aka T.dot, T.O., Hog Town, The Big Smoke
The 28th annual Canadian Music Week (CMW) hits Toronto in March. One of this music city’s answers to SXSW (the other being NXNE – North By North East), CMW is part conference, part film festival, and part concert series, but is definitely all about Canadian music.
Snowfall in Toronto this winter has been, well, non-existent so this city’s shoe lovers have been able to go crazy and kick off their usual cold weather boots and Uggs (thank goodness!) in favour of more interesting footwear.
Good new music venues rarely pop up around town so the Garrison on Dundas Street West is a welcome addition to the landscape.
Owen Pallett aka Final Fantasy
Toronto native, Owen Pallett, released his new album Heartland this month. It’s the first album released under his own name (Owen was formerly known as Final Fantasy – a name change was in order after much legal wrangling with the 80s game makers).
Hoof Cafe
Torontonians seem to love brunch and the number of brunch-centric places continues to grow and grow around town.
Stacked vintage accessory boutique
Toronto’s vintage scene continues to expand with new places popping up around town. The latest addition to the Bloor and Lansdowne neighbourhood is 69 Vintage’s newest collective space. The converted storefront warehouse space (previously 69 Vintage’s pound store) features three floors of independent vintage vendors offering vintage clothing and accessories, and original pieces. Read More
It’s the off-season for Toronto’s major film festivals, however, three of our biggest are still holding special screenings around town to keep the locals happy.
I’m one of the people that believes love and appreciation for others should be shown all year round therefore I try hard each February 14th to avoid my favourite romantic spots and the throbbing masses of love-struck individuals. Having said that, a few seasonal events are worth checking out.
Poster by laurenhortie.com
Toronto’s popular West Queen West neighbourhood and surrounding area- seemingly home to every hipster and artist or hipster artist wannabes- is hosting many festive parties over the coming month. One favourite event of mine, Steers & Queers, is holding a Gay Olde Oprey at the The Dakota Tavern. Read More
A Christmas Story
In the winter months staying in and renting an old movie is high on my list of priorities.
Torontonians have the economic blues like everyone else so the city’s beloved independent theatres (where screenings cost less than mega-chain theatres) are doing good business.
The global fundraising campaign to support prostate cancer, Movember has a Canadian partner in Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC) so local moustache lovers can sport a stache and raise money to support PCC’s good work with Canadian men.
My latest obsession on the Information Superhighway is artstarstv.com. The Art Star investigates art events around Toronto and offers her critique. While I don’t always agree with her point of view, I do appreciate her keen fashion sense and sense of humour.
St. Regis Room circa 1930
In addition to my regular patrol of vintage shops around town, I’ve become a fan of hitting up one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets for good fashion, the iconic Canadian department store The Bay. The Bay was the place my/every Mom took her kids in the mid 80s to find pink converse knock-offs, and is best known for their original wool Point Blankets (which have made a style come-back).
