Toronto Maker Festival 2018

Last weekend I went to the Toronto Reference Library for the city's Maker Festival. There were a bunch of booths both displaying cool makes and selling interesting things (like steampunk jewelry). There were booths on 3 floors, plus more outside.

At the 'learn how to solder' booth I bought a mini rocket kit and soldered LEDs and a battery holder on it.

The library's booth had a 1D arduino game called Twang that was played on an LED strip. When the enemy red lights came near, you had to 'twang' the joystick, which basically fired light a few LED away so you could proceed. Later levels involved water and lava traps that pushed you quickly in one direction. It was surprisingly fun for such a simple concept.

The R2D2 builders from the local 501st division had a display of some of the things they'd built.

Ryerson University had an infinity mirror with LEDs you could turn on and change the colour of called 'Twinfinity'.

When I was a kid I read Follow My Leader by James B. Garfield, a book about a 12 year old boy who goes blind due to a firecracker accident. I thought the book was fantastic and taught myself braille as a secret code. It was really neat seeing this braille typewriter and learning about some of the modern tech used to help the blind.

Royal Ontario Museum's Viking Exhibit

Last weekend I went to see the new viking exhibit at the ROM in Toronto. It's amazing seeing real artifacts left behind by people who lived a thousand years ago...

Here are a few things I thought were very cool.

 Before you enter the museum proper, there's a side room with this reconstructed viking ship. Many of the items on display were reproductions, but there were a lot of real antiques, including the items pictured below which were discovered in Sweden.                   
In the exhibit itself, you'll find the rest of the items.

Probably my favourite was this folding comb with case, made out of bone. It is decorated with circle and line ornamentation. Alas, it's not a particularly good photo. 

 This is an urnes style brooch, made out of bronze.

A pendant crucifix made of silver. It is considered to be the oldest known crucifix in present day Sweden. 

 Bronze and leather rune sheet. The inscription reads, "Malevolent, Unne calls forth your destruction."

There were several plaques explaining magical practices and the various deities.

 Iron sword.

Textile tools: two pairs of iron scissors, an antler ironing board and glass polishing stone (bottom left), two weaving combs of antler (the one on the right is a reproduction and shows the teeth), and two needles, one of iron and one of bone. 

Nuit Blanche 2017

In addition to the Netflix Red Forest installation, here are some other things my husband and I saw at this year's Nuit Blanche in Toronto. This year's theme was "Many Possible Futures" so there was a definite SF twist to some of the exhibits.

The first one we went to was the Nature Deficit Disorder Clinic. After meeting with reception we got to look at the various posters explaining the dangers of this future where interacting with nature is at a destructive minimum. Brought into the first treatment room, we watched a short video that led to us deciding if we were best served by interacting with a tree, water, or rock. We could see other treatment rooms where some people were given a second 'treatment' with those items, but were told we didn't require immediate treatment and were sent on our way.

On the left is  Manitowapow,
speaking to the moon, an exhibit with dome tents lit up with nature scenes instide.

On the right is Laxa’ine’ gigukwdzikasi’ gigukwas Hayałiligase’, The Many Large Houses of the Ghosts, a light display on Old City Hall's clock tower.

At City Hall we found the Hendrick's Gin hot air balloon, giving rides to people who won golden tickets. This is where we lined up for 2+ hours for the Red Forest, after which we didn't feel much like waiting in another line. Which is why I only have an outside photo of the Monument to the Century of Revolution - an installation made up of several shipping crates that discussed specific revolutions as well as aspects of revolution (printing flyers, feminism, prisons, etc). 

The final installation we saw was Photon Gallery 3.0. 

There were several cool things to see here, like an audio modulated gas fire display (more base = higher fire).


Nuit Blanche: Photon Gallery 3.0 fire from Jessica Strider on Vimeo.

They also had a strobe powered falling water display.

Nuit Blanche: Photon Gallery 3.0 water from Jessica Strider on Vimeo.

And this really cool artwork by Alex Poutiainen.

Toronto's New Curiosity Shop: Curiosa

In August I saw an article posted on facebook about a new 'Harry Potter inspired store' opening in Toronto: Curiosa. It's in Parkdale, an area of the city I don't normally go to, but I was heading to the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition), which just happened to be in walking distance.

Curiosa isn't a Harry Potter store, a fact that seems to be disappointing some visitors according to a post by management on their facebook page (at the time I'm writing this, the post I'm referring to is pinned to the top of their facebook page).

I almost didn't go to the store. While I am a Harry Potter fan, I don't need any more stuff for the franchise. But I started looking more closely at the photos online about the store and noticed a nocturnal postcard in the same set as the working astrolabe postcard I got in Spain a decade ago. Since I was going to be nearby anyway, I decided to go for a look. (And my apologies for the poor photo quality/blurriness. I had my small, not very good camera with me.)

Turns out my biggest regret of going to the store was in not giving myself enough time there to properly enjoy the experience. I only had about 30 minutes to look around. I walked in and the place was amazing. I'd heard about the guilded ceiling and the amazing displays (cauldrons being 'magically' stirred), but I hadn't anticipated the number of pure curiosities there would be.

More importantly, while I hoped they might have metal antique replicas, I hadn't seen any photos that included them, so I was ecstatic when I spotted this display case:

Now, I have wanted a real replica astrolabe for years. You can buy them online, but they're quite expensive with expensive shipping costs. This store carries not one but three astrolabes (two sizes with latin text, one with arabic text). There are some compasses, an armillary sphere, norturnal, and more. The store also carries quill pens, sealing wax, notebooks, games, and all sorts of weird and wonderful things.

I left the store with this gem and the knowledge that I've got to go back at some point for a longer visit:

 I originally set the astrolabe aside for a Christmas present, but decided that it was dumb to have it boxed for the next few months when I can just repackage it when the time comes. In the meantime, here's my alchemy table, now with working brass astrolabe.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Events in Toronto, January 2012

These events are from the science fiction & fantasy calendar I run.  If you have an event that's not listed, email me (jessica.strider@gmail.com) and I'll put it on the calendar and add it here.  While I try to get the details correct, always check the links to confirm event information. I'll be updating this post as I learn of more events.

Wednesday 11

The Chiaroscuro Reading Series: Featuring Violette Malan, Douglas Smith and Shari Lapeña

Where: Augusta House (152A Augusta Avenue, Toronto)
When: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Join us to welcome in the new year with a trio of stellar authors...

Violette Malan has a PhD from York University in 18th-Century English Literature, but reports that most people don't hold it against her. She started reading fantasy and science fiction at the age of eight, and was writing stories not long after. Violette has been a book reviewer, and has written feature articles on genre writing and literature for the Kingston Whig Standard. She has taught creative writing, English as a second language, Spanish, beginner's French, and choreography for strippers. On occasion she's worked as an administrative assistant, and a carpenter's helper. Her most unusual job was translating letters between lovers, one of whom spoke only English, the other only Spanish.

Douglas Smith is an award-winning Canadian author of speculative fiction (fantasy, SF, horror, supernatural, and the ever popular "undefinable"), with over a hundred story sales in two dozen languages around the world, including InterZone, Amazing Stories, Cicada, Baen's Universe, Weird Tales, The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror, Postscripts, On Spec, and The Third Alternative (now Black Static, as well as anthologies from Penguin, DAW, and others.

Shari Lapeña worked as a lawyer and as an English teacher before turning to writing fiction. She is a graduate of The Humber School for Writers, where her mentor was David Adams Richards. Her first novel, Things Go Flying, was shortlisted for the 2009 Sunburst Award. She won the Globe and Mail’s Great Toronto Literary Project contest, and was shortlisted for the 2006 CBC Literary Awards. Her second novel, Happiness Economics, was published in September, 2011. She lives in Toronto and is currently at work on her third novel.

Wednesday 12

1. Toronto Library Talk: Robert J. Sawyer interviews William Gibson
Where: Toronto Public Library (Toronto Reference Library)
When: Thursday, January 12, 2012 (doors open at 6:00 p.m. / interview at 7:00 p.m.)
(SOLD OUT)

2. Toronto Libarary Talk: Black Holes are like Kinder Surprises and Other Short Stories from the Universe
Where: Gerrard/Ashdale
When: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
This program has been postponed and rescheduled to Thursday January 12th at 7 p.m.

Hear stories of the Big Bang, dark matter, dark energy,
extra-dimensions, parallel universes, quantum computers, and more. Join us as we host the very engaging Johannes Hirn from the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Toronto.

Sunday 15

Space-Time Continuum SFF Discussion Group
Where: Bakka Phoenix Books, 84 Harbord Street
When: 1 pm
Topic: The Year's Best Science Fiction : Twenty-Sixth Annual Collection (2009) edited by Gardner Dozois

Wednesday 18

Toronto Library Talk: Black Holes are like Kinder Surprises and other Short Stories from the Universe
Where: Don Mills Auditorium
When: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Stories of the Big Bang, dark matter, dark energy, extra-dimensions, parallel universes, quantum computers and much more! Join us for a lively talk with the engaging Johannes Hirn from the University of Toronto's Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Saturday 21

Book Launch for Alyxandra Harvey's BRIAR ROSE

 Where: Bakka-Phoenix Books (84 Harbord St)

When: 3pm

[I got this event from Lloyd Penney's email event list.  It's not listed on the Bakka-Phoenix site, so call for confirmation: 416-963-9993]

Space Trek

Durham Improv presents an original interactive dinner theatre production, 'Space Trek',

Where: Jester's Court (279 Queen St.)

When: 6:30 PM

Tickets: $50 and include a buffet dinner. For tickets and information,visit www.durhamimprov.com or call 647-899-3342.

Space Trek, an homage to Star Trek, is an interactive dinner theatre production. "It has the feel of the Tim Allen movie Galaxy Quest," explains writer/director Stephanie Herrera in a press release. "Our show is set at amini sci-fi convention where the actors from an 80's TV show are spending time with their fans in Port Perry. This interaction with the audience is comprised of dinner with the stars as well as a Q and A and autograph session. Throughout the night, the characters start revealing their true personalities as their walls come down, with hilarious comical chaos. This mini convention will be complete with a merchandise table, an overzealous host and sci-fi groupies." "Everyone in the cast just loves the whole sci-fi genre, we are fascinated by the people who immerse themselves in the culture and above all, we love improvising with a live audience," she adds. "It's a show for people who love Star Trek and even for people who hate it, there's something for everyone."  

Thursday 26

oronto Library Talk: Robert A. Douglas

Where: Palmerston Branch
7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
In "That Line of Darkness: The Shadow of Dracula and the Great War", Robert A. Douglas talks about how the current appeal of the Gothic is rooted in the late nineteenth century.

Saturday 28

11th annual Klingon Assault Group Feast!   

Where: ? [I was notified of this event via Lloyd Penney's email list, no location was mentioned and I couldn't find details for the event on the KAG site]

When: Time: 5:00pm until 11:00pm

Cost: detailed below

As usual, the menu will be heavy on the Klingon food, with an eye towards items that can actually be eaten by humans. The incredible qIjtoQ will be in command of the kitchen this year, so those of you who were at the KAG party at SFContario know how good it's going to be!To cover the cost of the food, we will be charging admission.

There will be a graduated entrance fee: 

$10 for costumed KAG members (if you are a member of KAG, and you wear what you usually wear for Klingon events)

$12 for other costumed fan groups (if you are a member of a group such as the 501st, SFI, SG16, or TSS, and dress appropriately, or in club shirts for those whose armor makes it hard to sit or eat)

$15 for non costumed fans (everyone else; if you have a costume but are not part of one of the clubs I named, contact me privately beforehand)

In addition to the food and drink, there will be several entertainments,including an interclub trivia challenge, filk singing, and more!

Space Trek

Durham Improv presents an original interactive dinner theatre production, 'Space Trek',

Where: Jester's Court (279 Queen St.)

When: 6:30 PM

Tickets: $50 and include a buffet dinner. For tickets and information,visit www.durhamimprov.com or call 647-899-3342.

Space Trek, an homage to Star Trek, is an interactive dinner theatre production. "It has the feel of the Tim Allen movie Galaxy Quest," explains writer/director Stephanie Herrera in a press release. "Our show is set at amini sci-fi convention where the actors from an 80's TV show are spending time with their fans in Port Perry. This interaction with the audience is comprised of dinner with the stars as well as a Q and A and autograph session. Throughout the night, the characters start revealing their true personalities as their walls come down, with hilarious comical chaos. This mini convention will be complete with a merchandise table, an overzealous host and sci-fi groupies." "Everyone in the cast just loves the whole sci-fi genre, we are fascinated by the people who immerse themselves in the culture and above all, we love improvising with a live audience," she adds. "It's a show for people who love Star Trek and even for people who hate it, there's something for everyone."  

Monday 30

Toronto Library Talk: Professor David Klausner discusses the Canterbury Tales
Where: Deer Park Program Room - 2nd Floor
When: 2:00 p.m.
Join Professor Klausner of the Medieval Studies of U of T as he takes us on a medieval pilgrimage to Canterbury. Professor Klausner will use the original pilgrim stories to paint a portrait of the social, political and religious climate of the time. Register in person or at 416-393-7657.