Monday, December 31, 2018

Back to Kringlewood

I had to return to the Toronto neighbourhood that has united in the joy of Christmas by installing a band of Jolly Old Saint Nicks along Inglewood Drive, just east of Mount Pleasant Road. The giant inflatable Santa Claus figures stand tall in the yards, lit up from within, welcoming visitors to the area.



It is definitely worth the festive trip to the street. HO HO HO

3D light projection at Aga Khan Museum

You can see the pyramid of the Ismaili Centre, which is beside the Aga Khan Museum, when you drive along the Don Valley Parkway just north of Eglington Avenue East. I have long wanted to go to the museum and I finally made it during the 3D projection show exhibition curated by Amirali Alibhai which ran from December 27-30, 2018, 5-9pm.

3D Animated art, past performances and images were projected onto the outside white, concrete wall of the museum, while music accompanied the light show. The Light Up the Dark show, made by projection mapping, was free to watch, you just had to pay for parking. The museum also kept their permanent collection open until 9pm, free of charge, for visitors.
My favourite scenes included the moon and the sky lanterns flying into the air.

Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto

Toronto's large burial grounds near Yonge and St Clair was at one time outside the city limits, which reached north to Bloor Street, when Toronto's population was only 68,000. Almost 200 acres was purchased from the Village of Deer Park in 1873 and after 3 years of development the cemetery began service, by the end of 1965 almost 118,000 people had been buried on the grounds.

They say that you can't take your wealth with you when you die, but you can spend a lot of it on monuments and mausoleums for the dearly departed. Mount Pleasant Cemetery is full of used-to-haves and also some used-to-have-nots. Some large mausoleums are built into hills within the cemetery and a new one is proposed - designed to look like a giant pine cone.


Famous people buried in the cemetery include Timothy Eaton and Robert Simpson and former Prime Minsiter William Lyon Mackenzie King.
The grounds also lie along a portion of the Kay Gardner Beltline Trail and the grounds are also used as walking and running trails. If you visit the area you might want to bring some snacks for the chubby squirrels who follow looking for treats.

See more photos after the jump.

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Fun things to do in Toronto July & August 2019

My favourite time of the year brings the hot, golden rays of the sun to the city. Bask in its brilliance and warm your soul against the winter months. Patios are full and so are the highways to cottage country, so keep out of traffic jams and check out the many of the events that Toronto has to offer like the Honda Indy Toronto and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.

Toronto Fringe Festival Wed to Sun, July 3-14.
Beaches Jazz Festival Fri to Sun, July 5-28.
Salsa on St Clair in Toronto Sat to Sun, July TBD.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival Sun, July 7 - Sun, Aug 11.
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition Fri to Sun, July 12-14.
Honda Indy Toronto Fri to Sun, July 12-14. Exhibition Place will sound like a jacked up hornet's nest as the IndyCar series and the NASCAR Pinty's series light up the streets of Toronto.
Toronto Festival of Beer Fri to Sun, July 26-28. Hmmm, beer.
Importfest Saturday, July 27 - cars and girls at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Toronto International BrazilFest Sun July TBD. In Earlscourt Park.
Guild Park Arts Festival Sat to Sun, July 27-28.
Rogers Cup Tennis Sat to Sun, Aug 3-11.
Taste of the Danforth Fri to Sun, Aug 9-11 ESTIMATED.
WWE SummerSlam Axxess Sun, Aug 11, with events from Aug 10-13.Canfitpro Consumer Fitness and Wellness Show Wed to Sun, Aug 14-18.
Wheels on the Danforth Fri to Sat, Aug 16-17.
York-Eglinton International Street Festival Sat to Sun, Aug TBD. Suspended due to LRT construction.
Canadian National Exhibition CNE Fri, Aug 16 - Mon, Sept 2. Do you want to go faster? And don't forget the fantastic Canadian International Airshow.
Chinatown Festival Sat to Sun, Aug TBD.
Aloha Toronto Festival Sun, Aug TBD.
Big on Bloor Festival Sat to Sun, July TBD. Car free from Dufferin to Lansdowne.
Taiwan Fest Fri to Sun, Aug TBD.
2 Day Best of the Beach Coed Volleyball Sat to Sun, Aug TBD.
Miss Sexy Car Wash Show and Shine Sun, Aug TBD in Scarborough from 11 am to 7 pm.
Toronto Tamil Festival Fri to Sun, Aug TBD.
Bloorcourt Arts and Crafts Fair Sat, Aug TBD.
Leslieville Beerfest Sat, Aug TBD.
Fan Expo Canada Thurs to Sun, Aug 22-25. Some amazing cosplay on display.
Go Topless Day protest in Toronto Sun, Aug 24. 12 pm to 4 pm at High Park. Always (Sometimes) the Sunday closest to Women't Equality Day which is August 26. TBD - the 2018 day was cancelled.
Buskerfest during the Labour Day weekend at the Beaches in Woodbine Park. Fri, Aug 30 to Mon, Sept 2.

And the world famous Toronto International Film Festival, or tiff Sept 5-15.

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Tunnel of Glam in Toronto

And it is fabulous! Over 14 million colourful sequins near Yonge and St. Clair are in an 80 foot tunnel open daily from 7am to 11pm. The artist installation by Studio F Minus is at 1501 Yonge Street and was commissioned by the Yonge and St. Clair BIA. You can only see the Tunnel of Glam from December 1 to 31, 2018.

The BIA site says; "The Tunnel of Glam is an 80-foot covered pedestrian walkway lined with over 14 million reversible sequins. Interactive and colourful, the tunnel represents the largest ever single use of the material, and will offer delight to families through the holiday season."
The small, shimmering discs are meant to be touched and running your hand through the sequins shows the underlying colour so you can make some groovy designs in the wall or just write your name.

"Everyone is encouraged to interact with the 14 million plus reversible sequins. These act as analogue pixels, the scale of which begs for big, over the top movements. Why use just the tip of a finger – as we are forced to with a phone or tablet – when here you can use your whole hand, to make a mark by running from one end of the tunnel to the other?"

Fun things to do in Toronto May & June 2019

Spring ends on June 21, then it is time for summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and that my friends is the best time of the year. Roasted and toasted, you got your charity runs, the famous World Naked Bike Ride and the Pride celebrations. Buckle up because it's going to get fast around here.

Global M March. Note: No permits means no festival but the march continues - gather at high noon Sat, May TBD at Queen's Park North, march begins at 2pm. Date to be confirmed. Will it happen now that MJ is legal? Keep tuning in to find out.
World Naked Gardening Day Sat, May 4 (usually first weekend of May).
Toronto Marathon Sun, May 5.
Canadian Music Week Mon to Sun, May 6-12.
Colour Me Rad 5k Sat, May TBD in Downsview Park.
Toronto Comic Arts Festival TCAF Sat to Sun, May 11-12.
Toronto Roller Derby League.
Cherry Blossoms in Toronto - should happen May. Best views in High Park. Update: Peak Blossoms in High Park in early to mid-May.
Miss Hooters Toronto Bikini Contest Wed, May (TBD) at the Downtown Hooters and Thurs, May (TBC) at the Toronto Airport Hooters - doors open at 7pm. Cost is $10.
Castrol Presents the Victoria Day Speedfest at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Fri to Sunday, May 17-19.
Spring Sessions Toronto's Festival of Beer Sat to Sun, May 18-19.
Toronto International Circus Festival Sat to Mon, May TBD.
Collision Toronto Mon to Thurs, May 20-23 tech conference at the Enercare Centre
Anime North Fri to Sun, May 24-26.
Woofstock Sat to Sun, May 25-26. Cute dogs in costumes at Woodbine Park in the Beach area. Don't forget about Winter Woofstock in November.
Doors Open Toronto Sat to Sun, May 25-26. Chance to see things normally closed to public or attractions with no entrance fee.
Northern Ink Xposure Tattoo Show Fri, May 31 to Sun, June 2.

Toronto Pro SuperShow Fri, May 31 to Sun, Jun 2.
Toronto Lift Expo Thurs to Sun, June 6-9.
Forks and Barrels festival in Ontario Place Fri to Sun, June 7-9.
Luminato Fri to Sun, June 7-23. Cool art installations.
World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) Sat, Jun 8. Right through downtown Toronto, nude. Meet at Coronation Park by noon for some bodypainting, ride begins at 1pm.
Toronto edition of the Global Reddit Meetup in Trinity Bellwoods Sat, Jun TBD, starting at 2pm.
North By North East (NXNE) Music Festival Fri to Sun, June 7-16.
Roncy Rocks in Roncesvalles Sat, June 8.
The Beaches Ribfest - Beach BBQ and Brews: Fri to Sun, June 14-16.
Taste of Little Italy Fri to Sun, June 14-16.
Toronto Wine and Spirit Festival Fri to Sat, Jun 14-15 at Sugar Beach.
Nuit Rose in Church/Wellesley Village and Queen St W. A festival of queer art and performance. Sat, Jun 15.
Hope Volleyball Tournament Sat, June 15 on Toronto Islands. Charity volleyball bash/tournament.
Battle of Black Creek Re-enactment Soldiers and Spies Sat to Sun, June 15-16.
Dragon Boat Race Festival Sat to Sun, Jun 15-16.
Bloorville Exotic Cars Sun, Jun 16.
iHeartRadio MuchMusic Video Awards Sun, Jun TBD.
Toronto Jazz Festival Fri to Sun, Jun 21-30.
Junction Summer Solstice Festival Sat, June 22.
OM T.O. Sun, June 23. International Yoga Day

World Pride: Toronto Pride Week and Pride Parades Fri to Sun, Jun 21-23. The parades are things of colour and beauty: Trans March on Friday, Dyke March on Saturday and the Pride Parade on Sunday. The Street Festival on Church St is on during Pride Weekend.
Pride Parade, Sunday, June 23: Formation area: Rosedale Valley Road closed from Bayview Avenue to Park Road to accommodate the formation of the parade. Parade route: Starts at Church Street and Bloor Street East, goes west on Bloor Street East to Yonge Street, south on Yonge Street to Dundas Street and back to the festival on Church Street. Roads will be closed for varying periods between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. The parade takes place from 2 to 6:30 p.m.
Junction Summer Solstice Celebration Sat, June 23.
Redpath Waterfront Festival Sat, June 29 to Mon, Jul 1 and the Tall Ships return.
Digital Dreams Festival Sat to Sun, June 29-30.
Toronto Roller Derby League: Clam Slam Fri, Jun TBD. Part of the Pride Celebrations - love the name.
Canada Eve Fireworks Sun, June 30.

Events moved into July
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition Fri to Sun, July 12-14.
And Toronto's MotorFest the Honda Indy Toronto is coming Fri to Sun, July 12-14.

Friday, December 28, 2018

Fun things to do in Toronto March & April 2019

Toronto is starting to warm up as the coldest months of winter are fading in the rear view mirror and the snow is disappearing. Time to get outside and see what's up around the big smoke, probably a few parades, a little bit of cosplay, some awesome cars and some shiny motorcycles.

International Bicycle Show Fri to Sun, Mar 1-3.
Toronto Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo Fri to Sun, Mar 8-10.
National Home Show and Canada Blooms Fri to Sun, Mar 8-17.
Celebrate Toronto Fri to Tue, Mar 9-10.
Toronto Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival Sat, Mar 9 to Sun, April 7.
Toronto ComicCON Fri to Sun, Mar 15-17. Come for the costumes, read a few comics and meet some stars.
Green Living Show Fri to Sun, Mar 22-24.
Toronto Blue Jays Home Opener Thurs, Mar 28.
Earth Hour Sat, Mar 30 at 8:30 pm.

Toronto Pillow Fight 2018 cancelled and World Pillow Fight Day Sat, Apr 6.
Future of Innovation, Technology and Creativity FITC Mon, Apr 29 to Wed, May 1.
Hopefully the fruit blossoms will come out to play, along with the warm weather.
To be determined: The Toronto Hooters Bikini Contest 2019

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Fun things to do in #Toronto in Jan and Feb 2019

Curl, ski or skate in winter to your hearts content, but if you want to try something else in Canada's two coldest months then you need to get out to a Toronto event or attraction - preferably indoor. And there are plenty of shows to keep you occupied.
Polar Bear Dip at Sunnyside Beach. Tue, Jan 1. Noon at Sunnyside Beach. 'Do the Dip'.
Toronto Rock Lacrosse starts in January.
North American International Motorcycle Supershow Fri to Sun, Jan 4-6.
Canada's Bridal Show Winter Fri to Sun, Jan 11-13.
The Franchise Expo Sat to Sun, Jan 12-13.
Toronto No Pants Subway Ride NEW MERTING LOCATION Sun, Jan 13. Meet at 3pm at Eaton Centre Dundas Street entrance, 3:20pm head out on the rails.
Interior Design Show IDS 17 Thurs to Sun, Jan 17-20.
Toronto International Boat Show Fri to Sun, Jan 18-27.
Toronto Light Festival Fri, Jan 18 - Sun, Mar 3.
Monster Jam Sat to Sun, Jan TBD.
Blue Jays Winter Fest Sat to Sun, Jan 19-20.
Ice Breakers at Queens Quay Sat-Sun, Jan 19-Feb 24
Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Jan TBD Season Opener.
Winterlicious Fri, Jan 25 to Thurs, Feb 7.

Harbourfront Centre Kuumba Feb TBD.
Hey, it's Groundhog Day on Sat, Feb 2.
Toronto Coldest Day of the Year Ride Sat, Feb 2. TBD
Toronto Fashion Week Mon to Wed, Feb TBD
Chinatown BIA Chinese New Year Celebration (Spadina and Dundas) Sat to Sun, Feb 9-10.
Bloor-Yorkville Icefest Festival Sat to Sun, Feb 9-10.
Black Film Festival Wed to Mon, Feb 13-18.
Happy Valentine's Day Thurs, Feb 14. Hugs and kisses everyone.
Motorcycle Show Toronto Fri to Sun, Feb 15-17.
Spring Fish and Boat Show Fri to Mon, Feb 15-18.
Canadian International AutoShow Fri to Sun, Feb 15-24.
Beaches Winter Stations Design Competition Mon, Feb 18 to Mon, Apr 1.
Winterfolk Festival Fri to Sun, Feb 22-24.
Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show Fri to Sun, Feb 23-25.
Annual Bike Couriers Ice Race at Dufferin Grove Park Sat, Feb TBD.

Moved into March....

Toronto International Bicycle Show Fri to Sun, Mar 1-3.
Canadian Motorsports Expo (CME) / Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo) Fri to Sun, Mar 8-10. Great winter show for race fans. "The Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News is a three-day celebration of Canadian racing that runs February at the International Centre (6900 Airport Road in Mississauga, Ontario (Canada)). In addition to booths and racing vehicles representing the entire spectrum of Canadian motorsports, the show is loaded with seminars and forums to entertain and inform racers and fans alike. Celebrity drivers will be at the CME to sign autographs and meet the fans. See photos from the show here.
Toronto Sportsmen's Show Wed to Sun, March 13-17.

Doors Open

Scarborough Bluffs

Pride

Redball

Beaches

Graffiti

Lake Ontario

Nathan Phillips Square

Transportation