Toronto Stories

Toronto Stories opens at The Royal Cinema tonight. Beautifully shot, you will wind through this city with a new perspective – hearing stories from a variety of characters whose lives connect through chance or fate.

Perhaps the best part of this film is how, as a Torontonian, you inevitably end up collecting thoughts on stories you have experienced within the city whether scary, hilarious, absolutely embarrassing, scandalous or heartbreaking.

Living in a big city means that every time you walk out the door, there is an opportunity for a story to happen, be it a conversation, witnessing of something crazy, or odd interaction with a stranger. Here are just a handful of our memorable moments:

RIPPING UP THE JOINT
Spadina, North of Queen – Art System VS. The Art Firm – 2002
It was the last night that OCAD would use the Spadina space to showcase art. Queen West guerilla art co-op, The Art Firm, organized a show that spurred a lot of controversy amongst students. Building a four-walled room within the gallery, exhibit goers had to choose between viewing the art in the exterior frame or immersing into the interior party , thus asking the age old question, “but are you here for the art or the party?” The scene became a catalyst for absolute mayhem. It started with people ripping down the art, escalated to parking meters being dragged from the street and rammed through walls, drunk guys hanging upside down off the rafters and couples removing all clothes and wrestling in a giant vat of red wine. It was dangerous and you had to run fast before a chunk of wall or beam fell on your head. In the end, the students and crowds had simply destroyed the space. NOW Article from ’02

CHOP THE MEAT YOU FAT F*CK
A couple was romantically dining at a King West Italian family restaurant, the only patrons on a cold January night. Quietly sipping wine, whispering sweet nothings and savouring gnocchi – their serenity was abruptly interrupted when the owner and chef began to brawl. At first it was just verbal blows, but quickly grew to knife threats cutting through the air. Eventually they pushed each other into a back room. The couple was shocked by the outlandish cursing and sat motionless listening to the sound of a body being thrown down the stairs. The final remark of the fight overheard:
”GO BACK TO THE KITCHEN AND CHOP SOME MEAT YOU FAT F*CK!)

The couple rattled to the core contemplated leaving but were warned by the waitress that it wasn’t a good time. Apparently, she was nervous too. Door swinging open the broad shoulder Soprano type owner entered back into the scene sans Chef. Taking a deep breath and wiping his hands he seemed cool and collected, just in time to greet a gaggle of women who were excessively primped and impressively busty.
“MY LADIES…SWEETHEARTS, COME ON IN”

THE USELESS LIBRARIAN
A woman slowly pulled to a halt at the Yonge and Lawrence intersection; it was obvious an accident had just occurred. Exiting the car, to see what had happened she was stunned to see a man spread across the street, he had fallen from his motorcycle. A huddle of people had gathered but weren’t really doing anything. She ran up:
”Hey, hey are you okay?”
He had a pulse, and was breathing but wasn’t conscious. Pre-mobile phones, she flew open the doors to the George Locke Library and quickly hastened the librarian on duty.
“Call 911, there’s a man outside in a crash, he’s unconscious.”
“This is the check out line, you’ll have to go to the info line.”

THE CRACKER WAGON
The Annex, 1986
Two children woke up early on a Saturday morning and decided that rather than watch cartoons, they would take a cracker poll around the neighbourhood. Ritz, Stoned Wheat, Triscuit and Vegetable Thins were all organized in the red wagon. In hand, they had sheets of paper, in which they’d mark which snack neighbours enjoyed the most and why. The 8AM doorbell rings resulted in bleary eyed women in housecoats completely confused.
”What are you kids doing? Crackers? What?”
The adults were requested to pay twenty five cents for involvement, and in return they would get their opinions recorded and be entered into a draw for a sticker collection.
Once their parents discovered their quest and realised the entire neighbourhood was being awoken to munch on crackers, the children were sternly told to retreat back home.

THE BAPTISM
Cherry Beach, August Night
A group of friends were lying on the dirty beach attempting to prolong summer as best they could. Smoking joints and watching the sun set, the Toronto skyline appeared surprisingly enchanting. Shooting the sh*t and digging toes into sand and tossed butts was interrupted when an enormous family began emptying from cars. They were dressed in tribal like garments and quickly struck up organized chanting. The family walked into the water, and although the group of twenty-somethings weren’t sure exactly what was happening in front of them it appeared to be a baptism or religious ceremony of sorts. Unexpected, magical and completely foreign, the stoned group of friends quietly watched as a young man was re-born in Lake Ontario.

What are your stories? Do they involve the TTC? Toronto Island? The Canary Restaurant? Marty Millionaires? Canada’s Wonderland? Mt. Pleasant Cemetery? E-mail them to haley@shedoesthecity.com and we will post on site next week. In the meantime, go check out the film!
To read interview with Sook Yin Lee – go to www.shedoesthecity.com/arts