Blizzardzilla 2011 - Snow crushes Toronto

OMG - the snow falls, nay rages, as I write this post. We will surely see the end of days as the white fluffy snow accumulates an outstanding 5 to 10 cm today. 5 to 10! We may as well get rid of our cars and all buy snowmobiles because they could never get rid of this amount of snow. Ever.

Nothing left but to count the weekends until you head out on a vacation - maybe a flight to an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean or maybe a cruise around the Mediterrean, or wait until the warmth and the sun return back to Toronto in Springzilla 2011. Now that's a lot of zillas. Contact your favourite travel agent and start booking now.

You can also count the events that are coming up in the next few weekends - the Toronto Boat Show (now), the Canadian Motorsports Expo CME (next weekend Jan 21-23), the Toronto Travel Show on the last weekend of Jan 29-30) and in the first weekend of February, that dreary cold month, is an event that will warm you up for the rest of winter. REAL WOMEN, REAL HITS, REAL HEART and lingerie - the Toronto Roller Derby Season Opener on Feb 5, 2011. (Don't forget to help save the 101 Downsview Park TTC Bus).

Toronto Runs, Walks and Rides for Charity 2011

Some of the events are wickedly unusual and require a lot of courage just to take part in - like the Underwear Affair (rumours for 2011?) and the Walk and Mile In Her Shoes.

Toronto, get ready for:

Run for the Ride - Cancer (April)
Toronto Marathon - Princess Margaret Hospital (May)

Goodlife Fitness Father's Day Walk/Run - Prostate Cancer (June)

Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart - (June)

Ride to Conquer Cancer - (June)

Heel 'n' Wheel-a-thon - Crohn's and Colitis (June)

Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes - Juvenile Diabetes (June)

Rick Hanson: Wheels in Motion - Spinal Cord Injury (June)

Walk Now for Autism - (June)

Underwear Affair - Cancer below the waist (August)

Terry Fox Run - Cancer (September)

Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women's Cancer (September)

CIBC Run for the Cure - Breast Cancer (October)
Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon - various charities (October)

There is also Polo for Heart - Heart and Stroke (June) and many golf tournaments around the city for charity so there are plenty of ways to get active or help others financially.

Toronto Events 2011

Princes' Gates under construction at the entrance to the CNE

Toronto has so many great world class events going on every year that it is hard not to be excited at the prospect of the upcoming months attractions. Some of the best activities and other fun things to do in 2011 include the following must see events. (Schedule to be updated regularly - keep checking back here).

January

Canadian Motorsports Expo (CME) Fri to Sun, Jan 21-23. Great winter show for race fans.
Monster Jam Sat to Sun, Jan 22-23.
Toronto Rock Lacrosse Fri Jan 21, Sat Jan 29.

February

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Feb 5 - Season Opener. Great sport with beautiful women and lingerie.
Toronto Comic Con Sun Feb 6.
Toronto Rock Lacrosse Sat Feb 12, Fri Feb 18.
Winterfolk Festival Fri to Mon, Feb 18-21.
Canadian International AutoShow Fri to Sun, Feb 18-27.

Sexapalooza Fri to Sun, Feb 25-27.

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Feb 26.

March

International Bicycle Show Fri to Sun, Mar 4-6.
Toronto Rock Lacrosse Fri Mar 4.

Performance World Custom Car and Truck Show Fri to Sun, Mar 11-13.
Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Mar 12.

Toronto Comic Con Fri to Sun, Mar 18-20. Come for the costumes, read a few comics.

Toronto Wine and Cheese Show Fri to Sun, Mar 18-20.
Toronto Anime Con Sat to Sun, Mar19-20.

Toronto Roller Derby League: Quad City Chaos Sat to Sun, Mar 26-27.
Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Sat April 20.

April

Toronto Blue Jays: Home Opener Fri Apr 1.
Toronto Rock Lacrosse Fri Apr 1, Fri Apr 8.

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Apr 9.

Toronto Spring Motorcycle Show Sat to Sun, Apr 9-10.
Toronto Comic Con Fan Appreciation Event Sat to Sun, Apr 9-10.

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Apr 16.
Brazilian Carnival Ball Sat Apr 16.
UFC Fan Expo Fri to Sat, Apr 29-30.

May

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat May 14.
Toronto Marathon Sun May 15.
Toronto International Circus Festival May.

Anime North Fri to Sun, May 27-29

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat May 28.
Doors Open Toronto Sat to Sun, May 28-29. Chance to see things normally closed to public or attractions with no entrance fee.

June 

Luminato  Fri to Sun, June 10-19. Cool art installations.

Naked Bike Ride Sat 11 June. Right through downtown Toronto, nude.
Woofstock Sat to Sun, June 11-12. Cute dogs in costumes.

North By North East (NXNE) Music Festival Mon to Sun, June 13-19.
Toronto Wine and Spirit Festival Thurs to Sat, June 16-18.
Northern Ink Xposure Tattoo Show Fri to Sun, June 17-19.

The Pride Week and Pride Parades Fri to Sun, June 24-July 3. The parades are things of colour and beauty.
Toronto Jazz Festival Fri to Sun, June 24-July3.
Dragon Boat Race Sat to Sun, June 25-26.

July

The Pride Week and Pride Parades Fri to Sun, June 24-July 3.
Festival of Fire July. Fireworks at Ontario Place.
Chin Picnic July. Including the bikini contest.

Toronto Roller Derby League: Clam Slam Sat Jul 2. Part of the Pride Celebrations - love the name.

Honda Indy Toronto Fri to Sun, July 8-10, 2010. Fast cars and beautiful women, including Ms. Budweiser.
Toronto Jazz Festival Fri to Sun, June 24-July3.

Caribana July-Aug. King and Queen Show and the famous parade down by the lake.
Toronto Fringe Festival Wed to Sun, July 6-17.
Just for Laughs Festival July
Beaches Jazz Festival Fri to Sun, July 15-24.

August

Caribana Thurs to Fri, July14-Aug12.

Toronto Festival of Beer Fri, Aug 5. Hmmm, beer.
Taste of the Danforth Fri to Sun, Aug 5-7.
Rogers Cup Womens Tennis Sat to Sun, Aug 6-14

Canadian National Exhibition CNE Fri to Mon, Aug 19-Sept 5. Do you want to go faster.

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Aug 20.

Buskerfest Thurs to Sun, Aug 25-28. Street performers at their best.
Fan Expo Canada Thurs to Sun, Aug 25-28. More costumes - that cosplay is great.

September 

Toronto Freedom Festival Sept.

Canadian National Exhibition CNE Fri to Mon, Aug 19-Sept 5.

Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) Sat to Mon, Sept 3-5.

Toronto International Film Festival Sept. Something about films and stars.

October

Nuit Blanche Sat Oct 1. The all night art thing with plenty of videos and light shows.

Zombie Walk Sat Oct 22. Take your brains and run for your life.
Toronto Fashion Week Oct

November

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Fri to Sun, Nov 4-13.

Cavalcade of Lights Sat Nov. Music and the City lights up Nathan Phillips Square and sets off some fireworks.
Winter Woofstock  Sat to Sun, Nov 26-27. Still cute, now indoors.
Toronto Santa Claus Parade Sun Nov.

December

Kensington Winter Solstice/Festival of Lights Thurs Dec 22. A parade and a fire show.

New Years Eve Sat Dec 31.
and the next day
Toronto Polar Bear Dip Sun Jan 1. The Sunnyside swim.
Sears Great Canadian Chill Sun Jan 1. The Ashbridges Bay swim.

Toronto Sightseeing bus at Yonge-Dundas Square - take a guided tour around the City.

New Years Eve in Toronto

Totally unrelated fireworks.

GIF animations generator gifup.com

Sort of related fireworks - taken at City Hall.

That little kid in diapers is about to come and kick the old year's ass as we finish 2010 and start the new year of 2011 - like the start and finish line being painted by the Honda Indy Toronto people (they foretold the future, is there anything that the Honda Indy Toronto can't do?).

Start/finish line totally related to story.

It's probably good that we use so few checks anymore because you always wrote the wrong year for a couple months, you would cross off the date, add the new date and initial the changes - every time. Young people are going what's a check? Young people don't even know things like today's hot movie True Grit is a remake of a movie of the same name starring John Wayne.  Young people are going who is John Wayne? Now I feel old, thanks you young pilgrim.

Totally unrelated party.

There are a million parties going on in the Big Smoke. The biggest will be the free annual CityTV New Year's Eve Bash at City Hall's Nathan Phillips Square with ice skating, free concerts and fireworks hosted by television personalities Gord Martineau, Tracy Moore, Kevin Frankish and Dina Pugliese. You can see Shawn Desman, Danny Fernandes, Stereos, These Kids Wear Crowns, Divine Brown and Blake McGrath.
The show starts at 10:00pm and the countdown at midnight is a chance to kiss your significant other. Try to get one of the neon balloons and don't swallow any confetti.

New Years is the time you make resolutions where you end the bad stuff and start doing the good stuff. While it seems like the good stuff should include partying and drinking generally these fall into the category of bad stuff, especially if you do it to excess. However, party like it's 1999, eat and drink then ride the free New Years morning TTC (12:01am to 4am) or take a taxi home and if you wear a lampshade or your girlfriend flashes don't forget to send a picture. Here is a great website to find a party in Toronto on New Year's Eve.

New Years Eve in Toronto

Totally unrelated fireworks.

GIF animations generator gifup.com

Sort of related fireworks - taken at City Hall.

That little kid in diapers is about to come and kick the old year's ass as we finish 2010 and start the new year of 2011 - like the start and finish line being painted by the Honda Indy Toronto people (they foretold the future, is there anything that the Honda Indy Toronto can't do?).

Start/finish line totally related to story.

It's probably good that we use so few checks anymore because you always wrote the wrong year for a couple months, you would cross off the date, add the new date and initial the changes - every time. Young people are going what's a check? Young people don't even know things like today's hot movie True Grit is a remake of a movie of the same name starring John Wayne.  Young people are going who is John Wayne? Now I feel old, thanks you young pilgrim.

Totally unrelated party.

There are a million parties going on in the Big Smoke. The biggest will be the free annual CityTV New Year's Eve Bash at City Hall's Nathan Phillips Square with ice skating, free concerts and fireworks hosted by television personalities Gord Martineau, Tracy Moore, Kevin Frankish and Dina Pugliese. You can see Shawn Desman, Danny Fernandes, Stereos, These Kids Wear Crowns, Divine Brown and Blake McGrath.
The show starts at 10:00pm and the countdown at midnight is a chance to kiss your significant other. Try to get one of the neon balloons and don't swallow any confetti.

New Years is the time you make resolutions where you end the bad stuff and start doing the good stuff. While it seems like the good stuff should include partying and drinking generally these fall into the category of bad stuff, especially if you do it to excess. However, party like it's 1999, eat and drink then ride the free New Years morning TTC (12:01am to 4am) or take a taxi home and if you wear a lampshade or your girlfriend flashes don't forget to send a picture. Here is a great website to find a party in Toronto on New Year's Eve.

You better finish your Christmas shopping

Santa Claus is probably packing his sleigh right now - Christmas Eve is this Friday. HO HO HO!

You better finish your Christmas shopping

Santa Claus is probably packing his sleigh right now - Christmas Eve is this Friday. HO HO HO!

2010 Kensington Market Winter Solstice

Flames rise high as the large structure burns at Alexandra Park after the parade.

The 21st annual Kensington Market Winter Solstice happens tonite (Dec 21, 2010) starting at 6:30pm at Oxford at Augusta. The parade finishes later at Alexandra Park around 8:00pm. Come for some fire, light and fun. The lantern festival, or festival of lights, has had a number of name changes but it continues to celebrate the shortest day/longest night of the year during the Winter Solstice.

A Firebreather gets the bonfire started on the artful fake fire.

The streets filled up fast with people gathering for the parade in Kensington Market. Large groups of drummers get a strong beat going and the intersection quickly becomes blocked with revelers moving to the drums. Later the parade and the action at the park is hard to witness because of the lack of space and the amount of people jammed together at the baseball diamond.

Flame jugglers fill the ball diamond with whirling fire as a full moon looks down on the fun.

“Celebrate the return of light on the longest, darkest night! The Kensington Market Winter Solstice is a participatory lantern parade. Make a lantern, bang a drum, wear a costume, carry a puppet …. This is a people’s celebration.” You can buy lanterns at the Community Centre for $10 and help light the way.

The event is organized by the community art group Red Pepper Spectacle Arts and started in 1987.

Jam packed intersection at Oxford and Augusta.

See my YouTube video and more pics of the night (and a link to the 2009 event) after the jump.

Laterns for sale hang at the Community Centre.

Some musicians head towards the entrance of Kensington Market.

Large puppets on sticks fill the parade route with outstretched hands

Flame juggler before the main combustion begins. 

The large paper mache fire burns hard and fast and soon is but ashes on the melted snow.

I always like to think of this festival as the Kensington Market version of Burning Man, but because of the cold, with no nudity.

You can see my pictures of the 2009 celebration here.

2010 Kensington Market Winter Solstice

Flames rise high as the large structure burns at Alexandra Park after the parade.

The 21st annual Kensington Market Winter Solstice happens tonite (Dec 21, 2010) starting at 6:30pm at Oxford at Augusta. The parade finishes later at Alexandra Park around 8:00pm. Come for some fire, light and fun. The lantern festival, or festival of lights, has had a number of name changes but it continues to celebrate the shortest day/longest night of the year during the Winter Solstice.

A Firebreather gets the bonfire started on the artful fake fire.

The streets filled up fast with people gathering for the parade in Kensington Market. Large groups of drummers get a strong beat going and the intersection quickly becomes blocked with revelers moving to the drums. Later the parade and the action at the park is hard to witness because of the lack of space and the amount of people jammed together at the baseball diamond.

Flame jugglers fill the ball diamond with whirling fire as a full moon looks down on the fun.

“Celebrate the return of light on the longest, darkest night! The Kensington Market Winter Solstice is a participatory lantern parade. Make a lantern, bang a drum, wear a costume, carry a puppet …. This is a people’s celebration.” You can buy lanterns at the Community Centre for $10 and help light the way.

The event is organized by the community art group Red Pepper Spectacle Arts and started in 1987.

Jam packed intersection at Oxford and Augusta.

See my YouTube video and more pics of the night (and a link to the 2009 event) after the jump.

Laterns for sale hang at the Community Centre.

Some musicians head towards the entrance of Kensington Market.

Large puppets on sticks fill the parade route with outstretched hands

Flame juggler before the main combustion begins. 

The large paper mache fire burns hard and fast and soon is but ashes on the melted snow.

I always like to think of this festival as the Kensington Market version of Burning Man, but because of the cold, with no nudity.

You can see my pictures of the 2009 celebration here.

It's time for a beer - it's time for a Bud

Mmmm, beer. Mmmm, beer and Bud girls. I know that Toronto has several events centered on beer and alcohol. I have not actually attended one of these events, I don't know why, maybe I will next time. One of my favourite ways to drink beer is getting the half yard at the Atrium Pickle Barrel on Yonge Street, just north of Dundas.

There is the Beer and Cocktail Show in June,  The Drinks Show in July, Toronto's Beer Festival which will take place August 5 to 11, 2011 and Toronto Beer Week might be back in September.

See more beautiful Bud girls after the jump.

It's time for a beer - it's time for a Bud

Mmmm, beer. Mmmm, beer and Bud girls. I know that Toronto has several events centered on beer and alcohol. I have not actually attended one of these events, I don't know why, maybe I will next time. One of my favourite ways to drink beer is getting the half yard at the Atrium Pickle Barrel on Yonge Street, just north of Dundas.

There is the Beer and Cocktail Show in June,  The Drinks Show in July, Toronto's Beer Festival which will take place August 5 to 11, 2011 and Toronto Beer Week might be back in September.

See more beautiful Bud girls after the jump.