Open in a former Spring Rolls location for a couple of months now, this spot near Queen and Church packs in a weekly schedule of live music and other on stage performances along with a brunch, dinner and late night eats menu.
Read my profile of 120 Diner in the bars section.
Weekend events in Toronto will be overwhelming if you're into hitting winter markets and craft shows, so you might want to opt out all together and sip a glass of champagne while browsing vintage gifts for yourself, or getting rowdy in the pit at a holiday punk show.
Here are my picks for the top events happening in Toronto December 5-7, 2014.
Union Station Holiday Market (Until December 7, Union Station)
Pretty self explanatory: local vendors have packed Union Station to sell tiny hand crafted treasures that they made in their free time. No judgement, I do odd stuff in my free time too. Check out our slideshow here. 65 Front St West.
PARTY & MUSIC
Telephone Explosion Xmas Party (December 5, S.H.I.B.G.B.S)
Toronto record label Telephone Explosion invites you to "come get sloppy" at their annual punk X-mas party. This year's line-up includes the Soupcans, Teenanger, and LIDS, an 'old/new' band featuring Brian from Holy Fuck, Doug from The Cons, and Alex from Metz. Merch will be discounted in the spirit of the season, tickets are $10, and it's all ages.
Jason Collett's Basement Revue (December 5, 12, 26, The Dakota)
Collett's annual Basement Revue shows promise an element of surprise, as you don't know who will be performing out of the star-studded contact list of locals on his phone. From punk to choral, find more holiday concerts here.
Promise German Sparkle Party (December 5, Atlantis)
It's hard to explain what this imported German party concept is, but it's loosely based around the quirky video for this silly techno pop song, and basically just an excuse to wear strange costumes. For this edition, Promise are bringing in Dutch tech house DJ Miss Melera, alongside their usual roster of local heroes. 10pm, $30. For more dance parties, click here. BB
ART
Girls Art League Art Auction Fundraiser (December 6, OCAD)
Worthy cause Girls Art League has some big names and up and comers on their auction block: Shary Boyle, Rob Macinnis, Jess Riva Cooper, Sarah Bodri, Brette Gabel, Diana Lynn Vandermeulen, Benjamin Oakley, Alicia Nauta, Erica Beyea, Julia Dickens, the amazing Beth Frey and more have contributed.
Beware of the Beast (Until December 20, Narwhal)
Jamiyla Lowe's Beware of the Beast is a special take on snakes and ladders, and here a group of artists take inspiration from the history of games. No longer in the Junction, the gallery is now just east of Roncesvalles on Dundas West.
FILM
Free Japanese Movies (December 7-9, Bloor Cinema)
Toronto's Japan Foundation teams up with the Consulate-General of Japan on Sunday to present free programming focused on the youth of Japan. Films include 'Til the Break of Dawn, Kids Police, and a movie I watched on a plane once and fell in love with, the adorable Akko-chan: The Movie.
Human Rights Film Festival (December 5-7, TIFF)
December isn't as film fest-addicted as November, what with all the sprees of Christmas nostalgia on TV, but the Jayu's 3rd Annual Human Rights Film Festival should get you in a charitable spirit. The theme is pretty timely: "persecution, women, and children." Check out the schedule here.
SHOPPING & LIFESTYLE
Bit Bazaar Winter Market (December 6, Bento Miso)
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.
Koffler Couture: Designer Vintage Sale (December 7-8, Koffler Gallery)
Want to wear Chanel home to the trailer park? Me too. Koffler Gallery at Artscape Youngplace wants to set you up with vintage designer duds for cheap. Pro tip: chant Versace over and over until spending $50 on the VIP showing and free champagne starts to seem cool.
BOOKS
TCAF Pop Up (Toronto Reference Library)
Hark the cel shaded angels sing, local shop The Beguiling is teaming up with the Toronto Reference Library for a holiday pop up for the indie comic book fans on your list. What's that, you don't have a list? Pull your socks up, slacker. The pop up is going to stick around in the new year, too - read more here.
THEATRE
A Christmas Carol (Until December 27, Soulpepper - Young Centre)
Soulpepper presents Michael Shamata's adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic story, bringing to life fated visits from the ghosts of present, past, and future. The correction of Ebenezer Scrooge is a well-known story, teaching us that, during the holidays and in general, to give is always better than to receive. KB
For more events this weekend click on over to our Events section. Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit it for free using this form.
Contributions by Benjamin Boles, Keith Bennie
Photo by
Toronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious events, festivals, pop-ups, winemaker dinners, supper clubs and other food related happenings in Toronto this week and next. You can find us here every Friday morning.
THIS WEEK
UPCOMING
Photo of Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Fest 2014 by Jesse Milns.
Toronto Trekkies have always had something to smile about. From the time when City Hall showed up in an actual episode to the fact that Jack Layton was such a hardcore fan he actually attended conventions donning a tailor made replica of the oft maligned Star Trek: The Next Generation first season "spandex" variant uniform, the city has always been game for Gene Roddenberry's utopic vision of the future.
Toronto Trek mania reached its apex in 1994, culminating in a Woodstock-esq pilgrimage to SkyDome where Citytv screened the final episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation on May 25th to a raucous crowd of 40,000 people. Klingon cosplayers, Ferengi beer drinkers, casual fans and Starfleet nerds all rubbed shoulders to see out the popular series on the Jumbotron, hosted by a cadre of Citytv's finest personalities.
Monika Deol, the grand dame of then red-hot Electric Circus, turned heads in her hip hugging Deanna Troi catsuit and her use of the correct nomenclature "Trekkers". The still dearly missed John Majhor, legendary frontman for proto MuchMusic series Toronto Rocks, opted for his Sunday best command red vest, while irie weather Don Harold Hosein appeared in an operations gold uniform. Gavin McGarry, the zany co-host of Breakfast Television was also there, sporting an incongruous horn on his head.
Notable guests included Humble Howard from CFNY and Mayor June Rowlands, who seemed to be having a ball gushing on air about her favourite Trek characters Geordi LaForge and Jean Luc Picard.
The evening kicked off at 7PM with the Trek episode "Yesterday's Enterprise", voted by CFNY listeners as their all-time favourite, followed by a behind the scenes look at the series entitled "Journey's End" at 8PM. The main attraction, Star Trek: The Next Generation's finale "All Good Things" aired at 9PM, by which point event sponsor Labatt Ice's wares had no doubt contributed to the cosmic carnival atmosphere.
The ticketed event was the second highest TV audience at the SkyDome after Game 6 of the 1993 World Series, while the Toronto Daily Bread Food Bank reported a boon of donations thanks to the massive turn-out.
The final episode of Cheers had been shown at the Dome the previous year, but poorly organized seating arrangements (first come, first serve) and bad sound had marred the event. For Trek, "Your Federation Station" Citytv paired up with Radio Shack and Labatt Ice to arrange a suitable sign off for the top-rated show.
It's frankly impossible to imagine such a frenzied gathering for a TV series finale in this SVOD obsessed day and age, never mind for something as cultish as Trek. While the brainless J.J. AbramsStar Trek movies had their fair share of box office success, in hindsight they appear as nothing more than an audition for his big pimpin' Star Wars gig. So far it seems Trek's forte as a successful mainstream crossover was well and truly rooted in early to mid-1990s emerging internet culture, at least evidenced by pre-amalgamation Scarborough's notorious community 10 Star Trek call-in show Ten Forward.
This week incidentally sees the release of Star Trek: The Next Generation's final season on Blu-ray, re-mastered in HD and sporting a Romulan Warbird sized amount of extras showcasing how much work went into that final episode, and thankfully it all manages to hold up. It's also sobering to note that more time has passed between the airing of "All Good Things" and now than had passed between the conclusion of the 1960s campy original Kirk led Star Trek and the premiere of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987.
Two decades on from its finale, Star Trek: The Next Generation remains a classy example of thoughtful, humanistic Science Fiction, far from the "people debating in futuristic waiting rooms" it is often accused of being. Besides which, is there any series which could merrily bring Toronto together again under one roof with such fervour?
Special thanks to Tyler Goodison (RetroTy) & Andrew Steventon
Retrontario plumbs the seedy depths of Toronto flea markets, flooded basements, thrift shops and garage sales, mining old VHS and Betamax tapes that less than often contain incredible moments of history that were accidentally recorded but somehow survived the ravages of time. You can find more amazing discoveries at www.retrontario.com.
Breakfast options in the PATH, like most of the other food options in Toronto's massive underground concourse in the Financial District, lean toward the portable, the simple, and the affordable(ish). Many try to draw the cubicle crowd with healthy options; others provide the egg-based calorie bomb needed to start your day off right.
Next time you're looking for some early eats, skip the line at Tim Hortons or Starbucks and go off the beaten you-know-what.
Here are my picks for the top 10 breakfast options in the PATH.
See also:The top 10 cheap lunch options in the Financial District
Kupfert & Kim / K&K Food Stand
The PATH's favourite destination for vegan, gluten-free eats does a brisk business at breakfast: Steel-cut oats ($5.75) topped with berries are popular at the original First Canadian Place location, while the newer spot in the Sun Life building does gluten-free waffles topped with berries and cashew cream.
Astarte
Located across from SJCB in the Sun Life building is this little stall, which doles out Greek yogurt bowls with granola ($4.87 small, $6.20 large) in inventive flavour combos like peanut butter and strawberry or lavender blueberry (their top two sellers).
The Cereal Bar
If you dashed out the door before fixing yourself a bowl of cornflakes, this Commerce Court spot has you covered. A dozen or so cereals are available, topped with fruit and milk ($3.95 small, $4.95 large) - or get it done up like a yogurt parfait. Also available: Oatmeal with your choice of toppings.
Heidi's Deli
The lunch-counter equivalent of an ancient greasy spoon, Heidi's has been serving up diner faves in Commerce Court since time immemorial. Breakfast is on until 11am and tops out at $4.69 for eggs, home fries and your choice of breakfast meats.
M Square
They don't do hot breakfasts, but this new-ish cafe in the Sheraton Centre sets their grab-and-go snacks apart through sheer quality: Awesome muffins from Flagship ($2.75, including a bacon-cheddar version) and yogurt parfaits ($5.25) featuring jam from Kitten And The Bear in Parkdale.
Bagels & Co.
This bagel shop in Commerce Court is notable for its big, fluffy bagels (which have earned the seal of approval of at least one New York expat). Get them with flavoured cream cheese, or spring for a breakfast bagel sandwich combo with a coffee for $4.09.
Greenleafs
You can't swing a cat in the PATH without hitting some kind of health-oriented lunch counter stocked with yogurt parfaits and fruit salads, but Greenleafs has one big feature - a grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich for $2.75.
Olly Fresco's
The cafeteria-like Olly Fresco's, buried deep underneath the Royal Bank Plaza, stocks a hot table with breakfast favourites like eggs Benedict, french toast sticks, bacon, eggs, and fruit every morning. Or, if fresh to order is your style, you can get them to fry you up an omelette for between $5.50 and $6.50.
Petit Four
The Four offshoot does breakfast sandwiches until 10:30am, including a bacon, avocado, tomato and truffle mayo sandwich loaded onto a ciabatta ($4.25), or egg-focused options built around their olive oil-sea salt focaccia.
Sam James Coffee Bar
Obvious? Maybe, but the lineup stretching down the hallway of the Sun Life Building can't be wrong. In addition to the gallons of espresso that keep the PATH SJCB's two machines buzzing all day long, the Delica Kitchen baked goods (including scones, croissants and muffins) are a popular draw.
Did I miss any? Leave your picks for breakfast spots in the PATH in the comments.
With a name that instantly piques people's interests, this new Korean bar in midtown serves up creatively kooky anju - tapas-like Korean bar snacks with Western influences. Noshes like fried spaghetti sticks, mocha pork belly and kimchi fries are meant to complement rounds of drinks (soju would be a good choice) with friends.
Read my profile of Korean Cowboy in the restaurants section.
College and Carlton are one street, split down the middle by Yonge. The central blocks of College don't have a distinct fashion personality of their own (unless that Winners at College Park counts), but Torontonians are bringing their own cold-weather styles to the neighbourhood in spades.
Check out all the looks in our street style section.
Stylegarage and its sibling store Gus have closed up shop at Queen and Shaw and moved a few blocks west and revamped the shuttered AWOL Gallery and an old elevator warehouse on Ossington. It's the perfect setting to showcase their large range of contemporary Canadian furniture.
Read my profile of he new Stylegarage in the design section.
The best Ethiopian restaurants in Toronto faithfully represent the communal dining traditions of this East African nation. Expect a feast for the senses; from the vibrant assortment of wot presented over spongy injera bread to the custom of eating with your hands and feeding your friends.
Diverse flavours will range from crunchy fresh salads and saucy stews to spicy meats and, of course the whole experience is best finished off with the traditional coffee ceremony often fragranced by beans roasted table-side or with incense burned for extra impact.
Here are the best Ethiopian restaurants in Toronto.
What do you do when you're a massive corporation, and a bunch of pesky small businesses start cutting into your market share? Show everyone how ultra-super-authentic you can be; it worked for Shock Top (except not really), Second Cup is trying out a new "boutique" feel, and now, it's the next big move for Starbucks.
The coffee giant is about to launch a franchise of high end roasteries and tasting rooms as well as a new single origin line of beans called Starbucks Reserve in a bid to compete with indie (third wave) coffee shops.
The first North American Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room just opened yesterday in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, nine blocks away from Starbucks' original store in Pike Place Market. In 2015, the company plans to open 100 of these stores across the US in key markets such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C..
There are no current plans for a Toronto location which may be surprising considering we Canucks lead the world in per-capita Starbucks locations, though, we probably won't have to wait long. Until then, avail yourself of our vibrantlocalcoffee scene, hug your barista tight, and tell them it's all going to be OK.
Photo via Starbucks.
The Church of St. Clement Riverdale on Jones Ave. was supposed to have been converted into condos by now. In 2012, when the St. Clement's project was announced, the developers set an occupancy date of June 2014, but today there's a big question mark over the site. Literally.
The delay in construction was caused in large part by a change of ownership. The original developer - William Tessler of Sonterlan Corp. - quit the project this summer and two new companies, De Cartier Development Corp. and LifeStyle Real Estate Investments, have since taken over.
"Through numerous miscalculations, whether it was the market, whether it was pricing, timing, the people he had working with him, [Tessler] pulled the plug on the project," says Alex de Cartier of De Cartier Development. "There seemed to be a lot of interest in it, but it didn't fly."
The project, which would have seen the former church converted into condos and a new residential building erected next door, has now been split in two, with De Cartier Development handling the renovation of the church and LifeStyle taking responsibility for delivering the new building.
"We basically ripped apart the whole idea," says De Cartier. "The work that [Tessler] had proposed really took a lot of the charm away from the building."
The former Anglican church was built in 1913 in a Gothic Revival style. The congregation began to dwindle in the 1970s and the last religious service was held in 2006. The vacant lot to the south was previously used for coal storage and later a glass workshop, which resulted in soil contamination that had to be rectified. (A digger removed a large gas tank from the ground in the last few weeks.)
De Cartier plans to spend about $5 million converting the church into 16 upscale condos while keeping intact heritage aspects such as the internal gothic arches, pillars, wood paneling, and stained glass windows. "We're showing the owner, 'hey, you are in a church, you are in a 100-year-old building.'"
Next door, Luke Wywrot of LifeStyle is taking on the challenge of putting up the new townhouse building. He says the designs have also changed significantly since 2012. "Before it was more of a condo development, now we're going to have a combination of stacked townhouses and regular townhouses," he says. "We're going for open concept, very modern ... we want to distinguish ourselves from the church."
The 12 townhomes will be built with a small courtyard out front facing Jones Ave., Wywrot says. He hopes to have work complete in late 2015, around the time construction wraps on the church.
The city still needs to approve the proposed changes to both projects, however. "I'm not sure who's going to finish first. It will be a race," Wywrot jokes.
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Images: Chris Bateman/blogTO
With the fourth iteration of this ridiculously popular Japanese restaurant opening just over a month ago, North York ramen lovers finally have a safe spot to hide out this winter. While the tiny spot probably won't attract any noodle loving downtown-ers, it will definitely keep the condo dwellers and office workers that surround this spot with sodium levels at well above average heights all season long.
Read my review of the North York location of Kinton Ramen in the restaurants section.
Do you feel guilty buying inferior, bootleg Drake merch? Me too (well, in my case I feel terrible about drawing Drake's face onto my bejeweled Uggs. So much regret). Things are looking up: Drake's OVO store, which we noticed ages before Drake did (somehow) will open its doors this weekend. You'll likely still need the internet for baby onesies and velvet paintings, but shirts, hoodies, caps, and winter toques are pretty much guaranteed.
Drake's owlicious OVO boutique will open on (heh) the 6th of December (all hail Drizzy's carefully calculated marketing) at 899 Dundas Street West near Trinity Bellwoods. Naturally, the secret of whether the shop is forever or just a holiday pop up remains, so it's best to hit the store up as soon as you can before the fickle rapper spreads his wings and flies off into the night. For now, merry 6 caps to all, and to all a good night.
DECEMBER 6IXTH - 899 DUNDAS ST. W TORONTO M6J 1W1 @ 11AM pic.twitter.com/C8VdBwq50H
— October's Very Own (@welcomeOVO) December 4, 2014Photo by Andrew Williamson
Remember sushi? It was a thing somewhere between the 80s and gourmet tacos, but the best of us know that the age old art of good sushi is the best eating this world has to offer (take it easy, fish tacos, no diss).
If you, too, are not over sushi, the last stretch of winter in Toronto holds something to look forward to: the First Annual Toronto Sushi Festival launches March 5-6, 2015. The promoters promise appearances from "the best Japanese Restaurants in Ontario" but exhibitors and celebrity chefs are yet to be announced.
A one day ticket will buy five food tickets for samples of your choice (it's unclear if those samples are a lone piece of sashimi or a plate that's a little more robust). Early bird prices are on now, and attendees can drop $20-$30 on-day tickets or the $100 VIP packages. Live entertainment, artisan tastings, 30 or so accessory vendors and craft beer and cocktails will also be on site.
For now, keep the chopsticks below shoulder level and hold off on getting too excited, as the festival is at the Roy Thompson Hall, which has hosted some sad times for Toronto foodies in the past. It's okay if your mouth is watering, though.
Do you think the Sushi Fest will be worth the ticket price? Let us know in the comments.
Barnboard walls are out and ballroom dancing is back in. The legendary Matador club at College and Dovercourt is going to reopen in the Fall of 2015 as an upscale event space that will eschew the building's famous rustic aesthetic in favour of a return to its more formal roots.
Tai chi instructor and current owner, Paul McCaughey, had intended to convert the former music venue into a "wellness centre" when he bought the building 2012, but changed his mind after researching the history of the building, says Theo Wolski, a brand manager working on the project.
"Throughout the process of the reconstruction of the space [McCaughey] recognized it would be an injustice to the historic value of the Matador if he didn't allow it to live on as a place to congregate, as it was always intended to be," she says.
The Matador opened opened in 1916 as the Davis Assembly Hall, a place where balls and dances were held to raise money for troops fighting in the first world war. It later became a bowling alley before it was purchased by Ann Dunn in 1964 and converted into what would become a legendary after-hours country, rock, and blues club.
Johnny Cash, Stompin' Tom Connors, Joni Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen all played there, and the latter wrote the song "Closing Time" about the venue, which closed in 2006 and looked briefly like it might be demolished for a Green P parking lot.
The new version of the Matador will likely host live music, Wolski says, but the hall will be available to rent for weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, and art shows. "The interior of the space will be a more high end version of its original design. It will have nothing to do with cowboys or the honkey-tonk past that it had."
In other words it will be more Palais Royale than Dakota Tavern.
"The interior of the space was previously covered in barnboard ... behind that we discovered a more beautiful layer of the history of the space, which was the original ballroom from 1916," Wolski says.
"What we're doing is restoring that image of the Matador. The elegance and sophistication of the space when it was originally built."
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: inventor_77/blogTO Flickr pool.
Nobody likes to go out during the months where winds, snow, ice, and negative degree weather descend upon the city of Toronto. So if you're going to go out, you want it to be worthwhile. Thankfully, for movie lovers there are plenty of film-related events that make the effort of bundling yourself up worth it. Festivals for all ages and screenings for all tastes, will roll out over the coming months for the discerning (or not so discerning) moviegoer.
Here are my picks for the must-attend film events in Toronto this winter.
Black Christmas / Dec. 20 / The Royal
Need a break from warm and fuzzy Christmas classics like It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol? The Royal has you covered. Five days before Santa arrives, they'll be screeningBlack Christmas, the influential 1974 Canadian horror classic about a killer terrorizing a sorority house. The movie will be double-billed with fellow Can-Con flick, Cooper's Christmas.
Cineplex Classic Film Series / Starting December 20th / Cineplex Theatres
For those who like their classic films on something bigger than a TV at home, the CCFS is always a welcome occasion. The next few months will bring a particular impressive line-up. For the yuletide inclined there's Frank Capra's indelible It's a Wonderful Life before Christmas, and then 2015 will bring all-timer romance Casablanca, Charlie Chaplin's endearing City Lights, and the more-relevant-than-ever Al Pacino film, Dog Day Afternoon. It's this one in particular you should seek out, since even TIFF's hasn't shown it on the big screen often.
Restored! / December 25 - January 1 / TIFF Bell Lightbox
TIFF has always been a passionate supporter of showing off some of cinema's greatest films which have received beautiful facelifts via new restorations. Now, their launching a new regular series, called "Restored!", devoted to doing just that. They're featuring a wide variety of films, but be sure not to miss the chance to see a restored version of 1920's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (a hugely influential silent classic), or the gorgeous cinematography in a whole series of James Dean restorations: East of Eden, Giant, and, duh, Rebel Without a Cause.
Canada's Top Ten Film Festival / January 2 - 11 / TIFF Bell Lightbox
Once again the Lightbox will host the best of the best of the past year in Canadian Cinema. Heavyweights like David Cronenberg (Maps to the Stars) and Xavier Dolan (Cannes-winner, Mommy) are playing, as are smaller acclaimed underseen gems like TIFF 2014 Best Canadian Feature Film winner Felix and Meira, as well as Tu Dors Nicole and Corbo.
Two Days, One Night / January 16 / TIFF Bell Lightbox
Everyone pretty much loves Marion Cotillard. She's like a French Jennifer Lawrence or Judi Dench. Well, January 16th, Cotillard fans can see her arguably career-best performance in the Dardenne Brothers' wonderful Two Days, One Night. The drama about a woman fighting to keep her job while fighting her crippling depression was one of the best films at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival this past fall. Don't miss this one.
The Great Digital Film Festival / January 30 - February 5 / Cineplex Theatres
Cineplex's annual gathering of mega-popular crowd pleasers returns once again to give audiences the chance to see some of their favorites on the big screen. This year's line-up includes tried-and-true pictures like Blade Runner, Kill Bill, Alien and Aliens. But it's especially worthwhile this year to check out the welcome inclusion of beloved cult classics like The Rocketeer, Darkman and The Monster Squad.
The Toronto Black Film Festival / February 10 - 15 / Carlton Cinema
Entering it's fourth year in Toronto, the TBFF is a chance to see many movies you wouldn't be able to see anywhere else. More importantly, the festival provides a exciting and vital stage for the often unheard voices of black filmmakers, reflecting on what it means to be black in 2014 and all over the world.
TIFF Next Wave Film Festival / February 13 - 15 / TIFF Bell Lightbox
The annual teen friendly festival, programmed for (and partially by) 14-18 year-olds, returns to bring much needed lightness to our grey Toronto winters. Beyond the fact that it's wonderful atmosphere of youthful passion for film that can't help put a little shared skip in your step, the festival has always offered a consistent welcome mix of teen-friendly classics (Mean Girls, Scott Pilgrim), with interesting new off-the-beaten-path films (i.e. no Pixar or Night at the Museum) you might not get the chance to see anywhere else.
The Room / February 28 / Carlton Cinema
Every last Saturday of the month, the Carlton shows the so-awful-its-good cult classic The Room. It's a particularly worthwhile outing in February because the Rocky Horror Picture Show- like style interactive crowd enthusiasm (for the uninitiated: bring plastic spoons) is just the perfect cure for winter doldrums.
The 2015 Canadian Film Fest (March 25 - 28)
Not every Canadian filmmaker can be a Xaiver Dolan or David Cronenberg and have their films easily shown in theatres. Thankfully we have the good people at CFF to make sure a wide range of Canadian filmmakers' voices get the chance to have their films - usually low-budget features and shorts--get the chance to be seen, enjoyed, and loved.
What did I miss? Add more winter film events to the comments.
Still from Mommy
In a town that loves vinyl, it's astonishing to find out one Little Italy record shop owes more than three forths of its income to that vanishing medium, CDs - new CDs. The neighbourhood fixture just celebrated their 15th birthday on College Street, and over the years their carefully selected stock, live in-store performances, and eye catching window displays have made the store a must stop for Toronto music fans - CD and vinyl hunters alike.
Read my profile of Soundscapes to find out more.
Free events in Toronto this week will warm you up with a sweaty carnivalesque art and music bash, a feminist comic book signing, and chilling tales of Toronto dating. Kosa Kolektiv are throwing a holiday celebration, and art fans will want to check out 8-11 for a very unusual art show.
Here's how to avoid calls from the family you can't afford to visit this week in Toronto.
1. 416 Dating Stories told live (December 8, The Garrison)
If you're a fan of True Stories Told Live, the newest voyeuristic tell-all at the Garrison is focused on the horrors of dating in The 6. Not enough Drakes to go around, if you ask me. Doors are at 7:30pm.
2. Bitch Planet Launch Party (December 10, Silver Snail Comics)
On Wednesday comic fans can witness the birth of a new with the launch of Bitch Planet #1 from Image Comics. The comic, set in a women's prison in outer space, is a play on the exploitation genre. Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine De Landro will be signing copies.
3. Long Winter: Year Three / Volume Two (December 12, The Great Hall)
All-ages carnival Long Winter is PWYC, so dig some money out from under the cat and head through the cold to the Great Hall's sweat box for music by Sean Nicholas Savage, Army Girls, Animalia, Man Made Hill and more, plus art installs, DJs, talks and more.
4. Winter Folk Fair (December 13, St. Vladimir Institute)
Celebrate the holidays with Eastern European arts group Kosa Kolektiv this weekend for a family friendly celebration including an art show and live music. While the craft workshop will cost you, as will the goodies at the bazaar, there's also a PWYC singing workshop.
5. Besides, Your Neighbours (December 13, 8-11)
That odd Spadina gallery 8-11 is collecting "images documenting the results of interactions with the direct neighbour of an art space," which should make for a good showing of Toronto kitsch and random oddities.
Also check out these regular free events
Elvis Mondays (Mondays, The Drake)
Toronto's longest running indie showcase, William New's free show has put thousands of bands on stage. It's at the Drake Underground every Monday.
Free Nights at the Horseshoe (Monday/Tuesday, The Horseshoe)
The Legendary Horseshoe has a storied history, and hosts free indie rock shows in the early week with Shoeless Mondays and Dave Bookman's Nu Music Night on Tuesdays.
Free Evening (Wednesday, AGO)
The Art Gallery of Ontario's free evening runs from 6-8:30pm. It can be a little crowded, but sometimes the people watching is as good as the art (sometimes).
CINSSU's Free Friday Films (Fridays)
Though the Innis Town Hall is still under construction, you can follow the Cinema Studies Student Union for reliable Friday night movies and solid picks at Isabel Bader Theatre and/or Alumni Hall 100.
Canadian Opera Company (Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre)
September through to early June, catch free classical shows at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts "most Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon, and some Wednesdays at noon or 5:30 p.m."
MOCCA (Monday - Sunday)
While nearly all art galleries in the city are free to enter, it's worth noting The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA) is always PWYC.
Have a free event you'd like to plug? Submit it using this form.
