Mr. Toronto

Groovin’ on a sunny afternoon here in Toronto. And the festivals continue….

Just coming off of Indy weekend, where I actually got to ride around in the pre-race parade with other sponsors, VIPs and drivers, and wave like the Queen to the stands surrounding the track. Also got to meet Gene Simmons, who was the parade Grand Marshall. Was never a huge Kiss fan, but you gotta admire the guy for what he has accomplished musically and as a marketing genius….

And now we’re heading into the Just for Laughs festival…had to turn down tickets to see Sarah Silverman, one of my faves, but there is plenty of other stuff on tap – including John Cleese and a huge free outdoor gig by Russell Peters, a native son who has just been listed as one of the top 10 wealthiest stand-up comics (guess he’s having the last laugh…)

Yesterday also marked the kick-off of ten days of Caribana festivities, always a wild and crazy time in the City…good time to be opening a new reggae musical, which Mirvish Productions is doing next week – The Harder They Come. Not sure how this 70’s cult movie is gonna translate to a play, but will let you know! (or better yet, come find out for yourself!)

Last blog I mentioned our city’s great outdoor patios…this time I want to mention that there are some dynamite gelato places (seems like everyone wants gelato nowadays – ice cream ain’t good enough any more…) in some very cool areas of the City. Check out one of the two “Little Italys” we have here – at College St. or St. Clair Ave.; La Paloma on St. Clair is one of the oldest and well know gelaterias in Toronto…or head over to Hollywood Gelato, located on a cool strip packed with great restaurants and bars, on Bayview Ave. just south of Eglinton.

And come catch a Jays game before we all lose hope for yet another season! I’ll be there Sunday against the Red Sox…

Mr. Toronto

Let’s talk comedy for a minute. Makes sense, since Canada – and Toronto- is the epicentre of humour. Really. John Candy, Martin Short, SCTV…all home-grown. And Second City is still keeping the SCTV spirit alive with nightly sketch comedy shows (just started their newest one called “0% Down, 100% Screwed”…). Just for Laughs festival, hugely popular in Montreal, just branched out into Toronto last year for the first time, and has another A-list roster coming to Toronto for this summer’s festival in June. And my main man, Jerry Seinfeld, is coming to T.O. for 2 shows in a couple weeks at Massey Hall – can’t wait!!!

Speaking of Massey Hall (my favourite place for ANY kind of show), if you want to grab a dynamite bite beforehand, a new little Italian joint has just opened up down the street (106 Victoria St., to be exact…) .Osteria Ciceri E Tria. Doesn’t get more authentic than this outside of Italy…owned and operated by the same folks who run Terroni on Adelaide Street- still one of the best and most happening Italian restaurants in the city (the wood burning is to die for….)

That’s it for now – TTYL

Mr. Toronto