A line of powerful thunderstorms has left parts of Toronto without power, and the rest very, very wet. Toronto Hydro says approximately 4,400 people are currently without electricity, most of them west of Bathurst, south of Lawrence, east of Caledonia Park Rd.

Skies began to darken shortly before 7:00 as a line of storms moved southeast through the city. Monsoon-like rain coupled with high winds and frequent lightning persisted for a little over half an hour and there were reports of localized flooding on the Don Valley Parkway and Lake Shore Blvd. Weather experts warned of possible wind damage and poor driving conditions.

Samuel Aguiar sent this time lapse of the storm approaching.

On the TTC, the 501 Queen streetcar is blocked both ways at Lake Shore and Royal York due to a fallen tree, so shuttle buses are completing the journey to Long Branch. There are no reports of any delays on the subway and an earlier crash that closed all northbound lanes of the DVP just north of Don Mills has now been cleared.

Last a year storm very much like this one caused widespread flooding and power outages across the GTA. The ensuing chaos crippled the TTC and left a GO train stranded amid rising flood waters in the Don Valley.

Environment Canada has now cancelled its severe thunderstorm warning for the City of Toronto.

Here are pictures of the storm on social media.

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

Image: Rob Bieber/Twitter

Toronto 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

• Drake One Fifty (150 York St.) is doing a side door special every Tuesday all summer long. Starting at noon, the $15 take-away lunch will go on sale and feature a tasty sandwich (think lobster rolls or meatball subs) plus a summery drink (like a slushie or rootbeer float), and snack pack of Drake Crunch (the house version of Cracker Jacks, complete with prize), all for $15.
• The Junction Craft Food Truck Series is back Saturday, June 21 with Gorilla Cheese in the house (er... parking lot) at Junction Craft Brewing (90 Cawthra Ave.).
• Space is still available for dinner at Momofuku Shoto (190 University Ave.) on Tuesday, June 24. The special tasting menu priced at $250 will be focused on Canadian ingredients presented by the Shoto kitchen along with a dozen guest chefs.

UPCOMING

• Taste of Asia, a street festival at Kennedy Rd. and Steeles Ave. is happening Saturday, June 28 from noon to midnight, and on Sunday, June 29 from noon to 6pm. The two-day event promises non-stop multicultural performances, 150 vendor booths, a Philippine Village, Korean Town, Bibimbap eating challenge, noodle competition and more.
• Now in its third installation after sold-out debuts in Toronto (2012) and Paris (2013), Palattes of Africa is set to return Sunday, June 29. The unique food-meets-art event, presented in the form of a pop-up restaurant at 952 Queen St. West, will showcase traditional African dishes as well as original Afro-fusion foods. Tickets are $40, and include a demonstration by a featured chef, plus a four-course brunch with a complimentary drink.
• Porkapalooza goes down at the Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W.) on Sunday, June 29 from 3pm to 5:30pm. From peameal bacon to pulled pork to ham sandwiches, the best sandwich makers in the GTA will compete for your votes. Try each entry on a six-sample platter for $8.
• Reserve a spot now for a Canada Day lobster boil at Steam Whistle Brewing (255 Bremner Blvd.) on Tuesday, July 1. Tickets for either of two seatings (at 3pm and 6pm) will feature a full lobster and two sides for $25. The party continues after with pilsners and tunes from Poor Angus.
• In Markham, The Open Market is taking place at the 105 Gibson Centre (105 Gibson Dr.) on Saturday, July 4 from 6pm to midnight, and on Sunday, July 5 from 10am to midnight. Attractions will include a food market, children's choir performances, a world record dance attempt, sports tournaments, and stage performances.

Photo of Taste of Asia 2013 by Javin Lau.

Stardate 1993 -- television series Star Trek: The Next Generation is midway through its celebrated 6th season, and about to launch its first spin-off show in the form of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Airing in the GTA on "Your Federation Station" Citytv, ratings are cruising at Warp 10, grown men speaking Klingon are holding costume conventions with alarming frequency at Airport Road Hotels, and a strange televisual phenomenon is occurring in the Neutral Zone between Scarborough and Pickering - Ten Forward, a Trek oriented late-night call-in show is fast becoming the stuff of Scarberian legend...

Long before the internet made such programming largely irrelevant, local community access channels (usually found broadcasting at 10 on the dial) aired low-budget filler designed to educate and inform viewers between bouts of scrolling TV listings. Quite often the shows were "interactive," meaning they took phone calls from viewers live to air, with nary a time delay to prevent embarrassing on-air meltdowns, shenanigans or foul language.

Thanks to having virtually no budget, these shows were beset with technical difficulties, poorly lit sets, and hosts and guests who were not quite ready for primetime, thus ensuring their place in the annals of charming, rubbernecking, must-see, train wreck TV history.

Scarborough Cable 10 had already influenced the comedy gold of '90s titans and Scarborough natives Jim Carrey and Mike Myers (whose Wayne's World is about as on-point an homage as it gets), and was well known for The Rob Cormier Show and the guys who played table Hockey in their basement. Not long after, CUC Broadcasting rebranded the channel as Trillium Community 10.

Debuting on Trillium 10 sometime in late 1992, Ten Forward (see what they did there?) billed itself as community based interactive show designed to spur discussion about "Star Trek, space and technology", but aside from a few visits to the sadly now defunct McLaughlin Planetarium the show was obviously ALL about Star Trek. Just check out those uniforms.

For two hours on Friday nights, 10pm until midnight, the hosts would open up the phone lines to argue the toss about Trek minutiae, ranging from obsessing over minor continuity errors to heartfelt debates about the place of religion in Gene Roddenberry's vision of the future.

Callers to the show included dopey late night shift workers, Forever Knight fans, squeaky-voiced teens concerned about violations of the Prime Directive, lonely women inquiring about the marital status of Jonathan Frakes or Brent Spiner, barely comprehensible weirdos who frightened even the rabid hosts, and not surprisingly, a legion of crank callers.

One can only imagine what it might have been like stumbling across this bizarre program late at night, boozed up and without a concern in the world. It even became somewhat of a cruel sport, as rival gangs of crank callers posed ringer questions before dropping their inevitable F bombs. Full marks to the subtle Pickering crew who managed to sprinkle coded esoteric messages into their banter while on air; Scarborough area cranks seemed to be much more blunt.

As juvenile as they were, the drama of not knowing if a call was legitimate or an attack made for compelling television. At times the series' host "Captain John" seemed almost to be challenging the little punks to call in and say their piece, daring them to try and get past his spry trigger finger. While it seems trite now, hearing the F bomb with such regularity on a TV show at the time was truly shocking, and surely questions were being asked by Trillium brass behind the scenes (the program was in fact rerun throughout the week, with offending calls edited out, making for much shorter episodes).

It is easy 20 years later to laugh at the "nerds playing dress-up in their parents' basement" aspect to all this, but at the time the series was actually a fairly useful service for fan(atics) of Star Trek. Without the aid of the internet, Captain John was able to breathlessly report all the latest Trek news and gossip, dropping hints about upcoming guest stars and release dates for books, videos, and various bits of merchandise.

Captain John remained at the helm of Ten Forward throughout its entire run, while his co-hosts changed from "Commander Bob" to "Ensign Andy" to "Lieutenant Sue." When Shaw Communications bought CUC in 1995 (Rogers acquired it later in 2000), Ten Forward was beamed away, sucked into a wormhole of corporate maneuvering and a changing TV landscape. It's actually somewhat miraculous the show lasted as long as it did, likewise impossible to imagine it in a post-1995 internet gazing world. Thanks to the archiving alchemy of a certain anonymous Scarborough native, Ten Forward can now live on YouTube for future generations to ponder (Retrontario.com has obtained over 20 hours of it, for shame!).

Fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation will no doubt be jazzed that next week sees the release of the 6th season on Bluray, re-mastered in stunning HD and boasting a Delta quadrant's worth of bonus materials, although sadly, no episodes of Ten Forward.

Retrontario plumbs the seedy depths of Toronto flea markets, flooded basements, thrift shops and garage sales, mining old VHS and Betamax tapes that less than often contain incredible moments of history that were accidentally recorded but somehow survived the ravages of time. You can find more amazing discoveries atwww.retrontario.com.

This Brazilian rodizio in the Club District is a feast for the senses, offering unlimited helpings of 18 churrasco-cooked meats carved right onto your fork. It's also become ground zero for World Cup festivities, but even once that's over, you'll find samba dancers and aerialists putting on a show on weekends.

Read my profile of the new Copacabana in the restaurants section.

WiFi on the TTC was just a pipe dream until last year, when it became a glorious, ad-supported reality at Yonge and St. George stations. Now, the transit authority has announced plans to make its fleet of buses and streetcars WiFi-capable in 2016. For its own internal use, that is. They can't promise it for riders.

The WiFi will be installed as part of a $95-million upgraded dispatch and vehicle location system replacing the '70s-era one in use today. What that means for riders is, likely, improved arrivals information and route servicing, but not a way to browse Facebook without munching all of your data.

That begs the question: If the infrastructure requires installation anyway, why not make it a priority to open it up to the public - especially when a project to do just that for the entire Toronto subway is already in progress? In April, the TTC board asked for a staff update on the possibility of bus and streetcar WiFi, but that info hasn't surfaced yet, and TTC chair Brad Ross has declined to speculate on when that might happen. In the meantime: Enjoy the same old morning commute. Ho hum.

Photo by Kat NLM in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Spoken word events heat up over the summer in Toronto. Our hot, hazy and humid summers are a great motivation to be in the great outdoors, but also to get into a spot where a cool drink, good company and a great show are always in order. Between trips to the cottage, festival life and dips in pools to keep from overheating, be sure to keep a few evenings free. For the spoken word and poetry slam community in the Greater Toronto Area will be serving up the usual high-quality fare for your listening and viewing pleasure.

Here are the top 10 spoken word events in Toronto this summer.

Outrageous VII: The Great Beaver Love-In / June 30 / 7:30pm / Habits Gastropub / FREE
This new series, run by the intrepid Elizabeth Burns, has sent shockwaves through the local spoken word scene. Deliberately irreverent, disdainful of routine and tradition, and scintillating in execution, Outrageous is a physical manifestation of what can happen when you get the ideas about poetry shows right. Nothing but positivity flows when people talk about this event - one you shouldn't miss. But if you miss this one, you can also drop by their new location on July 28 and August 25.

Live Thursdays x Spoke n' Heard / June 26 / 6:30pm / Vogue Supper Club / $10
One of the hottest new groups in the local spoken word scene is Spoke N' Heard, led by Jordon Viera, which brings you this new series of art, music and poetry in a desirable mix to tantalize all who take it in. This show will be co-hosted by Viera and 2013 national slam champion David Delisca. The series continues on the last Thursday of every month, so they'll be in the Vogue on July 31 and August 28 as well.

Articulated Noise Spoken Word Open Mic / August 20 / 8pm / Charlie's Gallery / $5
The sixth instalment of Toronto's newest monthly spoken word open mic series will showcase Wes Ryan to the local poetry audience. A stalwart of the Peterborough community, Ryan will bring his raw, unapologetic, achingly authentic poetry to the stage at Charlie's. ARTnoise has been home to ever growing crowds as people who want a break from the competitive atmosphere at the local slams come to be part of a beautiful emerging artistic community.

Old School TPS Showcase Fundraiser / July 17 / 8pm / Supermarket / $10
Toronto Poetry Slam, the city's largest regularly running poetry slam series, is sending a team to compete at the National Poetry Slam in San Francisco and the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in Victoria. Two east coast trips means they need to raise a lot of cash, so a heavy smattering of TPS alumni are coming out to show a little love to the current crew. That Brown Bastard, Lara Bozabalian, Gypsy Eyes, Amanda Hiebert, Electric Jon, White Noise Machine, Krystle Mullin and David Silverberg are all scheduled to make appearances. What is old will be on stage again.

The 12th Toronto International Poetry Slam / August 31 / 8pm / The Great Hall / $20 ADV; $25 Door
TIPS is a must-see annual event on the city's poetry slam calendar, when nearly two dozen poets take to the stage to do battle in three rounds of slam unlike the city sees anywhere else on the calendar. Show host Dwayne Morgan puts serious dough on the table to see which poet from wherever can claim it. With poets rumoured to be coming in from as far away as Bermuda, it promises to be a deep field. With a $1500 prize purse up for grabs this year, superb poetic performances are sure to dominate an unparalleled evening of slam.

Burlington Slam Project 6th Anniversary / July 17 / 8pm / Black Bull / 45
2014 Burlington Artist of the Year nominee and longtime show organizer Tomy Bewick has established a strong footprint for poetry in Halton Region. Audience and poets alike will be in attendance as BSP takes a bow after 6 years on the scene. Bewick's little slam that could proved all the doubters wrong, who thought a slam series could not be viable west of the Credit. All credit where it's due to a crew of poets who continue to excel and inspire. This one should be a celebration par excellence.

Wordspell Spoken Word 2nd Anniversary Showcase / September 3 / 8pm / Free Times Cafe / $6 and up
Series co-founders Alyssa Ginsburg and Vanessa McGowan will have lots to be thankful for when they and the members of the WordSpell Collective celebrate two years of bi-monthly poetry for poets who identify as women. The final show before the anniversary is a Pride tribute on July 2 but there's no doubt that having a series such as this to provide safe space for women to speak their truth is a fantastic addition to the local poetic landscape. Congratulations to the collective, and know these shows are always an incredible tour de force by capable, powerful poets.

Black Love Soul and Spoken Word Reunion and Up from the Roots 20th Anniversary /July 23 / 8pm / Lula Lounge / $20 Advance; $25 Door
Last year, acclaimed spoken word artist and speaker Dwayne Morgan celebrated two decades in the game. This summer, the organization he founded to change the game for poetry in Toronto takes its turn to celebrate twenty years of excellence. This show will be a blast from UFTR years past, as previous contributors to Black Love (Morgan's and UFTR's first spoken word series) return to share work and catch up with the local audience. Here's an oldie but goodie performed at one of the earliest Black Love shows:

Book Launch - Ochun: Watah Anthology of Poetry Vol. 1 / July 17 / 8:30pm / Artscape Youngplace / $10
Toronto spoken word / dub / monodrama legend d'bi.young anitafrika presents this event to showcase the writings and writers in the first volume of the Watah Anthology of Poetry. The Watah School was founded by young to teach eager artists her sorplusi method, which is also at the core of her other teaching initiatives including the Yemoya retreat (scheduled this fall in Hawaii). A large and diverse group of artists will share their work with the audience.

Slamtario Spoken Word Festival / July 11-12 / Tranzac Club / $10 Fri; Sat $20
The third annual Ontario slam championships, produced by Open Minds Respect Events and Cytopoetics, will bring together the best the province has to offer in poetry slam and crown a new champion. Over two evenings of competition, the question will be answered: which community has the top slam team in Canada's largest province? The festival will include preliminary bouts on Friday evening, a panel discussion and open stage during the day on Saturday, and a Finals Night featuring two time Individual World Poetry Slam champion Buddy Wakefield. This is easily the biggest event in the spoken word community during the summer. Festival passes are available in advance via the SLAMtario website. Here's a Wakefield performance in honour of World Pride:

Thanks to Pure Leaf for sponsoring our summer adventures. For more things to do this summer, check out our Best of Summer page.

Photo of David Delisca

The best martinis in Toronto are deceptively simple, but frighteningly subjective. While purists will insist the drink be made with gin, vodka is often the more popular choice. Either way, the liquor is traditionally chilled and poured into a cocktail glass that has been rinsed with dry vermouth, and garnished with either a twist of lemon zest, or either one or three olives on a skewer. Adventurous types can ask for olive brine to be stirred with the spirit, resulting in a 'dirty' martini.

Finally, devotees will often specify exactly how 'dry' or 'wet' they like their drink - relating to the amount of vermouth in the cocktail. The range of options available is why you frequently won't see them listed on a cocktail menu, but any decent bartender should be more than capable of producing a good one.

As such, presenting a list of the best martinis actually implies a list of the best places to enjoy the drink, factoring in the setting, the expertise of the bartenders, the quality of the ingredients, and the glassware.

Here are the best martinis in Toronto.

See also:the top 10 martini bars in Toronto

Say goodbye to the bright orange doors. The last of the TTC's H6 trains -- the oldest in the current subway fleet -- has officially retired, leaving just the brand new Toronto Rocket and the Bloor-Danforth T1s (the ones with the red doors) in active service.

The last of the 27-year-old trains, distinguishable from other subway vehicles by their intense tangerine and wood-effect interior panels, narrow doorways, and rare single seats behind the driver's cab, embarked on a farewell circuit of the Bloor-Danforth line this morning, packed with a crowd of enthusiastic rail fans, some of them in fancy dress.

At one time, the TTC had a total of 126 H6 trains in service on the Yonge-University-Spadina and Bloor-Danforth lines. According to Transit Toronto, an authority on TTC history, each of the trains cost $1.15 million from the provincial Urban Transportation Development Corporation in the 1980s. The first of the fleet entered service in 1986 following construction delays and technical issues.

"It's bittersweet, I guess," says Matt Brown, the head of the Greenwood carhouse where the H6 trains were stored and maintained. "They're the workhorse, they're a great train, they lasted and ran well for a number of years but it's time for them to go and to modernize the fleet."

A retired H6 recently made a brief return to Toronto disguised as a wrecked San Francisco subway car. The creators of the Godzilla movie promo bought the train from a Hamilton scrap yard and assembled it to look like it was bursting through the ground.

Unlike some of the previous generation of retired trains that were sold to a subway project in Lagos, Nigeria, the last H6 will be gutted and either scrapped or turned into a work car. For fans hoping to own a piece of subway history, the TTC is considering selling used parts on the Internet.

"We are looking at things like the number plates on the exterior, seats, anything we might be able to salvage and re-sell, we are looking at that," says Brad Ross, the TTC's head of communications. "There's a desire to have some sort of a store. It would be online, we're absolutely going to do something."

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

Images: Chris Bateman/blogTO

The top patios for World Pride in Toronto are reliable standbys in the Church-Wellesley Village - beloved summer-long spots for a beer and a snack in the sunshine. But this time of year, they're the perfect spot to soak in the electric atmosphere, watching Torontonians pour into the streets in celebration of our queer community. The people-watching is unmatched along Church St., and if you're taking part in one of the parties and events set to rage on in the city between June 20 and 29, there's no better way to take a breather.

With the Village acting as the hub for the marquee World Pride festivities for the first time ever, the buzz in the air will be stronger than ever. Previous event attendance levels, which have topped 1,200,000 unique visits, are set to be smashed; that means more parties, more entertainment, and more good-lookin' people walking up and down Church, but it also means way, way less patio space. (And people are going to want to rest up - sequins and leather get heavy.)

Pro tips: Be patient, and get there early. Otherwise, check out our patio guide and app for dozens of perfect plan B patios all over the city.

Here are the top 10 patios for World Pride in Toronto..

House Maison
The newest name on this list is actually two. Coming from the people that brought you Smith and 7 West, House and Maison are a full-service restaurant and a cafe, respectively, opening just in time for Pride in the former Old Vic Public House at Church and Gloucester. The Vic's sprawling patio, thankfully, remains intact - name change or not, it's still the Village's best place to soak up some rays.

Statler's Lounge
The patio at Statler's Lounge is perhaps the most exclusive on this list, with room for just 14 people. In short: keep those elbows out and your eyes on the prize if you want to snag a spot. The second floor patio lets you gaze out over Church, with a musical backdrop provided by the live performers below. It's sunshine and a soundtrack; what could be better?

Crews & Tangos
Crews & Tangos can get pretty wild on occasion, though its back patio is known to offer a space to kick back - during the day, at least. With space for close to 100 people, the patio offers drinks from its own outdoor bar as well as burgers and wings grilled up fresh out back. Count on the party spilling out to the patio on weekends.

O'Grady's
O'Grady's definitely has one of the liveliest patios on the Church Street strip. While its kitchen is open super-late both during the week and at its end, you're more likely to find this patio saturated with pitchers and pints. No surprise, then, that the volume in the area can get pretty high. Keep on walking, haters. (Non-haters enter off Maitland.)

Churchmouse & Firkin
The recently-revamped Churchmouse & Firkin is one of the few places in the Village than can rival O'Grady's in terms of patio activity. Yes, this pub is just one among many in the Firkin empire, but Churchmouse distinguishes itself with superior patio service and overall great ambiance. And the food is said to be not half bad either. There's always a conversation or two going on between those seated on the patio and passersby leaning against the rail. Count on slow pedestrian traffic on Maitland.

Black Eagle
Black Eagle's patio is lauded less for the voyeuristic opportunity it affords than its abundance of leather fetishists. That is, don't expect much people-watching here, unless you're keen on locking eyes with the person to your left. And with leather chaps, open vests, tank tops, kilts, and hoods, why would you really want to look anywhere else? This upstairs patio is mostly uncovered (smokers, thus, can assemble) and hosts a Sunday barbecue every week.

Hair of the Dog
Hair of the Dog offers the best of both worlds at the foot of the Church and Wellesley Village and a stone's throw from Ryerson's campus. While the patio technically faces a parking lot, you still feel among the action without the constant annoyance of exuberant passersby. The patio can be equal parts sun and shade during the day, allowing you to arrange you party based on skin sensitivities. Super brunch.

Smith
Smith's new side patio is a fabulous hidden gem. The space has a romantic, elegant feel - especially at night, when strung lights overhead light up the enclosed area. You'll find bench seating, brick walls, fantastic goat cheese ice cream, and a cocktail list that features fun twists on old classics, like a bacon-infused Old Fashioned and a smoked-salt Negroni.

Spirits Bar & Grill
Spirits Bar & Grill often hosts a business casual crowd both during the week for lunch and for an early evening pint. The front patio, while small, is the coveted spot for most Spirit-goers, while the more likely option is a table during a rush is on the double patio in the back (the fence helps to hide the adjacent parking lot). For those who are averse to barely-legal antics, Spirits Bar & Grill offers a bit of a respite in that it is largely undiscovered by the city's youngins. Kick back and relax, without fear of a scene by a carded under-ager.

Boutique Bar
Boutique Bar's patio boasts people-watching opportunities that are a "step" above the rest. (That was a bad pun.) The slightly raised patio faces east onto Church and is typically lined with unabashed voyeurs. It has been said that there actually is space beyond the seats immediately hugging the rail, but the experience offered in that section is far less entertaining. Ah well, there are still those killer cocktails.

BONUS

The Beaver
No, it's not in the Village - but the Pride party certainly isn't limiting itself to one part of town, and neither should you. Over at Queen and Gladstone, at the epicentre of Queer West, the Beaver is holding Pride-centric events pretty much every night. The cozy back patio is known for hosting the spillover from the dance parties inside, and with DJs set to spin outdoors at at least one party, this week will certainly be no exception. (Schlep back the next day for a hangover brunch.)

Writing by Robyn Urback, Liora Ipsum and Natalia Manzocco. Photos by Jesse Milns.

Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this June 20-22, 2014.

World Pride
Toronto's World Pride celebrations mark the first World pride in North America, and the fourth ever international Pride festival. Art exhibits and parties are already dotting the city (check out our party guide here), and tonight the rainbow flag will be raised at City Hall, with the ceremony beginning at 7pm. Melissa Ethridge, Deborah Cox, and Steve Grand will perform, adding a little extra pizazz beyond the usual news that Rob Ford refused to show up. Dig up your rainbow booty shorts, dancing shoes, and craziest wig, and start marking your calendars for one big, huge, proud festival. The big parade is next weekend. Check out our World Pride preview here. June 20-29.

MUSIC

NXNE
Those free Yonge and Dundas shows at Toronto's largest music fest run from Thursday to Sunday. From rap to indieTM to Swans, not to mention the host of local bands playing the festival and free events like record swaps and in-stores, there's a ton to hit up. Until June 22.

Construction Unofficial NXNE
Digging this line up: New Zebra Kid, Wild Highways, and Zoo Owl will perform as part of Long Winter's summer series Construction at DDL on Friday. Check out our Breakout Band feature on Wild Highways here. The show is all ages, and you can pay on a sliding scale from $5-10. Find more unofficial NXNE shows here. Friday, June 20, 9pm, Double Double Land (209 Augusta).

159 Manning BBQ 2014 - Part 2
If you missed this SXSW-style house-party/BBQ/concert and its three stages of music last week, don't make the same mistake twice. Today you can see KC Accidental, Xiu Xiu, Beliefs, and more. Remember: it's BYOB, and don't touch the books. Check out our photos from last week's party here. Friday, June 20, until 11pm, 159 Manning.

Unaffiliated
This unofficial NXNE show doesn't really want you to call it that, but it does want you to notice it's unaffiliated with the festival even, though it occurs on the final Sunday. Unaffiliated Events (Halloway Jones & Julia Dickens), No Visible Means (Jesse Locke & Tom Avis) and Weird Canada will combine forces to bring Zacht Automaat, Petra Glynt, Man Made Hill and more to Artscape Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island along with food, refreshments and art installations. Artscape Gibraltar Point, Toronto Island, June 22, 2-11pm, $10.

PPOP, Sonic Boom, & NXNE Presents: Of Sound Mind
From 11am to 8pm on the last day of NXNE, the Festival Hub at Edward Day Gallery will host an all ages/licensed courtyard BBQ with records, labels, art, music and. Bands include Wish, Unfinished Business, Sonic Avenues, Young Mother, Greys, Carl Didur, Wizard Of. Sunday, June 22, 11am-8pm, Edward Day Gallery (952 Queen St West).

See also

• Jamie Kidd, Alberto Jossue, Jad Ad (Friday, Cabal)
• Lauryn Hill (Saturday, Sound Academy)
• Summer Melt (Saturday, Soybomb)
• Tom Robinson @ NXNE/WorldPride (Drake Hotel)
• Zorch - In-store (Saturday, Cabin Fever)
• Dream Wife // Sexy Merlin // Bambara // Zecret Guests (Sunday, The Cavern)
• Inequality's a drag w/ Maylee The Dead Kennedy's (Sunday, Bovine Sex Club)

For more music listings, check out our This Week in Music, June Concerts, Summer Concerts, and Summer Music Festivals posts.

ART

Over the Rainbow: Seduction and Identity
The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art will take a look beyond the campy mainstream portrayal of queer sexuality and identity, delving deeper into a more authentic queer identity, and the influence that identity has had on more "mainstream" culture. Artists include Stephen Andrews, Attila Richard Lukacs, and Public Studio, among others. The opening reception is on Saturday, June 21 with a party in the courtyard, and it runs through until August 17. MOCCA (952 Queen St West).

Fan the Flames: Queer Positions in Photography
This AGO exhibit will examine gender play in both photography and video. Specifically, the show will "question and extend the practice of drag," and will feature the work of both Canadian and international artists. Fan the Flames is now open, and runs until September. AGO (317 Dundas Street West).

Jennifer Rose Sciarrino - Patterned Recognition
Jennifer Rose Sciarrino's sculptures aim to bring 3D digital aesthetics to life. A sterile arrangement of tables will stretch through the gallery holding "plaster sculptures shaped through a CNC process emerge from underneath printed fabric." The plaster surfaces will take on various patterns and textures, mimicking the results of 3D modeling - but you can almost touch it (don't touch the art, please & thanks). Fans of digital art and 3D printing will definitely want to check this out. Opening reception is Saturday, June 21, 2-5pm. Daniel Faria Gallery (188 St Helens Ave), June 21 - July 19.

See also

• Outreach 2014 - Connect (opens Friday, Gallery 44)
• Opening reception: Proof 21 (opens Friday, Gallery 44)
• Taking [a] part (opens Friday, Mercer Union)
• Marlon Griffith (opens Saturday, The Drake)
• Dragonseed - Troy Brooks solo exhibition (Saturday, Pentimento)

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

PARTY

Yes Yes Y'all June presents "0 to 100" the World Pride Warmup ft Neky the Kid
You know how this works - you're safe in the hands of one of Toronto's best queer parties, YYY. They're gearing up for Pride with Toronto's Neky the Kid and hip hop/dancehall/r&b all night. Friday, June 20, 10pm, $6 before midnight, CODA (794 Bathurst St).

Amsterdam 416 Block Party
This block party/NXNE weekend party in Kensington Market is $10 to enter - but how could we not spill the dirty on free beer? The block party is on a "secret patio" around the back of 25 Kensington, with music via "Branko Scekic DJ Brank-Oh" (okay) and Chef Brook Kavanagh's Ceviche Cones on the roof. All you can drink beer if you've got 10 bones, just saying. Saturday, June 21, 6-11pm, 25 Kensington Ave, $10.

Olivia Chow's World Pride Party
More than a little transparent considering her Mayoral bid, but that's politics for you. Not free / a thing: Rob Ford's World Pride Party. Yep, that's definitely not a thing. Saturday, June 21, 9pm, Woody's (467 Church Street), free.

Nuit Rose
We tend to think of Pride as a 'round the clock party (and our party guide proves that) - this Saturday, a late-night queer art crawl in the vein of Nuit Blanche) will take over Church-Wellesley Village and West Queen West. Nuit Rose features visual art, performances and installations including a Grindr-powered portrait exhibit Tryst Pic, massive portraits of fixtures of New York's queer nightlife by John Simone, and manicures from an artist dressed up as a watermelon. After it's all over, the Gladstone will be hosting an afterparty that's set to rage on until 4am. A bus will shuttle revellers from the 519 Community Centre to the Gladstone Hotel. Start making your schedule over at the Nuit Rose website. Saturday, June 21.

Sweetness Pride Beach Party
One thing Pride needs is more excuses to be topless. Sweetness Pride Beach Party is all about having fun in the sun, with a sandy beach bar, lots of food, and a solid DJ lineup pumping the beats. Sugar Beach, June 22, 12pm, free.

Summer Daze
Skip the sponsor-ific NXNE for Summer Daze, one of Toronto's chillest outdoor electronic day-parties (well, day and evening). Check out our Summer Daze review here to feel it out. Dyed Soundorom, Alvaro, Curtis Russo, Jamie Kidd, Joonya T, Kobo, and Night Vision B2B Rafwat & Chorniy are on the line up. Plus food, drink and art installs... sigh. Summertime. Sunday, June 22, 2-11pm, The Burroughes (639 Queen Street West), $15.

See also

• Total Freedom (Saturday, Bambi's)

For more dance and party listings, check out our Top Dance Parties in Toronto in June and World Pride parties in Toronto by day of the week posts.

FOOD

Central Canadian Barista Competition
The new Propeller Roastery will host this bloodbath - I mean espresso bath - between Central Canada's best baristas. The winners will go to Nationals... and then conquer the world. I can't even foam properly. It's free to attend and there will be "swags." Friday, June 20, Propeller Roastery (50 Wade Ave).

Perth Sterling Summer BBQ
Celebrate the solstice with free food from Castlepoint Numa & RioTinto. Rub your eyes and read that again, yup! Free BBQ in honour of the Perth Sterling revitalization project. Saturday, June 21, 11:30am, 181 Sterling Road, free.

Open Farm - Fresh City's Season Launch Event
This farmer's market is going all out: there will be bees! Check out the bees, go on a scavenger hunt, and see some live music. Craft beer will be on hand, meaning this can get even better. Sunday, June 22, 1-5pm, Downsview Park (70 Canuck Avenue).

See also

• Summer Wanderlust, 'Lemonfest' (Saturday, Leslieville)

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

FILM

Grease! Free live movie night in The Esplanade
Free outdoor movie season is upon us. Get ready for sing-a-longs and, possibly, dance-a-longs at this screening of Grease, aka that decisive movie that solidified your highschool identity as "drama kid" or "not drama kid." Saturday, June 21, 8pm, David Crombie Park (131 The Esplanade), free.

Film Screening -- Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call: New Orleans
I didn't think a Bad Lieutenant remake was a good idea, but I was wrong. So were you. Watch out for lizards - and Werner Herzog and Nicolas Cage). Sunday, June 22, 8:45pm, Bar Radio (615 College St.).

See also

• Inside Out Under the Stars: Free Outdoor Screenings: Paris is Burning (Friday, David Pecaut Square)
• Navajo Star Wars (Saturday, TIFF)

THEATRE

The God that Comes / Tarragon Theatre / June 3-29 / $40
After a one-night only performance at Summerworks 2012, Hawksley Workman and Christian Barry are back with the second iteration of their performance piece, The God That Comes. Combining the "revelry of a rock concert with the intimacy of theatrical storytelling," Workman's performance was a festival standout so expectations for a full run are high. In the spirit of Dionysian excess, Workman delivers a bombastic take on The Bacchae, about the punishment of the soldier king of Thebes and his mother.

Liza Uncorked: The Pirate
I kinda wish I was Sally Bowles in Cabaret, and hey - so do you. Jennifer Wells will be doing her best Liza Minnelli, and maybe if you ask nice she'll give you some tips afterward. The Drake will also screen Vincente Minnelli's The Pirate starring Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. Delic. Sunday, June 22, 9pm, Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West), free.

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

BOOKS

Broken Pencil x NXNE Mini Zine Fair
Spend your Sunday afternoon checking out Broken Pencil/NXNE's second annual mini zine/small press fair featuring Shameless magazine, Toronto Zine Library, Little Brother Magazine, Worn, Static Zine and much more. Sunday, June 22, 2-6pm, 25 Gould Street.

See also

• Fantasy Art Now (Art Metropole)

COMEDY

Laugh Sabbath Film Fest
For one night only (one night only!) and joined with NXNE, Laugh Sabbath Film Fest is back for its second year. Comedy shorts will be screenings and three films will walk away winners. Yeah, yeah, I know. Sunday, June 22, 3:30pm, Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (506 Bloor St. West).

FESTIVAL

No.9 Eco-Art-Fest @ Todmorden Mills
For the next three months until September 21, 2014, you can learn about sustainability in both practical and artistic ways and spend some time in the Lower Don ravine. The fest starts Saturday, June 21 at 11am and runs until 8pm. Todmorden Mills (67 Pottery Road).

The Junction Summer Solstice Festival
Oh, are there ever going to be some find looking dogs here. The Junction Design Crawl will coincide with performances, music, art installations and workshops, film screenings, and a ferris wheel. Plus, great dog watching. #dogTO. Saturday, June 21, noon onward, The Junction.

See also

• Indigenous Arts Festival (June 20-22, Fort York)
• Redpath Waterfront Festival (Saturday, Harbourfront Centre)
• Leslieville Tree Festival (Saturday, Leslie Grove Park)

SPORTS

Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival
The Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival is splashing in Lake Ontario this weekend. 180 to 200 teams will compete in the 26th year of the competition. June 21, 8am-5pm, Centre Island, Toronto Islands.

Queer Axe Folk: World Pride Edition
Throw your axe for Pride! Throw it however you want, because throwing straight is boring. Friday, June 20, 8pm, BATL (213 Sterling Rd) North side of the building, $40.

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

Contributions by Sarah Ratchford, Natalia Manzocco, Julia Stead

Photos: Yes Yes Y'all party on Facebook, Hawksley Workman in The God That Comes,

Photo by Impala1 in the blogTO Flickr pool.

In May 1914, American aviator Theodore Macauley took a Toronto Daily Star reporter for a ride in an unusual flying machine. We would recognize it as a seaplane, but in the years before the first world war the aircraft was a "flying boat"--quite literally an airship.

The high powered machines, capable of take-off and landing on water, were expected to become popular--not to mention fast--pleasure craft, perhaps even a viable alternative to the automobile. That year the journey time between Toronto and Hamilton, the nearest major city, was about two hours by steamboat, an hour by motorcycle, or 51 minutes by express train. One Thomas Bigley ran the 70 km distance in a record 6 hours and 31 minutes.

At the same time, the Toronto Harbour was abuzz with aerial activity. Two rival flying schools--one run by pilot William A. Dean and the other operated by American Curtiss Aviation--both taught budding pilots how to operate simple Curtiss Aeroplane Company planes.

The machines looked a lot like modern biplanes: two parallel wings with a single propellor engine and a little tail fin. Dean's flagship craft, one of several in his fleet, had its pilot seat high up between the wings with the engine it at the rear. It floated on a central pontoon that looked like a giant lake creature poking through the surface of the water. For that reason, Dean nicknamed it "Sunfish."

Aviation was still primitive in 1914. The first powered flight in Canada (and the British Commonwealth, for that matter) had only taken place five years earlier, on a frozen Bras d'Or Lake in Nova Scotia. J. A. D. McCurdy, a man with Toronto connections, was at the helm that day, six years after the Wright Brothers first powered flight at Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina.

Despite the danger, or perhaps because of it, early aviators were celebrities, and Theodore C. Macaulay was one such early star. Trained at the Curtiss company's own academy in San Diego, California, Macaulay came to Toronto in 1914 to work as an instructor at William Dean's flying school. He brought what was then considered detailed knowledge of aviation: two year's experience.

The origins of the 1914 Toronto--Hamilton run aren't clear, but it was most likely a promotional exercise designed to inspire would-be pilots. J. A. D. McCurdy had set the benchmark flying time in 1911, reaching Steeltown in 36 minutes, and Macaulay thought he could get there faster in a newer plane.

So it was that Macaulay and Toronto Daily Star sports reporter Lou E. Marsh climbed into the Sunfish on May 14, 1914, some time after 7 am. In anticipation of perhaps meeting a watery end, Marsh took out a new life insurance policy ahead of the flight, but found out too late that it didn't cover flying. He was terrified, much to the delight of the workers at Dean's academy.

"Which do you prefer, Necropolis or St. Michaels?," they asked. "What sort of flowers do you like, Lou?" Every day in the lead up to the flight they would solemnly bid him farewell, as if they would never see him again. To add to Marsh's woes, he would have to help Macaulay fly the plane, leaning into steering gear strapped to his body to help make banked turns.

Shortly before 8 am, Macaulay took his seat with Marsh, who was "wrapped up like an Eskimo" in a heavy corduroy coat and blizzard cap. "The engine was started, and the big craft lay snorting in the shoals of the Island sandbar at the Western Gap like a big sea monster that was stranded in shallow water," the Daily Star reported. "The engines first purred, and then the roar of the eight big cylinders roared like a mighty cataract."

Macaulay shook hands with William Dean and shoved the starting lever forward, sending the wooden propellors into high speed. The plane darted forward across the surface of the Toronto Bay and lifted gently into the sky "like a mammoth gull" on a favourable gust of wind.

Macaulay circled the bay three times before making a westward dash past the Lakeside Hospital at Gibraltar Point, the official start point, and the open water. "The big lake that stretched away to the west was like a mill pond," the Daily Star wrote. "There wasn't a ripple on its glassy surface, and the sun reflected on it as on a mirror."

Dean had planned to travel with the Sunfish in a high-powered speed boat, Baby Reliance II, as a measure of safety should the plane need to make a forced landing, but the craft suffered engine trouble and was left behind (they didn't tell Marsh, however.)

It appears the sensation of flying went some way to calm Mash's nerves. He would later recalled he'd had "more sensation travelling on a fast elevator than on the Sunfish." The plane dipped to buzz a fishing vessel near Oakville, but other than that the flight was uneventful.

It took Macaulay and Marsh exactly 31 minutes and 17 seconds to reach the piers at Burlington., three minutes faster than McCurdy managed in his aeroplane in 1911. On touchdown, Marsh, who had just become the first air passenger between the two cities, dashed off a telegram to the Daily Star newsroom: "Phone Mrs. Marsh am O.K.," he wrote.

"That was some ride," he told his pilot.

In later years, Macaulay fared better than William Dean, who, despite offering competitive prices, was forced to close due to increased competition from his rivals. Macaulay left Toronto in 1915 and became a test pilot with the signal corps and later a major in the U.S. military.

The unflappable American miraculously dodged serious injury in a crash at Beeton, Ont. that broke his leg in two places and twisted his spine so seriously doctors feared he would be permanently paralyzed.

The Sunfish lasted until Oct. 1915, when an inexperienced pilot dropped it into the Toronto Harbour. The unnamed man "came [to Toronto] claiming to be an aviator, but he was not, and he dove into the Bay and wrecked a good machine," the Daily Star reported.

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

Images: "Flying boat at Toronto Island's Toronto School of Aviation," 1912, City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 80; "Curtiss "F" flying boat, Toronto Island," 1915, City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 4535; Toronto Star, Friday, May 15, 1914, Page 1.

The top comedy shows in Toronto for summer 2014 are a perfect way to kick-start the fun of summer. There are so many great performances set for the coming weeks - and I know you're out there having too much fun in the sunshine to sort them all out. Lucky for you, I've got your back. This list rounds up the biggest local and touring heavy-hitters set to grace Toronto's comedy clubs and theatres.

Here are my picks for 10 hot-ticket comedy shows this summer in Toronto.

Terrific Women - July 1 - The Ossington - PWYC
Let's kick off this top 10 list right proper: A unique show with a lot of ladies! I love it! This is a 70's styled cable access staged show with Elvira Kurt, The Sufferettes, Danz Altvater, and one token bro (Merv Hartlen), hosted by Steph Kaliner and Sara Hennessey. I've seen all these performers first hand, and I can honestly say, I'm jealous. They are all super-babes, and the best part: it's pay what you can. Check out Elvira's "Giggles Comedy Agency" sketch below.

Scott Thompson - July 4 - Underground Cafe - $20
I consider Scott to be one of Toronto's greatest attractions. If you've lived in Toronto your entire life, and you haven't seen him yet, it's about time you take advantage of this comedy gem. He's a true craftsman...a true naughty craftsman. This notorious Kids in The Hall member never ceases to amaze, shock, and awe. If you're looking for a sample, this Conan O'Brien interview is what made me fall in love with him and his comedy.

Perfect 10: Comedians of Commercials - July 5 - Comedy Bar - $10 adv/$15 door
If you've ever wondered "Now, where have I seen that person before..." chances are, it's one of these jokers, and chances are, they were trying to sell you something on TV. This show features Matt O'Brien, Rob Bebenek, Julia Hladkowicz, Keven Soldo, Daniel Woodrow, Dom Pare, and Dave Barclay. These are local working comedians, and they were on TV! What more can you ask for? These guys tell dick jokes, folks! (As you'll see below, Dom Pare does especially well.)

A Nurse's Worst Nightmare - July 6 - Comedy Bar - $10
Zabrina Chevannes has done it yet again, and again, and again. When she's not performing, she's a mother of two; when she's not doing that, she's a nurse. (How does she do it?) This Brampton-based comedian is working out her solo show, based on her extraordinary experiences in life. Watching her do comedy is an inspiration. This show features Sandra Battaglini, Morgan Jones Phillips and host Paul Hutcheson. This show will sell out!

Steve Hofstetter - July 11 - Comedy Bar - $20
Looks like we've got an "out-of-town" New York comedian on our hands. All I can say is: you are so welcome. Hofstetter, started as a college comic, but now he's gone rogue - he's the definition of a "one-two" punch comic. Hecklers beware. You're going to get stomped out.

Mike McDonald - July 12 - Underground Cafe - $20
Whoa. This is serious. After a long battle with illness, Canadian comedy legend Mike McDonald is emerging for one night only. I can't think of anyone else more influential in the Canadian comedy world. He's been on everything, and I mean everything - from Late Night with David Letterman and the Arsenio Hall Show to Just For Laughs. This is worth your time and money...and love.

Todd Barry - July 18 and 19 - Comedy Bar - $20
New York comedy - I can't get enough. I'm sure you recognize Mr. Barry from Louie, and almost every other late night program. If you don't, I can't help you. (Well, actually I can. I slapped a video on this puppy. Just for you.) I've had the fortune to see this dry character in his natural habitat of New York, and if we're in for even a fraction of that show, then I can't lie - I think I have a comedy crush.

Caturday Night Live - July 29 - Paintbox Bistro - $20
If you know anything about the internet, then you know cats. What's better than a comedy show based around cats? I'll tell you: A show where all the proceeds are supporting The Annex Cat Rescue. (That's right: real cats.) This show features Mark Andrada, Rhiannon Archer, Sara Hennessey, Leonard Chan, Julia Hladkowicz, Ashley Moffatt, Ted Morris, host Steven Mann, and other special guests. (The thing below is just a cat video. Enjoy it.)

Carnegie Hall Show Live In Toronto - July 30 - Drake Hotel - $18
I couldn't leave improv out of the mix. This is a critically-acclaimed, award-winning improv troupe - not your average joes that get stuck on a suggestion. The lineup features Second City alumni Matt Baram (CityTV's Seed) and Naomi Snieckus (CBC's Mr. D.) as well as Chris Gibbs (Winnipeg Comedy Festival), Sandy Jobin Bevans (YTV's Life With Boys) and Ron Pederson (FOX's MadTV). Naomi Snieckus is an incredible player, and she's a nice lady!

Throwing Shade - August 10 - Great Hall - $18
It's topical, and it's been touring all across North America. These two, Erin Gibson (aka "Feminasty") and Bryan Safi (aka "Homosensual"), have been working it! This is a live podcast recording of all the things we love the most - namely, gossip, headlines, and shade. You might have seen them on Funny or Die. I want to be their best friends.

Thanks to Pure Leaf for sponsoring our summer adventures. For more things to do this summer, check out our Best of Summer page.

Photo via Terrific Women.

Coming to World Pride next weekend: A musical revue featuring drag king Mounties, a host of divas, and "the von Trapp kids as you've never seen them before". If that sounds like a blast of an evening, you're welcome to join right in.

Singing Out, Toronto's LGBT community choir, is hosting a Big Pride Sing-Along next June 28, featuring a lineup of Top 40 hits and showtunes with the lyrics broadcast for all to see on karaoke-style screens. The boisterous come-one, come-all sing-along is the first the 22-year-old choir has ever held at Pride.

"We're known in the queer community, but not super-well-known," says vice-president (and soprano) Genevieve McIntyre. "It's really nice when we can branch out to the rest of the world."

The choir, which bills itself as "Toronto's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community chorus," welcomes would-be singers from all over the city, regardless of musical ability. You don't even need to audition to join - but you wouldn't know that from their tightly-rehearsed soprano/alto/tenor/bass arrangements. At a showcase at the Glenn Gould Studio last month, their set lists genre-hopped from Top 40 pop and show tunes to classical and contemporary vocal pieces.

The pacing of their concerts vary even more widely, with tearjerking selections dealing with homophobia and suicide sandwiched next to goofy, boisterous odes to gay marriage and Jan Brady (topped off with a liberal smattering of drag).

"That's our brand," laughs president (and baritone) Howie Dayton. "We bring you down, and then bring you back up quick, cause we don't want a big, morose show."

The choir's set lists are as varied as its members. "We're trying to be inclusive to the L, the G, the B, the T, the Q," Dayton says (straight members are also welcome). "We really want to make sure that we're reflective."

Many of Singing Out's members - which now number about 130 at full strength - come to the choir seeking a new social group and the chance to make some beautiful music. That's true of Dayton, who came out later in life and was looking for a way to get involved with the gay community, as well as the opportunity to brush up on his singing. Meanwhile, MacIntyre was originally led to Singing Out by a Google search for "gay choir Toronto".

"It's a really good, diverse group of people with different musical skills, but everyone is so dedicated," she says. "That's what makes us sound good."

The choir's demographics skew visibly older, but McIntyre appreciates that as another facet of the diversity: "It's really cool to be able to hear their stories - especially some of the older folks, what it was like for them."

The group piles into a church basement near Pape and Danforth on Tuesday nights for practice. "(New members) come down to a rehearsal, and many, many stick it out, because we're not auditioned, and you don't need to know how to read music. We really do make it an easy entry into musical performance."

A spring season that saw the choir travel to a Canada-wide choral conference is now being capped off with a banner Pride festival for the group - one that featured them singing in the festival's opening ceremonies in addition to the sing-along showcase. Their hopes are that some of the people singing in the crowd will want to make the transition to the stage.

"Anyone can come out. Any time," MacIntyre says. "It doesn't matter. We are here."

Middle photo by Michael Rajzman.

The top BBQ caterers in Toronto will be the life of any party - they'll bring billowing towers of meat-scented smoke, signaling the arrival of mouth-watering ribs, bark-encrusted brisket and juicy pulled pork. Some will even cook a whole hog before your eyes on a rotating spit - it's as much about showmanship as it is about supremely tasty eats. They're all ready to turn up the heat at your next corporate event, wedding, block party or backyard picnic.

Here are my picks for the top BBQ caterers in Toronto.

Stoke Stack BBQ
This food truck serves up some of the finest Texas BBQ in Toronto - booking pit master Adam Skelly for an event, wedding or backyard barbecue is a surefire way to impress guests. For effect, have the truck with barrel smoker pull up on site and dish out sandwiches and salads through the service window, or opt for a meat buffet staffed by carvers who will assemble platters of brisket, ribs and sausages. For fancy occasions, inquire about canapes, like two-bite pulled pork tacos on fried wontons and mini fried chicken and waffles with maple. Bonus points for a Pinterest-worthy set-up.

The Pork Ninjas
Known for Carolina-style 'cue, the Pork Ninjas specialize in moist, ethically-raised meats (their motto is "happy animals taste better"), that are slow-cooked over charcoal and sauced with traditional vinegar, mustard or piedmont (ketchup-based) BBQ sauces. In addition to top cuts of meat like apple-smoked pulled pork, baby back ribs and hickory-smoked brisket burnt ends, you can even order a whole roasted hog encased in crackling skin. All the fixin's are on offer, too, including sides like smoked potato salad, cheesy jalapeno cornbread or stuffed portobello mushrooms cap. You can opt for a fully staffed buffet or family-style service for parties of 24 up to 250 guests.

Hogtown Smoke
For smaller parties, it's easy enough to pick up "Pig Out Platters" from the Queen East restaurant - they come loaded with a sampling of pulled pork, brisket, smoked wings, smoked chickens and racks of pork or beef ribs, plus all the fixin's. Larger parties of up to 600 guests can have a buffet or charcuterie-style boards catered, or for a minimum of 100 guests, you can book the truck to roll in. They'll even do off-menu items on request, like seafood or whole hogs wood-fired onsite.

Smoke Signals Bar-B-Q
Based in Parkdale and serving the GTA, this events-only company offers a focused menu that favours a distinct Central Texas style of BBQ. Treat guests to specialties like pepper-encrusted beef brisket, coffee-rubbed pulled pork and Chinese five spice pork belly, all lovingly bathed in thick natural hardwood smoke. Round out the feast with sides like baked beans specked with burnt ends, or roasted corn seasoned with masala and parmesan. Pit master Nic Chen-Yin can accommodate parties of 60 up to 350 guests.

Southern Smoke Truck
This Hamilton-based food truck is more than willing to travel to the GTA for parties of up to 400+ guests. On request, they'll even trailer a 9-foot-long barrel smoker to outdoor venues, from which they smoke a mighty selection of meats over apple, cherry or pear wood. Customizable menus offer selections like ribs and burnt ends, or make it a handheld affair with Carolina pulled pork sandwiches or brisket melts on toasted buns. For dessert consider booking sister food truck, The Hamilton Funnel Cake Factory.

Hank Daddy's
This 22-foot mobile kitchen will serve its signature pulled pork parfait from the walk-up window (just like at a food truck rally) or lay out a buffet line full of sliced beef brisket, St. Louis cut ribs, smoked chicken and juicy sausages. Book the truck for an office picnic or tailgate party for up to 500 pounds of competition-grade BBQ cooked on-site or delivered for drop-off.

Busters Rhino
Three BBQ joints in Whitby and Oshawa are known for fine smoked fare and are capable of offering full-service catering operations. Owner Darryl Koster honours family recipes honed whilst competing on the southern United States competition BBQ circuit. Now available at private events, enjoy specialties like baby back ribs, brisket and pulled pork, along with award-winning seasoning rubs and championship BBQ sauces.

Urban Smoke
This food truck is happy to pull up for private events and offers the choice to build your own menu, or select from pre-set packages for everything from three-course lunches or dinners to late-night snack services. A sample menu offers a choice of traditional and fusion BBQ items like Texas brisket, grilled cheese with brisket sandwiches, pulled pork tacos and grilled portobello mushroom sandwiches.

Smokin' Bones BBQ Catering
For outdoor events including large corporate barbecues and weddings, as well as smaller, more intimate, backyard barbecues or cocktail parties, this BBQ caterer offers everything you'll need to make any event a success. Theme packages with all the fixin's are available in options like the Western Stampede (featuring aged prime rib roast and baby back ribs) or "Heavenly Hawaiian" (showcasing sweet and sour pork, grilled pineapple and Polynesian shrimp rice). Professional grill chefs and buffet serving staff are included with each package, and at an additional charge they'll arrange everything else, including bartenders and alcohol service and rentals.

The Food Dudes
This full-service catering company has the ability to handle large-scale events for up to 2000 guests, be it a fancy sit-down dinner or a fun outdoor block party - they've even got service rentals and staffing needs covered. Menus are tailored to each event and have been known to feature whole smoked chickens and 24-hour braised baby back ribs, served buffet-style or at "butcher block" food stations where meat is carved to order. Smaller parties can generally manage with little notice by picking up grab-and-go selections from the retail side of the production kitchen on Carlaw.

BONUS

BBQ Concepts
The catering division of Big Bone BBQ and Memphis BBQ restaurants specializes in on-site catering designed for groups of 50 to 1000 people. Party menus are fully customizable, showcasing a wide selection of Southern specialties like smoked ribs and wings, plus crowd-pleasing favourites from the grill, like burgers and hot dogs, and a full array of side dishes and cold salads.

Bad Wolf Barbecue
Build your own dream BBQ meal, or make it simple with pre-selected menus from this barbecue catering specialist - they're flexible enough to accommodate parties from 50 to 5000 people. Order slow-smoked favourites like chicken or ribs that are finished with a turn on the grill, or go for a show-stopping feast like the pig roast menu, which stars a whole deboned hog, spit-roasted and sliced.

Did we miss any? Leave your favourite BBQ caterer in the comments.

Farmers' markets in Toronto can make us feel like we're buying local food from a neighbour who lives down the road, even though we live in a bustling headache-inducing metropolis. That's because we are. Any healthy food sold around the periphery of a grocery store is sown, nurtured and harvested right here in Ontario. This summer, instead of catching pneumonia in your local metro, go meet your neighbours and buy some fresh kale from the nearest farmers' market.

Here's a breakdown of farmers' markets in Toronto by day of the week.

MONDAY

The Sorauren Farmers' Market
Location: 1229 Queen St. West, at Dufferin
The Sorauren Farmers' Market takes place on a grassy parkette in Parkdale. Alongside organic produce and other local foodstuffs, you'll find yummy all-natural soaps, baked treats, and live music to set the atmosphere, too. The Sorauren market runs from 3pm until 7pm.

TUESDAY

Riverdale Farmers' Market in Cabbagetown
Riverdale Farmers' Market has one of Toronto's best, vastest selection of locally-grown goods on offer. Located adjacent to Riverdale Farm, this market is the real deal. You'll find all the dairy products you could want, tons of fresh, leafy produce, and meat raised right here in southern Ontario. Catch it on Tuesdays from 3pm until 7pm.

Also on Tuesdays:

• Trinity Bellwoods Farmers' Market in Trinity Bellwoods Park from 3pm until 7pm
• The East York Farmers' Market at the East York Civic Centre from 8am until 2pm
• The CityPlace Farmers' Market at Canoe Landing Park from 3:30pm until 7:30pm
• The SickKids Farmers' Market on the driveway of SickKids Hospital from 8am until 2pm
• Stonegate Farmers' Market in the parking lot of Christ Church St. James Anglican Church from 4pm until 7pm.
• Appletree Market at June Rowlands Park from 3pm until 7pm.

WEDNESDAY

The Regent Park Farmers' Market
Every Wednesday from 3pm until 7pm, a strip of land just below Dundas, between Sackville and Sumach, undergoes a transformation. You will find live music to be enjoyed alongside your smoothie or muffin, while you wander through and pick up some delectable local produce, cheeses, and meats.

Also on Wednesdays:

• Fairmount Park Farmers' Market at Fairmount Park from 3pm until 7pm
• The Bloor/Borden Farmers' Market in the parking lot at Bloor and Lippincott from 3pm until 7 pm.
• Montgomery's Inn Farmers' Market at the Montgomery's Inn parking lot from 2pm until 6pm
• The Nathan Phillips Square Farmers' Market in Nathan Phillips Square from 8am until 3pm
• John Street Farmers' Market at the bell-tower of St George-the-Martyr Anglican Church in the Grange Park from 3:30pm until 7pm.
• University of Toronto Scarborough Farmers' Market in parking lot 4, 3pm until 7pm.

THURSDAY

Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market
Location: Dufferin Grove Park
Dufferin Grove Farmers' market is one of few Toronto markets to be open year-round. It offers an abundance of organic goods, and you'll find a variety of meats, produce and locally-prepared foodstuffs. Fresh baked goods are sold straight from the park's wood oven. You can find Dufferin Grove's homegrown charm in the park every Thursday from 3pm until 7pm.

Also on Thursdays:

• Sip & Savour Ontario at the Roe Avenue TTC loop at Avenue and Lawrence from 3pm until 7pm
• Metro Hall Farmers' Market at Metro Hall from 8am until 2:30pm
• The East Lynn Farmers' Market at East Lynn Park from 3pm until 7pm
• North York Civic Centre Farmers' Marketat the North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St. from 8am until 2:30pm.
• Market 707 Farmers' Market at Scadding Court Community Centre from 3pm until 7pm. Toronto Botanical Garden Organic Farmers' Market at 777 Lawrence Ave. E. at Leslie from 3pm until 7pm.
• York University Farmers' Market in TEL Building from 11am until 3pm.

FRIDAY

Concord ParkPlace Farmers' Market
Location: Concord Adex sales centre, 1001 Sheppard Ave. E.
This North York farmers' market is full of local, organic fruits, veggies, plants and meat. Just below Sheppard Ave., it runs from 3pm until 7pm through til October.

Also on Fridays

• Sherway Farmers' Market at the Sherway Gardens Shopping Centre, 8am until 2pm.
• Fairview Mall Farmers' Market at Fairview Mall 8am until 1:30pm.

SATURDAY

Wychwood Barns Farmers' Market
The farmers' market at Wychwood Barns may be for the early birds, but it's worth dragging your hungover ass out of bed for. Each Saturday from 8am until 12pm, you will find the barns transformed into a vast expanse of local cheese, organic produce, jams, honey, meats, baked treats and locally-made wine.

Also on Saturdays:

• The Junction Farmers' Market at the Junction train platform (2960 Dundas St. West) from 9am until 1pm
• The Evergreen Brickworks Farmers' Market at 550 Bayview Ave. from 8am until 1pm
• Chefs' Forum Summer Market at Boehmer restaurant from 9am until 1pm
• The farmers' market at Saint Lawrence Market North, Saint Lawrence Market North from 5am until 5pm
• Etobicoke Civic Centre Farmers' Market at the Etobicoke Civic Centre from 10am until 2pm
• Humber Bay Shores Farmers' Market in the Green P parking lot at Humber Bay Park Road West and Lake Shore Boulevard from 8am until 1pm
• The Weston Farmers' Market in the Green P parking lot at 14 John St. from 8am until 2pm
• Withrow Park Farmers Market in Withrow Park from 9am until 1pm

SUNDAY

Leslieville Farmers' Market
Location: Jonathan Ashbridge Park
A few dozen vendors set up shop in the park every Sunday, providing fresh meat, produce and baked treats to the denizens of Leslieville. The market runs from 9am until 2pm, a little later than some, and past vendors have included everyone from Hooked to Kind Organics.

Liberty Village Farmers' Market
Location: The Green P at Hanna and East Liberty St.
The Liberty Village Farmers' Market runs until November, and you'll find all the farmers' market staples here: meat, fresh fruit and veggies, and locally canned jams honey. It goes from 9am until 2 pm every Sunday.

Photo of the Bloor and Borden Market by Jesse Milns.

The House of Vans on Vice Island was a single-day event open to anyone with an NXNE wristband or a quick RSVP and the ability to catch a ferry to the Island on a weeknight. With a sea-worthy, fully-licensed party boat to transport folks across the harbour, things were looking up. Those put off by steep drink prices on the boat were in luck upon a arrival: the event was open bar...for everyone. With ample booze to keep spirits high, everyone was ready to enjoy a lineup that included Pusha T, Future Islands, Omar Souleyman, Le1f and more. Toss in a skate ramp, free swag, perfect weather, and you've got yourself a one-of-a-kind event.

Check out all the boozy Island action in this photo gallery.

Photo by Meoko in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Toronto has been seeking a linear park for some time now. The Belt Line Trail and the proposed Green Line along the midtown rail corridor notwithstanding, the goal of city park in the mould of New York's High Line hasn't been met. But that could be about to change, albeit in a small way, now that the city has agreed to study linking a series of east-end parkettes.

The cluster of proximate but disconnected green spaces in question sit a few metres north of Danforth Ave., directly on top of the subway between Pape station and Langford Avenue. The Logan Avenue Parkette, which runs for three city blocks, and the slightly smaller Carlaw Avenue Parkette are both surrounded by unwelcoming surface parking.

Advocates of the project say reconfiguring--and later possibly eliminating--the lots to create a single green space, linking Chester station with Langford Parkette, roughly a kilometre to the east between Pape and Donlands stations, would be a boon for the neighbourhood.

Local resident and University of Toronto teacher Dylan Clark led a Jane's Walk through the area in May, repeating a walk he organized in 2010. Clark thought stitching together the disparate public spaces would result in a safer route for the kids that walk between Jackman and Wilkinson public schools.

"I did the Jane's Walk four years ago and, no offence to Councillor [Case] Ootes, but he was the councillor at the time, and several of the people on the walk said there is absolutely no chance he'll do anything--in fact, he would actively fight this sort of thing," he says.

"I was like: 'OK, well, I'm just going to shelve it then, if that's how it's going to be.' And then all of a sudden Mary [Fragedakis] got elected, and it's just an absolutely different attitude entirely."

The timing sounds right. Local councillor Mary Fragedakis says multiple projects involving the subway corridor are currently underway, including public art installations, TTC second exit discussions, and park improvements, so it makes sense to tie them together.

"I thought [Clark's] idea was so cool," she says. "It got me to thinking there needs got to be a better link for all these separate projects that are happening. An that's one of the biggest complaints most people have about the city is that one department doesn't talk to the other department. This is an attempt to fix that."

It would seem that a long park, configured for strolling, biking, and lingering, would be a good fit for the Danforth and its European-inspired atmosphere. In Spain, people gather on "Ramblas," linear public squares, in towns ranging in size from Barcelona to little Figueres near the French border. The challenge Toronto faces is to convince the notoriously auto-friendly city council to cede space to walkers.

Even with approval, building the park won't be completely straight forward: creative solutions will be needed for the some thirteen road crossings that would fall within in the park and skeptical local business owners, concerned opening up a walking route away from Danforth storefronts will have a negative impact on trade, will need to be convinced the idea has merit.

"So many of us ever since Jane Jacobs and beyond are looking at the city more and more in that way: slow people down, get pedestrian traffic, get cycling traffic," says Clark. "This is not antithetical to business, actually it's quite good for business."

A motion to explore the possibility of a linear park, put forward by Cllr. Fragedakis, was adopted at this week's Toronto and East York Community Council meeting. City staff are due to report back later this year and work could begin next year.

What do you think of the idea?

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

Images: Chris Bateman/blogTO

Los Angeles-based stylist Annie Jagger has chosen Toronto for her first-ever store, using the Distillery space as a showcase for under-the-radar jewelry designers. Most of the pieces are fine jewelry, but the designs strike a perfect balance of elegance and edge. (In short, this is likely where your next big splurge is coming from.)

Read my profile of Gilding The Lily in the fashion section.