ON THE FLOOR, ON THE STREETS, ON THE STEPS, ON THE STAGE

Still finding evidence of tenant neglect, like this wasp nest left in a window sill. But the week started with a bang (from a nail gun) and ended with a roar (from us, in the theatre). A big step in our ongoing renovation was the completion of the new hardwood floor, done in record time for Toronto: 7 days from estimate to our cleanup. The change from 1928 original to 2013 replacement is dramatic and in Pat's word --- gorgeous.

So yesterday was back to enjoying summer in the city. Our first ride on the sleek new subway cars took us to a musical triple play. First the biggest Buskerfest in North America --- Yonge Street closed off for a mile for the expected million people to laugh and marvel at hundreds of street  performers from dozens of countries. Chalk Chick, The Flying Dutchmen, The Fire Guy are all self-explanatory.  Best In Show for us was "Natural Wings" based in Australia. Three athletic, aerobatic, theatrical young women delighting the crowds with a mid-air ballet of contortions and creativity. A real wow on the asphalt. Then a few blocks over to the Canada-Cuba Friendship Salsa Fest, with toe-tapping hip-swirling Latin rhythms, where both the sun and the music were Hot-Hot-Hot. Rico! 

 Best In The Day, though, was the live concert-theatrical event "Once Upon a Dream". Eye-popping, jaw-dropping ever-changing backdrop visuals framed the band onstage --- the original Rascals, one of the most influential groups in rock 'n roll history, spanning early r 'n b to the psychedelic era. Then they disbanded for 40 years, only to be brought back to sell out Broadway (and Toronto) with their music and incredible history. The music is a warm bath of good feelings (remember "Good Lovin" or "It's A Beautiful Morning"?). Their history is an amazing tale of the times --- joy of freedom, turbulence of war, emergence of hope. We need that last one more than ever, and the audience roared for it.