Festival of Animation

Some medical professionals helped spread the word about Spike & Mike's totally uncensored Sick & Twisted Festival of Animation which is coming to Toronto's Bloor Cinema from September 18th to the 26th.

Zombie Walk - Special Director's Cut Edition

You can check out my pictures of the October 24th, 2009 Toronto Zombie Walk here.

As part of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Thea Munster (below) brought together a special zombie walk in honour of Director George A. Romero and his Midnight Madness Premier of SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD at 11:59pm.

PS Thea Munster (pictured below) became engaged to Adam Pearson when he asked her to marry him during the beginning of the 2009 Toronto Zombie Walk!





The undead gathered at Alexandra Park and lurched towards Yonge-Dundas Square, dripping blood all the way. At the TIFF screen in the square George came on stage and talked to the zombies saying he doesn't know why people keep getting dressed up as zombies.



Here is a YouTube video slideshow of the event.

Don't forget the upcoming annual Toronto Zombie Walk scheduled for October 24 - which usually starts at Trinity Bellwoods Park (the actual location is yet to be announced).

Flash Mob - Red Carpet Event

The magic and glamour of the movies was staged on Bloor Street as a Flash Mob, sponsored by Improv in Toronto, set out a red carpet event complete with famous supermodels, fans and media. You would have thought George Clooney was walking the carpet at a TIFF premier instead of some pretend celebrities - and it was a lot of fun.

The Flash Mob is a sudden, planned, gathering of a large amount of people engaged in activities which surprises everyone in the vicinity of the mob. They are quick to form and soon leave without a trace. I found out about this one through the Facebook group: Fun Toronto.





The supermodels relax after the excitement of the red carpet.

Ryerson Annual Parade

In an annual show of school spirit the students of Ryerson University marched out onto Yonge Street at noon heading south towards the ferry docks. They gathered into school groups, some in coordinated T shirts or other themes, walking in a massive show of solidarity as part of the Frosh Week activities. The parade was followed by a picnic and a concert. Toronto Motorcycle Police provided the escort and the necessary road closures to keep the parade flowing.

Leslie Street Spit

The Leslie Street Spit, or Tommy Thompson Park, continues to grow as the landfill continues to accept stuff to dump in the lake.

Biffs went Bam

During the recent Buskerfest there was one act consisting of three women from HerciniArts Collective who wandered around the St Lawrence Market area climbing on things. They were climbing around Biff's Bistro when management decided that the women couldn't climb on there stuff. I thought the Biff's lady was Sandra Bullock in town for the TIFF festival. Here they found some other stuff to climb.

Cab Umbrella

On one of the few warm days in Toronto I happened upon a cabbie sitting in his taxi holding an umbrella out his window trying to keep cool. He was waiting for a fair at Union Station.

The Dead shall rise again and again

Dammit Jim, I don't care how many times they rise, I'm a doctor not a zombie slayer. Theas Munster reminds us that there will be two Zombie Walks this year. The zombies above were from the 2009 Fan Expo. You can check out the horror from some of the past shows here.

Thea Munster sent a message to the members of The Official Toronto Zombie Walk Group.
--------------------
Subject: When there's no room in HELL the dead will walk "Toronto"

Hello Deadlings,

I realize that your skin is crawling with anticipation, as we have TWO zombie walks this year!!!!!

Our usual October walk... will be held on October 24th....more details here..

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121599804490
(please keep checking back for further walk details and after walk activities)

And in just 10 Days, on September 12th, we will be holding the Toronto Zombie Walk: Special Director's Cut Edition to celebrate the North American premiere of George A. Romero’s Survival of the Dead in the Midnight Madness selection of the Toronto International Film Festival. Aside from paying a fitting tribute to George Romero on the event of his newest film, we will also be celebrating Romero’s recent status as a bona fide Canadian citizen and Toronto resident!

Partake in the walk, then be present for an appearance by George A. Romero and a screening of Night of the Living Dead at Dundas Square!
For further details and route:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138530925882

If I don't see your rotting carcass at one, I hope to see you at the other!

The LIVING just won't know what hit them!!!!!!


For further FACEBOOK info on Midnight Madness and 2009's amazing film line up check out:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2583935211&ref=ts
( (REC) 2 looks amazing!)

Or check out Midnight Madness at TIFF
http://www.facebook.com/l/;tiffg.ca/default.aspx

Happy Entrails To You,
Thea

Joe Fresh

Joe Fresh toasts Toronto while enjoying a sample at Steam Whistle Brewing. I think it could be one of his favourites.

Canadian International Air Show

There was some good flying around the Toronto Harbour during the 2009 Toronto Air Show CIAS. My favourites were the WWII mustangs and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

Watching the show from the beaches of Hanlan's Point on the Toronto Islands provided a great view and some refreshing water to keep us cool during the perfect long weekend weather. Hanlan's Point beach is also famous for being Toronto's nude sunbathing beach - so clothes are optional at this site. Here I am just before I got naked (just kidding, photo by Joe).



The Blue Angels put on a great show and it was nice to see them up in Canada.



The Blue Angels fly past the CN Tower.



While their support aircraft named Fat Albert, shown below, also appears in the show. Here they fly just outside of the beach heading towards the Toronto shoreline passing all the boats lined up to watch the show.





A Spitfire comes in for a landing at Toronto's Island Airport while the Canadian National Exhibition amusement rides are in the background.

Ferry Ride to the Islands

With the municipal strike over the ferries running between downtown and the Islands are back in business. I take one of the two ferries that allow bicycles - Wards and Hanlan's Point. This is a popular destination during a nice weekend so it was crowded and you often have to wait for a couple of ferries to come and go before you can make your journey.

The Islands are a great getaway with bike paths, boardwalks, beaches and the Centre Island Amusement Park. You can also get some fantastic views of the city. Here is a view of the open Rogers Centre from the west side of the Island Airport and a panarama of the skyline from the same location.




This is the skyline view from the Hanlan's Point ferry pier. While the sunset photo was taken during the evening boat ride back to the City.




This ferry has discharged it's passengers and is ready to make the journey back to the Islands.

Canadian Navy - HMCS Ville De Quebec

The Canadian Navy is looking for some new recruits so it is doing a Great Lakes tour with a scheduled stop in Toronto. The Halifax class ship HMCS Ville De Quebec was open for tourist so I boarded the vessel to check it out. The grey beast is full of missiles and torpedoes.




The ship looks like it has declared war on the condos as it aims it cannon in their general direction. It seems to be mad that the wall of condos along the waterfront blocks out the great view of the Gardiner Expressway and that cute old City of Toronto.

The Fall of Summer

Summer was a fizzle and the days grow shorter as we head into Fall. Fortunately the weather is pleasant for a change and trees have already begun to change colour - just try to forget that winter is just around the corner.

Brookfield Place - art installation

Brookfield Place support of the arts continues with a new installation of coloured balls hanging in the Allen Lambert Galleria.



You can see more of the art that has been displayed in Brookfield Place here.

Barack Obama - sidewalk art

Here is an impressive, temporary sidewalk chalk drawing of U.S. President Barack Obama by Chinese artist Sing, located just outside the Queen Street entrance to the Eaton Centre.

Purple Man Group

I am not sure why but there was a group of purple guys wandering around downtown.

An update has been received from Joe Fresh. The University of Toronto (and other Engineering schools) Engineering students are celebrating Frosh week by going purple. Frosh week being the week before the school year starts with various orientation and other social events planned to welcome the students. And nothing says welcome more than painting yourself the colour of tinky winky the purple teletubby.

Toronto Skyline

The skyline view of Toronto from the Leslie Street Spit or Tommy Thompson Park.

Underwear Affair - beat cancer below the waist

Individuals and groups joined together to help fight cancers below the waist during North York General Hospital's Underwear Affair or underwear race. The 10k/5k race/walk started at Woodbine Park in the Beach and continued along the Lakeshore area.



Most participants were shy, placing frilly undies over other running wear, while some brave souls did manage to race in their underwear - including quite a few in sponsor Joe Boxer underwear. Their were some great team themes and some unusual costumes such as Leonardo the Ninja Turtle.