Unknown Toronto

Super Sellers is Gone!

2008-05-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

I'm finally breaking my long silence to point out how sad I am that Super Sellers, the great discount lingerie place at 474 Yonge Street (just north of College Street) has disappeared after 21 years of supplying drag queens and just plain gals with wigs, bras, hosiery and related products. I will miss them. Oh well, off to Chockey's, I guess!

L'Oréal Toronto Fashion Week Fall Winter 2008 - Day One

2008-03-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

I have two words for fashion fans so far: raglan sleeves. Also jodhpurs; please tell me they're not the new capris! Also, it seems that grey is the new black. And brown. And navy. And red. And... you get the idea.

This newest (15th) edition of L'Oréal Toronto Fashion Week (or FashionWeek, as it seems to be given in some of the press materials), is already off to a bang; fashionistas already have six shows under their stylish belts.

At 2 p.m. Evan Biddell led off the batting order with a pretty impressive collection in shades from white to black, plus dull olive, fuschia and midnight blue. Biddell, winner of Project Runway Canada, ran his own independent design shop in B.C. for several years before appearing on the TV show. This may account for his assured, confident and technically proficient presentation. Many of his skirts, dresses and tops were made in a luxurious shiny silk, but not very heavily ornamented. A recurring garment was an eight-gored skirt with narrow horizontal tucks in the centre four gores. Numerous outfits were finished off with a wide wrapped silk sash with necktie points. He also produced an array of very nice coats, ranging from bolero jackets to floor-length creations in a soft wool.

Max Chernitsov is Moscow Fashion Week's contribution to the festivities. He brought men's and women's day clothes that prove – among other things – that cyberpunk lives. They ranged from fairly classic raglan-sleeve turtlenecks with moderately wide sleeves and very long cuffs to a pair of brief briefs with a shining gold "rocket" (hem-hem) motif that made even Jeanne Beker blush. Also lots of skintight stirrup leggings. (Can anyone tell me whether the unibrow makeup on the models was his idea of a pardoy of North American stereotypes of Russians???)

The work of B.C.'s Mellinda-Mae Harlington was wearable to the max. It featured coats and jackets in the evening's favoured palette, from pale grey to black. Very stylish pieces indeed that could be favourites worn for years, especially a three-button coat with wrap collar, turned-up two-button cuffs and wide button-flap detailing at the shoulders. Also nice: a simple round-neck, long-sleeved dress in finely-striped grey jersey.

Stating that she was inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, Nadya Toto of Montreal brought a collection with lots of detail and hand embellishment. Many pieces seemed to be knit of a very slubby wool with a loose weave that gave a great drape with an astrakhan texture: mostly black, but one senational, simple long dress in crimson with an interesting triangular point detail at the upper arm made by a fold in the fabric. There was a sensational belted knee-length dress with long sleeves, a modest cowl neck and a bubble-skirt bottom that launched from a series of triangular pieces around the hem. There was one off-the-shoulder full-length gown with a bike-glove ending to the sleeves and a fitted top and a skirt beginning at a dropped waist that was made of tiers of grey lace tied with ribbons into five horizontal puffs, and another that was a romantic cloud of leg-revealing dark emerald.

At 6 p.m., Montrealer Denis Gagnon wowed the crowd with a very William Gibsonesque future-Goth presentation featuring some of the most luxuriantly supple leather you'll ever be privileged to stroke. Standout pieces included a flowing jersey cape-coat with an edging of snap-studded leather; the weight of the edging gave it bounce as well as flow. Hems were insistently diagonal. Both trousers and jacket sleeves were constructed of narrow bands of leather painstakingly joined in pieces of medieval simplicity of line and austerity of decoration but excitingly fresh shapes.

The day was rounded out by the Holt's media cocktail, graced by the presence of such luminaries as Elio Fiorucci and Monika Schnarre. It was followed by the Joe Fresh show: exhuberant as always.

Goodbye Suspect Video!

2008-02-21T08:35:00.000-08:00

I find myself actually in mourning today for the cluttered, lively, shabby exuberance that was the south side of Queen Street West east of Bathurst. I am especially sad about Suspect, and can only hope that a huge proportion of their stock was out on loan yesterday, and that the borrowers return them. I have spent scores of happy hours browsing Suspect's delightfully idiosyncratic collection, and they helped me survive an especially rotten few months of my life a decade or so ago.

But I also got my skates fitted at Duke's, and of course as a member of the bike community, I know how active Gary Duke has been among the bike retailers in town.

Nikolau was another favourite of mine; some of our kitchen knives and a few of my favourite baking tools came from there. It was a serendipitous source for cooking tools that were hard to find elsewhere.

And just a few weeks ago I bought a record player at National Sound. I can't believe that messy, fascinating shop is gone. Not to mention Preloved, Ali Baba and the others.

It's a great blessing that everybody (and apparently all their pets) got out safe. My hope is that the city will rally around all the business owners and residents and help them rebuild their homes and work and lives.

I haven't got anything more inspired or wise to say about this; except maybe this is what a city is really about: the intersection of public and private lives and the human-made geography that they shape and that is shaped by them. It's a tragedy to lose such an old, dense and intricate piece of our urban fabric.

An update: A trust fund has been established for residents who have been affected by the Queen Street fire. Donations can be made to the Queen Street Fire Fund at all Scotiabank locations across the city, beginning tomorrow. To find out more, contact City Councillor Adam Vaughan's Office at 416-392-4044. Rumour also has it that the monthy Critical Mass bike ride will pass by Duke's and also collect donations for the fund. The ride meets as usual tomorrow (Friday the 29th) at the corner of Bloor and Spadina, at 6 p.m., departing at 6:30.

Photo from Virtual City. If you look closely, you can see the spirit of Suspect. Oh no, sorry, that's just Jack Skellington.

Vote Kickstand! (Ooops! I Mean: Two Bike-Related News Flashes)

2008-01-30T16:54:00.000-08:00

The new Toronto Cyclists Union bike magazine needs a name, and you're being asked to vote for the best of the possibilities, whittled down from over 150 submissions. Click here to choose your fave. Mine is Kickstand. There. I said it.

Also, I've heard on good authority that Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) is creating its first-ever position for a "Product Manager - Bicycles". After first looking for a candidate through staff and word of mouth, they'll start to advertise the position widely on February 14 (Valentine's Day). I believe the candidate should understand bike repair and have a good knowledge of bike parts, products and suppliers. A great job for anybody who's ever run their own bike shop, I'd guess. Interested? Message me here or on Facebook in case I hear more in the meantime.

PS: Since this was posted, Kickstand has taken the lead!

The Great Toronto Chocolate Truffle Hunt

2007-12-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

My article about my efforts to locate the best cupcakes in Toronto is consistently one of the most-read on this site, so – at great risk to my already substantial waistline – I’ve plunged into another research project: the search for this city’s best chocolate truffles. Actually, I did a lot of the research when I wrote the food sections of Toronto, The Unknown City, but this list includes a few new “candy-dates”.

My very favourite at that time is still my very favourite, even though they have moved to a less chichi location. It’s Stubbe Chocolate (now at 653 Dupont Street, 416-923-0956). I love them because they’re run by a very sweet fellow (appropriately, I suppose): Daniel Stubbe, who’s a sixth-generation chocolatier. That’s about 200 years of truffles, folks. And I prefer my chocolates to have a matte, velvety, irregular exterior finish, which the Stubbe truffles do (see the picture, above). And I love their classic flavours, like Gewurtztraminer, champagne and Poire William. Second place in my opinion for soft-shell truffles would be The Chocolate Addict (185 Baldwin Street, 416-979-5809), which continues to lure me with their lavender and hot chili centres, and a very close third place would go to Simone Marie Belgian Chocolate (126A Cumberland Street, 416-968-7777).

For truffles with a hard, shiny finish, the leader has to be the extremely elegant Soma (The Distillery District, Building 47, 416-815-7662). They treat chocolate like wine, and can tell you a lot about each type and where it comes from. Flavours include such foodie magnets as balsamic vinegar, bergamot, olive oil and the Gooderham Worts whisky truffle. Second in this category would be Simryn (147A Danforth Avenue near Broadview, 416-778-7978), which even makes sugar-free truffles. Honourable mention goes to the Belgian Chocolate Shop (2455 Queen Street East in the Beaches, 416-691-1424).

If you want politically conscious chocolate, head to Kakayo (1584 Queen Street East near Coxwell, 416-828-0402). There, Colleen Wong-Sala fashions exquisite organic and fair-trade treats like chai and chili chockies (and she also sells T-shirts that say “Stop staring at my truffles”.) Or you could go all the way, with Chocosol Horizontal Traders, Chocolatiers and Bicycle Based Business (Cacao Loft, 6 St. Joseph Street, 4th floor, 416-923-6675). Michael Sacco and Graham Corbett, the charming young fellows of Chocosol sell raw and roasted cacao and nibs, as well as fair trade coffee, organic cinnamon, vanilla pods and popped amaranth. Their “chocolate foods” are grainy, intense bars with ingredients like chilies, agave, vanilla and hempseed. Find them at farmers’ markets and special events.

Also, any Toronto chocoholic will want to keep an eye on the Chocolate Fest, which is still a young event, but with its popular chocolate fashion shows (yes!) and events featuring chocolate fountains and other delights, I suspect it’ll be growing over the next few years.

By the way, I’ve heard so much about J.S. Bonbons (163 Dupont Street at Davenport, 163 Dupont, 416-920-0274; and 811 Queen West, 416-703-7731) that I’m sure they’re great, but I have made many tries to visit them and never yet found them open. The hunt continues...

Sarah’s Top Ten Picks for Live Holiday Theatre, Music and Dance 2007

2007-12-13T08:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, I’m a Christmas hound, so I’m all over these traditional once-a-year holiday performances. You can’t go wrong with any of these. And, although they're numbered, they’re not presented in any specific order.

1. If you read any mean reviews of Ross Petty’s Peter Pan, I’m here to tell you not to believe them. Kurt Browning is immensely charming and his roller-skating turn is heart-stopping; Eddie Glen is lovable as Smee and Nana the Dog; the "Hip Hop Crock" is a scream; the schtick is hilariously corny, and the gratuitous Bollywood number totally rocks. Finally, I don’t care what Richard Ouzounian says; some of us did want to hear the theme from The Greatest American Hero one more time. It runs at the Elgin Theatre until January 6. 416-872-5555

2. The Kensington Festival of Lights, presented by Red Pepper Spectacle Arts, is Toronto's most exciting community pageant, with its lanterns, stiltwalkers, masks, puppets and fire effects. Participants include a who’s-who of the local grassroots arts scene: Shadowland, Clay and Paper, Darbazi, Samba Squad, Richard Underhill, EagleHeart Drummers and more. Go and get renewed; gather at Augusta and Oxford (just south of College) at 6 p.m. on December 21. 416-598-3729

3. This is the 20th year for Wintersong – Dances for a Sacred Season, the seasonal dance celebration by Canadian Children's Dance Theatre that explores Celtic, Native, Jewish and medieval midwinter traditions. It runs December 14 and 15 only at Ryerson Theatre; me, I’m going on Friday. 416-924-5657

4. Ballet Creole artistic director Patrick Parson has been working for six years on Glorious Soulful Messiah, a dance performance set to jazzy, soul-infused renditions of the parts of Handel’s Messiah. It runs December 14 and 15 only at Premiere Dance Theatre. I’m going Saturday; which day will you be there? 416-973-4000

5. The Christmas Story is the annual Nativity pageant performed by the community around the Church of the Holy Trinity (the one near the Eaton Centre). It’s now in its 70th season, which tells you something about its enduring power. And the baby is real. December 14-16 and 21-23. 416-598-8979

6. I have CD based on one of John McDermott’s annual Christmas concerts, and it’s a regret of mine that I’ve never been to one. Maybe somehow this year I’ll make it to John McDermott’s Bringing Home Christmas at the Princess of Wales on December 16. 416-872-1212

7. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People presents The Wizard of Oz to December 30. I’m going on the very last day! 416-862-2222

8. On December 22, Tafelmusik presents their annual authentic Baroque performance of Handel’s Messiah at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, with Handel himself in attendance (really!) Bring the music; they will probably let you sing the chorus bits. 416-964-6337

9. Okay, I was tearing up all the way through White Christmas. Besides fab tap numbers, it has a feast of immortal songs by the great Irving Berlin. It runs at the Sony Centre until January 5. 416-872-2262

10. Puppetmongers (brother and sister David and Ann Powell) present their funny, gentle and lovely Russian folk tale Tea at the Palace (pictured), about the clever peasant girl and the Tzar, with the aid of lovingly crafted puppets of all sizes inspired by Russian children’s toys. December 26 to January 1 at Tarragon Theatre's Extra Space, with a special New Year’s Day Tea Party. 416-531-1827

It's really hard to narrow down to just ten, because I also want to plug the Nathanial Dett Chorale's Indigo Christmas, the version of Sleeping Beauty that's turning the St. Lawrence Centre into an ice rink, The Snow Queen at the Distillery and – oh yeah – there are also four versions of The Nutcracker in town! Whichever you choose, go with someone you love and have a hot chocolate with them after.

Christmas Lights Displays Around Toronto - 2007 Edition

2007-12-07T09:39:00.000-08:00

Last year I posted quite a few items about great Christmas lights displays at homes and neighbourhoods around Toronto. These included a preliminary general one, mainly about downtown locations, a second one about a great east-end home, and one about the great Nativity scene at St. Francis of Assisi Church. I also posted about the Weiss home formerly at 123 Rutledge Avenue in Newmarket, but this year the family has moved. They plan to do displays in future, but in the meantime they've loaned their lights to Fairy Lake in Newmarket.

However, I've found out about a couple of new locations. The first is the DeSario home at 165 Benjamin Boake Trail at Keele and Sheppard. It raises money for Sick Kids (over $25,000 so far!) with an enormous display that includes a huge Nativity scene and a giant dancing snowman.

Then there's the Borges home on Caledonia north of St. Clair (pictured above, thanks to Tanja of BlogTo). Their home and yard are simply engulfed in lights, many of which are arranged to spell messages like Feliz Natal. (Thanks to Tanja's BlogTO's "GlowTO" series for these last two and the links. I hope she keeps going with that this year!)

Also recommended by me, though less over-the-top, are some of the official displays made of of silver and blue LEDs around town, like the tiger across from the Christie subway entrance, the snowflake tree in Berczy Park outside the St. Lawrence Centre and the polar bears in the traffic island on Yonge just south of College/Carleton.

I'm still trying to find out more about a reported home off Brimley Road just south of Eglinton that apparently always has toy reindeer all across the lawn, a giant lit-up wreath and a crazy display of lights. I'd also welcome any further details of one near Willowbank and Underwood in Mississauga and another near Centennial Boulevard in the Bluffs neighbourhood.

If you know about these or other great sites, please add a comment to this post, or call in when I make my now-annual Christmas visit to CFRB's Christina Cherneskey Show on Sunday, December 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. She always has prizes for people who all in.

Music and Theatre for Christmas... And A Little Kensington Jazz

2007-12-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

Tonight (Tuesday, December 4) at 9:15 p.m., Richard Underhill Quartet is playing from their new CD "Kensington Suite" at Supermarket (268 Augusta Avenue in Kensington). The cover is $6 and CDs will of course be available. The band includes Eric St-Laurent (guitar) and Brandi Disterheft (bass). On Thursday, December 13, the Quartet will be at Dominion on Queen (500 Queen Street East), beginning at 9 p.m. Those who can’t make either gig can acquire the CD online.

The final event of the year-long Caribou Art Project is a free, one-time-only presentation of Clay & Paper Theatre’s Song of the Innocents on Sunday, December 9 at 10 a.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Anglican Church (201 Caribou Road, south of Lawrence and east of Bathurst). It’s a retelling of the Biblical story of the Slaughter of the Innocents by King Herod; only in this version, the people fight back to save the children from death. It’s told using puppets and other street theatre techniques, as well as medieval song reworked by music director Laurel MacDonald and Clay and Paper artistic director David Anderson. These include "Personent Hodie", "King Herod" (based on the ancient Christmas carol "The Carnal and the Crane", and the beautiful "Coventry Carol". The Caribou Project is an innovative interfaith arts series commissioned by the tiny congregation of St. Philip the Apostle Anglican Church.

On Wednesday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m., The Toronto Choral Society presents a Christmas concert of works by French composers at Eastminster United Church (310 Danforth Avenue, one block west of Chester subway). The program includes François Poulenc’s Gloria and Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noël. Tickets ($20) are available at the door. 416-410-3509

Christmas Gifts, ROM Dinos, Hip Hop Hanukah and Other Seasonal Delights

2007-12-03T14:01:00.000-08:00

Here’s a handful of great seasonal happenings for those in the Christmas and Hanukah (I refuse to write Christmakwanzukah) spirit. A good and dutiful blogger would have turned this into a whole series of posts, but hey... I’ve been busy.

Did you know that the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood BIA sells a series of pewter ornaments shaped like old Toronto landmarks? It includes St. Lawrence Hall, St. Lawrence Market, St. James Cathedral, the Flatiron Building and the (Royal Meridien) King Edward Hotel, and you can buy them in some of the City’s historical homes/museums, as well as in places like Christmas On The Beach (1889 Queen Street East), the Flatiron Christmas Market (51 Front Street East) and the Visitor’s Centre in the Distillery District. And this year, the Parkdale Liberty Economic Development Corporation has issued “Yuletide in Muddy York” (pictured) by Amita Sen Gupta, the first in a new series to be designed by Toronto artists annually. You can pick one up for $9.99 online or at the Parkdale Liberty office (1313 Queen Street West), Good Catch (1556 Queen Street West), Made You Look (1338 Queen Street West), The Polar Bear – Sheraton Centre (123 Queen Street West), Flatirons Christmas Market (51 Front Street East), Arcane Metal and Stone (87 Roncesvalles) and Woolfitts (1153 Queen Street West). They come in a nice box; proceeds after production costs go to community job fairs ($2), neighbourhood beautification ($1), local festivals ($1), community information forums ($1) and St. Philip’s Pantry food bank ($1).

On Saturday, December 8, Ashkenaz Foundation presents Hip Hop Hanukah at the Mod Club Theatre (722 College Street at Crawford). It features Socalled (named "one of the most deliciously demented minds in beat science" by Village Voice) on vocals, sampler, accordion and piano. He’s joined by NY emcee and freak-rapper C Rayz Waltz, vocalist Katie Moore, NYC funk guitarist Allen Watsky, drummer Daniel Barnes, violinist Aleksandar Gajic, and bassist Eric Stein of klezmer/folk fusion group Beyond the Pale. Call 888-222-6608 (toll-free) or 416-979-9901, or buy tix here.

At 7:30 p. m. on Sunday, December 9, Echo Women’s Choir sings its winter concert, dedicated to the winter moon, at the Church of the Holy Trinity (10 Trinity Square, behind the Eaton Centre). Conductors are Alan Gasser and Becca Whitla, with Becca Whitla on piano plus guest performers Moon Joyce, Artie Roth (bass) and Tim Posgate (guitar). Greg Furlong has arranged a suite called Moon Tunes for Women’s Voices featuring standards like “Blue Moon”, “Moon River” and “Fly Me to the Moon”. Moon Joyce has written “Winter Moon” especially for the choir, and the repertoire also includes American country music and songs from Georgia, Bulgaria and Ukraine. For more information, call 416-588-9050, extension 3.

Starting on December 15 and 16, the dinosaurs are back at the ROM, with the unveiling of the James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs. Nine of the big boys have been repositioned, since scientists have changed their opinions as to what they would have looked like when they were walking around. The most different is the duckbilled hadrosaur, a.k.a. Corythosaurus. It's been set up on its hind legs since 1932, but apparently that’s wrong, wrong, wrong. Also, I don’t know whether it will be ready for the opening, but a centerpiece of the new exhibit will be an 80-foot Jurassic-period Barosaurus, the only near-complete example of its kind. ROM staffers recently dug it up when they were excavating… their basement. The museum has owned it for 45 years, and somehow managed to forget it was down there. Now you can stop feeling so guilty about those badminton rackets you got at that garage sale that you never use.

And finally, a couple of neat tips. Every Friday and Saturday, the très luxe Pantages Martini Bar (200 Victoria Street, 416-262-1777) has free live piano performances. Fridays, Robert Scott plays from 8 to midnight, with Great Bob Scott on percussion from 10 p.m. on. Upcoming Saturdays feature John Sherwood (December 8), Waylen Miki (December 15), Norman Amadio (December 22) and Steve Koven (December 29).

And if you want a great Sunday brunch, don’t ask questions, just head to Greg Couillard, Lee Sannella and David Nganga’s Manyata Courtyard Café in Hazelton Lanes (55 Avenue Road, lower level, 416-935-0000) for the lovely, fresh and tasty $26 buffet from 11 to 3:30. (Go before they start raising the prices!!!) They’ve also started laying on an afternoon tea on Tuesday to Saturday from 2:30 to 5 p.m., and I bet that’s great too.

More Creative Christmas Shopping Tips

2007-11-23T10:07:00.000-08:00

Early last week I wrote about some holiday shopping opportunities that support local artists and good causes in the community. Here’s a list of others; if you want more, more, more, download the fabulous 15-page Toronto Arts Council Foundation 2007 Arts Holiday Shopping Guide for a wealth of other suggestions for using your holiday shopping dollars to support the arts in Toronto. It includes great performance and book tips.

November 24:
OCAD Mystery Art Sale at the Ontario College of Art & Design (100 McCaul Street). Hundreds of original works donated by Canadian artists, celebs and OCAD faculty, alumni and students; each measures 5½" x 7½", and each is priced at $75. Sales are first-come, first served, and you don’t know whose work you’ve bought until the end. It could be Will Alsop, Barbara Astman, Margaret Atwood, Andy Fabo, Barbara Klunder, Charles Pachter or...? Remaining preview times: TODAY! Fri, November 23, noon to 8 pm; Public Sale: Sat, November 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 416-977-6000

November 29 to December 2:
Point Zero, BIG IT UP, and RAISINS Sample Sale at 99 Atlantic Avenue, suite 100. A chance to buy Canadian fashion at low prices. Wed & Thu, November 29 & 30, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri, December 1, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat, December 2, 9 a.m. 4 p.m. 416-597-1007. Cash only.

COC Arts & Crafts Fair and Sale at the Toby and Joey Tanenbaum Opera Centre (227 Front Street East). The Canadian Opera Company presents a weekend extravaganza of art created by COC staff, including visual artists, sculptors, cartoonists, multimedia artists, jewellers, knitters and crafters. Opening Reception: Thu, November 29, 5 to 7 p.m. Continues Fri, November 30, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat & Sun, December 1 & 2, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

December 1:
Toronto Business Development Centre Holiday Sale and Showcase at TBDC (1071 King Street West). A showcase and sale of work by Toronto entrepreneurs in areas like jewellery, fashion accessories, crafts, food, home decor, health and beauty. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 416-345-9437

December 6 to 15:
Wall to Wall - Holiday Art Sale & Party at Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography (401 Richmond Street West, suite 120). Over 100 photographic artworks and objects created by Toronto artists, priced from $5 to $500. Proceeds benefit Gallery 44's education and exhibition programs, and are matched by the Ontario Arts Council Foundation. Opening Reception: Thu, December 6, 6 to 10 p.m. Continues: Fri, December 7, 11-8 p.m., Sat & Sun, December 8 & 9, 11-5 p.m. and Tues-Sat, December 11-15, 11-5 p.m. 416-979-3941

December 8:
Who’s Your Santa: A Seasonal Auction at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street). Maggie Cassella hosts a fundraising auction with Charlene Nero as auctioneer, alongside celeb Santas Dennis O'Connor, Miss Conception, John Simpson, Chris Carter, Deb Pearce and Anna Giaouris. On the block are sexy seasonal goodies ranging from travel packages to art. Big ticket items include a gay erotic tapestry by Carl Stewart, a Banff getaway from Vision2000 Travel Group, a BATAVUS Metro Bike from Curbside Cycle and $1,000 worth of Northbound Leather products. Preview from 6 p.m., Auction at 7. 416-975-8555. Admission: $20

December 8 to January 5:
Gifts by Artists at Art Metropole (788 King Street West). A sale of new artists' books, multiples and other art presents by Andrew J. Patterson, Maura Doyle, Julie Voyce, Ann Dean, Tonik Wojtyra, Terence Koh, Audrea Di Julio, Liz Knox and a host of others. Opening festivus: Sat & Sun, December 8 & 9, 2 to 5 p.m. Continues Tue-Fri, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sat, noon to 5 p.m. 416-703-4400

Goodby, Angie!

2007-11-15T14:20:00.000-08:00

This morning Angie Baldassarre died. This is my favorite picture of this passionate and vivacious woman, taken by Arne Nordtop. She had a full life as a devoted film journalist, wife, friend and above all mother. She got to jet to L.A. to interview Brad Pitt, serve on the jury of the Venice Film Festival, publish two books about Italian and Canadian filmmakers, host innumerable gracious hospitable gatherings for her delightful circle of friends, and acquire unavailable preview copies of all the best kids' films for her lovely daughter. She made a great marriage with a terrific guy via the internet, watched every episode of Northern Exposure, recommended that her friends should get tattood (for the rush), and claimed to have participated in some pretty radical actions in her impetuous Italian youth. She also stayed close to her cultural heritage and her faith, and even managed to have Sunday dinner with her parents most weeks. For all of these things I admired her and will miss her. I can't believe how long she managed to hold death away and keep writing and cherishing life with her family through an illness that would have licked most people. She deserved another 50 years of health and life. However, I remember how sad she was when her friend Gene Siskel died. I hope they're sitting in armchairs side by side, giving the double thumbs-up. And I hope all the films in heaven are good ones.

Art and Craft Holiday Shopping for Christmas Gifts (2007)

2007-11-12T11:51:00.000-08:00

I always vow I won't get into the Christmas thing too early, but then there are always some great gift shopping events around town that I badly want to promote, so... whatever. In particular, I figure if people are going to go out and spend a bunch of cash once a year, they may as well spend it on art and good causes.

The Algonquin Island Association holds its wonderful annual Christmas Boutique on the island. It's a heartwarming community event that features steaming bowls of chilli made by gradeschoolers and the Eggnog that Escaped Heaven. Among the items for sale are original pieces by Island artists, baking and jams, ornaments, cards, kids' crafts and unbelievably idiosyncratic creations that beggar description. Prices are generally pretty low, although some of the serious art and crafts (like quilting) can get up into three figures. The Boutique is held on Saturday, December 1 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The AIA clubhouse is located about 15 minutes by foot from the Ward's Island ferry dock, and there'll be plenty of signs to direct you. Consult the winter ferry schedule to figure out when to arrive and leave (You may even see me there with my catnip toys.) Admission is free. For more information, call 416-203-0965.

At the 15th anniversary Holiday Marketplace at 401 Richmond, you'll find every kind of original creation from tiles to textiles, including painting, photography, prints, ceramics, jewellery, watches, home decor items, hats, knits, bags and even dance classes. Be sure to check out artwork (and ceramic trolls!) by Fiona Smyth and the sensational hand-stenciled organic bicycle T-shirts, kids' onesies (see image!), bike art cards and prints by Janet Bike Girl. The Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre is showcasing limited-edition film stills Canadian filmmakers (curated by Michael Snow). And Toronto Cat Rescue is selling kitty-theme crafts. (Check the link for a complete list of participants.) There'll be live music performance through much of the event, which runs Thursday and Friday, December 6 & 7 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., plus Saturday and Sunday, December 8 & 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. At 401 Richmond West, of course. Admission is free, but don't blame me if you buy stuff.

Sarah in GreenTOpia

2007-11-08T07:01:00.000-08:00

Last year around this time, I announced how pleased I was to be one of the authors contributing to The State of the Arts: Living with Culture in Toronto, the second volume in the uTOpia series from Coach House Press. I'm, if anything, even more pleased to be included in the third: GreenTOpia: Towards a Sustainable Toronto. This "newest and greenest" volume is launching this Sunday, November 11 at the Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West), beginning at 2 p.m. I have a little piece in it about advances in (and barriers to) alternative energy technologies being used here.

Coach House is making quite the full day of it, starting with two panel discussion moderated by Misha Glouberman and featuring GreenTOpia contributors. The first, on the natural environment, is at 3 p.m. with Eduardo Sousa, Lorraine Johnson, Todd Irvine, Wayne Reeves and Keith Stewart. The second, on built environment, is at 4, and features Eva Ligeti, Graeme Stewart, Cathy Nasmith, John Lorinc and Bert Archer. The event will be entirely solar-powered, courtesy of Solera Energies, and participants are invited to bring something they no longer need or want for the freecycle swap table. Cover charge is $5, or free with the purchase of a book (at the launch price of $25 including GST).

At 6 p.m., when the panels have wound up, Shawn Micallef of Spacing and [murmur] will lead a Psychogeographic Wander (that'd be a thoughtful, philosophical walk where you notice things) to College and Bathurst in time for a 7 p.m. dinner with various GreenTOpia participants at Plaza Flamingo (423 College Street).

At 8:30, Wavelength Music Series presents Remember Toronto with The Bicycles, The Two Koreas, The Blankket, the Hip-Hop Karaoke Crew and Etaoin Shrdlu with Jonny Dovercourt performing the best Toronto songs of all time ("Spadina Bus" had better be on that list!) at Sneaky Dee's (431 College Street). Admission is pay-what-you-can.

If you can't make the launch, you might like to know that Coach House is offering a package deal of all three books: GreenTOpia, last year's State of the Arts and the original uTOpia: Towards a New Toronto – GST and shipping included – for only $60.

Toronto Artscape Creative Convergence Project Survey

2007-11-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

The folks at Toronto Artscape are working on what they call the Creative Convergence Project, a study of the unique characteristics of Toronto neighbourhoods that contribute to the success of creative business and individuals. Their goal is to be able to help public policymakers understand how to protect and promote these critical elements. If you work in a creative field, you can help by filling out their online survey. It doesn't take too long, but you must give them your e-mail address. They promise that your information will be kept confidential.

L'Oreal Toronto Fashion Week Spring 2008 - Final Day

2007-10-26T14:31:00.000-07:00

Hello again! The evening opened with a sadly underattended banquet of beautiful creations from Paul Hardy. Ruffles reigned in this show of shiny, sparkly silver, tattered fabric and endless yards of sensational silk in white, grey, pink, black and gold. All who were present enjoyed confections like his gold, one-shoulder cocktail dress with big opulent gathered clouds at collar and hem (pictured, courtesy of Paul Hardy). Or his floaty flapper dress: tiers of horizontal apricot ruffles (with unfinished edges) to the knee, and a simple black bow at the left shoulder. Mmmmm...

Next up was the very young-looking Nada Yousif (not to be confused with "Nada"). Her youthful, cheerful and flirty dresses took the palette of Indian fabrics and '60s psychedelia: fuschia, orange, peacock blue, lemon, purple... and showed them off in fitted tops with bubble skirts in solids, prints and plaids (pictured, courtesy of Lotus Leaf Communications). This is fashion that your five-year-old niece would love; perhaps no coincidence that the models made their final parade carrying brightly multicoloured giant swirl lollipops!

Seven Eighty took us on a "nautical adventure" with a line inspired by classic boating themes: navy, white and black with anchor and ship motifs plus their "SE" monogram entwined with crossed anchors. Stripes and pinstripes were everywhere, both in traditional jackets and slacks (for men and women), and also in fun applications like the strapless pinstriped playsuit ending in cuffed shorts, or the shortie pinstripe hoodie paired with matching cuffed shorts. Later items introduced some other hues, but subtly, as in the plaid jacket-dress in muted Burberry colours.

The ever-popular GSUS Sindustries presented a typically vivacious line that ranged from utterly practical cargo shorts and hoodies to outrageous shiny lemon plastic pants and the surreal men's oversize T with the suspenders printed on them. Big blocky checks in colour combinations like mango/brown/gold/red/white and blue/grey/canary/black made for some really nice men's and women's jackets in a variety of fairly classic, sporty styles.

8:47: The penultimate show was Rudsak, whose eminently streetworthy outerwear is always appreciated by a full-house crowd. This time they've come upon an ingenious design detail: a dress with a stand-up trenchcoat-style collar that resolves to a cowlneck front (pictured here under a jacket, courtesy of Lotus Leaf Communications). The rest consists of short sleeves and a fairly full A-line skirt, with rows of parallel topstitching at the hem. It's available in black, grey, ivory, mustard and brown, and was generally shown with a wide contrasting belt. I expect it would be fairly flattering for most people, and could be dresssed up or down. The rest of the line consisted mainly of men's and women's coats and jackets, including trenches and variations on the bomber jacket, pea coat and motorcycle jacket, many of which were executed in a buttery leather in ivory, grey, brown, white or black. Faves for me were mildly distressed men's and women's dark brown leather jackets with multiple button-flap pockets, sort of a his-and-hers Indiana Jones look for this millennium.

10:11: Well, it's all over but the After-Party... except for those heading to Holt Renfrew on Bloor at 1 p.m. tomorrow for the desiger meet-and-greet (you should go!) The very last show was Thien Le's golfwear for women, under the label Le T Golf. It followed the general trend set by many designers this week of using brilliant colours: in this case vivid pastels like rose, fuschia, canary, pale violet, pale lime, baby blue and sky blue plus ivory, black and a few touches of scarlet. Accents included a tropical floral print as well as fine checks, stripes and pinstripes. The pieces were sporty classics: shorts, skirts and wrap skorts, jerseys, blazers, jackets and vests. He even has co-ordinated and monogrammed golf and flight bags in sky blue, ivory and red (pictured, courtesy of Kelly Drennan). My favourite item: a surprisingly feminine knit sweater-vest in baby blue with a plunging U of ivory ribbing at the front neckline. At the end, his models paraded to the buoyant strains of the '70s hit "Celebration"... a fitting end to another L'Oréal Toronto Fashion Week.

L'Oreal Toronto Fashion Week Spring 2008 - Day Four

2007-10-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

2:46: An early day today, with all shows over by about 8:30 tonight. Are you curious as to whether it's worth waiting around the tents to see celebs? Well, so far, I've already mentioned the presence of Kalan Porter and an assortment of other Canadian Idol personalities, as well as Keshia Chante. Last night, K-OS was here. Then there are the TV faces, from top fashion maven Jeanne Bekker to OMNI's Pei (am I spelling her name right?) and a couple of the Designer Guys. Are you getting excited yet? Well, on to the shows.

First up today was a show that really got me excited, although it wasn't all that well attended. Fashion Takes Action was a repeat of a concept that showed earlier this year in a gala-priced soirée. The theme is ecologically sustainable fashion, and it unites ten top designers: Annie Thompson, Damzels in This Dress, Rosa Constanzo, Sarah Nichol, Farley Chatto, JUMA, Thieves, Thien LE, Ula Zukowska and veteran Pat McDonagh. The lines used SYKA's Tussah silk, bamboo, organic cotton, merino wool, soy and hemp to create a range of wear from easy, casual, everyday jersey pieces to Thien LE's stunning evening dresses – with trains (pictured. Pat McDonagh's big poufy penguin-ornamented evening skirt made another appearance (it was shown at her 40th anniversary show last spring).

I loved Annie Thompson's fashion-forward olive, deep rose and black skirts, vests and stoles (pictured, left); the Damzels' more sedate black, mustard, deep rose, dark blue, violet and taupe dresses (right), and Farley Chatto's exquisitely elegant men's summer suits. Actually, I loved it all; take that, Fast Fashion! (All images of Fashion Takes Action by Kat Szatmari, courtesy of Kelly Drennan.)

4:30: A dozen talented Fanshawe College students presented small collections: Dawn Marie Frowley, Tara Wilson, Cassie Blackman, Candice DiMarco, Messina Salter, Victoria Overlord, Erin Hawke, Vu Nguuyen, Margaret Banasik, Erin Coyle, Roya Poorsanan and Brandon R. Dwyer. Even though it was the work of students, it stood up well... although it seemed clear that this year's class assignments included a cuffed capri and a bubble miniskirt/shorts. Styles ran the gamut: Salter reminds you of Play Dead Cult, with her bondage elements, slashes, overpainting and textual prints. Dwyer, on the other hand, could be a junior Andy Thé-Anh, with his opulent, ruche-bedecked orange and lime raw-silk cocktail dresses, and his really lovely black strapless gown with fitted hip-long bodice and luscious lower layers of frothy ruffles. Also worthy of mention were Banasik's two meticulously constructed strapless cocktail dresses – one rose, one mocha.

Saniya Khan presented an elegant, laid-back line decoratively linked by a circle theme, and mostly riffing on the Pakistani shalwar kamees outfit of tunic (kurta), trousers (shalwar) and scarf (dupatta). Pale, rich earth colours and long, flowing lines, enhanced with hand-painting, occasional beading, appliqué and spray dyeing, characterized this subtly impressive collection.

5:39: Stephen Trigueros (Tanya Stephens and Maria Jose Trigueros) just showed a beachball-bright collection of dresses, shorts and tops, swim and loungewear suitable for Florida yachting or LA clubbing. Oranges, vibrant blues and brilliant whites opened eyes. They stayed open for numbers like the skin-fit silver spaghetti-strap one-piece bathing suit: clearly the garment of choice for Wonder Woman when she goes to the local pool. A unifying motif was a wide swathe of basket-weave in the same fabric and colours as the garment, often used as a wide waistband; occasionally set in to the side of a dress as a decorative oval between hip and ribcage.

Next day's additions: Ula Zukowska opened with her four Fashion Takes Action outfits, and the rest of the show carried on with the themes she established there of silkscreened images (trees, faces), creased, crunched and folded fabrics in black, grey, bitter mustard and golden tones. Her complicated geometric constructions made for extreme originality, but did anyone else notice the absolutely straightforward riff on men's doublets of 1625-40? It was obvious in the waist seams, wide wilting collars and sleeves with gathered puffs at the upper arm – the creases of the gathering standing in for the slashing of the period (pictured, courtesy of the designer).

A complete shift: Aqua di Lara ended the evening with an exuberant show of sexy, slinky high-end swimwear. Some of the nicest featured horizontal gathering inserted into a tall ova at each side.

L'Oreal Toronto Fashion Week Spring 2008, Day Three

2007-10-24T13:35:00.000-07:00

4:40: We've already seen one show so far: Slavka Plavsic. She presented a line of mainly dresses, skirts and tops made from uncut lengths of metallic silk in pale rose-gold, steel-grey, very soft green, black and occasionally brilliant red. The fabric was molded to the body with draping and gathering, but very little tailoring. Some pieces featured lengths of thread woven into the fabric and trailing loose; some were utterly transparent. Most garments were more imaginatively stimulating than practical; however, a few would make delightful cocktail outfits in the real world.

5:40: Damzels in This Dress (Kelly Freeman and Rory Lindo) are back after taking some time off to launch their Queen Street East retail outlet, Doll Factory by Damzels. Teamed up in a double-bill with Play Dead Cult, they led off with a collection of dresses suitable for Marilyn Monroe's beach-picnic date with Tim Burton. Ribbon sashes, '50s styling, romantic floral prints and tulle ruffles at hem and neck were executed in black and blood-red for a flavour of shock chic.

More gory, less girly, Play Dead Cult offered up studded belts, blood-spattered jean jackets and a fine array of "propaganda" Ts lavishly embellished with PDC's distinctive lettermarks and logos. Most fun item: a nerdish pinstripe jacket that zips to the neck. Top marks for skully glam.

7:48: Jayn Simpson presented a collection of extremely pretty gowns ands separates in metallic textures and beach colours like pale gold, pale peach and off-white. The sleeveless knee-length white balloon dress with wide black bow at the waist epitomized this line's essential femininty. Corset-lace back closures and see-through black lace panels played up the sexiness; the grand finale full-length wedding gown – complete with virginal white bouquet – was all ladylike elegance.

Tilley Endurables won cheers from a crowd that had been primed to be a little snooty towards a rather conservative line of travel clothes whose signature item is a hat that can pass through an elephant's bowels without losing its character. (True.) But everybody seemed to like the bright, simple and stylish sleeveless women's turtleneck pullovers, evening trousers and jackets, and the men's practical shirts and pants – all evidently designed to be crushed into a bag and emerge looking fresh and crisp. And who could resist a troupe of models (including older men and a plus-size woman) in sensible undershirts, Ts, boxers and briefs? (Especially when they toss pouches of lightweight outerwear into the audience.) Points for panache.

10:35: Two extremely popular designers just went back to back; first, Andy Thé-Anh of Montreal, who showed his trademark opulent gowns, cocktail dresses, blouses and trousers. Like many other collections on this season's runway, Thé-Anh opted for a pale and shimmering palette of soft metallic blues, peaches, golds, steels and silvers. As always, his garments are meticulously constructed of numerous panels that outline each contour of the body. In this case, the female form is also overlaid and embellished with rosettes and ruffles that draw attention to curves.

Then David Dixon took his turn with one of my very favourite lines so far. Last year he staged an outdoor show with fire and Hudson's Bay blankets. Now, inspired by Newport, Rhode Island, his collection reflects the brilliance of sunlight on white sand and blue water. The first few cocktail and evening-length dresses were pure white cotton, and entirely overlaid with softly trembling laser-cutout cotton flowers (pictured, photo by John Ortner, courtesy of David Dixon). Meticulously cut and fitted, Dixon's lovely parade continued with garments in black glazed linen, robin's-egg blue organza and even – he does seem to have a sense of humour as well as style – a blue-and-white all-over seagull print.

11:40: All hands are rapidly jumping ship; the last show is over and people are leaving in droves. That show was the work of Common Cloth (Melanie Talbot and Kristina Bozzo). They showed a casual, very summery line in shades of grey, black and white – including solids and a big tropical floral print – as well as light mustard. Many pieces were saucy (see-through or cutaway). Some were solidly functional-looking lightweight jackets. Overall, the line seemed to be inspired by the tropical beach, with caftans, muumuus and sarongs highly in evidence, as well as lots of pieces fastened with a knot tie (the one pictured here, courtesy of Lotus Leaf Communications, actually has a sundress-style back with halter top and knot tie). Good for lazing by the seaside (or at least on the patio) sometime next June.

L'Oreal Toronto Fashion Week Spring 2008 Day Two

2007-10-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

4:45. Live again. Ginch Gonch has taken every cliché of bad taste (African and Native "tribal" tropes, animal skins – heads included – and bad banana jokes) and made them their own... in a good way. A huge crew of hard-bodied and hard-working models danced, leapt and flirted their way through a surprisingly long presentation of cheeky (in every sense) underwear, including white briefs, panties and camisoles with lion, monkey or eagle patterns in magenta, cyan and yellow (the printer's primary colours) plus shades of pink. A standout: the cropped, sleeveless, zip-front girls' hoodies with brick-red, turquoise and black west-coast Indian motifs (pictured, courtesy Lotus Leaf Communications).

5:45: I've already mentioned on this site how much I like Zoran Dobric. Tonight he's channeling Edith Piaf through his own brand of sobre, moody creativity. His presentation featured enormously wide, elegant flared trousers; highly constructed draped skirts, and New-Look-inspired jackets in metallic textures and shades of grey, black, cream and, occasionally, dark sky blue. Some were embellished with patterns that looked like Rorschach tests; many were working on diagonal lines and triangular shaoes. All were fearlessly original.

8:55: Three more shows under our belts... Indiva is a Bloor-Street store featuring contemporary western-style fashion by various South Asian designers. They showed a collection of strongly ‘60s-inspired micro-minidresses in bright colours with lots of extra surface detailing (beads, embroidery) and many Egyptian collars.

Nada was inspiring: very wearable, feminine and flattering looks with wide, smocked belts, floaty skirts and vivid bright colours. Everyone gasped with delight as the final few numbers, covered with glittering paillettes (see image, by Barbara Cole Photography), came down the runway. The last, a silver full-length gown with a train like a cascade of mermaid scales, was literally and figuratively a showstopper.

Bustle, always tongue-in-cheek, started their show like a horserace with a live bugler and models bursting out of the starting gate. It’s mostly a men’s clothing line, but there were a few chic ladies in the lineup. Last spring’s theme was skeet shooting; now it’s the horsey set, and the garments evoke everything from jockey jacket to naval looks to waiters in the finest of restaurants. A recurring item was a single-button jacket with a yoke and two side pleats behind, and piped slit pockets in front. Pinstripes and pale bright beach colours abounded, and the crowd loved it all.

10:10: We're getting pretty tired; luckily a new collection of fashionista-clubbers is taking the reins for the rest of the night. We've just seen the final show... for Day Two. Joeffer Caoc showed us a summery line of floating off-the-shoulder dresses, slit-front evening gowns and generous trousers. They were off-white and vibrant in jewel colours like shocking fuschia and bright yellow. (Jeanne's just calling Caoc "one of the true bright lights"...) And he also used big silver paillettes... is this an emerging theme for Spring 2008?

More tomorrow if the internet connection from the big white tents holds out... Meanwhile, kudos to the caterers, Catering With Style (I think?), who turned out one of the few truly delicious catered meals I've ever eaten. Yum, those gorgeous seasonal root veggies! And thanks to my media room angel – name unknown – who's been giving me encouraging words on the blog.

L'Oreal Toronto Fashion Week Spring 2008 - It Begins

2007-10-22T17:38:00.000-07:00

So we're live at the media room under the Big Top at Nathan Phillips Square. Jeanne Bekker is interviewing Joe Mimran over an intercom system (live we think, but it's hard to tell) and ladies in long pink skirts are passing around silver trays of cosmetics. Kalan Porter and his big blonde curls are lurking about somewhere just outside, and people are remarking that Iman is way shorter than they thought. It must be another Toronto Fashion Week.

"I've never seen a time when everyone – all across the board – is more interested in fashion," says Mimran. He's sort of banking on that, really; his Joe Fresh Style show has just shown a collection of youthful bright white, pink and yellow clothes that will be retailing out of select Loblaws outlets next spring. They're short dresses and long shorts with a spirit that seems to be channeling the vibrant populism of Mary Quant in the '60s.

"It's not just about price; it's gotta be more than price," he continues. "We have so many customers who are It girls and who are also buying Joe Fresh." No kidding; I'm sure everybody's going to be wanting a pair of those shiny citrine stilettos next April (for $24!)

The Project Runway Canada show is next... more soon.

Later the same night...
So what are we allowed to say about the final collections for Project Runway Canada? Not much, because the show won't be broadcast until December. We can say that Iman did in fact introduce the show, and that a bunch of designs by some very talented designers chosen from across Canada were paraded to enthusiastic response from the crowd. When the embargo expires in about eight weeks, I can tell all.

Jeanne's now interviewing Keshia Chante (spelling?), a frequent FW attender. Boy, we must really be living, eh? Note the "eh". That's Canadian Fashion for ya.

Postal Service at Nuit Blanche?

2007-09-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

You may not find him on any of the official schedules, but Martin le Facteur – who bears an uncanny resemblance to comic French film star Jacques Tati in the film Jour de Fête – will be popping up all over at Scotiabank's Nuit Blanche and the Nuit Noire that belongs to no corporate sponsor this Saturday night between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Media this week received the following bulletin: "Poste, Téléphone et Télécommunications (PTT), is pleased to announce a special all-night telegram service for Toronto during the night September 29/30. From 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., PTT will be delivering telegrams sent from its customers in France to all artists and participants of both Nuit Blanche and Nuit Noire. In keeping with the tradition of telegram service in France, these deliveries will made on bicycle by PTT staff in traditional uniform. In addition, commemorative telegram seals will be issued for the occasion."

Martin's route begins at 8:30 p.m. at Bloor & Lansdowne (possibly to be seen at the illuminated bike parade that's part of Dyan Marie's light-inspired installation there). The rest of his schedule runs as follows:

-9 pm: Hart House/U of T

-9:30: CineCycle and 401 Richmond

-10:15 Trinity Bellwoods Park

-10:30 Queen & Ossington

-11 to 12:30 Kensington Market (break)

-12:30 - 3 a.m.: At-large deliveries and second attempts

-3 to 7 a.m.: Paperwork and Wine.

For more information, please contact: Service Presse du groupe La Poste, 44 boulevard de Vaugirard 75757 PARIS CEDEX 15 Tél : 01 55 44 00 00 Fax : 01 55 44 22 62 service.presse@laposte.fr.

Bells On Bloor Mass Bike Ride

2007-09-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, September 23, Bikes On Bloor invites hundreds of cyclists to ride along Bloor Street from High Park to the ROM in Bells On Bloor, a group ride to support bike lanes on Bloor and elsewhere in the city. Police on bikes will be on hand to help make sure the ride is safe and easy for less experienced riders and families with younger kids. Bikes On Bloor is also looking for volunteer "bell captains" (click here for details.

Bells On Bloor is one of many Car-Free Day celebrations around the world, and it's timed so that cyclists could choose to join the Toronto Smog Hike at 1 p.m. Meet at the Bloor Street entrance to High Park at noon (free bike bells for all comers while they last!)

Rogue Wave 2007 on Ward's Island

2007-09-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

You have until November 4 to catch Rogue Wave, the creative tsunami that breaks over the Toronto Islands every second year. Rogue Wave is a biennial outdoor art exhibition that always includes works that riff on the islanders' particular sense of place, like "Connect the Hearts", a love letter to island trees made up of heart-shaped stones.

Participating artists include Claudette Abrams, Wende Bartley, quilter Eva Beyerle-Rutherford, Anne Bourne, Colin Brodie, Culpable Behaviour, Betsy Canfield, Robin Christmas, Marci Crist, Michael Davey, Peter Dean, photographer Gera Dillon, panoramicist Jerry Englar, painter Leida Englar, Paul Grajauskas, Doug Guildford, Brad Harley, Jane E. Hobbins, Warren Hoselton, natural dyer Sandy Krzyzanowski, Valerie LeBlanc, Gary MacLeod, musician and illustrator Jacquey Malcolm, Nigel Malcolm, Andre McConnachie, Luisa Milan, Karen Morch, Richard O’Brien, Joseph Muscat, Michael Page, fabric artist Christopher Pinheiro, Bill Roedde, graphic designer Rick/Simon, David Smiley, Allison Sterry and Talia.

Maps and information are available at the Ward's Island Ferry dock.

Streetknit Winter Knitting Drive for the Homeless 2007-2008

2007-09-13T09:58:00.000-07:00

Last year, knitter Sadie Lewis launched a knitting drive for homeless people in Toronto called Streetknit, and it's on again this year. Lone knitters or groups are invited to create scarves, toques, mitts, blankets, socks or even sweaters and drop them off to the following spots:

Knit-O-Matic (1378 Bathurst Street)
The Naked Sheep (2144A Queen Street East)
Sew Be It Studio (2156 Yonge Street)
The Knit Cafe (1050 Queen Street West)

All the collected kitting will be distributed to homeless people through Windfall Clothing, Ve'ahavta, St. Francis Table, Scott Mission, Parkdale Community Health Centre, PARC and Out of the Cold.

TAPA Launches Toronto Theatre Blog

2007-09-11T07:22:00.000-07:00

The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) has recently created a blog for the Toronto theatre community at http://torontotheatre.wordpress.com. It includes all the notices they used to send out as an e-mail bulletin, like theatrical job postings and auditions, parties, fundraising events, discounts for people in the community, workshops, seminars and, occasionally, notice of the demise of some important figure. Highly recommended both for theatre practitioners and devoted fans.

By the way, TAPA also has a great online listing of llive shows at www.GoLiveTO.ca/.

Rooftop Parties

2007-09-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

These sound fun! From Friday to Sunday, September 14 to 16, the Rooftop Arts Collective presents work by Julie Campagna, Kari Minchin, Matina Theodosiou and Stef Lenk at the Studio Galleries, 1716-1718 Queen Street West, UpperLevel. The opening reception is on Saturday, September 15, and it features music by Barbara Lynch, the scintillating Beverly Taft and others, beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 416-531-5819 or 416-539-9206.

And starting at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday September 15, Louise Bak hosts the Box Salon on top of the Wrigley Building at 235 Carlaw Ave (6th floor). It features Claire Jenkins Avec Band, performance artist Jess Dobkin, electronic music producer KarlMohr, subversive performance duo The Fat Femme Mafia, Mike Hoolboom, Leanda Quinquet (AKA DJ L-Tron), musician Josh Thorpe, self-styled "Premier Siamese-Fighting Prom-Band" Tomboyfriend, Sex City Sluts Jeanette Cabral and Bryen Dunn, and writer/artist Steve Venright, plus food, drink and a DJ. Admission is PWYC ($10 suggested), and you may RSVP by e-mail or phone (416-929-1906), or just show up.