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

75. Canada Blooms

March 16, 2011

Celebrating its 15th year, Canada Blooms is Canada’s largest and most prestigious gardening festival! Enjoy six acres of beautiful gardens in full bloom; an annual design, horticultural and floral competition; over 100,000 square feet of shopping that will make every gardener’s green thumb a little greener; four educational stages hosting over 200 hours of seminars, workshops and demonstrations; master gardeners one-on-one sessions; make-and-take workshops, and much more!

Canada Blooms

This year, in honour of the 40th JUNO Awards, Canada Blooms presents the “JUNO Rocks” Gardens; JUNO-nominated artists have partnered with landscape artists to create personal, “green” interpretations of what rhythm and music means to them. Check out gardens designed by opera-singer Ben Heppner, country-singer Carolyn Dawn Johnson, R&B singer Jully Black, singer-songwriter and environmental activist Sarah Harmer, and a garden inspired by the music of Oscar Peterson, designed with help from his wife and daughter-in-law.

Canada Blooms started yesterday and continues until March 20th. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online, at ticket outlets, or at the door. For more information on the schedule of events, speakers, workshops, and garden tours, go to the Canada Blooms website.

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74. Water: The Exhibition @ the ROM

March 15, 2011

It’s safe to say that we Canadians take water for granted. We have easy access to clean drinking water whenever we want it, and in Toronto, we have kilometers of lakeshore to deceive us into believing that water is available to all. Water: The Exhibition reminds us that water is actually a scarce resource for almost a billion people who do not have access to clean drinking water.

Water: The Exhibition @ the ROM

Organized by the American Museum of Natural History and the Science Museum of Minnesota in collaboration with the Royal Ontario Museum, Great Lakes Science Center (Cleveland), The Field Museum (Chicago), Instituto Sangari (Brazil), National Museum of Australia, San Diego Natural History Museum and Science Centre Singapore with PUB Singapore, Water: The Exhibition is a worldwide exploration of the power, wonder, and scarcity of water. This exhibit will show you the fragility of freshwater and oceanic environments, and will help you discover what you can do to help conserve water.

The ROM is open today from 10am until 5:30pm; adult admission is $24, seniors and students between 15 and 17 years pay $21, and tickets for children 4 to 14 years are $16. To purchase tickets online, and to learn more about the ROM, go to the ROM’s website.

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73. Spring Fling @ Rogers Centre

March 14, 2011

Get a kick-start on spring with the quintessential sign of summer: a carnival! Spring Fling at Rogers Centre is Canada’s largest indoor carnival, and it returns just in time to occupy young and old during spring break. Enjoy midway rides, family entertainment on the Children’s Stage, and experience Reptilia as you get to know 26 exotic animals!

Spring Fling @ Rogers Centre

Spring Fling began on March 11th, and continues until March 18th. The fun gets started at 10am every morning and continues until 6pm. $20 will get you an all day ride ticket; if rides aren’t your thing, enjoy the Spring Fling for $10. Purchase tickets at Ticketmaster outlets, or online. For more information about Spring Fling and the Rogers Centre, go to http://www.rogerscentre.com/.

 

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

72. Yoga at Evergreen Brick Works

March 13, 2011

If you’re an immediate to advanced yogi, check out Prana Flow, and intermediate/advanced yoga program hosted at Evergreen Brick Works! Inspired by the beautiful, natural surroundings, the Brick Works’ yoga program was created to deepen participants’ connection and awareness of both their internal and external environment.

Yoga @ Evergreen Brick Works

The more advanced poses explored in Prana Flow “draw upon the resilience and humility of our natural environment to support a physically challenging practice that is cleansing and rejuvenating to both the body and mind.” To participate in today’s class, there’s no need to register; you can “drop-in” for $15, or purchase an 8-pack of classes for $96 at Evergreen Brick Works. Bring your yoga mat, a water bottle, and a towel. For more information on Prana Flow, other yoga classes, and the Brick Works, check out http://ebw.evergreen.ca.

 

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71. St. Lawrence Market Farmers’ Market

March 12, 2011

Since 1803, what is now the St. Lawrence Market has been known as the “market block” – the place to get fruits and vegetables fresh from the farm. Today, the City of Toronto carries on this 208 year old market tradition, featuring a Saturday Farmers’ Market where seasonal produce from over 50 Ontario growers and producers is available for sale.

St. Lawrence Market Farmers' Market

Purchase freshly made sausage, perfectly aged cheese, delicious baked goods, and of course, all the fruits and vegetables you need for the week, right in the heart of Toronto! Located in North St. Lawrence Market, the Farmers’ Market starts bright and early at 5am. For more information on St. Lawrence Market, go to http://www.stlawrencemarket.com.

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70. Canadian Music Week

March 11, 2011

Canadian Music Week is already well underway, and with it, the Canadian Music Fest and Film Fest are in full swing.

Canadian Music Week

Tonight’s musical line up includes just about every genre of music: from MC Skibadee and DJ Ruffstuff at the Annex Wreck Room, to Melissa Etheridge at Massey Hall, to Good Charlotte at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, to Big Sugar with Wide Mouth Mason at the Sound Academy and everything in between! There’s also plenty on the schedule for the Film Fest at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Catch Pickin and Grinnin’, Go There Once, Be There Twice, and rare theatrical screenings of Quadrophenia and Tommy, both featuring The Who.

Canadian Music Week takes place from March 9th to 13th at venues around the city. For more information, and for a complete schedule of shows, films, and conference speakers and events, check out the Canadian Music Week website.

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

69. Design Talks: Planning for Your Home – Design for the Great Outdoors

March 10, 2011

Regardless of how much outdoor space you have to work with, you can make it beautiful! This month’s Design Talk speaker, Landscape Architect, Sander Freedman of Sander Design, specializes in transforming uninspiring outdoor spaces into beautiful examples of peace and urban oasis.

March Design Talk

In this month’s Design Talk, we’ll get you prepared for Spring as Sander shows us examples of contemporary gardens and outdoor rooms, helps us understand the process behind his sustainable designs, and gives us tips and tricks so that we can create great spaces in our “own backyards” (or balconies)!

Start thinking about Spring and getting your outdoor spaces ready for renewal! Join us on March 10, 2011 at Urban Mode at 7:00pm. Tickets are $15.00

About the Speaker:

Sander Freedman has been working as a Landscape Architect for over twenty years. In 2005, he began his own International Landscape Architecture and Planning Design Company, Sander Design, taking on projects in both North America and China. His projects have included residential and commercial landscape design and planning, working on everything from private homes to large scale master plan designs both at home and abroad.

For an example of one of Sander’s breathtaking finished projects, check out our video of a “Terrace Transformation” at the Printing Factory Lofts!

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68. Second City – This Party’s a Riot!

March 9, 2011

Another award-winning, critically-acclaimed comedy by The Second City, This Party’s a Riot! is the latest original production written and performed by The Second City’s fantastically hilarious ensemble. As experts at “poking fun at the ever-changing world we live in,” This Party’s a Riot! promises “up-to-the-minute satire, unforgettable characters, and hilarious original songs” to please one and all.

Second City - This Party's a Riot

Tickets are $24 from Tuesday to Thursday and on Sundays, or $29 on Fridays and Saturdays. Dinner and show packages are available. Purchase tickets online at The Second City’s website (dinner and show packages can only be purchased through the Box Office by calling 416-343-0011).

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Queen West, Toronto

67. Intro to Salsa

March 8, 2011

Starting tonight at 7pm on the 3rd floor of the Dovercourt House, Intro to Salsa is an eight week course that will get you active, meeting new people, and of course, dancing, in no time!

Intro to Salsa

You don’t need a partner or any experience to start the series – you just need enthusiasm and a willingness to learn! If you can’t commit to the full eight weeks (which starts today and continues until April 26th), you can “drop in,” for $20 per class, but to learn the basic salsa concepts, you won’t want to miss a session! For the eight week series, new students pay $135, and returning/existing students pay $99. Register online at the GoDance Mambo website, and get ready to experience the fiery passion of salsa

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66. Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival

March 7, 2011

Spring is in the air which means…it’s maple syrup season! You don’t have to go too far outside of the city to celebrate Canada’s most famous export – Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area (near Stouffville) and Kortright Centre for Conservation (just north of Woodbridge) are both participating in the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival from March 5th until April 10th. Activities include demonstrations, wagon rides, crafts and family activities, and of course, pancakes and maple syrup!

Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival

Admission is $9.00 for adults and $6.50 for seniors and children 4 years old and up. Pancake meals vary in price from about $2.50 for a pancake and a drink to $20.00 for a family platter. Canada produces about 85% of the world’s maple syrup, so get out there and show your Canadian pride (and celebrate spring!) by checking out the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival!