This Weekend in Toronto: August 15-17

The CNE opens this weekend in Toronto, so get ready for 18 days of rides, entertainment, and the food, the bad-for-you-cant-stop-eating kind of food! We are in the are nearing the end of the summer and rounding up this years tasty treats and events! There will definitely be an abundance of food at the festival this weekend and great festivals contributing to that include the Bacon Fest, RibFest, Hot and Spicy Food Festival, and the Toronto Brunch Market.

Torontonians are encouraged to take to the streets Sunday for Open Streets T.O. – parts of Bloor and Yonge Streets will be closed to traffic and open to pedestrians and cyclists. Events and activities along the route have been planned for the day. Here is a list of fun events and happenings for this weekend:

Friday August 15, 2014:

• Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) August 15 to September 1st: : One of North America’s largest annual fairs offers 18 days of amusement park rides, parades, live entertainment, food and more. This year, airplane enthusiasts will be happy to hear about the Canadian International Air show which drops jaws every year! The pilots perform dare-devil loop-de-loops and synchronized maneuvers on the last weekend of the summer. Alongside the rides, games and food, the CNE boast loads of concerts, performances and special events.
• Art Walk North August 15 to 16, 2014: At the Mel Lastman Square The Art Walk North is a free two-day art event that showcases painting from established and emerging artists. One of the biggest outdoor fine art exhibitions in Toronto, Art Walk North is in its first year and is the second art show presented by Artists Network. The free event offers visitors the opportunity  to discover local talent in the visual arts scene. It features various mediums such as, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking and others.
• RibFest at the CNE August 15 to September 1st, 2014: At Bandshell Park RibFest is a series of competition for the best rib recipe, with amateur cooks and seasoned pros alike put their secret sauces where their mouths are for one shot a glory. Visitors at the CNE are presented with eats from a variety of barbecue traditions from the sugar-friendly disciples of Kansas City who aren’t stingy with their molasses to the no-nonsense Memphians who prepare meat as simply as possible to let its natural flavors shine through. Whether smoked, grilled, boiled or broiled, every rack represents a unique culinary philosophy vying to be this year’s champion.
• Hot & Spicy Festival August 15-21, 2014: At the Harbour Front Centre you can enjoy the zestier things in life for the Hot & Spicy Food Festival. The Fest explores diverse hot food experiences, with cuisine from around the world. International and local chefs, farmers and artists reflect on how they fit into the global scene. Here are some examples of the many events that await you at the festival :
  • International Iron Chef Competition – August 16 & 17: Hosted by Kevin Brauch, the competition is judged by Elizabeth Baird, Donna Dooher, and Tawfik Shehata. It features a battle between two chefs, to see who can “reign supreme,” at the Hot & Spicy Festival.
  • Spice Route: Scavenger Hunt – August 16: Guests create their own spice route as they trace the history of ten different peppers from around the world.
  • Joe Driscoll & Seko Kouyate – August 16: Hear the music of Joe Driscoll and Seko Kouyate as they perform the only way they can communicate with one another: through music. They fuse together traditional music, with hip hop and folk.

August 16, 2014:

• Gay Day at Canada’s Wonderland August 16, 2015: PFLAG Canada hosts a special event at Canada’s Wonderland for LGBT families. This family-friendly event promises live entertainment, an all-you-can-eat picnic buffet and the full range of Wonderland’s varied attractions, all while promoting inclusivity and acceptance. Tickets for this event can be purchased online or outside the park entrance, and season pass holders can purchase admission to the buffet separately.
• Sail-In Cinema August 14-16, 2014: Sugar Beach transforms into an outdoor movie theatre after dark during Sail-In Cinema. Whether you watch from a boat in the harbour or stick to dry land, the two-sided screen floating in the water makes this free movie event truly unique. The schedule:
  • August 14: Jaws
  • August 15: Jurassic Park
  • August 16: E.T.

August 17, 2014:

• York-Eglinton International Street Festival August 16-17, 2014: Eglinton Avenue West is closed off for the York-Eglinton International Street Festival, a family celebration of Toronto’s diversity. The festival showcases top entertainment and cuisine from the Caribbean, Italian, Portuguese, and Latin communities and many other ethnic cultures. Among the activities at this year’s York-Eglinton International Street Festival are live music performances, dance lessons, food and drink vendors and a carnival with rides and an exotic petting zoo. The fest also boasts the largest street dance floor in Toronto, along with lots of attractions for both children and adults. 
• Open Streets TO August 17 to August 31,2014: Open Streets TO is an event that encourages people to participate in physical activity and healthy recreation. Taking place two days, participants can bike, walk, run, or jog through the predetermined routes in the city. Along the way there are activity hubs set up, which host pop-up, interactive programing led by local community groups, business and organizations. Participants are encouraged to slow down and appreciate the parks, squares and street space of Toronto.
• YogaPalooza August 16 to 17, 2014: Yogapalooza is a festival that integrates musical performances, meditation exercises,  health food and yoga classes to promote self-confidence across cultural divisions. Sit in on an authentic drum circle, where rhythm and untethered playing lead to inner calm, or try chanting during Kirtan, an Indian call-and-response tradition that uses repetition to clear the mind and ground the body.

This Weekend in Toronto: August 1-4

This weekend has a lot of offerings for music lovers: you can choose between Drake OVO Fest with Outkast, electronic music at VELD Music Festival and boyband superstars One Direction. Saturday is Caribana’s annual Grand Parade, the largest Caribbean celebration in North America. Get their early if you want a good spot to watch the colourful costumes pass by! Also, this weekend kicks off the Rogers Cup! This year Toronto hosts the men, including Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

• Caribbean Carnival Toronto (aka, Caribana)
  The nearly month-long carnival launched on July 8, but the main events including the legendary parade, Drake’s OVO Fest, and a Def Jam party are this weekend. This is the largest celebration of Caribbean culture in North America, and a fun, high-energy way to explore new cuisine, music and art. And partying. The explosion that is the Caribana parade marches 9am-6pm Saturday, August 2, at Exhibition Place & Lakeshore Boulevard. It’s $25 to enter Exhibition Place, but most of the parade is free to attend along Lakeshore Boulevard. SR

PARTY

• Otherland
  OTHERLAND is the newest dance party series in Toronto, but it arrives with a reputation already laid out ahead of it. This is Mansion’s new year-long series that pulls inspiration from other worldwide rave utopias such as London’s Fabric and Corsica Studios, Berlin’s fabled Panorama Bar and Stattbad, Brooklyn’s Output, and Rex Club in Paris. Appearing tonight are Simian Mobile Disco, Iron Galaxy B2B Nautiluss, and Bwana. Friday, August 1, 10pm, Tattoo (567 Queen Street West). BA
• Veld Music Festival
  If you got there when the gates open both days, you could spend 24 hours being pounded by EDM beats at this year’s Veld Music Festival. Headliners include the expected big room DJs like Calvin Harris, Armin Van Buuren, and Martin Garrix, but also some unexpected performers, like party rappers Iggy Azalea and Waka Flocka Flame. August 2-3, Downsview Park. BB

FOOD

• Food Truck Festival
  Toronto’s food trucks have been in the news a lot lately, but this weekend they’ll have a chance to do what they do best: serve food, from a truck. Drama free. With beer and live music! August 2-3, 1-11pm, Woodbine Park.
• Session Muskoka
  Muskoka’s beer festival, now named Session Muskoka, is the marquee craft beer event in the area. Held at Bracebridge’s Annie Williams Park, the festival is bound to be even more popular this year. Festival organizers anticipate over 30 craft breweries to be on hand for this year’s event. Saturday, August 2, Annie Williams Park, Bracebridge. BJ
• The Depanneur turns three
  Cute corner stop The Depanneur turns three this summer, and will celebrate on Sunday with an open-house shindig complete with music, $4 snacks and drinks, door prizes and more. Sunday, August 3, 5pm, The Depanneur (1033 College St.) LI

MUSIC

• Oldies 990
  50s and 60s rock and roll will fill the Gladstone tonight three sets of live covers sample the likes of Chubby Checker, Little Richard, Del Shannon, The Champs, The Coasters, The Everly Brothers, The New Beats, and Sam Cooke while DJs spin the golden classics between sets. Friday August 1, 9:30pm, Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. West).
• Irie Festival
  Head to Nathan Phillips Square for Soca, reggae, and Calypso music from Friday to Monday. Alison Hinds, Richie Spice, Etana, Richie Stephens, David Rudder, Odel, The Arsenals, and more will perform. Aug 1-4, Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St West).
• OVO
  Drake’s annual gift to Toronto during Caribana weekend does something amazing: sell out shows based solely on knowing that it’ll be a good time. This year brings reunited duo Outkast to town for day one, Drakeheadlines day two, with a lineup of “special guests” filling out both days. Last year’s surprises included Lil Wayne and Kanye West trust Drizzy to put together an unforgettable show. We’re pretty sure Lil Wayne will be there – just saying. You don’t have tickets, I’m sorry. Aug 3-4, Molson Amphitheatre. MF
• Dwayne Gretzky @ QCYC on Toronto Island
  Here’s your chance to eat ribs while watching covers band Dwayne Gretzky at a yacht club as part of Young Lions Music Club’s long weekend plans. Don’t ask me what you wear to eat ribs at a yacht club while watching covers bands, I’d just say something snarky. Sunday, August 3, 9pm, Queen City Yacht Club, Toronto Island.

ART

• Ward’s Island Fire Parade
  If your summer needs more puppets, fire sculptures, flags, stilts, and lanterns, the island is the place to be this weekend. Hope on a ferry tonight to check out Shadowland Theatre’s creative parade and a performance by the Arhythmics Band. Friday, August 1, 8pm, Ward’s Island.

This weekend in Toronto: July 25-27

The weekend kicks off with the first Taste of Toronto, the popular food event that has been a hit with cities around the world. Now it’s Toronto’s turn to see what all this hype if about! The annual Festival of Beer is on at Exhibition Place, Beaches Jaz wraps up and the Mayhem Festival rocks out. Also, check out the offerings at the T&T Waterfront Night Market, the Annex Flea and the Kensington Market Art Fair.

Friday, July 25th 2014:

• Taste of Toronto is a culinary food festival headlined by local and international chefs and the restaurants they preside over. Sampling new dishes and fine wine from menus exclusive to the event. Get to know a favorite chef in an in-depth Q&A, or hit the kitchen and learn some new skills with a hands-on cooking lesson. Also enjoy a series of expert talks, food demos, pop-up shops from over 40 local manufacturers. Here are some names to get you excited: Stuart Cameron (Patria, Weslodge), Carl Heinrich (Richmond Station), Ben Heaton (The Grove), Damon Campbell (Bosk), David Neinstein (Barque Smokehouse), Colin Tooke (Grand Electric), Christina Tosi (Momofuku Milk Bar) and many more. Tickets include entry for one session, which lasts 4-5 hours, and $6 worth of crowns (food and drink voucher).
• Mayhem Festival features the best metal bands, with avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Asking Alexandria, Trivium, Body Count, Cannibal Corpse, Ill Nino and more taking the stage this year. The touring festial was started by Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman and John Reese. Started in 2008, the Mayhem Festival is an annual event that tours across United States and Canada.
• Magic, Realism: The films of Sara Driver is a retrospective starting in July celebrates the wors of Sara Driver. Renowned for her documentary work as well as her feature films, Driver made a name for herself by producing two films by Jim Harmusch. This series includes a July 24 showing of her short film You are Not I alongside the movie The Bowery. More screening schedules available on their website. Tickets for these showings can be purchased online or through the theatre box office.
• T&T Waterfront Night Market is a Toronto tradition, the T&T Waterfront Night Market treats visitors to an authentic Asian night market experience, with a range of Asian street foods and vendors from throughout the province.  The market also features a centre stage, where a line up of local entertainers and cultural performance keep the energy up throughout the night. With rides, carnival games, shows, and plenty of food, the market is a cultural fair which aims to make the most of Toronto’s hot summer nights.
• Beaches International Jazz Festival is an annual event that showcases jazz, blues, big band, vocalists, African, Caribbean, reggae, hip-hop, South American, Latin, rhythm and blues and more. The event takes place at several venues across the Queen East / Beaches area and boasts an eclectic line-up. The fest includes workshops, jam sessions, kids events and a streetfest on top of the performances.

Saturday July 26th, 2014:

• Toronto’s Beer Festival is in it’s 20th year and highlights over 100 local and international producers of beer, spirits, and food that pairs well with a cold glass/pint! Enjoy over 300 different kinds of beer accompanied by mouthwatering grilled fare by Canada’s most respected chefs and learn about the history and latest industry innovations in the brewmaster’s seminar series. Some of the brewers onsite include Great lakes Brewers, Mill St., Steam Whistle and Flying Monkey. Food vendors like Fidel Gastro, Smoke’s Poutinerie and Rock Lobster will be providing the eats.
• Toronto Burlesque Festival is in its 7th year at the Mod Club this summer. Alongside nightly performances, the festival also offers workshops through “Burlesque University.”  This years performers are Perle Noire, Natasha Estrada, Dr. Lucky, Armitage Shanks and Inga Ingenue.
• Pick-nic in the Park is a Foodie foot tour that introduces restaurants and specialty food stores in two Toronto neighborhoods, before stopping at Trinity Bellwoods Park for a picnic. Together the tour group will pick up food from at least five different spots and return to Trinity Bellwoods Park. This event usually lasts three hours. Tickets include the picnic, the tour and all food purchases along the way.

Sunday July 27th, 2014:

• Kensington Market Art Fair is the first of its kind and it includes curated art outdoors from Toronto, and takes place in one of Toronto’s historic neighbourhoods on specific Sundays throughout the year. With a focus in 2D and 3D art, KMAF features both professionals and student works. Featured artists include Anastasiya Sokolyk, Andrew Kan, Anne Solomon, Arlene Koszorek and many more.
• The Annex Flea  is hosted in the Honest Ed’s alleyways, will be featuring various vintage and homemade goods sourced from all around Toronto. Jewellry, cappuccino, chocolate, snacks, mirrors, clothing and more will be featured at this event. Some of the vendors include Red Rocks Antiques & Vintage Emporium, Big Kev Vintage, ad Black Mamba Vintage.
• Matsuri Japanese Summer Festival is in its second year and is hosted by Kurakake Market. This event features Japanese culture, music, art and cuisine. Experience performances of traditional Japanese Geisha, Japanese taiko drumming, fashion shows and other activities.

Toronto Happenings This week: June 23-29

This week is all about World Pride in Toronto, with events, the Pride Parade, screenings, parties, and more happening all week long. Keep up with the action in the Pride Guide, along with a list of where to eat, where to party, and patios along the parade route. Get a head start on Canada Day festivities with the Canada Day Extravaganza, Ribfest and the CHIN Picnic – nboth start this weekend and run until Canada Day.

• Toronto Ribfest – June 27 to July 1, 2014: Celebrate Canada Day at the Toronto Ribfest, a joint Canada Day festival and barbecue competition hosted by the Rotary Club of Etobicoke. The Event also features carnival rides, live music, midway games, a climbing wall, pony rides and a on Canada Day a fireworks display at dusk.
• Scotiabank CHIN International Picnic – June 28 to July 1, 2014: This event celebrates the diverse cultures of Toronto, with music, vendors, food and performances from local and international talent. In its 47th year, the CHIN International Picnic is the largest free multicultural picnic in the world. The picnic features dance performances from the east, international cuisine, authentic cultural vendors, a kids zone and more.
• Digital Dreams Music Festival – June 28 to 29, 2014: The Digital Dreams Music Festival, Canada’s biggest electronic music festival, is back for Canada Day Weekend. 2013’s festival saw an attendance of 60,000 people at The Flats @ Molson Canadian Amphitheater with performances from some electronic music greats like, Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk among others. This year’s fest includes Tiesto, Justice, Deep Dish, Eric Pyrdz and more.
• Canada Day Extravaganza – June 27th to July 1, 2014: The Harbourfront Centre celebrates Canada Day with a five day event featuring live music, a history exhibit, and a fireworks display. The annual Soundclash Music Awards 2014 kicks of festivities, as it highlights diverse musicians across the GTA. With a $10,000 cash prize, winners are elected by a combination of jury and public voting. Bombino, is a Tuareg guitarist and singer, and was born in Niger  in 1980. He made his debut last year and the record, Nomad, debuted in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard World Music albums chart as well as the iTunes World chart. On June 30, OLG presents their annual Canada Eve Fireworks, a 20 minute, 2-barge firewood display over the Toronto waterfront. The Maple Leaf Forever is an exhibit that looks at the iconic symbol of Canadian identity. It examines the meaning of the maple leaf in Canada and around the world.
• City Cinema – June 24th to September 2nd, 2014: Yonge-Dundas Square continues its tradition of offering movie showings every week this summer.  All films are free and screened outside. Click HERE for the full list of movies.

 

Toronto Happenings this week: June 16-22

This week marks the start of World Pride in Toronto, with the opening ceremonies kicking off the festivities Friday. Keep up with all the events, block parties and parades in this year’s Pride Guide. There are also numerous summer festivals this week including the annual TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Open Roof Film Festival, the Redpath Waterfront Festival, the Dragon Boat Race  and Female Eye Film Festival. Also, don’t miss The Stop Night Market and Journey and the Steve Miller Band!

• TD Toronto Jazz Festival – June 19 to 28, 2014: The renowned TD Toronto Jazz Festival is back and features even more hazz artists then the years past performing in and around the city. This year they team up with World Pride as they co-host the opening ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square. This years performers include Earth Wind & Fire, Buika, Hiromi: The Trio Project, Measha Brueggergosman and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.
• World Pride 2014 Toronto Opening Ceremony – June 20, 2014: This concert to celebrate the beginning of WorldPride 2014 is headlined by GRAMMY® Award winner Melissa Etheridge. Other performers for the night include Deborah Cox, “All American Boy” Steve Grand and the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto Choir with soloist Gavin Hope. The night’s festivities will be hosted by Deb Pearce who will be joined by several guest hosts.
• Pride Week 2014 – June 20 to 29, 2014:  This year, Toronto’s Pride Week is World Pride: a 10-day arts and culture festival that celebrates diverse sexual and gender identities, and the lives of Toronto’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, queer and questioning communities.
• Open Roof Festival – June 19 to August 21st, 2014: The Open Roof Festival brings films, music and refreshments to rooftops in Toronto all summer. The event features independent films and local bands, and all profits support the Toronto indie film community. In case of rain, the films will be moved indoors.
• Redpath Waterfront Festival – June 20 to 22, 2014:  This years Redpath Waterfront Festival showcases the city’s Latin and Caribbean talent, with dance routines, live music and some fun and games for the whole family. Over the weekend guests can take part in the interactive events taking place, like The Joy Lapps Project, Salsa Session with Caliente Entertainment, Salsotika: Bachata Breakdown, and a Family Games Deck.
• Female Eye Festival – June 18 to 22, 2014: The Female Eye Film Festival showcases the work of independent female directors from around the world. The films shown in this festival belong to a wide range of genres including experimental, documentary, action, science-fiction and comedy. In addition to screenings, the festival hosts a series of artist talks, art installations and parties. This festival has been a mainstay on Toronto’s festival scene since it was founded in 2001.
•  The Stop’s Night Market – June 17 to 18, 2014: The Stop’s Night Market is a food fundraiser that benefits The Stop Community Food Centre’s programs against poverty and hunger. Upwards of 60 chefs and 30 food carts serve guests with a tantalizing array of guilty pleasures and healthy indulgences like soup dumplings, fried pizza and udon fries.
• Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival – June 21 to 22, 2014: Centre Island is the place to find the world’s top boat racing, during the weekend of the 26th Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival. Nearly two hundred teams with more than five thousand boating athletes are expected to take part in the event, courtesy of the Toronto Chinese Business Association.

 

Toronto Happenings this Weekend: June 13-15

It will be highly impossible to be bored in Toronto this weekend as summer festivals take over the city! Not only are there numerous festivals, all you foodies have Taste of Little Italy. All you soccer fans have numerous games to catch and not to mention it is Father’s day this Sunday! So wear your walking shoes this weekend and see some great festivities around the city.

• Session Toronto – June 13 to 14, 2014: Session Toronto pairs 30 craft brewers with 30 musicians, artists and celebrities to bring Toronto a unique beer festival in Yonge Dundas Square. The artists and brewers work in collaboration to prepare the craft beer and there are more than 100 samples to try throughout the event. This year’s event takes place as part of the Ontario Craft Beer Week and promises live music on stage, food trucks, and local food vendors on site.
• Much Music Video Awards – June 15, 2014: The MuchMusic Video Awards (MMVAs) has seen the likes of the Jonas Brothers, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Billy Talent, Nickelback, the Black Eyed Peas and more. Some of the categories include Video of the Year, Pop Video of the Year, International Video of the Year and a lot more. Leading the pack are Drake and Hedley with 6 nominations each. This first performers announced for this year include Grammy winning singer-songwriter Lorde, responsible for the hits “Royals” and “Team,” and American rockers Imagine Dragons, whose songs “Radioactive” and “Demons” have topped the charts. Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, Hedley, MAGIC! and Sam Roberts Band are also set to perform. Kendal and Kylie Jenner are hosting this year’s awards.
• Luminato – June 13-15, 2014: Luminato includes art, theatre, film, dance, music and literary events from local, regional and internationa artists, playwrights and filmmakers. They’ll be showcasing their talents to the city throughout the ten day event. David Pecaut Square (at the corner of King St. W. and John St.) continues to be the Luminato Festival Hub for the full ten days with nightly free concerts and events.
• NXNE – June 13 to 22, 2014: Take in a variety of music and films during the 20th annual NXNE festival when it rocks Toronto to the core. NXNE showcases the best new music and film by predominantly independent creators and producers. NXNE has been recognized worldwide as a festival for working musicians, as well as an essential gathering in the music industry. Approximately 800 bands, 30 films, 80 interactive sessions and 75 comedians will perform during the week. Most shows are 19+, unless marked as otherwise.
• Battle of Black Creek – June 14 to 15, 2014: The whole family can see history come to life at Battle of Black Creek, a special Father’s Day weekend event at Black Creek Pioneer Village. The highlight is a full-scale Revolutionary War battle reenactment on Schmidt-Dalziel Century Farm, featuring one hundred soldiers living on recreated military encampments spread throughout the Village. Parents can also enjoy a special barbecue rib lunch, as well as tours of the historic brewery; for the kids, there’s a rubber-band shooting gallery and ice-cream making.
• World Naked Bike Ride – June 14, 2014: Toronto cyclists strip down and bare it all at Coronation Park as part of the World Naked Bike Ride, a pedal-powered clothing-optional odyssey taking place in cities around the globe. Now entering its 11th year, WNBR has spread to over 75 cities in 17 countries. The event seeks to build community and raise awareness of the issues facing urban cyclists. Participants are encouraged to “Bare What You Dare,” removing only as much (or as little) clothing as they choose, helping to foster an atmosphere of fun, solidarity and mutual respect.
• Taste of Little Italy – June 13 to 15, 2014: The annual Taste of Little Italy festival transforms College Street, from Bathurst to Shaw, into an Italian piazza, with walking access to restaurants, shops and music on every corner. Some of the cuisine offered includes veal sandwiches, burgers, vegetables, grilled chicken, shrimp and much more.

 

Toronto happenings this month of June

As the summer months heat up so does the festival season here in Toronto. Not only is June huge for festivals but music too! This month is filled with food festivals, music events, and one of the biggest events of the year, PRIDE! Here is a list of June events:

• NXNE: North by Northeast: June 13 to 22, 2014 – The 20th annual NXNE festival hosts a variety of music and films that rocks the Toronto core. This festival showcases the best new film and music by predominantly independent creators and producers. NXNE has been recognized worldwide as a festival for working musicians, as well as an essential gathering in the music industry. The NXNE hosts around 30 films, 800 bands, 75 comedians, and 80 interactive sessions during the week. Most shows are 19+ unless marked as otherwise. Some of the artists announced for this year’s fest include singer-songwriter St. Vincent, rock band Spoon, noise pop duo Sleigh Bells, local rockers METZ and hip-hop artist A$AP Ferg.
• Luminato: June 6 to 15th, 2014 – The Luminato Festival is charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization whose vision is to commission and present significant local, and national international programming that reflects the city of Toronto as a diverse and accessible city that engages domestic and international audiences. One of the biggest festival in Toronto, it bring slight to the worlds and the world’s light to Toronto. This massive festival includes theatre, art, film, dance, music and literary events from local, regional, and international artists, playwrights and filmmakers. They’ll be showcasing their talents to the city through a ten day event.
• Ontario Craft Beer Week: June 13 to 21st, 2014 – With this month being one of the busiest months of the year, this weeks beer celebrates local breweries and the special brands of beer that can only be found in Ontario. Hosted by Ontario Craft Brewers, this festival is entering its fourth year and promises over 150 events in over 50 different communities with over thirty different breweries represented. Many of these events will be hosted at breweries, pubs, restaurants, and other venues around the province and events will include music, food, tastings, meeting the various brewers, and pub crawls.
• Pride Parade: June 29, 2014 – The 34th annual Pride Parade returns to Toronto again as a part of World Pride. The parade starts at Bloor Street East and Church, heads down Yonge st. and ends at Yonde & Dundas Square. The parade always features numerous floats, marching groups, music and lots of dancing by community organizations, businesses and groups. The parade celebrates all kinds of diversity and life in Toronto while encouraging tolerance and acceptance.
• Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival: June 21 to 22, 2014 – Centre Island is the place to find the world’s top boat racing. The 26th Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival is one of the biggest of its kind. Nearly two hundred teams with more than five thousand boating athletes are expected to take part in the event, courtesy of the Toronto Chinese Business Association. The Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival was founded in 1989, when it had only twenty-seven competing teams; now it’s a major world sports event and team members come from a diverse selection of places.
• Toronto RibFest: June 27 to July 1st, 2014 – Celebrate Canada Day at the Toronto Ribfest, a joint Canada Day festival and barbecue competition hosted by the Rotary Club of Etobicoke. The event also features carnival rides, live music, midway games, a climbing wall, pony rides and on Canada Day a fireworks display at dusk.

Toronto Happenings This Week: May 26-June 1

Another week has passed and events are rolling in one after the other. Summer season brings us amazing free events that can keep everyone busy everyday! Here are a list of great events happening in Toronto:

• Burger Week: May 28 to June 1st – City-weekly The Grid hosts their 3rd annual Toronto Burger Week. Throughout the week, up to 70 restaurants across Toronto will feature a special $5 burger only available during Burger Week. Burger favourites like Holy Chuck, Bug Smoke and The works are amongst this year’s participants.  Check out this year’s participating restaurants and what burgers they’re offering here.This week will culminate in a Burger Day vendor fair on Sunday, June 1. All of the participating restaurants, wills set up stands at Fort York Historic site to sell sliders for $3, sweets and sides for $1, and beer for $5.
• BeerFest – May 30 to May31 – This Festival 25 taps and tasting booths can draw some long lines, especially with all the different beers on offer, so if you have one particular you want to try, get in line early and make sure you’ve got enough tickets! Tickets are $1 each, and each ticket gets you a 5oz sample. A 16oz cup wills set you back 4 tickets. (www.theonlycafe.com/beerfest/index.html)
• Desifest – May 31 – Desifest is Canada’s only national South Asian music festival, returns to Toronto for 12 hours of entertainment at Yonge-Dundas Square. The annual festival aims to support the South Asian arts community and engage the next generation of musicians and fans. Having expanded to a national scope, the festival now includes sister events in Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver. This year’s Toronto festivities include over 26  bands in a free all-day showcase.  (www.desifest.ca)
• Flashdance – May 27 to June 8 – Flashdance is a musical by Sergio Trujillo based on the Academy Award-winning 1983 film of the same name. Holed up in a steel mill welding her life away, aspiring dancer Alex Owens spends her nights performing in a grimy bar hoping to make it big. Her struggle intensifies when shes courted by her boss at the mill and she feels like she has to weigh her career against the promise of a meaningful relationship. (www.mirvish.com)
• Food on Film – March 12 to July 9 – For the third consecutive season, the Food on Film series collects movies that prominently feature food. This event is hosted by CBC’s Matt Galloway and chefs, food experts and film buffs will join Galloway for each showing. Some films featured this year include Today’s Special, Hey Bartender, and Chungking Express.  (tiff.net/series/subscription-series/food-on-film2014)
• Kampai Toronto – May 29 – The third annual Kampai Toronto is a sake-tasting festival with myriad grades and styles from Japan and across North America. There are approximately 120 sakes available as well as a limited number of sake-based cocktails. Local restaurants like Hapa Izakaya, Zakkushi JapaneseYakitori Izakaya. Fonda Lola Mexican Bistro and Ryoji Toronto provide appetizers to enrich the fermented rice liquor’s subtle flavor notes. Guests are invited to sample the winners of the first Toronto International Sake Challenge held on April 28, 2014 with blind-judging by six sommeliers and LCBO representatives. (kampaitoronto.com)
• Toronto Festival of Clowns – May 28 to June 1 – The Toronto Festival of Clowns showcases the best in Toronto’s clowns as they perform in various productions in the city. The festival aims to bring together clowns and physical theatre artists of all disciplines and to provide a common space to perform. The festival explores and encourages the clown art form through hosting new and established work. (www.torontofestivalofclowns.com)
• Ready, Set, Die – May 31 – Ready, Set, Die is a gory five-kilometre run in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Humans must complete the traditional course and survive thirteen obstacles riddled with two types of zombies: the staggering, hobbling shufflers and the predatory sprinters. Runners are provided with balloons or flags that each represent a life. At the end of the run, both living and undead are invited to Zombie Fest for dancing, a scavenger hunt, zombie prosthesis and zombie apocalypse survival tips. (www.readysetdie.com)

Toronto happenings this week: May 19-25

Another week has passed and we are back on the grind! The weeks are going by so quickly that taking advantage of everyday and what the city has to offer is crucial. From circus barbecues to seeing heritage buildings, here is an exciting list of events:

• Cosmic SLOP – Local bands Prince Ness and Little Ghost, plus host Tom Joliffe, are all throwing a free show just for you. Thank you based surreal sci fi internet art blogs. Thursday, May 22, @Handlebar (159 Augusta Ave.)
• The 3rd Toronto Smartphone Film Festival – Thursday’s your chance to catch free movies at Scotiabank Theatre. All the moves that will be showing were made by smart phones, which can result in highly interesting movies and possibly a few duds. This fest also includes short comedy skits and music.  Thursday, May 22, 6:15pm, Scotiabank Theatre (259 Richmond Street West)
• Exposure Photo and Video Imaging Show presented by Henry’s – Love Camera’s? Free tickets to this show and sale featuring 60 exhibitors and 80 seminars can only be gripped at Henry’s locations or by signing up for the Exposure newsletter. May 23-25, The International Centre (6900 Airport Rd.)
• Doors Open Toronto 2014 – On of Toronto’s best free events is Doors Open Toronto. If you like to see the historic sites around the city, this event allows you to have a taste of Toronto history. Fantastic photos and beautiful architecture? What else could one want during a beautiful weekend. Saturday, May 24, 10am-5pm.
• Woofstock – North America’s largest outdoor festival for dogs is a dog socializing extravaganza! This expo has fancy pooch accessories, part meet and great for pet lovers. Think designer dogs, handbag sized animals in costume, and free swag. It is also a great chance for the city’s dog rescues to get exposure and link up with people looking to foster or adopt dogs in need. Saturday, May 24, Woodbine Park.
• Gluten Freedom Week – This prix fixe food fair is a delight to those who shun gluten from their diet! Three-course gluten-free meals at some of Toronto’s most respected restaurants. Japanese, Italian, Cuban, Middle Eastern, and more are tailoring their strengths to any diet! Thursday, May 22, 2014.
• Spring Festival of Craft Breweries – As summer arrives with patios being swarmed and people enjoying this great city, this festival marks the perfect chance to try out some unique craft beers. This year will feature four dozen different beers showcasing saison and session beers. A saison beer is pale ale that are 7% alcohol, highly carbonated, spicy, and fruity. Session beer on the other hand is generally above 5% alcohol, a balance of  malt and hop ingredients, and, typically, a clean finish. Session beers are especially good when in a session of multiple drinks, making a good fit for this festival. Thursday, march 22, 2014.
• Carassauga Festival of Cultures – The Carassauga Festival of Cultures is a three-day celebration of diversity and community at Venuses around Mississauga. Ontario’s largest multicultural festival spans 28 pavilions representing 72 world cultures via ethnic cuisine, music and dance performances, traditional handicrafts and more. Get immersed in rich cultural traditions from around the globe! May 23-25, 2014. Hershey Center.
• Anime North – Anime North is back for a full weekend of manga, anime, music, and games that celebrate Japanese culture. The convention includes Q&As and panels with industry pros, an artist alley and vendor area, cosplay competitions, games dances and more! For 2014, the convention will have events at multiple locations: Toronto Congress Center, the International Plaza Hotel, and the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel. Shuttle buses will be running between the venues.May 23-25, 2014.