Watch out New England — this year's fall colours in Toronto and surrounding areas are poised to be downright stunning thanks in part to the very things that made this past summer miserable: cooler temperatures and rain.

One of of the keys to amazing fall foliage is the health of trees heading into the period in which colours change. Last year's hot and dry summer, for instance, took its toll of leaf-cover across Southern Ontario, which at least somewhat muted fall displays.

Toronto hasn't had a particularly wet summer compared to yearly averages, but the city and surrounding area did experience timely rains for its greenery. With no droughts or long periods of intense heat, our trees are in great shape heading into fall. 

This is half of the picture. The second part of the formula to create outstanding fall colours is warm and sunny days followed by cool (but not freezing) nights, which help to form red and purple pigments, which lead to the most saturated colours.  

While long term forecasts are notoriously fickle, these ideal conditions are what climatologists are calling for as we approach fall.

“If you have been complaining about the summer, nature is going to make up for it by giving us a glorious fall," Environment Canada's David Phillips recently told CTV News. 

If you're already excited about fall colours in Ontario, you can follow the foliage progress here.

If a concert happens in Toronto and Drake isn't around to crash it, did it even happen?

The Degrassi star-turned-Grammy-Award-winning artist is making headlines once again today after joining 2 Chainz for a surprise performance at Rebel in Toronto.

I got a big amount! 💰💸💰@2chainz brought out @drake in Toronto! 📸: @joemoore724pic.twitter.com/C7iIne9Ko7

— Def Jam Recordings (@DefJamRecords) September 5, 2017

Unlike audience members at the "surprise" Drake and Jorja Smith show a few weeks back, nobody seemed to have predicted this appearance.

2 Chainz had already performed several songs that feature Drake without Drizzy present, so when he started doing their joint hit "No Lies" by himself, it really did seem like Champagne Papi was somewhere else. 

Sneaky boys! At the very second Drake was supposed to start singing on the track, he came out on stage to what Hot New HipHop called "an unbelievably hype crowd."

Baka and Drake performing "Live Up To My Name" tonight in Toronto at @2chainz show. #prettygirlsliketrapmusictourpic.twitter.com/AXfEl08ZfK

— Word On Road (@TheWordOnRd) September 5, 2017

A whole whack of videos and photos have been posted in the wake of the show, many of them obscured by hundreds of people freaking the heck out over Drake, 2 Chainz, and Drake's latest protege Baka Not Nice.

The Toronto-born superstar also stayed around to do his verse in Gucci Mane’s "Both," but not before slowing things down to whisper sweet nothings at the crowd.

"Ya know, I just wanna go up with my city," he said. "That's all I wanna do."

Drake and Baka tonight at @2chainz#PrettyGirlsLikeTrapMusic show in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/l3nAn8WoN7

— Drake Direct (@DrakeDirect_) September 5, 2017

Drake also gave love to 2 Chainz, who was performing in a wheelchair after breaking his leg at a previous stop on his Pretty Girls Like Trap Music tour.

"This is my brother for life, from day zero," Drake said of the 39-year-old American superstar.

2 Chainz brought out Drake and Baka at his Toronto show tonight pic.twitter.com/1VVvZmyh6p

— pb (@paigebrittany) September 5, 2017

All jokes about his popping-out-on-stage habit aside, Drake fans should probably enjoy this while we can. 

Once he's done recording his album in Toronto, he'll likely have to go start surprising people in other cities too.

Parties at TIFF are always a reminder that the annual festival is about more than just watching movies. It's a week when many bars are serving booze until 4 a.m. and event venues and restaurants around the city are taken over by parties celebrating films screening at TIFF.

Here's a round-up of what to expect from parties during TIFF in 2017.

Hot Spots

Brassaii

The King West restaurant is home base for The Hollywood Reporter during the first weekend of TIFF. Try to sneak a peek at stars coming and going for their interviews.

The Cactus Club

The Financial District restaurant will host a flurry of post-screening parties complete with red carpet moments. Movies like The Current War, Mom & Dad and Brawl in Cell Block 99 will be celebrated here,

King Taps

The massive multi-level beer hall in the Financial District will be hosting a party for Long Time Running – the Canadian documentary which follows The Tragically Hip during their 2016 Man Machine Poem Tour. No word on who to expect at the event, but it should be a beer-filled good time either way. 

Soho House

The private members club is once again home to parties every night of the festival. Film studios often buy out the entire building at Simcoe and Adelaide to help their movies celebrate in privacy. It'll be a busy corner, that's for sure.

The Spoke Club

The private members club at King and Portland is being transformed into Villa Azur for four days during the festival but they're also hosting thge 12th annual Canadian Filmmaker's Party the night before the festival officially begins.

STK

The Yorkville steakhouse has partnered up with Nordstrom this year to host an endless list of dinners and launch parties. The Creative Coalition's Spotlight Initiative Awards Dinner is just one of them with happening guests like Bill Pullman and Zachary Quinto.

Montecito

Just around the corner from the TIFF building, this swank restaurant will house a slew of festival related ticketed events, including one hosted by Hugo Boss for the much-anticipated I, Tonya starring Margot Robbie. 

Mongrel House

Mongrel Media once again takes over the Campbell House at the corner of Queen and University for all their festival shenanigans. They have a ticketed party every single night of the festival celebrating something.

Nespresso

This Yorkville coffee spot is hosting a bunch of events during the festival, but the party for George Clooney's new movie Suburbicon is a biggie. Happening September 9, Matt Damon and Julianne Moore are confirmed to be in attendance.

RBC House

The bank is taking over the 11 Duncan Street to host all types of talks, events, and parties, mainly at the ultra popular Byblos restaurant found inside. There are several post-screening parties for big films starring Nicole Kidman, Kevin Hart, Penelope Cruz, Elle Fanning and Rachel McAdams as well as a concert by The Arkells.

September 6

TIFF Soiree

This is TIFF's annual big ticket fundraiser gala the night before the festival begins. This year's special guest is Priyanka Chopra and it happens inside the Lightbox. 

September 7

TIFF Opening Night show

The Bovine Sex Club and Exclaim! Mag host a loud night of music from bands like The Do Good Badlies, Hudson Say, Goodnight, Sunrise and Rynheart.

DJ Jazzy Jeff

The legendary MC and DJ will spin at the Everleigh for their TIFF kickoff party, which goes until 4 a.m.

Wet Banana

The third annual Wet Banana TIFF event is a dance party inside Remington's strip club. This year they're welcoming amateur strippers, as well as regular pole dancers to participate in all the fun.

September 8

TIFF Ovation parties

The Lightbox hosts two days of parties inside the Lightbox with 4 a.m. last call. The party happens on the 6th floor rooftop and it's ticketed, but open to the public. So hurry up and snag yours now and get working on your outfit. 

September 9

Bruce LaBruce's Sour Grapes

The infamous director's annual TIFF dance party is usually a wonderfully filthy affair. This year you'll get a set by the DJ himself, go-go dancers and a set by Dana Dentata inside the Bovine Sex Club.

September 10

Artists for Justice and Peace Gala

This year's big-name gala is happening in the name of sustainable development and education in Haiti, and goes down at the AGO. Guests for the party are said to include Paul Haggis, Javier Bardem, Ben Stiller and Cuba Gooding Jr.

September 12

Stiff

The annual LGBT TIFF dance party returns for another year to celebrate queer and sex-positive films at the this year's festival. DJs Margot and Phillippe spin, while gay festival goers mingle and dance their Tuesday blues away. 

Telefilm Canada and Birks Diamond Tribute

The annual tribute party for women in film is happening at the Spoke Club on September 12 and will honour five directors, five actors and two screenwriters. 

September 14

Toronto Loves Grace Jones

A dance party completely dedicated to the music and fashion icon her stop at TIFF this year. Dressing up in your favourite look is encouraged at this Kensington Market party.

TIFF Hollywood North Party

Brassaii on King West will be hosting parties throughout the festival, but this one is their star. It's an invite-only bash expected to include players from the Maple Leafs and Raptors, Peter Jackson, Choclair and more.

September 15

TIFF Bachelor Party

The annual Bachelor Party hosted by Eligible Magazine has very little to do with TIFF, if anything. But you'll get a chance to meet some of the guys from The Bachelor, Bachelorette, and Bachelor In Paradise at the Everleigh. 

September 16

TIFF Closing night Gala

The official closing night gala extravaganza happening inside the ballroom at the Bond Hotel is a black-tie affair and a huge fundraiser for Sick Kids. A single ticket to this party will set you back $165. 

In some excellent news for Toronto and York region commuters, the TTC has finally confirmed an opening date for the new, long-waited Toronto–York Spadina Subway Extension.

The extension, part of Toronto's long term plan to improve its transit network, will move from Sheppard West station (formally Downsview) almost 9 km all the way to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station, which is already proving a hub for development.

The new extension will represent the most significant addition to the Toronto subway system since the original Spadina Line opened in 1978, and we've been waiting patiently for it to open since city council identified it as a top priority all the way back in 2005.

Great news: Grand opening of Spadina subway extension for revenue service is December 17; 103 days to go! #TTC

— Joe Mihevc (@joemihevc) September 5, 2017

The TTC has promised that the line would open by the end of 2017 for some time, but at its September board meeting today, CEO Andy Byford revealed that the first day of service will be December 17, 2017. That puts it 103 days away. 

There's lots to be excited about when it comes to this subway extension. The new stations feature dramatic architecture and the opening of the line signals the arrival of Automatic Train Control on a portion of Line 1. 

This is progress!

Sad news for music lovers as WayHome announced today it won't be coming back in 2018. No reasons were given but already fans have been responding with tears and shrugs on Twitter.

This isn’t goodbye, just see you later✌️
More info here 👉https://t.co/U8JF1g6ua1pic.twitter.com/rgunZjpUSC

— WayHome Music & Arts (@wayhomefestival) September 5, 2017

The festival began three years ago and has since taken up a primary spot amongst Canadian music festivals, rivalling only that of Montreal's Osheaga  in terms of size and scale.

Truly a sad day for festival lovers out there. WayHome was one of the good ones.

— EDM Canada (@edm_canada) September 5, 2017

But this year WayHome was plagued with low ticket sales, a result many pinpointed on their lacklustre lineup compared to previous years.

Sad that there's no WayHome next year 😢

— Cayt 🌸 (@WeggCaytlin) September 5, 2017

There's no word on whether WayHome will return in a different form in the future although organizers seem to be at least leaving the door open for a second act.

After an extended hiatus, the Victory Cafe is reopening. Even better, it's not straying too far from its original location in Mirvish Village, which was lost when the neighbourhood was cleared out for redevelopment.

The Victory carved out a niche as a long-standing focal point on Markham St., serving up a wide-range of craft beers and cheap, eclectic dishes that made it a hit with Annex locals. It's patio was perpetually abuzz in the warm months.

Since the closure of Honest Ed's earlier this year, the stretch of neighbouring businesses along Markham and Bathurst streets has been in flux as the entire block is set to undergo a massive redevelopment over the next five years.

The Victory 2.0 will open at 440 Bloor Street West sometime this fall. This is the space previously occupied by Hey Lucy and before that Mel's Montreal Deli. And, yes, it has a great sidewalk patio to keep that Victory Cafe tradition alive.

Here's a house for contemporary architecture and design lovers. This newly built home features tons of open space and soaring ceilings, but just enough wood to keep it from feeling too cold and cavernous. 

There's a lot to like about this one, though the highlight might be the subterranean garden around which the lower level is built. Not only does it make the basement feel like a main floor, but it adds a major layer of visual interest to what might otherwise be a boring backyard.

Other noteworthy features include the en suites in each bedroom, the multiple fireplaces, and 25 foot ceiling that rises up from the dining room. Put this beautiful home in a neighbourhood like Rosedale, and you'd expect the price tag to push up to the $8 million mark.

Located, as it is, near Leslie and Finch, the list price is about half that, which might just suit someone looking for a quiet sanctuary of contemporary design just fine.

Specs

• Address: 16 Alamosa Dr.
• Price: $4,188,000
• Lot Size: 60.72 x 132.87 feet
• Bedrooms: 4 + 1
• Bathrooms: 7
• Parking: 6
• Walk Score: 64
• Transit Score: 64
• Listing agent: Sharon Soltanian
• Listing ID: C3910217

Good For

Someone with big bucks who wants a brand new home and all the amenities that come with it. It'd be a shame if the future owner of this one wasn't a consummate entertainer.

Move On If

The location is too suburban. While this house has been built on sizeable lot, some buyers will value walkability and better access to transit.

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage for sponsoring our house of the week. All editorial written and selected by blogTO.

The top cheap eats restaurants to open in Toronto this year know how to keep your belly full and your wallet too. They’re inspired by memories of nonna’s meatballs, eating bagels for breakfast in bed, taco binges, simple meals in exotic places, and of course, that long-standing cheap go-to: the ubiquitous sandwich.

Here are my picks for the top new cheap eats to open in Toronto so far this year.

Fat Lamb Kouzina

This humble restaurant near Church and Bloor doesn’t attempt to compete much with the ultra-fancy Yorkville restaurants nearby. Instead, they serve restaurant-quality home-cooked Greek specials here like roast leg of lamb and chicken or pork souvlaki for around $15 with sides like Greek salads and roast potatoes.

El Nahual

Tacos at this Eglinton West joint are just $3.75 or three for $10, a far cry from the usual Taco Bell or bar fare, these reasonably priced snacks are presented with the flair and artistry of any downtown pub, but with fresher ingredients, like shrimp, cod, pork, and organic pineapple.

Wilson’s Haus of Lechon

Lechon is the name of the game at this family-run restaurant at Bathurst and Wilson. Whole lechon chickens are just $10 and more than enough to feed an entire family especially when doused in a homemade Filipino dipping sauce. Lechon baboy (pork) is sold by the pound.

Sugo

An homage to the local red sauce joints of Toronto like California Sandwiches and nearby Nonna’s, this place bumps up expected prices for deli sandwiches but drastically lowers them for items like fresh made pastas and salads with house mozzarella, making for a cheap lunch or dinner option in Bloordale.

Green Republic Food Co.

At this hidden gem in the middle of knot of huge office buildings and hospitals around University, build-your-own salads are only $2.10/100 grams. They also have cheap DIY sandwiches ($9.75), poke bowls ($10.95), and pastas ($4.50 - $9.50). 

Taste Seduction

Entrees under $20 at this Junction casual spot consist of mash-ups of island and other cuisines in humongous portions, including items like jerk shrimp pesto fettucine, jerk mac n’ cheese, and jerk tacos.

Soufi’s

One of the most popular snacks across the Middle East is the humble manaeesh, a flatbread sandwich usually stuffed with cheese, meat, and/or veggies. These typically don’t go much over $5 at this West Queen West cafe, same with knaffeh, cheesy dough pies topped with sweet orange blossom syrup.

Lox + Schmear

Montreal bagels are available at this St. Clair West shop that cold smokes all its own salmon right before your eyes. To get in on the sweet lox you may have to pay $8 for it on a bagel with cream cheese, but a plain chewy bagel is $2 and $4.75 with just yummy cream cheese.

Pacific Park Social

Panini made to order using ingredients like tangelo, fresh ricotta, truffled honey, beet, gorgonzola and mascarpone hover around $10 at this Junction cafe, with salads like potato and octopus or cantaloupe and prosciutto for $8.

Bagel Time

The Montreal-style bagels cooked on-site authentically in a deep wood-burning oven at this spot on the Danforth are only 95 cents each and come in over a dozen flavours like poppy seed, pumpernickel, chocolate, and blueberry with spreads in various flavours clocking in at just around $2.

A musical time warp via the Counting Crows and Matchbox 20 is happening today in Toronto. It's also the first night of Gaga's two-night run in the city and the launch of the CaribbeanTales International Film Fest.

This is not a joke. I promise.

City councillors will be voting this Friday on whether or not to consider putting beer gardens in some Toronto parks. 

Beaches-East York councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, who chairs the Parks and Environment committee, is recommending that city staff review a popular craft beer program in Philadelphia to see if something similar could be rolled out here.

Called "Parks on Tap," the City of Philadelphia's initiative has seen mobile craft beer and food trucks travelling to different parks throughout the city, all summer, since 2016.

"This program brings people together of all ages and activates the city's parks, including smaller neighbourhood parks and public spaces," wrote McMahon in her proposal last week, noting that "a portion of the proceeds from each location is reinvested into Philadelphia's park system."

If her motion is passed on Friday, executives from the Municipal Licensing and Standards, Economic Development and Health departments will study Philadelphia's initiative and report on the feasibility of mobile craft beer trucks in Toronto by January of 2018.

"I think it's an exciting opportunity," McMahon told Metro this week of her recommendation. "People are drinking in parks anyway."

True story.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama is slated to speak in Toronto at the end of this month, just one day after Hillary Clinton arrives in town to promote her new book.

It's going to be one heck of a weekend for security personnel.

Obama's speech, scheduled for Sept. 29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, is being billed as a "lunch event," hosted by the Ottawa-based think tank Canada 2020.

Organizers say that the two-hour event will include Obama's remarks on "civic engagement, community leadership and tolerance," followed by an on-stage discussion of "a wide-range of topics."

"President Obama is one of the most inspirational political figures of our time," reads a note from former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman on the event's website. "For many, this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see and hear President Obama live."

Canada 2020 says it is expecting thousands of attendees for Obama's speech, but, according to the Toronto Star, individual tickets are not available purchase. 

Tables of 10 will reportedly be sold at around $10,000 a pop when registration opens on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. ET.

The best brewpubs in Toronto are now pretty much evenly split between east and west in the city, keeping craft beer-drinkers from all over “hoppy” (groan). Enticing brews and delicious food meant to complement the bevvies can be found at these joints around the city.

Here are the best brewpubs in Toronto.

The average price of a home in Toronto has declined for the fourth straight month in a row, according to August's real estate figures - and some experts say it's because of shy buyers.

Toronto Real Estate Board president Tim Syrianos announced in a press release today that home sales have tumbled 34.8 per cent year-over-year since August of 2016, with only 6,357 homes sold in the Greater Toronto Area.

The number of new home listings entered into the MLS system was also down by 6.7 per cent. At 11,523, this is the lowest number of new listings TREB has seen for August since 2010.  

And while the average selling price across the GTA was actually up 3 per cent over last August at $732,292, it's more than 20 per cent below April's peak of $920,791.

This, according to BNN, means that Toronto homes are now in a "bear market."

The real estate board's market analysis director Jason Mercer says that "The relationship between sales and listings in the marketplace today suggests a balanced market."

"However, if some buyers move from the sidelines back into the marketplace, as TREB consumer research suggests may happen," he said, "an acceleration in price growth could result if listings remain at current levels."

The condo sector remains the hottest in the GTA with average sale prices up 21.4 per cent from a year ago to $507,841 in August. Condo sales were still off 28 per cent during the period.

Toronto has many intriguing condo buildings in the works, but it's unlikely you've seen one quite like this.

If design plans are approved, 64 Prince Arthur Avenue will eventually be home to a 29-storey, 60-unit luxury condo, which would set a new standard for height in the immediate area.

The new building would feature a sculptural glass and steel design around a twist-shaped core, which vaguely recalls a helix structure. Regardless of your thoughts about the proposed density, it's hard to argue that the renderings don't look promising.

Full view of the proposed tower at 64 Prince Arthur Ave. Photo via the city of Toronto / Adi Development Group.

The hyper-modern design will stand out from the current built form of the neighbourhood, which is dominated by Victorian-era homes and apartment buildings from the mid 20th century. 

As Urban Toronto reports, designer CetraRuddy Architecture plans characterizes the building as an "iconic legacy project" in contrast to Toronto's generic glass boxes. 

Alternate view of lobby and entrance to 64 Prince Arthur Ave. Image via the City of Toronto / Adi Development Group.

The new building might face opposition similar to a project just up the street at 321 Davenport Rd., where critics like Margaret Atwood and Galen Weston have complained that the development opposes zoning bylaws and will disrupt the neighbourhood. 

The designer and developer for 64 Prince Arthur plan to hold community meetings later this year. 

Imagine getting dirty water, from a TTC mop bucket, on a subway platform in Scarborough, dumped all over your head.

This can happen, and, as evidenced by the video below, an unfortunate young woman at Lawrence East Station recently fell victim to just this experience.

A post shared by S T ▲ R Z (@starzto) on Sep 5, 2017 at 9:47pm PDT

Toronto's latest high-profile "TTC fight video" is making the rounds online today, inspiring many, many jokes, and also some questions.

It's hard to tell exactly what happened to prompt this interaction, and it's far from clear that it's a laughing matter.

The video was posted to Instagram Tuesday night by a Toronto-based hip-hop artist called Starz. It was subsequently re-posted to several popular Instagram accounts, including @parkdalelife and @subwaycreatures. It's been viewed on the latter account more than 100,000 times in just over an hour.

Whether or not there's any truth to the caption that accompanies the video has yet to be seen, but given how much attention this is starting to get, we might get the back-story in due time.

After only six months, Republic cafe has closed.

In a letter posted on the door, owner George Tohme calls the cafe's hidden location an "unexpected challenge," and says the lack of consistent foot traffic led to the "early end." 

Other problems included a lack of parking and a shortage of funds. The letter also thanks customers for their support. 

Situated on Nelson St., a relatively hidden side street in the Entertainment District, the cafe was known for its coffee, calming atmosphere, and intricate Lebanese breakfast dishes. 

Areas just outside of Toronto might be treated to a rare glimpse of the Northern Lights tonight as a strong geomagnetic storm is expected to erupt later today. If the storm is as powerful as it might be, auroral activity could extend into September 7 as well. 

Earlier this week, the sun released a coronal mass injection, which is a stream of fast-moving particles causing the phenomenon known as Aurora Borealis. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre is calling for a G3 class storm, which would bring the show to lower than usual latitudes. 

A G3 storm can bring auroras as far south as the yellow line (Kp7).

Urban areas like Toronto have too much light pollution for a clear view, but a drive out of the city may be worth it to catching this rare display. Right now, the weather conditions look favourable in our area around midnight and into the early hours of the morning. 

Using a Dark Site Finder is the ideal method to make sure you choose a dark enough sport to see the Northern Lights. Northwest of Toronto is your best bet for a short trip, though a dark sky preserve is always a great option.

Be sure to keep an eye on the Clear Sky Chart for the area in which you intend to do your viewing, as cloud cover could undermine the best laid plans. 

After a break last weekend, we're in store for another TTC subway closure. This time a portion of Line 1 will be closed for track work on both Saturday and Sunday.

There will be no subway service between Sheppard West and Lawrence West stations on September 9 and 10. All trains on Line 1 will turn back southbound at Lawrence West Station. Shuttle buses will operate between these stations during this closure.

Subway service will resume on Monday morning. The next scheduled closure will halt weekend service on Line 1 between Sheppard West and St George stations on September 16 and 17 due to signal upgrades.

Transit riders in Toronto have reason to celebrate, because as of today, it's going to be a lot easier to tell someone you're late because of a delay. That's right, free Wi-Fi is finally available in every TTC subway station!

Construction of the Wi-Fi network began all the way back in 2013. The finished network is a major milestone for the TTC. The last station to be connected to the network was was York Mills, which took a bit longer than initially imagined. 

Every TTC station now has free Wi-Fi. Map via Bai Canada.

BAI Canada, the company which outfitted the stations with the TCONNECT network, can now work towards expanding cellular connectivity in in the subway network and possibly the addition of Wi-Fi in the tunnels.

According to the TCONNECT announcement, riders use around 15 terabytes of data on the TTC's Wi-Fi network every month.

Chotto Matte, the popular Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant, will soon be opening in Toronto. 

Restaurateur and owner Kurt Zdesar has announced plans to expand the chain into several cities, one of which is a 9,000 sq ft. location in Brookfield Place at 161 Bay Street. 

Chotto Matte is well-loved for their Nikkei sharing menus, elaborate sushi, maki and sashimi offerings as well as robata and anticucheria barbecue. 

The growing chain will also open two locations in London, UK, and one in Miami. There's no word yet on the official Toronto opening date.