Toronto
Weekend Events & Festivals in Toronto: January 18 to 20, 2019
A weekly digest of What’s on in Toronto this weekend: Activities, Exhibitions, Live Music, Live Theatre & Performances, Sports and Festivals in Toronto. Few GTA events are also listed.
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I. Live Music & Concerts
21C Festival
This edition of 21C Music Festival will celebrate the American minimalist composer Terry Riley, with his music being performed in three of the concerts. Additionally, more than a half of the works presented during the festival will be receiving premieres – 6 world, 1 North American, 10 Canadian, 4 Ontario, and 1 Toronto, by 13 Canadian composers.
January 16-20, 2019
Koerner Hall & Other Venues, Toronto
$21.00 & up
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Mozart with Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman, one of today’s finest classical musicians, brings unsurpassed flair and the artistry of a seasoned master to this fabulous, artfully wide-ranging all-Mozart program! He doubles as soloist and conductor in two of the delectable violin concertos, and conducts one of the sprightliest symphonies and the sparkling overture to that masterpiece of comic opera, The Marriage of Figaro.
January 16 – 19, 2019
Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto
$40.75-$154.00 + Applicable Charges
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Using huge projection photos and original film footage, featuring a full live band performing all the hits including ‘Mrs. Robinson’, ‘Cecilia’, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, ‘Homeward Bound’ and many more.
January 17 to 27, 2019
CAA Theatre
651 Yonge Street, Toronto
$68.00 to $99.00
The Musical Box – “A Genesis Extravaganza”
In an all-out performance of live visual signature stunts, a museum-worthy array of vintage instruments and a dizzying pace of iconic tracks and stage rarities, The Musical Box indulges for the 1st time in its 25 year existence in an intense 3 act voyage into the world of early Genesis.
January 18 & 19, 2019 | 7:00 PM
The Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
$59.5 – $99.5
Havana Toronto Safari
Havana Toronto Safari is a musical overview of the trajectory to the Afrocuban Jazz from Cuba all the way to Canada. This project will take the audience in a journey from the traditional form of Cuban Jazz, going up through New York, and emerging in Toronto where local musicians have developed unique ways of interpreting this music influenced by all this great trajectory.
January 18 & 19, 2019
Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria Street, Toronto
$20.00
CONSTELLATIONS
Christopher Goddard’s beguiling new work Les tringles des sistres tintaient (world premiere) re-imagines the spellbinding gypsy song that opens act two of Bizet’s Carmen with its fluidity, exoticism, and perpetual forward energy. Virtuosic saxophonist Wallace Halladay reveals the extent of Japanese composer Hosokawa’s exquisite creativity in Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra (Canadian premiere).
Sunday January 20, 2019 | 8:00 PM
Koerner Hall, Toronto
$21.00 to $65.00
Concert Tours/EDM Concerts This Week
- Martha Wainwright on Tuesday, January 15 @ The Great Hall
- Raoul Bhaneja and Jesse Whiteley on Thursday, January 17, 2019 | 08:30 PM – 10300 PM @ Jazz Bistro
- Mappe Of on January 18 & 19 @ The Drake Hotel
- Dan Hill on Friday, January 18, 2019 | 8:30 PM to 11:00 PM @ Hugh’s Room Live
- Markus Schulz on Friday, January 18, 2019 | 10:00 PM @ REBEL
- Terry Riley: Live at 85! on Friday Jan 18, 2019 | 8:00 PM @ Koerner Hall
- Idol Ke Dewane — Indian Idol contestants live on Saturday, January 19, 2019 | 8:00 PM @ Sony Centre For The Performing Arts
- Garnet Rogers on January 19, 2019 | 8:30 PM to 11:00 PM @ Hugh’s Room Live
- Dierks Bentley on Saturday, January 19, 2019 7:00 PM @ Tribute Communities Centre, Oshawa
- AOMG ABOVEORDINARY on Sunday, January 20, 2019 | 7:00 PM @ REBEL
For more live music at nightclubs and Food/Spirit Festivals & Events, see under V. Nightlife/Food Festivals & Events
5 ideas for a day trip or a weekend getaway for this third weekend of January in Ontario. »
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II. Arts & Theatre
Performing Arts Events
Live Theatre/Comedy events this week include
- The Scavenger’s Daughter @ Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
- In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play @ Tarragon Theatre
- Bert Kreischer – The Body Shots Tour @ The Danforth Music Hall
- Eve of St. George – An unnerving interactive theatre experience @ The Great Hall
- Rose: A New Musical @ Young Centre for the Performing Arts
- Million Dollar Quartet @ Lower Ossington Theatre
- Impulse @ Berkeley Street Theatre
- Top Girls @ Alumnae Theatre
- Opera by Request Double Comedic Opera Night! on Sat, January 19, 2019 | 7:30 PM @ College Street United Church
- This Is That Live on Saturday, Jan 19, 2019 | 8:00 PM @ George Weston Recital Hall
- The Virgin Trial @ Young Centre for the Performing Arts
- The Arkin and Friends on Sunday January 20, 2019 | 7:30 PM @Streetcar Crowsnest
and many more!
Next Stage Festival
Presented by the Toronto Fringe, twelve carefully curated shows will be presented for the Festival’s 12th anniversary, showcasing strong voices and well-written new plays. To celebrate its 12th year, Next Stage Theatre Festival presents important well-crafted stories that are personal, diverse, and significant. Details
January 9 to 20, 2019
Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst Street, Toronto
$12-$96
MOVIES
- Female Director Festival on Thursday January 17, 2019 | 7pm to 9pm. @ Carlton Cinemas
- Upcoming Family Friendly Movies in Theatres
III. Sports & Related Events
Toronto Raptors
vs. Phoenix Suns on Thursday, January 17, 2019 | 7:30 PM
vs. Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, January 19, 2019 | 7:30 PM
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs
vs. Colorado Avalanche on Monday, January 14, 2019 | 7:00 PM
vs. Arizona Coyotes on Sunday, January 20, 2019 | 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Toronto Rock
vs. Georgia Swarm
Friday, January 18, 2019 | 7:30 PM
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Winter Fest 2019
This year’s Winter Fest will feature even more excitement for fans of all ages, with select player, prospect, and alumni appearances, Sportsnet personalities, Jr. Jays activations, live entertainment, historic memorabilia, baseball-themed games, a Ferris wheel, a skating rink, catch and throw, batting radar cages, ballpark tours, and much more.
January 19 & 20, 2019
Rogers Centre — 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto
CWHL All-Star Game
The All-Star rosters will feature the league’s top 34 players and will include athletes who have recently represented their countries at the Olympics, the Four Nations tournament and World Championships.
Sunday, January 20, 2019 | 1:30 PM
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
IV. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
Toronto Light Festival
The Toronto Light Festival, the City’s first-ever light art festival, is returning for the another year to the Distillery Historic District! Visitors will be taken on a new visual journey and cerebral adventure, designed to entertain and inspire.
January 18 – March 3, 2019
The Historic Distillery District
55 Mill Street, Toronto
FREE
DesignTO
DesignTO, formerly the Toronto Design Offsite Festival, brings you 10 days filled with immersive installations, fantastic exhibitions, engaging talks, and more design and art than ever before. With this much to do, you’ll want to make sure it all makes it into your calendar. Plus, with an extra weekend, there’s no reason to miss any of the amazing programming 2019 has in store for you.
January 18-27, 2019
Various Venues, Toronto
FREE & ticketed events.
Interior Design Show Toronto
During one four-day weekend each January, the Interior Design Show shapes the industry for the year to come – in North America and beyond. Experiential and transformative, we bring together compelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent and key experts in the industry so that you can be inspired by the best of the future.
January 17 to 20, 2019
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto
$19
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Toronto RV Show & Sale
Explore over 350,000 square feet of exhibit space showcasing popular brands in new Recreation Vehicles, at Ontario’s longest running RV show! The show features, RV Dealers, campgrounds, educational seminars and a diverse selection of RV parts.
January 17 to 20, 2019
Toronto Congress Center, 650 Dixon Road Toronto
$7.50 – $15
Toronto International Boat Show
Celebrating 61 years in 2019 as the best place to see and buy boats, the show also offers expert boating information, 200+ seminars, an abundance of family fun attractions and on-the-water boating activities.
January 18 – 29, 2019
Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place
$5 & up; Under 16: Free
Come Up To My Room
Framed within the backdrop of the historic 130-year-old Gladstone Hotel, ‘Come Up To My Room’ invites artists and designers to create a 4-day site-specific, immersive installations that stimulate the imagination and encourage discussion and dialogue between contributors and visitors alike. #CUTMR2019 will feature over 20 projects with over 50 participants!
January 17 – 20, 2019
Gladstone Hotel – 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto
$5 – $25
Fire & Ice Winter Festival
This year’s all-ages festival is a curated mix of fan-favourite activities from the past decade and new programming for a growing festival audience. Experience ice sculptures and bonfires, guided forest walks, a petting zoo, geocaching, art workshops, food trucks and beverages, live music, extended hours for millpond skating, and more.
January 19 & 20, 2019
Alton Mill Arts Centre
1402 Queen St., Caledon
PWYC
Lunar Eclipse
Total lunar eclipse take place on Sunday. If the sky is clear, plan to stay up to see the blood moon.
January 20, 2019 | 11:41 PM to 12:43 AM
Other Events
Ice Breakers
A fun outdoor interactive art installation exhibition, Ice Breakers installations are positioned on Toronto’s waterfront along Queen’s Quay West between Harbourfont Centre and HTO West.
There are 5 installations, each an interpretation of this year’s theme “Signal Transmission”. Details
Launch Party: Ice Breakers presented by PortsToronto: January 19, 2019 | 12:30-3:00PM @ HTO Park 339 Queens Quay W, Toronto
January 19 to February 24, 2019 @ Between Harbourfront Centre to HTO Park West
Guides Hikes & Snowshoeing
- Snowshoes and Snowclues on January 19, 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm @ Oak Ridges Corridor Trailhead at Grovewood Park
- Snowshoes and Snowclues on January 19, 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm @ Malton Community Centre – 3540 Morning Star Dr, Mississauga
- Moonlight Snowshoe on January 18, 2019 | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm @ Lake St. George Field Centre
Modern Bride Wedding Show
The show hosts to several local wedding professionals, ranging from expert consultants and photographers to decor and cake designers, providing all your planning needs in one place. Details
January 19 & 20, 2019 @ The International Centre | Hall 6, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga
Love Design Shop
The Gladstone Hotel and Sarah Cooper (Co-Founder, Shelter Bay Goods) present the Love Design Shop. Meet the designers behind some of Ontario’s most exciting brands at this one-day only shopping event. From emerging artists to established fan favourites, the Love Design Shop features a carefully curated selection of home décor, giftware, jewellery, and fashion. Details
Sunday January 20, 2019 | 11 AM- 6 PM @ The Gladstone Hotel- North Ballroom, Toronto
Newmarket Ice Lounge
This is a great place to take a break from skating on the outdoor Tim Hortons Skating & Water Feature or simply chill with your friends and family this winter!
Details
November 30 to February 1, 2019 | All day @ Newmarket Riverwalk Commons
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Free Public Skating at Evergreen Brick Works on December 1 to February 27, 2018
Meditation Series: Join Cassidy from Just Be Meditation for these free meditation classes at the Sony Centre on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 | 6pm to 7pm
Start Your Fitness & Health Journey: Ready to get fit and healthy for 2019? Join our panel of wellness professionals who will help you achieve your fitness and wellness resolutions for the new year. All ages and genders are welcome. Sunday, January 20, 2019 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM @ Mum’s the word, 567 college street, Toronto
Bentway Skating Trail: The Bentway is a unique and innovative public space that transforms 1.75km underneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway, from Strachan Avenue to Bathurst Street. Inniskillin Wines Ice Lounge — Sample Ice Wine and Mulled Wine Cocktails: Friday and Sunday nights, between December 21 and January 6. @ Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto
DJ Skate Nights: Sharpen your skates and skills as Toronto’s number one outdoor winter party returns with another stellar lineup of DJs that will bring the heat to your Saturday nights. The rumours are true, DJ Skate Nights is the best party in town and a surefire cure for the winter blues! Saturdays @ Natrel Rink, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Happy Place Toronto
HAPPY PLACE, an interactive, immersive exhibit with larger-than-life installations and multi-sensory themed rooms, is on a mission to spread happiness around the world.
November 1, 2018 to January 27, 2019 @ Harbourfront Centre, 245 Queens Quay W, Toronto
Winter at Ontario Place
For the second year in a row, the West Island of Ontario Place will feature the Winter Light Exhibition, free public skating on a synthetic rink and community bonfires. New this year, Ontario Place will launch a series of DJ skate parties at the iconic waterfront venue and bring a range of beloved films to Cinesphere.
Details
November 23, 2018 to March 17, 2019. @ The West Island of Ontario Place
Women March
The theme for the 2019 Women’s Marches around the world is ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 1 in 3 women worldwide has experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
Details
Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 12 PM – 3 PM @ Nathan Philips Square
Exhibitions
- Programs and Events to Attend during Winter at Art Gallery of Ontario
- Panel Talk: Collaboration as Process on Saturday, January 19, 2019 | 1:00 PM @ Onsite Gallery, 199 Richmond St. West, Toronto
- Transforming Traditions: The Arts of 19th-Century Iran: The Qajar dynasty was characterized by flourishing new technology, converging cultural traditions and seismic social change. The Aga Khan Museum proudly presents stories of a culture in flux through Transforming Traditions: The Arts of 19th-Century Iran, an exhibition focused on the fascinating artwork of 19th-century Iran. — Through February 10, 2019
- Zuul: Life of an Armoured Dinosaur: Zuul: Life of an Armoured Dinosaur takes you on a hands-on, interactive journey into Zuul’s world; from its discovery in 2014 and the fascinating research being done to further our understanding of these powerful animals, to Zuul’s life in the lush Cretaceous period 76 million years ago, where its body armour and tail club were crucial for defence. December 15, 2018 through May 20, 2019 @ Royal Ontario Museum
V. Food Events & Festivals This Week
- Foodie Road Trips in Ontario
- Sightseeing and Dinner Cruises in Toronto
- Beer & Wine Festivals in Toronto
- Food Festivals in Toronto
- Winemaker’s Tasting with Paul Pender of Tawse on Monday, January 14, 2019 | 7:00pm – 9:30pm @ CHCA Wine Lab
- Taste of Chinatown Food Tour @ Dim Sum King – 421 Dundas St W
Robbie Burns Day
- Burns Supper on Friday, January 18, 2019 | 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM @ University Club of Toronto
- 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band Annual Robert Burns Supper on Saturday, January 19, 2019 | 6:30 PM to 12:00 AM @ Milton Lions Club Hall
- Robbie Burns Day on Sunday, January 20, 2019 | 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM @ Mackenzie House – 82 Bond Street, Toronto
Something Strange Sideshow Festival
Come and see the most bizarre acts in the world on the grandest stage in Canadian sideshow, Something Strange. An evening of the wildest artists in North America, bringing back vintage sideshow and circus arts. Presented by Toronto’s own Mysteiron (Fooler of Penn and Teller with Steffi Kay) you will see over a dozen acts of daring do… and don’t. Sword swallowers, mentalists, bearded ladies and human marvels.
Saturday, Jan 19 2019 | 7:30 PM – 12:30 AM
Mod Club Theatre – 722 College St. W, Toronto
$20 – $65 + charges
Small Ball Mini Cask Fest
Join us as we crack into some delicious cask versions of your faves!
Saturday, January 19, 2019 | 11 AM – 9 PM
Left Field Brewery, 36 Wagstaff Drive, Toronto
Free
Concerts/Events at Clubs
- JJ and The Pillars, Brothers of North & Tom Boy on Thursday, January 17 | 8:30 PM @ The Horseshoe Tavern
- AfterHours with Continuum on Friday Jan 18, 2019 | 10:30 PM @ Mazzoleni Hall
- Wing Night (the band) on Friday, January 18 | 9:00 PM @ The Horseshoe Tavern
- Sixteen Loko – Single Release Show with Mount Abora, BingeNinja, Nailbox, Relapse
on Friday, January 18 | 6:00 PM @ Sneaky Dee’s Concert Venue - King Princess on Sunday, January 20, 2019 | 7:00 PM @ The Danforth Music Hall
- Cory Wong on Sunday, January 20, 2019 | 7:30 PM @ The Horseshoe Tavern
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Free Activities & Cheaper Ways to Explore Toronto
Please verify all details from concerned Event Websites/officials before travelling.
Road Closures
Road Closures in Toronto – Here;
In Brampton – Here ; Mississauga – Here
York Region – Here Durham Region – Here
Road Conditions across GTA – Here ; TTC Route diversions – Here
Bookmark this page and check back next week for more activities.
Where are there firework shows tonight 😎 In Scarborough but will travel
Serena – its called google. try it
I’m so happy Grease the Musical is coming back!!! I’ve seen it twice and loved it, can’t wait to go again! The girl who plays Sandy is EVERYTHING
Missed the halal food festival…