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.

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.