Live from 12 Ossington in downtown Toronto, Hogtown Talks presents its first live debate. The subject of discussion: Is Toronto a playground for the rich? Barry moderates a formidable planel including Andray Domise, Shawn Micallef, Mackenzie Keast, and Jacquelyn West. Unwieldy topic be damned, the panel talked about the poisonous effects of gentrification, how the City has abandoned the suburbs, and Toronto’s ongoing problems with racism. They also touched on the impossiblity of owning land, culture’s ostensibly invisible impact on the poor, and what we can do to fix this place we call home—with or without City Council.
Tag Archives: Video
EPISODE 8: WRITER JOHN SEMLEY
John Semley is a freelance writer living in West Queen West. The former city editor of the A.V. Club Toronto, his writing has appeared in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and The Walrus. John and Barry also share the same barber. John spoke with us about why he hates self-identifying as a writer, reading for pain and pleasure, and The Onion‘s failure in Hogtown. He also talked about the fine line between being an asshole and a contrarian, NOW Magazine’s knack for survival, and why you don’t have to leave Toronto to be successful.
EPISODE 6: THE FILM BUFF’S SCOTT WORSLEY
Scott Worsley is the co-owner of The Film Buff, one of Toronto’s premiere movie stores, and gem on the Roncesvalles strip. When Barry heard that The Film Buff East at Queen and Greenwood was shutting down, he had to speak with Scott and pay tribute to an institution that had given so much joy to Hogtown cinephiles. Scott spoke with us about opening his small business all those years ago, curating Toronto’s best film collection, and the virtues of art house entertainment. He also talked about championing a more personal retail experience, whether Toronto deserves to call itself a movie town, and why we need a Toronto-Montreal film summit.
Here’s a trailer for this podcast
Yes, the podcast exists. Yes, the podcast is coming. And what better proof of those facts than the arrival of a trailer?
Below is a terrific video directed by Hogtown friend Bronson Allen. It’s supposed to make you excited and happy. Please enjoy.
And Rob Ford: Thanks for the memories.
Love,
Barry.