Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Years Eve

The clock turns toward another year - good or bad, it always starts with promise. Here is a picture of a cute groundhog to remind you that as a new year returns, so does spring.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

Keep sending your cards, letters, emails and photos in.

James Hamilton

Monday, December 01, 2008

Honda Indy Toronto 2009

Racing excitement in the heart of downtown Toronto will return July 10-12, 2009 as Andretti Green Toronto (AGT) has a sponsorship deal with Honda Canada. The Honda Toronto Indy sponsorship will last several years and the 2009 race season will see 18 races including the Toronto location. Check my earlier blog entry here for pictures of a previous race in Toronto.

I am hoping that with a major sponsor like Honda the excitement can be brought back to open wheel racing in Ontario's capital city. For fast paced race action you can also check out the NASCAR Canadian Tires Series - here is a video I made showing a day at the Cayuga Race Track in 2008.

World Aids Day 1/12/08


A lovely volunteer was out on Yonge Street just beside the Eaton Centre giving out red ribbons, raising awareness on World Aids Day. It's not only Santa who is trying to bring joy and it is not only Coke who is trying to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.

Christmas trees in Toronto


Big, bright beautiful Christmas trees continue to pop up around the downtown core of Toronto. Besides the occasional Santa and his reindeer the tree seems to be the most visible icon of Christmas.



Friday, November 28, 2008

Fashion Cares Garage Sale

A garage sale to benefit the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) is being held Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7, 2008 at 399 Church St in Toronto. Help support this great cause and enjoy the shopping extravaganza. Click on the following poster for more information.

Maple Leafs hockey game

We caught the Toronto Maple Leafs playing the Atlanta Thrashers at Toronto's Air Canada Centre (ACC) and I don't think they are on the way to the Stanley Cup! It was a fun night anyways. We were in the golds courtesy of Dufferin Aggregate's Acton Quarry.

The crisp air blowing through Toronto and the fantastic decorations around town remind us that Santa will soon be here.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Surf City - Canada Style


Some crazy Canadian surfers hit Lake Erie's Crystal Beach to surf in the blowing wind of an early winter day - it was cold just taking the pictures!

The Great Lake surfers gather in their wetsuits and drop their boards into the water and then jump right in - no taking your time getting wet inch by inch. The have to spend a lot of time waiting for the right combination of waves before they face into shore, kick off and catch the wave.

A competition was soon underway as the flag changed from red to green. The only dangerous part seemed to be avoiding the guy on the boogie board. It was a lot of fun to watch. Keep an eye out for them in Toronto along the shores of Lake Ontario.



See more photos after the jump.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

2008 Toronto Fashion sCares - See and Be Seen


On Saturday November 1, 2008 the Metro Toronto Convention Centre was filled with fashionistas, television news crews, colourful characters and high powered entertainment stars, including Actress Lauren Holly, celebrating the event that is the 22nd Annual Fashion Cares. We joined the night as guests of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT www.actoronto.org)and Fashion Cares to take in the red carpet arrivals, the cocktail party and silent auction and finally to watch the runway spectacle based on select Alfred Hitchcock movies and we loved it all.

Opening comments from Honorary Chair Jeanne Beker and Chair Michael King were followed by the celebrity hosts - Canada's own David Furnish and International Supermodel Yasmin Warsame. David Furnish being an honoured film director and producer, a champion of HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness and the partner of Iconic pop culture artist Elton John.







David Furnish

Fritz Helder and the Phantoms, faces bejewelled into apparitions of skulls opened the show and hosted the costume competition. Ten individual or couples wearing fantastic outfits picked out from the crowd and were brought on stage to walk the runway in a fight for best costume - my choice was Mr Peanut.

The two hour show passed in a flash and we wanted more! The exotic haute couture fashions were great but came in only three flavours; white, black and red, and were difficult to see from distant vantage points while the National Ballet of Canada was a fantastic additon to the show. It would have been nice to have a brochure showing the over 40 designers involved in the show with photos of their beautiful creations, instead the designers were invisible to the audience. The entertaining mini-dramas based on the Hitchcock movies helped to support the night's theme in the clothes and the set design.


See tons more photos and celebs, including Katy Perry, after the jump.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Fashion sCares tomorrow!

The room is being set up. The runway is built. Tables are being decorated. Performers are rehearsing. Gift bags are being stuffed. And it all looks incredible.

Fashion Cares 2008: Fashion sCares is tomorrow and THE FINAL BLOCK OF TICKETS HAVE JUST BEEN RELEASED! The whole city is buzzing about it: from the cover of Fab this month to stories in Xtra!, the National Post; CTV, City TV and Fashion Television; and everywhere on the web.

Our final line-up includes an amazing silent auction; a live auction hosted by some very cool Torontonians; a spectacular runway show showcasing the very best that the fashion world has to offer; host David Furnish; Fritz Helder and the Phantoms; Kreesha Turner; Katy Perry; and a showstopping, headline performance from Dame Shirley Bassey with a 20-piece orchestra and members of the National Ballet of Canada. More dancing to follow with a great line up of DJs.

So grab your costume or fancy dress and grab a ticket. The party of Halloween also happens to be the party of the year. Gala tables are selling fast: call 416-340-8484 x263 for bookings. General Admission tickets are $125 and can be booked online at ticketmaster.ca or fashioncares.com

Fashion Cares presents Fashion sCares:
where Halloween meets Haute Couture with The Master of Suspense!
A Gala benefit for the AIDS Committee of Toronto.
This Saturday, November 1st, 2008, at the MTCC.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Fashion sCares Gala is coming very soon

ACToronto has provided the following release - have some fun and help raise funds for this cause.

The AIDS Committee of Toronto's gala fundraiser, Fashion sCares, is one week away, and we've confirmed a stellar line-up headlined by legendary diva Dame Shirley Bassey. Dame Bassey will perform three songs together with a 20 piece orchestra and be joined on stage with members of the National Ballet. And that's not all: live performances from Katy Perry, Kreesha Turner, Fritz Helder and the Phantoms, and an amazing runway show celebrating the best in high fashion from over 40 incredible designers.

We're also proud to announce the return of Phillip Ing and his incredible team at MAC, who have put together an amazing show for us, and David Furnish as host, ably joined by model Yasmin Warsame.

This year's celebration promises to be the Halloween party everyone will be speaking about: Haute Couture meets Hitchcock, and it's not to be missed. So put on your best costume, and get ready to attend the party of the year.

Gala tables are selling fast: call 416-340-8484 x263 for bookings

General Admission tickets are $125 and can be booked online at ticketmaster.ca or fashioncares.com

And join our facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=32584174011&ref=ts


Fashion Cares presents Fashion sCares:
a gala benefit for the AIDS Committee of Toronto.
Saturday, November 1st, 2008

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Toronto Zombie Walk 2008




The undead walked the streets of Toronto on Sunday October 19, 2008 screaming hungrily for brains and we were on hand to watch the mayhem unfold. By 3pm many zombies started gathering in the hollow pit in the middle of Trinity Bellwood Park but where only zombies had been last year, this year we were also treated to the spectacle of Skull Man's cardboard box warriors - which was pretty unusual, but really fun to watch. See some more great shots of the terrifying zombies below on my Youtube slideshow movie.



See more of the undead after the jump.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Toronto Photo Show

The Photographic, Video and Digital Imaging Show runs at Toronto's International Centre on October 17 to the 19th, 2008. There was some excellent equipment (I picked up some lighting stuff) and some nice models that loved to have their portraits taken.





At the same time the Snowmobile, ATV and powersports Show was going on. They had a great little demonstration track set up. I missed the snowmobilers going over the high jump but I caught a little of some ATV racing.


Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Smirnoff Ice Competition - Free Kick Off Party

Head to Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square on Thursday, October 9, 2008 from Noon to 11pm to celebrate the start of the regular hockey season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Smirnoff Ice, which is the official cooler of both the Toronto Maple Leafs and myself, is staging an Ice Competition with a chance to win hockey tickets. There will also be the incredible Smirnoff Ice Hockey Stuntmen performance 10-stories high in the air!

The 7pm game between the Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings will be shown on a big screen in the Square - so join fellow fans and have a great day of Canada's favourite sport, watching hockey (and trying to win free stuff).

UPDATE: Here is a media release from the ultimate pickup game: "Today at lunch hundreds of Maple Leaf fans looked up in awe as the puck dropped on a game of vertical hockey. The faceoff, 10 storeys above one of downtown Toronto’s busiest intersections, celebrated the Leafs’ season opener tonight vs the Detroit Red Wings." Got to see it to believe it? Check out footage filmed by buckstop11.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

nuit blanche

Crowds gather at the Yonge-Dundas Square for maps, programs and also "15 seconds".

Scotiabank's nuit blanche 2008 Toronto contemporary art thing was extremely successful with an estimated 1 million people taking in the event. The streets and sidewalks were full of visitors and residents taking a chance that they could relate to and appreciate the many exhibitions running all night long in the big smoke.
The zombie action at College Park "Zombies in Condoland" seemed to have the largest crowds. During breaks in shooting the zombies mingled and took pictures with the many fans.


Maple Leaf Gardens, former home to the Toronto Maple Leafs, held "Without Persons" which was a set of computer voices involved in a discussion.

There was a lot of action in Toronto's historic Distillery District.

A great interactive exhibition was the read a secret, post a secret.





Hockey Hall of Fame



"Domaine de l'angle #2, 2008" A 40m long drop ceiling over an alley way full of garbage.


"Time-Piece, 2008"


Sam the Record Man sign working on Yonge Street.


Ryerson University area.


"Into the Blue, 2008" in the Toronto Eaton Centre.


"Stereoscope, 2008" at Toronto City Hall.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Scotiabank's nuit blanche is coming

On Saturday night (October 4, 2008) scotiabank's 3rd annual nuit blanche events happen in Toronto from 6:52pm to sunrise. I love their description "a free all-night contemporary art thing. One night only. All night long."

It will be a chance to be part of a massive and sometimes interactive art and installation show in Canada's largest city - you just have to stay awake and enjoy the creativity. Check out their website at http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/home.shtml.

Besides the art I hope to see the zombies which are supposed to gather on College Park (you can even participate and get a zombie makeover) which also reminds me that the 2008 Toronto Zombie Walk is scheduled for 3:30pm (meet at 3pm in the pit) Sunday October 19, 2008 starting at Trinity Bellwoods Park.

the teen undead
The teen undead at the 2007 Toronto Zombie Walk.

See you there!!!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Fashion Cares 2008 - Media Launch

For pictures, videos and a review of the 2008 Toronto Fashion Cares presents: Fashion sCares event held November 1, 2008 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre please go to my blog post here.



______________________________________________________

Models greet the media at Brant House.

Toronto, get ready for Fashion Cares 2008: Fashion sCares! The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) brought out some beautiful models with Fashion Cares' Chair Michael King and genius Creative Director Phillip Ing for the media launch of Canada's largest AIDS fundraiser to be held November 1st, 2008 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The warm up event was held at Brant House within the Fashion District of downtown Toronto, Ontario and as an invited blogger I joined mainstream media for an up close look at the spectacular event that will be Fashion Cares.

The roster of musical acts and celebrity hosts was presented which included director David Furnish as host (with many celebrity co-hosts) and recording artists Katy Perry (I kissed a girl) and Kreesha Turner (Don't call me baby). I just want to say MAC Viva Glam!

Phillip Ing (centre) joins models and friends during the media launch.


Some of the many camera crews on hand for the evening.

The City's biggest costume party of the year will move away from their recent detour at the historic distillery district back to the Convention Centre and from a spring show to the 22nd installment just after Halloween. The timing of the show has certainly influenced this year's theme - Fashion Cares Presents Fashion sCares. Fantastic clashes of haute couture and halloween craziness will make it harder to keep your eyes off the models as they compete with the hip see and be seen crowd attending the party. I found the models and their outfits were fascinating.

Here is a Youtube video I made featuring bonus pictures, video clips of the models and music by the group No, Really.









While models worked hard, so did the bartenders and the DJ.





And there was a great crowd of media, sponsors and supporters attending the function and the after party.






















Enza Supermodel (right).




Honorary Chair, Jeanne Beker - host of the very famous Fashion Television.

We say hi to Fashion Designer Andre Gorokov who will be participating in Fashion sCares.

And we say goodnight to the media launch of Fashion sCares and look forward to the upcoming Fashion Event of the Year - get your tickets and see and be seen.

Doors Open

Scarborough Bluffs

Pride

Redball

Beaches

Graffiti

Lake Ontario

Nathan Phillips Square

Transportation