#15 PERFORMING ARTS
DATE: Sunday, August 19, 2012.
TIME:
This stroll follows Canada's Walk of Fame through the northeastern portion of the Entertainment District, where Canda's performing arts history takes center stage.
Hmm....Even before starting the walk, my expectations are a bit low. Doesn't seem like there is much to this and I can already tell this is going to be our shortest walk yet. But I'll try to reserve judgement...(seriously, I will!)
We've both been around this area countless times and since we plan on actually catching
a show at Second City later, we're doing this one completely out of order.
Hmm....Even before starting the walk, my expectations are a bit low. Doesn't seem like there is much to this and I can already tell this is going to be our shortest walk yet. But I'll try to reserve judgement...(seriously, I will!)
We've both been around this area countless times and since we plan on actually catching
a show at Second City later, we're doing this one completely out of order.
I'm pretty hesitant about this walk as well, but since it's an opportunity to explore and hopefully learn something new - we take it.
Think we're both pretty tired from the day before...
We met up at Roy Thomson Hall. (I think I always thought that it was Thompson) (Funny that you mention that cause I thought that about Tom Thomson's name...) It's a concert hall where the Toronto Symphony peforms. Now the card mentions Roy Thomson Hall in passing but it's not an official venue We both think its odd. This is supposed to be a Performing Arts walk and its right along the path!
(Is the time on the board confusing you? Cause it's after the parameters of our walk? Well, cause we did this walk in a different order and its so short we ended up walking past the sites more than once. This was taken after dinner on the way home. Or perhaps we used time turners and this was taken during the real timeline and the other pictures were taken when we went back in time. (HP and the Prisoner of Azikaban.) As I didn't make this reference during the actual walk, Alma is certainly rolling her eyes at me)
In first year, I got one of those memberships that allowed you to see select free concerts at Roy Thomson Hall. Can't remember what it was called.... it was adversited in our frosh kits and it was free for anyone under 30!.... though that was the only year I got it. I saw a couple of concerts with some rez friends that year. I also saw my first film fest movie here: A History of Violence. I've seen a few TIFF movies cause I have friends that volunteer, but it's the only gala (?) I've been too. The actors and director were there. I got overdressed cause, well I didn't know what to expect....
I didn't take advantage of that card when I was in first year or any year during university:( , but I did however attend a few performances here for my music courses and also got to see a friend's bf play bass in the junior(?) symphony orchestra.
I also remember in high school we attended a rehearsal of the TSO. They gave a talk after their performance...but the only thing I recall them saying is that musicians audition behind a screen.
The cards also make note of Canada's Walk of Fame which adorns the pavement around Roy Thompson (hehe, it will be always Thompson in your mind) Hall and on either side of King Street. But again, why is it not an actual venue????
Uh, why does the Walk of Fame have a plaque? It it a celebrity to?
Okay, we start our actual walk venues with the city's two "famous Broadway-style theaters"
5. Royal Alexandra Theatre (260 King Street W.)
...which has hosted legends from the Marx Brothers to Orson Welles.
It's been awhile since I saw something worthwhile here. The last memorable show was Mamma Mia! My parents and brother used to do the Mirvish season passes that allowed you to see a bunch of shows throughout the year, so I have seen some unmemorable ones...
...which has hosted legends from the Marx Brothers to Orson Welles.
It's been awhile since I saw something worthwhile here. The last memorable show was Mamma Mia! My parents and brother used to do the Mirvish season passes that allowed you to see a bunch of shows throughout the year, so I have seen some unmemorable ones...
I think we both mention how we never actually looked at this building before... like really look at it. It's actually pretty nice!
It was built in 1907!
It was built in 1907!
I've only seen one performance here:
Dirty Dancing
Pretty Lights!
4. Princess of Wales Theatre (300 King Street W.)
...where the Broadway version of The Lord of the Rings had its world debut.
I think Craig saw it....
The last show I remember seeing here was The Lion King. That was awesome!
...where the Broadway version of The Lord of the Rings had its world debut.
I think Craig saw it....
The last show I remember seeing here was The Lion King. That was awesome!
Very modern compared to the Royal Alexandra, isn't it?!
Wiki says it's a mix of traditional and contemporary.
The first show I ever saw here was:
Miss Saigon
(Apparently the theatre opened with that production!)
Being in elementary school at the time, I remember how fancy it was...
I think every filipino watched Miss Saigon that year too since a filipina played the lead character.
The last show I saw was:
Lion King
Saw that in high school with my music class... and i loved it!
Loved everything about it... costumes, music, set, design.
would totally see that again.
The theatre's name has a triple meaning: it recalls the Princess Theatre, Toronto's first "first-class legitimate" playhouse, that once stood three blocks to the east; it honours Diana, Princess of Wales, with whose consent the theatre was so-named; and it links the building to its sister theatre, the Royal Alexandra, one block to the east, also named - with Royal assent - for a former Princess of Wale
The walk ends at the corner of King and John which is where the fairly new TIFF Lightbox buildiing is. It was created for the aforementioned annual Toronto International Film Festival. I'm sure this would be included in the walk had it been there when the cards were produced. Actually, not so sure since they did exclude Roy Thomson and the Walk of Fame.
Never been here before...
But I think Mon went to see the Tim Burton exhibit with the twins
That true!
That true!
I sometimes go to the Tim Hortons at the right of the picture and also the Indian restaurant, Aroma across the street (not pictured). Really delicious authentic indian food for a reasonable price!
2. The Canadian Broadcasting Centre (CBC) (250 Front Street W.)
Headquarters of the nation's public broadcasting stations, is worth visitng for its small museum explaning the history of Canadian broadcasting and the statue of Glen Gould out front.
David Suzuki and the Nature of Things
Love that program.
There are several Monica reflections on this post...
I would have really liked to have seen the museum. Seems interesting enough. And it's free! But not open on weekends.
We'll go... and we'll post.
CBC has it's own Walk of Fame too!
Mon actually wanted to take pic of George Stom...'s star, but a nearby security guard makes Mon take Peter Mansbridge's star instead.
Nothing wrong with Peter Mansbridge...
Someone caught Mon's attention...
He was being quite forward with me.
Whispering sweet nothings...
But obviously Mon doesn't mind...
Mon gets fresh with Glenn.
They're now on a first name basis.
Mon gets fresh with Glenn.
They're now on a first name basis.
Hehe... The cards mention that you can enjoy a good view of the Skydome and CN tower from the corner of John and Front....
Well Glenn Gould has a great view.
... his way of picking up girls.
3. Simcoe Park
....which includes the three notable art installations, including the sobering 100 workers monument.
Who is Simcoe? Lt. Govenor John Graves Simcoe
"He founded York (now Toronto) and was instrumental in introducing institutions such as the courts, trial by jury, English common law,freehold land tenure, and in abolishing slavery."
Who is Simcoe? Lt. Govenor John Graves Simcoe
"He founded York (now Toronto) and was instrumental in introducing institutions such as the courts, trial by jury, English common law,freehold land tenure, and in abolishing slavery."
Doesn't this look like it would be fun to scale?
There are no descriptions/explanations for these installations anywhere
Tried Googling it as well with no results...
Mon caught me tiptoeing....
What can I say, I'm short.
Left plaque: Lt. Govenor John Graves Simcoe
York, August 8th, 1793
Lt. Governor Simcoe to Chief Joseph Brant
"... Peace appears to me to be the most desirable object; and I have always, endevoured to impress a disposition and temper that may lead to that blessing among the Indian Nations, who have requested my opinion..."
From the Simcoe Papers
Right: Elizabeth Posthuma Simcoe
York, Tuesday July 30th 1793
"The Queen's Rangers are encamped opposite to the ship. After dinner we went on shore to fix on a spot whereon to plce the canvas houses, and we chose a rising ground, divided by a creek from the camp, which is ordered to bee cleared immediately. The soldiers have cut down a great deal of wood to enable them to pitch their tents. We went in a boat two miles to the bottom of the bay, and walked thro' a grove of oaks, where the town is intended to be built. A low spit of land, covered with wood, forms the bay and breaks the horizon of the lake, which greatly improves the view, which indeed is very pleasing. The water in the bay is beautifully clear and transparent"
From the Diary of Elizabeth Simcoe
Mon catches me reading these plaques... but then I stopped reading...
I wonder how these three installations tie together or if they're even meant to be together... or if there is only 1 or several artists involved.
We honestly thought that this fountain was part of the restaurant nearby...
We need explanations! Please!
An interesting monument... It's hard reading about some of the deaths
Cheer up Alma!
Not that it's my cream cheese bagel... but i can imagine how sad it was for the owner to drop.
There was one time when I was waiting in line to go to la moma in Berlin and it was more than a 4 hour wait! So a few friends bought items to make a sandwiches while we wait. After assembling... and ready to take my first bite, a wasp stings my right pinky finger... and i drop my sandwich on the floor.
So I can sympathize with this cream cheese bagel owner...
:(
There was one time when I was waiting in line to go to la moma in Berlin and it was more than a 4 hour wait! So a few friends bought items to make a sandwiches while we wait. After assembling... and ready to take my first bite, a wasp stings my right pinky finger... and i drop my sandwich on the floor.
So I can sympathize with this cream cheese bagel owner...
:(
1. Second City Theater (51 Mercer St.)
...where many of Canada's most recognizable faces, including Dan Aykroyd and Mike Myers, perfected their shticks.
I've always wanted to go see a Second City show. And today is sort of our chance. My friend Brianne's in a sketch writing program here and she and her peers were having their free show today.
I was here once as part of a bacholorette group 3 years ago... it was alright.
The show was interesting. Some sketches funnier than others... Brianne's was great though. Really funny. The guy next to Alma though may have peed himself laughing....
There's Brie standing in the blue dress at the end of the show.
And just randomly out of no where, here's the English phone booth outside of the Elephant and Castle across from Roy Thomson Hall.... i just like English Phone booths. (There's a couple outside St. Lawrence Market too....)
OMG - English Phone booths that are nonfunctional?! It just came to me. They lead to the Ministry of Magic. It's the visitor's entrance
OMG - English Phone booths that are nonfunctional?! It just came to me. They lead to the Ministry of Magic. It's the visitor's entrance
okay monica...
and it's not part of the walk.
and it's not part of the walk.
MONICA'S RATING: Wellllll...... okay so I have no problem with any of the venues on this walk- I agree they should all be venues and I like them all- but this walk as a whole is a big let down. Too short. Kind of dry.... It's quite clear that the publishers couldn't come up with 50 different walks for Toronto and started splitting up walks - and this is evidence of that. (FYI, Alma and I can think of others neighborhoods that should have walks- there was no need to split walks up) 1.5 micorphones out of 5 
Alma's Rating: I agree with Mon, this walk is way too short and once again information is lacking. There was hardly any details to be read about Simcoe Park (like who Simcoe even was!)... or any history of the theaters (and there is much history to be read!). I know we ended googling a bunch of them to add a little to this blog... but a little more effort on the cards would've been good. I mean, one is supposed to take a card and learn something...
If people are interested in checking out a show, this is definitely the area to go -- though prices for tickets can be pretty pricey. There are a lot of promotion codes out there -- you just have to search. Also, if anyone is interested in celebrity watching... with TIFF held in this area, you may just catch a glimpse.. just be ready for a lot of screaming and a whole lot of people. I'm actually surprised the cards didn't even mention that.... they're all about celebrity sightings. AND! there are a ton of restaurants around this area... if the cards needed filler, people always need recommendations to go to before and after catching a show. Just saying.
I give this walk a 1.5 out of 5.
If people are interested in checking out a show, this is definitely the area to go -- though prices for tickets can be pretty pricey. There are a lot of promotion codes out there -- you just have to search. Also, if anyone is interested in celebrity watching... with TIFF held in this area, you may just catch a glimpse.. just be ready for a lot of screaming and a whole lot of people. I'm actually surprised the cards didn't even mention that.... they're all about celebrity sightings. AND! there are a ton of restaurants around this area... if the cards needed filler, people always need recommendations to go to before and after catching a show. Just saying.
I give this walk a 1.5 out of 5.
