelays, Coyote, Thought Beneath Film & Mouth
• Seinfeld Super Terrific Happy Hour Trivia
• "Green Something" Opening Reception

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo from Afrofest's Facebook page

Toronto moved a step closer to using ranked ballots and allowing permanent residents to vote in municipal elections yesterday. City council voted to ask the province to allow both electoral system modifications, possibly opening the door for other cities to do the same. Premier Kathleen Wynne says she is watching the situation closely.

Rob Ford will have to find a new campaign team unless his health improves. The Star says both Nick Kouvalis and Richard Ciano, the managers behind Ford's successful 2010 run, will not return unless he clean up his "health and well-being." Could Ford have a hard time attracting allies when it comes time to vote in 2014?

Also in Ford, the mayor isn't worried about the lack of a female representative on his executive committee because there are plenty of other women in other roles at the city. Ford said TTC Chair Karen Stintz and Speaker Frances Nunziata were two he'd personally "put there." Coun. Jaye Robinson was removed from the Ford's inner circle earlier this week for urging the mayor into rehab.

Just for laughs, coun. Giorgio Mammoliti tabled a motion at yesterday's council meeting requesting the city south of Davenport revert to horse and buggy for transportation. The chair ruled the motion, which came up during a debate about congestion and also called for period costume, out of order.

A judge will soon decide the fate of Darwin the Ikea monkey (remember this?) Owner Yasmin Nakhuda, who calls herself the animal's "mom," is suing the sanctuary where the rhesus macaque is being held, claiming it was taken away "unlawfully." Darwin was found wandering around the parking lot of the home decor store in a shearling coat in December. The city forbids monkeys being kept as pets.

Finally, the West Toronto Railpath could be extended south to Strachan Ave. and the Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge if a new study gives the green light. The first consultation on extending the popular biking and walking trail south the Martin Goodman Trail is on June 26 on Bloor West. Is this a vital missing link in our bike/walk network?

IN BRIEF:

• Via derailment report says crew misperceived warning signal [CBC]
• Man arrested at Pearson airport with two kilograms of cocaine taped to his legs [Toronto Star]
• Blue Jays rally to extra-inning victory over White Sox [CBC]

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Jason Cook/blogTO Flickr pool.

This Week in Fashion rounds up the week's style news, store openings and closings, pop-up shops, sales and upcoming fashion and design events in Toronto. Find it here every Wednesday morning.

NEWS

Last week, Hudson's Bay Queen Street (176 Yonge St) unveiled its new department: a 50,000 square foot space on the ground floor dedicated solely to women's shoes (pardon the pun), making it the largest in Canada of its kind. Both the store's mid-range and luxury shoes can now be found in the shiny, massive room though they were previously separated. I know it's already a lot to take in, but Hudson's Bay has more brands and more sub-boutiques planned for the near future - brace yourselves!

Also last week, the same Hudson's Bay location (176 Yonge St) opened the doors to its Drake General Store pop-up shop. The two have joined forces to bring Drake General Store's beloved Canadian charm to the massive retailer's lower level, all while staying true to the former's aesthetic. The signature glowing purple cross proudly hangs in the space, alongside other familiar pieces including the forever-a-favourite metallic piggy bank.

EVENTS/PARTIES

Frische - a new, Toronto-based fashion magazine - is dropping its first print issue, no doubt filled with all things "young, brave and fucking fabulous." Dance to the tunes of Mix Chopin with the magazine's editors, industry professionals, and generally fashionable people at the official launch party tomorrow (June 13) at PopUp 120 (120 Ossington Ave) from 7 pm onwards.

On Saturday (June 15), The Gladstone Hotel Art Bar (1214 Queen St W) will be home to a one-day pop-up shop and sample sale run by a slew of the city's sweetest designers and artisans. Homegrown Boutique, Fredrick Prince, Dagg & Stacey, Beau Cou, and The Pop Shop will all be present to offer their unique finds at special prices, so head down between 10 am and 7 pm or miss out and regret it forever.

If you've got new or gently used business attire collecting dust in your closet, have it put to good use by donating it to Dress for Success Toronto's latest initiative in support of the Bay Street Suit Challenge. Until next Tuesday (June 18), bring it over to the Calvin Klein Underwear store at the Royal Bank Plaza (200 Bay St) and receive 15% off your next purchase of $75 or more. With your help and donated clothing, you'll better the careers of low-income women across the city.

SALES

Forever 21's annual lingerie sale is already underway. Starting at the Yonge/Dundas (1 Dundas St) and Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St) locations, support your private parts in style with everything under $8. Get your undergarments in check quick, because this sale will only last until there are no more bras and panties in sight.

Photo from the Drake General Store's Facebook page

Arriving at this new Queen West pizza bar, I'm firstly just dumbstruck by how close this place is to North of Brooklyn Pizza (literally around the corner), not to mention there's at least another half dozen pizzerias ranging from Pizza Pizza to Terroni all in walking distance. What could this place possibly do different from all them?

Read my profile of Enzo Pizza Bar in the restaurant section.

This condo at 80 Crescent Rd. could really be defined as a house if it wanted to, but it decided to identify as a condo instead. Said identification makes total sense, given the square footage, the size of the kitchen, and the fact that it is a 2-bedroom abode in Rosedale that costs $2,590,000. But, either way, it boasts a gorgeous modern design, while maintaining what appears to be a welcoming energy and sense of livability.

SPECS

Address: 80 Crescent Rd.
Price: $2,590,000
Square Footage: Just over 3,000
Bedrooms: 2+1
Bathrooms: 4
Storeys: 2
Parking Spaces: 2
Fireplaces: Yes
Monthly Maintenance: $704.09

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Rooftop terrace
• Private garden
• Sub-zero wine fridge

GOOD FOR

People who know they want a small family, and can stomach living in Rosedale.

MOVE ON IF

If, much like a feral cat, you're looking for your 'forever home.' This is not a place to welcome a growing family. It is a place for austere people in their mid-30s and up who don't want to make their own beds. Or their own coffee.

ADDITIONAL IMAGES

Read other posts in this series via our Toronto Condos and Lofts Pinterest board.

A list of free outdoor movies in Toronto this summer.

Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? The milk in this case is the chance to watch films without paying, and I don't mean by sneaking into a theatre. And the metaphorical milk in this case is almond milk...where my vegans at? Back on topic, if you didn't already know that you have tons of opportunities to watch films for FREE in Toronto this summer, here you go. There are free film events happening all over our great city, so grab a blanket, grab a friend, and I'll see you movie lovers there.

I've highlighted my personal DO NOT MISS films in Bold, to make stalking me easier.

City Cinema: Cult Classics at Yonge & Dundas Square (TUE)
Location: South East Corner of Yonge & Dundas

Tue, 25 June @ 9:00pm - Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985)
Tue, 2 July @ 9:00pm - Army of Darkness (1992)
Tue, 9 July @ 9:00pm - Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Tue, 16 July @ 9:00pm - Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Tue, 23 July @ 9:00pm - The Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Tue, 30 July @ 8:30pm - The Goonies (1985)

It's a little annoying watching films in the square because of light and noise pollution, but since it's free, you've got nothing to lose. Give it a shot!

Free Flicks: Harbourfront (WED)
Location: Lower Simcoe St & Queens Quay, Harbourfront Centre

July 03 @ 9:00pm - Little Shop of Horrors: The Director's Cut
July 10 @ 9:00pm - Galaxy Quest
July 17 @ 9:00pm - Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
July 24 @ 9:00pm - Top Secret!
July 31 @ 9:00pm - Streets of Fire
August 7 @ 9:00pm - The Triplets of Belleville
August 14 @ 9:00pm - That Thing You Do!
August 21 @ 9:00pm - Josie and the Pussycats
August 28 @ 9:00pm - Audience Choice

There's a terrific selection of free flicks at Harbourfront this year, including my top choice Galaxy Quest. If you hear an annoying guy in the audience saying all the best lines as they happen on screen, that's me, don't forget to say "hi" — or "shhhhhh."

TIFF In the Park: A Summer of Romance (WED)
Location: King & Simcoe, David Pecaut Square

July 3 @ 9:15 PM - Casablanca
July 10 @ 9:15 PM - Moonstruck
July 17 @ 9:15 PM - City Lights
July 24 @ 9:15 PM - Sleepless in Seattle
July 31 @ 9:00 PM - The Way We Were
August 7 @ 9:00 PM - Clueless
August 14 @ 9:00 PM - Sense and Sensibility
August 21@ 8:30 PM - Roman Holiday
August 28 @ 8:30 PM - The Notebook

This lineup sounds like the perfect cure for insomnia, so if you like falling asleep outside at night, surrounded by strangers, in downtown Toronto, then this is for you! Be sure to tell your grandma though, or that lonely aunt you have with all of the cats.

Junction Movie Nights (FRI)
Location: The Junction Train Platform (Dundas St. West / Pacific Ave.)

June 22 @ 9:30PM - "Steamboat Bill" featuring live music accompaniment.
Every Second Friday in July & August - More Movies announced soon!

Seeing a Movie with live musical accompaniment can be an incredible adventure. Step back in time and experience film like it used to be, before "talkies" ruined it for everyone. Plus it's on a train platform, which is super weird. You'll finally have something interesting to instagram besides your lunch.

Movies in the Park - Riverdale Park East (SUN)
Location: 550 Broadview Ave

July 7 @ "when it's dark" - Top Gun
July 21 @ "when it's dark" - Goonies
Aug 4 @ "when it's dark" - ET the Extra Terrestrial
Aug 18 @ "when it's dark" - Ferris Beuller's Day Off

If you can resist watching Ferris Beuller's Day Off on any screen in any locale, then you're a much stronger person than me. This will be my first time at the Riverdale event, so I'll be sure to report back on the viewing conditions.

Christie Pits Film Festival: Hits in the Pits (SUN)
Location: Christie Pits Park

July 7 @ 9PM - That Thing You Do!
July 14 @ 9PM - Gimme Shelter
July 21 @ 9PM - Buena Vista Social Club
July 28 @ 9PM - The Last Waltz

If you didn't get enough films about bands at NXNE, here's you chance to see some cool flicks including some classic Rolling Stones. Expect people to be dancing on their blankets at this one.

Dog Bowl Movie Night / Movies and dates TBD
Location: Trinity Bellwoods Park

Join the Dog Bowl Movie Night Facebook group for updates.

Probably my favourite free film event in Toronto. Last year's screening of the greatest comedy of all time Wet Hot American Summer was the most fun I've had at the bottom of a hill sober with all of my clothes on. Full disclosure: I was neither sober nor fully clothed.

Sail-In Cinema / Movies and dates TBD
Location: Sugar Beach (25 Dockside Drive)

Sail-In Cinema claims to be the "world's first two-sided floating movie experience" and "Toronto's largest outdoor theatre event". For three summer nights, Canada's Sugar Beach is transformed into an outdoor theatre. Movies are shown under the open skies on a two-sided screen set atop a barge in Toronto Harbour. Watch movies for free from the water, or pull up a sandcastle and watch from the beach. Warning: sitting on a sandcastle will likely make a child cry, so wait until after the movie.

Did we miss any other Free outdoor film screening? Please let us know in the comments.

Photo courtesy of the Sail-In Cinema

This Yorkville men's shoe boutique is unlike any other in Canada. Not only do they carry exclusive international brands, but they also offer made-to-order and bespoke services for that extra slice of luxury goodness.

Read my profile of Leatherfoot in the fashion section.

Toronto Taste, Second Harvest's 23rd annual culinary fundraiser, was held at the ROM on Sunday, and featured 65 of the city's most popular restaurants and 35 beverage purveyors. Food and wine lovers who paid the $250 ticket price were treated to a dizzying array of seemingly endless fine food and wines, and got the opportunity to rub shoulders (and be served by) some of Toronto's top chefs, including Food Network chefs Mark McEwan and Michael Smith.

Second Harvest is a food rescue and delivery program which takes donations of surplus fresh and frozen food, and delivers it to local community agencies. This event has raised over $9 million to support Second Harvest.

Check out 25 photos from this culinary adventure.

All photos by Natta Summerky

Councillor Adam Vaughan thinks it's a "terrible idea" to build mid-rise student accommodation on the site of the Hotel Waverly and Silver Dollar Room at College and Spadina, calling the plans "unacceptable." Vaughan, the councillor for Trinity-Spadina, compared the idea to a similar controversial proposal at 245 College, which he says is "effectively a high-rise rooming house."

The Wynn Group, the owners of the 113-year-old building, released plans to demolish the existing structures and build a 20-storey tower they say is aimed at University of Toronto students last week. The units would feature shared kitchen and living space, similar to a dormitory. Only the Silver Dollar would return if the plans are realized.

"It puts people into very vulnerable situations," Vaughan said yesterday during a break at city council. "There's no guarantee students go in there, and it's an idea that cannot and must not be replicated. The U of T is a bad building, and this one is even worse."

The proposed 24-storey student building at 245 College was turned down by the city last year after strong opposition from neighbours who, like Vaughan, feared the building would become a large rooming house, a designation officially limited to just 25 units. That proposal is due to go before the Ontario Municipal Board next month.

Paul Wynn from the company that owns both the Hotel Waverly and Silver Dollar says 245 College was the inspiration for his proposal. "My brother [and business partner] Jeff really wants to do student housing," he says. "The difference there is they were trying to get 750 beds into a smaller site. Our site is substantially larger and were trying to get 220 beds. You can't compare it."

"Adam Vaughan's comments signify one of two things: his cynicism towards the development process or, I hate to say it, a direct prejudice to our family because of the name Wynn. I don't have a crystal ball, I can't tell you the future, but my family's intention is exactly as we expressed."

Wynn believes there are "very sound economic reasons" behind their plan for student rentals, saying it wouldn't make sense to build condos or apartments instead because of the location next to the Scott Mission. "It's not coming for an altruistic reason it's coming for a pragmatic reason."

Vaughan, while emphatic in his opposition to the development as it stands, does think there is scope for something to be done with the crumbling wood-frame hotel. "I think that there's a strategy that needs to pursued around heritage, but it also needs to be realistic," he says.

"Can the site do more than it's currently doing? I'd be willing to look at that, but this proposal, however, is unacceptable. The neighborhood has seen it, and the neighborhood has told them."

Paul Wynn says he would be prepared to discuss changes to the project with Vaughan.

What do you think of the plan for the Waverly Hotel? Are Adam Vaughan's concerns justified? What do you think of the plans to demolish the Hotel Waverly and keep the Silver Dollar?

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Images: Mike Manalang, The Wynn Group/Kirkor Architects

Free NXNE concerts are destined to leave a scent in the air. Do you know the smell? No, it's not summer per se; it's booze and bands and parties...And wristband plastic?

NXNE is once again descending on the city. Music wristbands are 60 bucks and tax, but there's nothing that says you have to drop a bunch of money to see some great live music. There's free events all over the city this week that'll let you experience some of the best bands working today in some really interesting settings.

YONGE & DUNDAS SQUARE
This is obviously the big story here, with big draws guaranteeing big crowds... kind of throughout the festival, really. Ludacris is now set to headline Sunday June 16th after the previously-booked Big Boi had to bow out. SoCal punk heavyweights Social Distortion headline Thursday the 13th. The endearingly-introspective-and-scruffy The National are headlining on Friday, with their (equally scruffy) buddy Hayden opening at 7:30. Saturday's got the most performances, though, with Billy Talent going on at 9:00 and can't-miss acts including local favoritesMoon King and Teenage Kicks starting at 1pm.

ARTS & CRAFTS POP UP PERFORMANCE SERIES / 1093 Queen St West / June 12-15th, 5pm-2am
At the acclaimed record label's pop up shop (1093 Queen St West,) you can catch some great artists performing for free every day. The shows go every hour from 5pm to 2am, so you can basically make your way down whenever you're free and be guaranteed some great acts. There's great artists every night, but we recommend The Darcys at 9PM Wednesday, and the Thursday set is particularly interesting, featuring local rockers Pup as well as the enigmatic and magnetic electronic artist Digits.

YOUNG LION'S MUSIC CLUB LIVE IN BELLWOODS SERIES / Trinity Bellwoods Park, June 13th-16th, 4-7pm (Thursday-Friday) 2-6pm (Saturday-Sunday)
Since 2009, the Live In Bellwoods Great Heart Festival has been one of the best unknown parts of North By Northeast. With bands literally setting up on the grass under huge trees in the middle of the park, the sets provide great opportunities to escape the cramped confines of local bars and hang out in Trinity Bellwoods. Bands skew towards the indie side, so if that's your thing, strap on your Ray Bans and check it out. The lineup on Thursday is a knockout, with Maylee Todd — who we reallylike here— Kalle Mattson and Olenka and the Autumn Lovers, but there will be plenty of memorable performances every day.

HAND DRAWN DRACULA / SCION SESSIONS DAY PARTY / The Garrison / June 15th, 5-8pm
Cousins, CTZNSHP and Weaves play sets to warm up the crowd at the Garrison before Hand Drawn Dracula's big event starts at 8.

IN-STORE PERFORMANCES / various locations, June 14th-15th
There are some great shows happening over the weekend at stores downtown this year. Check out the page for the full schedule, as they're kind of all over the place, but the lineup Saturday at Urban Outfitters features Decades, and Former NOW music editor and current twitter personality Ben Boles is playing 3-5 Friday at Lamography (536 Queen St West)

VICE HOT TAR PARTY / 360 Dufferin St. / June 15th, 4-9pm
Because it's Vice, because it's in a parking lot, and because it has some super-buzzy bands (including the unpronouncable Tonsstartsbandht) this would be a bad one to miss. Make sure you RSVP, though, or you'll be bounced right out of there.

AIRPORT SERIES / Pearson International, June13th-14th
If ever there was a reason to go to Pearson that didn't involve airplanes, this is it. On Thursday, Toronto's legendary instrumentalists Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet will play a set at 4pm in the arrivals hall at the airport. It's their only show of the fest, so... Maybe it's time to hop on the subway?

PARKS SERIES / various locations / all week
There's enough of these around that while you're wandering around this week you might be fortunate enough to accidentally hear some music, but there's some pretty heavy hitters that are going to be playing these as well. By Divine Right in the gazebo at St. James Park? (7pm Friday) Yes, please, I'll take two.

YOUNG, WILD & FREE / Grossman's Tavern / June 13th, 9pm
Grossman's Tavern, 379 Spadina Ave. Last Frame Pictures is debuting their new film "Authentic: Young Rival's Journey Through Canada" at 6:45 at the Bloor Cinema, and the fitting musical after party will feature sets by Young Rival themselves, plus Wildlife, Jane's Party, Pup (formerly Topanga), Quiet Company, and secret special guests. 19+.

 

NeXt by NXNE / Harbourfront Centre / June 15th-16th, 12pm - 6pm
Harbourfront Centre, Redpath Stage, 235 Queens Quay West. Here's something cute and family-friendly: NeXt will champion young bands (all musicians are under 18 years old) they believe are the future of the fest All ages (...duh).

Obviously, we didn't have the room to take down everything, so if you have any hot tips for anything we missed, let us know in the comments.

Photo Robert Loerzel on Flickr

Well, guys, we're in the throes of festival season. Field Trip just wrapped up, NXNE is finally upon us, and TURF is on the horizon. So because most of us have identified our must-see-or-die shows and party treats of choice (ahem), the only question remaining for many of us is 'what to wear to this thing?' In case you're new to the festival game, or in case you're especially fanciful in the threads department, I've thrown together some tips from my many years of festival living. Enjoy, and feel free to totally disregard and just wear a white crochet bikini with heels and fairy wings. Because really, anything goes. The following are just tidbits in case you want to be comfortable and not look ridiculous in the bad way.

Don't try to dress like a '70s transplant if you normally work in finance.
It's obvious that your fringed kimono actually cost upwards of $300, and that you didn't dig it out of a sale trunk in Kensington, or from your grandmother's attic (these are clearly the only acceptable shopping locales, by the way. Ever). You are going to get so many plastic cups of over priced draught beer dumped all over that effing kimono, and no one cares that you're going to be a sourpuss about it. Mother Nature will smell that fake-ass shit, too, and slather mud all over you. Bottom line: You can buy all the fake-flower crowns in the world, but they will not make you a 'free spirit.' To do this, quit your job and move onto the festival grounds full-time. Be yourself, little grasshopper, and just wear a cardigan you don't care that much about. It'll be better for everyone.*

That said, be sure to wear something flowy on the bottom
The way to sneak booze into a festival is to purchase a quantity of Fireball (it's the only thing that still tastes good when it's boiling hot. Hot vodka? No.) and nestle it in the front of your pants, disguised as a front-bum. Voila!

Just DIY
There is absolutely no need to spend $100 on a pair of distressed high-waisted jean shorts. Go to a thrift store, purchase a pair of mum bum jeans, and make your own for a few dollars. Check out this tutorial, and add studs and splash dye/bleach as you see fit. Same goes for tie-dye, ombre dip dye, and fringed tops; there are tons of tutorials for these on Pinterest and other sites that will only cost a few dollars.

Get it in the bag
Festival days can require quite a bit of random stuff to make for optimal enjoyment, comfort levels and highness. You'll probably want to bring a giant bag with secret compartments, and fill said bag with snacks, sunscreen, maybe a small blanket, some of the aforementioned layers, and a water bottle. And, you know, whatever else.

Be suitably shod
Although those rubber shower flip flops seem like a good plan because you don't care if they get ruined, they're actually not the best bet. They tend to get stomped on and twisted around and snaggled around your toes, which can be painful, and at the very least, highly uncomfortable. Try to opt for something with a little more substance, like sandals with straps or moccasins. Or something like Converse, if you're the type who can pull that off.\

BONUS

Keep the unpredictability of the skies in mind
Don't just shrug off the chance of showers, hmm-kay? There's no need to catch pneumonia/hypothermia/the sniffles when you can just layer it up in advance. Bring a wool hat, a light jacket of some kind, and a scarf. This is Canada, people, and you never know what will happen.

*I'm kind of just kidding. Kind of. Or am I?

Photo from the Field Trip Festival's Facebook page