Jazz and a light parade brighten the weekend, but plan ahead for TTC closures

Jazz, a light parade and all-night art, High Park zen, and movies in a park. These are just some of the things to do this weekend in Toronto.

There are road closures for events and construction, and two service impacts to the TTC this weekend. But, think about how much fun you will have once you get where you need to go.

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Nuit Rose
Pride Month continues in Toronto with a spin on Nuit Blanche. For the third year, Nuit Rose is being held on Saturday.

 

At sunset, everyone is welcome to march in a parade and are asked to bring along a light-emitting object. The parade starts at Norman Jewison Park east of Yonge Street, eventually making its way onto Church Street. There will also be free lantern-making workshops beforehand.

Then, there will be a number of all-night art installations in both indoor and outdoor venues in the Church/Wellesley Village and in Parkdale. Click here for a full list.

TD Toronto Jazz Festival
“I’ve got rhythm. I’ve got music.” Music just makes everyone happy, and jazz resonates jubilance. There is no right or wrong string of notes that defines jazz. It is a feeling, one that takes you to places that only reside in your dreams.

Over 10 days, the annual jazz festival will colour the town in jazz. From vocal standards and be-bop to soul and fusion, the event will be swinging with every style of jazz you want to hear. You will be tapping your feet and dancing in your seats.

 

The festival, now in its 30th year, kicks off on Friday with Grammy and Juno award winner Sarah McLachlan performing an acoustic set at the Sony Centre. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are still available.

More than 350 shows will be held at the 10-day festival, including performances by Wynton Marsalis, Heather Bambrick, Chick Correa Trio, and Gregory Porter. Click here to see a list of artists.

Recently, CityNews did a 60-Second Challenge with Porter, who was in town to promote his latest album and upcoming performance at the jazz festival on June 28. Watch it below or click here to view it.

 

Free yoga in High Park
Surround yourself with nature as you practice your downward dog and sun salutation in High Park – the best park on earth.

 

The free sessions, which start on Sunday and run until Sept. 18, are offered by local yoga studios in collaboration with Flow-active. Classes are held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. near the Chess House, close to the High Park subway station on Bloor Street West.

A donation of $5 is suggested with all proceeds going to StepStones for Youth, an organization that helps disadvantaged young people.

Pedestrian Sundays
The streets of Kensington Market are yours the last Sunday of each month until Oct. 30.

The car-free street party takes place from noon to 7 p.m. You can check out live music, watch street performers, stroll through an outdoor art fair, and browse various stores.

 

Annex Festival on Bloor
Expect lots of family fun on Sunday in the Annex, during a festival on Bloor Street between Bathurst Street and Spadina Avenue.

The 20th annual Annex Family Festival takes place between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Local businesses will be celebrating the unique heritage of the community with different activities for all ages. Expect music, a children’s village and even a pirate ship with real live pirates.

Christie Pits Film Festival
It’s the sixth summer for outdoor movies at the Christie Pits Film Festival, which starts on Sunday night with ‘Gravity,’ starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.

Movies will be shown every Sunday through the end of August, starting around 9 p.m.

 

Heroes Run for Huntington’s
This Sunday, hundreds of people will be running to try to find a cure for Huntington’s disease.

It takes place at the Wilket Creek Park Picnic Site 2 at Leslie Street and Eglinton Avenue between 9 a.m. and noon. You have the choice of a 5/10K run or a 5K walk/hike.

All funds raised support the Huntingon Society of Canada’s programs and services. Click here to register.

Chihuly
American sculptor Dale Chihuly is renowned for his impressive feats of blown glass that are colourful and creatively play with light, creating a magical world you will not want to leave.

An exhibition of his work will be featured at the Royal Ontario Museum from Saturday until Jan. 2, 2017.

 

Earl Bales Art and Music Fest
Celebrate the arts and culture of North York and Toronto on Sunday at Earl Bales Park, located at the corner of Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue.

It will feature performances by local musicians, artwork, lots of stuff for children and food booths from local restaurants.

TTC and road closures

Line 3 closure
Trains won’t be running on Line 3 (Scarborough RT) this weekend due to track work. Shuttle buses will stop at all stations.

Line 2 late opening
Bridge work on the Prince Edward Viaduct will force subway service to start later than usual on Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) between St. George and Pape stations. The TTC has not determined the exact time yet. Shuttle buses will be running.

Road closures for events
Toronto Waterfront 10K: University Avenue, from Dundas to Front streets, and York Street, from Front to Bremner Boulevard, will be closed from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday. And from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., a series of rolling road closures will also be in effect in the area bounded by Parkside Drive, Lake Shore Boulevard, York Street/University Avenue and Dundas Street.

The Village Festival: Church Street, from Wood to Gloucester streets, will be closed from 9 a.m. on Saturday to 2 a.m. on Monday.

Port Union Village Waterfront Festival: Port Union Road will be closed from south of Shoalhaven Drive to Bridgend Street on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bridgend Street will be closed in both directions from Port Union Road to the east part of Vessel Crescent.

Fairbank Village BIA Multicultural Celebration: Eglinton Avenue, from Dufferin Street to Ronald Avenue, will be closed from 2 a.m. on Saturday to 5 a.m. on Monday. Some smaller streets in this area will also be partially closed.

Annex Family Festival: Bloor Street, from Spadina Avenue to Bathurst Street, will be closed on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Road work
The entire intersection of College and Bathurst will be closed for TTC work until July 12.

Also, Queen Street West between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street is reduced to one lane in either direction for watermain replacement and and reconstruction work. The construction is expected to last until Oct. 8.

Below is a map of the ongoing road closures in Toronto due to construction. Click here for a mobile-friendly link.