Weekend To Do's - Shopping Season is here

Ah, the holidays.  
They always seem to sneak up on us don't they? Fair warning, you have roughly 31 days to get prepared for Christmas.  Are you in the holiday spirit? How about the shopping spirit?  Because there are a couple of great opportunities to help cross names off that list you may be working on.  

I'm sure the Eaton Centre will have a number of events taking place and a number of deals along with it, being Black Friday and all, but I'm thinking Yorkdale may be the spot to shop.  Follow the link, it lists all of the stores, what time they open and what type of steep discount you can be expecting.  

If you aren't up for the Black Friday crowds at the malls, the One of a Kind show at the Direct Energy Centre might be for you.  All kinds of goods available, fashion to food, crafts to candles, hats to home decor.

If you're still feeling seasonal after all of the shopping, why not enjoy it with a Swedish flavour. Yup, Swedish.  Nothing wrong with a little random festivity in your holidays is there?

This last event may have slipped by you.  Hardly anyone is talking about it.  No media, no big events, really under the radar.  Its only the 100th Grey Cup.  And the Argos made it.  They actually did it.  Tickets are selling for an absurd amount, but most events are free, so pop in and lend your support wherever.     

Bill

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Weekend To Dos - Remembrance Day on Sunday

Super quick post today - I'm going to have a happy friday and to do it, I need to keep moving this morning!  

First off, Royal Winter Fair!  go, Go, GO!  

Hockey Hall of Fame Induction - I know you might not be in the mood with the way these negotiations have been going, but look at this class. Joe Sakic, Adam Oats, Pavel Bure and your very own Toronto Maple Leafs Captain - Mats Sundin.

Sunday, if you can find the time at all, please go to one of the many Remembrance Day ceremonies all over the city. I hear that record turnouts are being talked about this year, its a Sunday, so few of us have excuses not to go.  Lets see if we can't bump those numbers up even more.

Not bad for being rushed eh?, Have a great, safe weekend.

Bill

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Weekend To Do's - Horse Show and Winter Fair Edition

Hello, and welcome again to another Weekend To Do's.  Today is still rainy. Saturday and Sunday will at least be not rainy.  And although that isn't clear skies and warm winds, at least its not more rain.  

Soooooooo maybe we can finally leave our late October caves and get out and about on the streets of this great city.  Without further ado, The Royal Horse and Winter Fair.  Over 340,000 people come to Toronto to visit the over 4,500 large and small animals.  You can shop, you can dine, you can walk through the barns.  Seems like a win win.

At the Harbourfront Centre on Saturday, put on by the Mexican Consulate and the Mexican community, Day of the Dead. Head over to the Harbourfront website for more info, really fun event.

Some other random events:

The Frida and Diego Show is still on at the AGO,

The Wheel; A Pagan Festival at Yonge/Dundas square

The Luxury Chocolate Show

Finally, for those of you thinking of... ...getting out there? Or maybe you're a touch curious?  Try The Everything to do with Sex Show.  From what I've heard, you can't have a bad time.

Bill

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Weekend To Do's - The Shows Edition

Could be a busy weekend.  There is something to do everyday, you just may be travelling all over T.O.  to do it.  

Friday night free?  Ever been to the Wrongbar?  Not the wrong bar, the Wrongbar.(1279 King West).  Cadence Weapon is playing.  Great place to hangout before too, if you want someplace to go for a drink first.  

Get up on Saturday morning and, after your coffee, make you way to the better living centre for the Ski, Snow and Travel Show.  The season is coming up soon, get your new gear and get ready for the hills.

Once you've fit your new boots and goggles, make your way across town to the Toronto Garlic Festival at Brickworks.  (If you can't make it on Sat, its a two day event running on Sunday too)

If you don't know about this last event, it might be too late to get ready.  The Toronto Waterfront Marathon is on.  Like I said, if you don't know about it, might be a touch to late to take part, but at least knowing, it will help you avoid all of the road closures.  

Bill

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Weekend To Do's - Art and Miusic Edition

Music, Music, Music. Art, Art, Art.  This is Toronto, so of course, everything in between is happening  as well.  

Plans after work today?  Skip out a little early to take part in a pub crawl (part of Toronto Beer Week).  There are events all weekend ranging from Beer Commercial viewing to a femALE only beer and cheese pairing.  The events are all over the city, most at small local pubs and brewpubs. Support your local businesses!  

Building? Renovating? The Fall Home Show is on at the Ex Grounds all weekend.  Huge show, many vendors.  You'll find everything from Kitchen and Bath to roofers.  If you can't find someone here to do your job, it probably can't be done.  

Feeling like something Random, Rough, and a little on the wild side?  

There is a Roller Derby in Toronto.  Firstly, I didn't know Toronto had a Roller Derby. Secondly I didn't know there was a championship on Saturday night! How much fun is this!  Writing this feature has opened my eyes to all kinds of events in our fair city.

The music this weekend is varied, both in venue and style.  K'nann is playing Massey Hall (Friday night), Jann Arden is playing Massey Saturday night, and Slash is playing Sound Academy on Sunday. If that's not enough variety for you, the East End Rockabilly Weekend #4 runs all weekend too.   

For the art lovers on the east end, the Beach Guild of Fine Art has their annual show and sale, Art Down By The Bay.  On the west end of the city? There is a juried art show at Sunnyside beach. If you can't make it out to anything this weekend but still want some art in your life, there is a 6 week long show titled, oddly enough, Six Weeks Of Iranian Art beginning on the 21st and ending Nov 2nd.

If you need to get away and out of the city, the Niagara Wine Festival is a brilliant weekend getaway.

One last thing to note, and it's not even for this weekend, but for next.  Mark it on your calendar.  The King East Design District is holding a sort-of open house for folks of all stripes. Public welcome, designers welcome.  Many businesses are taking part, (BoConcept, Andrew Richard Designs) and all are worth a visit.

Have a good weekend whatever you get up to. On a side note: How nice are the bills for the above events? I love that  old school poster design. See you Monday. 

Bill
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Weekend To Do's - Busker Edition

A shorter list today, but there are tonnes of things happening around town.

The CNE is still running this weekend, so the midway is calling.  Maybe answer it and pick yourself up some eats from Bacon Nation.  For example, a delicious Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog, a Nutella Bacon sandwich, or the infamous Bacon Explosion featuring 8 slices of bacon and 2 slices of Back Bacon.  

When you're full grab a street car down to the Scotiabank Buskerfest.  Its started yesterday, but its running straight through to Sunday. There are acrobat jugglers, uni-cyclists and skateboarding clowns.  You can't have a bad time with that crew.

Now get out, and get a little wild this weekend.

Bill
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Weekend To Do's - July 6,7,8

You know that time you started a blog, and you got into the swing of things.  You were feeling a bit cocky, right?  You wrote your weekly blog, and even had one or two reoccurring, weekly or monthly posts.  Easy right?  

Then you forgot to write one.  And it happened to be your "Weekend To Do's" post, and it happened to be Canada Day weekend.  A long weekend.  So. Much. To. Do.  

My bad.

Now onwards.

On the plus side, this is a great weekend to be in Toronto!  So. Much. To. Do. Ha!

Let's start off with Friday night.  If you haven't been out to the theatre in a while, go, and check out Warhorse.  It plays at 7:30 and it's fantastic. Check out the video links on the site for a really good idea of what it is all about. 

On Saturday, head over to the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition.  I went last year and was blown away by the variety and amount of uniqueness present at the show.  Such a cool annual event.  Runs all weekend, 6, 7, and 8th down at Nathan Phillips Square.

My recommendation for Sunday is to enjoy some Summerlicious eats.  Try out 7 Numbers on the Danforth, they haven't let me down yet.  Or try somewhere totally new, there are so many restaurants involved this year.

One last thing, and don't worry, it's a quicky.  One our readers (Hi Kay!) in the Forest City has issued a formal request this weekend, what is there to do in London Ontario?  Well there is something happening, Sunfest.  

Seriously. Most of the bands you've never heard of, world music and jazz mostly(not that either of those are a bad thing!).  But, if you have the time, go see Delhi 2 Dublin.  Really cool band, mixing all kinds of sounds and influences.

Thats it, thats all.  Have a good weekend, enjoy the sunny weather (fingers crossed!).

Bill

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Weekend To Do's

Another weekend is upon us and of course, lots to do in town this weekend.  

The Cycle for Sight is a great event for you hardcore road bikers.  You can still register, and once riding you won't regret it.  You get to cruise on all the way from Downsview Station as far as Collingwood.

If you don't go for the ride, there are two other events to check out.

The first is Steam on Queen.  I mean, who doesn't want to dip into a bit of the Victorian era with an infusion of industrial flair.

And the Second event, which I admit, might not be for everyone is.....

That's right, "Big Tobacco & The Pickers" free concert at the NOW lounge. Although too country for some, its full of twang and old school country, the honestly will get you. Featuring Bazil Donovan (of Blue Rodeo Fame, as well as his own album Matinee which you should checkout), my guess is you won't have a bad time listening to these guys.


Take care, and enjoy your weekend.  

Bill

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Friday To Do's

Happy Friday all!

To do's this weekend, there are some really great events happening around town.  

Now lets begin.

@ 1:00pm on Saturday - A sing-along to Grease.  No really. A sing-along to Grease. Grease Lightning.  FOR REALS. Avoid or attend, but if you attend, do so at your own peril.  Who knows what this could be like.

Saturday night, check out the Drinks show.  This sounds like a good time. Get out and try something new, just not too much new. 

Oh, oh, oh! And Luminato begins this weekend.

It starts today, and there are so many events. Theatre, music, art.  

Enjoy the town this weekend folks.  

Bill

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Friday To Do's - June 1

Though today is rain, rain, rain, tomorrow looks like it might be a good day to get out and about.  With that in mind, here are some things to keep you buys this weekend.  

Here is your Saturday intinerary.

Start off with a pancake breakfast.  Take your bike down to the Brick Works for their Bike Works day.  You can get advice and some hands on help, and tools will be setup to give your bike a spring refresher.  

Then, in the early afternoo, get out and support your Blue Jays!  They play the Red Socks Saturday and Sunday.  Great weekend for some ball. Always a great game when these two division rivals meet up

Finish off your night at the Molson Amphitheater. Dave Matthews is playing and Tickets are still available.   This is a weekend plan I could get behind.  

But I'm beat, and I don't think I'll be doing any of these. More likely catching up on sleep, and getting some reading in.

What ever it is that you do get up to, enjoy it.  Happy Weekend.  

Bill

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