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Capping it off

Sunday, June 15, 2008 | 04:52 PM ET

Now in its 14th year, North by Northeast is one of Canada’s leading independent music festivals. Along with conference and film components, this year’s edition will bring over 500 musical acts (ranging from up-and-comers like Justin Rutledge and We Are Wolves to seasoned vets like Evan Dando and Teenage Head) to 40 venues in downtown Toronto. CBCNews.ca music columnist Sarah Liss will be hitting the clubs till the wee hours and documenting her rock ‘n’ roll adventures in blog format. Check here for Sarah’s daily updates from the festival.

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Well, folks: it’s over. I made it through NXNE with nary an epidural, though I credit espresso shots and the occasional swig of whiskey for helping me along. And as I blearily try to take stock of the overall experience that was NXNE 2008, I have to say that I’m left with a lingering sense of dissatisfaction.

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Rainy days and Fridays

Saturday, June 14, 2008 | 04:20 PM ET

Oh, Ted Leo… You never let me down. Despite the garish signage and seizure-inducing flashing lights down at Toronto’s Dundas Square, graying but scrappy Leo and his band of Bloomfield, N.J. bruisers – a.k.a. the Pharmacists -- made their 9 p.m. set on Friday night feel like a vital, intimate performance at CBGBs (or some other legendarily cramped, sweaty rock joint).

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Industry jibber-jabber

Friday, June 13, 2008 | 09:27 PM ET

I rarely feel out of place when it comes to the business of rock. I mean, I don’t always appreciate or agree with the kinds of decisions made by the individuals responsible for the “industry” side of the music industry, but it’s not often that I find myself lost at sea while music folks talk shop. This afternoon’s FACTOR Fiction panel, however, might as well have been in cuneiform, so foreign did I find the discussion surrounding the Canadian grant organization FACTOR.

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Hidden gems

Friday, June 13, 2008 | 01:47 PM ET

Remember my comment yesterday about underattendance as the theme of this year’s NXNE? Well, it held true for my travels last night. I’ll allow that, instead of sticking to the standard Queen West club crawl, I veered slightly off the beaten path, opting for the ‘Mo Wave showcase way out on the eastern tip of North by Northeast territory at the Phoenix.

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Town Hall with no cheer

Thursday, June 12, 2008 | 08:38 PM ET

There are few lovelier places to spend a summer night in Toronto than down at the Palais Royale, the recently restored historical dance hall where, back in the 1920s, young belles and their beaus used to meet up for a foxtrot by the lake. There wasn’t much foxtrotting at Wednesday night’s NXNE kickoff party, though. Instead, the prevailing vibe was much more like a commercial for premium beer, or perhaps a house party scene from a John Hughes movie.

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Gearing up for NXNE

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 | 04:17 PM ET

I have never given birth, but in my limited experience, the exhausting annual mix of music and mayhem that is North By Northeast is as close as I’ve come to the rollercoaster described by post-natal moms. It may seem like a mere rock fest on the surface, but NXNE comprises a gruelling combo of physical and emotional labour shot through with occasional glimmers of euphoria.

Like childbirth, NXNE is often too overwhelming to contemplate when you’re in the thick of it, and it’s altogether more pleasant with the help of chemical substances (caffeine and booze for the most part, though I’m sure an epidural wouldn’t hurt). My fuzzy recollections of NXNEs gone by leave me looking forward to this year’s massive club crawl, even if rationally, I know I shouldn’t. (Never in my life have I encountered foot pain akin to the agonizing ache that comes from watching 25 bands at 14 clubs over the course of seven hours.)

In preparation for the 14th annual version of North By Northeast, I’ve put together a list of specific things I’m excited about at this year’s rockstravaganza. Here they are, in chronological order.

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North by Northeast 2008 Blog Archives »

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World »

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Canada »

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Wallenda will tightrope walk over Niagara Falls video
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Two more houses arrive at the northern Ontario reserve of Attawapiskat after a 12-hour trip over 300 kilometres of ice road from Moosonee.
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Politics »

updated NDP MPs urged to scrap gun registry in final vote
Public Safety Minister Vic Toews is urging opposition MPs to break party ranks and side with the government during tonight's vote on scrapping the long-gun registry.
new Vic Toews attacked by anonymous Twitter account
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Replay Wednesdays with @Kady: Feb. 15
On Wednesdays, CBCNews.ca's Politics blogger convenes a "people's caucus" to discuss and debate the issues of the week. On Feb. 15: online surveillance, committee secrecy, the final gun vote and... Justin Trudeau
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Health »

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AT&T Inc. said Sunday it will buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $39 billion US, becoming the largest cellphone company in the U.S.
Milky Way home to 50 billion planets: NASA
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Arts & Entertainment»

updated Whitney Houston medical records sought
The Los Angeles County coroner's office is seeking Whitney Houston's medical and pharmacy records as its continues the investigation into her death.
Missing Karel Appel works found in British warehouse
More than 400 works by Dutch artist Karel Appel have been discovered in a British storage warehouse a decade after they went missing.
Museum offers reward after artifact theft video audio
A hefty reward is being offered for the return of two small archaeological pieces stolen from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
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Technology & Science »

Online privacy erosion dismays critics
Government and law enforcement access to people's electronic communications is the norm in dictatorships around the world, but the same intrusion appears to be creeping into North America, say opponents of a new online surveillance bill tabled in the House Tuesday.
new Venus slowdown puzzles planetary scientists
Scientists have detected a sudden and dramatic slowdown in the rotation of Earth's sister planet Venus.
Electric cars can handle Canadian winter video
New data obtained by CBC News suggests the range of electric cars is significantly impaired by extreme cold, but not enough to affect the commuting habits of most Canadians.
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Money »

Canadian housing market cools in January
The housing resale market retreated in January following a strong December finish to 2011, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.
Some Eurozone countries doubt Greek bailout will work
There are strong doubts among some of the countries that use the euro over whether a second massive bailout can actually save Greece, officials said Wednesday, even as Athens rushed to meet tough conditions to qualify for the €130 billion ($170B US) rescue.
Target to partner with Starbucks in Canada
Minneapolis-based discount fashion retailer Target Corporation will partner with Starbucks when it opens its outlets in Canada, the retailer announced Wednesday.
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Consumer Life »

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Bell class action suit approved by Que. court
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Sports »

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Diversions »

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