NOW Magazine handmade since 1981 | Photos from NOW’s 25th anniversary party | The page 3 Special Eco Policy Supplement : Canada’s first ancient forest friendly newspaper | Ancient Forest Friendly Policy | Ancient Forest Facts | NOW : Making a Difference 25th Anniversary Retrospective : 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
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The first issue
NOW founding editor and publisher Michael Hollett pulled back the stained sheets for an inside look at the greasy country and western bars that lined Queen Street in the mag’s summer 1981 preview issue.
they said
Film festivals by nature intimidate people. They initially appear to be elitist. – Festival Of Festivals director Wayne Clarkson
There’s a need for growth and communication working both ways – and sometimes both parties need a rest from each other. – dancer Margie Gillis on the relationship between artist and audience
The 80s threaten to become a decade of selfishness and meanness, a decade of short-sightedness. Cutbacks in important services for people, coupled with a corporate ideology, will leave Ontarians tenants in their own land. – Bob Rae during his run for leader of the provincial ndp
The raids are not a question of harassment of the gay community. – Mayor Art Eggleton responding to questions about police raids on Toronto’s gay bathhouses
we said
“There is no surer indication of the worthlessness of this project than the fact that Prince Chuck and Lady Di requested a screening of the film on the royal yacht.” – about future best-picture winner Chariots Of Fire
“Their music is loud, fast and abrasive. Melody is obsolete screeching guitars are the name of the game. Pity.” – about the Dead Kennedys
“Aside from Jane Fonda, who gives a very good performance, the rest of the cast isn’t especially good.” – about On Golden Pond, which earned acting Oscars for Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn and a nomination for Jane Fonda
“A year from now, you’ll be listening to the latest Spoons album or watching them in concert and remember, ‘Yeah, I read about them in a newspaper when they were still playing clubs’.” – about the Spoons, a year before they broke
top 10 albums
Simple Minds Sons And Fascination
Human League Dare
Psychedelic Furs Talk Talk Talk
U2 October
Martha and the Muffins This Is The Ice Age
The Clash Sandinista
Kraftwerk Computer World
The Police Ghost In The Machine
Neil Young Reactor
Bruce Cockburn Inner City Front
Top 10 movies
Cutter’s Way
Atlantic City
S.O.B.
Blow Out
Pennies From Heaven
Four Friends
Scanners
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Southern Comfort
Prince Of The City
The Cost of Living
in this year
JANUARYJANUARY
First DeLorean DMC-12 (that time machine car in the Back To The Future movies) rolls off the line.
Iran releases 52 American hostages after 444 days in captivity, moments after Ronald Reagan is sworn in as the 40th U.S. president.
FEBRUARY FEBRUARY
More than 300 men are arrested when police raid Toronto’s bathhouses, triggering a storm of protests from the queer community.
MARCH MARCH
Ronald Reagan is shot by John Hinckley Jr. Two police officers and press secretary James Brady are also wounded.
APRIL APRIL
Bobby Sands, MP and IRA member, dies on hunger strike after 66 days.
MAYMAY
Reggae legend Bob Marley dies.
JUNEJUNE
Terry Fox dies. Toronto holds its first Gay Pride Day.
Five gay men in L.A. are diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia seen only in patients with weakened immune systems, the first recognized cases of AIDS.
JULYJULY
Lady Diana Spencer marries Charles, Prince of Wales.
AUGUSTAUGUST
MTV launches in the U.S.
SEPTEMBER
Chromazone gallery opens. It would become one of the most influential art collectives in the city.
OCTOBER
Restoration of the Elgin Theatre begins.
Canada Post becomes a Crown corporation.
NOVEMBER
The exhibit Computers: Art Form Of The 80s is held at the Toronto College of Art.
DECEMBERDECEMBER
Citizens’ Independent Review of Police Activities (CIRPA)’s 24-hour hotline is created to provide legal and practical advice to people with complaints about police behaviour.