Display Comb 4

/ featured media, post meta, title, read more link and full content

Jack Layton statue and the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal unveiled

The unveiling of the Jack Layton statue with his widow, MP Olivia Chow
  • August 22, 2013
  • culture
  • Comments Off on Jack Layton statue and the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal unveiled
The unveiling of the Jack Layton statue with his widow, MP Olivia Chow

The unveiling of the Jack Layton statue with his widow, MP Olivia Chow

This morning it was a celebration of the former NDP leader Jack Layton on the 2 year anniversary of his death after his bout with cancer.

To honour his memory, a bronze statue was unveiled with Jack Layton riding a tandem bicycle in the back seat allowing people to sit on the front seat and pose for photos. The statue is called “Jack’s Got Your Back”. The incredible part is that the sculpture was made in part by his widow, MP Olivia Chow. There was much media fanfare and also hundreds of general public in attendance (estimated at over 500 people). There were speeches made and celebrations including a musical adaptation of his last letter to Canada entitled “Dear Friends”.

Also, the Toronto Island Ferry Terminal is now called the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Mayor Rob Ford was also in attendance.
IMG_9804
IMG_9803
IMG_9812

Check out the video from the Toronto Star about the making of the statue.
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2013/08/19/jack_layton_memorial_comes_to_life.html

The New Executive Suite at One King West: The Fifteen Hundred

The Fifteen Hundred executive suite
  • August 21, 2013
  • launch, venue
  • Comments Off on The New Executive Suite at One King West: The Fifteen Hundred

The centrally located One King West at the prestigious intersection of King and Yonge stands as a designated Ontario Heritage Building. At the time of its construction in 1914 it was one of the tallest buildings in Toronto at 12 storeys tall. And then in 2006 it reopened as a hotel and condominium residence with 51 storeys and over 300 suites.

Last week One King West unveiled their new executive hospitality suite, the Fifteen Hundred on the 15th floor. As soon as you walk in to this modern space you immediately notice the vast, open layout with the south-facing floor-to-ceiling glass wall that can be fully retracted. The wrap-around terrace is very large and inviting with sweeping views of downtown. I could spend many relaxing hours with friends out here. This is a unique, versatile space equipped for entertaining with a wireless touchpad controlling the lighting, drapery, wall-mounted TVs and audio.

One floor directly below there is also a new Fourteen Hundred suite that is well-equipped to be used as an off-site executive boardroom or for corporate training or as a dynamic party space.

And here’s the interesting thing: there’s a hidden staircase that directly connects these two suites, making this pair a unique and versatile two-storey space for entertaining, executive retreats, product launches and wedding receptions.

Also stay tuned with us as One King West Hotel & Residence celebrates their centennial anniversary in 2014 with an interactive “I Love Toronto” mural, weekly hotel prize packages culminating into a grand gala dinner at the Grand Banking Hall.

For more info visit their facebook page www.facebook.com/onekingwest and www.onekingwest.com

One-King-West-Fifteen-Hundred-BestofToronto-011
One-King-West-Fifteen-Hundred-BestofToronto-012
One-King-West-Fifteen-Hundred-BestofToronto-014
One-King-West-Fifteen-Hundred-BestofToronto-010
One-King-West-Fifteen-Hundred-BestofToronto-003
One-King-West-Fifteen-Hundred-BestofToronto-005

Full photo gallery here:

Splinter Cell: Blacklist Launch Party with Ubisoft Toronto

Splinter-Cell-Blacklist-Launch-Party-BestofToronto-003
Splinter Cell: Blacklist is the sixth installment of the popular game series, but this is the first that is wholly produced by the young Ubisoft Toronto studio. With three years of hard work behind them and already very solid reviews of the game, the Toronto team had a lot to celebrate. And celebrate they did, and we were fortunate enough to be part of it.

We were greeted at the door by the hostess and immediately handed very cool USB key dog tags to commemorate the launch. What’s the USB key for you ask? Well it’s to store your pictures with the one and only Sam Fisher, the main character in the game! There was an area set up where you can pose with a real, live actor playing Sam Fisher, using props such as night vision goggles, an assault rifle, and a knife. You were encouraged to be as creative or action-oriented as you can be. A photographer then took your photo, which were then transferred to your USB key dog tags. What an awesomely unique and personalized souvenir!

The venue itself, Metropolis Factory, was a dimly-lit, multi-level warehouse that only served to immerse you in an almost game-like environment. From the second floor the game’s producer, Jade Raymond, made a rousing speech to the cheers and applause from the team below. It was clear that the Toronto team was proud of its accomplishments, which was made even more evident after talking to some of the editors, animators, engineers, and others who contributed to the game. Food was aplenty and drinks were flowing all night long.

Several Xbox 360 stations and gamer couches were available for everyone to try out the game ahead of its launch. With control innovations using Xbox 360’s Kinect motion sensor and Wii U’s controller touchscreen, the reintroduction of the popular “Spies vs Mercs” multiplayer mode, and most importantly the return to the series’ stealth roots, gamers have a lot to look forward to. Splinter Cell: Blacklist will be released on August 20th on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, and PC.

Watch for more exciting projects to come out from Ubisoft Toronto!

Words by John Tan. Photos by Nick Lee
Splinter-Cell-Blacklist-Launch-Party-BestofToronto-018
Splinter-Cell-Blacklist-Launch-Party-BestofToronto-017
Splinter-Cell-Blacklist-Launch-Party-BestofToronto-012
Splinter-Cell-Blacklist-Launch-Party-BestofToronto-001

Jade Raymond, Managing Director, Ubisoft Toronto

Jade Raymond, Managing Director, Ubisoft Toronto

Splinter-Cell-Blacklist-Launch-Party-BestofToronto-009

Here’s a great video by Ubisoft Toronto of the launch party

Ubisoft’s trailer for Splinter Cell: Blacklist

About Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist
In Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist, players take on the role of lethal operative Sam Fisher who must stop an international terrorist group behind The Blacklist, a series of escalating attacks on US assets. Operating under the newly formed Fourth Echelon unit, Sam Fisher and his team will use any means necessary to prevent the next deadly assault.

Delivering a gripping modern-day storyline, the game brings back core elements of the franchise and incorporates a new level of technical innovation and design to create the biggest Splinter Cell to date. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist will push the series to even greater heights by offering a complete package where single-player, co-op and multiplayer are tied to a universal economy system supporting a wide variety of play styles. Ghost players want to remain undetected; they analyze and plan the best way to go unseen. Panther players look for lethality in the most efficient and silent way. Assault players rely on instincts and are about open fire.

For more information on the game, please visit: splintercell.com and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/splintercell

Photos from the Pantages Hotel Wedding Showcase

  • August 17, 2013
  • industry, venue
  • Comments Off on Photos from the Pantages Hotel Wedding Showcase

Pantages Hotel is centrally located in the heart of downtown at 200 Victoria Street, just steps away from iconic Toronto destinations such as the Eaton Centre, Massey Hall, and Dundas Square. Out-of-town wedding guests are sure to be entertained very well during their stay.

Features include a well-equipped Shizen spa, fitness gym, valet parking and a martini bar. The intimate main ballroom can hold up to 220 guests for a reception and a total of 89 contemporary suites.

For more information visit http://www.pantageshotel.com and the wedding brochure is here.

Martini Bar in the lobby

Martini Bar in the lobby

Cultural wedding setup

Cultural wedding setup

Pantages-Wedding-BestofToronto-004

Inside the bridal suite

Inside the bridal suite

Shizen Spa

Shizen Spa

Shizen Spa

Shizen Spa

More photos here

Also check out the The King Edward Hotel Wedding Showcase

Photos from Toronto Festival of Beer 2013

Kevin Brauch, Thirsty Traveler

Toronto-Festival-of-Beer-BestofToronto-032

Running on it’s 19th year, it was another well-attended 3 days of the annual Toronto Festival of Beer, one of the largest celebrations of beer in Canada with over 200 beer brands to sample at Exhibition Place. Even with the popularity of the festival, the beer prices are a pretty good value (when you don’t count the admission fee). You can fill your glass beer mug for $2 at almost all the beer booths. I was satisfied for a whole day of light sampling with just a pack of 20 tokens for $20. Compare that to other alcohol-centric festivals that charge admission and $8-10 per drink. It was a great deal when I was there in 2011 and a nice patron sold me his bag of tokens for a discount because he was leaving.

Highlights included cooking demos with Rock Lobster and Fidel Gastros among others. There was also live music on the main stage with De La Soul on Friday, The Spin Doctors on Saturday and Big Sugar on Sunday. Big Sugar is amazing live by the way, in case you didn’t already know. Great band for hot summer weather like at a beer festival. I got to see them in concert at Sound Academy last year.

The Mill Street tent always has great busker entertainment, too. What I also like about beer fest is being able to try my usual favourites (Erdinger, Pilsner Urquell and Mill Street’s Tankhouse) while also tasting roads less traveled.

Also it was nice running into Kevin Brauch aka the one and only The Thirsty Traveller from The Food Network who was generous enough to offer me his last 2 beer tokens in his pocket. Drinks on me next time!

Kevin Brauch, The Thirsty Traveller

Kevin Brauch, The Thirsty Traveller

Big Sugar

Big Sugar

Toronto-Festival-of-Beer-BestofToronto-035
Toronto-Festival-of-Beer-BestofToronto-016
Toronto-Festival-of-Beer-BestofToronto-036
Toronto-Festival-of-Beer-BestofToronto-062
Toronto-Festival-of-Beer-BestofToronto-005
Toronto-Festival-of-Beer-BestofToronto-064
Toronto-Festival-of-Beer-BestofToronto-049

Full gallery below and also check out photos from last year’s Toronto Festival of Beer 2012

And check out this great video by our friends at Trend Hunter

About Toronto’s Festival of Beer:
Toronto’s Festival of Beer is a celebration of Canada’s rich brewing history, showcasing experts of the brewing craft from around the world. Featuring more than 200 brands, Toronto’s Festival of Beer is Canada’s premier celebration of the golden beverage.

For more info check out www.beerfestival.ca

Photos from Toronto Festival of Beer 2012
IMG_4220

1 … 251 252 253 254 255 … 301