Located above the National Squash Academy at Downsview Park, this suspension training studio was one of the first to offer TRX classes in the city and continues to be one of the leading proponents of suspension-based exercise in Toronto. I stopped by to give the space the once-over and to gauge just what kind of a workout is on offer (confession: it was exhausting).
Read my review of TRX TrainStation in the fitness section.
Toronto events on March 20th, 2013
MUSIC | TWM/Greenshades at CMW: Beekeeper, Atom & the Volumes, Technical Kidman, Souls, the Old Salts, We Are Lovers, Sorry OK Yes
Yes, night two of Canadian Music Week is upon us. There's going to be plenty to check out throughout the week, but tonight's showcase at Rancho Relaxo, put together with the help of GreenShades, is certainly a strong contender in the bang-for-your-indie-rock-buck category. The folk tinged-sounds of Old Salts will start the night off, followed by local five-piece Souls. The 10PM slot belongs to locals Atom and The Volumes, who bring a variety of rock influences together, with groove as a supreme but subtle binding agent. Also on this bill are Technical Kidman, riding in with some buzz from Halifax; Vancouver's Beekeeper; Saskatoon's We Are Lovers; and a two-piece that has moved to TO from Italy, Sorry Ok Yes. This will be a good one.
Rancho Relaxo (300 College Street) 7:30PM
BOOKS & LIT | AUTHORS: Crime Showcase
Tonight, Authors At Harbourfront Centre brings you a special reading, showcasing the crime fiction genre, with a roundtable discussion following. Former Toronto Star writer and internationally recognized novelist, Linwood Barclay, will read from his latest work Trust Your Eyes. Author Ian Hamilton, known for his series of novels featuring the character Ava Lee, a forensic accountant, will read from the latest book in that series, The Scottish Banker of Surabaya. Emerging Arizona author, Becky Masterman, who works in the publishing industry, is proud to present her first crime novel, Rage Against the Dying. Finally, S.J. Parris, aka Stephanie Merritt, an English journalist and author, will share Sacrilege, a crime novel set in the 16th Century. Andrew Pyper hosts this event.
Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West) 7:30PM $10 / free to members, students + youth
ART | Franklin Sirmans
As part of The Power Plant's 2013 International Lecture Series, Franklin Sirmans delivers a lecture this evening. Sirmans is the Department Head and Curator of Contemporary Art the Terri and Michael Smooke Department at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Prior to his current position in LA, he held a similar position for the Menil Collection in Houston, Texas. He has received Atlanta's High Museum of Art's David C. Driskell Prize, and has also written for numerous high profile publications such as The New York Times. Sirmans will discuss his own history and career, and his work as a curator in the context of a current project: Prospect.3 New Orleans.
Harbourfront Centre Studio Theatre (235 Queens Quay West) 7PM $12
THEATRE | The TCDS presents: The Passion of Dracula
The Trinity College Dramatic Society presents a three-act version of Bram Stoker's Dracula, entitled The Passion Of Dracula. This production embraces the novel's "Gothic" aesthetic, and its place in modern popular culture, but this production has added a new twist: "comedy", albeit of the 'dark' variety. There is also an original score, and a choreographed element that promises to add a "sensual" element to this staging of this classic vampire story. "The Passion of Dracula" runs until the 23rd.
George Ignatieff Theatre (15 Devonshire Place) 8PM $10 / $5 students
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 Atom & the Volumes by Andrew Sztein Photography
Cyclists rejoice - an arcane bylaw from pre-amalgamation Etobicoke that nearly made it against the rules for bikers to ride side-by-side is dead. The public works committee voted yesterday to squash the law before it could be enacted, pending approval of city council.
Streetcars are diverting past much of Corktown, Riverdale, and Leslieville this morning after a vehicle pulled down overhead wires on Queen Street near Degrassi and Saulter. The 501 Queen, 502 Downtowner and the 503 Kingston Road cars are diverting via Coxwell, Gerrard, and Parliament. The King streetcar is using Parliament, Gerrard, and Broadview.
Also in transit, the TTC's new streetcar has once again appeared under the cover of darkness, this time in the west end at College and Dundas. Caught on video by Reddit user NIMBYY, the new vehicle glides almost silently when traveling in a straight line, it seems.
Rose Lefko-Cohen is 105. She was born in 1908 four years before the Titanic sank and was 31 at the outbreak of the second world war. She grew up on Baldwin Street when Joseph Oliver was mayor and Sir Wilfrid Laurier was prime minister - the TTC was over a decade away. The Toronto Star profiles the North York woman and her astonishing longevity.
The Masonic Temple, a former music venue and headquarters for MTV Canada at Yonge and Davenport, could return to its original purpose, according to the Star. The Masons will lend their expertise redeveloping the site providing some room is set aside for meetings. Is this a good way to ensure the heritage building is preserved?
Winter is here to stay for some time yet, according to Environment Canada. Spring officially arrived at 7:02 this morning but cold weather and flurries are in the forecast. Last March was a relative scorcher with record-breaking temperatures in Toronto.
Also in winter, Stephen Buckley, Toronto's new general manger of transportation services, says the city shouldn't be afraid to declare a winter emergency in the event of a major snowfall. He says similar rules in Philadelphia are used more often to keep transit moving. Is he right?
TTC CEO Andy Byford has apologized to subway riders for the dismal commute Monday evening. In a YouTube video, Byford explained how two separate fire alerts and an incident in which train doors were accidentally opened in a tunnel severely disrupted service. Is an apology a sign of better customer service from the TTC?
IN BRIEF:
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: "Right Angles" by ronnie.yip/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
After making so much noise as a Toronto-based brand stocked in places like Hudson's Bay and Neiman Marcus, Pink Tartan officially launched its online store just last week. The clean, easy-to-browse website will from now on be offering designer Kimberley Newport-Mimran's coveted garments, with free shipping for orders over $195 - an amount that's not hard to meet considering how elegant and practical Pink Tartan is!
EVENTS/PARTIES
Tonight (March 20), fashion your future at the Academy of Design's Wine & Cheese Info Session happening from 6 pm until 7:30 pm. The prestigious school of fashion offers training and skill sets required to make it in the industry - learn more about the programs from the Academy Chair, Paula Shneer. Register on Eventbrite to secure your seat.
Though World MasterCard Fashion Week is coming to a bittersweet end along with all of its festivities, this means the Dare to Wear Love closing gala is happening very, very soon! On Friday (March 22) at 7 pm, The Ritz-Carlton (181 Wellington St W) will be littered with 25 of Canada's best designers - including Mackage, Greta Constantine, and Brian Bailey - and their one-of-a-kind runway creations made from only six yards of African fabric. Tickets are priced between $75 and $500; the funds are used to support the Stephen Lewis Foundation in its fight against AIDS in Africa.
Celebrate (or wish for) the start of the new season with good company over at Mint Boutique (6 Rack House Mews) tomorrow night (March 21) from 6 pm until 10 pm. Get your nails did with complimentary nail art and enjoy some punch, all while perusing their latest collection featuring Nougat London, Alternative Apparel, 7 for all Mankind, and more.
The official runway shows of World MasterCard Fashion Week are ending this Friday, but one rogue fashion show is going to drag the festivities on for just one more day. Fashion Obsession hosted by SAVVY! will showcase the work of Toronto-based designers Pat McDonagh, Sentaler, Brose, and Masha, so be sure to grab a $65 ticket for access to the runway, complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres, makeovers by Bourjois, and gift bags.
Everlane - an American brand dedicated to offering luxury basics at an affordable price - recently launched its #CrowdFundCanada campaign to bring their concept to Canada. Now that they've reached their goal, they're holding a pop-up "Not a Shop" from tomorrow (March 21) until Saturday (March 23). The space (Milk Glass Co. at 1247 Dundas St W) will house their 10-piece collection — each one priced at an amount that cuts out all of the middlemen mark-ups by existing only online. Guests will be able to touch and feel the garments' impeccable quality, but no transactions will be made onsite - instead, they'll be processed online with free shipping.
For two days only this weekend (March 23 - 24), 451 Christie Street will be home to the Rigorous Mess Vintage Pop Up Shop, a winter edition of their seasonal 40% off sale. This time around, they'll also be featuring jewellery makers National and Re:claim, and photography by Shane Fester, so spend the day(s) from noon to 5 pm sifting through great finds over snacks, tunes, and good company.
Next week (March 27 - 31), the One of a Kind Show is returning for its spring edition. Held at the Exhibition Place, the event is essentially a large convention of all crafty buyable art, photography, clothing, jewellery, food, makeup, toys, and more from over 450 vendors. This year, they're implementing a new Etsy section to bring the e-commerce website to real life, featuring 40 emerging Etsy sellers. Tickets are $14 (or $12 if purchased online) for adults, $7 for seniors and youth, and free for children under 12 years old.
Photo from Dare to Wear Love's Facebook page
Adam Golfetto is a young Toronto DJ who's been dropping mash-up mixtapes in the vein of Girl Talk for several years - but Girl TalkShmirl Talk, I didn't think I liked mash-ups until I heard one of Golfetto's mixtapes (mixfiles? I saw "mixfiles" on a thing the other day and might starting owning it).
Golfetto is unassuming and laid back, but you'd never know it walking into a room while he's playing. The live energy of his fast paced drop-it-while-it's-hot audio style knocks out any doubt as to if mash-up DJs are intriguing or dumb - they're really fucking fun. The first time I saw 7x7 live was a total "I get it now" moment. Cue choral synths.
Golfetto claims to spend an average work-day's worth of work on every minute or two of a mashup mixfile, and I believe him. When he forces a riff you love to share the same time and space as a song you hate (or reminds you of disturbing childhood psychosis) it feels... great.
Elliot Smith, ODB, Britney Spears, Dire Straits, Radiohead, Jay-Z, Blink 182, The Avalanches, Kayne, Arcade Fire, The Beastie Boys, Daniel Johnston, X-tina, The Postal Service, The Spice Girls, Sigur Ros, Crystal Castles; no artist is beyond Golfetto's reach. I'd compare it to an audio "Big Brother" reality show situation where instead of fighting and making fools of themselves, the show's mis-matched stars align and begin to go all new-age transcendental, communicating telepathically and holding hands - but instead of getting bored and grossed out, you want to dance.
7777777 (so many 7's) Life Support will be playing (non-officially) during Canadian Music Week at Detour Bar, so I got some much needed answers from the 25 year old artist, including if he likes people talking to him about Girl Talk. Golfetto also revealed the first 777777 track was a Xiu Xiu mash-up, which blew my mind. Do yourself a favor by ditching out on CMW for an hour to see him play, and loose your cynicism, along with all the other random local cuties who appear at this guy's shows.
Let's start with the personal: are you from Toronto originally?
I was born in Toronto and lived in and around Davisville Village until I was 12. Then for 6 years I lived in Muskoka. After university I returned to the city, and now live in the Beaches.
How did your 7777777 Life Support project come to be? Were there any other music projects before it?
I started playing the drums when I was 4. I've played in a lot of bands but I've found that I prefer to work on my own. So when I was about 14 or 15 I started a solo music project that ended up becoming Hi-Fives All Around! Under that title I recorded and mixed 5 albums of folk rock music. When I was 18, I kind of lost interest in recording and wanted to move to something else. Mashups were sort of coming to the forefront at that time, but I wasn't really hearing anything I found that impressive. So I said, "why don't I just make my own mashups?"
Let's talk about the technique behind your mix tapes: do you consider yourself a producer, remixer, mash-up artist, DJ, musician, sound artist...?
Kind of a cop-out answer, but I'd say a combination. First and foremost I'm a mashup artist, but I love just playing full songs too and finding cool transitions between them. There is so much amazing music out there that does not require remixing but instead just stands up so well on its own. I create all my own beats for my mixtape so in a way I'm also a producer. I've remixed a few songs as well but I don't think I'm particularly good at that so I tend to stay away from it.
How do you keep track of the elements of songs you use in your mix-tapes and DJ sets? For instance, within sixty seconds you'll have a Blink 182 guitar riff move into a No Doubt riff, while over top other elements are playing... I'd need a crazy spreadsheet or something.
It takes me about 8 hours to mix a minute-long segment of a mixtape. I spend a really long time working out each part. So I have lots of time to focus on all the different parts and the way in which I'd like to use them. It's a slow process but it's the way I'm comfortable working.
How do you become inspired to blend certain tracks or sounds together? I picture you hearing a Celine Dion ballad on the radio and thinking "I have to hear someone rap over this".
The most common process for me is finding a music loop I'd like to work with, and that could be anything that grabs my attention. It's always a song I like though. The vocals always come later. I start with the loop and make a beat for it, then add other musical elements and finish with the vocals. I like it because I kind of get to figure it out as I go along. When I try to come up with a mash before I start mixing, I find it never turns out the way I pictured it in my head.
What music do you listen to? It seems like you're open to a lot of different genres: I hear rap, r&b, and pop mixing with dad-rock, punk, and even symphonic elements - plus wild cards like Daniel Johnston.
I really do listen to a huge spectrum of genres. I go through phases day by day. Like, right now I'm banging minimal house and techno, but later tonight I could be seriously into lo-fi indie rock or hip-hop or swing music. I find jumping around as much as I do really has had a good effect when I'm mixing because it makes for some wild combinations and transitions.
You've been DJ-ing around Toronto for a while: what's been the general reaction to the music you play?
To be honest, I never thought mashups were good club music. Mashups work best in your headphones or as background music at a party. My mashes change so quickly in beats and samples that they end up being really hard to dance to. I'd much rather just do an electrohouse set or a hip-hop set or a trap set. I find staying in the realm of one genre for a show works best for me. My show at Detour will be focused on danceable indie rock that was popular when I was about 14-18. There may be a few 90s classics in there too though...
What's been your most magical crowd interaction while DJ-ing?
I just love when people come up to me and tell me how much fun they're having. It doesn't happen often but it absolutely makes my night. I also love making people dance. Seeing a bar packed with people sweating, dancing, drinking, and smiling is one of my favourite feelings ever.
Do people talk to you about Girl Talk a lot? If yes are you into that or is it annoying?
Whenever people try to hype my music to other people they end up saying, "it's like Girl Talk." I think Greg has made some really amazing mashes and he's done incredible things for the genre. It's flattering to even be considered in the same conversation as him. That said, I don't necessarily like my mashes being compared to his because I think we approach things differently. To me, he's at his best when he finds a really good mix and just lets it ride for a while, but he only does that about three times per mixtape. I try to do that every second of every mixtape. So he's definitely an inspiration but I like to think we're different.
Do you listen to Nike7up? For whatever reason I still don't f with GirlTalk, but Nike's mashups are art to me.
I haven't heard of them but I'll definitely check them out. I don't really listen to what other mashup artists are doing, to be honest.
I'm drawn to the playful nature of your mixtapes: I can feel that you're genuinely having fun finding these sounds. Do you think there's something in your brain wiring that compels you to make disparate recordings unite? Do you have any memories going back to childhood that might explain 7777777's style?
I do believe you can make almost any two samples work together with enough tweaking. It might be that I'm interested in opposites attracting or something. I make these mixtapes for myself first and foremost. It's all songs I love to listen to and I try to find a new way to approach them. I think as a child I was already making connections between different songs and finding similarities everywhere. I used to love learning all the lyrics to a hip-hop track and then rapping them out loud over a different song's beat and seeing how I could change the flow to suit a different feeling.
Do you remember your first mashup?
The first mash I ever made involving more than just two tracks was called "I Luv How I Am My Father's Afterclap" and it used "I Luv The Valley" by Xiu Xiu, "I Am My Father's Son" by Wolf Parade, and "Afterclap" by 13 & God. It was disgustingly choppy and poorly mixed, but it definitely sparked something in me.
Why "7777777 Life Support"??
I actually don't remember. The amount of 7's in the name make it impossible to tell people my name while trying to shout over the music at one of my shows. I should probably change it but I like it. Also I'm sort of obsessed with the number 7.
Do you take requests or hate requests?
Loathe. I've never taken a request and I've gotten myself into some very bad situations with drunken people who do not like being denied the song they want to hear. One guy tried to get me to play a Lil Wayne song, and when I said I don't take requests he started trying to pull the cables out of the PA system. But mostly people just stand beside me and insult me for a few minutes. My view is that this is the music I've chosen to play tonight, and while I'm here to please people and get them to dance, I wouldn't be much of a musician if I just played what other people told me to.
Would you do ever a mashup on the spot or do you need to try it at home and work the kinks out first?
I need to spend forever tinkering with my mashups, which is also why I don't like playing them live. I use a super primitive editing program that I've used since I was about 16, and I like to just sit down for long periods of time and slowly build up my mashes piece by piece.
What are some songs (or stems) that you can't live without lately?
Like I said, it changes every day, but my buddy Derek showed me "Let's Have A Kiki" by the Scissor Sisters and "Bear Hug" by The 2 Bears. I've really been cranking those up lately and I'm going to drop them on the 22nd. Interpol's first two albums will always hold a huge part of my heart. I'm a huge fan of Grouper and everything she's been doing. I've also never been able to start mashing without considering the vocals for MOP's "Ante Up" or any vocal by Young Buck. They go with absolutely anything.
What's coming up for you this year?
Currently I have a show or two lined up, but what I'm super focused on right now is biking across Canada. On May 30th I'm leaving from Victoria, British Columbia and biking to St. John's, Newfoundland. I'm super excited to camp beneath the stars every night and just zone in on my thoughts and music while on the bike.
RAPID FIRE
Best Toronto neighbourhood: I'm a Davisville Village/Leaside/Rosedale boy at heart but the Beaches are treating me very well.
Weirdest thing you've seen on the TTC?: First thing that comes to mind is a guy getting his bags stuck in the door and having to run alongside the train while shouting wildly.
Favourite Toronto LP, ever: For a long time it was "You Forgot It In People" by Broken Social Scene (might still be). In the past few years though, I'd say "Hometowns" by The Rural Alberta Advantage.
One track that never fails you: "Banshee Beat" by Animal Collective.
Dubstep or trap?: Two years ago I would've said dubstep. Now, trap.
7777777 Life Support plays Detour Bar Friday, March 22 starting at 11pm. Catch him before he bikes off into the sunset later this spring.
Photos of Adam Golfetto by Denise McMullin. Follow Aubrey on Twitter.
You won't find many traditional pies at this new Danforth pizza joint, but with its lively inventory of quirkily prepared (and named) pizzas — one of which is devoted to our beloved mayor — there's lots to like for the adventurous and unpretentious eater.
Read my review of Big House Pizza in the restaurants section.
One of 16 lofts in an old picture frame factory by Alexandra Park, this condo is all about open-concept, vertical appeal. So nuts to you, walls. This condo boasts three storeys, two fireplaces, and one private outdoor terrace, all for the price of a spacious detached home in some other less cool part of Toronto.
SPECS:
Address: 75 Markham Street, #2
Price: $799,000
Square Footage: 1700
Bedrooms: 3+1
Bathrooms: 3
Storeys: 3
Parking Spaces: 1
Fireplaces: 2
Monthly Maintenance: $584.04
Taxes: $4,511.51 (2012)
Building Amenities: Underground parking, rooftop terrace, security system
NOTABLE FEATURES:
Exposed beams and skylights
Hardwood floors
Stainless steel appliances
Wine fridge
Master ensuite with jacuzzi tub and double-sided fireplace
Private terrace
Glass block window
Wood-burning living room fireplace
Central vacuum
Built-in bookcases
GOOD FOR:
Those who enjoy the craft of building a fire (along with the convenience of a Miele cooktop), and residents who appreciate layered square footage. Good for Queen West living without the late-night café down below. Good for wistful New York expats.
MOVE ON IF:
You think glass block windows should have died along with teased hair and neon windbreakers. You need a bedroom with walls. You fear hitting your head on the underside of that staircase.
Additional Photos
If you had the dough, would you buy this home? Let us know where you stand in the comments below.
There's treasure to be found on Toronto streets. Whether it be a miraculously bedbug free couch at the side of the road or a relatively sturdy bookshelf or table, people throw out all sorts of good shit. The problem, of course, is finding it. How does one make the hunt for such street-side treasures more than a matter of pure chance? The answer's actually pretty simple: you leverage the power of the crowd.
Created by Gavin Cameron, Trashswag is a website and affiliated mobile app built around a crowdsourced map that tracks salvageable trash on the streets of Toronto. Having done some work with architectural salvage in the past, the usefulness of a centralized tracking system became clear rather naturally. "I'm friends with some artists in the city and what was happening is that we would be texting each other picture messages of stuff along with the address or intersection," he explains. "Once you start keeping an eye out you become aware of how much is actually left out - the streets are paved with gold!"
How does it work? Somewhat similarly to a site like SeeClickFix, users report sightings of useful items, which are then plotted on a map. The site is also built to send push notifications to users when trash-as-treasure is reported in their vicinity. "The platform also has the ability to receive reports via email (reports@trashswag.com), via the form on the site, by tweeting a find using #trashswag and, hopefully soon, via text message," Cameron tells me. There's also a mobile app. "If someone downloads the free Ushahidi app on iOS or Android, they can submit reports via that app once they sync the app with the www.trashswag.com URL (downloaders are prompted to enter a URL when they open for the first time)."
As for the type of stuff you can expect to be reported, Cameron wants to ensure that the site features items that are a level above what might be characterized as junk. "I'm trying to maintain a certain level of quality of stuff - solid wood furniture worthy of restoration, as opposed to crappy manufactured wood based on glue. Dumpsters and construction sites in the downtown core are "fertile" ground for finds - the old buildings, when being remodelled, provide old growth woods from the 19th and 20th centuries."
In other words, no IKEA stuff guys. But lots of "gold" for all the DIY types out there.
Find out what's new and hot with our our bi-weekly local music roundup.
TWIST / WHERE TO LIE / FEBRUARY 28TH
Where to lie? 1) The doctors office: "I'd say 2-3 drinks a week. More or less." 2) The marriage bed: calm down honey bunny. Yes I do dream about those things and Bradley every night BUT If I'm lucid dreaming I DEFINITELY run away from them". 3) Comment sections in lifestyle and culture blogs "Wow, being a music reviewer sounds really hard. Better quit and never do it again ever." There are many places where one can lie but this column is not one of them. This is a column where the truth lies and the truth of matter is I like this single from Twist. It's relaxing with an otherworldly wisp that mimics sensation of a ghost giving you a massage. Give it a listen, chill out and remember that truth is relative.
HOPEFUL MONSTER / BEAUTIFUL ISLAND / MARCH 19TH
This one is pretty good. Reminds me a lot of The Boy Least Likely To, remember them? That really takes me back to simpler times when teenagers hated warm gentle music. Why, you should have heard the warm gentle crap they were playing at Shoppers Drugmart this afternoon. In my day, teens hated warm gentle music more than church. Warm gentle music was for adults who needed it to balm the cold chaos of reality — not for teens to get the warm fuzzies in their fresh vibrant bodies with their full future ahead of them.
Kids today's are all hopeful little monsters aren't they? Oh shit dog, I just got that. If you want to GET IT go see SEE IT at the Hopeful Monster CD release at Monarch Tavern March 22 .
SUE NEWBERRY AND THE LAW / SHINE SHINE SHINE / MARCH 28TH
I got super excited when I saw that Sue Newberry and the Law had a song called the Ledge 'cause I thought it was a cover of the Fleetwood Mac song "The Ledge" from Tusk.. That would be so fucking cool, I said to myself. I'm not the type to hold onto less popular songs by major artists just in case I need to impress any babes or blow anyone's mind. You know the type: you're all sitting around talking about how great "Second Hand News" is and then some jackass launches into a monologue on how they lost their edge after Peter Green went cukoo bird or how "Sisters of the Moon" makes "Rhianna" sound like dog farts. That's not me folks. I say FLEETWOOD MAC FOR ALL!
But it turns out Sue Newberry and the Law's "The Ledge" is an original off their new EP Shine Shine Shine, and is excellent in its own right. In fact, you'll probably want to listen to it over and over. Y'all can even catch them live on the 28th at 3030.
SHOTGUN JIMMIE / EVERYTHING EVERYTHING / FRIDAY MARCH 29TH
My roommate really likes Shotgun Jimmie and has played him for me on several occasions. This ones for you bud! Catch em on Friday March 29th at the Monarch tavern for Wavelength 557.
GROUNDERS / GRAND PRIZE DRAWL / MARCH 12
This one's not for children or people overly romantic about animals/nature. It's four minutes illustrating how disgust rules nature and how perfect that disgust is. Basically the music video for this monologue.
Breaking: the video is Found Footage (from the BBC life nature program) which is sort of disappointing but confirms suspicion about the video's seemingly outrageous production value. Then again, if one can sample music why not video? GREAT JOB, FELLERS!
Have you got some hot new shit that should be featured in "New in Toronto Music"? Then email me, the shit stacker, at eric boshart [at] blog to DOT COM.
Photo of Sioux Newberry and the Law from the band's Facebook Page
Day 2 of World Mastercard Fashion Week has come and gone, leaving us to ruminate over a wide variety of collections from some of Toronto's favorite taste makers. Running the gambit from stunning evening wear from Mercedes-Benz Start Up winner DUY to tailored goods from menswear label Klaxon Howl and Sid Neigum's dark and moody collection closing out the night, featuring his signature black and grey with pops of unique textile designs from Japan. If Day 2 is any measure of what is still to come this week, than I will be staying tuned to the tents for days 3, 4 and 5.
Check out and rate the collections from Klaxon Howl, DUY and Sid Neigum in our style section.
Top photo by Dickson Ly
International Women's Day was just the start of four weeks of girl culture-centric programming at the OCAD Student Gallery. Their current exhibit "Period Piece: The Gynolandscape" curated by Canadian artists Sonja Ahlers and Petra Collins, who are both part of the Tavi Gevinson's Rookie Mag team, investigates sides of femininity often misunderstood, under-examined and scorned: pastels, glitter, blood stains, body hair, and female sexuality. If you're feeling squeamish, that's the point — give that feeling, and where it comes from, some thought.
Ahlers, who is based in the Yukon and worked with materials including fur, thread, and ballet slippers for the show, hinted to us yesterday about some secrets in the space: "I used a ketchup flavoured potato chip in the shape of a heart to mirror the blood stain in Sandy Kim's self-portrait. There is a jack knife hammered into the wall whose shadow resembles a tampon."
I can see dudes running to the comments to complain but I'm literally so, so hungry for ketchup chips after typing that, and have you ever tried to stand up, never mind dance, in point shoes? Discomfort is a part of life; without embracing it we'd miss out on some of our favourite beautiful things like tooth fairy money, ballet, and teen movies.
Inspired by the sculpture, illustration, and photography in the exhibit by almost a dozen artists including Ahlers and Collins, the gallery has events lined up into first week of April including performances, a workshop, a salon-style presentation, a girls-only music gear tutorial, and a dance party. Each event will stand as a facet of the Ahlers and Collin's examination of contemporary girl-ness and how it is performed and received by society; in non artspeak terms, girls will rule the space, and it's going to be sparkly, weird, and awesome.
Tonight (Wednesday March 20th), 6-10pm: Ladies Lugging Gear III
According to their Facebook page, Ladies Lugging Gear, or LLG, is a "centralized social community hub exist in Toronto for emerging female producers/makers/broadcasters/media tinkerers/media artists/researchers/scriptwriters etc". Tonight they will host a salon style with presenters Sonja Ahlers, Rafaeka Kino, and Laure Dawe. There will be music, too, courtesy of Lido Pimienta feat. Tough Guy Mountain. Oh, and beer.
I'm hoping this one is going to get uncomfortable (in a good way). Performance artists Kiera Boult, Lauren Scott and Jessica Kichoncho Karuhanga, "whose practices consider beauty, race(ism), feminism, love, friendship and glitter", will join forces. There will be DJs, and probably beer? Unless you live alone you might have to explain tracking sparkles into the house when you get home, just a hunch.
Tuesday March 26th 5-8pm: GODDESS WORKSHOP: AWAKENING THE TEMPLE PRIESTESS W SHAHRAZAD
When I see a title like that my eyes pop out and my "I'm too cynical for this" meter hits the red. Not to fear though, this is actually really a sex workshop disguised as something culty, led by intimacy coach, orgasmic alchemy healer and professional dominatrix Shahrazad. Whoah, there goes my intimidation meter. This one will go heavy into exploring how the sexual combines with the spiritual. No promises but this might provide some cool ideas to re-interpret and reevaluate your contemporary sexy times. $30 sign-up in advance required via studentgallery@ocadu.ca.
Thursday, April 4th 2-4 pm: Girls Only Music Gear Workshop
Toronto musician Rebecca Fin Simonetti, who is also showing illustration in Period Piece, is hosting one of her girls-only tutorials in the Student Gallery, explaining how to record and sequence audio on Roland's SP-404 (aka this is a good time to learn how to use a typical sampler), and taking questions.
For a lot of girls there is a language barrier around gear, and I want to create an intimate space to share this knowledge. Initially the workshops were held in my bedroom, and since then I've taught them in record stores, galleries, and residencies. These workshops also stem from my artistic practice - they are sort of a practical enacting of what I believe in."
Friday April 5th 8-11pm: My So Called Dance Party
No art speak here: it's a dance party featuring DJ Mary Mack and a shout out to "My So Called Life." I'm guessing there won't be a ton of focus on ballet but you'll be welcome to show off your moves. The dance party will mark the closing of Period Piece.
All events take place at the OCAD Student Gallery, 52 McCaul Street.
Ahlers' Google searches, in order:
"Stevie Nicks doing ballet".
"Meret Oppenheim Teacup and Saucer/Back cover of Rolling Stones' Tattoo You".
"Gerhard Richter, Georgia O'Keefee, Eva Hesse".
"Pennies and the braille bible".
"Yukon landscape and salvage fur meets National Ballet School's toe shoes".
On Tuesday night 7 For All Mankind and FASHIONOTES drew the Fashion Week crowd from the tents at David Pecault Square to the rooftop of the Thompson Hotel for a little after work gossip and cocktails.
Check out all the photos in our Style section.
Toronto events: Thursday, March 21, 2013
CULTURE | A Taste of Iceland
Never been to Iceland? Have no idea what it offers? That's probably most people in Toronto so why not try a taste of the country at The Drake tonight, where a four course meal of Icelandic traditional dishes will be served by the resident chef or stop in at the Varsity Cinema's (55 Bloor Street West) free mini film festival celebrating Icelandic filmmakers?
A Taste of Iceland is a city-wide cultural exploration of the small Nordic country with samples of all forms of art and culture available for Torontonians to learn and get a taste of the Norse. If food and film don't interest you, Icelandic artists will be playing throughout the city this week, beginning with a free show at The Hoxton (69 Bathurst Street) by Reykjavik Calling on Saturday. A Taste of Iceland has a full schedule of events and shows available at icelandnaturally.com. The festival runs until March 24th.
The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) 6:30PM $45
MUSIC | Junction the Dry: A Night of Canadian Music and Canadian Craft Beer
The sounds of music inspired by Toronto's west end Junction neighbourhood will be heard all evening long at Junction Craft Brewing tonight as part of Canadian Music Centre's latest series New Music in New Places. "Junction the Dry", a name clearly based on the Victorian era morality for which the Junction was reputed, will feature the music of contemporary Toronto artists Stephanie Chua and Véronique Mathieu with CMC Associate Composer Emilie LeBel. Further works by Derek Johnson, James Rolfe, Caitlin Smith and Healey Willan will be featured at this Canadian Music Week event.
Added bonus: admission includes three beers. If you're looking to hit up other Canadian Music Week events tonight, also check out Heart at Massey Hall (178 Victoria Street), Cai.ro at The Dakota Tavern (249 Ossington Avenue) and Teenage Kicks at The Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen Street West).
Junction Craft Brewing (90 Cawthra Avenue, Unit #101) 7:30PM $25
COMEDY | Janeane Garofalo
Working overtime while in Toronto with six scheduled shows, Gen-X icon Janeane Garofalo begins her first two sets of her three-day stand-up stint at Comedy Bar tonight. The comedian/actress/writer who has earned two Emmy nominations for her role on "The Larry Sanders Show" will perform a full hour and a half set, covering topics such as American politics, the stupidity of pop culture and various self-deprecating jokes as is her style. Kids, if you are obsessed with the '90s, you must see this woman live. Tickets available through TicketWeb.
Comedy Bar (945 Bloor Street West) 8PM and 10:30PM $25
PHOTOGRAPHY | Of Center
Gender expression and expressions of masculinity in people who were female at birth are the subjects of Of Center, E. Wynne Neilly's photography exhibit. Hosting the opening reception at Toronto Image Works Gallery tonight, Wynne Neilly's work is a series of straightforward yet bold images of people who identify their masculinity as lesbian, queer or trans. The 2012 Maximum Exposure award-winning photographer also contributes a looped audio component to the exhibit that airs interviews with the subjects of the images. The show is now open to the public until April 8th.
Toronto Image Works Gallery (80 Spadina, Suite 207) 6PM Free
THEATRE | Death Clowns in Guantánamo Bay
Two clowns find themselves facing several obstacles when looking into the deaths of three prisoners in the Guantánamo Bay camp in Death Clowns in Guantánamo Bay. A dark humorous look at torture, politics and cross-cultural relations, this play by director Ashley Williamson uses mannequins, sculptures, and a SWAT team chorus to make the morbid subject matter amusing and becomes interactive during a 20-minute inspection period, when the audience is invited to look through the set for secrets and use their Android phones to help solve the many questions that plague the clowns. The show opens at Studio Theatre tonight. Tickets are available at the box office or through graddrama.utoronto.ca.
Studio Theatre (4 Glen Morris Street) 8PM $10
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.
A Toronto casino could be dead now that Premier Kathleen Wynne has stipulated that the city will get no special deal (i.e. money) to host one. Mayor Rob Ford, of course, believes that such a deal should be given, but a hosting fee, which could be in the region of $100 million, seems less and less likely. Anything less than that would effectively kill the idea of a downtown casino, said coun. Michael Thompson. Wynne wants all municipalities treated equally. Should Toronto demand more money from casino developers?
Giorgio Mammoliti says he's got bona fide evidence of a conspiracy to discredit him. A letter postmarked December 2012 allegedly tells the councillor he's being followed and advises him to leave politics. Mammoliti thinks the plot is connected to the 2011 budget. Private investigatos also found evidence of tampering on Mammoliti personal computer, according to a press release. What do you make of the claims?
The future of Downsview Park is looking a little darker this morning. Executives in charge of turning the former military lands into a public park and residential neighbourhood have been let go, stoking fears the recently-landscaped area could be sold for development. A new plan for the land, which was recently transferred to a federal group responsible for selling unwanted assets, is due in the Spring. What should they do?
Toronto's got a butt problem, apparently. Cigarettes are among the most commonly dropped items on city streets, and things are particularly bad now the last of the winter snow is melting, according to the National Post. Coun. Mike Layton says some people are under the impression spent smokes are biodegradable. Toronto spends roughly $14 million a year cleaning up dropped garbage.
This riches to rags story about a Hamilton lottery winner would probably be more interesting if it wasn't written by someone at the Star. Never mind the one sentence paragraphs, the I-can't-believe-how-stupid-these-people-are tone is, quite frankly, predictable and boring.
It's a couple days old now, but we have to agree that Toronto isn't a shitty city just because you're a misogynist and have no game. Did we just thank, Vice? Wow.
So now that the Leafs have broken the losing streak, we should stop worrying that they'll make the playoffs, right?
Rapper Drake has contributed a verse about the Danzig Street shootings to a new Snoop Lion song. "No Guns Allowed" tells listeners to "pour something out for the lives that they stole" and describes the event as "one summer day that went horribly wrong." The song is expected to be the second single from Snoop Lion's upcoming Reincarnated record.
IN BRIEF:
Image: Vik Pahwa/blogTO Flickr pool.
This Week in Film rounds up noteworthy new releases in theatres, rep cinema and avant-garde screenings, festivals, and other special cinema-related events happening in Toronto.
NEW RELEASES
From Up on Poppy Hill (TIFF Bell Lightbox)
From the son of Studio Ghibli legend Hayao Mayazaki comes this typically charming new animation from the renowned Japanese studio. Set in 60s Japan, From Up on Poppy Hill tells the story of high schooler Umi, who's stuck living in a boarding house. When Umi meets Shun, they decide to clean up the school's hang out spot, called Quartier Latin (not the Montreal one, obviously). When the chairman of the local high school announces his plans to demolish the building, it's up to Umi and Shun to dissuade him. Not the heart-melter that last year's The Secret World of Arrietty was, but then not every film can set a new benchmark for quality.
Also opening in theatres this week:
REP CINEMA
4 films by Kazuhiro Soda (March 25-28; Innis Town Hall)
"Who?" you might ask, yet Kazuhiro Soda - a Japanese documentary filmmaker based in New York - may be the most idiosyncratic and refreshing Japanese director to emerge in the last decade. His films range from the genuinely feel-good (Peace details the lives of a disabled people and their cats) to the rigorously essayistic (Theatre 1 and Theatre 2 comprise his six-hour observational enquiry into the practice of playwright/theater director Oriza Hirata and his company, Seinendan). Spanning over most of the entirety of his career to date, this series from the Japan Foundation is an invaluable opportunity to catch up with a major new voice.
More rep cinema this week:
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
The Free Screen: Patience (After Sebald) (Thursday, March 21 at 6:30PM; TIFF Bell Lightbox)
Though he died in 2001 at the age of 57, W. G. Sebald's writing career only spanned a period of about a decade and a half (his decade and a half, it's worth noting). And yet, the German writer was still considered among the greatest of all living writers in that brief period, covering such Proustian themes as memory, loss of memory, and personal & societal traumas. This essay film by Grant Gee hones in on one particular Sebald novel: The Rings of Saturn. Using a moody score, lush 16mm images of landscapes, and a roster of insightful talking heads to weave together a lovely, indescribable study of a mind lost too soon.
Creepy Christian Cinema (Thursday, March 21 at 7PM; The Revue)
"No need to go to church for a sermon of guilt! Creepy Christian Cinema is a collection of obscure films designed to not only hammer in the message about the "big guy above", but also to be entertaining and "hip". Shown in church basements and Christian movie theatres, these have been nearly impossible to see, until now!" This is a program that's already played to great turnouts of ecstatic believers and non-believers alike in Finland and Estonia, and this here event marks the North American debut of this essential collection of bone-chilling praises. God bless.
Dirty Handed Cinema: Films of Richard Tuohy (Wednesday, March 27 at 8PM; CineCycle)
LIFT are proud to present this program of handmade 16mm work from Australian experimental filmmaker Richard Tuohy. "More visual than cerebral, these pictures move with an energy unique to film." Be sure to also plan for one of Tuohy's workshops on experimental colour processing on April 6 and 7 at LIFT (11AM - 5PM both days; capacity limited to 6). Admission to the screening is $5 for LIFT members, and $8 for everyone else.
FILM FESTIVALS
AluCine Latin Film + Media Arts Festival (March 21-31)
This year marks the twenty year anniversary of AluCine, who have been programming challenging and unique Latin American films by international Latino artists since November of 1993. This year's eleven-day line-up offers the usual barrage of film screenings, art installations, performances, workshops, artist talks, and of course parties. This year's opening night film, La Playa D.C., is a carry-over from last year's Cannes film festival, where it premiered in the Un Certain Regard selection, and details the travails of a teenager was pushed out by the war, faces the difficulties of growing up in a city of exclusion and racism. Tickets to all screenings are $8 ($6 for students) and can be purchased here.
Lead still from From Up on Poppy Hill
I always thought I sucked at hula hooping. As a kid I would struggle to keep it going for more than a few seconds. But the classes at Sugar Hoops are far from the hooping I remembered.
I recently attended a beginner class where I immediately made a rookie mistake. "Don't move your hips in a circle motion," said Mandy Harvey, owner and operator of Sugar Hoops. "Try moving them back and forth."
And just with that, I got it.
Sugar Hoops launched in January and offers classes with special hoops that are bigger and heavier. It's not only easier to keep up, but you can do tricks and dance around the room while hooping. Before I knew it, I was working up a sweat.
"We like to call it 'exercise in disguise,'" said Harvey. "People come in for the workout, but then they realize it's actually a lot of fun."
Harvey teaches classes out of Dovercourt House and Centre of Gravity Studio (Gerrard East location) every week.
She offers different types of classes, ranging from silent and meditative to "jams" (which are like a circus dance party).
Harvey said the interest in hooping has boomed in Toronto and is part of a worldwide trend. "It's popping up everywhere. There's so many people getting involved. It's incredible," she said.
My class had 11 people who were all eager to be a part of the hooping community.
Despite my sad hooping past, by the end of the class, I was good enough to keep the hoop up while moving around the room blind-folded.
If you're curious to give it a spin, you can drop in for a class for $20.
Writing by Amanda Cupido. Photos by Jessica Goebell.
New research out of the Netherlands suggests park-and-ride facilities at commuter rail stations may have the unfortunate effect of increasing road and vehicle use, according to a post over at Atlantic Cities.
GO Transit said last month it was considering introducing a parking charge to fund new infrastructure and bring it in line with the TTC and other transit companies. According to the Toronto Star, the TTC gets $10 million from each year from this revenue stream. Parking is currently free in all unreserved spaces at GO stations.
The results of the survey, gleaned from users of parking facilities by Dutch researcher Giuliano Mingardo, provide evidence that people who used to bike or use public transit for their entire journey were more likely to drive to a park and ride facility. People surveyed were also made more trips because the cost of travel was lower.
Increasing car usage appears to run against GO Transit's mandate to reduce congestion in the GTA. The study did find, however, that park-and-ride lots in the suburbs that snag commuters before they enter the core of a city performed well at reducing vehicle miles. Paid parking, Mingardo found, reduced some of the negative side-effects.
GO says it's "examining these issues" as part of an investment strategy it's due to deliver in June 2013 for the next wave of Big Move projects.
What are your experiences with GO parking? Would charging for parking encourage you to use alternative modes of transportation or simply force transit riders to make their entire journey by car?
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: "TTC Commuter Lot" by Tom Podolec/blogTO Flickr pool.
Deep in the belly of Union Station a major construction project is underway. Workers are digging down through the floor of the basement, expanding and renovating the concourse level to handle the increased demand on the venerable old limestone giant. The miserable train shed is getting a new glass atrium (hooray for natural light) and the TTC is adding a new platform to its station.
When it's finished, subway riders will be able to saunter from the station into the new GO concourse without facing so much as a set of stairs.
One of the most precarious parts of the build is the creation of a new level below the station where there was previously only dirt. To do this, builders are literally propping up the building's existing support columns on brand new extensions.
The mammoth project is projected to cost around $715.4 million (the original budget was $640 million) and will drastically improve the quality of the busy transit hub. Workers are roughly halfway through the anticipated construction period, so here are some numbers on the project as it currently stands:
MORE IMAGES:
Cement truck at work
Recent aerial view
Projected look of the finished extrior
Revitalized GO concourse
New moat roof
Finished retail concourse
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Images: City of Toronto, NORR Architects
