Our Neighbourhood Magazine: September 2009

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Published monthly, Our Neighbourhood is a free, community-based magazine, focusing on Arts & Culture, Food & Drink, Style & Fashion, and Health & Wellness.

Our Neighbourhood reaches over 10,000 local readers every month who live, work and play in Queen West, King West & Liberty Village.

Our Neighbourhood is distributed to selected condominiums, homes, retail businesses, banks, professional offices, fitness facilities, hotels and restaurants along Queen West, King West and throughout Liberty Village.

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Style & Fashion Editor: Manny Machado 416.996.5214 | Style@ONmagazine.ca

For Special Ad Rates, Call: 416.455.7320

Graphic Design: Kerry Brennan Design@ONmagazine.ca Webmaster: Jason Verbovszky Webmaster@ONmagazine.ca Advertising Inquiries: 416.455.7320 | Sales@ONmagazine.ca The publication and all images within remain the property of Our Neighbourhood Magazine and may not be reproduced in any form without prior written consent of the Publisher. Views expressed in Our Neighbourhood Magazine by any contributor are not necessarily that of the staff or Publisher.

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contributors ™

Desi Di Nardo is a poet and author whose work has been published in numerous North American and international journals, performed at the National Arts Centre, featured in Poetry on the Way on the TTC, and displayed in the Official Residences of Canada.

Her poetry has also been presented in schools across the country and translated into foreign languages.

Her new book is titled The Plural of Some Things. Visit www.desidinardo.com Sue Edworthy has worked for over a decade as an arts administrator in theatre, dance and opera in Toronto. She is currently a Board Member for the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts.

Dr. Matthew Follwell is a published author and radiation oncologist working at Princess Margaret Hospital. He is a member of the board of directors at Gallery TPW and is committed to the development of emerging art collectors.

Manny Machado is a designer specializing in solutions in the form of Urban Space Styling: a combination of basic design elements fused with fashion, style and innovation; with a goal to create original spaces that reflect your personality and your lifestyle.

Ben Peterson is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), Canada’s largest international media development organization. Ben is a recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 award, and is excited to bring the world to Our Neighbourhood.

Taffi Rosen is a renowned photographer who has lived and worked in Liberty Village for over 20 years. Her still photography has taken her around the world shooting campaigns for fashion, editorial and advertising clients. According to composer, lyricist and freelance writer, Harry Lewis: “Taffi Rosen is Canada’s answer to Annie Leibovitz without the humungous budget!” Still photography is but one element of Taffi’s expertise. She also runs a full service production company from her Fraser Street studio, where she produces series for Television, as well as a variety of music and corporate videos.

Carol-Ann M. Ryan is an art historian who writes, teaches, and manages art collections. She is an instructor at the Toronto School of Art, University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Anastasia Vaskova is an Environmental Consultant who has been writing about environmental issues that affect us and our homes for 7 years. Her goal is to connect you, the reader, to the best products, websites and information to help make your environmentally friendly quest clear and easy.

September 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine

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Contents | September 2009 Publisher’s Note

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Arts & Culture | Out of Site

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Arts & Culture in Our Neighbourhood Fall 2009

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Arts & Culture Arts Activism – Get Involved

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ON Assignment Venice Biennale 2009

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Arts & Culture | The Weeping Salsa A Zocalo Toronto Production

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Arts & Culture | The Lab Cab Festival

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Map of Our Neighbourhood

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Arts & Culture | Nuit Blanche

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Our World | Buying African Art

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Looking for a green solution to clean your carpet?

Arts & Culture Dancing with Parkinson’s

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Arts & Culture The Cryptic Canvas Event Gallery

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Arts & Culture | Queen West Art Crawl

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Real Estate | ON the Market

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Real Estate Directory

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Publisher’s Note | Roger Tumminieri

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elcome to ON Magazine’s Annual Arts & Culture issue!

This is one of my favourite issues to publish. If you live here, you get that there’s a very strong creative undercurrent that flows throughout Our Neighbourhood. Perhaps it’s Garrison Creek (which quite literally runs beneath Trinity Bellwoods Park) that subconsciously attracts so many creative types to this area. Whatever the impetus, Our Neighbourhood is, and has been for decades, a centre for Arts & Culture within the city of Toronto and, by extension, Canada.

In this issue we celebrate local artists and festivals as well as Nuit Blanche, an all-night arts festival that takes place in three zones across the city, one of which is right here in Our Neighbourhood.

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Arts & Culture | Out of Site By: Laura Schaefer

Out of Site: A C e l e b r at i o n o f C o n t e m p o r a ry A rt Wo r k s Specific to Queen Street West (between Simcoe and Bathurst)

alking along Queen Street West between Simcoe and Bathurst streets, one will see numerous reminders of the influence and importance of art in this vibrant community. From the vivid graffiti murals in neighbouring alleyways to the painted sidewalks adorning the north side of Queen Street, creative expression abounds. Located just south of the Ontario College of Art and Design and the Art Gallery of Ontario, this section of Queen Street West includes a neighbourhood that has nurtured artists

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Our Neighbourhood Magazine | September 2009

for decades.Based on the neighbourhood’s rich history of participating in and celebrating the arts, the newly formed Queen Street West Business Improvement Area decided to make its inaugural event a celebration of contemporary art specific to the neighbourhood. Out of Site: Contemporary Art Works on Queen Street West will be an all-night destination for Torontonians, beginning on October 3rd at 7 p.m. and running to October 4th at 7 a.m. continued on page 12

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Well-attuned to the exhibition’s context of an all-night event, the artists encourage the engagement and participation of the public, who can join a fashionable nightclub lineup, try on faux-designer clothes, and take part in a video chat with strangers.

In addition to the art works Miller has curated, some of the best comedic short films from across the country will be shown at CTV, 299 Queen Street West courtesy of Bravo!FACT. Out of Site participants are also encouraged to visit and participate in the three official Scotiabank Nuit Blanche Independent Projects located in landmark locations the neighborhood. With a variety of installations along Queen Street West, Torontonians will be able to participate all night in a community event showcasing

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important contemporary art hosted by the Queen Street West BIA.

Arts & Culture in Our Neighbourhood – Fall 2009 By: Jaclyn Law

Event locations: • Lisa Neighbour, Two Places at Once, Kops Records, 229 Queen Street West and Get Outside, 437 Queen Street West.

• Daniel Borins and Jennifer Marman, Night Clubbing, Pages Books & Magazines, 256 Queen Street West.

• Kathryn Walter, Remnants, Fashion Crimes, 322 1/2 Queen Street West.

• Kerri Reid, Five Portraits of Some Garbage Found on Queen Street West , Pull, 435 Queen Street West.

• Anne Fauteux, The Label Project, Cartel, 498 Queen Street West.

• From Dusk to Dawn: A Bravo!FACT (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) screening of the best comedic short films from across the country produced with grants awarded by CTV’s Bravo!FACT, CTV 299 Queen Street West (Note: starting at 9 p.m.).

The Queen Street West BIA celebrates the three official Scotiabank Nuit Blanche Independent Projects in our neigbourhood: • The Eros Boulevard Cabaret live at The Rivoli, 332 Queen Street West • City Sonic: The Cameron House in Motion, The Cameron House, 408 Queen Street West.

• Mike Parsons, HEY APATHY! “A Dialogue with the City” Queen Street West & Soho Street.

Photo by: Roger Tumminieri

The neighbourhood’s designation as the first commercial historical conservation district in Toronto provides a backdrop for independent curator Earl Miller. Using art installations by five important Toronto artists, Miller weaves a story that speaks of the neighbourhood’s past, present, and future. Kathryn Walker and Anne Fauteux, for instance, present art works responding to the fashion industry’s historic presence along Queen Street West, noting the impact that the “Fashion District” has had on Toronto. Daniel Borins and Jennifer Marman humourously comment on the neighbourhood’sstatusasan entertainment centre by illustrating how being seen with the right people often takes precedence over having a good time. Lisa Neighbour’s installation offers an optimistic solution to the loneliness often experienced on a crowded street while Kerri Reid turns to what has been discarded amidst the urban landscape for inspiration.

his fall, you can also enjoy compelling, thought-provoking drama productions from Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson Ave., passemuraille.on.ca), Factory Theatre (125 Bathurst St., factorytheatre.ca) and The Theatre Centre (1087 Queen St. W., theatrecentre.org). Our Neighbourhood’s galleries offer intriguing exhibits as well – visit the West Queen West BIA website (westqueenwest.ca/businesses/galleries) for a directory.

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If you want to make art rather than just look at it, there are many classes and workshops available, including “Knitting 101” at The Knit Café (1050 Queen St. W., theknitcafetoronto.com), the “Knock It Off” sewing workshop at The Workroom (1340 Queen St. W., theworkroom.ca), silversmithing at The Devil’s Workshop (955 Queen St. W., thedevilsworkshop.ca), and ceramics at C1 Art Space (44 Ossington Ave., c1artspace.com) – just in time to make gifts for the holidays.

September 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine

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Arts & Culture | Arts Activism – Get Involved By: Carol-Ann Ryan

o you value public space? Are you aware of its monetary value to private business? Think about all the billboards that adorn our city’s streets for private interests. Instead of fuelling the capitalist machine, wouldn’t it be nice if a percentage of the fees from these ads were returned to the people?

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The Beautiful City Billboard Fee (BCBF) is a city building initiative that aims to beautify, democratize and diversify access to public space, and in turn – hold companies investing in billboard advertising accountable for their impact on shared spaces through an annual license fee. The Beautifulcity.ca / BCBF Alliance, made up of dozens of established and grassroots organizations, strongly supports both enforcement of billboard advertising bylaws and the beneficial use of revenues for funding marginalized communities and youth art.

This would be accomplished through an annual license fee (or tax, to be announced by city staff ), paid for by thirdparty outdoor advertisers. Revenue would go through city arts grants and then directed to art in the public sphere (public

art) through various arms-length agencies, such as the Toronto Arts Council, and peer assessed processes.

Staff have estimated that mid-range revenues of $18 million per year could be raised and the following would be possible: • An historical 53% increase to the annual municipal funding available to all artists, festivals and arts institutions • Close to $100,000 dollars for public realm improvement for each Toronto ward, every year – for projects such as greening

BILLBOAR FEE

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• Almost a 1/3 of a million dollars for each of the 13 priority neighbourhoods to fund accessible youth arts programming • Hiring 17 dedicated officers to enforce the new billboard bylaw.

Get involved! The proposal goes to the Executive Committee in September and City Council in October 2009. If you are interested in learning more, signing a petition, or volunteering your time and skills to this forward-thinking cause, visit: beautifulcity.ca

A Charge On Billboards To Fund Art In The Public Sphere.

Go to beautifulcity.ca to get involved!

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Our Neighbourhood Magazine | September 2009

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ON Assignment | Venice Biennale 2009 By: Matthew Follwell

very two years in early June, the art world descends on Venice, Italy for the biannual international art exhibition, known as The Venice Biennale.

Among some 40,000 media outlets, ON Magazine was invited for the official media preview days, gaining behind the scenes access to one of the largest and oldest contemporary art gatherings in the world.

Set in and among historic Venice, it was all about the art.

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Two permanent Biennale sites, The Giardini and Arsenale, exhibit the majority of the international presentations.

Canada’s representative, selected by the 16

Our Neighbourhood Magazine | September 2009

Canada Council for the Arts, and curated by the University of Toronto’s own Barbara Fischer, was filmmaker Mark Lewis. Fischer is director of the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery and was responsible for all aspects of the exhibition, including fundraising and pavilion design.

Lewis was born in Hamilton, Ontario and now lives in London, England. He shoots his films in 35-mm, uses a professional crew, actors, cranes, sets and special effects, often paying homage to the classic film technique of rear projection and combining it with state-of-the-art digital technology.

The films are then transferred to laser

disc or DVD for projection in the gallery.

Always visually stunning and beautifully framed, the scenes are at once familiar and fantastical requiring the viewer to bring their own interpretation to the experience.

In addition to the Giardini and Arsenale, hundreds of off-site exhibitions bring art to the passageways and palazzos of Venice.

Reverse Pedagogy, the experimental nomadic art school, and brain-child of Canadian artists Paul Butler and Dean Baldwin, was hatched while in residency at the Banff Centre and has grown to include 20 members of the visual arts community.

Their most recent collaboration brought a

genuinely Canuck flare to the first ten days of the Biennale, delivering eleven canoes to the canals of Venice. After a harrowing open water transit from the nearby port to their home-base, the Reverse Pedagogy crew focused on making this sinking city their own site of art and knowledge production, communal living, play, and conversation.

While the Biennale runs until November, the opening days provided a dream assignment for this writer and solidified Canada’s place in international art. I can’t wait for 2011. labiennale.org/en/art September 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine

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Arts & Culture | The Weeping Salsa – A Zocalo Toronto Production Photos by: Dave Lapsley

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The Weeping Salsa deals with themes of sensuality, emotional dependency, and the delicate balance of power in relationships. While one portion of the narrative is centered around the Canada Salsa Congress, the story is about the relationship of Danny and Adele.

Dance is used to explore and reveal elements of their relationship, which is deeply rooted in certain male-female

archetypes. This is Zocalo Toronto’s second stage production.

Writer Vladimir Jon Cubrt had this to say about The Weeping Salsa: “The original impetus for The Weeping Salsa comes from a vision I had several years ago. It was of a man and a woman engaged in a dance. There seemed to be a tension in the air that was very much at odds with the fluidity with which they moved together. As my vision unfolded it became clear that the woman was quite distraught. Though she deftly followed his lead, she was avoiding her partner’s gaze, keeping her head low, her eyes and face shielded by her hair.The man led the woman through another series of turns.

It was at this point that the woman’s face became visible, her hair having been swept clear by the movement of continued on page 20

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Poster designed by: Nathan Monteith

he Weeping Salsa is a dynamic new stage production that fuses traditional drama with contemporary and Latin style partnered dancing. A lyrical tragedy in two acts, The Weeping Salsa tells a story about Eros – love that is passionate, sexual and urgent – about Power – subjugating one’s self for the sake of the partnership – and about finding the strength to grow.

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the dance. There was a glint or sparkle off her cheek. It was light reflecting off a tear.

The man noticed it. He watched her as they settled into a slow moving basic step. One, two, three. Five, six, seven. Back and forth they languidly moved together. His right arm curved around her back, his hand pressed between her shoulder blades.

The connection. Her head still low, she avoided his gaze. More tears came down her cheeks. And then her chin raised and she looked into the man’s eyes. Defiance.

And sadness. And an appeal.

This image arrested me. What was happening here? How could these two people be dancing together and have such a strong connection while, seemingly, in the midst of such a terrible emotional struggle? I felt that there was a very compelling story here. About Eros – love that is passionate, sexual and urgent.

About power. About subjugating one’s

self for the sake of the partnership. The embattled couple of my vision are engaged in Latin style partnered dancing, where the conventions of the dance dictate that the woman must follow her partner’s lead. The metaphor of this dance form is incredibly salient, as the nature of their relationship is very much rooted in archetypal malefemale roles and esthetics – some good, some not so good. As I continued to develop the script over the last three years, I found out that their story is also about the pitfalls of looking without to fix what’s within; about breaking away from what’s safe in order to become more whole; and about finding the strength to grow.

The narrative, which is split into a present and a past storyline, explores the relationship of a pair of star-crossed lovers, whose lives are inextricably tied together well after their love affair has ended. Salsa dancing is an elemental component of the

production as, in the past storyline Danny and Adele prepare for their performance at the Canada Salsa Congress. Salsa dancing also enters the present day narrative in a strange and unexpected way when Danny and Adele come together again, in an equally strange and unexpected reunion.”

Organizational History: Founded by Vladimir Jon Cubrt, Zocalo Toronto was born a little over three years ago as a rehearsal and workshop facility in the Queen West arts district. It quickly became a favourite rehearsal space for a number of local theatre companies (Dogtooth Theatre, Royal Porcupine Productions, Cow Over the Moon Theatre and Alameda Theatre, to name a few).

Zocalo Toronto also hosted acting classes 20

Our Neighbourhood Magazine | September 2009

(Janelle Hutchison, Steve Adams), dance classes (iFreeStyle, Mambo Tribe), photo shoots (Star Photography) and more. “The Zocalo” – as it was called at that time – also provided a venue for companies to throw fundraisers, workshop their shows or stage intimate performances such as Dogtooth Theatre’s One-Act Festival Weekend, Jillian Rees Brown’s Terror in the Tickle, or the Monday Night Players staged reading of 12 Angry Men. The studio closed when it was time to focus singularly on growing Zocalo Toronto as a production company.

Flin Flonning, which premiered in May of 2007 at the Diesel Playhouse, was Zocalo Toronto’s debut production. It was very well received by critics and audiences alike, continued on page 22 September 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine

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Arts & Culture | The Lab Cab Festival

The Weeping Salsa tells a story about Eros – love that is passionate, sexual and urgent – about Power – subjugating one’s self for the sake of the partnership – and about finding the strength to grow.

By: Sue Edworthy

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ired of the same old, same old Halloween activities? Come out and get your LabCab on!

The Lab Cab Festival is an annual, twoday multi-arts festival that takes place in every nook and cranny of the historic Factory Theatre. Music, dance, theatre, film, poetry, kids stuff, visual art and comedy are performed in the washrooms, parking lots, stairwells, theatres, lobbies, rehearsal hall, carpentry shop, courtyard and greenrooms of the 137 year old building. Acts range from two to forty minutes and include a range of expertise in each field: from well

S at u r d ay,

selling out three of its last four performances and playing to a 65% overall capacity overall during the run. NOW Magazine gave Flin Flonning three stars and proclaimed playwright, and Zocalo Toronto founder, Vladimir Jon Cubrt “One to Watch”. Classical 96 FM’s Paula Citron said, “...Cubrt has real talent and is someone to watch”.

In addition to The Weeping Salsa, Zocalo Toronto, has two other stage plays in development, one of which, Samkon and Francis Go Swimming, has been brought to life in a series of workshop readings 22

Our Neighbourhood Magazine | September 2009

by talents such as Jim Codrington, Shawn Lawrence, Collette Micks and John Cattuci.

Zocalo Toronto also hosts a bi-annual cabaret series called the Zocalo Cabaret, which has featured a wonderful and diverse collection of talented local artists such as Treasa Levasseur, Bruce Hunter, The Helix Dance Project, A Girl In The Sky Productions, Bryce Kulak, Heino... the Voice of Germany, GoDance Mambo and Annie Thompson Design, among many others.

For more on The Weeping Salsa, visit: zocalotoronto.com

place except for a time limit of ten minutes.

A playwright could read an excerpt of her play-in-progress or a musician could sing us a new song or a dancer could show us a bit of an upcoming show. Anything was acceptable. Now in its fourth annual production, and under the direction of Aviva and Artistic Producer Andre du Toit, The Lab Cab Festival continues to be a home for new and experimental work, for artists of various disciplines and skill levels with the aim of uniting all artistic disciplines under one roof, creating a house of art in all its glorious stages and incarnations.

O c t ober

established artists to those just starting.

The mandate of the Lab Cab Festival is to provide a home for various artistic disciplines to experiment with new work in a fun and risk-free environment. The Lab Cab Festival is free and family-friendly.

Lab Cab emerged as the brainchild of Faradee Rudy and Aviva Armour-Ostroff, in 2001 when both were working Front of House at the Factory Theatre. Artistic Director Ken Gass mentioned he was looking for “new life” in the theatre, and the Lab Cab proposal was born.

The goal was to create an environment for artists of various disciplines to experiment with new work. No restrictions were in

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Some highlights of this year include Chris Stanton’s The Red Room Part Three. Awardwinning set designer Lindsay Anne Black will be transforming parts of the building with her amazing creations. Arturo Perez Torres, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, has created a short film for the festival about what his 6 year-old daughter is afraid of. This is only a small sample of what’s in store for you at Lab Cab – there’s something around every corner!

The fourth annual festival takes place on October 31st, adding a Halloween theme to the rumours that Factory theatre is indeed haunted. For more information, visit labcab.ca.

September 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine

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Arts & Culture | Nuit Blanche By: Jaclyn Law

Rescue Bubble, 2009, sculpture by Tomer Diamant (Toronto)

A: Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, the exhibit explores human strength and adaptability in the face of extreme adversity. You’re invited to dive right in: Experience the invasion of a grocery store, hear the haunting cries of hundreds of souls, revisit the concept of a “mobile home,” and explore the meaning of the phrase “I’m sorry.”

Makiko Hara Curator, Zone C (Liberty Village)

Zone C also features 21 Independent Projects, from partners such as the ulture lovers, rejoice! This season promises a wealth of intriguing, inspiring arts events, and many of them are happening right in your backyard.

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Ready to pull an all-nighter? Billed as “a free all-night contemporary art thing,” Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is ready to capture the city’s imagination for the fourth year in a row. From 6:55 p.m. on October 3 to sunrise on October 4, nearly 500 artists plus galleries, museums and other sites – including such unexpected locales as bus stations and grocery stores – will beguile and dazzle with 130 projects. Last year, 26

Our Neighbourhood Magazine | September 2009

Gladstone Hotel, the Canadian Film Centre’s Media Lab, the Toronto School of Art and the Parkdale BIA. Miki Stricker-Talbot, programming lead for Nuit Blanche, says that the neighbourhood itself is an integral part of the experience.

Organizers were drawn to the architecture of Liberty Village, as well as its recent revitalization into a centre of creativity.

“West Queen West is a central hub with continued on page 28

nearly a million people – including 100,000 out-of-towners – swarmed to installations across the downtown core.

This year’s art is spread over three zones: Zone A is Downtown North, Zone B is Downtown South, and Zone C is South/ West. Zone C stretches from Spadina to Lansdowne,and from Lakeshore to Dundas, encompassing Our Neighbourhood.

This year, Zone C will feature 36 projects under the theme “Urban Disaster/ Catastrophe/Survival Actions.” Shaped

by Makiko Hara, the curator of Centre

Pictured left: The Lost and Found Forest, 2009, multimedia installation by Jerome McGrath and Rina Grosman, The Lost and Found Collective (Toronto). Pictured right: The Apology Project, 2009, performance art by Maria Legault (Toronto).

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all the Independent Projects located there in galleries, in parks and on the street. The neighbourhood has really embraced Nuit Blanche, and we’re so grateful.”

Businesses also take part in the all-night festival by staying open late, giving art enthusiasts a chance to take a break, refuel or pick up souvenirs of their trip to Toronto.

Establishments expected to stay open into the wee hours include coffee house Balzac’s (43 Hanna Ave.), Café Crepe (246 Queen St. W.), Academy of Spherical Arts (1 Snooker St.), Magic Oven (127 Jefferson Ave.) and Le Bar a Soup (164 Ossington Ave.).

For more info about Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, check out scotiabanknuitblanche.ca, which offers maps, project details, artist profiles, and interactive planning tools. Visit the Scotiabank Information Centre at Lamport Stadium to pick up a map, buy refreshments and vote for your favourite installation.

A SULTRY WORLD, 1995-2009, performance art

by Norico Sunayama (C.Snatch.Z) (Japan); photo: Kazuki Suzuki

THE END IS NEAR HERE IS NEAR THE END, 2009, installation

by Jason de Haan and Scott Rogers; photo: Jason de Haan

Invade, 2009, installation by KUO I-Chen (Taiwan)

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Our World | Buying African Art

Arts & Culture | Dancing with Parkinson’s

By: Ben Peterson

By: Roger Tumminieri

s a young man roaming across West Africa, I was enthralled with local art markets. Countless dusty stalls haphazardly jammed together, each run by a grizzled old man competing for your attention. “Looking is free. Looking is free”. Once lured into a stall I found myself surrounded by thousands of artifacts from across the depths of Africa. From Ashanti fertility dolls to Congolese warrior masks, the markets were a place for my imagination to wander and my artistic senses to explode.

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But then I learned their secret. It turns out that 90% of the crap in the markets is made in China. Yep, China. Congolese warrior masks my ass! No wonder that every stall in every market in West Africa has pretty much identical ‘African art’ to sell. Man, I was just taken for a ride!

This ride doesn’t end there. “Art collectors” end up in African markets, buy Chinesemade Ashanti dolls for $1 a piece, return to Canada and sell them for anywhere between $20 and $100. Sure, some African stuff you can buy here is legit, but it’s almost impossible to tell.

If you care about the origins of your art, buyer beware. But then again, unless you’re making a substantial investment, who really cares? It still looks cool. And yes, the next time you’re over at my house, all the African art I have is really African – or at least that’s what you’ll think!

Ben Peterson is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Journalists for Human Rights. For more information, please visit: jhr.ca.

Sarah Robichaud (above) with participant

ancing with Parkinson’s is a charitable organization that offers classes where those with Parkinson’s Disease can explore the potential of their own movement through choreography and improvisation.

D

Dancing with Parkinson’s has the unique privilege of live musical accompaniment for each class. The live music enables a broad range of tempos and styles for each piece of choreography, helping to transport bodies and spirits in a joyful, safe environment.

Founded by Sarah Robichaud,Dancing with Parkinson’s increases awareness of the body in stillness and motion. Robichaud is also a classically trained dancer, choreographer, author and fitness expert.

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Our Neighbourhood Magazine | September 2009

Celebrate the spontaneity of movement through dance and live music. No previous dance experience required.

The mission at Dancing with Parkinson’s is to provide a fun, safe environment where those with Parkinson’s Disease can celebrate the artistry and potential of their own movement.

Classes are held in the heart of Liberty Village at Danceology, located at 171 East Liberty Street, Suite 109.

For more information, visit: dancingwithparkinsons.com and sarahrobichaud.com

September 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine

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Arts & Culture | The Lively Annex Live By: Desi Di Nardo

he newly opened Annex Live, in the hub of the ever-vibrant and eclectic Annex area, boasts not only excellent and well-priced fare but also a slew of cultural happenings which may be of a musical, literary, or artistic nature. Graziano Marchese, previous owner of the popular café and restaurant Dooney’s, is endeavouring to bring a unique and much-needed culturally rich venue to the area. While the Annex is well known for its literary and artistic makeup, a walk along Bloor Street between Bathurst and Spadina quickly reveals the void of unique and stimulating locales. Amidst the bevy of fast food restaurants and $3 beer pubs, the Annex Live stands out as a beacon for those looking for something distinguished and something special.

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Our Neighbourhood Magazine

From the art deco style overhang, to the arresting display of art hung throughout, to the engaging selection of books by local writers, to the snazzy and crisp ambiance and furniture including potted palm plants lining the expansive windows – a most ideal setting by which to read – everything in the place seems right. The Annex Live’s dedication to Toronto’s arts and culture scene is not limited to the showcasing of local talent only. On any given night,

one can discover an array of galvanizing functions. You can open your heart to the tender strings of classical compositions, jazzy jingles, or the bluesy folk tunes of notable artists from near and far.

There’s no question Marchese’s regulars have made the Annex Live a sort of second home, and according to him, “some customers have been coming here for as long as I’ve been in this business; they’re like family now.” As well, a new clientele outside the community has taken a deep fondness and interest in the new establishment. Residents from across Toronto are drawn to the blend of cultural ambiance, a mouth-watering

menu including a generous $25 fixed price menu, and live music and events nestled in an area that is alive and buzzing with those strolling its bustling streets, shops, and bookstores. It’s not hard to see why.

Marchese, a genuinely inviting, talkative, and amicable man, speaks about the Annex with a refreshing enthusiasm and in fact cringes when the term “entrepreneur’ is used in conjunction with his livelihood, claiming his steadfast passion is what has driven him, what persists to impel him, and what keeps him afloat.

For reservations or more info call 416.929.3999 or visit theannexlive.com.

Our Neighbourhood Magazine

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Green | Arts & Culture and the Environment By: Anastasia Vaskova

uite simply, I believe there is a common intellectual appreciation for the local environment in which we live. We have all valued nature at some point in our lives, perhaps more so when we were younger; but I am hopeful that as adults we will see the value in embracing nature once again. Our local environment can be much more colourful, vibrant and valuable if we regard it collectively and work together to create a wonderful canvas.

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Some things to keep in mind which will make Our Neighbourhood a great masterpiece: v Say “Hello” to one person every day v Have respect for where we live v Keep our public spaces clean and tidy v Recycle v Build a garden Photo by: Roger Tumminieri

v Leave your car at home and walk or bike to a local restaurant, café, boutique or art gallery Together we can make this a more beautiful place to live and work.

September 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine

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Arts & Culture | The Cryptic Canvas Event Gallery he Cryptic Canvas Event Gallery (TCC) will be launching its first annual ‘ART off the Lot’ & ‘CRAFT off the Lot’ exhibitions taking place this November.

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Each year TCC will host two shows (one dedicated to ART and one to CRAFT) for the Holiday Season. Every year, each ART

November 5 – 8

and CRAFT exhibition will take place in a new and unconventional venue to keep the events as dynamic as the one of-akind work exhibited.

For 2009, TCC will breathe new life into the vacant Chrysler dealership (1030 King St. W.) located at King & Shaw in King West Village.

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Opening Night: Thursday, November 12 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm Friday, November 13 11:00 am – 8:00 pm Saturday, November 14 11:00 am – 8:00 pm Sunday, November 15 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Both exhibitions are proud to boast the following: 4 Opening Night Party 4 100 artists (approx.)

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For more information on the exhibitions or to find out how you can be involved please visit artoffthelot.com or craftoffthelot.com. Please feel free to contact us at info@artoffthelot.com or 416.703.0379.

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Our Neighbourhood Magazine | September 2009

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Arts & Culture | Queen West Art Crawl Hanging Out To Dry by Richard Marazzi

By: Jaclyn Law

he seventh annual Queen West Art Crawl took place from September 18 to 20, with more than 500 artists showing their work, leading workshops and creating art for all to see. Highlights included the opening-night party at the Gladstone Hotel; Saturday’s Outdoor Art Show and Sale in Trinity Bellwoods Park; the Parkdale Crafters Market; art collective Art Fuzion; QWAC-fiti, a celebration of graffiti art; and the Kids Zone.

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Paths to Love 76 by Peter Chung

The goal was to feature “art on the spot,” associate director Lanie Treen told us just before press time. “Art being created live, in the moment, responding to audience members and getting them involved in the creation of it. Because it’s not a performing art, sometimes you feel like you’re left out of the loop in terms of the process. It’s nice to be able to bring the dynamic, creative side of art to the public, to see it created as it’s conceived.”

did you do the crawl?

“It’s nice to be able to bring the dynamic, creative side of art to the public, to see it created as it’s conceived.”

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Our Neighbourhood Magazine | May 2009

Necklace by Leila Cools

The event also involved local galleries, studios, art collectives and shops. Over 50 Crawl partners along Queen West created exhibitions and events. “It’s not just about our programming – it’s about the whole community pitching together and showcasing their best art,” said Treen.

“We’re really excited about how it celebrates Queen West and how incredibly artsy it is.”

Last year, 30,000 people attended the Crawl, visited local retailers and sampled the culinary delights that Our Neighbourhood has to offer, and organizers expected at least the same turnout for this year’s event.

For more info about the Queen West Art Crawl’s events and artists, visit queenwestartcrawl.com.

September 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine

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R e a l

E s t a t e

D i rec t or y

Real Estate | ON the Market By: Gigi von Anrep, Broker Gigi von Anrep, Broker Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. 905 King West, Toronto, ON M6K 3G9

416.205.0355 www.KingWestVillage.ca gigivonanrep.blogspot.com

T

he Real Estate market in Our Neighbourhood continues has bounced back from the uncertainty that was experienced at the beginning of this year. Low interest rates coupled with an increased interest from buyers are factors that continue to drive the market upward. Combine that with low inventory of listings and the result has been the return of the multiple offer bidding. It’s all about supply and demand and in this case, demand is outweighing the supply!

I frequently get asked about the amount of building going on and whether that will “flood” the market with an over supply of condos. All I can say is that it hasn’t happened yet! As the area becomes more and more built up, the new units continue to become absorbed into the marketplace which tells us that the majority of buyers are “end users”. In other words, these units are purchased for the owner’s use not for investments. This is good news for owners as it boosts property values but bad news for renters as there continues to be less choice for them, too.

It is great for the area and certainly for the city as its tax base has expanded significantly over the past couple of years. Most things are improving due to the increased attention – CAMH is going through a renewal bringing the institution more into the mainstream – again a bonus for all as the stigma lessens and the surrounding neighbourhood benefits. Certainly the cafés, restaurants and shops have found their clientele and are thriving. There are so many storefronts that are undergoing renovations as new businesses move into the strip. Transit and parking continue to be a problem with the increased population, however.

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Our Neighbourhood Magazine | September 2009

Featured on page 4

Specializing in Queen West & King West Properties

Thinking of turning over a new The unfortunate result of all this is that the artists who created the cool vibe which lured the people out this way have found themselves being priced out of their area and are having to constantly find cheaper space by either moving further west along Queen into Parkdale or north along the Dundas West strip. This is good news for those areas as it is bringing a revival to their storefronts and activity to those streets.

So let’s celebrate those artists and support their efforts. Let’s get out there and visit the galleries and the businesses that are showcasing their work. One such example is Poutini’s House of Poutine. Located on Queen St. just west of Dovercourt, it was previously an art gallery and has been promoting an artist by displaying her oil paintings on their walls for purchase – what a great way to combine and support the merging of cultures. Hats off to the owners of Poutini’s and others like them for their creative business acumen!

Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage 905 King St. W. Toronto 416.205.0355 | KingWestVillage.ca gigivonanrep.blogspot.com

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Breathe, Grow and Relax...

What’s Next?

By: Taffi Rosen

ruminated on the cultural behavior of using cell phones. In fact, the concept of “The Virtual Office”fascinates me.Wherever you are today you can do business – in the car, on the road, and in other countries. Accessing your email, surfing the internet for sites like MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and downloading live streaming videos and pod casts from your handheld device has added an additional layer of convenience, but also complexity, to life.

I

The multitude of platforms available now is mind boggling as we’re absorbed into the constant technological vortex of the 21st century. This is an entirely new way to access and send information.

“I’m amazed that with just a push of a button things happen,” said my Grandmother (who recently died at the ripe old age of 102). She was referring to Television, and basics such as land line telephones, air conditioning, heaters, ovens and microwaves. She had not even considered using a computer or getting a cell phone. She had personally experienced the genesis of cultural changes throughout a century.

According to Wikipedia “The significance of cultural behavior is not exhausted when we have clearly understood that it is local and man-made and hugely variable. It tends to be integrated. A culture, like an individual, is a more or less consistent 46

pattern of thought and action. Taken up by a wellintegrated culture, the most ill-assorted acts become characteristic of its particular goals, often by the most unlikely metamorphoses.”

“By the end of 2007 there were 295 Million subscribers on 3G networks worldwide, which reflected 9% of the total worldwide subscriber base,” says Wikipedia (history of cell phones.)

Get Smart, an American television comedy series that satirized the secret agent genre was created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry and starred Don Adams as Maxwell Smart,“Agent 86”.This entertaining series was created as an insane combination of James Bond and Mel Brooks comedy. They developed a show about an idiot in response to all the nice sensible situation comedies that were on TV at the time in 1965.

What is relevant to the cell phone virtual culture of today is of course the recurring gag about Smart’s phone that was built into his shoe. Mel Brooks takes credit for that idea but I cannot help but wonder if the guy could see around corners. There is now conclusive evidence that whatever you think can happen. Food for thought.

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Our Neighbourhood Magazine | 2009 Green Edition

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