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

15. Engineers Without Borders Gala 2011 – Celebrating African Partnerships

January 15, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 15, 2011

Engineers Without Borders is celebrating 10 years of their work in addressing the effects of poverty in rural Africa. Whether creating opportunities for access to clean water or helping small farms to generate an income, EWB has played an important role in working alongside African communities while educating the rest of the world on the root causes of poverty. Support EWB today by purchasing a ticket to the ten-year anniversary gala; each ticket purchased will be issued a tax receipt for $40.

Gala attendees will enjoy concerts by K’Naan and Bonjay, traditional African food and drink, African drumming and dancing, an authentic marketplace, fair trade soccer pitch, and speeches by EWB founders George Roter and Parker Mitchell. Tickets start at $125 and can be purchased at the Gala’s website.

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

14. Karaoke at the Gladstone Hotel

January 14, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 14, 2011

Voted Queen West’s “best karaoke bar” by NOW Magazine for seven years, it’s no exaggeration to say that karaoke at the Gladstone is an institution.

Hosted by Peter Styles every Friday and Saturday from 10pm until 2:30am, you can croon the night away with your pals (and new-found pals: nothing quite brings people together like karaoke!)

http://www.gladstonehotel.com/

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

13. Design Talks: Creating Liveable Living Rooms

January 13, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 13, 2011

The living room is the life of your home: this space can “double” as an office or a home theatre centre, and it is more than likely your primary entertainment venue. In short your living room is where you live – it should be lively, welcoming, and reflect your sense of style! Join us for our first Design Talk of 2011 when Karl Lohnes, Homes Columnist for Metro News, will help us to make our living rooms more liveable!

Karl will teach us the “tricks of the trade” as he helps us learn to match patterns and colours in a room, measure a space for the right sized sofa and area rug, hang and display artwork effectively, find the right paint colour for your walls, and introduce us to the basics of window treatments. After the talk, don’t miss the opportunity to have your decor dilemmas solved by this celebrated designer in our fun Q&A!

Mark your calendars! Our event kicks off at 7pm on Thursday, January 13th at Urban Mode (145 Tecumseth Street, just south of Queen St West). Spaces are limited – purchase your ticket at http://livingrooms.eventbrite.com/ now to avoid disappointment!

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto galleries, Toronto neighbourhoods

12. AGO’s Maharaja exhibition + Art Talk: “Indian Popular Culture and Courtly Life”

January 12, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 12, 2011

Maharaja: The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts is the Art Gallery of Ontario’s exploration of the luxurious lifestyle of the maharajas. This exhibit features over 200 paintings, furniture, jewelry and more, all crafted for India’s greatest kings.

Today, you not only have the opportunity to discover this opulent exhibit, you can also attend an AGO Art Talk to learn more about the modern implications courtly life has created. Led by Dr. Stephen Inglis, curator of the AGO’s Maharaja exhibition and curator emeritus at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, you’ll learn all about the ways in which Indian popular culture and tourism have been influenced by the culture of India’s kings.

Tonight’s Talk starts at 7pm and costs $18 for the general public; to find out how to register for this fascinating foray into the story behind the Maharaja exhibition, go to www.ago.net.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Green, Toronto, Toronto business, Toronto neighbourhoods

11. Register for a trial box from Organics Delivered

January 11, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 11, 2011

Everyone’s heard about the “dirty dozen” and the benefits of eating organic produce, but when it comes down to it, organic fruits and veggies can be difficult to find in your local grocery store, and when you do find them, you are bound to pay a substantial amount for your desire to eat healthy, clean food. Organics Delivered saves you the difficulty of finding organic produce, is cheaper than the organic fruits and veggies at your local grocery store, and even delivers the goods right to your doorstep!

If you register today for a two trial box from Organics Delivered, you’ll receive two regular-sized boxes of delicious, healthy, organic produce for $79.90. Around the time of your second delivery (deliveries are either one or two weeks apart, based on your preference), Organics Delivered will contact you to see if you’d like to subscribe for regular delivery of their organic produce. Not only is delivery free, the company tracks the fruits and veggies that you don’t want in your food box, and will supplement your produce with the items you love!

To find out if Organic Delivered delivers to your area, and to find out more about signing up for a two trial box, go to the Organics Delivered website.

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

10. Elvis Monday @ the Drake

January 10, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 10, 2011

As Toronto’s longest running indie showcase, it is no surprise that Elvis Monday at the Drake Hotel has featured the likes of Cowboy Junkies, Treble Charger, Sum 41, Three Days Grace, Billy Talent, Ron Sexsmith, and Beck!

This weekly event has proven to be quite the “launching pad” for many the Toronto band, so don’t miss your opportunity to see the next big thing tonight and on Mondays to come!

Getting started at 9pm, this event is free. Be ready to show ID and enjoy some local talent at the Drake Hotel on Queen Street West!

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Distillery District, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto neighbourhoods

9. The Distillery Walking Tour

January 9, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 9, 2011

Once upon a time, Gooderham & Worts was the largest distillery in the British Empire. Today, the area boasts the largest collection of industrial Victorian buildings in the country. Explore the Distillery District for yourself as you witness the site of what was once Toronto’s tallest structure, and find out about the neighbourhood’s role in the world of Hollywood over the years.

As a sweet ending to this informative tour, you’ll head to Soma, a world-class chocolatier ready to show you some of Toronto’s most delectable confections!

The tour leaves at 11:30am or 3:30pm on Sundays and takes about one hour; reservations are recommended, so book online at Segway of Ontario. Price per person is $19 + tax.

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

8. Toronto International Boat Show

January 8, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 8, 2011

Starting today and continuing until January 16th at Ricoh Coliseum, the Toronto International Boat Show attracts boating enthusiasts and novices alike.

Whether you’ve had your “sea legs” from the moment you could walk, or whether you’re simply interested in learning more about sailing, canoeing, or power boats, the Toronto International Boat Show is your opportunity to participate in boating seminars; test out kayaks, paddleboats, and more on the world’s largest indoor lake; or pick up a boat-shopping guide to use at the show as you make your way through the multiple boating vendors!

This year’s Show features Zac Sunderland, the youngest solo sailer to circumnavigate the world at the the age of 16 years, Duma the famous waterskiing/boat-driving dog, a fully stocked fish tank for showing different lures and fishing techniques, kids boating and fishing zones, and much more!

Admission is $18 online or onsite, and kids 16 and under get in free! To learn more or purchase your tickets, go to the official site of the Toronto International Boat Show.

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

7. Canada’s Bridal Show

January 7, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 7, 2011

Planning a wedding this spring or summer? If you’re not in full-planning mode, get started with Canada’s Bridal Show at Metro Toronto Convention Centre!

Beginning today and running until Sunday, January 9th, the Show features hundreds of vendors, multiple fashion shows, and plenty of inspiration for brides on every budget!

If you’ve ever been to a bridal show, you know that this is where vendors bring their “A game” – deals and discounts abound, and you will not want to miss out! Door prizes include a $5000 decor package from the Bay, and five diamond rings, courtesy of Marcello Jewellers.

Tickets are $15 and can only be purchased at the door (cash only).

Here’s the website for Canada’s Bridal Show.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto farmers' markets, Toronto neighbourhoods

6. Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market

January 6, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 6, 2011

While most farmers’ markets have called it quits for the year, the vendors at Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market are tough – they stick it out through the winter months!

While the selection is obviously smaller than during the harvest months, you can still purchase fresh, organic, and local fruits and veggies at the Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market, along with honey, eggs, preserves, baked goods, fair-trade hot chocolate and coffee, and bread baked right in Dufferin Grove Parks’ community oven.

The market has moved indoors (in the park’s rink-house), meaning you can shop and skate from 3pm to 7pm on Thursdays throughout the winter!

Here’s the website where you can get more details about the Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market!