From chocolate dinner parties to island parties, summer is only going to slow down when we’re over it. Here’s everything to get up to this weekend…
Thursday
Summer Ain’t Over Bitches!
Lavish & Squalor is clearing out the store with 50% off Spring/Summer swag, beats by Tenemy all night, and free dranks from Steam Whistle and Kraken.
Music in St James Park – The Boxcar Boys
The Boxcar Boys will be playing their old jazz, folky New Orleans-style tunes for free as part of the on-going concert series Music in St. James Park at King Street East and Church.
SummerWorks Theatre Festival
Running August 8th to 18th, the SummerWorks Theatre Festival will be providing a stage for some of the city’s best fringe theatre acts and community. Now in its 22nd year, the festival includes musical acts and workshops while encouraging new growth and support for the Canadian theatrical scene.
GET UP: Community Night
Every Thursday all of August, GET UP will be hosting raw hip-hop performances at the Annex Wreck Room. With performances this Thursday by resident crews DEUCEnDIP, GEEKFREAKS, and BUCC N FLVR DANCE CO., highlights include prizes for Best Dancer/Party Rocker of the Night and live graffiti painting.
Hayley Stark CD Launch
Join TO band Hayley Stark for the launch of their latest EP, You Made My Night, at Cherry Cola’s Rock ‘n‘ Rolla Cabaret & Lounge.
“Gimme the Loot” Screening @ Open Roof Festival
Check out Gimme the Loot, a film by Adam Leon about two Brooklyn graf artists seeking revenge on a rival gang, and getting into NYC mayhem in the process, at the Open Roof Festival. The Festival highlights filmmakers and artists from Canada and around the world in a venue that allows you to take in the city’s breathtaking skyline.
FFLF Presents “In the key of C”
Join guest singer Danielle Demerino and her band Hypogea for a night of live music in support of Friends For Life Foundation to help raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada and the Oncology Unit at SickKids Hospital. The charity concert will also feature a live auction with tonnes of fabulous goodies to be bought.
Friday
BROKEN SONS: It’s Not My Fault ALBUM RELEASE PARTY
Check out T.dot rock band Broken Sons’ latest EP, It’s Not My Fault, at the release party at the city’s fabulous and legendary Horseshoe Tavern.
Flavours of the City: Express Yourself
Relive the suburban sidewalk chalk graffiti days of your early youth at Flavours of the City: Express Yourself. Enjoy the outdoors with the live sidewalk Art Show and Exhibit featuring a variety of artists and art forms including body art, painters, woodwork, photography and more. There will also be yummy bites from Market 707 vendors, a live performance by Black Mink, and the announcement of the winner of Projexity’s patio design contest.
Fortune Cooking Festival @ the Harbourfront Centre
Explore the sights, sounds, and flavours of the (Pan-Asian) orient while taking in the lakeside breeze at the Fortune Cooking Festival. Highlights include live musical and artistic performances, a Ramen Runoff, the Lake View Market, and the World Café.
DRUG WAR
Celebrated director Johnnie To is debuting to Toronto audiences his new crime thriller, Drug War, at the Lightbox. Don’t miss your chance to catch this one, it has great reviews.
Burn Down the Capital – Feast in the East
Head down to the Gerrard Art Space (1390 Gerrard East) for a Feast in the East, a monthly affair of epic food, live music, and installations. This month features eats by Dan Bedard with musical performances by MARINE DREAMS, L CON, ISLA CRAIG & IVY MAIRI, and LES HEURES. Get your tickets in advance for free dinner, yo.
HER HER HER – Look Inside and Set Her Free
Homo Disco, House and Dance at La Perla sounds pretty much like the best way to spend a Friday, amirite? Beats by DJs John Caffery, The Robot Kid, and DKTO.
Pilaros Taste of the Danforth
Put away your Mamma Mia! DVD and take in the best of Hellenic food, culture, and music. Come see what makes the Danforth so special and participate in the Guinness Book of World Records’ officiated largest Zorba dance. August 9th to 11th.
Jelly Modern Doughnuts Pop-Up @ Holts
The deliciousness that is Jelly Modern Doughnuts, which opened this spring at 376 College Street, is at Holt Renfrew this weekend, starting Friday and running til Sunday, end of day. Sample mini doughnuts and beignets free of charge (which we all know will lead to you buying a dozen of these devillishly yummy treats).
Saturday
Jerkfest – Canada’s Jerk Food Festival
Celebrating their 12th annual Jerkfest, come out and enjoy all sorts of animals cooked and jerked up ranging from the more spicy, cold-blooded like frogs legs, alligators, to more traditional farm yard friends like jerk chicken, jerk pork, and jerk fish. For the fancier jerk, check out the Blue & White Affair V.I.P. Garden.
Chocolate Dinner Party – La joie de vivre aux chocolat
Drown your summer’s-almost-over depression with chocolate! Husband and wife team Chef Eyal Liebman and Sommelier Rebecca Meïr are presenting a chocolate dinner tasting that will be melting with sophistication, decadence and luxury. Included are a 6-course dinner, 5 wines, and a mead cocktail of your choice with dessert.
The Final ALL CAPS! Island Festival
Head out to Toronto Island for an outdoor, two day (August 10th and 11th) music festival/camping experience that promises breathtaking views of the city while letting you get away from it. Highlights include fantastic live music, a late-night dance party including Toronto’s first Algorave, and a “Night Owl” ferry that leaves after the last city one does. Headliners include The Blow, Rich Aucoin, and CATL.
Endless Presents: Prok & Fitch
Come dance your face off to acclaimed DJ/Producer duo Prok & Fitch will be laying down some serious house music beats late into the night (4am) at the Moskito.
Annual Toast for the Cure
Freelance makeup maven Nadia Rampertab will be hosting a night of food, fashion, and drinks where you can network and mingle with some of the city’s finest and most fabulous all to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. Highlights include a live fashion show, entertainment, an after party, and faboosh prizes to be won with the raffle.
Toronto Flower Market
If you can’t accept the fall coming soon, bring some green into your house at the free Toronto Flower Market. Wander the stalls to explore and purchase flowers grown entirely in Southern Ontario.
The Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival 2013
Beer season in the city is not over yet! Come out and sample Ontario’s finest craft brews alongside other beer lovers while also enjoying delicious treats from Toronto’s best Food Trucks. Bring a picnic basket and enjoy drinking in the park (legally).
Sunday
Clothing Swap!
Update your wardrobe, be part of an über trendy sustainable movement, and help support homeless or at-risk youth by heading down to the Arts Market for the Clothing Swap! Bring your gently loved pieces (no undies or socks, obvee) and trade them in for something new(ish).
Beer and Berries Supperclub
Come get bananas for berries at a special patio event showcasing the delicious little fruits in a variety of playful dishes. The night starts off with strawberry sangria, snacks and socializing before transitioning into a series of appetizers and dinner plates.
Savour Toronto – Kensington Krawl
Let your senses lead the way as you taste and experience all that Toronto’s most unique and eclectic neighbourhood has to offer. As you walk around Kensington, you will learn its history, view its sights and landmarks, meet local shop owners, and munch on some of its yummiest delights.