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

5. The Next Stage Theatre Festival

January 5, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 5, 2011

Starting today, the Next Stage Theatre Festival is the “best of the best” of the summer Fringe Festival.

Hear about a fantastic show this summer, but didn’t get the chance to see it? The guess-work of the Fringe is taken out of the mix in this winter theatre festival, as a panel selects eight shows to appear at Next Stage, based on the merits of the finished script and the companies’ past successes.

This year’s shows include At The Sans Hotel, Duel of Ages, Fairy Tale Ending (The Big Bad Family Musical), The Grace Project: Sick!, The Apology, Eating with Lola, Swan Song of Maria (A Tragic Fairy Tale), and Tom’s A-Cold.

Tickets are $15 for evening performances and $12 for afternoon performances; four play passes are available for $48, and you can see all eight shows with an eight play pass for $88.

Today you can catch Fairytale Ending and At the Sans Hotel at 7pm and 9pm, respectively, in the Mainspace, and you can see Swan Song of Maria at 7:15pm and The Apology at 9:30pm in the Studio Theatre. The Next Stage Theatre Festival continues until January 16th; for a full schedule of show times, go to the Fringe Toronto website.

These shows are held at the Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St (at Adelaide St West). Also, be prepared to benefit from the McAuslan Brewery Heated Beer Tent on site! Sweet!

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

4. TIFF Screenings: 70mm

January 3, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 4, 2010

The TIFF Bell Lightbox presents three cinematic masterpieces in their original, 70mm format: David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Jacques Tati’s Playtime (1967), and Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).

Today and tomorrow are the final days of the screening of these films; you can catch Lawrence of Arabia at 1:00pm this afternoon and 2001: A Space Odyssey at 6pm and 9:15pm tonight (Playtime finished its run in December).

Don’t miss your opportunity to view these films as they were intended to be seen! Tickets are $15, regular price. For more information, and to purchase your tickets online, go to http://tiff.net/

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

3. Get a new look for 2011 at Salon Liberté

January 3, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 3, 2011

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to get a new look in 2011? Whether your degree of daring calls for just a simple trim, or whether you’re planning on a complete transformation, Salon Liberté can cater to your cut and colour whims!

With an innovative “Colour Bar” that can create any colour you’ve been dreaming of, and with talented stylists ready to make that fantasy coiffure a reality, you’ll be heading into the New Year with a bang!

Salon Liberte Colour Bar — Salon Liberté Colour Bar

Salon Liberté is open today from 10am until 7:30pm, so use this opportunity to put your stat holiday to good use! Call to book an appointment at 416-977-9876, or visit the Salon Liberté website for more information about their services and fees.

Salon Liberte design area — Salon Liberté design area

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

2. Last day to see the Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army at the ROM

January 2, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 2, 2011

While the new year brings new beginnings, it also marks the end of some good things. For example, today is your last chance to see one of history’s greatest archaeological finds, The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army.

In 1974, unsuspecting farmers in northern China stumbled upon fragments of a terracotta figure, the first uncovering of the terracotta army pits of the Warrior Emperor Ying Zheng.

The Royal Ontario Museum’s exhibit of artifacts from the tomb complex of the First Emporer includes 10 life-sized terracotta figures, preserved wall paintings, sculptures, pendants, and much more. Many of this exhibit’s artifacts have only been shown in China previously, so do not miss your opportunity to witness what is celebrated as the “eighth wonder of the world!”

Adult tickets for General Admission + Terracotta Army Admission is $31; see the ROM’s website for more details.

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

1. Toronto Polar Bear Club Dip

January 1, 2011 Heikki Walden

January 1, 2011

Well, this is it! I’m kicking off the blog about 365 Things to do in Toronto Neighbourhoods on the first day of 2011! Woo hoo! What a great way to start the new year by taking time to think about the exciting things that lie ahead for Toronto in the next 365 days. I’ve been compiling a list of noteworthy events and places and I look forward to sharing them with you!

To set the tone for the brilliant and exciting year ahead, I’ve selected a physically invigorating event. Environment Canada is forecasting the temperature to be an incredibly balmy +9 degrees C on New Year’s Day! Contrast that with the next day’s forecast high of -5 degrees C and we’ve got some beautiful conditions. C’mon out and start 2011 off with a bang – or a dip – and support Habitat for Humanity at the same time.

It’s the Toronto Polar Bear Club Dip at Sunnyside Beach!

2011 marks the Toronto Polar Bear Club’s sixth New Years dip in support of Habitat for Humanity Toronto. Participants go for an icy swim in Lake Ontario and become a member of the Toronto Polar Bear Club in exchange for a $20 donation or a minimum of $20 of pledges towards Habitat for Humanity. With more than $50,000 raised over the life of the Club, this is a daring way to ring in the New Year while giving back to your City!

Arrive promptly at 11:15am for registration; the Dip is at noon sharp! Make sure to bring plenty of warm clothing and towels for before and after the dip, appropriate footwear for the water, your minimum $20 donation/pledges, and a friend to cheer you on and lend you a hand should you need assistance. For more information, go to www.torontopolarbear.com.