Astro Jet always says that he likes seeing some of my posts so he can live my life vicariously ( not that he needs to) Well on Saturday he was with me but Monday was one of those days and while I was enjoying the Christmas Buffet and ambiance of the Donalda Club in the heart of Toronto I was thinking about you all. Tuesday was another great night, dinner with the family at the Chop House on Front street then up Simcoe street to hear the Toronto Symphony with the Canadian Brass and Mississauga Chior perfom the annual Christmas show.
The club is near York Mills and Don Mills Road - very old
Main Clubhouse all decked out for the season
The main hall and lounge
Stone Fireplace - I had a scotch prior to my meal sitting here.
Resplendent with beautiful Poinsettias
The dessert table - I visited here twice
Beautiful wreath
The view of the 18th hole
Yes, it is Toronto and that is snow.
-- Edited by 73SC on Tuesday 22nd of December 2009 11:20:24 PM
-- Edited by 73SC on Tuesday 22nd of December 2009 11:39:13 PM
I have seen the Brass before, but at Massey Hall. Roy Thomson sounds much better since they completed the renovations a couple of years ago. I've seen Tony Bennett and Englebert Humperdinck there, amongst others.
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Hillar
1970 LS4 (eventually an LS5) Laurentian 2dr hdtp -and a bunch of other muscle cars...
It was a terrific performance and John Morris Russell the conductor was very entertaining. The Christmas pop concerts are always fun. The Brass was fantastic, they did a mix of Christmas and jazz numbers. Hey Hillar, have I ever introduced you to Rob McConnell of the Boss Brass. He is getting on now but he is a regular for lunch everyday at Whistler's, he has something like 8 Grammy awards and 6 Junos. You have to come and meet him over the holidays, stories from back in the day.
And for you folks who have not seen Toronto at Christmas, driving home from the Symphony we pass by City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square then Dundas Square. It was quiet tonight but beautiful.
Geez Toronto kinda scared me the few times I've been there. The only place I felt comfortable was at the old Sam the Record Man (RIP) You make it seem like it actually could be a decent place to live. Hmmm.
It's like any place I think, you have to get over that initial fear and get down on the streets to get to know it. BTW, the drive home from the Symphony at Roy Thompson Hall, which is right downtown on King street near the Dome and Air Canada Centre to my driveway way was less than 15 minutes, and Hillar will tell you we live in a quiet area that you would never know was so close to the action.
Here is a video of Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass I mentioned.
Like Ray and I have said many times, there are many parts of Toronto that are just like a small town, including the area (East York) where Ray and I grew up, went to school, and still live! Toronto is a city of many, many such neighbourhoods. I think the national media just likes to promote this image of a Toronto that everyone can hate, like it is some sort of unifying force that can help keep the country together.
A week ago tonight tonight I attended an event called "caroling in the park" which takes place in the Glen Stewart ravine (which is a natural ampitheatre) in the neighbourhood known as the Beach (about 5 minutes from where I live). The local Lions Club sponsors this, sets up the lights, supplies the hot chocolate and the local Salvation Army band supplies the music. For just over an hour, there are literally hundreds and hundreds of people gathered in the park, just singing Christmas carols under the stars. I have been attending this event for close to 20 years. Please excuse the lousy quality of the pictures as they were just taken with my Blackberry, but you get the general idea. This is one of my favourite activities in TO, it is right out of a Norman Rockwell scene.
If I didn't have a hockey game last Tuesday I would have beem caroling with Hillar! As Brendan says downtown is the place all the young people live, beautiful condos. Last night we drove one of the "girls" (28 year old) who came with us home, she could have walked but it was so darn cold, plus she was dressed for the symphony, anyway along front, up University to Queen, north on Victoria and home at her condo right at Dundas and Yonge.
Speaking of Dundas and Yonge, here is the Eaton Center all done up...
And for years the CN tower was just a slab of concrete but recently it has been lit up to reflect the season and special events in Toronto. The CN tower is basically right beside the Dome, Air Canada centre, The Royal york and Roy Thompson Hall and all the Theatres.
-- Edited by 73SC on Wednesday 23rd of December 2009 09:33:33 AM
...might as well show the Chophouse too, I had a nice cut of prime rib as did Mary and Madelyn went with the filet mignon, Ryan met us at the Hall. Oh ya I had one of my favourites, a Manhattan, just the ticket on a cold winter night.
Since 1914 the Hudson Bay Store at Queen and Yonge has decorated Christmas windows which are a must see for any age. There are Christmas tunes pipped in over head and the amnimated windows are a delight.....
What can I say? The 2 block stretch of Lac la Biche with the 30 year old motheaten Christmas decorations duct-taped to the the powerpoles have somehow lost their magic for me now! How you gonna keep them down on the farm now that they've seen Toronto EH?
Maybe I'll see you there! Question though, should I let some 18 year old valet park my Canadian Poncho? I don't think so! If he insists it could lead to a Canadian Puncho!
Merry Christmas guys!
(Member of the Autobahn society-Drive fast-pick birds out of your grill!)
Some nights I just get fed up with city parking and accept that I have to valet the car. If you give them enough money they don't screw with it. 5 bucks is good over dinner, you'll need $20 if you stay overnight. If you tip when you get out they don't take it too far, usually leave it up front in view.
My youngest daughter asked me today, "Daddy can we go to the Nutcracker?" well she's 17 but when they use Daddy, what's a guy to do, just looked it up on the web and there are cheap seats available for next performance, cheap in this case is $45 per seat in the top balcony, got to use the opera glasses from there but it is a beautiful ballet with timeless music. Looks like I'll have more to post here, performances resume Dec 27th.
Ray, is the Chophouse in the Royal York? I mentioned it to my son and he didn't know of it. Great pics, Toronto is a great city. Thanks and Merry Christmas. Brendan.
Ray, is the Chophouse in the Royal York? I mentioned it to my son and he didn't know of it. Great pics, Toronto is a great city. Thanks and Merry Christmas. Brendan.
It is located a couple of hundred feet west of the Royal York on the north side of Front St.
Was out this morning picking up a few last minute things at Canadian Tire, it was very quiet out there...
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Hillar
1970 LS4 (eventually an LS5) Laurentian 2dr hdtp -and a bunch of other muscle cars...
Well the fun continues, took a performance of the Nutcracker today. I took my daughters, 22 and 17. It was nice going out with them, we had a quick bite at the Sheridan then walked across the street to the beautiful Four Seasons Center. I got our tickets on line yesterday afternoon so selection was limited but by choosing best available seating option we had centre stage in the top balcony, opera glasses not a must but nice to have. Here are some images....
Four Seasons Center at Queen & University
The glass stairs are the centerpiece of the lobby, note the maple flooring as well.
The program
Dance of The Snow Queen - our favourite today danced by Stephanie Hutchinson from Kitchener ON , Nutcracker was Keilchi Hirano today
Uncle Nikolai - always entertaining danced by Kevin Bowles today from Ottawa ON.
-- Edited by 73SC on Wednesday 30th of December 2009 04:55:51 PM
