Vaughan has spent considerable marketing dollars over the past several years branding itself as "the city above Toronto". This suburb located to the north of Toronto is more than a place to live; it's also a hub of business and entertainment activity. So when we got the invitation to attend "City Gala '08" presented by the very upscale Luxy Nightclub, we were more than happy to check it out. Prior to this visit, T Dot TV's last story in "the city above Toronto" was for the opening of Wendel Clark's Classic Grill & Sports Lounge - also located in the Interchange Way entertainment complex just around the corner from Luxy (Hwy 400 & Hwy 7).

Luxy Entertainment Complex

To say that Luxy is a beautiful entertainment complex is an understatement. The interior designers did an incredible job and masterfully used several themes while packaging it all within one overall cohesive design. The European influenced design combined with numerous Asian and Egyptian flavoured design accents provided an aura of elegance. The main dance area was also adorned with a few tall replica palm trees, fully lit in their entire splendor, and not looking out of place at all. Something about them actually gave me the feeling of being on a resort somewhere in the tropics - a warm thought on a very cool November night. In any case, East meeting west seems to be a recurring theme in modern day Toronto and is showing up in everything from cuisine to interior design. The musings of Toronto's creative class are only limited by the boundaries of imagination.

The Event

This was an exclusive gala and appreciation night to give thanks to the community for their support throughout the year. Proceeds of the event will be going towards the Canadian Cancer Society and the Miss Universe Canada Charity; Beauty for a Cause. The evening's line-up of fashion shows and entertainment didn't disappoint and was befitting of a posh hipster hangout such as Luxy. Models rocked the runway wearing the latest designs from Tattoo Legend Ed Hardy. One of my favourite home grown fashion labels, Brazen Hussey, was also in attendance and graced the cat walk with designs that were bold and confident - true Brazen Hussy form.

The pyrotechnic show by Orange circus was something to behold, as was the drumming of DJ Ravi Drums who came all the way from LA. This guy is a phenomenal talent on the drums, and it comes as little surprise that he's opened shows for Aerosmith, Janet Jackson and other premiere acts. He's also reportedly the resident drummer at the Playboy Mansion. Not a bad gig if you can get it. :)

Luxy is simply 13,000 square feet of sheer chic, glamour and VIP service. The complex is sexy and spacious, with ample booths and VIP areas to satisfy the tastes of the most demanding night life connoisseur.

The trip up to Vaughan is well worth it.

Justin Edmead

And so it begins. My usual drive into the city core was unusually quiet during this early morning. The weather, gray and damp, was elusive to the day that would follow. I had several shoots for TIFF that day. I was excited. Who would I see? Who would I interview? Where would I end up? I snapped out or my thoughts quickly as my phone, naturally placed between my thighs, began to vibrate. It was Marina, my assertive producer. Another opportunity had arisen for T Dot TV, and I was up for the challenge.

Marina had a lead that would land us on the red carpet for the Singh is King premier. For those of you that don't know, Singh is King was a highly anticipated Bollywood release for 2008. Staring the infamous action/ romance hero Akshay Kumar.

As the rain promised to continue falling, Darryl and I cabbed it to Roy Thompson Hall where we were greeted by hoards of fans, media and entourage. I was quickly escorted, umbrella in tow, to the media area. Roofed with a beautiful canopy, floored with an official Holt Renfrew Red Carpet. For a quick second I thought: Wow! I can't believe I'm going to meet Akshay Kumar. I should be on the other side screaming with an "I love Akshay" sign.

The event started with colourful dhol players beating their drums to their own beat. Finally, as the limos pulled up, and the fans began to scream louder and louder, out came Akshay Kumar. Honestly, he was quite a bit shorter than I thought, but I overlooked that once he began flashing his charming smile. I watched him as he made time to meet the fans, shake hands, and sign autographs. He greeted the media graciously and was very warm hearted. He personified a down to earth mega star, only making him more desirable. Akshay was clearly proud of his achievement of having Singh is King become part of TIFF '08. He should be. His fan base is huge all over Canada.

One of the reasons that Singh is King had so much buzz around it was the fact that it starred none other than rap super star Snoop Dogg. This is an example of how Bollywood movies are attempting to narrow the bridge between Bollywood and their western fans. Speaking strictly on my behalf, I'm not one for Bollywood. The movies are too long, and I find many of them follow the same recipe. Although they do try to bridge the gap between the Indian and North American culture, I find the effort comical at times. When striving to act Westernized, their attempt is strained at best.

Again, that's just my opinion. I know there are millions of fans, all over the world that enjoy the singing, dancing, wardrobe changes, action scenes and storylines. Did I mention the singing and dancing? And all the power to them. Bollywood is huge. They release a copious amount of movies a year. Clearly because there is a demand for them right?

Anyhow, for those who enjoy them, great! I would love to hear what keeps you coming back to them. Or for that matter, even what brought you there in the first place. Give me a shout at jas.ryat at tdot.tv. This is not the end of my blog. Consider this an intermission. Insert song and dance here.

Jas Ryat

Whenever TIFF comes to town it seems all of Toronto shuts down, waiting for stars, A-List parties and Hollywood North to come alive. Expectedly this year was no exception, and while most media helped to reinforce this glamorous image I thought it would be important to expose the real truth about TIFF, parties and the realities of red-carpet events.

Understandably it's exciting to hear that the biggest celebrities around the world are converging together in our city, in Toronto. Catching a glimpse of a stunning Keira Knightly walking up to the rooftop of the Hyatt wearing a beautiful red cocktail dress paired with a pair of fugly, passé ankle length clunkers is a great story to tell your friends over a beer. Hell, the bragging rights associated with knowing that you were at the same party with Paris Hilton are great. But is TIFF really as glamorous as it seems?

The Movies

Every year TIFF brings in hundreds of well crafted and beautiful films from around the world. Screening at this prestigious festival means a film is coveted, superb and among the best. Buzz hits the city and the festival about the star-studded blockbusters and the break-out indie hits; however, some of the most fabulous films to come to TIFF are the least mentioned. Each year TIFF brings in gaggles of foreign films, made by world-class filmmakers, but few media organizations care, and even fewer pedestrians attend such films. Fact is, lining up for hours to see Burn After Reading (which has now hit most theatres) and paying $20 is a much bigger rip-off than sauntering into a foreign screening of a film you may never get a chance to see again.

TIP: Check out indies and foreign film. Skip the star-studded would-be blockbusters.

The Parties

TIFF always promises the biggest and best parties of the year, and it always delivers. However, it's easy to be disappointed whether hitting Kevin Dillon's Entourage Party or sneaking into the InStyle bash. Always remember, that if you're not a big-shot, you won't be rubbing elbows with them. Even if you're attending the same party as Brad Pitt, the chances you'll be downing shots beside him at the bar are slim, and raising your expectations will only set you up for a sobering fall. Further, if you're looking to network more than you're looking to sight stars ? keep in mind that the people that can help you with your career are looking to have a good time, not to make the career of anyone that approaches them. Stay away from parties that are open to the public, but hosted by celebs. That's industry talk for a money making scheme, and a club night like any other.

TIP: Stay away from celeb hosted shin-digs, and don't appear to needy in front of A-list Power Houses.

Celeb Spotting

Waiting outside of notorious hotels and eating expensive lunches at Bistro 990 may be fun. Enough hours and dollars may even prove fruitful and you may get to snag a glimpse of elusive Jennifer Aniston. However, is it really worth hours of waiting and hundreds of dollars to act like a stalker? Is your self dignity worth it?

TIP: Feel free to do the lunches, but don't get your hopes up...

Ivana Stojanovic

"Some of our businesses use more energy than others, but our strategy everywhere is the same...first, reduce our use of energy as much as possible. Then, switch to renewable sources of power where it makes economic sense. And, over time, as a last resort, offset the emissions we can't avoid."

-Rupert Murdoch

The Grand and Toy Media Centre was really a look in the where the future of technology was taking us. The sleek and sexy retreat featured environmentally friendly furniture, ergonomically designed office tools, sleek and mobile hardware and software, and gaming consoles. Really everything the media needed to meet their hectic schedules.

One thing that was obvious, was that technology is keeping up with our ever-evolving culture. Technology, like the people that use it, is on the move. Literally. Mobility is the future. The PCs and keyboards were all wireless, very small and lightweight, allowing for quick and efficient transport.

Grand and Toy also put a lot of focus on environmentally friendly products. From recycled pens, papers and furniture that was made of material that did not emit harmful gases. They handed out gift bags made of recycled material from office chairs. I got this black leather one full of office goodies, how hot is that?

All in all, Grand and Toy is on their game. They know what their market wants: Efficiency, Environmentally friendly and Ergonomically designed, all while looking stylish and contemporary.

Jas Ryat

Control Alt Delete releases pre-millennium tension

Who does the future belong to? Cold, detached machines? Not computers but human machines. Cohabitation with computers can't be far behind. Spending time on the computer takes on new meaning in the Y2K fable, Control Alt Delete. Human contact is threatened by a cursor and a mouse, computers have become so efficient at satisfying our basic needs, who needs human interaction? We've become disconnected. The daily office dialogue is a malaise of computer speak and meaningless memos. Did you get the memo? Writer and Director Cameron Labine goes even further to make his point by demonstrating how far an obsession can go with people who appear to be normal. Linking our greatest obsessions with hard core sex sensibilities, playing with the very thing computers do well, providing the most efficient sexual gratification. If you don't like yourself, then screw yourself.

Pornographic doesn't begin to describe Control Alt Delete but the film does say something about how accessible and normal hard core sex has become on the internet and in everyday life. In this film hard core porn references are thrown around the office with intensity and reckless disregard. The steady rise of Internet porn has actually softened revenues at many sanctuaries of sin throughout North America. Why pay $7.00 for a drink and $20.00 for a lap dance when you can grab a 12 pack and yourself in the comfort of your home for half the price. This audacious piece of Cinema is less about masturbation and more about self examination. What are we doing and why are we doing it?

Dating used to be an art, an exploration of the heart and soul, now it's an exercise in fear, awkwardness and desperation. We've outsourced our emotions and better judgement to Lava Life, E-Harmony and anything else that clicks. Human contact has been co-opted by computers.

Control Alt Delete is dark disturbing, somewhat quirky and very funny, just like the modern office environment. Quiet desperation confined to a small suffocating space for long periods of time, someone is bound explode.

Control Alt Delete also reveals that we're more stressed, over worked and angry than ever before. Whoever said the future is friendly doesn't live in the real world.

Michael Yarde

For more TIFF_erent perspectives visit www.tiff08.ca and check out the blogs in the Canadian Film Programme section.

Toronto is not the shame old story it used to be...

Toronto the good needs a rude awakening. Toronto Stories clearly illustrates that Toronto's promise is stuck in the past. Toronto is no longer a hog town, it's a happening city. Everywhere you go something is happening. Toronto is a beautiful vibrant city. You would never know it talking to some of the people living here.

I arrived at the AMC theatre with all kinds of presumptions and expectations only to be treated to a brilliant depiction of a Toronto that flips, twists and defies pre-conceived notions.

In a brief conversation with Co-producer David Weaver, he revealed that when he was throwing around ideas for the title of the film, some of his friends and associates told him not to use Toronto in the title. Stories like that make this film provocative. David goes on to say "Toronto has been swept under the rug and hidden for far too long, it doesn't play a strong character in films." How can anyone live in a city they're ashamed of?

Toronto Stories begins with a powerful and poetic introduction from Pearson International Airport, where many people who call Toronto home started their journey into the unknown avenues of a major metropolitan city.

The creators of Toronto Stories cleverly weave iconic elements of Toronto landmarks and locations into an action packed comedy adventure horror love story. Using interesting camera angles, soft lighting and sharp eyes, four short and sassy vignettes take you on a strange and beautiful tour of the city.

Sook-Yin Lee one of the talented actors featured in the film and a co-creators for Toronto Stories presented an inspired look at the complexities of dating and developing relationships in Toronto. Sook really captures the essence of what the single life in Toronto can be like with The Brazilian. An extended version of a awkward conversation. It's a personal story for her, (Sook even used her home to film the segment of the movie she produced) Sook arrived in Toronto from Vancouver over 10 years ago feeling the push and pull of adapting to a new and strange place.

It's nice to see Toronto through a different lens. Toronto looks so amazing when it plays itself. When you see Toronto Stories you'll see what you've been missing.

Michael Yarde

For more TIFF_erent perspectives visit www.tiff08.ca and check out the blogs in the Canadian Film Programme section.