Friday Night Date

Hey Torontonians, when was the last time you went to the CN Tower? For couples who are looking for a place to celebrate a late Valentine's weekend, why not take it to the top of the world- literally! Through February 15-18, there's a buy-one-get-one-free pass (see website for details) up the tower. For a light meal and refreshments, spend some time at Horizons Café, located at 1136 feet on the Look Out level.

Michael Fagan is a very well-respected wine expert and is one of the leading resources at the LCBO (www.LCBO.com).  Here, he talks about selecting the best reds, whites, champagnes, and sweets for Valentine's.  This is Wine 101 for those who are looking to impress their special someone this year. There are three videos below!

By Amber Whitman

Who doesn’t remember the original romantic movie “Dirty Dancing” of 1987, featuring the sexy and acclaimed actor Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle, and the loveable Jennifer Grey as Frances “Baby” Houseman? Well, now you can see this movie-turned-musical, written and co-produced by Eleanor Bergstein, live onstage at The Royal Alexandria Theatre.

“Dirty Dancing” is a classic coming of age love story that begins when the adolescent Baby, a doctor’s daughter with lofty dreams, is forced to go on summer holiday with her parents. Bored one day, she wanders into a world of dance and new people, where she meets Johnny, a ruffian. Through as series of circumstances, they find themselves making an unlikely pairing as dance partners. However, against all odds they fall in love and face life’s challenges together. With popular favourites like “Hungry Eyes,” “I’ve had The Time of My Life,” and “Do you Love Me?” this summer-romance show is a surefire winner (emphasis on the fire)!

SweetLulu offers you a unique Asian inspired fast gourmet experience. Their signature noodle dishes are cooked to order with only the freshest of ingredients. A selection of delicious oriental soups and starters can accompany your main selection along with a wide variety of Western and Asian drinks. SweetLulu puts extra emphasis on healthy eating and for those who prefer offers numerous tasty vegetarian options.  The wait staff is very friendly and eager to help you design your dish.

From the City of Toronto website for their Wintercity Festival

Experience the enchantment of Nights of Fire, magically created by Cie Carabosse, France's acclaimed fire art troupe in Toronto for their North American premiere. Fuel the flames of your imagination as you wander among intricate sculptures of metal, clay and fire that will transform Nathan Phillips Square into a wonderland of warmth and light.

The gentle illumination of the entire square will unfold over three hours as clay pots are individually lit until 1500 burn in unison, radiating heat and reflective beauty across the urban landscape.Haunting musical performances will accompany the fire installation, delicately enhancing the magic and wonder of the flames.

By Anthony Peter

I try with my will of steel not to be too hard on winter, but most years as it approaches, I very quickly begin to feel that I’ve already had my fill of it. There is truth in the sentiment that a Canadian winter has its own many splendors; however, it can also sometimes leave us feeling like we’ve been locked away on an Alcatraz Island of cold, ice and desolation, without any possibility of parole. By now, most of us have accepted that the summer is gone and that there is no avoiding the long winter ahead, and even though lately it’s been more reminiscent of spring outside, we are wise Canadians and not so easily fooled, right? We know that, any day now, we are sure to awake to an icy white scene,* one that looks so beautiful- that is, until January or February, when suddenly that scene begins to leave a bad taste more like the same old mash and beans on a tray, and to feel like “lights out” at ten (or, in reality, lights out at five). But there may yet be hope. While it may not equate to a full-on prison break, I do have a few items for the winter to-do list that may just help you feel like you can escape (if even momentarily) from a little thing I refer to as Wintertraz.

By Jonathan Rotsztain

Sexual, savvy, suave, smart and swank. These are just a few of the “s” words that come to mind when I think of Deborah- formerly Debbie- Harry, past and present front-woman of Blondie and all-time solo artist in her own right. Pop-culture aficionados are well familiar with her story, but just for posterity’s sake… Coming out of the New York Punk/New Wave scene of the late 1970s– early 1980s, and establishing themselves underground at the legendary CBGBs (along with the likes of the Ramones and the Talking Heads) and around the world with a series of hits, Blondie are the pop-rock superstars responsible for era anthems “Call Me,” “Heart of Glass,” and my personal favourite, “Rapture.” Deborah/Debbie was the look and sound that made it happen, and this weekend she’ll remind you why.

By Jonathan Rotsztain

Hailing from the People’s Republic of China, the Twelve Girls Band can only be described as a real treat. This unique act will be at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts this Friday October 26. Bridging the ever-narrower divide between the Occident and the Orient through the power of song, the neatly named ensemble are best known for their haunting takes on American pop classics like Céline Dion’s My Heart Will Go On and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas mixed with classic Chinese fare and flare. Playing traditional Chinese instruments like the guzheng, the yangqin, the pipa, the erhu and flutes, the Girls are going places.