24 things to do in Toronto this weekend: February 7 to 9

Feb 6 2020, 5:17 pm

The time has arrived, Toronto. Stop sitting around and get out for some seriously good times this weekend. There’s plenty to do this February 7 to 9, if you know where to look.

Friday, February 7

Kuumba 2020

What: Kuumba, one of Toronto’s longest-running celebrations of Black History Month, marks its 25th anniversary this year. In 2020, Kuumba25 examines the past through cultural expression, ritual and memorabilia, while re-envisioning identities through art, culture and education.

When: On until February 29
Where: 235 Queens Quay West
Admission: Some events are ticketed, others free, check online

Colin Kaepernick – Know Your Rights Camp Photo Exhibit

What: See the exclusive Canadian debut of the public art installation, courtesy of Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp. Featuring images of freedom fighters from athletes to activists to lawyers, scholars and actors.

When: On until February 29
Where: Harbourfront Centre —  235 Queens Quay West
Admission: Free

Secret Life of a Mother

What: A playwright writes her exposé of modern motherhood in a confessional piece about her own darkly funny and taboo-breaking truths. These mothers are not the butts of jokes, or the villains, or the perfect angels of the house.

When: On until February 23
Time: Times vary
Where: Crow’s Theatre — 345 Carlaw Avenue
Admission: $39.55, available online

2020 Motionball Toronto Gala

What: Motionball 2020 will be taking over the Liberty Grand this February for an epic celebration. Hosted by Devo Brown, you don’t want to miss this incredible night of philanthropy and fun all in support of the Special Olympics Canada Foundation.

When: Friday, February 7
Time: 9 pm to 2 am
Where: Liberty Grand — 25 British Columbia Road
Admission: Tickets start at $160, available online

Yoga Fundraiser for Australian Bushfires

What: Led by 10XTO’s Serena Virtue and Jennifer Kennedy, members of the public are invited to move with compassion and consideration to help raise funds in support of the people, animals and natural beauty that have been affected by the bushfires in Australia. All proceeds will be split between NSW Rural Fire Service and WWF’s Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund.

When: Friday, February 7
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Where: Hotel X Toronto — The View (28th floor) — 111 Princes’ Boulevard
Admission: $15, register online

Toronto Light Fest

What: For the fourth year in a row, the historic Distillery District will be home to the Toronto Light Fest this winter. Designed to entertain and inspire, the free to attend light festival will feature curated light installations and illuminated sculptures created by a number of local and international artists.

When: On until March 1
Time: After sunset
Where: Distillery District
Price: Free

Skating at Harbourfront Centre

What: When the weather starts to drop, it means it’s officially time to go skating. And it just so happens that the city’s most scenic rink has opened its doors for the winter season. The Natrel Rink is complete with heated indoor change rooms and its own rink-side bar and grill for those interested in getting a snack post-skate. The best part? Skating at the Harbourfront rink is totally free. 

When: On until spring
Time: Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday, 9 am to 11 pm; Sunday, 9 am to 10 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre — 235 Queens Quay West
Admission: Skating is free

2020 Lunar New Year Celebrations

To highlight the fifteen-day celebrations and in welcoming the year of the Rat, Toronto Chinatown BIA will spearhead the celebrations with an opening ceremony in Dragon City Mall followed by a magnificent lantern exhibition, and a lineup of interactive games and performances to showcase the rich heritage of Asian traditions during the 2020 Lunar New Year Celebrations.

When: On until February 9
Where: Dragon City Mall — 280 Spadina Avenue

The Dr. Seuss Experience

What: It’s back. After selling out ridiculously fast, organizers have put together another run. Get ready to take a walk down memory lane, as beloved children’s writer, Dr. Seuss’ incredible creations will be appearing in a large interactive exhibit. The 15,000-sq-ft exhibition is a photogenic playground of interesting rooms that recreate the feeling and wonder of walking through a storybook.

When: On until March 22
Where: Square One — 100 City Centre Drive
Admission: $39.99, available online

Wax Candy: Disco Fridays

What: Playing soulful, refreshing, and uplifting Disco all night. Listen to the selection from DJ Efsharp and Cyclist at this weekly dance event. Be prepared for disco standards you already know and some deep cuts that will probably surprise you.

When: Friday, February 7
Time: 10 pm to 2 am
Where: The Piston — 937 Bloor Street West
Admission: Free, register online

Saturday, February 8

Lovers and Other Strangers: Improvised

What: Lovers and Other Strangers aired nightly on CHFI 98.1 in the 90s. It had inspirational readings, soft rock and synthesizers. Come see some of Toronto’s funniest comedians improvise a set based on this classic radio show. Featuring comics like Guled Abdi (CBC’s TallBoyz), Bita Joudaki (Bad Dog Featured Players), Rebecca Payne (Bad Dog Featured Players), Gavin Pounds (Dame Judy Dench), Zohaib Khan (Woke N Broke), Alex Kolanko (The Disaster), and more.

When: Saturday, February 8
Time: 11 pm
Where: Bad Dog Comedy Theatre — 875 Bloor Street West – upstairs
Admission: $10, available online

Awkward Valentine’s Pet Photos

What: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a photoshoot with the love of your life — and by that we obviously mean your dog. For a $25 donation to Fetch & Releash, you and your pet will get a five-minute private photoshoot, a treat bag to take home from Healthybud, 10% off anything at Pet Uno, automatic entry into a $50 Pet Uno gift card raffle, a hi-res photo in an online album

To reserve your spot and e-transfer your donation, email [email protected] with your preferred time

When: Saturday, February 8
Time: Noon to 3 pm
Where: Pet Uno — 675 College Street
Admission: $25 donation

Saturday Family Clay

What: Every Saturday is a family art day at LucSculpture. Head down and learn some of the basics of sculpting figures, building hand objects, and creating with your kids. They’ll fire all the pieces after you’re done.

When: Every Saturday
Time: 1:00 to 4:30 pm
Where: LucSculpture Art School — 663 Greenwood Avenue
Admission: $15 to $35, tickets available online

Bloor-Yorkville Icefest Presents: Awesome 80’s

What: Celebrate winter with the 15th annual Bloor-Yorkville Icefest throughout the Village of Yorkville Park and surrounding area. A free public event, expect a wide variety of uniquely designed ice sculptures and rad winter activities for the duration of the weekend.

This year, all things 80’s are retro-cool again with the “Awesome 80’s” theme transforming the neighbourhood into a one-of-a-kind display of over 70,000 pounds of ice sculpted into sculptures.

When: Saturday, February 8
Where: 115 Cumberland Street
Admission: Free

Ethical Wardrobe Marketplace

What: Featuring ethical clothes, jewellery, and more, this curated marketplace is bringing together some of the most thoughtful and purpose-driven brands on the scene. From vintage leather to accessories, it’s the cure to fast fashion.

When: Saturday, February 8
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: The Encircled Studio — 300 Campbell Ave
Admission: Free, register online

Icefest 2020

What: Toronto’s historic Yorkville neighbourhood will be transformed into a showcase of delicate, stunning ice sculptures using over 70,000 lbs of crystal clear ice. Check out the DJs, take a selfie or group photo at the Icefest Photo Booth or plug in their mobile phones at one of the charging stations. Also there will be the Icefest Scavenger Hunt on Saturday and Sunday, creating a special opportunity to explore the neighbourhood’s shops and attractions.

Specialty cocktails will also be available on the Icefest Sassafraz Patio.

When: February 8 and 9
Where: Cumberland Street and Bellair Street
Admission: Free to the public

DJ Skate Nights

What: Sharpen your skates and skills at Toronto’s number one outdoor winter party. This year you can expect another stellar lineup of DJs that will bring the heat to your Saturday nights.

When: Now until February 15 (Saturday evenings)
Time: 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre — 235 Queens Quay West
Price: Skating is free

Bedroom Antics

What: Bedroom Antics is a fun and lighthearted stand-up show about dating, relationships, the bedroom, and everything in between. A positive night of comedy with some of Toronto’s favourite stand-ups talking and laughing about love.

When: Saturday, February 8
Time: 11 pm
Where: Comedy Bar — 945 Bloor Street W
Admission: $15

Toronto Scavenger Hunt

What: The hunt is on. You and your team will work together to wander throughout Toronto, racking up points and laughs along the way. It’s the perfect small group activity for anyone looking to spend an enjoyable afternoon in Toronto. Some of the more memorable landmarks you’ll see include city hall, the Royal Alexandra Theatre, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

When: February 8 and 9
Time: 10 am
Where: 100 Queen Street West
Admission: $39 to $79.99, available online

Sunday, February 9

The Oscars Live at the Revue Cinema

What: Watch a live broadcast of the Academy Awards on the Revue’s giant screen. The screening will be accompanied by trivia, prizes, champagne, and all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood on Roncesvalles.

When: Sunday, February 9
Time: 7 pm
Where: Revue Cinema — 400 Roncesvalles Avenue
Admission: Free, register online

Wikipedia Edit-a-thon at the Ontario Science Centre

What: While anyone (with an Internet connection, reliable sources, and some time to spare) can edit Wikipedia, the encyclopedia isn’t representative of the diversity we see in the world. In fact, on English Wikipedia, only 18% of pages are about women. To help combat this, the OSC will be updating a variety of pages about marginalized groups and women specifically.

When: Sunday, February 9
Time: 10:45 am to 4 pm
Where: Ontario Science Center — 770 Don Mills Road
Admission: Free, space is limited, register online

92nd Academy Awards at Paradise

What: Watch a free screening of the 92nd Academy Awards, for which Paradise will be collecting donations to support its neighbours, Sistering, a shelter for at-risk women. Reserve a seat in advance, drop off your donation at the door, and settle in for Hollywood’s biggest night.

When: Sunday, February 9
Time: 6 pm
Where: Paradise — 1006 Bloor Street West
Admission: Free, register online

Makers’ Market for Australia

What: Toronto Crafts for Australia is hosting a maker’s market to raise funds. All proceeds will go directly to help Australian relief efforts. Come to buy your Valentine’s gifts, enjoy some company and have a great time supporting an amazing cause. The space is dog-friendly and will have some handmade items for your furry friends too.

When: Sunday, February 9
Time: Noon to 6 pm
Where: Project Spaces King West — 73 Bathurst Street

Be My Vegan Valentine: Toronto Pop-Up Market

What: Find the perfect gift or just enjoy browsing some lovely food and gift vendors. Sip on a vegan rose chai whilst browsing the poetry books for love letter inspiration and sampling a variety of vegan chocolates and truffles.

When: Sunday, February 9
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Diptych Studio — 122 John Street
Admission: $5, available online

Peter SmithPeter Smith

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