Archive for the ‘events’ Category

Saturday, 5th October

downtown Toronto

This is only a small selection of the art installations and exhibitions that were on display that night.

part of an art installation where there are small bones hanging from the ceiling,  A man's leg is in the background

Bones, leg bones? Part of the ‘Indicator’ installation at Gareth Bate Art Projects, 401 Richmond St.
“Birds, bats, bees. Indicator species tell us when ecosystems are in peril. Bones, sugar, dripping honey – a meditation on catastrophe and connection.” The bones hung from the ceiling and the honey dripped down the walls.
Artists: Karen Abel, Jessica Marion Barr, Gareth Bate

A man looking at a series of small black & white prints in an art gallery

A timeline of the life of Conrad Black in black & white woodcut prints as shown at a gallery at 401 Richmond Street. Artist, George Walker

 

silhouettes of some people, on glowing pink and blue spheres

silhouettes
at Much Music, Queen Street West

 

The CN tower, with pink and blue lights, is in the background.  In the foreground are people taking pictures with their phones.  In the middle ground are a number of pink and blue lit spheres

phones lifted skyward

 

A woman is taking a picture of an art installation that is flat on a table.  Twelve black & white framed prints are on the wall behind her.

Black & white art made using electric currents & little wires that spun in circles.
401 Richmond Street

 

An art installation featuring pictures of bicylces.  Multicoloured.

bkies, bikes, bikes

 

A man is spray painting a piece of street art using aerosol cans of paint

spraying in the spotlight
On Dundas West near Beverley Street

 

Crowds, at night.  Light is provided by fluorescent lights that spell out a short poem.

‘The rose is without why’ by Boris Achour.
This is a short poem written by Johannes Scheffler aka Angelus Silesius, in the 17th century. The words are written with fluorescent lights and is more than 300 feet long. It was bright enough to light up the square.

 

crowds at Nathan Phillips Square on the night of Nuit Blanche.  Some people are standing on the upper level watching the crowds below.

upper level, Nathan Phillips Square

 

crowds and lights at Nathan Phillips Square.  Toronto city hall is lit with purple lights.

Nathan Phillips Square

 

Two of the art installations at Nathan Phillips Square

Nathan Phillips Square
On the left – ‘Forever Bicycles’ sculpture by Ai Weiwei lit in pink and purple. There are 3144 bicycles.
On the right – ‘Crash Cars’ by Alain Declercq consists of two driverless cars.

 

posing

posing
These metallic figures were not part of Nuit Blanche. They are part of a sculpture close to the Court House on University Ave., just north of Queen St. West.

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Since my walking is still limited and I have time on my hands, I have been sorting and editing older photos.

Back on New Years day I went to Sunnyside Park to watch the annual Polar Bear Dip.  Some of the photos that I took that day are now at: http://www.asiwalktoronto.com/lightbox_polar.html

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Fourth Annual Art Spin Exhibition,
Tower Automotive Building, 158 Sterling Rd.,
Aug 29 – Sept 1, 2013

18 artists, one old vacant heritage industrial building.

Interesting lighting.  Interesting use of the space.  Interesting relationships between the installations and their surroundings.

I have not included photos of all the art in the exhibit.  My apologies to the artists whose work I haven’t shown.

looking at 'Sound the Alarm' by Caroline Larsen' with the video installation 'I,I,I,I' in the foreground

looking at ‘Sound the Alarm’ by Caroline Larsen’ with the video installation ‘I,I,I,I’ in the foreground

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'We Are Happy' by Michael Toke.  Like a visit to the dentist's office.

‘We Are Happy’ by Michael Toke. Like a visit to the dentist’s office.

a group of people looking at a piece of art.  They are in a large open space that once was a factory.  Concrete and brick walls.

The painting on the wall to the left is ‘Exit Enter’ by Celia Neubauer.

'Sterling Caer Observer' by Noel Middleton

‘Sterling Caer Observer’ by Noel Middleton

A sculpture that is composed of three tall vertical pieces of shiny metal.  A yellowish brick wall is in the background.

‘Untitled’ by Jinny Yu. Three shaped pieces of metal by brick wall.

 

artist:  Mary Grisey

art installation in front of an old green door.  There is a lot of frayed rope.

Art installation with a lot of rope, especially frayed rope.

‘Floating in the Eye of the Storm’ by Lois Schklar.

  wire sculpture

Wire sculpture in the foreground with an oil painting in the background

part of a wire sculpture including a star

part of a wire sculpture showing a little gold trinket in the shape of a hand

‘Stillnessence Vivarium’ by John Oswald. 

This installation lent itself to a many interpretations.

projection of life sized picture of a group of people

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life sized projection of a group of people, male and female, young and old,

more information about Art Spin  http://www.artspin.ca

a wall, part concrete and part tile.

The video installation ‘Melting Bricks’ was in small room where it was shown fairly high up on the wall. It was the only source of light in the room. I focused on the relationship between the room and the light when I was taking pictures of it. (my apologies to the artist as I seem to have forgotten his/her name).

 

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An evening at the Canadian National Exhibition

A warm August evening.

Admission is only $5 if you go after 5 p.m., and if you don’t mind a few crowds!

A view from the Sky Ride.  Downtown Toronto with the CN tower is in the background.  Midway rides and games can be seen.

Riding the Sky Ride over the CNE midway

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A fast food stand at the Ex, selling cheeseburgers, sausages, deep fried Mars bars, and other unhealthy food!

The Ex has always been a place to buy unhealthy, “interesting” food! Deep fried Mars bars, Twinkies, and Oreos are just some of the goodies available.

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birds eye view of the midway.  multicoloured roofs over midway game stalls, lots of people walking around

The midway is also where you will find many games to play! Many ways to spend your money if you”re feeling lucky.

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A wall of stuffed toys - Bart Simpsons and South Park characters

Stuffed toys – the most popular midway game prize.

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two of the midway rides - the swings and a ferris wheel

Spinners

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many people in a line up waiting to get on the Zipper ride

line-ups are an inevitable part of a summer evening at the CNE

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Some people in a line up waiting to get on a ride, the Twister ride is in the background

waiting for the Twister

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two kids on a large bumble bee, one of the rides in Kid Land at the CNE

Happily riding the bumble bees in Kid Land.

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blurred lights in red, white and blue, as one of the rides spins around

the CNE website:   http://theex.com/

more photos: http://www.asIwalkToronto.com/cne.html

other people’s photos:

Water Molecule
Equestrian Element in Design

Twilight photo - Sky Ride above, midway games all lit up, people in the foreground

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Dundas Square, 9 Aug

A recipe for entertainment. Good for all ages, especially good for the kids.

Without talking,

  1.   Find seven kids,
  2.  Line them up from tallest to shortest,
  3.  Give each one a wooden stick.
  4.  Spin a metal plate,
  5.  Put it on top of the first child’s stick.
  6. Have them pass the plate to the next child’s stick.
  7. Attempt to get the plate passed all the way down the line.

 

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blog_spin2.

blog_spin10.

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3 kids passing a spinning plate from one to the next using sticks

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blog_spin6.

blog_spin7.

blog_spin1.

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Two girls.  One girl is passing a spinning metal plate to the other while a group of people look on.

The number of different colours, shapes and sizes of the faces in this photo captured my attention… and they’re all looking at the plate.

take a bow when the job is done!

Take a bow when the job is done!  If you want more information, the link is:  http://www.johnparkcomedy.com/

The original plan was to visit Dundas Square for their 10th birthday party.  Love it or hate it, Dundas Square is now ten years old.   Maybe one day I’ll call it by it’s proper name, Yonge Dundas Square.  I was going to do a blog post on the events of the evening.

The official party was to start at 7:00.  One of the opening acts was the Lemon Bucket Orkestra; their website describes them as a balkan klezmer gypsy party punk superband.  During the last song that they played, they moved through the square towards the stage.

And this is where I changed course.  Most people made room for the musicians, moved out of their way.    But not one “photographer”.   He stood his ground; he got up close and personal photos on his phone.   My focus shifted from the music to the man in the middle.

Was he intrusive?  Should he have moved?

 

If you want to know more about the Lemon Bucket Orkestra:  http://www.lemonbucket.com/

 

man with an iphone standing in front of the Lemon Bucket Orkestra as they walk through Dundas Square.

first photo

man taking pictures of a group of musicians, a drummer, a clarinet player, some violins and a flugelhorn

second photo

third photo

third photo

man is standing in the middle of a group of musicians, the Lemon Bucket Orkestra, as it walks through Dundas Square.

last photo

 

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This year the long August week-end (Aug 3, 4 and 5) was warm and sunny.  Like most summer week-ends in Toronto, there was lots going on.  On both Sunday and Monday afternoon I dropped by the IRIE festival at Nathan Phillips Square.

people watching a performance at Nathan Phillips Square on a sunny afternoon

There was a small but appreciative crowd at Nathan Phillips Square on Sunday afternoon for the IRIE festival.

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Samba Squad, a group of musicians, performs on stage.

Samba Squad performing on Sunday afternoon.

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4 men dancing on a stage.  they are wearing green pants and white sleeveless T-shirts.

They were called the TD dancers and they were one of the opening acts on Monday afternoon.

A man and a woman dancing. The woman has long hair that is bouncing around as she moves.

Their performance was twelve minutes of non-stop, high energy movement.

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Seeking shade and a place to rest.  Men sitting around the base of 'the Archer' sculpture at Nathan Phillips Square.  One has a large hat on and another has a shirt over his head to keep the sun off.

Seeking shade and a place to rest.

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Two Asian male photographers and their cameras with very long lenses taking pictures of a performance on the stage at Nathan Phillips Square.

There were not a lot of cameras clicking away during the performances that I saw. One exception were the four men with their long lenses that stopped by for a few minutes, took some photos, and left.  I thought of African safaris as I watched them.

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A girls wearing a light blue jacket is standing beside the pool at Nathan Phillips Square while her mother takes her picture. The mother is wearing light blue pants and is holding a light blue umbrella.

Photo op in light blue.

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Nathan Phillips Square from the south, showing one of the arches over the fountain. Some vendors are there as well as some tourists and other people enjoying the sunny afternoon.

There were also a few vendors selling food & drink, clothing, and jewelry.  Mostly it was a pleasant way to spend some time on a sunny summer afternoon.

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It was a beautiful sunny holiday Monday.  I spent a short time at the distillery district with a friend.  A cold drink, seventy different arts & crafts vendors from Ontario and Quebec, and a magic show, added up to a  pleasant couple of hours.

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pieces of felt in blue, red, grey and yellow hanging in a vendor's stall at an arts and crafts fair

A number of vendors were selling clothing, wall hangings, and other items, made from interesting fabrics.

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A man is selling T-shirts with scenes of Toronto on them.  He is talking to a woman who is looking at the t-shirts.

T-shirts with Toronto scenes…. the skyline, a wall from Ossington subway station, a bench at Runnymede, a street car, and other Toronto scenes.  For more designs see Oula Design at http://www.ouladesign.com

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Piles of bookmarks  made from metal and colourful stones that have been organized in containers.

Bookmarks made from metal and colourful stones.

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a light blue onesie with a diagram of a pair of lungs silkscreened on it.

Clothing with silkscreened or embroidered body parts on them made by Sylwanka Clothing. A onesie with lungs, and behind it panties with something else.

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little pillows for sale that have the words "Do Not Disturb" embroidered on them

Do Not Disturb the pillows

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Max the magician uses his magic wand to tap on a lemon.

Max the magician and his grand finale involving 3 cups, 3 little baseballs, one large baseball, a melon, numerous oranges and a twenty dollar bill in a lemon. The girl in purple was so expressive throughout the show – she was quiet but her body language was marvellous.

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I hear that they are about to be exes.  Maybe it had something to do with his balls......

I hear that they are about to be exes. Maybe it had something to do with his balls……

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four children sitting on the ground and watching a magic show.  Three are smiling, one is looking skeptical.

One is more skeptical than the others! (watching Max’s magic show)

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3 legs - one with black pants, two with black & silver pants.  A black and white purse too.

… and of course there was people watching!

Artfest shows are held a few times a year in both Toronto and Kingston.  For more information on Artfest, check their website!   http://artfestontario.com/artfest-shows/

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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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