trache

I've moved to Toronto recently for a new job, which is downtown. I live up in the Markham area.

I am currently living with relatives, and having just moved here, I don't know anyone. My close friends are not in the same area, obviously.

I am in my mid-twenties, and while I like to go to night clubs, maybe see the occasional live concert, and once in awhile go to a pub, I am open to pretty much anything. Euchre anyone? :P

As nervous as I am writing this, I'm a little excited. I would like to meet others from the area. While I realize there is a Toronto meetup scheduled for this weekend, I fear I may not be able to attend because of other plans. I also realize that people have their own lives to take care of, so I know trying to schedule anything can be hectic.

The first thing I saw that interested me while walking downtown a bit was a flyer for the Dark Side of Oz/Rainbow at the Cineforum, which I think is near College/Bathhurst. I wouldn't mind hearing if anyone has gone to this and would comment, or if anyone would like to attend this with me, I would be happy to tag along.

This aside, does anyone have any suggestions for me? Things to do, places to see in Toronto as a whole? I'm brand new to the area, and even more brand new to downtown, as I only get a chance to be there every so often.

If anyone would like to make a new friend, I can usually be found on IRC using this same nickname. I'm usually pretty quiet, but I do like to chat. Send me a private message/query on the IRC or here on the forum so I make sure I get your message.

Regarding the meetup this weekend, if I can make it I will. I do hope those in the area can schedule these more often, say, once a month?

__________________
"You looked at me as if I was eating runny eggs in slow motion." - Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip

amonkie

I gotta say .. Toronto is probably the most consistently active area when it comes to TFP meetups .. I've had the pleasure at being at 2. Get to know your fellow city citizens .. I'm sure they can steer you in the right direction

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fresnelly

I've never been to a Cineforum screening, but Reg Hartt, who runs them out of his house (!), has been doing them for years and years. I think my dad saw The Triumph of the Will there back in the 80's. He's a Toronto institution, so if you go, I think you can officialy consider yourself a "local"

You'll going to get an earful of ideas from us if you can make it to the meetup. I realize it's a bit of a trek from Markham, but it's worth the trip. Come on down!

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Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

aberkok

You should come to the meet-up!

I'm really glad you wrote this. It's something I wish that I had done during my stay in Hong Kong last year. The loneliness ended up really scarring me.

I'd say that we're a pretty close knit bunch, even though we hardly see each other. We're happy to let our friendships develop over such few and far between meetings. Welcome to the club. PM me anytime and sooner or later we'll get together.

Suggestions...hmmm...find something you like to do and visit the places where it's done and start talking to the people there. Take a course of some kind. Be sure to get a NOW magazine...I'm sure you'll pick up a few ideas from that.

And come eat and drink beer with us on May 13th.

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Warden Gentiles: "It? Perfectly innocent. But I can see how, if our roles were reversed, I might have you beaten with a pillowcase full of batteries."

Charlatan

Don't get us started on Toronto. Some of us can go on and on about our love of Toronto.

Cineforum: Yes, Reg Hart does run a series of films which he screens in his house on Bathurst. He has been doing this for years. That last time I went to one of his screenings he was still screening at the Spadina Hotel on the corner of Spadina and King (now the Backpacker's Hostel). It was a night of Vampire films (Nosferatu and George Romero's Martin). I've never been to his house.

The key to seeing a Reg Hart screening is to show up late. This way you avoid his rambling and somewhat overblown speeches prior to the screenings.

If you are into film, the best thing to do is keep an eye on the schedule at the Bloor Cinema, the Revue Cinema and the Ontario Cinematheque at the AGO. Between these three venues you will be amazed that films you can see. Their schedules are printed each week in Now or eye Weekly.


Do you have any plans to move out of Markham? I am sure it is a good place to live but there is really something to be said for living in downtown Toronto. Not only will your commute be relatively non-existant, but you will be down where all the action is...

I can make suggestions for things to do but it has been a while since I was in my early 20s so I not really up on what the cool kids are doing these days...

That said, you really should try to come out with us this weekend. We can talk your ear off about Toronto...

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

aberkok

Ah yes I forgot to mention my Reg Hartt experience. Me and some friends went to his house to watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the original). It was prefaced with a strange art film about naked people cutting themselves in a cemetery - well - I don't know if it was really about that but what do I know?

It wasn't worth the $10. It was screened in his front room on some pretty uncomfortable chairs, and I had to use the bathroom only to find there was no soap, and trust me I could have used it! Now decent chairs I know can be expensive, but for $10 a head he could probably afford to get some soap in there! The viewing experience was also marred by people coming in and out of his house all the time during the film.

If there's an upside, it's that you could probably meet some people there much more easily than at a big theatre. It's more laid back and intimate. There were people hanging out in the kitchen (BYOB by the way!) who didn't end up watching the movie (dunno where they went).

An interesting bunch of hippies.

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!check out my new blog! http://arkanamusic.wordpress.com

Warden Gentiles: "It? Perfectly innocent. But I can see how, if our roles were reversed, I might have you beaten with a pillowcase full of batteries."

Leto

I'd have to agree. I grew up as a suburban kid, and after getting a taste of the inner city, never looked back. It helps that my wife is a Cabbagetowner herself, but not having a commute, and tall trees, beach walks more than makes up for having an older, small house.

there's lots of affordable living for single young people closer in as well. You should try to make the meet up. I've managed to miss a couple already, and would like to make this (if family pressures permit) on the 13th.

There's a sport club that I know people have gotten involved with, and it's a great place to make friendships. It's the Not So Pro Sports league: http://www.notsopro.com/toronto/spor...volleyball.htm

Their beachvolleyball programme is a really good one, and it is right down in the Beaches (where the action is!).

Hope this helps.

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

Lucifer

you can always make the bruch on Sunday at Pappas Grill on the Danforth. Best Eggs Benny evar!

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I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.
- Job 30:29

1123, 6536, 5321

trache

Wow guys, thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate it.

Aberkok, I was on IRC a while after you messaged me, I'm sorry our times didn't coincide.

As weird as it sounds, as soon as I saw he was charging for it I was like WTF? But seriously, I'm a hippie and don't care.

It's not so much that I'm a film buff. I mentioned the screenings with Reg Hartt purely because I'm a big fan of Pink Floyd (see the Tilted Portrait section for a recent post of mine).

I figured there has got to be some other people I can connect with, and it seemed like a good place to start. As does the TFP meeting, with no exception. I'm very willing to go - it's just that this weekend does not look good for me.

Charlatan - Oh yes, I'm ready to move out of Markham right now.. financially, not yet.

It's not so much the drive I would mind.. especially now with the weather being so warm - it's the time and trying to find parking anywhere decent to your social event.

Oh, and it being so far away from just about everything else, it sucks. But free rent is good for now!

Lucifer - I doubt I'll make the brunch, but oh how I so love good eggs and bacon etc in the morning. *drool*.

Does the gang in this area try to meet up regularly, or is it more of a "whenever someone gets around to asking" thing?

__________________
"You looked at me as if I was eating runny eggs in slow motion." - Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip

fresnelly

I'd say "official" meet-ups happen every couple of months or so. All we need is someone to get motivated and suggest one, so if your feeling a bit stir crazy down the road, just start a thread and you're bound to get at least a couple of us out. "Official" is such a strong word. We just get together and eat, drink and be merry, so organizing one is no big deal.

Now that I think of it, I think a bowling night may be in order later on.

If you're a big Pink Floyd Fan, keep your eyes on the Rep Cinemas which Charlatan mentioned. Every once and awhile they'll do a late showing of The Wizard of Oz synced up with Dark Side of the Moon. I've been itching to see that for a long time, so I'll pm you if I hear of a screening.

It's too bad the Planetarium is closed because they used to do "Laser-Floyd" among others.

Links: http://www.bloorcinema.com
http://www.festivalcinemas.com/festivalIndex.php

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Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

Lucifer

mmmmmmm, bowling, eh? I've got holidays in September, so some bowling sometime around then could be a possiblity...

__________________
I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.
- Job 30:29

1123, 6536, 5321

Leto

by the way, i'm looking for the thread with the details of the meetup.. where is it?

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

trache

Leto: The thread for this weekend's scheduled social event is in the General Discussion board.

__________________
"You looked at me as if I was eating runny eggs in slow motion." - Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip

trache

fresnelly:

I was at the TYWO (Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra) concert last Friday at the U of T, as a friend of mine is an alum of that group.

During intermission I saw that the R.O.M. had a planetarium of its own - do they put on anything such as Laser Floyd? Btw, I've been looking to see every so often if there is anything like that in Toronto and haven't found much if anything, as you describe. *pouts*

Why did the planetarium close anyway?

Interestingly enough, the first hit for "planetarium toronto" provides this: http://www.omnitecturalforum.com/topres/toplanet.html

which basically shows a list of various laser shows it may have held.. including Laser No Doubt (yes, Gwen Stefani)..weird. Heh.

I would love to bowl, I haven't done that in a long time. Is there a centrally located alley that would be a good fit to everyone here? Nothing like getting shitfaced, trying to hurl a ball down a few feet of wood.

__________________
"You looked at me as if I was eating runny eggs in slow motion." - Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip

Charlatan

Why did the planetarium close?

Shortsightedness. Funding (or lack thereof).

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

fresnelly

The Planetarium between the UoT Music building and the ROM, and the McLaughlin are one and the same. After it closed, it was a kid's museum for awhile, but the special projecter was sold off and the building is slowly moldering away. It's a real loss as far as I'm concerned.

As a kid, I saw both the star gazing shows and Laser Beatles; which was cheesy but fun.

In similar vein, you could go to the Science Centre on Don Mills Road near Eglington. They have an "Omnimax" theatre where films are projected on a domed ceiling. Fun stuff.

There are no bowling alleys right downtown, but I know of two within city limits. One is O'Connor Bowl, near Eglinton W. and Donlands, and the other is far north on Bathurst, but I can't remember how far.

__________________
Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

Leto

There's another large bwoling alley on Overlea, inthe Thorncliffe Mall area. It has both 5 pin and 10 pin. I think it's called Thorncliffe Bowl.

There's a really, really cool 5 pin bowling alley called Danforth Bowl near my house. It is just west of Coxwell on the north side of the Danforth. You have to go downstairs, and will be immersed in a 1950's -esq environment. Luckily, there is no longer any smoking in the close confines.

As for the planetarium after a few trips there as a school boy to see the star show, i saw some lazer Floyd (i also saw this at the Vancouver planetarioum) and Beatles. It was cool, but abstract. Mushrooms or herb is highly recommended. That reminds me of the time I saw Fantasia a the Uptown.... (Peter Griffen voice over)

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

fresnelly

I had always assumed that the Danforth Bowl sign was a remnant and too good to be true. Amazing!

Also, you remind me of the time I saw Fantasia at the Pottery Barn, er, I mean University Theatre. (Wayne's World flashback hand guesture...)

__________________
Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

Charlatan

I miss the University... that's where I saw The Empire Strikes back when it first came out...

(cue flashback)

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Leto

ya, I saw Quest for Fire (Atra!) at the University. The lineup went around the corner into the cumberland parking lot.

- i saw The Wall at the Uptown, and of course the immortal Jaws 3D at the Imperial Six...


I almost forgot: there was the great motion picture classic, Chained Heat with Sybil Danning at the Eaton Centre Cineplex Odeon...

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

Charlatan

AH! The Imperial Six... sweet. Here's something to remember: When you buy a cinema make sure that you also own the entrance to it as well. And most importantly if you can't own the entrance, make sure your competition doesn't.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Leto

I remember watching all the previews in the covered entrance way to the ol' 6. There must be a pic on google somewhere .. back in a few.

yup.

the imperial 6 is now the Canon (Pantages) theatre:

http://www.toronto.ca/archives/acqui...wnimperial.htm

The Uptown and Imperial Six Theatres

During Sprachman’s career, the large 2,000-plus–seat theatre had become an anachronism for moviegoing purposes. Television began to erode motion picture revenues. Then came cable TV, pay TV, and, finally, the video revolution. As a theatre architect working in an era of cutbacks and scaled- back economies, Sprachman increasingly engaged in designing multi-screen venues, by creating new ones, such as in shopping centres, or by creating them through converting older, larger theatres. A pivotal point in this occurred with the conversion of two Thomas W. Lamb theatres in downtown Toronto, the Uptown Theatre (1920) at Yonge and Bloor and the Imperial Theatre (1919) at Yonge and Dundas. These were converted to five- and six-screen venues respectively, in 1970 and 1972, two of the world’s first “multiplexes.” In Sprachman’s own words: “I prefer to think of myself as a recycler of run-down theatres. If I didn’t step in, those grand old opulent cinema temples would be torn down and replaced with parking lots and high-rises. What I do is to give old cinemas a new lease on life. Architecturally speaking I do my damnedest to help the old and the new live together.” Steeped in the pop art sensibilities of the day, Sprachman engaged in a playful interaction of old and new, retaining much of the original décor of these theatres, but reworking and contrasting that décor with exuberant graphics and opulent colour schemes, as well as contemporary art pieces. His work on the Uptown Theatre was described by one reviewer as “creative,” “inspired” and “infectious,” while another reviewer described his work on the Imperial Theatre as, simply, “snazzy.” In renovating the Uptown Theatre, Sprachman converted the old balcony level into an auditorium, retaining the original, sloped balcony seating, making it one of the earliest instances of the “stadium seating” so common today. This particular theatre became a favoured venue for the Toronto International Film Festival. As the economies of moviegoing continued to shift and change, both of these early “multiplexes” outlived their owner’s requirements. The imperial Theatre was restored as a single-auditorium live theatre venue, now the Canon Theatre. The Uptown Theatre was sold to developers in 2003 and demolished the same year.


AND:

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/871/

The Pantages was Canada's largest theater when it opened in 1920. This 3600 seat palace remained a single screen theater in the Famous Players chain until the early 1970s, when it was divided into six auditoriums and renamed the Imperial.

Fully restored in 1989, the theater was home to "The Phantom of the Opera" for ten years. Now used mostly for Broadway touring companies, the theater was renamed the Canon in September of 2001.

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

Charlatan

Speaking of theatres... the Festival Cinema chain is closing down as of June 30th.

The Royal is for sale -- 2.7 million -- I predict it will be a club or a mall before too long.

The Paradise, the Revue and the Kingsway are all closing and the Fox will stay open.

It is really too bad that the single screen cinema business is dead. I would love to run one of these cinemas...

I'd love to see the Royal or the Revue turned into restaurant/bar combo where you can also go and see films.

Sadly, the architecture is most likely to be lost for good.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

james t kirk

I have been to the the Kingsway and the Revue on Roncesvalles. It's really sad that there is no hope. You go to the theatre on the Queensway, or on John Street and they are packed. Mind you, the movies they play for the most part are crap.

Yes, Toronto is sad when it comes to preserving its architecture or even more worriesom, our neighbourhoods. At Jane and Bloor where I live, there is the old Humber Odeon that has been closed for 3 years or more. They had just done a complete reno on the place and then they shut it down a few months later. Prior to that, the Runnymede at Bloor and Runnymede was shut down. Thankfully in that case, they preserved the building and turned it into a Chapters. Thank God.

In the case of the Humber Odeon, the entire building was gutted of all the new seats and everything was thrown out. Odeon didn't want anyone turning it into a rep theatre.

Of course, you know what comes next. The sleeze ball developers move in and buy the property and propose putting up a 13 story box, aka, a new "condo"

The zoning of the neighbourhood only allowed for 5 stories, but of course, they applied for a variance. They ended up reducing the height to 10 stories, but it's still a box.

I figure it's only a matter of time before the developers buy up all the quaint shops on Bloor West from Jane to Keele and knock it all down and replace it with more and more boxes till there is nothing left.

What kills me is when the developers get up at the public meetings and stand there and say that they are "improving the neighbourhood" and or "revitalizing the neighbourhood"

Excuse me?

The neighbourhood is just fine.

You want to revitalize a neighbourhood, think Jane Street north of St. Claire.

But no, they don't want to build out there cause that's not going to pull them.

Anyway, City council in their esteemed wisdom voted 33 to 10 (not even close) to allow the developpment. (Chasing the development fees?????)

It's a done deal.

Betrayed by our politicians.

fresnelly

I too am sad to see these venues closing, though I understand how hard the business is. When I lived in High Park, I frequented the Revue and Odeon, and they were always empty. I used to take the College Car to work every day and watched excitedly as the Royal was restored in the Mid-90's, so it's a double pisser that it's closing. Who else is going to show a "Kung fu Fridays" series?

There's a great book, if you can get your hands on it, called The Nabes; Toronto's Wonderful Neighbourhood Movie Houses, by John Sebert

Here's a review that includes some fun history:
It's now a Royal Bank Branch.

__________________
Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

Charlatan

That theatre was showing Chinese films until some time in the late 90s. I used to go with friends and see films all the time. The Royal Bank Branch as been there longer than that.

You used to get into the theatre through an entrance just north of the bank on Spadina. It is currently a dollar store.

You used to walk up a long flight of stairs to the next level where there were, i think two or three screens. I imagine the screens are still up there. If you look at the building above the bank you can still see that the building is over large and windowless.

I was sad to see them close, along with the other cinemas in the neighbourhood that used to show chinese films.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

fresnelly

If you're looking for something to do this weekend (besides Pride), the new Opera House is opening its doors for tours on Saturday the 24th from 10am - 5pm.

__________________
Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

Charlatan

I think I am going to have to try and get a look at the new Opera House... I have to say that I am generally underwhelmed by it so far.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

cameroncrazy822

Try the Loose Moose under Armadillos on York. Or Filthy Nasty's. They're both nice places, eh?

Try the Loose Moose under Armadillos or John Astor's both on York. Or Philthy Nasty's. They're all coo places, eh?

nimahoda

More information about The Cineforum can be found on the website: http://www.cineforum.ca/

-Nima