Possibilities’ Toronto Low-Cost Summer Guide, July 2009
Events that are free or less than $20
Some venues offer Pay What You Can (PWYC) at specified times.
Adult admission prices are listed — prices are often lower for children, students and seniors.

EVENTS ARE DIVIDED INTO SECTIONS I.E. ART, FESTIVALS etc.

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Art
Artisans at the Distillery
Distillery Historic District
55 Mill St.
Aug. 1 to 3 – Outdoor craft show, Sept. 4 to 7 – Art fair
416-866-8687

Harbourfront Centre: Artists’ Gardens
235 Queens Quay W.
Gardens created by artists. 416-973-4000

Harbourfront Centre: Craft Studio
235 Queens Quay W.
Features working artists in metalworking, ceramics, glass and textiles. Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 416-973-3000

Harbourfront Centre: Power Plant
231 Queens Quay W.
Canadian and international art. Tuesday to Sunday noon to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 8 p.m. Holiday Mondays noon to 6 p.m. 973-4949

Harbourfront Centre: York Quay Gallery
235 Queens Quay W.
Exhibits contemporary artists who work in fine art, craft, new media, design, architecture and photography. Tuesday to Sunday noon to 6 p.m. (Closed Monday.)

Justina M. Barnicke Gallery
Hart House, University of Toronto
7 Hart House Circle
Works by the Group of Seven as well as other historical and contemporary artists. Monday to Saturday noon to 5 p.m. (Closed Sunday.) 416-978-8398

Koffler Gallery Koffler Centre for the Arts
The centre is undergoing redevelopment and individual exhibitions will be held in buildings across the city. Some exhibits will be free but others may involve a fee. 416-636-1880 ext. 6

Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA)
952 Queen St. W.
PWYC. Focuses on living Canadian artists. Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Closed Monday.) 416-395-0067

Toronto Sculpture Garden
115 King St. E. near Church Street
Features unique sculptures and horticultural displays. Open dawn to dusk every day, year-round.

Toronto’s Outdoor Art Exhibition
July 10 to 12
Nathan Phillips Square
Now in its 48th year, it’s the largest outdoor art exhibition in Canada. Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 416-408-2754

University of Toronto Art Centre
University College, Main floor of Laidlaw Wing
15 King’s College Circle
Strong Canadian contemporary art collection. Tuesday to Friday noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday noon to 4 p.m. (Closed Sunday and Monday.) 416-978-1838

Festivals and Family Fun
African Dance Festival
Aug. 22
Yonge-Dundas Square
Starts at 9 a.m.

Francophonie Harmonieuse
Aug. 29
Yonge-Dundas Square
11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Beats, Breaks & Culture
July 10 to 12
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay W.
Dissects, celebrates and showcases electronic music and culture. 416-973-4000

Black Creek Pioneer Village
Jane and Steeles
$15. Weekend music events as well as craft and arts events take place throughout July and August at this recreated rural Victorian community. 416-736-1733

Buskerfest
Aug. 27 to 30
St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood (Front Street between Jarvis and Church streets)
Watch world class street performers while kids can milk a cow. Thursday noon to 10 p.m., Friday noon to 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Canadian National Exhibition (The EX)
Aug. 21 to Sept. 7
Exhibition Place
$15. Rides, exhibits, horse and garden shows as well as an interactive winter sports experience to celebrate the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. 416-263-3600

Canadian Voices
July 24 to 25
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay W.
Emerging Canadian musicians and a poetry slam. 416-973-4000

Caribana Toronto
July 14 to Aug. 3
Caribana Official Launch, July 14, noon to 2 p.m.
Toronto Caribana Parade, Aug. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ($20-$25 to enter Exhibition place but most of the parade is held on Lakeshore Boulevard which is FREE!)
Island Festival, Olympic Island, Aug. 2, noon to 8 p.m. (Free but $5 for ferry transportation.)
Many more events than detailed here (often with fees), this world-famous festival celebrates music, dance and spectacular costumes. 416-833-6154

Corso Italia Festival
July 4 and 5
St. Clair Avenue West between Dufferin Street and Lansdowne Avenue
Over 30 bands will perform live on street corners, patios and balconies.

Festival of India
July 13
Yonge-Dundas Square
Yoga demos, live entertainment and an unforgettable evening concert. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 416-979-9960

Filipinos Making Waves
Aug. 15
Yonge-Dundas Square
Starts at 9 a.m. 416-979-9960

IrieFest
July 30 to Aug. 3
Nathan Philips Square and Queen’s Park
Gospel, salsa, and, of course, reggae music plus dancing and the Taste of the Tropics food emporium. Friday noon to 2 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. at Nathan Philips Square; Saturday noon to 10 p.m. at Nathan Philips Square and 4 to 10 p.m. at Queen’s Park; Sunday noon to 10 p.m. at both locations; and Monday noon to 8 p.m. at Queen’s Park. (Irie Reggae Cruise [$60] Thursday from 7 to 11 p.m.)

Island Soul
July 31 to Aug. 3
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay W.
Festival includes a steel pan workshop, a jerk jamboree competition and, what else, calypso and soca music. 416-973-4000

Jerkfest
Aug. 8 and 9
Centennial Park
256 Centennial Park Rd.
A fusion of jerk food, pulsating music, family friendly entertainment and good vibes. Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 7 p.m.

Toronto Just For Laughs Festival
July 17 and 18
Yonge-Dundas Square
416-979-9960

Green Toronto Street Festival
July 25
Yonge-Dundas Square
Starts at 9 a.m. 416-979-9960

Kidsummer
July 1 to Aug. 31
Venues vary.
Many events are free for children but may require the purchase of an adult admission. Everything a kid would want from wagon rides to bowlerama to pizza university. 1-866-363-KIDS

Mexican Fiesta
July 4
Yonge-Dundas Square
Music, family activities, cultural performances. All day. 416-979-9960

Mexico: Beyond Your Expectations
July 17 to 19
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay W.
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mexican revolution with a festival that highlights the rich diversity of the country and its people. 416-973-4000

Planet Indigenus: Inspired by the World
Aug. 14 to 16
The largest festival of multidisciplinary, contemporary, international Indigenous artistic work anywhere. 416-973-4000

Planet Indigenus: Giving to the World
Aug. 21 to 23
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay W.
Part two of this festival features Inuk throat singer Tagaq. 416-973-4000

Riverdale Farm
201 Winchester St.
Replicates a small, turn-of-the-century Ontario farm. Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 416-392-6794

Salsa On St. Clair
July 12 to 13
Between Christie Avenue and Winona Drive
Pulsating music, passionate dancing, fiery foods and a Latin market. Saturday noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday noon to 8 p.m.

TAIWANfest: A New Journey
Aug. 28 to 30
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay W.
This festival looks at marriage from multi-cultural and cross-generational perspectives. Saturday noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday noon to 8 p.m. 416-973-4000

Taste of the Danforth
Aug. 7 to 9
Danforth Avenue between Broadview and Pape avenues
Enjoy mouth-watering Greek cuisine while you listen to street musicians.

Taste of Lawrence
July 3 to 5
Lawrence Avenue East from Warden Avenue to Pharmacy
A showcase of unique flavours plus show-stopping performers, hands-on kids activities and a midway. Friday 8 to 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 416-288-1718

Tasty Thursdays
July 16 to Aug. 27
Nathan Phillips Square
$5 or less! A combination of live music and food hot off the grill.Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free concerts start at noon!

Toronto Turkish Festival
Aug. 1
Yonge-Dundas Square
Starts at 9 a.m. 416-979-9960

Markets
Arts At The Heart Artisan Market
Yonge-Dundas Square
Stroll around the square and hunt for crafts and other treasures. Generally open Fridays 5 to 10 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays and holiday Mondays noon to 7 p.m. 416-979-9960

International Marketplace
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queen’s Quay W.
Textiles, jewellery, crafts, clothing and more from the four corners of the globe. Fridays 6 p.m. to midnight. Saturdays noon to midnight. Sundays and holiday Mondays noon to 8 p.m. 416-973-4000

Kensington Market
Between Dundas and College Street, west of Spadina Avenue and east of Bathurst Street
Here you’ll find health food and fruit and veggie stores, butchers and fishmongers as well as restaurants and second-hand clothing stores. Last Sunday of the month is pedestrian-free.

St. Lawrence Market South Side
Front and Jarvis streets
Over 50 specialty vendors. Tuesday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday Antique Market
St Lawrence Market North Side
92 Front St. E at Jarvis
Everything from antiquarian books to vintage jewelry and architectural salvage. Sunday, dawn to 5 p.m. 416-410-1310

Select Farmers’ Markets
Birch Cliff Village Farmers’ Market
St. Nicholas Church gardens
1512 Kingston Rd., at Manderley Drive just east of Warden Avenue.
Friday 2 to 7 p.m.

Daily Apple Market
35 Lytton Blvd., south-west corner of Duplex and Lytton
Wednesday 3 to 7 p.m.

Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market
550 Bayview Ave., between the Prince Edward Viaduct and Pottery Road
Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free shuttle bus leaves Broadview Station every 30 minutes starting at 8 a.m.

Fresh Wednesdays
Nathan Phillips Square
July 15 to Aug 26
Free live noon-hour concerts complement shopping at this farmers’ market. Every Wednesday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

North St. Lawrence Market/Farmers’ Market
92 Front St. E.
Fresh produce is brought in each Saturday. Opens at 5 a.m.

Riverdale Farmers’ Market
Riverdale Park
201 Winchester St.
Tuesday 3 to 7 p.m.

Souraren Farmers’ Market
Sorauren Park (Sorauren and Wabash Avenue)
Monday from 3 to 7 p.m.

Stonegate Farmers Market
Parking Lot of St. James Humber Bay Angligan Church
194 Park Lawn Rd.
Tuesday 4 to 7 p.m.

For a list of all farmers’ markets go to Greenbeltfresh.ca.

Museums
The Bata Shoe Museum
327 Bloor St. W.
$12. PWYC Thursdays 5 to 8 p.m. North America’s only shoe museum. Open most days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours extended to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. 416-979-7799

CBC Museum
Canadian Broadcasting Centre
250 Front St. W.
Find out about the history of Canada’s public broadcaster. Open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 416-205-5574

Gardiner Museum
111 Queen’s Park Circle
$12. Half-price admission Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Houses more than 3,000 historical and contemporary pieces of ceramics. Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 416-586-8080

Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen’s Park
$22. Free every Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. $11 every Friday from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Also, the Community Access Network provides free tickets to people who might not otherwise visit the museum. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily except for Friday when it’s open until 9:30 p.m. 416-586-8000

Textile Museum of Canada
55 Centre Ave.
$12. PWYC every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m; hours extended until 8 p.m on Wednesday. 416-599-5321

Canadian Air & Space Museum
Downsview Park
65 Carl Hall Rd.
$8.50. Housed in a production hangar, the collection includes aircraft and artifacts. Open Sunday, holiday Monday and Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 416-638-6078

Music
Afrofest
July 11 to 12
Queen’s Park
The longest running annual festival of African music in North America.

Beaches International Jazz Festival
July 17 to 26
Queen Street East, Kew Gardens and Woodbine Park
Jazz, blues, boogie-woogie and the Real Divas. 416-698-2152

Global Grooves
June 26 to Sept. 4
Yonge-Dundas Square
Dance in the square to funk, electronic, latin, world and bhangra music. Every Friday from 8 to 10 p.m.

Gospelfest
July 12
Yonge-Dundas Square
416-979-9960

Summer Music in the Garden
Toronto Music Garden
475 Queens Quay W.
Outdoor concerts focus on Bach, the accordion and Yiddish singing to name a few. Sunday at 4 p.m. and Thursday at 7 p.m. until Sept. 20. 416-973-4000

Performances
Adrenaline Rush! Films
June 30 to Sept. 1
Yonge-Dundas Square
Your heart will be beating as you watch classic action films like The Great Escape and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Tuesday beginning at sunset. 416-979-9960

The Dream in High Park
June 26 to Sept. 6
High Park, Dream Stage
Donation of $20 suggested. Grab a blanket and head to High Park to enjoy The Tempest, a tale of political intrigue and fantastical creatures. Tuesday to Sunday at 8 p.m. 416-367-1652

Dusk Dances
July 9 to 12 in Earlscourt Park
Aug. 4 to 9 in Withrow Park
Aug. 13 to 16 in Chalkfarm Park
PWYC. Each night at sunset five eclectic dance pieces unfold in different areas of the parks. 7 p.m. 416-504-6429

Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival
July 1 to 12
Various locations
$10 or less. The largest theatre festival in Toronto hosts over 150 theatre companies from around the globe. You can buy tickets in advance or at the door one hour before each performance. 416-966-1062

Humber River Shakespeare Company
July 29 to 31 – Etienne Brulé Park
Aug. 2 to 3 – Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas St. W.
PWYC. Watch an outdoor performance of the comedy Much Ado About Nothing. 416-209-2026

Mixed Greens Monthly Screenings
July 31 (Broken Arrow) and August 29 (Prize of the Pole)
Gardiner Museum
111 Queen’s Park Circle
Suggested price of $7. Planet in Focus promotes the use of film and video to explore social and ecological focal points. 6:45 p.m. 416-531-1769

Summerworks Theatre Festival
August 6 to 16
Various Locations
$10 per play. Forty-one productions, nine concerts, three walking tours,workshops of plays-in-development and a host of free events. 647 267-7673

Walk & Bike Tours
Heritage Toronto Walking Tours
Regular walking tours from April to October. Locations and times vary.

High Park Walking Tours
Every second and fourth Sunday year-round
These moderately paced walking tours are led by a naturalist. Meet at 10:30 a.m. at the benches across the road from the south side of the Grenadier Café and Teahouse in High Park. 416-392-1748 ext. 5

Lost River Hikes
May 10 to Nov. 15
Joint program of the Toronto Field Naturalists and the Toronto Green Community uncovers the fascinating world of the watershed beneath our feet. Check website for times and locations. 416-598-2277

ROMwalks
June 10 to Oct. 4
Meet at various locations.
Free walks take place on most Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

Toronto Bicycling Network (TBN)
Group weekday and Saturday rides for varying levels of cyclists. You don’t have to be a TBN member for most rides but you do have to pay $5.

Toronto Field Naturalists (TFN)
Check out the group’s frequent (and free) walks.