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Edmonton: Weekend Roundup August 24 – 26

Photo courtesy of Chubby Carrier

The last weekend in August is officially upon us, so be sure to make it a memorable one! In addition to viewing a production of Jersey Boys or exploring the activities at the Fringe Festival, visitors and locals alike will want to be sure to check out one of the exciting events happening around the city:

August 24 – 26: The Edmonton Blues Festival promises a weekend of great blues music, from new talents and award-winning musicians, at The Heritage Ampitheatre in Hawrelak Park. Enjoy continuous music performances from a rotating set of acts while seated on the grounds of this outdoor venue, or while showing off on the dance floor. A great selections of beer, wine, and food will be available for sale at various vendors on-site, and there will even be opportunities to meet the artists! Day passes are required to attend this event. Visit the official Blues Festival website to purchase passes and view the performance schedule.

August 25: The legendary Tony Bennett is making a stop in Edmonton on Saturday to delight crowds with his soulful crooning and captivating charm. His daughter, jazz singer Antonia Bennett, will open the show and join Bennett for a duet. A limited number of tickets are still available for the show; call 1-855-985-5000 or visit the Winspear Centre’s website for tickets.

August 24 – September 9: If you have not checked out Robots: The Interactive Exhibition yet, be sure to visit the TELUS World of Science Edmonton to view this fun, family-friendly exhibit before it ends its run on September 9. This exhibition features more than “15 interactive areas offering scientific adventures that allow visitors to enter the world of robotics”, with influences from the 2005 animated film Robots. While you’re there, be sure to check out a showing of Hubble at the IMAX™ theatre. This film, which runs twice daily until September 3, offers a history of space exploration with images taken from the Hubble telescope and is narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. General admission will cover admission to Robots; separate admission is required for Hubble but can be combined with general admission for a discount. Call 780-452-9100 or visit the website for tickets.

Road Trip: Eastern Townships – Sherbrooke to Montreal

Photo by Waheeda Harris

By Waheeda Harris

Although not a lengthy distance, this part of La Belle Province is packed with heritage towns, tempting boites and plenty of Quebecois charm. Many distractions can be found in the Eastern Townships in the towns of North Hatley, Magog, Orford and Brome before ending the journey in Montreal.

Modes of Transport

Driving can make this into a day trip, but take the time to meander off Autoroute 10 to discover some of the lures of the region. Cycling is another way to enjoy the leisurely pace of the Townships, and if a day on two wheels has tired you out, the Taxi-Velo can come to the rescue. From point A to point B its 157 kilometres as the crow flies (just under two hours), but consider taking a long weekend and another 50-75 km for side trips.

Roadside Attractions

Make time in Sherbrooke to visit the 11 al fresco murals that are found throughout the downtown. Each one reveals some history of the town, its citizens and the region, as well as a snapshot of the changes that occurred in the 20th century. (more…)

Weekend Roundup, September 24 to 26

Fall has officially started, but the festivals continue! There’s tons to do, indoors and out!

See all the latest trends at The Clothing Show!

Friday, September 24

The films continue at the TIFF Bell Lightbox! Throughout the fall season, they will be showcasing screenings of The Essential 100, a list of must-see movies. Kicking off the screenings is special guest David Cronenberg, legendary director of films like Crash and Eastern Promises. He will present his 1980s horror flick Videodrome, tonight at 9:30pm.

Now until October 3, Toronto is home to music from around the world, thanks to the annual Small World Music Festival. Today, hear the group Darbazi sing traditional choir from Georgia, Russia as they are joined by dance troupe, Kakheti, at the Mazzoleni Auditorium. It’s sure to be a lively performance you don’t want to miss!

It’s the opening night of Billy Twinkle: Requiem for a Golden Boy, at Factory Theatre. This adults-only performance is not your typical puppet show. When puppeteer Billy Twinkle is fired, he has to perform his life story to renew his love of the craft. Characters like Rusty Knockers the burlesque stripper, the aged Murray Spiegelmann, and Biddy Bantam Brewster the drunk are sure to keep you entertained.

Saturday, September 25

Shop ‘till you drop at the Clothing Show this weekend! Over 300 booths of clothing, jewelry and accessories will take over the Better Living Centre at Exhibition Place. With fashion from new local designers as well as vintage retailers, it’s a fashionista’s paradise. Be sure to catch the runway shows throughout the day.

It’s Toronto Beer Week, and events continue all weekend long. There are educational tastings, food pairings, music, and discounted pints at popular bars all over the city such as Beer Bistro, the Dakota Tavern and Parts and Labour, to name a few. Grab some friends and try some new brews. Cheers!

It’s the grand opening of Evergreen Brick Works this weekend! Help this exciting environmental centre celebrate its transformation from the historic brick-manufacturing plant into an urban oasis of nature. There are plenty of activities to choose from, like tours, exhibits and workshops, complete with food and live music.

Sunday, September 26

The printed word takes over the Harbourfront Centre today. The annual Word on the Street Festival celebrates Canadian books and magazines. This year, Yann Martel, the award-winning author of Life of Pi, will host the festival.

It’s your last chance to see Drama and Desire at the Art Gallery of Ontario! This exhibit showcases the theatre-inspired masterpieces from artists like Degas, David, Delacroix and more.

Manifesto Festival of Community and Culture hosts a huge block party at Yonge-Dundas Square, with free concerts and performances all day long. Don’t miss the headlining act, J.Period and Black Thought, of the ROOTS. With music, art, dance, workshops, and a marketplace, there’s definitely something for everyone at this annual event.

Weekend Roundup, October 2nd to 4th

Fall is upon us! Kick-off autumn in the city with our picks for the weekend.

Friday: The Fall Home Show offers interior design ideas and more.

Friday, October 2nd
See Checkpoint Rock: Songs of Palestine—a documentary highlighting the region’s contemporary music scene through stories from rappers, classical musicians and a wedding singer—on the final day of the Toronto Palestine Film Festival.

Find out how the right curtains and other window treatments can set the mood of a room at the Fall Home Show.

Be captivated as Parno Graszt brings gypsy music to the Small World Music Festival—the energetic band plays everything from acoustic guitars and accordians to spoons and a milk churn.

Saturday: Nuit Blanche turns all of Toronto into an overnight artistic canvas.

Saturday: Nuit Blanche turns all of Toronto into a nightime canvas.

Saturday, October 3rd
Peer at tiny acrobats in a three-dimensional miniature circus as part of the exhibit Alexander Calder: The Paris Years 1926–1933, opening today at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Join a projected one million people in the streets for a sleepless night of discovering art in the city’s nooks and crannies during Scotiabank Nuit Blanche.

At the last theatrical production of Toronto-based Secrets of a Black Boy, empathize with five young African-Canadian men as they raise their voices on issues like gun violence, sexual abuse and single-parent homes.

Sunday: Celebrate the fall harvest with the Picnic at the Brick Works.

Sunday: Celebrate nature's bounty with the Picnic at the Brick Works.

Sunday, October 4th
Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of a deer while strolling through the gardens, wetlands and forests of the Humber Arboretum as part of the Toronto Trails Festival.

Nosh on a slow-food feast at the Picnic at the Brick Works, featuring dishes that boast ingredients from close to home, such as Ontario Tamworth pork, red fife wheat and Saskatoon berries.

Ponder over François Dallegret’s barbell-like Lumikiik lamp for the last time—the Quebec in Design exhibit at the Design Exchange closes today.

Weekend Roundup, September 25th to 27th

Many music ensembles are now launching their seasons, so take in some fresh concerts this weekend.

Friday: Step out to the AGO and ROM to see Edward Steichen's photograph of Princess Nathalie Paley and much more.

Friday, September 25th
Listen as Jean-Philippe Tremblay leads the Royal Conservatory Orchestra in a rendition of the sweet then rousing sounds of Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, as part of the grand opening concert at the Royal Conservatory of Music’s new Koerner Hall performance venue.

Wipe away tears of laughter at the Toronto Improv Festival’s midnight show as audience-driven Road Trip and the MAYBE trio engage in ad hoc antics.

Admire some of the 20th century’s most ingenious and revolutionary celebrity and fashion photographs in two related exhibitions: Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008 at the Royal Ontario Museum and Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, the Condé Nast Years, 1923-1937 at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Both highly anticipated shows open today.

Saturday: Sit in awe of Madama Butterfly's beautiful melodies.

Saturday: Sit in awe of Madama Butterfly's beautiful melody.

Saturday, September 26th
Lend your ears to the award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, who helps kick off the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s new season with an homage to the music of Johannes Brahms.

Roll out your mat and stretch into your favourite asana for morning yoga on the manicured grounds of Casa Loma. The session includes a concert by kirtan yoga band Guara Shakt post-sun salutation.

Be moved by the tragic love story between a geisha and a U.S. naval officer in the Canadian Opera Company’s opening performance of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

Sunday: Hear Margaret Atwood at the International Festival of Authors.

Sunday, September 27th
Sing along to “Octopus’s Garden” as Canadian artists belt out classic Beatles tunes in the Art of Time Ensemble’s special presentation of the Fab Four’s final album, Abbey Road.

At the nationwide book and magazine festival The Word on the Street, hear acclaimed author Margaret Atwood talk about her latest literary masterpiece, The Year of the Flood.

Rifle through the sample-sale racks to find the perfect one-of-a-kind party frock at The Clothing Show, Canada’s largest weekend-long independent designer and vintage shopping event.

Weekend Roundup, September 18th to 20th

Explore the city on foot with a walking tour a day.

Friday: check out downtown with Muddy York Walking Tours (photo by amish.patel).

Friday, September 18th
Discover the history behind the names of some of the city’s major avenues on the Toronto Street Names: Downtown tour by Muddy York Walking Tours.

Check out the art show, food, music, dancing and demonstrations at the Toronto Ukranian Festival, the continent’s largest street celebration of Ukranian culture.

Saturday, September 19th
To commemorate its 10th year as a Canadian Heritage River, follow the flow of the Humber waterway on a guided Heritage Toronto Walk.

Catch remix kings Electic Method at Yonge-Dundas Square, as part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s outdoor closing party.

Sunday: Harken back to pioneer days of yore (photo by Gary J. Wood).

Sunday, September 20th
Explore the city’s first post office, St. Lawrence Market, St. James Cathedral and other charms of Old Town Toronto on today’s ROMwalk.

Watch butter churning, try out Victorian dancing and bid on handmade country quilts at the Pioneer Festival at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

Weekend Roundup, September 11 to 13

It’s a festival frenzy in Toronto this weekend!

Friday, September 11th
Even if tickets are sold out, show up outside the Toronto International Film Festival screening of The Informant! and try to catch a glimpse of the film’s leading actor and Hollywood star Matt Damon.

For the last weekend, be mesmerized by the strange and fascinating art works in the Surreal Things exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Take a break from tasting veggie-friendly treats and check out The Real Iron Chef, a race to the finish to serve up meatless but high in iron meals, at the 25th Vegetarian Food Fair.

Saturday, September 12th
Bite into hot, roasted corn-on-the-cob in the afternoon, then do-si-do at the barn dance in the evening at Riverdale Farm’s annual Fall Harvest Festival.

Join the Junction Arts Festival‘s street art party and follow dance ensemble rad (Random Acts of Dance) as they give a tour of the neighbourhood using dance rather than narration.

Explore the quaint community of Cabbagetown on a historical walking tour, offered by the Cabbagetown Festival. Stick around for the parade, short film festival, arts and crafts show and sale, amateur boxing show, food vendors and street entertainment.

Sunday, September 13th
Nosh on a pancake breakfast, nurse a lager in the beer gardens and take in Scottish country dancing at the fall fair cum food fest Taste of the Kingsway.

If you need more than fancy Scottish footwork to get your Celtic fix, head to The Beach Celtic Festival and clap your hands to the rousing music of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Maritimes.

At the Butterfly Migration Festival, meander through meadows for the one-of-a-kind experience of watching monarch butterflies take flight en masse to migrate south.

Weekend Roundup, September 4 to 7

Labour Day on Monday makes for a long weekend, so we bring you a special four-day guide of what to do in the city.

Friday: Vernon Wells and his Blue Jays teammates take on the New York Yankees.

Friday: Vernon Wells and the Blue Jays take on the New York Yankees.

Friday, September 4
Root for the home team as the Toronto Blue Jays take on the New York Yankees in today’s Major League Baseball game at the Rogers Centre.

Howl with laughter at The Second City’s final performance of Are We There Yet?, a sketch comedy revue about families and the summer, shaken up with some improv. Kids age six and older are welcome—and may be invited on stage to participate in the antics.

Move your hips to the mariachi sound of violins, guitars, mandolins and trumpets at the Hispanic Fiesta.

Saturday: Look for local produce at the Evergreen Brick Works farmers market.

Saturday, September 5
It’s the opening day of the 60th annual Canadian International Air Show! Peer into the sky to find the Canadian Forces’ famed Snowbirds roar across the blue, twisting and turning in a display of aerial stunts.

Pick up Hot & Savoury pickles, preserved locally in Toronto, from the Toorshi Foods table at the Evergreen Brick Works farmers’ market.

If the pickles aren’t spicy enough for your palate, turn up the fire at the Hot + Spicy Food Festival, where you can purchase a variety of spices, sauces, marinades and dips from the Red Hot Marketplace.

Sunday: See Karen Robinson in <em>The Tempest</em>.

Sunday: See Karen Robinson in The Tempest.

Sunday, September 6
It’s the last night of the Canadian Stage Dream in High Park. Cozy up to your date on a blanket and watch Shakespeare’s The Tempest under the stars.

Treat yourself to Sunday brunch on the intimate patio at Live Organic Food Bar, where you can get dejeuner served up raw and vegan—try the walnut crepes with shaved pear and strawberry compote and cashew chantilli cream.

Unearth some of the best spots for dim sum on the Tour Guys‘ Culture, Cuisine, and Colours free tour of Chinatown and Kensington Market.

Monday: Ride the ferris wheel on the CNE's last night.

Monday, September 7
Recognize and celebrate workers’ efforts and rights at the Labour Day Parade. This year’s theme is “Good Jobs For All.”

Get a glimpse into the indulgent diversions of the affluent people of Zabid in the Royal Ontario Museum’s exhibition, Coffee & Smokes in Medieval Yemen. (Take the kids—each child for every adult gets free admission to the ROM this weekend!)

The Canadian National Exhibition closes today, so it’s your last chance to down a bag of mini doughnuts, catch an illusionist show, and view the sun setting over the city from atop a ferris wheel.

Weekend Roundup, September 4 to 7

Things to do in Muskoka don’t dwindle down even as summer does. Our special four-day itinerary offers much to do over the Labour Day long weekend.

Explore the vast expanse of Algonquin Park this weekend (photo by Craig Moy).

Friday, September 4
Discover what happens when art and agriculture come together at Muskoka Place Gallery‘s Harvest Muskoka exhibition, featuring artwork capturing the region’s crops and food production.

Choose the perfect outfitting package at Portage Store for your long-weekend hiking trip through Algonquin Provincial Park.

Saturday, September 5
Learn about the role of women in boating in Boat Builders of Muskoka: Past and Present, a display on the elements of design, building and production of wooden boats, at Gravenhurst’s Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre.

Bite into a succulent lobster tail–topped rib-eye medallion while dining on the waterside patio at Blackburn’s Steakhouse in Huntsville.

Sunday, September 6
In Haliburton, admire the breathtaking view of the Algonquin Highlands from the vantage point of the 100-foot high Dorset Tower.

Pick up jars of creamy maple butter from Bracebridge’s Maple Orchard Farms—a perfect gft for your friends back home.

Monday, September 7
Get an early start on Christmas at Santa’s Village and Sportsland in Bracebridge, where you’ll shriek with delight while riding Rudolph’s Sleigh Ride roller coaster.

End the weekend by lounging in your Muskoka chair dockside, nose buried in a novel by Muskoka author Christina Kilbourne, available at The Gravenhurst Book Store.

Weekend Roundup, August 28 to 30

Friday: See pyrotechnic performers at Buskerfest.

Friday, August 28
Try making Chia-A-Noodle, a dish going back to the days of a mostly poor, agricultural Taiwanese society, at Taiwanfest. While slurping up your fresh-made noodles, take in art exhibitions, fashion, music, demonstrations and films at two festival venues: Harbourfront Centre and the Distillery Historic District.

Ooh and ahh as Dream State Circus, The Fast Horses, Trulee Odd, PyRomeo and Circus Orange light it up in a nighttime fire show, the “hottest” gala performance at the 10th annual BuskerFest in Old Town Toronto.

Lose yourself in your thoughts while walking the Toronto Public Labyrinth in Trinity Square (between Queen and Dundas streets, entrance off Bay Street), an oasis of peace in the heart of the bustling city.

Saturday: The historic Sunnyside Pavilion hosts an art show.

Saturday, August 29
Taste specialties of African cuisine at the Toronto African Film & Music Festival marketplace on Bloor Street, between Ossington and Christie Streets.

Get ready for dark humour as Soulpepper Theatre Company opens Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf? Edward Albee’s 1962 boundary-crossing masterpiece provides an honest glimpse into married life at the time.

View paintings, photography, sculptures and fashion (and meet the artists!) showcased in the annual Sunnyside Beach Juried Art Show & Sale at the historic Sunnyside Pavillion.

Sunday: Hear music at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Sunday, August 30
Make yourself comfortable amongst the graves and gardens at Mount Pleasant Cemetery for its Music at Mount Pleasant series. Today, a Royal Conservatory of Music brass quintet performs Bach and other classical works.

Take a walking tour of the city’s most eco-friendly sites and spaces as part of the Live Green Toronto Festival. Be sure to return to the festival hub at at Yonge-Dundas Square to check out over 100 green exhibitors and hear live music by The Philosopher Kings, Samba Squad, Carly Rae Jepsen and more.

Blow bubbles in the streets at today’s air-themed Pedestrian Sunday in Kensington Market. With cars banned for the day, it’s easy to experience the multicultural neighbourhood’s many charms.

Weekend Roundup, August 21 to 23

Friday: Be a thrill-seeker at the CNE.

Friday, August 21
It’s opening day of the Canadian National Exhibition, and in celebration of Toronto’s 175th anniversary, CNE admission today is just $1.75! Ride a roller coaster, play some midway games, then catch Canadian figure skating star Elvis Stojko and his comrades in a movie-themed ice show at Ricoh Coliseum.

Take in a traditional Tibetan dance amidst the vibrant hues of saris and the aroma of cooking curries at the Festival of South Asia in Little India.

Follow the rise of the stereobike crew—a group of Trinidadians in Queens, New York who rig full-size stereo systems onto BMX bikes—in Made in Queens, screening at the Bicycle Film Festival at The Royal cinema.

Saturday: Head to Chinatown for some East Asian revelry (photo by John Vetterli).

Saturday, August 22
Discover hidden vintage in the city by participating in the Textile Museum of Canada’s day-long thrift store bus tour, hosted by local artist Andrew Harwood and curator Allyson Mitchell.

Savour the Thai curry–braised lamb on the affordable Susurlicious prix fixe menu at Lee, one of the Toronto restaurants of globally renowed chef Susur Lee.

Bite into a Hong Kong–style egg puff while watching the Lion Dance troupe open the Toronto Chinatown Festival, an East Asian extravaganza featuring cuisine, crafts, music, dancing, games, kung-fu demonstrations and more.

Sunday: The curtain falls on The Harder They Come (photo by Robert Day).

Sunday August 23
Spread out in the Toronto Music Garden for an afternoon session of Summer Music in the Garden. Today, four virtuoso accordionists play a wide-range of music, including tunes accompanied by singers and dancers.

Sit on the edge of your seat at the Rexall Centre to witness the world’s best female tennis players compete for the singles and doubles championships of the Rogers Cup.

Sing along to “Many Rivers to Cross” and other reggae favourites at the last Toronto performance of the hit musical The Harder They Come. Based on the 1972 film of the same name, the stage show follows a poor country boy trying to make it in Jamaica’s music industry.

Weekend Roundup, August 14 to 16

Friday, August 14
You might have to wait for a table, but once you’ve tried the margherita pie at super-popular Pizzeria Libretto, you’ll understand what all the fuss is about. (221 Ossington Ave., 416-532-8000)

Dance into the wee hours of the morning at multi-level mega-club Circa.

Slip on your sneakers, sunglasses and whitest polo shirt, the Rogers Cup women’s tennis tournament‘s opening rounds start today.

Saturday, August 15
Get a dose of local history without breaking the bank. Fort York, Mackenzie House and Todmorden Mills are free to visit all weekend long.

Learn about the Canadian Aboriginal art scene at the Planet Indigenus festival at Harbourfront Centre.

Take a road trip to Markham’s massive Chinese-centric shopping centre, Market Village, one of the few malls where noodles are made right before your eyes.

Sunday, August 16
Grab a blanket, find a spot to sit in Trinity Bellwoods Park and enjoy a sunny day of people watching. (Queen Street, west of Bathurst Street)

Discover Sidecar’s boozy ginger- and lemongrass-infused lemonade, also known as your new favourite summer drink.

Escape the heat and catch a matinee performance of theatrical blockbuster The Sound of Music at the The Princess of Wales Theatre.

Where

Weekend

Edmonton: Weekend Roundup August 24 – 26

Road Trip: Eastern Townships – Sherbrooke to Montreal

Weekend Roundup, September 24 to 26

Weekend Roundup, October 2nd to 4th

Weekend Roundup, September 25th to 27th

Weekend Roundup, September 18th to 20th

Weekend Roundup, September 11 to 13

Weekend Roundup, September 4 to 7

Weekend Roundup, September 4 to 7

Weekend Roundup, August 28 to 30

Weekend Roundup, August 21 to 23

Weekend Roundup, August 14 to 16

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