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CONTACT FESTIVAL x PREVIEW x STEVE CARTY

// April 22nd, 2010 // No Comments » // Art, Events

Grade Scool is happy to be helping with the presentation of one of this year’s featured exhibits for the CONTACT photography festival. Partnering with the folks from Hermann & Audrey we have collectively built what will be a must see piece of the 2010 version of North America’s largest photography festival. The show runs from May 5th through 29th and we will be sharing a plenty about what is happening between now and then. To start, we thought we’d share one of the most notable collaborations happening for the exhibit from Steve Carty and Skam.

Check out this dope preview video of their creations for CONTACT and have a read below to learn about the direction and inspiration Carty lined up with arguably Toronto’s most famous graffiti artist.

I’ve been collaborating with graffiti artists, painters and a flashlight for nearly 5 years. This year i decided to bring it to the Contact festival with my series, Lightworkers.

By choosing to collaborate with a most accomplished graffiti artist, Skam as well as painters Jon Todd and Kwame Delfish, I put the flashlights in capable hands. The result is a body of photographs shot both in studio and on location that have the depth of a still as well as a feeling of motion as you follow the light trails through the image.

I took a unique approach with my session with Skam. Graffiti art has always been seen as vandalism, and although Skam never paints anywhere he isn’t hired to paint anymore, the roots of graffiti still lay in the underground, painting clean walls with murals and tags, often leading to arrests and neighbourhood cleanups.

On the other hand, the graffiti Skam creates with a flashlight only exist within my photograph. The entire experience is captured in a single frame. Light trails. Removed from all things except light itself, drawn once, in space over time, and saved forever. A perfect collaboration between artist and photographer.

Choosing a cross section of downtown locations, i tried to give Skam the room to work with the flashlight in ways that he was comfortable as well as forcing him to be in an overall situation that he has never been, not being able to see what he was painting.

Styrofoam Ones x Canadian Music Week

// March 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events, Music

Our favourite Toronto pop punk noir trio hits the stage Wednesday night to kick off Toronto’s Canadian Music Week. This will be the dawn of a big year for Josh McGuirk and Alexander The, the two founding members of the group. Rumour has it that Daniel Lee of Hooded Fang will be holding down the set on drums and guest performances by Sarah Shafey and Tanika Charles will make this a must see of the entire festival. Don’t miss out. 9pm tomorrow at The Roosevelt Room.

This is best live dance party on the market today. You hear that Woodhands! I said it. You guys are good too though.

TONIGHT x HORSESHOE TAVERN x STYROFOAM ONES

// February 18th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events, Music

Be here tonight. Or you probably don’t like music or kittens. Don’t be caught getting called a kitten hater and we will see you on the dance floor.

Simon says get the fuck up.

That Perfect Valentine’s Gift

// February 11th, 2010 // No Comments » // Art, Events, Issue, Music

Toronto’s The REMIX Project has put together an awesome Valentine’s Day fundraising campaign that you should jump on for that last minute gift idea. Drake’s DJ, Future The Prince and Styrofoam Ones’ Josh McGuirk (aka J Charles) have donated exclusive mixtapes and paired up with photographer Yasmine James to offer donors an awesome package to tell someone you care. For a $20 donation to REMIX you can have a mixtape and photo card of your choice delivered by email to your sweetheart Sunday morning. Visit the site, be a digital hero/romantic & jump on this very cool project for a very cool cause.

What are you doing Valentine’s Day?

// February 5th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events

Introducing Mae to Jun and their Valentine’s event.

Little Dragon x Blinking Pigs Video

// November 16th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Events, Music

I am in love with her; who needs a budget when you have cutie fans. Wednesday night at Wrongbar Toronto, close your eyes to the track live and picture this video! Maylee Todd playing with Little Dragon at Wrongbar Wednesday. Yep!

To be fair, here is an actual video for Little Dragon’s Twice.

Wall of Light: Interactive Graffiti with Tagtool

// November 10th, 2009 // No Comments » // Art, Events

Came across this amazing video showcasing Tagtool, a performance art instrument that projects live illustration and animation onto walls with a laptop, drawing tablet, and gamepad.

The Wall of Light was a ten day event in York, UK, showcasing Tagtool performances by a number of various artists and free-for-all sessions.

Aviva Community Fund x Rolly’s Garage

// November 3rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Art, Events, Issue

It is a rare and special thing when a physical space can be offered to multiple creators to promote their ideas, wares, efforts in a place where the art comes first and the venue comes second. Rolly’s Garage was an auto-mechanic garage for over 2 decades but this past year the space has undergone quite the transformation. Becoming home to emerging and established artists of all sorts, Rolly’s Garage is an art venue free of pretentious vibes and chalk full of good ones. Rolly’s daughter {Robin Orbeta-Lacambra} and her partner in good vibes {Tiffany Naval} are dedicated to celebrating the arts in whatever form they come, making it accessible and proving to aspiring artists that it is possible to make a career out of their craft. Rolly’s has hosted such a wide array of creative events, ranging from art exhibitions to plays and crazy parties, giving artists of all kinds a safe space to realize their dreams, adding to the diverse cultural fabric of Toronto.

But as with all great things, some hard work lays ahead to make the future as bright as possible. The space needs some renovations, it needs to meet code and it needs to be rebuilt to officially become the space it has already inspired so many to see it as. Rolly’s Garage has become a hub for a phenomenal Toronto community, a group of inspirational artists that are constantly growing and collaborating and working to better the arts and culture in this city.

Grade Scool very much supports Rolly’s Garage for the Aviva Community Fund. The task at hand is simple. We need to rally the troops and VOTE ONLINE everyday for two weeks. A tiresome task we know for you web weary surfers, but if you can see the value in the project as we do, sign up and vote for Rolly’s Garage for hte Aviva Community Fund at http://bit.ly/t8ayJ

Even better would be to tell your friends on Twitter and Facebook to do the same.

Life Cycles – A Custom Vintage Bicycle Photography Exhibit

// October 2nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Art, Events

DJ Mensa X Manifesto Festival

// September 17th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events, Music

Download the Official Manifesto Festival Mixtape Here (right click, save as)

Our friend DJ Mensa has been hard at work to bring you yet another classic mixtape to help work that kink out of your neck. The mixtape features key artists that will be performing at this years Manifesto, a festival that celebrates the vibrant community and culture of hip hop music. The event started yesterday and will go until the 20th with events going all week that include a 3 floor art show, b-boy battles, a film festival and a free concert in Nathan Phillips Square with Talib Kweli and Hi Tek. Check out the poster below for more details.

It’s a Sunday Scool party! Hope to see you there.

// September 11th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events, Music

Visit the Facebook event page by clicking on the image above.

Saturday (tommorow) – The Last Night Market of the Season

// August 28th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events

Make sure to come stop by 124 Ossington Ave tomorrow for the last night market of the season. These parties are great. Good people, cool stuff for sale (including Grade Scool tees) and from what I hear there will be some very special guests throughout the night. Very much hope to see you all out.

RAEKWON x FIVE & DIME CONTEST

// August 13th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Clothing, Events

Five & Dime is Toronto’s very own life style fashion trade show featuring many of the most innovative and stylish culture based brands. This year to kick off the show, Five & Dime and LRG are presenting Raekwon at Sound Academy on Saturday night with their “Get Nautical” VIP Schooner Sail (boat cruise) from 7 to 11pm. The boat will bring you back just as Raekwon steps on the stage. Walk your VIP ass down the plank and into the show. Not a bad night at all.

We have a pair of passes to give away to both!

Real simple, to win you must email info(at)gradescool.com with your answer to the following question.

List the original members of the Wu-Tang Clan.

All emails with the correct names listed will be entered into a random draw that will be held Friday (tomorrow) afternoon at 4pm.

Ready. Set. Go!

GRADE SCOOL CONTEST – YOUTH IN REVOLT SCREENING

// July 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events

We have 6 passes for two to give away to an exclusive screening of Michael Cera’s new movie YOUTH IN REVOLT. The screening is this Wednesday July 29th at 7pm at the Royal Theater on College Street in Toronto.  The first six people to email info@gradescool.com will win the passes. Contest closes Wednesday at noon, if it lasts that long.

Saturday in the City.

// July 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events

We have a really fun Saturday lined up, and you should probably come along for the ride. If you have a chance, check either and both of these events out tomorrow. Grade Scool tees will be on sale at Rolly’s night market (see below). See you soon, enjoy your weekend.

During The Day

During the Night

31 Hours Without You

// June 27th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Events, Music

Words by: Monika Lynn
Photography by: Alex Felipe

By The End of it all, I was licking my paws, trying to taste the weekend again. All over, the city was screaming. Summer had FINALLY begun! Although, lets not get too ahead of ourselves, as the nights before still felt so young.

It all started off on a Thursday night. Zero down, four to go. The first nightly affair of the NXNE Music Festival was held at Wrong Bar- 1279 Queen St. W. It was then, that the animal kingdom was unleashed for the weekend, as Times Neue Roman & Santa Guerrilla took the stage by claws. With Arowbe howling at the crowd, it only encouraged Alexander The to start scratching out our ears with his keyboard sounds. And just when I thought that it couldn’t get any better, in came Romeo Candido on the Kulintang and Kevin Centeno on the Gong. But it wouldn’t have been made possible with out Mr. Hands himself, who drummed out the pace while the guys stomped through the crowd. It was truly a musical feast that I just couldn’t get enough of.

Friday. It had been 24 hrs since last feed, so I headed over to Styrofoam Ones’ 3:00 AM show at the “Dirty” Underground to see what I could find. After entering, I could see all the pairs of eyes, just glimmering in the dark; waiting for new prey. I knew what I was getting myself into that night. Styrofoam Ones is ALWAYS a full 3-course meal. For starters, the crowd was teased by the lash of the keys from Alexander The. Compelling enough, this was followed by Josh McGuirk’s main dish of mouth buzzing bass. It was then that the wild cat hopped on stage, trying to pick up all the shredded meat around her. However, the meal was not completed until the crowd felt the impact of ClayJones’ drumming on our taste buds. I was electrified by sounds. And knowing what lurked ahead of me for the following day- the show was definitely enough to get me through the night.

Saturday. Rain rain, why must you stay? The mud in my nails was almost becoming to much for me to handle. I needed a quick fix, and I needed it now. I could smell the meat burning out on the grills as I strutted towards Rolly’s Garage- 124 Ossington Ave on a Saturday afternoon. Two down, two to go I thought. With the lemonade and the youngsters, Rolly’s Garage was the purrfect place for some tasty fresh meat. Times Neue Roman hit the stage with a scholar-styled flare, slapping the crowd with plaid and tasty lyrics. As I was watching the performance, I couldn’t help but notice the creatures on the walls. I could tell that they weren’t from this world; Cyclopsidy must be an adornment in the land where they came from. I needed rest if I was going to make it through the night. But I knew that was not an option.

It was 4:00AM on Sunday morning, as we hurdled towards our final destination. And no, that is not a typo- 4:00AM is correct. It was an After Hours party over at 204 Spadina Ave. The Door Upstairs. We didn’t know what to expect. Although I had a slight feeling that I was going to see some Vampires that night. As TNR was getting ready to perform, I could see the fangs hanging out of Toronto’s mouth. Sharp, hungry & ready to pierce. Myself and the pack had the “Oooh!!’s” on point, as we couldn’t help but howl back to Arowbe’s wailing through out the night. Alexander The lifted the cowbell high, so that everyone could hear the call of the morning sun. Summer solstice. And friendly celebrations; it was the perfect time for new blood. Everyone was dripping of it. And as the sun made it’s entrance, and the vampires got out before they turned into stone, it was then that we knew we had made it. Made it through the dark. Made it through the rain. And all that was left was the after-mathematic pain of recovery. At least that’s what I thought…

Coming back to the cave at 8.30AM, I knew that rest wouldn’t suffice the feeling of anticipation for 10:00AM. Although the guys were done screaming through the city, I had one more task that lay ahead of me at this point. Steve Carty’s studio- Studio 405- On King St. W. was MY final destination. GradeScool was waiting for me. And I, was now the prey. The cameras were lurking around me. Seeing through me, into my urban soul. Every T-Shirt I was shoved into, had it’s own story. And with the sounds of Erykah Badu, and the rest of the 90’s Hip Hop plays, the camera flashed and the teachings of Gradescool had begun. A new pack was made. There was 7 of them. Each one different from the next. And I was proud. I started to reminisce for a slight second in time, as I watched the clock tick on the wall. It had been 31 hours without you, and I was ready to fall-
ASLEEP.

For more information on the above, please visit :

http://www.timesneueroman.com

http://www.styrofoamones.com

http://www.rollysgarage.com

http://www.alexfelipe.com

You can also check out Times Neue Roman & Styrofoam Ones on Facebook & Twitter!!
I promise, they don’t bite.

Rest In Power Michael

// June 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events, Music

Jokes always beat rocks! Or so they would have you believe…

// June 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Comedy, Events

Frenzy is a Toronto based sketch comedy group that has been tearing it up with laughter in bars, clubs and festivals  for the last number of years. Made up of five individually hilarious looking characters Frenzy comes equipped with this quirky, sometimes dark, somewhat off beat, Saturday Night Live like sketch routine that will get you to break out your most embarassing of chuckles.

Frenzy’s actors are well trained, and each of the five members brings a uniqueness that makes complete sense when performing as a whole. The comedy wavers from the ridiculous to the macabre and each set will take you to both of those laughable extremes.

The most I have laughed in a long time, came a couple years ago at a Frenzy Show in a skit titled Sock Fight. It’s a rare thing when you can say you enjoyed going into a dimly lit room where five grown men, dressed only in diapers, wrestled one another on stage with the purest of emotions with the goal of being the last man wearing a sock. I believe Miguel won, and I havnt stopped giggling about it since. It is these simplest of actions coupled with an impressive depth of wit, creativity and stage focus that make Frenzy’s comedy a wildly entertaining night out.

Frenzy performs this week on Thursday (June 25th) at Comedy Bar. Go to 945 Bloor St, just across the street from Ossington subway station. The Show starts at 10pm and costs $10.00

As a taste for what’s in store tomorrow night, watch this Frenzy piece about a Bee and a Monster in a well.

Let the lens explain.

// June 19th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events, Music

We will let the photography of Alex Felipe show how Thursday night at NXNE went down for the grade scoolers. Shots are taken from the Times Neue Roman/Santa Guerilla performance at Wrong Bar a part of the Fuzzy Logic Showcase.

The show was savage, as Times Neue Roman rocked the house with their electro infused melodies and lyrical lashings. Arowbe entertained the crowd with is his impeccable rhymes while Alexander The provided the waistbending beats.

Check out more of Alex Felipe’s great photography work at http://alexfelipe.com/

Making my NXNKNEES quiver.

// June 19th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Events, Music

A team of grade scoolers hit the city last night to see how Toronto’s North by Northeast would kick off its 15th go at the popular festival. Our field trip’s itenerary were generous gifts from a pair of phenomenal ladies who thanks to them lined us up for a blurry blast of a good time.

The night kicked off at the Vice and Zune party hosted at the Amsterdam brewery. Nothing like a greasy garage rock dance party fueled by complimentary Amsterdam Big Wheel ale to wet the whistle for the week. Everyone was having fun and the music was a treat.

The night began with solo man Bloodshot Bill going absolutely bananas, filling the space with a sound that would of warranted him a place on a Nuggets compilation.

Then came a very special treat as we were introduced to the first ever live performance of The Almighty Defenders. The superband made up of members from King Khan & BBQ show and the Black Lips (both in town doing their own thing tonight) rolled on stage in uniform religious gown and rocked the perfect compliment to the atmosphere that was built up around them.

We would love to share some of The Almighty Defenders music but there’s nothing online as of yet that we could find. If you have the chance to see this group perform, do it.

From Amsterdam our field trip took itself to The Drake Hotel where a DJ set by Fucked Up front man Father Damian and a late night performance by Woodhands kept us entertained until the clock struck late.

Thanks to all the performers, we were all thoroughly entertained making Thursday very difficult for most of us.

Links

Check out the back story of how King Khan met The Black Lips

Have a listen to King Khan & BBQ Show

Have a listen to Black Lips

Have a listen to Fucked Up

Have a listen to Woodhands

Have a look at this Bloodshot Bill video from a couple years back

A Funk of Fresh Air

// June 17th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events, Music

A team of Grade Scoolers were invited to check out a performance by Toronto beauty Saidah Baba Talibah last night at Trane Studio. A calm little Tuesday on the patio turned into a music overload as we were treated to a jazz/funk/soul inspired wailings by SBT and her band. The seven piece band consisting of keys, drums, cello, tuba, violin, a rocking lead guitarist (the beautiful Donna Grantis), two singers and then led by Saidah’s incredibly powerful, soulful, inspiring voice was a surefire treat in the great jazz venue that is Trane.

We were all very much impressed and strongly encourage you to check out this very talented Toronto singer.

A bonus treat for the night was the opening act that saw Brassmunk member King Reign perform an accoustic set with a drum and a male singer to accompany his poetic verse. All the boys also fell in love with DJ L’Oqenz who held down the tables in between sets.

We urge you to take a look at all of last night’s performers:

Check out Saidah Baba Talibah at www.sbtmusic.com

Check out King Reign at www.myspace.com/kingreignmusic

Check out DJ L’Oquence at www.loqenz.com

Many thanks to Alexis Finch for providing us with photography of the event. Check out the incredible photography of Alexis at www.alexisfinch.com

Times Neue Roman – Roq Roq Release

// June 15th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Events, Music

Our 8 bit bass boys Times Neue Roman have just dropped their newest single ‘Roq Roq’ which is available for digital download on iTunes now! The track will also be featured in the upcoming release of EA Sports Fight Night Round 4. Shouts to Air King on knocking the shit out of the design treatment for this one. The design draws inspiration from the always entertaining Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em robots.

Have a listen to the track here:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Annnd for those you in town this week, come shake your hips like Elvis at their NXNE Fuzzy Logic Showcase on Thursday @ Wrong Bar also featuring Dat Politcs, Kids on TV, Gravity Wave, Rod Skimmins, Peter Project and Artist of the year

FOOD INC. CONTEST

// June 11th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Events, Issue

The first two people to post a link to our website (www.gradescool.com) on their Facebook and then come back here and comment on this post will win a pass for two people to see an exclusive advance screening of Robert Kenner’s FOOD INC. The screening is Monday June 15th at 7:00 pm at Varsity Cinemas (55 Bloor Street West) in Toronto.

The screening will be followed by a special guest panel featuring experts in sustainable food and living hosted by Editor in Chief of Canadian Living Magazine, Susan Antonacci.

Many thanks to Alliance Films for the passes.

Good Luck, Eat Local.

Best of luck. See you at the show.

The Foreign Exchange @ Revival

// June 8th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events, Music

This past Friday at Revival, the Grade Scool extracurricular squad was lucky enough to score some tickets (big thnx to DJ Mensa) to a sold out show for The Foreign Exchange. The buzz for this show was epic and so was the line-up to get into the venue.

The show opened up with The Art of Fresh, a Canadian hip hop duo, made up of D.O and Slakah the Beatchild, who enticed the crowd with some hands in the air summer jams and rocked their new acoustic thumper “Campfire”.

Foreign Exchange hit the stage soon after and it was time to take the masses to church. Can I get an Amen! Phonte, with bow tie and all, was electric. He and the seven piece band which included Nicolay, Yahzarah, Zo! And Darien Brockington had the crowd grooving as they played joints from their records Connected and Leave It All Behind. Yahzareh and Darien Brockington were featured prominently throughout, although the beautiful songstress was clearly the standout as she broke from the shadows of the group and captivated audiences with her sultry solos.

Phonte was throughly entertaining adding some words of wisdom and wit between songs. The night was capped off with an impromptu jam session, that saw Phonte freestyling some Mad Cobra and Chaka Demus. Yup these guys were for real, for real. A big thank you to the Main Ingredient and the rest of the promoters for organizing a superb night of hip hop and R&B of such divine quality.

For those still unfortunate enough to be unfamiliar with The Foreign Exchange, our good friend DJ Mensa has put together a mixtape that will remedy that ailment quite fast. Click here for the download link. Enjoy!