October is almost here, which means more pumpkin lattes than you can stomach, suddenly orange trees as far as the eye can see, and the Holy Grail of costumed holidays—Halloween. If that’s not enough for you, Vv Magazine has found the Top 10 October events in Toronto you won’t want to miss.
Jeremy Penn’s Vice & Virtue
September 17 – October 24
If you like a bit of (dare we say naughty) thrills in your visual arts, stop by Coldstream Fine Art for New York-based artist Jeremy Penn’s latest, titled Vice & Virtue (on now until October 24th). Using a variety of materials to comment on and incite reactions to sexuality, the pieces blend pinup and pop art, text, graffiti, and even your own reflection.
4th Annual Upcycle Challenge at the Toronto Fall Home Show
October 1
The Toronto Fall Home Show (October 1-4) is a one-stop shop for refreshing your home fashion for fall. Taking over the Better Living Centre at Exhibition Place, the 4-day event will feature celebrity guests, professional design and renovation advice, and the 4th annual Upcycle Challenge: Table-tastic event, presented by Rust-Oleum. Emerging decor and design experts have put up their revamped tables (sourced from any of the 10 Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations around the GTA) to a public vote, and the winner will score a $500 Visa card. The winner will be announced on October 1, and all entries will then sold in support of Habitat for Humanity and ReStore. Tickets to the Fall Home Show are $15 at the door, or $12 online.
Booby Ball
October 2, 8 pm
Held at the Sound Academy, this year’s edition of the Booby Ball shoots for the stairs with Planet Booby, an intergalactic-themed blowout party (and auction) in support of Rethink Breast Cancer. Costumes are strongly encouraged at this always-fabulous soirée. Tickets are $125, unless you’re 25 and under, in which case you can enjoy $90 tickets.
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche
October 3, sunset to sunrise
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, the all-night art and culture extravaganza, is back in its 10th edition with over 110 projects by 400 artists. Head to the Harbourfront to experience 13 Beaufort wind forces, or take a stroll down Memory Lane (an exhibit celebrating Nuit Blanche’s 10th edition by partnering 10 major cultural partners). Don’t forget to take advantage of extended TTC hours on some parts of the subway system.
Canadian Cancer Society OktoberFEAST
October 8, 6 pm -11 pm
Dubbed “the antidote to an ordinary night,” OktoberFeast takes over the Berkeley Church for an evening of food, drink and entertainment, with proceeds benefiting the Canadian Cancer Society. Your $60 VIP ticket gets you line bypass, access to the VIP Lounge (with treats), a drink ticket and a special gift, or opt for $40 general admission ($45 at the door, based on availability). Food vendors will include Hawthorne, Cheesewerks, and Pizzeria Defina, and you can enjoy drinks from Beau’s, Wellington and more while tearing up the dance floor for a good cause.
Fashion Week
October 19-23
Think of World Mastercard Toronto Fashion Week as catnip for the fashion crowd. Taking over David Pecaut Square, this 5-day showcase of the Spring 2016 collections will feature heavyweights—Sid Neigum, Narces, Pink Tartan, and Rudsak, among others—as well as designers showing at WMCFW for the first time such as Kollar Clothing and Hong Kiyoung. Other key events include the Mercedes Benz Start Up National Final and the ACCESS accessories showcase. Individual shows range from $25 to $50, or score a full-day pass for $175.
Art Toronto
October 23-26
Returning for its 16th year, Art Toronto displays artworks from Canadian and international galleries, presents panels of speakers, and kicks off with an epic opening night event (October 22) benefiting our very own AGO. Adult admission is $20, and tickets for the opening night preview are $225 and feature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and artist projects tailored to the evening.
Cask Days
October 23-25
If you like your brewskis cask-conditioned, you won’t want to miss the 11th annual Cask Days festival held at Evergreen Brickworks. Featuring over 150 breweries and 300+ cask ales, you’ll have more than enough selection to sample from and enjoy over the course of the 3-day festival. Purchase tickets for one of the 5 sessions ($25-$80), or opt for the Baller Pass ($150) which gives you full access. Shuttle bus tickets are available for $5, and food and drink from purveyors like 416 Snack Bar, WVRST, and Bar Volo will be available for purchase.
Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival
October 29 and 30
Some of the city’s best chefs (David Lee, David Hawskworth, and Mark McEwan among others) will be present at the Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival, a showcase of food, wine—and best of all, medicine—benefiting Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals. Tickets to attend the wine tasting and auction are $500, or opt for the festival pass (beginning at $2500) which includes dinner by a renowned chef served in a private home in Toronto, as well as the wine tasting and auction. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the event managers.
TSO – Psycho with Live Orchestra
October 31
Consider this a tease of the oh so many Halloween events to come, but a spine-tingling one at that. Psycho is one of those films that gets under your skin and stays there, so what better way to usher in All Hallows’ Eve than with live music accompaniment by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Onstage at Roy Thomson Hall at 7:30, get your highbrow, cultured chills in early (before you costume party it up). Tickets range from $29.50 to $101.
Related Link: Top Bars Open ’til 4m for Nuit Blanche
Did we miss any of the top Toronto events in October? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.
