Do you really need motivation to get out this weekend? After what seems like a winter straight out of Game of Thrones, we suggest you take full advantage of a few days off that seem intent on spending themselves in the teens (especially considering there’s a rumour of snow next Wednesday – yes, seriously). So sit back, settle in, and start selecting from the nearly 30 ways you can spend the next four days.
Thursday
Gentleman, start your wallets. Both Ben Sherman and Penguin are offering 25% off all day long.
Painting. Sculpture. Glass. Welcome to the Toronto Art Expo.
The largest festival in North America for experimental and independent moving image culture, Images Festival is a must-see for anyone with an interest in creative concepts and contemporary media. If you understand what that means, good. If you don’t, you should go and find out.
Imagine grassroots community meets job fair and you’ll be picturing Turnout Toronto. If you want to get involved with Toronto in a real way, this is where you’ll want to be. Say hi to John Tory for us while you’re there.
Burn This is a hot new play. (No, we’re not apologizing for that one). Head to the Sterling Studio Theatre to check out opening night.
1,800 partiers at the AGO? Um, yes please. Massive is celebrating its 10th year and we’re pretty sure you’re not going to want to miss the installations, performances, and artwork. And, you know, the party.
The Great Hall is kicking it old school – like, 1940s old school. So break out your grandma’s dress and head to Swing Fever for a night of dancing, classic cocktails, and delicious wartime grub. Leave grandma at home though.
Friday
Black Sabbath is playing a show in Hamilton. For real.
The Sheepdogs and Naughty By Nature will be throwing down at one of the best fundraisers for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation you’ll find anywhere in the country. The Pink Party is one of our favourite ways to donate to a great cause.
How many times do we have to tell you about these guys? The National plays their last of three shows at Massey Hall.
Axe Throwing for Beginners is exactly what it sounds like. Grab some friends (you trust) and head down for the BYOB event.
Sometimes listening to bands you’ve never heard of is the best way to go. There’s no disappointment. And later, when they get big, your ears will have been there first. That’s why Steam Whistle Unsigned is one of the best ways to spend a Saturday. Well, that and the beer.
Fefe Dobson is playing with Courage My Love and we hear she’s definitely all grown up. Go see for yourself.
Saturday
What better way to get to know the city than by participating in a photo-based scavenger hunt? You might be too late to register for this one but follow it on Instagram to see if it’s something you’d be interested in.
The DivaGirl Conference is taking over The Spoke Club all day long to offer fun, ?irty, and educational classes, workshops, seminars, and local vendors, all in an effort to help you unleash your sexy. You go, girl (people still say that, right?)
Participate in an hour-long fitness class at Yonge & Dundas Square to help raise awareness for women who have experienced violence. If you’re going to move this weekend, Move for Hope.
If your favourite kind of movement happens to take place on two wheels, however, you’re going to want to check out the Motorcycle and Tattoo Show. We love names that are self-explanatory.
Speaking of which, the Made By Hand Show is another self-explanatory gem. Here you’ll find over 150 Canadian artists, artisans, and designers on-site proudly displaying original art, jewelry, clothing, and more.
The Songkran Festival celebrates the age-old tradition of ringing in the Thai New Year with a huge water gun fight. All right, so it’s not a real tradition – so what? Hanging out in a heated tent while you drench and get drenched sounds like a pretty fun time to us.
The Horseshoe is playing host to the 2nd annual Stompin’ Tom Memorial Concert. More than 15 musicians will take the stage to celebrate the Canadian icon. We wonder how long it will take before the first obligatory reference to The Hockey Song is made.
San Franciscan multi-talent Scott Hansen is carting around a live band for the first time on his fourth studio album, Awake. Best described as electronic ambient, instrumental soundscape, or sometimes, ugh, “chillwave,” this record still has more than enough of Tycho’s perfectly placed percussion elements to keep heads boppin’ at the Hoxton.
The Phoenix is hosting a crazy huge paint party complete with DJs and a light show that will look something like this. This just in: we’re glad we don’t work at The Phoenix on Sunday mornings.
Sunday
It says no partner required, but if you’re interested in going you already knew that, didn’t you?
Culinary nutritionist and health strategist Marni Wasserman will be teaching a course on how to prepare a delicious and healthy breakfast. And we’re guessing it doesn’t involve the words pop or tart.
Johnny Bower will be in attendance to sign autographs at the Toronto Card Show. Just the last goalie to win a Stanley Cup with the Leafs is all. So yes, he’s very old now.
10 vendors will be bringing your favourite dumplings to a whole new level at Yum Cha. Though the event is sold out we believe that when it comes to dim sum, anything is possible.
As they say, “Eat food. Drink drinks. Play bingo.” Winning is the best way to finish a weekend.
And finally, Don is back to tuck you into bed with his old-fashioned breath. Though the transition from Westeros to 1960s Manhattan may prove a tough double billing…
So to recap, you’ve got sales, shows, art, swing dancing, Black Sabbath, axe-throwing – and that’s just the first 24 hours we’ve lined up for you. If you do this weekend right, you’re definitely going to need that four-day week that’s coming to you.
Stay Notable,
The Weekender
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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Top photo courtesy The Spoke Club