There's no shortage of craft beer activities in Toronto any given summer weekend, but this time we have one of the big ones. There's also festivities in Parkdale and down in the Port Lands, but if you're in the mood for more competitive displays of talent, there's an art battle and a parkour jam to take in as well.
Toronto's Festival of Beer
When: July 25-27
Where: Bandshell Park (Exhibition Place)
Details: Not so long ago, we led this column with a local beer themed fest, but we're going back to that well once again. Why? Because when it comes to beer our love no bounds (other than those of responsible consumption of course). In addition to the brews, though, there's a list of decidedly '90s concert acts including Mathew Good and Salt-n-Pepa as well as slightly more recent headliners like K-Os and The Trews. It is chiefly a festival of beer, of course, and the lineup has over 60 brewers and more than 300 brands to try. Those of you who don't have tickets can still acquire them for the Sunday here.
T&T Waterfront Night Market
When: July 25-27
Where: T&T Supermarket (222 Cherry St.)
Details: If you happen down to the Waterfront area past sundown with a grumbling tummy, this is probably the spot for you. If you don't happen to meet those oddly specific criteria, just head down anyway for a wide assortment of Asian fusion street food and a number of activities including a midway, live entertainment, a sports area hosting cage soccer and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, as well as a kids' zone to keep you in good spirits.
Art Battle National Championship
When: July 26 7p.m.
Where: Mattamy Athletic Centre (50 Carlton St.)
Details: Few things are better in life than when the deeply creative process of painting meets a highly public and directly competitive format reminiscent of a gladiatorial showdown. The best part is that the result hinges on the popular will of those in attendance as twenty artists square off in the confines of old Maple Leaf Gardens to determine the best live-painter in the bunch.
North American Women's Parkour Jam
When: July 26-27
Where: The Monkey Vault Movement Training Centre (100 Symes Rd.)
Details: This writer is ineligible for this event for reasons of being male, not to mention a complete lack of the physical prowess required, but for the majority of the population this sounds like a great way to take your parkour game up a notch or just enter into the fancy-footed world of the sport. Workshops run throughout Saturday for $10, including a new challenge night, and will help you get you up to speed or graduate to the next level . The Sunday offers a probably prudent option for new attendees: the injury prevention workshop.
Lab Cab Festival: Parkdale
When: July 26-27
Where: Queen St. West between Dufferin and Roncesvalles
Details: Consider this the more leisurely counter to our previous option. If strolling the streets of Parkdale in a risk-free creative environment where people are trying out their new works and material in a wide spectrum of creative fields appeals to you, well, then here you go—not to mention this event is completely free to wander and enjoy. There's even free workshops if you're looking to take up a new hobby and a free BBQ lunch.
