BY: KELLY MANIKOTH
Hello and welcome to the Fall Edition of What’s Happening Wednesdays, where I highlight events occurring in the city and the surrounding area. I hope that everyone is excited to start a new academic year after a fun and restful holiday. Writing the Summer Edition of this column was so enjoyable as it gave me a chance to explore all this beautiful city had to offer, so I’m very happy to continue writing for my final year at the University of Toronto!
Autumn has always been a season of inspiration for me. With its crisp blue skies and leaves drenched in red, orange, and yellow, nature takes on the vibrancy of an oil painting. It’s a season for afternoons filled with baking, drives up to Rattlesnake Point to marvel at the changing leaves, exploring haunted houses, and festive meals of thankfulness with family and friends.
Below I’ve listed some events that will help make the most of this gorgeous season.
1. Nuit Blanche Toronto 2017 - Many Possible Futures
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There is nothing I love more than a night full of art! Nuit Blanche is an annual event where artists take over the city for a single night, transforming Toronto into a living art gallery with contemporary installations in various public spaces. In its 12th edition, Nuit Blanche’s 2017 theme of Many Possible Futures will feature over a hundred artists predicting the artistic landscape for Canada’s next 150 years.
There will be 90 projects allocated over the cityscape. One exhibition to check out is Life on Neebahgeezis; A Luminous Engagement, which features five projects curated by Maria Hupfield, a Brooklyn-based artist and member of the Anishinaabek Nation from Wasauksing First Nation, Ontario. Included in this project is Laxa’ine’ gigukwdzikasi’ gigukwas Hayałiligase’, The Many Large Houses of the Ghosts) , by Canadian artist Marianne Nicolson. The work addresses the dispossession of First Nations peoples through projecting animations based in Indigenous oral traditions and languages on Old City Hall. This project, along with others in the exhibition, is located on Bay Street between Albert Street and King Street, over to Queen Street & University Avenue.
If you were interested in learning about the conceptual work behind these pieces, check out the many artist talks taking place that night. Nuit Talks 2017 has a list of timings and locations.
There will be 90 projects allocated over the cityscape. One exhibition to check out is Life on Neebahgeezis; A Luminous Engagement, which features five projects curated by Maria Hupfield, a Brooklyn-based artist and member of the Anishinaabek Nation from Wasauksing First Nation, Ontario. Included in this project is Laxa’ine’ gigukwdzikasi’ gigukwas Hayałiligase’, The Many Large Houses of the Ghosts) , by Canadian artist Marianne Nicolson. The work addresses the dispossession of First Nations peoples through projecting animations based in Indigenous oral traditions and languages on Old City Hall. This project, along with others in the exhibition, is located on Bay Street between Albert Street and King Street, over to Queen Street & University Avenue.
If you were interested in learning about the conceptual work behind these pieces, check out the many artist talks taking place that night. Nuit Talks 2017 has a list of timings and locations.
Cost: Free!
2. Nightmare on Dundas Street Film Screenings at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
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| Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho (film still), 1960. Source. |
In honour of the AGO’s newest exhibition, Guillermo del Toro: At Home With Monsters, running from September 30th 2017 – January 7th, 2018, the gallery will provide screenings of some of the most terrifying movies in film history (which happen to be some of Guillermo del Toro’s favourites!). Several iconic films are featured, such as Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho and Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, all of which are playing in the AGO's Jackman Hall.
At Home with Monsters is an exhibition of del Toro’s personal collection of artefacts and ephemera, all of which inspired his movies. The exhibition gives us a sneak peek into the strange creative processes behind del Toro’s films.
When: Every Friday from October 6th – December 8th, 2017. Showings take place 10:00 – 12:05 am
Where: The Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St West
Cost: Tickets are $12 for the public, $10 for members and $8 for students. You can buy tickets online or at the front desk.
When: Every Friday from October 6th – December 8th, 2017. Showings take place 10:00 – 12:05 am
Where: The Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St West
Cost: Tickets are $12 for the public, $10 for members and $8 for students. You can buy tickets online or at the front desk.
3. Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village
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| Pumpkinferno! Source. |
One of my favourite fall activities is carving jack-o-lanterns! If you’re looking for some next-level inspiration this year, visit the mesmerizing displays of Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village! Pumpkinferno started in 2012, with a group of artists showcasing their amazing carving skills. This year, over 7,000 pumpkins were used to create intricate designs themed on Canada 150. Some highlights include pumpkins carved in the artistic style of the Group of Seven and decorative skulls from the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). To learn more about other displays, click here.
Upper Canada Village is a living history site dedicated to re-creating English-Canadian life in 1866. Featuring authentic buildings from the 1860s with costumed interpreters, the Village is especially picturesque at this time of year. The Thanksgiving long weekend is the perfect opportunity to see this special site!
When: Starting from September 29th - October 29th, Every Thursday – Sunday, and Thanksgiving Monday, October 9th
Where: Upper Canada Village
13740 County Road 2
Morrisburg. ON K0C 1X0
Upper Canada Village is located in the heart of Eastern Ontario on County Road 2 (formerly Highway 2), 11 km (7 miles) east of Morrisburg and 29 km (18 miles) west of Cornwall.
Cost: Friday to Sunday and Thanksgiving Monday:
Adult (13-64) - $15.95, Thursdays – $11.95
Senior (65+) - $13.95, Thursdays - $9.95
Youth (6-12) - $11.95, Thursdays - $7.95
Child (5 or under) - Free
4. Light Up Toronto for Diwali – Festival of Lights!
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Diwali is a South Asian holiday that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. This year, the 5-day long festival begins on October 18th until Sunday, October 22nd.
To celebrate this special time of year, the Indo Canada Arts Council is organizing Light Up Toronto, a free festival at Dundas Square. The event features traditional activities, such as the lighting of earthen lamps and dance showcases, along with contemporary musical performances by various artists such as Mika Singh and Mahalakshmi Iyer, and a display of Indo Canadian art. And, of course, there will be lots of delicious Indian food served, such as dosas and samosas!
For more information, visit www.canadadiwali.ca
When: Saturday, October 7, 2017, 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
To celebrate this special time of year, the Indo Canada Arts Council is organizing Light Up Toronto, a free festival at Dundas Square. The event features traditional activities, such as the lighting of earthen lamps and dance showcases, along with contemporary musical performances by various artists such as Mika Singh and Mahalakshmi Iyer, and a display of Indo Canadian art. And, of course, there will be lots of delicious Indian food served, such as dosas and samosas!
For more information, visit www.canadadiwali.ca
When: Saturday, October 7, 2017, 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Cost: Free!
5. Oktoberfesting Activities in Kitchener-Waterloo!
Cost: Free!
5. Oktoberfesting Activities in Kitchener-Waterloo!
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Gemütlichkeit! Justin Trudeau taps the keg at Oktoberfest 2016. Source. |
This month, I have to give a shout-out to my hometown of Kitchener-Waterloo! Kitchener takes Oktoberfesting very seriously, as it hosts the biggest Bavarian festival in North America and the second biggest Oktoberfest in the world (next to Munich). It grew from a one weekend event in 1969 to a nine-day long Festival celebrated in multiple Festhallen, or celebration halls (I usually attend the Concordia Club), attracting 700,000 people each year.
Some highlights of the festival include the Opening Ceremonies, which feature the famous “tapping of the keg” (last year Justin Trudeau was the special guest who performed the tapping), and the Willkommen Platz, where Downtown Kitchener’s Carl Zehr Square and Kitchener City Hall is converted into a Bavarian Village. There will be a plethora of pretzels, bratwursts with sauerkraut, and pints of beer. There’s also the Thanksgiving Parade, which features the Oktoberfest mascot, Uncle Hans, brass band music and folkdance demonstrations. For more information, visit the K-W Oktoberfest website .
When: Opening Ceremonies: Friday, October 6th, 2017 at 11:15 am
Willkommen Platz Dates & Times:
Friday, October 6 - 9:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday, October 7 - 9:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday, October 8 - 9:00am to 6:00pm
Monday, October 9 - 8:00am to 3:00pm
Tuesday, October 10 - 11:00am to 2:00pm
Wednesday, October 11 - 11:00am to 2:00pm
Thursday, October 12 - 11:00am to 2:00pm
Friday, October 13 - 10:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday, October 14 - 9:00am to 6:00pm
Where: Opening Ceremonies take Place at Carl Zehr Square. The Festhallen are located throughout Kitchener. Click here for an entire list of venues.
Cost: The opening ceremonies, the Thanksgiving Parade and Willkommen Platz are free to attend. The tickets to attend the Festhallen vary.
6. Toronto Reference Library Record Swap
6. Toronto Reference Library Record Swap
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The Toronto Reference Library is hosting a Record Swap this year! If you are looking to diversify your vinyl collection or are interested in picking up a new hobby, this is a great way to meet other collectors in the area. You can also view a sample of the library’s collection of 15,000 records along with CDs, concert posters, and band photos.
When: Monday, October 16th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Where: The Toronto Reference Library, 5th Floor, Arts Department
Cost: Admission is free! It’s important to note that this is a swap, not a sale, so bring a record to trade if you want a new one.
7. Archival Toronto Fall 2017: Archive Fashion Pop-Up Shop
Cost: Admission is free! It’s important to note that this is a swap, not a sale, so bring a record to trade if you want a new one.
7. Archival Toronto Fall 2017: Archive Fashion Pop-Up Shop
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One of my favourite things about autumn is fall fashion! Jazz up your wardrobe with unique styles from a pop up fashion gallery! Archival Toronto is presenting a special Archive Fashion Pop-Up Shop, celebrating designers who have shaped the fashion industry as well as young talent in the fashion world. Some of the designers featured are Yohji Yamamoto and Raf Simons.
For more details check out their Instagram at @ArchivalToronto
When: October 13 – 15, 12:00 – 8:00 pm
When: October 13 – 15, 12:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: 156 Augusta Avenue
Cost: For Consignment Opportunities and more details, visit their website at http://archivaltoronto.ca
8. Friday Night Live - Wicked at the ROM!
Cost: For Consignment Opportunities and more details, visit their website at http://archivaltoronto.ca
8. Friday Night Live - Wicked at the ROM!
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Friday Night Live at the ROM is back and they’ve prepared a massive Halloween party for the last weekend in October! Dress in your ghoulish best as you enjoy drinks, dancing and live music with dinosaurs, mummies, and ancient artefacts. While there, make sure to check out the featured exhibitions, such as Anishinaabeg: Art & Power, The Family Camera, and The Evidence Room. This is also a great way to explore the hidden gems on the second, third, and fourth floors of the museum.
Music will be performed by DJ ESP, DJ Craig Dominic and University of Toronto Faculty of Music.
This is a 19+ event.
Where: The Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park
Cost: $17 adults, $15.50 students/seniors, $5 members
Early bird tickets can be bought online,
Autumn is my absolute favourite time of year. The temperate weather, golden skies and mesmerizing foliage is a reminder that there is beauty in change. Whether you prefer to spend your October indoors with a cozy drink or outside absorbing all the colours, I hope you enjoy every moment of this beautiful season!
Autumn is my absolute favourite time of year. The temperate weather, golden skies and mesmerizing foliage is a reminder that there is beauty in change. Whether you prefer to spend your October indoors with a cozy drink or outside absorbing all the colours, I hope you enjoy every moment of this beautiful season!
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