It’s Thursday, and the weekend is fast approaching. Need stuff to see or do? We’ve got you covered. In this edition, cheap foodie fun, a celebration of Africa, love for Italia (part deux), theatre madness and music galore.
The first-ever Toronto Urban Roots Festival kicks off today and runs until July 7. Featuring a stellar lineup of major roots, folk, pop and rock bands at both outdoor stages and clubs, the festival pretty much guarantees to have something that tickles your fancy. Herewith, our top reasons why you should trek to Fort York this weekend to catch the concert.
When the CanGro plant in St. David’s closed in 2008, Niagara’s peach and pear growers were left searching for a market. Brock Puddicombe decided to take the pears that life had handed him (and that his family grows in Niagara) and turn them into perry.
Ordering a cocktail at Cold Tea is the beverage equivalent of a Choose Your Own Adventure book. After reaching the semi-secret location (enter the Kensington Mall, stroll down the hallway and enter the door marked by a red light), patrons can sidle up to the bar, where the resident mixologist will indulge you in a bit of a Q&A session to suss out the perfect drink.
The Ghosts In Our Machine, a film that played at this year’s Hot Docs Festival, is now showing at Bloor Cinema for a brief run. The film is both seductively beautiful and uncomfortably tragic, and seeks to break down the barrier between the human and animal world, bringing to light the horrors of factory farms and animal abuse. It compels you to act without asking you to, and is undeniably powerful without being forceful.
Considering the scandals that continue to plague city hall with Rob Ford as mayor, his refusal to respond to his critics in a way that would put concerned local residents at ease, and the need to return to the business at hand to make Toronto better, I’ve drafted two correspondences, two paths for Mr. Ford.
In honour of Man of Steel, summer’s Superman flick, comic book purveyors Hairy Tarantula and The Beguiling battle for the comic crown.
The Town of Richmond Hill council has voted to put its support behind a controversial mixed-income apartment and youth emergency shelter.
Toronto has some of the worst traffic congestion in North America. In 2006, the Toronto Board of Trade estimated that $6 billion in economic activity is lost annually because of gridlock in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Now, after decades of neglect, rapid transit is finally coming to midtown Toronto.
Early plans proposing the redevelopment of the Sheppard Centre could breathe new life into the building’s existing retail spaces as well as add a new 39-storey residential tower.
A four-building development proposed at Bathurst Street and Beverley Glen Boulevard, which includes a 27-storey tower, has the local councillor and residents concerned.
I can’t decide which of the Cultura Festival’s musical acts I’m most excited about presenting this year. The festival launches its fourth season July 5 and continues Friday evenings for the rest of July at Mel Lastman Square. This year’s lineup is the best yet.
