MasterChef star Claudio Aprile is back with a new restaurant
While any chef would be laid low by some of what’s happened to Claudio Aprile’s empire over the past two years, this MasterChef Canada star is letting go of past missteps and moving into the new year with a new partner, a new restaurant and a plan to take back his crown as the king of fusion food.
Xango (pronounced Chain-go) is Aprile’s first venture since the closing of Copetin, Colborne Lane and the Origin chain. Spearheading it alongside Liberty Group Entertainment moguls Nick and Nadia Di Donato, this is the most confident expression of culinary expertise that we’ve seen from the Uruguay born chef. In the former Brassai space, this new Latin American and Asian fusion restaurant is also what Aprile says is his most personal project yet.
“It all happened very organically,” Aprile said of the conceptualization of Xango and his partnership with Liberty Group.
After landing his first head chef position under Nick Di Donato in the mid-1990s, at the now closed French bistro Left Bank, Aprile and Di Donato stayed connected and over the years chatted about working together on a new project.
“This location popped up, and I thought it would be an amazing opportunity for me to work together with him and his team, and to enter into the King West community.”
The name Xango is also a personal nod from chef Aprile to the early days of his career, when he was working alongside talented chef Douglas Rodriguez (from New York City hot spot Patria). The two worked together in the early ’90s on a Toronto restaurant that was also called Xango.
“That restaurant was 15 to 20 years ahead of its time,” recounts chef Aprile. “I always thought it was such a shame that it never had the opportunity to exist in this city. Restaurants can be a reflection of what’s happening culturally in a city, and now is the perfect time for a restaurant like this.”
After the closing of Aprile’s last project, Copetin shuttered this year due to real estate challenges, Aprile is going back to basics and celebrating the city’s newfound love for flavour driven and exploratory cuisine. “Toronto as a whole is incredibly open minded when it comes to food experiences. I’ve been cooking for a long time and, you know, in the 1980s and 1990s, I found it more challenging as a chef to experiment,” he says. “Now, Toronto is a versatile culinary environment and it’s happening from a chef’s point of view, and also from the public. We’ve all become a lot more aware and educated about food, and I think that allows for more experimentation.”
But this time around Aprile is not experimenting alone. “I think what makes the Xango menu the most interesting for me is that it’s one of my greatest collaborations.”
When building the menu for Xango, Aprile worked closely with chef de cuisine, Ivan Bailey. The Peruvian-born chef has worked under chefs such as Massimo Capra and Didier Leroy.
“He’s incredibly skilled. So far I’m really proud of what we’ve come up with. The flavours are just banging, you know? The food for me makes a lot of sense and I think it’s a very approachable menu,” says Aprile.
Dishes like the electric eel maki are as intricate as they are whimsical. Tempura charred unagi and avocado are topped with flame seared spicy fish tartar and a house made unagi sauce.
After extensive travelling in Thailand and a lifetime of exploring the vibrancy of Latin American culture and cuisine, this menu is strongly intertwined with Aprile’s history in the kitchen.
“There’s always an intention with both Asian and Latin American cuisines to really shine a light on flavour, more so I find than in European cuisine. French cuisine in particular I find to be a lot more subdued, more buttery, creamy, whereas the food from Latin America, Mexico in particular, Ecuador, is very bright, very big, very brash and I’ve always been drawn to those flavours,” he says.
Of course, when working with such intense culinary profiles some chefs err on the side of caution, whereas Aprile jumps right in.
“Balance for me is a very personal thing. I think it’s difficult as a chef to create, when you’re trying to explore new techniques and new flavour combinations. I think there’s always a challenge that it may not resonate with everyone.”
But this hasn’t stopped the chef from staying true to his vision. “I’ve always been a very rebellious cook. I like to create my own dialogue and my own approach to cooking and I have been — I think — very successful in doing that.”
As for the concept, Aprile says, “This is not fine dining. Our food is unapologetic. The flavours are big and bold, the presentation is rustic. I want people to feel a sense of mystery when they try to figure out how we got so much flavour into a dish. To make this a community hub for the area, that feels like you’re coming home.”
When asked about the trajectory of his career and the philosophy behind this new direction, Aprile is humbled. “It’s fascinating to think, when you’re in your career and your life you think, is my best work behind me or ahead of me and for me, I’m always restless and always trying to improve myself and my experiences.”
Excited and full of energy Aprile is grateful for the opportunity to cook in a city where his creativity is embraced and celebrated. “I’ve been cooking for 35 years and I am still surprised that people are interested in what I have to say and my food. It’s a gift to be in a career this long and still be able to capture people’s curiosity and I’m really thankful for that.”
Jeanne Beker in pursuit of the perfect leather jacket
There is no essential wardrobe staple quite as fun to constantly search for as a fantastic leather jacket. We asked Jeanne Beker to pick her favourite leather outerwear from local boutiques. Her top picks included local labels such as LaMarque, and leather experts like AllSaints. Whether it’s a pop of colour or a designer deal you pine for, we’ve got your fall leather jacket needs covered.
A) BIKER’S BEST
“A very elegant, streamlined and feminine leather jacket. It goes a bit longer than the average moto jacket: that’s a great feature.”
Andrews, Bayview Village, $875
B) PASTEL PERFECTION
“I absolutely adore the colour here, which is the palest pink. It has great details of a classic moto jacket.”
AllSaints, Yorkdale mall, $575
C) METALLIC MOTO
“This is a beautiful pewter LaMarque leather jacket that is a classic moto. The silver hardware gives it a little pizazz too.”
Want, 1788 Avenue Rd., $729.95
D) PRETTY IN PEPLUM
“This bright red is like a fire engine red, a very empowering leather jacket. I love the peplum waist, very flattering for a lot of figures.”
HiSO, $795
E) UTILITARIAN CHIC
“This is very Marni because it has an artisanal look to it. I love that it’s white inside and the generous cut.”
Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor St. W., $3,800
F) QUILTED COOL
“At a distance, it just looks like a puffer jacket, but wow, it’s this luxurious leather, and it’s a beautiful colour.”
M0851, Bayview Village, $510
G) VINTAGE STREET STYLE
“This Alexander Wang is a wonderful nod to the streetwear trend, and I love those orange sleeves.”
Rewind Couture Revisited, 577 Mt. Pleasant Rd., $245
H) HAUTE HOODIE
“Balmain is one of the hottest labels. This leather jacket is a hoodie, a bomber and has details of a moto.”
Rewind Couture Revisited, 577 Mt. Pleasant Rd., $1,995
‘Hamilton’ tickets set to go on sale for Toronto run
After premiering Off-Broadway in 2015, becoming the hottest ticket in New York City and garnering a slew of awards along the way, the song-and-rap musical Hamilton is set to make its Toronto debut on Feb. 11, 2020. Mirvish Productions announced ticket sales will be open to the public on Oct. 28 at 9 a.m. sharp. Anything but an immediate sell-out would be a shock, so do not sit on these tickets. You have been warned.
According to Mirvish Productions, there is a maximum purchase limit of four tickets per household with prices ranging from $50 to $250 as well as a select number of $499 premium seats. There will also be a lottery for the chance to purchase $10 seats.
“It’s tempting to get tickets any way you can. There are many sites and people who are selling overpriced, and in some cases, fraudulent tickets. For the best seats, the best prices and to eliminate the risk of counterfeit tickets, all purchases for the Toronto engagement should be made through Mirvish.com,” says Jeffery Seller, the co-producer of the Toronto production along with David Mirvish.
Hamilton is a musical about Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of America. The production drew inspiration from Ron Chernow’s 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton. The musical features music, lyrics and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also played the lead role in the original workshop, Off-Broadway and Broadway productions.
Hamilton will be the most significant and buzzed-about theatrical opening in this city in years. Since its premiere in 2015, it has become nothing short of a phenomenon.
“I am loath to tell people to mortgage their houses and lease their children to acquire tickets to a hit Broadway show. But Hamilton, directed by Thomas Kail and starring Mr. Miranda, might just about be worth it,” wrote Ben Brantley of the New York Times, reviewing the Broadway production.
Hamilton received a record-setting 16 nominations at the 2016 Tony Awards, winning 11. Hamilton also won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The Toronto production runs from Feb. 11 to May 17, 2020.
Not even a visit from Tom Hanks could save this Toronto coffee shop from closure
It’s a disappointing week for coffee lovers in Leslieville as one of the neighbourhood’s staple cafés has announced that it’s closing. Grinder Coffee revealed the news this morning in a heartfelt post on their Facebook page and Instagram. After almost five years on Gerrard Street, the shop will serve its last espresso on Oct. 27.
Apart from their loyal local following and reputation for top-notch coffee, the café also garnered attention for its ambitious campaigns to get Hollywood celebrities to visit during TIFF. It began last year when they successfully lured Ryan Gosling after launching the #RyanNeedsGrinder campaign. This year, the business also managed to score a visit from Tom Hanks during the festival, but even attention from A-list celebrities couldn’t prove an antidote to a huge increase in rent.
“It wasn’t by choice,” explains owner Joelle Murray of the closure. “The cost of rent is going through the roof. Landlords are doubling, even tripling rents. This is the plight of small business owners.” Murray tried for months to figure out a way to stay open, even going so far as to hire legal counsel to aid her in renewing the lease. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough.
This is becoming a familiar story in Toronto. Small businesses like Grinder help to establish up-and-coming neighbourhoods — in this case, the northern end of Leslieville — before becoming a victim of their own success when it’s time to renew the lease. While Gerrard and Jones has yet to become a hotbed for new condos, intense development pressure from further south in Leslieville has started to make its presence felt here.
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“The life of a small business owner is a labour of love,” Murray confesses. “For those that sell food, margins are tight, and it’s difficult to thrive and grow.” She cites other areas like the Beaches, where a proliferation of empty storefronts speaks to the changing identity of neighbourhoods in the midst of transformation.
Despite the pall cast by the reality that Grinder will shutter at the end of the month, Murray strikes a positive attitude about her coffee shop and the city in general. “I love what I do. I really, really love what I do. A lot of that has to do with the neighbourhood and the city itself. I’ve met really cool people. The amount of support online and in-person has been heartwarming.”
With Grinder open for another few weeks still, Murray invites everyone to stop by and say farewell.
From the man that brought us the Chick ‘n’ Deli and Bistro on the Avenue – comes healthier air fried wings
The Toronto food scene is constantly changing. With an endless stream of food trends and new restaurants, it’s important to recognize the ones that have stood the test of time. Louis Nemes, of the former Mount Pleasant and Eglinton landmark Chick ‘n’ Deli known for their late night line-ups, the iconic St. Louis Bar and Grill, and his home base Bistro on Avenue, has been a pillar in the city’s restaurant industry for over 45 years and now he’s offering a healthier take on his famed original recipe chicken wings.
Since 1977, this philanthropic restaurateur (who raised over $10,000 for the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital at his 80th birthday party) has been confident his wings are the best in the business. But even this octogenarian realizes that as times change, his legacy has to adapt with them.
“They’ve been frying wings since the 1950s — it’s time for a new and healthy alternative. That means moving from oil fried to air fried,” Nemes notes. After spending years researching options before landing on the air fryer grilling system, Nemes is confident that this technique will revolutionize the way people cook and consume these favoured pub snacks. He also believes that it’s important to offer a healthier product; with fewer calories, and lower cholesterol and fat, without sacrificing flavour.
The new technique makes his chicken wings and legs, “even better tasting; extra crispy on the outside and super juicy on the inside,” says Nemes, and thinks his customers will agree.
The change to a lighter, air fry technique may be new, but Nemes is still faithful to his own special wing recipe.
“The secret’s in the spice,” Nemes states, always keeping the recipe details closely guarded. Some things will never change. And to that we say, amen.
The air fried chicken wings and legs are now available at Bistro on Avenue at 1988 Avenue Rd.
The top 20 under 20 in Toronto: Activists and athletes
Get to know the most dynamic and innovative young people in Toronto. In part one of our 20 under 20, we take a look at the star athletes and change-making activists in our city. Whether they are chasing an Olympic dream or fighting for gender equality, the environment, adequate sex education and more, these youngsters are the best and brightest that Gen Z has to offer.
THE ACTIVISTS
Allie Rougeot | Age 20
Aliénor (“Allie”) Rougeot has been a climate justice advocate since age 10. It started with simple, yet effective acts: circulating petitions, giving presentations on protecting endangered species and leading campaigns to cut the use of plastic bottles on campus at U of T. Although Rougeot has always felt a strong connection to nature, she eventually came to the realization that climate change affects human rights just as much as it does the environment. “We’re not just fighting because we care about trees, we’re fighting because everything we love, every person we love is at risk here,” says the 20-year-old. As one of the co-ordinators of Fridays for Future Toronto, Rougeot has empowered hundreds of Canadian youth to show their support for climate action through climate strikes across Toronto. Rougeot was also selected to represent Climate Strike Canada at the Smile for Future summit in Lausanne, Switzerland, this past August.
— Nisean Lorde
Lilian Chiu | Age 17
When Lilian Chiu embarked on a volunteer service trip to rural India in 2017, she didn’t anticipate it would impact her outlook on gender equality. “I noticed how cases of girls without education are much more prevalent than I imagined. As well, there’s a doubling wage gap between male and female workers,” says Chiu. She returned home and researched gender and how additional factors, such as race and sexual orientation, intersect and form different sources of inequalities. “This recognition assured my determination to advocate for intersectional feminism, and thus initiating Femily,” she says. Femily is an organization that addresses social disparities in the local community through awareness-raising events. Havergal College, Bishop Strachan School and Branksome Hall each have chapters, along with an international chapter in Hong Kong. “We hope that our events, held from a grassroots approach, can promote inclusiveness and keep the discussion around intersectional feminism going.”
— Nikki Gill
Madison Tevlin | Age 17
Madison Tevlin is a Toronto teen with a viral video on YouTube, a loyal social media following and a spot on a professionally recorded song for the Special Olympics in 2015. She also has Down’s syndrome but as you can see, and she will quickly tell you, it’s the least interesting thing about her. At age 12, she began singing lessons with Marla Joy, a Toronto-based vocal coach, and Tevlin hasn’t looked back. As a requirement of voice lessons, she had to post a video recital at the end of the year. She chose to cover John Legend’s “All of Me.” Within a few weeks, the video had garnered millions of views and the attention of multiple news outlets, with several celebrity shout-outs, including John Legend himself. Making enough sound to hold a song requires a level of exertion and breath control that can be a near impossible task for those with Down’s syndrome, but Tevlin looked those odds straight in the face and nailed her song. Tevlin’s video is now at more than eight million views. She hopes to follow her passions to become an actor and a singer.
— Darcy Streitenfeld
Vishal Vijay | Age 18
While most 11 year-olds are playing Minecraft and scrolling through Instagram, Oakville native Vishal Vijay had a life epiphany on a family trip to northern India. Witnessing a girl around his age begging on the streets in extreme poverty provoked an a-ha moment. “I came back from the trip buzzing with questions. How can this be the case? How can I help? My brother and I knocked on every kid’s door in our neighbourhood asking for help,” says the young philanthropist. The gang of well-to-do tweens would meet in Vijay’s backyard discussing ways to make a difference. Their first bake sale raised just under $400. Now through word of mouth and a general snowball effect, their organization, EveryChildNow (ECN), has become a national non-profit, impacting more than 500,000 kids globally. “Our generation has a genuine interest in social impact,” says Vijay. “Youth won’t wait to make a change. We feel the responsibility now.” Now 18, Vijay is at Western University studying business. “I am constantly trying to develop my skill set to compel my passion project forward.”
— DS
Rayne Fisher-Quann | Age 18
When the Ontario government repealed a 2015 rewrite of the sex ed. curriculum, Rayne Fisher-Quann decided to speak up — and encouraged thousands of her peers to do the same. The North York resident, who was16 at the time, organized a province-wide walkout of more than 100,000 high school students. Encouraged by the support, Fisher-Quann co-founded March For Our Education during her last year of high school at William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute. “Young people are the most powerful force on the planet. We have tools at our disposal that previous generations couldn’t even imagine, and the most important of those is social media,” she said. She now holds workshops to teach people how to effectively use social media. “It’s possible to unite hundreds of thousands of people with the click of a button now, and that’s what we’re seeing happen right before our eyes. We’re using it to change the world.”
— NL
THE ATHLETES
Elijah Fisher | Age 14
It might seem like a lot for a teen youngster to be considered the future of basketball in Canada. But that’s what happened to Crestwood Prep student Elijah Fisher. Toronto has long been a basketball hotbed, producing top talents on the regular from Andrew Wiggins and Corey Joseph back in the day to Jamal Murray and R. J. Barrett. There will be others, sure, but many are predicting Fisher, who doesn’t graduate high school until 2023, could be the best ever. Still, with coach Ro Russell — who first met Fisher as an undeveloped athlete and put him up against talented high school and college players at his scrimmage sessions in North York — and his parents, friends and mentors at his side, Fisher is as level-headed and hard-working as they come. He knows the opportunity he has, and is determined not to let it go to waste. Although just 14, he’s already excited about suiting up for the Canadian national team next summer.
— Ron Johnson
Stephen Gogolev | Age 14
Imagine that Stephen Gogolev could do for men’s figure skating what Bianca Andreescu did for women’s tennis. The 14-year-old, who skates for the Granite Club in North York and got his start in Thornhill, is a phenom. Gogolev is the 2018–19 Junior Grand Prix Final champion, won silver at the 2019 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships and is a newly anointed member of Skate Canada’s national team. Hard-working, calm under pressure and seemingly in love with his craft, Gogolev exemplifies the kind of maturity required by any elite athlete facing a roller-coaster career. Every superstar is powerful, but going the distance takes grit. At the international Junior Grand Prix held in Lake Placid, N.Y., Gogolev earned a personal best and took second place. However, the pint-sized young man fell twice and so, despite the accolades, seems already to possess a championship pedigree: he wasn’t satisfied.
— Ben Kaplan
Jessica Guo | Age 14
She may not be old enough to drive, but 14-year-old Jessica Guo can feint with the best of ’em. The Toronto resident started fencing at age eight. (She was following in the footsteps of her siblings.) In June, Guo won a silver medal in women’s foil at the Senior Pan American Fencing Championships. Weeks later, Guo made it to the top 16 at the Senior World Championships. She now ranks fifth in the world among cadet foil fencers. And yes, there’s a very real possibility of competing in the Olympics one day, but the Richmond Hiller leads a typical high school life outside of fencing. She attends TFS and wants to become a doctor. Guo also has a young role model she looks up to: Lee Kiefer, the two-time Olympian who in 2009, at the age of 15, was the youngest fencer on the U.S. team. At 14, Guo still has time to catch up. As she told the Canadian Olympic Club (quoting Confucius): “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.”
— NL
Sevion Dacosta | Age 20
This young Upper Canada College graduate is a special kid. A top football player who was named one of the top 100 prospects in the country three years ago, his talents have extended far beyond the gridiron. He has been involved in everything from the mock trial club to Black Student Affairs to being a Lang Scholar and winning the IB Studies prize in mathematics. After graduating from UCC in 2017, Dacosta headed down to California’s Claremont McKenna College where he is majoring in government. He’s also working as a research assistant at the Rose Institute for Local and State Government. Sure, he’s still playing football, and he’s still very good. But his career ambition is to be a lawyer and taken on pro-bono cases to help underprivileged individuals unable to afford great lawyers. Oh, and he’d like to play in the NFL. We’re excited to see where life takes this smart and talented young man.
— RJ
Laeticia Amihere | Age 18
Basketball prodigy Laeticia Amihere is on a full scholarship to the University of South Carolina. ESPN touts her as “explosively athletic” and rates her highly among her 2019 cohort. She has also played for Team Ontario and Team Canada. She is on the road to becoming a WNBA superstar. At a statuesque six foot three, the Milton teen began breaking records at age 15 when she became the first Canadian woman to slam dunk during a competitive game at the 2017 Boo Williams Invitational. The dunk went viral, garnering attention from social media and the sports industry. Even Drake and Shaquille O’Neal offered their nod of approval. “Basketball has been the gateway to my success. It has allowed me to travel the world and see places I would not have been able to visit. It has not only allowed me to make a bond with like-minded people, but as a skinny, tall young lady, it helped me find myself and build confidence,” says Amihere. And although she chose South Carolina as her home for the next four years, winning a gold medal for Canada is one of her goals.
— DS
Is this up-and-coming Toronto area the next Ossington strip?
If you stand at the corner of Bloor and Lansdowne, sometimes the air actually smells like chocolate.
Over on Sterling Road, sharing the street with Henderson Brewing, the Drake Commissary and MOCA, is the Nestle factory where they make Smarties, Kit Kats, Coffee Crisps and Aeros.
Though it’s not open to the public, if you are craving sweets there are some good options in this emerging ’hood bordered by Brockton village and the Junction triangle, and affectionately named Bloordale.
One of those sweet options is the Lansdowne Cone, an outpost that has become a classic for local residents. Owner Denise Soueidan-O’Leary is a big part of the community, with a spot on the board of the BIG On Bloor festival as well as involvement with the business improvement area (BIA) and community improvement area (CIA) for Bloordale.
“We, as a social enterprise, have been in the community for five years, and the Bloordale now is way different than the Bloordale of 20 years ago. Young people, families, new businesses, community,” she says.
Soueidan-O’Leary fits right in with that sense of community. She even went to high school with Alex Wallen, one of the owners of the area’s hottest new restaurant, Sugo.
Cool restaurants
Run by Wallen and Connor Joerin (who also both happen to be former boxers), Sugo has become the place to go for North American red sauce–style Italian, with a boisterous atmosphere and affordable food.
Another restaurant making waves is Alma, a few blocks east. Here, chef Anna Chen has created a small menu of Asian-influenced Italian, in a quiet refined space.
Looking for more? Well there’s Donna’s, a couple of blocks north of Bloor on Lansdowne, which has created quite the buzz, drawing guests from all over the city. People have been attracted to this no-frills spot, run by ex-Momofuku staff, for its simple ingredient–focused lunch and dinner, with no-nonsense unobtrusive hospitality.
For brunch, look no further than Baddies, where you’ll often see a lineup — Torontonians sure are obsessed with brunch. What’s even better is that brunch is offered mid-week for the freelancers and shift workers who prefer to brunch on days that are not Saturday and Sunday.
There are many other food options in the neighbourhood, and with parking easy and plentiful, it is a great area to just explore and find what you didn’t know you were looking for. You will stumble across African, Mexican and Jamaican establishments, and so much more.
Oh, and dessert! We hinted earlier and would be remiss not to mention the Lansdowne Cone and Emmy’s Ice Cream, with the former including a scoop of empowerment. The Lansdowne Cone offers a training program for people with barriers to employment, forging a real sense of community and giving back.
Coffee and cocktails
Being an affordable (by Toronto standards) neighbourhood to live in, it’s easy to find young people out and about in the area. During the day they can be found in various coffee shops, including industry-leading Propeller.
Known as one of the better coffee roasteries in Toronto, and shipping its beans all over North America, the team at Propeller lead the way as community members. Propeller is a sustainability-focused business that also supports the Stop Community food centre.
Beyond Propeller, be sure to check out Wallace Espresso, Café Neon or Home Baking Co. (don’t leave without a slice of cake) — all are tasty options.
Now that caffeine is covered, it’s time for cocktails. Spots like Grey Tiger (also a vegan snack bar and bakery by day), Three Speed or the 47 are great for pints and tipples. They all sport very different vibes, with something for everyone, much like Bloordale itself.
Vintage shops
For the treasure hunters, Kensington Market has nothing on Bloordale, which is its own treasure chest for vintage shopping. The area boasts no fewer than six shops, including a large Value Village, which could easily be the best one in the GTA.
The winner however is Final Touch, where shoppers will find everything ’90s and more, with an ever-changing stock of goodies.
Another favourite is Uncle Vintage with its large streetwear selection. If garage chic is more your style, head over to Ransack the Universe, though you may want to pass if hoarding is not your thing (or is your kryptonite). Lastly, for the vinyl collectors, make a trip to Dead Dog Records and Zoinks to find both new and hard-to-find vintage vinyl gems.
Artsy venues
Another highlight of Bloordale is its community of artists, and contemporary galleries abound. Of course there’s the aforementioned MOCA, but the ’hood is also home to the Daniel Faria Gallery, Clint Roenisch Gallery, Scrap Metal Gallery, Gallery TPW, Robert Kananaj Gallery and a community theatre and venue called Collective Studio. There are definitely some very talented artists in this city, and who doesn’t like a good gallery schmooze?
Eco-friendly attitudes
Another cool find on a recent walkabout was Saponetti, which boasts an assiduous zero waste, zero emissions philosophy through its soap and detergent refill and delivery business. This forward-thinking company reuses glass packaging, and bulk buys its products in order to have the most minimal impact on the environment possible. Bravo! The product list is vast and can help you take care of your household, including your pets, in as green a fashion as possible.
Collabs and community
Rounding out the Bloordale esthetic is a coworking space on Wallace, located next to Halo Brewery, demonstrating that this area is very up-and-coming.
Lab T.O. is a bright and open space for entrepreneurs and digital nomads to set up shop and form a sense of community with like-minded people.
That sense of community is something Soueidan-O’Leary loves most about the area.
“One of my most favourite memories was the first time a couple of young siblings came to the [ice cream] parlour with cash, all by themselves without parents. That, to me, is the marker of healthy community: that families feel comfortable to let their kids explore their surroundings independently,” she says.
“There’s trust there. There’s safety there. There’s community here in Bloordale.”
Toronto twins tackle textile waste with line of sustainable kidswear
Twin sisters Lindsay and Alexandra Lorusso grew up with front-row seats on waste management — their father is a co-owner of Canadian company Wasteco. This gave them an insider’s view into textile waste, and they decided to do something about it. In 2016, the pair started their clothing line Nudnik.
Why did you decide to start a children’s clothing line?
Lindsay had her first child when the idea for Nudnik was conceived, and it seemed like a natural fit to utilize offcut fabrics — which are a byproduct of major apparel manufacturing and oftentimes smaller in size — for kidswear. Offcut fabrics almost always end up in landfill, and the fashion industry creates enough of them annually to give every person on Earth six new T-shirts every year.
Where do you source the fabric for Nudnik pieces?
We are global waste chasers. To create a product made from waste at a reasonable scale, we have to find a large enough volume of a consistent type of textile waste. We source organic cotton, pre-consumer (never been worn), cutting waste (offcut fabrics) and transform it into our kidswear. We engineer our patterns to utilize the cutting waste to the best of its ability. Our threads and trims are diverted from waste also.
What should consumers know about the textile waste epidemic?
Consumers should be aware of the impact the fast fashion industry has on the planet. The resources used and the waste generated is truly astronomical. In our opinion, in the most sustainable closet is a mix of thrift, swap finds and sustainable brands.
Are Nudnik pieces made in Toronto?
Our past capsule collections were, but the stream of textile waste sourced locally was fractured, so we chased the waste and now make our kids’ “Disruptor” tee overseas, with cutting waste that’s abundant as a result of fast fashion.
Do you have plans to expand the brand?
Our big picture idea has always been to create a diverse range of products from waste, and we have some exciting things up our sleeves that we can’t wait to fold out in 2020.
The top 10 concerts in Toronto this month
Elton John
The great Sir Elton John’s epic 300-concert farewell tour finally arrives in hubby David Furnish’s hometown of Toronto for two shows, Oct. 23 and 24. Following a hit movie chronicling Elton John’s career, the glitzy British knight is having yet another moment of his long-storied career. The crocodile-rocker will surely put on a fantastic show, especially considering the steep ticket price.
Bon Iver
Justin Vernon’s indie folk band Bon Iver burst onto the scene in the middle 2000s, following the release of their debut For Emma, Forever Ago — penned by Vernon post-breakup while squirelled away in a cabin deep in the Wisconsin hinterlands. His follow-up garnered the musician two Grammy Awards, including one for Best New Artist, beating out the inestimable talents of one Nicki Minaj. Bon Iver is back with a new album, i, i, released in early August, and a massive arena tour that hits Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 6.
Graham Nash
It’s not every month that a bona fide music legend strolls through town: as such, the appearance of Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young for a strum-and-chat session at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Oct. 8, is a pretty big deal, and should make for a great night. Nash has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame not once, but twice — as a member of the Hollies as well as Crosby, Stills & Nash. Expect an evening with choice selections from his extensive discography, and impressive stories from a life in rock ’n’ roll.
Tegan and Sara
Famous and talented twin musicians Tegan and Sara Quinn have just released a new memoir chronicling their high school years along with a new album, Hey, I’m Just Like You, featuring what were thought to be long-lost songs recorded way back when. It’s a fantastic and thoughtful concept, which is not surprising coming from these artists who wear their hearts on their sleeves, and are always pushing for change with their music. They play two nights at the Winter Garden Theatre. It could be the best show to check out this month, Oct. 18 and 19.
The Black Keys
Hard-rocking Ohio duo the Black Keys hasn’t exactly been churning out the riff rock as of late, but Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney finally got the band back together and released their new album, Let’s Rock, in 2019 after a five-year hiatus. They did not disappoint. The full band checks into Scotiabank Arena Oct. 9.
Jeremy Dutcher
There is no telling just how far this incredible artist will take his music: the sky is the limit. His debut album was lauded by critics, won the Polaris Music Prize and solidified his status as one of the most exciting artists in Canada right now, let alone a powerful voice for his Indigenous community. He’s a classically trained opera singer with a desire to tell the stories of his people in his own way. And it’s fantastic. His Oct. 12 show at the Danforth Music Hall is bound to be special.
Big Thief
American indie rockers Big Thief offer their unique slant on the genre, buoyed by the slick musicianship of guitarist Buck Meek and the undeniable and wholly unique talent of singer Adrianne Lenker. It’s mesmerizing to watch them work. Big Thief plays the Phoenix Concert Theatre, Oct. 16.
Thrush Hermit
Any faithful alternative rock kid of the ’90s appreciates the work of Joel Plaskett and his first band Thrush Hermit. The band’s second album, Clayton Park, was particularly audacious. And it’s that Juno Award–nominated gem of East Coast rock that the band will play in full when it returns to celebrate its 20th anniversary at the Danforth Music Hall on Oct. 4.
Rhiannon Giddens
One of the most mesmerizing banjo players and vocalists to grace the stage, Rhiannon Giddens offers hauntingly beautiful and intricate songs from Appalachia and the Deep South of America. For this performance at Koerner Hall on Oct. 24, she teams up with Italian jazz and early music pianist and percussionist Francesco Turrisi in support of their album There Is No Other. Giddens, also a member of the old-time string band the Carolina Chocolate Drops, has won numerous awards for both her solo and group work, including a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album in 2011.
Jenny Lewis
American singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis has always done her own thing in her own way, from her time with indie popsters Rilo Kiley to her intoxicating solo work. And that’s the way her legion of fans like it. On Oct. 31, Lewis checks into the Danforth Music Hall for a solo show in support of her stellar new album, On The Line. Expect nothing short of an incredible performance from this gifted musician.
The top 10 art exhibits to see at Nuit Blanche this year
Nuit Blanche is coming up once again this year — an all-night art extravaganza on Oct. 5. These are some of the most talked-about artists and exhibits to show up this year.
Death of the Sun
Director X’s Death of the Sun was a big hit back in 2016, and will be back this year to accompany his new work, Life of The Earth. The exhibit was created in partnership with the Ontario Science Centre, where it will be displayed during the festival.
On and on and on and on
Based at the Gladstone Hotel, this collaborative project by Death by Committee involves audience involvement. Bystanders will be given sashes with On and on and on printed upon them, creating a moving poem around Toronto.
Peace to the Past, Reach for the Future
The city is still celebrating the 2019 NBA Championship and so are Esmaa Mohamoud and Bryan Espiritu. In commemoration of the Raptors’ 25th anniversary and their historic championship win the artists have created a huge sculpture to be featured at the intersection of Queen and Bay.
Arrivals and Encounters: Sama
This year for Nuit Blanche, the Aga Khan Museum will be showcasing art and music from all over the world for one multicultural exhibition. Sama is Arabic for listening, which is a major theme in their installations. Not just to represent the metaphorical implications of listening, but to actually inform the viewers to listen to the different projects.
Kaleidoscope: A Social Media Trinity
This giant kaleidoscope at 150 York St., is meant to represent the holy trinity of social media (meaning Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram). During the night the Kaleidoscope installation by Alejandro Figueroa will be reproduced onto social media to show just how connected the world has become.
The Big Feminist Game Show
The Big Feminist Game Show by Hatecopy will be live-streamed and will feature all the trappings of an average television game show with one big twist — it’s all about the ladies!
Lunar Garden
Daniel Arsham, known for his Japanese-style zen gardens, will be creating his biggest garden to date smack-dab in Nathan Phillips Square. Unlike much of his past work, however, the Lunar Garden incorporates the moon into Ashram’s recognizable palette of pink and white sand and sculptures.
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Postscript
The artists Noor Khan and Sean Leon will juxtapose footage of Scarborough and Parkdale over each other, in order to make a point about how policymaking and other political factors have disadvantaged both neighbourhoods.
21st-Century Craft
This large-scale multimedia exhibit by One Path Collective will be found on the grounds of the Spadina Museum. The artists plan to celebrate the crafts and craft-makers of years past and present, such as quilters, CD-ROMs, and newspapers.
Where Are We Now?
Alexis Eke‘s project, which will be found in Scarborough at the Town Centre, reimagines and examines how Black women are portrayed in art. Eke, an illustrator, celebrates the beauty and diversity of Black women through her project.
