Luminato illuminates Toronto this weekend, but plan for subway closure

Please don’t say you are bored with Toronto. With another jam-packed weekend in store, there is always something to do in the city.

Starting Friday and until June 26, Luminato will bring an artistic glow to the city with several events including a Rufus Wainwright show, The James Plays Trilogy on-stage, a ‘monumental’ dance and music performance, and a backyard party at Union Station.

There is also the Bestival music festival, a street party on Dundas Street West, a craft beer festival, a treat for foodies, and indoor fishing.

And yes, there is partial subway shutdown this weekend too, this time on Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) but only on Sunday. Shuttle buses will be at your disposal.


Events

A former generating station in the Port Lands will be the site for several music, dance, theatre, and visual arts events, as the 10-day Luminato arts festival kicks off on Friday.

Now simply called ‘The Hearn,’ the industrial site is three times larger than the Tate Modern in London, England, and enormous enough to fit the Statue of Liberty upright or on its side.

 

The large cathedral-like venue seems like an ideal spot for music shows such as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 & An American in Paris.

Canadian singer Rufus Wainwright is also set to recreate Judy Garland’s iconic 1961 Carnegie Hall show at the venue, which will no doubt be spectacular.

Music is not the only thing that will fill The Hearn. The stories of three kings who ruled Scotland during the tumultuous 15th-Century comes to life in an epic threatrical production, featuring James I, James II and James III. You can either watch one show at a time over four days or see all of them together.

If dance is more up your alley, then check out ‘monumental‘ – featuring dancers from Vancouver-based contemporary dance company The Holy Body Tattoo strutting their stuff on illuminated pedestals to the live music of Montreal post-rock band Godspeed You!

Click here for a list of events at Luminato.

Bestival at Woodbine Park
A two-day music festival takes over Woodbine Park this weekend. The theme of Bestival Toronto – Canada’s answer to the UK music festival – is “Summer of Love” and there’s a full slate of talent both days.

Gates open at 12 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and it’s a 16+ event, but people under the age of 16 can attend if they’re with an adult over 30.

 

Toronto Taste
Toronto Taste, the city’s premier culinary event, takes place on Queen’s Quay near Sugar Beach on Sunday evening starting at 6 p.m.

Some of the city’s best chefs will be serving up delicious foods in support of Second Harvest, the country’s largest food rescue charity. The CN Tower will be lit up in green in recognition of the event.

The event is 19+ and tickets are available here.

Dundas West Fest
There’s a huge party on Dundas Street West on Saturday, as the annual Dundas West Fest takes over the street between Lansdowne Avenue and Shaw Street.

People are encouraged to walk, take the TTC or ride their bikes and use the free bike valet service.

Besides food and drink, there will be art, lots of stuff for children and live music. It starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 10 p.m.

Session Craft Beer Festival
Beer lovers 19 years old and over are invited to Yonge-Dundas Square for the Sessions Craft Beer Festival.

 

There will be over 100 beers to sample, along with food, live music and an opportunity to learn more about your favourite beverage. Tickets are available here.

Indoor fishing downtown
Fishing moves indoors this weekend at the Scadding Court Community Centre at Bathurst and Dundas streets

The annual Gone Fishin’ event starts Saturday. For $5 you can fish for rainbow trout in the heart of downtown.

TTC and road closures

Line 2 closure
Yes, this is happening again this weekend but only for one day. On Sunday, there is no subway service on Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) between Pape and St. George stations because of track work. Buses will be running and stopping at the affected stations.

Next weekend, subways won’t be running on Line 1 (Yonge-University-Spadina) between St. Clair West and Downsview stations due to signal upgrades.

Event road closures

Saturday

Family Fun Fit, Kids of Steel Triathlon: The westbound lanes of Kingston Road from Danforth Avenue to Birchmount Road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dundas West Fest: Dundas Street from Lansdowne Avenue to Roxton Road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Ride to Conquer Cancer: The westbound lanes of Lake Shore Boulevard between Strachan Avenue and Windermere Avenue will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Lane closures will take also place in the area bounded by Burnhampthorpe Road, the West Mall, Kipling Avenue and Lake Shore.

Sunday

Shoppers Run for Women: Queen’s Park Crescent East and Queen’s Park Crescent West, between College Street and Bloor Street West, will be closed from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Grosvenor Street will also be closed.

Portugal Day: Lansdowne Avenue will be closed from Bloor to College streets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Toronto Challenge Run: Wellington Street will be closed from John Street to University Avenue from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Road closures will also take place in the area bounded by Wellington, John, Wellesley and Bay streets.

Road work

Queen Street West between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street is being 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.

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