What to Do in Toronto this Month: May 2016

We get it: you’re busy. With so many things happening in Toronto every week, let alone every month, things can get a little overwhelming when planning your social calendar. Let’s keep it simple. Each month, Vv Magazine collects the top events in Toronto so that you know what you absolutely must attend. The rest, as they say, is noise.

The month of May is here and along with it comes the warmer weather everyone’s been waiting for! As the temperature rises, so does our urge to explore what the city has to offer. From photography to art and food to parties, Toronto has an enticing Spring line-up – we’re sure more than a few of these events will tickle your fancy! 

A Chorus Line at Stratford Festival
April 19 – October 30
While not technically in Toronto, if you’re feeling musical, you won’t want to miss A Chorus Line! The Stratford Festival will be remounting the classic broadway hit about seventeen aspiring dancers. New production design and choreography may have you tempted to pursue the art of dance – it’s never too late for a career change, right? Tickets run between $25 and $175.

Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival
May 1 – 31
The annual CONTACT Photography Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year! With its arrival comes a slew of exhibits by acclaimed and emerging photographers, popping up in museums and galleries across the city. Expand your horizons and feast your eyes on contributions from over 1500 local and international artists. For your viewing pleasure, many of the exhibits are free of charge.  

A Silver Spoons Event: Wine, Food, Art
May 13 – 14
This East side event is one not to be missed! For two days, Silver Spoons will be celebrating the finer things in life: wine, food and art (need we say more). The eats will be supplied by local artisans and East end restaurants, accompanied by interactive games, a live DJ set and a silent auction with funds going to Second Harvest. Act fast and snag early bird tickets for $20 or purchase tickets at the door for $30.

Spring Wine Escapes 2016
May 14
When the weather is fine, nothing is better than a glass of wine! iYellow Wine Club will be hosting the second tour of their Spring Wine Escapes this month. Get on a bus and take a beautiful drive from downtown Toronto to Prince Edward County for a wine tour like never before! The iYellow Wine Club staff are knowledgable, fun, friendly and there may or may not be food, music and dancing on the bus. While tickets are pricey at $299, you can bring a friend for only $1, eat a VIP harvest lunch and have a chance at winning a number of giveaways.

Operanation
May 19
For one night only, live like a villain for a charitable cause. Operanation is North America’s largest opera party and this year’s theme, Queen of the Night, takes inspiration from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Hosted by the Canadian Opera Company (COC) at the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts, Operanation is a night full of extravagant food, cocktails, musical performances (this year’s headliner is Dragonette,) and more. All of the proceeds go to COC’s Ensemble Studio and guests are invited to invoke their fiercest villain (like we need an excuse to dress up in leather and lace!). Tickets are $150.

Friday Night Live at the ROM: Viva Mexico! Clothing & Culture
May 20
If you’re a culture or fashion buff, you won’t want to miss Friday Night Live at the ROM: Viva Mexico! Clothing & Culture, where over 150 vibrant historic and contemporary pieces, made with remarkable technical skill will be on display. Listen to tunes from DJ Sophie Jones, Azure Jazz & more, while you nibble on food and explore – sounds pretty swanky! Tickets sell fast, so get them while you can.

Halal Food Fest
May 21 – 22
North America’s largest Halal food festival is in town for 2-days only this month. Pig out on samples from local vendors, shop everything from clothing to books to services, take the party outside at the Halal street fest and learn something new at the indoor or outdoor stage. This year, the food fest will also feature an indoor playground with jumping castles, obstacle courses, free face painting and more, so that kids can get in on the fun too!

Electric Island
May 23
This Victoria Day, why not have an atypical picnic and hit up the first of the Electric Island series. Tickets start at $56.49 and include the cost of the ferry, so don’t worry about being stranded Castaway style – not that, that would necessarily be a bad thing when live music is involved. The lineup includes headliners Sven Jones, Jamie Jones, DJ Tennis and Job Jobse.

Toronto’s Festival of Beer: Spring Sessions
May 21-22 
Get ready for some #BeerLove! Toronto’s Festival of Beer is bringing the cottage to the city over May Two-Four Weekend. Sample flavours from over a dozen local breweries and eateries including Flying Monkey, Creemore Springs, Mill St. Brewery and more. Tickets, which include five sampling tokens and a commemorative festival mug, run for $30. The first 1000 to purchase will also receive an official snapback.

Inside Out Film Festival
May 26 – June 5
TIFF Bell Light Box is hosting the annual Inside Out Film Festival, which celebrates the LGBT community. Take your pick of over 200 thought-provoking films, meet the makers and attend panel discussions. General admission is $13 per film but wait, there’s more! Don’t miss Superbutch; a playful runway show featuring local superqueeroes and music by Dinah Thorpe. 

RELATED LINK: Operanation Most Definitely Lit up the Night (Gallery) 

Want to see your event in our listings? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.