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5 can't miss events in Toronto during TIFF 2017

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Can't miss events during TIFF this year include big name stars, an intimate Lady Gaga concert, and the chance to see the winner of this year's People's Choice Award. The festival runs from September 7-17 and these events are a mix of free, ticketed, and rush-line situations. 

Here are my picks for can't miss events at TIFF this year.

Witness a rap battle

In celebration of the Eminem-produced film Bodied, Festival Street is hosting an actual rap battle between Madness, one of the film's stars, and Toronto rapper Kid Twist. It all goes down Thursday, September 7 at 8:30 p.m. on the Slaight Music Stage. 

Catch a conversation with a famous star

TIFF's In Conversation series is always a festival highlight. Folks get to watch an extended talk with major stars. This year's appearances include Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, Javier Bardem and Gael Garcia Bernal. Most advance tickets are sold out, but rush line tickets are available for each talk. 

See Lady Gaga perform after her premiere

Tickets for the world premiere of Gaga's new documentary are very sold out. She's already in town for two nights at the ACC, and set to perform after the screening. Rush line tickets will be available for the September 8 show though, so get to the Princess of Wales Theatre early to nab one. 

Take everything in along Festival Street

A major part of King West will be shut down from September 7-10 for a street party featuring concerts, outdoor film screenings, a virtual reality station, as well as extended patios and food trucks. 

Watch the winner of the People’s Choice Award

Last year's winner of the People's Choice Award was La La Land, which tells you that movie fans know how to pick a film that will make waves after the festival. Catch a screening of this year's winner for free, Sunday, September 16 at Roy Thomson Hall. 


Beauty brand Glossier coming to Toronto

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The extremely popular skincare and cosmetics brand, Glossier, is coming to Toronto.

Glossier has announced they'll be bringing a pop-up shop to West Queen West for a week, allowing you to buy their most popular products right in Toronto. 

Founder and CEO Emily Weiss will be there for fans to meet and take selfies with. They'll also be hosting a movie night on Tuesday the 12th with Prosecco and popcorn. 

Glossier has seen enormous success since its launch in 2013. The flagship location in London often has lines down the street, and the company has seen huge profit margins the past few years. 

Canada could not have been more excited in the summer when Glossier announced it would soon begin shipping its online products internationally.

The pop-up store looks to add a physical location for fans to find their favourite products. 

The pop-up will appear at 1056 Queen Street West on Friday, September 8th and stay until Thursday, September 14th. It will be open from 12 to 8 p.m. daily. 

Rental of the week: 9 Crescentwood Road

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Some rental properties around Toronto are alluring possibilities even for those who never imagined shelling out big bucks on monthly rent. Take this perfectly charming lakeside house in Birch Cliff. It's like having a cottage right in the city.

9 crescentwood roadI mean, really, why would need a cottage when your house/apartment backs on to Lake Ontario. The views here are phenomenal — and not just from the backyard. The entire house has been designed to take advantage of the unique location with lots of windows directed south.

9 crescentwood roadThe breakfast nook in particular is a special place. It'd be hard to start the day grumpy when taking your first meal here. The living room also features a nice view of the lake, so it's pretty much an integral part of the home.

9 crescentwood roadOn a more practical note, this place is big. It would happily accommodate a mid-size family, particularly given the sprawling basement space. It's dubious that anyone saving to buy a home would be willing to fork out the rent for this place, but it would be pretty amazing to live here for a year. Take note ex-pat workers!

9 crescentwood roadSpecs
  • Address: 9 Crescentwood Road
  • Apartment type: Detached house
  • Rent: $4,800
  • Utilities: Unspecified
  • Air conditioning? Yes
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 2
  • Parking: Yes
  • Laundry? In-suite
  • Outdoor space? Huge backyard
  • Pet friendly? Unspecified
9 crescentwood roadGood For

Someone who loves the water but who can't afford a down payment for a cottage. An ex-pat worker with a big family might love to spend a year or two in a quaint and bucolic setting like this one.

9 crescentwood roadMove On If

The drawback to this idyllic setting is that it's far from downtown. Birch Cliff is a picturesque neighbourhood, but it's not so hot in terms of transit and walkability. 

9 crescentwood road9 crescentwood road9 crescentwood road9 crescentwood road9 crescentwood road9 crescentwood road9 crescentwood road9 crescentwood road

12 things to do in Toronto today

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TIFF officially kicks off today in Toronto with all its celebrities, parties and free street festivities. There's also a brand new Cirque Du Soleil Show, and a pizza party in the park. 

Events you might want to check out:

Toronto International Film Festival (September 7-17 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
World premieres, celebrities, and parties take over the city from September 7-17.
Festival Street (September 7-10 @ King Street from Peter Street to University Avenue)
This is a weekend of free concerts, an epic rap battle, film screenings, food trucks, virtual reality and giveaways, all along King West surrounded by red carpets.
Volta (September 7 - November 12 @ Under the Big Top, Toronto Port Lands)
Volta is the brand new Cirque Du Soleil show that features bikes, acrobatics, amazing outfits, stunts and an original score from M83.
Frank & Oak Warehouse Sale (September 7-10 @ 950 Dupont Street)
Shop up to 80 percent off Frank and Oak men’s and women’s apparel, outerwear, footwear (no ladies footwear), and accessories for four days. The stock is constantly replenished with sizes and styles
Dita Von Teese's Burlesque Revue (September 7 @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Toronto))
Doors to see the high priestess of burlesque are at 7:30, so get there on time to get a good seat. The "Art of the Teese" show will give you looks, outfits, and a chance to see a master at work.
Wet Banana Amateur Strip Night Judged by Drag Queens (September 7 @ Remington's Men of Steel)
This is an annual dance party inside a male strip club! This year they've teamed up with the Amateur Strip Night crew to mix things up. Everyone is welcome at this night of dancing, strippers, and TIFF opening night party vibes.
Patsy Cline Birthday Show (September 7 @ Lula Lounge)
Don't miss this lineup of top notch performers, singing their favourite Patsy Cline songs, backed by one of the best support bands around. This is the 12th annual Patsy Cline b-day show and a must for any honky tonk fan.
Toronto Beaches Film Fest (September 7-9 @ Beach United Church - Community Complex )
This is a film festival that showcases movies about subjects this neighbourhood cares about, such as issues in the developing world, activism against big companies, adventure, beach culture and surfing to name a few.
Pizza in the Park (September 7 @ Christie Pits Park)
Pizzeria Libretto hosts this pizza party in the park along with Beau's Brewing and Banjara Indian Cuisine. Pizza will be cooking in the park oven from 6-8 p.m.
TIFF Opening Night Concert (September 7 @ Bovine Sex Club)
Exclaim! presents their very own TIFF opening party with shows all night long for $7. The Do Good Badlies, Hudson Say, Goodnight, Sunrise, and Rynheart perform.
Hard Twist Yarn (September 7 @ Gladstone Hotel)
Head up to the 3rd and 4th floor for the opening party of the Gladstone's cool show featuring textile-based art. Hard Twist 12 - Yarn challenges artists to spin a tale with thread, but without words.
September First Thursday feat. DMC (September 7 @ AGO - Art Gallery of Ontario)
First Thursdays launches a new season with a major headliner. DMC, from Run DMC is doing a set, along with local artists taking over the gallery. The night is officially sold out, but keep an eye out for spare tickets floating around.

Toronto Restaurant Openings: Bisha Hotel, Bar Sybanne, Soul Chocolate, Annabelle

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Toronto restaurant openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

Open now
  • BlueBlood Steakhouse at Casa Loma is now officially open.
  • Middle Eastern/Mediterranean/Moroccan-inspired Bar Sybanne at Ossington & Dundas had its soft launch this week, and its official opening will take place next week.
  • The Bisha Hotel officially opened yesterday at 80 Blue Jays Way, just in time for TIFF. Rooftop bar & restaurant Kost, 24-hour cafe French Made and the Lobby Lounge bar are now open. Celebrity chef Akira Back's restaurant should be opening next month.
  • Health-conscious Oliva is now open at 4679 Yonge St. (at Avondale) in North York.
  • Asian snack shop Ding Dong Exotic Sweet has opened at 160 Baldwin St. in Kensington market.
  • Soul Chocolate is now selling its small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate at its first brick-and-mortar shop/cafe located at 583 Gerrard St. E. (at Broadview).
  • Major Treat Coffee can be found inside of Town Barber'sWest Queen West location at 1158 Queen St. W. 
  • Okotte Ramen is now offering up customizable bowls of noodles at 9688 Leslie St. in Richmond Hill.
Recently reviewed
Opening soon
  • Happy day! The Victory Cafewill be reopening in the Annex at 440 Bloor St. W. (formerly Hey Lucy) in the fall.
  • Stouffville-based craft roaster Crosscut Coffee will be opening a cafe in Davenport Village at 1142 Davenport Rd., taking over the space that was Seesaw Cafe, which closed at the end of August.
  • Speaking of cafes, something called Mast Coffee will be opening on the ground floor of Core Condos at 68 Shuter St. (at Dalhousie).
  • In addition to its locations on Spadina and on West Queen West, Jules Bistro will be opening a third location, this time at 1290 Queen St. W. in Leslieville, where Edward Levesque'sjust closed.
  • Lil' Baci'sYonge St. location may have closed, but its owners will soon be debuting Annabelle Pasta Bar at 909 Davenport Rd., right by Bob Coffee Bar (which they also own) at Christie St.
  • Something called The Birmingham Roller, which is a breed of domesticated pigeon that originated in the aforementioned English city, will be replacing the shuttered Far Niente at 187 Bay St. in the Financial District.
  • Indian restaurant Khau Gully, named after small lanes in Mumbai filled with street eats, should be opening this month at 1991 Yonge St., north of Davisville Ave.
  • Touting "authentic Texas BBQ," Beach Hill Smokehouse should be opening this fall at 172 South Main St. (at Gerrard St. E.).
  • Le Dolci is keeping busy. It'll soon be opening a second location, this time inside Scarborough Town Centre, in addition to an event space called The Loft at 114 Geary Ave.
  • Live music venue Less Bar will be taking over Homestand on September 21 at 834 Bloor St. W. in Bloorcourt.
Closed
Other news
  • On September 21, The Sweet Potato, a natural and organic grocery store that also makes prepared foods, will be moving a bit north from its old digs on Dundas St. W. to 108 Vine Ave. in the Junction.

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to editors@blogto.com

Bill Clinton is coming to Toronto

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First Hillary, then Barack, and now Bill?

Toronto is getting spoiled for American politicians right now – or rather, we will be at the end of this month, once all of those boring, sexy movie stars go home.

St. Francis Xavier University announced today that Bill Clinton will be visiting Toronto for a speech on Oct. 3, just a few days after his wife's book tour stop at The Enercare Centre and former U.S. President Barack Obama's speech at the MCC.

America's 42nd President is scheduled to be "in conversation with" former Canadian Ambassador to Washington Frank McKenna. The topic of the speech will be "Leadership."

Tickets for the event, which includes a reception and dinner at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel, are on sale now, but they'll cost you a pretty penny.

Tables start at $5,000 and individual tickets are not available "due to high demand."

10 ways to enjoy TIFF for free

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TIFF may seem like it's all glitz and glam, but just beneath the surface there's plenty of ways to enjoy the festival for free. From movie screenings on giant screens to free concerts and celebrity chasing, there are some great ways to have fun during the film fest that won't cost you a cent. 

Here are my picks for ways to enjoy TIFF for free this year.

See a flick at the Cinesphere

TIFF is re-opening the Cinesphere at Ontario Place for the duration of the festival and screening some great films. There's Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk on September 10 and the Canadian classic North of Superior on September 17. Most advance tickets are sold out, but rush line tickets are available for each screening. 

Go celeb-spotting

Camp out behind the barricades at a red carpet premiere or in front of one of Toronto's most luxurious hotels (think the Ritz, the Shangri-La, the Four Seasons and the new Bisha) to spot one of the a-listers taking over Toronto.  If you're lucky, you might even get a selfie with your favourite star.

 Watch an epic rap battle

In celebration of Eminem's new movie about rap battles, TIFF is hosting an actual rap showdown featuring one of the film's stars and a local rhyme master. Don't miss this free show on Festival street Thursday, September 7. 

 Watch a movie outdoors

Not only does Festival Street host shows, extended patios and some pretty amazing people watching, they're also screening outdoors films like Mean Girls, The Truman Show and Wayne's World for free. 

See some live music

Music will fill King street West for the first three days of TIFF as the Slaight Music stage hosts artists like Ascot Royals, Jessica Mitchell, Jillea, Kayla Diamond, Liam Russell, and Tomi Swick.

Take a selfie and have fun at Festival street

Head to King and University and get your photo in front of the glowing orange TIFF sign, letting every know that not only has Denzel Washington arrived at the festival but so have you and your friends. 

 Line up for the People's Choice Award winning movie

The day before the festival wraps up, the winner of the People's Choice Award is announced and all you have to do is line up at Roy Thomson Hall on September 17 to watch what might be the biggest film of the year decided right here in Toronto!

 Crash a party

TIFF hosts endless invite-only parties, but there are plenty of events you can crash. Just put on your best and walk into the Akon or Jazzy Jeff parties before 11 p.m. and get in for free. There's also the Mongrel House hosting events and parties every single night of the festival. There are plenty of 4 a.m. spots waiting for you to appear as well. 

Catcha vintageCinemateque screening

This special annual program helps promote landmarks of Canada’s cinematic history and this year they're showing  I've Heard The Mermaid's Singing (September 9), Rude (September 11) and Picture of Light (September 14), all at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Cinema 4. 

Go 4D in a virtual reality room

From September 7-10, step into another world, one curated  by Academy Award winner Brandon Oldenburg as he takes you on a Virtual Reality ride through some of the best immersive experiences in the VR world right now. 

Complaints on the rise in Toronto's restaurant industry

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Working in a restaurant is unlike any other job. This much can be agreed upon, whether you’re a server, a chef, a hostess, a runner, a manager, bartender, or owner.

With longer-than-normal hours, intensely intimate atmospheres, and super tight-knight teams of employees, a lot of people say it's like being part of a family.

Unfortunately, some families come with shady relatives who don’t pay back money and expect you to babysit for free

A few weeks ago, Chef Grant Soto blew the lid off an illegal policy at some of Susur Lee's Toronto restaurants that saw employees being forced to hand over their tips to management.

The celebrity chef’s now widely-criticized IOU policy, which docked staffers up to $100 a week for spilled drinks and walk outs, had been in place long before it came to light. 

It was only after media outlets starting publishing messages from burned employees that the restaurant group discontinued its policy and pledged to reimburse employees for their lost tips.


We've received many messages from industry workers in the wake of the IOU scandal, and also after last month's staff revolt at Poutini's, when employees walked out over what they said were unsafe working conditions.

A lot of these restaurant workers across the city could put their bosses on blast for things like unpaid wages, sexual harassment, and even tax evasion, but won't for fear of losing their jobs and damaging their reputations.

"When you're hardly making anything, it makes it harder to fight for your rights," says Ivy Knight, a well-known Toronto food writer and former chef. "It's almost like we feel we don't deserve it."

Knight, who worked in kitchens for 10 years before transitioning to writing full time, started the very popular Food and Wine Industry Navigator Facebook group a few years back to help industry workers connect and find jobs.

The group has since grown to more than 23,000 members, and while it still functions as a job resource, Knight says it's progressed in recent years to serve as a forum for people who need help with labour issues as well.

"The group does a great job of providing advice on employer/employee rights and creating community support," says Knight, "but a lot of the time this support is provided after the exploitation has occurred."

"It’s tough," Knight says. "I see people who say 'I worked these shifts and I didn't get paid'... [the industry]'s always been like the Wild West."

restaurant workers toronto

The Food and Wine Industry Navigator page is a valuable resource for restaurant jobs in and around Toronto. 

On Aug. 28, The Food and Wine Industry Navigator page posted a message to its members, saying that moderators had been receiving an increasing number of complaints about things like people being sent home early from shifts they'd agreed to, or flat out not getting paid for their work at all. 

"A lot of it is under the table, so there's always a risk," Knight says. "But it is shady. It happens on a grassroots level. It happens differently in each place. Everybody kind of plays by their own rules."

The Food and Wine Industry group has been working to help restaurant workers in a more formal way by building an app with the start-up Pluggd.

The app, which is set to launch at the end of the month, will "ensure everyone in the community is protected and that those employers with good practices and valuable/reliable staff are rewarded for their contribution to the industry."

This should come as good news to those advocating for stronger protection against exploitation in the restaurant industry.

Labour laws in Ontario can be notoriously be murky surrounding restaurant work, and while efforts are underway to pass legislation that would make things more fair, experts say that existing laws are rarely enforced as it is.


Toronto will be clogged with road closures this weekend

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The weekend is almost here, and it's time to brace ourselves for a ton road closures in Toronto. Streets will be shut down across the city thanks to events like Festival Street and Taste of the Kingsway. There's also a TTC subway closure on Line 1 this weekend to navigate around.

Here's what you need to know to get around the city this weekend.

TIFF

TIFF's annual Festival Street will run from Thursday, September 7 through Sunday, September 10.

This will result in the full closure of King St. West to traffic between Spadina and University Ave., from 5 a.m. on Thursday until 5 a.m. on Monday.

John St. between King and Wellington will also be closed during the five-day period.

Taste of the Kingsway

Bloor St. West between Prince Edward Dr. North and Montgomery Rd. will be closed from Friday, September 8 at 12 p.m. to Sunday, September 10 at 11 p.m.

A series of full and partial road closures will also take place in the surrounding area to accommodate the event.

Festival of Praise

The formation of the parade and festival area for this event will require the closure of all northbound lanes of Queen's Park Circle from College St. to Bloor St. on Saturday, September 9 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The dispersal area for the parade will result in the closure of the northbound lanes of Queen's Park Cres. from College St. to Wellesley St. from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Cabbagetown Festival

Parliament St. between Gerrard and Wellesley and Carlton St. between Parliament and Berkeley will be closed from Saturday, September 9 at 6 a.m. to Sunday, September 10 at 9 p.m. for the festival.

B&O Yorkville Run and Canadian 5K Road Race Championship

A series of road closures will take place in the area bounded by Davenport Rd. to the north, University Ave./Queen's Park/Avenue Rd. to the west, Dundas St. to the south and Bay St. to the east on Sunday, September 10 from 8 a.m. to noon for these two events.

The Toronto 5K

A series of road closures will take place in the area bounded by St. Clair Ave. West to the north, Christie St. to the west, Davenport Rd. to the south and Russell Hill Rd./Boulton Dr. to the east on Saturday, September 9 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. for this fundraising event.

TTC Subway Closure

In addition to road closures, this weekend will have a TTC subway closure. There will be no subway service between Sheppard West and Lawrence West stations on September 9 and 10 due to track work. Shuttle buses will operate between these stations during this closure.

Etobicoke could soon be the movie capital of Canada

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It's no secret that Toronto had been killing it on the film production scene lately.

Last year alone, investors spent more than $2 billion in the city making movies and TV shows like Stephen King's It, American Gods, and xXx: The Return of Xander Cageup from a record $1.5 billion in 2015.

Word of Toronto's high-quality crews, friendly politicians and ability to look like New York has gotten around in recent years, inspiring more and more Americans who are looking north (er, northeast) to shoot. 

Unfortunately, downtown Toronto doesn't exactly have an abundant supply of space. Executives say that, because of this, demand for studios is now outstripping supply.

Enter Etobicoke.

"My company has had to turn away at least 10 projects in calendar year 2017 so far because of lack of studio space in Toronto," said Cinespace Film Studios vice-president Jim Mirkopoulos to The Star this week.

So, to counter this problem, they're building two new studios that will bring a total of 50,000 square feet in additional production space to (just outside) the area.

Cinespace, which is the largest private operator of space for film, TV and digital media production in North America, already owns a large, west-end studio near Kipling. This is where The Handmaid's Tale was filmed.

The company says that it will build its new "Titan Studios" on the Kipling campus, which opened in 2009 to handle overspill from it's 20-year-old Eastern and Carlaw complex.

Mayor John Tory announced the project with Cinespace executives at a groundbreaking ceremony today, where he praised the company "for responding to the industry demand for studio space."

"When I go out selling our film industry, the one concern I hear repeatedly is the shortage of studio space," Tory said in a release. "That's why today's announcement is so important."

Important indeed. According to the company, the multi-million-dollar expansion will also result in Toronto getting a large, permanent underwater filming tank.

Toronto councillor tells colleague she should stick to knitting

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Memo to all politicians everywhere: It's a bad idea to use phrases like "stick to the knitting" when talking about women, regardless of the context. Do you even look at Twitter?

Toronto's Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong is being criticized today over what some are calling "sexist" comments he made about outgoing city planner (and noted rival) Jennifer Keesmaat.

The comments in question, published last week, are from a Toronto Sun article in which columnist Sue-Ann Levy describes Keesmat as "a darling of the left and the bike lane lobby." 

"I'm looking for someone who is interested in paying attention to the planning department," Minnan-Wong said to Levy at the time, "and less interested in sending out tweets that have little to do with city planning."

Fair enough, I guess, but the metaphor he used to describe what he meant by this was... perhaps a bit careless.

Most people only learned of Minnan-Wong's "knitting" remarks today, after Keesmaat responded to them in an interview with Metro Morning.

Keesmat, who recently announced that she will be leaving her role as the city's chief planner after five years of service "to pursue other interests," told the CBC radio program that she was offended by what Minnan-Wong's said to the Toronto Sun.

"He might as well have told me to go back to the kitchen," she said. "And just so you know, I've never been there; I've never been a very good cook. I think it's a deeply offensive comment."

The public support she's receiving online right now shows she's far from alone in her sentiment.

"Good on @jen_keesmaat for calling out the Deputy Mayor's sexist comments," wrote city councillor Joe Cressy on Twitter. "All women and public servants should be treated with respect."

Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon (the one who's trying to make drinking beer legal in Toronto parks) wrote similarly that "Chief Planner @jen_keesmaat has done great things to make TO more walkable, livable, vibrant! No need 4 sexist comments @DenzilMW. #Knitting."

#Knitting indeed, councillor. #Knitting.

Condo of the week: 90 Sumach Street

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This condo at the Brewery Lofts ticks off a number of the boxes that someone looking for an converted industrial space would surely have on the list: soaring ceilings, exposed beams, and a unique floor plan. Once the home of the CBC's burgeoning television department, there's also some intriguing history here.

90 sumach street torontoWhat makes this such unit such an intriguing space is its ample square footage and oversize warehouse-style windows, which cast dramatic shadows across the living and dining room.

90 sumach street torontoEqually noteworthy, though perhaps less desirable, is the layout of the master bedroom, which is divided into two parts and includes a large loft space that's here used as a sort of closet. It'd be a great place for an office, but it's a difficult fit as a second bedroom.

90 sumach street torontoFor a kid-free couple, this space is pretty much amazing. There's a major wow-factor for those who like to entertain, and the space is primed to show off a great art collection. It's not, however, the most efficient floor plan.

90 sumach street torontoSpecs
  • Address:#522 - 90 Sumach St.
  • Price: $1,349,000
  • Bedrooms: 1 + 1 
  • Bathrooms: 1
  • Parking: 1
  • Walk Score: 94
  • Transit Score: 100
  • Maintenance Fees: $1,023.17
  • Listing agent: Chris Olsen
  • Listing ID: C3917000
90 sumach street torontoGood For

Someone without live-in kids who's always dreamed of living in a loft space. This has all the hallmarks of warehouse living and could be the canvas for some adventurous interior design.

90 sumach street torontoMove On If

You need more bedrooms and bathrooms. As beautiful as this condo is, it's not particularly practical. Also, if you scoff at high maintenance fees, this one will raise your ire. 

90 sumach street toronto90 sumach street toronto90 sumach street toronto90 sumach street toronto

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

The top 5 cheap new brunch in Toronto

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Cheap new brunch restaurants in Toronto are good bets for those on a budget. While bacon and eggs are easy to cook at home there are still places to treat yourself for $10 or less when doing dishes isn't part of the weekend gameplan.

Here are my picks for cheap new brunch restaurants in Toronto.

Wilder

For the quality of ingredients that go into the brunches at this Junction cafe, you’d expect them to cost a whole lot more, but organic egg scrambles with avocado, toast and local hot sauce are just $7 and smoothie bowls with ingredients like acai or dragonfruit are under $10.

The Poet

$8 breakfast sandwiches reign at this King East cafe, made with Persian mortadella or beef sausage, two eggs and mozzarella. Otherwise, split a sumptuous brunch feast of eggs in your choice of style, salad, Persian meats and cheese and more for under $20.

Isabella's Boutique Restaurant

The mochi mochi pancakes at this Beaches brunch spot are light and fluffy, but your wallet will stay heavy after eating them as these Instagrammable stacks of sweetness only cost around $10.

Rise and Dine Eatery

Super cheap breakfasts reign at this East York diner, with $5.99 weekday early bird specials that don't stray far from your typical eggs, bacon and hash from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Also get a crazy range of waffles and crepes here.

Shanee

Toasts topped with avocado, mixed fruit, or coconut and almond spreads are all under $5 at this Thai spot on College, and sizeable yogurt parfaits packed with fruit and granola are just $3.25.

Weekend events in Toronto September 8-10 2017

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TIFF will dominate weekend events in Toronto, but it isn't the only thing happening in the city. There are also a couple of street festivals, a concert by a good friend of Drake's, and a long list of parties to keep you dancing until Monday.

Events you might want to check out:

Festival Street 2017 (September 7-10 @ King Street from Peter Street to University Avenue)
Festival Street is a weekend of free concerts, an epic rap battle, film screenings, food trucks, virtual reality and giveaways, all along the main drag surrounded by red carpets and theatres. It takes place during the first four days of TIFF.
Veg Food Fest 2017 (September 8-10 @ Harbourfront Centre)
Admission is free to this vegetarian food fest down by the water with loads of food vendors and entertainment planned.
The Weeknd Starboy Legend of the Fall 2017 World Tour (September 9 @ Air Canada Centre)
The unstoppable pop star returns for the second round of the Starboy tour. Expect an updated stage show, even more hits, and probably a guest or two.
El Bogo Fring's Warehouse (September 10 @ 17 Noble Street)
This is Susur Lee-inspired outdoor food and fashion event thrown by Chef Grant Soto where terrible designer clothing is encouraged. There'll be a $4.99 barbecue menu, cocktails, games, and face painting for adults.
Lauryn Hill & Nas Tour (September 10 @ Budweiser Stage)
Comedian Hannibal Buress and reggae fixture Chronixx open for Miss Lauryn Hill and Nas on their joint North American tour.
Manifesto Block Party (September 8 @ Daniels Spectrum)
This is a free, all ages, family friendly block party in Regent Park with outdoor games, local food trucks and DJs blasting tunes all day.
Taste of the Kingsway (September 8-10 @ Bloor Street West)
The Kingsway comes alive with midway rides, beer and wine gardens, live music and samples upon samples of local food. This fest also features the largest dog show in Etobicoke.
Liberty Village Market (September 9 @ Liberty VIllage)
This is an open-air market with works and products from artists, designers, artisans and a handful of local businesses. You'll find 50 vendors selling fashion, pet-related products and services, art, home decor, vintage, body care and food items.
Dragon Boat Challenge (September 9 @ Marilyn Bell Park)
Over 100 dragon boat crews from across North America race head-to-head, unofficially marking the culmination of Canada’s dragon boat racing season. Admission is free, there will also be art vendors and a Duggan's beer garden.
Cabbagetown Festival (September 9 @ Carlton and Parliament Streets)
One of the final outdoor street fests of the season takes over the entire neighbourhood with vendors, entertainment, art and way more.
James Corden (September 10 @ Sony Centre for the Performing Arts)
James Corden, late-night TV's king of celebrity sing-alongs takes the stage for a night of comedy and help launch Toronto's United Jewish Appeal Campaign.
Global Food Fest (September 8 @ Mel Lastman Square)
Gourmet Gringos, Sushi Burri Toronto, Filipino BBQ, Korean BBQ, Los Vietnamita, Tex-Mex, Cultural Ice-cream truck, and more come together for a food and jazz fest with flavours from around the world.
Veggie hotdog Popup (September 9 @ Junction Craft Brewing)
Four types of fully loaded veggie dogs at the award winning Junction Craft Brewing midday until 6 p.m. It's an afternoon of outdoor grilling, brews, and pals.
Summer BBQ Fantasy (September 9 @ Cold Tea)
A serene outdoor world dance party for your souls... because did we truly have a summer? No we did not. There'll be Canadiana barbecue tapas, uplifting summer vibe music by Internet Daughter, Young Teesh and Vaughan b2b Ace Dillinger.
The Deep Dark Woods and Wildlife (September 8 @ Yonge-Dundas Square)
The Canadian alternative country band from Saskatoon that everyone's talking about bring their sweet sounds to the Square along with Wildlife. 
Queens of the Stone Age (September 9 @ Budweiser Stage)
Need one more jolt of heavy hitting rock before roll into fall? This show from Queens of the Stone Age shows off their new album Villains with support from Royal Blood.
Toronto Bicycle Music Festival (September 10 @ Multiple Venues)
This is an annual series of free outdoor pedal-powered concerts taking place in and between our city's great community parks and streets. This year the shows happen between Trinity Bellwoods and Humber Bay Park West.
Beach Celtic Festival (September 9 @ Kew Gardens)
In the mood for some kilted bagpipers? Highland dancers? Maybe two days of music honouring our city's rich Celtic community? Then you'd better get to this mini-music fest in a park.
Beam Me Up! Five Years of Disco (September 8 @ The Piston)
The city's finest disco party turns five this weekend! Thomas Del Pozo will open, then it's Cyclist and the Patchouli Brothers who will take you on your disco journey for the rest of the night. Get there early to make sure you get in!
Akon (September 8 @ Everleigh Toronto)
Akon is making an appearance? Performing? DJing? Not exactly sure what he's doing at this TIFF party, but he'll be there and there will be DJs and dancing and no cover before 11 p.m.
Hide and Seek (September 8 @ The Broadview Hotel)
This is a brand new party geared towards queer women and their friends inside the ballroom at the slick Broadview Hotel. There's a huge patio attached to the room to cool off, and DJ Recklezz will be playing top 40 fire.
HER (September 8 @ Glad Day Bookshop (Church))
HER was a party on West Queen West that happened in a Mexican restaurant for four years. They're back for one night only with all past Her DJs, posters on display, and performances.
The Last LayTheseKnight (September 8 @ Drake Hotel)
After six years of throwing parties, LayTheseKnight are throwing in the towel and giving it one last blow-out. DJs Famous Players and Patrick McGuire (plus special guests) play all the best R&B, Rap & Dancehall until 4 a.m.
Swamp Trade (September 8 @ The Black Eagle Toronto)
This is a swamp themed dance party inside Toronto's leather bar. Father Figure from Provincetown hosts, Joshua Reid plays the deep, dark house and camo is encouraged.
Rave to the Grave (September 8 @ The Steady Cafe & Bar)
DJs Cjris Pyss Distraksjon and James Meier raise hell on the dancefloor - playing all the goth dance hits you need. There's no cover and there will be drink specials.
Bruce LaBruce's Sour Grapes Annual TIFF Bash (September 9 @ Bovine Sex Club)
Host and DJ Bruce LaBruce presents his annual TIFF party with a special performance from Dana Dentata. There will be gogo dancers, DJ Kevin H and lots of dark, disgusting happenings.
Luv Dancin' TIFF edition (September 9 @ Bambi's)
Kathryn Firanski, Alister Johnson and Pooyan finally get to play boogie until 4 a.m. during this special TIFF edition of their Luv Dancin' party.
Kenny Dope (September 9 @ Nest)
Jojo Flores, Manolo and Yo open for soul house legend Kenny Dope at this great big TIFF weekend dance party.
Greasy Fruit (September 9 @ The Baby G)
Greasy Fruit is a sweaty, queer, monthly west end dance party. DJs Andrew Awesome, Wei Back and Ace Dillinger spin all the throwback one hit wonders and hip hop you need for this Back 2 School edition of the party.
A Drag Tribute to James Bond (September 9 @ The Beaver)
Drag thing Fisher Price presents a night dedicated to Bond movies with performances from Jacklynne Hyde, Erin Brockobic, and Fisher Price herself. DJ Johnny B Good spins.
TIFF Pink List Party (September 10 @ Remington's Men of Steel)
The 13th Annual Pink List Party is Remington's gift to the film festival. All genders are welcome, doors are open late, strippers are everywhere and film industry folks often pop in for fun.
Toronto International Film Festival 2017 (September 7-17 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
World premieres, celebrities, and parties take over the city from September 7-17.
Toronto Beaches Film Fest (September 7-9 @ Beach United Church - Community Complex )
This is a film festival that showcases movies about subjects this neighbourhood cares about such as issues in the developing world, activism against big companies, adventure, beach culture and surfing to name a few.
Volta (September 7 - November 12 @ Under the Big Top, Toronto Port Lands)
Volta is the brand new Cirque Du Soleil show that features a lot of bikes, acrobatics, amazing outfits, stunts and an original score from M83.
Frank & Oak Warehouse Sale (September 7-10 @ 950 Dupont Street)
Shop up to 80 percent off Frank and Oak Men’s and Women’s apparel, outerwear, footwear (no ladies footwear) and accessories for four days. The stock is constantly replenished with sizes and styles. 

10 bar and restaurant hotspots for TIFF 2017

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TIFF is the time of the year when bars and restaurants pull out all the stops. Whether it's to host a private dinner for a famous movie star, throw a post-screening party for a world premiere or hire a famous DJ to spin until the wee hours of the morning, bars and restaurant know there's not a busier time in Toronto's dining and drinking calendar.

Here's a round-up of bars and restaurants sure to be hotspots during TIFF this year.

Broadview Hotel

The new kid at Queen and Broadview has one of the most talked-about patios in the city right now. They have a really unique private dining space on their rooftop that any decent publicist would have booked out for a special star dinner. Rumour has it the Grace Jones post-screening party is taking over this spot Thursday night. 

Blueblood Steakhouse

Casa Loma's massive new steakhouse is hosting a bunch of private TIFF parties this year. They're tight-lipped on the details, but if you stop by this opulent spot for a cocktail or dinner during the festival you might just catch a glimpse of somebody famous. 

STK

This Yorkville steakhouse has been buzzing since it opened last year. It's a high energy spot for cocktails or a fancy dinner, with a stunning interior. The Creative Coalition's Spotlight Initiative Awards Dinner honouring Bill Pullman and Zachary Quinto, and the Call Me By Your Name party are just two of the big parties happening here. 

Kost at the Bisha Hotel

The just opened boutique hotel on Blue Jays Way is owned by Ink Entertainment, the same company who throws some of the biggest bashes in town. You know they opened just in time for TIFF so expect star spotting opportunities as famous faces descend here for dinners and parties.

The Cactus Club

This Financial District restaurant and bar chain is hosting several post-screening parties in their space including ones for Benedict Cumberbatch's The Current War, Mom and Dad and Vince Vaughn's boxer flick Brawl in Cell Block 99.

Anne Boleyn

The new, modern British pub is steps away from the action on King West and has 4 a.m. last call throughout TIFF.

Lavelle

King West's rooftop bar and pool saw Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emma Stone and Drake all take in the skyline views in the past. This year, they're hosting Lumiere parties on September 7, 8, and 9th and private post-screening parties on the 10, 11, and 12th.  Good luck getting in!

Thompson Hotel

This Bathurst St. boutique hotel is hosting TIFF gifting suites all day, every day. You'll need to be on someone's list to make it up to the rooftop parties happening both weekends of the festival.

dbar

The Four Seasons Hotel is one of the main spleepover spots for celebrities in town for the festival. This is why the lux, ground-level lounge might be the place for celebrity spotting this year. They've transformed the space into a Garden of Wonder featuring bubbles and bites from Perrier-Jouet's  Belle Epoque 2017 vintage champagne. 

DEQ

The lavish restaurant inside the Ritz Carlton will be crawling with TIFF folks since many of them will be staying here. This isn't a late last call kind of place, but more a spot for post-screening events and pre-film cocktails like The 6ix, their festival cocktail made with 100-year-old Rémy Martin Louis XIII cognac.


Toronto could be home to Amazon's new headquarters

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Toronto wants Amazon, and we're not afraid to show it. 

But alas, like a modern-day, non-fictional Lady Mary Crawley, the Seattle-based tech giant has many eligible suitors right now – and only one can be involved in its forthcoming major expansion. 

The e-commerce juggernaut announced today that it is currently seeking a location for its second North American headquarters, aptly named "HQ2."

This campus is expected to bring billions of dollars in up-front and additional investments to whichever community holds it – and that's not including the 50,000 "high-paying jobs" Amazon will need to fill when its new headquarters is up and operational.

North American cities of more than one million people that meet Amazon's criteria are invited to submit proposals to the company, which encourages them to "think big and creatively when considering locations and real estate options."

"We expect HQ2 to be a full equal to our Seattle headquarters," said Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in a press release issued Thursday. "We’re excited to find a second home."

Toronto Mayor John Tory, among others, is excited for Amazon to find that second home too. Here. In Toronto.

"We are a bold, innovative city that has plenty of homegrown tech talent," the mayor stated on Twitter this afternoon. "We continue to attract talent & companies from around the world."

"City staff are working with Toronto Global to make sure we put together an attractive bid for this opportunity," he continued. "I will be leading the charge to make the case that Amazon should call Toronto home."

Tory's already done a bang-up job in this regard for other industries, but does Toronto have what it takes to outbid Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Montreal, Memphis, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh and any other city that throws its hat into the ring?

Yes. The answer to that question is undoubtedly yes.

With our highly-skilled and educated workforce, the value of our currency, and consistently high rankings in reports on high-tech, we might have a pretty good shot.

Fingers crossed that HQ2 is built in Toronto, for Amazon's sake – and fingers crossed that Amazon brings 1-hour booze delivery along with it, for our sake.

Epic double rainbow spotted over Toronto after rainstorm

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Toronto was treated to a stunning display of colours after a brief but powerful rainstorm earlier today. Anyone lucky enough to look up might've caught a glimpse of not one, but two rainbows arched over the skyline.

double rainbow #cntower #rainbow #toronto #cntowerweather

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The phenomena is as rare as it is complex. Basically, rainbows are the result of light reflected through raindrops which act like a prism, allowing us to see a spectrum of colours spread across the sky.

After the storm comes the (double) rainbow.

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In the case of the double rainbow, the second, slightly fainter rainbow is actually inverted, reflecting off the back of raindrops.

The reflections can go on forever, and there have been (albeit dubious) reports of triple, even quadruple rainbows. But today's double rainbow seemed to be enough for everyone to enjoy.

People really aren't happy about TIFF shutting down King St.

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Toronto's two favourite pastimes might be standing in lines and complaining about the TTC. And when daily commutes are inconvenienced by streetcar detours, people really like to let their anger fly.

Such is the case with the annual four day closure that comes as a result of TIFF's Festival Street on King West.

Signs have appeared around the neighbourhood in reaction to the closures and even the TTC itself has complained about the situation, claiming the closure of one of its busiest routes is a major nuisance for many riders.

In true Canadian fashion, many are expressing polite, only mild inconvenience.

And others are choosing to make light of the situation.

While the festival runs from today to the 17th, the closure is just until Sunday.

Celebs start to arrive in Toronto for TIFF

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TIFF has officially begun and a number of A-list celebrities have landed in Toronto for the annual film festival. While movies and parties may be the real highlight of the festival, you can't forget about celeb spotting.

So far a number of stars have already been spotted all over the city at the airport, fancy soirees and the city's swankiest hotels.

One of the first to arrive was Toronto's own Rachel McAdams who touched down early before the premiere of Disobedience on Sunday.

Actress Priyanka Chopra was spotted last night in Toronto at the opening TIFF Soiree as she was the guest of honour for the evening.

Also spotted on the red carpet at the star studded event was actor Jason Isaacs.

Coming into the city, Armie Hammer was spotted at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. As he arrived he was ambushed by excited fans.

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Actor Charlie Hunnam was also spotted and swarmed by eager fans at the Toronto airport.

It's not only actors and actresses in town. Beck was spotted at the Four Seasons Hotel last night for George Pimentel's photo exhibit opening. 

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As for today, Shia LaBeouf was captured along Festival Street for the premiere of his movie Borg/McEnroe.

And Timothée Chalamet arrived in style to join co-star Armie Hammer on the red carpet for the premiere of Call Me By Your Name.

Ontario to shut down all pot shops and open their own

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Oh, hey. Did you think that maybe after weed is legalized in Canada you'd be able to step out and pick some up at the corner store like a bag of milk? Think again.

The Ontario government is reportedly set to roll out its own storefronts to maintain a tight grip over marijuana sales. As many as 150 provincial dispensaries could open as part of the plan.

As the July 2018 deadline for marijuana legalization in Canada looms, a control board is in works, which would ultimately result in the shut down of dispensaries across the province over the next year in favour of a government-controlled retail system.

This comes as part of the overall plan to restrict access to weed, which will include a minimum purchasing age of 19, taxes, public education about the product, and other stipulations. 

This is obviously bad news for the many small business owners who will see their dispensaries boarded up, and the decision will surely add to the raging debate about regulations and the role of the government in controlling the sale of pot.

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