Hey guys! Just because NXNE is gone, it doesn't mean that comedy has shut down! Follow me as I walk you through the gems on This Week In Comedy...

MON JUNE 24 / ALTdot COMEDY LOUNGE / RIVOLI / 332 QUEEN W / 9PM / $5

Yeah yeah yeah there are a lot of great comedians on the bill, but I'm really glad John Hastings is back in town from the UK. The last time I saw him was at his Edinburgh Fringe Fest preview show, where he killed from bell to bell. I'm always impressed by guys that are able to have the daily discipline to write enough material to come up with a new hour on a consistent basis. It shows a respect and commitment for the craft that rarely gets acknowledged.

SAT JUNE 29 / KENNY ZIMLINGHAUS / COMEDY BAR / 945 BLOOR W / 9PM / $15

Kenny, like Bill Burr, cut his teeth on the radio in Boston. In my opinion, if you can perform comedy in Boston, you can do just about anything you want to. It's like the Army Ranger training program for stand-up. He now performs stand-up in NYC and hosts a radio show on SiriusXM.

SAT JUNE 29 / SIK COMEDY FOR SICKKIDS / TRANZAC / 292 BRUNSWICK / 9PM / $15

Comedy? Good. Comedy for SickKids? Very good. I don't think enough people realize that our hospitals live and die on the charity of private individuals. Your producer and headliner, Todd Downey, himself a former patient, is putting on a fundraiser featuring some of the best that Toronto has to offer. Your MC, Mike Rita, might be the most sought-after host in the city. Ryan Horwood had me laughing so hard the first time I saw him that I couldn't even hear his tags. Come out and support!

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.

Massey Hall has been Toronto's premier music hall for more than a century. Its intimate confines and rich acoustics have made the Shuter St. building a mecca for music aficionados and a magnet for classic performances. This week, the venerable old institution turned 119 years old. It's also been 32 years since it was officially designated a National Historic Site of Canada.

Big changes are in store over the next few years: a deal with MOD Developments, the builders of the Massey Condos planned for 197 Yonge Street, has provided the cash for the biggest set of renovations in its history.

By 2020, the building will have traded in its famous fire escapes for a set of exterior walkways and a new back stage area. The red brick exterior, discolored by decades of pollution, will get a major buff and polish along with the famous neon sign. With big things ahead, it's time for a look back.

Hart Massey, born in Haldimand Township, Ontario, inherited his father's agriculture business aged 33 in 1856 and built it into a wildly successful equipment manufacturer.

At the time, many of the farms in Ontario were relying on basic tools. H. A. Massey and Company held the Ontario production rights for a mower, reaper, combined reaper, mower, self-raking reaper, and other important implements that would later prove invaluable and indispensable.

The business continued to grow with the creation of new foundries for forging parts and in 1867, the same year the company won an international award for its combined reaper and mower, Massey brought his son Charles on as partner.

Tragically for Hart, Charles died suddenly from typhoid on 12th February, 1884. The family decided the best way to commemorate their beloved son would be a $100,000 (almost $2,000,000 today) gift to Toronto, where the Masseys had many dealings. Charles was a skilled organist and pianist and it was felt his legacy should be musically inclined.

The Massey Music Hall was to be gifted in trust to the city for "musical entertainments of a moral and religious character, evangelical, educational, temperance, and benevolent work."

Interestingly, Massey also stated that the hall was "not to be a money-making property; the expenses are to be as low as possible, the revenue being merely intended to meet current expenses and to provide a sinking fund for repairs, insurance, etc."

"Everything beyond that is to go to reduce the price of admission, so that the hall may be to benefit the poor rather than the rich," the Globe reported. One idea revealed at the time was to sell tickets to a season of lectures for a nominal $1 fee.

Over the next 10 years, Hart worked with his family and architect Sidney Rose Badgley to design the hall that would be built at Shuter and Victoria streets on the site of several wood frame houses.

At the time, the city didn't have a secular space for choral and other musical performances. The design the Massey chose closely resembled that of the Cleveland Music Hall in Ohio. Hart Massey had a home there on Euclid Street, a stretch of sprawling mansions dubbed Millionaire's Row.

The three-storey, Don Valley pressed red brick building was built between 1893 and 1894 with on-site input from a second architect, George Martell Miller. The exterior of the building was kept relatively simple, possibly because of the family's Methodist faith, but many flourishes were included inside.

The gently arched roof was held aloft by four eight-ton iron trusses. There was officially room for 3,000 people though the Globe estimated 4,000 could squeeze in, perhaps not entirely safely by today's standards, by filling aisles and other empty spaces (for comparison, the official safe capacity is 2,752.)

The auditorium featured stained glass windows, horseshoe balconies, and even a strange set of decorative Moorish-inspired fireplaces at the rear. The building was centrally heated by twin tubular boilers, manufactured in Boston, that forced steam through thousands of feet of pipe around the building.

The steam heated air was forced down from the roof on cold winter days with 30-horsepower electric fans. Cold air was pushed out through vents on the floor of the building so there was "a complete change of air every five minutes." In the winter, the system could be reversed to blow cold air.

From the ceiling hung giant gas and incandescent lights. Moorish arches and a massive built-in pipe organ were also among the original fixtures.

The hall wasn't without its detractors: according to historical notes from the City of Toronto, some residents felt Massey had skimped on space in order to save money, even though the final cost for the building was $30-50,000 over what Massey figured.

A lack of public gathering areas outside the main hall and a tiny backstage area are still issues the building grapples with today, ones that a proposed overhaul funded in part by money from the Massey Tower condos under construction nearby hope to remedy.

A few years later, in 1894, a small annex called the Albert Building was added to the south wall, behind the stage area. It originally served as a residence for the building's janitors but was later used as a vital, albeit small, extension of the backstage area and administrative space.

Interestingly, Massey Hall was without its now-famous exterior fire escapes for its first 10 years. The steps and ladders that zig-zag down the facade were added in 1911 to address fire safety concerns and a lack of emergency exits.

Massey Hall's outstanding characteristic was its acoustics. The Toronto Symphony and the Toronto Mendelsson Choir were the first residents of the hall, and its square shape lent itself well to warmth and depth. Performers standing at the edge of the stage can, apparently, generate unique reverb from the walls when singing a capella.

Groups like the Melba Concert Company, Varsity Glee Club and the Salvation Army choir all held performances at Massey Hall in the first few years. Ticket prices varied, but were usually between 25 cents and a dollar depending on the location of the seats.

As one of the highest capacity venue in the city, Massey was also used for speeches, meetings, and other important gatherings: everyone from striking railway workers to temperance advocates packed its more than 3,000 cushioned oak seats in the early years.

The temperance movement was a significant part of the building's history: all alcohol was banned on the premises for the first 100 years until the construction of the basement bar, "Centuries," in 1994. The lowest level was originally split in two, with room for 1,000 people according to the architect's specifications, and used for rehearsals and other meetings.

Massey Hall's most famous concert took place on 15th May, 1953. That night jazz legends Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, Max Roach, and Dizzy Gillespie were preparing for a concert backstage. Just over the street at the Silver Rail, Charlie Parker was knocking back a triple whisky - too nervous to join the group without the help of a stiff drink.

When he finally did cross the street and slip inside the back door of Massey Hall, the concert he played with his four companions that night is still widely considered seminal in music history. Never again would this dream line up appear on stage again, let alone in a venue as acoustically rich sound as Massey Hall.

The rich sound has also inspired several live recordings. Neil Young taped an intimate concert in 1971 featuring a set of unfamiliar songs that would eventually become Live at Massey Hall.

Young was still recovering from a painful slipped disc during the concert, as referenced in some of the chat between songs, and there was some debate about whether or not to release the album straight away. In the end, Harvest would become his next solo record and the recording would sit on the shelf for more than 30 years.

Rush taped All The World's A Stage there in 1976; Ronnie Hawkins celebrated his 60th birthday by assembling a "Rock 'N' Roll Orchestra" comprised of Jerry Lee Lewis, The Band, and Jeff Healey. The tape of that concert came out as Let It Rock in 1995.

In honour of its status in the city, Massey Hall was designated a National Historic Site of Canada the 15th June, 1981. Among the features cited for inclusion on the register were the Palladian-revival style of architecture, red brick and stone detailing, and steel frame construction. Six years earlier, it had been officially protected under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Builders will have to be extremely sensitive to the these valuable features when they commence renovation work upon completion of the Massey Condos project. Only the Albert Building at the rear is scheduled for demolition, though the restoration of the brick front will mean the loss of the metal fire escapes many now consider part of Massey's character.

New offices and backstage areas for performers will be among the first additions to the venue since the 1890s. Architects have also imagined two "passerelles," glass walkways that will hug the sides of the hall, improving access, something the philanthropic Hart Massey would surely love.

MORE IMAGES:

Manager Bud Connacher in the ticket booth at Massey Hall

Manager Ross Creelman poses with mover Jack Hughey while delivering a harp.

Tommy Gaw changes a stage light

A decorated Massey Hall exterior

Architectural cross section of the concert hall

One of the unusual fireplaces at the back of the main auditorium

The Toronto police band pose outside Massey Hall

The view from the stage in 1993.

An orchestra on the stage at the south end of the auditorium

Striking railway workers from the stage

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

Images: City of Toronto Archives; Globe and Mail; Toronto Public Library; Library and Archives Canada

Toronto startup Let's Flee wants to introduce us to the world of "social travel." This new website brings like-minded travelers together in an online marketplace that offers interest-based, group trips to every corner of the globe. Let's Flee will offer custom adventures curated by the things that its users like to do, while also giving them a space to virtually bond with their fellow globetrotters. Always wanted to take a surfing trip to Hawaii with a dozen other beach bums, or a music crawl around Memphis with other closet country fans? You might like Let's Flee.

Launching on July 1, the website is opening up shop with an exclusive offer for sports lovers: a trip to the 2014 NHL Winter Classic in Detroit. As they prepare to get started, co-founder Nizar Budhwani introduced me to the story behind Let's Flee.

What inspired you to start Let's Flee?

In 2011, as a travel consultant, I organized a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. I brought together 40 avid Canucks fans from Vancouver to go to Boston and watch Game 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. The experience, while disappointing for them because of the outcome, was unreal. It was a once in a lifetime experience and they shared it with other avid Canucks Fans. It was that experience that showed me that if you can connect the right people, they will travel together for a purpose.

Who is Let's Flee designed for?

Everybody. We all have our hobbies and interests. For some it's scuba diving, for others it's sports or knitting. Travel takes these interests to another level: imagine scuba Diving in Cancun or watching the Super Bowl in person rather than on TV.

Trust seems like an important aspect of traveling with strangers. How do you aim to create trust in your online community?

People love to travel in groups. For decades large tour companies have been successful in doing niche and specialty tours. But what's missing is that the people that are booking those tours have no idea who they are going with.

Let's Flee changes that. Our Who's Going feature enables users to see who else is going on the trip, be part of discussions with other people interested in joining the same trip or who have already signed up to go, and start building a rapport before traveling together. With our Trip Page everyone on the trip can also share photos, comments and videos before, during and after the trip.

How does your business model work?

We generate revenue on several fronts. First, we create our own custom trips (for example, the trip to the Winter Classic in 2014). Second, we offer tour operators and travel agents the ability to feature their tours on our website and we get a percentage of sales. We also have a subscription model where agents subscribe to user interest groups and can offer these groups special trip packages based on their interests.

What have been the biggest challenges to getting your startup off the ground?

The biggest challenge has been seed funding. As with all startups, especially in technology, the need for good software developers and marketing is key.

Where do you envision Let's Flee one year from now?

Within the next year, we would like to establish ourselves as a brand that people know and trust: When people are thinking of planning a fun trip or want to travel with a purpose, I want them to think of Let's Flee.

Pride is huge in Toronto, and it's annual events like the parade that act as a major draw to the festival year after year. But, in its 33rd year and as part of the lead-up to World Pride 2014, the festival will be doing a few things differently this year.

Entertainment at Yonge-Dundas Square
This is the first year for a post-parade pop up party in the square. Reggae/R&B singer Diana King is one of the major headliners. Hailing from Jamaica, King won an OutMusic award last year after coming out publicly. She will be accompanied by several other performers from Canada and around the world. All post-parade entertainment at Yonge-Dundas will be free admission.

Trans folk will march down Yonge St.
Members of Toronto's trans community have been campaigning to march down Yonge St. since the Trans March started in 2009. They were denied each year, but this year, they will reign victorious, as they have finally been given the right to do so after the city gave in to pressure from activists.

World Pride 2014 Contest
In case this tidbit has failed to compute thus far, you heard it here first: Toronto is hosting World Pride next summer. It's going to be carazay. Out of towners can rejoice, as there's an all-expenses paid trip to the city up for grabs. And if you live in town and win it, you can give it to a friend or family member who could use it.

Extended Parade route
For the first time, the parade route will be extended all the way down to Yonge-Dundas Square this year, and will culminate in the aforementioned entertainment. (It will start at its customary spot at Church and Bloor). Organizers expect the extension will make the parade route a lot less crowded, so getting a glimpse of the sexy marchers and floats won't be such a struggle.

The 519 gets the party started
The 519 community centre is a popular place to wind up after the parade. Each year, their beer garden is packed, but the lineups are horrendous. So they decided to do something about it—they took over the Ryerson quad, which will make room for twice as many partiers.

The folks at this club go out of their way to attract the largest number of stillettoed ladies and fist-pumping bros possible, and as far as I can see, they've been pretty successful. There's a huge system of patios with different vibes going on, and you might even spot a celebrity if you're...lucky?

Read my full review of Muzik Beach in the bars section.

Photo by Michael Mitchener in the blogTO Flickr pool

With the city's theatres having concluded their annual seasons, it's over to the festivals and outdoor shows to represent the summer fare. And boy is there a lot of performance to fill the void during Toronto's warmest months. Alongside the premiere theatre festivals, Fringe and Summerworks, this year Shakespeare is not the only game in town. Here's a roundup of what to look forward to this summer in Toronto theatre:

Toronto Fringe Festival / Various Venues / July 3 - July 14
The launch of Toronto's largest indie theatre festival is mere weeks away. The Toronto Fringe Festival is one of the most exciting and jam-packed weeks on the arts calendar and this year the little festival that could turns 25. The fest spans twelve days and features over 140 shows across 35 different venues in the city. The list of addition programming (FringeKids!, a site-specific Art Category, Fringe Club, Tent Talks, etc.) will make your head spin. To plan your fringe journey, pick up a guide book at one of the locations listed on their website.

As You Like It / Humber River Shakespeare Company / July 9 - August 4
Humber River Shakespeare presents outdoor theatre across the GTA, even venturing as far as Aurora, Caledon, and Collingwood this year. The comedy of choice is As You Like It, the green world play set in the Forest of Arden. It's here where Rosalind uses the disguise of Ganymede to escape her uncle and woo the romantic Orlando. In Toronto, you can find Humber River at the Evergreen Brickworks, Riverdale Farm, Old Mill Inn, and Etienne Brule Park.

Dusk Dances / Withrow Park / July 30 - August 4
If you haven't yet experienced Dusk Dances, there's something incredible about seeing a park crowd swell with spectators as the roving performances unfold. While it's a shame that Withrow will be the only Toronto park to host this year's series, there are sure to be some standout pieces among the works assembled this year: The Last Round (Susie Burpee), The Alice Odyssey (Melanie Kloetzel), May I Join You? (Carmen Romero), and 1981 FM (Throwdown Collective).

Taming of the Shrew/Macbeth / Shakespeare in High Park / June 26 - August 31
In an ambitious move, Canadian Stage goes repertoire with two of the Bard's plays, one comedy and one tragedy, presented in High Park. A lot of fine comedy can be had with The Taming of the Shrew, a clash of the mighty genders, with the proper treatment. The more challenging of the two is Macbeth, full of darkness, deceit and witchcraft, that's undoubtedly difficult to stage outside. It'll be interested to see how directors Ted Witzel (Shrew) and Ker Wells (Macbeth), the York-Canadian Stage MFA Directing students, tackle each play.

The Misanthrope / Guild Festival Theatre / July 18 - August 11
Now in its third season, the Guild Festival Theatre presents a play each summer in the Scarborough Bluffs. The Guild Inn, which is surrounded by sprawling gardens and old architectural details, serves as the idyllic setting. Past productions include an adaptation of Aristophanes' The Clouds in 2012 and Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard in 2011. This year the company presents The Misanthrope, Moliere's comedy about hypocrisy.

SummerWorks Theatre Festival / Various Venues / August 8 - 18
It'll be difficult for SummerWorks to top last year's rich and memorable crop of performances, yet the 2013 lineup features a lot of potential standouts. The slate of shows include remounts from Sky Gilbert (To Myself at 28), Itai Erdal (How to Disappear Completely), and Kat Sandler (Delicacy), the North American debuts of internationally-celebrated work, Schützen and Tender Napalm, Outside the March's Murderers Confess at Christmastime, as well as a host of intriguing encounters at the Performance Bar.

Richard III / Shakespeare in the Ruff / August 13 - September 1
This young Shakespeare company burst onto the scene last year in Withrow Park with The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Things get a little darker this time around as they tackle the Bard's portrait of the complex and conniving monarch Richard III, who rose to power on the tide of ambitious and devious deeds. It's directed by the accomplished Diane D'Aquila and stars Alex McCooeye in the title role.

Photo from iShow

The Toronto Pride Parade is the yoghurt to the smoothie that is Pride in general. It is the champagne/drugs to New Year's Eve. It is the ketchup to a plate of delicious French fries. In short, it is crucial, it is the main event, and it draws the most people to our city to celebrate gay rights and being.

Pride wouldn't be the same without the parade and its infectious positive energy that floods through the city on Pride Sunday, which falls on June 30 this year. That's right, I love pride. The fact that we live in a city where everyone gets to openly be whoever they want is pretty beautiful. And the festival is also a great opportunity to ogle cute man-butts in g-strings, amirite? Titties, too. It's a sex positive party where you get to be as outrageous as humanly possible.

This year, there will be over 160 groups and organizations marching through the Church-Wellesley area in the parade, ranging from Catholics Attracted to the Same Sex, to Cupe Local 79, to Trojan. Did I mention there are boatloads of free stuff? Glitter, condoms, accessories, and other crucial gifts of the gays.

Check out these other posts for more info:

• What's new for Pride Toronto 2013
• 10 must-attend events at Pride Toronto 2013
• Restaurants in the Church-Wellesley village
• Bars in the Church-Wellesley Village

In the meantime, here's the schedule, route info, and some viewing tips for this year's parade:

The Route
The parade route has been extended this year, and it'll run all the way down to Yonge-Dundas Square. It'll still begin at Church St. and Bloor St. E., and it will run all the way down Yonge St until it hits the square. Streets will obviously be closed to traffic throughout the duration of the parade. Church St. transforms into a street fair during the final weekend of pride anyway, so driving is a definite cluster in the area. I would avoid running errands there too, really, if at all possible, and just show up to have fun. A full map of the parade route can be viewed on the Pride site.

Timing
The parade starts at Church and Bloor St. E. at 2 p.m. sharp, and the procession usually takes a couple of hours.

Theme
This years theme is SUPERQUEER!, so bust out the Wonder Woman boots and capes, and prepare to see even more colourful spandex than normal.

Tips for general enjoyment:

Prepare for the heat
While there is sure to be a surplus of sexy men in g-strings attacking you with giant water guns, you still might find yourself hella deydrated after standing outside for hours in what is almost 100 per cent sure to be a heatwave. Toronto, as I'm sure you've noticed, is a giant frying pan this time of year, so at least pack a reusable water bottle. And a hat, if you burn easily.

Arrive early
I mean, way early. Like before noon. That way, you might have a chance at snagging a spot on a patio along the route, and you can enjoy the scenery from the shade with a pitcher of beer and whilst eating a hamburger or suitable alternative. Much more ideal than jostling for space and feeling guilty about smoking cigarettes in packed crowds. Or something.

Not the early bird type? Think about watching closer to Yonge-Dundas Square
That way, you don't necessarily have to worry about showing up at the 2 p.m. start time, and you can stake out a good spot for the stuff happening later.

Don't be afraid to bust out a costume
The beauty of Pride is no one is out to judge anyone else. If you're usually a bit timid or low-key, but always kind of wish it was your stye to sport a crazy costume, this is the time to step out of your comfort zone and just do it. Break out those furry boots, your favourite viking hat that you save for special occasions, or just prance around in your underpants if the mood strikes you. Because nobody gives a shit, today. You might even make some friends if you put yourself out there.

Other marches happening as part of Pride

The Dyke March
The annual Dyke March is very explicitly not a parade; rather, it's meant as a display of strength and solidarity amongst women and trans people--a serious political demonstration. This year's march will take place on Saturday, June 29. Check out the route here.

The Trans March
The Trans March is open to not only trans people, but their friends and allies, as well. However, trans women of colour and trans people of different abilities are encouraged to step up and lead the march as examples of particular awesomeness. The march has been an annual event since 2009, and this year's march will take place on Yonge St. on June 28, with an initial gathering at Norman Jewison Park.

Do you have any more tips for enjoying the festivities? Let us know in the comments.

ARE YOU DOING PRIDE? Add your photos to our Pride Toronto stream or by simply tagging your photos with #prideTO on Instagram.

Photo by dtstuff9 in the blogTO Flickr pool

Danforth East is in the midst of a revitalization process, with a number of pop-up shops cropping up in the area. Five new ones have opened their doors for the summer, and they're located in a cluster around Danforth and Coxwell. It looks like they're trying out their new locales for the next few months to see if business is good enough to stick around on a more permanent basis. Here, some of your newest neighbours if you live or work on the Danforth:

Krystle Lee
Krystle Lee is a little shop started by its namesake, a long-time personal shopper, image consultant, and stylist. The store carries both new and gently used garments and accessories, with lots of high-end, designer pieces. There are one-of-a-kind studded and tie-dyed clutches by Black Knight Accessories, dresses by Pink Tartan, and loads of amazing jewelry. Krystle Lee is open seven days a week, and she does private appointments, too.

E-Closet
E-Closet is, obviously, more than just an e-closet these days. The pop-up location at 1801 Danforth Ave. is their first offline venture. The shop sells jazzed-up basics at surprisingly low prices: Tie-dye tanks can be had for $29, and neutral maxi dresses with sheer paneling for $34. They also carry trendy, equally affordable jewelry, and they have a wide range of sizes in store. E-Closet is open seven days a week, with new items arriving in store on a weekly basis.

Yummy Stuff
Yummy Stuff has made the journey from its permanentlocation in Parkdale all the way to 1938 Danforth Ave. They carry a wide selection of all the deserts a person could want, including pretty custom cakes, cupcakes, tarts, cookies and squares. Custom cakes require about a week's notice to put together, but their pre-designed options can be had on 48 hours notice for about $35 (and up). The pop-up location will be open anywhere from three to six months, and, like its mama location, it's open every day of the week but Monday.

In This Closet
In This Closet is a thrift shop stuffed full of girly clothing. They actually have a huge selection of stuff for such a small store, with everything from vintage sequined blazers from the '80s ($15) to True Religion bathing suit separates ($10 each). There's a wall of heels from stores like Aldo and Nine West, and racks of crop tops and summer skirts. None of the staff bothers to say hi when I walk in, but sometimes it's better that way. And let's face it, this ain't Chanel. But it is a pretty sweet thrift shop, almost worthy of a specific trip from the west end of the city.

Cheap Thrills
Another Parkdale transplant, Cheap Thrills is a true junk shop, but in the best way possible. You can buy everything from Joe Boxer slippers for $1 to Superman lunchboxes for $3.99. There are also racks of clothing and piles of bed linens. And Teletubby dolls and Viking helmets, oh my. They want to stay in the spot permanently if business picks up enough between now and the end of their summer term.

Photos by Kat Rizza

It is the ultimate tribute to a neighbourhood that anyone who spends time within it will walk away feeling as if they have an investment in it. Everyone cares about Kensington Market. I do. Who wouldn't have an abiding respect for a place that somehow manages, despite its prime downtown location, to keep its cool even if it doesn't change as fast some would like (or too quickly for others). Its appeal, you could say, is that its identity is suitably complex such that no single group can lay claim to it.

It's no secret that, given Toronto's changing demographics and inflating property values, intense pressure has been put on those who make this their home. Many non-residents are concerned about what happens to the Market, which is great, but often their only tangible investment is intermittent patronage and their own romance; they buy some groceries once a month then they leave, perhaps with a coffee in their hand on the way out.

When people who don't live here talk about the Market it can be like hearing Americans talking about Canada; you wait in preparation for the inevitable Mounties/moose/hockey reference. The Market's so funky. I hope it keeps its magic! A change.org petition being circulated on Facebook pictures a stone-faced woman holding a hand-scrawled sign on Augusta Avenue with Zimmerman's Discount prominently featured behind her. I would love to survey those who signed the petition to see whether any have actually been to Zimmerman's Discount let alone bought anything from there.

The Market is complex. And it's changing. And it has to.

Shortly after moving here from Ossington with my partner, I bumped into an acquaintance — a bartender who'd lived in Kensington for several years already. He told me in no uncertain terms that people who move here become disenchanted, typically go crazy within two years, and then run away screaming. Why, I wondered. It's the Market. I told myself this as if its truth were self-evident. It's the sort of rookie mistake anyone who has only known Kensington as a visitor would make.

And the longer I treaded the sidewalks, the closer I came to some answers. One of the chief presumptions I'd had was that the Market was a community which embraced its residents. Short of seeing the ghost of Al Waxman walking down Augusta, I figured there was some sort of modest local currency which came with living here. Dead wrong. The Market, for all its strengths, can be strangely impersonal, even stand-offish. There are no insiders. Only groups of outsiders.

The recent concern over a proposed Loblaws opening at College and Spadina makes many of these fault lines visible. No matter that it won't actually be in the Market. No matter that its customers will probably be the same crowd who loyally shop at other Loblaws and Metro stores. No matter that no one can speculate what the realistic run-off from the Market would actually be (or influx considering, technically, there would be more people visiting the area).

Nonetheless, activists both local and otherwise raise the spectre of Starbucks. You don't want another Starbucks, do you? they say, wide-eyed, in reference to a rightfully and successfully fought proposal several years back. But, in a reversal of roles, I'm reminded of the club owners on Ossington who spun scary stories for journalists of gun-toting Vietnamese drug gangs whenever someone questioned unobstructed development on the strip between Dundas and Queen West. Today that same stretch is chock-a-block with bars and there's still nowhere to buy a newspaper. Or groceries. And if the battle of yesterday's Kensington Starbucks War was won by the good guys, that battleground now sits occupied by an anonymous burger joint aimed at tourists.

The debate has become more complex with RioCan's newly proposed Wal-Mart at the site of the former Kromer Radio at Bathurst and Nassau. Like Loblaws, it's not in the Market, but unlike Loblaws it is not, generally speaking, a good (which is to say fair) dealer of goods. Wal-Mart represents retail's race to the bottom, where no employee save a tiny few make a living wage — a free market incinerator which leverages control from those companies it does business with in order to provide the magic trick of low, low prices. It worries me that both Loblaws and Wal-Mart will become intermixed in the talking points of the SAVE KENSINGTON brigade since the former really hasn't done anything but, well, be big.

So, what does Kensington actually want? Like in all Toronto politics, even if it results in mediocrity the Market seems to be motivated by what it doesn't want. So, along with Starbucks, the neighbourhood veto was also applied last year to a proposed farmer's market — the kind enjoyed in less neurotic regions of the city, like Trinity Bellwoods and Dufferin Park. The NIMBYism took on absurd proportions when European Meatsclosed its doors around the same time and the owner blamed his decision on that 80s bad-guy: yuppies. It came across like a sad fuck-you but also a dissonant reflection of a generational shift, where older family-run shops have to fight harder for relevance, especially given the ransom storefront leases have become.

Despite the bartender's omen, I eventually found my footing, even if I'm not high-fiving people on my way to get an Americano in the morning (this is Toronto after all). New ventures such as Hooked the renovated Kid Icarus, the commercial renewal of Augusta's abandoned south-end at Dundas have helped me see that the Market, in its sentient if opaque wisdom, can respond to the needs of residents and visitors without necessarily pitting one against the other.

And yet, everyone who lives and works here will always feel a heightened sense of vigilance, even if that ends up being a mirage. For me it's not allowing it to turn into a mindless arcade of baubles and burgers. The spectacle of Pedestrian Sundays aside, Kensington is not a wind-up toy to be measured for the quality of its user-experience. As someone choosing to stay (even if I am honestly tempted from time to time to run away screaming) I should hope we err on the clear-eyed side of what's ahead of us. After all, to paraphrase John Ralston Saul, only dead things need preservation.

Guest contribution from Matt Cahill / Photos by Jimmy Lu

Need some new kicks? How about a little beard taming, or just something sparkly? Then pop into this on-point little shop on Dundas West. You're bound to find the treat of your dreams.

Read my full review of Easy Tiger in our design section.

The Session Craft Beer Festival is something like the unofficial close of Ontario Craft Beer Week and, while you'd assume that the end of the week would find the city's beer drinkers experiencing party fatigue (and liver failure), the throngs of brew swillers who took over Wychwood barns on Saturday were anything but weary of the revelry.

Instead, a few thousand lined up to sample a selection of beer from over 20 different craft brewers (at a reasonable all you can drink $50 per ticket) paired with food from food trucks like Gourmet Gringos, Hogtown Smoke, and Gourmet Bitches along with offerings from the Cheesewerks, Sassy Lamb and Bacon Nation.

Early rain threatened to make for a wet afternoon but the clouds broke just in time to ensure the shoulder-to-shoulder event was a near unbearably hot, muggy affair. Thankfully though there was an ample supply of craft beer on hand for attendees to promptly exude through their shirts.

Among the liquid replenishment offered was a selection of beers brewed in cooperation with a variety of Canadian personalities for a competition entitled, "Collaboration Nation." Some of the entries included a triple IPA brewed by Muskoka Brewery and The Arkells, a saison made by Fearless Fred and Sawdust City, and breakfast stout brewed in a collaboration between former MLB pitcher, Dirk Hayhurst and new Toronto brewery, Left Field Brewing.

The winner though was The Tom Green beer, a milk stout brewed in collaboration with Beau's All Natural Brewery and, you guessed it, Tom Green. Thanks to a partnership with the LCBO, the winners will now have their beer offered in a handful of stores.

The other unofficial winners of the day seemed to be Left Field brewing, who had the foresight to bring a selection of branded t-shirts and tank tops to sell and found an eager market among sweaty festival goers looking to shed layers.

The diversity of those in attendance also made it clear that craft beer is breaking down boundaries. Yes, there were a plethora of bearded dudes present, but also a handful of dudes you might typically expect to see chugging Bud Light, not to mention a lot of ladies, including a few who were there to teach people a thing or two about beer. Prud'homme Beer Sommelier and Beer Writer Crystal Luxmore led a tasting of Ontario craft beer brilliantly paired with ballpark hotdogs and Sonja North and Erica Campbell from Black Oak Brewery led an information session on IPAs.

The afternoon also featured live music from bands like folk duo Madison Violet, as well as vaguely Top-Gun-reminiscent shirtless volleyball action on Wychwood Barns' sand court.

Now in its third year, Session, which was formerly held at 99 Sudbury, seems to have made an easy transition to a bigger and better venue this year and the happy and robust crowd seemed to justify the change. The only question now is whether or not Wychwood will be big enough to handle next year's event.

Additional images:

Ben Johnson also writes about beer over on Ben's Beer Blog.

Photos courtesy of Jesse Burgess and Ben Johnson.

It was a party to celebrate the start of summer last Wednesday at the Andrew Richard Designs event space. Warm weather inspired libations, gourmet nibbles, a burlesque show and the sounds of Juno award winner Divine Brown set the scene for a crowd who was definitely in the mood to let loose.

Check out the photos in our Style section.

The cocktail craze hit Toronto a couple of years ago (yes, we were a little late on this one), and has yet to show signs of slowing down. While there have long been places to get a good drink in this city, the difference these days is that it's become a given that almost every new restaurant will have a cocktail menu. I find this hard to complain about. A wider selection of booze is a welcome thing, and Toronto's bartenders know that they have to stay on top of their game given the competition out there.

For a brief snippet of Toronto's cocktail scene, check out our #cocktailsTO stream and have a look below for some of the best pics.

Valentine's Day cocktail at Origin via taylreduarte

Tromba slushie at Rock Lobster via brilynf

Smoked Old Fashioned at Morgan's via evanrussell

Something that looks good from the Guild via stephpharant

Molecular mixology at Barchef via slickpixs

The Caesar at Mildred's Temple Kitchen via toripicc

Melon white sangria at Kingyo via adds29

Roscoe Rambler at Riverside Public House via belowthebelt

Old Fashioned at the County General via sarahvaness

Homemade mojito via justinmhackett

New on Dundas West between Sorauren and Roncesvalles, this weekday destination offers a nourishing alternative to take-out lunches and dinners. Baked goods and made-to-order sandwiches are available during the day but come 5 o'clock the kitchen offers a daily dinner special that have recently featured homestyle grub like trays of lasagna complete with salad or whole roasted chicken dinners with all the trimmings. It's possibly the next best thing to cooking yourself.

Read my profile of Dundas Park Kitchen in the restaurant section.

The best family style dinners in Toronto revolve around sharing good company, conversation and large platters of food. Sunday roasts, Italian-style courses, excessive spreads or shared side dishes give reason alone to gather around the table and focus for collective appreciation.

It's a special and yet informal way to dine that triumphs a 'help yourself' attitude and encourages second helpings. While sometimes reserved for Sunday feasts, many of the restaurants listed below make this congenial practice available week round.

Here is the list of the best family style dinners in Toronto.

See also:

The Best Restaurants for Private Dining in Toronto

Barque photo from Angie Torres in the blogTO flickr pool. Daisho photo from Gabriele Stabile.

Color Me Rad is changing the face of running. Literally. The 5k race has participants show up wearing all white and get blasted with colour after every kilometre. I was worried that the colour explosions would feel like paintball pellets, which, in the past, have scarred me both physically and mentally. Luckily, it was not even comparable. The blasts came from coloured powder and water. It gets everywhere (including in your mouth) but is made from food colouring and doesn't hurt one bit.

Just in case, they were sure to provide protective gear... that being, a pair of neon sunglasses. Not only did they look awesome, but they prevented the colour from getting in your eyes.

Gretchen Williard is the spokesperson for Color Me Rad and said the event was inspired by holi festivals in India where colour packs are used during the ceremony. "We wanted to combine the celebratory atmosphere with running," she said. "Running can we really serious but it's nice to have a race that's not about competition."

And it wasn't.

Any true runner might be annoyed with the pace of the event. No one was timed and there were no winners, let alone prizes. As someone who doesn't call themselves a "runner," I found the event to be quite enjoyable.

Some people signed up as a family and brought young kids in strollers. Others came with a huge group of friends and took selfies after ever colour station.

The race flew by, even though I stopped to walk several times throughout. At the end, every runner gets a colour pack of their own. We were instructed to gather in front of the stage and burst our packs all at the same time. The MC counted down and before we knew it, we were all engulfed in a cloud of colourful smoke. It was awesome.

The inaugural Color Me Rad race circuit included 36 locations across the United States last year. This year, they hosted over 90 events and plan to come back with even more next summer.

This year's race took place at Downsview Park. Proceeds went to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto.

Additional Photos

Photos by Tom Ryaboi

There's never been a yoga class quite like this. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their yoga studio, the Yoga Sanctuary partnered with Epic Cruises to host an open deck yoga class aboard the River Gambler cruise ship in Toronto's harbour. Billed as the Solstice Yoga Cruise, the event saw dozens of enthusiastic yoga students descend on Pier 33 for the ultimate yoga class with a view.

View this slideshow to see all the photos from the Solstice Yoga Cruise.

All photos by Kat Rizza.

It seems that even scorching temperatures are no deterrent for hungry food enthusiasts eager to sample the city's latest eats. It was still delicious madness at Sunday's TO Food Fest in the east end. It was hot. It was humid. But Scarborough's annual TO Food Fest celebrated its second year at the Chinese Cultural Centre's building and lot with a wide array of treats (all less than $10) showcasing the area's multicultural flair.

For a visual recap of the event, check out this slideshow of 20 tastes from the festival. For more on the vendors, read on.

Thousands of event goers braved long lines and minimal seating to sample the diverse eats of more than 40 participating vendors. For many participants, the event was their pilot service, with only a third of vendors returning from the previous year.

Luckily, offerings went beyond the ubiquitous taco or meat skewer. From Casbah's camel burgers, to handheld meat pies from Aussi stand Kanga, the menus were exciting and diverse. Still, in such sweltering heat, the lemonade stand easily became one of the longest waits of the entire festival.

I began with Indonesian street food vendor Babi & Co.'s most popular item: Babi on a Bun ($6), or two fried chinese buns stuffed with braised pork belly and topped with pickled cucumber and sambal mayo. Sambal, or Indonesian chili sauce, added a flavourful punch to the dish.

Wanting to escape the sun, the next dish came from one of the indoor vendors, Urban Acorn Catering. While I sampled the duck confit wontons ($5), it was clear the chickpea sliders were the main attraction. Most stands had a vegetarian option, though one of the two food trucks at the event, Portobello Burger, catered specifically to veggie lovers offering gluten-free and vegan options.

For dessert, liquid nitrogen ice cream made on-site was definitely a crowd pleaser. But they weren't the only ones dabbling in molecular gastronomy. Nearby, a pastry chef created a modernist dessert shot ($2) complete with cola "bombs" set in a calcium solution, strawberry foam and freeze-dried caramel. Though the overall texture and taste of the dish wasn't anything too spectacular, it was definitely different and pretty to look at.

I hoped to cap off the day with a fresh-from-the-fryer churro, but didn't have the patience for the queue. Instead, I opted for one of Little Tomato Catering's pizetta's ($6) created specifically for the festival: grilled apricot with chèvre on top of a house made maple-onion marmalade. With fig as my all-time favourite pizza topping, I was hoping for the right balance of sweetness and creaminess from the pie. The apricot was a little too tart, but the marmalade was great, and was available separately for purchase.

Organizers hoped the event would bring food lovers to the city's east end to experience some of the homegrown culinary talent. Scarborough favourites like Marathon Donuts & Coffee and Big Moe's burgers were definite hits at the festival. Overall, it was great to see the borough's best and up-and-coming chefs highlighted in such a lively atmosphere.

Judging from the turnout, it looks like successful food festivals don't need to be tied to the downtown core, though it wouldn't be surprising to see some popular vendors establishing themselves there soon.

Photos by Irina No

Photo by SnapHappyExpat in the blogTO Flickr pool