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How Toronto got its various nicknames

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toronto skylineEvery major city has a cliched nickname: New York is the Big Apple, Los Angeles is Lalaland, Chicago the Windy City, and literally every metropolis on earth is The Big Smoke to its less urban neighbours.

Toronto's most unique overused nickname is surely Hogtown (or, perhaps, "T.O.") For a city that's conspicuously pig-free, it's a strange title to bear in the age of condominiums and skyscrapers, but one with an interesting history.

Here's the backstory on Toronto's most famous nicknames.

Hogtown
There are two main theories regarding the origin of this popular porcine nickname. The most plausible (to my mind) concerns the stockyards William Davies Company, which was once one of Canada's largest meat packers. Davies, whose company popularized peameal bacon, processed half a million animals at his Don River plant in 1900. Davies died, ironically, after being kicked by a goat aged 90.

An alternative is that "Hogtown" was an insult levied at Toronto because of its tendency to dominate affairs at Queens Park. "In the smaller cities of the Province when a man wants to say nasty things about Toronto he calls it Hogtown," read a Globe editorial in 1898.

The 416
Introduced in 1947 to cover Toronto and southwestern Ontario, the coveted 416 area code is now a metonym for Toronto, despite the fact the numbers are becoming increasingly scarce. Until the 1960s, a person's Toronto telephone number started with two letters, depending on their location. "UN" for the University exchange, "RI" for Riverdale, "PR" for Princess, "WA" for Walnut, and so on. Some old store signs still carry these lost exchange codes.

T.O.
"TO" and its variants get everywhere. The title of books, the names of businesses, and, obviously, this website. John Tory used it in his campaign logo (John TOry) and the tourist board recently used it in the name of one of its programs. Use of T.O., TO, or T Dot seems to originate from a desire to shorten the name of the city. It's either short for "TOronto" or "Toronto, Ontario," depending on who you ask. I tried to find the original source, but, alas, I had no luck.

The 6
A riff on 416 (and perhaps the newer 647, too,) Drake's super cool nickname for Toronto first appeared in the title of his upcoming album Views from the 6. Right now, the only person who should use this nickname with a straight face is Drake himself.

YYZ
Pearson's airport code is weird because it has no connection at all to the name of the city it serves. International Air Transport Association (IATA) Location Identifier codes originated in the 1930s out of the U.S. weather service's practice of giving two-letter codes to its stations. All major Canadian airports start with the letter Y, although most use the next two letters to indicate the name of the city: YVR for Vancouver, YOW for Ottawa, and so on. Best use of YYZ goes to Rush. Their song of the same name opens with a morse code drumbeat of those letters.

Toronto the Good
Not so much a nickname nowadays as a sarcastic title for when something juicy or salacious happens, "Toronto the Good" originates from the city's Victorian propensity for moral stiffness. The term was coined by former mayor William Howland (1886-87,) who, in the words of the Toronto Star, was "an anti-vice, anti-gambling, anti-liquor, Bible-thump[er]."

Queen City
Another Victorian throwback, the old Queen City moniker has seen less frequent usage in the 21st century and is now widely applied to other large cities, some outside Canada, as a sign of dominance. La Ville Reine is still popular in Quebec, but in Ontario the name has been in decline for decades.

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

Image: Robert Snache/blogTO Flickr pool.


New spot serves up Egyptian brunch dishes

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mahas torontoHow often does one get the opportunity to experience Egyptian food for brunch? The answer used to be "next to never" (unless you could make it yourself or knew someone who could). But that's now a week-round possibility at this sweet new family-run spot, which is serving up a flavourful mix of traditional dishes like eggs and foole with charred balady bread and Egyptian-inflected versions of Western classics like grilled cheese with dates.

Find out more in my profile of Maha's in the restaurants section.

10 Toronto buildings that used to be movie theatres

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toronto theatre rioToronto used to have a lot of movie theatres. "The Nabes," as neighbourhood cinemas were known during the boom years of the 1940s, were essentially multipurpose community centres; part entertainment venue, part meeting place, part communal TV set. Later, as the public began to shy away from the silver screen, numerous Toronto movie houses fell on hard times. Many closed for good while the architecture lived on.

The first movie ever screened in Toronto was The Kiss. It was shown in 1890 in the basement of Robinson's Musee, a Yonge Street curiosity emporium similar to the famous P. T. Barnum oddity museum in New York. The film, recorded by the Edison Company, starred Broadway actors May Irwin and John Rice and consisted of a single scene from the popular farce The Widow Jones. For about 17 seconds, Irwin and Rice nuzzle and kiss in choppy black and white.

Toronto's movie scene peaked in the middle decades of the 20th century, when there was practically a theatre on every block. Yonge Street was particularly densely populated with movie houses. For an immersive look at Toronto's cinema scene, check out Silent Toronto, a treasure trove of stories about lost theatres, film censorship, and bawdy tales of steamy burlesque shows. Many of the dates and details included below were sourced from Eric Veillette's excellent site.

Here are 10 Toronto buildings that used to be movie theatres.

The Big Nickel (The Rio,) 373 Yonge Street
Looking at archival photos, it's hard to recognize what was once a 500-seat movie house based on its current appearance. Now a run-down adult movie store, the Rio, as it was popularly known, opened as the Big Nickel in 1913 and was the Yonge Street strip's longest running cinema. By the 1970s, however, the rot had begun to set in, and customers reported watching movies on a ripped screen under a collapsing ceiling. It closed permanently in 1991.

toronto theatre victoryThe Standard (Victory Burlesque,) 287 Spadina Avenue
The brick building on the northeast corner of Dundas and Spadina is now (mostly) a branch of RBC, but in the 1960s it was a raunchy burlesque joint. It opened in 1921 as the popular Yiddish theatre the Standard, and was later known as the Strand and the Victory. Post-war, it became a mecca for raunchy burlesque performances by Tura Santana, Busty Boswell, and Satan's Angel. The building last saw movie action as Chinese theatre, Golden Harvest.

toronto theatre metroMetro Theatre, 677 Bloor Street West
News that the sticky and thoroughly run down Metro Theatre on Bloor St. W. was finally giving up the ghost didn't come as much of a surprise. Despite an attempt to become an indie film hub in 2012, the cinema closed earlier this year to make way for a fitness studio. The Metro Theatre opened in 1939 and nearby burned down on just its second day. In its heyday it was known for its comfort: soft seats, air conditioning, and ample parking.

toronto theatre universityUniversity Theatre, 100 Bloor Street West
University Theatre, so named for its proximity to the University of Toronto, opened in 1949 with a screening of Joan of Arc, starring Ingrid Bergman. Today, it's a Pottery Barn, but the building's wonderfully curved exterior survives. The rest of the building was knocked down in the 1980s, despite an earnest preservation battle.

toronto theatre lee'sAllen's Bloor Theatre (Lee's Palace,) 529 Bloor Street West
One of a cluster of movie houses around Bloor and Bathurst, the Bloor Theatre was opened in 1919 as part of the Allen chain of cinemas. As Silent Toronto notes, the theatre was one of the smallest in the company's roster (it has half the typical number of seats) before it was bought by Famous Players and closed in 1957. It has been Lee's Palace since 1985.

toronto allenby theatreThe Apply Allenby, 1215 Danforth Avenue
It's hard to imagine a fate worse than becoming a gas station kiosk, but that's what happened to the Allenby at Danforth and Greenwood in 2011. Opened in 1936, the building doubled as a community meeting space; it showed newsreels during the second world war and hosted bible lectures on Sunday, according to Heritage Toronto. The theatre was later the Apollo and the Roxy. Today, the marquee and the Danforth facade has been restored, but the sign reads "Tim Hortons & On The Run."

toronto theatre runnymedeThe Runnymede, 2225 Bloor Street West
The Runnymede Theatre had pedigree. It was designed by Alfred Chapman, the architect responsible for the original ROM building and the Palais Royale at Sunnywide, who had a massive mural of the night sky painted on the ceiling of the main auditorium. Little electric bulbs twinkled among the painted stars. In its early days "The Runny" mixed live vaudeville stage shows and "talkie" pictures before switching to bingo in the 1970s. Briefly a Chapters, the building is due to re-open as--quelle horreur--a Shoppers Drug Mart.

toronto theatre parkdaleThe Parkdale, 1605 Queen Street West
Another surviving member of the Allen family of cinemas, the Parkdale opened in 1920, advertised as "Toronto's latest super suburban theatre." The most striking thing about the old Parkdale is its weird orientation to the street. Unlike most theatres, the building lies broadside to Queen, its auditorium parallel to the street. In its halcyon days as a cinema, the Parkdale was known for being particularly popular with rowdy teenagers. It closed in 1970 and has been an antiques market ever since.

toronto theatre eglintonThe Eglinton, 400 Eglinton Avenue West
It's impossible to miss the glorious art deco marquee of the old Eglinton theatre just west of Avenue Rd. Thanks to its repurposing as an event space, the brilliant signage still lights up at night as it did on opening night in 1932. Like the Parkdale, the Eglinton is orientated with its side to the street, though the effect is different thanks to the presence of a few small stores. These days the former "Show Palace of Toronto," which closed in 2002, promises things like the Richmond Hill P.S. prom.

toronto theatre classicClassic Theatre, 1300 Gerrard Street East
The old Classic Theatre at Gerrard and Greenwood still makes nods to its history as a movie theatre, though the silver screen is long gone. The building, which now operates as a circus academy, includes a little cinema-themed cafe and the exterior still looks like the kind of place one could catch a show. As the faded paint on the exterior says, the building spent time as a pool and billiards parlour before taking on its current tenants.

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

Images: City of Toronto Archives, Archives of Ontario

Where to fly a Boeing 737 in Toronto

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Threshold AviationFlying a plane isn't the sort of challenge that most people respond to with "how hard can it be?" We all have a pretty good idea how difficult it is to fly a plane, even if we've never gotten closer than peering through the cockpit doors when boarding or watching Air Force One on Netflix. Now you can walk into a storefront just beneath the flight paths at Pearson and find out just how complicated the task is.

Threshold AviationThreshold Aviation has been in business for 20 years, but six years ago owner Mickey Bodog decided to go into the flight simulator business in a big way. Most people would have just set up a high-powered desktop and a few flat panel screens, but Mickey went all out, buying the cockpit of a recently scrapped Boeing 737-500 and restoring its instrumentation to connect to a bank of computers and digital projectors.

A detail of Threshold Aviation's flight simulatorThreshold's cockpit was part of a plane that had flown over 30,000 hours but had only seen service for fourteen years - roughly half the lifespan of the average commercial jet, but this unfortunate plane had been given the North American registration number N911, and was considered a bad omen for nervous fliers in the wake of the World Trade Center attacks.

You'll find the cockpit simulator behind a store where you can buy everything from licensed Boeing caps and t-shirts to model planes and maps and professional pilots' headsets. Settling into the pilot's seat is a tight fit, and once seated you're surrounded by a confusing bank of switches, gauges and screens.

For sale at Threshold's storefrontYou can book the full experience right from the powerup and pushback at the gate, communicating with ground crew and control tower as you taxi to your runway, or you can skip it all right through the pre-flight checklist and have Bodog or one of his simulator co-pilots put you at the end of the runway, engines cycling up for takeoff.

Threshold's simulator is static - it doesn't pitch and yaw like a multimillion-dollar simulator - but you won't care as soon as you rocket down the runway and up into the air, nervously trying to get altitude and prevent stalling as the cockpit's complicated - and very realistic - flight control systems start beeping and barking out warnings.

Threshold flight simulatorThere's a very accomplished moment when you level out at your heading for the flight, and you can skip the whole placid voyage through the clouds to your destination, unless you want to test your piloting skills with bad weather or engine trouble. Bodog says that a lot of his clients are professional pilots, some with major airlines, who want to try out new flight paths or airport approaches.

I manage a couple of decent takeoffs and landings, circling around Pearson then heading across Lake Ontario to land in Niagara Falls. But when Bodog suggests I try a more scenic route, flying through the mountains near New Zealand's Queenstown airport, I end up botching my landing very badly, overshooting the runway and sending the 737 into the trees.

Threshold AviationTime on Threshold's simulator runs from just $109 for an hour on a weekday to the four hour ultimate package for $429 on a weekend. Planespotters and aviation geeks can book a complete flight from gate to gate, taking turns in the pilot, co-pilot and navigator's chairs. You'll have to bring your own in-flight meal, though.

The top 10 bakeries that supply coffee shops in Toronto

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coffee shops bakeries torontoEver wonder who makes those delicious treats at your local café? If it isn't the shop itself it's probably one of these bakeries . Some, like Bunner's, Rahier and OMG, function as their own storefront bakeries, while others like Circles and Squares are bigger, strictly-wholesale operations. A gal like Cookie Martinez exists somewhere in the middle, wholesaling to some coffee shops while maintaining the occasional market booth and a container at Market 707.

Whether it's muffins, croissants, biscotti, biscuits or cinnamon buns, these bakeries know their stuff, and what makes the coffee crowds go wild.

Here are my picks for the top bakeries that supply coffee shops in Toronto.

Circles and Squares
If there is one bakery in responsible for the prevalence of the tulip muffin in Toronto café shelves and in customers' guts, it's Circles and Squares. They supply all of the Dark Horse locations as well as places like 9 Bars on St. Clair and Early Bird on Queen, but it's really just the tip of the iceberg. These baked goods are everywhere.

Bunner's
Bunner's may be vegan and gluten-free but that doesn't stop them from supplying tons of coffee shops in Toronto with nary a peep of complaint from customers. Their products, particular the cinnamon buns are so good, businesses like Crema, Kupfert and Kim, and Fahrenheit keep coming back for more.

Queen B Pastry
Also gluten and dairy-free, Queen B Pastry supplies cello-wrapped cookies, muffins and cakes to coffee shops like Broadview Espresso, Café Pamenar, and all of the Crema, Dark Horse and Jimmy's locations. Now that's what you call a bakery empire.

La Bamboche
La Bamboche Patisserie makes damn fine croissants, some of the best in the city, which is why a coffee empire owner as discerning as Sam James would carry them in all of his SJCB locations.

Jules
It's almost ten years that Jules Café Patisserie has been on Mount Pleasant with neighbours flocking to the French-style bakery. Luckily, if you can't make it there they also supply cafes like Jimmy's and Rooster.

Desmond and Beatrice
If cupcakes are your thing with coffee you'll want to be on the lookout for Desmond and Beatrice at your local café. They make wonderful cupcakes, brownies, cookies and more, and supply Rustic Owl amongst others.

Cookie Martinez
Organic cookies with a Latin twist? Yes, please! You can find Cookie Martinez's delicious treats (like guava cookies, Triple "D" brownie and Alfajores) at Haven Espresso, Stasis, Depanneur, and The Slow Room.

Rahier
Exquisite French pastries are a natural go-to with coffee, and Rahier has some of the best. Places like Contra Café and Miss Lily's take the guesswork out of pastry, buying Rahier frozen croissants and baking them on site.

OMG Baked Goodness
OMG Baked Goodness offers tons of delicious sweet treats for wholesale, but perhaps none is more famous than their vegan chocolate cupcakes, a funny accolade for a bakery that is not all vegan. The Green Beanery, Café Nervosa, and Jimmy's Coffee supply OMG in their cafes, often with both the vegan and non-vegan treats.

Glory Hole Doughnuts
Donuts and coffee are thee classic combination, who doesn't love a dunker? Glory Hole Doughnuts are some of the best dunkers in the city, and you can find them (while supplies last) at Crema, Early Bird, and Thor Espresso.

Did I miss any? Leave your favourite Toronto bakery that supplies cafes in the comments.

Photo of Desmond & Beatrice by Jesse Milns.

The top 10 highest grossing movies shot in Toronto

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Highest grossing movies TorontoThe highest grossing movies shot in Toronto prove that this city is the Meryl Streep of Canadian film locations - versatile. We've stood-in for other major North American cities in disaster flicks, period pieces, contemporary dramas, and dystopian futures.

The construction of the massive Pinewood Studios on Commissioners Street has allowed mega-productions to move-in with increasingly larger budgets. As our film industry continues to grow in size and scope, we look back on the biggest blockbusters that were shot in Toronto.

Twister (1996)
Twister's title is ironic - this flick could also be called, "The Plot That Doesn't Twist". Partially shot in Bolton (close enough), Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton chase tornados while Cary Elwes chases after them. Actually that's not true, because Cary Elwes just chases the tornados also. The movie was the second-highest grossing film of 1996, and has earned $494M worldwide.

Pacific Rim (2013)
With a reported budget of $190M, Pacific Rim is the most expensive movie ever shot in Toronto. With worldwide box-office returns of $411M, it's the second highest-earning movie shot in the city. The film was shot entirely in Toronto - mostly in the massive soundstages at Pinewood Studios, with a few exteriors at the Scarborough Bluffs, and a memorable scene staged on Elizabeth Street behind City Hall (standing in for Tokyo).

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
Winnipeg's Nia Vardalos scored a sleeper hit with My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the highest grossing movie to never reach #1 at the box office. Despite never claiming the top spot during its release, it went on to earn $368M worldwide. The film was set in Chicago, but Toronto is the star with exteriors and interiors shot at Ryerson, the Harbourfront, and of course The Danforth. The family home depicted in the film actually exists on Glenwood Crescent, just off O'Connor Drive near St. Clair East.

Chicago (2002)
Speaking of Chicago, next we have Chicago. Winner of six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Art Direction, and Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chicago could be the most universally acclaimed movie shot in Toronto. This little song-and-dance number grossed $306M worldwide, and prominently featured Queen's Park, Osgoode Hall, Castle Loma, The Elgin Theatre, and The Distillery District. Sister cities, indeed.

X-MEN (2000)
Kicking-off the successful franchise, Bryan Singer's original X-MEN grossed $296M worldwide. The exterior for Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Children is actually Parkwood Estate in Oshawa (also home to Lucy Liu's character in Chicago, and Adam Sandler in Billy Madison), with interiors shot in Castle Loma. The Distillery District doubles as 1940's Poland, and Metro Hall gets trans-mutated into the senate chamber. The sprawling production also used locations in Burlington, Hamilton, and Sudbury.

Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
All five of the Resident Evil movies were filmed at least partially in Toronto, and two in the series technically grossed enough to make this list (there's also a sixth movie in production). I'm only ranking Afterlife because it made the most in the franchise, and they're all basically the same movie, right? This forth installment earned $296M worldwide. The fifth movie, Resident Evil: Retributiongrossed $240M, and would have ranked #9.

The Incredible Hulk (2008)
This incredibly miscast production (Ed Norton? Angry?) managed to earn $263M worldwide, and could be better used as a promo reel for U of T. While act one is filmed on location in Rio, much of the film's second act takes place in King's College, Knox College, and Convocation Hall. You can also spot the Cherry Street Bridge, Morningside Park in Scarborough, and Lakeshore Boulevard. Of course, the film's climax takes place outside Zanzibar on Yonge Street, but it's supposed to be Harlem. Hulk smash!

RoboCop (2014)
This was another huge production, with a reported budget of $130M. Social media was a flutter when actor Joel Kinnaman gave us the first glimpses of the new RoboCop suit as they were filming exterior scenes on College Street. Hamilton's industrial legacy allowed it to stand-in for a near-future Detroit, and the Hearn Generating Station in the Port Lands provided the gritty backdrop for RoboCop's training scene. This watchable, if unnecessary remake earned $242M worldwide.

Good Will Hunting (1997)
Another Oscar-winner joins the list. Matt and Ben took home the Best Original Screenplay award, but this film is notable for the only Oscar win by three-time nominated Robin Williams for Best Supporting Actor. U of T and Central Tech stand-in for Harvard and MIT, and the famous "How do you like them apples" scene was filmed at the recently closed Upfront Bar & Grill on Front Street. Worldwide, Good Will Hunting has earned $225M.

Total Recall (2012)
Although it received mixed reviews and under-performed at the box-office, Total Recall still managed to gross $198M worldwide. Familiar locations include Roy Thomson Hall, the Metro Convention Centre, the Gardiner, and Lower Bay Station. With a production budget of $125M, this remake of the 1990 sci-fi classic was the biggest budget film to be produced in Toronto at the time. The scope of its production has since been eclipsed by RoboCop and Pacific Rim.

Photo: Spencer Barclay

Winter is coming

Free events in Toronto: November 17 - 23, 2014

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Free events TorontoFree events in Toronto this week include tons of chances to curl up in cozy movie theatres away from the cold, including ongoing European Union Film Fest and Regent Park Film Fest. Sometimes, though, you'll have to stand in line - wouldn't want you to totally feel like a person. The Toronto Maker Faire will also dazzle you at the Reference Library this weekend with tons of crafty programming, but you can't 3D print money. I asked.

Here are Toronto's capitalism defying events this week. If nothing looks fun, there's free therapy.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Also check out these regular free events

Do you want everyone to know about your kinda random free or pay-what-you-can event? Submit it to our event section. (You can also submit your for-money events here, greedy-pants.)

Image: Rhymes for Young Ghouls at Regent Park Film Fest


The top 10 Toronto country & alt country bands

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Country bands TorontoCountry's heyday (hay day?) in Toronto goes back a long way. A good part of the live scene can be traced back to 1947, when Jack Starr purchased the space he would name The Horseshoe Tavern on Queen St. West. He first intended it to be a live music venue and restaurant. It was after he removed the kitchen that his take on booking country and rockabilly music took off. Through to the 60's and 70's the Horseshoe would host Willie Nelson, the Carter Family, Waylon Jennings, and Stompin' Tom Conners.

It was The Matador on Dovercourt Rd. open from 1964-2007 that became a favourite spot for Loretta Lynn, Stompin' Tom, and its outdoor sign even appeared in k.d. lang's 1987 "Turn Me Round" video. The 80's and 90's would see Toronto bands like Blue Rodeo, the Cowboy Junkies, and the Lost Dakotas bring their own contemporary take on country and alt-country music. A special nod goes to Ronnie Hawkins (and the Hawks) for all their contributions to the rockabilly and rock scene.

Today you can still embrace the wild west in Toronto - if you're looking to ride a mechanical bull and real live country music, look no further than the Rock 'n' Horse Saloon on Adelaide St. West. And in the east end, Boots & Bourbon host their own brand of live country music and line dancing. The Cameron House and the Dakota Tavern also host country bands regularly.

Here are 10 of Toronto's top country and alt-country bands of all time.

Blue Rodeo
Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor were football friends since the 1970's. They briefly separated ways with Cuddy meeting Robin Mask (Handsome Ned) in Banff, but in the early 80's they joined with Cleave Anderson, Bazil Donovan, and Bobby Wiseman to form Blue Rodeo in 1984 (their first show was at the Rivoli). The band, now Jim Cuddy, Greg Keelor, Bazil Donovan, Glenn Milchem, Bob Egan, Mike Boguski, and Colin Cripps, continue to contribute to the Canadian country-rock landscape after 30 years.

Cowboy Junkies
The story of the Cowboy Junkies - siblings Margo, Peter, Michael Timmons, and bassist Alan Anton - is well documented, including the 14 hour recording session at Church of the Holy Trinity. A mix of country, folk, blues and jazz, the album considered their most influential. With the Trinity Sessions marketed under rock, and not country, the Cowboy Junkies popularity helped establish an alternative music scene. Lou Reed is said to prefer their version of Sweet Jane to his. Fans can find their entire archives at the U of T Media Commons.

The Cameron Family Singers
There may not be a finer cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" ever performed or recorded in Toronto or Canada than by the Cameron Family Singers. "Cousins" Cindy Matthews, Jack Nicholsen (Leslie Spit Treeo), Kevin Quain, Rob Booth, Sam Ferrara, Chip Yarwood and Tony Benattar held down a country music-filled Saturday residency at Queen Street's the Cameron House from 1997-2010.

Prairie Oyster
Members of Prairie Oyster have set a high standard for Canadian country rock music and roots music for nearly 40 years. Russell deCarle, Keith Glass, and Dennis Delorme formed the band in Toronto in 1975, and had touring and television appearance success before a four year hiatus in 1978. Since 1982 and a rotation of new members, they have produced eight albums, and received a long list of Canadian music awards.

The Good Brothers
Thornhill twins Bruce and Brian Good originally played in the band The Kinfolk in the 60's. In 1973, along with younger brother Larry they became the country-folk band the Good Brothers and debuted at the Riverboat club and went on to set sales records and impressed crowds five nights a week at the El Mo. From 1977-1984 they won eight Junos for best Country Group or Duo. Travis Good (the Sadies), Bruce's son was part of the Goods during the 1990's.

Great Speckled Bird
By the time Ian and Sylvia Tyson had recorded the 1968 album Nashville in Nashville, the folk-duo had already work country rock songs into their performances as part of an evolution in their sound. The Tysons, after that recording decided to play more like the album and along with Amos Garrett, Buddy Cage, and N.D. Smart II, formed Great Speckled Bird in 1969. They would go on to be the house band for CTV's Nashville North show in Toronto. Ian and Sylvia split in 1975.

Grievous Angels
Beginning as street-buskers in the 80's, Grievious Angels (Charlie Angus, Michelle Rumball, and Peter Jellard) are known for their heartbreaking lyrics in support of the working class and northern Canadian life hardships. Their national radio played second album One Job Town was Juno nominated for best Country Group or Duo in 1992. Angus would go on to be a CBC commentator and later NDP member of Parliament in Timmins.

The Sadies
Together since 1984, the Sadies perform epic live shows, produce close to an album a year, and continue to refine their psychedelic alt-country art (the best of CBGB). Brothers Dallas and Travis Good, along with Mike Belitsky (drums) and Sean Dean (upright bass) reputation as top musicians have led to collaborations with Neko Case, Neil Young, Garth Hudson, the Good Brothers and others.

The Lost Dakotas
Starting out busking on the corner of Yonge and Dundas and on the TTC in 1989, the Lost Dakotas started as the acoustic duo Paul Dakota and Greg McConnell. After the additions of Adam Faux and Ron Duffy in 1990, they released Love to Play on cassette only. It sold out in two days. Their next album, Last Train To Kipling, a TTC stations reference, charted on college radio for 100+ weeks. The album country-rock album, "Sun Machine" followed. Covered on the album was Queen St. West's Handsome Ned's "Lost Weekend."

Quartette
Cindy Church, Caitlin Hanford, Colleen Peterson, and Sylvia Tyson played together at Toronto's Harbourfront as part of a Songwriters-in-the-round in 1993. Following Peterson's death in 1996, and replacement by Gwen Swick, they continue to play a blend of traditional country, folk, and gospel across Canada.

Photo of the Sadies by Andrew Williams

Holiday craft shows in Toronto, 2014

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holiday craft shows torontoHoliday craft shows in Toronto are only superior to the mall scene if you're shopping for a certain type of person: a person you truly love. Aw. Just kidding though, there's plenty of stuff on hand for co-workers, rando cousins, and secret Santas. I'll be at home reading Waldfogel: even his name is like "bah humbug."

Here are our best bets for artisanal stockings in Toronto this winter.

21st Annual Festival of Smalls - November 8 - December 24
Arty Festival of Smalls, on now north of St Clair West, has artwork in a variety of styles and mediums up from $55 - $250. Art Interiors (446 Spadina Road, Suite 203).

Midnight MRKT - Holiday Shopping Edition - November 21
It's $5 at the door, but this DJ party isn't your ordinary show and sale. Check out the sounds, eats, and vendors at this edition of MRKT here. 2nd Floor Events (461 King St. West)

One Of A Kind Christmas Show & Sale - November 27 - December 7
One of a Kind is like a craft fair mall experience (so, way cuter). Going on 1000 Canadian artisans will be selling handmade gifts and there will be a cafe so you can caffeine up and power shop. There will be a gift wrapping centre because it's fancy. Check out their site for late night shopping and more. Direct Energy Centre.

#localTOmrkt - November 28 - December 24
Yonge & Dundas/Ryerson will host a chilly pop up shop in a vacant lot. Deck the halls, skip the malls, ho ho ho we have details. 335 Yonge St.

Toronto Christmas Market - November 28 - December 21,
The Toronto Christmas Market is back for its fourth year, and its expansive set up will (sort of) emulate a European Christmas Market. Shop for local handcrafted products from a variety of vendors, check out the family friendly entertainment, or just pound mulled wine. Distillery Historic District (55 Mill Street).

Holiday Post Market - November 30
Vintage, handmade, and new. What sets this one apart? You do, if you go. Check out the vendor list here. The Great Hall.

Union Station Holiday Market - December 1 - 7
Pretty self explanatory: local vendors will pack Union Station, which isn't already a chaotic mess or anything. Here's everything you need to know. 65 Front St West.

Bit Bazaar Winter Market - December 6
The nerdiest market in Toronto is back! Check it out for the indie games, stay for the geeky shopping. And the geeks. Meow. Bento Miso Collaborative Workspace.

The Artisans Gift Fair - December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21
Weekends at the Tranzac in December through Christmas you can do your craft pop up shopping without leaving the Annex, then get everything else at Honest Ed's. This is the pro leagues. Tranzac (292 Brunswick Ave).

City of Craft - December 12 - 14
Toronto's favourite craft show is a must-hit. High quality wares by deftly curated established and/or promising local crafters and artisans will be on sale amid installations and workshops. More info is TBA.

Toronto Young Designers Holiday - December 13
The 5th annual Toronto Young Designers Holiday Sale will host an impressive line up of local vendors in mid December. Look for jewellery, home decor, paper goods, clothing, art, and of course, tote bags. Church of St-Stephens in the Feild (103 Bellevue Ave)

Annex Flea - December 13-14
The Annex's own flea will set up for two days at the Centre for Social Innovation instead of just a Sunday. If you leave everything to the last minute, you might miss the TTC on the way to the sale and have to wait in the cold. Unpleasant. Be careful. CSI (720 Bathurst).

Vendor Queens
Vendor Queens' pop-up market, featuring all manner of handmade and vintage goods, will be back this year. Details are TBA. Check out what Vendor Queens is about here.

Additional shows and sales

Did we miss a craft show? Let us know in the comments.

Photo of Vendor Queens by Denise McMullin

The top 10 independent magazines in Toronto

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magazines torontoThe top 10 independent magazines in Toronto are surprisingly varied in their content. While corporately backed Toronto publications seem limited to current events, Toronto developments, fashion, and the dreaded cross-pollination scheme for advertising bucks, these indie mags use their own voice to emphasize the diverse culture that exists within the city.

Topics range from Canadian book industry news to underground zine philosophies, international design trends, homemade fashion stars, and local fiction. We have magazines for the radical thinker and the art connoisseur, the design-conscious, eco-friendly urbanite and the fashion theorist. The magazines in this city make nearly every niche interest one worth reporting on.

Here are my picks for top 10 independent magazines in Toronto.

The Walrus
Since its start in 2003, The Walrus has maintained a consistent know-how to voicing the pressing and diverse Canadian issues in a democratic manner. Sometimes witty and always smart, its readership enjoys a thoughtful discourse endorsed -- and occasionally created -- by the country's cultural heroes, like Margaret Atwood, Shary Boyle, Leonard Cohen, and Joseph Boyden. Published 10 times each year, The Walrus' areas of expertise include arts and culture news, comments on Canada's political landscape, and short fiction. You'd be hard up to find a bookstore that doesn't stock this national gem on its shelves.

Pulp
Pulp is one of those large-scale fashion magazines you buy to collect. It features stories about the international fashion game, publishes editorials that showcase important Canadian talent, and has full-page creative photo spreads akin to any relevant sartorial publication. Pulp comes out bi-annually, which gives you plenty of time between each to devour the whole thing as you eagerly await the next issue. They're stocked in Indigo stores across the country and can be found across the pond as well.

Broken Pencil
Toronto's zine and small-press culture would go largely unnoticed if it weren't for Broken Pencil. They're the hub for all things alternative -- be it cutting-edge fiction, non-conformist social views, and indie art stars. Broken Pencil's unique understanding of the influence zines can have in creating a subculture shines in every issue. Their print edition comes out four times annually and can be purchased in bookstores across Canada and the U.S.

Spacing
Spacing is a magazine that tackles the finer details of urban planning and how public spaces influence our daily lives. Over the course of a decade, Spacing has grown from a Toronto-centric publication to a nationwide conversation and publishes four times throughout the year. While half of the time they focus on Toronto issues, the magazine's expansion to other Canadian cities has influenced a national discussion dedicated to making Canadian metropolises more accessible, beautiful, and happily shared spaces.

Shameless
Shameless is a magazine geared toward trans youth and young women learning and maturing in an age where they can define their own paths. It's a progressive, anti-oppressive, smart alternative to teen publications that have muddied values steeped in pop culture obsessions and beauty tips. Shameless aims to promote open-minded feminism and a welcome place to talk about social issues and learn new things (like crafting and DIYs, too). It's published three times a year and can be found in a number of Chapters and Indigo locations across Canada and other specialty bookstores.

THIS Magazine
After 45 years in the business, THIS remains a national magazine with a relevant voice in the Canadian political landscape. Its values are rooted in alternative political, arts, and culture news, wherein the reader can become informed about the other side of today's issues. THIS magazine is published six times a year.

Little Brother
The youngest magazine on this list, Little Brother has made big steps for itself since it began in 2012. The bi-annual journal publishes short stories, essays, local photography, among other favourite artsy formats that make every new issue of this mag something to look forward to. In the short time they've been around, Little Brother has won a national magazine award, launched a lecture series, and been dubbed "several kinds of new" by the Globe and Mail.

Azure
Azure is a design and architecture magazine that emphasizes the relationship between interior spaces and their place in an urban landscape. Its real-world approaches to design have earned the near 20-year-old publication several awards in its discipline. Everything from large-scale green lifestyle architectural developments to accessible interior decorating trends are considered within the pages of Azure's eight yearly issues.

CMagazine
Published quarterly, CMagazine has created a space for critical art debates to exist in the Canadian magazine publishing industry. The magazine hosts art editorials and reviews from the international scene and is written for the well-informed art critic and a more academic reader. Its heady content outlines the trends and ideas that inform today's art. CMagazine can be purchased at a number of retailers throughout Canada, the U.S., and Europe.

Corduroy
Named for the lasting classiness of the corduroy jacket, Corduroy is a fashion publication that profiles industry professionals interested in the timelessness of fashion (as opposed to those who report on seasonal trends and annual changes in style). The average issue comes with a theme in mind and is accompanied by interviews with artists, actors, and other culturally influential figures. Corduroy's physical design -- grandiose and visually stunning -- has as much to do with its content as the words on the page.

Did I miss any? Leave your favourite Toronto-based magazine in the comments.

Photo by Natta Summerky.

Agincourt roti shop does delicious ultra-cheap eats

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20141113-monasroti590-08.jpgLooking to fill up on the cheap? For less than a slice of pizza, this Caribbean kitchen will have you mowing down on $1.50 doubles that I'm told could rival those in Trinidad. Also noteworthy: house-made breads, like insanely fresh and delicious dahlpuri, paratha and potato puri.

Read my profile of Mona's Roti in the restaurant section.

Citywide gym chain offers MMA, Muay Thai training

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ultimate martial arts torontoThis chain of martial arts gyms brings Muay Thai and MMA training to all corners of the GTA, including this location at Yonge and Eglinton. Though their classes make for a serious workout, the training is friendly to all skill levels, with an attentive approach from training staff - even in group classes - that sets them apart from the pack.

Read my profile of Ultimate Martial Arts in the fitness section.

Holiday craft shows in Toronto for 2014

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holiday craft shows torontoHoliday craft shows in Toronto are only superior to the mall scene if you're shopping for a certain type of person: a person you truly love. Aw. Just kidding though, there's plenty of stuff on hand for co-workers, rando cousins, and secret Santas. I'll be at home reading Waldfogel: even his name is like "bah humbug."

Here are my picks for the top holiday craft shows in Toronto for 2014.

21st Annual Festival of Smalls - November 8 - December 24
Arty Festival of Smalls, on now north of St Clair West, has artwork in a variety of styles and mediums up from $55 - $250. Art Interiors (446 Spadina Road, Suite 203).

Midnight MRKT - Holiday Shopping Edition - November 21
It's $5 at the door, but this DJ party isn't your ordinary show and sale. Check out the sounds, eats, and vendors at this edition of MRKT here. 2nd Floor Events (461 King St. West)

One Of A Kind Christmas Show & Sale - November 27 - December 7
One of a Kind is like a craft fair mall experience (so, way cuter). Going on 1000 Canadian artisans will be selling handmade gifts and there will be a cafe so you can caffeine up and power shop. There will be a gift wrapping centre because it's fancy. Check out their site for late night shopping and more. Direct Energy Centre.

#localTOmrkt - November 28 - December 24
Yonge & Dundas/Ryerson will host a chilly pop up shop in a vacant lot. Deck the halls, skip the malls, ho ho ho we have details. 335 Yonge St.

Toronto Christmas Market - November 28 - December 21,
The Toronto Christmas Market is back for its fourth year, and its expansive set up will (sort of) emulate a European Christmas Market. Shop for local handcrafted products from a variety of vendors, check out the family friendly entertainment, or just pound mulled wine. Distillery Historic District (55 Mill Street).

Holiday Post Market - November 30
Vintage, handmade, and new. What sets this one apart? You do, if you go. Check out the vendor list here. The Great Hall.

Union Station Holiday Market - December 1 - 7
Pretty self explanatory: local vendors will pack Union Station, which isn't already a chaotic mess or anything. Here's everything you need to know. 65 Front St West.

Bit Bazaar Winter Market - December 6
The nerdiest market in Toronto is back! Check it out for the indie games, stay for the geeky shopping. And the geeks. Meow. Bento Miso Collaborative Workspace.

The Artisans Gift Fair - December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21
Weekends at the Tranzac in December through Christmas you can do your craft pop up shopping without leaving the Annex, then get everything else at Honest Ed's. This is the pro leagues. Tranzac (292 Brunswick Ave).

City of Craft - December 12 - 14
Toronto's favourite craft show is a must-hit. High quality wares by deftly curated established and/or promising local crafters and artisans will be on sale amid installations and workshops. More info is TBA.

Toronto Young Designers Holiday - December 13
The 5th annual Toronto Young Designers Holiday Sale will host an impressive line up of local vendors in mid December. Look for jewellery, home decor, paper goods, clothing, art, and of course, tote bags. Church of St-Stephens in the Field (103 Bellevue Ave)

Annex Flea - December 13-14
The Annex's own flea will set up for two days at the Centre for Social Innovation instead of just a Sunday. If you leave everything to the last minute, you might miss the TTC on the way to the sale and have to wait in the cold. Unpleasant. Be careful. CSI (720 Bathurst).

Vendor Queens - December 14, 21
Vendor Queens' pop-up market, featuring all manner of handmade and vintage goods, will be back this year, making the move to the Evergreen Brickworks. Check out what Vendor Queens is about here. Evergreen Brickworks (550 Bayview Ave).

Additional shows and sales

Did I miss a craft show? Add it to the comments.

Photo of Vendor Queens by Denise McMullin

Autumn sun


Today in Toronto: Bob Dylan, Early Monthly Segments, Blue Coffee, Trivia Night at Disgraceland

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Today in TorontoToday in Toronto Bob Dylan will be doing whatever it is Bob Dylan does at Sony Centre (you can still grab tickets). Early Month Segments will screen the work of German filmmaker Harun Farocki, and Nicole Brewer, Eric Bronson and Spencer Gordon are reading at Blue Coffee. If you're feeling too smart for your own good, trivia at Disgraceland will be hosted by Julien Bossé and Laura Holtebrinck. For more events, click on over to our events section.

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

North Toronto gets its own board game cafe

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for the win cafe torontoThe burgeoning board game trend in Toronto has spread to North Toronto, where a brand-new spot - stuffed to the gills with all kinds of board games, from the classic to the obscure - has just opened its doors. The gaming possibilities, along with their menu of drinks and snacks (including bubble tea and lattes made with Pilot beans), have locals already lining up to roll the dice.

Read my profile of For The Win Cafe in the cafes section.

The 5 most cliched music video locations in Toronto

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music videos torontoToronto is a popular locale to shoot a music video, and it's no wonder why. Our picturesque skyline, mishmash of neighbourhoods, and leagues of photogenic venues can work as the perfect backdrop for just about any artist's concept. Locals like Drake, Kardinal Offishall, and Cancer Bats are known for their hometown pride, but it's not just our own who give love to the T-Dot on celluloid - tons of international musicians flock to our fair city to make videos, drawn in part by our booming film industry and lower production costs than those in the States.

Some places in Toronto, however, are used more than others - and some seem like they're just flat-out overused altogether. Our most iconic locales, lovely as they are, have been done to death on the airwaves of MuchMusic and MTV. We've lost count of how many shoots we've heard about taking place at Polson Pier, and catching a bright red streetcar in the background of a YouTube clip is no longer the thrill it once used to be. But hey, overexposure is just a side effect of success, right?

Here are the top five most cliched music video locations in Toronto.

CN Tower
Fair enough - the defining element of our skyline is one of the most famous buildings in the world - but it's so ubiquitous that it's predictable now. Most artists feature the iconic tower's exterior, like Cancer Bats' "Bricks and Mortar" and Kardi's "The Anthem," but some get up in it to show how Torontonian they are: Drake rides the glass elevator in "Headlines," Abandon All Ships do their weird electronicore from the SkyPod in "Infamous," and The Meligrove Band and Dinosaur Bones have done live acoustic videos within its walls.

TD Centre
On the flipside, when you want a generic big-city vibe sans Toronto hallmarks, call the TD Centre. It's amazing how many clips feature these and neighbouring towers in the Financial District, particularly those from the late 90s and turn of the millennium. Esthero's "That Girl," Edwin's "Trippin'," Choclair's "Let's Ride," Chantal Kreviazuk's "Dear Life," Roni Size's "Brown Paper Bag" and Delerium's "Innocente (Falling in Love)" prominently feature the slick bundle of skyscrapers; that's enough to make a substantial nostalgia playlist. The trend has slowed of late - maybe even the music industry got sick of it.

Yonge Street
Back in the good ol' days, grungy Yonge could be counted on as the perfect setting for sleazy nightlife and misspent youth. You can see it in clips like Corey Hart's "Never Surrender," The Pursuit of Happiness' "I'm an Adult Now" and Rush's "Subdivisions." Now, it's a lot more glitzy-looking, but still just as commonplace in music videos as ever. Len (yes, they're still around) were one of the more recent to dedicate an ode to Toronto with "My Neighbourhood," with frontman Marc Costanzo performing in the Yonge-Dundas hub.

The TTC
We have such a love-hate relationship with our beleaguered transit system, but as much as we complain, we also can't help romanticize. The Shuffle Demons were unambiguous with their "Spadina Bus" tribute, but the subway seems to be the place to find love, according to Spoons "Romantic Traffic" (How do you not fall in love on those red trains?) and Melanie C's "Understand." It's also a sweet space for b-boys, as evidenced in Lights' "Toes." Basically, musicians have shown us that the TTC is great for everything except actually getting to places.

The Waterfront and Lake Ontario
Captain John's notwithstanding, our waterfront is a pretty beautiful sight. Edward Maya and Mia Martina's version of house hit "Stereo Love" features Martina sailing on the lake before a night on the town, and 50 Cent raps "God Gave Me Style" with the lake's crystal waters and Humber Bay Arch Bridge prominent in the background. On the other side of the water, The Moffatts got mopey with "Misery" on the Toronto Islands, so pretty much all vantage points have been covered throughout music-video history.

New doc highlights sad state of alcohol sales in Ontario

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beer store documentaryThis new documentary about strange world of alcohol sales in Ontario will probably make you mad. Filmed by Peter Lenardon and AJ Wykes after a successful Kickstarter campaign back in March, it's the most thoroughgoing examination of the peculiarities of booze retail in this province that I've seen, and it's difficult to finish the film without wanting to write a letter to one's MPP asking that he or she work to reform a system defined by monopolies that ultimately hurt the consumer.

If you've previously read articles detailing the troubling ways that the Beer Store operates, there might not be an abundance of new ground here, but to hear industry insiders weigh in on just how frustrating and farcical it is to try selling their Ontario-made products in Ontario-based liquor and beer stores is both entertaining and eye-opening for the degree to which it drives home the point that the system is flat out broken.

Check out the full film below.

Corktown Common wins Popular Science green award

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Corktown CommonToronto's Corktown Common has just received a bit of international recognition courtesy of Popular Science's "Best of What's New" awards for 2014. The park, which officially opened in September (but has seen active use for over a year), is the jewel in the crown of a series of modern parks opened in Toronto over the last few years, a list which includes Sugar Beach and Sherbourne Common.

The folks at Popular Science were particularly impressed by the advanced water recycling program at work in the park. "Every drop of water hitting the park is reused at least two or three times before it's absorbed or evaporated away," says project manager Emily Mueller De Celis in the magazine's listing for the park. But, the win comes for more than just a novel filtration system.

"We most of all look for impact...things that are poised to make a significant difference-- dramatically reduce energy use, cut waste, or otherwise leave the world a cleaner and more sustainable place," says Jennifer Bogo, Executive Editor of Popular Science. "We also look for things that are truly innovative-- creative solutions to seemingly intractable problems. Corktown Common fit both of those criteria, while also turning an industrial area into a green space that benefits both people and wildlife."

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