It's Ossington all over again. The stretch of Queen Street between Dufferin and Roncesvalles will not see any new bars or restaurants for at least a year if a temporary bylaw is allowed to run its course. Reported by NOW yesterday morning, the ban prohibits new hospitality businesses and forbids extensions or modifications to existing outlets in the area - including patios - in the hope of preventing the flourishing scene pushing out stores vital to the health of the area.

According to a staff report, complaints from local residents about increased noise, vandalism, garbage, and traffic congestion prompted councillor Gord Perks to push for the restrictions.

Joanna Kimont, a City of Toronto planner, says the action will allow city staff to properly complete a restaurant study on the area designed to report on how the bar boom is affecting the neighborhood. Though it's some way from completion, the study could restrict to the size and distribution of businesses along this stretch of Queen Street.

"Any applications that have already been submitted for a building permit or otherwise, those are being reviewed by our buildings division in conjunction with our legal staff to determine the status of the applications and how, if at all, they are impacted by this bylaw."

Popular taco and bourbon joint Grand Electric at Queen and Elm Grove submitted a liquor license application for a new second floor extension just a few months ago. It's still in the works, and the new embargo could delay the project at least while the city figures out how to handle active applications for alterations.

Further west at Capital Espresso, owner/operator Damien Zielinski thinks the restrictions won't help new startups or more established eating and drinking spots.

"It definitely contradicts the interests of small business people," he says. "I think when a new bar or restaurant opens on the strip it benefits all of us, speaking as someone who lives and works in the area."

"A lot of the small businesses here have created an atmosphere of success [but] are still working very hard. It's not like we're all laughing with business to spare."

Closer to Roncesvalles, John Silva, co-owner of Poor John's Cafe, is of a similar mind.

"For the people on the cusp of starting their businesses, it's a terrible thing to do to them for sure. I understand where this is coming from but this isn't the way to address it. It's like shutting the barn door after the horses have already gotten out."

Is it a good idea to slow the Parkdale boom or is this a blow to the local area? Should the city cap the number of restaurants and bars in Parkdale?

Images: "Parkdale" by Craz11 from the blogTO Flickr pool and City of Toronto.

The 2012 Everything to do with Sex Show kicked off Thursday night with a special preview at Oasis Aqualounge. Oasis — for those who haven't yet had the pleasure (and yes, that is a cheap pun) — is a water-themed adult "playground" set in a 19th century mansion at Yonge and College. In other words, the perfect setting.

The evening presented a brief glimpse of what's to come at the show this weekend, complete with phallically-decorated cupcakes, lots of toys and accessories, and swings you won't find at your average Toronto park. The show will be held November 2 to 4 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building.

This being my first visit to Oasis (I know what you're thinking: "Yeah, right"), I took some time to explore the space before sitting down to chat with some Sex Show celebrities. I discovered both indoor and outdoor swimming areas (with signs reading, "No sex, glass, or alcohol in the tub), a chain and dog crate (with no evidence of a dog), numerous stripper poles, a Twister game box, and a few lighting fixtures I'm pretty sure I've also seen in cafes on Queen West. The third floor held most of the action that night, probably because of the horizontal woman offering fresh sushi off of her naked body. Compete with that, Asuka!

The third floor is also where I ran into Dr. Jess— also known as Dr. Jessica O'Reilly, Playboy TV host, author, and sexologist. Dr. Jess tells me that this will be her first year running seminars at the Show, offering workshops on oral sex and moderating a panel on swinging. "It will be really in depth," she tells me, ignoring the vodka shots being poured in the next room. "The workshops will be really specific, getting right down to what men and women need to know."

Next, I meet webcam star Taylor Stevens, who some might remember as the woman behind New Jersey coach Peter DeBoer during the last NHL playoffs. Though technically Taylor and I are supposed to be talking about sex, we end up chatting more about her personal struggles including her battle to lose 180 pounds and her ongoing fight against non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Taylor says she will be signing autographs for fans throughout the weekend.

Here are some other events to check out at the Everything to do with Sex Show this weekend:

Erotic Art
New this year, the Erotic Art exhibition will feature live body painting, murals, portraits, and performance art.

Food Truck Alley
Another first for 2012, but this "alley" is really more of a parking spot. Two food trucks will be in attendance, including the Food Dudes food truck and another TBA.

Fifty Shades Playroom
Attention all housewives! An exhibition based on your favourite surprise-hit novel. The Fifty Shades Playroom will feature mostly bondage demonstration, unfortunately without live readings.

Celebrity Star Area
The place to meet Taylor Stevens, along with Angelina Polska, Charmane Star, Tera Patrick, and others. A meet and greet, not a live performance.

Sexy Fitness Zone
Featuring pole dancing demos, Thai yoga massage instruction, and a Fight Network Q & A with Sarah Davis of Fight Network.

Canadian Men International
Some eye candy for you, ladies. The troupe of male exotic dancers will be putting on three shows throughout the weekend.

Dungeon
Includes "Introduction to Spanking," "Beginners Latex," and the "Panty Parade," which, I'm told, will not be leaving the building.

Photos by Christian Bobak

Photo by Jefferson Photography in the blogTO Flickr pool

This week in theatre rounds up the most noteworthy live theatre playing right now in Toronto. It includes just-opened shows as well as productions that are about to close.

Alligator Pie / Soulpepper - Young Centre / 7:00pm / 2:00pm / $23
An original production from some of Soulpepper's most talented young voices (Ins Choi, Raquel Duffy, Ken MacKenzie, Gregory Prest and Mike Ross), Alligator Pie celebrates the genius of children's poet Dennis Lee. Using music and imagination, the troupe brings some of Lee's most vivid poems to life. It's great to see Soulpepper develop its own work, much like their previous double bill of (Re)Birth: E.E. Cummings in Song and Window on Toronto.

Rare Mix / Fleck Dance Theatre / 8:00pm / $19-$40
Toronto Dance Theatre presents Rare Mix at the Harbourfront Centre, a collection of pieces from the company's repertoire featuring some of the country's best choreographers. Numbers included in the programme include Patricia Beatty's Against Sleep (not seen since 1998), Jean-Sébastien Lourdais's Étrange, and Christopher House's Vena Cava. It's a great opportunity to see some of the best from TDT.

The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine / Unit 102 Theatre / 8:00pm / 2:00pm / $10-$20
Robert Morgan, Martha Ross, and Leah Cherniak created a Canadian gem when The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine premiered 25 years ago. On the anniversary of the play, pivotal(arts) teams up with Morgan to mount a production of the highly entertaining clown piece. Inside the confines of their small home, anger and resentment boil over in strange and often unexpected displays of emotion between Ernest and his wife Ernestine.

Romeo and Juliet / Hart House Theatre / 8:00pm / 2:00pm / $10-$25
The timeless tale of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, fills the classical slot in Hart House's 2012-2013 season. It's a play that celebrates the idealism of youth and love that overtakes clear judgment. This treatment of forbidden coupling and warring families is directed by Jeremy Hutton, and is sure to feature a cast of eager young actors.

Concord Floral / Theatre Passe Muraille / 7:30pm / $10-$20
Jordan Tannahill has been busy this fall with a number of projects throughout the city. His newest, Concord Floral, is part of the Bring the Buzz! series at Theatre Passe Muraille. The play fuses different pieces of art together — the paintings of Kris Knight, Giovanni Boccacio's The Decameron, and a garage band DIY — in a multimedia exploration of life in the 'burbs.

Photo of Rare Mix by Guntar Kravis

First Canadian Place is as difficult as ever to access through the PATH, but the rewards once you arrive are that much sweeter. Of course, the rejuvenation of the Financial District building is not necessarily intended to appeal to PATH-illiterates such as myself, but rather to the 8,000 tenants and 80,000 daily visitors that regularly pass through its halls.

I'm sure many of us can recall a few years back when slabs of marble started falling off the side of First Canadian Place. No, not glass off condo towers, or concrete off the Gardiner, or bricks off a heritage building— marble off a downtown tower (get your incredibly dangerous falling materials straight). Anyway, the incident catalyzed the First Canadian Place renovation, the first major overhaul for the building since its erection back in 1975.

With the official ribbon-cutting ceremony over and done, Shopping Centre Director Lucie Bisson is eager to show me around the space. "All older buildings need to reinvent themselves," she says as we begin our tour. "And First Canadian Place definitely needed an update."

Beyond some of the aesthetic changes — exterior recladding, retail expansion, and a refurbished main entrance, to name a few — First Canadian Place has made significant energy-saving enhancements, enough so to achieve Leed Gold status. The building has replaced some existing boilers, upgraded to energy-efficient chillers, reduced the tower's lighting operating schedule, and switched to low-flow washroom fixtures in an effort to reduce consumption. But since my tour was focused on retail rather than retrofitting, Lucie led me over toward Market Place.

On our way, we pass by a gigantic new Rexall — a tenant that has been in First Canadian Place since before the renovation, but now boasts an expansive, shiny new space (same goes for a few other shops, including Harry Rosen, and Judith & Charles).

The Market Place is a bit of a food-court "lite;" more a spot for grab-and-go than a lunchtime sit-and-eat. With a Longo's grocery store as its main fixture, the Market Place features a mix of chain and independent retail, including David's Tea, Prairie Girl Cupcakes, Brick Street Bakery, and Greenleafs. The space is also poised to receive Kupfert & Kim in the coming months, an outlet focused of vegan fare with gluten-free options on the menu as well.

The actual upstairs food court at First Canadian Place is still a bit "1975" in vibe, though Lucie tells me that it, too, will receive a facelift starting next year. The renovation will coincide with the opening of Cactus Club, a casual west coast restaurant that will be making its first venture east.

Next, as we saunter past some of the clothing and other retail, Lucie points out the new Lasik MD clinic, the space for the new post office, and the area for the medical centre, to open in 2013. "The idea is that everything you need is right here," she says. "If you need the post office, the bank, the doctor — if you spill coffee on your shirt before you have a meeting — it's all downstairs."

The convenience is undeniable for First Canadian Place tenants. The building even offers a personal shopper free of charge for novice Financial District employees looking for a business wardrobe, or top-floor bosses keen on an outfit update. The final stages of the update will continue through to 2014, with falling marble hopefully rendered but a distant memory.

Photos by Jesse Milns

On Friday night, Toronto's own The Weeknd (aka Abel Tesfaye) commenced his four-night stretch of shows at the Sound Academy with a solid set of sexy songs. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect. I've been a fan for a few years, and didn't have a chance to get to Hamilton for his show in March, but after reading a Ticketmaster user review, I had my doubts about his intentions as a performer.

"[The show was] very misleading," the reviewer said. "It wasn't a concert at all. He came three hours late, sat on [the] stage and got high while we listened to some DJ yell into a microphone."

Yikes. Sorry Abel, but you haven't reached that level of boss just yet.

Luckily, I found myself loving everything I heard coming from The Weeknd, so with only slight hesitation, I made my way to the Sound Academy to check him out for myself. Either he picked up his game or the aforementioned Ticketmaster user mixed up the venue and never saw him, but regardless, the Weeknd put on one hell of a performance.

The Weeknd has been nominated for the Polaris Prize two years in a row. MTV called him the "best musical talent since Michael Jackson" and though I'd scoff at this comparison in terms of compilation and lyrical ability, I was more than impressed with The Weeknd's vocal range and control.

With his famously ominous, sexy melodies, I felt like I was catching a glimpse of the bedrooms of every couple at the show. His voice and his lyrics ooze with passion. It's no wonder the girls in the front row fawned over him.

He started his set off with slow hits like "What You Need" and "High For This," but midway through the show, he picked up the pace with "The Morning" and "House of Balloons" and the crowd went from grooving to moving.

He mentioned that his doctor recommended he quit his tour early and cancel his Toronto shows to which he responded, "Fuck that." His love for his hometown shone through his frequent shout-outs. With three more sold-out shows this weekend, Toronto has proven his love to be requited.

On November 13th, The Weeknd will release his first album, Trilogy. Made up of digitally remastered versions of his three previously released mixtapes as well as three new songs, I can say with full confidence that the album will be nothing short of awesome.

Photos by Brian Morton

For a working artist, $50,000 goes a long way. And as the winner of the 5th annual Grange Prize for photography, the UK's Jo Longhurst will now have the opportunity to experience it, thanks to the online votes of over 19,000 people. On Thursday night, as part of the AGO's 1st Thursdays series, Jo was named as the big winner, during an evening that also included performances by local buzz-band DIANA and a DJ set from Austra's Katie Stelmanis.

Hosted by Toronto-born model and onetime Canada's Next Top Model judge Stacey McKenzie (whose Keith Haring-inspired Addidas jumpsuit was seriously covetable), the awards ceremony was surprisingly muted for the amount of hype the Grange has received. In addition to it being chosen by the public, the Grange Prize is a definite anomaly among major art prizes. Each year, two nominees from another country are selected alongside two from Canada, with each finalist granted a residency in their partner country.

Longhurst's work, which has been on display at the AGO since early September, examines ideas of physical perfection in competitive gymnastics and dog-breeding, and she was a bit of an underdog in a race that also included Welsh fashion and music photographer Jason Evans (bets known for his many portraits of Radiohead) and local conceptualist Annie MacDonell. In addition to their prize money, Jason and Jo will be joining the AGO's Artist-In-Residence program here in Toronto, and Annie and Montreal-based artist Emmanuelle Léonard will travel to the UK to develop their photographic practice.

With the awards ceremony running an economical ten minutes, it felt like more a footnote to the surrounding 1st Thursdays event, which gives visitors free run of the museum from 6:30 to 11pm each month. Basically a carnival for adults, this month's revelry included the usual pop-up bars, nude figure drawing, and dancing in the museum's Walker Court, alongside Frida and Diego-themed margaritas and tacos. These types of events are clearly a winning formula, as the success of the Brooklyn Museum's similar 1st Saturday series has proven, and the massive line-up outside the building showed that it can definitely find success in Toronto.

Yet somehow the oyster bars, olde tyme photo booths, taco stands, and omnipresent DJ's just weren't enough to get any real energy out of the crowd. One imagines scores of AGO employees in the centre of the museum's atrium, bellowing "Are you not entertained?" at the crowd politely sips on their themed drinks. The prize announcement barely mustered applause, though that may have been due to the presenter's initially awarding it to "Jay Jonghurst."

Thankfully, following the big announcement was a performance from local upstarts DIANA, whose infectious energy was enough to persuade a few attendees to even sway and occasionally nod their heads. Yeah, so we may have just hyped them, but they really are the real deal. Carmen Elle's mesmerizing vocals faced an uphill battle against the night's frequent sound issues (which included the nominees video being muted for the first fifteen seconds), but the band still managed to play a thoroughly enjoyable set against a backdrop of creepy-cool images of eyes and hair from rising photographer Laurie Kang.

It may to take a few months before attendees of 1st Thursdays realize they can let loose a little, even around millions of dollars worth of art, but once they do, it'll make for seriously entertaining event.

Photos by Derek Flack

A small, brightly colored underpass in the Don Valley might not seem like a place with much of a story, but the rainbow tunnel in Milne Hollow is certainly worth noticing. The latest chapter in its history was written this week, and we take a look back at the paintwork's origin.

Also this week, there's a look at the almost unenforced a-frame sign bylaw that made headlines this week and a list of unused names for the Toronto Raptors.

Somewhere Under the RainbowA painted rainbow marking the entrance to a pedestrian underpass in the Don Valley got a fresh lick of paint this week, its first official facelift since it was created in 1972.

Painted by Norwegian muralist B.C. (Berg) Johnson by hanging suspended from the CN tracks above, the piece was intended to bring a little cheer to the city's dour commuters. Unfortunately, the authorities weren't too jazzed about the idea.

The rainbow was repeatedly threatened with removal by the city despite local popularity among walkers in Milne Hollow near Lawrence Avenue and passing motorists. The parks department painted over the rainbow with grey paint several times before learning to love the artwork, which was often repaired by concerned local residents.

Despite its numerous concerned well-wishers, including artist Peter Doig, the DVP rainbow started to chip paint and attract tags from other graffiti artists in recent years.

According to The Star, the cost of the official paint work was budgeted into the East Don Trail construction costs and was completed this week. Its full, bright colors will cheer a new generation of eagle-eyed Don Valley motorists.

Bad SignsA-frame signs - sandwich boards to you and me - were in the news again this week when Global reported just 41 of the possibly thousands of signs on public sidewalks were registered and licensed with the city. I suspect most business owners that plonk a sign outside the front door don't know they need a license, but still, good enforcement guys.

Here's a list of some of the unusual (and hyper specific) regulations in the a-frame sign bylaw:

• "When portable signs are displayed or erected on public property as permitted by this article, the placement of the signs shall allow for an unobstructed pedestrian clearway, of a minimum width of 2.1 metres."
• "Portable signs shall be located against the front wall of the premises directly adjacent to the business which it is advertising ... the portable signs shall be located so as not to obstruct the remaining portion of the sidewalk."
• "No Portable sign shall be located in an area that has tall grass or weeds, litter, trash or is generally unkempt,"
• "Each portable sign shall only display first party content and no other message;"
• "Each portable sign shall not exceed a maximum height of 1.0 metre, nor be less than a minimum height of 0.5 metre;"
• "Each portable sign shall not exceed a maximum width of 0.6 metre;"
• "A portable sign shall not be animated, contain any video display elements, be illuminated, have flashing lights, emit sound or have electronic device to create or simulate motion,"
• "the owner of the sign shall display on the sign a sign permit identifier issued by the City as evidence that the sign has been authorized."

Don't say you weren't told.

Naming the RaptorsLast week we took a look at some of the rejected names for the Toronto Blue Jays (or Giants, Lakers, or Blues) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the team's first World Series win. Since the NBA season officially kicked off this week, let's check out some of the names that fell by the wayside during the public naming contest.

• Toronto Huskies (after the original Toronto Huskies)
• Toronto Beavers
• Toronto Bobcats
• Toronto Dragons
• Toronto Grizzlies
• Toronto Hogs (for Hogtown)
• Toronto Scorpions
• Toronto T-Rex
• Toronto Tarantulas
• Toronto Terriers

Professional Basketball Franchise (Canada) Inc. (as it was known pre-naming) chose the Raptors name on 15 May 1994 in the hopes of cashing in on the popularity of the Jurassic Park movie franchise. The silver trim on the team's uniforms is named "Naismith Silver" after the Canadian inventor of basketball, James Naismith.

The team played its first seasons at the SkyDome and Maple Leaf Gardens before moving with the Leafs to the Air Canada Centre. A planned arena next to the Eaton Centre at Bay and Dundas never materialized.

Photos: "Under the Rainbow, Charles Sauriol Preservation Reserve, Don Valley, Toronto" by Tony Lea, "Undead Friendly Zone" by sniderscion, "Fisheye Raptors" by longshots from the blogTO Flickr pool.

Photo by Josh Jensen in the blogTO Flickr pool

MUSIC | The Weeknd @ Sound Academy
TO's R'n'B influenced musical giant, The Weeknd, concludes a four-night run at The Sound Academy tonight. Also known by his birth name, Abel Tesfaye, this artist's debut album, House Of Balloons (based melodically, and sample-wise on Siouxsie and the Banshees' Happy House) received unanimous praise from music critics and fans alike, and his penchant for creating a tangible sense of mood with his music and lyrics was a common thread in the buzz surrounding this release. With a compilation album, Trilogy coming out later this month, The Weeknd's final show of a massive four-night engagement here in his hometown is sure to be memorable.
The Sound Academy (11 Polson Street) 9PM $46

BOOKS & LIT | Rowers Pub Reading Series
This long-running reading series aims to present emerging authors alongside established figures in TO's literary community. Tonight author Mary Lou Dickinson reads, and her writing career began relatively recently with her first short fiction collection, One Day it Happens, and is continuing in fine form with her novel, Ile d'Or. Prolific Hamilton author Susan Evans Shaw will be discussing her book Canadians at War: A Guide to the Battlefields of World War II. Todd Swift, a Canadian poet and editor now based in the UK (where he had the honour of being Oxfam Great Britain's Poet-in-residence) will also share some of his work. This is a free event.
Victory Cafe (581 Markham Street) 7:30PM

MUSIC | The TJO presents Singers United!
The Toronto Jazz Orchestra is a musical force to be reckoned with here in TO, and is now into its fifteenth year of performing. Tonight the excitement is taken up a notch with the addition of two well-known vocalists to an already stellar cast of musical talent. Both Alex Samaras and Sophia Perlman will join the TJO in performance both together and separately this evening. Compositions by Vickie Yang, Rebecca Pellett, and Josh Grossman will make up part of tonight's program, as well as great arrangements by Quincy Jones, Billy May, Geoffrey Keezer, and others of classic tunes.
The Rex Hotel (194 Queen Street West) 9:30PM $10

COMEDY | One Night Stand: an evening of comedy & cabaret
The Gladstone Hotel hosts an evening of stand-up comedy and cabaret tonight, honouring an upcoming film project, Portrait of a Serial Monogamist. This event marks the launch of a 'crowdsourcing' campaign for this coming-of-age lesbian romantic comedy, written and directed by Christina Zeidler and John Mitchell. A trailer for this work-in-progress film will be shown. Tonight's entertainment will come in stand-up form from Dawn Whitwell, Kathleen Phillips, and Carolyn Taylor, plus guests Miss Fluffy Souffle and Fay Slift, as well as Vag Halen front woman Vanessa Dunn. Tonight's host is Elvira Kurt.
Gladstone Hotel, Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West) 7:30PM $20

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR

The Asteroid Galaxy Tour + Millionyoung
GROUPLOVE @ The Phoenix

Photo by Ben Roffelsen in the blogTO Flickr pool

Rob Ford's latest goof - apparently playing a role in pulling a packed TTC bus from service to collect his football team - is still making waves. Ford called TTC CEO Andy Byford's cell, which he didn't answer (and I don't blame him), to request a second vehicle when the first got lost en route. It's still not clear why the original request for a shelter bus - something the TTC regularly provides in an emergency - was called for here. Last night, the TTC released a statement on the topic.

In the mayor's defense, this likely marks the first time he's ever ridden a TTC bus. I wouldn't be surprised if this is how he thinks public transit works. Should the TTC scrutinize its calls for shelter busses or is it the police's responsibility?

Toronto's air-rail link is quite an engineering project. Metrolinx is currently welding together elevated sections of rail track that will eventually connect Union Station with Pearson airport. The Globe and Mail has an update, if you're a subscriber. Fares for the new line could be at least $15. Is that too much?

Police have made an arrest related to last week's plate-throwing incident in a Chinatown restaurant. The fight at Pho Xe Lua near Dundas and Spadina was filmed and uploaded to YouTube where it attracted more than 500,000 views. A woman in her 20s received cuts to her face in the incident.

More GTA hydro workers are heading to the States to help with the Hurricane Sandy clean-up effort. Roughly 157 Hydro One workers are in New York and other parts of the east coast to help restore power to areas hardest hit by the storm. More than 1.5 million people are still without electricity in New York and New Jersey.

If you're using the 401 off ramp near Yorkdale Mall this morning you've got some nifty construction work to thank. A portion of bridge was removed and replaced over the weekend using new technology that allowed workers to complete the task in a fraction of the normal time. More projects like this, please.

Finally, CTV News has photos of the TTC's new streetcars being moved on the back of a special flatbed vehicle near the Hillcrest Yards. Surely not long now before we see the longer, more accessible vehicles taking a test spin on the road.

IN BRIEF:

• Raptors cruise past Timberwolves [Toronto Sun]
• New hope in fight to save historic Yonge Street post office [The Star]
• Could Toronto's elephant saga finally be over? [The Star]
• TTC head Andy Byford to launch customer charter [National Post]

FROM THE WEEKEND:

• Sunday Supplement: Rainbow tunnels, sign rules, and rejected names for the Raptors
• 2012 Grange Prize draws a crowd to the AGO
• The Weeknd puts on a show at the Sound Academy
• First Canadian Place gets a major overhaul
• What to expect at Everything to do with Sex Show 2012
• Parkdale faces restaurant and bar moratorium
• A brief history of destructive weather in Toronto
• New menswear boutique mixes high and low fashion
• Spoken word events in Toronto, November 2012
• This Week In Comedy
• This Week in Theatre

Photo: "Downtown-Toronto-YTZ" by quistian from the blogTO Flickr pool.

Live music picks for MONDAY NOVEMBER 5 through SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2012.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 5 / THE ASTEROIDS GALAXY TOUR / DANFORTH MUSIC HALL / 147 DANFORTH AVE / $20 / 19+

Chances are that you've heard the funky sounds of The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, even if you think you haven't. The Danish sextet has been on the scene since 2007, and their catchy blend of indie pop and acid jazz has appeared in a plethora of shows and commercials, including one for iPod touch and a memorable Heineken spot. They've opened for artists like Amy Winehouse and Katy Perry, and they show no signs of slowing down. Millionyoung will open.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6 / AIMEE MANN / DANFORTH MUSIC HALL / 147 DANFORTH AVE / $36.50 - $42.75 / ALL AGES

Aimee Mann is, in my humble opinion, one of the most underrated artists of her generation. She's that rare breed of artist who combines an astounding talent for songwriting with an amazing voice and considerable instrumental skills. My favourite film of all time, Magnolia, was based around some of her original material, and since my first viewing, I've been a huge fan of her work. This show gets my nod for the best concert you'll have the opportunity of seeing this week, hands down. Ted Leo will offer support.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 7 / THE LUYAS / 918 BATHURST / 918 BATHURST ST / $10 - $12 / ALL AGES

Montreal is known for producing some truly awesome musicians, and indie rock quartet The Luyas are certainly proof of this. With a very unorthodox lineup of instruments that includes a French horn and a Moodswinger, the band has crafted a very unique sound that has garnered them considerable critical acclaim and a very loyal fanbase. This particular show will be a release party for their latest album, Animator, which is also their debut on Paper Bag Records.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 8 / THE STRUMBELLAS / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 368 QUEEN W / $10 - $12 / ALL AGES

Y'all know that I'm a big, big fan of alt-country, and The Strumbellas are an example of exactly why I love this genre. This Toronto-based seven-piece band is clearly inspired by bluegrass, and their tunes are one hell of a lot of fun--this is the type of show that will get a crowd on their feet and hooting and hollering along with the band. Here's hoping that the Horseshoe is filled up for this one.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10 / ESCORT / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 368 QUEEN W / $16.50 - $20 / 19+

They say that disco died when the 1980s were ushered in, but Escort may have you thinking otherwise. Based out of Brooklyn, the band boasts no less than 17 (!!) members, and they've embraced the disco genre and made it their own. They refer to themselves as a "disco orchestra," and with a lineup that large, it's not difficult to see why. If you're in the mood for something a little different, this one may be worth checking out.

For more music listings, check out our events calendar.

Looking for tickets? Check out Rotate This or Soundscapes to avoid Ticketmaster robbery.

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

Photo of the Strumbellas courtesy of steveluscher on Flickr

The 16th annual Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival is a unique showcase of contemporary films and videos by East and Southeast Asian filmmakers in Canada, the U.S., Asia, and all over the world. Suffice to say that Reel Asian has something for everyone.

Here are 5 films to watch at the 2012 Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival.

Floating City (Cantonese w/ English subtitles)
This gorgeous social-historical drama is set against the backdrop of the British-colonized harbour known as "the Floating Village." Floating City tells the coming of age story of a half-British, half-Chinese orphan name Bo Wah-Chuen (Aaron Kwok). From rags to riches, the film follows him as he climbs the ladder of the notorious Imperial East India trading company. This film is a great study of racism, classism, and the eternal struggle to define who you are.

Wolf Children (Japanese w/ English Subtitles)
Beautifully animated and family friendly, this latest masterpiece from Mamoru Hosoda (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) tells the story of a college girl who meets a boy that can change into a wolf, and the eventual lives of their children as they choose how to best deal with their "gifts." This is a truly beautiful story, and explores each of the characters in-depth over a long span of their family life. This is also, notably, my only must-see in the fest.

Cold Steel (Mandarin w/ English Subtitles)
This is the film with the most buzz at Reel Asian this year. From director David Wu, long-time collaborator of John Woo (Hard Target) and editor of the classic Hard Boiled, comes a Chinese war epic with action scenes that will melt your face off. There is no attempt to hide the racial insensitivity of the time in this film--which is why I'll warn that this movie is both action-packed, and not suitable for those who are especially sensitive to portrayals of racism. For hard-core John Woo fans expecting something like Hard Boiled or The Killer, you may be disappointed.

Tatsumi (Japanese w/English Subtitles)
This celebration of "one of Japan's most important visual artists" offers up an animated biography of artist Yoshihiro Tatsumi, a manga pioneer and inventor of gekiga (a dark style of mature-themed comics from post-war Japan). Tatsumi's comics reflected the daily troubles that ordinary people faced in a drastically-changing Japan, and elevated the style and content of manga (and comics in general).

Graceland (Tagalog w/ English Subtitles)
Holding down a meager day job as a chauffeur for a powerful politician, Marlon's world is quickly shattered when he becomes the accidental target of a kidnapping plot gone wrong against his boss, and his daughter is kidnapped instead. Having witnessed the crime, Marlon must face Manila's seedy underground to get his daughter back before she is killed. What will the everyman do, and what lengths will he go to when his family is put in danger? This film is a riveting and dramatic character study.

The festival runs from November 6-11, 2012, and you can purchase individual tickets or festival passes though Ticketweb, or at the venue for same-day purchases.

Lead photo from Floating City

For someone who has been writing and performing music for over 20 years now, you'd think that song-writing comes quite naturally to Julie Doiron by now. But halfway through the opening track of her new album, So Many Days, we are taken straight to the centre of the musician's thought process and learn that this isn't the case at all. "I'm writing this song to prove to myself that maybe I can write songs," Doiron admits on "Cars and Trucks."

It's this kind of earnest, almost stream-of-consciousness honesty that's the crux of Doiron's work, a signature of sorts that many of her songs bare. Doiron's train of thought flows with an ease that speaks like a close friend whispering her deepest secrets to you, but still unravels and builds in moments with an intensity that's gripping and electric.

So Many Days fits right in with the rest of Doiron's discography, like another diary completed and set aside. She continues her subtle reign as one of the country's most prolific writers and, as evident through her louder turn with her recent work under the moniker of Julie Doiron and the Wrong Boys, a badass guitarist who shouldn't be taken lightly.

Doiron's music is rarely flashy and doesn't outwardly beg for your attention, but it goes down like a cup of tea that soothes the soul and warms the heart. Take the hauntingly simple "By the Lake" — its power lies in her unnervingly peaceful voice, her barebones lyrics and her straightforward lyrical sentiments. But, make no mistake, Doiron will also lay down an explosive riff every once in a while, such that it jumps up and shocks you.

Even if she does hit a case of writer's block every now and then — and she's frankly quite honest with us about it, we're glad that she pulls through every time to put together another fantastic album ready to be cataloged in the canon of great Canadian songwriting.

To stream more of the album, check out Exclaim! or CBC Music.

Toronto has some of the best milk tea outside of Hong Kong. For those unfamiliar, milk tea is a fixture of Canto-Western (Hong Kong-style Western) cuisine. The milky beverage, made from a combination of black tea (and sometimes different kinds of teas), and evaporated/condensed milk using a discoloured filter that is often referred to as a pantyhose, is such an integral part of the Hong Kong coffee shop experience that it's really difficult (impossible, really) to imagine not finding it in any respectable Hong Kong cafe.

Whereas one of my previous posts was focused on where to find quality Hong-Kong Western food in Toronto, this one will focus on the drink itself. It is such a popular beverage that many purists will often tolerate a mediocre cha chaan teng experience if they enjoy the tea, and it usually comes down to very minute details which distinguish one milk tea from another, considering they all use very similar ingredients, with mostly the technique, and the timing of the preparation that are distinct.

To keep things short and sweet, I've decided to just focus on where I like to have my milk tea, as opposed to overly dissecting the "why's" of it. And yes, I've definitely noticed a heavy suburban bent. I've tried many milk teas in downtown Toronto, and they're just too "flat" in my opinion.

Here are my top 5 places to drink Hong Kong milk tea in Toronto.

Marathon Donuts and Coffee Shop (3300 Midland Ave)
This small, old-fashioned stall shot to superstardom a few months ago when its owner won the International Milk Tea competition in Hong Kong (no, seriously, there are such things), beating out more illustrious competitors from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China while upholding the honour of Scarborough. In other words, this is actually (supposedly) the best Hong Kong milk tea in the world. I'm going to let that sink in for a second. The tea served here is full-bodied, with a smooth texture that's not too overpowering. It's not too sweet either (which would've been my personal preference, but I'm no judge) and the balance of flavours feels just right. While it is undoubtedly very good tea, I personally don't think it quite lives up to its hype. However, this place is definitely worth a visit, even if it's just to try out the drink that put Midland and Finch (for a time at least) in the international culinary world's limelight.

Ming's Noodle Cafe (3447 Kennedy Rd)
Another Scarborough hidden gem of sorts, this place serves more of a comprehensive Hong Kong meal than many other cha chaan tengs, with dishes such as tenderloin steak with rice, and the delicious baked pork chop (with rice again, of course). The milk tea here has a sharper/stronger taste than Marathon's, which is actually more to my liking. It's more defined in taste and less smooth, but still one of the best ones I've had. Bonus points for having lots of cheap, comfort Canto-Western dishes surrounding me as I sip my tea Gangnam-style. This place does get really loud and busy during mealtimes, as it's very popular with locals, though in my experience, the staff seems to handle these crowds very quickly and efficiently.

Fuji Mountain Bakery (350 Highway 7 East Unit 110)
Serving oodles of freshly baked Chinese buns and pastries, this place offers a simple Hong Kong milk tea that is a hit with many, including myself. The abundance of baked goods that surround you, and are practically asking to be bought as a companion to the tea, are always a treat, if you can excuse the rather no-frills look of the place. Then again, as there's no real seating inside, perhaps its utilitarian atmosphere serves its purpose of 'in-n-out' perfectly. Or maybe that's just my custard bun whispering at me.

Metro Square Cafe Restaurant (3636 Steeles E Avenue)
Located in the Chinese food wonderland of Metro Square and bearing the same unimaginative name as the mall itself, this rather spacious cafe provides good milk tea to go with their rather large assortment of offerings. The best part is that they feature all-day breakfasts, with service that's efficient without being curt. Aside from their rather thick milk tea (which is served with almost all of their dishes), they also offer excellent egg sandwiches. The combination of fluffy egg and smooth creamy tea is definitely one to try out. Keep in mind that the place's ambience is nothing to really write home about, but then again most cha chaan tengs aren't either.

Leslie Cafe (149 Ravel Road)
The first thing you'll notice about this rather well-hidden cafe is that its clean, bright, and relatively modern interior makes it look like the Ritz-Carlton of all cha chaan tengs (seriously, you'd think there was a hidden contractual agreement that most Hong Kong cafes have to be set in dreary '80s interior). The food on offer is also quite diverse, with an assortment of pork chops, steaks, and sandwiches to try, while the milk tea is flavourful and satisfying. I'll admit that I may think that the tea tastes even better because of how much of a pleasant upgrade this place is visually, and its location across from a Chinese supermarket is another bonus point--so you can immediately get the ingredients to try to replicate your milk tea experience at home (a futile attempt, I may add).

Posted by Darren "DKLo" Susilo. He hangs out on the twitter and his own mansion. Photo by Javin Lau.

While the Beer Store (and its hip offshoot The Beer Boutique) and the LCBO are the obvious places in Toronto to stock up on beer, there are other options. These days, with the influx of craft beer brands, it's never been easier and more convenient to buy beer direct from a local brewery. And why not? The product is at its absolute freshest, you get to support a local business and, a lot of the time, the locations have extended hours that are a little bit more reasonable than those at your more generic option.

So, to help you support your local brewers, here's a list of Toronto's breweries that offer retail service--complete with their hours and some information about what exactly they offer.

Amsterdam Brewery
With a new retail location that opened earlier this week, Amsterdam is set to broadly expand their retail offerings. They will still sell 355ml sized bottles of their "staple" beers (some of which are regularly available in 25 packs for $31.95), but, with more room for experimental brewer Iain McOustra to play, you can expect they'll be stocking a lot more of their unusual offerings and seasonal beers, which typically come in 500mL bottles and vary in price.
Contact info 45 Esandar Drive, Toronto, 416.504.6882
Hours Monday - Saturday: 11am-11pm; Sunday: 11am-6pm; Holidays: 11am-9pm

Cool Beer Brewing Company
At Cool Brewing's retail store you can pick up a number of their in-house brands as well as some that are contract brewed on site. Along with flagship Cool Beer and Buzz beer, you'll also find Duggan's beers and Saint Andre Vienna Lager. There are some pretty good deals too, if penny pinching is your thing: You can grab four Cool Beers for $5 and bottles of Stonewall Light Lager are just $1.25.
Contact info: 164 Evans Avenue, Toronto, 416.255.7100
Hours: Monday-Friday: 10am-7pm; Saturday: 10am-5pm

Black Creek Historic Brewery
You're not likely to hit up the pioneer village to stock up on beer before your next party, but if you're ever in the area, you really should consider stopping by for some of their great beer. Just tell the gate staff you're only going to the brewery so you can skip the $15 admission to the village and you can get growlers of Black Creek's historically brewed offerings for $16.
Contact info 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto, 416.736.1733
Hours Everyday from 12pm-3:30pm

The Beer Academy
The offspring of a merger of two Molson-owned brands, Granville Island Brewing and Creemore Springs Brewery, the Beer Academy bills itself as a space for beer experimentation and tasting. In addition to Granville Island and Creemore products, they also sell growlers and quart bottles of their experimental offerings under the auspices of the "non-brand," Six Pints. The rotation of what's available can change but right now you can get growlers and quart bottles of their porter, dortmunder lager, india pale ale, and kolsch blond. Quarts only of their belgian brown and dunekl weiss are also available.
Contact info 75 Victoria Street, Toronto. 416.366.1786
Hours Monday-Wednesday: 12PM-8PM, Thursday-Saturday: 11AM-10PM, Sunday: 12PM-5PM

Black Oak Brewery
This often underrated brewery in Etobicoke sells six packs of their Nut Brown and Pale Ales as well as their excellent seasonal beers. You can also pick up kegs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats; as well as "home-made Black Oak Beer soap." What the hell, you already smell like a brewery most of the time anyway.
Contact info 75 Horner Avenue, Etobicoke, 416.252.2739
Hours Monday: 11am-5 pm; Tuesday-Friday: 10am to 5pm; Saturday: 10am to 3pm

Granite Brewery and Restaurant
Possibly the best value for craft beer in the whole city, Granite offers growlers of their in-house beers for $12 (plus a $4 deposit). And, with a couple days notice, they can also get reasonably-priced kegs (and pumps) to you in 20L, 30L, and 50L sizes.
Contact info 245 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, 416.322.0723
Hours Sunday: 11am-6pm; Monday-Saturday: 11:30am-11pm

Great Lakes Brewery
Great Lakes offers all their regular brands at their retail store as well as whichever of their seasonals are current. Their retail space is also a good place to find GLB's hoarder-friendly specialty offerings (when they're around). Right now, for example, you'll likely find their Imperial Black IPA, the third offering from their 25th Anniversary Beer series ($9.95 for 750mL).
Contact info 30 Queen Elizabeth Boulevard, Etobicoke, 416.255.4510
Hours Monday-Saturday: 10am-6pm

Bellwoods Brewery
As of this post, the guys at Bellwoods are waiting for new tanks to arrive, which they're installing specifically to feed the still-under-construction retail store. Once the tanks are in, retail will be a big part of their operations given that they're essentially tripling their total brewing capacity. When the retail space next to the current brewpub opens (hopefully just before Christmas) they'll be selling 2L growlers, 1L growlers, and 650mL bottles filled with a range of their products. The 2L growlers and 650ml bottles will start at $13 and $5 tax in, respectively, with prices changing depending on the time required to produce the beer and the expense of the ingredients. They'll also be selling shirts, glassware, posters, bags, and books (just in time for stocking stuffing). Until then, watch for news of Bellwoods pop-up sales, which they hope to continue through November.
Contact info 124 Ossington Avenue, Toronto, 647.378.0894
Hours TBD

Indie Alehouse
In the short time that Indie has been open, their retail shop has sold out every single day well before closing--sometimes in less than one hour of being open--so you'll want to get there early. For now, the products available are limited to 1.9L growlers of their staple beers--Street Wheat, Instigator IPA, Barnyard Belgian RYE-PA, and their Belgian Wit Bier--available for $20 (plus a $4 deposit). And while that may seem a little high, it's really not a bad price for small-batch, craft beer; plus, that price point seems to be serving them just fine thus far. You can, however, expect their higher alcohol and sour beers to be available in 750mL and 500mL bottles sometime before Christmas. When that happens, Indie's retail hours will expand, too.
Contact info 2876 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Hours Monday-Friday: 5pm-9pm; Saturday-Sunday: 2pm-6pm

Mill Street Brewery
Mill Street offers all their commercially available beers at their brewpub retail space in single bottles, six packs, 12 packs, cases, and even kegs. You can also usually find a specialty beer or two as well as Mill Street's current seasonal offering in growlers for $12.50 (plus a $4 deposit).
Contact info 21 Tankhouse Lane, Toronto, 416.681.0338
Hours Sunday: 11am-6pm; Monday-Thursday: 11am-8 pm; Friday-Saturday: 11am-10 pm

BONUS BEER STORE

Steam Whistle Brewing
Long the Jays fan's worst-kept secret, brewery-fresh Steam Whistle is not only available to chug in a park before a ball game, but can also be bought in cases, and ordered for home delivery. For a small fee ($49.95 for kegs, $15 for cases of bottles), Steam Whistle will even come out with a bunch of ice and set up your party for you. For kegs, the fee includes set-up and loan of draught equipment and biodegradable cups, and for cases they'll set you up with a bottle trough for the evening.
Contact info 255 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, 416.362.2337
Hours Monday-Thursday: 12pm-6pm; Friday-Saturday: 11am-6pm; Sunday: 11am-5pm. Open on all statutory holidays except for Christmas Day and New Years Day.

A pre-emptive note to the naysayers: Yes, it's a little sad that the list of places in Toronto to buy beer directly from the brewers is so small; but then again, this list is considerably longer than it would have been just a year ago, so here's hoping we can all support the growing craft beer scene and that the next time I summarize our retail brewery offerings there will be even more.

Yes, it is possible to find a vegan or gluten-free lunch in the Financial District. That, and stock up on certified organic, plant-based shampoo and preservative- and fragrance-free deodorant at the same time. You just need to know where to look. On the concourse level of First Canadian Place, this shop has been one of the few places to shop for green items on your way home from work, as well as pick up a healthy lunch, muffin or other snack, though it's poised to get some company.

Until then, read my profile of Naturally Yours in the grocery section.

Where to watch the US election in Toronto:

If you're the type that likes to watch history unfold in a group setting rather than all by your lonesome, tomorrow's US Presidential Election will afford a number of opportunities for communal celebration or mourning across the city. Even if you can't vote — or have shirked your responsibility for fear that it means you supposed to file taxes in the States — this is high stakes drama worthy of an audience and a few adult beverages.

US Election Night in Toronto at the Academy of the Impossible
Join local politicos for a decidedly lighthearted look at American politics and the US Presidential race. The crew from truthmashup.com will be on hand to guide attendees through some of the most bizarre/funny/depressing political moments on YouTube from the last couple of years as a lead up to the results. Expect the mood to be particularly jovial if Obama takes an early lead. The Academy of the Impossible, 231 Wallace Ave. 7:30 p.m.

Toronto's Biggest Election Night Party
What goes better together than politics and bowling? Probably a lot of things, but at least there'll be lots of ways to distract yourself at the Ballroom if your desired candidate crashes and burns on the big day. Presented by ProudPolitics, the Toronto Gay Professionals Club and Ontario Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, instead of bitting your nails you can play a variety of games while waiting to see who will guide our neighbour to the south for the next four years. The Ballroom, 145 John St. 8 p.m. $12, RSVP required.

Working Class Hero: A Night of Protest Songs
Not exactly an election viewing party, but if you're looking for politically-themed live music, head on over to Dominion on Queen for a night of protest songs. The betting's good that the mid-song conversation will turn to the election, and if you're the type to get anxious as the results come in, the music could make for a fitting distraction. Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen St. East. 8 p.m. Suggested donation $10.

Democrats Abroad Election Night Watch
If you want to ensure that you take in the election dramatics insulated from any Romney supporters, this is the place. Join your fellow democrats in wishing Obama a second term at the Sheraton's Dominion Ballroom. It might not be as fun as the Ballroom mentioned above, but that won't matter one bit if the incumbent wins. Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen Street West. Doors at 7 p.m. Advance tickets $20 / $25 at the door. Open to the public (watch out for Republican crashers!)

Republicans Abroad Election Night Party
There's an air of confidence about the name of this event and the fact that it's end-time is listed as "when a Romney victory is declared!" Could it be a four year party? Cue the accusations of biased "reporting" but that one was a bit too easy. Gather together to root for Romney and discuss how all Toronto-centric blogs are hopelessly left-wing. Harbour Sports Grille, 10 Yonge Street. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the bar.

Got an election night shindig to share? Let us know in the comments and we'll add it to the post.

Photo from Barack Obama's Facebook Page

Cupcake fans have no doubt visited Dlish's original location on West Queen West, and you'll be glad to know that the sophisticated little cupcake shop has opened a second location in Yorkville. You'll find the same barebones, modern interior, the same rotating roster of flavours, and even an on-site kitchen that churns out the fresh-baked sweets.

Read my profile of Dlish (Yorkville) in the bakeries section.

And the craft beer just keeps coming. Dundas West's Get Well is set to join Toronto's craft beer ranks with the launch of an on-site nano-brewery this week. Headed up by Brad Clifford, who was recently honoured with the title of "Homebrewer of the Year" by the Canadian Amateur Brewers Association, the brewery will turn out two to three small batch offerings at any given time.

To start, the bar will roll out three beers: Get Well Porter, Pinball Wizard American Pale Ale, the Let it Be Bitter Engish Ale. Cute names, I suppose — if cute is your thing. But, who cares? It all sounds rather promising, and I'd like to see more local watering holes take their beer as seriously as Get Well does.

Asked about the on-site facilities, Clifford gave us a quick rundown of the operation. "Basically we're running a 1-1/2 barrel system and producing approx 1.8 hecs (180L) per batch. That's 3 full size kegs," he explained by email earlier today. "Our brew kettles were sourced from a Nano-Brewery manufacturer in Portland, OR and our fermentors were imported from Germany. At 240 Litres they are the perfect size for a small operation such as ours."

For all the true beer geeks out there, you'll also be happy to know that Get Well will be "using a Blichmann RIMS (recirculating infusion mash system) for controlling our mash tempertures and clarifying wort pre-boil." According the Clifford, that brings the nano-brewery inline with "any high end pilot system you would find in a commercial brewery."

Given the small batches in play, you can expect lots of variety of the next few months. The current plan is to turn over a new beer every few weeks. You can try out the first batch starting this Thursday, November 8th at the official launch party, which gets underway at 5 p.m.