Are you between the ages of 15 and 29, and are you interested in a more cultural date than your standard “dinner-and-a-movie” package deal? There are some great programs if you live in the Toronto area. Here is a list of three cultural treats that cost $20 or less per ticket!

Dance Break

Dance Break is a membership program that allows you to buy tickets to the National Ballet for $20. It is accessible to 16 to 29 year olds, and completely free to join. As long as you are one of the ticket holders, you can also purchase an additional ticket at the same price for your date, regardless of his or her age.

Extra bonus: you get the best seats in the theatre, excluding the Grand Ring. Regularly, you would have to pay over $100 for some of the seats you can access at only $20.

The catch: you can only purchase tickets on the day of the performance, so they are subject to availability. But really… there’s always some extra room!

For an overview of the 2008-2009 program from the National Ballet, go here.

T-Soundcheck

The Toronto Symphony (TSO) has organized a program called T-Soundcheck. If you’re between 15 and 29 years of age, you can sign up to buy tickets to the TSO for only $12! Sometimes there are even special promotions that are cheaper. Right now, you can buy tickets to Mendelssohn & Haydn at $6 a piece!

In addition, there is also an option called Tsoundcheck plus. These are ticket packages where you get to choose four concerts to go to. These packages are available if you are between 15 and 34 years of age. You get to pick between main floor, mezzanine, or balcony seating for the concerts, and you are automatically assigned the best possible seats.

Dating someone older than 29? Not to worry; as long as you are below the age of 29 you can purchase an extra ticket, at the same low price, for anyone else accompanying you. Regardless of your date’s age! If you can’t find a date, you can even take your mother instead, and just pay $12 for the ticket.

You can find an overview of the 08-09 concert season here.

New Age: Canadian Opera Company

Although at the Canadian Opera Company everyone under the age of 30 can purchase $20 tickets as well, it appears from their website that each ticket holder has to be under the age of 30. This is a considerable difference between the other two programs mentioned before.

Nonetheless, it is still a great deal and if you must take someone who is older, you might be able to get a rush ticket on the day of the performance for the same price.

Benefit: You can buy your ticket a week before opening night. For each performance about 150 seats are reserved for the New Age program. The seats are in sections 3D, 4C, and 5B.
The Catch: If you are on a date, both of you have to be under the age of 30 and bring valid photo ID.
Because the seats available are restricted to certain sections, you have a better chance at getting a great seat with the t-soundcheck, or Dance Break, programs.

Opera for a New Age tickets are available in person at the Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., Toronto, or through COC Online using the Promo Code “DEAL.” Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m.

Have You Attended?

Have you gotten cheap tickets through any of these programs? Where you happy with your seats, and which one is your favorite?

Houston Rodeo

Originally uploaded by Schumata

Here is an original date idea that sits well with all animal lovers. Awaken your inner cowboy or cowgirl at the Houston Rodeo.

Every March the Houston Lifestock show and Rodeo takes place in… where else: Houston. This show isn’t just for cowboys and people interested in farm animals: Houston Rodeo concert tickets give you access to the concerts following every day’s rodeo event! Contrary to what you may think instinctively, the concerts don’t cover only country music and feature more than just the biggest names in country & western clad musicians. During previous years, artists such as Bon Jovi, Maroon 5 and Beyonce have graced the stage and the Houston Rodeo isn’t afraid of infusing its yearly show with anything in the rock, hip hop, or latin music families.

You can’t say this isn’t a very original date idea, whether you are on your first date (find out is he/she is afraid of horses first though!) or you have been dating someone for over a year. Polish up those cowboy boots and get original! After all: the one thing that keeps a relationship alive, and especially interesting, is to make sure you keep doing fun and new things together. Date outside the box, and do something new with your special someone at least once a week! Not only do you get to try exciting new things (together), you will likely also learn a lot more about the person you are dating.

This year’s concerts include music industry heavy-weights such as Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Fergie and more!

Yesterday afternoon I met an old friend, whom I haven’t seen in 15 years, for a late lunch at the Pickle Barrel.

I spent far too much money, but don’t begrudge it, as the entire experience was top notch. Of course, it might have been a tad cheaper had I not consumed several eight-ounce glasses of house wine, at $9 a pop. However, libations were necessary, since we had a lot of reminiscing to do.

Deciding what to order was no easy feat. The menu’s huge and the food photography impressive! After much pondering (our attentive server checked on us about six times before we were ready), we finally settled on the Bruschetta with Feta Starter, followed by their Famous Deli Sandwich ($8.99, plus an extra buck to make it big!) served with French Fries and coleslaw, for my friend, and the Mushroom and Swiss Burger ($8.99) topped with grilled onions, with sides of Fries and Citrus and Mixed Nut Couscous, for me. The portions were generous, elegantly presented, and flavourful.

On our way out, we moseyed up to the cosy bar for yet another glass of wine and soon gave in to temptation. Within minutes we’d inhaled the Chocolate Molten Lava Cake and Super Caramel Crunch Torte, which promptly moved from our lips to our hips. But, hey, sometimes resistance is futile!

The Pickle Barrel’s been in business for 30 years. They’re obviously doing something right!

For a list of locations and a full menu, click here.

I just arrived home from a delectable brunch at Boo Radley’s Junction Bar and Grill.

Newly owned by ex-bank-robber-ex-heroin-addict-turned-upstanding-citizen, Michael Flaxman, and his delightful wife Shelley Ashburn, my partner and I were instantly taken with the joint.

We were equally charmed by the quality and presentation of the food. Chef, Trish Koughan, certainly knows her way around a kitchen. My Smoked Salmon Benny with capers, red onion, dill and real hollandaise sauce, served with a generous helping of home fries and fruit – was exceptional. And my partner thoroughly enjoyed his Breakfast Burrito stuffed with veggies, olives, and feta cheese.

All day meals include: Burgers; Wings; Sandwiches like the Grilled Cheese with tomato and pesto mayo; Steak on a Bun; the Cubano – roast pork, bacon, and guacamole; as well as a Steak Dinner with mushrooms, potato, Caesar salad and veggies; and more!

Twelve years ago, Michael Flaxman was dubbed the “Bicycle Bandit” for robbing over 30 banks and fleeing the scene on a stolen bike. He was caught and did his time. Now, clean and sober – in addition to running his bar – Michael volunteers as an addiction counselor and was honored with the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism in the summer of this year.

For those of you who don’t know the name, Boo Radley is a character from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird and the 1962, Academy Award-winning film of the same name.

For a 10%-off Food Coupon and one for an hour of Free Pool click here.

Located at 1482 Dupont Street near Lansdowne and Dupont, in Toronto’s west end, Boo Radley’s is open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. ’til 2:00 a.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Weekend Brunch is served from 11 ’til 3.

See you there!

If you love Halloween as much as I do, you won’t want to miss out on a full week of Halloween fun!

Beginning on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 and running until All Hallows Eve on October 31^st – head on down to Church Street for one helluva scary celebration! With lots of grownup activities, and even some for kids… you certainly won’t run out of ghoulish things to do!

All Week
The following restaurants will be offering Halloween-inspired cocktails and cuisine: Byzantium, Cafe California, ChurchMouse and Firkin, Church St. Diner, Fuzion, Hair of the Dog, Il Fernello, and Just Thai.

Wednesday, October 24
Don’t have a costume? Local Drag Queens will be swapping clothes, cosmetics, wigs, and heels at Crews and Tangos, 508 Church Street from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. You’re bound to find something fabulous! And, all proceeds go to local charities.

Saturday, October 27
Fly Nightclub and Buddies in Bad Times will be hosting to-die-for Costume Parties. Be there or be square!

Sunday, October 28
Dress up your kids – or someone else’s – and take them to Cawthra Park on Church Street from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Check out the haunted house, the haunted forest, the costume contest, and more!

You can watch the Pumpkin Carving Competitions too! Local groups and artists will be designing Jack ‘o Lanterns on the patios at Baskin Robbins, Cafe California, O’Gradys, Reithers, and Zelda’s.

Wednesday, October 31
The Boo! Block Party Show runs from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Hosted by Deb Pearce and featuring DJ Matt C, enjoy performances by Chicago’s Gay Idol winner, Dan Kerry, The Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps, Glitterati, Viva*Van*De*Kampe, and more!

Enter the Costume Contest at 10:00 p.m. and compete for cool prizes!

And, of course, you absolutely have to stay ’til the wee hours for the largest Church Street Masquerade and Dance Party ever!

For more info click here.

Here’s a last minute date idea! If you’re up bright and early and reading this post, it’s not too late to wake up your partner, or your favourite pal, and head on over to Casa Loma for their “Royal Thanksgiving Brunch.”

Served in the Conservatory and Library, you’ll certainly feel like royalty as you savour your meal in the most elegant of surroundings. And, when you’re done, you can walk it off with a tour of this magnificent castle and a stroll through its fabulous gardens!

Seating times are Sunday, October 7, 2007 at: 10:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:00 pm. Cost is $41.50 for adults; $20.75 for children between the ages of 4 and 12; and $11.00 for kids ages 1 to 3. Gratuities (but not taxes) are included.

For more information call: 416-923-117.

Casa Loma is located at 1 Austin Terrace, at Davenport Road and Spadina Avenue, in Toronto.

Visit their website at: www.casaloma.org.

Can’t afford a trip to Cuba? Then the hot! hot! hot! Lula Lounge at Dundas and Dufferin is the next best thing! This exotic Toronto dance hall features live music, salsa lessons, and the most delicious Mojitos in town!

You’ll love their weekend packages which include a three-course dinner, a salsa lesson, and a live band. Salsa packages are $49 on Fridays and $54 on Saturdays. To be sure you get a seat for dinner, reservations are recommended.

Alternately, if you’d rather just come by for a dance lesson and/or the show, the cover is $10 on Fridays and $15 on Saturdays.

The Lula Lounge is located at 1585 Dundas Street West. For more information and a calendar of special events, check out their website at http://www.lulalounge.ca/.

If you’re wandering around Queen Street West after the bars close, and you’re feeling a bit peckish, why not skip the street meat stand and pop into the Ackee Tree for a scrumptious Caribbean snack?

Located at Queen and Spadina, next to the McDonalds, it’s open Fridays and Saturdays ’til 4 a.m.

The Ackee tree was “the official Jamaican restaurant of Caribana 2006,” and with good reason. Who can resist their jerk chicken sandwich served with sweet potato frites? Or how about a curried goat roti? Not a meat eater? Then try one of their delicious vegetarian dishes instead.

As many can attest, it’s traditional Jamaican cuisine at its best!

“If you really want a taste of the islands, come to the Ackee Tree.”

Ackee Tree
170 Spadina at Queen
Toronto, ON
416-866-8730
http://www.ackeetree.com/

Melbourne

Travel dates are a little more complicated to organize than the good old dinner date. However, provided you can make both of your schedules as compatible as you are, traveling can be a great way to get to know someone better. You can’t hide your true colors if you are stranded at an airport in the middle of nowhere or lost your luggage in the desert.

For a first travel date I’d recommend planning though, so you don’t run into too many stressful disasters. Planning ahead would then be a good thing (don’t go to the Cote D’Azur on a whim when it’s the high season and a film festival is on!).

Going somewhere exotic is fun, but if you still want to be able to make yourself understood in English, then Australia may not be a bad option. Yes, it’s “down under”… but it’s not like you are a stranger to that concept
Australia is far away, out of the way and definitely gorgeous. Match a last minute flight with last minute accommodation by using a service that offers discounts on Sydney Hotels, Melbourne Hotels, or Brisbane Hotels.

On the other hand… you could always take a cozy tent.

Toronto City Guide

Ladies and gentlemen, mark your calendars. On Saturday, September 29, from 7:03 p.m. to sunrise, Nuit Blanche will guarantee you one unforgettable night out!

Literally translated, it means “White Night,” which describes the natural phenomenon of dusk meeting dawn at high latitudes. So don’t arrive tired! You’ll want to be wide awake, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in order to experience all 195 art and performance pieces, to be showcased in three zones across the city.

Zone A: Bloor/Yorkville – between Davenport and College and between Yonge and Spadina.

Curator, Rhonda Corvese, writes this about Zone A: The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters

Those who venture into Zone A will encounter a world turned upside-down, where the only certainty is to expect the unexpected. Nothing is as it seems. The individual works examine an urban civilization of alienation, fear and potential danger, mass communication and (dis)orientation. This tension is balanced by the alien and the fantastic, where humour is staged in strange situations and suspensions. Zone A promises to transfix and unsettle the psyche of the individual and the masses. Enter at your own risk. Go on, I dare you.

Zone B: The Grange/Chinatown – between College and Queen West and between University and Spadina

Curator, Michelle Jacques, writes this about Zone B: At The Corner of Time And Place

Presently dominated by Chinatown and first settled by British gentry in the nineteenth century, the area surrounding Dundas and McCaul has developed, over the years, through the ongoing arrivals of diverse inhabitants from around the world. The varied cultures represented in the local citizenry – and the multiple histories and geographies that they embody – define the area’s true character. From day to day, how much attention do we pay to the value that this heterogeneity brings to this neighbourhood? For Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, its sites have been enlivened by ten artists whose work is built on some combination of invoking history, suspending time or traversing geographies. As such, we are invited to come together to share experiences, not only with the works of art, but also with our neighbours who inhabit our local, global, virtual and imagined spaces.

Zone C: West Queen West/Liberty Village – between Dundas West and The Gardiner Expressway and between Strachan and Cowen

Curator, Camilla Singh, writes this about Zone C: Supernatural City

Supernatural City enters into the time for sleep, the realm of dreams. It pushes past usual bedtimes, engaging imaginations, and exploring relationships with the city and fellow city dwellers during the course of one highly anticipated, insomniac night. I am drawn towards the idea of crossing a threshold, exploring the unseen, the unknown, that which comes to us in dreams, in altered states, and in the exceptional moments that constitute an ordinary day.

To make the most of your nocturnal wanders, be sure to check out the Nuit Blanche Survival Guide.