First date ideas in Toronto this summer are just what you need to set your budding relationship off right. You've got the app, you've got the number, you've got the hook-up - now, you just need to make a killer early impression. I've got you covered with ideas that will break the ice and let both of you put your best foot forward.

Here are my suggestions for 10 fun first date ideas for this summer in Toronto.

Try a new restaurant
This may seem like an obvious choice, but with all the options for eating in Toronto, it's important to snag one of the hottest tables in town, not some passé plate. Pai's night market-like atmosphere and Patois' Asian-Jamaican fusion could make for a fun, relaxed first date, or amp up the atmosphere with cheap eats in the Annex or a late night nosh near Ossington and Dundas.

Hit up a romantic patio
Cozy, under starlight and lush greenery with perhaps a twinkle of candles or a string of bulbs, a romantic patio can go a long way to securing a second date. Later, when you're curled up together and the winter is howling outside, you'll look back to your halcyon days on the patio as the place where love blossomed.

Get competitive at a board game café
In the old days, women would feign a loss to win approval of a man, but thank goodness those days are over. Now we play to win - both the game and the heart. Roll the die on love at one of the city's top 20 bars and cafes for board games.

Try out some new wines at a wine bar
I wonder how long the nectar of the gods has been smoothing out the awkward talk of first-time lovers? With that air of sophistication and that warm heady tingling a few sips of wine can affect, a visit to one of Toronto's best wine bars will start the love off right.

Go for a picnic
Toronto has myriad of beautiful parks to enjoy, and lots of great sandwich places that do take-out, so grab a blanket and a couple of triangles, or rounds nowadays, and find a shady nook under the canopy of a great tree.

Take a long, meandering bike ride together
A tandem bike may be a bit ambitious for a first date, but riding your own bikes side by side is a lovely idea. There are wonderful paths all over the city to take you from A to B(ed). (If you don't have your own - or you really, really want that bicycle built for two - pop over to one of these stores to rent a pair.)

Get the giggles
They say laughter is the best medicine, so why not follow doctor's orders and take that special someone to a comedy bar. You can see if you share the same sense of humour, always a key element of a dating match. (If you really want to splash out on a date, JFL42 is bringing the likes of Lena Dunham, Seth Myers, Tim Minchin and Nick Offerman to Toronto at the end of September.)

Catch a movie under the stars
Al fresco movie watching is a great romantic affair - you can be frightened into their arms by a thriller, or have the cockles of your heart warmed by a sweet rom-com, then, when the timing is right, lean over and swoon, "Hey there, You, with the stars in your eyes..." There are tons of free outdoor screenings happening this summer in Toronto, including a new Tuesday night series starting up this week.

Grab two straws and split a milkshake
Is there anything sweeter than sitting side by side, splitting a milkshake? Your legs might swing together on the diner stools, or just like the dogs eating the noodles in Lady and the Tramp, you may be innocently reaching in to take a sip and find yourself in a lip lock with your new amore. Toronto's got tons of great options.

Two in a canoe
Give your first date a decidedly Canadian twist on the old rowboat standby when you rent a canoe for two. A leisurely paddle gives you opportunity to talk, while quietly testing your abilities to work together. Just wait till you secure date number two before you start humming the theme song to "Love Boat". Have a fear of water? There's always the dry land version.

What did I miss? Add your fun first date ideas to the comments below.

Thanks to Growers Cider for sponsoring this post.

For more fun things to do this summer, check out our Toronto Fun Guide.

Photo by Michael Mitchener in the blogTO Flickr pool

Today in Toronto Fort York is getting a free outdoor film festival, and though festival might be pushing it (let's call it a series between you and I), it's free, so we'll shrug and go along. This week's screening is Jurassic Park. Head to the Financial District from 6-9pm for Twilight Tuesday, Drake One Fifty and Momofuku's new mini night market at the parkette on York between Richmond and Adelaide. The market will run on Tuesday evenings during August.

A week-long fashion pop-up at 404 Adelaide Street West should please those looking for works by Toronto designers. Want to meet the potato salad Kickstarter guy? It's an internet thing, don't click if you're easily depressed. If you're easily amused, be at Jack Astor's from 6-8pm. For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Film: Fort York Film Fest (Fort York Garrison Common)
• Food: Twilight Tuesday (Richmond and Adelaide parkette)
• Music: Chain & the Gang (Smiling Buddha)
• Film: Aliens (Belljar)
• Fashion: The Style Initative's Inaugural Pop Up Boutique (POP 404)
• Queer: 14th annual Toronto Queer Arts & Culture Festival
• Internet: Canada's potato salad party with Zack 'Danger' Brow (Jack Astor's)

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

Photo via Kickstarter

It hasn't been as scorching as last year, but summer in Toronto is all about making the most of the short season before it fades. We challenged our readers to share how their summers are heating up, and from the gallery of street festivals and curbside ice cream shots, we took a shining to the the above pic of salsa dancing at Harbourfront from twitterlessmaya, who will win a Pure Leaf Real Brewed Kit for her entry.

Check out all the submissions in our Summer Heat photo stream.

This week on Dinesafe, Toronto A La Cart vendor Carib Fusion was closed after being slapped with a whopping eight infractions, five of which were crucial, including one eyebrow-raising line item that reads "operator fail to provide approved meat". (What does that even mean?)

Here are the rest of this week's worst on DineSafe.

Magic Oven (360 Queen St. East)
Inspected on: July 28, 2014
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Baton Rouge (5000 Yonge St.)
Inspected on: July 28, 2014
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Ebi Sushi Izakaya (867 Bloor St. W.)
Inspected on: July 29, 2014
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 2, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Brick Street Bakery (55 Mill St.)
Inspected on: July 30, 2014
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 3, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Carib Fusion (199 Bay St.)
Inspected on: July 31, 2014
Inspection finding: Red (Closed)
Number of infractions: 8 (Significant: 3, Crucial: 5)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to wash hands when required. Operator fail to provide main water supply. Operator fail to provide approved meat. Operator fail to provide potable water supply. Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Papaya Hut (513 Yonge St.)
Inspected on: August 1, 2014
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 2, Significant: 5)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

In January, David Soknacki became the first of the major candidates to officially put his name forward to replace Rob Ford, a decision that in itself marked a change of heart. Eight years earlier, the popular small-"c" conservative and acclaimed budget chief quit municipal politics to devote more time to his herb and spice business. "I'm not the type of person that would pick up my marbles and go home," he told the Toronto Star, denying the departure was acrimonious.

The "eternal optimist," as he has been called, became involved in politics in the early 1990s during a neighbourhood dispute over a park at Markham Rd. and Lawrence Ave. Plans to install new lighting and additional baseball diamonds without public consultation didn't sit well with the some members of the community, leading Soknacki to form the Densgrove Park Community Association.

In office, Soknacki championed the appointment of Dennis Lee as the city's first poet laureate, successfully stopped councillors employing their own family members, suggested contracting our certain city services, and in 2000 voted in favour of making a bid for the 2008 Olympics. Later, he was in charge of the city's $6.5 billion budget during David Miller's first term as mayor.

The fiscal conservative, known this election period for his thoughtful, info-heavy, and "geeky" policy papers, isn't scared of sticking to his guns, it appears. "Will there be tough decisions? Of course. But you have them in life, don't you," he said in 2004 shortly after becoming budget chief.

He can read and write in Egyptian hieroglyphs

According to Supriya Dwivedi, Soknacki's press secretary, the mayoral candidate learned how to read and write in ancient Egyptian symbols during his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. "He took a couple of Near Eastern studies classes during his undergrad and picked it up," she says. The use of hieroglyphs peaked in ancient Egypt around the 7th century BC.

He presented a late-night talk show on Scarborough cable TV in 1985

The first mention of David Soknacki's name in the newspaper archives appears in a TV guide from 1985. Before becoming a councillor, Soknacki presented a late-night program on called "At Your Service" on Metro Cable, a Toronto local access station. He describes it as "sort of like LeDrew's show on CP24, without the bow tie."

Has twice been elected in by-elections triggered by former Scarborough mayor Frank Faubert

When Frank Faubert left his Scarborough city council seat to mount what would become a successful bid for mayor of the pre-amalgamation city, Soknacki entered the resulting by-election, along with current Toronto city councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker. Soknacki won the vote and remained on Scarborough city council until it was abolished in 1998. Soknacki lost to Faubert for a seat on the newly-formed Toronto city council, but later won in another by-election, this one triggered by Faubert's death in 1999.

During his first term, Soknacki--"a good natured Boy Scout," according to The Star--was applauded for successfully banning councillors from hiring their own family members as office assistants. During this time, he was praised for spending just $6,294, all of it paid out-of-pocket. He was later criticized by The Star for paying $1,500 to an executive headhunting firm in the search for an executive assistant. He eventually hired Paul Ainslie, now a city councillor himself, who had recently quit Cllr. Ron Moeser's office.

Held senior budget positions under Mel Lastman and David Miller

Despite voting for John Tory in 2003, new mayor David Miller appointed Soknacki as chair of the city's budget committee, a promotion from his deputy role under Mel Lastman. Facing a $344 million shortfall, fellow councillor Brian Ashton likened the challenge of balancing the city's books to "asking a bank manager to take over during a robbery." Soknacki and Miller delivered consecutive 3 percent property tax increases, though as The Star notes, "Soknacki would have preferred to hold the line at zero."

"Retired" from politics in 2006

Not all retirements stick. Soknacki quit politics in 2006, saying he wanted to devote more time to his herb and spice company, Ecom Food Industries. Soknacki founded the business in 1986 after selling bulk batches of mustard seed for a British trading company. "I was such a dreadful employee, I had to start my own business," he told The Star in 2004. Soknacki denied rumours his decision not to seek re-election was due to a conflict with David Miller.

SEE ALSO:

• 5 things you didn't know about Olivia Chow
• 5 things you didn't know about John Tory

Next week: 5 things you didn't know about Karen Stintz

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

Caribana 2014 (or the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival, as the organizers like to call it) wrapped up in a blaze of colour Saturday with the festival's famed annual parade. Three weeks of Caribbean cultural celebration culminated in a day-long procession featuring elaborate, glittering floats and costumes. We were on hand to capture some of the festival's boldest, brightest, most beautiful looks (and a little behind-the-scenes action).

Check out all the action in our slideshow of the 2014 Caribana Parade.

Photos by Alejandro Santiago.

58 Beaufort Road is a Tudor style home located just south of Kingston Road that blends traditional style with modern convenience. Wood floors and cross hatched windows are located throughout, and the fireplace and built in cabinets make for a cozy living room. The kitchen maintains a country kitchen feel, but with plenty of room, high end appliances, and quartz countertops, it's ready to go for any modern chef. Minimalists won't be taken with the way this place has been renovated, but the interior design matches well with the home's architectural style.

The downstairs isn't the only floor fit for modern living, though. Upstairs, the master bedroom is spacious with an en suite complete with heated floors. No more cold winter toes! Oh, and the finished basement is a perfect rec room ready for movies (you'll want your own big screen TV down there), games, and maybe a few beers. Or maybe a shower - there's a three piece bath down there too. This spot is move-in ready.

SPECS

• Address: 58 Beaufort Rd
• Price: $1,695,000
• Lot Size: 35 x 110
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 4
• Parking: 3
• Taxes: $7,335
• Walk Score: 92
• Attached garage and long driveway accommodates 3 cars
• Finished basement
• Private terraced backyard great for entertaining
• Short walk to the beach

GOOD FOR

People looking for green in the city. Even though this home is located just a few blocks from Kingston Road, the streets are leafy. Head just a few steps east and find yourself in the lovely ravine at Glen Stewart Park. Walk 20 minutes south and you're at the Beaches. Who says Toronto has to be a concrete jungle?

MOVE ON IF

You're looking for some hustle and bustle. Though this neighbourhood has a lot of restaurants and other amenities within walking distance, it's still more family-friendly than a paradise for night life. If you're looking to hit the clubs or the hottest new bars, this might not be the spot for you. But with restaurants moving east every day, you'll want to keep your trend radar focused on this neighbourhood.

MORE PHOTOS
Read other posts in this series via our House of the Week Pinterest board.

Writing by Isabel Ritchie

Outlet malls near Toronto might be a bit of a jaunt for down-towners (or those of us who don't have a method of transportation outside of the TTC), but regulars shoppers at these locations have been known to rave over massive holiday sales and U.S.-style prices. Save yourself the hassle of crossing the border, since apparently, you're not missing out on much. And if you're not a big shopper, it's okay: you might find yourself a rewarding social life by becoming a mall walker.

Here are the best outlet malls in and around the GTA.

Vaughan Mills
With a whopping 260 stores, Vaughan Mills is the GTA's all-star outlet mall. Not only does it feature a massive indoor shopping facility and car-shaped cafeteria chairs, it also has a nice mix of high- and low-end stores. Everyday shops like Laura, Winners, and Suzy Shier are accompanied by heavy-hitters like Lacoste, h2 Holt Renfrew, Michael Kors, and Armani Exchange. Oh yeah, and there's a Legoland. Now it's definitely worth the drive, right? Right.

Heartland Town Centre
Mississauga's Heartland Town Centre has a couple of major points of appeal besides its varied selection of box stores in fashion, home, and electronic products. First, there's a Costco. People love Costco. Then there's the Krispy Kreme across the street, which, if you're okay with multi-tasking, means you can shop and eat donuts at the same time. Bargain-hunters otherwise go for the Banana Republic outlet, Wal-Mart Superstore, Calvin Klein outlet, H&M, and Best Buy. Be on the lookout for a brand-new DSW store, too.

Toronto Premium Outlets

Shoppers looking for a more upscale outlet experience should head to Halton Hills' Premium Outlets, an outdoor mall that opened its doors in the summer of 2013. The Steeles West location draws crowds filled with a range of suburban moms and chic young professionals eager to get their hands on lower-priced goods from big brands like Kate Spade New York, Coach, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, and J. Crew.

Orfus Road Outlets
The collection of outlets found at Dufferin St. and Orfus Rd. are a must-visit for bargain hunters who generally prefer to take their business across the border. It boasts the only cheese outlet on this list (!), a Kitchen Stuff Plus Clearance outlet, and The Shopping Channel's Off-Air shopping location. Other gems include typically affordable clothing stores with even better prices than your average mall, including but not limited to Bikini Bay, Sirens, Le Chateau, Urban Behaviour, and Stitches.

Dixie Outlet Mall
Formerly known as Dixie Value Mall (an important distinction to make), Dixie Outlet Mall is your average savings haven. The Toronto mainstay gets extra points from customers for being indoors and hosting a comfortable amount of parking. You'll recognize stores like Aldo, Dynamite, Fairweather, Guess, and Jacob amidst a number of uniquely named stores (Quilts, Etc., Trendi 4 Men) and a very necessary Bulk Barn.

Canada One Outlets
Be sure to pack your yoga mats for the trip to Canada One because, yes, there's a Lululemon outlet there (the only one in Canada). There are other athletic favourites, too -- Nike, Adidas, and Reebok -- that offer a handful of promotions all year round. You can always head online for some of their advertised coupons beforehand for places like Roots, Danier, Coach, and Mexx. It's set up in a strip mall fashion, so come prepared with good walking shoes!

Colossus Centre
Located on Weston Road in Woodbridge, the Colossus Centre has a healthy mix of outlet stores and regular shopping mall destinations. When it comes to deals, there's a generous stock of denim supply thanks to the Buffalo Jeans and Pantorama outlets, along with a Kodiak outlet if you're looking for inexpensive, reliable Canadian footwear for the winter months. Other Canadiana includes the Roots Factory outlet for all your cozy needs.

Tanger Outlet
Although it's an hour from downtown Toronto, Cooktown's Tanger Outlet Mall is worth the drive for their consistent store-wide deals and varied outlet selection. Buyers make the trip for deals on kitchenware from Paderno and Black & Decker Home Essentials, while others come for regular shoe sales at Aldo, Nine West, Rockport, and even Crocs. The mall is set to expand in October, too, with the addition of 40 new brands including Swarovski, Sketchers, and The Body Shop.

Outlet Collection Niagara
Compared to other outdoor outlet malls on this list, Niagara's Outlet Collection has noted popularity for hosting Food Truck Fridays in the summer, along with its accessible seating areas, partial roofing for comfort in bad weather, and pleasant strolling space (since more outdoor malls don't accommodate shoppers with relaxation areas). The stores offer individual promotions year-round, with a selection of sporting goods stores for outdoorsy people, including Columbia Sportswear Company, The North Face, and Eddie Bauer. Well-priced high-end stores like DKNY, Michael Kors, J. Crew, Calvin Klein, and Hugo Boss are just a few reasons that keep customers coming back.

Factory Outlet Plaza
This North York bargain stop's two outlet stores offer crucial savings on key household items: one being food, the other, kitchenware. They're the perfect pair! The Corningware Corelle Revere Factory Store outlet is a great place to stock up on cooking necessities, urban dishware, and classy casserole dishes. When you're all shopped out there, you can head over to Almost Perfect for low-priced frozen foods and cheap boxes of macaroni.

Writing by Alex Brown.

Perk up, dance fans and audiophiles: summer in Toronto will now be capped off by Beat Bazaar, a day-long community music market specifically for electronic lovers, though promoters say anything goes.

From vintage and used audio equipment at the gear swap to a dedicated vinyl section, anyone can show up at Spazio Del L'arte on Eastern Avenue to buy, sell, ogle, and barter for synths, stereos, DJ gear, and records, records, records while eating, drinking, and dancing to eight live DJs including a headline set by Basic Soul Unit. It's like the old world spirit getting a techno facelift.

Table rentals for the bazaar are $25-40, but if you're just bringing a few items you can sneak in as a regular attendee for the flat $5 entry fee (a crate of vinyl counts as two items). Whether you're stopping by to dance, unload your treasures, or hoard, each entrant is encouraged to donate a buck to Musicbox Childrens Charity. OmNomNom Catering and homemade foods and baked goods will be on sale, and the event will be licensed. Goodie bags and a raffle will further sweeten the deal.

The Deep North and Mislead Madness's Beat Bazaar will join SummerDaze, Cherry Beach, and Electric Island in offering Toronto's dance music fans unique experiences in Toronto's warmer months (with OTHERLAND continuing into the fall). Thankfully this one's indoors, so rain or shine, your Moog scores will stay dry. Keep your eyes on the Facebook event for more DJ announcements.

Photo via thevinylfactory

This weekend VELD, Caribana, and OVO Fest made Toronto's downtown streets safe for all haters of fun, and us goths especially have Downsview Park's explosion of almost 40,000 colour-saturated, scantily clad EDM fans to thank. The neon troops danced up a storm to Calvin Harris, Zedd, Armin Van Buuren, DVBBS and more on Saturday and Sunday. While Waka Flocka couldn't show, Iggy Azalea was there assuring that we'll drop a "Fancy" reference along with every radio station you tune into right now.

The weekend turned into a tragedy for one young couple, apparently linked to drugs sold on site. 13 others were taken to hospital. While fatalities should never only reduced to statistics, the sadly common occurrence of death at EDM festivals are, as this Billboard piece points out, a conversation the scene needs to have. Watch out for each other, dance fans.

Here are 35 photos of one of Toronto's biggest summer raves (just kidding, we didn't say rave).

Ever watch that Treehouse of Horror in which Homer sells his soul for a donut and find yourself saying, "Yeah, I could see that"? On September 14, you'll be able to feed your insatiable hunger for donuts and stay firmly on this mortal plane via a brand-new donut eating contest. (Bonus: They're Through Being Cool's vegan donuts, so they're like totally healthy or something.)

The Bloordale bakery is actually using its dessert-making powers for good, leveraging the donut derby as a fundraiser for the Toronto Walk For Farm Animals. To enter, you'll need to raise $100 for the walk, then be one of the first 12 people to bring that cash through the bakery's door on D-day (the "d" stands for donut, naturally). The grand prize (aside from all the donuts you can eat, obviously) is a two-day stay at the Farm Sanctuary in upstate New York. There's also offerings from Sadie's Diner, Hot Beans, Lipstick & Dynamite and others.

You can also just watch the event and buy yourself a single donut to munch on -- if, you know, you're not super hardcore.

Photo by AshtonPal in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto absurdest Toronto-made art film Cold Iron Is A Titanic Comedy is touring the country, and you can catch a rare hometown screening Jackhammers For Scenic Views in a west end art studio that's usually barred to the public in our freak pick of the week for film lovers, the art-addicted, and fans of all things weird. If you prefer sturdy bees to abstract ideas, Penelope Stewarts's current exhibition is bee-rific (sorry) and today an on site panel discussion will bee too (sorry).

At the Gladstone find sexy stories and truth or dare, while at Handlebar Shawn Micallef is taking on brunch in a town where I think you can actually go to prison for that. I'm with you, Shawn (are we all broke because of brunch? I have theories). Toronto investors: ask me about my Cat Brunch Dungeon concept if you've got money to burn. For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Art/Film: Jackhammers For Scenic Views (Art Zoo Studio)
• Film: Short Term (outdoors, Regent Park)
• Art: Beeing in the World: Artistic Perspectives on Nature and Culture (Koffler Centre of the Arts)
• Lit/Brunch: The Trouble with Brunch - Cereal Bar Launch Party (Handlebar)
• Lit/Erotica: Tell Me Something Good (Gladstone)
• Comedy: Holodeck Follies (Social Capital Studios)
• Art: Meow Wow; A Cat & Lady Art Show (Steam Whistle Brewery)

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

Photo: Jackhammers For Scenic Views

Breaking into the fashion industry in Toronto is a lot tougher than it sounds. We may not be New York or Milan, but ask any fashion student, blogger, designer, or photographer, and they'll all tell you the same thing: that it's nearly impossible to make it as an unknown talent.

Luckily, multiple international (and local) fashion groups have settled in to Toronto, laying the foundation for T.O. to become a fashion hotbed, and they're all looking to find, reward, and nurture fresh talent. These resources are available for the budding fashionistas, the design hopefuls, the aspiring stylists, the business-minded clothing aficionados, and all those dreaming of runways and showrooms.

Here are 10 ways to break into the fashion industry in Toronto.

Volunteer at World MasterCard Fashion Week
Assisting at Toronto's fashion week is a unique experience that provides wannabe fashionistas with an invaluable glimpse into the inner workings of the city's largest fashion event. Volunteers are heavily relied on during fashion week; they do the heavy lifting required during setup, they keep lines orderly, take tickets, usher, hold seats for high-profile front row fashionistas, help out backstage, hand out magazines and goody bags, and so on; in return, you get to network and rub shoulders with the city's fashion elite.

Get involved with the Toronto Fashion Incubator
Are you obsessed with fashion and design but less than apt when it comes to business planning, marketing, economics, and sales? The TFI is a highly regarded non-profit organization committed to supporting fashion hopefuls, catalyzing small businesses, and providing education and mentorship by industry professionals for the young-and-starting-out. Visit fashionincubator.on.ca to learn more about their available programs, classes, and seminars.

Sign up for Passion for Fashion workshops
Youth Employment Services has teamed up with TFI to create a free workshop series geared specifically towards 16-29 year olds. The series includes classes on marketing, branding, public relations, business operations, and more. In addition, participants will have access to mentors, all fashion industry professionals, with whom they can meet in-person and one-on-one. Those enrolled in the program will also be eligible for the Fashionista's Den Competition, giving them the chance to receive a cash prize, a free year of membership to Toronto Fashion Incubator, and additional business and fashion mentorship.

Discover U of T's fashion networking club
As the University of Toronto's first fashion club, the Fashion Networking Organization offers seminars that focus on what it's like to work in the business side of fashion. Their keynote speakers have owned and worked for high-end retail stores, big-name brands, boutiques, designers, subscription box services, and so on. Memorable guests include boutique owner Angela Phung of The Store On Queen, ELLE associate editor Alannah O'Neill, and Charmain Emerson of FCUK. Check out their Facebook page and blog to keep apprised of their upcoming events.

Apply to show your collection at Mercedes-Benz Start Up
This acclaimed competition searches for new Canadian talent across the country, and selects the best designers to show their collections on a national platform, in front of fashion insiders and potential mentors. Winners get to show their collection at World MasterCard Fashion Week. Keep your eyes on the MBSU site for the 2015 application.

Attend Art of Fashion events
Toronto-based Art of Fashion holds events specifically tailored to showcase new designers and help launch them into a career in the industry. They provide education and resources to help designers turn their passion into a viable business, and create competitions and exhibitions to help new talent step into the spotlight. Some of their competitions offer awards, cash prizes, and loans designed to help not just designers, but entrepreneurs as well.

Become a member of The Fashion Group
The Toronto chapter of The Fashion Group International holds seminars and panel discussions featuring guest speakers who are leaders in the fashion industry. They also invite members to attend more intimate parties, which can be excellent networking opportunities. As a bonus, the FGI offers marketing with significant reach, which is an invaluable resource, especially for budding fashion designers.

Attend meet-ups
Mingling with Toronto's fashion bloggers, writers, designers, buyers, and other fashion professionals is an invaluable way to expand your network and make connections, which can ultimately lead to job opportunities in the industry. Meetup allows you to search for fashion meet-ups within your preferred distance from the city.

Study up at a a post-secondary institution
Of course, hitting the books is the most comprehensive way to get started. Enroll in a fashion design, merchandising, business management, or styling program at Ryerson, Humber, George Brown, Seneca, or the RCC Institute of Technology. You'l learn anything and everything; textiles, fabric and colour theory, fashion history, study of production methods, trend forecasting, the business of retail, and marketing for clothing, jewelry, and cosmetics. Those studying fashion are also eligible for coveted internships at most major fashion magazines that are otherwise unavailable to the general public.

Network like your ilfe depends on it
Sneak into shows, get invited to parties, collaborate with bloggers, and always act (and dress) like you're supposed to be there. Basically, go to as many fashion-related events as you possibly can and build your network of industry connections. Eventbrite.ca is a good source to find networking events, parties, and expos (you can even look for free events). Toronto Fashion Calendar and Toronto Is Fashion are both good events sources - as is our events section.

BONUS

Hunt for a fashion job
How can you go about finding available jobs and internships in Toronto? Visit Style Nine to Five, where you can select part time, full time, or internship, and search for postings in Toronto. Job search websites like Indeed and Simply Hired are also great tools for those just starting out.

Writing by Sarah Rose Eaman. Photo by Mauricio Calero.

Cheap gas in Toronto may be an oxymoron but we decided to survey our Twitter followers to see if they had any recommendations for stations that regularly priced their gas a few cents cheaper than the competition. Apparently, a couple of hot spots on Dundas and the Danforth routinely have price wars, but a number of other sought after stations were routinely mentioned as well. You know what they say, count your penny and the dollars will follow. Vroom, vroom!

Here's where to find cheap gas in Toronto.

Shell (1292 Dupont St. at Emerson, near Lansdowne)
The line-up may dissuade some drivers from making a pit stop at this Dupont Shell, but others a willing to wait for what's often the cheapest gas in the downtown core.

Top Valu (1161 Kingston Rd, east of Victoria Park)
The name says it all, Top Valu, for all your gas deals, but it's only open till 8, so get there early.

Star Gas (3180 Danforth Ave., at Madeleine)
Head to the Danforth to Star Gas to fill up for cheap. My advice: go during non-peak hours as they are open 24/7.

Pioneer Gas (840 Dupont St., just east of Ossington)
Pioneer Gas competes with the Shell on Dupont for clients, often with price wars that would make any driver smile.

Costco (1411 Warden Ave. at Canadian Rd., and 50 Queen Elizabeth Blvd. near Taymall Ave and Queensway
Costco offers everything else for cheap, so why wouldn't they also be the cheapest purveyors of gas? Two locations, Warden Ave, and Taymall Ave, will hook you up.

Danforth Gas and Wash (3561 Danforth Ave., at Warden)
The edge of Toronto and Scarborough is a real hot spot for cheap gas, serving both communities. The Danforth Gas and Wash is another location for a great deal 24/7.

Lambert's Gas ( 2145 Dundas St. West at Richie Ave.)
Lambert's Gas is another of the Dundas gas stations that has low-low prices on gas, but this one seems to have a little less of a lineup at times.

OP (1471 O'Connor Dr. at Amsterdam Ave.)
The hours at this East York car wash and gas bar kind of stink (open till 5:45 pm and closed Sundays) but the price is right.

No Frills (449 Carlaw Ave. at Victor Ave.)
Leslievillers love Dave and Charlotte's No Frills for a sweet deal on gas (and produce, and international groceries). Pro tip: Go gas up before you do your grocery shopping, and you'll earn coupons to spend inside.

Did we miss any? Leave your favourite source for cheap gas in the comments. Photo by bigdaddyhame in the blogTO Flickr pool.

The best spinning classes in Toronto will make you the toughest thing on two wheels. Though indoor cycling is known for attracting hardcore athletes and fitness buffs, many of the city's top spin studios will gladly welcome spinners of any fitness or experience level (though they won't exactly go easy on you).

To get you into the spirit, you'll find motivating instructors, driving soundtracks, and, often, the kind of camaraderie with your classmates that comes only from sweating your face off side-by-side. A gyms go the distance with extra technological bells and whistles like HD-video scenery, progress-monitoring computers, or bikes that twist and swerve like the real thing. Whether you choose to take your cycling outside during the summer months or keep it to the stationary bike, after a few classes at these gyms, you'll be more than ready.

Here are the best spinning classes in Toronto.

See also:

The Best Fitness Clubs in Toronto
The Best Specialty Fitness Clubs in Toronto
The Best CrossFit Gyms in Toronto
The Best Yoga Studios in Toronto

There's no shortage of quick, cheap eats in Toronto - but that doesn't mean there isn't still room in this city for some of the world's favourite international chains. These fast-food joints would introduce favourites with proven mass appeal to the Toronto dining scene, making regional specialties and new fusion cusines mainstream.

Here's my wishlist of the fast food chains that I'd like to see open in Toronto.

BonChon Chicken
This South Korean fried chicken chain is already in the U.S. rivaling the Colonel for the most superior fried chicken around. The menu specializes in golden fried wings, drumsticks and strips individually hand-painted with fiery, red chili hot sauce or a sweet garlic soy glaze. Better still, the side dishes are way heartier than any florescent coleslaw could ever be; chicken comes with a cooling side of pickled radish while extras include seafood scallion pancakes, japchae and tteokbokki (those spicy rice cakes introduced to this city by Momofuku).

ShopHouse
This young chain is the southeast Asian spin-off of Chipotle, meaning that food is assembled down a line, starting with a base and topped per order. For those unfamiliar, the choices start with white or brown rice, noodles or salads; proteins like tofu, chicken satay, steak laab, or meatballs; plus a choice of vegetables, sauces, and garnishes like fresh herbs, slaw, pickles, nuts, toasted rice or chilies.

Red Mango
This upmarket fro-yo chain originated in South Korea but has since expanded with 200 or so locations in the States. While Toronto is hardly lacking in the fro-yo category, Red Mango offers the bliss of candy-topped frozen yogurts, as well as yogurt fruit smoothies (which kind of faded away with the popularity of Yogen Fruz) and frozen yogurt granola parfaits.

Pret a Manger
Playing on the fashion term pret a porter (meaning ready-to-wear), this ready-to-eat chain of grab and go lunch counters boasts hundreds of outlets across the United Kingdom and has expanded with locations in New York, Hong Kong, Washington, D.C., Boston, and Chicago. The menu offers a range of ready-made sandwiches, baguettes and wraps, cakes by the slice, desserts, and bakery items, as well as sushi, salads and soups. The corporate-owned chain (meaning not franchised) was inspired by the traiteurs of France and prides itself on ultra-fresh fare made on-site daily.

King of Donair
The originator of the Halifax donair has been an east coast favourite for late night eats since 1973. The menu double majors in pizzas and their signature donairs, a regional take on the Greek gyro done with spit-roasted ground beef shaved onto a pita and dressed with a sweet secret sauce, tomatoes and onions.

Uno Chicago Pizzeria & Grill
More pie (or casserole) than flatbread, Chicago style deep dish hasn't really taken root in Toronto (save for the short-lived Parlour). This North Eastern U.S. chain, established in 1943 is arugably the originator, and over 140 stateside locations prove there just might be a more mainstream audience for the thick-crusted, saucy, cheesy stuff than just in the windy city.

Waffle House
Founded in an Atlanta suburb in 1955, this chain of 24-hour diners is built on a tradition of offering the friendliest service in town. Their jam is all-day breakfast, with fluffy plain and pecan waffles being the house specialty.

Autogrill
Far exceeding any expectations of what a truck stop should be, this Italian turned multi-national chain of quick service eateries is what you'll find populating highways in Europe in the same way Ontario is dotted with Tim Hortons/Wendy's outlets. Here fast food takes a fresh approach, with most rest stops offering cafes that serve espressos, fresh pastries and sandwiches, as well as quick service caffeteria style dining options that serve hot foods like fresh pasta, grilled meats, salads and desserts, and a grocery portion supplying salumi, breads and cheese for eating on the go.

Shake Shack
American burger chains have been infiltrating Toronto's already robust burger scene for some time now; we've already got Five Guys, and Wahlburgers and Carl Jr. are on the way. If I had my way, though, we'd be getting Shake Shack instead of Carl's Jr. The chain, founded in New York, has already gone multi-national with its menu of old school burgers, split flat top-grilled hotdogs and frozen custard shakes. Oh, and the burger chain sells booze - it's even got its own signature brew and wines.

Japadog
Originating in Vancouver, this rapidly expanding chain of carts, food trucks and stores now boasts outlets in New York and L.A. The menu's specialty is Japanese-style hot dogs, topped with east-meets-west condiments like grated radish with soya sauce, or teriyaki sauce, mayo and seaweed. The menu has grown to offer more than 20 variation - including some over-the-top varieties, where wieners are just the base for gyoza, yakisoba noodles, or a tempura-fried prawn on rice.

Did I miss your favourite? Tell us what food chains should open up in Toronto in the comments.

Photo via Shake Shack's Facebook page

This year the SummerWorks Performance Festival moves into the new digs at the Theatre Centre, firmly establishing itself as the west-end theatre jam of the year. On offer at the festival's Hub are a collection of arts conversations and parties that carry the energy from artists and audiences throughout the week. Those performances, on stage and at site-specific venues, include six shows in the Music Series, three Musical Works in Concert, thirteen Live Art interactions, and an immense collection of theatre examined below as part of the National and Juried series.

Here's a list of some of the most promising shows at this year's festival:

Thus Spoke / Theatre Centre Mainspace / Page 26
The festival's most intriguing post-modern mash up, featuring works brought together from the likes of Nietzsche and Hendrix, arrives from Montreal as part of the National Series. Incubated at Daniel Léveillé Danse, this dance-challenge to the status quo is the brainchild of Frédérick Gravel and Étienne Lepage. Four performers explore movement that flies in the face of landmark texts creating a piece that's combative, energetic, and never dull.

Écoute Pour Voir / various venues / Page 29
Solo performance pieces provide audience member with a unique, one-to-one experience of a work of live art. In Écoute Pour Voir each audience member is encouraged to share intimate moments with dancers scattered throughout the performance space as they take in the score through an iPod and headphones. The ability to traverse the space and forge a number of one-to-one connections ensures that no two experiences will be the same.

A Quiet Sip of Coffee / Scotiabank Studio Theatre / Page 32
Performers Anthony Johnston and Nathan Schwartz (gay/straight best friends) had a life-altering experience ten years ago when they crafted a prank letter to a fundamentalist organization. Their rumination on the experience, A Quiet Sip of Coffee, documents what happened when the organization took them up on the offer to workshop their play on the caveat that they join the group for two weeks of gay conversion therapy. Fascinating, to be sure.

Blindsided / Scotiabank Studio Theatre / Page 34
The majority of Toronto cyclists know the danger of traversing our city's streets alongside the generally well-meaning but dangerous mass of vehicles that speed along in all shapes and sizes. Blindsided, created and performed by Sabrina Reeves, is an account of what unfolds when a woman is hit by a car and the ensuing, unexpected past trauma unearthed by that moment of crisis.

El Jinete / Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace / Page 36
If you've yet to see a mariachi opera (really, who has?) now's your chance with El Jinete, courtesy of writer/director Mercedes Bátiz-Benét and featuring Mariachi Los Dorados. Utilizing the familiar tropes of love and vengeance, as well as video projections to give the impression of a black and white film, the show will transport you back in time to the golden era of Mexican cinema.

He Left Quietly / Lower Ossington Theatre / Page 38
An all-Canadian cast, under direction from Leora Morris, delivers Yaël Farber's moving account of the trial, death row imprisonment, and eventual stay of execution of Duma Kumalo, one of the Sharpeville Six wrongfully convicted of murder. Found guilty under the "law of common purpose," conviction for having been in the vicinity of an offense, Duma's story is one of injustice and grace under immense pressure.

Kafka's Ape / The Gladstone Hotel / Page 40
This ain't just monkey business, not when Kafka is involved. Adapted from the famed writer's Report to an Academy by Canadian theatre giant Guy Sprung, the play introduces us to Mr. Redpeter, who, as a means to survive, transforms from a free West African jungle ape into an ape with all the qualities of a human. It's performed by Howard Rosenstein and Alexandra Montagnese with direction from Sprung.

Madam Mao / Theatre Centre Incubator / Page 40
Created by Paul Thompson, Madam Mao considers the controversial widow of Chairman Mao, Jiang Qing, who recognized the power of art and its ability to manipulate a nation. Told from a jail cell in the years of her life as a political prisoner, the play attempts to uncover her motivations during the Cultural Revolution and in her role in helping form the Gang of Four, which sought to control the country's most influential institutions.

The Bull, The Moon and The Coronet of Stars / Lower Ossington Theatre Mainspace / Page 42
Daniela Vlaskalic and Ron Pederson star in this steamy romance about two museum workers caught in the labyrinth of forbidden desire and lust. While century-old artefacts may not seem to engender overwhelming passion, there may be mythological forces at work, in the form of the fabled Minotaur, that help give rise to their growing adulterous cravings.

Unintentionally Depressing Children's Tales / Lower Ossington Theatre Studio / Page 47
If you're seeking a cathartic experience, void of positive metaphors and feel good fables, Erin Fleck's Unintentionally Depressing Children's Tales, performed by the puppeteers at Caterwaul Theatre, might just be what the doctor ordered. Through stop-motion animation, shadow play, and projection, the ensemble probes both tragedy and comedy.

SummerWorks has an exciting crop of shows beyond the ten highlighted above.
Here are six others that also tickle our fancy: Antigonik, The Container, Graceful Rebellions, MARACATU YOU!, Unknown Soldier, and Women Who Shout at the Stars.

The SummerWorks Performance Festival runs from August 7-17. Visit the SummerWorks website for ticketing info and for the full, diverse lineup of arts programming (The Hub, Music Series, Live Art). Check out the SummerWorks Program Guide to plan your own viewing schedule.

Photo of Thus Spoke

Bellwoods Brewery is opening a second location. It's a sentence I've been looking forward to typing for months, but given that Luke Pestl and Mike Clark, the owners of one of the city's best beer destinations, haven't been ready to release the details publicly, I've remained quiet, though it hasn't been easy.

This morning, the brewers made an announcement on their website (so I can finally yell it from the mountain top: Bellwoods, a place that has been churning out award-winning beer since they first opened their doors in 2012, and a venue that's perpetually rammed with craft beer nerds and scene-seeking Ossington-bar-hoppers alike, is efffing expanding.

Located at 950 Dupont Street, currently the home of GH Johnson Trading Company, the second installment of Bellwoods Brewery has long been in the works, and while the Bellwoods folks are close to finalizing the details, they're still ironing out a considerable amount of the finer points in terms of the municipal zoning, city variances, and a handful of other not-so-fun stuff that actually takes up a lot more of a brewery owners' time than they like to talk about. As Clark tells me via phone, "I'm the company bureaucrat at the moment."

For the most part, the bureaucratic work involves ensuring that Bellwoods can have exactly the kind of new brewery they want, and the plans for said brewery are extremely exciting for Torontonians. The space -- more specifically the soaring 25,000 square foot "glass box" portion of that address -- will include a sprawling brewing facility, a potential retail space, a hop garden/green roof, a tasting room, and an event space--both of which will incorporate outdoor seating by way of a ground-level patio on the west side just north of Dovercourt and Dupont and a rooftop terrace on the north section of the glass box.

Clark and Pestl seem very much concerned with ensuring that the space is aesthetically pleasing and it seems clear that the multiple event spaces that will be available could soon be in high demand, both among corporate event planners and beer fans looking for a spot to host their wedding. So now I need to convince my wife to divorce me so we can get re-married there.

The brewery istelf will likely produce 8,000 hectolitres of beer to start, but will eventually produce upwards of 15,000 hectolitres once production maxes out (for some perspective, that's roughly a quarter of the amount of beer Steam Whistle produces at The Roundhouse). Accordingly, while they'll still be very much a "craft" brewery by industry standards, there is going to be, in scientific terms, a shit-ton more Bellwoods beer flowing in Toronto in the next few years.

Clark tells me that he and Pestl are obviously very excited about the new space and are hopeful that they can be a draw in their new neighbourhood just they have been on Ossington. In addition to the obvious bonus of providing local residents with a place to get hyper-local craft beer, the Bellwoods guys are looking forward to be part of restoring an amazing space that has, as of late, had the rather unglamorous function of storing furniture and garbage.

"It's an awesome building that's one of the best remaining examples of mid-20th-century manufacturing on Dupont." Clark says. Indeed the building has largely been derelict for 25 years but is a space with a considerable amount of local history, It once housed Hamilton Gear, a quintessential manufacturing company that created machine parts which, among other things, move the locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway, retract the Rogers Centre roof, and even once opened and closed the pilot's canopy over the cockpit of the Avro Arrow.

Happily, the brewers have discovered a landlord who sees the value of maintaining the space and has opted to do the restoration work for them. There will be considerable restoration on the glass and resurfacing inside, as well as the large task of bringing the manufacturing equipment up to modern mechanical specifications; a commendable effort in a city that often seems geared more toward knocking things down to build more condos.

"The landlord thinks it's a beautiful structure and wants to preserve it," Clark says. "And he wants a young and up-and-coming tenant to occupy it and hopefully bring some new life to the neighbourhood."

Construction and restoration will likely commence within the year and then it's just a short wait for the doors to open and the beer to start flowing.

Ben Johnson also writes about beer over on Ben's Beer Blog. Follow him on twitter @Ben_T_Johnson.