Toronto

It's that time again. Time for Nuit Blanche. For one sleepless night experience the city transformed by close to 500 artists for Toronto's fourth annual sunset to sunrise celebration of contemporary art. Discover art in galleries, museums and unexpected places. From churches and grocery stores to chimney stacks and bus stations, choose from 130 projects and chart your own path.

And it's all free.

Here's a few installations that caught my eye:

Ghost Chorus – Dirge for Dead Slang: sights and sounds of Ghost Chorus – Dirge for Dead Slang rise up into the trees and into the ears of onlookers, rubberneckers and passers-by. These ghostly apparitions raise their voices to the driving melancholic baseline from the beyond to revivify outmoded slang of the long and recent past. See the dead rise to life! Hear the dead rise to life! Sing. Sing. Sing.

Ghosts not your thing? What about witches?

Besides the clouds that blocked the sunshine now and then, the afternoon was close to perfect. Yetch and I headed down to the Distillery District.

The area itself is lovely (if you can avoid the tourists and the gaggles of wedding parties having pictures taken, and if the smell of money doesn't bother you too much). Cobblestone streets and brown brick buildings; if it weren't for the chic art gallery and boutique window displays, you might think you've travelled back in time.

Founded in 1832 by Brothers-in-law William Gooderham and James Worts, the Gooderham and Worts Distillery eventually became the largest distillery in the British empire. Set on 13 acres in downtown Toronto, the forty plus buildings constitute the largest and best preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture in North America. The Distillery District is a national historic site.

It would be the ideal backdrop for a Halloween festival. While I don't anticipate I'll ever see that idea materialize, the area was not without it's creepy coolness today. I was lucky enough to see sculptures by Kris Kuksi whom I've blogged about in the past.

I introduced you to Kris Kuksi in a previous blog post.

Torontonians can now find his work at the Meta Gallery on Mill St in the Distillery District. The show runs from May 15th to June 14th, 2009.

I missed the opening last night where the artists were in attendance, but I am definitely not going to miss seeing those sculptures up close.

I wish more people in my city read this blog. I'd give details of when I was going and giveaway a prize to anyone who spots me there.

If only I could get promotions as quickly and easily as it happened yesterday on Facebook. I received a lovely message from a fellow haunter in the city, inviting me to join his new group Toronto Ontario Halloween Haunters.

Always looking to connect with local ghouls, I happily accepted the invite and joined the group. The next message I received indicated that I was now an officer (with a very flattering title).

An officer? Do I get a badge? Or leftover Halloween candy? What do I have to do?

I'm earning my keep by promoting it. So I'm looking for Haunters/Halloweeners in Toronto and surrounding areas. If you're using Facebook, come on by and add your name to the list of members.

There aren't many Canadian events for Haunters, Horror fans or Halloween freaks. Even in my busy city of Toronto, home to countless conventions and festivals, the pickings are slim so I'm always keen to stay on top of what's happening.

In August, as part of Hobby Star's FanExpo, Torontonians are treated to the Festival of Fear (brought to us by our beloved Rue Morgue).

They haven't posted their list of exhibitors or guests yet (more announcements coming in May) but I do know one thing that might be different about this year: I'm hoping to attend as both a fan and an exhibitor.

Kris Kuksi is a genius. I can get lost in the tiny details of his sculptures. Whenever I view his work online, I end up leaning forward in my chair, nose close to the glass of my monitor, but I can never see it as clear as I'd like to.

Each piece is like two works of art in one: you have the wide view, like a dark landscape; and then you have all the tiny characters within it.

Luckily, it seems he is coming to the Meta Gallery in Toronto from May 15th to June 14th, 2009, so I will finally be able to see those micro-beauties clearly.

For those of you who aren't going to check out his show in person, you can view his sculptures online. He has a handy (yet finicky) flash application that allows you to zoom in fairly tight on the images.

He has an interesting bio posted on his site, not unlike many stories we've heard before. But there were specific quotes that resonated with me:

Recently, I've spent most of my time ranting and raving about the current political situation in Canada. I'm finally at the point where I think I can blog without boring my readers with my views on politics, since that's not what this website is about.

For example, I wouldn't want to get off track and complain that many Canadians don't seem to understand the basic structure of their own parliamentary system, and what the real implications are for what's happening. No sir. I wouldn't want to do that.

Instead, I will promote Playdead Cult's Christmas sale happening this Saturday December 6th from Noon to 7pm, and Sunday December 7th Noon to 5pm. They are promising new affordable art pieces of varying sizes and lots of great discounts (10% - 65% off selected items). As well, you can enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages, music, live art and screen printing and "Playdead style gift wrapping"!

And don't forget to ask Santa for a new Prime Minister. I'm asking for Don Newman.

Looking for something to do in the city? Might I suggest
Nightmare on Queen St.

Playdead Cult and Darkside have once again created "two levels of terror" in a haunt running until Nov 1st.

For the low price of $10, you can experience thrills, chills and live music at The Playdead Mansion - 1233 Queen St W, Toronto (west of Dufferin. Be sure to use the back entrance located off Gwynne Ave).

Haunt hours are between 8-11pm tonight and Saturday (may extend to accommodate existing line-ups); 7pm-11pm Halloween Night.

After a peek at the trailer (posted below), I don't think it's for the timid.

Before you attend the Toronto Zombie Walk on Sunday, take a stroll over to 6 Noble St (Dufferin and Queen) for the Bazaar of the Bizarre.

The Royal Sarcophagus Society has gathered all the local artistic ghouls and gals to participate in a sinister shopping experience.

Our first Halloween & Holiday Marketplace! Over 40 artists, clothing designers, craft-folk, publishers and other independent makers of all things exotic and macabre will assemble for this eccentric emporium of curious crafts.

Have you missed me, my little monsters? Things have been busy, so I'm sorry if you've been neglected.

Tomorrow marks the start of the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. I don't have time to ramble on in my usual rotten way, so I'll just quote the source:

8 Nights of New Horror, Sci-Fi, Action and Cult Movies! And we just can't wait to share with you some of the most amazing movies we've discovered over the last year!

Starting from tomorrow, Friday, Oct 17 to next Friday, Oct 24, we are at the Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W, Toronto screening 16 thrilling new feature film premieres and a host of kick-ass short films.

Check out their website for more details.