Friday 1 March 2013

Hello March!

Hello Cabbagetown and welcome to a new week of 'Cabbagetown Living'
It's finally March and Spring is in the air. At the office, we've ordered our Spring hanging baskets, started our Cabbagetown Festival of the Arts application process, and our calendar is quickly filling up for our Workshop Speakers Series.

Last week, in an effort to familiarize the Cabbagetown Community with the BIA staff, I introduced myself and Nauoda to you all. If you missed it, keep scrolling doooowwwwwnnnn to see last week's post.

This week, meet Frank Bernardo, Chairman of the Cabbagetown BIA

Frank was the former co-owner of Stonegirll on Winchester St. where Kingyo Toronto is now (check out this amazing Now Magazine review for Kingyo by clicking here à Kingyo Toronto). Frank has been active within the Cabbagetown Community since 2005. A financial manager of the property known as the Winchester Hotel at the corner of Winchester & Parliament St., Frank has also been a Cabbagetown BIA Board member since 2009.
Frank was elected Chair of the Management Board for the Cabbagetown BIA in Januarty 2012, and also volunteers with Rotary International, Project Engagement, and the Pierre Berton's Writers Retreat.

We hope you enjoy the sunlight today and don't forget to 'LIKE' our Official Cabbagetown Festival of the Arts Page (www.facebook.com/CabbagetownFestivalOfTheArts) for exclusive updates! 

Please read the following community news as it near to our hearts...



Community Updates

With over 19 residential towers and nearly 30,000 residents, St. James Town is one of the most densely populated communities in Canada. Due to this heavy population, the lack of safe, green, accessible space is a key issue for our community. Considering the number of people we see day to day trying to make use of any kind of space available, we want to see the tennis court – a great resource – to be used to its full potential. In its current condition, it is unsafe for youth, children and adults alike to use. The cracks are prone to tripping those who attempt to use the court; the fencing has unraveled itself; the surface of the court cushions the bounce of any ball, making it difficult to use. This discouraging state of the court prevents the safe, active lifestyle we have such a great need for in our society today. As a youth representative body and a community organization we feel that by providing the community with the resources to exercise, youth, children and adults alike will be encouraged to become more active. Not only can the court become a space for a variety of different sports for both recreational and local school use, but it can become a gathering place for community events, and even be an area to showcase community art. The opportunity for neighbours, property owners and local organizations to work to achieve this common goal is unique for our community which, although benefiting from its diversity has many competing interests. 
This is a project on which we all agree and are prepared to work and volunteer for to make it happen. In addition to the health benefits of this project, the community advantages of creating a common, safe, properly self-governed space will increase residents feeling of safety and self-worth. In addition , there is the assurance that there will be fair use of the area by the widest population with in the community. This is always a challenge in communities where there is so much demand for so little space. The space sits on private land. The tennis court is surrounded by green space which can be re-energized to create space for families to gather. The project seeks a number of partners to support the improvement of the park area, walkways and add benches and some lighting. The property owner has permitted us to coordinate the use and maintenance of the space. 



Spring Cleaning in Cabbagetown

Window washer Bill our local Cabbagetown window washer only charges $5 and does an amazing job. We use him along with many other local businesses and can recommend his professionalism and speedy delivery.

Call him today: 647 657 4250 and get your Spring storefronts into season.




The Epicure Shop's Annual Coffee Contest

From now until March 9th, fill your coffee bag with Reunion Island to exactly one pound and receive an additional one pound FREE!



The McComedy Show at The Flying Beaver Pubaret

Comedy duo Shannon McDonough and Michael McLean return to the The Pubaret with an "All-New-Best-Of" show!  What is that you ask?  No one really knows! But join them as they revisit some of their best-loved characters and video sketches, along with a slew of new ones to make you titter and/or whoop.  Dead-on parody, wickedly funny stand up, and blunt irreverence are all on the menu.

Special Guests Shelley Kidwell, Marilla Wex, Heidi Mole, Andy Cheng and Peter Laneas. 


THURSDAY, MARCH 7th 

FRIDAY, MARCH 8th
SHOWTIMES: 7pm

THE MCCOMEDY SHOW!

www.pubaret.com
Tix: $10advance/$15 door
Available at the Pubaret or online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/337484



Dinner available before, during, and after the show.
Dinner patrons get priority seating.

E-mail Heather@pubaret.com or call 647.347.6567 for dinner reservations.


DUO Call for Expressions of Interest: Redesign Project

Redesign Project
Phase I – Brand Identity / Logo Redesign
Phase II – Website Redesign

Proposals Due:
Monday, March 11, 2013 at or before 5:00pm.
Late proposals will not be considered.


Respond to:
Nicole Rosove, Communications Coordinator
Dance Umbrella of Ontario
nicole@danceumbrella.net

Vision
The Dance Umbrella of Ontario (DUO) aspires to become a centre of excellence and innovation, fostering the entrepreneurial spirit of Ontario’s professional dance artists. DUO aims to cultivate the potential and capacity of Ontario’s professional dance sector by providing high quality, creative and tailored services that meet the diverse business needs of dance enterprises. DUO strives to contribute to the health and vitality of the Ontario dance environment through strategic and progressive initiatives.
Mission
Dance Umbrella of Ontario (DUO) is a not-for-profit provider of management services to Ontario’s dance enterprises. DUO actively seeks to facilitate the success of such enterprises. DUO strengthens the dance sector through pro-active engagement in strategic and progressive initiatives.



ACCELERATION 2013 is your chance to see tomorrow’s contemporary dancers today!
WHEN: March 20 - 23, 2012. All performances start at 8:00 pm. Box office opens 7:15 pm.

WHERE: The Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester St., Toronto  (See Map)

TICKETS: $19 General Admission, $15 Students/Seniors/CADA Members

For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, please call 416-967-6887 or email tickets@schooloftdt.org. Tickets will also be available online at schooloftdt.org/acceleration_2013

About the School: The School is renowned as a national leader in performing arts training. Our graduates are vibrant members of the creative community; dynamic, adaptable, imaginative, resourceful. They have achieved success as dancers, choreographers, directors, teachers, and dance-related practitioners. Whatever their path, the knowledge, skills, and experience gained at the School helps our graduates flourish throughout their careers.

About ACCELERATION:  The School’s mid-season show gives graduating students valuable experience working in focused ensemble settings. By rehearsing small-cast repertory, students have the opportunity to both learn choreography and receive personal coaching that emphasizes interpretive and performance skills.

For more information, please contact:
Jae Yang
Communications and Development Coordinator
416-967-6887 ext. 25
jae@schooloftdt.org




BOLD BLEND: A collaboration with the young artists of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre

Are you interested in seeing the next generation of master dancers and choreographers in the making? The students of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (STDT) are ready to deliver the most original contemporary dances in their latest production Bold Blend. This showcase was thought up, created, and finally produced by the creative efforts of the first year students; featuring works choreographed and danced from all three classes. Out of all the performances placed on the timeless stage of The Winchester Street TheatreBold Blend is a production counted among the main highlights at STDT and provides the artistic community of Toronto a glimpse of what to expect from the freshest lineup of contemporary dancers and choreographers.

MARCH 8 & 9, 2013 @ 8:00 pm

Student/Senior: $12
General Admission: $15
TICKETS AVAILABLE @ THE DOOR 


The students of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre happily invite you to the Bold Blend brunch, a fundraiser on Sunday, March 3rd at 12:00. This wonderful and all-you-can-eat event will raise funds for our student production, Bold Blend, on March 8th and 9th. All the food is prepared by the dancers for you to enjoy, making it a truly unique culinary experience. Come join us for a morning of delicious food, music, and conversation. 

Tickets are $10 and can either be bought in advance from the dancers or at the door. The brunch will take place in Studio B on basement of the Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester St., in Cabbagetown. A short block East of Parliament St., the Theatre is easily accessible by transit, on the Carlton streetcar or from Castle Frank Station. 



Toronto Storytelling Festival at Daniels Spectrum

The 35th annual Toronto Storytelling Festival will, for the first time, be held at Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St E from March 21 to March 24. A short walk from Cabbagetown, this will be an amazing program with international, national and local professional storytellers, free admission (all ages) during the weekend’s afternoon programming, and a bargain price for evening (adult) concert tickets with a discount for seniors and students.
Check out www.torontostorytellingfestival.ca  for full details on all the Festival events, venues, teller bios and ticket sales. Tickets will be sold at the door for cash or cheque to Storytelling Toronto, but pre order tickets on line to guarantee a seat!



Opportunities for Young, Emerging Artists from Regent Park

Are you an emerging artist (14-24 years old) from the Regent Park Community? Do you want to connect with other professional artists about their every day hustle and paths to success? Do you want to be partnered with an industry mentor who can help you take your game to the next level, deepen your artistry and find ways to get plugged into Toronto's arts and culture scene? This 6-month program is designed to help you design yourself!

Deadline for applications is March 7, 2013
Application can be found here: Youth Mentorship Program

Please drop off applications to 585 Dundas St. East (Daniels Spectrum, Artscape office on 2nd floor) or email to seema@torontoartscape.on.ca

Program runs from Mid-March to September 2013 and is FREE 
of charge.



Playing at Daniels Spectrum: Ching Chong Chinaman

The ultra-assimilated Wong family is as Chinese-American as apple pie: teenager Upton dreams of World of Warcraft superstardom; his sister Desi dreams of early admission to Princeton. Unfortunately, Upton’s chores and homework get in the way of his 24/7 videogaming, and Desi’s math grades don’t fit the Asian-American stereotype. Then Upton comes up with a novel solution for both problems: he acquires a Chinese indentured servant, who harbors an American dream of his own.

Directed by Nina Lee Aquino

Featuring: Zoe Doyle, Brenda Kamino, Oliver Koomsatira, Richard Lee, Jane Luk, John Ng



March 12-30, 2013 at the Aki Studio Theatre

Daniels Spectrum at 585 Dundas St. East, Toronto

Tuesday-Saturday 8pm / Saturday 2pm
Sunday 2pm PWYC
Tickets: $15-$28 (includes HST)
additional $2.00 per ticket surcharge

TICKETS: 1-800-204-0855
Purchase by phone Monday to Friday 10am-6pm or by clicking this link NOW!

Get a group of 8 or more together and save! 
Contact Carin Lowerison @ 416.920.2828 or carin@fu-gen.org for more details.




City of Toronto UPDATES


Feeling Congested? 
We are growing. Toronto leads all North American municipalities in large scale development, and the GTA is projected to add another 3 million people by 2036. Congestion has become a fact of life in Toronto, and it is threatening our prosperity and our quality of life. We cannot continue on the current course. We need to change how we get around.



More information can be found on the main website: www.feelingcongested.com along with an interactive survey.
Quality of Life
In 2010, the average trip to work in the Toronto CMA was 33 minutes. Our commute directly impacts our quality of life - less time commuting means less stress, more rest, and more time to spend with friends and family.


Economic Impact
The social and economic costs of congestion in the GTHA have been estimated at $6 billion annually. This includes wasted fuel, carbon emissions, slower goods movement, and travel delay resulting in lost productivity.


This Affects all of Us
Mitigating congestion through integrated transportation and land use planning will benefit all of us - drivers, transit users, cyclists, pedestrians. We need a comprehensive transportation network for all modes.
 


 The City of Toronto is exploring ways to help families save money on energy bills by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Upgrading insulation and replacing an old inefficient furnace are examples of cost-effective improvements that can cut energy bills and improve home comfort.
However, the high upfront cost, lack of financing options and the complexity of managing these projects can make these investments challenging for many.

 

Two public events are planned to help you learn more about the proposed program and provide your input. Each event will include a presentation by City staff, discussion with community groups and interested residents, followed by an interactive workshop. We will discuss what role the City can play to help address these barriers and increase the uptake of home energy retrofits.
Your input will inform a report to City Council that will outline the best way for the City to proceed with this program.

South Event
Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Metro Hall - Room 308
55 John Street
(at King Street)
TTC: St. Andrew Station


North Event
Date: Thursday, March 7, 2013
Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: North York Civic Centre - Members Lounge
5100 Yonge Street
(North of Sheppard Avenue)
TTC: North York Centre


Please RSVP by email to teo@toronto.ca


For more information, please contact Marco Iacampo at miacamp@toronto.ca or 416.392.6063



St. Patrick's events are already in the works, please stay tuned for next week's update for more information. Until then, stay classy Cabbagetown!