Category Archives: Toronto neighbourhoods

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto galleries, Toronto museums, Toronto music, Toronto neighbourhoods

274. Nuit Blanche

September 30, 2011 Heikki Walden

October 1, 2011

Starting at 6:59pm and continuing until sunrise, Toronto will be transformed into an art-lover’s paradise for the sixth annual Nuit Blanche. Over 130 locations in Toronto will feature art of every kind with an emphasis on art installations – you’ll find art in galleries, museums, streetcars, alleyways, storefronts, churches, and even parks.

For a full listing and map of all of this year’s fantastic works of art, go to www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca You’ll find itinerary planning tools, a navigational app for iPhones and BlackBerries, and plenty of news about the most anticipated art installations to be found across our city during this much-anticipated event!

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto neighbourhoods

267. ARTWALK – St. Clair Arts Festival and Studio Tour

September 23, 2011 Heikki Walden

September 24, 2011

Featuring the talent of local artists, ARTWALK is in its seventh year of celebrating art, community and business in the St. Clair West area of Toronto. Taking place at the Artscape Whychwood Barns and along St. Clair West, ARTWALK highlights the work of established artists as well as those who are just emerging. Mediums include oil and water painting, sculpture, fibre, ceramics, photography and more. You’ll also have the opportunity to take in the performing arts, as music and spoken word are integral parts of the festivities.

ARTWALK starts today and continues until tomorrow. For more information, go to www.stclair-artwalk.org/

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Bloor West Village, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto festivals, Toronto neighbourhoods

261. Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival

September 17, 2011 Heikki Walden

September 18, 2011

The Toronto Ukrainian Festival was born in 1995 as a celebration of the influence of Ukrainian culture in Ontario. By the early 1950s, approximately 84,000 Ukrainians resided in our province, making Toronto the new “Ukrainian capital.” The Festival celebrates the diversity of our city, and is considered one of the premier Ukrainian festivals in North America. By showcasing contemporary professional and amateur artists and performers of Ukrainian heritage, the culture, music, dance and visual arts of the Ukraine is preserved and celebrated each year at the Festival.

This year, participants will enjoy Mandry, the Toronto Ukrainian Festival 2011 feature band; Roman Danylo, the Headlining Standup from Vancouver; Verkhovyna Song & Dance Ensemble from Edmonton; Tyt I Tam, one of Canada’s premium Ukrainian party bands; Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre from Calgary; and the Lemko Tower, all the way from Lemkivshchyna! In addition to performances, the Festival features plenty of opportunities to purchase culture memorabilia, and of course, the chance to sample delicious Ukrainian food!

The Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival finishes today, so make sure to join in on all the fun while you still can! For more information, go to www.ukrainianfestival.com.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto farmers' markets, Toronto food, Toronto neighbourhoods

256. Stonegate Farmers’ Market

September 12, 2011 Heikki Walden

September 13, 2011

Each Tuesday from June until October, the Stonegate Farmers’ Market features locally made honey, cheese, meat, breads, sweets, and of course, locally grown fruits and veggies! Created as a venue where the Stonegate community can gather, the market is complete with entertainers, special events and children’s activities, so bring your friends and family along while you do your weekly shop!

The Stonegate Farmers’ Market starts at 4pm and continues until 7pm in the parking lot of Christ Church St. James’ Anglican church (194 Park Lawn Road).

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Cabbagetown, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto festivals, Toronto neighbourhoods

252. Cabbagetown Festival

September 8, 2011 Heikki Walden

September 9, 2011

Each year the Cabbagetown Festival celebrates the sights, sounds, people and community of one of Toronto’s favourite neighbourhoods – Cabbagetown! Festivities include the Cabbagetown Art & Crafts Sale, stage entertainment, a “Grand Parade,” plenty of pub and patio entertainers, street vendors, a Short Film & Video Festival, “Blair’s Run,” pub crawl, Riverdale Farm Fall Harvest Festival, walking tours of historic Cabbagetown, and much more!

The festival started on September 7th and continues until September 11th, so there’s still plenty of time to be part of all the fun – in fact, many of the festival’s events begin today! For more information, go to the Cabbagetown Festival’s website.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Greektown on the Danforth, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto neighbourhoods

219. Taste of the Danforth

August 7, 2011 Heikki Walden

August 7, 2011

It’s that time of year again – the Taste of the Danforth comes to showcase the very best of the Greektown! Savor the taste of Hellenic food, enjoy the sounds of authentic Greek music, and learn all about Greek culture during this three-day festival. Today is your last chance to participate in all the fun, so be sure to get out there and enjoy the culture that “makes the Danforth a year round destination.”

Each year the Taste of the Danforth welcomes more than 1.2 million visitors to participate in all the festivities. Three stages offer free entertainment, ranging from concerts by the TSO’s brass quintet, to skits by Second City, to the opportunity to meet some of the winners from “So You Think You Can Dance Canada,” to an assortment of entertaining cover bands. A special Greek stage offers Greek music, song and dance (including belly-dancing!) while the Kids’ Fun Zone is a great place for the little ones to experience the Toronto Zoo’s “Touch Table,” or join in with the Centre of Gravity’s “You Can Try It” Circus. Check out the Beer, Wine & Spirits Gardens, sample some of the Danforth’s most delicious food, or visit the Sports Zone – there’s something for everyone at The Taste of the Danforth!

For more information on this year’s festival, go to www.tasteofthedanforth.com.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto neighbourhoods

204. BIG on Bloor

July 23, 2011 Heikki Walden

July 23, 2011

Taking place from Dufferin to Lansdowne on Bloor, the BIG on Bloor Festival celebrates local arts and culture, community, and businesses with hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions. The Festival includes large-scale participatory commissioned art projects, two stages for performers, singers, musicians, theatre, dancers and karate, and 300 tables filled with information about community projects and local neighbourhood events. The weekend’s festivities also include BAAF: Bloor Alternative Art Fair, which will bring art institutions, collectives, galleries and artists to the street with crafts, face painting, story telling, and much more!

Today Bloor Street will be closed from Dufferin to Lansdowne from 1pm to 9pm, and will be filled with table exhibitions. Tomorrow the festivities continue on Bloor side streets, stores and restaurants, Susan Tibaldi Park and Kent School (but Bloor Street will re-open for traffic). For more information on all the festivities, go to http://bigonbloor.com/festival/.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Distillery District, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto neighbourhoods

141. Victoria Day Weekend Spring Craft Show

May 21, 2011 Heikki Walden

May 21, 2011

Enjoy the first installment of “Artisans at the Distillery” this May long weekend! With free admission from 11am to 6pm, the Victoria Day Weekend Spring Craft Show features the wares of over 70 artisans. You’ll have the opportunity to peruse and purchase ceramics, home-made pickles and preserves, one-of-a-kind art, photography, furniture, clothing, jewelry, soaps, and much more!

Attending the Weekend Spring Craft Show is the perfect excuse to check out the Distillery District – a fantastic neighbourhood of Victorian Industrial buildings, artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs. Enjoy the Show and the Distillery District each day this long weekend! Find out more about Artisans at the Distillery at their website, and take a look at The Distillery Historic District’s website for fascinating information on the history of this unique Toronto neighbourhood!

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto neighbourhoods

136. Downtown Toronto Ghost Tour

May 16, 2011 Heikki Walden

May 16, 2011

Experience Toronto as you have never seen it before; through eyes “beyond the grave!” Our city’s buildings have seen a lot of history over the years, resulting in a multitude of mysteries, urban legends and ghostly tales. This spooky Downtown Toronto Ghost Tour will reveal the history of some of Toronto’s most eerie landmarks such as Queen’s Park, Old City Hall, and Osgoode Hall, and will conclude with a visit to Toronto’s most notoriously haunted buildings.

The Downtown Toronto Ghost Tour starts at the front steps of the Royal Ontario Museum and begins at 7pm. Call ahead to reserve a spot, as priority will be given to those with confirmed reservations. The tour is $20.00 for one person, $15.00 each for two or three people, and $10.00 each for four or more, so grab a couple of fearless friends and enjoy an evening of ghouly fun! Go to www.muddyyorktours.com/haunted.html for more details.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Liberty Village, Toronto, Toronto business, Toronto events, Toronto food, Toronto neighbourhoods

107. Iron Cupcake Competition @ For the Love of Cake

April 17, 2011 Heikki Walden

April 17, 2011

Cupcakes have been trendy for the last couple of years, and For the Love of Cake has the art of the cupcake down to a science. Located in Liberty Village, this fantastic bakery features traditionally flavoured cupcakes, and the more unusual “man cakes” (think bacon, Guinness, and stout flavoured confections). In addition to their array of fantastic flavours, For the Love of Cake regularly hosts an “Iron Cupcake Competition.”

Iron Cupcake is a cupcake-baking contest open to the public. The concept is similar to “Iron Chef;” a “secret ingredient” is announced, and bakers must incorporate it into their cupcakes. The competitors make the cupcakes ahead of time and bring their finished product to the competition, where “judges” (this is where you come in!) award participants with points for presentation, taste and creativity. Want to be a judge? (Of course you do – who wouldn’t want to taste-test cupcakes?!) The cover for non-contestants is $5, and you’ll get to sample and judge the cupcakes and help decide on the people’s choice award! The tasting gets underway at 1pm today!

For more information on the Iron Cupcake competition, go to http://fortheloveofcake.ca/cupcakes/ironcupcake/. Be sure to check out Heikki’s interview with For the Love of Cake owner, Genevieve Griffin, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWiP5_XrHjg.