It’s hot, hot, hot, hot, hot. But don’t let that keep you from leaving the house this weekend. Lots of “cool” stuff to do, if you know what I mean.
Come see the famous Canadian director Ivan Reitman present his own films at TIFF this weekend, as part of their TOGA! The Reinvention of American Comedy series. Come see him present his own films, Meatballs (1979), Ghostbusters (1984), and Kindergarten Cop (1990) Friday, Saturday, and Sunday respectively, among other films. Read more about the series on Toronto Standard here.
When: Throughout the weekend
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St W
How Much: Only $12 for adults, and less for children, seniors, and students
The BIG fest celebrates arts, culture, community & small business with a unique community and city-building festival featuring hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions including the BIG market place, which will feature more than 200 arts, crafts, vendors, and information tables. The BIG screen will feature the critically acclaimed LCD Soundsystem documentary Shut Up and Play the Hits. The festival has more than enough to keep visitors of any age busy, and looks like it’ll be BIG on fun.
When: Saturday, July 20, 1—9 pm, Sunday, July 21, 12—6 pm
Where: Bloor Street, Dufferin to Lansdowne
How Much: Free!
To showcase 32 Camden and the neighbourhood, a one-of-a-kind open house has been created: Live Camden– a concept co-created and conceived by Housing Lab Toronto and prominent culture producer, Marcello Cabezas, will breathe authentic neighbourhood life into the suites on display by creating local ‘pop-up’ experiences for area restaurants, cafes and shops right inside the available suites at 32 Camden. The experience will be curated by various local businesses, including La Merceria, Sanagan’s Meat Locker, Valdez, The Chickery, The Detox Market, Strivelife, Toronto Flower Market, Steamwhistle Brewery and Kops Records – with an appearance from Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning.
When: Saturday July 20th & Sunday July 21st, Noon – 5 pm
Where: 32 Camden St, Queen & Spadina
How Much: Free – RSVP and cofirm spot here.
Friday night at The Opera House, Coalesce will deliver eight acts ranging from acoustic to hip hop to funk. The fundraiser is in support of Sketch, a community-based initiative that seeks to expose street-involved youth to the transformative power of the arts. Performances will include The Snooky Tynes Family Funk Band, Babalao Stereo Club, Gen Why, The Panda Chronicles, Diemons, The UofT Dance Crew, and new Toronto rapper, Juvi Da Gemini.
When: Friday, July 19th
Where: The Opera House, 735 Queen St E
How Much: Pre-purchase $15, or $20 at the door.
Running July 18th-21st throughout Toronto, UNITY Festival is right around the corner and is getting ready to pop, lock, and drop some of the hottest acts in hip-hop. UNITY festival is the main awareness event to celebrate UNITY’s year-round charitable mission and programs.The four-day festival fosters freedom of expression through a plethora of events featuring hip-hop legends Talib Kweli, Rich Kidd, Bboy LazyLegs, and more! The festival is also participating in Canada’s National UNITY Day, being celebrated from coast to coast on Saturday, July 20, through the FREE UNITY Concert at Yonge-Dundas Square.
When: Throughout the weekend
Where: All around the city
How Much: Depends, though Sunday’s show is free!
Aw Shucks! OOF is back. According the festival’s website, “The Ontario Oyster Festival (or OOF) has raised over $100,000 for ED” – they mean Environmental Defense, not the other ‘ED’, though oysters have always been rumoured to be an aphrodisiac – “as well as offering inexpensive drinks, oysters, lobster, live music, competitive oyster eating, great auction items, Rodney ‘in character,’ and of course, the best shuckers in the country duking it out to the oyster enthusiasts of Toronto.” So head on over and dish some cash out for charity – the oysters certainly won’t.
When: Sunday, July 21st, 2:00 pm
Where: The alley beside Rodney’s, between 461 and 469 King St W
How Much: $35
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Jeremy Schipper is an intern at Toronto Standard. You can follow him on Twitter at @jeromeoschipps.
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