Thelma & Louise stars are reuniting in Toronto tomorrow. In celebration, five reasons to see (or re-see) the movie

3:04 pm

Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis will grace Roy Thomson Hall’s stage tomorrow night to mark the 20th anniversary of the iconic feminist film Thelma & Louise. For those who aren’t familiar with the movie (and for those who are) we break down what makes this film so iconic and, well, awesome.

1. It flipped the script on the female “buddy” picture – When was the last time you watched a movie that featured two kickass women on a crime spree, kicking butts and taking names? Yeah, we can’t think of one before (or after) Thelma & Louise either. Callie Khouri’s Oscar-winning script turned the tables on what liberated female characters stood for, and this time, it didn’t mean getting the guy in the end.

2. It’s got a badass director – Ridley Scott was known as a wunderkind director for such action-packed-machismo flicks as Alien and Blade Runner. Having him at the helm ensured that the film’s scope and feel would be epic and broad rather than small and indie, which is usually the traditional route for a movie with two female leads. He went for universal reach, appealing to both female and male audience members.

3. It features Brad Pitt’s abs – Okay, sure, Pitt’s bedroom scene is a bit of gratuitous eye-candy, but the genius of Pitt’s character, J.D., is that it’s the sort of role that is usually reserved for a chick: he’s hot and he’s trouble. He’s what transforms Thelma from ‘obedient housewife’ to ‘assertive criminal,’ which pretty much seals their fate. Also, this was Pitt’s breakout film, so without it, there’s a good chance we wouldn’t have Brangelina (which is something everyone’s really grateful for, right?).

4. It’s got a killer ending – Even those who haven’t seen the movie are probably familiar with its ending, and that’s what makes it such a critical component to the movie’s success. The fact that it’s not a neat-and-tidy, happy ending makes it great. Traditionally, characters like Thelma and Louise would have done the “right thing” and turned themselves in, but then of course, this isn’t supposed to be a traditional movie.

5. It has an awesome message – One of the best lines in the movie is when Louise says to Thelma, “You get what you settle for.” This proverb could be used towards most things in life, but given the context of the film, we sure hope it means that awesome strong-female-driven movies will continue to fight the odds.

Thelma & Louise: The 20th Anniversary Homecoming, Roy Thomson Hall, June 7

Spearhead Brewing Co. to roll out the first of its beers across the province on June 17

11:54 am

When the great economic crisis of 2008 hit, Dimitri van Kampen turned to alcohol. His foray into booze was far more creative than down-and-out desperate, though: the Toronto-born financial lawyer got into home brewing and discovered a passion for craft beer. That passion has taken the form of Spearhead Brewing Company, which will officially roll out its inaugural beer at bars and restaurants across the province on June 17.

Spearhead Brewing Company’s first offering is the Hawaiian Style Pale Ale, brewed with pineapple. While van Kampen says most beers are balanced in their flavour profiles, Spearhead bills this brew as “perfectly imbalanced,” or, in other words, hop-heavy and aromatic.

Like the Hawaiian ale, future Spearhead concoctions will likely be bold, “extreme” beers that experiment with fruit, spice, higher hop content and higher alcohol content. All of it will be unfiltered, naturally carbonated and non-pasteurized.

Currently, the beer is being brewed out of Cool Beer Brewing Co. in Etobicoke, the spawning grounds of other popular craft brews like Duggan’s No. 9 IPA, and will be available solely on tap for the time being.

 Keep an eye out for Spearhead at spots like La Palette, The Ossington, Highway 61, Burger Bar, The Victory Cafe, and more.

The Coveterie, a new showroom in Yorkville, presents Toronto's most coveted fashions

9:12 am

‘Look but don’t touch’ could be the motto for Yorkville’s newly-opened fashion showroom, The Coveterie. Launched by fashion grad and former Holt Renfrew buyer Natasha Geddes, the exquisitely chic boutique is solely used to showcase — not sell — the latest in fashion trends for buyers and media in Toronto. We caught up with Geddes to discuss the next big thing in fashion, her favourite labels and what, exactly, a showroom is anyway.

Tell our readers about The Coveterie. What exactly is a showroom? Who is it for?
The Coveterie is primarily for buyers to come and view great contemporary collections from all over the world. Designers depend on me to introduce their collections to the right buyers and provide a seamless ordering process. It’s a showroom’s responsibility to pair the collections with the right stores, work closely with the buyers to select the right assortment for their store and ensure that the goods are in-store in a smooth, timely manner. The Coveterie is special because I encourage everyone from bloggers to stylists to general trendsetters to visit every season and get a sneak peak at what’s to come.

How has the response been so far towards your showroom?
It’s been the same across the board: “finally!” Canada needed a boutique-style showroom that is easily accessible to everyone who loves and works in fashion.

Why is a showroom like yours important to the fashion industry in Toronto?
Again, it’s the accessibility to great lines and getting up close and personal with them. The Coveterie is not only a showroom but a place to come hang out, brainstorm and just chat and exchange ideas. We also get the Toronto fashion lovers involved in the fun by throwing a monthly invitation-only party brunch on The Fifth Grill‘s terrace once a month and celebrate a different collection every time.

Which labels/designers featured in the The Coveterie are you most excited about?
That’s like asking me what child I prefer! But I can say that this minute, it’s all about hair fascinators and Oh Dina! does it best. I am also very excited to place my own Greta Constantine Primer order, a seasonless and effortless line under $275. That’s very rare these days. Also, the KA’KIA Holiday collection is pretty badass. My favourite piece is the oversized motorcycle vest. So cool.

What is your must-have item for summer?
Soludos espadrilles, available at The Narwhal.

What is your favourite upcoming trend for fall?
Fur. Although not a trend per se, it’s really important. We carry a line called Rachel F. and she makes gorgeous accessories made of leather and beautiful recycled fur. The ethical way to wear it.

The Coveterie, 12 Irwin Avenue, 647-678-4717

T.O. sales roundup: Jonathan & Olivia, Victoria's Secret, White Crow

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It’s pretty safe to say that summer — the season of patio dining, barbecues, beaches, outdoor concerts and weddings — has finally arrived. With this new wardrobe change, even the most fashionable can get lost in the season’s various trends that range from chic nautical to exotic tribal to sassy bright colours. In this week’s sales round-up, we break down essential — and affordable — items for your summer wardrobe.

Jonathan & Olivia

This Tribeca silk print dress by Rag & Bone, with its bright colours and tribal-inspired design, is the perfect little dress for weddings and special events this summer. It’s on sale for $322. (P.S. — Jonathan & Olivia’s Spring Sale starts today with up to 50% off selected merchandise).
49 Ossington Avenue, 416-849-5956

White Crow

Bright colours are hot this summer, so you can’t wrong with this Selina skirt in coral pink, on sale for $39. It easily works from day to night.
Burroughes Building, 639 Queen St. W., 647-828-7302

Banana Republic

Hit two fashion hits (nautical and colour) with one steal with this Slubby striped rolled up tee in neon yellow. It’s on sale for $28.
80 Bloor St.W., 416-515-0018

Aldo

You don’t need to trade in style for comfort with these funky Magen flats, on sale for $30. They work with leggings, shorts, jeans and skirts. Various locations; check website for your nearest store

Victoria’s Secret

You’ve worked hard to get your body bikini-ready, so now it’s time to show it off with this beachy and bright tie-dye sliding halter top, on sale for $15 and string bottom, on sale for $13.
Yorkdale Shopping Centre, 416-781-2444

Holt Renfrew ups the ante with the announcement of an (almost) new Yorkdale location

12:02 pm

It was only earlier this week when we reported that The Bay was stepping up to Holt Renfrew in the battle to become Toronto’s top department store. Now it seems that Holt’s has seen The Bay’s bid and raised it: the retailer announced a major expansion to its Yorkdale location today.

Apparently, this past year saw record profits for Holt’s, with sales increasing by 10 per cent. (Despite these economically-cautious times, it seems, dedicated Holt’s shoppers are still willing to shell out thousands of dollars on high end designers like Donna Karan and Oscar de la Renta.)

To help celebrate the record year, Yorkdale will be getting an (almost) brand-spanking-new store. The revamped and expanded Holt Renfrew will offer 40 per cent more retail space — from 51,000 to 70,000 square feet — and will anchor the new luxury wing of the mall. It’ll be completely redesigned to feature unique Holt Renfrew in-store events and to offer a broader assortment of customers’ favourite brands and labels, as well as new ones like Rachel Zoe, Tom Ford, and Kate Spade.

The new store will be ready just in time for Christmas shopping in 2012, and customers will continue to be able to shop during the construction phase.

Soulpepper’s The Aleph is a challenging evening of theatre, but very fine

11:03 am

Short stories often make great theatre pieces, from Chekhov’s work to the lesser-known but brilliant adaptations by the wonderful American poet Robert Lowell. So when I heard that Soulpepper’s Diego Matamoros, one of Canada’s finest and most beloved performers, had joined with one of this country’s most impressive directors, Daniel Brooks, to collaborate on bringing Jorge Luis Borges’ mystical, haunting story, The Aleph, to the stage, I was ecstatic.

The result is not heaven (although heavenly, eternal and kabbalistic motifs flow intermittently through the hour-plus one-act), but it does make for a very entertaining, often funny and occasionally poetic experience.

I am generally not a fan of one-man/woman shows, because I have always felt that theatre demands dialogue. But having re-read the great Borges’ brief, nine-page story in a quality translation, I found this a very satisfying, if brief, evening of live theatre. South American-born Matamoros, who came to Canada as a child when his parents’ marriage broke up, is a great comic talent — he truly stole the show at Soulpepper’s recent production of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple (he is soon returning in it; don’t miss it this time) — and he is as adept in poetic, religious incantation as he is in comedy.

The Aleph is not an easy story to comprehend, with a strange plot involving the love for a beautiful young woman who died young, and her vain, untalented cousin who somehow possesses this peculiar, God-infused Aleph, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which appears to have divine powers. Indeed, the highlight of the show — presented on a bare stage with a single swivel chair — is when the superb actor rattles off the epiphany he achieves from viewing the Aleph, using Borge’s exquisite poetry almost word-for-word: “The Aleph’s diameter was probably little more than an inch, but all space was there, actual and undiminished. Each thing was infinite things, since I distinctly saw it from every angle of the universe. I saw the teeming sea; I saw daybreak and nightfall; I saw the multitudes of America … I saw all the mirrors on Earth and none of them reflected me.” (This latter line gives the audience shivers, as only minutes before, the fine performer has pulled back black curtains covering a stage-length mirror which reflects the entire, sold-out crowd watching the show.)

And some lines are utterly unforgettable: “I saw a woman whom I shall never forget; I saw her tangled hair, her tall figure, I saw the cancer in her breast … I saw the coupling of love and the modification of death … the unimaginable universe.”

This is not an easy evening of theatre any more than Borges was an easy writer to grasp: the Argentinian’s magical realism and obsession with spiritual and religious themes will be familiar to few. But if you admire Matamoros as I do, and his thoughtful collaborator, the director Brooks, as well as the genius of set-designer Michael Levine, you may be shaken by this mystical hour — enriched by the often autobiographical nature of this wonderful actor’s additions to the Borges story.

Soulpepper conquers our hearts and minds once more. And the show has recently been extended to June 24, so there is more than enough time to read this excellent translation of Borges’ story, which I strongly suggest. Lots of witty lines about a fictional production of Hamlet help make this a very special show.

The Aleph, Soulpepper, May 13 – June 24

Allan Gould is Post City’s theatre critic

Tomorrow’s Movie Wardrobe Sale means one thing: time to dress up like your favourite Degrassi characters

8:59 am

Our days of watching Degrassi pretty much ended when Wheels and Spike and the gang graduated back in the early 90s. But in light of CAFTCAD’s annual Movie Wardrobe Sale tomorrow — where clothes from the current Degrassi will be sold, along with samples and accessories from other local film productions — we got wondering about how cool it would be to dress like our favourite characters from the hit show (answer: extremely cool). Here’s how to do it:

Christine “Spike” Neslon – To pull off Spike’s 80s-rocker-chick-vibe, besides needing loads of hairspray and a good teasing comb, you’ll need a striped tee, ripped jeans, a vintage motorcycle jacket, and big earrings. (This look is totally in for fall, by the way.)

Jimmy Brooks – Jimmy was the ultimate jock even after a school shooting left him paralyzed from the waist down. Hoodies, jeans and a great pair of kicks are all you need to pull off his laid-back vibe, but remember: Jimmy was played by hip hop star Drake, so you’ll still need to throw some flavour into the mix.

Manny Santos – When it comes to fashion, Manny has worn it all. From flirty dresses to skintight jeans to revealing tops (not to mention going from brunette to ashy blonde), Manny was the ultimate chameleon in high school. Now that she’s an acting student in university, she’s toned down the cheesiness and upped the chicness. Think colourful scarves, skinny jeans and form-fitting blazers.

Marco Del Rossi – Marco’s probably one of the most stylish characters to ever appear on Degrassi. Rock his style by sporting a faux-hawk, a cool bowler’s hat, lots of accessories (think long necklaces) and don’t forget that denim jacket.

Michelle Accette – Michelle was originally Degrassi’s wallflower with her crimped hair and ultra-conservative (and pink) clothes. But she ultimately let her hair down (literally) and snagged herself a pair of boyfriends with awesome names like B.L.T. and Snake. Cut your bangs and wear loose blouses with a pair of jeans to emulate her quiet-but-pretty style.

The Canadian Alliance of Film & Television Costume Arts and Design’s annual Movie Wardrobe Sale, Toronto Pinewood Studios, June 4

Jock and roll: a T.O. yoga teacher unites sprituality, physicality and masculinity with Jock Yoga

1:27 pm

Lets face it, jocks corner the market on everything from football to foosball, but yoga is often the kryptonite of physical activity for these mighty but inflexible Adonises. Toronto yoga teacher and self-described jock Michael DeCorte feels differently, though. We caught up with him to find out just what the deal is with Jock Yoga: his athlete-friendly incarnation of the ancient practice that’s being taught at yoga studios across the city.

How did you originally come up with the idea of Jock Yoga? How would you describe it?
I came up with the idea of Jock Yoga when I first pitched a gym (with a large male clientele) to be a teacher there. The idea was to attract more people (including more men) who would normally not be interested in yoga to give it a try. It has evolved since then and I would say it is more of a contemporary, athletic-spirituality, with an emphasis on perseverence and belief in oneself. I believe that Jock Yoga is helping to inspire the inner athlete in practitioners.

Do you think jocks have traditionally shied away from yoga?
Yes, for primarily the fear of inflexibility, but also I believe because of contempt prior to investigation — they think it’s too girly or new-agey and weird.

Is there a particular pose that you find most people in your classes have trouble with?
I would say that the most frustrating pose for athletes would be splits — I try to introduce it by letting them know that I totally suck at doing it too, so that they feel no shame. It helps that I use props to really stretch the hip-flexors and hamstrings. I can almost guarantee that those who try it with me will feel amazingly increased mobility and comfort in the hip-flexors as early as the next day.

Do athletes tend to get more frustrated when they can’t do a move?
I would say that, yes, athletes (newer to the practice) do tend to get a little more frustrated than non-athletes when they can’t do a pose. I believe this is because, as an athlete myself, I know I am extremely ambitious and I want to be able to do everything immediately!

Would you say there’s more competition among students of Jock Yoga then say, Hatha Yoga?
I would say that yes, there is a little more competition among practitioners of Jock Yoga than of other branches of the practice, for the same reasons listed above. I also believe, though, that this is where the dialogue begins with oneself to begin to accept one’s limitations, and therefore, begin to overcome one’s ego bit by bit. Personally, I have watched others in yoga classes pretty much fly through their practice, and being slightly jealous of their abilities, I attempted to do an ego-driven jump-back one day, resulting in a loud CRACK! and pretty much a broken toe. And there began my journey of self-acceptance! Disclaimer: This doesn’t have to happen to you if you come to my class!!

What is your favourite Jock Yoga pose and why?
My favourite Jock Yoga pose, which is not my own made up posture but one I like to throw in the works, is Parsva-Bakasana (side-crane pose — balancing on your upper-arms with your legs out to the side). It is very challenging, it works almost all of the muscles, it requires focus, strength, balance, stability, breath and it looks REALLY cool when you come into the full expression of the posture! I also believe that there is nothing wrong with a little pride in a sense of accomplishment when moving forward and achieving deeper/more advanced levels of practice.

What has yoga meant to you?
Yoga to me has meant a combination of physicality and spirituality. Some describe it as the union between mind and body. I agree, and also, as I continue to open up my body and uncover my inner strength, I find myself connecting more to the essence of who I really am. In short, I would say that yoga for me has been a physical and spiritual journey of becoming more fit and self-aware. Yoga is not just poses, and it’s not just meditation; I believe it is a balanced way of living life. I also believe that the challenge of a regular yoga practice can help us in overcoming challenges in life, and persevering.

Jock Yoga is taught at Buddha Body Yoga, 473a Church Street; 889 Yonge, 889 Yonge Street and other locations

White Crow boutique has landed on Queen West

12:37 pm

Fashion is such a fickle mistress, and to play to her whims, exclusivity is key. And what could be more exclusive than a pop-up boutique of a cult favourite online shop? White Crow has landed in the Borroughes Building at Queen and Bathurst until the end of the summer.

After previous success with other pop-up ventures in the city, owner Jin Ryu is confident that this space will bring summer strollers into her shop. “Queen Street is obviously the main street for Toronto shopping,” she says. “Right here is the intersection between the commercial side of Queen and the individual boutiques. I’m right in between.”

Ryu has hand picked the entire collection, which she sourced from Korean designers. The bright, whimsical space is a breezy backdrop for her delightfully feminine pieces, replete with pastels, polka dots and airy chiffon. And the price point is even more appealing: the entire collection runs from $24 (for sunglasses and T-shirts) to $94.

Ryu’s favourites are the round, Chanel-inspired shades, which are “so important for the summer,” she says. She also recommends the “Tuxedo Mask” cape jacket ($74) in a ballerina pink with a mint green inlay. “It’s such a statement piece and I don’t think you’ll find this anywhere else,” says Ryu. We like the “Pink Chiffon” tail dress ($69) — perfect for summer weather — in soft pink and beige, which highlights the eternal appeal of nude shades.

The Tuxedo Mask cape jacket ($74), and the Pink Chiffon tail dress ($69).

If all goes well, Ryu hopes to stay in the space longer than the end of summer. Let’s hope that this crow stays in the nest.

White Crow, Burroughes building, 639 Queen St. W., 647-828-7302

Up-and-coming Canadian designers get a boost with the Mercedes-Benz StartUp program

10:10 am

The web was all a-twitter yesterday with news of a special announcement from Mercedes-Benz and IMG, a fashion and media company. Fashionistas who had been holding their breath in anticipation of a possible Toronto-based Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week might be disappointed to hear that such is not the case, but fear not, the actual news is almost as good.

IMG has partnered up with Mercedes and LG Fashion Week to create the Mercedes-Benz StartUp, a program designed to nurture up-and-coming Canadian fashion designers who have been in the industry for less than five years.

The StartUp team intends to meet with some of Canada’s leading fashion experts to help determine the designers that would make the best candidates for the program. The final four designers will demonstrate their work on the catwalk at the LG Fashion Week showcase in October 2011, while the winner of the entire program will have access to mentoring from leaders in the industry for five months, and then make their solo design debut at LG Fashion Week in March 2012.

Here’s to hoping that the StartUp program will help bring Canadian fashion the next Jeremy Laing or Evan Biddell. But until then, we’ll always have Joe Fresh, right?

Residential medical practice defies bylaw, locals allege

2:25 pm

Neighbours living on a residential street in the Bridle Path area are concerned that a local physician is running a psychiatry practice from her home without the home being appropriately zoned.

Dr. Mary McLean, a psychiatrist, said she has been practising out of her home for nine years and is “going through the appropriate motions right now” to obtain zoning variations.

Documents show the residence has been served with at least two violation notices since July 2010.

McLean said she has applied to the committee of adjustment, a division of Toronto City Planning, for a minor variance.

Eletta Purdy, a manager with the municipal licensing and standards division, confirmed that an application for a minor variance is usually the standard requirement in such situations but would not comment directly on the case.

Local councillor Jaye Robinson confirmed that the home in question is scheduled to be dealt with at a future committee meeting.

“Patients start coming at 7:30 a.m.,” said one neighbour who didn’t want his name used. “They come on weekends and holidays. It’s just non-stop traffic.”

McLean denied the traffic claim and said her practice was not disruptive

“There’s just the one cab every hour,” she said. “Long-term neighbours say it doesn’t affect them at all and they’re not concerned.”

How to be the eco-warriors our kids deserve

2:25 pm

I turned 75 in March. That means I probably won’t be around to see the worst impacts of climate change — or the much brighter future that may emerge if we get off our butts to address the problems. But I’m also a father and grandfather, and because I care about my children and grandchildren, and all the world’s children, I continue to work and to speak out about environmental challenges and solutions.

It shouldn’t be up to young people to clean up the messes we have made. But because so many adults have abdicated their responsibility, youth are taking matters into their own hands.

In the U.S. 16-year-old Alec Loorz is taking his government to court over its inaction on climate change. He and others have launched actions against state and federal governments in an attempt to have the atmosphere declared a “public trust” that must be protected, a concept that has been used to clean up polluted rivers and coastlines. “We will let the world know that climate change is not about money, it’s not about power, it’s not about convenience,” he says. “It’s about our future.”

Alec Loorz started an organization called iMatter when he was just 13. He has rallied youth from around the world to raise awareness about climate change. He argues that children have “the moral authority” to ask their parents and leaders, “Do I matter to you?”

It’s a question that deserves an answer. For many adults, the honest answer is, “No, we’re more concerned about cheap gas, the economy, profits for the fossil fuel industry and having more stuff.” Reading about Alec Loorz reminded me of the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. My daughter Severn, who was just 12, gave a speech that silenced the delegates and brought many to tears. She asked the adults, “Are we even on your list of priorities?” She also reminded them that “Losing a future is not like losing an election or points on the stock market.”

After her speech, a reporter said to her, “Yeah, we’ve done a pretty lousy job of taking care of the environment, but you kids are different; you’ll lead the way.” I was astonished by her reply. “Oh,” she said, “Is that the excuse for adults to do nothing? Besides, you are our role models. We copy what you do, so how can you expect us to be any different?”

Severn is now a mother herself, and I’m proud that she takes her commitment to her child and to all children seriously. As well as being a great mom, she works to raise awareness about environmental issues through her writing, speaking and TV appearances. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to help clean up the messes we’ve made. We also owe them respect and support when they get involved and push us to do more for the world. Parents must become eco-warriors on behalf of their children because their future should be as important to us as it is to them.

Post City Magazines’ environmental columnist, David Suzuki, is the host of the CBC’s The Nature of Things. David is also the author of more than 30 books on ecology.

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