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Weekend Planner: July 17–18, 2010
Urban Planner is Torontoist’s guide to what’s on in Toronto, published every weekday morning, and in a weekend edition Friday afternoons. If you have an event you’d like considered, email all of its details—as well as images, if you’ve got any—to [email protected].
Who knew installation art could be so restful? Reclaim public space by grabbing some shuteye this weekend at Z’s by the C. Photo courtesy of Ruth Waters.
This weekend: nap for a cause, give your two cents on the TTC, beware agricultural paratroopers, catch some roller mayhem, enjoy some oysters, and hunt for concerts on Toronto Island.
TRANSIT: Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21, St. Paul’s West), vice-chair of the Toronto Transit Commission, wants YOU to help him improve the overall quality of the city’s public transit system. As such, he has announced the first TTC Passenger Audit, during which dozens of volunteers will canvass the system with questionnaires and gather feedback from concerned commuters. To make your voice heard just download the questionnaire and take it to your home station or send it directly to the audit facilitators. May we recommend an increased fare for those freeloading pigeons? Various stations, Saturday 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., FREE.
GARDEN: Ontario agriculture has seen better days, as articulated nicely by this recent video from Hellmann’s. Artist Amanda White has taken a more “militant” approach to raising awareness on this issue with her Farmy Paratroopers—a platoon of small men cast in clay, compost, and seed mixture that will be deployed throughout the city in a guerilla attack on Toronto’s public spaces. Watch the skies this weekend for these soil soldiers, or head down to Project 165 to see the large-scale map documenting the “troop movements” and “engagements” in this agronomical assault. Project 165 (165 Augusta Avenue), Saturday and Sunday 12–4 p.m., FREE.
NAPS: Have you ever felt persecuted by the Western social stigma against public napping? Well, Mia Rushton and Eric Moschopedis have, which is why they’ve joined forces with The Theatre Centre and the Cooking Fire Theatre Festival to fight back in the name of a good snooze! Z’s by the C is a participatory art project that invites residents of Toronto to decorate a sleeping mask and then take a midday nap in the proposed Queen West park at Lisgar. The artists hope that their project—which has already been a hit in New York, Zürich, Ottawa, and Calgary—will help create a safe sleeping zone and open discourse on the legitimacy of sleeping in public environments. See Torontoist’s preview for further details. The proposed park on Lisgar Street, south of Queen Street West, Saturday and Sunday 12–4 p.m., FREE.
SPORT: It’s a no-holds-barred battle royal as Toronto’s newest roller derby team The Rollergettes squares off against London’s Forest Hill Rookies in the Right to Roll Riot on Saturday. Presented by the West End Waywards Rollerskating Association, this popular urban sport on wheels offers knock-down drag-out fun for all ages. With Great Lakes Brewery as a sponsor and Shox’s Billiard Lounge hosting the afterparty, a riot is most certainly assured no matter who takes home the title. George Bell Arena (215 Ryding Avenue), Saturday 6 p.m., $10 in advance, $15 at the door, ages 12 and under free.
FOOD: Local shellhead Rodney “The Oysterman” Clark is inviting all his fellow oyster enthusiasts down to Rodney’s Oyster House for the Ontario Oyster Festival. Rumour has it there may be oysters involved. Enjoy seafood, microbrews, live music, and the prestigious honour of witnessing the Battle of the Bivalves, a shucking competition to determine who among the thirty-five contenders will go on to represent our province in the national championship in P.E.I. All proceeds go towards Environmental Defence, an organization devoted to protecting the health of our planet and our species. Rodney’s Oyster House (496 King Street West), Sunday 2–10 p.m., $30 (includes two drinks and six oysters or Sri Lankan curry).
MUSIC: Did you miss the annual Toronto Island Concert, but you’re still jonesing for some island-based musical mischief? Luckily for you the Poor Pilgrim Island Show is back, with its quirky scavenger hunt series of mini-concerts set all across the islands. Grab a guide map and a flashlight and set out to find performances by local artists like Picastro and THOMAS. Remember to be respectful of residents, and don’t forget to catch the last ferry to the mainland at 11:45 p.m. or you may be enjoying the sunrise just as you enjoyed the sunset, minus any musical accompaniment. Various locations around Toronto Island (maps available at Soundscapes), Sunday 5–11:30 p.m., FREE.
