Crimson Teas

We'll be closed from Dec 23 ( Saturday) till Jan 7, reopening Monday January 8, 2018. Look forward to serving you in the New Year.

Myths and Facts about Mental Illness - an exhibition at Crimson Teas

THE ART OF THE MEDIATORS at crimson teas

Photography by Flora Ho of IS Gallery and Khashayar Mohammadi of Inspiritus Press

July 9th: An Interactive Multimedia Collaborative Art Experience with:
- Tai Chi Action Brush Work and Installation Art by Henry Ho
- Poetry readings and improvisation coordinated by Inspiritus Press featuring Steven Takatsu, Fan Wu, Stanford Cheung, Alvin Wong
- Music by Brian Lau
- Video Projection
- Tea tasting by Crimson Teas.

'The Taste of Compassion' is an art action that brings together these different artistic expressions. The artists are inspired by the cultures of the East and West, by tradition and technology, by sight, sound and taste, and by images and words, combining these elements together in new and myriad ways.

The theme of Compassion, founded on Eastern spirituality and metaphysics, is a five part journey and it will be an incredible experience for both the artists and the audience. This experience will be documented in a video.

The five part journey moves through the following actions:

1) inner tranquility
2) discarding the ego and self transformation
3) reconnecting with universal humanity
4) understanding peace and harmony juxtaposed against
confusion and conflict
5) finding the courage to act in compassion

We welcome your attendance. Come join us and taste the compassion!

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HENRY HO
Henry came to Canada as an immigrant in 1988. He has practiced Qi Gong and Tai Chi Chuan for 40 years. He is an art teacher and a Qi Gong instructor in Toronto. Henry employs Tai Chi and ancient Chinese brushwork as his main artistic language, which merges different art forms such as contemporary Chinese calligraphy, installation art, action painting performance art, video art, multi-media interactive performance art. He has performed at the following places: Toronto City TV, Rogers TV, Fairchild TV, York University, Toronto College of Art and Design, Toronto City Hall, Scarborough City Hall, Richmond Hill City Hall, Toronto Metro Hall, Aha Khan Museum. His art works have been awarded the Juror’s Prize of the Scarborough Art Council and is collected by the Varley Art Gallery of Markham and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

BRIAN LAU
Brian has worked in the design profession for over 20 years, starting his own award winning studio in Hong Kong which has won more than 100 international design awards and has work featured in several international design publications. He has a Masters of Arts in Design, a Masters of Information in Knowledge Media Design and a BA in Fine Arts and Economics. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts (UK), a Certified Graphic Designer of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, a professional member of the International Association of Designers (Europe) and the Hong Kong Designers Association, and a member of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong. He has formed several bands including THE ARTIST which was a Finalist at the Yamaha Asiabeat 2000 and TYST which came in 2nd at Yamaha Asiabeat 2002.

S. TAKATSU
Takatsu is a writer, designer, event coordinator, and the founder of Inspiritus Press and other community initiatives. His serialized literary novels have surpassed 1 million reads and 20,000 followers online. He is the author of the pioneer English cell phone novel, Secondhand Memories (2008); a magical realist novel, Espresso Love (2014); an interdisciplinary collection, Of Forests and Clocks and Dreams (2016); and is the editor of the 2017 poetry anthology, Apparatus. Forthcoming in Fall 2017 is Kawatare, a selection of his poems as a chapbook through Anstruther Press. His interests are in spirituality and mysticism in the modern electromagnetically charged cosmos, and the intersections and interactions between mediums, forms, technology and culture. He is the recipient of the 2016 Babs Burggraf Award. He lives in Toronto. http://stakatsu.com/

FAN WU
Fan Wu is a translator, writer, community organizer and all-around life amateur. He's published a chapbook, Hoarfrost and Solace, and edited two anthologies on creative translation. He hosts critical reading and writing workshops through Art Metropole in the summer. Please reach him for intimacy and/or collaboration at [email protected]

STANFORD CHEUNG
Stanford Cheung is a poet and musician from Toronto with work appearing in Ricepaper, Nomadic Journal, and X-Peri. He is the author of the full-length collection Structures from the Still, forthcoming from Akinoga Press (2018), and a chapbook, Comfort of Malice, forthcoming from Inspiritus Press. His chapbooks include Kite Extension (Words(on)Pages) and Any Seam or Needlework (The Operating System).

ALVIN WONG

INSPIRITUS PRESS
Inspiritus Press is a young Canadian publisher passionately dedicated to diverse communities, interdisciplinary collaborations, and a pursuit of metaphysics. They are an organic movement that loves to break boundaries boldly and has demonstrated their quality productions: print publications such as an acclaimed anthology, Apparatus, and an upcoming chapbook season boasting many esteemed established and emerging local writers; transcending text in video productions, exhibits and guerrilla marketing initiatives; and their successful large scale community events such as the Bring the Noise Street Poetry Tour for PEN Canada, Crossroads Literary Festival, the Literary Fiction Network platform, and continue to collaborate with organizations and universities such as York University, Ryerson University, and University of Waterloo. http://inspirituspress.com/

CRIMSON TEAS
Crimson Teas is an art filled and spiritually heartening space for people to experience the promise of top quality teas and healthy meals. With an origin story that stems from the rural tea plantations and villages in China, Crimson Teas continues to enlighten the younger generations about the culture and health benefits of tea. They are ranked 5th in the BlogTO's best tea cafes and Foodism's top 6 tea spots in Toronto.

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE by TWO Ts

JUNE 24, 5:30 - 7:30PM

We will be closed Dec 25th - Jan 1. Look forward to seeing you again in the new year. Have a Merry Christmas and fruitful 2017!

Crimson Teas will be moving to 415 Spadina Avenue. The new location will be open mid-August.

However, artist Henry Ho and crew have used the spaces at the old location for a final artistic production, an art action piece and video documentary called 'A Taste of Compassion', capturing the vibe of the old location in the energetic canter of calligraphic horses, as each horse then gallops into the new space, bringing with it the ambience that we have gotten to know so well at 233 College Street.

We hope to see you again at 415 Spadina Avenue.

Tai-chi Calligraphy by Henry Ho
Music and Audio by Brian Lau

Video and Photography: Flora, Jonathan, Benedict, Ethan

More images coming soon.

July 7 is the last day of service. We look forward to seeing you at our new location of 415 Spadina Ave by August

Closed Monday Victoria Weekend

Crimson Delights

Closed this weekend of May 7 & 8 in preparation for our July 16 move to 415 Spadina (two units of Mama's Dumplings)

Crimson Teas will be closed this weekend (May 7 & 8) in preparation for the relocation to 415 Spadina (2 units South of Mama's dumplings) happening on July 16.

AN EXHIBITION OF WORKS: HONG KONG FACES by bLYHn

NEW! Tamago Tomato Green Tea Noodles

AN EXHIBITION OF WORKS : ONE HUNDRED FORTUNES
by Taichi Calligraphy Master Henry Ho

BRAND DESIGN + DEVELOPMENT by mad studios
for crimson teas @ 233 college street, toronto, canada
eco-design: most of the design elements used recycled or re-used old materials. wood for tables and chairs were from old farmhouses and fallen trees, the fridge was previously used by a flowershop, and the interior space was previously a sales office which we re-used with very little re-construction.

the space is for social gatherings and art exhibitions while you enjoy your tea or coffee with a bite to eat.

design by mad studios
tables by karlwowk
chairs and fixtures by A+D
currently showing paintings by bLYHn