On the eastern reaches of the Danforth, this Indian restaurant has a hearty local following, thanks to the handiwork of chef Gurnam "Mama" Singh, who runs the spot with her husband and son. Go here for the all you can eat lunch and dinner buffets or order off the menu a long list of Indian classics.
Find out more in my profile of Poonam Delite in the restaurant section.
Doug Ford's first public debate as candidate for mayor was a raucous affair chock full of heated exchanges, crowd trouble, and bluster as the three leading candidates, John Tory, Doug Ford, and Olivia Chow, faced off in Ford-friendly territory, at York Memorial Collegiate at Eglinton and Keele.
Early in the evening, a heckler was removed from the auditorium after shouting at the candidates and refusing to sit down. Later, David Price, former aide to Rob Ford and "former participant in Doug Ford's hashish enterprise," was also told by police to stop interrupting. The crowd was loud throughout.
On transit, Doug Ford, like his brother, promised to build new subway lines. Olivia Chow promoted LRT lines in Scarborough while John Tory tried to build support for his SmartTrack plan, which involves retrofitting GO rail lines through downtown.
Doug Ford refused to say whether, as mayor, he'd attend the city's annual Pride parade. The Ford family have skipped the event in previous years, claiming an immovable prior engagement at the family cottage. Ford was also criticized for failing to reach the goals set by his brother over the last four years.
At one point, Ford zinged Tory by getting him to admit he didn't know which city committee handled purchasing. "You don't know because you don't have the experience," Ford said. He offered Tory his cellphone and asked if he'd like to call the mayor to find out. Chow said Tory would spend his time at city hall trying to find the elevators.
Surprisingly, Doug Ford said he supported building separated bike lanes. Chow said the Fords "ripped out a lot of existing bike lanes, whether it was Jarvis or other roads" during their time in office.
The debate came on the heels of a new Forum Research poll for the Toronto Star and Citytv that gives John Tory a seven point lead in the race (38 percent,) ahead of Doug Ford (31 percent.) The results put Olivia Chow in third at 25 percent. Last week, a poll for The Globe and Mail and CTV News suggested John Tory had 49 percent support among decided voters.
Yesterday, Rob Ford was released from Mount Sinai Hospital following his first round of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with a cancerous tumour.
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Photo from Doug Ford's Facebook page
The Wonut is on the way to Toronto. Yes, you read that correctly. The Cronut's new competitor is part waffle and part donut. In a food scene ever more focused on items that might "go viral," this one is the latest thing. Dreamed up at the Waffles Cafe in Chicago, the Wonut has already received plenty of US media attention, and now it's our turn.
Here's the lowdown on how these things are made: "the wonut starts when a thickened variation on waffle batter, which comes in vanilla, chocolate or red velvet, hits the irons. The heat from the red-hot iron gives the wonut a crispier crust, different from a donut.... From there, the wonuts are deep-fried in vegetable shortening and dipped in a sugar, marshmallow, maple or chocolate glaze."
In other words, this really is a waffle/donut hybrid. While positioned as "breakfast food," it's probably more apt to place the wonut in the novelty department for now. You can get a taste of this culinary chimera at Canada's Baking and Sweets Show, which runs this weekend from September 26th to 28th at Toronto Congress Centre (650 Dixon Road).
Loblaws is looking to get into the drive-through business, and it's starting in the GTA. Beginning at its location in Richmond Hill (301 High Tech Rd.), the grocer will roll out what it calls a click-and-collect program, which allows shoppers to select their food online before swinging by to pick it up. While home delivery is the more popular alternative to in-store shopping in North America, the click-and-collect program is more common in Europe.
From a consumer standpoint, home delivery might be more convenient, but there's a host of reasons why drive-through might appeal to local customers, not the least of which is that it's a bit cheaper (there are obviously no delivery fees). You also don't need to arrange a time to be home to receive the delivery. From the retailer's standpoint it's far more desirable, as costs associated with delivery are avoided altogether.
The pilot is expected to start later this year, as Loblaws currently looks to hire a team of personal shoppers who will make in-store selections on behalf of customers. What do you think? Is click-and-collect a better way to shop?
Ellis Wiley's some 1,500 street photographs are a vital part of the City of Toronto Archives collection. An accountant by trade, Wiley was an enthusiastic amateur who photographed landmarks like the CN Tower, Fort York, Kensington Market, St. Lawrence Market, Ontario Place, and much of downtown in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, in doing so capturing important moments in the development of the city.
His photographs of Kensington Market in the 1960s and 70s aren't classics, but, like his other work, they capture a neighbourhood in a state of change. Following the second world war, the predominately Jewish market area became a popular destination for immigrants from other parts of the world, like the Caribbean, India, Philippines, Vietnam, and Latin America, as well as punks, hippies, and bohemians in the 1980s.
These photos, taken in the 1970s, show live poultry on display outside Augusta Kosher Poultry and Meat Market, colourful bolts of fabric, and chaotic food stalls around the time the important CBC sitcom King of Kensington was filmed. The program mirrored the culture of Kensington at the time and helped to reinforce its values.
"The show's depiction of Kensington Market as a resilient urban village within a growing metropolitan centre realistically mirrored the community's resistance to urban renewal and freeway construction plans that were destroying similar communities in other parts of Toronto," the Kensington Market Historical Society writes.
Take a look at Kensington Market as it used to be.
Boy teasing a chicken.
Eggs for sale at Augusta Kosher Poultry and Meat Market on Augusta Ave.
Fruit stand with "Air Conditioned" Portugal Barber Shop in the background.
Fruit, vegetables, and people spill off the sidewalk at Nassau and Augusta.
West Indian Specialities and "Lewie's" or "Lenie's" coffee shop.
Looking west on Baldwin St. towards Toronto Western Hospital.
Examining fabric.
""Bird Call, Cashews-Pistachios And soft toys."
And, of course, the opening for the King of Kensington (1975-1980).
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Images: City of Toronto Archives
BMO Field is getting a whole lot bigger, as Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment formally kicked off construction on a $105 million renovation that will add 8,400 seats, bring capacity up to roughly 30,000. That should help address the issue of sell-outs that faced fans looking for tickets this season, but might also open up the possibility for an NHL Winter Classic to be held in Toronto (I tend to think the capacity isn't quite high enough for this).
In addition to all the extra seats, the expansion will include 12 executive boxes and upgraded concessions, both of which should prove to be solid earners for MLSE and also enrich the experience of watching TFC games.
The renovations are set to take part in two stages, with a third phase possible if funds can be acquired from the federal government. This last part of the renovations would allow the Toronto Argonauts to play at the stadium, but these plans remain up in the air at present. Stage one, which includes the additional seats, boxes and concessions (as well as a fancy new HD video screen), is scheduled to open in May 2015.
The addition of a roof and better lighting and sound is slated for May 2016. Have a look at the renderings below to get a sense of what's in store.
Established in 1959 in Kensington Market, European Quality Meats has long been a Toronto institution recognized for its well-priced meat and signature smoked products like peameal bacon, sausages and deli meats. Alas, the end of an era has come; the original butcher counter on Baldwin was replaced in recent years by Sanagan's and now retail operations in Etobicoke will also cease.
When contacted for comment, a representative was able to confirm that the company has been sold and as per terms of the sale, the existing retail outlet will shutter. Final paperwork is still pending and no comment was offered on what the future holds for European Quality Meats or its 52,000 square foot plant in Brampton.
The best baklava in Toronto is available in an abundance of regional variations. While the Greeks might favour walnuts, honey and spices, you'll also find excellent examples of rose and orange-blossom-infused versions steeped in simple syrup from the Middle East.
Found at specialty grocers, cafes and patisseries citywide, the one thing all these excellent baklavas do have in common is nuts - generally walnuts, pistachios, cashews, or some combination of the three. Sold in a dizzying variety of shapes, delicate folds or hand-rolled presentations, these sweets are typically sold by the pound, though sometimes you'll find them priced per piece.
Here is the best baklava in Toronto.
See also:
The Best Greek Restaurants in Toronto
Where to find Turkish food in Toronto
Apps for students in Toronto make for handy guides to exploring your campus, conquering the city, finding stuff to do, and living on a budget. A little app-based guidance is even handier if you're brand-new on campus and still getting to know the city. The other kids might already know where groceries are cheapest or what the best campus bars are, but Toronto's got tons of great apps that will help you work all that out without trial-and-error. (Or pesky social interaction, for that matter!)
It's worth noting that there are countless non-Toronto-specific apps out there catering to students, including some that would have made my own university years a whole lot easier. (Seriously, there's an app now that lets you generate bibliography entries by scanning the book's bar code. That just seems like an unfair advantage to me.) But we know there's a whole heck of a lot more to campus life than just hitting the books - and these tools will help you make the most of it.
Here are my picks for the top 10 smartphone apps for students in Toronto.
Your campus' app
Campuses can be hideously slow to adopt new technology. From what I hear, Ryerson's course-signup interface is still as backwards and counterintuitive as it was when I went there. But it looks like nearly all of Toronto's post-secondary schools have embraced the mobile revolution with in-house apps that provide course info, campus maps, handy contacts, and more. Check out your options for Ryerson, OCADU, Seneca, George Brown, and U of T (who have a handful for different campuses and faculties).
Toronto Public Library
It follows that if you're studying and researching papers, you're going to be spending a fair amount of time at TPL. But they also have a steadily-growing lineup of digital assets that offer both educational and entertainment value. In addition to managing your account easily through BookMyne (renew items, check holds and due dates, and view your fees), they also offer free magazine downloads to members through the Zinio app, and stream digital audio and video via Hoopla. More proof that having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card.
Transit App
Dozens and dozens of third-party apps use the TTC's arrivals data to help you navigate the system - it's tough to know which one to choose. Lucky for you, we held a poll to determine the best, and Transit App emerged the victor; it pairs reliable info, route maps and a trip planner with a colourful, clear interface. (As a bonus, it also works in 84 other cities - handy if you head home or go on vacation.) Other local favourites include Moovit, RocketMan, and my own personal standby, TTCWatch. (Android users, we've got a list of the best TTC apps just for you.)
Ride The City
Cycling can be one of the most budget-friendly ways to get around town (a little nerve-wracking at first, maybe, but we've got tips for that). The city's network of bike lanes is growing ever larger; Ride The City's iPhone app makes plotting the safest route easy. (Another option: Toronto Bike Map.)
Toronto Bikes
If you want to try cycling in the city, or want the convenience of having a ride waiting for you wherever you go, Bike Share Toronto presents a handy option. To find bike-sharing stations available near you, check out Toronto Bikes, a third-party app endorsed by the service; it'll let you know how far you are from an available bike, as well as how many are waiting in the station. (Sadly, it's only available for iOS - Android users can grab Spotcycle instead.)
A campus safety app
When you're out and about on campus, a security app can bring some peace of mind; several campuses will now allow you to contact on-campus security at the push of a button. York and Humber both went right for creating safety apps (but, interestingly, lack a general-purpose app of their own). OCAD, meanwhile, adopted technology created by Guardly, a Toronto-based firm, to fuel their own security app. If your campus, like U of T and Ryerson, doesn't have their own yet, check out a universal app like Circle of 6, which relies on personal contacts.
GroceryGo
Students will go a long way to save a buck - including schlepping to inconvenient grocery stores to save 25 cents on ramen. GroceryGo trawls the websites of major grocery chains, including Metro, Loblaws, Food Basics, No Frills, and Sobeys, to help you comparison-shop for staple items and snacks. (Sadly, it's only available for Android users.)
Just Eat
Sometimes you're studying late (or too partied-out to leave your rez), you're sick of eating cafeteria food, and you have a whole $20 to splash out on delivery like a baller. Just Eat's mobile app allows you to find restaurants delivering to your location, filter by cuisine or rating, and pay securely. Hello, pad Thai.
An ice-breaking networking app
Between Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Snapchat and (just maybe) Tinder, you're probably good on social interaction (and online timesucks). But if you're looking to meet some new people and get some quad soccer games or study dates off the ground, there are a couple of Toronto-based startups that can help you make that happen. Spot is a location-based app that alerts you to news and activities happening in geographic locations nearby, while SportBuddy helps you organize pickup games, workout dates or weekly groups.
blogTO
OK, so we're a little biased. But if you want discover the best of Toronto we have all our lists available at the push of a button through our blogTO app, available for iPhone and iPad. If you're out after hours, you can arm yourself with our Bars, Pubs and Late Night Eats app, which lets you search for pubs / karaoke bars / after-hours grub in the area. Find food trucks visiting your campus with the Toronto Food Trucks app (iPhone and Android), or take advantage of good weather with our Patio Guide (iPhone and Android).
Did I miss any? Leave your must-have apps for Toronto students in the comments.
Photo by Angie Torres via the blogTO Flickr pool.
Then Jennifer Castle, Black Lips, and the Dandy Warhols are also playing in Toronto tonight. If you're rather talk music than take in a live show, Soho House is hosting a Polaris Prize salon that's open to the public, where you can talk about your Polaris seals, I mean feels. For more events, click on over to our events section.
Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly
Photo of Jennifer Castle by Eva Michon
Toronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.
OPEN NOW
RECENTLY REVIEWED
OPENING SOON
Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to liora@blogto.com
A direct rail link between downtown and Pearson Airport becoming close to reality. The first pair of diesel Union-Pearson Express trains are now in Toronto, making test runs out of Union Station.
Over the next six weeks, the trains will be tested on the Lake Shore, Kitchener, and Barrie GO transit lines during off-peak hours, Metrolinx says. The remaining 16 trains in the order will be similarly evaluated once they are delivered from Japan.
The pair currently undergoing testing were shipped over the Pacific from Toyohashi, Japan to Savannah, Georgia via the Panama Canal. The trains then traveled on a flatbed rail car to Toronto via Chicago, a total of more than 20,000 kms from the point of origin.
The trains include wi-fi, washrooms, luggage racks, electrical outlets, seat-back pockets, meal trays, and seating for 173 people. Metrolinx says the trains, which currently use diesel, are designed for conversion to electric power. "Electrifying the Union Pearson Express is identified as a priority project in Ontario's regional transportation plan, The Big Move," the UP-Express site says.
When it's finished, the four-stop, $456 million line will run from a purpose built platform at Union Station to Terminal 1 by way of Dundas West and Weston GO stations. The trip is expected to take 25 minutes and run from Union and Pearson every 15 minutes.
Metrolinx hasn't officially announced what the fare will be, but recent reports predict it could be in excess of $20.
The line is due to be fully operational by the spring of 2015.
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: Metrolinx/Flickr
The top student bars in Toronto have two winning factors: cheap eats and even cheaper drinks. Between our four resident universities and a handful of colleges, there are also plenty to go around (though they're overwhelmingly centred downtown - sorry, York students, but you'll have to be happy with Absinthe Pub). First-years and frat boys have The Madison Avenue Pub and The Brunswick House (aptly referred to as "The Maddy" and "The Brunny," respectively). For the rest of us, there are the late-night haunts and second homes that medicate our school woes and help to bridge the gap between teenagedom and adulthood.
Here are my picks for the top student bars in Toronto.
Einstein
A short jaunt from the U of T bookstore on College Street, Einstein is a hub for nightly specials and cheap, no-name brews - just how students like it. The atmosphere is mostly made up of science or engineering students, given that it's closest to those parts of campus. Pitchers start as low as $10 for in-house beer, there's a pretty popular jukebox, along with pool and foosball tables for maximum enjoyment.
Red Room
The Red Room is part of a clan of near identical student-friendly restaurants scattered throughout the Annex and Toronto's west side. Others include the Green Room (obviously), Nirvana, Pour Boy, and Java House, all of which have similar menus to Red Room. They're most famous for their sizeable entrées priced under $10 - including their bestseller, the pad thai (don't expect it to be authentic) - and breezy bohemian atmosphere.
Labyrinth Lounge
Most often referred to as "The Lab" by locals, this hole-in-the-wall bar is best known for offering daily drink specials at staggeringly low prices. If you're looking for $3 shots and a lively place to shoot them, The Lab is the watering hole for you. This small bar is also connected to Future Bakery next door, in case you get hungry mid-shot. A word to the wise: mind your manners with the bouncers; they're sometimes strict.
The Madison Avenue Pub
Home to the frat elite, The Madison's three-storey Victorian mansion is a Toronto pub institution. A student's life would simply not be complete without the near-ceremonial experience of a night of drinking at The Maddy--complete with monthly theme parties, live music from Wednesday to Saturday nights, and half-price specials running throughout the week. Weekend nights guarantee also all the dudes, bros, babes, and girls who aren't minors (but could pass for them) you could ask for. You stoked yet, homie?
Victory Café
According to regulars, Victory Café is where the grad students go. It's located in an old, repurposed house on Markham Street south of Bloor, not too far around the corner from Honest Ed's. It's a great spot for craft brews and comfort food and has decent seating on the second floor (the first floor can get crowded, although the atmosphere is still welcoming). People head back here for the varied menu choices and again, the beer. The staff are nice, too.
The Brunswick House
An average weekend night at The Brunny hosts any combination of the following: line-ups of students down the block, mini-pitchers, bumping and/or grinding, midriff-baring, and couples in dark corners making out. The Toronto mainstay has been winning over young crowds year after year with tantalizing drink specials and weekly events like free cover with a student card on Saturdays and line bypass for ladies on Fridays.
Imperial Pub
Imperial Pub's heart lies in The Library, a cozy upstairs lounge with big comfy chairs and a warm, homey feel. There's a quaint patio outside that overlooks the east side of Yonge and Dundas Square and a menu stocked with delicious pub fare (although prices can be a tad steep for the average student budget). It's a place you can go to after class and almost always find a friend to hang with. The Back of Ye Pub acts as a space for live music and somewhere to watch the game with a couple of brews.
Bistro 422
Also known as "The Beast," this hole-in-the-wall bar has is a great laid-back joint for cheap personal pitchers of both beer and mixed drinks, a large selection of shooters, and greasy eats. It's not necessarily the most appealing bar in the city, but its modest and somewhat shabby appearance is what gives Bistro 422 its charm. You'll likely enter sober enough to make it down the stairs to the entrance, but beware of the climb out on your way out.
Sneaky Dee's
Spending an evening with a pile of nachos and several beers at Sneaky Dee's is like a rite of passage for Toronto's student population. The graffiti-ridden furniture, Tex-Mex menu, and ever-flowing beer taps make Sneaky Dee's the ultimate dive bar. They feature daily specials - like half-priced fajita Tuesdays and "The Broke-Ass Student Menu" from Monday to Friday - and regularly host live acts and dance nights at their upstairs venue. Tip: Don't forget your ID when you go! Bouncers are tough on this one, no matter how old you are.
El Furniture Warehouse
The Annex's El Furniture Warehouse is a student budget's dream. Menu items start and end at just $4.95 each, a price-list otherwise unheard of in Toronto's restaurant community. Housed in a cozy, tavern-style pub, the Bloor Street newcomer serves brews and cocktails for prices that are equally as student-friendly (ranging from $5.75 to $8.25), but let's be serious here: the nightly line-ups outside the door are for the food.
Did I miss your favourite? Leave your picks for best student bars in the comments.
Photo by Scott Snider via the blogTO Flickr pool.
As well as his role shouting over a wall of guitars in his band, Abraham was also the host of the Wedge, until the recent round of heavy cutbacks at MuchMusic. Since then he's moved over to hosting an online documentary series for Vice called Canadian Cannabis, which looks at the issue from his perspective as a medical marijuana user.
In one of the more surreal twists in his career, the singer sometimes known as Pink Eyes will be moderating an official Artsvote Mayoral Debate September 29 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox focusing on the relationship between the arts and the city. All the major candidates (except for Team Ford) have committed to taking part.
His band are currently on tour, but will be returning to Toronto to play two shows at the Horseshoe this weekend, with a 19+ show September 26, and an all ages show the next afternoon. I spoke to the always-enthusiastic Abraham on the F*cked Up tour bus about what he would plan for a perfect day in Toronto for a die-hard music fan visiting from out of town.
Where would you start off your day?
I'd start off at Sneaky Dee's first thing in the morning, because that way we can have the F*cked Up Breakfast! What better way to start off a day of Toronto music than eating a meal that will probably take a couple years off your life!
I love playing tour guide for people, but a lot of people would say I'm really bad at it because I'll go into such intense detail that no one other than myself would care about that much minutia.
Sneaky Dee's is a place of great historical significance to Toronto music. Arcade Fire played there, Broken Social Scene and Feist played there at Wavelength, Constantines did those surprise shows, and of course we played there too. I think anyone who's been in a band in Toronto for any length of time has graced the stage of Sneaky Dee's at some point in their career.
What would be the next stop after stuffing your faces with food?
Then I would say we'd do the record troll tour of Toronto. You'd definitely have to take them to Rotate This. In addition to being a vocalist in one of the most important hardcore bands to come out of Toronto: Youth Youth Youth, [Rotate This owner] Brian Taylor also invented the death metal production sound. He was the guy who recorded Slaughter, and with that stuff really refined the sound that would go on to become the death metal sound.
Also, what music lover's trip to Toronto would be complete without Brian Taylor being really mean to you and hurting you as you buy records from him? You need to have that experience. I've been going there for 21 years, and I still feel just as much a stranger to Brian as when I first walked in.
What other Toronto shops would you hit?
We'd probably go to Grasshopper, being it's owned by Grasshopper, the person from Grasshopper. Maybe six or eight months ago, one of the guys from OVO set up a sampling studio in the basement, just sampling records all day. Apparently that's also where Drake and 40 and all those OVO guys bought their bootleg copies of Drake's last record.
I'd also like to take them to the new Sonic Boom location when it opens in a couple weeks. Or maybe take them to the east end, go out to Discovery and also some of the record stores out on the Danforth. We could also go for Greek food at Astoria.
Rotate and Sonic Boom are kind of the signposts for record stores in Toronto right now I guess, but we'd want to go to Soundscapes too. Now's the point where I'm starting to worry about who's going to be really pissed that I forgot to mention their store.
What would you do once you get tired of digging for vinyl?
If it was a Sunday, we'd got to that bluegrass brunch at the Dakota. Music and food, and you can bring the kids.
And what about after the sun sets?
If I had no plans and no idea what was going on, I'd probably take them to the Horseshoe, just to see that venue. There are very few small room venues in the world where the Rolling Stones have played, although I guess in Toronto we have two of them. Everyone has played there. And the programming means you can count on the bands playing being at the very least not embarrassing. You rarely walk in there and wonder 'how the hell did this band get on stage?'. Well, unless it's us playing.
ESSENTIAL SPOTS
Coffee shop: I don't drink coffee, but I always get my tea from the Sovereign.
Brunch:Parts & Labour
Restaurant to take someone from out of town:Electric Mud BBQ
Museum or Gallery: We went to the AGO recently with the kids and it was a really awesome experience. They've got a lot of fun stuff for families. I think that's the most mainstream bullshit answer I could probably give.
Bookstore: Soundscapes, because I love music books.
Movie Theatre:The Royal
Clothing Store:Community 54
Place to eat before or after the show:Poutini's
Secret Toronto place you wish more people knew about:The hidden subway station at Bay Street.
F*cked Up play the Horseshoe twice this weekend: Friday Sept 26 at night, and a matinee show Saturday Sept 27 at 1pm.
The Damian Abraham moderated ArtsVote Mayoral Debate is Monday, Sept 29 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox
Photo via Facebook.
In the coming months, several heavy-hitter pop stars are set to take over the ACC, from Enrique Iglesias with Pitbull to Bastille. Canada's indie elite also have reason to celebrate with the annual Polaris Prize Gala tonight, while heavy music fans can see bands sporting new identities, whether with a new lead singer (Arch Enemy) or a new-ish name (Code Orange).
Your parents are probably excited for the likes of Cher, Bob Dylan (maybe not) and Sarah McLachlan. Not to be outdone are the younger crowd seeking to indulge a little nostalgia - aging and/or maturing pop-punkers can hit up MXPX and Yellowcard, while others can get a nineties Can-con fix through Moist or The Watchmen.
Putting aside all that musical menagerie, here are my top 10 picks for concerts to see this autumn.
Fucked Up - September 26/27 - Horseshoe Tavern
These hometown punks have been going full-force all summer since the release of latest hardcore opus Glass Boys. They've already played a bunch of Toronto shows, including sets at Field Trip and The Rivoli; clearly they love playing at home, so it makes sense they'd be back so soon for this pair of dates at one of our oldest music institutions. Whether they're ripping up a bathroom or bringing their kids on stage, rely on Fucked Up for amped up antics.
Lily Allen - September 28 - Sound Academy
A brief musical hiatus is mostly what's kept snarky songstress Lily Allen from making her way back to this side of the pond for five years. Now she's back with controversy-stoking record Sheezus, and is making her way to Hogtown for a night at the Sound Academy (appropriately controversial in its own right). Enjoy her brand of sweetly judgmental pop alongside Lolawolf, Zoe Kravitz' new synthy band.
Constantines - October 2 and 3 - Danforth Music Hall
Speaking of five years ago - remember when the Constantines were all, "see you around"? That sucked. Thank goodness it was only temporary. Arguably one of the best rock bands from these parts, the Guelph-born quintet came back earlier this year to celebrate the decade (well, 11-year) anniversary of breakout album Shine A Light through a reissue and a handful of festival dates. If you couldn't stomach a hefty festival ticket for a shorter Constantines set, you'll be thrilled that they're playing not one, but two headlining shows. Arms up.
Nas - October 8 - Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Legendary rapper and former Jay-Z nemesis is celebrating a record anniversary of his own - the 20th anniversary of Illmatic. Fans are being treated to a reissue and even a full-length documentary, but even better is the accompanying tour, where Nas is screening the movie and performing the famous album in full. There's two back-to-back shows planned for the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Fleetwood Mac - October 18 - Air Canada Centre
I know: this mostly falls in the "music your parents like" category, but hear me out. My mom talked me into seeing Fleetwood Mac last time they were in town, and despite not being much of a fan, I was blown away. Lindsay Buckingham's ridic guitar work, Stevie Nicks' perfect voice, and the endearing charisma of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie are all undeniable. Plus, now that Christine McVie's back, lots of long-time faves are sure to return to the setlist.
Slowdive - October 28 - Danforth Music Hall
All your favourite retro shoegazers are getting back together, and the latest of the bunch are UK originators Slowdive. They've gone from saying it'll basically never happen to launching a full-scale international tour. Playing in Toronto should be extra special as their last official show before breaking up in '94 was at our very own Lee's Palace. They've paired up with depressingly dreamy descendants Low for their jaunt across North America.
A Tribe Called Red - November 7 - Danforth Music Hall
This DJ trio has quickly climbed to the top tier of Canadian electronic music with two stellar albums, each displaying their contemporary mix of Aboriginal sounds with EDM. Their shows are a lot of fun, especially when they splice in captivating visuals, audience interaction and traditional First Nations dancers into the set. Catch them at the Danforth, where they might try debuting a new tune or two from the next impending LP. While you're there, can you please get to the bottom of what the heck happened with DJ Shub? Thanks.
alt-J - November 11 - Kool Haus
Ever since winning the Mercury Prize, indie Brits alt-J have been riding a pretty Awesome Wave (sorry, had to) of success. Despite losing a member - guitarist Gwil Sainsbury - the band's still been releasing tracks with the catchy, harmony-laden hooks that fans are addicted to. When you see them at the Kool Haus, their second album (This Is All Yours) will have dropped, so you'll have twice the familiar jams for sing-alongs.
TV On The Radio - November 12 - Phoenix Concert Theatre
They already came through Toronto for Luminato this summer, but the curfew-shortened set was probably enough for neither band or fans, so it's a good thing that TOTR are coming back for round two. Expect high-energy performances of their eclectic indie-rock brew, which they always seem to effortlessly translate to stage despite the complex and multi-layered nature of their songs. The exciting news of new LP Seeds means that you can probably hear a few live previews before it drops the following week.
Caribou - November 24 - Danforth Music Hall
Electronic wizard Dan Snaith has put aside his Daphni moniker to refocus on main project Caribou, much to the delight of experimental music fans. New album Our Love is due in October and promises to deliver more innovative genre-fusion with the help of Owen Pallet and Jesse Lanza guesting on tracks. Flanked with a full set of live musicians, Caribou's live shows are always a flurry of instruments, lights, projections, and dance-worthy beats, so it'll definitely be worth your while.
BONUS
Pallbearer / October 24 / Lee's Palace
Because I couldn't possibly do a music roundup without at least one heavy band shout-out, I'm sneaking Pallbearer in here. These Arkansas agents of doom metal are going into fall on a high note (though not literally... at all) thanks last month's a fantastically received sophomore album, Foundations of Burden. The weather's about to get really depressing, really fast. What better way to welcome that than with some of the gloomiest tunes in existence?
Photo of Slowdive by Saul Torres on flickr
Maple Leaf Square, that space between the Air Canada Centre and the eponymous condo tower directly across from the arena, is set to be renamed Ford Square as part of a major sponsorship deal with the car manufacturer (you can breathe a sigh of relief if you thought it had anything to do with our mayor). The move is classic Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, a company that's brilliant when it comes to capitalizing on branding opportunities when it comes to its prized hockey team.
The plan does, however, feel a bit shitty. The original name for the space, which is both a reference to the condo and the team (the former is named after the latter), at least bears a direct connection to its use: as a gathering place for Maple Leafs and Raptors fans. This isn't a case of a public space suddenly taking on corporate branding. On the contrary, this has always been a corporate space.
The arbitrariness of the new name, however, does rob the place of a certain appeal. Maple Leaf Square made sense. It was a place where fans could rally behind their team, and was named as such. Ford Square could just as well be Nissan or GM Square, and it would have no bearing on the enjoyment or use of the space.
Instead, what happens now is that the time and effort MLSE has spent to cultivate a new fan space is revealed as yet another monetization opportunity rather than a genuine attempt at fan appreciation and the fostering of team spirit. None of this is particularly surprising nor will it make the square a terrible place to visit, but a little something is lost in this rebranding, even if it's only the misplaced faith that the Leafs would ever do something for the love of the game.
Here's a scary scenario. According to a new ranking from Bloomberg, Toronto's population will increase to 6,682,061 by the year 2025, which represents a generational spike of 59.2 per cent, or 1,098,997 in the span of 14 years (the last census data dates back to 2011). That keeps our population per square mile (it's an American report) at greater density than New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Now consider our transit infrastructure. The most optimistic projections for the construction of a Yonge Relief Line put it at 15 years from opening, and that's if we can somehow manage a way to get it funded, which is anything but a sure thing given the dithering that's taken place at city hall over transit expansion. If ever there was urgency to agree on a plan -- and an aggressive one at that -- it should be now.
Anyone else a little worried about our mayoral candidates' transit platforms?
Photo by Dan...Mr. Dan in the blogTO Flickr pool.
Obsessed with butter tarts? Head to this cozy little bakery and cafe in Etobicoke, where they crank out rich, sweet pastries made with top-quality butter (and tons of it). There's the classic version for the purists, varieties for raisin and pecan fans, and fruit-flavoured twists like raspberry. While you're there, take a look around and see if there's anything else that catches your eye - the shop doubles as an antique store, and everything's for sale.
Read my profile of Tartistry in the bakery section.
Some TTC rides seem to take forever, others really are significantly longer than the others. Of the more than 150 bus, streetcar, and subway routes, only a handful break 40 kms while making a round trip. The longest of all covers more than 53 kms travelling end to end to end.
I had to be selective about which transit routes made the list. There are night buses that cover a greater distance than the city's longest line, the 54A Lawrence East (the 300A from Pearson to Warden station along the Bloor-Danforth route is a 75.97 km round trip, for example,) and some weekend routes that disappear on lengthy tangents, depending on the day of the week or the time of year. Both were left out.
The distances noted below represent the length of a return journey, because that's how the TTC measures the distances of its routes in its annual service summary (some routes take a different path depending on the direction.)
Here are the 5 longest transit routes in Toronto.
54A Lawrence East: 53.90 kms
The longest round trip available on the TTC is the 54A Lawrence East bus, which travels from Eglinton station in midtown to Starspray Blvd. near the mouth of the Rouge River, via Lawrence East RT station. The trip takes about an hour and a half and services Don Mills, the "Ben Jungle" between Bellamy and McCowan (all the roads start with "Ben" (Benorama Cres. is the best)) Thomson Memorial Park, and Highland Creek.
501 Queen: 50.88 kms
Not only is the 25 km trip from Long Branch to Neville Park the longest streetcar journey in the city, it's the longest on the continent. The venerable old Queen streetcar, which traces its history to the late 1800s, passes through the Beaches, Leslieville, Riverdale, Corktown, Downtown, Queen West, Parkdale, and Etobicoke on its journey from (almost Scarborough) to the western city limit. The line might struggle with delays and management issues, but National Geographic still saw fit to include it in the book Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips in 2007.
52B Lawrence West: 47.55 kms
The western leg of the Lawrence bus is just a few kms shorter than its eastern counterpart. Heading west out of Eglinton station, the bus calls at Lawrence West station, Weston GO station, and Pearson before turning back at Morningstar Drive in Mississauga near Westwood Mall. An additional fare is required for passengers leaving Toronto on the slightly longer "B" version of the route. A roundtrip on both Lawrence buses would cover more than 100 kms.
96A Wilson: 43.63 kms
The winding Wilson bus spends more than half of its lengthy 44 km route twisting and turning from Wilson and Weston Rd. to Glendale Memorial Gardens, servicing Humber College. The bus starts (or ends, depending on your perspective) at York Mills station. During peak periods, a round trip takes almost two and a half hours, according to the TTC, with buses traveling at an average of 19.7 km/h.
39B Finch East: 43.12 kms
Pushing along through city's northernmost neighbourhoods, the 39B rush hour version of the 39A Finch East bus covers 43 kms on its round trip from Finch station at the northern end of the Yonge line to Valley Centre Drive in Scarborough, near Old Finch and Sewells. Visitors to this distant corner of the city can check out an abandoned set of roads near where Old Finch curves north and becomes Sewells. Built in 1912, the Sewells Road bridge over the Rouge River, a short walk north of the bus terminus, is one of only a few suspension bridges in the province.
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: wukevinc, Danielle Scott/blogTO Flickr pool.
