A Lot About Nothing

I think Krinos Taste of the Danforth is going to be one of my ‘must-attend’ events every summer. Last night was my first time there, and I didn’t realize there would be so many people craving everything Greek at 9 o’clock in the evening!

The Danforth was PACKED. I should’ve worn my runners because I got my toes stepped on a couple times, and nearly slipped on a watermelon peel with my sandals. The food was absolutely delicious. I had a chicken gyro, some pork shiskabob, stuffed vine-leaves and some super-sweet loukoumades (honey balls) for dessert. I’m tempted to reach down there again today, but I have a family BBQ to attend.

I’m sorry that I didn’t take any photos to post, but my hands were kind of full with food.

Do you like it hot? Spicy? If yes, then you’re in for a treat this weekend at Harbourfront Centre. This week the Centre will host the Hot & Spicy Food Festival as part of it’s World Routes series of free events.

You can watch Mexican Chef Sergio Remolina Sanchez cook up a spicy meal, purchase some bottled hot pepper sauce and spices at the “Red Hot Market” or watch a demo on Indian cooking. What I’m really looking forwad to though is the 4th Annual Hot and Spicy Iron Chef Competition finals! I love spicy food, so this is an event that I can’t miss. Be sure to check out the schedule of events.

I’m seriously going to have to bring some tupperware with me this weekend.

Boy, am I ever looking forward to this weekend! Food, food and more food! Starting tomorrow until Sunday, August 12th part of Danforth Ave. will be closed to traffic and open to pedestrians who will be able to access a wide array of food, music, culture, activities and entertainment for the 14th annual Krinos Taste of the Danforth festival. Alex Alexakis, the Vice Predient of Canadian Operations stated:

The seed for this festival was planted 14 years ago when local businesses were looking for a way to attract attention to the community - there were only a few tables of food and some local musicians. Now it’s the largest Greek festival outside of Greece, attracting over one million visitors from around the world.

That’s a lot of people. Everything Greek is sure to be here, and there’s plenty to do for the entire family. I have to make sure to hit the Danforth opening day of the festival and grab some lokoumades (sooooo yummy!) I may even attempt to climb the Mount Olympus Climbing Wall. If you haven’t been to Taste, make sure you reach this weekend. Don’t forget your toga (yes, they’re even having a Dress As An Ancient Greek Relay)!

There will be no jumping up for me today at Toronto’s 40th annual Caribana Festival. I spent most of my day cleaning up my apartment. Right now my little sister is using my place as her own personal hair salon.

The party is probably still going on, and it’s a great day weather-wise for it, but Caribana just isn’t like it’s used to be in my opinion. Even though the wonderful Carribean music, delicious food and multicultural crowds are still there, Caribana has been marred in recent years with negative stereotypes. Caribanshouldn’t be viewed as some type of Mardi Gras festival with men filming women degradingly, or a place to be wary of possible gunfire.

Caribana has to be more than just a parade. More history and culture needs to be reflected on, especially by the youth. More than likely, I’ll probably end up going next year. I may even reach Caribana Village tomorrow (the event that normally took place on Olympic Island) at Ontario Place.

Aside from the actual parade going on today, Harbourfront is also hosting their Island Soul Festival this weekend (until Monday) as part of their World Routes event. There’ll be a reggae & dancehall dance showcase, tons of ethic food, and several concerts including Jamaica’s dubbed #1 reggae singer, Barrington Levy, performing with his band on Sunday night. Visit the Harbourfront website for more info.

You definitely won’t be bored (or broke) this weekend if you live in the GTA. Harbourfront Centre is playing host to yet another wonderful, free weekend event: Global Hip Hop: The 4 Elements.

Hip Hop is a style, a sound, a state of mind. Following its steady path, we’ll go deep into its roots in popular culture on to how these roots have extended world wide, encompassing everything from electronic music, tablas, djembes, rock, soul, funk and R&B.

Highlights include the Montreal based collective Nomadic Massive, a special 25th anniversary screening of Charlie Ahearn’s film Wild Style (about Hip Hop music, style, art and culture stemming from South Bronx, New York), Cuban poetess and rapper Telmary, and Toronto’s first ever FreeStyle urban dance and DJ competition. Check out the schedule of great events at harbourfrontcentre.com.