Here’s what’s happening online in Toronto this week.
Flamingo Market
Flamingo Market, Toronto’s only independent bi-monthly market for LGBTQ2SIA+ entrepreneurs and makers, is celebrating Pride Month and its one-year anniversary by launching its first ever online marketplace! Shop a curated selection of makers, artists, entrepreneurs, and service providers from all across Canada and beyond throughout the month of June.
Virtual Pride
Pride Toronto is taking its annual festival online for the month of June with its first-ever Virtual Pride. This week’s events include Queer Shopping Channel, Family Pride Fridays, Strapped Brunch Takeover, and more.
CONTACT Photography Festival
The Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival is an annual showcase of lens-based projects by Canadian and international artists that is typically held at venues across Toronto during the month of May. This year’s exhibitions will open on a case-by-case basis once public safety is assured and schedules are confirmed, but in the meantime, CONTACT has launched an online platform featuring new and recent projects by festival participants and partners.
City Hall Live Online
City Hall Live Online features two separate live-streamed sets every weekday at noon and 12:30 p.m. The series will help raise money for Unison Benevolent Fund while creating paid opportunities for local musicians during this difficult time. This week’s performances include Maya Kiltron, Andres Sierra, Kiki Rowe, and Deanna Petcoff.
TIFF’s Stay-At-Home Cinema
Toronto International Film Festival’s Stay-At-Home Cinema is a series curated from Crave’s extensive selection of titles, accompanied by conversations with special guests. This week’s films include Parasite and Paris Is Burning, and will be preceded by virtual Q&As with the actors and directors streamed on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube.
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 Deanna Bowen, Krista Belle Stewart, and more.
#MuseumWithoutWalls
#MuseumWithoutWalls allows you to explore the Aga Khan Museum without leaving your home. Watch an interview with genre-bending poet and author Tanya Evanson, try your hand at the Puzzle of the Week, take a 3-D virtual tour of the exhibition Caravans of Gold: Fragments in Time, and more.
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 Zombi Child, Lucky Grandma, and A White, White Day.
Club Quarantine
Club Quarantine is a virtual queer dance party happening every night from 9 p.m. to midnight on the app 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.
Arts In Isolation
Arts Etobicoke is providing free online art classes and cultural experiences that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home as part of its Arts In Isolation. Their weekly offerings include the interactive online gallery exhibition Shifting Environs and Crafting in Quarantine with Marjan Verstappen.
Hot Docs Festival
Hot Docs brings you over 140 selections as part of Hot Docs Festival Online. From May 28 through June 6, Ontario residents will be able to stream documentaries, watch pre-recorded Q&As, and partake in virtual live events. Tickets are $9 per film or $40 for a five-film streaming bundle.
Myseum Intersections – Quarantine Edition: Derailed
Myseum Toronto presents a panel discussion and dramatic reading about the Black Railway Porters and their historic fight for equality on and off the tracks, taking place Thursday at 2 p.m. Register here for this free event.
Quarantine Cooking Class with Chef Rhekia Fahssi
Join Rhekia Fahssi, a sous chef at Rosalinda, this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. as they lead you on a gourmet cooking experience from your own home. Tickets are $10, with proceeds from the event going towards the WoodGreen Foundation’s ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts.
80s Trivia Hour with DJ Lazarus
DJ Lazarus hosts a fun and interactive hour of ’80s trivia and music Thursday at 8 p.m. on Mixcloud. Test your knowledge of ’80s music, movies, pop culture, technology, and more — then stick around as DJ Lazarus plays your song requests.
It’s All Good Presents: Throwback Thursdays Virtual Dance Party
Join resident VJ/DJ Mike Luke as he takes you back to the ’90s! The webcast starts Thursday at 8 p.m. on Twitch and goes as long as there is wind in his sails.
OISE Stay At Home Club
The OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) Stay At Home Club is a Twitter live series featuring alumni and friends of the Institute leading interactive lessons for children and adults alike. Tune into OISE’s Twitter account Friday at 11 a.m. as Drorit Weiss, a celebrated math and physics teacher and professional dancer, breaks down some fundamental Arabic rhythms.
Wax Candy Disco
The Piston’s weekly disco party is switching to online until the venue reopens. Join DJ Efsharp every Friday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on the Wax Candy Facebook page as he serves up platters of the sweetest soulful and uplifting disco.
80s Mixtape Dance Party
All ’80s all night! Join DJ Blush as she broadcasts live Friday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Twitch, playing a mix of pop, rock, synthpop, ska, and new wave from the decade.
Lavender x Queerstream
Lavender presents Queerstream, an online virtual party for LGBTQ2S+ folx happening Saturday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. DJ sets TBA.
It’s All Good ’90s Virtual Music Video Dance Party
Join resident VJ/DJ Mike Luke this Saturday as he takes you on a journey through the 1990s, from Biggie to Bjork, Nirvana to No Doubt, Destiny’s Child to Daft Punk, TLC to ATCQ, Eminem to En Vogue, Mariah Carey to Massive Attack, Portishead to Pavement, Spice Girls to Stereolab, and much more! The party starts at 8 p.m. on Twitch.
With It
The Piston’s monthly dance party With It returns Saturday at 10 p.m. with DJ Nico spinning her usual brand of ’60s mod, soul, R&B, R&R, garage, funk, and more from her apartment! Tune in on Twitch.
Leslieville Flea Virtual Market
The Leslieville Flea hosts their second virtual market from June 7-17th. Follow along on their Instagram stories to purchase items from longtime Leslieville Flea vendors and brand new additions!
Saigon Sundays
For many years, Saigon Sundays was broadcasted live-to-air from the third floor of the now-defunct Whiskey Saigon nightclub. Now, DJs Paul Dhingra and Dwight Hybrid are making it a regular livestream where they’ll be spinning retro, post-punk, new wave, Britpop, and classic alternative every Sunday night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. I’m