Frost Princess at the Beauty Ice Castle

#getboldinthecold. Quite a few young princesses lined up for free makeovers in the Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Ice Castle at Yonge-Dundas Square.

"From February 14 to February 15, Shoppers Drug Mart invites you to their first-ever Beauty Ice Castle — a dramatic pop-up ice castle where you can “step out of the cold and into some bold beauty looks”. Experience all the ice castle has to offer such as complimentary makeovers, live DJ, hot chocolate bar, a cozy chalet lounge, and giveaways!"

Toronto Light Festival 2019

On a clear night you can see the glow of #TOlightFest from miles away so it is time to take in the light art that is illuminating the historic Distillery District. The lights go on at sundown and go to 10pm on most weeknights, 11pm Thursday through Sunday from January 18 to March 3. Michael Buble's Edge Lit Heart near the Phoenix Rainbow in the photo at top. There are also a couple of additional light art pieces at the Farimont Royal York Hotel (Stingray 2.0 and Storm in a Tube).

The Toronto Light Fest symbol with the reflection of Tunnelception in the window, you can get some free Reece's Pieces beside the installation

From their website: "During the cold, dark days of winter, The Toronto Light Festival offers visitors a reason to bundle up, get outside and celebrate the season, creativity and life in the big city. The Festival, now in its third year exhibits local and international light artists. Artworks are curated to educate, warm hearts, inspire or just put a smile on visitors faces."

The Long View giant polar bear

The Guardians of Time

The permanent heart installation

With or without the lights, the Distillery District is a great place to visit in Toronto but this makes it even better. The light festival is free to enter but you need to find paid parking nearby (some in the district, some immediately surrounding the area), or take public transit to the site.

See more of the light art after the jump.

Toronto Motorcycle Show 2019 in mid-Feb

Two-wheeling, hardcore riding and Ontario's biggest motorcycle manufacturers' event. It's almost time for the Toronto Motorcycle Show which will be in the Enercare Centre from February 15-17. The Exhibition Place conference halls will be full of bikes, motorcycle gear, aftermarket parts and accessories. The show takes place during the February Family Day weekend and children can take part in the Yamaha Riding Academy for Kids or watch the motorcycle stunt shows.

 “We’ll also showcase the latest innovations and technology on two, three and four-wheels with the biggest line-up of 2019 new models from the best in the business. It’s the perfect place to get your motorcycle fix before the new riding season begins.”

Friday is time for the She Rides Night with a chance to win a Kawasaki Versys X300 and meet with other female riders. On Saturday you could enter for a chance to win a Kawasaki Z125 PRO, one of two available during the Kawasaki Double-Take Giveaway. Explore the latest innovations and technology before the riding season comes to Ontario.

"This is the only show to see the 2019 new model introductions of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and side-by-sides from the world’s top brands, along with the latest in riding apparel, accessories, touring destinations, and other exciting motorcycle lifestyle exhibits. There’s a wide-range of special features for riders of all ages and experience levels, and those interested in learning to ride. Kids of all ages will be wowed by the Stunt Shows featuring Canadian star Craig Latimer, and the precision riding skills of the Ontario Provincial Police Golden Helmets aboard their Harley-Davidson Police Specials."

Show Hours

Friday, Feb 15th: noon - 9pm

Saturday, Feb 16th: 10am - 8pm

Sunday, Feb 17th: 10am - 5pm

Discounted tickets and Family Passes are available on line

2019 JUNO Awards in March

Sarah McLachlan will host the 48th annual @TheJUNOAwards in London, Ontario on Sunday, March 17, 2019. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee and 12-time JUNO Award winner will take the helm of Canada's biggest night in music at the Budweiser Gardens which will be broadcast live by CBC and streamed on CBC Gem. The JUNO Awards are part of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) not-for-profit organization that preserves and enhances the Canadian music industry.

Musical artist, singer-songwriter Corey Hart will be the 2019 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee at the JUNOs. Corey has sold over 16 million albums and will perform during the show - the first time in over 20 years.

CARAS have also announced that the 2019 Humanitarian Award will be given to the talented David Foster for his long support of charities, including his own David Foster Foundation which raises awareness for organ donations and helps Canadian families requiring life-saving transplants.

Nominees for the 2019 JUNO Awards are a mix of established and new artists and were announced by CARAS and include Shawn Mendes, bulow, Loud Luxury, Alessia Cara, Hubert Lenoir, Michael Buble and Three Days Grace. The JUNUs partial list of nominations is as follows, you can find the full list on their website.

"Shawn Mendes leads this year with a total of six nominations including: JUNO Fan Choice*, Single of the Year, Album of the Year*, Artist of the Year*, Songwriter of the Year* and Pop Album of the Year. The Weeknd received an impressive five nominations including JUNO Fan Choice*, Single of the Year, Album of the Year*, Artist of the Year* and R&B/Soul Recording of the Year – an award he has won four times previously.

First time nominees recognized with four nominations include bülow for JUNO Fan Choice*, Single of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year* and Pop Album of the Year; and London’s very own Loud Luxury for JUNO Fan Choice*, Single of the Year, Breakthrough Group of the Year* and Dance Recording of the Year.

Artists with three nominations include Alessia Cara for JUNO Fan Choice*, Single of the Year and Artist of the Year*;Bahamas for Songwriter of the Year*, Adult Alternative Album of the Year and Video of the Year*; Hubert Lenoir for Album of the Year*, Pop Album of the Year and Francophone Album of the Year; KILLY for JUNO Fan Choice*, Breakthrough Artist of the Year* and Rap Recording of the Year; Michael Bublé for Artist of the Year*, Jack Richardson Producer of the Year with David Foster and Adult Contemporary Album of the Year; Three Days Gracefor Album of the Year*, Group of the Year* and Rock Album of the Year; and Tory Lanez for JUNO Fan Choice*, Artist of the Year* and Rap Recording of the Year."

Wiarton Willie 2019 Prediction

The little guy even has his own twitter account.
Wiarton Willie‏ @willieofficial 2h2 hours ago. So, my #prediction is #official. I didn't see my shadow so an early spring it is. #officialprediction #earlyspring #WiartonWillie #Wiarton #PredictionMorning #GroundhogDay

An early spring is always something I can get behind. Ann and I visited Wiarton in 2018 during a much warmer period and we posed with the statue of Willie (photo at top).

Don't be SAD, winter is almost over!

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, hits hardest in winter and in Canada, winter seems to last forever. You can try to beat the blues by getting out in the sun when it occasionally peaks out of the snow clouds or keep busy with outdoor sports or visit some of the great shows that take place around Toronto.

Some of the February events or attractions I am looking forward to are the Toronto Light Festival, Groundhog Day (Feb 2nd), Chinatown New Years Celebrations, the Motorcycle Show Toronto, the Beaches Winter Stations Design Festival. Some of the current, ongoing events that I can recommend are the Winter Stations Icebreakers, the Toronto Light Exhibition at Ontario Place and the 7 at Hudson's Bay Art Installation.

You also have your hockey games, baseball games and basketball games for those with deeper pockets.

Later in March, just one step closer to spring, you can get your motorsports fix with the Toronto Motorama Custom and Motorsports Expo. Then when the snow melts and the birds start to sing, there is the joy of visiting the blooming cherry blossoms throughout the city - especially at High Park.

#the7TO The 7 at Hudson's Bay art installation

The creative team at Toronto's iconic downtown department store has installed several art pieces on the 7th floor of Hudson's Bay at Yonge and Queen Streets.

The experimental space is in a hallway that leads to the Kleinfeld Bridal Shop. Take the elevator to the 7th floor and the art starts as soon as you get off. Open seven days a week until Spring it is a perfect way to dispel winter's gloom, it's fun and it is free.