blogTO

Wavelength Concert Series to Be Revamped After 10th Anniversary Festival

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:53:00 -0500

This Sunday, the Garrison will host Wavelength Music Arts Projects' 500th weekly show -- a milestone celebrating the amazing longevity of the series, which will be reformatted after a five-night anniversary festival leading up to the final PWYC concert.

Having provided artist-focused, grassroots promotion for independent musicians in Toronto over the past decade, Wavelength has remained true to its DIY ethos and has fostered the growth of local talent from the ground up. The 10th anniversary of the series represents its rebirth -- making way for the new, as-yet-to-be-determined format that Wavelength will take in the future.

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The Battle for Ici Bistro and Why Joe Pantalone Dug His Own Grave in His Quest to Be Mayor

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:30:00 -0500

When chef Jean Pierre Challet applied for a liquor licence for his new restaurant Ici Bistro, he dreamed of a place where locals could meet over brioche. Little did he know he would instead bring the community together over a political battle that still lies smouldering.

After working for years in some of Toronto's most respected restaurants (The Fifth, Le Select Bistro, Windsor Arms Hotel, Auberge du Pommier) Challet turned his attention to opening a small bistro on the corner of Harbord and Manning. He was confident he had chosen the right location.

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TTC Employees Battle Back

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:26:00 -0500

As reported in today's Morning Brew, TTC employees fed up with being repeatedly shamed in the media have decided to battle back, and may even initiate a work-to-rule campaign. The creation of a members-only Facebook page has served as the occasion for employees to turn the tables by sharing photos of transit riders behaving badly, including those depicting feet on seats, graffiti and subway cars strewn with trash.

Apparently the irony of such a response is lost on our friendly TTC workers.

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Coming Up Roses in the Junction

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:08:00 -0500

Open for over 110 years, Martin's Flower's has been a Junction staple since around the time the neighbourhood was founded. With excellent service and attention to detail, it's not hard to understand the reason for their longevity. And as part of a tight-knit community of local, independent businesses, the focus on blooms from southwestern Ontario offers an added environmental bonus.

Read my profile of Martin's Flowers in the design stores section.

Red Prince Apples Hit Toronto Grocery Stores

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:02:00 -0500

Friday marked the official introduction of a new-to-Ontario variety of apple -- the Red Prince. It's a European variety brought over from a small town called Weert located in the Netherlands, and over the past nine-years Irma and Marius Botden have steadily built up enough acreage to supply the Red Prince to large chains like Loblaws and Sobey's.

On Friday, 10,000 apples were given away to passersby in the PATH at the Exchange Tower and First Canadian Place to promote the official launch. With a motif of spreading civility to all the land, the promoters also threw in hand massages and promised a month long Twitter campaign to promote daily acts of decorum.

While the marketing campaign left a bad taste in my mouth, I was curious about sampling the apples, so I grabbed a few.

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Radar: Intimate Apparel, Reach for the Bronze, Elvis Mondays, No Such Thing, ALTDot Comedy Lounge

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:53:00 -0500

Photo: "Vintage Massey Hall" by neilta, member of the blogTO Flickr Pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for MONDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2010... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar.

THEATRE | Intimate Apparel
Set in New York in 1905, Intimate Apparel is a story of love, race, and class struggle. It tells the story of Esther, a talented black seamstress who makes a living sewing undergarments for high society women and prostitutes. Independent and strong-willed, she struggles against racism and patriarchy and strives to open her own boutique. This is the newest production from the Obsidian Theatre Company, which strives to give voice to the black experience by producing works by established and emerging black artists. The opening of Intimate Apparel coincides with Obsidian's celebration of its tenth anniversary as one of Canada's most vital theatre companies later this week. Runs til March 6.
Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front St. E., $20 - $64, Monday to Saturday 8 pm, Wednesday 1:30 pm, Saturday 2 pm

COMEDY | Reach for the Bronze
Brace yourself. With only four days until the Vancouver Olympics opening ceremonies we're in for the biggest flag-waving, beaver-loving, maple syrup-guzzling, pro-Canada lovefest since good ole John A. got the Liberals liquored up and tricked them into signing the papers for Confederation. While there's nothing wrong a little patriotism every once and a while, there's also nothing wrong with poking some fun at ourselves. Enter Second City's newest show Reach for the Bronze, the perfect antidote for Olympic fever. Riffing on the foibles of Canadian culture and our peculiar obsession with any sport played on a sheet of ice, the show runs every Monday until March 29 and feature's Second City's Jan Caruana, Jason DeRosse, Carly Heffernan, Rob Norman, Natalie Robitaille, and Kris Siddiqi.
Second City, 51 Mercer St., $12, Mondays 8 pm until March 29

MUSIC | Elvis Monday's with the Danger Bees
At the end of this week there will be one less free weekly concert series in Toronto, with the venerable Wavelength series shutting it down after ten years. That means your best bet for new music at no cost is the Drake's Elvis Mondays, which has been showcasing fresh acts hoping to make their mark on the Toronto scene for over 25 years. Tonight's six act line up includes Dartmouth power-pop outfit the Danger Bees, local duo the Royal So and So's, and Teen Tits Wild Wives, whom you may Google at your own peril.
The Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W., Free, 8 pm

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Morning Brew: Matt Galloway to Host Metro Morning, TTC Boss Admonishes Staff, TTC Staff Fight Back, Racism at Ryerson, "Curious George" Opens Office, It's the Budget Stupid, Oprah Pitches In, Argos Ownership to Change, Raptors Keep Winning

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:35:00 -0500

Photo: "Lights" by jamonation, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

TTC chief general manager Gary Webster adds his voice to the continual damage control efforts of the beleaguered transit agency with a sharply worded message to staff over the weekend. But with a steady stream of "gotcha" photos - distributed widely by the media - TTC staff have responded by creating a mostly private Facebook page, "Toronto Transit Operators against public harassment." The page's purpose is to "fight back" against the "harassment" and to post photos of riders breaking the rules. Is a "work to rule" effort to be expected? With everybody pointing the finger another direction, will the TTC experience finally improve? Inquiring minds want to know.

Matt Galloway has been tapped to take the helm of Metro Morning, starting March 1st. The question of who would fill the host's chair after 15 years under Andy Barrie's watch has been a popular topic since Barrie announced he would retire from the top rated morning show. Galloway got a few minutes of practice after 8:15 this morning, but he's an old hand in the time slot, having filled in many times and serving as the Friday host for months now. No doubt Galloway was the favourite of armchair oddsmakers, but I wondered if the 39 year old who often talks about mornings with his children wanted to commit to 4am wake-ups. This, of course, opens up the question of who will take over Here and Now, the afternoon show often considered synonymous with Matt Galloway. Is Kevin Sylvester ready to switch from CBC utility man and jack of all trades to full time host?

Egads! Racism at Ryerson! A new 118 page report finds a diverse student body with many people from minority groups feeling harassed or otherwise excluded. Senior staff are to undergo special training, more courses on diversity are to be offered and progress will be tracked. I find it hard to believe a university - and a university in downtown Toronto - wouldn't be on the cutting edge of accepting and embracing diversity.

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PowerPoint Karaoke Creates a New Kind of Bar Star in Toronto

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:32:00 -0500

The great thing about tech geeks (myself included) is that they can turn almost any mainstream activity into an excuse to geek out. If they host a party at a bar like HoHoTO they submit song requests via Twitter, and have a livestream of Tweets projected onto the wall. If they meet for lunch they have a special hashtag, #geeklunch. So when Social Media Week came to town February 1-5th it was a chance to get even more creative with the events. Many were held with traditional formats like lectures, panels, and discussions. But when it came time for the closing event, Toronto got a taste of a brand-new event: PowerPoint Karaoke.

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Classic French Baking on Mt. Pleasant

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:07:00 -0500

It's been almost two years since Parisian-trained baker Marc Thobor transformed Le Comptoir de Célestin into his eponymous boulangerie cafe. Fresh from the oven daily, treats from baguettes to beignets continue to mark 627 Mt. Pleasant as a destination for sumptuous baked goods. But there's also plenty of lunch options on the menu including sandwiches, quiche and a gooey croque monsieur.

Read my review of Thobors Boulangerie Patisserie Cafe in the bakery section.

TTC Management to All Employees: "Our Customers Deserve Better"

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:41:00 -0500

TTC Chief General Manager Gary Webster has just issued a stern statement to all Toronto Transit Commission employees concerning their roles in "allowing the TTC to drift into a culture of unacceptable operating discipline." In a rather rare move, the commission has also decided to share this full statement with the media.

Webster's memo suggests that rather than being reactive on a case-by-case basis and hoping that the few bad apples get the picture and adjust their behaviour, the commission will instead move to broadly reinforce that "employees need to be held accountable for their poor performance." He continues by firmly stating that the "culture of complacency and malaise that has seeped into our organization will end."

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7 Down, Only 48 Stories To Go For the New Toronto Four Seasons

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:40:00 -0500

While the plans for the new condominium at One Bloor East are becoming public, there is another major project nearby which is already climbing skyward: the Four Seasons Private Residences and Hotel. According to city documents, it will be 205 metres when completed. This is approximately the height of the Bay-Wellington Tower, currently the seventh tallest building in Toronto. The Four Seasons Private Residences will also be the tallest building north of Bloor, and will be one of the tallest residential buildings in the city.

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Lost and Found in an Antique Playground

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:11:00 -0500

Although oddly easy to miss, 507 Antiques is a huge, labyrinth-like warehouse chock full of armoires, credenzas, statues, and pretty much anything else you might want to adorn your home with. It's a great place to get lost in, but just remember to bring your wallet.

Find out more about 507 Antiques in the design stores section.

Radar: An Evening with Kevin Smith, Kuumba Festival, Toronto Jazz Orchestra's Swing Thing, Burlesque Bazaar, Bob Marley Tribute, the Banjo Special, Love and Rummage Trunk Sale, WinterCity

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:26:00 -0500

Photo: "Nathan Phillips Square - Night" by Dan 2977, member of the blogTO Flickr Pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6 and SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2010... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar.

Saturday, February 6:

COMEDY | An Evening With Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith's career has taken several odd turns over the years. From the heights of disaffected cult hits Clerks and Mallrats his films got steadily worse, culminating in the Bennifer Lopez train wreck that was Jersey Girl, one of the only films in history to destroy the credibility of two actors and a director in one fell swoop. Even though his latest movies suck hard, Smith himself as never stopped being funny, as anyone who has heard his pot-laced podcast or seen his stand-up DVDs can attest. He returns to Toronto tonight to deliver another one of his trademark rambling performances, mixing stand-up humour with anecdotes from his movie-making career.
Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., $59.50, $49.50 student tickets available only at RTH box office, 8 pm

FESTIVAL | Kuumba
Celebrating Black History Month, the Kuumba Festival is determined to not only look back at the accomplishments of black people throughout history but to also encourage black youth everywhere to create a future worthy of that history. Over the next two weekends the Harbourfront Centre hosts this free youth-focused festival which will feature an interactive celebration of African childhood games with entertainer and radio host Kobena Aquaa-Harrison, drum til you drop djembe sessions, live salsa music and dance lessons from Cuban virtuoso Roberto Linares Brown, a screening of 1974 Kinshasha music festival doc Soul Power, and a funk and raggae skating party.
Harbourfront Centre, York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Free, Saturday February 6 and 13: 1 pm - 11 pm, Sunday February 7 and 14: 1 pm - 6:30 pm

MUSIC | Toronto Jazz Orchestra's Annual Swing Thing
The Toronto Jazz Orchestra plays the swing hits of days gone by tonight at their annual fundraising party. Joined by renowned vocalist Sophia Perlman the 18-piece TJO will channel the spirits of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Glen Miller while Swing Toronto gives Charleston and Lindy Hop dance lessons. Make like an F. Scott Fitzgerald character and swing the night away while raising much-needed funds for the TJO, which has been an institution on the Toronto blues and jazz scene for twenty-two years.
Dovercourt House, 805 Dovercourt Rd., $18 for one lesson and dancing til 1 am, $20 for two lessons and all-night swinging, 7 pm

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Saturday Brew: Burke Family Tragedy, Racial Profiling, Toronto's Financial Crisis, TTC Vows to Get Better, Ruby Dhalla for Mayor?, Parking Ticket Losses

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:21:00 -0500

Photo: "due roundabout now" by jentse, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has lost his youngest son to a car accident in Indiana. Whatever one's feelings about the state of our loved and loathed hockey team, a tragedy of this nature transcends the ice. My thoughts and wishes go out to the Burke family at this most difficult time.

Through a freedom of information request, the Toronto Star has found that black people across the GTA are three times more likely to be stopped by the police. I suppose this isn't groundbreaking information -- many have speculated that racial profiling is a police tactic -- but the confirmation is unsettling. Also unsettling is the ridiculous lead photo the paper has run with the article, which depicts two black men, one deemed to be good and the other bad. For a piece that barely hides its moral superiority, this image selection is an embarrassment.

A York University professor argues that the financial mess facing Toronto is downright scary. Citing the $500-million hole in the city's 2010 operating budget, he predicts Toronto's capital debt will skyrocket from $803-million (last year) to a projected $4.69-billion in 2019. Who's to blame? Well, David Miller for one. But, according to Professor Schwartz, Mike Harris and his downloading ways were also critical contributors to our gloomy economy.

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Jack Layton and His Immediate Future as NDP Leader

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:20:00 -0500

NDP Leader Jack Layton is scheduled to make an announcement about his "personal status and his immediate future as NDP leader" here in Toronto at 2:00pm.

Is Layton stepping down? Is he doing the almost unimaginable and shifting his focus and run for mayor of Toronto? The Twitterverse is buzzing, and speculation abounds (including talk of him experiencing back problems).

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