A woman, a city and a file cabinet

Marlee Cargill

On a busy street corner on Queen Street West, a lady in red and her partner prepare to dazzle the crowd with a one-of-a-kind contemporary dance performance. The crowd is used to buskers, but this one stands out.

For most dancers, the performance starts when they hit the stage. But for Marlee Cargill, the stage opens when she begins her performance.

Then again, most dancers don’t have a file cabinet as a partner.

“This summer I just started to take my file cabinet on a dolly, come over here to Queen and Soho and dance,” she said. “The response blew me away. One guy was running by, saying ‘Oh my God, that’s the best piece of art I’ve seen all day – and I just went to the AGO!’”

Another kind of church music

Stacey McLeod and Phil Villeneuve walk down the aisle, arm in arm, surrounded by pews full of fans, family members and friends. They are both dressed in black with gold trimmings. The “bride” wears a black veil. The “groom” wears a top hat and carries what looks to be an axe over his shoulder. They proceed to the altar, where a group of musicians awaits them.

They are not about to tie the knot. Rather, this is the CD release party for We Are Here For You and a church is where they have chosen to show their work. This particular church, St. George the Martyr, located at 197 John St., is also known as the Music Gallery. It is one of several churches in Toronto that play host to musical acts before and after its daily sermons.

Bloor and Lansdowne’s hidden side

When Jose Gabriel decided to open Funktion art gallery near the intersection of Bloor Street and Lansdowne Avenue, his friends advised him to get a better security system.

After all, the working class district in Toronto’s Bloordale area is known more as a haven for drug dealers than art dealers. The most easily recognizable landmark is the gentlemen’s club House of Lancaster.

401 Richmond: A hidden gem where the sidewalk ends

The unassuming red brick building at 401 Richmond St. W. contains over 100 years of history.

What started as a lithography factory in 1899 has transformed into a vibrant, low-rent community where artists rent space for studios, galleries and offices. If the glowing “Open to the Public” sign doesn’t draw you in, then four stories of hidden art gems and an award-winning garden rooftop surely will.

The building began life in its current form when, after going through several owners, it was saved from the wrecking ball by the Zeidlers, a family that has played a vital role in shaping Toronto’s cultural and architectural landscape.

Music Garden blossoms from music and film

The Toronto Music Garden

Surrounded by condos on one side and boats on the other is a Toronto park that speaks music. It speaks of composer Johann Sebastian Bach, world renowned cellist Yo Yo Ma and landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy.

The Music Garden, which turned 10 this past year, is a place many Torontonians outside the classical music scene know little or nothing about or that it exists. It seems strange since it has been around for some time, but this is a reason that makes the garden so special. A visit to the site, located near the Harbourfront Centre on Queens Quay West between Spadina and Bathurst, for the first or fifth time always provides something new as art is constantly evolving.

Living in the shadow of Clubland

Every weekend, the number of clubbers near Peter and Richmond approaches 10,000.

The clock just struck 2 a.m. at the Rodbard household.

For 67-year-old Don Rodbard, it’s just past his bedtime. For the thousands of clubbers spilling onto nearby Peter and Richmond streets, it’s just past last call.

And while his night may be coming to a close, for many partiers it has just begun.

The garage gallery that’s taking on Goliath

Sarah Lazarovic, owner of Montrose Portrait Gallery

Down a modest side street just south of Christie Pits Park, along a garage-lined alleyway, one door stands out among the rest.

The worn and cracking door has been covered with a coat of pale blue paint and finished with a gold floral pattern. Near the top, almost completely peeled off, the number 390 indicates the address of this Montrose Avenue garage.

Behind this door lies the Montrose Portrait Gallery, a makeshift gallery created by illustrator Sarah Lazarovic in 2007. Lazarovic, 30, wanted to bring attention to the issue of the National Portrait Gallery of Canada, the country’s massive collection of portraits which, as it stands, has no permanent home.

When eyesores become art objects

The iconic Scarborough strip mall revisited.

At first glance, Wexford Heights seems like a typical strip mall.

The plaza’s dated exterior is completely at odds with the glass-covered malls of today. Among the tenants are a vacuum repair shop, a jeweler and a Muslim grocery store, not to mention more than a few empty lots. People walking along Lawrence Avenue scarcely give it a second glance.

But, when it comes to character, Wexford Heights, which first opened in 1954, can’t be beat.

Dan Burke: Writer, fighter, booker, legend

Dan Burke

I arrived early and waited for him at the bar. After 20 minutes and no sign of him, I ventured from the barstool and walked around the joint.

Finally, I asked the doorman if he had seen him and he pointed to a gentleman wearing a brown cap at the other side of the room scratching upcoming music acts on a chalkboard.

After a short introduction, he and I went out back so he could have a smoke before our formal interview started.

It was there, behind The Silver Dollar Room on Spadina Avenue, just north of College Street, where I first spoke with Dan Burke.

Urban art project thinks outside of the box

Norman Yeung. Photo by Angie Kalhar.

As a teenager, Norman Yeung could be found in some of the seedier parts of Toronto, engaging in what the law defines as crime.

He worked in back alleys, under bridges, tunnels, wherever he could remain unseen and undisturbed.

Yeung, a graffiti artist known as Stage, was dedicated to his craft, despite its illegality. Part of the reason he did it was for the rush.

“When I was younger the thrill factor was always a motivating factor, and the respect you get from doing dangerous spots,” Yeung said. “I’ve slowed down a lot on the illegal stuff, but I do miss the rush.”