Quantcast
Channel: blogTO
Viewing all 47884 articles
Browse latest View live

The Pair


Toronto gets a dose of Ireland on screen

0
0

Toronto irish film festivalThe Toronto Irish Film Festival starts today and runs through March 2nd at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Now in its 5th year of programming, the festival is back to deliver a handful of Toronto premieres and encores of the best Irish cinema of the last year.

There is also a programme of short films to look forward to, and-somewhat bizarrely-the launch of the second season of the Irish sitcom, Moone Boy. The festival starts with the screening of the very Irish sounding film The Irish Pub. Check out the trailer below.

Tickets are on sale now via the festival web site.

15 looks from the MADE Clothing launch party

0
0

Made clothing torontoToronto has a new menswear store. MADE Clothing, outfitter of Raptor Amir Johnson among other well-dressed local men, is now selling custom suits, clothes and accessories out of its studio at 145 Berkeley St. To celebrate they threw an intimate launch party that brought in lots of well appointed dudes and women too.

Check out all the looks in the Style section.

Ottawa's best-kept fashion secret lands on Ossington

0
0

Ottawa fashion OssingtonThis family of fashion boutiques, long a favourite in Ottawa, has a brand-new member at Ossington and Argyle. There's no shortage of great shopping in the neighbourhood already, but there's plenty of room for their carefully-chosen mix of Canadian-designed pieces and whimsical, inexpensive jewelry. Pieces tread the line between classic and statement-making (think of it as "the vintage of tomorrow").

Read my profile of Victoire Boutique in our Fashion section.

The top 5 dance parties in Toronto March 2014

0
0

Toronto Dance Parties March 2014Toronto dance parties to have on your radar this March.

March is an unpredictable month for dance parties. On one hand, the weather is finally starting to heat up, resulting in clubs often benefiting from all that spring fever. On the downside, the annual Winter Music Conference and Ultra Music Festival in Miami tend to keep many of the biggest names in electronic music occupied, not to mention how many locals also make the trek south. Nevertheless, there's no shortage of big parties to hit up this March across a wide variety of genres.

Jimpster / March 1st / venue TBA / 10pm / $20
UK deep house DJ/producer Jimpster is the son of jazz musician parents, and he brings much of that sense of musicality to both his DJ sets and productions as well as the music he releases on his label Freerange. This event is at an undisclosed secret location for extra old school warehouse authenticity, so make sure you get on the mailing list if you want to attend.

Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton / March 6th / Coda / 10pm / $20
Stones Throw Records enjoys a cult-like following among underground hip hop heads, and for good reason. The label (founded by Peanut Butter Wolf) has been home to legendary acts like J Dilla, Madvillain, Aloe Blacc and many more, and is the subject of a new film called Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton, which screens March 6 at the Bloor Cinema. As you may have already guessed, the event of the same name later that night at Coda is the official afterparty, and features DJ sets by Peanut Butter Wolf, J. Rocc, Jonwayne, and Knxwledge.

A Tribe Called Red / March 7th / Hoxton / 10pm / $25
Ottawa DJ collective A Tribe Called Red have been enjoying an extremely busy year thanks to the success of their second album Nation II Nation, which got them nominated for two Junos this year. Their reworkings of powwow music with club friendly beats has a timely political undercurrent, but their gigs are still full on parties.

Foundry / March 14th to April 5 / Tower Automotive / 10pm / $99.50 series pass, $19.50-$49.50 single nights
Last year Foundry took over Blk Box for a month, and brought together a wide network of underground dance music promoters and scenesters to throw an eclectic mini-festival. This year they have an even more impressive venue: the Tower Automotive Building (recently used for the Promise Heart Party), and another talent-stacked lineup, including the unpredictable experimentalist Four Tet, Detroit techno veteran Carl Craig, UK house pioneer DJ Harvey, and Canadian electronic duo Purity Ring.

Kraftwerk / March 29th / Sony Centre for the Performing Arts / 7:30pm / $71.65 - $99.64
Given the venue, there probably won't be that much actual dancing in the audience for Kraftwerk's highly anticipated 3D concert, but since electronic dance music wouldn't exist without them, we couldn't omit this one. The original robot band, and a huge part of why drum machines are so important to both hip hop and techno.

Writing by Benjamin Boles. Photo of Foundry 2013 by Conrad McGee-Stocks

Toronto Food Events: Maple Syrup Festival, Borrel, Pancake Tuesday, Cake Walks, Rapid Freeze Workshop

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

  • Sugarbush season is here, Maple Syrup Festival begins Saturday, March 1st at Kortright Centre for Conservation (9550 Pine Valley Drive) and will run daily from 9:30am to 5pm until April 6th.
  • The Ossington (61 Ossington Avenue) hosts a Borrel, on Sunday March 2nd from 2pm to 5pm. The weekly afternoon event celebrates the Dutch tradition of slowing down the day with good company, drinks and comfort foods like stamppot, bitterballen and poffertjes.
  • Celebrate Pancake Tuesday at Fresh Start Coffee Co. (655 Bay Street) on Tuesday, March 4th from 7am 'til noon. All proceeds from the 11th Annual Pancake Breakfast will benefit the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
  • Momofuku Milk Bar is holding an afternoon of cake walk (one per hour) from noon to 3pm on Sunday, March 2nd. The tradition includes music, dancing and free cakes. Then on Monday, March 3rd Milk Bar is doing a flash giveaway of free chocolate malt cake truffles for the first 100 guests.
  • Boccone (1378 Yonge Street) hosts La joie de vivre au chocolat, a sweet and savoury chocolate tasting dinner with Eyal Liebman. Tickets are $120 for the six course dinner with wine pairings happening Thursday, March 6th at 7pm.

UPCOMING

  • Cake artist April Julian leads the decorating workshop Sushi Cake! Intro to Cake Art on Monday, March 10th at 6:30pm at The Depanneur (1033 College Street). Tickets are $40.
  • Chef John Placko of the Modern Culinary Academy hosts a hands-on Rapid Freeze Workshop on Saturday, April 12th from 11:30am to 2:30pm at The Kitchen Canada (24 Ronson Drive Unit #11 ). The class costs $110 and is focused on creating rapid chilled desserts using liquid nitrogen and an anti-griddle.

OTHER NEWS

  • The Happy Hooker (887 Dundas West) celebrates its one year anniversary next week with deals announced daily online. Starting the celebration early, double fish filet sandwiches are on special for just $2 today, Friday February 28th.

Photo from Momofuku Milk Bar on Facebook

Live music venue reborn on College St.

0
0

Live Music VenueLong known as an on-and-off hub for emerging Toronto indie rock bands as well as a prototypical dive bar that resisted gentrification, this College St. bar sat passively until earlier this month when one of Toronto's top local concert promoters stepped in to give it new life.

Read my take on the new and improved Smiling Buddha in the bars section.

The Best Steakhouses in Toronto

0
0

Best steakhouses torontoThe best steakhouses in Toronto are a throwback to a more indulgent time, when a juicy hunk of red meat was guilt-free proposition. There's an unabashed masculinity that still defines the steakhouse - what with its dark walls, low lighting, and plush seating - such that even the most modern of restaurants on this list can be fitted within their generic confines about two seconds after one passes through the front door.

To a great extent, this almost anachronistic element is their very charm. Creamed spinach, Caesar salads made table-side, butter-soaked green beans, over-sized portions, bartenders who don't flinch when you order an Old Fashioned - these are the little delights one luxuriates in at a quality steakhouse. Well, that and well aged beef. Be it wet or dry aged, these steakhouse take top notch beef, cook it at impossibly high temperatures, and serve it in a way that you just can't replicate at home.

Here are the best steakhouses in Toronto.

See also:

The best steak frites in Toronto
The best steak tartare in Toronto
The best Caesar salad in Toronto
The best Martinis in Toronto


The top concerts in Toronto March 2014

0
0

March Concerts TorontoThe top concerts in Toronto in March will undoubtedly be Kraftwerk and Foundry, but Ben Boles has you covered over in this dance party preview post (plus we'll be getting up close and personal with some Foundry DJs), so here I get to put the focus on stuff like outrageous pop femmes, noise bros, some gentlemen of lo-fi, and of course, one special Montreal band who thinks you dress like a slob.

Perhaps more importantly, here's your Toronto Music Craigslist Round Up for February: from this Phoenix gig, an outta towner "hugged your blonde body at the Black Angels concert" which makes me think someone brought their golden retriever to a Roky Erickson show. Someone had a crush on your mom at Elton John (sec 221), and if you were a tattooed "ginger dude" at Bring Me the Horizon, there's a guy who wants to buy you a shot.

Did you have a beard at the Hidden Cameras show? Someone with a beard is looking for you. He walked by you on the way to the bathroom at Lee's. Good luck, beardos.

Here are the top concerts coming to Toronto this February.

Sound image 2014 / March 7 / Analogue Gallery (673 Queen Street West)
Not a concert but the culmination of many, many Toronto concerts, Analogue Gallery's 3rd Annual Sound Image Music Photography contest and exhibition goes down next weekend. Only one photo will win the prize and glory - and full disclosure, some of our own photographers have concert shots in the show. The opening is RSVP only - click attending on the Facebook event or contact the gallery by phone (416 901 8001) or email (celia@analoguegallery.com).

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu - March 7 / Sound Academy / $62
I'd probably go to this if it wasn't at Sound Academy, and the fact I'm still tempted says a lot about the show (all of this says a lot about Sound Academy, bleh). This is Japanese Harajuku pop superstar Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's first world tour. I can't lie, I wish the world looked like this video - I haven't seen colours like that since the wilds of highschool. You've got a chance to win tickets here until March 3rd.

Long Winter / March 7 / The Great Hall / 7pm / PWYC
Last one! Cancer Bats, S.H.I.T., Greys, You'll Never Get to Heaven, Ravi Naimpally, JM, Pick a Piper, Brr, Grounders and So Young will play at the Great Hall. There will be dance performances, puppets, art, film, food, and 7"'s. Celebrate the end of one hell of a winter.

Trust / March 8 / Adelaide Hall (250 Adelaide St W) / $21
What was a duo of Robert Alfons and Maya Postepski has now become a solo, and to at least some degree this has changed the Trust sound - I think it's only gotten sparklier and weirder (Kate Bush would be proud), and Alfons was the one carrying the band live anyway. Be the judge for yourself by streaming Joyland here (it officially drops on March 4th) or at Adelaide Hall on March 8th with Mozart's Sister.

Europain / March 8 / Euro-Sports Bar & Cafe (252 Lansdowne) / $8
"Are any of these bands even European?" - Facebook. Cousins of Reggae, John Milner You're So Boss, Still Boys (if you haven't seen their stage show yet, you have to) and Soupcans are on this no drama bill of Toronto and Ottawa weirdness at a random Euro sports bar. Cheap beer? Breakfast sausage? Deirdre O'Sullivan (Pleasance Records) will probably be working the door, so give her a high five.

Arcade Fire / March 13 / Air Canada Centre / sold out
The most badass thing the Arcade Fire has ever done is calling their own fans out on being too frumpy at their arena shows. "Wear something nice already, you're making us sick" - The Arcade Fire, last true punk band in indie rock.

Crosss / March 15 / Smiling Buddha / $8
If you haven't heard, Smiling Buddha is totally different now - well, except for a few things that the new owners just couldn't change. Mark Pesci (of Mark Pesci's Toronto Punk and Hardcore Shows) is booking gigs now, so it remains to be seen if this will still be the city's best bet for shows where you have no idea what is going on. Montreal loud-band Crosss is joined by loud-bands Soupcans, Special Noise, and Ketamines.

Marker Starling at Twin Peaks Residency / March 22 / Handlebar (159 Augusta) / PWYC
All month, the Julee Cruise Ships are doing a Twin Peaks residency at Handlebar (playing your fave tracks from David Lynch's unfinished romp in the Black Lodge). They'll be joined by five different artists all together over the month, but March 22nd is the one to hit if you're a true fan of Twin Peaks' aesthetic - Marker Starling, formerly known as Mantler, is an angel of strange, sincere nightclub kitsch. See below.

Venus X and GHE20GOTH1K / March 27 / Tattoo (567 Queen Street West) / $15
Yes, that GHE20GOTH1K. No, Rihanna isn't invited. Just kidding about that second part, but if she shows you know she's just gonna stand in a corner acting bummed that everyone's having a legendary time and not talking to her. See more dance parties in our March dance parties post.

How to Dress Well / March 29 / Mod Club / $15
Tom Krell is finally returning to Toronto, and he's bringing Forest Swords with him because he's just that nice. While aliens three of four galaxies over can hear his surreal voice breaking on recordings, seeing him up close and personal is a whole different thing (though Mod Club won't be the bessst place for getting intimate, I trust that Krell can pull it off). It's okay to let go and cry. Also: Forest Swords!

Miley Cyrus / March 31 / ACC / $39.50 - $992.25
Hey Ya? Smells Like Teen Spirit? Who knows what wacky piece of nostalgia she'll cover live in Toronto. Get a glimpse at pop history, whatever that means.

Photo via Facebook

Weekend events in Toronto: February 28 - March 2 2014

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 Feb 28 - March 2, 2014.

The Boylympics
Boylesque T.O. just didn't think the real Olympics were campy enough, so they're showing their athletic side tonight at Lee's Palace with Mens Interpretive Figure Skating, Bobsledding, Competitive Doping, a torch lighting ceremony (naturally) and more. All the games, non of the troubling socioeconomic and political issues. Which Pussy Riot member will you dress up as? There are actually like twenty, you know. Friday, February 28, 9pm, Lee's Palace (529 Bloor St W) $22/$28.

MUSIC

Good Music - new record store opening
A new record shop will open on Queen West tomorrow, meaning another spot for the city's already spoiled vinyl collectors to get their grip on. Lincoln Stewart, manager of Vortex Records, is opening Good Music at 256A Queen West inside Black Market, taking over where Penguin Music used to be (and downstairs from the old Pages Books spot - RIP). Read more about the new shop here. Saturday, March 1, 11:30am - 6pm, Good Music (256A Queen Street West - inside Black Market Vintage).

The C'mons CD release
We listed The C'mons as a break out band from 2013, and their lead-singer Steph Bosch made the top 10 queer Toronto musicians list for having her talented paws in a whole bunch of exciting upcoming projects. This show is for the release of the band's first LP. Local bands Hue, Morakoza, and beau will also be on hand, and rumour has it that some of the musicians will be getting tattooed at the show. Which sounds totally sanitary. Friday, February 28, Tattoo Rock Parlour, 9pm, $10.

Silent Shout: Digits, Ken Park, Mekele, Farragoes
Toronto artist Digits just dropped his new mixtape Shake Your Body Down. I'm going for it: shake your digits down at this release show. Slam dunk. Encore Studios (76 Geary Ave), Friday, February 28th, 9pm.

See also

For more music listings, check out our This Week in Music post.

ART

Anser's Crowded Kingdom
ANSER's portraits, which you've likely seen around Toronto unless you're a major shoegazer, are unmistakable. Known as the "Mysterious Date," the faces show off an ability to fuse "high art" portrait techniques with street-graffiti bombing tactics. This is the artists' first major exhibit in over six years. Read our interview with ANSER here. Until March 9, Hashtag Gallery (801 Dundas St W).

Simulators II - artist talk
This group show at Angell explores digital-imaging in fine art, and Saturday afternoon you can catch Napoleon Brousseau, Philippe Blanchard, Mitchell Chan, Aamna Muzaffar, and Rafael Ochoa (above) giving a talk on their work and processes. The exhibit runs until March 22. Saturday, March 1, 2-3pm, Angell Gallery (12 Ossington Avenue).

See also:

For more art listings, check out our Top 10 Must-See Art Shows This Winter post.

FOOD

Amulets: Knaves Kitchen at Videofag
It's too cold outside to huddle in a makeshift theatre watching movies - unless there's soup involved. Then you're gold. Head to Videofag tonight for Guillermo del Toro's debut feature CRONOS and animation by Sarah D'angelo, plus the main event: Black Bean Soup in homemade Sour Bread Bowls for ten bucks each (veggie options available), Chipotle Brownies for four bucks, and Vanilla Atole traditional Mexican hot drinks. Buy a beer if you're not feeling the hot drinkables - Videofag only needs to sell 6,720 to make rent. Friday, February 28, Videofag (187 Augusta Avenue), 7pm.

See also:

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

FILM

Human Rights Watch 2014
This year's Human Rights Watch festival is, once again, dedicated to bringing Toronto cinephiles a collection of important films that aren't always easy to watch. Leading the bunch is Cambodian documentary filmmaker Rithy Panh' extremely ambitious film about the devastating effects of the Khmer Rouge, The Missing Picture (Monday, March 3 at 6:30PM), illustrated via handmade clay figurines and dioramas. The effect is of watching a something that almost looks like a children's film, except for the soul-crushing content that delivers the opposite. Prepare for cognitive dissonance. Until February 27 - March 6, TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King St W).

Son of God
Easter is still a little less than two months away, but what better way to dive into your Lent fasts than to catch up, once again, with the story that led up to that fateful resurrection. Unlike Mel Gibson's sadistic take on Christ's final days, Son of God is the Jesus film the whole family can enjoy. Apparently one of the most anticipated films in cinema history (church groups have already pre-ordered over half a million tickets), you might want to place your own advanced order if you intend to see this opening weekend. Check showtimes here.

See also:

PARTY

Bitches Love Triangles
Shake it like it's 2009 and your mom has a crush on Pictureplane and/or that one guy from SALEM. Because in some reality, that's still the present. Nah I'm kidding, this party is going to be great and you should put on some black lipstick and grab a vampy cutie pie to dance with. SINS is on decks with Kill Your Rapist - does she have the best DJ name in the city? Yes. Nocturne (550 Queen Street West), Friday February 28th, 10pm, $5 (free if you're a bat).

Jimpster
UK deep house DJ/producer Jimpster is the son of jazz musician parents, and he brings much of that sense of musicality to both his DJ sets and productions as well as the music he releases on his label Freerange. This event is at an undisclosed secret location for extra old school warehouse authenticity, so make sure you get on the mailing list if you want to attend. Saturday, March 1st, venue TBA, 10pm, $20.

See also

For more dance parties, check out our top dance parties in Toronto March 2014 post.

THEATRE

Metamorphosis
There's nothing that quite compares to the comically dark open line of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis: "As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect." Not figurative, without hyperbole or irony, Gregor is full insect. Kafka's wildly imaginative and influential literature has been adapted for the stage by British playwright and director David Farr and actor/director Gisli Örn Gardarsson. Time is running out on this one, so get on it! Until March 9, Royal Alex Theatre, various showtimes, $25-$99.

For more events on stage, check out our The top theatre productions in Toronto February 2014 post.

COMEDY

BeerProv
BeerProv is a Toronto / New York thing that combines two of humankind's most beloved pursuits: sitting down and wearing semi-casual clothing. Wait, I meant drinking beer and laughing. Beerprov has been called "one of Canada's most uniquely hilarious live comedy shows" and if you want to go formal or full casual, I'm all for it. Friday, February 28, Comedy Bar (945 Bloor Street West), 10:30pm, $15.

FASHION

Bespoke Trunk Show
This Saturday, Leatherfoot will be hosting a trunk show of a different kind. Their previous events have featured renowned shoemakers, giving guests the opportunity to order luxury footwear custom-built for their feet. But until Saturday they're bringing in Canadian master tailor Michel Karkar of Michel's Bespoke - and a lovely array of high-end fabrics - to create a suit made just for you. To book an appointment, call 416-967-3668 or email events@leatherfoot.com. Now until Saturday, March 1, Leatherfoot, (24 Bellair St).

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

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Queering Black History Month
You can take part in the last day of Black History Month with activist and academic speakers Mia McKenzie of blackgirldangerous.org, janaya khan, Monica Forrester, and Christopher Smith at the Ryerson's Students' Union Centre for Queering Black History Month, which will examine experiences and achievements of queer and trans African, Black and Caribbean people. Friday, February 28, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Ryerson's Students' Union (Centre 55 Gould St.) Rm 115.

SPORTS

28th Annual Toronto International Bicycle Show
Brave winter bikers or more tepidly enthusiastic summer cyclers will want to ogle the goods this weekend at the Toronto International Bicycle Show. 150+ exhibitors will be on hand. Look for e-bikes (love 'em or hate 'em), a test ride zone, frame building, and more. There will be free bike parking! Just like... everywhere else? No bike valets, too bad. Better Living Centre in Exhibition Place (200 Princes' Blvd), Friday February 28 - Sunday, March 2, various times, $13 (or passes available).

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

Lead photo via the Toronto Burlesque Festival

Sasmart

New Mimico pizza joint is definitely a Leafs fan

0
0

pizza mimicoPizza places run amok in this fair city, but don't let that stop you from checking out this new place with original pizzas, locally sourced ingredients, an all Ontario bar menu, and a creative array of dishes including one named after Leaf player Dave Bolland.

Read my review of 850 Degrees in the restaurants section.

How Canada Dry Ginger Ale was invented in Toronto

0
0

toronto canada dryJohn James McLaughlin was 25 when he founded his soft drink empire. Born near Enniskillen, Ont., one of two business-minded sons of carriage maker Robert McLaughlin, "Jack" studied at the Ontario College of Pharmacy in Toronto and moved to Brooklyn to complete his qualifications.

While he studied, the moustachioed and kind-eyed McLaughlin worked the controls of a gleaming marble soda fountain in a New York City drug store, mixing fruit-flavoured syrups with carbonated water and ice for crowds of thirsty customers. Drinks with names like Humdinger, American Gentleman, Happy Hooligan, Gunther's Excelsior, Pugilists' Panacea, and the Japanese Thirst Killer were wildly popular.

The real money was in pop, not dispensaries, he thought.

toronto j j mclaughlinMcLaughlin brought the soda concept home to Toronto and began distributing sparkling soda water and still mineral water from a store near Old City Hall in the early 1890s. His effervescent drinks came in seltzer bottles that could be endlessly re-filled and re-charged with carbon dioxide. A pull on the metal trigger released a burst of fizzing water that tasted like salted club soda.

The business did well, despite competition from at least twelve other rival soda companies, and moved to a larger premises on Berti Street near Queen and Church where it employed its first staff: "two men and a driver." It was here McLaughlin began mixing flavoured fruit syrups with sparkling water to make pop: "sarsaparilla, lemon sour, cream soda, ginger beer, cola," according to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography.

toronto canada dryMcLaughlin also marketed a bottle washing machine that automatically scrubbed, sterilized, and dried used soda bottles ready for re-filling. It sold well, according to newspaper reports, and was used in Manchester, England and other European locations.

Meanwhile, his brother, "Colonel" Samuel McLaughlin, was busily growing their father's business into what would eventually become General Motors of Canada.

The business expanded to another factory on Sherbourne Street, just south of Shuter, in 1893, combining the drinks and equipment manufacturing concerns under one roof. In 1895, McLaughlin employed 80 people and the company was known "from the Pacific to the Atlantic," according to a business supplement published by The Star.

Soon after the building opened, a boiler exploded in the basement after closing one evening, collapsing the brick facade into the street and wrecking the production line. The force was so powerful it smashed windows and scattered furniture in nearby homes, including the Moss Park mansion across the street.

The Globe and Mail reported that a packed streetcar and a passer-by narrowly avoided the cascade of bricks. All told, the blast caused about $10,000 worth of damage, none of which was covered by insurance. It's not entirely clear how McLaughlin was able to rebuild the factory but the accident didn't seem to present much of a setback.

toronto canada dryBy 1905, a team of fruit handlers, surrounded by crates of oranges, lemons, cherries, berries, peaches, and plums stacked floor-to-ceiling, peeled, pitted, and performed "the multiple operations by which fruits are induced to part with their flavours" in the repaired building's basement.

On the main floor, the bottling department used McLaughlin's own machine to scald and scrub glass bottles ready for filling. A massive 1,600-gallon carbonated water machine - the largest of its kind in North America, built specially for the firm in London, England - mixed its sparkling liquid with the fruit syrups brought up from the floor below.

There was also space for offices, a soda fountain showroom, laboratory, machine shop, and stables for the horses that hauled the delivery wagons. The company's ice cream machines and marble soda fountains were installed at the Hudson's Bay Company in Edmonton, the Robert Simpson Company in Toronto, and the Orpheum Store in Montreal.

A large part of McLauglin's business was dedicated to building custom soda fountains and fitting out cafeterias. Two catalogues stored in the Toronto Public Library show multiple elaborate and ornate designs, featuring onyx, marble, slate, bronze, nickel silver, and mahogany.

toronto canada drySome of J. J. McLaughlin's most popular drinks from around the turn of the century included Santoris pure sparkling water, Hygeia distilled table water from a spring in Arnprior, Ont., Hop-Tone "bitter-sweet tonic," and Tona-Cola, a coke drink that unashamedly borrowed from Coca-Cola. The Tona-Cola logo even used the same distinctive cursive script first used by the international drinks giant in 1885.

The drink was nicknamed "Ton O' Coal," a play on the way the name was pronounced, and like other sodas, it was sold through druggists, grocers, and fountains at 5-cents a glass.

toronto canada dryMany of the most popular soft drinks of the age were marketed as health tonics, claiming to cure everything from gland problems to nervousness and fatigue. Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper, both of which emerged around the same time as McLaughlin's company, made similar health claims.

Ironically, despite his company's health promises, McLaughlin was frequently unwell. He spent time in Florida - he was in the US when the factory explosion occurred - in the hope the heat and bright sunshine would cure his malaise.

toronto tona-colaThe company had long produced the dark and spicy "McLaughlin's Belfast Style Ginger Ale" - similar to an old-style ginger beer - but the product was refined in 1904 and renamed "Canada Dry" Pale Ginger Ale. "It has a snap and a tingle; a smart spry taste," early ads claimed. It was known as "the champagne of ginger ales" for its light taste and was marketed with a beaver icon and a map of Canada.

So popular was Canada Dry that McLaughlin opened plants in Edmonton and Winnipeg to help with national distribution. The trade name was registered to the company in 1907 and there were several offers to buy the rights to the drink, all of them rejected.

The sweet drink was even appointed to the Royal Household of the Governor General of Canada, at which point the beaver was removed from the logo in favour of a crown and the map of Canada was place inside a shield, as it is today.

toronto canada dryWith Canada Dry continuing its explosive rise, McLaughlin died suddenly of a heart attack in 1914. The company stayed in the family, expanding to New York City in 1920, until it was sold in 1923 to P. D. Saylor and Associates, who renamed it Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Inc.

Today, Canada Dry is no longer associated with Toronto, or Canada. The brand is owned by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. out of Plano, Texas, a faceless corporation that also produces 7 Up, A&W Root Beer, Clamato, Yoo-hoo, and countless others.

I wonder what Jack would have made of that.

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

Images: Toronto Public Library, Toronto Star

Isaiah Rashad and Tre Mission touch up Tattoo

0
0

Tre Mission TorontoOn Thursday night Queen Street West's newly rebranded TATTOO (they've ditched the "Rock Parlour" in their name and are making an effort to book more urban acts) was host to rapper Isaiah Rashad, the next in line from TDE's camp.

After Kendrick Lamar's takeover and the incredible album sale projections for Schoolboy Q's newest release, he has some serious shadows to walk through. Opening up the night was DJ Freeza Chin and rapper Tre Mission, who recently signed a multi album deal with UK-based label Big Dada and who we featured at the start of the year as one of Toronto's Top 5 Up and Coming Hip Hop Acts of this year.

Tre Mission TorontoUnlike most hip hop shows, this started reasonably on time, with Tre Mission touching the stage just shortly after 11. Tre's rapidfire UK-grime style flow was on point throughout his performance. His breath control is second to none and he annunciates flawlessly, never skipping a syllable. He peppered the crowd with tracks off his project Malmaison, released last summer, which is still available for free download on his website and the rumour mill suggests it has already accumulated a smooth 40,000 downloads since then.

Tre Mission TorontoTre's career so far really is a fascinating case study of a Toronto rapper who was embraced with open arms by a market overseas. Last night might have proved otherwise though, as the audience was clearly feeling his energy from start to finish. From head-banging heavy hitters like "Brunch" and "High Fashion" to sneak peaks of new tracks like "On Road," which he restarted three times because of it's hype, Tre proved to be the perfect choice as support for the night.

A massive shoutout has to go to DJ Freeza Chin who warmed up the anxious crowd with a medley of ratchet rap and trap music before Tre's set, held him down during his performance, and played some incredible modern blends until Isaiah Rashad's camp hit the stage.

Isaiah Rashad TorontoI'm not sure if Isaiah Rashad's DJ was plucked off the street moments before the show, but he seemed like more of playlist hypeman than a DJ. This nonchalant vibe actually aligned well with Isaiah Rashad's playful aura, though - maybe it was an intentional move to make the crowd free and easy.

Isaiah Rashad TorontoAfter a 15 minute medley of tracks from the TDE camp, Isaiah Rashad scurried on stage to an uproar of cheers. He seemed really happy to be there, and from the very beginning it was clear that he was very eager to connect with his audience on a personal and physical level. Before performing a single song he embraced the front row with a daps, hi fives and hugs. With that out of the way, he jumped into the festivities.

Isaiah Rashad TorontoIsaiah Rashad might not have the most extensive discography, but what he does have is a healthy balance of upbeat smashes and more mellow conscious tracks. Even during the latter, he maintained positivity and energy, even by openly admitting that the people needed to stay with him as some tracks were slow and that he's "too hype for that."

These type of tracks, like "Ronnie Drake" and "RIP Kevin Miller," still went over very well with the crispy production resonating nicely through the room. Rashad would often false-start these slower songs, bringing them back around to effectively have onlookers join in the second time around.

Isaiah Rashad TorontoAll in all, the set lasted over an hour and the venue was probably at its hypest when the beat for "Soliloquoy" dropped in, making things get rowdy. By the end of the show, there's no doubt that the connection with him was real, with the crowd showing their love by throwing three fingers into the air throughout the night. With Isaiah as their recent signee, it looks like Schoolboy Q was right when he said "Y'all acting like TDE don't run LA, Coast ain't been this hard since Pac, Death Row and Dr. Dre."

MORE PHOTOS

Isaiah RashadIsaiah Rashad TorontoIsaiah Rashad TorontoIsaiah Rashad Toronto

Tre MissionTre Mission TorontoTre Mission Toronto

Photos by Matthew Forsythe

The top 10 Oscar parties in Toronto for 2014

0
0

Toronto oscar partiesSunday March 2nd is Oscar night and as has become tradition a select number of bars, cinemas and other venues throw down the proverbial red carpet to celebrate (and try to make up for what is usually a slower night of the week) the year in cinema. This year there are a variety of options, both east and west of the DVP, so without further ado, here are our top picks for Toronto Oscar parties in 2014.

Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Watching the Academy Awards on the big screen at the Bloor has become a tradition. As usual, the event is free but there will also be plenty of distractions including trivia and prizes. And don't forget, the Bloor is licensed. Doors open at 6:30pm.

Innis Town Hall
The student-friendly Innis Town Hall will likely feature a predominately UofT crowd who can make this a true dinner and movie-type experience since there'll be free popcorn. Like the Bloor, admission is free and there will be prizes. Doors open at 6:30pm.

Fox Cinema
Over in the Beaches, the 100 year old Fox Cinema will be livening up their Oscar soiree with some bingo. The event is free but donations at the door with proceeds going to the AIDS Committee of Toronto are encouraged.

Revue Cinema
Not to be left out of the indie cinema Oscar screening circuit, the Revue on Roncesvalles wants attendees to dress to impress. They'll even have a photographer in the lobby taking snaps. Games and prizes are also on the agenda. Free admission.

O'Grady's on Church
The popular Church St. pub is back with its annual Oscar party. This year expect trivia, pool and a karaoke party after the show. No cover but call for reservations.

Bambi's
Dundas West won't be left out of the Oscar buzz thanks to Bambi's invitation for all to come by and talk sh*t about actors while they hand each other golden trophies. Snacks, cocktail specials and $25 bottles of bubbly are all part of the programme. No cover.

Drake Hotel
The Drake Hotel (not to be confused with the One Fifty spinoff) will be hosting their annual Oscar party again this year complete with free popcorn and guest host extraordinaire Richard Crouse. Also, prizes, trivia and a special bubbly menu. No cover.

Ronnie's Local
Since the Oscars is pretty much synonymous with Kensington Market it's only logical that Ronnie's Local get in on the action. Formal dress is encouraged (choose to take that seriously or not at your peril). No cover.

Hunters Landing
Those living in and around CityPlace might want to make a beeline for what Hunters Landing is promising as a star studded evening you won't forget. Like most places on this list, there will be contests and prizes. And they promise to even turn on the sound on their TVs. No cover.

Rize Studios
Want a pre-party before your Academy Awards? Then Rize Studios in Liberty Village is the place to be at 4:30 pm for what should be a pretty entertaining poetry slam proceeding an Oscar screening party that will include snacks, prizes and more. No word yet on whether someone will come up with a rhyme that goes with McConaughey. $10 entry free.

Want more Oscar parties? There are more going down across the city including ones at Big Picture Cinema on Gerrard East, Wayla Bar in Leslieville and The Local Gest in Cabbagetown. Of course, you could always just stay home, order Chinese food and drink cheap wine.

What did we miss? Add more Oscar parties to the comments below.


Toronto grilled cheese festival wasn't so Gouda

0
0

toronto grilled cheese festA couple thousand Torontonians are seriously cheesed off today thanks to what might go down as the worst run food event in Toronto's history. Last night's Toronto Grilled Cheese Festival brought more than 2,000 ticket holders to Roy Thomson Hall for what organizers promised would be a feast for the eyes, mouth and stomach.

Give Joylister credit. The seven month old company founded by a former investment analyst and marketing manager managed to convince a lot of people to fork over $40 for the promise of all-you-can-eat grilled cheese sandwiches, gourmet soup, and 3 beer samples. What they failed to tell ticket buyers, however, is that they'd only arranged for their 10 sandwich vendors to produce what would amount to a quarter sandwich sample per person so either way you slice it nobody was going to get much more than a couple full sandwiches each.

But lack of food was only part of the problem. While the CBC reported last night the event was oversold by 700 tickets, Joylister took to Facebook early this morning to clarify this wasn't the case. The problem, they say, was a result of power issues and the inability of the vendors to use their grills to cook up sandwiches fast enough.

Attendees aren't buying it and have taken to both Twitter and Joylister's Facebook page to complain and demand refunds. Then, early this afternoon Joylister deleted their previous Facebook post (and the large comment thread attached to it), apologized and took full responsibility for the situation but failed to provide any meaningful explanation or refund policy.

We reached out to Joylister co-founder Melissa Chien to get some of our own questions answered but she emailed back failing to address most of them and simply re-worded the response posted to Facebook.

What we do know is that, in the words of attendee Meesha Tanna, the place was "a total zoo." Frank Lemire said when he got there at 7:45pm "the line was stretched around the block onto King like it was a TIFF premiere." While vendors did their best to keep up with demand, their enthusiasm couldn't overcome the logistical challenges, line cutters and general feeling of disgruntled-ness that permeated the event.

Vendors like Gorilla Cheese were informed that 2,250 tickets had been sold to the event and were paid by Joylister to prepare 560 full sandwiches each (although some vendors offered two kinds). Most sandwiches were gone by 9pm and at least half of the four soup vendors sold out before 8pm. Beer lines were shorter but the samples provided were "tiny" and "warm" according to Tran.

Because of the electrical issues, Gorilla Cheese had to run platters of sandwiches from their truck parked outside where staff prepped. Cheesewerks tweeted they'd offer a free sandwich at their restaurant today to anyone who came in with a Grilled Cheese Fest ticket.

Hila Sharif finally got into the event after a 40 minute wait (did we mention it was freezing outside?). In Sharif's words "coat check was full and lines were so long I didn't know what I was waiting in line for. About 45 minutes into waiting in line, the only grilled cheese sandwiches I saw were in the hands of volunteers wearing Joylister shirts. At the end of a 50 minute line I got about a quarter of a sandwich and gave up. No management or anyone accountable to be found, despite requests and a long wait."

Photo by Janet Kwan on Instagram

Rob Ford to guest on Jimmy Kimmel, go to the Oscars

0
0

Rob Ford OscarsDon't expect Rob Ford to appear at any of Toronto's Oscar parties. The Toronto Sun reported today that Mayor Ford has already fled town and is en route to LA where he'll be attending the Academy Awards in person on Sunday night. No word yet on whether he'll also be attending the Vanity Fair after party.

And perhaps he has Jimmy Kimmel to thank for the tickets. The next night Ford is scheduled to appear on the Jimmy Kimmel show in what must have been a competitive bid with the Daily Show and other late night shows for his sought after presence. It's not too much of a reach to suspect tickets to the Oscars were the incentive Ford needed to seal the deal.

Photo by John Tavares in the blogTO Flickr pool

Spoken word events in Toronto, March 2014

0
0

Spoken word TorontoSpoken word events worth knowing about in Toronto, March 2014.

Can someone turn up the heat, please? This winter, the coldest in the last two decades, will mercifully come to an end this month. Great timing too, because the poetry on offer in the GTA spoken word community will raise your temperature all on its own. There's a lot going on this time of year - a new open mic series is getting off the ground, collaborations abound, shows with word and sound, an event with multiple sparring rounds - so be sure to check out at least a few of these incredible spectacles.

HOT TICKETS

THE FRENCH-AKPATA CONNEXION / MARCH 8 / 7:30PM / ELLINGTON'S MUSIC AND CAFE / $5-$15

Toronto poetry up-and-comer Whitney French joins forces with 2010 national slam champion and Ottawa provocateur John Akpata for a meeting of minds over poetry, storytelling and music. Both artists bring their unique perspectives and the work they've produced to share with the masses in an evening that will be unforgettable to those who attend. Below is a sampling of Akpata's work, courtesy of the CBC/

TORONTO POETRY SLAM SEMIFINALS / MARCH 9 FT. KAIT ROKOWSKI AND MARCH 21 FT. AARON SIMM / 8PM / DRAKE HOTEL UNDERGROUND / $5

The top 16 poets from the regular season have been determined and the draw held for the semifinals at TPS. The team selected at April's finals will defend the national slam championship at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in Victoria this fall. Both shows spotlight powerful poets coming to town as feature performers - the second semi puts Winnipeg wordslinger Aaron Simm in front of a Toronto audience that may not quite be ready for him, while the first features Minnesota's own Kait Rokowski.

POET PSYCHOLOGY CD LAUNCH / MARCH 14 / 9PM / AMSTERDAM BICYCLE CLUB / PAY WHAT YOU WANT

CBC Here and Now resident poet and 2012 national slam champion Ritallin releases the third and final volume of his Poet Psychology project - a CD with a dozen poems all set to music. Newly signed R&B artist Pluto, Peterborough based reggae group Dub Trinity and East Coast Music Award winning hip-hop MC Spesh K will join Ritallin onstage for an amazing evening of music and poetry. For a taste of PPV3, check out one of the tracks performed live in Vancouver in January.

SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO SPOKEN WORD CIRCUIT PRESENTS JEREMY LOVEDAY / MARCH 19, 20 & 26

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 first for the new Toronto spoken word open mic showcase ARTiculated Noise(March 19), the Circuit is hosting the two-time Victoria slam champion and #MenLetsTalk advocate Jeremy Loveday. He also performs at Burlington Slam Project (March 20) and YorkSlam (March 26).

THE LAST POET STANDING / MARCH 30 / 7PM / THE GREAT HALL / $20 ADV; $25 DOOR

The third annual edition of The Last Poet Standing may turn out to be the best yet, with an impressive array of artists set to go head-to-head in a single elimination spoken word tournament (think March Madness, poetry style). Hosted and produced by Dwayne Morgan of Up From The Roots, the one-on-one battles in the centre of a boxing ring will culminate with one winner walking away with a $500 cash prize. One of the sixteen contenders is 2013 Toronto Slam Champion of Champions Dagmar Morgan.

OTHER SHOWS AND EVENTS

Sunday Poetry/ March 2, 9, 16, 23 / 11:30am / Ellington's Music & Café / free

Amsterdam Bicycle Club Presents Lizzie Violet's Poetry Open Mic ft. Bänoo Zan/ March 3 / 8pm / Amsterdam Bicycle Club / PWYC

R.I.S.E. Poetry Movement / March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 / 6:30pm / Burrows Hall Community Centre / free

The Art Bar Poetry Series / March 4, 11, 18, 25 / 8pm / Black Swan Tavern / PWYC

Acoustic Soul Tuesdays / March 4, 11, 18, 25 / 8pm / Pero Restaurant and Lounge / $5

WordSpell Spoken Word Showcase ft. Britta B. and Bänoo Zan / March 5 / 8pm / Free Times Café / $6 and up

The Best Originals / March 5 / 8pm / Hirut Restaurant / PWYC

Livewords 6th Anniversary Show Pt. II/ March 6 / 7:30pm / Black Swan Tavern / free

SPEAKout Poetry Open Mic Night / March 7 / 7:30pm / Magic Oven (Keele) / PWYC ($5 suggested)

Lizzie Violet's Cabaret Noir One Year Anniversary Show/ March 9 / 7pm / The Central / PWYC ($5 suggested)

Cometry Poedy - We Lost Our Marbles / March 11 / 7:30pm / The Central / PWYC

BAM! Toronto Youth Slam / March 12 / 6:30pm / The Central / $5

Plasticine Poetry hosted by Cathy Petch / March 16 / 6pm / Pauper's Pub / free

Roots Lounge Open Mic & Poetry Slam/ March 16 / 8pm / Harlem Restaurant / $5

Hot-Sauced Words / March 20 / 8pm / Black Swan Tavern / PWYC

wind in the leaves collective with allies and friends / March 22 / 8pm / Daniels Spectrum / $10-$15

Loose Leaf Poets & Writers / March 24 / 7pm / Maple Leaf House Grill & Lounge / free

A Poetry Extravaganza ft. Spencer Butt, Andre Prefontaine, Elizabeth Burns, Nicole Brewer, William Kemp & more / March 25 / 9pm / The Central / PWYC

Shab-e She'r (Poetry Night) / March 25 / 7pm / The Central / 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 via BlackCoffeePoet

CN Tower under construction 1975

The top live theatre shows in Toronto March 2014

0
0

live theatre shows torontoEach month we round up the most noteworthy live theatre playing in Toronto.

Lungs / Tarragon Theatre / February 25 - March 30 / $27-$53
In his latest project, Lungs, British Playwright Duncan Macmillan explores an intriguing contemporary question -- is it ethical to bring children into a world that seems headed for environmental disaster? And second to that, will a child whose parents have willfully contributed to the destruction inevitably grow to judge our wasteful ways? A stripped down stage with one man and one woman, and plenty of moments to breathe, is the setting for a probing and illuminating conversation.

A Beautiful View / Volcano - Factory Theatre / February 27 - March 9 / $20-$25
Ross Manson and Volcano have paused to revisit Daniel MacIvor's A Beautiful View almost a decade after the production premiered in 2006. The play documents the decade long relationship between two women, which grows from a chance meeting into something much more deep and complex. It reflects on the organic nature of friendship and what can happen when that relationship transitions into love. Becky Johnson and Amy Rutherford bring the two characters to life.

The Wanderers / Cahoots - Buddies in Bad Times /March 1-23 / $20-$37
Displaced, transplanted, moved -- all words that hint at the complex set of actions, behaviours, and emotions that accompany immigration to a foreign land not your own. Kawa Ada's The Wanderers, directed by Nina Lee Aquino, profiles one such story of a family and its struggle in Canada after leaving their war-torn home in Afghanistan. Rather than provide a fresh start, the sudden change in setting brings forth destructive desires thought left behind.

6 Essential Questions
/ Factory Theatre / March 7-30 / $23-$45

Poet and novelist Priscila Uppal has adapted her celebrated memoir, Projection: Encounters with My Runaway Mother, into a play that considers the deep ties of family and questions left unanswered. In pursuit of the mother who abandoned her at age five, Renata travels to Brazil to learn the truth of her beginnings. The play is directed by Leah Cherniak and features Maggie Huculak, Mina James, Elizabeth Saunders, and Richard Zeppieri.

panamerican ROUTES Festival / February 27 - March 9 / $15-$25

Now in its second year, the panamerican ROUTES Festival features a variety of contemporary performance by Canadian, Indigenous and Latin American artists from Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, the United States and Canada. Two of the highlights include In Spirit by Tara Beagan, about a young girl who goes missing on her birthday, and Antigona, a one-woman performance of Sophocles' drama by Teresa Ralli in response to a decade of violence and injustice in Peru.

The Miller and His Wife
/ Theatre Passe Muraille / March 6-15 / $20

Puppetmongers have been delighting Canadian and international audiences with world-class puppetry since 1974. One of their classics, The Miller and His Wife, tells a tale of treachery and deception with a cast of nineteen memorable puppet characters. The miller, in an attempt to raise his family into more comfortable conditions, cons his landlord with mathematical acumen. His wife then promptly finds herself immersed in a sordid plot to kill the king. The puppets move into Theatre Passe Muraille for March Break.

What did I miss? Add your live theatre picks to the comments below.

Viewing all 47884 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images