Getting a Fashion Tune-Up on Ossington at Rolly's Garage Night Market
When I was in Thailand a few months ago, one of my favourite parts of the visit was a long night spent wandering through the Chiang Mai night market. The casual/festive feel, and all the treats available made for an entertaining evening of shopping and socializing - just the vibe that event producers Tiffany Naval and Robin Orbeta-Lacambra wanted to bring to their new series of night markets, which kicked off this week at Rolly's Garage.
"Back in the Phillippines, there are lots of markets at night that allow artists to showcase their talent," said Naval.
"We wanted to do something unconventional," Orbeta-Lacambra said. "That's why we wanted it in the garage!"
The garage is owned by Orbeta-Lacambra's father, who rents the space to her for events (and still tinkers on cars there part-time, post-retirement). She hopes to host the event monthly during the summer, as well as once in a while throughout the fall and winter. "Things look more magical at night - it adds a surreal feel to it," Orbeta-Lacambra said. "And this way you can vibe with each other, and actually talk to the artists."
The artists in attendance varied widely. There was Contra, selling their ehlife tees, and Melissa Clemente with her wall of feather earrings and rope necklaces, while Good Blood Bad Blood caught people on their way in and out with their door-side table stacked with strange - yet very interesting - tees.
Event-goers guzzled $4 drinks and nibbled on baked goods from My Happy Cupcake while trying on E.E.L.'s hipster-neckwarmers made from upcycled designer duds and pawing through the pile of Brazen Hussy bikinis.
Surreal, indeed, but in the best way.
Comments (15)
if people who complain about gentrification of this hood get off their high horses and actually do something about what they're moaning about we'd have more events like this. hopefully great ideas like this continue to happen! good buy!
Who's complaining about the gentrification? Less stabbings and crackheads? Fine with me. I own a house on Oss a block north of Dundas and the only thing that bothers me is the 3 AM screaming idiots stumbling past my open windows. Still, the gentrification is doing wonders for my property value.
Yes, that seems to be the missing info. I would love to attend the next one! Please post an addendum with a website or facebook link or something ... Thank you!
Ossington is what it is today, and a year from now will be different again. Many of the establishments opening now will be gone in year or two anyway, so go out and support them while they are there instead of complaining. Cities change, areas develop, scenesters lead and trendoids follow. Nothing new.
To find out about future Night Markets join the Rolly's Garage Facebook group:
Oh my oh my.
A huge thanks to Briony & Carl for such beautiful coverage of the night market.
And thanks to all of the supporters of Rolly's Garage. We've been facing some heavy resistance, but the overwhelming love makes it worth the necessary challenges.
Email info@rollysgarage.com to join the mailing list.
Join the Facebook Group.
Follow us on Twitter.
Come by and visit.
Much love to the lovers.
i stumbled upon this market by chance and had a really amazing time.
drank some lemonade.
ran into a long lost amiga.
bought myself a beautiful necklace and ring from Melissa Clemente for an incredible price.
(i get so many compliments by the way.)
and enjoyed some killer music.
this event makes toronto infinitely cooler and i am glad i got to be a part of it. i would love to see more events like this around the city.
check out my pics here.... http://aperfectdisguise.blogspot.com/2009/06/rollys-garage.html
NOV 5th: Rolly's has to close.
SAVE ROLLY's by voting at the Aviva Community Fund: http://ourfuturehasnoviolenceagainstwomen.blogspot.com/2009/11/saving-rollys-garage.html
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