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

115. Celebrate an Eco-Friendly Easter

April 25, 2011

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

Toronto Zoo

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

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!

2011 Toronto Beaches Lions Easter Parade

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

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

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

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.

Sacred Music for a Sacred Space

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.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, The Junction, Toronto, Toronto business

111. Visit Mjölk

April 21, 2011

Now that your Spring cleaning is complete, have you discovered that you are in need of some new furniture? Looking for something unique and beautiful, that will turn heads yet be useful in everyday living? Why not visit Mjölk, a Scandinavian furniture/lifestyle store in the Junction neighbourhood?

Mjolk

Mjölk owners and curators John Baker and Juli Daoust are inspired by Scandinavia, and as such, have filled their store with products from the north. Smaller pieces include everything from herb scissors to Finnish tea towels, from egg cups to pastry brushes, all practical yet lovely. Larger items include stunning sofas, chairs, storage units, and accent tables that make a beautiful and distinctive impact in any home.

Visit Mjölk today; the store is open from 10am until 6pm. Learn more about Mjölk on their website, and check out Heikki’s interview with store owners John and Juli for their insiders’ take on the Junction neighbourhood!

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

110. Bullet for Adolf

April 20, 2011

Woody Harrelson has called Toronto “his favourite city in North America,” so it is no surprise that he will stage Bullet For Adolf with Children at Play Productions, right here in our city! Harrelson staged This Is Our Youth in Toronto in the summers of 2003 and 2004, and returns to T.O. to stage his latest production, Bullet For Adolf, at the Hart House Theatre.

Bullet for Adolf

A mostly fictional story, the plot was inspired by Harrelson’s 1983 summer construction job. Characters are loosely based on real people from the conversations Harrelson had with his friend, Frankie Hyman, while on the job. The play also involves a gun that was once intended to kill Hitler.

Bullet For Adolf runs until May 7th; tonight’s showing is at 8pm. TIckets are $32 for general admission, and $18 for students and seniors. For more information, or to purchase tickets for the world premiere of this play, go to www.uofttix.ca.

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

109. Opening Night of the Lion King

April 19, 2011

Disney’s award-winning musical, The Lion King, begins its Toronto shows tonight! If you’ve not had a chance to check out this show, don’t miss your chance to witness this breathtaking spectacle; if you have seen a performance of The Lion King, this is your opportunity to experience the magic all over again! Watch as award-winning director Julie Taymore brings an African safari to life to the tune of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning songs, “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.”

The Lion King

This Tony Award-winning Broadway production runs until June 12th at the Princess of Wales Theatre; tonight’s performance is at 7:30pm. For tickets for tonight’s show, or to see future shows, go to www.mirvish.com/shows/thelionking.

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

108. All Levels Yoga

April 18, 2011

Discover Octopus Garden Holistic Yoga Centre, a new yoga studio located just west of Little Italy on College Street! Whether you’re an experienced yogi or just getting started, there’s a class for every yoga enthusiast at Octopus Garden. Today’s All Levels class, held at 1pm and 9pm is one such class.

Octopus Gardens' All Levels Class

Suitable for any student, this session is especially helpful for those just starting out in yoga, of for those with a desire to expand their knowledge of foundational poses. The class focuses on breathwork and alignment while creating a dynamic flow in varied sequences.

Your first class at Octopus Garden is free – if you want to continue taking the All Levels class (or any other class), you can “drop-in” for $18 a class. A 5-Class Pass costs $75, a 1-Month Pass is $135, or you can become a member for $80/month (plus a one-time $30 activation fee). For more information on Octopus Garden’s classes, go to www.octopusgardenyoga.com.

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

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 @ For The Love of Cake

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.

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

106. Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market

April 16, 2011

Hosted at the Young Welcome Centre on Saturdays from 9am until 1pm (in the summer the start time is 8am), the Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market features the “best of the season.” Shop for fruits, vegetables, wild fish, meat, cheese, milled flours, eggs, and oils, all grown/raised/produced by local farmers. Purchasing local food is better for the environment, tastes fresher, and is good for your conscience – supporting Ontario farmers is a great way to “green” up your life!

Evergreen Brick Works Farmers' Market

Rhubarb, beets, cabbage, carrots, fiddleheads, parsnips, and many greenhouse-grown fruits and veggies are all in season in April, so visit Evergreen Brick Works and do your produce shopping for the week! Not only will you get your grocery shopping done, you’l have the opportunity to visit Toronto’s new community environmental centre in the heart of the Don Valley. For more information about Evergreen Brick Works, visit http://ebw.evergreen.ca/.