Piano Man Billy Joel returns to #Toronto

Joining tens of thousands of fans at the Air Canada Centre on Sunday I watched Billy Joel once again pound out songs on the keys of his rotating piano. After seeing Billy perform with Elton John in 2009 we couldn't wait for the New York City native to return to the Big Smoke and quickly snatched up some tickets to the March 9, 2014 show.

At first they kept the crowds away from the stage, but after close to an hour they let people move close to the star

His set list included: Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway), Pressure, The Entertainer, Vienna, Zanzibar, And So It Goes, Allentown, The Downeaster Alexa, New York State of Mind, Sometimes a Fantasy, Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), She’s Always a Woman, Don’t Ask Me Why, River Of Dreams/Hard Days Night, Scenes From an Italian Restaurant and Piano Man (his first hit song, released in 1973). His encore featured We Didn’t Start The Fire, Uptown Girl, It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me, You May Be Right and Only the Good Die Young. Billy had hits from the 1970s into the 1990s and many of us had grown up listening to his songs on the radio.

The 64 year old star joked that most people retired at 65, yet he was still out singing on the road - looking like his father. He played a lot of songs that weren't hits at the beginning of his set, but quickly moved into his chart topping hits that got the crowd moving.

Billy is a multi-talented musician and can play the piano, keyboard, guitar, harmonica and accordion. It was hilarious when he halted We Didn't Start the Fire after screwing up the words to the fast paced song. He was willing to go right to another song, but after getting back in the rhythm he finished the song - saying it was one of his worst melodies he has written.
Jon McLaughlin and his band from Indiana, USA opened for Billy Joel.

Jon McLaughlin on Billy's piano

Saturday in the City

The weather was absolutely gorgeous today in #Toronto and I enjoyed biking around the city, watching the city slow down as Fall settles in. Here are just a few of the things I saw today like the street performer doing a series of moves while balanced upside down on one hand.

The CN Tower rendered in ice, casts a long shadow on the funnel art installation in Maple Leaf Square at Air Canada Centre. Three of the major professional sports teams had games on Saturday, September 28, 2013 - and they made the traffic horrendous for the drive home.

The cycle of cold nights and warm days brings changes to the canoes and kayaks - their hues take on more of the orange, yellows and reds of Fall. They all used to be green.

Tall ships are still docked along Queen's Quay - tomorrow I ride Kajama

In addition to the boats changing colours - so are some of the trees. I can never spell fall foliage without spell check (see, did it again)

HTO urban beach is a welcome place for late season sun worshipers

I watched as Rogers Centre opened their roof for the Blue Jays game

DIS OBEY says the sticker with a certain Ford face

Haunted fun with the Spirit of Halloween. Time to start thinking about your costumes for trick or treat or Halloween parties

Long shadows show the progress of a lady and her dog as she crosses the road

Justin Bieber fans wait at the #Toronto ACC

A lot of young ladies waited for their famous boyfriend to show up for his Thursday, July 25, 2013 performance at the Air Canada Centre. Tonight was one of two back-to-back concerts for the Canadian singer who is currently on his Believe World Tour, which has just recently added an additional 30 shows.

The fans started to gather in the centre and around the roadway holding signs and hoping to get a close up view of the singing sensation who has been getting some negative publicity lately. I was happy to see the mini-guy with his Marge Simpson car identified as the Official Bieber Fan-Mobile and "Number one Bieber fan on board."

It was nice to get some more pictures of this cute little car - I had only a small glimpse of him when he was at a red light on Queen Street West.

Maple Leafs on the road to victory

Skating their little hearts out, the #Toronto Maple Leafs team has brought the first round NHL playoffs to the final of seven games against the Boston Bruins. Already in the second period the Leafs are winning 2-1. Fans in hockey jerseys and painted faces meet at Maple Leaf Square outside the ACC to cheer on their team.

GO LEAFS GO!

Update: The Leafs go down in flames after a Bruins overtime goal. It was a fun run, now it is time for them to enjoy a summer vacation after a shortened regular season.

Maple Leafs lead Bruins in game 5

The area outside of the #Toronto ACC centre was ready for hometown hockey fans to show up for the 5th NHL playoff series 1 game in Boston against the Bruins. In the third period Toronto leads 2 -0.

Watching #Toronto Maple Leafs outside ACC

Fans of the hockey team flocked to the Air Canada Centre to watch the away game action on the giant screen overlooking Maple Leaf Square. Toronto's second playoff game was held Saturday, May 4, 2013 in Boston and this game against the Bruins went much better than the first game as Toronto won 4-2 to tie up the series.

The next games come to Canada Monday and Wednesday, May 6 and 8. I don't know if they will have a tailgate party viewing on the home games, but the crowds should still head to the ACC to be close to their team.

Maple Leaf fan zone at Nathan Phillips Square

The #Toronto Maple Leafs home opener happens tonite (Monday, January 21, 2013) and as part of their ‘Passion Unites Us All’ post-lockout tour, the Leafs are paying the costs for skate rental at City Hall beginning at 10 am today. The team will also give away home opener tickets.

“The Leafs will ambush three city rinks previously refurbished by the MLSE Team Up Foundation. The ambushes will feature murals, full rink board graphics, Zamboni wraps, giveaways and appearances/autograph opportunities. The outdoor rink at Nathan Phillips Square will also receive the full Leafs treatment and in celebration of the Home Opener, the Maple Leafs will cover the costs of skate rentals on January 21.” And “January 21 - ticket giveaways, Leafs alumni and Marlies appearances and a special Leafs treatment for the rink”

As the long line circles around the square more reporters began to show. The crowd was getting restless as they had started to assemble very early in the morning. Chants of “give us free tickets” filled the air, but I think I heard people say that only 1-5 tickets would be given out.

Balloons and news crews can be found at the Air Canada Centre before game time.

Passion of the ice

NHL hockey teams take back the ice as the season starts after a protracted battle between the league and the players. Fans were invited to an FREE open practice at the Air Canada Centre (ACC) earlier in the week. Labour troubles were ignored as the Leafs ask you to "celebrate our team, our game and The Passion That Unites Us All." They had so much passion that they created a little ice sculpture that included their new passion phrase.

Fans have to chant: One cup to rule them all, One cup to find them, One cup to bring them all and in the darkness bind them, oh forget it, Leafs won't see another precious cup for awhile. Still, they have passion.

"An invitation to the Leafs Nation" includes the mobile Fan Zone from the 18th to the 25 and a Nathan Phillips Square event on Monday January 21, 2013. You can meet Maple Leafs Alumni, Toronto Marlies and Carlton the Bear along with giveaways and more. January 21 is also the home opener and everyone will get a commemorative scarf..

"As a thank you to their loyal fans and in celebration of the upcoming NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced a series of fan appreciation initiatives Thursday, which includes a free ticket for all Maple Leafs Season Seat Holders to Opening Night, Monday, January 21. The team will also giveaway 1,000 tickets through a variety of promotions leading up to the home opener, in addition to the more than 15,000 season seat holders receiving their tickets free of charge."

You can also visit ACC on February 23, 2013 for a free road game viewing party during the away game with the Ottawa Senators. The party features free food and prizes along with autograph sessions. Find out more on their website.

Loblaws to replace Leafs at ACC?

Did I hear right? The supermarket chain Loblaws, fresh from the gorgeous makeover of the historic Maple Leaf Gardens, may look at replacing the #Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team at the Air Canada Centre. Ha, they will be more successful then the hockey team. Oh, Oh. Brian Burke will take time away from his battle with Don Cherry and Ron MacLean from Coach's Corner and will soon be calling my boss (the wife) to get me banned from the internets. If they get an LCBO in the ACC it also be the first time that you can get a reasonable price for a beer as well.

The Leafs went from Ok in December to near the tail end of the League standings - ranked 25 out of 30, with 67 points. St Louis at the top of the standings is at 93 points.

The ACC

Raptors' Tailgate Party at the ACC

The Raptors Dance Pak were hiding inside but there was a party outside the #Toronto Air Canada Centre for the pregame excitement. I think only the Raptors red velociraptor mascot was warm while everyone else tried to beat the cold by dancing to the DJ's music. The mascot was trying to eat another girl whole, but he only got a little chomp in. The Raptors lost to the Indiana Pacers in their first home game of the season 90-85.

Ice sculpture with basketballs

Organizers provided free food with tiny hot dogs with mac cheese on top, hot poutine and chili (I think that's why the Toronto Fire Department were on hand - to put out the chili fires).

Posted by Joe Hamilton. See more of the Tailgate Party after the jump.

Maple Leafs doing ok

Falling almost in the middle of the National Hockey League (NHL) standings our very own #Toronto Maple Leafs are doing ok and have won 18 of their 36 games. Unfortunately there are 11 other teams within one point either side of the Leafs' point total so it is a precarious time for the team. It's a good thing that they play into summer with the regular season games ending in April 2012. These pictures are from the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Brookfield Place lobby entrance.

The old face mask of Mike Palmateer

Stanley Cup replica

You can see my pictures of old Maple Leaf Gardens which now is a Loblaws grocery store and Ryerson University sports centre. They now take their skates to the Air Canada Centre.