OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO.... VISIT IN TORONTO

Beyond Traditions | By Sarah Cozzarin

LET'S TAKE A WALK: SIX OUTDOOR HERITAGE SPACES IN TORONTO

Heritage Moments | Madison Carmichael 

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One of the greatest surprises of completing the MMST program in Toronto was the city itself. I grew up in Mississauga, which is about forty minutes – depending on the traffic – from downtown Toronto. The suburban child’s mind easily paints an urban jungle paved from tip to toe in concrete and crowned with shining skyscrapers too tall to fathom. What that little kid misses, and what I was thrilled to discover, was the amount of heritage embedded within the city, outdoors and indoors, old and new. And so I thought, what with spring (hopefully) on its way, I'd take a leaf out of a fellow editor's book and set out on a long walk across Toronto to shine a light on some of the city’s fantastic outdoor heritage spaces and sites.

Ah, the CN Tower. Our favourite example of Brutalist architecture. Photograph courtesy of Madison Carmichael. 

1. The University of Toronto

This one is perhaps a given, but there is something to be said for the St. George campus at the University of Toronto. The University, founded in 1827, contains a whole slew of architectural styles from Gothic to Brutalist (looking at you, Robarts) to Victorian. It’s easy to read the long history of the University in the Philosopher’s Walk, the Soldiers’ Tower, and the 50 heritage buildings which are scattered across the campus.

A postcard from 1903. Even then, they were keen to highlight their older buildings. (Source)

2. The Beltline Trail

The Beltline Trail is what remains of a short-lived commuter railway from the 1890s. In the 1890s, it seemed as though Toronto was on the cusp of a suburban boom, and so the businessmen who formed the Belt Line Railway sought to capitalize on these future commuters. The Railway operated with a similar ethos as it would seem the GO Transit and other such rapid transit currently do: to connect the suburbs of Toronto to the downtown core. The Belt Line only operated for two years between 1892 and 1894, but to this day, Torontonians continue to use its right-of-way, albeit very differently. The Kay Gardner Beltline Park, which is the most notable enduring stretch of the Railway, is frequently used by runners, walkers, and cyclists. You can even spot the site of one of the original Belt Line stations or follow one of Toronto’s Discovery Walks.

The "Yonge Station" of the Belt Line Railway as it currently stands. Photograph courtesy of Madison Carmichael. 

3. Mount Pleasant Cemetery

Said Discovery Walk will also bring you to Mount Pleasant Cemetery. As one of Canada’s most historic cemeteries, Mount Pleasant has operated in Toronto since 1876. The cemetery houses a unique sort of heritage, one found in epitaphs and mausoleums, as well as in the sculptures and memorials found throughout the grounds. Mount Pleasant has several running and walking routes for you to try, if you’re up for exploring; and while you do, you can enjoy the cemetery’s abundance of trees, flower gardens, and wildlife – namely birds.

The many tombstone and memorials of Mount Pleasant are also indicative of Victorian burial practices and symbols. Check out that urn - and if you look closely, you can see a small veil draped over it. Photograph courtesy of Madison Carmichael. 

4. High Park

High Park is a park that knows how to multitask. In the century and a bit since the park was handed over to the City of Toronto, it’s acquired a pool, a zoo, playgrounds, and tennis courts, in addition to the open spaces frequently utilized by Torontonians for picnics, walks, etcetera. The park also contains Colborne Lodge, which is currently closed, but was originally owned by John and Jemima Howard, who deeded High Park to the City in 1873. A walking visitor can also enjoy the gardens and waterfront along Grenadier Pond. And of course, High Park is known for its cherry blossoms, which are set to bloom in the coming months, so look forward to that.

A shot of High Park. (Source)

5. Humber River

The Humber River was designated as a Canadian Heritage River in 1999, but it has a much longer history of human settlement, going back thousands of years. Presently, you can take the City’s Discovery Walk beginning around the Old Mill Subway station to explore its rich, multifaceted heritage, beginning the with the Old Mill and Old Mill Bridge. The Old Mill, dating to 1793, was part of Toronto’s first industrial buildings and helped to build Fort York. The walk then takes you to the Toronto Carrying Place Trail, which was used by Indigenous peoples for millennia as a trade route between Lake Ontario and lakes further north. The Humber River, Valley, and Marshes are also home to a variety of wildlife such as migratory birds and butterflies.

A more historic Humber River. And a cow. (Source)

Now something a little more current. See what I did there. (Source)

6. Distillery District

While the Distillery District is more generally known for its Christmas Market, the District is also a wonderful example of Toronto’s industrial heritage. It’s also a National Historic Site. Formed of more than 40 buildings, the Distillery District functioned as the Gooderham and Worts Distillery from 1859 to 1900. Gooderham and Worts largely produced whisky, and its location on the side of the Canadian National Railway mainline ensured its commercial success. The District is considered the largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian industrial architecture in North America, and in the past few decades the District has transformed into a pedestrian-oriented area filled with shops, art galleries, theatres, coffeehouses, and restaurants. While much of that is closed at present, the Distillery District is certainly worth a walk – for the buildings, if nothing else.

The Distillery District is worth a visit any time of the year! (Source)

For those keen to explore outdoor Toronto in the upcoming warmer months, I’d advise checking out the City of Toronto’s Discovery Walks and all the fantastic walking tours listed here! They cover far more than I’ve listed here, which gives you some indication as to just how much there is in the city to discover. Best of luck out there, and stay safe! 

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!