The line-up is finalized… and it’s excitingly long! Starting on July 23rd, our wall space will be filled up by prints and drawings of various sizes and styles by these following artists:

Yes, there’s definitely lots to see!! The opening party is on Friday, July 23rd at 8 pm onwards. The live music will start at 10 pm.

We’ll see you there, of course? Especially since attendees will receive a 15% discount for clothing, accessories and home items purchases made during the opening reception! Yes yes, we are very nice people!

P.S. You do know that all info related to Freedom’s art events is also available here right?

Recently, the retail space next door to us that had been uninhabited for months was rented out. We were quite surprised to meet our new neighbours, especially because during those unoccupied months we often daydreamed about having an organic florist, a yarn store or a fair trade independent coffee shop to call neighbour. We didn’t really know what to think, we still don’t, but we, in true FCCcrew spirit, listened when various members of the community came into Freedom to voice their disbelief, sympathy, and objection.

We realized that most of the outrage actually stems from the colour and word choice of their window display and its lack of subtlety. So, we came up with a genius idea! We are putting a positive pro-active spin on the situation and see that this could provide a fantastic opportunity for artists to create a site-specific work to be used as this store’s new window display! We approached the owners of the store with this pitch and our reasoning, and they have agreed to view some proposals.

DID YOU HEAR THAT, ARTISTS???? You may very possibly be able to have your work as a permanent site specific installation that doubles as an adult video store’s window display, viewable at all times by the Bloor West traffic. This also means that when some art-enthusiast asks you, “Where could have I seen your works before?” You can say, “Well, have you ever frequented that adult video store on Bloor and Ossington?”

Submit some sketches and a written proposal (just a quickie, no more than a page) to arts.freedomcc@gmail.com. It has to be flat and it must cover the entire window space. Nothing graphic, please – the idea is to minimize negative reaction while at the same time providing an aesthetically pleasing substitute for the in-your-face gear the store currently sports.

Measurements are two joined panels of 68″ x 115″ and 53″ x 115″.

Good luck, and have fun!! We’re super excited to see what you come up with!

For more info, please see http://lovelossonstage.ca

Freedom is excited to present this great Canadian CONTEST for all their lovely friends and neighbours!

Some basic Rules:
You will need a twitter account www.twitter.com or be on Facebook.

To enter via TWITTER:
1) You must be a follower of  Freedom Clothing Collective @Freedom_CC
2) You will need to  Retweet/RT the following message:
RT and Follow @LoveLossCanada to win tickets to http://lovelossonstage.ca in Toronto! Time to dress up! #LLaWiWCFC
3) Make sure you are a follower of @LoveLossCanada it’s the final step for your chance to win!

To enter via FACEBOOK:
1) You must “Like”/Be a member of Love, Loss, and What I Wore Toronto Fanpage
2) You must “Like”/Be a member of Freedom Clothing is the Best Fanpage
3) Post this status message on your personal account (that when done properly, will link to L,LaWiWT page and show up on its wall):
I love Freedom Clothing Collective and I want to get dressed up to go see @Love, Loss, and What I Wore Toronto Fanpage

1 Winner (from Twitter and Facebook entries. You may enter both ways to increase your chances) will be chosen in 5 days!

Bonne Chance!!

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Winner will be chosen at random from all qualifying entries.
Tickets will be held at Will Call for the winners. Prize includes 2 tickets to the show, dates TBD (most likely from July 16-21 2010). Prize does not include transportation to the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto. The winner must answer a skill testing question correctly. Winners must be over the age of consent as per province or have parental/guardian consent.

This weekend, while the world’s leaders are busy screwing up our traffic and baseball games, Freedom Clothing Collective will be celebrating its sixth anniversary in our brand new garden space. Instead of getting gassed or firehosed, why not come over and meet the neighbours? For six years, Bloorcourt has been the home to FCCcrew’s little store that could, and in appreciation, we want to put pepper on your food and not in your eyes.*
We’re having a potluck!

For the last month, the FCCcrew has been busy turning our drab, unused backyard into an urban oasis. With it, we’re planning to contribute to the continuing revitalization of Bloorcourt. Stay on the lookout for shows, artist residencies, and more of these little community get togethers. The back yard is great, and you are always welcome to come and have a break in our little community garden. Marvel at the fact that you can’t hear the traffic on Bloor Street, only 30 feet away. Completely unscientific estimates place the backyard at at least a couple degrees cooler than anywhere else on the strip.

backyard teaser photo

This Sunday, June 27th starting at 4pm, please accept our invitation to come meet our neighbours and check
out what we’ve done with the place.

_________________

by Adam Owen
- FCC Marketing Team

You won’t believe what it looks like now!

It’s almost time for the grand opening!! We’re now putting the finishing touches on our backyard renovation project – but don’t think that that means it’s too late to get your donations in! We’re still in need of folding chairs, bricks or stones (to border the garden and decorate the space below a donated bench) and will happily give a new home to any plants that are threatening to take over your own garden. It’s a WIN-WIN-WIN situation: you will be rid of things you don’t need, contribute to the making of a beautiful, community haven and receive our undying gratitude (publicly broadcasted via Twitter, this blog right here, Facebook, etc).

Remember to mark your calendars for this Sunday at 4pm for the POTLUCK MEET AND GREET where we show off what YOU have enabled us to do while you make the appropriate noises of amazement. More info coming soon!

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by Lauren Bukata
- FCC Marketing Team

Now-August 25, Nathan Phillips Square

Canadian summers are great — we get to shed our winter coats, enjoy the outdoors and get together with friends and family during our long weekends!

But there’s one thing about summer that we perhaps appreciate the most at Freedom — fresh, local produce! What’s better than freshly baked bread? Local cheese? Strawberries? Buying produce at farmers’ markets helps the local economy, ensures freshness and decreases your carbon footprint.

This summer, we encourage you to find a farmers’ market near you and take advantage of local fruits and vegetables. One farmers’ market that has already gotten our attention is at Nathan Phillips Square on Wednesdays from 10am-2pm. On “Fresh Wednesdays” vendors set up in the Nathan Phillips Square with a plethora of fresh items to sell! The “Fresh Wednesdays” farmers’ market is already in full-swing, but an added bonus is that starting July 14 a series of concerts will add to the experience of the market. “Fresh Concerts” are performed at the noon hour and will run until August 25, 2010.

We hope you can make it to “Fresh Wednesdays” and enjoy a feast for your eyes, ears and taste buds this summer!

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By Danie Spence
- FCC Marketing Team

June 17th – July 11th

Gillian’s paintings explore the collaboration between the acts of sharing and imagining the archetypal memories that mark one’s family history. These are juxtaposed with Wil’s watercolour drawings which, focusing on the everyday, create a connection with the fleeting – thus creating memories out of those that never make it to the photo albums.

Join us at the opening reception:
Thursday, June 17th at 8 pm till midnight.
Live music performance by The Owle Bird at 9.30 pm.
Free Admission, as always.

see you there! -marsya

the 2010 eco festival is opening with a myriad of exhibits, vendors, and events

As much as we all would like for every day to be a big celebration of eco friendly fashion, food, music, and other goodies – that dream is still in the works. But fortunately this weekend of June 12/13 Freedom Clothing Collective will be going to the Windfall Ecology Festival in Newmarket, so we’re not too upset because these two days promise to be filled with all the great environmentally friendly events that one could hope for.

Running for its 9^th year, the Windfall Festival is the largest Environmental and Energy Conservation Exposition around, and with its full weekend schedule its understandable why. If you’re thinking of going, consider signing up for  ‘Community Power’, ‘Bike Clinic’ or ‘Rainsaver’ workshops that focus on the many ways that we could all become a little more green. An entire section of the festival dedicated to kids will keep them entertained and with a line-up of great independent musicians, prepare for the festival stage to be the eco-soundtrack to one of the most entertaining festivals around. Click here for the full list of performing musicians.

a recycled design showcased at one of the previous Windfall festivals

One of the greatest things about the Windfall Ecology Festival, is that it provides a platform for a list of innovative independent local Canadian businesses to showcase their work – which can vary from public services, to clothes and accessories, to new and better technology. The full list of exhibits and vendors can be found here on the festival page (and no, your eyes do not deceive you – Freedom Clothing Collective is on the list too). The Windfall is worth checking out because it shows us a glimpse into a greener, more sustainable business environment that so many artisans and entrepreneurs are working hard to create. 

For more information visit the official Windfall festival site.

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by Maria Morosovksa
- FCC Marketing Team