Kids skating at Dufferin Grove Park...

...on my way home from work (in December...). I couldn't resist. How pretty is the sky? The rink is so full! Walking through the park is the best part of my day.

w

Publish Post

S.

Egon Schiele meets Modigliani on stage?

I decided to treat myself to the theatre the other night at Harbourfront's Fleck Dance Theatre. While taking advantage of art and culture in Toronto might be a New Year's resolution, this last minute decision was inspired by the following image in the Toronto Star: 

Taken from the Toronto Star- article 929182

Stylistically and emotionally, it resonated with me - Egon Schiele meets Modigliani on stage?  I had to see it.

Questo buio Feroce, The Wild Darkness, is a contemporary performance by an Italian theatre company that draws inspiration from the lives of the socially excluded, to the extent that  "non professional" actors are included in the company. "Non professional" actors meaning street-involved persons and political prisoners with no formal training. The theatre piece was adapted from essays and memoirs of American writer, Harold Brodkey, capturing his journey towards death while fighting a long battle with AIDS. 

I had an idea that it might be dark and artsy, but wasn't quite prepared. Questo buio Feroce was an hour and a half of very disjointed dream-like sequences, interspersed with comedic acts, dances, a karaoke performance and eerie theatrics. It was minimalistic in that it was just a white box, with few props, but way out there with costumes and make-up. Think Venician carnival meets 80's drag show. Despite not being able to understand the entire performance, themes somehow came across and were beautifully illustrated, from lust and longing, the war on mens' bodies by the medical world, to death and dying. Although the more carnival-esque aspects were out of my comfort zone, and the drawn out scenes made me squirm in my seat, the play inspired me enough to want to share the trailer with you. (And the music was great, especially the use of the theme music from In the Mood for Love! I'm a big fan.)



Plus you never know what you're going to find at Harbourfront...we stumbled across a few vernissages to top of our night. More art we didn't quite "get". Who knew that Harbourfront in the winter could be this much fun? 

S.  

Did the Raptors score another goal?

The Raptors beat the Wizards!

But more importantly, we got to eat really fancy and expensive french fries.

Have you heard about them? Famous Toronto chef Jamie Kennedy (not the comedian, I made the same mistake) decided the ACC needed something a bit more gourmet, so he opened up a fancy fry shop. There was a big sign at the ACC entrance, but for some reason, no one working on the 3rd floor knew anything about a fry stand. So I guess the $8 cone of fried potato sticks is still not the working person's food.

It literally is almost $8, and you get either chili or cider mayo squirted on top (the chili looks like cheez whiz). Were they delicious? YES, they were. Slightly herby, perfectly fried, and really tasty. And that chili mayo was scrumptious. I'd like to say that I wouldn't spend that much money on fries again, but to be honest, if I found myself at the ACC, I just might splurge again.

mmm. I want some now.

Oh ya, and the Raptors won! And Drake was sitting court side.

e

"Sorry for the inconvenience"

You know what happened to me the other day? My car got towed by the Chief of Police, he didn't tell me where he put it, and then he apologized for moving it!

I had stayed over at R's new place last Saturday and you can park for free on Bloor from 9pm Saturday night until 1pm on Sunday. Noon the next day, we walk down to fetch the car and it's DISAPPEARED! Then we see a sign on a lamp post saying "NO PARKING SPECIAL EVENT". The Santa Claus parade! We didn't remember seeing the sign the night before but we figure the car must have gotten towed, and I'd have to pay the $200-300 fee to get it back from Etobicoke.

Then R recalled a friend's car got towed by the police to a nearby side street. So we walk further west, look around, and see a Corolla up on the next street. And it's her, jutting out slightly, but stuffed elephant and rubber snake firmly sitting on the dash.

On the windshield is this charming note.

Dear Chief of Police,
Thanks for not impounding my car. But please, next time, leave the note where the car was originally parked, with an indication of where it can be found, rather than towing it in the cloak of night to an undisclosed location with the note on the car that has already been found.
Love,
e

You're not a Cotton-headed Ninny-Muggins!

Happy Holiday Season!

I think I like the holiday season almost more than I like actual Christmas. Christmas Day often disappoints cuz you expect it to be so much more than it can deliver. But the season, with the cookies, lights, spicy hot drinks, and cheesy music, always make me smile. I hope it is making you smile too!

There was an optional but mandatory in-house gingerbread house competition at the bakery, and this is my submission. Houses will be silent auctioned until Dec 23, with all proceeds going to Sick Kids. If you're in Oakville, come by and bid on mine!!!

you know, if you want to...

thanks!
e

Classic Horror Flicks on Sundays

 ...What more could you ask for?


We thought we were just taking ourselves to a matinee viewing of The Shining at one of Toronto’s repertory cinemas on Roncesvalles, which in and of itself is a real treat (cute and cozy theatre meets suspense masterpiece).

But we got a whole lot more. After two hours of witnessing Jack Nicholson’s descent into madness on scratchy red-toned 35mm film print, we were treated to a Skype-facilitated Q & A with retired steadicam inventor and operator, Garrett Brown. Incredibly personable and humble, Garrett took the time to speak at length, to these lucky audience members in this small Toronto theatre, about camera work during the making of The Shining, Kubrick, and thoughts on what you need to do in order get ahead in life. 

According to Garrett...  
If you want to go into film, you need no formal education. Everything that Garrett learned about film was by spending countless hours at the Public library in Philadelphia. 

The steadicam shot that took the longest to complete in The Shining was Jack chasing Danny in the maze. Apparently the crew were in the maze shooting this for months. The snow- not real. The maze- actually indoors. 

The use of the steadicam in the following well-known shot involved Garrett kneeling over a wheelchair with a microphone attached to the end of the camera.The crewman pushing the wheelchair, according to Garrett, wasn't too fit, but had to run really fast to keep up with Danny on the big-wheel bike: 

Keep an eye on The Revue's schedule. Movies are only $10 and $8 with a membership. Last month we attended their Silent Sundays' screening of Buster Keaton’s The General, accompanied by live piano, which was a total delight. It’s perfect Sunday activity...Especially since the Drive-in in Oakville is closed for the winter.

S.

why i decided to love yonge & dundas square.

I remember being skeptical when Yonge and Dundas square was being built. Why was Toronto trying so hard to compete with New York? And why did I need to be subjected to so many advertisements and flashing lights- enough to give someone an aneurysm? But with free wifi, outdoor concerts, street artists, musicians and breakdancers...how could you not learn to love this intersection? It was really these three kids that did it for me; blasting their beats through their iPod speakers in front of H&M: 

They're so little!

S.