Friday 29 August 2008

Festival warm-ups
It’s one short week until the Cabbagetown Festival arrives in our neighbourhood. Here are a few late-breaking stories for you.

If it’s in the newspaper, then it’s gotta be true! So here’s an article by Justin Skinner at the City Centre Mirror: http://www.insidetoronto.ca/News/Centre/article/54798
Thanks, Justin, for your great preview.

Watch for your programs
Program booklets along with special announcements from The Short Film & Video Festival, the Regent Park Home Grown Stage and The Union are all on their way to your homes.
In 2008 as well, we’re experimenting with subway advertising. The feedback is great. We’ve placed our posters in several downtown stations and on cars throughout the system.

Friday night’s Film Festival
The Cabbagetown Short Film & Video Festival is in its 17th year. Their motto, “films from around the world and around the corner”, really is true this year. The 2008 program includes short films from Regent Park, Winnipeg, Germany, England, Iraq and Iran. Tickets are available at 237 Carlton or from 7 pm on Friday, September 5 at the door: $10, Winchester Dance Theatre, 80 Winchester St.
After the show, Cabbagetown's finest are gathering for a few sips at The Cobourg (533 Parliament).

T-Shirts go international
Last week, Sue Giles, a charming woman from Adelaide Australia, dropped into our Festival HQ to get a few details about Cabbagetown. She’s an urban planner who’s on a special visit to Toronto to look at neighbourhoods like ours and learn why we work and live together so well. One quick look at our T-shirt and she bought her own. (Obviously, a decisive person who knows a great bargain when she sees it.) As you can tell, even our T-shirt mascot (Willie) thinks she’s made a wise choice.
You can get your own personal version of this international sensation by calling Doug at (416) 921-0857 or by visiting 237 Carlton Street. $10.

Madannathon and Abbalicious
Thanks to Calvin, Michael, Charlene and Sarah, we’re going to renew a beloved event at our 2008 Festival – the Carlton Street dance.
When: Saturday, September 6, 3 pm
Where: Carlton St near Brass Taps (221 Carlton) and Piccolo (226 Carlton)
Who: a special DJ from Brass Taps
What: an hour-long “shake your bootie and squeeze your sweetie” dance-a-thon celebrating those great cultural icons, Madonna and Abba.
It’s going to cost you $5 and 100% of the ticket revenues are going to the Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre (454 Parliament). From dawn to dusk
Both St Jamestown Deli (516 Parliament) and Epicure Shop (473 Parliament) have barbeques and bacon sandwiches.
HomeLife/Realty One (501 Parliament) offers hot dogs at noon for as long as they last.

Parliament south of Carlton
This area is going to be alive during this year’s Festival.
Once again, Go Freddie Go will be appearing on Saturday afternoon at the House on Parliament (456 Parliament). They always bring big crowds to fill the HOP patio.
Next door, the CCAC will feature Snooky Tynes in the late afternoon.
Across the street, the Wing Machine (443 Parliament) is bringing out burgers, wings and other bbq delights.
At 6 pm, the Ben Wicks (424 Parliament) presents its annual pig roast, another popular sensation that fills the room.
The Regent Park Home Grown Stage is just south of the Ben Wicks. All afternoon, young singers, dancers and performers from Regent Park will be appearing. They’ll be joined by the St Jamestown Youth Centre Steel Pan Orchestra – an outstanding group of young musicians who are fresh from successful appearances at Caribana.
The Yonge Street Mission festival party occupies Anniversary Park from noon to 5 pm. This year, they have games, jumping castles, a barbeque and lots of other family activities.

Friday 15 August 2008

Add to your sex appeal Gentlemen – a word of advice from someone who’s had a life full of adventure. Add two things to your repetoire: a golden retriever and a Cabbagetown Tee. Get your T shirt at 237 Carlton for only $10. Find your own dog somewhere else.

The third annual Cabbagetown Wine Route.
There’s something about our wine tastings – they’ve become a very pleasant way to kick-off your Festival weekend.
Be sure to save Thursday evening, September 4 for this event. It starts at 7 pm and goes until 11 pm.
This year, Ontario wines are featured. Our chefs are preparing menus that match the wines and show off their kitchens’ skills. In the past two years, people on the Tour have raved about the fine foods that are offered. Both the wine and food are served in sample sizes.
Six restaurants are hosting special tastings:
Big Mamma’s Boy (554 Parliament, 416-927-1593)
The Cobourg (533 Parliament, 416-913-7538)
JAMCafe (195 Carlton 416-921-1255)
The Left Door (424 Parliament 416-961-9425)
Piccolo (226 Carlton, 416-944-3738)
Stonegrill on Winchester (51B Winchester 416-967-6565).
Each tasting is one hour long. You are, of course, invited to enjoy more than one event. The tickets are $40 per tasting (including all taxes and gratuities) and you can reserve your spot by calling your favourite restaurants.

The Cabbagetown Short Film & Video Festival
Featuring 17 short films from around the world and around the corner. This year, it’s happening on Friday, September 5. The box office opens at 7 pm and the screenings run from 8 to 11 pm. As added incentive, there’ll be a cash bar and lovely nibblies to chew on.
Find out last minute program details at: http://www.cabbagetownshortfilmandvideofestival.com/
Winchester Dance Theatre, 80 Winchester Street (at Metcalfe). Tickets are $10.

Sandhill Pipers at The Ben Wicks Right after the parade on Saturday morning, run up to the Ben Wicks (424 Parliament). The Sandhill Pipe Band likes to stop there after a hard day on the parade route, play a few tunes and then enjoy an adult beverage. You, of course, can do the same.

The Cabbagetown Boxing Club Annual Amateur Boxing Show New time! It happens on Saturday night, 7:30 pm, September 6. Upstairs at 2 Lancaster above the Cabbagetown Youth Centre. The place is packed. The matches are very competitive.
Annual prizes are given for Best Boxer, Best Cadet Boxers, Best Senior Boxers and more. Tickets are $15.

Now for some regular business …

Posterity Graphics Daniel wants us to remind you that his clearance sale has now reached new heights. Everything is priced at 35 to 50% off the listed price. In another two weeks, he’ll be closing forever. We won’t have the chance to browse through his stock or carry home a bright new image. So go now before it’s too late. (523 Parliament)

The Epicure Shop Patty wants you to know that Reunion Coffee will be on sale on Sunday (only on Sunday – so don’t miss it.) This brand is hugely popular here in our newsroom and we get our supplies regularly from Epicure. This is a big product endorsement and a happy nod to Epicure as well. It’s $1.99 for 100 grams and that’s a savings of $3 per pound (excluding decaf and flavoured stuff.) They’re also featuring rare roast beef (no preservatives or additives) and Maple Farms Bacon. (473 Parliament)

Façade Improvements The fix-ups never stop at Anita’s Hairstyling. When she’s not busy with our flowing locks, Anita takes her paintbrush in hand and does another coat on her storefront. (239 Carlton)

Carl for President Late breaking news. Carl Orbach is running for US president. Extensive coverage of his campaign has started up on CNN, Fox and other major news outlets. Americans who are hungering for leadership have looked north to Carl and he has responded. For early press commentaries, click here:
http://www.news3online.com/index.php?code=696B86zl675mgj11MsoI

Friday 8 August 2008

This year, the Festival rocks

This week, through the miracle of the international world-wide web, we’re able to bring you a sneak preview of our 2008 Festival entertainment.

First, some tasty stuff
Drop into Big Mamma’s Boy (554 Parliament) from August 7 to 17 to enjoy their Live Lobster Festival. As we know, they can cook up a great meal and this event promises to live up to their reputation. Lobsters fresh from Newfoundland served with organic veggies and greens and parsley butter. $29.95. A big crowd attended on opening night. Call (416) 927-1593
Speaking of great meals, Av Atikian at JAMCafe (195 Carlton) has asked us to thank all the people who came to their first anniversary barbeque. Food bank donations weighed over 200 pounds. People jammed onto the patio. Joe and Av jammed on their guitars and drums. According to Av, it was indeed a jammy afternoon and evening.
And congratulations are in order to Stonegrill on Winchester (51B Winchester) for the great review in the August 2 Globe & Mail of their Wednesday harvest meal featuring produce straight from the Riverdale Farmers Market.

Free Diabetes Workshops The Filipino Centre Toronto (597 Parliament) has announced its Fall workshops on diabetes. Three lectures (held on the last Sundays in September, October and November) will provide important help to diabetes sufferers and their families. These talks, conducted by qualified health professionals, are free. For more information, call (416) 928-9355

3rd Annual August Sale Eclectosaurus (249 Gerrard) has launched its third annual August sale – 20% off everything (except consignments). This is a beautiful store with amazing furniture, decorations and period pieces for you. Don’t miss it. The sale runs until Saturday, August 9 at 7 pm.

2008 Festival musicians
On Sunday, see Danny Marks in person onstage at Winchester and Parliament. Click on this link and you can hear him belt out a few favourites (this guy can sing) –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkZV3sENyi4&feature=related
On Saturday, at Gerrard and Parliament, young entertainers from Regent Park and St Jamestown will perform on our Home Grown Stage. The St Jamestown Youth Centre Steel Pan Orchestra welcomed Caribana visitors at Pearson Airport in late July. Just try to imagine how a big industrial airport terminal was transformed into a Caribbean island festival. Click here to find out –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbmAA8Ux_so&feature=related
Also on Saturday, we’re pleased to present modern South Asian music as Meditating Minds takes over the corner of Amelia and Parliament for the afternoon –
http://www.vakthaa.tv/play.php?vid=1190

We don’t yet have a web address for Jim Heineman, Go Freddy Go, Sady T, and all the others who’ll make the streets hop. When we get these links, you’ll be the first to know.

We object
Some amazingly petty behaviour is happening in our BIA. City of Toronto inspectors have managed to jump on some of the smallest issues imaginable and they're doing it with the full force of their authority backing them up. And the result of their vigilance? Big fines, stern warnings and a lot of genuinely annoyed people. We can, however, sleep well at night knowing that all the big crimes and horrible sins must be solved if these guys have time for this trivia. Our sharp-eyed guardians are keeping the peace.