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The Tom Selleck and 21 other mustaches for Movember

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Tom Selleck MustacheMovember is now a wrap. And what better way to celebrate the day before the shave (maybe) then a mustache-only party at the Kool Haus. A packed crowd showed up on Friday night for the Movember and Sons No Gala party and we were there documenting all the hairy (real, artificial and otherwise) upper lips. From Tom Selleck to Ron Burgundy to Charlie Chaplin, check out all the 'staches that posed for our camera in the round-up below.

The After EightMovemberThe BurgundyMovemberThe ChaplinMovemberThe ChimichurriMovemberThe ConnoisseurMovemberThe Flying VMovemberThe HeroMovemberThe Hulk HoganMovemberThe InstastacheMovemberThe LeroyMovemberThe LoraxMovemberThe MoharajaMovemberThe MonkeytailMovemberThe PornstacheMovemberThe PowerstacheMovemberThe RockstarMovemberThe SaloonMovemberThe StashholesMovemberThe TicklerMovemberThe TruckerMovemberThe WaziriMovemberPhotos by Kyle Burton


Gentleman Reg on his new album and Kraft Dinner

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Gentleman RegGentleman Reg (government name: Reg Vermue) has been busy this past year — spending his time writing and recording Leisure Life while moonlighting as Regina the Gentlelady in Light Fires with James Bunton of Ohbijou. He released Leisure life inthreeparts from July-September of this year culminating with the full release this past Tuesday (the 27th). We sat down to talk about his band lineup and how they've help to shape a fuller sound, the perils of touring Canada, and how to turn Kraft Dinner into a gourmet dish.

You can catch Reg tonight at The Gladstone along with Toronto pals Army Girls and Berliners Chinawoman.

Your latest album Leisure Life was released this past week — can you tell me about the recording process?

The album took about a year of arranging and recording. We recorded over many months in little chunks. I put it out as three EPs and the first one came out in July. There's one consistent band lineup (Kelly McMichael, Jon Hynes and James Bunton, who have been touring with Gentleman Reg the past few years) which I've never done before.

How, if at all, did that change your sound?

It was amazing — it changed everything really — partly because there was a keyboardist in my band and everyone could sing, so live we can do all these three part harmonies and the keys were a bigger part of it so I had all of that in mind when I was working on the songs. Basically there's a lot more vocals and synths. I let them change my sound (laughs.) I've never had so much outside creative input in the songs before. On my past records the songs are very much finished before I go into the studio but in this case it was very much open and I let my ego go. The lyrics are still all mine but it was still a huge change to my process and the end result is so satisfying to me and I love the record.

What are your touring plans for this album?

We're doing a small Ontario tour and focusing on Europe — it's so different there. I lived in Germany as a kid and I'm Dutch, so I do have a lot of ties to Europe. I've also done my time in Canada — I've driven back and forth through the country so many times, and I've had a great time. It's just so expensive and time consuming and unless your band is at a certain level it just doesn't make sense. On the other hand, to tour Germany it's so much smaller and there's so many more cities. So at this level it actually makes more sense to tour overseas even though getting there is an expense.

Are the audiences and reception different as well?

The crowd is more excited because you've come from so far away and you get treated differently for sure — by the promoters especially. They just have a different way of treating artists. The rider, the food and the drinks and, most importantly, they tend to put you up. I can't remember the last time a venue put me up in Canada, whereas there it's the norm.

You left Arts & Crafts after releasing Jet Black in 2009 and opted to release Leisure Life on your own label Heavy Head — why the change?

When I did Jet Black with Arts & Crafts it was finished for at least a year before it came out. There's just a lot of crazy stuff with labels — you have to really work within their constraints. There's also great things, of course, but there's a lot of frustrating things too. We talked about working together again with this new record and neither of us seemed that excited. The thought of shopping it around for six more months and waiting was so unappealing, so I just thought "you know what this is my fifth record...I kind of know how to do this now, so I'll just do it on my own." And so far so good.

What can people expect from your show at The Gladstone tonight?

Chinawoman from Berlin is playing as well as Army Girls. They're both great, so it's actually a good night for me to see bands. I've mostly been performing as Light Fires for the past year so it's exciting for me to be playing guitar again. With Light Fires it's dance music and it's drag and it's just a whole lot of other things, and I'm just excited to play with my band again.

What does the near future look like for you?

I just finished a Light Fires record that will be coming out in 2013 as well as some videos for Leisure Life. We also just recorded a cover song* that we were playing live on the last tour that people really liked, so that's coming out soon too.

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

What distracts you on stage? The lighting

Last album you bought?The Luya'sAnimator

Last thing you cooked? Pasta with kale. Ok it was Kraft Dinner and I added kale to make it "healthier."

Favourite Toronto band?Kids on TV

Biggest pet peeve? Cars that try to hit me on my bike

*He would not reveal what song.

Photo by Robin Sharp

Sunday Supplement: A championship recap, spending the Gardiner cash, inside Presto, and the ARL goes UP

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25 the esplanadeThough it got lost in the fallout from Justice Hackland's court ruling this week, we actually had a championship to celebrate here in Toronto; the Argonauts beat the Calgary Stampeders 35-22, giving them their 16th Grey Cup win. It doesn't take a sports fan to realize there's been a dearth of victory parades in this city the last 40 years or so, but below I recap the finest moments since the Leafs' last hoisted the cup. There's also a list of alternative uses for the Gardiner repair cash, an introductory video to the Union-Pearson Express, and a primer on Presto cards.

The distinctive building bathed in early morning sunlight at the top of the page is 25 The Esplanade, condos built in 1988 in a style reminiscent of the Gooderham Building at Wellington and Front. Unusually, the building has its own postal code, M5W, that it doesn't share with any other surrounding homes. The Grand Harbour, 25 The Esplanade's sister condo in lakefront Etobicoke, is noted for its distinctive archway on the 14th floor that connects its two towers.

CHAMPIONStoronto maple leafsToronto might not have had much to cheer about recently (on or off the sports field) but last Sunday's Grey Cup win changed all that. The victory parade and street party that rocked Nathan Phillips Square on Tuesday was the first public celebration for a major championship since 2004. Here's a list of our recent top-flight sporting victories in Toronto since the Leafs' 1967 Stanley Cup:

  • 2012 - Toronto Argonauts - Grey Cup
  • 2004 - Toronto Argonauts - Grey Cup
  • 1997 - Toronto Argonauts - Grey Cup
  • 1996 - Toronto Argonauts - Grey Cup
  • 1993 - Toronto Blue Jays - World Series
  • 1992 - Toronto Blue Jays - World Series
  • 1991 - Toronto Argonauts - Grey Cup
  • 1983 - Toronto Argonauts - Grey Cup
  • 1967 - Toronto Maple Leafs - Stanley Cup

FIXING THE GARDINERtoronto gardiner expresswayThe crumbling Gardiner is in dire need of a solution: either it's torn down and replaced or we foot the bill to patch up the cracks and make it fit for safe transportation again. This week, city staff recommend we opt for the latter and splash almost half a billion dollars, $505 million to be precise, over decade to keep the elevated road open.

That's a lot of cash, especially when there are other projects in Toronto in need of funding. With that in mind, what else could we do with that $505 million? Just to be clear, this isn't a suggestion that one project is more important than another, or that good road links into the city aren't important, it's just a rough comparison.

SUBWAY: At current estimates, $505 million could build a relief subway line from King station to roughly the intersection of King and Queen just before the Don. There are of course many other costs associated with building an underground rapid transit line but the cash would certainly be a start.

STREETCARS: The TTC currently has an order for 204 low-floor Bombardier streetcars at a cost of roughly $1 billion. The money to repair the Gardiner could pay off the bill for roughly half the fleet presently under construction in Thunder Bay.

SUBWAY TRAINS: The open-concept Toronto Rocket trains being phased in on the Yonge-University-Spadina line cost the TTC roughly $18.2 million each. The road money could cover another 27 sets for the Bloor-Danforth line which is currently relying on hand-me-downs from other parts of the system.

ROADS: The Gardiner's elevated design makes it more expensive to build and maintain than conventional, at-grade highways. If the city decided to tear the highway down and build a replacement at street level it could build for 22 kilometres from the present 427 interchange to Woodbine and Queen in the Beaches.

TIM HORTONS: If the city wanted to do a coffee run with its Gardiner money it could afford medium double-doubles for the entire country (well, a million people would miss out, but close enough.) What do you want more: a road that's safe or a short-term, sugar-caffeine rush?

PRESTO!toronto presto cardFinally, the magic trick is almost complete. The TTC waved its magic wand and agreed to total Presto card integration on the subway, streetcar, and bus network in time for 2016 at the expense of the humble token, Metropass, and all other fares except cash. The future is, well, in the future. But it's coming.

Contactless smart cards like Presto and its sister the Oyster card in London are actually mostly empty space. Embedded inside the plastic is a tiny chip, roughly two millimetres squared, that stores value and other information about each journey. The rest is given over to a metal conductor wire that's wound several times around. The chip uses the wire as an aerial to make contact with the card readers at stations and on vehicles.

Contactless credit cards currently entering the market from Mastercard and Visa employ similar technology to connect with paystations at the cash register. Typically, the signal from the card only travels about 10 centimetres.

There are no batteries involved; the conductor wire is also used to generate a small electrical current that powers the micro (really, really micro) processor. Metrolinx says Presto fare transactions will take about a second to process at the turnstiles.

MEET THE UP EXPRESS

We tried this last week but the cheeky folks at Metrolinx pulled down the site without warning. This video was produced to coincide with the launch of the next phase of "Big Move" projects, transit links the provincial transit agency deems top priorities, including the Downtown Relief Line and the rail connection between Union Station and Pearson Airport. It's a discussion of why we need the UP Express as a city and how pleased we're all going to be when it finally arrives in 2015.

WHAT WE LEARNED THIS WEEK:

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

Photo: "sunday morning" by michellekjs, "Gardiner Expressway Skyline" by Stephen Gardiner in the blogTO Flickr pool, Metrolinx, and public domain.

A Toronto hyperlapse to end all timelapses?

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Toronto hyperlapseDone with timelapse takes on Toronto? It's been less than two months since we went nuts over Tom Ryaboi's stunning perspective of Toronto from up high. Now comes the evolution of the timelapse in the form of this hyperlapse from Stefan Kordiuk shot over the course of this past summer. After endless kilometres cycling through the city, a healthy tan, one broken shoulder and countless hours of shooting and editing, Kordiuk has pieced together a breathtaking look at downtown Toronto featuring some of our most recognizable buildings and landmarks. Enjoy!

What's a hyperlapse? The accepted definition seems to be a combination of stop-motion and time-lapse photography whereby the footage is made dynamic through the introduction of rotations and pans.

See also:

How to fall in love with Toronto from 50+ storeys high
A love letter to Toronto in 10,000+ images

Harbourfront Night Photography

Morning Brew: Rob Ford, Shelley Carroll get set for an election, councillors plan shark fin appeal, Ana Bailao's drunk driving case in court, and bike lane special effects

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toronto streetcar yongeRob Ford says he'll run for mayor if there's a byelection to decide who becomes leader of council in the new year. Speaking on his weekly radio show with his brother Doug, Ford said he "will be the first one into the race." Second place on the starting line up goes to councillor Shelley Carroll, who says she'll also take a stab at the top job.

What with all the faff around the mayor's job recently you would think it's essential to have someone in charge of municipal affairs. But what if Toronto decided to ditch the position completely, would that be so bad? The National Post discusses.

Toronto councillors are considering an appeal against a Superior Court decision overturning the city's ban on shark fin products. The ruling declared the bylaw "constitutionally invalid" because it protects species that aren't native to Ontario. Last year council voted 38-4 to ban food products that use shark fins.

Rob Ford isn't the only councillor with an upcoming court date. Ana Bailao faces charges of impaired driving and of driving with a blood-alcohol level higher than the legal limit but won't appear in person later today. The case is being postponed, as is customary, and Bailao says she intends to plead not guilty.

Considering they're just lines on the road, bike lanes really are good for just a few things: carrying bikes and providing convenient parking for delivery trucks. I bet you didn't know some paths can make their own weather phenomena, though.

Speaking of bike lanes, the province could be about to offer incentives to towns and cities to install new infrastructure that encourages cycling. According to the Toronto Sun, the new strategy suggests implementing a 1-metre passing law for cars overtaking bikes but stops short of making helmets mandatory.

IN BRIEF:

FROM THE WEEKEND:

Photo: "The Streets Of Toronto 2" by jethros_tale in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Hot Ticket: Leon Redbone, Band of Horses, Jason Lytle, Patrick Watson, The Birthday Massacre, The Johnstones, USS, The Balconies

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Leon RedboneLive music picks for TUESDAY DECEMBER 4 through SATURDAY DECEMBER 8, 2012.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 4 / LEON REDBONE / HUGH'S ROOM / 2261 DUNDAS W / $47.50 - $55 / ALL AGES

Simply put, you won't see a more unique show this week, or maybe this year, then Leon Redbone live at Hugh's Room. He specializes in interpretations of early 20th-century music, including vaudevillian and ragtime tunes, and very little is know about his past. In fact, there are theories that the moniker and personality of "Leon Redobone" is, in fact, an alternative identity for another performer. Regardless, this is fantastic stuff, and if you can look past the slightly pricey tickets, you won't regret checking this one out.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5 / BAND OF HORSES / MASSEY HALL / 178 VICTORIA ST / $32.50 - $49.50 / ALL AGES

Critically acclaimed and immensely popular, Band of Horses is yet another band from the music hotbed that is Seattle, Washington. The group released their fourth album, Mirage Rock, back in September, and it further cemented the band's reputation as being one of the more consistent and talented bands out there. Once again, the ticket prices are a bit steep, but you're pretty much guaranteed a great show, and diehard fans of the band won't have a problem paying any price. Jason Lytle will offer support.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 6 / PATRICK WATSON / MASSEY HALL / 178 VICTORIA ST / $24.50 - $35 / ALL AGES

Chances are that if you're a fan of Patrick Watson (the singer/songwriter or his eponymous band), you've already got your ticket for this, his second Toronto show of 2012. This unique brand of indie rock with a hint of cabaret and classical influences has rightfully garnered Watson much acclaim throughout his career, and it's safe to say that Watson and his band can only continue to grow musically.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 6 / THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE / THE MOD CLUB / 722 COLLEGE / $18.50 - $20 / ALL AGES

If Patrick Watson doesn't interest you, why not check out this Toronto-based "electro-goth" band. The Birthday Massacre came together in 1999, and their music, which has a very dark New Wave-inspired sound, is apparently influenced by the band's collective love of sci-fi, fantasy and horror flicks. Their fifth album, Hide and Seek, was released back in October to a very positive response from fans and critics alike.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 8 / THE JOHNSTONES / SOUND ACADEMY / 11 POLSON / $27.75 / ALL AGES

Ska/punk band The Johnstones, out of Ajax, will be taking the stage at the Sound Academy alongside USS and The Balconies as part of 102.1 The Edge's Jingle Bell Rock concert series. The band has become notorious for their outrageous behaviour which has, in their own words, resulted in them spending a "healthy amount of time locked up in local jails and drunk tanks." They've also apparently been banned from Disney World for life. Hey, who am I to judge?

For more music listings, check out our events calendar.

Looking for tickets? Check out Rotate This or Soundscapes to avoid Ticketmaster robbery.

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

Photo of Leon Redbone courtesy of jack o'diamonds on Flickr.

Get to Know a Chef: Johnny Prassoulis, Holy Chuck

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Johnny PrassoulisNot just another addition to the city's never-ending burger war, midtown favourite Holy Chuck burgers established itself as a serious contender. Only a year-and-a-half in, chef Johnny Prassoulis says he has regulars all over the GTA come in for "quality that's worth the trip." During our recent chat at the restaurant, Prassoulis addresses the whole "half-breed" fiasco, teases about his future plans, and tells me what he thinks of his most glaring opponent--The Burger's Priest.

Did you always want to be a chef?

Yes, I've always had it in me since I was a little kid. I've always loved to cook; my mom was a great cook, my grandmother was a fantastic cook, and I'm Greek, so we love to feed people.

What was your most memorable restaurant job?

It was probably when I started off with Michael Bonacini. I did a very brief stint at Auberge du Pommier and then helped work at Steak Frites on Mount Pleasant and Eglinton. There was a lot to be learned there and you really had to produce quality.

Why did you decide to open a burger joint?

I've been in the business, just around the city, as a chef. I've worked at different places and I've always had a love for burgers. It's something that's been around for a long time and I believe will always be around. I saw this craze in burgers and no one was doing it right, except some chefs at home. And then I went around one day and tasted many burgers in the city and I was like, I can do this better.

Johnny PrassoulisWhat are some mistakes that you've made along the way? What about the half-breed fiasco?

I wouldn't say the whole "half-breed" thing was a mistake because it pertained to the burger and made sense for the product. I don't have any regrets because I'm not a racist person. I'm a business man, and I wouldn't be openly racist to a certain ethnic group on my menu. I wouldn't do that and why would anyone else?

Do you see the gourmet burger trend slowing down?

You see a lot less burger places popping up, and a year ago there were a lot more. But I think now people are realizing who actually knows what they're doing and who's just opening up a burger place to jump on the bandwagon. People think burgers are easy, but they are a hard thing to master.

What makes a great burger in your opinion?

Definitely the meat. It's all about technique with how the meat is processed and put onto the plate. You could have an amazing piece of meat in any form, but if you don't know how to cook it properly, you're not going to get the right result.

Who makes your favourite burger in the city?

I've been to maybe eight or nine places, and I found The Stockyards makes a really good butter burger. I go there sometimes for their chicken, and a couple of them come here for our burgers. For an actual grilled burger, there's a place just further down from here called The Monk's Table and they actually make a pretty good one too. I've still been meaning to try Marben's and Nota Bene's burgers.

Johnny PrassoulisWhy is your burger better than the Burger's Priest?

I'll be honest, I used to go there a couple of years ago when I worked in the area and I enjoyed it. But I think the quality is seriously lacking now compared to what it was back then. I can pretty much bet my life that the quality of meat that I use is a lot better than theirs. And also the "crust" that we get on our burgers as opposed to what they do. Sometimes theirs almost feels like it's been boiled and not seared on the flattop.

How many burgers do you eat in a typical week?

I try not to eat so many now, but before I would be eating four or five a week. But if you start taking into account the changing menu and the specials, I'm constantly cooking burgers and trying new things, so you could add a couple there.

What do you like on your burger?

I created the "Holy Chuck" because I just love the cheese, the caramelized onions, and the bacon. Now, I switch it up from time to time and maybe put a little ketchup and mayo, but I don't go crazy...though, maybe some foie gras. Bacon on everything and foie on everything!

Is there anything that shouldn't be on a burger?

I hate relish and barbeque sauce on a burger. I think they're very dominant flavours that if used too much, can really take away from the flavour of the meat.

Any expansion plans? What can you tell us about what's next for you and the restaurant?

I'm actually looking for a location right now. I've looked at one in the west end and one north of here. I'm hoping we can open our second place in a few months. I want to be everywhere at some point, but I'm not going to franchise--at least I don't think I will.

I'm also working on a new menu and on January 6 next year, I'm opening on Sundays. A lot of our customers are telling us that they want to come in more often but Sundays are the only day they can. And it'll probably be limited hours, but I'm putting out the new menu then as well, and we'll have items like a blue cheese burger.

Johnny PrassoulisRAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

Most underrated ingredient? Salt

Best culinary tool? Hands

A chef that inspires you?Bourdain and Martin Picard

Favourite Toronto restaurant?Auberge du Pommier

One dish you can't live without? Whole lamb on a spit

Something people would be surprised to find in your fridge? Wonder bread

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

For more chef profiles, check out our Toronto Chefs Pinterest board

Photos by Natta Summerky


New sandwich shop is all about the bacon

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Rashers TorontoA two week old sandwich shop on Queen East takes its bacon seriously. In fact, it claims to be North America's first dedicated bacon sandwich shop grilling up multiple styles of everyone's favourite pork product including peameal, strip bacon and the British style from which the restaurant takes its name.

Read my profile of Rashers in the restaurants section.

Snow White and James Bond team up in new musical

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Snow White TorontoAs far as December traditions go, Ross Petty's annual pantomime is like the Christmas cracker at the family meal — it's loud, cheap, and chock full of quick gags. Still, it's an essential part of the fun and, as it turns out, so is Petty's low brow British import on Toronto's holiday calendar.

This year's fractured fairy tale, Snow White: The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical, features the rock n' raucous elements you've come to expect from the panto, plus a number of clever additions. Rick Miller, Carolyn Bennett and Malcolm Clarke are the writers behind the musical. Their story features a solid structure, if not a tad long, that is buoyed throughout by strong performances. While it nevertheless is weighed down by some of the usual Petty proclivities, this year's version is a cracking Christmas treat.

When the Queen (Petty) decides to bulldoze the surrounding woods in an attempt to mine botox, Snow White (Melissa O'Neil) must unite the creatures of the forest, and allies met along the way, against her evil stepmother. The assembled list of confidantes includes James Bond (Graham Abbey), Little Red Riding Hood (Bryn McAuley), Pinocchio (Billy Lake), a ham resembling Don Cherry (Reid Janisse), and the brawn, Jack the Giant Killer (David Cotton). At every turn, the Queen, dragging along her gentle fool (Eddie Glen), reaches new lows in her attempts at being the fairest in the land.

Petty's tales are told through a pop culture kaleidoscope, featuring hit songs that help smooth over some of the thin elements of the script. O'Neil has no trouble delivering a Katy Perry ballad, but the part is written so sugar and sweet that it's hard for her to put a stamp on it. Petty milks the most out of LMFAO's "I'm Sexy and I Know It." He's less successful on Adele's "Skyfall" — that's one songstress that should be hands off for an, ahem, aging queen.

The addition of Bond, whose 007 alias stands in for all seven dwarfs, is brilliant. Abbey proves to be our guide through the twists and turns of the production and we couldn't be in better hands. Channeling a Conneryesque personae, he pulls together the plot elements with a self-referential veteran's grace.

Also delightful is the pairing of Lake and Janisse as the Coach's Corner fairy tale twosome. While Lake's puns illicit a chorus of groans, he's a better foil to Janisse's fast-talking hockey commentator. McAuley rounds out the strong performances with incredibly petulant moments as little Red.

Director Tracey Flye wrangles the various parts into a focused and funny production. Erika Connor's costumes are a highlight, especially the Queen's garish dresses, and projections from Beth Kates and Ben Chaisson complement the action.

The most tedious aspect of the panto are the commercials sprinkled throughout the acts. Commercials at the theatre, you ask? Ads for the Royal York, Lowe's, and Sears Mastercard, among others, integrate the characters from the play in an attempt to mask the overt sell-out factor.

Their inclusion is borderline offensive. Audiences pay more money for live theatre because it offers an experience different from the one on their television sets. The panto can get away with more than usual, maybe, but the commercials indicate a padding of the coffers.

Ads aside, this year's holiday panto proves to be a fun night at the theatre. There's even a bit of "Gangnam Style" to help complete the pop culture parade.


Snow White: The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical, directed by Tracey Flye, runs at the Elgin Theatre until January 5.

Where to buy brewing supplies in Toronto

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Toronto Brewing SuppliesBrewing supplies in Toronto offer a fantastic alternative to your bathtub and that broken oar from the cottage. Yes, there's actually a place where you can buy everything you need to make your own craft brew at home, just in case you feel stifled (who are you?!) by Toronto's existing beer offerings.

Grampa Simpson in The Simpsons stumbled upon his best-selling "revitalizing tonic" when he was trying to find a cheap substitute for holy water. He used a combination of elixirs from his medicine cabinet, which, while I'm sure quite potent, doesn't really work for the everyman trying to impress company with his own home brew (and avoid liability, at that).

Toronto Brewing Co. is an online operation offering aspiring brew-kings pretty much everything they need to make beer at home. For the novice, the site has handy starter kits, which include a recipe kit, fermentation jug, mini auto-siphon, and bottle filler, though you need to supply the bottles and kettle. And for the more experienced (or else, ambitious) brewer, Toronto Brewing offers various types of hops, malts, yeasts, and flavourings to customize your own creation.

Though primarily an online operation, Toronto Brewing Co. does allow customers to pick up from its temporary location at Yonge and Eglinton, which cuts down on shipping costs when ordering a 27-gallon conical fermenter. Though consumption and distribution is totally up to you, I've heard father and son travelling roadshow typically lead to great success.

Where to eat and drink like a Russian in Toronto

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Troika TorontoAn elegant Russian themed lounge has recently surfaced on the cusp of the Financial District. Billing itself as Toronto's only vodka boutique, this already bustling spot serves up high quality vodka along complimentary platters of olives, pickles and meats.

Read my review of Troika Vodka Boutique in the bars section.

5 Holiday craft shows in Toronto for 2012

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City of CraftHoliday craft shows in Toronto are a welcome alternative to the havoc to be found at most malls throughout December (though they usually come without Santas, alas). These shows are not only more pleasant to peruse, but they also typically offer unique gifts by local artisans that you can't find at many (or any) of the big Toronto box stores. From handmade knits, custom cards, and one-of-kind accessories, here are upcoming craft shows worth checking out in Toronto.

GLDSTK Standard HOLIDAY POP-UP MARKET December 7 - December 9, 109OZ second floor
Visiting this pop-up market does, of course, necessitate getting over your 109OZ bias (or at the very least, putting it aside for a few hours), though the promise of first access to some of Gouldscttock's latest creations does sweeten the deal. The holiday market features clothes and accessories from the Fall/Winter 2012 line, and will be held from 5p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6p.m. Sunday.

Toronto Young Designer's Holiday 2012 December 8, Brassaii (461 King Street West)
This sale features one-of-a-kind gifts (or more likely, presents for yourself) by local designers including avec ma soeur, Deptford Yarn Works, Arbonne and Michelle Ross Jewellery. Plus brunch as Brassaii (best of all). One day only, this cash-only holiday sale will run from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with gift wrapping available.

Milk Glass Co. Holiday Sale November 29 - December 22, 1247 Dundas Street West
Definitely not a one-day-only sale, Milk's holiday sale runs for nearly a month, offering cards, art, accessories, decor items and more from a gallery space on Dundas West. Plus hot chocolate and ambiguous-sounding "treats" to satiate you while you shop. With gift-wrapping available on-site, Milk Glass Co.'s pop-up will be running late enough for all of those last-minute, panic-stricken shoppers.

Holiday Art Market at Artscape December 9 & 16, Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street)
Back for two Sundays each year, the Holiday Art Market at Artscape again brings lots of exhibitors, lots of decorations, and one giant Christmas tree to Wychwood Barns. This year's even will include a total of 56 vendors offering everything from handmade knits and ceramics to one-of-a-kind jewellery and a seasonal pop-up cafe. Held from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the 9th and 16th, admission to the market is free and crowds promise to be plentiful (take that as good or bad).

City of Craft, December 8 - 9, The Theatre Centre (1087, 1093 & 1095 Queen Street West)
Now in its sixth year, City of Craft will feature over 70 participants including workshop leaders and gallery and installation operators, as well as tabelling vendors. For the strictly shopping-minded, however, there will be the usual 45 - 50 vendors of local crafters and artisans, with plenty of accessories, cards, jewellery, clothing, and other holiday gifts ready for general perusal. The sale will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5p.m. Sunday, with generally admission at $2 and kids under 12 free.

Top photo by City of Craft on Flickr

The top 10 east end live music venues in Toronto

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East Live Music Venues TorontoToronto's music scene has largely remained within the west-end of the city for years now, thanks to the sheer number and variety of venues dispersed around the area. The Garrison, The Horseshoe and Lee's Palace are all popular spots to catch the bigger acts coming through Toronto, but let's not completely discount the east just yet. Venues such as the Phoenix, Danforth Music Hall and even the Kool Haus, technically, all reside on the opposite end of the city and draw just as many good bands as the west does. Here are 10 live music venues in the east end worth paying a visit to.

Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne St.)
One of the more popular venues in the east-end, the Phoenix Concert Theatre has been an integral part of festivals like North By Northeast, Canadian Music Week and The Toronto International Film Festival. Over the past 20 years, the 18,000-sqaure feet space has seen the likes of Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and Green Day play there. The space, which is divided into three main areas, can often be seen not only hosting great rock shows, but also hosting DJ dance nights.

Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth Ave.)
After silently closing its doors for about a year in 2010, the Danforth Music Hall has returned, ready to host even better shows. The 1,100 seat venue has since been repaired and cleaned up and acts like Kimbra and Patrick Watson have grace the shiny new stage. The theatre was even chosen to host the Toronto stop of Rihanna's recent 777 Tour.

Polyhaus (388 Carlaw Ave.)
Polyhaus is quickly rising up to be a potential contender for a music hotspot in the city. Hidden away in the east-end, this multi-use loft space promises to be the "Swiss army knife of a space on Toronto's east side." Clearly suited for a more alternative music scene, bands such as Doldrums, Odonis Odonis and Unfinished Business are gravitating to this space now for shows.

Opera House (735 Queen St. E)
Originally a vaudeville theatre in the 1900's, The Opera House is a part of Toronto's entertainment history. Featuring a gorgeous 35-foot proscenium arch, the Riverside venue now hosts a variety of events, notably a constant listing of great bands ranging from metal acts to rappers. International acts such as Rage Against the Machine and Eminem have performed there.

Riverside Public House (725 Queen St. E)
Nav Sangha has shown that he knows how to successfully run venues, with his two west-end spots Wrongbar and The Great Hall. Now, he has set his sight on the east, taking over the former Blue Moon Pub and overhauling it into the Riverside Public House. Teaming up with Mike Homewood (The Curzon) and Top Chef Canada contestant Dustin Gallagher, this new bar promises a sleek new environment, good food, and a small stage and dance floor tucked away at the back for live music.

The Only Café (972 Danforth Ave.)
A popular east-end joint, the Only Café is not only lauded as one of the best place to drink beer in the city, but it also offers up live music on a regular basis. The comfortable setting, with its walls covered in mis-matched frames, offers a variety of beers on tap and is also open to hosting everything from bands to readings.

Kool Haus (132 Queens Quay E)
One of the city's most well-known nightclubs, the Kool Haus can go from rock music venue to all-out nightclub and even fundraisers and dinners within hours. The 27,000 square-foot space is, for the most part, a huge open space, but is lit up with bright lights and seating along the side. Larger acts tend to perform at this mid-to-large sized venue, for example, Cat Power, Beach House and Alabama Shakes. Coldplay, Lady Gaga and N.E.R.D. have even performed there before they became stadium bands.

Dominion on Queen (500 Queen St. E)
A Corktown landmark since 1889, Dominion on Queen is down the street from the Opera House, but provides a whole other variety of entertainment. This bar is often open to hosting a slew of jazz and blues musicians as well as comedians and poetry readings.

Centre of Gravity (1300 Gerrard St. E)
Normally a vaudeville theatre and circus training studio, Centre of Gravity has also hosted a number of concerts throughout the years. Back in the day, the now-defunct Spiral Beach would perform at this venue often and every year, it's guaranteed to host a wild New Year's Eve party, possibly circus-themed.

Linsmore Tavern (1298 Danforth Ave.)
Located steps away from Greenwood station, descriptions for the Linsmore Tavern have ranged from "a real dump" to "almost wholesome." Having been around for almost 80 years, the east-end bar also offers up live music on a regular basis.

Photo by Dylan Leeder

Ohbijou, MINOTAURS play in support of civil liberties

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OhbijouTrying to make sense of my raspy voice on Sunday morning, I could only chalk it up to those damn kids at Lee's Palace supporting Canadian civil liberties. The blame is squarely directed at them.

Nathan Lawr (MINOTAURS frontman and all-round good guy) recently organized an initiative to attract more art-community involvement in issues related to civil liberties (check out the website here). This past Saturday there was a stacked launch party to celebrate the initiative, which should prove to be a great thing for Canadian artists and freedom of speech-lovers in general.

Vish KhannaHeadlined by Ohbijou, MINOTAURS, and Maloo (Maylee Todd), the show was MC'ed by Vish Khanna and included speeches and performances by Rabble founding editor Judy Rebick, spoken-word artist Dwayne Morgan, three talented ladies of the Great Canadian Burlesque, and Toronto's poet laureate George Elliott Clarke. If this doesn't spell out "you're going to have fun tonight," I don't know what does.

Burlesque TorontoRebick opened the show with reflections on the G20 summit, while Morgan ushered in a more sexually provocative tone via his poems on beauty, women, and "EMALES" - using the latter poem as a PSA for World AIDS Day, which was Saturday. The glitzy, flirty moves of the Great Canadian Burlesque piqued the crowd's interest in the less subtle forms of sexy that were to take place that night, and Clarke's hilarious and evocative poetry readings (particularly the rhymed-to-the-teeth poem "Biarritz") upped the ante even more.

Maylee ToddMaloo kept the momentum up, following Clarke's lead with synth-steeped, pulsing songs that sound like sexy, bodily gyration in audible form, accompanied by Wuar Wuar (Jay and Charise Aragoza), who performed a choreographed dance of Charleston moves and African beats with flowing mesh, finger lights, and face paint.

MINOTAURSMINOTAURS brought the dance to the floor with their afrobeat tunes, joined by special guest Sarah Harmer and Ohbijou singer Casey Mecija. As Lawr got feisty and egged the audience on, the crowd yelled back at him as if doing a call and response at at a rally. Come to think of it, maybe that's when I started losing my voice.

Ohbijou closed the show with a selection of songs from their newest album, Metal Meets, as Casey Mecija jumped off the stage and was swung around by Maloo in the crowd. And did I mention they rocked the Game of Thrones theme song after someone "strongly suggested" (ie. threatened) that they play it? Awesome. Their nerdy reputation remains untarnished.

OhbijouDespite a last-minute decision not to play one final group song (which Khanna declared "the most awkward ending of a show, ever"), the show, cause, and atmosphere were fantastic, and I happily sacrificed my throat in pursuit of such great ends.

Writing by Lori Steuart / Photos by Hannah Jor


Rainy daize

Morning Brew: Ruby, Magder agree to Rob Ford's stay, avoiding a byelection, repairing the Rocket, GO expands PRESTO, a Masonic Temple update, and parking tickets

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toronto bikeAlthough he might not have needed it, Ford received the blessing of Clayton Ruby yesterday to seek a temporary stay of a judge's decision to remove him from office until his formal appeal can be heard in January. Ruby was the lawyer who represented Paul Madger, the Toronto citizen who brought the case against Ford, who could have appealed against a stay in a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

In a joint statement, Ruby and Magder said their decision was made "to give the city of Toronto a measure of stability." The pair didn't rule out opposing Ford's appeal itself. Is this a fair move by Ruby and Magder?

Over at Spacing, John Lorinc discusses the merits of council appointing a mayor from within over holding a costly byelection should Ford lose an appeal. Among the benefits: having council's most polarizing figure out of the way when it comes to discussing new ways of paying for transit expansion. Do you agree with him?

TTC CEO Andy Byford is asking manufacturer Bombardier to explain why Toronto's Rocket subway trains are malfunctioning. In a meeting scheduled for Friday, Byford will hopefully find out what can be done to remedy an electrical problem that requires the new trains to be removed from service if the doors fail to close three times.

Like it or not, more GO Transit riders will be railroaded into using Presto cards in January as Metrolinx plans to eliminate its monthly paper fares in the new year. Riders resisting conversion to electronic fares say they're concerned about the card's reliability. In other GO news, fares will increase by roughly 5 per cent in February.

The Masonic Temple at Yonge and Davenport is unlikely to become condos, according to the Toronto Star. Protected features on the interior and exterior and condos on the neighboring properties make the site unsuitable for adaptive reuse or demolition. Bell Media, the owners of the building, is moving its current tenants, MTV Canada, out.

Toronto's most prolific parking enforcement officer has pulled in nearly $4 million, that's 97,265 tickets over five years by catching illegally parked cars in Forest Hill and North Toronto. For his non-stop effort, Zulfiqar Khimani earns over $100,000 a year.

Finally, here's a link to Universe, a 1960 documentary set at the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill that takes the viewer on a tour of the solar system and, you guessed it, the universe using some pretty imaginative interpretations of planetary surfaces (this was pre-moon landing and Voyager program, of course.) There's also some neat, albeit brief, scenes of downtown Toronto.

IN BRIEF:

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

Photo: "109. Rust Ride" by enfys photography in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Party Style: High Tea with the Young and the Restless

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Young and the Restless TorontoOn Sunday December 2nd, Young and the Restless fans descended on the Fairmont Royal York for a high tea to benefit March of Dimes Canada. The #1 soap opera in the US and Canada certainly draws an interesting, female-skewed crowd, a selection of whom were brave enough to pose for the camera.

Check out all the photos from the event in our Style section.

Toronto beer lover's holiday gift guide

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Toronto Beer Holiday Gift GuideWhat to get the beer lover on your list this holiday season

That special time of year is approaching again: those mid- to late-December days when you start to sweat nervously about what to get for the last few people on your holiday gift list. Well don't fret, as long as those people are into local beer, I've got you covered with a few ideas. And if they're not into local beer, you should probably rethink your association with them. Either way, you're welcome.

Hangover Tea($15)
Say what you will about liver damage, weight gain, increased blood pressure, and the tendency toward indiscriminate sexual relationships, for my money the only real downside to drinking too much is that it makes you virtually useless the next morning. But not any more! With this locally made Hangover Tea, available at the Drake General Store, you'll be able to get up off the couch and get your errands done early so you can start drinking all over again. According the website it "washes away all feelings of regret and leaves only the awesome memories of rockin' around the Christmas Tree." Sold!

How to Make Your Own Brewskis ($9.99)
For that beer drinker on your holiday list who has always wondered about making her own beer, this handy guide, co-written by local beer writer Jordan St. John, has everything she'll need. With step-by-step instructions and a handful of recipes, "How to Make Your Own Brewskis" will is the first step on the path to opening your very own nano-brewery. Bonus: Increased likelihood of free beers.

Brew Kits ($25.95-$55)
For that slow cousin of yours who's interested in homebrewing but couldn't possibly commit to reading an entire book on the subject, why not pick up a brew kit from BYOB Cocktail Emporium, Toronto's only dedicated shop for cocktail enthusiasts? The kits, also available on BYOB's newly-launched online store provide the amateur home brewer on your list everything he'll need to make a range of beer styles from Chocolate Maple Porters to Jalapeno Saisons, all with minimal labour-intensive reading. Need more supplies? Check out the Toronto Brewing Co. web site.

Toronto Map Coasters ($26)
They've been around a while, but what list of swag related to drinking in Toronto would be complete without coasters in the shape of the city's core? You can still order them directly from the National Design Collective or pick them up at Russet and Empire in the Junction, and now you can also get them from BYOB's store or their online shop.

Amsterdam Brewing Company "Merch" (Various prices)
What better gift for the discerning beer drinker on your holiday list than gear that proudly boasts an allegiance to what is arguably Toronto's fastest growing craft brewer? Let your cutting-edge friend pronounce to the world that he was into Amsterdam beer before it was cool with a "Hop on the Boneshaker" t-shirt or a New Era snapback hat with Amsterdam's "Adventure Brews" logo on it, both of which are available at their new retail space in Leaside.

A subscription to TAPS magazine ($35)
TAPS Magazine is the country's only magazine dedicated entirely to beer. It's independently owned and operated and features talented beer writers from Canada and around the world discussing beer from a uniquely Canadian perspective. And it's an ideal stocking stuffer for anyone who wants to learn about beer while doing other "business."

BEER!

When in doubt for what to get the beer lover on your holiday gift list, there is of course no better option than actual beer. And, because our local brewers have released a number of excellent seasonals and specialty offerings, you're sure to find a bottle or two that will jingle anyone's bells.

Amsterdam's Wee Heavy Scotch Ale ($3.95 / 650mL)
Amsterdam's version of a traditional Scottish "wee heavy" ale, this slightly sweeter ale with a 6.2% ABV is just enough to warm your extremities on a December evening. Available at their retail store.

BNL Imperial Chocolate Stout ($13.95 / 750mL)
A collaboration beer brewed by Flying Monkeys brewery and The Barenaked Ladies to coincide with the band's 'Symphony Barenaked' tour, the press-release for this rich, chocolate-y beer notes that it's brewed with "organic Ecuadorian Cocoa Nibs to create a rich, friendly Imperial Chocolate Stout as sweet and quirky as the band's music." More importantly, it's got a good story behind it and comes in a fancy box, so it will make a great present. Available at the LCBO.

Black Oak Nutcracker Porter ($13.75 / six-pack)
This mildly spicy and well-balanced offering is something of a well-kept holiday secret (owing largely perhaps to the fact that Black Oak's specialty offerings are usually only available at their retail space in Etobicoke.) Pick this up and show off your beer nerd knowledge. Rumour has it they are also aging some in Single Malt Whiskey Barrels for a limited release in 650ml bottles in mid-December. Carpool, anyone?

Muskoka Brewery's Winterbeard ($10.95 / 750mL)
A perfect Double Chocolate Cranberry Stout that's as well suited to a third viewing of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation as it is to a post-tobogganing fireside thaw. The 2012 vintage is available at the LCBO and, for that extra-special someone, you might pick up one of 1000 limited bottles of their 2011 vintage which will be available through Muskoka's website

Great Lakes Brewery's Winter Ale ($6.95 / 750mL)
With some subtle orange peel, cinnamon, and ginger sweetness in the aroma but a nice, bitter finish in the taste, a couple bottles of this seasonal favourite from Toronto's oldest craft brewer and a handful of mistletoe will make for a perfect winter evening. Available at the LCBO and at GLB's retail store.

The OCB Holiday Discovery Pack ($11.95 / six-pack)
If you can't narrow it down to just one style for your beer-loving friends or relatives, the Ontario Craft Brewer's Holiday Discovery Pack is back. Inside the assorted six-pack you'll find: Black Oak Brewing Co.'s Nut Brown Ale, Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery's Smashbomb Atomic IPA, King Brewery's Dark Lager, Lake of Bays Brewing Co.'s Rousse Ale, Old Credit Brewing Co.'s Pale Pilsner, and Wellington Brewery's Wellington Arkell Best Bitter.

Steam Whistle ($13.25 / six-pack, $24.65 / 12-pack)
For that special someone on your holiday list who tends to go for quantity and easy drinkability over the more sophisticated tastes of a winter warmer, why not pick up a Steam Whistle Christmas-packaged 12-pack or six-pack? It's literally just Steam Whistle in a festive case with a spot to write someone's name. Grab some of Canada's premium pilsner for the gift that says, "I literally just remembered I should bring something on the drive over" while also managing to say, "I love you, man." Available at LCBOs, Beer Stores and at the Steam Whistle retail store.

Soybomb HQ knows how to throw a house party

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Soybomb HQClambering up the rickety Queen street level entry of Soybomb HQ just above the Cyclemotive store has you wondering what exactly you are getting into. In fact, founder Jason Wydra, wasn't too sure either when he started hosting his seasonal house party shows, using his bunkeresque abode as a DIY arts space.

"It all started around 2003 with my skateboard company, Soybomb," Jason explained during our chat between bands from their rooftop greenspace.

"My friend Nate, my brother and myself were looking for a place to build a half pipe. We were all carpenter/skateboarders and we didn't care where the kitchen and living room were, as long as there was a half pipe and a place to sleep. That's all that mattered."

A few years later, with the half-pipe and the rest of the interior built, (the home was pretty much "a construction site") Into his mid-thirties at the time, Jason's enthusiasm for Toronto's skateboard community was waning and he eventually moved on from SoyBomb. "When I started skating, it was the punk rock athletic activity of choice, but by 2003 it became a jock, or popular, thing to do. My headspace didn't mesh with the kids hanging out at skate parks at all," lamented Jason.

On Halloween 2008, the home was pretty much ready for a house warming concert/party which had more success than anyone ever expected, prompting Jason to hold seasonal shows on a regular basis.

Soybomb HQ is very much a home, loaded with the kind sassy and abrasive instructional signs you might expect at a post-hardcore house party. Classics in block letters like " You aren't allowed past here, idiot!" or "No girl time in the washroom. Get in, get out!"

The main area of the space is taken up by the half-pipe that doubles as a stage space. It's not elevated but the ramps make for a crammed sitting ledge for fans who want to get super close to their favourite bands. The ceiling is grimy and unfinished with exposed flooring beams from the floor above, decorated with multi-seasonal Christmas lights. It definitely feels like a house party.

The night I showed up was local band's Connoisseurs Of Pornrecord release party with a 20-30something arts and post-hardcore crowd straining their necks, and eardrums, to get a glimpse of shouty and reverb-heavy bands like Hellaluya, Das Rad, Fucket, and John Milner YR So Boss. The event also hilariously commemorated 'the 50 year anniversary of the death of Lee Harvey Oswald, history's most handsome assassin!' according to its Facebook page.

"We're not a bar or a venue, we're a home that has a space for this," Jason clarified. "We don't book things to make money, we book bands we are excited about. The DIY post hardcore movement is the most exciting creative open space I've found in the last ten years in terms of writing music. It's happening in interesting ways in Toronto which i've never seen in this city."

Their balmy Queen and Bathurst rooftop hangout space is complete with herb and veggie garden and is a great place to cool off between sets. Key concerts take place on New Years, Halloween, with others spaced out around the year.

Photo by Sean DeCory

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