Toronto is getting warmer as the days go by and it’s the perfect time to be outside! This week has a lot of happenings for those ready to explore the city. The city’s architectural wonders will be open for free this weekend at Doors Open and the Bentway will be open for an afternoon of partying! These two are just the beginning of our curated list of arts and culture events this week. There is so much to see around the city and we have compiled Toronto’s Best Bets!
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Biblioasis Spring Season Launch
Find your latest read at this Toronto event featuring five new titles which offer something for everyone. Audiences can receive short readings from authors, including Mark Bourrie’s highly acclaimed history of the colonization of the Huron Wendat people, Crosses in the Sky: Jean de Brebeuf and the Destruction of Huronia and more. Authors, Colleen Coco Collins, Michael Lista, Alex Pugsley, and Bruce Whiteman will be signing copies of their books for those interested! More info.
When: May 22
Where: Supermarket Bar & Variety
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Canadian Festival of New Musicals
Listen in on Canada’s celebration of creativity, innovation, and collaboration with a glimpse of three of the Musical Stage Company’s developments. There will be excerpts from In Real Life, After the Rain & Cowboy Tempest Cabaret to give audiences a first look and listen at the new stories being created. The festival will feature some of the country’s most promising lyricists, composers, and writers and include a second iteration of the Noteworthy New Musical Conference. More info.
When: May 22-26
Where: Berkeley Theatre
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Indigenous Grooves
Celebrate urban Indigenous creativity like no other with this women-led electronic dance party, concert, and Indigenous marketplace all rolled into one. FabCollab is bringing Toronto a night of festivities alongside musical acts PIQSIQ, Shawnee Kish, Celeigh Cardinal, and DJ Maribeth. This series is the first of its kind and centres around a woman-forward lineup of DJs, electronic music artists, traditional singers, dancers, and art vendors. More info.
When: May 24
Where: TD Music Hall
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The Bentway Summer Opening Night Party
Kick off summer in Toronto to mix, mingle, and dance under the Gardiner. An evening at the Bentway will culminate with massive collective performances led by local queer line dancing icons, SPURS, and will launch the new public art exhibition, Softer City. Grab your dancing shoes, try something new, and maybe even meet a new friend! Rain or shine, this event will follow through with food trucks, bar services, and artwork. More info.
When: May 24
Where: The Bentway
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Inside Out Film Festival
Come out and support Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+’s community together in celebration of the best queer films in Canada. This not-for-profit registered charity challenges attitudes and uplifts created of all ages, races, and abilities. Through their annual festivals in Toronto and Ottawa, their filmmaker initiatives in youth engagement have changed lives completely. Over 11 days, the festival offers screenings, artist talks, panel discussions, installations, and parties that highlight more than 180 films and videos from Canada both in-person and online. More info.
When: May 24 – June 1
Where: Various theatres in Toronto
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Wilfred Buck
Don’t miss your chance to catch the captivating Wilfred Buck on the big screen. This documentary uses a variety of ways to tell his story with archival footage. Director Lisa Jackson uses stylized re-enactments and poetic imagery to jump between genres in this festival hit. Buck’s life is weaved together as an expert in Indigenous cosmology and his past as a troubled young child and teen. This film reflects on colonial traumas and the journey to survive as he discovers cosmological teachings to focus on life’s work. More info.
When: May 24 – June 9
Where: Hot Docs Theatre
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MOCA Live: Contemporary x Dance x Fundraiser
For the first iteration of MOCA Live, attendees can experience a uniquely up close and personal celebration of contemporary dance through Peggy Baker and Cameron Fraser-Monroe. The fundraiser will run from 7:30-10 p.m. and include a cocktail reception afterwards. Presented thirty years after their respective debuts, two historical works will be interpreted by a new generation of dancers that stretch across time and through the human experience. Guests will be able to witness the debut of site-specific performances through an eclectic mix of styles. More info.
When: May 25
Where: MOCA Toronto
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Mom’s GlowUp Expo
The Mom’s GlowUp Expo is more than an event, but rather a celebration of strength to connect with like-minded moms and a gateway to exciting business opportunities. Open for all moms and women in business, this expo is for all those interested in starting their journeys into motherhood and entrepreneurship, wellness, and beyond. Women of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including new moms, experienced moms, transgender individuals and supportive individuals alike are welcome. There will be speakers, women-owned businesses, and activities for those interested. More info.
When: May 25
Where: Artistic Decor Venue
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Doors Open Toronto
Explore Toronto’s most notable buildings for free this weekend for the annual Doors Open weekend. Architectural, historical, cultural, and socially significant buildings will be open for free for attendees to uncover untold stories from across the city. There will be engaging tours and insightful talks across 150 spaces. Sites are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless otherwise indicated. More info.
When: May 25-26
Where: Across Toronto
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Oral Method – Break Down
Calling all writers and artists! Curated by Esmé Hogeveen, Oral Method is an experimental reading series that brings together creatives to work in response to a shared prompt. The program will explore themes that relate to ‘BREAKAGE’ and asks writers to consider how breaking up, breaking down, and breaking through can rupture old meanings, patterns, and selves to spark new paths or futures. There will be readings from Jill Connell, Melly Davidson, Sarah Hagi, Farhia Tato, Joy Xiang, and Eliza Niemi that are open to the public. More info.
When: May 26
Where: Ace Hotel Toronto
True Stories Told Live
Have a drink in a back room and listen to stories at the West end of Toronto with True Stories (Told Live). It’s not a comedy, though the program is humorous in nature. There will be two Toronto-based celebrities, CBC Host Ali Hassan, and Allyson McOuat, whose essay in the New York Times’ Modern Love section was made into a TV show. This lovely, friendly, and warm show only happens four times a year in various months at The Garrison. More info.
When: May 27
Where: The Garrison
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