It all kicks off this Thursday. Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is North America’s largest documentary festival and runs from April 17-27, 2008. The festival strings together amazing selections (more than 100 cutting-edge documentaries) from Canada and around the world, past and present. 2008 marks marks its 15th anniversary.

From the photography of Edward Burtynsky, the lives of Carnies, to a Toronto family’s challenge to NOT throw out their garbage. A whole spectrum of interesting and cutting edge documentary films to choose from. Forget reality TV and catch reality on the big screen.

Daytime/Matinees shows (before 6pm) are $10, evening shows are $12 and late night shows (after 11pm) are only $5!

HOT DOCS
April 17 - 27, 2008
Tickets are available at the DOCUMENTARY Box Office, 87 Avenue Road (2 blocks north of Bloor), Hazelton Lanes (Upper Level) by phone at 416-637-5150, or online.

Glad I can now return to some sense what is “normal”.  Sickness, work and exams have tied me down for weeks.  I missed great shows at CMW not to mention a few parties along the way.  Oh well.  Earning and living and learning to insure I can continue to do so are worth the sacrifice.  At least I could experience my first lazy Sunday today.  A family adventure to the Ontario Science Centre and the last day of the Titanic exhibit in Toronto were a great choices.  Glad I ventured out there.  I hadn’t been to the Science Centre since grade school and even with some kids bouncing off the walls (as most would during the tail end of March Break) it was still a great time.  The Titanic exhibit I had intended to see soooo long ago and it was worth every penny. I’ll have to book a time back at the Science Centre again for a Jazz concert or an IMAX some flick.  Good to see that an institution like the Ontario Science Centre can survive and improve over the years.

One of my favourite times for live Music in the city is here. CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK! Ah but work, school and life conflicts will mean I will miss all of this years shows. Such is life (even when I’ve busted out hard cash for a wristband to catch the action during the fest)…

Well if I can’t see some of my favourites like Julie Doiron, The Besnard Lakes, Sloan or The Breeders I can only encourage you NOT to do the same.

Of course there are 500 Canadian and International artists playing at 41 venues in the city. Best pick at least one and hang on for the ride. You may not get back in if you leave. Trust me.

Not sure where to start? My choice picks during the CMW (that I have to miss…GRRR… but you don’t) are Burlington’s Saint Alvia Cartel, Montreal’s SoCalled, Raised by Swans, Volcanoless in Canada, Toronto’s own Colin Munroe, and Grand Analog.  Even Jenny Omnichord (just because I miss Lederhosen Lucil)…

Canadian Music Week - March 5th - 8th

The colder weather appears to be with us for awhile. The “official” result of this Groundhog Day is that we have six more weeks of the cold stuff. Well you don’t have to play video games all day. Show your flare and bust out some virtual chops at the First Annual AIR GUITAR Contest at the Cadillac Lounge tomorrow. Bring your fave guitar tunes (yup, one song and an encore) either on a CD or MP3 player and try for the $100 prize.

Judd- judd, judd-judd, wooooooooooooooooooooow…..

The First Annual Cadillac Lounge Air Guitar Contest
at the Cadillac Lounge
1296 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
(416) 536-7717
February 3rd
Contests to register by email: cadillaclounge@sympatico.ca
Prize: $100

No need for effects pedals or guitar, just raw air guitar fury.

It’s official if you haven’t already heard. GO Transit is offering free rides after 7pm New Year’s Eve. Seems that they have received corporate sponsorship from a US Fortune 500 Bank/Finance company. I stand corrected. I had thought the TTC would face the same fate as last year but the same sponsor will pay people’s way home on the TTC. Sad that no Canadian banks or corporations chipped in but such is life.

Have fun Toronto, just leave the driving to your friendly neighbourhood GO Transit, TTC or cab driver.

Thanks to Hamilton’s James Street North for giving me the head’s up on a great event. The Punchclock Collective are throwing a two shows back to back. Great artwork and two nights of amazing musicians and DJ’s. Best check the action Thursday and Friday.

TWO CONCERTS & ONE ART SHOW BY THE PEOPLE
Punchclock Collective - Showcase no.1
Keep Six gallery, 938 Bathurst st (block and a half north of Bloor)

Thursday Dec. 6th
viewing 6pm music 9:30pm

DJ Guvnor General (warm, soulfull sellections from Caribean and beyond)
the Youngest (sweet solo sounds)
Castlemusic (captivating with voice and guitar)
100 dollars (catalyst country, songs about something)
Final Fantasy (ethereal one man symphony - you know Toronto’s recent Polaris winner)

Friday Dec. 7th
viewing 12pm music 9:30pm

DJ Will Munro (punk, electro dance enabling)
LSdoubleDcup (psychadooolic day of pentacost)
the Blankett (reimagined past to build future)
Kids on TV ( queer dancefloor detonators)

sliding scale cover charge of $5 - $10 (No one turned away for lack of cash)

The debate rages over the viability of hard goods in the age of digital downloads. Radiohead have always been very vocal about social and consumer issues despite their involvement with a major record labels. They started work on their 7th album, their first album after their stint with EMI, back in 2005 and released it as a digital download back in October this year.

Radiohead’s site for the album allows fans a choice to buy the album in physical form or as a download for a Pay-What-You-Can price. The physical version is a deluxe edition in both vinyl and CD (for 40 GBP - that’s British Pounds - about $80). Most people I assume went with FREE though there are some that will pay for the album (either pay something for the download while the superfan would get the digital version right away and wait for the 2 CD + 2 Vinyl in the mail).

The results are mixed thus far. The ComScore study found that some people WOULD pay something, even for the digital download. (not much less than what you pay at a local store or iTunes for an album). Some charts refuse to list the album and sales siting that people can get it free so there are “no sales” to count. Despite that the album has had worldwide airplay on the radio. Rolling Stone gave it rave reviews too. Perhaps the “real money” will be made on tour as Radiohead tend to pack in the house when they tour. I’m assuming that Radiohead have “enough money” already and that their “experiment” will yield decent results. Decent enough to actually threaten the current model of artist gets $1 or less per album sold (hence some of the most vocal criticism from the UK Pop Charts and the like that depend on label payola…) The real winners I suppose are fans whether they compensate the band for their efforts or not.

Now would a concert ticket be just as nice a present as an album? A download better than a physical CD? The battle rages on…

Oh if you decided to get a hard copy of IN RAINBOWS by Radiohead I they will be shipping by land and sea from the UK today. A digital download in minutes and seconds vs. months…

It’s at ADRIFT this Thursday. SHOOT TO THRILL!!!

Toronto’s Thomas Morrison, Andrew Norton, Nathan Olokun, Lee Yankou and Jeff Folgmann were among the 5 teams (consisting of 3 skaters, a photographer and a filmer) that took to the streets with only 72 hours and 10 rolls of Super 8 film to come up with a video. Leave it to COLOR magazine to come at the skateboard contest thing from an entirely different angle…

Check out how the Toronto crew faired against the competition from Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and Barcelona…

Shoot to Thrill - Toronto Premiere
Adrift Skateshop
299 Augusta Ave
doors open at 8:30

Tomorrow is Buy Nothing Day. Doubt that I will abstain from consumer grid.

BUT… it never hurts to contemplate every purchase especially coming close to the holiday shopping season.

I’ve been riding transit more and more (pretty much in line my resolution to drive less) and noticed a lack of courtesy lately. The weather has been relatively mild but the odd cold snap has some coughing and sneezing over my shoulder. Counting my lucky non sick days thus far I’m going to seek out one of Toronto’s Flu Shot clinics. Debate always rages whether this is effective or not I feel more at ease visiting family in the nursing home or riding the old TTC.

Not the typical germ-o-phobe but thinking of others (while protecting oneself) is not the worst motto to live by.

Toronto Flu Clinics
Free flu shots are till December 15, 2007.
The next round of clinic run from January 14-17, 2008.

Toronto Public Health flu vaccination clinics are open to individuals who work, live or attend school in Ontario.

No appointment is needed with most centres open during the day, evening and weekend!