Cavalcade of Lights, Toronto, ON

I volunteered this afternoon and evening with the City of Toronto for the opening of Cavalcade of Lights, which goes until January 7. Hard to believe but I've never been to this festival. It was a fun time and I'd volunteer again.

Experience the magic of the holiday season with the much-loved Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square. Inspired by international lantern, fire and light festivals and winter solstice celebrations, Cavalcade of Lights is a free event that transforms City Hall and its surrounds into a dazzling wonderland.

Enjoy the glittering tree, participate in public skating and bask in the glow of thousands of energy-efficient bulbs as they adorn the heart of downtown Toronto. Bring your own skates or rent them on site.

I got there a bit early for my shift so walked around a bit.

I checked in and connected with my team.

Ossington Summer Send-Off Festival, Toronto, ON

Gord and I checked out the Ossington Summer Send-Off Festival this afternoon ... Ossington Avenue was closed off from Dundas Street W south to Queen Street W. 

Think of this as a low-key OssFest. A day meant to encourage curiosity to be explored, try some new restaurants, pop into a shop that you have always wondered about. It allows our Ossington businesses to expand a little bit into the street. (and some local artisans will be able to showcase their crafts and talents too!).

We started at the south end at Queen Street W.

I bought four scented from APG Apothegeri of Parkdale ...
thanks, Geri!

Ossfest 2023, Toronto, ON

OssFest was today and Gord and I went (it's in our 'hood).

Oh hey, Toronto! It's been a minute hasn't it? We are excited to be planning for a return of the beloved OssFest this year! Nothing says summer more, than street festivals in Toronto! For it's sixth edition, OssFest returns for a pedestrian take over of the Ossington Strip between Dundas St W and Queen St W.

Beginning with a health and wellness feature in the morning, with local businesses and a few artisans showcasing their goods all day. We will have over 25 extended patios alongside music and entertainment programming all day and into the evening.

It is family friendly, dog friendly and is a fantastic way to celebrate the neighbourhood and Toronto! And people talk about it all year, excited for the next.

Ossington Avenue was closed from Dundas Street W to Queen Street W for it ... we entered it from Queen Street W.

The first thing we saw was a drag show in front of Sweaty Betty's.

There was something for everyone. There were lots of vendors with booths on the street. The patios were jammed and long line-ups for food.

The Superkick'd wrestling show is always fun to watch.

Toronto Fringe Festival, Factory Theatre, Toronto, ON

I volunteered at the Factory Theatre at the Toronto Fringe Festival this afternoon.

Linda, Derbail (our front of house rep) and I

I checked attendees in and got to see Sweaty, Bloated and Stressed.

Join the ride of this 25 year old who's trying to navigate all parts of life; identity, career, dating, existentialism and much more. ‘Sweaty, Bloated, and Stressed’ is a 53 minute expression of the life of Jill Goranson (writer & performer), who unfortunately can equate her life with being a flight with Flair airlines- uncomfortable, unreliable and well … often disappointing. 

Through story & improvised song, this musical stand-up comedy show is bound to leave you giggling. People who haven’t seen the show yet have come up to Jill in her mind saying “Wow Jill - that was SO funny!

Toronto Fringe Festival, Tarragon Theatre, Toronto, ON

I volunteered at the Tarragon Theatre at the Toronto Fringe Festival this afternoon.

I spent the first part of the afternoon in a tent checking in people for one of the performances. 

The weather was crazy for a while … dark clouds rolled in and we got lots of wind and rain. 

looking east

Then I was an usher and got to see DANA + TIM = COMEDY (“Dana Smith and Tim Gray have appeared on 3 episodes of CBC's The Debater's including one episode where they debated whether or not they should get married (spoiler: they did). This show is directed by Stacey McGunnigle (Second City, This Hour has 22 Minutes). Dana and Tim will be competing for your affection and your laughter.”).

Toronto Fringe Festival, Tarragon Theatre, Toronto, ON

I volunteered as an usher at the Tarragon Theatre at the Toronto Fringe Festival this afternoon ... today was the first day of the festival.

Paulette was my team captain.

As an usher, I got to see “A Jew in a Gentile World” (Steve Brinder is one of Canada's finest stand-up comedians. Based on personal observations of being a Baby Boomer growing up Jewish in Toronto, Steve covers topics such as antisemitism, assimilation, Christmas, Easter, Passover and an homage to the great stand-up comedians of his childhood. A touching, insightful, nostalgic and hilarious journey of an outsider trying to fit in.) 

I also saw and “Maze” (A young woman awakens in a maze and faces a race against time to complete a set of tests to escape. Along the way, her reality and past begin to disintegrate, prompting her to question whether her mirages are a product of the maze or her own psyche. “Maze” is a powerful exploration of human transitions, family dynamics, mortality and Hungarian heritage.)

Village Stage, TD Toronto Jazz Festival 2023, Toronto, ON

I volunteered as an ambassador at the Village stage (in Yorkville) at the TD Toronto Jazz Fest 2023 this afternoon.

Me and Eileen, another volunteer

The Toronto Blues Society Talent Search Finals were happening when I was there.

Our friends, Malcolm, Diana and Mary were there ... they are big music fans.

Avenue Stage, TD Toronto Jazz Festival 2023, Toronto, ON

I volunteered as an ambassador at the Avenue stage (at Avenue Road and Bloor Street W) at the TD Toronto Jazz Fest 2023 this evening.

Asiko Afrobeat Ensemble, Big Smoke Brass, Loony and BadBadNotGood were the entertainment. Big crowd!

Asiko Afrobeat Ensemble

"Loss", Luminato Festival 2023, Toronto, ON

I volunteered with the Luminato Festival this afternoon as a theatre wayfinder at Loss at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre.

"Loss" is a deeply honest, live retelling of an intergenerational family story, written by Ian Kamau and his father Roger McTair. 

This multi-media performance begins as a mirror into a winter of depression, then slowly unravels the mystery surrounding the death of his paternal grandmother Nora Elutha Rogers. 

An orchestration of memories using live music, video, and storytelling — "Loss" is an exploration of grief in Afro-Caribbean communities, and an immersive experience towards healing shared with the audience.

We volunteers were able to watch it. The theatre had a cool set-up.

Little Tennessee in Liberty Village, Toronto, ON

Gord and I attended Little Tennessee in Liberty Village, which was in our 'hood, this evening.

Little Tennessee is a free 4-day event where you can get a little taste of Tennessee’s biggest flavors. It’ll be packed full of live music, authentic southern eats and plenty of activities for you to explore without having to leave Toronto.