Toronto Uncovered

You In!?

hmorrison — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:49:39 +0000

Yahoo Canada (a client of ours at Sequentia) unveiled a new social program this week called You In! I don’t usually cover clients on this blog, however, I do feel like this particular cause is well worth talking about.

The program is simple – Yahoo is looking for Canadians step forward and get involved in a new movement dedicated to kindness in Canada. Your participation and planning over the next few weeks will then roll into a larger national program in October. The goal is to inspire at least 80,000 individual acts of kindness in one week.

If you’re looking for a way to get involved in community, promote social acts of kindness, brainstorm and share ideas with others about a national kindness campaign, and most of all feel like you’ve made a difference this may be perfect for you. Yahoo has set up a sign up on their Facebook page.

Good luck!

Vancouver Uncovered

hmorrison — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:27:46 +0000

I have always thought of myself as a West coast girl at heart. Although I haven’t been lucky enough to boast long term residence there, I spent many summers in California growing up.

I took my first trip to Canada’s West coast this weekend, flying into Vancouver and touring the Gulf Islands aboard an amazing 2 bedroom yacht. The 4 days flew by way too quickly, but were packed with amazing experiences from start to finish.

Arriving late Thursday night, we stayed in Coast Coal Harbour Hotel, which was an affordable rate of $139.00/night with a spectacular mountain view of Coal Harbour. Friday morning I boarded my first float plane and headed out to Galiano Island which lays nestled in amazingly lush green hills. The weather couldn’t have been better, a perfect 25 degrees with a cool mountain breeze. The day was spent reading, boating and jumping into the freezing water off of the yacht’s deck. It was exhilarating.

Saturday morning we strapped on our running shoes and went for a run through the tree lined hills of Galiano. Deer ran across our path more than once as we tried to conquer rolling hills, unparalleled to anything you might find in Toronto. Saturday afternoon we set off towards Salt Spring Island Market. Being a beautifully sunny day on the August long weekend, the market was packed with bargain hunters from every harbour around. I grabbed a few gluten free chocolate goodies, and then devoured a delicious lunch of seafood and caesars at the Oyster Catcher Seafood Bar and Grill. Thoroughly stuffed, we headed out to open waters towards Vancouver proper. I have to say, traveling by boat is pretty fantastic: no cramped car, beautiful scenery, relaxing lull of the engine and no annoying traffic. We docked back in Coal Harbour and enjoyed a relaxing evening of BBQ burgers and red wine.

Sunday morning brought with it delicious smoked salmon and chorizo breakfast sandwiches from Vancouver’s Urban Fare. As the weather started to warm up, we strapped on our runners once again and powered through a 10K run along the Sea Wall. Beautiful scenery – mountains in the distance and the Pacific ocean right below our feet.

Sunday afternoon was Pride celebration – we hit the town, starting at Score on Davie (sports bar), ending at Chill Winston. If you end up here, I highly recommend their cheese and charcuterie platters.

In case you couldn’t tell I loved my time on Canada’s West coast and cant wait to return.

Have you been to Vancouver? What are your favourite things to do there?

Hercules and Love Affair Love Toronto

hmorrison — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:52:28 +0000

Hercules and Love Affair - Photo: Josh O'Kane

If Summer is the season in which lust and love are allowed to run rampant, Hercules and Love Affair is the perfect accent to Summer’s seduction. I went to see them play at Mod Club Monday night, and was thoroughly entranced. I had a vague idea of what to expect: I had watched them on YouTube and listened to them on Hype Machine, but had no idea they would rock out so hard.

To describe their music, and why the show was so incredible, I must first describe the band. Some could (and did) define Hecules and Love Affair as homosensual (that’s sensual, not sexual). There were a lot of rumors that Antony Hegarty would make an appearance, which, like most rumors, turned out to be total crap. But it seemed to work out in our favour. Instead, Kim Ann Foxman, who declares herself “like a faggy, lesbian messenger boy that delivers legends and messages for the Gods” carried the lead vocals. Her back up singers were two ‘divas’ with rich voices who bumped and grinded all night long. DJ Andy Butler mixed beats behind the vocals to create a truly energetic and unique sound. The whole crowd was dancing, jumping and throwing down along side Hercules. I think it’s fair to say we all developed a new love affair that night.

If youre new to their music, here are some tracks to get you started. When they come back to Toronto, dont pass up this show. If its not one of the most amazing concerts youve ever been to, youre a damn liar!

Hercules and Love Affair – Blind

Hercules and Love Affair – Im Telling You (live)

Dance The Night Away

hmorrison — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:13:59 +0000

I’ve never been one to turn down a good dance party, hell, I throw my own dance parties for one whenever I am lucky enough to have my condo to myself. I love house music, I love playing it loud, and I love to dance.

This weekend I went to one such dance party at Tequila Bookworm, a venue that until recently I had no idea was so awesome! The party was held on the upper level which feels like you are actually at someones house – a few rooms with couches, a bar and a well-sized dance floor.

Toronto has some awesome DJs that don’t get nearly enough credit. I have been a friend and devoted fan of DJ Lee MacDonald ever since I first heard him spin in first year university. He kicked off the party, mixing in tons of great old school 90′s dance tracks and overlaying them with more recent beats. DJ Rich Hope took the party into the late hours of the night, each track making you dance harder than the track before. We were cheering and clapping with each new mix. I honestly didn’t want the night to end, and wished we really were at a house party so our lame 2:30am bar closures didn’t apply.

If you’re looking for some new Toronto DJs to support here are some sessions from Lee and Rich.

Lee MacDonald (download from this site)

Rich Hope (right click, save as)

Who is your favourite Toronto DJ?

New Orleans Uncovered

hmorrison — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:48:44 +0000

I made my first trip down to New Orleans last week in celebration of a friends wedding. New Orleans is a magical sort of place, that tells it like it is every chance it gets. Bourbon Street boasts “Huge Ass Beers”, tawdry cabarets and live sex shows, daiquiris on every corner and Southern hospitality in every restaurant. If Amsterdam and Vegas hooked up, New Orleans would be their love child.

If you are planning on hitting ‘Nawlins’, keep the following in mind:

1. It is hot as sin in New Orleans – 35 degrees plus humidity! Make sure you get a hotel with a rooftop pool. We stayed at the Omni Royal, in the French quarter. The rooms were small, quaint and well priced and the roof top bar and pool area was amazing.

2. Practice asking for a ‘To Go Cup’. In New Orleans you can drink any time, any place, on any street, as long as you aren’t drinking from a glass cup or bottle. If you are moving bars, ask for your drink in a to go cup and take it with you!

3. Eat up, its good for you. All the food we ate in New Orleans was amazing. We tried Mr. B’s Bistro for a real Southern meal of deep fried soft shell crab, bbq shrimp, and jambalaya. At the rehearsal dinner at renowned Chef John Besh’s masterpiece dishes, including seared scallops in an oxtail jus risotto (seriously to die for). My favourite restaurant was a small local joint called the Green Goddess. The menu was unique and fused food together in a August restaurant, we filled up on world delicate perfection. We tested as much as our stomachs would allow. Some of the real show stoppers were the BBQ peaches with bacon and blue cheese and the pulled pork marinaded and wrapped in a banana leaf. Quite possibly the best pulled pork I have ever tasted. We also sampled their cheese selection which was diverse and delicious. The owner chatted with us all night, explaining the different thinking behind each dish. This restaurant is a MUST.

4. Drink the bourbon. The old expression ‘when in Rome’ definitely applies here. The bourbon in the south is readily available at any bar you saunter into. I prefer it on the rocks and tasted quite a few different brands. My favourite picks were Sam Houston’s and Makers Mark.

5. Dress in as little clothing as possible – like I said, it is HOT. But make sure you always bring a small sweater or jacket with you cuz they pump the A/C like there is no BP oil spill.

6. Prepare to party. This is my last tip to you. There is no room for party-poopers or sour faces in New Orleans. Prepare to go out and have a great time, no matter what you do!

Toronto Pride Week

Aliana — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:15:10 +0000

Feeling proud? Well, maybe that’s because it’s Pride Week here in Toronto! That’s right folks, from June 25^th to July 4^th Toronto pays homage to the rainbow flag. Lots of fun stuff is lined up for this weekend including a street fair with vendors and artisans along Church Street on Saturday and Sunday and of course, don’t forget the 30^th Annual Pride Parade starting at Bloor and Church on Sunday at 2pm. Check out the Toronto Pride website for more details and a handy map of the stages set up as well as the parade’s route.

These festivities can get a little wild so if that’s not your thing organizers have set up a drug and alcohol Free Zone at Paul Kane Parkette (off of Wellesley Street East between Yonge Street and Church Street) for those of you looking to express your pride inconspicuously. The Free Zone will feature a DJ and a stage with live performances, holistic services, green lawn and confidential recovery meetings. A family zone has also been set up as part of Family Pride on the grounds of the Church Street Junior Public School (southeast corner of Church Street and Alexander Street) offering inclusive, family-friendly activities and events.

Have a fun and safe weekend everybody!

Patio Report: Java House

Aliana — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:28:54 +0000

Long time no contribution. I must admit, I’ve been slacking off a little but here’s why – it’s summer! Patio season is here folks so slather on the SPF and get your mmm on outside like I did the other day. Java House, located at 537 Queen Street West on the southwest corner of Queen and Augusta, is without a doubt a hipster hot-spot. Personally, I’m not all that hip but I still appreciate quality food that doesn’t break the bank.

Their eclectic menu features lighter pub fare and a variety of Thai entrees in the $5, that’s right $5 price range, not to mention daily specials, all day breakfast, and a good selection of coffee, teas and cheap pitchers.

Upon first impression, Java House looks like a dive bar and a coffee shop had a one night stand, but that’s precisely the restaurant’s charm. Though be warned, the bathrooms are of the, to quote my friend Angela “flush with your foot” variety.

On busy days, inside can be a little cramped with a line-up for the large patio. Luckily for my friend and I we arrived at Java House before yesterday’s dinner rush. We were promptly seated outside at a wobbly table but brushed it off as that small price we were willing to pay for sunshine.

Service at Java House is whimsical. If you go in expecting to be treated like royalty chances are your expectations will not be met. I’ve returned to Java House many times and I’ve had adequate service and terrible service but never the type of service to sing praises about, but then again I’m not picky. What keeps me coming back to Java House is the great prices, yummy food and, as I fancy myself a people watcher, the quirky clientele. Still, I don’t want to speak ill of the servers at Java House. It’s not that the servers are rude to their customers, rather in most cases they are in general a bit green and sometimes forgetful. Our server yesterday spilled our water (though the wobbly table was partly to blame) and of another server my friend requested an ashtray, which never came. Neither of those things particularly irked either of us, as said before we weren’t all that concerned about the quality of the service. We were just hungry.

We both ordered the stir-fry and vegetables. Angela had the tofu option while I went with the chicken. Portion size was large enough that Angela didn’t finish her rice where as I stopped short of licking the plate when I was finished. We also shared a pitcher of Amsterdam Blonde between us. In the end, the sum total for everything was around $28 and we left Java House happy enough with our experience yesterday that I’m sure we’ll both continue to gravitate there this summer and many summers thereafter.

CBC G20:Street Level

hmorrison — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:44:22 +0000

I have been given an amazing opportunity to guest blog with the CBC’s G20 citizen blogger team. The G20: Street Level blog launches today and will cover street level events and issues in and around the G20. My main goal is to reach out to as many Torontonians as possible and listen to their experiences and insights surrounding this event.

If you have a story to tell or want to share your experiences or opinions let me know! I’m hoping to hear from all sides and perspectives. Are you happy to host the G20? Has the G20 disrupted your day to day life? If so, how? What do you want to say or share?

Moon Walker: Michael Jakson Tribute

hmorrison — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:15:17 +0000

Thursday night I went to Clinton’s to see my ridiculously talented younger brother, Alex St. Kitts, perform Moon Walker: A Michael Jackson Tribute. I lived with him for 4 years and listened to endless bass and vocals practice, so I never doubted his talent. That said, I had no idea he could rip up the stage; singing, dancing and flirting with the audience the way he did Thursday night. All I could do was sing and dance along, thinking to myself, “who is this guy?!”

He started the night of with Michael’s Jam and kept the hits coming backed by a full piece band and vocals. Not only was the music amazing, but there were multiple wardrobe changes as well – red jackets, sparkling gloves, fedoras!

Even if Alex wasn’t my little bro, I’d have been all over that concert. The showmanship,talent and energy in the room was incredible. Here are some of my favourite MJ tracks featured that night:

Michael Jackson – Jam

Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough

Michael Jackson – You Rock My World

Michael Jackson – Thriller

To reach Alex via email click here

Dave Matthews Kicks Off Summer in Toronto

hmorrison — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:21:10 +0000

Last night was Toronto’s annual summer kick off, AKA the Dave Matthews Band concert at Molson Amphitheatre. Ive seen Dave in concert 4 or 5 times now at various venues, and have never been disappointed. He’s a great performer and has such a charismatic stage presence. Everyone, young and old, was dancing from start to finish. You just can’t help yourself. I didn’t sit down once (and neither did my aunt, who until now was a DMB virgin).

One piece of advice if you’re going to see a DMB show: buy lawn tickets. You want to have room to move and dance around. I made the mistake of buying seats one year and it was awful. DMB is taking their first break in over a decade next year – if you can catch a show on this tour, it may be your last chance for a little while.

I actually didn’t know most of Dave’s new songs but that really didn’t matter. Below are some of my favourite Dave songs from last night and in general:

Dave Matthews Band – You Might Die Trying

Dave Matthews Band – Ants Go Marching

Dave Matthews Band – Stay Or Leave

Dave Matthews Band – Seek Up

What is your favourite Dave song?