Hot Docs, Jane's Walk and CONTACT

Oh yes, it has been an action packed week with an assortment of odd awakenings including, but not limited to: a naked submerge into hot, vibrating LED light pod, blaring out Concrete Blonde for live karaoke under the influence, puffing electronic cigarettes,  performing an interpretive sad clown dance on the catwalk, chasing dogs with peanut butter, chasing mice with shovels and becoming so emotionally moved by Hot Docs film 65_Redroses that we nearly tattoo the name “EVA”, the exceptionally heroic subject, on our wrist.

Phew – looking forward to a weekend of R&R, kicking back on the La-Z-Boy with a cold brew. EHHHHHHHHHH – wrong. If there was a weekend to get out and explore the city, and the world – it is this one. Hot Docs, Jane’s Walk and CONTACT will take you out of your context. Immerse yourself in a different life, learn another story, cry, laugh and engage in challenging conversation. The potential for insight and education this weekend is like a condensed four year university BA.

HOT DOCS

Cat Ladies, S&M, Wind, Lightning, Zombies, Lung Transplants, Sleazy rent-by-the-hour motels– you couldn’t write these stories if you tried – dip your toes into something foreign and walk away with a new perspective.

Check out our Spotlight on Female Filmmakers at Hot Docs – six more profiles will go up on Monday.

Jane’s Walk
117 walks are happening all over Toronto this weekend, including our walk: The Republic of Rathnelly – Weekend At Dad’s

Who is Jane? Jane Jacobs is a celebrated urbanist and acclaimed writer whose most notable work is The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Jane was a huge believer that in order for people to know and understand their city – they have to get out and walk. Passed away in ’06, this is the third annual weekend dedicated to Jane’s life work, and a fabulous way for you to explore different parts of the city. So inspired by last year’s walk through Jane and Finch, we decided to host our own. Myself and sister Lizzie McNeely will be hosting The Republic of Rathnelly: Weekend at Dad’swalk this Saturday. Meet outside the Summerhill LCBO at 2PM and parade around this wonderful neighbourhood as we steer you to secret tennis courts, back laneways, historic businesses and share anecdotes of our quirky father’s child rearing tactics – including heating up pajamas in a microwave before bedtime, burning dollhouses, wacky rides on the Murphy bed and MORE!

Mayor Miller will be showing his support at the Peanut Plaza. All walks are led by passionate volunteers – so get outside, pound the streets and meet your neighbours. This year several tours explore the city’s ravines and river valleys while individual and community groups from across the GTA offer the inside scoop on their neighbourhoods including Mount Dennis, The Beach, Etobicoke, Scarborough Village, Kensington, Jane/Finch, St Lawrence, Parkdale, Dorset Park, Thornhill, Thorncliffe Park and beyond.  

For full schedule and details go here http://www.janeswalk.net/ or pull the insert out of NOW.

CONTACT INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL
Over 1000 local, national and international photographers showcased in 220 venues

Launch party kicks off tonight at MOCCA – open to public, but go early.
952 Queen West, 7-10pm

There are two main ways that you can see Contact – intentionally and unintentionally…and that’s why we love this festival. You can spend a Saturday going on a Contact tour through galleries and hot spots or you may suddenly get jarred by an enormous exhibit that pops out unexpectedly – like Dan Bergeron’s work under the ROM Crystal.

Combining world class professionals with local emerging photographers – this is truly a celebration of the still image.

Running until mid June. Contact Site

Looking for a party? See our top five here.

For the fashion fanatics:

THE CLOTHING SHOW
Ooooh, it’s like Etsy in real life! The Clothing Show rounds up 300 thriving, creative designers to hawk their must-have wears, all under one roof. Signature style and individual pieces are the name of the game-a day of shopping here guarantees a summer free from copycat picnic lunches, twinsy moments at the bar, and glaring down doppelgangers in line for a late-night shawarma. SEE MORE

ELITE MODEL SEARCH AT OVER THE RAINBOW
For those of you who are 22 and younger and are 5’9 – 5’11 in height. Anyone?

Swing by Over The Rainbow this Saturday, check out some jeans and meet with the ELITE team to see if you’ve got the right stuff.

Find out more go here.

From Jane Jacobs to Tyra Banks; yep, we’ve cast an acceptable net of happenings this weekend.

FRITZ HELDER AND THE PHANTOMS CONTEST!!
You could win a chance to hang with the band at an exclusive VIP event hosted by Nelly Furtado at the Red Bull Space AND an opportunity to pose for a look-a-like photo shoot.

WOW – soooo fun!

FULL CONTEST DETAILS HERE
shedoesthecity.com/contests/fritzhelder