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Road closures in Toronto: September 12-13, 2015

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road closures torontoRoad closures in Toronto for the weekend of September 12 and 13 rounds up the key transportation shut-downs affecting the city, including street and TTC closures.

KEY ROAD CLOSURES IN TORONTO

King: Spadina-University. TIFF's Festival Street closes down King Street to traffic from 5 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, to 5 a.m. on Monday, September 14.

Bloor: Prince Edward Dr. N.-Montgomery. Closed from Friday, September 11 at noon to Sunday, September 13 at 11 p.m. for Taste of the Kingsway. A series of full and partial road closures will also take place in the surrounding area to accommodate this event.

Rosedale Valley Road: Park Road-Bayview, Queen's Park: College-Wellesley.Due to the Festival of Praise, the road will be closed in both directions on Saturday, September 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The dispersal area for the parade will result in the closure of the northbound lanes of Queen's Park Crescent from College Street to Wellesley Street from 2 to 5 p.m.

Parliament: Gerrard-Wellesley, Carlton: Parliament-Berkeley. Closed in both directions from Saturday, September 12 at 6 a.m. to Sunday, September 13 at 9 p.m. to accommodate the Cabbagetown Festival.

Bloor: Montrose-Dufferin. Closed to traffic on Sunday, September 13 from 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. during the Bloorcourt Arts and Crafts Fair.

Various roads in the Davenport, University Avenue/Queen's Park/Avenue Road, Dundas, and Bay area. The Bang and Olufsen Yorkville 5K Charity Fun Run/Walk and the Canadian 5K Road Race Championship will require the closure of various roads on Sunday, September 13 from 8 a.m. to noon.

TTC CLOSURES

Line 3: Kennedy-McCowan. There will be no train service running on Line 3 on September 12 to 13 and September 26 to 27, 2015 due to track work. Replacement buses will be stopping at all stations. Read more.

504 King: York--Bathurst. Because of TIFF's Festival Street on King, the 504 streetcar, 504 bus, and 304 night service route will be split into east and west sections from September 10 at 2 a.m. to September 14 at 4 a.m. Full details of the diversions are available on the TTC website or via this video.

ONGOING CLOSURES

Over and above the special closures this weekend, construction projects across Toronto result in numerous other road restrictions across the city. For a comprehensive list of such closures, you can consult the official map maintained by the City of Toronto (also available as a PDF.)

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman. Photo by Ben Roffelsen in the blogTO Flickr pool.


The Best Sushi Takeout in Toronto

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sushi torontoThe best sushi takeout in Toronto are places that know how to prepare and package raw fish for take home consumption. While many of these restaurants will happily serve you on-premises, some are so tiny that it's clear having customers dine-in was never their intention.

Here are the best restaurants for sushi takeout in Toronto.

Posted by Darren "DKLo" Susilo. He hangs out on the twitter and his own mansion. Top photo from Sushi Nomi.

Toronto bar wants you to leave your phone at home

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bar no phoneIf you're tired of feeling alone in a crowded bar while those around Tinder, Instagram and tweet away, you should probably check out Take It Offline, a device-free event happening soon in Toronto.

Track & Field Bar, the College Street bar that lets you indulge your inner octogenarian with games of shuffleboard and bocce ball, will be home to a no-phones-allowed night on September 24. Tickets are currently available for $10.

"The biggest motivator was the realization that cellphones have become our social security blanket," writes Amanda Kwok via email. She's organizing the event with friend Kate Jaczko.

Kwok notes that according to a Harris/Decima poll for CIBC, the average 25 to 34-year-old Canadian checks their phone more than seven times per hour. The two women were startled by this stat and wanted to do something about it.

While breaking the smartphone habit may challenging, what better way to unplug than with a round of drinks and lawn games? Alongside those Track & Field staples, Take It Offline will entertain you with a magician, a bracelet making station and a communal art mural. If you decide to go, don't forget to leave your phone at home or alternatively, check it at the door.

Would you attend the Take It Offline event? Let us know in the comments.

The top 30 late night eats for students in Toronto

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late night eats for students torontoWhen it comes to eating out after last call, or refuelling midway through an all night study session, students in Toronto are spoiled for choice (especially those in the downtown core). Almost any type of cuisine can be readily had, so if you choose, you can entirely pass on fast foods and dine on dumplings, doner, or big BBQ sandwiches.

Here are my picks for the top late night eats by campus in Toronto.

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Poutineville or Smoke's Poutinerie
Open until 4am on Friday and Saturday nights, these poutine-centric spots will serve you fries, curds and gravy well past bedtime. Smoke's on Spadina also offers an array of hot dogs.

Rol San
Shao mai dumplings at 2am? Yes please! This modest restaurant on Spadina is a staple of downtown late-night dining, and you'll find it full of fellow students and other hungry patrons at almost all hours of the day.

Sarah's Shawarma or Ghazale
These two sources for pita wraps slathered in garlic sauce operate late; Sarah's goes until 3am Thursday to Saturday, while Ghazale keeps the shawarma spinning until 3:30am if not later.

Pizza Gigi
It's true you could hit Cora or Papa Ceo for a late night slice, though I'd argue that it's worth the extra walk to Pizza Gigi if you can muster it.

Owl of Minerva
Order cheap and delicious Korean comfort foods 24 hours a day in Koreatown from this wise owl. The pork bone soup is highly regarded while kimchi-laced specialties like spicy rice cakes are popular too.

Let's Be Frank
The kitchen is open until 3am on Friday and Saturday, and while hotdogs might be the main draw, the menu is rounded out with options like sloppy joes, wings, and fried chicken.

OCAD

Fancy Pig
Big BBQ sandwiches for $7 until 3am on weekends make this walk-up window a desirable destination to fill up in Kensington Market.

Otto's Berlin Doner
Open until 3:30 am on weekends, this quick service sandwich shop deals in triangular sandwiches stuffed with shaved meat and currywurst featuring a sausage and fries doused in curry sauce and served with a side of aioli.

Taste of China
This popular late night spot in Chinatown has some really stellar sizzling seafood dishes and an excellent Deep-fried tofu dish doused in garlic and chilli peppers.

Cafe Crepe
Open on weekends until 1am, this is a sweet si-down spot for desserts and savoury galettes.

Bandidos Burritos
File into this tiny lower lever take-out shop to get yourself a massive burrito until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Mr. Burrito
Open until 4am on weekends, this take out shop double majors in Tex-Mex and Middle Eastern delights. For the ultimate mash-up try the falafel burrito.

RYERSON

Big Slice
Grab a slice from this pizza shop on Yonge which has been a late-night student staple longer than most students have been alive. Open until 5am.

Lou Dawg's
The location on Gerrard is home to smokehouse house sandwiches and over-loaded poutine until 4am on weekends.

Hong Shing
You'll find this Chinese restaurant on Dundas just as busy after hours as it is at lunch. While the food is consistent, the crowd transitions from office workers to students and clubbers late at night. The Cantonese chow mein is a must!

Fran's
This old school diner is a reliable source for 24-hour eats including bacon and eggs, burgers, club sandwiches, and roasted chicken dinners.

Denny's
Open around the clock, this outpost of the American chain will serve you breakfast or burgers no matter the time of day.

7 West
Open 24/7, this cozy cafe has students covered when craving comfort foods like pita pizzas, pasta or sandwiches.

Pita Land
Stuff yourself full of samosas or shawarma at this take out spot on Gerrard.

YORK UNIVERSITY

Falafel Hut Village
This Middle Eastern grill in York Lanes is a best bet when hunger pangs strike before 2am (most nights). Fill up on falafel and shawarma without ever setting foot off campus.

Shopsy's Sports Grill
Also in York Lanes, this deli caters to late night cravings until 2am on Thursdays exclusively (otherwise no later than 11pm). The menu bills smoked meat sandwiches, burgers, and beer.

Hoops
The sports bar and grill is open until 2am, 365 days a year. The location on Keele is off campus, but close enough that students can still stumble back to the dorms by foot after a few pints and some hot wings.

York U students with access to a car, might find this collection of 24 hour restaurants north of the 401 serves as an excellent resource.

GEORGE BROWN

Triple A Bar
The Texas style BBQ joint on Adelaide Street East is mere minutes away from the St. James Campus on foot. Open until 2am nightly, it's a solid spot to devour pulled pork sandwiches and rich bowls of chili.

Betty's
The late night snack menu includes pizza and pub foods (like poutine, nachos and sausage rolls) right up until last call.

120 Diner
Tuna melts, meatloaf and mashed potato dinners, and nachos can all be yours up until 4am on weekends at this diner on Church Street. The place is less than 10 minutes away from St. James Campus.

C'est What
The menu of beer-friendly comfort foods at this Front St. pub is served until 1:30am on Fridays and Saturdays. House specialties include goat roti, lamb burgers, and a tandoori chicken sandwich.

HUMBER

Steak Queen
About a 15 minute drive from the North Campus, this 24 hour diner doesn't promise anything fancy, but when you're looking for all day breakfast or souvlaki dinners late a night it'll likely hit the spot.

FBI Pizza
For students in the vicinity of Humber's Lakeshore campus, this pizzeria is open on Fridays and Saturdays until 2am. While the full sized pies can be pricey, the pizzettes are wallet friendly and the menu has some variety so you can switch up your order for hoagies and salads when the mood strikes.

What did I miss? Add more late night eat options to the comments.

Statement regarding online threats against women at UofT

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It has been reported that the University of Toronto is increasing campus security after becoming aware of anonymous online threats that were made on September 5 2015. I can confirm that two such comments were made on this site and that we have provided information to local law enforcement regarding the matter.

Since we have received a number of inquiries about these comments I have included additional information below that may be helpful for those wanting to learn more about our actions and involvement with this ongoing investigation.

What do you know about the person who made the threatening comments?

Our commenting system is able to capture commenter IP addresses. Commenters are also asked to provide a name and email address although this information is unverified. We have provided all information available to local law enforcement to assist them with their investigation into this matter.

When were the comments posted and removed?

The comments were posted on September 5 2015 and removed by our moderator as soon as we became aware of their existence.

What is your current involvement in this investigation?

We have provided information to local law enforcement that may be useful in their investigation. We remain available to assist in any way if and when requested.

How can we contact you for more information?

You can contact me directly at tim [at] blogto [dotcom]

Mississauga wants no part of a Toronto Olympic bid

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toronto olympicsToronto has until Tuesday to decide if it's going to bid for the 2024 Olympics. While it's unclear yet whether our city will actually vie to host the summer games, one part of the GTA wants nothing to do with them.

According to a the Toronto Star, Mississauga will not support Toronto if it bids for the Olympics due to cost-related concerns as well as a lack of support from constituents.

While numerous Pan Am events took place in Mississauga's Hershey Centre, the city wasn't a prominent part of the summer-long games. The Star notes that many Mississauga councillors believe the cost of a bid far exceeds any possible perks for their city.

Earlier this month, Toronto Mayor John Tory said that he'd want the private sector to cover the bid, which could run between $50-$60 million. The city's budget committee is concerned about this cost and doesn't want to compete for host-city status.

And just yesterday, Ward 2 councillor Rob Ford spoke out against a potential bid, saying the Olympics are a "bottomless black hole," according to a CBC report.

Do you think Toronto will end up bidding for the 2024 Olympics? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by GeneralPictures in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Public art installation brings cinema to Festival Street

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Pleasure domeAmidst the frenzy that accompanies TIFF red carpets and screenings, it's difficult to find a serene spot on the wonderfully chaotic Festival Street. One art installation, however, lets audiences interact with film in a unique and intimate manner.

The Situated Cinema Project; in camera, commissioned by Toronto media arts groups Pleasure Dome, is described as an exploration of film and architecture. Curated by Solomon Nagler, it lets passersby view the 16 mm film pilgrimage - created by Nagler and Alexandre Larose - through a box-like structure designed by architects Thomas Evans and Jonathan Mandeville of Passage Studio.

"I think really, the idea is to try to bring a kind of contained cinema space to an urban environment and show films in that context," says Evans.

Rather than watching a movie in silence, viewers can hear the city unfolding around them. Apertures on the outside of the installation allow those nearby to peek inside, playing with the notion of watching and conversely, being watched. As the transient cinema moves from location to location throughout TIFF, the creators imagine audiences interacting with it in different ways.

The Situated Cinema Project will remain at King and Peter until Sunday. Since it's a mobile micro-cinema, it'll pick up and move to Chinatown's 8-11 Gallery from September 14-16. Afterward, it'll end up at Artscape Youngplace where it'll remain until the end of the festival on September 20.

19 highlights from the opening day & night at TIFF 2015

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tiff 2015The 40th annual Toronto International Film Fest got underway last night with a screening of Jake Gyllenhaal's Demolition and Michael Moore's Where to Invade Next. It was also the launch of Festival Street on King West and TIFF parties galore.

Check out all the highlights in this photo gallery.


The top 10 places to propose in Toronto

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propose torontoThe top places to propose in Toronto are each extraordinarily romantic in their own unique way. Whether you're looking to woo your beloved with sweeping views of the skyline, or want to harken back to the moment when you initially fell in love over a candle-lit dinner, all of these spots will provide the perfect backdrop for whenever you decide to pop the question.

Here at my picks for the top places to propose in Toronto.

For book lovers: The Arthur Conan Doyle Read Room
There's nothing cozier than curling up and cuddling with a good book and a cup of tea. Voracious readers and Sherlock Holmes fans, keep your significant other guessing as you venture to this intimate reading room in the Toronto Reference Library.

For Leafs fans: Maple Leaf Gardens/Mattamy Athletic Centre
You may not be able to get ice time at the ACC, but you can definitely skate around at the historic Maple Leaf Gardens in what's now Ryerson University's Mattamy Athletic Centre. A proposal at centre ice sounds just about right.

For nature lovers: Glen Stewart Ravine
This oasis near the Upper Beaches provides plenty of privacy and beautiful scenery thanks to the flora and fauna that call this 11-hectare ravine home. Take a stroll here and you'll soon forget you're in one of the largest cities in North America.

For Italian movie lovers: A gondola ride at the Toronto Islands
Difficult as it may be, pretend you're in the dreamy city of Venice as you take your soon-to-be-fiance on a magic gondola ride by the Toronto Island.

For art lovers: inside the Richard Serra Spheres
This installation located at Pearson Airport's Terminal 1 provides a private haven inside the country's busiest airport. Along with satisfying art lovers, the Richard Serra Sphere is also an ideal spot for those who love to travel together.

For the running enthusiast: the Beltline Trail
Surprise your partner by getting down on one knee in the middle of your couple's run. Pick a spot covered by a canopy of trees and you'll quickly feel like you're in your own fitness-themed fairy-tale.

For an old-Hollywood vibe: the Royal York Hotel
The lobby at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel is sumptuously ornate, which is appropriate considering the building dates back to 1929. Imbue your proposal with cinematic romance and then head to the Library Bar to celebrate your engagement.

For design lovers: Aga Khan Park
The beautifully landscaped park adjacent to the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre is a serene space filled with more than 1,000 trees and a calming reflecting pool. Get out of the downtown core and propose in the peaceful setting.

For an unbeatable skyline view: Toronto Heli Tours
There's plenty of places in Toronto offering spectacular views of the skyline. But why not take it up a notch, literally? While a private helicopter tour will set you back a minimum of $274, the memory of a proposal in the sky would be priceless.

For food lovers: Edulis Restaurant
If you can manage to snag a reservation at this tiny Niagara St. restaurant, treat your S.O. to a multi-course meal filled with fresh, seasonal ingredients before popping the question.

livia diamondsThanks to Livia Diamonds for sponsoring this post. For Custom Engagement Rings in Downtown Toronto visit Livia Diamonds.

Which proposal spots did I miss? Add them to the comments.

Photo of Aga Khan Park by Janet Kimran.

Toronto startup wants to reinvent flower delivery

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flower delivery torontoIt's already easy to order food online in Toronto thanks to numerous services that'll bring you take-out meals right to your door. Now, a new company will do the same with flowers, delivering colourful bouquets in under two hours - soon there'll be no excuse for forgetting your significant other's birthday.

Tonic Blooms launched earlier this year and it currently operates downtown, in a area bordered by St. Clair, Roncesvalles, the DVP and Lake Ontario. The company, founded by best friends Michael Smaye and Raphi Aronowicz, has also popped up at the Front Street Foods market. And starting Monday, it'll expand northward to offer its service up to Eglinton between Mount Pleasant and Dufferin.

The two "childhood besties" were inspired to start their company after Aronowicz ordered a birthday bouquet for his girlfriend. "The flowers never showed up!" Smaye says via email of his friend's negative experience. "He dug a little deeper and it was quickly realized that a faceless organization can be very frustrating - that right there was the a-ha moment," he continues.

Before launching the Tonic Blooms website, Smaye would receive orders via text and he handled the deliveries himself. Now the two business partners employ bike couriers. But, as their venture grows, they still want to be personable and transparent - many larger Canadian and American flower companies have received mixed reviews in recent years.

All of Tonic Blooms' flowers are locally grown and seasonal bouquets start at $39, with the most expensive ones going for $49. Smaye and Aronowicz named each one after an important women in their lives. The "Orly," for instance includes wildflowers, the "Sandra" is made up of bright yellow sunflowers and the "Miriam" is filled with pink floyd roses and solidago. Each floral bundle comes wrapped in denim and twine.

With Rosh Hashanah starting this weekend and Thanksgiving just around the corner, you'll soon be able to send the seasonal "Lynda" bouquet as well as succulents.

What do you think of this new flower delivery service? Let us know in the comments.

Now you can watch TIFF 2015 movies from your home

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tiff 2015Ever wished you could avoid the TIFF crowds and traffic, and instead just watch the festival's films in the comfort of your own home? Well, this year the festival is making that possible.

For the first time ever, TIFF is making some of its short films available to stream online through an initiative called Short Cuts Remix. For 24-hours on September 16th, no matter where you are, you can log-in to watch a curated list of nine shorts films that are playing at the festival this year.

The included shorts are: Boxing, The Ballad of Immortal Joe, Deszcz (Rain), Kokom, Dream the Other, Bacon & God's Wrath, El Adios, The Call and That Dog.

There will also be an exclusive roundtable Q&A with all the directors of the film as well.

Admittedly, if you were hoping to have the chance to see bigger films like The Martian or Where to Invade Next, Short Cuts Remix might seem like a bit of a letdown. But shorts films deserve love too. What's more, TIFF is calling this an experiment, so if it proves successful for them it could mean the festival might one day allow you to stream feature films too.

In the mean time, tickets for Short Cuts Remix are currently on sale for $10 over at Vimeo, but you'll want to get them quick as there are only 500 slots available.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @alxhuls for all the latest on TIFF 15, including snap reviews

Film still from That Dog.

5 places to kill a hangover near Ryerson

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hangover ryersonIf there's one thing you're sure to learn in University, it's how to get rid of a gnarly hangover. Post-secondary partying tends to hit your body hard, so it's imperative that you know where to go the morning after mastering a keg stand. Whether you want to shake your bad decisions with a work out or drown them in a plate of eggs and bacon, we've got you covered.

Here's where to go when Extra Strength Tylenol and leftover KD just aren't doing the trick.

Hair of The Dog
If you live near or on campus, there's a chance you left Church Street mere hours before your hangover hit. Well, there's no shame in heading back to treat your morning after maladies with the hair of the dog that bit you (literally). As most students are well aware, this spot is a one-stop-shop for hangover cures. They serve up good Caesars and plenty of carb-heavy brunch items.

Fuel Plus
So you spent your night throwing back shots of tequila? Opt for a beverage at the opposite end of the health spectrum if the morning after isn't treating you so well. A detoxifying, immune-boosting cold pressed blend from Fuel Plus has everything you need to return to the land of the living. Alternately, if you can't stomach a full meal, try one of their protein shakes.

Bulldog Coffee
A surefire way to shake a hangover is by getting some caffeine into your system. Unfortunately, that requires leaving your nest of duvets and pillows and travelling out into the world. Luckily, Ryerson is close to Bulldog Coffee. Most beverages ring in under $5, making it more affordable than a grande PSL at Starbucks.

Mattamy Athletic Centre
The most brutal of hangovers can have you out of commission for the entire day, but if you can muster up the strength to leave your dorm, why not try to do your body some good? Head to the Mattamy Athletic Centre and work on your fitness - remember, training for a real marathon is more productive than a Netflix marathon (albeit not always as fun).

The Senator
Everyone that's ever been burned by booze knows that there's nothing better than combatting its ill effects with a massive plate of carbs. The Senator, only steps from campus, serves up greasy-spoon favourites at a reasonable price (the full breakfast rings in under $10). Plus, the non-threatening diner atmosphere will make you feel at home, even in sweatpants.

What did I miss? Add your go-to hangover spot to the comments.

Photo of Bulldog Coffee by Jesse Milns.

New coffee shop is a rustic haven for caffeine fiends

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krave coffeeTaking over what was once a Vietnamese pho restaurant, this indie cafe is an antique-lover's dream. It's filled with vintage coffee ads, crates from Ontario apple orchards and even lights made from old farmhouse chicken feeders. With different options for espresso, drip and pour-overs plus a nice side patio, this spot is sure to become a regular hangout for locals.

Check out my profile of Krave Coffee in the cafes section.

The top 5 Oktoberfest events in Toronto for 2015

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oktoberfest torontoOktoberfest events in Toronto are popping up at venues across the city. Beer halls and breweries are pulling out all the stops in an effort to transform Toronto into Munich for a few sweet days of celebration. So dust off your dirndl or lederhosen because it's time to drink.

Here are my picks for where to celebrate Oktoberfest in Toronto in 2015.

Toronto Oktoberfest (September 18-19)
Toronto's biggest Oktoberfest party will be taking over Ontario Place for two days of German-inspired fun. The aim is to be as authentic as possible, so you'll find plenty of Bavarian fare, German and European biers, lederhosen-clad guests and entertainment. Over three thousand people have RSVP'd to the Facebook event, so you'll be in good company. Joining the party will cost you $25.

Steam Whistle Oktoberfest Party (September 19)
Get ready for a day of stein hoisting, keg tapping and German dancing celebrations when the event hits Steam Whistle Brewery. Complete with all the Oktoberfest fixings, you'll find authentic German eats, traditional German dancers, and entertainment by Oktoberfest King George Kash. If you buy your ticket in advance, you'll get $5 off the $30 admission price.

Mill St. Beer Hall Oktoberfest Party (September 26)
The ideal place to celebrate Oktoberfest - if you can't get yourself to Munich - is a Beer Hall, and Mill St. has just that. On September 26th you'll find the brewery filled with guests sipping Mill St. brews from steins and getting their fill of Bavarian fare. In true Oktoberfest fashion there will also be live music and German-themed entertainment on tap for the evening. A ticket will put you back $30.

Oktoberfest 2015 at Amsterdam BrewHaus (October 2-3)
Head to Amsterdam Brewery on the first weekend in October for some seriously German celebrations. On the menu is traditional eats like schnitzel, sausages, pretzel necklaces, and - of course - Amsterdam brews. If that's not enough to draw you in, there will also a live band playing traditional German music. You can reserve your spot now.

OktoberFEAST at the Berkeley Church (October 8)
Celebrate Oktoberfest while doing some good. OktoberFEAST will bring Canadian Cancer Society, craft brewers, wineries and gourmet food vendors together for one entertainment-packed evening. Instead of sticking to a strictly German menu, the fest has opted to include food vendors of all types. Expect to find fare from Cheesewerks, Barque, Thoroughbred, and more. Tickets run for $40.

What did I miss? Add more Oktoberfest events to the comments.

Photo by Mandeep Flora in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Toronto poets to go head-to-head in haiku battle

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haiku torontoThe Toronto Poetry Project holds bi-weekly spoken word events at The Drake Underground. But once a year, the group dedicates a night solely to haiku, pitting the city's top poets against each other in a theatrical battle royale.

Organizer Dave Silverberg saw his first head-to-head haiku battle at the National Poetry Slam competition in the States. "I thought, we definitely have to have this in Canada," he says, especially since there's lots of support for performance poetry in Toronto.

Each year, a handful of haiku poets compete in a round-robin-style tournament. Contestants must prepare around 30 poems and three judges determine the winner in each round. When a poets gets out, they must "die" and the host - this year it's Cynthia Gould - helps kill them in a dramatic pantomime fashion.

Currently in its fifth iteration, the annual haiku head-to-head battle will go down at the Supermarket in Kensington Market on September 22.


Epic new Toronto ice cream shop sets Instagram aglow

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sweet jesusIt's finally here - Sweet Jesus opened yesterday near John and King St. West in a nook between Union Juice and the soon to open third location of La Carnita. The ice cream shop is all about over-the-top, indulgent soft serve with toppings almost too creative to dream up.

Naturally, those who have already stopped by couldn't resist posting pics of some of the crazy creations to Instagram. Which one are you gonna get?

s'more soft serve #icecream

A photo posted by Carmen Chan (@carmenchan131) on

Things to do this wknd: 1) aquire @sweetjesus4life cone 2) eat it

A photo posted by Maria Pielarska (@evapie) on

Will likely try all of them before the end of the month. #phoneeatsfirst

A photo posted by victoria valente (@veekayvalentae) on

The Elvis feat. Banana soft serve, PB drizzle and candied bacon @sweetjesus4life #toronto #foodporn #sugarhigh

A photo posted by Liora Ipsum (@lioraipsum) on

Top photo of the lemon coconut cream pie soft serve.

New bakery makes croissant cinnamon bun hybrid

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Fantail TorontoThis bakery and cafe makes some seriously delicious and creative treats including a croissant cinnamon bun hybrid dubbed the Cinnful bun. Along with sandwiches, cortados and peach and caramel cheesecake there's a lot to like here - and plenty of space to sit and savour it.

Read my profile of Fantail in the bakery section.

The top 5 free events in Toronto: September 14-20 2015

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free events torontoFree events this week in Toronto will have you taking a break from TIFF celebrations. Skip spending a day at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in favour of street fests when the weekend hits. If you're not feeling up to braving the crowds at The Polish Festival, there's two much anticipated art events, where you can browse to your hearts content.

Here's a round-up of ways to save your money in Toronto this week.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (September 18-20)
The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (TOAE) at Nathan Phillips square hosts a huge gathering of artists offering hand-made originals to an expected 100,000 visitors attending the exhibition every year. The art isn't free (of course) but it's free to browse and admire the works of local talent.

Manifesto Festival: Live at The Square (September 19)
The Manifesto Festival will bring a host of entertainers and vendors to Dundas Square on September 19th. Expect a musical line up overflowing with Canadian talent, featuring artists like Pluto, Airplane Boys, John River, and many more.

Toronto Ukranian Fest (September 19-20)
This is North America's largest Ukranian street festival. It started as a small gathering in 1995, offering the chance to sample the best in Ukranian food, music and dance, and now, it draws in about 500,000 visitors. This year's festival runs from September 18th to 20th on Bloor St. W.

Danforth East Arts Fair (September 19-20)
The Danforth East Arts Fair at East Lynn Park offers tons of great food and other pop-up entertainers that help to set the mood.

Polish Festival (September 19-20)
Roncesvalles knows what's up when it comes to food and celebrations. Enjoy the Polish folklore, polka bands, and other live performances and vendors on September 19th and 20th.

Have a free event you'd like to plug? Submit it to our Toronto events calendar using this form.

Photo of the Manifesto Festival.

Brewpub and bottle shop coming to Little Italy

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folly breweryHabits Gastropub in Toronto's Little Italy started its own nano-brewery in January, adding made-in-house beer to its drinks menu. Now, the College Street spot is relaunching as Folly Brewpub to focus more closely on beer.

"We've extended our brewery into the back room and we're rebranding in an effort to highlight that," says co-owner Michelle Genttner. Folly's core beers will include an Old World Spelt Saison, a New World Saison, a Farmhouse IPA and a Farmhouse Dubbel. The brewpub will also offer seasonal varieties.

Prior to opening in late September or early October, Chef and co-owner Luís Martins will update the menu to reflected the renewed focus on beer. Along with selling its products at the brewpub, the Folly also has a manufacturing license enabling to sell off-site. A bottle-shop is in the works for 2016.

Photo via Habits Gastropub on Instagram.

The Princess Bride live-read is a hit in Toronto

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princess bride live readWhat happens when a group of celebrated actors read a script live, on-stage for the very first time? Pure magic? Inconceivable! But that's exactly what happened last night during Jason Reitman's live-read of The Princess Bride, a cult-classic that originally screened at TIFF in 1987.

Thousands packed into the Ryerson Theatre yesterday to hear the movie's screen-play read aloud by an all-star cast that had neither met, nor rehearsed prior to the show. As Reitman introduced the performance, he promised we'd get to see the actors "find it" as they progressed through the show.

Earlier in the week, Reitman disclosed certain casting choices via Twitter including Donald Glover as Vizzini, former NHL-er Georges Laraque as Fessik, a role originated by Andre the Giant. He revealed local actress Rachel McAdams as Princess Buttercup, Gage Munroe as the grandson, Chris O'Dowd as Count Rugen and Gael Garcia Bernal as Spanish swordsman Inigo Montoya.

This left room for numerous surprises, and the crowd went nuts when Reitman brought legend Patrick Stewart to be Prince Humperdinck - he played the villainous royal with glee.

The Princess Bride director Rob Reiner rounded out the cast as the grandfather. With one hole left, Reitman announced Cary Elwes as Westley; yes the British actor reprised his 1987 role.

Reitman read the stage directions and being live theatre, actors fudged their lines - Bernal nearly missed the entire performance thanks to a delayed flight. Meanwhile, Reitman's sister Catherine filled in, garnering huge laughs for her rendition of, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

At one point, Elwes whipped out his phone to take of photo of Stewart who was sitting beside him. And the cast burst into laughter and applause as they delivered line after memorable line, clearly enjoying the performance as much as the audience.

O'Dowd, in town for the Lance Armstrong biopic The Program, seemed to have the most fun putting on ridiculous voices as he played the evil count as well as Miracle Max. McAdams hilariously jumped in as his wife Valerie.

Laroque was an impressive Fessik and Reiner led the audience through the story along with Munroe. When Reiner delivered the final "as you wish," the crowd leapt to its feet, almost begging him to read the story again.

Photo via TIFF on Instagram.

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