365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto museums

355. The Tsar’s Cabinet: Two Hundred Years of Russian Decorative Arts Under the Romanovs

December 21, 2011

The Tsar’s Cabinet is only at the Gardiner Museum for another few weeks, so take this opportunity to explore this amazing collection of imperial Russian porcelain and decorative arts! Grouped according to the tsars in power when they were made, the artwork has been interpreted to help museum-goers understand Russia’s history during the Romanov period. “For example, objects from the reign of Peter the Great are used to illuminate Russia’s early engagement with the West, while objects from Catherine the Great’s reign are used to illustrate Russia’s involvement in the Enlightenment.”

The Tsar's Cabinet

Most of the items in this collection were designed for and used by members of the Russian imperial family, including the tsars themselves. Many of the pieces are extremely rare – items of this calibre are not often available for viewing outside of Russia. As the only scheduled Canadian venue for this exhibition, this is your opportunity to explore amazing examples of works from the Imperial Glassworks, the Imperial Porcelain Factory, and the private firms of Fabergé and Ovichinnikov.

The Gardiner Museum is open today from 10am until 6pm. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for students. For more information on this exhibit, go to www.gardinermuseum.on.ca.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto music

354. Christmas Holiday Pops

December 20, 2011

Hear all your favourite holiday tunes tonight at the first of three performances of Christmas Holiday Pops at Roy Thomson Hall! Featuring the Canadian Brass, you’ll hear classics such as Ding Dong Merrily on High, Go Tell It on the Mountain and Christmas Time is Here, as well as a bit of Dixieland jazz.

Canadian Brass

Christmas Holiday Pops starts tonight at 8pm. If you can’t make it to this evening’s performances, you can catch the Canadian Brass at Roy Thomson Hall tomorrow at 2pm and 8pm. For more information and to purchase tickets for this holiday event, go to www.tso.ca.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events

353. Skating at Dufferin Grove Park

December 19, 2011

Grab your skates and head to Dufferin Grove Park! Dufferin Rink has two skating pads, so whether you want to play a game of shinny, or whether pleasure skating is more your speed, there’s something for everyone! Even if you don’t own your own skates there is plenty of fun to be had – rent skates for $2, and even rent a hockey stick and pads for another $1.

Skating Dufferin Grove Park

For a full schedule of ice times, visit Dufferin Grove Park’s website.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events

352. Chanukah Family Fun Day with Jewish National Fund

December 18, 2011

Chanukah is only a couple of days away, so get ready to celebrate with Chanukah Family Fun Day! Participate in the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Chanukah with the Jewish National Fund – play the dreidel game, eat delicious doughnuts, and enjoy all your favourite Chanukah music as you gather with your family and friends to celebrate the beginning of this festive season!

Chanukah

For more information on Chanukah Family Fun Day, go to www.jewishtorontoonline.net.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events

351. Christmas by Lamplight

December 17, 2011

Ready for an old-fashioned Christmas celebration by lamplight? Tonight Black Creek Pioneer Village hosts an evening of ballroom dancing, old-fashioned taffy pulls, chestnuts roasting over an open fire” and more. Make your evening complete by selecting the traditional dinner option, and you’ll have a “Christmas by Lamplight” to remember!

Christmas by Lamplight

Christmas by Lamplight is a pre-ticketed event. Visit Black Creek’s website for details on how you can be part of the holiday festivities!

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto music

350. Toronto’s “Favourite” Messiah

December 16, 2011

Dubbed “Toronto’s Favourite Messiah,” it simply wouldn’t be the holidays without taking in a performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra! Featuring the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Guest Conductor Nicholas Kraemer of Chicago’s Music of the Baroque, this Messiah will be unforgettable.

Toronto's "Favourite" Messiah

The performance gets underway at 8pm at Roy Thomson Hall; to purchase tickets, go to www.tso.ca.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events

349. Medieval Times

December 15, 2011

You may think that Medieval Times is a little cheesy and geared towards tourists and school field trips, but there’s no denying that it’s entertaining! If you’ve never had the opportunity to “be swept away to an age of bravery and honor and witness epic battles of steel and steed,” you’re missing out, so book your tickets today! Medieval Times is likely best seen in a group – go with your family, friends, or make it a last minute office-party event – and be prepared to “marvel at awe-inspiring horsemanship and falconry” and dine on a “four-course meal fit for royalty.”

Medieval Times

Tickets for Medieval Times are as low as $35. For more information on ticket availability and rates, go to www.medievaltimes.com.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events

348. Chiaroscuro Reading and Workshop Series

December 14, 2011

Highlighting authors of science fiction, fantasy and horror, the Chiaroscuro Reading Series is a monthly event which is open to the the public. Hosted by Augusta House, the  Reading and Workshop Series takes place the second Wednesday of each month. Whether you’re a fan of the Canadian literary scene or are a budding author yourself, the Chiaroscuro Reading and Workshop Series seeks to be a “forum to showcase known authors in the field as well as those who are at the beginning stages of their career.” By supporting emerging writers, the hope is that the Canadian science fiction, fantasy and horror literary scene will continue to grow.

Chiaroscuro Reading and Workshop

For more information about these monthly events, visit http://chiseries.webs.com

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events

347. The Nutcracker

December 13, 2011

If you only ever see one ballet in your life, it will likely be The Nutcracker. Honour a Toronto tradition and see the National Ballet of Canada’s performance of this wildly popular ballet this Christmas season! Described as “at once cheeringly traditional yet freshly attuned to the rhythms and accents of the contemporary,” this version of The Nutcracker highlights beautiful choreography and childhood whimsy while “re-shaping…the narrative…into new thematic territory.” The ballet follows siblings Misha and Marie as they experience the marvelous and extraordinary world of childhood fantasy while preparing to enter the new and different world of adolescence.

The Nutcracker

Described as “a splendid spectacle” by the Toronto Star, you will not want to miss The Nutcracker at the Four Seasons Centre this Christmas season! For show times, ticket prices and availability, go to the National Ballet of Canada’s website.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto theatre

346. Parfumerie

December 12, 2011

First performed by Soul Pepper in 2009, Parfumerie returns to the Young Centre for the Performing Arts this December! Originally written by Miklós László, Parfumerie is the tale of two parfumerie clerks who by day, engage in spiteful ongoing bickering, but by night, exchange letter-based love affairs with an “unknown” letter writer. Of course, the two enemies are unwittingly writing to each other, and the drama that ensues creates a memorable and light-hearted production in which one is drawn in completely.

Parfumerie

Tonight’s performance of Parfumerie begins at 7:30pm; tickets are $50.86 for adults and  $31.65 for students. For more information on Parfumerie and to purchase tickets to this popular production, go to www.soulpepper.ca.