Toronto International Art Fair (TIAR)

Bigger and better are just two words that apply to this year's TIAR. You could also say breathtaking, a breath of fresh air and in some cases, lighter than air. The Breathing of Plants, (right) an installation by Klaus Illi & Bettina Burkle, offered billowing green stems that inhaled and exhaled making air a primary sculptural element.

The Sandra Ainsley Gallery brought us fragile glass helmets. (right)

Magic Pony Gallery at 694 Queen St. West is one of those destination shops you wish you'd discovered sooner. At least I did. Billed as "Designer Toys Apparel Lifestyle Books Art & More" it represents truth in advertising. The postcard flyer let me know that I'd missed four other exhibits from May through Sept this year. October's installation - Mega Mega Wibbied Mindthicket by Derrick Hodgson (above) was a visual delight in pastels.

North of Toronto

On the weekend after Thanksgiving, we went in search of some fall colors.














All the way to Gravenhurst harbour (above) and eventually to Bracebridge (below).

The Quilt Project

The Quilt: Breast Cancer Support Project at Casa Loma from Sept 28 to Oct 21 was a stitchers delight again this year. Quilters from across Canada donated their personal treasures for this unique fundraising project.

133 mostly hand stitched quilts were on display throughout the castle. Room after room was filled with original designs, many with touching and amusing stories attached.


It was one way to keep memories of friends and family members alive.

World Press Photos 2007

This year's exhibit at BCE Place is more engaging and thought-provoking than ever. On Sat, Oct 20 Fuyuki Kurasawa from York University lead a lively and insightful discussion about structure and composition. Highlighted was the photojournalist's challenging role in creating ever more sensational imagery - including many photos that can be considered art. World Press Photos

The Drowsy Chaperone

Have you ever longed for fresh musical theatre that would lift you up and transport you to a whole new world? The Drowsy Chaperone, staring Bob Martin, fulfilled my hopes and offered even more. With a paper thin story, Georgia Engel's puffy dressess, the titular chaperone's seduction of Aldooolpho and all the tap dancing in between, it was non-stop fun. Oh, don't forget the roller skates!

When the Man in the Chair gets "blue" he plays LPs of his favourite old musicals - scratches, duster 'n all. The year is 1928 and when a whole stage of singers and dancers has to skip-skip-skip along with the broken record it's hysterical! And, want to know a secret? I went a second time - it's that good. Got a rush seat for $25 and laughed myself silly all over again.

Nuit Blanche 2007

I attended a few events at Nuit Blanche on Saturday night, Sept 29. A highlight was the text message ideas for Going Green (above). The dangling display (right) was a musical exhibit with recording devices attached to the removable cork stoppers. (watch your head on those beams)

A surprise visit from the zombies at the stroke of midnight in the Distillery District was a crowd pleaser. They danced the entire Thriller song step-for-step, costumes and all! I grabbed one of the zombies before he got away!