The SPOKE Daily » Karen Lo

You’ll Laugh and Cry

Karen Lo — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:47:45 +0000

Paper cut artwork by Owen Gildersleeve. So beautifully designed it makes me smile.

Ask Ting Ting

Karen Lo — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:25:49 +0000

In a fast-paced metropolis, convenience plays a vital role in its daily operations. This is why Mobile Guide (HK) Limited is introducing Ask Ting Ting, the most comprehensive and practical guide to help travelers discover the best of Hong Kong. Ask Ting Ting, due to launch this coming August, functions both as an electronic city guide and mobile device that contains over 40 video tours and a database of recommended destinations from historic sites to limelight districts. Ask Ting Ting is available across all premium hotels in Hong Kong and comes with a local SIM card – essential to avoid any occurrence of data roaming fees. Users can also enjoy free local calls and unlimited Internet and email access. A built-in camera allows instant sharing of snapshots and its web-based content management system allows instant news feed on the latest attractions and events. Ting Ting is brought to live by the charming actress/celebrity host, Sarah Lian. Always perfectly attired in wardrobe sponsored by Shanghai Tang, Ting Ting will inform users with fun facts and cultural trivia as she explores the city’s hotspots. The Dim Sum guide is one of the highlighted features which shows photos of menu items with captions in English and Chinese to familiarize users with Hong Kong’s world-famous brunch cuisine. Other thoughtful features include the GPS maps and the ‘Take Me Home’ feature that provides users with the most direct route from their current position to their hotel. Addresses are displayed in English and Chinese to facilitate local taxi drivers. Get the preview here! Check out this article for more detail on Ask Ting Ting.

Beefeater 24 Tea Salon @ Brassaii

Karen Lo — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:26:51 +0000

“Like a typical London day, it began with tea” – and what better way for Beefeater 24 to make their debut in Toronto? On July 13, Brassaii was transformed into a whimsical tea salon where Toronto media and elites were invited to taste the London bred botanical gin. The experience begins with greetings from the Red Carpet Lady on the patio and continues with entertainment by the Madhatter, mime maid, and pirouetting ballerinas in the main room. To encapsulate the gin’s original inspiration, the drink menu featured five perfect gin and tea concoctions complemented by giant cupcakes and chocolate domes accompanying other dainty delectables. Here are our favorite moments from the party… Photography by Christian Carter @ SPOKE

Parade Top 10

Karen Lo — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:21:02 +0000

30 years and still walking proud. Look~ the ballerina from SPOKE Play was in the march! See the rest here!

Pre-Pride Must-See

Karen Lo — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:09:31 +0000

With the 30th Toronto Pride Parade just around the corner, it’s time for another reminder of the importance of protected sex. Check out this beautifully animated AIDS awareness campaign by AIDES in France and help spread this positive message out to the community! Credits: Agency: TBWAParis Creative director: Erik Vervroegen Copywriters: Véronique Sels and Eve Roussou Agency producer: Christine Bouffort Production: Wanda Productions Film director: Wilfrid Brimo 3D: Mikros Image Music: “Sugar baby love” by The Rubettes (Universal Music) Thanks for the post, DAA!

LIVE: FanXchange Facebook App

Karen Lo — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:54:09 +0000

In an ongoing effort to engage and generate new users for FanXchange.com, SPOKE has launched the FanXchange Facebook App last week. The app is a hybrid of Facebook and FanXchange interface to make the experience more adaptable for new users while demonstrating the range of ticket inventory and effectiveness of the FanXchange ticket engine. Start your FanXchange x Facebook experience by clicking the button below!

Thompson Hotel Opening Party

Karen Lo — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:08:15 +0000

The Thompson Hotel Toronto opened doors last Thursday on June 17 to celebrate with the city’s A-list celebrities and trendsetters. Guests ranged from Jeanne Becker, Ben Mulroney and wife Jessica Brownstein, Nicole Holness from MTV Live, and the notorious 13 year old fashion blogger, Tavi Gevinson. SPOKE was there, too – to bring the party to you! Upon entry, guests are given a “passport” to help them explore the hotel. Each destination features a either a performer or a signature drink or both. 1st Floor The Lobby Bar features DJ Tony from the Ellen DeGeneres Show who turned on the grooves and got Toronto social elites boogieing all night. The Counter was a 50s style diner featuring Canadian Idol Winner, Melissa O’Neil, and a crew of greasers who entertained the guests with a little dance number. On the way to The Counter, you’ll pass by a shop-size gift box with cool little gadgets and play things. The Roof Top A truly breathtaking view of the city’s skyline from the 16th floor, the Roof Top featured DJ Alex Merrell and refreshing mojitos. It happened to be sunset when we got up there and the sky was painted gold with glowing hues of lilac and blue. Models were lounging about the pool area in Jessica Brownstein’s new swimwear collection. Lower Lobby The Lounge of 1812 features a B-Boy crew, but the real spotlight belongs to the lingerie models who gave away free thongs and lured guests into the Wellington Room to enjoy a pillow fight tournament (make sure you scroll to the bottom!) There’s no getting out without a lasting impression and a few feathers stuck in your hair.

VISITS: Jack White’s Third Man Records

Karen Lo — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:47:14 +0000

SPOKE’s Rachel Noonan stopped by Jack White’s Third Man Records on her way to the Bonnaroo Festival last weekend in Nashville, TN. Currently run as a record store, record label, and all-in-one production house equipped with a rehearsal and photo studio, darkroom, and production office and distribution center, Third Man Records’ mandate is to keep turntables alive. So who says there’s nothing to see in Nashville? Check out their website here.

DAA New Condom Ad

Karen Lo — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:39:53 +0000

Yup, Fashion Against Aids did raise awareness for AIDS prevention programs – at least for me it did. Just checked out DAA’s website and look what they have up! Ohhhh SNAP!!!!!

Fashion Against Aids with H&M Prelaunch Party

Karen Lo — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:00:58 +0000

H&M just launched their 3rd Fashion Against AIDS campaign on June 3 in Toronto and revealed their first ever festival collection under their Divided line the night before. 25% of the profit goes to AIDS awareness campaigns: Designers Against AIDS, YouthAIDS, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, and the United Nations Population Fund. The collection in store stretches from safari to rock for boys and girls, head to toe. While MTV’s Movie Night host, Johnny Hockin, was not spinning the night away, Bedouin Soundclash filled the store with a mellow flow of reggae tunes.