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Contact Photography Festival Launch

Contact Photography Festival

The 2008 Contact Photography Festival kick off today, May 1st. This festival, which happens to be the largest photography event in the world, will be here all month long (May 1st to May 31st) and all over the city. BlogTO wrote a great preview to what’s happening at the festival, so take a look if you haven’t already.

Of course, one of the best parts of festivals is the parties that come along with them, and this Friday is the launch party for Contact 2008. What can you expect at the launch party, aside from photo enthusiasts?

The photographic duo Alex vs. Alex will have you posing all night long at their “portrait party”! Sponsored by HP, their images will be printed on-site for display and pick up.

Hear that guys and gals? Portrait party! Dress up and see ya down there! (Seriously, I’m going. Anyone else? If you see me, say hi!)

When: Friday, May 2, 2008 at 7:00pm – 12 midnight
Where: Brassaii Bistro Lounge, 461 King St W
Details: Suggested donation $10. Check out the Facebook event page to see the pretty people who’ll be in attendance.

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Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

Type Racer

So, I know you’re all probably studying hard for exams right now. But what I also know is, exam studying calls for all sorts of distractions, and I’ve just found another one worth sharing. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you: TypeRacer! *cue engine noises*

The idea is simple and self explanatory. What’s confounding is how such a simple game can be so amusing. Give it a try yourself. I think I maxed out somewhere around 90 wpm. (I haven’t had this much fun typing since that time I tried cyber-sex… Nah, I’m just kidding… … cyber-sex was more fun.)

Via Metafilter

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The Comedy Network: Time Well Wasted

comedy network

This is some pretty cool stuff! Hear this: I believe I have found the perfect exam time distraction online! Recently, I discovered that the Comedy Network is streaming a ton of their content from their website. That’s right! Full episodes, uncensored, entire seasons of content! Check it out here!

Of course, there are a few setbacks. You have to install Microsoft silverlight player, and you have to put up with two or three unskippable, 30 second commercials within one episode, but let’s be honest, the good definitely outweigh the bad. With full seasons of South Park, the Daily Show, Corner Gas, and my newly discovered favourite, Keys to the VIP, that’s hours upon hours of entertainment.

So, about this Keys to the VIP show. In case you’re not familiar with it, it’s basically a show that pits two “players” against each other in a battle to pick up girls. (It may sound silly, but I assure you, the entertainment value is high) All the while, there’s a panel of four pick-up masters commenting on the play-by-play action, often to hilarious results. The best part of it? It’s all filmed in Toronto! And guess what! They’re looking for “players” to be on the show in Season 3. Hey there smooth operator, here’s the chance for you to show everyone that you’ve got game, on TV! I kid you not. Check out the Comedy Network page for details.

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HotDocs 2008: Sunday’s Picks

All Together Now and Manufactured Landscapes

Above: The cast of Love with Yoko Ono, Sir George Martin, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr ,and wife Barbara Bach, and Olivia Harrison, backstage after opening night.

All Together Now
Where: The Bloor
When: Sunday, April 20th @ 3:45PM
More info

Two years ago, Cirque de Soleil opened a Beatles tribute show in Las Vegas, “Love”, which was a huge collaboration project between Cirque, Apple Corps Ltd., and the Beatles (and wives) themselves. Adrian Wills’s All Together Now documents the development of this production in a film filled with Beatles tracks – remixed by George Martin and son specifically for the show – and spectacle. The cinematography does a wonderful job of capturing the beauty and scope of the Cirque show, which is much cleaner than what one might expect from your average documentary, which makes the film worthwhile. Continue reading “HotDocs 2008: Sunday’s Picks”

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Mass Exodus ’08: Paramnesia – Fantasy and Reality

Ryerson Fashion
Photos courtesy of Shareni Garcia

If you think Marylin Mason’ s song Beautiful people wouldn’t fit in a fashion show, you might have not been in Ryerson’s annual fashion show, Mass Exodus. This year’s event was titled Paramnesia, which explores the realm between fact and fantasy. Indeed, the show felt like Dante’s Inferno, with the exception that it was a beautiful one. Featuring 25 of the top 4th year designers (as decided by a panel of industry professionals), the event was a result of a joint effort between Ryerson talented fashion design and fashion communications students. By using recyclable products, less-harmful alternatives, and sustainable fabrics, Ryerson fashionistas made sure to keep up with trends.

With an interesting set-up and soundtrack, Paramnesia transported the audience to a world of imagination and fantasy. All the while, the lavish and well-tailored pieces kept the audience in an worthwhile trance.

Continue reading “Mass Exodus ’08: Paramnesia – Fantasy and Reality”

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Look Alike Day

Did you know that Sunday, April 20th is Look Alike Day? Apparently it’s a day where you try to emulate someone you admire. This is apparently best done by giving yourself a mini-celebrity-makeover. But if you’re not that keen on doing a makeover I found an easier way you can celebrate this wacky holiday. There is a fun website called myheritage.com that can help you figure out which celebrities you most resemble. You submit your picture and within seconds they analyze your face and provide you with a whole list of celebrities that look like you. It’s actually a lot of fun and good for your ego – I was pretty pleased to discover that I look little bit like Kate Bosworth.

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ESU Presents: The Great Gatsby Affair

Great Gatsby Affair

I’ve gotta hand it to them, the ESU (English Student Union) is a pretty hip crowd. A while back, they held the Poetry Massacre, and now they’re throwing another event of literally awesome proportions!

Get ready for the Great Gatsby Affair: The Grit and Glam of the Roaring 20’s. Dress sharply (1920’s costume/semi-formal dress code in effect) and come for the fun: hors d’oeuvres, deserts, alcohol (by cash bar), live jazz music, swing dancing lessons, and costume prizes awarded to best male and female ensemble. The event also marks the launch of the 2008 edition of IDIOM, the academic journal published annually by the ESU.

When: Friday, April 18, 2008. Doors open at 8:30pm
Where: The Debates Room, Hart House,
Details: Tickets are $10. Please bring valid ID to purchase alcohol. You can find out more details on the facebook event page.