This weekend, Toronto has no excuse to be bored. The downtown will be lit up with international arts and culture, but if you want, you can just live out your foodie fantasies by rubbing elbows with some of Toronto's best-known chefs. There's also a good chance you will stumble upon a street festival if you go for a stroll, but if you're looking for something to keep you out of the sun, there are fundraisers and designer exhibitions to keep your creative juices flowing.
Luminato Festival
When: June 6 to June 15
Where: Various venues
Details: It's time to shine a light on creativity itself with the return of Luminato. This year, there's a focus on all things sexual — if not necessarily sexy — in the form of Isabella Rosellini's Green Porno, and All the Sex I've Ever Had which features an international group of older performers recounting a lifetime of escapades. Musical acts scheduled for this weekend include Jesse Cook, The Roots and The Hidden Cameras, to name a few. Also, check out our interview with Luminato's artistic director, Jorn Weisbrodt.
Toronto Taste
When: June 8, 6 pm
Where: Lakeside, Corus Quay
Details: Well, it isn't a cheap ticket at $250 but for the serious foodie, this might be an event that's worth the splurge. There are over 70 food and beverage stations offering eats from Toronto's culinary elite, and food and drink is included. If you don't have time to click and scroll, the list includes the likes of Paul Boehmer, Rob Gentile, Mark McEwan, and Carolyn Reid.
SummerWorks Launch Party and Fundraiser
When: June 6, 6:30 pm
Where: The Campbell House Museum (160 Queen St. W.)
Details: SummerWorks is Canada's largest juried performance art festival, but you can't start a fire without a spark, and this is your chance to come out and support the festival at its biggest fundraiser. The tickets ($100) will grant you entry to a night featuring an exclusive performance by one of the stars of USA's Suits, Patrick J. Adams, as well as a live auction offering up passes to this weekend's Field Trip festival, NXNE, and a private dinner with the Food Dudes. The event will be followed by a pay-what-you-can fundraiser with a live DJ.
Annex Fest
When: June 8, 11 am – 6 pm
Where: Bloor St. (between Spadina and Bathurst)
Details: It could rightly be said that this fest won't do much to help the city's mobility on Sunday, but it's still a fun sight to see the Annex strip lined with vendors and spectators for the street parade. Many local businesses are on board for this event put on by the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre and the Bloor Annex BIA. On top of that, expect dozens of food vendors and entertainment offerings to keep you curious on your Sunday stroll.
Dundas West Fest
When: June 7, 11 am – 10 pm
Where: Dundas St. W. (between Ossington and Lansdowne Ave.)
Details: This one is perhaps slightly less prominent than Annex Fest, but still offers a lion's share of entertainment (with Portuguese flare) for the young and old alike. A stroll around the strip will let you stumble across square dances, comedians, interactive games, Portuguese dancers, retail areas, live bands, and free dance lessons.
#StuffDsgnrsMake Exhibition
When: June 6 to 10
Where: 2nd floor gallery, Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. W)
Details: We know that the actual silent auction isn't until next Tuesday (although you can pre-bid online), but this weekend, you'll get a peek at what some of Canada's top designers came up with at last year's #StuffDsgnrsMake in the form of an exhibition at the Gladstone Hotel. Starting Friday, the exhibition space is open daily from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. and you can get in for only $5 at the door. The show includes work from Adrian Forrow, Becky Comber, Bev Hisey, and Bocci.
