This coming weekend is Maximum Efficiency Crew‘s 12 year anniversary. If you’ve been following this blog from time, you’ll remember that I did photo coverage of their weekend long festivities last year. It’s crazy to reminisce upon last year’s anniversary — it was unexpectedly one of the dopest weekends I’ve ever had in Toronto. Insane battles, crazy parties, and too many laughs. The MEC boys have truly become my homebways. Every Granby Mansion jam, every party I work at in this city, these boys are always there to support and come through. I’ve had enough drunken real talk love talk moments with these guys and I know if I ever needed anyone to be roughed up, I have them to call. (Although, I would never want to inflict physical pain upon anyone as a means of retaliation, it’s nice to know I have that potential option. Lol.)

[Miss Carmela Antonio and I at her private Paper Dolls EP Release Party!]

Here’s another video part of our Carmela Antonio Sessions! We filmed this back during Michael’s birthday anniversary, and wanted to do a special tribute to him. I love this. I love Carmela’s rendition of this song. Video after the jump, enjoy!

Here’s the third installment of the Carmela Antonio Sessions! Thursday is her private EP Release party which I’m stoked to attend at this secret location. Oooooooh. Check the video after the jump.

Here’s part two of the Carmela Antonio Sessions, her singing a track called “Don’t You Worry” off her new Paper Dolls EP. Hollerate if you Appreciate. Check the video below, homes.

[My Christmas present from Giles, paper toy monster Squitter]

You may or may not have seen this white man, constantly frequenting various art shows, hip hop parties, and always… always dressed to impress. He’s truly a ninja of all forms — weaving in and out of different cultural niches of this city, while keeping up an ambiguous identity that leaves you curious of his mystery. Giles Monette is either a name well-known or a face you swear you’ve seen around before. Chances are, you aren’t wrong about that assumption. Most people wonder what Giles is all about, but the truth is, Giles is about a lot of things. He is a maven of knowledge when it comes to all things music, arts, and culture related. He’s introduced me to so many restaurants, parties, coffee shops, and biking short cuts that I owe most of my downtown savvy to this man. More than that, he has become one of my dearest friends, a mentor, and someone I always turn to for advice.

Oh, oops, sahhhhrrrrryyy. I just can’t help that these look SO FRICKIN GOOOD!!!! Giles Monette X Lovehard = the Lovehard Monsty, baby. YUP.

[On the set of “House Party”]

This past week I had to shoot my 2.5 minute solo production where I had to write, storyboard, block, and produce my own script. I never really took in how much we’ve actually been learning in Intermediate EFP this past semester. The great thing about RTA is that from day one were we all thrown right into it, getting handed off our own camera and equipment to play with… I can’t wait for next year to take Advanced EFP! Bigger and badder productions, baby. Stay tuned for the finished piece… you might recognize a few familiar faces;)

[the beautiful KG]

It’s been a little more than a week since the much hyped about event that I was promoting all of August — The Love Affair. I unfortunately didn’t have my camera on me during the night of the event (I know, right? So unlike me…) so I was waiting to steal some photos off of the photographer who was hired for the night of the event. Honestly, this Slick Nick guy really does live up to his name. I love these pictures!! They’re so vivacious and really captured some candid moments, especially of the performers.

In search for white freezies and iced coffee beverages, Addie, aka Miss G, and I perused Liberty Village, an unfamiliar area of downtown Toronto for me. I enjoyed the absence of sidewalks and these adorable cafes/bars/restos that seemed to cater itself to the young professionals that resided in the area.

Upon exiting the Remix Project studio, Addie filled me in on what she’s been doing there for the past four months — recording and producing her own mixtape album, the Best of Both Worlds, incorporating her spoken word poetry and new found dabble into rapping as an emcee. Born the same year as me, it was wicked to bond with another fellow young woman who’s out to take over Toronto with her passion and words.

“So, do you like smoking hooka?” I asked the unidentifiable mixed woman sitting comfortably on what we’ve dubbed at the Granby Household as “The Pimp Chair”. “Yeah! I love Shisha!” Tacha exclaimed, bouncing in her seat almost as excitedly as her tight ringlets of curly dark brown hair. Setting up my hooka machine, also known as “Bejewzled”, I got Tacha to break it down for me what mixes in her family has given her such a unique look. Unable to truly remember at this moment, Tacha is made up of at least 5 different nationalities, and by just looking at her, you wonder how one has such beautiful tight locks, freckles, ivory skin and dark eyes.