February 2012
8 posts
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JET-SETTING BREAKFAST - February 7, 2012
Jet Cafe 184 King Street East
Here we go – our second tour stop of Breakfast Month! Avi and I were headed downtown so we decided to try out a spot in the area. Jet Café is a place we must have passed by so many times along busy King Street, but never really noticed. In search of breakfast places to hit up this month, their all-day breakfast caught our attention.
I definitely did not expect...
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KRISTIN'S PLAYLIST - February 2012
The Balconies - Kill Count This video is right up our alley - from the sequins, confetti, glitter, to the infectious “Wooooo…” it’s the perfect track to get me pumped up to hit the town. Plus, Jacquie is one of the most energetic (and best dressed) frontwomen we’ve seen, and we knew their show at Casbah this month would make for an amazingly festive celebration for...
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BREAKFAST AT PAPA LEO'S - February 1, 2012
Papa Leo’s Restaurant 638 Concession Street
Throughout the Tour, the four of us have sampled the finest food this great city has to offer. From food fit for a fantastic fiesta at Mex-I-Can to authentic Italian cuisine at Cafe Limencello and, who could forget, tea and scones, we have feasted our eyes on a wide array of dishes and savoured delicious food in the city. While each of us enjoy...
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WILDE NIGHT AT THE PARLOUR - January 26, 2012
McMaster Thespian Company production of The Importance of Being Earnest The Baltimore House 43 King William Street
Avishka and I officially declared this week to be Theatre Week. Between a film festival screening and a night out watching a classic play, the tour stops came together rather nicely at the end of January. We were excited to return to one of our favourite new spots in the city, The...
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VOX & GLOCK - January 25, 2012
Boxcar Sound Recording Studio 468 Cumberland Avenue
Get caught up: Read parts 1 2 3 4 5 of the Ghosts of Memphis Boxcar sessions
Emotions ran high at Boxcar Sound as I checked back in on the process of the new Ghosts of Memphis album. They’re nearing the end of the recording and it was just Matt Montour and Trevor Howard in studio for this session. The main tasks for the day were vocals and...
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OUR AFTERNOON WITH MARILYN - January 23, 2011
Ancaster Film Festival SilverCity Ancaster 771 Golf Links Road
It was time for us to tackle another local film fest – the Ancaster Film Festival. Beginning in 2004, it is part of Film Circuit (a division of the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival) which occurs in numerous cities across Canada. The Ancaster Film Fest is a not for profit organization sponsored by various local...
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A NIGHT OF SOUL WITH SARA - January 21, 2012
Sara London Mulberry Street Coffeehouse 193 James Street North As you can probably tell, the four of us love music, whether it be listening to music or singing our favourite songs at karaoke. I for one am the kind of person you will find with her iPod, dancing around the house, scrolling through her music library (an interesting mix of music ranging from indie rock to hip hop to jazz) blasting...
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EVERYONE NEEDS A LITTLE... SWEETNESS - January 20,...
Sweetness Bakery 105 King Street West
A new cupcake shop has brought a little sweetness to downtown Dundas.
It was this past summer that Jenny had told me that a new cupcake shop would be opening in downtown Dundas. Having grown up in Dundas and witnessed changes to shops and restaurants on King Street, we were both intrigued as to what the name of this cupcake place was, as well as where it...
January 2012
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EVERYTHING IS TEMPORARY - January 14, 2012
Temporary Projects 22 Wilson Street
I fell down the rabbit hole and into the world of Temporary Projects this fall. I fully intended to document the night the first time I attended one of their events, but that mindset went to pieces once I got there – I was just too busy taking everything in. Now, my third time around, I knew I had to log it as an official tour stop.
The first event I...
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AROUND THE CORNER - January 13, 2012
Corner Tea House & Asian Bistro 29 John Street North
This marked our first tour stop of the new year and what better way to start off the new year than to visit a new spot in Hamilton! New year, new tour spots. Kristin had been keeping an eye on some up and coming teahouses in Hamilton, this being one of them. Kristin and I fancy ourselves to be tea connoisseurs, more notably, bubble tea...
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WRITTEN IN THE STARS - December 26, 2011
TJ King Karaoke 214 King Street East
This was the first time in a while that I had celebrated my birthday on the actual day, in this case, December 26th. Because it falls after Christmas, it’s normally been a bit difficult to get together with friends since we are all doing different things and getting together with family and relatives. Imagine my joy when I found out that three of my...
December 2011
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ABSINTHE UNPLUGGED - December 22, 2011
Fundraiser for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Hamilton and Burlington Club Absinthe 233 King Street East Note: As of January 2012, Absinthe’s new location is 38 King William Street.
When I think of Hamilton’s music scene, of course we have incredible bands, but my mind always goes first to the solo artists and duos of the acoustic singer-songwriter variety. Ten of these talented local...
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MEET ME AT THE BODEGA - December 19, 2011
The Bodega 220 King Street West
I already knew what the title of this entry would be before visiting our latest tour stop. Carly and I pondered the name Bodega as we moseyed down the street on our way to the brand new shop on 220 King, fancying its meaning and how it would reflect the space. The Bodega, described as a clothing, beauty, and art boutique, fully lives up to its name as a being...
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BROODING WITH BROCADE IN BALTIMORE - December 19,...
The Baltimore House 43 King William Street
Kristin read a recent article in The Spec about this new coffee joint on King William and had been following their online presence via Twitter for the past couple of months. Already planning a Monday outing to Bodega, we decided to make it a double tour stop kind of day. Alas, we lunched at Baltimore House.
Walking through the doors and up the...
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SOMETHING KIND OF SPECTACULAR - December 16, 2011
kitestring creative branding studio 65 Walnut Street South Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts 126 James Street South
Stepping into the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts for kitestring’s third annual Christmas Spectacular, I was expecting something bright. I was anticipating an event that matched the colourful brand that Kristin experienced in September. I was predicting candy. And, well,...
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#HOLAHAMONT - December 2, 2011
Kristin made an appearance on the third episode of Hamilton’s very first podcast #HolaHamOnt, which broadcasts live every Friday night from Mex-I-Can. Hosted by Roz Allen, Chris Farias, and Steph Seagram.
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MARGARET ATWOOD - November 22, 2011
Margaret Atwood Hamilton Central Library 55 York Boulevard
It’s not every day you get to be in the presence of a literary icon. As an English major graduate and having a lifelong love of literature in general, I was beyond thrilled to get the opportunity to attend Margaret Atwood’s appearance at Central Library. The visit to Hamilton came about as a retaliation of sorts, with our...
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BANJO-PALOOZA - November 21, 2011
Boxcar Sound Recording Studio 468 Cumberland Avenue
I’m back with another Boxcar adventure! Read our previous installments: Parts 1 2 3 4
The banjo is a tricky instrument; that’s the lesson of the day. I learned this through yet another visit to Boxcar Sound Recording Studio for Part Five of our chronicle of the new Ghosts of Memphis album. As always, producer Matt Montour was hard at...
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FROM TANZANIA, WITH LOVE
Note: Avishka is now back from her 2-month trip to Tanzania and wrote this entry in November while she was there.
Mambo friends! I am writing to you from Arusha, Tanzania where for the next two months, I will be volunteering with Youth Challenge International (YCI) promoting youth development, leadership and livelihoods through education and health. I’m having a nzuri sana (very nice) time so...
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BRING Q TO HAMILTON
If you haven’t already heard, there’s a bit of a contest happening over at CBC Radio. It has come to light that the arts and culture show Q, with host Jian Ghomeshi, has never done a show in Ontario outside of Toronto. They are thus on the hunt and trying to choose a community for a February 2012 broadcast. A mass of online campaigns responded. From small towns to big cities, people are trying to...
November 2011
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FALL CRAWL - November 11, 2011
James Street North Art Crawl Note: The Grey Room is now located at 195 James St. N. Suite 211
We haven’t been to an Art Crawl yet in the colder weather, so I was curious to find out what it would be like. This was also a solo mission for me and I rather enjoyed moseying around on my own in search of some new places.
First up, I beelined for The Grey Room Studio. I’ve been in touch...
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TEA TIME - November 11, 2011
The Vintage Garden Tea Room 35 Pine Street Locke Street Shops
Since the four of us have been scattered to different locations in recent months, we look forward to the times when we can get together to catch up and, of course, to continue our discovery of the City. Jenny, Carly, and I decided to return to the lovely Locke Street to try out a new lunch spot. I suggested The Vintage Garden Tea Room...
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A LOVE LETTER TO HAMILTON - November 10, 2011
Light of Day Fundraiser This Ain’t Hollywood 325 James Street North
I moved away a couple of months ago. Leaving this City, where I have lived for 23 beautiful years, I am now living in Kingston. And, Kingston, well, it’s a different kind of beat. It’s been a nice change, and a new experience. I was home this past weekend, though, and have reaffirmed one thing - there is nothing...
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GHOSTS OF MEMPHIS: PART FOUR - November 7, 2011
Boxcar Sound Recording Studio 468 Cumberland Avenue
Have you been following our Boxcar sessions? Get caught up on our chronicle of the new Ghosts of Memphis album – Part One - Part Two - Part Three.
It had been a couple of months since I last dropped by Boxcar Sound Recording Studio to check in on the progress of the new album by Trevor Howard and Gerry Finn (Ghosts of Memphis), produced by...
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MAGNIFICENT MUMS - October 25, 2011
Hamilton Fall Garden & Chrysanthemum Show Gage Park Tropical Greenhouses
Another unique autumn event to the City is the annual Mum Show. This felt like a full circle moment for me, since it’s an event I’ve been to as a child, and now I got the chance to view it with fresh eyes and include it as part of our Tour. It was the 91st Annual Hamilton Fall Garden Chrysanthemum Show, held at Gage...
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PUMP IT UP - October 15, 2011
San Sebastian CD Release The Casbah 306 King Street West
It has been far too long since I’ve woken up the morning after a show, ears still ringing and without much of a voice. Cue the San Sebastian CD Release at Casbah. The hometown boys played a killer show to celebrate the release of their debut album, Relations, now available in stores/iTunes. I set out early with Honourary Tour Members...
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GOURD-PALOOZA - October 7, 2011
Rockton World’s Fair Rockton, Ontario
We kicked off our fall adventures by travelling to the Greater-Hamilton area to hit up Rockton World’s Fair. Carly, Jenny, and I set off on the chilly Friday evening of Thanksgiving weekend, along with Honourary Tour Member, Breanne. As always, hilarity ensued during the car ride there. We caught up on stories and giggled away, stopping to pride...
October 2011
6 posts
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WAITING FOR SUPERMAN - September 28, 2011
AGH CIBC Wood Gundy World Film Festival, Hamilton Central Library 55 York Boulevard
Read about my first festival screening earlier in the week - Project Nim.
For my second and final screening from the AGH World Film Festival, I decided to attend one of the free showings downtown at Central Library. It was great to see that so many films were offered as free screenings at the library - I hope...
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PIECE OF CAKE - September 27, 2011
Cake and Loaf Bakery 321 Dundurn Street South
My fellow tour-mates and I are obviously quite partial to sweets (every restaurant we’ve been to so far has heard us inquire about the dessert menu, often while still eating our meals) and we have definitely been sampling our way in cupcakes around the City. I had been hearing rumblings about Cake & Loaf Bakery and, after having my first taste of...
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PROJECT NIM - September 26, 2011
AGH CIBC Wood Gundy World Film Festival, SilverCity Ancaster 771 Golf Links Road
I’ve always wanted to attend a film festival, and with the annual Toronto International Film Festival happening every September, it hasn’t always been an opportune time for me to go. How perfect that the Art Gallery of Hamilton CIBC Wood Gundy Film Festival came along to help me fulfill that goal. The festival,...
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HERE WE GO ROUND TO MULBERRY - September 22, 2011
Mulberry Street Coffee House 193 James Street North
We may have wrapped up our official summer leg of the Tour at the end of August with our Stoney Creek day, but up until this particular tour stop, it was technically still summer. Avishka, Jenny, and I wore our summer-edition tour tees one last time and set out to make a proper tour stop of James Street North’s Mulberry Street Coffee House. We...
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SEW HUNGRY - September 16, 2011
Sew Hungry: Food Truck Rally 2011 Ottawa Street
Here at I Heart Hamilton Tour, we’re self-proclaimed foodies. Hamilton is getting to be known for its upsurge of food trucks, and an event dedicated to bringing them all together, plus even more trucks from out of town, seemed like an ideal tour stop. We first heard of Sew Hungry: Food Truck Rally 2011 back in July during our day dedicated to...
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SUPERCRAWL - September 10, 2011
Supercrawl James Street North
Even though we have only experienced a few James Street North Art Crawls, it was time to amp it up and take on Supercrawl! This was the 3rd annual Supercrawl – an event full of music, art, food, shops, you name it. The event was expected to draw 40,000* people throughout the day, and with the Locke Street Festival and the rooftop concert at Jackson Square for...
September 2011
9 posts
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FLYING KITES - September 8, 2011
Kitestring Creative Branding Studio 65 Walnut Street South
For our first official tour stop of September, I had the pleasure of dropping by Kitestring Creative Branding Studio on a chilly afternoon that already felt like a fall day. After finding each other through Hamilton’s huge and incredibly supportive Twitter community, co-founder Chris Farias offered to have me visit the studio and I was...
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ROCK AND RAILS - August 31, 2011
Boxcar Sound Recording Studio 468 Cumberland Avenue
To continue our chronicle of the making of a record at Boxcar Sound Recording Studio, I got to visit the studio for a third time to sit in on another recording session for the new Ghosts of Memphis album (comprised of musicians Trevor Howard and Gerry Finn). For more details on Boxcar and the record, be sure to read our previous entries - part...
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STONEY CREEK DAY - August 30, 2011
The Express Restaurant 349 Grays Road Devil’s Punchbowl Stoney Creek Stoney Creek Dairy 141-145 King Street East All aboard! Our fabulous Italian lunch at The Express. Hiking up to the Devil’s Punchbowl View of Hamilton from the Devil’s Punchbowl Getting touristy at the Devil’s Punchbowl Our flavours of choice at Stoney Creek Dairy; clockwise from left: Chocolate Peanut...
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POP THE CORK - August 27, 2011
Corktown Pub 175 Young Street
This was the first solo tour stop by any of us, and it ended up being a very eventful night! After still feeling tuckered out and a little loopy from our car wash during the day, I cleaned up and set out downtown to check out a show at Corktown Pub. I had been there before and always liked it; it has a friendly, local pub vibe about it and I’ve seen all types of...
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WORKIN' AT THE CAR WASH - August 27, 2011
Eccles Auto Service 121 King Street West
Our fundraiser for Avishka’s trip to Tanzania with Youth Challenge International
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KISS AND TELL - August 25, 2011
Xo.Ex.Oh’s EP Release Casbah Lounge 306 King Street West
Time for us to rock the Casbah once again! This time around, Avishka and I hit up the venue’s smaller and more intimate performance space, Casbah Lounge. Tonight’s show was the EP release party for upcoming acoustic duo, Xo.Ex.Oh’s. Also on the bill were Trevor Howard, Lost Astronaut, and AdRock Acoustic. Trevor Howard was up first....
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TEA & CACTI - August 20, 2011
Dundas Cactus Festival Taylor’s Tea Room 11 King Street West, Dundas Our delicious lunch at Taylor’s Tea With our good friend and Honourary Tour Member, Emily
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WE'RE ON A BOAT (AGAIN!) - August 19, 2011
Hamilton Harbour Queen Cruise, Hamilton Waterfront 47 Discovery Drive
Event hosted by YEP Hamilton Photo credit: Banko Media; Event hosted by YEP Hamilton
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MAX WRAY'S RENT PARTY - August 11, 2011
Max Wray’s Rent Party This Ain’t Hollywood 325 James Street North It was yet another evening of music when Kristin and I decided to hit up the hottest party in town i.e. Max Wray’s Rent Party. And what a party it was! Featuring a stellar lineup of musicians and refreshments outside on the patio, Kristin and I mingled with new friends and regulars outside of This Ain’t Hollywood,...
August 2011
9 posts
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OH, SIR MCMASTER - August 11, 2011
McMaster University 1280 Main Street West
Just in case you were unaware, we Tour Girls are all McMaster alumni. Out of all the universities in all the cities in all the world, we chose to stay close to home and go to MAC for our post-secondary education. And, with a scheduled print and video interview with the McMaster Daily News, we had the opportunity to check out some of our schoolday haunts...
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LOVELY LEBANESE LUNCH - August 9, 2011
La Luna 650 Concession Street Clockwise from left: Falafel sandwich, Hummus, Baba ghanoush
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LIVE ON THE AIR - August 9, 2011
Mohawk College 135 Fennell Avenue West INDI 101 Radio station 101.5 FM
You don’t quite know the concept of being live until you’re, well, live! Avishka, Jenny, and I were excited to be guests on “The Mixtape with Max Wray” on Mohawk College’s radio station, INDI 101. Max, being a friend and, at this point, somewhat of a regular feature on our blog, hosts his weekly radio show Tuesdays from noon...
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PARKS AND REC - August 7, 2011
Gage Park 1000 Main Street East Boxcar Sound Recording Studio 468 Cumberland Avenue
Avishka and I were excited to be invited back to Boxcar Sound Recording Studio for day 3 of the making of the new Ghost of Memphis record. We were there a week earlier for the first day of work – read more about Boxcar and the album in part one: J’ENTEND TON COEUR - July 31, 2011. Rocking out on the...
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FEST OF FRIENDS - August 5, 2011
Festival of Friends Ancaster Fairgrounds 630 Trinity Road
Bonjour mes amis!
So we figured, since we’re a group of friends touring around the city and making friends along the way, what better way to celebrate friendship than attending the annual Festival of Friends! Normally held in Gage Park, this was the first time the fest was held at the Ancaster Fairgrounds. I’d never been to the...
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J'ENTEND TON COEUR - July 31, 2011
Boxcar Sound Recording Studio 468 Cumberland Avenue
Since we’re on tour, and sometimes fancy ourselves to be rock stars, it seems only fitting that we should visit a recording studio. Avishka and I were thrilled to get the opportunity to drop into Boxcar Sound Recording Studio to get a tour by co-owner and producer Matt Montour. We also lucked out by getting to observe the pre-production phase...
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TEA AND RED HATTERS - July 27, 2011
Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum 64 Sulphur Springs Road
Hello everyone! Hope you have been able to keep up with our adventures in Hamilton! Today the girls and I set off for tea at Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum, located just off of Sulphur Springs Road. Our stay at Fieldcote was certainly filled with delight and surprise.
We first ventured into the museum where we were introduced to...