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

Toronto Indie Horror Fest

Started in 2016, the Toronto Indie Horror Fest is a DIY festival that showcases independent horror movies from around the world. This year’s festival will be virtual and includes films from Canada, the United States, Russia, Philippines, Venezuela, the UK, and more. Tickets are $5 per film or $25 for a pass. 

Fashion Art Toronto: Virtual Fashion Week

Now in its 15th year, Fashion Art Toronto is a multi-arts fashion festival featuring avant-garde runway shows, immersive multimedia installations, performances, design, photography, and film. This year’s festival runs until October 26th and will showcase 25 fashion collections, streaming live from iconic Toronto locations, natural landscapes, scenic backdrops, and undiscovered sites on FAT’s Instagram account. FAT is encouraging spectators to donate to FoodShare Toronto.

Toronto Food Film Fest

The Toronto Food Film Fest returns virtually for the 2020 season with 29 films, talks, inspiring workshops, and a “screen to plate” experience that will allow you to pair your screenings with meals from curated local restaurants and vendors. The festival is also partnering with CBC Gem to showcase a collection of Canadian talent for free! $45 passes available here. 

Halloween Nights of Lights

Halloween Night of Lights is a COVID-safe immersive, drive-thru experience featuring more than 700,000 LED lights animated and synchronized to your favourite Halloween tunes. Running select nights until November 1st at Improve Canada in Vaughan (7250 Keele St.). Tickets start at $25 per car. 

EcoFair Toronto

Running until November 8th, EcoFair Toronto is an online celebration of the people, environmental groups, and eco-businesses that are helping create a greener and healthier planet for all. This year’s event features 12 free events, happening online over four weeks: Carbon Countdown (Week 1), Waste Not (Week 2), Active & Healthy (Week 3), and the Eco-Economy (Week 4). 

OCAD Artist Alley

OCAD Artist Alley is going virtual! From now until November 10th, shop products from local emerging artists and small businesses owned by OCAD University students and alumni through Artist Alley’s curated online catalogue. All proceeds will go directly to the artists. 

Flamingo 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. 

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 “Slip” by Celia Perrin Sidarous, who recreates a genealogy of historical, material, and personal remnants as she reflects on archival methodologies, notions of womanhood, and ideas of representation through image-making.

Rendezvous With Madness Festival

Toronto is home to the world’s longest running and biggest mental health festival. From now until Oct 25th watch films, attend virtual talks, and explore the Re:Building Resilience art exhibition. The incredible programming allows for a rich variety of perspectives when it comes to examining the root causes of various mental health issues. We believe in the Rendezvous with Madness Festival and love how it has been fighting stigma since 1993. 

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?

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 include “Part Three” by Kaya Joan at Weston GO/UP station (1865 Weston Rd.) and “Life Preserver” by Alvin Luong at Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pool (1867 Lake Shore Blvd. E.), available to view Wednesday through Saturday from 7:30-10:30 p.m. 

Toronto International Festival of Authors

The 2020 edition of the Toronto International Festival of Authors brings a new world into focus with 200 virtual events and activities, including conversations, readings, performances, and podcasts. The festival runs from October 22nd to November 1st. 

Question Everything Trivia: Blockbuster Movie Trivia

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 be jam-packed with movie references and random Q&A. Bragging rights and $25 gift cards will be up for grabs. 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 Across Boundaries, who are leaders in providing equitable, holistic mental health and addiction services for racialized communities.

2000s Trivia Hour with DJ Lazarus

DJ Lazarus hosts a fun and interactive hour of movie trivia and music Thursday at 8 p.m. on  Mixcloud. Test your knowledge of ’00s music, movies, pop culture, and more – then stick around as he plays your song requests. 

Tenet at the Drive-In

Catch a screening of Christopher Nolan’s original sci-fi action spectacle Tenet this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Ontario Place Drive-In (955 Lake Shore Blvd W.). Tickets are $10 per person.

Saddle Up!

Gather our hurtin’ honky-tonk hearts online this Friday for a virtual edition of Saddle Up! You’ll hear plenty of your Saddle Up! favourites, plus some spooky and sinister songs to get you in the Hallowe’en mood. The party starts at 9 p.m. on Zoom (link will be provided a few hours before).

Army of Darkness at the Drive-In

The Ontario Place Drive-In (955 Lake Shore Blvd W.) presents a screening of Sam Raimi’s 1992 comedy horror film Army of Darkness this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person.

80s Mixtape Dance Party

All ’80s all night! Join DJ Blush as she broadcasts live Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight on Mixcloud, playing a mix of pop, rock, synthpop, ska, and new wave from the decade.

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. 

Canzine

Canzine: The Festival of Zine Culture and Underground Arts is back with a virtual twist! This year’s festival includes 250+ vendors and thousands of zines + special events, workshops, the Broken Pencil Zine Awards, and more running from October 24-26th. Best of all? Everything is free!

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.

Fast Times ’80s Stream

Join DJs Babs and Jorge as they spin all ’80s vinyl from all genres for the cool kids, jocks, and nerds live from The Piston (937 Bloor St. W.) this Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight. The Piston’s patio will be open or you can catch the set at home on Mixcloud. 

Pump Up The Volume

DJ Lazarus throws it back to the ’90s this Saturday with a night of retro dance, classic house, electronica, Eurodance, techno, rave classics, and Electric Circus tunes. The party starts at 9 p.m. on Mixcloud and you’ll have a chance to win a throwback dance CD collection.

Parkdale Antique & Collectibles Market

Shop antiques and collectibles from high-quality vendors at the Parkdale Antique & Collectible Market, happening every Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the new Parkdale Hall (1605 Queen Street W.). Admission is free and COVID-19 precautions will be in effect.

Trinity Bellwoods Flea

The Trinity Bellwoods Flea hosts another stellar lineup of Toronto’s best local, handmade, fashion, handmade, art, food, and vintage vendors this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Great Hall (1087 Queen St. W.). Admission is free and four-legged friends are welcome!

The 519 Annual Gala 2020 Goes Virtual: An Evening with Legendary Performers

John Alcorn, the Barenaked Ladies, k.d. lang, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and lots more performers (including some special surprises!) take the virtual stage this Sunday from 7:30-9 p.m. for The 519 Annual Gala. Tickets are $150 (limited PWYC tickets also available), with proceeds supporting The 519’s programs and services for underserved LGBTQ2S communities.