Cinco de Mayo – Street Food Block Party at Evergreen Brick Works
What can be more exciting than when a foodie hears that the Toronto Underground Market (TUM) and Food Truck Eats, two of the most popular street food events, joined together to host a Street Food Block Party? Last Saturday, May 5th 2012, Toronto foodies gathered for a mouth-watering and amazing, Cinco de Mayo-themed evening at the Evergreen Brick Works. Street food has been on a new trend in GTA in the last year. Numbers of food lovers started to increase their support for Toronto food trucks and pop-ups.
The admission fee was $20 and these 3,000 tickets sold out in 6 hours. Instantly people were asking around the Internet to see if anyone had some extra tickets. Luckily, I got 4 tickets for friends and myself (well, I woke up early and waited in front of my laptop for 3 hours before they started to sell the tickets).
TUM released the vendor list and map about two weeks before the day of the event. My friend and I all got super pumped up when we read all the information and food pictures online. We planned our route and the must eat/desire list for the night. I totally lost my mind when I saw the photo of “Lobster Poutine” from Rock Lobster. All of my friends know that I am a crazy lobster lover and will pay anything to eat Lobster!
For my friends, and I the Rock Lobster was the spot, but another highlight of the night was Caplansky’s food truck. Caplansky is well known as their smoke meat and they first started as a restaurant on College Street then purchased a food truck team. We choose to end up our wondering evening by having “Maple Bacon Doughnuts” from Caplansky.
The event started rolling at 6pm, the parking lots were already packed with cars by the time we arrived around 7pm. This resulted in driving home and returning to Brickworks via a taxi. Parking at this venue is a whole other story. People decided to park all along Bayview Avenue. Hungry foodies were excited and ready to start a fantastic journey that would last well into the night. The night was very successful; every vendor had a line up full of craving food lovers. Evergreen Brick Works has a great outdoor covered space with great facilities to host this type of event (despite the parking).
If you think this type of event sounds fun and you’re looking for another street food event – Food Truck Eats and Peller Estaesin Niagara-on-the-Lake are hosting 16 food trucks on May 20th and 21st. For more information or to buy the tickets, please visit: http://reservations.andrewpeller.com/events/food-truck-eats.html
Canadian Helen Keller Centre Awards
May 10, 2012 by deblewis
Filed under Past Events
The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons and CHKC held the Annual CHKC Awards to honour individuals. For the people who have made outstanding achievements and contributions to the disability of deaf-blindness.
Eighth Annual Awards Luncheon
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Concert Hall
Honouring
The Honourable David C. Onley
Lt. Governor of Ontario
For more news story of the event, check out the following video.
Celebrate your mother with the perfect outing in Toronto
May 10, 2012 by deblewis
Filed under Event Venues
With Mother’s Day right around the corner (May 13), you are probably scrambling to find the perfect activity to share the day together with your mom. Are you looking for the ultimate way to surprise mom this year? Toronto has a lot of unique options for last minute alternatives to the traditional Mother’s Day Brunch. Here are some of Toronto’s exciting events to help you celebrate your mother!
Mother’s Day Chocolate Tour:
Saturday, May 12th, 4 p.m – 7 p.m, SOMA Chocolate, 443 King Street West
Does your mother have a sweet tooth? Well you’re in luck! Tasty Tours is launching their Chocolate Tour this Mothers Day weekend. Go on a tasty walking tour of Trinity Bellwoods Park, sample a variety of chocolates and learn the history behind the sweets that mom loves. Mothers on the tour will get to enjoy a sweet thank you bonus gift: www.tastytourstoronto.com
All Aboard Mariposa’s Mother’s Day Brunch:
Sunday, May 13, Noon – 2 p.m, Mariposa Cruises, 207 Queens Quay West
Brunch is a traditional characteristic of Mother’s Day, Why not celebrate mom with something out the ordinary. Experience Mother’s Day brunch from the water on the Captain Matthews Finders. Enjoy a two-hour cruise around Toronto’s waterfront while enjoying a scrumptious brunch.: www.mariposacruises.com
Experience tea in fashion at the Bata Shoe Museum:
Sunday, May 13, 10 a.m – Noon, 327 Bloor St W
Experience the Bata Shoe Museum’s “Fashionable History of Tea” event. This stylish event lead by Certified Tea Sommelier and wardrobe stylist Linda Gaylard, will explore the influence of tea and social history. The event will include both tea tasting and light cuisine and will celebrate tea in the culture of style.: www.batashoemuseum.ca
Mothers Day at the Toronto Zoo:
Sunday, May 13 Toronto Zoo
Looking for something for the whole family to enjoy? Bring mom to the zoo, and interact with some of the Zoo’s wild mothers. Don’t forget to treat mom to a delicious Beavertail pastry! Other activities include carousel rides, and the Sharks at Stingray Bay experience: http://www.torontozoo.com/Events/?pg=MothersDay
100-Mile Mother’s Day Brunch at Wychwood Barns:
Sunday May 13th, from 10a.m to 2p.m.
Enjoy the innogrative100 Mile Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch at the Artscape Wychwood Barns! The menu will be created from ingredients purchased at the vendors of the Saturday Farmers Market, located at the Wychwood Barns. All proceeds from this event will help support the Wychwood Barns Community Association and Wychwood Open Door: www.wychwoodbarnscommunity.ca
Casa Loma Secret Gardens:
Sunday, May 13 1p.m- 2:30p.m
Give your mom a Mother’s Day to remember and unlock the secrets of the Casa Loma Estate Gardens. The Secret Garden will allow moms to learn about garden etiquette and the opportunity to sample edible plants. Mothers can also enjoy Through The Garden Gate, a magical tour of the spectacular gardens: www.casaloma.org/events
For more Toronto upcoming events check our website upcoming events, at www.torontocityevents.com .
Also for some gift suggestions we recommend the flower stores at Davenport and Dupont as well as chocolate treats from Café Moroco or Nadege in the Shops of Summerhill. Also Shay Lowe Jewelry Design is having a Spring Sale so check out some of the great deals for MOM, I have my eye on a bracelet for mom. https://www.facebook.com/Shay.Lowe.Jewellery.Design
Liberty Social Hour: Carnival del Sol
May 7, 2012 by deblewis
Filed under Ontario, Past Events, Toronto
On Wednesday April 18, 2012, CityEvents, RPC Group and Bar Vespa collaborated to welcome many Torontonians for this month’s Liberty Social Hour. Taking place in the heart of Liberty Village, this season’s social hour was themed as a celebration of spring. Local residents of the village, as well as others from around Toronto were pleased with the opportunity to socialize and get to know what this new neighbourhood is all about. When the evening began, the sun was shining and the drinks were flowing. Bar Vespa, the host restaurant, was filled within a few short moments, and was ready to encourage the crowd to mingle.
As the night led on, the amount of people in attendance picked up, and so did the conversation. It was clear that many of the guests had different reasons for attending Liberty Social Hour. Some were there just to meet up with a friend, others were curious to see what the hype was all about. Each guest had heard the buzz about the social hour in different ways. For some, it was hearing through past attendees, others through social media, and for a small handful, they were persuaded by the many posters surrounding the Liberty Village area.
Overall the environment was very friendly and outgoing. The same guest that stayed for 30 minutes was just as satisfied as the guest that stayed for four hours. Whether the guest was there to have a drink with old friends, or a stranger to the community, everyone felt welcomed and walked away having had a great interaction with another. As guests made their way out of Bar Vespa, they were surprised with a gift bag filled with exciting new products and deals from within Liberty Village and the surrounding area. As well, they received a special treat contributed by Bar Vespa.
Liberty Social Hour is an event meant to bring social interaction to many types of Toronto individuals. It allows one to learn more about what Liberty Village has to offer, as well as the type of people who fill it. Make sure to keep an ear out for the next Liberty Social Hour coming up in a few short months. Be a part of the growing neighbourhood of Liberty Village, and have the chance to be a part of the excitement.
Bar Vespa
April 9, 2012 by CityEvents
Filed under Toronto
At under a year old, Bar Vespa has already made an impression in Liberty Village as a great place to get quality Italian food in a welcoming environment. The have received warm reviews from Dine.to, The Star, The Globe and Mail and Toronto Life.
They carry a wide variety of dishes that showcase the diversity of Italy from Caprese Salad, Sausage Penne, Butternut Squash Ravioli and, Mushroom Pizza (a three mushroom white pizza). 
Bar Vespa also has the distinction of hosting great events like the upcoming Liberty Social Hour: Carnival del Sol on April 18, 2012, as well as their Battle of the DJs every Saturday.
The warm atmosphere attentive staff make Bar Vespa a good dining experience. They also have a patio which is great place to meet friends and try one of their many beers including the Birra Sophia (inspired by Sophia Loren), which will be priced at $5 dollars at Liberty Social Hour on April 18.
Bar Vespa is part of the Fab Concepts family which includes Brazen Head, Pour House and Foggy Dew.
