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Interview with Creative Head at Sony Pictures Imageworks and Sr. Visual Effect Supervisor, Ken Ralston

2012-05-14T10:13:00.001-07:00

Spice City Toronto: True Canadian Food

2012-05-13T04:49:00.001-07:00

Published on Torontoist | shared via feedly

A new east-end café makes First Nations comfort food for an aboriginal clientele.

Toronto is chock full of restaurants that serve food from all around the world, but have you sampled Canada's own traditional recipes? A brand new east-side restaurant, Tea-N-Bannock, offers up meals that are popular in Canadian aboriginal communities. Unlike the aboriginal-French hybrid restaurant Keriwa Cafe in Parkdale, or the trendy Oliver & Bonacini's Bannock, this food is intended primarily for aboriginal customers seeking a taste of home.

Tea-N-Bannock opened just three weeks ago at 1294 Gerrard Street East, only a few blocks west of Little India. Stepping in from the street, it feels like you've walked into a tranquil oasis—the room is decorated with birch tree branches and snowshoes, and a recording of birds cooing plays in the background.

The menu, posted on a stretched-out animal hide, consists of classic staples of aboriginal communities. Health food it ain't, but it'll keep you going if you're trekking around in the bush. "You can't get any more Canadian than this," explains staffer Timothy Peltier, an aboriginal from Manitoulin Island.

Read the rest at Spice City Toronto.

Spice City Toronto explores Toronto's great hole-in-the-wall restaurants and strip-mall joints serving food from all corners of the world.

Canadian Police Force Pimps Their Rides with BlackBerry PlayBooks

2012-05-05T05:24:00.001-07:00

Published on Techvibes Toronto Blog | shared via feedly

A Canadian police force is outfitting cop cars with Research In Motion's BlackBerry PlayBooks.

Mobile Innovations is the company behind the integration, which will see Canadian police use RIM tablets from their vehicle dashboard to control their car's lights and sirens, as well as receive traffic alerts and access GPS maps, plus be alerted of 911 emergencies.

The technology is currently being tested in the Ontario region of Chatham-Kent, according to Pocket-lint. Canadian police already use BlackBerry smartphones, which makes implementing PlayBooks a natural evolution.

The PlayBooks in the police vehicles will be attached to docks, making them removable. The tablets will also be accessorized with a physical keyboard and a printer.

Toronto Farmers' Markets 2012 preview

2012-04-30T03:17:00.001-07:00

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Farmers' markets in Toronto are slowly starting to gear up for a new year. Although Toronto has famous year-round markets (St Lawrence, Evergreen Brick Works), the options for buying fresh fruit, vegetables and other local treats really begin to assert themselves as outdoor markets open throughout the city. While the real action doesn't begin until the month of June, here's a look forward to some of the new markets, improvements and other changes in store for the 2012 farmers' markets season in Toronto.

A caveat: Some markets (i.e. The Distillery Farmers' Market) still have not confirmed their 2012 dates and times and therefore info about them has not been included.

MONDAYS

Sorauren Farmer's Market (Sorauren at Wabush)
Open year round, but outdoors May-October. Hours of operation 3pm-7pm.
Local fruit and vegetables, of course, are available here. In addition, this market offers gluten free cookies and baked goods by DeFloured, as well as tofu by Ying Ying soy food and grass fed venison by Deer Valley farms. Angie's Ice Pops will help to cool you down so you can linger as you try to figure out how many ears of corn you can feasibly carry.

TUESDAYS

Ryerson University Farmer's Market (Victoria and Gould)
Opens June 5, closes October 23. Hours of operation 9am-2pm.
There are five markets in the My Market series which means that depending on your availability and location, you will probably catch one of them. Heavy on organic produce, heavy on honey and competing beekeepers.

Sick Kids Hospital Farmer's Market (University and Elm)
Opens June 5, closes October 23. Hours of operation 9am-2pm.
Another one of the My Market series with Montforte Dairy and Kind organics making a welcome appearance.

Stonegate Farmer's Market (St. James Anglican Church on the Queensway)
Opens June 26, closes October 9. Hours of operation 4pm-7pm.
Not only a market, a certifiable social gathering. This market offers entertainment in the form of dancing, music or cooking shows. Schedule to appear shortly on their website.

Trinity Bellwood Farmer's Market (Dundas West at Crawford)
Opens May 8, closes October 30. Hours of operation 3pm-7pm.
Lovell Springs Trout Farm, Matchbox Garden and Seed Company and St John's Bakery will be there this year, along with many other vendors dedicated to food education. On a nice day, it is also a great excuse for people who work in the area to take an extra-long "coffee break."

East York Farmer's Market (front lawn of the Civic Centre)
Opens May 15, closes October 30, 8am-2pm
Along with your fruit and vegetable bounty you can buy artisanal bread, honey and pies to test the durability of your shopping bag. Mission accepted.

WEDNESDAYS

Bloor-Borden Farmer's Market (east of Bathurst)
Opens June 6, closes October 24, Hours of operation 3pm-7pm
Small and accessible for U of T students scrambling to figure out the best way to spend their $5 rather than on yet another pita. Options do abound.

Montgomery's Inn Farmers' Market
Opens May 23, closes December 5. Hours of operation 3pm-7pm.
They bake their own bread at the inn and yes, the best flavours sell out quickly. When the oven baking the bread is older than your great-grandmother, you know that there is history in that loaf. Food history is usually a good thing (unless you count the food at the back of your fridge).

Nathan Philips Square Farmers' Market
Opens June 6, closes October 24 (market closed on June 27 and September 26) Hours of operation 8am-3pm
This market declares summer. Businessmen clutch strawberries alongside their briefcases and Bay street faces are coloured with something other than florescent light. Well attended free concerts play from noon to 2pm to help you forget your day job.

University of Toronto Scarborough Farmer's Market (on Military Trail between Morningside and Ellesmere)
Opens June 6, closes October 3 (winter markets first Wednesday of the month). Hours of operation 3pm-7pm.
Vendors for 2012 are still to be announced, but last year you could buy knitwear, hallumi cheese and homemade kettle corn. Please come back, vendors.

THURSDAYS

East Lynn Farmer's Market (Danforth and Woodbine)
Opens June 7, closes October 25. Hours of operation: 3pm-7pm.
This is one of the My Market series for the East Enders. It shows even more examples of perfectly ripe tomatoes that you would never find in a supermarket.

Metro Hall Farmer's Market (David Pecaut Square, by the former Metro Square)
Opens May 31, closes October 11. Hours of operation 8am-3pm.
Lunchtime concerts play as you shop, and the music may help to taper your impatience if you decide to wait in the long lineup for bacon sandwiches. There is a man dedicated to all things pickled (don't depend on the cucumbers until August - it is all seasonal), homemade butter tarts (not by the pickle man, don't worry) and sunflowers the size of your head. In case you want to make a point about how size does matter.

Toronto Botanical Gardens Organic Farmer's Market
Opens May 24, closes October 4. Hours of operation 3pm-7pm.
This space regularly offers classes on topics from beekeeping to yoga, and therefore a farmer's market is not a far stretch. Located at the entrance to the gardens, this year celebrity chefs will make appearances along with the organic farmers to celebrate all things yummy.

FRIDAYS

Fairview Mall Farmer's Market
Opens June 1, closes September 28. Hours of operation 9am-6pm.
This is a large square, and the space is used well. This market was established in 1994 and is awash with everything fresh. Go to smell the fragrance of basil and peppers lingering in the air, which believe me, is much better than the way the air normally smells in Toronto. Once you are there you may even buy something.

Sherway Farmer's Market (Highway 27 and the Queensway)
Opens May 4, opens October 26. Hours of operation 8am-2pm.
Meat pies, sausage rolls and "Rick's Nut Hut" will join the fruit and veggie filled stands this year. This may keep Sherway shoppers out of the mall a little longer than expected.

SATURDAYS

The Stop Farmer's Market at Wychwood Park
Hours of operation 8am-12pm
This year-round market features lots of local and organic vegetables as well as cheeses, honey and small selection of meats. It's not overtly preachy, but there's also lots of talk about food and where it comes from.

Etobicoke Farmer's Market (Etobicoke Civic Centre, The West Mall)
Opens June 2, closes November 3. Hours of operation 8am-2pm.
Taste test apples or eat your Saturday morning breakfast here to get a true idea of the term "farm fresh."

Weston Farmer's Market (John and Weston)
Opens May 12, closes October 27. Hours of operation 7am-2pm.
This market prides itself on selling spices as well as local fruits and vegetables to reflect the many cultures that make up the area. You can get your dinner ingredients in one place and not have to get frostbite from air conditioning. Bonus.

Withrow Farmer's Market (South of Danforth, between Carlaw and Logan)
Open May 19, closes October 27. Hours of operation 9am-1pm.
This smaller, community run initiative in the Danforth has everything from gluten free waffles to farmers who insist on throwing extra peaches in your cloth bag. Try to say no.

SUNDAYS

Leslieville Farmer's Market (at Jonathan Ashbridge Park)
Opens June 3, closes October 28. Hours of operation 9am-2pm.
Local environmentally friendly producers, local musicians...what's not to like? Oh, and they ask that you arrive hungry; as they have waffles. That is the sign of a good person...I mean market.

Liberty Village Farmer's Market (Green P Hanna Street)
Opens June 3, closes October 31. Hours of operation 9am-2pm.
Mostly organic, seasonal, local produce. Most of us are proud if we get one of those right, but all three? You can gloat a little with your green-ness. It is easy being green.

Writing by Courtney Sunday. Photo by Carly Miller on Flickr.

Lobster coming to a Toronto food truck near you

2012-04-30T03:16:00.001-07:00

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On Monday night Toronto showed some more love for street eats at The Next Food Truck event. Hosted by Steamwhistle Brewery and organized by Suresh Doss of Food Truck Eats, this latest event had everyone wondering who would be the next vendor to go mobile.

The event combined food and art, both with a street vendor theme. Doss, like the rest of us is tired of trucks selling "grilled cheese, cupcakes and hot dogs", and wanted this event to bring to light other gastronomical possibilities. Participants included pop-up extraordinaire Fidel Gastro, new TUM favourite Rock Lobster Food Co., Ryerson institution Salad King, and some up and comers like the Ninja Piggies, who once fantasized of bringing street food to the masses while evading the law by selling their sandwiches out of an unmarked moving van...dressed in ninja costumes. I'd buy one.

I had a chance to talk truck politics with Doss, and to hear his thoughts on the ideal situation for Toronto vendors on wheels. Back in 2002, a moratorium was placed on Designated Vending Area permits. Any food trucks already in operation before this time were safe (think the ice cream and poutine guys curbside at Nathan Phillips Square), but they did not, and still don't, have any freedom to change location. So there they sit. They do have the freedom to change their menus, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Doss doesn't think having Toronto trucks curbside is the best way to go anyway, citing examples of failure in New York and Boston. In his opinion, the best way to avoid all of the red tape is to park trucks on private property. And this is what Doss would like to see more of - food trucks establishing more than just temporary relationships with private commercial zones.

The majority of the vendors I spoke with are satisfied with the status quo - as events such as last nights are so popular - but said they would like the opportunity to have a truck if it wasn't for all the bylaws. Matt Basile, of Fidel Gastro's is happy to be the "pop-up guy" but would love to see the food truck industry take off because not all talented chefs have the funds to start up a restaurant, and good food "shouldn't be pretentious, but it should bring people together".

I am happy to report however, that the people behind the table with the longest line-up had a different announcement to make. Rock Lobster Food Co. confirmed that they will have a truck in 5 to 8 weeks, thus bringing lobster to the streets. The location is yet to be determined, but involves a restaurant partnership. Look for them at the Food Truck Block Party on May 5th at Evergreen Brickworks where they will be serving a new item... lobster poutine. Get ready to line up.

Whatever the political future holds for street food in Toronto, one thing is certain - there is a market for it. The people in this city have a love for street food, and it's a powerful love... a love that drives some to do crazy, but very practical, things. I saw folks last night with Tupperware, cutting boards and shears, yes shears, to divvy up their purchases. I learned it's possible to cut a Philly cheesesteak with scissors...but it ain't pretty. I saw one man wearing a plastic lobster bib that I'm pretty sure he stole right off a Rock Lobster's chest.

As for the future of Food Truck Eats, Doss says they plan on being back at Steamwhistle for more food and art fun. Also in the works is a little something called Food Truck Eats Tune Up to take place later in the summer which will combine art, awards, and of course, more food.

Footnote: The highlight of the night for me was the La Senorita offered up by Fidel Gastro. They never cease to amaze me. And I really like being cheered and applauded just for eating a sandwich.

New bar channels your father's cocktails

2012-04-30T03:15:00.001-07:00

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On the corner of Adelaide and Portland Streets, there's a nondescript building known to house the Toronto Institute of Bartending. But something new is afoot: head down the stairs and you'll find a new bar devoted to contemporary and classic cocktails, barrel-aged cocktails presented in individual stoppered bottles, and featuring decor best described as culled from your father's study (if your father happens to be a captain of industry).

Read my review of SpiritHouse in the bars section.

10 places to shop for spices in Toronto

2012-04-30T03:06:00.001-07:00

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Spice shopping in Toronto, to the nonchalant cook, is but a mere trip to the closest mega grocery store. There you'll find plastic re-sealable baggies of nutmeg, and in minutes your sweet curry will be well underway. But for a more sensual experience, a little background information, and quite often, a better price, there are a few specialty markets and bulk stores in Toronto that deliver much better when it comes to dill.

These are the shops that source exotic spices from all over the world, and many allow to you take a whiff to make sure the spices meet with your culinary specifications. And if you're not sure, the staff at most of these shops will surely have the answers. Here are 10 places to shop for spices in Toronto (that aren't Bulk Barn).

Trupti
Trupti is definitely worth a drive out to East York for those who are serious about fresh, authentic spice. The shop makes its own spice blends, grinds its own flour, and prepares its own instant mixes. Needless to say, those who are wary of strong scents should steer clear.

House of Spices
Most people know this Kensington shop as a great source for anything bulk, and spices are no exception. House of Spices has been around since the 1970's, sourcing herbs and spices from all over the world with a particular emphasis on Mexican and Indian spice. The shop also sells bags of combination spices designated to certain dishes.

Qi Natural Foods
You probably wont find sodium-laced chicken seasoning at this health and bulk store.Qi Natural Foods stocks a selection of spices you might not find just anywhere, including ashwagandha (which could be considered a supplement), senna, and marjoram. Pretty decent prices, as well.

Iqbal Halal Foods
Here's a full fledged grocery option when you want to combine your meat/produce/bulk spice shopping all into one trip. The largest Asian grocery store in Ontario, Iqbal has bins of bulk spices sourced both locally and from South Asian, right by the shelves of shampoo and shoe polish, and the room devoted to rice.

Johnvince Foods
Johnvince is an absolute utopia to the bulk store lovers among us (guilty), and it has a hefty section devoted entirely to spices and herbs. The daily offerings include jerk seasoning, pickling spices, and the typical thyme, cardamom, and cumin, all of which is available in abundance and almost enough to draw you away from the giant bin of sour keys.

Essence of Life
Another Kensington spice source that touts its collection of organic spices. The shop carries the typical assortment with a few exotics thrown in for good measure, with prices that typically beat all the other shops in Kensington. If you're looking to learn more about a particular spice, this is the place to ask.

Tutti Frutti
OK, maybe I lied; sometime you can find a better deal over at Tutti Frutti. But just occasionally. The shop offers a long list of bulk herbs and spices, which are presented in little wooden cubbies that make the spice-searching experience seem that much more authentic. Count apple pie spice, korean pepper, and Hungarian paprika among the spice offerings.

Sunny Foodmart
Sunny Foodmart does not compete in the bulk spice market. Still, its soon-to-be-three GTA stores do distinguish themselves from typical shops offering packaged spice in terms of Sunny's variety and selection. Its shelves are lined with imported Asian spice brands, along with your typical peppercorn and oregano.

Nuthouse
Yes, the name is wonderful, but it's not just nuts at Nuthouse on Bloor West. The shop has a superb little assortment of bulk spices, though the selection is more limited than some of the sprawling centres on this list. Or for just a little taste, there's alway Nuthouse's spiced organic carrot cake.

The Spice Trader
This isn't your white plastic bin/metal scoop type of spice store. And the prices certainly do reflect that. But if you're looking for a more luxurious spice shopping experience (right after your weekly high tea, I presume) The Spice Trader is your place. The shop offer spices from India, Vietnam, Turkey, Bolivia, and beyond, with custom organic blends and tinned spice collections.

New website seeks to catalogue type around Toronto

2012-04-30T03:05:00.001-07:00

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One of the more rewarding posts that I've put together for our historical Toronto series highlighted vintage signage around the city. A hodgepodge of fonts and styles, these signs exemplified the more mom and pop nature of the city's business scene at the turn of the 20th century and into the 1970s. But, as photographers like Patrick Cummins have demonstrated so clearly, it's not as if such signage has just faded into oblivion altogether over the years. Much has been lost, to be sure, but if you care to look for it, there's plenty of unique signage that adorns the Toronto streetscape.

Enter Toronto Type, a website recently started by type enthusiast and web developer Michael Lynch. Although still in its infancy, Lynch hopes to create a vast catalogue of this city's signage through his own documentary efforts and by encouraging readers to submit their own photos. Unlike similar efforts from other photographers, if the early photos on the site are any indication, here the focus is firmly on the type itself and the urban milieux is mostly pushed to the side.

I recently caught up with Lynch to ask him about the project and some of the early choices he's made in putting the website together.

What was your inspiration for starting the site?

Growing up I was always fascinated by signage. I remember driving around with my parents and reciting out loud every sign I saw on the street. Needless to say, my parents hated it. I'm sure that's where my interest in typography and specifically signage began. The actual project however was inspired by a photo I took of the American Apparel sign on Queen St. about six months ago. I took note of it because it was different from their brand and after posting it on Facebook and receiving some attention, I knew a collection of some sort could be great for designers and typographers who are probably already noticing this kind of thing anyway.

What exactly do hope to do with it (how extensive do you hope the catalogue becomes)?

In the short term I'm focusing on getting other contributors to help post as many quality photos as I can and while that's going on I'm going to be testing out new features, such as adding a Google map to each post. Another priority of mine is designing and developing a mobile version of the site, which will likely be launched in the coming months.

In the long term I hope to get a good chunk of the GTA covered. I also hope to get the actual businesses and designers involved by either running contests, doing interviews or perhaps doing something else entirely.

What's the logic behind the site design you've chosen?

I'm a web developer by day so user experience (UX) design is something I take very seriously. I knew I wanted the typography in each photo to be the focal point, meaning everything else would be either less significant (like the dashboard, meta data and comments) or removed entirely. For this reason I wanted to do more of a gallery interface rather than your typical navigation and column based layout. Ultimately I thought the full screen UI accomplished these goals more than any other layout would have.

When will reader submissions be accepted?

Users will be able to upload their own images starting next Friday, May 4. Each image will be screened by myself before being published but the user will be credited as the author.

Have you thought about laying out the photos in grid format?

When I first built the site I actually included a toggle between the current full screen view and a secondary grid view. What I found however was that based on the way I had developed the site, the grid view posed more problems than it was worth. With both views on the same page, loading became a nightmare and that wasn't even on tablets or mobile devices where data plans and WiFi create their own restrictions. It's worth nothing though that I didn't lose the grid view all together. I actually repurposed it for the search results, where it's more important to see multiple posts in one view. And who knows, if there's a demand for it, I may consider working on it and bringing it back into the gallery.

Photos from Toronto Type

Purple Revolution funks up The Mod Club

2012-04-26T09:22:00.001-07:00

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It seems like every time I see an article about Toronto's live music scene, all anyone seems to write about are tribute acts composed of Humber music graduates. Insert SarcMark here. But, more seriously, when I saw Purple Revolution at The Virgin Mod Club on Tuesday night, I was led to challenge some of the thoughts and attitudes I hold about popular music. This, in short, is no ordinary tribute band.

Their lead singer Cat Lewis may wear his best Prince costume, but he's fronting a band of random characters that makes it look like they're the stars of a movie in which the band was put together on the way to the gig.

This band is not trying to do the note-for-note thing; they're going for a greater truth.

From the costuming to the arrangements to the guest performers, Purple Revolution are aiming not to mimic the sound or the exact look of Prince & the Revolution. They're aiming higher, trying to channel the spirit of the original.

The same way that people talk about how superheroes are our new Greek Gods and their stories exist as contemporary mythology, entertainment figures have become, in a manner of speaking, messiah-like via their larger than life on and off-stage escapades as well as their fiercely devoted followings.

So when you're going to stage a revival like Purple Revolution, there's always a risk of dogma: you can follow the original persona and end up doing mere mimicry — idolization, some might call it — or you can bring your own thing to it to try to get at the truth of the thing.

What I love about Purple Revolution is that they offer an authentic tribute without being dogmatic. In deviating from the formula and going their own way, they exceed the expectations most of us have set for tribute bands. Their music is technically derivative to be sure — but not nearly to the extent that one might think.

Opening act Yuka had a funked out vibem though their delivery was mathematical and precise. At their best, they invent some of the catchiest riffs you've ever heard. The flip side is where they got more experimental than the party-ready audience was prepared to follow. That said, I thought they we're marvellous. I'd just love to see them bring as much to their performance/stage presence as they did to the musical level. In that sense, Purple Revolution could serve as a model of their own.

Purple Revolution Set list:

1. Let's Go Crazy
2. Delirious
3. 1999
4. Little Red Corvette
5. Irresistible B****/Possessed
6. I Wanna Be Your Lover
7. Kiss
8. Raspberry Beret
9. Computer Blue/Darling Nikki
10. Diamonds and Pearls (featuring Kim Davis)
11. When Doves Cry
12. I Would Die 4 U/Baby I'm A Star (Encore #1)
13. Purple Rain (Encore #2)

Guest contribution by Sean Ward / Photos by Roger Cullman Photography.

New Chinatown dance club has a tropical twist

2012-04-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

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Borrowing its name from a Caribbean destination, this basement bar in Chinatown isn't the place to go for Pina Coladas, Mai Tais or other tropical indulgences. Instead, its main attraction just might be its commitment to electronic music and a dance floor that's big enough to get a groove on.

Read my profile of Aruba Bar & Lounge in the bars section.

Radar: Authors At Harbourfront, Post A Letter Social Activity Club, Cults, Toronto Erotica Writers and Readers Meetup

2012-04-25T05:05:00.001-07:00

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BOOKS & LIT | AUTHORS: Sadie Jones, Owen Laukkanen, Liza Marklund
Authors at Harbourfront returns tonight with another great spread of talented novelists sharing their work with an appreciative audience. Sadie Jones is a highly acclaimed British author whose latest, "The Uninvited Guests," takes place in the Edwardian era and involves more than a hint of the supernatural. Canadian author Owen Laukkanen's first novel, "The Professionals," is a riveting thriller about a group of friends who turn to kidnapping as a means to earn income. Scandinavian crime author, Liza Marklund rounds out this great literary lineup, and her recent novel, "Vanished," features the charismatic character of Annika Bengtzon, a reporter for the Stockholm Evening Post who is presented with a complex set of circumstances to decipher. This promises to be a riveting evening for fiction fans!
Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West) 7:30PM $10 (FREE to members/students/youth)

CULTURE | Post A Letter Social Activity Club
The Post A Letter Social Activity Club gathers this evening at The Holy Oak Cafe. This group holds the handwritten word in high esteem, believing that it has more impact than the modern digital version, and has more staying power. Handwritten letters, notes and cards are forever and have presence when held in ones hands and read. Emails... not so much. Handwriting is unique to each individual, and unless you invent your own font, you don't have a chance at standing out visually in an email. This group has been getting together at various TO locations for a while now, sipping drinks and writing for the sheer love of it. PAL-SAC will now take place on the last Wednesday of each month at The Holy Oak.
Holy Oak Cafe (1241 Bloor Street West) 7PM

MUSIC | Cults at The Phoenix
New York band Cults hit The Phoenix tonight. This new group has only been around for a few years, but has made a big splash in a short time, having garnered thumbs-up from Pitchfork right out of the gate for their debut EP, and being signed to Lily Allen's In The Name Of imprint on Columbia/Sony. Their sound is an interesting one, with strong melodies and a seriously retro approach that brings to mind The Pleasure Seekers and Phil Spector's work in his heyday. The band is a duo, but expand to a five-piece for their live shows.
Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne Street) 8PM $20

BOOKS & LIT | Toronto Erotica Writers and Readers Meetup April 2012
It's time once again for this month's Toronto Erotica Writers and Readers Meetup. This is a monthly gathering for those who are actively involved in erotic prose or poetry, and those who enjoy it as well. A discussion on the need to incorporate "safer sex" into erotic literature will get the ball rolling, so to speak, followed by an "interactive icebreaker", and then the centerpiece of the evening: an open mic that will be broadcast online.
Tequila Bookworm (512 Queen Street West) 7PM

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR

THE EROS CABARET!
Bad Decisions!!

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

For Toronto movie showtimes, view our Movie Listings section.

Photo by DAN LAVOIE in the blogTO Flickr pool

Toronto through the lens of Chris Young

2012-04-23T09:30:00.001-07:00

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Looking through Chris Young's photoblog, it seems like he's had the opportunity to photograph just about anyone and everyone. From Toronto sports teams, to politicians, and celebrities. Not too bad for a guy who considered photography as a second career. He has worked for several newswires, magazines and corporations, yet he still finds time to shot recreationally.

Young was born in England and spent years working outside of Toronto, but finds that there is a better work balance here. We caught up with him to find out more about how he started as a photographer and to see if he'd dish any dirt on the celebrities he's shot over the years

What made you pick up a camera in the first place?

It was almost accidental. Photography is my second career. I used to run a reprographics company in London, but it wasn't really for me, and I left it one day. I took some time off and started idly playing with a camera that a girlfriend of mine at the time had. I sent in a couple of pictures I took into a competition that one of the papers ran, and it won. The competition was to qualify in another competition to vie for a place as a photographer on the Camel Trophy tour. I won the UK leg, but didn't quite make it in the worldwide selection.

One of the editors, Mark Whitfield, who at the time was working on the sports desk at the Mail on Sunday newspaper took an interest in my photos. Mark's one of those amazing guys who wants to help people on their way, so he had a chat with the picture editor for that section, Nick Wainwright, and they let me go and shoot lower league games using their pass. I didn't get paid, and to be fair the pictures at first were pretty awful, but I got the bug there. I kept plugging away, getting a bit better every week, and one day one of their shooter's cars broke down on the way to a game. I was around the corner and filled in. I got a picture used, and by-line, which was amazing. I don't think I stopped smiling all week. It went from there. It's all Mark and Nick's fault. I owe them everything.

What's the average day like for you?

I don't think there is an average day. That's why I consider myself to be very lucky. I might shoot for CP, or the Globe or the New York Times, Macleans or for a corporate client. It's all totally different, and no day is the same. I love that. Having worked in the corporate world and coming into this, I can appreciate how lucky we are as photographers. We go to interesting places, meet interesting people and get the best seats in the house at sports games. It's not so bad.

Do you find that you're still able to shoot in a recreational capacity?

Totally, that's the beauty of the digital age. It's accessible to everyone, all the time. You can pick up your phone and take a photo. You can be impulsive. It doesn't have to be a work of art, but if you feel it, and you see it, you can take a picture of it.

How does shooting in Toronto compare to the other places you've been, and what makes it unique?

Working in Toronto is great. If I'm absolutely honest, I think as a rule, Canadians have a much better approach to work/life balance and are generally nicer to each other. Working in the press environment in Europe can be a little crazy. Maybe it comes down to saturation and density. In London, for example, there are nine daily national newspapers and six major wire agencies, not to mention smaller agencies, entertainment photographers, etc.

That's a lot of dogs after the same bone, and photographers are competitive by nature, especially in a 24 hour news environment. I literally had a photo editor once watch me get a picture on a live TV feed, call me up and make me file it that instant, even as the subject was still getting chased down the street by TV crews. Here I think there's a better perspective. It's something I find in Canadian society as a whole.

Favourite places in TO to shoot?

Just on a personal level, the ROM. I know architecturally it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I love it. I use any excuse to go there. They also have a great cafeteria, so I can grab lunch there too. It's a win win. That and at home, as it's where my kids are, and I love taking pictures of them.

Do you have horror story about a portrait subject you've shot?

There's been a few. One high profile British politician literally gave me 30 seconds. I walked in the room and he set his watch running. As soon as the second hand hit 30, he got up out of chair and walked off, without a word.

There's been a few "hollywood divas" too. I don't want to go into names, more out of respect for the outlets I was shooting for, but one star insisted that I could only shoot one type of picture of her, as it was "the picture." I think i filed a picture of her having her hair pulled around by the stylist, which probably wasn't "the picture" she had in mind.

I've also had to shoot a portrait of the Queen and Prince Phillip a couple times. That's a tough one. They're perfectly lovely, but it feels like a lot of pressure at the time. When you walk away, you realize it's just a picture, and it's not exactly as if you're performing brain surgery, but at the time...

Would you say you have a particular style that you've tried to develop?

Not really, I'm just trying to develop. I'm self-taught, so I always try to learn something new and improve. Coming to Toronto has been great for that, as I pretty much had to prove myself all over again, which means starting from scratch. Some people may think I do, but i'm just trying to do the best I can.

Describe the process for the "Two minute portraits" that you did for TIFF?

On average we get two minutes to take a portrait of someone who has been sitting there all day, in the same hotel room, getting asked similar questions, and then have a camera shoved in their face by different people. So it's fast and dirty.

Personally I think it's important to try and get a connection with someone quickly, so they're engaged, and you can communicate any ideas that you have. I try and find out something interesting about the people I get to photograph, so we have something to chat about that's maybe not what they're expecting or we have in common, and hopefully that gives you a better chance of getting an interesting picture. It can be personal or innocuous, but if it helps you connect, then it's great.

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS:

Where do you get your caffeine fix? Tango Coffee Palace

Favourite Toronto building/landmark? My house / the ROM

First camera you owned? A Minolta point and shoot film camera

Digital of Film? Digital

Canon or Nikon? Canon

Favourite lens? Canon 50mm 1.2

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

To see more of Chris Young's photos, check out his website.

9 awesome almond milk cappuccinos in Toronto

2012-04-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

Published on blogTO | shared via feedly

For the lactose-intolerant coffee aficionado who enjoys cappuccinos on a regular basis, the lack of choice for milk alternatives to facilitate this consumption can be frustrating. Lactose-free milk tastes similar to regular milk but isn't always a suitable substitute for really sensitive stomachs, and soy milk completely changes the flavour of the coffee. Thankfully, almond milk - a lighter and mild tasting alternative - has been popping up at cafes across the city with increasing regularity. Unfortunately, for baristas, almond milk is much more finicky to work with compared to regular milk due to its lower fat content, and not every coffee shop has taken the time to learn how to work with this difference.

Once mastered though, the combination of high quality espresso and perfectly steamed almond milk makes for a truly unique cappuccino that everyone should experience. Here are my picks for the best places to get a quality almond milk cappuccino in Toronto.

Crema (all locations)
Crema's almond milk cappuccinos are made with their 49th Parallel espresso blend and unsweetened almond milk. At any of their four locations you can expect a consistently bold-flavoured cappuccino made with perfectly foamed unsweetened almond milk and a rich, velvety foam.

Manic Coffee
Here, an almond milk cappuccino is made from a single shot of Intelligentsia coffee and creamy steamed unsweetened almond milk that is served in an adorable branded cup. This cappuccino is mild in flavour and goes down smoothly. This cappuccino pairs especially well with one of their hazelnut and chocolate croissants that are baked in-house.

Little Nicky's
Little Nicky's takes a no-nonsense approach to their cappuccinos. Almond milk cappuccinos made for stay-in visits are served in small clear glasses. The almond milk complements their fantastic espresso and hits you immediately upon your first sip. It's hard to resist adding an order of their tiny homemade donuts.

Merchants of Green Coffee
Despite its relatively remote location, Merchants of Green is always worth the visit. Their espresso has a hint of sweetness to it and is fantastic with the unsweetened almond milk that they use. This exceptionally smooth cappuccino needs no added sugar as it's perfect on its own.

Mylk Uncookies
Mylk Uncookies does many things well, and making their own almond milk from scratch is at the top of the list. The almond milk cappuccino comes in a generous cup, almost resembling a latte but the slightly sweet almond milk combined with a pleasantly mild espresso make it a worthwhile treat. Ordering an Empowered or Chocolate Peanut Butter cookie (both made in-house) is highly recommended.

Café Pamenar
Located slightly south of College on Augusta, almond milk cappuccinos here are guaranteed to deliver a strong caffeine kick with their bold and slightly bitter espresso. Made with expertly steamed unsweetened almond milk, this dark cappuccino can be enjoyed on its own or with a little sugar for those who prefer a slightly milder coffee.

The Grind House
Just a few doors down from Café Pamenar, the Grind House offers a lighter-tasting almond milk cappuccino thanks to the use of sweeter almond milk and a slightly bigger serving size. The end result is a smooth-tasting cappuccino with a pleasant aftertaste that always tempts me to order another.

Jimmy's Coffee
The coffee at Jimmy's is good, and their almond milk cappuccinos are even better. Tucked away on Portland just north of King, the cafe has a casual neighbourhood feel and this carries through with their almond milk cappuccino offering - a simple, strong espresso that's well balanced with steamed almond milk and foam.

R-squared Cafe
Near Queen and Palmerston, R-squared has earned a reputation for serving high-quality coffee. Almond milk enhances, rather than overpowers the espresso in their cappuccino. With lots of seating, free WiFi, and a wide range of sandwiches and baked goods to choose from, it's also an ideal location to linger and get some work done.

Writing by Alison Ku

Weekend events in Toronto: April 20 - 22

2012-04-20T09:05:00.001-07:00

Weekend events in Toronto: April 20 - 22

Posted by Staff / April 20, 2012

0 Comments

Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Watch for it here on Fridays around midday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this weekend, April 20-22, 2012.
PARTIES

Friday Night Live at the ROM
There is a party happening at the ROM tonight. Yeah, you heard us. To put it in their words, "history just got hot." This is the kick off to ROM's themed programming happening every Friday for the next 10 weeks. Check out more details on the events that'll follow this one. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, April 20, 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., $9 general cover, $8 for students and ROM members free entry. Food and drinks start at $5. Visitors must be 19 years of age and provide ID.

Hip-Hop Karaoke
What we can only imagine will lead to embarrassing yourself after having one too many drinks - hip-hop karaoke is happening tonight at Revival. Hosted by Abdominal & More or Les with DJ Numeric & Ted Dancing. There will also be over 600 rap anthems to choose from. Revival Bar, 783 College St., April 20, doors open at 10 p.m., cover is $10 before 11 p.m.

FESTIVAL

Yo La Tengo Presents: The Sound of Science (Image Festival Closing Night Gala)
The closing night gala for the Images Festival is happening Saturday. The gala will feature the Sounds of Science alongside an original soundtrack composed and performed live by Yo La Tengo. Toronto Underground Cinema, 186 Spadina Avenue, April 21, buy your tickets online or at Rotate This and Soundscapes for $25.

Hot Docs 2012 preview

2012-04-19T06:45:00.001-07:00

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The 2012 Hot Docs Festival kicks off next Thursday with 189 movies, heroes, villains, rock stars, athletes, reindeer herders, and more. Programmers have booked us a spotlight on docs from Southeastern Europe, a retrospective of Michel Brault's career, an entire program devoted to stories about Rising Up, and according to early reports, guest appearances by James Franco and Rick Springfield.

The festival runs from April 26th through May 6th, so it might be time to start thinking about getting tickets. If you aren't too sure where to start, here is a short rundown of this year's festival, and a few docs you might want to hit.

What's new this year?

Well, the festival's own year-round digs: The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. The Annex landmark just reopened in March 2012 after a slick reno job, with an upgraded projection and sound system, and pretty comfy seating.

And in what sounds like very cool initiative for film buffs outside of the downtown core, the festival is introducing Hot Docs Live! this year. That is, simulcast screenings and interactive q&a's of two of high-profile movies at Cineplex theatres all over Canada, and wide-spread across the GTA (including the Eglinton Town Centre, Mississauga, Hamilton, and many more).

The first to go live from The Bloor Cinema is China Heavyweight, in which Yung Chang (Up the Yangtze) takes a peek inside the lives of young boxing recruits in rural China (on May 2, 9:00 p.m. ET). Also likely to be a crowd-pleaser, the video game makers profiled in Indie Game: The Movie have captured the imagination of HBO heads, who have already acquired remake rights for a fictional TV series based on the film (on May 3, 9:00 p.m. ET).

What to see

In terms of the various programs, Rise Against and Nightvision have some of the edgier titles. Rise Against is a very timely set that includes a profile of the online activist group Anonymous, in We Are Legion: The Story Of The Hacktivists, and citizen-journalists in China in High Tech, Low Life. Stay up past midnight to find out all you ever needed to know about 80's female wrestling comedians at GLOW: The Story Of The Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling (tip: tickets are $5 after 11pm).

Canadian highlights include the father-son martial arts film Legend Of A Warrior, The Boxing Girls Of Kabul, Herman's House, and Najeeb Mirza's Buzkashi!, that goes into the world of a horse-riding battle sport played in the Tajikistani mountains.

Tchoupitoulas got my attention with the trailer above. It follows three teenage boys running around in the French Quarter of New Orleans, while Canned Dreams follows a can of ravioli through 8 countries at every step of its production. Academy Award-nominated Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (Jesus Camp) take us through modern day Detroit with Detropia. Mads Brügger (The Red Chapel) takes us undercover with a diplomatic passport to expose corruption in Liberia with The Ambassador. Oh, and of course there is LCD Soundsystem's last concert movie, Shut Up And Play The Hits.

I for one am hoping the following mysteries will be solved: Will Iceland's Penis Museum finally get a human specimen? (The Final Member) Is the teenager found in Spain really a boy who disappeared from Texas three and a half years earlier? (The Imposter) What was James Franco really doing on General Hospital? (Francophrenia (Or: Don't Kill Me, I Know Where The Baby Is))

Still not sure? The programming team has offered to help you decide. Hot Docs announced on Twitter yesterday that they would offer up personal recommendations if you tweet "Show Me" with 2 themes using the hashtag #hotdocs12 (e.g., Show Me music + skateboarding #hotdocs12).

Get tickets

Tickets are $14.50 each, $115 for 10, or $205 for 20 and are available online.

Or drop by the documentary Box Office:
783 Bathurst Street (1 Block South of Bloor)
Open 7 Days a Week, M-F: 11am-7pm, S-S: 11am-5pm,
April 26-May 6: 11am-9pm
(P) 416-637-5150

Last I checked, 28 films had gone rush, which leaves us with 161 options still available.
View the rush list here. According to Hot Docs, more that 80% of rush liners got into to screenings in the past. Lineups start to form about an hour before each screening.

Still from We Are Legion: The Story Of The Hacktivists courtesy of Hot Docs.

What Will Director James Cameron Do In Outer Space?

2012-04-19T02:52:00.001-07:00

Published on Xbox Kinect Review: It's a Brand New Console | shared via feedly

A mysterious planetary project backed by a high-profile group of individuals—director James Cameron, Google executives Larry Page and Eric Schmidt, and politician Ross Perot's son, among others—will be revealed on April 24th, in a conference-call unveiling of space exploration company Planetary Resources. More »

Morning Brew: MGM looks to the waterfront for casino, Far Enough Farm gets propositioned, Harbourfront Centre's angry neighbours, baby albino raccoon spotted

2012-04-18T06:36:00.001-07:00

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MGM, a Nevada-based gambling resort operator currently lobbying for a casino in the GTA, says it's not interested in building anything at Woodbine and wants something prominent on the downtown waterfront instead, according to the Star. The "$2-billion-plus entertainment mecca," as the paper calls it, could include hotels, theatres, nightclubs, gardens, and a convention centre. If only there was somewhere on the waterfront available...

Meanwhile, Ceasars, another Vegas gambling resort operator, has also expressed an interest in building a casino. The Globe and Mail says the operator of the Woodbine racetrack thinks the Etobicoke location is the best place to put the casino, or entertainment mecca, or resort, or uber-casino.

Cash-strapped Far Enough Farm didn't quite get the knight in shining armour it expected yesterday when AshleyMadison.com, a dating site that specializes in getting people to cheat on their partners, offered to cough up the necessary cash to keep the attraction running for another year. The catch? The farm would be renamed Ashley Madison or Cougar Life Farm (after another of the company's sites). Luckily the city has rules that prevent ridiculous names from being applied to its assets.

Nick Di Donato, the guy behind the Harbourfront Centre's nighttime events, wants you to shut up now if you're one of the local residents calling the police and fire service to complain about noise. In an interview with the Star, Di Donato says he's prepared to stop hosting events at the site if things don't change. Isn't that exactly what the complainers want? Stay strong, Nick!

A few weeks back it was a naked (ok, hairless) raccoon — now wildlife experts have been called in to remove an albino version of the back-alley critter from a North Toronto home. It must be something in the water, because we've seen these types before. Once we're all quite finished gawking, the little guy will be released with its family back into the wild.

Kathy Anderson, the film maker, actor and major league Blue Jays fan behind the Puck My Balls video series, has produced an ode to all the unsung fans up in the nosebleeds at the Rogers Centre. If this doesn't make you want to don a ball cap and belt out OK Blue Jays on game day then I don't know what will.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Adam Lind hits two-run homer as Jays beat Rays 7-3 [CTV]
ATM card-skimmers found inside 8 GTA hospitals [CBC]
City reaches deal with TDSB on school pools [Globe and Mail]
Man shot after Toronto traffic stop was ex-con [CBC]
Unsung hero gave Toronto family ticket out of Nazi-occupied Austria [The Star]
Pearson stowaway hid in aircraft overhead bin [CBC]

Photo: "Untitled" by earth to ilyse in the BlogTO Flickr pool.

10 places to get jewellery supplies in Toronto

2012-04-17T11:33:00.001-07:00

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Jewellery supplies in Toronto are by no means difficult to find. Any Wal-Mart or dollar store is bound to carry string and brightly coloured plastic beads, but if you're looking for something a little less kiddie craft project and a little more sophisticated, this list is the golden key to all your jewellery-making needs. Anything from precious stones to wooden pendants can be found in these specialty stores all over the city, not to mention the copious amounts of metal findings for just about every purpose imaginable.

Here are some places to get jewellery supplies in Toronto.

Arton Beads
Technically two stores side by side, Arton Beads is located at 523 and 525 Queen Street W. The 523 shop supplies base metal findings, tools, stringing materials, and beads made of plastic and wood. They also carry a variety of somewhat unrelated but totally fun materials like neon feathers. The 525 shop, on the other hand, carries higher quality supplies including semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals, and silver and gold findings. Both are incredibly affordable, especially if you've got a membership card.

Bling Bling
This jewellery supply store found at 448 Queen Street W has so much bling they had to name it twice. Bling Bling's pride and glory is found in their hanging strings of glass beads and crystal materials - both of which are nearly blinding... in a good way. They also sell findings and semi-precious stones, and although the collection is not as impressive as others in the same neighbourhood, the store is worth a visit.

The Beadery
The Beadery is a little unorganized and therefore slightly daunting, but they make up for it with a great selection of quality imported gemstones, handmade glass, wood, and seeds all in bead form. They're also one of the only jewellery supply stores that offer small classes for those looking to learn how to use tools properly, in order to produce professional pieces.

Fancy Gems & Accessories
If you're looking for something a little fancier (ergo the store's name), I suggest taking a gander at Fancy Gems & Accessories. They carry a number of findings, beads and semi-precious stones unavailable at the many other jewellery supply stores on the same strip. The prices are also reasonable despite the high quality, and there's an entire basement dedicated to sale items.

Bead Girl
Walking into Bead Girl is somewhat reminiscent of a boutique experience. Located in Yonge and Eglinton, the roomy and well-organized space carries a limited selection of beautiful semi-precious stones, glass beads, and Swarovski crystals. Their assortment of findings is lacking, so it's safe to say Bead Girl is only worth going to for the ornamental function of jewellery.

Bead Junction
Bead Junction on Roncesvalles is perfect for those hoping to make quality statement jewellery. With beads and pendants ranging from base metal to Japanese glass, and from natural bone to freshwater pearls, it's hard not to find what you're looking for. They also offer a consistent number of beading events every week for beginners, as well as specialty jewellery-making lectures for keeners.

Beadworks
Located in the Beaches, Beadworks is another quaint and cluttered jewellery supply store with a large variety of natural beads made of materials such as clay and seed. There's nothing overtly special sold here, but they've got all your basic needs - and even some tools and books - complete with a bohemian vibe.

Earth Rocks by Bead Heaven
With the ideal of locally made jewellery pieces, Earth Rocks was opened to help share the owners' work as well as nurture and supply for other designers. What's unique about their shop is that they only carry handpicked crystals and stones, both in bead as well as specimen form (perfect for metaphysical uses!). They also offer one-on-one jewellery making classes. Overall, the experience Earth Rocks shares is parallel to that of a Zen garden.

Courage My Love
Courage My Love in Kensington Market shouldn't be the first place to get jewellery supplies since the selection is extremely limited, and the shop's main focus is the vintage clothing and accessories they're known for. However, if you're in the middle of purchasing a pair of kick-ass cowboy boots, it's worth it to throw in some leather string and hand-carved skull beads to match.

Artka (416.322.7832)
Artka is a bead supply store located on the upper floor of the Yonge and Eglinton centre doubling as a pre-made jewellery and accessories shop. They carry mostly sparkly Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones, and although their collection of findings is very limited and the prices a little high, Artka is a great place to kill time when you're in the area.

MAP

Toronto through the lens of Sam Javanrouh

2012-04-15T03:39:00.001-07:00

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Nine or so years ago, Sam Javanrouh challenged himself to post an image a day on his photoblog, Daily Dose of Imagery. In meeting that challenge (he hasn't missed a day yet), his stock as a photographer skyrocketed. In the years that have followed, he's one won awards, published two books, shot time-lapse sequences that went viral, and put together an impressive archive of photos, the majority of which feature Toronto in some way or another.

I've often found myself clicking the "day before" button on Daily Dose of Imagery, curious to see how Javanrouh has sustained his inspiration week after week. Although he claims below that Toronto architecture still leaves something to be desired, his photos tell a different story. You'd be hard pressed to find a photographer with greater ability to capture this city's beauty. I recently caught up with same to ask him about his the city, his photographic style, and the challenges he faces in keeping DDOI fresh and relevant.

What made you pick up a camera in the first place?

I've been around cameras since I was a kid. My father is a cinematographer and cameras have been a part of my life in my home country, Iran. Ironically though, I never owned a real camera myself until I came to Canada in 1999. I was 26 then. When you move to a new country in your 20s, you leave your home and friends and family behind and it's a hard thing. The first couple of years are the toughest to deal with, and I was trying to find a way to cope with my new home and still be in touch with the people I left behind.

It was in that year that the first consumer digital cameras started to surface and I thought they'd be perfect for me to get one and start sharing images of my new city with my friends back in Tehran. My first digital camera was a Nikon Coolpix 950.

You started Daily Dose of Imagery in 2003, what challenges have you faced keeping the site compelling?

I started DDOI in July 2003 for two main reasons. One was to create an online photo gallery to make it available for people I know, instead of sending images through emails. The second reason was to challenge myself creatively to create at least one image a day that was worthy of sharing. For this I needed to constantly explore different parts of the city and find new subjects to photograph. The obvious challenge with ddoi is to keep it fresh on a daily basis. Right now, It's over 8 years and 9 months that I've started this project and that's more than 3200 days and I haven't missed a day (yet!)

And my life has changed dramatically from when I started ddoi. I work more, I have a child and my new home is farther from downtown which is my main hunting grounds. All this makes keeping the site going on a daily basis very challenging, but at the same time I'm glad I kept it alive because it's pushing me to get out and take more photos, no matter what.

You've shot in a number of cities, what would you say makes Toronto a unique place to shoot?

Toronto is not a pretty city by usual standards. We don't have great landmarks like the other major cities. We didn't have amazing architecture (that's changing quite rapidly, and I'm very happy about it). We're near open water but our waterfronts are nothing compared to other big cities (again that's also changing.) Overall it's a tough city to sell to tourists. But what Toronto does have is a wealth of hidden gems and amazingly diverse and varied neighborhoods.

After all these years I don't think I've seen near half of what Toronto has to offer. There is so much to see. So many alleys to discover. And each neighborhood has its own look that sometimes it's unbelievable that it's all in one city. The multicultural nature of Toronto only adds to this amazing variation of eye candy. I think it's partly because of these reasons that Toronto has such a strong community of active photographers and photobloggers.

Favourite places to shoot?

I'd like to think I haven't found it yet. It's the searching for the next favourite place that I like most. I usually take better photos on the way to wherever I'm heading than the actual destination. This could be one of the reasons that I usually shoot alone and mostly unplanned.

One place you've always wanted to go shoot and haven't? Why?

There are so many places that I haven't spent enough time to explore yet, but it's mostly the west end. For the most part the western part of Toronto is still new to me. In the 13 years that I've lived here I've lived on Yonge street and the East. I've also only worked in East (except for one year I've worked in Mississauga) so I haven't really explored that whole side of the city yet.

There are also a few huge abandoned buildings in the city that I'd love to get in and explore.

How has travel altered the way you approach photographing Toronto?

I think the most important lesson I learned so far is to try to observe what's around me like a tourist in my own city, and to be always ready to catch that moment that is never going to happen again.

It has also more confirmed the fact that my style of photography is more suited to explore the hidden and unfamiliar parts of the city than photographing the obvious. When I went to Paris or Prague, I took photos of everything, but when I looked at what I shot later I noticed how little I took of the landmarks and how many I had of the textures and the light play of the city in mundane and ordinary streets and alleys.

Would you say that you have a particular style that you've tried to develop?

I think most photographers spend their life trying to achieve a signature style, but the thing is people evolve and change and so do point of views. And I think it's mostly the other way around; the style usually finds you. I'd like to try my hands on many photography techniques and experiment a lot, and part of that is because I want to keep my photoblog fresh. I'm not the type of photographer to say I do one style only and that's it. But I do see myself going back to the same sort of subjects and looks more often. There are many elements that re-appear in my photos from time to time and for the most part it just happens and is unplanned, which leads to a certain look that my photoblog visitors are familiar with.

You've made some stunning time-lapse sequences, can you tell me a little bit about that process and why you find it rewarding?

I'm a huge fan of cinema and I've spent countless hours in movie theatres when I was younger. One of the movies that really moved me back then was Koyaanisqatsi by Godfrey Reggio, which is pretty much all timelapse footage, with incredible music from Philip Glass. I've been obsessed with timelapse ever since and the moment the technology made it possible to do it easily at home I started doing it. I find the process very rewarding because I love images and timelapse sequences are photographs, many times a minute! The process takes time and careful planning to do it correctly and another problem is storage; I'd be living in a house made out of hard drives if I kept everything I shot. But when the magic happens and you capture something amazing, it's all worth it.

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS:

Where do you get your caffeine fix? Jet Fuel Coffee.

Favourite Toronto building/landmark? Calatrava's Brookfield Place. And the CN Tower.

First camera you owned? A Kodak 110 Instamatic Camera when I was 8.

Digital or film? Film. Which is weird because I exclusively shoot digital.

Canon or Nikon? Panasonic.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

To see more of Sam's work, check out his Flickr stream.

Toronto Island House & History Tour 2012

2012-04-14T16:15:00.001-07:00

Published on blogTO | Toronto Events | shared via feedly

Dates: June 10, 2012 to June 10, 2012
Location: Wards Island Community Association, Toronto Island
On June 10, 2012, Toronto Island Grannies in Spirit will host their second tour of distinctive homes and community buildings on Toronto Island, each with its own story to tell. The tour will feature a selection of historic, renovated, original and new homes. Ticket holders will meet Island storytellers, view random acts of history, have the opportunity to talk to the homeowners, and view photographs and memorabilia from the Islands immensely interesting history. Houses are open from 1 to 4 pm. All proceeds from the House & History Tour will go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Grannies in Spirit is one of over 240 grandmother groups across Canada in the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, one of the great grassroots movements in Canada. In the six years since it was initiated by the Stephen Lewis Foundation, the campaign has raised more than $12 million for projects in Sub-Saharan Africa that support African grandmothers and their grandchildren orphaned by AIDS. Tickets can be purchased at http://torontoislandhousetour2012.eventbrite.com/

Weekend events in Toronto: April 13-15

2012-04-14T03:53:00.001-07:00

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EXHIBITIONS

2012 Wizard World Comicon
Get those beards grown and cloaks ready, because it's time for the Wizard World Comicon. This event celebrates the best in comics, video games, television and much more, with special guests set to include Mike Deodato Jr., "Jock," John McRea, Tyler Kirkham and Arthur Suydam and more! Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West, April 14 at 10 a.m. - April 15 at 6 p.m., Tickets start at $25.

Green Living Show 2012
This three-day event is Mecca for anyone who wants to get sustainable and do their part for the earth. There will be a plethora of demonstrations and products available to educate and help people make their lives as green as possible. Direct Energy Centre, 100 Princes' Boulevard, April 13 at 10 a.m. - April 15 at 6 p.m., $15.

Absolutely Vintage Show and Sale
For those dying to be donned in new vintage duds, this sale, hosted by Gadabout, shouldn't be missed. Clothing from the 1890s to the 1970s will be on sale, along with jewelry, fabric and much more. Maple Cottage, 62 Laing Street, April 14, 10 a.m. - 5p.m., Free.

FOOD

La Carnita presents UNO: The Art Show
Art and Mexican food together at last, in an evening designed to tantalize all of the senses. La Carnita is hosting an event with over 20 street artists displaying their work, including Mike Giant and Sam Flores, sets by a variety of DJs, and traditional Mexican cuisine served up by La Carnita. Evergreen Brickworks, 550 Bayview Avenue, April 13, 7 p.m. - 2 a.m., Free.

For the lowdown on other upcoming food events, check out This Week in Food.

ART

Design Hope Toronto's 7th Annual Art Auction
Buying art never feels better than when the proceeds are going to a good cause. This annual events supports the homeless in Toronto and features the one-of-a-kind work of local artists, entertainment and inexpensive food. St. John's Parish Hall, 186 Cowan Avenue, April 13, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., Free.

Gerrard Art Space's Inaugural Show
A new gallery featuring the art work of Max MacDonald is opens this weekend runs until the end of the month. Gerrard Art Space is a membership based artist's collection open in in the heart of Little India. Don't miss the opening reception of this gallery. Gerrard Art Space, 1390 Gerrard St E, April 14, 2 p.m.

Oversized Games Night at MOCCA
Advertised as the "adult Chuck E Cheese in empty Art Museum" night on their Facebook page... We don't know if there is much more to say. Except the fact that there is going to be a two-storey tall video game. To the adults that are still kids at heart, this is your night. Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, 952 Queen St W, April 14, 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. $40 tickets, buy them here.

SPORT & PLAY

Toronto Roller Derby Presents: Season 6 Bout 3
It's going to be an evening of bumps and scrapes as the ladies of Toronto Roller Derby battle it out in the third event of the season. Guests are invited to bring their own blankets and chairs and set-up shop beside the track, right within until-you-lose-your-voice cheering distance. The Bunker, 40 Carl Hall Road, April 14, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., $14.

MUSIC

Cancer Bats @ The Horseshoe Tavern

Consider buying your tickets early for this one. What is sure to be a busy, if not sold out show, Cancer Bats are playing in Toronto this Saturday at the Horseshoe Tavern. See all you metal dudes there! Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St W, April 14, 9 p.m. Tickets $18 at the door.

WhipperSnapper presents Japanther, Boys Who Say No, Absolutely Free
Enjoy some good music and give money to a good cause. Whippersnapper gallery is having a rock out fundraiser tonight featuring Japanther, Boys Who Say No and Absolutely Free (formerly DD/MM/YYYY). All proceeds go towards the gallery's Arts, Music and Culture Festival. The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St W, April 13, 10 p.m. Tickets available at Soundscapes, Rotate This and Whippersnapper for $12 (more at the door).

TWM: The FOlK, Lakes of Canada, Rebel Rebel, Coppleganger @ Rancho
A decent line up for the price we'd say. Coplleganger are playing with The Folk, Lakes of Canada, and Rebel Rebel at Rancho on Saturday night. If you are into indie-pop-rock, then this night is for you. Rancho Relaxo, 300 College, April 14, doors open at 9 p.m., music starts at 9:45. $6.

SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival
There is a first for everything. The very first a cappella music festival is happening this weekend with performances by The Nylons, Swingle Singers and the New York Voices. There is also going to be singing workshops (for those who have ever dreamt of taking centre stage) and interactive sessions with performers. Many events free, more information here. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W, April 13 - 15, headliner concerts $28 - $40.

FILM

The 25th Annual Images Festival
The Image Festival is the largest multi-day event in North America that celebrates the best in experimental and independent moving image culture. Screenings will happen at various theatres and venues across the city, showcasing the best of the best on screen and live talent. For a full line-up, check here. Various locations, April 12-21.

The Sudden Impulse Film Festival Awards
The first annual Sudden Impulse Film Festival Awards is this weekend. It will be a celebration of short films and music videos created by local talent. Projection Booth, 1035 Gerrard St E, April 14, 8:30 p.m., $10 cover.

For more film recommendations, check out This Week in Rep Cinema.

LIT

Open House for Glad Day Bookshop
Glad Day Bookshop will be open after hours for an evening celebrating the quirkier side of the literary world. There will be performances all night, including a burlesque strip tease by Boylesque's Mickey D Liscious and literary drag by Britney Sparkles. Definitely a bit different than a typical day at your local library branch. Glad Day Bookshop, 598 Yonge Street, April 14, 7:30 p.m., Free.

The Woolgatherer + Candy Pop-Up Shop
Get a sneak preview of the shop and interactive installation paying tribute to William Mastrosimone's play The Woolgatherer. Pop-Up Shop, 3087 Dundas St W, April 14, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

TECH

YouTube School
School is in session this weekend. Well, this isn't your average class but sounds like an interesting one if you aspire to be the next Jenna Marbles. YouTube School will provide insights on how viewership is accrued with input from producers who have leveraged its reach. Academy of the Impossible, 231 Wallace Ave, April 15, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

HISTORY

Titanic Afternoon Tea
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Titanic by enjoying tea and treats inspired from the original menu. Reservations required (416.971.9666) it's $75 per person (...when did tea get so expensive?) but you get to take home a commemorative plate by Royal Doulton. Windsor Arms Hotel, 18 St. Thomas St. Yorkville, April 15, 2 p.m., $75.

PARTIES

Friday the 13th Dance Party
In the spirit of Friday the 13th, Pinball Cafe is having a all ages "zombie groovy dance party" with DJ MattRRR spinning. Tickets are $5 in advance or $8 at the door. The Pinball Cafe, 1662 Queen St W, April 13, 7 pm - midnight.

Other parties on our radar:

CHARITY

White Out Cancer Fundrasing Party
"Whiting out" cancer is the idea behind this fundraiser party. Proceeds from the party will be donated in support of Princess Margaret Hospital and Cancer Research. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tip: don't show up wearing black. Stephen Bulger Gallery, 1078 Queen St W, April 13, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m., $25.

Lead photo by Christian Bobak / second photo by *Lemur* in the blogTO Flickr pool

Writing by Mariam Matti and Roxanne Hathway-Baxter

Toronto through the eyes of James Chatto

2012-04-14T03:39:00.001-07:00

Published on blogTO | shared via feedly

James Chatto knows a lot about food. As Toronto Life's scribe for two decades, he rivaled Joanne Kates as the pre-eminent food critic in this town. After he and the magazine abruptly parted ways a couple of years back, Chatto didn't disappear from the printed page but instead starting wearing many hats. He's Editor of Harry Magazine, Senior Editor at the LCBO's Food & Drink magazine, restaurant columnist for Zoomer and food and culture columnist for ROM magazine. Not busy enough? He manages to find time to work with Gold Medal Plates as National Culinary Advisor, helping put together events across Canada that raise funds for Canada's Olympic and Paralympic athletes. And in whatever free time Chatto has left he writes for his own site, jameschatto.com, where (as he puts it) he can "write exactly what I please".

Up next, Chatto will be making some public appearances talking up the new, updated version of his restaurant book and hopping across the pond to England where someone is re-publishing his 1998 ode to classic Greek Cuisine A Kitchen in Corfu. On April 23rd he'll take on the role as Master of Ceremonies at the annual Terroir Hospitality Industry Symposium at the Arcadian Court in Toronto. Here, I connected with Chatto about the event, his worst-ever Toronto meal and what restaurant trend needs to end now.

What are you most looking forward to at this year's Terroir Symposium?

Listening to challenging ideas. The line-up of guest speakers is very intriguing. Some I know; others I've never met, though I'm a big fan of The Spotted Pig in New York (the best gnudi ever), so I'm looking forward to meeting Ken Friedman. Not to mention Ben Shewry from Attica in Melbourne and Barton Seaver. And there are dozens of other movers and shakers I'm eager to hear. This year's theme - the New Radicals - the idea of fine dining without fuss, of first class gastronomy without pomp and circumstance, describes the life we're living in Toronto and I want to hear how different exponents explain it.

Something else I can't wait to experience is the lunch line-up Ivy Knight has put together. It reads like the culinary manifesto of some chefs' fantasy league. Getting people re-energized for the afternoon may be an issue.

Who are three young chefs working in Toronto that you're most excited about?

It's great that Tobey Nemeth is back and I can't wait to see what she and Michael Caballo are going to do with the Niagara Street Cafe. I like the way Alexandra Feswick's imagination works. I still haven't been to taste her food at Brockton General, which is unforgivable, but we collaborated on an event at the Glenn Gould Studio with the Amici Ensemble and she blew everyone, including me, away. And I have a lot of time for Matt Blondin at Acadia. Some really original thinking there.

What's your favourite restaurant in Toronto right now?

I love Sushi Kaji, in Etobicoke. It's some of the best sushi and Japanese kitchen dishes I have ever tasted, anywhere in the world. For my last meal on earth it's a toss-up between Kaji and Stadtländer. Meanwhile, I suppose my current favourite restaurant is probably Starfish. That's where I end up taking friends from out of town. One reason is the owner, Patrick McMurray, who is the most genial of hosts and who always has some delectable new treat on his raw bar alongside the best oyster presentation in the city. It's a casual place but also great for a business lunch if you don't mind running into your publisher or a couple of off-duty chefs.

You're well known as the former restaurant critic at Toronto Life. Were there any hard feelings how things ended up there?

More a sense of mutual relief, I think. Twenty-three years was a good long run but it was time to part company. The magazine was turning in a new direction with a new agenda and a new tone of voice. We were no longer compatible.

Do you anticipate you'll write for them again?

Nope.

What sources do you turn to for finding out about new restaurants or food events in Toronto?

I have a network of friends and acquaintances in the business who keep me well informed. For hours and addresses and things like that The Grid is pretty reliable. And I enjoy CityBites and Good Food Revolution. And blogTO, of course.

What's one restaurant trend that needs to end?

I'm pretty easy-going when it comes to the ways in which restaurants see fit to behave. If a guy's playing a hand, let him play it. But I'm not a fan of the no-reservations game. It's self-indulgent and unhelpful to customers. It has little impact on me, though, as I just go somewhere else where the attitude is a tad less venal and arrogant.

How would you assess Toronto's restaurant offerings on a global scale? What's the Toronto restaurant scene currently lacking?

We're going through a reactionary, recessionary phase where simplification is the order of the day. Burgers, pizza, mac 'n' cheese... Childish stuff. Toronto's gastronomy isn't as multi-faceted as it used to be. It's casual and comfortable and there's lots of good food but it's missing a lot of the old originality and any sort of intellectual risk. I used to brag that we were one of the top three cities in North America for food. That's no longer true. Not just because of the dearth of traditional fine dining - Scaramouche and Langdon Hall would attract Michelin's attention but that's about it - but because so much of what's new falls within the same narrow focus.

We have a really talented, really committed group of young chefs who are now entering their prime, but so many of them are painting the same picture with the same small spectrum of pigments and the same repetitive patterns. It's strange that they grew up eating from 100 different cultures within the GTA but all they want to put on their menus is charcuterie and home cooking from the Italian diaspora. Yes, thank Sooty and Sweep, there are exceptions, but why play checkers when you can play chess?

A part of the problem is the rampant neophilia that grips our media and the current 30-something generation of restaurant-goers. The only thing that matters is what's new. No one has any words to spare for places of proven worth or even for last month's hot spot. It makes for a disturbingly shallow swimming hole.

And many of the chefs who built Toronto's reputation have opted out. I love Cava, but it's no Avalon. Marc Thuet is concentrating on his bakery. Jamie Kennedy is busy at Gilead Cafe....Toronto is becoming cosy and provincial again when we could be dazzling, eclectic and serious.

What's the worst restaurant dining experience you've had in Toronto?

Ever? Twenty years ago, Toronto Life sent me to review a Russian restaurant at Finch and Steeles. The name escapes me. There was a live cabaret and a wedding going on. We were told they could seat us at 6:00pm. By 9:00 we still hadn't been served. My wife went home in a taxi. I stayed for the zakuski - deli Russian salad and blinis with lumpfish roe - and the flaming shashlik (napalmed chimpanzee) - and the tempting kulebiaka of canned salmon in papier maché - and the refreshing coupette of warm, flat, sweet, Eastern Bloc "Champagne"...Got home around midnight. Thanks so much for making me remember that.

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS:

What neighbourhood do you live in? Chinatown, College and Spadina.

Where do you get your caffeine fix? Zaza, on Bellair, or Moonbean in Kensington Market.

Favourite place in the city for inspiration? The Four Seasons Centre, Koerner Hall, Mazzolini Hall.

Favourite Toronto building/landmark? Will Alsop's OCAD building always lifts my spirits.

Subways or LRT? LRT.

Favourite annual Toronto food event? Empty Bowls.

Globe, Star, Sun or Post? Star

Dogs or cats? Cats

Ford or Miller? Miller. Ford is a bully and a buffoon, an embarrassment and a disgrace.

Favourite Toronto food critic? Sasha Chapman.

Parkdale gets another cozy and buzz-worthy restaurant

2012-04-12T06:53:00.003-07:00

Published on blogTO | shared via feedly

Grand Electric isn't the only restaurant generating buzz in Parkdale. You'll probably face a line-up to get into this cozy and reservation-free dining room, which is named after a Canadian heritage breed of chicken, but it's well worth the wait. Although it's difficult to describe the exact style of cuisine on offer, that's what makes it so exciting: the food here is genuinely unique.

Read my review of Chantecler in the restaurants section.

The top 8 food trends in Toronto for 2012

2012-04-12T06:53:00.001-07:00

Published on blogTO | shared via feedly

The top food trends for 2012 reflect a diverse and eclectic restaurant scene drawing from many cultural influences. While previous years' trends such as nose-to-tail dining, locavore-focused menus, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, rustic Italian, Canadiana, gluten-free foods, cupcakes and whoopie pies are mostly still going strong, we're thankful for a new batch of food trends ready to mix things up this summer and beyond.

Here's a list of 8 food trends ready to take on Toronto.

Street Food
Street food has arrived in Toronto in a big way in recent months. Loosely connected to the Food Truck movement but distinct in its own right, street food in Toronto has expanded beyond Indian and Pakistani eats to include a wide range of cultural influences and cuisines. Most notable are Avo (Portuguese street eats) and Kim's a La Cart (Korean), both part of the expanding vendor line-up at 214 Augusta. There's also Hawker Bar on Ossington, the just-opened restaurant that sells Singaporean street food and TUM vendors including ESE that cooks up LA style Mexican Food. This summer will also see the return of the Live Local Marketplace at Scadding Court. Cheap, tasty eats? This is a food trend I can get behind. (See also: The Street Food Block Party happening in May)

Seafood
Can seafood really be a food trend? Its prevalence in the caveman diet is testament to the fact it's nothing new, but the wealth of seafood-focused restaurants that have recently opened in Toronto suggests our city is having a fish moment. Hopgood's Foodliner has introduced Roncesvalles locals to how Nova Scotians do things (the right way) and then there's Catch, a fish-heavy sister restaurant to the Rushton on St. Clair. Add to the mix Diana's Seafood Oyster Bar, Fishbar and a seafood heavy menu at Acadia and there's suddenly a seafood landscape in this city where not all roads lead to Rodney's.

Japanese pub food
Following in the obscenely successful footsteps of Guu and its Annex sibling Guu Sakabar, restaurateurs have taken notice that there's an appetite for Japanese food in Toronto beyond Dragon rolls. After a wave of wanna-be izakayas like Kokoni, Izakaya on College St and Fin, the Japanese pub food scene is set to soon rival Vancouver's with a number of west coast eateries scoping out Hogtown locations. 2012 has also seen the opening of Don Don Izakaya near Dundas and Bay and Masaru Ogasawara told us that Guu number 3 should be open by next winter.

Communal dining
To the surprise of the preternaturally shy, communal dining will really hit its stride in 2012. While communal (or long) tables have been surfacing for a while now at Toronto restaurants like the now-shuttered OddFellows or newbies like Ursa, this social experience is being amplified by outfits such as Dishcrawl, The Social Feed and soon-to-launch Foodies on Foot. It's enough for me to think that communal dining is the new dating site. LavaLife, you've been served notice.

Pop-up restaurants
Capitulating on the idea that transience builds desire, pop-up restaurants seem to have moved from fad to trend in recent months. The Secret Kitchen, a monthly pop-up evening showcasing innovative, several-course meals is just one of the many case studies here along with the increasingly ubiquitous Fidel Gastro. Long-time darling of the scene, La Carnita, has been selling tacos (er, art) for almost a year now but is rumoured to be settling in to a permanent kitchen soon.

Home-made sodas
The focus on natural foods shows no signs of waning, and given the war against chemical-laden pops, a move toward home-made sodas was inevitable. This year, look for more establishments to serve hand-made, all-natural artisan pops such as Cheesewerks' mix of simple syrup, fruit and carbonated water and Hey Meatball!'s fruit and veggie sodas or ginger ale (complete with bits of ginger). Not to be overlooked is The Federal Reserve's original takes on pop classics such as root beer, cream soda and cola. I might never drink Fanta again.

Food in jars
As any Dwell reader will attest to, now is the moment of the mason jar. These rustic-looking canning canisters are increasingly being used as serving dishes for food and drink around Toronto, and while it may seem to be a purely aesthetic trend, think of how it affects the dish as a whole. Yours Truly's whipped potato concoction releases wafts of cream and potato upon being opened, while Grand Electric's key lime vasos is perfectly suited to its mini-mason jar. Even at mini-chain Mercatto, I recently spied a conveyor belt of mason jars being prepped for dishes. Are plates passe?

Filipino food
Say what? Yes, Thai food's ugly sister will be surfacing in Toronto in a big way in 2012. You'll be tasting a lot more Filipino food thanks to Kanto from Tita Flips and Lamesa, a new Filipino kitchen opening soon in the old Rosebud space. Helmed by chef Rudy Boquila, the restaurant promises a full menu of richly spiced stews and other traditional Filipino eats. Now, we're just waiting for Max's Restaurant to open locations in Toronto proper.

Photo via Hawker Bar's Facebook page

Bakery still the hub of Maltese community in Toronto

2012-04-07T22:20:00.001-07:00

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This bake shop has been at the heart of Toronto's Little Malta for over 30 years, and they've gained worldwide notoriety for their homemade pastizzi (traditional filled puff pastries), even drawing the attention of Malta's president. Their vast menu of Maltese baked goods and cooked savoury dishes offers up a delectable taste of their namesake island nation.

Read my profile of Malta Bake Shop in the baked goods section.