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Tag: toronto


Sep
2013

Tiki-Tacky Retro Patio Party-the review

categories: Toronto

First off I’m super behind on posting all the fun events I attended this summer, so bear with me as I unload Summer 2013 on you over the next week or two 🙂

First up..Toronto Vintage and Retro Society “Tiki-Tacky Retro Patio Party” that happened in July at the always fun “Cadillac Lounge“. The event was created after the FB page reached 1000 followers and the creator wanted to thank all her fans by throwing a summer Tiki party. And as an active participate in this Facebook group I was thrilled to have been able to help plan and run the event along side other fab TVRS.

Here I am with the lovely Jacquie aka creator of the “society”

Toronto Vintage and Retro Society

(my blue and white Hawaiian dress is from Di Brooks-Outer limitz)

The Party

The day ended up being nice and warm and we really could not of asked for better Tiki party weather and I also think having such a nice day was truly the perfect backdrop.

So after a crazy morning rush of blowing up pink flamingos and hanging patio lanterns (amongst other décor) and me doing my best to not sweat my set right out off my head lol We were all set to party.

Here is some pics of our hard work.

Tiki Party

Pink Flamingo anyone? hehehe one of these guys ended up coming home with me 😉

Tiki Party

Oh dear the tiki bar is closed 🙁

Tiki Party

YAY the tiki bar is open!

Tiki Party

Highlights from the party included an awesome Surf Band-The Calrizians, totally amazing raffle prizes (like a paddle boat lesson, pinup photo shoot and much more), a beautiful Tiki burlesque performance from the gorgeous Dolly Berlin and lastly a small vendor area to stock up on all things well…Tiki! 🙂 It was a jam-packed day of fun fun fun!

Here are some of the beautiful Tiki clothes (sorry for blurry pic)

Tiki Party

Awesome vintage Hawaiian outfits for sale.

tiki party

One of the sponsors-Make Up For Ever.

make up forever

The raffle and vendor table.

tiki party

The Beautiful Dolly Berlin starting her burlesque performance.

Dolly Berlin-Burlesque

We also had some yummy Tiki drinks at the event, complete with pink flamingo stir sticks.

tiki drinks

Me and one of my gorgeous friends

Tiki party

Photo booth fun! Yes that is a flamingo between my legs lol!

tiki party

Winners of the best dressed prize! This family was on the ball when it came to planning coordinating Tiki Outfits.

tiki party

The party ended with dancing and a limbo contest.

Tiki Party

The event was really fun and a wonderful success I just LOVED meeting everyone that attended and I look forward to future parties with all my fellow AND Future TVRS.

If you would like to check out some professional pictures of the event, please visit the following posts/links:

Courtney Reader-Photographer. This event was so great because it allowed myself and fellow TVRS to finally meet in person as opposed to just seeing our profiles on FB. One of the lovely fans was the delightful and talented Courtney Reader, who was dressed in the most beautiful Hawaiian top and cute head scarf that day. Her pics are beautiful as well as her post, so please check them out.

SNAP. SNAP Downtown Toronto is a FREE monthly print publication specializing in a “non-political” friendly and entertaining  photographic view of living in our community. They compiled many of the images from the event and wrote a lovely post about the party. So check it out as well.

Liz 🙂


Aug
2013

Canadian National Exhibition is Here! The Vintage Edition

categories: Toronto, vintage History, vintage images
1920s Vintage Photo of Toronto's CNE Princes' Gates.
Princes’ Gates 1920s

I have been living in Toronto now for almost 14 years and one of the events I have grown to absolutely LOVE is the CNE-Canadian National Exhibition. The CNE is basically a giant fair that runs for 18 days near the end of the summer and it’s known for its great shows, crazy food (anyone for a bacon, donut burger??), rides and all the cools things to see..bring on the Sham Wow guy! lol

The first Canadian National Exhibition took place in 1879, largely to promote agriculture and technology in Canada. Agriculturists, engineers and scientists exhibited their discoveries and inventions at the CNE to showcase the work and talent of the nation (Wikipedia). Apparently, prior to 1879, the fair had traveled throughout the province, but eventually settled where the crowds were after local stakeholders campaigned to make it a permanent city attraction (blogto.com).

That means that this year the CNE is celebrating its 135th season this year so I thought it would be fun if we checked out some vintage photos, advertising etc. of this historical event. So grab a bag of chocolate covered parmesan popcorn and lets take a trip down CNE memory lane…

1930s vintage ad for the Toronto CNE - 1937 Ad
Image courtesy of the CNE Archives
1940s Vintage Ad for the CNE in 1947. Go by the TTC

The Canadian National Exhibition-CNE

To start, I’m doing a blog series on the wonderful book “Lets Dance. A celebration of dance halls and summer dance pavilions by Peter Young” and one of the sections briefly covers the “CNE TENT” that was erected in 1938 to bring in top-notch entertainers. Acts like: Benny Goodman with Peggy Lee, Artie Shaw, Guy Lombardo and even the Tommy Dorsey Band made their way to this tent.

In Peters book he even mentions a story how in September 8th of 1939 the Tommy Dorsey band flew to Toronto on the American Airlines flagship craft to appear at the CNE. This was the FIRST time the entire band travelled by air so they marked the occasion by playing a few tunes right at the airport (“Lets Dance..”, pg 23, Peter Young).

1940s Vintage Photo of the Toronto CNE dance tent

The image above was from 1940 and you can see the dance tent in the background where apparently Eddy Duchin and his Orchestra were performing that very night (“take a ride back in history” by Mike Filey).

Then while scouring the internet for fun images/stories to share I stumbled upon the most AMAZING FIND! Did you know that the CNE created their own high-kicking dance troupe version of the Rockettes? The Canadettes and they made annual appearances from 1951 until 1967 at the CNE. How fun!

1960s Vintage Photo of The Canadettes, circa 1961 at the Toronto CNE
The Canadettes, circa 1961. CNE Archives, Alexandra Studio Collection.

Now for the random vintage CNE pictures I promised you…

Two adorable kids enjoying a coke break in 1959 at the CNE with their feet in a pail (must of been hot).

1950s Vintage Photo of 2 kids in 1959 at the Toronto CNE with feet in a pail having a cold drink.
Photo Courtesy of “CNE Facebook Page”

A cooking demo at the CNE in the 1940s.

CNE 1940 cooking demo in Toronto, Canada. 1940s vintage photo.
Photo Courtesy of: CNE Facebook Page

CNE-1937. I LOVE this photo! The couple in the front that stand out in the picture are just outstanding looking.

1930s vintage photo in 1937 of the Toronto CNE crowd photo. Super 1930s fashions on display.
Photo Courtesy of: CNE Facebook Page

CNE-1961. I’m enjoying eyeballing some of the great fashion in this over head shot of the midway.

1960s vintage photo of the Toronto CNE Midway grounds in 1961,.
Photo Courtesy of: CNE Facebook Page

Want to learn how to take care of your baby in 1918?

1910s vintage photo of a woman teaching people how to take care of their baby in 1918 at the Toronto CNE
Image courtesy of the CNE Archives

I will now leave you with a picture from my engagement photo session that was done at the CNE.

CNE Engagement photo Toronto Vintage Inn

Photo Courtesy of David Tom Photography

If you live in Toronto and are attending the CNE or have attended the CNE I would love to hear your stories of your favorite things to do there.

FURTHER READING: A collection of past CNE posts I have done and a link to my Toronto archive posts….

Liz 🙂