The arrest of seasoned grifter Tracy Lynn Sargent on fraud charges inspired an incisive Rosie DiManno column in the Saturday Star, and a discussion on the Toronto Escort Review Board drawing a line between the ethical standards expected from a prostitute and the more complex chicanery that found Sargent taking large wads of cash from sympathetic gentlemen falling for her various claims. The website* of Sargent’s escorting alter ego, "Alexandra Vandercroft", was dug up for inspection. (Age: Gentlemen never ask a lady this! But if you must know 29; Shoe Preference: Gucci, Prada, Manolo Blanhnik; Flower: Orchid). An entirely different piece of work, David "Zanta" Zancai, is the subject of Thane Burnett’s column in today’s Toronto Sun – Citytv has taken out a restraining order on the sinewy Zanta after a year of his hyperactive hustling in the background of live shoots much to the dismay of staffers. It’s actually been over a month since posters on the Citytv forum were questioning his whereabouts. Lately, he’s been practicing push-ups in the Bloor West Village, as captured by blogging illustrator Patricia Storms. Might the banishment of Zanta from local screens mark the denouement of Moses Znaimer‘s fanciful notion of Queen St. as a Living Movie™?
*archived site may have vanished, shucks
it seems pretty harsh that CITY-TV has been able to get zanta banned from an area that encompasses College to King and Yonge to Spadina. It’s a sad day when a giant media conglomerate can get a tax-paying citizen banned from the core of his own city just because he had the audacity to be on a public sidewalk.
We saw Zanta in Kensington this evening on Baldwin. I thought he was violating his conditions, but as i read here, he was on the right side of spadina.
I have been following the criminal activities of Zanta and do not believe his current restrictions are “harsh”, nor are they the result of one institution’s issues with him. He has numerous charges before the courts. He has a history of failure to comply. He as been in jail for various things totalling more than 2 months already in 2005.
Enough is enough! In my humble opinion, he needs to find something productive to do with his life. He needs to leave people and companies alone. His antics are not welcome. All the while, he is paid by WSIB (which by the way is considered insurance and not subject to tax – ie. he has not been a “tax paying citizen” for years).
The article had his restrictions somewhat incorrect. The northern boundry is Gerrard and the eastern is Church. He also cannot be within 200 M of the West Mall due to previous incidences at a fitness club there. He must stay at home between 10 PM and 6 AM, unless with his parents.
If he is seen breaching is conditions again, phone the Police (eg. 52 division 416 808-5200). You will be doing him and everyone else a favor.
The comment posted by Shawn is full of hate because Shawn stole everything out of zanta’s house and ran with it to Alberta. He is full of shit.Get a life Shawn! You will get yours coming.
Zanta is getting famous and a documentary of him will appear on t.v. for everyone to see in January.
Merry Christmas!
Zanta here! I’d like to say hi to all my fans expecially to my #1 fan, Shane! I know where you are, I have your first and last name from your welfare cheque you left behind and I’d recommend you stop posting here your bullshit and I will assure you what goes around comes around and you will be hunted for what you have done and stole! Look behind at all times!
Yessssssssssss! Merry Christmas Goof!!
To everyone else my website coming soon!
zanta, David, I think you’re quite the splendid Toronto culture jammer, a damn good profession in its own right, and I want to talk to you about a more political critique than you’ve been utilizing.
Bless you.
I seriously hope that Zanta’s antics stop with the cold weather and he uses the time wisely to do something productive, rather than simply annoy and harrass. Nice threat to Shawn, Zanta. Your evil nature shows in your postings.
In my opinion, this guy is at best an absolute jerk and at worse an extreme nusiance and dangerous. He has a multiple page criminal record. Nothing he does is funny or interesting.
Ahahaha…you guys are the greatest. You wish you had the freedom of this man. Instead you are trapped in your little “i work for a living” world, where your greatest excitement might be getting out of the city once in a while. Why don’t you get out there and be spontaneous for once. Or maybe you’re all just jealous of his physical ability? Zanta is more famous and interesting that you could be in your wildest dreams. If disturbing the peace is criminal, then lock me up and throw away the key, because maybe this dull city needs a bit of a shake-up once in a while. Watch out for crazy people in a town near you!!!!
I saw Zanta yesterday on the streetcar along Bathurst. I think that through him we can split up the world into 2 types of people: people with a sense of humour and people with no sense of humour. The people I met just on public transit because we were all laughing at the entertainment that Zanta executed is something that wouldn’t have happened without him. It’s a real uniting quality. He’s harmless. Why do people get so bothered by him? Is he really affecting your life negatively? Get a sense of humour. Sure you can complain that he’s not a tax-paying citizen but he is on WSIB for a reason. Have a little compassion. Check out his documentary and quit judging people, it’s an ugly trait.
i believe Zanta is displaying inspirational behaviour, and will influence the reputation of Toronto and the philosophies of the children we raise here. Zanta provides physical proof that daily rituals are healthy and strength building. The “I Can, I Will” statement is a creative example the freedom this country has to offer EVERYONE.
We are paying attention, for Zanta’s sake, and for our own freedom. Don’t crucify Zanta because he’s different, put on your “audience hat” and capture the message. everyday is chrismas. give a gift of tolerance.
I find all the praise that Zanta gets to be weird and overly patronizing. And why is judging getting such a bad rap these days? I think it’s ok to make a judgement call on something or to express an opinon. So why try to hush up any criticisms of Zanta?
For CityTV it was a problem for them because the audience only paid attention to him and not their content, and they couldn’t get any shots without him popping up somewhere. Although I think it’s partly their fault for feeding into it for a while.
I saw him a couple of times and yeah he can be intimidating because 1)he’s (or his act) is very bizarre that hints of a mental illness or alcoholism, and 2) he’s very muscular. Being muscular isn’t wrong but it gives an individual some power over others with less. If he decides to punch you it will hurt… alot. Because of his nature that he presents no one can know if he’s going to use his strength in any ill manner.
My final gripe is that his act gets old fast. Remember that guy from American Idol that couldn’t sing but put out an album. It’s novelty at first but it gets old. Zanta needs to broaden his portfolio, try other things, other one-liners or something.
If he really wants to leave a mark on the world it’s through his parenting, his legacy gets left through his children. Being responsible and supportive will help them grow so they can cope and learn to live independantly.
Shawn.. you sound like a fag. Do you honestly have nothing better to do with your time then hate on Zanta? In your humble opinion NOTHING! I think you’re the one who should find something productive to do with his time. you’re so obviously jealous of his fame that is slowly rising, and of course… his rock hard ass! I love you Zanta!!
what up zanta,
I see you everywhere I go. everytime I see you, you always put a smile on my face weither it be from your yes yess yesses or your 100 push ups or your stories. AND for those losers who bash zanta
I think if you really have nothing better to do than harrass poor zanta it really shows who is putting their time to good use.and about that not paying tax thing. There are many people who dont pay taxes and we have a lot of government stealing our money so focus on them not an innocent man who had a few run-ins with the law. Everyone makes mistakes
unless he is your child or husband than mind your own bussiness. ZANTA YOU LOOK GOOD KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!! hope to see you at runnymede. love Tara The Great
My 16 year old daughter ran into Zanta Dave last year at much music. Zanta hung out with her and her friend for a few hours while they stood in line. I WAS VERY LEARY OF THIS DUDE.This man caused her no harm in anyway!! She came home full of stories about this Zanta Dave and how much fun she had that day. She even took pictures of him in differant poses. Yesterday my sister and myself googled ZANTA DAVE. To our surprise, Dave is the same DAVE ZANCIA that hung out with our sisters on dixon rd. TOO FUNNY!!!! Zanta is harmless. he brings more smiles than tears. I believe that should be a good thing, exspecially in todays society.
KEEP US SMILING ZANT