To warm up for the MMVAs we were invited to the The Field’s MMVA Pre-Party at Tryst Nightclub, a star-studded event. DJ Heather Van Viper, Diva Girl Fitness, Classified and These Kids Wear Crowns were among those in attendance. Also, Karl Wolf chatted with us about his new album, Finally Free, which will be released on July 10, 2012.
Bacardi cocktails were served, Corona was being handed out. Hypnotiq had tasty drinks as well. A little bit of rain didn’t deter us from having a great time on the Tryst patio. Inside the club, there was a ton of stuff to do as well including cupcakes, the Kiss FM 92.5 booth, jewellery from Madame NiNoN, and great swag bags.
Congrats on the Field for snatching 20 MMVA nominations including 3 awards!
Comments Off on Exclusive Interview with Kovak, NXNE Critic’s Pick
Meet Kovak, voted Critic’s Choice at last year’s NXNE Festival by NOW Magazine: “Brighton, UK-based electro pop outfit Kovak played a dynamite set of smokin’ dance rock that just kept gathering steam with every song.” says Susan Cole, Now Magazine.
We interviewed them today in the middle of a whirlwind 3-gig, 2-day NXNE tour, playing at 627 Studio and El Mocambo yesterday while getting ready for their performance tonight at The Mod Club opening for Platinum Blonde!
We hope this lovely and fun trio return soon! Toronto loves you! Perhaps 2013 NXNE if not sooner!
Check out the interview and also check out their new video, Killer Boots.
Comments Off on Opera Atelier Gala: Memories of Versailles
The 2012 Memories of Versailles Gala, Mirage, was set in the uniquely beautiful Evergreen Brick Works hosted by Jeanne Beker. The elegant evening began with a cocktail reception with hors d’oeurves, a high-end silent auction as well as a live auction and a stunning $22,000 raffle piece from Tiffany & Co. Dinner was hosted by Chef Neal Noble of Noble Culinary fame featuring Moroccan seared beef tenderloin accompanied by a multitude of mouth-watering delights.
The dining experience was enhanced by performances from the stars of Armide, Colin Ainsworth and Peggy Kriha Dye.
About Evergreen Brick Works
Evergreen Brick Works was named by National Geographic as one of the world’s top 10 geotourism destinations in 2010. This heritage destination, where nature meets cultural hot-spot, features long tunnel kilns that at one point produced over 25 million bricks per year during peak production.
About Opera Atelier
Opera Atelier is a theatre community producing opera, ballet and drama from the 17th and 18th centuries with attention to period-performance detail in drawing up the aesthetics and ideals of the periods, elaborate stage decor and exquisite costumes.
At the Toronto harbour, Epic Cruises had a launch party for their newly-renovated River Gambler ship with special guest Kelly Gruber, of former Toronto Blue Jays fame. The lower level “Silver Lounge” seats up to 160 guests in one room, but the main feature is the Skyline Deck which Epic Cruises boasts is the largest open deck dance floor in the Toronto harbour.
Appetizers that night included tomato with cheese, beef and red pepper skewers, shrimp skewers, chicken breast curry skewers. Dinner included the following choices:
Paella – Spanish rice with chicken, mussels, shrimp & calamari
Bouillabaisse – Salmon, shrimp, calamari, clams, and mussels simmered in a tomato broth.
Beet & Pineapple salad with raspberry vinaigrette
Roasted pork shoulder marinated with rosemary, thyme, garlic and paprika served over roasted potatoes.
Oven roasted Mediterranean chicken marinated with white wine, fresh rosemary and paprika served on roasted vegetables.
The River Gambler party boat is a great idea for those party-goers who literally want a change of scenery from the usual party venues. The food is good, the upcoming themed-events are varied and interesting (watch for the Burlesque Cruise on August 10th!).
Check out the schedule for more information about Epic Cruises www.epiccruises.ca
Comments Off on The Drinks Show is on today and tomorrow
The Drinks Show is here! The world’s only interactive cocktail event is set to showcase unique handcrafted cocktails with hot new recipes and Toronto’s most innovative and popular bartenders serving it all up. The Drinks Show is returning to the trendy 99 Sudbury venue in the heart of Toronto’s sizzling Gallery District on Friday, June 8th and Saturday June 9th from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
This year, The Drinks Show will be partnering with Toronto’s top bartenders from the city’s trendiest restos, pubs and bars. Here’s a little about them:
Oliver Stern is the bar manager at the Toronto Temperance Society. With more than 10 years of bartending experience, he has found ways to experiment with cocktails while showing the classics the respect they deserve.
Robin Kaufman from TTS is a lover of the classic cocktails, American whisky and great food. Throw a glass of wine or pint of beer in there and he won’t complain.
Jordan Stacey is the bar manager and resident mixologist for the King Street West hotspot Brassaii. His passion for classic cocktails fuels him to hone his skills by learning some of the world’s forgotten cocktails while pushing the envelope of creativity.
Matthew Larochelle has been making people drinks for 10 years in Toronto. He and his two partners opened Cold Tea in Kensington Market late last year.
Robin Wayne is a food-inspired bartender who likes to make cocktails inspired from the kitchen. He is passionate about bartending with a creative edge to challenge the palate like molecular cocktails driven with a focus on food-based ingredients.
Michelle Tham is a director of the Canadian Professional Bartenders Association. She brings to the craft a combination of culinary-driven technique with an avant-garde approach to flavour profiles and taste perception. Having lived a previous life as a traveled cook, she approaches the bar as a kitchen. Michelle has an appreciation for traditional and classical methods.
Clint Pattemore is the Caesar Mixing Officer (CMO) for Mott’s Clamato Caesar. His favourite garnish is his Mom’s pickled celery. Clint travels the country teaching people about the Mott’s Clamato Caesar. Oh Canada!
Brad Gubbins is the head bartender and bar manager at SpiritHouse, Toronto’s newest hotbed for all things spirits and cocktails. Brad loves drinks that are spirit forward and offers his patrons not just a great drink, but a great night as well.
Sarah Parniak is a bartender, freelance writer and flavour enthusiast who teaches and consults at the Toronto Institute of Bartending. You can find her behind the stick at Kensington Market’s Cold Tea on weekends, where she cracks a mean tallboy and likes to experiment.
Highlights of the ninth edition of The Drinks Show include an onsite whiskey taste test challenge and a whisky cocktail competition. Other contests, challenges, prizes, swag, photo ops and more will take place throughout the course of both nights.
