DISTILLERY NEWS
Feb 2: Solo art show "KALEIDOSCOPIC DAYS", by abstract painter Bianka Guna in The Distillery District
click here for Artscape websiteJan 24: Daily Distillery- Distillery District a Hotbed of Photo Contest Activity
click here to read blogJan 16: Segway in the News
Get Fast and Geeky with Segwayclick here to read blog
The Lunch Time Touristclick here to read blog from The Grid
Jan 12: Pikto in the news
The winning entry of the 2011 Pikto Top Pick photo contest was featured in the New York Times click here to read our blog entry
Photographic sensation Lara Jade, provides a glowing review of Pikto's Photobook click here to read her review
Pikto Photobooks were recently featured in the Toronto Star click here to read our blog entry
Jan 4: VENDOR CALL ~ ARTISAN’S CRAFT SHOWS AT THE DISTILLERY (TORONTO)
It’s a brand new year and time to start planning your schedule and budget for craft shows!Dec 9: Toronto Life TOP 10 EDIBLE picks from this year’s Toronto Christmas Market (mulled wine very much included)
click for moreDec 8: Toronto Life- Our 10 picks from this year’s—somewhat kitschy—Lowe’s Christmas Market
click here to see listDec 1: 2011 Pikto Top Pick winner announced
Top Pick Winner: Anastasia Taylor-Lind, click here for moreNov 30: Santa's Elves Workshop Presented by Lowe's Open’s this Friday as part of Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market
There will be many things for children to do at Santa’s Elves Workshop! Children can stay warm while making ornaments, stocking stuffers, play with the MANY traditional Christmas games available! Children can also send letters to Santa! Canada Post is providing two post boxes. The letters will be picked up daily and will be delivered directly to Santa, and children can look forward to hearing from Santa before Christmas! Santa’s Elves Workshop will be open during the regular Christmas Market hours.Nov 29: Lowe's Toronto Christmas Market starts this Friday!
click here for website and event schedulesNov 11: Gooderham and Worts Distillers – Raw Materials to Finished Products
click to read Toronto Arts Girl's blogOct 28: THE DISTILLERY HISTORICAL DISTRICT WINS MARKETING AWARD IN CANADIAN SHOPPING CENTRE COMPETITION
NEW YORK, October 21, 2011– The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) in keeping with its long standing tradition of recognizing and honoring the shopping centre industry’s most cutting-edge, innovative solutions, and creative responses to market trends, as well as outstanding examples of retail store design has announced its winners for the 2011 Canadian Shopping Centre Global Awards program. As part of this exclusive shopping centre awards competition, ICSC is pleased to announce that The Distillery Historical District, Toronto, Ontario, has been awarded a 2011 Maple Leaf Gold Award in this annual awards competition. Distillery Historical District won its gold award in the Sales Promotions and Events category which recognizes programs or events intended to directly impact retail sales and customer traffic, for its “Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market”, which successfully turned The Distillery Historical District turned into Toronto’s first-ever authentic European-style Christmas Market for the holiday season. The event, which attracted 110,000 visitors, featured an international marketplace of 28 world-class vendors, a dramatic opening ceremony, the arrival of St. Nicholas, a Reindeer Zoo, 30 musical performances, Ferris wheel rides, and four outdoor hospitality lounges and beer gardens. Professional recognition for this campaign was given to: Matt Rosenblatt, festival CEO, director and producer/real estate development, Distillery Historical District/Cityscape Holding; Justina Klein, festival producer, Distillery Historical District/JK Productions; and Lana Vukelic, general manager, Distillery Historical District. The Distillery Historical District is owned by Cityscape Holdings and Dundee Distillery District The Toronto Christmas Market is managed by Cityscape Holdings Inc. ICSC announced the winners of the 2011 Canadian Shopping Centre Awards during a ceremony at ICSC’s Canadian Convention in Toronto, Ontario. In addition, Distillery Historical District is now automatically entered to win ICSC's Best-of-the-Best VIVA Award. The ICSC Best-of-the-Best VIVA Awards, which recognize the shopping centre industry’s most cutting-edge properties, innovative solutions and creative responses to market trends, throughout the world, will be presented during ICSC's annual convention, RECon, May 20-23, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nev. The 2011 Canadian Shopping Centre Awards are designed to recognize outstanding achievement in marketing, design and development of retail properties and retail store design and was open to shopping centre owners, developers, management companies, architects and designers, and retailers. Awards were given to shopping centres that are less than 150,000 square feet of total retail space; between 150,001 and 400,000 sq. ft. of total retail space; between 400,001 and 750,000 sq. ft. of total retail space; between 750,001 and 1,000,000 sq. ft. of total retail space; more than 1,000,000 sq. ft. of total retail space; a company/corporate initiative, joint centre effort; and mixed use project. Founded in 1957, ICSC is the premier global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its more than 55,000 members in over 90 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and brokers, as well as academics and public officials. As the global industry trade association, ICSC links with more than 25 national and regional shopping center councils throughout the world. For more information, visit www.icsc.org.Oct 28: Distillery District wins Maple Leaf Gold Award for Sales Promotion and Events category for Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market
click to see our maple Leaf Gold AwardSep 26: Cafe Uno in the Distillery District Displays Local Toronto Artist Ruth Wilgress
click for moreSep 8: Canada Sings: The Distillery Restaurant Corp team performs!
see The Distillery Restaurant Corp. performance hereSep 5: ArtFest Sept 1-5 was a World Class Outdoor Art Exhibition Showcasing Ontario Artists
click to read blogSep 2: Photo Of The Day: A Lick of Paint Adds Flash To Clear Spirit
click to see progress of the Clear Spirit towerSep 1: Introducing: Blackbird Vintage, a treasure trove of conversation pieces in the Distillery District
click to ready Toronto Life articleSep 1: TV Crew Shoots Scenes For Season Two of Nikita in The Distillery District
click to read Distillery BlogAug 19: Jenn goes to The Distillery District, 55 Mill Street. Food Truck Eats part 2 takes place Saturday August 20th
click for BT video hereAug 16: Distillery Staff meets Piper Perabo @ the Distillery while filming Covert Affairs
click to see photoAug 4: Miss Teen Canada World 2011, Lauren Howe visits The Distillery District
click to read Distillery BlogJul 6: The Distillery District and Cirque du Soleil have teamed up to bring you Cirquedelicious
Offer includes a prix fixe menu at The Boiler House or Pure Spirits, click to see moreJun 30: FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
come see Toronto's first Food truck Festival. JULY 2 on trinity street ( overlaps with Jazz Festival ) No entry costJun 30: Drink alcohol on Distillery Streets
This weekend The Distillery District will feel a lot more like a European Neighbourhood when it takes advantage of the new AGCO liquor license amendments which will allow visitors to leave licensed patios and roam the brick lined streets carrying beer, wine or alcohol. The Distillery will be the first location in the city to utilize the new rules. “ The TD jazz festival is the perfect event to test the new rules. Come listen to some Jazz, walk around with your favourite libation and hit a patio or shopping boutique – what a way to spend a summer day in Toronto” – says developer Mathew Rosenblatt Dates The Distillery visitors can drink throughout the Distillery June 30 July 1, 2 & 3 TD Jazz FestJun 24: The Distillery Historic District commemorates the memory of artist Dennis Oppenheim
On Friday, June 24, 2011 at 5:45 PM, the Distillery Historic District will be hosting a dedication ceremony for Still Dancing the art installation that is the centrepiece of the District on Trinity Street. This dedication ceremony will commemorate the memory of the installation’s late artist and designer Dennis OppenheimJun 22: The Distillery District turns into Toronto’s Largest Beer Garden
This weekend The Distillery District will feel a lot more like a European Neighbourhood when it takes advantage of the new AGCO liquor license amendments which will allow visitors to leave licensed patios and roam the brick lined streets carrying beer, wine or alcohol. The Distillery will be the first location in the city to utilize the new rules. “ The TD jazz festival is the perfect event to test the new rules. Come listen to some Jazz, walk around with your favourite libation and hit a patio or shopping boutique – what a way to spend a summer day in Toronto” – says developer Mathew Rosenblatt Dates The Distillery visitors can drink throughout the Distillery June 24,25 26 & 30 July 2 & 3 TD Jazz Fest June 24 - July 3 The Distillery will be hosting the Mountain Co-op Bike Fest on Saturday June 25th and Food Truck Eats ( a food truck festival ) on July 2.Jun 9: New summer food truck event fuels hopes for a Toronto street food revolution
click to read moreJun 9: Susan Sarandon spotted @ the Distillery lunching at Pure Spirits Oyster Bar and shopping at Distill!
click here to see the funky fun stuff she boughtJun 8: Meals on wheels: food truck festival aims to show City Hall how street food is done
click here for articleMay 27: The Sunday Market at the Distillery
Every Sunday at The Distillery the streets come alive with a wide array of fresh and wholesome products and produce. The Distillery Market is well known for its unique and friendly vendor stalls offering everything from gluten free and vegan baked goods to fresh fruit and vegetables to homemade jams and jellies to prepared organic meals to go. One will also find a wide variety of dips, salad dressings, season olive oils and more. There is also a collection of non-food vendors selling everything from hand crafted calendar organisers to natural soaps and lotions. The Sunday Market at The Distillery runs from 10 - 4 every Sunday May 22 - Sept 25
May 25: Vintage Gardener Moves to a New Location in the Distillery
read Toronto Arts Girl's blog hereMay 25: Newlyweds preparing for dream reception at the Fermenting Cellar won in contest at the Boiler House
click here for story/a>May 2: Tucker Hi-Rise Construction continues work on Clear Spirit condos in the Distillery District
see more hereApr 29: Toronto’s first Sake Brewery to open this weekend in The Distillery District
The Ontario Spring Water Sake Company, located in downtown Toronto’s Distillery Historic District, will be opening its brewery, retail store and tasting bar to the public on Friday April 29, 2011. This brewery is a first for Toronto, and indeed for all of eastern North America. “Our sake’s fresh and delightful flavour is enhanced by using a very special spring water chosen among the abundant water resources of northern Ontario” says Kaz Hayashi, General Manager of the company and formerly a key member of the team responsible for Ontario distribution of Gekkeikan, a major Japanese sake brand, while working at a large Toronto wine agency. “All of our sake is hand-prepared in the "Junmai" pure rice style in several varieties, including unpasteurized “Nama-Nama”, for sale at the Distillery location brewery store and tasting counter” he continues. The brewery commenced operations in February 2011 with advisory assistance from the venerable Miyasaka Brewing Co., Ltd., whose operations in Japan date back to the 1600's, currently producing sake under the MASUMI and MIYASAKA brands. It was via Miyasaka’s team that the new brewery was able to connect with consulting master sake brewer Yoshiko Takahashi, an award winning brewmaster from the Nagano region of Japan, who arrived in Toronto several months ago to support the start-up. The commencement of retail operations this weekend will be followed shortly by a delivery service to a select group of local restaurants, as well as listing applications at the LCBO for one or more of its products. A unique offering at the brewery’s retail store is its freshly pressed, unpasteurized and unfiltered sake, an exquisite beverage which is currently not available anywhere in Ontario or the eastern seaboard, making the new brewery in the Distillery a fascinating and delicious experience for sake, food and fine wine lovers alike. Other unique items available in the dramatic high stone-walled retail area of the brewery will include a variety of sake serving accessories and decorative items imported from Japan. Many available items will be labeled with the "IZUMI" brand (which means "spring water" in Japanese) which is the principal brand name used by the Company for its sake beverages. Ontario Spring Water Sake Company is a member of the Brewing Society of Japan, and the first member of the Society located in Canada. More information on the company can be found on the company’s website: www.ontariosake.com. For further information please contact Kazuto Hayashi or Ken Valvur at 416-365-SAKE (7253) or info@ontariosake.com. OSWSC Key Personnel: Kazuto Hayashi, General Manager, grew up in Wakayama, Japan before coming to Canada to attend the University of Lethbridge to earn an undergraduate degree. Immediately prior to joining OSWSC in 2010, for several years Kaz had the principal responsibility of working with restaurant licensees and LCBO staff to support the Ontario business of Japan’s largest sake brewer, Gekkeikan, while working for a large Canadian wine agency. Kaz has received sake brewery operations training at the Nagano, Japan brewery of OSWSC’s advisor Miyasaka Brewing Co., Ltd., as well as previous training at Gekkeikan’s brewery in Kyoto, Japan. Yoshiko Takahashi, Consulting Master Brewer at OSWSC and President of Japan’s Sake and Local Cuisine Project, is from Nagano, Japan. Ms. Takahashi is a well-known master brewer with over 20 years’ sake-making experience, principally with Tsuchiya Shuzo in Nagano, where her sakes have included a brew which won an Award of Excellence at the Kanto-Shinetsu tasting competition for the National Sake Award in 2005. She is a member of the Saku Toji Kai guild of sake master brewers, and is a graduate of the Advanced Sake Brew Master Training program of the Brewing Society of Japan. As a female master brewer within a traditionally male-dominated industry, Ms. Takahashi is already considered to be a pioneer, well-suited to the challenge of supporting a brand new brewery in eastern North America. Ken Valvur, President, developed his love for sake while spending several years in Japan working for Canadian financial services provider Scotia Capital after attending Japan’s Institute of International Studies and Training. Prior to founding OSWSC in 2010, Ken started Canada’s largest sushi company, Bento Nouveau, where he was CEO until early 2009. Ken became familiar with the sake industry when he met the owners of Miyasaka Brewing Co., Ltd. while in Japan at a food industry show and agreed to represent them in Canada, leading to the successful listing of MASUMI sakes at the LCBO in 2006. /a>Apr 29: Stage spice: For Albert Schultz, building Soulpepper was a labour of love
read National Post article hereApr 27: Distillery District- Bergo Designs- There is more cool stuff here then anywhere in the city!
see moreMar 22: Toronto's Distillery District marries history, tradition and food to create perfect weddings
click here for articleMar 21: Arta gallery – The Beginning of Art and Culture in the Distillery District- Ruth Wilgress
click here for moreMar 10: Soulpepper reprises its Dora Award-Winning production of Our Town
Toronto, ON – March 9, 2011 – Albert Schultz, Founding Artistic Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company, today announced that the company’s production of Our Town will preview on April 7 and open on April 13, 2011 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.Mar 10: What's on at the Distillery for March 10th, 2011
What's On at the Distillery for March 10th, 2011Mar 5: Distill- 25% OFF
Visit Distill March 5th and 6th and receive 25% off already discounted new spring arrivals and winter stylesFeb 17: Soulpepper Theatre Company Announces the opening of THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE at Young Centre for Performing Arts
Toronto Broadway WorldDec 17: New Years Eves dinners and events
Boiler House Restaurant, Pure Spirits Oyster House , Tappo, Mill Street Brewery and The Fermenting Cellar all hosting dinners and/or events for New Years.Dec 12: Toronto Gets Its First European-Style Christmas Market
TORONTO—A nine-day European-style Christmas market, the first of its kind in Toronto, opened Dec. 3 at the Distillery Historic District, whose brick-lined streets are home to live theatre, galleries, fashion boutiques and unique cafes. The vendor huts lining the cobblestone paths selling imported and locally made crafts and foods imparted a sense of the authentic Christmas market that originated in Germany in the 1400s. “This is going to be a new tradition for the city. . . The success of it was beyond our expectations,” said market manager Mathew Rosenblatt, adding that the Distillery is the perfect setting for hosting such a market. “[European Christmas Markets] bring you back to a different time, they end up being more romantic, they end up having a greater sense of tradition.” Carollers, a German St. Nick on a white horse, and a massive Christmas tree added to the festive feeling for the thousands of visitors who meandered through the Distillery’s narrow streets. “Such a treat in every way,” said visitor Arlene Rogers. French and German were among the European languages that could be heard as visitors chatted with the vendors and ordered hot apple cider to keep warm. While kids rode the Ferris wheel or gazed at the huge gingerbread house, their parents enjoyed the art galleries, souvenir shops, and of course treats at the distillery. Some of the vendors brought their imported traditional German foods and crafts, including traditional wooden Dutch folk shoes. Another booth was sponsored by the All Slovenian Cultural Committee that sold pork sausages and walnut and poppy seed cake. “Great reception,” said committee head Marjan Kolaric about those who visited the booth. A list of the daily events at the market, which runs until Dec. 12, can be found at www.torontochristmasmarket.com.Dec 10: The sleigh bells are ringing at Distillery Christmas Market
The Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery began in the Distillery District last week and will continue until Sunday. It is Toronto’s newest holiday tradition. Inspired by the Old World and influenced by the New, the event will capture all of the tradition, heritage and charm of a European Christmas Market, while showcasing hundreds of unique and local handcrafted products. “The Toronto Christmas Market will quickly become one of the City’s most enduring holiday traditions,” promises the festival’s organizer and partner of Cityscape Development Corp, Mathew Rosenblatt. “We expect over 40,000 visitors will attend and enjoy the range of unique products and crafts, the family friendly entertainment and the exotic menu of beers, sweets, and both local and international specialty foods.” The market features a massive Christmas tree, musicians, carollers and children’s choirs, holiday themed stage presentations, and children’s activities including the Fairy Tale Forest Maze, Santa’s House, Rudolph’s Reindeer Zoo, children’s story telling, and a toy workshop with Santa’s elves. Get your picture with Santa and $5 will go to the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund ( www.thestar.com/santafund). With a variety of vendors in traditional “market wooden huts” there is great shopping available. Food and drink — key elements of a traditional Christmas market — will be abundant and visitors will enjoy a variety of specialty beers and mulled wines, as well as delicious and authentic holiday foods (both savoury and sweet). For more information, go to www.torontochristmasmarket.com.Nov 12: Massive Gingerbread House
Sweet Escape will be creating a spectacular gingerbread house in the denaturing building starting Friday November 13th. Come by and see a baking artist at work. The Gingerbread House will be ready for Dec 3rd - the start of Toronto Christmas Market www.torontochristmasmarket.comNov 7: Toronto Christmas Market
Toronto Christmas Market launches website announces Lowe's as title SponsorOct 5: The Toronto Christmas Market - at the distillery
Toronto Christmas Market From Friday, December 3 - Sunday, December 12, 2010, Toronto will be hosting the City’s first authentic European-styled Christmas market at The Distillery District. The Toronto Christmas Market will be inspired by the Old World and influenced by the New. It will capture all of the tradition, heritage and romance of the European Markets, while showcasing the best artisanal products of Europe, Toronto and its surrounding regions. This new holiday tradition will be set among the authentic Victorian-era industrial architecture of the Distillery District; within a community recognized internationally for its eclectic mix one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques, galleries, artists and artisans, restaurateurs and residents. Boasting unique products, family friendly entertainment and an exotic menu of beers, sweets and European specialties, the Toronto Christmas Market will create a warm and inviting environment for families of all ages during the day, while at night, more sophisticated fare, entertainment and an ‘adult atmosphere’ will appeal to revelers looking for a more mature experience. Highlights include Children’s area features: • Santa Claus • A Fairytale forest • Loew’s Christmas workshop • Santa’s letter box ( a partnership with Canada Post ) • Rudolph’s Reindeer Zoo • Gingerbread House • Candle Workshop • Children’s music program • Puppet shows Shopping and food • Handcrafted Christmas Gifts • Authentic European Foods and Snacks • Seasonal Cothing • X mas tree shopping at the “wood lot” Beer Gardens • 4 Distinct Beer Gardens • Mulled wine • Beer gardens Entertainment • Musicians • Buskers • Seasonal Home décor Presentations • Dancer • Grimms Brothers outdoor theatre Décor • Large Christmas Tree • Holiday décor • Romantic lightingOct 1: Still Dancing dedication this Saturday.
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 29, 2010 - Dennis Oppenheim's Still Dancing will be dedicated this Saturday, October 2nd at 8:00 pm at Mill Square within Toronto's Distillery Historic District. The dedication will occur as part of Toronto's annual celebration of contemporary art Scotiabank Nuit Blanche Toronto, this year marking its fifth anniversary. Jamie Goad, a Partner at the Distillery Historic District, said "We are thrilled to formally introduce Still Dancing to the City of Toronto and are honoured to have Dennis Oppenheim in attendance at the official dedication ceremony on October 2nd." The sculpture consist of a 38-foot chimney-like structure above a chamber formed by half circular arcs that elevate the chimney and allow people to enter under it. Angled down from the chimney is a massive spiral configuration made of perforated stainless steel. It encloses a pulsating, eighteen foot diameter frozen tear drop shape representing a liquid formation from a distillery. The spiral and tear drop shape are ignited by light operating in multiple directions on the surface of the structure. The artist described the project in a recent conversation: "Still Dancing" is a combination of sculpture, architecture and theater. By combining these art forms into one work, which derives content from an association with early distillery images and their alchemical apparatus, one encompasses a work which incorporates the extraordinary transformative drama inherent in the distillery process. Dennis Oppenheim was awarded the commission by the DHD Public Art Program jury. It was commissioned in connection with a future mixed use development near the art site.The landmark district is becoming a vibrant place to live, work and create, as well as visit and enjoy. Still Dancing is the second of six public projects which have been or will be completed this year. Pathways to Everywhere was installed in the lobby of the Jamieson Building in Calgary in January. Three outdoor commissions in the western United States will be finished in the coming weeks; Light Chamber for the new Denver Justice Center, Radiant Fountains for the Bush International Airport in Houston and Paintbrush Gateway, at the entrance to the Arts District in Las Vegas. Falls, a fountain sculpture, will be installed in Busan, Korea in mid-October. Dennis Oppenheim has exhibited work internationally in galleries and museums worldwide since 1968. A major retrospective was organized by the Musee d'art Contemporain in Montreal in 1979. It traveled across Canada, Toronto then Winnipeg and Vancouver. In 2007 he was recognized for Lifetime Achievement at the Vancouver Sculpture Biennale. The controversial work included in that show, Device to Root out Evil was recently installed in Calgary, Canada. For further information about the project, additional images, or to arrange an interview with the artist, please contact Sarah Bertness at sarah.oppenheimstudio@earthlink.net or 212.962.0178.Oct 1: Nuit Blanche Toronto Star's art critic.. select his Top 10
The River Peace: The Distillery District will be a particularly active hub this year, with none so imposing as this all-night audience-participatory sound/light/video performance/installation/sculpture. Huh? Put it this way: All night, the artists — among them former Nuit Blanche curator Thom Sokoloski — will lead a procession of peace-minded types in a mass meditation, all the while carrying a 2,000-foot sculpture illuminated by their cell phones. The entire thing will be videoed and projected on a huge wall — of which the Distillery has plenty.Sep 30: Get dancing at Nuit Blanche
Toronto artists Thom Sokolosky and Jenny Anne McCowan will join thousands of kindred spirits as the city hosts another all-night celebration of the arts when Scotiabank Nuit Blanche hits the streets on Saturday. Sokolosky, who lives in the St. Lawrence Market area and McCowan, a midtown resident, have mined their usual collaboration with one another on a large-scale piece entitled The River Peace. Their exhibit will consist of a massive participatory sculptural movement taking over the Distillery District. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's concept of non-violent resistance, The River Peace will include a group meditation that encourages spectators to become part of the art, culminating in a 1,500-foot long human sculpture running through the streets of the hip downtown neighbourhood. The performance art piece will include dancers, a massive sculpture with bubble wrap affixed to long poles and the public, who will add their own movement and light from cellphones to complete the exhibit. Sokolosky said he first started conceiving the piece while working as a curator at last year's Nuit Blanche. "It was exciting seeing a huge mass of people going from one place to another and I thought I'd like to do something with that," he said. The River Peace was designed to appear striking both from afar, where the undulating masses of people would appear to move as a river, and up close. The river will be filmed from atop the Pure Spirit Condo Tower and projected onto the Rack House building. The River Peace represents another milestone in Sokolosky's career. After playing a vital role in the creation of the Theatre Centre and Autumn Leaf Performance, he began to shift somewhat from performance to visual art. "After a while, I started to think maybe I was in the wrong discipline," he said of his years working in the performing arts sphere. "In visual arts, there really are no rules. There are constraints, depending on the venue and maybe the weather, but there are no rules on how people want to participate." Despite his shift in career focus, there is no question The River Peace has a strong performance component, which has been largely spearheaded by McCowan. She and Sokolosky have collaborated frequently in the past - they work together to create participatory art installations as Thomas and Guinevere (www.thomasandguinevere.com) - and she brought her own expertise as a dancer and choreographer to the Nuit Blanche installation. McCowan said the multidisciplinary nature of the work encapsulates the duo's working relationship well. "(Sokolosky) will propose something and I'll start seeing opportunities and proposing other things," she said. "That's how things get so big when we work together, but we end up finding a good balance between intimacy and the larger aspects of the idea." McCowan said she is excited to have the public come out and become part of their work of art. She has recruited a strong team of dancers to keep the exhibit moving along and noted the public's participation will only strengthen The River Peace's impact. "The way it's designed, the meditation will never stop, but people will flow in and out of the exhibit to create constant movement," she said. The River Peace will be one of more than 130 art installations taking place from 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2 until sunrise on Sunday, Oct. 3. For more information on the overnight arts festival, including a list of installations and venues, visitSep 28: Songs for teh deaf - VIBES! Feel It!
Songs for the deaf? That’s what a group of Ryerson professors are planning for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche. Business and technology editor Matthew Braga reports A group of Ryerson professors are making songs for the deaf — and we aren’t talking about covers of the popular Queens of the Stone Age album. By generating different types of vibration, the team has developed a number of devices that allow the deaf and hard of hearing to experience sound and music, some of which will be shown during a Scotiabank Nuit Blanche performance this weekend. Called VIBES! Feel It!, the exhibit can be found in the Distillery District, within the Deaf Culture Centre in Zone B. “It’s looking at ways of making music accessible…[and] experiencing music without sound,” explained Frank Russo, director of the university’s Science of Music, Auditory Research and Technology lab. He’s quick to point out that this isn’t a new trend; Beethoven had the same idea when he began to lose his hearing, playing piano close to the ground so he could “feel” the notes vibrate through the floor. What has changed, however, is how the technology is used to harness that sensation, resulting in a more effective experience for those unable to hear. One of those devices is dubbed the Emoti-chair, and was first conceived over two years ago by Russo and two other Ryerson professors. By applying vibrations of varying size and power to a user’s back, the chair attempts to produce physical representations of rhythm and voice. “The solution with the chair is to separate the low and the high, to put different frequency channels on different part of the bodies,” explained Russo, “and that really is the essence of why this thing seems to work.” The same theory has been applied to another one of Russo’s devices, a modified foam pool noodle called a vibe worm. By feeding wire through its hollow centre, the noodle can be turned into a makeshift speaker that transmits sound through “the skin instead of vibrations through the air.” What the team finds most impressive with these devices is not just the ability for deaf or hard of hearing users to detect change in tone or pitch, but differences between voices or instruments as well, all thanks to subtle variances in the pattern of vibration. “There are certain gestures that work very well, like sweeps in frequencies that move up and down,” explained Paul Swoger-Ruston, a lecturer in music at Ryerson University and the man responsible for composing some of the Emoti-chair’s music. “You have to kind of think in larger intervals than traditional music.” While the human ear is capable of hearing a very wide range of frequencies, those that can be interpreted through vibration are far less — only between 1 and 1000Hz, approximately. That means composers like Swoger-Ruston must be particularly careful to compose pieces that translate well into a vibratory experience. “Obviously, rhythmically charged stuff is most readily apparent, so anything with a regular pulse most obviously comes through.” “But it is quite remarkable that the deaf can actually discern differences in vocal tambour through vibrations, so it’s richer than I ever expected.” So rich, in fact, that one of the chair’s creators, Maria Karam, is currently working to produce a commercialized version of the chair that can be purchased by deaf users, or even musical enthusiasts like Swoger-Ruston. And thanks to its inclusion in this year’s Nuit Blanche festival, users will have a chance to experience that same feeling firsthand, thanks to devices like the Emoti-chair and Russo’s vibe worms. “What is particularly interesting about this performance, is the fact that no-one will be “hearing” the music!” explained Gwen Dobie, a professor at York University’s department of theatre, and one of the deaf performers involved in this weekend’s exhibit. “The public will be placed in a position to feel the vibrations, to experience music as the deaf or hard of hearing.” Scotiabank Nuit Blanche runs all night, Oct. 2, from 6:57 p.m. to sunrise.Sep 22: Jane Corkin - New Exhibition - Iain BAXTER&
Walk On Two contemporary installations by IAIN BAXTER& debut in Toronto. “Fahrenheit 450 (Homage to Bradbury and Orwell)” and “The Lecture” celebrate a society of information exchange and the quest for knowledge while playfully personifying some of the vehicles of this dialogue. Each work can be considered a testament to BAXTER&’s 50 year practice which serves as a medium for cultural commentary. Informed by the notion of driving as a manifestation of consciousness in North American culture, the photographs in this exhibition were taken as BAXTER& travelled throughout Canada and the United States. His photographic oeuvre functions as a fragmented narrative and establishes his consuming passion for real-life experiences. Click the link below to view some of the works that will be exhibited. works in exhibitionSep 20: Arthur Miller’s Timeless Classic Death of a Salesman
Toronto, ON – September 20, 2010 – Albert Schultz, Founding Artistic Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company, today announced that the company’s production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman will run October 16 - November 13, 2010, at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Death of a Salesman is one of the undisputed masterpieces of Western theatre and a cornerstone of contemporary drama. It was also the first play to win all three major prizes: the Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award and New York Critics Drama Circle Award. Miller, in this moving and masterful piece, explores the heartbreaking deceptions and empty promises of the American dream through the eyes of Willy and Linda Loman and their sons Biff and Happy. Soulpepper’s Founding Artistic Director Albert Schultz directs real-life couple and Soulpepper Founding Members Joseph Ziegler and Nancy Palk in the roles of Willy and Linda Loman. The stellar cast also includes Ari Cohen as Biff, Tim Campbell as Happy, Founding Members Mike Hanrahan as Charley and William Webster as Uncle Ben as well as Soulpepper Academy Artists: Ins Choi, Tatjana Cornij, Raquel Duffy, Gregory Prest, Karen Rae, and Brendan Wall. Death of a Salesman previews October 16, 2010, opens October 21, and runs until November 13, 2010 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, located at 55 Mill Street, Building 49, in the Distillery Historic District. Tickets range from $31.20 - $75.33 (including 13% HST) and are available by calling the Young Centre box office at 416.866.8666 or by visiting soulpepper.ca. $22 tickets are available for 21-30 year-olds at stageplay.ca. StagePlay is sponsored by TD Bank Financial Group. The Production Sponsor of Death of a Salesman is National Bank Financial Group. 2010 Soulpepper Lead Sponsors are: Sun Life Financial, Scotiabank Group and TELUS. Soulpepper gratefully acknowledges annual operating support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Toronto Arts Council. Soulpepper Theatre Company is an artist-founded, classical repertory theatre company with a three-tiered mandate: to present the world’s greatest stories in vital Canadian interpretations; to train a new generation of theatre artists; and to inspire and enrich youth through mentorship and access programs.Sep 19: Sydney Morning Herald - Surprises and home truths
...walking around the Distillery District, formerly the site of the world's largest whisky factory, it's clear other things have (changed.) What was a dead-end industrial area when I was a child is now a beautifully faded enclave of cafes, shops and galleries with serious culinary finds. Soma Chocolatemaker sells cashews ''tumbled'' in chai-infused milk chocolate. A Parisian-style cafe in an 1895-era pump house, Balzac's Coffee Roasters serves cappuccinos blessedly spared of the troughs of milk favoured by other local cafes.Sep 19: The Distillery District is a piece of Toronto’s rich past
If you love history, shopping, food and culture then Toronto’s Distillery District is an ideal location to experience it all. Toronto’s Distillery District is home to more than 40 Victorian structures and is acknowledged as a national historic site. The Distillery Visitor Centre highlightshistorical objectsand exhibits and that will certainly present guests with a view of Toronto’s rich past. This now cultural hub did not start out being so. From the 1830s through the 1890s what is today the famous Distillery District was the company lands and buildings of Gooderham and Worts, the largest distillery in Canada and, in fact, for short time, the world. The twentieth century brought about many changes to the business and in 1990 the distillery closed for good leaving the district abandoned and run-down. However, during the period of time before it was re-developed, the site evolved into one of Canada’s trendiest venues for film production. Several celebrated films have been made in the Distillery District including Cinderella Man. Television programmes and advertisements have also been shot there. The land was purchased by a local company in 2001 hoping to maintain its historical trustworthiness while at the same time presenting something more to Toronto’s residents and visitors. Two years later, in 2003, the transformed district was re-introduced to the public with much praise and approval. Among its claims to fame is the Mill Street Brewery,a well-known micro-brewery. One can also enjoy distinctive boutiques, art galleries and jewellery stores. First-rate performing arts centres can also be found in the Distillery District, one being the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. There are a number of restaurants and cafes ranging from places to grab a snack to classy restaurants that feature the highest quality local and international fare. Perhaps one of the busiest cafes is Balzac’s which was named after one of the most acclaimed French writers, Honore de Balzac. At any given time Balzac’s is bustling with the wealthy and those involved in the arts in some way; Torontonians and visitors alike. In addition, a nightclub called The Stirling Room has recently opened. Festivals or special events of various kinds are almost always being held at the Distillery District and a weekly Farmer’s Market runs from May to September. There are different options available to get a real feel for the historical grounds and buildings of the Distillery District one of which is a walking tour. For details about events, festivals, prices and hours of operation, please visit their website. There are several hotels in proximity to the district including the Royal York Fairmont which is 1.9 kilometres or 1.2 miles. As a matter of interest, the Distillery District is one of the venues for the 2010 Nuit Blanche events.Sep 18: Chef’s Showcase: chocolate fudge brownies
From a very young age, Michelle Edgar set her sights on a career in hospitality. “When I was eight, I wanted to be a caterer,” says the Niagara Falls native. “I’m not sure why, but my mom worked in an office, and I know I didn’t want to do that!” Despite her early ambitions, Edgar studied drama at Brock University, where she met her future life and business partner, Jason Poynton. Taking a break from Brock, Edgar went to culinary school at Niagara College. “I was there just for the fun of it,” says the 29-year-old, “but I ended up taking it more seriously than most people in my class.” She put herself through school working for chef Michael Olson at Inn On the Twenty in Jordan and his wife, chef Anna Olson, at Olson Foods. Edgar taught English in Japan for a year then moved to Toronto to study pastry at George Brown College. After working at Sassafraz, Bistro 990 and Brassaii, she started thinking about opening her own patisserie. “It was a New Year’s resolution (in 2007) to write up a business plan. Then maybe three to four years later, we’d open something up.” Four years turned into four months, as Edgar and Poynton signed a lease on a space in the historic Distillery District and opened The Sweet Escape in May 2008. Her signature treats include peanut butter Nanaimo bars, red velvet cupcakes and Mill Street coffee porter ice cream. “My desserts are classical with a touch of whimsy.” Chocolate Fudge Brownies 1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing pan 8 oz (225 g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) granulated sugar 4 large eggs, at room temperature 1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract 3/4 cup (185 mL) all-purpose flour, sifted, plus more for preparing pan 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt Butter 8-inch (20-cm) square baking pan. Lightly dust with flour, knocking out excess. In double boiler over medium-low heat, stir butter and chocolate until melted. Transfer to mixing bowl. Using rubber spatula, gradually stir in sugar. Stir in eggs, one at a time, until combined. Stir in vanilla. Gradually stir in flour then salt. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake on middle rack of preheated 325F (160C) oven until toothpick inserted in centre still has moist crumbs attached, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cool. Cut brownie into 16 equal squares (2-inch/5-cm). Makes 16. Star-tested by Eric Vellend.Sep 16: How Far Would You Go For A $35,000 Wedding? Two Brides Fight Over Cake
How far would you go for a $35,000 wedding?See video link above.
For brides-to-be Katie Riley and Haley-Shae Charuk, there was no cake too far - or too messy. The two women, decked out in wedding gowns, hunted through a seven-tier cake searching for a key that would unlock the prize. It all went down at the Distillery District on Thursday - not coincidentally, the eventual wedding will be held at the Boiler House. Watch the video below to see the icing fly. That's Katie Riley celebrating with her fiance Sean Kelly at the end
Aug 17: Best Flower Shop
Elizabeth Munro Design is listed in Toronto Life Best of Toronto Shopping GuideAug 1: Celebrities at the Distillery
In last few weeks customers saw : Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise, Sara Silverman, Natalie Portman and Kevin Dillon at the distillery. If you see a celebrity at the distillery please feel free to email us at mr@thedistillerydistrict.com
