A Royal Encounter : Sarah, Duchess of York, at Onsite Gallery

The month long Contact Photography Festival is on in Toronto, and I noticed that one of their primary exhibitions was going to be at Onsite Gallery. (That's the professional gallery operated by the Ontario College of Art and Design University, shortened to OCADU, which I previously wrote about it in this post.)

I saw that there was to be a free public reception for the opening of a solo show called "The Audible Language of Flowers" by lens-based artist T.M. Glass, whose work was described as a "recent series of images featuring blooms and vessels from unique gardens across the globe whose artworks".

I asked my friend Andrea if she wanted to join me, and we made plans to combine the gallery reception with a casual early dinner. It was a Wednesday evening so we were expecting a relatively quiet night out.

After dinner of ramen on Queen Street West, we walked down to the gallery on Richmond Street, where we were greeted at the door and told to go right in. We entered the busy but not overly crowded space. We got a glass of wine and I asked the server if the artist was there. She said that she was but didn't know where or what she looked like. The use of the pronoun "she" was when I first learned the artist was female as there was no indication of that in her name or what I'd seen online.

I mention all this to emphasize the fact that we had no idea what the evening would bring, beyond a nice meal out and a look at some interesting art.

We began looking around at the artworks.

Toronto Coffee Shop Date : At and Around Wallace Espresso on King Street West

Hello! I was happy to have coffee and a snack with Julie at a new independent coffee shop in my own beloved Niagara neighbourhood of Toronto.

Wallace Espresso opened at 848 King Street West six month ago, in the middle of a strip of restored row houses located west of Bathurst near Niagara Street.

The Bay Queen Street Store : “Photo Backdrop Installation”

I'd read about and seen some pictures taken on the 7th floor of Hudson's Bay Queen Street location, in an temporary installation called "The7TO - PopUp Exhibition".

In a nutshell, they've taken part of their 7th floor and turned it into a space specifically meant for taking fun photographs. There are 8 different areas/backdrops, some that you physically get into and some that you stand in front of.

They don't say, however, since you pass through it to get from the elevator to the store's bridal boutique, Kleinfeld, I imagine that the idea began as a way to enhance the experience of shopping for wedding and bridesmaids' dresses, but morphed into something that anyone would enjoy.

And enjoy it they have -- the person I spoke to about it told me that, when it first went up, there were long line-ups and they had to put time limits on people.

It was originally meant to be on for a few months during the winter/early spring but due to popularity, they extended its run until next Thursday, May 9th. It's open during store hours and is free of charge.

It wasn't overly crowded when I went on Wednesday, and it was quite fun and interesting, so I encourage you to grab a friend and head on over. I was by myself which made taking good pictures a challenge as I'm terrible at taking selfies. I had my selfie-stick with me, but even so, I only got a few clear shots. Thankfully, a couple of people offered to take a picture for me, and I did the same for a few others.

And, I was told that there were plans to replace it with a whole new set of backdrops in a second installation of its kind, which will open sometime in the summer! (I'll update this post when I get exact dates.)

Playing Pool at The Rivoli and Other Birthday Highlights – 2019

It was my birthday recently and when Nick asked me what I'd like to do, I didn't have to think for long before requesting a few games of pool.

We went to The Rivoli Pool Hall (which is upstairs from the restaurant at 332 Queen Street West, Toronto.)

Gorgeously Gilded : Art by Dalia Elcharbini at C9 Gallery

The Opening Reception for "Disturb and Elevate", the debut solo exhibition by artist Dalia Elcharbini, took place at Toronto's cool C9 Gallery on Thursday evening and I had the pleasure of being there. My friend and fellow art enthusiast Julie came along.