Pepperpot - Odds & Ends

Montrel Bistro & Oasis on College closed

Two of my favourite spaces in Toronto closed down recently. Montreal Bistro, the east end jazz and supper club, closed suddenly earlier this month. Speculation is the owners retired early amidst a lease disagreement, which is no comfort to the performers suddenly without a venue. Also, it appears Oasis on College has closed. I went by on the streetcar the other day and the doors were shut, signs down and a "For Lease" sign in the window. I'll miss their yummy tapas and sangria.

Spacing Wire - New garbage bins and newspaper boxes on T.O.'’s streets

Great news as the Mega-Bins project is officially dead. These awkward, hugegarbagee bins sandwiched between advertising billboards were an eyesore and an obstruction. Spacing's got the pix on the new bins and the new newspaper boxes, part of a movement to clean up the city. The new design replaces the 8 or so newspaper boxes typically cluttered at the entrances to the subway system

Dog Day Afternoon (Metric & Friends)

Looks like a great way to spend last Saturday was the inaugural Dog Day Afternoon festival at Old Fort York in Toronto. Headliners Metric put on a typically terrific performance (do they actually ever just phone it in?) Pictures can be found at the above link.

Fringe Festival Review: Sunday Night with The Sketchersons

Full house at The Brunswick House for Sunday Night with The Sketchersons comic troupe, with special guest Chris Jericho. Sounds like a winner of a show, The Sketchersons make with the funny every Sunday, hopefully keeping you smiling for the rest of the week. Sunday Night Live @ The Brunswick House. And for you wrestling fans, here's a link to the first appearance of Chris Jericho on World Wrestling Entertainment TV featuring an encounter with The Rock, pre-Hollywood. This video still cracks me up.

Toronto Life kills Summer Fiction

Toronto Life has cut down on the few gigs freelance fiction writers can get in the city as they've decided that this month's summer fiction issue will be its last. The reasoning after 10 years of this annual tradition? Apparently a lack of stories that speak of Toronto. WTF? You can pick up the latest issue with Bollywood by way of Toronto actress Lisa Ray.

Break out the Aqua-Velva guys, Carmen Electra's back on the market.

Yes, sadly, Dave Navarro and Carmen Electra are separating. The lesson here is if you allow MTV camera's to document your romance, you're doomed.