World Naked Bike Ride Day was held for the 11th consecutive year this past Saturday. The global day of protest against oil dependency and pollution drew barely clad riders to Coronation Park for the start of the ride that would took them past stunned onlookers in the downtown core. There was body painting, flag waving and, thankfully, fewer Bike Share bikes in use compared to year's past.
Check out NSFW photos of the action in our World Naked Bike Ride photo gallery.
Today in Toronto will have you preparing for NXNE as a number of musicians take stages across the city before the festival kicks off. This Monday, celebrate throwback Thursday a little early when Dashboard Confessional and Third Eye Blind take the stage at Echo Beach. The Kooks, Paul Weller and more will also be performing around the GTA.
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.
Photo of the Kooks
Free outdoor movies have become a summer tradition in Toronto. There are many screenings to choose from, including everything from art films to family-friendly comedies. Pack a few snacks, a blanket or lawn chairs, and chill out as the sun sets with movies old and new.
Here's my guide to free outdoor movies held in the Toronto this summer.
City Cinema at Yonge-Dundas Square
Location: Yonge-Dundas Square
City Cinema at Yonge-Dundas square is going with the theme "But Can They Act," a nod to musician turned actors (I'm looking at you Justin Timberlake). The great thing about this event is the combination of music and film. Before a music-related movie is screened, you'll get a chance to watch a filmed performance from Massey Hall celebrating Canadian talent.
City Cinema plays oldies but goodies every Tuesday starting Tuesday June 16 at sunset and goes until Sept. 1.
Sail-In Cinema
Location: Sugar Beach - 25 Dockside Drive
The most unique movie experience, and according to the organizers, Toronto's largest outdoor theatre will host a themed movie event the weekend of Aug. 20-22. For one weekend, Sugar Beach transforms into an outdoor theatre. This year the theme is "Flashback to the 80s" where you'll get to vote starting on June 18th which movie you'd like to take a trip down memory lane.
Christie Pits Film Festival
Location: Christie Pits Park
Every Sunday night from July 5 until 16, Christie Pits will transform into a movie theatre showing movies with the theme "great villains." Kicking off the outdoor movie season is the 1992 classic Nosferatu. Following the film, there will be a live score performance by musicians, Del Bel. On hand will be food vendors like Caplansky's and donuts by Sugar Mama's, and BeGood gelato.
Harbourfront Free Flicks
Location: Lower Simcoe St & Queens Quay, Harbourfront Centre
Watch movies by the water with this theme's celebration of "family ties." Running every Wednesday from July 8 until September 8 at the WestJet Stage, the festival kicks off with a Coen Brothers classic, Raising Arizona and ends with an audience choice.
Movies in the Park - Riverdale Park East
Location: 550 Broadview Ave.
Riverdale Park East Movies in the Park is hosting four free screenings, this year to raise awareness & money for two local charities through an indigogo campaign with the aim of raising $20,000 this summer.
The screenings start Sunday July 11 until Sunday Aug. 22 with movies yet to be announced.
TIFF in the Park
Location: David Pecault Square
A festival that attracts many moviegoers, TIFF in the Park is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and going big with movie offerings. This year they're showing 40 free movies throughout the year, starting with TIFF in the Park every Wednesday night at sundown on beginning July 8 until the Labour Day long weekend.
Along with the widely popular TIFF in the Park, TIFF is expanding its movie offerings this year. Starting July 3 to Sept. 4 TIFF is hosting a film series in different parks in the city like Flemingdon Park, Lotherton Pathway, Earl Bales Park and Moss Park and four special pop-up movie nights at Union Station, Celebration Square Mississauga, Garden Square Brampton and Fort York.
Movie Pop-Ups
Under the Stars Screening Series
Location: Regent Park 620 Dundas Street E.
Every Wednesday from July 15 until August 19, Regent's Park wants to create an atmosphere of community by bringing film, yoga and DJs from the community
Junction Movie Nights
Location: The Junction Train Platform (Dundas St. West / Pacific Ave.)
Beginning every other Friday in July and August, the Junction hosts a movie at the Junction Train Platform. The festival officially kicked off this Saturday June 20th during the Junction Summer Solstice Festival with a screening of Steamboat Bill. More movies to be announced on their site.
Cultura Festival
Location: Toronto Centre for the Arts
Cultura movie festival takes place only in July with four movie screenings every Friday. This year, the film festival will host an art exhibit on Canadian Athletes in perfect timing for the Pan Am Games. The films for this year are still to be announced but musical performances include Divine Brown and Alex Cuba.
Movies in St. James Park
Location: St. James Park
Every last Thursday of the month from June until August at 9 p.m., St James becomes a family-friendly outdoor movie theatre.
BONUS
Open Roof Festival
Location: 99 Sudbury
Though not free, the Open Roof Festival is still a great deal. Tickets are $15 for a night of movies, food, drinks and indie bands that play prior to the movie. Held in the parking lot at 99 Sudbury, in the midst of Queen and King Streets, Open Roof is celebrating its sixth year of what its dubbed #MoviesMusicBeer. The season kicks off Wednesday June 17 and runs until August 19.
Photo by Tony Wei-Han Chen in the blogTO FLickr pool
After 12 years of positive vibes in the UK, the first overseas Bestival landed on the Toronto Island and attendees dressed up for the occasion.
Check out all the looks in our Style section.
This newly opened ice cream parlour is set to compete with Dutch Dreams for patrons this summer. Found on Vaughan Road near Bathurst and St. Clair, the shop boasts a clean, minimal design, and it's dealing in scoops and ice cream sandwiches crafted on house-made cookies.
Read my profile of Booyah in the restaurants section.
Aquamermaid Academy is Toronto's first mermaid school. Offering classes at Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre, Aquamermaid combines fitness and fun in a celebration of everyone's favourite human-fish hybrid.
Aquamermaid was founded in Montreal by Marielle Chartier-Hénault in January 2015. After finding success in Quebec, she made the decision to open up shop in Toronto. Though Aquamermaid is available to book for parties, events and photoshoots, its main offering is the mermaid classes ($300 for a 10 lesson package).
I arrived at the mermaid class, completely unaware of what lay ahead. After choosing a tail (sparkly), completing a warm-up (stretchy), and proving I could swim (barely), we pulled on our tails and got in the water.
The class was packed with learning; the attentive instructor taught us how to swim in the tails on our fronts, backs and sides, we learned how to make large and small waves, and we finished with some professional-looking tricks that were worthy of a featured spot on a fin fetish website.
Though I didn't expect to be very skilled in mermaid school - I'm athletic in the sense that once I did Crossfit and afterwards, when I mentioned it to someone (the only reason one does Crossfit), they raised their eyebrows in quickly-masked surprise and mentioned how inspirational I was - I found the class to be a quite challenging workout.
The fin requires a lot of leg and core work to use properly, and my arms were weak from the times I gave up on swimming and just doggie-paddled to the other side.
As a child, I always thought Ariel was foolish for giving up her tail for legs to entice Eric. She lived in the lap of luxury, had great friends, and was able to successfully hide her TLC-level hoarding instincts from her family. Now I understand that the poor girl was probably just exhausted.
Although my class was all ladies, Aquamermaid serves a wide range of ages (children 7 and older can take classes), bodies (tails go from youth sizes to an adult size 18) and sexes (mermen are welcome).
Aquamermaid was a great way to spend a weekend morning that would normally be devoted to hitting the treadmill or, more likely, hitting the snooze button repeatedly until the alarm song has worked its way into your dream and Dylan McDermott is singing Bad Blood in a Harvey's for some reason.
The workout was intense, but it was fun and novel enough that I can't wait to return.
Aquamermaid begins classes in Toronto on July 5, 2015 and has plans to expand to Ottawa and Jamaica in the fall.
Photos by Jesse Milns
NXNE lands in Toronto on Wednesday, June 17, bringing with it hundreds of concerts spread across the city for five days. The 2015 version of the festival is a bit smaller than last year (and there's no radius clause or Action Bronson show), but it remains one of the marquee music events of the year, even as the festival scene becomes increasingly crowded in Toronto.
There are four ways to buy tickets for NXNE, with the most popular two options being advance tickets for individual shows and the platinum badge, which is more complicated to acquire than it should be (you have to buy advance tickets to three shows before being offered a badge at $60) but gives you access to all shows subject to capacity.
Here are our top shows to catch at NXNE 2015.
Twist, The Garrison, Wednesday June 17, 9 pm
There's something inspired in the way Laura Hermiston sets songs in motion. A singer-songwriter who seems as far removed from the singer-songwriter stigma as you can be, her sparse compositions are dutifully complimented by Brian Borcherdt's (Holy Fuck) haunting instrumentation.
Blonde Redhead, The Opera House, Wednesday June 17, 10 pm
After 21 years and nine incredibly diverse sounding records, Blonde Redhead are still finding ways to catch their fans off guard. In 2014, they took perhaps their most surprising turn, leaving long-time label 4ad to self-finance the stunning Barragan. Always mesmerizing, vocalist Kazu Makino weaves her way through space, landing dreamily in your long-term memory.
Moon King, The Horseshoe Tavern, Wednesday June 17, 11 pm
I can't say that Moon King's sun-drenched indie pop caught my attention right away, but after seeing them open for Alvvays' homecoming concert last December, the buzz clicked. Childhood friends and ex-Spiral Beach members Daniel Woodhead and Maddy Wilde are thoroughly engaging performers, radiating tons of energy while playing well crafted, infectious hooks. SK
Lower Dens, The Horseshoe Tavern, Wednesday June 17, 12 am
Different year, different mood for Baltimore's Lower Dens. The recently released Escape From Evil has a decidedly more uplifting sound than previous records on account of the band's need to be "less miserable." Not all sunshine though, you can expect an emotional roller coaster.
A Place to Bury Strangers, Opera House, Thursday June 18, 9 pm
As close as you can get to "can't miss," the always-unpredictable Brooklyn trio lay waste to every stage they step on to. With new songs off 2015's Transfixiation to add to their considerable arsenal, expect the unexpected.
Fake Palms, The Horseshoe Tavern, Thursday June 18, 10 pm
Buzz Records are once again well-represented during the fest and it's easy to see why people are still talking about them. Recent signee Fake Palms demonstrate perfectly why the label remains on the forefront of new musical discoveries. And if you're not a fan of venue-hopping, this is the perfect place to lay your hat on Thursday night.
Iceage, Opera House, Thursday June 18, 10 pm
It's a long way from Norway to Toronto, so we're lucky that Iceage have been here as many times as they have. Their first few appearances were uneven, beautifully chaotic experiences that made us remember that rock n' roll has never been an exact science, but the unpredictability is what keeps things exciting.
Baths, Phoenix Concert Theatre, Thursday June 18, 10 pm
There was a point where all things glitchy inhabited my headphones. Baths is a subtle reminder of that time with a sound that's equal parts Lali Puna and Prefuse 73. Their 2013 disc Obsidian is a glorious return to headphone-induced solitude. Be prepared to sway uncontrollably with your eyes wide shut.
Lucius, Adelaide Hall, Thursday June 18, 1 am
Not exactly what people hold as a stereotypical Brooklyn export, Lucius back up their considerable style with an insane amount of talent. The duelling vocals of Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig have been known to lift the roofs off opera houses, so hopefully the new Adelaide Hall is well equipped to contain their sound.
Vallens, M for 159 Manning, Friday June 19, 3 pm
The party at 159 Manning is likely the most special experience one can have during the festival. Bringing a sense of community as an antidote to the often heavily-sponsored big venue shows, this year's lineup features the spaghetti western ethereal drone of Toronto's Vallens.
Zoo Owl, Adelaide Hall, Friday June 19, 9 pm
Coming at you like that flying machine from The Watchmen, Zoo Owl's illuminated eyes pierce clear through your body to the back of the room. Behind the controls, he hits you with some kind of mind-control device that heads straight to your feet, convincing you that you have always loved techno.
Liturgy, The Opera House, Friday June 19, 9 pm
Corpse paint and satanic references used to be why black metal was so subversive - now, avoiding those elements pisses way more people off. Brooklyn's Liturgy clearly love exploiting that; clean cut and too eloquent for their own good, they've irritated many in the metal community on first impression, but a few seconds of their blast beat-laden, guitar-shredding symphony is usually enough to shut the naysayers up. SK
Om, The Opera House, Friday June 19, 10 pm
There's nothing inherently relaxing about this San Francisco band, no matter how inside yourself you try to get. What they produce is certainly trance-inducing, but you're just as likely to lose your head completely as you are to find which chakra guides you.
Atlas Sound, Lee's Palace, Friday June 19, 12 am
For Bradford Cox, songwriting comes uncensored and straight from the heart. Whether it's with his well-known indie rock outfit (Deerhunter) or the project he holds close to his chest (Atlas Sound), the results are nearly the same: perfectly crafted, off-kilter pop songs.
No Joy, The Silver Dollar, Friday June 19, 12 am
Dan Burke's weekend residency shows have become a festival must. With pick-of-the-litter bands commissioned for a three-night stand, there's never a reason to kick yourself over a missed opportunity. Montreal's No Joy pick up the mantle this year, blasting their way through modern shoegaze anthems.
Angel Olsen, The Mod Club Theatre, Saturday June 20, 9 pm
The sad songs sung by this soul-searching Missouri songwriter are bound to make you feel deeply. Her newest, Burn Your Fire For No Witness, expands on the forlorn sound that helped establish her as "one to watch" by most tastemaking music outlets.
Beliefs, The Silver Dollar Room, Saturday June 20, 10 pm
Toronto has always been kind to shoegaze. There's something in the sound that obviously speaks to our city's inhabitants, like we're direct descendents of the same spaceship that brought Kevin Shield's ancestors to this rock. Josh Korody and Jesse Crowe lead this generation's sonic explorers into the never-ending abyss.
Girl Band, The Drake Underground, Saturday June 20, 11 pm
The only way this could get any more abrasive would be if they dragged a motorcycle up on stage and chanted over the revving engine. This Irish band's music is so static-y and vague it sounds like a transistor radio caught between stations. And yes, I do think that's amazing. Don't let this one pass you by.
Obliterations, Lee's Palace, Saturday June 20, 11 pm
Stephen McBean can't stop forming bands. Aside from Black Mountain, Pink Mountaintops and Grim Tower, he's now frontman for Obliterations, an old-school influenced hardcore act that proudly harkens back to the early days of Black Flag and stoner jams. Filthy and earsplitting, this music is the kind that dyed-in-the-wools punks should appreciate. SK
The Auras, Smiling Buddha, Saturday June 20, 11 pm
If jangly space rock is your thing, look no further than Toronto's The Auras. Taking cues from The Brian Jonestown Massacre, they skyrocket further into the atmosphere with phaser pedals and Jazzmasters pushing red.
Jennifer Castle, Garrison, Saturday June 20, 11 pm
After years as a sought-after guest vocalist for much of Canada's indie elite, singer-songwriter Jennifer Castle got solo recognition with 2014's Pink City, her fourth LP and most critically applauded to date. Her ethereal voice wrapped around reverbing folk chords will be one of the highlights during The Garrison's lengthy Saturday showcase. - SK
Mission of Burma, Lee's Palace, Saturday June 20, 12 am
Considering that Tinnitus broke this band up in the 80s, you may want to give some thought to the appropriate protection before you even think of setting foot in Lee's Palace. Forefathers to bands like Drive Like Jehu, Fugazi, and Guided By Voices, their melodies pierce your eardrums like a sharpened blade.
Deafheaven, Adelaide Hall, Saturday June 20, 1 am
Used to be that Jesu was the most curious "metal" band on the block. Then along comes Deafheaven with their odd combination of shoegaze and hardcore. What might initially come across as awkward and unclassifiable becomes something undeniable. A blanket never felt so heavy.
Not Of, Smiling Buddha, Sunday June 21, 9 pm
Stripped back means absolutely nothing to this duo of noisemakers, who make the very concept of a bass player seem obsolete. With the death of the two-piece largely exaggerated, Not Of breathe new life in to the format. On second-thought they knock the wind out of that classification with a one-two punch of loud and louder.
Dirty Frigs, Smiling Buddha, Sunday June 21, 12 am
The dirty, lo-fi vibes of Dirty Frigs have slowly gained steam with each new EP they've released over the past couple of years. Singer Bria Salmela's voice floats over the band's garage-rock dirge for an eerily spellbinding experience. Two NXNE performances (Saturday at Silver Dollar, Sunday at Smiling Buddha) mean that you have no excuse to miss them. SK
What did we miss? Let us know your most-anticipated NXNE shows in the comments.
Writing by Evan Sue-Ping and Shazia Khan.
Photo of Moon King by Matt Forsythe.
The TTC announced today that it will make significant service upgrades to 52 routes in an effort to achieve a network that features 10 minutes or better service from 6am to 1am. It's isn't a Downtown Relief Line or some other bit of much-needed transit infrastructure, but increased frequency of service does make commuter's lives better in a concrete way.
Well, that is if they can actually achieve that level of service. It's worth noting that this is a goal the Commission has set rather than an actual promise. Some routes have already had their service bumped, while the rest on the list will be ramped up over the summer with an eye towards a full roll out by the fall. The improvements will be made to the subway as well as 12 streetcar and 37 bus routes.
Photo by zirocket in the blogTO Flickr pool.
Bestival was bonkers. It's the new kid on the block and Toronto was hella friendly this weekend to this UK beast that just pond-hopped right onto our humble Islands. Although, attendance seemed a bit sparse for a festival of this size considering the crowds that descend on, say, VELD, that really lent itself to the intimate, hippie vibe that Bestival was going for.
If Bestival comes back next year, you can bet it will be to an even warmer reception now that it's shown our city its unusual combo of music and mayhem, complete with costume parades, wacky weddings and beach raves. Among the stellar lineup were Florence & The Machine, Nas and Caribou. While it was mostly a dance party, it's the quality, not the genre that's the basis of Bestival's curation.
Check out all the wacky highlights from Bestival's first year in Toronto.
Writing by Ofelia Legaspi
Japanese-inspired snacks including house-made onigiri (Japanese rice balls), grilled sandwiches with adzuki beans and pickled ginger, and brownie-like desserts are now available at this new Toyko-style snack shop in the Annex.
Read my profile of Abokichi in the restaurants section.
An article published in the Star over the weekend outlines systematic and unpunished sexual assault allegations at one of Toronto's busiest restaurants. Former pastry chef at Weslodge, Kate Burnham spoke with the paper about her nightmarish experience in the kitchen after filing application with the Ontario Human Rights tribunal.
Reaction in the wake of the story was swift on Twitter, with disappointed customers calling for a boycott of the restaurant. On the other hand, the response from the Toronto chef community has remained somewhat muted, despite numerous reflections that indicate the problem stretches far wider than the kitchen of one restaurant.
The Black Hoof's Jen Agg spent a good chunk of her weekend trying to foster greater dialogue about the patriarchy that defines the city's kitchens. Along with a host of Twitter conversations about the story and the victim blaming that ensued, she's also in the midst of organizing a panel to get people talking about how women are treated in the culinary workplace.
At present, Weslodge and its parent company INK Entertainment have yet to address the allegations. The restaurant's Facebook page has been inundated with posts about the story, but so far it has remained silent.
Here's a sample of the discussion taking place on Twitter.
Today in Toronto will see you entertained outdoors. For fans of Shakespeare, Bard in the Park will be putting on their rendition of Hamlet in Kew Gardens. City Cinema is also showing its first film of the season at Dundas Square. Head there to watch Eminem flex his acting muscles in 8 Mile.
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.
Photo of the Stop Market
DineSafe didn't dole out any red cards this week, but you might find a yellow card posted in the window of your favourite cafe, sandwich shop, or late night snack bar.
Here's a roundup of this week's DoneSafe offenders.
Korean Cowboy (2368 Yonge St.)
Inspected on: June 9, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to properly maintain mechanical washer.
Boom Breakfast (808 College St.)
Inspected on: June 10, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter.
Brunswick House (481 Bloor St. West)
Inspected on: June 11, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 2, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
Castle Board Game Cafe (454 Spadina Ave.)
Inspected on: June 12, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A
Hula Girl (2473 Dundas St. West)
Inspected on: June 10, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include:Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.
Pizza Pala (280 Augusta Ave.)
Inspected on: June 10, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Significant: 4)
Crucial infractions include: N/A
Sky Blue Sky (605 Bloor St. West)
Inspected on: June 11, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.
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.
Summerlicious 2015 is right around the corner, and a bit more robust than in years past. While the over 200 restaurants participating is about the same number as in previous editions, this summer will see the prix fixe festival extended for an extra week. Between July 3 and 26, Toronto diners will be able to snag three-course meals at some of the city's best restaurants at well discounted prices.
Prix fixe lunch menus are priced at $18, $23 and $28, and dinner comes in at $25, $35 and $45 depending on your restaurant and meal of choice. Reservations open on June 18, and you can expect there to be a frenzy of effort to land dinner spots at places like Momofuku Daishō, Splendido, North 44, and Auberge du Pommier.
Those less interested in the city's swank dining destinations will likely book at newer places like Nuit Social, Thoroughbred, and Peter Pan, though standbys like Parts & Labour and Lee also tend to be popular destinations for Summerlicious.
The food events on tap are also worth a mention, as Summerlicious aims to celebrate the arrival of the Pan Am Games with five events that showcase the culinary traditions of the 41 participating countries. For complete list of restaurants and menus, as well as ticket info for the event series, check out the official Summerlicious website.
Photo of Nuit Social
Front Street Foods, the urban food market coming to Union Station this summer, has revealed more details about its eight week run at the newly christened Sir John A. MacDonald Plaza in front of the historic train station. Most notably, we now have a sense of the first vendors on board for the outdoor market.
So far, the participating restaurants include Fresh off the Boat, Cava, Mad Mexican, Greenhouse Juice Co, Fred's Bread, Holy Chuck Burgers, Little Fin, Bacon Nation, Hula Girl, and the ever-popular Uncle Tetsu. For a full list of current vendors, head to the Front Street Foods website.
The market will run from 7am-9pm Monday through Friday, 11am-9pm Saturday, and 11am-6:30pm on Sundays. Plans are in place for live music (characterized as "ambient" in a press release, so don't expect much percussion) and culinary demonstrations. At least a few of the vendors are expected to turn over during the July 6 to August 30 run.
Photo of Fresh Off the Boat
The Honda Indy returned to Toronto a month early this year, running a single race in June instead of a double header in July, thanks to the Pan Am Games. While it was fortunate that the schedule could be changed to let the race happen - it was thanks to the Games that Toronto didn't get a taste of the Women's World Cup of Soccer - it meant that the cars raced in the cool air and occasional rain of late spring instead of the usual summer sun.
The track was barely ready when Fan Friday showcased the first practice and qualifying runs on the track, which ended up being postponed and cut short when rain clouds moved in.
As usual, the Indy featured a full bill of support races, from the three Road to Indy feeder series (USF2000, Pro Mazda and Indy Lights) to the Porsche 911s of the GT3 series and the wildly mixed bag of cars running in the Canadian Touring Car Championships - everything from Minis and Miatas to Acuras and Mustangs.
Saturday continued raining on and off, and combined with the morning rain on Sunday, it meant that the support series were usually running in the rain or wet, with the expected rise in spin-outs and crashes.
Toronto's street course is famously rough - just take a look at the bumpy mix of concrete and asphalt on turn 9 the next time you're at Exhibition GO station - but the rain made those concrete patches as slick as ice, with cars sliding and drifting out of corners.
The Indy feeder series were also full of action, even when crashes reduced the field to as few as half a dozen cars. Thanks to the harsh competition for seats in pro motorsports, there's some real talent showing up in the junior series these days - ex-F1 driver Max Chilton was scheduled to race in Indy Lights, but when he dropped out his spot was taken by Formula E driver Nelson Piquet Jr.
The cars might be smaller but they're no less powerful and usually quite a lot more nimble than the bigger open wheel race cars.
Best of all, once again, were the spindly little cars of USF2000, whose long suspension struts and tiny, slim cockpits have a decidedly retro look that recalls the first generation of open wheel racers back in the late '50s - seeing a pack of them racing down the front straight in a cloud of dust and exhaust looked like an old black and white movie.
Also returning was Robby Gordon's crowd-pleasing Stadium Super Trucks, the motorsport version of WWE wrestling.
With their monster wheels and massive suspension, jumping over raps, cornering on three wheels and driving down straights on just two, they put on a show and inevitably treated the crowd to some spectacular crashes, the biggest of all on Saturday when E.J. Viso's truck went sideways off a ramp, lost a wheel and ended up on its side in front of the stands on the front straight.
The rain clouds finally let up and let the track dry out for the IndyCar race on Sunday - one that began with Juan-Pablo Montoya as the points leader and either Scott Dixon or Will Power tipped to win.
Power had the pole position at the start, but unlike F1 where that's practically a free pass to the stop of the podium, IndyCar's less refined racing sees the front spot switch up all through the race, with six drivers swapping the lead and 24-year-old Josef Newgarden winning his second race of the season - only the third podium of his IndyCar career.
Luca Filippi, his teammate at the Carpenter-Fisher-Hartmann Racing team took second place with veteran Helio Castroneves taking third. It was a big deal for the team, which usually ran in the midfield in previous years, and promised a brighter season ahead for co-owner and former driver Sarah Fisher, one of the few female team owners in pro motorsport.
The race ended with high hopes that local hero James Hinchcliffe would recover from his horrific Indy 500 practice crash to race in Toronto next year, which would hopefully run under sunnier skies.
For the city's motorsport fans, the Honda Indy is the only change to gorge on car racing without having to make the drive to the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, or further afield to the little ovals and drag strips around the province or over the border.
Given the road closures and noise over the long weekend, it will probably be only annual for as long as IndyCar has a reason to stop here.
Soap stores in Toronto go beyond the standard bar of Dove. In a city with an abundance of quaint little boutiques and shops catering to our various needs, we have to try an artisanal soap at least once. Right?
Here are my picks for the top 5 soap stores in Toronto.
Lush Cosmetics
With 5 locations in the GTA and counting, Lush is definitely a go to spot for hand made soaps with only the freshest ingredients. What's great about Lush is that all their products are effect based - meaning everything does something good for your skin and that just about anyone can find the right sudsy piece of soap for their needs.
Soap Stories
This Amsterdam based company offers handmade soaps by local artisans with natural products. They also have an amazingly effective and dedicated anti-aging line, Era Ageless, which is made from organic ingredients. Soap Stories is what happens when luxury, meets aromatherapy, means a passion for skin care.
Your Feel Good Soap
Your Feel Good Soap is the fro-yo spot of soaps. So if picking out exactly what you like so that you can indulge in it is your thing, then you need to check this place out. It is Toronto's first and only soap bar that allows buyers to customize their soaps based on needs and preferences of effect, smell and everything in between.
Demo Soap Studio
This Liberty Village stalwart is like a pastry shop. Aside from the products smelling and looking like delectable desserts, the staff really caters to your wants and will suggest only the most suitable products for your liking. And it's not just their soap that's good here - they also offer great service and are incredibly accommodating.
Sweet Pea Soap Company
Often times, bar soaps are a little bit more drying than the conventional shower gel. Sweet Pea Soap really focuses on creating soaps with natural glycerin that will retain moisture in the skin. Having essential oils as a part of their make-up means that showers with these soaps aren't just cleansing, they'll also be highly aromatherapeutic.
What did I miss? Add your suggestions for the top soap stores in Toronto in the comments. Writing by Janu Ys. Photo via Soap Stories.
The top patios in Yorkville will have you dining on some of the most upscale terraces in the city. This fashion-saavy neighbourhood offers everything from panoramic views to prime people watching destinations. So sit back, relax and enjoy the sun in your swankiest summer attire.
Here, in no particular order, are my picks for the the top patios in Yorkville.
For more patio ideas, check out our Toronto Patio Guide or download our iPhone or Android app.
The Pilot
The Flight Deck at The Pilot is the perfect middle ground for Yorkville patio-goers who don't want something upscale but are in the market for more than just pub grub. With optimal sun exposure, sleek stainless steel decor and a lively crowd, this patio is never a let down.
One Restaurant
A far cry from a pub patio, the Hazelton's outdoor eating space gives diners the opportunity to enjoy the warm weather in style. This sidewalk spot features well-manicured shrubbery, an attentive staff and not a branded umbrella in sight.
Roof Lounge
Way up on the 18th floor of the Park Hyatt, Roof Lounge's terrace offers one of the best views in the city. Take in the Toronto skyline while you sip a martini or dine on shared plates with friends.
Museum Tavern
If you enjoy a little sight-seeing while you eat, Museum Tavern's patio overlooking the ROM will not disappoint. As a major bonus, the patio is both covered and heated so there's no need to move inside if a sun shower starts up.
The Oxley
The Oxley offers two top notch patios in the heart of Yorkville. The sidewalk space allows diners to take in the bustling neighbourhood street while the back patio offers a quiet retreat. Whichever you choose, these patios make for great spots to enjoy some fish and chips in the sun.
Café Nervosa
Café Nervosa has the best of both worlds with two upscale patios. For diners who like a little more peace and quiet, try the rooftop. However, if you like to feel like part of the action on the street, opt for the sidewalk space. Take in the sun and the sights as you indulge in some expertly made Italian fare.
Hemingway's
If you are the type of person who prefers Mill Street over Moet, Hemingway's is your best bet in the area. Distinctively less extravagant in all the right ways, this rooftop will have you kicking back and feeling right at home in jeans and a t-shirt.
Kasa Moto
Kasa Moto's expansive rooftop patio has enough roof to comfortably seat 180 guests. The chic, minimalist decor makes for the perfect place to enjoy expertly crafted cocktails and grade A Japanese fare when the sun is shining.
NAO Steakhouse
There are not many things more luxurious than dining on a $230 Kobe Rib Eye on a ritzy Yorkville patio. If you enjoy the finer things in life, this is the place for you. The outdoor eating space features lounge furniture and enough greenery to make you forget you're steps from Avenue and Bloor.
La Société
The sidewalk patio at La Société occupies some of the best real estate in the city for people watching. Directly on Bloor, this double patio gives diners the chance to scope out Toronto's Mink Mile while dining on French cuisine.
Thanks to Strongbow for sponsoring our 2015 Toronto Patio Guide.
Did I miss any? Add your favourite Yorkville patios to the comments.
