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15 spiced up photos from Toronto's first ever Curryfest

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Curryfest TorontoCurryfest spiced up King West this Sunday past when it took over 2nd Floor Events for the afternoon. The food festival put on by Spotlight City Events (the same folks behind Yum Cha) was a resounding success thanks to substantially-sized food samples, and fast, efficient service that was line up free. Best of all, eight vendors hawking spicy fare were billed, and then joined by two surprise additions who dished out freebies.

Check out all the delicious highlights in this photo gallery of Curryfest.


The Best Burritos in Toronto

30 creative costumes from Toronto Comicon

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toronto comiconToronto Comicon 2015 featured legendary actors and artists from the sci-fi, fantasty and comic worlds, but as always, the fan costumes were just as much of an attraction. This year's cosplay subjects featured the usual Marvel and DC standbys, a healthy smattering of Big Hero 6 characters, and a few unexpected twists on old favourites (who knew Deadpool was a Mountie)?

Check out 30 of the best costumes from Toronto Comicon 2015 in our style section.

Ryerson and Joe Fresh launch fashion innovation centre

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joe fresh ryerson torontoThey're not even on the Fashion Week runway this year, but we've still been seeing a lot of Joe Fresh this week; first with the announcement that founder Joe Mimran was leaving the label, then the news that he'd be joining the cast of Dragon's Den.

Looks like the label Mimran created has its own plan to support budding entrepreneurs (albeit with less public judging): Ryerson University has announced it's teaming up with the fast fashion brand to create a brand-new fashion innovation centre, the first of its kind in Canada.

The Joe Fresh Centre for Fashion Innovation, established with a $1 million contribution from the company, will grant workspaces to up to 21 students and help them develop products, business models and marketing strategies. They'll also be given the chance to seek early-stage seed funding.

The company's been making major pushes in recent years to show their support for the Canadian fashion biz, stepping back from the WMCFW runway and ceding the spotlight to new designers - considering the struggles faced by aspiring designers (and even established ones trying to stay afloat), it's nice to see a massive company using their powers for good.

Photo by Jason Hargrove via the blogTO Flickr pool.

Last tower from old Regent Park being knocked down

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regent park demolitionIt's the end of an era in Regent Park, as demolition crews tear down the last remaining modernist tower designed by Peter Dickinson in the 1950s. A couple of months ago, photographers flocked to the site of the second last of Dickinson's towers on account of the stunning visuals the tear down afforded, which included a colourful interior view of the former apartments once the facade had ben removed.

There has been less photographic interest in 14 Belvins Place than we witnessed at 605 Whiteside Place, but you could make the argument that its demolition is the more signifiant of the two -- and indeed the most noteworthy of the entire five building complex that's in the last stages of being razed. Unlike the other towers, there was a push to preserve 14 Belvins as a heritage site.

Some will think that such plan was preposterous, but there was plenty evidence to suggest that the building deserved consideration for such protection. Not only is Dickinson's architectural legacy significant in Toronto, but the buildings in south Regent Park were important pieces of modernist architecture, despite the complicated history that surrounded them.

Here's how the heritage report lays it out:

"The Dickinson Tower is valued as a rare surviving example of a mid-20th century highrise apartment building designed with a high degree of craftsmanship for the planned community of Regent Park South. It stands as a unique example of Modern design where the grid-like structure, brickwork, fenestration and spandrels create an interlocking geometrical pattern on the facades. The Dickinson Tower is significant as the first example in Toronto of a maisonette tower that introduced two-storey units linked by internal staircases.

The Dickinson Tower in Regent Park South has cultural heritage value for its contributions to the history of urban planning and the development of social housing in the city. As the last remaining vestige of Regent Park South as it was conceived and completed as a planned community adjoining Regent Park North after World War II, it is significant as part of the first experiment in social housing in Toronto on a neighbourhood scale, and remembered for its origins in what was the largest public housing project in Canada at the time."

That ultimately wasn't enough to convince city council, but one can imagine some ideal future in which a restored Dickinsonian Tower stood as a reminder not just of old Regent Park, but as a figure of both our mistakes and aspirations.

DEMOLITION: 4 HOURS OF PROGRESS (Regent Park, Toronto) from Randy and Brenda Hoffmann on Vimeo.

The top 10 dance music festivals in Toronto for 2015

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dance music festivals torontoDance music festivals in Toronto don't have the same traditions that their European counterparts do, but that's been changing in recent years. Ever since Ontario loosened up some liquor laws a few years ago, there's been huge increase in the number of music fests, although that's most evident in the rock scene.

While events like NXNE and CMW have dance components, they usually feel like afterthoughts. In comparison, experimental music series X Avant and tropical funk festival Uma Nota both dabble much more seriously in DJ culture, though it's not the focus.

Unlike Montreal and Miami, Toronto has never been able to really make a winter electronic music festival work, so the vast majority occur in summer. Back in the rave era, multiple day camping festivals like WEMF and OM were a big part of the culture, but these days the closest comparable events are much smaller and aimed a more chilled-out hippy crowd, like the long-running Boreal party, the OM Reunion Project: Solstice event, and the Land-scapes weekend party thrown by the Archi-textures team.

Here are my picks for the top Toronto festivals for dance music in 2015.

Bassweek
Drum'n'bass doesn't have nearly the same presence in Toronto that it did in the late-90s, when tens of thousands of partiers would turn up for events, but it's easy to forget that each March, when Bassweek takes over Toronto clubs for a week of breakbeats and pummelling sub-bass. Catch the final 2015 parties the last weekend of March.

Electric Island
Some might argue that the annual Electric Island events on Centre Island are more a series than a festival, but we respectfully disagree. This year the parties take place May 18, July 1, August 3, and September 7, and you can already buy your season pass. The lineup haven't been officially announced yet, but we can tell you it will include Sasha, Tuskegee (Seth Troxler and Martinez Brothers), Pan-Pot, Shiba San, Green Velvet, Tom Trago and more.

Bestival
Technically the inaugural Toronto edition of UK music fest Bestival isn't a dance music event, but with talent like Flosstradamus, SBTRKT, Skream, and Jamie Jones, it basically qualifies as one. Taking over Hanlan's Point June 12 and 13, they've even got a "Sunday Best Balearic Beach Bar," which we assume involves some dancing.

Foundry
Despite losing their dream location at the last minute, last year's Foundry series still managed to be one of the most memorable events of the year. They're back again this summer for a four part series of events, in collaboration with the Power Plant gallery at Harbourfront.

Pride
Some of you will argue that Pride doesn't qualify as a music festival, but you can't talk about the history of dance music without mentioning the history of gay rights, not to mention that it's next to impossible to attend Pride without dancing to at least some house music along the way.

Digital Dreams
This year's Digital Dreams festival will be a bit different than previous years, as Live Nation has handed the two day event over to the team from Veld, instead of the promoters who created it and ran it since the beginning. Returning to the Flats at Ontario Place June 27 and 28, 2015 is headlined by Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, and Pete Tong.

Veld
Mainstream EDM fans will once again be flocking to Veld Festival this summer, held at Downsview Park, August 1 and 2. There's not a lot of info out yet, but we know that Deadmau5 will be returning, and Hardwell is also headlining. Last year was massive, and this one could be even bigger.

Time
Technically, Time also isn't strictly a dance festival, but like Bestival it has a history of booking DJs and electronic acts alongside rock bands, and treating that aspect as an integral part of the overall experience. No talent has been announced yet, but it's hitting Fort York on August 15. Hopefully all the acts can make it this time.

Mad Decent
Also returning to Fort York this year is the Toronto edition of the Mad Decent Block Party, which hits town August 29. There's nothing announced yet in terms of performers, but you can expect some of the label's biggest names will be involved.

Harvest Festival
This will be the 17th year for Harvest Festival, and if you've ever gone to the long-running rural techno party you know why it's still growing after so many years. Running from September 18-20 this year, the party returns to its surreal home at Midlothian Castle, near Burk's Falls.

Benjamin Boles is on Twitter: @benjaminboles

Photo by Jesse Milns

Beloved Vancouver design store lands in Toronto

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old faithful shopEven before they made the decision to head east to Toronto, this Vancouver-based general store already had a cult following in TO, thanks to a roster of practical home goods that meld heritage-inspired craftsmanship with gorgeous design. There's handmade kitchen items, small-batch grooming products, and even stuff for your pantry - perfect for gifts (or, heck, for yourself).

Read my profile of Old Faithful Shop in the design section.

Police seek dog walkers for neighbourhood watch

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toronto police dog walkingToronto police want you and your favourite four-legged friend to help take a bite out of crime. A new initiative, Paws for the Cause, is inviting local folks who might be out for a stroll with their dogs to keep their eyes peeled for possible break-ins in progress.

Police are offering to train volunteers on what to look out for: "If you see some stranger on your street, around your neighbour's house ... you're going to go: 'Well, who is that guy?'" Const. Gary Gomez told the CBC. He added most break-ins happen between noon and 3pm.

The project will be rolled out in Scarborough neighbourhoods to start; to volunteer, call Gomez at 416-808-4220.

What do you think? Will this program catch on across Toronto? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Daifuku Sensei via the blogTO Flickr pool.


On The Prince Edward Viaduct

Today in Toronto: Human Rights Watch, Riot Club, Ibeyi, Stephen Bulger 20th Anniversary, Killer Bob

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today in TorontoToday in Toronto the 12th annual Human Rights Watch Film Fest opens with The One That Got Away at TIFF. The festival runs until April 2. Want to see the latest spoiled bad boy Brit movie? Innis Town Hall is screening The Riot Club - for free.

Stephen Bulger's West Queen West gallery is turning 20, and the landscape in the neighbourhood's art scene has undergone at least a couple of fascinating waves of change in that time. The exhibit will include photographs from all 40 artists the gallery has hosted solo exhibition for. It's up March 24 - April 25. 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.

This Week on DineSafe: Gangster Burger, Einstein, Bagel World, The Works, Hanoi 3 Seasons, Top Sushi

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dinesafeThere are no closures to report from the latest round of DineSafe results, but a couple burger joints, Gangster Burger and The Works Etobicoke outlet both received conditional passes. A well done order might be prudent.

Here are the rest of the lowlights on DineSafe this week.

Gangster Burger (607 Queen St. West)
Inspected on: March 16, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Top Sushi (158 College St.)
Inspected on: March 17, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Bagel World (336 Wilson Ave.)
Inspected on: March 17, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 9 (Minor: 4, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro (2245 Bloor St. West)
Inspected on: March 17, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Einstein Cafe & Pub (229 College St.)
Inspected on: March 18, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant : 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Aroma Fine Indian Cuisine (287 King St. West)
Inspected on: March 18, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Hanoi 3 Seasons (588 Gerrard St. East)
Inspected on: March 19, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.

Toronto has a new restaurant dedicated to tonkatsu

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mr tonkatsu torontoThis new eatery in the Annex is a shrine to deep-fried Japanese delicacies. Tempura shrimp and karaage figure prominently on the menu, but the real draw here is a smorgasbord of tonkatsu options - as the name might suggest.

Read my review of Mr. Tonkatsu in the restaurant section.

The top 10 music festivals in Toronto for spring 2015

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spring music festivals torontoThe top music festivals in Toronto for spring 2015 look fairly similar to last year, except as Electric Island, Field Trip, and CBC Fest all return, sworn enemies CMW and NXNE appear to be more or less ignoring each other. On the fringes of spring we have UK's positive-vibe Bestival's first appearance followed by staples like NXNE, the Jazz Fest, and Luminato.

Foundry, the multi-day electronic fest which is usually underway already, is moving to warmer, as-yet unannounced dates - you'll know when we know. June is definitely the time festival season picks up, but Queen St. Fest, dubbed Soundtrack Of The City this year, just wrapped up in small clubs on Queen West.

Here are my picks for the top 10 music festivals in Toronto this spring.

Bassweek (March 20-29)
The fifth annual Bassweek is on now, bringing five nights of drum'n'bass madness (and a sprinkling of other bass-related genres), with events at the Hoxton, the Phoenix, and Tota. The lineup is full of veterans and superstars of the genre, including Drumsound & Bassline Smith, DJ SS, Micki Finn, Metrik, Delta Heavy, and many more. $25+ for individual shows, $100 wristband. BB

CMW (May 1-10)
Canadian Music Week is back with The Jesus and Mary Chain, Joey Bada$$, Death Cab For Cutie, Alvvays, Billy Talent, Metz, and hundreds more playing in venues across the city. The main thing is the music industry conference, but there are film and comedy components, and the Indies Music Awards. $10 (individual shows) - $200 (VIP wristband).

Kpop Convention (May 2, Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
Kpop fans already have May 2nd burned into their calendars. The inaugural one day convention of all things Korean pop music will be headlined by boy band NU'EST, with panels, games and activities, dance workshops, merchandise vendors, fanclub booths, celebrity meet-and-greets, and more. $40 - $265.

Electric Island (May 18, July 1, Aug. 3, Sept. 7, Toronto Island)
Some might argue that the annual Electric Island events on Centre Island are more a series than a festival, but we respectfully disagree. The lineup hasn't been officially announced yet, but we can tell you it will include Sasha, Tuskegee (Seth Troxler and Martinez Brothers), Pan-Pot, Shiba San, Green Velvet, Tom Trago and more. $99 - $127. BB

CBCMusic.ca Festival (May 23, Echo Beach)
Fan of CBC Radio 3? Then you already know who's playing. From Patrick Watson and Bahamas to Coeur de Pirate and Fred Penner, it's a purely CanCon lineup, plus find a live edition of CBC Radio One's The Debaters, and host appearances. $45.50 - $54.75.

Field Trip (June 6-7, Fort York)
Arts & Crafts' family-friendly Field Trip to Fort York returns for year three. Alabama Shakes and My Morning Jacket top the bill, with Arkells, Father John Misty, The War On Drugs, Purity Ring, and more spread over two stages and two days. Food, local vendors, bouncy castles for the kids: there's something for everyone. $70 (single day) - $200 (VIP weekend).

Bestival (June 12, Toronto Islands)
After 12 years of positive vibes in the UK, the first overseas Bestival will land at Toronto Islands this spring. Florence + The Machine, Nas, Flume, Caribou, SBTRKT, and more will play while you play in the Bollywood Temple, Inflatable Church, and so much more. $99.50 - $299.50.

NXNE (June 17-21)
NXNE are back doin' what they do - bringing the Pitchfork blog roll to a wide (but decreased in 2015) range of Toronto stages from Yonge-Dundas Square to the Rivoli. It remains to be seen if this year's changes to the NXNE administration will lead to changes in the way they interact with the local scene, but at least there's no radius clause. AJ

Toronto Jazz Festival (June 18-20)
A lineup hasn't been announced for the 2015 Jazz Fest, but you can expect some big names (last year hosted Chaka Khan, Melissa Etheridge, and Earth, Wind and Fire), alongside enough acts to fill venues all over the city, both free and ticketed. 28 years in, the festival is Toronto's preeminent jazz festival.

Luminato (June 19-28)
Luminato's art fest likes to do things differently. You'll see names like David Byrne, Nelly Furtado, and St. Vincent performing at a concert involving "sophisticated acrobatic routines" at the ACC, or Apocalypsis: a show involving 1000 performers at Sony Centre. These are just two of the fancy events on Luminato's program - best be ready.

See also

The top 10 dance music festivals in Toronto for 2015

What did I miss? Leave the spring music festivals you most look forward to in the comments.

Writing by Matthew Forsythe

Contributions by Benjamin Boles, Aubrey Jax

Photo: Matthew Forsythe

E.T. roams the streets of Toronto

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ET TorontoHave you seen a small extraterrestrial wandering the streets of Toronto constantly muttering "phone home"? No, that wasn't an acid flashback. E.T. really has been popping up all over town as part of a photo project by Cameron McLellan. Using a facsimile of the famous alien from Steven Spielberg's eponymous movie from 1982 that he received as a gift, McLellan posed E.T. in a variety of Toronto landmarks before adding them to the blogTO Flickr pool.

Seeing the iconic alien all across Toronto is both eerie and fun. It should be noted that he's also quite the fan of our public transportation system. I guess it's a bit cold to ride one's bicycle through the air right now, so the TTC is the next best thing.

Have a look at E.T.'s tour of Toronto in this photo gallery.

Mystery substance causes chaotic TTC commute

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toronto ttcThe presence of a mysterious gasoline or oil-like substance inside the subway tunnel near College station closed the Yonge line between Bloor-Yonge and Union at the height of rush hour this morning.

The TTC called the incident, which began around 11:00 p.m. last night, an "environmental spill." CEO Andy Byford said there were concerns a spark within the tunnel from a passing train could ignite the mystery substance. The line was closed as a safety precaution and so far hasn't re-opened.

Earlier this morning, TTC spokesman Brad Ross tweeted pictures of the tunnel walls and floor coated in a yellow-tinged slimy substance. Multiple agencies, including Enbridge, Toronto Hydro, Toronto Fire, and the City of Toronto, are investigating the source and nature of the leak.

TTC work crews are plugging the joints in the tunnel wall to stop the leak, but there are no guarantees service will be restored before the afternoon rush. The repair and clean-up will take two or three hours to complete.

Speaking to reporters near College station, Byford said he believed the substance was diesel or kerosene, possibly leaking from an underground hotel storage tank cracked by the Spring thaw. "It's actually coming through pretty rapidly," he said. "We could not take any chances with this liquid."

"Having been down onto the track, seeing how much of this liquid is coming in and smelled it, we've done exactly the right thing in putting safety first ... customers I've spoken to this morning have had no qualms whatsoever with the action we've taken. You could not possibly risk running an electric train through a confined tunnel where there's a risk of combustion or a flashover."

"This is not generated by the TTC," Byford said.

Despite 70 shuttle buses operating between Rosedale and St. Andrew stations and the TTC urging riders onto alternative routes, the situation bordered on the chaotic all morning. With the busiest section of the Yonge line closed at peak hour, tweets about jam-packed stations, gigantic line ups for shuttle buses, and all-round misery flooded Twitter.

Here's a look at how the situation unfolded.

UPDATE 11:40:



The Toronto Fire Service says tests have determined the liquid in the tunnel to be harmless groundwater. The smell was likely caused by "a small amount of hydrocarbon" present in the samples, according to a tweet. There was "no explosion hazard," which is, of course, excellent news.

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

Image: @scumm_boy/Twitter


The Leafs are so bad that attendance is finally down

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Toronto Maple Leafs attendanceHas it finally happened? Are the Toronto Maple Leafs so bad that attendance at the Air Canada Centre has taken a hit? If last night's game against the Minnesota Wild is any indication, fans seem to have reached a new level of frustration with the poorly performing team.

Last night's announced attendance was 18,366, which is the lowest ever recorded at the ACC (though, in fairness, the arena's capacity is 18,819). The Leafs scrambled to sell off tickets on game day at some of the lowest prices that have been seen in years, but they didn't manage to get up to capacity.

While this is just one game -- against the Wild, no less -- it does raise some questions. With the on-ice product so bad and virtually nothing at stake as the team runs out the string, have Leafs fans finally decided that tickets just aren't worth the cash? Is the most exciting thing about this team the possibility that it could win the draft lottery?

One game does not a trend make, but there might just be a chink in the armour of MLSE. Historically, the Leafs box office has been amazing regardless of the team's performance, but it's possible that there are limits to the support the city is willing to show to the failing franchise.

Photo by Howard Yang in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Filipino fast food chain Jollibee opening in Toronto

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jollibee torontoFor anyone familiar with the cuisine of the Philippines, this is big news: Jollibee, a Manila-based fast food chain that's widely seen as the country's answer to McDonalds, is planning to open a restaurant in Toronto. The company, which already has about 30 stores in the U.S., has chosen Toronto for their first Canadian store, with their CFO saying they hope to be open here within the year.

For those previously unacquainted with the chain: The menu spans North American fast-food classics with a few local favourites. (Their mascot, naturally, is a jolly bee.)

Popular menu items include Chickenjoy fried chicken; the Amazing Aloha pineapple-topped burger; spaghetti topped with ham, sausage and ground beef; "burger steaks" topped with gravy and served with rice; and halo-halo (a dessert that comprises shaved ice, beans, fruits, sweets, purple yam, and evaporated milk, among other ingredients).

Photo via Jollibee on Facebook.

A first look at Toronto's newest event venue

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Aperture RoomToronto newest event venue, set to open April 30th, is tucked way on the third floor of a historic building near Yonge and Elm that's better known for the presence of Foot Locker and Salad King on its first and second floors. The Aperture Room is the latest addition to the Thornton-Smith Building, an easy-to-miss heritage structure that dates back to 1922.

While the other tenants haven't done a whole lot to highlight the historical attributes of the building, the event space makes the most of its bones by showcasing the original brick walls along with hardwood floors and a stripped down design. The three massive skylights are a nice touch as well.

O & B has been tasked with the catering responsibilities, and tout a menu that aims to fit a wide variety of events. In a press release, the company highlights "an 'out of the box' poutine station, antipasto harvest table and an all-Canadian oyster shucking table; champagne and mojito bars; and a specialty "mixed-to-match" cocktail bar."

That's all rather trendy (perhaps to a fault), but I suspect this will be a very busy place when it gets up and running. The cheapest you'll be able to rent the 180 capacity space (standing) is $4000 ($500 rental, $3500 food minimum). It goes up from there as the time slots become more attractive.

How's the new La Carnita location on Queen East?

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la carnitaThe newest outpost of this beloved College St. taqueria is now open and dealing tacos and draught margaritas on Queen East. Fans of the original will find all their favourites, along with a lineup of exclusive menu features (including impeccable crispy fried oxtail tacos).

Read my profile of the Queen East location of La Carnita in the restaurant section.

Skrillex's Full Flex Express train to return to Toronto

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Skrillex torontoSkrillex's Full Flex Tour, an EDM journey through the great expanses of the Canadian provinces via train, will return in 2015, after 2013's tour was cancelled and the idea was abandoned altogether in 2014. Looks like they must have figured out the logistics of a very expensive concept - though we'll have to wait until summer to see if this one actually arrives. You'll be able to see Skrillex and crew chug through Toronto on July 11 (add that to your dance festival calendar).

The lineup won't be announced until April 1st - so if it's great, or terrible, fans will think it's a joke - but in 2012, at the first and only successful year of the tour, Skrillex shared the trip and the stage at Fort York with Diplo, Grimes, and Pretty Lights. This year the train will start in Ottawa and pass through Quebec, cross the prairies, and skip unlucky Vancouver for a final stop in Pemberton, BC.

Will Skrillex return to Cherry Beach? Will 8-11 get to re-live their greatest moment ever? I'm guessing he'll have to hurry back to the rails post show, so maybe not.

Who will Skrillex choo-choo-choose to bring aboard his EDM train? Let us know in the comments

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