Who doesn't love a cool new tee? NOW Magazine just revealed the grand prize winners of their third annual Designer Challenge, with each design printed onto four different t-shirts. These tees will be sold at various events around the city at $10 each, with all the proceeds going to Art Heart, a charity that supports creativity in visual arts for inner city children, youth and adults. The shirts will make their debut at the NOW booth this coming Sunday, June 29 for Pride Day.

As part of the TD Jazz Festival this week, Montreal chanteuse Amanda Mabro will performing at the Supermarket tonight. Amanda's old school belt-out jazz has a sense of theatrical throwback as she mixes in French and German cabaret influences - think Ella Fitzgerald meets Marlena Dietrich more than Jane Monheit. Having just released her Red Rows EP which CBC Radio 1 calls "groundbreaking", Amanda is busy with the jazz festival season with another concert at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal next week. She also produces WAWA (WeAre WomenArtists) which recently wrapped its fourth annual show back in her hometown.

Hexes & Ohs are Heidi Donnelly and Edmund Lam, a Montreal-based electro indiepop duo and real-life couple whose collaborative efforts on-and-off the stage have lasted longer than most modern rock n' roll romances. Their 2005 debut album Goodbye Friend, Welcome Lover generated a lot of buzz on the blogosphere, drawing comparisons to New Order, The Postal Service and friends Woodhands and got them spots on festivals around Canada and across the border such as the CMJ Music Marathon in New York.

After three (long) years, Hexes & Ohs will finally be releasing their follow-up entitled Bedroom Madness this September. The band is currently en route to our fair city for tomorrow night's Unsigned at the Steam Whistle, sharing the stage with Gravity Wave, Bocce and Opopo. I spoke to Edmund this morning and asked - why the bloody hell did it take so long?

Pictured works by Amanda Rataj, Alex Kisilevich, Lee Kellough, Kirk Wynter, Marino Imperio, Stella Mandrak-Pagani and Raffy Ochoa

It seems like Toronto is being taken over by photography - and photographers (as well as photoenthusiasts) this month. Besides CONTACT, currently showing at the Steam Whistle Brewery is Hotshots, an exhibit featuring the best works of seven third year Photography students from the OCAD. While you wouldn't see this listed in CONTACT's official events guide, Hotshots might be worth a visit if you want to discover fresh, new talent in the city.

Love at the End of the World, Sam Roberts Band's highly-anticipated third album debuts in-stores and online today. Recorded in their hometown Montreal, the album takes you on a socio-political road trip "from the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro" ("Love at the End of the World"), through the stripmalls of North America ("Stripmall Religion") and its final destination "Detroit '67". Love also contains the catchy lead single "Them Kids".

The photograph above was taken during the taping for their MTV Live show airing on Saturday, where the band previewed most of their new tracks to the media and contest winners. Unfortunately majority of the crowd were teenage fans of Panic at the Disco, who were slated to play after. Nonetheless the Canucks held their own and may have taught Panic a thing or two. If you're more a Sam fan and want to be one the first to own the new album plus a gorgeous signed limited edition Chemical City lithograph poster, continue reading for contest details.

I usually disagree with the phrase "it is better to give than to receive" but with such precious gift ideas from Shopgirls I wouldn't mind giving... or receiving, specifically if it's the "Domestic Goddess" necklace by Samantha Nemiroff sported by 'Shopgirl', right.

Shopgirls, a precious boutique and gallery in Parkdale, is hosting a one-day sale entitled Gifted tomorrow from 1:00 to 6:00pm. What makes this day special is that Shopgirls' owner Michelle Germain has brought in one-of-a-kind or one-of-a-few gift-inspired pieces such as jewellery, cards, artwork, bags, baby shoes, men's and women's clothing and home decor from 20 new Canadian artisans, sold on that day only. The event also features live jazz and complimentary gift-wrapping.

With Mother's Day this weekend, Father's Day only a month away and wedding season fast approaching, Gifted is the perfect opportunity to find something truly unique to make a loved one smile.

Here is a sneak peek of what you can find at Shopgirls tomorrow.