Hues of Spring Afternoon Tea at Shangri-la Toronto Hotel: Thursdays to Sundays, until May 11

The most exquisite Afternoon Tea of the season has arrived at this luxurious hotel. With an overall blush pink theme, the chefs here have created a most memorable experience, including arriving tableside to create a picture-worthy sweet finish. Begin with a glass flute of Prosecco or a non-alcoholic Raspberry Fizz. Then, choose a fresh brewed pot of tea from the curated menu (the Shangri-la Signature Tea is a favourite!) before the delightful selection of savoury and sweet arrives. Each morsel is freshly made in-house using the freshest ingredients. The presentation is also meticulous and breathtakingly beautiful. As always, our much loved scones are part of the three-tiered sweet arrival. Don’t miss the house-made preserves! There’s also live music – a lovely way to enjoy the season. Reservation required.

Luxurious Spring Epicurean Getaway: Shangri-la Toronto Hotel

For an unforgettable spring retreat, the hotel also offers two unique experiences designed for culinary enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Guests can book The Epicurean Getaway— a two-night stay with daily breakfast and an exclusive shopping expedition at the historic St. Lawrence Market led by an expert chef, followed by a three-course dining experience at Bosk, embracing the Rooted in Nature philosophy. The second experience is a Heli Adventure in Niagara package that offers a scenic helicopter ride over Niagara Falls and the wine region, and a three-course meal at Peller Estates Winery, paired with the winemaker’s selections before returning to Toronto.

SakuraFest at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre: 6 Sakura Way, until May 11

The first ever SakuraFest has begun with an incredible line up of live performances, film screenings, art demonstrations and workshops, culinary experiences, tea ceremonies, family-friendly events and more. The festive celebration honours the cultural and seasonal significance of Sakura through the lens of Japanese heritage, tradition, artistry and community. Yes, there are Cherry Blossoms happening early May on the grounds surrounding the JCCC! See our complete write up here.

Hanami “Flower Viewing” during Cherry Blossom Season:

Part of enjoying the views of cherry blossoms is gathering with friends and family to admire and even bring some snacks to enjoy together. Bring your picnic blanket and food under the blossom canopy. We recommend ordering up the beautiful Sakura boxes from Hello Nori to take with you. Wondering where to go? High Park is always a favourite. The paths to the trees are limited to pedestrian use only during the busy spring season. Other great spots include Centennial Park, Spencer Smith Park, Birkdale Ravine, and Trinity Bellwoods Park.

Jane’s Walk: May 2 to 4

This annual community-building tradition honours the legacy and work of Torontonian Jane Jacobs –  a journalist, urbanist and activist whose writings championed a fresh, community-based approach to city building. She saw cities as ecosystems that had their own logic and dynamism, which would change over time according to how they were used. She wrote eloquently about sidewalks, parks, retail design and self-organisation. At the core of her work and thinking was the need to get out and walk your city and observe how people, through their actions and interactions, create communities with a strong sense of belonging.

Jane’s Walk was founded in 2007 as a community-led way to honour and commemorate her work. Today, thousands of people worldwide take part in this annual event. Volunteer-led walking tours help to make spaces for people to observe, reflect, share, question, and re-imagine the places in which they live, work and play; giving agency to and championing the voices of everyday people. You can find the Toronto list here.

Evergreen Brick Works: ongoing

Explore one of our favourite urban spaces this spring by joining in one of their free public tours, shop the Farmer’s Market, admire the wildlife and creatures in their natural habitat (do so peacefully without disturbing or feeding, please), food vendors, and visit the public gardens. Visit their garden centre to discover and bring home what’s ready to plant in your very own garden oasis. You can access the Lower Don parkland for a hike as well.

The post Beautiful Ways to Celebrate Spring in the City appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

One that caught my attention was a Ghost Signs of Toronto walk led by born and raised Torontonian, Stephan Petar. I’ve been following his Instagram page for a while and have read a few of  his fascinating write-ups in various publications. He actually won a 2016 Heritage Toronto Award for his essay on Ghost Signs which educated and advocated for their preservation.

Aside from the fun side of discovering ghost stories, Stephan feels heritage is important. ” The advocacy, preservation and heritage profiles you read are largely written and led by a small group of advocates. We’re slowly losing our heritage, which is a shame because when it disappears we will lose our connection to the past.”

What inspired your interest in these ghost signs?

Stephan: I was introduced to ghost signs at a Doors Open Toronto event when The Dineen Building, at Temperance Street and Yonge Street, was doing tours. On the third floor of the building there were these big black letters and numbers that read “JEWELLERS” and “144.” At first I thought it was an unfinished mural for the newly renovated space, but the tour guide explained the concept of ghost signs. He said, the sign was revealed after drywall was removed and that to save costs during construction the building attached itself to the neighbouring one instead of erecting a fourth wall. I’ve never been to floor above, but I assume it was for Kent Jewellers, which was at 144 Yonge Street at the time. The guide said we’d start noticing ghost signs everywhere and I did. I started documenting them every time I saw one in Toronto, across Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

My interest in them is a mixture of my passion for history and my marketing/communications education. From a historical perspective, some signs have survived over a century, representing businesses that fueled the Canadian economy, that were owned by influential Canadians and live on buildings by famed architects. If you examine the history deeper, you’ll likely learn the stories of the Canadian worker as well.

From a marketing and communications perspective, I find the messaging and design choices fascinating. Every font, colour and positioning choice has a different intention on how it wanted to communicate to consumers. We’ll never know the true objective of these design elements, but we can surely assume.

Can you tell us about some of your favourite ghost signs in Toronto?

Stephan: The Clifton Company Limited on Brock Avenue is one I have to mention because as I was researching it, I found an obituary for the president of the company and the names of his children. I cold messaged one of them on Facebook asking for a conversation about the company and got a “yes” reply. I enjoyed how this family member I spoke to was able to use her words in a way that transported me into the building when it was a factory for the company.

The Gelber Brothers and Tip Top Tailor signs on Richmond Street just east of John Street are located right across from each other. The signs are a tale of two different approaches to ghost signs. The Gelber Brothers sign was beautifully restored during the pandemic, while the Tip Top Tailor sign, on the Bell Media complex, is getting harder to read every year. It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking juxtaposition.

Do you go elsewhere to seek them out?

Stephan: Yes, sometimes purposefully and other times by accident! In Canadian cities specifically, I do research to see where I can find these signs by looking on Instagram and Flickr accounts as well as Google Maps. Other times, I’ll just stumble across them!

If you go to cities in the United States (New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Buffalo) or visit the UK, these signs are everywhere. Montreal has its fair share of signs, most in English, which tell a fascinating story about language in the province.

Can you tell us about how your Jane’s Walk submission came about?

Stephan: My friend thinks my calling is to be a guide for a free walking tours in a European city. However, every time her and I cycle and we come upon a ghost sign I cannot help, but give her my spiel on them. She sent me the application form and I thought this would be a great opportunity share my passion for these signs and really advocate for their preservation and the city’s heritage.

What should people know before heading out for this walk?

Stephan: There will be no spooky ghost stories! Nothing about disgruntled spirits with unfinished business trapping people in rooms or flickering lights. The only ghost stories you’ll hear are inspiring ones featuring the stories of entrepreneurs and communities.

It’s a family friendly and pet friendly walk. We start at Sorauren Park (corner of Sorauren Avenue and Wabash Avenue) and will end at Henderson Brewing Co. It will happen rain or shine or snow! Also, all walks for the festival are completely free and there are some great ones happening from May 5 to 7.

Where can we sign up?

Stephan: No sign up required, just show up! However, if you’re bad at remembering things like I am, I created a Facebook event. Also follow @ghostsofcanada on Instagram for reminders!

You also have an interest in historical places (with or without ghosts) and have revealed some interesting stories. Can you tell us more or any surprises for you?

It’s amazing to walk around the city and look at century old homes and wonder who lived there. These are the stories that surprise me the most, because they’re hidden in plain sight.

There is house by Withrow Park in Riverdale, where gay activist Jim Egan lived in his youth. When I told the couple who owned the property of his legacy they were amazed and asked “why he isn’t recognized more publicly.”

There is a frat house in the Annex, where you’ll sometimes see a table with red solo cups after a match of beer pong on the lawn. Little do most people know Timothy Eaton’s son lived there. I doubt the frat brothers living there even know what Eaton’s was given it closed in 1999.

Lastly, on Markham Street, there is a home where you’ll likely see a lovely elderly couple sitting on their porch. They’ll be happy to tell you about how Fanny “Bobbie” Rosenfeld, Olympic gold medalist and Canada’s Female Athlete of the First-Half of the 20th Century, lived there as a child.

Ontario has quite a number of ghosty-feeling places to explore. Any on your bucket list to visit?

Stephan: I have always wanted to go to the Screaming Tunnel in Niagara Falls. As a kid my uncles told me the chilling legend associated with it and I remember not sleeping that whole night. It’s on my bucket list because I need to confront my childhood fear.

Kingston Penitentiary is on my list and I’d love to stay the HI Ottawa Jail Hostel, which apparently is haunted!

If you’d like more info on his walk or any other Jane’s Walk events happening May 5 to 7 2023, visit www.janeswalkfestivalTO.com

More About Stephan Petar…
Stephan was born and raised in Toronto. He’s an award-winning writer with numerous stories about Toronto’s history in various publications. He won a 2016 Heritage Toronto Award for his essay on Ghost Signs which educated and advocated for their preservation. Stephan is also part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the city. He is often wandering the streets of any destination he visits and tells me he will always discover something new or meet someone that will inspire his next story. But one cannot live on ghost stories alone. Stephan’s day job is working in Public Relations in Toronto. He is also an avid cyclist, urban explorer and fan of Pedro Pascal.

The post Explore the Ghost Signs of Toronto in this upcoming Jane’s Walk event appeared first on Toronto Guardian.