Here’s what’s happening online and around Toronto this week.

Virtual Venus Fest

Hosted by Sook-Yin Lee, Virtual Venus Fest is a series of live recorded music sets synched to custom visual videos + panels, mentorship sessions, live interviews, and more running online until October 2. All content is free and musicians will be present during their livestream to chat with the audience!

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
 
White Ribbon’s 11th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is going virtual. From now until October 2, step out with your favourite pair of shoes that symbolize your commitment to end violence against women, girls, and people of all genders, and walk with hundreds of others in Toronto who will be sharing their experiences on social media.

MOCA’s Shift Key

In an effort to continue connecting people through art and experimentation, the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto has created an online platform called  Shift Key featuring video and new media works by artists. This week’s feature is “moth maze” by Oliver Husain, a film that connects two otherwise unrelated places on different sides of the planet.

Virtual Paradise Theatre

Paradise may be closed, but they’re still bringing you movies! The theatre has teamed up with some of their favourite boutique film distributors to  stream movies through their affiliate links, with proceeds going to both the distributors and Paradise. The films include Kedi, Caro Diario, and Whose Streets?

Culture Days

Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture that invites the public to get hands-on and go behind-the-scenes in their community. This year’s event runs until October 25 and includes Toronto’s Canadian Opera Company, who will be reimagining the salon-style home concert and offering quick-bite videos for young people. 

StreetARToronto You’ve Changed Exhibit

Running until November 29th, the You’ve Changed Exhibit tells the story of how local street artists have taken Toronto street art to a level of international renown. This free exhibit features videos, special displays, and photographs showcasing more than 100 StreetARToronto (StART) projects between 2012 and 2019. Enjoy a self-guided visit at the Market Gallery (95 Front Street E., second floor).

BigArtTO

BigArtTO is a city-wide public art celebration featuring free access to over 200 hours of temporary public artworks projected onto local buildings and landmarks in each of Toronto’s 25 wards. This week’s artworks can be found at York Woods Library (1785 Finch Ave. W.), Malvern Community Centre (30 Sewells Rd.), and Malting Silos (9 Eireann Quay) from 8-11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. 

The Essentials at The Bentway

The Bentway (250 Fort York Blvd.) kicks off its new series The Essentials with “a composition for an elegy to what once was and all that remains; or, a score for the past, the present, the future tenses” by Erika DeFreitas, the first of three projections presented as part of BigArtTO. The video projection will be on display from Wednesday through Saturday from 8-11 p.m. 

Dress Up Your Life

The Breast Cancer Society of Canada invites Canadians to Dress Up different aspects of their lives this October and raise funds for breast cancer research. Register online, plan Dress Up activities on your own or with a team, and share your progress on social media. To date, Dress for the Cause has raised over $10 million. 

Nuit Talks: Exhibitions, Galleries and Social Distancing

This edition of Nuit Blanche Toronto’s Nuit Talks, taking place Thursday at 8 p.m. on Zoom, turns to art institutions to understand the impact of social distancing on the museum and gallery sector. Speakers will discuss their plans to structurally accommodate COVID-19 restrictions and potential funding cuts. 

Question Everything Trivia: QE’s Greatest Hits

Put your knowledge, senses, and pop culture savviness to the test at Question Everything Trivia, happening Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by comedian Arianne Tong, this edition will include some classic QE Trivia games + some new ones for a chance to win a $25 gift card to a local business. To play, you’ll need to purchase a $10 ticket, nominate a team captain, and tune in here. This week’s proceeds will go to Ronald McDonald House.

Canada’s Drag Race at the Drive-In

See Priyanka and the rest of the cast of Canada’s Drag Race live at CityView Drive-In (20 Polson St.) from October 2-4. Tickets are $115.20 per vehicle, with performances starting at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. 

Feel Good Friday

Join DJ Blush this Friday at 9 p.m. as she goes live from her living room and on Mixcloud, dishing out tunes that put a smile on your face and put a little kick in your step! You’ll hear pop, rock, soul, funk, disco, hip-hop, and new wave tunes from the ’60s through the ’00s.

Club Quarantine

Club Quarantine is a virtual queer dance party happening every Friday on Zoom. The party was started by four Toronto-based artists – Mingus New, Casey MQ, Andres Sierra, and Brad Allen – and has featured both local and international DJs. 

Kensington Flea & Artisan Market 

A uniquely Kensington experience, this open-air market features a diversity of independent artisans and makers from across the city and beyond! You’ll find handmade crafts, jewelry, handcrafted and vintage clothing, and other recycled and repurposed treasures. The market runs every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 216 Augusta Ave. Social distancing measures will be in place.

Legends of Horror

Casa Loma (1 Austin Terrace) hosts an immersive theatrical interpretation of all the classic horror figures on this one-hour self-guided walking tour through the castle and its grounds, including spaces never before open to the public. Legends of Horror 2020 runs October 2-31st and will feature newly designed safety protocols (including adjusted timing and capacity) to meet COVID-19 protocols. Purchase your tickets in advance here.

Nuit Blanche Online

Nuit Blanche, Toronto’s annual free all-night contemporary art event, is moving online with expanded digital content and special events on October 3 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Working with the curatorial theme The Space Between Us, artistic director Julie Nagam will focus on the connections across urban, polar, and pacific landscapes revealing the space between us as a potential site for sharing knowledge.

With It

With It returns this Saturday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. with DJ Nico spinning ’60s mod, soul, R&B, R&R, garage, funk, girl-groups, beat, pop, and more! The party will be streaming online via The Piston’s Mixcloud and on a video screen at the bar (937 Bloor St. W.), where they’ll also be serving drinks and food curbside.

The Leslieville Flea

The Leslieville Flea returns to Ashbridge Estate (1444 Queen St. E.) this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a curated selection of handcrafted, vintage, and artisanal items. There will be plenty of space to spread out and shop the best vintage and handcrafted vendors in the city.

Team Toronto Etsy Sellers Autumn Market

Shop local from curated selection of 50 of Toronto’s most noteworthy Etsy sellers and crafters this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Great Hall (1087 Queen St. W.). Admission is free and the first 50 visitors receive a complimentary swag bag!

Flamingo Market: Spooky Market

Flamingo Market, Toronto’s only independent bi-monthly market for LGBTQ2SIA+ entrepreneurs and makers, is now virtual! Shop the diverse small business and artisan talent that the LGBTQ2SIA+ community has to offer at their online marketplace.