Winter Exhibits at Toronto Galleries

With the colder weather now firmly upon us, it's the perfect time to explore some of Toronto's many free exhibits. There are many small exhibit spaces around the city that regularly curate special exhibits, and most are free to visit. Many also schedule special events related to the exhibits, such as curator tours and discussions. Check out their website or browse this site's Toronto Events page. So don't let the ice and snow stop you, go get your culture on!

Art Gallery of Ontario

The Artful City: Mapping Toronto's Public Art Landscape 1967 - 2015
To May 21, 2017

A map providing the first comprehensive visual view of public art in Toronto. It reveals important patterns of production, ownership, and networks linking artists over time. This map shows who has access to the vast majority of the artwork and who does not. It also illustrates what type of work has received the most support. You are invited to explore and help complete this evolving map by identifying areas in need of public artworks. What does public art mean to you? What can it look like in the future?


First Canadian Place Gallery

Unfamous: The Works of Gary Taxali
To February 3, 2017

Internationally renowned and acclaimed recipient of numerous awards for his artwork, Gary Taxali has been trailblazing a path that intersects the paradoxes/anxieties of contemporary society through imagery of bygone eras. Reminiscent of 1930's Depression era signs, posters, packaging, vintage graphics and ephemera, Taxali confronts themes of human relationships, love, sex, isolation, frustrations and consumerism through our yearning for nostalgia.

Mind the Gap: Birch Contemporary Gallery Artists+
To March 17, 2017

The premise of this exhibition is to create awareness of a 'gap' of sorts, bringing attention to artworks produced between exhibitions or outside of more well-known bodies of work that have slipped into inventory without a formal public airing.

The gallery is located on the street level, near the Adelaide Street entrance by the Duke of Westminster.

Gallery hours:
Monday to Friday, 11:00 - 3:00. Hours are subject to change for private events.


Harbourfront

Harbourfront hosts a number of visual arts exhibitions in its gallery space at 235 Queens Quay West.

Workwear
Organized by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura
January 27 - April 23, 2017

Curated by Milan-based architect, designer and artist Alessandro Guerriero, Workwear re-imagines common uniforms through the work of 40 artists, designers and architects.

Workaday
January 27 - April 23, 2017

This group exhibition sheds light on the process of creation, by presenting works in various media alongside the tools used to make them.

The Essentials 
January 27 - June 18, 2017

A group exhibition devoted to the jewellery we wear daily.

Everyday Lighting
 January 27 - June 18, 2017

Led by designer Katharine Tessier, Craft & Design Studio Artists-in-Residence explore illumination for practical use.

Tong Yan Gaai
January 27 - June 18, 2017

A record of Morris Lum’s journey across Canada with a large-format camera on a search for cultural memory and Chinese identity.

Gallery hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Noon - 6:00
Wednesday: Noon - 6:00
Thursday: Noon - 8:00
Friday: Noon - 6:00
Saturday: Noon - 6:00
Sunday: Noon - 6:00


Istituto Italiano di Cultura

The gallery is located at 496 Huron St.

The Necessary Time 
To February 17, 2017

A photographic exhibition by Ljubodrag Andric.

Gallery hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 - 1:00, 2:30 - 5:00


Japan Foundation Gallery

The gallery is located in the Hudson's Bay Centre at Yonge & Bloor, 2 Bloor St. E., Suite 300

Legendary Loyalty: The 47 Ronin in Japanese Prints
co-presented by Stuart Jackson Gallery and The Japan Foundation
To March 4, 2017

A presentation of original 18th – 19th century woodblock print illustrations of theatrical performances of the story of Chushingura, and artistic depictions of the actual ronin (masterless samurai).

Gallery hours:
Monday: 11:30 – 6:30
Tuesday: 11:30 – 4:30
Wednesday: 11:30 – 4:30
Thursday: 11:30 – 6:30
Friday: 11:30 – 4:30
Select Saturdays: 11:00 – 4:00


Market Gallery

The gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front St. E.

Unearthing Toronto's Oldest Marketplace
To March 18, 2017

This exhibit showcases the history and ongoing archaeology of North America's longest continually running food market.

Gallery hours:
Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 - 4:00
Saturday: 9:00 - 4:00
Closed: Sunday, Monday and holidays


Osgoode Hall

The exhibit is located on the first floor and mezzanine levels of the Law Society side of Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen St. W.

Fact or Fiction? Deciphering the Fence at Osgoode Hall
To end of March, 2017

Osgoode Hall's fence is one of its most recognizable features. Today, it stands as one of the few remaining ornamental iron fences - not only in Toronto, but also in Canada. The fence's gates are the stuff of Toronto urban legend: were they really built to keep cows from munching the manicured lawn of Osgoode Hall? This exhibit features images from all over the world, including intriguing images of Toronto in the 19th century.

Accessible hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 - 5:00


Papermill Gallery

The gallery is located at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site in the Don Valley. There is a charge to visit the rest of the site but the Papermill Gallery is free.

A Child's World: Victorian Photographs of Children and their Pets and Toys
To January 22, 2017

Unlike today where digital photography is a common aspect of life, photography in the 19th-century was a formal occasion. Studio photographs were the norm and in this intimate exhibition of never publicly seen before photographs of children, their pets and their toys, we see that even though more than a century separates us and the subjects in the photographs, there is still a common thread that has not changed – children's fondness for their toys and the family pet.

Hours change according to season. Check the website for current hours.


TD Gallery

This gallery is located inside the Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St.

Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tales from the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
To January 22, 2017

This exhibit explores classic fairy tales and traditional stories from around the world through a surprising array of books, toys, games and art held at the library's Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books.

Vice & Virtue
February 11 to April 30, 2017

A new exhibit that explores changing attitudes and increasing regulation of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, gambling, homosexuality, juvenile delinquency, and prostitution in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century in Toronto. Featuring tabloids, photographs, manuscripts, posters and pamphlets from the library's Baldwin Collection of Canadiana, the exhibit reveals a seedier side of our strait-laced city.

Gallery hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 - 8:30
Saturday: 9:00 - 5:00
Sunday: 1:30 - 5:00


Many other Toronto Library branches regularly host exhibits. Of particular note is the Lillian H. Smith branch on College Street, which features both the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books and the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy. A complete list of all current exhibits can be found on the library's website.


UTAC Gallery

This gallery hosts both temporary and permanent exhibits. It is located at University College, 15 King’s College Circle.

The Art of Devotion
Permanent

This exhibition, drawn from the University of Toronto’s Malcove Collection, features Byzantine and Post Byzantine Icons from the Malcove Collection and is organized around two central themes: icons dedicated to Mary and the Christ Child, and icons representing Christ and important saints in the Christian tradition.

Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience
January 26 – March 4, 2017

Cree visual artist Kent Monkman's  new, large-scale exhibition takes the viewer on a journey through Canada’s history that starts in the present and takes us back to a hundred and fifty years before Confederation. With its entry points in the harsh urban environment of Winnipeg’s north end, and contemporary life on the reserve, the exhibition takes us all the way back to the period of New France and the fur trade. The Rococo masterpiece The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard is reinterpreted as an installation with Monkman’s alter ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, in a beaver trimmed baroque dress, swinging back and forth between the Generals Wolfe and Montcalm.

Kent Monkman, The Bears of Confederation, 2016. Acrylic on canvas. 76" x 136".
Collection of Michelle Bilodeau and Matt Kingston.

Gallery hours:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 12:00 - 5:00
Wednesday: 12:00 - 8:00
Thursday: 12:00 - 5:00
Friday: 12:00 - 5:00
Saturday: 12:00 - 5:00
Sunday: CLOSED

* Images used with permission.

Canadian Opera Company

Going to the opera probably isn't the first thing you think of when you're planning a cheap night out, but the Canadian Opera Company's discount ticket options and their impressive range of public programming, which goes well beyond their operatic offerings, makes them worth considering.

Toronto Continuo Collective and Capella Intima

While it's true that booking a premium seat to one of the COC's operas can cost several hundred dollars, there are cheaper options available. Regular seats can be purchased for as little as $50. If you have a youngster showing signs of interest in this art form, tickets for those 15 and under are available at half the price of normal tickets, although this excludes Grand Ring seating and they must be accompanied by an adult. Even better news for adults under 30. They can purchase tickets in designated areas for only $22, or pay $35 in advance and be moved into the best available seats on the day of the performance. For people like me who prefer to act spur of the moment, the COC also has two last-minute programs. If you're able to stand for the duration of the performance, there are 60 standing room tickets available for each performance. They go on sale at 11 am at the box office the day of the performance and cost only $12. Rush tickets, if available, also go on sale at 11 am but according to the website, "discounts are at the discretion of the Canadian Opera Company".

In addition to the operatic productions, the COC hosts an impressive amount of free programming. From September to May they host a free concert series which provides an average of two free performances each week. The offerings are divided into a number of series: Jazz, Vocal, Chamber Music, World Music, Piano Virtuoso, and Dance. One slight hitch for some might be the timing: most performances are held from 12 - 1 pm during the week. Great if you happen to have time off or work downtown and have the ability to take a long lunch but not so convenient otherwise. Occasionally performances are held at 5:30 pm, but there are no more evening concerts scheduled this season.

If you enjoy talks and lectures, the COC also has you covered. Opera Insights is a series of free events billed as "big conversations & interactive events". Tickets must be booked in advance, but they are free. Tickets for the new spring series, which starts April 19, are available starting on April 5.

COC Costume Supervisor Sandra Corazza speaks at an Opera Insights event

Opera Talks are a bit more casual and are held in conjunction with Opera Canada magazine and the North York Central Library. Again, the talks are free to attend but registration is recommended. The talks are held throughout the opera season, and the last one for 2015/2016 will be on April 28.

If you want to learn a bit more about opera but don't want to leave the house, the COC also hosts a number of pod casts on its website. They're no longer in production, but 30 episodes produced between 2012 and 2015 are still available for your listening pleasure. They also provide a list of links to a number of opera-related blogs if you want to browse.

The photos in this article are by Karen E. Reeves and were supplied by the COC.

Beyond TIFF

The city is currently experiencing TIFF fever. The world class festival is celebrating its 40th year and the stars have come out once again to help us celebrate. If for no other reason, this 11 days of international movie magic makes Toronto a great place to be a fan of all things film. Lucky for those of us who live here though there's lots of other options to keep us happy the rest of the year. And many of them, while lacking the glamour of TIFF, sport much smaller price tags.

Did you know that Toronto currently hosts over 70 different film festivals throughout the year? When you think about it, that's more than one a week! We host short films, documentaries, genre films, films from the LGBTQIA community and films from many of the cultural groups that call Toronto home. Some of the festivals offer free screenings and most have tickets in the $10 - $15 range. A great site for upcoming film events is Toronto Plex which also includes a list of festivals throughout the year so you can plan in advance!

The city also boasts a number of unique venues for seeing movies. If you're a fan of documentaries, there's the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. Located in one of Toronto's classic heritage theatres, this theatre programs documentaries from home and abroad and hosts other festivals, community events and special screenings. Memberships are reasonable, are available in various levels and provide great value. Community activism saved the Revue Cinema at 400 Roncesvalles, which now shows predominantly second run movies for $11, but a star card gets you $3 off every movie you see for a whole year. They're having a town hall meeting on September 26 so if you live in the neighbourhood and have ideas about how they can better serve the community, think about attending. Other heritage theatres with second run and special offerings include The Royal Cinema at 608 College, The Fox at 2236 Queen St. E. and the Kingsway at 3030 Bloor St. W.

Many of the city's cultural organizations, such as the Japan Foundation and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, regularly sponsor free film screenings, either at their own locations or more commonly, at one of the community-based theatres listed above. Many of these are listed on this blog's Events page. Some organizations have their own theatre, like the Art Gallery of Ontario's Jackman Hall which regularly screens films related to current exhibits. The University of Toronto has Innis Town Hall, whose theatre has recently been refurbished. The Cinema Studies Student Union programs regular free features there every week during the school year, including premieres and screenings with special guests.

The Toronto Public Library is another organization that regularly schedules movie screenings. Many are geared to families, with appropriate movie selections and time slots. Others are intended for a broader audience. Some branches have regular screenings, such as Barbara Frum which hosts afternoon movies at 2 pm two Thursdays a month, while others are geared to special events or programming. For example, the Hillcrest branch will be hosting Puppetmongers Movie Night on September 17 which will show movies featuring puppetry from around the world, and starting September 16, the Brentwood branch will be hosting a monthly Polish film night.

The library also has a vast collection of movies to borrow, ranging from popular titles and foreign films to documentaries and how-to videos. New movies are added regularly.

This post wouldn't be complete without mentioning two of the bigger players in Toronto movie houses: Cineplex and the Magic Lantern and Rainbow theatres. Cineplex offers two programs that I love. The first is Scene, their customer loyalty card. It's free and the concept is simple: see movies, use the card, earn free movies. Plus 10% off movies on Tuesdays and concessions. The second program is their Classic Film Series. About once a month it puts classics back on the big screen for the reasonable ticket price of $6.

Rainbow Cinemas has a few locations around the city and if you don't mind seeing your films on a slightly older, smaller screen, it's a good way to save a few bucks. They even have $5 Tuesdays. The Carlton Cinema, which operates as a Magic Lantern Theatre, is also special in that shows a lot of new independent and foreign releases and on the third Saturday of the month as part of their Carlton Midnight Society they screen cult oddities.

There's lots more to say about the movie offerings in Toronto. As the summer has just ended, I've completely ignored the outdoor screenings that happen at multiple venues across the city for example. Watch the Events page for free and special screenings, check out Toronto Plex or Cinema Clock for listings, and add your favourites by leaving a comment on this post.

Duotang Chesterfield's Mystery Theatre

Growing up, one of the things I looked forward to each week was the Sunday night airing of Theatre of the Mind. For those of you not familiar with it, it was a radio program that aired the best of the radio plays from the 1930s and 40s. Full of drama, suspense and sound effects, the radio plays were a great way to pass the time, especially on long car rides.

Yesterday at the Fringe Festival, I discovered Duotang Chesterfield's Mystery Theatre. A group based out of Toronto, they are keeping the tradition of radio plays alive, presenting stories from "the case files of fictional detectives across the 20th century". You can follow the exploits of C.H. Arles, The Oregon Twins, Jim Buckles, or my current favourite, Myrna Sinclair. The podcasts, released on the 11th and 25th of the month, lovingly re-create the experience of listening to those vintage shows, but they're modern and funny too.

In addition to the podcasts, the group also presents live shows, re-creating the vintage radio studio atmosphere on stage. Don't worry, it's much more than watching people read lines. With their adopted personas, you feel transported back to this golden age and it's always fun to watch the foley artists in action. Currently, you can catch the gang at the Toronto Fringe Festival. 

Duotang Chesterfield's Mystery Theatre Live! is playing at the Randolph Theatre on Bathurst. Tickets are only $10, $12 if you buy in advance. Two twenty minute episodes are presented at each performance, and there are four different programs in total.  

Wednesday July 8 at 8:45 pm

Thursday July 9 at 1:45 pm

Friday July 10 at 7:30 pm

Sunday July 12 at noon

If you don't catch them at Fringe, download their podcasts - they're free - and follow them on Twitter and Facebook to find out when their next live performance will take place.

Pictures courtesy of Duotang Chesterfield's Mystery Theatre.

Lunchtime fun

June is a great time to give yourself a break and get out and enjoy some lunchtime entertainment. Not only is the weather glorious (well, when it's not pouring) but there are also a lot of options. Many summer programs have started and those programs that take the summer off still have a few weeks before they wrap up. Music seems to be the most popular lunchtime offering, but there are a few other options for those who like a little something different. Please comment with other lunchtime programs!

Music

Music Mondays
A largely instrumental concert series at the Church of the Holy Trinity, next to the Eaton Centre. Piano is a heavily featured instrument but there is variety in the schedule. Concerts are at 12:15 and are PWYC, $5 minimum suggested.

Lunchtime Live!
A live concert series featuring an eclectic range of music. It runs on Mondays in the spring and fall in Yonge-Dundas Square. Concerts start at 12:30 and are free.

Organ Recitals at St. James Cathedral
The organ in this historically designated church at King and Church was originally built in 1888 and has been carefully expanded and maintained through the years. Concerts on this amazing instrument are presented twice per week, including at 1 pm every Tuesday. Admission is free but donations toward the upkeep of the organ are welcome.

Play the Parks
The Downtown Yonge BIA is planning lunchtime, early evening and weekend entertainment at various locations around the downtown core this summer. On Wednesdays from noon to 1 pm there will be live music in College Park Courtyard and on Thursdays you can catch concerts at the same time in Trinity Park next to the Eaton Centre.

COC Series
The Canadian Opera Company runs a number of different series over the lunchtime including Jazz, Chamber, Vocal, World Music and more. Unfortunately the series wraps up in early June but it will return again in September. Concerts are held at the Four Seasons Centre at 12 pm and are free.


Other

1812 Re-enactors
On Thursdays throughout the summer costumed re-enactors will be in Berczy Park near Church and Front from 12:30 to 1 pm to tell first person accounts of life in 1812 in the Town of York, re-enact sword fights, and then visit the historical locations in the neighbourhood, including St. James Cathedral, Ontario's first Parliament buildings and the St. Lawrence Market complex.

Tours of the Ontario Legislature
30 minute lunchtime tours of the Ontario Legislature happen every Friday at 12:30 p.m. during the months of March, May, July, August and October. Each month offers a different theme. Tours meet in the lobby and are free. If 12:30 doesn't fit your schedule, the legislature runs regular building tours throughout the day, and a special inside and out tour during the summer months at 10 am and 3 pm. All tours are free.

Osgoode Hall Tours
During July and August, Osgoode Hall opens its doors each day and welcomes the public in for a tour. Tours start at 1:15 pm and last an hour.

First Canadian Place
The First Canadian Place gallery is open Tuesday thru Thursday for viewing, from lunch to early afternoon. Hours change so check their website for details. Events such as concerts by the Waterfall Stage and talks in the gallery are frequently held over the lunch hour as well.

First Canadian Place Events

First Canadian Place is a 72 storey office tower in the heart of downtown Toronto. Despite its central location and having three floors devoted to stores and restaurants, I most often find myself simply passing through while using PATH to escape the elements. Until recently that is. The building hosts a small gallery whose programming has recently caught my attention. The gallery itself is open Monday to Friday from 11 am to 3 pm and is free to browse. Exhibits change periodically, and they host some pretty interesting free lunchtime talks and panels. 

The most recent event I attended included author David Balzer and a panel of speakers discussing the role of curators in today's art world and beyond. The next talk presents the amazing Dr. Roberta Bondar (Canada's first female astronaut) speaking about her landscape and nature photography. Her images of the African Savannah and its wildlife are on display at the gallery until May 29th, and her talk is coming up on April 15th.

Events at First Canadian Place aren't limited to the gallery however. Lunchtime concerts by the Waterfall Stage happen periodically and the main floor lobby often hosts special programming. Right now the exhibits and talks have a green theme for Earth Month, including talks on growing edible plants and making room for pollinators in your green space, even if that means your balcony. Check out the events calendar for the full list of talks.

Olympics 2014

Do you have Olympic fever? Or has all the controversy surrounding Russia's hosting of the Games dimmed your enthusiasm? Regardless of where along that spectrum you find yourself, watching the events and celebrating our athletes in the company of others can't help but raise your cheer level.

As official Olympic broadcasters, CBC is taking steps to raise everyone's interest in these Games. Out on the snowy streets this morning, CBC reps were handing out print copies of the broadcast schedule. On the back is a list of events taking place at the Broadcast Centre on Front Street. The atrium has been turned into a viewing area and they are officially inviting everyone to come out between 10 am and 5 pm daily to join the fun and cheer on the athletes.

Feb 7 - Opening Ceremony
Feb 8 - Taste of Russia
Feb 15 - Pin Day (a pin swap day for pin collectors and sports enthusiasts)
Feb 17 - Family Day Sign Day (bring your best sign)
Feb 20 - Women's Gold Medal Hockey Game
Feb 22 - Taste of Russia
Feb 23 - Men's Gold Medal Hockey Game & Closing Ceremony ** this is at 7 am and includes a pancake breakfast

Plus try out some of these additional fun activities:

• Hoist the Flag on the CBC Podium, just like our athletes 
• Curling: Try your hand at Canada's other national sport 
• Get your picture taken as an athlete with our life-sized cut outs 
• Tattoo Station: Show your pride in (temporary) ink 
• Enjoy Sochi-themed kids' crafts with your youngest CBC fans

Visit the CBC website for full schedule and all the Olympic details you crave.

TD Gallery

The Toronto Reference Library, centrally located just north of Bloor and Yonge, is much more than a place to research your latest passion. It’s also a community hub offering talks, classes, lectures and exhibits. While display cases filled with fascinating treasures can be found throughout the library, the main exhibition space is on the main floor, just to the right of the entrance. The TD Gallery is a wonderful space which is used to highlight rare and interesting items from the library’s varied collection.

 

The TD Gallery is free to visit and hosts roughly four exhibits per year. The current exhibit is entitled The Gilded Age of Fashion: 1890-1914 and it uses text and original and reproduced illustrations and ephemera to explore this exciting time in fashion. It also looks at how the theatre has interpreted this period in fashion through wardrobe sketches and actual theatrical costumes on loan from the Shaw Festival. If you can’t get out to the show, or just want to get a sense of what you’ll see when you do visit, the library has prepared a virtual exhibit that you can enjoy from home.

 

The library has also planned some special events in relation to this exhibit so you may want to time your visit to take advantage:

Designing for the Shaw  November 26, 2:00 p.m.
Cameron Porteous, former Head of Design at the Shaw Festival Theatre, will provide a behind-the-scenes look at designing costumes for the Canadian stage. The presentation will be followed by a curated tour of the gallery.

Vintage Fashion: Reliving the Gilded Age  November 27 , 7:00 p.m.
Live models will wear period costumes, including summer party dresses from the Downton Abbey era.

 

General Gallery Details:

Location: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street - Main Level
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Exhibit closes January 5, 2014.

[murmur]

If you've ever been out exploring and wish that the trees or walls could talk, you're in luck. Thanks to the [murmur] program, many of the most interesting spaces and neighbourhoods around the city are giving up their secrets.

Started in 2003 in Kensington Market, the program collects and records the stories of places and the people who live there, from the people themselves. It's an oral history project that aims to provide a more intimate connection between people and the city. Large green ears mark locations where [murmur] recordings are available, and the sign lists a phone number. Call it and listen to a slice of history. All recordings are also available through the [murmur] website.

If you're visiting other cities, [murmur] has so far spread to Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, San Jose, California, Edinburgh, Dublin and Geelong, Australia.

Festivals - July 2013

There's always lots to do in Toronto, but over the next few weeks the festival season really hits high gear. The next few weekends present a choice of neighbourhood street festivals, which provide ample opportunities to shop and sample food, while being entertained. Many also include a beer tent, to augment the street-side patios. There are also film, theatre and music festivals which run throughout the week. And Summerlicious runs through it all.

• Italian Contemporary Film Festival. June 26 - July 6. 

• Toronto Fringe Festival. Various venues. July 3 - 14.

• Taste of Lawrence International Food & Cultural Festival. July 5 - 7. 

• Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. Nathan Philips Square. July 5 - 7. 

• Corso Italia Street Festival. July 5 - 7. 

• Summerlicious. July 5 - 21. 

• Festival of South Asia. July 6 - 7.  

• Mad Pride Toronto. July 8 - 14.

• Soundclash Festival. July 12 - 14. 

• Salsa on St. Clair.  July 13 - 14.

• Festival of India. July 13 - 14. 

• Unity Festival. July 18 - 21.  

• Tirgan Festival. July 18 - 21. 

• Beaches International Jazz Festival. July 19 - 28. 

• BIG on Bloor Festival. July 20 - 21. 

• Toronto Burlesque Festival. July 25 - 28.

• Frugal Fashion Week. July 25 - 28.

Mount Pleasant Cemetery

Mount Pleasant Cemetery, though built to serve as the final resting place for Torontonians of all faiths (it was one of Toronto’s earliest non-denominational cemeteries), was, from the first, envisioned as much more than just a place for the dead. It was planned to also function as a place of recreation for the living, and was designed by landscape gardener H.A. Englehardt. Its varied topography is augmented by special plantings and the inclusion of winding pathways. Wandering through this space can be a lovely experience, especially in the spring when some of the many flowering trees and shrubs are in bloom. If you feel a little weird taking your exercise in a cemetery, don’t. The Mount Pleasant Group, which manages the cemetery, encourages it. They even offer 1, 3 and 5 km suggested route maps for walkers and runners on their website.

The variety of plantings in the cemetery is of special note to anyone with an interest in trees. Over the years, the number of plantings has increased and now the cemetery is said to be one of the finest arboretums in North America. If you’re interested in learning more, on May 26th arborist Jack Radecki is presenting a guided tree walk starting at 2 pm at the Yonge Street gates. The walk is free.

Other free programming is also available at the cemetery. Starting in July, students of the Royal Conservatory perform every Saturday at 5 pm in the Visitation Centre. Special memorials are held throughout the year, tied to events or burials within the cemetery. For example, on May 26th they are having a 99th anniversary memorial in remembrance of the sinking of the Empress of Ireland.

The cemetery runs as a not-for-profit business and like all cemeteries in Canada must put aside a portion of revenues to a Perpetual Care Trust Fund which ensures that the grounds will forever be looked after. According to their website, Mount Pleasant’s fund has the highest balance per developed acre of any cemetery in North America, which means that not only are they able to keep the grounds beautiful and well-maintained, but they will likely always be so.

Canadian Broadcasting Centre and the CBC Museum

The Canadian Broadcasting Centre at 250 Front Street West is a large space that houses many treasures. The ground floor is open to the public and features a large, light-filled central atrium with a couple of take-out food places and limited seating. It occasionally hosts special events, like a farmer's market or craft shows. The south west corner, near the Front Street entrance, houses the CBC Shop and the entrance to the Glenn Gould Studio, a performance venue. Step outside and visit the statue of Glenn Gould, seated nonchalantly on a bench.

The highlight of a visit to this building however is the CBC Museum. The main gallery space is located just off the north west corner of the atrium. It contains vintage equipment, including a large display of microphones, a wall of general CBC history items, and two themed areas. The first looks at CBC's tradition of producing excellent children's programming, and features Mr. Dressup, The Friendly Giant, and Sesame Park. Look at props, like Mr. Dressup's tickle trunk (don't miss Casey's tree house, which is across the hall from the museum entrance), read about the series and their hosts, and watch clips - sure to take you back! The second area looks at the creation of sound effects, and includes some really simple but fun hands-on activities. If you're going with kids in tow, why not download one of the activity sheets prepared by CBC?

Once you're done with the main space, there is still lots to see. If you're getting foot sore, why not stop in next door at the Graham Spry Theatre. Small but comfy, it shows programming from CBC's vast archives. If you continue down the corridor toward the Wellington entrance, you will see some large vintage cameras. The hallway leading to John Street is lined with recessed display windows featuring vintage radios, including a Sony Walkman complete with box.

The rest of the collection is displayed in the Ivan Harris Gallery which is located one floor below. The stairs are located off the south east corner of the atrium, part way to the Front Street entrance. This gallery presents even more equipment, props and merchandise, and provides a glimpse into the storage area. There are lots of nostalgic pieces here so take some time to browse.



The main museum space is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. The other areas, including the Ivan Harris Gallery, are open whenever the building is. And thanks to recent improvements, the CBC building is now connected to the PATH underground network, so the cold weather is no longer a reason not to visit.

St. James Cathedral

Every May the City of Toronto hosts a program called Doors Open that encourages buildings to open their doors and welcome us ordinary citizens in to take a look around. For those of us who are interested in architecture, or just pretty things, it can be an exhausting weekend. So much to see, and so many other people out there trying to see it at the same time. So it's a nice treat when buildings of interest, with beautiful interiors, open their doors to the curious year-round.

The building I'm thinking of is St. James Cathedral, at the corner of Church and King. Opened in 1853, this beautiful Gothic Revival structure welcomes visitors during open hours, asking only that you be quiet and respectful of those using the space for worship. They even provide a downloadable self-led tour booklet, which is chock full of terminology and interesting facts. Like for instance, that this church has the tallest church spire in Canada. On their tour page they also indicate that tours can be arranged by contacting the Archives and Museum.

The Archives and Museum is located in the adjacent Parish House and can also be toured by appointment. They periodically mount exhibits in their large gallery space, which are also free to view. Unfortunately, their current exhibit celebrating The Queen's Jubilee recently closed, but it can be hoped that their annual exhibit of nativity scenes from around the world will open shortly.

The church also hosts a number of regular musical events which are open to the public and free to attend. This includes their weekly organ recital series held on Sundays at 4 pm and Tuesdays at 1 pm. In addition to this they also occasionally program special events. On Friday December 14, the St. James Cathedral Choir will be joined by a live orchestra for a performance of Handel's Messiah (part one) and Vivaldi's Gloria. Tickets for this performance are $40.

The three images of St. James are courtesy of Michael Hudson Photography.

Ghostly Walking Tours

October is a great month for getting out and walking. The leaves are turning, it's cool but not usually bitterly cold, and there are lots of opportunities to take haunted walking tours to get you in the mood for Halloween. I was actually surprised at the number of options available. I haven't taken one in a few years, having been a bit disappointed in the off-the-cuff nature of the last tour I took - generally, I prefer a well-researched tour which brings in the history of the buildings and area, rather than just relying on stories told by the guide's friends and neighbours. Also, I find that a smaller tour size makes for a much better evening - it's worth asking your guide before you book what the maximum group size is.

From my browsing, here are a few of the walk options that seemed most appealing:

The Toronto Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society have put together a self-guided ghost walk of Toronto and offer it for free on their website. This means you can take the tour at your own pace, and without fear of crowds spoiling the mood. It provides some basic history on the building or location, along with the types of ghostly disturbances that have been reported on site. It doesn't tend to go in to a lot of detail about what or who the ghosts are thought to represent, but I think it's a good starter walk, especially because it's free.

Exhibition Place is said to be the home of many ghosts, and every Friday evening in the fall they offer haunted walking tours of the grounds. They start at 7 pm and cost $20 per person.

One of the consistently well-reviewed walking tour companies is Muddy York Walking Tours, and their tours aim to make Toronto's history interesting. They offer a Haunted Streets of Downtown Toronto tour and a Ghosts of the University of Toronto tour, as well as some other ghoulish sounding tours including Bloody York: Crime and Punishment, and Historic Cemetery Walk. Prices are $20 per person, but this goes down if multiple people book together ($15 each for 2 or 3 people, $10 each for four or more).

And finally, a relative newcomer on the scene, is the Haunted Walk of Old Toronto. This tour focuses on the area around the Distillery District and the St. Lawrence Market, and runs throughout the year. Cost is $18.75 for adults.

If you'd rather not get out there yourself but are interested in what buildings or spaces in Toronto might be haunted, check out this 2008 article from Toronto.com on Haunted Toronto.

UPDATE: While searching for events for the What's On page, I've come across a few more family-friendly Halloween-themed walking tours and I've listed them below.

Fort York After Dark Lantern Tours. Fort York, 250 Fort York Blvd. 7:30 - 9:30 pm. $12.50 plus tax, pre-registration required. Oct 23, 24, 25, 26, 27

Family Nature Walk: Halloween Howl. Walk led by staff of the High Park Nature Centre. Costumes recommended! Meet at the High Park Nature Centre, 440 Parkside Dr. 6:30 - 8:30 pm. $2 suggested donation. October 27

Spirit Walk. Ghost walk of some downtown laneways, ending at Mackenzie House with mulled cider and biscuits. Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St. 6:30, 7 & 7:30 pm. $12.50 plus tax, pre-registration required. October 27

If anyone tries out a ghost walk this fall, leave a comment and tell us what you thought!

Fall Festivals 2012

Harvest festivals are a long-standing tradition in Southern Ontario, and while Toronto isn't exactly rural, there are lots of festivals going on this month to get you out and enjoying the gorgeous fall weather.

If you're hankering for a good old fashioned fall fair but can't get yourself out of the city, check out Riverdale Farm's Annual Fall Festival. It's taking place September 8 & 9 and features lots of traditional farm-style events, like a corn roast and chances to meet and talk with the farmers. Sunday morning there will also be a pancake breakfast from 9:30 to 11:30. $5 will get you 2 pancakes, 2 sausages and your choice of beverage, with all proceeds going to support the farm.

 

The Riverdale Farm Festival is happening in conjunction with the larger Cabbagetown Festival. Parliament Street from Wellesley to Gerrard, and Carlton Street from Parliament to Berkeley will both be closed for both days of the festival allowing for lots of entertainment, activities and vendors. There will also be arts and crafts in Riverdale Park, and apparently over 200 garage sales in the surrounding streets.

Many other neighbourhoods and cultural groups are taking advantage of the friendly fall weather to host similar street festivals. A partial list is included below, so pick a weekend, get out there and mingle with your fellow Torontonians.

Sep 7, 8 & 9
Taste of the Kingsway Festival. Fall festival with live entertainment, over 200 exhibitors, beer and wine gardens and more. Bloor St. W. between Prince Edward Drive and Montgomery Rd.

Sep 8 & 9
Cabbagetown Festival & Riverdale Farm's Fall Festival

Sep 8 & 9
Toronto Chinatown Festival. Food, entertainment, kids activities. Spadina between Dundas and College. Noon - 11 pm.

Sep 8 & 9
Romanian Festival. Folk music, dances, food, art, exhibitors and live performances. Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St. 11 am - 8pm.

Sep 9
The Beach Celtic Festival. Kew Gardens, Queen St. E. 9 am - 7 pm.

Sep 14, 15 & 16
Toronto Ukrainian Festival.  Bloor West Village, between Jane St. and Glendowynne Rd.  

Sep 15 & 16
Roncesvalles Village Polish Festival. Roncesvalle Ave from Queen to Dundas.

Sep 22
Far Enough Farm's Fall Fair. Parade, activities, BBQ food and corn roast, beer garden and free live entertainment. Far Enough Farm, Centre Island. 11 am - 9 pm.

Sep 22
Lakeshore Villages Shop the Shore Event. Entertainment, special sales, kids activities and more. Lakeshore from 1st - 10th Streets. 10 am - 6 pm. 

Sep 22 & 23
Uptown Yonge 2012 Fall Fest. Sidewalk sale, entertainment and activities for kids. 11 am - 5 pm. 

Sep 22
The Junction Music Festival. Free public concerts. Starts at noon.  
     
Sep 29
Harvest Day. Annual autumn celebration. Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave E. 12 - 4 pm.  

Oct 13
Parkdale Harvest Bazaar. Face painting plus art and vintage vendors. Queen St W & Cowan. 11 am - 5 pm. 

Movies Under the Stars 2012

It would seem, based on the number of offerings, that Torontonians love to watch movies under the stars. This summer, there are at least 4 regular programs offering free outdoor movie viewing. Plus hosting films in the local park seems to be taking off as a great community builder for local organizations and even politicians. Here's a list of the offerings for some of the regular programs, and keep an eye on the What's On page for those one-off events.

Tuesday Night: City Cinema at Yonge-Dundas Square. 
Shows start at sunset. Some seating is provided but you are encouraged to bring your own chair.
Theme: Cult Classics

• July 24: The Big Lebowski
• July 31: Do The Right Thing
• August 14: Double Bill - The Princess Bride & Labyrinth
• August 21: Brazil
• August 28: Hush..Hush, Sweet Charlotte

Wednesday Night: Free Flicks at the West Jet Stage, Harbourfront Centre
Shows start at sunset. Bench seating is provided.
Theme: Rise of the Underdog

• July 25: Napoleon Dynamite
• August 1: The Social Network
• August 8: Whip It
• August 15: Whale Rider
• August 22: Moneyball
• August 29: Audience Choice

Wednesday Night: TIFF in the Park at David Pecault Square (formerly Metro Square)
Some seating provided.
Theme: Classic screwball comedies

• July 25: His Girl Friday
• August 1: Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941)
• August 8: The Philadelphia Story
• August 15: What's Up, Doc?
• August 22: The Lady Eve
• August 29: It Happened One Night

 Friday Night: Cultura Festival at Mel Lastman Square

• July 20: One Week
• July 27: Life in a Day
• August 3: Rio
• August 10: The Artist

Euro 2012

Toronto is in the middle of football fever. No, not the Argos - I'm talking soccer. Whether you follow the sport or not, it's hard not to get sucked in when there is this much collective excitement around the city. It's also a great time if you're a fan of a pint - bars all over the city are taking advantage of fans' collective desire to drink and cheer together, offering deals on pints, sometimes all day, but more often, during the game. You can check out the schedule on TSN's site to best optimize your drinking and viewing pleasure.

Long-time official European Football Championships sponsor Carlsberg is also making it easier for fans to enjoy some of the games. On various dates and in various locations around the city, they are setting up Fan Parks, which include viewing trucks which will air the games on 15 x 8 foot double-sided screens. There are also contests, prizes and in some locations, Carlsberg beer tents. Check out their news release for more information, but here's a quick list of dates and locations:

June 22 - Quarter Finals
Commerce Court, Bay & King St. W
11 am to 5 pm

June 24 - Quarter Finals
Yonge & Dundas Square
Noon to 6 pm
Fully licensed!

July 1 - Finals!
College and Crawford Streets in Little Italy
11 am - 7:30 pm
Fully licensed, plus DJ for pre and post game celebrations.

Carlsberg will also be hosting weekly soccer-related give-aways on their Facebook page throughout June.

High Park Zoo

When I visited High Park recently to take in the beauty of the cherry trees in bloom, I also made a point of visiting the High Park Zoo, which is located almost in the middle of the park. It is free to visit and is open from 7 am until dusk every day of the week. Contained within are an interesting collection of, for the most part, large ungulates, some native to Canada, others not, although there are some odd exceptions to this. I was most excited about seeing the West Highland Cattle - I had no idea there were any to be seen in Toronto! Here are pictures of some of my favourite animals from the day:

To increase the educational value of your visit, take a moment to read the Who's Who panel on each enclosure and learn a little bit about the animal inside. For example, did you know that a group of West Highland cattle is called a fold, not a herd? I don't know who designed these signs, but I think they're wonderful!

And if you like your animals cute, small and fuzzy, you might want to attend the free Sunday Walking Tour in High Park on Sunday June 3 as it will focus on the new animal babies at the Zoo.

The zoo made headlines recently when the City of Toronto announced that it was eliminating the zoo's operating funds from the budget, leading to fears that the Zoo would close in mid-June when their current funds run out. Friends and fans of the Zoo immediately went into fund-raising mode, and then in mid-April, it was announced that the Honey Family Foundation had come forward and would match funds raised up to $50,000 to help keep the attraction going. If you would like to help, you can either donate on-site, or online. Donations made by June 15, 2012 will be matched by the Foundation, although they have also indicated that they will match donations again in 2013 and 2014. While this doesn't solve the problem of funding in the long term (or help Far Enough Farm, located on Centre Island, which is also losing its funding and has yet to find a corporate or charitable benefactor), it does buy the High Park Zoo some time to come up with a feasible long-term plan.

If you do visit the High Park Zoo, please avoid the temptation to feed the animals. While it might seem like a great way for you or your kids to interact with these creatures, your kindness may make the animals sick. 

High Park - Cherry Blossoms

If you feel up for a walk this weekend, you might want to consider heading over to High Park to take part in the Japanese tradition of Sakura Hanami, or viewing the cherry trees in bloom.

High Park has an extensive collection of flowering cherry trees which usually bloom in late April or early May, but which, due to our remarkably warm weather so far this year, are flowering a bit early. The collection of trees, which are not native to the area, began with a donation of 2000 Sakura trees (Japanese flowering cherry), a gift from the citizens of Tokyo back in 1959. They were a gift to the city in appreciation of Toronto accepting re-located Japanese -Canadians following World War II. This planting was followed by others of other varieties in 1984, 2001 and 2006.

Many of the trees were planted in the Hillside Garden and along the east side of Grenadier Pond. I suggest walking down to the Pond from the Grenadier Restaurant - it's spectacular. And very popular. We went on an early Thursday afternoon, and we had lots of company!

For more information about the history of the trees, and about the tradition of Sakura Hanami, visit the High Park website. The staff of the High Park Nature Centre also posts regular updates on the state of the blooms, so you can check how well along they are before you leave home. Keep in mind that the Grenadier Restaurant opens at 7 am, and offers a weekday early bird breakfast special. If you plan to go on the weekend, and like me, enjoy a later start, they also offer an all-day breakfast which is still really reasonable.

Author Talks and Book Signings

Toronto is a wonderful city for anyone who loves books – and obviously a lot of us do if the stats regarding our library system are any indication: over 1.25 million people are registered library cardholders, and our system is the busiest urban public library system in the world. (For more fun facts about the Toronto Public Library, check out their Media Facts page).

What makes Toronto a truly great city for curious readers however is the number of opportunities we have for meeting with authors and listening to them read and comment on their work. Sometimes this happens at festivals held at specific times of the year, like the International Festival of Authors, held at Harbourfront each October, but there are plenty of opportunities throughout the year, offered by a wide variety of different groups. Below I’ve highlighted some of the organizations that bring these writers to us, and list some of the offerings available this April and May to provide some example. See the What’s On page for even more listings.

I’ve already done a post about the great programming offered through the Toronto Public Library, but as many of the programs involve bringing in writers, I have to mention it again here. While many of the “big ticket” events happen at the Toronto Reference Library on Yonge Street, they do make sure to spread the events out to the various branches as well. Often, this involves repeating events, so if you’re unable to catch a talk one night, you might have another chance. For example, award-winning author Hugh Brewster will be speaking about his new book on the sinking of the Titanic, which happened 100 years ago this year, at the Reference Library on April 3, and then on subsequent dates at the following branches: Albert Campbell, Port Union, Danforth/Coxwell and Annette Street. All library lectures are free, although some do require you to reserve tickets in advance.

Also, talks at the Reference Library are recorded and can be watched on the library's YouTube channel. For example, see a video of Anne Rice's recent visit here.


Harbourfront Centre has been inviting authors to Toronto since 1974 through its Authors at Harbourfront series. Upcoming guests include John Boyne, Sadie Jones and Farley Mowat. Tickets are generally $10 but free for members, youth and students, and programs often feature more than 1 author.

It’s long been a tradition for bookstores to host book launches and signings and Toronto’s book sellers are definitely keeping the tradition alive. Indigo hosts author events fairly regularly, usually at either their Manulife Centre or Yorkdale locations. Coming up, Nicholas Sparks and Kelley Armstrong. While these events are usually limited to book signings, there are occasionally more in-depth offerings. For example, on April 11, Heather Reisman will be in conversation with Dr. Sanjay Gupta about his new book Monday Mornings. Our independent bookstores and publishers also host their share of events, so watch for them. Or better yet, check out Open Book: Toronto, a goldmine of literary event information.

In addition to these big players, lots of other groups host authors from time to time. Coming up for example, the Italian Cultural Institute teams up with the University of Toronto Press to launch Elena Lamberti’s book Marshall McLuhan’s Mosaic. So with all these book-related events going on, not to mention all the other great offerings out there, the only hard part is finding the time to fit it all in! Enjoy!