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Radar: Toronto Talks, 34th Rhubarb Festival, Jen Mann and Jenal Dolson, Little Terrors, Hayden

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toronto events february 20Toronto events on February 20, 2013

CULTURE | Toronto Talks: The Future of Our City
Torontonians love their city, and are also happy to air their 'grievances' in a heartbeat! Tonight's event at Harbourfront Centre is a great one for those who have a strong opinion about the direction this city is taking, or to simply learn more. Edward Keenan, the senior editor at The Grid, is one of the two hosts for this event. Keenan just published a book, Some Great Idea, and it's all about Toronto, and its maturation into a "global" city. Ivor Tossell, author of The Gift of Ford is also a maven on all things Toronto, and will give some perspective on the city and its future as well. Presenters will include Dave Buchbinder, Mike Labbé, Kristi Herold, and Boris Chan. Tonight's discussion has been labeled as a "participatory event," so it could get interesting!
Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West) 7:30PM $10 (free for members / students / youth)

THEATRE | The 34th Rhubarb Festival
The 34th Annual Rhubarb Festival launches tonight, and will take place over two weeks and see a huge cast of local and visiting artists converge at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre to bring a number of theatrical, musical, and dance performances to life, with a spirit of experimentation and spontaneity playing an important role. Tonight begins with Roynation, a chat with some of the participants contributing to the first week of the festival. This will be followed by a number of short performance pieces, and the evening will conclude with the fest's Kickoff Bash, which will feature a set by TO "queer cock rock" faves Vag Halen, and DJ Vanessa Dunn.
Buddies In Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street) 6:30PM (pwyc / Wed to Sun pass $20)

ART | Opening Reception: Jen Mann "Strange Beauties" and Jenal Dolson "Crows After Shiny Bits of Sun"
Neubacher Gallery hosts an opening reception tonight for a "double exhibition" featuring two emerging Toronto visual artists. Jen Mann's show is called Strange Beauties, and explores our notions of beauty while showing the potential for subversion with a surreal edge. Jenal Dolson's style, which leans more towards landscapes and abstraction, complements Mann's well, and her exhibition, entitled, Crows After Shiny Bits of Sun explores form, excess, and mimicry. Strange Beauties and Crows After Shiny Bits of Sun run at Neubacher Shor Contemporary until March 23rd.
Neubacher Shor Contemporary (5 Brock Avenue) 6PM

FILM | Rue Morgue & Unstable Ground present LITTLE TERRORS - Vol. 16 - Frostbitten
Little Terrors continues tonight, with the aptly named Frostbitten - the sixteenth edition of this monthly showcase of short horror films. Both director Rich Robinson's The Graveyard Feeder, and director Michael Rosenbaum's Fade Into You will premiere this evening, but you can also expect shorts from Evan Morgan, Chris Cullari, John Skipp with Andrew Kasch, Lorcan Finnegan, Jeremy Ball, and others. As usual, the screening will be followed by a Q & A with some of the filmmakers. If you are a horror buff and you haven't checked out this monthly event yet, you now know where you should be tonight!
MLT Carlton Cinema (20 Carlton Street) 9PM

ALSO OF NOTE

Hayden @ The Dakota
EX: HELSYNKI w/ ELK, NATURE BOYS & CHAMPION LOVER
Bill Brown's 1-2-3 Slam February 2013 Edition ft. 2012 Nuyorican Slam Team member Witness

MORE EVENTS THIS WEEK

For more Toronto event suggestions, check out these posts:

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo of Hayden by Vanessa Heins

Morning Brew: Rob Ford at a loss over gun violence, no more shelter beds says Ford, questions over Downsview Park, condo owners kept out, and Toronto sees Hadfield

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toronto beachRob Ford says he doesn't know what else he can do to curb gun violence in the city, admitting he's "frustrated" by the deaths of three 15-year-old boys in a month. The mayor said that while he and his brother regularly volunteer their time, speaking on the issue of youth gun violence at council would be unlikely to have an effect. However, Ford maintained he's open to suggestions. Could the city do more to tackle gun violence in Toronto?

Also at city hall, Ford says he's against adding more shelter beds despite a recent protest outside his office by members of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, a group demanding an emergency meeting on homeless care in the city. OCAP will hold a press conference at today's city council meeting and coun. Adam Vaughan says he'll table a motion on the shelter issue.

More question marks surround the future of Downsview Park, the former air base turned political red tape dispenser. The federally-owned, 231-hectare site was slated to become an sprawling urban park but a change of heart by Public Works and Government Services Canada signaled the site could be sold for development. Not so, the site's custodian tells the Toronto Star. A review of the site is due imminently.

Residents of a Yorkville condo driven out by an electrical room fire on Jan. 30 won't be able to return to their homes for at least another eight weeks. The owners of the property cite difficulties sourcing replacement parts for a damaged generator as the reason for the delay. Emergency funding from the city, which includes a daily $10 lunch voucher and two TTC tokens, has expired for many residents.

A bar in Little Italy played host to a final town hall meeting organized by former mayoral candidate George Smitherman on the topic of an MGM casino complex at Exhibition Place. Coun. Mike Layton spoke against building a major gaming facility anywhere in the city, saying there would be "deep social costs" to any development. Council will vote whether to allow a casino in April.

Finally, the world might be getting used to being in the lens of Commander Chris Hadfield, the Ontario-born astronaut currently aboard the International Space Station, but earlier this month the camera was facing the other way. One of Hadfield's friends, Andrew Yee, snapped this neat timelapse of the Toronto skyline as the ISS streaked above. Around the same time the astronaut took this picture of a gigantic sunset.toronto chris hadfieldIN BRIEF:

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

Image: "Day at the Beach" by DdotG/blogTO Flickr pool.

New in Toronto Music: Njacko Backo, Magneta Lane, Pick a Piper, Tarantula X, Tru Lyrikks

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new toronto musicFind out what's new and hot with our bi-weekly local music roundup.

NJACKO BACKO / ICI BAS, RIEN N'EST IMPOSSIBLE / FEBRUARY 22
"Tu Es Mon Coeur," the first single off of Njacko Bakco's new album Ici Bas, is the theme song for optimism. I almost added that optimism is the best antidote for existentialism, but on further reflection I don't think the two have to be mutually exclusive. After all the "benign indifference of the universe" might as well be filled with optimism; you'll certainly feel better. Man, personally I would love to go see Njacko Backo play for FREE at the Gladstone Melody Bar on Friday but I have to work. But, I'm optimistic that I will have another opportunity.

MAGNETA LANE / WITCH ROCK EP / FEBRUARY 12
A certain friend of mine believes herself to be a witch. She tries to give off the impression that there's a certain silliness in collecting crystals and wearing black all time, but I know that deep down that's all horseshit. I believe she believes that she is a real witch, one with powers so attuned with the earth that their subtle strength is lost to everyone except cats.

It's not my place to weigh in on the reality of this but I will say her curses on me have never come true, unless I've been cursed with the occasional hangnail. I'd dare say that Witch Rock EP by old friends Magneta Lane will be an accompaniment to witches like my friend everywhere. Heck, I even like it and I am certainly not a witch (witches can't grow beards). Stream it now through the CBC.

PICK A PIPER / ALL HER COLOURS (FEAT. JOHN SCHMERSAL)

Gee whiz, this video is FAR OUT! It's full of colour, and I think it may even be about a girl becoming a woman, or vice versa. Or it's just a fucking wicked dream. "All Her Colours" is the first single off of Pick A Pipers' self-titled album to be released April 2nd.

TARANTULA X / EP / FEBRUARY 12

Cool! Really good music to play some mean ass video games to. I just sent this to my friend Josh and it blew his tweeters. Now that's a great endorsement.

TRU LYRIKKS / HORS D'OEUVRES / FEBRUARY 16

I find a lot of lyrics in rap music these days unengaging. Either it's a lot of yuppie thug values, descriptions of parties I would feel out of place at, or cringe-inducing goody-goody political ballyhoo. But this Tru Lyrikks fellow seems to have something to say and can say it with an effortless eloquence. Listen to the whole thing here.

HI THERE: If you have a new hit single, EP, LP, mixtape or video, I'd certainly like to hear it, as I'm sure many others would. So send it/them to me, Eric Boshart, at ericboshart [at] blogto [dotcom].

This Week in Fashion: Square One plans expansion, Etsy Craft-a-Thon, clothing swap, Christopher Bates and Charmain Bertram studio sales

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toronto fashion eventsThis Week in Fashion rounds up the week's style news, store openings and closings, pop-up shops, sales and upcoming fashion and design events in Toronto. Find it here every Wednesday morning.

NEWS

Following in the footsteps of Yorkdale and Vaughan Mills, Square One Shopping Centre is undergoing an $84 million renovation and expansion. The washrooms, entrances, and food court will be reinvented to be modern, and quite frankly a lot less dreary, and 164,000 square feet will be added to accommodate a Target store. A Youtube video on the mall's website shows a walk-through of the future space.

EVENTS/PARTIES

We're already mid-way through the Etsy and Uniiverse Week-Long Craft-a-Thon but it's not too late to dive headfirst into the glorious/creative/rewarding waters of DIY. Join the linocut printing workshop ($25) tonight at 7:30 PM, the origami crane necklace workshop ($20) on Saturday (February 23) at noon, or the floral crown workshop ($20) on Sunday (February 24) at 2 PM.

Tomorrow (February 21) night at 9 PM, Locus 144 (144 - 171 East Liberty St) will play host to poppin' party Quiet Vintage - a multi-faceted (and free!) event showcasing Canadian fashion talent. In addition to $6 beers, a live DJ, and free parking throughout the neighbourhood, guests will be able to browse/bask in the work of various designers, makeup artists, photographers, and hair stylists including Totally Waisted! Corsets and DMG Designz.

From tomorrow (February 21) until March 6, Harry Rosen on Bloor (82 Bloor St W) will be home to an exclusive exhibition of Ralph Lauren's personal photographs. The intimate images - some shot by renowned photographers like Bruce Weber - will give insight into many parts of the designer's life, including his "legendary" car collection.

Streetwear/lifestyle brand Pardon le Dopeness is throwing a party - no doubt bringing their reckless, free, and "everything your mom is scared of" brand to life - this Friday (February 22) at F-stop (420a Wellington St). With music provided by DJ Crunch and DJ Techtwelve, attendance via guest list is mandatory, so RSVP at sheilakhui@gmail.com.

Clothing swaps were all the rage this past summer, so it's about time one's introduced smack-dab in the middle of winter. This Saturday (February 23), drop $8 and all of the clothing and accessories you no longer want to Beaver Hall Gallery (29 McCaul St.) at 11 am, in exchange for a maximum of 30 tickets redeemable for new treasures starting at noon. The goods left over after the event will be donated to local charities - plus, there'll be snacks, DIY tips, and on-site alterations to ensure you have a grand ol' time sifting through the swap.

Head to the Gladstone Hotel Art Bar (1214 Queen St. W.) this Saturday (February 23) between 10am and 5pm for the Fresh Canadian Accessories pop-up, in collaboration with Homegrown Boutique, where you'll find accessories from Varsity Brown, Woudenberg, Felony Case and Fischer Street. Arrive early to score sample and one-of-a-kind pieces, and clothing from designers Zoran Dobric and Homegrown Boutique.

SALES

Five Pop Ups (1695 Bayview Ave) just got a ton of new brands including Pink Tartan, Robert Graham, and Rebecca Taylor - and it's all on sale at up to 80% off for this remaining weekend (February 22 - 24). Plus, all denim - even J Brand and Acne - is priced at just $49, so get up bright and early for the 10 am opening, and stay until your heart desires (unless that's past 6 pm, in which case you'll have to leave because they'd be closing).

Also happening this weekend (February 22 - 24) is Christopher Bates' studio sale, offering both new inventory and sample prototypes from 30% - 60% off. Located at 169 John Street, the studio is bound to be packed with dress shirts, leather jackets, pants, and likely anything else a well-dressed man needs, so be sure to RSVP to Christopher@christopherbates.com for the suite number and buzz code.

Charmain Bertram Collection - an eco-friendly accessories brand focusing on handbags composed of leather, suede, and upholstery - is opening up their studio for the first time to host a party and a sale. From 3 pm to 9 pm on Saturday (February 23), head down to 384 Roncesvalles Avenue to munch on hors d'oeuvres over greats deals on original bags and clothing (from $10 - $250).

Photo courtesy of Pardon Le Dopeness

10 (more) upstart fashion brands in Toronto

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headmistress torontoUpstart fashion brands in Toronto may be small in comparison to well-known names like Smythe and Pink Tartan, but it's underdogs like these that contribute to the city's ever-changing culture - and pave the way for a brighter, more diversified future. Though we've already posted twolists featuring fashion freshmen, even more labels have budded enough to deserve a round of applause. So let's hand it to the little guys; one day they'll be changing the game.

Love Thy Fitteds
Love Thy Fitteds is a streetwear brand that focuses on designing originals for your head. Launched in 2010, they've expanded from fitted hats to beanies as well as five panel caps in far-from-low-key styles like metallic gold and (ironically enough) camouflage print- my personal favourites! With a slogan like "stay above the brim," Torontonians are encouraged to put down their Supreme hats and instead rep a local brand by snatching something off Love Thy Fitteds' website.

minnow bathers torontoMinnow Bathers
Minnow Bathers is your teenage dream if it could manifest itself in swimsuit form. Founded in 2009 and inspired by "rebellion, punk rock, and summer fun," designers Karen Donaldson and Vanessa Warrack take their brand to new heights by attaching a lifestyle (and a particularly nostalgic and sometimes dreamlike one) to it.

Known for their bold prints and high-waisted bottoms, the handcrafted bathers are surprisingly affordable considering how much TLC is put into them, running for about $140 each. Minnow is available at Penny Arcade (1177 Dundas St W) or online through their Etsy store.

Karlt Edwards
Though Karlt Edwards - founded just last May - is one of many new Toronto streetwear brands hitting the scene, the brand has a stand-apart voice. Think Alexander Wang's attention to detail fused with Rick Owens' aesthetic, and then boiled down to the basics. With a penchant for mixed materials and classic urban details, the current line of t-shirts is a bricolage of cotton jersey with real bandana sleeves. Look out for leather inserts juxtaposed in a similar manner in next month's collection, so keep stalking their sole stockist L A B & iD like I do (at all hours of the day).

falconwright torontoFalconwright
Falconwright is the brainchild of Danielle Wright's fine motor skills and Sandi Falconer's bold graphic design aesthetic. Living and working out of Toronto, the duo has managed to enter the industry at a high note in 2012, landing a collaboration with Urban Outfitters.

As for the actual products, Falconwright's leather goods would be considered pretty generic if it weren't for their brightly coloured and sometimes eye-searingly busy prints. Of course, I mean that in the best way possible; their latest lookbook serves as proof that "eye-searing" can be a pleasant adjective. You can find a decent selection of their pieces at Robber (863 Queen St W) and Kid Icarus (205 Augusta Ave).

El Capitano
El Capitano seems to be aiming to go head-to-head with Polo Ralph Lauren, presenting fitted polo shirts in a variety of colours ($45 - $60) exclusively through their clean, easy-to-browse website. Basics like v-neck tees, original graphic tees, and hoodies also make up a part of their stock - subsequently contributing to their low-key, well-groomed-dude identity. On top of that, they branch off from their slogan "Embrace Your Journey" by featuring interviews with founders, store owners, and other risk-takers on their blog, fostering a colourful and worldly platform for the brand.

toronto fresh train coFresh Train Co.
Founded by 21-year-old Guillaume Viau, Fresh Train Co. is, well, about as fresh as it gets. The streetwear brand is a tad more in-your-face than others, with larger than life logos sprawled across the top of snapback caps in 3d lettering ($90 - $155) and sweatpants that are not only drop-crotch but cargo style, too ($95). But it's not all fun-and-games at Fresh Train Co. - Viau's volunteer work in Kenya and Thailand helps his brand reach for deeper meanin. With that being said, a portion of each Fresh Train Co. item sold goes to Free the Children, so by buying the brand - available exclusively through their website - you're not only supporting local businesses but slowly conquering world issues as well.

Headmistress
Much like Love Thy Fitteds, Headmistress offers oodles of quirky yet elegant pieces of décor for your head. From floral crowns to demi-turbans to rather large ostrich feather bridalwear, designer Jillian Wood's got you covered, literally. Though the brand's main focus is to produce a lovely selection of original head pieces, they've expanded to also sell other pretty lil' accessories including scarves, bowties, and rings - and even create a line of kidswear under sub-label Little Miss.

Headmistress is available at a number of Toronto boutiques including Charlie (809 Queen St W) and Coal Miner's Daughter (587 Markham St), or online through their website.

toronto united stock dry goodsUnited Stock Dry Goods
United Stock Dry Goods claims "honesty, quality, and integrity" - something I can personally attest to, having seen the product in the flesh. Though only on their third full collection of menswear, designers Michael Cavaggioni and Sydney Mamane know exactly how to perfect the classic oxford and 14 oz. selvage denim - never missing a beat when it comes to fit and detail.

The latest spring/summer collection evokes "the light and fresh feel of the long and lazy days of the season," and is available online or at brick-and-mortar locations including Sydney's (682 Queen St W), Future of Frances Watson (1390 Queen St W), and Uncle Otis (26 Bellair St).

Pardon le Dopeness
Pardon le Dopeness (PLD) is clearly not at all sorry for being so cool. The streetwear brand is barely a year old but is already making some serious waves with their signature varsity jackets ($300 - $350), pom-pom beanies ($30 - $40), and - of course - their sensuous lookbooks. Ultimately, they're is selling a lifestyle that can only be described as reckless, free, and "everything your mom is scared of." PLD products are available exclusively on their website.

benjamin daedfyshe torontoBenjamin Daedfyshe Footwear
Pairing sneakers with a suit is an art - all it takes is the wrong piece of footwear to ruin the smart vs. casual look that big shots like Justin Timberlake and Kanye West have been rocking for years. That's where Benjamin Daedfyshe (pronounced ded-fish) Footwear comes in. Though founded just recently in 2012, they're offering premium styles in an array of colours - handcrafted in Portugal - perfect for going from work to play.

Right now, a Montreal boutique has the bragging rights of being the only place to stock Daedfyshe, but the online store's free shipping to the U.S. and Canada makes the Toronto start-up accessible to the masses.

See also:

10 upstart fashion brands in Toronto
5 more upstart fashion brands in Toronto

Condo of the Week: 152 Annette Street

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152 annette street toronto condoNow this is a church conversion. Take note, newprojects. This million-dollar penthouse condo features century-old architectural details, including original hammer beams, vaulted ceilings, and exposed brick. Plus top-of-the-line appliances and premium design finishes. Might make you reflect on your religious beliefs — or at the very least, your decision not to go to church. You'd best start praying on those lottery numbers.

152 annette street toronto condoSPECS:

Address: 152 Annette Street, #401
Price: $1,129,000
Square Footage (apx): 1800-1999
Ceiling: 17.5ft
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Parking Spaces: 1
Locker: 1
Fireplaces: 2
Balcony: NE exposure
Monthly Maintenance: $964.94
Taxes: $6,088.48 (2012)
Building Amenities: Party room, security system

152 annette street toronto condoNOTABLE FEATURES:

  • Original hammer beams and exposed brick
  • Vaulted ceilings
  • Jatoba hardwood floors
  • Eight-foot kitchen island
  • AEG induction cooktop
  • Six-piece master ensuite
  • Second-floor loft and office space
  • Double-sided fireplace
  • Skylights
  • BBQ gas hookup on balcony

152 annette street toronto condoGOOD FOR:

Church buffs, history buffs, architectural romantics. Good for those who seek an alternative to the shoebox apartment.

152 annette street toronto condoMOVE ON IF:

You think $1,000 per month in maintenance fees is just a tad excessive. You think $1 million for a condo is excessive. You hate excess.

Additional photos:152 annette street toronto condo152 annette street toronto condo152 annette street toronto condo152 annette street toronto condo152 annette street toronto condo152 annette street toronto condo152 annette street toronto condoIf you had the dough, would you buy this home? Let us know where you stand in the comments below.

New record store gives free coffee with every purchase

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record store coffeeThis neighbourhood might seem like an unusual fit for a new record store, gallery, and coffee shop in one, but locals are already flocking here for the mix of new vinyl, one-of-a-kind artwork, and wide selection of teas, as well as drip coffee, and baked goods (with espresso coming soon). Best of all, every purchase of a new vinyl record will score you a free coffee or tea.

Read my profile of Cabin Fever Collective in the cafes section.


New email alert program lets you keep tabs on City Hall

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Tabs TorontoNIMBYism and ward surveillance just got that much more convenient. A new program launched by Toronto Public Space Initiative allows users to sign up for email alerts from city hall based on specific keyword selections.

TABS on Toronto, as the beta version is being called, is sort of like Google Alerts for Toronto City Council, except that instead of scouring the entire Internet, the program tracks city hall agenda items and background documents. And instead of tracking your own name and, perhaps, that of an estranged lover, you'll opt for alerts for street names, city councillors, project titles, and neighbourhoods. Essentially — anything Toronto-related for which you'll to be kept in the loop. So possibly, your own name.

Toronto Public Space Initiative touts TABS on Toronto as a way for stakeholders to keep up to date on important issues and facilitate better interaction with City Hall. Pending additional funding, TABS on Toronto hopes to expand its features to include text message alerts, bill and policy tracking, integration with city board, agency, and commission documents (I.e. Toronto District School Board), and additional research features.

Tabs TorontoTo help make this happen they've started an Indiegogo campaign. In the meantime, you can set you email alerts for "condo" and your closest major intersection, and get ready to rage.

Where to eat Japanese near Bloor and Ossington

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Ebi Sushi IzakayaMazz Sushi aside, Bloor and Ossington has never been known as a destination for affordable sushi and Japanese eats. That's not about to change with the arrival of this self-billed izakaya (a misnomer) but for affordable and tasty maki and a sashimi nacho platter it's not a bad option.

Read my review of Ebi Sushi Izakaya in the restaurants section.

The Best Late Night Burritos in Toronto

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burritos torontoThe best late night burritos in Toronto are overstuffed, portable attempts at hangover prevention. And even if they aren't quite enough to quell the effects of a night of rye, they usually succeed at hitting the spot when cravings flare at 2 a.m. The best late night burritos in Toronto seem to congregate around the core of Toronto's Club District, perhaps suggesting that a night of electronic music and stretchy mini dresses is best capped by wrapping it up.

Here is the list of the best late night burritos in Toronto.

Want more late night eats? Download our Toronto bars, pubs & late night eats iPhone app.

See also:

The best burritos in Toronto
The best tacos in Toronto
The best fish tacos in Toronto
The best late night breakfast in Toronto
The best 24 hour restaurants in Toronto

Tortilla Flats is back in business

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Tortilla FlatsTortilla Flats on Queen West is deadpool no more. Two weeks ago we reported the restaurant was shut down by its landlord for unpaid rent in excess of $40,000. There was an instant outcry from our readers ranging from "that's a shame" to "good riddance". Now, detractors and fans alike might like to know that Tortilla Flats is back - re-opened under the same ownership with no major plans in the works for any changes.

According to an email we received from the current owner, the Flats ran into problems when the building's landlord let it be known they were selling the property. Because their lease was expiring, the owners decided to withhold January's rent until they got word whether they'd be able to renew their lease. The landlord got upset and locked them out.

After we reported the closure, the landlord reached out to the owners of the Flats and informed them the new owner wanted them to stay as a tenant. They then signed a new long-term lease and as of late last week they're back in business.

The Toronto casino now has a website

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Toronto CasinoToronto's not-yet-confirmed casino is now real, at least, on the Internet. Like Manti Te'o girlfriend, the currently imaginary casino now has its very own website, complete with information on potential job growth, tourism projections, casino employee salary expectations, and links to connect with your local councillor. No Casino Toronto is on the other end of the (web) spectrum, offering a less flashy take on casino information and no photos of the Canadian International Air Show.

The MGM Resorts website makes the case for Exhibition Place as Toronto's casino destination, claiming that, "The site will attract one million new visitors to Toronto annually, provide the city with millions of dollars per year in new revenue streams, and create up to 10,000 new jobs locally."

188 Dundas

Radar: Rich Aucoin, Vector, Communicating Doors, The Artist Project, Balanced Expressions, Quiet Vintage

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toronto events february 21Toronto events on February 21, 2013

MUSIC | Rich Aucoin
Halifax experimental indie rock musician Rich Aucoin first made a name for himself in Toronto playing at the Drake so it is only fitting his sophomore performance is in honour of the Drake's ninth birthday. Performing at To The Nines tonight, Aucoin will help ring in the Drake's ninth year with new music and tracks from his two albums, 2011's We're All Dying To Live and 2007's Public Publication. Joined by other local acts like River Tiber, Jane's Party, and more, this party and performance are worth getting dressed up to the nines for. The $9 party starts at 9PM with Aucoin hitting the stage at 11PM.
The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) 9PM $9

THEATRE | Communicating Doors
Time travel theatre by a farcical writer will be performed at a historical site tonight with the premiere of Communicating Doors, British playwright Alan Ayckbourn's story about a London sex specialist who stumbles upon a murder plot during her time travels. As the sex specialist races around with two other women trying to save themselves from their doom and rewrite history, this dark thriller takes a comedic turn. Marina Leyderman's adaptation of the show plays at Papermill Theatre until March 9th.
Papermill Theatre, Todmorden Mills Heritage Site (67 Pottery Road) 8PM $22 regular, $15 student

ART | The Artist Project
The Artist Project returns for its sixth year showcasing top contemporary independent artists and celebrating emerging talents in the art world. The show opens tonight with a 19+ opening reception where art lovers will feast, dance and browse to purchase, with all proceeds going toward the Canadian Art Foundation. Over 250 Canadian and international artists will be displaying at this year's show in various zones, including the Untapped Emerging Artists Competition, The Faces Competition, Video Artbox and the Installation Zone amongst others. Come out to support emerging artists in whatever way you can!
Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place (195 Princes' Boulevard) 7PM $23

FASHION | Quiet Vintage, Fashion Thursdays
Fashion Thursdays is all about celebrating talented Canadian fashion designers and stylists with free events to showcase their new projects. With cheap booze to draw crowds to tonight's Quiet Vintage event, the show will focus on the designs of Totally Waisted!'s Katharina Mior, stylist Laure Mitchell and the hair, makeup, and beauty photographer of various other artists. Canada's Beauty Network hosts the show with music by DJs Sugar Shakers and Miss Ala Mode.
Locus 144 (171 Liberty Street East) Free

ART | Balanced Expressions
Opposite day begins today at #Hashtag Gallery, where a handpicked group of artists explore the themes of opposition and balance in the latest exhibit to open inside the Dundas West space. Balanced Expressions sees ten sets of work by ten artists, each with a black and white component to match a coloured piece. In examining the harmony of the pairs, the Toronto artists each strive to find a level of balance. Curated by artist Jimmy Chiale, the exhibit runs until March 10th.
#Hashtag Gallery (801 Dundas Street West) 7PM Free

ALSO OF NOTE

MORE EVENTS THIS WEEK

For more Toronto event suggestions, check out these posts:

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo from our review of Rich Aucoin's show last year at the Drake Underground


Morning Brew: OCAP vows to shelter inside Metro Hall, Vice magazine knocks Ford's photographer, council OKs Jack Layton Way, and subway construction fire is smoky

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toronto dogsThe Ontario Coalition Against Poverty says it will take over Metro Hall unless council acts on what it says is a shelter bed crisis in Toronto. Last week the group picketed Rob Ford's office and several members were at city hall yesterday where coun. Adam Vaughan unsuccessfully lobbied for the group's concerns to be placed on the agenda. A staff report hinted at a disconnect between the number of available beds and the number of homeless being turned away from shelters.

Also at city hall yesterday, Ford supporters coun. Vince Crisanti and coun. Frances Nunziata were approved for spots on the executive committee and budget committee respectively. Coun. Adam Vaughan's half-hearted attempt to join Ford's executive committee was easily defeated.

Viceisn't exactly crazy about Rob Ford's photographer. The magazine ran a post yesterday critiquing some of the mayor's worst shots, many of which were taken at recent trade shows. Ford isn't exactly photogenic at the best of times but the examples shown here really don't help.

Looks like Toronto will be one of the last cities in North America to cling to its transit tokens. Philadelphia's SEPTA system has announced its ditching its coins in favour of an Presto-type electronic fare card. Still, at least the TTC isn't the slowest transit agency adopting the new system. New York's MTA says it won't have a fare card before 2016. Read the history of TTC tokens here.

It's official - the Don Jail Roadway on the Bridgepoint Health grounds will be renamed Jack Layton Way after the late NDP leader and former Toronto councillor. Council voted to approve the change yesterday. Coun. Mike Layton, Jack Layton's son, will unveil the new signs Sunday.

An electrical fire at the Spadina line construction site near Jane and Hwy. 407 in York Region was a spectacularly smoky affair that forced emergency crews to close Jane St. for several blocks due to poor visibility. According to the Toronto Star, the fire started on a conveyor belt. No injuries were reported.

IN BRIEF:

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

Image: "Dogs" by PhotoMke/blogTO Flickr pool.

Contest: Win tickets to see DJ Premier and Lord Finesse

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toronto lord finesseThis weekend, Frontline Entertainment presents a unique opportunity to see two hip-hop legends united on the Sound Academy stage: DJ Premier and Lord Finesse. DJ Premier belonged to Gang Starr and has gotten the stamp of approval from About.com, who gave him the #1 spot on their list of top 50 hip-hop producers. Lord Finesse, on the other hand, led influential New York rap crew D.I.T.C., which was known for working with and fostering young, undiscovered talents. Safe to say, this is a show you won't want to miss.

THE PRIZE

4 lucky readers will receive a pair of tickets each to see DJ Premier and Lord Finesse on February 23, 2013 at 10 p.m. (doors at 9:30) at Sound Academy (11 Polson St).

HOW TO WIN

To win, just answer the following question: What does the rap crew name D.I.T.C stand for?

The first 4 correct commenters win the tickets. Please make sure to include a valid email address in the comment form "Email Address" field so that we can contact you if you're a winner.

FINE PRINT

You must be a Toronto-area resident to win. Only one comment and answer per person. If you include multiple answers or post multiple comments you will be disqualified, and the winner must pick up their own tickets.

UPDATE

This contest is now closed. Winners will be contacted shortly.

Photo courtesy of Lord Finesse

This Week in Film: Tower, CINSSU's Cult Night Triple Bill, The Free Screen, Reel Artists film festival

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toronto film listingsThis Week in Film rounds up noteworthy new releases in theatres, rep cinema and avant-garde screenings, festivals, and other special cinema-related events happening in Toronto.

NEW RELEASES

Tower (The Royal)

Last year's best debut feature (and the biggest snub from Canada's Top Ten) is finally getting its due with this exclusive engagement at The Royal. Director Kazik Radwanski has spent the last five plus years steadily crafting a body of character studies as trenchant as they are fragmentary. His films present emotional climaxes, realizations, and developments in his characters' lives, and do so within fragmentary structures that make the films feel like chunks from much broader narratives. A signature of his shorts and this feature is that they tend to end at the moment they reach a dramatic apex; the satisfaction lies in the details and nuance of the world on scren.

With Tower, the protagonist, Derek (the most distinct Canadian movie character in some while), is a vehicle for mining a particular feeling of stasis and complacency that becomes palpable somewhere between finishing college and integrating into the 'adult world.' Derek - in his early-mid thirties - exudes real-world inadequacy, having wallowed in half-assed false starts for a decade; he hovers within routines that inevitably turn rancid, which then plaques onto every other facet of his lifestyle. He's clearly intelligent, yet too cynical to function in any sort of social circle or working environment. To see a character meander through the travails of such utter mundanity and have that experience, for the audience, be so entrancing is a sure-tell sign of great things to come.

*Note that each night there will be a different, acclaimed Toronto-made short film preceding the film. (Shameless self promotion, etc., My own 3D short, Many a Swan, will be the pre-show entertainment for the February 28 screening.)

Also opening this week:

REP CINEMA

CINSSU's Free Friday Films - Cult Night Triple Bill: Rabid [Cronenberg], Death Weekend [Fruet], & Satan's Cheerleaders [Clark] (Friday, February 22 at 7PM; Innis Town Hall)

Every Friday during the school year, U of T's Cinema Studies Student Union blesses Toronto cinephiles with free-of-charge screenings of great films, and they're usually on 35mm. Out to prove that they really can be more charitable, they've decided to give us three free films on 35mm this Friday. They're all horror films, and all from 1976-77. Best of all is the early, classic Cronenberg they've put in there to lead off the night, which is reason enough to make it a priority event.

More rep cinema happening this week:

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

The Free Screen - The Road Ended at the Beach and Other Legends: Parsing the "Escarpment School" (Thursday, February 21 at 6:30PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)

toronto rep cinemaThe Escarpment School is a generation of Canadian avant-garde filmmakers who came of age circa the late 1980s. As Mike Hoolboom, a member of the school, describes, "Their work often reflects on absence and death, typically contrasting the camera's movement through landscape in the present with a memory condemned to history. These pastoral sojourns make the simply visible into a sign for all that cannot be brought before the camera's even stare." This is the first event for The Free Screen in 2013, and is curated by another of the Escarpment filmmakers, Brett Kashmere. The program includes some of the greatest experimental cinema produced in the '80s and '90s. In person at the screening will be filmmakers Brett Kashmere, Phil Hoffman, Mike Hoolboom and Lorne Marin.

Vector: Game + Art Convergence (February 20-24; various venues)

toronto film screeningsA new exciting event in Toronto that aims to parse the connections emerging among video games, video art, and avant-garde cinema, Vector will spend its five days addressing contemporary creative practices that "peel back to curtain of gaming and its cultures, positing games as tools and inspiration for contemporary art making." Comprised of screenings, performances, panel discussions, and gallery exhibits at Interaccess, VideoFag, Bento-Miso and Propeller, Vector looks to be one of the most comprehensive and educational conferences on video game aesthetics ever attempted in Canada. Tickets for all Vector events are on sale now; go here to see their (very reasonable) prices and program schedule.

FILM FESTIVALS

Reel Artists Film Festival (February 20-24; TIFF Bell Lightbox)

The 10th anniversary of the Reel Artists Film Festival is kicking off for the third consecutive year at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Organized by the Canadian Art Foundation, the five-day festival consists of eight features and nearly a dozen short films; all documentaries focusing on some of the biggest names in the art world, as well as topical issues such as the impact of discontinuing Polaroid film. Artists featured in the festival include Damien Hirst, David Altmejd, Mark Lombardi, Eric Fischl, and Mario Garcia Torres, among others. Regular tickets are $12, with senior and student tickets discounted to $8. Buy online at the festivals website.

Human Rights Watch Film Festival (February 26 - March 7; TIFF Bell Lightbox)

Also celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Human Rights Watch Festival this year presents one of its best line-ups in recent memory. The festival annually spotlights films that confront global human rights issues and injustices, from North Korea to Northern Ontario. Among other gems, HRW will present some of the biggest splashes from TIFF '12, including Pablo Larraín's No, Joshua Oppenheimer's The Act of Killing, and Marc Wiese's harrowing Camp 14: Total Control Zone.

The latter film left a particularly strong impression on the festival circuit last autumn after its Locarno unveiling. Using hand-drawn animation and a confessional recount of his life on the camp, the doc looks at Shin Dong-hyuk's experiences growing up and eventually escaping the forced-labor prison. While memories of betrayal and torture alone make for a singularly soul-crushing viewing experience, it's the final moments that leave the deepest impression, suggesting that the real world outside of the camp may not necessarily be the home away from home Shin had always hoped for. Check out our preview of the festival.

Lead still from Tower

How to make a cocktail: The Low Season

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cocktail the low seasonMuch of the focus for our cocktail series so far has been directed towards North American or European ingredients, like bourbon, rye, vermouth, and gin. All have a history of craft and culture that commands a certain level of respect. Today, we're covering a tequila drink. The very mention of the word can send shudders down the spines of even the most seasoned drinkers, as memories of a single terrible night (or following morning) come flooding back.

Sadly, what emerges from the gutters outside Entertainment District nightclubs have a lot to answer for, as an entire craft culture all of its own gets neglected in favour of treating its cheapest expressions as a party favour: there only to keep a buzz going in between trips to the dancefloor, or as a slushy and salty mess of blended ice and sour mix arriving in between rounds of fajitas.

The efforts of the CRT in Mexico, to prevent poor quality product from masquerading as the national tipple, has meant that we're increasingly finding LCBO shelves and local bars stocked with a higher grade of product. Under strict appellation control (similar to that of Cognac), high-grade Tequila must be made with 100% blue agave under tight geographic controls. Laws dictate that 'un-aged' tequila be referred to as blanco, while spending anywhere up to a year in oak barrels earns a bottle the right to call itself 'reposado' ('rested'), and anything more than that grants a bottle the 'anejo' designation.

Beware of Tequila Mixto, which will not specify that it is made from 100% blue agave on the bottle. Instead, it's only 51% agave, and allows for additive ingredients like caramel colouring. This is the kind of stuff that can lead to a morning of regret.

the low seasonWhile many establishments are collecting Tequila and its smokier cousin, Mezcal as sipping liquor, we've also seen a succession of great bars in Toronto that love working with it to produce fine cocktails. As the price and quality of the ingredient has risen, so too have the stakes in ensuring that it can be enjoyed properly.

When it comes to creating new drinks, there is nowhere in Toronto that serves up as many fresh ideas as Cold Tea. They don't have a printed cocktail list, but any cocktail they make is $10 (with mixed drinks ringing in around $5.50).

cocktail low seasonBetween co-owners Matt LaRochelle, Oliver Dimapilis, and Stacey Welton, flavours are tossed around as comfortably as the eclectic beats pumped out by any number of guest DJs, and visiting bartenders are often given license to invent things that their own establishments might have them committed for. The first question you'll be asked is not "what'll it be?" but rather "what do you like?" It's like a build-your-own-salad bar, but with a trained consultant to make sure it all tastes good.

That's not to say that each of the team don't have a list of drinks already in their head, and if you ask for a staff favourite, you could very well end up with Matt's "The Low Season," a riff on a cocktail known as The Matador (a less well-known cousin of the Margarita).

low seasonCreated to remind him of sunnier climes during the grim winters we all suffer here, this island-inspired drink will transport you on a mini-vacation.

In a cocktail shaker, he combines Torontonian Eric Brass' Tromba blanco tequila and a chili-infused Olmeca Altos reposado (aged in wood for anywhere up to 1 year). Pineapple juice and freshly squeezed lime are added with agave syrup, and 10 drops of Bittermen's Tiki bitters to round out the drink with spice notes. Finally, a little pinch of salt is dropped in to balance the sweetness of the juice and agave. The mix is shaken "severely," before being strained into a cocktail glass.

Matt advises that if you want to kick up the heat on a tequila, add 2 bird's eye and 1 chipotle chili to a bottle, and infuse for 2-4 days before straining.

cocktail the low seasonINGREDIENTS & INSTRUCTIONS

1oz Tequila Tromba
1/2oz Chili-infused Olmeca Altos Reposado
1oz pineapple juice
3/4oz fresh lime
10 drops Bittermen's 'Elemakule Tiki bitters
Pinch of salt

Combine ingredients and shake hard. Strain into cocktail glass and enjoy.

Photos by Morris Lum

Where to get a greasy spoon breakfast in Scarborough

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breakfast scarboroughWhile the nostalgic greasy spoon usually conjures up images of a decent meal at a fair price, this Warden and Lawrence diner bucks the trend with inflated prices, but still delivers a good belt-busting breakfast, juice by the litre, and a good ol' fashioned diner atmosphere.

Read my review of The Wexford Restaurant in the restaurants section.

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