Here’s a brief introduction to the new Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre with our friend and Managing Director Seema Jethalal.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to leave a comment below.
Video by MyCityLives.
Last week we announced that 1loveto.com has become part of the #AmexAmbassador team, where we get to enjoy all the perks that Amex offers its Cardmembers. One such perk is Amex Delights, an online destination that is updated regularly with special offers designed with Amex Cardmembers in mind.
As part of the VIP Amex Delights package, this past weekend we attended the Canadian Premiere of “War Horse.” Yes, that’s right. We already saw it and it was sooo good.
Part of the packaged included access to a VIP reception prior to the play starting inside the lovely Princess of Wales Theatre; there were complimentary cocktails and then we knew we were in for a great Friday night theatre experience. In the trailer posted above you see the War Horse as a very young hunter horse, but during the course of the play you watch “Joey” (the horse) grow. And the more his character develops, the further you have fallen in love with him without realizing it – and that’s all before intermission.
We definitely don’t want to ruin it for you, but it’s worth checking out. And for more info about Amex Delights, check out their Facebook tab. Amex Delights is currently offering a great package for another Mirvish show coming up in May, Bring It On: The Musical. (Tix are a great gift idea)
Tweet us all about it!
#AmexAmbassador
As you may know, 1 LOVE T.O. has been supporting the American Express-sponsored Summerlicious and Winterlicious over the past year, telling you guys all about the food fest that lets Torontonians sample three-course, prix-fixe menus at some of the city’s top restaurants.
Well, this year, we’re even more excited to partner with American Express Canada as a part of the #AmexAmbassador program. Those of you who already have an Amex Card know about the great services Amex offers; like Front Of The Line, Membership Rewards, and Amex Delights, which give you access to some of the best events around. As an Amex Ambassador, 1 LOVE T.O. will be sharing all of these experiences with you first-hand as we check out all the great concerts, festivals, dinners and shows that Amex offers its Cardmembers.
To get things started, we headed to Ottawa to take part in Winterlude (Bal De Neige). Amex has been a presenting sponsor for seven years now, which means that we took in the sights and sounds of our country’s capital in style. Shoutout to the #AmexAmbassador team: Coco of Coco&Cowe, Lisa of Hip Urban Girl, and Jen of She Does The City.
Our Winterlude weekend kicked off Friday night in style with a Gala Dinner event at the Museum of Civilization hosted by celebrity chef Lynn Crawford, former Executive Chef of the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto and New York, and better known for her award winning T.V. show “Pitchin In”. The food was delightful – so much so we had to take pictures!
Immediately after dessert, we went outside of the Museum doors to enjoy the best fireworks presentation ever! It’s safe to say Friday night ended with a bang!
Saturday at Winterlude brought so much fun. A lot of you following along on Twitter saw pics of us skating along the Rideau Canal, stopping to check out an awesome culinary presentation by La Cite Collegiale, where we sampled the yummy food. This all took place inside the Amex Lounge located right on the skateway.
Following skating, we headed to the Byward Market for an amazing Fire-and-Ice themed dinner at the Courtyard Restaurant, which one of the many culinary experiences offered as part of Taste of Winterlude. Amex Cardmembers were able to get Front of the Line access to tickets for this unique dinner. We also tweeted a lot about this meal as every course involved either a fire or ice element, and was paired with the perfect wine, be it red, white or ice wine. This meal also had a pre-dessert and dessert, after which we put on our coats, grabbed a cup of hot apple cider and went outside for a fiery, Cirque-style presentation.
We are very thankful that we were a part of this amazing weekend. If you do get a chance to check out Winterlude and want to learn more first, go to the American Express Canada Facebook page. But Winterlude is only on for one more weekend, so if you can, Go! Check! It! Out!
And, as always, you can tweet us…
The documentary film “Colour Me” will be screening at TIFF Bell Lightbox, Saturday, February, 18th at 7pm for FREE!
About
In the Toronto suburb of Brampton black youth are growing up with middle-class lives but ghetto dreams, immersing themselves in the outlaw fantasies of hip-hop culture as they try to form their identities. Into this emotional cauldron steps Anthony McLean, a dedicated, passionate teacher who leads motivational workshops in a Brampton high school, working with six young people to expand their ideas of what it means to be black. McLean is an apt tutor because he struggles with his own sense of black identity, having grown up biracial and attended schools where he and his brother were highly visible minorities. Director Sherien Barsoum brings a polished style and a sensitive eye to this engaging documentary, capturing the remarkable human alchemy as McLean coaxes his high-schoolers from put-on bravado into the riskier terrain of adulthood.
For more info, CLICK HERE.
Robert Nesta Marley, born February 6th 1945, is an international music hero for his ability to spread the message of LOVE. It is no secret that the concept of One Love was first taught through Bob Marley’s music and is now shared for our movement. So with that said today, this month, and forever we will honour the one and only Bob Marley.
Click HERE to learn more about Bob Marley.
Toronto based magazine Acqtaste (Acquired Taste Magazine) is dedicated to showcasing food culture from around the world. They just released their 2nd edition, including some great local features. Get to know Toronto’s very own Yabu Pushleberg design firm, or read the exclusive recipe editorial with Hachiro Michael Fujise and Masaru Ogasawara of Toronto’s GUU Restaurant. Plus, there’s an interview with Rob Rossi about his long awaited restaurant Bestellen, as well as an essay about Toronto’s cocktail scene from The Harbord Rooms‘ David Mitton.
Needless to say, if you’re a foodie, this magazine is for you!
If you’d like your very own copy, here’s a list of shops in Toronto.
For more info: acqtaste.com
UforChange works with new Canadian and low-income youth living in and around St. James Town to inspire them and give them the tools to succeed by providing support and resources to pursue higher education, volunteering, job shadowing and/or employment opportunities. They help to connect youth with professionals, artists, and community leaders who teach them how to use the arts as a vehicle for economic, cultural and social change.
UforChange is a federally funded pilot project until March 31, 2012.
If you’d like to see this program continue, you can make a donation HERE.
(Tax receipts are available for donations of $25.00 or more.)
For more info: uforchange.org
Previously: UforChange – Documentary
Black History Month starts today!
Toronto Facts
In the 1950’s, community organizations such as the Canadian Negro Women’s Association began to celebrate the importance of the history of the black community in Toronto. In 1979, Toronto became the first municipality in Canada to proclaim Black History Month through efforts of many individuals and organizations such as the Ontario Black History Society. In 1995, Toronto Area MP Jean Augustine introduced a motion which was passed unanimously by the House of Commons to recognise Black History Month across Canada.
For a complete list of City of Toronto Black History Month events, CLICK HERE.
Video courtesy of the University of Toronto (Sacarborough Campus).
The good folks from The Hue (Vancouver based culture source) sat down with 1 LOVE T.O.’s very own Bryan Brock to talk everything Toronto.
Thanks for the love!
Last year we posted the trailer for “Esha”, a short film about a modern-day love story rooted in the cultural backrop of how people change their names to fit into western society. After being in a series of Film Festivals around the world, Toronto Director Rez Dahya has made Esha available online.
Let us know what you think?
For more info: itwaswritten.ca
Previously: “Esha” Trailer
Happy Chinese New Year!
The year of the Dragon starts today, and continues for 15 days in celebration of the 2012 Chinese New Year.
The World In 1 City.
Previously: Year Of The Rabbit
If you’re not from the east, there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of The Avro, a small Queen Street East bar owned and operated by Rachel Conduit and Bruce Dawson. Since they opened their doors in 2010, they’ve been helping to reinvent the Leslieville area with a variety of community events featuring local talent. Most recently, The Avro launched a calendar project entitled “East Side Icon Project”, which honours some of the area’s unsung heroes. All the money raised from this project will go directly to community-building initiatives to rejuvenate the East Side.
For more info: theavro.com
Photography by Margaret Mulligan.
via TheGrid