Arts + Culture
-
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…
-
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…
-
Four Hidden Instagrammable Spots to Find on Danforth Avenue
Instagrammable refers to photos that are visually appealing to be shared on Instagram; also a location good for photo taking. The Danforth, apart from the title of Greek Town, is an area full of hidden Instagrammable spots. If you are someone who loves photography, here are four places you may want to visit! 71 Gough Ave, Toronto When it comes to the Instagrammable locations on Danforth Avenue, Holy Name Parish church with 109 years of history must be a place classical lovers look for. It was designed in the style of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome and was built of stone imported from Indiana. Throughout its construction and establishment, this…
-
A Day On The Danforth: Mobility-Accessible Spots in One of Toronto’s Best Neighbourhoods
As a newcomer to the Danforth area who happens to walk with a crutch, I thought long and hard about what I would like to see as a reader of On The Danforth. The Danforth is a lively, vibrant neighourhood with so much culture and experiences, but, accessibility-wise, it’s lacking. The buildings are old and rarely have accessible basements. Nonetheless, it’s an amazing part of the city, and we should all have the chance to explore it. This is how to spend a day on the Danforth without the worry of accessibility barriers. (Note: I wasn’t able to visit all the spots, but rest assured each business was thoroughly researched…
-
From the Surreal To ‘Make You Feel’: 4 Canadian Films To Stream On Mubi That Will Distract You From The World
As we come out of the winter months, and COVID restrictions ease up, you might find yourself looking for good films to watch on your own, or in company, to distract you from the 24/7 news cycle. You might also feel overwhelmed by the constant new releases from streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu, which often favour quantity over quality. Slow down and walk back into the archive of current and vintage films with Mubi, one of the best streaming services to offer a global selection of films and documentaries. Mubi’s curated archive of films “strange” and “alternative” is unrestricted by genre and allows the viewer to…
-
7 Great Films to Watch When Jumping Across the Pond
Along with the rise of the non-English film industry, I too will be looking into some of the best non-English films of the last year, because why stay in the monolingual cave when the dawn of multilingual entertainment is upon us? Titane Following the intensity that was Raw, this film from Julia Ducounau once again breathtakingly displays the director’s ability to push buttons and explore limits. Christened “body horror” for a reason, this film focuses on a woman who, after suffering injuries from a car accident, has a titanium plate fitted to her head. Full of gallows humour, questions about sexuality and gender identity, as well as parenthood, this is…
-
Shop Local for the Holidays at These 10 Danforth Businesses
With a second lockdown now in full effect throughout Toronto, it’s more important than ever to support our local businesses. Luckily, the holiday season is here, so now is the perfect time to start looking for those special gifts and goodies that make this time of year so special. Take a look at these 10 stores on the Danforth that offer an online catalogue and delivery, or curb-side pick-up. Happy shopping! 1. El Pipil El Pipil offers a variety of items, from women’s clothing to jewelry and household wares. With so much to choose from, this could be a perfect spot to find great gift ideas. Not sure where to…
-
On the Danforth Presents: March Madness Movie Winner
It’s been an interesting two weeks and we’ve tried to keep spirits high during this time. I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely used this time to catch up on some of these amazing movies that our OTD team picked as their favourites. After three gruelling rounds, we can finally announce our winner. Congrats to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone! The boy who lived has done it again and beat a rival way more powerful than Voldemort ever was! Parasite, although you placed second, you fought bravely, and lost only by a few votes. Thank you all for taking part in our Movie Madness. We hope that it…
-
Alisha Sevigny: Author, Leader, and Mom
Alisha Sevigny is a rising star in the middle-grade fiction world with her new series, The Secrets of the Sands. She is also a yoga instructor and Tarot enthusiast, a wife, a mom, and an instructor/editor for both rookie writers and experienced ones. Anyone that sees this list of attributes applied to one person must immediately think of the Sarah Jessica Parker film, I Don’t Know How She Does It (2011). But, Alisha carries it with grace, enthusiasm, and passion for her work. She sat down with OTD this past week to discuss her experiences as a writer, leader, and mother, and passes on some words of wisdom she has…
-
On the Danforth Spring 2020 is here!
To our lovely readers: At this time, the print issue of On the Danforth Spring is distributed across the Danforth to local businesses for free public circulation, but going outside can be a bit difficult at this time. We encourage everyone to follow health advisories and respect the Province’s call for a State of Emergency and self-isolate unless your specific circumstances necessitate otherwise. So how do you find the Spring 2020 issue of On the Danforth if you can’t go out to support your local businesses? Well, we have a treat for you! In addition to releasing or issues in print, On the Danforth will be available online! On the…
