With sweaty garbage, unattended wading pools, and the death of That Pop Icon Who Shall Not Be Named, isn’t it time for some good news? Well folks, we’ve got it riiiiight here. Now you don’t even need to think through the trash fumes in order to rustle up something snazzy to do today/tonight/next week. So fill up your hydration helmets with some good ol’ H-Twenty, snap your fave fanny pack and Bermuda shirt, and get out there, kids!
Concerts
The Lovely Killbots , the Paint Movement and Provincial Parks
From bigbeat/grindcore, to delicious rockin riffs all the way over to some truly hypno-relaxo folk, this show promises something for everyone
July 1, Drake Underground
http://www.myspace.com/lovelykillbots
http://www.myspace.com/thepaintmovement
http://www.myspace.com/provincialparks
Indie Week Fight Night
Head over to Clinton’s to watch a crew of big-hearted bands duke it out for a much-coveted spot playing in October’s Indie Week
July 2, Clinton’s
http://www.myspace.com/indieweek
Broken Social Scene
Now cemented firmly into the upper stratosphere of the Canadian music scene, BSS hardly needs an introduction. Live the legend with this free show at Harbourfront, and try not to think about the fact that Olympic Island got cancelled because of the stupid Indy.
July 11, Harbourfront
http://www.myspace.com/brokensocialscene
Neko Case
Case has been kicking around for a while, as both solo artist and fly-by-night member of New Pornographers, but only recently receiving the notoriety that she deserves for her mad belting ability. This rockin’ redhead will undoubtedly serve up a surreal sonic experience.
July 14 (Massey Hall)
http://www.myspace.com/nekocase
Boys like Girls, Never Shout Never, The Ready Set
Pretty boys and guitars? Yesplease. If you’re into Dashboard Confessional and Brand New but looking for something edgier, this trifecta of tunage is not a night to miss.
July 15, Phoenix
http://www.myspace.com/boyslikegirls
http://www.myspace.com/nevershoutnever
http://www.myspace.com/thereadyset
Beyonce
Come on, she invented the term “bootylicious.” This woman is irreplaceable, so to speak. WHERE MY SINGLE LADIES AT?
July 20, Molson Amphitheatre
http://www.myspace.com/beyonce
Depeche Mode, Peter, Bjorn & John
Oh, what’s that? One of the most influential groups of the 80s playing with one of the hottest of today? Be prepared for a LOT of skinny jeans, neon Wayfarer-esque shades, and scene ‘dos.
July 24, Molson Amphitheatre
http://www.myspace.com/depechemode
http://www.myspace.com/peterbjornandjohn
Crystal Castles, Jeff Mills, A-Trak
A night of bone-grinding techno, this triumvirate of the tables are collectively so hot right now in the world of beat juggling and hydroplaning.
July 25 Sound Academy
http://www.myspace.com/crystalcastles
http://www.myspace.com/jeffmillsofficialspace
http://www.myspace.com/djatrak
Katy Perry
Love her or hate her, this chick will undoubtedly put on a show…snogging girls or otherwise
July 26 (Molson Amphitheatre)
http://www.myspace.com/katyperry
Shows and Fiestas:
Dream in High Park: The Tempest
Shakespeare in the Park! Purported to be–by people in the know–Billy Shakes’ swan song to the stage. Some pic-nic fare and smuggled-in wine makes for a ragin’ Renaissance night.
http://www.canstage.com/dream
June 26- September 6, High Park
Toronto Fringe Festival
Toronto’s annual summer festival of off-beat, adventurous and untested stage shows.
http://www.fringetoronto.com
July 1st – July 12th, All Over Town!
The Scream Literary Festival: The Book is Dead
The annual Scream in High Park (not to be confused with the annual theatre production of a similar name) celebrates books and their lovers, an ironic nod at the “death” of the medium. Readings and parties galore!
http://www.thescream.ca
July 2-13, High Park
Summerlicious
The city’s restaurants fling open their doors and put forth affordable, prix-fixe menus. The best time to try out a place that your stomach—and your wallet–could otherwise only dream of.
http://www.toronto.com/summerlicious
July 3-19, all over town
Harbourfront Summer Festivals: The Hot Spot
A new Harbourfront festival of hottt international music. For more details, see our Harbourfront scoop!
http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/worldroutes/thehotspot.cfm
July 3-5, Harbourfront
Casa Loma’s Renaissance Festival
Always wanted to fall for someone in pantaloons? Now’s your chance! Head to Casa Loma for archery, falconry, and hand-to-hand knight fights. The garbage strike will even provide a historically accurate odour!
July 4 – July 6, Casa Loma
Beaches International Jazz Fest
Woodbine Park, Kew Gardens, Queen St. E. and environs light up with one of the city’s best outdoor music festivals. AND it’s free, yo!
July 17-27
http://www.beachesjazz.com
Afrofest
African food, dance, theatre, music and culture spills out onto Queen’s Park for a mad-beatin’ free for all.
http://www.musicafrica.org
July 11th – July 12th, Queen’s Park
Salsa on St. Clair
Aye Caramba! Free Latin culture street party—strap on yo’ dancing shoes, foo!
http://www.tlntv.com/events/salsa09/
July 11-12, St. Clair between Winona Drive and Wychwood Ave
Caribana Festival
In the heat of summer, nothing—no, NOTHING—spices things up more than Caribana. Carribbean food, music, dance, art, and performance. AND DON’T FORGET THE CITY’S SASSIEST PARADE!
http://www.caribana.com
July 14-August 1, Everywhere.
Festival of India
I don’t know how a mantra meditation parade works, but I’m willing to find out at 11 am on the 19th! The fest also boasts a yoga meldown, vegetarian feast, and South Asian bazaar.
http://www.feedyoursoul.to
July 18-19, Yonge Dundas Square and Centre Island
Frugal Fashion Week
West Queen West’s frugalistas unite to make some proverbial lemonade out of the economic lemons of our time. No fashion week is complete without a launch party, fashion shows, and more; this one is no exception.
http://frugalfashionweek.com
July 23-26
Live Green Toronto Festival
Stumped on how to live greener and better? Never fear! All the tools, products, services, and info you ever wanted to help you live more sustainably will be assembled at Y-D Square this weekend!
http://www.toronto.ca/greentorontofestival
July 25- July 26, Yonge Dundas Square
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