Hockey Fans: Check Out The Big Ice Thursday at 918 Bathurst

Hey, Neighbours!

Here's the score about an upcoming event in the neighbourhood at 918 Bathurst, but with a wider reach:

"The Big Ice
Thursday, November 27
at 6:30pm 
Join the Fan 590's Matt Brown in unique conversation with some of the brightest minds in hockey. This month we've got Chris Johnston, Christine Simpson, Dan Robson and Steve Burtch. 
For more info about this event, and to by tickets, please go here!"

Tickets are $15.

Cheers,

Vanessa

The Toronto Observer Writes Up Annex Chess Club

Confession: I've never heard of The Toronto Observer.
But a recent article mentions  the Annex Chess Club and that I know: the club is four years old, but former Palmerston parents will remember that one of its founders hosted a chess club for years after-hours at Palmerston P.S.
I also didn't know that downtown TO had been lacking a major chess club for decades. Glad to see that's been remedied.
Cheers,
Vanesa

Jordan Strofolino's Comedy Circus Sept. 5th at 918 Bathurst

If you need a good laugh, you may want to go to Jordan Strofolino's Comedy Circus at 918 Bathurst on September 5th.
Five comedians will perform and tickets are only $10.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Toronto Raw/Vegan Festival at 918 Bathurst This Weekend

You don't have to "eat raw" or be a vegan to appreciate this weekend's Raw/Vegan Festival at 918 Bathurst, according to the organizers.Here's the agenda:"The Toronto Raw/Vegan Festival offers all you need for healthy, cruelty-free, eco-friendly green living. You don't have to be vegan to attend! Come and see why people are increasingly adopting a raw/vegan lifestyle. The festival features …

• FREE Admission

• First 1000 guests receive a free Permacharts Laminated Reference Guide courtesy of the Helping Hands Program – a $7.95 value

• We are featuring Tim Van Orden, the Running Raw Man

• Natasha Kyssa from SimplyRaw in Ottawa, and author of “The SimplyRaw Kitchen”, will speak on the Raw Lifestyle

• All day raw/vegan food demo’s and sampling by Toronto’s leading raw/vegan chefs

• All day speakers on health and food topics of interest

• Delicious food vendors

• Superfoods, Raw Chocolate and Medicinal Mushrooms

• Ethical clothing

• Cruelty-free cosmetics, toiletries and healthcare products

• ATM onsite."

 Cheers,
Vanessa

Art Sale at 918 Bathurst

A Seaton Villager is selling her grandmother's art until Nov. 3rd at 918 Bathurst.
Guta Kaufman studied at the Sorbonne and was dubbed, "an artist who should not be ignored," by the Toronto Star.
This could be your chance to buy original art at mass-produced prices.
Vanessa

Toronto Etsy Street Team Springtime Marketplace June 1st

On June 1st, 918 Bathurst will be the site for The 4th Annual Toronto Etsy Street Team Springtime Marketplace.
Here's the scoop:
"On Saturday June 1st the Toronto Etsy Street Team (TEST) is holding their 4th Annual Springtime Marketplace in the 918 Bathurst Centre, just north of Bloor on Bathurst, in the heart of the Annex.

The TEST Springtime Marketplace is bigger than ever before this year. Along with handmade vendors, shoppers can peruse great vintage finds, enjoy music from the live DJ, and take part in a series of Free craft workshops.
The Marketplace will be followed by a cocktail reception offering refreshments, a cash bar, a charity raffle, a special tea-infused cocktail workshop and a chance to mingle and chat with the members of TEST.
The show features 50+ TEST makers and vintage sellers and includes; one of a kind jewelry, art, fashions (both new and vintage), toys, handmade body care items and baked goods.
See the show website for more details: http://www.shopcats.ca
Spend a fun spring afternoon checking out these talented handmakers’ wares, support local artists in the community and enjoy the hunt for the perfect vintage item.
Admission is free."
Cheers,

Vanessa

918 Bathurst Happenings

918 Bathurst, a "multi-purpose community arts centre & events venue," is a hotbed of activity.
In addition to the ongoing activities listed on the website, it will be home to a March Break film camp for teens and a March Break Chess Camp.
Ditto for the Toronto Music Video Fest and the Bazaar of the Bizarre.
That's just to name a few! To keep up to date with 918 happenings, sign up to receive email updates.
Cheers,
Vanessa

The Love Show Begins Thursday

The 10th Annual Love Show runs from Nov. 8 to 11 at 918 Bathurst. (I told you about it when they asked for submissions, in case it rings a bell...)
This year's theme is The Wall. Here's the scoop:"The Love Show is a juried exhibition of 6”x6” original artwork. All pieces will be auctioned on opening night with an opening bid of $50. When work is sold, the first $50 goes to the artist, and all remaining money goes to support programs at Sistering."
Cheers,
Vanessa

Jazz Saturday Night at 918 Bathurst

Get your jazz on this Saturday evening at 918 Bathurst. Admission is PWYC, or $5, which will be donated to St. Alban's in our area.
Cheers,
Vanessa

10th Annual Love Show

The 10th Annual Love Show, an art show that also benefits charity, will take place Nov. 8 to 11 at 918 Bathurst.
You still have time to submit a work to the show: "The Love Show is a juried exhibition of 6”x6” original artwork. All pieces will be auctioned on opening night with an opening bid of $50. When work is sold, the first $50 goes to the artist, and all remaining money goes to support programs at Sistering."
Cheers,
Vanessa

Raw/Vegan Foodfest Today and Tomorrow

Attention foodies: the Raw/Vegan Festival takes place at 918 Bathurst today and tomorrow. 
Admission is free and the agenda is packed... the Running Raw Man, Tim Van Orden, will be on hand; there will be food demos and sampling; cruelty-free cosmetics, toiletries and healthcare products will be available for sale; and more.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Contes pour enfants pas sage May 27 to 29

918 Bathurst will be the site for Contes pour enfants pas sage from May 27 to 29.
Presented by continuum contemporary music, it's described like this:
"More wisdom and bewilderness from the animal kingdom: a multi-layered, multi-media setting of all eight fables of French poet Jacques Prévert by Canadian composer Christopher Butterfield, a master at once of poignant gesture and musical slapstick. The zaniness of Prévert’s fables, coupled with Butterfield’s ear for the absurd and the spectacular forces required for this production, make this one of the premiere events of Toronto’s musical season."
Tickets are $30 and $15.

Cheers,

Vanessa

Get Your Rhythm Going...

April 21st there will be a fundraiser to benefit the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival. Sounds like a blazing party, featuring Iyá Iré.

Here's the scoop:
"The April 21st fundraiser at 918 Bathurst Street promises to be a night to remember. Headlined by Afro-Cuban Drum Ensemble,Iyá Iré, who will get your feet moving while performing Guaguancó, Columbia, Yambu, plus music for the Orishas, Abakuá, and even a little Conga! Special Guests Muhtadi & The World Drummers(Traditional West African) will be opening the night and there will be sets featuring the distinct signature sounds of DJ Corey Dawkins spinning soulful Afro Latin house, neo soul & more."
Advance tickets are $20.

Cheers,
Vanessa

Bathurst Stripped Exhibition at 918 Bathurst

The art exhibit Bathurst Stripped celebrates Toronto's first Black cultural community.

You can catch it until March 4th at 918 Bathurst.

February is Black History Month and there are many ways to learn more about it.

Cheers,
Vanessa

Obeah Opera Opens Wednesday at 918 Bathurst

It was an article about one of the performers that tipped me off to the opera to be performed in our midst, at 918 Bathurst.
Here's a summary:
"Set in the late 17th century, Obeah Opera tells a story of life and work among women silenced by the most infamous 'witch-hunt' in history. Tituba and a handful of Caribbean women imported as slaves into the American colony of Salem are arrested and accused of practicing obeah! A healing art seen only as blasphemy and witchcraft through the eyes of the local Puritans."
Performances run Feb. 22nd to March 4th and tickets are $25/$30.

Cheers,
Vanessa

Chess Players: Ready To Take The Next Step?

Our very own Annex Chess Club, which meets at 918 Bathurst, is offering advanced chess training for tournament players this winter.
It begins January 25th.

Cheers,

Vanessa

Raw/Vegan Food Festival TODAY at 918 Bathurst

Apparently, there is a Raw/Vegan Food Festival at 918 Bathurst today.
Enjoy!
Vanessa

Nigel Short Talk at Annex Chess Club

If chess turns your crank, you may want to catch English grandmaster Nigel Short talking at our area's Annex Chess Club. He'll also participate in a simultaneous exhibition.

Doors open at 918 Bathurst at 6:30 pm on Monday. Tickets are$35, but if you wish, that would include a chess club membership.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Holiday Markets In The Area

Tis the season and Holiday Markets abound in our area.

There's one this weekend at 918 Bathurst, the second annual Art Market.

A longer-standing yearly tradition is The Artisan's Gift Fair at the Tranzac, which runs during all the weekends leading up to Christmas.

I can't find an online presence and I'm not sure if it runs every weekend, but last weekend Trinity St. Paul's was home to a fair trade craft show that has run for several December weekends in year's past.

Happy shopping.

Vanessa

P.S. If fair trade buying interests you, don't forget Ten Thousand Villages on Bloor. I shopped in there this weekend and they have a great gift selection.

Annex Chess Club

The Annex has a Chess Club! Housed at 918 Bathurst, which is itself intriguing. But I digress... to get the scoop about the Chess Club, you can peruse its website. The fees are very reasonable and its open to both children and adults.

Happy playing!
Vanessa