1 Love TO

Yesterday, I got a sneak peek at Bryan Espiritu’s (TheLegendsLeague/Ideall Clothing/Fully Wholly) artwork for his first solo show “Because The Kids Don’t Play”. He’s been working on 56 mixed media canvases ranging from 1×1′ to 4.5×4.5′, which will fill the 5000 sq foot gallery space inside 99 Sudbury. You’ll have to wait until Friday, May 13th to see the entire show, but I managed to get a few candid shots while Bryan was hard at work.

For more info and to RSVP, check out the Facebook Event page.

Previously: The Legends League – Trailer

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Whippersnapper Gallery is one of the city’s many, hidden treasures where people can go to find fresh, contemporary art. You may have walked by this gallery and not even realized it was there. It is nestled on the quiet and rather, bare corner of Dundas and Augusta (in between Kensington Market and Chinatown) and is no larger than a department store display window. Curated by Adrian Dilena and Joshua Barndt, they prefer to hold exhibits featuring young, Canadian artists (typically under 30), who’s art is expressed through mediums of visual, new media or performance art.

One of their more controversial exhibits (featured back in November), was a bold work by Montreal artist, Nader Hasan. Hasan gathered roadkill, euthanized or otherwise post-mortem-state animals found around Montreal, and applied his talents in the craft of taxidermy to the carcasses. The animals were used in his installation as a unique interpretation of forced acceptance of the harsh realities of death and the material objects it leaves behind. It was also a subtle critique/homage to the ancient custom of using animal skins, bones and hairs as instruments in the creation of many, different forms of art. Displayed in the window and throughout the confined space of Whippersnapper gallery, were the preserved animals, in various stages of physical decay however, Hasan opted to leave the animals in the positions they were found, out of respect and none of his artwork using the animals was up for sale. For unsuspecting passer’s-by you could imagine the visual this created.

Although Hasan’s was an exceptionally, vivd exhibit, Whippersnapper consistently delivers alternative, artistic expression through it’s monthly features. This month, it will be featuring weekly, recorded therapy sessions filmed a la video diary/talk-show- with random strangers off the street who are brave enough to stop in on the weekend and be on camera to confess their innermost thoughts and fears. The exhibit is called “Subjects”, by Zeesy Powers, and will be edited into a pilot episode premiering at the Toronto Underground Theatre on April 29th, 2011.

For more info check out whippersnapper.ca.

Written by Keesha Williams.

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Here’s a short story about Toronto’s street art movement and the topic of graffiti. This seems to be one of the most talked about topics as of recent, due to Mayor Rob Ford’s plan to eliminate it from our city.

What’s your take on this?

Video by Char Loro, Dylan McFadyen, Eric Kupp.

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“Paradigm Shift” is the name of the installation that graffiti artist KWEST created for The Mascot’s 1 year anniversary show. The massive 3-D representation of KWEST’s tag (made with hardboard and spray paint), takes up the entire wall of the gallery/café. Take a look at some of the photos below to see what this masterpiece really looks like.

KWEST
Kwest is a graffiti artist and master carpenter whose striking work can be seen across North America. He began writing graffiti in 1993 with a focus on freight trains. He quickly became one of Canada’s premier freight painters. Never one to fear traveling on his own, Kwest took his first cross-country freight-hopping trip from Vancouver to Toronto in 1999.

He also creates wood sculptures that are just as intricate as his graffiti. His woodwork has been commissioned by private residences and retailers like Toronto’s own Nomad and Stussy, as well as DQM in NYC. The Mascot is also the result of his exceptional workmanship, which is located at 1267 Queen Street West.

To see more pics by Matthew David Sleep, CLICK HERE.

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The Remix Project just released their graduation video for round 6.0. Take a minute to get familiar with this incredible organization. If you’re interested in applying, or know someone that should apply, make sure to visit theremixproject.ca.

Congratulations!

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Here’s a dope look at Bryan Espiritu’s “Pop-Up” Shop for IDEALL Clothing. If you don’t know by now, IDEALL (The Legends League) is 1 of Toronto’s leading street wear brands.

I can’t wait to tell you about his next project!

For more photos CLICK HERE.

Previously: The Legends League – Trailer

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The Maple Leaf Tartan with it’s distinctive green-and-red plaid pattern (inspired by the shifting hues of autumn leaves) — has not only been made the national tartan, but also an “official symbol” of Canada. It now has a place amongst the Coat of Arms, the Beaver and the Maple Leaf, all state-sanctioned symbols of Canada. Recognizing this design is a nod to all the Scottish settlers who have contributed to the quality of life in Canada.

“It is time to recognize the rich contribution Canadians of Scottish descent have made to this country by adopting a national tartan for Canada, which can be worn by every Canadian, regardless of their ancestry, as a symbol of national pride.” – Liberal Senator Elizabeth Hubley

The tartan was designed in 1964 by Toronto garment maker David Weiser.

Photo by Julie Oliver.

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While Hip-Hop found it’s roots in New York, it didn’t take long for Canada to embrace the culture and it’s music. Hip-Hop has been a part of Canada’s (primarily Toronto’s) identity since the late ’80s. CBC stepped up in collaboration with Manifesto to celebrate more than 25 years of Hip-Hop by Canadian artists. While the whole summit is a month-long idea and a week-long festival, the concert that happened on Tuesday was a live history lesson inside the Glenn Gould studio at the CBC Building.

Talent spanning decades, styles and the entire country, took to the stage one by one and performed some of their most memorable songs. Legends like Michie Mee, Maestro, Ghetto Concept, Dream Warriors, Saukrates and more, spent time reminding people exactly who they are, or teaching those who didn’t know. Kardinal, as usual, got the entire crowd rocking with him before running down a list of those who paved the road for his success in music. Choclair reminded us exactly why we were all listening to Ice Cold when it came out in ’99. K’naan was even able to bless the stage for a song and some words before making his way back to LA to work on his new album. After going through solo and collaborative joints from Shad, Classified, Cadence Weapon, Reema Major, Red1, K-OS and more it was nearing the end of the showcase. Maestro, Shad and k-os all performed parts of “Let Your Backbone Slide” for the grand finale.

Before calling it a night, the host Buck 65 suggested to keep it really “hip-hop” by having a live cypher on stage. Before you knew it everyone joined in a massive freestyle session, reminiscent of the cyphers in the park from back in the day. There was a lot of LOVE on that stage, from artist to artist and from the fans in the crowd. Once the Canadian contingency was on stage, Skratch Bastid and DJ X threw on “Northern Touch” and the place went bananas!

This Friday, April 1st, the CBC (located at 250 Front St.) will opens it’s doors to the public, for FREE! The Hip-Hop Summit features live performances, panel discussions and a premiere video screening of the concert. It runs from 2-8pm, and 1 LOVE T.O. will be hosting another one of our famous T-shirt “Pop-Up” Shops from 2-6pm (get there early).

See you there!

Photos by Ruthie Titus.

Written by GrahamCEO.

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Textuality is all about managing multiple relationships via BBM or text messages, and the struggles we go through in today’s digital world attempting to have just 1 meaningful relationship. The film has an impressive cast featuring Jason Lewis (Sex and The City), Carly Pope (Popular, Young People F’ing), and Eric McCormack (Will & Grace). What’s even more impressive is that the film was shot entirely in Toronto!

Coming April 22nd…

Directed by Warren P. Sonoda. Written by Liam Card. Produced by Marc Rigaux.

For more info visit textualitymovie.com.

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The most important 3 hours for hip-hop in Toronto has always been Saturdays from 1-4pm on CKLN 88.1 FM.

It all began back in 1983, when legendary radio host/concert promoter Ron Nelson first broadcast The Fantastic Voyage (1983-1988) from Ryerson University’s campus, making it the first hip-hop radio show to exist anywhere in the nation. The timeslot continued to gain historical significance and cultural relevance with the three shows that followed – The Power Move Show (1988-2000), The Real Frequency (2001-2005) and Mixtape Massacre (2005-present). CKLN’s been rocking the airwaves and our eardrums for nearly 30 years, making it the longest-running source for hip-hop music in Canada.

On Saturday, February 12, 2011, a monumental gathering took place when all four generations of radio shows came together for a single broadcast. Thinking it would be their last, Mixtape Massacre invited their predecessors to each play one hour dedicated to the era of hip-hop they represented while they were on the air.

CKLN had its license revoked by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) at the end of January due to problems with how the radio station conducted its operations (Decision 2011-56). But the day before its last broadcast, CKLN was granted a stay, allowing the station to remain on the air pending a decision by the Federal Court of Appeal. The mood that Saturday quickly turned from somber to celebratory.

“1 to 4” is a six-minute documentary capturing the historic radio show that took place on February 12, 2011. It features footage and interviews with Canadian hip-hop legends Michie Mee, Ron Nelson, Thrust and DJ X, along with P-Plus, Arcee, DJ Linx and Big Jacks.

To hear the historic broadcast from February 12, 2011, CLICK HERE.

Produced by Wavel Edwards aka Musiklee Inzane and Celine Wong.

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I’m extremely happy and proud to present you with “The Legends League” Trailer, featuring the hard work of my good friend Bryan Espiritu. If you’re unfamiliar with Bryan, he’s a talented writer, artist, and designer who continues to push the boundaries with his street wear brand IDEALL.

This trailer is only the beginning…

Video by Eighteen Eighty.

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Bravo! put together a 3-part documentary focusing on Toronto’s popular music scene in the 1950’s and ’60’s. Here’s a clip from Part 1 that aired last night in which Duke Edwards explains that Toronto was part of the Chitlin Circuit, and gives some great insight as to what T.O. was like back in the day!

Hopefully they’ll put the full documentary online after it finishes airing Wednesday night.

Directed by Bruce McDonald, this series is a love letter to Toronto and to the birth of Canada’s music scene.
(Part 2 – March 22 @ 10pm ET, Part 3 – March 23 @ 10pm ET on Bravo)

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