Matt Dusk in Mississauga

People were dancing in Mississauga as they watched Matt Dusk sing some of his great songs at Celebration Square.

This is our fourth time seeing Matt in concert and this was a great venue for him, including the Cavalcade of Lights in 2009. The crowd was dancing and singing along with him and at the end of the concert they screamed for an encore. We waited almost an hour to get a chance to meet him and get an autograph - he is so good with his fans that it was easy to wait to see him.

See more of the crooner after the jump.

Celebrate Bloor Street Festival

Starting in 2007 with the ever unpopular Bloor Street watermain replacement project, then the much hated Bloor Street Transformation project, the exclusive neighbourhood known as the ‘mink mile’ celebrates the renovated street during the Sunday, June 19, 2011 street festival. The festival, sponsored by the Bloor-Yorkville BIA, shut down Bloor Street between Avenue and Church to vehicular traffic, put down an enormous red carpet and threw a party.

Platinum Blonde rocks the crowd

The party included food and free musical performances by Keshia Chante, Shawn Desman, Royal Wood and Platinum Blonde.

To make things interesting there were a lot of beautiful ladies from the Miss Universe competition. Also on the carpet were ladies passing out information on the area and dressed in black with big, black hats and white rimmed sunglasses – I thought I was at the Kentucky Derby! Award winning Canadian writer and director Paul Haggis also dropped by – he started the charity ‘Artists for Peace and Justice’ and they recently focused on relief for Haiti.

There were also great displays of bodypaint where people became the canvas as they were painted like famous artworks – groovy baby, walking art. The Yorkville Exotic Car Show was also held in the area, just in case you needed new wheels. Speaking of wheels, there were a couple of big wheels attached to an IndyCar in front of William Ashley China – the race car was supported by bone china cups, on top of a spectacular dining room table. That reminds me; the Honda Indy Toronto is coming in early July! I think they will be happy that the race does not take place on Bloor Street.

Okay, time to start shopping again.

Posted by Joe Hamilton. More photos after the jump.

Shawn Desman

Models in bodypaint

Honda Indy Toronto and William Ashley

 Some of the Miss Universe ladies

Miss Universe Canada 2010 - Elena Semikina

Paul Haggis

More Platinum Blonde.

kd lang at Luminato 2011

Toronto embraced Canadian musical superstar kd lang as she played a free concert at Metro Hall as part of the fabulous activities know as Luminato. What a treat it is to see the singer work her magic on her well known hits with the band Siss Boom Bang during the Friday, June 17 event at Metro Square which also saw special guests The Belle Brigade opening for kd. It was also a pleasure to see Denise Donlon of the CBC hosting the night's concert (photo below).

The Luminato appearance is the official launch of the grammy and juno winning kd lang's latest North American tour. PS did I mention that I loved her singing Hallelujah at the opening of the 2010 Canadian Winter Olympic opening ceremony - way to represent.

So it is extremely exciting to see her in Toronto, what a score for Luminato. Thanks to Dan and Michelle from Luminato for getting us onto the press riser.

The full square takes in The Belle Brigade in advance of kd's appearance.

See more pictures after the jump.

Large screen monitors help people see kd lang perform.

Opening act Belle Brigade.

Fans jam into every available space at Metro Square.

Don't forget that Luminato still has a full weekend of activities to enjoy, so check out their website and plan your fun. Here is a giant coloured pegs with backlight installation (like a lite-brite).

Much Music Video Awards 2011 - stage setup

The incredible series of stages that have taken over the outside of the Queen Street West home of Much Music/CTV and spills out onto the adjacent streets continues to take shape. The Bieber's girlfriend - Selena Gomez will co-host the Much Music Video Award Show (MMVAs) and superstar Lady Gaga will be performing at the show. Bruno Mars and Avril Lavigne will also be singing during the Sunday, June 19, 2011 show. I would like to get seats in the SUV news truck sticking out of the side of the building.

There was a reporter from fuse (music lives) doing a spot in front of the stage construction.

See more photos after the jump.

Bick's Grill and Give BBQ

The Yonge-Dundas Square was filled with smoke as a BBQ lunch was being cooked for people helping to support Food Banks Canada on May 19, 2011. There were also celebrity challenges, live entertainment and a Raptor’s basketball team mascot dancing up a storm - all put on by Bicks, the pickle (and many other things) people.

Host Canadian Idol Judge Farley Flex (below, left) was joined by Celebrity Chef Rob Rainford (pictured at top).

Media challenge participant Alex Pierson from the Roundtable

See more pictures after the jump.

Alex and the media challenge winner

Bick's girl with the Raptors' mascot

Watching the entertainment in the Square