Go Live indeed …

2006 was the year of Creativity in Toronto as declared by Mayor Miller – and with that came the launch of the Live With Culture campaign which – in my opinion – was a lack-luster attempt to get Torontonians involved in the artistic fabric of the city. The only event that really sparked any interest was Nuit Blanche – and that was a resounding success!

2006 was also a busy year for the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA). The arts service organziation which is “the voice of theatre, dance and opera in Toronto”, produces the Dora Mavor Moore Awards (the annual performing arts awards in Toronto), and owns and operates T.O.TIX (see post beneath), launched its own city-wide arts marketing campaign called Go Live Toronto.

This marketing campaign is a call to action for the citizens of Toronto and the tourists visiting the city to step outside the box and try something different be it an independent production at the Theatre Centre, a modern dance piece at the Toronto Dance Theatre, or listen to the beauty of Baroque opera with Opera Atelier. There are several calls to actions in the campaign to check out:

• goliveto.ca – the digital hub of the campaign, this website offers an online listing of upcoming shows in all genres and allows visitors to search by any field to find out what’s playing in the city (and there’s always something going on). It also links to T.O.TIX so you can purchase your tickets through the online box office.
• hipTIX – this is a great new initiative for all students! hipTIX allows any student in high school or post secondary (up to the age of 25) with a valid ID (ISIC too!) to purchase $5 tickets to select shows through T.O.TIX! This is a fantastic way for students to see some great shows. You can buy them in-person at T.O.TIX at Yonge-Dundas Square or online at totix.ca.
• 5 Star Experience – If you’re looking for a really neat experience, you have to check out these discount theatre packages! They are pretty amazing and incredibly well priced. The 5 Star Experience offers buyers these amazing packages:
  • Barrel of Laughs: a beer tasting and tour of Steamwhistle Brewery, dinner at The Red Tomato, and tickets to The Second City
  • Fusion: choose a show from each of these amazing companies – CanStage, Tarragon Theatre and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
  • Kidding Around: if you have kids, this is a great package – tickets to the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory, and a trip up the CN Tower
  • Stepping Out: A chance to see some fantastic dance shows at Harbourfront Centre, access to The Power Plant Contemorary Art Gallery, and dinner at Il Fornello.
  • NEWorld: If you want to enhance your visit to Harbourfront’s New World Stage Festival, check out this package which gets you into select New World Festival shows, access to The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, and dinner at Il Fornello.
• The Theatre Guide – this is published every two months and distributed throughout the City at various hotels and attractions – pick one up if you see it as there is a theatre map (also found online here) and listings of upcoming shows.
• Write On! – If you’ve ever wanted to play your hand at being a journalist, now’s your chance. If you see a show and feel like telling the world about it, you can post your comments on this bulletin board and help spread the word about a show you’ve seen.

This is a fantastic marketing campaign that is still in its infant stage and will surely grow as the year continues on so best to check back for updated information, new packages and new initiatives!

Who said theatre’s not affordable?

Every major theatre city across North America and Europe has some sort of ticket booth that provides last minute discounts to those who want to see great performing arts at a cheaper price. The most famous is probably New York’s TKTS in Times Square and The Half Price Ticket Booth in London.

But did you known that Toronto has one as well? Originally named the 5 Star Ticket Booth, T.O.TIX, Toronto’s One-Stop Ticket Shop, has been around for 20 years or so. It’s original home was on the south-west corner of Yonge and Dundas in front of the Eaton Centre, then moved to various locations within the Eaton Centre itself and has now found its new permanent home on Yonge-Dundas Square – a stone’s throw away from where it originally started.

In addition to selling its inventory at the booth in-person, T.O.TIX offers sales online. It also offers full-price tickets to events. It’s also a Ticketmaster and Ticket King outlet meaning you can purchase any Ticketmaster event there and any show produced by Mirvish.

The booth is a great assest to the city and with the addition of online sales, it’s a perfect way to get cheap seats to some fantastic shows. Tickets range anywhere from $10 – $30 depending on the show.

There are also gift certificates available if you ever feel like giving the gift of the performing arts to that someone special.

T.O.TIX’s inventory changes daily and you can sign up to their e-bulletin here to find out what’s available for sale each day. You can also call their infoline at 416 536.6468 ext 40 for a recording of shows available at the booth.

So next time you’re looking for something interesting and not too expensive to do, check out T.O.TIX … you might discover something you never thought to try before.

Moving into the 21st Century …

This is just a quick note before the boyfriend and I watch Chicken Run (I love this movie) – but on my way over to his neck of the woods, I took the Wellseley bus and to my elated surprise, I was greeted each stop with the voice of the new TTC GPS Woman AND an LED sign indiciating the name of the upcoming stop!

Wow.

I heard about this idea being tested on the Bay bus about a year ago, and I’m very excited to see this initiative moving forward.

I know I’ve blogged about the TTC a lot lately, but I’ve got a lot to say (apparently) and there are a lot of changes happening to our beloved transit system right now … mostly good things thus far. Keep it up!

Now, if we could maybe make the TTC GPS woman just a bit happier when announcing the stops … one step at a time I suppose.

Looking for something interesting to see?

HUB 14 presents
Pick 7
Tuesday January 16, 2007
Featuring Erika Hennebury and Laura Nanni

Part conversation, part talk show, part performance.

“To me, the beauty of PICK 7 is that every “show” is different and completely spontaneous. In essence, the audience is eavesdropping on a conversation between two artists who are meeting for the first time, a simple yet brilliant idea.”
Valerie Calam – Dance artist, Pick 7 performer

Pick 7 is a unique monthly performance/conversation series. Each event involves two artists engaged in a meeting of minds, ideas and questions in an intimate setting with an audience. The artists present their work and participate in lively discussions with each other and the audience. Spontaneous, unpredictable and always inspiring, Pick 7 events reflect the concerns and motivations of the artists and curators.

For the first edition of 2007 we are pleased to have two vital performance creators and curators who promise to shape the artistic future of Toronto. They meet at Hub 14 to share their questions and their work with each other and the audience.

Pick 7 makes curiosity public.

The HUB 14 curatorial team selects artists whose art and process is of interest. HUB 14 invites seven artists a season, and asks each artist to pick a guest they are curious about to share this one time only performance opportunity.

Tuesday January 16, 2007 7:00 p.m.
Admission: $7
Venue: Hub 14, 14 Markham Street, Ground Floor South Unit, Toronto
Getting there: Located one block west of Bathurst on Markham Street, north of Queen
For reservations contact: 416-203-7719
www.hub14.org

Erika Hennebury is Associate Producer for Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, Rhubarb Festival Co-Director and Artistic Coordinator for Audience Relocation 2007. A graduate of Dalhousie University’s Theatre Department and a former member of the Irondale Emsemble Project (Halifax) Erika has studied ensemble creation, improvisation, dance, dramaturgy, directing, voice, physical theatre, clown and corporeal mime at L’Ecole Omnibus in Montreal in 1996-97 and was Co-Artistic Director of Les Vaches from 1994 – 2004. Along with acting, creating original new work, directing and artistic programming Erika has worked as a freelance publicist for Obsidian, b current, SummerWorks, Independent Aunties, The Scandelles and many more indie companies over the past 10 years in Toronto. Directing credits include: Straight, Until, by Lee Ann Poole (Paprika ‘05), The Dead Sea, by David Tomlinson and Sonja Mills (Buddies’ Rhubarb ‘05), Infoline, Bonjour…, by Julian Doucet (Rhubarb ‘03). Recent performance credits include: Flag and Pile and other Tales, by Sonja Mills (SummerWorks ‘05), Hospital Green, by Hope Thompson (Rhubarb 05), The Danish Play, by Sonja Mills (Nightwood, Toronto/NAC, Ottawa/Magnetic North, Edmonton/Aveny-T, Copenhagen), The Happy Woman, by Rose Cullis (SummerWorks ‘04), The Twins, a store-front performance installation, (Queen West Art Crawl ‘04), The Secret Life of Haddon MacKenzie, by Sky Gilbert (Cabaret Company), Green and Radio Play (Retro Rhubarb! ‘04), Mouse by Sonja Mills (Buddies’ Hysteria Festival ‘03), STEM (BIBT ‘03 – Les Vaches/House of Slacks), Flag and Pile, by Sonja Mills (Rhubarb! ‘03/BIBT), Bébé (Theatre Asylum/Groundswell – Nightwood/Rhubarb! ‘03 – BIBT), A Sun Without Heat (Canadia dell’Arte Theatre), Inertia: phases 1 & 2 (Oopmh ‘00 & ‘02), The Duchess of Malfi (Ghost House co-op ‘99), Jekyll, ‘the ecstatics’ and Better Safe Than Sorry (Les Vaches), Buying The Pharm (Squadrun Theatre) and Extract (Milkman Theatre Group). Erika was co-recipient of the K.M. Hunter Artist Award for 2000 and received a Theatre Ontario Professional Development Training Programme Grant in 2001.

Laura Nanni is a Toronto based interdisciplinary artist, curator and stage manager. Since graduating from the theatre and visual studies programs at the University of Toronto in 2003, she has presented performances at 7a*11d International Festival of Performance Art (Toronto), Galapagos Art Space (New York); and participated in group shows and screenings at Fifth Parallel Gallery (Regina); The Drake, Junction Arts Festival, Koffler Gallery, One Minute Video and Film Festival, (Toronto); and Mobilivre (Montreal). Laura has held a variety of artistic and production roles with independent and professional theatre companies including Absit Omen, Bluemouth Inc., Circus Orange, One Man Tag, Public Recordings, Soulpepper, Small Wooden Shoe, The Stratford Festival, Tarragon Theatre, and Theatre Columbus. This past year Laura co-edited an issue of the Canadian Theatre Review focusing on site-specific performance with Andrew Houston, collaborated on a performance/ installation work with UK-based artist Sorrel Muggridge for the Bonington Gallery in Nottingham UK, exhibited the third installment of her Automatic Tourist series at the Lab Cab Festival and created an interactive performance tour for Nuit Blanche, an all-night art event presented by the City of Toronto. Upcoming projects include an artistic collaboration with Adam Paolozza and Marc Tellez for Buddies in Bad Times ‘Turn Left Here’ series and stage managing Bluemouth Inc’s latest creation this spring.

HUB 14 is a performance and rehearsal space in Toronto dedicated to the development and presentation of cutting edge dance, theatre and interdisciplinary practices. Run by a collective of artists engaged in different aspects and genres of performance making, HUB 14 is united not by style distinctions, but by a belief in nurturing and creating challenging, exciting and rigorous work in whatever genre or style is at hand. The core members are Ame Henderson, Jen Johnson, Meagan O’Shea, and Jacob Zimmer.

Toronto Waterfront meeting

For those of you interested in the waterfront development and want to get in on the action, the TWRC (Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation) is having two public meetings in the coming weeks.

Lake Ontario Park Master Plan
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Radisson Admiral Hotel, 249 Queens Quay West

Central Waterfront Promenade and Re-design of Queens Quay
Tuesday, January 23, 2007,
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Radisson Admiral Hotel, 249 Queens Quay West

I don’t know if I can make the meetings – although I certainly would like to as I’m very interested in this development of Toronto – I find it very exciting. I’m curious though – did anyone get to see the Quay to the City project that the TWRC put on a couple of months ago? I somehow managed to miss the whole thing, but really wanted to see what a more pedestrian-friendly Queens Quay would be like. If you have thoughts on the project, please leave a comment … I’d love to hear what you thought!

Hey Artists! Call for submissions …

Allow me to take a moment to promote an organization I’m on the planning committee for. Emerging Arts Professional (EAP), a new national online magazine, forum and resource network for emerging professionals working in the arts field, is seeking written submissions for its online magazine.

EAP welcomes submissions from all arts professionals whether you are a seasoned or first time writer, emerging or established arts manager. If you have an opinion or ideas to share, we want to hear from you!

Articles posted on the EAP website will be in the form of a blog allowing readers to respond with their own comments, suggestions or case studies regarding the subject matter. Submissions should be brief. We are not looking for academic papers on each subject, but rather personal accounts, stories, short articles or essays.

EAP is run by a dedicated committee of arts professional volunteers. Chosen submissions will be given an honorarium of two complimentary tickets to an art event or performance in your surrounding area.

To submit an article, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• 750 words maximum
• Articles must be typed in Microsoft Word or saved as an RTF document
• Double spaced
• Please include your name, occupation, company affiliated with, city, an e.mail address that we can reach you at
• Please state clearly which topic your article addresses

E.mail your submission to me, the EAP Editor at editor[at]eapforum.com. For more information about EAP visit eapforum.com.

Topics for 2007 include:

• The Changing Face of Arts Management (January)
• Professional Development (February)
• Stress and Burnout (March)
• Leadership (April)
• Career Paths (May)
• Artist / Administrator (June)
• Festivals Across Canada Organizations (July)
• Making A Difference (August)
• Cultural Affairs (September)
• Well-Run Arts Organizations
• Diversity in the Arts (November)
• Marketing and Audience Outreach (December)

Hungry? Grab a Sandwich Box!

On my second day back at work this week, I took a walk down the street to Queen and John to one of my favourite places to grab a quick, healthy, and delicious lunch – Sandwich Box. After the first bite, I completely fell in love with this little unassuming eatery all over again.

If you haven’t tried Sandwich Box yet – you don’t know what you’re missing.

Located at 238 Queen Street West in that little food market across from the CHUM City building, Sandwich Box offers something for everyone. According to their website, their philosophy is: “…to offer healthy, fresh and quality food.” And they do deliver. The produce is always fresh, they have a great selection of cheeses to choose from, the chicken and salmon (I don’t eat red meat, so I can’t vouch for the entire meat selection) are always delicious, and the bread comes fresh daily from ACE Bakery … mmm mmm good!

The great thing about Sandwich box is that the food is prepared for you to your taste right there. For the base price, you can choose up to 5 selections to create your sandwich. The choices include a spread, a cheese, a vegetable, meat and of course, a bread. The sandwiches are expertly created, grilled slightly and placed in a non-descript white box which includes a lovely little side salad – all for the low price of $7.35 (I think … and that’s including tax!).

My favourite sandwich to create is as follows:

• Multi-grain triangle bread
• Basil-pesto spread
• Grilled chicken
• Roasted sweet red peppers
• Bocconcini cheese

For those of you in a rush, they do have pre-made sandwiches to grab and go with. And for those who aren’t in the mood for a sandwich, they do have a wonderful salad bar with a wide variety of ingredients to choose from! Just a warning, you pay by the weight of the sandwich and it can be slightly deceiving if you don’t take into account the weight of all the toppings you’re placing in your order – as I discovered one day! You must also try their daily soups which are prepared fresh on the premises … the soup du jour can be found on their website, along with all the ingredients so you can pre-plan your sandwich for the day – or even week!

I had such a wonderful experience reacquainting myself with Sandwich Box on Wednesday that I went back on Thursday … and will continue to go back for the best sandwiches in Toronto!

It’s a miracle …

Okay, maybe not necessarily a miracle in the traditional sense of the word, but, it’s a small victory – how about that?

The TTC is listening!

Adam Giambrone, the TTC’s newly appointed chair, is turning to the online community and the many fans of Toronto’s tranist system to ask how the TTC can improve its website!
Hallelujah! This news broke the day after I posted my rant about the TTC’s lack of any design sense.

In the new year, Robert Ouellete of Reading Toronto, sent this challenge to Adam and the TTC:

We have a challenge and an offer for the TTC: Toronto bloggers are more than willing to offer their insights into how the TTC site might be designed (look at the reaction to a proposed route map). Why not give us a call and ask for our input. We’d be able to go to our readers for their ideas too. This makes sense to us and takes advantage of the “Wisdom of Crowds,” phenomenon the Internet provides.

And the TTC listened. Adam informed Robert that the TTC has already sent out an RFP for a site redesign, but that he likes the idea of public input. SO! Here’s your chance to have your say. The Torontoist, BlogTO, Spacing Wire and Reading Toronto are gathering your comments which they’ll cull together eventually and send off to the TTC. They’ll also be tracking the TTC’s progress to make sure they stay on target …

I have a feeling we’re entering a new era of TTC service … how exciting!

TTC’s New Years Resolution: Hire a Graphic Designer!

Happy New Year Toronto! 2007 is here … where the hell did the time go?

As my first post in the new year, I wanted to blog about a topic that I find most fascinating (especially since my parents are both in the business): branding. Specifically, the Toronto Transit Commission and branding.

I, like most Torontonians, have a love/hate relationship with the TTC.

For the most part, I love our transit system because when you really think about it, it’s a pretty damn good system. It does get you where you want to go – albeit not always on time, but it is one of the better ways to get around the city. I, also like many Torontoians, see the potential for the system and just wish to God the provincial and federal governments would understand the importance this transit system plays in Canada’s largest city and how much the citizens want to have a reliable, organized and modern public transit alternative to the automobile.

There is, however, one part of the TTC I wish it would pick up it’s own slack on and do something proactive about, and that’s how it positions itself and brands itself to us, the riders.

I know a lot of people are sick and tired of hearing about branding these days. It seems like everything you see, touch, smell, hear … you name it, it has a brand attached to it. We live in a brand-recognizable world – no doubt about that. But the TTC doesn’t seem to understand that.

Complaint number 1
Their website has GOT to go. I’m sorry, but for the largest urban public transit system in Canada and one of the largest in North America … the TTC website is appaling. I think someone threw this site together at least 10 years ago and they kind of forgot about it – other than to post new banner images and update the construction information. I can only cross my fingers and hope that the TTC knows this and has put into the budget a major MAJOR website overhaul. There is nothing from this site that I would keep – best to start from scratch and we’ll just conveniently forget about the old site. Here are some thoughts on what could be improved:

• RSS feeds: easier way and more convenient to find out about service disruption / construction projects
• Google maps or equivalent: Ian Stevens at crazedmonkey.com has put together an amazing transit map of Toronto. How is it that one guy can put something like this together on his laptop, but a massive organization like the TTC can’t? And let’s add a trip planner while we’re at it, shall we? How nice would that be?
• Consistency. Basically, the TTC website is a facade. The bulk of the information is held on the City of Toronto’s website. I can understand this as it’s a City service, but personally, I think the TTC should have it’s own site independent of the City of Toronto’s website. It can still be hosted on the City’s server, but let’s give the TTC some respect and give it a little home online? The Montréal Metro has it’s own website…

Complaint number 2
Would the TTC please, please do something about their advertising design? It is horrible! It looks as if they had some high school intern (no offence to them) throw it together the day it had to go to print! Talk about lack of branding. Next time you’re on the bus, streetcar or subway, take a look at the advertising the TTC has. Sometimes they have ads next to one another – there is nothing consistent about them. The logo could be in the bottom left hand corner in one and right hand centred in the next. One might use the “Ride the Rocket” slogan, while the other would say “The Better Way” …

I just get so frustrated.

I’m sure most commuters are even aware that there is such inconsistencies in the advertising, and sure, in the grand scheme of things, it’s a small point to make. BUT, in the grand scheme of things, consistent branding and good advertising will give the every day rider a sense of unity within the organization, a sense that there isn’t a million different voices trying to tell them the same message in a variety of ways, but one consistent voice – one that they will eventually learn to trust.

A consistent brand goes a long way with customers. But the TTC has been all over the map when it comes to marketing and branding.

Complaint number 3
What is up with the Transit Stuff™ store at Union Station? What is up with the clothing and apparel offered? Who buys that stuff? It is the most unappealing merchandise ever. Why doesn’t anyone at the TTC get it? New York and London have been doing it for years – and doing it well. At Grand Central Station you can buy t-shirts (like I did!) with the F Train From Queens to Brooklyn printed on the front … it’s simple, recongizable, and well done. The London Underground is a huge success I would say because everyone knows the Underground. Coming up with t-shirts that say “Toronto’s Underground” – lame. There isn’t even a mention of the Transit Stuff™ (who came up with that name?!) store on their website.

Let’s get something good going like the t-shirts that were designed over at the Torontoist. These t-shirts, designed by Marc Lostracco, are simply brilliant. So brilliant in fact that I bought one at the Canzine literary fest at the Gladstone back in November (I think – or was it October?). I bought the escalator design for those of you who are interested. The response to these designs proves to the TTC that there are those of us out there who would jump at the chance to buy TTC swag – provided that it was done well and in such a way that made it desireable to buy. Designs like these allow Torontonians, the TTC’s number 1 customer, to all share in a city-wide inside joke! Tourists may catch on and buy the shirts and take them back to their cities where they would certainly get noticed thus creating a word-of-mouth campaign where the TTC becomes internationally recongizable.

On the topic of swag – the Spacing buttons we all know and love would be a wonderful little money maker for them. They cost next to nothing to create and would have been such a wonderful way for the TTC to market to us riders.

Whether or not the TTC gets it, we riders do pride our system and want to be able to spread the word to others in the city, tourists, and the rest of the world. These ideas are most likely at the bottom of the TTC’s priority list, and I’m not the first to write about it – but something needs to be done. I’m even willing to lend my design skills to them to help create some brand strategies and develop a few ads that are consistent and, oh, here’s a thought, let’s market to those who don’t use the system! Most of the advertising you see in the city is in or on TTC property. Let’s market out of town a bit and get those 905-ers interested in using public transit. I really think that a little thought and a little planning will go a long way in helping with their Ridership Growth Strategy.

And that’s my two cents for tonight …