On the Danforth
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Features Archive
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Jeremy Smith
Posted on July 19, 2009 | No CommentsBy Julia Chanter Great ideas frequently come from academics in fine research institutions, but rarely are such ideas as entertaining and innovative as the Driftwood Theatre Company. The idea took root when Jeremy Smith asked himself a question that haunts many scholars during theatre history... -
Jennifer Brewer
Posted on July 19, 2009 | No CommentsBy Canaan Chu Singer-songwriter Jennifer Brewer performs regularly at The Old Nick, a bar steps from Broadview station. Every Tuesday night, Brewer hosts an open stage, where she plays a selection of her songs before inviting others to perform. The stage, at the front of... -
Dear John
Posted on June 29, 2009 | 1 CommentWhy the toilet is hub of literary activity By Naoko Asano At the intersection of public and private space is that muddy area known as the public bathroom. This space accommodates the performance of a very private biological function but is also an open gathering... -
The Capitalization of Death
Posted on June 29, 2009 | No CommentsHow the funeral industry profits from grief By Cynthia Lessard “I think we should make a guest list,” my mother said. We were sitting in our customary seats next to each other, she on the faded sofa and I on the matching loveseat, separated by... -
Keeping it Wheel: Life in the Bike Lane
Posted on June 29, 2009 | No CommentsBy Rachel Horner Cycling in Toronto has exploded as the choice alternative to motorized transit. Although getting around by bike has always been the perfect compliment to an eco-friendly, economical, and healthy lifestyle, it is only since the wild fluctuation of gas prices that motorists... -
The Jon Dore Magazine Interview
Posted on June 29, 2009 | No CommentsBy Jason Rhyno Aside from his wonderfully wicked humour, what we love about Jon Dore is that he has fully staffed The Jon Dore Television Show with his friends and fellow comedians. The award-winning, Gemini-nominated show is equal parts satirical shock and sheer honesty, and... -
A Spoonful of Honey Helps the Medicine Go Down
Posted on March 22, 2009 | No CommentsBy Jenna Simpson Natural health clinics. Herbal dispensaries. The Carrot Common. Push-pin boards overflowing with flyers for alternative therapies. Even the most casual passerby walking along the Danforth can't ignore the indications of a vibrant alternative health community. On the Danforth, conventional and alternative medicines coexist peacefully. Roger Lewis, manager and master herbalist at Thuna's Wholistic Dispensary, says they receive many patients referred by medical doctors. "That's the kind of doctor that we like to work with. That's not the kind of doctor we want to steal a patient from. We're not pretending to be medical experts—we're herbalists." He emphasizes that a balance between Western and alternative health practices benefits the patient. Lewis, who has worked at Thuna's for 15 years, is certainly not alone in his approach. -
Crafting Memories
Posted on March 19, 2009 | No CommentsKids go off-line for hands-on fun at the Orange Hippo Arts Studio By Bonita Mok Paint, glitter, and an R2-D2 cake Kids are covered in glue and glitter as they sit around a long table set up at the back of the small room. Their... -
A Place to Write OM About
Posted on March 19, 2009 | No CommentsAn interview with Chantel Simmons about the Danforth and its connection to her first novel, Stuck in Downward Dog By Katharine Watts Katharine Watts: Why did you choose the Danforth as one of the major settings in Stuck in Downward Dog? Chantel Simmons: I thought... -
Dance Dance Evolution
Posted on March 19, 2009 | No CommentsLearning to re-connect through dance By Sundus Butt Is technology distancing us from one another? With each generation an element of the past is lost and a new trend emerges. Today, cell phones and instant messaging seem essential for social connection, but 10 years ago... -
Lions, Bears, and Guinea Pig Tails
Posted on March 19, 2009 | No CommentsMy grandmother remembers the Danforth of her childhood. By Christa Johnston In 1913, my great-great-grandmother Lucy moved to Toronto from her home in South England, bringing her sons, two of her three daughters, and two of her granddaughters with her. The family was quite happy... -
A Bridge to Here
Posted on March 19, 2009 | No CommentsBy Lindsay Benjamin It has been 90 years since the Bloor Street Viaduct was completed and the east and west ends of Toronto were united. Now linked to the rest of the city, the Danforth area has evolved from its humble beginnings into a unique and vibrant Toronto neighbourhood.Historically, Danforth Avenue was a sleepy dirt road spanning open fields—a place where Torontonians ventured for a weekend escape. It was named after Asa Danforth, an American contractor. In a personal interview, Miller noted that "[Danforth] was commissioned in 1799 to build a military road linking the Town of York to the Bay of Quinte." Danforth Avenue was envisioned as a "route out of the city, but it wasn't finished. It never became the great highway to the east, which is a good thing or the Danforth wouldn't have maintained its character." -
Spreading the Wealth
Posted on January 21, 2009 | 3 CommentsWill the Danforth’s East End Ever Blossom? By Chantal Arseneault-Lewis The Danforth is an area known for its progressive politics, its focus on organic and holistic living and its tightly bonded communities. Greektown on the Danforth was established in 1972 as a commercial and tourist...