Arts + Culture
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My Thoughts on the Nominees for Album of the Year at the 2024 Grammys
What are the Grammys for if not to introduce us to new music? This is why I set out to listen to each album nominated for Album of the Year at the 2024 Grammys.
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Designing a Neighbourhood: The Go-To Design Hub
I met Armin Martiros, the owner of Design Lab, on a bright, warm day. His shop, similar to that day, was warm and bright. While walking along Pape Avenue, I stopped at a storefront window, displaying one small, white sofa covered with a fluffy, ash-grey blanket, some pillows, and a matching side table. Drawn in by the design, which resembled a cozy, nicely furnished home, I decided to have a look inside. The first thing I noticed was that the space was filled with personalized everyday items, things appearing both practical and pretty. Later, after browsing the shop’s webpage, I saw that cushions, lamps, Acapulco chairs, sofas, curtains, colourful glasses,…
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A Night of Fun and Laughter on the Danforth
It was an unusually warm night in late October when I threw on my faded denim jacket and worn-out Converse to make my way toward Comedy Bar on the Danforth for the first time. Wedged between an unassuming cigar shop and a residential building with plain, grey-scale facades, the massive sign that spans the venue is hard to miss. “Comedy Bar” sits across the top in glowing red letters. Details on the headliners, showtimes, and website shine below, framed in beaming yellow show lights. As I walked toward the illuminated sign, I thought about the first comedy show I attended. I was in my early twenties, struggling to get through…
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Goodbyes Are Only Temporary: Danforth, Coal Mine Theatre Is Not Going Anywhere
“We were going to find a place along the Danforth or we were just going to stop,” says Ted Dykstra, co-founder of the Coal Mine Theatre (CMT). The relocation of this admired East End theatre had one priority leading the search—to remain on the Danforth. “We feel very grateful and lucky,” says Ted of being able to stay along the Danforth at their new location, 2076 Danforth Ave., following a tragic fire at the previous location in September 2022. For the past seven years, the CMT has been bringing never-before-seen theatre to this neighbourhood. Their ambition has been to bring highly acclaimed plays to Toronto. Despite the non-existent grants or…
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Independent Bookshops Remind Us of the Value of In-Store Browsing
When Amazon packages can be delivered to your door within 24 hours, it’s easy to fall into the trap of shopping for books online. But by shopping online, you miss out on the pleasure of getting lost among the shelves and the chance to connect with people who are passionate about reading. Re: Reading Used Books (548 Danforth Ave. at Carlaw) and the Scribe (375 Danforth Ave. at Chester) are two independent bookstores that truly capture the magic of in-store browsing. Re: Reading Used Books Re: Reading Used Books carries books and movies in a wide range of genres, but the atmosphere of the store is a homage to sci-fi.…
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How We Immortalize Our Cats: From Ancient Pottery to Etsy Shops
As a kid, I grew up with three cats. In the 90s, that meant we filled albums with Kodak photographs we got developed at Walmart. Photographs of us—my family—with our beloved little guys and some of just Rex or Chloe or Max, alone, because we needed to bring that love we had for them to life, to put it somewhere tangible, somewhere we could look at and hold in our hands. Obviously, this is not a unique experience. The rise of kitty fame on the Internet makes that ever clearer. But we—humans, lovers of cats—have been filling proverbial albums with Walmart-developed photos for as long as cats have been domesticated,…
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Little Big Libraries
Reading is the root of most of our interesting thoughts. Once we immerse ourselves in books, especially in children’s titles, we end up creating unfathomable associations inside our brains. Think genius girl who avenges abuse of authority through telekinesis, angry lonely kid who becomes king amongst monsters, or underpants superhero with “wedgie power.” Along the same line, a book exchange initiative, like the Little Free Library, can forge the most incredible connections between people. It was American film director John Waters who famously recommended not sleeping with people who don’t have books; not letting them explore us until they have explored the world of libraries. Although I wouldn’t go as…
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7 Books to Read This Spring, and the Order You Should Read Them In
Blossoms, bees, lilac bushes; spring is about growth—we finally get to watch nature come back to life after the dull ache of winter. With the air smelling of fresh lavender and magnolia trees, and the taste of strawberry banana smoothies on your tongue, how else would you want to spend the warm weather other than with a good book in your hands? Here are the best books to read this spring, and the order you should read them in to fully soak up the atmospheric fervour of the season. The best part? All these reads can be found at Book City on the Danforth (348 Danforth Ave). 1 The Vanishing…
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4 Women Owned Businesses That Are Making a Difference
Each of the following businesses bring their own unique offerings to the Danforth, and you need to check them out. These businesses also happen to be run by some amazing—and very passionate—female business owners with positive missions for their businesses far beyond self-interest and profit. They have big ambitions for what they want their businesses to do and be. Each business has the opportunity to positively impact the community and make a difference. Secret Planet Print Shop– 918 Danforth Ave. Jackie is a screen printer who owns Secret Planet Print Shop, a screen-printing studio and gift shop that sells items made by local and Canadian artisans, as well as in-house…
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The Clay Room
On a brisk Saturday afternoon, with the intention of trying something new, my friend and I entered a muted green shop at 279 Danforth Ave. The air was heavy with chalky dust and paint fumes, and buzzed with all sorts of lowered, concentrated voices. Its sage walls were lined with shelves of white, blank ceramics, in various shapes and sizes. Despite its four tables being nearly full, we were immediately greeted by a staff member with a warm smile. She patiently and plainly described how the business works: you choose a ceramic from the wall—each of which have their own price and studio fee, pick out your paint colours, give…
