The photos of the week collect each of the editor-selected photos of the day into one post for a contest to be decided by our readers. Sponsored by Posterjack, the photographer whose image receives the most votes will be awarded with a voucher code for a 24"x36" poster print of their work.

All the rules and fine-print can be found in the original announcement post on the blogTO Flickr page. One thing to add, however, is that the voting period ends at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, after which the winner will be contacted with the good news (We're still in the process of contacting past winners).

For those photographers whose images are featured below, please feel free to give us a little information about your shot — i.e. where and when it was taken — in the comments section. Who knows? Maybe your description will sway voters in your favour!

Lead photo by Acid Punk.

2.
Photo by allanparke

3.
Photo by HiMY SYeD

4.
Photo by philipjohnson

5.
Photo by micho.ho

6.
Photo by suesthegrl

7.
Photo by Ronnie Yip

Call it "urban juxtaposition" in its purest form. Previous on Adelaide, this downtown salon has moved into a new, industrial-looking space right beside an old, run-down-looking auto shop. A sign of what's to come for the area just west of Corktown? We'll see...

Read my profile of Lift Salon in the fashion section.

This Week in Food rounds up the week's food news, restaurants openings and closings, chef movements and upcoming food events in Toronto. Find us here every Friday morning.

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS

• New Thai restaurant and bar, Sabai Sabai (225 Church Street), launches with a soft opening today, November 30th from 11am to 11pm.
• Chef Matthew Sullivan helms the kitchen at newly opened Leslieville restaurant, Skin and Bones (980 Queen Street East) which just opened this week.
• Also in Leslieville, The Hummingbird Caribbean Cuisine serves its first meal this weekend in the former Queen Pita space at 1276 Queen St. East.
• Popular Regent Park Thai destination Sukhothai is closing until mid January for renovations and to give the staff time to open their new location at 52 Wellington St. East this Monday December 3rd.
• Rock Lobster Food Company opens the doors to their new Ossington location on Saturday, December 1st at 110 Ossington (formerly home of Watusi). Psst...Tonight is their soft-opening.
• Just around the corner, the owners of Yours Truly have quietly unveiled A-OK Foods, a new ramen and snack bar at 930 Queen St. West.
• Playa Cabana is set to open a sister location in the Junction. Playa Cantina will serve up authentic Mexican fare at 2883 Dundas West when it opens in the coming weeks.
• Ramen & Izakaya Ryoji has announced plans to take over the Little Italy location formerly home to Vecchio Frak. This will be the first international location for this Japanese Ramen chain planned to open before Christmas at 690-692 College Street.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• The Toronto Christmas Market starts on Friday, November 30 and runs until Sunday, December 16 at the Historic Distillery District. Along with festive entertainment there will be loads of vendors serving up seasonal favourites like British-style Christmas puddings, Belgium waffles and spiced mulled wine.
• Stop by Afoodgypsy & PopoverGirl Go Crackers at The Depanneur (1033 College Street) on Friday, November 30th from 6pm. This drop-in dinner features big, warming bowls of minestrone soup and homemade seeded crackers with artichoke walnut salsa.
• Chef's Challenge: The Ultimate Battle for a Cure will raise funds for Mount Sinai Hospital on Saturday, December 1st at the The Fairmont Royal York (100 Front Street West). Admission is granted only to fundraisers who've raised a minimum of $2,500.
• Voodoo Child's (388 College Street) first pop-up will serve up handmade ramen from Chef Joe Friday on Sunday, December 2nd from 11am to 6pm.
• On Sunday, December 2nd, Foodies on Foot is offering the first of several planned Holiday Shopping Tours. This East End edition will stop at 5-7 specialty food stores where you will be able to stock up for the food lovers on your list.
• Spirits & Spice! hopes to warm you up with festive Caribbean flavours on Thursday, December 6th at the Scotiabank Plaza Tower (40 King Street West).
• Pour House hosts a Guest Appreciation Party on December 6th at 8:00 pm with live live music, food samples and drink.

OTHER NEWS

• The Volunteers of Trillium Health Centre host the 21st annual Gingerbread Cookie Factory from November 30th to December 23rd at Sherway Gardens (Hwy 427 & the QEW). Cookies are $4 each or three for $10 with all proceeds going to support seniors health services at the Trillium sites of The Credit Valley Hospital and Trillium Health Centre.
• Breakfast with Santa will be held at the Casa Loma Conservatory over several dates in December. Tickets are $25 and includes a kid friendly breakfast and admission to Casa Loma and Mozart's Magical Castle.
• Keriwa Cafe returns to an affordable a la carte dinner format after trying out a one-night-a-week, 14-course, $300 tasting menu that didn't receive the reception it aspired to.

Lighthaus is not your cookie-cutter Toronto build. This luxury townhouse complex (can I say "luxury" again?) features 20 sprawling, natural light-optimized spaces, complete with private underground parking and all the finest finishes. And for a million bucks plus, you better expect a soaker tub. Planned for Brockton Village just northwest of Dufferin and Queen, Lighthaus is sure to bring a little green (of course, I'm referring to the landscape design work) to Toronto's west-end downtown.

SPECS

Address:51 Florence St.

Project type: Townhouses

Total number of units: 20

Types of units: Three-storey three-plus-den, three-storey three-bedroom

Unit sizes (in square feet): 2,195 - 3,380

Unit widths (feet): 13 - 20.5

Prices from: $1,149,990

Parking: Most units include two parking spaces. Some units include one

Storage: Included

Maintenance fees: $0.13/sf

Maintenance fees exclude: Hydro, gas

Developer:Great Gulf

Architect:STAMP Architecture

Interior Designer:Cecconi Simone

Expected occupancy: November 2014

A CLOSER LOOK AT LIGHTHAUS

What with the extra, oh, 2,500 square feet as compared to typical condos featured in the series, it only makes sense to dedicate an extra few words to Lighthaus' description. These townhomes, simply, have it all. Starting from the ground up, each unit has room for one or two parked cars, plus bike parking, a basement storage area, a basement bathroom, and a laundry room.

The main floor is open-concept and optimized for natural light, with built-in cabinetry, integrated Miele appliances, a double under-mounted sink, and a standard kitchen island. Up one floor you'll find two bedrooms and, where applicable, a den, with a balcony and a washroom complete with a full bath. The third floor hosts the master bedroom, master ensuite, and "dressing area," which is somewhat like a walk-in closet but equivalent in square footage to most downtown bachelor condos.

Each townhome features a so-called "lightwell," which is essentially a skylight that feeds from the third-level roof all the way down to the main floor. The complex will have two visitor parking spots, a shared courtyard, and gas hookups on each terrace. Buyers can also choose from a variety of finishes and features, and are advised to pay no attention to the envious, curious blogger peering through their back windows after the occupancy date.

AND A LITTLE ANALYSIS

Um. I've been analyzing 475-square-foot pint-sized condos for the past few months. Forgive me while I try to find the proper perspective. Yes, Lighthaus is wonderful in the way that master dressing rooms and 140-square-foot ensuite bathrooms can't help but be, but of course, a million-dollars-plus certainly pays for such perks. So, lets all put on our "Engaged to a venture capitalist" caps (pft... as if I ever take mine off) and look at Lighthaus from a value perspective.

Is Brockton Village a million-dollar area? Maybe. But I suspect Lighthaus is more the catalyst than the benefactor of the area's great leap forward. (Related: What would Mao do?) Brockton Village has become a target area for first-time homeowners and young families in part because of its (relative) affordability. It's also enticingly accessible with easy access to several main drags, and ripe with lingering Little Portugal culture on Dundas and Parkdale's trendy haunts to its south. Last month, (October) the average price for a home sold in Brockton Village was around $630,000 and change, which is certainly a few pennies short of $1.2 million (and up).

But there are a few key characteristics that help explain the discrepancy. First off, a Lighthaus town will inevitably be larger than most of the potential sale properties in the area, which, of course, merits a higher price tag. Lighthaus is also entirely new, compared to the Victorian rows, semis, or renovated properties that, while charming, never bring in as much money as a new construction.

On the flip side, however, if a fully detached, updated, freehold Brockton Village home has trouble breaking, say, $850,000 or $900,000, to be generous, why should a single property in a 20-home complex — one that also demands hundreds of dollars in monthly maintenance fees — cost an additional $400,000 or more?

The obvious conclusion is that you're paying a premium for new, luxury, cutting-edge, and that fancy skylight lightwell. Are Lighthaus buyers getting a steal? No. Will they be moving into an up-and-coming area? Perhaps. But most likely, they'll be the ones pushing Brockton Village from "up-and-coming" to "there" — leaving the real win to the smart (lucky?) cookies who bought in the area before Lighthaus opened its sales centre.

THE VERDICT

Any investment banker types looking for a roommate? I'll be generous; you can have the master.

What do you think? Would you live here? Add your comments to the thread below.

Read other posts in this series via our Toronto Condos and Lofts Pinterest board

The best bubble tea in Toronto is, surprisingly, not exclusive to the suburban areas. While the frozen tundras of Chinatown North (inexplicably written in some maps as Markham and Richmond Hill) still lay claim to the largest number of people whose weekend nights consist exclusively of sipping a tapioca-laden milk tea and chatting animatedly with friends, there has been a largely unnoticed growth of excellent bubble tea shops in the city of Toronto proper.

This, coupled with the fact that many of these uptown cafes also have locations south of the 401, has meant a proliferation of places where you can sample this popular Taiwanese invention all across town.

Here are the best bubble tea places in Toronto.

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

One of the many highlights of our Christmas season is indulging in that rich creamy nectar of the gods known as eggnog, and while you can still find some yummy, reasonably priced non-alcoholic brands around town, nobody makes eggnog as heavenly or affordable as the late lamented Becker's chain of dairy and convenience once did.

Not only was their eggnog crafted to perfection, but also their popsicles, ice cream, milk, chocolate milk, soda, bread, juice, coffee, cream, donuts, hot dogs and pretty much everything else they put their name on.

Legendary Canadian rockers Rush made a habit of accrediting "special thanks" to Becker's brand chocolate milk in many of their albums, leaving no doubt as to what majestic liquid was fuelling their complex progressive sound ship.

Founded in Toronto in 1957, Becker's was the king of convenience stores, primarily because of their cheap prices, ubiquity in the GTA and of course their already mentioned champion selection of own-brand treats and sweets. They also rented movies, in both VHS and Betamax formats, just for the win.

Like many other fondly remembered retail relics of that era, Becker's fostered a lot of goodwill through television advertising. For 80s kids prone to bouts of hyperactivity from guzzling bowls of Frosted Flakes doused in Becker's half and half cream chased down with grape soda and banana popsicles, this Dukes of Hazzard inspired commercial was as close to a direct hit as you could possibly get.

In 1996, Becker's assets were acquired by Silcorp, who itself was acquired by Alimentation Couche-Tard three years later. Couche-Tard owned 7-11 and Mac's, and opted to phase out the Becker's brand in favour of Mac's (although the Becker's flower logo remained on other Couche-Tard properties such as Dairy Mart and Daisy Mart). The Becker Milk Company morphed into a real-estate investment company which is still traded on the TSX and who owns the property of the majority of former Becker's locations.

A few franchised locations opted to keep the Becker's name and logo (such as the one pictured above at 1494 Kingston Road in Scarborough , but don't be lulled into a false sense of thinking they might carry any beloved Becker's branded product.

While Mac'Beckers does produce a fairly decent but pricey eggnog, nothing since the demise of Beckers has come close to equaling their utterly toothsome flavour of that sweet Christmas infused beverage. Meanwhile, Rush's last great album was produced in 1996: Co-incidence? I doubt it.

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 at www.retrontario.com.

First Becker's ad via jbcurio's stream on Flickr

The Superior Court judge that ousted Rob Ford from office has ruled the mayor is able stand in a byelection before 2014 if his appeal is rejected in the new year. Justice Charles Hackland ordered the mayor removed from office at the end of a court case that Ford found spoke and voted on an item at council in which he had a financial interest.

This morning, Hackland decided to delete a portion of the ruling that suggested Ford would be blocked from running for office or being appointed mayor by council before the end of the current council term in two years.

The advice goes against what city solicitor Anna Kinastowski and her legal team told council on Tuesday based on the original wording of the document. Ford and his inner circle believed the ruling left the door open for a new election campaign should a panel of three judges decide to reject an appeal in January.

Alan Lenczner, Ford's lawyer, will request a stay next week that would keep the mayor in office until his formal appeal can be heard. In the unlikely chance he's unsuccessful, Ford will have just over a week left in office before being removed, perhaps temporarily.

It was rumoured earlier this week that Doug Ford might take a crack at the top job if his brother was prevented from doing so. It's not clear yet whether any of the other rumored contenders, councillors Karen Stintz and Adam Vaughan among them, will decide to step back.

UPDATE: 12:30

Looks like a group of Ford supporters are starting to organize a campaign. A video entitled "Respect Democracy" that began circulating online last night urges viewers to sign a petition to get the mayor reinstated and calls into question the fairness of the judge's decision, describing the origins of the court case as "politically motivated."

It's not clear who's behind the site at this stage, the company that registered the domain tells me the owner has opted to hide their details, but it doesn't seem to carry any official endorsements from the mayor or his team.

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

Photo: "Rob Ford" by Oliver Plante in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Toronto concerts worth knowing about in December, 2012.

December is pretty much the most stressful time of year, especially for overly anxious types like myself. 1) Where did the sun go? 2) It's the Holidays (need I say more?) 3) I have to move three times this month (oops, that's just a me-thing!) 4) There's that looming suspicion that you won't become a better version of yourself in the new year. And the worst part is...there aren't even that many shows to distract us from all this, um, cheer.

Jason Collett's Basement Revue will at least help out with four shows — three of which are at the usual venue (The Dakota) and one of which will take place at the more expansive and thus aptly named Great Hall. And Joel Plaskett pitches in by playing like 15 nights at The Horseshoe (I think he's pretty good, but are there really that many JP fans west of Halifax?). Alas, the shows I'm looking forward to the most — Pink Mountaintops and Japandroids — happen to fall on the same night. Of course they do. Holiday karma just fucking sucks.

HOT TICKETS

THE WOODEN SKY / DECEMBER 1 / 8PM / THE PHOENIX / $17.50
Did you know they used to be called "Friday Morning's Regret"? Guess what their Friday morning regret is? Changing their name. Errrrrrr. This will be their biggest hometown show ever as they celebrate the release of Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon a Sun. Email me if you know what that means.

GENTLEMEN REG W/ARMY GIRLS / DECEMBER 2 / 8PM / THE GLADSTONE / $10
Reg Vermue is truly a gentlemen (and a lady as Light Fires) and he makes incredibly catchy tunes. He'll be celebrating the release of his latest full length — Leisure Life. Army Girls (featuring Carmen Elle of DIANA ) are opening, and they just so happen to be stellar live, so I'll see you there, OK?

PATRICK WATSON W/THE BARR BROTHERS / DECEMBER 6 / 7PM / MASSEY HALL / $24.50-35
This man writes and performs such powerful songs that I get teary regardless of whether or not I'm PMSing! He won the second ever Polaris Prize in 2007 and his latest release Adventures in Your Own Backyard will make 2012's shortlist or I'll stop making jokes about my period. (Editors note: We can only hope that the one isn't actually contingent upon the other).

JASON COLLETT'S BASEMENT REVUE / DECEMBER 6, 13, 20 (THE GREAT HALL) & 27 / 10PM / THE DAKOTA / $25
Now in its sixth year, the Basement Revue is truly a unique arts experience. Previously hosted exclusively at the Dakota, due to increased demand, they're holding one night at The Great Hall this year. But despite the extra capacity, Collett & friends have a way of making most spaces feel intimate. Plus the bigger venue just means that more people will get to experience whatever amazing guests and performances he has lined up, so don't be a whiny selfish baby.

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND W/JIMMY CLIFF / DECEMBER 7 / 6PM / AIR CANADA CENTRE / $50-90
How offensive is it to humanity that Jimmy Cliff is opening for Dave Matthews Band? That is all.

JAPANDROIDS / DECEMBER 11 / 8PM / THE PHOENIX / $18
Two shitheads (in the best way) from Vancouver are coming all the way to Toronto to see you — so don't stand them up. Their most recent record Celebration Rock was on the Polaris shortlist, so that means a lot to a lot of people (ME included). Don't get them confused with Japanther, which I never do.

PINK MOUNTAINTOPS / DECEMBER 11 / 8:30PM / THE GARRISON / $15
This is when your month gets confusing because these dudes (and gals) have also come all the way from British Columbia to see you, and you'd similarly be a fool to stand them up. If you like Black Mountain a lot or even Lightening Dust— you should be at this show. Another good way to decide is to ask yourself: "Beer or mushrooms?" Just kidding, you can have both.

DIANA W/YACHT CLUB / DECEMBER 13 / 9PM / THE PISTON / $5
Prediction: potentially one of the sexiest shows of the year. When Carmen Elle sings "Born Again" I want to take my clothes off, but then my cat is like "uhhhhhhhhhhhh" and I'm like "sorry bye!" I don't think DIANA have chosen a label just yet, so go see them before they blow up in your face.

ANDY KIM CHRISTMAS SHOW W/SLOAN, KEVIN DREW & BRENDAN CANNING& MORE / DECEMBER 13 / 8PM / THE PHOENIX / $25
OK, so Andy Kim is kind of the shit and so is his co-host Ron Sexsmith, and Sloan and those Broken Social Scene dudes are pretty OK and oh — Arts & Crafts newbies Snowblink, Dan Mangan and Sam Roberts will also be there, so maybe this will be awesome?

FUCKED UP'S LONG WINTER VOL 2 / DECEMBER 14 / 8PM / THE GREAT HALL / PWYC
The first installment was great and weird and confusing, so I have high hopes for the second. "Stay tuned" for more details on Monday. They've been promised to us.

THE WHITE WIRES / DECEMBER 21 / 10PM / PARTS & LABOUR / $8
They're from Ottawa (bleh) and play dirty 60s-inspired garage rock (yay!). Their lyrics are as horrible as Best Coast ("I have a boyfriend/it's summer/the beach/I don't have a boyfriend/sad), but — what the hell? — it's cold and stupid out and maybe it's better to sing "Let's Go to the Beach!" rather than kill the in-laws.

ADDITIONAL SHOWS!

• JUSTIN BIEBER / DECEMBER 1 / 7PM / ROGERS CENTRE / $29.50-95
• MOTHER MOTHER W/HANNAH GEORGAS / DECEMBER 1 / 7PM / KOOL HOUSE / $30
• KELLY HOGAN / DECEMBER 1 / 8PM / DRAKE HOTEL / $15.50
• OHBIJOU / DECEMBER 1 / 9PM / LEE'S PALACE / $15
• MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS / DECEMBER 3 / 7PM / KOOL HAUS / $25
• JEM COHEN: WE HAVE AN ANCHOR W/GUY PICCIOTTO (FUGAZI) AND MORE / DECEMBER 4 & 5 / 8PM / TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX / $30-50
• BAND OF HORSES / DECEMBER 5 / 7PM / MASSEY HALL / $42.50-49.50
• SIMONE FELICE / DECEMBER 5 / 8PM / DRAKE HOTEL / $12.50
• RIFF RAFF / DECEMBER 6 / 8PM / THE HOXTON / $15
• IAN HUNTER & THE RANT BAND / DECEMBER 7 / 9PM / LEE'S PALACE / $39.50
• THE TREWS / DECEMBER 7 / 7PM / ENWAVE THEATRE, HARBOURFRONT CENTRE / $41.75
• HOODIE ALLEN / DECEMBER 7 / 8PM / THE PHOENIX / $22
• THE WATCHMEN / DECEMBER 7 / 9PM / THE HORSESHOE / $26.50
• CONOR OBERST / DECEMBER 8 / 7:15PM / MASSEY HALL / $39.50-69.50
• THE TREWS / DECEMBER 8 / 7PM / ENWAVE THEATRE, HARBOURFRONT CENTRE / $41.75
• U.S.S. W/THE JOHNSTONES&THE BALCONIES / DECEMBER 8 / 7PM / SOUND ACADEMY / $20
• KIM STOCKWOOD / DECEMBER 8 / 6PM / HUGH'S ROOM / $20
• THE FAINT W/TRUST&ICKY BLOSSOMS / DECEMBER 11 / 7PM / SOUND ACADEMY / $23.50
• ST.LUCIA W/GOLD FIELDS / DECEMBER 11 / 8PM / DRAKE HOTEL / $12
• HAWKSLEY WORKMAN / DECEMBER 12 / 7PM / TRINITY ST. PAUL'S / $35
• KILLSWITCH ENGAGE / DECEMBER 12 / 7PM / THE OPERA HOUSE / $20.02
• CAMP LO / DECEMBER 12 / 8PM / SOUND ACADEMY / $15
• SLIM TWIG AND U.S. GIRLS / DECEMBER 13 / 9PM / THE SILVER DOLLAR / $8
• MONSTER TRUCK W/THE DIRTY NIL AND INDIAN HANDCRAFTS / DECEMBER 14 / 8:30PM / LEE'S PALACE/ SOLD OUT
• THE FLATLINERS / DECEMBER 14 / 7:30PM / THE OPERA HOUSE / $18.50
• ODONIS ODONIS W/UNFINISHED BUSINESS / DECEMBER 14 / 9PM / POLYHAUS / $7
• SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO / DECEMBER 14 / 10PM / THE HOXTON / $15
• TOKYO POLICE CLUB / DECEMBER 15 / 8PM / SOUND ACADEMY / $22.50
• THE KILLERS W/TEGAN AND SARA / DECEMBER 15 / 7PM / AIR CANADA CENTRE / $39.50-65
• MONSTER TRUCK W/RITUALS AND TEENAGE KICKS / DECEMBER 15 / 9PM / LEE'S PALACE / SOLD OUT
• JOEL PLASKETT EMERGENCY / DECEMBER 12 & 13 & 14 & 15 & 16 / 8:30PM / THE HORSESHOE / $25-29.50
• THE SKYDIGGERS / DECEMBER 21, 22 / 9PM / THE HORSESHOE / $25
• LUNICE W/THUGLI / DECEMBER 21 / 9PM / THE HOXTON / $15
• CITY AUDACITY W/YACHT CLUB, BACKDOOR LIGHTSHOW / DECEMBER 21 / 7PM / HARD LUCK / $12
• ZED'S DEAD / DEC 22 / 10PM / KOOL HAUS / $20
• Flosstradamus / DEC 28 / 10PM / THE HOXTON / TBA
• Rusty / DEC 28 / 9PM / THE HORSESHOE / $15
• Alexisonfire with MONEEN (26th), FUCKED UP (27th), MONSTER TRUCK (28th) / DEC 26-29 / 7PM / SOUND ACADEMY / SOLD OUT
• CUFF THE DUKE / DEC 29 / 9PM / THE HORSESHOE / $18.50

Photo by Roberto Taddeo on Flickr

Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this November 30-December 2, 2012.

HOLIDAYS

The Drake Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Pop-ups are the next cupcake shop trend in Toronto but this one we can guarantee is worth visiting. The Drake Hotel understands eclectic taste and can apply it to any holiday, so they're opening up Room 222 of the hotel to showcase Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa gift ideas at their annual Holiday Pop-Up Shop. Doors are open from 11-4 this Saturday and Sunday with lots of charming, homemade gifts and vintage décor from local retailers and artists like Coral & Tusk and Julia Hepburn. Do the pop in on your afternoon stroll.
The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West, Room 222), December 1-2, 2012, 11AM Free

Window Wanderland
Window Wanderland throws a little competition into Mount Pleasant window-shopping. Local businesses in the village like Wild Bird, The Little Dollhouse Company and Half-Baked Ideas will compete in a window decorating competition that needs window shoppers to vote. Beginning Saturday, pedestrians are invited to roam the neighbourhood and vote online at MountPleasantVillage.ca until December 19th. Voters will be given an opportunity to win a prize package with goods from participating businesses. Wander in window wonderland and pick the most festive shop!
Mount Pleasant Village (711-508 Mount Pleasant Road), December 1-19, 2012, Free

Santa in the Junction
Calling hip parents with young ones--Santa is riding in to the Junction this Saturday with a babe of his own. Mrs. Claus will be reading stories while kids can visit with Santa and participate in craft workshops with the elves that will be set up along Dundas West at Keele. Chestnuts will be roasting on open outdoor fires and a Christmas market will be set up on the street. Local businesses will serve special treats and offer holiday sales and live performance windows to participate in the festivities to get the Junction in the Christmas spirit.
Dundas West and Keele, December 1, 2012, 11AM Free

FUNDRAISER

3rd Annual "Can I Kick It?"
Kick it old school with high tops, Reebok pumps, and even L.A. Gears if you still have them at the 3rd Annual "Can I Kick It?" party at KITCH. Collecting running shoes for Toronto's Covenant House, the largest youth shelter in the country, KITCH opens its restaurant doors to party for a good cause. A Nike supported event, Rich Tuck, DJ FeelGoodSmalls, Stereotronique and The Academy will provide music while KITCH will provide the drinks. Bring a pair of sneakers to donate and get in free.
KITCH (229 Geary Avenue), November 30, 2012, 10PM $5 or shoe donation

ART

Spinographs: Volume 1
Former Prime Minister Paul Martin, filmmaker David Cronenberg, broadcaster Sook-Yin Lee, comedian Scott Thompson and former MTV host Dan Levy are just some of the known and unknown faces that appear in Spinographs, an Oz Studios original art show that features silent video of people set in spin. Using handheld devices, the self-portraits focus on the faces of local musicians, television personalities, artists and more as they spin in circles. Artist, photographer and videographer Joe Fuda has gathered the short clips for over three years from thousands of participants, many whom will be on display at the Saturday night exhibit opening. Spin by Oz Studios or contribute your own by e-mailing your video to spinograph@gmail.com.
Oz Studios (134 Ossington Avenue), December 1, 2012, 5PM Free

COMEDY

The Panel Show
In need of a comedy fix and disappointed that Mike Epps cancelled on Friday night's show? Check out some local comedy at The Panel Show, a monthly series where comedians gather to participate in a quiz show with a (completely fictitious, seriously, don't get excited) million-dollar prize. Happening Friday evening, this month's show will feature the usual suspects, like Ron Sparks, Ned Petrie and David Tichauer, as well as some new special guests. Knowledge of current events will make this a more laughable experience but is not required.
Comedy Bar (945 Bloor Street West), November 30, 2012, 8PM $5

For more comedy listings, check out our This Week in Comedy post.

FASHION

Dalston Grey Holiday Launch
One can't attend holiday parties without classic vintage holiday dresses to wear and that's why Dalston Grey is bringing in all new product for the season. At opening today, the Dundas West vintage shop will have all new merch on the shelves, including Gat Rimon cashmere sweaters as well as Bay Cooper ties and ladies' head wear. If you're looking for holiday party dresses and accessories, the holiday specials will only be on sale until Sunday so drop in sooner rather than later.
Dalston Grey (1317 Dundas Street West), November 30-December 2, 2012, 12PM Free

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

FILM

In Conversation with Danny Glover
American actor and humanitarian Danny Glover, known best for his work in films like the Lethal Weapon series, The Color Purple and The Royal Tanenbaums, sits down for a live conversation with TIFF's Artistic Director Cameron Bailey this Saturday evening. Glover will discuss his work in the industry as well as his civil and human rights efforts worldwide before his producing partner, Joslyn Barnes, will join the conversation to talk about creating socially conscious cinema through their company Louverture Films. Sunday will see the pair participating in a STUDIO Moguls session with members of the local film industry in a separately ticketed event.
TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West), December 1, 2012, 7PM $18.75 adult, $15 student/senior

Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival
Horror films can still be enjoyed once snow starts falling and that's why the Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival was created. The best of contemporary Canadian horror films will play all weekend long at the Projection Booth East cinema. Six features and countless shorts will play each day beginning in the late afternoon with a special new showcase titled Fright Nights, which premieres this Saturday night with six films. Passes are available for the entire weekend, full days or individual screenings through the Projection Booth's website.
Projection Booth (1035 Gerrard Street East), November 30-December 2, 2012, 7PM $10.20-$18.36

For more film listings, check out our This Week in Film post.

FOOD & DRINK

12 Beers of Christmas
FREE. BEER. The Gladstone Hotel's 12 Beers of Christmas is giving out free beer sample this Friday night from local breweries so long as they are wearing a festive sweater and can withstand three hours of holiday music. Entry is completely free and each guest will be granted 5 samples of beer while supplies (and space) last. Could Christmas get any better than that?
The Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West), November 30, 2012, 6PM Free

For more food listings, check out our This Week in Food post.

THEATRE

Strolling Player
Actor Richard Sheridan Willis takes the stage at Red Sandcastle this weekend to share his journey as a stage and screen actor in his one-man show, Strolling Player. Taking his audience through the years, from his days as a fascinated wannabe at his father's theatre to bringing Shakespeare to the White House, Willis relives his past with the highlights and downturns of his career in what he might call theatre of the absurd. Tickets are available through the Red Sandcastle box office at 416-845-9411.
Red Sandcastle Theatre (922 Queen Street East), December 1-2, 2012, 8PM $15 regular, $10 student/senior

For more theatre listings, check out our This Week in Theatre post.

MUSIC

Survivorman Les Stroud--Songs and Stories
Canadian filmmaker and survival expert Les Stroud of "Survivorman" is also a talented musician who plays the Mod Club on Friday night. In Songs and Stories, Survivorman will share tales of adventure from around the world, accompanied by folk music. Playing the guitar and harmonica, Stroud's set will combine spoken word and song in an inspirational and entertaining evening. Tickets available through Ticketmaster.
Virgin Mobile Mod Club (722 College Street), November 30, 2012, 7PM $36.50

Great Bloomers with Wool on Wolves and Grounders
Great Bloomers have skillfully mixed country pop and roots rock on their latest album Distant Fires and are taking it on tour across Ontario and Quebec, beginning with a show Friday night at the Horseshoe. Joined by their friends in folk rock, Edmonton band Wool on Wolves and locals Grounders, Great Bloomers promise a night of good tunes if you promise to show up and dance. Advance tickets can be purchased at Soundscapes and Rotate This!
Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen Street West), November 30, 2012, 10PM $10 advance, $12 door

For more music listings, check out our Hot Ticket post.

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

Photo by pamlau.com in the blogTO Flickr pool

Photo by Patrick.Younger.Photography in the blogTO Flickr pool

I can't skate, ski, and seem to be the only one wearing a balaclava and toque. If you're as sensitive to the season as I am, follow me as I lead you to warmer pastures in This Week In Comedy.

SUN DEC 2 / JASON ROUSE / YUK YUK'S / 224 RICHMOND W / 8PM / $?

If Christians knew that Jason Rouse (HBO, MTV, Showtime, and BBC) was performing on a Sunday, they might protest. In a world full of people trying to be like other people, he stands out in a crowd. Yeah, yeah, I've heard that before. Oh yeah? If you want to start an interesting conversation with comedians, ask them who they think tried to copy Jason Rouse's style. He's dark...really dark. Like twitter handle @jasonrouse666 dark. Like rubber masks with zippers over the mouth and eyes dark. Now, you might not like his material, but you gotta love the absolute balls it takes to rip apart the ENTIRE PAYING AUDIENCE (see clip). Note: I would've listed the price, but Yuk's has decided to make their website harder to navigate through than finding a safe passage between Scylla and Charybdis.

SUN DEC 2 / KOSHER JOKES FOR THE HALALADAYS / THE LOT / 100 OSSINGTON / 8PM / $15

Muslims, Jews, and funny all in the same room? That's right.  Your headliner, Eman El-Husseini, has been featured at Just For Laughs, Comedy Now, and even detained by Israeli authorities (no joke).  Ali Hassan, one of the friendliest comics you'll ever meet, is fresh off a stint at Just For Laughs.  You might have also seen him as the Comedy freakin' Panelist on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight. Look out for Robert Keller, who made it to the finals of the Tim Sim's Fresh Meat Competition this year. During the round robin, he was able to seamlessly weave together both crowd work and material -- no small feat given the three-minute time constraint. He's next.

FRI DEC 7 / HELDER BRUM & FRIENDS / COMEDY BAR / 945 BLOOR W / 8PM / $5

It's been an interesting ride for Helder Brum these past eight years.  After diving in headfirst to stand-up comedy, he got swept up in the world of construction.  He is, after all, Português (his joke, not mine).  The first time I saw him on stage, I was really impressed with the way he casually slayed the audience.  It's one thing for a comedian to get laughs by embellishing punchlines, completely another to let the audience decide what's funny and what isn't.  Though well-known comics like Kathleen Phillips and Pat Thornton are also featured, pay special attention to Darryl Orr. His, 'I look like a...' jokes are KILLER.

FRI DEC 7 / PASSION COMEDY SHOWCASE II / GROOVE BAR & GRILL / 1952 DANFORTH / 9PM / $15

Producers/Comedians Brett Young and Kirk Hicks initially started their Passion Comedy series at the bar where Tony Montana got shot (Passion Lounge, 1220 Danforth). Alas, that place recently closed up shop. This week, you'll find them at the Groove Bar & Grill, bringing with them their best line-up to date. Your headliner is K. Trevor Wilson, who's done everything from win the Just For Laughs Homegrown Competition to opening for Louis freakin' CK. Double Wowzers. Pay special attention to Brett Young. He knows just about everything there is to know about science fiction, and I love his act because he could care less if the audience knows what he's talking about. Now, usually an act like that might alienate an audience, but Brett's sincere love and enthusiasm compels the crowd to go with him, striving to understand what the heck he's so upset about. For example, I saw him get worked up over the recent Spider-Man flick. He said that it was so watered down that if someone got him the DVD for Christmas, he'd have to sprinkle Crystal-Lite on it first.

FRI DEC 7 / LISA LAMPANELLI / MASSEY HALL / 178 VICTORIA / 8PM / $64

To be honest, I've seen people make more jokes about Lisa Lampanelli than I've seen Lisa tell jokes herself. Like many of you, I was introduced to her through the Comedy Central Roast series. She's overweight, enjoys the opposite sex (and race), and was an easy target. That said, she knew how to handle herself and stuck it to her hecklers, which was why she was asked to return to roast seven other celebrities. Her act is, uh, not for the easily offended. But hey, it's better to be a meaningful specific than a wandering generality.

SAT DEC 8 / SUPERSTARS OF COMEDY / COMEDY BAR / 945 BLOOR W / 930PM / $10 ADV $12 DOOR

See Dave Merheje headline for $10? Are you kidding me? I'm there. But don't sleep on Josh Infald. I saw him CRUSH at the Tim Sim's Fresh Meat Competition and, by all accounts, it was a crime that he didn't make it to the finals. Granted, his material is dark, but that's exactly what made his performance impressive. You see, the crowd that night was dominated by 35-55 year old's supporting their kids. It's not everyday you see that crowd laughing at Oedipal jokes. Check him out -- he's next.

About the Author: This is Michael Jagdeo, and I refuse to write about myself in the third-person. My blog, Diary of a Stand-up Comedian, teaches you how to be - and how not to be - a comedian in Toronto. 

The Juice Dept on Baldwin Avenue is no more. The short-lived juice bar that took forever to open has been replaced by a serene cafe that invites customers to stay a while. No, really — take off your shoes, head in the meditation room, or maybe read a few chapters on Buddhist tranquility. All while enjoying the daily chaga tea, of course. This new Kensington Market spot is more about holistic health than transient trends, with shelves lined with superfoods and a deliberate lack of punny tea titles.

Read my profile of Samadhi Tea House in the cafes section.

Longtime friendships don't always develop into fruitful collaborations, but Toronto DJ duo ColeCo certainly prove they can. Their sound walks a line between several genres--hip hop, funky disco, with a touch of heavy bass--and with several albums under their belt, including the successful El Verano EP, they're only gaining steam. They've even opened for the likes of The Weeknd (no big deal), and they've remixed for other local talent like Young Empires.

I talked to the DJ duo about their roots in electronic music, favourite drinks, and where exactly Toronto's music scene is lacking.

How did you two become friends?

Duncan: We were 16 years old; we used to spin parties all around Brampton, Mississauga, and the outskirts of the GTA. We were into this genre of music--going to raves and everything--but no one else in our city was really spinning it. At one party, I was the hip hop DJ and Sean was the jungle DJ, and we were both scratching and cutting. I turned around and Sean was scratching over a jungle record for 7 minutes, and at that moment I knew that we had to collaborate.

How did you start DJing? How did ColeCo come to be?

Sean: We started to DJ when we were little kids; we played instruments, and just wanted to try new things. I got a pair of old turntables. He played hip-hop, I played drum and bass, and we just became infatuated with the music industry.

D: When we first met each at a show, we wanted to see what we could do together. We've known each other for 15 years.

Can you describe your creative process?

D: We listen to so many different genres of music and none of them matter more to us than the others. When we are trying to be creative, people who inspire us tend to inspire our music. So whether we take it from soul, jazz, house, or trap music, it's whatever gives us that energy that makes us want to actually create an energetic sound. Nothing we do is ever going to sound the same.

S: It's also highly influenced by what's going on in our lives at that moment, whether we have a show coming up or we have personal drama--for example, if someone just broke up with their girlfriend or whatever. That will help set the tone for our music.

How does the dynamic between you two work when you sit down to make a track?

S: It really is all about how we feel at that moment.

D: The work ethic is basically like a kitchen or an army. Everyone knows their roles and there are so many important roles to production--being two engineers simultaneously is not always efficient. So most of the time, one person takes the forefront, and the other takes the backend as the producer or the engineer--just making sure that it all goes smoothly.

Sean and I are never doing the same thing when we are in the studio. We have been producing for 10 years, and we try to reach that balance where it's not like we're arguing over whose idea we're using; rather, we do it for the good of ColeCo. We make what we like, and if we are turned on, probably someone else might be.

What's one thing that makes Toronto's dance scene different from that of other cities?

D: Toronto doesn't yet have its own identity--it's still new. There are so many diverse ways to expand your musical horizon.

S: Toronto is a big multicultural society; a big melting pot of electronic and dance music. We are still trying find ourselves as leaders in the music industry.

Where would you say the Toronto electronic scene lacks?

S: I think for dance music, a lot of people aren't working together. A lot of people are trying to stick to their own craft, and work in their own circles, and they're trying to get ahead. If everyone just realized that we're all trying to do the same thing, we could all be successful together. It's been proven time and time again--in England or New York--that hip hop has become a genre where many artists collaborate. It's as though every music scene has become a movement because everyone has worked together to a certain degree. You can still have your own camp, but work together with other artists and help each other grow.

D: There are too many politics that control the output of what is available to the public in Toronto. If Toronto is to have its own "scene" and identity, then we need to work together because our scenes are still small.

How do your studio and live show equipment differ?

S: We use everything from hardware to software. We use Ableton, Logic, and Protools.

D: Our in-studio equipment consists of a lot of old-school vintage synths, guitars, and pianos. It's not so practical for going on tour. So right now, we don't want to bring our whole show with us--for example, Azari & III, they literally have their whole studio on stage. We want to be able to bring a portion of it and do it in a way that's interactive, but at the same time different than what a DJ would do. We want to perform like Digitalism, Cut copy, Soulwax, J.u.s.t.i.c.e, so it's like an actual production.

What do your day jobs involve?

D: I work at Nomad on West Queen West.

S: I work as an audio engineer; I'm floating around working in the film industry as a sound recorder. I've worked with other artists doing programming for their live shows. At the moment we are touring, and doing what we love doing.

What advice would you give to young, aspiring DJs--male or female?

S: Consistently make the music that you yourself love, and trust that your instincts will eventually evolve through your practice--it's the hunger that you put into something that people will appreciate. The more you become influenced by what other people are doing, and you try to make their music, the more you are going to steer away from your own music and what you really like.

D: The biggest piece of advice that I have for anyone that is up-and-coming is that your identity matters before anything else. Fuck what everyone else says--if you haven't established yourself, and you haven't made your own market, you're just another person that's not innovative. The only way to establish yourself is to be yourself. It's easy to copy someone. Create your own identity and fan base.

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

Favorite venue?

D: When raves used to happen at the Better Living Center in the '90s, and the first four months when Peter Gatian opened Circa in Toronto.
S: I'd love to play Liv in Miami at some point.

Favorite Brunch Spot?

D:Hot House Cafe.
S: I'm going to have to say Hot House Cafe, too. No one can out-do their Sunday brunch buffet. 

Candy or Chocolate? 

D: Candy all day. I'm lactose (intolerant).
S: Candy all the way, as long as it's sour. Leave the chocolate for the ladies.

Beer or Liquor? 

D: We drink beer like its water, but when we go all out, it's white or brown, like Bombay or Henney Straight up or on ice.
S: Today, I'm drinking white gin, tomorrow brown Henn.

For more DJ profiles, visit our Toronto DJs board on Pinterest

Is there a DJ you would like to see profiled on blogTO? Email us at editors [at] blogto [dotcom].

Photos by Dylan Leeder

December is upon us, traditionally when the snow begins to fall and creatures begin to hibernate in centrally heated caves with cable and WiFi. But Canadian winter and horror go together like David Cronenberg and gore...or at least they should! So this weekend fans of things that go boo in the dark should head over to the inaugural Blood in the Snow Horror Film Festival presented by Fright Nights, which kicked off last night at Projection Booth East at 1035 Gerrard St East.

Featuring Canadian filmmakers showcasing the best in homegrown horror, the festival's opening feature is zombie flick 'Sick', at 7pm by director Ryan M. Andrews, in its world premiere together with the short film "The Post-Lifers" (Toronto Premiere) directed by Greg Kovacs.

The three day festival features (quite aptly) 13 films, but there are a few stand-out films to check out. First among these is "Beyond the Black Rainbow" by director Panos Cosmatos with the short film "Roachfar" - directed by Steven Cerritos. This plays November 30 at 9.30pm.

Also notable on December 1st (today) is "In the House of Flies" (World Premiere), directed by Gabriel Carrer and screening with shorts "The Stolen" (Toronto Premiere) directed by Karen Lam, and "Self Portrait" - directed by Jovanka Vuckovic. This screens at 6.30 pm, but the short film "Hellvetica" by Kalen Artinian, screening at 11.45pm should also elicit a few morbid chuckles.

The festival pass bought online is $40.80, but day passes for today (Saturday) are $35.70, and individual films are $10.20.

Next weekend is another CanCon friendly film festival, the independent short film and video fest SHAVED II Short Film and Video Art Screening, created by Chris Laxton. Screening at Projection Booth Metro on December 8th, this is the second installment of the fest - the first one last year sold out, which might give you a reason to temporarily emerge from your goose-down draped cocoon.

This year's edition promises brand new local film and video work from independent producers, directors, and artists in Toronto.

Doors open at 8pm, and screenings begin at 9.45pm.

When the TTC signed an agreement with Metrolinx to bring full-scale Presto facilities to the subway, streetcar, and bus network this week it officially set a funeral date for its humble token. In 2015, when riders will pay fares by electronic card or cash, the token will have no place in the fare box.

The little coins date back to the 1950s when counterfeiters were becoming increasingly adept at forging paper tickets and the TTC was keen to update its fare payment system for the opening of the Yonge subway. It would be a while before crafty crooks would find a way to skip out on fares, but they got there in the end.

Getting the first batch of 10 million tokens made wasn't without controversy. Local stamping businesses cried foul when the TTC awarded the contract to Southam Press Co., a Montreal firm, without properly circulating the specifications locally. Two owners quoted in the Toronto Star said they had bid assuming the coins would be approximately the size and weight of a nickel. Southam Press won because their lowest bid correctly established the roughly dime-sized proportions.

The first fares paid with a dedicated coin were pushed into brand new automatic turnstiles under Yonge street when Canada's first subway opened in 1954. An instructional leaflet circulated at the time told passengers how to purchase a token from an automatic machine (one for 15 cents, four for 60) and proceed into the underground. For nostalgia buffs, two of these original-style turnstiles are still in place at Sherbourne station.

The first generation tokens were made of aluminum with a simple "good for one fare" message stamped on the verso. In case anyone got confused by the concept, special guides were on hand to answer questions and explain the idea of a valueless coin to commuters.

The TTC introduced a fare zone system - an idea it would tweak over the years - in 1954 that offered five tokens for 50 cents instead of three for a quarter. It was only the second fare hike in the Commission's history and was naturally met with some resistance. The "single-fare zone" encompassed Forest Hill, Leaside, East York, Swansea, and the core of the city; travel to the townships outside required a second coin. Despite the concerns, the Star promised "Toronto will likely still hold the lead for efficient and inexpensive transportation."

The automatic vending machines, which were beset with technical problems from day one, couldn't be recalibrated to dispense more tokens under the new system and the TTC seriously considered ditching the three-month old tokens altogether. The machines were so bad that maintenance crews worked nights just to keep them running.

The automatic dispensers were removed for several months to iron out these kinks while an experimental single token dispenser was tested at King station in 1960.

During this time it was possible to buy tokens in any amount from the ticket booth at subway stations and from guides. For reasons that aren't entirely clear, disgruntled TTC workers occasionally refused to do sell single tokens, prompting reprimands and a note in the newspaper.

As the value of a token increased with each fare hike, the TTC had to adapt the way it operated to prevent people buying in bulk and hoarding the coins for months, something that continues to be a problem. As their popularity grew, customers complained the dime-sized pieces were too easy to mix up with regular change and so square and even triangular replacements were considered.

Instead, the solution came in the form of a red paper container with the druggy name "Tokestrip" which was capable of holding seven tokens and cost a $1 with all purchases of multiple tokens. This was later replaced with a plastic version sponsored by the Bank of Montreal, much to the annoyance of Peter H. Storm, the lone man making them. "The public simply won't be bothered with these new containers," he confidently declared, assuming the public would rage for his tear-off container's return. They didn't.

A new, significantly heavier brass token with a large version of the TTC crest on the face and a "winged symbol" (what would eventually become the current logo) on the back replaced the original coinage in 1963. Five years later a special commemorative edition was minted to celebrate the opening of the Bloor-Danforth extension to Islington and Warden stations.

The coins made in the 1960s would remain the TTC's token of choice until 2006 when the FBI busted a giant counterfeiting ring specializing in slugs capable of fooling Toronto's automated turnstiles and all but the most diligent of operators. The illegal operation made roughly 5 million fake tokens from its base in the United States, costing the cash-strapped TTC roughly $10 million in lost revenue.

The fakes were sold at steep discounts through a loose network in bars, outside stations, workplaces, and online. The only sure way to spot a fake was tighter than normal spacing on the embossed lettering. In the fallout from the scam, the TTC promised an entirely new transit currency would be in place within a year.

The replacement tokens, stamped by Osborne Coinage, an American company, would be the final metal fares to circulate in Toronto and were designed to be harder to forge - the swirled pattern on the edges makes it harder for bootleggers to cut a fake stamp plate.

When the first batch of 20 million high-security coins were released in late 2006 at a cost of $1.7 million (8.5 cents each) the TTC attempted to coin the nickname the "teeny-tiny toonie." It didn't. Nevertheless, the tokens will no doubt be missed when they are finally dropped for good in the next three years.

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

Images: City of Toronto Archives, public domain, and "TTC Tokens from 1954 & 2012" by Brian.Nguyen in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Diamond Rings knows how to hype a show. And it worked. Selling out the Mod Club for a hometown show wasn't the biggest challenge, though. That was to come later. Later, when he was becoming one of Toronto's newest breakout artists, for real this time.

Diamond Rings (aka. John O), Toronto's glam rock extraordinaire, has become just that. With a fresh sophomore album (Free Dimensional) now in a record store near you, an album that improved, yet didn't deviate from his acclaimed debut with Special Affections. But the transition from DIY bedroom-produced dance pop to embracing a polished and poised stage-ready look and sound has made its debut.

Part of the reason you go to a Diamond Rings show is to see what the hell he's wearing. A lady behind me quipped to her friend, "he's kinda like the Canadian David Bowie." And although I wouldn't go that far, the genre-bending, costume changing (4) and perfect haircut-toting is there.

First things first, chronologically speaking. The openers, Gold & Youth, another band with a good amount of building buzz, were back on Toronto's stage. The last time I saw them was at the Rivoli back when they did the Arts & Crafts showcase for NXNE. But after having their debut album release pushed back from this summer to sometime in the new year, I was wondering when they'd be back around.

This venture, although decent, wasn't all the way there, sadly. With the sound cutting out at the beginning, a sense of awkward unease seemed to prevail throughout the set. (The crowd was full of mustaches. Never easy to perform in front of, I'd assume.) Happy to stand back and just play their songs, at times rushing through their set, the highlight was their new single, the second song in, "City of Quartz."

As for the dude with the blond flat top, studded white jacket, shades and matching back-up performers (who were all wearing Diamond Rings-embroidered everything), the confidence was profound.

With the beat of "Everything Speaks" taking hold, John O enters with a massive piece of silver foil (or something or other) wrapped around his body and head. Well, ok, that's one way to make an entrance. A sort of silver dancing butterfly-bat thing emerged during the chorus and Diamond Ring's metamorphoses into a glam pop rocker had taken hold.

Diamond Rings has an undeniable stage presence. Having done the circuit a couple times now, there was a little bit of uncertainty at the beginning of Diamond Rings lifespan with aesthetic, sound, genre and live performance. All of that has changed and come into its own.

With the talented Miracle Fortress backing up on lead guitar, a polished live sound--John O perfectly rapped in "(I Know) What I'm Made Of"--and a confident and cool stage presence including choreographed dance moves, Diamond Rings is ready to breakout. The question is if the alternative mainstream is ready.

And with all the hype, this was a big show for the young up-and-comer. "I've been waiting a long time for this show. Thanks for coming," John O announced, later noting that his parents were in the mezzanine, and it was their anniversary.

A special night for all.

Setlist:

Everything Speaks
All the Time
Wait & See
Runaway Love
I'm Just Me
Hand Over My Heart
(I Know) What I'm Made Of
Put Me On
Something Else
A to Z
Stand My Ground
All Yr Songs

Encore

It's Not My Party
Day & Night

Writing by Ryan Bolton / Photography by Alejandro Santiago

Photo by francisLM in the blogTO Flickr pool

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

The Story / Evergreen Brick Works / 7:00pm / $12.50-$30
Martha Ross' The Story was solidified as an instant holiday classic when it premiered to critical acclaim last season. And earlier on this year is was nominated for six Dora Awards, with Jennifer Brewin taking home the prize for Outstanding Direction. The show is an outdoor walking tour of the Evergreen Brick Works where, at stops along the way, segments of the nativity story unfold. Ross' cozy and memorable holiday experience plays at the Evergreen Brick Works until December 30.

This is What Happens Next / Necessary Angel - Factory Theatre / 8:00pm/2:00pm / $15-$25
Necessary Angel presents Toronto's last opportunity to catch acclaimed playwright and performer Daniel MacIvor in This is What Happens Next at Factory Theatre. The playwright once again teams up with director Daniel Brooks on what is said to be his last solo show. Drawn from the very human struggles we face (addiction, divorce, self-consciousness), MacIvor mined his own experiences for this work. The result is as autobiographical a piece as you're going to see from our treasured wordsmith.

A Christmas Carol / Soulpepper - Young Centre / 7:30pm / $22-$68
The Dickensian class A Christmas Carol appears on stage in time for the holidays at Soulpepper. A large cast of company regulars bring the story of Scrooge and Tiny Tim to life, with visits along the way from the ghosts of Christmases past, present, and future. The production is directed by Michael Shamata and features Joseph Ziegler as the holiday curmudgeon.

Giselle / National Ballet - Four Seasons / 7:30pm/2:00pm / $25-$100+
Following on the success of the lavish Alice's Adventures in Wonderful and directly before their annual presentation of The Nutcracker, the National Ballet sneaks in a short run of the 1841 classic Giselle, a romantic and hauntingly beautiful dance about love and passion. Principal Dancer Greta Hodgkinson, who has danced Giselle numerous times, will perform the challenging title role.

The 501: Toronto in Transit / Theatre Passe Muraille / 7:30pm/2:00pm $25-$30
In what could be considered a sister piece to Theatre Passe Muraille's recent Fare Game: Life in Toronto's Taxis, the newest show on the TPM stage examines Toronto's iconic public transit system, the TTC. The content of The 501: Toronto in Transit was inspired by conversations and interactions on the 501 streetcar, one of the longest streetcar lines in the world. The show was created and will be performed by Justin Many Fingers, Bob Nasmith, and Donna-Michelle St. Bernard.

December necessarily reveals a slowdown in the pace of shows in the latter half of the month as the holidays near, but don't let that fool you into believing the quality of performance or the power of the words will diminish in any way. Think of this month's offerings as a suitable conclusion for 2012 and an appetizer for what's to come in 2013. Toronto's spoken word scene wraps up an exciting year with the following on tap as autumn turns to winter.

HOT TICKETS

SOULSTICE MUSIC & POETRY / DECEMBER 13 / 8PM / WATERFALLS INDIAN TAPAS / $10
Two terrific acts come together to present a collaborative celebration of word, song and sound when indigenous poet/MC Mahlikah Awe:ri and local poetry phenom Britta B unite with musicians from Red Slam Collective and The Banter. The combination of these two strong women is a blending not to be missed.

HOT-SAUCED WORDS 5TH ANNUAL POETRY ANTI-PAGEANT SHOW / december 20 / 8pm / black swan tavern / free
This annual event in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank will feature Hot-Sauced Words host James Dewar alongside a cappella fun group Kirsten Sandwich, as well as mini-feature sets by Sue Reynolds, Duncan Armstrong, Kate Marshall-Flaherty and Cathy Petch. Admission is free but cash donations for the food bank will be graciously accepted.

ONTARIO SPOKEN WORD CIRCUIT PRESENTS CHRIS GILPIN / DECEMBER 17, 19 & 20
The OSWC is a consortium of five spoken word groups that stage monthly spoken word events in London, Guelph, Hamilton, Burlington, Mississauga, Toronto and York Region. Thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts they will bring a high-profile artist each month to perform at the venues on the circuit. This month it's the hilariously clever Vancouver BC poet Chris Gilpin at Bill Brown's 1-2-3 Slam (December 19), Burlington Slam Project (December 20) and Mississauga Poetry Slam (November 26).

afternoon poetry / december 16 / 3pm / Q SPACE / FREE
Leo Paradela is launching a new book, Soliloquy, on an afternoon where he will be joined by spoken word artists Brandon Pitts, Vanessa McGowan and Ritallin and local poet Barbara de la Fuente. It will be an excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

OTHER SHOWS AND EVENTS

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

Love Jones Sundays hosted by JV Da Poet / December 2 / 7pm / No One Writes to the Colonel / $10

R.I.S.E. Poetry Movement / December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 / 6pm / Scarborough Youth Resource Centre / $2

Loose Leaf Poets & Writers / December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 / 7pm / Fogarty's / free

The Art Bar Poetry Series / December 4 and 11 / 8pm / Pauper's Pub / PWYC

Launch of "Divine Cockeyed Genius" by Vanessa McGowan / December 5 / 7pm / Q Space / free

Flowetic Wednesdays Toronto ft. Kim Katrin Crosby and Steve Hall / December 5 / 7pm / Zemra Bar Lounge / $5

Women Won't Forget December 6 Vigil / December 6 / 6pm / Philosopher's Walk (between ROM and Royal Conservatory) / free

Livewords / December 6 / 7:30pm / Black Swan Tavern / PWYC

Toronto Poetry Slam / December 9 (ft. The White Noise Machine) and December 22 (ft. Tomy Bewick) / 8pm / The Drake Hotel / $5

The Beautiful & The Damned hosted by Duncan Armstrong / December 13 / 7pm / Glad Day Bookshop / PWYC

In Other Words by Dwayne Morgan & Lishai / December 13 / 8pm / The Boat / $10

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

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

Modern Living in the Land of Dreams CD Launch by Electric Jon / December 16 / 8pm / Saving Gigi / free

For more listings, head on over to the events calendar or check out the Cytopoetics Events spoken word blog for local info updated weekly during the month.

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

Writing by Greg Frankson

Independent cafes typically crop up in the Junction, Leslieville, Queen West — pretty much anywhere that isn't on Yonge south of Bloor. The new cafe, however, has boldly broken the mold, offering it espresso and sandwiches from its new Yonge Street address. Primed for people-watching, too.

Read my profile of Cafe M in the cafes section.