Have you ever been walking downtown in your suit or dinner dress thinking “I wish I could find somewhere with low prices but I wouldn’t look out of place in these fancy clothes.” Well Improv in Toronto wanted to solve that problem.

On November 19th we met up in Queens Park, dressed to the nines and headed out to a local fast food restaurant.

We prepared the proper signage and made sure we had the clean tablecloths and shiny silver cutlery.

We sent ahead a Maitre’d and some waiters to reserve tables and then sent in the first diners.

[youtube width=”853″ height=”480″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSGtqeLMYrg&context=C42ee185ADvjVQa1PpcFMY75TZVnXbXQIrbd0ZfurCZQGY29gYJrA=[/youtube]

Once the diners had ordered, it was time to seat them.

Unfortunately one thing we weren’t able to get rid of was the line.

Once the guests were seated…

…we got the music flowing

Everyone had a great meal. Classy and cheap.

If you were at the event or saw it happening, we want to hear from you. Leave a comment below.

Pictures By:

Will Penman. Full album here

More pictures on the Improv in Toronto Facebook page

With the holidays quickly approaching, it is common for us to become centered on spending money and time on the people we know and love. We’re going to ask you to switch that up, and to put some time into brightening a strangers day. Because not everyone has that family member or friend to go to during the holiday season.

This is a global event! To participate outside of Toronto continue here: http://giftsforstrangers.org/?page_id=17

And please check out the video from last years event: http://youtu.be/A5-GDm_gjug

The idea of the mission is as simple as the name. We ask you to either make gifts or buy affordable presents. Spend whatever you think is reasonable ($1 items are fine!), or just make the gifts yourself! The more important part, is thinking about what type of gift would make you smile, and bring that to life.

It could be something you create, like visual art, a poem, or a mix CD. Or a something you owned or purchased for relatively cheap, like a yo-yo, teddy bear, or a good book. Just remember, be creative, and make it personal! And please NO baked goods.

Wrap each present individually! Along with each gift, we ask you to write a personal card. Write a heart-felt message. Something honest and open. And make sure to include “From one stranger to another, Happy Holidays”.

Make as many gifts as you like. And keep track of what is in each one. So that you can hand it out to the right age/gender/type of person.

The details:

When: 3pm, December 17th, 2011.
Where: Meeting at Nathan Phillips Square, north side of the skating rink.
What happens: We’ll be going around the downtown core giving presents to anyone and everyone, especially those who look like they need it.
RSVP: Facebook Event

After receiving a ton of interest from those who watched our Gifts for Strangers video.
We’ve realized many people want to run the event in their own city.

We have now started up a website specifically for that purpose:
http://giftsforstrangers.org

It is still under heavy construction. But the idea is that, we can more easily spread the movement!
Join the mailing list there, so we can more easily get this going!

 

Imagine this. A single ninja, standing silently by himself. Beside him sits a sign urging people to fight. Walking along the pathway, you notice said ninja, the sign, and lastly a foam sword laying at your feet. You pick it up.

Seemingly from thin air, ninjas appear.

 

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A fine dining experience…in a fast food restaurant.

When: Saturday, November 19, 3pm
Where: Queen’s Park, at the Horseman statue
What to bring: A WHITE tablecloth, white ceramic plate, cutlery and a wine glass (only one tablecloth necessary for groups of up to 4).
What to wear: Please come in formal or semi-formal attire.

After meeting at Queens Park we will be heading out in groups to the fast food location. Each group will enter and purchase something to eat. Next they will find a location in the restaurant, and set up their table cloth. Lastly, food will be transferred to plates, and drinks put into wine glasses.

From there, bon appetit! Should there be any problems, waiters will be on hand to serve you.

Invite your friends, and rsvp on the facebook event.