Print

E-mail

Text

As August comes to an end there's still lots to do around the city. Here's a list of events to help you pass the last days before Labour Day weekend and a few after that. Events are listed by date.

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS

Catch the last few flicks being presented by Movies Under the Stars Fridays at Downsview Park at 9 p.m. Movie schedule subject to change. Aug. 15: Shrek the Third; Aug. 22: Surf's Up; Aug. 29: TBD. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy a free family-friendly movie under the stars as the sun sets. Free popcorn. For movie listings visit www.downsviewpark.ca. Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Rd. Call 416-952-2222.

CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION

The Canadian National Exhibition celebrates its 130th anniversary Aug. 15 to Sept. 1 at Exhibition Place. The CNE returns with its classic fare of midway rides, carnival games and food. Highlights include: a nightly performance by Circus Orange in Jump Jet on Princes Boulevard East. The 20-minute pyrotechnic, acrobatic and circus theatre performance unfolds in three acts set to original music. Daily parade: the Mardi Gras themed parade celebrates the CNE's 130th anniversary daily at 6 p.m. It's a new parade every day. Departs from Princes Gates at 6 p.m. Hippike: A Gypsy Legend Aerialist and Equestrian Show is at the Ricoh Coliseum Aug. 15 to 28 at 2 and 7 p.m. Set to traditional gypsy folk music, dancers, aerialists, acrobats and horses tell a mythical tale of the great gypsy legend. The RCMP Musical Ride gallops into the Ricoh Coliseum Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 at 2 and 7 p.m. The RCMP Musical Ride is a display of pageantry and horsemanship as 32 horses and riders perform a variety of cavalry drills choreographed to music. Canadian International Air Show takes flight Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1, starting at 1 p.m. This year's theme is: Celebrating Freedom Through Flight. For daily schedules and more details, visit TheEx.com.

HORSE FEATHERS

Clay and Paper Theatre ends its run of Horse Feathers Aug. 17 at 7:30 p.m. A play in Dufferin Grove Park about the bygone era of the Dufferin Race Track and the dreams of local residents for a better life. Centered around the horse racing track that was an integral part of this neighbourhood from 1907-1955, we join the story at the end of an era, when the track is sold to developers to create what is now the Dufferin Mall. Features large-scale puppetry, stilt walking, commedia dell'arte and live music. Suggested donation: $10. Visit www.clayandpapertheatre.org. Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin St. Call 416-537-9105.

THE GUILD ALIVE WITH CULTURE

The Guild Alive with Culture takes place Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Features: art exhibit, a stage for musical and storytelling artists to perform, a children's area, and also a community organization area for groups to host information exhibits. The Scarborough Arts Council, other community volunteers. Admission is free. The Guild Inn Gardens, 201 Guildwood Parkway. Call 416-392-4008.

JERSEY BOYS

Dancap Productions presents Jersey Boys Aug. 21 to Oct. 5. Jersey Boys is about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: how four blue-collar boys became one of the biggest American pop music sensations. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before age 30. Tickets: $55 to $125. Call 416-872-1111. Opening night is Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St.

CITY CINEMA ROMANTIC REELS 2008

Free romantic flicks continue at Dundas Square with The Notebook on Aug. 19 and Casablanca on Aug. 26. Torontonians voted last year for the most romantic movies and this summer the top nine movies have been featured over ten weeks. Don't miss the final two. Screenings start Tuesdays at sunset each week.

A WORLD OF SHORTS

National Film Board of Canada presents A World of Shorts Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. Short films from around the world that you won't see anywhere else. Each selection is curated by the programming manager from the Canadian Film Centre's renowned Worldwide Short Film Festival. Cost: $6 and $4 for students and seniors. NFB Mediatheque ONF, 150 John St., corner of Richmond Street West. Call 416-973-3012.

PUPPETS IN THE PARK THEATRE

Banjo Puppets Presents Apples and Oranges at Toronto Botanical Garden Aug. 21, 7 to 8 p.m. Show is hosted by a group of multi-talented fruits, vegetables, and professional edible musicians. It helps answer the questions: Where does our food come from? What's in the food that we eat? Explore ideas about healthy local food and how things grow through pop songs, storytelling, and interpretive dance. Suitable for all ages. Bring your blanket and the whole family. Arrive early for a free tour of the Children's Teaching Garden. Cost: $25 per family; members $20 per family. A family is two adults and three children or a total of five people, $5 per additional person.

BUSKERFEST

The 9th annual Scotiabank BuskerFest comes to the historic St. Lawrence Market district as buskers from all over the world take over the streets Aug 21 to 24. This year's line-up of more than 40 international top buskers providing a spectacle of jaw-dropping sight, sound and up-close-and-personal entertainment. BuskerFest has raised more than a half-million dollars in support of Epilepsy Toronto. Hours: Thursday noon to 10 p.m.; Fri. noon to 11 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free with donation. St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood, Front Street, between Church and Jarvis Streets. Visit www.torontobuskerfest.com

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Todmorden Mills is going to the dogs Aug. 24 noon to 4 p.m. Bring your favourite pooch and enjoy an afternoon of fun. Participate in contests and games, learn about canine health and wellness, shop for treats. Pre-register your dog for the CKC Canine Good Neighbour test ($25 fee). Free admission and parking. Todmorden Mills Heritage and Museum Centre, bottom of Pottery Road, east of Bayview Avenue, west of Broadview Avenue. Call 416-396-2819.

ASHKENAZ FESTIVAL

Ashkenaz Foundation presents Canada's largest festival of Yiddish and Jewish culture Aug 26 to Sep 1. It features the best of the global Yiddish/Jewish culture scene with more than 60 acts, including the world's leading Klezmer and Jewish-fusion artists. The festival features concerts, theatre performances, literary events, visual art exhibitions, family programs, and hands-on workshops in dance, music and craft and the Ashkenaz Parade. Most events are free. For ticketed events, visit, www.harbourfrontcentre.com/whatson/boxoffice.cfm. For more details, visit www.ashkenazfestival.com. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., call 416-979-9901.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES: A LITERARY ICON AT 100

Anne of Green Gables: A Literary Icon at 100 closes Sept. 2. It explores the complex evolution of the world's most famous literary redhead - Anne Shirley. The exhibit is composed of nine visual panels, artefacts, and a creative interactive activity sheet for children. A short video documentary entitled Looking for Anne produced at Ryerson University is a key component in the exhibit. Cost: $5.66 adult; $4.72 senior; youth (13 to 18 yrs.) $4.72; child (6 to 12 yrs): $3.77; child (5 yrs and under) free. Spadina Museum, Historic House and Gardens, 285 Spadina Rd. Call: 416-979-5000 x 4770.

JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL

Junction Forum for Art and Culture presents the 2008 Junction Arts Festival Sept. 3 to Sept. 7. It's five days of free fun and diverse culture featuring international and distinctly Junction area artists, who will present an eclectic selection of arts, activities, cultural and social disciplines in many different forms. It also features: music, dance, street performances, visual art, theatre, vendor merchants, multi media installations, the second annual environmental 'green' initiative, child friendly activities and new this year, the writers and readings series. Visit www.junctionartsfest.com. Call 416-767-5036.

CORN ROAST and HERITAGE FAIR

Corn Roast, Market and Heritage Fair Sept. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. Take in a late summer afternoon in the park with a cob of fresh corn. Also features: bake sale, local produce, country and western music and displays from west-end heritage organizations. Bring your lawn chairs and marshmallows. Free parking. Montgomery's Inn, 4709 Dundas St. W, at Islington Avenue. Call 416-394-8113.

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Toronto International Film Festival welcomes Hollywood to the city Sept. 4 to 13. Two gala presentations and three special presentations include films from critically acclaimed filmmakers Jonathan Demme, Richard Eyre and Ed Harris, and starring Liam Neeson, Anne Hathaway, Antonio Banderas, Laura Linney, Viggo Mortensen, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jeremy Irons and Ren�©e Zellweger. Ticket packages are now on sale. For tickets, visit tiff08.ca or call 416-968-FILM. Festival box office at Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor St. W. Box office closed Aug. 30 and Sept. 1.

VEGETARIAN FOOD FESTIVAL

Toronto Vegetarian Association's 24th Annual Vegetarian Food Fair takes place Sept. 5 to 7 at Harbourfront Centre. The annual fair offers a diverse cross-section of vegetarian cuisine, new products and ideas from more than 100 exhibitors and enjoy a wide variety of presentations and cooking demos. Toronto-area restaurants, caterers and organizations operate the food concessions. Admission is free. Inside and on the grounds of York Quay Centre, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. Bring your own reusable plates and cutlery. Visit veg.ca or call 416-544-9800.

BLACK CREEK BREWS FEST

Black Creek Brews Fest takes place Sept. 6 and 7 at 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Celebrating Ontario's brewing heritage and today's craft breweries. Discover and enjoy locally produced craft beer, food, drink and music. Cost: $13 and $12 for seniors. Parking is $6. Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, south of Steeles Avenue, east of Jane Street. Call 416-736-1733.

VIRGIN MUSIC FESTIVAL

Virgin Music Festival rocks Toronto Island Sept. 6 and 7. This year's acts for Saturday are the Foo Fighters, Bloc Party, Spiritualized, Wintersleep and the Constantines. Acts for Sunday are Oasis, Paul Weller, Stereophonics, The Weakerthans and the Pigeon Detectives. Tickets: 1 day pass $80; 2 day pass $145. City ferry cost: $6 per day. Purchance tickets at Ticketmaster.ca Gates open at 1 p.m. on each day and the park closes at 11 p.m. For more details, visit www.virginfestival.ca

CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL

The 2008 Chinese Lantern Festival takes place at Ontario Place is now under way until Oct. 27. See more than 40 massive, illuminated, intricately designed scenes, depicting Chinese landmarks and mythology. Also features the Mandarin Food Market, serving both Chinese and international cuisine and a marketplace offering one-of-a-kind merchandise. Featured entertainment: performing acts from China, Chinese acrobats, and live local entertainment. Tickets: $20 to $25. Call 416-314-9900 or visit www.chineselanternfestival.ca.

SUMMER IN THE MUSIC GARDEN

Harbourfront Centre presents a new season of free classical music and dance with Summer in the Music Garden. Free guided garden tours led by volunteers from the Toronto Botanical Garden take place Wednesdays at 11 a.m. until Sept. 24, and on Thursdays before concerts at 5:30 p.m. until Sept. 11. One world premiere taking place this year is a music-dance work by Keiko Kitano/Aki Takahashi (Yanagi: Spirit of the Willow Tree on Sept. 11 both commissioned by Harbourfront Centre specifically for presentation in the Toronto Music Garden. Visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com

Aug. 21

Evening Ragas in the Garden Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.: Aruna Narayan returns with her eloquent and virtuosic interpretations of North India ragas, performed on the 40-string sarangi with Vineet Vyas, tabla, and Akshay Kalle, tanpura.

Aug. 24

A Tale of Two Lutes Aug. 24 at 4 p.m.: Two musical cousins-the European lute and the Chinese pipa-meet and converse as the renowned baroque lutenist Lucas Harris and pipa virtuosa Wen Zhao bring their respective traditions together.

Aug. 28

Mizu to Ki no Uta (Voices of Wood and Water) Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.: Nagata Shachu taiko ensemble (formerly known as Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble) drum in the change of season with exuberant music rooted in ancient spiritual practices, revitalized with a contemporary vision. With special guest dancer-choreographer Keiko Kitano.

Sept. 4

Bach at Dusk Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.: Winona Zelenka performs the piece that inspired the Toronto Music Garden: Bach's Suite No. 1 in G Major for unaccompanied cello. Note: Half-hour concert due to early sunset.

Sept. 11

Soul/Saule-Mates: Reflections under the willow tree Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.: On a date that invites reflection, cellist Shauna Rolston performs Soulmate for solo cello, by Chan Ka Nin; choreographer-dancer Keiko Kitano and composer-musician Aki Takahashi present the world premiere of Yanagi: Spirit of the Willow Tree - a piece inspired by Japanese tales of ghosts and willow trees (saule, in French). Note: Half-hour concert due to early sunset.

CREATIVE SCIENCE SUNDAYS

A series of hands-on workshops Sundays until Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Weston Family Innovation Centre. From making videos and sound-effects to creating beautiful jewellery, these creative workshops are ideal experiences for anyone 14 years of age or older. Audiocubizm: the Science of Music at Work is the workshop topic until Sept 21. This new approach to transforms live music performance by fusing it with cutting-edge DJ methods. This interactive workshop will let you play along while you receive instruction on the science behind the music of today. Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Rd. Call 416-696-1000.