2019 Toronto International Film Festival, Part IV: The Doors Tour, Part VI

I found two locations in Toronto where The Doors performed.

The Doors performed here, the former C.N.E. Coliseum, on either April 20 or May 12, 1968. The book, "Life.Death.Legend" (page 253), states, "The Doors played three county fair gigs in California in mid-April (Merced, Santa Rosa, and Riverside)...", then, "The first gig was at the Westbury Music Fair on Long Island on April 19, 1968." The Doors website has them listed as May 12. While the concert date websites setlist.fm and mildequator.com both have the day as April 20. Pick a side!

The Doors performed here on September 13, 1969.

Gerrard Street West & LaPlante Avenue

My eagled-eyed wife spotted this mural and gave me the heads-up on its location.

2019 Toronto International Film Festival, Part II: The Food

Here we eat again...

Biff's Bistro

We had dinner with another couple, Peter and Ange Jackson. He is a Twitter friend of my wife's. We met them last year for dinner as well and they are the simply the nicest and interesting people you could meet! Peter and I both ate the most tender Beef Bourguignon this side of Front Street.

My first taste of a Glenlivet 18 year old whisky. Peter suggested I add a very little amount of water to open it up.

Mill Street Brewery

My wife was interested in having dinner in the Distillery District. This beer is called Cherry Sour Beer and it was perfect.

I ordered the Chicken Pot Pie with the extra flaky crust and she ordered the Nachos.

Marche Movenpick

I convinced the missus to experience Marche Movenpick with me. I quickly choose the steak tips (medium), grilled asparagus, and mashed potatoes then added a chocolate milkshake. She ate a mixed salad.

Jumbo Empanada

Since I was in the neighborhood of Kensington Market, I stopped by Jumbo Empanadas for a quick lunch of an empanada and Pastel de Choclo.

Empanadas and Pastel de Choclo!

I managed to sneak in a Greek Salad at lunch one day.

Ave Maria Latin Cafe & Groceries

I was excited to find a small Colombian cafe for lunch. The authentic empanada and tamales brought back memories of my trip to Colombia.

We returned to Scaddabush for more delicious Italian food. Calamari for an appetizer.

Penne and a meatball for me and Pesto chicken for her.

On our next visit, I ordered a pizza which came with a special pair of scissors to cut the pizza with.

2019 Toronto International Film Festival, Part I: Good Will Hunting and Graffiti Alley

Good Will Hunting was mostly shot in and takes place in Boston. What most people don't know is some of the scenes were shot in Toronto. I don't know why this was needed as they are minor interior and exterior shots.

106 Front East St.

This is the bar where Will meets Skylar.

Whitney Hall, University of Toronto

This is the entrance Will goes into to go to Skylar's dorm room to convince her to take the afternoon off.

133 Church St.

This is the curio shop they hang out in. She puts on the blue eyeshadow glasses and he performs the magic trick.

120 Bloor St.

This is the lobby Will waits in for his interview.

Graffiti Alley

One of the more interesting spots in Toronto is Rush Lane, otherwise known as, Graffiti Alley. It was started by the city in 2012 as a way of reducing graffiti artists from tagging all over Toronto. It is located south of Queen, between Spadina and Portland.

I have always been in awe of graffiti. The level of talent needed to create these intricate pieces fascinates me. 

2018 Toronto International Film Festival, Part V: The Toronto Blue Jays and the Hockey Hall of Fame

Two items I wanted to knock off my list while in Toronto was to attend a Blue Jays game and visit the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Perverts!

Not a bad view for $20. I made sure I was wearing my Boston Red Sox t-shirt.

The next day, I went back to the Rogers Centre and a took a tour of the ballpark.

The media room where the reporters watch the game.

One of the luxury boxes.

View from the luxury box.

The best part of the tour was going on the field. This is where the Rex Sox would sit.

After I left the Rogers Centre, I walked the 1.3 km (less than a mile) to The Hockey Hall of Fame. As in the case of The Baseball Hall of Fame, The Hockey Hall of Fame is hidden in the middle of downtown Toronto. 

Are my eyes closed? I learned there are two Stanley Cups. One always stays in the Hall and the other one stays with the current champion.

I don't follow hockey very closely, but I still knew Wayne Gretzky was the best player the game has ever seen. During my visit to The Hall, I found just how prolific he really was. The one fact that stunned me was he is involved in over 60 NHL records, personal and team.

They had interactive games where you shoot against a goalie and play goalie.

They have a gallery of the evolution of goalie masks.

Finally they included the classic arcade hockey game. Nice touch!