Comments Off on Best Places to Bet on Sports in Toronto
If you are looking to place some bets while watching sports then the city of Toronto and its surrounding areas has some great options for a variety of needs. If you are looking to make a trip out of it, try one of the casinos a short distance from the city. Looking to watch live racing? The Woodbine Racetrack is a national landmark. Looking to lay low? Off track betting and online sports betting are both great options in the city. Here are our favourites.
Photo by Gene Devin
Woodbine Racetrack
Toronto’s own Woodbine Racetrack is a great place to bet on sports. It is a racetrack for thoroughbred horse racing and is run by the Woodbine Entertainment Group. Canada’s most well known horse race, The Queen’s Plate, takes place here every year. The track was first opened in 1956 and has been extensively updated over the years. Since 1994, Woodbine Racetrack has had three racecourses. The Casino at Woodbine has over 200 electronic gambling tables, over 3,500 slot machines as well as table games including blackjack, roulette and baccarat. Woodbine Racetrack is located at 555 Rexdale Boulevard.
Casinos
There are several casinos that you can visit near Toronto. If you want to go South to Niagara Falls, you can visit Casino Niagara or Fallsview Casino. Visit this phenomenal natural attraction while catching live shows. Watch sports at the many bars and lounges and play the many games available at both locations.
If you want to go North, check out Great Blue Heron Casino, located near Peterborough. Take some day trips to explore the outdoors as here you are surrounded by some of the most beautiful nature in the world. Spend your days hiking or canoeing and your evenings playing slots, table games and placing bets over drinks with friend or family.
Off Track Betting
Looking to rent a VIP room to watch the game with access to a bar and betting? Places around Toronto like Champions have access to off track better, screens and rental rooms, drinks and more. Catch up with friends in front of a large screen TV without the need to host at home. If you just want to hang out at a local spot without the fuss, these venues are located in major areas like the Danforth and Bloor West.
Betting Online
If you don’t want to have to go out, or plan a day around your athletic wagers, you can always place bets while watching hockey from home. With our cold winters this ia sometimes the smartest decision as well.
It is an exciting year for Leafs fans with an amazing roster of young and talented players. There are websites that will show your NHL betting odds, making it easier to win from the comfort of your couch. You can play over / under or props bets and take the game to a new level of fun. Hockey props with friends is always a ton of fun.
Comments Off on Keep Halloween Going at this Terrifying Séance
If you’re not quite ready to embrace the warm and fuzzy holiday feeling, you can keep the Halloween vibes going until November 30 with an experience that will leave you sleeping with the lights on.
In a production that began on Friday, September 13 and has remained a hot ticket ever since, The Beverley Street Séance, led by mentalist Jaymes White, is undoubtedly a terrifying affair. In fact, not everyone can handle it. Some – like a young guy in our group – feel sick and have to leave. At the end of the same session, a young (sober) woman vomited out of nowhere on the lawn.
A few hours earlier, a group of 18 guests are invited to meet at a downtown pub, before being escorted a few blocks to the allegedly haunted – and admittedly creepy – George Brown House. Located on Beverley Street, the National Historic Site was once home to Father of Confederation and founder of the Toronto Globe newspaper, George Brown.
In an experience that’s part theatre, part trickery and part completely unexplained, White leads guests on a creepy (if you don’t scream at some point, you win major bravery points) recreation of an authentic Victorian séance throughout the eerie space. Guests hear how Brown died at the home after a brutal infection resulting from a gunshot would after a disgruntled employee shot him. White also tells a (completely unverified) tale of other occupants – a businessman, his wife and three children – who were apparently gruesomely poisoned to death. This family is at the centre of the séance, and they reliably “show up” throughout the evening for every performance.
In what some call a total hoax and others say changes their belief in the paranormal (like a fellow sound-minded writer who swore someone, or something was touching her legs), the Beverley Street Séance – if nothing else – definitely entertains.
Here’s what White had to say about the whole thing:
What is the difference between a psychic and what you do? I use psychological principles in order to read people. I use science psychology, my intense study of human behaviour and my own intuition. A medium believes that they posses the powers and are born with them; like someone is trying to communicate with them. I have trained since I was 6-years-old in order to read people; I think people can learn this if they devote their lives to it.
What can guests expect from the séance? The séance is the most unique and scary experience in the country. There is legit nothing like it. What we do is go to a famous haunted location and conduct a séance. The crazy thing is its all psychological and in your head, there is not really any jump things its all psychological, where it sometimes makes you question reality. It is one of those experiences I think you need to attend in order to understand.
How did you decide upon the location? I actually ask my fans if they know of any famous haunted locations, we then do our research and decide on the location. Marivi who is on my team is the one who kind of leads the way and is able to get the location. We were crazy luck to get the George Brown Mansion who is currently owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust, one of the most beautiful and haunted houses I have ever been to.
Has there been a time during your séances when you’ve been truly scared? I am too focused on watching the audiences and making sure they are ok that I almost don’t focus too much on what is going on, safety is more important for me. The audience however has a completely different story. I think the reason why this has been sold out for three years straight is because they experience things they have never experienced before. I get messages all the time of people not being able to sleep for a few days or needing to sleep with their lights on after attending the séance.
What have you learned from your interactions with the dead? I think humans come up with their own rituals and beliefs and I think they are all right. I honestly get to learn more about humans than spirits when conducting these experiences. It is very fascinating to know what makes people believe in the paranormal.
How do you mentally prepare before a big show? I have my own weird set of rituals that I need to follow to a tee. If I do not follow them I feel off or weird. It is really weird but that is how I prepare for a big experience. I have always been a bit superstitious and I find when I do my weird ritual it keeps me calm and sane. These séances take a lot of physical and mental energy.
Do you think that Ouija Boards are a good idea to use in the home? I actually have a collection of 103 Ouija Boards from around the world; most of them are very old. I try to find the ones that have a dark history or crazy past. I have never had anything bad happen to me. I guess you could say I am a collector. I think everyone has his or her own beliefs on the Ouija board but personally I have had never anything bad happen.
What do you do with your down time? Are your friends in your industry? I play a lot of guitar I find it helps my mind mentally; I also try to train my body so I am ready for these crazy experiences. I am definitely a horror junkie, so I try to watch as many horror movies as possible. I also spend a lot of times playing with animals. I legit once got kissed by a Hyena, which was the greatest moment of my life!
Comments Off on A Spa Day at Hockley Valley Resort Offers a Mini Vacation
A day at the spa is made even better when the said spa is nestled in Ontario’s peaceful wilderness (yet, just over an hour away from the Toronto grind) and immediately puts you in vacation mode. A staple all-seasons resort since 1985, Mono, Ontario’s Hockley Valley Resort offers a refined yet cozy spa experience that comes with the added perks of resort amenities. Continue reading→
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has officially taken over the city, rolling out the red carpets for Hollywood’s finest.
But it’s not just about the films, snapping cameras and glam, guest list-only parties (and mild hangovers). The jam-packed gifting and experiential suites are bustling at the seams with swag and services (hair, makeup and massages) to so generously gift the familiar faces that grace their doors.
Naturally, being a celebrity comes with some pretty nice perks – but being in media does too. We got to check out some of the sweetest suites for ourselves…
EGPR Essentials Lounge Each year, lifestyle public relations company EGPR arms Toronto media with everything they need to survive the festival. Now in its 10th year, the lounge, which took place on Wednesday, September 4, is a must-hit and anyone who’s been in the past knows it.
Credit: Ryan Emberley
Taking over The Richmond, media were invited to indulge in an express facial compliments of skincare and wellness brand This Works – a company that specializes in beauty sleep solutions, including morning-specific skincare – who also stocked our bags with items to help the late night/early morning cause.
Credit: Ryan Emberley
Reps from beloved brand Aveda were onsite to offer makeup touch-ups and brow shaping, and to educate on the new Brow Definer, which we got to take home in a limited edition Aveda gift bag. The smudge-proof, multitasking brow pencil is enriched with a balanced blend of vegan, botanically derived emollients, conditioning agents, waxes and minerals – and it’s one of my new favourite things.
Credit: Ryan Emberley
Carolina Herrera New York infused the lounge with polka dots to celebrate their new fragrance, the Good Girl Dot Drama Eau de Parfum, a Collector Edition – the first from the brand – inspired by the emblematic Polka Dot pattern. The fragrance is exclusively designed by Carolina Herrera de Baez, Creative Director of Perfumes, with Karlie Kloss. Media left with personalized bottles.
Credit: Ryan Emberley
A team of hair professionals from Goldwell Kerasilk was onsite to ensure that guests left with red carpet-worthy hair, gifting them with a complete collection of the new Kerasilk Revitalize routine, designed to protect and counteract key signs of scalp aging and shield the scalp from oxidative stress. As a beauty expert for the brand told me, “it’s like a facial for your scalp.”
Credit: Ryan Emberley
Guests were also invited to relax with a shameless reality TV fix from the all-reality subscription video-on-demand service Hayu – who offered guests free trial subscriptions – while enjoying a shoulder or foot massage. Many did so with a cocktail in hand, thanks to the tasty libations served by Moxie’s Bar and Grill. Accompanying this was chips and 10/10 guacamole(!), spicy tuna sushi and steak bites from Moxie’s, who offered each guest a gift certificate to keep them coming back for more.
Credit: Ryan Emberley
Other appreciated swag bag additions included AlumierMD’s Clear Shield Broad Spectrum Sunscreen (SPF 42), ROAR Organic’s organic low-calorie electrolyte infusion beverage and Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Face Wipes.
Bask-It Style Suite
Back for its eleventh year, Toronto public relations company GLO Communications held its annual media day on Wednesday, September 4 at the Thompson Toronto Hotel. Members of the press enjoyed the VIP treatment as they got acquainted with this year’s 20 sponsors. The lounge delivers VIP swag bags to visiting celebs in town for TIFF.
One of the main highlights of this jam-packed suite – at least for me – were the limited edition travel totes designed by California-based brand Amber & Ash. The large black tote features straps that can convert into a backpack and is full of internal pockets, including a protected laptop pocket – so you can leave your case at home (amazing).
The decided star of the show this year – and one that aptly made its rounds on social media – was an attention-grabbing DeLorean from Back to the Future thanks to peer-to-peer ride sharing company Turo (the car is actually available on their site; no joke). Professional photographers were ensured that the experience was properly documented. Guests took home a $200 Turo credit.
Guests were also invited to take off the pre-TIFF edge with D.O. (Destination of Origin) Rueda, who showed up to offer tastings of 17 different Spanish wines. Guests took home a bottle of their choice to sip after a night of busy TIFF action.
In addition to the crowd-pleasing wine, guests also sipped tea thanks to British Columbia-based Oteas. The rapidly growing family-run business offers aromatically energizing blends that range from sweet to spicy, all neatly contained in plant-based packaging and biodegradable teabags.
The beauty experts from MONAT Global both educated on their intensive anti-aging haircare line and offered touch-ups with their flagship product, REJUVENIQE. Also onsite to help the pre-TIFF beauty game were reps from skincare company Indigena Skincare. The brand’s Glowing Travel Kit (which guests were gifted includes Labrador Tea Day and Night Cream, Rose Petal Eye Cream, Sea Veggie Face Lotion and Blueberry Bliss Lip Scrub) was the topic of discussion and a welcome addition to gift bags.
Because optimal TIFF health isn’t skin-deep, the team from Tru Niagen was there to offer the Hollywood-loved supplement, which contains a unique form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide riboside (NR).
Completing TIFF-worthy looks, Michael Hill showcased an assortment of coveted jewellery, including this season’s essential gold pieces, like their dainty stackable 10-karat gold and diamond rings and 10-karat gold mini hoop earrings – which we got to take home (and are currently wearing). .
Perfect for post-TIFF down time, the suite offered the chance to explore a collection of the latest fall titles from two major publishing houses. MIRA showcased its latest title Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellion and DK Publishing showcased their latest and greatest, including the coffee table book Fashion, New Edition: The Definitive Visual Guide. Media left with both books, knowing full well that they wouldn’t be opened until the festival wrapped.
Other well-received gift bag items included things like soaps from Dr. Bonner, chocolate from Green & Blacks and Welo probiotic bars, to name a few.
NKPR IT House x Producers Ball A few years back, NKPR evolved their annual gifting suite concept with a central hub for innovation, experiences and philanthropy with Scott Brothers Entertainment. The influential public relations company and its powerhouse owner Natasha Koifman (who is pretty much synonymous with TIFF) hosted the NKPR IT House x Producers Ball at The Purman Building– a 7,000 square foot loft-style space in the heart of the film festival activities.
In this bustling hub of all things TIFF-related, Rolling Stone returned with a celebrity portrait studio where renowned NYC-based photographer Leeor Wild was busy snapping away, taking portraits of the entertainment world’s most familiar faces. Leeor is no stranger to the celeb set, having photographed stars like George Clooney, Emily Ratajkowski and Halle Berry, to name a few.
This year, hair care brand OGX Beauty offered guests the star treatment with hair touch-ups from September 5-8, using OGX’s extended range of dry-styling products, and supplied talent with hair products to take home. Also helping the pre-photo shoot cause, beauty brand Bobby Brown was onsite to help media and talent get ready to get behind Wild’s lens, and gifted IT House guests with mascara and liquid eyeliner.
For the third consecutive year, Swarovski returned to the IT House with a series of experiential programming to promote the brand’s new FW19 Tarot, Power and Nirvana collections. Their four-day styling lounge loaned and gifted talent and industry leaders with product to wear to their TIFF events. Highlights included Aura Reading and Celestial Chart Mapping as a nod to the Tarot collection, and guests left with Swarovski tarot magic necklace.
Making for a nostalgic Instagram op, on September 5, Canadian mattress-in-a-box brand Sleepenvie offered a throwback set-up that mirrored the bedroom of teenybopper cult classic Mean Girls.
Other talking points included the debut of Lightspeed Founder and CEO, Dax Dasilva’s novel Age of Union, a smoothie bar from Pure Protein and no shortage of custom cocktails from Hounds Vodka (famous for their black vodka) and Flow Water.
Comments Off on Japanese Lifestyle Brand Puebco Touches Down in Toronto
You have a new reason to visit Toronto’s innovative new shipping container marketplace, Stackt Market – especially if your home (and life) could use a little update for fall. Fresh from the streets of Tokyo, Japanese sustainable home and lifestyle brand Puebco has arrived in Canada and will occupy real estate at Stackt for a two-month-long pop-up. Continue reading→
