Regardless of how you choose to celebrate (or not) the upcoming holiday season, it’s hard not to embrace a spirit of generosity that seems unique to this time of year. Students from the Ontario College of Art & Design’s Think Tank program are hoping that giving mood will be alive and well among restaurant patrons on Thursday, December 6, as they unveil the inaugural Bread Project. A joint project between OCAD’s Think Tank and...... [continue]

Are you tired of study sessions completely uninterrupted by YouTube clips? Have you resorted to reading books and periodicals rather than maintaining a constant vigil over your Facebook profile? If this behaviour sounds familiar to you, and you live near one of these locations (that is Agincourt, Albion, Albert Campbell, Bridlewood, Centennial, Eatonville, Flemingdon Park, Gerrard/Ashdale, Lillian H. Smith, Mimico, Morningside, North York Central, Parkdale, Parliament, Richview, Riverdale, Toronto Reference, Woodside Square, and York... [continue]

Five days of Pan-Asian cinema in the city kicks off tomorrow night, as the Reel Asian International Film Festival celebrates its eleventh annual incarnation. Bloor Cinema will present the Opening Night Gala film, Finishing the Game, at 7 p.m., followed by a Q&A session with lead actor Roger Fan and producer Julie Asato. Added bonus: local comedy troupe Asiansploitation will perform beforehand on the red carpet. This year's festival is poised to impress. And...... [continue]

Are you concerned that the magic's gone out of City Hall? If so, then this Saturday, November 3 might be your perfect opportunity to make a little magic happen over at Nathan Phillips Square, as a multidimensional mystery unfolds between the hours of 2:20 and 3:20 p.m. Intrigued? So is Torontoist. Here's what we know so far: a "giant jigsaw puzzle based on a leaked character from an unreleased book" will be taking place... [continue]

November 14 to 18 marks the return of the Reel Asian International Film Festival. Last night, the Japan Foundation played host as filmmakers and media types gathered at a press conference to kick off the 11th annual incarnation of the fest. And with more than 70 independent works from all over the world, this year’s Reel Asian Festival will be worth cracking open that golden piggy bank for. Showcasing work from 13 different countries,... [continue]

So, what’s scarier: a zombie infestation or the melting of the polar ice caps? This is an urgent and legitimate question! And later this week, Toronto cineastes can compare and contrast, for just as the After Dark Festival winds down, the Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival springs up. Running from October 24 to 28, Planet in Focus is the most acclaimed film festival of its environmentally-minded ilk. This year, to... [continue]

No word yet on whether that giant lemon will be making an appearance (Yonge and Dundas anyone?), or whether it will finally be revealed how one might actually dismantle an atomic bomb, but hundreds of U2 fans will be rattling and humming into Toronto for the fifth annual (!) inTO the Heart U2 Fan Festival, taking place from November 1 to 3. With fans expected from New York, California, England, and even the Netherlands,... [continue]

If you’re one of the unfortunate souls who missed out on Helvetica way back in April—it was one of the big buzz films at Hot Docs this year—then mark October 16 on your calendar…maybe with a clean sans serif, in bold. Even italicized, depending on your level of excitement. Er, anyway, on October 16, the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (that’s RGD Ontario to their friends) will be hosting a screening of... [continue]

Andrew Bird landed at the Opera House last night, touring in support of his critically acclaimed, brand new full-length, Armchair Apocrypha. Clad in denim and rainbow socks, Bird was the consummate showman as songs and stage banter all melted into one under multi-coloured lights. The crowd was treated to a farm animal Speak’n’Say demonstration, followed by stories of Andrew’s breakfast, and an introduction to his newfound sock monkey puppet friend, whose shoes had to... [continue]

In order to help raise funds for their excellent Toronto Upstairs exhibition (on now, until October 25), Art @ Liberty and the Side Space Gallery on St. Clair West invite you to eat your words. This coming Saturday, September 29, at 7:30 p.m., experience Baroque Poems For a Postmodern Age and Edible Poetry. Fill your belly with all that the title implies, and free finger foods, besides. John Picchione of York University will be on... [continue]

Festival fever is sweeping the city—after all, it’s that time of year. But, perhaps incredibly, there are people for whom Brad Pitt sightings and red carpet galas just aren’t worth the Ben Mulroney-sized hype. What, for example, is the ardent audiophile to do in this landscape of visual media tyranny? Well, the good folks over at the Music Gallery have the answer. Starting tonight, the second-ever X Avant music festival gets underway with a headline... [continue]

Last night, Toronto-based design duo Lateral Architecture celebrated the opening of their THICK2D exhibition at YYZ Artists’ Outlet, much to the delight of the city’s most ardent architecture and design enthusiasts. Focusing on issues of space, functionality, and the role of the designer, the show encourages a reconsideration of several uses of domestic and exurban space. As their moniker might imply, Lateral’s Lola Sheppard and Mason White—professors at Waterloo and U of T, respectively—provide... [continue]

“That’s something you won’t find at Loblaws,” said Frank Yip, as he gestured toward the delectable-looking barbecued meats hanging behind glass at the deli. He’s right; though a staple in Chinatown, it’s a tantalizing display that might be unfamiliar to Toronto citizens used to a more typical grocery shopping experience. It’s also the perfect welcome to T&T Supermarket—the new best friend of Portlands-area foodies. Mr. Yip, construction and engineering manager for T&T, was on... [continue]

Though the lineup for this year's Virgin Music Festival is, admittedly, pretty awesome, there are still bound to be individuals for whom a full day of live music (and shameless advertising!) is simply not reason enough to make that ferry boat ride out to the Island. That's where Global Inheritance comes in. A registered non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, Global Inheritance is looking for volunteers to participate in a human chess game at... [continue]

So, you’re wondering, what is The Gulliver Project about? Well. That, faithful reader, is a very challenging query to address. Ostensibly, it’s a play about memory, loss, and leaving at the wrong time. Equally, it’s about visceral emotional experiences, close familial bonds, and TS Eliot quotes. Essentially, it’s a big, beautifully choreographed mindfuck. Characters’ identities here are often of incidental importance, as placement on stage takes precedence. Actors dance playfully, bleed profusely, whirl about maniacally... [continue]

A pair of anorexic nuns cross a neon pink crucifix to air their laundry—so begins The Ecstatics. Sisters Marguerite and Abegail are the last standing pair of nuns from a convent bent on self-perfection through eating disorders. The premise has promise, to be sure, but an inconsistent, overlong script keeps The Ecstatics from being as brilliant as it could so easily be. Still, Ruth Madoc-Jones and Erika Hennebury must be praised for penning something that... [continue]

With gravel paths and ivy exterior all in shadows, Factory Mainspace at night is the intimate ideal home for Corrina Hodgson’s Simply Told. By turns both bold and fragile, this father-daughter dialogue explores the nature of truth (or truths) in family dynamics. Tense from the outset, the blunt emotional honesty on display builds until audience members are shifting in discomfort. Terrence Bryant is Joseph, a father who clings to his imperfect past. Lesley Dowey is... [continue]

UN Messenger of Peace Dr. Jane Goodall is celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of her eponymous Institute this year, and Toronto is lucky enough to be part of the festivities. Dr. Goodall, most renowned for her involvement with chimpanzees in Tanzania, will grace Toronto for three days in September. Of particular interest is the good doctor's appearance at UofT's Convocation Hall on September 15. According to Tim Grant, co-editor of Green Teacher magazine, Dr. Goodall will... [continue]

A month ago, Torontoist brought you "Great News About the Revue Cinema"—remember? We're not the type to leave our readers hanging, so we have an update! The ever-optimistic Revue Film Society released the following on July 9th: "Realtor Matt Mysak has a challenge for fellow real estate agents in the High Park area: Match my donation. Mysak has contributed $2,000 to the campaign to save the Revue Cinema on Roncesvalles Ave. 'I consider it... [continue]

If a poll were held to declare an official anthem for the city of Toronto, what song would get your vote? Well, whatever your answer, prepare to change your mind, as Torontoist submits this video of local karaoke hero Angelo Tony Luongo's "I Love You My Beautiful Toronto." In this lovingly rendered tribute, Angelo somehow manages to capture the quintessential Toronto experience. He recalls growing up in a multicultural landscape while hanging out with... [continue]