Toronto events!!!

Toronto Fun Parties

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

The top 10 art shows in Toronto for spring 2015

art shows torontoThe top art shows in Toronto this spring are dominated, as is rarely the case in the arts, by photography: the Contact Festival will return this May in galleries, businesses, and non traditional spaces citywide. Yet there's much more to see (and smell? read on), including smaller indie gallery shows, cheeky performance art, and a big name auction.


For the keeners: if you were moved by Hoda Zarbaf's "Vaginal Rapture" at the Artist Project, she's got a solo show at Walnut Contemporary for the month of April. If you've yet to see The Unfinished Conversation: Encoding/Decoding at Power Plant, it's up until May 18 (go) before Power Ball's glitz and weirdness takes over on June 4th. Of course, Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now's the Time is on at the AGO until May 10.


Here are my picks for the top art shows this spring in Toronto.


Stephen Bulger Gallery 20th Anniversary (March 24 - April 25, Stephen Bulger)

Stephen Bulger's West Queen West gallery is turning 20, and the landscape in the neighbourhood's art scene has undergone at least a couple of fascinating waves of change in that time. On now, the exhibit includes photographs from all 40 artists the gallery has hosted solo exhibition for, and many more.


art shows spring TorontoLike a Statue (Georgia Scherman Projects, March 19 - April 18)

This three person group show spans five cities of origin: Reykjavik, Milan, Halifax, Berlin, and Toronto (artists are so unsettled). Here, Andrea Maack, David Poolman, Aaron Weldon work with memory and the senses. Most fascinating might be the works of European perfumist Andrea Maack.


art shows spring TorontoValérie Blass - My Life (March 26 - April 25, Daniel Faria Gallery)

Parisian Laundry (Montreal) sculptor Valérie Blass's My Life exhibit is perfect for a spring show: a mix of the lovely and delicate with the creepy and familiarize. Feel her work ooze out of your subconscious and into life.


art shows spring TorontoSouther Salazar - Attic Transmissions (March 28 - April 25, Narwhal)

No surprise to see Narwhal's Roncesvalles Village gallery on this list - the Magic Pony affiliate have been knocking it out of the park. American artist Souther Salazar's charming and whimsical paintings and drawings in this Toronto exhibit were inspired by his time living in a "scrapper's attic."


XIAO GUO HUI.jpgXiao Guo Hui - Feast (March 28 - April 29, Christopher Cutts Gallery)

Toronto painter Xiao Guo Hui impressed us at Art Toronto last year, and this show at Christopher Cutts Gallery should be a deeper look into the Chinese born artist's creepy and contemporary takes on classical painting motifs.


art shows spring TorontoNature Abstracted (Nicholas Metivier Gallery, April 2-25)

Edward Burtynsky and David Shapiro will join forces in April. Burtynsky's stunning photos from five-year-long project Water are a "natural" (sorry) fit with David Shapiro's textured works on paper.


art shows spring TorontoHow Many Performance Artists Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb For Martha Wilson (April 16, Enoch Turner Schoolhouse)

If performance art is what you're after, don't miss Jess Dobkin's performance piece about performance art at Images Fest. Before you turn up your nose - the press release contains art jokes. ("Q: How Many Performance Artists Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb? A: I don't know. I left after 4 hours.")


Love Art Fair (April 17-19, Direct Energy Centre)

Last year's inaugural Love Art Fair, Toronto's version of the Affordable Art Fair, was an impressive showing, although it appeared a little dwarfed sectioned into a corner of the massive Direct Energy Centre. This year, see a huge array of galleries showing contemporary and commercial art in a set up that's better curated than the Artist Project and more relaxed settling than Art Toronto.


art shows torontoStellar Living 2015 (April 20 - 13 May, Mercer Union)

Bloorcourt gallery Mercer Union's biannual fundraiser features an amazing list of artists including Abbas Akhavan, Suzy Lake, Micah Lexier, Stephen Andrews, Anthony Burnham, Sarah Cale, Tammi Campbell, James Carl, Ulysses Castellanos, Jimmy Limit, An Te Liu, Vanessa Maltese, Sasha Pierce, VSVSVS, and more. The auction is May 13.


art shows spring TorontoContact Festival (May 1 - 31)

Spanning the entire month of May (depending on the gallery), Contact is the largest photography festival in the world, which is pretty impressive even if only a fraction of it will interest most. Galleries great and small participate, with the opening at MOCCA as a highlight every year. Don't miss the Scott Conarroe show at Ryerson Image Centre.


BONUS


GradEx 100 (April 29 - May 3, OCAD U)

It's year 100 for 2015 OCAD grads (sorry about the pressure, sensitive ones - you'll be fine!). Book at least an hour or two to wander through the hard work of OCAD's graduating classes and you'll spot names you've already noted around local galleries, as well as yet undiscovered talent.


What did I miss? Tell us about exciting art exhibits coming up in Toronto in the comments.


Photo of Love Art Fair by Derek Flack. Images: Xiao Guo Hui - Nyotaimori, 2013; Scott Conarroe, Works Yard; Andrea Maack, Dual, 2015, multi-media installation, video, sound, Dual scent, confetti, Limited edition video, sound and perfume; Abbas Ahkavan's Correspondences; Edward Burtynsky, Pivot Irrigation #27, High Plains, Texas Panhandle, USA, 2011, Chromogenic print; Valérie Blass, "My Life" (installation view), 2015. Courtesy Artspeak. Photo: Blaine Campbell; Souther Salazar; Jess Dobkin photo by David Hawe






by Aubrey Jax via blogTO

Eaton Centre

Video of violent altercation on the TTC blows up online

ttc videoTwo amateur videos showing a violent confrontation between an older man and a young man and two TTC special constables following a Maple Leafs game in January at Union station are blowing up on social media.


The six-minute YouTube video posted by Jorge Pinzon on March 3, 2015 shows an incident on January 29, 2015 following a Maple Leafs game against the Arizona Coyotes. This video which has been viewed over 3,300 times is the longer of the two online videos and shows a slightly more complete account on the incident.


In the video you can see an older man with white hair being restrained by a TTC special constable who tells him, " You're under arrest . . . what don't you understand . . . turn around . . . get on the ground."



Another man in plain clothes can be heard saying, "Everybody is recording this shit don't be an idiot."


Meanwhile people standing by chant "Go Leafs Go," and "Let's go raptors"


The video shows both the younger man and the older man being restrained and punched by the two special constables.


A TTC employee in grey uniform and a TTC jacket, can also be seen in the video as he attempts to intervene to presumably de-escalate the situation.


The crowd, many wearing Leafs uniforms, gathers around, raising concern over the way the situation is being handled.



In a statement to CP24, Tuesday night, TTC chair Josh Colle called the video 'disturbing.'


Colle is quoted by CP24 as saying that he is unaware of the context or situation of the video.


"It's certainly something that is alarming when you watch it and I believe that both the TTC and more importantly Toronto police have to investigate this," Colle told CP24.




"The altercation involving TTC officers is extremely serious," TTC spokesperson, Brad Ross tweeted on Tuesday night.


He added, "The video is being reviewed now. We will have more to say in the morning."


Follow @SimaSaharZerehi






by Sima Sahar Zerehi via blogTO

Arts and culture hub could be coming to Weston

artscape westonSigns that Weston is a neighbourhood on the rise received a major endorsement from city council today in the form of a new arts and culture hub planned for 33 King St. to be managed by Artscape. The new development will feature 8,500 square feet of what's being called "cultural space" and will include 24 live-work spaces along with a neighbouring tower that will house 350 rental housing units developed by Rockport Group.


The cultural hub portion of the development will be built in the podium section of an existing high rise apartment complex, part of which is currently a parking structure. The existing farmers' market at Weston will shift locations slightly and figure as a centrepiece in the summer months.


City council approved the project in principle today, though the final go-ahead ultimately depends on approvals of Rockport's planning documents and Artscape's business case. Let's hope these are but formalities. With the imminent arrival of the Union-Pearson Express and the Crosstown LRT to the south, both Mount Dennis and Weston appear poised to make major strides.


For more information, check out Artscape's dedicated webpage.






by Derek Flack via blogTO

10 restaurants to eat Easter brunch in Toronto for 2015

easter brunch torontoEaster brunch in Toronto is an annual ritual for many. Whether you're celebrating the religious holiday or just celebrating the long weekend, there's no better reason to indulge on prix-fixe menus, AYCE buffets and seasonal specialties with family and friends.


Here's a selection of restaurants serving up Easter brunch in Toronto.


Daisho

The second-floor Momofuku restaurant will serve brunch from 11am to 2pm on Sunday, April 5. Enjoy original takes on brunch classics, like benedicts with king crab on fried bao, or an egg and lap cheong English muffin. Reservations are advised.


Cafe Boulud

Easter brunch, served Sunday, April 5 from 10:30am until 3:30pm at this Yorkville destination, will feature a three-course brunch menu for $65 per person.


Colette Grand Café

The Parisian cafe at the Thompson Hotel celebrates Easter Sunday with an opulent brunch buffet served from 10am to 3:30pm. The all you can eat feast is priced at $75 per adult and $28 per child.


Mata Petisco Bar

In your hunt for Easter brunch, look no further than this Latin restaurant in Parkdale. Open for brunch at noon on Good Friday, and from 11am on Easter Sunday, they'll be offering a la carte dishes like breakfast poutine and coconut banana French toast.


The Bristol

The British pub on West Queen West is a great place to be on Easter weekend. Find fish and chips on offer this Friday, as well as brunch served from 10am to 4pm from Good Friday straight through to Easter Monday.


Scratch Kitchen

The midtown brunch spot is taking the day off on Good Friday but will open for brunch at 8am on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Expect classics like fluffy pancakes and egg dishes along with seasonal features.


Montecito

Special seasonal delights will be featured on the buffet line at this eclectic Adelaide St. restaurant on Sunday, April 5. Enjoy this AYCE Easter celebration for $35 per person.


Bosk

The Shangri-La Hotel is offering a three course Easter brunch on Sunday, April 5 between 10:30am and 2pm for $59 per person, as well as an Easter-inspired High Tea running now until Easter Monday.


Le Select

The French bistro will serve brunch from Good Friday through to Easter Sunday. On the menu are mimosas and plenty of a la carte options, as well as a $39 three-course prix fixe featuring selections like escalope de foie gras, grilled salmon hollandaise and creme brulee with fresh berries.


Casa Loma

This historic castle hosts a family friendly Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 5. Expect a spectacular buffet featuring classic breakfast offerings and a seafood bar. Adults can dine for $55, while children 13 and under are priced at $35 each.



Do you have a favourite spot for Easter Brunch? Suggest it in the comments below.


Photo of Colette by Natta Summerky






by Liora Ipsum via blogTO

20 boozy photos of Toronto's huge cocktail competition

toronto cocktail competitionMade With Love has quickly established itself as Canada's largest cocktail competition, with regional finals attracting packed crowds of thirsty revellers. This year's Toronto finals added food into the mix, with the twenty competing bartenders given the option of working with a chef to create a food and drink pairing to hand out to the 800 some odd guests in attendance.


After four gruelling hours of pumping out elaborate concoctions, Nick Incretolli of The Tavern on George walked away with the people's choice award, while the judging panel (including last year's highest vote getter Michael Mooney and BarChef owner Frankie Solarik) selected Dan Tavares' (Mr. Flamingo) drink as the best of the night.


Get thirsty with our photo gallery of all the action from Made with Love Toronto .






by Jen Hunter via blogTO

Start making reservations for Easter brunch!

Start making reservations for Easter brunch!





Easter Brunch in Toronto

www.toronto.com

We round up Toronto\'s Easter Brunch offerings for 2015.

by torontodotcom via torontodotcom's Facebook Wall

20 boozy photos of Toronto largest cocktail competition

toronto cocktail competitionMade With Love has quickly established itself as Canada's largest cocktail competition, with regional finals attracting packed crowds of thirsty revellers. This year's Toronto finals added food into the mix, with the twenty competing bartenders given the option of working with a chef to create a food and drink pairing to hand out to the 800 some odd guests in attendance.


After four gruelling hours of pumping out elaborate concoctions, Nick Incretolli of The Tavern on George walked away with the people's choice award, while the judging panel (including last year's highest vote getter Michael Mooney and BarChef owner Frankie Solarik) selected Dan Tavares' (Mr. Flamingo) drink as the best of the night.


Get thirsty with our photo gallery of all the action from Made with Love Toronto .






by Jen Hunter via blogTO