Yonge Buzz
Your bi-weekly hotsheet on all that’s happening downtown - 24 Jul 2008

Whats new Downtown No kidding – Just for Laughs is on now Downtown Toronto becomes comedy central for the next few days, with the Just for Laughs Toronto Festival opening July 24 and running until July 27. The four-day laugh-a-thon features comedy galas, concerts, “ethnic series” shows, and street parties with renowned comedians such as Martin Short, Jason Alexander, and Jimmy Fallon. Just for Laughs takes place at Massey Hall, the Winter Garden Theatre, Yonge Street and Yonge-Dundas Square. For festival schedule and details, visit www.hahaha.com or call 416-872-1111. Get set for the Turkish Festival “Selam!” Yonge and Dundas Square is centre stage for the 3rd annual Toronto Turkish Festival Culture taking place August 2 and 3 from 10:00am to 10:00pm. Pack up the whole family and experience Turkish hospitality right here in our city. Celebrate the rich culture through a wide variety of arts, handcrafts, music, folk dance and much more. Come and sample authentic Turkish cuisine such as shish-kebabs and baklavas. The festivities include live music, dancing and features the march of the well-known Ottoman Military Band. Call Mehmet Gul at 416 269 7670 for details or visit www.torontoturkishfestival.org. Cadillac Fairview Tower makes a dramatic entrance After a 10-month renovation, the Cadillac Fairview Tower at Queen and Yonge opened its front doors on July 21 to reveal a more contemporary and streamlined lobby. Gone are the brass finishes and monochromatic beige colour scheme. Today, the new lobby gleams with stainless steel finishes and dark grey marble accents that provide a sharp contrast to the existing natural-tone marble. A wood-grained ceiling and larger windows add drama while reinforcing the modern contemporary theme. A new elevator for passenger with special access needs has also been added. Drop by today to see the newly renovated lobby of the Cadillac Fairview Tower, located at 20 Queen Street West.		Whats On Now Whats on now: There’s always something happening at the Yonge-Dundas Square, like free movies every Tuesday and free concerts Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information, visit www.ydsquare.ca. July 24 at 7:00pm and 9:30pm Asian Invasion presented by Just For Laughs at the Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge Street. Sugar Sammy hosts an evening of laughter featuring some of North America’s top Asian comedians and special guest Jo Koy. Call 416 872 5555 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca. July 25 and 26 at 7:00pm and 9:30pm Wise Guys presented by Just For Laughs at the Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge Street. The best Italian comics under one roof. Hosted by The Doo Wops, Joey Kola and special guest Dom Irrera. Call 416 872 5555 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca. July 27 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm In the Footsteps of the Black Victorians – A Walking Tour at the Mackenzie House in Partnership with Heritage Toronto. Discover Black History in Toronto. Tour starts at St. Lawrence Market and concludes at Mackenzie House. Call 416-392-6915 or visit www.toronto.ca/culture/mackenzie_house.htm. July 29 to August 31 Avenue Q at the Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge Street. Skillfully manipulated life size puppets tell the story of a group of neighbors on New York’s Avenue Q in this Tony award-winning musical. Suitable for ages 13+. Call 416-872-5555 or visit www.ticketmaser.ca. Now to July 27 (see website for event schedule) Just for Laughs Toronto Festival at Yonge-Dundas Square, Massey Hall and the Winter Garden Theatre. Let celebrity comedians such as Martin Short, Jason Alexander and Jimmy Fallon tickle your funny bone. Then join the city’s largest street parties in Yonge-Dundas Square. For more information visit www.hahaha.com. Or call 416-872- 1111. Now to August 27 at 10:00am to 2:00pm Fresh Wednesdays at Nathan Phillips Square. Ontario Farmers provide an array of vegetables, fruits, fresh-cut flowers and more at the Farmers’ Market. Enjoy free noon hour concerts by local artists. Call 416-338-0338 or visit www.toronto.ca/specialevents. Now to August 28 at 11:00am to 2:00pm Tasty Thursdays at Nathan Phillips Square. International cuisine from a variety of Toronto restaurants combined with free noon hour concerts. Call 416-338-0338 or visit www.toronto.ca/specialevents. Every Saturday and Sunday in July and August from 12:00noon to 4:30pm Kids’ Kraft at Mackenzie House. 82 Bond Street. Kids enjoy an historically-based activity. July’s activity is crayon rubbing, included in admission. Call 416 392 6915 or visit www.toronto.ca/culture/mackenzie_house.htm. Museum closed Mondays. Every Tuesday at 8:00pm Pub Stumpers Trivia at the Duke of Richmond, 20 Queen St. E. No cover charge. Call 416-340-7887. Special Days at the Pantages Martini Bar, 200 Victoria Street. M3 Mondays feature live DJ, $5 Martinis, Mojitos, and Mac and Cheese. After Work Social Thurdays enjoy live DJ, $2 Burgers and $5.00 Red Stripe. On Jazz out Fridays be entertained with live music by Rob Scott and Bob Scott, and $10 Purple Haze Martinis. On Soundscape Saturdays come for alternating live and electronic music and $10 Paninis. For details call 416 362 1777. Every Friday & Saturday 6:30pm to 9:30pm Live Jazz at Le Commensal, 655 Bay Street. Call 416-596-9364. No cover charge.
In the Spotlight Spotlight on Balanced Body, Balanced Spirit Aching bodies and frazzled minds find new life at Balanced Body, Balanced Spirit, a registered massage therapy practice owned and operated by Sarah King, who has been a registered massage therapist for almost 10 years. Here, in a quaint and cozy sanctuary with soft lights and earth-toned walls, clients ranging from infants to retirees find comfort under King’s hands and the hot stones she often uses as part of the treatment. “The heat of the stones helps to bring blood and nutrients to the muscle,” she explains. “I place the stones along the body and use both the stones and my hands to massage the body. The effect is an overall sense of relaxation and calm.” Since every client is different, King says she varies her approach according to each person’s needs. “If someone likes deep pressure or lighter pressure, then that’s what I’ll give them,” she says. “I’m very friendly and relaxed and I take the time to meet with clients to talk about their goals so I can tailor their massage therapy to their needs.” Many group health plans cover registered massage therapy, but to make it even easier for her clients, Balanced Body, Balanced Spirit is set up for direct billing with a number of health insurance providers, says King. Balanced Body, Balanced Spirit is located at 2 College Street, Suite 106. Hours of operation are Monday to Wednesday 10:00am to 8:00pm, Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm, and the first and third Saturday of the month from 9:00am to 4:00pm. For more information or to book an appointment, call 416-928-6068. Or send an email to sarahrmt@roxysoftware.com.
Take The Downtown Dare Look up at the glass ceiling of the atrium inside the Eaton Centre and you’ll see a flock of geese in flight. For July, we dare you to tell us what this sculptural work of art is called and who created it. Winner gets a certificate to the City Grill located at the Toronto Eaton Centre. Send your entry to marketing@downtownyonge.com. Contest ends July 31.		Street Smart Street Lighting Construction: Hours of work: Weekdays (M-F) from 7am to 7pm; 2 lane closure in the area of construction, Yonge Street west curb lane from Shuter to Dundas. No work or lane closures during weekends (Sat/Sun). July 25 and 26: Closures along Yonge Street from Dundas to Shuter due to Just for Laughs Festival. Until Sept 30 2009: Temperance and Adelaide between Yonge and Bay eastbound lane occupied due to construction of Bay-Adelaide Centre. Until June 25, 2010: Shuter from Victoria to Bond northbound curb lanes, Victoria eastbound curb lane, Bond westbound curb lane all occupied due to construction of Ki Ka Shing Knowledge Institute. For more road closure news visit www.toronto.ca/transportation/road_info.