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10 quirky things you might not know about Dundas St.

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dundas historyDundas is one of Toronto's most recognizable streets, but its history is far more complicated than most people realize. For one thing, it didn't even run through downtown Toronto until around the 1920s. A major section of the street was also booze-free for much of the 20th century. How much do you know about Dundas Street?

Here are 10 quirky bits of information about Dundas St. to test your knowledge.

1. As it runs through Toronto, Dundas St. is actually an assemblage of many other shorter roads that were cobbled together to make the route we know today. That's why there are so many twists and turns as it snakes across the city.

dundas history2. There was once an intersection of Queen and Dundas in Toronto. The section of current day Ossington south of Dundas was actually the final section of the east/west street, which terminated at Queen before it was extended through downtown Toronto.

3. Despite being patched together in the city, the street is one of the oldest in the wider Toronto area, having been laid out as a military road west of York by the Queen's Rangers at the behest of John Graves Simcoe in the late 18th century.

4. Now Dundas runs continuously from Kingston Rd. in Toronto to Highway 6 in Waterdown, where it becomes the provincial Highway 5. The name Dundas does, however, reappear further west where it finally terminates in London, Ontario.

dundas history5. The northerly jog the street does to the west of present day Ossington Ave. was so that it could bypass the swampland that existed around the area we now call High Park.

6. The section of Dundas that runs through the Junction neighbourhood, now well populated with restaurants and bars, was a booze-free zone between 1903 and 1997.

7. Toronto's current Chinatown, which is centred at Dundas St. and Spadina Ave., is actually the city's second such enclave. The first one was concentrated around Elizabeth St. south of Dundas in the area now occupied by City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square.

yonge dundas8. Yonge and Dundas used to be a hell of a lot more sleazy than it is today, but also more fun. Back in the 1970s, people actually came to drink in the area at places like Brown Derby, which occupied the northeast corner. While the Hard Rock Cafe remains, the arrival of the Square was design to clean up the intersection.

9. While Dundas is typically thought of as a major arterial road, there's a section in Leslieville that looks more like a laneway, as the garages of houses on neighbouring streets back out onto the road.

10. Contrary to popular belief, the street is not named after the town of Dundas, where it heads after leaving Toronto, but the town does take its name from the street, which Simcoe nominated after his friend Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville.

Know of any quirky Dundas St. trivia? Let us know in the comments.

Photos via the Toronto Archives.


Weekend events in Toronto October 28-30 2016

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weekend events torontoWeekend events in Toronto mostly revolve around Halloween, even if the big day falls on Monday. That one's for the kids, though - as the city's best parties and events go down over the next few days. Better get your costume locked down! And, hey, not to worry if you're anti-spooky fun; there's lots of other stuff going on in Toronto this weekend as well.

Here are my top picks for events in Toronto this weekend.

HALLOWEEN

Halloweeen Parties (Oct. 28-31, various locations)
This full bodied list is your guide to Halloween parties and events leading right past Sunday to the big night on Monday, so forgive our excitement. It includes zombie walks, haunted dance floors, and trick or treating inside Ripley's Aquarium.

Day of the Dead (Oct. 29, various locations)
Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, celebrations in Toronto showcase a Mexican tradition rich with history, beautiful costumes, and face paint. There are massive showcases at Wychwood Barns and parties in restaurants across the city.

Devil's Night (Oct. 30, various locations)
Devil's Night is Halloween-eve, and historically October 30 is a night for tricks and pranks, whereas October 31 is reserved for treats. Toronto's version of Devil's Night is basically a free pass to an extra night of partying.

Halloween movie events and screenings (Various dates and locations)
From classic horror films to festive quote alongs, there's no need to sit on your couch watching Scream Queens alone. Get out to a theatre and be entertained with creepy horror or plain old, so-bad-it's-good hilarious kitsch.

EVENTS

Art Toronto (Oct. 28-31, Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
Take a stroll and fantasize about filling your walls and shelves with beautiful pieces at Canada's largest international fair for modern and contemporary art. Lots of Toronto galleries are participating, and there's also the Art Book Fair happening simultaneously. Tickets start at $20.

Canzine (Oct. 29)
This one-day festival of zine culture and underground art takes over the AGO from 1 to 7 p.m. Admission is free and you'll see workshops, a marketplace, and a live zine race. Spend the afternoon with some of the city's most creative and daring artists and authors while supporting the art of print.

Jane Jacobs Tribute (Oct.29, Harbourfront Centre)
"Robert Kanigel, Nathan Storring, and Samuel Zipp discuss Jane Jacobs' legacy and how she changed our perception of the neighborhood and the city with David Miller." This is one of the final events of the International Festival of Authors, which wraps up Oct. 30.

Final Pedestrian Sunday (Oct. 30, Kensington Market)
Take one final 2016 car-free stroll through Kensington Market. There will be a street dance party, lots of costumed freaks dressed up for Halloween and of course, the usual marathon of vendors, food, and special performances in the middle of the road.

STAGE

Lennon: Through a Glass Onion (Oct. 28, Isabel Bader Theatre)
The Off-Broadway show comes to Toronto celebrating the genius, music and phenomenon of John Lennon. Part concert and part biography, the play includes 31 iconic hits and will have you singing along the entire time,

That's My Drag! (Oct. 28, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre)
This will be a huge night of drag with a Halloween twist! Imagine all the hair and makeup! This evening features the talents of TroyBoy Parks, Sapphyre Poisone, Rachael Temptation, Xtacy Love, Nikki Chin, Ala Mode, Allysin Chaynes and Devine Darlin.

Past Dark: Halloween Edition (Oct. 29, Bad Dog Theatre)
Using Stranger Things as their jumping off point, Past Dark doubles back to embrace some of the show's popular influences, like adventure films such as IT, E.T., and The Goonies.

FILM

Moonlight opens in Toronto theatres
One of the best movies at TIFF this year is already being hailed by critics as the best flick of the year. It opens at the TIFF Bell Lightbox and Varsity this weekend.

Angry Inuk (Oct. 28-Nov. 3, Hot Docs Cinema)
The buzzed-about, top audience pick at this year's Hot Docs festival returns to reveal an important story of how Indigenous voices have been muffled by ostensibly progressive activism. It's getting rave reviews and quickly becoming a Canadian must-watch.

Phantom of Paradise (Oct. 29, Royal Cinema)
Watch Brian De Palma's "Faustian" glam-rock musical horror film on the big screen. It's like Rocky Horror, but a bit more hardcore and ... ummm real? This one's for loud Halloween lovers.

MUSIC

Tegan and Sara (Oct. 28, Massey Hall)
These twins will perform stuff from their new album Love You To Death as well as hits from their already impressive back catalogue. The duo wear their hearts on their sleeves and always give it 100, so seeing them at Massey Hall is a special pre-Halloween treat.

MORE MUSIC

DANCING

Death to T.O. 6(66) (Oct. 29, Lee's Palace)
We all know the Dance Cave is a legendary spot, but have you been to their equally awesome halloween bonanza? It's a costume party and live band attack, and this year it's a tribute to Bowie and Prince, among many other acts. It's a wild dance party and concert in one.

MORE DANCING

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section and have a terrifying weekend!

Photo of the Steam Whistle Halloween Party.

Video shows how bad Toronto parking lots can get

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parking lot torontoHow many times have you gotten into a pickle while trying to get out of a Toronto-area parking lot? The whole experience feels like a game of Rush Hour (you know, the one with the car you probably played with as a kid) or a nightmarish version of life-size Tetris.

A user who goes by mermaidjoy uploaded this delightful clip from a lot on Widmer Street to Imgur, capturing how difficult it is to get around some parking lots in Toronto.

But wait, there's more! This clip is a sequel to another park debacle. The struggle is real.

The top 8 warehouse sales in Toronto this November

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warehouse sales toronto novemberThe top warehouse sales in Toronto will have you and your apartment looking fly from head to toe thanks to events focusing on makeup, shoes, clothing and stuff to furnish your apartment. One of the biggest warehouse events of the season goes down this month in the form of the William Ashley bonanza.

Here are my picks for the top warehouse sales in Toronto this month.

William Ashley (Until Nov. 27)
This one's a biggie for those still trying to outfit their home or help someone's apartment out with a little sparkle. Here you'll find tableware, kitchenware, home decor, bed, bath, lighting, furniture up to 90 per cent off. 111 Creditview Road, Vaughan.

Geox Warehouse Sale (Oct. 28-Nov. 6)
Let your feet breath again and get to this shoe-centric warehouse sale. Fall and winter footwear as well as outerwear and apparel will all be going for up to 75 per cent off. International Centre, Hall 6, 6900 Airport Rd., Mississauga.

Wildly Delicious Warehouse Sale (Oct. 29-Dec. 23)
The is the 15th annual warehouse sale from the fine food folks at Wildly Delicious. Save up to 80 per cent on all kinds of one-of-a-kind foodstuffs. There will also be blowout specials on discounted items as well as pop-up specials. 114A Railside Rd., Toronto.

Reia Sample Sale (Nov.2-4)
This one is touted as a "highly curated designer sample sale" featuring women's footwear, handbags accessories and more from names like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Lanvin, Margiela and many more. 63 Wingold Ave., Suite 200A, Toronto.

Guess Warehouse Sale (Nov. 9-13)
First off, go for the denim. Then you should take a peek at the footwear, dresses, tops, hoodies, outerwear and handbags, all up to 90 per cent off. Brands like Marciano, North Face an Helly Hansen will also be on sale. International Centre, Hall 6, 6900 Airport Rd., Mississauga.

Shiseido Warehouse Sale (November 11-13)
Skincare, makeup and fragrance fans need to get to this quality warehouse event. Here you'll find products for all skin types, makeup options and actual perfumes you'd put on before going out, not just to go to the 7-11. 303 Allstate Parkway, Markham.

Baker Shoe Company Warehouse Sale (Nov. 17-20)
I don't know much about Baker Shoe Company, but I do know that selling their footwear for up to 90 per cent off is bonkers. Stock up on late fall and winter footwear and then buy a bunch of shoes for spring and summer too. Don't stop! 88 Arrow Rd., North York.

Toms Warehouse Sale (Nov. 30-Dec.4)
Get Toms shoes for men, women and children up to 70 per cent off! There's truly nothing like the smell of a room filled with new shoes waiting to be taken home. International Centre, Entrance #3, 6900 Airport Rd., Mississauga.

Did I miss a juicy sale? Tell us about it in the comments.

Photo via William Ashley on Facebook.

How to get an Honest Ed's sign without waiting in line

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honest eds signHonest Ed's held its final sign sale last weekend, giving nostalgic Torontonians one last chance to snag a hand-painted piece of local history. Or so we thought.

If you didn't make it out last weekend, there are still plenty of signs available in store. Today I ventured to Bathurst and Bloor, ran up to the second floor, and grabbed my very own pop art inspired, red, blue and yellow sign. I was in and out in about 10 minutes.

There are plenty of signs still available in a range of sizes, and many seem to be in the $12 to $18 range (plus tax, of course).

The sign sale should continue into this weekend, and in all likelihood, it'll remain there until everything's sold out. But you may want to act quickly if you're hoping to pick up something good. Although this time, instead of standing around for hours, you can just run in and grab the perfect new addition to your gallery wall.

Photo by Andrew Williamson.

Toronto is getting a fancy new pedestrian bridge

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weston pedestrian bridgeIt's been a long time coming, but the John Street Bridge is finally set to open this week. The long delayed bit of infrastructure at the Weston GO Station has actually been finished for a long time and was slated to open last fall (yes, a year ago), but discussions between Metrolinx and the city of Toronto regarding its future maintenance had kept it fenced off.

Now, after significant public outcry, it will open this Friday, some three years after work on the UP Express necessitated that area residents do a loop around the area to get from the residential side of John St. to the commercial area at Weston Rd.

weston pedestrian bridgeDesigned by DTAH, the contract was awarded through an international design competition. It's a smart-looking structure reminiscent of Santiago Calatrava's Mimico Creek Bridge, and will help connect the surround area to the planned arts and culture hub that's coming to Weston.

It shouldn't have taken this long to open, but it will soon become an elegant bit of infrastructure in a burgeoning neighbourhood.

Sweet Jesus is opening in Scarborough

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sweet jesus scarboroughSweet Jesus has spread its soft serve gospel uptown, downtown, to Riverside and even to Ottawa. Now, it's continuing to expand with its latest location at the Scarborough Town Centre.

When it opens, it'll be Sweet Jesus's fifth outpost and the first one to be based inside a mall. According to STC's Instagram account, Love Me Sweet (the Japanese cheesecake emporium) and Squish are also getting ready to move into the east side shopping centre.

Earlier this year, STC gave its food court and extreme makeover. It relaunched as the contemporary-sounding Taste MRKT.

Photo by Hector Vasquez.

5 memorable Toronto Vines to watch before they're gone

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toronto vinesToronto has its fair share of Vine stars, like Jus Reign, KingBach and of course, Shawn Mendes. That's why I'm pretty bummed Vine is shutting down. So as we say goodbye to this platform, let's remember how Toronto shined through these six second video loops.

Here are some memorable Toronto Vines to watch before they're gone.

KingBach
Toronto-born Andrew Bachelor (AKA KingBach) hit it big via Vine. Case and point: here he his with FLOTUS Michelle Obama.

Shawn Mendes
After Bieber came Shawn Mendes. From the suburbs to headlining a world tour, this teen reached the big leagues after posting six second covers to Vine.

JusReign
JusReign (Jasmeet Singh) offers astute social commentary and lots of LOLs in his character-driven, six second clips.

Hotline Bling
Remember when Hotline bling inspired countless parodies? Like this super timely Drake and Pokemon mashup.

Free Times Cafe and Judy Perly
And no list of Toronto-based Vines would be complete without Judy Perly. She owns Free Times Cafe and kills it on Vine with her catchphrase, "Hi, Judy here."

What are your favourite Toronto Vines? Let us know in the comments.

Photo via Jus Reign.


Toronto Food Events: Craft Beer Awards, Anthony Bourdain, Evening at the Market, NoshFest

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food events torontoToronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious festivals, pop-ups, winemaker dinners, supper clubs and other food related happenings in Toronto this week and next. You can find us here every Friday morning.

THIS WEEK

  • Head to Helendale Avenue (A.K.A. #SkittlesAve), near Yonge and Eg, to visit a row of rainbow houses. You'll, of course, be able to grab some treats at this branded activation that runs from Oct. 28 to Oct. 31.
  • In honour of its third birthday, The Real Jerk on Gerrard invites you to a party at the restaurant starting this Saturday, Oct. 29 at 11 p.m.
  • Eat your roast beef dinner with music this Sunday with the first monthly Roast 'n Reggae at The Emerson.
  • Hear celebrity chef and world traveler Anthony Bourdain speak at the Sony Centre on Nov. 1.
  • Celebrate 60 female chefs at Eat to the Beat on Nov. 1 in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation at Roy Thomson Hall.
  • Vote for your favourite craft beer at the Craft Beer Awards on Nov. 4 at the Enercare Centre.
  • Yes, you can get a free lunch at the Rustico on King pop-up pizzeria (363 King St. W.) from Nov. 4 to 30.

UPCOMING

  • Get ready for the The Society of Beer Drinking Ladies biggest bevy yet at Canada's All Ladies Beer Festival on Nov. 5 at Wychwood Barns.
  • Put your stretchy pants on for Dudes & Dukes, a night of food and music hosted by the Food Dudes and folk band Union Duke at the Mod Club on Nov. 5. Tickets are $30.
  • On election night (Nov. 8), a group of George Brown College event planning students are throwing The Trump Trump Taco Bowl party at 300 Adelaide St. E. Tacos will be $6 each.
  • Toronto Poke Week runs from Nov. 7 to 13. With a poke passport, you can get $5 bowls at select restaurants.
  • Eat, drink and party at the St. Lawrence Market after dark at Evening at the Market on Nov. 10. Tickets are $75.
  • The annual Taste of Iceland showcase starts on Nov. 10 and runs until Nov. 13. Check out the special menu at Jump.
  • The Tabasco Hawker Market takes over Artscape Wychwood Barns on Nov. 10 for a night of food, drinks and fun. Tickets are $35.
  • NoshFest, Toronto's first Jewish food festival, is on Nov. 13 at Wychwood Barns and will feature restaurants like Caplansky's and Schmaltz Appetizing as well as a few strictly kosher vendors.
    • Know of a Toronto food event coming up? Email editors@blogto.com.

      Photo from The Real Jerk by Jesse Milns.

Take a look inside the new Sound Academy

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Rebel Toronto music venue clubLouder, slicker, and brighter than ever before with a redesign on the 45,000 square foot space, the club on Polson Pier in Toronto's Port Lands that used to be Sound Academy has gotten a major facelift.

Read my profile of Rebel in the bars section.

Toronto grocery stores start selling wine today

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wine torontoRemember when beer arrived at grocery stores last year and everyone went nuts? Well, it's time to get excited again because as of today, October 28, you can now find bottles of wine on in select supermarkets along with craft beer and cider. This should make it easier to stock up for your Halloweekend.

In September, the provincial government announced it would be bringing wine to 70 grocery stores. Its list of approved retailers includes smaller outlets and massive chains, like Loblaws and Sobeys.

While not all approved Toronto stores are selling wine just yet, these Loblaws locations have begun selling wine as of today.

  • Toronto: Loblaws Empress Market, 5095 Yonge St
  • Toronto: Real Canadian Superstore, 2549 Weston Rd.
  • Toronto: Loblaws, 2877 Bayview Village
  • Toronto: Loblaws, 11 Redway Rd. (Millwood & Laird)

Eventually chains such as Coppa's Fresh Market, Highland Farms, Metro, Sobeys and Wal-mart will sell wine but they haven't started doing so yet. In all, up to 300 grocery stores will carry wine. But we'll just have to take what we can get for now.

12 must-see concerts in Toronto this November

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november concerts torontoThe lineup of concerts in Toronto this November is a bit on the gloomy side; maybe now that the wall-to-wall festivals and long sunny days have dried up, our music options have simply adapted to soundtrack the collective journey into Seasonal Affective Disorder. But don't worry - from trailblazing rap to blistering noise to lovable indie, it doesn't mean the choices lack excitement.

You know how I really know the summer party's over? All these serious "in conversation" engagements on the calendar. People such as Henry Rollins, Maynard James Keenan and Pussy Riot are all coming to talk to (or in Rollins's case, yell at) us - which will be wonderful thought-provoking experiences, but also a far cry from wildly fist-pumping to Robyn in a rainstorm, y'know?

Anyway, here are my top picks for concerts this November.

Mitski (November 3, Mod Club)
The NY indie songwriter has quickly built her profile with songs that contrast sweet melody against complex, at times disturbing themes - a bit like St. Vincent, but with bigger chords. This past summer's Puberty 2 features the song below, and by the way, the video's shock twist ending is right up there with the best slasher flicks.

Danny Brown (November 4, Phoenix)
Possibly the most punk-rock rapper around now, Detroit's Danny Brown is a powerful performer and just so hype live. You'd be doing yourself a fun favour by catching his upcoming set, likely to feature tons of last month's well-received Atrocity Exhibition.

Peeling (November 4, The Baby G)
Buzz Records band Mexican Slang quietly broke up for reasons unknown last year, but their leader Annabelle Lee just reemerged with this similar-sounding project flanked by other recognizable names in local noise (i.e. members of Dilly Dally, Odonis Odonis and Golden Dogs). The first EP release party goes down at Garrison-offshoot The Baby G.

John K. Samson (November 8, Mod Club)
The former Weakerthan and accomplished songwriter has quietly forged ahead with his own folk stylings since his band's kinda unofficial passing, most recently culminating in solo LP Winter Wheat. That title alone confirms his lyrics to still be the most Winnipeg-as-hell stuff ever.

Fight Amp (November 8, Coalition: T.O.)
After 12 years, the criminally underrated Philly trio are hanging up their patch cords for good. Fight Amp never really seemed to get their due the way some of their loud peers have in recent years, but at least they're going out with a final tour and promising to move on to new musical projects separately.

SAD13 (November 13, Smiling Buddha)
Speedy Ortiz frontlady Sadie Dupuis has long been a positive feminist beacon in a giant sea of indie dudes. Now, striking out on her own as SAD13, she's applying that messaging to pop, creating catchy tunes that discuss things like consent and female confidence in a refreshingly upbeat way.

Daughter (November 16, Massey Hall)
The English indie group is still touring intensely nearly a year after releasing Not to Disappear. If you missed seeing them this spring at the Danforth, check them out now at the beautiful and arguably better-sounding Massey Hall.

Conor Oberst (November 17, Massey Hall)
The next day, head back to Massey for ya boy in eternal sadness. Conor Oberst seems to have retired the Bright Eyes moniker for the time being and instead used his own name to release Ruminations, a collection of songs that perfectly capture the loneliness of an Omaha winter.

Emergents I: Völur and Wapiti (November 17, Music Gallery)
The Music Gallery's upcoming Emergents series is kicking off with the right vibe for impending dreary weather. Embrace the darkness with the post-rock and folk-tinged doom of Toronto's Völur, plus cinematic piano-violin duo Wapiti.

Tanya Tagaq (November 25, Trinity St. Paul's United Church)
Every performance with the award-winning Inuk vocalist is a thrilling experience; though she's slowly tended toward some mainstream connections (new album Retribution features a Shad collab and a Nirvana cover), it hasn't stopped her shows from feeling freakishly spontaneous, intense and cathartic. Even those who've seen her a bunch still get taken by surprise.

Age of Electric (November 25, Adelaide Hall)

Yet another group from the golden Big Shiny Tunes era is getting back together. Age of Electric's Make a Pest a Pethas turned 20, so naturally they're celebrating, though so far only with an exclusive gig at Adelaide Hall. These CanCon reunions are great and all, but let's try to hit the brakes before we get to like, Serial Joe or something, k?

Wintersleep (November 30, Danforth Music Hall)
Well-loved indie rockers Wintersleep, a band whose name offers a fitting end to the month that leads us to a snowy ice hellscape, will return to the Danforth as part of their extensive winter trek through Canada.

What did I miss? Leave your suggestions for Toronto's top November concerts in the comments. 

Photo of Danny Brown via Live Nation.

Where to eat chicken and waffles in Toronto

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Stockyards TorontoOne smokehouse in Toronto is the place to go for fried chicken, and a trip here isn't complete without an order of their fried chicken on a scrumptious Belgian waffle with spicy syrup.

Read my profile of Stockyards Smokehouse & Larder in the restaurants section.

Toronto to host its largest tailgate party ever next month

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toronto argos tailgate partyWhen the Toronto Argonauts started playing at BMO Field this year, they also started hosting tailgate parties before each home game. And now, to celebrate the 104th Grey Cup on Nov. 27, they'll hold their biggest tailgate yet.

The event, dubbed the Nissan Titan Tailgate Party, will be able to accommodate 600 hundred cars and feature $4 drinks. There will also be some room for walkups. Tickets go on sale this Monday, Oct. 31 and will cost $40 for a car or $10 for a walkup pass.

If you don't want to tailgate, you can pay $10 to get into the Budweiser Gameday Fan Zone at the Barracks by the not-yet-open Hotel X. This event will feature music by DJ Conor Cutz and Toronto supergroup Dwayne Gretzky.

Or, if you're a CFL enthusiast who's willing to shell out the big bucks, spend $175 for access to the VIP pre-party happening at Muzik. You'll get to see Joel Plaskett Emergency.

Photo via @torontoargos.

8 bars with the best free snacks in Toronto

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Shamone TorontoPeople may believe free bar snacks in Toronto are an urban myth but I have a secret - they do exist. Some Toronto bars give away delicious snack foods so you can happily chow down as you sip away.

From taco joints to taverns, here are my picks for the bars with the best free snacks in Toronto.

The Addisons Residence
Every Friday and Saturday between 12 a.m. to 1 a.m. this Wellington street lounge hands out free pizza to patrons. Staff walk around with pies from Maker Pizza and hand them out until all the slices are gone.

Bar Buca
Stop by this King West hotspot between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a cocktail or glass of wine and you will be treated to some of their delicious aperitif pairings such as free focaccia and olives.

Shamone
This Junction bar does free snacks every Monday night. Starting at 5 p.m. you can snack on platters of assorted cure meats, cheese, fruits and veggies.

Round the Horn
This craft beer destination on Roncesvalles wants to satisfy your sweet tooth. Found at the bar is a bottomless pit of candy that you can snack on all night. Get your fill of classic gummies like fuzzy peaches, sour watermelons and Swedish berries.

Maple Leaf Tavern
The Leslieville tavern serves up free pickled eggs every Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The only catch here is you only get one free egg with every beverage purchase - but even non-alcoholic drinks count.

El Caballito
If you find yourself at this King West taco joint in the wee hours of the night you'll be treated to a little surprise. Every Thursday to Saturday when the clock strikes midnight everyone in attendance gets a free taco.

Swan Dive
This kitschy Dundas West bar has a few tricks up its sleeve. One of its many charms is its free popcorn made from a vintage popcorn machine. Snack away as you down your brew.

Church Aperitivo Bar
Hit up this West Queen West Italian restaurant and bar Tuesday to Friday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for complimentary antipasti and stuzzichini such as home made pizza, arancini and crostini. The only requirement is that you purchase a beverage first.

Photo of Shamone by Jesse Milns.


The most popular costumes in Toronto this Halloween

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halloween costumesSome Halloween costumes in Toronto this year are inspired by super heroes and others by recently dead things. I talked to some local costume stores about the most popular costumes they're seeing this year and here's what I found out.

Keep an eye out for these popular costumes this Halloween in Toronto.

Harambe
There might not be any gorilla suits left at Malabar rentals but this Internet sensation is likely to show up at least once at any Halloween party.

Gatsby
Who doesn't want to feel like a million bucks on Halloween? This costume will leave you with an excuse to dress to the nines for a night.

Prince
Purple jackets are in full swing this Halloween, as an ode to the recently deceased singer.

Harley Quinn
Relive the filming action on the streets of Toronto by running around the city as this Suicide Squad supervillian.

Joker
Heath Leger's version of the joker is still popular this year as well as the Jared Leto joker from Suicide Squad.

Deadpool
Watch where you put your (hopefully fake) samurai swords and get your sarcasm hat on if you're going out as this vigilante. Also, remember you don't actually have healing powers.

Donald Trump
Be prepared to say, "Make America great again" all night long if you opt for this costume. Maybe add on a wall, but only if you're prepared to defend this controversial proposal.

Hilary Clinton
Complete the look of this presidential candidate with a blonde wig and mask and be sure to keep your composure all night (debate) long...

Rey from Star Wars
The classic Princess Leia costume is dying down in popularity this year to make room for dressing up as the newest badass female character from Star Wars - Rey. Although The Force Awakens was released in December, this is your Halloween opportunity to pay tribute to your new favourite Star Wars characters.

Captain America
This classic super hero costume is back again with popularity from Captain America Civil War. Can you pull off wearing a suit of red, white and blue?

Iron Man
If you're going out this Halloween with a frenemy, try out a matching Iron Man and Captain America costume. Just don't get too riled up over any disputes...

Spider Man
Are your spidey-senses tingling this Halloween?

Banana
The mystery continues as to why this costume is still popular, it's back in action for 2016 and is a favourite every year.

Inflatable bath tub
Feel right at home in a tub and rub-a-dub-dub wherever you end up on Halloween. Complete with a rubber duck, this costume will be sure to get a laugh.

Inflatable T-rex
The horse mask meme is slowly fading away and the inflatable T-rex is in as this year's newest wacky costume.

Stranger Things
There has been a lot of hype around this TV show and its spooky plot recently. But, who will take the cake - Barb, Eleven, or the monster from the Upside-down?

What popular costumes are missing from this list? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by @ameliajetson on Instagram.

The Best Beer Selection in Toronto

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beer torontoThe best beer selection in Toronto just keeps getting better and better. From craft beer bars to those specializing in hard-to-find imports, there's now a host of great options to down great beer beyond your local brewpub.

Here are the bars with the best beer selection in Toronto.

Viewing platform being built for Toronto plane spotters

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plane spotting torontoToronto plane spotters have reason to be excited, as The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is set to build a viewing platform for those who like to observe all the intriguing activity at the airport. The observation area will be a feature of the new Danville Park, which will be located at the corner of Kennedy Road and Courtneypark Drive.

There is a bit of a catch, though. That park is located about four kilometres away from the airport, which means that it will not be an ideal location to take photos of planes landing, which is one of the chief interests of folks who make their way up to the airport right now. Based on its elevation of 25 metres, however, it will offer an excellent view of the airport.

Right now, plane spotters are forced to take in the action from Derry, Dixie and Airport roads as well as Convair Drive. It can be tricky to park in these areas, and there's no dedicated observation areas, which can be challenging for casual viewers.

The final design and name of the platform will be revealed in November.

Major road and TTC closures hit Toronto this weekend

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road closures torontoToronto road closures kick up this weekend as we head into Halloween. Along with a few key event-related shutdowns, there's also significant construction work that will make navigating downtown difficult. Throw in a subway closure on Line 1, and you have the recipe for a busy weekend on Toronto streets.

The most noteworthy closure this weekend is the intersection of Richmond and Yonge, which has been dug up for TTC track replacement and water main work. Only local traffic will be able to approach the intersection, while everyone else will be diverted onto nearby streets.

Lakeshore Boulevard will also be closed heading eastbound between Carlaw Avenue and Leslie Street, as construction crews do emergency rail track repairs. The eastbound lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Saturday.

The area around Bayview and Finch is going to be gridlocked as road repairs at the intersection will result in lanes closures. During the closure period this weekend, two eastbound lanes of traffic and one westbound lane will be open at the intersection of Bayview and Finch when grinding takes place in the westbound lanes.

In terms of events, two westbound lanes of Bloor Street West, from Royal York Road to Montgomery Road, will be closed from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 29 for the Charity Bed Race.

On Sunday, Bloor Street will be closed in both directions from Jane Street to Runnymede Avenue from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the annual Halloween Fest in the area.

Also on Sunday is the Oxi Day Parade, which will shut down Euston Avenue and a section of the Danforth between Euston and Logan Avenue.

Last, the TTC has a major closure of Line 1 scheduled for this weekend between St. George and Lawrence West stations. Glencairn Station will be closed outright, while other stations will be open for the sale of fares and surface routes.

For a full list of road restrictions, check out the City of Toronto's official list.

Toronto's biggest art fair of the year is now open

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art toronto 2016Art Toronto is back at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for its 17th year. It features art galleries not only from Toronto and Canada, but also from cities around the world, including New York, Los Angeles and Tel Aviv. Like last year, it's continuing to focus on Latin America and the fair highlights a number of galleries and artists from Central and South America.

New for this year is the Edition Toronto art book fair. It's located on the ground floor of the convention centre. And while you'll have to pay to get into Art Toronto, this part of the event is free.

art toronto 2016And, it seems way more approachable than the rest of Art Toronto, mainly because it includes work many of us can afford, including books, zines, pins, patches and even t-shirts. This fair highlights publishers, commercial galleries, artist-run centres, independent artists, collectives, book-makers and dealers and is run in collaboration with Art Metropole.

art toronto 2016After you visit the book fair, head upstairs the rest of the show, but don't be overwhelmed. Art Toronto it features more than 100 galleries as well as individual artists. Don't rush and instead take your time looking at all the work, which includes paintings, photography and sculptures - like this one titled Mahihkan by Joe Fafard at the Slate Fine Art Gallery booth.

art toronto 2016It can be dizzying to walk around the show, but then pieces like Ken Lum's "You Don't Love Me," at the Royale Projects: Contemporary Art steady you a bit.

art toronto 2016If your head is spinning from all the art, take a break, sit down, and grab a coffee. Better yet, hop on a hammock in Stefan Benchoam and Christian Ochaita's Buró de Intervenciones Públicas (BIP) installation, which features hammocks, pineapples and other whimsical details. The two artists started the BIP when they noticed a lack of public space in Guatamala City.

art toronto 2016While you won't get a chance to meet Obama (though you can see Chris Buck's photo of the late-term president at the Galerie Youn booth), one of the benefits of attending Art Toronto is that you actually get a chance to speak directly to the artists. And if they're not available, the gallery owners are usually on site to help you out - whether you're interested in making a purchase or not.

art toronto 2016But if you're nervous about approaching a renowned artist, take some time to people watch. Seriously, this is one of the best parts of Art Toronto. The fair attracts a diverse and interesting array of individuals; you'll be sartorially inspired and will likely walk away feeling more creative simply by being around some of the city's most imaginative people.

art toronto 2016Art Toronto runs at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre until Oct. 31. Tickets are cheaper if you buy them online and are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors and $45 for a multi-day pass.

Photos by Derek Flack.

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