fourONEsixSTYLE

There’s nothing remarkable about the stretch of waterfront across from The Guvernment nightclub at Queen’s Quay where honeywagons sit parked before a large film production studio called Cinespace. It’s no surprise then that this is where the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation has set its sights to begin development of a key area of our waterfront called East Bayfront.

You’d think no one would object to the revitalization plan to include accessible waterfront and two-acre Sherbourne Park. The mixed use space, relative in size to Battery Park in Manhattan and London’s Canary Wharf will also include 7000 units of housing and 1 million square feet of commercial space. Cinespace, a major player in the Toronto film scene, will need to vacate by February 21st in order for the plan to go ahead, and they claim they’ve just been given notice to leave the premises leased by them from City of Toronto real estate developer TEDCO.

Toronto’s film industry is already dealing with city-ordered relocation of studio space, since a relative monopoly on the industry was given to the Toronto Film Studios to build Filmport. This means that space for US productions to shoot, key to the growing film industry in Toronto, is really tight. It could mean the loss of thousands of jobs if US productions find other cities that are more accommodating.

Cinespace is simply asking that it get 18 “official” months to find a new home. In the meantime Filmport and those affected by relocation can build new studios and Toronto can continue to offer the film production services it has come to be known for. Location Manager Craig Williams is one of 4454 film industry professionals who have signed an ongoing online petition agreeing that loss of studio space could have a “devastating impact” on Toronto’s film industry. He believes that “while we’ve all been waiting for the waterfront to evolve into something we can all use and explore, the city has to have a balanced plan to ensure it is not at the expense of key industry.”

ring buoy
Originally uploaded by 416style.

In an added bit of excitement during our Doors Open tour of the Toronto Police Marine Unit we witnessed the police make a speedy rescue of a man who’d fallen in from the pier. The man and his wife may have been tourists as they couldn’t speak English, making the rescue somewhat harder.

Given that the city can be so uptight about water barriers and fences - even in some cases for public fountains - it suprises me that there aren’t more blockades to certain points on the harbourfront pier that lack even a chain link to keep the public back. From what I discovered this man had just gotten too close and slipped. Even for those of us who can swim, the cold water can be a serious shock to the system.

Once in Stockholm in May my friends and I decided to cool off after a competitive game of basketball, the cold water made me lose my breath immediately and I couldn’t react. My friends on the dock grabbed me out (I was a lifeguard at the time). Hypothermia can be another risk in cold water.

When you’re out near the water with friends and family this summer wear a lifejacket where possible and keep your eye on kids at all times. I can’t tell you the number of times I had to jump in and pull kids from the pool beacause parents had turned their backs thinking that lifeguards could also “babysit” their kids at the pool. With 1 lifeguard for about every 75 patrons it’s near to impossible to manage when parents don’t assist. Be water smart this summer.

Is it just me or is the summer party scene dying down? There are a couple cool things going on this weekend, but it’s not enough. People want options, places to go with guaranteed good music, and not the usual places, or anywhere in the Entertainment District. Certainly some of us thirty-somethings are feeling wanton, been-there done-that, while many of our friends drift out of the scene and just like quiet evenings at home. What about those of us who still like the scoial scene in this city? Time to do something about it and start throwing my own parties I think. Hook it up with my girl Julie. With a little help from my friends we could bring in some hot DJs and find a cool space to keep us satisfied during these restless summer nights.

space ship
Originally uploaded by steffiejupe.

Traveling through Scandinavia as a teen, I would see massive amounts of graffiti all along the major train routes. Click clak. Click clak. My eyes would be fixed on the art as I passed; one brief moment, one spontaenous message, one image burned in my memory. It made me happy and reassured. Then, I would come back to my home in this city and everything felt so bland, so constructed, lacking the color and life of more established cities.

A couple years into High School my friends started the Keele wall, seen here, behind the Midas garage in High Park. It inspired me, made me draw, take pictures, explore the city. It was also really cool that Midas let my friends spraypaint whatever they liked as long as they designed a Midas logo for the passing subway cars and commuters to see. The wall still flourishes today, its message always new and simple. In this image it’s a spaceship, and the word “sight”. Next month a new artist will cover the space.

Even though the trend toward grafitti covered walls has been increasing in popularity, the City of Toronto has been pushing for stricter measures against its proliferation. The message to commercial property owners is this: “Clean up the art or pay the painting bill that the city hands over and a potential fine.” The argument presented is that alleys and walls of spraypaint scare away tourists. But, which tourists?

At the same time as this crackdown, festivals around the city are supporting the art and bringing people into the city core to celebrate it. Harbourfront Centre sponsored a Beats, Breaks and Culture event which showcased grafitti-based art, as well as music. The Grafitti 416 expo is on this weekend at Portland and Queen, and Little X’s Getting Up Festival last weekend advertised grafitti demos as part of its allure. Even, City Hall was involved in one outdoor art exhibition held this summer on its grounds that featured some of Toronto’s grafitti artists.

Yet, grafitti still gets a bad rap. Sure, there are punks with no respect, tagging buildings they have no right to. My anger flared seeing 1930’s dance club Palais Royale tagged by some amateur, and now the Hotel Edgewater’s retro sign will never be the same.

So some people give it a bad name. They’re not artists in the same right. Parameters should be set, and business owners should have their say. The mayor’s little broom icon from his campaign bumper stickers refered to trash and not art, I thought. Mayor Miller should learn the difference. The rest of the city knows. As do I. When I’m on that subway train heading to Keele station, about to pass the wall, and I see several TTC riders looking out the window with curious eyes all lit up looking at the wall, it makes me proud, and reassured that art of many kinds has a place in a city of many cultures.

breaking2
Originally uploaded by RIPope.

Day and night Toronto’s got it going on this summer weekend. From tonight until Sunday you can head down to the Harbourfront Centre at Queen’s Quay and find your flow at the Electronic music festival named Beats, Breaks and Culture. Check out full DJ listings here. I can vouch for the local talent: Steve Yanko, DJ Chocolate and Adam Marshall all mix some great tracks.

Then, if tonight is one of those nights you truly don’t want to end, hop aboard the beautiful tall ship Kajama for some more beats while sailing into the moonrise. Promise and alieninflux host the magical event from 11:30pm to 4 in tha morn. Call Dave for tix: 416-323-0361. Kajama boards at the dock behind the Harbourfront centre stage.

My bday is in less than a month…June 18…on a Saturday which is nice. I do prefer celebrating Sunday afternoon though. Last year was fantastic, all my friends came down to C-Lounge on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, we chilled with champagne and house music in a poolside cabana. Can I top it? Should I do something different? Everyone enjoyed the atmoshere of the place, but there aren’t any similar places I can think of.
The other option on the table is to rent a power boat from Queens Quay Yachting (www.queensquayyachting.com) and bomb around the harbour and the Toronto Islands. This is great too, but limited to about 12 people…how would I choose?
I really wish I had a pool, or that my girlfriend from LA would come back so we could hang at her place. Summer pool parties are awesome.