Yonge Buzz
Your bi-weekly hotsheet on all that's happening downtown - 22 Jul 2010

Whats new Downtown Who wants to be the 20 millionth guest at the Delta Chelsea? The Delta Chelsea Downtown is getting set to celebrate a major milestone since opening its doors on October 27, 1975: the arrival of its 20 millionth guest. Upon check-in, this lucky guest will receive an amazing gift package that includes return airfare for two to Toronto, two-night stay in Delta Chelsea’s luxurious Premier Suite including all meals for two, Swedish Massage for two at Elmwood Spa, dinner for two at Bangkok Garden, a $250 Gift Card for the Eaton Centre, two tickets to one of Toronto’s major live theatre shows, passes and transportation for two to Toronto’s most exciting attractions. The Delta Chelsea Hotel is located at 33 Gerrard Street West. Be the 20 millionth guest and book today. Visit www.deltachelsea.com. Toronto Eaton Center now on Facebook and Twitter Become a fan and follower of the Toronto Eaton Centre on Facebook and Twitter and be the first to know about the latest news, events, exclusive promotions and much more. To sign up, click here. How Now Mrs. Brown Cow! performances extended The North American premiere of How Now Mrs. Brown Cow! hasn’t even begun, but already the smash hit comedy from Ireland is proving so popular among Toronto audiences that Mirvish Productions has decided to extend performances for a full week. How Now Mrs. Brown Cow! is opening at the Canon Theatre on August 17 and will run until August 28. Tickets are available by calling 416 872 1212 or 1 800 461 3333, and online at www.mirvish.com. Presenting the cast of Beauty and the Beast Ross Petty is proud to announce the cast of this year’s new hilarious show, Beauty and the Beast. The stellar cast includes Canadian Idol winner Melissa O’Neil, CTV’s Degrassi star Jake Epstein, Mirvish Production’s Dirty Dancing star Jake Simmons and, of course, Ross Petty. Beauty and the Beast is scheduled to play at the Elgin Theatre, located at 189 Yonge Street, from November 26 to January 2. To reserve your tickets, call the Group Tix Company at 647 438 5559 or 1 866 447 7849. Cirque du Soleil, Billy Elliott coming to the Canon Theatre The Canon Theatre is getting ready for two great shows coming to Downtown Yonge this fall and winter. Cirque du Soleil’s new production, Banana Shpeel, a colourful combination of slapstick comedy, eclectic dance and unique acrobatic acts, will perform for a limited engagement from September 14 to October 10. Tickets are now available by phone at 416 872 1212 or 1 800 461 3333, or online at www.mirvish.com. Then on January 28, the Canon Theatre will open its curtains for the Tony Award winning Billy Elliot the Musical, an exhilarating story about a boy’s triumph against the odds. Group tickets can be purchased by phone at 416 593 4142 or 1 800 724 6420. Single tickets will go on sale in September. The Canon Theatre is located at 244 Victoria Street.		Whats On Now Whats on now: There’s always something happening at Yonge-Dundas Square. Check out the Arts at the Heart artisan market, as well as musical performances, arts festivals and a variety of special events taking place all summer long. For complete event listings, visit www.ydsquare.ca. July 24 at 10:30pm Bombay Nights at Hard Rock Lounge, 279 Yonge Street. DJ’s mixing the best of Bollywood, Bhangra and Top 40. Tickets are $20 at door. For more information, email Crystal Watts at Toronto_salescoordinator@hardrock.com. Until July 25 Indulge your appetite as participating top fine dining establishments all over the city offer the ever popular three-course prix fixe menus at a great price. Downtown Yonge restaurants include Bangkok Garden at 13 Elm Street, Bb33 inside the Delta Chelsea Hotel and Trios Bistro in the Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel. Reservations are now being accepted. For more details, visit www.toronto.ca/summerlicious. July 29 Inside (Outside) Ride Corporate Challenge at Yonge-Dundas Square. A stationary bike is waiting for you so show your support and sign up for this worthy cause to benefit children with cancer. For more information visit http://IGToronto.theinsideride.co or call Oran, Sue or Sheri at 416 860 1668 or send an email to oran.boyle@investorsgroup.com. Until July 31 CAA / AAA Special Promotion at the Bond Place Hotel Downtown Toronto, 65 Dundas Street East. CAA / AAA members enjoy the exclusive special rates. Higher discount offered up to 25%. Book by July 31 and travel by August 31, 2010 to take advantage of this offer. For reservation, please call 1 800 268 9390 or visit www.bondplace.ca. Until August 26 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm Fresh Wednesdays and Tasty Thursdays at Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West. Enjoy delicious food at great prices and free concerts featuring blues, jazz, world, roots and reggae. For performance schedule and other details, visit http://www.toronto.ca/special_events. Saturdays and Sundays in July from 12:00noon to 5:00pm Free Summer Weekends at Mackenzie House, 82 Bond Street. You are invited to visit the last home of Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie and enjoy an historically-based activity. View the exhibit “Toronto’s Tumultuous Year: William Lyon Mackenzie as Mayor.” For more information, contact machouse@toronto.ca or 416-392-6915. All summer long Summer and the City at the Duke of Somerset, 655 Bay Street and the Duke of Richmond, 20 Queen Street West. Enjoy featured wines, Woodbridge White Zinfandel and Fuzion Chenin Blanc Chardonnay, for only $4 a glass and receive a ballot to win a $100 gift card for Town Shoes. No cover charge. Call the Duke of Richmond at 416 340 7887 and the Duke of Somerset at 416 640 0921 or visit www.thedukepubs.ca for more information. Every Sunday from 11:00am to 2:00pm Sunday Brunch with Jazz at Commensal, 655 Bay Street. Enjoy delicious wholesome breakfast dishes paired with jazz. No cover charge for jazz. Free parking with minimum $20 purchase. For more information, call 416 596 9364 visit www.commensal.ca. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Tastings at 5:30pm at the Duke of Richmond, 20 Queen Street West. Come by for delicious food tasting on Mondays and Tuesdays, beer tasting on Thursdays. No cover charge. For inquiries call 416 340 7887. Tuesdays and Weekends Tuesdays Tastings and Weekend Specials at the Duke of Somerset, 655 Bay Street. Every Tuesday at 5:30pm, treat your taste buds to samples of different beverages and appetizers. Come on in Saturdays and Sundays after 4:00pm for $5.00 martinis and a special steakhouse menu featuring AAA Alberta beef. Call 416 640 0921. Every Wednesday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm Live Jazz with Cara Matthew at Woo Buffet Restaurant and Lounge, 10 Dundas Street East, 5th Floor. Enjoy an evening of fine dining and great live entertainment. Call 416 977 9966 or visit www.woorestaurantlounge.com. Every Thursday at 9:00pm Jerome Godboo presents Delta Blues Nights at Monarchs Pub in the Delta Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard Street. Listen to the sounds of Toronto’s best renowned blues musicians including , Roaul Bheneja Band with Tom Bona, Darren Gallen and featuring Johnny Sansone on July 22, Danny Marks, Alec Fraser, Denis Keldie and Danny Lockwood on July 29. Call 416 585 4352 or visit www.monarchspub.ca. Special Days at the Pantages Martini Bar, 200 Victoria Street Live music with Jenny Burke and $5 Martinis on Mondays, After Work Social Thursdays, Jazz Out Fridays and Soundscape Saturdays. For details call 416 362 1777. Special Days at The Wolf and Firkin, 43 Elm Street at Bay Open mic Tuesdays, howl with Augy G. Karaoke Wednesdays with Charlie. Live music Fridays and Saturdays featuring Toronto’s top musicians. No cover charge. Call 416 971 6264.
In the Spotlight Spotlight on Bond Place Hotel It has stood at the corner of Dundas and Bond for years – a steadfast, welcoming beacon in the centre of the city. But while the Bond Place Hotel is an old favourite among many visitors to Toronto, it is looking all shiny and brand new these days. That’s because Bond Place Hotel has been busy with renovations and improvements – from its lobby with a new fireplace and cozy sofas to its guest rooms with new hardwood floors, flat-screen televisions and ultra-comfortable beds. “With most of the renovations done, the Bond Place Hotel is now quite modern but very elegant, with plenty of natural touches like wood set against soft colours like cream, beige and white,” explains Rose Napolean, Bond Place Hotel’s group sales and catering coordinator. But there are more improvements in store for guests. A new business centre, complete with Internet access, computers and printers, is set to open in September in the lobby area, right beside the recently opened b espresso bar. Bond Place Hotel is also continuing to enhance its guest rooms; Napolean says bathroom renovations are now underway. See the new and improved Bond Place Hotel first hand. Make a reservation by calling 416-362-6061 or 1-800-268-9390. You can also reserve online by visiting www.bondplace.ca. Bond Place Hotel is located at 65 Dundas Street East.
Take The Downtown Dare For the month of July, we dare you to send us a photo showing you and your family or friends celebrating Canada Day in Downtown Yonge. Send your entry to mkocsmaros@downtownyonge.com. The first person to send a photo receives a $25 gift certificate to the Duke of Somerset, 655 Bay Street. Contest ends July 31, 2010.		Street Smart Ongoing construction Yonge Street from Gerrard north to Carlton curb lane will be occupied due to construction. Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 3:00pm on the east side of Yonge and 9:00am to 6:00pm on the west side of Yonge. Regular construction updates will be issued to provide further details. Until Mid August The following areas will be affected due to road and sidewalk repairs from 7:00pm to 6:00am, Monday to Friday. Expect traffic delays during construction. · Bloor Street to Lakeshore Blvd · University Avenue to Jarvis Street Until August 31 Bond Street at Gould Street southbound lane will be occupied due to building construction. September 6 Yonge Street from Dundas to Shuter will be closed from 9:00am to 8:00pm due to the celebration of Brazilian Day Canada. Sept 7 to 20 The following areas will be affected by filming of the Toronto International Film Festival:· Gerrard Street west between Yonge and Church - One lane on each side of the street will be occupied by production vehicles· Yonge Street between Queen and Shuter - Lane closure of two northbound lanes resulting on southbound lanes being turned into two-way traffic· Victoria Street - Southbound lane between Queen and Shuter and northbound lane between Dundas and Gould will be occupied by production vehicles· Dundas Street between Yonge and Victoria - Excluding peak hours, one westbound lane will be occupied by production vehicles The production company will notify affected businesses and residents before filming. For more information, contact location manager Megan Kotz at 416 967 7371. For more road closure news visit www.toronto.ca/transportation/road_info.