Results tagged “holiday”

Your reaction to snow depends on the circumstances. The frequency of dumps the city has received so far this year has caused grumbling about blocked streets, dirty mounds higher than the average citizen and many a wish for spring to speed up its arrival. Conversely, as long as the roads outside the city are passable, lovebirds, families and outdoor enthusiasts looking for an escape from the city have headed up to Muskoka resorts like Hidden Valley to enjoy activities made possible by the white stuff.

Happy Family Day! Happy, that is, unless you're part of the seemingly endless parade of business owners, executives, police officers, parents, people who have to work today, cynics, bitter old men, or plain old ne'er-do-wells in general who believe that Family Day is going to ruin life—and, more importantly, the economy—as we know it. Well, buck up, kiddo. It's just not that bad.

Torontoist is ending the year by naming our Heroes and Villains of 2007––the people, places, and things that we've either fallen head over heels in love with or developed uncontrollable rage towards over the past twelve months. Get your dose, starting Boxing Day and running into the new year, three times a day––sunrise, noon, and sunset.

All photos by Kristin Foster.

It’s that time of year again: the time when ironic bloggers across the world post links to the Star Wars Holiday Special, quip about how terrible it is, and boast about not being able to watch it all the way through (usually linking to the five-minute-long version of it on YouTube).

Each week, Torontoist shows off the most interesting, creative, and cool submissions to our Torontoist Flickr Pool. We're especially partial to photos that show our city in a new light, highlight a recent event, and remind us why we live here. Join the Flickr pool and show us what you've got.

Each week, Torontoist shows off the most interesting, creative, and cool submissions to our Torontoist Flickr Pool. We're especially partial to photos that show our city in a new light, highlight a recent event, and remind us why we live here. Join the Flickr pool and show us what you've got.

We've already taken a look at a few local seasonal beers, and the reigning champion is still Great Lakes Winter Ale, which some have described as tasting like sitting beside your fireplace during a snowstorm.

We’ve mentioned the Bicycle Film Festival a few times before, but we’re going to give special mention to it again today because tonight at 7 p.m. is the screening of the festival’s first shorts programme, featuring Warriors: The Bike Race.

Downtown Toronto experienced a hotel boom during the first half of the 1970s as modern skyscrapers and buildings like the new City Hall changed the face of the core. Among those that made their debut: the Sheraton Centre (1972), the Holiday Inn on Chestnut (1972), the Chelsea (1975), the Harbour Castle (1975) and, opening its doors 32-years ago this week, the Hotel Toronto.

Thinking of getting a tattoo? Great idea! (Unless you’re thinking of getting a Chinese character and you’re not Chinese. In that case, please don’t. First, you will look like a walking cliché. Second, you will probably end up with something like “horse penis” when you meant to get “passion and love.” Kind of like these people.)

Torontoist would like to take a moment to wish all of our readers a very happy Festivus.

As the countdown to Christmas kicks into high gear (only seven more days to go!), it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. Between shopping for presents, visiting with friends and family, and waging a pathetic battle over pine trees, many of us forget to consider those in need.

Parents watch their kids toboggan in High Park on Christmas Day, 1910. Photo courtesy of William James/The Toronto Archives.

For every subway car you have partied on, for every flag you have captured, for every bubble you have blown and for every pillow you have fought with, Newmindspace invites you to celebrate the year 2006 with a massive party in Union Station.

Jingle Bell Rock: A Holiday Ball
Friday, December 15th 2006
Union Station (upstairs)
Press play at 9:09 PM

Can you believe that Unaccompanied Minors features three out of five Kids in the Hall? Neither can we! Or that the film is directed by Freaks and Geeks creator Paul Feig and features lots of other excellent folks such as The Office’s BJ Novak. We can still believe it sucks, though. Which, apparently, it does. Called “a generally lousy movie” by Now’s Deirdre Swain, she notes, oddly, that Tyler James Williams is a “particular standout, as uncomfortable as it is to see the black kid turned into a clown.”

Here at Torontoist, it is no secret that we love trains. A lot. This is why we are so excited that tomorrow evening, a super trippy lit-up train will roll into the Distillery District at 8:15 PM. The Canadian Holiday Train embarked on its two-week journey across the north on the first of this month and will be stopping in our fair city tomorrow evening, raising money and collecting food donations for Toronto's local food bank.

Crazy Holiday Train
Monday, December 4th 2006 @ 8:15 PM
Distillery District, 55 Mill St.

Jagshemash!

Somehow, the world of -ists managed to make it through the week despite news that Jen & Vince broke up.

So, we’ve been busy enough with Hot Docs to almost forget that they, you know, are releasing films which aren’t documentaries this week (madness!) Indeed, craziness of craziness, they’re even holding other festivals this week! So we’d feel terrible if we forgot to mention the Toronto Jewish Film Festival, opening tomorrow night with a showing of Jesus is Magic, Sarah Silverman’s concert film which, to our memory, did rather well as a Midnight Madness showing at TIFF 2005. An unusual choice for the fest, however! All thoughts of her ethnicity aside, do we (that’s Torontoist) actually like Sarah Silverman? We can’t tell. She was in Mr. Show, okay, so she gets a million points for that. But her solo shtick (“I’m sexy and say horrible things!”) is a bit… I mean, yawn, right? I guess if you found The Aristocrats funny this might float your boat.

Right, Torontoist isn’t going to mess about with today’s Film Friday, because there are more important things to be talking about than what’s on at the multiplex.

Two more chances to see the much talked about Laura Barrett before the year is up: She'll be playing/baking at the Rancho Relaxo for the Band Bake-Off tonight and playing only at a Amazing confluence of Music and Funny! Holiday Fundraiser at the Silver Dollar on Thursday.

This Thursday night newmindspace prove their organizing might with a Holiday Subway Party. Aside from the TTC fare, attendance is free. Meet at the west end of the Kipling station platform to catch the 11:11pm train eastbound along the Bloor-Danforth line. Although these events aren't sanctioned by the TTC, in the past they've watched closely, but haven't halted the party.

Free North By Northeast stuff for everyone! Earplugs, CDs, thousands of magazines/promo junk and a mini flashlight in these neon green NXNE bags. Picture taken at the Holiday Inn swag fest.

When Adrian the Adorable Sports Writer shouts out the words, "I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one," he isn't only singing along to Jay-Z's recent hit "99 Problems" but also assessing his own Valentine's day fortunes. The guy is a lover, not a hater. Similarly, when Paige Six microwaves her underwear before going a formal, she isn't bemoaning her own romantic luck as much as looking for dry under garments. Like cleanliness, she knows the value of a special V-day dinner far exceeds the general perception of Valentine's as a 'Hallmark Holiday.'

Streeter from TOist Molly:

may avenge the Oscar loss of its namesake character lo those many years ago.