Concert Review: Marina and the Diamonds at Echo Beach

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1:33 pm

Let’s hope that Marina and the Diamonds benefits from better circumstances in her next live Toronto performance. And make no mistake, there will be others. After venturing through Toronto to open for Lady Gaga and Katy Perry in the past, Marina made her Toronto debut as a featured performer on Thursday night in what was Echo Beach’s rain-soaked season opener.

In spite of a tight, entertaining, 90-minute set by the 27-year old Marina (born Diamandis), many of the nearly 5,000 fans in attendance spent the night seeking shelter or warmth, if not leaving altogether.

While it may not have been very pleasant on a beach that quickly established itself as more of a mud puddle, it was an excellent show, and those who left missed out. Marina’s strangely compelling stage presence is still somewhat at odds with her powerful, almost operatic voice, but the combination at least keeps things interesting. She is unafraid of challenging herself, as seen on high-note-hitting tracks like “I Am Not a Robot” and “Primadonna.”

Her aforementioned stage presence did not disappoint those expecting her to bring a level of Gaga-worthy quirk. Most jarring among her wardrobe choices was a wedding veil that contrasted rather sharply to her opening track, “Homewrecker.” With the venue’s sound system struggling to cope with the rain and strong winds, Marina’s clothing choices often did the trick in sustaining the entertainment value.

But opener Charli XCX seemed to have a more favourable turnout for her solid 30-minute set, in which she performed a high-energy version of “I Love It” along the way to getting the crowd warmed up (definitely more figuratively than literally).

It was a shame, then, that by the time Marina got around to her signature, show-closing hit, “How to Be a Heartbreaker,” only about 2,000 die-hards had stuck around to hear it.

The Burger’s Priest continues its Toronto takeover with an upcoming Etobicoke location

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11:34 am

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With its soon-to-be-open third location on Queen West, you’d think that The Burger’s Priest would take some time to enjoy its meteoric success. But yesterday evening, The Burger’s Priest announced on Twitter that it will be opening yet another location, this time in Etobicoke.

Owner Shant Mardirosian tells us that he chose the space — at 986 The Queensway — because of the extremely busy location, with a nearby theatre. The new Priest will also be the biggest one yet.

“I want to provide more options. There’s bigger real estate outside of the city,” Mardirosian says.

The Priest’s fourth edition will have an expanded menu with the addition of ice cream classics like sundaes and banana splits. The burger options will remain the same (though we expect there will likely be some new secret menu items).

Mardirosian is hoping to open the Etobicoke location sometime this September. Meanwhile, the Priest’s Queen West location is slated to have its grand opening on June 1.

The Burger’s Priest, 986 The Queensway

Four must-see films from the Inside Out Festival

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Since 1991, Inside Out, a not-for-profit charity that promotes LGBT culture and community through film and video, has held an annual springtime festival in Toronto, and this year some very impressive names are attached to the ever-growing event.

Running from May 23 to June 2, the festival showcases films by, for and about lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people. The event continues to expand, and this year is no exception, with plenty of films to choose from across the cinematic celebration. Here are our top picks.

Submerge – Sophie O’Connor

A thoughtful and tempered film about a young woman’s rollercoaster path through life, Australian filmmaker Sophie O’Connor’s debut feature is personal and relatable. Jordan is a driven university student; smart, athletic and sociable. Under the pressure of stretching herself too thin between hobbies, studies, work and friendship, she turns to sex and drugs as a way of escape. A film that doesn’t overreach or fall into melodrama, Submerge speaks to those who feel in over their heads.
May 24, 6:45 p.m., TIFF Bell Lightbox

Behind the Candelabra – Steven Soderbergh

This evocative director, with a long list of impressive films to his credit — including Contagion, Ocean’s Eleven, Haywire and most recently, Side Effects — recently announced his retirement from film, so this may be one of his last offerings. While it’s uncertain what he will end up doing, and whether or not he will return, what is certain is that Soderbergh is masterful with sight and sound, and his ability to pace a story is unparalleled. Starring Matt Damon and Michael Douglas, Behind the Candelabra tells the story of the passionate and dramatic relationship between Liberace and Scott Thorson in the late ’70s. It’s sure to be fun, flamboyant and full of love in its many forms.
May 26, 9 p.m., TIFF Bell Lightbox. This free screening takes place in conjunction with the HBO premiere.

Out in the Dark – Michael Mayer

When star-crossed lovers Nimr and Roy first meet, their attraction is instant and powerful. A tale as old as time, told in a smart, stylish and contemporary way, Out in the Dark follows a Palestinian grad student and Israeli lawyer as they try to overcome history, culture, politics and their own families in order to be together.
May 30, 7:15 p.m., TIFF Bell Lightbox

Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth – Pratibha Parmar

This closing-night film is one worth waiting for. An in-depth look at the life of acclaimed writer Alice Walker, this documentary explores Walker’s professional and personal life, including her bisexuality, passionate love affairs and strained family relationships. Featuring interviews with famous artists and filmmakers, award-winning director Pratibha Parmar takes viewers on a fascinating journey.
June 2, 7:30 p.m., TIFF Bell Lightbox

Inside Out LBGT Film Festival, TIFF Bell Lightbox, May 23 – June 2

Chef Patrick Kriss parts ways with Acadia

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10:56 am

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When Patrick Kriss took over Acadia’s kitchen from Matt Blondin around a year ago, he had some big shoes to fill. Blondin had earned some serious acclaim for his inventive cooking, putting Acadia on the map as one of the best restaurants in the city. But Kriss took on the challenge with vigour, earning extremely high praise of his own.

So we’re a little forlorn to learn that Kriss has parted ways with Acadia. The restaurant announced his departure over Twitter yesterday. Interestingly, though, Acadia has enlisted some short-term kitchen help in the form of Dustin Gallagher, previously of Riverside Public House and a former Top Chef Canada contestant. But Gallagher won’t be there for long.

“I’m just helping a friend out,” Gallagher says. “I could be there a week, or two weeks, or three days.”

Gallagher says he’ll be serving his own menu at Acadia starting tonight, and it won’t be the Cajun-inflected cooking Acadia is known for. “It’ll be a bit of a hodgepodge,” he says.

Those interested in checking out what Gallagher has to offer at Acadia should visit in the very near future — he says he’s on the verge of opening his own restaurant soon. As for who will be taking over Acadia’s kitchen on a more permanent basis, we’ll be updating with more info as we learn more.

Tony Aspler’s Weekly Wine Pick: a Greek red that’s reminiscent of a Barbaresco

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9:47 am

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Deep ruby in colour with a slightly orange rim; a nose of red berries, clove and forest floor; full-bodied with a cedary note, dusty tannins reminiscent of a Barbaresco.

Food match: moussaka, grilled lamb

Katogi & Strofilia Averoff Xinomavro 2007, Naoussa, Greece, $17.95. Vintages #249615

Post City Magazines’ wine columnist, Tony Aspler, has written 14 books on wine and food. Tony also created the Ontario Wine Awards and has been inducted into the New York Media Wine Writers’ Hall of Fame. He can be heard on 680News.

Weekend Warrior: Doors Open Toronto, CBC Music Festival, Taste of the Food Terminal, Anime North

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4:45 pm

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It’s Thursday, and the weekend is fast approaching. Need stuff to see or do? We’ve got you covered. In this edition, a music fest at Echo Beach, anime action in the city, Doors Open events and more.

CBCMusic.ca Festival

When: May 25
Where: Echo Beach, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Details: CBC Music is bringing established artists and emerging acts on stage in its inaugural music festival this weekend. The daylong music celebration will be co-headlined by Juno Award winner Sam Roberts Band and the only non-Canadian act, Iceland’s Of Monsters and Men. Also featured are Sloan, Half Moon Run, Shakura S’Aida, Kae Sun and Jarvis Church, along with Sherman Downey and the Ambiguous Case, the winners of the first-ever CBCMusic.ca Searchlight competition. The festival will also include a special live edition of the comedy show The Debaters, plus appearances by CBC personalities like Jian Ghomeshi.

Taste of the Food Terminal

When: May 25
Where: Ontario Food Terminal, 165 The Queensway
Details: Canada’s largest wholesale fruit and vegetable distribution centre is opening its doors to the public for Taste of the Food Terminal, where visitors can buy and sample fresh produce and tour the wholesalers’ stalls and the farmers’ market. Admission includes lunch, and proceeds from all sales will go to help FoodShare Toronto.

World Stage 2013

When: Now until May 26
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W.
Details: World Stage is a performance series that brings live performances in dance, theatre and installations from international artists to Toronto audiences. Closing World Stage this weekend are two acts: a Canadian dance performance called What We Are Saying and a Dutch theatre production called KAMP (CAMP).

Anime North 2013

When: May 24-26
Where: Multiple locations
Details: Anime North, now in its 17th year, is Canada’s annual fan-run anime convention and a celebration of Japanese pop culture. Events include an anime-themed wrestling competition, cosplay chess battles, improv comedy acts, video game competitions and a fashion show.

Doors Open Toronto

When: May 25-May 26
Where: Multiple locations
Details: Doors Open is an annual event in the city (one of the three largest of its kind in the world) where visitors have the opportunity to experience the history and culture of Toronto through a tour of its unique buildings and architecture. Over 150 buildings will be participating this year, including:

Fox Theatre (2236 Queen St. E.), an early 20th century theatre and Canada’s longest running cinema
Humber Arboretum (205 Humber College Blvd.), an urban ecology research centre and a LEED Gold certified building
Portlands Energy Centre (470 Unwin Ave.), a state-of-the-art natural gas power plant providing electricity to the city of Toronto
Osgoode Hall (130 Queen St. W.), a heritage building with 19th century courtrooms and a Great Library
The Stone Distillery (2 Distillery Lane), the oldest building at the historical Distillery District
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (506 Bloor St. W.), a newly renovated theatre celebrating its 100-year anniversary
Lambton House (4066 Old Dundas St.), a historic building built in 1847 on the banks of the Humber River

First Draught: Kensington Brewing Company’s new watermelon beer

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2:15 pm

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Seasonal craft beer moves through a fairly rigid cycle. Winter beers tend to have Christmasy spices; recipes for spring use maple syrup and the field is packed with pumpkin for fall. But in summer we get a refreshing dose of variety. Yes, there’s lots of orange beer, but there’s also apricot, blueberry, lemon and now, with the latest release from Kensington Brewing Company, watermelon.

The colour of Fruit Stand Watermelon Wheat is surprising: a light wheaten gold with only the slightest hint of pink. The current batch was filtered, but KBC owner Brock Shepherd says that future rounds will be left unfiltered so that the beer has a slightly cloudy appearance.

The aroma is light and refreshing and mostly dominated by toasted wheat. The opening flavours are of malt and wheat, which are nicely connected to the slightly bitter finish by a blast of watermelon flavour. The watermelon notes are not like the one-dimensional, thin sweetness of fresh fruit, nor are they cloying like an artificial candy imitation. They’re concentrated and sweet without tasting of sugar; like really great watermelon sorbet.

Unlike some of the test batches, which used fresh watermelon, this larger run was made with watermelon juice, and that may account for the concentrated-but-controlled flavour and the subtly pink colour.

In related KBC news, the brewery is now running a Community Supported Beer campaign to raise funds to help build a production facility at 299 Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market. By raising money today for beer tomorrow, the system combines the best of Kickstarter and community-supported agriculture. A standalone brewery will mean more capacity and flexibility than KBC has with Wellington, its current contract-brewing partner.

With stats like 13 IBUs (not very bitter at all) and only 4.5 per cent alcohol, this beer is well suited for a multi-pint session on a patio. For now, availability is limited to draught at bars and restaurants, including Caplansky’s, Bar Hop and The Beaver. A full list of KBC purveyors is available on the brewery’s website.

Kensington Brewing Company Fruit Stand Watermelon Wheat, $5.50 to $7 for a pint at various restaurants and bars around the city

In addition to covering beer, new restaurants and food trucks for Post City, David Ort writes about food and drink for several Toronto publications including Spotlight Toronto and his own site, Food With Legs. For more of his thoughts on food, beer and life in general, follow him on Twitter.

How They Met: award-winning playwright Ins Choi and his wife, Mari

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11:34 am

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As an actor and playwright, Ins Choi has performed in front of hundreds of people. He certainly isn’t camera shy or afraid of putting himself out there. But stage fright wouldn’t elude him the first time he met his then future wife, Mari. It took two chance meetings before he worked up the courage to talk to her.

Now, after eight years of marriage, he and his wife continue to deepen their relationship. The couple lives a hectic but playful life with their two children in their Toronto home. Here, Ins Choi tells us how they met.

The meeting
I had met her before at her birthday, but I was too chicken to go and talk to her. Years later at a mutual friend’s wedding, I saw her again. She had made the wedding cake, and I was a late guest. I thought, “OK, I have got to talk to her. I have to make a move.” So I sat down in front of her, and I made her laugh and that was it. We talked and talked until we looked around and the reception was over. They were cleaning up. We had missed everything, and I realized I needed to see her again.

The proposal
After six months, I knew she was the one. So I bought a ring, a really simple band because she didn’t want a diamond ring. I carried the ring around in my pocket for months. Timing is everything. [One night] we got into this heated argument, [but] when I got home I knew it felt right. I figured if that was the worst part of our relationship and I still wanted to marry her, then that was a good sign. That night I made this framed photo of us. It had three pictures in it and our story. In the morning, I went over to her house, played a CD I had made for her and began to read the story of us. She smiled, and I got the ring and brought it to her. I was on the side of her bed, kneeling, when I asked her to marry me. She started crying and said yes. That afternoon, we went over to my parents’ house and started planning for the wedding.

The big day
Due to my career and schedule, we had to get married in three months. I called in a lot of favours from artist friends. We got married on March 12, 2005, at my father’s church, the Korean Bethel Church near College and Dufferin.

How their lives have changed
The kids changed everything. We don’t go out as much! We have two kids — a daughter and a son. Our daughter is Poem and she is five, and our son is River and he is two. Because of my career, we’ve moved around a lot. Our lives are always moving and changing. We’ve never been in the same place for a year.

Secret to their success
Not having a car means that we have to walk everywhere together. When we need something, we go together. If we had a car, it would get done faster, but then we wouldn’t have that time together. Since we don’t own a house, we get to spend more time together. If we had a mortgage, then I would have to work longer hours, and then we would never see each other. Why would we want to do that? So, the secret to our relationship is not owning a car or a house.

Relationship advice
It’s about timing. When I met her, I was OK with being single. I wasn’t desperate or looking for someone to fulfill my life. At least for me, it was timed really well.

Sewell: as a public figure, Rob Ford has an obligation to respond to the crack video scandal

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1:25 pm

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One way to get a lot of publicity for Toronto is to have the mayor in a video that seems to show he is smoking crack cocaine.

There’s been lots of that since the Toronto Star and American blog Gawker both claimed they had viewed a video showing Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine. The allegation is confirmed by two of The Star’s top investigative reporters.

Those reporters might be wrong — the video might be cooked, the person may be Ford’s doppelganger or it may be some other drug (we know that he was once charged with possession of marijuana). But The Star’s editors have clearly decided their reporters’ interpretation is correct, and it’s not clear that any of us would be any further ahead if we ourselves saw the video.

As for the publicity, it is news across Canada, across the USA — through CNN, Jon Stewart, Bill Maher and Jimmy Kimmel — and across the world through The Guardian.

One obligation of those who enter public life is responding to charges of wrongdoing or inappropriate behaviour. Rob Ford’s obligation is to respond to the allegations about this video, and also about the photo widely published of him standing with a young Toronto man who has since been murdered.

The longer he puts off an explanation, the more it seems that he has been caught out doing something far beyond the reasonable or something that cannot be explained away. The explanation has to deal with his private life and how he spends his time. We know already that he spends limited time on his public duties and that large parts of his day appear not to be occupied with public business. What else is he doing?

As for coaching a school football team — something the mayor has prided himself in doing — it is hard to believe that after these allegations any school will allow him to have that kind of access to young people. It is becoming increasingly difficult to view him as a good role model for young people.

But the most significant issue for me is that Ford seems unable to get beyond himself and his own private life in order to fulfill his public obligation of being the chief representative of the city of Toronto.

That limitation brings shame to us all. His behaviour belittles the city.

Post City Magazines’ columnist John Sewell is a former mayor of Toronto and the author of a number of urban planning books.

Theatre Review: The Barber of Seville

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12:08 pm

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Truth be told, when I was asked to review Soulpepper’s latest production, The Barber of Seville, based on Pierre Beaumarchais’ 1775 French farce and Rossini’s 1816 opera, I initially balked. Soulpepper, I adore. French farce? Je t’aime. But opera? No grazie.

Luckily, Michael O’Brien and John Millard’s adaptation blends the perfect amount of whimsical humour with melancholic musical interludes, meaning there are less glass-shattering operatics and more banjo-plucking, toe-tapping tunes, which makes for a riotous romp.

The story itself is one of which commedia dell’arte tales are made: boy (in this case, Count Almaviva, played by Gregory Prest) falls in love with girl (Rosina, played by Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster) at first sight. Girl is betrothed to another (her elderly guardian, Dr. Bartolo, played by Oliver Dennis). Boy must go undercover to win the girl’s heart and enlists the help of the court jester — or in this case, the doctor’s barber (Dan Chameroy’s Figaro) — to get closer to the girl. Bugs Bunny-worthy schemes ensue (including one where Almaviva dresses as a balloon-bosomed lady).

Though billed as a musical, I would counter that the production is a hodgepodge of comedy and music more akin to vaudeville than straight-up musical theatre: there are tons of sight gags, and there is stage combat. Millard’s accompanying orchestra is actually a hillbilly country band, with folks decked out in overcoats and scarves, playing an accordion, a banjo, a bass, a flute, a mandolin, a violin and various guitars, all with gusto. O’Brien’s book is peppered with modern day pop culture references, including a nod to Carly Rae Jepsen’s ubiquitous hit, “Call Me Maybe,” and even a line from Dan Hill’s “Sometimes When We Touch” (which was my personal fave). Basically, the play is anachronistic anarchy, and director Leah Cherniak weaves it all together in a highly entertaining fashion.

But if I were to grade the production on a musical theatre curve, then my enthusiasm for the show would drop ever so slightly. As much as it is obvious that all the actors involved are having a grand time onstage, they are not strong singers (besides Chameroy, who can clearly carry a tune). Still, as someone who didn’t want an opera and who happily didn’t receive one, I actually relished in the perfectly imperfect vocal range of Barber’s cast, because what they lack in musical dexterity (with the exception of Ch’ng Lancaster who, as part of the orchestra, proved she can play a flute like nobody’s business) they make up for with precise comedic timing and loads of charm.

Chameroy is wonderful as the rascally rogue Figaro, and he makes for a fabulous counterpart to Prest’s always amusing Almaviva. Dennis, a Soulpepper stalwart, once again proves he’s worth his salt by making his despicable doctor so darn likable, and Ch’ng Lancaster packs a lot of punch with her strong-yet-sensual portrayal of Rosina.

If a night at the opera is what you’re looking for, then look elsewhere. But this rendition of The Barber of Seville is probably the one that you’ll enjoy the most.

The Barber of Seville, Soulpepper Theatre Company, Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Runs until June 8

Drink This: The Fountain’s Dark ‘n’ Stormy

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10:31 am

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The Fountain, nestled along the Dundas West bar strip, is both watering hole and art gallery. Currently, trippy pieces from local artist Tomas Del Balso dot the walls, illustrating his take on dream imagery in fantastical detail. Behind the bar, tatted up co-owner Sarah Delany pours drinks for art-loving barflies while The Growlers play overhead.

Our drink of choice is the Dark ‘n’ Stormy is ($6). Delany keeps it classic: Gosling’s Black Seal rum and Grace ginger beer poured in a highball glass over ice. With a squeeze of lime to finish it off, this deliciously simple drink has warm weather written all over it.

The Fountain, 1261 Dundas W., 416-262-4986

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Coming soon to King Street East: artisanal hot dogs

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4:38 pm

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Toronto’s street meat is getting some competition with the arrival of Craft Dogs, an upcoming gourmet hot dog shop near the St. Lawrence Market. Located at 95 King St. E., Craft Dogs is the brainchild of Brian Morin and Kathleen McGinn, formerly co-owners of the nearby Beerbistro, along with a third partner, Craig Smith.

Almost everything in the shop will be made from scratch, including all hot dogs and condiments. Options could include the more traditional Chicago Shout-Out dog (a pork-and-beef wiener topped with mustard, sweet pickle relish, raw onions, tomatoes, pepperoncini and celery salt, $6.50) or the more adventurous duck dog (a duck wiener topped with goat cheese, mayo-relish, plantain chips, pea shoots and duck crackling, $12.95). The hot dogs will be smoked, then grilled to order.

Craft Dogs will also produce its own soda pop. The shop is expected to have a grand opening next week.

Craft Dogs, 95 King St. E., 647-748-2033

[h/t View the Vibe]