Toronto
Hundreds swarm Gap on Bloor for #BeYourOwnT launch
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 05/16/2012 - 16:47
Our enthusiasm for Gap's new collection of Ts was so strong that it resounded all the way to Manhattan's Time Square where twitpics of the colourful evening were projected on a giant screen, catching New Yorkers in rush hour. How cool is that?
Last night, Gap was teeming with stylish Toronto women who were elated by the sunny warm weather. How does one celebrate the new season? We get our hair braided, dance around in our new Ts, nonchalantly swing our legs over a Bobbin bicycle for a photo opp and guzzle O.N.E Coconut Water. That is what we do
Stylists Emily Lebel and Jessie Crowe of soon-to-open Lebel & Crowe furiously twisted guests hair into dreamy Dutch braids nonstop for hours; we have never appeared so tightly bound with Goody elastics. We chased handsome FoodDudes for Naked Grape wine and mini grilled cheese. Men in trucks, waiting for the light to change on Bloor, were distracted by our Gap T dance party that took over the front entrance. Between runs to the change room, we hydrated by downing cartons of refreshing O.N.E Coconut Water. And everyone bombarded Monica and Natasha to sign up for a chance to win a classic, and oh-so-stylish, Bobbin bicycle. Yes, it would be fair to conclude that this was a summer shopping extravaganza!
We had fun getting bloggers Gracie Carroll, Hawley Dunbar, Gloria Shick, Nelia Bekbulatova and Lauren O'Nizzle to pose next to the mannequin that emulated their #BeYourOwnT style. Taking inspiration from the blogger-styled mannequins, guests were propelled to create their own unique style, using one of the many new Gap Ts on offer as a starting point. It was an explosion of individual creativity! Followed by an escalator dance off. (We can not resist.)
Everyone in attendance was in high spirits, even the Pug puppy who requested he also get snapped. #Awww. Although the wee dog did not get a gift bag, shoppers who spent over $75 all left with a super sweet Summer Essentials Beauty Kit that was stacked with stuff we love. With a new Gap T, Gap bikini and a gift bag containing a Schick Hydro Silk Razor, Goody hair products, Jergens® Ultra Care Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer, Bioré® Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser, Sally Hansen Salon Effects, John Frieda Sheer Blonde® Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray and John Frieda Frizz-Ease® Sheer Solution™ Lightweight Frizz Control....we are more than ready to kick off summertime. Hi-yah!
Thank you to all who made it out! And BIG CONGRATS to Holly Williams for winning the Bobbin bicycle! (Ooooh...we may be a tad jealous.) Did we mention that our event was simulcast in Times Square? Yeah...gonna brag about that for a little while longer.
See all the fun photos in our #BeYourOwnT gallery below! And browse the collection at www.gapcanada.ca.
Photos by Becca Lemire (Click to Enlarge)
RELATED: Be Your Own T Becca Lemire GAP Gap on Bloor Toronto Shopping
Grace Jones is the latest inductee into the League of Extraordinary Ladies. Celebrate at Sheroes #10
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 05/16/2012 - 15:43
This month, the limited-run Sheroes art party will be celebrating the Queen of the Gay Discos, Grace Jones. Co-headlined by Juno-award winning dub poet Lillian Allen and premier vogueing house of Canada House of Monroe, the night will celebrate the glamourous gender-bending icon of disco.
A legend of Studio 54, Grace Jones was a muse to Andy Warhol who had a string of dance club hits. She's also an actress: She appeared in a Bond film and acted alongside Eddie Murphy, Tim Curry, and Arnold Schwarzenegger throughout her career. But she is best remembered for her striking androgynous style.
As usual, Sheroes has curated an amazing line up of artists and performers to pay tribute to the icon of the night. For all the info, check out their Tumblr. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Sheroes #10: Grace Jones
Thursday, May 24th, 11 pm
The Beaver, 1192 Queen St. W.
~ Haley Cullingham
RELATED: Beaver Grace Jones League of Extraordinary Ladies Sheroes Toronto Nightlife
Harbourfront Centre presents Dance Marathon, The Interactive Theatre Piece with International Buzz
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 05/16/2012 - 13:24
Remember that episode of Gilmore Girls with the dance marathon? Everyone dressed up in period dress, Rory got dumped, and OH HOW THE TOWN DANCED! (Not because Rory got dumped. They danced to win a big trophy.) Ever since that episode, we've dreamed of our own dance marathon. And now, OUR DAY HAS ARRIVED!
This weekend, Harbourfront's World Stage presents bluemouthinc's Dance Marathon. The standout show from last year's Edinburgh Festival, this 20s and 30s themed event is your chance to get dressed up like a flapper and dance up a storm, with a bar and great prizes. Sounds like an extremely cool night out. It's the long weekend, switch it up!
If Boardwalk Empire has taught us anything, it's that we'd love to dress up like Paz de la Huerta every day in a drop-waist dress and killer hat. So pick your favourite dance partner, or partners, or show up solo and boogie up on some new friends. You can also come as a spectator: this Harbourfront-commissioned work has garnered serious international buzz, and this is your last chance to be a part of it!
Dance Marathon
May 18-19, 7 pm, $35
Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre
Preview | Get Tickets
~ Haley Cullingham
RELATED: Dance Marathon Harbourfront Centre Interactive Theatre Toronto Dance Toronto Theatre
Toronto Hit List: Summer In The City, Girl & Boy 90s Dance Party, Women’s Arm Wrestling Championship, Shit My Dad Plays & more!
Submitted by Jimmy on Wed, 05/16/2012 - 11:40
WEDNESDAY
10 pm Bright Lights, Big City @ The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave. Come for the music, stay for the music. DJ Wes Allen plays oddities, discoveries, reminders, secrets, lost and found, surprises, and jewels. 197? and earlier.
10 pm Keep Calm @ Camp 4, 1173 Dundas St. W. DJs Calvin Castellino and Justin Perreault play all your favourite indie pop songs to help you forget that it’s only Wednesday.
THURSDAY
6 pm Summer In The City @ The Kind Exchange, 611 Queen St. W. Queen West clothing store The Kind Exchange presents Summer in the City, a shopping event and fundraiser. An evening full of fun fashion, photographers, music, shopping, tasty treats, and a very exclusive silent auction with amazing donations from local neighbourhood stores like Jimmy’s Coffee, blo, The Ten Spot, Getspun, Moksha Yoga,The Manor Boutique Hair Salon, and much more! In support of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, which delivers programs and services to protect women affected by violence. Free! RSVP online.
7 pm “Building Art” Opening Reception @ Process Gallery, 1313 Queen St. W. “This exhibition gives artists a unique opportunity to explore the influences of local architecture on their artistic practise. It allows the public an opportunity to make further connections with the city architecture by viewing the creative process that has inspired these artists.” Until 10 pm. Exhibition runs May 16th-27th.
9 pm Pink Slip Goes to Montreal & Much Music Video Dance Party @ Annex Live, 296 Brunswick Ave. Pink Slip is heading to the Montreal Sketch Comedy Festival at the end of the month and are throwing a fundraiser along with The Weekenders Series. Followed by a Much Music Video Dance Party. It’s time to laugh, party and dance the night away to help send Pink Slip to Montreal! With host Matt O'Brien, improv by The Weekenders, a 5 minute open performer lottery spot, and headliners Pink Slip (Nate Callens, Nicole Elsasser, Alan Kliffer, and Felicity Penman). PWYC.
10 pm Rap & Bitches @ Crawford, 718 College St. DJ kungfucandy plays hip-hop and R&B while mixing in some hits from your favourite ladies.
FRIDAY
10 pm Girl & Boy 90s Dance Party @ Clinton’s, 693 Bloor St. W. A pulsating dance party rocking the retro sounds of the 90’s! Throw your feed on the tiles at Clintons as the DJs jam out anything and everything from 1990-1999. $5.
10 pm Songs: A Dance Party @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St. The ultimate dance party, with special guest Brian Borcherdt of Holy Fuck spinning and Bobby Kimberley picking the jams before and after. Also featuring a CD release party for Cousin + a performance by Nicholas Doubleyou & the B-Squad. $5.
10 pm Visions / Mansion 3 Year Anniversary @ 99 Sudbury, 99 Sudbury Ave. Forward-thinking music, projected visuals, and interactive art in a 600+ person gallery celebrating 3 years of unconventional parties by Mansion! With DJs Shlohmo (LA/NYC), Ryan Hemsworth, Deebs, and Zodiac + visuals by A-Rock in the main room. In the side room, “an immersive installation room exists within the event that draws inspiration from Homer’s Odyssey in which mortals and immortals cross realms within an eternal cave.” Featuring catering by Fidel Castro and cake by Phat N’ Phull. $10 advance tickets (guaranteed entry) available at Rotate This, Soundscapes, Play De Record, and online. For $10 reduced guestlist (subject to capacity), email names to guestlist@themansioninc.com.
10 pm Sweat Pants @ The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave. DJ Coolin Cregg plays his/your favourite songs all night. ’95(ish) to ’05(ish) rap/RnB/reggae/dancehall, sexy tunes, new joints, old jams, sweat pants.
10 pm Black Box Disco @ Bambi’s, 1265 Dundas St. W. DJ Ell V and a special guest play techno, minimal, acid, EBM, and synth.
10 pm The Zodiacs Present: Taureans @ The Shop under Parts & Labour, 1566 Queen St. W. Diego Bros bringing you the finest old school hip-hop and R&B all night long. $5.
10 pm Gin & Phonic @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W. Stax, Motown, funk, northern soul, and jams on strictly vinyl. Dance it up!
10 pm Bass @ Crawford, 718 College St. Hip-hop tunes that bring the bass with DJ Marko Orlic. Don’t forget your neck braces. Free before 11 pm, $5 after.
10 pm Yes Yes Y’all @ The Annex WreckRoom, 794 Bathurst St. Toronto’s biggest, baddest, freak nastiest queer hip-hop/RnB/dancehall jam! Featuring special guest DJs The Frandiscos + the YYY crew opening and closing the dance party. $6.
10 pm Low Lyfe @ Unlovable, 1415-B Dundas St. W. Feeling feelings, drinking drinks and musicing musics with DJs Ian Worang and Jaime Sin.
10 pm Special Delivery - Throwback Edition @ College Street Bar, 574 College St. Reminisce on the hits from the 90’s to the 2000’s. DJ Law spins the best in old school hip-hop, R&B, reggae, pop, and classic house all night long!
10 pm Loving In The Name Of @ The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W. A dance party and live set in celebration of the greatest hits of all time! Featuring the band The Best and the best singers from the best local bands recreating classic songs from all genres and eras. Followed by a dance party with DJ Shit La Merde playing all your favorite songs.
10 pm New Kids On the Block @ Velvet Underground, 510 Queen St. W. A party celebrating the 90’s, giving you an opportunity to dance until you're covered in sweat, and beer, go home with a babe, and make all your friends with cottages super jealous of your May 24 weekend. Music by Dead & Divine (acoustic Smashing Pumpkins cover set) + DJs Jr. Flo, Ultrlght, and a very special guest. $5. For guestlist, email guestlist@mfoy.ca.
11 pm Edumacation @ The Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W. Come get learned... proper, real proper! Resident DJ Fase teaching you the values of hip-hop, funk, soul, old school, house, reggae, and club anthems. $10.
SATURDAY
9 pm Women’s Arm Wrestling Championship @ 751 (upstairs), 751 Queen St. W. Put your elbows down and your hands together! Each wrestler dukes it out to the tune of her own theme song and brings her posse as back up. Event is open to everyone and fake names and costumes are highly encouraged! To pre-register, email classyladiesarmwrestling@gmail.com (same-day registration starts at 8 pm, fights start at 11 pm). $5 to watch, with all proceeds going to BecauseIAmAGirl, whose social movement is designed to unleash the power of girls and women to claim a brighter future for girls in the developing world. Tickets available online.
10 pm Bad Taste @ 751 (downstairs), 751 Queen St. W. Gully rap music all night to raise money for BecauseIAmAGirl. With double barrel pump up selectors Walmer Convenience. $5 in advance, $10 at the door.
10 pm Shit My Dad Plays @ The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W. Songs culled from DJ Steve Manale's dad’s iPod. Steely Dan, Steve Miller, Chicago, Bob Seger, Wings, etc.
10 pm MurderBoner! 16 @ The Red Light, 1185 Dundas St. W. DJ ghettogoldmatt and special guest Ryan Hemsworth play new progressive rap music all night long. Hard drinks, and harder 808s.
10 pm Splattermonkey Presents: The Super Funk Soul Revue @ 3030, 3030 Dundas St. W. The soft launch of DJ Splattermonkey’s concert series! This month’s show features the deep funk sounds of The Soul Motivators + DJ General Eclectic playing deep funk, soul, and classic b-boy breaks all night. $5.
10 pm No No Pony @ The Shop under Parts & Labour, 1566 Queen St. W. DJs Suzie Boo and Magnum PI play Ginuwine’s “Pony” every hour on the hour + 90’s hip-hop, pop, Elvis, everything. Equestrian or “horsey” attire encouraged! $5.
10 pm Sugar Hill / Holy Shit It’s A Rap Party @ Crawford, 718 College St. Upstairs, DJ Grouch plays uptown boogie, new jack swing, and 80’s and 90’s rap + RnB. Downstairs, DJs WLFPK and Zilla play hip-hop bangers - half pure classics and half new jams. Free before 11 pm, $5 after.
10 pm Shake, Rattle & Roll @ Clinton’s, 693 Bloor St. W. Spend the night together with the Bangs & Blush ladies! 60’s pop, soul and rock n’ roll to drink, dance and get messy to. $5.
10 pm Dreamland Skank @ Margret, 2952 Dundas St. W. DJ duo Taiza plays hot voodoo drums and party vibez! Tuff disco, drums of passion, garage funk, “digital B” in a dancehall stylee, and 40 oz. Colt 45s.
10 pm Hot Blooded @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W. Dust off those boogie shoes! DJs Johnee and Dylan spin sweet disco hits to keep you stayin’ alive. $5.
10 pm All Souled Out @ The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave. DJs Big Jimmy Mills and Sylvermayne play hip-hop, funk, soul, R&B, make-you-wanna-boogie dance party music.
10 pm Electric Dreams @ The Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St. W. Murdress Margot plays new wave and other moody dance music.
10 pm Pyramid Club @ Wrongbar, 1279 Queen St. W. With guest DJ Juan Maclean (DFA Records, NYC) + residents The Wheel Wells. $12.50 advance tickets available at Rotate This, Soundscapes, and online. For guestlist requests, email guestlist@wrongbar.com.
11 pm Purplelectricity 8th Anniversary Edition @ The Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W. Celebrate the 8th anniversary of the Purplelectricity Prince Party, Canada’s only recurring Prince tribute party! Featuring music and videos that span Prince’s entire career right from 1978’s debut album “For You” until 2011’s single “Extraloveable” as DJ Doctor Baggie spins nothing but hi-NRG Prince. $10.
11 pm Shake A Tail @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St. 60’s pop, rock, soul, funk, garage, ska, ANYTHING! Always humid. $5.
SUNDAY
9:30 pm Crosswires #13 @ The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W. A Sunday night series brought to you by Doc Pickles, co-founder and emcee of of Wavelength. Featuring performances by Childs (down 'n dirty punk with heart), HiFi Phantom (fuzzy pop), and Most People (kaleidoscopic pop) + General Chaos Visuals and DJ selector Acacia Christensen. Sponsored by Steam Whistle. PWYC.
10 pm Girl & Boy Y2K @ Clinton’s, 693 Bloor St. W. A celebration of the new millennium! Think fast internet, smartphones, cloud computing, and some of the greatest pop music of all time. $5.
10 pm Jukebox @ The Drake Lounge, 1150 Queen St. W. A rock and soul dance party with DJs Circle Research and The Gillespie Bros. $10.
11 pm A/V Party @ The Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W. DJ Grandtheft takes all your favourite video hits from the past decades and mashes them together! Good thing Monday is a holiday - you’ll need it after this jam. $10.
~ Caitlyn Holroyd
RELATED: Bambi's Camp 4 Clinton's Crawford Drake Hotel Margret Process Gallery Sneaky Dee’s The Annex Wreckroom The Garrison The Great Hall The Henhouse The Kind Exchange The Ossington The Piston The Red Light The Shop under Parts & Labour Toronto Hit List Toronto Nightlife Unlovable Wrongbar
New Store General Tao Explodes With Awesomeness at Bloor and Ossington
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 05/15/2012 - 14:13
As long as General Tao is around, I will never again question where to get gifts to lavish my co-workers, friends and family with on all special occasions. As well as where to get pretty things for myself. All the time.
General Tao only opened its doors a few months ago at 853a Bloor (just east of Ossington) and already the neighbourhood is talking, and walking their way over, falling head over heels in love with the variety of items. There are simply tons of amazing things under one roof at very reasonable prices. One excited SDTC staffer called it "The Drake General Store on crack."
Friendly saleslady Reena says the variety is intentional. "No focus is the fun of the store," she says. Other than really, really cool things, General Tao believes in the importance of carrying fair trade items and works by local artisans in Toronto and throughout Ontario and Canada. Items range from $1 -$1000 and you can expect stationery, journals, vintage and new items, cooking, baking and kitchen items, shelves made of reclaimed wood, home decor, novelty party items, lighting, blankets and pillows, clocks, cards, craft supplies, books, jewelry, home decor, pottery, ceramics and more. Major retail-drools up in here, you guys.
Some special things that stopped me in my tracks and made me speak only in tongues momentarily:
• Bowls made of warped vinyl records: $9.95
• Artwork of dogs (and other stuff) printed on vintage paper: $21
• Blanket satchel (the perfect picnic-motivator): $79
• Deer-head wall hook: $45
• Robot Tea infuser: $10
• Ninjabread Men cookie cutters: $10
• Brass Knuckles meat tenderizer: $11.95
• Paper pinhole camera: $11.50
• Crayon diamonds and rings: $5.95
• Silver, Black and Red dinosaur, gorilla and other figurines: $28 and up
General Tao, 853a Bloor Street West, 416 516 4404, Monday - Saturday 11:00am - 7:30pm, Sunday 11:00am - 6pm
General Tao is always interested in being contacted by artists who want to sell their work. Please contact generaltaostaff@gmail.com
~ Becca Lemire
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RIP IT OFF, Fireman. Buy your tix to the 14th Annual Toronto Firefighter Calendar Show to benefit Cancer Research at The Princess Margaret
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 05/15/2012 - 13:23
Oh man, this looks fun. Actually, it looks like estrogen-fueled insanity. Same thing!
Toronto firefighters take the stage in uniform and slowly peel off layers to reveal their sweaty and sculpted chests to benefit cancer research at The Princess Margaret. We can't wait to cheer like horny maniacs. Why? It's hilarious, semi-arousing and for a damn good cause. Release your inner cougar and maniacally applaud the men and women who risk their lives to save yours.
Get your tickets (only $25!) by May 31st and qualify for a draw for you and a friend to go on a dinner date with 2 of the hottest firefighters in town! Honestly, how much do you want to win? You may not meet your future partner but you WILL have a great story.
If we close our eyes and listen AC/DC's Thunderstruck, we can hear the shrieks and practically smell the musky scent of their ripped torsos and sculpted groins. Mmmm. Yep, we're dirty like that, but hey, IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE! Now please Mr. Fireman, tease us. Hard.
Every purchase and donation made towards this calendar will benefit the Fire Fighters' Cancer Research Fund at The Princess Margaret, one of the top five cancer research centres in the world.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
XS Nightclub, 261 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON
Doors open at 7pm, Show starts at 8p
Buy your tickets now!
RELATED: Cancer Fundraiser Firefighter Calendar Firemen Good Causes The Princess Margaret XS Nightclub
Aimée Henny Brown is travelling across the country doing performance art on a train. Catch her off the rails Thursday, May 17th
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 05/14/2012 - 17:22
In collaboration with the AGO, OCAD, and VIA Rail, artist Aimée Henny Brown has been riding the rails across the Western half of this great nation, staging performance art onboard a long-haul passenger train (a.k.a. my dream trip.). She's travelling from Vancouver to Toronto and back, performing for passengers twice a day, in Overland Station: par voie terre.
Her performances connect passengers to the past as she re-enacts, in full uniform, the duties of a station agent in the late 19th century, and she's bringing the show to the AGO this Thursday, May 17th, from 6:30-9:30 pm at the Weston Family Learning Centre. Her performance will be free to the public, so stop by and step back in time. Maybe she'll inspire you to do a bit of overland rambling yourself this summer.
~ Haley Cullingham
RELATED: AGO Aimée Henny Brown OCAD Overland Station: par voie terre Performance Art Toronto Theatre VIA Rail
Photo Gallery: Holt Renfrew, FEED, and Tory Burch launch a tote bag to raise money to combat hunger and support women in business
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 05/14/2012 - 17:00
Last week, Lauren Bush was in town to help launch a collaboration between her foundation, FEED, Holt Renfrew, and the Tory Burch Foundation. Bush called the Burch-designed bags "a fashionable do-gooder's dream come true!" Proceeds from the sale of each tote will support FEED, which works with the United Nations to help combat world hunger, and the Tory Burch Foundation, which provides micro-loans to women-owned small businesses in the United States. Two great causes, one great carryall, and a swarm of great ladies out en masse to support these foundations and model their bags!
~ Haley Cullingham
Photos by Becca Lemire (Click to Enlarge)
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If you haven't seen Bring It On: The Musical yet, WHAT ARE YOUR SPIRIT FINGERS WAITING FOR? Rush seats are only $25
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 05/14/2012 - 11:42
I’ll admit it: when I first heard that Bring It On: The Musical was coming to town, I wasn't immediately sold. I'm forever skeptical of any movie-turned-musical. But then I did some reading up on the production in question and found out that not only was it written by the hilarious brain behind Avenue Q, it was also composed and directed/choreographed by the geniuses who brought me one of my best musical experiences to date with In The Heights (Lin-Manuel Miranda and Andy Blakenbuehler, respectively). Once I discovered all this, I thought to myself: How could this go wrong??!?! Answer: It couldn’t.
Though not particularly groundbreaking or revolutionary as far as musicals go, Bring It On was entertaining and fun and ridiculous (in the good way) and super—I mean super duper—peppy. The choreography is fresh, and the cast’s mix of professional dancers and actual cheerleaders meant that the performance was tight, technical, and precise. Every time someone executed a cool flip or tumble, people around me would gasp in admiration, and for good reason: the athleticism that it takes to be a gymnast is insane, and this only further proved it.
Though only loosely based on the original teen dream Bring It On movie from 2000, the musical version has all the backstabbing, high kicking, and drama that you expect from a story about high school cheerleaders. The plot follows blondie-pop Campbell (Taylor Louderman) as she is forced to leave her beloved Truman High Buccaneer cheer squad when her school zone is redistricted. Now, she has to go to Jackson High, where she finds herself having to deal with fierce Danielle (Adrienne Warren) and her hip-hop dance crew. When Campbell discovers that being redistricted was all part of her protégé Eva (Elle McLemore)’s plan to become captain of the Buccaneers, she rounds up her new friends at Jackson to rival Eva at nationals. Along the way they do a lot of singing, because, you know, it’s a musical. The songs combine rap, hip-hop, and pop, as well as the occasional chant that cheerleading is known for. It’s catchy and fun, just like it should be.
Bring It On is exactly what you want it to be: entertaining. Don’t expect to think too hard (or at all, really, because you’ll be too busy staring at their tight abs), because that’s not what this musical’s about. It invites you to sit back and turn off your brain for a few hours, getting lost in the spectacle and the cheer faces and the spirit and all that jazz (hands).
Bring It On runs at the Ed Mirvish Theatre (formerly the Canon) until June 3. Rush seats are only $25!
~ Sara Harowitz
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3 Cheap and Awesome Ontario Day Trip Ideas: Under 2 hours Away, Under 50 Bucks
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 05/14/2012 - 11:26
In Springtime, Ontario is really a lovely place to be. Lucky for us Torontonians, we really don’t have to travel far from the city to soak up serious culture and feel like we’re in another world. We don’t even need mad money or a car. Here are some fun daytrips close to the GTA that will brighten up your spring. Feeling like a tourist is totally necessary sometimes, non? Lulz await, spring chickens!
Playing and promenading in Stratford
How to get there: Hop on the train (2 hours, 15 mins, 35 bucks)
What to do: It’s festival season! This year’s Shakespeare Festival line up looks amazing. You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, 42 Street, Christopher Plummer in A Word or Two? Take your pick of any one of these and you'll laugh, you'll cry, and maybe you'll love it as much as or more than Cats. If you’re not in the mood for the theatre, stroll along the Avon River and through the Shakespeare Gardens, head to a day spa, or get your tarot cards read. Stratford also has lots to offer the gourmand, from killer stone oven pizza to beer battered jalapenos. Before you head down to do anything though, I encourage you to print this “Beiberiffic map” and consider checking out a few of our small local muse’s favourite haunts. He had excellent taste in ice cream.
St. Jacob’s Farmers Market
How to get there: Take the train to Kitchener (1 hour, 40 mins, 30 bucks) then from the Kitchener bus station, take the Route 7C bus to Conestoga Mall, Waterloo. From Conestoga Mall on Thursdays and Saturdays, take route 21 “the country run” between 8 and 3 PM. Schedule.
What to do: The air smells like manure, the roads are made of gravel, and the sound of fiddling buskers fills the air. If there was ever a polar opposite of Queen St. West, it would be St. Jacobs Farmers market. This is the place to come for the ultimate break from the city. The Mennonite town is a charmer, dotted with horse drawn carriages and road side veggie stands. The farmers market is the biggest year round market in the world. The antiques, baked goods and flea market wares will lull you into a different time. The train ride there will fly by as you gaze into the picturesque landscape of red barns and dream of fudge.
Canoeing on the Grand River
How to get there: Take the train to Brantford (1 hour, 25 bucks)
What to do: You can rent a canoe pretty cheaply from Heritage River by the hour or the day ($17.50 / hour, $35.00 / day). If you don’t want to paddle aimlessly, you can pay 30 bucks for them to shuttle you to the nearby town of Paris so you can paddle downstream all the way back. Bring a picnic, a camera and your portable iPod speakers and take liberal tanning breaks.
~ Kait Fowlie
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