Who let the dogs out in the ‘50s? Why, they let themselves out, of course. And then they strapped you on a cart and took you for a ride. You know, instead of the other way around. It was the way man intended it to be. Before doggy day cares and dog boutiques and dog toilets. Yeah, in the ‘50s, people respected the true hierarchy of the animal kingdom. Men told dogs to take them for a walk at the CNE and they listened.
Earth Hour: a gimmicky turn-off for Torontonians?
This evening (March 31), Toronto’s skyline is supposed to go dark for the 60 minutes of Earth Hour. Our decision to join millions of others around the world and sit in the gloom for a while is meant to be a powerful symbol of our collective determination to save the planet. But lately in Toronto, there have been more than a few cracks in the curtain of darkness.
For me, my earliest memory of Earth Hour also happens to be my most vivid.
Taking part in the “lights off for an hour” event aimed at raising awareness of energy conservation in 2008, I found myself sitting by candlelight along with a group of friends on one of the top floors of a downtown condo. As I stepped onto the balcony, I was looking out upon the utter blackness of the city skyline; a powerful representation of our collective participation in the much-hyped event.
While the image provided a stark contrast to the skyline typically awash in lights from apartment windows, it wasn’t terribly surprising. Earth Hour, after all, had been a major water cooler topic in the preceding weeks as a source of unity and connectedness that Torontonians were excited to participate in.
Fast forward four years and that same buzz is nowhere to be found heading into the fifth annual Earth Hour. The WWF-organized endeavor, which began in Australia in 2007 and quickly spread around the globe, has seen its novelty diminish to the point of rather underwhelming returns in Toronto.
A Toronto Star article released shortly after Earth Hour 2011 revealed that power use had dropped just five per cent throughout the city of Toronto, down from 10 per cent in 2010 and 15 per cent in 2009. That five per cent drop still represents roughly 35,000 homes or 12 skyscrapers going dark, but the regression is in contrast to other parts of the world where participation continues to rise.
WWF Canada, for its part, disputes that the event is in decline. Spokesperson Zoe Caron is quick to point to both national and international growth in participation.
“We've found that involvement leading into Earth Hour is up 10 per cent from last year,” says Caron, “with 142 countries participating and over 10 million Canadians expected to take part.”
Still, the organization has shown signs of trying to inject new life into Earth Hour. WWF has launched a campaign of TV spots and reeled in a big fish with the NHL recently coming on as a corporate partner (all teams, including the Leafs, will play under dimmed lighting tomorrow evening).
But just how engaged are Torontonians this time around?
“It seems like Earth Hour came out of nowhere this year,” says 30-year-old Toronto resident Robin De Vuono, who celebrated the event in the past but only became aware of its 2012 date this week. “It used to be built up way in advance.”
On the other hand, others suggest that the promotion has been just fine, but take issue with what they see as the corporate-oriented nature of the event.
"I understand what WWF is trying to do," acknowledges another resident who has watched Earth Hour from his downtown condo in recent years, "but the emphasis on corporate sponsors gives the whole thing less of a communal feel."
The success of Earth Hour will ultimately depend upon how you wish to measure it. Plenty of people will still take part, but will those same people truly feel engaged in saving the planet?
Earth Hour, March 31, 8:30 p.m.
Winging it: the pianist improvising the soundtrack to the Silent Film Fest
With the Toronto Silent Film Festival on now and riding the wave of public interest generated by the Oscars success of The Artist, it seems silent films are in again.
The film fest aims to recreate the 1920s movie experience by keeping the tradition of having live musicians play along to each film. While the musical accompaniment is a crucial part of the silent-movie experience — it’s hard to imagine Charlie Chaplin’s antics without mentally hearing some hyperactive piano music as well — surprisingly, the whole soundtrack is made up on the spot, improvised by the musicians as they go along.
One of those musicians is William O'Meara, a world renowned organist and pianist who is performing at the fest for the third time this year. He will be providing the accompaniment to the “1000 Laffs” segment of the festival (April 1, 4 p.m., Fox Theatre).
For “1000 Laffs,” O’Meara will improvise his way through five short silent comedies that feature such screen legends as Fatty Arbuckle, Buster Keaton and, of course, Charlie Chaplin.
He prepares by watching each film two or three times but says that, on show night, he is completely inspired by what he sees on screen.
“I think comedy is more difficult to accompany. It’s meant to be funny all the time and the comedy is very physical,” he explains. “There were no stunt doubles then or the witty banter that is used in comedy today. When they fell, they really fell. You have to reflect that in the music, and make sure you pace yourself and match the physicality of the movie.”
O'Meara believes that silent movies are still very relevant today, and says that adding audio to films was undoubtedly a technological advancement, but not necessarily an improvement on the art form.
“The great thing about silent movies is that they draw viewers in, in such a different fashion,” says O’Meara. “Once you’ve adapted to it, it’s a much more intense experience.” Like eliminating one of the senses, the pianist explains, the absence of an audio track sharpens your focus and forces the audience to pay closer attention, noticing things they might not see in today’s blockbusters.
When asked if he thinks music tells the story in silent films, O’Meara is very firm that a film accompanist should always remain in the background. “Accompany is the key word,” he says. “I often say that the best compliment I could get is for someone to say, ‘I completely forgot you were there.’”
Toronto Silent Film Festival, various locations. To April 3. Tickets $10 – $20.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival Hour: Zeus, John Southworth, Forest City Lovers, Cold Specks, Walk off the Earth
Rock gods
Zeus are great, according to Randy Bachman, who all but crowned them heirs to the rock throne in Canada during their appearance on his CBC show. And, with apologies to The Sheepdogs, I kinda get it. They have such an incredible array of skills that they don’t have to just sound like that great new rock revival band that taps CCR — not that there’s anything wrong with that. They are much more. And on their new album, Busting Visions, released on March 27 by Arts & Crafts, they don’t hold back. As they prepare for a European tour with Dan Mangan followed by a cross-Canada jaunt in May and June in support of the album, I checked in with Neil Quin to get some backstory on the band:
“I’m really happy with how it sounds,” says Quin, who had just been listening to the record before the call. “I’m really impressed with my friends. It was a good time, with some really memorable moments and I think we’ve achieved a new echelon for us working together.”
In addition to Quin, the Toronto band includes Rob Drake, Carlin Nicholson and Mike O’Brien. The recording was done in the band’s own studio as well as at Feist’s ranch. And although it is the band’s second release, in a lot of ways it is the first album with all four members solidly ensconced in the lineup.
“With the first record, it was pretty much finished by the time me and Robbie were in the band, and we didn’t work on nearly as much of the record,” says Quin. “And I wasn’t really sure what my role was going to be in the band.”
Well, something clicked and Quin’s made a major contribution to the new record, including its first single, “Are You Gonna Waste My Time,” which, if life were right and just, should do for Zeus what “I Don’t Know” did for The Sheepdogs. That is: make them famous, which is exactly what this band should be.
“It is going to be a busy few months for the boys,” says Quin. “You can expect a good times rock show, we pride ourselves on putting on a good show, a rock-splosion that’s what you should tell them rock-splosion!”
Here they are with Bachman:
Easterween weekend
On a brighter note, one of those cool, quirky local songwriters who have somehow alluded any kind of regular success despite heaps of critical praise is back! No, no not Ron Sexsmith. I’m talking about John Southworth, who is releasing a new, of course ambitious, new album dubbed Easterween with two special shows at Lower Ossington Theatre on April 4 and 5. On the album, Southworth collaborates with Juno Award-winning composer Andrew Downing, with a seven-piece “street-cabaret ensemble” along for the ride. Southworth, an English-Canadian, hit it big out of the gate when he released the still-revered album Mars Pennsylvania back in the mid-90s. CBC Radio 2’s Rich Terfry might have put it best when he described Southworth as “John is to music what Guy Maddin is to film.” Unless, of course, you don’t know who Guy Maddin is. Well, then there really isn’t any hope is there?
From Easterween:
Forest in the weeds
Once upon a time there was an indie band from Toronto, and they called themselves Forest City Lovers. Fans adored the singer, Kat Burns; critics swooned, the future was bright. But, like many a musical love story, the ending is not a happy one. The band called it quits this week and announced that on April 19 the band will perform their final show at The Great Hall. Burns spelled out the situation in a letter posted to the band’s website, saying, “I am both excited and nervous to announce that after our show in Toronto on April 19 I am putting the Forest City Lovers name on an indefinite hiatus.” The excitement comes from the move to release all future musical endeavours of Kat Burns under the moniker KASHKA.
You Say Party on dude
The band Real Boys, featuring Stephen O’Shea of popular Canadian dance-punk band You Say Party! We Say Die!, Oh No! Yoko and GSTS!, released a new six-song EP last week to much hubbub. It is a bubbly, jaunty, hook-laden affair featuring the really high and lively vocals of lead singer Everett Morris. The band is planning a tour of Western Canada over the next couple months, but don’t be surprised if they make their way out to Toronto — likely just in time for North by Northeast. Here’s the video for their first single, “Vacation.”
Good cause alert
A group of top-notch Canadian musicians are gathering at the Sound Academy on April 12 for a special benefit concert in support of a new park to be named in honour of late Toronto guitarist and all-around great guy Jeff Healey. Those performing include Randy Bachman, Paul James, Jack de Keyzer, Danny Marks, Lamont James, Tony “Wild T” Springer and the Dave Murphy Band. The park is located near Healey’s boyhood home in the city’s west end. The proceeds from the concert will go towards purchasing special playground equipment to make the park more accessible for kids with disabilities. Tickets available from Ticketmaster.
And why not spend a bit of time with the late Jeff Healey right now:
Grimes going, going, gone
Montreal artist Claire Boucher, a.k.a. Grimes, is well on her way thanks to her breathtaking album, Visions, which she showcased a couple weeks back at a jam-packed show at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern. But, she’s an artist, and artists need to create. As a result, Boucher is already readying a side project dubbed Membrain with electronic musician Tim Lafontaine. The duo will release a new EP called Sit Back, Rewind later this year.
Who knows what evil lurks
In an era when Toronto and area indies bands from the ‘90s just won’t go away, it is no surprise to hear the instrumental whiz kids Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet are reuniting for a gig at Lee’s Palace on July 14. Without the TV show The Kids in the Hall, with its Shadowy theme song, it is hard to fathom whether or not anyone would know this band. They made some noise and put out three albums — so why the comeback? I tracked down one Shadowy character, local record producer Don Pyle, and asked him just that.
“The label reissuing the records, Mammoth Cave Recording Company, asked if we would consider playing Sled Island fest in Calgary in June,” Pyle explains. “It seemed so preposterous and we have always been a sucker for a dare — so we said yes. It wasn’t part of our plans but we quickly realized we could do it, in and out with as little of the icky music business things that mar the music-making experience as possible.”
There you go, from the man himself.
She is Specks-tacular
So, Al Spx, a.k.a. Cold Specks, was in town for Canadian Music Week and I got the chance to sit down with her and go over her meteoric rise to, well, maybe not fame, but solid next big thing. Her debut album, I Predict a Graceful Expulsion, will be released May 21 and she’ll be touring Canada with Great Lake Swimmers in May and on June 2 in Toronto, so we’ll be hearing a lot from her. We met up at the Rivoli the day after she arrived after playing a few shows at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, amidst that crazy spring heat wave. I’ll be profiling her in greater detail for an upcoming edition of Post City Magazines, but here are a few highlights:
• First up, she doesn’t live in England. She’s back and forth, and does much of her studio work overseas, but we can still consider her a local. She’s up on the local gossip and does consider Rob Ford an “idiot,” so there you go.
• The whole “doom soul” tag that everyone was talking about was a bit of a joke for her Facebook page when she released her first song “Holland” online. She took it off after five days, but it stuck like Krazy Glue.
• She is buddy-buddy with English band Hatcham Social, who help keep her grounded while the world goes gaga for her unique sound. And still has a load of local friends that help her out.
• Her songs were created during a very “morbid” period. Now she writes more about “boys.” Not sure whether or not the “doom soul” tag still applies.
• She, like many musicians before her, was inspired by the revered field recordings of Alan Lomax.
• The first album she ever purchased was Is This It by The Strokes when she was 13 or 14 years old. No, she doesn’t like the new stuff.
Junkies junkies
Revered local band Cowboy Junkies just released their new and wonderful album The Wilderness earlier this week completing their four-disc "Nomad" series. The series itself is a must-have for music fans and includes Renmin Park, Demons and Sing In My Meadow, all released in the last 18 months. All of them have very different sounds and sources of inspiration, from geography to artists such as the late, great Vic Chesnutt. The band is in a cool and comfortable spot with a solid fan base around the world that allows them to crank out these gems through their own label, Latent Recordings. If they want to get any bigger, they don’t show it. And if they keep cranking out music like this, everyone will be just thrilled. But, if you crave a little live Cowboy Junkies action, the band has signed on as the opening act for the Canadian dates of one John Mellencamp.
Check out the band playing the Chestnutt song “Wrong Piano:”
The clever kids
Gotye’s Toronto concert date at the Kool Haus on March 31 reminded me off those quirky and cool kids Walk off the Earth, who turned a Gotye cover into a YouTube sensation and a major record deal. Sure, I wanted to write them off as a novelty act, who took full advantage of their 15 minutes of fame. I’ll admit it. And, yes, come to think of it, maybe I’m writing this because I know there are a million people who follow every word written about these guys. Still, their latest video for the song “Little Boxes,” released last week, is incredibly inventive. Musically, well, not so much. But when you create all the instruments and an entire living room out of cardboard boxes I would be remiss not to mention it. The band has already signed a big label deal with Columbia Records, and are apparently in the studio working on a new album.
Who is Feltworth?
A tweet by Feist drew our attention to some weird muppet-like band called Feltworth. Speculation about the true identities of the little fellas is underway, and some suspect Sloan funny guy Chris Murphy’s handiwork. We’ll see. Check out their intro video below:
Also this happened
FYI speaking of Feist — she just added a massive slate of new shows from May until the end of August. And, no, she isn’t playing Toronto. Boo! That is all.
Photographer Deborah Samuel unveils “Elegy,” a beautiful but haunting exhibit at the ROM
A few days before the latest exhibit from renowned photographer Deborah Samuel is due to debut at the ROM, the exhibition space is still bare. “But I’m told the walls have been painted cotton-ball white,” says Samuel, examining the room where her latest exhibit, “Elegy,” will take shape.
“Elegy,” which makes its world premiere tomorrow (March 31) in the Hilary and Galen Weston Wing of the ROM, features dozens of haunting images of animal skeletons. The images are stark and set against a deep black background and are a powerful statement on the transience of life.
At first glance the images look like normal — though very beautiful — photographs, but they were made using an unusual technique.
“I was raised in the dark room,” says Samuel, who has photographed the likes of music legends Rush and Leonard Cohen. “But this time I decided to embrace technology completely.”
So, rather than shooting the skeletons with a camera, the artist placed the bones on a scanner then used a digital process to get the black in the background just right. “I had to manipulate the skeletons to get the point I wanted into focus,” she says.
This method gives the skeletal subjects the air of almost being able to crawl off the page. One in particular, a series of three separate images titled Cobra (shown at bottom), are placed in a way the you could swear the snake is actually slithering through the frames. “When you see the skeleton it’s as though you could imagine it alive,” says Samuel, “because that’s its imprint on the world. It’s really only capturing the essence of the energy that it contained.”
The photographer, whose career spans over three decades, began her work in fine art, before moving into commercial photography, doing promo shots for friends who had started rock bands. “Eventually they would get signed to a record label and then I would get to do an album cover,” she says. “I met a lot of people that way.”
Samuel’s commercial work has appeared in the pages of Esquire, GQ and Rolling Stone, but in her personal projects — like “Elegy” — she has moved away from the rich and famous and towards animals.
For Samuel, “Elegy” began with the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. “I saw images of all these oiled birds in Louisiana and I wanted to go there to take pictures of them, but BP and government regulations wouldn’t allow me to,” she says.
After that, she decided to make a statement through her work, finding and buying animal bones and then photographing them. “I used skeletons because I made the leap from the oiled birds to their death. At the end of the day if we don’t take care of our environment, we all die.”
Once she began, she became fascinated by the anatomy of the skeletons she was photographing. “Even though they’re skeletons it’s almost like you can see the whole animal in relation to another animal and the magnificence of how we were put together to survive.”
Of the 50 photographs that make up “Elegy,” 33 will be shown at the ROM, and 10 of those images are of skeletons leant to Samuel by the ROM. “They saw my stuff and offered me the space because it fits the subject matter that they’re already working with,” she says of the ROM’s current program, Life in Crisis. “That’s also why they offered me access to their collection. They have this enormous collection that’s been there for who knows how many years. To have that access was really special.”
“Elegy” will be featured as part of the Contact Photography Festival in May.
Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park, 416-586-8000. March 31 – July 2.
All images shown in this article are courtesy of Deborah Samuel.
Rakia Bar is set to open in Red Rocket’s former Queen East digs
Last year, Leslieville fixture Red Rocket Coffee announced it was leaving the area due to rising rent costs. Now, the space at 1402 Queen Street East is papered over with a rather cryptic “coming soon” sign featuring a portrait of Nikola Tesla. What does it mean? That Serbian franchise Rakia Bar is coming to town, of course.
We weren’t able to get in touch with a Rakia Bar representative immediately, but the resto-bar’s website — which indicates that it is coming soon to Toronto — provides a description of the business:
“Rakia Bar is a unique concept in which the distillate of the finest fruits is always taken with meze, the creative appetiser in a contemporary and conceptualized space. It is urban hedonism; decisive step onto the world’s scene of alcohol beverages in Belgrade and Serbia.”
Translation: expect wine, brandy and small sharing plates.
We’re not sure when, exactly, the new place is slated to open, but Rakia Bar has already taken to social media — follow its progress on Facebook and Twitter.
Review: The Second City’s Live Wrong and Prosper
There is nothing “wrong” with The Second City’s latest mainstage revue, Live Wrong and Prosper, a satirical — and hilarious — commentary on our society’s obsession with looking for success in all the wrong places.
Spock, that lovable Vulcan from Star Trek, first uttered “live long and prosper” back in the 1960s, during a decade remembered for its social revolution, irresponsible excess and flamboyance. Flash forward 50 years to today’s era in which our day-to-day existence is hashtagged and Tweeted, governments are overthrown by Facebook update and people’s torrid love lives are filmed for mass consumption — and it’s pretty obvious that nothing much has changed since then. There’s something wrong — and something funny — about this, and the folks at The Second City know it.
Live Wrong and Prosper is one of Second City’s most sophisticated and spot-on shows in a while, and, being a reflection of our times, is most definitely for the tech-savvy. There are several social media sketches during the night, including a Guy Fawkes-masked Anonymous hacker telling us to shut off our cell phones and a dad (Alastair Forbes) live-tweeting his child’s birth in the delivery room.
In one of my favourite sketches of the night, three BFFs (Inessa Frantowski, Carly Heffernan and Ashley Comeau) discover their dead friend’s Facebook page is still active and pose one of the most important questions of our time: what happens to your Facebook page after you die? (Hint: you might want to update your status to show that you’re dead.)
And speaking of the ’60s, there’s a tightly written, well-executed sketch featuring Nigel Downer and Jason DeRosse as two spies who are trying to outdo and kill each other that recalls the classic James Bond movies and I Spy TV show from the flower power decade.
The biggest strength of the show is, of course, the cast. They’re a lovable and talented bunch, and a lot of people must think so too, since they’re the first cast in years to remain intact from one revue to the next.
Director Chris Earle has given the show a refined — dare I say, trendy? — look, which links nicely to the central themes of superficiality over substance and having over asking.
Sure, a show that opens with lines such as “I want an honorary degree from Yale for my sudoku-ing” and “I want people to be so afraid of me, they can’t watch me eat” can be a bit depressing for its funny-because-it’s-true appeal, but the show is so sharp and snappy that you’ll no doubt Tweet about how much you enjoyed it.
After the show is over, of course.
The Second City, 51 Mercer St., 416-343-0011. Runs throughout spring.
What the Fashion Tweeps are Saying: March 30
Every week, we gather our favourite tweets from in and around Toronto’s fashion scene. This week features tweets from Juno award nominee Diamond Rings, teen photographer Petra Collins and more.
Best New Artist nominee @stayfierce is packing for the Junos. The outfits sound promising already!
Packing my bags for the Junos. Bringing some seriously heavy chains!
We love Kate Moss for ageing naturally — and for her bad girl attitude. According to @cutblog, she doesn’t even care if the press call out her wrinkles:
Kate Moss doesn’t really care if the Daily Mail calls her wrinkly: 'They just get on everyone's t*ts, don’t they?' https://t.co/PNf7MuZb
A huge warehouse sale filled with local designer goods? @muttonhead_co always gets the best peeps together, so don’t miss out on the deals!
Warehouse Sale Count down!! #local designers Naked & Famous Denim, 18 Waits, Metsa, Muttonhead –> Fri-Sat 10-7 Come! https://pic.twitter.com/AKirB4f4
@MiracleThieves gave a new definition to “putting away your toys” yesterday when they inspired us to re-decorate our walls too:
Re worked the wall @foxnicholas @ericcheung #mikasato #orphans #plushtoys #monoprints #on @ Miracle Thieves https://instagr.am/p/Ixkfz9hTRw/
Toronto teen photo prodigy @petracollins is getting into the Easter mood by saying what we’re all thinking:
Really want a jumbo pack of mini eggs
Make some time for Easter crafts! @DrakeGenrlStore found the best bunny-related DIY out there:
DIY Thursdays: this adorable origami bunny project makes us hop for spring joy. Find out how to make your very own https://ow.ly/9XY2z
Everyone from stylists to shoppers to top magazines are giving @racboutique major props for their highly anticipated pop up shop, coming soon to King West:
Thanks! RT @DonovanWhyte: dont forget to check out T.O's finest POP UP SHOP! my girls at RAC got mad game https://pic.twitter.com/j2ESz9N4 #TheBazaar
Tony Aspler’s Weekly Wine Pick: Tilia Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Mention Argentinean wine and people immediately think of Malbec. But the Mendoza Valley also produces some Cabernet Sauvignon at attractive prices. This Cab has an expressive bouquet of blackcurrant and cedar. Medium-bodied with juicy cherry and currant flavours, it’s a wine that punches above its weight in terms of price. Food match: lamb chops or grilled sausages.
$12.95. LCBO #163428.
Post City Magazines’ wine columnist, Tony Aspler, has written 14 books on wine and food. Tony also created the Ontario Wine Awards. He can be heard on 680News.
Morning Throwback: before Top Chef Canada, Toronto had this
Before Top Chef of Canada had us eating out of its hand, there was the Labour Department Cooking School. True, it doesn’t look as cutthroat as the reality TV show we’ve become addicted to, but the looks on those judges’ (customers? guinea pigs?) faces tell us all we need to know: appetites have been satiated, and thanks to that one chef’s stink eye, there might be something cooking beneath the surface after all.
Cool nights, hot patios
Jamie Oliver likes it, we like it
If an out-of-towner asked me for a typical Toronto restaurant, I’d say Buca, for it signifies a hat trick of edible Toronto: first, our ethnic background in general and specifically our strong Italian immigrant presence. Second, how cool we’ve become. Who needs the Big Apple when we have restaurants like this, in a reclaimed warehouse with soaring ceilings, washed brick, industrial fixtures and a multiplicity of clever little spaces, all grace and no attitude? And third, Buca is one of the reasons why Toronto is one of the great food cities of the world, for pure food quality. That chef Rob Gentile trained under Mark McEwan shows in his impeccable technique. I love his thin-crust pizzas with clever toppings and his pasta, especially when he fills them with the likes of veal, grana padano and mortadella and makes matters even richer with a deep, strong veal sauce. His charcuterie is superb, and even the desserts, not usually an Italian strong suit, are worth every calorie.
Buca is located at 604 King St. E., 416-865-1600.
More than just a legendary burger
Masters of the universe frequent the impeccable Bymark restaurant for its unfussy luxe, the service that says that you really matter and a menu based on the best ingredients flown in from the four corners of the globe. Bymark is also where the thousand dollar suits go to kick back after work, for the bar is an elegance of stone and wood. After a few $12.50 to $14 cocktails, they own the world, and a $35 Bymark burger in the bar goes down like a bear market on the run. Eight ounces of U.S. prime garnished with ultra crisp onion rings and unimpeachable French brie, it makes those 80-hour work weeks feel worth it. As does the ridiculously delicious $27 grilled cheese sandwich with lobster, pancetta and more of that upmarket French brie. But the most fun at the Bymark bar (other than pretending you’re richer than you think) is the $27 poutine perfect fries with juicy, sweet butter-braised lobster and fabulous Béarnaise sauce strong with tarragon scent.
Bymark is located at 66 Wellington St. W., 416-777-1144.
Liberty Village hot spot
Toronto would love to hate Scarpetta because who wants to like a resto brought to us by a globe-trotting New York chef for whom we’re just an extension of his brand, a little frisson of franchising? But dinner at Scarpetta is a deluxe delight, deeply layered complex Italian cooking in a glamorous room with fine and formal service. Nowhere in this town do we find polenta as smooth as here; how cosseted does one feel when the waiter spoons our fragrant truffled mushroom stew onto the silken polenta? The short ribs are more moist, more high-flavoured, more elegant than such a homespun cut of meat has a right to be. Even the simplest of Italiana — tomato basil spaghetti — has deeper flavour than one imagined possible. There are superb complex constructions like sablefish with roasted cherry tomatoes and lightly caramelized fennel, and duck breast with Sicilian spices and preserved orange. Small wonder the Thompson Hotel copped the wunderkind of New York Italiana.
Scarpetta is located at 550 Wellington St. W., 416-601-3590.
Outdoor fun with fine Japanese fare
Drive by Guu any night and check out the lineup snaking around the parking lot. Are these people all nuts? No, they are aficionados of Toronto’s only real izakaya joint. In Japan izakaya is where you get drunk and snack after work, and the servers yell hello and goodbye in unison to all comers. Same deal here, which creates more fun than most Torontonians have ever had in a restaurant, which explains why we’re willing to line up for as long as two hours to get in. Guu takes no reservations and you sit at plain wooden tables on backless benches. And the food is wonderful. Takowasabi is octopus with chopped wasabi stem in hot/sweet sauce. Maguro tataki is almost-raw tuna with ponzu sauce and crisp fried garlic. Salmon natto uke is raw salmon, with natto (fermented soybeans), crisp fried garlic and wonton chips, shibazuke (pickled eggplant and cucumber in plum vinegar seasoned with ginger), takuan (pickled daikon), green onion and raw egg yolk. We mix these elements and wrap them in crisp nori to make fabulous little flavour packages.
Guu Izakaya is located at 398 Church St., 416-977-0999.
This Weekend in Toronto: Spring Cottege Life Show, a storytelling fest, Tim Fite at the Drake and more
Our round-up of the best things to see and do in Toronto this weekend. In this edition: the Spring Cottage Life Show, Canadian Storytelling Fest, Tim Fite plays The Drake, a fun dance show at Harbourfront and an interior design workshop.
Badass Dance Fun
The Harbourfront Centre plays host to an outside-the-box dance show devised by Toronto-based choreographer Eroca Nicols. This original performance showcases talent from across Canada and aims to have some fun with dance. There are two separate programs, which will be shown on alternate nights, with a double-bill for the Saturday matinee.
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W.. To March 31 (March 29 & 30, 8 p.m.; March 31, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.) $15.
Spring Cottage Life Show
Billing itself as the official kick-off to the outdoor season, the Spring Cottage Life Show opens this weekend. Over 475 exhibitors will be showcasing everything you might need for a summer getaway at the cottage, from patio furniture to water toys.
International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, 416-599-0800. March 30 – April 1. $17 adult, $10 under 18, free for 12 and under.
Toronto Story Telling Festival
This year’s Toronto Story Telling Festival aims to define Canadian identity by presenting stories about all facets of our nation. Drop in to hear stories from everywhere between British Colombia and Newfoundland, as they attempt to figure out what it means to be Canadian.
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000. To April 1. $15-$50.
Tim Fite at The Drake
Brooklyn native Tim Fite will stop in at The Drake Hotel this Sunday as part of his Ain’t Ain’t Ain’t tour, the third installment of his Ain’t trilogy. Known for his original country/hip-hop sound, the singer/songwriter will play songs from his latest album, about the pain, hope and passions of being a teenager.
Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042. April 1, 7:30 p.m. $10.50 advance, $12 door.
MAD Lifestyle and Design Workshop
MAD solutions is offering a workshop that makes chic interior design affordable. Hosted by Houndstooth Décor, guests will be walked through how to decorate their home on a budget and where to find inexpensive and fashionable furnishings.
Houndstooth Décor, 1280 Castlefield Ave., 416-898-3540. March 31, 10 a.m.
