With heads held high we await the long weekend, which for us (as you well know) always starts a bit early. Here’s what’s going down in the TDot today through Monday…
Thursday
Two hot tickets tonight, starting with the Open Roof Festival. This outdoor movie/music/food shindig is one of our summertime favourite pastimes. This week, they’re showing Bones Brigade alongside band Yuku and nosh from vendors Tita Flips and Grub.
The second hot event tonight? First Thursdays at the AGO. Have you been yet? No? Then get your arse over to the eclectic gallery as live music and performances, art (obvs), live nude drawing you can get involved in (pencils in hand, not the other pen…), bars scattered throughout and some prime eats are all ready for the taking.
Friday
Atomic Lollipop is back for a third year, and the purported turnout is already massive. This one’s an oddball in the event scene, and we’ve no qualms with that. From midway rides (small scale) to music to carnival stylings to conventionesque conviviality, this is one massive part you won’t want to miss.
The second annual Summer Jam is goin’ down over at The Hoxton on Friday night, with an as-yet-unnamed special guest who will apparently blow our minds and rock our world. With five DJs lined up to raise the roof, and a hint towards those involved with OVOfest potentially showing up, Summer Jam should most definitely make its way to your Google calendar.
Saturday
Unique gems, artisanal crafts, vintage finds and more will be ready for the taking at the Gladstone Flea. This monthly market is growing in popularity thanks to its interesting offerings, and we find nothing wrong with a little scouring. Head on over Saturday morning to find your next great obsession.
Eight bands will be banging it up at Garrison Commons in Fort York on Saturday as part of the Grove Music Festival. (There are about a dozen music fests a week right now, so we forgive you if you haven’t heard of this one.) It’s a Goldenvoice and Arts & Crafts collabo, so you know it’ll be one for the books. Bonus: tix are still available… and there are VIP ones for grabs to boot!
Sunday
Earls King Street is bringing some badass brunch to the Financial District, launching this weekend on Sunday with a mimosa bar and DJ stylings. We got a sneak peek of the new nosh, and let us tell you: it’s freakin’ amazing. Do yourself a favour and try their chorizo and mushroom hash or their intriguing take on the Croque Madame. Both are unreal.
Spend Sunday night under the stars… or rather… smog coated sky at Riverdale Park. Movies in the Park is bringing one of our classic faves to the outdoor screen, E.T., and we’re ready to party it up in the park. Best way to enjoy the experience? Make some stupid-boozy sangria and pack into mason jar roadies, head over to Paulette’s Fried Chicken and Donuts (which is actually closing this Sunday to turn into Delica Kitchen) and get a half dozen (or eight dozen, whatever) amazingly luxe donuts, and pull over one of the picnic tables that sits on the outskirts of the park. Booze, donuts, seating and Speilberg… that’s perfection to us.
Monday
Electric Island is the only party you need to know about on Civic Holiday Monday. It’s a licensed outdoor concert/picnic event that sees a multitude of acts dizzying the crowd over the course of about eight hours. Take the ferry over to Centre Island and bump up the energy on your last day of respite from the office.
Top photo courtesy of Earls Kitchen + Bar Toronto