Sexapalooza Toronto 2016

For those up for the fun of exploring sexuality at an intimate event managed by Black Cat Shows, the annual Sexapalooza is a great place to be during the February 26-28 weekend. Special guest starts included adult film star Tori Black and main stage performances by Toronto Burlesque (Pickles LaVey, photo at top) presented by Skin Tight Outta Sight, and Toronto's best male strippers.

All Male Revue from Magic Male Revue and Club Kave

Tori Black (right) Q&A session on the main stage with Ms Madge Enthat, Mistriss of Ceremonies 2016

Guests pose for a boudoir session at the show

Firefighters sell their 2016 calendar - FWB Firefighters Without Borders

Disc jockey from 97.7 HTZ-FM broadcasts from the show

The three day show featured exhibitors, educational seminars, workshop room, sex museum and BDSM dungeon - where you can learn 5 things about kink, body painting and enough activities and deals on adult toys to keep you busy for the entire day. Sexapalooza is held in Ottawa and Toronto along with Columbus, Ohio.

Soaking in a hot tub at the Oasis Aqualounge booth

"Sexapalooza is a unique, upscale adult consumer show and shopping experience that has been growing and expanding since 2007. Marketed to women and couples, Sexapalooza offers a safe yet titillating environment dedicated to entertaining and educating you on all aspects of sex and sexuality. Enjoy fantastic stage shows and learn new sex ‘how tos’ and tips at our seminars given by professionals in the adult industry. Don’t forget that you'll be shopping for great deals and the newest, hottest toys and products to continue the Sexapalooza experience."

See more pictures after the jump.

Sexapalooza Toronto this weekend

Update: see photos of the 2016 event on my post here.

Spicy times are in your future if you visit the International Centre Feb 26-28, 2016. The annual adult consumer show starts Friday and includes entertainment and plenty of toys and outfits - you can browse and take in some educational seminars or head to the workshop room.

Adult Film Star Tori Black will be the show's special guest. Entrance 6 is the gateway to the show and the hours are Friday 5pm-12am, Saturday 12pm-12am and Sunday 12pm-6pm.

2-15 special guest Adult film star Alexis Texas

"Looking for something new? Interesting? Maybe a little risque? Come to Sexapalooza this weekend in Toronto for all of that and more. Take in a few seminars or sit back for an erotic video. Stop by and play in the dungeon. When you're ready, head on over to the main stage with a drink in hand to take in the sinful sights. Ask our knowledgeable exhibitors how to revamp your love life with new products and bedroom tricks. Everything you are hoping for and more at Sexapalooza Toronto 2016!"

H&M Toronto Eaton Centre Unveiled

Fashionistas, VIPs and other guests were invited to the swanky event ahead of the official relaunch of the @hmcanada flagship store at Toronto's famous downtown mall. Located at the main entrance at Yonge and Dundas Streets, you checked in, strolled down the red carpet, across the lobby and into their magnificent three floors of fashion and home accessories.

Inside the store you passed long lines of people carrying trays of drinks and hors d'oeuvres, past the DJ stage and wandered the aisles and various floors, so it was kind of my favourite type of shopping - browse and grab a new drink.

Near the centre of the mall is a giant shopping bag announcing the opening

The reveal went down on the day before the official opening which happens on Thursday, February 25, 2016 beginning at 10 am. "Join us on February 25th at 10am for the grand reveal of our Toronto Eaton Centre store, featuring the coveted H&M Home collection! The first 300 people in line will get up to $300 off their purchase. Certain restrictions apply*"

Looking at the top floor

DJ and performance stage. Alessia Cara sang at the event and several guest DJs kept the tunes going

Guests enter the store

BMO Field Expansion Phase 2

The canopy construction continues at the home of the Toronto FC MLS team. The large tubular steel structures that will hold up the new roofing over the stadium seats are partially installed - just the south section remains to be raised up by two massive cranes, pictured in the photos. The cranes hoisted the large load on Sunday, Feb 21. This phase is estimated to be completed in May of 2016.

"Things are gearing up at BMO Field ahead of the 2016 MLS season as the South End Canopy was raised into place on Sunday morning. Assembled on site as one massive structure weighing over 490 metric tonnes (980,000 pounds), the south canopy was lifted in tandem by two Mammoet lattice boom crawler cranes. The 377 by 68 foot canopy is now incorporated into the roof structure that will cover the east, west and south stands."

The first home game for the Toronto FC is Saturday May 7, 2016 against FC Dallas. The CFL Grey Cup Championship football game is also scheduled for Toronto's expanded stadium facility. The 104th Grey Cup is scheduled for Sunday November 27.

For now the place was full of big toys for big boys.

Motorcycle Show Toronto 2016

Nothing like new models of motorcycles to get riders out to Exhibition Place in anticipation of Spring and the open road during the Motorcycle Show Toronto.  The cross-Canada tour of the top manufacturers takes place between Vancouver and Moncton and the Toronto Enercare building provides room for over 500 bikes, ATVs, scooters and other 2 and 3 wheeled models in the area of three and a half football fields. Plus there were the Lords of Gastown ladies, pictured above.

My favourite is still the green Ninja - I think I would ride it around so quietly, surprising everyone and whispering Ninja constantly, both on and off the bike. Some of the bikes are giant, I even found one that was called the Monster by Ducati.

“When the Motorcycle Show-Toronto weekend arrives in February it really does signal the countdown to the new riding season, which by then will only be about six weeks away,” said Toronto Show Manager, Neil Fardy. “This Show is the only Toronto-area stop where the major manufacturers will debut their new models and showcase their full line-ups in large, colourful displays throughout a show floor the size of three-and-a-half football fields.”

The feature hall holds the Yamaha Riding Academy as well as Team Empire Stunt Demos and the OPP Golden Helmet police motorcycle demonstration team putting on a constant schedule of exciting performances. The riding academy introduces children (6-12) to riding with handson certified instruction, riding gear and a circuit they can practice on. Yamaha has provided over 20,000 children instruction which teaches safety, control and the basics of motorcycles.

"For enthusiasts, this will be their first live look at the new 2016 motorcycle, scooter, ATV and side-by-side models set in impressive displays from the biggest brands in the business, including Aprilia, BMW Motorrad, Can-Am BRP, Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Honda, Husqvarna, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Polaris, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa, Victory and Yamaha."

This years show is from February 19 to 21 at the Enercare Centre Hall B in Exhibition Place. Sunday's hours are 10 am to 5 pm.

Outdoor Adventure Show 2016

It seemed like spring today and my mind thought of the great outdoors so it was a good time to visit the Outdoor Adventure Show that offers over 300 exhibitors with camping gear, outdoor clothing, scuba diving, paddle sports and information on dozens of travel destinations. The annual show runs Feb 19-21 at the Toronto International Centre.

Over 100 adventure presentations gave people some great information

Fishing the Toronto Islands - boat rentals

Now that's a big fish - promoting Nunavut

The Outdoor Adventure Show starts tomorrow

Canada's largest outdoor, adventure and travel show is at the Toronto International Centre over the weekend. Kayaks and falconers are just some of the 300 exhibitions, as well as over 100 seminars at the 20th anniversary show that promises to "banish cabin fever" and explores adventures in Ontario.

Visitors can climb the rock wall, watch paddleboard demonstrations in Paddlers Paradise and take part in scuba diving classes in the Demo Pool. A scavenger hunt offers great prizes for kids and the first 100 kids at the show will win a free s'more.

"Be inspired by Special Guest Appearances including: 

• Award-winning documentary filmmaker and photographer, Goh Iromoto, will share his secrets of how he captures the essence of adventure in his images and films.
• Artist and photographer, Hap Wilson, as he shares his favorite canoe routes. - Kevin Callan author of fifteen books, including the bestselling “The Happy Camper” and the incredibly popular series of paddling guides.
• David Lee, aka The Passionate Paddler, is a writer, speaker, and a photographer, but most of all, an avid canoeist. Away almost 3 months a year on canoe trips, he inevitably comes back with lots of stories - some just incredulous.
• Canada’s “Indiana Jones” by the Toronto Star, Adam Shoalts is a professional explorer and adventurer whose trail-blazing expeditions into the last truly unexplored places on the planet. He is the best-selling author of Alone Against the North.
• Robin Tapley, renowned naturalist, expert international adventure expedition leader and acclaimed wildlife photographer, who has recently partnered with Algonquin Wildlife Research Station, will provide a up-close look at the behaviour of Algonquin wildlife.
• Garth Pottruff is owner of the Grand River Rafting Company, specializing in outdoor learning adventures that use floating classrooms to teach about plants & trees, fish & wildlife and First Nations History of Southern Ontario. Presented by Nature Unexpected.
• Jamie Kent is the owner of Grand Experiences, one of Southern Ontario's largest outdoor adventure companies. He is a Paddle Canada Instructor-Trainer and Certified True Colors Trainer. Jamie has won 11 Shining Star Tourism Awards, Brantford's Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and has been named County of Brant's Best Tourism Business."

The Outdoor Adventure Show is presented by Ontario Tourism. Show Hours: Friday, February 19, 2016, 11am - 8pm, Saturday, February 20, 2016, 10am - 6pm and Sunday, February 21, 2016, 10am - 5pm.

The Brain Project coming to Toronto

Update: The project launched 25 April 2016 with Paul Godfrey, Ben Mulroney and Mayor John Tory. See my post of the event here.

This summer will be filled with brain sculptures as Thierry Guetta, also known as Mr. Brainwash, will be part of the public art installation to benefit studies of aging and brain health at Baycrest Health Sciences. Over 50 designers and artists will display their works beginning on June 3, 2016 at Nathan Phillips Square, The Distillery District and many other locations spread out throughout the city.

The exhibition will be presented by TELUS and features artists that applied online to be included in the art event. “The Brain Project is going to be an incredible installation: so many different forms of expression on display in the streets of Toronto,” said Mr. Brainwash. “The connection between art and brain health is a fascinating topic and I am honoured to be a part of this message.”

Also participating will be Karim Rashid, named by Time magazine as the "most famous industrial designer in all the Americas."

Confirmed artists to date include:

February Cold and Colds

Sickness spreads across the Nation as a February Freeze brings the arctic temperatures to Toronto. Hibernation seems the best course of action especially as a cold still lingers. The winter cold seems to have swept the area with plenty of sneezing and a runny nose. Bummer for me on a long weekend but it means it's time for a mixed bag o' stuff with nothing reminding me of winter.

Mounted horse police outside the American Consulate

Giant chess game on Yonge Street

New condos along the Gardiner Parkway

A building alongside the Don Valley

A firetruck coming from the Toronto Island Airport

Importfest model

Motorcycle Show Toronto 2016 coming February 19

The groundhog saw its shadow and said that it would only be three weeks until the Motorcycle Show. The cuddly prognosticator guessed right and the show takes place February 19-21 at the Enercare Centre in Exhibition Place. Visitors will also get a chance to win a 2016 Triumph Street Twin motorcycle and you can purchase advance discount tickets at select motorcycle dealers.

This will be the 29th anniversary of the National tour which showcases industry with over 500 bikes on display from some of the world's most famous brands and the newest models of motorcycles. Also featured will be the bike's slower cousins - scooters, ATVs, along with all the motorcycle gear and accessories you will probably ever need.

The Friday opening is She Rides Nite: "Women are taking to motorcycle riding at a record pace and we'll celebrate that on the Friday evening of the Show (Feb. 19). She Rides Nite features half-price Show admission for ladies after 5 pm (and free parking after 5pm), and industry experts will be on hand to provide information and advice specific to the needs of the female rider. There's a ladies-only draw that night to win a new 2016 Kawasaki Ninja 300."

Stunt riders from Team Empire Freestyle Stunt Team will be smoking up the concrete surface within the cavernous exhibit hall G which will also hold the Yamaha Riding Academy For Kids. Members of the Ontario Provincial Police Golden Helmets will put on a riding skills showcase.

"The Motorcycle Show-Toronto presented by Dalton Timmis Insurance is produced by Power Sport Services. This is the Show where enthusiasts will get their first live look at the new 2016 models set in impressive displays from the biggest brands in the business, including Aprilia, BMW Motorrad, Can-Am BRP, Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Honda, Husqvarna, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Polaris, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa, Victory, and Yamaha. Show hours are: Friday, February 19 (noon - 9 pm); Saturday, February 20 (10 am - 8 pm);Sunday, February 21 (10 am - 5 pm)."