Ok, so this week it snowed and there have already been a few days where it was cooler than a polar bear’s toenails (oh, hell). But just because it’s cold it doesn’t mean we all have to be stiffs.
There’s a whole slew of stuff to keep you warm, well fed, and happy this weekend and realistically, what’s time off in December without a good stretch of time on in November.
Just stick with us, Toronto and you’ll be all right.
The weekend starts now…
THURSDAY
The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo gets going at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Don’t bother even trying to save room for dessert.
The glory of Toronto Bourbon Week continues with a confit duck chicken wing event at The County General, and The Bourbon Derby at 3030 Dundas West which is offering 4 seatings, your choice of 3 bourbon flight, and some live music.
If you love films and you love the idea of having the freedom and privilege to actually watch them, you should spend some time at The Amnesty International Human Rights Film Festival at the Carleton Cinema this weekend.
The Maple Leafs have a home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight. After their performance against Nashville (it was pretty much a 60 minute 5 on 3), a bolt of lightning might be exactly what they need.
If you’re in the mood to mingle, The Frocktail Party is going down at Arcadian Loft on Bay Street for a 6th year of compassion and fashion in support of Juvenile Diabetes. This party will be sweet…but not too sweet.
If you’re proud of social progress and what our great city does for it, you can watch at 3pm as, for the first time ever, Toronto raises the Transgender Flag at City Hall.
And if you’re inspired by the streets and yo’ feets, Huely is launching their Series 02: Street Art collection, a weekend-long art show and sock-design collaboration with some of Toronto’s top street artists like Anser, Uber5000, and SPUD1.
One of the biggest charity events is back as the Under the Big Top for Autism Gala gets going at 6pm at the Liberty Grand. We know you’re juggling a lot right now, but if you have the time and the dough, this is a great place to be.
And if you really need somewhere “to be”, you can catch one of the last two Fall performances of Hamlet at the Winter Garden Theater or watch a flame-fingered Jan Lisiecki perform the Beethoven Emperor Concerto at Roy Thompson Hall.
FRIDAY
Do you prefer being on top? So do we. The Eastern Conference leading Raptors are taking on the Milwaukee Bucks at the ACC. GO RAPS!
Speaking of Bucks, Buck 65 is at the Danforth Music Hall tonight, and also spittin’ rhymes this evening is Schoolboy Q at The Sound Academy. Tickets for the Schoolboy show are around $65 so you may have to “Break the Bank” a little to have a “Hell of a Night”.
Massey Hall has you covered with a top-notch band performing, Classic Albums Live: The Who, Who’s Next.
And have you ever seen the best stand-up comedian from Hong Kong perform a set? We didn’t think so. Check out the internationally acclaimed Wong Tze Wah at the Sony Centre. When a guy’s getting this much good press, you can’t go Wong…(sorry, we had to).
Another comedy option is the family-friendly, Ross Petty’s Cinderella, a “Gags to Riches” musical, which kicks off a one-month stay at The Elgin Theater. Musical spoofs can go either way, so hopefully this one has the good kind of “gags”.
If you’re a photo-phanatic, The AGO is hosting the world premier screening of Suzy Lake: Playing With Time, a documentary by Annette Mangaard on the famous feminist artist of the 60s.
The first ever Toronto Art Crawl is taking place over 3 days in Liberty Village, featuring 60 talented local artists and artisans. From things that go on over your shoulder to things that go on your wall, this has “gift shopping” painted all over it.
This week’s Friday Night Live at the ROM is called Get Wild. So, yes. It sounds perfect.
And if you’re in the browsing mood, the Midnight Market: Holiday Shopping Edition is happening at 2nd Floor Events on King, with local independent retailers offering their goods for cash, alongside food, drink, and music.
Hungry fella? Well, The Brew Masters Dinner at The Mill Street Beer Hall should be one hell of a belly-buster. It’s a 5-course dinner paired with seasonal beers for only $60 plus tax and tip. Oh, who are we kidding; it’s 5 beers paired with some food.
The Suits & Staches Movember party will be rocking out at the Steam Whistle Brewery, so wash those whiskers and throw on your mo’st debonair threads; this party is going to be a memo’rable one.
And for a more intimate celebration of the stache, The Emmet Ray on College is hosting A Movember to Remember, which is a $40 Prix Fixe, 3-course dinner in support of men’s health…which is one of the reasons they’re letting you shed off the calories with a dance party after dinner.
SATURDAY
If you’re “Push”ing your mid-30s, you’ll be happy to know that Moist is playing at The Danforth Music Hall.
Swedish Christmas Festival at the Harbourfront Centre, so if you’re more of a “vodka and meatballs” kind of Christmaser, this might be the place to celebrate. There will be Swedish Christmas carols, plenty of activities for kids and for the thirsty adults, healthy servings of glögg. Ya, it’s almost as much fun to drink as it is to say. Almost.
Ohhhh laaaadiiiiiieeeeees. The Toronto Firefighter Calendar Launch and Signing is happening at Uniun Nightclub tonight. Time to practice your fainting.
If you want to know what people younger and smarter than you are thinking, grab a few tickets to TEDx at Ryerson University. You just might learn something from what those crazy kids are saying these days.
Few things are more emotionally charging than listening to a woman sing the blues. Period. If you know what we’re talking about, and especially if you don’t know what we’re talking about, you should check out the 28th Annual Women’s Blues Revue at Massey Hall.
You might consider pulling up your tights and checking out the National Ballet’s production of Nijinsky, which will be running (and leaping) for a week.
Speaking of jumping around like monkeys, the R.O.M is launching their popular Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit today.
As part of the Winter Magic festival, Ice Wine & Dine is being hosted along Elm Street, between Yonge and Bay, with performers, ice sculptures, and deals from 17 restaurants and participating vendors on the street.
Everyone should be proud to look in the mirror after a fight with cancer. That’s why the CCTFA is raising funds and awareness by hosting over 600 people at The Mirror Ball at the Liberty Grand.
If you like freestyle rap and comedy, the group Notorious performs at Comedy Bar tonight. Let’s be honest; most of today’s rap is a joke… at least this is intentional.
SUNDAY
Need some healing? Feeling a little dirty? Or maybe you just really liked Fight Club? If any of these apply, you’ll want to hit Loft 404 for an all-natural Soap-Making Workshop hosted by For the Love of Body.
By this point in the weekend, most of us are le hungry and le thirsty, so one option is to swing by Brassaii for their famous Le Brunch. It’s $45 prix fixe with $125 bottles of Moet and $150 bottles of Grey Goose. You probably won’t want to make any dinner plans.
But if you do, why not sprinkle it with a little magic and comedy by checking out James Alan’s Magic Tonight at the Izakaya Showroom. It’s either $20 for just the entertainment or $45 to include a 3-course meal. This might just be what you need to make your hangover disappear.
Well, that’s it, that’s all.
Four days and more than 30 ways to spend them.
Just remember: FOMO isn’t real if you’re there…but it is real if you’re afraid of moustaches in November.
Stay Notable,
The Weekender
#NOTABLE
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Cover photo courtesy Brassaii