Actor Vincent Walsh stars in Played

Vincent relaxes in between takes during filming for the new CTV series "Played" on site at Roundhouse Park on Friday, May 18, 2013. I had run into the actor recently during filming at Yonge-Dundas Square. The 13 episode, scripted drama series will air in one hour shows in the upcoming season. Vincent Walsh plays undercover police officer John Moreland.

#Toronto Strip Show at Steam Whistle Brewing

Comics and collages from artists featured at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival were hanging from the walls of the brewery as a celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the festival.

PINBALLAPALOOZA and Tommy in #Toronto

100 machines are setup in First Canadian Place for the world record attempt at pinball play as part of the @StratFest promotion of Tommy. The free event is PINBALLAPALOOZA and sneak preview concerts will also take place during the afternoon at the Waterfall Stage featuring the cast and musicians from the production. In the early morning the pinball games were lined up ready for power and people.

The pinball machines are set up on the ground floor of FCP located at 100 King Street West in the city’s Financial District along Bay Street, from 9 am to 6 pm. The event is for Today only – Thursday, May 16, 2013 and the concerts are scheduled for 12:15 pm and 1:15 pm. Go play the silver ball!

The cast belt out some tunes on stage

Participants in the world record pinball playing attempt get free shirts and gather in the lobby prior to the event. You can buy discount Tommy tickets at the event as well as singing along with the well-known music from the Who: “He’s a pinball wizard. There has to be a twist, a pinball wizard, got such a supple wrist”. Go to www.tommypinball.com to play a game online.

See more of the concert and pinball fun after the jump.

Gardiner Expressway rehab and deck replacement

#Toronto will replace the deck of the elevated expressway starting at the west end instead of the east end. This will allow for an environment assessment of the easterly end running between Jarvis Street and the Don Roadway. The City will be looking at the future of the 2.4 km east segment.

In the past decade Toronto has spent $75 million on the half century old Gardiner for repairs and maintenance. Even so there were five incidents of concrete falling in 2012.

"Strategic rehabilitation plan: City staff have hired an engineering consultant to develop a Strategic Rehabilitation Plan for the entire Gardiner Expressway (Logan Avenue to Highway 427). The work includes determining the costs and timelines for rehabilitating the entire length of the Gardiner to ensure it remains in a safe and serviceable condition, while minimizing traffic disruption. Initial activities will include a detailed survey of the condition of the roadway. This survey will be used to confirm the Ground Penetrating Radar survey results completed for the entire deck in December 2012. The engineering consultant has provided preliminary conclusions from survey results based on previous inspections and observations from recent repair work. The data confirmed the previous assessment that the areas east of Jarvis Street and west of Spadina Avenue are the priority areas for repair work."

The east end Gardiner Expressway environmental assessment will study four alternatives for the highway - do nothing, maintain the existing above grade structure, replace the highway either above or below grade (ie tunnel) and remove the elevated expressway and upgrade Lake Shore Boulevard.

#Toronto City Manager to advise on jets at Island Airport

City Council asked their top bureaucrat to provide advice on Porter's request for an exemption to the ban on commercial jets at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The City Manager will report to the Executive Committee on July 3, 2013.

The use of jets on the island airport will require a runway extension on both sides of the airport as well as the amendment to the Tripartite Agreement. The parties to the agreement are the City of Toronto, the Toronto Port Authority and the Federal Government.

Fun things to do in #Toronto September & October 2013

Zombies come to un-life in late fall

Canadian National Exhibition CNE Fri to Mon, Aug 16-Sept 2.

Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) Sat to Mon, Aug 31 - Sept 2.

Brazilian Day Mon Sept ? at Yonge-Dundas Square (from 1:30-8pm).
Festival of Praise Parade Sat, Sept ?.
Chinatown Festival Sat to Sun, Sept ?.
Tarantella Festival Sat to Sun, Sept ?.
Fashion Cares Sun, Sept ?.

Toronto International Film Festival Thurs to Sun, Sept 5-15. Something about films and stars.
Canada's Walk of Fame Festival Thurs to Sun, Sept 19-21.
Just for Laughs Festival JFL42 Thurs to Sat, Sept 19-28.
Windfest Sat, Sept 21.
I Love Culture Fri to Sun, Sept 27-29.

Nuit Blanche Sat, Oct 5 (6:51 pm to sunrise). The all night art thing with plenty of videos and light shows.

Haunted Walk of Old Toronto Oct - Nov.
Toronto International Flamenco Festival Sun to Sat, Oct 13-19.

Zombie Walk Sat, Oct 26. Take your brains and run for your life.
Art Toronto Fri to Mon, Oct 25-28.
Zoomer Show Sat to Sun, Oct 26-27. 

Canadian drivers at @HondaIndy #Toronto

Hot on the wheels of recent wins in IZOD IndyCar races James Hinchcliffe will be joined by Alex Tagliani when they return to Canada this weekend, immediately after final qualifying sessions at the Indianapolis 500. The Canadian drivers will celebrate Victoria Day back in their home country while in the middle of competing in the 97th running of the Indy 500 which takes place on May 26, 2013. The drivers will return to the Big Smoke later in the summer for the "2 in TO" doubleheader July 12-14 Honda Indy Toronto races.

James gets a hug from Dragons Den star Robert Herjavec

Alex Tagliani

James Hinchcliffe races for Andretti Autosport and Alex Tagliani is with Barracuda Racing. They will be in Toronto to meet the media and they will be joined by Charlie Johnstone, President of the Honda Indy Toronto. And here are some more photos from the Toronto race.

Peggy's Cove Lighthouse in #Toronto

A 28 foot replica of the famous east coast lighthouse is in the financial district at the corner of Bay and Wellington Streets. Too many banks were getting hit by passing icebergs and ferrys so the City thought it would be a good idea to put the lighthouse outside of the RBC building. If you post a picture of yourself in front of the lighthouse you could win a lobster dinner, check out the www. gov.ns.ca/econ/tourism site for more information.

The promotion for Nova Scotia tourism will run from May 15 to June 9, 2013 and will feature the Kilted Chef, Alain Bosse, presenting a lobster cooking demonstration, comedian Candy Palmater and the Squid Precision Drumming. The Taste of Nova Scotia joined the tourism agency to showcase the province as an culinary destination.

"The Peggy's Cove lighthouse is an international tourism icon, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors every year," said Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, Graham Steele. "The Peggy's Corner promotion is one of many creative tactics in our Take Yourself There tourism marketing campaign, which is encouraging more first-time visitors from outside the region to visit Nova Scotia."

Victoria Day holidays in #Toronto

Fireworks and public activities can keep everyone busy on the Victoria Day holiday long weekend in May 2013. Here is the City's press release with the weekend events.

"The City of Toronto will offer a wide variety of activities for residents on Monday, May 20, including the annual Victoria Day fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay. Many family attractions, including two farms, three historic sites and other facilities described below, will be open. City recreation centres will be closed on Victoria Day and recreation programs will not operate that day.

"Toronto has great family activities to do on Victoria Day Monday at our parks, recreation centres and museums," said Mayor Rob Ford. "Everyone is invited to come down to Ashbridges Bay for fireworks and a day at the beach."

See more of the press release after the jump.

@DQCanada Upside Down Circus

10,000 free mini @KitKat Blizzard treats were handed during the Dairy Queen Canada Upside Down Circus held in #Toronto on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. A high flying acrobat stage was set up in Yonge-Dundas Square with performances at noon and 12:30 pm. Several performers climbed high into the air as several performers stayed planted on the stage, waving white wings like beautiful butterflies.

Blue Jays ACE and Aaron Loup

Several stations were setup with DQ Blizzard experts passed out the free frozen treats, upside down of course, and mini Kit Kat chocolate bars to the people who filled the square starting at 11:30 am and ending at 1:30 pm. A couple of stilt walkers dressed in white mingled with the crowd while Toronto Blue Jay pitcher Aaron Loup #62 met with fans and signed autographs, with team mascot ACE making the kids happy throughout the square.

DQ reminds us that if your Blizzard isn’t served upside down, it’s free. Donations could be made to the Children’s Miracle Network.

@Hooters Eastern Canada Bikini Finals 2013

#Toronto Airport Hooters will be the place to be on Tuesday, May 14 at 7pm as the winners of individual restaurant bikini contests will compete for the Eastern Canada Bikini Championship. My friend Roger will probably be there so keep an eye out for his photos. These are some photos from the Downtown Hooters Bikini contest 2013 - you can see more on my earlier post here.

Falun Dafa Day 2013

Bands, balloons and dancing dragons were part of the World Falun Dafa Day celebrations in #Toronto. Rows of people sat and practiced meditation in Nathan Phillips Square during the May 13th event.

Blossoms at Osgoode Hall

Spring blossoms are still popping up around #Toronto and the set of trees in front of the Upper Canada Law Society building on Queen Street West have some beautiful pink flowers in bloom.

Photos taken Monday, May 13, 2013