The festival was founded and is sponsored by Havana Club Rum, and it celebrates Cuban culture in all it’s forms, and each venue on Ossington will highlight something different about that culture.

Delux, a well known home for Cuban food, is featuring a special Cuban lunch each day of the festival. On opening night, Reposado hosts a unique cigar lounge in the backyard patio, with a rolling demonstration, and free samples for guests.

On Friday, August 20, Levack Block focuses on the art of Cuba, with a gallery set up in the second floor (who knew they had a second floor?) and graffiti created live and displayed on the wall outside. The Ossington is hosting a rumba party on the same night.

So, along with music, dancing, Cuban food and art, Levack Block, Reposado, Julie’s Cuban on Dovercourt, and Camera Bar on Queen West are all turning Cuban.

Live music performances at The Painted Lady with the Elmer Ferrer Band, Watusi has the Orlando Cardozo Latin Jazz Trio, and The Ossington features The Kevin Barretto Jazz Trio.

After all the partying and dancing, wind it down on Sunday with some Cuban brunch at Delux or a BBQ at Sweaty Betty’s. Full schedule (and it is quite full) is on the website.

What’s your business?

Christian McLeod’s arts studio.

How is your business unique?

My situation is unique in that there is no seperation of gallerist and or gallery presentation of works from the viewer, the visitors and collectors see finished works and works in progress,  this is a unique experience as the viewer rarely get a chance to walk into an artists work space.
I have lived off and on all over this area going back to High school and Art School, when The Toronto School of Art was at Queen and Dovercourt back in the early 1990′s.
The gallery scene on Ossington gives way to bars, gives way to fancy restaurants with fancy cars in them. That’s how it goes.
Luft becomes Sweaty Beaty’s, and on up the money chain.

How long have you been in business here?

I have lived and worked on this street for 5 years now. My location is a live/work storefront arts studio. I moved here from the Dundas st. and Ritchie st. building, yet another building that turfed out the artists to make way for Authentic Loft Dwellers.

What drew you to be here on Ossington?

I was drawn to Ossington by a cheap studio for rent on Craig’s list. The studio buildings where for the most part all converted so i jumped at the chance. Frankly  after having moved further and further west as the buildings where converted, it was funny to me that i got to move back down here, felt like the Jefferson’s.

What changes have you seen on Ossington since your business has been here?

During the day and early evening the changes on Ossington are, for the most part good changes, its harder to find a spot to get the oil changed in the car and parking is scarce now that 905 is here to play.
But later in the evening that drunk fools who think the parking lots and fences are their washrooms is disgusting.
The Galleries that have moved onto the street are a great addition, they are serious professional galleries who have years of experience and are very serious about their work.
Two of the best restaurants in the city are on this street, so how can i complain about that, except when i don’t have the coin to enjoy them.
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How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?

Converted into condo’s.

What is your favorite spot on Ossington, other than your own? and why?

Fav Spot is Foxley, its all about the staff.. oh ya and the food that will leave your mouth begging for more. And their list is good too.

His webpage says he’s for “responsible government”, which really doesn’t help us out much. (not that we don’t like responsible government, but give us some more!).

So, to help us get to know him he’s holding a couple of meet and greets in the area, although unfortunately none on Ossington… yet.

The first of his meetups is at Victory Cafe on Monday the 22nd at 7pm

The second meeting takes place at one of my faves, the Wheat Sheaf Tavern the next night at 7pm also.

I’m sure he’ll be heading and meeting up with us here on Ossington soon. Reposado, Sweaty Betty’s and The Painted Lady make for good meet-up locales, and the local business owners would love to find out more about him.

Appropriately, our first profile is on Sweaty Bettys, one of the first hip places to be on the strip. Sweaty Bettys has been around since before Ossington was known by the rest of the city, and was an out-of-the-way place often frequented by celebrities who wanted to find a more secluded place to go. It’s still small and quaint, but busier with a broader audience. It’s still one of my favourite patios in the city.

So here it is: 8 questions with Pol Cristo-Williams, from Sweaty Bettys:

What’s your business?

Sweaty Betty’s

How is your business unique?

We tell people to piss off and they still keep coming back. Totally unique.

How long have you been in business here on Ossington?

5 years for Sweaty Betty’s, and my wife had an art gallery at the same location for two years before that. And we had The Sparrow Restaurant for a couple of years before it became Delux.

What drew you to be in the neighbourhood?

My wife. She’s cool. (see above)

What changes have you seen since your business has been here?

People shoot each other way less.

How do you see your business and Ossington five years from now?

Probably knocked down and turned into a Starbucks. That, or it’ll be full of aging hipsters who don’t really like Betty’s, but agree to still go there because the beer is cheap and it’s walking distance from home.

What is your favorite spot on Ossington (other than your own, of course)?

Downtown Lumber. They sell everything. And Jaiden’s Petals. Flowers are nice.

Any other thoughts on the neighbourhood you’d like to add?

Um, if Pantalone leaves, do we get our street back?