Quantcast
Channel: blogTO
Viewing all 48236 articles
Browse latest View live

Morning Brew: Rob and Doug Ford headed to YouTube, council urged to delay island airport decision, Rob Ford may face border troubles, and Saks Fifth Avenue is nigh

$
0
0

toronto streetcarToronto's most famous brothers are taking the "Ford Nation" TV format to YouTube, according to Doug Ford. Speaking on Newstalk 1010 last night, Doug said the show, canceled after a single episode broadcast on Sun News, will relaunch before Christmas with direction from professional producers who approached the pair about making a reality show. The Fords appear to be sticking with the talk show format, however.

Toronto should not make a decision on whether to expand Billy Bishop airport for jet traffic until 2015, city staff are recommending. It's still not clear how noise from the Porter planes will affect those living nearby and there are still many "outstanding questions," according to a detailed report explaining the suggestion. The executive committee will discuss adopting the recommendations at their next meeting.

Rob Ford might have trouble crossing the border for the NHL Winter Classic, according to US officials. An admission of drug use is enough for an American border agent to deny entry. The Maple Leafs are due to play the Detroit Red Wings on an outdoor rink Jan. 1 and Ford hopes to attend.

Saks Fifth Avenue is coming to Yonge and Bloor. The department store, acquired by Hudson's Bay Company for $2.4 billion, will be the second largest Saks in the world, according to new majority owner Richard Baker. Yorkdale and Sherway Gardens could also get stores, according to Canada.com.

Transfers between the subway and the new Eglinton-Crosstown LRT could take much longer than expected, according to current TTC projections. Though the station designs are incomplete, it could take upward of 2 1/2 minutes to walk from the middle of the subway platform to the middle of the LRT platform.

Finally, a stolen red bike is headed back in to its rightful owner thanks to an act of kindness. Frances Rawlings bought a red cruiser on Queen West for $100 believing it had been stolen. She tracked down the rightful owner - Julia Fawcett, a Ryerson English prof - using social media and arranged for its return handover. Fawcett says she will reimburse Rawlings her $100.

IN BRIEF:

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

Image: Gogakki/blogTO Flickr pool.


World's largest Sugar Daddy site to launch in Toronto

$
0
0

Seeking ArrangementSeeking Arrangement (dot com), the world's largest Sugar Daddy site, is about to launch in Canada, and yes, that means exactly what you think it does. Lonely elites and aspiring fancy people can post frank profiles to connect on the site for "mutually beneficial" arrangements - $5,000 per month here, an enthusiastic giggle there, and everyone's happy. Isn't capitalism simple? The site has chosen Toronto for their launch party as they claim we lead the nation with the most Sugar Daddies and "Sugar Babies." I'll buy that (no pun intended).

While the deal looks pretty sweet to both parties involved, some will beg both old and young to think of the consequences. When you talk about Arcade Fire, they're going to think an arcade is on fire. When they drone on about their stock portfolio, you'll have to disguise the fact you're on your (gifted) iPhone 5 playing Candy Crush or browsing Tinder. If you're ready for these kind of sacrifices, then I guess it's time to jump in. Play safe out there, and remember the golden rule, friends: never fall in love.

Seeking Arrangement launches at Fire & Ice: Sugar Masquerade Ball, which will "bring together the country's most eligible bachelors with beautiful women from around the world" on December 13th at 99 Sudbury. Tickets are gendered and run from $95 to $1000.

Photo by Jason Cook via the blogTO flickr pool

Toronto Food Events: The Great Hall Dinner Party, Holly Jolly Feast, Winter Craft Beer Festival

$
0
0

Toronto Food EventsToronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious events, festivals, pop-ups, winemaker dinners, supper clubs and other food related happenings in Toronto this week and next. You can find us here every Friday morning.

THIS WEEK

UPCOMING

  • Porzia (1314 Queen Street West) hosts a Holly Jolly Feast on Tuesday, December 10th starting with a Christmas party at 6pm followed by a festive family meal. Tickets $100.
  • The outdoor Winter Craft Beer Festival is coming to Roundhouse Park (255 Bremner Boulevard) on Saturday, January 25th from 11am to 5pm. Tickets are not available yet, but we'll keep you posted.

OTHER NEWS

  • Bent Restaurant has extended its BENT-O Box menu feature another week until December 7th. For $35-$42 the set dinner will showcase an assortment of Japanese delicacies.

Photo from The Dock Ellis

The top 5 local hip hop nights in Toronto

$
0
0

Hip Hop Nights in TorontoWith a steady stream of shows from touring artists coming through Toronto, it can be easy to overlook regularly recurring local hip hop nights. Weeklies or monthlies, showcase performances or DJ parties, if you want to immerse yourself in hip hop music you're sure to find something that suits your style. While a ton of recurring, one-off, and irregular nights are popping up in the city all the time, here are the top 5 local hip hop nights in Toronto - and when to hit them up next.

Itzsoweezee | November 30th | Drake Underground
This collective fully embraces how hip hop has evolved to absorb certain elements of electronic music. You'll hear a blend of genres at their events: rap, trap, EDM, house and anything in between. More than just a group of promoters, Itzoweezee's team consists of DJs, producers, photographers, bloggers, and more. They throw events in different venues around the city, but this Saturday they're at Drake Underground with DJ Soundbwoy, Thugli's Tom Wrecks, Demiggs &ΛV. They will be selling limited edition t-shirts to help raise money for the Typhoon Haiyan relief effort.

Never Forgive Action | December 7th | Drake Underground (1st Saturday of every month)
Established in 2004, Never Forgive Action is more than just a monthly dance party to a soundtrack filled with hip hop classics. Organized by the same names behind Toronto's faction of Hip Hop Karaoke, the night has become very well respected and has previously featured sets from Prince Paul, Jazzy Jay, DJ Evil Dee, and Skratch Bastid. The next edition, on December 7th, features special guest DJ Riccachet alongside residents DJs Numeric and Dalia.

Big Mic TO | December 11th | Clintons (monthly)
In the 3rd year since their inception in Brampton Big Mic have skipped around a few different venues in Toronto. They currently call Clinton's Tavern home. Similarly to Big Ticket, this night provides a platform for independent artists to showcase their talents. Nights like these are vital for the local scene, giving artists a place to sharpen their mic skills and promote their craft. Although the lineup has yet to be announced for their next show, it's safe to assume that you'll be able to discover some new emerging talent.

Big Ticket | December 13th | Velvet Underground (2nd Friday of every month)
If you need a spot to mingle with the local hip hop community, you're likely to find artists and industry reps at Velvet Underground on the 2nd Friday of every month. An evening usually consists of showcases from both new comers and veterans, as well as music video screenings. Host Dan-e-o and DJ Law make sure to keep things moving during the transitions between acts. December's edition features a headlining performance from rapper King Jus and MPC guru Fresh Kils to celebrate the release of their Work Hard EP.

Hip Hop Karaoke | December 20th | Revival (3rd Friday of every month)
If you haven't caught wind of the phenomenon that Hip Hop Karaoke has become, you need to take it in asap. These events have become staples in a few different cities, including New York, Vancouver and Montreal. Pick an available song from a list and sign up in advance of the evening to deliver their performance. The night is always well attended and you can tell that a lot of participants take it very seriously, sometimes even incorporating synchronized movements into their show. Come correct!

Photo via Big Ticket's Facebook

Toronto Concerts, December 2013

$
0
0

BeyonceDecember means concerts in Toronto are slowing down. Many musicians experience pressure from their parents to fly home and drink hot cocoa by the fire, and hey, sometimes that doesn't sound so bad - plus there's still a lot of good live music to catch this month. Here's hoping at least one of theseSlayer missed connections led to the most brutal(ly metal) kind of love, and that this very enthusiastic James Blake attendee, and yes, even the monkey from the Sheezer show similarly found someone to cuddle as the weather gets colder.

Note, rap/god fans: the Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar show is rescheduled for December 22nd and 23rd at the ACC. Speaking of deities, so-called god of German techno Paul Kalkbrenner is also coming through Toronto this month, and you can win tickets to his December 7th show at The Phoenix here.

Here are 10 December shows worth bundling up for.

Blackalicious / Adelaide Hall / Demeber 7 / 9pm / $25

I'll let our rap writer Markit take this one on - "Hailing from Sacramento, California, this duo of DJ/producer Chief Xcel and rapper Gift of Gab have been pleasing underground heads for almost two decades. Their music has always been uplifting and positive and the lyrics have been complex, woven with incredible wordplay. Their new EP Sun Giver, which is supposed to drop later this year, will be their first release since 2005. Come through to hear the old and check the new. One of the most active local hip hop acts, Philly Moves, will be opening up the evening."



Sean Nicholas Savage / December 9 / Double Double Land (209 Augusta) / 9pm / $10
For a long time it seemed like weirdo lo-fi poet Sean Nicholas Savage didn't fit in to Montreal's vibrant buzz band export scene. Now fans outside MTL are finally taking notice of his bleeding heart and strange, basement loner R&B folk thing. Savage's vocal experimentations flit between the creepiest new romantics of 80s pop and How to Dress Well - who admittedly aren't that different at first listen, but you know what I mean - and old rock strangers like Chris Bell. Don't miss seeing this in an intimate spot. Sing Leaf and Ice Cream are also on the bill.

Jason Collett presents The Basement Revue / December 5/12/26 @ The Dakota, December 19 @ Adelaide Hall / 8:30pm / $25 (each night)
A tradition for a certain sect of Toronto music fans, every December Jason Collett hosts wintry line ups of secret performers, sometimes-bizarre song choices, poetry readings, and collaborations. Spontaneity reigns here, though looking at last year's performer list of Snowblink, Jeramy Dodds, Chris Murphy from Sloan, Hayden, Karen Solie, Andy Kim, Kevin Drew, Buck 65, Michael Ondaatje and Feist might be a tip off. Three shows will take place at the Dakota, with a forth show bursting all the buttons forth at Adelaide Hall. Read our interview with Collett here.

Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires / December 12 / 8pm / Kool Haus (132 Queens Quay E) / $25.50
How excited for Charles Bradley are you? Bradley's been called revivalist (as in his sound echos soul of the 60 and 70s) but one listen to - or look at - this guy makes it clear there's no summoning of the dead going on here. Bradley's admittedly old-souled Americana R&B touches on the truest nerves of life in a way music rarely does, or ever has. The Kool Haus gig will be a treat.

Wired City Music Festival / December 12 / Various venues / PWYC/$10/$15
In what could either be a fun way to spend a Thursday or an overambitious head scratcher, a team of Radio and Television Arts students at Ryerson are throwing the Wired City Music Fest. 5 bands will play 3 venues throughout the city - Bruce Peninsula, ColinResponse, KC Roberts & The Live Revolution, Union Duke, and Long Range Hustle will play gigs at Adelaide Hall, Measure and Ryerson University. Every performance will stream live at each location. In a city where 5 band bills for local shows are common, I'm actually not sure if this project is ambitious enough, but the concept (and investigating the question of whether or not they can pull it off) could be fun.

Long Winter / December 13 / 7pm / The Great Hall (1087 Queen St W) / PWYC
The all ages, pay what you can carnival of sights, sounds and sweat will return to The Great Hall in December (as it will every month this winter/early spring). The line up for the 13th includes Doldrums, Hooded Fang, I am Robot and Proud, Beliefs, Fresh Snow, Nick Ferrio & His Feelings, Demolition, Milk Lines, Omhouse, and LLVK (Sook-Yin Lee, Adam Litovitz and Brandon Valdivia).

Beyoncé / December 16 / 7pm / Air Canada Centre (40 Bay St) / $63.25-$268.25
Toronto will welcome Bey back to Toronto in just a couple of weeks. You can almost feel the concrete pulsing in anticipation. Bey shows are a huge spectacle, and while ticket prices aren't kind to one's wallet, you're guaranteed a larger than life, heart fluttering performance from the reigning queen of pop. You might even spot Jay-Z hanging around (he probably has some sponsorship thing to go to, but you never know).

The Little Match Girl Passion / December 20 / The Music Gallery (St George the Martyr Church, 197 John Street) / 8pm / $20
David Dacks of the Music Gallery is called this post classical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's classic Christmas Story "the feel-bad Xmas show of the year" - and to be honest that's all I need to hear. David Lang's Pulitzer Prizewinning The Little Match Girl Passion will be curator Gregory Oh's final show at the Music Gallery, and apparently he wants to leave a trail of misery in his wake, right in time for the holidays. Singers will accompany themselves on percussion. An excerpt is below, or you can hear a longer fragment of the Little Match Girl crying for help here.

Death From Above 1979 / December 26 / 7pm / The Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth) / $33.50-$39.50
When DFA put out You're a Woman, I'm a Machine in 2004, I'm not sure they knew in 2013 they're still be playing live as one of Canada's most respected acts (and one of Toronto's 25 most famous bands). Nobody can give up this duo's relentless noise rock sound, and luckily the dudes reunited in 2011. Eager fans at the Danforth can look forward to the same old raw power, plus new songs from the upcoming (or so they claim) reunion album.

Baauer + RL Grime / December 30 / 10pm / The Hoxton / $15
The night before NYE, Baauer (you know, the H_arl_m Sh_k_ guy - yes, you listened to him before, yes, you danced the HS in kindergarten, in Harlem) will throw down at The Hoxton with equally awesome producer/DJ RL Grime. As a NYE hater, I'd advise getting wild at this and spending the 31st at home drinking cocoa and laughing about the teaming masses of confused partiers struggling to fit their intoxicated bods onto the TTC. Have your New Year's kiss/grind early this year.

And no, I don't expect you to take my advice. Stay tuned for our New Year's Eve party guide.

For more concerts this month check out the listings at Just Shows.

Photo of Beyonce by J_Skarratti. Aubrey is dispensing good advice on Twitter.

How to make a cocktail: The Dr. Gonzo

$
0
0

Montauk Bar Toronto cocktailLet us toast to animal pleasures, to escapism, to rain on the roof and instant coffee, to unemployment insurance and library cards, to absinthe and good-hearted landlords, to music and warm bodies and contraceptives... and to the "good life", whatever it is and wherever it happens to be." Hunter S Thompson

Hunter's legendary prowess for mind-altering substances is well-documented, with the father of 'Gonzo' journalism embracing the ideal of planting oneself firmly within the stories he wanted to tell. The story I want to tell is about absinthe.

Montauk Bar Toronto cocktailThe myth of the green fairy was no doubt exacerbated in North America by its prohibition in the US and many European countries (and tight controls over its content across Canadian provinces) - a kneejerk reaction to the psychoactive properties it was rumoured to hold (a result of the presence of the compound thujone, caused by the use of wormwood as a flavouring agent). Many people think of it as a liqueur, but in reality it has more in common with gin, in that the flavouring botanicals are steeped in a neutral liquor to give it flavour.

It is produced in a variety of styles, with many fighting over whether the complex, herbal French style, or the bitter wormwood notes of the Czech style should be held as the authentic spirit. You can guess which one has more of the thujone. There are three recognised methods to prepare Absinthe. Modern, French, and Czech. All involve water and sugar, although some believe that it should be drunk neat (especially vintage Absinthe).

Montauk Bar Toronto cocktailIt's impact on pop culture has been an important one, with countless artists and writers using it for inspiration, Oscar Wilde once wrote. "After the first glass you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see things as they are not. Finally you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world."

On watching a documentary Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, Josh LeBlanc of Montauk noticed his liquor cabinet had both bourbon and Chartreuse placed conspicuously close together. Bearing in mind his love of absinthe, Josh created the Dr. Gonzo as a tribute. In a manner similar to the classic Corpse Reviver #2, or the Sazerac cocktail, the glass is simply 'washed' with the strong flavour of Lucid (French) absinthe, before a potent mixture of Yellow Chartreuse, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Maraschino Luxardo, lemon juice and Peychaud's bitters is strained in. It's complex, with no single flavour punching above the others, though the 'green fairy' is clearly present as a background note. I'm fairly sure that after enough of these, I'd have no chance of seeing things as they really are.

Montauk Bar Toronto cocktailThe Dr. Gonzo

.75oz Lemon Juice
.75oz Yellow Chartreuse
.75oz Maraschino Luxardo
.75oz Buffalo Trace
.75oz Amaro Nonino
2-3 dashes Peychaud's bitters

Shake well over ice, fine strain into chilled absinthe-rinsed glass.

Montauk Bar Toronto cocktailPhotos by Jesse Milns

What's the deal with those big teeth in the Don Valley?

$
0
0

toronto elevated wetlandsZipping past Taylor Creek Park on the Don Valley Parkway, there's something large and animal-like among the trees at the side of the road. It's a little like a herd of elephants, something like a bunch of crooked molars, but before long it's gone from the rear view mirror.

The strange shapes - six of them in total - are actually functional sculptures by Canadian artist Noel Harding. For more than 16 years, Elevated Wetlands (the installation's proper title) has intrigued drivers and park goers while providing an important service to the surrounding ecosystem.

Commissioned by the Canadian Plastics Industry Association, "the voice of the Canadian Plastics Industry," the solar-powered devices draw water up from the Don River and filter it through layers of recycled plastic and automobile fluff, removing pollutants. Wetland trees are planted in the artificial soil and hydrated by the flow of water, boosting the hydroponic process.

The CPIA and City of Toronto split the $1 million cost of building the acrylic-coated polystyrene shapes in 1997 and the first batch of shrubs, trees, and plants was planted by volunteers the same year. 4,000 more arrived in 1998 in the hands of volunteers. Plastics + Art Limited Partnership, the original owner of the partly city-financed shapes, donated the work to Toronto in 2004.

In all, the little ecosystem comprises grassland and a cluster of small ponds that act as a way station for the clean water before it re-enters the river. Where there was once dry salt bed there is now lush plant life.

Although most public interaction with Elevated Wetlands happens within the confines of a car, the shapes are accessible on foot from the west end of the Taylor Creek Trail. Auto access is off Don Mills Road just north of the DVP cloverleaf.

The enigmatic essence of the grey shapes was intentional, the artist told the Toronto Star in 2005. "I wanted it to have meanings, not a meaning," Harding said. "I was after a kind of aura, intrigue. The question: 'What's that' is more interesting than the answer."

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

Image: Bad Alley/Flickr Creative Commons

Korean and Mexican flavours mix at new Bloor St. bar

$
0
0

Mexican Bar TorontoExpect to find novel fusion cuisine and fun libations at this newly opened Korean taqueria and bar with Playa Cabana lineage. The menu boasts a roster of $5 tacos, sharable bocaditos (snacks) and inventive kimchi-infused cocktails.

Read my profile of Barrio Coreano in the restaurants section.


40 holiday gift ideas at the One of a Kind Show

$
0
0

One of a Kind Show TorontoThe One Of A Kind Show is back at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto. Like every year, expect hordes of shoppers to check out the talent this country's artisans and creators have to offer, throw their support behind independent businesses, and sample several dozen delicious condiments in the food aisle. This year's show runs until Dec. 8th. I stopped by on opening day and found 40 housewares and fashion finds that would make great gifts. Happy shopping, and remember to try the candied salmon.

Check out all the gift-worthy items in this photo gallery.

Slick new fusion joint hints at Chinatown of the future

$
0
0

Stay CafeteriaThis new restaurant and snack bar ain't your typical Chinatown restaurant, with its industrial aesthetic and modern fusion menu. In addition to the mains, there's a soup and toast menu, smoothies, and a creative dessert menu. Perhaps a change is brewing in Chinatown?

Read my profile of Stay Cafeteria in the restaurants section

The Best Cafes in Toronto (East Side)

$
0
0

Cafes TorontoThe best cafes in Toronto on the east side could be attributed with starting the city's third wave of coffee shop culture thanks to the likes of Mercury, Dark Horse and Merchants of Green. These early movers and shakers didn't just caffeinate the neighbourhood, they changed the way we understood the whole coffee experience, providing information, education, and relaxation for customers.

Now with a bevy of great cafes east of Yonge St. it's hard to choose where to go, but hop on a bike, zoom along on the streetcar, or hit the pavement and let the myriad of options dazzle your taste buds. You won't be sorry, just a little jittery?

Here are the best cafes in Toronto east of Yonge St.

See also:

The best cafes in Toronto (West Side)
The best late night cafes in Toronto
The best cafes for free WiFi in Toronto
The best Americano in Toronto
The best cappuccino in Toronto
The best cafe patios in Toronto
The best coffee roasters in Toronto

Weekend events in Toronto: Nov. 29 - Dec. 1 2013

$
0
0

Weekend Events TorontoWeekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this November 29 - December 1, 2013.

Cavalcade of Lights
Tomorrow is a big day for lovers of all that's bright, shiny, and twinkling. The holidays officially start in Toronto (or so they say) Saturday at Nathan Phillips Square. The 47th annual Cavalcade of Lights will culminate with the illumination of Toronto's official Christmas tree and a fireworks show. At 7pm Cold Specks, Divine Brown and Carvin Winans will perform, then at Diamond Rings will perform before DJ Dopey spins over an open-air skating party. Bundle up and bring your skates. Saturday, November 30, Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen Street West), 7pm, free.

HOLIDAY

Rosedale Main Street Cavalcade of Lights
The Rosedale Main Street BIA's annual Cavalcade of Lights Festival will peek with the lighting of the 50ft blue tree on top the CP bridge at Scrivener Square. A petting zoo will let you hang with pygmy goats, alpaca, mini horses, reindeer and more, plus there will be wagon and horseback rides, live music, face painting, photos with Santa, and $5 special menu eats. Shops on Yonge Street from Woodlawn Avenue to Crescent Road will have various special events planned. November 30th, Rosedale Main Street, Scrivener Square, 2pm - 6pm, free.

FOOD

Artisan Tasting Fair
The Canadian Artisan Tasting Fair takes over the Artscape Wychwood Barns on Sunday. Admission is $35 for complimentary sampling from chefs, brewmasters and artisan vendors, and also includes an eco-friendly cotton shopping bag with a bamboo plate and fork plus $10 in coupons to spend. More than 40 carefully food and beverage makers from bakers to charcuterie butchers to craft brewers will be ready to try to impress your tastebuds. Sunday, December 1st, Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street), 11am - 4pm, $35 (includes $10 in coupons and a gift bag).

For more food events, check out our Toronto Food Events post.

ART

Guggenheim MastersThe Great Upheaval: Masterpieces from the Guggenheim Collection, 1910-1918
Selected masterpieces from the Guggenheim will be on display starting tomorrow at the AGO. While the idea of a collection of World War One era abstract artworks may seem a dour contrast to the flamboyant David Bowie exhibit that's closing upstairs, the bold and symbolic, often psychedelic avant-garde works exploring the emotional turmoil of the age actually carry on the torch of colourful stimulation surprisingly well. See your old pals Picasso, Kandinsky, Matisse, Duchamp, Ernst, and many more all together in a room. No drama. Check out highlights from the exhibit here. Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas Street West), Saturday November 30, 2013 - March 2, 2014, 10am - 5:30pm, $25.

Photorama
Toronto's contemporary photography fans know Photorama is a can't miss exhibit of the year. Gallery TPW's annual fundraising exhibition will basically sustain them through 2014, and will feature over 80 artists including Edward Burtynsky, Sara Angelucci, Toni Hafkenscheid, Robert Burley, Diana Thorneycroft, Annie MacDonell, Carole Condé, and Karl Beveridge. You can hit up the artist run centre's opening party tonight, or stop by during the gallery hours. Gallery TPW (1256 Dundas Street West), Opening Reception Friday, November 29, 6 - 9pm, sale continues Saturday, November 30, Noon - 6pm & Tuesday, December 3 - Saturday, December 7, Noon - 6 pm, free.

Seripop's Looming
This is your last chance to see the unbelievable world of Montreal's Seripop installed at YYZ in the 401 Richmond Building. Yannick Desranleau and Chloe Lum's solo exhibition looks like a psychedelic vision of a child's play fort, half in ruin but pulsing to the limits of imagination. It's more or less a miracle that two human beings were able to pull off something this magical - and anxiety inducing, much like their music with Aids Wolf (RIP). If you can't stand to be in a room this colourful for long, that's okay. Just pop in. The last day is Sunday, November 30th. YYZ Artists' Outlet (140-401 Richmond St. W), 11am-5pm, free.

FILM

Brazil Film FestThe 7th Annual Brazil Film Fest
The Brazil Film Fest's timing during the last dregs of autumn might seem like a tease, but the heart of the matter is nothing's better in nippy weather than hiding out in a theatre for a couple of hours to take in a film made somewhere much, much warmer. The magic of film might actually be the next best thing to actually flying to a sun kissed destination. The 2013 is on now at the TIFF Bell Lightbox this weekend with 11 films from passionate love stories to understated dramas. Read our preview here. November 28 - December 1, TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West), various times and prices.

Blood in the Snow Horror Film Festival
The Blood in the Snow Horror Film Festival launched last year, and Toronto's scary movie fans will be glad to hear that as the frost clings to the pavement like so many scattered, mashed up pulled teeth and powdered human bones, the pre-holiday gore fest will back and better than every this weekend at Carlton Cinemas. For those whose loved ones share a passion for the darker side of life there will also be a Blood in the Snow Vendor Village in the front lobby for ticket buyers, plus parties and midnight screenings. The fest kicks off tonight. Any ticket holders will have access to the Vendor Village. Read our preview here. Friday, November 29th until Sunday, December 1st at Carlton Cinemas (20 Carlton Street), various showtimes.

THEATRE

Alligator Pie
Last chance to see this adaptation of the poems of Dennis Lee. Alligator Pie is an energetic and family-focused performance from collective creators Ins Choi, Raquel Duffy, Ken MacKenzie, Gregory Prest and Mike Ross. Of the 20 odd poems lively dramatized with music and props, some soar with creative energy, while others need a bit more time in the oven. But it's the cleverness of the presentation - an earnest approach to the material - that makes this an adaptation with a lot of potential. Check out our full review. Until December 1st, Soulpepper Theatre (50 Tank House Lane), various times, $23

Once
Its remarkable success in 2007, taking home the Academy-Award for Best Original Song, ensured the stage adaptation of Once wasn't too far behind. After winning eight Tony Awards in 2012, including Best Musical, the stage version has proven to be just as popular with audiences and critics as was the film. An ensemble of performers, who simultaneously act and play their own instruments, chronicle the romance between a Dublin street musician and the woman who takes an interest in his songs. Until January 5, 2014, Royal Alexandra Theatre (260 King Street West), various showtimes, $35-$100+.

For more events on stage, check out our This Week in Theatre post.

MUSIC

Petra GlyntPunchclock Showcase & Print Sale
This one is a two parter. On Saturday night at Double Double Land (209 Augusta) you can catch Petra Glynt, Carl Didur, New Fries, and LLVK (a collab between Sook-Yin Lee, Adam Litovitz, Brandon Valdivia (Not the Wind Not the Flag, Mas Aya), and Benjamin Kamino). There will be stage decor, DJs, and neon. Then on Sunday from 1pm - 8pm you can go to Punchclock (251 Sorauren Avenue) for a studio sale of screenprinted and risographed art prints, t-shirts, sweaters, tote bags, stickers and more. Check the Facebook event for more info. Double Double Land & Punchclock, Saturday, November 30, 9pm-late & Sunday, December 1, 1pm-8pm, $5/$10

Steam Whistle's Unsigned Indie Music Concert
Steam Whistle's next Unsigned Indie Music Concert is tonight at and features Rituals, The Oooh Baby Gimme Mores and Fresh Snow. The Unsigned concert series is now in its sixth year running - it's featured over 70 independent Canadian acts and have raised over $70,000 for local artists. A $5 donation to the Artists' Health Alliance gets you in the door. Friday, November 29th, Steam Whistle Brewing (255 Bremner Blvd), $5.

Hayden
Reclusive Hayden ends his fall tour with a hometown show at the Danforth Music Hall on Saturday, sharing his eclectic genre-bending sound and material from his latest release, Us Alone. The Toronto-based artist doesn't play live a whole lot (though he did perform at his label's Field Trip Festival this summer), so the chance to catch him at this venue is one that fans should cherish - it might be a long wait until he comes out of hiding again. Saturday, November 30, Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth Ave), $32.50-$39.50.

For more music listings, check out our This Week in Music,Fall Concerts, and December Concerts posts.

COMEDY

Laughs for Lives
Ok, so this isn't exactly in Toronto, Toronto, but it's a show whose proceeds are going straight to those affected by the recent typhoon in the Philippines. As your producer, Big Norm, so eloquently put it, "The people known for their caregiving are now in need of your care." Trixx, Nick Reynoldson, Keith Pedro, Chris Robinson...I could go on. This will definitely be one of the best shows of the month. Sunday, December 1st, Southside Muay Thai (2065 Midland Ave #2), 7pm, $15

FASHION

One of a KindOne Of A Kind Christmas Show & Sale
One of a Kind is like a craft fair mall experience (so, way nicer). Over 800 Canadian artisans from each and every province will be showing and selling handmade gifts at the Direct Energy Centre between Nov 28 - Dec 8. Caffeine up and power through this one, and you might just win the holidays. There will be a gift wrapping centre and, to keep this extra Canadian, daily figure skating performances. Check out our gallery of gift-worthy items here. Direct Energy Centre, (100 Princes' Blvd), November 28 - December 8, most weekdays and Saturdays 10am - 9pm, Thursday 10am - 11pm, Sunday 10am - 6pm. $12 adults, $7 seniors & students, kids free.

For more fashion listings, check out our This Week in Fashion post.

BOOKS

OCADU Book Arts Fair
Tomorrow OCAD University's printmaking department will host their 29th annual Book Arts Fair. A donation ($5 suggested) gets you in to browse the handcrafted works of book artists, printmakers, artists, small publishers, students, professional artists, papermakers and printmaking suppliers. Look out for live performances, poetry readings, and crafting activities too. Saturday, November 30th, OCAD University (100 McCaul St), 10am - 5pm, Suggested $5.

CRAFTS

Toronto Christmas Market
The Toronto Christmas Market is back for its fourth year, and its expansive set up will (sort of) emulate a European Christmas Market in the Distillery District for the first two weeks of December. Local handcrafted products will be for sale from a variety of vendors. Entertainment will be provided by carollers, a Bavarian brass band, children's choirs and more, plus there will be beer and mulled wine gardens. Damn, mulled wine isn't a thing that happens often enough in Toronto. Distillery Historic District (55 Mill Street), Friday November 29 - Sunday December 15, Mon - Fri noon - 9pm & weekends 10am - 9pm.

For more holiday craft events, check out our Holiday craft shows in Toronto for 2013 post.

MOVEMBER

Toronto Gala Parté at the Kool Haus
End the long hard month of 'stache growing at Toronto's biggest Movember gala parté tonight. Come dressed to impress for your chance to win prizes. The judges will award Best Mo in Character, Team Mo, Man of Movember, and many other moustachey titles. November 29th, Kool Haus (132 Queens Quay East), 8pm, $20

For more Movember events, check out our Movember events in Toronto 2013 post.

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

Photo of Petra Glynt via Facebook, Brazil Film Fest still from Tiana, One of a Kind photo by Jesse Milnes

The top comedy shows in Toronto December 2013

$
0
0

Brian ReganTruth be told, comedy isn't the first thing that comes to mind when I think of the holidays, but don't sleep on this awesome line-up that's about to descend upon us! Follow me as I walk you through This Week In Comedy...

SUN DEC 1 / LAUGHS FOR LIVES / SOUTHSIDE MUAY THAI / 2065 MIDLAND AVE #2 / 7PM / $15 ADV $20 DOOR

Ok, so this isn't exactly in Toronto, Toronto, but it's a show whose proceeds are going straight to those affected by the recent typhoon in the Philippines. As your producer, Big Norm, so eloquently put it, "The people known for their caregiving are now in need of your care." Trixx, Nick Reynoldson, Keith Pedro, Chris Robinson...I could go on. This will definitely be one of the best shows of the month.

THURS DEC 5 / BRIAN REGAN / QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE / 190 PRINCES' BLVD / 730PM / $62

I'm featuring this show on the off chance that there are still tickets left when this post is published. Quite simply, Brian Regan is one of the funniest clean-working comedians that I've ever seen. One of the things that I can't help but be amazed by is the way he seamlessly weaves in and out of his alter-ego. Take a look at the above clip and you'll see how subtly, but powerfully, he uses his character to act out his famous UPS bit.

SAT DEC 7 / SUPERSTARS OF COMEDY / COMEDY BAR / 945 BLOOR W / 930PM / $10 ADV $12 DOOR

Never heard of K. Trev? When Louis CK did JFL42 last year, he asked K. Trev, who was opening for him in the sold-out Sony Centre, to perform his Christmas mass joke. That's right: Louis CK remembered one of K. Trev's jokes, and asked him to do it in front of 3,000 of his most loyal fans. So yeah, K. Trev's a monster. I'd recommend also paying close attention to Ryan Horwood. The first time I saw him live, he had me laughing so hard that I couldn't even hear his follow-up punchlines!

SAT DEC 7 / MONKEY TOAST / COMEDY BAR / 945 BLOOR W / 8PM & 10PM / $10

The show that's one part talk show, one part improv, is back again with a doozie of a guest. Andrew Coyne, currently writing for the National Post, has had his works published by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Time freakin' Magazine. So yeah, you're pretty much guaranteed to witness a spellbinding chat between Andrew and your host, Ron Tite. Who's Ron? Well, not too long ago, he was named one of the Top 10 Creative Canadians by Marketing Magazine.

To give you an idea of the format of the show, Ron will interview his guests for 7-8 minutes, and then an improv troupe consisting of some of Canada's best players will act out a scene from the conversation. It's truly something magical to see live.

DEC 9 / BEN MINER'S 15 YEAR STAND-UP ANNIVERSARY / COMEDY BAR / 945 BLOOR W / 8PM / $5

The first time I caught Ben's act, it was in the basement of the Crown and Tiger at Bathurst and College. He won my heart over that night by skewering the audience member in the front row who was wearing those ridiculous-looking, funky-coloured striped socks (no offense to anyone who wears those outlandish stockings). Anyhoo, to commemorate his 15th year anniversary of doing stand-up, he's put together an absolutely stacked show, consisting of headliners like Dom Pare, Chris Locke, Alex Pavone, Casey Corbin...I could go on!

What's more, all of the proceeds from the evening will go towards The Jo-Anna Downey Fund. Jo's been a staple of the Toronto comedy scene for over 15 years, and has recently been stricken with ALS, which has left her unable to perform.

TUES DEC 10 / CHRIS LOCKE'S THE WORLD IS EMBARRASSING / 61 OSSINGTON / THE OSSINGTON / 9PM / $10

Whenever comics take a stab at producing their own show, there's a good chance Chris Locke is the one they call to headline - that's saying something. There are some comedians that, no matter what they do, you can't help but laugh, and Chris Locke's that guy. He's honed a child-like, transparent delivery over the past 10+ years that allows him to deliver material that most comedians would never be able to get a laugh from. Chris has reached the point that every new comedian dreams of: he's found his voice. On these nights, he's going to be recording his comedy album, so you know he's gonna bring the ruckus!

SAT DEC 14 / GOOD COP BAD COP / THE LOT / 100 OSSINGTON AVE / 730PM / $15 ADV $20 DOOR

Good Cop (Nitish Sakhuja) and Bad Cop (Josh Infald) sees two of the hardest working up-and-coming stand-ups in Toronto joining forces. Sakhuja has been gaining steam of late, steadily performing on more and more paid shows in and around the city. Infald is one of Toronto's most beloved comics, and has been tearing it up virtually from day one. Your MC, Mike Rita, probably hosts more shows than any comic at the request of his peers. Given that all parties involved are working their asses off to make this a big night, this might be the sleeper show of the month.

SUN DEC 16 / HADI & SAMAD 3RD ENCOUNTER / TORONTO CENTRE FOR THE ARTS / 5040 YONGE / 7PM / $41-91

Ok, I'll be honest: I don't speak Farsi, and therefore cannot comment on the comedic content of this show. However, Hadi Khorsandi, an Iranian poet and satirist, known for his open opposition to religious fundamentalism, is one half of the act. Damn that takes balls. Any writer can throw stones at Islam from North America, but a guy that does it while in Iran!? Jesus! His other half, Parviz Sayyad, is a veteran of Iranian cinema and has been mentioned in the International Film Guide and Film Comment Magazine.

SAT DEC 21 / MOSHE KASHER / COMEDY BAR / 945 BLOOR W / 8PM & 1030PM / $20

In 2009, iTunes named Moshe Best New Comic. The aspiring comedian in me loves him because he seems so comfortable during moments of complete silence. Case in point, check out the clip above. It takes many years and countless sets to stay calm and collected in the face of crickets, and Moshe is completely relaxed (or, perhaps, seems completely relaxed) as he sets up punchline after punchline. In a lot of ways, crowd work is a lost art, perhaps because everyone is trying to create a perfect five, seven, ten, and fifteen so they can make it big. It's refreshing to see someone throw caution to the wind and just have fun up there!

FRI DEC 27 / GERRY DEE / TORONTO CENTRE FOR THE ARTS / 5040 YONGE / 730PM / $56-66

There's a difference between comedians that only have strong material and comedians that are genuinely funny no matter what scenario you put them in. Watch Gerry Dee long enough, and you'll realize that he's a sincerely hilarious individual. In 2008, he was recognized with a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Male Stand-Up. His show on CBC, Mr. D, garnered 1.23M viewers in its first episode. But what I find most impressive is that he held his own in an interview with Charles Barkley, even to the point of cutting him off on a few occasions, which is no simple feat.

TUES DEC 31 / YUK'S NEW YEAR'S COMEDY EXTRAVAGANZA / MASSEY HALL / 730PM / $39-70

This is the show that all Yuk's comedians fight to get on. Your line-up includes Jessica Kirson, Mike MacDonald, John Hastings, Graham Kay, Dave Merheje, Darcy Michael, Alex Pavone, and Christina Walkinshaw. Now that's what I call a New Year's Eve show! It'll be interesting to see Mike MacDonald, who recently underwent a highly publicized bout with Hepatitis-C and a subsequent liver transplant, take the stage. What more can I say? You have a show of national and international headliners, one after another. Still not convinced? Check out who introduces Graham Kay in the clip above.

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.

A brief history of the first escalator in Toronto

$
0
0

toronto eaton'sIt's hard for anyone born this side of the 1950s to look upon an escalator with wonder, such is the ubiquity of the electric moving staircase. In Toronto, the TTC maintains more than 290 individual escalators, the largest collection in Canada. Practically every subway stairwell is fitted with an effort-free alternative to the stairs.

The first escalator in Toronto (and Canada), a wooden "traveling stair," was installed at the T. Eaton Co. store on Queen Street West 99 years ago next month. It was the first time shoppers could be automatically ferried between floors without having to ride an elevator.

coney island escalatorThe first working invention recognizable as an escalator was a novelty attraction at New York City's Coney Island. Designed and built by inventor Jesse Reno in 1891, riders straddled a moving belt and were pulled excitedly up the middle of a wooden flight of stairs. The machine didn't have any hand rails so there was a definite element of risk riding the machine, which moved a little under 1.5 km/h.

According to information cited by the Guinness Book of Records, the Reno escalator was to be ridden like a bicycle by men and side-saddle by women, though in the photo above it seems riders just chose the position they felt most comfortable with.

Reno patented his machine, but the kudos for inventing the first moving stairway belongs to an elusive figure named Nathan Ames. In 1859, the Michigan resident patented a set of stairs secured to a moving belt that he imagined would move in a triangular loop.

Ames never built his invention - the engine necessary to power the belt had yet to be invented - and he disappeared from records shortly after filing his application with the patent office.

Reno, however, managed to turn his novelty attraction into a viable product, and sold it to the Otis Elevator Company in 1899. Another escalator pioneer, George H. Wheeler, did the same thing and allowed Otis employee Charles D. Seeberger to buy the U.S. patent to his device.

The company's first Escalator - a brand name Seeberger invented by combining the Latin word "scala," meaning "steps," and "elevator" - was set up at its Yonkers works in New York in 1898.

In 1900, the device won first prize at the Paris Exposition Universelle. The opulent fair also gave more than 50 million people a first look at the Eiffel Tower, one of the great engineering marvels of the age, and movies with sound.

toronto eaton's escalatorFour years later, the T. Eaton Co. bought Canada's first escalator, installing it directly opposite the main Yonge Street entrance of its sprawling store in advance of the Christmas crowds. "No waits for the elevator now; a customer simply steps on the 'escalator,' as it is called, and up he goes," wrote the Toronto Daily Star on its December unveiling.

The night before the big reveal, around 500 Eaton's staff spent hours riding the two parallel lanes of the escalator to the second floor and back. The narrow wooden structure rose 5 metres at an angle of 25 degrees and moved about 1.8 km/h, roughly the same speed most standard escalators travel today.

Power was provided by a seven horsepower electric motor and Otis claimed it could carry around 7,000 people per hour when operating at capacity. "There is no probability of being hurt, for a rail runs alongside the sliding stair," The Star assured nervous first-time passengers.

Though it was undoubtedly a novelty, the unveiling appeared to attract little attention in Toronto. The Star's writeup is buried on page 9 of its December 13 edition halfway down a column titled "Of Interest to Women," just beside an advertisement for "Dainty Hats for Dainty Women" at McKendry's clothes store.

toronto eaton's escalatorOver the next two decades, Otis, having absorbed its only competitor, installed around 350 escalators in department stores and subway stations across North America.

Eaton's added several more moving stairways to its flagship store, including one between the second and third floors directly above the first, one at the Albert Street entrance, and another at its secondary Yonge Street entrance in 1915.

It's not clear what happened to Toronto's first escalators but there are some reports they remained at Eaton's downtown location until it was demolished to make way for the Eaton Centre in the 1970s. A narrow wooden model (shown above) lingered at the company's College Street store until the building was repurposed into College Park.

Today, the escalators at the Scotiabank Theatre on Richmond and York Mills subway station are rivalled for the longest in the city.

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

Image: City of Toronto Archives, Bob Whalen

It's beginning to look a lot like...


Skating at Nathan Phillips Square

Yonge St. record shop a DJ's paradise for 20+ years

$
0
0

Record store torontoOpened in 1990 in the back of a convenience store, this record shop slowly took over the rest of the shop as the hip hop and dance scenes took off in Toronto. Nowadays it's still got hard-to-find records that artists like Deadmau5 collect for their sample collection, but there's also popular vinyl and CDS as well as DJ equipment and even a school.

Read my review of Play de Record in the services section.

The top spoken word events in Toronto December 2013

$
0
0

Tanya DavisSpoken word events worth knowing about in Toronto, December 2013.

And so we have reached the final thirty-one days of 2013. It's been quite the eventful year
for spoken word in this city. The year began with Toronto as the national poetry slam champions (Up From The Roots) and ends with Toronto still wearing the crown (but this time it's held by Toronto Poetry Slam). Open mic and showcase events have flourished in every corner of the city, while large events like When Brothers Speak drew notable crowds to hear artists do their thing. In this last month there's a bit of unfinished business for the series that are still running, which will lead us into what promises to be an exciting and noteworthy 2014. Check out what's on offer before we say farewell to 2013.

HOT TICKETS

HOW TO BE ALONE BOOK LAUNCH AND PERFORMANCE WITH TANYA DAVIS / DECEMBER 2 / 7PM / GLADSTONE HOTEL /

Former Halifax Poet Laureate and touring poet/musician troubadour Tanya Davis returns to Toronto to launch the book version of her YouTube viral hit poem "How To Be Alone" - a fine way to kick off December, is it not? She will have copies of the book on sale and will thoroughly entertain you with her music-infused words of whimsy and subtle depth. She is a delight in person and a Canadian treasure.

THE ANNUAL ALL-FEMALE POETRY SLAM FT. SHERI-D WILSON / DECEMBER 17 / 8PM / SUPERMARKET / $10

The Toronto Poetry Project presents an event that will determine the city's representative in the Women of the World Poetry Slam in Austin TX in March 2014. The winner will be determined after four rounds of slam (1, 2, 3, and 4 minute rounds). The feature is a Canadian spoken word legend who comes all the way from Calgary to share her Mama of Dada work, spin tales both uproarious and ribald, and generally show you what poetic versatility looks like in person. A must-see.

SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO SPOKEN WORD CIRCUIT PRESENTS C-COMMAND / DECEMBER 18 & 19
The SOSWC is a consortium of spoken word groups that stage monthly spoken word events in London, Guelph, Hamilton, Burlington, Toronto and York Region. Thanks to the support of Canada Council for the Arts, they bring a high-profile artist each month to perform at the venues on the circuit. This month, the Circuit is thrilled to host the hilarious 2013 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam runner-up C-Command at Bill Brown's 1-2-3 Slam (December 18) and Burlington Slam Project (December 19). Due to the holidays, there is no YorkSlam show in Richmond Hill this month.

OTHER SHOWS AND EVENTS

Sunday Poetry/ December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 / 11:30am / Ellington's Music & Café / free

Amsterdam Bicycle Club Presents Lizzie Violet's Poetry Open Mic ft. André Prefontaine/ December 2 / 8pm / Amsterdam Bicycle Club / PWYC

R.I.S.E. Poetry Movement / December 2, 9, 16 / 6:30pm / Burrows Hall Community Centre / free

The Art Bar Poetry Series / December 3, 10, 17 / 8pm / Black Swan Tavern / PWYC

Acoustic Soul Tuesdays / December 3, 10, 17 / 8pm / Pero Restaurant and Lounge / $5

Livewords/ December 5 / 7:30pm / Black Swan Tavern / free

Toronto Poetry Slam/ December 6 ft. Spencer Butt and December 22 ft. Eytan Crouton / 8pm / Drake Hotel Underground / $5

Sufi Poets Series III: American Sufi / December 7 / 7pm / Beit Zatoun / $15

Lizzie Violet's Cabaret Noir Featuring - Topoet.ca, Matt Gerber and The Four Winds/ December 8 / 7pm / The Central / PWYC ($5 suggested)

Roots Lounge Open Mic & Poetry Slam/ December 15 / 7pm / Harlem Restaurant / $5

Plasticine Poetry hosted by Marni Van Dyk / December 15 / 6pm / Pauper's Pub / free

Loose Leaf Poets & Writers Christmas Party / December 16 / 7pm / Maple Leaf House Grill & Lounge / free

Queen Gallery Poetry Night / December 17 / 7pm / Queen Gallery / PWYC

Hot-Sauced Words / December 19 / 8pm / Black Swan Tavern / PWYC

For more listings, head on over to the events calendar for local info updated regularly during the month.

Have a spoken word event coming up that you'd like us to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO events calendar.

Photo of Tanya Davis

Via Mercanti opens second Neapolitan pizza joint

$
0
0

Pizzeria Via Mercanti Elm StreetOne of Toronto's favourite Neapolitan pizzerias has just opened up a second location, and is now serving up its thin crust pies in the Hospital district. How does it stack up to the original, which is less than a 10 minute walk away? Pretty well, as a matter of fact.

Read my review of Via Mercanti Pizzeria (Elm St.) in the restaurants section.

Cavalcade of Lights

Viewing all 48236 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images