http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36497 This is the perfect place to enjoy Canadian landscape paintings: the rural-style building is built with hand-hewn logs and set on 100 acres of conservation land. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow visitors to enjoy views of the densely wooded Humber River Valley. Through a network of outdoor paths and hiking trails, you can also spend time outside.
A day can easily be spent gazing in any of the thirteen exhibition galleries, the theatre or gift shop. The gallery boasts the largest collection of the Group of Seven landscape painters in Canada, those who painted distinctly Canadian landscapes from 1920 to 1933. The First Nations Art includes traditional, ceremonial and religious art, as well as contemporary pieces.
The Inuit Art collection includes paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures created using many different materials.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36497 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36412 Running until January 20, 2013, the exhibit features almost one-quarter of Kahlo’s paintings, a selection of Rivera's works, with styles from his early cubist period, to his Mexican murals and his portraits and landscapes. There are also watercolours, prints and over 60 photos of the couple. As the name of the exhibit suggests, the works showcase Rivera and Kahlo’s lives together and apart, their politics and how their passionate views and social activism affected their work.
Kahlo is best known for her surreal self-portraits, while Rivera was famous for his mural frescos, which helped establish the Mexican Mural Movement in Mexican art. This exhibition highlights both their developments as artists through the years.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36412 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36411 The exhibit runs until January 20, 2013 and is part of the 50th anniversary of Bond in cinema, and examines how the famous spy has influenced design, culture and technology. Bond items featured in the exhibition include the poker table from Casino Royale and multiple gadgets from Q Branch. Also on view are elegant clothes designed by Giorgio Armani, Donatella Versace, Tom Ford, Hubert de Givenchy and Oscar de la Renta.
Special tours are also available on a first-come, first served basis and run weekly: Thursdays at 6 pm, Saturdays at 11am & 6pm and Sundays at noon. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Prices, not including taxes, are:
Adults: $15
Students & Seniors: $12
Children: $10.50
Don’t forget to stop for martinis and great food at the Luma restaurant, also located in the TIFF Bell Lightbox upstairs, or for something more casual, Canteen restaurant, located on the main floor.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36411 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36410 Since 1994, 401 Richmond has undergone a dramatic transformation from rundown factory to a thriving centre for the arts in Toronto. Constructed in 1899, the building originally operated as a tin lithography factory. The original character and architectural features have been preserved, including over 800 double-hung, wood frame windows. In 1994, the building underwent a dramatic transformation by adding more modern and green elements such as the 6,500 square foot roof garden and an interior courtyard.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36410 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35568 Give yourself about 90 minutes to visit the entire museum and gallery, which sells original works created by contemporary Inuit artists as well as handicraft jewelry and books on Inuit art. The gallery acquires all of its pieces from various Inuit co-operatives representing artists working in Northern Canada and all proceeds from the art sale further supports the work of these artists and their communities.
Open 7 days a week from 10 AM until 6 PM, the museum has very low admission rates -- $3 CDN for adults and $1.50 CDN for seniors and students.
The museum also hosts a Collectors’ Night every Friday night, from 7 PM until 9 PM. Purchase tickets for $10 CDN at the door and this will get you a private tour of the museum followed by a talk about how to select Inuit art. Wine and hors d’oeuvres are served as well.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35568 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35567 From May 12th until October 7th, 2012, guides will show you some of Toronto’s most notable buildings, both old and new, giving details on their design and special features, as well as providing interesting and informative stories. These outdoor walking tours last approximately two hours.
Whether it’s the Art & Performance Tour, showcasing some of Toronto's buildings relating to art, theatre, and cinema, the Culture & Campus Tour, featuring museums, cultural centres, and various buildings on the University of Toronto Campus, or the Towers Tour, consisting of buildings making up Toronto’s downtown skyline, each session promises to be both informative and entertaining.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35567 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35342 showcasing contemporary art cannot be found in any Toronto guidebook, but by walking
through the city. Many Toronto neighbourhoods are full of street art, and some of the most beautiful and eclectic work appears on the side of a wall, under a bridge, down a laneway or in an alley.
One such place known to many locals is called Graffiti Alley, or as Google Maps calls it, “Rush Lane”, located half a block south and running parallel to trendy Queen Street West, it is several blocks long. Walking through the alley changes the city into a walking art gallery. Almost every surface within the area, including doors, lighting poles, fire hydrants and fire escapes, are all covered with graffiti art. And if you also want to look at art you can purchase, there are several galleries on Queen Street West just a few steps away.
Although it’s an alley, the area is perfectly safe to walk through. The space, which was originally intended for delivery trucks, is usually busy with local pedestrians, street art fans like me, photographers, and of course graffiti artists.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35342 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35249 Each week, the festival offers a film screening, live music and great food on the roof of Amsterdam Brewery, located downtown. The event features independent films and local bands, with all profits supporting the Toronto indie film community. In case of rain, the films will be moved indoors. In just three short years, the festival has become a seasonal favorite and attendance regularly hits to about 400 per screening.
Check out the website for a full schedule and additional information. Tickets for each night cost $15 and can also be purchased on the website. Drinks and food cost extra.
On the day of the event, the on-site box office opens at 7:30pm for cash only ticket sales;
musical guest performs at 8:00pm and the film screens around 9:00pm.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35249 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35157 I love “fringeing.” I’ve already bought my pass of 12 tickets and am looking forward to seeing some great live theatre. Tickets are incredibly affordable, with single tickets at $10 and are available by purchasing either online or at the theatre one hour prior to show time. This year’s festival presents over 150 individual productions from Canada and around the world.
The festival runs from Wednesday, July 4 until Sunday, July 15 and the roster includes something for everyone: from musicals to sketch comedy to drama to FringeKids! plays held at one of the local libraries. There are even some interesting venues, with locations like parking lots, school buses and even a bra shop.
All Fringe shows are not chosen by a jury, but rather a lottery system, which gives each play an equal chance.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35157 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31876 handmade jewelry, paintings, photography, one-of-a-kind clothing and even baked goods.
Over 20 exhibitors are set up in this collective space, which is a great venue for emerging artists to sell their work and for others to purchase unique items.
Toronto’s only year-round artisan market is located in Leslieville, one of the city’s hippest places to eat, drink, and shop.
It is located on Queen Street East and Caroline Avenue, just a 10-minute ride from the Queen Street subway station. Take the streetcar east to Caroline Avenue.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31876 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31715 Seasonal events include the Ice Canoe Race in late January, Celebrating Black History Month in February, a jazz festival in June, Canada Day celebrations in July, the Authors' Festival and Harvest Festival in October, and Mexican Day of the Dead in November.
The Toronto Music Garden, designed in association with Yo-Yo Ma, offers free concerts most Thursdays at 7pm and Sundays at 4pm. The Garden design was inspired by the first suite of Johan Sebastian Bach's Suites for Unaccompanied Cello, and each movement corresponds to a different section of the Garden.
New this year, Harbourfront hosts an all-ages dance party with live bands, social dance clubs, DJs and instructors, where every Thursday night you can learn about dance trends from around the world.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31715 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31141 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31141 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10464 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10464