Weekend events Toronto

Weekend events in Toronto: June 6-8, 2014

Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this June 6-8, 2014.

Field Trip
Of course Field Trip is coming back for year two: Arts & Crafts made tons of people happy last year at Fork York Garrison Common. Field Trip will return to the same sod June 7th & 8th, and Broken Social Scene are playing again - shocking, I know - with Interpol, The Kills, The Constantines (back together!), Chvches, Shad, Austra, A Tribe Called Red, and more. Field Trip also promises the most free hugs per non-EDM festival in the GTA. Want to know more? This amazing tweet by the Toronto Star sums it up. Have fun, Peter Pans. June 7-8, Fort York: Garrison Common (250 Fort York Blvd.), $65--$200.

ART

Luminato
Renew your creative spirit with the Luminato Festival. This year has a particularly stellar line-up of talent and events, from Isabella Rosselini in her short Green Porno, Live on Stage, the salute to Daniel Lanois- Sleeping in the Devil's Bed, or the North American premiere of Stones In Her Mouth a moving and beautiful performance by ten Maori women. Luminato celebrates the best and boldest of creative minds, enlivening the city with cultural activities. Check out our full preview here. June 6-15th.

Cardboard Beach
If you live or work downtown and fantasize about running away (but not too far away) to catch some rays, art has your back. Luminato will install a fully licensed temporary beach at their hub at David Pecaut Square from June 6-15, where the world's largest disco ball hung last year. The catch? Unlike Toronto's admittedly decent existing beaches, this "oasis" will be entirely made of cardboard. Parties will take place at the beach (with food!) so check out Luminato's website for more. June 6-15, Luminato Festival Hub at David Pecaut Square (55 John Street)

You Could Live Here Soon
Luke Siemens' show is the last opening reception at AWOL Gallery as it stands on Ossington, where it's existed since 1999 - the gallery is being pushed west to a yet-to-be-disclosed location thanks to (ding ding ding!) developments and rising rents on Ossington. Let's make this a wild party, so shy little AWOL, one of my favourite gallery/studios in the city, can shake lose from the doomed strip with a bang. Friday, June 6, 7pm, AWOL, (78 Ossington).

See also

For more art listings, check out our Top 10 Must-See Art Shows This Spring post.

COMMUNITY

Dundas West Fest
Street fest season is on, and Dundas West Fest has big plans for you this weekend: bars, galleries, restaurants, and shops up and down the street from Lansdowne to Roxton will host music, art, and food & drink - including a craft beer fest and free Sheezer show at the Garrison, a marketplace pop up at Beaconsfield Ave, Peach Mango Rum Sangria at Unlovable, and a beach themed parking lot party at Bambi's. No one say "next to become Ossingon." Saturday, June 7, Dundas West between Lansdowne & Roxton.

100 in 1 Day Toronto
It's been a long time in the making, and 100 in 1 Day Toronto is finally here. More than 100 community-driven projects including mural paintings, picnics, and scavenger hunts will be scattered around Toronto, and they're all free to attend. Learn more on their website. Saturday, June 7.

FOOD

Toronto Taste
Raise money for a good cause while stuffing your face with delicious things: Toronto Taste, Second Harvest's fundraiser food fest takes place on Sunday at Corus Quay. The event will feature 70 gourmet food and beverage stations. Tickets for are $250 (with a tax receipt issued for $125). Sunday, June 8, Corus Quay (25 Dockside Dr.), $250.

Taste of the Beach
Luminato Festival's Taste of the Beach will bring a unique food pairing to their Cardboard Beach at David Pecaut Square: namely that of artists and local chefs. Foods at the beach are $5 each and are guaranteed to taste better than the cardboard you're sitting on. Check out the chef/artist line up here. Saturday, June 7, Festival Hub at David Pecaut Square (55 John Street).

See also

For more food events, check out our Toronto Food Events, Spring Food Events, and Spring Beer Events post.

MUSIC

Briefcasefest
A two day metal fest is landing at College and Spadina tonight. One of the newest editions to Toronto's summer music festival circuit, Briefcasefest is set to return for its second year June 6-7 at Silver Dollar and Comfort Zone. Its focus is markedly different from the higher-profile fests you'll hear about this season, showcasing some of the most innovative bands in extreme, avant-garde and heavy music currently active both locally and abroad. Read more and check out the line up here. June 6-7, Silver Dollar and Comfort Zone, $10 for Friday, $12 for Saturday, or $20 for both nights, 19+.

The Unbearable Lightness of Bass
Have you tried the Subpac yet? It's like those John Waters scratch and sniffs but for your body instead of your nose, and for music instead of film. If that doesn't make sense, this Thump article should bring you up to speed on the Subpac bass experience. Prince Nifty has had to drop from the bill, but Pursuit Grooves, Sunclef, and Bile Sister will perform. Friday, June 6, 7pm, The Music Gallery, $10.

Apetechnology
Robots! I'm stealing part of Burn Down the Capital's description as it will be better at enticing people to this strange, futuristic show than I could be: "From the crumbling apocalyptic landscape of Detroit, electromechanical sound art collective Apetechnology breathes new life into the decline of the industrial age. Home made electronics, modular synthesizers and a new auto-kalimba birth warped rhythms & haunting drones. Building their own brand of Detroit Retrograde Futurism illuminating the last cries of a self destructed future." Whoah. Local experimental legend Brian Ruryk is opening, as are Giant Claw and Toblerone Boys. June 7, 8pm, The White House (277 1/2 Augusta Ave.), $7.

See also

For more music listings, check out our This Week in Music, June Concerts, Spring Concerts, and Spring Music Festivals posts.

FILM

Matthew Barney's Cremaster Cycle
In association with TIFF, Luminato 2014 artist of note Matthew Barney will show all five parts of his autobiographical, manic diatribe, the Cremaster Cycle. Clocking in at seven hours long, and taking seven years to complete, the ambitious film series examines themes of contemporary physicality and gender issues in today's age of technological pervasiveness. It could be misconstrued as a lewd and freakish series, but is mostly seen as a pinnacle of contemporary international avant-garde cinema. In fact, why not let the artist himself describe the work to you when he introduces it at TIFF on June 7? He's very handsome. June 7, 4pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King St. West), $12.50.

See also

DANCE

Pina Bausch's The Complaint of an Empress at Luminato
While the late dancer and choreographer Pina Bausch recently found mainstream recognition outside of dance circles when her documentary, Pina, premiered in 2011, little is known about the other facets of her creative career. This year, Luminato + TIFF bring us her rare 1990 film, the only one she ever wrote and directed, which takes its viewers on a bizarre dance foray through the four seasons. June 10, 1pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King St. West), $12.50.

PARTY

Entranced Island 2014
Finally, a free music event on the island that isn't in support of "men's equality." Local trance DJs will entertain you in a non-political, non-sketchy environment, as Toronto goes back to its friendly, normal self. If you can donate $10 for the DJ set up, please do. Saturday, June 7, 11am-10pm, Hanlan's Point, Toronto Islands.

Summerdaze
What is the Summerdaze patio dance party series all about? It's all about good vibes and being outside. Read our review of the first installment here. The second Summerdaze party will bring the UK's Waifs & Strays to the decks along with Ali Black, Deadly Vanity, Dirty Dale, Mike Gibbs, and Rob Ven playing two rooms - indoors and on the roof. Yeah, you'll be on the roof. Sunday, June 8, 2pm-11pm, The Burroughes Building (639 Queen St W), $15.

See also

For more dance listings, check out our Top Dance Parties in Toronto in June post.

THEATRE

The God That Comes
After a one-night only performance at Summerworks 2012, Hawksley Workman and Christian Barry are back with the second iteration of their performance piece, The God That Comes. Combining the "revelry of a rock concert with the intimacy of theatrical storytelling," Workman's performance was a festival standout so expectations for a full run are high. In the spirit of Dionysian excess, Workman delivers a bombastic take on The Bacchae, about the punishment of the soldier king of Thebes and his mother. Tarragon Theatre, June 3-29, $40.

For more events on stage, check out our The top theatre productions in Toronto June 2014 post.

FASHION

Toronto Etsy Street Team 5th Annual Springtime Market
Etsy is taking over Toronto this weekend, which is good news for those who love all things crafty. Vendors will be set up in Church of Saint Stephen-in-the-Fields on Saturday, where there will also be swag giveaways and free craft workshops. Saturday, June 7, 11am-5pm, Church of Saint Stephen in the Fields (103 Bellevue Avenue).

Annex Flea
Good news! The Annex Flea is moving outside to the Honest Ed's Parking Lot. While all the takings at the flea from vintage clothing to food to crafts are very, um, curated (read: this isn't a dirty dig-around free-for-all old world flea market), the offerings are adorable/delicious, the vendors are kind, and the vibe is fun. Sunday, June 8, 11am-6pm, Honest Ed's Parking Lot.

See also

BOOKS

Book Movie Music Eco-Swap at Harbourfront
Hoarder? Swapsity is hosting a 1,200 square foot swap zone by the water this weekend for books, comics, CDs, VHS tapes, DVDs, Blu-rays, and vinyl (rules are like swapped for like). If you're actually a hoarder you will struggle with the giving part of the swap, but it's fun to push boundaries. Sunday, June 8, 11am-5pm, Toronto Harbourfront (235 Queens Quay West).

PETS

Pug Island
Cute alert: Pugalug Pug Rescue is hosting a party for pugs on Toronto Islands. There will pug races at 12:30pm - yes, pug races. The pugs will be on the 11:30am ferry and the event goes on until 3pm. Bring your pugs or rando dogs: the pugs don't discriminate. Sunday, June 8, 11:30am-3pm.

LIFESTYLE

Healthy Living Fair
Wychwood Barns wants you to get healthy, so cycle up that big old hill to try food samples, network, watch demos, and pant heavily (it's a big hill). Sunday, June 8, 10am-2pm, Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street).

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Contributions by Jess Carroll, Shazia Khan, Keith Bennie, Erinn Beth Langille


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