Toronto Weekender: August 29 to September 2, 2013

Festivals
The CNE aka The Ex aka the Canadian National Exhibition closes up shop this coming Monday. While the food pavilion has been giving a bit of negativity to the fest – who wants to contract food poisoning before hopping on the ferris wheel? – we’re still psyched to get our midway on before the close of the annual carnival. 

Like getting a bit hot and spicy? Harbourfront Centre‘s your mecca this weekend, then, as it plays host to the annual Hot & Spicy Food Festival. It’s exactly what you’d expect: muy caliente dishes from around the world will be on hand at vendors, alongside live music, a taco throwdown, and, of course, the beauty of Toronto’s Harbourfront. 

Artfest at the Distillery is back for another summer sesh, showcasing some of the best local and national artistic talent in the brick-lined beauty of the historic area. Art, crafts, jewelry, artisanal items and more await at this outdoor show.

Food
We’ve a few new restaurants for you to check out this weekend, starting with Home of the Brave, the latest offering from the fellas behind La Carnita. An ode to Americana, HOTB sees items like the fried bologna sandwich and broccoli and grits ready to tantalize your tastebuds (and expand your waistline).

We’ve a cool new spot to grab an interesting brunch this weekend in the form of Me & Mine, a joint that opened up near College and Dufferin. They’ve dishes like kale and goat cheese torte, pork and egg pie, and cured trout with poppyseed pancakes. How’s that for out of the ordinary? 

Parties
Gents, get schooled over at Cocktail Parlor Thursday night as SHAKEN: A Gentleman’s Tutorial on the Art of the Cocktail takes over the fancy space. You’ll get tips on how to perfect your at-home mixology while noshing on nibbles meant to pair perfectly. Sounds like a Mad Men-esque evening if we’ve ever heard of one.

Also Thursday night, over at Airship 37, get ready to sip the world at iYellow Wine Club’s Summer Jam, which sees over 40 wines abounding in the space from numerous countries. Sip, swish, and take notes for your future wine-buying reference while networking up a storm at this end-of-summer vino shindig. 

Nearby, the Berkeley Street Theatre ends the summer in style with the Berkeley Street Block Party on Thursday evening. The jazz jam is complete with the mixed sounds of a DJ, flutist and trombonist from Caribou. 

Thousands will descend upon the island on holiday Monday as Electric Island presents us with a fully licensed season closer featuring another #AwesomeSauce lineup of cutting-edge international and local artists set to deliver over 8 hours of music. Grab a picnic table or bring a blanket and relax, dance or simply embrace the moment with the beautiful Toronto skyline by your side.

Top photo courtesy Storys Building