Torontoist loves Christmas windows. And especially Toronto cartoonist Graham Roumieu's goofily macabre Christmas window for The Beguiling, featuring the famously elusive personage of Bigfoot and his charmingly neanderthal mangling of basic grammar and syntax. We're ooo-ing over the chorus of disembodied screaming heads, and aaa-ing at the festive blood seeping through Bigfoot-as-Santa's bag of goodies. Roumieu is celebrating the launch of Me Write Book: It Bigfoot Memoir (the sequel to Bigfoot's popular illustrated memoir In... [continue]

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On Halloween afternoon last Monday, Ryan Carriere, a young father, husband, mail carrier and comic book artist was killed , hit by a truck while cycling near the Gladstone Hotel on Queen West. Unless TOist is missing something, some buried byline or wire story (and we hope we are), it's been one full week since the accident and the mainstream media has remained deafeningly, appallingly silent. Perhaps there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for this blatant... [continue]

Tall Poppy Interview - Davy Rothbart... [continue]

So, the shortlist for the new and improved Scotiabank Giller Prize was announced this morning. TOist will cut to the chase: Joseph Boyden wuz robbed. Not only could we not put Three-Day Road down, the novel also straddles the literary and commercial quite nicely (it was Isabel Allende’s pick for this major book club, fer Pete's sake). While delighted that David Bergen made the cut, TOist worries that the literary establishment may once again have... [continue]

TOists will be shaking their booty at Do Something With A Blundstone, the Aussie-themed fundraising party tonight. It's a benefit for SKETCH, the lofty downtown arts studio that offers street-involved and homeless youth drop-in programs that integrate job and life skills development through the visual arts. At the home of the good pilsner folks Steam Whistle Brewing from 7pm to 2am tonight, ten bucks at the door gets you into the party (plenty of food... [continue]

So you're not TIFFing towards ecstasy, making like conspicuously consuming celebs on Bloor's Mink Mile who spend small fortunes in order to drown out the loneliness of the red carpet (boo hoo). The weekend's stuffed with fashiony goodness that's kinder to the civilian pocketbook, and much more satisfying. Today: Susan Harris Design, queen of urbane recycled clothing, is having an open house at her studio today, and inviting other designer to present their wares: jewellery... [continue]

Tall Poppy Interview: Chuck Klosterman ... [continue]

So hot you're considering stripping down to unmentionables? And jumping into a fountain? Torontoist hears you, and recommend stopping here first. I Want Candy Who: Indie Toronto undie designer Candice Levines Candi Factory label What: An open studio sale on children's and adult casual clothing Where: 107 Walnut, south of King (416-504-4915) When: Saturday August 6, 11am to 5pm Why: Polka-dotted kids tunics, dresses and pants, hand-embroidered and felted casual ladies tops and bloomers, of... [continue]

It’s not that these indie designers are anti-Fashion-Week, but you definitely won’t find them on the Liberty Grand runway next month. They’re out in full force tonight instead, at the multi-tasking, multi-media Collective Independence Party, with fashion finds created by Crinoline, Gnosis, Goblin & Crumb, B-Love, Nathalie-Roze, Nude Clothes, O’Belly Accessories, Passenger Pigeon, Samira Khattak Designs, She She and Yasmine Louis. Think dark fantasy leatherware, organic clothing and reconstructed pieces (plus jewellery), with DJs Medley... [continue]

Everyone loves a pretty summer skirt. But with autumn fast-approaching, early adopters are ringing the death knell of the boho-Bobo thing (what, are they itching for an excuse to run out and by a new wardrobe already?). But Torontoist disagrees: as long as the hot weather holds, the look has a few more weeks in it (until Labour Day, at least). Even with all the sales around T.O., the best score on a full, flowy,... [continue]

Tall Poppy Interview - Cecil Castellucci, Writer... [continue]

It was only a matter of time before the mountain came to Mohammed, in the form of a designer sale Torontoist has dubbed Shopaholic Takes Muskoka. Because what else could posh cottagers possibly do on a wet weekend but shop? Who: Luxe Yorkville frock destination San Remo Boutique What: Designer threads from Twin-Set and the shop's eponymous made-in-Italy collections Where: The landing in Port Carling, at D.O.T. Patio & Home When: This weekend only: Saturday... [continue]

Kitsch Them If You Can Who: Pop culture darlings Barbie’s Basement Jewellery, creator of glittery semi-precious charms, belt buckles and pins of pop culture icons like Pac-Man, Betty Page and James Dean What: Opening their studio to the public Where: 401 Logan Ave. (at Dundas), Unit 220 (416-466-3759) When: Today only, from 2pm to 9pm Why: Crazy deals on firsts, seconds, a preview of fall pieces, and you can even design your own ‘fancy deluxe’... [continue]

It’s July and Toronto is just one big 'sale' tag. Herewith, the first installment in an occasional series covering Torontoist’s continuing quest for summer bargoons. Accessorize This Who: Canadian jewellery co. In Accessories, maker of pretty semi-precious pieces What: Opening its downtown showroom to the public Where: 99 Atlantic Ave., Showroom 205 (416-516-4661) When: Begins today, ends Friday; 9am to 7pm all days Why: Sale includes 1,500+ pieces, up to 90% off, starting at five... [continue]

Torontoist is in demand on the party circuit, with a full dance card this summer (we even salsa’d on St. Clair last weekend). Tonight, it’s Dundas West’s turn to have a party, and everyone’s invited. Starting at the Side Door restaurant (Dundas & Markham) further west past the Chelsea Room (ground zero for hipsters of a certain vintage) to Mexican kitsch boutique Clandestino (ground zero for Mayan hammock lovers of a certain breed). What’s on:... [continue]

Think of it as Summer: Unplugged. It's still dang hot out, like living in The Long, Hot Summer, only without a flirting, shirtless young Paul Newman to keep us company (sniff, sniff). So while the latest French trend (at least in certain circles) is the cinq à sept –a quasi-magical after-work cocktail hour—Torontoist is all about the huit à huit. What's that? Well, grasshopper, that means pulling the plug on unnecessary water and electricity consumption... [continue]

1. La Paloma Gelateria (1357 St. Clair W., with locations in Woodbridge and at Vaughan Mills mall.) Those more inclined to artisanal gelato know the Corso Italia has the best scoop in town. It's traditional gelato, at a premium price: about $4.50 for a large cup. Thumbnail history: 'the window' - as it was long known on the Corso - was started by Sicilian immigrant friends Salvatore Giannone and Vincenzo Ciarlandini in 1967. Amusing anecdote:... [continue]

There's more air-kissing than usual in Yorkville today, with big traffic-stopping smooches for the first-ever Hugs & Kisses street party (sponsored by CoverGirl). From noon to 8pm today, you can help kiss cancer goodbye by making a $5 donation to the Lip Imprint Campaign, in and around handbag maven Jeanne Lottie’s subterranean Yorkville Avenue boutique. (That’s also where the Molson Indy Sports Model contestants will be hanging out.) Inside, grab a Kiss martini or glass... [continue]

Hungarian-born potter Eva Zeisel has designed over 100,000 objects, and is now pushing 100. Among the guru's creations is a popular, and now very collectible, line of pottery called Town & Country –everyday objects that bear an uncanny resemblance to members of the Barbapappa family. The éminence grise will be signing her latest book today from 12:30 to 1:30 today, at Caban (262 Queen St. W.), where you can also buy her sultry black tableware.... [continue]