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

145. Drop-in Clay Class

May 25, 2011 Heikki Walden

May 25, 2011

No matter your skill level, head over to the Gardiner Museum for tonight’s Drop-in Clay Class! You’ll explore the potential of working with clay as professional ceramic artists lead you through the process of hand-building, wheel throwing, decorating your piece, and glazing. This drop-in class is a great way to try your hand at clay before committing to the Gardiner Museum’s weekly classes; each drop-in session is only $15 ($12 for Gardiner Members, seniors and full-time students) with a $5 firing fee (per piece).

Class gets started tonight at 6pm; space is limited, so show up early – tickets go on sale at the Museum’s front desk 30 minutes prior to each class. For more information on the Drop-in Clay Class and other classes, go to the Gardiner Museum’s website.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events

144. African Penguins @ the Toronto Zoo

May 24, 2011 Heikki Walden

May 24, 2011

What’s white and black and only three days old? The Endangered African Penguins exhibit at the Toronto Zoo! The new 6,000 square food penguin exhibit just opened on May 21, complete with underwater viewing area, retail outlet, educational interpretive stations, daily keeper talks, and conservation messaging, and its all part of your admission to the Toronto Zoo!

The Toronto Zoo has just started its extended summer hours, so enjoy all the Zoo has to offer from 9am until 7:30pm tonight! General admission is $23.00. For more information on the African Penguins and the Toronto Zoo, go to torontozoo.com!

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

143. Toronto International Circus Festival

May 23, 2011 Heikki Walden

May 23, 2011

Ever thought about running away to join the circus? The 9th annual Toronto International Circus Festival will give you a taste of life “under the big top!” You’ll witness amazing acrobatics, daredevil stunts, daring unicyclists, fearless fire eaters, creative balloon sculptors, hilarious clowns, and much more, all at the Harbourfront Centre! Your kids can even learn how to juggle, cartwheel, hang upside down, or hula hoop in circus workshops!

The Toronto International Circus Festival brings the Zero Gravity Circus to Harbourfront Centre in their fourth year of partnership. You can check out the Canadian National Youth Circus , the Vague de Cirque and “46 Circus acts in 45 Minutes” at the WestJet Main Stage; puppets, magic shows and more at the Redpath Variety Stage; marionettes from Montreal’s Panadream Theatre at the Studio Theatre; and much more as acrobats, fire eaters and other circus performers roam the Harbourfront Centre!

This is your last day to enjoy the circus festivities – check it out from 11am until 5pm, rain or shine! For more information on the Festival, go to www.tocircusfestival.com.

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

142. Kids World of Energy Festival

May 22, 2011 Heikki Walden

May 22, 2011

Today is the last day of the Kids World of Energy Festival, organized in partnership between TREC Renewable Energy Co-operative and Evergreen Brick Works. The weekend’s festivities include interactive, family-oriented activities focusing on the themes of Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and the Science of Energy. Not only will you be able to check out Evergreen Brickworks (a must-see in our city!), you’ll find out how you and your family can work to contribute to a sustainable future.

The Kids World of Energy Festival operates from 10am until 4pm today; take public transit to start conserving energy now! A free shuttle bus departs from Broadview subway station every 15 minutes, straight to Evergreen Brickworks! For more information on the Festival, go to http://www.trec.on.ca/Festival.aspx; for more information on Evergreen Brickworks, check out http://ebw.evergreen.ca.

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, The Beach, Toronto, Toronto business, Toronto food

140. Pick up meat for weekend BBQs at Meat on the Beach!

May 20, 2011 Heikki Walden

May 20, 2011

It’s the May 2-4 weekend, and it wouldn’t be complete without grilling up some meat (or at least some delicious fresh veggies)! At Meat on the Beach you’ll find some of the best tasting, most wholesome, naturally raised, fresh meats, perfect for celebrating your long weekend. The selection doesn’t stop there – if barbecuing isn’t your thing pick up some oven-ready creations, such as rosemary-marinated Cornish hens, or succulent bacon-wrapped prime rib. If you don’t want to cook at all, there’s always ready made entrees, soups, and rotisserie grilled items, deli cold cuts and sausages, a fantastic selection of fresh breads and dessert items, and even flowers to put the finishing touch on your, uh, long-toiled over dinner party!

To find out more, check out Meat on the Beach’s website, and be sure to take a look at Heikki’s interview with store owner Ernesto Monte as they discuss the best-kept secrets of The Beach neighbourhood!

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

139. Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film and Video Festival

May 19, 2011 Heikki Walden

May 19, 2011

Celebrating years of challenging attitudes and changing lives, the Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film and Video Festival exists to support the promotion, production and screening of films made about and by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) individuals. The Festival takes place over 11 days, and includes screenings, panel discussions, artist talks, installations and parties that showcase over 250 Canadian and international film and video submissions.

For more details on the 2011 Festival (which starts today!), including venues, film schedule, and more, check out www.insideout.ca.

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

138. The Railway Children

May 18, 2011 Heikki Walden

May 18, 2011

Based on the 1906 novel by Edith Nesbit, The Railway Children is the tale of three children reduced to poverty after the arrest of their father. Moving from London to a cottage in the country, Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis find themselves living close to the train tracks where they become friends with the local railway porter.

Featuring a real vintage 66-ton steam locomotive, it’s not a surprise that this production takes place at Toronto’s new 1,000 seat Roundhouse Theatre, which was custom-built for The Railway Children’s North American debut! Today’s performances are at 2pm and 7:30pm; tickets for the matinee range from $25 to $69; tickets for the evening performance range from $25 to $140. To purchase tickets or find out more, visit The Railway Children’s website.

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

137. TSO – A Night at the Cotton Club

May 17, 2011 Heikki Walden

May 17, 2011

Go on a musical journey through the 1920s with tonight’s performance at the Roy Thomson Hall. You’ll experience music and dance from Prohibition-era Harlem with special guests Byron Stripling (trumpet and vocalist), Carmen Bradford (vocalist), Ted Levy (tap dancer and vocalist) and Bill Breithaupt (drums).

A Night at the Cotton Club starts tonight at 8pm; there are also two performances tomorrow, at 2pm and 8pm respectively. Tickets range in price from $31 to $109 for tonight’s performance; buy tickets online at www.tso.ca.

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.