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Where in Toronto: Ghosts of Seasons Past

Jose Bautista leads the Jays into a hopeful new season (photo courtesy of the Toronto Blue Jays)

Ever since Toronto Blue Jays star Jose Bautista graced the cover of Where Toronto’s April issue, it seems as though I’ve been seeing the team everywhere. No—I wish I’d been running into the likes of Adam Lind and Ricky Romero around town; I mean that I’ve started noticing Jays hats, sweatshirts, merchandise in the windows of every sporting-goods store, and, of course, even an entire section dedicated to the Jays in Sears at the Eaton Centre. It might be that I’m just beginning to take notice of our hometown team, or maybe it’s just Toronto getting into the spring swing of things. (more…)

Weekend Roundup: Best Bets for April 6 to 8

Friday, April 6
The best in Canadian handmade crafts are at Originals – The Spring Craft Sale. Come and browse through endless selections of jewellery, clothing, visual art, and home and garden decorations at the Ottawa Convention Centre. This weekend find items to brighten up your home and wardrobe for spring.

B.A. Johnston brings the sweaty underbelly of east coast music to Ottawa with the recent release of his eighth album Hi Dudes!. At Irene’s Pub, listen to Johnston wail hillbilly songs that are equal parts fun and debauchery (song titles include “Deep Fryer in My Bedroom” and “You’re Going to Miss Me When the Zombies Come”). Note: Not for the easily offended.

The Harlem Globetrotters take over Scotiabank with their wacky skills. Photo credit: Harlem Globetrotters International Inc.

Saturday, April 7
The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their madcap skills to Scotiabank Place this weekend. Basketball fans will love the Globetrotters classic tricks, jokes, and shenanigans, from this year’s team that includes Paul “Tiny” Sturgess, the world’s tallest pro basketball player; Jonte “Too Tall” Hall, the shortest Globetrotter ever; and Fatima “TNT” Maddox, the first female Globetrotter in nearly 20 years.

The first Saturday of the month is here and that means Urban Craft is back. Ottawa’s coolest artisans come together so you can sample the best of carefully made chocolate, jewellery, candles, clothing, baked goods, toddler toys, and more. It’s the ultimate stop for local handicrafts. (more…)

Hot Dining: Top 5 Game-Day Picks

Jets roll from Meiji. Photo by chronic creative.

Local restaurants have caught game-day fever, offering tasty fare to savour in front of the big screen or creative dishes named after Winnipeg’s professional sports teams.

Just steps from the MTS Centre, 4Play Sports Bar & Grill has all the glitz and glam of a Las Vegas sports bar with cushy loungers lined up in front of a 24 ft.-projection screen. A mountain of red, green and yellow tortilla chips generously covered with roasted vegetables and melted cheese scores a grand slam in flavour. 1405 Portage Ave, 783-6155.

Succulent, flame-licked chicken is the specialty at West End eatery Galo Louco. Chow down on subtly seasoned kebabs and fresh house-made potato chips, while watching the action play on TVs in the dining room and lounge. 1075 Notre Dame Ave, 772-4256.

The Jets roll (pictured) at Japanese eatery Meiji salutes the returning NHL team. Local freshwater favourites—fresh pickerel and smoked goldeye—offer a decadent taste of Manitoba inside each bite of this artful roll topped with avocado, snow crab and salmon. 454 River Ave, 284-3996.

Two levels of TVs and games, and a rooftop patio with stellar city views make the downtown location of Tavern United a sports fan favourite. Classic pub fare like fish and chips are done exceptionally well with a crunchy, beer batter coating. 260 Hargrave St, 944-0022.

Ultra-trendy Unburger’s “Blue & Gold” creation is a tribute to the city’s beloved Blue Bombers. Here, a Manitoba lean ground beef patty is topped with gourmet blue cheese, chipotle aïoli, balsamic onion, greens and tomato. 472 Stradbrook Ave, 888-1001.

Hot Dates: Hockey night in Halifax

The Halifax Mooseheads, of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, have a daunting schedule this month. Highlights include matches with always tenacious Moncton on October 5, provincial rivals Cape Breton on October 9 and league champions Saint John on October 21.

Ottawa Weekend Roundup: Best Bets for September 16 to 18

"Of the Appearance of Bees" by Andrew Smith. Photo credit: "Involution," 2011, oil on canvas.

Friday, Sept. 16
This date night, why not grab dinner and a show? And by “show,” we mean “art exhibit.” There are lots of public and commercial galleries downtown with interesting exhibits that range from traditional to contemporary. On now at City Hall Gallery is an exhibition of abstract paintings entitled “Of the Appearance of Bees,” by Andrew Smith. Using colours and figures, these oil-on-canvas images depict the working lives of the winged insects, and you’ll be inspired to ask, “How do bees think, act, and feel?” The gallery will be buzzing with Smith’s works until Oct. 23.

Avid Potter fans probably saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 2 when it debuted its epic final chapter in July. But if you want to see it with 30,000 watts of sound and a 3D screen that’s more than 16 metres tall, check it out tonight when it opens in 3D at the IMAX theatre at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. See Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson reprise their roles for the last time as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger when they head towards a showdown with Lord Voldemort.

Saturday, Sept. 17
Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch is the place to be as the leaves change colours and the air turns crisp. Today is the launch of Fall Family Fun Activities, which runs until Oct. 30. This seasonal event boasts a plethora of quirky and exciting entertainment that includes pig races on the Hugli’s speedway (seriously!), a six acre corn maze, plus pirate ship, hay, and pumpkin mazes, pumpkin cannon shows, a hay jump, and puppet shows, among other activities. In the upcoming weekends there are also giant pumpkin weigh offs (Sept. 24) and giant pumpkin boat races (Sept. 25), and other Halloween-themed events.

The West End Studio Tour, which runs Sept. 17 and 18 and 24 and 25, gets art lovers out of the gallery and into the studios and homes of some 20 artists. We recommend checking out Rob Huntley‘s landscape images (especially the aerial ones) for an interesting perspective on cityscapes and landmarks. Other artists taking place include Alice Hinther, Wendy Feldberg, Shlomo Feldberg, Deidre Hierlihy, Andrew King, Jeff Wiebe, Paul Wing, and more. (more…)

Halifax Hosts the Best on the Beach

Top athletes compete at the Junior Beach Volleyball World Championships

By Trevor J. Adams

This summer, a vacant lot on the Halifax waterfront found new life, transforming into a unique urban beach park. Workers brought in 2,000 tonnes of sand, creating a beach like park on the waterfront boardwalk at the foot of Salter Street. (Although there is no water access—that’s one of the East Coast’s busiest shipping lanes out there).

Planners wanted to create a space that could host special events and be enjoyed year-round by locals and visitors alike. The new venue’s first big event is the FIVB Junior Beach Volleyball World Championships, running from August 31 to September 4.

The five-day tournament draws over 400 delegates and athletes from more than 30 countries in Halifax for both the men’s and women’s championships. With top athletes (all age 21 or younger) competing, the action is fast paced and exciting. There is particular excitement for this year’s after Canadians Sam Schater and Garrett May went undefeated in Turkey in 2010, winning the country’s first gold medal. “It was really surreal to win the championship… and knowing that it is coming to Canada next year,” says Schater. ‘[It’s] really poignant for both Garrett and myself.”

Organizers are seeing an upsurge in interest in the sport. “This championship comes as we see the continued proliferation of our sport across Canada,” says Volleyball Canada spokesman Ed Drakich. “Bringing the best in the World Junior divisions and the FIVB tournament to Halifax in 2011 is history in the making.”

Halifax’s unique new beach park makes it one of the more unique venues to welcome the event. Event producer Derek Martin believes the venue and the timing of the championship make Halifax a good fit for the event. “The Halifax Waterfront provides an absolutely stunning location and our date will allow us to celebrate the end of summer with a party that the whole world is invited to attend,” he says.

The Big Leagues
The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) consists of 220 affiliated federations. It governs the sport worldwide through tournaments such as the World Championships, World League, World Grand Prix, World Tour, World Championships, Continental Beach Volleyball Cup, Beach Volleyball World Cup, World Cup, Grand Champions Cup, Junior and Youth tournaments and the Olympics.

The Details
Beginning with 64 teams, the event features five high-octane days of competition, climaxing in the gold medal game at on the afternoon of September 4. Surrounding the competition is SandJam, a series of concerts and special events that are open to the public. Follow the link for more.

Hot Entertainment: Hit the Slopes

Photo by Sterling Lorence courtesy Whistler Blackcomb

In winter, nearby Whistler Blackcomb is blanketed in some of the world’s most skiable snow. But in summer, mountain biking enthusiasts grab their brain buckets (helmets) and flock to those now-bare hills to thrash, pogo and bunny hop to their hearts’ content. Experience it for yourself at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park—and don’t forget your brain bucket.—Sheri Radford

Hot Shopping: Hang Ten

The surfer-cool vibe of Sitka in Kitsilano

Head to West 4th Avenue in cool Kitsilano for some of the city’s best surf shops. Sitka (pictured) has a living plant wall outside and carries breezy tees, skateboards, bathing suits and shoes inside. Pacific Boarder stocks everything for the sun and sand. And Billabong offers clothing for both sexes in a youthful space.—Jennifer Patterson

The Great Outdoors

Wondering what to do on your Whistler vacation? Where has you covered on the hunt for sunny summer fun

By Jennifer Patterson

Ziplining through the trees with WildPlay Element Parks. Photo courtesy WildPlay Element Parks

Channel your inner daredevil with a ride on mountain bike jumps and runs in Skiers’ Plaza. If you’re looking for something a little more easygoing, rent a bike to explore smoother, less vertical terrain, as mountain biking is the summer sport here.
Harness your adventurous spirit and hop on the back of a 4×4 vehicle to join expert Michael Allen on a bear watching tour, including stops at favourite feeding sites and daybeds—don’t forget your camera! Channel John Wayne on your own trusty steed with a horseback ride through the wild countryside. Prefer horsepower to horses? Kick up some dust in the backcountry on a quad or dirt bike.
Feed your adrenaline rush with a free-falling plunge off a bungee jump. Slightly more sane individuals go ziplining through the trees. For the even saner, glass-bottomed cabins on two of the Peak 2 Peak Gondolas offer enough of a thrill—and don’t require harnesses.
Find your inner Zen master with a day of peace and tranquillity on the stunning golf courses and fish-filled rivers. For a quiet getaway, rent a canoe or kayak, don some life jackets and explore the pristine lakes. Nature enthusiasts breathe the crisp mountain air while hiking the meadows and trails surrounding Whistler.
Have your camera at the ready, as aerial sightseeing tours and helicopter rides provide snap-happy shutterbugs and sightseers the perfect opportunity to capture the sweeping panorama.
If you haven’t tired of the snow, strap on your skis and snowboards and head to the Horstman Glacier, open through July for sun-filled summer skiing.
For activities listings, click here.

Weekend Roundup: Best Bets for June 24 to 26

The International Chicken and Rib Cook-Off on Sparks Street.

Friday, June 24
Meat lovers, prepare yourselves: The International Chicken and Rib Cook-Off is back for another year at Sparks Street Mall. Running June 22 to 26, this all out meat festival serves up chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, and ribs, all slathered in an array of tasty, tangy sauces. Crowds descend on the mall at lunch time (beckoned by the smell), so head on over (with napkins in hand) for lunch, dinner, or just a snack. Teams from Canada and the United States compete for the top rank of best rib choice, best rib sauce, best chicken choice, and best chicken sauce.

Saturday, June 25
Just when you thought Ottawa couldn’t get any more festivals, FeverFest was born. This brand new independent music festival in Old Ottawa South will showcase a diverse crop of immensely talented Ottawa musicians. Headlining the event is the Goodluck Assembly, and you can also expect the “2009 Online World Beatboxing Champion” Julia Dales (who’s performed for Ellen Degeneres), The Murder Plans, the White Wires, ACRES, Monobrow, Brendan Flynn and the Terrible Liars, and Winchester Warm.

JF Robitaille plays the Raw Sugar Café.

In advance of JF Robitaille‘s debut LP Calendar (which comes out July 5), the Montreal singer/songwriter’s making the rounds at stages in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. He performs tonight at Raw Sugar Café. His style is perfect coffee house music — straddling the line between sweet and melancholy, folk and pop — which has earned him supporting sets for names such as Julie Doiron, The Dears, and Sean Lennon.

The Once Upon a Slam Finals are tonight, with the top eight story slammers from the year competing for the crown and to be named the first-ever Ottawa story slam Grand Champion. For those unfamiliar with “slams,” they are open sign-up competitions where the performers tell a narrative within a certain time limit (no reading from a paper!), and are scored by members of the audience. Ottawa’s monthly story slam series is held the fourth Friday of every month at the Mercury Lounge, and it all comes down to tonight when the top story slammers go head to head. (more…)