Can you smell that? It’s the whiff of fall’s crisp air rolling in. After last night’s #StormTO, it’s clear we don’t have much longer to enjoy the season – though with Fall comes some of Toronto’s best events, so we’re not upset…at least not too upset. In any case, why bum around when you can have one the hottest weekends of summer right before September rolls in and we’re awash with TIFF glitterati…?
Your weekend starts early with an after-work trip to King West. La Carnita “pops-up” again from 6 to 9pm tonight at fStop, with guest chef Steve Gonzales (remember him from Top Chef Canada?) and 200 limited edition pieces of art by Dushan Milic up for purchase alongside DJ P-Plus. Tacos, art, and dancing…an interesting combo if we’ve ever heard one but the perfect start to your TO weekend.
Tomorrow night will see you grabbing a cocktail at the new Liberty Village spot Williams Landing. Tomorrow’s supposed to be a sunny one, so pulling up a stool at their indoor/outdoor bar is definitely worth the trip. Afterwards, head down to Palais Royale on Lakeshore for Fake Prom. Though, we suggest, and this is one of the few times we will, getting to the event early to ensure you get in.
Saturday sees you trekking over to Dundas West to hit up Saving Grace Restaurant for one of the best brunches in Toronto, no lie. While in Little Portugal, check out any number of the little bakeries and pick yourself up some natas – the scrumtious Portugese custard tarts – for your walk down to King and Bathurst for NOLA. This first annual block party – NOLA stands for North of Lakeshore – will have the Drake General Store, Gotstyle Menswear, Freda’s, Salt&Pepper, Thor Espresso Bar, CHEESEWERKS – which hasn’t opened yet but will be making up some of their sure-to-be spectacular grilled cheeses – and so many more neighbourhood spots coming together for an afternoon of sales, eats, and entertainment.
When you’re ready to hit the town Saturday night, why not do something a little different and check out Da Kink in My Hair on stage at the Harbourfront Centre’s Enwave Theatre? This award-winning and acclaimed musical is hilarious and touching. It ends at 10pm, so you can still head out and enjoy an evening of imbibing and dancing at your favourite hotspot. If you’re looking to stay out of the Entertianment District, why not check out any number of the rad bars or dance halls further west on Ossington or College? Walk by a couple, check out the lines, find your crowd, and settle in.
Sunday should find you at the Scotiabank Buskerfest, checking out some of the world’s most wacky and wonderful street performers. And since you’re down by Front St. South, grab lunch and a drink on the Esplanade aka Patio Row at Bier Markt or Fionn MacCool’s and settle in for an afternoon drenched in the mild sun.
Image courtesy Creative Commons.