Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015 draws to a close - Happy New Years Eve

That was quite a year Toronto, hopefully everyone will be with friends and people they love to celebrate the coming of 2016 on New Years Eve. Schmooches now! I will return once again to Yuk Yuks in Mississauga where I will laugh during the lineup of comedians, then laugh some more, then chuckle a bit near the end, then do party favours and kiss my bunny.

Comedians Chuck Byrn, host Johnny Gardhouse and Terry Clement

Headliner Chuck Byrn was extremely funny, along with host Johnny who was also full of energy, while Terry has an unusual sense of humour. It was well worth the money and overall it is a fantastic way to spend New Years Eve.
Now it's time for a variety show of pictures, including a Banksy on a building that no longer exists in Toronto.
Stay safe on the roads, remember a lot of public transit is free tonight to help everyone get home - take advantage of the extended service.















I hope everyone will have a great 2016 and look forward to photographing more of the city's events, attractions and activities. Thanks for visiting my blog, or other social media stuff, saying hi on the streets, leaving comments or sending emails. Have Happy New Year!

Monday, December 28, 2015

Fun things to do in Toronto May & June 2016

With no PanAm Games interfering with annual events we can anticipate the usual good times to roll on into the summer as per our usual plan. Life's so good we gotta wear shades. Somethings to keep an eye out for is what is happening to the events Scotiabank dropped their sponsorship from - including the CHIN Picnic and the Caribbean Carnival.

Toronto Marathon Sun, May 1.
Canadian Music Fest Fri to Sun, May 2-8.
World Naked Gardening Day Sat, May 7 (usually first weekend of May)
Toronto Comic Arts Festival TCAF Sat to Sun, May 14-15.
Global M March. Note: No permits means no festival but the march continues - gather at high noon Sat, May 7 at Queen's Park North, march begins at 2pm.
Toronto Roller Derby League.
Cherry Blossoms in Toronto - should happen May 9-22. Best views in High Park.

Miss Hooters Toronto Bikini Contest Wed, May 11 at the Downtown Hooters and Thurs, May 12 at the Toronto Airport Hooters - doors open at 7pm. Cost is $10.
Castrol Presents the Victoria Day Speedfest at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Thurs to Sunday, May 20-22.
Toronto International Circus Festival Sat to Mon, May TBD.
Anime North Fri to Sun, May 27-29.
Woofstock Sat to Sun, May 28-29. Cute dogs in costumes at Woodbine Park in the Beach area. Don't forget about Winter Woofstock in November.
Doors Open Toronto Sat to Sun, May 28-29. Chance to see things normally closed to public or attractions with no entrance fee.
Colour Me Rad 5k Sat, May 28 in Downsview Park.
Toronto Pro SuperShow Sat to Sun, June 4-5.
Roncy Rocks in Roncesvalles Sat, June 11.
Hope Volleyball Tournament Sat, June TBD on Toronto Islands. Charity volleyball bash/tournament.
North By North East (NXNE) Music Festival Wed to Sun, June 15-19.

Luminato  Fri to Sun, June 10-26. Cool art installations.
Northern Ink Xposure Tattoo Show Fri to Sun, June 17-19.
Woodbine Beach BBQ and Brews Festival Fri to Sun, June TBD.
Taste of Little Italy Fri to Sun, June 17-19.

World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) Sat, Jun 11. Right through downtown Toronto, nude. Meet at Coronation Park by noon, ride begins at 1pm.
Toronto edition of the Global Reddit Meetup in Trinity Bellwoods Sat, Jun TBD, starting at 2pm.
Bloorville Exotic Cars Sun, Jun 19.
iHeartRadio MuchMusic Video Awards 2016 Sun, Jun 19.
Toronto Wine and Spirit Festival Wed to Sat, Jun 16-18 at Sugar Beach.
Toronto Jazz Festival Fri to Sun, Jun 24 to Jul 3.
World Pride: Toronto Pride Week and Pride Parades Fri to Sun, June 24 to July 3. The parades are things of colour and beauty: Trans March on Friday, Dyke March on Saturday and the Pride Parade on Sunday. The Street Festival on Church St is on during Pride Weekend.
Pride Parade, Sunday, July 3: Formation area: Rosedale Valley Road closed from Bayview Avenue to Park Road to accommodate the formation of the parade. Parade route: Starts at Church Street and Bloor Street East, goes west on Bloor Street East to Yonge Street, south on Yonge Street to Dundas Street and back to the festival on Church Street. Roads will be closed for varying periods between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. The parade takes place from 2 to 6:30 p.m.
Battle of Black Creek Re-enactment Sat to Sun, June 18-19.
OM T.O. Tue, June 21. International Yoga Day
Dragon Boat Race Festival Sat to Sun, Jun 18-19.
Toronto Roller Derby League: Clam Slam Fri, Jun 28. Part of the Pride Celebrations - love the name.
CHIN Picnic on Canada Day weekend - Sat to Wed, Jun 27 - Jul 1. Fun in the sun at Exhibition Place. Miss CHIN Bikini Contest Saturday June 27 from noon to 2pm.  Including the famous bikini contest. TBD The bikini contest has been cancelled and this year's CHIN Picnic has been merged with Taste of Little Italy Festival Sat to Sun, June 18-19.
Canada Eve Fireworks TBD

Events moved into July
Redpath Waterfront Festival Fri to Sun, July 1-3.
Digital Dreams Festival Sat to Sun, July 2-3.
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition Fri to Sun, July 8-10
Honda Indy Toronto Fri to Sun, July 15-17. Moved back into the traditional month of July.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Toronto Charity Runs 2016

Feet pounding the pavement, joints sore, yet the burning keeps you in the race instead of discouraging you. Thousands love the feeling of long distance running and with a desire to help others sign up for many of the charity runs that take place in and around the city of Toronto.

In addition to marathons you can also check out some special events like the Underwear AffairWalk a Mile In Her Shoes and Colour Me Rad. Sign up for the following events. You can also check out the runguides extensive listing of area runs.

Hair of the Dog Fun Run - promoting canoe and kayak sports (January)

St Patricks Day 5K Run - (March)

Beaches Spring Sprint - (April)
Bum Run - (April)
CF Run Walk - SickKids and POGO (April)

Goodlife Toronto Marathon - Princess Margaret Hospital (May)
Sporting Life 10k - Run for kids with cancer (May)
Toronto Women's Half Marathon - (May)
Walk of Life Walk/Run/Cycle - Cardiac Health (May)
Becel Heart and Stroke Ride for Heart - (May), get your bicycles ready
Colour Me Rad - (May)

Ride to Conquer Cancer - (June)
Gutsy Walk formerly Heel 'n' Wheel-a-thon - Crohn's and Colitis (June)
Scotiabank Rat Race - for United Way (June)
Walk Now for Autism - (June)
Mud Run - Canada's dirtiest trail run (June)
City Chase - (#1 June)
Toronto Yonge Street 10k - (June)

Spartan Race Toronto - Obstacle course racing (July)
Pride and Remembrance Run - LGBTQ charities (July)
Toronto Triathlon - With a Festival (July)
The Beaches Jazz Tune-Up Run/Walk - (July)
Jazz Run: The Beaches Tune Up - (July)

City Chase - (#2 August)
Mud Hero - get down, get dirty 6km adventure featuring outrageous obstacles - (August)
Toronto Women's 10k  and 5k - (August)
A Midsummers Night's Run - for Sick Kids (August)

Tweed Ride - (fall)

Sears Great Canadian Run - Toronto to Blue Mountain for kids cancers (September)
Terry Fox Run - Cancer (September)
Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes - Juvenile Diabetes (September)
Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women's Cancer (September)
Longboat Toronto Island Run - Toronto's oldest (September)
Yorkville Run - YWCA Women's Shelters (September)
Toronto 5k - SickKids (September)
Tough Mudder - (September)
Oasis Zoo Run - Come run with the animals (September)
Island Girl Half Marathon - run with a tropical twist (September)

CIBC Run for the Cure - Breast Cancer (October)
Toronto Women's 8k and 5k - Women set the pace (October)
Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon - various charities (October)

Downsview Half Marathon - Through the old military base (November)
Toronto Santa Speedo Run (December)
The Santa Shuffle - Salvation Army (December)
And one of my favorites the Burlington Santa 5K Run (December)

There is also Polo for Heart - Heart and Stroke (June) and many golf tournaments around the city for charity so there are plenty of ways to get active or help others financially.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Fun things to do in #Toronto March & April 2016

Warm light at the end of the tunnel is coming to the Big Smoke as spring approaches. Boo Yah. Start you lineups at High Park for the annual blossom pilgrimage.

International Bicycle Show Fri to Sun, Mar 4-6.
Toronto Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival Sat to Fri, Mar 5 - April 3.
National Home Show and Canada Blooms Fri to Sun, Mar 11-20.
Photo by Joe Hamilton
Toronto Roller Derby League.
Toronto Rock Lacrosse
Toronto FC Note, their home opener is Sat May 7.
Toronto Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo Fri to Sun, Mar 11-13.
St Patricks Day Parade Sun Mar 13.
Toronto Sportsmen's Show Wed to Sun, Mar 16-20
Photo by Joe Hamilton

 Toronto ComicCON Fri to Sun, Mar 18-20. Come for the costumes, read a few comics and meet some stars.
Photo by Joe Hamilton
Partial Lunar Eclipse Wed, Mar 23 (starts at 5:31 am)
Toronto Beaches Lions Easter Parade Sun, Mar 27.
Spring World Mastercard Fashion Week Wed to Sun, TBD.
Earth Hour Sat Mar 19 at 8:30 pm.

Toronto Wine and Cheese Show Fri to Sun, April 8-10.
International Spring Motorcycle Show Sat to Sun, Apr 9-10.
Toronto Pillow Fight 2015: Saturday Apr 2, starting at 3 pm at City Hall.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Roller Derby League
Green Living Show Fri to Sun, Apr 15-17.
Toronto 420 Comedy Festival Wed, Apr 20. Noon to 6pm in the square.
Good Food and Wine Show Sat to Sun, Apr 23-24.

To be determined: The Toronto Hooters Bikini Contest is now scheduled for Wednesday, May 11

See more of the bikini contest after the jump.

Checking out the chalk

Getting a closer look at a sidewalk chalk artist. The artwork looks like some angels and the people watching seem fascinated. The location is Queen Street West, just outside the Toronto Eaton Centre.

Friday, December 25, 2015

Merry Christmas 2015


Ho Ho Ho my peeps. Santa waves hello from the basement of Hudson's Bay at Queen and Yonge Streets. I didn't even know he was down there, sitting in a little alcove near all the Christmas decorations, spending a little slack time meeting fans before he hits the sleigh on the eve of his special day.
Checking out the Christmas tree in Brookfield Place

Doors Open

Scarborough Bluffs

Pride

Redball

Beaches

Graffiti

Lake Ontario

Nathan Phillips Square

Transportation