After midterm season and writing essay after essay, it’s great to know that fall break is just around the corner. I know it would be so much better if fall break was actually a week but honestly a four-day weekend works for me too. This is my third year and the weekend is a little short for a trip so I’ve always just had ‘lazy weekends’ that basically involves TV, lots of junk food and doing absolutely nothing.
This year, I am breaking my bad habit and I refuse to have a lazy weekend. So I thought I should create an exploration list for those of you who would also like to do some cool things this long weekend.
- Frida and Diego: Passion, Politics and Painting
Why: “He painted for the people. She painted to survive.”
I have always wanted to go to the most beautiful art gallery in Toronto and this exhibition seems like the perfect one. It is an inspiring story of a couple that not only shared a passion for each other but for art as well. Having spent a lifetime together, they depicted Mexico’s revolutionary culture from the 1920s and 1930s. They are among Mexico’s most famous artists and this exhibit features over 80 works on paper and paintings by the couple as well as over 60 photographs of them as a couple. Overall, this showcase reflects the dramatic stories of their lives together and the transformation of both political and cultural values in post-revolutionary Mexico.
Where: Art Gallery of Ontario
When: Oct 2012 – Jan 2013
How Much: $25
More Info: www.ago.net
- Ultimate Dinosaurs
Why: First, I would just like to mention that when I saw this exhibition, all I could think of was Ross from Friends. Secondly, I am a child trapped in an adult’s body and dinosaurs are cool at any age. But if you are not a child like me, let me try to sell you this with five points: 1. It’s a world premiere so you will be among a selective of group of people who gets to see it FIRST! 2. It is the largest exhibition of southern dinosaurs ever in North America. 3. It’s completely Canadian. I know this is just a patriotic view but this show is completely curated, designed and produced by a Canadian team and I’m personally super proud. 4. It features new dinosaurs that are virtually unknown to North Americans. 5. It includes the largest dinosaur ever mounted in Canada – the Futalognkosauras.
Where: Royal Ontario Museum
When: June 2012 – March 2013
How Much: $22.50 (students), $25 (adults)
More Info: http://www.rom.on.ca/dinos
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Why: I understand that it’s expensive and most people will skip over this. It is also more of a girl’s event. But on that note, hey it’s a great place to bring a girl on a date! It’s a ballet adaptation of the book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It broke box-office records for the National Ballet of Canada upon its debut and you cannot miss the return of something you know was that good. The ballerinas are beautiful, graceful and perform to perfection. It is like a play with the elegance of dance, which just makes it that much better.
Where: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
When: Nov 10, 2012 – Nov 25, 2012
How Much: $55-180
More Info: http://national.ballet.ca/performances/season1213/Alice_s_Adventures_in_Wonderland/
- Designing 007 – Fifty Years of Bond Style
Why: This event is great for those who love action movies and watched James Bond growing up. For the fifty-year anniversary of the first Bond movie, TIFF is presenting the largest and most comprehensive exhibition ever devoted to Bond. If you wanted to see everything from concept artwork to gadgets and costumes to storyboards, you cannot miss this. They will also be showing film programs exploring the creation of the world’s most famous secret agent- Bond, James Bond.
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox
When: Oct 2012 – Jan 2013
How Much: $12 (students), $15 (adults)
More Info: http://tiff.net/bond/
- The Fine Art of Murder: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
Why: Once again, I understand the price is really steep but how awesome is this? You enjoy a fabulous meal while a murder mystery occurs. You meet the characters and a detective leads the investigation. The murderer is sitting at one of the tables with all the guests and you get to participate and guess whom the murderer is! Everyone and anyone could be either the victim or the killer! It’s something different to do and definitely an activity everyone can enjoy.
Where: Mysteriously Yours Mystery Dinner Theatre
When: Oct 2012 – Dec 2012
How Much: $45.85 (students, dinner), $80 (students, dinner and show)
More Info: http://www.mysteriouslyyours.com/fine_art_of_murder.html