Toronto Weekender: November 14 through 17, 2013

Brr… it’s cold out there. Let’s get some hot events up in your Weekender. (Sorry, we couldn’t resist…)

Thursday
We’ve some deliciousness for ya to start your weekend in the form of Pukka, which recently opened on St. Clair West. This modern and contemporary Indian restaurant serves a multitude of regional Indian cuisine amidst a chic dining space perfect to settle in for an evening of eats. Pukka is the latest in the resurgence of South Asian cuisine starting to take over the city. 

The Ontario Science Centre’s annual soiree, the LG Innovator’s Ball, is back on Nov. 14 at, naturally, the OSC (770 Don Mills Road). This society gala always brings out the creme de la creme of Toronto’s philanthropic scene for an evening of entertainment and fundraising. Hosted by Steve Paiken this year, the event also features the acrobatics of Les Oiseaux du Paradis. 

Eat, drink, and be merry at the annual Gourmet Food and Wine Expo at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Sip your way through dozens of wineries as you nibble on some delectable gourmet bites. Learn about wine from the pros, and watch some celeb chefs – like Roger Mooking – plate bites with fantastic flair.

Friday
On Friday night at The Carlu, get ready to revel in the sights and sounds of New Orleans circa the boisterous jazz era at the annual Arnold Party. This annual Business for the Arts event celebrates the latest recipient of the Arnold Edinborough Award, as well as acting as the after party for the BFTA’s annual awards gala that celebrates arts-minded young professionals. 

Goodfellas Gallery 2-Year Anniversary

Saturday
The last instalment of the Toronto Underground Market for 2013 is this Saturday night, and it promises to be an evening filled with unnecessarily good eats. Sample the nosh from some of the coolest up-and-coming and at-home chefs while sipping on craft beer and enjoying some convivial ambiance at Brick Works. 

What happens when you add drinks and fashion to the late night, closed book space of a library? You get Hush Hush, a New Collection event that’ll see fashion-forward attendees breaking all the rules after hours with a party in the stacks supporting the Toronto Library. Open bar, DJs, food stations and the like are all part and parcel of the uber-cool new shindig. Library card not required for entry. 

Sunday
It was only a matter of time before this crossover happened. Mos and Mats Yogathon at Arcadian Court on Sunday is exactly what it sounds like: a yoga event in support of Movember. Geared towards women to bring a male guest, Mos and Mats offers three sessions during the day to bend and contort. 

The 109th Annual Santa Clause Parade takes to the streets Sunday afternoon, giving us hours of holiday cheer. While one big white guy will be in attendance, you’ll notice the absence of another. (Cough.) But in any case, the annual Santa Clause Parade is always a great way to remember the joy and wonder of being a kid, so we go no matter what. 

Ever wondered what it would take to make it in the cutthroat world of beauty blogging? Spark Sessions, a new trade show/conference, is geared specifically towards the blogging world. With workshops and seminars on everything from how to manage content to monetizing sites, this event is for the budding web enthusiast.

Top photo courtesy LG Innovator’s Ball