365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events

45. Swing Dancing at the Reservoir Lounge

February 14, 2011

Whether you have a partner or not, swing dancing at the Reservoir Lounge is a great way to spend Valentine’s Day!

Swing Dancing at the Reservoir Lounge

Lindy-hoppers all over Toronto love the Reservoir Lounge, where you can catch live music six nights a week! Monday nights features “Sophia Perlman & The Vipers” starting at about 9:30pm, and playing on through the night so you can get in some serious swing dancing. The “pay what you can” cover charge means a cheap date for Valentine’s Day, and if you go solo, you may just meet your Valentine while you triple step, swing out, and lindy circle your way through the night!

The Reservoir Lounge is located at 52 Wellington Street East – check out their website for more details.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events

44. For the Love of Fish

February 13, 2011

Looking for love this Valentine’s Day weekend? Why not check out “For the Love of Fish” at the Toronto Zoo?!

For the Love of Fish

From February 12th to 13th, the Zoo will highlight some of their most famous fishes and “how they express their love.” An ideal event for kids, children who bring a valentine for their favourite “fishy friend” will get in free! You can pick up a “Love Diary” to learn lots of facts about fish, and head to the Conservation Connection Centre for a special Valentine’s surprise!

“For the Love of Fish” is open from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Check out all the fishy fun at the Toronto Zoo website.

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

43. Interactive Demonstration: Valentine’s Day Brunch

February 12, 2011

Want to impress your sweetie with a delicious Valentine’s Day Brunch, but have trouble boiling water, let alone flipping pancakes? The St. Lawrence Market Kitchen is hosting an interactive demonstration, helping to make you into an expert brunch chef just in time for the 14th.

Valentine's Day Breakfast

You’ll learn how to whip up some delicious baked goods, make eggs to order, and of course, what would Valentine’s Day be without a little dessert?

For $50/person, you’ll enjoy a sampler menu and take home recipes and treats, not to mention a much improved knowledge of how to create a memorable Valentine’s Day for that special someone. The two-hour class starts at 1pm; to register, call 416-860-0272, or email kitchen@stlawrencemarket.com. Visit St. Lawrence Market’s website for more information.

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

42. Ruined

February 11, 2011

In association with Nightwood Theatre, Obsidian Theatre Company presents the Toronto Premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, Ruined.

Ruined

Written by Lynn Nottage, Ruined follows the story of a young woman in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as she makes her way to Mama Nadi, “a savvy businesswoman who, in the midst of a complex civil war, both protects and profits from the women whose bodies have become battlegrounds.” This intense play conveys the stories of the courageous women who “piece themselves together after the ruin.” Described as “Passionate, courageous and acutely argued” by the Chicago Tribune, you won’t want to miss your opportunity to engage the debut of this important play in our city.

Catch a performance tonight at 8pm; tickets for Friday are $30 each. For more information, go to www.nightwoodtheatre.net.

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

41. Design Talks: Planning for Your Home – Organized Urban Living

February 10, 2011

Whether you live in a tiny condo unit or a palatial manor, it’s difficult to get organized! This month’s Design Talks guest, Clare Kumar, Chief Organizer at Streamlife, will give you tips and tricks to make the most of the space and time in your life.

February Design Talk

Clare will teach you what it means to be organized and why it’s so tough to get there (and stay there!) Her presentation and interactive discussion will help you to better manage your space, time, information and “stuff,” allowing you to experience the efficient living experience and peace of mind you desire!

Finally fulfill your New Year’s resolution to “get organized” and join us on February 10, 2011 at Urban Mode at 7:00pm. Spaces are limited, so purchase your ticket today at http://gettingorganized.eventbrite.com/. Get ready to experience organized urban living!

About the Speaker:

Clare Kumar has a natural gift for creating space and making time. How? By using organizing principles to solve a multitude of problems, Clare helps people become more organized at home and at work.

Since creating Streamlife, an organizing company in 2005, Clare has coached residential, small business and corporate clients to improve productivity and achieve greater peace of mind, while creating inspiring spaces in which to live and work. Clare has been a guest expert on Breakfast Television and The Steven & Chris Show, The Shopping Channel and Downright Domestic. These days she can be seen regularly on Real Life, and is the Storage and Organization Expert for Canadian Tire. She has been interviewed by The Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, Canadian Press, Metronews and CBC Radio, appeared in Canadian House & Home, has written for Neatfreak Group Inc., and blogged for Stables and ACCO Brands Canada. Clare is the go-to person in the organizing industry.

Clare is a Silver Leaf member of Professional Organizers in Canada (POC) and has served as its Director of Marketing. She is also a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). She actively participates in the Institute on Challenging Disorganization, and is a certified home stager (CCSP®).

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

40. Nixon in China

February 9, 2011

Ever wonder what a political event would look like in operatic form? In 1972, Richard Nixon visited China for five days as millions watched from their television sets; in 1987 John Adams transformed this significant political event into an opera: Nixon in China.

Nixon in China

Outlining Nixon’s visit to Communist China, the opera follows Richard and Pat Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Jiang Qing, Chairman Mao, and Zho Enlai throughout the Americans’ time in China. The characters express their hopes for the future and their doubts surrounding the lack of breakthrough in the relationship between the two countries.

Performed at the Four Seasons Centre for the Arts, Nixon in China starts at 7:30pm tonight. For more information on other performance dates and times, and to purchase tickets for this artistic take on a politically-charged event, go to http://www.coc.ca/.

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39. Dieu Du Ciel! Beer Tasting Dinner

February 8, 2011

You know that certain types of wine complement certain foods, but did you know that the same is true of beer? Dieu Du Ciel! Beer Tasting Dinner is your opportunity to become a beer connoisseur! You’ll enjoy a ten course beer dinner at Beerbistro, where beer is not only on the menu, it is an integral part of every menu item!

BeerBistro

Whether it’s the cheese and lager fondue, beer bread pizza, or mussels steamed in beer broth, beer-lovers will rejoice as they enjoy a feast, featuring beer from Quebec-based master brewery, Dieu Du Ciel! Many of the beers on tap for tonight’s event were crafted specifically for this event and are unavailable anywhere else in the world.

Tickets are $125 plus HST and gratuity; you can book by phone: 416-861-9872. For more information about this event, go to the Winterlicious website, and to learn more about Beerbistro, check out their website.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Rosedale, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto festivals, Toronto food, Toronto neighbourhoods, Toronto restaurants

38. Visit The Rosedale Diner for Winterlicious!

February 7, 2011

A family-owned restaurant in operation since 1978, Rosedale Diner is well-known for serving “real food to real people” – Winterlicious is your opportunity to sample some of this “real” (and delicious!) food!

Winterlicious - The Rosedale Diner

The eclectic wares of this establishment are reflected in the prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner: as an appetizer, why not try a sweet pea soup with crispy leeks and chili oil drizzle? Or how about Israeli hummus with za’atar and warm chickpeas with extra virgin olive oil? Entree choices include everything from a brie and apple omelet with onion frits, curried chicken mango salad, Moroccan lamb shank tagine, a vegetarian moussaka, and “poutine au canard:” off-the bone duck confit and  Québécois cheese curds with frites and demi-glace gravy! Assorted desserts will leave you completely satisfied with this Bohemian-style restaurant with an unmistakable Israeli flair.

Check out the Rosedale Diner’s website for more details, and don’t miss our interview with Dubi Filar, owner of the Rosedale Diner!

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

37. Kuumba – A Celebration of Black History Month

February 6, 2011

Celebrate Black History Month with Kuumba, two weekends of black history, arts and cultural events, hosted by the Harbourfront Centre!

Kuumba 2011

You’ll have the opportunity to participate in dance classes, plenty of music (including a gospel fest), film screenings, comedy nights, and much more! Throughout this weekend and the next, four historical exhibitions will be on display: On the Road North: Black Canada and the Journey to Freedom, Enslaved Africans in Upper Canada, Voices from Days of Slavery, and Motown Museum. Activities for the kids include storytelling and portrait creation. Musical features include Amadou Kienou, Natasha Waterman, and Pablo Terry.

Most programming is free, making this the perfect opportunity for you to discover Black History Month and the Harbourfront Centre! For more information, visit the Harbourfront Centre’s website.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events

36. WWE Smackdown World Tour

February 5, 2011

With tickets ranging from $25 to $80, anyone can attend the WWE Smackdown World Tour at Ricoh Coliseum!

WWE Smackdown World Tour

Superstars Edge, Rey Mysterio, Bix Show, Kofi Kingston, Kane, Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre, MVP, Dashing Cody Rhodes, The Divas, and many more will undoubtedly thrill and entertain young and old. Whether you’ve seen Smackdown on television, or whether you’re a novice WWE fan, this is your opportunity to catch the action live in Toronto!

Go to Ricoh Coliseum’s website for more details and to get your tickets for tonight’s event – it all starts at 7:30pm!