Category Archives: Article

FIRESIDE: The Auditions

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Call for Performers to Audition for Fireside Culture Week

Fireside Culture Week IV presents FIRESIDE: “The Auditions” on Wednesday, February 1st from 1-8 pm at The Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen West). We invite performers of all kinds to audition to be in Fireside IV in Parkdale from March 12th to the 17th.  We are seeking musicians, dancers, actors, comedians, poets, performance artists, magicians, clowns, and more! We want to see your talent, and please pass this along to your talented friends.

Please contact Ellie at info@parkdalevillagebia.com to schedule an audition.

We are specifically seeking headliners for our main stage, LGBT performers and artists for our queer party, and stand-ups and sketch troupes for our comedy night; but we have a whole week and a long street to fill full of talent, so come one and come all to audition for a spot!

What: Fireside: The Auditions

When: February 8th, 2012, 1pm – 8pm

Where: The Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen West

Please contact festival@parkdalevillagebia.com or call 416.536.6918 for more information about Fireside.

Parkdale Connected – February 15th, 2012.

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The BIA presents Parkdale Connected on February 15th, 2012 as part of Social Media Week Toronto. This event aims to assist Parkdale business owners in the use of Social Media marketing, and will also serve as a general meeting for our membership. Parkdale Connected features Social Media Expert and Parkdale resident Sue Edworthy at 7pm in the upstairs meeting room at The Rhino (1249 Queen West).

Attendees are encouraged to bring their wireless devices to follow along as Sue facilitates an interactive workshop on the use of Facebook and Twitter as marketing tools to establish and maintain Parkdale BIA members’ small business online presence. At the end of the evening, participants will have learned what they need to create their own accounts and pages, types of campaigns they can use to increase business and profile, and worked with fellow BIA members to gain the perspective of both an “outside eye” coupled with the understanding of fellow small business owners.

Please take some time to complete this short survey on your businesses’ Social Media Usage by January 31st to help us serve you better.

Facebook Event Page

Twitter Hashtag: #SMWTOParkdale

Social Media Week Toronto Event Page

Graphic Designer Needed!

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If you are a graphic designer we would love to get in touch with you.

The Parkdale Village BIA is hosting Parkdale Connected as part of Social Media Week Toronto, and we are looking for a fun, bright, eye-catching poster and flier to help get the word out about it.

If you are interested please drop me a line with samples of your previous work to info@parkdalevillagebia.com

Thanks!

 

Illuminating the Parkdale Street Writers

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When I first came across the name “Parkdale Street Writers” I just about flipped.  Writing, Parkdale and “tha street” are essentially my three favorite things.  What the heck is this triumvirate of awesomness, I asked myself?  Admittedly, I wasn’t particularly active in my research, but I struggled to understand the what when where why and how of this super cool sounding group.  I did track down the “who” piece of the puzzle though: I have been aware of the name Emily Pohl Weary for while a through the Toronto literary scene and my stint at Broken Pencil Magazine.

Today, I’m happy to share with you an article that makes the history of the Parkdale Street Writers and the future of The Academy of the Impossible (somewhat) clearer.

One thing is crystal clear though – Emily Pohl Weary is a superstar.

http://www.blogto.com/arts/2011/12/inside_the_academy_of_the_impossible/

Ellie Anglin.

 

Parkdale… Who Knew?

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Parkdale Architecture

There are many reasons why I feel so lucky to live and work in Parkdale.  One of these is Parkdale’s wealth of beautiful architecture. Many of our buildings are quite old and, standing alongside new developments, are silent testaments to Parkdale’s past and present.

Most buildings are lovingly maintained while others have fallen victim to the ravages of time, yet  their original beauty can still be seen on our daily walks through Parkdale if we just look up.

This is the main door of 1313 Queen West, home of the Gallery 1313, Artscape artists residences, the Parkdale Community Development Group and us, the Parkdale Village BIA.

The other door of 1313, the one that I go into every day to work.

 

The Cash Max Steeple.

 

Has anyone else noticed that there is a castle above Best Convenience and Signature Wear?

 

The beautiful Our Lady of Lebanon Church.

Immaculately kept building above Ground Level Cafe.

 

The monumental entrance to…

… Bank of Canada.

 

The Toronto Hydro Electric System

And its decorative Sub-Station plaque from 1927. Oh, the gay twenties!

 

This grand-looking apartment complex is somehow tucked away even though it’s right on Queen (by Lansdowne).  It reminds me of a classy, vintage version of Melrose Place.  In the Spring and Summer it’s nice to see families and kids playing in the courtyard.

Look at the stately hood molding on the arch above the front door!

Antique stained glass window (correct me if I’m wrong) above Frou Frou Vintage.

These are only a couple of pictures I snapped on my Westerly walk in Parkdale last week.  I’d love to do an expose on the architecture in the Eastside of Parkdale, so stay tuned!  Also, if you know of any interesting buildings in Parkdale that you would like to share with me, I would love to hear about them!  Please email me at info(at)parkdalevillagebia.com.

Parkdale… Who Knew?

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There are so many incredible little curiosities to discover in this neighbourhood.  Last night at the BIA Board Meeting our Chair John Doherty and our Vice-Chair John Colautti told me that phone numbers used to start with letters!  Who knew?  Maybe this was a precursor to texting.  They also told me that there is a salon in Parkdale that has been operating for so long that it still has the old fashioned letter-number on its sign!

Today I decided to go hunting for this Parkdale relic and and I found it!  You can find the wonderful, historic Star Hair Stylists on the south side of Queen at Lansdowne.  “LE. 6 – 0820.”  I guess this is what phone numbers used to look like. Who knew?

The very 1950s cream and sea-foam green molding above the sign is also utterly dreamy to me.  So lucky to live and work in Parkdale!

Parkdale Picks for the Week of December 1st to 7th

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The PVBIA is instituting a new feature on our website called Parkdale Picks – a weekly round-up of events in the best neighbourhood in Toronto.  We will be posting the upcoming week’s events every Thursday.  This is by no means a comprehensive listing for our first week, so if you would like to help us build it send us your Parkdale events to info@parkdalevillagebia.com

Thursday, December 1st

Made You Look is hosting their tenth anniversary party at their two locations on Queen W (by Elm Grove) from 5-10 pm.  Drinks, snacks, mind-reading and a bash for our beautiful local jewellers!  Made You Look Studio and Gallery 1338 Queen W (North Side) Made You Look Accessories 1273 Queen W (South Side).

The Mascot (1267 Queen W) presents the art opening for Dave Sheppard‘s “The Muse” from 7:30 until 11pm. In what Sheppard calls his “Muse Paintings”, he uses  the “spark of enlightenment” metaphor and incorporates light bulbs into the bodies of fish and places candles into the claws of crabs.  This is the Mascot’s last show of the year so don’t miss it!

Friday, December 2nd

Wrongbar presents their monthly installment of Big Primpin’ – hip hop and hot times for homos, their friends and admirers – on Friday from 10pm – 1am.  This BP is special because it is long time hostess Miss Margot’s retirement party.  You don’t want to miss her fabulous, final appearance.  1279 Queen W.

For the month of December, the Parkdale Public Library (1303 Queen W) will be hosting free Friday Movie Nights in the Parkdale Auditorium from 6-8pm.  Sit back, relax and enjoy a movie on the big screen for free!  For more info call 416.393.7686.

Saturday, December 3rd

The Parkdale Community Development Group is holding its annual Holiday Edition of the Parkdale Bazaar from 11am to 5pm at the Mazaryk-Cowan Community Centre (220 Cowan Avenue – near Queen).  There will be local and indie craftspeople selling their wares, hot chocolate, raffles, and Christmas Carols! 

Sunday, December 4th

The TO Attiwapiskat Crisis Relief Effort is holding a donation drive on Sunday through Monday at Xpace Gallery (58 Ossington Ave – just a few blocks East of Parkdale).  Please bring warm clothing, blankets, non-perishable food items or toiletries between 11am and 7pm.  Go here to learn more about the Attawapiskat Crisis.

Monday, December 5th

If you are in grade 8 or 9, come to Mazaryk Cowan CRC at 220 Cowan Avenue for the food program Youth Corner, Growing the Future. From 4 to 6 pm participants will work on the Youth Garden signs for Hope Garden, as well as learning to make lasagna with salad and home made croutons in the kitchen!  For more information contact Robyn at robyn@greenestcity.ca.

Wednesday, December 7th

Mazaryk Cowan CRC (220 Cowan Ave) is also hosting a Youth Community Kitchen for youth 15 and up from 5-7:30pm. This cooking experience for older youth, will be held on the first and third Wednesday of each month.  No registration required, just drop by the community centre to check it out or contact Robyn at robyn@greenestcity.ca for more info.



Made You Look 10th Anniversary Party!

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Break out the bubbly – Parkdale’s beloved Made You Look is turning 10!

Truly a Parkdale pioneer, the West Queen West shop has showcased their unique jewellery designs to the neighbourhood and has been an integral part of the community for a decade.  So it’s time to celebrate!

Made You Look is celebrating its Diamond Anniversary on Thursday, December 1st from 5 to 10 at both the Made You Look Accessories store (1273 Queen W) and Made You Look Jewellery Studio and Gallery (1338 Queen W).  They will celebrate with graffiti artist Qwest working on a brand new mural in the back alley during the party, tasty treats from the El Gastronomo Vagabundo food truck and the magical powers of Danny Proctor the Mind Reader!

“Over the last decade, Parkdale has blossomed and Made You Look is proud to have been at the forefront of helping establish the neighbourhood as a diverse shopping destination,” says Sarah Hamel, founder of Made You Look. “We’re excited to celebrate this milestone and proud to continue supporting our community.”

Made You Look represents more than 100 Toronto-area, self-employed jewellery designers, many of whom manufacture on-site in their large jewellery creation facilities, Made You Look specialized in everything jewellery related.

 

My Roll Life: Grand Opening Party

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Last week we posted about the exciting new rollerskating and bicycle culture boutique, My Roll Life, that’s just opened up in Parkdale! On Wednesday (November 30th) they are having their Grand Opening Party in the store (at 1714 Queen Street West) and it’s gonna be a hoot!

Join Gwen McDonald aka Goldie Lock’n’Load from 6:30 to 11:30 to celebrate her GRAND OPENING, with snacks provided by Cardinal Rule and drinks from Great Lakes Brewery.

According to gorollerderby.ca this shindig includes a disco ball, vintage video games, roller derby on the big screen, and photo-ops with a rollerskating zombie cow.  Get granted access to the inside scoop of the derby world from the West End Waywards Rollerskating Association and the Rollergettes.

1714 Queen St. W.  Toronto, ON. M6R1B3

info@MyRollLife.com