We’re six days into our advent calendars, and with each passing day the li’l chocolates taste that much sweeter. While we’re counting down les jours until our extended break from the office, we’re peppering it with some notable events and hotspots to keep our spirits high. What are we up to this weekend? Read on to find out…
Thursday
The gentrification of Church and Dundas continues with the soft launch of Sabai Sabai Kitchen and Bar, a gourmet Thai restaurant with a menu designed by none other than Chef Nuit Regular (Sukhothai, Khao San Road). The new space boasts a contemporary approach to traditional Thai food, with dishes like massaman curry, crispy fried fish, and a whole lot of vegan options. It’s a spicy way to launch your weekend.
Get in the spirit of giving with the Sugar and Spice Fundraiser at the Scotiabank Plaza. Experience the flavours, scents, and rum (likely) of the Caribbean persuasion at this fundraiser helping to support the Caribbean Tourism Scholarship Foundation. Food, drinks, dancing, and networking are all on the menu, so get your groove on at Sugar and Spice, mon!
Friday
Go festive for dinner tonight at the 4th annual Lou Dawg’s Smoked Turkey Holiday Dinner. Mix and mingle to jinglin’ beats and enjoy a traditional holiday feast with all fixin’s… though it’s unlikely you’re accustomed to a delicious smoked bird. Party hardy the rest of the evening with the Lou Dawg’s crew and other yuletide YPs.
Sorry gents, this one’s for the ladies. Femfessionals (say that ten times fast) is a unique US-based organization dedicated to setting up smaller, truly beneficial networking events for professional women and recent graduates looking to make serious connections. Now, for the very first time, Femfessionals will be hosting an event in Toronto to establish their Canadian audience. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience networking… just, you know, the Femfessionals way.
Hoodie Allen is rockin’ the Phoenix Friday night, bringing his trademark white boy rhymes to Toronto from New York. His work samples some famed artists – like Death Cab for Cutie – and most songs boil down to one central theme: make every day count. With special guest Cam Hunter (of Down with Webster), this is sure to be one concert not to miss.
Saturday
Friendly Reminder: The Distillery Christmas Market is on throughout the 16th, be sure to check it out at least once during this year’s tenure.
Get some shopping done… and support a great cause at the same time. The TOMS Holiday Give Shop pops-up Saturday and Sunday this weekend at 461 King Street West (second floor). The event lets you give five ways: 1) Give TOMS: With every purchase TOMS will help a person in need; 2) Give smiles: Snap a photo in the holiday photo-booth or make your own greeting cards; 3) Give crafts: Create an ornament or a snow globe at the ornament decoration station; 4) Give sweets: Decorate cookies and cupcakes at the dessert decoration station; and 5) Give cheer: Decorate holiday trees which will be donated to local organizations. All this while shopping the day away. Not bad, right?
In a La Carnita-esque move, Rock Lobster Food Co. – a pop-up lobster stand – has gone permanent with the opening of its Ossington restaurant. While Chef Matt Petit’s signature lobster rolls will still be on the menu, the 75-seat restaurant is also serving up oodles of other fresh seafood and even some options for the oceanic-averse. Check it on your Saturday night out.
Sunday
It’s the Brothers Grimm 200th anniversary, and to celebrate this momentous occasion, the Canadian Opera Company is putting on a week-long festival filled with family-friendly events and performances (including the 500th performance of The Brothers Grimm opera). Ending on Sunday (so get your butt in gear and snatch up some last minute tickets), an anniversary this momentous only comes around once…
On Sunday afternoon, the Riverdale Share Concert takes over the Danforth Music Hall, featuring notable Canadian acts like three-time Juno award winner Bill Usher, Steven Page with the Centre of Gravity Circus, Soul Influence, Michael Brennan, Sharon and Lois (sadly minus Bram), Russell deCarle from Prairie Oyster, Royal Canadian Air Farce’s Luba Goy, Mia Sheard, The Eastminster Choir, and many more. This concert benefits the Riverdale Share Community Association, so it’s a philanthropic way to end your Sunday.
Photo courtesy Sabai Sabai
