Comicon 2023

Winter Comicon is finishing today and the eager crowds of fans looking for stars, comics and costumes are still huge. Thousands are squeezed into the north building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the March 17 to 19, 1023 show.

Toronto Motorama 2023 back this weekend

Racing season is almost back in the great white north and the best way to get ready for watching the pedal go to the metal is the eBay Motors Toronto Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo on March 10 to 12 at the International Centre. The show comes with free parking and over 300,000 square feet of show space and tons of custom cars, trucks, hot rods, racing vehicles and tuner cars along with vendors and exhibitors.

You can meet YouTube stars Nick Panaritis of Nick's Garage and the crew from Deboss Garage, also Dave Kindig from Bitchin' Rides Saturday and Sunday while Bad Chad and Jolene from Bad Chad Customs will be at the show all three days cranking out a Roof Chop on a 1934 Plymouth and meeting fans.

From Motorama's webpage, "Speaking on behalf of Motorama, show co-promoter Greg MacPherson said, “We’re excited that Dave Kindig is coming to the eBay Motors Toronto Motorama show, in March. We’ve watched him on Bitchin’ Rides and have seen him interacting with his fans, at SEMA and other shows. There’s no doubt he’s one of the most popular, talented and personable people in the automotive industry. Everyone who’s ever had the opportunity to spend time with Dave Kindig says he’s one of the friendliest, most genuine and ‘down to earth’ guys you’ll ever meet. For all these reasons, we’re honoured and excited to welcome him to Motorama.”

Show hours:
FRIDAY, MARCH 10: 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M. Also Students Day at Motorama
SATURDAY, MARCH 11: 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M.
SUNDAY, MARCH 12: 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

Visitors can also look forward to the Fast Eddie Speedwear Night of Champions with over 130 race champions on the main stage Saturday, March 11, the Stoneridge Racing Zone with stock cars, road racing cars and drag cars on display and the 300 mph Bone Shaker Jet Truck. And on Sunday afternoon Lincoln Electric Canadian will crown the Motorama Grand Champion.

Fun things to do in Toronto November & December 2023

Santy Claus saves the best for last and that is true in Toronto as well. Fun in the cold as winter sets in and snow starts to improve the looks of gray streets and bare trees. Keep warm and have fun! You can check out the current weather and wind flows on this cool site. A lot of dates are still up in the air right now, so keep coming back as I update the list.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and the Royal Horse Show Fri to Sun, Nov 3-12.
Remembrance Day Ceremony Sun, Nov 11.

Aurora Winter Festival Thurs to Sun, Nov TBD-Jan TBD.

Brainfreeze Polar Bear Dip at Cherry Beach Sat, Nov TBD.

Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery District Thurs, Nov - Sat, Dec. TBD

Toronto Santa Speedo Run Sat Dec TBD. The run took time off in 2016 but it came back for 2017 as well as 2018 and 2019!
Toronto Santa Claus Parade Sun, Nov TBD.

Cavalcade of Lights Sat, Nov TBD. Music and the City lights up Nathan Phillips Square and sets off some fireworks.
CP Holiday Train Nov TBD
Union Holiday at Union Station Nov - Jan. TBD

Toronto Comicon Fan Days Holiday Show Sat, Dec TBD. At the MTCC.

Kensington Winter Solstice/Festival of Lights Thurs, Dec 21. A parade and a fire show.

The Bentway Polar Bear Skate Sun, Dec TBD. It's an underwear skate event
New Years Eve Celebration Sun, Dec 31 from 8 pm to midnight with Toronto's largest dance and skating party - with some exciting fireworks and live bands.

And the next day is the Toronto Polar Bear Dip Mon, Jan 1, otherwise known as the Sunnyside swim.

Nuit Blanche 2023 will be on September 23

The City of Toronto has announced the return of Nuit Blanche and has made a call for artists for the 2023 edition of the all night art festival. Usually the event was held on the first Saturday of October so this is just a little shift of the timing.

From the City's media release, "This September, City of Toronto will host the 17th edition of Nuit Blanche, Toronto’s popular all-night art celebration. Nuit Blanche, created by the City in collaboration with Toronto’s arts community, will return this fall from 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 23 to 7 a.m. on Sunday, September 24. For one dazzling night, neighbourhoods across Toronto will experience remarkable and inspiring pop-up art installations, including major exhibition areas planned for Etobicoke, downtown and Scarborough.

Nuit Blanche is now accepting proposals for the Open Call Program and Independent Projects for this year’s festival from Canadian and international artists. Submissions are due Sunday, March 5. Today, the City also announced this year’s theme, Breaking Ground, and introduced the 2023 Nuit Blanche curators."

Toronto Winter Stations in the Beach 2023

The annual public design competition open to the world is centered around the lifeguard stations on the Beaches and is back starting on Family Day 2023.  There are 8 winning proposals for the exhibition that runs from February 20 to April 3 along the City of Toronto's Kew and Woodbine beaches in East York. There is no fee for visiting the art installations and many of the pieces are meant for interaction with the public and it is one way to get people out on the sandy beach in the middle of winter, although recent temperatures make it a very pleasant visit.

From their website "Winter Stations is a single-stage international design competition held annually in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Participants are tasked with designing temporary winter art installations which incorporate existing lifeguard towers spaced strategically across the city’s Kew and Woodbine beaches. The structures (not in use in the wintertime) are considered visual anchor points for the installations."

Looking into LIFE LINE

Winter Stations theme for 2023 is Radiance; "the quality or state of being radiant. Radiance is a powerful thing to harness, as it reflects brilliance, inner security, kindness, and gratitude – but it’s also unique in that it has a positive ripple effect from its origin. Radiance is beautiful in the way it spreads organically."

CONRAD - Design Team: Novak Djogo & Daniel Joshua Vanderhorst
(Canada)

the (Home) - Design Team: Scott Shields Architects
(Canada)

LIFE LINE - Design Team: WeatherstonBruer Associates: James Bruer, Nick Roland,
Jacqueline Hampshire (Canada)

3 Surfaces Pavilion - Design Team: S-AR: Cesar Guerrero, Ana Cecilia Garza,
Orlando Garcia (Mexico)

Delighthouse - Design Team: Nick Green & Greig Pirrie
(United Kingdom)

Ripple Hut - Design Team: Toronto Metropolitan University
Department of Architectural Science (Canada)

Winter-net - Design Team: University of Waterloo
Department of Architecture (Canada)

Motorcycle Show Toronto 2023

It's not hard to imagine riding the latest models of motorcycles, sleek designs that make you want to get out riding on the open road. At the Motorcycle Show Toronto you can check out the new models from the major manufacturers or see new gear and accessories for riders, you can also meet fellow enthusiasts during the Friday to Sunday, February 17-19 show at the Enercare Centre in Exhibition Place. This is the first time the show is back in three years and it's time to get inspired and motivated. Friday is She Rides Night and women can check out the riding lifestyle - women get in half price after 5pm while everyone gets free parking after 5pm Friday and the show opens at noon.

This Family Day weekend Enercare Centre will showcase new models of motorcycles, scooters and ATVs from top manufacturers like Aprilia, Can-Am, Harley-Davidson, Honda, KTM, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa, and Yamaha. There are also seminars and tech talks on the ExPLR Stage to explore.

The manufacturers are happy to return to the show after two Covid-19 years with a chance to show off new bikes and new features. The show is a little smaller than previous editions taking place in Hall B only but they are making up for the smaller size with a lot of enthusiasm. Harley-Davidson is celebrating their 120th birthday and they hope that they can get some new riders that are only imagining the first ride of spring.

A few of the manufacturers have multiple product lines which include snow blowers, generators, three wheels and ATVs. Another category making great strides are electric motorcycles with a model or two from the big boys to Surron representing only off road electric models.

"We've put together a strong line-up of features and displays to showcase many different aspects of the riding life for all types of riders this year," said Landon French, CEO of Power Sport Services. "There's no other show in Ontario where you'll find this collection of the newest and most anticipated models for 2023 all under one roof. Above all, the Toronto Motorcycle Show is a place for riders to re-unite, get hands-on and get excited for the upcoming riding season."

Other highlights of the show include Clutch Society featuring custom indie motorcycle culture, the Original Garage Moto Performance V-Twin Zone and the Vintage Road Racing Association that includes classic and vintage racing machines. You can see more about Clutch and Original Garage from the Motorcycle Show Toronto below.

"Clutch Society returns with some of the GTA's most respected bike builders and lifestyle brands, along with some skateboard culture added to the mix this year. Produced in collaboration with Dan Lim of The Moto Foto, Clutch Society will be THE gathering place at the show, where riders of all levels, riding styles and backgrounds can refuel and hang out with friends, order a drink, talk bikes and get revved up for the upcoming riding season.

The Original Garage (OG) Moto Performance V-Twin Zone is a must-see for every motorcycle enthusiast and Harley-Davidson fan who appreciates a high level of craftsmanship and performance. OG will present eight all-out Harley bike builds from their well-respected builders and customers, highlighted by two Harley AMA Bagger Racing League Race Bikes coming to Canada for the first time."

Show hours are: Friday, February 17 (noon - 9 pm); Saturday, February 18 (10 am - 8 pm); Sunday, February 19 (10 am - 5 pm).

Upcoming exciting Toronto events early 2023

It's hard to believe how fortunate the city is as this temporary blast of warm air helps us escape the frigid cold of peak winter in Ontario, especially as the event scene starts to heat up for 2023. This weekend we have the Motorcycle Show Toronto with a chance to dream about your ride when actual Spring comes to town. 

From MC Show's website, "Toronto’s premier powersports event, The Toronto Motorcycle Show presented by NFP, is roaring back to the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place, February 17 - 19, 2023, and is set to deliver plenty of fun, excitement, and new discoveries for riders of all styles, ages, and experience levels. Riders, future riders, and lovers of the motorcycle lifestyle will be able to check out some of the most anticipated models for 2023, from many of the world’s top manufacturers."

Family Day holiday in Ontario takes place Monday, February 20 in 2023 which is a good time to check out the Toronto Beach with Winter Stations design competition. From their website, "Launched in 2014, Winter Stations invites the international design and art community to reimagine the lifeguard stations along Toronto’s east end beaches for the winter. The competition has seen entries from over 90 countries, bringing the world of design to the water’s edge. Founded as a collaboration between local firms RAW Design, Ferris + Associates and Curio, Winter Stations is heading into its seventh year, and continues to capture the imagination of the city." The free public exhibition takes place on Woodbine Beach, Toronto from February 20 till April 3, 2023. Photo at top.

Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival comes out to check its shadow on Saturday, March 4 at Roundhouse Park from 11am to 5pm. This year Steam Whistle is bringing wineries, distilleries, cider and non-alcoholic vendors to the park! They suggest plenty of long underwear and flannel because you need to keep warm for this outdoor, ticketed party.

Lumière: The Art of Light features illuminated exhibits and powered up from March 10 till May 7, 2023 at Trillium Park in Ontario Place. The light festival will be open every weeknight from dusk to 11pm and the Lumière website says, "This free outdoor light exhibition allows visitors to explore the park and experience art developed by Ontario artists. Utilizing innovation, light and discovery, Artists and creators will illuminate the park under a curatorial theme of “renewal”, celebrating the change of seasons from winter to spring.

Later in March we also have the Toronto Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo, a vehicular extravaganza show at the "International Centre. Show takes place in Halls 1, 2, 3 & 4. The Inside Track Racing Zone is in Hall 1B. The Zehr Insurance Motorama Mayhem… in the Backroom ‘rockabilly’ room is located in Hall 3, and Spring Fever: Modified Cars & Culture is in the southeast part of Hall 2. The expanded Truck-O-Rama Presented by RAMS of Ontario feature will be in Hall 4. All showgoers will enter and exit through Hall 1, where 28 incredible, mostly first-time-show vehicles will be on display down the centre of the room. Car clubs, featured vehicles, the Main Stage and many corporate displays will fill Hall 2. The International Centre is located at 6900 Airport Road in Mississauga, Ontario (Canada), adjacent to Toronto’s Pearson Airport." Motorama is from March 10 to 12, 2023.

Also in March is the Fan Expo Toronto Comicon at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Building with "Three days of fun-filled, fan culture. Experience the ultimate playground for Comics, Sci-Fi, Horror, Anime, and Gaming. Three BIG days of citywide events, family-friendly attractions and world-renowned celebrities await. Join tens of thousands of fans who are just like you." Winter Comicon is Friday to Sunday (March 17th to 19th) and the cosplay is world class. 

In the waning official days of winter we can also celebrate Irish culture during the annual Toronto St Patrick's Parade on Sunday, March 19, 2023. The St. Patrick’s Parade Society are "custodians of a tradition to celebrate Ireland’s history, culture and heritage through entertainment." Dress your family in green to show your community spirit, enjoy the live entertainment with music, dance, floats and costumes providing an engaging spectacle for the viewers and bask in some Irish pride.

Magically the next day blooms bright and beautiful as the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, known as the Spring or vernal equinox (latin for equal night), brings equal day and night across Earth. For 2023 that date is Monday, March 20, 2023 at 5:24am. This marks the planet's highest incline towards the sun and represents times with new beginnings allowing for personal transformation and growth.