September Toronto Calendar of Festivals and Events

Posted on May 10, 2012 by crew

Once again the September calendar of exciting events in Toronto in full.  There is definitely something for everyone in Toronto this fall!  We have listed those that are walking and street car access from The Boatel because we know once our guests park they don’t want to drive.The Ex

It wouldn’t be labour day without a mention of the CNE and the air show. As has been the custom for the last 134 years the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) or The Ex as it is affectionately known opens Aug 17 closes on Labour Day  (Sept 3) after a 18 day run. The Ex is Canada’s largest community fair that attracts about 1.3 million people each year and offers shows, entertainment, shopping, midway rides .

The Toronto International Film Festival, (affectionately know as TIFF) September 6 to 16th.is the leading public film festival in the world, screening more than 300 films from 60+ countries every September. Stars decend upon Toronto for the screenings which also attracts thousands of fans trying to get a peek of their favorite stars on the red carpet. Take in as many of the 300+ films in ten days, as Toronto rolls out the red carpet to welcome the world at this popular festival.

AirshowIf you wondering what to do on Labour Day weekend, then make sure the this is part of your plans. Whether you are sitting  at the CNE or anywhere along the waterfront you will be captivated by the Canadian International Airshow that runs from September 1 to the 3th with daily shows starting at 12:30.  Guests at The Boatel will be able to relax and watch the show from the boat.

It’s a short drive to the annual Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival in Port Credit (Mississauga waterfront) on September 7-9th. But don’t worry if you don’t want to drive you can take the GO train from Union Station and forget about the parking problems. This fun filled event is on from Sept 7 to 9th and is sure to entertain. Stop by the quaint stores in lovely downtown Port Credit and you will definately want to make this an annual event. Event Location: Port Credit east of Lakeshore & Hurontario

The world premier of Cirque du Soleil new show Amaluna opens in Toronto on September 6th in the nearby Portlands. Amaluna invites the audience to a mysterious island governed by Goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. Consult the website for ticket prices and dates.

The Cabbagetown Festival and Riverdale Farm Fall Festival, (Sept 7-9) in the heart of Toronto’s  historic Cabbagetown district is a not-to-be-missed fall event. By the way Cabbagetown got its name from the habit of its first residents growing cabbages on their front lawns and the name stuck. I attended this event last year and I was amazed at the quality of vendors at this event with lots of original art by Canadian designers.

Boatel guests going to a Boston Red Socks gameWhat’s a vist to Toronto without a baseball game, eh? Take me out to the Ball Game . In September the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre hosts Boston Red Socks, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay, Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees. Fans will be filling the streets and the Rogers Centre as Toronto plays Tampa Bay (Sept 1-2), Baltimore (Sept 3-5), Seattle (Sept 11-13), Boston (Sept 14-16)  and NY (Sept 27-30). Of course it’s a short walk from the Boatel to Rogers Centre so don’t worry about the traffic, in fact the Rogers Centre is almost in our back yard (see the picture) and when the Toronto Blue Jays hit a home run you can hear them cheer. Let’s play ball!

The Queen West Art Crawl (Sept 14-16) is a “weekend-long festival to celebrate and cultivate the unique  character, diversity and ethos of Queen West – a natural habitat for individual artists, arts organizations, artist run centres and businesses that promote art and culture.” 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the festival. The festival runs along Queen Street West from Bathurst to Roncesvalles and features 250 jury-selected artists. There are plenty of art events for crawlers of all ages, from the family-friendly Second City KidsZone, walking  tours,  to the edgy and innovative Parkdale Nightcrawl. Festival Location: Queen Street West, Toronto

The Word on the Street September 23rd – Celebrate reading, writing, and literacy at Canada’s largest book and magazine festival: The Word on the Street. Visit any of the 250 book, magazine, and literacy exhibitor booths to discover new writers, new publications, and new talent. Take in readings, ask questions, and get your books signed by almost 200 authors, performers, and storytellers. Enjoy great programming all day at any one of 18 performance venues, which include a Bestsellers Stage, Children’s Activity Tent, and the Wordshop: The Place for Writers. Last year more than 200,000 people enjoyed The Word on the Street; come see what all the type is about! Event Location: Queens Park - University Avenue & College St Toronto .

And finally, but certainly not least, the month comes to an end with the Scotiabank Nuit Blanche (French for White Night) on Sept 29th. For one sleepless night experience as Toronto is transformed by hundreds of artists for Toronto’s sixth annual sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art.  You can discover art in galleries, museums and unexpected places. From a streetcar, alleyways and storefronts to churches, ponds and parks, choose from more than 130 destinations and chart your own path. One night only. All night long. Festival Location: Toronto waterfront and various locations.

As you can see there is lots in store for our Boatel guests. Just don’t forget walking shoes.

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July Toronto Calender of Festivals and Events

Posted on May 9, 2012 by crew

Part two of the installment of What’s on in Toronto this summer.  In July Toronto heats up with a full calendar of fun filled events of what to do in Toronto.

The Fringe Toronto’s Theatre Festival – Jul 04 to Jul 15 In a country that hosts the most Fringe festivals in the world, the Toronto Fringe shines. First run in 1989 with 4 venues and 40 productions, the Toronto Fringe now has over ten venues, including KidsVenue, and more than 120 theatre companies participating from the province and around the world. Held annually in July. Festival location: Various Locations Toronto.

Honda Indy Toronto July 6 -8  The roar of the engines is heard as the Indy cars take to the streets of Toronto for a weekend of exciting racing. Event Location: Exhibition Place Address: Lakeshore Blvd Toronto.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition July 6 -8 The largest outdoor art exhibition in Canada is celebrating its 50th year of introducing Torontonians to undiscovered artists and art students while displaying the fine artworks of established artists. Artists will be selling their artwork to visitors as scheduled events occur, such as the Art Talks speaker series, Art Walks tours throughout the exhibition and Art Now performances and installations. For lovers of art and those who are just curious, TOAE is a fantastic place to spend a day within the art community. Festival Location: Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen Street West) 10:30AM Free

National Bank Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival – Jul 07 to Jul 08
National Bank joins TLN Telelatino, the Hillcrest Village BIA, the City of Toronto once again join forces to present the second stop on the tour, National Bank Salsa on St. Clair, Canada’s largest Latino-themed street festival which wraps –up Latino week in Toronto.Salsa on St. Clair has attracted over 1.5 million salsa lovers to the streets of Toronto since its launch in 2005. Join in on the parade of FREE family fun as midtown Toronto’s Hillcrest Village, between Winona Drive and Christie Street will be transformed into a showcase of Latin life. Festival Location: St. Clair at Christie and Wynona Toronto

Beaches International Jazz Festival -July 20, 29 The rhythm of world beat, reggae, calypso and big band jazz music fill the air every year in July at the Beaches International Jazz Festival. New to the scene as well as old favourites perform on the crowded yet energetic streets of the Beaches area and KEW Gardens main stage. Admission is free to most events. Festival Location: 1976 A Queen Street East Toronto

Toronto’s Festival of Beer – Jul 27  Beer is the acclaimed beverage at this gathering, which features over 200 products. Lagers, stouts, wheat beers and pale ales can all be sampled. Live entertainment can be heard on all of the three days, and tempting food is available. So come out and toast the brewers of Canada. Festival Location: Exhibition Place Address: Lakeshore Blvd Toronto.

If you have a festival or event going on in Toronto this summer that you want to let us know about, please comment and I will add it.

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June Toronto Calender of Festivals and Events

Posted on May 8, 2012 by crew

The Toronto festivals and events calendar is full for this summer for all ages. The list is so long that I am breaking it up in various blog posts. So if you are looking for something to do in Toronto this summer, then enjoy our first installment of What’s on in Toronto this Summer for a calendar of events.  All events and festival are walking or streetcar access from the Boatel.

Doors Open Toronto is a popular annual city-wide weekend celebration, now in its 13th year that features FREE access to more than 135 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings.

In commemoration of the War of 1812 bicentennial, this year’s Doors Open Toronto theme is 200 Years of Building Our City. The event will take place on May 26 and May 27, highlighting the city builders of these significant buildings; the fascinating personalities who shaped Toronto’s architecture and history. ”Toronto’s Waterfront played an important role in the development of our city,” states Carol Jolly, Executive Director, The Waterfront BIA. “Through Doors Open on Toronto’s Waterfront, visitors will be able to see and experience the excitement of the Waterfront like never before. Tour the ships docked along the water’s edge and take an historical journey of Toronto on the Water, through a unique photo exhibit in Queen’s Quay Terminal featuring over 100 archival images displayed publicly for the first time ever.”

Experience the waterfront’s most distinctive ships at Gangways Open! The charter boat business is one of the main tourism attractions at the Toronto Waterfront and has a rich history. There is no better way to experience Toronto than from the water!All of the 15 participating ships will open their doors (and their gangways!) for FREE public dockside tours. The ships along the dock walls will be open for viewing from 10am to 5pm, subject to availability.

Toronto International Circus Festival – May 19 to May 21  Featuring extraordinary circus artists from around the world, the Toronto International Circus Festival features outdoor stages, rain or shine. Visitors to the festival will experience side-splitting comedy, eye-popping acrobatics and mind-bending daredevil stunts! The show features world-class acrobats, unicyclists, fire-eaters, stilt walkers, live musicians, face painters, balloon sculptors and more. FREE Event Festival location: Harbourfront Centre 235 Queens Quay West Toronto

 Toronto Taste  Sunday, May 27th Tease your taste buds with a gastronomic adventure showcasing 60 of Toronto’s top chefs and 30 beverage purveyors at the Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto Taste is presented by The Daniels Corporation, a supporter of Second Harvest for the past 17 years. Proceeds from the event go to Second Harvest. Tickets are available for purchase for $250 each (with a tax receipt issued for $125). Event location:  Royal Ontario Museum  100 Queen’s Park Toronto ON Telephone: 416 625-6774

Toronto Festival of Clowns – May 31 to Jun 03 Clowns, mimes, bouffons, physical comedians and other performers from across Canada unite to provoke, disturb and treat you with that mysterious and delightful art form known as clowning. FREE Event.   Festival location:  6 Noble St. just west of Queen W and Dufferin Toronto ON http://www.torontoclown.com/

 Annual InspiraTO Theatre Festival  - Jun 01 to Jun 10 Canada’s biggest ten-minute play festival is back and it’s bigger than ever! Featuring 16 exciting new plays by a diverse array of playwrights, this festival is Toronto’s only chance to experience the thrilling genre of the ten-minute play. The InspiraTO Theatre Festival kicks off at the Alumnae Theatre for a limited run. Tickets: $12 – $17 Festival location:  Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St Toronto ON

 Worldwide Short Film Festival – Jun 05 to Jun 12 Some of the most outstanding short films from Canada and around the world hit the screen at this festival. Competitions (both Canadian and International), special programs and gala screenings are just part of the event. Promotion and launching of films, as well as networking for filmmakers, is the goal at the Festival Symposium and Marketplace. Festival location:  Various Locations Toronto ON Telephone: 1 416 445-1446

Toronto Tango Festival  - Jun 07 to Jun 10 Toronto Tango Festival is a four day celebration of Argentine Tango, with workshops for all levels, practicas, milongas, performances and more. Festival location:  Address: Lithuanian Hall, 1573 Bloor St W, Toronto ON

 LuminaTO Festival of Arts and Creativity – Jun 08 to Jun 17 For 10 extraordinary days in June, the vibrant city of Toronto’s stages, streets and public spaces are illuminated with arts and creativity. Luminato is an annual multidisciplinary celebration of theatre, dance, classical and contemporary music, film, literature, visual arts, design and more. For more information on both free and ticketed LuminaTO events, including dates, locations and schedules, visit www.luminato.com.

Muthadi International Drumming Festival – Jun 09 to Jun 10 Celebrating rhythms from around the globe, this annual music fest features an impressive line-up of live local, national and international acts. Drum workshops, dancing, food and craft vendors, kids’ activities and a parade of drums are added highlights. Festival location:  University Avenue & College St Toronto ON

 North By Northeast Music and Film Festival – Jun 11 to Jun 17 Known as The NXNE, this festival showcases emerging artists from Canada, the United States and other countries. Musical genres performed have included folk, punk and funk. The event, usually held in June, takes place in clubs, outdoor stages and special venues in the downtown area. A conference unites the movers and shakers of the industry with many budding performers. The relatively new film portion of the festival offers special screenings of new films. Festival location: Various Venues Toronto, ON

Toronto Wine and Spirits Festival – Jun 14 to Jun 16 From tastings in the original Fermenting Cellar of the former Gooderham and Worts distillery and gourmet fair in the Boiler House, to seminars in tented pavilions on the brick lined paths, this truly is a unique setting for this kick off to summer … a summer solstice. Festival location:  Distillery District Toronto ON

Taste of Little Italy – Jun 15 to Jun 17 Live music, a crafters showcase and extensive opportunities to sample authentic Italian cuisine are just a few of the festivities available at this three-day, open-air street festival. The events occur in Little Italy along College street from Bathurst street to Shaw street. Festival location:  College St., between Shaw St. and Euclid Ave. Toronto

Ontario Craft Beer Week – Jun 17 to Jun 24 Held at various venues across the city, this annual festival celebrates craft beer brewing through an array of tasting events, brewery tours, live music, cooking demos and much more. Festival location:  Various Venues, Toronto

TD Toronto Jazz Festival – Jun 22 to July 1 For ten days in June a number of jazz types take over Toronto’s downtown venues to enjoy the music of Toronto’s Downtown Jazz Festival. Internationally acclaimed musicians delight the large crowds that flock to one of Canada’s largest jazz music events  Festival location:  Address: Venues throughout downtown Toronto

Toronto International Dragon Boat Race – Jun 23 to Jun 24 Combining both sport and ancient Chinese culture, the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race includes races for adults, youth and families. Over 125,000 spectators and participants attend each year to see dance companies, attend workshops, watch an onsite parade, visit the multicultural village, cheer on race teams and more. Festival location:  Toronto Islands.

Toronto Waterfront Redpath Festival June 21- 24 We agree that it IS better by the water! The Waterfront Festival will expose the best of Maritime Canada to southern Ontario residents in a four-day, non-stop street-level kitchen party on the Toronto Waterfront. Sponsored by the Waterfront BIA Festival location:  HtO park along the Toronto waterfront west of Harbourfront Centre. www.waterfrontbia.com

Toronto Pride Festival – June 22 to July 1  -Toronto Pride Week is an annual event that takes place in downtown Toronto during the last week of June. The event is one of the largest of its kind in the world and celebrates diverse sexual and gender identities, histories, cultures, creativities, families, friends and lives. The week long festival includes a three-day arts fest, a weekend street fair (including a community fair and market place), a Dyke March and a Pride Parade.

Stay tuned for another installment of What’s on in Toronto this Summer. If we have missed an event of festival happening in Toronto, then please let us know and we will include it.

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Maritime kitchen party set for Toronto waterfront in June

Posted on May 7, 2012 by crew

Waterfront FestivalA Maritime kitchen party of gargantuan proportions is set for the Toronto waterfront this June.

The showcase of Maritime food and entertainment is set for June 21-24 at HTO Park on the downtown waterfront. “It’s a terrific venue and it’s going to be an amazing event,” a Toronto Tourism epresentative said Thursday.

““The event will expose the best of Maritime Canada to southern Ontario residents in a four-day, non-stop street-level kitchen party on the Toronto Waterfront,” said the organizers.

Complete details of the Toronto event will be announced on the Kitchen Stage at the opening Friday of the weekend Saltscapes East Coast Expo at Exhibition Park.

Several government departments from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Sobeys Ontario division, and Subaru partnered with the Saltscapes organization of Bedford for the Toronto event.

It will be a Toronto version of the Saltscapes East Coast Expo consumer show, with supporting roles played by Taste of Nova Scotia and Clearwater Seafoods, organizers say.

The Come East event will be part of the Toronto Waterfront Redpath Festival at HTO Park, which is expected to attract about 750,000 people over four days. HTO Park is near the CN Tower and Rogers Centre. About 100 booths will be set up under canvas, surrounding an elevated central stage for participating Maritime musicians.

There is also a business aspect to the initiative that goes beyond the travel industry, said organizers. Ontario-based grocery retailers are invited to attend a trade day where they will be able to sample East Coast foods and meet suppliers.

Being from New Brunswick I will be flying a NB flag on the Boatel during this event and hosting a cocktail reception on Saturday night for our guests.

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