Notable Now Toronto: August 10, 2012

Just Opened: Free People
This one’s for the ladies. Sixties-inspired boho chic ex-store-dinaire Free People recently opened its first international location, in a sweet three-story “house” at 79 Yorkville Avenue. The 73rd store – there are 72 locations across the States – features a prime selection from the company’s collections, replete with a separate entrance for its intimates collection, making that space, well, intimate. 

Brewer’s Backyard at Brick Works
The Brewer’s Backyard – a beer series that takes over Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Avenue) – is back Sunday the 12th with a special edition Beer Jam. It’s a celebration of fruit beers: from raspberry ales to blueberry wheat varieties and all in between. Babi & Co. will be on hand to serve up some delish Indonesian street food and Fidel Gastro will be slappin’ up his sammies.

Wakestock
Wakestock, the world’s largest Wakeboard, Action Sports, and Music Festival is on this weekend (the 1oth through 12th). Here’s the catch: It’s in Collingwood. (Millenium Park, Collingwood Harbour.) It’s worth the trek though. From extreme wakeboarding to bands like A Tribe Called Red to the high energy skatepark, this is one fest you won’t want to miss.

Just Opened: Penguin
Now it’s the gents’ turn. Perennial favourite menswear brand Penguin has opened its first Toronto store at 700 Queen Street West. Penguin first became a favourite thanks to its golf shirts, but over the years has expanded its line to full collections with everything from outerwear to footwear, suits to denim and so much more.

HeavyTO
For those inclined to the rawer styles of music, HeavyTO snarls into Downsview Park Saturday and Sunday for two days of unbridled heavy metal, industrial, and hardcore music. Featuring acts like Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, System of a Down, and Kataklysm, HeavyTO is for the tried and true metal-head. Hopefully it doesn’t rain…that’d put a rusty hue on the whole fest. 

Sausagefest ’12
More music for ya! Fans of The Edge’s Dean Blundell Show take note: On August 18th at Sound Academy (11 Polson Street), Sausagefest ’12 is serving up rock like nobody’s business. From Sloan to Monster Truck to The Watchmen and many more, Sausagefest ’12 is the perfect mix of music and brews, sponsored by Amsterdam Brewery.