events
Weekend Planner: July 7–8, 2012
This weekend, festivals galore! The Taiko festival brings drums to the city; an animation film festival brings the cartoon fun; Afrofest returns with a celebration of African culture; Fringe Festival continues; and much more.
Don't miss this weekend's Toronto Taiko Festival Concert. Photo courtesy of Young Park.
BRAZIL FESTIVAL: Spain may have won the Euro Cup and clinched their position as champions of the universe, but Brazil, baby—that’s where it’s at. Expressions of Brazil is a weekend-long event that showcases the country’s art and culture. The festival features photo and art exhibitions, a fashion show, the BRAFFTV Film Series, music and dance of many varieties, and much more. Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West), Friday to Sunday, times vary, FREE.
FILM FESTIVAL: Thought the film festival circuit in Toronto was finally slowing down? Think again. The Toronto Animation Arts Festival is in town to highlight the best in animation from around the world. Featuring short films, a live cartoon script read, a workshop with Ren & Stimpy creator John Kricfalusi (!), and much more. Friday to Sunday, TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West), times and ticket prices vary.
AFRICAN FESTIVAL: There’s no better way to complement a hot summer day than with a trip to Africa in the centre of Toronto. Afrofest, a festival that celebrates African culture, is back. There will be musicians, an African marketplace, vendors, art displays, workshops, and more. Woodbine Park (Lake Shore Boulevard East and Coxwell Avenue), Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m., FREE.
TALENT SHOW: Oh Canada, when’s the last time you had a reality talent show that people actually watched? Sure, Simon Cowell’s looking to bring The X Factor to our country, but until then we’re in serious need of a platform for showing off the hidden talent that’s all around us. Enter the SouthAsia’s Got Talent competition. Taking place as part of the TD Festival of South Asia, this contest aims to bring forth the best acts Toronto’s youth have to offer. Gerrard India Bazaar (1426 Gerrard Street East), Saturday, 7 p.m.–9 p.m., FREE.
TAIKO FESTIVAL: The Toronto Taiko Festival, a showcase for performers who specialize in giant Japanese drums, features acts like Raging Asian Women Taiko Drummers, Arashi Daiko (pictured above), and much more. MacMillan Theatre, Edward Johnson Building (80 Queen’s Park), Saturday, 8 p.m., $25.
MUSIC: You love free concerts, don’t you? Of course you do. Maximum RNR, Toronto’s punk rock quintet, is offering just that, in celebration of their their 348th gig. Don’t be misled by the name, for you’ll find no rest and relaxation here. Special guests California Deathrays will also perform. Bovine Sex Club (542 Queen Street West), Saturday, 9 p.m., FREE.
FRINGE: Whether you want to see a musical or sketch comedy, stirring drama or weird performance, the Toronto Fringe Festival has over 150 different shows, with something for just about every taste—and the best way to narrow down which shows to see is by checking out our 2012 Fringe coverage.
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].