The best bone marrow in Toronto can be prised out of restaurants that are embracing this once neglected off-cut and making it the star on menus across town. While considered a delicacy overseas, the grisly classic was instantly popularized by Anthony Bourdain when he singled it out as his would-be death-row meal. Now, Hogtown chefs are endorsing it as part of nose-to-tail movements and tapping into the primal urges of savvy diners ready to dig into this sweet and nutty, ultra-rich indulgence.

Here is where to find the best bone marrow in Toronto.

See also:

The best charcuterie plates in Toronto

Photo of the marrow at Goods & Provisions by the superlative digiteyes on Flickr

Breakout Toronto Bands features local artists that we think you should give a listen to.

With one EP under their collective belts, alt-rock band The C'mons have hit a surprisingly strong stride in the little-over-a-year that they've been together. Although they're group of Craigslisted musicians — almost everyone in the five-person group found their way to the team through posted ads — the band I met last weekend seemed as though they'd be friends for the long haul, and are some of the friendliest musicians I've met.

Who are they?

"These are my best friends," says Stephanie Bosch, lead vocalist, of the rest of the band. It definitely didn't start that way. With her move from Alberta to Toronto in 2010, she was tired of playing solo and wanted to find some great musicians to pair up with. Through a series of ads and auditions, and over a couple years, Scott Hanenberg (guitar), Cory Snider (drums), Jamie McDowell (bass), and Roslyn Green (violin) joined up to create what is now The C'mons — an alternative rock/punk/ska band that resists any attempt at classification in one genre.

They sound like...

When I first heard The C'mons, I was transported back to that time of catchy rock tunes and ska-laced punk in the mid-to-late '90s. You get the energy and heartbreak of an angsty teenager coupled with the thematic depth and artistic patience of experienced musicians. They know how to play between genres, time signatures, and volumes. What makes their music unique, however, is Green's violin, which adds a sophistication to the what otherwise might be deemed relatively straightforward alt-rock. Layered underneath the violin, there's something in their sound that reminds me of No Doubt, although the latter may also have something to do with the wails of lead singer Stephanie Bosch.

"When something creeps into your head and you don't know how it got there, that's what we are," says Bosch of the band's sound. Not lead by one dominant creative member, the whole band joins together to contribute to the composition of each song.

"Each of us gets our stank on the song," says Hanenberg of the writing process — a stank that will only increase with the release of their new album, which they assert will sound like "more us." As long as the stank doesn't become rank, I'm good. And if the song 'Paper Walls' is any indication (a new release), I've got nothing to worry about (and neither do you).

Hear them / see them...

Their EP Coming up for Air is out now, and you can find some of their newer songs on their SoundCloud. Because the band has a tour planned for the summer, they will be mostly out of Toronto, except for during Pride! So get ready to put on your dancing shoes once that party gets started.

Photos by Hannah Jor

Although the recipes used at this new King West bakery were passed on from owner Andrea Mastrandrea's grandfather, the bread and desserts on offer here will likely have more than a few people all nostalgic for their nonna's baking. And for those of us who don't have such family history to draw upon, we can always pretend.

Read my review of Forno Cultura in the bakeries section.

It's a fairly common misconception that the TTC's old Gloucester subway cars gave birth to the term "red rocket." Perhaps less common is the theory that the expression derives from the old Peter Witt streetcar (we have been guilty of this mistake ourselves). The more likely scenario, as outlined by Transit Toronto, is that Toronto Sun columnist John Downing coined the term in the 1970s in reference to Toronto's PCC (President's Conference Committee) streetcars, which he campaigned to keep on the rails when the city seemed determine to retire the fleet. Knowing a good thing when they heard it, the TTC picked up the term in promotional materials some years later.

Although PCC streetcars were a fixture in a number of cities during their years of production, photos of them always seem quintessentially Toronto to me. Produced between 1936 and 1952, Toronto had the largest fleet of PCC streetcars with a total of 744 in the TTC's rolling stock. The last of these cars was retired from regular service in 1995, though the Commission has retained two in its fleet for special occasions and has run one along the 509 Harbourfront line in the summer months for the past few years.

It's hard to explain, I suppose. But images that feature these cars in some way are some of my favourite depictions of Toronto. Perhaps it's the period in which they served the city or the retro stylings of the cars themselves, but there's a certain grittiness to these photos that speaks to a former version of the city that has long since been sterilized. So in celebration of this aesthetic, here's a gallery of Toronto's PCC streetcars. Enjoy.

PHOTOS

Queen and Yonge in the mid 1950s

Advertising efforts in the 1960s

Just north of Queen, King and Roncesvalles, 1960s

Humber loop, 1960s

Dundas and Bathurst, 1970s (via Chuckman's blog)

Outside the old University Theatre in the 1960s

Yonge and Bloor in the early 1960s (via Chuckman's blog)

Coasting by MLG in the 1970s

Coxwell and Gerrard, 1970s

Leaving Bathurst Station, 1970s

Sherbourne and Dundas, 1970s

On St. Clair West in the 1970s (via Chuckman's blog)

Roncesvalles at Howard Park, 1970s

Sunnyside loop, 1970s

Mount Pleasant (yup, it had streetcar tracks) early 1980s

Church and Richmond in the early 1980s

The interior of a PCC streetcar (present day)

Still looking good at the Halton County Radial Railway (photo by bigdaddyhame)

See also:

A visual history of Toronto streetcars
The history of Toronto in photos

Photo by Kerry Sheppard in the blogTO Flickr pool.

A crucial voter on Rob Ford's executive committee has changed his mind a day after voting to shelve the discussion on transit taxes. Coun. Gary Crawford says he now thinks a full gathering of city council should have a chance to discuss implementing new tolls to pay for the Downtown Relief Line and several light rail projects. Is the pendulum swinging toward a proper tax discussion?

Toronto's Billy Bishop airport won't be getting private armed guards, yet. The Police Services Board rejected a proposal to guard customs agents at the airport with contract security. Hiring Toronto city cops to do the job, which is a requirement of US pre-clearance, is almost double that of hiring a private firm.

Doug Ford is letting his feelings be known about transit taxes. In a comment piece for the National Post, Ford criticizes those who "blindly" want to implement new taxes and takes a swing at the "tax and spend" Liberals. The provincial government can't be trusted with new taxes because of eHealth and the gas plant cancellation, he writes. Are the PCs more trustworthy with taxes?

Cops will also be handing out receipts for carding stops beginning in July. Newspaper investigations have found Toronto officers stop and carry out street checks, a controversial practice, on a disproportionate number of black and brown people. The receipts are designed to generate a paper trail for each stop.

Toronto Zoo management and its union workers have reached a tentative deal, possibly averting a strike that could have disrupted the opening of the new panda exhibit. No details have been released, but sick pay, benefits, job security and bereavement leave were key issues.

Prince Philip will arrive in Toronto later today to present a new ceremonial flag to the Royal Canadian Regiment's 3rd Battalion for the bicentennial of the Battle of York, part of the War of 1812 commemorations. There will also be a parachute display and one of the largest military parades ever organized in Toronto, comprising 1,500 sailors and soldiers.

Some Maple Leafs fans were left disappointed when an online ticketing system for the first series of playoff games experienced an outage lasting roughly half an hour, leading many to think the events had sold out. Both MLSE.com and Ticketmaster sites were affected. Meanwhile, some second-hand tickets are already going for $9,000 online. Jeepers.

IN BRIEF:

• Man shot dead, another stabbed multiple times [Toronto Star]
• Garbage truck driver charged in accident that killed 5-year-old girl [Toronto Star]
• Maple Leafs rebound by blanking Panthers [CBC]

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

Image: cooked photos/blogTO Flickr pool.

It has been almost ten years since one of the world's worst natural disasters, the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of 2004 which claimed over 250,000 lives. Playwright David Yee walks towards the shore and looks deep into the tragedy to find lost stories and fragments of memories in carried away on the crest of a wave.

The play is composed of short vignettes which serve to illustrate how far and wide tragedy can spread from one event. Yee takes an ambitious global approach, crossing continents and weaving through families, that has mixed results. While strong segments reverberate through a mesmerizing set from Camellia Koo, others are less successful under the weight of dark, dramatic plot reveals.

What stands out most prominently is the mixing of different genres (myth, magic realism, gangster cinema) in an attempt to snapshot the events emanating from the devastating effects of the tsunami. The scientific introduction gives way to a number of emotional stories, which take place in a flooded home, a church that miraculously survived unharmed, two different brothels, and a number of transitory spaces in between.

The tense interaction between a Catholic priest (Ash Knight) and a Muslim engineer (Kawa Ada), is one of the more developed scenes. After the congregation claims a set of blessed rosary beads prevented them from harm, the engineer and the priest traverse the battlefield of faith, science, and tolerance. It's a powerful and believable exchange and the stakes couldn't be higher.

Also memorable is the segment with a controversial Toronto DJ (Richard Zeppieri) who uses the tragedy as a means to assault pop artists looking to capitalize. The entitled insensitivity is pushed to the fullest degree.

Major plot climaxes, sometimes hinging on a reveal, often come too furious in the span a vignette has to build momentum. While audiences have come to expect these dramatic turns, the ones featured here — suicide, child abduction, amnesia — bloat the already vast collection of stories. The reunion scene in the brothel and the FBI interrogation, for instance, border on melodrama. Losing these scenes would elevate those that work.

Director Nina Lee Aquino links together the stories using music from Michelle Bensimon on Koo's haunting set. The sheets of plastic that stretch the height of the stage give the impression of a towering wave. The actual water that streams in makes for a wet playing space. It's one of more striking sets you'll see all year.

The ensemble is generally strong, although the quick changing material doesn't allow for much character development.

Like the ocean tide, carried away on the crest of a wave is always confident, but ebbs and flows along the way.

—
carried away on the crest of a wave, written by David Yee and directed by Nina Lee Aquino, runs at the Tarragon Theatre until May 26.

The photos of the week collect each of the editor-selected photos of the day into one post for a contest to be decided by our readers. Sponsored by Posterjack, the photographer whose image receives the most votes will be awarded with a voucher code for a 24"x36" poster print of their work.

All the rules and fine-print can be found in the original announcement post on the blogTO Flickr page. One thing to add, however, is that the voting period ends at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, after which the winner will be contacted with the good news.

For those photographers whose images are featured below, please feel free to give us a little information about your shot — i.e. where and when it was taken — in the comments section. Who knows? Maybe your description will sway voters in your favour!

Photo by tomms in the blogTO Flickr pool

2.
Photo by Kerry Sheppard in the blogTO Flickr pool.

3.
Photo by cookedphotos in the blogTO Flickr pool

4.
Photo by Jesse Herzog in the blogTO Flickr pool

5.
Photo by Jonathan Castellino in the blogTO Flickr pool

6.
Photo by Ben Roffelsen in the blogTO Flickr pool.

7.
Photo by @ThetaState in the blogTO Flickr pool

Toronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious events: festivals, pop-ups, winemaker dinners, supper clubs and other food related happenings in Toronto this week and next. You can find us here every Friday morning.

THIS WEEK

• The Depanneur (1033 College Street) hosts a drop-in dinner tonight (Friday, April 26th) featuring the Colombian plantain dish, Patacon Pisao by Cookie Martinez. Stop in after 6pm and enjoy two patacones with a side salad for $12.
• As Origin North prepares for its upcoming launch, Claudio Aprile is sampling select menu items for the next three Saturdays at a pop-up stand at Bayview Village. This weekend (Saturday, April 27th) liquid nitrogen ice cream will be on offer for free, from noon until 2pm.
• Beerbistro (18 King Street East) hosts a Nøgne Ø beer dinner on Monday, April 29th at 6pm. Tickets are $100 for the evening event featuring eight courses and eight beers from the Norway brewery.
• Dishcrawl explores the Annex with a tour of four local eateries on Tuesday, April 30th. The 7pm meet-up location is only released upon the purchase of ticket for $60.
• The"So You Think You Can Cook" Fiddlehead Competition starts at 6:30 on Friday, May 3rd at Gossip Restaurant (50 Prince Island Crescent). Tickets for the 5-course dinner are $100 with proceeds going to SickKids.

UPCOMING

• Death Row Meals presents the first ever Pogo Championship on Sunday, May 5th from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Confirmed participants Rock Lobster Food Co., La Carnita and the The Samuel J. Moore will all be competing with only the following stipulations: Stick, protein, coating, and cook. Tickets are on sale now for the event that will take place at Rock Lobster Food Co. (110 Ossington Avenue).
• Mark your calendars for Strange Brew, set to happen on Friday, June 21st starting at 8pm at the Metropolis Factory (50 Edwin Avenue). Ticket details have yet to be announced but the event will feature a selection of 10 brews from local craft brewerys and is already boasting mind-reader Mysterion as the evening's host.
• La Carnita has announced the line-up for Dos taking place Friday, July 19th at the Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Avenue). The evening will feature 40 artists, 4 DJs and 2 on site taquerias ; La Carnita and Chicago's Big Star. Tickets will go on sale June 1st.

Photo by Jesse Milns

Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture at the Bata Shoe Museum - the first North American exhibition of its kind - initially struck me as one of the strangest exhibitions I've ever encountered. The sneaker is so seamlessly integrated into almost everyone's lives that it's a bit odd to see them displayed immaculately behind glass.

But, as I began exploring the 130 some-odd shoes I began to realize the entire culture is more multi-faceted than I thought - the exhibition included everything from the first running shoes (ever) to Louis Vuitton x Kanye West Don's. So, whether you're a sneakerhead, fashion enthusiast, over-zealous gym addict, or an average Joe, there's definitely something for you to see.

Here are my picks for the top 10 sneakers featured at Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture exhibition at the Bata Shoe Museum.

Dutton and Thorowgood running shoes, 1860-1865
I thought it would be most appropriate to start this list off with the oldest known pair of runners. Though they look a lot like men's leather dress shoes, the spikes and the supportive strap were meant for less formal occasions.

Nike Air Jordan III, 1988
A pair of Nike Air Jordan I's was also on display, but the III's were the first to incorporate the Jumpman logo that we all know and love. The history behind the shoe of not-so-humble beginnings earned it a spot here -- Michael Jordan made them famous by paying a $5000 fine at each game because colourful footwear was prohibited on the courts.

Nike Pro SB x De La Soul, 2005
Eight years later, this pair is still one of the most popular Nike SB releases of all time. Designed in collaboration with hip-hop group De La Soul, the high-top sneakers feature a holographic print of their 3 Feet and Rising album cover.

Louis Vuitton x Kanye West Don, 2009
The Louis Vuitton x Kanye West shoe line marked one of Kanye's first forays into fashion design. This particular pair is the most imaginative of the ten styles released in collaboration with the renowned fashion house, featuring an analogous colour scheme in only the highest quality leather.

Converse All Star, 1940s-1950s
Everybody's got a pair of Converse All Stars somewhere in their closet - it'd be a shame not to pay homage to the history behind the iconic sneaker. These three styles are variations of the basketball shoe between 1940 and 1950, including the different logo placements of basketball player/spokesperson Chuck Taylor.

Nike Stewie Griffin LeBron VI, 2009
This Nike LeBron VI - inspired by LeBron James' favourite Family Guy character - is amazingly detailed; the bold colours are outlined in black, giving the sneaker a surreal cartoon vibe. Unfortunately, they were never commercially released, making the Bata Shoe Museum one of the only places to see them in the flesh.

Mache Customs, 2012
Mache is king of sneaker customization - Jay-Z and Kanye West can vouch for him. This particular pair of Nike Air Force XXV's features a hand-painted portrait of Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

PUMA RS-Computer Shoe, 1986
Sneaker technicians have certainly tried it all - these PUMAs are solid proof that athletic shoes will always aim to be (questionably) progressive. This pair - released in 1986 - came with a software package and cable so that they could be linked to a computer to pull up data on running distance and time.

PUMA x Ronnie Fieg Disc Blaze OG Cove, 2012
In the 90's, PUMA released footwear with disc closure systems in place of laces; turning the disc would tighten the shoe as needed. Last year, sneaker designer Ronnie Fieg reimagined the classic Disc Blaze, releasing an updated version in collaboration with PUMA.

Jeremy Scott for Adidas Totem, 2013
Last but certainly not least: the Jeremy Scott for Adidas JS Wings 2.0 "Totem." When I think of Jeremy Scott's shoes, I automatically think of wings, exaggerated tongues, and in-your-face colours. This pair - as part of his Totem collection of First Nations-inspired pieces - uses all three elements to create a controversial final product.

The Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture exhibition at the Bata Shoe Museum will be open until March 30, 2014.

Killing Joke may be best known for their post-punk industrial rock influence on a generation of acts including Nirvana, Faith No More, Tool and Nine Inch Nails. I know them best for their raucous 1985 single, Love Like Blood, which dominated the alt-goth dance floors well into the '90s.

So it was with both nostalgia and curiosity that I approached Wednesday night's show at Lee's Palace.

Lead singer Jaz Coleman's striking voice sounded rather harsh during the opener, the brooding Requiem.

Before the second song he admitted "I want to talk to you but I've almost lost my voice. But we're going to keep going." And the show went on, to many encouraging cheers from the sold-out crowd.

As the 60-minute set went on, it was evident that Coleman was straining. But he put on a brave face and rocked out in his tight, black jeans, black tank top and dark, scraggly hair.

The five-piece band were pretty tight throughout the set, led by bassist Martin Glover (a.k.a. Youth) and drummer Paul Ferguson.

Guitarist Geordie Walker was reserved on the left of the stage most of the time, while Keyboardist Reza Udhin was the most animated of them all, thrusting his paws into his keys on the right.

The audience perked up a notch when, about halfway into their set, they busted out one of their biggest hits, Eighties.

As the show wore on, the audience got more lively, forming an almost mosh pit in front of the stage at times. But the mostly 40-something crowd played nice for the most part.

For the encore, Coleman said, "We've been together 35 years, this is one of our first songs," before launching into Pssyche, which sounded surprisingly fresh all these years later.

Coleman motioned with his hand on heart, then hand on throat, a wave and a handshake to a fan in the front row. And that was it. "He's obviously suffering for his art," I heard a fan tell another as we shuffled out after the short, spirited show.

I was disappointed that Killing Joke didn't even have Love Like Blood on their set list, let alone play it. But they still dug deep to put on a good show.

Photos by Roger Cullman Photography.

"Fresh spring, Toronto rain, fresh spring Toronto rain. Wash it all away." Chanted the purple-suited and skinny-tied shaman. "Our neighbours to the north, it warms my heart to see you all here."

It was a late welcome as it was received at the beginning of the encore, but a welcome nonetheless. For the uninitiated, the wizard in question is Jim James, the ringleader of the Folk/Blues band My Morning Jacket, and freelance roving Southern Rock saint, also known for his work with Monsters of Folk, and several Blues cover albums.

While we waited for the show to start, The Phoenix crowd was warmed up with black spiritualist tunes, appropriate considering the title of his new album, "Regions Of Light And Sound Of God". The band opened with State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U) where James sung, but then tackled a mounted guitar transforming from charming southern gentleman to raging guitar wolf.

All songs from the shortish album were played with improvised jam sessions that even had band mates impressed with each other. Like the four minute drum solo by Kevin Ratterman (My Morning Jacket engineer, Wax Fang) that had their bassist Alana Rocklin (Rick Ross, Neyo, Andre 3000) guffawing, standing beside herself in glee, against a wrought iron, lit up fence that might have been salvaged from an old train yard, or a turn of the century carnival.

Styles ranged from sleazy yacht rock, shamanic Pink Floyd-like jazz sessions, Hawaiian blue grass, dub reggae and electric drum and bass crackles, accompanied by James's voice that rose from the high pitched peaks of heaven to bassos from the darkest pits of hell.

Jim was far from dialing it in, but he made many "ET phone home" gestures throughout the night, flitting his index finger cheerily to fans pressed up against the front of the stage. Not even a raised props fist could change his style, as even a fans fist bump attempt was met with his magical digit.

After so much sparkle and glow, I biked home singing to myself, "I want a new life" on the road with Jim Jones's psychedelic circus.

Photos by Alejandro Santiago

This St. Clair West pub will appeal to local sports fans (there's televisions everywhere) and those looking for an elevated take on pub grub. There's also plenty of patio seating and a varied-enough menu to please those looking to avoid a grease-fest, two things that should give the place broad neighbourhood appeal.

Read my profile of The Crest in the restaurants section.

The arrival of new condo buildings in certain parts of Toronto has come to symbolize a threat: more people and a changing demographic that could potentially sanitizing a thriving neighbourhood. Case in point: plans for a 45-storey mixed-use building at the corner of Church and Carlton could drive Zipperz, a neighbourhood institution, out of the area.

The designs currently on file with at the city's planning department show a structure similar to MOD Developments' Massey Tower that was back in the spotlight yesterday over its connection to the Massey Hall renovation plans. This design by Core Architects is smaller at 151.55 metres but features the same sweeping balconies and stark white exterior above its podium.

The all-glass lower floors form a large transparent cube that stands in strong contrast to the solid brick facade of the hockey arena turned supermarket over the street. This space will house the development's few rental units a a handful of market condominiums. On the eighth floor roof, designers have included an outdoor landscape area, though it's not clear if it will be publicly accessible.

There's nothing wrong with the condo, per se, but the possibility of its arrival could be cause for further concern over the erosion of the Village's character. While the development is mixed-use, it's likely to house corporate retail at street level rather than leather nights and raucous drag shows. Is it possible to lose a number of area staples — like, say, the Barn— without a shift in character taking place?

Though things are liable to change through the approval process, the the fluid-looking residential building currently comprises 600 residential units, 13 of which will be rental. Just over a third - 215 to be precise - will be studio accommodation. The rest are expected to be one-, two- and three-bedroom units.

Despite its proximity to Ryerson University, Tribute Communities doesn't seem interested in catering to the student rental market. Only 13 apartments - just one each in the studio and one-bedroom category - are included at this stage.

The development is currently a month in to the rezoning process with the city. The condo is currently 20.34 times the current density of the site, and getting that approved could involve some changes later down the line or agreements to build public features. It passes this hurdle the project will then have to secure site plan approval before anything can be built.

Is a new arrival like this good for The Village? The area already has plenty of mid-rise buildings so is there any harm adding residential capacity to an in-demand area? How do you think the proposal looks on Carlton Street?

QUICK STATS:

Floors: 45 (plus mechanical penthouse)
Height: 151.55 metres
Total floor area: 387,618 square feet
Residential floor area: 378,343 sq. ft.
Retail space: 9,094 sq. ft.
Parking: 202 spaces (152 residential, 50 commercial)
Bike parking: 535 spaces (422 residential, 113 visitor)

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

Lead photo by Vincent LaConte. Renderings: Core Architects

It's not really possible to do a "top 10" Toronto photographers on Instagram post, if only because of the sheer number of people who use the ever more popular social media platform. Whittling it down to a list of 50 would actually still be quite challenging and hopelessly subjective. So please note: this is not that. What it is, on the other hand, is an attempt to get a conversation started about all the great stuff that local shooters are doing with their phones. Have a look through the catalogues of the folks below, and you're likely to reconsider what these humble cameras can capture.

This list represents some of the folks whose photos of Toronto I've been particularly impressed with. But given that my exposure to the tens of thousands of people on Instagram is by necessity limited, I'd ask that you share some of your favourite users in the comments section, such that we can collectively assemble a list that will prove useful for those looking to up the eye candy quotient in their lives.

tonoariki
Although there's lots of processing done to these photos outside of the Instagram app itself, they're all shot with an iPhone. Jealous yet? While they wouldn't hold up if printed in a particularly large size, tonoariki's photos look near-perfect at 612x612.

jasonfitzzz
One of the things that's so great about a collection like this one is the range of locations it shows off. These are gorgeous snippets of the city and the perfect way to get a regular dose of Toronto.

tahaphoto
When street photography was young, it was all about the freedom of the Leica rangefinder or 35mm in general. I tend to think of how that same flexibility defines the best camera phone photography. Even if you process later, you have to get that capture. And if there's one thing that's on display in this stream, it's how well this photographer composes on the fly.

Street Art in Toronto
Is an extra description really necessary? For your daily dose of street art in Toronto, this is one of the best IG accounts to follow. I particularly like the fact that the documentation is varied and doesn't focus exclusively on one crew or a narrow range of writers.

Stilez
Stilez has some great shots of Toronto's urban landscape, but it's shots of DJ sets and live music that set this stream apart from the others on the list. There are some stunning pics here.

normster
If you like dogs, bikes, and awesome shots of the TTC and Toronto skyline, follow this account. Oh, and the travel pics are pretty fabulous too.

Buzz Buzz Home
Not just a photostream through which to stay on top of recent development projects around the city, there are some beautiful shots of Toronto (and sometimes other cities here). Some of them are a bit too processed for my liking, but I don't know, they look great on a phone.

soteeoh
We've featured lot's of soteeoh's shots in our weekly Instagram roundups, and for good reason. He consistently depicts Toronto in the most appealing light. You can catch some of his other work at 1LoveTO and on his Tumblr.

Srawnak
How do you get over 15K on Instagram? If you're not a celebrity, one way to do this is by taking excellent photos, and that's exactly what you'll find here.

Dave Hong
While the subject matter here is heavily focused on Toronto landmarks, Hong tends to present such familiar subject matter in a fresh way that perfect for perusing while riding along on the streetcar or killing a few minutes on your phone.

BONUS

blogto
As if I wasn't going to include us on this list. We're all over town posting our experiences of the city, including photo challenges, skyline shots, food and drink pics and pretty much everything else that makes Toronto an interesting city to live in.

So who have I missed? There's got to be lots of great photographers to suggest in the comments below, so please do!

Lead photo by tahaphoto, subsequent photos by jasonfitzzz, stilez, soteeoh and blogto

Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this April 26-28, 2013.

FILM

Hot Docs Film Festival
Love film? Love learning? Hot Docs Film Festival offers over 200 documentaries at this year's festival, along with conferences on distribution, financing and for networking purposes. Check out our highlights of the top 5 films playing at this year's festival or go to the Hot Docs website to browse some of the international titles premiering at this year's festival.
Bloor Hot Doc Cinema (506 Bloor Street West), April 25-May 5, 2013

For more film listings, check out This Week in Film.

MUSIC

GROUNDERS and Program Split 7" Release Party
GROUNDERS and Program celebrate the release of their David Newfeld-produced split 7" with a party at Oz Studios this Saturday night. Newfeld, the producing brains behind Broken Social Scene's You Forgot It in People, will DJ—a rarity—as people gather to collect copies of the album that remixes GROUNDERS' "Speedboats" with Program's "Waiting". Arrive before 10PM to enjoy Kronenbourg Beer and pay the extra $4 to get the album.
Oz Studios (134 Ossington Avenue), April 27, 2013, 9PM $6 without the album, $10 with

For more music listings, check out This Week In Musicand April Concerts.

THEATRE

Night of the Living Dead
Night of the Living Dead jumps from screen to stage at Theatre Passe Muraille this Friday night. The 1968 George Romero indie hit about a group hiding in a farmhouse as zombie mobs attack premieres on stage in Toronto for a one-month engagement. Starring Darryl Hinds, Mike Nahrgang, Dale Boyer, Trevor Martin, Gwynne Phillips and Andrew Fleming, the play is directed by Christopher Bond with George Romero acting as executive producer. Tickets are available through the Night of the Live Dead website.
Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson Avenue), April 26-May 19, 2013, 7PM $49.50-$54.50

For more theatre listings, check out This Week In Theatre.

MARKET

2nd Floor Style Market
A Friday night pop-up market, 2nd Floor Style offers goods by 20 of Toronto's best local designers and brands. Fashion and beauty products by brands like Stella & Dot, Hypercube Clothing and Laborde Designs will be available on Friday night at The Spoke Club. Appetizers will be served and there will be a Four Seasons spa gift pack giveaway. Registration is required to the members only venue through the 2nd Floor Style eventbrite page. And don't forget to bring cash, moneybags. Some vendors won't have credit or debit machines available.
The Spoke Club, 2nd Floor (600 King Street West), April 26, 2013, 5PM Free

FOOD

Gluten-Free Garage: The Sequel
A pop-up marketplace with over 50 vendors selling gluten-free foods and skincare items launches at Artscape Wychwood Barns this Saturday. Gluten-free chefs will hand out samples of their food and guest speakers will talk about incorporating gluten-free foods into a modern lifestyle. Keep an eye out for The Gourmet B1tches food truck! All proceeds go to the Canadian Celiac Association.
Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street), April 28, 2013, 10AM $10

For more food events, check out our post on upcoming Toronto food events.

ART

Gold & Ginger
Gold & Ginger is a partnership between artists Leanne Shea Rhem and Zac Kenny and the couple will open their home and studio to the public for their first art sale and party. Displaying a series of drawings, prints, paintings and accessories, each item will be for sale, the money will support the artists as they go on a research-based trip through Europe and India. Feel free to stop by the studio or check out the work on their website at GoldandGinger.com.
Gold & Ginger Studio/Apartment (1294 Bloor Street West, Apartment 201), April 27, 2013, 1PM Free

@Smash: Clash in Session
Eight OCAD artists celebrate non-commissioned art by displaying their interpretation of freedom of expression at Smash, the Dundas West furniture store. Pinpointing the idiosyncrasies of their personal aesthetic for the purposes of the show, each represents themselves through their work. This one-day only show is also a party so bring money for booze because, unfortunately, the brews ain't free, too.
SMASH (2880 Dundas Street West), April 26, 2013, 7PM Free

PULP: paper art party
Draw on the walls and look at what can become of old paper plates and cups at Metropolis Factory, where PULP opens on Saturday evening. Looking at paper in renewed ways—not just recycled—this exhibit features works created out of reclaimed paper products. There will be drinks and food trucks on hand as well as a performance by The Lemon Bucket Orkestra and DJs. Regular admission tickets are available at pulpartparty.ca with proceeds going toward Architecture for Humanity. Make sure to come hungry as Per Se mobile will be serving up gourmet street food from 8pm until midnight.
Metropolis Factory (50 Edwin Avenue), April 27, 2013, 8PM $15

COMEDY

Improvinator Assemble!
Comedy Network's Dave Martin hosts an improv show for superhero-loving space geeks. Improvinator Assemble! brings Ben Ball, Colin Sharpe, Jon Bernstein, Hugh Cameron, Chris Pirri, Andreas Pilios and Jose Francis Gozonga together onstage with Rob Barlett for a marvel-ous show featuring comic and cartoon character parodies. Joining the improv show as special guests is the sketch troupe Asiansploitation. The show takes place at the Danforth's Black Swan Tavern on the second floor. Tickets at the door.
The Black Swan Tavern, 2nd Floor (154 Danforth Avenue), April 26, 2013, 8PM

For more comedy listings, check out This Week In Comedy.

FASHION

Power of Pretty Fashion Show and Clothing Sale
Supporting the Because I Am A Girl campaign, the Power of Pretty Fashion Show will showcase donated items from the Power of Pretty Clothing Drive from last February. Following the runway show, the clothing will be displayed as part of the clothing sale, where proceeds will go directly toward the campaign. Following the sale, all unsold items will be donated to various shelters across the city.
Stirling Room (55 Mill Street, #16), April 27, 2013, 7PM $20

For more fashion listings, check out This Week In Fashion.

PHOTOGRAPHY

The Dark Room 2.0
The Dark Room 2.0 is a group exhibition from over 60 North American artists working with alternative process and analogue photography. Opening at 918 Bathurst on Friday afternoon as an alternative to CONTACT Photography Festival's upcoming shows, each artist will exhibit their best piece representing their practice in non-digital photography and present to a jury for a chance to appear in a select show at Gallery 918 on May 7. Dark Room 2.0 runs in conjunction with the festival, on display until May 31.
918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media and Education (918 Bathurst Street), April 26-May 21, 2013, 1PM Free

Photo by Max Hurd and courtesy of GROUNDERS Facebook page.

Photo by Subjective Art in the blogTO Flickr pool

This month Toronto is celebrating the Shop Small program - a new movement focused on giving some thought to the importance of small, independent businesses and the vibrancy and culture they bring to our neighbourhoods. To mark the occasion, every Saturday morning this month we've been featuring some of our favourite small businesses in a different neighbourhood in Toronto. Today we take a look at some shops at Yorkville that really know how to make their clientele look good. Check out and support small businesses in your neighbourhood by pledging to #ShopSmall.

Long before West Queen West became the epicentre of boutique shopping in Toronto, Yorkville reigned supreme. It was where to go to buy that brand new suit, must-have handbag or coveted pair of shoes. Today, all of those things can still be found here but with an influx of small, independent boutiques the neighbourhood has re-established itself as a veritable shopping destination - even if it's a bit on the pricey side.

Whether it's before a movie at the Varsity or after catching the latest exhibit at the ROM, there's plenty of spots to shop at in Yorkville. Here are five that rank among my favourites.

M0851
Founded in Montreal 25 years ago, M0851 has built a reputation as a purveyor of impeccably crafted leather goods. Situated below the Prince Arthur Condos on Avenue Road, it's easy to pass by the sparsely merchandised storefront without even a glance. DON'T! With a focus on architectural durability and timeless design, these Italian leather, hand-made pieces are well worth the extremely reasonable investment (ranging from about $120 for a passport-wallet to $300+ for bags). Best of all, M0851 offers free repairs within the first year and then charges a small fee for future tailoring to ensure your bag lasts as long as you want it for.

AUGUSTINA BOUTIQUES
Surviving for over 12 years as a small boutique in a secluded walkway off Cumberland is a pretty impressive feat in this day and age. Owner Cristina Burgess's eye for quirky and wearable contemporary design is certainly the key to the shop's success. The pastel-filled storefront is perhaps a bit put-offish for the edgier shoppers, but a quick rummage through the packed racks prove fruitful with unique picks from the likes of Loeffler Randall and Rebecca Minkoff as well as lesser known brands like apparel designers Demylee and jewelry designer Me & Ro.

POMP & PAGEANTRY
Located in one of the many second floor storefronts lining Yorkville, Pomp & Pageantry is a classic example of the high-low mix that has come to define small boutiques in Toronto. With a mix of local brands like Biko jewelry, Rachel Sin and Shay Lowe as well as L.A. and New York picks like Whitney Eve, Naven and Ashley Myre, owner Shellie Willms has all of your cocktail-appropriate needs covered. I couldn't even leave the store without purchasing a rad new ring from Toronto jewelry line Niki and Lola.

CAPSULE
Carrying labels from the US, UK, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, Capsule is a go-to spot for streetwear in Toronto. With brands such as Nike, Air Jordan, Converse, Vans, and New Balance, there are more than 250 different styles of footwear in the store. Specializing in unique, if not one-of-a-kind sneakers, Capsule has officially become the go-to midtown spot for the consummate sneaker-freak.

119 CORBO
Haider Ackerman and Dries van Noten and Givenchy, oh my! Toronto may be one of the fashion capitals of Canada, but when it comes to getting your fashionable fingers on the slightly more obscure high-end contemporary European designers in this town, well...it's slim pickings. 119 Corbo is an incredible treasure trove of goodies straight from the ready-to-wear runways of Paris and Milan. Owner Linda Persia combs through the collections each season to find the pieces she knows her customers are aching for. Having brought exclusive labels like Rick Owens and Haider Ackerman, 119 Corbo is a must-stop for those looking to fill their wardrobes with some serious fashion.

Have a fave Shop Small business in Toronto? Vote for the five finalists in the Neighbourhood Gems contest on the American Express Canada Facebook page. You can vote once per day between April 29th and May 5th for the finalist voting period. Each vote earns you one entry into a daily draw to win a$50 Amex Gift Card. Check it out.

Thanks to Amex Bank of Canada for sponsoring this post

As I walked into the Great Hall on Thursday night, I could feel the music in my bones - in fact, the vibrations seemed to pierce all the way down to my marrow. Maylee Todd's Escapology album release party was gearing up in the BLK BOX at the back of the Great Hall, and the crowd was eagerly awaiting this talented woman's appearance.

While the show was a bit late getting started, Maylee and her crew were well worth the wait. Alternating between eight and 12 (or more) people on stage at any given time, they pulled out tunes and moves like they were born up there. Everyone was dressed to the nines in 70s throwback clothing - make sure to note the headbands - and sequins and sparkles were the norm for the night.

Maylee's roommate came out in head-to-toe sequins to introduce her at the beginning of the show, remarking that it's "hard to outshine someone as wonderful and talented as Maylee Todd - but I may have finally done it. That is, unless she wears a dress like a vagina." I wasn't looking to see it, of course, but when she walked out in a mother of pearl dress with shell-like hangings draping over her arms to the floor, well, what's a girl to do?

With her customary dancers (Wuar Wuar) and their special guest, Maylee grooved to both old and new songs, displaying some of the best of Escapology over the course of the night. Fitting with the disco-inspired and R&B sounds, Maylee announced that it was time to "get ready to get real sexual tonight" before launching into the soulful "I Can't Stand It."

Characterised by disco-boogie beats, slow soul pulses, and joyful, danceable refrains, each song added to the atmosphere carefully but casually cultivated by Maylee's undeniable voice and presence. Everyone on stage and everyone in the crowd was having a good time, and it was obvious. Along with everything else that talented woman accomplishes, she always knows how to make fun happen.

Additional Photos

Photos by Alejandro Santiago

On this day exactly 200 years ago one of the most powerful explosions ever witnessed in North America tore through Fort York, shattering a brief calm in the battle for control of the town of York. The blast was so powerful it rattled windows more than fifty kilometres away in Niagara and killed men over 180 metres away.

In retaliation for the attack, the Americans would burn and loot the town, leaving its government and military structures in ruins. The magazine explosion during the Battle of York would permanently alter the tone of the battle for control of Upper Canada and still leave marks on the landscape centuries later.

On April 26, 1813 trouble was brewing for the burgeoning town of York. British forces were embroiled in the Napoleonic Wars, a 12-year series of battles for control over Europe that stretched the country's military capacity at home and left its colonies vulnerable to attack without reinforcements.

Sensing the chance to wrest control of Upper Canada, American forces mounted an invasion from across the Detroit River and by water from York Harbour. As is noted in the documentary Explosion 1812, the incoming soldiers believed many of the settlers of Upper Canada - the mostly American "late loyalists" - would welcome their arrival, or at least not provide much resistance.

When the American armada of 14 ships arrived in the waters off the shore from York, the population of the town was roughly two-thirds American born. The soldiers at Fort York comprised a small official resistance of around 300 troops. An additional 300 militia men in the town and 100 Mississauga and Ojibwe soldiers were also prepared to fight for the British cause.

By contrast, the American army included 1,700 soldiers, including a notorious team of riflemen under the command of Officer Benjamin Forsyth, "a man killing idiot ... every honest man must condemn" in the words of a contemporary. Forsyth's troops wore green jackets - good camouflage - and were known for their deadly rifle skills. The defending side were outnumbered 4-1.The army landed at 7:20 AM, several kilometres west of the fort - roughly west of the CNE grounds - in dense woodland where they took up position waiting for the arriving soldiers from Fort York.

The first shots were fired between Forsyth's armed soldiers and native troops lead by James Givins backed up by a handful of grenadiers from the 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot, who were easy targets with just their bayonets and bright red jackets.

The armed militia lead by local landowner Aeneas Shaw failed to appear in support as expected. Their absence is a still a mystery, though there's a chance the group became lost or confused on their route along Queen Street toward the battle ground. In Explosion 1812 it's suggested the group may have preferred to wait out the battle at Shaw's home on today's Shaw Street.

The battle lasted around five and a half hours and ended in defeat for the defending side by around midday with heavy losses for the Royal Artillery, 8th Regiment, Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Glengarry Light Infantry, York and Durham Militia, and native soldiers. The remaining troops had fallen back east of the Don River, burning the wooden bridge behind them and abandoning the Fort.

As a parting blow, General Roger Sheaffe ordered the grand magazine, the weapons store for the fort to be torched to prevent it falling into American hands. The timber structure on the shore of Lake Ontario was packed with around 30,000 pounds of gunpowder, 30,000 cartridges, 10,000 cannonballs and numerous musket balls.

The flag was left flying to trick the invaders in to thinking the defenses were still occupied.When the weapons store exploded at around 1:00 PM it let out a blinding flash followed by a thumping shockwave and maelstrom of shrapnel and debris.

The initial force traveled at 500 metres a second and was powerful enough to perforate eardrums and hemorrhage the lungs of Pike's soldiers who were massed outside the Fort waiting for the official surrender. Large rocks, twisted metal, and pieces of timber rained down for up to 30 seconds after the initial explosion.

25 people were killed - including Zebulon Pike - and 200 more were seriously wounded. The heavy damage inflicted on the invading troops was partially down to luck: the door of the magazine faced the American troops, directing the brunt of the blast their way. In contrast, some men in the abandoned government house a short step away were largely unscathed.When the dust settled the remaining Americans were free to move in to the York where the remaining citizens were "standing in the street like a parcel of sheep." Over the coming weeks the town would be torched and looted. Particular attention was paid to the home of James Givins, the leader of the native troops.

Fighting beside indigenous people was considered serious misconduct in the U.S..

One of the most symbolic items looted was the King's Royal Standard - a flag flown during the visit of important royal representatives. To date the item, currently stored at the Royal Naval Academy in Anapolis, Maryland, is the only Royal Standard captured during battle that has never been recovered.In Explosion 1812, the narrator tells the story of a Mrs. Powell who returned to find her house being looted. When questioned, the solider identified himself as being born on the farm her father owned in the northeast United States. The incident underscored how many of the Americans and new Canadians were from the same stock.

Among the other buildings lost in the raid included the town's printing press and Legislative Assembly building located on Front Street between today's Berkeley and Parliament streets (hence the name of the latter.)

The Americans would eventually retreat of their own volition to take up positions closer to Niagara and continue to battle for control of the area. Victory for Britian in the Napoleonic Wars in 1814 turned the tide of war back in favour of the Redcoats - 4,000 re-mustered troops would later invade Washington, D.C. and torch the White House in revenge for the burning of York.

Back in Toronto, the site of the magazine was located by excavation teams west of Bathurst Street and just north of the Gardiner Expressway. The gigantic crater, marked on the lead image with a "D," was filled in with debris from the fire damaged buildings and built into the ramparts of the new fort.

Twisted metal was found 200 metres away in the Garrison's parking lot.

While it's difficult to easily estimate the precise power of the grand magazine explosion, it was easily one of the most powerful blasts in North America until the Halifax Explosion more than 100 years later.

To commemorate the Battle of York, Prince Philip is visiting Toronto this weekend to present a new ceremonial flag to the Royal Canadian Regiment's 3rd Battalion. There'll be a number of events running all day, including a parade through the city of more 1,500 sailors and soldiers and a parachute display. Head out and commemorate a key moment in the creation of our city.

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

Image: "1816 Nicolls & Duberger Plan of the Fort at York Upper Canada;" "Part of York, Upper Canada" by Elizabeth Frances Hale, 1804; "Sketch of the ground in advance of and including York, Upper Canada" by Geo. Williams, 1813;" "York Barracks, Lake Ontario, May 13 1804" Lieut. Sempronius Stretton, 1804; "The death of U.S. General Pike at the battle of York, 27 April 1813," engraving;