Thursday, April 30, 2009

Tamil protest becomes peaceful again


The chanting crowd of protesters have been moved off University Avenue back onto the boulevard across from the American Consulate after a number of days of blocking the road. When I came by the Tamil protesters were behind barriers shouting for President Obama to stop the war while faced by a large presence of Metropolitan Toronto Police.

The heart of Toronto


There is almost always something going on at the Yonge-Dundas Square area - from the Square itself to the Eaton Centre and City Hall. Freebies, goodies, concerts, art and music find their home in this place that I consider the heart of Toronto.

And here is the tilt shift version of the picture - thanks Joe fresh.



And now I see that they have turned on the fountains for summer.

Joe Fresh Beauty Box



The Joe Fresh Style Beauty Box was providing mini makeovers and highlighting Joe's line of makeup at the Square.

Joe Fresh is of course driven by creative director Joe Mimran and their fashion and cosmetic lines are featured at Real Canadian Superstore and Loblaws.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Berczy Square


The area along Front Street near the St Lawrence Market is a great area of Toronto - home of the Berczy Square fountain beside the Flat Iron building and it's large mural. This is the area where the annual Buskerfest Festival goes down.


Sunday, April 26, 2009

Thriller in the intersection


 
Zombies take over one of Canada's busiest intersections to perform Michael Jackson's dance senseation "Thriller".


It was hilarious, we look down from high upon Jack Astor's patio overlooking Dundas Street and we see people dancing in the middle of the scramble intersection. The moves were unmistakeable - even from afar, they were doing Thriller.

The famous intersection has become a pedestrian free-for-all where every second pedestrian crossing turns the pavement into a churning mass of humanity. Now the undead fill the roadway with thoughts of brains temporarily drowned out by the internal song - thriller, it's just a thriller... The road has become a dance stage.


International Dance Day


Presented by Dance Umbrella of Ontario. I didn't know there was an international dance day but there it was on display at Yonge-Dundas Square. The rain held off and so did the warmth, but the crowd kept warm just watching the dancers.



Battle of York Day


Battle of York Commemoration at historic Fort York. Soldiers of the Fort York Guard, the Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada and the 22nd US Infantry did some artillery and drill demonstrations and shot off some muskets.


During the War of 1812 the American's decided to invade Canada. While they won a few battles, including the capture of York, both sides eventually allowed the stalemate to come to a peaceful conclusion.

It only costs $8 (adult) to come into the Fort and while the crowds were sparse the drills and musket and cannon fire were impressive.





Thursday, April 23, 2009

Chandelier 2009 by Catherine Harvey


It's time for some unusual art as the installation piece "Chandelier 2009" hangs in Brookfield Place. The large, hanging chandelier was created by Catherine Harvey with recycled plastic containers and a plastic shovel and mirrored disco ball.


Monday, April 20, 2009

Toronto Freedom Festival Kickoff - 4/20 2009


Preparations are underway in the rain for the Toronto Freedem Festival kick off event to be held today (Monday April 20, 2009) from Noon to 8pm on April 20, 2009 at Yonge-Dundas Square. The Festival itself will be held at Queen's Park North on Saturday May 2, 2009 (Noon to 8pm - Free Admission - rain or shine).


Festival Co-founders Neev and Gavin at the kickoff.

The festival hopes to promote the freedom to choose and legalized Marijuana and bills itself as "Toronto's little festival that could".

Saturday's main event is expected to draw over 25,000 to a day of celebration, voices, music and creative arts as well as a Global Marijuana March (GMM) starting and ending at Queen's Park and traveling along Bloor Street, Yonge Street and Wellesley Street.

A gathering of protesters also chose April 20, 2009 to stage an awakening at College Park at 420 Yonge Street. Hampered by the rain participants try to keep dry under the pine trees.



Thursday, April 16, 2009

Street Performers in TO


With the nice weather returning to the big smoke we see more and more street performers plying their trade on the sidewalks. I have run into characters that I had seen several times at previous Buskerfest events including - Silver Elvis and Marie Antoinette (Kate Mior). Her pale face greets the peasants while wearing a beautiful gown. I take some pictures and drop some money into her bucket and enjoy her work. Awwww, summer is coming.




Shibaten Spirits plays his didgeridoo in Yonge-Dundas Square after the Toronto Sun's columnist Mike Stroebel did a story on how he was kicked out of the square by a large contingent of Toronto bylaw officers. His crime was noise pollution. The City has changed it's mind and allows him in the Square.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Japan & Montreal Fashion Weeks

« Japan Fashion Week in TOKYO » success

Modèle

The 8th edition of the Japan Fashion Week (JFW) took place from March 23 and 29 in Tokyo. About seven hundred renowned and up-and-coming designers (Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, India, United States and Europe) showcased their creativity and introducing Fall and winter 2009-2010 fashion trends.

www.jfw.jp

The great Braderie de mode québécoise - Spring 2009

Modèle

Montreal's eagerly awaited Spring 2009 Braderie de mode québécoise will be held from
Thursday, April 16th to Sunday, April 19th at Bonsecours Market in Old Montreal.
The Braderie serves up samples and inventory-surplus womenswear, menswear, kidswear,
coats, jewellery and accessories from 50 Quebec fashion designers - Marie Saint-Pierre, Muse by Christian Chenail, Rudsak, Soia & Kyo, Tavan & Mitto, Bodybag by Jude, Report Collection, Envers by Yves Jean Lacasse, Mackage, Ève Gravel, Michel Desjardins, Dinh Ba Design - all at 50% off or more!

April 16th to 19th, 2009
Bonsecours market
350 St-Paul East et 325 de la Commune East
Old-Montreal.
Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m

www.braderiedemodequebecoise.com

One week to Earth Day - Bloggers Unite


Ask not what the Earth can do for you (it has done so much already) - ask what you can do for your Earth. Ich bin ein Earthling.

Sometimes we look to one shining individual (like John F Kennedy) to galvanize people to make life changing actions, but it ultimately falls upon individuals to make the necessary changes. Bit by bit we seem to be getting the notion that our environment needs help. We need less pollution and more postive contributions and if I try and you try then maybe our combined contributions can make an impact.


Wind turbines in the Lake Huron Wind Farm provide clean, renewable power to Ontario resident's, helping to reduce our carbon footprint.

The annual awareness of our planet celebrated on Earth Day is now one week away - Wednesday April 22, 2009, what can you do for Earth?

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Big Coffee


There was a big steaming cup of McDonald's coffee in downtown Toronto - imagine dropping that baby in your lap! It appears that the restaurant is offering free coffee from April 20 to May 3, 2009 from 5am to 10:30am.

Friday, April 10, 2009

High Park Holiday


It was a busy day in the jewel of Toronto's park system - High Park. The sunny start of our 4 day Easter Weekend brought many out to enjoy the attractions of this park which includes nature trails, leash free dog zones and a wide variety of animals in the small zoo.

The park is a perfect place to take the family for a full day of free fun - if you can get parking. The leash free area is full of dozens of dogs sniffing butts and chasing each other while their owners get to know each other. After looking at the dogs and the zoo you can head over to the children's play area full of wooden castles and swings.






It's definitely a park like no other.

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Sam the Record Man Down


A large mural on the alley side of a building along Yonge Street has seen better days as demolition continues by the old Sam the Record Man building. Ryerson University expansion continues. You can see part of the long hidden Sam the Record Man painting on the wall behind the backhoe.



Sam's large neon "double-disc" record sign had become an icon on Yonge Street, a reminder of times before the CD and the Ipod. They were also in the headlines when a young girl named Jane Creba was killed across from the store during a gang shootout on Boxing Day 2005. The site immediately became a place for flowers and cards in memory of an innocent girl killed while shopping downtown.





On a totally unrelated note after being in San Francisco I have a new respect for the streetcar. Here is one of the TTCs red rockets.

Doors Open

Scarborough Bluffs

Pride

Redball

Beaches

Graffiti

Lake Ontario

Nathan Phillips Square

Transportation