Collaboratively. Creating. Toronto

Four years ago a good friend and I sat drinking beer in a 'sand pit' artwork of the contemporary art exhibit/party we were attending. As the beer flowed and we wiggled our toes in the sand our discussion turned to mutual acknowledgement (perhaps toasting) that we are 'chardonnay socialists'. Meaning that we hold many socialist ideals close to our hearts but also admit to having strong consumerist/capitalist sides. Sometimes you just have to be honest about who you are.

I have benefited from a number of Toronto's 'open' offerings including Doors Open and the Guerrilla Gardeners efforts and am an urban soul to the very core. I also think this is a great and quite interesting alternative to a traditional conference. I will also admit that I just really like the logo too.


Open source. Open space. Open art. Open doors. Open questions. Open City?

Open Cities Toronto 2007 is a weekend-long web of conversation and celebration that asks: how do we collaboratively add more ‘open’ to the urban landscape we share? You are invited to discuss, dance, discover, reconstruct and download Toronto’s potential to become an epicentre and an example of openness. Whatever we ask of a city, open must be part of the answer.

Open Cities Camp – Conversation at the CSI
An unconference where Torontonians discuss – and show – what Open Cities are about. Guerrilla gardening. Free software. Cultural mash ups. If it feels like open, this is the place to talk about it. June 23, 9:00am – 6:00pm, Centre for Social Innovation (215 Spadina).

Open Up, Chomp Down – BBQ at Fort York
A BBQ to celebrate open culture and fun in Toronto. Music. Art. Technology. Food. Drink. June 23, 5:30pm, there are rumors this might happen at Fort York

PS Kensington – Celebrate on an Open Street
What happens when we close our streets to cars and open them to people? If Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington are any indication you get more neighbourliness, creativity and smiles. You get the commons. On June 24 from noon to 7pm, PS Kensington ties in to Open Cities Toronto 2007.