Oh Wonder

Weekend events in Toronto January 22-24 2016

Weekend events in Toronto will fill your schedule with concerts, art events and more. If you haven't had the chance to see any of this year's TO DO exhibits, now's the time (the fest ends on Sunday). If you're not down to trek around the city to see installations, opt to hit up one of the season's top music events: Kygo, Oh Wonder, The Knocks and more are slated to play at the city's top venues.

For more events this weekend click on over to our events section.

MUSIC

Class of 2016 #5 (Jan. 22)
Get your fill of indie music this week by heading to the Silver Dollar for the venue's annual music honour roll series. Friday is the fifth night in this year's fest. You can catch acts like West Nile, Scott Hardware and Germaphobes for only $10.

Kygo (Jan. 22)
If you're pining for the days of Electric Island and Digital Dreams, Kygo's concert this weekend will help tide you over. The Norwegian DJ is hitting the Enercare Centre this Friday to spin his most loved tracks.

The Knocks (Jan. 22)
Electro-pop duo The Knocks have amped up their game with three memorable EPs, and in March will finally release their debut full-length album, titled 55. Catch them at the Mod Club this Friday.

Sleep (Jan. 22)
Before Matt Pike became the noted, incredibly shirtless metal chieftain of High on Fire, he forged the sludgiest riffs for San Jose band Sleep at the dawn of the stoner rock era. On the rare lucky occasion, they reunite for a brief string of live dates such as this. You'll have to hunt for a ticket because Friday's show is sold out.

Oh Wonder (Jan. 23)
This pop duo from London engineered a totally atypical path to success. Before even setting foot on a stage, they released one single online a month (the collection of tracks eventually became their debut album). Considering they've racked up millions of Soundcloud plays and instantly sold out many of their first live dates, the strategy seems genius.

ART

Toronto Design Offsite Festival (Jan. 18-24)
Toronto Design Offsite is in full swing but you've only got a few days left to get in on the action. Luckily, there's plenty to do and see, including Outside the Box, SMORGASBORD and blindfolded walking tours. See the 2016 here.

Come Up To My Room (Jan. 21-24)
The 13th edition of Come Up To My Room has brought the works of Canadian and American artists, designers and collectives to the Gladstone. If you want to party with art-minded individuals, head to the hotel on the Saturday for the Love Design Party. You'll get the chance to drink and dance in the ballroom and then head out to explore the exhibits. Don't miss Ferris Bueller's bedroom.

Interior Design Show (Jan. 21-24)
If you believe that IKEA is the pinnacle of home decor, you should probably reserve tickets for the Interior Design Show. The event will introduce you to leading brands and homegrown talent, showcasing pieces much more interesting than EKERÖ armchairs and LEIRVIK bed frames.

Bite Me (Until Jan. 23)
Erin Rothstein, a Montrealer who's currently based in Toronto, creates hyperrealistic paintings of food. Satiate your craving for art by checking out her solo show happening right now at Coldstream Fine Art. It ends on the 23rd, so get there ASAP.

Complex Social Change (Until Jan. 24)
This incredibly relevant exhibition, happening on the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, is an import from the University of Lethbridge. Considering the very public protests and debates happening at universities across North America, this is a show that'll give you lots to think about before it closes on Sunday.

FILM

Alan Rickman Tribute Screening (Jan. 22)
If you, like the rest of the world, are still mourning the loss of Alan Rickman, head to Rainbow Cinemas Market Square on Friday. The theatre is screening Die Hard free of charge in honour of Rickman. Feeling charitable? It'll be accepting donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, as well.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off Quote-Along (Jan. 22)
If you're a devoted Bueller fan, this weekend has a lot to offer you. After checking out Ferris's bedroom at the Gladstone, head to Bloor Cinema to quote all your favourite lines from the flick.

ENTERTAINMENT

Sorry Not Sorry Justin Bieber Dance Party (Jan. 22)
Developed a guilty pleasure for the music of Justin Bieber in 2015? You are not alone. The folks behind BEY BEY ALL NIGHT are bringing Beliebers new and old to Studio Bar on January 22nd for a night of shameless JB loving. Expect to hear everything from "Baby" to "Sorry," and be prepared to show off your best dance moves (bonus points if you've mastered the choreography from his videos).

DJ Skate Nights: Small World Grooves (Jan. 23)
Head to the Harbourfront Centre on the night of the 23rd for another DJ Skate Night. The music for this week's instalment will be brought to you by DJ medicineman. You may not be downing shots on the dance floor, but it's much more cost effective and probably just as fun.

Something Strange Circus Sideshow Festival (Jan. 23)
The circus is coming to town this weekend, but you won't find a big tent filled with jolly clowns and tight rope walkers at this event. Come Saturday, the Mod Club will be overtaken by weird and wonderful entertainers including a contortionist, a sword swallower, showgirls and burlesque performers.

TECH

Decoding Digifest (Jan. 23)
For those who want to give their minds a bit of a workout, head to Decoding Digifest at George Brown College. A series of strategically-placed games will be set up in an artist's studio and teams will have half an hour to solve them. If you manage to crack it in the shortest amount of time, you'll win tickets to this year's instalment of Digifest.

RUNNING

MEC Race 1 (Jan. 24)
A cheapie race with an entrance fee of only $15, this 5K or 8K run is part of a series that MEC hosts every year that brings out seasoned runners all competing for PBs along the Martin Goodman Trail.

Robbie Burns 8K Road Race (Jan. 24)
While there won't be any Scotch at the finish line, there will be plenty of kilts (and likely chafing). Choose between 5K or 8K routes with all funds raised going to JumpStart.

SHOPPING

The Trinity Bellwoods Flea: The Local Food Edition (Jan. 23)
Do a little shopping this Saturday at the Trinity Bellwoods Flea. This weekend it's spotlighting local food, so this is the optimal time to stock up on artisanal eats. If you have a couple extra bucks to spare, $5 champagne mimosas will be served - so you can get a bit boozy while you browse.

For more events this weekend click on over to our events section. Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit it for free using this form.

With contributions by Amy Grief, Shazia Khan and Libby Roach.

Photo of Oh Wonder by Tom Pullen.


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