The best things to do in Toronto for the weekend of September 17 include virtual Word on the Street, a COVID mask exhibition at the ROM and Moby Dick the musical.
Word On The Street
The annual book fair goes virtual again this year with more than 80 author panels and workshops. Kamal Al-Solaylee, Katherena Vermette, Brian McLachlan and S. Bear Bergman are set to appear this weekend.
To September 26. Various times. Free. See the full schedule here.
Redpath Waterfront Trail
Walking has become a major pastime in Toronto during the pandemic. A new interactive walking trail is launching on the waterfront this weekend that features five augmented reality stops, as well as live and permanent art
installations. Oh and a certain rubber duck.
September 17-October 13. Free. TOwaterfrontTrail.com
Moby: A Whale Of A Tale
Lena Maripuu and Annie Tuma’s all-ages, musical adaptation of Melville’s classic gets a nautical staging on a ship docked at Toronto’s Harbourfront. The brilliant Amaka Umeh (recently in Stratford’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream) stars as the maniacal Captain Ahab.
September 17-19. Pirate Life (585 Queens Quay West). 10:30 am and 6 pm (no 10:30 am on Sep 17). piratelife.ca
Is My Microphone On?
Jordan Tannahill and Erin Brubacher’s urgent piece of political theatre features youth aged 12 to 17 talking about climate change and what they’ve inherited from previous generations. It’s closing weekend – and must-watching before you cast your vote in the federal election on Monday. See review.
September 17-19. High Park Amphitheatre. 7:30 pm. $10-$30. canadianstage.com.
Unmasking the Pandemic: From Personal Protection to Personal Expression
An exhibition featuring more than 100 masks made by artists, designers, and makers from around the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic goes on display at the Royal Ontario Museum this weekend. The show includes works by 40 Canadian makers, including 15 Indigenous designers and artists.
September 18-February 21, 2022. Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queens Park) Free. rom.on.ca
Ryerson Image Centre reopens
The art gallery on the Ryerson University campus has emerged from lockdown. Exhibitions include a solo show by Scotiabank Photography Award winner Dana Claxton, who’s work examines stereotypes and representations of Indigenous peoples in popular culture; and Slide / Lecture, in which Guelph artist Susan Dobson reconsiders the meaning of abandoned university slide libraries.
To December 4. 33 Gould. Free. ryersonimagecentre.ca
Medusa & Turkwaz @ BLOK PARTY
Part of Small World Music festival’s 25h anniversary celebration, this daylong outdoor concert showcases Canadian-based Eastern European musicians, including the chamber folk quintet Medusa and the eclectic Turkwaz.
September 18. Green P lot at Queen West and August. 1-9 pm. $36.21. smallworldmusic.com
Toronto International Film Festival
The last few days of the festival are typically low-key, a chance for audiences to catch-up on buzzy movies from the previous week. Check out all our coverage, including daily picks of what to watch (online and IRL) here.
To September 18. Various venues. $19-$40 (single tickets). tiff.net
Comedians You Should Follow
Courtney Gilmour, Ted Morris, Hisham Kelati, Nigel Grinstead and Christophe Davidson perform stand-up comedy at the recently re-opened west end club.
September 18. Comedy Bar. 9 pm. $40 (for two). comedybar.ca