Still time for Niagara Festival of Lights

The famous tourist destination Niagara Falls still has the winter tradition known as the Winter Festival of Lights which started November 12, 2022 until February 20, 2023 so there is still time to take the night time drive and see the pretty lights.

Old Powerhouse Building

My favourite light installations are at the Floral Showhouse (pictured at top) and the neighbouring and the Old Powerhouse Building situated next to the Niagara River just upstream of the falls.

#IDSto23 Interior Design Show 2023

Toronto concentrates the world of style and design into the Interior Design Show presented by Miele, taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (south building) from January 19 to 22. You can find designers, new products, many experts in the industry along with 40 informative seminars which are part of the accredited trade conference program for IDS. The theme for 2023 is Moving Parts: Design for a complex world. The opening night party is a great way to view the displays and companies taking part in IDSTO23 as well as enjoy the musical vibes and sample the drinks and food samples sprinkled throughout the hall.

The artist with his engineeredartsobjects.com display. Part of the display is pictured at top

A raccoon by Low Poly Paper Kits

Puppy Stools by Hojeong Ji, inspired by pets

The artist by her creation

From IDS "As Canada’s premier showcase of new products, superstar designers, and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond, IDS is the platform to experience the importance of design firsthand, uncovering not just what’s new and what’s next, but taking part in the larger conversation around design. Experiential and transformative, we bring together compelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent and key experts in the industry so you can be inspired by the best of the future." The opening night party had several stages and DJ's providing music for the attendees.

IDS has noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into how we think of the workday and of the actual workplaces and homes. Sometimes work and home have been combined, or offices have become hotels for hybrid workers. It really shows that how we furnish our life and work spaces has evolved and Will Sorrell, IDS National Director says “Design should reflect the complexity and nuance of the world. At IDS 2023 visitors will experience the Moving Parts of the design world and see how the most creative minds are finding solutions in these constantly changing times."

Trade Days are Thursday and Friday (Jan 19-20) and the opening party takes place Thursday (Jan 19). Keynote Speakers Saturday with the Globe and Mail and Sunday with House and Home. Show hours are: Thursday 19th January 9am – 4pm, Opening Night Party 7pm – 11pm, Friday 20th January 9am – 6pm, Saturday 21st January 10am – 5pm and Sunday 22nd January 10am – 5pm.

Feelux lighting had a special guest model

vogt display and bar

christinasideris.com illuminated art panels

See more of the show after the jump.

Fun things to do in Toronto September & October 2023

Labour Day holiday weekend gives a jump start to the pleasant months of autumn. Sure wear your sweater, put those shorts away, enjoy the fall colours and start to really explore the city before the cold and early darkness starts to weigh on our minds.

Canadian National Exhibition CNE Fri, Aug 18 to Mon, Sept 4.

Buskerfest Fri to Mon, Sept 1-4 at Woodbine Park in the Beaches    

Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) Sat to Mon, Sept 2-4.

And the world famous Toronto International Film Festival or tiff Sept 7-17.
Taste of Kingsway Fri to Sun, Sept 8-10.
Toronto Ukrainian Festival Fri to Sun, Sept 15-17.
Windfest Sat, Sept TBD.
Pape Village Summerfest Sat, Sept TBD.
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at Nathan Phillips Square Sat, Sept 16.
Huron Square Variety Saturday Sat, Sept 17.
Roncesvalles Polish Festival Sat to Sun, Sept 16-17.
Redpath Waterfront Festival Sat to Sun, Sept 16-17.
Elevate and Just for Laughs Street Festival Fri to Sat, Sept 22-24.
Just for Laughs Festival Toronto JFL42 Thurs to Sat, Sept 21-30.
I Love Culture Fri to Sun, Sept 22 to Oct 15.
Red Bull Flugtag at Ontario Place, Free to Attend, Sat, Sept TBD.

Nuit Blanche Sat, Sept 23 (7 pm to sunrise). The all night art thing with plenty of videos and light shows as well as Les Rues Des Refuses (hopefully). 
Geary Art Crawl Fri to Sat, Sept 23-24.
Toronto Oktoberfest Sat to Sun, Sept 30 to Oct 1 in Ontario Place.

Don't forget to check out nature for the beauty of fall colours.

Art Installation at Nuit Blanche 2022

Toronto Everything to do with Sex Show Fri to Sun, Oct 13-15
Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV and Powersports Show Fri to Sun, Oct 20-22. Check out my post here for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the 2023 show.
Art Toronto Thurs to Sun, Oct 26-29.

Night of Dread Sat, Oct 28 from 4:30-9pm. Night of Dread Festival Pageant Saturday, October 28th, starting at 6pm in Christie Pits Park. Dufferin Grove Park is unavailable this year.
Zoomer Show Sat to Sun, Oct TBD. Canceled!
Halloween on Church Tue, Oct 31

And just around the corner is opening night of The Royal Horse Show on Friday, November 3, which will be their 10-day Anniversary celebration.

Toronto Motorcycle SuperShow 2023

This 2023 North American International Motorcycle SuperShow brings plenty of two wheeled machines to the International Centre but it will also feature some exciting stunt events such as the Extreme Freestyle Event, the Highway Heathens Harley Davidson's Stunt Team and the Wall of Death. Taking place over this weekend (Jan 6-8) where you can shop for a motorcycle (new and used), clothing and gear as well as look at the competitors in the Canada Cup Championship Custom Show Bike competition vying for $50,000 in cash in Hall 5. Parking is free at the International Centre.

The exciting MX Freestyle performance

From the SuperShow "The Extreme Freestyle Event - Crazy tricks, the most daring jumps, and the one that always has the crowd gasping for air… Backflips, Crazy Train! The sickest, electrifying Freestyle display in Canada! Highway Heathens Harley Davidson’s Stunt Team and has riders from across the country, including Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, giving the team a combined riding experience of over 60 years, including two of the best Harley-Davidson Stunt Riders in the country (Pat Duda and Martin Gilbert). Wall of Death - The Ives Brothers have been performing at motorcycle rallies across the USA for over a decade, but this will mark the first time they will perform in Canada for a motorcycleshow. The Brothers will bring their wooden Wall of Death. Spectators can watch from a viewing platform above or on the numerous flat-screen monitors set up to enjoy the show."

For those that didn't get a motorcycle under their Christmas tree, this is your chance to say so long to winter, if only for a weekend, and welcome a Century of Motorcycling while seeing the new 2023, models of sport, cruiser, motocross, off road, touring and custom motorcycles. Enjoy the vintage, scooters and ATVs and think about joining some of the 100 clubs, rides and rallies that will be in attendance. Note that Canadian legendary country music artist Jason McCoy will make appearances in the “Ride for Dad booth”.

2023 Show Schedule

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6
11:00 AM SHOW OPENS
12:30 PM MX Freestyle Show Live Show Hall 4 Track
1:00 PM Wall of Death Live Show Hall 5 Barrel Track
2:00 PM Hitcher Live Band Hall 5 Stage
3:00 PM Airways Airbrushing Demo Live Demo Hall 5 Stage
3:30 PM Highway Heathens Stunt Show Live Show Hall 5 Track
4:00 PM Wall of Death Live Show Hall 5 Barrel Track
4:30 PM MX Freestyle Show Live Show Hall 4 Track
5:00 PM Hitcher Live Band Hall 5 Stage
6:00 PM Highway Heathens Stunt Show Live Show Hall 5 Track
6:30 PM Airways Airbrushing Demo Live Demo Hall 5 Stage
7:00 PM Wall of Death Live Show Hall 5 Barrel Track
7:30 PM MX Freestyle Show Live Show Hall 4 Track
7:45 PM Hitcher Live Band Hall 5 Stage
9:00 PM SHOW CLOSES

SATURDAY, JANUARY 7
10:00 AM SHOW OPENS
11:00 AM Highway Heathens Stunt Show Live Show Hall 4 Track
11:30 AM MX Freestyle Show Live Show Hall 5 Stage
11:30 AM Airways Airbrushing Demo Live Demo Hall 5 Stage
12:00 PM Wall of Death Live Show Hall 5 Barrel Track
12:30 PM AMY/DC Live Band Hall 5 Stage
1:30 PM Highway Heathens Stunt Show Live Show Hall 4 Track
2:00 PM MX Freestyle Show Live Show Hall 5 Stage
3:00 PM Wall of Death Live Show Hall 5 Barrel Track
3:30 PM Airways Airbrushing Demo Live Demo Hall 5 Stage
4:00 PM MX Freestyle Show Live Show Hall 4 track
4:30 PM AMY/DC Live Band Hall 5 Stage
5:30 PM Highway Heathens Stunt Show Live Show Hall 5 Stage
6:30 PM Wall of Death Live show Hall 5 Barrel Track
7:00 PM MX Freestyle Show Live Show Hall 4 Track
7:00 PM AMY/DC Live Show Hall 5 Stage
8:00 PM SHOW CLOSES

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8
10:00 AM SHOW OPENS
10:30 AM Wall of Death Live Show Hall 5 Barrel Track
11:00 AM Highway Heathens Stunt Show Live Show Hall 5 Stage
11:30 AM Airways Airbrushing Demo Live Demo Hall 5 Stage
12:00 PM MX Freestyle Show Live Show Hall 4 Track
1:30 PM Wall of Death Live Show Hall 5 Barrel Track
2:00 PM MX Freestyle Show Live Show Hall 4 Track
2:30 PM Highway Heathens Stunt Show Live Show Hall 5 Stage
3:00 PM Wall of Death Live Show Hall 5 Barrel Track
3:30 PM Canada Cup Awards $50,000 Cash and Trophies Hall 5 Stage
5:00 PM SHOW CLOSES

The Wall of Death setup

Lineup to check out the wall of death

See more photos after the jump.

Toronto Polar Bear Dip 2023

The morning started perfectly for a run into the cold waters of Lake Ontario, then at 11am the rain started, otherwise it was a great year for the Toronto Polar Bear Dip - definitely warmer than many previous dips.

The opening run into the lake

After the 2022 dip was cancelled due to Covid precautions it was good to see Toronto support the New Years day event held at Sunnyside Park on January 1, 2023. Enough people came by that they decided to do two waves of brave souls running down the beach into the waters of the inner harbour.

Registration started at 10:30am with the dip starting at noon.  See more pictures of the dip after the jump.

Toronto Bentway Polar Bear Skate

The goal is to skate around the trail under the Gardiner Expressway in your underwear. The time is December 31, 2022 at 1pm. The weather is balmy and the rain is unimportant because this rink is sheltered by the raised highway. The rain has kept away some of the crowds but the weather has since been drying up. What an adventure people!

Groups of people show up ready to undress and skate

Lots of people dropped by to cheer on the skaters

A Christmas themed skate

Stormtrooper skater - may the force be with you

Heading out to the rink to begin the Polar Bear Skate 2022

From the Polar skate's website, "Polar Bear Skate & Winter Clothing Drive: December 31 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. The Bentway’s Polar Bear Skate returns! Both a clothing drive and a wild way to close out the year, brave Torontonians are invited to strip down to their skivvies and skate the trail for a good cause. Donations of warm winter clothing will be collected onsite by New Circles Community Services and distributed to newcomer and refugee families experiencing winter in Toronto for the first time. Items in need include new and gently-worn winter coats and boots. Thank you to Beanfield Metroconnect for providing free hot beverages during the Polar Bear Skate to help keep you warm.

See more of the skate after the jump.