Archive for July, 2013

Dundas Square, Sunday July 28

I happened upon this festival this afternoon.   It was crowded but everyone seemed to be having a good time.

crowds at Dundas Square for a festival

Many people were out at Dundas Square this afternoon enjoying the perfect summer afternoon.

 

two kids drawing with coloured markers

There were displays and activities. You could make buttons, practice calligraphy or try your hand origami.

two girls dressed in kimonos trying to grab a small inflated balloon that is floating in water.

Catch a bobbing balloon with a tiny hook!

 

people standing around a booth sponsored by the beer company Sapporo.  One woman is having her photo taken.  A group of people are waiting in line to go into the booth

 

Display of T-shirts for sale.  They have Japanese writing on  them.  One is the character for energy and the other is the character for "be yourself'

T-shirts were some of the things that were available for sale.

 

A man wearing a Pokemon mask on the side of his head.  Also in the photo is a small boy wearing a fedora but falling asleep on his father's shoulder

There were also masks for sale.

 

A woman holding a red paper umbrella standing beside a woman wearing a baseball hat that says Toronto on it.

A woman wearing a kimono made of fabric that is covered with red maple leaves.

Many woman wearing kimonos in all colours and variety of fabrics. Some men were wearing the male equivalent (sorry, I have forgotten the name). There was a kimono fashion show as well.

geisha with makeup and red parasol.   She has flowers in her hair and she is wearing a yellow and green kimono.

a little girl wearing big orange and white heart shaped sunglasses

 

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Streetfest, part of the Beaches International Jazz Festival, was held 25, 26 and 27 July this year.     About 2 km of Queen St. East is closed to traffic so pedestrians can enjoy the music provided by many bands representing a diverse array of music genres.   On both Thursday and Friday evening when I was there the weather was perfect and the atmosphere was fun.  I hope that I have been able to capture the spirit of the event!

Music, food, shopping, and most of all, people watching!

crowds in the street at Beaches Jazzfest

Queen St. East, early in the evening

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Music

jazz/blues

Erin McCallum and her backup band

Erin McCallum and her backup band

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God Made Me Funky

He, and his group, got the crowd moving!

He, and his group, got the crowd moving!

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Dr. Draw – It was very difficult to catch the intensity of this performance and I’m sure I haven’t done him justice.

violin player at the Beaches Jazzfestviolin player at Beaches Jazzfestviolin player at Beaches Jazzfestviolin player at Beaches Jazzfest

Juice (name of the band)

a crowd of people standing around in a semi-circle on Queen St. watching a band play music

The boys in the band are looking a bit pink but I like the perspective & angle of the crowd.

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There was music to dance to

two couples dancing in the street while a group of people watch

Dancing to the music

and he danced his way down the street……

a couple dancing in the street with the crowd behind them

slow dancing

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And music to join in with

little kid with toy guitar watching a band play

He almost stole the show.

boy with toy guitar walking in front of a live band

There were so many wonderful moments.

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The were some odd musical moments as well

girl covering her ears with her hands while standing in from of a guitar player.

My apologies to the band, Phusion, as it is almost unfair to include this photo. The girl’s mother set up the shot.

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girl with very short silver skirt and very high white shoes is playing a guitar in a band.  Many people are watching

There were a lot of photographers milling about during this set. Most of them were middle aged men.

There was lots of food.

food trucks

Gorilla Cheese food truck

Gorilla Cheese food truck

Beach Boys food truck

Beach Boys food truck

The donut truck was parked in Kew Gardens

The donut truck was parked in Kew Gardens

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man inside an ice cream truck, his back is turned to the camera and he is looking out the window

The ice cream man.

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Food for sale from local restaurants

serving Thai food outside the Cha Da thai restaurant

Serving up thai food outside the Cha Da Restaurant

canteloupes and watermelon that have been carved to look like flowers with many petals

Wonderfully creative carved melons on display.

and drink…..

two guys wearing bright yellow signs advertising the fact htat they are selling pop and water

water & pop selling entrepreneurs

And young entrepreneurs too!

And young entrepreneurs too!

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There were people of all kinds

….characters

What would a street festival be without a Vulcan?

What would a street festival be without a Vulcan?

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kids

...not quite sure about all this.....

…not quite sure about all this…..

happy kids

big sunglasses, a fedora, and a big smile!

big sunglasses, a fedora, and a big smile!

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It was a  time for families

Family time

Family time

mother, father and daughter.  Daughter is on father's shoulders

A great evening to be out.

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and a time for friends

An evening out with friends too.

An evening out with friends too.

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blonde

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very flat indeed!

very flat indeed!

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crowd scene

Looking west Queen Street East, late on Friday evening.

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late evening street scene

Getting late, Thursday evening.

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finally….. a website!

Posted: July 9, 2013 in Uncategorized

The website is now online:

http://www.asIwalkToronto.com

 

Hopefully it was worth the wait!