Last week we may have made a little promise that we’d henceforth stop talking about TIFF. We were doing a great job of sticking to this, until Crucial Pictures sent us this video. Consider it the grand encore!
Treat your tresses! Jill Dunn of 29 Secrets demonstrates Goody’s Simple Styles trendy twist and bun spiral. Educational TV at its finest! [Marilyn Denis]
Flare Magazine and essie nail polish join forces to create a limited edition nail polish to benefit Breast Cancer Awareness. Might we add, it’s the prettiest shade of pink we ever did see. [Modern Mix Vancouver]
Sun Media assembles must-have fall ensembles, featuring RW&CO‘s perfect black power suit in slide number five. [Toronto Sun]
With more than 60 salons and spas, the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood really is Toronto’s epicentre for all things that involve cucumber-covered eyes, scented massage oils and hair stylists with a waitlist.
That’s why the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area (BYBIA) is returning for its third annual Beautylicious, a prix-fixe assortment of beauty procedures at reduced cost. The promotion taps into the success of Toronto’s Summer and Winterlicious dining festivals – only instead of lunching options it’s a selection of hair, spa, skin, health and wellness procedures coming in $30, $50, $75 and $125 price increments.
Whether you’re a serious beauty junkie or you’ve just been putting off getting those split ends trimmed (for shame!), this is the perfect opportunity to snag a sweet deal and look pretty (and pretty good) afterward.
Beautylicious gets underway October 27 – but start booking your appointments now! Like Summer and Winterlicious, the slots are going to fill up fast!
Stick your fingers in your ears and scream out loud or come to terms with it: it’s almost coat weather. Accepting this is the first stage to recovery. The second is a romantic cape like this one from RW&CO. [FASHION Magazine]
Notably approved: custom suits that cost the fraction of their designer counterparts are starting to give labels like Hugo Boss and Armani a run for their pocket squares. [Notable]
The post-TIFF Toronto-wide hangover has long since dissolved, but this hasn’t stopped a few from reveling TIFF’s end at La Société. [Compendium Daily] (Also, we hereby promise to stop talking about TIFF. It’s almost October, we know.)
Goody spin pins have gone from simply revolutionizing the way we do our hair to “can’t live without them” status. Also, essie’s fall collection is super cute. [Broken Heel Diaries]
The Toronto Sun takes on cluttered vanities with cosmetic inspirations that offer multiple beauty solutions in one. [Toronto Sun]
Again with the spin pins! A collar-clutching breakthrough in messy-bun technology that’s like 20 bobby pins in one. [Style Blog]
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is a rite of passage for fall, marking the end of patio lounging and the beginning of knee socks and scarves. Whatever it is, it’s almost here and, like anything that involves Torontonians milling the streets by the millions, it requires a plan of action. Here are nine exhibits that we’re excited about checking out this Saturday night.
Oh, and if you need a 3 a.m. snack while you’re exploring, our friends at Baker Street will be setting up temporary digs, no, not on Baker St., but at Yonge St. and Dundonald St. (one block north of Wellesley). Stop by and sample Baker Street’s handcrafted Apple or Strawberry Rhubarb pie. Guaranteed to be a slice!
An interactive, immersive piece that democratizes art by inviting the spectator into the world of the artist by becoming the artist himself. Planted LCD screens are the paintbrushes and a 100 by 33 foot digital LED screen becomes the canvas. Paint on these touchscreens or on your own Blackberry Tablet to see your work projected on the giant LED canvas.
Scotia Plaza (Located on Adelaide Street, between Bay Street & Yonge Street)
A very cryptic description on the website promises the gift of urban flight. Ideally this means being strapped into winged contraptions and soaring above Toronto skies. Reality check means this will include colossal lineups, but we’re too intrigued to care.
The Gladstone is always worth the trek to the west end, which usually features a slightly-less-PG street art party than its central counter parts. This year, the Gladstone is promising live vaudeville, burlesque, karaoke, the words “Wish you were here” written in neon, and even sound installations inspired by deceased insects. If that last one doesn’t draw you west of Oz, we don’t know what will.
Reminiscent of those old Log Driver’s Waltz cartoons (not to mention the actual log run tradition by which the cartoons were inspired), the atrium of the MaRS building will be transformed into a slice of Canadiana complete with floating lumber. Log runs can be attempted at your own risk and leisure.
Picking up where the pun-loving Duchamp left off, Tie-Break proves that art can be funny. And, in this case, physically exhausting. Artists Tibi Tibi Neuspiel and Geoffrey Pugen will spend all night recreating the 1980 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Finals between Björn Borg and John McEnroe that ESPN has lauded as the “the most riveting episode in the sport’s history.” Each stroke, each facial expression and each grunt is choreographed to be a replica of the real thing.
Commerce Court, North Plaza 25 King Street West, east of Bay Street
Tapping into the idea that when you say something over and over again it loses meaning, a group of Toronto musicians will play Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit 144 times. Incidentally, that song is already so perennially overplayed that playing it 144 more consecutive times are sure to blow any remaining morsel of meaning straight into rock n’ roll oblivion.
The green roof of Toronto City Hall will be turned into a light up dance party of mechanical arms waving in sequence. The machine moves and reacts in a series of sensors; visitors are also able to move the arms themselves.
NW Corner of Podium Roof Garden City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
This fire-spewing sculpture needs participants to function properly. The Heart Machine has four arteries that, when touched, spew flames up to 25 feet in the air. According to the program, this piece was “inspired by Fritz Lang’s film, Metropolis,” and “serves as an interactive metaphor between citizen and city, citizens and technology.” Also, it originally premiered at Burning Man, so watch out for hippies with face paint.
Parking Lot, 640 Bay Street (Between Elm Street and Edward Street)
Dogs meet boats meet airplanes meet children’s choir for this sound installation that will be snaking through the Atrium on Bay. The idea is to connect sounds of the industrial, technological world with that of the living, particularly with sounds of man’s best friend. It sounds delightfully eerie.
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is a rite of passage for fall, marking the end of patio lounging and the beginning of knee socks and scarves. Whatever it is, it’s almost here and, like anything that involves Torontonians milling the streets by the millions, it requires a plan of action. Here are nine exhibits that we’re excited about checking out this Saturday night.
Oh, and if you need a 3 a.m. snack while you’re exploring, our friends at Baker Street will be setting up temporary digs, no, not on Baker St., but at Yonge St. and Dundonald St. (one block north of Wellesley). Stop by and sample Baker Street’s handcrafted Apple or Strawberry Rhubarb pie. Guaranteed to be a slice!
An interactive, immersive piece that democratizes art by inviting the spectator into the world of the artist by becoming the artist himself. Planted LCD screens are the paintbrushes and a 100 by 33 foot digital LED screen becomes the canvas. Paint on these touchscreens or on your own Blackberry Tablet to see your work projected on the giant LED canvas.
Scotia Plaza (Located on Adelaide Street, between Bay Street & Yonge Street)
A very cryptic description on the website promises the gift of urban flight. Ideally this means being strapped into winged contraptions and soaring above Toronto skies. Reality check means this will include colossal lineups, but we’re too intrigued to care.
The Gladstone is always worth the trek to the west end, which usually features a slightly-less-PG street art party than its central counter parts. This year, the Gladstone is promising live vaudeville, burlesque, karaoke, the words “Wish you were here” written in neon, and even sound installations inspired by deceased insects. If that last one doesn’t draw you west of Oz, we don’t know what will.
Reminiscent of those old Log Driver’s Waltz cartoons (not to mention the actual log run tradition by which the cartoons were inspired), the atrium of the MaRS building will be transformed into a slice of Canadiana complete with floating lumber. Log runs can be attempted at your own risk and leisure.
Picking up where the pun-loving Duchamp left off, Tie-Break proves that art can be funny. And, in this case, physically exhausting. Artists Tibi Tibi Neuspiel and Geoffrey Pugen will spend all night recreating the 1980 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Finals between Björn Borg and John McEnroe that ESPN has lauded as the “the most riveting episode in the sport’s history.” Each stroke, each facial expression and each grunt is choreographed to be a replica of the real thing.
Commerce Court, North Plaza 25 King Street West, east of Bay Street
Tapping into the idea that when you say something over and over again it loses meaning, a group of Toronto musicians will play Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit 144 times. Incidentally, that song is already so perennially overplayed that playing it 144 more consecutive times are sure to blow any remaining morsel of meaning straight into rock n’ roll oblivion.
The green roof of Toronto City Hall will be turned into a light up dance party of mechanical arms waving in sequence. The machine moves and reacts in a series of sensors; visitors are also able to move the arms themselves.
NW Corner of Podium Roof Garden City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
This fire-spewing sculpture needs participants to function properly. The Heart Machine has four arteries that, when touched, spew flames up to 25 feet in the air. According to the program, this piece was “inspired by Fritz Lang’s film, Metropolis,” and “serves as an interactive metaphor between citizen and city, citizens and technology.” Also, it originally premiered at Burning Man, so watch out for hippies with face paint.
Parking Lot, 640 Bay Street (Between Elm Street and Edward Street)
Dogs meet boats meet airplanes meet children’s choir for this sound installation that will be snaking through the Atrium on Bay. The idea is to connect sounds of the industrial, technological world with that of the living, particularly with sounds of man’s best friend. It sounds delightfully eerie.
News flash: Casual Fridays are kind of boring. We here at NKPR are much bigger fans of Fashion Friday, a term coined in-house some time ago to shake things up (not dress them down!) on the last day of the work week. After Fashion Friday experienced a hiatus for some time, it was promptly reintroduced once the TIFF craze died down. And since this office consists of many a-Cher Horowitz fan and 90’s lover, the inaugural theme, Clueless, was a no-brainer. We like to think we did Cher proud, but what else would you expect of an office of 25 girls**?
Britney
Sam
Deanne
Cherith
Lauren
Rebecca and Kristin
Elli
Natasha
Ethan, as Elton
**And three very patient, very understanding guys.
IT was the longest week that felt like the shortest week. Or maybe it was the other way around. Either way, for a full week our office was draped, hung with chandeliers and positively transformed into one of the film festival’s premier gifting suites. Some of the boldface names included Paul Haggis, Russell Peters, Erin Karpluk, Howie D, an assortment of Toronto Maple Leafs and a whole lot of Degrassi: The Next Generation cast members. After working for almost two weeks straight the NKPR team just treated themselves to a long weekend, and all the cupcakes that Baker Street left in our fridge.
Morgan Spurlock at the IT Lounge
“My favourite part was moonwalking,” says Andrea, referring to the House of Marley DJ who kept us grooving all week.
“Listening to old school BSB while Howie D walked through the Lounge, taking hilarious photos in the Goody Photo Booth [ed note: it’s true, the award for Most Time Spent in Photobooth definitely goes to Kristin], meeting Billy Boyd (Pippin was my favourite hobbit), when it ended and I slept peacefully ;)” – Kristin
“Since this was my first IT Lounge experience, it was all very exciting. My most memorable moment would have to be the first day. The office was insane busy, filled with people (celebs and media). I was constantly busy and loved it. My fave moment would be hanging out with everyone before and at the APJ/TORO event.” – Samantha
“My most memorable moments were seeing the office transform into the amazing IT Lounge it became. I enjoyed each of the talent who came through, and loved the fun that that Goody photobooth brought to the lounge. The Stila Kiss for a Cause board was smooched by all! I had the pleasure of touring the Property Brothers and they were the first males to put on lipstick and kiss the board for Camp Ooch. They were great sports.” – Lindsay
Russell Peters at the IT Lounge
“Meeting Cory Monteith at TORO After Dark- that was definitely a highlight.” – Brittany
“My best memory of the IT Lounge was probably working the HELLO! Canada red carpet, and then hanging out in the IT Lounge, eating pita on the floor before TORO, taking photos in the Goody Booth, listening to really loud music and eating candy and being crazy” – Rebecca
“Favourite IT Lounge moment? Seeing each brand give back to APJ and Camp Oochigeas in their individual way – from “tweeting” to even “kissing” for a cause!” – Lauren
“My highlight was when Bob Marley’s granddaughter Donisha Prendergast came in, because I’m a huge Marley fan” – Alyson Fuller of Baker Street
“I loved meeting all the staff at NKPR, they’re awesome,” said Greg, our dutiful and faithful photographer. “Favourite moment? Meeting Erin Karpluk.”
Erin Karpluk at the IT Lounge
“Pie,” says Cherith Walsh. “But non-IT Lounge highlights were when I saw my idol Eddie Vedder play at the APJ garden lunch.”
“Being crammed in the corner with the entire creative team.” – Elli
“Dancing the days away to the tunes of the very cool DJ Spex at the House of Marley booth.” – Katherine
Alas, the drapes have been dropped, the chandeliers are dismantled and at some point we’ll finish all the Baker Street cupcakes, but it was a swell ride while it lasted. See you all next year!
With the annual Hollywood invasion officially behind us, one group of boldface names took advantage of the film festival to help out a cause that’s far removed from the limos, champagne and ball gowns that come with it. NKPR is proud to say that one of the biggest success stories during the film festival were events held to benefit Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ), a charity which supports health, education and dignity initiatives in Haiti. With three events during the 10-day festival, APJ hosted the who’s who of the film and music industries and raised more than $600,000 for the organization in the process. 100% of the funds will reach those in need in Haiti.
Here are the highlights!
APJ Blue Jays Day – September 8, 2011
Joseph Alyyns, a 16-year-old Haitian boy who lives in the tent camp of Villa Betame in Port au Prince, was flown into Toronto with the APJ Haiti ground team to help raise awareness of the work APJ does with children of Haiti.
Joseph’s home was destroyed in the earthquake of 2010 and he moved into a tent camp with his parents and sister. Joseph makes bracelets from found materials to sell to support his family. Joseph’s mother makes jewelry out of recycled trash for Kado gift, and his father sells phone cards on the streets of Port-au-Prince. Despite the challenges Joseph has faced, he remains brave and resilient and is an inspiration to all he meets.
Joseph at the Rogers Centre in Toronto
Joseph is also the star captain of the Tabbare Tigers – Haiti’s first little league baseball team built at the Artists for Peace and Justice secondary school. So what better way to introduce Joseph to Toronto than at a Toronto Blue Jays game! Thursday night at the Rogers Centre, clad in his very own Bautista Blue Jays jersey, Joseph represented the APJays team by throwing the first pitch (in brilliant style!) and then joined the Jays team for the pre-game warm-up. He also enjoyed the rest of the game in a corporate box, courtesy of generous APJ supporter Martha Rogers, watching the Jays’ successful win over the Red Sox.
Joseph pitches the ball
TORO After Dark Benefiting Artists for Peace and Justice – September 9, 2011
The red carpet was hot at AME on Friday night, where guests rubbed shoulders with Hollywood A-listers and danced the night away to tunes spun by DJ Tony Okungbowa (The Ellen DeGeneres Show). On the menu? A delicious mix of festival-inspired SKYY Vodka cocktails and mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres prepared by INK chefs. Paul Haggis, Gerard Butler, Jason Reitman and George Stroumboulopoulos hosted the soirée, with all ticket sales going to APJ work in Haiti.
Paul Haggis, George Stroumboulopoulos, Gerard Butler and David Belle
While many film festival events are restricted to film industry professionals and sponsors, this year’s TORO After Dark provided an opportunity for APJ to generate awareness and engage a new audience in a relaxed setting, while providing the opportunity to meet some of Hollywood’s biggest personalities.
Event-goers were also able to support APJ through the purchase of the Vhernier Haiti ring. The Italian jeweler has created a limited edition ring in silver and gold to support APJ and the Francesca Rava Foundation’s ongoing efforts to educate the children of St. Luc Street School and the Academy for Peace and Justice in Haiti. Each ring sold will provide one child with an entire year of education.
Jason Reitman
APJ Academy Lunch – Saturday, September 10, 2011
An intimate backyard gathering, the Academy for Peace and Justice Garden Lunch was held at a private Annex estate where celebrities and socialites alike gathered to unwind from the buzz of the festival and support APJ.
Supporters including Jon Hamm, Jennifer Westfeldt, Paul Haggis and Madeleine Stowe enjoyed intimate performances by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Régine Chassagne of Arcade Fire and DJ Tony Okungbowa.
Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities – ranging from a trip to the APJ site in Haiti, tickets to the Hollywood Awards (the hardest tickets to get a hold of!), dinner with Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed, a meet-and-greet with Justin Bieber and an exclusive red carpet experience at the L.A. premier of Ides of March – were auctioned off by host Paul Haggis. More than $159,000 was raised from the auction itself – not bad for an afternoon lunch!
Paul Haggis, Jennifer Westfeldt and Jon Hamm
Eddie Vedder and Régine Chassagne
IT Lounge
In addition to APJ events during TIFF, international and local brands came together to raise additional funds for APJ at the NKPR IT Lounge.
Paul Haggis being interviewed at the IT Lounge
Italian brand Coccinelle, who are launching their exclusive range of luxury handbags and accessories, hosted a daily silent auction.
Kobo, known for their eReader, donated funds to APJ for every IT Lounge celeb who signed up for the Trillion Minute Challenge.
SKYY Vodka, the official vodka of TIFF, donated funds for every celebrity who sipped on one of their official festival cocktails (the SKYY Wilde Ginger, Lively Temptress or Feelin’ Fiennes).
Stratusphere Living, a unique yoga and fitness line crafted by WWE women’s champion Trish Stratus, donated funds for every celebrity who visited the Lounge.
APJ has already built one school in Haiti and is already working on its expansion. To find out how you can get involved,click here.
A slew of fresh faces and new voices stopped by to visit NKPR’s pop-up gifting suite on day six of the film festival. It was a true girl’s day out as Jessica Tyler, Melinda Shankar, Samantha Munro, Alyssa Reid, Tattiawna Jones and Helene Joy got a peek at new fashion and beauty finds. Of course, the IT Lounge didn’t disappoint young male stars Munro Chambers, Shemar Charles and Jesse Labelle, who showed their support for official IT Lounge charities Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) and Camp Oochigeas.
Though they each have their own unique style, Degrassi: The Next Generation cast mates Jessica Tyler, Melinda Shankar and Samantha Munro all scored fab fall finds from RW&CO., including red carpet-worthy jewel-toned dresses, flowy tops and chic accessories. They later hit Goody’s hair chair and marveled at how easy it was to use the brand’s Simple Styles Spin Pin and Trendy Twist.
Actress Tattiawna Jones (Flashpoint) indulged in Baker Street’s carrot cupcake with dreamy cream cheese icing. Though she doesn’t have to worry, the long-legged beauty will be working it off with new yoga and fitness gear she picked up from Stratusphere Living.
YouTube musical sensation Alyssa Reid followed her nose to ConScent’s line of luxury scented tees. Her pick? Their fresh apple-scented “I Love New York” style!
A few lucky listeners of 99.9 Virgin Radio won insider access to the IT Lounge and an exclusive tour alongside morning show hosts Maddog and Maura. Enjoying luxury transportation thanks to IT Lounge car partner Mercedes-Benz, the contest winners recovered from their amazing IT Lounge experience in the Great Gatsby-inspired oasis designed by Karen Sealy of Sealy Design Inc., stocking up on snacks from NKPR’s legendary IT Lounge candy bar and sipping on SKYY Vodka film festival cocktails and FIJI Water.
Inside the Fila suite, Jay “Maddog” Michaels picked up a new pair of classic Fila kicks in one of the season’s hottest colours – green.
Up-and-coming singer/songwriter Jesse LaBelle took a pair of eco-friendly House of Marley headphones back to the studio. Maybe he’ll put them to use as he fine-tunes his next album, due out in 2012.
Tomorrow’s expected IT Lounge visitors? Mira Sorvino, Adam Brody, Polly Shannon, David Pelletier and more!
NKPR’s IT Lounge showed no signs of festival fatigue today! House of Marley’s DJ pumped out a steady stream of tunes, and FIJI Water was flowing as celebs dropped by to show their support for official IT Lounge charities Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) and Camp Oochigeas.
So You Think You Can Dance judge Mia Michaels is taking a piece of Italian luxury back to L.A. The sleek metal strap on the brown and plum leather Coccinelle handbag she picked up works perfectly with her edgy style. But since she couldn’t squeeze all of her IT Lounge finds into her new bag, she took advance of car service provided courtesy of IT Lounge car partner Mercedez-Benz.
Arriving just in time to enjoy SKYY Vodka’s IT Lounge cocktail hours (he sipped on a SKYY Vodka Lively Temptress), actor Dustin Milligan (Sisters and Brothers, 90210) tried on new fall fashion finds from RW&CO. and wouldn’t take off a charcoal grey newsboy cap.
Proving that even jocks need a good stretch once in a while, TSN sportscaster James Duthie took special interest in Trish Stratus’ new line of yoga and fitness equipment – Stratusphere Living – testing out a pair of weighted Fit Gloves.
Actress Lauren Lee Smith (The Listener) had a blast at the IT Lounge beauty bar, sitting pretty for an Ardell Lashes application and a touch-up on her lips, before planting her pout on Stila’s “Kiss for a Cause” canvas. She also stocked up on G.M. Collin’s daily ceramide comfort capsules to help keep her skin soft and smooth.
Toronto-based musical talents Danny Fernandes and JRDN had something to sing about when they sampled Chocolate Banana Cake and Handcrafted Pies from Toronto-based dessert company Baker Street. The guys are sure to dance off those sweet calories in the stylish gear they picked up in Fila’s IT Lounge suite.
