Horror movie fans just relished the chance to see the legendary John Carpenter, who dropped by Toronto last night to perform some of his best known scores for a sold out audience.

The veteran filmmaker and musician performed as part of his Anthology: Movie Themes 1974-1998 tour, which includes live renditions of iconic soundtracks from films such as They Live, Halloween, and Escape From New York.

saw #johncarpenter tonight and I’ll never be the same again... #theylive

A post shared by lindsay blair (@lindsaysonline) on Nov 12, 2017 at 9:09pm PST

Carpenter's 40-plus year career is defined by numerous films that have taken on cult status, but it was also his work as a composer that left a huge mark on popular culture. The score for Halloween, for instance, remains instantly recognizable for many people today.

THE LEGENDARY MAN JOHN CARPENTER playin the HITS 💀 #halloween #toronto

A post shared by Andy Slater (@andyslatertho) on Nov 12, 2017 at 6:29pm PST

The sights and sounds of Carpenter's work were on full display as he showcased his original brand of filmmaking and dazzled the crowd with a multi-sensory performance that was akin to watching a live movie. 

Are we at the movies or at a concert? ... Both! Thank you to film legend #JohnCarpenter for bringing some of our big screen soundtrack favourites to the stage. #MRGconcerts

A post shared by Danforth Music Hall (@thedanforthmusichall) on Nov 12, 2017 at 7:25pm PST

The reaction was wildly positive, and unlike the phone-less folks at the Chris Rock show on the weekend, fans took to social media to post tons of snippets of Carpenter's wizardry. 

The horror master delivered in a major way. 

Every once in a while a truly unique property hits the market in Toronto, one that doesn't fit into the conventional categories we lump houses into.

I call to mind the Mid-century modern masterpiece on Valleyanna Dr. and the Shaw St. home with a swimming pool for a living room, but this house at 84 Carmichael Ave. beats them both when it comes to originality and bold design. 

From the outside, it's austere and industrial in appearance — totally unlike its neighbours — but the little sign above the front entrance hints at the playful nature of the house, which is part loft and part art gallery on the inside.

This is the very definition of an open concept layout, where the entire first floor is essentially one room. Division is created through the floating staircase, the position of the kitchen, and the furnishings, which collectively help to make the space feel less cavernous. 

You won't find many houses better equipped to display the various pieces of art found here, which was presumably one of the guiding principles for the design of the home (did you spot the giant Monopoly pieces?).

I'm almost reminded of the art that lines Drake's temporary downtown condo, which I suppose makes sense because this house reads as much as a loft space as it does a detached home. It's like luxury condo without the shared hallways. 

Well, that and the lack of space. Even with the cathedral ceiling that cuts up to the second floor, there's four bedrooms. The all-black master bedroom is sure to be a conversation starter, but it just seems to work in the context of a house filled with contemporary art. 

Toronto tends to play it safe when it comes to residential design, but that's certainly not the case at 84 Carmichael, which genuinely deserves the realtor's declaration that it's one of a kind. 

Today in Toronto some of the city's leading minds in arts and culture host a free-to-attend panel, a huge chowder showdown goes down, and one of the biggest music producers of the year has a show at the Phoenix.

For the first time in decades, the Italian team will not be playing in the World Cup.

Fans gathered at Cafe Diplomatico in Little Italy yesterday and watched as the team tied Sweden, disqualifying them from next year's games.

Some nervous Italian soccer fans watching the #WorldCup2018 qualifying game at @cafedipTO. Italy is disqualified if they don’t win today. @CityNewspic.twitter.com/Os99zSQcLg

— Tony Fera (@tonyfera1) November 13, 2017

The Azzurri have always been a huge source of pride for Toronto's Italian community and the loss left manywondering what the summer's main event will look like.

WTF ITALY IS NOT IN THE FIFA WORLD CUP 😡😡 LIKE THE IMPACT ITS GOING TO HAVE IN TORONTO ITSELF I JUST CANT 💀💀pic.twitter.com/fUL44SRcIY

— CAT (@Cat97_1997) November 13, 2017

Many restaurants and bars in Little Italy and Corso Italia generate lots of business during the World Cup and summer months as patrons gather to root for or against various teams. 

Italy not going into the World Cup feels so weird. Toronto will be a little quieter this summer... #WorldCup#Russia2018

— jo (@joee_martins) November 14, 2017

Whether the Italian fans will work through this existential crisis in time to get behind the Portuguese team is yet to be seen (and highly unlikely!), but it will certainly be a different kind of summer.

#Italy misses qualifying for a #WorldCup for first time since 1958.

To all my 🇮🇹#soccer friends in #Toronto/#Canada: sorry... but once the anger/sadness goes away, let's talk about getting ya'll in some #Portugal🇵🇹 gear & painting College St red/green/yellow next summer!

— Paulo Senra (@paulosenra) November 13, 2017

What would it take for you to take the TTC more? That's the question TTC officials are mulling over as they face stagnant ridership numbers. 

One idea includes time-based transfers that give riders more wiggle room to pop into different shops in a single trip, something that some say would help boost local businesses around the city.

The TTC has already tried such a program on the St. Clair streetcar, but discontinued the extended pilot program when the new streetcar fleet was rolled out on the line. The decision to end the program was not a popular one with riders and businesses along the street.

The two hour transfer on St Clair W 2008-17 worked well and built ridership. Going system-wide will boost ridership and support retail on our avenues https://t.co/hzWXbrUfsE

— Joe Mihevc (@joemihevc) November 13, 2017

Right now, if riders decide to get off they must pay the same fare to get back on, regardless of how long or short their stop is. 

Ending time-based transfers on the TTC's 512 streetcar is "curious" given Toronto's transit & business goals. pic.twitter.com/zToDtXesn8

— Sean Hertel (@Sean_Hertel) August 20, 2017

It's not certain if a new transfer system will happen, but just yesterday an advocacy group called on the TTC implement the plan as part of a larger set of measures designed to woo more people onto the TTC.

Apparently even more drastic plans to increase ridership are in the works as part of the TTC's long term strategy, but specifics have yet to be released because, as the Star reports, the report has yet to be completed.

Change doesn't come easy, I guess. In the meantime, I'd settle for more pizza days.

From award-winning vegan chef Doug McNish and the folks behind Doomie's and The Imperative comes a new, plant-based concept restaurant in Toronto's west end.

If you dig a good greasy spoon but don't do all the lard, get ready to fall in love with Mythology Diner.

Opening next month in Parkdale (or "vegandale," as The 5700 Inc. has lovingly dubbed it), Mythology promises to "redefine the traditional diner experience by veganizing menu classics like Reuben sandwiches, Salisbury Steak, Fish & Chips, Cobb Salad, Cinnamon Bun Pancakes, Root Beer Floats, and more."

The restaurant will also feature wine, local craft beers and cocktails, developed by an in-house mixologist.

McNish, known for his best-selling vegan cookbooks, pop-ups and popular restaurant Doug's Public Kitchen, will serve as Mythology's executive chef.

The diner will be the third vegan storefront opened by his co-owner, The 5700, which also operates the mega-successful Vegan Food and Drink Festival in Toronto, Chicago and New York.

@dougmcnish x Vegandale Dec 1. #dinemythology

A post shared by @mythologydiner on Nov 14, 2017 at 6:55am PST

Mythology will open to the public for dinner service on Friday, Dec. 1, at 1265 Queen Street West, according to The 5700. Lunch service will begin later that month and brunch is set to begin on Jan. 1, 2018.

The company says to watch Mythology's Instagram and Facebook accounts for more information, but at this point, we can tell you that the restaurant will have 36-seats, an "elevated dining experience," and a "wall-to-ceiling Andy Warhol inspired vegan selfie room."

I have no idea what a vegan selfie room is going to look like, but can almost guarantee that Toronto will love it.

Holiday lights ceremonies in Toronto are plentiful this year, with massive trees, boardwalks, and streets set to be illuminated all over the city. There's even a few fireworks shows thrown in for good measure.

Here are the key holiday lights ceremonies happening in Toronto this year.

Have you noticed a large-scale statue floating down the Don River lately? The sight of this has surely confused a few people, but it's all in the name of a critical art performance taking place this month.

Toronto-based duo "Life of a Craphead" has been doing the performance each Sunday since October 29 as part of The Don River Valley Park Art Program, and it's turned a lot of heads along the Lower Don.

If that statue of King Edward VII on a horse looks familiar, you might have seen it in Queen's Park.

Here's what it looks like floating downstream:

Life of a Craphead @DRVP_TO@EGbrickworks@jonmccurley123@amyclam📸RR #ArtInTheDon#LowerDon#TOravines#TOparkshttps://t.co/lF2NivmPlkpic.twitter.com/JTsz6DI5w3

— Richard Rhyme (@richardrhyme) November 5, 2017

The water-bound figure above, created by artists Amy Lam and Jon McMurley (known collectively as the aforementioned Life of a Craphead), is merely a life-sized replica of the 15-foot bronze statue in Queen's Park.

The original equestrian statue was actually erected in India in 1922, removed after the country gained independence in 1947, and relocated to Toronto (despite public protest) by an art collector who liked horsey statues in 1969.

"Life of a Craphead's project explores the histories and decisions that continue to shape Toronto's public space and public art," reads a description of the project on Don River Valley Park's website.

"Their performance will create the illusion that this statue has been 'dumped' in the Don River."

"With both humour and a sharp critical eye, the project addresses the persistence of power as it manifests in public art and public monuments," the description continues. These are "symbols that are often preserved in perpetuity, even when the stories we want to celebrate change."

Life of a Craphead's King Edward VII replica will be floating down the Lower Don River for its fourth, and final time this Sunday, Nov. 19.

New developments are proposed all the time in Toronto, but few make a major contribution to the public realm. The project set to revitalize the Dupont and Dufferin area might, however, prove to be an exception.

New details have emerged for dramatic plans to transform the area that's currently home to the Galleria Mall.

The redevelopment — originally outlined last year — has recently undergone a series of revisions based on input from the community and city officials, and will now offer half of the land to park space on the site.

New renderings show an equal split between the complex and parkland. Photo courtesy of Freed Developments via the City of Toronto.

The new plan shows a reduced presence for the 11 massive towers by juxtaposing them with an expansion of the preexisting Wallace Emerson Park directly adjacent to the planned mixed use complex.

Still in the concept stage, the new complex will consist of 11 mid-to-high rise towers. Photo courtesy of Freed Developments via the City of Toronto.

The new plans also call for the replacement of the community centre on site, though the planning for such a project will fall to the city. Perhaps even more notably, a new diagonal street is planned to run directly down the centre of the site, connecting Dupont with Dufferin St.

Ample space will be given to retail space and mixed use facilities in an attempt to transform the site into a family-friendly, easily walkable, community hub.

A new street will run through the area and allow for public transit to pass halfway through. Photo courtesy of Freed Developments via the City of Toronto.

The height of the towers has been reduced and some were repositioned in an effort to conform to the surrounding area with is mostly mid-to-low rise buildings and houses.

The proposal still remains in the conceptual phase as the developers seek zoning amendments for the site plan. It's sure to witness further revisions along the way, but for now it looks like it won't be short on green space. 

Long before King Street was designated a "transit priority zone," it was a street that, while occasionally busy, didn't move anywhere near as many people as it does today. But, by the 1990s, the character of the street changed rapidly. The warehouses moved out and the condos moved in, and then our transit woes began. 

Check out what King St. looked like between the 1960s and the 1980s in this photo gallery. 

The TTC just released its 2018 recommended operating budget and, while dense with numbers and charts and stats and facts, there are some very juicy nuggets to be found within the 31-page city document.

One of the biggest, most succulent chicken nuggets of the bunch (I know the metaphor traditionally refers to gold but we're talking about public transit here) is a TTC Board-endorsed fare freeze.

That's right – after six straight years of price hikes, TTC officials won't be increasing the cost of cash fares for 2018.

Unless something unexpectedly changes, of course. The proposed operating budget still needs the endorsement of the transit commission's budget committee to go forth.

"Consistent with the direction from the TTC Board, the 2018 Budget will retain fares unchanged," reads the budget summary. "In addition, staff have identified substantial reductions to offset 2018 cost pressures, without impacting service levels or standards." 

Passengers won't be paying anything more than usual at the gate, but, if city council approves this budget as it stands, TTC and Wheel-Trans will require a combined $37.6 million operating subsidy increase to offset costs arising from legislative changes and "key prior year decisions."

These numbers are based on a projected ridership of 539 million rides next year. Once the Presto roll out is complete, a more radical fare shakeup might be on the horizon, but for now the cost of a ride is locked in. 

Rail Deck Park is one step closer to reality in Toronto, even if there's a huge distance left to travel. 

Toronto & East York community council adopted the official plan that calls for the current railway lands between Bathurst St. and Blue Jays Way to transformed into a sprawling raised green space that would redefine the city's downtown core.

Rail Deck Park advances through key threshold as Official Plan Amendment to make the corridor a park passes at Community Council! This is city building! This is an intergenerational legacy for the future liveability of the city! pic.twitter.com/wCwhcWKWXH

— jennifer keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) November 14, 2017

Today's vote still needs to be endorsed by city council next month, but it's the pending dispute over ownership of the air rights in the area that's far more likely to pose a problem to the realization of the park. 

Should the city take the next step and officially re-zone the area for Rail Deck Park, a competing proposal from a consortium of developers to build a series of condominiums and a smaller park space would no longer be tenable. 

A once in a generation opportunity. Community Council passed our Official Plan Amendment for parkland above the rail corridor. #RailDeckParkpic.twitter.com/BDIhQ5bDSo

— Joe Cressy (@joe_cressy) November 14, 2017

Given that these developers claim they possess the air rights over the railway lands, a major legal confrontation could be brewing, one that would ultimately have to be resolved by the Ontario Municipal Board. 

Today's decision showed that local council is standing its ground in the face of a possible battle. The city will, however, also need to come up with a way to fund the massive park project that's been pegged at $1 billion. A report regarding such plans is due before the end of the year. 

Looking east from Spadina at the future Rail Deck Park. Rendering by Public Work for the City of Toronto.

Many, including the Toronto Blue Jays, have come out in support of the park, noting the rare opportunity it poses to create legacy project in the heart of the city. 

There's a long road ahead, but if nothing else, today's step underscores that the city is serious about its desire to pursue this ambitious plan.

Navigating the PATH can be a constant source of frustration, particularly it's your first time down there. But manoeuvring through North America's biggest underground mall just got easier.

Helpful new signage recently appeared, offering clearly labeled directions to specific buildings and transit services in the vicinity. This, in addition to the new maps that were introduced last year, will help to make navigating the PATH a lot easier.

New prototype PATH signage hanging in Exchange Tower! pic.twitter.com/eCvdmnbw3Y

— TOFinancialDistrict (@MyTOFD) November 13, 2017

The signs are the result of a two-year plan to help the over 200,000 pedestrians that use the PATH daily to move between the 75 properties that make up the 30 kilometre underground network. 

A sign of what's to come for downtown Toronto's Path pedestrian network https://t.co/DeGUtXiv6H#graphicsmedia#mappingpic.twitter.com/jzwBMGXR8M

— Cansel (@canselsurvey) September 18, 2017

The project aims to develop a more effective system for navigating the PATH and surrounding areas using waypoints, clearer directions, and more accurate representations of buildings.

Soon all buildings will don the new signs as the roll out is slated to be complete early next year. 

Just months after they told us Toronto's hot, hot housing market was finally starting to chill, analysts are now saying "Lol jk – it's going to get so much worse!"

CIBC deputy chief economist Benjamin Tal told The Globe and Mail in an interview this week that, while home sales in both Toronto and Vancouver will still soften over the next year, they won't stay like that for very long.

"If you think those cities are unaffordable now," he said, "just wait."

An ominous statement if I've ever heard one.

Tal details the factors contributing to this expected period of "major long-term price growth" in a new report released on Tuesday.

The problem appears to be two pronged; a combination of demand for homes outstripping supply, and a lack of foresight on the part of policy makers.

It would take 10 years of stagnant home prices and moderate income growth to make home ownership in Toronto affordable to the average Canadian: https://t.co/dbTabaNvFU via @buzzbuzzhome

— Matt Smith, MBA (@TheSmithEstate) November 14, 2017

Remember when Ontario introduced new rules to help rein in GTA home prices back in April?

Tal says that measures like these (and the federal government's new mortgage stress-test) won't do nearly enough to temper the future effects of demand for housing in Canada's most expensive cities.

"Those fundamentals not only will prevent a dramatic decline, but will lead to a strong increase from a long-term perspective over the next five to 10 years," he tells The Globe.

"I think that from a long-term perspective, everything we are doing is temporary."

So... buy now? If you can? I guess?

Those who love contemporary architecture and design will probably swoon over this recently listed home in Leaside. It's certainly less pared down than another hyper-modern house on the market right now, but my sense is that most people will like the added decorative elements.

Despite lots of exposed concrete and glass, many rooms somehow retain a sense of coziness thanks in part to the numerous fireplaces and rugs. A house like this is a reminder than boxy houses like this don't have to eschew livability in favour of slickness: it's possible to have both.

The raised living room is sure to divide opinions, but it makes sense when you remind yourself that the garage is under there. Plus, the change in elevation prevents the subway platform-like feel that some open concept houses in this shape tend to suffer from.

The enormous kitchen is certainly a highlight for me, but so too is the incredible en suite that opens up off the master bedroom and also includes an enormous walk-in closet. Save your pennies, folks. This is what living well looks like. 

Lastly, I'd be remiss not to mention the basement bar/screening area, which looks like an amazing place to lounge around and watch movies by the fire with a stiff drink.  

Specs

• Address: 48 Randolph Rd.
• Price: $2,865,000
• Lot Size: 22 x 130 feet
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 5
• Parking: 3
• Walk Score: 85
• Transit Score: 72
• Listing agent: Mark Richards
• Listing ID: C3983328

Good For

Someone who believe that concrete can be beautiful. This house improbably manages to feel cozy and contemporary all at once.

Move On If

You hate climbing stairs. There are a lot of them here. 

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

Today in Toronto Margaret Trudeau visits to discuss mental health, a free film festival returns for its 15th year, and one of the top warehouse sales of the year gets underway. 

One of the GTA's most popular (and only) all-you-can-eat dim sum and sushi restaurants has finally found a home in downtown Toronto.

August 8, established in Hamilton nearly 10 years ago, will soon be taking over the space formerly occupied by the Chinatown restaurant Lee Garden (which, much to the chagrin of its huge local fan base, closed down earlier this year.)

Specializing in both Cantonese-style dim sum and Japanese cuisine, August 8 bills itself as a "culinary encounter that is truly unique."

What would you eat first? hmmm🤔

A post shared by August 8 GTA East (@august8east) on Oct 13, 2017 at 10:06am PDT

"Enjoy the many appetizing dishes from the teppanyaki grill and dim sum menu, or relish in the fresh sushi & sashimi," reads the company's website. 

Since opening its Hamilton restaurant in 2008, August 8 has expanded to six locations across the GTA and Halton region, including restaurants in Brampton, Oakville and Burlington. 

Its new restaurant at 331 Spadina Ave. (which is "coming soon") will mark the brand's first foray into Toronto itself – but if customer reviews on August 8's other locations are any indication, it won't be the last.

The best salad in Toronto is for those who run light and lean, who know that just because food is fuel doesn’t mean it can’t also be delicious. The brunt of sitcom and cartoon jokes for far too long, the city’s best salads range from totally vegan to totally meaty.

Here are the best salads in Toronto.

Loblaws has just announced that it'll be launching home delivery in the Toronto area and beyond. 

The grocery giant said it'll be launching its delivery service with purchases available through Instacart's website and app starting at $3.99 with a 7.5 percent service fee on orders.

The moves come as the company tries to compete with other retail chains like Costco, Walmart, and Amazon, the latter of which recently teamed up with Whole Foods to deliver groceries around the city.

Delivery will be offered across Toronto and the GTA, including areas from downtown to Scarborough, North York, East York, Richmond Hill-Markham, and Mississauga.

The service is set to launch early next month, just in time for the holiday rush.

One of Toronto's most colourful intersections is about to change in a major way thanks to the approval of two new condo towers at Dufferin and King.

So... say goodbye to the wildest McDonalds in town, I guess. And to the much-loved Island Foods.

Civil disobedience happens when people feel like no one is listening. Banner says it all. "Protesters shut down city hall meeting over proposed King St. condo in Parkdale" https://t.co/5BcYAddGMr#topoli

— Nancy Leblanc (@NancyCLeblanc) November 14, 2017

Toronto and East York Community Council voted yesterday to approve a contentious Lifetime Developments project in Toronto's west end based on recommendations from city planning staff.

The complex will consist of one 17-storey condo tower at 1182 King St. W. and one 14-storey tower across the street at 1221 King St. W.

Image via Urban Toronto / Submission to the City of Toronto.

The first tower will be built at the northeast corner of King and Dufferin, where there currently stands a plaza containing Island Foods, a Burger King and a Pet Valu store, among other things.

Image via Urban Toronto / Submission to the City of Toronto.

The second, shorter tower will go where McDonald's and Hasty Market are right now, at the southwest corner of the busy intersection.

This will bring a total of 293 "high-end" condominium units to the Parkdale area, where residents say they're already feeling the pinch of gentrification in their neighbourhood.

Parkdale residents unfurl banner decrying "luxury" condos and demanding affordable housing. Wong-Tam calls for a recess as someone shouts "Say something!" at the politicians

— Jennifer Pagliaro (@jpags) November 14, 2017

Members of the community worry that these new towers will further drive up home and rental prices in the area – which is why some local residents attended yesterday's council meeting to protest the development.

"What Parkdale needs is more affordable housing units, not a luxury condominium," said Aaron Pool of Dale Ministries to the committee yesterday, according to The Star.

Another gentleman who'd grown up in Parkdale told the committee that he was currently couch surfing in his own neighbourhood due to a lack of affordable housing options.

He expressed concern that the development would bring more "expensive people" to the area, further driving up the cost of living.

It looked to me that the protest was about no affordable housing being included where it is hundreds of luxury-oriented units. Parkdale residents are already being pushed to fringes of affordability. Fill a condo with affordable units, don’t think there would be complaints.

— asharrison (@AdamoHarrison) November 15, 2017

Parkdale-High Park Councillor Gord Perks, a longtime advocate for affordable housing in the area, said approving the development at this stage was the wisest move.

If council had refused the application, Lifetime could have appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. In this case, the developer would not have to abide by the city's requirements to include affordable housing measures in its plans.

Perks told protesters that he had already managed to secure such things from the developer as parkland and financial contributions for the purchase of affordable rooming houses in the area.