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The top music festivals in Ontario for 2018

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Music festivals in Ontario for 2018 include plenty that rival big-city ones like Field Trip, Veld, the CBC Music Festival, Electric Island and Bud Light Dreams. These are the festivals outside of the city where camping is often integral to the experience.

Here's a round-up of some of the top music festivals in Ontario for 2018, not including the ones in Toronto. 

West Fest

This free arts and music festival in Ottawa is celebrating fifteen years on June 8 to 10 with Cody Coyote, The Pursuit of Happiness and Bear Witness set to headline the event.

Ever After

This EDM fantasy festival experience on from June 8 to 10 will see big names in the Canadian EDM scene hit up Kitchener for the weekend, including Datsik and Excision.

Ontario music festivals 2018

Ever After is packed with EDM artists from Toronto and beyond. Photo courtesy of Ever After Music Fest.

Sound of Music

Big names in rock and country will be performing in Burlington for a concert series on June 9 and 10. There's also a free festival happening from June 14 to 17.

Stars & Thunder

Bryan Adams, the Arkells and Marinas Trench are all set to perform in Timmins from June 24 to July 1, capped off by a huge Canada Day fireworks celebration.

Ottawa RBC BluesFest

When it comes to Canadian music festivals, the Ottawa BluesFest, on from July 5 to 15, seems to outdo itself each year. Expect performances from Beck, Shawn Mendes, Rae Sremmurd and Foo Fighters to name a few.

Mariposa Folk Festival

While news of feature acts are still trickling in, expect folk favourites like Walk Off the Earth, Bahamas and Angelique Francis to be in Orillia from July 6 to 8 this summer.

Ontario music festivals 2018

Good vibes only at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Photo courtesy of the Mariposa Folk Festival.

Rock the Park

If you want a festival experience without straying too far into the woods, Rock in the Park might be it. On from July 11 to 14, this year's lineup features Cyndi Lauper, Boyz II Men and Machine Gun Kelly.

Hillside

Retreat into the wilderness just outside Guelph from July 13 to 15 at this music and arts festival featuring a collection of progressive-minded and socially conscious artists.

River & Sky

Every summer, Sudbury plays host to this music and camping festival on from July 19 to 22 this year. In addition to music, there's also visual artists, crafts and alternative night dance parties.

Ontario music festivals 2018

Music is just one part of the River & Sky Music Festival. Photo courtesy of River & Sky.

Centre of Gravity

Just out in Kelowna's City Park is Centre of Gravity, on from July 27 to 29. It always features a lineup of seasoned festival favourites and this year is no different with headliners including Wu-Tang, Zedd and French Montana.

Electric Eclectics Festival

The lineup for this year's festival, on from August 3 to 5, hasn't been released yet, but if it's anything like last year's, you can bet some big players in the electro scene will be heading to Meaford this summer.

Boots & Hearts

B&H has grown to become one of the biggest and most anticipated country music festivals, on this year from August 9 to 12. The lineup doesn't disappoint, either, with Florida Georgia Line, Alan Jackson and Thomas Rhett on the bill.

Ontario music festivals 2018

Boots & Hearts is for the country girl in all of us. Photo courtesy of Boots & Hearts.

Havelock Country Jamboree

Four days of country music and camping in the heart of Havelock is on from August 16 to 19 and will see the likes of Toby Keith, Dean Brody and Tim Hicks drop by to perform.

Riverfest

This year marks 10 years of Riverfest in Elora, on from August 17 to 19. In that time the festival has massed a loyal following by bringing together stellar lineups, like this year's featuring The Flaming Lips, Carly Rae Jepsen and Blue Rodeo.

I Love the 90s Tour

It's the first year of this travelling showcase and it's coming to Burl's Creek on August 18 and features a revolving lineup of once popular acts like Vanilla Ice, Salt N Pepa and Color Me Badd.

Royal Mountain Music Festival

There's a lot of music happening in and around Hamilton and this festival at Raspberry Farm will see Mac Demarco, Calpurnia, U.S. Girls and more hit the stage on September 2.

Harvest Festival

A huge gathering of DJs is going down in the forests of Burk's Falls from September 14 to 16 with the likes of Lee Foss, Gaui and Box of Kittens on deck, accompanied by a circus, camping and massive art installations.


10 things to do in Toronto today

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Events in Toronto today will see a big tailgate party as the Leafs face off against the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs. It's also the first day of the Images Festival and there's a poetry and beer bash.

Events you might want to check out:

Leafs Playoff Tailgate Party (April 12 @ Maple Leaf Square)
Watch the game on the big screen and cheer on the Leafs as they enter the first round of the playoffs.
Ellen Doty (April 12 @ Burdock)
Canadian vocalist Ellen Doty blends jazz, soul, folk, pop and indie music with her calming voice and gentle lyrics.
Ryan Playground (April 12 @ The Drake Underground)
The vibes are hot with Montreal alt/indie scene fave Ryan Playground and special guest Hoodlem.
Banners (April 12 @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre)
The "Shine a Light" singer is travelling around North America and making a stop in Toronto for the night.
Viva Runt Vegas (April 12 @ #Hashtag Gallery)
The artists famous for the Lee's Palace mural gets the spotlight tonight with a glow in the dark 3D installation.
Anansi Poetry Bash (April 12 @ Henderson Brewing Co)
Beer and poetry readings come together on Sterling Road for this bash that is totally free to attend.
Launch Party RRJ 2018 Issue (April 12-13 @ Stirling Room Venue)
Budding journalists get the spotlight at the release of the latest issue from the Ryerson Review of Journalism.
Journey Into Dreamland (April 12-17 @ Arta Gallery)
Artwork by Megan Katz and Juan Felipe Portillo use pastel drawings to dive deep into the subconscious.
Images Festival (April 12-20 @ Multiple Venues)
Independent artists take the spotlight with screenings, exhibitions, and performances across the city.
Miller High Life Nights (April 12-26 @ Nightowl)
Miller High Life and Nightowl are throwing a series of parties with snacks, vintage arcade games and prizes.

Toronto raccoon breaking into raccoon-proof green bin caught on camera

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Have I told you how smart raccoons are lately? Yeah?

Well... it can't be said enough — especially to anyone who thinks they can somehow trick our cutest, most-clever compatriots out of eating all the garbage. It is not possible.

One of Toronto's mischievous forest friends foiled human engineers (again) this weekend by demonstrating (yet again) that the city's $31 million raccoon-proof green bins are nothing of the sort.

Unlike the many raccoons who've chewed through green bins or knocked them over for the sweet, sweet trash inside, a critter caught on camera this weekend was seem "unlocking" a bin in The Beaches with his hands. 

It took him less than 30 seconds to crawl inside.

Graeme Boyce, who lives near Kingston Road and Queen Street East, posted video footage of the incident on Facebook Saturday evening.

"There I was minding my own business a few minutes ago, when I heard the toboggan being loudly tossed aside — an alert when the raccoon was atop the bins," he wrote.

"And so for those people who said the new green bins are 'raccoon proof'..." 

Boyce's video starts on his front porch, where just a tiny paw can be seen peeking out from behind an obstacle moving towards the green been.

The camera pans in just in time for Boyce to catch the raccoon using his dexterous little hands to twist the green bin's handle, open the lid and crawl inside.

"I though that's pretty brazen. It's broad daylight, a busy street, and I thought there's no way he can open that bin," said Boyce to CBC Toronto on Wednesday. "A few seconds later there he was opening the handle and helping himself to dinner." 

"He's obviously done it before and he's quite good at it,"

Toronto could be hit with an ice storm this weekend

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Remember when you wished spring would go away and Toronto would get an ice storm already? Well, guess what? The forecast for this weekend calls for a hefty dose of icy goodness.

Environment Canada - ever the bearer of bad news lately - has issued a special weather statement for parts of Southern Ontario that may see an ice storm roll through on Saturday, followed by heavy rains on Sunday.

All that back and forth and up and down weather over the past week has culminated into a whimsical "fast-moving low pressure system" bent on keeping us in a perpetual state of winter.

There may be up to 20 millimetres of ice crusted over the GTA that, combined with strong winds, may see a repeat of last week's Toronto edition of The Wizard of Oz.

In knowing what to expect from having braved the Ice Storm of '13, it may not be such a bad idea to break out the Snuggie and pick up a tea light or two on your way home from work tomorrow.

Just a suggestion.

Condo of the week: 500 Queens Quay West

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This condo looks more like a luxury holiday rental than a home but who wouldn’t want their home to feel like a vacation?

500 queens quay west torontoThis stunning two-storey penthouse condo has sweeping views of the lake and a gigantic terrace with a hot tub. How blissful would it be to sit in the hot tub sipping on a beer in the summer?

500 queens quay west toronto While I’m not a huge fan of the decor throughout the home the place has good bones.

500 queens quay west torontoThe open plan living room and dining room have soaring 18-foot ceilings with floor to ceiling windows that provide ample natural light and a great view of the harbour.  

500 queens quay west toronto The family room and kitchen are also open plan but the kitchen is a bit of a let down in terms of size. You would think that almost $4 million would get you a bigger kitchen.

500 queens quay west torontoUpstairs there are two bedrooms, including the master bedroom and an office.

500 queens quay west torontoThe master bedroom has a gas fireplace and an en-suite bathroom with a massive soaker tub, which looks big enough to fit two people (naughty!).

500 queens quay west torontoThe second bedroom is spacious and also has an en-suite bathroom.

500 queens quay west torontoThe odd thing about the bathroom is the drive-thru window that would let you talk to someone in the room if you were having bath time. I’m not sure I’m a fan of this. I like bath time to be alone time but to each their own.

500 queens quay west torontoBut the big selling point of this place is truly the 500 square foot terrace. The professionally designed terrace comes complete with a hot tub and gas line BBQ, making it perfect for summer parties.

500 queens quay west torontoSpecs
500 queens quay west torontoGood For

A family that loves hosting summer BBQs. With a patio like that, it would be a shame not to take full advantage of it.

500 queens quay west torontoMove On If

You aren’t okay with a dinky kitchen. For a place that costs almost $4 million plus the nearly $2,000 in monthly fees, it would suck to have to reno a kitchen on top of everything.

500 queens quay west toronto

Toronto Restaurant Openings: Barcelona Tavern, Maker Pizza, Away Kitchen, Chu Resto

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

Open now
  • Barcelona Tavern, a Mediterranean restaurant that also has a location in Calgary, is now open at 109 Atlantic Ave. in Liberty Village.
  • Away Kitchen + Café, from the team behind vegan restaurant Awai, has opened at 680 College St. (at Euclid Ave.) in Little Italy.
  • After much anticipation, Maker Pizza has finally opened its second location. Find it at 1537 Avenue Rd. (just north of Lawrence).
  • Mr. Tonkatsu has opened a third location, this time at 4895 Yonge St. (a couple blocks north of Sheppard).
  • Chu Resto, a Chinese "hot dry noodle" restaurant has opened locations at 5423 Yonge St. (south of Finch) and at 370 Highway 7 East in Richmond Hill, with another outpost at 639 Yonge St. (at Isabella St.) to come downtown.
  • Kisa Korean BBQ, from the same people behind Daldongnae and Ssam, is now open at 6347 Yonge St. (south of Steeles) in North York.
Recently reviewed
Opening soon
  • Bootleg Smokehouse will soon be opening at 64 Spadina Ave. (south of King St. W.)
  • Petty Cash, a west coast snack bar from the owners of Baro, will be replacing SpiritHouse at 487 Adelaide St. W. (just east of Portland St.) after it closes this month.
  • Bar Altura, a "modern Italian" spot from the team behind Kay Pacha, is going to open in the space that was formerly Lo Zingaro at 571 Queen St. W. (at Portland St.)
  • The Mills Tap House + Grill should be opening soon at 9100 Jane St. in Vaughan.
Closed
  • Scandinavian brunch joint Karelia Kitchen is no more in Bloordale.
  • Anne’s Magic Kitchen, known for its handmade Szechuan dan dan noodles, has closed in Chinatown.
  • The Queen West location of pizzeria True True was short lived, lasting less than a year.
  • Another goner: Village Pie on the Danforth.

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

More than 80 Toronto bars are going to stop using straws

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Local hospitality industry veterans are encouraging every bar and restaurant in Toronto to stop sucking next Saturday and, so far, more than 80 have said yes.

The Last Straw is a day-long environmental initiative aimed at raising awareness about plastic waste.

Similar to globally-targeted projects like Refuse The Straw and The Last Plastic Straw, this movement aims to show bar owners, staff and guests that "straws are not necessary to enjoy a beverage" — especially given how many of them end up in landfills.

"While each straw represents only a small piece of unrecyclable plastic, over 50 million straws are thrown out each day across the country," reads a press release from the event's organizers.

"They end up in landfills, on beaches and are devastatingly harmful to marine life."

Indeed, the anti-straw movement has been gaining steam all over the globe since at least 2015, when marine researchers shared disturbing footage of a sea turtle with a plastic straw lodged up its nose on YouTube.

The Last Straw differs from other no-straw initiatives in that it specifically goes after restaurants and bars in Toronto, and only for one day, on April 21.

Organizers hope, however, that businesses continue to go straw-free after the 21st — or that they at least take a more mindful approach in their distribution of single use plastics moving forward.

"This project is born out of the desire to shift perspectives," reads the group's website. "Small changes can make a big difference."

Organizers say that response to the project has been overwhelmingly positive so far, with more and more venues signing on each day.

So far, more than 80 establishments have pledged support for the moveent, including Hemmingway's, the Monarch Tavern, Java HouseInsomnia, Pie Bar and every bar and restaurant owned by The Landing Group, The Firkin Group, Fab Concepts and  The Duke Pubs.

The Dakota Tavern will also be straw-free on April 21st, but it's been that way for more than a year now. The Dakota is an OG, plastic-free pioneer, but the Last Straw campaign could finally help going strawless become a city-wide trend. 

Toronto vegans are now protesting KFC and McDonald's

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Animal rights activists will remain steadfast in their determination to "educate on speciesism" this week by protesting again in front of Antler on Dundas West tonight.

This will be the vegan group's third protest at Antler since chef Michael Hunter famously cut up a deer leg in front of them on camera, and the seventh in recent months.

Now, however, they're also protesting fast food chains like KFC and McDonald's, as critics have been suggesting they do.

Last Thursday, the activists made their way to McDonald's following what seems like their weekly demonstration at Antler, a small business known for serving game meat like bison, rabbit, boar and deer. 

Tonight, they'll be hitting up KFC after Antler to "show we're not simply targeting the 'little guy'."

"Following the Antler event, we'll protest outside KFC - 7 minutes walk away - at 1221 Dundas St. W," reads a Facebook event description.

"Homemade signs welcome. We will educate calmly and peacefully. Police are always there looking out for us. Please join us."


Toronto startup wants to charge your phone at concerts and music festivals

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It's a sad, but true fact of modern life that festivals kind of suck when your phone is dead or dying.

What's the point in shelling out for tickets, transportation, hotels and overpriced drinks if you can't even make people jealous about it on Instagram? Or text your friends? Or use Google Maps to get around?

"Low battery anxiety" is a very real, very uncomfortable thing – which is why many of us now carry around lightning cords, portable chargers and apple bricks.

All of these things are useless, of course, when you travel anywhere beyond the reach of a power outlet. They're also easy to lose, hella clunky and a pain to carry around.

swftchargeEnter SWFTCharge, a thumb-sized, cordless, portable charging device that you can rent and return during events as needed.

I value convenience and frictionless experiences," says Toronto-based co-founder Greg Fedele, who got the idea for SWFTCharge in 2016 while studying business at Queen's.

"I was at a bar and there were about 15  or 20 people huddled around a wall-mounted phone charger," he remembers. "I had to use it but didn't want to wait in a line."

There's a good chance nobody else wanted to wait either - and that they'd pay handsomely for a small, disposable charging pod right then and there if such a thing existed.

Inspired, Fedele teamed up with a friend in engineering to create a prototype. 

That device was "super convenient - the epitome of millennial desire," says Fedele, but not the greenest of products.

What they came up with instead - a rentable, rechargeable power pod specifically for people at large-scale events - inspired investors to throw down nearly half a million dollars.

SWFTCharge piloted the business model last summer by setting up tents at VELD, Boots & Hearts, Ever After and the Trackside Music Festival. 

swftcharge"We didn't expect the volume," laughs Fedele. "It became quite popular."

Heading into festival season this year, SWFTCharge has already signed exclusive contracts for events that will host more than five million people altogether.

"We're doing about 20 of the largest camping / music festivals in North America this year," says Fedele, whose team is now based out of the York University business acceleration centre. 

"If it works well, we'll go into Coachella and Bonnaroo next year."

For now, the business is focused on resourcing up and, hopefully, moving into a new space downtown.

I doubt this will be the last we hear about them. Battery life, after all, is the most precious kind of life on Earth.

Toronto students outraged after beloved cows sent to slaughter

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A group of warm-hearted veterinary students are both heartbroken and furious this week after learning what happened to four baby cows they helped raise (and raise money for) as part of their education.

"In September my friends and I met Bambi, Pongo, Chester and Huey; 4 young male cows," wrote Racheal Seifried in the description of a GoFundMe campaign last month. 

"These cows are not livestock, they are kept in a small herd of 4 and loved on every day."

My program consists of endless smoooooches 💋🐮

A post shared by Dawn Tan (@dawnjtan) on

The calves were technically teaching aids, used as part of Seneca's Veterinary Technology program, but students grew to love them all the same.

"They act like large dogs, essentially," said first-year student Erika Landry to CTV on Wednesday. "They're very snugly, very docile. They're beautiful creatures."

Thus, when she and her fellow students found out that their calves would be auctioned off for meat at the end of the semester, they sprung into action.

Within just one month, the students raised more than $3,000 to relocate Bambi, Pongo, Chester and Huey to the Love of Brian Farm Sanctuary

Everything was all lined up and good to go, or so thought the students and sanctuary workers, on Tuesday when they learned that the calves were gone. 

"This morning it was brought to our attention that the calves were sold to a veal farmer," wrote Seifried in an update. "The entire group devoting their time, money and knowledge to this campaign is heartbroken and hopes the boys have the most peaceful end to their life that is possible in a situation like this."

The students had meant to buy the cows themselves at auction, as they were not allowed to purchase them from the college itself.

Unfortunately, they were given the wrong date and lost out to a farmer.

Students were told by the program's coordinator, Emma Brown, during a meeting on Wednesday that the college could change its policy regarding cows in the future.

For now, all money raised by the students will be donated to Love of Brian for the rescue and care of future cows.

Jimmy Kimmel and Martin Scorsese are coming to Toronto

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The most important comedy troupe ever to come out of Canada (with perhaps one exception) is getting a Martin Scorsese-directed Netflix reunion special, shot right here in Toronto.

The Hollywood Reporter announced on Thursday that SCTV stars Martin Short, Dave Thomas, Catherine O'Hara, Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy and Joe Flaherty will be in town next month for the project.

Jimmy Kimmel will be hosting an event called "An Afternoon With SCTV" in front of a live audience on May 13, though a location has yet to be announced.

Footage from this event will be used to anchor a documentary about the iconic Canadian TV series, which ran from 1976 until 1984, according to THR, and it will be shot over roughly three days.

Scorsese reportedly "held long conversations with SCTV alums about their character-driven TV satire series," writes the LA-based news outlet, "as he developed his documentary about the famed comedy troupe, most of whom were Canadian artists."

Weekend events in Toronto April 13-15 2018

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Events in Toronto this weekend show that despite a possible ice storm, there's more than enough to keep you busy with musical performances, parties and more.

Events you might want to check out:

Raptors Playoffs Tailgate Party (April 14 @ Maple Leaf Square)
Gather just outside the ACC to watch the Raps take on the Wizards in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Playoffs.
Bambii (April 14 @ CineCycle)
Part of the Images Festival, Bambii takes the best of old school hits and classic beats to make fresh sounds and chill mixes.
Harlem Globetrotters World Tour (April 13 @ Ricoh Coliseum)
The spectacle extraordinaire of ball tricks and wild dunks that is the Harlem Globetrotters comes to Toronto.
March For Science (April 14 @ Nathan Phillips Square & Queen's Park)
Science advocacy takes to the streets with the annual march to raise awareness for evidence-based policy.
Coffee and Tea Expo (April 14-15 @ Evergreen Brick Works Pavilions)
A huge showcase of emerging trends and new beans from local vendors and indie cafes.
Slow Art Day (April 14 @ Power Plant)
This global event encourages visitors to appreciate art by looking at it slowly and talking about the experience.
Not Always, But Every (April 14 @ Free / The Creator Class)
Artists come together to take a critical look at the world around us using tattooing, music and mixed-media art.
Public Intimacies (April 14-16 @ Super8 Hotel)
Part of the Images Festival, three artists look at boundaries between public and private space.
Baths (April 13 @ Horseshoe Tavern)
L.A.'s Baths brings his experimental sound that mixes electro with indie for a trip vibe.
Motor City Drum Ensemble (April 13 @ CODA)
This 'ensemble' is actually just one man, Danilo Plessow, and he'll be in town with his blend retro and futuristic house beats.
Buddy Guy (April 14 @ Massey Hall)
Rhythm and blues legend Buddy Guy make his way to Toronto.
Cristoph (April 14 @ Rebel)
UK's Cristoph is bringing his special brand of deep house to Toronto.
Friday The 13th (April 13 @ Revue Cinema)
Yu know what it is: drink up and celebrate Friday the 13th with the classic slasher that started it all.
Cinefranco Special Quebec (April 14-15 @ Carlton Cinemas)
Screenings and talks with filmmakers surround this two-day showcase of Québecois cinema.
Saturday Morning Cartoon Party (April 14 @ The Royal Cinema)
Relive the fun of waking up on a Saturday and eating cereal in front of the tube - on the big screen.
Manolo (April 15 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
An in-depth portrait of designer Manolo Blahnik best known for his world famous luxury shoes
On The Run (April 14 @ Sneaky Dee's)
Bey and Jay are here in spirit at this On the Run dance party also featuring hits RiRi.
Verses (April 13 @ Gladstone Ballroom)
Chippy Nonstop, Ace Dillinger and Vaughan have the club-afro-beat-dancehall-house-Bollywood vibes on deck.
Expansions (April 14 @ The Rec Room)
Dance it out to a celebration of house music's rise from disco to modern dance music.
Play Something Good (April 15 @ Swan Dive)
Ever heard of ghost folk gangsta rap? Or disk-tronic down slack? Perfect. This party's for you.
All About Women Show (April 13-15 @ International Centre)
This three-day show focuses on the latest products and services tailored to women of all ages.
A Kind Market Pop-Up (April 15 @ La Maquette)
A market for ethically-sourced, locally-made, cruelty-free products in support of the Toronto Humane Society.
Leslieville Flea (April 15 @ The Fermenting Cellar)
The April edition of the Leslieville Flea will have tons of vintage, salvage, antiques, collectibles and hand-crafted goods.

Toronto band spoofs Carly Rae Jepsen video with Tom Hanks

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Remember that music video that Carly Rae Jepsen put out in 2015 for her single I Really Like You, starring Tom Hanks in a leading lip-synching role?

Toronto band Little Junior certainly does, so much so that they painstakingly remade the video, frame-for-frame.

Sure, the budget was nowhere near that of Jepsen’s, and Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy acts as a stand-in for Tom Hanks (in a rather disturbing mask, mind you), but somehow this video seems far more joyful than the original.

Filmed in one hectic twenty-hour day at The Brandscape studio on Dupont, director Max Parr helped the band piece the video together with more than a little help from their friends (keep your eyes peeled for cameos from fellow musicians such as members of July Talk and Hollerado).

Bonus: all the money made from the song and video will be donated to Youth Line, a youth-led organization providing peer support to the city’s LGBTQ2 community.

"We had to figure out how "shot-for-shot" we could really get it," said Parr.

"We wouldn't be able to find city streets in Toronto identical to the ones used in the original video, and we weren't going to be able to get as many extras." 

"I knew we were going to have to lean in the opposite direction of reality and fully swede the video. This meant shooting everything inside and making all of the city streets and buildings out of foam and cardboard. I've worked on a number of ambitious art-heavy videos, but this one was next level."

Sweding, a term coined by director Michel Gondry, means “to remake something from scratch using whatever you can get your hands on”.

This video does just that, as charming hand-painted set pieces and props take the place of the original New York City locations.

"The band spent many late nights with Marty (MacPherson) in a little garage, building and painting set pieces. Basically while one scene was shot, stuff was being built and painted for the next shot," said Little Junior fronter Rane Elliott-Armstrong, who dressed in Carly drag for the video.

High fives are in order for Murphy, who sported the prosthetics, courtesy of The Butcher Shop FX, for 18 hours and truly embodied Hanks’ rather awkward performance.

"In the original video Tom Hanks doesn't fully nail the lip-syncing of the song, so Annie broke down all of his lip movements PHONETICALLY, so she could sync up perfectly with Tom's performance and not the track," said Parr. 

"After being caked up with Tom's face, we realized that the articulation of her mouth was very limited and not entirely capable of the complex mouth choreography she had been practicing."

"That said, I think it still worked out amazing and her limp mouth just adds to the eeriness of her Tom," said Parr. "We were all convinced her face would no longer be there when the make-up came off."

"She absolutely slayed her performance, there's a side-by-side version floating around YouTube and it's uncanny how similar they are!" said Elliot-Armstrong.

The video has many easter eggs moments, including Parr in the video as one of the Tinder matches, and the book on the bedside table in the opening shot being changed from "The Manly Art of Knitting" to "The Art of Sweding". And yes, Jepsen’s seen the video.

"(She) saw the video and said she liked it. We screamed when we heard that," said Elliott-Armstrong. "We are huge fans of Carly Rae, we play her music in our van constantly."

There’s no knowing how many times Parr and the production team watched the Jepsen version to truly nail the remake, but all that work certainly paid off.

"I'm afraid that every video I make from now on will just unintentionally end up being a remake of CRJ's "I Really Like You" because it’s the only thing I see now when I close my eyes," said Parr.

Mayonnaise puts the hurt on Toronto's recycling program

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Toronto has a big problem on its hand as residents can't seem to figure out how to properly recycle.

The city is in a panic on how to best tackle the problem plaguing the recycling program, particularly with blue bins.

Tons of recycling gets contaminated each year due to improper recycling methods, like putting black plastic containers and half full jars of the fatty vinaigrette spread known as mayo in the bin, resulting in the entire batch being unsuitable for recycling.

In fact, according to the Toronto Star, solid waste general manager Jim McKay recently admitted that putting a half jar of mayonnaise in a blue bin could not only ruin the entire contents of the bin itself but likely the entire contents of the truck that picks it up.

The persistent problem is putting a huge strain on the city's recycling system as a whole, with contaminated items now making up a quarter of the 200,000 tons of yearly recycling.

One solution that's been proposed is a "full reasonability model" set forth by the Ontario government that would see each of us responsible for sustainability disposing of our own waste - a model that could take 5 to 10 years to implement.

The other, more immediate solution, has been to issue fines. 

Just recently the city sent recycling cops out to poke through bins and issue fines when necessary to any residents who neglected to practice proper recycling.

A reduction in overall consumption may be where we're ultimately headed, but for now doing your part is as easy as knowing what goes in the bin before you put it in.

Toronto might actually be getting a Central Perk Cafe

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Two years after Warner Brothers put the kibosh on a Friends-themed café in downtown Toronto, someone is trying to make the Canadian Central Perk happen once again.

A Facebook page set up for the business says that its expected to open this fall and that it will #BeThereForYou.

An official launch date has yet to be announced, but we do know that the coffee shop is slated for a corner retail store at Bathurst and Wellington Streets, right across from the Thompson Hotel.

Maria Cordeiro of Central Perk café Toronto assured me by email today that, unlike the notorious Seinfeld pop-up of 2016, her Friends-themed business is "very much legit."

Real estate agents for the property itself confirm similarly that the unit at 52 Bathurst was recently leased.

Fingers crossed WB doesn't ruin the fun again like it did when it cancelled the first Space Jam 2.


10 things to do in Toronto today

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Events in Toronto today are a hodgepodge with everything from a curling tournament to a heavy metal dance party. 

Events you might want to check out:

U of T Engineering Praxis II Showcase (April 13 @ Hart House, Great Hall)
First-year students showcase their solutions for some of Toronto's most urgent issues, from redesigning naloxone kits used to treat overdoses, to improving hospital waiting rooms
Stand Up & Dance (April 13 @ Supermarket)
The monthly comedy show features a killer lineup of comics including Moe Ismail, Rebecca Reeds. Che Durena and more.
Video Games Live (April 13 @ Massey Hall)
Music from popular video games get the orchestra treatment complete with choirs and video footage.
The Powers (April 13 @ Double Double Land)
Live performances with video, dance, costumes, puppetry come together for a night of experimental electronic music.
Never Later (April 13 @ Burdock)
This event series is entirely women-run and includes house music combined with immersive art installations.
Current Joys (April 13 @ Hard Luck)
Mellow vibes take hold with Current Joys and his stripped down minimalist rock sound.
The Balls Ball Toronto (April 13 @ Movember House)
This fundraiser for Testicular Cancer Canada features comedy, raffles and live music.
420 Massacre (April 13 @ Eyesore Cinema)
Horror ensures when a group of young women discover a grow-op owned by a manic in this campy indie flick.
Inter | Sectual (April 13 @ Emily Harding Gallery)
The work of photographer Reza Nadjihas shows a life spent touring the world, capturing images from America to the Cook Islands.
Pinty's Grand Slam of Curling (April 10-15 @ Ryerson's Mattamy Athletic Centre)
The curling tournament continues today and through the weekend featuring some of the best talent in the world.

Sold! Toronto townhouse goes for $211K above asking

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Even with the housing market slipping again this past month this townhome managed to sell for well above its asking price.

710 st clarens ave torontoLocated in the middle of Dovercourt, Wallace-Emmerson and The Junction Triangle the house is just a short walk from cafes, galleries, parks and whatever else you might want to do.  

710 st clarens ave torontoThe open-concept main floor and nine-foot ceilings make the space airy despite how narrow the home is.

710 st clarens ave toronto The kitchen, dining and living area with a walkout balcony flow seamlessly between one another.

710 st clarens ave torontoThe kitchen is spacious with stainless steel appliances. Although, I don’t love how the breakfast bar faces the staircase.

710 st clarens ave torontoUpstairs are three comfortably sized rooms, including the master bedroom, which according to the listing was professionally designed and featured on House and Home. It also has a four-piece ensuite bathroom.

710 st clarens ave torontoBut the best part of the entire house is the rooftop terrace with a panoramic view of the city. With the astroturf that the owners have put up there, they’ve truly turned it into a private oasis.

  710 st clarens ave torontoThe house also has a built-in garage with inside entry so you don’t have to go outside and sweep snow off your car. What luxury!

  710 st clarens ave torontoThe Essentials
  • Address: 710 St Clarens Avenue
  • Type: Townhouse
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 3
  • Size: 13.68 x 55.18 feet
  • Realtor: Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd.
  • Hit the market at: $899,000
  • Sold for: $1,110,000
710 st clarens ave toronto Why it sold for what it did?

Probably because of its prime location and amazing rooftop garden. But I’m sure the fact that the master bedroom was featured on House and Home didn’t hurt.

710 st clarens ave torontoWas it worth it?

I’m not so sure. Toronto housing prices are slumping significantly and while this place is in a decent location it is still a very small property for over $1 million. Unless they put in some upgrades I don’t know if the owners will make a profit on this property should they decide to sell it in the near future.

710 st clarens toronto

Someone just took a joy ride on the back of a TTC bus

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Today in lolwtf Toronto, a man was filmed clinging to the back of a moving TTC bus while joyfully shouting such things as "f--k the system!" and "Warya!"

A Twitter user who goes by the name Gure Scarborough captured the scene on his phone last night while driving past the Orion VII 8046 TTC bus.

"What is this?" asks the cameraman as he rolls up next to the bus laughing. "Only in Toronto!"

While stopped at a red light, Gure rolls down his window and asks the joyrider what he has to say.

"Yeah buddy!" responds the bus guy as he readjusts his position. "F--k the system, man!"

He then proceeds to hang from the back of the vehicle, spiderman style, and shout the Somali slang word "Warya!" as the bus starts moving.

"Do you understand?" he asks Gure at one point.

"I understand, I'm Somali!" laughs Gure. "Yes, yes!"

People on Twitter are loving the clip, hailing it as "real gold" and "pure savagery," but Redditors — not to mention TTC officials — are so far less impressed.

"Had a buddy die two years ago on Eglington Ave. E. doing the exact same thing," commented one person on a Reddit thread linking to the video. "Bus hit a pot hole and shot him right off the back... Life support for 2 weeks then died. How dumb can you be!"

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green similarly emphasized how dangerous the act caught on video was.

"This individual appears to be hanging from the advertising panel which is held on by rivets and not designed or intended for ill-advised human dangling," he said. 

"This is a reckless, dangerous and stupid stunt. This individual is not only putting themselves in harm's way, but other motorists as well."

The TTC has yet to confirm a time and location for the incident, but Green says that the transit agency is in contact with law enforcement.

"In general, if we catch an individual in the act of pulling such a stunt, we will notify special constables and police."

Toronto Food Events: Curry Battle, Rumble in the Junction, Cuisine and Cuvee, Brunch Fest

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Food events in Toronto will see a curry showdown, the return of a huge brunch festival and more pizza than you can possibly stomach.

Events you might want to check out:

Coffee and Tea Expo (April 14-15 @ Evergreen Brick Works Pavilions)
This two-day festival is about all things coffee and tea from international and local vendors.
Burpees x Brunch (April 15 @ Lululemon Queen Street)
A huge brunch awaits you courtesy of Cacao70, but only after you work up a good sweat.
South Asian Curry Battle (April 16 @ The Drake Hotel)
It's a free curry showdown with big names in the curry scene and hosted by Ivy Knight.
Rumble in the Junction (April 17 @ Drake Commissary)
Tawse Winery goes head to head with Henderson Brewing Co during a five course gourmet dinner showdown.
Free Pad Thai Fries (April 19 @ Lisa Marie)
Lisa Marie is celebrating its five year anniverary with free pad Thai fries from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Brews, BBQ and Tunes (April 19 @ Earlscourt BBQ)
It's a good ol' barn raising with BBQ, craft beer and live music in support of The Stop Community Food Centre.
Cuisine and Cuvee (April 20 @ Rebel)
Now in its 18th year, Toronto’s top chefs come together to create an expansive and diverse spread in support of Providence Healthcare.
Leslieville Food and Drink Festival (May 5 @ District 28)
Art, music, food and drinks are all on the menu from over 40 local vendors.
Brunch Fest (June 1-3 @ 99 Sudbury)
Get your fill of food and drinks during this all-day festival featuring well-known Toronto brunch spots.
Taco Fest (June 15-17 @ Ontario Place)
A celebration of all things tacos with food, live music, a margarita and sangria bar and hot sauce tastings.
Pizza Fest (July 20-22 @ Ontario Place)
This festival is devoted to pizza and all things Italian food. Plus a contest to find out who has the best slice.

This epic boardwalk west of Toronto cuts through a giant marsh

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It might be Canada’s second smallest national park, but what Point Pelee lacks in size, it makes up for in natural beauty.

Located in Essex County at the southernmost point of the Canadian mainland, Point Pelee National Park has a handful of sights and activities to take in, with the most popular being this epic marsh boardwalk.

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Two-thirds of the park is composed of freshwater marshes, so it’s no surprise that walking the boardwalk trail is a must-do, with several stunning look-out points along the way.

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Once you’ve finished trekking along the boardwalk, there are tons of other activities at your fingertips to fill the rest of the day – and night! Although you’re not allowed to swim at the tip due to dangerous water currents, there are several sandy beaches inside the park that permit swimming.

The Woodland Natural Trail (2.75km loop) and the Centennial Bike and Hike Trail (4 km loop) are great ways to get a killer workout in, and you can even rent canoes from May to October to explore the park in privacy.

If you want to turn your daytrip into an overnight adventure, you can stay in one of the epic “oTENTik” glamping accommodations in the park. A cross between a cabin and a tent, these rentals have wooden floors, beds, sleep up to 6 people, and are only $120/night.

If you can’t spend the night, but want to do some stargazing, once a month Point Pelee hosts “Dark Sky Nights” in the park. The darkest nights of the year happen during the new moon, when the moon isn’t visible. On these nights, listed here, the park is open until midnight for people to chill under the stars.

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This May marks the 100th anniversary of Point Pelee’s national park designation, so there’s no better time to visit than now. Be sure to check out their calendar of events to see how they’ll be celebrating this milestone.

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