SEPTEMBER 22 TO 25 Learn about the latest products and get house improvement tips at the Fall Home Show. This large, annual expo features a lineup of renovation and design experts, vendors, showcase rooms and much more. Exhibition Place, Better Living Centre, $14; call 416-644-5452 or visit here for additional details.
Danica Patrick
JULY 8 TO 10 Celebrate 25 years of speed at the Honda Indy Toronto. On top of Sunday’s big race along the shores of Lake Ontario—including drivers Dario Franchitti, Alex Tagliani, Will Power and Danica Patrick—there is also a slew of other features for fans, such as the new Ferrari Challenge, in which these legendary cars are showcased in their natural racing environment. Since its first running in 1986, the Honda Indy has become one of the largest sporting events in Canada. Exhibition Place, general admission $30 to $45, reserved grandstand $60 to $423; call 1-877-503-6869 or visit here for a complete schedule of events.
Find fab Sui Generis frocks at the Clothing Show
MAY 27 TO 29 No matter your style profile, you’re sure to find new additions to your wardrobe at one of Toronto’s largest showcases of original and unusual designer apparel. The Clothing Show has it all—from runway shows to sample sales and even a fashion photography contest. Scour the more than 300 booths for deals you can only find at this one-stop clothing shop, featuring fabulous frocks from Canadian indie labels such as Lux & Luster and Sui Generis. Unique handmade pieces from vintage-inspired Paper People Clothing are also a draw, as are the one-of-a-kind jewellery designs from Black Iris. Exhibition Place, Queen Elizabeth Building, $10 admission; call 416-516-9859 or click here for more information.
Friday: Marvel at the Harlem Globetrotters' amazing basketball skills
Friday, April 8
For more than 84 years, the Harlem Globetrotters have dazzled fans of sports and showmanship around the world, even presidents and popes. This weekend, they’re dusting off their best moves for three shows at the Rogers Centre: tonight at 7:30 p.m., and tomorrow (April 9) at 2 and 7 p.m.
Kicking off another spring is the Total Health Convention and Exhibition, taking place this weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and featuring more than 200 exhibitors. Attendees can also hear from 60-plus speakers on topics like “The Ancient Healing Art of Ayurvedic” or “Health Effects of Genetically Modified Foods.” Don’t miss the gourmet organic café or the spa oasis!
Learn about and celebrate the traditions of First Nations peoples at Survival of the Indigenous Spirit. The fundraiser will take place at the University of Toronto’s Innis Town Hall offers talks by Anishnabe spiritual leader Dave Courchene and Survivorman Les Stroud. Proceeds support the Vision Quest & Makoose Ka Win project.
Saturday: Kids will enjoy seeing Bugs "conduct" the orchestra
Saturday, April 9
Bring the kids to a classical concert they may actually enjoy, as the Sony Centre and Warner Bros. presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony. Two showings (at 2 and 7 p.m.) feature the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony performing live while Bugs Bunny at the Symphony and other classic cartoons are projected on the big screen.
Massey Hall welcomes a Canadian music legend tonight, as iconic singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn plays songs from his latest studio album, Small Source of Comfort, and, possibly such past hits as “Lovers in a Dangerous Time.”
Starting today, Veggielicious takes place at more than 20 restaurants and bakeries across Toronto. Specials on vegan dishes or prix fixe menus are on offer at establishments such as Bunner’s Bake Shop—where you can get a Veggielicious Snack Pack for $7.50—and Live Organic Food Bar, where for $25 you can experience a three-course 100 per cent vegan meal.
Sunday: Colborne Lodge offers family Fun (photo by Bobolink)
Sunday, April 10
Get a head start on all the family fun at Easter Traditions at Colborne Lodge, taking place from noon to 4 p.m. Kids and families can tour High Park’s historic Colborne Lodge while they learn and participate in 19th-century Easter traditions like dyeing and hunting for eggs.
For old and young alike, stamp collectors will enjoy spending the day at the National Postage Stamp Show at Exhibition Place’s Queen Elizabeth Building. Check out the North Toronto Stamp Club’s annual show, meet with dealers from across Canada, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., and participate in prize draws.
Three exciting Asian-inspired exhibitions beckon visitors to the Textile Museum of Canada: Beauty Born of Use: Natural Rainwear from China and Japan showcases the historical use of natural elements like straw, bark, vines, and seaweed to create waterproof and eco-friendly clothing; artist Kai Chan’s A Spider’s Logic brings together common household items reminiscent of his Chinese upbringing to create nature-inspired elements; and, new to the museum, Silk Oasis on the Silk Road: Bukhara displays a collection of ikats and silks from Central Asia’s textile- and history-rich Silk Road.
Friday: Thrill to the fleet footwork of Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance (photo by Ken Howard)
Friday, March 25
Michael Flatley, who has been aweing audiences for over a decade as the Lord of the Dance returns to the Sony Centre for a mythic tale of Irish folklore that has dazzled over 100 million people worldwide. Don’t miss this classic story of good versus evil expressed through fast-footed dance.
Emerging director Philip McKee of artistic troupe Idée Fixe presents a passionate adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear at Harbourfront Centre. As the king comes closer to death, he demands his daughters prove their love to him in order to secure their inheritance. When the most faithful fails to offer concrete evidence of her devotion, Lear banishes her from his home and heart.
Celebrating 40 years of Canadian music, Junofest features over 100 bands in 20 venues over two nights across the city. Catch tunes from such bands as Billy Talent, Die Mannequin and Bedouin Soundclash playing at such concert locations as the Opera House and Phoenix Concert Theatre.
Saturday: Check out the best bikes at the National Motorcycle Show
Saturday, March 26
Turn off your technology and experience Earth Hour at the Ontario Science Centre with a free live stage show from TVOkids entitled Don’t Sit Still. Or, as the lights go out, observe the stars in Toronto’s sky and a special viewing of Saturn through a telescope with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Rev up your engines and head down to the Better Living Centre for the 30th anniversary of the National Motorcycle Show. View vintage bikes, including the new row of champions, and find everything you need to get geared up for the season.
Celebrate with tequila at Embrujo Flamenco, an authentic Spanish tapas restaurant which this weekend features a special pre-fixe tasting dinner menu with tequila tasters. Sample fare like flambéed shrimp cooked in Cuervo Blanco tequila and a chocolate mousse with Jimador Reposado tequila and orange marmalade. Post-supper fun includes flamenco dancing and a live music show.
Sunday: Applaud your favourite Canadian musicians at the Junos
Sunday, March 27
The Juno Awards mark their 40th anniversary here in Toronto, home of the very first awards show honouring Canadian musicians. Rap superstar Drake hosts a line-up of stellar performances featuring Sarah McLachlan, Broken Social Scene and Hedley, nominated respectively for Best Artist, Group and Album of the Year.
Hurry to the Art Gallery of Ontario for the last week to see the majesty of the Maharaja: The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts. See amazing artworks, royal costumes, jewellery and a life size model elephant enrobed in textiles, trappings and a silver howdah. Don’t miss the afternoon performance by South Asian dance company inDance.
Marvel at the National Ballet of Canada’s premiere performance of Russian choreographer Alexei Ratmansky’s Themes & Variations, Apollo & Russian Seasons. This showcase features three short one-act ballets set to Tchaikovsky’s Orchestral Suite No.3., created by George Balanchine and Igor Stravinsky with a score by Leonid Desyatnikov.
MARCH 16 TO 20 Surround yourself with six verdant acres of colourful blossoms and plants at Canada Blooms. The festival of flowers and gardens features numerous vendors catering to the green thumb in everyone, as well as more than 200 hours of seminars, workshops and demonstrations with such speakers as Frank Ferragine, a.k.a. Frankie Flowers, and author Mark Cullen (The Canadian Garden Primer, An Organic Approach). Check out the stylized Juno Rocks Gardens—interpreting the theme of “rhythm” in honour of this month’s Juno music awards. Exhibition Place, Direct Energy Centre, general admission $18; call 416-447-8655 or navigate here for further details.
Friday: The Kodo Drummers of Japan bring their forceful rhythms to the Sony Centre
Friday, March 11
Enjoy the dazzling showmanship and primal rhythms of the world-famous Kodo Drummers of Japan as they take the stage for the Toronto stop of the group’s 30th-anniversary tour. This dazzling display of speed, dexterity, precision, and muscular endurance takes place tonight at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.
The Canadian Music Week Film Festival—just one of many events comprising Canadian Music Week, from March 9 to 13—screens today and Saturday at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. The festival showcases 10 features and a handful of shorts, including rock docs, concert films, band biographies, and musicals.
Dog lovers and pet owners are advised to make tracks to the Purina National Dog Show, which opens today at the International Centre in Mississauga, and features hundreds of purebred canines strutting their stuff in competition. A number of vendors are also on-hand with the latest in doggie gear and accessories.
Saturday: Janet Jackson offers an intimate, all-hits concert
Saturday, March 12
Ms. Janet Jackson herself strides onto the Sony Centre stage for her international “Number Ones, Up Close and Personal” tour. The accomplished singer is set to perform top tracks from her Number Ones album in a personal, intimate setting.
Stroll through the bustling streets of Kensington Market on the Kensington Foodies Roots Walk, which has been featured on CNN and in National Geographic Traveler. From 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., you’ll be able to savour the diverse foods from the ethnic markets, stalls and restaurants.
Start March Break on a high note by making your way to the Toronto Zoo. Starting today and continuing through the week, the zoo offers additional family-fun activities, events, and keeper talks.
Sunday: Enjoy a day at Spring Fling
Sunday, March 13
An excellent daytime activity to kick off your March Break is Spring Fling, Canada’s largest indoor carnival. Enjoy the midway with rides, family entertainment, and exotic animals. All-day ride tickets at this Rogers Centre event are $20, and the fun continues to March 18.
Satisfy Harry Potter fantasies at the Wizard World Indoor Family Fun Park, which opens today and runs to March 20 at Exhibition Place’s Better Living Centre. The park features 150,000 square feet of indoor fun: food and drinks, professional stage shows, 20 carnival rides, free loot bags for kids under 12, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, and much more.
Put on your best green outfit and shamrock buttons to engage in a little Irish revelry. The Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins today at noon. The annual procession starts at Bloor and St. George streets, marches east to Yonge, and then south toward Nathan Phillips Square.
Reinvention by Stev’nn Hall
MARCH 3 TO 6 Two hundred independent and emerging artists gather this month for The Artist Project Toronto. Accessibility is paramount at this annual exhibition, which encourages both novices and seasoned collectors to interact directly with creators. Ask Stev’nn Hall how he achieves the mystifying effect of his photo-based works, or find out how movement informs the paintings of Lysanne Pepin. Visitors can also walk down Installation Alley to see immersive large-scale works, experience the digital revolution at the Video ArtBox new-media display, and learn what inspires participants in a series of art chat seminars. Exhibition Place, Queen Elizabeth Building; call 416-960-3680 for more information.
FEBRUARY 18 TO 27 Colin and Justin of HGTV’s Home Heist are among the guests at the National Home Show, which offers ideas for pros and do-it-yourselfers alike. Direct Energy Centre, $12 to $16; call 416-644-5400 or visit here for details.
NOVEMBER 25 to DECEMBER 5 The One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale kicks off the holiday shopping season as more than 800 artisans tout their artfully made wares ranging from sweet and savoury goods to jewellery and ceramics, such as vessels by Alisha Boyd Metal Works.
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