That wasn’t so bad, was it?
Ok, it was pretty bad. But no matter how hard January hits, Toronto’s young professionals always hit back harder. And look at the shiny reward you get for sticking it out: the glorious weekend.
Did we mention that it starts right now?
THURSDAY
Social Influencer Nation is hosting a Meet n’ Greet at Parlour from 6:30-9pm. Tickets are $35-40 and you’ll probably be expected to Tweet something.
If you’re a big fan of b-ball, you should definitely check out the new basketball speakers series called Full Court Press that’s launching tonight. The goal of the series is to connect this city’s passionate basketball fans with the game’s insiders by hosting entertaining and enlightening conversation about all things basketball. Guests tonight include Akil Augustine from NBA TV, Toronto Star’s Doug Smith, and Michael Grange and Megan Robinson from Sportsnet. The chat is being hosted at the Culture, Arts, Media and Education Centre at 918 Bathurst.
If you’re into riveting African-inspired dance, Vincent Sekwati Mantsoe is performing his show, NTU & Skwatta at the Harbourfront Centre. Just because you can’t pronounce it, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it.
If you like celebrating opera, the Tapestry Opera is throwing a 35th Anniversary party at the Gladstone Hotel. The party is free and open to the public and in addition to some vocal performances, you can expect specialty doughnuts, mac ‘n cheese, and “surprises”. And you know how crazy the opera can get!!
Bagpipes and kilts, no haggis. Need we say more? The Scottish Tattoo: The Music of Scotland is at the Sony Centre for one night only celebrating the dance and music culture of Scotland.
Or maybe you’re interested in celebrating the impressive Canadian music culture? Treble Charger is playing at Junction City Music Hall. You may not want to see this show, but we do, and about a hundred million people see it our way now. Rounding up of course…
This is huge: if you’re a fan of legit, 90s hip-hop, you are going to the Phoenix Concert Theatre tonight: Pete Rock and Maseo (De La Soul) are playing a concert together. #dreamscometrue
And the Leafs will try to wrestle that .500 mark as they host the Arizona Coyotes at the ACC…and by the way, when did they stop being Phoenix?
FRIDAY
WINTERLICIOUS STARTS TONIGHT. If you like food – and we know you do – you should be very, very excited. There are over 200 restaurants participating this year and the city-wide event runs until February 12th. Make sure you check out our list of the 15 Winterlicious Menus You Have to Try This Year and make your reservations quickly.
To wrap up AdWeek 2015, tonight is the big closing soirée at Liberty Grand: The Marketing Hall of Legends Gala. Tickets are a bit hefty at $279 a pop, but conference attendees get a discount, and if you’re a bigshot, you’ve probably already been invited for free. Cocktail reception starts at 6:30pm followed by an awards ceremony and a big messy bash at 9:00pm.
By popular demand, Second City is bringing back their hilarious 2013 revue for one last night in Toronto; The Meme-ing of Life. Tickets are $30 and you should expect to pee yourself a little.
If there’s a band worth covering, it’s The Beatles. Classic Albums Live are performing their classic album, Let It Be at Roy Thompson Hall, including a pre-show event with demonstrations and backstories. Some people say that All You Need Is Love, but realistically, a little live music never hurts.
One of the funniest men of all time, Norm Macdonald, is doing a stand-up performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Go. Laugh.
And as January freezes white, August Burns Red is playing at Phoenix Concert Theatre while Grandtheft will be spinning at The Hoxton.
SATURDAY
Coats and gloves have been known to keep us warm during the winter months. But you know what else does the trick? Beer. The Winter Craft Beer Festival is tapping their 25 craft brewers at 11am at The Roundhouse and will run until 5pm. It is outside though, so maybe wear pants. We said, maybe.
If you’re into Cosplay, you probably know what FrostCon 3.0 is and you’ll probably want to get to the Sheraton Centre Hotel for a full day of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, and more (or less if you know what we mean).
Does anyone else feel like coffee has gotten way too much attention? Well, if you’re for warm beverage equal rights and like a good teabag as much as the next person, the 3rd Annual Toronto Tea Festival is happening at The Toronto Reference Library. The event runs today and tomorrow from 10:00am-5:00pm.
The 25th Annual Walk for Memories starts at Brookfield Place at 9am in efforts to raise money for the Alzheimer Society of Toronto.
If you like art and oil paintings of cold, dead trees, the renowned David Lidbetter is kicking off a new exhibition called resonator at the Muse Gallery with a reception from 1-4pm. The display runs until February 19th.
If you feel like going to a French pop-dance-party (we’re not exactly sure what that is, but it sounds fun), make your way to The Boat in Kensington Market for Zoi Zoi with DJs Mimi la Twisteuse & Soju. Tickets are $5 at the door and you can expect to hear le good, le bon, and les hits from across 4 decades of pop.
Richard Wagner’s epic DIE WALKÜRE starts at the Four Seasons Centre today, running until February 22nd. And if you’re drawing a blank, you know some of this music; The Ride of the Valkyries has been used in probably a thousand movies. Especially when flying things are involved.
Canadian contemporary artist, Douglas Coupland has a cross-venue exhibit opening up at the ROM and MOCCA today, running until the 26th and 19th respectively. It is called Everywhere is Anywhere and Everything is Anything. We can’t tell if that’s optimism or pessimism, but either way it’s gonna be good stuff.
If you have a bicycle and you’re insane, today is the Coldest Day of the Year Ride, starting at the southern gates of Trinity Bellwoods Park at 11:45am.
Or instead of peddling, you can get tip toe-ing over to the Danforth Music Hall to check out Riff Raff or head out to see another up-and-coming rap star, D-Pryde at Studio Bar.
And finally, as the last January installment, it’s You Gots to Chill DJ Skate Night at Harbourfront Centre hosted by DJ Numeric and DJ Dalia. Expect good hip-hop, R&B, and some good ol’ fashioned ice-twerking.
SUNDAY
Oh, you know what today is. Yes you dooooooo.
It’s Superbowl Sunday, baby! For Superbowl XLIX, the Seattle Seahawks are taking on the New England Patriots. Check out our list of the best places in Toronto to watch this year’s big game, throw on your drinking helmets and make room for that chili.
If you’re looking for something just as unhealthy but far classier to balance out the impending rowdiness, Casa Loma is hosting Sweet Symphony – A Winterlicious Culinary Event. Tickets are $30 and with that you get a lovely open selection of pastries and sweets, live music from the Casa Loma Quartet, and a free tour of the castle.
Or if you’re in the mood for something completely different, British hit, Ben Howard is playing two shows at Massey Hall, the first of which is tonight…the night of the Superbowl…sooo you know. Maybe we’ll see you at the concert?
Well there you have it, folks.
Four days and 30 ways to spend them.
And just remember, it’s not FOMO if you’re there.
Stay Notable,
The Weekender
#NOTABLE
Want more updates on the most Notable things happening so you know before your colleagues do? Get our exclusive newsletter here and follow us on Twitter for all the latest.
Cover photo courtesy Buonanotte
