Rock club king
He’s a rebel. Back at Sir Sandford Fleming Academy, Fine was known as the guy with the motorcycle, and today he is the owner and operator of two popular Queen West hangouts — the Bovine Sex Club, and Rock Lobster Food Co.
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Melody maven
“Remember, remember the fifth of November…” Matt Groopie jokes over the phone channeling V, the protagonist of the 2005 action film V for Vendetta. The fifth of November happens to be Matt Groopie’s birthday, and it was a fitting day for him to enter the world. Like the Guy Fawkes–inspired, mask-wearing V, Groopie aims to save those from tyranny, only this kind of tyranny is the wasteland that is modern music.
Too Close to Call: Uncle John’s Candy Shack vs. The Candy Bar
This month, we pit mom and pop shop Uncle John’s Candy Shack against new kid on the block the Candy Bar in the battle of the bonbons. Who knows their tricks from their treats? You choose.
Q&A: Sarah Harmer on Toronto’s upcoming protest concert, Rock the Line
This Sunday, songstress Sarah Harmer will headline a concert that also features a mess of killer talent including Gord Downie and The Sadies, Hayden and Minotaurs.
Four foods to up the fear factor
Halloween season is supposed to be scary, and few thrills are more rewarding than venturing outside of one’s culinary comfort zone. Luckily, Toronto is a great place to experiment with strange and exotic food. Herewith, four extreme dishes that also happen to be delicious
Concert Review: Kid Cudi at the Air Canada Centre
About halfway through Kid Cudi’s 90-minute set at the Air Canada Centre on Thursday night, he performed a track called “Erase Me.” The timing was interesting, given that it was right around that point that the Cleveland, Ohio hip-hop star was erasing much of the damage done earlier that evening.
Fever pitch
Half a world away 21-year-old Daniel Haber hits the lush green Cyprus fields for a game of soccer (or football, depending on one’s preference). The former Ivy Leaguer runs, gazes and plans the perfect moment to slalom through a slew of defenders, before lining up a shot on goal.
A Grey Cup homecoming
It’s been nearly 10 years since Matt Black walked the halls of Northern Secondary School as a student, but it wasn’t long ago when Matt returned to his old school as Grey Cup champ, big silver trophy in tow.
Tony Aspler’s Weekly Wine Pick: a spicy red from one of Greece’s indigenous grapes
Greece’s indigenous grape variety Xinomavro translates literally as “sour black.” The wine is medium ruby with a tawny rim; the bouquet is spicy and strawberry. It has a flavour of dried berries and plums. Good value.
Weekend Warrior: Nuit Blanche, Reel Talk, High Park Harvest Festival, Halloween Costume Swap
It’s Thursday and the weekend is fast approaching. Need stuff to see or do? We’ve got you covered. In this edition: a haunted stroll through downtown Toronto, a new TIFF film series, and Nuit Blanche.
Bar Salumi has closed, but a new lunch spot is set to open in its place
When Bar Salumi’s website and phone number went dead not too long ago, we decided to find out what was up. It seems that Parkdale’s Italian aperitivo hot spot was put up for sale last month, and then was quickly snatched up by one of Bar Salumi’s chefs, Haeyoen An, who plans to open a lunch spot in the former Italian cinq à sept venue.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival Hour: Moby, Hawksley Workman, Eamon McGrath, Sebastien Grainger, The Dust
Techno guru Moby, of multimillion-selling album Play, just released his latest effort, Innocents, on the acclaimed Arts & Crafts record label. It’s a solid effort, but what I love is the inclusion of local phenom Al Spx, otherwise known as Cold Specks, on two of the album’s better tracks: “A Case For Shame” and “Tell Me.”