So many arts events are happening outdoors in Toronto this week! You can listen in on multigenerational storytelling with Generation Women or support female filmmakers with the Female Eye Film Festival! Nonetheless, there is so much more out there this week so get out and enjoy summer in the city with our selection of Best Bets.
Courtesy of Kaeja d’Dance
Porch View Dances
Take dance out of the theater and into our daily lives with the 13th Annual Porch View Dances. This one-of-a-kind community dance event brings together creators and everyday folk from around Toronto. Whether they have spent years training in dance or they are total beginners, these unique performances will amaze you. There will be a captivating lineup of Racialized and Indigenous creators. The event is pay as you wish to make the arts accessible to all! Don’t forget to check out the site for a full list of performances and programming. More info.
When: July 17-21
Where: Porch View Dances Lane & London St.
Courtesy of Generation Women
Generation Women: Wet Hot Summer
Listen in on the stories of women across generations. Generation Women is an intimate literary salon that brings together six women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s. 60s, and 70+. The theme this time is Wet Hot Summer where the lineup will share their tales of passion from heartwarming romances to misadventures. The event is set against the backdrop of summer and scorching settings to dive into themes of love, desire, and connection. Indulge in the artistry of multi-generational storytelling and get in touch with the beauty of female desire. More info.
When: July 18
Where: The Lounge at Live Nation Canada
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Female Eye Film Festival
The art of filmmaking is incomplete without the mention of women and luckily Toronto will be hosting the Female Eye Film Festival to honor their efforts! This is a competitive women directors’ film festival that was established in 2001 as a non-for-profit organization. The FeFF showcases high-caliber independent films that highlight emerging and established women directors around the globe. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with filmmakers with Q&A’s following each screening as well! The Female Eye serves to bridge the gap between the written and film arts. More info.
When: July 18-21
Where: TIFF Lightbox & Paradise Theatre
Photo by Rebecca Tisdelle Macias
TOPS – Chungking Express & Someone Lives Here
It is Toronto tradition to enjoy the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show at the city’s most scenic parks. Watch two culturally dynamic films this week, Wong Kar-Wai’s Chungking Express and the 2024 TOPS Spotlight Filmmaker Zack Russell’s Someone Lives Here screening at Corktown Common and Christie Pits Park this week. Both films are abundant with stylized aesthetics and shine a light on the passing of time. Grab your favourite snacks, best friends, and shoot a few photos to enjoy a beautiful night out in Toronto. More info.
When: July 18 & 21
Where: Corktown Common & Christie Pits
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Theatre Centre Community BBQ
Toronto loves a good outdoor party and there is no shortage of them during the summer! Community meals have been a long-standing tradition in the Theatre Centre community and they are hosting a community BBQ to give back. There will be hot dogs (while supplies last), DJ, drag performances, and live music! This is a free family friendly event and all are welcome to enjoy the creative, cultural, and social scene of the city. More info.
When: July 19
Where: Outdoors on Lisgar Street
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Pop-Up Paper Fair
Attention all stationery lovers! Toronto’s First Post Office is hosting a free pop-up market that highlights all things paper! Find your next stack of journal materials with a variety of unique paper goods and explore a rotation of local Toronto artists and their brands. There is everything from whimsical & quirky greeting cards, notebooks, stickers, pins, patches, prints, totebags and much more. So whether you’re searching for the perfect gift or just want to stock up on materials, this fair will have it all. More info.
When: July 20
Where: Toronto’s First Post Office
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BIG on Bloor
You know what they say, “West End, Best End” in Toronto! Come out and celebrate BIG on Bloor; Bloordale’s Festival of Arts & Culture this weekend. The event is projected to host over 100,000 visitors participating in multidisciplinary art projects. The festival is putting more of a focus on local artists and artisans this year as well. You can discover all the hidden gems to explore and support local businesses from Dufferin to Lansdowne, from noon to midnight. More info.
When: July 20-21
Where: Bloordale Village
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Unity Fest
One of Canada’s top hip-hop festivals, Unity Fest returns for its 16th year. Experience all this beloved music genre has to offer at the Harbourfront Centre. There will be multi-art forms, from dance battles and street art exhibitions to live performances and DJs. Shop around at the marketplace or enjoy a bite from local food vendors around Toronto. This free event is an amazing way to experience endless ways to explore culture, expand knowledge and express yourself. More info.
When: July 20
Where: Harbourfront Centre
Photo by Dahlia Katz
Dream in High Park – Hamlet
To watch or not to watch Hamlet in High Park. Take a seat and enjoy Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece with a wonderful ensemble of actors. This tale follows the tormented Prince of Denmark as he grapples with existential questions of life, death, and revenge. This outdoor theatrical experience supports local artists as well! Most seating is on the grass; blankets and pillows are also available as well. The entire production is suitable for all ages to ensure family fun for all! More info.
When: July 21 – September 1
Where: High Park Amphitheatre
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Roaring 20s Garden Party
Time travel back to the roaring 20s with this garden party at Spadina Museum. Put on your darndest flapper attire and enjoy the picturesque gardens. Bring your picnic basket or purchase food from onsite vendors as well! There will be live musical performances and spaces for attendees to get creative with hands-on artistic workshops, and vintage vendors. Wander around the museum grounds and discover the architectural charm of the space with a guided tour. You won’t want to forget your dancing shoes for the swing dance lessons! More info.
When: July 21
Where: Spadina Museum
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Youth Day
Celebrate the next generation of young creatives with Youth Day 2024 at Yonge-Dundas Square. This free arts & culture event focuses on music, dance, fashion, film, and much more. There will be food trucks, street vendors, and brand sponsors for those who attend. This is your chance to support the youth and truly make a difference for the next generation. More info.
When: July 21
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
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