Every Sunday from July 5th – September 6th the Mount Pleasant Cemetery is hosting a FREE classical concert series. Concerts will take place from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM rain or shine under a tent east off the Mount Pleasant entrance . The concerts feature students from The Royal Conservatory performing in string quartets, brass quartets, and woodwind groups.

The Mount Pleasant Cemetery is one of the most beautiful spots in the city with 205 acres of greenery, large flower gardens, and a tree collection that is considered one of North America’s finest arboretums. It is also one of Canada’s most historic cemeteries and the final home of many famous Canadians including former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada’s first female surgeon Jennie Smillie-Robinson, and pianist Glenn Gould. You may not be aware but the Mount Pleasant cemetery has an impressive collection of artwork in the form of sculptures and other memorials created by artists. Long a favourite for walkers and joggers, the Mount Pleasant Cemetery is open from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM from April to September for early risers to get their exercise in before heading out to work. It’s nice to see that they are making the space available for Torontonians to enjoy.

The Mount Pleasant Cemetery is located at 375 Mount Pleasant Road. If you are taking public transit take the subway to the St. Clair Station and then take the # 74 Mount Pleasant bus. For more information call 416-822-2288

Where else can you see some really great live theatre for $10.00? The Toronto Fringe Festival of course. That’s less than the price of a movie! From July 1 – July 12, 150 shows – drama, musicals, comedy, dance, improv, and performance art - will be performed by over 800 Canadian and international artists at 30 venues and spaces throughout Toronto. The Fringe is Toronto’s largest theatre festival and some Fringe plays like the Drowsy Chaperone have gone on to become internationally recognized and Tony Award winners.

The Toronto Fringe Festival is for everyone. There is even a FringeKids! venue where eight plays exclusively for children and families will be performed. Adults will appreciate the beer tent, two outdoor patios. and a free nightly Cabaret. Let’s face it. We’re all trying to save a buck these days. With festivals like The Fringe you don’t have to stay home. Check out the complete list of plays venues and map and buy your tickets and passes today. For more information call 416-966-1062.

Like most festivals, The Fringe depends on volunteers who assist venue House Managers with ticket sales and ushering, assist at the box office, and provide assistance to patrons and volunteers. Why not become a volunteer? In exchange for volunteering you will have a great time, a stamp to see a Festival performance or a free show if you are on a shift and working Front of House, and a free poster. If you have some extra money and would like to support The Fringe, donations are most welcome and needed.

1.    Celebrate at Mel Lastman Square located at 5100 Yonge Street. There will be live musical performances from some great Canadian talent. The highlight of the evening will be the fabulous fireworks beginning at 10:15.

2.    The Toronto Zoo is hosting special Canada Day celebrations, where else but in the Canadian Domain. There will be fun for the whole family with free face painting for children 12 and under, busker activity, and birthday cake served at 2:00 PM.

3.    Toronto Ribfest,  will be held over the long weekend at Centennial Park in Etobicoke located at 256 Centennial Park Road. Over 100,000 visitors are expected to turn out to enjoy the delicious ribs, live music, and the beer tents. There will be fun for the whole family with pony rides and carnival rides for the kids. On Canada Day there will be a great fireworks display at dusk.

4.    Harbourfront Centre located at 235 Queens Quay West will be hosting fantastic Canada Day celebrations for the whole family – theatre, live music, film, food, shopping, great activities for the kids, and a super view of the fireworks.

5.    Canada’s Wonderland located at 9580 Jane Street is going to have one of the most spectacular Canada Day fireworks displays beginning at 10:00 PM. Spend the day on over 200 attractions and 66 rides before the fireworks begin.

6.    Downsview Park will be hosting its annual Canada Day Celebration beginning at 11:00 AM with activities for the whole family featuring free amusement park rides, face painting, a petting zoo, and the fireworks at 10:00 PM.

7.    The Ashbridge’s Bay Canada Day fireworks begin at 9:30 PM. Arrive early to find a good spot and don’t forget your blanket or chair.

8.    The 3rd annual Multicultural Canada Day at Yonge-Dundas Square features performances, visual arts, crafts, dancing, information, and foods representing cultures from around the globe. Main Stage performances start at 12:15 PM showcasing groups from Europe, Canada, South and Central America, Asia, and South East Asia.

9.    The Canada Dry Festival of Fire at Ontario Place is one of Toronto’s most anticipated events of the summer. The dazzling displays of pyrotechnics begin at 10:30 PM.

10.    Canada Day Celebrations at Black Creek go on from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM featuring crafts, games, and music – fun for the whole family.

Toronto’s festival of arts and creativity is back from June 5 – 14 showcasing a magnificent selection of music, dance, theatre, film, literature, and visual arts and design. This unique festival features local, national, and international artists in some of Toronto’s fantastic indoor and outdoor venues. Over 1,000,000 discovered the magic of Luminato last year. Yonge-Dundas Square is the hub of Luminato’s activity and the scene of many exciting programs.

This is truly an event for the entire city to enjoy with amazing free events including:
•    Luminato First Night with Randy Bachman at Yonge-Dundas Square
•    The Traveling Blues at Metro Square
•    Closing Weekend Celebrations Featuring Cirque du Soleil at the Waterfront
•    Brazilian Guitar Marathon at the Village of Yorkville Park
•    1,000 Tastes of Toronto at the Central Waterfront
•    Family Dance Party at Yonge-Dundas Square
•    Animated Films Based on Children’s Books at National Film Board Mediatheque

Here is a complete list of festival events, free and ticketed. Buy tickets at the Yonge-Dundas Square T.O. Tix Booth or online. Don’t delay! Some events are already sold out. Free events are available on a first come, first serve basis and admission may be limited in some venues. It is best to arrive early and avoid disappointment.

Luminato is for everyone – young and old – and the venues provide barrier-free access. Please advise the ticket agent at the time of purchase if you require wheelchair seating. Listening devises are available at many venues. Please contact the Luminato offices at info@luminato.com or call 416-368-3100 for more information.

Hot Docs will soon be back in Toronto, bigger and better than ever. Featuring over 150 documentaries from Canada and all over the world, Hot Docs is the largest documentary festival in North America. Films will be presented in the following programs:
•    Special Presentations – highlighting award winning films
•    Canadian Spectrum – Canadian stories and perspectives
•    International Spectrum – Stories from around the world
•    World Showcase - Global survey of the year’s hottest docs
•    Next - Music, arts and the creative process
•    Let’s Make Money - The dynamics of the fiscal world
•    Outstanding Achievement Award Retrospective – A celebration of Canadian filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin
•    Focus on Ron Mann – A showcase of the career of this Canadian film maker
•    Spotlight on the NFB at 70 – A celebration of 70 years of outstanding achievement
•    Made in South Korea – Documentary films from Korea

Here is the entire festival schedule .

Last year over 2,000 documentary film makers, buyers, programmers, distributors and commissioning editors from around the world were in attendance. Tickets and passes are available online or at the Box Office which is located at 55 Avenue Road in Hazelton Lanes on the Lower Level. The Box Office can also be reached by telephone at (416) 637-5150. Every film in official competition will be a Toronto debut and may be a world, international, North American or Canadian premiere. Directors will be attendance at most screenings to introduce their films and to participate in post-show Q & A sessions with the audience.

Music is such an important part of our everyday lives – we listen to radio, purchase music, download music, and attend concerts – that we tend to forget that it is an industry. Canadian Music Week is the time that the music industry comes together to celebrate, educate, congratulate, and entertain. This year they will be gathering at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. There are many facets to Canadian Music Week and whether you are a music lover or a music industry insider, you will want to attend this exciting event.

• The Conference offers interesting and thought provoking sessions on Digital Media & Music Summit, Radio Active, Executive Music, and Tuneup Music. The keynote speaker is none other than Gene Simmons, of KISS and star of his own reality show called Gene Simmons Family Jewels.

• Canadian Musicfest features 500 artists at 45 venues in 5 nights. Here is a complete list of artists. Tickets and wristbands are on sale now.

• The Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards, Canadian Radio Music Awards, The Crystal Awards, and the Indie Awards will be presented. They are ticketed events.

• The Trade Show will be taking place at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on Thursday March 12^th from 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM, Friday March 13^th from 9:45 AM - 6:00 PM, and on Saturday March 14^th from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

• The Film Festival will take place at the NFB Cinema, National Film Board of Canada, at 150 John Street on Saturday, March 14th.

• The International Marketplace has been designed as a place for Canadian and international delegates to network with each other.

• Attend one of the special events that showcase talent in songwriting, bands, and music for film.

Attend this important convention and explore all of the possibilities that Canadian Music Week offers.

There is an organization in Toronto called The Stop Community Food Centre . From Monday, February 23rd to Saturday, March 28th you will have the opportunity to partake in a local food extravaganza and give back to the community at the same time. “Stop for Food” is a program created to promote local cuisine and raise money for The Stop Community Food Centre. Prix fixe menus have been created by 26 Toronto restaurants:
1.    Alice’s Restaurant
2.    Amuse-Bouche Restaurant
3.    Batifole
4.    Blu
5.    C5 Restaurant
6.    Citizen
7.    Cowbell
8.    Crush
9.    Czehoski
10.    Fat Cat
11.    Frank (at the AGO)
12.    H20
13.    Gamelle
14.    The Gladstone
15.    Grano
16.    The Harbord Room
17.    Kaiseki Sakura
18.    Marben
19.    Niagara Street Café
20.    Perigee Restaurant
21.    Rosebud
22.    Torito
23.    Trevor Kitchen
24.    Universal Grill
25.    Vertical
26.    Victor

The cost of the prix fixe menus is $50.00, but $10.00 from each meal will be donated directly to The Stop, an organization that works to increase people’s access to healthy food and offers programs and services that focus on the ways food can bring people together, break down social isolation, and improve their quality of life - Community gardens, Community cooking, Bake ovens & markets, Food animators, Food bank, Drop-in, Healthy beginnings and family support, Sustainable food systems education, Community advocacy, Civil engagement, and Green barn. The Stop promotes the belief that food is a basic human right. Dine out Toronto!

Toronto’s favourite gastronomic celebration is about to begin. Winterlicious, now in its 7th mouth watering year is taking place from January 30th – February 12th.

This spectacular dining event features spectacular 3-course meals at over 150 of Toronto’s best restaurants. They each offer a prix fixe lunch or dinner. This means that the menus are pre-set with first course, main course, and dessert selections. You will have the extreme difficulty of trying to choose only one dish from each course. Prix Fixe lunches are offered at $15, $20, or $30 dollars while dinners are $25, $35, or $45 dollars. These amazing prices are per person. Beverages, taxes and gratuities are extra. It is expected that you will leave a 15 – 20% tip and some restaurants may automatically add a gratuity to your bill, depending on the size of your party.

Reservations are recommended. Participating restaurants will start accepting reservations on January 15th. However if you have an American Express credit card you can make your reservations on January 13th and January 14th. Restaurants including Auberge du Pommier, Courtyard Café, Sassafraz, Canoe, EPIC, and Truffles can be fully reserved in no time flat. Here is the complete list of participating restaurants. The menus are also posted, although they are subject to change.

In addition to this dining extravaganza, Winterlicious is featuring 12 spectacular culinary events – dining experiences, cooking classes, food and wine pairings – led by some of Toronto’s most celebrated chefs and wine experts. Tickets are now on sale. Reserve early as space is limited at each event. Here is the complete list of the 12 events.

Bon Appetit Toronto!

You will now be able to enjoy a beer of a glass of wine in a movie theatre thanks to a special license obtained by Cineplex Entertainment. Toronto’s Varsity Cinema located at 55 Bloor Street West is now serving beer and wine in one of four specially designated VIP theatres. This is a one-year pilot project after which time the success or failure of the venture will be evaluated. Movie tickets in the specially designated theatres carry a $5.00 surcharge.

Drinks will only be served before the movie starts. Servers will deliver the drink directly to your seat, and there is a 2-drink maximum which will be strictly enforced. Alcohol prices are surprisingly reasonable.

• Domestic bottled beer - $4.50
• House wine by the glass - $4.99
• A half litre of wine in the lounge - $16.20
• A bottle of wine in the lounge - $22.18

When I first heard that alcohol was going to be served in the cinema I couldn’t even fathom what prices they were going to charge given what the prices are for popcorn, pop, or water. I was absolutely shocked to see prices that are not only reasonable, they are downright cheap.

We are not the first province to serve alcohol in the cinema. Alberta has several licensed cinemas. And, it expected that there will be other licensed cinemas in Ontario.

Check out the movie listings at the Varsity VIP theatres if you are interested in having a beer or a glass of wine while watching a film.

Image courtesy Flickr.com

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is taking place from November 7 - 17 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place located at 100 Princes’ Blvd. It is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. From its humble beginnings on November 22, 1922 it has grown exponentially and this year over 326,000 visitors are expected to attend.

Bring the whole family and take in the rodeo, SuperDogs, horse shows, education programs, wine competition, apple competition, an unbelievable 8-horse Roman riding event, and more. One of the highlights of the fair is Christmas at the Royal which will take place on Sunday, November 16th. Christmas will be abound with everything that you would expect including a visit from Santa Claus. Eat, drink, and be merry with traditional holiday dishes and some Christmas cheer.

There is plenty of activity to keep the wee ones busy and happy. The Ag-tivity Centre has been created for children between the ages of 4 and 11 to amuse themselves with colouring, painting, and play. On Sunday, November 16th there will be gingerbread decorating, special prizes, and other special Christmas activities.

Buy your tickets online or in person.

Leave the car at home and take the TTC or GO Transit. If you are traveling by TTC take either the 511 Bathurst Streetcar from Bathurst Station or the 509 Harbourfront Streetcar from Union Station. If you are taking GO Transit, get off at Exhibition Station.

For more information contact the specific department of your interest directly.

Image courtesy Royalfair.org