Spiderman, Spiderman

Does whatever a spider can. Toronto Spiderman was spinning some webs down at Yonge and Dundas, enoying the sun of early spring. Thank goodness that the warmer weather is bringing out some street performers to entertain us.

Tickets for Honda Indy Toronto 2016 on sale now

With the promise of high powered engines screaming around the Streets of Toronto, the ticket window has been opened for the motorsports July 15-17 weekend in Exhibition Place. We have a bit to get through before we get to the races including meeting a few of the drivers, the start of the track build and the construction of the grandstands and the release of the off track festival schedule. The Green Savoree Racing Promotion team will bring the 30th running of the Honda Indy Toronto back into town with some of the fastest drivers on four wheels like Canada's own James Hinchcliffe.

Grid Girls with the driver signs

"Tickets to the 30th running of the Honda Indy Toronto are now on sale for the general public at hondaindy.com and the exclusive Champions Club program and benefits for renewal ticket customers has been extended to new ticket purchasers for a limited time." Until the 25th of April, two-day grandstand tickets get Paddock Passes, access to the IndyCar Series pre-race grid walk and the chance to sign the start/finish line.

"Our team has been hard at work to come up with exciting ways to recognize our customers as we get ready to celebrate 30 years of racing in Toronto," said Jeff Atkinson, president of the Honda Indy Toronto. "The Champions Club is a great way for us to reward our most loyal customers and those getting a head start on buying their tickets. It's only the beginning, get ready for more exciting announcements race fans."

NASCAR stock car racing in Exhibition Place

Paul Tracy

Several race events will take place during the weekend with the SPEED Energy Stadium Super Trucks, the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, the MAZDA Road to Indy ladder series, the NASCAR Pinty's Series and the Verizon IndyCar Series.

All photos by Joe Hamilton.

Toronto Motorcycle Springshow 2016

Spring is in the air and most of Toronto is at the motorcycle show, presented by Riders Plus Insurance, in the International Centre. A lot of people were dropping by the April 9 -10 show to buy their new bike or at least sit on a few models and dream about which one they would like to own. The Lords of Gastown Motorcycle Supply Co. at top

"louder than your girlfriend was last night"

Four halls of the Toronto International Centre were loaded with dealer displays, used bikes, custom motorcycles and a performance stage featuring the Toronto Dymes. Joining the bikes are motorcycle parts in the pickers market and several areas selling riding accessories and clothing.

Tig returns to the Springshow. A fan throws a punch in a photo with Kim Coates, right, during his weekend appearance. "You know him as Tig from Sons of Anarchy. Television, movie and theatre actor Kim Coates will be at the SPRINGSHOW 2016, April 9 - 10 at the international Centre. Fans will be able to get autographs and have their photo taken with Tig, both days of the show. Be sure to get your tickets in advance to avoid on site lineups. Tickets go on sale February 1."  Kim's appearance in 2015 drew so many people that they arranged for him to come back to Canada for the show. He still caused a giant lineup that continued for hours as people got him to sign autographs and get pictures taken with the star.

Batman by Black Widow

Showbikes competed for over $20 grand in prizes.

Top riders will compete at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park during the Superbike Doubleheader during the August 19 - 21 Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship.

Toronto Photo Laureat

Interesting news out of City Council, they appointed Geoffrey James as Photo Laureate. His appointment continues until 2019.

"James is a Toronto-based photographer who is recognized internationally as a master of landscape and urban photography. As the City's first Photo Laureate, he will advocate for photography and the visual arts, using his perspective to foster dialogue."

Looking back at Silver Elvis

Cold, wet weather is delaying the return of the city buskers. Staples like Silver Elvis, Kate Mior and Toronto Batman are probably together in the Batcave, drinking hot toddies and dreaming of tourists making it rain into their donation bins.

Silver Elvis at Buskerfest

The big street performer festival is the Toronto International BuskerFest which is scheduled for August 25-28, 2016. Thankfully it looks like the extremely popular community event will continue, at least for this year, after losing its title sponsor Scotiabank, last year. Here are some more pictures from BuskerFest.

April snow delays cherry blossoms

A blast of winter weather has hit the Toronto area and the fabulous Sakura cherry blossoms are now expected to peak in early to mid May 2016. In High Park the trees are showing buds in the early stages of growth with some delay due to the cold. The blossoms have typically come out in April or May depending on the lasting affects of winter. I was hoping that the warmer than usual winter season would have given us early signs of Spring. These are some blossoms from previous years.

Besides the famous High Park cherry blossoms, you will also be able to find fruit trees when they bloom in many areas of Toronto, including Queen's Park, Exhibition Place, Old City Hall, Osgoode Hall, Ryerson University, the University of Toronto and along the centre boulevard of University Avenue.

"Nothing symbolizes spring like the beauty of a blooming cherry tree. Each year thousands of people visit High Park to take part in the century old Japanese tradition of Sakura Hanami, or “cherry blossom flower viewing.” The City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department notes that the Japanese ambassador to Canada presented 2,000 Somei-Yoshino Sakura trees to Toronto in 1959. The trees were a gift from the citizens of Tokyo.

Toronto Old City Hall

Osgoode Hall panorama

A little of this, a little of that

It's time for a little bit of variety for the upcoming spring warmup. All photos by Joe Hamilton.

Toronto Pillow Fight 2016

The International Day of Pillow Fighting brings close, fluffy combat to Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday, April 2nd from 3-6 p.m. Brought to the city by the group at Newmindspace, the organization does all sorts of wacky events like the light swords battle and the bubble battle.

"Pillows fly and teddies soar as you converge for a giant urban pillow fight! Swing and whack as you evade pillow-wielding assailants. Bring a soft pillow and wait for the signal. Pillow fight! Rules: Please follow these guidelines to ensure a safe and fun pillow fight for everybody!
+ Soft, feather-free pillows only!
+ Swing lightly, many people will be swinging at once.
+ Do not swing at people without pillows or with cameras.
+ Remove glasses beforehand!
+ Deposit pillows in donation boxes or take them with you.
+ Pajamas welcome."

Play fights will happen all over the world during this, the 7th annual International Pillow Fight Day as over 100 cities will erupt in joyous swinging of the pillows. These are photos from the 2015 Pillow Fight.

#WNBR 2016 coming June 11

Less Gas, More Ass on the protest against oil dependence at the upcoming Toronto World Naked Bike Ride. Riders will gather from 10am to 1pm on Saturday at Coronation Park and take to two wheels at 1pm for a jaunty ride through downtown Toronto. Bare as you dare, clothing is optional; "wear your clothes if you want, just show up and ride!"

Coronation Park is just south of the CNE Princes' Gate along Lake Shore Boulevard. Ride organizer Gene Dare, above, is usually at the War Memorial early, greeting bikers as they show up and prepare for the ride. Some of the bikers get body painted and there are usually a few volunteer artists that show up, as well as a few enthusiastic amateurs with paintbrushes.

The typical route starts by heading north on Strachan Avenue and turning east on Queen Street West, although sometimes they have gone through Trinity Bellwood's Park and continuing into such popular tourist destinations as Kensington Market, University of Toronto, Queen's Park, Yorkville, Ryerson University, past Yonge-Dundas Square on Yonge Street and the Toronto Eaton Centre before taking a long break at City Hall for some individual and group photo opportunities which sometimes includes the reflecting pond. After City Hall the WNBR heads south on Bay Street and officially end the ride at the Jack Layton Memorial Ferry Docks. While most of the riders disperse at the Toronto Island Ferry landing, some head back to Coronation Park, or some take the ferry over to the Islands and head to the clothing optional beach at Hanlan's Beach.

Passing by the Toronto Eaton Centre and Yonge-Dundas Square

Several media organizations cover the Toronto biking event and Naked News is supposed to return once again to this year's event.