Although the owners and chef aren't necessarily thrilled with the quickly formed reputation this new Riverside restaurant has as a barbecue-first destination, it's hard to argue against the quality of the smoked fare being turned out here, particularly on weekends, which resemble a Texas-style cookout. That said, the menu really is quite diverse and there's plenty here to interest diners on the hunt for smoke-free offerings.
Read my profile of Aft Kitchen & Bar in the restaurants section.
The verbals jabs and accusations keep on coming days after former mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson asserted on Facebook that Mayor Rob Ford touched and spoke to her inappropriately at a fundraising event last Thursday evening. Taking advantage of airtime on his own show Sunday, Ford characterized the allegations as a "set-up" and revealed that he always wondered "if she was playing with a full deck."
Wow. One wonders if "classless" is a strong enough word here — though it's completely unsurprising that Ford would call his accuser's credibility into question with such a claim of insanity (how long does that particular tradition go back?).
Not to be outdone, however, earlier this morning Thomson was interviewed by KiSS 92.5 and speculated that Ford was high when the alleged exchange took place. Here's a brief transcription of that portion of the interview. When asked directly by the host whether or not she thought Ford was was on cocaine, she replied:
"I thought he was, yes, but I don't know. I looked it up, I went back and looked it up, you know — what are the signs of cocaine use? I looked it up and, you know, sweaty, talking quickly, out of it, arrogant, all these things were on there."
So the situation continues to become more and more bizarre, with both parties reputations on very thin ice. For her part, Thomson noted that she'd be happy to let the matter rest with an apology, but the likelihood of that happening — whether because it's unwarranted or because it constitues an admission of guilt — is about nil.
Stay tuned for the mayor's reply.
The GTA is now home to the first Canadian LEGOLAND location. Found next to Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge in the sprawling Vaughan Mills Mall, it's hard to miss with its bright purple and yellow facade. Unlike the 100+ acre theme parks found in Florida and California, this LEGOLAND has been pegged an indoor Discovery Centre and spans a mere 34,000 square feet. That being said, the space still manages to house two small roller coasters, a 4D cinema, and an awfully cool miniature version of Toronto.
If I were a kid, I'd be wide-eyed at first sight. Greeted at the doorway by two life-size LEGO figures, I'd immediately make my way to the big bowls filled with bricks and fish for my favourite building materials. I'd listen carefully as the "scientist" in the white lab coat shows how LEGO pieces are made. I'd step on the scale to see how much I weigh in LEGO bricks before moving onto the first roller coaster: Kingdom Quest Laser Ride
If I were a kid, I'd grab my laser and shoot at all of the evil trolls and skeletons, getting as many points as I could before the ride was over. Then I'd make my way to the 4D Cinema where I'd reach for the 3D LEGO pieces that seem so close I can almost touch them. I'd be sprayed with water and lightly covered in snow as I gleefully watched the story unfold. After the movie, I'd visit the Master Builders to improve my building skills and then I'd create my own LEGO Racer and test it on the speed track.
But I'm not a kid, and I don't have a kid either. As an adult with a nostalgia for all things LEGO, I appreciate the attention to detail put into the Discovery Centre, especially the remarkable Miniland of Toronto's most popular landmarks, made completely of LEGO.
You'll see Union Station, the ACC, Rogers Centre, The Waterfront, Casa Loma, City Hall, Bay St, and of course, the CN Tower. There's even a scene with construction workers jack hammering their way into a street — a typical TO sight. Within 10 minutes or so, the room transitions from light to dark, and the city's nightlife shines with the familiar glow of the our major landmarks.
There is an additional display featuring Niagara Falls and the famous Maid of the Mist tour, which is equally impressive. Made of 1.5 million LEGO bricks, the display is remarkable. For more information, visit the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre website.
Note Well: LEGLOLAND discriminates against adults. According to its admission policy, adults must be accompanied by a child between the ages of 0-12. We suggest "shoulder-tapping" families on the way in should the photos above not satisfy your curiosity.
Photos by Brian Morton
Around for 20 years in the heart of Little Italy, the subject of a Restaurant Makeover a few years back, and generally a place that pretty much everyone knows about but rarely visits, the College Street Bar has been revamped thanks to a recent change in ownership. I stopped by to check the place out — and to make sure the various claims on their About Page are accurate.
Read my review of College Street Bar in the bars section.
Karma Co-op, the beloved non-profit organic food cooperative, is in danger of having its doors closed for good. Members of the co-op received an email late last week. The email, which was later circulated on Reddit, spread concern about the shop's imminent demise —unless they increase sales by $21,000 per month.
Talia McGuire is the acting general manager of the Annex shop, and she says the co-op realized it was in serious trouble at the last AGM in October. Since then, Karma has been hosting internal workshops and events to try to get existing members to be more actively engaged. The co-op also held a membership drive in November, but McGuire says it didn't drum up the support needed to create a significant leap in sales. That leap has to happen by June, or the co-op is kaput.
Opening up the model to accommodate non-members would undeniably ramp up sales numbers, but McGuire says making those changes would be more difficult than it sounds.
"Our model is not set up to allow non-members to shop, but we're re-evaluating that and discussing how to eliminate barriers to joining and make that more accessible." In the meantime, they have extended their trial shopping period from a day to a month, and the membership fee is waived for that period. (Membership is $40 per year).
Karma is aiming to attract 100 new members by June, as well. More details can be found on their site.
For those who believe that it's a tragedy that Halloween comes but once a year, there's always ComiCon. Descending on the Toronto Convention Centre in early March, super fans of Sci-Fi, comics and geeky stuff in general show off get-ups that range from the provocative to the elaborate to the satirical.
Check out all the costumes from 2103 in our Style section.
Toronto events on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
FASHION | The Wearable Art Show
Exploring various mediums as wearable art, Ryerson's first Wearable Art Show will examine how design can be fitted to the human body. The student-run fashion show is intended to manipulate media while giving a new platform to artists and fashion designers. Two shows will take place at the Gladstone Ballroom tonight with all proceeds going to the St. Alban's Boys and Girls Club.
Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West) 6PM/9PM $15
DANCE | Romeo & Juliet
The National Ballet of Canada has been successfully turning theatre pieces into inspired dance stories for many years but Romeo & Juliet has been a returning favourite on the company's stage since 1964. Opening tonight for a short run that will feature just 8 shows until March 17th, the new version of the show is choreographed by Russian dancer Alexei Ratmansky and set to a score by Sergei Prokofiev. Tickets to each performance of this Shakespearean ballet are still available.
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen Street West) 7:30PM $55-$145
FOOD | GE Café Chefs Series: Maple Madness
Maple is part of Canadian blood, which is why Chef Matthew Demille has created a special maple-inspired menu for tonight's GE Café Chefs Series event at Evergreen Brick Works. A line-up of interactive workshops and demonstrations for foodies, this series introduces attendees to new ways to think about what they eat while experimenting with and teaching new recipes. Anyone interested in the modern food movement will enjoy tonight's workshop with the former chef de cuisine of Enoteca Sociale as he experiments with maple in a large gourmet meal (which of course will be available for eating afterward). Tickets are available through the Evergreen website.
Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Avenue) 6PM $75
ART | Ron Arad: What Was Your Question?
Israeli designer Ron Arad has worked as an industrial, graphic and architectural designer. With an impressive portfolio of studio work, Arad's pieces have appeared in the MoMA, Pompidou Centre, de Pury & Luxembourg and Galerie der Moderne. Arad comes to Toronto tonight for the launch of PQ Eyewear and in conjunction with the release, he sits down in the DX Library to discuss the collection's designs and the inspiration he drew from Le Corbusier, animal vertebrae and his former work. As always, the event is free for DX members.
Design Exchange (234 Bay Street) 5PM $15
ALSO OF NOTE:
MORE EVENTS THIS WEEK
For more Toronto event suggestions, check out these posts:
Photo by Bruce Zinger
Sarah Thomson says she's got no proof Rob Ford was on cocaine the night it's alleged he touched her buttocks and made inappropriate remarks. The former mayoral candidate suggested Ford was on drugs or suffering from some other condition at the fundraising gala because of his disheveled appearance. The mayor had no comment yesterday, but this could get sticky, legally speaking.
City council's casino vote won't happen as soon as expected. Delays preparing a staff report and questions over whether there should be a separate vote on the location of the complex means the item won't land on the agenda until early April. Outstanding information from OLG is to blame, a city spokesman told the Star. Meanwhile, the gaming regulator thinks the vote is too close to call. What say you?
A city staff report says despite the claims of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty there's no shelter bed shortage in Toronto. The document says there are spare beds every night - plus emergency spaces. Only one person complained in 2012 of a lack of space. Toronto has 3,836 beds across 57 locations.
Also in drugs, $4 million shipment of heroin was seized by police at Pearson Airport in February, according to the Canada Border Services Agency. 10.6 kilos of the drug was found in suitcases arriving from Pakistan but so far no arrests have been made. In 2012, the CBSA confiscated heroin worth more than $52.2 million.
Road crews have 11,000 new potholes to fill now the worst of the freeze-thaw cycle has ended, the city says. Holes ranging from small cracks to bike-swallowing craters have emerged thanks to back-to-back storms. The road surface breaks when water freezes inside a crack. Are there any crazy potholes near you?
Finally, ever wanted to know how to tell which side of the street an address on without looking at a map? The cheat sheet for Toronto's streets is online over at Spacing. It also explains how house numbers are assigned. Neat.
Oh, and free vanilla shortbread cookies at St. John's Bakery near Broadview and Queen today if you're in the neighbourhood.
IN BRIEF:
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: "CN Shadow" by /blogTO Flickr pool.
This Week in Home Video previews all the latest Blu-ray, DVD and on-demand titles hitting the street this week, plus lost gems, crazed Cancon, outrageous cult titles and the best places to rent or buy movies in Toronto.
Hitchcock (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)
A lot of goodwill towards the man and the myth gets squandered here (along with an amazing cast) for a ghoulish cartoon costume party hosted by an Alfred Hitchcock fat suit. Not content with being a drama or a comedy, this strays into serious WTF territory with cotton mouthed Anthony Hopkins-as-Hitchcock having laborious life discussions with the ghost of real life cannibal killer Ed Gein (whose grisly handiwork inspired Psycho and later The Texas Chainsaw Massacre). Stick with The Girl, the vastly superior other Hitch biopic from last year, or better yet just rent the original and always enthralling Psycho.
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK
Alfred Hitchcock: The Classic Collection (MGM)
In a week that sees the master director's good name sullied on home video as dress-up fodder for the director of Anvil: The Story of Anvil (see Hitchcock), it's refreshing that MGM have re-packaged a trio of Hitchcock's smartest mid-period thrillers on Bluray to sho nuff: Rebecca (1941), Notorious (1946), and Spellbound (1945). Spellbound is the most compelling of the three, featuring a tight script by Ben Hecht, a cuckoo performance from Ingrid Bergman and dream sequences designed by Salvador Dali.
Life of Pi (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)
60 years deep into the innovation of 3-D movie making and finally we're starting to see quality results from the format, thanks to the visual prowess of cinematographer Claudio Miranda (TRON: Legacy, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and metaphorical storytelling sense of Ang Lee. Cudos also to the rendering of CG Bengal Richard Parker, surely the best castaway sidekick since Wilson. Also available in a deluxe 3-D Bluray Collector's Edition.
Fraggle Rock: Season 1 (Henson)
Visionary Jim Henson's collaboration with the CBC has been trapped with the Doozers in copyright hell for seemingly forever. Short of bringing it back this is about the best fans can hope for, and a timely reminder of TV shows that adults could once happily watch with their kids without feeling hopelessly out of touch.
The Blob (Criterion Collection)
Steve McQueen's breakthrough picture is like the bastard stepchild of Godzilla and The Thing from Another World. Seen through the eyes of aged, overweight MST3K fans this might be jello-fied schlock but buried beneath the pulp exterior is an acid Polaroid of the USA having a Cold war induced nervous breakdown (kicking off with a bouncy theme tune from a then unknown Burt Bacharach). Always a boon to see art-house champions like Criterion lavish tender loving care on late night B-movie Sci-Fi/horror stuff like this.
Willow (20th Century Fox)
Before George Lucas began to cannibalize and defile his own empire with the dreaded "fiddled with" special editions of the original Star Wars trilogy, followed by the full blown fecal sandwich of the Star Wars prequels, Willow was perhaps the first warning sign that things at Skywalker Ranch were slightly askew. Nonetheless people of a certain age who fondly remember wee Warwick Davis and his fantastical adventures will want to check out this Bluray with a commentary from director Ron Howard and some unseen footage.
Doctor Who - The Aztecs: Special Edition (BBC)
Rerelease of an almost 50 year-old Doctor Who story, sadly still Matt Smith-less and slow enough to make the Quaternary glacial period seem positively ADD. No problem though because it's the bonus feature that is the star attraction here - a "lost" episode of the long running BBC series entitled "Airlock", recently found hiding behind someone's cupboard and returned just in time for the Time lord's 50th b-day party. For Doctor Who fans, this is the stuff that dreams are made of.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? - 25th Anniversary Edition (Touchstone)
Upon release the computer generated effects in Roger Rabbit seemed like the most revolutionary leap in movie making ever, but that was 25 years ago. Now it's mostly remembered for Kathleen Turner's husky 3-packs-of-unfiltered-Camels-a-day voice work as Jessica Rabbit, who mainstreamed the sexualisation of cartoon characters and made Google image searching for our favourite animated friends akin to walking in a minefield. Bonus features include deleted scenes and documentaries on the troubled production.
This Must Be the Place (eOne Films)
Bonkers comedy with lipstick and wig wearing Sean Penn tracking down undesirables in post-war New York, featuring cameos from cult personalities David Byrne and Harry Dean Stanton.
Ripper Street: Season 1 (BBC)
The BBC's glossy new Jack the Ripper meets Downton Abbey down the back alley owes more to the shake'n'bake camera work of Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes movies than the usually subdued stiff upper lip period piece melodramas associated with this era.
STILL FRESH
KNOW YOUR LOCAL VIDEO STORE
The Film Buff serves up great movies and even greater ice cream at two locations in Toronto, Ontario. Nick & Amanda Worsley of The Film Buff are also crazy about good TV, and here's a taster of what shows they think are worth your non-film time:
The Misfits Series 1, 2 & 3
A terrifically-witty BBC production about a rough and tumble group of young offenders who acquire super powers during a mysterious storm. It's Scooby-doo for grown-ups. (Series 1 and 2 are available on DVD, Series 3 is a PAL format U.K. release at this time)
Boardwalk Empire Season 2
A stellar second season pushes Boardwalk Empire over the hump and establishes it as one of the premier television shows currently broadcasting. (DVD and Blu-ray)
Louie Seasons 1 & 2
Standup comedian Louie CK has created the best half hour of comedy on television with two seasons of his semi-autobiographical Louis. Not to be missed. (DVD and Blu-ray)
The Bridge Series 1
A 10 episode Scandinavian production about the police investigation that follows the grisly discovery of a dead body on a bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden. (PAL format UK release with subtitles)
Borgen Series 1 and 2
On the short list for the best television series on the planet right now, this fantastically compelling and intricate Danish political thriller delves into issues of gender, media, political change and power. (Both series are currently available in PAL format UK release with subtitles. Series 1 releases in North America in mid-March).
Awkward Seasons 1 & 2
MTV's teen comedy series is what would happened if Mean Girls and Easy A were re-imagined as a television series. It's underlying tone of youthful optimism and old-fashioned storytelling style lifts it well above the fray. (DVD only)
The Fades Series 1
One of the most intriguing offerings from the BBC last year, The Fades is a deliciously-creepy romp into The Night of the Living Dead by way of Freaks and Geeks. (DVD and Blu-ray)
Girls Season 1
On the surface, it might appear the natural sequel to the cringe-inducing Sex and the City, but Girls is in many ways its exact opposite. An edgy, immediate and articulate effort from creator, star and current It girl, Lena Dunham. (DVD and Blu-ray)
Wallander Series 1, 2, 3 and 4
A lifetime of police work has left Detective Kurt Wallander with the look of a man who's seen too much. In a spare and compelling performance, Krister Henriksson does justice to the complicated detective beloved by fans of Henning Mankell's best-selling crime novels. (Series 1 and 2 are available on DVD, Series 3 and 4 are PAL format UK releases with subtitles at this time.)
The Thick of It Series 1, 2, 3 and 4
Armando Iannucci's brilliant BBC-aired political satire spawned an equally-delicious feature film (In the Loop), but sadly, it remains unreleased in North America. A complete treat. (PAL format UK releases)
The Film Buff West
416-534-7078
The Film Buff East
416-465-4324
For more information and reviews check out The Film Buff
It's been a year since Cube Nightclub opened in the old Ultra space and to mark the occasion this past Friday some booze and snacks were consumed by a ravenous and stylish mix of party goers, VIPs and friends of DJ Jed Dadson.
See all the party pics in our Style section.
Freshly opened in the Junction, this minimalist menswear boutique focuses (almost exclusively) on clothing and accessories designed and manufactured in Toronto. While the former isn't the rarest of attributes, the latter makes this shop a destination for the fashion conscious male looking to support his local community.
Read my profile of Gerhard Supply in the fashion section.
This week on DineSafe reveals no red cards, but boy oh boy do we have a winner loser in the form of A La Turque restaurant at 558 Church Street. With a whopping 18 infractions — three of which fall into the crucial category — it's surprising that inspectors didn't deem the place worthy of closure. From a general failure to maintain the premises to the inadequate temperature control, the place sounds like a veritable horror show. But, hey, that's what the inspections are for — at least now they'll have to clean up their act. For plenty more use of the word "failure" read on, but please refrain from eating while doing so.
A La Turque
Inspected on: March 6
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 18 (Minor: 6, Significant: 9, Crucial: 3)
Crucial infractions include: Employee(s) fail to wash hands when required, failure to thoroughly re-heat hazardous food item(s), failure to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter
Brick Street Bakery
Inspected on: March 6
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to protect food from contamination
Butterfly Bakery
Inspected on: March 7
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 2, Significant: 5, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter
Delimark Cafe
Inspected on: March 5
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 3, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated
Oriental Harvest
Inspected on: March 7
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 2, Significant: 6)
Crucial infractions include: N/A
Popeyes
Inspected on: March 7
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 3 (Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder
The Indian Kitchen
Inspected on: March 4
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 3, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated
Watts Restaurant
Inspected on: March 6
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 3, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder
Secret passageways, a rolling ladder, indoor-everything, and premium finishes. But what is this — no golf simulation studio?! Well, I suppose prospective tenants of 98 Old Colony Road will have to make due with just an indoor pool, games room, sauna, squash court, wet bar, drums room, and more. Sacrifices, you know? While you can get the whole package for just shy of $8 million, I'd be happy with the winding bookcase and hidden built-in passageway. If only expired TTC tickets counted as legal currency.
SPECS:
Address: 98 Old Colony Road
Price: $7,899,000
Lot size: 145x229
Storeys: Bungalow
Bedrooms: 3+2
Bathrooms: 5
Parking spaces: 8
Kitchens: 2
Security cameras: 8
Fireplaces: 5
Inclusive square footage: 13, 800
Taxes: $30,269.53
Exterior: Stucco/stone
NOTABLE FEATURES:
Indoor pool
Theatre
Squash court
Exercise room
Wine cellar
Sauna
Billiards room
Drum room
Wet bar
Master ensuite with double-sided vanity, jetted tub, rain shower, two toilets
Separate his and her master walk-in closets
Built-in shelving
Spiral staircase
Hidden bookshelf doors to secret rooms
Bosch and Miele appliances
Heated driveway
Three-car garage
GOOD FOR:
Insatiable readers, Dewey Decimal loyalists, anyone who gets excited by the phrase "hidden doorway" (guilty). Good for those who don't want to have to share anything with their partners (including toilet seats), as well as impassioned drummers/squash-players/pool sharks/swimmers, especially those who don't want to leave home to practice.
MOVE ON IF:
You're a struggling recluse and you fear never leaving your home. You get lost easily. You'd rather spend your money on eight $1 million homes, rather than one $8 million home.
Additional Photos
If you had the dough, would you buy this home? Let us know where you stand in the comments below.
Fab Magazine, Toronto's first publication targeted specifically toward gay men, will cease publication this Spring on account of financial restructuring at publisher Pink Triangle Press. In a farewell note published earlier this afternoon, Editor Phil Villeneuve broke the news (which had already been circling on Twitter) and hinted that additional resources will be devoted to Xtra!, which is also published by Pink Triangle. At least some of that content will be similar to what's currently found in Fab.
"Later this year PTP will launch a new website called dailyxtra.com, which will replace xtra.ca," he explains. "Daily Xtra will incorporate much of Fab's online content and will have increased coverage of the queer travel market."
Nevertheless, it's not without some sadness that the magazine's staff and, no doubt, readers bid goodbye. It's an all too familiar story, and one that I'll let Villeneuve tell. In summing up the closure of the publication, he writes:
"The realities of the print publication world have finally taken their toll on our free glossy. Pink Triangle Press has had to make some difficult decisions over the years, including closing The Body Politic back in the day. Today, the press simply can't afford to keep the magazine running. Despite the contributors, content and the amazing people that fill its pages, it's time to say farewell."
But don't think we're going out with a whisper. Fab is a unique publication and an iconic one for our community. We plan to celebrate it with a final goodbye issue, as well as a great big party. So stay tuned for details, because we'll want to see you all there -- and be sure to get your hands on that final issue, 'cause those bitches will be collectors' items by Pride."
So long Fab — you'll be missed.
Toronto events on March 13th, 2013
MUSIC | Psychic Ills with / U.S. Girls and Tess Parks & The Good People
Things are going to get pretty psychedelic at Parts & Labour tonight, with New York's Psychic Ills hitting town. Psych rock is back in full force, in case you missed the memo, although one could argue that it never left. The Psychic Ills' latest album, One Track Mind just dropped last month, and they're making their way on the road, spreading the good word. U.S. Girls, an esoteric vintage soul-inspired group occupies the middle spot on the bill, and local singer/songwriter Tess Parks, who has a penchant for brooding, dark psych nuggets, gets the ball rolling with her band, The Good People. Should be freaky-good!
Parts & Labour (1566 Queen Street West) 9PM $
BOOKS & LIT | Ben McNally Travellers Series
Authors at Harbourfront Centre presents this special annual International Festival Of Authors event, hosted by Ben McNally, proprietor of TO's own Ben McNally Books. Tonight will bring together several authors who will share some travel stories with you. MacDowell fellowship recipient, Matthew Goodman, will read from Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World, a historical novel set in the Victorian era. West Coast author and poet Jay Ruzesky will share some of his book, In Antarctica: An Amundsen Pilgrimage, and former CBC Bookie Award winner, Iain Reid, will surprise you with his novel The Truth About Luck: What I Learned on My Road Trip with Grandma, which is almost a 'non-travel' book about a young man's "staycation" with his 92-year old grandmother.
Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West) 7:30PM $10
ART | Group Exhibition: Period.
Tonight, a group exhibition of female artists opens at The Gladstone Hotel, entitled Period. This show highlights works from these artists that were created at a particular time: the end of one cycle in their creative development and the beginning of another. The creators whose works will be on display include: Anita Bir, Lydia Boudreau, Emily Cadgar, Frances Cordero de Bolaños, Ebony Jansen, Tanya Masson, Kristen Parry, and others. This show is free and open to the public, and will culminate with a closing party on March 18th.
Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West) 6PM
COMEDY | Nerd Off (Part of the Toronto Sketch Fest's $5 Series)
Tonight at Comedy Bar, as part of Sketchfest, a "Nerd Cagematch" you won't want to miss! Seven sketch troupes will compete for the Stan Lee Cup. Maybe someone should tell these guys that tree's more than one definition of the word "comic"? There will also be prizes for the audience from TO's fave comic store, The Silver Snail. The troupes competing tonight are: Uncalled For, The Short Form Richards, Codpiece, Fratwurst, Ned & Dave, The Ladies, and Chris Wilson & Associates LLP. Erin Rodgers hosts this event that should deliver some good laughs.
Comedy Bar (945 Bloor Street West) 7PM $5
Also Of Note
MORE EVENTS THIS WEEK
For more Toronto event suggestions, check out these posts:
Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.
Photo of U.S. Girls by Christian Bobak
The CNE wants MGM to stop using images of its property in promotional material for its proposed casino. The managers of the land and operators of the annual fair say the gaming facility is "threatening" to the future of the Ex and have issued a cease and desist order to the American company. MGM used images of the Princes' Gates and CNE.
Toronto has failed to meet a waste diversion goal for 2010, falling short on the amount of waste recycled or composted by 20 per cent. The city as a whole was supposed to have hit the 70 per cent but the current figure is more like 50. The city's GM of solid waste says apartment dwellers need to pull their socks up if they're to match those living in residential homes.
Lifetime Sports Bar on College Street is your official papal conclave venue, according to the Toronto Star. TVs in the bar are showing rolling news coverage of the meeting to elect the next pope. Unlike other sporting events, conclaves can be extremely unpredictable - one lasted three years in 1268, though it's thought this one will last under 5 days.
Margaret Atwood is against U of T's plan to install fake grass on the back campus, a patch of land near Hoskin and St. George. The author tweeted she might consider removing the university from her will if the decision isn't reversed. The fake grass will be used as a hockey pitch during the Pan Am Games. Should U of T keep it real?
The new Maple Leaf Gardens has won best 'retail outlet over 200 square metres' at the annual Retail and Leisure Interiors Awards. Australian Landini Associates and local Turner Fleischer Architects transformed the former hockey arena into a split-level supermarket and sports venue that opened last year. Is the reworked venue worthy of celebration?
Someone on Neville Park Blvd. in the Beaches is feeding wild coyotes despite advice to the contrary, according to animal services. The agency that manages Toronto's wildlife is asking local residents to snitch if it knows who's attracting the potentially dangerous animals. In February, a small dog was snatched by a coyote in the area.
The Danforth could get a medical marijuana dispensary if plans for a new storefront get the go-ahead. Sam Mellace, a medical pot activist, hopes changes to the law will allow him to operate Canada's first dispensary and licensing store for sufferers of chronic pain. What do you think of the idea?
Oh, and Ed the Sock - Canada's favourite stuffed critic - is returning to MuchMusic today to dispense acid-tongued advice to a new generation of musicians, cigar and all.
IN BRIEF:
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: "Treacherous" by Nick Wons Photography/blogTO Flickr pool.
This Week in Fashion rounds up the week's style news, store openings and closings, pop-up shops, sales and upcoming fashion and design events in Toronto. Find it here every Wednesday morning.
NEWS
World MasterCard Fashion Week is just around the corner, which means David Pecaut Square (221 King St W) will soon be taken over by large white tents, outrageous fashions both on and off the runway, and Canadian designers ranging from budding to beloved. Don't miss Pink Tartan in all its veteran glory, or DUY (the winner of last season's Mercedes Benz Start-Up competition) hit the tents for the first time next week (March 18 - 22). Visit the official website for a full list of designers and a calendar of events.
Early this week, Tiger of Sweden opened the doors to its Toronto location (56 Ossington Avenue). The Swedish brand is best known for its men's suits, but has also expanded to carry womenswear with similar tailored qualities and a denim shop. To date, Canada is the only country outside of Europe to have Tiger of Sweden stores.
EVENTS/PARTIES
Tomorrow night (March 14), kick off Fashion Week with Homegrown Boutique and Style Empire magazine at Bloke & 4th (401 King St). I know it's super early, but any excuse to throw a dance party, right? With musical stylings by DJ Andy Alias, we've decided to excuse the over-eagerness. RSVP to info@homegrownboutique.ca or info@styleempire.ca, and/or email sheilakhui@gmail.com for booths and bottles.
Another Fashion Week kick off is happening at Maison Mercer (15 Mercer St) this Saturday (March 16) at 10 pm, featuring special guest Willy Monfret - an international model and DJ. In addition to donning his piercing blue eyes and general dreamboat tendencies à la Nicki Minaj music video, he'll also be spinning the ones and twos with house music all night long. To RSVP, email info@maisonmercer.com or call 416 341-8777.
The Coveteur and Thomas Neary are proud to present FA$HION KILLA, an opening party at Maison Mercer (15 Mercer St) happening on Monday (March 18). Don't miss your chance to kick off Fashion Week a third time with rapper and fashion killaA$AP Rocky until four in the morn` -- get your $25 tickets before they run out, and reserve a table by emailing info@maisonmercer.com or by calling 416 341-8777.
The eclectic MIDNIGHT MRKT is finally back and ready for action for its second round. If you didn't make it to the first one, it's an event similar to other monthly markets (like 101 Markets and the Junction Flea), except in nighttime party style. This Saturday (March 16), shop from 7 pm to midnight on the 2nd floor of 461 King Street West with Of a Kind, F as in Frank, Shoppalu, and more — and then stay a little longer to dance to Lucie Tic, Johnny Hockin, and Evening Standard. Entrance is $5 at the doors.
As with most industries, fashion has embraced the digital age (a conclusion made by me after watching the growth of e-commerce and the oddly significant influence of fashion bloggers). For this reason, Fashion Forward is hosting an event next Tuesday (March 19) at the Hard Rock Café (279 Yonge St) featuring panellists from online destinations Mejuri, Hangrz, Peacock Parade, and Fashion Society. Aside from their presentations and Q&A sessions, there'll be allotted time for networking with industry professionals. Tickets are $5 for a seat or free if you'll be standing - either way, you'll need to register on Eventbrite.
Just open near Yonge and Bloor this new burger joint boasts a range of classic and gourmet burgers on house-made buns, as well as homemade gelato. It's only natural, then, that they offer up what might be the city's first gelato burger (yes, it's what it sounds like) and are seriously considering adding alligator and bison burgers to the menu as well.
Read my review of Capitano Burgers & Gelato in the restaurants section.
