So here we are again. It’s the weekend, it’s spring, and it’s still damn cold. Well, we can’t help with the temperature outside, but we can make sure that everything you do over the next four days happens to be one of the hottest events Toronto has to offer. Deal? We thought so, which is why we came up with nearly 30 different ways you can tell spring to shove it. Just act normal and hopefully the weather will follow…
Thursday
We suggest you start off by hitting up the Toronto Botanical Garden Farmer’s Market to pick up all your weekend fuel. They stay indoors during the winter – our kind of people.
The One Of A Kind show is kicking off its four-day stint at the Direct Energy Centre. You never know what you’re going to find here. Seriously.
The Toronto Hispano-American Film Festival starts its own four-day run, offering some insight into Latin culture through various South and Central American movies. No, Scarface does not count.
OCAD faculty and alumni donate their work to Project 31 so that you can buy good art on the cheap. The money you spend will go to supporting current students and OCAD programs. Sounds like a pretty good deal to us.
Bone Thugs ‘n Harmony are playing at the Mod Club. That is all.
If you were ever into Def Jam Recordings then you’ll probably want to be at Parts and Labour. Diggy The DJ will be playing hits from the last three decades to celebrate DJR’s 30th anniversary. We assume they don’t mean Bieber, though.
Three presidents of important Canadian companies and institutions get together to discuss what it takes to achieve greatness in Lessons from Leaders. Strombo hosts, which isn’t random at all.
Listen to this. If you like it, go here.
Friday
There is a three-day yoga conference and show at the convention centre with over 250 exhibitors and 80 master teachers. Take a class, buy a mat, or just Namaste all day. That’s how it works, right?
Toronto’s Festival of Beer still has some spots open on Friday night. Evergreen Brickworks offers the perfect setting for over 20 breweries to serve up their best. Go get hoppy and pretend it’s spring.
The world’s first and only film and arts festival dedicated to breast cancer awareness and education, Breast Fest opens its week with films, photographs, and more. This is an open and ongoing dialogue – join it.
The most important International Francophone Film Festival in English Canada, Cinefranco gives Toronto full access to an impressive collection of films from francophone countries around the world. Subtitles will be there for those of you who haven’t yet learned to embrace Canada’s bilingualism.
From late night to Massey Hall, Scottish funnyman Craig Ferguson will take the stage to deliver his show, Hot & Grumpy. Let’s hope it’s one of those things and not the other.
Boy & Bear has neither boys nor bears but rather five dudes from Australia. Confusing – maybe. Good – definitely.
The Body Percussion Festival seems to take self-flagellation to a whole new level. Or rhythm. We’re not sure, but we’re excited to find out all the sounds people can make with their bodies.
Dare to Wear raises funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation through Canada’s fashion design community. You get drinks, dinner, a fashion show, and the opportunity to do the right thing (even if don’t happen to be wearing the right thing).
Saturday
Hit up the Wynchwood Barn’s Farmer’s Market to stock up or simply enjoy a morning walk about. Once again, you’ll find this fresh food indoors in an atmosphere that actually manages to match this time of year.
The Drake’s art concierge, Betty Ann Jordan, will take you to the most impressive galleries and project spaces along Queen West in this Art Walk. Whether you’re looking to fill up some wall space or just get to know the neighbourhood, this is a great way to discover Toronto’s art scene. What? You were expecting a joke?
Memory Ball is all about promoting Alzheimer’s awareness and working to dispel the myths and stigmas related to the disease. It’s already sold out but we’re sure the Internet has an extra ticket somewhere.
Put on by Jackson-Triggs, ROOTSTOCK is an annual concert that combines food, music, and storytelling. This year you’ll find Steven Page, Alan Doyle, and Lindi Ortega on stage – and wine in your hand.
Just two months after winning the Lifetime Achievement Grammy, Kraftwerk comes to Toronto. One of the most influential bands of all time, these guys are that good kind of creepy.
Part costume party, part professional and social networking opportunity, and full-on excuse to take complete advantage of an early ‘spring’ Saturday night out, ROM PROM is the Young Patron’s Circle’s largest fundraiser for the Royal Ontario Museum. Go get fancy for art.
From 8:30pm until 9:30pm local time it’s Earth Hour. Time to power down and think about what we’re doing to this world of ours. Don’t worry, Instagram will still be there when you get back. If you’re afraid of the dark, however, head to the Mill Street Brewery for some drinking in the dark amongst friends and 50 cents from every pint your order will be donated to Earth Day Canada.
Sunday
Just one of the largest Reptile Expos in North America. If you’re afraid of snakes this, probably isn’t your jam.
Held thrice annually, Toronto’s Alternative Market offers up “all things exotic, whimsical, and macabre.” We suspect you’ll find some weird things and you’ll find some wonderful things. Just maybe not weird and wonderful.
Thirty top vendors from Toronto and Montreal are putting on a show and sale at the Gadsden’s Vintage Clothing Sale. Sometimes old stuff makes the best new stuff.
The Dock Ellis has teamed up with Kensington Brewing Company and Premium Near Beer to host Shut Out Liver Disease, a night intended to raise money for a good cause. Yes, we get the irony.
The best way to end a weekend is with a guilty pleasure. And if bad movies happen to be your escape of choice, then Bad Movie Night Toronto’s presentation of The Amazing Bulk is exactly where you’ll want to be. Seriously, someone actually paid to have this film made…
So there you have it. We can’t fix the weather but we can fix your weekend up right. See you in April, when we won’t care if there are showers so long as it’s warm enough to finally put away our balaclavas. Until then…
Stay Notable,
The Weekender
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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