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

195. Summer Music in the Garden 2011

July 14, 2011 Heikki Walden

July 14, 2011

Join the Harbourfront Centre in their 12th year of presenting free concerts in the Toronto Music Garden! Bring along your lawn chair (bench space is limited) and listen to the beautiful sounds of the Cecilia String Quartet (CSQ) as they perform”Labours of Love: Visionary works for string quartet, from Mozart to Piazzolla,” including Mozart’s Quartet in G Major, K. 387, Beethoven’s Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135, and Four for Tango by Astor Piazzolla. The accomplished young women of the CSQ are the first prize-winners of the 2010 Banff International String Quartet Competition, and are currently the Graduate Resident String Quartet at The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School. The quartet takes their name from the patron saint of music, St. Cecilia.

The Toronto Music Garden is the brain-child of renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, garden designer Julie Moir Messervy, filmmaker Niv Fichman and philanthropist James Fleck. For a free tour of the garden, come early to the concert (which begins at 7pm) for a 5:30pm tour which starts at the Prelude section at he west end of the garden.

For more information on tonight’s concert, or for a full schedule of future concerts in the Toronto Music Garden, go to the Harbourfront Centre’s website.

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194. Fresh Wednesdays

July 13, 2011 Heikki Walden

July 13, 2011

Take a true break from your workday and enjoy “Fresh Wednesdays” at Nathan Phillips Square. Featuring seven live, free noon-hour concerts along with the Square’s Farmers’ Market, this lunch-hour event is ideal for that beautiful summer’s day when the office’s lunchroom just won’t cut it. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase your favourite in-season fruits and vegetables while listening to fantastic Canadian music. What more could you want?

The Nathan Phillips Square Farmers’ Market runs every Wednesday from June 1 through October 19 (except for September 29), 2011. Accompanying Wednesday summer concerts get started today and continue until August 31, 2011. For more information go to Fresh Wednesdays’ website.

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

193. Dream in High Park

July 12, 2011 Heikki Walden

July 12, 2011

A Toronto theatre tradition, this year’s Canadian Stage Dream in High Park features The Winter’s Tale, William Shakespeare’s fairytale of Bohemia and Sicilia. This tale has been described as both a psychological drama and a comedy, so regardless of your favourite Shakespearean genre, this play will be enjoyable for you and any fortunate companion(s) you bring along! After all, with gates opening at 6pm (the play starts at 8pm), this is the perfect opportunity for you to pack a picnic, relax on the hillside, and take in the beauty of High Park and a fantastic outdoor theatre performance with friends and family!

Admission is PWYC (with a suggested minimum donation of $20 for adults) and free for children 14 and under. To learn more about Dream in High Park, go to www.canadianstage.com/dream.

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

192. Toronto’s Fringe Festival

July 11, 2011 Heikki Walden

July 11, 2011

The Toronto Fringe is underway; this is your opportunity to catch some of the zaniest, most interesting, most hysterical, most heart-wrenching dramas of the Toronto theatre year!

So how exactly do you “fringe?” Start at the Fringe Club, located right behind Honest Ed’s, where you’ll hear all the Fringe buzz, have the opportunity to check out free activities, and enjoy the free nightly cabaret. Next, stay up to date at www.fringetoronto.com to find up to the minute reviews; you can also find out show times/dates for all the plays at this handy website, a must for any Fringe-goer. Miss one of the most popular shows? Two Best of The Fringe extensions will give you the opportunity to catch the sell-outs you long to see. No matter how you fringe, be sure to arrive on time – there are absolutely no latecomers admitted to shows.

The Toronto Fringe Festival continues until July 17, 2011. You can buy tickets and learn everything there is to know about the Fringe (well, almost!) at www.fringetoronto.com.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events

191. Rosedale Valley Antique Market

July 10, 2011 Heikki Walden

July 10, 2011

Every Sunday in June, July and August, Evergreen Brick Works hosts the Rosedale Valley Antique Market. Explore 27,000 square feet of Rosedale Valley’s finest antiques from 9am until 5pm today, and take the opportunity to enjoy the Evergreen Brickworks! Featuring several antique dealers selling only top quality pieces, you’ll be sure to walk away with a treasure or two!

Take the TTC to Evergreen Brick Works by catching the free shuttle bus from Broadview Subway Station. For more information, go to http://info.evergreen.ca/en/cal/event/rosedale-valley-antique-market/.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto food, Toronto restaurants

190. Summerlicious

July 9, 2011 Heikki Walden

July 9, 2011

And now for the ultimate foodie event of the summer…Summerlicious! Get ready to dine in style for a fraction of the price as several of Toronto’s most beloved restaurants present affordable prix fixe menus, allowing you to sample their wares for a price that won’t break the bank. Lunches range in price from $15 to $25, while dinners start at $25 and peak at $45.

Some of Toronto’s favourite restaurants, including Auberge du Pommier, Canoe, Frank Restaurant, Pangaea, Sassafraz and Spice Route will be participating in this year’s Summerlicious event. Enjoy Auberge du Pommier’s “Le Plat de Jambon et Moutarde” or “Ontario Fufala Mozarella, Sweet Peas, Celery, Honeyed Walnuts & King Crab” from Canoe’s menu for your appetizer; sample Frank’s “Pan Seared, Crisp Skinned Rainbow Trout Nicoise,” or Pangaea’s “Squid Ink Linguini with Shellfish” for your main; delight in “Louis d’Or, Fresh Fruits and Flatbreads” from Sassafraz or “Tempura Banana Caramel and Chocolate Swirl” from Spice Route to finish out your foray into Toronto’s cuisine.

Summerlicious continues until July 24th; for a full list of participating restaurants and their menus, go to the Summerlicious website (don’t blame us if you suddenly find yourself ravenous for some of Toronto’s finest foods)!

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events

189. Free Friday at the Honda Indy Toronto

July 8, 2011 Heikki Walden

July 8, 2011

Experience all the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto excitement for free today! Free Friday allows you access to all grandstands, giving you the opportunity to enjoy our city’s very own Honda Indy event. All paddocks will be open, allowing you to take advantage of behind the scenes access in the IZOD IndyCar Series Paddock!

For a full schedule of events, go to hondaindytoronto.com!

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

188. 9 to 5: The Musical

July 7, 2011 Heikki Walden

July 7, 2011

A hilarious musical about friendship, teamwork, romance and drama in the office, 9 to 5: The Musical has been lauded as “The Perfect Post-Work Indulgence” by the New York Post. Based on the 1980 film by the same name starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, this musical features the original “9 to 5” title track as well as several new songs written by Dolly Parton.

9 to 5: The Musical will be in Toronto for only four more shows (including tonight)! Featuring three-time Tony nominated Dee Hoty, Mamie Parris and American Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo, you aren’t going to want to miss this exciting production! The show starts at 7:30pm tonight at Toronto Centre for the Arts; tickets range in price from $54 to $154. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to http://www.dancaptickets.com/.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, St. Lawrence Market, Toronto, Toronto events

187. Canadian Central Regional Barista Competition & Coffee Fair

July 6, 2011 Heikki Walden

July 6, 2011

Love coffee? You’re invited to attend the Canadian Central Regional Barista Competition & Coffee Expo at St. Lawrence Market! You’ll have the opportunity to sample coffee and tea from local coffee roasters, experience coffee cupping and latte art demonstrations, and watch baristas compete for the title of Central Regional Barista Champion!

Competitors will prepare and serve 4 espressos, 4 cappuccinos and 4 “signature” drinks of their own creation in a short fifteen minutes. Baristas will be judged on station cleanliness, beverage presentation, taste, technical skills and overall impression. The winner will go on to compete in the Canadian National Barista Championship in Vancouver in October; the Canadian champion will go on to represent Canada at the 2012 World Barista Championship!

This event is open to the public by suggested donation to “Coffeekids,” a registered charity which helps families in coffee-growing countries build better lives. The event starts at 10am and continues until 6pm in the North Market.

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186. Interactive Demonstration: Summer Grillin’ Host the Perfect Backyard BBQ

July 5, 2011 Heikki Walden

July 5, 2011

Ever dreamed of hosting the “perfect backyard BBQ,” hailed by friends and neighbours as the “event of the summer?” Now’s your chance to make that dream a reality! St. Lawrence Market has several fantastic butchers, and Chef Geraldine Cutajar will introduce you to a variety of meats that make for great grilling! You’ll be treated to a grilling demo, while a guest event coordinator will teach you the “do’s and don’ts” of hosting that perfect outdoor party, complete with entertaining and budget tips. The menu will consist of appetizers, a main item, and dessert – all right from the grill!

Today’s Interactive Demonstration starts at 6pm, and costs $85 per person (+HST). To register. call 416-860-0727, email kitchen@stlawrencemarket.com, or reserve your spot online!