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Toronto ramen scene starts to heat up

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ramen torontoA passion for ramen--that ever-so-rich Japanese noodle soup--is sweeping the city, and there's a quiet, new player on the scene. Its head chef took his cues from the Yamato Ramen School in Japan, and has brought a succinct and no-frills menu of ramen, appetizers and sides to Old Chinatown.

Read my review of Sansotei Ramen in the restaurants section.


A brief history of crossing the Don River

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toronto don riverThundering over the Don Valley on a westbound subway train it's easy to underestimate the shining river below. In numerous locations - Bloor, Gerrard, Dundas, Queen, Eastern, and the Gardiner - it's possible to entirely skip over the lower Don without so much as a bump in the road. Man one, nature nothing.

It wasn't always that simple. Scattered throughout the valley are several abandoned, seldom used, and vacant spaces left by demolished former bridges that once crossed the Don at the river bank rather than the valley wall. Almost every major crossing point south of the Evergreen Brick Works is on its second or third bridge, with the old structures torn down in favour of greater strength, width and height.

The first crossings over the lower Don River, once a powerful, meandering waterway prior to a major engineering project in the late 1800s, were probably nothing more than logs lashed together over a narrow part of the water, much like Playter's Bridge, (shown above, and drawn by Elizabeth P. Simcoe, the wife of John Graves Simcoe).

Playter's Bridge was located parallel to Winchester Street in today's Cabbagetown - a road that once continued down into the Don valley past Necropolis Cemetery. The same crossing point would later be home to the first major bridge over the Don, the larger Winchester Street bridge, shown below with The Isolation Hospital - a precursor to Bridgepoint Health - in the background. The Riverdale Park pedestrian bridge stands just south of the old Winchester Street crossing, which is now, sadly, gone.

toronto winchester bridgeHeading south, the Gerrard Street bridge is the next crossing point. The bridge presently transferring traffic between Broadview Avenue and River Street is actually the third structure to stand on the site. The first, known as Bell's Bridge, was washed away by a flood in the late 1800s, but the second was rather more substantial.

Traversing the entire Don Valley and the railway corridor on the west bank, the metal and stone bridge was a significant upgrade from its predecessor. But, like many other bridges, it became an obstruction as river traffic increased. The third Gerrard Street bridge, the one in use today, features steel arches tall enough for highway, railway and river traffic to pass underneath. The wider road deck has enough room for four lanes of traffic - two in each direction - and two streetcar lanes.

toronto gerrard street bridgeIt's a similar deal over at the Dundas Street bridge, which is in its second incarnation. Dundas Street itself is actually a relatively new addition, frankensteined together from numerous east-west streets. At the time of its construction, the bridge connected Elliot Street in the east, with Wilton Street in the west. Fortunately the road deck was built high enough for the Don Valley Parkway to pass underneath.

toronto dundas bridgeContinuing south, the next major crossing point is the Queen Street Viaduct. There have been at least three bridges at this location since the 1800s. The first captured on film is a low-slung, girder bridge that hopped the river until 1911. It's likely the bridge was replaced for several reasons: to prevent damage from ice break-up on the river below, allow river traffic to pass underneath, and allow increased traffic over the top.

When it came time to replace the bridge with the green truss we know and love today, the old bridge was left in situ while workers hammered away on the ramps and new intersection of King and Queen to the south. The Queen Street Viaduct, to use its official name, was renovated in the 1990s and the famous clock and quote added in 1996. The clock stopped working and was stripped out in 2010.

toronto queen street bridgeThe flow of ice down the Don caused the destruction of several early bridges and was one the key components of the "Don problem," a list of gripes and obstacles to industry that led to the dredging, straightening, and general taming of the river south of Gerrard Street.

The original Eastern Avenue bridge, now considerably further south than the street it used to carry, was one such structure to be claimed by the raging river. The rusting truss bridge still standing today, cut off by the highway on one end and the Lower Don Recreation Trail at the other, once met Sunlight Park Road, formerly part of Eastern Avenue.

At some point the Eastern Avenue truss was doubled in width; early photos show it at just half its original size. The concrete arch bridge beside it is actually still functional; it carries a major Enbridge gas main over the river. Because it's cheaper to maintain than demolish, the old Eastern Avenue bridge remains stranded in place.

toronto old eastern avenue bridgeSouth of here, the Don is traversed by several box girder highway ramps connecting the Gardiner and Don Valley Parkway. The Gardiner itself passes over the river just before the waterway makes a sharp right-angle turn - necessitated by an old land dispute - into Ashbridges Bay.

toronto cherry street bridgeThe most southerly crossing point of note is the famous Cherry Street lift bridge. Built in 1968, the pivoting structure allows lake vessels to access the Keating Channel and the port area off Villiers Street. The bridge replaced a basic wooden swing structure which, amazingly judging by its rickety appearance, carried a single train track over the channel.

Of course, no tour of bridges in the lower Don Valley would be complete with out the big daddy: the Prince Edward Viaduct between Bloor Street and Danforth Avenue. The complete viaduct system is actually two bridges and a large embankment at the top of Parliament Street, built together in 1912.

The western phase created a connection between Bloor and Parliament Streets north of Howard Street while the smaller western section of bridge traversed the Rosedale Valley. The largest piece, the stunning three hinged concrete-steel arch bridge over the Don, was finished in 1918 and named after the Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII.

toronto prince edward viaduct constructionShowing remarkable foresight, both bridges in the viaduct were built to accommodate a subway that wouldn't arrive for decades. Thanks to the roughed-in train deck, only minor modifications were needed when the Bloor-Danforth line arrived in the 1960s. The bridge over the Rosedale Valley is also capable of carrying subway tracks, but the curve to Sherbourne station was considered too tight, necessitating the separate, covered bridge out of Castle Frank.

The suicide prevention barrier, dubbed the luminous veil, arrived in 2003 to reduce the alarming number of people jumping to their deaths over the low railings. At one time, an average of one person jumped every 22 days.

Several rail bridges also cross the Don throughout its lower reaches. The most impressive is the mostly disused CPR "Half Mile" bridge near the Evergreen Brick Works. Soaring above the valley floor, the structure - actually less than half a mile long - was built in the 1880s to ease trains up a change in elevation. It was renovated in spectacular fashion in the 1920s to safely support more weight. In daredevil fashion, workers built a new bridge beside the old one and slipped replacement pieces into position between trains without ever interrupting service. Can't say I would like to be on the first train over a hastily installed section of bridge, but it was a different time.

Several smaller steel and stone bridges are visible from the Lower Don Recreation Trail, which is perhaps the best way of viewing the current crop of Don bridges first-hand. I heartily recommend a trip while the weather holds up.

MORE IMAGES:toronto winchester street bridgeA later incarnation of the Winchester Street after renovations in 1909.toronto gerrard street bridgeThe newly completed Gerrard Street bridge.toronto don bridgeA makeshift bridge over a frozen Don River.toronto queen street bridgeThe old Queen Street bridge is shifted to make way for its replacement.

Photos: Toronto Public Library and City of Toronto Archives.

Gotye not just one-hit wonder at Molson Amphitheatre

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Gotye torontoOn Thursday night, Gotye proved that he's much more than somebody that you used to know by demonstrating his talents--singing, drumming, playing a multitude of instruments, and entertaining the undersold Molson Amphitheatre crowd.

If you've only heard the one song, you're missing out--Gotye's Making Mirrors album is full of lush arrangements and intricate instrumentals, and some of them are even as hummable as his breakthrough hit. Live, the songs translated well on the big stage, buoyed by a bevy of animated projections that can be described as a trippy amalgamation of Ren & Stimpy, Yellow Submarine and The Jetsons.

Gotye Molson Canadian AmphitheatreWouter "Wally" De Backer, a.k.a. Gotye, moved deftly between various drum kits set up around the stage, accompanied by four other musicians.

At one point, he and his bass player were jamming and having so much fun so close to each other that they almost collided. "Don't ever do that again," Gotye joked, "or I'll sit on you!" His banter was light and polite throughout the night, letting the music and the accompanying visuals speak for themselves.

Gotye torontoIt wasn't until one hour into the show that he really engaged the audience. "Can you help us sing this next song?" he pleaded. And everyone stood up, perhaps hoping it was his 300-million-plus viewed YouTube sensation.

He got the guys and girls in the crowd singing along with a "Hey-ee-ah-oh," the opening of the penultimate song on Making Mirrors. But then he lost all the momentum he had gained after the song ended, by asking "is it cool if we play a couple of quiet songs"--just when he'd gotten the crowd on their feet.

One of those slow songs, "Bronte," has a Princess Mononoke-like video, which was incredible to get absorbed in as the song played live.

Gotye torontoBut Gotye eventually won the crowd over after they'd patiently sat back down in their seats. "Does this sound familar?" he teased. Then he tinkered on a keyboard, triggering a sound, but the crowd was silent. "How about this...?"

There were lots of young couples and gaggles of girls who finally squealed in sheer delight when they began to recognize the familiar opening of "Someone That I Used To Know." Screams of "I love you!" spontaneously burst from the excitable mouths of young female fans. I think I even saw a guy dancing in the aisle.

Caroline Polachek--the singer from one of the opening bands, Chairlift--magically appeared from the back of the stage at the last moment, filling in admirably for Kimbra on the duet.

Gotye torontoAfter Gotye announced "We've got one more tune for you," many began making their way out, having been satiated by the juicy hit.

It's a pity, because they missed the encore, which included "Seven Hours With a Backseat Driver" and "I Feel Better," which was played loosely and with soul. You could tell everyone on stage was having a great time, and judging from the smiles on the faces of all who stayed, the feeling was mutual.

If you're willing to look beyond that overplayed tune that made him a star, here's a sneak peek at Gotye's new video for his song "Giving Me A Chance:"

Photos by Roger Cullman Photography.

Toronto IIDEX 2012 debuts art inside 18-wheeler trucks

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iidex toronto 2012Everything, it seems, is always better on wheels (or maybe I just have food trucks perpetually plaguing my mind). So it's no surprise that this year's National Design and Architecture Exposition and Conference (or IIDEX) features a series of installations set inside a lineup of 18-wheeler trucks.

"Special Delivery," as the exhibit has been dubbed, showcases the works of artists and designers, paired with a corporate sponsor.

iidex toronto 2012Simulacra

The first truck, called "Simulacra," illustrates the work of film and video artist Christina Zeidler. The interior has been transformed into a 2-D rural campsite, complete with obligatory lumberjack shirt, burning fire pit, and the occasional raccoon and wolf peering out from the trees. All the images have been printed (can you guess the sponsor?) using HP laser technology.

iidex toronto 2012Surface Forms

The next truck installation, Scott Eunson's "Surface Forms," takes a high-pressure laminate and manipulates it to create three-dimensional sculptures. Suspended throughout the length of the truck, the resulting impression is that of minimalism, with the (slightly graffitied) interior walls of the truck left as is.

iidex toronto 2012Fugitive Golf

Then there's the most interactive of all the exhibits — the "Fugitive Golf" five-hole mini putt created by Fugitive Glue and Inspire (and yes, it comes with golf balls and putters and everything). The scene is that of a mini-Toronto, with a couple notable landmarks (hey there, CN Tower) and custom upholstery and woodworking.

iidex toronto 2012Solo for Piano in the Key of Light

Lastly, the most "Nuit Blanche" of the trucks (in my opinion) is the collaboration between artists Jade Rude and Orest Tataryn. Called "Solo for Piano in the Key of Light," this exhibit is all about angles, light, and interpretation (in essence, make what you will of the bright, angular display suspended along the centre of the space). All of these trucks will take to the street this weekend, stationed outside the Gladstone Hotel from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday.

Additional photos:iidex toronto 2012iidex toronto 2012iidex toronto 2012iidex toronto 2012Photos by Jesse Milns

Things get mesmerizingly weird with David Byrne and St. Vincent

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David ByrneDavid Byrne, cool. St. Vincent, cool. An eight-piece brass ensemble playing to a jammed Queen Elizabeth Theatre and a double encore - definitely cool. And pure art-funk fun.

Taking a seat at a concert is always a little odd. Too formal. Especially so when the frontman of the Talking Heads is sharing the stage with St. Vincent (Annie Clark) and an accompanying full band, including French horn and tuba. But when I gaze around at the audience in the orchestra section, I'm junior to most. Original Talking Heads fans, as in, they listened to the Talking Heads when the Talking Heads were making albums, flocked to see their beloved avant-garde rocker Byrne. They weren't let down.

David ByrneSo here we are sitting at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, a "new" concert venue that the majority of the audience (including myself) hadn't ventured to before, including Byrne and Clark. To make this point, after opening with their new formidable pop-funk single, "Who," Byrne quips: "We heard there were portraits of the Queen with her shirt off here," before adding, aptly timed, "She's going to give Kate [Middleton] a run for her money." That's one way to set the tone.

David ByrneByrne and Clark, both confidently cool performers in their own right meld together seamlessly with the big uptempo brass arrangements. Otherwise than chill and confident, though, they're both mesmerizingly weird and beautiful. He with his white hair, dapper white suit and stiff, one-two dance moves and her with her mauve dress, angelic face and hastened back and forth shuffle. Not to forget original in not only their performance, but compositions. Inspired by the teaming up of Björk and the Dirty Projectors, it took three years for Byrne and Clark to pull the album together.

David ByrneTheir equally distinct voices are instantly recognizable in their own right and the night's sound did not belie this. It was punctuated, if anything. The band, all dressed up in black and white, danced around the stage in little choreographed numbers as they pumped out the unique arrangements. Part funk, part pop, part alternative, part art project. But at its core is a brass section that really carries the sound.

David ByrneThe 90-minute show was comprised of a mixture between Byrne and Clark's new album, Love this Giant, including tracks like "Lazarus," "Weekend in the Dust" and "The Forest Awakes" to St. Vincent's "Cheerleader" and the beautiful and haunting "Cruel" to Byrne's solo work, including, "Like Humans Do," and "Lazy." And, to the crowd's glee, Talking Head's classics "This Must be The Place," "Burning Down the House" (which got the crowd on their feet, of course) and "Road to Nowhere" to close out the show. Now all of this was done over a wide array of original compositions that jive and bounce, keeping the audience perpetually swaying and nodding along.

David ByrneWith two standing ovations (remember, we were seated) to amount to a double encore, Byrne and Clark almost seemed shocked, or humbled as they took their final bow.

Just their way of keeping things cool.

Photos by Bruce Emberley

What Toronto stands to gain and lose with the Mirvish-Gehry development

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Mirvish Gehry TorontoT. S. Eliot said it best. "Between the idea and the reality, between the motion and the act, falls the shadow." That's probably the best way to view yesterday's presentation of David Mirvish and Frank Gehry's King West towers; an idea yet to go through the mill of zoning, city council, and the court of public opinion.

What the pair really gave us was a sketched vision for Toronto's theatre district and the city skyline. What we end up with will, by Gehry's admission, be slightly tweaked and refined over the remainder of the design period.

Imagining for a moment that the buildings are approved entirely as planned, which is a little unlikely, we can take stock of what we will gain and lose as part of the development.

Gehry Mirvish DevelopmentWhat we could gain

  • A bold design.

No doubt about it, Frank Gehry is the real deal when it comes to designing world class, iconic structures. You don't have to look any further than the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao or the recently completed 8 Spruce Street in New York City to understand Gehry's tendency to build city-defining structures.

John Karastamatis from Mirvish Productions says David considers Gehry on par with Antoni Gaudí, the legendary designer of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona and a host of other famous Spanish buildings. Karastamatis says Mirvish admires Gehry's "built to last" sturdiness.

The three proposed towers, ranging in size from 80 to 85 stories, close to the height of First Canadian Place at King and Bay, are designed to be complimentary. As Gehry explained during his presentation, the separate designs are supposed to suggest movement.

  • A new OCAD U campus

The Mirvish+Gehry project (to use it's semi-official working title) will, if approved, be completed in three phases over the next decade or so. The first phase, the east tower, includes space for a new OCAD U research centre, studio block, archives, and a public lecture hall.

The new Public Learning Centre for Visual Art, Curatorial Studies and Art History (OCADUPLCVACSAH, luckily also a working title) will be the first satellite campus for the McCaul Street school and its biggest expansion construction of the Sharp Centre for Design.

  • A new museum

Details might be a little sketchy, but David Mirvish's 60,000-square-foot home for his personal collection aught to be a significant draw for King West. According to the press release distributed yesterday, the building at the corner of King and John - the last to be built - will feature a curated permanent collection of works from Jack Bush, Anthony Caro, Helen Frankenthaler, Morris Louis, Robert Motherwell, Kenneth Noland, Jules Olitski, Larry Poons, David Smith and Frank Stella.

Both architect and landowner were keen to play up the museum's public green space - or "floating garden" - which will be accessible from John Street.

Mirvish Gehry TorontoWhat we could lose

  • The Princess of Wales Theatre

Whether or not you care about this will really depend on your dedication to the performing arts. Mirvish Productions' John Karastamatis told me many of the negative comments he's heard surrounding the removal of the 19-year-old theatre so far have often come from non-customers.

Karastamatis also says Mirvish believes he will have enough performance space left with his remaining theatres. He didn't rule out the possibility of Mirvish replacing the Princess of Wales Theatre elsewhere.

The Royal Alexandra Theatre, a heritage building near the development, also owned by Mirvish, will remain untouched on the construction site's eastern edge.

  • Some history

The Princess of Wales Theatre might be just a teenager but the buildings that make up the rest of the block are considerably older. Before the area was a theatrical and cinematic hub, Ed Mirvish worked hard to save the former warehouses on the north side of the street.

While they might not be highly significant in terms of the overall history of the city, they are worth factoring in to the equation. Choosing to tear down a historic building - let alone an entire block - should never be an easy decision, but what we stand to gain here is also potentially incredibly big for the city.

So, let's throw it out there. Do you think the buildings between John and the Royal Alexandra Theatre is a fair price for what could become a city-defining set of structures? How much faith should we put in Frank Gehry to deliver something that will significantly alter Toronto's skyline? If not him, who else?

This Week in Rep Cinema: Beasts of the Southern Wild, The Source, Amal, Marina Abramovic, The Artist is Present, Planes, Trains and Automobiles

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toronto rep cinemaThis Week in Rep Cinema features second-run and classic film selections from cinemas such as the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, The Fox, The Revue, The Royal, the Projection Booth, TIFF Bell Lightbox, and more.

While it's a quieter week on the second-run circuit (I blame Thanksgiving) there are still some gems and must-sees. From classic holiday humour with Planes, Trains and Automobiles, to a second-run smash hit with Beasts of the Southern Wild, there are several films to choose from if you want to drown out the sound of electric knives, turkey basters and the ever-threatening whispers of Christmas carols.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 2 / BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD / REVUE CINEMA / 7PM
This fantastical film treads a fine line between embracing the colourful imagination of five year-old Hushpuppy, daughter to an alcoholic single father, and the stark reality of the world where she lives, a place threatened by Hurricane Katrina. The interesting thing though is how little the film focuses on the latter. Instead we're treated to a world through the eyes of a child, a bleak world full of violence, uncertainty and fear but also one that is full of adventure and a harsh kind of love. A huge award winner at both Cannes and Sundance, this is definitely a major contender for Best Picture next year. Tickets are $11 and can be purchased at the cinema.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 3 / THE SOURCE / BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA / 6:30PM & 9:15PM
The Doc Soup film this month follows the strange "utopia" of the Source Family, a spiritual commune that was revered for its rock 'n roll lifestyle, the family-run restaurant, and the bevy of beautiful women that followed. Famous for their outlandish diets and unconventional lifestyles, many of the extremes they followed in the seventies are common-place beliefs today. Cult or spiritual experiment? Watch the film and decide. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the cinema or online.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 4 / AMAL / TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX / 8:30PM
Richie Mehta's touching film about a complicated kindness shows both the best and worst of its characters in a short period of time. Our hero is the everyman Amal, an honest cab-driver who is trusting to the point of being naive, but has a genuine heart of gold despite less than ideal living conditions. When his honesty is finally recognized in the form of a large will in his name, the greed of others threatens to destroy the lives of all those involved. Actor Naseeruddin Shah will introduce the film before it screens. Tickets are $11 and can be purchased at the cinema.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 6 / MARINA ABRAMOVIĆ: THE ARTIST IS PRESENT / PROJECTION BOOTH / 7:30PM
This documentary grants rare access to the 'grandmother of performance art' Marina Abramovic during her preparation for The Artist is Present, her blockbuster retrospective at the MOMA in 2010. During that period, she would silently sit opposite a stranger at the MOMA for as long as the sitter wished to stay. Some lasted a few short minutes while others lasted hours, and the internet ate it up. Now you can too. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the cinema.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 7 / PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES / BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA / 9PM
Just in time for Thanksgiving comes Steve Martin and John Candy's clever comedy about a pair of mismatched travellers--a stiff ad exec and a shower curtain salesman-destined to take the misadventure of a lifetime together. One of the best holiday buddy-comedies of all-time, Planes, Trains & Automobiles puts all those contemporary turkey flicks to shame. Penned, directed and produced by John Hughes, the film proved he wasn't a one-trick teen-angst pony and led to some great collaborations with John Candy (including Uncle Buck!) Tickets are $11 and can be purchased at the cinema.

ADDITIONAL SCREENINGS

For Toronto movie showtimes, view our Movie Listings section.

Film still from Beasts of the Southern Wild

All-you-can-eat BBQ spot in Koreatown has meat aplenty

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toronto korean bbqKorean BBQ is known for its variety of meats and bountiful spread, and this spot in Koreatown aims for authenticity. With 8 different kinds of meat, an array of sides, and a price-to-quality ratio that's difficult to beat, it succeeds.

Read my review of Bryan's BBQ in the restaurants section.


Tommy Thompson Park

Radar: Black Math, Jack White, The Power of Why, Afghan Whigs, The Growlers, Reveal Me at the Rivoli

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toronto events october 3ART | Black Math
The Steam Whistle Brewery launches Black Math, their October art exhibit, tonight. This curated mixed media collection explores the theme of the supernatural from the angle of 'innocence,' and the way in which our perspective in childhood allows us a glimpse into other worlds, as well as how that portal is relinquished in favour of logic, and the 'rational.' The relationship of these two worlds is examined by the various artists participating in this exhibition, including: Vicki Nerino, Britt Wilson, Roben Nieuwland, Ilichna Morasky, Ty Dunitz, Ale Diaz, Alexei Vella, and Hyein Lee. Black Math runs until the end of the month.
Steam Whistle Brewery (255 Bremner Blvd) 7PM

MUSIC | Jack White
Jack White hits town tonight! Of course, you know White as the genius behind the very popular group The White Stripes, as well as from his "other" bands--The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather are no slouches either. The question on everyone's mind is likely whether White will cut this show short after a mere 45 minutes like he did this past weekend in NYC. White is touring his release Blunderbuss, a solo effort which was released in April.
Sony Centre For The Performing Arts (1 Front Street East) 8PM $45 - 75

BOOKS & LIT | The Power of Why book launch
Well known CBC news correspondent Amanda Lang launches her new book, The Power Of Why. This book discusses the importance of 'questioning' in our day-to-day life and business affairs. Lang demonstrates through anecdotes and research how asking the right question at the right time can lead to both innovation and productivity. This noon-hour event will begin with a discussion with the author led by Kevin O'Leary, and will conclude with a book signing.
CBC Lower Atrium (250 Front Street West) 12PM FREE

VARIETY | Reveal Me at the Rivoli - October Edition
Reveal Me, a monthly TO burlesque show, goes down at The Rivoli tonight. This event aims to showcase new performers every month: both experienced as well as first-timers, and promises a delectable combination of food, drinks and engaging entertainment. Tonight's performers include Ab Horrence, Steve Winchester, Aurora Adora, Judy Virago (of "Babes in Space"), Elle Sugar, singer Madame Poynter, and many more. Miss Conception will be your emcee.
The Rivoli (334 Queen Street West) 8PM $10

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR
Afghan Whigs
THE GROWLERS w/ DENNY & THE JETS & BREWS WILLIS

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

For Toronto movie showtimes, view our Movie Listings section.

Photo by explosive_decompression in the blogTO Flickr pool

Morning Brew: Another turn in the zoo saga, campaign says "no" to casino, the Jarvis bike lane is (really) dead, city pockets $100M from Enwave sale, and Jays sign off

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toronto skylineWell, it didn't last long. The city will now consider putting a stop to its two-day search for companies to run Toronto Zoo after councillor Paul Ainslie introduced a motion to turn the issue over to the executive committee yesterday. Recently, the zoo's board sought to end its association with the city.

The first (or at least most apparent) opposition group to a proposed downtown casino has launched an online campaign aimed at keeping companies like OLG away from the core. No Casino Toronto says any complex would be detrimental to the city. Several American companies have also expressed an interest in building a hotel and gaming complex in Toronto.

Lower the coffin. The Jarvis bike lane is dead. Council voted 19-24 against a motion that would have prevented a fifth, reversible vehicle lane being added to the street at the expense of the kerbside bike lane. We'll have more reaction to this shortly.

Also at City Hall yesterday, council voted to sell its stake in deep-lake heating and cooling company Enwave Energy Corporation. Rob Ford was pleased, the 43-percent chunk of the company brought in a $100 million more than the city originally paid for it. That profit could, as the mayor wants, go toward the cost of new streetcars or, alternatively, community housing, water department, or transit coffers, as other councillors want.

Speaking of Rob Ford, he's live on CBC Radio's Metro Morning right now. 99.1 FM if you want to tune in. I recommend you do.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Photo: "A Porter ferry morning" by PJMixer in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Where to eat Somali food in Toronto

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somali food torontoThis restaurant has two locations in Toronto, and boasts affordable and plentiful East African and Somali dishes. What it may lack in decor and fast service, it more than makes up for in flavour and quality--including a must-try mango juice for just $1.

Read my review of Hamdi Restaurant in the restaurants section.

Get to Know a Chef: Aki Urata, Kinton Ramen

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aki urataWhile ramen may seem like a new phenomenon here, chef Aki Urata has been developing a love for the humble noodle for over a decade. His first exposure to the business was helping out in a ramen truck in Japan, when he was only 19 years old. Now, Urata's popular Kinton Ramen on Baldwin has developed a healthy fan base and is probably the city's most authentic bowl. There may be competition, but the chef believes there's always room for more. As for opening a ramen food truck in Toronto? It could happen, he says, but he remains wary of the city's bylaws.

Did you always want to be a chef?

I wanted to be a baseball player when I was a kid, and then my major in university was in architecture and design. I was studying in Japan, and then the earthquake happened, and everything was destroyed. I was also working at a restaurant at the time, and I had to work to live--so one guy introduced me to working at a ramen truck in Japan.

What brought you to Canada?

I started in Toronto when I was 21. I worked for some restaurants--a sandwich shop, and some Japanese restaurants, including Nami. I worked there for five years, then decided to move to Vancouver just before the Olympics. But I got an offer from the Guu guy to open up a ramen restaurant here.

kinton ramen aki urataWhy are you so obsessed with ramen?

I've been working with ramen for over 10 years. Ramen is just one bowl, but you put everything in it. It looks like an easy, simple soup with some noodles and meat, but there's lots of work there. We spend over 20 hours on our ramen and when we get an order, it just takes about five minutes to serve it.

What do you think about all the ramen shops opening up in Toronto? Other than you, who makes the best ramen in Toronto?

People are starting to focus on real ramen. In Japan, the movement happened around 20 years ago and is still very popular. Every street corner and every station has a good ramen shop there. There are also a lot of ramen shops in Vancouver. In Toronto, it's starting to move, but there was less competition before. I know some of the restaurants here, but they're not really ramen to me. That's why I'm here.

Do you make your noodles in-house?

No. I work with a factory in the States, and we meet a lot. I place a special order to make sure the texture, and the mixture of flour are good.

How do you like your ramen prepared?

From our menu, I like the miso ramen the best. It's the most difficult to make, and I try to study and make a good miso base. I couldn't make it for the first two weeks, but now I think I've got it.

Describe what a busy night at the restaurant looks like.

We enjoy our work so much. We're always shouting "bravo" at each other in Japanese. We're not just trying to be a ramen shop, but a ramen bar with the atmosphere, music, interior, and the way we present the food.

kinton ramen toronto chefDo you (and your Guu counterparts) lose your voice with all that shouting?

Always. When I opened, I had to work everyday for two months. My voice was gone. But it's cool, and I don't mind it.

What's the best part about your job?

When the customers are happy. They're smiling, they say "thanks," "it was great," "awesome"--it makes me so happy. And all the staff from Japan; we came here and started working together, from early morning to midnight, so we're kind of a new family.

Any plans for expansion?

Why not? Some students come to eat here three times a week. We're hoping to open somewhere east of Toronto, Mississauga, or maybe somewhere north, sometime soon. This location has been open for four months and is just a baby step.

kinton ramen toronto chefRAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

Most underrated ingredient? Garlic

Best culinary tool? Tongue

A chef that inspires you? Emeril Lagasse. He's funny.

Favourite Toronto restaurant that's not yours? Grand Electric

What's one dish you can't live without? My mother's pancakes

What would people be surprised to find in your fridge? Pig's feet

What's one food trend that needs to end? Dumplings

For more chef profiles, visit our Toronto Chefs Pinterest board.

Photos by Natta Summerky

This Week in Fashion: J.Crew and Topshop flagship opens, Mavrik Mrkt, The Windsor Tweed Run, Puma and The Sample Sale Guys Sales

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toronto fashion newsThis Week in Fashion rounds up the week's style news, store openings and closings, pop-up shops, sales and upcoming fashion and design events in Toronto. Find it here every Wednesday morning.

NEWS

Mature preps, this is your cue to celebrate, for J.Crew opens in Eaton Centre today! Their signature rich colours and cashmere sweaters have arrived just in time for the impending cold weather. This large new location found on the third floor next to Indigo - unlike the J.Crew at Yorkdale - houses a men's section.

Tomorrow (October 4), Topshop and Topman are set to open their massive, new, and much-anticipated flagship stores on the second and third floors of The Bay on Queen St. As a special promotion, customers who spend more than $75 will receive an exclusive printed tote with a pouch for women, or a hat for men. Plus, the six-piece Louise Gray for Topshop collection will be launching at the same time.

EVENTS/PARTIES

Tonight (October 3) from 6 pm until 10 pm, Toronto Business Casual is hosting a "Fall Wine & Fashion Social," pairing expert fashion advice with complimentary free-flowing Oyster Bay wine - two things, that in a perfect world, would always be presented at the same time. Michelle Reiff, a stylist and wardrobe expert, will be offerings her tips on dressing "swanky" in the workplace while guests enjoy Merlot and Chardonnay in the beautiful !XAM Diamonds gallery (366 Bay St). Purchase your tickets ($40 + tax) through the Toronto Business Casual website.

Spend Saturday (October 6) from 11 am to 4 pm perusing everything that select local vendors have to offer at the Thanksgiving Weekend Edition of the Mavrik Mrkt. The Antique Appetite, Knead Bakery, Darcy's Li'lustrations, and more will be calling Mavrik Wine Bar home for the day, so get your homemade treats and crafts while they're all in one place.

The most stylish group bicycle ride in Toronto to date - The Windsor Tweed Run - is happening for the first time ever on Sunday (October 7). Meet the rest of the gang at noon at the Jubilee Parkette (Wyandotte St E and Kildare) decked out in traditional British cycling attire. Scones and tea from Thyme To Go will be available for purchase, but the event itself is free! RSVP on the Facebook event page.

SALES

From Thursday (October 4) through to the very last day of the long weekend (October 8), you can get a brand new pair of Pumas - and the clothes to match - at discount prices during their warehouse sale. The event is so huge it had to be moved to a much larger building than in previous years - the International Centre (6900 Airport Rd, Hall 6) - so it's almost guaranteed you'll find what you're looking for, whether it's mens, women's, or children's clothing, shoes, and accessories. Find out more through the Style Democracy website.

Also starting on Thursday (October 4) - but only up until Sunday (October 7) - is The Sample Sale Guys' Thanksgiving Designer Clothing Sale, held at Le Parc in Thornhill (8432 Leslie St & Hwy 7). The thrifty fashionista's favourite will, as usual, carry a wide selection of men's and women's fall 2012 collections at up to 80% off. Don't miss your chance at that Mackage leather jacket or Rag & Bone sweater you've been eyeing since the spring! Find out more through the Style Democracy website.

Lead photo courtesy of J.Crew

Market East plaza at Markham Road and Steeles

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market east scarboroughIf you've walked, driven, or biked around the Markham and Steeles area, chances are you've caught at least a passing glimpse of one of the newest additions to that relatively (at least until recently) vacant area. Several brightly multicoloured buildings standing monolithically next to each other, forming that ever-present natural landscape of Scarborough: a strip plaza.

All jokes aside though, this shopping centre does have several interesting quirks. The first is that although all the buildings are seemingly designed with the sole purpose to bore you to death, the vivid splashes of colour are actually a brilliant idea. Not only do these colours make the otherwise-godawful slabs of concrete much more interesting, they also make a quick reference point when describing the location of a particular store/restaurant in the plaza.

Second, this complex is almost entirely comprised of stores aimed at the South Asian demographic. You can almost think of it as the uptown version of Little India (though I will no doubt get naysayers booing me for drawing this comparison).

By the way, don't worry about the name of the strip mall. It's so obscure that I literally had to go around the plaza and look at a small sign at the very front of the complex just to get a glimpse as to what it is. Just call it "the colourful plaza at Markham and Steeles," and locals will know what you're talking about.

Planning to stop by? Here are some places to check out while you're there.

market east scarboroughNew Spiceland Supermarket
Arguably the closest thing this strip mall has to an anchor tenant, New Spiceland Supermarket is a large grocery store that stocks almost everything you need to satisfy your South Asian product needs. From curry mixes to Indian sweets, the amount of shelf space dedicated to this market niche is impressive, bringing the phrase 'one stop shop' to mind. The only downside is that everyone else seems to think so too, which results in an already rather cramped interior feeling even more so. Still, they're open very late, and have an excellent takeout joint attached to the store (though that, too, is really busy during mealtimes.)

Lingan Cream House
The plaza's resident ice cream joint, Lingan Cream House also functions as a small takeout-only snack and dessert place. They (of course) serve lots of Indian snacks and desserts, ranging from nice round vadai fritters guaranteed to tickle your taste buds, to kulfi, the ever-famous Indian ice cream. But the main draw for me is their large frozen dessert selection, ranging from 'regular' ice cream to sherbet sundaes of all shapes and sizes. Everything is freshly made on-site, so you can think of this place as an Indian Marble Slab Creamery. They also serve larger meals such as chicken kothur roti. Overall, an interesting mix of offerings that you should stop by and check out.

market east scarboroughAndy's Fish and Chips
If you're in the mood to eat something that has nothing to do with South Asian culture, this modest place should be right up your alley. As with many of the places profiled in my articles, there's an interesting twist: this small and rather cramped restaurant actually offers a tantalizing combination of your regular fried fish and fries with various Asian dishes (no, seriously). Where else can you chomp down on battered cod with a side of chow mein? Or wolf down onion rings with a serving of General Tao Chicken? Last time I checked, the owner is Caribbean and the chef is Chinese, hence the interesting amalgamation of offerings. Be sure to try their daily specials, the most notable one being fried shark for under $5 on Wednesdays. It's not fine dining, but it's a unique blend of offerings that hits the spot when that grease craving hits. The only downside is that their fries are a bit hit and miss.

Ceylon Flavour
If you're interested in trying Sri Lankan food but wish to sample it in a more upscale and less chaotic environment than most of its counterpart restaurants, then this place is right up your alley. Featuring a simple, clean, and almost barren décor, the restaurant offers a good variety of Sri Lankan favourites, all of which have spice levels that can be tailored to suit your taste. Some of their recommended specialties include the juicy mutton kothu rotti and the crispy vadai fried dumplings served with sambal sauce. An interesting feature is that the restaurant's colourful paintings are the work of a talented disabled young Sri Lankan artist which you can bid for on the restaurant's website, making the experience a feast for your eyes and your taste buds. For a Sri Lankan experience that's strictly takeout, head to Amma Take-Out and Catering at the north end of the complex.

Tea Tree Drinks and Desserts
Now this is something you don't see every day. At first glance, this place looks like your typical modern bubble tea place. With various flavour combinations ringing in around $3 and good quality ingredients, it seems like a nice place but nothing too special--until I started seeing signs for samosas and other Indian snacks. Lured by the seductive possibility of chomping down on fried spicy Indian dumplings while cooling myself down with a glass of sweet taro milk tea, I was hooked. The combination works much better than you may expect! It's like the United Nations...of dessert.

market east scarboroughBiryani Hut
There are quite a few places in the area which sell biryani, but based on the semi-constant stream of customers walking out with aluminium foil trays, this is one of the better ones. After trying it out, I can confidently say that they serve good biryani at very cheap prices--in other words, my kind of place! While the store is small (no seating), the offerings here are impressive. They have chicken biryani for around $4, as well as various curries, rice dishes, and traditional Indian dessert like rasmalai and kulfi. They also stock a lot of packaged chulbule snacks, which I'm reliably informed is a very popular snack food amongst the South Asian population.

Posted by Darren "DKLo" Susilo. He hangs out on the twitter.


The Best Steakhouses in Toronto

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Steakhouses TorontoThe best steakhouses in Toronto are a throwback to a more indulgent time, when a juicy hunk of red meat was guilt-free proposition (and that's not to mention the six cocktails served on the side). There's an unabashed masculinity that still defines the steakhouse, what with its dark walls, low lighting, and plush seating. Even the most modern of restaurants on this list can be fitted within their generic confines about two seconds after one passes through the front door. To a great extent, this almost anachronistic element is their very charm. Creamed spinach, Caesar salads made table-side, butter-soaked green beans, over-sized portions, bartenders who don't flinch when you order an Old Fashioned — these are the little delights one luxuriates in at a quality steakhouse.

And don't forget the wine. The mark-up is typically outrageous, but most high-end steakhouses boast wine lists that would make even the most timid oenophile drool. Dominated by big, age-worthy reds from Bordeaux, Napa and the Rhone (north or south, take your pick), decadent types who don't mind splurging on a meal will surely find something memorable with which to wash down their beef.

Although cheaper options like the Tulip didn't make the cut this time around, there's quite a bit of subtle variety among the restaurants here. Whether it be aging methods or the temperature at which the steaks are cooked, there's plenty of incentive to try a number of the city's beef-first institutions. And, for those who would argue that it's easy enough to cook a great steak at home, let's just say these guys still do it better.

Here are the best steakhouses in Toronto.

See also:

The best steak frites in Toronto
The best cocktails in Toronto

Photo from Morton's

Twitter reaction to the death of the Jarvis bike lane

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toronto jarvis bike laneIt had been hanging in there for a while, cheered on by its supporters, but yesterday city council struck the final nail in the coffin for the Jarvis Street bike lane, voting 24-19 to paint over the kerbside track before the end of the fall.

The markings on the side of the north-south street were painted roughly two years ago at a cost of $86,000; the cost of removal is estimated to be $300,000 when construction of a fifth centre lane capable of handling traffic in both directions is factored in.

This morning on CBC Radio's Metro Morning mayor Rob Ford disputed the two minutes the removal of the lane will save motorists, suggesting it would be closer to seven when the new street layout is complete. Numbers aside, other members of council didn't mince words when the final vote came in.

"You're not going to remove cyclists by removing bicycle lanes. They're still going to be there, they just are going to be riding very unsafely," remarked councilor Kristyn Wong-Tam, whose ward includes Jarvis Street. Trinity-Spadina councillor Mike Layton warned council about the consequences of its decision

"Every time someone dies as a result of a bike accident on Jarvis you'll need to explain to those families why it was so necessary for us to remove these lanes," he said during the debate.

The Twitter reaction to the decision was, as expected, large and mostly against the removal. Here's some of the best tweets from yesterday and this morning. Add your two cents in the comments' section. Is the cost of removing the lane a waste or are cyclists just as well served by the new Sherbourne Street separated lanes just to the east? Is this a net gain for commuters in Toronto or are we moving backwards?

Photo: "R.I.P Jarvis Bike Lane" by Martinho in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Brother Ali brings hopeful verses to Annex Wreckroom

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brother ali torontoOn Sunday night, there was a decent sized crowd already in attendance when I arrived at 8:30pm. DJ Sosa was spinning some solid hip hop tunes (mostly music from headliner Brother Ali's fellow Rhymesayers artists) in the mid-sized Annex Wreckroom. A few minutes later a sound-check occurred (one of a few throughout the night) and couple-duo group The Reminders took to the stage (another hip hop show starting on time - what is the world coming to?).

brother ali torontoThe Reminders are a soulful hip hop group consisting of Queens, New York singer/rapper Aja Black and Brussels, Belgium emcee Big Samir, who admitted he was feeling under the weather. They performed some up-beat, back and forth raps and overall positive, uplifting songs, with Aja Black frequently taking the spotlight with her high-pitched, well-tuned vocals. Big Samir displayed dynamic bilingual flows (rapping in both English and French, which the Toronto crowd seemed to love), and the two artists had pretty good chemistry, despite Aja's vocals overpowering Samir's at times.

Most of their songs conveyed empowering messages about love and self-determination, but they weren't afraid to get a bit more rugged early in the set with a song warning about what happens "When the Lights Go Out." They did a short dub to "If I Ruled the World," with Aja Black singing and Big Samir reciting a familiar variation of Nas's verse, creating an intimate, nostalgic vibe with a crowd of over a hundred people.

brother ali torontoUp next, Stones Throw Records artist Homeboy Sandman hit the stage and in one of his first songs, "The Carpenter," Homeboy Sandman began to rap with a style I've seldom heard before. His rusty, abrasive voice and half tone-deaf intonations took a bit of getting used to, and although he was screaming into the microphone half the time, he didn't project his voice very well.

He did, however, display amazing breath control--or perhaps abnormally large lung capacity--with his rapid fire, off-beat flows. He then said he was going to spit an "Acapulco" (i.e. acapella), in which he did a comical, half-singing rap with varying tempos. Homeboy Sandman got progressively more hyper as he performed his songs, especially after one track in which he emulated some kind of alarm on the chorus screaming "eh eh eh"--the crowd responded positively.

brother ali torontoThen, Ali's four-person band began to set up. Consisting of keys, guitar, brass instruments, and drum machine, they played some triumphant instrumental entrance-music before Brother Ali appeared. The crowd now numbered in the hundreds and they squeezed towards the stage in anticipation as he began to rap "Stop the Press," a powerful song off his new album, Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color, recalling the ups and downs of his life and career.

brother ali torontoIt was refreshing to me that Brother Ali's vocals were highly audible and mixed well in the venue, which is often a major problem with live band accompaniment at hip hop shows. Throughout the night, Ali demonstrated his party-rocking emceeing abilities, interspersed with thought-provoking, heart-felt songs. He got everyone's hands in the air before performing "Only Life I Know" and "Work Everyday," two songs about the futility of trying to "make it" in a capitalist system where the odds are against you.

brother ali torontoBrother Ali and his band kept the set variable and entertaining, with a jacking-for-beats segment in which he spit some verses over live versions of Mobb Deep's "Keep it Thorough" and Dr. Dre's "Still D.R.E." He prefaced his next song, the highly politicized and hyper-critical-of-America "Uncle Sam Goddamn," saying "I got in a lot of trouble for this song, so I hope you enjoy it," to which the crowd responded enthusiastically.

Ali then took an interlude and began drumming on an electronic drum-kit, accompanied by trumpet and saxophone solos, before breaking into his new album's title track, "Mourning in America," in which his sax-man busted out a flute and began playing it. Ali then took the time to speak directly to the audience, saying that optimism was a "luxury of rich people" and that his music was rather about hope, which is about acknowledging suffering while also believing in the ability to improve situations. "On my previous albums, I was inviting humanity to unite," said Ali, "but now I'm done inviting - I'm demanding it."

brother ali torontoBrother Ali gave a courageous performance, tearing up and needing to take time turned away from the crowd to regain his composure on one particularly personal song about his son. He explained that he often relives the joys and pains of experiences every time he performs his songs, only adding to the credibility of the honesty that permeates his songwriting. He went on to perform some of his well-known singles, including "Self Taught" and "Fresh Air," before performing, "Letter to my Countrymen," which he said was a song he'd been "trying to write [his] entire career." For an encore, he invited his "favourite hip hop group" and "favourite independent artist" (The Reminders and Homeboy Sandman) back to the stage to rock the mic one last time for the night.

If you missed Brother Ali's "Mourning in America and Dreaming in Colour" show in Toronto, I urge you to get out to one of the upcoming tour dates and experience it for yourself. It was a powerful evening, and the message and the vibes of that night still resonate with me days later.

Photos by Denise McMullin

Annex gets cheap, tasty grilled cheese sandwiches

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say cheese torontoThe owners of this Annex restaurant have been tinkering around in the space for a while, but they've finally settled on a menu of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. The best part? You get quality, flavour and culinary creativity for five bucks and change.

Read my review of Say Cheese in the restaurants section.

10 side projects from Toronto bands

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Toronto bands side projectsToronto musicians like to keep busy, so one band often just isn't enough. That's where "side projects" come in or, in other words, just other projects. It's not for us to dub one band more important than the other, but musicians are often recognized for one "main act." With so many familiar faces popping up onstage throughout the city, here's a list of Toronto bands and their side projects just so you don't have to do a double take the next time you check out a local act and have a strange sense of déjà vu.

Main act: Austra
Side project: Trust

Austra's Maya Poptepski splits her time between Austra and her project with Robert Alfons, Trust. Together with Alfons, they create a similar brand of moody dance music as she does with Katie Stelmanis in Austra, but imagine something even darker and more atmospheric.

Main act: The D'Urbervilles
Side project: Diamond Rings

Although Matters (formerly known as The D'Urbervilles) are not currently active, John O'Regan's highly successful solo work as Diamond Rings was first seen by many as a side project to his main rock band. Diamond Rings, at the time, was a huge departure from his indie rock roots, but now we've come to know O'Regan more for his glam-pop mix of electronic beats and catchy riffs — still the same guitar-wielding rocker, but with a few extra layers of make-up and glittery outfits.

Main act: Forest City Lovers
Side project: Kashka

Forest City Lovers is no longer together — they played their final show this past year at the Great Hall — but just as things were dying down with the band, lead singer Kat Burns began a new project. Burns now goes under the moniker of Kashka and has rebranded herself as an electronic songstress, leaving behind the delicate folk-pop melodies she spent years crafting. Kashka might be a complete left turn for Forest City Lovers fans, but underneath the shiny new layers of electronics is still the same songwriting and shy vocals of Burns.

Main act: Hooded Fang
Side project: Phedre / Hut

April Aliermo and Daniel Lee of Hooded Fang are quite synonymous with being multi-tasking musicians with a bit of ADD. Having starting quite a few other bands — most notably Hut and the gradually rising status of Phedre, their band with Doldrums' Airick Woodhead — Aliermo and Lee split their time between all of their projects fairly equally, making it hard to distinguish one as a "main act."

Main act: Ohbijou
Side project: Warm Myth / Kite Hill

Whether they're organizing Friends in Bellwoods compilations or starting new bands, the members of Ohbijou are well-known for their numerous creative outlets. Most notably, though, are Warm Myth and Kite Hill, two bands who boast quite the familiar faces of Ohbijou's main lineup.

Main act: Army Girls
Side project: DIANA

Carmen Elle is quite the ubiquitous musician around the city. Having been in a handful of different bands - from a brief stint with Austra to her current gig fronting Army Girls — Elle is probably one of the city's most restless musicians. In her latest band, she teams up with Everything All The Time/Destroyer's Joseph Shabason to create a dance outfit called DIANA. The duo is still relatively new, but with a handful of songs and a few tour dates ahead of them, prepare to hear a lot more from this new act. Hopefully this doesn't take too much time away from Army Girls, though, as we're still dying with anticipation for a full-length debut from them.

Main act: Gentleman Reg
Side project: Light Fires

If you've seen Reg lately, you must've met his alter-ego, Regina. Regina made one of her first appearances in Light Fires, Reg's side project with Ohbijou's James Bunton. Unlike his main band, which is known for guitar-heavy indie-pop, Light Fires is an all-out dance act. Between Bunton's post behind a sea of electronics and Regina's stage presence up front (sans-guitar), Lightfires sees both musicians trying a little something new and we'll admit that we love it.

Main act: Holy Fuck
Side project: Dusted

Holy Fuck's Brian Borcherdt has always kept busy outside of Holy Fuck with his solo work. Instead of going under his own name, Borcherdt has recently taken up the band name of Dusted. Alongside drummer, Leon Taheny, Dusted is nothing like Holy Fuck — it's quieter, it's more atmospheric and completely worth listening to if you haven't checked it out already.

Main act: Broken Social Scene
Side project: Eight and a Half / Cookie Duster

We've reached yet another hiatus period in the Broken Social Scene timeline and, of course, members of the Toronto collective were going to branch off and work on some projects in the meantime. Enter drummer Justin Peroff's Eight and a Half and Brendan Canning's old/new project, Cookie Duster. Both smaller and arguably less ambitious projects (let's face it, BSS was a really ambitious band), Eight and a Half and Cookie Duster are a bit of a departure from the collective that launched their careers, but both show promise and until we get another BSS reunion, we'd happily take in these fine acts.

Main act: Fucked Up
Side project: Smartboys

We recently interviewed Fucked Up's Mike Haliechuk, discussing his new side project with fellow band member Jonah Falco. Smartboys shows lots of potential and if their opening slot for Ty Segall and Thee Oh Sees last week was any indications, will be a force to be reckoned with in live settings.

BONUS

Main act: Woodhands / Maylee Todd
Side Project: Ark Analog

Ark Analog is the new project of Woodhands' Dan Werb — who also performs solo as well as under the moniker of Grapes Godly — and local indie darling, Maylee Todd. To those who are familiar with Todd's guest appearances on past Woodhands records, Ark Analog draws from the same frenetic energy and electronic-based sounds as their previous works. With two equally captivating personalities onstage and a whole bunch of synths between them, Ark Analog marks the next logical chapter in Werb and Todd's successful string of collaborations.

Photo of Trust by Denise McMullin

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