Tag Archives: Toronto

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

121. CONTACT Photography Festival

May 1, 2011 Heikki Walden

May 1, 2011

Featuring over 1000 local, national and international photographers, CONTACT is Toronto’s not-for-profit annual photography festival, and the largest photography event in the world. CONTACT aims to advance the knowledge, creativity and innovation in photography, and as such, supports emerging artists and professional photographers alike. An open call for exhibitions allows the festival to show work across the city in over 200 venues, featuring public installations, special events, and primary exhibitions.

CONTACT Photography Festival — Photo by Chien-Chi Chang

“Figure & Ground” is this year’s festival theme, addressing the way in which photographic images can alter our perceptions, inspire our knowledge-base, and unveil meaning. This theme encourages CONTACT patrons to ponder their relationship with their environment.

For information on venues, primary exhibitions, public installations, featured exhibitions and open exhibitions, go to http://scotiabankcontactphoto.com/. The CONTACT Photography Festival starts today and continues until May 31st.

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

120. Ariadne auf Naxos

April 30, 2011 Heikki Walden

April 30, 2011

Enjoy Richard Strauss’ 1912 “opera-within-an-opera,” performed at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts by the Canadian Opera Company. Ariadne auf Naxos features Adrianne Pieczonka as princess Ariadne and Richard Margison as the god Bacchus.

A fascinating opera, the story is split between the Greek island of Naxos, and the story of the staging of the opera in Vienna. As two groups of very different musicians arrive at the home of “the richest man in Vienna,” ready to perform two very different musical productions, preparations are complicated when the Major-domo decides that both performances must take place simultaneously. The resulting opera is a combination of the original performances (a burlesque show and a serious opera).

Today’s performance starts at 4:30pm. Tickets range from $62.00 + tax to $281.00 + tax. To purchase tickets, visit the Canadian Opera Company’s website.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, West Queen West

119. Rock’n Roll Dance

April 29, 2011 Heikki Walden

April 29, 2011

Ready to Rock’n Roll?! West Queen West’s Dovercourt House hosts Friday night Rock’n Roll dance parties, complete with a Beginner Rock’n Roll dance class from 8pm to 9pm.

Once you’ve learned the moves, you’ll have the opportunity to dance the night away as you twist and shout to the beat of your favourite tunes. You don’t need to bring a partner – just show up solo, or with a group of friends for a fun night of dancing and get to know your fellow dancers! For more information, go to www.odd-socks.org!

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

118. Hot Docs Festival

April 28, 2011 Heikki Walden

April 28, 2011

Toronto’s premiere documentary film festival, Hot Docs, starts today!

Tonight’s screenings include POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, and Fightville. Whether you’re looking for a film to inspire, make you cry, lift your spirits, or simply entertain, Hot Docs has something for everyone!

Venues include the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Winter Garden Theatre, Isabel Bader Theatre, Innis Town Hall, the ROM Theatre, Cumberland, and of course, the Bloor Cinema; Hot Docs is truly a city-wide event! A Hot Docs Pass is your best bet for truly enjoying the breadth of this film festival; there are a variety available which cost from $98 (for a Festival Pass which gives you ten Regular Screening Tickets and nine Late Night Screening Tickets that you can share) to $300 (for a Premium for Two Pass which gives you two tickets per screening, resulting in 200+ tickets for documentary fanatics)! Single tickets are also available for $14.

For a schedule of screenings and for information on how to buy your passes or tickets, go to www.hotdocs.ca!

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, West Queen West

117. Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week

April 27, 2011 Heikki Walden

April 27, 2011

Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week is “a platform for inventive, pioneering and contemporary expression.” While there is a heavy focus on fashion, the event features visual artists, bands and performers in addition to experimental, contemporary, and avant-garde fashion collections. The week includes more than 50 runway shows, a sound stage showcasing unique bands, DJs and solo artists, a photography and video exhibit, installation art and performances of all kinds.

This alternative take on the fashion world began yesterday and continues until April 29th. Today’s theme is “natural currencies,” highlighting the use of natural elements in the creative process. The night gets started with DJ Daniel Wilson at 6pm, includes performances by the Catalyst Dance Company, The Schematics of Evolution by Sai Sivanesan, several runway shows highlighting ICA Watermelon by Julia Knüpper and work by the Ryerson School of Fashion, along with ongoing photography and video screenings.

All events take place at 99 Sudbury Street in the West Queen West neighbourhood. Buy tickets in advance at Slinky/MOOG Audio, Nathalie-Roze & Co, Method Lab, or Shop Girls for $25/day, or get your day pass at the door for $30. For more information on Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week, go to http://www.alternativefashionweek.com/main.

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

116. La Clemenza di Tito

April 26, 2011 Heikki Walden

April 26, 2011

One of Mozart’s lesser known operas, La Clemenza di Tito is based on a leftover libretto by Pietro Metastasio.

The opera is set in the year 79 and depicts Vitellia, an ancient Roman aristocrat, as she plots to assassinate Tito, the Emperor of Rome. Directed by Marshall Pynkoski, featuring the Artists of Atelier Ballet and Tafelmusik Orchestra conducted by David Fallis, this production promises to be a crowning event in Opera Atelier’s 25th-anniversary season.

Tonight’s performance of La Clemenza di Tito is at 7:30pm at the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre. Tickets range from $38 to $166. For more information, go to the Opera Atelier website.

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

115. Celebrate an Eco-Friendly Easter

April 25, 2011 Heikki Walden

April 25, 2011

Celebrate Easter and Earth Day with the Toronto Zoo’s “Party for the Planet!”

You’ll learn about how you can be an ambassador for living in a more eco-friendly way through programs such as Backyard Naturalists, FrogWatch and the EcoKids Program. The Zoo will partner with Earth Day Canada and twelve Ontario environmental education organizations, providing your family with fun resources for making a positive change in your world. The Toronto Zoo has also partnered with RainBarrel.ca to offer rain barrels at a special reduced rate over the Easter weekend; register for your rain barrel at RainBarrel.ca/torontozoo!

Today is the last day to “Celebrate an Eco-Friendly Easter,” so be sure to join in all the eco-fun at the Tundra Trek area from 10am until 4pm! Meet the Zoo’s recycling duo, Henry and Douale at 1pm, listen to the polar bears keeper talks at 12pm or 2pm, and watch out for “Explorer Bear” at the Zoo’s front entrance at 10am, noon, and 2pm! Admission to the Zoo is $23.00 for ages 13 – 64 years, $17 for seniors, and $13 for children. For more information on this Eco-Easter event, go to www.torontozoo.com.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, The Beach, Toronto, Toronto events

114. 2011 Toronto Beaches Lions Easter Parade

April 24, 2011 Heikki Walden

April 24, 2011

Beginning at Neville Park and proceeding west along Queen Street to Woodbine Avenue, the 2011 Toronto Beaches Lions Easter Parade promises to make your Easter “hoppy!” Floats, bands, cheerleaders, and of course, the Easter Bunny himself made an appearance at last year’s parade, so you and your family are not going to want to miss this year’s Easter celebrations!

About 50,000 people attend the Easter Parade, so getting a prime seat means arriving early. The parade starts at 2pm. You’re advised to take the TTC to get there, as parking is fairly impossible on parade day; from downtown Toronto, take streetcar 501 east to get to the parade.

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

113. Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew

April 23, 2011 Heikki Walden

April 23, 2011

Catch the excitement with Toronto FC! Toronto’s Football Club plays at BMO Field, taking on Columbus Crew this afternoon at 4pm – don’t miss this opportunity to support one of Toronto’s best-loved sports teams!

Toronto FC games are so popular, single tickets are only released ten games at a time, so if today’s game doesn’t work to you, be sure to stay tuned to www.torontofc.ca on a regular basis to check what set of tickets will be released next!

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

112. Sacred Music for a Sacred Space by the Toronto Mendelsshon Choir

April 22, 2011 Heikki Walden

April 22, 2011

Celebrating the music of Canadian choral composer, Healey Willan, the breathtaking sounds of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir will fill St. Paul’s Basilica tonight at 7:30pm. This sacred music will appropriately be performed on Good Friday; you’ll have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in these cherished and sacred works as Holy Week nears its close.

Tickets for Sacred Music For a Sacred Space are regularly $50, or $45 for seniors, $15 for those 15-25 years old, or $10 for children. For more information about Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, future performances, and to purchase tickets, go to www.tmchoir.org.