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The Weekender: New Creations Festival, Cory Doctorow and six other events on our to-do list

Writer Cory Doctorow, Sumo Robot Challenge and composer John Adams

1. ELECTRONICA MEETS ORCHESTRA
Once a year, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra hosts a festival to prove that sometimes, classical music can be just as edgy as Lady Gaga. The entire program of this year’s New Creations Festival is rife with boundary-pushing examples of musical innovation, but we’re most intrigued by Saturday’s program: composer John Adams conducts the Canadian premiere of his jazzy City Noir, while DJ and composer Mason Bates presents his electronica composition Liquid Interface. March 5. $32–96. Roy Thomson Hall, 416-593-4828, tso.ca.

2. SUMO ROBOT CHALLENGE 2011
Since 1992, this quirky design competition has pitted robots designed by OCAD U students, high schoolers and the general public against one another in epic battles of technological supremacy. Head downtown to find out whose robot is the better fighter, dancer and, yes, painter. March 5. $5. OCAD U Auditorium, 100 McCaul St., 416-977-6000 ext. 332, ocad.ca.

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The Hype

The Beat

February 18, 2011 | 4:53 pm

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Roll over, Bieber: two new Canadian tweens with big voices take YouTube by storm

Justin who? While the Biebs may have been a YouTube sensation from an early age, a new generation (yes, newer than Bieber) of Canadian tweens is stepping into the online spotlight—and this time, they’re sporting some girl power. Two new female mini-Biebers are gaining notoriety, at least in the dailies: Winnipeg’s Maria Aragon and Toronto’s Heather Russell. Aragon recently got a shout-out from Lady Gaga, and Russell signed a record deal with former American Idol judge and notorious curmudgeon Simon Cowell, all thanks to the power of the Internet. We’re not sure exactly what’s feeding our appetite for pint-sized belters in this country (and you can add Nikki Yanofsky to that list, too), but here’s what you need to know about the two new Girl Biebers:

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The Hype

Leave It to Bieber

December 14, 2010 | 1:06 pm

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Justin Bieber continues Internet domination over Lady Gaga, Eminem

When it comes to who makes headlines these days, it turns out hormonal teenage girls with a penchant for dreamy side-swept bangs hold a lot of clout. As such, this post is about Justin Bieber. The 16-year-old heartthrob nabbed four of the top 10 spots on YouTube’s list of most watched music videos in the world this year.

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The Hype

From the Print Edition

December 6, 2010 | 10:02 am

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Unsentimental Journey: Thank you, Sondheim, for giving us musicals we can love without losing face

We like Glee’s harmonizing high-schoolers, but we hate to admit it. Thank you, Sondheim, for giving us musicals we can love without losing face By Nicholas Hune-Brown

Photo illustration by Gluekit. Photographs: Sondheim by Donna Ward/abacausa.com; Glee courtesy of Fox Broadcasting Co.

On April 26, 1970, Stephen Sondheim trampled the sentimental musical comedy. That night, Company, a non-linear, nearly plotless show about a commitment-phobic New York bachelor and his married friends, opened with what seemed like a specific mandate to overturn Broadway conventions (easy-to-follow stories, catchy tunes, happy endings). Sondheim had already made a name for himself as the lyricist behind the infinitely hummable songs of West Side Story and Gypsy, and with the straight-ahead comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (which Mirvish is bringing here this month, along with Sondheim himself, for a separate night of conversation). So Company’s angularly beautiful and challenging score came as a surprise. Most shockingly, instead of providing a happy ending with two young lovers united in song, Company offered cynical numbers, such as “Sorry-Grateful,” in which the phrase “You hold her, thinking, I’m not alone” is followed by the rejoinder “You’re still alone.” The show was a hit. After the performance, Alan Jay Lerner, the lyricist of the upbeat favourites My Fair Lady and Gigi, is said to have burst into tears. “It’s over!” he cried, meaning both the traditional feel-good musical and his career. Unironic rhapsodizing had instantly become camp.

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The Hype

Awards Season

December 2, 2010 | 9:42 am

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Arcade Fire, Drake, Justin Bieber all up for Grammys

Canada, represent! The Grammy nominations were announced last night, and three Canadian acts are up for major awards. Montreal’s Arcade Fire will compete for album of the year (for The Suburbs) against Lady Gaga, Lady Antebellum, Katy Perry and Eminem. The Suburbs has also been nominated for best alternative album. Both of our homegrown heartthrobs Drake and Justin Bieber are up for best new artist; Bieber has been given a nod for best pop vocal album and Drake for best rap album. Neil Young’s Le Noise is up for best rock album.

• Justin Bieber and Drake win Grammy nods [Toronto Star]

The Hype

Leave It to Bieber

November 22, 2010 | 12:10 pm

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Justin Bieber beats out Lady Gaga for artist of the year award

It would appear our rosy-cheeked boy from Stratford can do no wrong. Teenage heartthrob Justin Bieber went four for four last night at the American Music Awards, winning in every category he was nominated.

It’s no big surprise that the baby-faced YouTube sensation won the breakthrough artist award—he’s sold nearly two million albums in the U.S. since the beginning of this year. There may have been a few raised eyebrows, however, when he walked away with the artist of the year award, beating out Eminem, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry for the evening’s top prize.

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The Hype

To-Do List

November 2, 2010 | 9:00 am

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The one thing you should see this week

This week’s pick: Florence and the Machine

Because a rapid ascent is inevitably followed by scrutiny and backlash, it’s best to celebrate fun, fiery acts before all the joy is sucked out of the experience. What will forever be known as the year that Lady Gaga conquered the world, 2009 is also the year Florence Welch, a 22-year-old redheaded whirling dervish from South London, stormed the gates of pop music. The daughter of a professor of Renaissance studies (what else?), Welch has fashioned a sound that is the product of an art school education, the club scene and the workings of a tricky, tortuous mind. No one does eccentric quite like the English.

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The Hype

Leave It to Bieber

November 1, 2010 | 4:15 pm

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Regis dressed as Justin Bieber for Halloween, just like everyone else

Pauly D as Justin B (Image: Steven Lawton/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

Just as we suspected, dressing up as Justin Bieber was crazy popular this Halloween. Turns out, it’s not just Gordon Pinsent who wishes he could trade places with the floppy-haired pop prince. Canuck crooner Michael Buble was a remarkably accurate likeness of the Biebs in his video for “Hollywood,” and Regis Philbin had the same idea for the Halloween edition of Regis and Kelly (Kelly sported a Lady Gaga look).

But they weren’t the only celebs: Jersey Shore’s Pauly D traded his wife-beater for Bieber’s signature purple hoodie, along with high-tops and a wig, and Hollywood stylist George Kotsiopoulos got in touch with his teenage heartthrob side on The View. The real Justin Bieber has responded to the copycats by adopting a disguise of his own.

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The Hype

From the Print Edition

July 15, 2010 | 2:09 am

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Crushed Out: Carl Wilson on how Justin Bieber is changing the shape of celebrity for the worse

Justin Bieber changed the shape of teen celebrity. He needs to change it back, before it’s too late by Carl Wilson

(Photo illustration by Gluekit; photograph from Pichichi/Splash News)

T here are times when it’s best to render unto tweenagers the things that belong to tweenagers. When you were 11, your parents probably didn’t get the deal with Peter Frampton or the Fresh Prince Will Smith. And, as the Backstreet Boys put it, you wanted it that way. That rule doesn’t apply to Justin Bieber, the 16-year-old warbler from Stratford, of all places, whose records set records on YouTube and iTunes. This particular crush magnet warrants grown-up attention. For he is a harbinger of the changing shape of celebrity to come.

When Bieber was 13, his devout Christian mother encouraged him to post his amateur act on YouTube. She prayed he would become a Prophet Samuel, a voice of salvation to his generation. He’s more like the canary in the gold mine.

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The Hype

From the Print Edition

July 5, 2010 | 11:07 am

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Buff Like Harley: How an unassuming kid from North York got his number on every speed dial in Hollywood

Lady Gaga, Halle Berry, Kanye West and Robert Downey Jr. would all be as flabby as the rest of us if it weren’t for celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak. How an unassuming kid from North York got his number on every speed dial in Hollywood By Courtney Shea

Harley Pasternak is desperately seeking a sleeveless T-shirt. The fitness guru has arrived without one at a photo shoot in the Distillery District. The shoot is for a campaign to promote his burgeoning product line on the Shopping Channel. One minion is sent to phone American Apparel and track down this much needed garment. In the meantime, Harley considers other wardrobe options. For casual, man-on-the-street shots, he selects a baby blue polo and jeans—baby blue, he’s advised by an assistant, will highlight his tan. A makeup artist applies foundation and some eyeliner; a photographer assesses lighting options. Bagels and beverages sit untouched while Pasternak noshes on the whole-grain muffin he brought with him. And then he’s on. Pasternak vamps under the bright lights like a bald Gisele Bündchen.

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The Hype

Awards Season

June 21, 2010 | 12:57 pm

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Party in the GTA: most memorable fashion moments at the MMVAs

Host Miley Cyrus performs "Can't Be Tamed" (Image: George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images)

Last night at the MuchMusic Video Awards, Justin Bieber and Hedley both scored three awards; Drake missed the cue for his performance because he was too busy to go to the rehearsals; and Katy Perry arrived in an ice cream truck. Now that the news is out of the way, let’s get to what’s really important: judging teen idols on their clothes. See our slide show of the evening’s most memorable looks >>

The Goods

Trend Alert

February 23, 2010 | 1:48 pm

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London calling: Canuck designers take centre stage during London fashion week

Canadians are getting a lot of attention from Londoners during the city’s fall-winter 2010 fashion week. The designers have politicians’ wives in a tizzy, American pop stars are paying personal visits, and the shows are the setting for controversy and catfights. Here, an introduction to three must-know Canucks—all with Toronto connections—who are dazzling Britain.

A frock from Erdem's fall show (Photo via catwalk.com)

Erdem Moralioglu

Shtick: Feminine, frilly, graphic prints (more sophisticated than cutesy) perfect for tea parties and après five.
Toronto connection: Known in the industry by his first name only, the half-Turkish, half-English designer grew up in Montreal but spent time at Ryerson for fashion design. Months later, he dropped out and skipped town to study in London, where he won the Chevening Scholarship from the British Fashion Council and was later nominated for the BFC’s 2009 Collection of the Year award.
Path to success: Erdem stocks the shelves of luxe global retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Browns and The Room (at The Bay). He recently received a nod from the wife of Britain’s prime minister, Sarah Brown, when she wore an Erdem dress to give the opening speech for London fashion week.
Celebrity fans: Sarah Brown, Michelle Obama, Thandie Newton, Chloë Sevigny and Toronto-born model Tara Gill.
Web site: erdem.co.uk

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The Goods

Shop Talk

February 10, 2010 | 1:45 pm

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Fashion types give Haiti the double kiss

A look from David Dixon's spring 2010 collection (Photo by Jenna Marie Wakani)

Despite a semi-controversial new study that found luxury consumers to be more selfish than frugal shoppers, fashion’s elite have opened their designer wallets to help relief efforts in Haiti. This Thursday in Toronto, Cosmo TV and swanky downtown venue The Roosevelt Room will host Haute Couture for Haiti, a fashion show fundraiser with David Dixon and a slew of Project Runway Canada runners up (Jessica Biffi, Brandon R. Dwyer and Lucian Matis) showing looks from their spring-summer 2010 collections, which will then be auctioned off for charity.

South of the border, fashion designer Donna Karan hosted A Night of Humanity fundraiser in the midst of prep for Mercedes-Benz fashion week, which starts tomorrow. In the U.K., Naomi Campbell and first lady Sarah Brown are hosting Hope for Haiti Now, a fashion show on February 18, a day before London Fashion Week, featuring dresses for auction by Alexander McQueen, Dolce and Gabbana and Vivienne Westwood. Lady Gaga is also in a giving mood: she will part with her Gary Card–designed skeleton corset and give it to the highest bidder, with proceeds going to Oxfam International.

• Lady Gaga donates her exoskeleton for a good cause [Fashion Magazine]
• Canadian designers to team up for Haute Couture for Haiti’ benefit event [Canadian Press]
• Naomi Campbell and Sarah Brown’s fashion show for Haiti [Fashionista.com]
• Fashion Fundraiser for Haiti at Karan’s Urban Zen Center [WWD.com]

The Goods

Shop Talk

February 2, 2010 | 9:30 am

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69 Vintage Collective brings together second-hand fashion and a sewing studio

69 Vintage Collective stocks well-preserved second-hand fashions (Russell T. Peltonen)

Toronto’s vintage queen, Kealan Sullivan, has expanded on the success of Queen Street’s 69 Vintage and the recently shuttered Buy the Pound with 69 Vintage Collective, a larger space in the rapidly developing Bloorcourt area.

Open since December, the shop carries pay-by-weight second-hand clothing and the fine vintage pieces Sullivan is known for, but there are also rooms on the upper floor, where independent vintage dealers showcase their clothing and accessories on a rotating basis. The basement is home to both a craft market and the Make Den, a sewing and alterations studio run by 69 Vintage manager Irene Stickney, who’s also a member of cycling brigade–design collective The Deadly Nightshades. Stickney will lead a roster of creative sewing classes; on the schedule in March is one inspired by Lady Gaga’s avant-garde style.

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The Goods

Required Reading

January 13, 2010 | 11:10 am

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Canadian designer Mark Fast declines to give clothes to Lady Gaga, gives them to Topshop instead

Mark Fast at Ame in December (Photo by Karon Liu)

Just before the holidays, we predicted that Canadian designer Mark Fast would be thrust into the spotlight in 2010. Three short weeks later, we were proven right. Back then, we wondered whether the designer’s attention-grabbing show during London fashion week (it included plus-sized models) was a fluke, but since his quick trip to Toronto in December, he’s been making headlines all over the world. It seems the humble Manitoban has a knack for handling the press. Last week, he refused to lend his clothes to armoured style icon Lady Gaga (even though he loves “Bad Romance”), saying his designs are not about “fast food fashion.” That’s a head scratcher of a statement, since he launched a lower-priced diffusion line called Faster the same week and since there is talk about him designing a line for the speediest of fashion retailers, Topshop (also rumoured to be opening in Toronto in the near future).

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Erdem Moralioglu

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