Toronto Metblogs » tor_saira

CIUT fundraiser

tor_saira — Sun, 10 Apr 2005 02:49:38 +0000

Okay, I realize I’m going to sound ‘fundraiser’ happy, but a good cause is worth supporting. Tonight the CIUT radio show Equalizing the Distort, is organizing an all ages punk/hardcore show, for the station’s funding drive. As a fifteen year vet of campus/community radio I have to tell you that a funding drive is possibly the most important time of year for stations like CIUT, CKLN and CHRY. As a U of T student I can pretty much guarantee you that the amount of levy money they get from my tuition can’t keep a station running and that’s why funding drives happen.

Tonight’s show is all ages, it features such bands as: CAREER SUICIDE, ENDLESS BLOCKADE, TERMINAL STATE, THE BAYONETTES and SAIGON DISTRESS SIGNAL.
It’s happening at Adrift Skate park 288 Augusta Ave. and it’s going to be good.

My friend Stephe is one of the hosts of Equalizing the Distort. When I was in high school and first started doing radio, Stephe was like a hero to me (he’ll hate me for saying that, but it’s true, so tough), and I credit people like him for teaching me the value of campus/community stations. If you’ve never listened before they’re worth checking out, if you have then you know they are worth supporting. While it was a sad day when Stephe defected from CHRY to CIUT, he’s still doing a great radio show, CIUT’s a great radio station and it’ll be nice to share the love.
Oh yeah, if the TTC strike goes ahead as planned, you might want to get out of the house and enjoy the public transit.

Urban Camping at the Supermarket

tor_saira — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 02:04:44 +0000

Having been holed up at home looking at textbooks vs enjoying the lovely weather I figure tonight’s as good as any to get out there. Before anyone comments on rain/potential rain, let me just say that it still beats sleet and you can’t really get down on Spring showers.

ps
Can you tell I’ve been inside a building with no windows all day? Here’s a hint:rain?!

Anyway, there’s a great event happening tonight that I’m looking forward to. A friend of mine is putting on a show at the Supermarket (268 Augusta Ave) in Kensington Market to support Team:Toronto in The Global Scavenger Hunt. Apparently it’s something like “Survivor, The Amazing Race and The Eco-Challenge all rolled into one.” They’ll also be raising money for three different charities: War Child Canada, The David Suzuki Foundation and The Teresa Group. Plus it’ll be good music:
Featuring DJ’s Dahlia, Zahra, Cell Division Crew and performances by LAL, The Quartertones, Vandal, Masia One, Maracatu Nunca Antes and lots more. Oh yeah, the show is $10 - $15 sliding scale and it’s a 9pm start.

Late night offerings

tor_saira — Fri, 04 Mar 2005 04:19:53 +0000

As it’s been mentioned in the two previous posts, far be it for me to neglect CMW. My problem as a music nerd is that I haven’t figured out the whole “How to be in multiple places at the same time” dilemma. So here in brief are five reasons that keep me from leaving the house tonight, if only because picking which show to go to would make me insane. I offer them to you because hopefully you’re reading this and looking for something to do.

12am at the Horseshoe local genii the illuminati
12am at Lee’s Japanese garage punk heroes Guitar Wolf
12am at Healey’s it the Psychotic 4. I don’t know much about them but am banking on their apparent similarities to bands like “Faster Pussycat, Black Halos, New York Dolls”
1am at the Elmo (downstairs) its Damon and Naomi. Hey, that’s two thirds of Galaxie 500, can’t go wrong with that!

If that’s not enough you could always check out Optimo. They’re Scottish and even more fantastically they’re named after a Liquid Liquid song(!!!) They’re playing the Supermarket (268 Augusta) tonight for $8

Mmmmmm good music…Argh! All at the same time!!!

The end of an era in fine Diner…

tor_saira — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 03:11:04 +0000

I was reading one of the free local rags today and couldn’t believe the sad news regarding the Lakeview Lunch. After nearly 60 years in business one of Toronto’s landmark diners has closed. Like many fans of diner culture I’d head to the Lakeview for it’s nostalgia factor, the kitschy ambiance, the friendly staff and paradoxically laggardly food service…the food may have taken forever, but at least it was yummy. Part neighbourhood joint, and part legend. I had friends whose parents used to hang out at the Lakeview when they were teens and frankly I figured that it would still be around by the time my future progeny hit their ‘difficult years’. *Sigh* I should have known better. You’ve really got to mourn the loss of a part of the city’s character. In the ‘cup half full/cup half empty’ sense the sadness does inspire me to report on some of my other fave/lesser known diners about town. Stay tuned for more diner talk later.

tor_saira — Wed, 26 Jan 2005 18:42:16 +0000

So it’s cold, what else is new? This is Toronto and it is January. Despite the occasional urge to curl up into a ball and plant myself firmly on my couch there’s too much going on for me to hibernate. The wind chill warnings may be in effect, but I’m not staying in.

Tonight it’s all about Magic Pony. Magic Pony is a “shop for creative animals” and I need not say more than a simple I love it. Anyway, artist Gary Baseman is in town tonight for a signing and toy/print premiere.

My only problem lies in figuring out how to get to the store without doing my regular record store to record store browse and shop. I love my vinyl and my fave Queen St record stores. Unfortunately the vinyl purchases do not seem to be meshing well with my current student budget, perhaps it has something to do with money for food/a distinct lack of… I also plan to stop by one of my favourite haunts (here’s a hint, it starts with a “Squirell” and ends with an “ey’s”) along Queen for some ‘warm up’ drinks. Since I’ll be meeting up with my friend Yumi, the plan of action is to avoid getting nostalgia drunk before the signing, because no one likes idiots at art shows. Anyway, here’s hoping I actually make it out tonight vs having jinxed myself with cold weather bravado.

Haunted halls, books sales and Picasso…

tor_saira — Wed, 13 Oct 2004 22:27:57 +0000

Mmmm, it’s finally Fall. I know this not because of crazy weather or dramatic changes in leaf colour but because we’re smack in the middle of Book Sale season at U of T. If you follow book sales or are known to haunt the murky depths of used bookstores then this may be old news - Or this might end up being the key to your entry into the secret world of cheap books/rare finds mixed with the drama that is the once a year, weekend sale. This Friday (October 15th) marks the first day of University College’s annual booksale. The U.C. bookfest runs 12pm to 8pm until Tuesday the 19th in the East and West Halls of the College. My recommendation is to hit the sale early and I base this upon years of experience as a book buyer/U.C. student so trust me on that. Not only can one pick up some nice swag, but the money goes to the College and that’s a good thing (future grads with slightly lower debt loads should thank us for this).

Added bonus #1 University College is one of the best looking buildings on the U of T campus so go look around, the book sale makes for a fine excuse to tour a local historical site. In other news the building is reputedly haunted and it’s historic nickname was (and is) “The godless College”. Just in case you’re curious the context for the nickname is (sadly) far from sinister, it was the first non-denominational college affiliated with the University of Toronto. Anyway, how’s that for a double shot of October worthiness?

If that doesn’t perk your interest Added bonus #2 might work it for you: Running concurrently at the U of T Art Centre is the Picasso and Ceramics exhibition! The U of T Art Centre just happens to be tacked onto the U.C. complex on the main floor of the College’s Laidlaw wing. The Picasso exhibit runs until January 23rd, but it’s billed as “The largest exhibition of Picasso’s work in clay ever seen in Canada” so you might not want to wait until the last minute to check it out.

All of these wonders can be found at University College - a short walk south from the St.George subway station, or up from the Queen’s Park stop as per your travelling preference. You’re basically looking for the big, castle looking building that makes it onto many a U of T centred post card. The actual street address is 15 King’s College Circle.