It’s the first official weekend of spring – do you really need more incentive than that to get out and treat Toronto like your own personal playground? We’re kicking winter to the curb no matter what the thermometer says, ‘cause we’re heading into the best six months this city has to offer and we’re not about to waste it. So we pushed this edition of The Weekender as far as it could go and came up with nearly 30 ways for you to spend the next four days. Sounds like pretty good odds to us.
Thursday
Just a little something called March Madness. It doesn’t matter if you’re not into sports, ‘cause this is all about pure excitement. And winning your office pool, obviously.
A dozen and a half bakeries and patisseries around Toronto have declared it to be Macaroon Day in our fair city. All you need to do is go to one of them, mention it’s Macaroon Day, and they’ll give you one for free. So yes, you should be making 18 stops.
The Canadian Film Fest kicks off its weekend of exclusively Canadian screenings. If it’s a movie and it’s Canadian, you’ll probably find it here.
All week long we’ve been hosting notable Canadian designers in our hot new lounge space and tonight’s no different. We’ve already heard from Eran Elfassy and Elisa Dahan, the duo behind Mackage, Shawn Hewson of Bustle Clothing, Monica Mei Chiu of Aime, and at 6:30pm Jessica Jensen will be stopping by for a cocktail and a discussion of her time in the fashion industry. If you want to earn an exclusive spot, head here and shoot us an email.
Did you go to summer camp? Did you love it? Then this is definitely the party for you.
A new show called Analog kicks off at #Hashtag Gallery. Andrew Patterson and Andy Kittmer will apparently “face off in this new series of figurative work.” Not sure if that’s also a figurative face off or if Nic Cage is somehow in involved.
A River Changes Course won the 2013 Grand Jury Prize for World Documentary at The Sundance Film Festival. Sounds like it’s worth a watch.
Onegin is a lot classier than you’re thinking. It’s not about your favourite Tanqueray, it’s a ballet being put on by the National Ballet of Canada. So bust out your tux or high heels (or both?) and go class it up with some high-end culture.
Friday
Until we saw the Banff Film Festival we’d always thought it was more fun to go west than have it come to us. We still think that, but thanks to these movies it’s a lot closer than we thought.
We’re ending our busiest Toronto Fashion Week yet by celebrating with some of the city’s top young professionals, tastemakers, and scenesters. And if you want to be partying with us at EFS you’d better enter here to get on the list.
Danny Bhoy is funny. Like, around the world funny. If you want to spend your Friday in fits of laughter, we suggest you hit up his Massey Hall show.
Italy is on the menu when you spend an evening with Massimo Bruno. The chef will take you on a culinary journey through Tuscany that you won’t soon forget. You might have to find a back way in though (or at least pray for a cancellation), as right now, this is full up.
Midnight Market, Toronto’s favourite late-night shopping event, is celebrating its one-year anniversary by featuring more vendors than ever before as well as DJs, dinner options, and all your favourite local vendors. Shop til you sleep.
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson is pretty much the coolest astrophysicist that has ever lived and he’ll be in town giving a free lecture. Go there.
If you watch The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, this might just be too much for you to handle.
The Water Docs Film Festival kicks off at the AGO showing documentaries about all things water. So if you’re a Pisces, Cancer, or Scorpio, you pretty much have to attend.
Saturday
The 16th annual Health and Human Rights Conference kicks off this morning with the intention of exploring the well-being of the youngest and most vulnerable citizens of our world. If you care about what our generation is doing to the next in line, this is one of the most informative events you can attend.
Learn how to assemble and take home an urban beehive. Yes, seriously.
Balfour Books at College and Bathurst is having its annual 50% off sale. If you enjoy previously read material, this is where you want to be.
Toronto-based country-folk/indie rock collective The Wooden Sky have made a name for themselves through their live shows. We expect this one at the Horseshoe to be no different.
Match.com is getting off the Internet and stepping into the real world by hosting Toronto’s Largest Singles Spring Fling Party. Hey, it’s better than flipping through profiles all night…
Media Bar & Lounge is throwing itself a birthday party and inviting everyone to attend. When we turned one we’re pretty sure we didn’t even have any friends, let alone enough to party at a swank club with. Some people have all the luck.
The Neighbourhood will be stepping on the stage at Sound Academy. In the last year they’ve played at Coachella and SXSW and toured with Imagine Dragons. They sound like this.
Sunday
With vendors coming in from as far away as Montreal and Ottawa, there’s going to be quite a few special finds at the Vintage Clothing Show. On the high end, look for Chanel, Hermes, and vintage scarves. On the low: all the costume jewelry fit to be worn – or is that an oxymoron?
The Culinary Adventure Company and CHEESEWERKS have gotten together to bring you the afternoon event Cheese & Cheers. You’ll learn, pair, and (hopefully) appreciate the best of artisan cheeses, craft beer, and wines from Canada with chef Scott and CHEESEWERKS’ Kevin Durkee.
The Mod Club is having another Nerdgasm – this time in tribute to legendary puppeteer Jim Henson. We know what you’re thinking: it’s about time burlesque and the Muppets got together…
Real Estate’s latest album, Atlas, broke the top 40 in the U.S. They’re in town to play the Opera House and will bring your weekend to an easy listening close.
So there you have it. Four days and almost 30 events. Choose wisely, and know that spring is in the air – sometimes you just have to get out and force it to show up.
Stay Notable,
The Weekender
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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Top photo courtesy Media Bar