JUST ANOTHER WEEKEND ON THE INTERNET

Beyond Tradition | Erika Serodio

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A few Saturdays ago, on September 28th, Jia Tolentino – a staff writer at the New Yorker – spoke to a sold out Toronto crowd about her new book Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self Delusion.

Trick Mirror. Photo Courtesy of Erika Serodio.

A few Sundays ago, on September 29th, I rode my bicycle to Toronto’s Museum of Contemporary Art where the Age of You exhibition has taken over floors two and three of the factory-turned-museum building.

Age of You at MOCA. Photograph courtesy of Erika Serodio. 

These two shows felt like companions to each other. Both focused broadly on two words that have become increasingly difficult to define: the self and the internet. Why, you might ask, would I choose to fill my weekend with the bleak and bitter words describing my generation’s demise? The answer is twofold. First, to compare how a more traditional museum space and a space that’s definitely not a museum engage their audiences in an important conversation. And second, because I think it’s an important conversation.

I like to think I’m not a fan-girl kind of girl. But Jia Tolentino has not only made me her fan-girl, she has forced me to reconsider the ways that I think about myself. Her new book is a collection of essays about “the incentives that shape us, and about how hard it is to see ourselves clearly through a culture that revolves around the self” (according to the book’s jacket.) Tolentino was interviewed about the book by Kathleen Newman-Bremang, senior writer for Refinery29. Over 700 people attended the sold out show at Hot Docs cinema. Obviously I’m not the only fan-girl.

Kathleen Newman-Bremang & Jia Tolentino. Photograph Courtesy of Erika Serodio.

Tolentino’s subject matter is dismal. She spoke about the performance of self, about how the internet has monetized identity and selfhood, and about how when we are burdened with an economic mandate our sense of self becomes unclear. And yet, with an uncanny lightness, both her book and her speaking event have made spaces where I feel comfortable and compelled to critique the way that I present myself on the internet compared to in-person.

Age of You at MOCA. Photograph courtesy of Erika Serodio. 

In Age of You, the MOCA exhibition curated by Shumon Basar, Douglas Coupland, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, the artworks interrogate how “you –and all your online behaviours, enriched data sets and millions of meta-data points –are this century’s most valuable resource.” Age of You was a whole lot more apocalyptic than Trick Mirror. People walked through the exhibition quietly and uncomfortably. I was disturbed by the images and the words presented. This is actually a feeling I love in museums – please, make me feel something! I thought I would come away from this weekend with a better understanding of how algorithms and data sets are affecting me. Both shows made me realize that it’s impossible to understand the effects of the internet because it’s moving faster than we can comprehend. What might be the most important thing is to remain critical of our online behaviours.

Tolentino joked about how several interviewers have commented on the fact that her essays do not have conclusions. But then she said something that had the entire audience laughing in agreement. She asked us to think about some of the best conversations we have ever had and how they usually end without a conclusion. She acted out her version of this scenario by nodding with a bewildered look and said “Yeah, man.” To Jia Tolentino, “a neat ending absolves us of productive discomfort.”

Age of You at MOCA. Photograph courtesy of Erika Serodio.

The last piece in the Age of You’s exhibition is titled The Impossibility of David Bowie Being Dead in the Minds of the Living. It’s an effigy of Bowie’s face that represents his immortal persona. Yeah, man.

5 OF TORONTO'S BEST OLD MOVIE THEATRES

Ghosts of Toronto's Past | Rebecca Barrett 

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In the past month, the big news in Toronto’s local heritage scene has been that the iconic Scotiabank Theatre will likely get demolished in the coming years to make room for RioCan’s new developments. The dramatic social media response to this news has really gotten me thinking about the larger presence that movie theatres have in our city’s cultural landscape.

Just as movie theatres can represent everything modern and fast-paced about a city – all the newest and most impressive 3D and IMAX technology, come to life in front of our very eyes – old movie theatres can remind us of a slower-paced, simpler, and more charming vision of a city. They harken back to a time when marquee signs were updated by kids on ladders and when going to the movies was a special occasion to get dressed up for. The movie theatres on this list have all stood the test of time and contain more charm and character in a single marquee letter than the Scotiabank Theatre has in all its giant Rubik’s Cube, broken-escalator glory. So, even though we can (and should) acknowledge the inevitable change that the demolition of the Scotiabank Theatre will cause to Toronto, hopefully this list can also remind us that there are still other, more interesting and iconic, places for us to eat popcorn in the dark with strangers.

1. Fox Theatre (2236 Queen St. E)

The old marquee sign is one of the most endearing qualities of the Fox. Source. 

Located in the Beaches at the intersection of Queen St. and Beech Ave., this theatre has been around since 1914 – making it the second oldest movie theatre in Toronto, after the Revue Theatre. It has only one screen and shows a mix of independent and foreign films, old classics, and second-run movies that have already left the bigger chain theatres.

It underwent extensive renovation in 2007, which focused on restoring the theatre’s 1930’s décor. The restoration saw the addition of an old-fashioned popcorn machine, a chalkboard menu, and a reupholstered smoking wall. If you’re looking to take a step back in time, Fox Theatre won’t disappoint.

2. Humber Cinemas (2442 Bloor St. W)

Humber Cinema’s simple and bare façade, redeemed only slightly by the tree out front. Source.

Humber Cinemas is located in Bloor West Village, at the corner of Bloor St. and Jane St., and was originally one of five Toronto Odeon Cinemas. The Odeon Danforth is now a fitness centre and the other three Odeons have since been demolished – meaning that the Humber location is the only one left. It closed in 2003 and sat abandoned for six years, but in 2009 new ownership took over, renovating and rebranding it.

The reopening has been a success, but there is concern among the community that Plazacorp, the sites owner, is planning to tear down the theatre to build condominiums. The neighborhood’s local city councillor has been in dialogue with Plazacorp to incorporate the cinema within the condominium’s designs. Visit before it’s too late!

3. Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema (506 Bloor St. W)

The front of the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. Being the main location for Hot Docs, it’s not unusual to see lines of festival-goers crowding the theatre and trailing down Bloor. Source.

Located in the Annex at Bloor St. and Bathurst St., the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema first opened in 1913. It was demolished and rebuilt in 1940, getting renamed multiple times over the years – first it was the Midtown Theatre, then the Capri, then the Eden, and then the Bloor. Eventually is was sold to the Blue Ice Group in 2011, who currently manage the theatre in partnership with Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

This theatre is most known for, among other things, its history of screening The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live cast on Halloween and on the last Friday of every month.

4. Revue Cinema (400 Roncesvalles Ave.)

The Revue’s iconic art-deco signs and marquee, still standing 107 years later. Source.

The Revue was built at the intersection of Dundas St. W and Roncesvalles Ave., in the middle of Roncesvalles, between 1911 and 1912. It is a designated Toronto heritage site and the city’s oldest standing movie theatre for showing movies. It also holds the record for the oldest continuously running movie theatre in Ontario, showing movies continuously from its creation to 2006 (almost a hundred years!). There had been plans for the Revue’s demolition in 2006, but a large community grass-roots movement saved the theatre. It reopened shortly after in 2007, with a screening of Some Like it Hot.

Nowadays, the Revue plays select blockbusters, indie films, and hosts arts and culture events.

5. Regent Theatre (551 Mount Pleasant Rd.)

The Regent Theatre, complete with its old-fashioned green and yellow sign. Source.

The Regent Theatre first opened in 1927 as The Belsize Theatre. Located at Mount Pleasant Rd. and Davisville Ave. in Midtown Toronto, it was built to be very opulent and impressive – including decorative arches, ornate plaster trim, and small Venetian-style box seats in the auditorium. Beginning in 1953, the theater stopped screening movies and instead showed live stage performances of Canadian theatre. But in 1988, it was renovated and reopened as The Regent Theatre and began screening movies once again.

Now it screens a mix of Hollywood releases and independent arthouse films.


These movie theatres are charming and simple, and though they probably won’t be showing the latest Marvel movie in IMAX anytime soon, they represent the heart and history of Toronto in a way that the Scotiabank Theatre never can.

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: KELLY MANIKOTH

Welcome to the December edition of What's Happening Wednesdays! As snowflakes begin to flutter and chilly weather sneaks its way into the forecast, holiday preparations in Toronto are in full swing! I personally think it’s never too early to start planning for the most wonderful time of the year and I am so excited to spend the holidays in the city. Here's a selection of festive-inspired events, from markets to exhibitions, to celebrate the end of a very busy semester!

A Roaring Twenties Christmas at the Spadina House Museum

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This holiday season, the Spadina House Museum is hosting 20s era-inspired guided Christmas tours! Experience the holidays through the memories of the Austin family grandchildren and see the historic house fully decked in festive décor. The tour includes Christmas treats from original family recipes and traditional mulled cider.

This event is presented as part of the Toronto History Museums Holiday Programming.

When: November 21, 2017 - January 7, 2018
Every Tuesday - Friday, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Every Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
(Museum Closed on Mondays)

Where: Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Rd

Cost: Child: $5.75, Adult: $8.85, Youth: $7.08,  Senior: $7.08

12 Trees: Let There Be Light Exhibition at the Gardiner Museum

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Since 1990, the The Gardiner Museum has reinterpreted the modern Christmas tree through its annual exhibition, 12 Trees. The theme of this year’s exhibition is Let There Be Light. Curated by Canadian writer and artist Douglas Coupland and Vice President of Public Art Management Ben Mills, it captures how light is used as a symbol of hope by many cultures during the holiday season. Some of the installations include a disco ball Christmas tree and a tree made up of illuminated blocks!

The featured 12 Trees artists are: Evan Biddell, Julia Callon, Connor Crawford, Christine Dewancker and Katherine Strang, Amit Kehar and Kanika Gupta, Alex McLeod, Polymetis, Jon Sasaki, Jordan Soderberg Mills, David Trautrimas, Julia White, and Vivian Wong.

In addition to the twelve artist installations, there will be a 42-foot white spruce bedazzled in neon lights on the Gardiner's front plaza. The tree is designed by the Presenting Sponsor, Nordstrom, and donated by Ontario Wood and Forests Ontario.

When: November 17, 2017 – January 7, 2018; 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Where: The Gardiner Museum of Ceramics, 111 Queens Park, Toronto

Cost: 12 Trees: Let There Be Light is included in general Museum Admission : $15 Adults, $9 Students, $11 Seniors, Members free. The museum is half price admission every Friday, and FREE on Tuesdays for post-secondary students with a valid photo ID.

Swedish Christmas Fair

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There are always a multitude of Christmas fairs to enjoy in Toronto during the holidays. A special one to check out this year is the Swedish Christmas Fair. The fair is a two-day extravaganza where you can experience all the charming traditions of a Swedish Christmas. Listen to choirs singing carols at the Lucia Pageant, learn about Sami culture, folk dance, and sample Scandinavian food, such as 'risgrynsgröt', a rice porridge that's eaten with 'hallonsylt' (raspberry jam) and glögg, a special Swedish sweet mulled wine. This is also the perfect opportunity to pick up unique, specially imported gifts such as Swedish décor and textiles.

When: Saturday, November 25, 11am–5pm and Sunday, November 26, 11am–4pm

Where:  Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto

Cost: Free

Nazar by Turkwaz at the Aga Khan Museum

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Experience a beautiful concert at the Aga Khan Museum that unifies a myriad of cultures. This concert series features Turkwaz, a group of four vocalists, Maryem Tollar, Brenna MacCrimmon, Sophia Grigoriadis, and Jayne Brown, who take inspiration from Arabic, Balkan, Macedonian, Turkish, and Albanian folk songs. The quartet is joined by four guest musicians, Demetri Petsalakis (oud), Naghmeh Farahmand (percussion), Ernie Tollar (sax, flutes) and Andrew Downing (cello).

The concert is linked to the museum’s contemporary art show HERE (which runs from July 22^nd 2017 to January 7^th 2018).  The exhibition reflects the complexity and multifaceted ideas of Canadian identity.

When: Saturday, December 2^nd, 8pm

Where: 77 Wynford Drive, located one light north of Eglinton off Don Mills Road.

Cost: $40, $36 for members. You can purchase tickets here. This event includes same-day Museum admission.

Create Miniature Scenes in Glass Globes at the Toronto Botanical Garden

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The Toronto Botanical Garden is a beautiful place to explore year-round. This December, visit the gardens in Don Valley Ravine and discover a new skill as well! On Saturday, December 2^nd, learn how to design miniature Christmas scenes inside a glass globe. Taught by Gabriela Delworth, a lifestyle Blogger, DIY author and crafts industry designer, these globes will make the perfect ornament for holiday decorations or unique gift for a loved one. All materials are included in the cost!

When: Saturday, December 2, 2017, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Where: Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario

Cost: Public $48, Members $40. You can purchase tickets online here. 

Celebrating Hanukkah 2017 with Light Up the Night 

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This year, Hanukkah begins on Tuesday, December 12^th and ends on the evening of Wednesday, December 20^th. On its first night, attend a Menorah Lighting at Mel Lastman Square, hosted by the Jewish Russian Community Centre of Toronto. Festivities include a fire show, live music, hot latkes, donuts, Chanukah Gelt (chocolate coins), a dignitaries greeting and a giant menorah lighting. For more information, checkout Public Menorah Lighting.  

When: Tuesday, December 12^th, 6pm

Where: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.

Cost: Free!

Hot Docs Free Screenings of Holiday Classics

One of my favourite holiday movies, White Christmas Source.

One of my favourite holiday traditions is to curl up with a hot chocolate and watch some of my most-loved seasonal films. This year, I'm switching it up by catching the classics on the big screen! Hot Docs is showcasing free screenings of iconic holiday movies, such as A Christmas Story, Love Actually, and National Lampoon’s Christmas. The first of the free screenings is my all time favourite holiday movie, Michael Curtiz’s White Christmas. I watch this timeless musical every year at home, so it will be a treat to see it in a cinema.

When: White Christmas plays on Saturday, December 16th, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

The rest of the classics play between December 17th – 24th at various times. Click here for the calendar listing of showings

Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West, Toronto

Cost: Free! Hot Docs will be accepting donations to The Stop (dried beans, rice or monetary donation).

Members: tickets are available for pick up at the box office and online now. Tickets for non-members available for pick up at the cinema box office beginning December 3 at 1 p.m. Maximum of two tickets per person. A limited number of same day tickets will be available.

Pick up a Christmas Tree at the Distillery District Christmas Market 

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A Torontonian's holiday to-do list is simply not complete without checking out the Christmas Market at the Distillery District. This year, start a new tradition at the market and cut down your own fresh tree! Forests Ontario will sell trees at the market during the first two weekends in December (Friday December 1st - Sunday December 3rd, and Friday December 8th - Sunday December 10th).
For every tree that’s purchased and cut at the Toronto Christmas Market, a new tree will be planted. You'll also get one free entry into the market and a locally crafted reindeer ornament to decorate your new tree! For more information, visit torontochristmasmarket.com

When: Dates to get a Tree: Friday, December 1, 2017, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Saturday, December 2, 2017, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sunday, December 3, 2017, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday, December 8, 2017, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Saturday, December 9, 2017 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sunday, December 10, 2017 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

The Christmas Market runs from Thursday, November 16 - Saturday December 23, 2017

Where: Distillery District, 55 Mill St Rd, Toronto, ON.

Cost: The Toronto Christmas Market charges a $6 admission fee on weekends, starting at 5pm on Fridays. You can buy tickets online in advance here .

Jane Austen’s Birthday Ball

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To commemorate Jane Austen's 242nd birthday in December, The Jane Austen Dancing Group is hosting a Regency-era ball! The elegant ball will be as authentic as possible, with live music, historical refreshments, door prizes and toasts to the King!

The Group is offering a pre-ball dance workshop, clothing and hair makeover for those lacking nineteenth century attire and dance skills. No partner or dance experience needed, but the pre-ball basics workshop is a prerequisite for those new to English Country Dancing. The workshop is designed for all skill levels. For more details, registration forms and to buy tickets, visit the Jane Austen Dancing website .

When: Saturday, December 16, 2017, Ball prep session: 1:00  – 5:00 PM, Ball: 6:30 - 9:00 PM

Where: Afternoon (1:00 -5:00): Clothing and hair session, dance workshop: Trinity St Paul Centre, 427 Bloor St W one block west of Spadina subway.

Evening (6:30 – 9:00) : Ball with live music and refreshments: Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave in Yorkville

Cost: Ball package (includes both afternoon workshops, ball and refreshments): $55 / $45 students and seniors. Ball-only tickets for experienced English or Scottish Country Dancers (available only by prior arrangement): $35 / $30 You can purchase tickets here. Payment can be made either by cheque or electronic transfer.

New Years in the 6ix

The year is drawing to a close, and there is certainly no shortage of New Year's Eve parties as Toronto prepares to ring in 2018! Here are two cool NYE bashes to check out if you're downtown:

ROM New Year's Eve

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#ROMNYE will be extra chic this year, inspired by the glamorous Christian Dior exhibit (running from November 25, 2017 to March 18, 2018). Guests have the option to enjoy a three-course gourmet meal, wine service with dinner, and a complimentary welcome cocktail, as well as early entry at 7:00 p.m., exclusive cash bar service in c5 all night long and exclusive access to Christian Dior from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The entertainment includes performances by the St. Royals and DJ Matthew Romeo.

#ROMNYE also includes a Christian Dior-inspired photo booth, party favours, hors d’oeuvre, complimentary sparkling wine toast at midnight and complimentary coat check.

When: Sunday, December 31st, 2017, 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM Christian Dior exhibition access from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Where: ROM, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto

Cost: Party only: Early bird tickets are $90 for General Public. Members receive a 10% discount. Regular Tickets are $100
VIP Dinner and Party: $250 for General Public. Members receive a 10% discount.

#ROMNYE tickets must be purchased in advance online at rom.on.ca; there will be no tickets available at the door.  #ROMNYE is a specially ticketed event for adults 19+.

Dwayne Gretzky Infinity Ball: New Year's 2018

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Ring in the new year with amazing musical performances and art installations of mirrors and diamonds at the Dwayne Gretzky Infinity Ball! Dwayne Grtezky is “a super group party band”, or a collective of Toronto musicians that remixes contemporary and classic music. Some of the artists featured are lighting designer and creative director Matt Mansion and media artist Karl Skene.

The Enercare Centre will be transformed into a large reflective dance floor for guests to waltz the night away. There will be plenty of food, drinks and special 'photo opps' to celebrate 2018. Head to dwaynegretzkynye.com for more information.

When: December 31, 2017, Doors open at: 9PM

Where: Enercare Centre @ Exhibition Place, 100 Princes' Blvd #1, Toronto

Cost: $75. You can purchase tickets online here.

With the stunning 100 ft tree finally revealed in the Eaton Centre and the opening of the Toronto Christmas Market at the Distillery District, Toronto is truly in the holiday spirit! I hope you enjoy the festive events in the city along with all the light, warmth and hope that this season brings. Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday with family and friends. See you in 2018!

BEING MINDFUL IN MAY

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: KELLY MANIKOTH

Welcome to the first What’s Happening Wednesday of Summer 2017! I am very excited to write this column for the Spring Term as there are so many exciting events, festivals, and parades that will take place over the warmer months. Upon completion of the first year of graduate school, I realized the importance of being mindful and observing our environment. This May, I wanted to highlight some fun events that support mindful practices by encouraging us to pause, examine, and appreciate our surroundings. This month’s column features events hosted at the Art Gallery of Ontario, where fellow student Tabitha Chan is currently interning; the Ontario Science Centre, where Emily Welsh and Hannah Monkman are completing their placements; the Law Society of Upper Canada, where Karley Staskus is interning; and the Royal Ontario Museum, where Napat Malathum is an intern!

1. Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival

Still from Swiss film, The Girl Down Loch Änzi. Source.

Learn about different cultures and explore new perspectives through watching documentary film! Check out the Hot Docs film festival, North America’s largest international film festival. This year is Hot Docs' 24th Anniversary, and over 200 films will be featured from filmmakers across the globe.

When: April 27th – May 7th, a schedule of the film screenings can be found here

Where: Various theatres across Toronto, including the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, TIFF Bell Lightbox, Scotiabank Theatre, Aga Khan Museum, Toronto Centre for the Arts, Innis Town Hall, Isabel Bader Theatre and Hart House Theatre.

Cost: Regular single tickets to screenings are $17, and $22-24 for premium tickets. Free tickets for all screenings before 5:00 p.m. are available for seniors (60+) and students with valid ID at the box offices on the day of the screening (subject to availability). Passes, packages and tickets can be purchased in person at the CraveTV Hot Docs Box Office or online at www.hotdocs.ca, by phone at 416-637-5150.

2.  Ontario College of Art and Design University's GradEx

PawPaw, 2017 by OCAD Painting and Drawing student Jessika Welch. Source. 

Support new and local talent this month by checking out OCAD's 102nd GradEx! The arts and design university opens its doors to the public to present the final thesis work of both undergrad and graduate students of the class of 2017. More than 900 art and design students will be exhibiting paintings, sculptures, new media and digital work. This year, GradEx will run for five days, spread across three buildings on the OCAD campus, including the iconic Sharp Centre for Design.

When: Opening Night Celebration Wednesday, May 3 6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Thursday, May 4, 9:30 a.m.– 8 p.m.
Friday, May 5, 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 6, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 7, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Where: OCAD University, 100 McCaul St.

Cost: Free!

3. Mother's Day Brunch and Georgia O'Keeffe Exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario

Jimson Weed No. 1, 1932 by Georgia O'Keeffe. Source.

Looking for something creative to do on Mothers’ Day? Why not treat mom to a special day at the Art Gallery of Ontario! Enjoy the Mother's Day Brunch Menu at the AGO’s Frank Restaurant, which features items such as scones, oysters and celery root galette, all made from fresh and local ingredients. After brunch, check out the AGO’s retrospective on prolific American modernist artist, Georgia O'Keeffe. The exhibition, which runs from April 22nd – July 30th 2017, is a retrospective of O’Keefe’s career, including the prints from her first exhibition in NYC in 1916, to her distinctive paintings of New Mexico’s landscape. The evolution of O’Keeffe’s work served as a catalyst in the feminist art movement, as she created a unique style of painting amidst a discipline dominated by male artists.

When: Sunday, May 14th, 2017, 11am – 3pm

Where: The Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St W

Cost: $80 per person, $27 kids' menu

4. Untangling the Cosmos Talk at the Ontario Science Centre 

Learn about our mysterious universe at the Ontario Science Centre! Source.

It can be hard to observe the wonders of the night sky in a big city like Toronto. The Ontario Science Centre, however, can satisfy this astronomical curiosity with their symposium on current research of the Universe. The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, in partnership with Innovation 150, is hosting Untangling the Cosmos, a series of plenary talks and panel discussions on the properties and forces of the universe, the evolution of the stars, new technologies astronomers are using in their research, and major breakthroughs in astronomical discoveries. Moderated by Jay Ingram, the event is open to the public and audience participation is encouraged. 

When: May 17th, 2017, 9am - 4:30pm

Where: The Ontario Science Centre, Imperial Oil Auditorium, Level 1

Cost: $25 per ticket, students free with valid student ID

5. Doors Open Toronto

View the city in an entirely new way by taking a sneak peak into some of Toronto’s oldest and most architecturally interesting buildings! The 18th annual Doors Open Toronto program gives the public access to some of the cities most culturally significant buildings. Be sure to check out the beautiful Osgoode Hall, a nineteenth century building which is home to the Law Society of Upper Canada.

The stately Osgoode Hall, one of the many institutions participating in Doors Open Toronto. Source.

When: May 27th – 28nd, 2017, 10am – 5pm

Where: Check here for the entire list of buildings features, and here for a map of the locations to plan your route.

Cost: Free!

6. Celebrate National Museum Month at the Royal Ontario Museum with ROM Speaks 

Out of the Depths: The Blue Whale Story at the ROM. Source.

Listen to marine biologist and conservationist Dr. Asha de Vos discuss why the existence of blue whales is integral to our ecosystem and the current research conducted to protect the species from extinction. A reception will be held after the lecture with snacks and a cash bar.

When: Tuesday, May 30th, 2017, 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Where: The ROM, 100 Queens Park

Cost: $20 per ticket, $15 for students with valid student ID

Whether it be watching a new film, learning about a work of art, or exploring hidden buildings in the city, I hope these events will help you to be mindful and observant of our surroundings. If anything, get outside and enjoy the beautiful May flowers!

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If anyone has more exciting events to check out in May, please leave a comment below! Happy exploring, everybody!