365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto festivals, Toronto music

236. Black Creek Summer Music Festival

August 24, 2011

Featuring some of the best musical programming in the world, the Black Creek Summer Music Festival is a tour de force of musical events in Toronto. A wide range of artists and performances ensures that every musical genre is explored during the two months of the festival, which invites only the most accomplished of guests. Today’s performer is no exception: Barry Manilow!

Black Creek Summer Music Festival

Having sold over 80 million records, to say Barry Manilow has enjoyed success is an understatement! Ranking as the top Adult Contemporary chart artist of all time, Manilow has recently released his first original album of the last ten years, called 15 Minutes; tonight’s performance will surely include the singer/songwriter’s latest work, as well as the classics he is so famous for.

Tickets for tonight’s 8pm concert range in price from $64.50 to $156.00. All Black Creek Summer Music Festival concerts are located in Rexall Centre on the campus of York University. For more information and a full schedule of all concerts, go to www.blackcreekfestival.com.

 

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235. Dancing in The Dark: A series of free films at Yonge-Dundas Square

August 23, 2011

Head over to Yonge-Dundas Square tonight at 6pm for a double-bill presentation of Chicago and All That Jazz! Dancing in the Dark presentations are completely free, and give you the opportunity to enjoy the last of the warm summer evenings while taking in some of the most beloved film musicals. Each Tuesday night you can enjoy a film (or two!) at sundown (double-bills start earlier in the evening to accommodate longer showing times).

Dancing in The Dark

For details about Dancing in the Dark, and for a full list of films being shown throughout the summer, go to www.ydsquare.ca.

 

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234. The Ex

August 22, 2011

Summer may be coming to a close, but it is sure to go out with a bang when The Ex rolls into town! The Canadian National Exhibition started a few days ago and continues until September 5, 2011, giving you plenty of opportunities to squeeze all the fun you can handle out of the last few weeks of summer! Highlights of this year’s Ex include performances by Joannie Rochette & Yvan Pedneault in Beyond Broadway: Aerial Acrobatics & Ice Skating Show; Splash Zone “Flowrider” demonstrations; “The Human Cannonball;” and the President’s Choice “SuperDogs” – all free with admission to the grounds!

The Ex

In addition to the special presentations and events, there are the Ex standbys – more than 50 rides in the heart of the fairgrounds; petting zoos; the casino; unique “fair food;” concerts and demonstrations by a variety of singers, artists, chefs, and tribute bands; and much more!

Discover The Ex today from 10am until 10pm. Tickets are $16 for general admission, $12 for seniors and children, or $48 for a Family Pass (2 adults & 2 kids or 1 adult & 3 kids). Today is “Kids Toonie Monday Ride Coupon Special” – you can get 30 ride tickets for only $22 (which can be shared amongst children); you can also purchase a “Ride All Day Pass” for $36 throughout the duration of The Ex.

For more information on all The Ex fun, go to www.theex.com!

 

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

233. Sunday Serenades

August 21, 2011

Featuring the best in swing, big band and jazz performers, Sunday Serenades fills Mel Lastman Square with music on those warm summer Sunday evenings. In addition to enjoying a free concert, you’ll have the opportunity to “dance under the stars” as The Swing Shift Big Band performs A Tribute to Count Basie. You’ll be swinging late into the night as 17 fantastic musicians and vocalists Dave Statham and Larisa Renée provide you with the perfect accompaniment for an evening of dancing and music appreciation.

Sunday Serenades

Tonight is the last of the Sunday Serenades series; the concert/dancing gets under way at 7:30pm in Mel Lastman Square.

 

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232. TIFF Family Classics

August 20, 2011

Escape the heat and settle in for a film with the family! The TIFF Bell Lightbox features Family Classics, including Disney favourites, the Academy Award-nominated film Whale Rider, and several beloved musicals! Today’s film, The Rocketeer, tells the tale of a young flying ace who accidentally finds himself in possession of a top-secret rocket pack, making him the target of gangsters, the FBI, and even a Nazi spy, all looking to secure the amazing invention for themselves!

The Rocketeer

The Rocketeer starts at 2:00pm this afternoon; bring the whole family along for an afternoon of cinematic adventure! Regular admission is $12, seniors/students pay $9.50, while children and youth admission is $8.50. For more information on TIFF Family Classics, visit the TIFF website.

 

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231. Masala! Mehndi! Masti!

August 19, 2011

Celebrate South Asian culture with Masala! Mehndi! Masti! today at the Harbourfront Centre! Showcasing the vibrant and diverse cultures of this global hot spot, feature presentations include music by Devis n’ Divas, dancing by GhuMMo, and showings of MMMovies. The World Cafe will be open today from 6pm to 12am, giving you the chance to savor the tastes of South Asia. Sample butter chicken, samosas, vegetable curry and more!

Masala! Mehndi! Masti! starts today and continues until August 21st. For more information, go to the Harbourfront’s website.

 

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230. Exit the King

August 18, 2011

Referred to as “Eugène Ionesco’s absurdist masterpiece,” Exit the King tells the story of King Berenger the First’s effort to “will his death away.” Told by one of his two wives that he will “die at the end of the play,” Berenger exemplifies an accomplished man who fears death with the “arrogant sense that the world could not exist if he were no longer alive.”

Exit the King

Tonight’s performance of Exit the King begins at 7:30pm at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets range from $31.65 (for students) to $67.81 (for adults). To purchase tickets, visit Soulpepper Theatre Company’s website.

 

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229. Come Fly Away

August 17, 2011

The New York Times has celebrated Come Fly Away as “Spectacular and dazzling – A major new work with brilliant performers.” Find out what all the excitement is about tonight at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, when Frank Sinatra’s legendary music will provide the score for the choreography genius of Twyla Tharp.

Come Fly Away

Come Fly Away tells the story of four couples “falling in and out of love at a swinging nightclub on a star-lit evening.” A 14-piece big band will present Sinatra classics such as “Summer Wind,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “My Way,” “Theme from New York, New York” and “I’ve got the World on a String.” By special arrangement, Come Fly Away features original recorded masters of Frank Sinatra’s timeless voice, and includes newly discovered vocal performances from the Sinatra archives!

Tickets for this afternoon’s 2:00pm matinee of Come Fly Away range from $42 to $140; tickets for this evening’s 7:30pm performance range from $42 to $180. Come Fly Away will be showing in Toronto until August 28th; for more showtimes, go to www.dancaptickets.com/pages/cfa.

 

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228. Drop-in Yoga Class (Prep)

August 16, 2011

So you’ve finally decided to get in on the yoga trend. Where to begin? How about starting at the downtown Downward Dog Yoga Centre?! Today’s “prep” class is perfect for those just learning the basics of yoga. You’l learn classic postures at a slower pace with more attention to detail, allowing you to build your confidence in your practice. This class is a great way to discover whether yoga is for you, without having to commit to several weeks of classes, as you can “drop-in” for $20. If you decide you want to continue at Downward Dog, on your first visit you can enjoy 1-week of unlimited classes for $20 – the price of your first class – so you’ll have the opportunity to look into other classes!

Drop-in Yoga Class

Tonight’s “prep” class starts at 7:15pm; Downward Dog Yoga Centre is located at 735 Queen Street West, on the 2nd floor. If you can’t make it to tonight’s session, prep classes are also held on Wednesdays at 5:30pm, Thursdays at 7:15pm and Saturdays at 10:00am. For more information go to www.downwarddog.com.

 

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227. CNE HorseCapades

August 15, 2011

Get your CNE started early with the CNE HorseCapades! From August 2nd until September 5th, you can ride, pet and feed horses, meet a mare and foal, learn about grooming and shoeing, take a wagon ride, learn all about the life of a racehorse, and discover how a horse thinks, acts and reacts! Horse-lovers young (and young at heart) will enjoy the opportunity to get to know the equine stars of the CNE. As part of your HorseCapades afternoon, you can also watch professional horse competitions in Ricoh Coliseum.

CNEHorseCapades

Admission to HorseCapades and to the Horse Show is free prior to the start of the CNE;   from August 19th until September 15th, these events are free with admission to the CNE. HorseCapades takes place from 11am until 2pm each day at the Horse Palace. Go to www.theex.com to learn more about this event and all of the festivities before and during the Canadian National Exhibition!