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Weekend Planner: July 16–17, 2011
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].
In this Weekend Planner: swap your old CDs and DVDs for new ones, pamper your pooch, take a trip to the Festival of South Asia, watch a documentary about social recluses with too much money, laugh at/with Neil Hamburger, come out of your shell for an oyster-shucking competition, and take in the last days of the Fringe Festival.
SWAP: As part of the Live Green Toronto Festival and in collaboration with the City, Swapsity presents the Movie Music Eco-Swap, where people can bring their used or unwanted DVDs, Blu-rays, records, and CDs to swap for other ones. The goal is to keep 10,000 items out of landfills. You can get that DVD you have been wanting for the price of nothing and our environment gets a little less clutter. It is a win-win situation. Yonge and Dundas Square (10 Dundas Street East), Saturday 11 a.m.–8 p.m., FREE.
DOGS: Parklife, A Day in the Park for Dogs and their People is the perfect event to mingle with dogs and their owners. There will also be a dog-wash where professional groomers can pamper your pooch, and donations will going towards Paws for the Cause, a series of dog-related events to raise money for canine veterinary health care. Trinity Bellwoods Park (1053 Dundas Street West), Saturday 11:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., FREE, suggested donation for dog wash $10.
FESTIVAL: The TD Festival of South Asia will feature dancing, talent shows, and authentic cultural programs reflecting Indian, Afghani, Pakistani, Bengali, and Sri Lankan cultures. There will be street food from participating restaurants for $1–$6. This year’s festival will also have its own version of South Asia’s Got Talent. Gerrard Street East (between Greenwood Avenue and Coxwell Avenue), Saturday and Sunday noon–11 p.m., FREE.
FILM: The 519 Church Street Community Centre and the Church Wellesley Village BIA will host a free screening of Grey Gardens, a documentary about Edith “Big Edie” Beale and her daughter “Little Edie,” who were members of the New England elite but chose an isolated life together in their decaying mansion. Green Space on Church, Cawthra Square Park (519 Church Street), Saturday 8:45 p.m., FREE.
COMEDY: Word on the street is that Neil Hamburger, the perpetually throat-clearing comedian with Coke bottle glasses, has sold out his show tonight, but there’s still a chance to catch his final show this weekend. The awkward stage persona of Gregg Turkington has won legions of fans both in TV-land and across North America. Comedy Bar (945 Bloor Street West), Saturday 10:30 p.m., $13.
FESTIVAL: Ontario’s 23rd Annual Oyster Festival, in support of Environmental Defence, will happen this weekend, as hundreds of oyster fans enjoy fresh seafood while taking in live music and the Ontario Oyster Shucking Competition. Thirty-five hopefuls will compete for this year’s title as well as a trip to represent our province in the Canadian shucking championships in PEI. Alley beside Rodney’s Oyster House (469 King Street West), Sunday 2 p.m., $30.
FRINGE: Want to see our picks from this year’s Fringe? Check out Torontoist‘s 2011 Fringe cheat sheet and map to find the best of the shows we’ve seen so far.