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Events this weekend in Toronto don't get much bigger than this. It's the annual Nuit Blanche art extravaganza on Saturday night, but it's also the final hours of Invictus, there are some huge Oktoberfest parties and the new Guillermo del Toro exhibit opens.
Events you might want to check out:Nuit Blanche (September 30 - October 1 @ Multiple Venues)Toronto's free, city-wide sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art returns with installations and works transforming spaces all around us for one night only.
Toronto Octoberfest (September 29-30 @ Ontario Place)Join 6,000 people at the city's largest Oktoberfest. This massive two-day party celebrates Bavarian heritage with food, beer, music, and a fun fair modelled after the original Munich event.
Legends of Horror (September 29 - October 31 @ Casa Loma)Toronto's only real castle is transformed into your haunted nightmare with a one hour tour of secret rooms, tunnels, ghouls and all kinds of other spooky surprises.
Invictus Games Closing Ceremony (September 30 @ Air Canada Centre)Close out the massive sports tournament with a star-studded concert from Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Kelly Clarkson, Bachman & Turner, and Quebecoise singer-songwriter Coeur de pirate.
At Home with Monsters (September 30 - January 7 @ Art Gallery of Ontario)Don’t miss this rare glimpse into the fantastic and frightful world of renowned filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. It's an immersive exhibit featuring about 4,150 objects including props, sculptures, paintings, prints,and costumes.
Vintage Clothing Sale (September 30 - October 1 @ Queen Elizabeth Building at Exhibition Place)From Kensington to Queen West, this city loves vintage fashion, and it's proven even more true with the country's largest vintage clothing show under one roof.
Gay Play Day theatre festival (September 29-30 @ Alumnae Theatre)Two days, five plays and the chance to see what some of the city's brightest playwrights are up to. Tickets are $15 a day.
Venus Fest (September 30 @ Artscape Daniels Spectrum)Here's a brand new Toronto music festival and arts celebration run by and featuring women, gender queer, and trans folk.
Wanderlust (September 30 @ Queen Street East along Vancouver and Booth Avenue)Over 220,220 stores, businesses and restaurants open their doors for this huge east side culture crawl. There are also five party hubs with live music, food and beer along the way.
Halloween Haunt (September 30 - October 31 @ Canada's Wonderland)If you thought roller coasters were scary, wait until you walk through a darkened amusement park covered in creepy characters, haunted walks, zombies and all kinds of other gruesome surprises.
Toronto Motorcycle Film Fest (September 29-30 @ Revue Cinema)This west side cinema is being taking over by bikers for the weekend! It's a unique festival that showcases the best narrative and documentary motorcycle films from around the world.
Salmon Festival (October 1 @ Morningside Park )The main attraction to this day is watching the schools of salmon trying to swim upstream. But there's also live music and self-guided walking tours at this family-friendly afternoon.
Black owned Market Pop-up (October 1 @ Wychwood Barns)Get products and services by black-owned businesses in Toronto in one spot! There'll also be music, performances and giveaways, as well as the chance to network and shop.
Oktoberfest! (September 29 @ Gladstone Hotel)Dust off your dirndl or lederhosen as this hotel bar is transformed into an ole fashioned German beer hall featuring two performances by your favourite Bavarian Queens, other live music and steins of beer.
Mexican Fundraising festival (September 30 @ ALLIANCE BANQUET HALL & EVENT VENUE)Toronto's Latino community comes together for a full day of live performances, music, food, and drinks to raise money for the Mexican Earthquake Victims.
Apple Fest 2017 (September 30 - October 1 @ Bayview Ave. from Soudan to Davisville)Celebrating their history and paying homage to the many apple orchards that once graced the area, this day salutes apples with ciders, pies, live music and street art.
Oktoberfest Pary (September 30 @ Mill Street Beer Hall)There will be 18 beers on tap including their signature Oktoberfest beer at this Mill Street event. Fill up on Bavarian fare with the one-night-only special menu. German-themed entertainment is also promised.
Texas Mac (September 29 @ Dakota Tavern)Members of The Split (Curtis and Matthew Chaffey) play rock'n roll and country tunes all night down in this good old-fashioned western bar.
Metz (September 29-30 @ Lee's Palace)Toronto's favourite noise rockers play a two-night sting at the legendary rock bar to celebrate the release of their new album.
Big Fun (September 29 @ The Rec Room Toronto)This is a giant dance party inside Toronto's brand new adult arcade and bar. There's a club in the back and there you'll find this LGBT dance party with drag queens, DJ and massive projections.
Pixies (September 29 @ Massey Hall)The much-loved alt-rockers return to the city for a show of songs from their latest album Head Carrier.
Beam Me Up! (September 29 @ The Piston)A night of pure disco where you'll feel all the love on the dancefloor with DJs The Patchouli Brothers and Cyclist.
Friday Night Live (September 29 - November 24 @ Royal Ontario Museum)DJ Mista Jiggz, Gimmemar, Cheri Maracle and University of Toronto Faculty of Music provide the beats and the music for this fashion-focused party night inside the museum.
Slime Vol. 1 (September 29 @ Luanda House)NYC's Jay Boogie lands in the city for a night of underground club sounds at this brand new dance jam. Myst Milano, kaspr and Karim Olen Ash fill out the rest of this hot little night.
Course of Time (September 29 @ OMAW)This is a night celebrating Rainer & Grimm's new single "Tempted," which also acts as a hot dance party. Rainer & Grimm will spin and they've invited some friends. It's presented in partnership with the Course of Time folks.
Hey QT (September 29 @ Sex Laser)This west side bar is taken over for one night only by this wild queer-friendly dance party with no cover. There'll be go go dancers, video installations and DJs Joe Blow, Fluffy Souffle and Sigourney Beaver.
Aughties by Nature (September 29 @ The Baby G)Put on your best pair of low-rise jeans, grow out the ironic moustache, and dust off your trucker hats because the Aughts are back for one night only with DJs Andrew Pulsifer and Miguel Rivas.
Buddies Fall-atio (September 30 - October 1 @ Buddies In Bad Times Theatre)If you need a night of drag and dancing, look no further. Katinka Kature hosts a night of performance and dancing with Helena Poisn, Beardra Bidness and Baby Bel Bel. DJ Regina Gently spins.
K&P mart dance party (September 30 - October 1 @ Gladstone Hotel)Clean up on aisle 4, dance party on aisle 5! Kastor & Pollux transform the hotel's Ballroom into a larger than life grocery store. Expect lots of light flashes and DJs.
Jelly (September 30 - October 1 @ Glad Day Bookshop)DJs Tamika, Sammy Rawal and Diego Armand serve house, trap, dancehall, vogue, club, Afro and electronic at this dance party in a bookstore/bar.
Scream (September 30 - October 1 @ The Beaver)DJ Kris Steeves spins dark beats of the night while host and queen of the night Jacklynnne Hyde and guests Jenna Syde and Leelando.
EDIT (September 28 - October 8 @ East Harbour )A day of fascinating talks, workshops, panels, screenings, and exhibits all go down at the opening weekend of this innovation, technology and design fair inside an old soap factory.
JFL42 (September 21-30 @ Sony Centre for the Performing Arts)September 30 is the final day of JFL42 and comedians like Kenny and Spenny, Jay Faroah and Tom Segura headline the final acts.
Like the City of Toronto itself, Centennial Park Stadium could soon be linked – permanently, publicly and inextricably – to the legacy of Rob Ford.
Mayor John Tory is asking city councillors this week to consider renaming the sports venue in Etobicoke to "Rob Ford Memorial Stadium" in honour of his late predecessor.
"Councillor Ford’s community involvement went well behind politics," read Tory's letter, which was presented Wednesday. "He was passionate about the game of football and founded the Newtonbrook North Stars football team in 1999."
"He also established the Rob Ford Football Foundation, a program that helps fund football programs in high schools across the city."
Tory recommends that the football stadium be renamed for Ford "in light of his many years of work on football programs in Etobicoke," and notes that The Ford family has been consulted, and supports the change.
Torontonians on Twitter are not quite so supportive.
@JohnTory RoFo, a lying, gang/associating crack smoker does NOT deserve a building named after him 1/2 https://t.co/TGM7Fok52Q
— Alison Kingelin (@Kingelin1) September 28, 2017
The idea was actually first floated by the former mayor's brother, Doug Ford, in March of 2017.
"There's never been a politician like Rob, good or bad," said Doug, who recently announced his intention to run for mayor, at the time. "There's never been a mayor that answers his phone at 11 p.m. at night and shows up to people's doors."
If Tory's recommendation is approved, the city's department of Parks, Forestry and Recreation will cover the cost of replacing the stadium's signs.
I look forward to the day when Rob Ford is honoured properly when that stadium is renamed More-Than-Enough-To-Eat-At-Home Stadium
— Todd (@Hiatu5) September 28, 2017
Ford was an Etobicoke councillor for 10 years before he was elected Toronto's mayor in 2010. He subsequently made international headlines for smoking crack while in office, and died from cancer in 2016 at the age of 46.
As Toronto approaches a year that will be dominated by coverage of the next mayoral election, let’s try not to forget who our real overlords are: raccoons.
In the most recent battle, we tried to fight the war with raccoon-proof garbage bins. In retaliation, they took it a step further and infiltrated our financial sector.
According to a memo issued to customers, an RBC branch near St. Clair and Oakwood has been taken over by the furry bandits.
The memo issued to customers of the Oakwood and St. Clair Branch, posted to a local community group on Facebook. Photo from John Smith.
In the note, branch manager Stephen Clark offers customers suggestions on nearby locations and ATMs due to “some unexpected repairs that arose from a family of raccoons making our ceiling their new home.”
First, they took over our transit system. Then, they conquered our airport. Next, our media fell to a young recruit of the evil masked bandits. Do humans have any hope left in this endless war?
The [fallen] RBC branch is expected to be closed until the end of October, and a customer appreciation party will be held when it reopens.
It’s fair to assume the raccoons won’t be invited.
A senior citizen who faces $100 in fines for having free books on his Toronto property is the result of "bureaucratic bullcrap," according to his daughter – and lots of angry people on Facebook agree.
Jennifer Sherwood Hicks took to the social network yesterday after her father, who lives near Yonge and Eglinton, received a letter from the City of Toronto.
The letter, according to Hicks, was sent to notify her dad that the little free library in his front lawn "contravenes city by-laws," and stated that he must remove the wooden box and its contents within 14 days – or be fined.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME, TORONTO??? IS THIS HOW YOU'RE SPENDING MY TAX DOLLARS...BY HARASSING SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ARE TRYING TO SPREAD A LITTLE LITERARY LOVE AROUND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD???" she wrote on Facebook Wednesday. "Excuse the caps, but I am absolutely steamed."
People from all over the city are similarly incensed over this particular situation, and by what they perceive as an attack on the Little Free Library movement – a literacy initiative that's resulted in the free exchange of millions of books between community members around the world each year.
"Pathetic," wrote one commenter on Hicks' Facebook post. "I've seen a few of these lovely community libraries popping up around the city. Personally, I love them. So sad." "It's a beautiful little library that brings curb appeal and community thoughtfulnes," wrote someone else. "What jerk is behind this madness to remove it?"
Hicks told me today that her father has contacted his city councillor in the hopes of keeping his library, which he received as a Christmas gift last year.
My favourite thing about Toronto are these cute little libraries. Find one near you at littlefreelibrary.org #littlefreelibrary #littlefreelibrarytoronto #books #library #bookstagram #bookworm
A post shared by Brianna Benton (@briannafbenton) on Sep 26, 2017 at 1:19pm PDT
"My dad's a fan of mysteries, and you'll always find a few of those in the library," she says. "I keep it stocked with contemporary fiction. A few weeks ago when I posted on my Facebook page that I'd just dropped a few literary gems off, there was a bit of a bidding war over Beartown by Fredrik Backman."
Hicks says she posted about the situation on Facebook "simply to vent," but that she's happy with the response its been getting.
"I'm glad to see neighbours rallying around this cause, and promoting little libraries as community builders," she says. And rallying they are.
"I work in bylaw court often," wrote one local paralegal in the comments. "If they charge you I will take on your case for free and pay your fine if we lose."
Another person offered to pay the fine flat-out. "Where do I send $100," they asked, "to support his generosity?"
Real estate in Toronto is always a hot topic, but what’s scorching hot right now is the luxury condo market.
In a new report from Remax, an 86 percent increase in sales of condos sold between $1-2 million was found in the first half of 2017. The period in 2017 saw 715 units sold, compared to 384 the year before.
Sales of luxury houses have also remained strong. Detached properties selling for more than $3 million saw an increase of 55 percent during the period in question. In the first half of 2016, 489 houses over $3 million sold, with 760 in 2017.
While speculation about the Fair Housing Plan affecting the market is rumbling, the report states it is still a new factor in the housing market, which has yet to adjust. Additionally, the "long-term impact has yet to be determined."
The Fair Housing Plan is a set of rules put in place to keep housing affordable in the province. Some of the controls include the Non-Resident Speculation Tax, which aims to curb sales of homes to foreign buyers, rent increase prevention, and policies to increase the supply of available housing.
Vancouver, which often accompanies Toronto in conversations about expensive housing markets, actually saw overall decreases in the sales of luxury detached houses this year. Toronto saw an increase in each price range for detached homes, while Vancouver sales fell in every category.
Remax attributes some of the increases in the GTA to a demand for luxury condos that exceeds supply. The organization also says that overall price increases for the units and baby boomers downsizing from homes to condos may be contributing to sales numbers.
The increasing sales numbers for luxury homes are expected to continue through the second half of 2017, Remax says in the report. 
Who says drinking beer with your buddies can't be noble?
This is the question behind a new, Toronto-based event event series and pop-up bar called 'PhilanthroPub.'
"The PhilanthroPub is about creating unique and memorable experiences that result in giving back to the community," reads the organization's website. "We organize pop-up pubs and restaurants that serve the best local food, wine, beer and spirits and we donate 100% of the proceeds to local charities."
This Saturday, when the pub opens its doors for the first time in Leslieville, that charity will be The Red Door Family Shelter.
Guests can expect live music, food trucks, and lots of local beer, wine and spirits at the event, which will take place near Queen and Pape at the site of the forthcoming 1001 Queen East condo building.
Organizers say that if their charity bash goes well on Sept. 30th, they'll be hosting similar events in this space and elsewhere "for other causes down the road."
The "philanthropub" concept has been tested out by other organizations in the past (with varying degrees of success,) but this Leslieville pop-up appears to be the first of its kind in Toronto.
"All of our goals are focused around proving that any place, anytime and anywhere is an opportunity to bring together great friends, for great times and support great causes," organizers say.
"We believe our approach can be adapted for practically any cause or scenario."
Road closures will be happening all across Toronto this weekend on account of events like Nuit Blanche and the Prince Harry-approved Invictus Games. On the bright side, at least there's no TTC subway closure this weekend.
Here's what you need to know to get around the city this weekend.
Nuit Blanche
A series of road closures will take place on September 30 through to sunrise on October 1 for Nuit Blanche.
Queen's Park Cres. northbound will be closed between College St. and Charles St. W. starting at 3:30 pm on September 30 until 8:30 a.m. on October 1.
Queen's Park Cres. southbound will be closed between College St. and Bloor St. W. will start at 3:30 pm September 30 until 8:30 a.m. October 1.
Queen St. West will be closed between Yonge St. and University Ave. starting at 6:30 p.m. September 30 until 8 a.m. October 1.
Bay St. will be closed between Dundas St. W. and Richmond St. W. starting at 8 a.m. September 30 until 10 a.m. October 1.
Bay St. will also be closed between Richmond St. W. and Front St. W. starting at 4:30 pm, Saturday, September 30 until 10 am, Sunday October 1.
More information about how to get around during the event is available on the Nuit Blanche website.
Also important to note is that TTC subway service on Lines 1 and 2 will run all night Saturday and free parking will be available at TTC commuter parking lots.
CIBC Run for the Cure
There will be a series of road closures and lane restrictions in the area bounded by University Avenue/Queen's Park Circle in the east, Bloor Street West in the north, St. George Street in the west and Armoury Street in the south on October 1 from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to accommodate this event.
As a result, some TTC routes will detour during these closures, including 5 Avenue Road, 94 Wellesley, 506 Carlton and 300 Bloor-Danforth.
Ontario Firefighters Memorial
Grosvenor St. from Queen's Park Crescent East to Surrey Place will be closed on October 1 from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The northbound lanes of Queen's Park/Queen's Park Crescent East, from College Street to Grosvenor Street will be closed from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Buffer Festival
The east curb lane and sidewalk on Yonge St. will be closed from Queen St. East to the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre, located at 189 Yonge Street, on October 1 from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The Invictus Games
The Invictus Games is on until September 30. In order to provide a safe and secure environment for those attending the games, as well as those who live and work in the city, various road closures will be in effect in accordance to the Toronto Police Service's security plan.
Overviews of these measures will be issued each morning and will be available on the Toronto Police Service’s website.
The TTC is getting a little bit spooky in advance of the opening of its new subway line. As the Toronto York Spadina Subway Extension nears its debut, the final stages of testing are taking place, part of which involves what's called "ghost service."
Despite the name, it's not a train full of poltergeists, but rather, a testing phase in which the trains operate as normal, just without passengers.
A post shared by Joanna Kervin (@joanna.kervin) on Feb 21, 2017 at 8:32am PST
The way this system will work is simple. For subway riders, Sheppard West will continue to be the end of the line, but after they've departed, the trains will continue to operate through the rest of the line up to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre as though they were still occupied.
TTC spokesperson Stuart Green says this allows the drivers, signal operators, and other staff to be trained in bringing the train through the six new stations, stopping at each, and returning back down the rest of the line.
A post shared by Joanna Kervin (@joanna.kervin) on Jun 3, 2017 at 11:06am PDT
This ghost service offers additional testing opportunities in other areas as well, including the opportunity to gauge timing and headways, which are crucial to have nailed down before the line opens to the public.
Examination of timing is particularly important. This allows the TTC to “time trips and then, if needed, adjust service to meet need. This will be helpful in collecting that information," Green says.
The ghost service is the final stage of trials in a long year of testing. CP24 reports that other phases have looked at safety issues, design corrections, and covering the trains in polystyrene to see if they bump into the walls.
A post shared by Joanna Kervin (@joanna.kervin) on Jun 4, 2017 at 4:46pm PDT
Ghost service isn't the only intriguing aspect of TTC testing on the TYSSE. Back in the spring, Joanna Kervin, director of the project, posted a photo showing the trains filled with concrete blocks, which was used to mimic the weight of passengers for high speed testing.
Ghost service will begin on November 26. These trials will continue until the new extension officially opens to the public on December 17.
Canada's federal government has finally unveiled its new strategy for bolstering our country's creative economy – and, with the support of an American streaming giant, it looks like we could soon see a major boom in the production of Can-Con.
Heritage Minister Melanie Joly revealed today during a lunchtime speech that Netflix has committed $500 million towards the creation and distribution of original productions in Canada.
This means that, on top of existing funds, at least half-a-billion new dollars will be up for grabs over the next five years among filmmakers, writers, designers and artists.
Suffice to say that a lot of that money will end up right here in The 6ix, which has emerged in recent years as one of North America's biggest film and television production centres.
Seriously, one needs to ask whether Netflix’s spending in Canada will be for “Canadian” content, or just shot in Toronto, pretend NewYork.
— Jean-François Mezei (@jfmezei) September 28, 2017
Joly did make clear in her speech that the vision for Canada's creative industries "will not be tied to arcane technology of the past."
Funds allocated through the government's revamped cultural policy will be used to support content creators of all kinds, including musicians, architects and video game designers (of which there are also many in Toronto.)
1/2 We will make sure our creative industries succeed and make the content that we love by using all of the tools we have #CreativeCanada
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) September 28, 2017
News of the Netflix deal has many local content producers excited today. It is, after all, the first time Netflix has made an investment like this outside of the U.S. – though, according to the CBC, it might be a win on both sides.
"Netflix has lobbied hard to avoid facing the kinds of requirements that traditional broadcasters in Canada have had to face for years," writes Catherine Cullen, noting that the government has also been under pressure to tax the streaming service.
In the future, Joly says that other foreign content platforms with large Canadian audiences – like Facebook and Google – could be tapped to help finance "the promotion and protection of Canadian stories."
"We want them to participate in our goals to support the creation and discovery of Canadian content that showcases our talent, our cultures and our stories," she said today. "I’m pushing for commitments that benefit our industries."
Events this weekend in Toronto don't get much bigger than this. It's the annual Nuit Blanche art extravaganza on Saturday night, but it's also the final hours of Invictus, there are some huge Oktoberfest parties and the new Guillermo del Toro exhibit opens.
Events you might want to check out:
If you thought you had a busy summer, think again. The top events in Toronto this October will ensure you stay entertained as the air finally gets crisp. Not only are there so many things to do this fall in general, but there's also a bunch of free stuff, markets and pop-ups, art shows, and that's not event touching Halloween!
Events you might want to check out:
It turns out the City of Toronto doesn’t hate reading after all.
Earlier today, we wrote that the City ordered the removal of a little free library near Yonge and Eglinton. The owner’s daughter, Jennifer Sherwood Hicks, posted on Facebook that the family was outraged.
In a matter of a few hours, the decision has been reversed, and the library has been allowed to stay.
Edward Keenan, columnist at the Toronto Star, announced on Twitter that the City has decided to rescind the ticket. Shortly after, Mayor Tory also added his thoughts and said the ticket has been "ripped up."
"...& will allow the structure to remain on the City's road allowance as it is a temporary structure & does not pose a public safety risk."
— Edward Keenan (@thekeenanwire) September 28, 2017
The bylaw that had apparently been violated disallowed structures on a person’s property within 3.5 metres of a sidewalk.
I love Toronto's little libraries. We should be encouraging them, not ticketing them. I've sent that message to City staff. The ticket issued to the little library owner at Yonge & Eglinton has been ripped up.
— John Tory (@JohnTory) September 28, 2017
The ticket and ensuing Facebook post caused mass outrage from many who cited hypocrisy and government overstepping. Many homes have debris, vehicles, furniture, and other objects strewn across lawns for years, some pointed out.
So if you love reading (or free stuff), rejoice! The free library is allowed to remain.
Toronto's Museum House condos have received plenty of attention over the years, but the nearby Exhibit Residences is no slouch when it comes to stunning views and luxury living spaces.
This unit on the 28th floor features a wrap around balcony that offers a vantage point that might even compete with Drake's temporary pad. The Crystal at the ROM even looks good when you hover directly above it.
Inside, the unit is defined by subtle luxury. The staging here is a bit minimal, but it does pair well with the clean lines of the space. While obviously modern, lots of wood ensures that the interior never comes off as cold.
The roughly 1,500 square feet of space is generous for the area, and surely reflected in the $2 million plus price point. This is clearly a condo for someone who's already made it and likely doesn't have live-in kids, but an extra bedroom is always convenient.
Specs
Address: 200 Bloor St. W
Price: $2,390,000
Bedrooms: 2 + 1
Bathrooms: 3
Parking: 2
Walk Score: 97
Transit Score: 100
Maintenance Fees: $1,429
Listing agent: Andrew John Bonello
Listing ID: C3923639
Good For
Pretty much anyone would love a condo like this, but the location will particularly appeal to lovers of the arts, U of T bigwigs (location!), and someone who likes being proximate to Yorkville, but doesn't actually want to live there.
Move On If
You can't stand the thought of looking at the ROM Crystal every day. Seriously, there's not much to dislike here.
Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage for sponsoring our condo of the week. All editorial written and selected by blogTO.
One of Toronto's last remaining video rental stores is shutting down at the end of the year after nearly four decades in the home entertainment business.
Videoflicks has been serving uptown movie lovers in the Avenue Rd. area since 1981, when the shop's original owners, Beverly and Michael Kavanagh tried their hand at the (then) contentious practice of renting out VHS tapes.
Not just any old Blockbuster clone, Videoflicks is well-known for its comprehensive selection of films, helpful staff, inexpensive rental rates and complimentary in-store popcorn.
End of an era. New beginnings. All the best to my friends at #videoflicks #DVDrental pic.twitter.com/kLHzT8h3uO
— David Narciso (@DavidNarciso6) September 2, 2017
The shop also prides itself on being open every single day of the year.
Regulars might be sad to see it go, but there's one upside to the closure of this iconic Avenue and Lawrence business: A massive liquidation sale beginning October 1st.
"This will be a great opportunity to collect your favourite movies for the home, car, and cottage before they're gone,” reads a newspaper ad announcing the store's closing.
"It sure would be nice to see you before we leave in January."
Toronto food events this week include an avalanche of Oktoberfest feasts, Apple Fest, a free burger day, a butter tart cooking class and two pop-ups inside breweries include Steambox Dumplings and Chau.
Events you might want to check out:
The best burritos in Toronto are bursting bundles of deliciousness packed with your favourite fillings. From proteins like meat, seafood or veggie soy to staples like rice and beans or noodles along with cheese, salsa, guacamole and, if you dare, hot sauce, these Mexican/Tex-Mex creations are the ultimate flavour bomb.
These are the best burritos in Toronto.
10 - Burro Burrito (College St.)
Warehouse sales in Toronto this month offer cut rate deals on popular shoe brands, winter coats, bikes and housewares. October is looking like a deal-hunter's paradise.Â
Events you might want to check out:
The notion that Toronto's housing market is inflated and overvalued shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, but put in a global context, our real estate picture is a bit more scary.
According to a new report, Toronto has the most over-valued real estate market in the entire world. This means we are most at risk of a housing bubble, which experts have been warning of for years.
UBS, a Switzerland-based financial services company, just put out a report ranking real estate markets in 20 major international cities.
Toronto made its shining debut to the list this year, right at number one. To no one’s surprise, Canada is also represented by Vancouver in the fourth place spot.
A housing bubble is a phenomenon where the demand for housing far exceeds the supply, causing costs to skyrocket. The theory is that the housing bubble will “burst,” which may lead to a huge collapse in prices and the market.
The diagnosis of a housing bubble in Toronto is based on the stats that show prices have increased 50 percent over the last five years - a staggering number. A cooling trend has been noted more recently, but not in time to sway this report.
The UBS says that a strengthening loonie and increase in interest rates by the Bank of Canada may give us reason for optimism in terms of house prices. They also note that the various measures put in place via the Fair Housing Plan could help to stabilize the market.
Late night eats at Nuit Blanche will get you through the wee hours of the annual all night art crawl. If you plan to cover a lot of ground and check out all the must-see exhibits, you're going to need some fuel along the way. From food trucks to late night Chinese food purveyors, you've got plenty of options.
Here's your guide to late night eats available during Nuit Blanche this year.
Food trucks
The following Toronto food trucks are officially working with Nuit Blanche and will be serving throughout the all-night event.
Nathan Phillips Square
BeaverTails
Born2Eat
The Ultimate Concessions Trailer
Mami's
Tiny Tom Donuts
Heirloom
Queens Park
Road Grill
Texas Tornado
Mustache Burger
Tiny Tom Donuts
I Love Churros
Prince Edward's Fries
You can never go wrong with late night dim sum at Chinatown's Rol San. Photo by Hector Vasquez.
Restaurants
You'll also find restaurants around the city open late on Nuit Blanche, from your standard 2 a.m. kitchens to ones that go deep into the next morning.
Open until 2 a.m.
416 Snack Bar
Albert's Real Jamaican
ASAP City
Bar Isabel
Bar Raval
Halal Guys
Hanmoto
Hawker Bar
Hemingway's
Lou Dawgs
Macho Radio Bar
Otto's Bierhalle
Fresca Pizza
Swatow
The 47
The Dime
The Greater Good
Three Hands
Open until 3 a.m.
Ali Baba's (multiple locations)
Belly Buster Submarines
Burrito Boyz (multiple locations)
Poutini's (multiple locations)
Thompson Diner
Open until 4 a.m.
Amato (multiple locations)
Fat Bastard Burrito (multiple locations)
Hong Shing Chinese Restaurant
Liberty Shawarma
Roywoods
Smoke's Poutinerie (multiple locations)
Sneaky Dee's
Open until 5 a.m.
Alexandros Take-Out
New Ho King
Rol San
Open until 6 a.m.
Fancy Franks
King Place Restaurant
Open 24 hours
7 West
Bagel House (multiple locations)
Denny's
Fran's Restaurant
Lakeview Restaurant
Pho Pasteur
Vesta Lunch
New details have emerged about the much-hyped revitalization of Bloor and Dufferin in Toronto, and, as anticipated, things are going to look very, very different here when the project is complete.
We already knew that the mixed use development would take over a site currently occupied by multiple schools, and that a public square was promised at the heart of the development. What was less clear until now was how, exactly, this futuristic Bloordale mini-hood would be laid out.
This rendering shows what the development will look like from the southwest. Image via Capital Developments.
Urban Toronto reports that Capital Developments and Metropia submitted a redevelopment proposal to the City of Toronto this week after completing an extensive public consultation process earlier this year.
View of the new retail proposed along Bloor St. Image via Capital Developments.
According to the proposal, the development will be divided into seven blocks and involve the creation two, brand new, north-south streets.
Developers hope to build a total of nine new mixed-use buildings on the site in addition to the historic Kent Senior Public School building, which will be refurbished and retained for use within the community.
The massive development project will include the creation of at least two new streets, according to a recently-submitted photo. Image via Capital Developments.
One block of the site has been dedicated to the creation of a public park. The rest will collectively hold 2,219 residential units, 15,780 square metres of retail space, 4,900 square meters of office space and 2,800 square meters of community space.
The proposed buildings are all between six and 47 storeys high and feature the design work of heritage specialists ERA Architects, Hariri Pontarini Architects, Giannone Petricone Associates and gh3.
A view of the planned public space in the winter. Image via Capital Developments.
"We're delivering a range of housing to meet the needs of a growing and diverse population in #BloorDufferin," reads a message posted by the revitalization team on Twitter yesterday.
There's still a ways to go before developers break ground on the project, but according to a website run by Capital Developments and Metropia, they expect to complete a "final review" in 2018.
EDIT, the Expo for Design, Innovation & Technology by Toronto's Design Exchange has taken over the old Lever Ponds Detergent factory for ten days of exhibits, workshops and talks until October 8. At last night's opening party we got a taste of what's to come.
Take a look at our photo gallery of the EDIT Festival in Toronto.
