Events in Toronto: April 14 to 17, 2017

1. Sacred Music for a Sacred Space

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s annual Easter tradition – a concert of contemplative music in the beautiful setting of St. Paul’s Basilica. Take a moment out for calm and respite, immersed in beautiful choral music: Allegri’s stunning Miserere, Pärt’s The Deer’s Cry, and music by Lotti, Lukaszewski, Mendelssohn and Willan. The TMC is recognized as one of Canada’s greatest choirs. Details

2. Liszt Piano Concerto 2

French pianist Lucas Debargue, prizewinner at the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition with his very first performance with orchestra, makes his TSO début in a riveting concerto by Liszt. Russian maestro Andrey Boreyko conducts Brahms’s passionate Third Symphony and Canadian composer Christos Hatzis’s compelling evocation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Details

3. PJ Harvey

From the outset of her career, the work of PJ Harvey has commanded attention. She formed the eponymous bass/drums/guitar trio in 1991 in Dorset, England and by the autumn had released the debut single ‘Dress’ on independent label Too Pure. Dry, released the following month was hailed as an astonishing debut album, not just in the UK but worldwide and particularly in the United States, where Rolling Stone magazine named Harvey ‘Best Songwriter’ and ‘Best New Female Singer’ of 1992. Details

4. The Good Friday Concert

Celtic inspired music for Good Friday. Plus Choral and Instrumental Music by Howells :: Vaughan Williams :: Rutter Special Guests: Anne Lindsay, Celtic violin, Sharlene Wallace, Celtic harp. Details

5. Romantica

Our spring concert will bring a musical bouquet with works written between the late 18th or early 19th century. GTPO’s mission is to offer showcase and support for the development of its musicians and accomplishes this goal through programs that nurture and grow the orchestra’s repertoire and quality. This program offers a different musical palette from the rest of the season, with romantic notes. Details

6. Tabla And Taiko

Join Toronto Tabla Ensemble and Nagata Shachu for an evening of scintillating rhythms at Toronto Centre for the Arts. Both Toronto-based ensembles have contributed immensely to the World Music scene in Canada, raising the profiles of Indian and Japanese music respectively over the last 25 years. This concert will feature compositions by the two ensembles’ maestros, Ritesh Das and Kiyoshi Nagata, who have created new works that maintain each tradition’s form to create a truly novel sound. Details

7. Darrin Baker: Work In Progress

An evening of songs and stories with one of Broadway and Television’s busiest actors, Darrin Baker. Darrin will take you on a journey covering his start and early career in shows like Les Miserables through his adventures in New York City where he spent 20 years on Broadway in shows like Sunset Blvd with Glenn Close, Phill Collins’ Tarzan as well as on TV and film in everything from Law and Order, Designated Survivor, Ransom and the Academy Award winning movie Spotlight, to name a few. The show will include special guest appearances including Hannah Levinson the star of Matilda, theater veteran Duff MacDonald and a few more surprises. The show will be musically directed and accompanied by Canada’s most sought after conductor Mark Camilleri. Details

8. Waltzes Butterflies Dreams

Indulge in an exquisite evening filled with musical gems from three outstanding and influential musical capitals. Travel with us to Vienna, the cradle of Western Art Music; Beijing, the capital of one of the greatest cultures in Asia; and Hollywood, the world capital of the film industry. All three have reached and influenced countless generations and represent the pinnacle of their musical cultures. Details

April 10: Bon Jovi – This House Is Not For Sale – Tour @ Air Canada Centre

April 11: A Night With Sinatra and Friends @ Sony Centre

April 11: San Fermin @ The Great Hall

For live music at nightclubs, see under Nightlife/Food Events

Performing Arts Events

Performing Arts & Theatre in April

1. Little Pretty and The Exceptional @ The Theatre Centre
2. Orphans @ The Coal Mine Theatre
3. Prince Hamlet @ The Theatre Centre
4. I Take Your Hand in Mine…’@ Tarragon Theatre Extraspace
5. Tons of Money @ Theatre Scarborough
6. The Clean House @ Alumnae Theatre
7. Tough Jews @ Kensington Hall
8. Canada: The Thinking Man’s America @ Second City
9. Sound of the Beast @ Theatre Passe Muraille
10. Maz Jobrani @ George Weston Recital Hall
11. The Draupadi Project @ The Theatre Centre

and more!

2. TIFF Kids International Film Festival

Showcasing the best in Canadian and international cinema, the TIFF Kids International Film Festival is the can’t-miss event for families this spring. TIFF’s second biggest film festival offers unique screening experiences for the youngest film-lovers. Details

3. Redux Festival

Water Docs is a documentary environmental film festival celebrating all things water. Enjoy the features and shorts, take part in lively discussions with filmmakers and guest speakers, learn about water issues, and discover action possibilities from our featured community partners. Details

4. Canadian Improv Games 40th Anniversary Celebration

Canadian Improv Games (CIG) will celebrate 40 years of success in advancing the practice of improvisational theatre in Canada. To mark the occasion CIG will host the CIG40 Anniversary Celebration featuring an evening of improv comedy, music, award presentations and many special guests. Details

1. Toronto Blue Jays

2. Toronto Rock

3. Mississauga Steelheads

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

1. Spring Canadian Pet Expo

The pet friendly event features hundreds of vendors, thousands of products, renowned speakers, pet related entertainment, education, pet owner savings opportunities, and much more. There is something for everyone who shares the passion of sharing their lives with a cat, dog, small animal, bird, reptile, fish, or exotic pet. All of these elements supporting the mission statement of promoting responsible pet ownership. Details

2. The Bowmanville Antiques & Folk Art Show

Canada’s premiere show with top dealers offering the best in country furniture, decorative accessories and folk art. Special display – Year of the Beaver, A Celebration of Canada’s 150th From Fur Trade to Folk Art. Details

3. 5 Years of MIDNIGHT MRKT!

Toronto’s Premier Night Market. Pairing Music, Drinks, Food and Street Style with Top Choice Vendors. Details

4. The MRKT

The MRKT features up to 50 vendors including fashion, beauty, art, handmade goods, home décor, food merchants, live entertainment, on stage demonstrations, and much more. Details

5. Toronto Beaches Lions Club Easter Parade

Toronto’s only Easter Parade in its 51st year. Details

6. Easter Flower Shows

Both shows feature lilies, primroses, spring bulbs and cineraria. Details

1. Latent Lounge

Latent Lounge Night 4
Skydiggers
with guest Jerry Leger
and Latent roster musicians playing a “Canadiana” cover set Details

Cook-up Conscious Eats

Chef Ned Bell and Chef Cookie Martinez Cook-up Conscious Eats at the Loblaws® store at Maple Leaf Gardens. Throughout the two week period, shoppers can explore their own Conscious Consumer through a series of pre-registered and drop-in activities including Cooking classes and demos. Details

2. NY6

NY6 is an experiential event where guests will have the chance to explore the iconic streets, landmarks and boroughs of New York City in the 6ix. Taking place in downtown Toronto, guests of NY6 will experience a night filled with NYC-inspired food stations, special live entertainment, and the opportunity to discover New York City’s five distinct boroughs – Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Details

3. Easter Chocolate Workshop

Instead of just eating chocolates on Easter, why not make it? On our Easter Chocolate Workshop hosted by Odile Chocolat, you will get to taste a variety of chocolates, roll vanilla-infused chocolate truffles, and leave with a box of your handmade sweet creations. Details

4. Brewyers Backyard

A Family-Friendly Beer Festival. We will be welcoming seven breweries from across Ontario pouring delicious beers from Indie Alehouse, Sweetgrass Brewing Co., Big Rig, Collective Arts, Muddy York, 5 Paddles and Red Thread. They will be accompanied by a tasty food line up with Meltdown Cheesery, FeasTO, Heirloom, Delite Bite and BeaverTails. Details

Things to do with family in Toronto

Free Activities & Cheaper Ways to Explore Toronto

Things to do in Scarborough

Family Fun Activities in Niagara Falls.

Music Festivals in Toronto

Arts & Theatre Festivals in Toronto

Summer & Multi Cultural Festivals in Toronto .

Family Festivals in Toronto

Film Festivals in Toronto