NOW critics pick the best in-person and virtual things to do in Toronto on the weekend of August 6, including Little Canada, Comedy Bar’s reopening weekend, Mirvish’s first post-lockdown show and the 20th annual Jerkfest.
Little Canada
Attention model railroad hobbyists: a curious new tourist attraction is opening at Yonge-Dundas Square this weekend. Ten years in the making, this 45,000-square-foot miniature replica of Canada recreates five regions on a small scale (Niagara, Toronto, the Golden Horseshoe, Ottawa and Quebec), complete with a miniature St. Lawrence Market, Rogers Centre and more. The brainchild of wealthy Oakville-based executive Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer, Little Canada will eventually expand to include a replica of the country’s north.
Now open. 10 Dundas East. $29, srs $25, child 4-12 $19. Annual passport $99-$250. little-canada.ca
The Lobby Bar at Crowsnest Corner
After a few outdoor shows, Crow’s Nest Theatre now has its own indoor music venue: The Lobby Bar. The east-end theatre is hosting a blues and jazz series called Crowsnest Corner, with its first lobby bar gigs this weekend – the first time audiences have been inside in 17 months. Raha Javanfar & Fraser Melvin gets it started on August 5, followed by Brooke Blackburn on August 6, and Raoul Bhaneja and pianist Jesse Whiteley on August 7.
August 5-7 and Thursday-Sunday weekly after that. Doors at 7 pm each night. Crow’s Nest Theatre.
Jerkfest
The Caribbean food and music fest is the latest event to mark a milestone during the pandemic with a virtual edition. Jerkfest is celebrating 20 years with three nights of livestreamed music performances and food demonstrations. Of course, some of the food you see on your screen will be order-able. The lineup includes Exco Levi, Divine Brown and Chef Kareema, who’s Caribbean Fusion restaurant is one of our new favourites.
August 6-8. Free. jerkfestival.ca
Sugar Rush
An and Instagram-friendly candy world is opening outside Mississauga retail mecca Square One this week. The month-long Sugar Rush is 40,000 square feet of colourful installations, art displays, live performances, custom parade floats and candy-powered interactions that should satisfy all your sugary – and selfie – cravings.
To September 6. Square One Mall (100 City Centre, Mississauga). $17-$75. sugarrushtoronto.ca
Blindness
Mirvish Productions presents the Donmar Warehouse’s socially-distanced sound installation based on Nobel Prize-winner José Saramago’s acclaimed novel. Audiences sit in pods on the stage of the Princess of Wales, so if you’ve always wanted to set foot on that illustrious stage, now’s your opportunity.
Runs to August 29, 6 and 8 pm, some 2 and 4 pm. $59. Princess of Wales. mirvish.com
TOPS & Friends: Dancehall Queen
Bonjay’s Alanna Stuart and music community Sou Sou are co-curating this Friday’s edition of Toronto Outdoor Picture Show at Fort York. This outdoor movie selection is an ode to Jamaica’s dancehall music culture with screenings of Dancehall Queen, Everblessed and Who Am I?
August 6. PWYC with reserved tickets. Gates at 7 pm. Fort York. universe.com
The BFF Variety Hour
Celebrate the long-awaited reopening of Comedy Bar by taking your own BFF to this night of sketch, stand-up and drag, featuring Tom Hearn, Brendan D’Souza, Sashka DC, Al Val, Viza Decline and host Susan Waycik.
August 6 at 8 pm. Comedy Bar. $40 (for two). comedybar.ca
Endless Summer at Burl’s Creek
Burl’s Creek has the closest thing to a major summer music festival you’ll get this summer without crossing the border. Endless Summer has bills every weekend starting this Friday and Saturday with a two-day country bill presented by Boots and Hearts. Performers include Tebey, David Boyd Janes, Vanessa Marie Carter, Brett Kissel, Jess Mosklaluke and Cory Marks. And yes, you can camp there.
August 6-7. Burl’s Creek (Oro-Medonte, Ontario). $33-$120 plus camping. burlscreek.com
Miotas/Myth
This hybrid online/in-person art show has taken over the historic Corleck building on Toronto’s waterfront for much of the summer. The interior spaces are transformed with a series of original art works inspired by miotas (the Gaelic word for myth), as well as the foundational myths from each of the artist’s own diverse cultures. A highlight from the show is Kizmet’s Triple Deity (pictured).
To August 14. 3 Eireann Quay. Free. View online via canadairelandfoundation.com/miotas or book a tour here.
Courtyard Comedy – Elvira Kurt
Gay AF Comedy presents the first of four Saturday afternoon queer comedy shows outside the historic Campbell House Museum. The groundbreaking stand-up Elvira Kurt headlines the show, which also features Leonard Chan, Zabrina Douglas, Rush Kazi, Matt Santos and host Robert Watson. If you get there an hour early you can take part in tastings from Cottage Springs.
August 7 at 3 pm. $20. Campbell House Museum. campbelhousemuseum.ca
Bryan Hatt at Yuk Yuk’s
The always likeable Hatt, who’s performed at every big comedy festival in the country, headlines at the newly reopened club, featuring MC Dave Burke.
August 7 at 7:30 pm. Yuk Yuk’s. $44.25. yukyuks.com.
Nour Hadidi & Friends at Comedy Bar
Comedy Bar’s reopening week includes a stacked Saturday night show featuring headliner Hadidi with Natalie Norman, Juliana Rodrigues, Hoodo Hersi and Brandon Ash Mohammed. Tickets are only available in pairs, but you can contact the club if you need an odd number of tickets.
August 7 at 8 pm. $20-$25. Comedy Bar. comedybar.ca
