Toronto Weekender: August 8 through 11, 2013

The only thing better than a long weekend is a short week followed by, yup, another weekend (featuring festivals galore). These are the notable happenings you should have on your radar over the next few days… 

Thursday
The SummerWorks Theatre Festival launches today, bringing with it dozens of theatrical performances, workshops, series, musical acts and more. It’s a fantastic way to see the budding talent in our local and national performers. The SummerWorks Theatre Festival runs through the 18th, giving us 10 days to get our theatre on.

The Open Roof Festival is winding down soon, so if you’ve yet to head to this outdoor movie/music/food fest ya better get to stepping! This week, they’ve Gimme the Loot on the viewing docket, alongside music by band The Back Homes and nosh by Kanga and FeasTO. Open Roof will open your minds… 

Friday
Foodies have taken over the city, and part of the growth of that culture has been thanks to fests like the Fortune Cooking Food Festival that takes place annually down at the Harbourfront Centre. Running all weekend, explore the sights, sounds, and tastes of Pan Asian culture, all the while meandering down Toronto’s lake shore.

Everyone’s favourite Greektown pastime, the Taste of the Danforth, is back this weekend, bringing with it the sensibilities of Mediterranean cuisine and the excitement of a street fest. Tons of vendors will be sending out some awesome eats, alongside live music, Guinness World Record attempts, and other fanciful entertainment, all on the Danforth.

Saturday
Give yourself the best jerk of your life at the Toronto Jerk Festival. Celebrating the famed ‘island’ cuisine, get anything and everything jerked to perfection while watching live performances and entertainment and enjoying some great outdoor vibes. Sure… maybe you can’t make it to an island this weekend, but that doesn’t mean you can’t partake in the island vibes brought to you.

Here are a few words that should tempt your soul: six courses; chocolate; wine pairings; chocolate; mono fee; chocolate. Do we have your attention? Chef Eyal Leibman, alongside wife and sommelier Rebecca Meir, are tantalizing tastebuds Saturday night at Playful Grounds with a six-course chocolate meal. That’s right, you’ll get to indulge in six courses of savoury and sweet chocolate applications alongside pairings from Rosewood Wines. Quelle belle vie! 

Sunday
For the final time, the ALL CAPS! Music Festival is harmonizing down on the island. This fest sees a handful of amazing bands ready to groove out under the sunlight. It’s the perfect way to spend a weekend: head over either Saturday or Sunday, grab a few roadies (the drinks, not people) and listen to some hot talent on stage while basking in the summer sun. 

The 2nd annual Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival is on this weekend, and it’s primed to deliver an awesome time. Over a dozen craft breweries will be showing off their amazing concoctions, alongside eight food trucks (four each day) and a handful of other exciting surprises. Ya thirsty, Toronto?