Artisans' Gift Fair at The Tranzac

Attention Last Minute Shoppers: get ye to The Artisans' Gift Fair this weekend at The Tranzac on Brunswick.
Last chance!
Cheers,
Vanessa

First Annex Flea Holiday Market Today

Well, if you can wade through the Santa Claus Parade hordes, you might want to head to the Centre for Social Innovation Annex at 720 Bathurst for the first of three Annex Flea Holiday Markets today.
Here's the scoop about The Annex Flea:
"The Annex Flea is market for all things handmade and vintage. We like these things because it's fun to shop from people who are passionate about their wares, along with the fact that buying local is both good for our community and for the environment. Hurrah!"
Things kick off at 11 a.m. and you can check out the website for more details about the vendors.
Speaking of shopping locally and buying from artisans, don't forget the Artisans' Gift Fair at the Tranzac.
It runs weekends in December.
Happy shopping!
Cheers,
Vanessa

Artisans' Gift Fair

Every year I'm a little peeved when the Hallowe'en decorations are swapped out for advent calendars and all that is glittery and tinsel.
But I don't seem to mind it as much this year! When the first snowflakes fell recently -- snap -- I felt my first Christmas glow. Could it be as simple as that for me? Hm. I do find it very hard to feel Christmas-y when it's green and balmy outside. Double hm.
Anyway, normally I have all of my Christmas shopping done by December. But this year I'm attempting to buy local/fair trade/artisan as much as possible; new resolution.
So I'll be checking out the annual Artisans' Gift Fair on every December weekend leading up to Christmas at The Tranzac. 
Hope to see you there!
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.

Children's Storefront Fundraiser Tuesday

This just rolled into my Facebook inbox...

"Please join us for this fun and exciting fundraiser for The Children's Storefront.
Afternoon Drop-In 4-6:30 PM - Rockabilly Ruby & Bellwoods Trinity + Airbrush Tattoos by Alana Motta

Buffet Dinner 5-6:30PM

Evening All Star Performances and Auction 7-10 PM, including performances by Abigail Lapell, Russell Leon, Related, and Bobby Motta.
Auction items donated by Baby Belly Casting, Random House, Penguin and many more."

It all takes place Tues. Nov. 23rd at The Tranzac in our area on Brunswick Ave.

Cheers,
Vanessa

The Tranzac Needs Help

The Tranzac Club, which hosts many interesting events in our area, needs help to survive. An emergency fundraising campaign has been launched.

Can you help?
Vanessa

Band Workshop This Summer For Children 10 to 16 Years Old

A neighbourhood friend passed along this info about a summer Band Workshop for older children. Now that my kids are in the tween and early teen years, interesting summer options seem to have dried up a bit.
I used to work in the summer (and loved making the money!), but there's not a lot of paid work options for kids younger than 16 anymore. After all, during a nine-week summer, "just chilling" gets a bit old.

So if you're 10 to 16 year has a musical bent, check this out. It's local, too! This is the sum total of what I know about it, but it certainly sounds interesting:

******************

5 DAY-LONG BAND WORKSHOP FOR AGES 10-16
Kevin Howley School of Rock

5 Day-long band workshop
Tranzac Club (Brunswick and Bloor St. W.)
Tuesday August 3-Saturday August 7 inclusive
9am-4pm
ages 10–16
$350

Led by Kevin Howley of Running Red Lights with Dave Puzak
Players will spend the days forming the bands (initially), selecting a small repertoire, rehearsing, playing rhythm & ear training games, songwriting/lyric writing workshops, performance workshops, and each day they'll be time outdoors for sports at a nearby park. Saturday afternoon there will be a gig at the Tranzac.
Players should have a handle on a fair number of basic chords and chord progressions (or beats/grooves for drummers), be able to play through a song, and carry a tune. Guitar and bass players would need to bring their instruments and picks; drummers, their sticks; keyboard players, their hands.
Each day, players would need to bring a packed lunch, sun hat, sun screen and water bottle.
Kevin has first aid & CPR training."
To register, or to ask questions, drop Kevin an email.
Enjoy,
Vanessa

Opera Erotique On At The Tranzac

Tonight and tomorrow are the only days left in the run of Opera Erotique at The Tranzac.

I haven't seen it, but it sounds intriguing and a bit different.
Cheers,

Vanessa