Okay, it’s here. For real. For real, for real. Goodbye winter. And good riddance. Enter the glory days, the first patio days, the I-think-I’ll-leave-my-coat-at-home days. Remember your friend, the sun? Well, you’re going to be seeing a lot more of each other – so get used to it. Forget work, this weekend is all about play ‘cause it’s going to be above zero for the next four days for the first time since September and we’ve got nearly two dozen ways for you to celebrate.
Thursday
DeMar DeRozan will be signing autographs at the Dundas Square Future Shop. We know, it sounds like an April Fools’ joke, but it’s not.
Toronto’s own Coach House Books is having their spring launch at the Garrison. This is your chance to take in some “hella-tight” fiction and poetry in person.
Country in the City is just a fancy way of saying there’s going to be 50 different Prince Edward County wines under one roof. Is it possible to be drunk and civilized at the same time?
Toronto’s Silent Film Festival kicks off its five-day run. This year, they’ll be celebrating 100 years of Chaplin on film. Finally, it’s cool to be a tramp again.
First Thursdays offers a sneak preview of the AGO’s latest exhibit, Francis Bacon and Henry Moore. Equally important, you’ll also find drinks, DJs, and food to go along with the must-see collection from two artistic masters.
Friday
The Good Food & Drink Festival brings three days of, you guessed it, good food and drink to Toronto. We’re talking celebrity chefs, live cooking demos, new recipe ideas, and samples enough to make a meal. It’s time to get your eat on.
Buddy Guy is, quite literally, a living legend. He’s one of the greatest blues artists of all time and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame almost 10 years ago. His acceptance speech was, apparently, “If you don’t think you have the blues, just keep living.” That’s it. We love a man who can break us down so easily.
Buy Art Not Kids (BANK) returns for its annual fundraising event in support of Ratanak International (an international organization working to bring an end to child sex trafficking) by featuring the work of more than 30 acclaimed Canadian artists and 14 senior students from Havergal College. Adding to your art collection by supporting an important cause sounds like a win-win to us.
If you’re one of those people who actually pay attention to how they feel and, you know, care about it, you’re going to want to check out the Total Health Show for all the tips and inside knowledge you can handle.
People like bass. 1.4 million people to be exact. If you’re into dubstep, this is the Canadian for you.
It’s the Blue Jays home opener. Need to know more? Check out our guide for the part-time fan to sound like you spend four hours a day watching these guys.
Saturday
There is an actual, real life, not-only-on-some-show-like-Saved-By-The-Bell, scavenger hunt taking place in Liberty Village. Go find out what it’s all about.
There’s a massive pillow fight happening at Nathan Philips Square. Yes, seriously. The theme is heroes vs. villains and with simple rules, like ‘wwing lightly, many people will be swinging at once’, and ‘do not swing at people without pillows or with cameras’. We definitely don’t foresee anything going terribly wrong here…not at all.
Popular reggae collective East Star All-Stars will be performing at The Opera House to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Dub Side of the Moon. We promise this is a better decision than watching The Wizard of Oz alongside Pink Floyd for the five hundredth time.
Want to see all of Shakespeare’s plays in less than an hour and a half? Want to drink while you do it? That’s what we thought. Head to Shakesbeer and enjoy all the bard and beer you can handle at the same time.
When a hundred million people watch your video you get a mention. (In case you were wondering, yes, that’s the cut-off). John Newman will be at The Danforth Music Hall. Presumably playing more than one song.
The Starlight Children’s Foundation is all about bringing laughter, joy, and hope back into the lives of children with serious illnesses and the Starlight Gala is their largest annual fundraising event. Go ahead and spend your Saturday night looking good for a great cause.
Sunday
If you’re into vintage and/or antique books, there is simply no other place to be than The Old Book & Paper Show. Plus the fact that if you find a good deal you can finally legitimately turn to the person next to you and say, “read ‘em and weep.
“A contemporary art fundraiser featuring works generously donated by more than 50 Canadian and international artists.” Yup, we’re in.
If you’re in the mood to end your weekend with a little indie cred, you’re in luck. The Cloud Nothings will be hitting up the Horseshoe to remind you that you’d rather be Here and Nowhere Else.
Momufuku & Hudson Kitchen are teaming up for a night of specialty dishes and cocktails that will end your weekend just right. Well, at least your taste buds will think so even if your sleep patterns don’t.
Well, there you are. More than 20 ways to spend the next four days. So don’t waste it by spending 60 straight hours doing this. Get out and enjoy the warm (see: above zero) weather while you can. You’ve spent all winter catching up on sleep; now it’s finally time to cash in.
Stay Notable,
The Weekender
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
Want more updates on the most Notable things happening so you know before your colleagues do? Get our exclusive newsletter here and follow us on Twitter for all the latest.
Top photo courtesy Hudson Kitchen