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2024/07 Moments July 2024

Summer festivals and music incubator shows in Toronto, all within biking distance.
Toronto, Ontario

Princess of Wales Theatre
Princess of Wales Theatre: Family viewing of the North American touring company of the musical Wicked, more than 20 years after ithe show premiered on Broadway. Three nights earlier, sons had a home viewing of the 1939 Wizard of Oz movie, for which the parent did not need a refresher. The twists in the story in the second act require in-person watching, unless we want to wait for the movies coming part 1 in November 2024 and part 2 in 2025. (Princess of Wales Threatre, King Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20240706

The Yorkville Rock:: Vista from atop the 650-ton tectonic puzzle outside the TTC Bay subway station exit, sees pedestrians on Cumberland Street potentially drawn to the afternoon jazz @BloorYorkville . Loose set by five players billed as the Quartet, some stepping off the tiny riser when solos are taken. Tables and chair have been set in front of the stage, but wiser listeners have placed themselves in the shade beyond the icicle curtain or by the tree planters. (The Yorkville Rock, Village of Yorkville Park, Cumberland Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240707

Nathan Phillips Square:: Weekend crowds outside City Hall for @TasteMiddleEast, featuring entertainment on stage. Ensemble stepping to the drumbeats, next coming down into the audience seeking willing partners for belly-dancing. Tents set up to the east, selling handicrafts and ethnic cuisine. (Nathan Phillips Square, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20240707

OCADU Graduate Programs
OCADU Graduate Programs: In the Visual Analytics Lab, Ontario presentation by + Travis Erickson on synthesis map of “The Weight of Tomato Waste”. Output from Understanding System course was related to larger foresight project on Circular Economy. Audience of former SFI students, but some newcomers to the in-person meetings. (OCADU Graduate Programs, Richmond Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20240708
OCADU Graduate Programs
OCADU Graduate Programs: Visual Analytics Lab presentation at Ontario by Mehta + SilvanaSari on Regenerative Tourism in the Niagara Region of Ontario. Analysis of complex interests across multiple municipalities with disincentives to moving on from the status quo. Involved discussion following from questions by participants external to OCADU about how instructors might judge a good synthesis map from a bad one. (OCADU Graduate Programs, Richmond Street West, Toronto, Ontario 20240708

Nathan Phillips Square:: Weekend crowds outside City Hall for @TasteMiddleEast, featuring entertainment on stage. Ensemble stepping to the drumbeats, next coming down into the audience seeking willing partners for belly-dancing. Tents set up to the east, selling handicrafts and ethnic cuisine. (Nathan Phillips Square, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20240707

McGill Parkette:: After-work @DowntownYonge @sleepyjeansings duet on “Once Held My Heart” with two guitars. Style is described as spaghetti western infused Americana may be more imagined than anchored, with performers originating from Welland, Ontario. Full band would have included drums and bass, but the stripped down version let emotions and humour flow. (McGill Parkette, Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240709

West Meadowvale
West Meadowvale: Afternoon visit as newborn is now 3 months old, joining his older brother. He’s surprisingly heavy, and/or I’m no longer practiced in holding babies. Rare Satruday where we behave like normal couples, not working. (Meadownvale West, Mississauga, Ontario) 20240713

Village of Yorkville Park: Sunday afternoon @BloorYorkville with electric violinist @realdrdraw and the Strange Parade guitar, bass, drums. Catchy rhythms with concrete building to the south probably broadcast the music into Rosedale, onstage dancing had passersby stopping on sidewalk. First set ended with a few raindrops starting, I biked home through the downpour. (Village of Yorkville Park, Cumberland Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240714

Trinity Square Park: Noontime @EuniceKeitan extended version of “Donde Estas” with @HowleySounds on lead guitar and pedal beatbox for @DowntownYonge . Song in English is inspired by Latin neighbour couple fighting. Enjoying duet performance with minimal production, she programmed loops of voice and guitar into an effects box at her feet, for other tunes. (Trinity Square Park, Toronto, Ontario) 20240718

Trinity Square Park:: Second take of “Donde Estas” @EuniceKeitan with @HowleySounds on lead guitar and pedal beatbox for @DowntownYonge . In second set, repeated for live recording of 2024 summer compilation. Only the song title in Spanish, lyrics in English inspired by Latin neighbour couple fighting. (Trinity Square Park, Toronto, Ontario) 20240718

East Lynn Park:: Dusk show @TheDannyBIA with @JerryLeger and on stage. Children playing in dry splash zone to the southeast, some adults inside the licensed beverage area to the southwest, all watching the band raised to the north. Neighbourhood is rather far east in the old City of Toronto, not so much a destination for audiences from the downtown core. (East Lynn Park, Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20240719

Gerrard Street East:: Saturday night @gerrardindiabaz after 9pm, rock bank performing song where audience is singing along. Not understanding the words myself, I’m not the target audience. Large crowd including children and grandparents (Gerrard Street East at Hiawatha Road, Little India, Toronto, Ontario) 20240720

Woodbine Park:: Disco party around 10pm @beachesjazz program. Theme of music from the 1990s has audience standing and swaying. Losing count of number of public music performances in this city. (Woodbine Park, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20240720

Bloordale Village: Dusk solo piano and electric keys by @johnkameelfarah on main stage @bigonbloorfest . Concert pianist was born in Brampton, song as mix of Bach and own composition dedicated to Sudan, linking music to issues away from the first world. Modern music with classical roots is out of the usual for a city street festival. (Emerson Avenue at Bloor Street West, Bloordale Village, Toronto, Ontario) 20240721

The Beacher Cafe: Rhythm section view of hard working Strange Parade drums, bass, guitar, backing electric violinist @realdrdraw at @beachesjazz Streetfest. Large crowd in the darkness, little girls dancing up front. Walked from Woodbine Avenue eastbound past Glen Manor Drive declining the many juke box cover bands with middle-aged mothers were singing along. (The Beacher Cafe, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20240727

College Park Courtyard: College Park Courtyard: First live performance by @GhaliaElKurdi of “Love Ain’t Over” @downtownyonge . Her genre is house, electronic music produced in a studio, so for this show she brought a backup band. Opening act dj had set suspended with drops of rain, main act got three songs in before serious rain shut down the program. (College Park Courtyard, Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240731

2022/12 Moments December 2022

December was full of birthday, wedding, seasonal holiday events, and then family congregated in town to share time together.
Toronto, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario

The Second City Torontp
The Second City Toronto: Intermission at early Saturday show in new venue, with bumpers on television screens recalling the history of The Second City performers in previous theatres. Six cast members in extended skits involve longer stories than improv shows we’ve recently seen. Ladies may be uncomfortable in east unisex washroom with toilets and urinals; the west facilities have one room with toilets and urinals alongside another room with toilets only. (The Second City, 1 York Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221203
One York Street
One York Street: On elevated walkway, just west of bridge northbound to Scotiabank Arena, Banksy (2010) Guard with Baloon Dog was installed in 2017 as part of PATH route. After an early show at The Second City, the family took a scenic stroll, unsuccessfully making all of the right turns to stay inside. Our sons are more familiar with the current nightlife spots than the parents. (One York Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221203
John M. Kelly Library
John M. Kelly Library: Big splash of colour with @GinaRorai (2007) Are You There, painting 72″ x 60″ visible as soon as the door in the third floor stairway is flung open. The work of the Toronto-based artist probably gets scant attention by hundreds of students who pass by every day. The art is part of the Donovan Collection, the benefactor a professor at the university. (John M. Kelly Library, St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto) 20221206
Centre for Social Innovation Annex
Centre for Social Innovation Annex: Arrived @csiTO Holiday Gathering around 7pm, the live art station for community painting had already been in progress for 2 hours. When we left at 9:30pm, unclear whether more contributions had improved aesthetics. Vegan chili, bread bar and non-dairy cheese, speeches, dance performance, conversation in a room with loud music. (Centre for Social Innovation Annex, Bathurst Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20221208


Bliss Chinese Cuisine
: Entrance of bride MY and groom JL in traditional Chinese attire, followed by dancing lions and drummers, halfway through banquet. City hall wedding in the morning, gathering with family and friends in the afternoon to share festivities. Event was put on the calendar only 5 weeks prior, lots of support gained by the circle of friends. (Bliss Chinese Cuisine, Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario) 20221210

Bliss Chinese Cuisine
Bliss Chinese Cuisine: Family weddings are a rare occasion to catch up with extended family, convening from around the province. Stories related about unfortunate scheduling, recent births, and infants sequestered away from crowds. The increased height of children is a reminder that we should visit more frequently. (Bliss Chinese Cuisine, Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario) 20221210
Bliss Chinese Cuisine
Bliss Chinese Cuisine: Honoured to share afternoon with cousin bride, and meet the groom for the first time. Banquet of 10 courses as per tradition, we observed the couple visiting table-by-table, leading toasts and chatting with guests. Lion dance and comedian were unusual, heartfelt thanks to parents closed the festivities. (Bliss Chinese Cuisine, Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario) 20201210
Mustard Seed
Mustard Seed: In downstairs atrium, Christmas Tree to celebrate the season. Short visit with DY on Movie + Pizza program, not really a participant. Afternoon walk around the neighbourhood, near freezing temperature clear of snow. (Fontbonne Ministries, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20221220
On The Rocks
On The Rocks: Reunion of the TO meetup founded by @DerailleurAgile, that I joined 2018-2020. The group went on hiatus, just before pandemic shutdowns, and meetings in person have since become the exception. The planned place for tonight was the after-meeting drinks venue Betty’s on King, but its impending shutdown has attracted swarms, leading a staff member to suggest walking south and west. (On The Rocks, Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20221220
Riverside neighbourhood
Riverside neighbourhood: Holiday plans disrupted by flight delays from Vancouver. Drove to Pearson for pickups, 1:00 a.m. arrival came home at 5:00 a.m. after waiting for luggage was fruitless; 3:00 a.m. arrival is still at airport at 1:00 p.m. to file claim for lost luggage. Chinese beef stew for Dec. 23 dinner has become Dec. 24 lunch, if we can coordinate time zone shifts. (Riverside neighbourhood, Toronto, Ontario) 20221224
Gautama
Gautama: The lights are still bright in Little India on December 24 evening, so Indian buffet was a nice change of pace for a family meal. None of us refilled our plates as much as we used to, and the appreciation of vegetables is higher. Easy access in the local neighbourhood was appreciated, with temperatures still below seasonal norms. (Gautama, Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20221224
Riverside neighbourhood
Riverside neighbourhood: Daughter-in-law and sister on first visit to Toronto, holiday season meant all of our sons are in town. Still recovering from delayed flights from Vancouver, plus jet lag. House decorated for Christmas holidays, more family events ahead. (Riverside neighbourhood, Toronto, Ontario) 2022122
Riverside neighbourhood
Riverside neighbourhood: Opening Christmas stockings on December 24, as Christmas Day gets busy with in-law commitments scheduling. New experience for Vietnamese nationals on diasporic Canadian protocols around holidays. Lineup on the stairs has been an ritual for our sons since they were young. (Riverside neighbourhood, Toronto, Ontario) 20221224
Dragon Pearl York Mills
Dragon Pearl York Mills: Reservations for 11, lunch choices included turkey, although Asian specialties seemed more popular. Opportunity for grandfather to meet up with family now mostly scattered across Toronto, extended through grandsons marriages. Many trips out to the serving queues, with notable repeat visits to stations for sashimi and for duck. (Dragon Pearl Buffet, York Mills Road, Toronto, Ontario) 20221225
Woodbine Beach
Woodbine Beach: Brightly coloured lounge chairs facing Lake Ontario, but cold winter winds discouraged a long stay. Educating a newcomer to Canada on dressing tips in a 35-degree switch drop from Vietnam last week, includes the use of a hood when a toque isn’t desirable. Winter fences have led to an off-leash area where dogs are overjoyed to be playing together, while their masters are calling for them. (Woodbine Beach, Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto, Ontario) 20221225


Riverdale Farm
: The sheep in the paddocks on Residence Road don’t recognize Christmas Day, so the City of Toronto Parks employees treat this as a regular day. With the sun setting, the sheep’s started bleating together, and moving towards the west fence. Attentions may have be drawn to movements over in the horses being moved indoors for the evenings, with an expectation by the sheep for equal privileges. (Riverdale Farm, Winchester Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221225


Scotiabank Arena
: Family arrived into 9 seats, just in time to rise for the singing of O Canada. Boxing Day afternoon game between Toronto Marlies and Belleville Senators. Many more sports fans came with children, later waving to the roaming cameras to get their faces on the big screen. (Scotiabank Arena, Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221226

Scotiabank Arena
Scotiabank Arena: Mid-game faceoff in third period of Toronto Marlies (tied for first rank in the leauge) versus Belleville Senators (last in rank) on Boxing Day. Control of the puck was with the Marlies winning 3 to 2, with 36 shots on net compared to 20 for the Senators. Special occasion with visitors new to Canada, one son commented that we’ve never gone to a professional sporting event as a family. (Scotiabank Arena, Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221226
Scotiabank Arena
Scotiabank Arena: Family from overseas joining for the full Canadian experience, watching the Toronto Marlies defeat the Belleville Senators in a Boxing Day match, 3-2. First taste of poutine from the concession stands. Subgroup continued on to Eaton Centre to see the crowds, more than shopping. (Scotiabank Arena, Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221226
Tim Hortons Airport Road
Tim Hortons Airport Road: One 10-pack of Timbits, please! Waiting near the airport, as one of our holiday visitors is seeking the luggage that wasn’t unloaded off the plane 3 days ago, deadheading back westward. I’m not a frequent customer of this Canadian institution, as I don’t drink coffee, and would buy donuts for others to enjoy. (Tim Hortons, Airport Road, Toronto, Ontario) 20221227
Gristmill Lane
Gristmill Lane: Spiky illuminated art installation named The Snow Family resembling the uniqueness of snowflakes on Gristmill Lane. Winter Village market on December 27 was busy with visitors on the Boxing Day observance, when most other venues were still closed for holidays. Tourist-oriented kiosks welcomed customers, regular businesses and galleries had locked doors. (Gristmill Lane, Distillery District, Toronto, Ontario) 20221227
Service Canada Gerrard Square
Service Canada Gerrard Square: The good news is that Service Canada treats every individual the same; the bad news is that on the first working day after Christmas, the line can be long. Assisted newcomer with S-1 (not an SW-1) visa obtain a Social Insurance Number, as Government of Canada has improved privileges for students, allowing off-campus work while still enrolled in school. Waited 4 hours standing in line to be assigned a chair in the queue, then 30 minutes to see an official; next time, there’s an online booking system for a timed appointment. (Service Canada, Gerrard Square, Toronto, Ontario) 20221228
Art Gallery of Ontario
Art Gallery of Ontario: In the (2022) Present: Past/Future exhibition, furniture installation has signs encouraging visitors to sit and become immersed. Secondhand items were sourced from individuals in Toronto, reminiscent of the repurposing of found objects from 13 elderly members of San Agustin suburb of Havana, Cuba who were recorded and interviewed. Showing newcomer from Vietnam how Canadians share time together indoors despite the season, when inclement conditions make outdoor cafes impractical. (Art Gallery of Ontario, Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20221228
Art Gallery of Ontario
Art Gallery of Ontario: In career retrospective, (1999) Virtual Incarceration is acrylic on canvas 11 feet high by 20 feet wide. After her figurative paintings in the 1990s, the artist moved towards abstraction referencing the grid as a pervasive modernist device. The monochrome of this work led into other pieces with more splashes of colour. (Art Gallery of Ontario, Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20221228
Upper Cornell
Upper Cornell: Invited for holiday season hotpot with my father’s friend’s family. One pot cooking meat, with the other pot vegan, as I wasn’t the only plant-based diner at the table. Convening family from Montreal, they reported travel past vehicles still in the ditch on the 401, from recent inclement weather. (Upper Cornell, Markham, Ontaro) 20221229

36 Lisgar Street
36 Lisgar Street: Moderating the White Elephant Holiday Potluck, with attendees contributing gifts to the pool. Each then drew a sequence to choose an unwrapped gift, or steal the gift of a prior selector. Good opportunities for catching up with friends, starting at 4pm and running through 11pm. (36 Lisgar Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221230
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