Power outages, snowstorms, blood moons – you’ve been through a lot in the last four days. So it’s a good thing you’ve got a long weekend to make up for it because whatever you choose to do with your Good Friday, it better not be work-related. Especially when we’ve scoured the city to give you the best 25 ways you can spend the next 96 hours. After all, holidays are meant to be tiring – that’s how you know you’re doing them right.
Thursday
Lou Dawgs is celebrating its fifth birthday by giving everyone a free poutine (all you have to do is buy a pint). There’ll also be a slow smoked rib-eating contest, live New Orleans jazz, and rumours of Rob Ford making an appearance. But then, we already mentioned the rib-eating contest…
OCAD’s Interdisciplinary Masters in Art, Media, and Design (IAMD) graduates are exhibiting the culmination of work they’ve produced over the past year. We expect to understand at least half of the pieces.
Hélène Grimaud’s been likened to Glenn Gould and loves wolves. Both are pretty cool things to be known for.
Quest Love is in Toronto. So probably every other event just became irrelevant.
DJ Mike Toast will be dropping beats at Brassaii all night long. But to be honest, it’s the poster that got us.
#starscapeTO will highlight the latest in wearable technologies to benefit Sky’s The Limit, a charity that provides laptops to young people in need. You’ll also find a silent auction, fashion show, and tax receipt should you decide to dedicate an old laptop to someone who’ll use it as more than just a coaster.
The 9th annual Spring Fling is taking place at Buonanotte. If you want to club your way into Good Friday we suspect this is the way to do it.
(Good) Friday
We hear church is an option.
There’s a Pet Show in Mississauga featuring hundreds of vendors and thousands of products. You’re not allowed to bring your own pet, though, which means you’re going to have to wait until you get home to see if they fit into the ridiculous outfit you just bought them.
The Toronto Zoo is having a Crocs sponsored Easter egg hunt featuring Crocs mascot, Duke. Yep, not weird at all.
W. Somerset Maugham’s famous novel, Of Human Bondage, is being put on stage at Soulpepper theatre. Here’s your chance to claim you’ve read a classic in just over two hours.
Apparently when beer’s involved Good Friday becomes great. At least that’s what the latest in the Brewer’s Backyard series seems to suggest. Not only will you get to mingle with some of the best craft beer makers this province has to offer (and taste their beer of course), but this is the first time there’s an official after party. And in case you thought it couldn’t get any better, admission is free.
One of Toronto’s most beloved cover bands, Dwayne Gretzky, is getting big and shiny, playing 90s tunes at the Phoenix all night long.
A parking lot, a parade, and a surprise. Just another Folk the Winter is all.
Loving in the Name Of celebrates the best songs of all time. Go get your dance on and see if you agree.
Saturday
Red Bull Race the Place is taking over Ontario Place. According to the site, “racers will be taken on a speed-soaked chase through the island’s industrial jungle full of hairpin turns, pedal heavy straight-aways, and other urban obstacles.” Yup, sounds like a Red Bull event. Admission is free for spectators.
A Toronto Chocolate Tour is taking place. It’s a walking tour, though, which means you’ve earned it.
If you don’t walk for chocolate, maybe art will do the trick. This west end tour combines galleries with patios and beer. Something for everyone, really.
An Island Bike Sprint is taking place that will allow you to be crowned Island Sprint Champion if you win. All you have to do is make it from Ward’s Island to Hanlan’s Point and back faster than everyone else. NBD. Also, under their list of sponsors you’ll find ‘not redbull’. Which is funny ‘cause everyone knows Red Bull is a two-word proper noun deserving of capital letters. Weird that they got that wrong.
The Hard Rock Cafe is hosting a K-Pop Rave and encouraging you to buy lightsticks and glowsticks at the dollar store. That sentence is impossible to follow.
Armin van Buuren is one of the biggest DJs in the world and he’s bringing his world tour, Armin Only: Intense, to Toronto for one night only. You’re probably going to want to be there.
Sunday
Easter Sunday and 420 go together like… well, they don’t really, do they? Either way, hundreds of pot lovers will gather at Yonge and Dundas Square to smoke in public and attempt to promote legalization (at least until they get hungry and sleepy).
Easter Brunch in a castle. Sounds about right.
We’re not really sure how a dog circus works but we have to admit we’re slightly intrigued. Just remember: never trust a carny – even if they’re a canine.
The Beaches Easter Parade wins for the best line of the weekend with rule one of their guidelines: The only Easter Bunny allowed in the parade is the one provided by the Beaches Lions Club. There is only one Easter Bunny. Well, that clears that up.
Four Wings and a Prayer is playing at The Bloor Cinema. A portion of event proceeds will be donated to the David Suzuki Foundation and their Homegrown National Park Project. This is a feel-good way to end the weekend.
For those of you who’d rather feel good in the high school redux kind of way, Ghetto Prom at The Libertine should do the trick. We knew there was a reason you were holding on to that dress all these years.
Like we said, you’ve had a hard week, you’ve earned this long weekend. So happy Easter everyone, no matter how you choose to spend it.
Stay Notable,
The Weekender
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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Top photo courtesy OCAD
