November 2010
19 posts
Bottle-Tops and Faded Photographs at the ROM
By some wonderful twist of fate, El Anatsui’s first major retrospective opened at the Royal Ontario Museum in October. The Museum for African Art was hoping to open its new building in New York with this landmark exhibition of work by the Ghanaian artist; but ongoing construction delays diverted the show to Toronto.
I first encountered Anatsui at the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007, where...
The Good Artist: Lisa Visser
Who are you? Lisa Visser.
What is on your ipod/bookshelf? I love most music and am also obsessive, so I listen to songs on repeat. Lately, Hot Chip’s “I Feel Better” (the version featuring Bonnie Prince Billy, I think mixed by Astralwerks). I’m super excited about PS I Love You, my pals from Kingston. Their album, Meet Me at the Muster Station is all amazing. Other...
Save the TRANZAC!
The TRANZAC is forty four years old, but it may not live to see it’s 45th. This non for profit organization survives off the support of volunteers, members and beer drinkers; and apparently we aren’t drinking enough beer.
The TRANZAC has always had an open door policy, allowing any musician or band (big or small) to play the cozy, iconic music venue. A lot of bands that are...
The Ballroom
Those who know me know that I love bowling. I have visited upscale bowling alleys around the world: All Star (London, UK); Brooklyn Bowl (Brooklyn); and Lucky Strike (NYC). I have long asked myself why Toronto doesn’t have one in the downtown area. The last city alley closed more than 30 years ago.
I am very happy to report that Toronto will soon have its very own upscale bowling alley...
Aloe Blacc and Soul Food
In the age of stadium concerts, auto tune and mediocre mainstream pop, it is difficult to see a remarkably talented singer on stage, with a fantastic band, in an intimate setting; and when it happens, it’s magic. On Monday I saw a magic show that I know I will be bragging about to my kids years from now.
Aloe Blacc (possibly the smoothest man to walk planet Earth) played at Wrong bar...
The Good Coffee: Saving Gigi
Much to my embarrassment, I have let a vintage Lieca camera sit in my closet for some ten years. Though I’ve taken baby steps towards conquering my fear of its many knobs and latches, the camera would probably still be collecting dust if my friend Amanda Rataj hadn’t offered to give me a crash course in manual photography.
On her suggestion, we met for our tutorial this morning at...
Happiness at the TIFF Bell Lightbox
In the past week, I’ve seen two classic films at the TIFF Bell Lightbox on King Street West. This sparkling film complex, which was modeled after the BFI Southbank in London, is the new home of TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival). The space is a coup for the organization, which can now offer programming all year round. TIFF is launching their institutional identity with Essential Cinema, a...
Lomography comes to Toronto!
Suddenly, there’s a Lomography store on the north side of Queen Street West, near Bathurst! The airy, sleek and sexy store is a flashing, neon shrine to all things analog. It’s located conveniently close to West Camera, which is one of the only places in the city that develops 120 format film; and a Lomo sales representatives told me that the two businesses are already discussing...
Notes from a Disgruntled Biker: Part 1 (Critical...
A few weeks ago I arrived to work feeling frustrated and shaken. While cycling down Spadina Avenue, an enormous truck nearly squashed me as he moved towards the curb without looking. I stopped my bike to let the behemoth vehicle pass, and prayed that I wasn’t going to turn into road kill. After the close call, I sat frozen and in shock, unable to move for a few seconds. The cyclist behind me, who...
Notes from a Disgruntled Biker: Part 2 (Parking)
There are clearly more bikes than there are parking spots in this city…
Notes from a Disgruntled Biker: Part 3 (What Bike...
Cycling in Toronto is a precarious pursuit. Mayor Ford’s argument that cycling on the streets of Toronto is like “swimming with the sharks” could not be more truthful. Biking is fun, efficient, and environmentally helpful; but in Toronto, biking is also extremely dangerous. Even whilst bike lanes popped up around the city in recent weeks, I have come close to being thrown off my bike numerous...
Hip Hop Hooray!
The current window display at Type Books is dope! The stores fly display, which includes oversized mix tapes, old school ghetto blasters and numerous books rap and hip hop, lured me into the store to inquire about the related book launch.
Here’s the deal yo: Tomorrow (Thursday, November 4)Type is throwing a book launch for a new Yale Press publication, The Anthology of Rap (edited by Adam...
