Would you like to know what is happening at cultural institutions in the city of Toronto for the coming week? Of course you do! Otherwise you wouldn't be reading this fantastic blog post. However if you did reach this post in error, why don't you stay awhile? Your page views still count towards our total anyway.
There are two major events happening in the city in the coming days, both of which are of a social nature. So, with that in mind, this is a good week to get a group of friends together and dip into the portion of your budget marked "miscellaneous expenditures".
First up we have Nuit Blanche Toronto happening on Saturday, October 4th from 6:53pm (avoid the social faux pas of showing up at 6:50, you'll never live down the embarassment) until sunrise. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Nuit Blanche, some brief background information. This event has occurred in Toronto annually since 2006, and involves transforming public spaces and local institutions into contemporary art exhibits for one night only.
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| Ai WeiWei's installation in Toronto last year. http://i1.wp.com/metronewsca.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/image.jpeg?crop=64px%2C0px%2C5320px%2C3513px&resize=618%2C408 |
This year there are 4 featured exhibitions, and over 100 independent and special exhibits occurring across the downtown core at venues such as the Gardiner Museum, the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Fort York, and Nathan Phillips Square. A detailed event map and background on the exhibitions and artists can be found here.
Most importantly however is the fact that all of these events are free! So grab some friends and take in a night of culture outdoors while the weather is still nice. Whether you decide to critically engage with the artwork, or laugh at someone dressed as a metaphor for urban decline get their foot stuck in a streetcar track, I guarantee you will have fun.
Next we have this months' First Thursday at the AGO. Similar to the ROM's Friday Night Live program, this is a once a month event where the AGO throws a party in the galleries replete with dancing, dining, and drinking.
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| Interior of the Galleria Italia. Don't miss out, this could be you. http://www.blogto.com/upload/2013/06/201367-1stthursdays-window.jpg |
Unsurprisingly, this event is happening Thursday, October 2nd from 7-11:30pm. Advance tickets will cost you $12 ($10 if you are a member), or $15 at the door ($13 for members). That being said, if you are willing to fork over an extra Sir John A. Macdonald you will also get entry to the Alex Colville exhibition. Tickets can be bought here, and they do sell out so get on it!
This particular First Thursday also guarantees to be special as it is the two year anniversary of this event. To celebrate, the AGO is offering sneak peeks of some of the aforementioned Nuit Blanche exhibits, as well as acrobats in Walker Court from 7:30-9:30.
So get out there and attempt to be social this week, cultural connoisseurs. Because if there is one demographic who isn't occasionally socially awkward and thrives in loud environments, it's people who like art galleries and museums. Thanks for reading!
Thank you for keeping us posted on fun happenings around TO. I find Nuit Blanche a little overwhelming in terms of the quantity of events so I think this is a good tool to make some order into the evening http://www.blogto.com/arts/2014/10/the_top_30_exhibits_to_check_out_at_nuit_blanche_2014/. And, my second favorite tool http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2014/10/late_night_eats_nuit_blanche_2014/ :)
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