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.