Seven Screamworthy Halloween 2011 Happenings in Toronto
October 24, 2011 by deblewis
Filed under Past Events, Toronto
Whether or not you’re dressing up for Halloween this year you have to admit how much fun it is to see your co-workers in costume, or to experience the nostalgia of trick-or-treating when the neighbourhood kids knock on your door. It’s no secret that Toronto is a Halloween-friendly city, with its hundreds of costume shops, community-organized trick-or-treat displays like the one on Cowan St. in Parkdale on October 31, and at least one zombie wedding during the 2011 annual Zombie Walk. Here is a look at some of this year’s goings-on:
1. Take a day trip to a Pumpkin patch such as Pumpkinland. Since Halloween falls on a Monday in 2011 it’s a great year to 
have some family fun; make use of your time off on the weekend to take a drive through the country and pick out the perfect pumpkin. Pumpkinland hosts a variety of fun activities like a Pumpkin cannon, ‘Friendly Haunted Forest’ wagon ride and more.
2. Try your luck in social media contests such as Lenzr’s Homemade Halloween Costume photo contest. Lenzr is a 
Toronto-based serial photo contest website that rewards real prizes for the best photography. Contests are always free to enter and submitting is easy. The best photograph entered of a unique homemade costume will win $250 in your choice of cash or candy.
3. Get a history lesson with a spooky twist on Muddy York Walking Tours’ The Haunted 
Streets of Downtown Toronto. Departing from the ROM at 7 pm every night from Oct. 7 – 31, this two hour tour costs only $10 per person for groups of four or more people. Unbeknownst to its modern residents, the city of Toronto has a rich collection of mysteries, urban legends and horror stories. The tour moves south to Queen St. and then east to Yonge, exploring Queen’s Park, Old City Hall and Osgoode Hall along the way. “The final stop is one of the most notorious of Toronto’s haunted buildings,” says Muddy York Walking Tours’ website. “Several people have claimed to experience the unusual here.”
Guaranteed to be a hair-raising experience, you’ll never look at Toronto real estate (or Toronto mortgage brokers) the same way again.
4. The Boo at the Zoo Tundra Trek is taking place from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Oct. 29-30. Free 
admission granted for up to two costumed kids under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult. Participants will follow the Pumpkin Trail to trick-or-treat stations that lead through the Tundra Trek to Arctic wolves, foxes and polar bears (and more!) Daily ‘Critters and Costumes Parade’ will be taking place from 12 -2 pm. The annual Boo at the Zoo provides kids not only with an opportunity to celebrate Halloween outside of school and Halloween night, it is also a great way to experience the incredible 5-acre polar bear area (highlighted by an underwater viewing section).
5. Be anyone but yourself at one of Toronto’s impressive costume shops. Everyone, male or female, young or mature, loves the idea of being someone else for a day (or a whole weekend). From theatrical costume outlets renting out identities to high-end costumes at Malabar to 
sexy numbers from Seduction, Toronto’s retailers are hard at work on inventory management while the rest of us play dress up. For a listing of costume stores across the city, click here.
6. Get some real food prepared. If you have kids they’ll need something to combat all the sugar and if you have hips, you’ll want to avoid getting “Halloween hips.” These Halloween recipes, featuring festive organic ingredients like pumpkin and white beans, will keep your tastebuds happy without overloading your caloric intake.
7. Get to a party! There is no better time than Halloween to let loose on a dance floor. Marvel at the production planning of the Liberty Grand Halloween party as 5,000 witches, warlocks and Winehouses wriggle their way into the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex.
For a complete listing of Halloween howls, click here.
La Société: free cocktail event
October 19, 2011 by deblewis
Filed under Ontario, Past Events, Toronto, Uncategorized
La Société held the amazing cocktail event, Cinq à sept, on October 19th. They offered free tasty samples of delicious French cocktails and let people indulge themselves with the unique atmosphere.
It was a great opportunity to taste a sip of France in the heart of Toronto.
La Société is Canada’s Parisian bistro style and cuisine restaurant. A dining destination unlike any other in Toronto
La Société
131 Bloor Street West
416 551 9921
Small Business Forum 2011
October 19, 2011 by deblewis
Filed under Non-Profit Events, Ontario, Past Events, Toronto, Uncategorized
On Tuesday, October 18th, entrepreneurs and small business owner’s gathered to seek insights from veteran entrepreneurs, investors, marketers and social media experts at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This opportunity gave young entrepreneurs an insight about business and uncovered new opportunities with the help of knowledgeable speakers.
Attending Enterprise Toronto seminar helped young business men and women try out new technology; share thoughts in a social media feed, and watch software-as-a-service and mobile application demonstrations.
We have participated in the social media stream, ScribbleLive, of the Small Business Forum 2011, by tweeting and using Facebook. The social media stream of the people present were shown on a big screen in the digital zone.
Some interesting seminars were about ‘How Youtube & Other Social Media Grew My Business’, ‘Intellectual Property’ and ‘Cloud Computing’. In my opinion, the most interesting was about ‘Engagement Marketing’. This seminar was presented by Lisa Kember of Constant Contact.
These were the main interesting points she had to share;
The Days of Mad Men are over. A company cannot invent its own brand anymore. The brand of a company is not defined by the company itself, but by the consumer. Every day an average Canadian will be faced with 30.000 ads every day.
These are three important ways of branding, sorted by impact.
1) Word of mouth is still the best tool of communication
2) Search engine processing
3) Advertising
An important fact is that ‘people trust people they don’t know talking about a company more than advertisement of the particular company.’ An example of this is sites such as Tripadvisor.com or other websites of reviews.
Great relationships grows business.
Three facts about conversational marketing (engagement marketing)
1) You have limited control over your brand.
2) You must provide a great customer experience for survival.
”He profits most, who serves best”
3) Relationship matter. You must first earn permission to engage. When permission earned, the likelihood to buy or recommend increases greatly.
In order for engagement to succeed you will need to use both mail and social media to succeed.
In short: engagement is key.
For more information about the event go to: www.enterprisetoronto.com
Welcome to our “Parlour”
October 11, 2011 by CityEvents
Filed under Ask Deb, Event Venues, Ontario, Toronto
Toronto is once again embraced by an attractive entertainment establishment and hosting environment, perfect for launches, fashion, media and private events. Parlour 270, on Adelaide St. at John St., is the perfect habitat for socialites to embrace style, music, art and fashion in an upper-eastside feel like building.
The buzz around the establishment’s inauguration last month was so elevated that Parlour had hit capacity by midnight. This establishment has an extravagant vintage design and an intimate setting to cater crowds up to 100+;
”Parlour is a mecca for socialites seeking habitual enlightenment. Embracing style, music, art and fashion in an impressive heritage building, Parlour is a destination for those seeking refuge from the main. Boasting an extravagant vintage design, Parlour teases the senses with a lavish and mature wine and cocktail menu,” according to Rebecca Andersen.
It is the perfect escape from mainstream and a great addition to Toronto’s vibrant lounge scene, definitely worth checking out for both a evening cocktail or to host your next event. Located steps from the downtown core, TIFF Lightbox and the theatre district, Parlour offers a versatile space with a small courtyard patio, area for musical performances, and private areas.
http://parlour270.com. You can also follow Parlour on twitter@Parlour270
For more information on this space for your upcoming event contact: info@torontocityevents.ca
Sceneopolis
October 5, 2011 by deblewis
Filed under Ontario, Past Events, Toronto
Thanks for joining Sceneopolis Launch Party!
Sceneopolis.com was founded with a simple mission to help you plan a complete night out and [re]discover what makes our city tick. And it also saves you money! sceneopolis.com creates a scene that revolves around Toronto’s world-class arts and culture programming and has partnered with the city’s best arts and culture organizations, restaurants, and bars to save you money.
Special CityEvents sceneopolis discount
Use code: city5 and get $5 off your subscription (regular price $45). Visit www.sceneopolis.com and use the discount code at check-out.
For more info: www.sceneopolis.com
