This week on DineSafe, Dosa Darbar is shuttered for failure to prevent an insect infestation. Returning Ryerson students might be saddened to learn that two nearby sources for cheap eats, Jackson's Burger and Ghazale (on Wellesley) were both slapped with conditional passes last week.

See which other restaurants landed on the DineSafe naughty list.

Dosa Darbar (1150 Albion Rd.)
Inspected on: August 31, 2015
Inspection finding: Red (Closed)
Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to prevent an insect infestation.

Jackson's Burger (374 Yonge St.)
Inspected on: August 31, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Quinn's Steakhouse & Bar / Shopsy's (96 Richmond St. West)
Inspected on: August 31, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 2, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Ichiban Sushi (5095 Yonge St.)
Inspected on: September 1, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Abubakr Halal Pizza & Chicken Wings (2680 Lawrence Ave. East)
Inspected on: September 2, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 5)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Ghazale (78 Wellesley St. East)
Inspected on: September 3, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1)
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.

Instead of trying to block UberX from Toronto's streets, one of the city's most prominent cab companies is hoping to even the playing field by petitioning City Hall to make taxis more affordable.

Beck Taxi launched a new campaign today urging Torontonians to sign an online petition that asks city councillors to lower taxi fares. The company, with its ubiquitous orange cars, knows that many riders are choosing ride-share services, such as UberX, because they're cheaper and more efficient.

"Beck is listening to Torontonians and is committed to evolving with their changing expectations. This includes offering new and innovative technology, exceptional customer service and advocating for a more reasonable fare price for riders," say Beck Taxi operations manager Kristine Hubbard in a press release.

The City of Toronto regulates taxi fares for drivers and companies with valid licenses. Currently, cabs have a base rate of $4.25 and each additional 0.143 km costs $0.25. UberX drivers aren't licensed or regulated and so prices for this service are usually much cheaper.

Will you be signing the petition to lower taxi fares in Toronto? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by llona in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Hip hop songs about Toronto range from the brooding to the anthemic. While cheerleading your neighbourhood can get corny or cliché, there are some genuine bangers runnin' through the 6. Yes, guy. The T-Dot-O-Dot is one of a kind.

Randal Paul and Syruslife's Weird Al Yankovic treatment of Young Jeezy's "Put On" in the form of "I Get On (The TTC)" didn't quite make the cut, but if you want a serious dose of local nostalgia, you should cue that track up.

These are the top hip hop songs about Toronto.

Tona, "This Town"
"I'm not a big fan of the anthems, man. I don't feel like they ever work," Tona told me when asked about his 2015 tune that inspired this list. "This Town" -- which begins with Kyle Lowry draining a three-pointer and nicely pulls its sample from Toronto indie rock outfit Wildlife's "Lightning Tent" -- works wonders. It's proud and uplifting, without coming off cheesy.



K-os, "Crabbuckit"
"Walkin' down Yonge on a Friday/ Can't follow them gotta do it my way." K-os's Juno-winning single from his most successful album, Joyful Rebellion, takes aim at the crabs-in-a-bucket culture hindering Toronto's talent pool from widespread success. True, rap is a competition sport, but does the only path to get ahead require pulling the next man down?



Kardinal Offishall, "BaKardi Slang"
Better, to these ears, than "The Anthem," Kardi's 2000 jam snatched Big L's "Ebonics" concept and gave the world a dictionary to Toronto's Islands-influenced hip-hop slang. "We don't say 'you know what I'm sayin'," we say, 'ya done know.' " Seen.



Shad, "Fam Jam (Fe Sum Immigrins)"
He was born in Kenya, grew up in London, Ont., and got schooled in Vancouver, B.C., but Shad and Toronto have welcomed each other with open arms. A more fun and more insightful look at the city's cultural mosaic there might not be. Not bad, huh, for some immigrants.



Maestro Fresh-Wes, "416/905 (T.O. Party Anthem)"
The godfather of Canadian rap and self-proclaimed "Toronto sex symbol" grabs a dancey 2 Rude instrumental and an R&B hook from Latoya & Miranda for this oft-forgotten 1998 crowd-mover, Maestro's follow-up single to his resurgent smash "Stick to Your Vision."



Abdominal ft. Notes to Self, "T-Ode"
The slick-tongued Abdominal expresses his appreciation for the Mega City's myriad neighbourhoods, chowing down on cocoa bread in Kensington, scoping graffiti on Queen West and picking up vinyl at Rotate This! Yes, even Etobicoke and The Beaches get a shoutout here.



Drake, "City Is Mine"
"5am in Toronto" is a cool name-check, but it's really just a time/place stamp on one of Drizzy's more fantastic boast raps. A better Toronto ode comes from 2007's Comeback Season mixtape. Produced by Boi-1da, "City Is Mine" proves the global superstar has been putting on for T-O-R-O-N-T-O since before the money (and the name "the 6" came around).



Theology 3, "Life in the Screwface Capital"
After it was the T-Dot-O and before it was the Six, Toronto was the Screwface Capital. Proud, smart Torontonian Theo 3 named an EP after the dubious nickname, taking the fronting and fakery to task while calling for support from within.



Rich Kidd, "The City"
Super-producer Rich Kidd professes his adoration for his home base on this cut from his solo emcee debut LP while pointing out our blemishes: Rob Ford, gun violence, too many condos and too few seasons: "winter and July."



Kardinal Offishall, "The Anthem"
Mr. International goes full Toronto for each rhyme and every shot of this 2010 single/video, which features everything from Honest Ed's to St. Lawrence Market, representing T.O. to the fullest. For two seasons the Maple Leafs have skated out to take warm-ups to "The Anthem."

What did I miss? Add your favourite Toronto hip hop jams in the comments.

Toronto's TTC map has inspired numerous artworks, from fantastical renderings that predict an optimistic and more connected future for our city to a Jimmy Choo version that costs more than $1000. The latest such interpretation show us what Ontario's highways would look life if plotted on the transit grid.

Created by engineer Sassan Sanei, the map features the 401 as the focal point; it replaces the Bloor-Danforth line. The Yonge-University-Spadina line is a combination of the 402, 403 and 410 and the Scarborough Line stretches all the way to Ottawa.

"Highway 407 ETR, in purple, resembles the Sheppard subway line," writes Sanei in a blog post, "as it carves a path eastward only to end abruptly, well short of many travelers' destinations."

Sanei took many creative liberties with his project, such as including a monorail line that runs from Cambridge up to Barrie. While the map plots the province's highways (both real and imagined), I can't help but to imagine the possibilities if we actually had a subway system that looked like this.

Check out a high resolution version of the map here.

What do you think of this TTC highways map? Let us know in the comments.

TIFF celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Since its inception in 1976, the festival has screened many thousands of movies including numerous Oscar winners and all time classics - so how do you come up with a list of the top movies to ever screen at TIFF?

I put this challenge to TIFF's current slate of programmers who decided to use whatever criteria they saw fit - some of these films were so-called life-changers while others have stood the test of time. Their selections are a reminder of what makes the festival great - the vast range of cinema we get to experience in the city every September.

For your consideration, here are the top movies that have ever screened at TIFF.

12 Years a Slave (dir. Steve McQueen, 2013)
Chiwetel Ejiofor is a free black man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in this Oscar winning film based on a true story. Over the next twelve years, he struggles in the face of cruelty to survive and regain his freedom.

Bad Timing (dir. Nicolas Roeg, 1980)
Art Garfunkel plays a psychoanalyst suspected of having a hand in the attempted suicide of his lover. As Harvey Keitel (the detective) interrogates him, we start to see the events that led to her overdose.

Blissfully Yours (dir. Apichatpong Weerasethakul, 2002)
This 2002 film from Thai director Apichcatpong Weerasethakul (whose film Cemetery of Splendour is in TIFF this year) follows the love affair between a Burmese immigrant and a Thai factory worker.

A Chinese Ghost Story 2 (dir. Siu-Tung Ching, 1990)
In this manic concoction of cinematic delight, a tax collector arrives in a small town and spends the night in a haunted temple where he falls in love with a beautiful ghost.

Chop Shop (Ramin Bahrani, 2007)
The celebrated film follows a 12-year old orphan working in a junkyard in Queens trying to make a better life for himself and his sixteen-year-old sister.

Chronicle of a Disappearance (dir. Elia Suleiman, 1996)
Elia Suleiman's first film sees him play himself during a series of vignettes telling the story of his return to Israel after a long absence.

La Cienaga (dir. Lucrecia Martel, 2001)
From writer-director Lucrecia Martel, La Cienaga focuses on a bourgeouis family in a provincial town of Argentina.

City of God (dir. Fernando Meirelles, 2002)
The difficult, but beloved, City of God tells the story of two boys who grow up together in a violent Rio de Janero neighbourhood and whose lives veer in drastically different directions.

Colossal Youth (dir. Pedro Costa, 2006)
An immigrant who has been left by his wife, spends his days in a low-income apartment in Lisbon trying to connect with the other lost souls around him.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (dir. Ang Lee, 2000)
The beautiful Oscar winner from Ang Lee about the unrequired romance between two warriors who are trying to track down a stolen sword.

Eloge de l'amour (dir. Jean-Luc Godard, 2001)
From the renowned French filmmaker, Godard's two-part story that traces, from the present to the past, the encounters between an author and a young lawyer working their way through the artistic process.

Harlan County U.S.A. (dir. Barbara Kopple, 1976)
The classic documentary recounting the story of a violent minor strike in Kentucky in 1973.

I Am Love (dir. Luca Guadagnino, 2009)
A woman who followed love from Russia to Milan finds that years later, as a mother of three, she is feeling unsatisfied until a younger man catches her attention.

India Song (dir. Marguerite Duras, 1975)
The story of a French diplomat's wife living in India, who tries to cure the boredom of her day-to-day life with lovers.

Iron Ladies of Liberia (dir. Daniel Junge, Siatta Scott Johnson, 2007)
A documentary with an inside look at the Liberia's first female President first year in office.

Jeanne Dielman (dir. Chantal Akerman, 1975)
A widow spends her days following the same routines in her apartment, until something new shakes up her life.

The Journals of Knud Rasmussen (dir. Zacharias Kunuk, 2006)
The Journal of Knud Rasmussen is a Canadian-Danish film telling the story of an Inuit shaman and the pressures on his traditional life in the 1920s.

Platform (dir. Jia Zhang-ke, 2000)
Set in Shanxi Province throughout the 1980s, Platform features a group of theatre performers as their performances reflect the changes in China during the course of that decade.

The Princess Bride (dir. Rob Reiner, 1987)
This classic film portrays the fairy tale a grandfather reads his son as he lies sick in bed, featuring a princess, a pirate, a giant, and true love.

Reservoir Dogs (dir. Quentin Tarantino, 1992)
The film that introduced Quentin Tarantino to the world, Reservoir Dogs features a group of criminals trying to determine which of them is a secret police informant.

Tabu (dir. Miguel Gomes, 2012)
A retired Portuguese woman teams up with a neighbourhood maid to seek out answers about her past life in Africa.

The Turin Horse (dir. Bela Tarr, 2011)
The story of a farmer trying to survive his trying existence, and forced to confront the looming death of the horse that provides his living.

Undefeated (dir. Dan Lindsay & T.J. Martin, 2011)
A documentary following the revitalization of an underfunded football team under the leadership of a new coach.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (dir. Pedro Almodovar, 1988)
Pedro Almodovar's beloved dark comedy following a series of women whose lives keep intersecting unexpectedly.

YiYi: A One and a Two (dir. Edward Yang, 2000)
A story from the perspectives of various members of a Taipei family as they question the meaning of life.

What's your most beloved TIFF movie of all time? Let us know in the comments.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @alxhuls for all the latest on TIFF 15, including snap reviews. Top image of Reservoir Dogs.

Watch out if you're on Yonge this weekend because this Saturday more than 1,000 skateboarders will roll down Toronto's largest street to mark the 13th annual Toronto Board Meeting.

Skateboarders will don white dress shirts and ties but this won't be a stuffy, corporate affair. It's all part of a weekend-long event that celebrates Toronto skateboarders across all ages and skill levels.

According the the Annual Board Meeting Facebook event, those interested in participating will gather at the David. A Balfour Park, located near Yonge and St. Clair. At approximately 4:20, the group will hill drop down Yonge Street wearing dress shirts, ties and of course, helmets.

The skate is the signature event of the The Board Meeting which will unfold over three days from September 11 to 13.

Photo by Lindsey McKague in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Fan Expo rolled into the Metro Toronto Convention Centre over Labour Day weekend, bringing with it a host of cosplayers who really upped the ante on their outfits this year. From man-about-town Mr. Spock to the show stopping Pyramid head from Silent Hill to Mega Man, it was a year to remember.

Check out all the costumes in our Style section.

337 Wellesley Street East is a restored red brick Victorian in Toronto's Cabbagetown neighbourhood. Built in 1902 and designated a heritage property, the majestic three-storey semi featuring the original butler's staircase is listed for $1,358,000.

Like many older houses, this one's been tastefully gutted and manicured to fit into an area where real estate is hotter than java from Jet Fuel. A neighbourhood once deemed one of the poorest slums in the city, properties are now soaring past the million dollar range.

Post renovations, the main floor is open with a modern teak staircase acting as a partition between the living and dining room, and a maple wood kitchen leading out to the landscaped yard. The perfect space for hide-and-go-seek with a second hidden staircase (the butler's stairs) tucked away in the kitchen.

The second and third floors house the bedrooms and a large upper deck with an outdoor fireplace and backdrop of the city. The finished basement features a separate entrance---a quiet retreat for overnight guests---and a surprisingly spacious wine cellar with reclaimed wood barn doors.

SPECS

• Address: 337 Wellesley Street East
• Price: $1,358,000
• Lot Size: 19 x 128 FT
• Bedrooms: 4+1
• Bathrooms: 3
• Parking: 2
• Taxes: $5,562
• Walk Score: 92

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Three-storey heritage Victorian
• Exposed brick
• Two staircases including the original butler's stairs
• Indoor and outdoor fireplaces
• Rooftop deck
• Reclaimed barn doors
• Finished basement with wine cellar
• South-facing landscaped garden

GOOD FOR

Fans of preserved mid-century architecture. When the house was renovated several years ago, the owner was careful to conserve some of the original features like the brick facade, flooring and the secret second staircase. The end result is a modern heritage home that still blends nicely into the neighbourhood.

MOVE ON IF

You want a sprawling master suite. This four plus one Victorian can be transformed into a five bedroom with renovations to the third floor. The master and ensuite is currently on the second level and the third floor is used as an office and small room. Add a little vision (and cash), and the space becomes one of those HGTV makeover bedrooms. Would you love it or list it?

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Read other posts in this series via our House of the Week Pinterest board.

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd, Brokerage for sponsoring our House of the Week. All content and editorial selected and written by blogTO.

Worth the $1.3M asking price? Have your say in the comments.

It's all over for Amazing Grace at TIFF. The much hyped and controversial Aretha Franklin doc has been pulled from the schedule. It was expected to premiere this Thursday.

The following statement was released by TIFF organizers earlier this afternoon:

We are extremely disappointed that Toronto audiences will not be able to see this extraordinary piece of art. The footage in the film is truly a cinematic treasure of twentieth century music and we hope global audiences will have opportunity to experience this film once a resolution is found.

Just this past weekend there were signs that the doc would not be able to screen at TIFF when a Colorado judge granted Franklin a legal injunction to prevent the doc from screening at the Telluride Film Festival.

According to Variety, the producers of the film ultimately made the decision to not show the doc at TIFF out of R-E-S-P-E-C-T for the Queen of Soul.

Photo via Aretha Franklin on Facebook.

New details have emerged about how and when we might actually be able to pick up some beer with our milk and eggs. While earlier reports had indicated that supermarkets were expected to stock beer before the end of this year, we now know beer won't be coming to grocery stores until 2016.

Tom Barlow, President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG), told me that early 2016 is the best case scenario for beer being more widely available to Toronto shoppers and that it will take at least another year and a half to roll out beer to the 150+ stores expected to carry it across Ontario.

While this delay isn't expected to thrill anyone, it's also not entirely unexpected given the major change that it represents for alcohol sales in this province. A timeline on the sale of wine at grocery stores, for instance, is still completely up in the air.

On the bright side, Barlow says the the province has talked about setting a minimum percentage of beer on shelves that must be from small brewers. It's expected this will come in around 20 per cent, a number which he says grocers are keen to support or even exceed.

Are you disappointed beer won't be on Toronto supermarket shelves until 2016? Let us know in the comments.

Read the entire transcript of my interview with Tom Barlow over on my Beer Blog.

This new fashion shop hopes to shine a light on what Australian and New Zealand-based designers bring to the table. You'd be hard pressed to find any of these items at other boutiques across the city.

Read my review of Convey in the fashion section.

Tech events in Toronto this fall are perfect for networking, for learning something new, or for keeping up-to-date on the latest innovations in the tech world via speaker series or expositions.

Here are my picks for the top tech events in Toronto this fall.

Genesys Hackathon (September 26)
Free food and drinks paired with the chance to win an Apple watch make this event a fun way to spend a weekend for those with the technical knowhow. You can form teams of up to three members and are encouraged to submit your application early as spots are expected to fill up.

Toronto Tech Summit (October 1)
If you're interested in the tech community in Toronto, this event, now in its second year, is a good entry point. Expect a lineup of engaging speakers who will talk about the latest tech trends in app development and wearable technology. Make sure to grab your tickets early as they're going quick.

Brain Station Community Social (October 1)
Enjoy post-work drinks, snacks and conversation at this low-key networking event. The aim is to bring together members of the Toronto tech scene as well as to showcase Brain Station courses and provide those interested with an opportunity to ask questions and find out more.

Tech Toronto Monthly Meetup (October 5, November 2, December 7)
These monthly meetups are a great way to learn something new - each meetup hosts five mini demos and presentations by industry experts. They also provide free food and beverages before each event thus creating a perfect environment for a bit of tech mingling.

Hack &Tell (October 6)
Based on the New York event of the same name, this is Canada's only Hack & Tell style group, which provides participants with the opportunity to present a hack of their own creation before an audience and answer questions in an open forum.

Uberflip Startupong 2015 (October 13)
Back for another year, Startupong is definitely the most fun event this fall. Uberflip will be taking over SPiN for a night of pingpong and tech, bringing together people involved in the start-up scene. Tickets are free as are food and drinks but you do have to register online.

Buffer Festival (October 22-25)
The Buffer Festival is like TIFF but for Youtube. The event showcases international video content from Youtube's finest creators through theatrical screenings and gives fans the opportunity to meet some of their favourites. Also look forward to a red carpet gala event and free meetups prior to screenings.

Fall Toronto Start-Up Job Fair (October 23)
Held inside the MaRS Discovery District, the Start-Up Job Fair is the largest of its kind in Canada and is aimed at both recent grads and professionals already working in the field. The fair connects job seekers to Toronto and Waterloo based start-ups. This year 37 different start-ups will be attending. Tickets are $5.

TAVES Consumer Electronics Show (October 30)
Now in its 5th year, TAVES is a huge, 3 day exposition connecting consumers to everything new and cutting edge in tech. The event showcases everything from gamming and wearables to home entertainment technology and drones.

Canadian Innovation Exchange Top 20 (November 17)
For those of you seriously entrenched in the tech field, the Innovation Exchange is a top event connecting investors to the best Canadian innovation companies, entrepreneurs and facilitators in digital media and information and communication technology. It consists of a jam packed day made up of key note addresses, interviews, panel discussions and plenty of opportunities to network.

Did I miss any? Add more tech events to the comments.

Photo via Tech Toronto on Facebook / Tarsipixstudios.com

Photo by Pas (sQualie) in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto it's time to get your fill of live music. Hong Kong's Bamboo Star will be performing live at the Silver Dollar while Kristine Schmitt takes the stage at the Cameron House with the Lonesome Ace Stringband. If you want to catch some pre-TIFF movies, head to Capitol Restaurant for the opening gala of the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Paint (The Horseshoe Tavern)
• Bamboo Star, Moonfall, and 881 (The Silver Dollar)
• CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (Capitol Restaurant)
• Craft on Tap (Mill Street Beer Hall)
• Fresh Snow EP Release (Smiling Buddha)
• Kristine Schmitt with the Lonesome Ace Stringband (Cameron House)

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

While the saga between taxicabs and UberX seems endless, the City of Toronto might finally help both parties get along thanks to a new proposal drafted by the municipal standards and licensing division.

According to the Star, this city branch is proposing to lower the taxi flat fee $1 from $4.25 to $3.25. It's recommending that the other fees, such as $0.25 for each additional 0.143 kilometre, remain intact.

One of the main criticisms against UberX drivers is that they're unlicensed. In council's attempt to regulate this ride-sharing service, however, staff suggest it could incorporate Uber into a bylaw with the creation of a new licensing category known as the Transportation Network Companies.

Just yesterday, Beck Taxi began an online campaign and petition asking the city to lower cab fares. And, Uber Toronto announced a partnership with Intact Financial Corp. to start offering insurance policies for its driver. There's still no word on what these plans will look like.

Toronto's municipal licensing and standards will release its full proposal later today, though any recommendations made will be subject to approval by city council.

What do you think of the city's attempt to regulate Uber? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Tasos

TIFF 2015 is gearing up to be a 40th anniversary celebration to remember. And what's a party without a street fair? Just like last year, TIFF will shut down King Street West from University to Peter on September 11-13 for its Festival Street. It'll feature movie-themed art installation, a family zone and free, live musical performances.

MUSIC

The free concert series run all weekend at John and Mercer. It kicks off Friday evening at 5:45 p.m. with a one hour set from Toronto-based band Ascot Royals followed by DJ Sunclef and Bruce Peninsula. The evening wraps up with NARI, a multimedia performance by Gingger Shankar, Dave Liang and Sun Yunfan.

The shows will run all day Saturday starting at 1:30 p.m. with a live performance of Telefilm's Canada's Got Game. Afterwards, DJ Chico will spin and later, songwriter Jillea and Titicut Follies - The Ballet, a dance, music and film performance based on the eponymous documentary. Giant Motown band The Big Sound will cap the night with what's sure to be an energetic performance running from 9:30-11 p.m.

Sunday will be another packed day with concerts scheduled from noon until 10 p.m. Steve McNie will open the show with a movie-themed uke jam. Puppet rock band Bookaboo will go next followed by country-singer Jessica Mitchell, DJ John Kong and Theo Tams, respectively. Mohammed Assaf, the first Arab Idol winner, will perform at 7:45 p.m. and Toronto's River Tiber will close out the night.

EAT AND DRINK

King West is already rife with food options and for this upcoming weekend, Restaurant Row will become more appealing thanks to a patio extension, meaning you can star gaze while noshing at one of the participating eateries.

If you'd rather eat on the go, you can check out the Food Truck Village on by King and John. Here you'll find an assortment of Toronto trucks including Hogtown Smoke, Bgood and Localista.

ART AND INSTALLATIONS

If we learned anything this summer, it's that Torontonians and tourists love taking pictures with signs. You can get your insta fix on Festival Street because the bright orange TIFF letters are set to return.

The Festival Piano is also making a comeback. Designed and painted by Toronto artist Jonathan Peterson, the instrument gives passersbys a chance to feel like a star.

TIFF is opening a blockbuster Andy Warhol exhibition on October 30. But the pop artist will also make an appearance an appearance at the Andy Warhol: Stars of the Silver Screen Photo Booth. This installation lets visitors turn photos into GIFs because as Warhol showed us, a portrait can beget fame.

If you don't have tickets for a TIFF movie yet, you can still catch a film on festival street at the The Situated Cinema Project; in-camera -- a micro-cinema project by the media arts group Pleasure Dome. You'll get to see Pilgrimage, an experimental film by Solomon Nagler and Alexandre Larose. Architects Jonathan Mandeville and Thomas Evans helped design the installation.

FAMILY ZONE

Much of TIFF's programming isn't suitable for kids, but they can still get into the festival spirit thanks to magicians Chris Mayhew and James Alan who'll be performing on King Street and a giant colouring book created by local artist Jeff Blackburn. And, anyone can line up to get a hand-drawn, two-minute headshot from Steve Manale.

Let us know what you're looking forward to at TIFF's street festival in the comments.

Photo by Jesse Milns

TIFF parties go hand in hand with the annual festival. When the Toronto International Film Fest rolls into town for its 10-day stint, so do a bevy of star-studded festivities, some of which are open to the public. Of course, you won't catch A-listers at every event, but with a stroke of luck you'll find yourself mingling with Eddie Redmayne or Dame Helen Mirren.

To help with your social planning or star stalking, here's a round-up of some of the most notable parties scheduled to take place during TIFF 2015.

TOP PARTY VENUES

These venues are hosting multiple parties throughout the festival. Whether you can get in sometimes depends on who you know, how much you're willing to pay or if you mind waiting in line.

King Street West
TIFF is bringing the festival to the street by closing down King from Peter to University. They've pulled out all the stops for this 4-day event (September 10th-13th), bringing live music, food trucks and much more out onto the road. The best part? It's completely free.

The Gladstone Hotel
On September 14th and 15th The Gladstone will be bustling with up-and-coming Canadian musical talent for The Canadian Music Café, an invite only event. Over 2 days Attica Riots, Jeen, Scott Helman, and more will be performing for media, TV, and music professionals.

Adelaide Hall
The premiere music event of TIFF, Festival Music House, is back for its 6th year from September 13th and 14th for 2 days of music and mingling. Harrison, Barenaked Ladies, and Allie X are among the acts slated to perform. The event is invite only.

The Spoke Club
The Nikki Beach pop-up club returns for another year at TIFF, with the international chain of party venues bringing splashy white decor and a whole lot of palm fronds to the Spoke Club between September 10-13. To make reservations, check out their website (it's an eight-person and two-bottle minimum).

Soho House
Though they're being very hush-hush about who will be partying here and when, Soho House is always a safe bet for celebrity-spotting (from the outside, obviously; the guest list at this member's-only club is strictly enforced). A number of pre- and post-premiere parties, hosted by Grey Goose, are set to go down at the Adelaide St. club.

The Thompson Hotel
The rooftop of the Thompson is being transformed into Bungalow 8, a pop-up club, for 2 nights of VIP partying. Expect the space to be crawling with the who's who of TIFF-goers on September 12th and 13th. Security is tight, so don't expect to get in without an invite.

Hotel Le Germain
On September 11th, 13th and 15th the Mercer St. Hotel Le Germain will be hosting parties in the lounge in celebration of French films at TIFF. These soirées are guest list only - so you'll need an invite or connection to get in.

SEPTEMBER 9

Annual TIFF Soirée
One day before the film fest gets underway, the TIFF Bell Lightbox will be filled to the brim with celebs for the annual kickoff party. This year Natalie Portman will grace the stage to discuss her career, followed by a cocktail party with mingling and musical performances. This is an invite-only event.

AMBI Gala
The AMBI group is hosting a star-studded gala in support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which works to address environmental issues. The event will bring guests to the Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville to see Diana Ross Perform. Those in attendance can expect to see celebs like James Franco and Heidi Klum. Individual tickets will put you back $2500.

Canadian Filmmakers' Party
This members and invite-only event at The Spoke Club, held in partnership with etalk and The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, brings together the best and brightest talent involved in Canadian Film and Television. Who's attending? Ben Mulroney, Zoie Palmer, Jason Priestley, and more.

SEPTEMBER 10

Mongrel House Opening Night Party
With more than a few films showing at TIFF - 19 to be exact - Mongrel Media is looking to celebrate. On opening night they'll be throwing and exclusive, invite-only bash with the who's who of TIFF attendees on the guest list at the Campbell House.

Drake House Party
The list of invite-only soirées grossly outweighs those that the average Torontonian can attend. However, if you don't find yourself on any star-studded guest list, The Drake has got you covered. It has partnered with Absolut to throw a building-wide event with tons of live music, manicures by Pinky's Nails, and tattoos by Speakeasy. A bonus: there will be 4am last call and cover is only $10.

TIFF Opening Night: Grolsch Open House Afterparty
This free event will have you celebrating at back to back parties. Head to the York Street Parkette from 7-10 pm for live music, art, food and drinks. Once that's wrapped up move inside the Drake One Fifty for an afterparty with DJs, drinks, and the much needed 4am last call.

Demolition Premiere Cast Dinner
If you're looking to spot some stars, hang around Patria the evening of the 10th. Past TIFF parties here have seen the likes of Melissa McCarthy, Bill Murray and Kristin Wiig. Security here will be air tight, so don't expect to be dining on Spanish seafood two tables away from expected guests Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts.

SEPTEMBER 11

The Producers Ball
The Royal Ontario Museum will be filled with the industry elite to celebrate - you guessed it - producers. The Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott, will be hosting the event and many celebs are expected to be in attendance. The ball is private, but there's no harm trying to schmooze your way in.

SEPTEMBER 12

Men of Characters TIFF Industry Party
Men of Characters is celebrating the completed production of Hunter's Moon and is throwing a bash at Michael's on Simcoe to celebrate. VIP guests include Ari Millen, Jon Car, Katie Boland, and Paul Mason. This event is invite only.

UNIFRANCE Party
UNIFRANCE is hosting an exclusive cocktail party at The Fifth Social Club in celebration of the top French Filmmakers and talent at TIFF. The event is private and by invite only, so don't expect to rub shoulders with film elite if you aren't on the guest list.

Trumbo Premiere Cocktail
This chic cocktail party, hosted by the Hudson's Bay Company, will bring bigwigs to the Entertainment District for an invite-only, 40's themed bash. If you manage to figure out the party's top secret whereabouts, you may be able to catch Bryan Cranston, Dame Helen Mirren, John Goodman, Diane Lane, or Elle Fanning as they exit.

SEPTEMBER 13

The Canada Party at TIFF 2015
This bash, held at The Fifth Social Club, will have you reveling in all things Canuck. There will be Dj's, Canadian fare, and plenty of craft beer. Best of all there's no VIP section, so guests can mingle with the bevy of Canadian filmmakers and actors in attendance. Unfortunately, it's invite only.

Highrise Premiere Celebration
There will be a star-studded British invasion at Byblos on September 13th, hosted by CEO of the Gansevoort Hotel Group, Michael Achenbaum. If you hang around outside, you may be able to have an "impromptu" meeting with Tom Hiddleston, Sienna Miller, or Jeremy Irons.

Born to Be Blue Premiere Bash
Men's FASHION Magazine will bring big actors like Ethan Hawke, Callum Keith Rennie and Katie Boland to The Citizen. The evening's soundtrack will be provided by the band featured in the film, so expect more than a little bit of dancing to go down. As per usual, you won't be able to get into the bash unless you've managed to get a coveted spot on the guest list.

Artists for Peace and Justice Festival Gala
Back for its 4th year, the APJ Festival Gala will bring philanthropists, businesspeople, film stars, directors, musicians, and artists to Casa Loma for cocktails and fundraising. Though this event isn't 100% TIFF related, the gala always happens during the festival. To attend you'll have to earn a spot on the guest list by doing some serious last-minute networking.

Canadian Film Centre Annual BBQ
The annual CFC BBQ celebrates alumni achievements and raises funds for the organization. Unfortunately, this is not your average community hamburger-flipping event, so you'll have to be on the guest list to get in. If you do, expect to find a ton of celebs, media professionals, and film buffs snacking on BBQ fare.

Equals Premiere Party
Come September 13th, expect Maison Mercer to be buzzing with Hollywood hotshots like Kristen Stewart, Nicholas Hoult and Guy Pierce. Like most cast parties, the bash is extremely exclusive - so unless you're one of the lucky few on the guest list, you'll have to wait on the sidewalk to see any celebs.

SEPTEMBER 15

Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year's Women in Film
World-renowned jewelry retailer Birks is hosting their 4th annual Women in Film bash at the Shangri-La Hotel. Among the 2015 honourees are Catherine O'Hara, Sophie Deraspe, and Ingrid Veninger. This is a private event, but for those who like to do a little star-spotting there will be a fanzone where non-famous cinema-lovers can get a glimpse of the stars.

Studio District Film Party
This invite-only party, hosted by ACTRA Toronto and HangLoose Media, will bring guests and press to Toronto's studio district for a night of entertainment. What's on tap? Aerialists pouring champagne from above the crowd, a live orchestra, DJ, and more.

Canadian Cinema Editor's Party
CCE members will gather in The Gladstone Hotel ballroom for a party featuring cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and rock n' roll music. Attendees will have the chance to win prizes from Avid Technology and Blackmagic Design. This is a private event.

With contributions from Natalia Manzocco.

Did we miss any TIFF parties? Add them to the comments.

Toronto always feels a little more glamorous during TIFF thanks to the flock of movie stars who descend upon our city - even the TTC is becoming glitzier. That's because two TTC execs star in their own film to explain the service changes happening this weekend thanks to the upcoming Festival Street fair.

Executive director of corporate communications Brad Ross and CEO Andy Byford suit up in front of Roy Thomson Hall - the site of numerous TIFF galas - to clarify how the upcoming King Street West road closure will affect TTC riders.

Festival Street runs from University to Peter on September 10-13. By using animations, Byford describes how the eastbound 504 streetcar will turn back at University while the westbound one will stop at Bathurst before heading north up to Bathurst Station. Along with the streetcar, buses will be running throughout the day and not just at rush hour, he says.

Watch the full video and learn about all of the service disruptions below.

More info on the service changes available via the TTC web site.

The best pide in Toronto are plentiful on the menus at Turkish restaurants and take-out pizza joints. Expect flavourful pies formed from thin dough folded around minced meat and soft eggs, spinach and feta or mozzarella and pastrami, bold spices, and fresh herbs.

Here are the best pide in Toronto.

Eat, sleep, rave, repeat isn't just a single by Fatboy Slim and Riva Starr any longer; it's a mantra that can become part of bona fide healthy lifestyle thanks to the influx of early-morning alcohol and drug-free raves popping up around the world, including in Toronto.

The London, U.K.-based Morning Gloryville is said to have fuelled this neon-filled fitness craze back in 2013. After expanding to big cities in Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, it'll finally make its way to Toronto on Tuesday, September 23.

Why get up at 6:30am to start dancing? The Morning Gloryville event, which will set you back around $25, promises free massages, yoga as well as smoothies, raw cacao and of course, coffee. DJ Dirty Decibels will provide the music.

Morning Gloryville will host its inaugural Toronto event at the Holy Trinity Church near Yonge and Dundas. But, this isn't the first pre-dawn rave in Toronto. In January, Brek-Fest held one at Wu Xing Studio and BreakfastClub throws monthly yoga dance parties at The Hoxton -- the next one is also scheduled for September 23.

Would you attend a pre-work, sober rave? And is it a travesty to refer events likes these as "raves?" Let us know in the comments.

Photo via Morning Gloryville