Monthly Archives: September 2008

The Go Abroad Fair

Events, General, Survival Tips

Instead of traveling the world through your screen, you might as well pack a few belongings and experience it first hand. You might have a million of excuses holding you back, but why not put them aside and start a new chapter in your life? The Go Abroad Fair offers a series of events– including seminars, speakers, and discussion panels– that will make even easier for you to step out of your comfort zone and explore new countries, cities, and cultures. I personally spent my summer in New York city working at a publishing house called Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The best part of my experience, apart from being in such an overwhelming city as NY, was the opportunity to learn more about an industry that I had a serious interest in. Now I’m in my forth year I feel more confident about what I want to do after graduation, and I can count on a working and life experience like no other.

At the fair learn about a wide variety of study, travel, volunteer, internship and work abroad opportunities.

Where: Exhibition Place, Queen Elizabeth Exhibit Hall, 180 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto
When: Saturday, September 20, 2008: 12pm – 6pm / Sunday, September 21, 2008: 11am – 5pm  

A Simple Red Balloon

Events, Film, Review

It is not often that you come accross French movies in North America. The TIFF is a great time to see them, but other than that they tend to be confined to tiny theatres and infrequent chance sightings on TMN. So I was pleasantly surprised when the Cinema Studies Student Union chose Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Balloon) and Le Voyage du Ballon Rouge (Flight of the Red Balloon) for last Friday’s double bill.

The Red Balloon was originally released in 1957, directed by Albert Lamorisse, and won an impressive roster of awards, including the Golden Palm for the best short film at that year’s Cannes festival. It presents the friendship of a young boy and his very loyal red balloon, that follows him wherever he goes and returns on command. It is a picture of the kind of innocence and childhood that exists only in movies, where every passing stranger is perfectly willing to share their umbrella with a large balloon, where the greatest menaces are the school bullies and the unsympathetic principal, and where at the end of the day good things come to those who are good. Having almost no dialogue, the movie is carried by the quality of the acting – including, believe it or not, the acting of the balloon itself – and the brilliance of its cinematography. Although it definitely makes for a wonderful children’s movie, there is still plenty of charm and humour (and cuteness!) to entertain an adult audience.
Continue reading A Simple Red Balloon →

“The Wrestler”: A True Contender

Events, Film, Review, , ,

The Wrestler

The 33rd Toronto International Film Festival may be over, but the hype has only just begun about the 312 films that were screened over an exciting 10 days across the city. Now comes the time when critics and audience members spread the word about their favourites before they are released in cinemas, and Darren Aronofsky’s drama “The Wrestler,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival and won the Golden Lion, will no doubt continue to cause buzz after being presented to a packed Ryerson Theatre.
Continue reading “The Wrestler”: A True Contender →

BlogUT New Executives and Call For New Members and Contributors

General, ,

A new school year has begun, and BlogUT has undergone a restructuring and has new members! Our intrepid founder and editor, JP, having finished his masters degree, is moving on to the real world and we wish him the best. JP will remain a member of BlogUT team but has stepped back and passed the torch to our new executives: Co-editors Ana Lopez and Julia Bolotina, and Financial Officer Lori Lee.

 will be managing our external affairs, which entails handling media and promotions, as well as helping with the overall publication. She will be our public face.  will be our internal managing editor and be responsible for coordination, posting and internal organization. And  will manage all finacial matters.

Most of our past contributors are staying on, and we all look forward to a great year in which there will be great changes as BlogUT expands, and instigates regular updates to provide more coverage of all things U of T. We would like to invite anyone who is interested in contributing or becoming part of the BlogUT team. We are looking for writers, photographers, and website developers/ designers. We would like to hear from you if you are passionate and want to get involved, so please !

Things Fall Apart at Fifty

Arts, Events

Achebe

If you are interested in African Lit., you have probably already guessed that this article is about Chinua Achebe. Next Wednesday Hart House will be hosting Things Fall Apart at Fifty: Prospects and Retrospects, to commemorate the  50th anniversary of the publication of Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. The event features keynote speaker Abiola Irele of Harvard University during the day, and a Writers’ Round Table Discussion in the evening.

When: Wednesday, September 17, 10:00 am and 5:00-7:00pm
Where: Hart House Library
Additional Info: free of charge, open to the public
Website: here

Useful Links to U of T Resources Part 2: Around campus

Survival Tips

The U of T campus is pretty huge and it’s easy to get lost. There are always tons of things going on, too, that you might have a hard time finding info about.

This section of links will help you get in the know, find your way around, and more.


Arts and Science Exam Collection
This site has a repository of old exams (without the solutions, unfortunately) to help you study for yours.


Toronto University Students Book Exchange
I’ve found this to be the best place to buy and sell used books. You can compare prices and get in contact with people from other campuses.


Toronto Student LiveJournal Community
Need to get advice from or ask other students where to find things on campus? Want to share with others the misery of being overworked and sleep-deprived? This community is a great place to do that.

Continue reading Useful Links to U of T Resources Part 2: Around campus →

Silhouettes Dance Company

Arts, Clubs, Events

For all of you dancers, or aspiring dancers, out there, Silhouettes Dance Company has annouced its upcoming audition dates. This company was established in 2002 at the University of Toronto and provides all sort of events and festivals choreographed with passion and creativity. The Silhouettes embraces all styles of dance and holds optional company class twice a week. They are looking for U of T students with some dance experience to come and try out.

Audition Dates: Tuesday, September 9th, & Thursday, September 11th, 9:00pm 11:00pm                              
Where: Exercise Room Hart House  
Website: http://silhouettesdancecompany.com