You know what today is, don’t you?
Yup, it’s the day that’s three days after the first episode of the 19th season of the Bachelor.
It’s also Thursday.
And while you might be trying to ease your way into 2015 with raw carrots and stingy budgets, the weekend waits for no one. In fact, your weekend starts right now, Toronto…
THURSDAY
Coming off that big Junior hockey win, start planning your next patriotic trip to the King and John area and catch the last weekend of TIFF’s Top 10 Film Festival, featuring the best Canadian shorts and feature films from 2014 as well as an exclusive series of trailers, panels, and discussions.
And what’s a movie without a little dinner before? Nota Bene is holding a month-long celebration of California wines by offering a fixed price menu – $93 with wine pairings, $65 without – that includes a 5-course menu of Hamachi crudo, corn soup, braised short rib, black cod, and a plate of artisanal cheeses.
If that doesn’t sound heavy enough, you can hit the Guvernment to check out a metal show with headliners Black Label Society and openers, Butcher Babies and Hatebreed. Can you say, “Thursday family night”?
Also on the music scene is Massachusetts four-piece, Four Year Strong playing at The Opera House.
After a tough west-coast road trip the Raptors are looking to regain their magic touch as they host the Charlotte Hornets at the ACC tonight.
But for those of you itching for some real abracadabra, check out The Wanderer Show – “a Spellbinding Presentation of Mysterious and Sophisticated Effects” – at the Tallboys Craft Beer House.
FRIDAY
If this last Christmas was anything like every other Christmas, a whole bunch of people just got engaged because snow is romantic and you might as well buy a ring while you’re out shopping anyway. And for just such an occasion, Canada’s Bridal Show starts today and runs the entire weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
And speaking of romance, if you’ve ever been to South America or watched Scent of a Woman, you’ve probably wanted to learn how to tango. Well this weekend might be your chance; the Toronto Tango Marathon is stepping into Lithuanian Hall for the city’s 11th and most popular tango event. Just a suggestion…not trying to step on anyone’s toes here…
Running today and tomorrow, 10am-8pm and 10am-6pm respectively, The Drake General Store on Geary Ave. is hosting their Winter Blitz Warehouse Sale at which curiosities, antiques, clothing, and accessories for men, women, & kids will be available for up to 70% off.
From 7pm til “late”, The Great Hall is hosting the Long Winter group’s event, Year 3 Volume 3, an eclectic evening mixing music, art, film, and talk. This team has previously curated AGO First Thursdays, so this is definitely not their first rodeo.
If you’re looking for a family affair that doesn’t include heavy metal music, The Sony Centre is putting on 6 performances of Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival.
Or for even younger youngsters, the ROM has started a great 6-week program called ROM Moms & Tiny Tots at which parents of children 2 years old and younger can be toured around the museum with their children, learning about all the pieces and exhibits alongside other like-minded parents. They are currently sold out, but there is an option to be added to the waiting list.
The better-than-expected Leafs are playing host to the slightly-worse-than-average Columbus Bluejackets in what should be a pretty fun Friday night game.
But if you’re willing to head a bit outside the core and over to the Bad Side of the Moon, you can go to Brampton and check out Canadian Music Hall of Famers, April Wine at the Rose Theatre. Think about this for a second: these guys have been playing together for forty-six years. And they still rock.
Now, Brampton aside, normally we wouldn’t talk much about stuff going too far outside the centre of the city. Like, let’s say, Hamilton. But for this, we’re making an exception: Bill Cosby is performing at Hamilton Place Theatre. You might need to adjust your moral compass to get there though…just ask Antoine Dodson (NSFW)…
SATURDAY
Well, This Changes Everything. At 3pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox is hosting In Conversation…Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis to discuss Naomi’s eye-opening books and Avi’s brilliant broadcasting and filmmaking. This is one conversation you don’t want to hear second hand.
Crocodile Dundee would be all over this; there’s a Knife Skills tutorial being offered by the St.Lawrence Market Kitchen today at 10am and 2pm.
DJ Skate Night is back with Swing on Ice. At the melody helm is CIUT 89.5’s NO MAN’S LAND Richard ‘medicineman’ Martin, one of Canada’s most highly respected global fusion tastemakers.
For only six performances, you and the little ones can check out Seussical the Musical at the Lower Ossington Theatre. The seats at this theatre are pretty comfortable, so it shouldn’t be too hard on your Lorax.
Irish pride rolls into town as the Celtics take on the Toronto Raptors at the ACC.
And if you love to see a sister act, you should drive out to Casino Rama to check out a live performance by Whoopi Goldberg.
SUNDAY
If Canada’s Bridal Show wasn’t cutting it for you, take the wedding ‘train’ over to the WedLuxe Wedding Show from 9:30am-6pm at Arcadian Court.
If you’re a Bulldog enthusiast, Etobicoke’s Doggie Central will be hosting a fundraiser at 1pm to support Mary Cole’s Bulldog Rescue.
Or if you’re still in mid-weekend mode and looking to keep the party going, the season premier of the Sunday Afternoon Social kicks off at Loft 404. But realistically, most people there will be wearing pants.
Which is why at 3pm, The Office Pub on John Street is hosting a No-Pants Dance Party.
To be honest, we didn’t know there was another kind of party…
Well there you have it, folks.
Four days and 25 ways to spend them.
And just remember: “NoMo FOMO” should be on everyone’s list of New Year’s Resolutions.
Stay Notable,
The Weekender
#NOTABLE
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Cover photo courtesy Nota Bene
