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New in Toronto real estate: The Perry Condos

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perry condos torontoThe Perry Condos is an Avenue and Davenport midrise set to receive occupants sometime next year. This building offers all the luxuries you never knew you needed — a piano lounge, reading room, and people wearing white gloves — just so long as you're prepared to pay. Units start deceptively low in price at just shy of $400,000, but if you're keen on a separate shower and soaker tub, multiple bathrooms, and room for actual full-sized furniture, you should be ready to fork over some serious cash. Here is a closer look at The Perry Condos.

perry condos torontoSPECS

Address:128 Pears Avenue

Floors: 11

Total number of units: 45

Elevators: 2

Types of units: One bedroom, one-plus-library, two-bedroom, two-plus-library, townhome

Unit sizes (in square feet): 540-1785

Ceiling heights: 9.0'-10.0'

Prices from: $385,990

Parking: $45,000

Locker: $6,000

Maintenance fees: $0.58

Developer:Mansouri Living

Architect: Young + Wright/IBI Group Architects/GH3

Interior Design:The Design Agency

Amenities: Piano lounge, meeting room, library, concierge, valet, guest suite, garden

Expected occupancy: September 2014

perry condos torontoTHE GOOD

This is one area that will never go out of style. Of course, this isn't the Parkdale-is-suddenly-hip-type style, but rather, a venerability that is much more established in general regard. In that way, an investment in The Perry would probably offer a little more peace of mind (in the long term, at least) than, say, a condo purchase in Corktown or King West that might waver based on reputation and whether a nightclub moves in next door. That just won't happen at Avenue and Davenport.

While it certainly isn't the most "happening" of neighbourhoods (excitement might be limited to the new arrangements at the nearby flower shops), Perry residents will have some superb dining and café options close by, as well as (splurge) shopping options down the road, Ramsden Park next door, and accessibility in the form of Rosedale, Dupont, and Bay subways stations all about a 15 minute-walk away. Of course, for the buyers who opt for a million-dollar "Two Bedroom Plus Library" condo, I doubt nearby public transit will be much of a selling point.

perry condos torontoNow, it's easy to laud a million-dollar condo that's plush with plenty of luxuries (separate shower and bathtub in the master ensuite, 2.5 baths, separate living and dining spaces), but I'm keeping an eye out for the non-venture-capitalist types who might want to keep their purchase, oh, under half a million dollars. And yes, The Perry has some quite acceptable options. Take the smallest unit — the 540 square foot one-bedroom option. Equipped with a 61 square foot balcony, the condo is quite functional with a proper, window-outfitted bedroom (which, sadly, is not always the case with Toronto condos), a corner kitchen with an island and premium Gaggenau appliances, hardwood floors, and an open foyer space.

It's definitely a step up from laminate and natural-light-free bedrooms, which is what you can sometimes find for the same price in an arguably less desirable spot in the city. If I had my pick and unlimited funds, I'd absolutely go for the 1,300 square foot two-bed-plus-library, but down here on earth, the 500-something-square-foot one-bedroom would certainly do, too.

perry condos torontoTHE BAD

That dreaded phrase — "Priced from..." You never really know what it means until you sit down to cross your T's, or, more appropriately, add in your zeros. The cost from the get-go is already pretty steep at around $700 per square foot, and that figure will likely only go up based on unit location in the building, date of closing, and perhaps the mood of the sales agent that morning. It's also somewhat misleading to say that Perry units are "priced from" $389,990, when the next lowest figure jumps a whopping $87,000 to $472,990. I guess that's the price of a building with a "piano lounge" and ensuite "libraries" instead of "dens."

perry condos torontoAt that price point, however, you have to wonder why someone would opt for a one-bedroom condo — even if it is walking distance to Hazelton Lanes — over a semi- with some land that is perhaps a little further from the core. Did I just answer my own question?

The Perry is definitely an aesthetic improvement over the parking lot previously occupying the spot, but I can't help but think that the structure comes off as somewhat generic when considering the profuse use of glass in seemingly every new Toronto condo. Yorkville is one that can get away with a little brick and stone — a more classic, timeless exterior façade. Glass, in this case, just seems a little too easy.

perry condos torontoTHE VERDICT

An easy "yes" for trust fund babies.

What do you think? Would you live here? Add your comments to the thread below.

Read other posts in this series via our Toronto Condos and Lofts Pinterest board


The top 8 food competitions in Toronto

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toronto food competitionsFood competitions in Toronto are for those who like a little fanfare with their grotesquely oversized meals. While there are some eating challenges in the city that can be taken upon on a whim, the competitions listed here are highly organized spectator events that typically offer big rewards to winners. So mark your calenders and adjust your daily caloric intake accordingly.

Here are 8 food competitions in Toronto.

Smoke's Poutinerie
This is "the" competition as far as gluttony goes. Smoke's Poutinerie hosts an annual "World Poutine Eating Championship" in Toronto, a competition that is almost as hard to watch as it is to win. (Okay, that's really not true at all.) The 2012 winner took home $5,000 after putting away 9.5 pounds of poutine in 10 minutes, while onlookers quietly walked away clutching their own stomachs. Kudos, brave eaters.

Burger's Priest
As an unabashed Burger's Priest addict, this is my dream competition. Albeit, one that I would likely fail miserably. Burger's Priest uptown hosted its "Ultimate Burger Eating Contest" this past July, a competition that will hopefully become an annual event. Participants were challenged to eat a burger of 12 beef patties, 12 slices of cheese, plus various toppings and condiments, with the incentive being a trip to Mexico and a $250 gift card. And 12 Burger's Priest burgers, of course.

Udupi Palace
This is a challenge of both speed and strength. The annual Spicy Dosa Eating Contest arranged by Udupi Palace tasks iron-stomach contenders to take on the spicy crepe, aided only by bottles of water and the resolve not to start crying in front of a room full of strangers. Winners receive a $100 gift card, a trophy, and a picture on the Udupi Palace contest page.

Mucho Burrito
Fairly new to the extreme-eating scene, Mucho Burrito just held its first annual "Ghost Pepper Burrito Eating Contest" this past fall, daring potentially masochistic burrito-enthusiasts to take on burritos laced with Naga Bhut Jolokia — also known as the ghost pepper. The first and second-place winners took home $2,500 and a year of free burritos respectively, along with (most likely) a giant bottle of Pepto.

Ceili Cottage
200 oysters in under three minutes — how appetizing. Ceili Cottage is home to the Canadian Oyster Eating Championship each August, a competition whereby participants slurp back as many oysters as they can. For some reason. The winner is treated to a trip to Ireland and the opportunity to participate in the world oyster championships.

Piola
Now, here's an odd one. Piola in Toronto has put our collective affinity for gnocchi to the test, hosting its first-ever gnocchi-eating competition this past August. Challengers were dared to eat as much gnocchi as possible in 10 minutes with a 1963 Vespa going to the ultimate winner. Steven Dorgo ended up putting away a total of 2.4kg of gnocchi.

Shamrock Burgers
If you're more of a Shamrock Burger-fan than a Burger's Priest-devotee, you might want to try out for Shamrock's World Monster Sham Eating Championship. The Scarborough joint just wrapped up its first-ever challenge, daring participants to eat as many Monster Sham burgers (with two 10oz patties, bacon, and cheese) in 10 minutes. The year's winner managed to scarf down 60oz of beef.

Taste of Asia Festival
The type of competition food might change from year to year, but the concept is always the same: eat as much Korean rice, bibimbap, noodles, or whatever else as possible in a limited amount of time, and take home a prize (hopefully a big one).

Photo from our coverage of the 2012 World Poutine Eating Championship

7 wine classes in Toronto

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Wine classes TorontoWine classes in Toronto aren't just for snobs, though you might become one after taking a few. Possessed with the knowledge, for instance, that Zinfandel is basically the same grape as Primitivo, you're likely to be overcome with the desire to share this tidbit at every future social gathering you attend. That won't make you the coolest person in the room, but when people want wine recommendations, they'll come to you first — and that's something.

More seriously, the nice thing about good consumer-oriented wine classes is that they're not particularly esoteric at all. The best sessions are those where a healthy passion for wine is fostered via some learning and, more importantly, tasting. Should you want to get into the technical stuff — like, say, malolactic fermentation and carbonic maceration — there's classes for that too, but they're directed at training future sommeliers so aren't cheap or necessarily all about fun.

Here's a rundown of wine classes on offer in Toronto.

LCBO
The LCBO offers two types of wine education at selected stores throughout the province: 1) tutored tastings and 2) wine appreciation courses, the latter of which are more in depth. Both have their merits, but the region-specific classes (Wines of the World, $130) are the most information-dense.

Midfield Wine Bar
Midfield describes its wine club as casual and informative, both of which are true. There are noses in the air here (they are, rather, stuck inside a wine glass). Presented in collaboration with Good Egg, so far the series has taken a look at the wines of Piemonte, sparkling wines, and that most wonderful Italian grape — Sangiovese. Class prices are generally around $50 but vary depending on the cost of the wines being served (this is a good deal). Watch out for a future class on Grenache, which I plan to attend.

iYellow Wine Club
Run by Taylor Thompson, the sommelier at the Ritz-Carlton these classes ($45 each) are less stuffy than you might think given the location and are a solid value given that you get to try six wines per session (there's usually cheese on offer too). Class sizes are less intimate than what you'll find at Midfield, for instance, but not so large that you'd feel intimidated asking a question in front of the group. They also might not be the worst place to pick-up, but I make no promises as to your odds at such an endeavour.

George Brown Wine Specialist Certificate
Although George Brown also hosts the CAPS Sommelier Certificate courses (see below), this "wine specialist" program is a little less intense. While still attended mostly by (would-be) industry types, it's not uncommon to see straight-up wine lovers enrol in classes merely to expand their knowledge base. The introductory course comes in at $466, but offers 36 hours of instruction.

Fine Vintage WSET Courses
OK, so you can already name all the classified growth estates in Bordeaux, you want an advanced wine class to take it to the next level. Taught by David Lawrason, these classes — which depending on your level and time commitment range from $349 to $1,399 — are designed for the serious oenophile. You'll need to have six ISO tasting glasses to participate, which can be purchased for $45 at your first class.

Independent Wine Education Guild
Much of the classes on offer here are for those who are serious about the industry and wine education, though hardcore enthusiasts will likely still be interested in some of what's on offer. There's a wide variety of courses to choose from (including those for beer lovers, but the most popular are the WSET classes, which range from level one ($300) to level four ($5000+).

CAPS Sommelier Certificate
So you love wine enough that you want to make a career out of it. I'm not sure if that's a great idea, but I know where you should go to hone your craft. The CAPS Sommelier Certificate is a good bet, offering 250+ hours of training (plus 60 hours in the field) for $4,500. This is the real deal, so if you're just a keener with a lot of time and money, maybe try something else on the list first.

Know of a Toronto wine class that's worth a mention? Let us know in the comments.

Underpass

Morning Brew: Ford donation controversy grows, Perks says he'll file a complaint, TTC attacker named, ROM goes green, and the University line takes a March break

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toronto payphoneRob Ford could be in more political hot water for soliciting donations to his football foundation from lobbyists. Coun. Michael Thompson says it's time the mayor handed over control of the charity, which raises cash for sports equipment, to someone outside city hall. A statement from the mayor's chief of staff Mark Towhey said the foundation has attempted to remove all lobbyists from its mailing list after integrity commissioner ruled in 2010 the practice is an "improper use of influence."

Also on the topic, coun. Gord Perks says he'll personally file a complaint if a member of the public does not. Perks says "no elected official should solicit money from someone who does business with the government. Under any circumstances, ever." Could this be the start of more trouble?

Toronto police have released the name of a suspect they're seeking in connection with a stabbing on the subway Wednesday. Cassim Celani Cummings is wanted for attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and failing to comply with probation, after allegedly stabbing a commuter in the neck near Davisville station. Cummings was reportedly harassing riders before the attack.

The ROM could get a green border, complete with trees and urban furniture, if revitalization plans get the go-ahead. The landscaped area will follow Bloor St. east from Philosopher's Walk, round the corner, and down Queen's Park. The museum still needs to find sponsors for the project. Is this a good idea? Could the area use more green space?

The University line will be closed this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) for major signaling upgrades. The subway will terminate at Union and St. George until Monday at 6am. Shuttle buses will operate on the route. The line will be closed for on at least one weekend day for the rest of March.

Also in closures, the intersection of Spadina and Lake Shore Blvd. will be partially closed for construction work today through Sunday. The ramp to the eastbound lanes of the Gardiner will also be closed.

IN BRIEF:

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

Image: "Endangered Species 64" by Dominic Bugatto/blogTO Flickr pool.

This Week in Food: Aft, Fiore, Darwin Bistro & Bar, Jelly Modern Doughnuts, Marky & Sparky's Smokehouse

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toronto food eventsThis Week in Food rounds up the week's food news, restaurants openings and closings, chef movements and upcoming food events in Toronto. Find us here every Friday morning.

OPENING & CLOSING

  • Aft, a self-billed kitchen and bar has opened in the old Toucan Taco Bar space at 686 Queen St. East in Riverside. The short, moderately-priced menu features burgers and other comfort food.
  • Italian bistro Fiore is set to reopen after lengthy renovations at 4 Temperance Street on Monday, March 4th. The new menu will feature a varied selection of salads, sandwiches, pastas and desserts.
  • La Casa Del Cafe plans to open a retail cafe at 774 College Street (next to Monocle) as soon as this April. This will be the first location for this Woodbridge-based importer and roaster who plans to offer Latin American pastries and a mini market of pantry items.
  • Papered windows at 651 College Street indicate that Darwin Bistro & Bar is soon-to-open in the former site of Little Italy's L.A.B.
  • Menchie's continues its quest for global fro-yo domination, and is slated to open a new location near Yonge and College which will take over a former discount clothing store at 474 Yonge Street.
  • Marky & Sparky's Smokehouse is gearing up to open soon in the Junction at 520 Annette Street.
  • Calgary's Jelly Modern Doughnuts will open a franchise of their gourmet doughnut bakery café this April at 376 College Street in the former Vinny Massimo's Pizza and Pasta space.
  • According to PostCity, Torito will be opening a sister restaurant near Queen and Shaw in late March. Few details are currently available, but Torito's chef says tapas will remain a focus at the new spot.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CHEFS

  • The Drake Hotel has announced Ted Corrado (C5) is joining their team as new Corporate Executive Chef overseeing research and development at 1150 Queen Street West, as well as at the soon-to-open Wellington, Ontario outpost, the Drake Devonshire Inn.

OTHER NEWS

  • Marben has changed-up its monthly family-style beast roast held on the last Sunday of each month. Dinner is still $25 per person but will now feature a different beast (say duck, pheasant, or venison) each month.

Photo courtesy of Jelly Modern Doughnuts

The photos of the week: February: 23 - March 1

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Ward's IslandThe photos of the week collect each of the editor-selected photos of the day into one post for a contest to be decided by our readers. Sponsored by Posterjack, the photographer whose image receives the most votes will be awarded with a voucher code for a 24"x36" poster print of their work.

All the rules and fine-print can be found in the original announcement post on the blogTO Flickr page. One thing to add, however, is that the voting period ends at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, after which the winner will be contacted with the good news.

For those photographers whose images are featured below, please feel free to give us a little information about your shot — i.e. where and when it was taken — in the comments section. Who knows? Maybe your description will sway voters in your favour!

Lead photo by Mary Crandall.

Highway 401 TorontoPhoto by Bruvyman

Brookfield PlacePhoto by cookedphotos

Winter TorontoPhoto by Subjective Art

Homeless TorontoPhoto by Ronnie Yip

nobodys listeningPhoto by cookedphotos

Stargazing TorontoPhoto by Mike Falkner


This Toronto statue has been half way around the world

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toronto queens parkA bronze equestrian statue of King Edward VII in full military regalia, his helmet held casually at his side, stands proud in the centre of Queen's Park, its five-ton weight perched atop a small earth mound and stone plinth. Though his short reign ended with his death in 1910, the monument has only been in Toronto, a place it was never meant to see, since 1969.

Originally a coronation gift from the people of India, the statue is perhaps Toronto's greatest re-gifted possession.

toronto queens parkDesigned by popular Victorian sculptor Thomas Brock in England, the statue was shipped to Delhi in India - then still a part of the British empire - as a coronation gift from the city to new king George V shortly after the death of his father, the monarch on the horse.

The statue stood beside several monuments in the city's Coronation Park, the site of the 1911 Delhi Durbar celebration that commemorated Edward's ascension to the throne. At that event, the new king announced the city would become the new capital of India.

When British rule ended in 1947, the country began the slow process of removing conspicuous evidence of its colonial past. Many of the statues in Coronation Park were taken down and dismantled.

The statue was boxed up and would have faced an uncertain future if it weren't for local insurance executive and art collector Harry R. Jackman, who had the statue shipped to Toronto at a personal cost of $10,000.toronto queens parkThe city spent several weeks debating what to do with the "gift," which was projected to cost $25,000 to erect, before setting on its current location in Queen's Park. Dissenting voices claimed the money would have been better spent on a commission from a Canadian artist and one councillor went as far as suggesting the 60-year-old horse be used as children's climbing frame.

The Royal Ontario Museum and Art Gallery of Ontario rejected the chance to add the piece to their own collections.

And so it was that a statue of King Edward VII and his horse wound up in the park behind Ontario's legislature, more than 11,000 kilometres away from its intended destination in a country a little more sympathetic to the royal family.

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

Image: Wikimedia Commons, "365 - 207" by yedman/blogTO Flickr pool.


That time when the Prince of Love ruled late night Toronto TV

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David Bronstein TorontoThe bionic Borscht Belt antics of David Bronstein, a.k.a "The Prince of Love," left an indelible mark on anyone flipping TV channels in the middle of the night circa mid-1990s. Whether you had stayed up watching a movie and fallen asleep on the couch, were an insomniac, or had just come home drunk and lonely, stumbling upon one of Bronstein's infamous 1-900 infomercials was like hitting late night rolled gold. It was a fool's errand to try and escape the clutches of his endearing character shtick, while at the same time his unflappable chutzpah was just enough to drive you crazy, relent, and just call the number on the screen like he demanded.

Originally hailing from Philadelphia, Bronstein moved to Toronto in the mid-1980s looking for entertainment work, spurred on by in-laws who saw the rise in film and Television production and tremendous opportunity at bay. A fan and student of legendary Catskills performers like Don Rickles and Henry Youngman, it didn't take the young stand-up comic known as "The Prince of Comedy" very long to score a sweet gig co-hosting the late night CBC Toronto culture show After Hours.

After Hours paired the manic Bronstein with a straight laced polar opposite in the form of Alexandra Amini, who at the time was co-starring with Mr. T in his low budget shot-in-Toronto drama featuring PI's, lawyers and fists, T And T, produced by Nelvana, and now pretty much forgotten. But lucky Amini got to toil with Mr. T by day, David Bronstein by night.

2013310-ALEX-AND-MR.jpgIn After Hours, Bronstein and Amini explored Toronto after sundown, visiting restaurants, bars, concerts, events, and all points in between. This opportunity allowed the Philly native to not only brush up on his Toronto knowledge, but also absorb the exact science of cheap and cheerful television production - shooting on location with one cameraman, one boom op, and one editor.

Meanwhile, a business model was fomenting in his mind.

The show was a hit, and critics immediately took to the fresh faced Bronstein. "I was described as Pumpernickel instead of the usual Canadian White Bread" he fondly recalls. But after the original producer who saw great promise and gave Bronstein that influential break was replaced with someone who did not appreciate his particular brand of comedy, David's time at After Hours was called short: "She hated slapstick, she hated Mel Brooks, Jerry Lewis, everything that I do, Burlesque, Catskill jokes, everything that people love me for, she hated. She would write on the scripts, don't make jokes, no funny faces". Bronstein left the show while Amini continued on as a solo host for a short while before After Hours was cancelled.

One night while watching scantily clad fly girls getting down on the Arsenio Hall produced dance show The Party Machine With Nia Peeples, Bronstein was hit with a Mack truck-like epiphany: "I said to my wife, there should be a phone number you could call to talk to these girls, because they're so sexy". At the same time, the self-proclaimed "Pavlovian dog" was restless. Not content with waiting for his agent to arrange something ("My agent couldn't book Lassie into a kennel" he recalls), Bronstein wanted to find a way to get himself on TV doing his shtick, where surely he would then be discovered.

At first a few dodgy handshake deals with Toronto area 1-976 numbers led to short lived shows with titles like "Affection Connection", "Love and Passion" and "Night Encounters", but the true bonanza arrived when he hooked up with an entrepreneurial ex-Rogers employee and they decided to purchase their own 1-900 line, buy cheap and tactical late night airtime, and create their own show - Dial-A-Date, fronted by Bronstein as newly dubbed "The Prince of Love", telling full-on, no-holds-barred Catskills jokes with all the stuff that got him in trouble on After Hours.

Filmed entirely on location at Toronto's notorious Limelight night club, Dial-A-Date was a 30 minute tightly scripted infomercial featuring Bronstein's cheeseball Prince of Love character interacting with attractive "single" females, some of whom were on his payroll and would actually talk with callers (there were also 75 girls off-screen who took live calls and got paid 25 cents a minute). He got to tell jokes, pull faces and play a Catskills-inspired parody of sleazy night club guys, employing the same kind of reverse psychology that makes performers like Ron Jeremy so popular: regular, average Joes at home would watch him and think to themself, "Hey, if that schmuck can get the chicks, so can I" and then call Dial-A-Date, at $50 a call (!).

Their initial airtime buy was $20k, made in April of 1995. Bronstein swears his passive aggressive, motor mouthed invitation to viewers - "What are you waiting for? Stop looking at me! Get off the couch and call these girls!" - was driven by the fury he had at the idea his money was burning up while dead airtime focused on him. The first check came back at over $100,000k. "When I saw that cheque, any dreams and aspirations of being a big movie and TV star went out the window. What am I, nuts? I like this kind of money!" remembers Bronstein, who took that money started buying more airtime. Soon they were spending $250,000k and airing the spots over 150 times a week on local TV stations (this accounts for why we all remember him so well). In turn, those buys were bringing back cheques for $500, $600, $700 and $800k from the 1-900 number. The gambit had worked, and soon many others wanted a piece of the pie.

The most obvious and crass Dial-A-Date Xerox was The Date-Line, which also charged $50 a call, broken down to punters at the end of the infomercial as $3.33 per minute, with a minimum 15 minute charge. Its hosts not only lacked the charisma of Bronstein, but the very raison d'être of the show - they looked like they'd have no trouble at all getting a date - and they employed the same kind of dick-in-a-club behaviour that keeps most lonely people at home.

Since Bronstein had essentially created this new late night TV genre, and his Prince of Love shtick was proving so popular, producers of The Date-Line had male co-host Paris Black do Rodney Dangerfield impersonations, resulting in some very unfunny, stilted television (although it didn't stop The Date-Line from broadcasting in essence a license to print money). These days, Black has a new album - "I'm Not Jesus", and claims to have created a new musical genre - "Eurawk" a combination of club, dance, trance and wild live guitar. You can even see him perform live at the Revival Club in Toronto.

Paris BlackLevity aside, Bronstein concedes those early days weren't all wine and roses. Much of the money earned on 1-900 number was never paid out, thanks to charge backs. You can imagine people getting hefty Bell bills and the recriminations and finger pointing which surely followed, including the age old nugget "It wasn't me who called!" All of this was before the cell phone revolution really kicked off, so land-line misuse was rife, and could always be blamed on any number of random people.

The 1990s saw a final gasp of genuine TV personalities, and people like David Bronstein, while engaging in possibly dubious (and lucrative) endeavours, made late night TV a much more colourful, alive and fun place. To this day, Bronstein still gets stopped in the street and recognized everywhere he goes, owing to the ubiquity of his popular late night persona. As you might imagine, he still oversees an empire of infomercial infamy, only now instead of phone lines he has the entirety of the internet to play with, including reality shows, blogs and "crazy" web sites. His monologues are uploaded regularly to Youtube and Vimeo, and his website is an ambitious base of operation. He's currently looking for young entrepreneurs who understand the web and want to collaborate with him. He'll even be a pitchman for you and record a 30 second spot for only $5!. What are you waiting for? Get off the couch and call!

David BronsteinRetrontario plumbs the seedy depths of Toronto flea markets, flooded basements, thrift shops and garage sales, mining old VHS and Betamax tapes that less than often contain incredible moments of history that were accidentally recorded but somehow survived the ravages of time. You can find more amazing discoveries at www.retrontario.com.

Bellwood Bar & Grill joins the deadpool after 30+ years

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Bellwood Bar and GrillThe staff at West Queen West burger joint Bellwood Bar and Grill have flipped their last patty. The joint, famous for its 16 oz. hamburgers and late-night eats, closed for good earlier this week when the building's owners - who are also the operators of the restaurant - decided to sell up.

A January real estate listing has the building and the two upstairs apartments valued at $1.5 million, the hefty price tag no doubt reflecting its prime location steps from Trinity Bellwoods Park. The sale is listed on the condition that the new owners take over the business too.

Bellwood (sometimes Bellwood's, though the sign says Bellwood) opened in 1978 and was operated by father-son team Tom and Paul Kiriakoulis. Have you eaten at Bellwood Bar & Grill? Will you miss their omelette sandwich?

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

Photo by Uncle Lynx in the blogTO Flickr pool.

7 places to take cake decorating classes in Toronto

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toronto cake decorating classesCake decorating classes in Toronto offer an artistic and delicious outlet for all of those creative juices. Granted, while a workshop or two probably won't propel you to the status of the city's gateaux elite, they will give you an edge over the average stencil-equipped cake decorator. These classes cater to a range of experience levels, from professionals to casual hobbyists, and help equip participants with all the knowledge necessary to tap the power of the piping bag.

Here are some places to take cake decorating classes Toronto.

Le Dolci
Well, this is primarily cupcake decorating, but never mind. Le Dolci offers regular cupcake decorating classes (and the odd cake decorating class) at its "fun foodie studio" on Dundas West, most of which run for about two hours and are priced between $80 and $129. Here you'll learn the art(s) of piping, fondant, and/or how to make those pretty sugar flowers, with plenty of tasty treats to take home after the class.

Bonnie Gordon
Having recently moved into more spacious digs on Caledonia Road, Bonnie Gordon is perhaps the foremost Toronto name when it comes to "confectionary arts." This is where the would-be pros go to learn the trade, enrolling in full-time programs that detail the ins and outs of baking essentials and cake design. The college also offers one-day programs on mini-cakes, decorating basics, and cake haute couture (priced around $150-$250).

Katie's Cakes
A cake decorating option for those with nut sensitivities. Katie's Cakes over in East York does a basic skills class in its totally nut-free shop on O'Connor, occasionally switching things up to cater to more advanced students. Taught by Lyne Coderre, Katie's workshops use the Wilton method, and usually cost about $100 for the day, with tools included.

J'Adore Cakes
Another East York option, J'Adore Cakes hosts everything from designer purses cake classes for $250 (yes, you'll make an edible Louis Vuitton), cupcake bouquet classes, classes to teach you basic piping, and much more. Typically taught by instructor Isabelle Loiacono, most workshops are about five to six hours with tools included (to borrow).

Michaels
Michaels has several GTA locations, and at this one on Billy Bishop Way, Michaels not only sells a whole bunch of Wilton products, but actually tells you how to use them. Most courses at the store are about four weeks in duration (two hours a night), spanning topics such as basic decorating skills, flowers, gum paste and fondant, and more. Total course cost is about $100.

Madame Gateaux
If you can navigate its website, you can probably handle an introductory cake decorating class. Right by Woodbine Station, this Danforth shop offers a little bit of everything including baking supplies, fresh baked goods, and yes, plenty of classes and workshops. Most programs are one or two days in duration, and generally cost about $75 to $110.

McCall's
Over in Etobicoke, McCall's is part baking supply, part baking instruction. The school offers more than a few options for would-be cake decorators, including basics classes at various skill levels, wedding cake courses, Australian method workshops, cake masking, ribbons and bows, cake flowers, lettering, and fondant. Depending on the class, you're looking at paying somewhere in the range of $50 to $150.

Photo from our review of Bonnie Gordon Cakes

The Best Late Night Pizza in Toronto

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late night pizza torontoThe best late night pizza in Toronto usually satisfies that inevitable craving after the bar; for when you're famished and keen on a little greasy indulgence (and with coins in your pocket), the places on this list typically come to the rescue. Many of the best late night pizza places in Toronto keep the pies coming until three or four in the morning, ensuring that no one has to retire for the evening without a little thin-crust-pepperoni-with-extra-cheese in his or her belly.

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

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

See also:

The best pizza in Toronto
The best pizza slice in Toronto
The best pizza delivery in Toronto
The best calzone (panzerotti) in Toronto

Photo by staceymccool in the blogTO Flickr pool

Major Lazer get hot and heavy at Sound Academy

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major lazer concert torontoLast night, Sound Academy hosted Diplo'sMad Decent dancehall collective Major Lazer playing to a sold out crowd of rabid fans in the latest episode of their 2013 Free the Universe world tour. The team absolutely blew the roof off with an explosive, unforgettable performance packed with new jams and timeless classics.

major lazer torontoFor the uninitiated: "Major Lazer is a fictional cartoon character, who fought as a Jamaican commando and lost both arms in a secret zombie war in 1984. He fights vampires and various monsters, parties hard, and has a rocket-powered hoverboard." (This show was every bit as crazy as that sounds.)

major lazer concert torontoMaking my way around the venue, I saw more than a few dancers dressed up from head to toe like the crew's namesake, complete with red berets and cardboard-and-duct-tape laser guns. Most ladies opted for signature hot pants, boots and bare midriffs, with the guys sporting tank tops and both genders rocking Major Lazer and Diplo-themed flat bill caps.

The set started out heavy and soulful with Kabaka Pyramid's "Ready Fi Di Road" warming up the crowd with the help of their enthusiastic dance pair and easing everyone into the mayhem that would shortly ensue. Right off the bat, Diplo climbed into an inflatable human hamster ball a la Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne. Soon after that, Diplo commanded that clothes be discarded, with the team losing their shirts and the crowd following suit.

Soon after, confetti, streamers and vuvuzelas announced Major Lazer's hit "Original Don" which raised the vibe in the venue to a fever pitch, and continued with a special (attempted) filming of a "Harlem Shake" video (viral hit from fellow Mad Decent artist Baauer) though nobody in the crowd could stand still for the meme effect.

The mix continued with "Jah No Partial," Elvis Crespo's classic "Suavemente," Buju Banton, Gyptian's "Hold Yuh," Major Lazer's hit "Get Free," Damien Marley's anthem "Welcome to Jamrock," House of Pain's "Jump Around," and some throwback Beanie Man to round out the set list. All the classics were appreciated, and I loved hearing such a diverse set. Oh, and they slipped in some Nirvana just to show off.

major lazer concert torontoNow, dancehall is known for its overtly sexual accompanying moves and this show didn't stray from the standard. Diplo spiced things up for the (luckily) 19+ partiers by inviting stage-dancing girls to perform the signature inverted dance to Diplo's "Express Yourself," and plenty of girls came prepared for the task. All standard fare from the gentlemen that brought us "Major Lazer's Guide To Daggering."

major lazer torontoShort of a wet T-shirt contest, the action couldn't have been racier, and the crowd was all in. Later in the night, one lucky young man was invited on stage for a dancehall lapdance by the pro dance duo, leaving him drenched in water in nothing but his boxer shorts. Good times.

major lazer torontoWriting by Steve Pereira. Photos by Brian Morton

Toronto Concerts, March 2013

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ASAP RockyToronto concerts worth knowing about in March, 2013.

March is maybe the grossest month. Pretty white snow has inevitably melted (yay!) and turned to grey muck (boo), which your cat drags in through your basement window if you can't catch him in time with a towel (universally speaking, here). Random MARCH! fact you didn't ask for: from the Greek Martius, after Mars, the Greek God of war — but no fighting please (Marching allowed....hehheh ehhhhh.) Musically speaking, March is about Canadian Music Week which runs from the 19-24th this year. We've highlighted some of the artists in town for that below but please stay tuned for dedicated CMW previews (free shows! Toronto bands! etc!).

HOT TICKETS

DEFTONES/ MARCH 1 / 7PM / KOOL HAUS / $36
If my awkward dreadheaded (THAT'S RIGHT) youth had a soundtrack, I think it would be Deftones. At some point we grew apart but they've just released Koi No Yokan— their seventh studio album.

TAME IMPALA / MARCH 9 / 8PM / KOOL HAUS / $25
No one can shut up about these Beatles wannabees (like more wannabe than most Beatles wannabees). They've self-described their sound as "a steady flowing psychedelic groove rock band that emphasizes dream-like melody." They're touring on their second full length Lonerism and have come all the way from Australia, so you should check out what everyone is blahing about.

PATTI SMITH / MARCH 9 / 7PM / QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE / $29.50-49.50
"The Godmother of Punk" for gods sake! She released her 11th full length last spring, and while her music has decidedly declined in aggression the political bent and power has never left. If you have age against you (on your side?) and you weren't alive to catch her in the 70s you should make your way to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for a little lesson in punk history.

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE W/DAN DEACON / MARCH 9 / 9PM / THE DANFORTH MUSIC HALL / $25-27.50
Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Deakin and Geologist make up Animal Collective though they are all actually only humans. Their 9th studio album Centipede Hz came out this past September. Equally deranged Dan Deacon (whom we spoke with back in November) will open.

PSYCHIC ILLS W/ U.S. GIRLS / MARCH 13 / 9PM / PARTS & LABOUR / $10.50
One of my craziest and therefore favourite-est friends is in love with this band therefore they are someone to take note of. Droney, hazy, with a bit of country twang, Jessa-from-Girls would love them if television show characters had favourite bands (they do). They just released their 4th full length One Track Mind on Sacred Bones Records.

CMW: RIHANNA W/A$AP ROCKY / MARCH 19 / 7PM / AIR CANADA CENTRE / $32.25-147.25
"Holy shit you guys, it's RIhanna." Is supposed to be your reaction. The tiny pop powerhouse in ridiculous (..ly amazing) outfits is touring on her 7th album Unapolgetic— kids grow up so fast!

CMW: MAC DEMARCO / MARCH 22 / 8PM / SNEAKY DEE'S / $15
Whatta guy! We caught him back in November at The Drake and it was a lounge-y throwback to a 70s coked up party on a yacht — or what I might imagine one to feel and sound like. He's a character I still haven't quite figured out but one to check out for sure.

CMW: NICK CAVE AND THE BADSEEDS / MARCH 23 / 7:30PM / MASSEY HALL / $37.50-77.50
with Sharon Van Etten
NICK CAVE. AND THE BADSEEDS. That is all.

FUCKED UP'S LONG WINTER VOL.5 / MARCH 23 / 7PM / THE GREAT HALL / PWYC
This one goes until 4am- woah! Hide yo kids. Wait, don't — it's a family affair and kids are definitely welcome. They said there would only be 4 but you can't contain all the awesome in 4 nights. There is lots left to be announced but so far the music includes The Sadies and Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet, and DJs Austra and Digits. You'll also be surrounded by tons of "art etc", and INSIDER TIP — I promise the food will be delicious.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY CONCERTS

Also, don't forget that Foundry gets underway tonight! Check out our full preview here.

For more music listings, head on over to our events calendar.

Looking for tickets? Check out Rotate This or Soundscapes to avoid Ticketmaster robbery. For sold out shows, there's always Craigslist (as if you didn't know that).

Have a concert you'd like us to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO events calendar.

Photo by Victor Lundmark on Flickr

Weekend events in Toronto: March 1-3, 2013

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toronto weekend eventsWeekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this March 1-3, 2013.

MUSIC

Foundry 2013
Toronto's newest electronic music festival has arrived: Foundry will take over BLK BOX for eight concerts taking place on the weekends. On this, Foundry's inaugural weekend, featured acts include Scholomo, D33J, Deebs, Juan Atkins, Alixander III, and Gingy. For a full lineup and tickets, visit the Foundry website, and check out our preview.
BLK BOX (1087 Queen St. W.), beginning Friday at 10PM, single tickets beginning at $15, all-access pass $99

The Strumbellas
Fresh off a Juno nomination for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year by a Group, The Strumbellas play a Friday night set at Caplansky's. The six-piece roots and indie rock band from across Ontario released their first full-length album last year, My Father and The Hunter, which garnered them their nomination and breakthrough on the Toronto indie circuit. This show comes along with Caplansky's launch of an in-deli series that sees the space transform into a music venue after hours. That, and The Strumbellas keep it real like that. Tickets will be available at the door.
Caplansky's Deli (356 College Street), March 1, 2013, 10PM $10

Synesthesia II
A technology-themed concert, Synesthesia II will feature the works of nine composers who incorporate electronics into their music, each in different ways. This interdisciplinary music showcase will feature the work of composers Michael Vincent, Monica Pearce and Patrick Power as performed by eight musicians. Each performance will feature a light installation component by visual artist Dylin North. The event is pay-what-you-can, with a reception to follow.
Cinecycle (401 Richmond Street), March 2, 2013, 9PM PWYC

Pretty Pretty Records' Anniversary Show
Pretty Pretty Records began four years ago with good intentions of getting people to dance. Having evolved into its own record label, PPR celebrates the one year anniversary of the release of its inaugural album Kontravoid's S/T, a full-length work that solidified PPR as a record label. Ringing in the beginning of year two with a party at The Comfort Zone this Saturday night, Kontravoid will perform along with out-of-towners Dream Affair, Automelodi and Tiers. Everyone is welcome so long as you pay the toll. Check out our interview with one of Pretty Pretty Records' founders.
The Comfort Zone (480 Spadina Avenue), March 2, 2013, 9PM $10

For more music listings, check out our This Week in Music and March concerts posts.

FASHION

22nd Annual Toronto Vintage Clothing and Textile Show & Sale
Celebrating its 22nd year, the Toronto Vintage Clothing and Textile Show is one of the largest sales of vintage clothing, accessories, heritage estate jewelry and textiles in the country. Having moved to a bigger location at the Ontario Science Centre, this year's show will feature a wider range of items and a list of dozens of vendors with items like quilts, lace and linens for sale. If you're a picker, skip the garage sales this Sunday morning and head here instead. Partial proceeds from admission will go to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Ontario Science Centre (770 Don Mills Road), March 3, 2013, 10AM $8

For more fashion listings, check out our This Week in Fashion post.

THEATRE

Bent
In 1930s Berlin, a gay man finds himself in Dachau Concentration Camp after a one-night stand. The lesser-told story of death camps is represented in Bent, where Max is forced to wear the pink triangle, the S.S.'s symbol for homosexuality, and endure punishment for his sexuality. Opening at Hart House Theatre this Friday night, the groundbreaking play by Martin Sherman and directed by Carter West will run until March 9th.
Hart House Theatre (7 Hart House Circle), March 1-3, 2013, 8PM $25 general, $15 student/senior

For more theatre listings, check out our This Week in Theatre post.

toronto weekend eventsFOOD

Feast in the East 23
Jiva MacKay takes on a bold new menu at this weekend's monthly food and feasting series Feast in the East. Running for almost 2 years now, this 23rd installment of FitE will feature a gourmet meal prepared by the Chef, along with musical performances by rappers More or Les, Onakabazien, Fresh Flesh and Miles Jones & DJ Serious. Advance tickets are available at Circus Books & Music, The Film Buff, Soundscapes and Grasshopper Records, or at the door. Dinner is included in that price!
Polyhaus (388 Carlaw Avenue), March 1, 2013, 9PM $10 door, $7 advance

For more food listings, check out our This Week in Food post.

ART

Balloons
Balloons symbolize freedom and letting go, which is why the Mari Project has organized an art show surrounding their image in dedication to those suffering from a mental illness. In Balloons, artists have taken on the playful subject matter to display their interpretations of what it means to let go and be free in this Friday night's opening of the show at Playful Grounds. The exhibition runs until March 31st and, of course, you'll be walking away with a balloon.
Playful Grounds (605 College Street), March 1, 2013, 8PM $10

PARTY

Motown Party
Dance to some of the greatest songs in music history at 751's returning Motown Party, where Fawn BC and DJ Caff will be joined by special guest DJ Misty Rock 'n' Roll this Saturday to play classics by Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Jackson 5 and Smokey Robinson. If Motown isn't your thing, an all-vinyl set by Brett Millius and Reverend Throwdown will happen all night in the basement of the lounge, with classic rock and oldies spinning on the turntables. If good music isn't enough to bring you out, pitchers will be $11.
751 Lounge (751 Queen Street West), March 2, 2013, 9PM $5 before 11PM, $10 after 11PM

Super Good with DJ Techtwelve
We told you about Crawford's generous offering of free grilled cheese sandwiches on the dancefloor on the first Saturday of the month, and if you were sad to have missed it (which of course you were), this Saturday is your chance to join in on a night of dancing and gooey grilled cheese on the main floor, and music courtesy of Juno-nominated DJ Techtwelve in the upstairs area.
Crawford (718 College St.), March 2, 2013, doors at 10PM, free before 11PM ($5 after)

FILM

Made IN Toronto Film Festival
"Sacred Economics" author Charles Eisenstein and filmmaker Velcrow Ripper engage the city in talks at the MINT Film Festival. Celebrating film and music that is Made IN Toronto, MINT will feature three days of screenings, author talks and performances at venues across the city that are intended to show off what Hogtown is made of. Visit their website for the full programming schedule and info on how to buy tickets.
Various locations, March 1-3, 2013, 6:30PM 2-day pass $59 advance, $80 regular, 3-day pass $71 advance, $100 regular

Reefer (Harper) Madness
Reefer Madness screens at Big Picture Cinema, the city's only 420-friendly movie house, this Friday night to create awareness of changes to medical marijuana programs in Canada. With the intent to fight Harper on these changes, this screening will feature guest speakers and media coverage so if you've ever dreamed of being high on the 11 o'clock news, now is your chance. Toronto band Mystic Fools will play before the speeches and screening. If you believe in the medical marijuana cause, join in on the fight.
Big Picture Cinema (1035 Gerrard Street East), March 3, 2013, 9PM $10 advance, $12 general

For more film listings, check out our This Week in Film post.

COMEDY

Longform Sundays
ImprovTogether, a non-profit improv organization, returns to the stand-up stage with the continuing series Longform Sundays. Taking place at Black Swan Comedy on the Danforth this Sunday, host Justine Cargo will pit four improv teams against one another with the hope of making audiences laugh. The show will be uncensored and (hopefully) vulgar with all proceeds supporting the organization's continuation.
Black Swan Comedy (154 Danforth Avenue, 2nd Floor), March 3, 2013, 7PM PWYC

For more comedy listings, check out our This Week in Comedy post.

GAMES

Uniiverse Games Weekend: Ping Pong Tournament
Uniiverse is hosting gaming tournaments all weekend long but we think their ping-pong tournament is something worth heading east for on a Friday night. 24 single players are needed to compete in a ping-pong tournament that will feature a pretty big prize at the end--an iPad Mini. Anyone can sign up to play and there will be music, free drinks and snacks provided. If ping-pong doesn't suit you, there are plenty other gaming events happening, like this Settlers of Catan tournament on Saturday night.
Uniiverse HQ (111 Jarvis Street), March 1, 2013, 7PM $20

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

Lead photo from our Foundry preview, second photo from our review of Feast in the East 21


Ossington

This Week In Comedy: I Love Jokes Festival, TO Sketchfest, Let's Get Hot, Eugene Mirman

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toronto comedy listingsThe Mayans believed that time worked in a cyclical, rather than linear, fashion. With Eugene Mirman coming to town at the same time that Toronto's self-produced and alt-scene take center stage, I can't help thinking that they might have been onto something. Follow me as I walk you through This Week In Comedy.

SAT MAR 2 - SAT MAR 9 / I ♥ JOKES FEST / A BUNCH OF PLACES / ALL ACCESS FOR $50 (INDIVIDUAL TIX AVAILABLE)

Yuk's and Absolute Comedy be forewarned: independent, motivated, and hungry producers are here to eat your lunch if you're not extremely careful. Evan Desmarais' local juggernaut, I ♥ Jokes, is one such example. Evan and his co-producer Rob Maillous now find themselves unveiling their own comedy festival, with acts like Joe Derosa, Kurt Braunohler, Eugene freakin' Mirman and Eddie freakin' Peppitone. Double Wowzers.

You can buy tickets individually, or get access to every show for $50, which is an uber steal given the headlining acts and other shows like Strip Comedy and the I  ♥ Jokes awards show which round out the bill. Bravo, IHJ, bravo.

THURS MAR 7 - SUN MAR 17 / TO SKETCHFEST / A BUNCH OF PLACES / 4 SHOWS FOR $50

The Toronto sketch scene doesn't get the attention and fanfare that it deserves, and I'll admit: some of the blame lays with me. I don't see sketch comedy as much as I should, particularly because I was first introduced to sketch by high school acts trying to convince me that I shouldn't smoke, litter, or drink. If you feel the same, take a moment to reflect on the other side of the coin, namely, SNL.

Growing up, I would have traded all of my favourite '90s comics for the chance to watch my favourite SNL sketches. So cast off the emotional connotations from elementary school, grow up, and join me as I check out the spectacular talent in this year's Sketchest.

WED MAR 6 / LET'S GET HOT / YUK YUK'S / 224 RICHMOND W / 8PM / $11.50

THIS. A million times, THIS. Chris Locke and Aaron Eves bring the ruckus with a night of alternative comedy. What's alt comedy, you ask? I dunno. Maybe the distinction was of more significance back in the day, when a comfortable space was needed to let comedians veer off the beaten path. Nowadays, I see alternative comics get just as many applause breaks as any imported headliner. If you don't laugh at the Burger John's commercial above, we can't be friends.

SAT MAR 9 / EUGENE MIRMAN / THE RANDOLPH ACADEMY / 736 BATHURST / 8PM / $25

Eugene went to Hampshire College, which allowed him to create and complete a major of his own invention: Comedy. Living up to his training, he was featured alongside the likes of Patton Oswalt and Maria Bamford on the Comedians of Comedy tour. What I adore about Mirman is that you can tell that he does what he wants to do, on his own terms.

He does stand-up in rock clubs because that's what he likes. He writes articles and books because he enjoys satirizing. We would all be reminded that it's not only possible but preferable to pursue that which we love rather than what we have to learn to bear doing. I firmly believe that it's because Eugene's been a lamp unto his own feet that he's become so loved by his loyal followers.

About the Author: This is Michael Jagdeo, and I refuse to write about myself in the third-person. My blog, Diary of a Stand-up Comedian, walks you through the up's and down's (they're mostly downs, really) in my quest to become a killer comic in Toronto.

How Toronto got its name

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toronto sign179 years ago this week the City of York voted to drop its colonial moniker for a title more befitting of the area's history. The move, a rare show of respect for native culture at the time, cemented the legacy of a Mohawk word that had traveled what is now southern Ontario for over a hundred years, being applied to lakes, passages, and rivers, before it finally settled here.

Toronto was first applied to a narrow stretch of water between Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching at present-day Sophie's Landing. The word, Anglicized from Mohawk, was spelled tkaronto and taronto and is used to describe an area where trees grow in shallow water.

lake toronto mapThe name, misunderstood and confused by various old-world explorers, bounced around the area between Lake Simcoe and Lake Huron. On various early maps it was applied to a canoe trail on the Humber River and Lake Simcoe itself. Later, the Humber River, before it was named by John Graves Simcoe after a tidal estuary in northeast England, was called Rivière Taronto after the portage trail.

As the Humber carried south the water of countless creeks and streams, it also brought the Toronto name to the Lake Ontario shore.toronto lacThe first colonial settlement on this part of Lake Ontario was Fort Rouillé, a French trading post depicted in drawings with a high wooden fence at what is now Exhibition Place, just beyond the foot of Dufferin Street. The Seneca-Mohawk villages of Teiaiagon and Ganatsekwyagon (precise English spellings vary) were within today's city limits at the mouths of the Humber and Rouge rivers respectively.

The small complex - alternatively known as Fort Toronto - was founded in 1750 and contained a soldier's quarters, kitchen, a forge, and an ammunition store. It and Magasin Royale, another earlier fortification on the Humber River near Old Mill, were built to attack vessels servicing a rival British trading post at Oswego, N.Y..

Rouillé was abandoned and burned by its own troops retreating at the end of the Battle of Quebec in 1759, a key battle that led to France ceding much of its land claims in North America.fort rouille34 years later, John Graves Simcoe, ordered a garrison built at what is now Fort York at the mouth of Garrison Creek. The English military leader believed the location inside the enclosed Toronto harbour would be easy to defend. The Islands wouldn't become separated from the mainland for another 65 years.

The town of York, named by Simcoe for Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, the second son of then-King George III, developed on the waterfront to the east of the military base.toronto fort yorkPrior to the construction of Fort York, a second encampment would be built on the other side of Garrison Creek. This short-lived base was destroyed in 1812 during the Battle of York. During the fight, the British army were forced to retreat to Kingston, leaving its armed citizens in the streets.

Before abandoning their garrison, the British set light to their artillery storage area and a ship, the HMS Sir Isaac Brock, under construction at the docks. The gigantic explosion that tore through the fort as the gunpowder ignited killed 38 soldiers, including American leader Zebulon M. Pike, and wounded 222 more.

The Americans occupied York for less than a week before deciding to leave with goods looted from across the town. Despite the wishes of their leader, the Americans raided and burned several buildings, including the town's printing press and Legislative Assembly building for Upper Canada, located on Front Street between John and Simcoe.

The town was retaken by the British when the Americans departed for their original position further down the shore. The returning the troops built what is present day Fort York near the destroyed garrison and repelled several raids in 1814.toronto front streetThe town of York recovered from its temporary occupation and grew to surround the old fort. In 1834 the province's legislative council, the leaders of the area around what had become the largest city in Upper Canada, voted to incorporate the community as a city. A group of local citizens thought then was as good a time as any to rebrand the community.

The name Toronto, then recognized as an alternative name for the region, was favoured over York partly because the original York in England was considered so grim.

William Bent Berczy, a member of the Legislative Committee representing Kent, said Toronto had a "musical sound" and was " in every respect much better" than the original title. The others largely agreed, and the city of Toronto was officially founded that same year.

The York name lives on in East York, North York, York Region and the countless other York-related streets and communities in the GTA while Toronto has continued to travel. Torontos in the United States, Australia, and U.K. all derive their name from that narrow stretch of water near Orillia.

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

Image: "09/365 | Toronto" by shabzillaa/blogTO Flickr pool, City of Toronto Archives, Ontario Archives.

Whitehorse pay tribute to Massey Hall with new EP

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WhitehorseThere are few venues more revered in Toronto than Massey Hall. Since it opened in 1894, it's been host to some of the most seminal performances in the city's musical history. To put it bluntly, Massey Hall is the big time.

And tonight, Whitehorse (comprised of husband-and-wife team Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland) are headlining their first show there. Last year, Whitehorse's innovative take on Canadian folk & rock brought the house down around the corner at the Winter Garden, but tonight, they try in the rarefied air of Massey Hall.

Whitehorse have dubbed this leg of their winter tour "The Road To Massey Hall," and since it kicked off in Vancouver, the band has crisscrossed Canada and the United States, from Lethbridge to Chicago, Winnipeg and Milwaukee. All told, they've played 18 shows since the end of January.

As well, Whitehorse have been releasing piecemeal videos alongside an EP (available on Six Shooter Records). They feature mostly covers of artists whose careers have been associated closely with Massey, paying tribute by reworking songs made famous there. It's a great EP, so much so that I can resist sharing the videos that have been released so far. Check them out below.

The EP begins with 'Winterlong,' a slightly obscure Neil Young track; it's amazing how full Whitehorse sounds, even with just two guitars and vocals by Doucet and McClelland.

Blue Rodeo's 'Dark Angel' finds Whitehorse even more stripped down; with nothing more than a little reverb and a single acoustic guitar for most of the song, Doucet's short solo is almost jarring. Almost.

Their dreamy take on 'If You Could Read My Mind' is almost good enough to make me forget this, which is saying something, yeah? Gordon Lightfoot's probably the most fitting artist to cover on this EP; he's logged the most solo performances at Massey of any artist. (There's your interesting fact for the day).

Of Bob Dylan's 8 performances at Massey, by far the most famous was in 1965, where he and The Band pulled out their electric instruments for the second half, earning the folky wrath of the audience. No word on whether or not they played 'It Ain't Me, Babe.'

'Strawberry Blonde' (originally from Ron Sexsmith's unbelievable 1997 release Other Songs) unfolds slowly, Doucet and McClelland telling in tandem a story Sexsmith's voice dominates on the original. Like so much of their material, it's that two-voiced approach that gives Whitehorse a unique slant on this track.

For the last track Doucet and McClelland reprise their version of 'Un Canadien Errant.' The song serves as a coda to this EP, gentle tremolo on the guitar letting the audience down gracefully.

All told, the Road to Massey Hall tour will take Whitehorse to play an astounding 33 shows in just over 3 months. More than just a tour, though, it's an opportunity for two great songwriters to pay their respects to one of the greatest venues in the country.

There are still a few tickets available tonight, but they're going to go quickly. Whitehorse will be supported by Daniel Romano, whose freshly-released Come Cry With Me is also worth picking up.

City falling into night

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