🦝 Cheap Meals, Local Art, and Toronto's Great Gatsby

Featured Events

(Full list of events at end of newsletter)

🎉 Big On Bloor

Saturday & Sunday on Bloor between Lansdowne and Dufferin

Toronto street festival season continues this weekend in Bloordale with the 19th year of Big On Bloor! This festival will be a bit different from the others you may have already visited this summer. Instead of being chock full of vendors and shopping options, Big On Bloor will be filled with local art. Expect big murals, community painting workshops, and concerts by local bands. There will even be a youth market, where kids can set-up tables and trade/sell anything they wish. (Note: arrive thirsty for lemonade) More info here.

🕰 1920’s Garden Party

Sunday 12PM @ Spadina House

This event is CETWEOK! CETWEOK is my new acronym and it stands for “Close Enough To (The) West End, OK”. I think it’s really gonna catch on. Also - right now I use Bathurst as rough Eastern border, someone please tell me if this is sacrilegious or not.

Embrace your inner Gatsby (or Daisy) at this festival inspired by a real garden party that took place in Toronto in 1928. The day will feature live music, free workshops, and a bunch of local vendors selling antiques and other funky vintage things. Let's be honest old sport - there aren't many more opportunities coming along to bust that flapper dress out of the closet. $28, Details

🔥 West End, Is Your AC Feeling the Heat?

After this week’s scorcher, your AC might be begging for a break! Air conditioners can start struggle during in these high pressure environments - think Mitch Marner in the playoffs. If you want to keep being hit with that blast of cool air when you open the door, it may be time to take action.

Whether it’s servicing, installing, or emergency repairs, the team at El Arrow is ready to keep you cool and comfortable all summer long. Don’t sweat it - we’re local, fast, and we’ve got your back. Call Elran today at (416) 832-1409.

Thursday and Friday

Bake Oven Training @ Sorauren Park - Thursday 3PM
Curious about how to use the bake oven in Sorauren Park? Come check out this free training running until 7PM. Details

Camping Royale @ Dufferin Grove Farmer's Market - Thursday 430PM
Free performance from a reader: "Camping Royale is a satire on colonialism and the privileged class. It features Queen Sophie-Charlotte and Queen Louise (both lived in 18th century Europe), embarking on an absurd camping trip, far away from court." Details

Avatar the Last Airbender Trivia @ Snakes & Lattes - Thursday 7PM
"Are you part of the Air Nomads, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, or Water Tribes? Either way, this event promises to test your knowledge and passion for Aang's journey." $13

Queer House Party @ 209 Geary - Thursday 9PM
Check out this event and reclaim beer pong and flip cup from the straights. $12

Fan Friday Indycar Race @ Exhibition Place - Friday 9AM
If you see cars flying through town at breakneck speed, it’s not because the Parkside Dr camera is down again - this weekend is the Honda Dealers Indycar Race. Full weekend tickets are $85 but Friday is free to visit. Details

Indie Dance Party @ Ground Control - Friday 9PM
INDIE88 hosting an club night that will also serve as the afterparty for the Beck show. $10

Saturday

Bruce Peninsula Hiking Trip @ Dufferin Mall - Saturday 7AM
Get picked up at the Dufferin Mall in a bus headed straight for Tobermory! A guided hike will take you to Flowerpot Island, The Grotto, and more. $160

Pilates in the Museum @ MOCA - Saturday 9AM
This is the perfect event to tell your friends that you're going to. Not only are you super healthy and working out, you're also cultured and tasteful because you're doing it at a museum. $25

Parkdale Art, Craft, and Food Walk @ Bom Dia Cafe - Saturday 1030AM
A little stroll through the neighbourhood that will include a tour of a jewelry studio. $2 donation

Summer Market @ 19 Ossington - Sunday 11AM
"Food, drinks, vintage, fashion, art, homewares & handmade goods." Details

High Park to Old Mill Walk @ High Park - Sunday 11AM
Group of people meeting up to go for a walk down Bloor. A stop for ice cream is promised. Great for making friends and connections. $5

Dog Market @ 486 Queen W - Saturday 12PM
The beauty of living in Toronto is that if you missed the Dog Market last week on Queen West you can come check out this other one taking place farther down the street. Also this time I actually properly attached the link: Details

Feastie Pawradize @ Henderson Brewing - Saturday 1PM
The other beauty of living in Toronto is that if the dog market above is too far away, you can also go to this dog market/beach party near Brockton. This market is part of the Feastie Snack and Sip Festival, which will have over 40 unique food vendors available to try. Details

Vegan Picnic/Potluck @ Christie Pits - Saturday 12PM
Meet up with vegans to share and sample recipes! Details

Cafè Hopping @ Bloor and Dundas W - Saturday 1230PM
It's like bar hopping but you can still physically function the next day! Starting at Dundas W station and ending at Sunnyside Beach. $2

Beading Workshop @ Sorauren Park - Saturday 1PM
Naomi Smith, an award winning Indigenous Artist, will take you through the process of making art from beads. Materials provided, details.

BWV, Swansea and Windermere History Walk @ Runnymede Library - Saturday 2PM
Did you know Swansea used to have its own ski lodge? Learn facts like that and many more on this walk through the neighbourhood. $15

BBQ Patio Party @ The Cat Pub - Saturday 2PM
Live music and a BBQ on a patio by Runnymede. Details

Pizzas in the Park @ Sorauren Park - Saturday 3PM
Swing by Saturday afternoon for a PWYC slice of pizza fresh out of the aforementioned bake oven! Details

Girly Pop Night @ The Garrison - Saturday 10PM
Four hours of dancing to queens of pop. Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Destiny's Child and more! $21

One Direction Dance Party @ Lee's Palace - Saturday 10PM
Celebrating the 15th anniversary of the group. I was always a Niall guy for what it's worth. Details

Sunday

Stoa of Ontario @ 719 Willard Avenue - Sunday 1PM
Do you fashion yourself the next Aurelius or Epictetus? Come to this open meeting to discuss the ideas of Stoicism. The other option is laying at home in your bedsheets and we all know what the stoics would say about that. Details

Ganja Yoga @ High Park - Sunday 420PM
When I first saw the title of this event I thought Ganja was some experimental new discipline of yoga. In some ways it is - in this event you'll smoke ganja and then do yoga. Perfect to practice controlling your breathing (and your giggles). Details

Kinky Night Market @ 1223 Queen W - Sunday 7PM
"Let your freak flag fly, try something new, shop and indulge in the naughty festivities with us!" On a school night!?! $5

Outdoor Movie @ Christie Pits - Sunday Sunset
Free outdoor movie screening, food and drink available to purchase. This week's film is "Before I Changed My Mind", a Queer coming of age story that takes place in Edmonton. Details

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 The Good Depression (Metal) @ Baby G - Thursday 7PM
🎵 Lost in Japan (Indie) @ Burdock Music Hall - Thursday 730PM
🎵 Paul Reddick (Blues) @ Blue Bird Bar - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Ivan Rivers (Rock) @ The Bell and the Beacon - Thursday 9PM

🎵 Peter Mathers (Spanish Guitar) @ Old Mill - Friday 630PM
🎵 Daybreak (Rock) @ Junction Underground - Friday 730PM
🎵 Tak Arikushi Trio (Jazz) @ La Rev - Friday 8PM
🎵 Bianca Espino (Rock) @ Burdock Music Hall - Friday 830PM
🎵 Turkish Night @ NeuLokal - Friday 9PM

🎵 Julian Fauth & Ken Yoshioka (Blues) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 Elliott Barenthin (Jazz) @ Old Mill - Saturday 630PM
🎵 Roast Chicken Ramblers (Jazz/Blues) @ La Rev - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Sandra Bouza (Jazz) @ NeuLokal - Saturday 9PM

🎵 The Gypsy Rebels (World Music) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Toronto Gospel Choir @ Burdock Music Hall - Sunday 3PM
🎵 Bobby Shaw Group (Jazz/Soul) @ Burdock Music Hall - Sunday 830PM
🎵 Natalie Muzos (Indie) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

🎵 Marcus Celia (Rock) @ The Local - Monday 8PM
🎵 Tiger Tag & The Sedges (Rock) @ Burdock Music Hall - Monday 8PM