SonyaSummer continues to sizzle in the city with so much to see and do. Take advantage of the best events on the town and bring your friends. From concerts at Casa Loma to dreaming in High Park and even two full moons! We can’t help but fall in love with all the good Toronto brings this month of August.
Soul in the City with Sean Jones: Casa Loma. Tuesday evenings until August 29. Summer nights sizzle here at Toronto’s iconic castle with live performances by the super talented Sean Jones. Under the starry skies the singer, songwriter performs and electrifying set filled with R&B, jazz, and pop favourites. Guaranteed to make you want to dance. Each Tuesday night he also brings out special guest performers. Table seating with full menu and bar available. Great date night or outing with friends.
Soul in the City – Starring Sean Jones and the Righteous Echo | Photo by @svphotography.ca
Sarindar Dhaliwal: When I grow up I want to be a namer of paint colours at the AGO: Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist Sarindar Dhaliwal has been making compelling and vibrantly coloured artworks for over forty years. Themes of childhood memory, diaspora and hybridized identity appear in her rich visual language, which fuses together imagery from her experience living on three continents (Asia, Europe and North America). Dhaliwal’s significant contribution to Canadian art is illustrated by meticulously rendered drawings and mixed media works from the 1980s to the 2000s, alongside large-scale installations and recent photography. This is her first AGO solo exhibition.
Sarindar Dhaliwal. The cartographer’s mistake: the Radcliffe Line, 2012. Chromira print, 107 x 107 cm. Collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario. Purchase, with funds by exchange from the J.S. McLean Collection, by Canada Packers Inc., 2020. © Sarindar Dhaliwal
A Midsummer’s Night Dream at High Park: 4oth Anniversary. Various dates. Canadian Stage celebrates 40 magical years of Dream in High Park by bringing back one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays. The first play ever presented in the High Park amphitheatre in 1983, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM has long been associated with the time-held tradition of Shakespeare under the stars. Tickets are $29 each. Show is 90 minutes. Audience can bring their own picnic, snacks, blankets, and pillows.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival (aka Caribana): various events up to August 7. Festivities and events are already underway across the city and the grand finale happens this weekend with the annual jump up parade. Celebrating our diverse Caribbean community the day long parade attracts thousands locally and internationally to our city. Wear your sunscreen and comfortable shoes and get ready to dance along side the Mas bands and eat all the doubles and jerk chicken you can. Parade isn’t your thing? There are plenty of events (tickets and free) to take in including the Pan Alive Panorama event with the Ontario Steel Pan Association on August 4.
Photo credit Toronto Caribbean Carnival, 2020
Hadestown: Mirvish. Royal Alexandra Theatre until August 20. Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back.The acclaimed new musical is by celebrated singer-songwriter and Tony Award winner Anaïs Mitchell and developed with innovative director and Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin. Hadestown marks the first time in over a decade that a woman has been the solo author of a musical: writing the music, lyrics, and book, and is the fourth time in Broadway history a woman has accomplished this creative feat. Stay tuned for our interview with Maria Christina Oliveras coming up next!
Maria Christina Oliveras in Hadestown North American Tour, 2022. Photo Credit: T. Charles Erickson.
LAST CHANCE! to catch HAMILTON THE MUSICAL: Princess of Wales Theatre until August 20. HAMILTON is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honour, love, and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation. Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. In addition to its 11 Tony Awards, it has won Grammy,Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.
DAYDREAM at Hotel X: August 16 on the hotel’s High park Terrace, this dream-like event promises to be a harmonious fusion of yoga and live music under the celestial sunset. Tickets available on their website. Sounds like bliss!
Sharing the Stage with the National Ballet of Canada: Free outdoor performances at Harbourfront Centre. August 17 to 19. NBC returns with their popular program that includes outdoor performances, dance workshops, and interactive discussions will be held at the Concert Stage. New this year, the public will be able to reserve a general admission seat online as of August 1 at 11:00 am on a first come, first served basis. Rush tickets will also be available for every performance on the day of the show.
Sansorium Alcohol-Free Wine Tasting with Edenvale: On Thursday August 3 from 6-9 pm at Lavelle rooftop restaurant, Sansorium, the women-led wine agency and retailer out of Vancouver, will host a tasting of award-winning Edenvale non-alcoholic wines. Michael Bright, founder of Edenvale, will be in Canada from Australia to lead a tasting and food pairing. He will co-host with Sansorium Creative Director Fiona Hepher, and they will delve into the conversation of around sober curiosity. Included in the ticket is a flight of five Edenvale wines, a spread of delicious Lavelle food, a gift bag, and a glorious view of the city to enjoy while discussing the process of making and the appeal of non-alcoholic wines. Tickets are $50 and available through Eventbrite.
LAST CALL! Stranger Things: The Experience: will wrap up its Toronto engagement on August 20! And to celebrate it’s wildly successful run, they are opening up the Mix-Tape area free of charge and with no time limit.The Mix-Tape area at Stranger Things: The Experience plunges visitors straight into the ‘80s world of the series. From arcade games to cocktails, photo booths to rad ‘80s music, attendees will find themselves in Hawkins with its emblematic stores and numerous food stands (including the iconic Surfer Boy Pizza and Scoops Ahoy Ice Cream Parlour). Key locations from the series have also been recreated for everyone’s enjoyment, including Joyce Byers’ mythical living room – complete with the strings of lights Will used to communicate from the Upside Down. Tickets for Mix-Tape free access allow visitors to enjoy the animation, entertainment, catering, and boutique areas in Mix-Tape, and must be booked in advance on the ticketing website.
AriZona Hard Video Store Pop-Up: 801 Queen Street West. August 11-13. We’re all nostalgic about our 90s video store experiences and this pop up sounds like it will give us that throwback in time. Featuring a speakeasy with yes, AriZona Hard handcrafted cocktails, 90s movies and arcade games as well as 99cent merch (watches, bucket hats, skateboards). All proceeds from the sales of merchandise and drinks will be donated to Women in Film & Television Toronto. Follow @arizonahardca for details.
Canadian National Exhibition: August 18 to September 4. Toronto’s annual summer vacation season wind-down returns always full of fun. Midway rides, games, live music (Dwayne Gretzky Band is incredible- definitely go check them!), and entertainment, shopping, super dogs, agriculture, gaming and so much more! Of course one of the biggest draws is the Food building — Tiny Tom Donuts is a must! Bring Rolaids for the wacky and wild food this year. Here’s a list of what you can expect.
Toronto Artisan Market at CF Shops at Don Mills: August 26-27. Discover over 40 local artisan vendors and explore a range of products– from handcrafted jewelry, exquisite homemade goods, and captivating art. Event is also in support of the furry friends with Guardians Best who will also have a booth selling unique pet products like collars, leashes, gourmet treats, and bowties, along with adoption booths showing off the full database of animals like dogs, kittens, and bunnies looking for a loving home.
Illumi Toronto by Cavalia: Mississauga ongoing (*Note: Doggie Night August 16). A great night for all generations explore the summery nights at this massive walk through this beautiful multimedia light experience. Various themes created with larger than life light structures are worth exploring in the walk-through outdoor space. Ticketed event. Doggie night – ticket also required. Water stations, photo opps, complimentary treats for dogs, stay not the path and keep pups on leash.
Looking beyond Toronto?
Full Moon Yoga Fest in Prince Edward County: August 11 to 13. At Sand and Pearl. has an impressive line up of inspirational and joyful events happening. Live drums beat flow, yoga with DJs and live music, food, day life dance party, vendor market and more. Link here for tickets and details.
Photo by Drew Tilk on Unsplash
Avalon Lavender Farm: If you’re looking for somewhere pretty to have a picnic or a walk through rows of lavender, you’ll love this! There’s a beautiful walk and stone circle to explore. Cut your own lavender to bring home too! They have several events happening throughout the season including yoga sessions and even a Nap Day (August 19). Can you imagine gazing at the clouds being surrounded by the soothing scent of natural lavender? Dog friendly too! On leash of course.
Sunflower Fields: There are several just outside of the city that are worth exploring. Pingle’s Farm and Davis Family Farm have “instagrammable” set ups throughout but really, the sunflowers are pretty impressive on their own. Dog friendly (on-leash) usually during regular hours but check their sites for updates!
Out of this World!
Full Moon x 2! There are two full moons aka Supermoons happening this month peaking August 1 and 31 and will be seen everywhere as long as the skies are clear! Plan your nights and look up for nature’s most spectacular show. If you’re in the city, try heading to one of the many great parks for maybe better views. Riverdale Park, Scarborough Bluffs, Centre Island, and High Park. Also peaking around August 8 will be the Persaud Meteor Shower. It’s gradually building over the first week so if you’re in cottage country where there is less city lights grab your blankets and take just take it all in!