Hit the panic button – it’s July.
Now, we’re not really sure what happened, but suddenly we’re getting worried that summer is already passing us by. Call it warm weather FOMO. With only eight weeks left until September, we don’t intend to waste a second single of any weekend.
Starting now.
Thursday
Rock Your Mind raises money for autism. It’s a good cause, a great event, and (possibly) an even better name.
While we realize One Night in Bangkok could mean many things to many people, in this case it entails specialty Thai cocktails, street food, and a live DJ.
The Opening Party for the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition will take place at Nathan Phillips Square in anticipation of the exhibition that will run Friday through Sunday this weekend. Go find your muse.
The Goo Goo Dolls are playing the Amphitheatre. #tbt
You’re entire summer camp experience in one night at the Gladstone. Go for the s’mores, stay for the fact that this camp serves drinks.
Red Bull’s monthly series, Sound Select, features local artists doing what they do best: playing shows that’ll give you wings. Well, they’ll at least make you high on life. July’s show, Bad Bad Not Good, sounds pretty decent to us…
Toronto Fringe started yesterday, but the largest theatre festival in Toronto deserves some love. Need some ideas on what to see? Well we just happen to have 7 Notable selections right here.
Friday
It’s the 4th of July, y’all. Here are some things you should know.
With a goal to find homes for more than 400 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens, we suggest you don’t check out the Toronto Adoption Event unless you’re serious about bringing an animal home. Not petting it and calling it cute. Bringing it home.
It’s opening night at Taste of Lawrence, Scarborough’s largest food and cultural festival that will run all weekend long. We know… Scarborough. But hey, food is food.
Vans’ Warped Tour hits town, which means every Hardcore, Rock, Metal, Alternative, R&B, Pop, Acoustic, Folk, Electronic, Punk, Pop Punk, Indie, Metalcore, Reggae, Opera, Ska, and Emo band you’ve never heard of will take the stage at some point.
We’re giving out a free meal every single day of Summerlicious. And what a coincidence – Summerlicious starts today.
Remember that opening night we were talking about?
In only its second year, TURF will take over Fort York this weekend with a lineup that includes The Violent Femmes, Neutral Milk Hotel, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Sam Roberts, Local Natives, Jenny Lewis, The Gaslight Anthem, and Beirut. Expect beards.
Festival Libre is a Bacardi-sponsored Cuban festival that’s going to take over the Distillery District all weekend long. Yes, you are correct to want to go there.
Saturday
Afrofest is setting up shop in Woodbine Park to celebrate the richness and diversity of African culture. And like all good cultural events, it’s free.
35 artists practicing half a dozen mediums. Food. DJ. One place. This is the City Place Art Crawl.
Apparently twice a year the Ontario Government lets anyone in the province fish without a license. And one of those times is the next full week. This may be the only time you ever see a legit ‘gone fishin’ sign.
Parlez-vous français? Actually, it doesn’t matter. As long as you simply like French, then we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy Franco-Fête, the two-day festival at Yonge-Dundas Square that celebrates all things francophone.
Had enough World Cup but not enough football? No problem, it’s the Argos home opener.
180° Smoke is opening its flagship store on Yonge St., and to celebrate they’ll be giving away free rechargeable e-cigarettes to anyone willing to hand over their last pack. #timetoquit
Scratch Bastid’s having a BBQ. It’s appropriately called Bastid’s BBQ.
Your weekly booze cruise is here, only this one comes with its own after-party.
He cut his hair, hit his 40s, and hasn’t toured in four years, but we guarantee Maxwell will still make you shiver every time he takes the stage.
Sunday
If you hate those ridiculous fancy hats British people wear but also secretly wish you could pull one off then the Queen’s Plate should be just the right place to spend your Sunday.
Speaking of which, it’s Sunday, which means it’s another Bellwoods Blockparty.
There’ll be both a morning and an afternoon session for PintxosTO, an outdoor tapas offering based on Basque-style small plates.
Divalicious 6 puts nearly 300 women on a luxury yacht and offers them dance and fitness workshops, beauty services, and a shopping market. Tickets must be purchased in advance, though – probably so they can tell whether or not there are any men trying to sneak aboard.
Ever wondered just how seedy Yonge St. was in the 70s? Well, thanks to Canadian Open Vault at TIFF, now you can know.
Olivia Chow is the keynote speaker at GTA’s Got Talent ‘cause, well, she’s pretty much doing everything anyone in Toronto asks her to do right now.
The Christie Pits Film Festival kicks off its summer run with a baseball costume contest for the screening of A League Of Their Own. Just remember: it’s BYOBlanket.
Well, that’s it, that’s all.
Four days and more than 30 ways to spend them.
And here’s the thing to remember: FOMO isn’t real if you’re there. We suggest you get over the long weekend, say hello to the short week, and give your love to Saturday and Sunday. We’ll see you on the other side.
Stay Notable,
The Weekender
#NOTABLE
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Top photo courtesy Bellwoods Brewery
