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This Week in Comedy: ALTdot Comedy Lounge, Pat Thornton, Comedy at Cam's, and Superstars of Comedy

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Toronto ComedyThis week, Toronto's comedians set out to prove that you don't need to be part of the mainstream to get noticed. Follow me as I walk you through the road less travelled in This Week In Comedy.

MON MAR 25 / ALTdot COMEDY LOUNGE / RIVOLI / 332 QUEEN W / 9PM / $5

ALTdot once again brings the ruckus to the ladies (and gents) by featuring numerous acts that would normally headline if they were playing at the big two (Yuk's/Absolute). What's great about the lineup is its diversity, featuring everything from engrossing storytellers like K. Trev Wilson to the utterly unpredictable like Winston Spear and Terry Clement. This means that the show will be consistently interesting, which is no small feat. All hail the pantheon at Diamondfield Entertainment!

WED MAR 27 - SAT MAR 30 / PAT THORNTON / YUK YUK'S / 224 RICHMOND W / 8PM / $11.50-20

It's refreshing when a comedian gets to the point where he's so comfortable on stage you can't tell whether he's improvising or delivering material — Pat Thornton's reached that height. But what'd you expect from a guy who has his own 24-hour stand-up comedy special to raise funds to fight AIDS in Africa every year? That takes both balls and serious improv chops. The best thing about Pat is that although you might've seen him before, you never know what you're going to get. Based on my observations, that's one of the ways you build a following.

FRI MAR 29 / COMEDY @ CAM'S / CAM'S PLACE / 2655 YONGE / 9PM / FREE

Damn, son!  Gilson Lubin (Def Comedy Jam, MTV), Fraser Young (Yuk's), Monty Scott (should be famous), Hunter Collins (MuchMusic, numerous viral videos)...that's just half the lineup. Usually, ALTdot wins the title of best roster, but Matt Holmes (host/producer) has somehow managed to wrestle the belt away this week. It's just another example of homegrown talent doing their own thing, on their own terms. Pay special attention to Holmes. I've heard he can, and I quote, "host the shit out of a show."

SAT MAR 30 / SUPERSTARS OF COMEDY / COMEDY BAR / 945 BLOOR W / 10PM & MIDNIGHT / $10

In Toronto, we're seeing more and more comedians freeing themselves from the mainstream and taking their destinies into their own hands. Case in point, Pat MacDonald's Superstars of Comedy. Through consistent hard work and promotion, he's built his own following of fans by delivering the goods time and time again. IMO, ten bucks to see the likes of Alex Pavone, Ben Miner, and Monty Scott is charity.

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 down's, really) in my quest to become a killer comic in Toronto.

Meet the TTC's giant coin sorting machine of old

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ttc tokensNow, as in the 1950s, the TTC's fare paying customers deposit tokens, cash, and paper tickets into a single secure metal canister beneath the operator. The mix of currency and fare media becomes a problem when it's time for the TTC to deposit the money in the bank. Who, or more precisely what, organizes the pot?

Meet the car-sized, coin-hungry sorting machine that devoured the TTC's daily takings for more than a generation. At one end, a giant hopper collects the disorganized fares delivered to the revenue operations facility by armoured car; on the other side, three chutes dispense neatly sorted coins. In true Toronto transit style, the monster machine was well-maintained and stayed in service until "recently."

ttc tokensThe location and details of the TTC's coin sorting facility are closely-guarded secrets. All we're allowed to know is that the small metal safes attached to the bottom of the fare box are collected daily by secure van and taken away for processing. Tokens are re-rolled and put back into circulation; cash is organized and deposited at the bank.

Part of the reason for the furtiveness is security. Counterfeit currency is a big problem for the TTC, and the Commission is naturally reluctant to reveal its processes. According to spokesman Brad Ross, roughly $1.5 million is lost every year to slugs, fake passes, and other nefarious dealings by people scamming the system.

In 2006, the FBI broke apart a giant counterfeiting ring based in the United States. The sophisticated operation was able to mint coins capable of fooling turnstiles and staff alike. In all, it's estimated the crime cost the TTC about $10 million.

The result is the current "teenie-tiny toonie" (their name) style token with its distinctive swirled border. The complex pattern is harder to fake but the overhaul cost the perennially cash-strapped agency an additional $1.7 million, or 8.5 cents for each of the first batch of new coins.ttc token machineThe old machine organized currency by size, meaning if a fake token was accepted at the turnstile it was likely to end up for sale back at the ticket booth. Despite its fallibility, the device, purchased around the same time the TTC opened the Yonge subway line and introduced its own currency, handled all or part of the coin processing duties for more than 50 years.

At stations, the first token vending machines weren't as reliable. The machines were riddled with bugs from the outset and couldn't be recalibrated to dispense more tokens as prices changed. A maintenance team had to work nights to keep the machines running, not exactly what the TTC hoped when it first automated fare payment.ttc token machineThe current sorting machine, for which the TTC declines even to describe, is able to detect a broader range of counterfeit tokens and non-Canadian currency. Most modern industrial spec coin machines are around 99.995% accurate and capable of handling 10,000 coins a minute. This ain't your bank's penny deposit machine.

10 separate machines purchased in 2008 by the TTC's revenue operations department roll the organized coins into paper tubes ready for redistribution.

The illegal practice of making coins the same size and weight as transit tokens will, thankfully, become obsolete when the TTC finally rolls out electronic fare cards next year. The secret coin machines will stick around, however. Cash fares are here to stay.

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

Image: City of Toronto Archives

Steam Whistle arrives at Jays games

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Steam Whistle Rogers Centre It's long been sore spot among Torontonians who are fans of both our city's baseball team and our city's great beer that it has, up until now, been impossible to enjoy both at the same time. That all changed on Friday, however, when it was revealed that yes, Steam Whistle will now be sold at the Brew House kiosk on the 100 level of the Rogers Centre during next week's home opener.

A small announcement posted to Steam Whistle's facebook page on Friday night, confirms what up until now only a very small number of people have known, namely that craft beer has managed to crack the Labbatt's stronghold that has been live Jays' games for as long as anyone can remember.

Interestingly, Steam Whistle has chosen not to mark the occasion with any sort of fanfare (read: zero press other than a Facebook announcement and a tweet); which to my mind speaks to how precarious the agreement to allow their beer must be — I almost didn't want to write about it for fear Aramark, who provides food and beverage services to the Roger's Centre, might get spooked and revoke the rights.

When I pressed them for a comment, Steam Whistle would only say that they're "very happy to be in there" after serving so many Jays fans across the street for years.

Steam Whistle JaysBy embracing craft beer here in Toronto, albeit extremely cautiously, Aramark isn't actually breaking any new ground. In fact, they provide food services to 13 Major League Baseball teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, New York Mets, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners and the Jays. A host of these teams boast great craft beer in their stadiums, but then of course the craft beer industry in the United States is booming and so the inclusion of craft in their line-ups is largely a reflection of sales.

Here in Toronto, despite what we beer nerds might want to believe, a majority still prefer easy-to-drink lagers along with their peanuts and cracker jack, and Labbatt's still far outsells even the biggest craft brewers; however, that Aramarak has seen fit to allow Steam Whistle in the Roger's Centre this year at all bodes well for craft-drinking Jays fans. At the very least it means that the sale of craft beer has become significant enough in Ontario to warrant their attention, and if that gets fresh beer brewed right across the street into our hands while we watch the Jays, that's good news indeed. Of course don't expect the big brewers to go anywhere any time soon, after all, those big sponsorship dollars are what helped put the team we're all so excited to watch this year on the field in the first place.

Photo by Keith Watson in the blogTO flickr pool.

24 looks from Thomas Balint at Toronto Fashion Week

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Thomas BalintFashion week has come and gone, and all that we have left are memories. Well, that an about 2,000 photos of Canadian designs, sartorial superstars (and mishaps) and sore feet. Day five marked the prodigal return of Toronto-based designer Michael Thomas, with his debut of his newest label, Thomas Balint.

View and rate the photos from Thomas Balint in our Style section.

You've Changed

This Week in Theatre: Arigato, Tokyo, This, The Whipping Man, La Ronde, A Hand Of Bridge & No Exit

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Toronto theatreThis week in theatre rounds up the most noteworthy live theatre playing right now in Toronto. It includes just-opened shows as well as productions that are about to close.

Arigato, Tokyo / Buddies in Bad Times Theatre / 8:00pm/2:30pm / $37
A Daniel MacIvor/Brendan Healey collaboration is one I'm excited to see, regardless of the project. That said, Arigato, Tokyo sounds interesting. Set in the late-night clubs of Tokyo and in the audience of the revered Noh Theatre, a traveling Canadian author finds himself pulled into the deep, dark, depths of the foreign land which surrounds him. The play features Michael Dufays, Cara Gee, Tyson James and David Storch.

This / Berkeley Street Theatre / 8:00pm/2:00pm / $22-$49
You might say that Canadian playwright Melissa Jane Gibson's This is written for a generation of "30-somethings" newly doing battle in the role of adulthood. The play profiles a group of friends negotiating young children, the death of a spouse, relationship challenges, and adultery. Gibson's play promises a fresh "unromantic" take on these contemporary issues. It's directed by Matthew Jocelyn and features Laura Condlin, Christian Laurin, Yanna McIntosh, Alon Nashman, and Jonathon Young.

The Whipping Man / Toronto Centre for the Arts / 8:00pm/2:00pm / $42-$62
Philip Akin directs The Whipping Man, a collaboration between Obsidian Theatre and the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company. Set in 1865, directly after the end of the Civil War, a confederate officer returns home to find his family missing and only two of his former slaves remaining. While waiting for the family to return, past relationships come to the surface, along with a host of long-buried family secrets.

La Ronde / Soulpepper - Young Centre / 7:30pm/1:30pm / $51-$68
It's hard to consider what a shock Austrian writer Arthur Schnitzler's La Ronde was to audiences when it premiered not long after it was written in 1897. A daisy chain of bed hopping raised the ire of censors, quickly endowing it with an enduring cult status (it always pays to be the first). Soulpepper's production is adapted by Jason Sherman and features a large cast including Maev Beaty, Stuart Hughes, Brenda Robins, and Mike Ross.

A Hand of Bridge & No Exit / Ernest Balmer Studio / 7:30pm/2:00pm / $19-$25
Soup Can Theatre presents a pairing of pieces: a compact contemporary opera from Samuel Barber and an existential tour of the afterlife from Jean Paul Sartre. No Exit is certainly the most popular of the two with its premise that, for Garcin, Inès, and Estelle, "hell is other people." A Hand of Bridge features infidelity and unrequited love, all of which is revealed during a game of bridge between two refined couples.

Photo from Arigato, Tokyo by Jeremy Mimnagh

15 looks from Caitlin Power at Toronto Fashion Week

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Caitlin PowerBefore moving on to the best and worst of Toronto Fashion Week tomorrow (stay tuned), take a look at up-and-coming Calgarian, Caitlin Power's eponymous collection which hit the runway on Day 5 of Toronto Fashion Week. Equal parts galactic fembot and salacious secretary, Power has sex appeal down-pat.

Check out all the looks in our Style section.


Toronto on the horizon

Radar: Uniiverse Sweet Week, Esben and the Witch with Heliotropes, The Cale Weird Show, True West, Playing Favourites

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True West Toronto playToronto events on March 25th, 2013

FOOD | Uniiverse Sweet Week
The folks at Uniiverse have officially launched "Sweet Week" — A special run of three events organized under the moniker of "Sweet TO," and which are designed to provide you with entertainment, knowledge, and instruction on making your own delicious creations. In this series, there will be a wine seminar and tasting and a "candy sushi" workshop. SweetTO's first event happens tonight: a primer of making French Macarons, hosted and led by Michelle Edgar, owner of TO's own The Sweet Escape Patisserie. Get your sweet on, tout suite!
Universe HQ (111 Jarvis Street, 2nd Floor) 7PM $35

MUSIC | Esben and the Witch with Heliotropes @ The Drake Hotel
Goth rock trio, Esben and the Witch, descend upon The Drake Hotel this evening. This band, hailing from the UK, took their name from a Dutch fairy tale, and are signed to the esteemed Matador Records, which operates out of London and New York City. Q Magazine predicted they would be the "next big thing" back in 2011, and although it's uncertain what the statute of limitations is on such claims, their debut album Violet Cries did in fact reach 13 on the Indie Chart in the UK shorty thereafter.... so there's that. Their latest, Wash the Sins Not Only the Face was just released in January, and is indeed the occasion for their visit to TO tonight. Brooklyn's Heliotropes are also on the bill.
The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) 8PM $13

THEATRE | The Cale Weird Show
This evening, Buddies In Bad Times will be transformed from a theatre into a "performance art gallery", with The Cale Weird Show, a variety show that blurs the boundaries of performer and audience, and changes the rules up a bit, with performers moving off the stage, and the audience moving beyond their seats! This variety show really will feature a variety of talents, from dancing and singing to joke telling, and even some potentially shocking costumes. Performers will include Alison Creba, Mizz Duval, Team Citizen, and Cale Weir and his band.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street) 7PM PWYC ($5-20)

THEATRE | Soulpepper's True West
The Soulpepper Theatre Company presents a production of American playwright, Sam Shepard's True West, which opens tonight. This play centers around two brothers who have been estranged, and are meeting again for the first time in years, at their mother's house. Conflict, role reversal, and some unusual twists combine in a riveting and disturbing story that escalates to a surprising conclusion. Nancy Palk directs this production, which stars Ari Cohen, Patricia Hamilton, Stuart Hughes, and Mike Ross. "True West" runs until May 4th.
Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane) 7:30PM $51-68

ALSO OF NOTE

MORE EVENTS THIS WEEK

For more Toronto event suggestions, check out these posts:

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

Photo from True West

Morning Brew: Ford draws ire over Kachkar call, OLG adds Vaughan to casino list, pandas due, trouble over hazing video, TTC brass take a spill, and new area codes

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toronto condoRob Ford is drawing criticism over a call to a Newstalk 1010 radio discussion on the weekend. Ford weighed in during a segment about the ongoing Richard Kachkar trial on the Closing Arguments with Steven Skurka show, outlining how he thought Kachkar should be punished for killing police Sgt. Ryan Russell. Criminal defence lawyer Leora Shemesh called Ford's views "politically incorrect."

OLG had added Vaughan to the list of cities that could be in line for a casino. Rob Ford says its a sign that if Toronto doesn't say yes to a major gaming facility another city will pick up the spoils. Staff at Woodbine racetrack and slots are nervous - a casino in that city could drain their business. Do you mind if OLG go elsewhere?

Pandas are coming to Toronto. I repeat, giant monochrome bears are heading to the city. Er Shun and Da Mao, two giant Chinese pandas, are arriving via FedEx later today and will be greeted by prime minister Stephen Harper and other dignitaries (the Toronto Star likens the welcome to the one rolled out for Barack Obama.) The pair are the first of their species to visit in 24 years.

Ryerson engineering students are in hot water over a hazing video on YouTube. The clip shows the apparently voluntary ritual of students crawling in their underwear through slushy water in order to become a frosh week leader. Local councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam called the ritual "demeaning." Should events like this be eliminated?

TTC CEO Andy Byford, TTC chair Karen Stintz, and coun. Mary Margaret McMahon took a spill this weekend during a ceremonial puck drop at a hockey game between TTC workers and NHL alumni. A player lost his footing and slid into the group who were standing on a red carpet, knocking them all the ice, along with two of Stintz's children, one of whom suffered a bloody nose. Whoops.

A Via Rail train that was trapped in a Saskatchewan blizzard for more than 24 hours has finally arrived in Toronto. The service from Vancouver got stuck behind broken-down CN freight trains on the line. A musician on the train wrote a song about the ordeal.

Finally, the 416, 905 and other GTA area codes are getting company today. The Telecommunications Alliance is adding telephone numbers starting 437 and 365 to the existing crop of Golden Horseshoe numbers because of a shortage.

IN BRIEF:

FROM THE WEEKEND:

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

Image: "Faceted Living (i)" by Jack Landau/blogTO Flickr pool.

The Top 10 looks from Toronto Fashion Week

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Toronto Fashion WeekToronto Fashion Week wrapped up last Friday, putting a bittersweet end to the glitz and glam (and outrageous street style outfits) found at David Pecaut Square. Though it was only the second season since IMG had taken over the reins to the five-day event, many improvements were made to propel the Canadian fashion industry to international heights -- the most prominent being the design talent itself.

It seemed as though every designer, whether a newbie or a veteran, really stepped their game up this time around. With that being said, here are my picks for the top 10 looks from Fashion Week in Toronto. Peruse our Style section to find yours.

Sid Neigum's film photography-inspired take (top photo) on the omnipresent floral trend was refreshingly unique, to say the least. Check out and rate his entire Fall 2013 collection here.

Korhani Fashion WeekMeant to be one of the more conceptual shows, Korhani Home always impresses the audience with their re-imagination of rugs and other home textiles. This look in particular is especially daring as it mixes print, fringe, and floral appliques - if eggplants could be sexy, this is what they'd look like.

Thomas Balint Fashion WeekMenswear tends to be a lot less progressive compared to womenswear, which is why Thomas Balint's subtle changes to the classic suit - including the off-centre pant closure and open-front jacket - are right on target. Check out and rate his entire Fall 2013 collection here.

Chloe Comme ParrisA 90's flashback may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the juxtaposition of velvet and chiffon - with dainty silver chain and attention-grabbing tights to polish it off - were things I'm glad Chloe Comme Parris brought to the current decade. Check out and rate their entire Fall 2013 collection here.

duy fashion weekDUY's clean, almost all-white look exploited the element of surprise with a larger-than-life knit scarf - a look I may or may not have tried to replicate two days later. Check out and rate the entire Fall 2013 collection here.

Soia kyoAside from the palette, there's nothing grey about Soia & Kyo's achromatic look; the mishmash of wool textures created the same - if not more - visual interest as colour does. Simon Tham is also a contributing factor to said visual interest. Check out and rate the entire Fall 2013 collection here.

Caitlin Power Fashion WeekSometimes the simplest of things makes the biggest impact, like the leather lapels and contrasting piping in this Caitlin Power ensemble. Check out and rate her entire Fall 2013 collection here.

korhani homeMore of Korhani Home turning carpets into couture! This time using a stiff rug and Mongolian fur to create a one-of-a-kind tribal masterpiece.

Joe Fresh 2013Leave it to Joe Fresh to take the almost-dead camouflage pants trend and make it new again by blowing it up and turning it metallic silver. Plus, the oversized trench is an appreciated nod to the Swinging Sixties. Check out and rate the entire Fall 2013 collection here.

Soia kyo 2013Soia & Kyo played with proportion and length in this head-to-toe black outfit, while still paying special attention to details like pleats and quilting.

What was your favourite look and collection from Toronto Fashion Week? Let us know in the comments below.

Photos by Dickson Ly and Jesse Milns

This Week in Music: Toronto Urban Roots Festival, American Nightmare announce Hogtown gig, Sigur Ros play the ACC

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Electric SixThis Week in Music rounds up the latest news, releases and concerts coming to Toronto.

IN THE NEWS

Toronto Urban Roots Festival lineup continues to grow

Initially announced at the end of February, the Toronto Urban Roots Festival (TURF) is continuing to roll out its lineup of artists - and it's pretty stellar. The festival will take place over four nights and two full days from July 4-7 at Fort York, and it's shaping up to be one of the events of the summer. Check out this lineup: Belle & Sebastian, Yo La Tengo, Flogging Molly, Arkells, The Sadies, The Joel Plaskett Emergency, The Skydiggers, The Hold Steady, Fitz & The Tantrums, and many others. More artists are expected to be announced today (March 25), and early bird tickets go on sale tomorrow. The all-in festival pass gives you full access to the grounds for the duration of the event for the low price of $125.00.

American Nightmare (Give Up the Ghost) cryptically announce Toronto gig

Fans of hardcore punk will be pretty damn pleased about this one. American Nightmare (formerly Give Up the Ghost, and prior to that, American Nightmare), officially reunited in 2011 for a handful of shows in the U.S. They haven't played any shows in Toronto since reforming - until now, that is. The band's Wesley Eisold recently posted a cryptic photo to Instagram that bears two dates: 6/6/13 and 6/8/13, along with the caption "Chi/Tor." While no further details were given, this seems to confirm that the band will be playing two shows in Chicago and Toronto. More information is sure to come, and we'll keep you posted as it emerges.

THIS WEEK'S HOT TICKETS

WEDNESDAY MARCH 27 / ELECTRIC SIX / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 368 QUEEN W / $23.50 / 19+

Since arriving on the scene back in 1999, Detroit sextet Electric Six has made a career out of making music that can't be easily classified. It's essentially a blending of several genres, including rock, disco, metal, New Wave, synth-pop, and more. Their latest album, released last October, was a live compilation entitled Absolute Pleasure, and their last studio album, Heartbeats and Brainwaves, was released the previous October. Arguably, though, the band has yet to top their breakthrough 2003 single "Danger! High Voltage." You can probably expect to hear that one at this show.

SATURDAY MARCH 30 / SIGUR ROS / AIR CANADA CENTRE / 40 BAY / $52.25 - $82.25 / ALL AGES

One of the great regrets of my life is the fact that I have yet to see Sigur Rόs live. I've been in love with this Icelandic trio since first hearing their groundbreaking 1999 album Agaetis Byrjun, and while opportunities to see the band have present themselves, I've never been able to make it happen. So, if you happen to have tickets to this show, you're definitely in for a treat - this is some of the most astounding music you'll ever hear ("Staralfur" and "Untitled No. 4" brings tears to my eyes to this day).

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CONCERTS

WHAT WE GOT UP TO LAST WEEK

Photo of Electric Six courtest of kata rokkar on Flickr.

The great Toronto coffee drink challenge: Miami Vice

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Miami Vice drinkWe crave variety, and sometimes just a little change will add new possibilities to our routine. And let's be honest - our morning, or afternoon (or morning and afternoon) coffee is a routine that most of us are long past changing. With this in mind, Red Rocket has come up with a new wrinkle on the long espresso drink that make caffeine delivery a bit less brisk.

miami vice red rocketCONCEPT
As Michael Scott, manager of Red Rocket's Wellesley Street location puts it, their Miami Vice came about when they decided to put a Cubano and an Americano together. Cuba + America = Miami. So far, so clever.

SCORE:6/10

miami vice coffeeEXECUTION
Making the Miami Vice couldn't be more straightforward. You can argue all you want about the perfect way to make a Cubano; home brewers insist that you add a few drops of espresso to the sugar and stir till you have a spoonful of coffee syrup, then add the rest of your shot. The authentic Cuban method involves a pinch of salt and a dab of butter, but that would be a pretty hard sell almost anywhere else.

Most coffee shops do it the simplest way. and so Scott adds a packet of demerara brown sugar to the portafilter of their espresso machine and runs a shot. Cubano aficionados swear that the sugar takes the bitter edge out of espresso, which is great unless you're one of those people (like me) that actually likes espresso that makes you shudder and shake your head.

Scott swears that the sugar changes the texture and colour of the crema on the espresso, and he may be right - the shot he pulls me is darker, lacking the "perfect" crema's creamy finish.

The rest of the Miami Vice couldn't be simpler - the Cubano is poured into a tall glass of hot water (the Americano) and the drink is finished.

SCORE:8/10

Cubano AmericanoVALUE
Selling for $2.60 for a small, $3.10 for the medium and $3.60 for the large, the Miami Vice is an austere, uncomplicated drink, like an Americano that's saved you from even worrying about adding sugar. Think of it as a coffee for people who don't like to make too many unnecessary decisions. Whatever arguments you might want to make about putting the sugar up front in the brewing, it certainly does go down smoothly, and there's even an iced version (the Vice on Ice, natch, at the same prices) to go with the regular.

SCORE: 8/10

TOTAL SCORE: 22/30

Thanks to the New Listerine UltraClean for sponsoring our coffee-fueled adventures.

See all posts in this series via our Toronto Coffee Drinks Challenge Pinterest board

Have a suggestion for a unique coffee drink that should be part of this challenge? Send your tips to editors [at] blogto [dotcom]

Toronto's newest izakaya comes direct from Tokyo

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Nejibee izakayaTucked away on a nondescript side street, the newest player in Toronto's thriving Japanese pub scene is an izakaya and teppanyaki bar that boasts a veritable Tokyo pedigree. Showcasing comfort foods and snacks, this new import keeps the menu true to its regionally specific roots save for a few new Canadian creations (think: Nikumiso poutine).

Read my profile of Nejibee Izakaya in the restaurants section.


Metric takes front stage at the 2013 Indies

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Metric bandThe Sirius XM Indies boasted some of the biggest names of Canadian Music Fest this year. Metric, Matt Mays, Diamond Rings, Yukon Blonde, The Wooden Sky, Canailles and a ton of other bands and artists played the annual award show's stage at Kool Haus last night, making Friday one of the most talented, jam-packed shows of the week.

Hosted by Sirius XM's music programming director, Jeff Leake, the Indies awarded over thirty different prizes to both Canadian and international artists throughout the night. Punctuated by (some rather short) performances, notable categories included Alternative Artist or Group of the Year (Yukon Blonde), Electronic Artist or Group of the Year (Grimes), Male Artist of the Year (Matt Mays), and Female Artist of the Year (Carly Rae Jepsen).

To be fair, and given this was an "indie" music awards ceremony, Emerging Artist of the Year was one of the most memorable categories during the show. The French recipient was Canailles, a boisterous, zydeco-and-bluegrass-influenced 8-piece folk band who stirred up the crowd during their short set with washboard percussion and striking accordion talent.

As Poor Young Things won the English counterpart, their friends screamed and the band itself seemed stricken - these guys were not expecting to win and announced on stage that they hoped it wasn't "the best joke ever." Come now. The Indies would never play you like that. Have a little faith.

Metric bandTowards the end of the night, the headlining bands came out and rocked the stage. Diamond Rings put on a high-energy, well-coordinated show (with matching jackets to boot), and Matt Mays got his rock-n-roll on, singing passionately to the crowd as he perched on top of various speakers and eventually started throwing his long locks around, as any good rockstar should.

metric bandThe audience's biggest draw to the show last night was, however, Metric, and the long-time Toronto band didn't fail to please. Despite their marginal tardiness in receiving the Group of the Year award, when they finally took hold of the stage they brought their well-oiled rock machine to the fore and got the crowd on their toes.

metric bandIf you're a big fan of the older Metric tunes, though, this wouldn't have been the show for you. It was not surprising that the young crowd rejoiced in the half-Synthetica, half-Fantasies songs that were played (favourites being "Breathing Underwater" and "Sick Muse"), but even over Haines's ballsy vocals, I could hear grumblings from members of the older crowd who wanted a little more Old World Underground... and Live It Out, from which "Dead Disco," "Empty," and "Monster Hospital" were the only three played.

Metric bandAs the band finished their encore, they wound up the show with a sweet, acoustic rendition of "Gimme Sympathy." In her customarily direct way, Haines told the crowd, "You wanna be here with us? Then we wanna be here with you." In the final chorus, the audience joined in and Haines dropped the microphone to sing with them - all four members of the band standing together, singing toward their fans who were singing back at them.

Metric BandAll in all, the Indies celebrated some great Canadian bands, put the spotlight on some (rather obvious) others, and brought music lovers together for a night of sweet jams and good drinks. Stay tuned for our CMF round-up, where I'll be sharing some behind-the-scenes highlights from the show.

Metric Set List

Artificial Nocturne
Youth without Youth
Speed the Collapse
Dreams So Real
Empty
Help I'm Alive
Synthetica
Clone
Breathing Underwater
Sick Muse
Dead Disco
Stadium Love
Encore

Monster Hospital
Gold Guns Girls
Gimme Sympathy

Writing by Lori Steuart / Photos by Brian Morton

The Best Hostels in Toronto

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Best Hostels TorontoThe best hostels in Toronto satisfy three crucial criteria. They're cheap, conveniently located and comfortable. While anything but luxurious, these are places where travellers can count on basic amenities and, typically, a sense of camaraderie with fellow globetrotters. As you might expect of a city once hailed as "New York run by the Swiss," from an international perspective, our hostels are clean and safe. There aren't that many of them to be found around town — say about 20 or so — but of these about half standout as superior to the rest of the pack for one reason or another. And while locals might not care too much about the state of Toronto's hostels, try to bear in mind that young tourists help to contribute to the vibrancy of cities — so it's always good to draw as many travellers as possible.

Here are the best hostels in Toronto.

See also:

The best hotels in Toronto
The best boutique hotels in Toronto
The best luxury hotels in Toronto

New cafe brings a taste of Brooklyn to Toronto

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Cafe OlyaThere's a new purveyor of coffee and sweet treats in Toronto's east end, providing the family-friendly neighborhood with fresh baked goodies that are as salivating to look at as they are to eat. This cozy spot is the first Canadian café to carry Brooklyn's very own Café Grumpy beans, yes, those of HBO's Girls fame. Dubbed a "coffee bar and micro-bakery", owners Mike Tasso and Olyana Zhuke are hoping to lure folks in with the ever-wafting aroma emanating from their in house kitchen.

Read my profile of Cafe Olya in the Cafés section.

What Earth Hour 2013 looked like in Toronto

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Earth Hour Toronto 2013So Earth Hour happened on Saturday. Did you notice? You'd be forgiven if you didn't as the city once again showed only a modest dip in energy consumption during the hour-long event, which is observed in cities across the world. According to Toronto Hydro, the city sucked about 7 per cent less power than is typical for the time period in question, which represents a slight gain from last year's dip of 6.8 per cent. Back in 2009, the city witnessed a 15 per cent drop in power consumption.

So what does a seven per cent drop look like? Thanks to videographer Dave Dunville, we have a pretty good idea. Check out the 50 second mark in the timelapse below. What seems like an already well-lit city all of sudden brightens up considerably. Could it be more dramatic? Of course. Is Earth Hour a symbolic gesture anyway? Yes. Still, it's interesting enough to measure the collective effort put in on a visual level like this. As far as letter grades go, I'm thinking a C is in order, but I've always been a bit too generous as a marker.

Earth Hour Timelapse - Toronto, Canada from Dave Dunville on Vimeo.

Austra shows off lots of new material at CMW

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20130323-austra-danforth-music-hall.jpgAustra is back. With a bigger band (from the trio for their Polaris-shortlisted debut Feel It Break to a current coterie of six). And armed with bigger, denser and (at times) groovier harmonies. Coming off a slew of showcases (five) at SXSW, frontwoman Katie Stelmanis and co. were at the Danforth Music Hall on Saturday night for their hometown CMW showcase. Indulging in ample new material off of their forthcoming, Olympia (out in June on Paper Bag Records), the crowd turned out.

But before Austra, came Lowell, Yacht Club and, my new favourite-named band, Blood Ceremony. We caught up with Ben Cook in Yacht Club a week or so ago and his band of beautiful misfits also received a decent-sized crowd for their dreamy-'80s-meet-funk sound. Blood Ceremony can be quickly summed up with "heavy metal flautist," but that doesn't do them justice. When some are quick to mock doom metal outfits, Blood Ceremony rises above in both raw talent and all-consuming showmanship. And shit, they have 12,000 likes on Facebook. I don't see mainstream appeal in their future, but that's not niche. Or maybe it is, I can't tell anymore.

AustraAs for Austra, darkwave and soaring vocals couldn't blend better. Opening with a murky, synth-laden soundscape before diving into "The Choke," bobbing heads and shifting feet washed across the crowd as soon as the synths took hold. The new tunes aren't so much a departure from their debut material. It's still dark and brooding, but it's deeper and denser. And when the melodies hit, like off the new single "Home," there's an added sultriness. And those dark, danceable rhythms have expanded with a touch of industrial percussion. On that note, percussion holds a steady undercurrent in the new material.

On stage, Stelmanis is joined by drummer Maya Postepski (also of Trust), Dorian Wolf (bass and formerly of Spiral Beach), Ryan Wonsiak (keys) and twin sisters Sari and Romy Lightman (backing vocals). Alia O'Brien, the aforementioned flautist of Blood Ceremony, also joined them halfway through to support "Home." The band is confident albeit a bit staid with its stage presence. Stelmanis was brief with the crowd but did address the silence with, "I don't know why it's so awkward to talk in your hometown. But it is." The new material is nothing to be awkward about, however.

Austra Live TorontoThe Danforth Music Hall is a well-suited venue for Stelmanis' far-reaching voice. Their sound easily filled the venerable music hall. And with such ease. Still working out a few kinks, the band's sound continues to grow, gallop even. The crowd was definitely receptive to the new material, but like with any show, the crowd worked itself into a frenzy for the well-traveled tracks, namely "Lose It" and the song that brought Austra to the forefront, "Beat and the Pulse." A definite crowd pleaser, that one.

Closing with "Spellwork," the band was off to do a DJ set at The Great Hall as part of Fucked Up's Long Winter, volume No. 5. And I was off to get a shawarma, naturally.

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Austra Live TorontoAustra Live TorontoAustra Live TorontoAustra Live TorontoAustra Live TorontoAustra Live TorontoAustra Live TorontoPhotography by Brian Morton

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