Teena in Toronto

Monday, 7 July 2025

Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, ON

I was downtown today so stopped by Nathan Phillips Square, our city hall.

I got a beef hot dog at city hall for a late lunch/early supper. Yum! A few trucks to choose from with $5 dogs so I went with the one that proclaimed they have been serving Toronto for over 30 years.

“Frat Haus: Evicted”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Toronto, ON

I spent the afternoon volunteering for The Toronto Fringe Festival at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.

I ushered Frat Haus: Evicted (so got to watch it).

"You have been formally uninvited from the party of the century! Our Evil Landlord is kicking us out!"

The iconic Frat Haus is on the chopping block, set to be demolished and reborn as—ugh—luxury condos. But the Boyz aren’t going down without a fight. From Gambling to interpretive dance protests, they’re throwing everything (and everyone) at the wall to stop the wrecking ball.

Will they save their beloved home—or will they finally have to grow up?

“David Lynch's Seinfeld”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw the sold out performance of David Lynch’s Seinfeld, part of The Toronto Fringe Festival at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse.

An original episode of Seinfeld that descends into a Lynchian nightmare. Starring a cast of current & former members of the Second City, the Sketchersons, and the Bad Dog Theatre Company.

I didn’t get the Lynch references but the performers nailed the Seinfeld characters and were funny.

The Harbord House, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper at The Harbord House (on Harbord Street, just west of Spadina Avenue).

KC's tree, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto, ON

I went to Trinity Bellwoods Park this evening and visited KC's tree. All the trees are so green and leafy! And it was nice to see so many people enjoying the park.

“No Laughing Matter”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Sweet Action Theatre Company, Toronto, ON

I spent the evening volunteering at No Laughing Matter, part of The Toronto Fringe Festival.

I got to sit in on it and it was funny, crazy and at times raunchy. I’ll never look at hot dog buns the same way again. They still have 6 shows left so check it out if you can.

Sweet Action has assembled the best Clowns & Comedians to engage in the ultimate clash of comedy styles—ONE STAGE, ONE RULE: DON’T LAUGH! ‘CAUSE IF THEY LAUGH, THEY’RE OUT! BUT THE AUDIENCE WILL LAUGH, MAKING IT HARD!

It’s all led to this ... witness the Ultimate Form of Comedy!

“100% Wizard”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I attended 100% Wizard with Keith Brown, part of The Toronto Fringe Festival, this evening at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre.

Award-winning family-friendly magic & storytelling. Chosen Toronto’s BEST magician ... & he’s not even from Toronto!

2x Critic’s Choice Best Magic Show Orlando 2024, 2023

2x Orlando Sentinel Best of Fest 2024, 2023

BEST MAGIC SHOW - Winnipeg 2023

Patron’s Pick Edmonton Fringe 2024

We’ve seen Keith a few times and he never ceases to amaze us! Go see him if you get a chance. There are still 10 shows left.

Hoops, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper at Hoops on Yonge Street (just north of College Street). It’s a big restaurant and there were maybe five of us at supper time.

From Goodreads ~ Born in 1930 in a small town outside Winnipeg, beautiful Hope Koop appears destined to have a conventional life. Church, marriage to a steady young man, children - her fortunes are already laid out for her, as are the shiny modern appliances in her new home. All she has to do is stay with Roy, who loves her.

But as the decades unfold, what seems to be a safe predictable existence overwhelms Hope. Where - among the demands of her children, the expectations of her husband and the challenges of her best friend, Emily, who has just read "The Feminine Mystique" - is there room for her? And just who is she anyway? A wife, a mother, a woman whose life is somehow unrealized?

This beautifully crafted and perceptive work of fiction spans some fifty years of Hope Koop's life in the second half of the 20th century, from traditionalism to feminism and beyond. David Bergen has created an indelible portrait of a seemingly ordinary woman who struggles to accept herself as she is, and in so doing, becomes unique.

This story is about Hope, the only daughter of Scottish mother and a non-practicing Mennonite father, living through changing times in a small Mennonite town outside Winnipeg, Manitoba. Set from the 1950s through the early 2000s, it follows Hope, a conventional housewife, as she goes through marriage, motherhood, societal expectations and personal discontent.

On the surface, she has a pretty typical life and instead of following her dreams, does what was expected ... she marries Roy, a car salesman, and raises their four children. But deep down, she’s often unsure of her place in the world. As time goes on and society shifts (feminism, changing family roles, new cultural norms, etc.), Hope finds herself feeling restless, confused and sometimes lost. She doesn't always know what she wants but she senses there's more to life than what she's been told to expect.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I liked it. It's written in third person perspective, with a focus on Hope. It explores things like identity, mental health, growing older (at the end of the story, Hope is in her 70s) and what it means to live a good life. As a head's up, there is some swearing.

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Massey Hall, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw Alastair Greene and George Thorogood and the Destroyers tonight at Massey Hall. What a show!

Alastair Greene opened for George Thorogood and the Destroyers tonight at Massey Hall. Until today I’d never heard of him but after listening to his latest album on Spotify this morning and seeing him tonight, I’m a fan!