Mr. Toronto

I guess I need to start this blog with an apology to those of you who actually wait for new entries with baited breath….so mom and dad, I’m sorry I kept you waiting so long…the New Year got away from me, and we are well into 2010.  I suppose my excuse is that there has just been so much going n in Toronto, I haven’t had the time to sit down and write!  The Raptors are winning consistently, the Leafs are sucking less with the addition of three hot new players, and arts and entertainment continues to flourish around the City…

Three fantastic “smaller” theatre productions are being staged right now – all highly recommended.  “The Light in the Piazza” won a Tony on Broadway, and is now on a small stage at the Berkeley St. Theatre.  “Assassins” is a new Stephen Sondheim play about people who have wanted to kill Presidents over the years – playing at the Theatre Centre.  And “Intimate Apparel” a fantastic non-musical (the other two are), playing at the slightly larger venue of the Bluma Appel Theatre, as part of  Canadian Stage’s season.

Speaking of venues, there is a fabulous new one that opened up recently, mainly for (one-night) concerts (all kinds of interesting stuff from Cuban to Flamenco to Pop).  It’s the Koerner Hall at the Royal Conservatory of Music on Bloor St.  Gorgeous spot, great shows – check it out: http://performance.rcmusic.ca/viewallconcerts

Finally, I want to leave you with a bit of tourism-related research you may be interested in, from a visitor survey conducted by Tourism Toronto, in partnership with Ryerson University and the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (an ongoing visitor survey at Pearson Airport and several highway stops outside of Toronto).

Here are the main neighbourhoods of interest during visitor trips:

• Yonge/Dundas
• Waterfront/Harbourfront
• Chinatown
• Queen West
• Entertainment District
• University of Toronto area
• Yorkville/Bloor
• St. Lawrence/Old Town
• Mississauga
• Toronto Islands
• Distillery District
• Scarborough
• Little Italy
• Kensington Market

We’ve covered some of these in previous blogs, and will surely get to the rest in the future.   Look forward to bumping into you!

Since I kept you waiting so long for my last blog entry, thought I’d give you an early Holiday present and follow up with another right away…especially cuz it’s timely info, and I wouldn’t want you missing out on any exciting T.O. entertainment….

Allow me to share with you the Toronto Star newspaper’s guide to the “Stars of the Season” – the best of December’s events (from an article dated Nov.21, 2009):

The Nutcracker – National Ballets’ annual blockbuster.  Gotta see this one once in your life…www.national.ballet.ca

Robin Hood, The Environmental Family Musical – every year, actor Ross Petty and his troupe distorts another well-loved story, to the delight of kids and adults alike…www.rosspetty.com

Puppetmongers – “elegant, detailed, loving and lovely”…www.puppetmongers.com

Canadian Brass – this accomplished quintet is known around the world as one of the best.  Playing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra…tso.ca

And if you’re into the vocal stuff:

St. Michael’s Choir School – a festive program that reflects their wide range of ethnic backgrounds as well as their main role in the masses conducted every week at St. Michael’s Cathedral…roythomson.com

Nathaniel Dett Chorale – Canada’s only Afrocentric choir perform “An Indigo Christmas” from the Gospel, Caribbean and African traditions…roythomson.com

Hannaford Street Silver Band and Amadeus Choir – “Nothing says Christmas better than this 24-member brass band and 100-voice choir, in what is usually a pretty traditional selection of carols and anthems”…stlc.com

Please note that some of these events have multiple performances all month long, but others have just one or two dates – so check out the websites to avoid disappointment, and get over ASAP to celebrate the Holidays! And a shameless plug for my favourite Toronto hotel – the Delta Chelsea, just minutes from all these venues – that has a super “Shop n’ Stay” room rate from just $99!

If we don’t chat again before the end of ‘09, have a very happy holiday season, and look forward to blogging in the New Year!

Mr. Toronto

…. Summer activities, that is.  Sorry it’s taken me longer than usual for this entry, but the lure of recreational activities when the weather is nice is just too strong (to be sitting in front of a computer…)

Since we last “spoke”, I have officially kicked off summer concert season with an awesome Dave Matthews Band show at the Molson Amphitheatre at Ontario Place.  To be honest, the Amphi is not my favourite venue to see a show – too big, and the security is over the top (and totally unnecessary).  But when it all comes together – great weather and great tunes – as it did for DMB, it can be fantastic.

Speaking of fantastic, event season also kicked off with Luminato in June, a 10 day Festival of the arts – ALL kinds of arts – that focused this year on the guitar.  Fantastic free shows at Metro Square and Yonge-Dundas Square, including Randy Bachman (from the Guess Who- Canadian gods…), Daniel Lanois (another famous local boy, more famous for producing U2 albums than his own music), Taj Mahal and Derek Trucks (without doubt, one of the finest living slide guitarists on the planet).  From here on in, the festivals come fast and furious…(gay) Pride next week, Jazz Festival the week after….

Also getting into some serious bike riding now, and Toronto is a great place to do it.  Loads of trails, parks, ravines, that will take you just about anywhere.  You can pick up a great map at City Hall.  I rode my bike over to Toronto’s newest “hot” district for brunch the other day- Liberty Village in the south/west end of the City.  Used to be an industrial district, now a happening place for film and agency types, and more fantastic places to eat than you know what to do with – and each one with a fab patio to catch those glorious sunny days…

Hope to catch you out there!

Mr. Toronto

Sorry it’s been a while, but it’s been a VERY busy couple of weeks in Hogtown (still not 100% sure why we call it that…). On the sports front, went to my first Toronto FC soccer game of the season, which is always a hoot. Great crowd/vibe, and beautiful new stadium (down at Exhibition Place), complete with unique and yummy food options – not your usual pizza and dog fare (though they have that too), but options reflecting the multicultural diversity of the crowd – British, Indian, South American….we even ended up winning the game, and are actually doing well this season! As are those Blue Jays! Going to my first Jays game of the season on Sunday, so will report on that next week…

On the entertainment front, finally- after trying for 2 years, since it opened – got to ride on the Behemoth, Canada’s Wonderland’s GIANT new rollercoaster. The park just opened last week for the season, and I raced to the front of the line as soon as the gates opened. Front of the line, front of the coaster – OMG!!! It really did live up to it’s hype- totally outrageous. Do it!!

Also got to see Bruce Springsteen at the Air Canada Centre last week – 5th row (sorry to rub it in). Have seen the Boss many times (the first being at Princeton University gym back in ’78), and he has lost very little of his energy and magic. AWESOME three-hour show.

Finally, went to opening of “Tuesdays with Morrie” – play based on best selling book (and movie with Jack Lemmon). Just started at Winter Garden Theatre, and running til end of May (get Tuesdays with Morrie tickets at Ticketmaster.ca). Regardless of whether or not play was good (and it was), worth it just to see the magnificent theatre* and the star of the show, Hal Linden, who was Barney Miller for those of you who remember one of the best sitcoms ever!!

Man, I’m exhausted just thinking about my last couple weeks! (Yeah, I know, cry me a river…)

Til next time,

Mr. Toronto

*Designated a national historic site in 1982, the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre is the last “double-decker” or stacked Edwardian theatre facility in the world. Built in 1913 as the flagship of the famous Loews chain of vaudeville theatres, the 1,500-seat Elgin theatre (downstairs) is a sumptuous affair with royal boxes and exquisite gilded plaster details. Upstairs, however, is the magical Winter Garden, named for the trompe l’oeil paintings of vines and pastoral, and the fabulous simulated fire-proof garden that hangs from the roof, including thousands of beech boughs. Multi-million dollar renovations mean that for all the ambiance, these two theatres are state-of-the-art.

Been a busy week in the entertainment capital of the world (well, North America, anyway…OK, OK – Canada for sure!!). Fleetwood Mac at the Air Canada Centre last Tuesday – they’re all looking a little older, but hey- so am I. And they can still rock. Never realized what a phenomenal guitar player Lindsay Buckingham is…ACC is not my favourite concert venue in the City- would rather catch anything at Massey Hall, The Music Hall or the Phoenix. Even Celine Dion would be tolerable.

Wednesday night, went to the opening of Spring Awakening, the latest Mirvish offering at the Canon Theatre. Not quite as sharp as the Broadway production, but a really interesting premise, and some decent toons for a musical…$25 student tickets available day of show!

Thursday night, caught 3 hot sets of Blues at Monarchs Pub at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. I think I mentioned this last week – Jerome Godboo and Jack de Keyzer, 2 of Canada’s most renowned musicians (harmonica and guitar, respectively) – are playing there every Thursday night through April – for FREE! Awesome.

Saturday night, caught a flick at the Rainbow Cinema. Pretty unmemorable movie, but wanted to let you know about the Rainbow, cuz it’s the cheapest first-run theatre in Toronto. Located down on Front Street across from the St. Lawrence food market (a must-see as well); most expensive ticket is 8 bucks, and it goes down from there depending on when you go…

Sunday, was back at the ACC, this time for a Toronto Raptors basketball game. Whether you enjoy watching sporting events or not, Raptors games are a hoot. Lots of loud music, on-court antics, and…cheerleading. The Raptors even won this one, a rare added bonus. They even scored 100 points, which meant the whole arena got a free slice of pizza. Great time to see the Raptors, until the season ends in a month or so – lots of empty seats, which means lots of scalpers parting with tickets for way below cost…

And now I’m off to another play, the opening of Shirley Valentine (remember the movie?) at the CanStage Theatre. This show- and theatre company- are a great break from the usual mega-musicals that can kind of get to you after a while…dinner first at a great Moroccan restaurant next door – The Sultan’s Tent. Too bad I don’t have time for the belly dancing show (really!)

Concerts, clubs, plays (both big and small), major league sports, good eats – Phew! I’m exhausted just writing about the week of excitement I’ve had in T.O.

Talk to you again soon-
Mr. Toronto