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Movies & TV

The best Oscars 2016 parties in Toronto

There’s good reason to boycott watching the 88th annual Academy Awards this year. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely seen the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag, which seems to have been the tipping point to taking a good, hard look at racism in Hollywood. It’s also spawned similar discussions in other industries – #JournalismSoWhite and more locally, #JunosSoWhite, for example.

But back to the Oscars, or what comedian and this year’s host Chris Rock has dubbed the “White BET Awards.” If all goes as planned, Leonardo DiCaprio will finally get his 45 seconds on stage at L.A.’s Dolby Theatre for his Best Actor acceptance speech. Or, we’ll all have witnessed one of Hollywood’s biggest upsets. (Equally as entertaining if you ask me.)

So if you’re interested in watching the film industry’s brightest – and whitest – pat themselves on the back for four hours, there’s a bunch of free screenings, parties and even red carpet events happening in Toronto on February 28.

On the Red Carpet at TIFF

TIFF is throwing an Oscar party hosted by festival programmer Magali Simard that benefits the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their “Hollywood best” to walk the red carpet before watching a live broadcast of the awards show at the TIFF Bell Lightbox theatre. Cocktails, appetizers, Oscars trivia and a silent auction are all included. Tickets start at $110 and can be purchased online.

Oscars Steampunk Costume Party at CineCycle

ReelHeART International Film and Screenplay Festival present the fourth annual Oscars party at CineCycle. The theme is Steampunk and guests are encouraged to show up in costume. Prizes, games, Oscar ballots, free popcorn and DJ performances are all part of the event. Tickets are $12 or two for $20 and can be purchased online.

Conquer the Oscars at the Gladstone Hotel

Queen West’s arty hotel is hosting a free viewing party for people who are anti-Oscars (and for those who haven’t really watched any of the nominated movies). Hosted by Kaleb Robertson in the Gladstone’s Melody Bar, the event will include trivia and prizes.

Oscars at the Drake Hotel

At the Drake Hotel, film critic Richard Crouse will host a party that includes trivia, prizes and an Oscar pool. This event will have a tech slant to it: the Drake has invited Google Canada to capture Canada’s reaction to the fashion, the winners (and losers) and special moments in real-time. The event is free and a $37 three-course prix-fixe dinner menu will be offered.

Oscars Rated R at the Royal

Drunk Feminist Films presents a broadcast of the Oscars at the Royal filled with feminist commentary provided by a panel of comedians. The event is free and food and alcohol will be available for purchase.

The Oscars Live at Carlton Cinema

Film fans can watch the Oscars on the big screen at Carlton Cinema, where the party includes a red carpet, champagne, prizes and more. Admission to the event is free with a cash or canned food donation that will go to the Daily Bread Food Bank.

Oscars Party at the Revue

The Roncesvalles cinema will broadcast the Oscars on their big screen, with prizes and champagne thrown into the mix. The event is licensed and free admission.

Bloor Broadcast at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema

The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema will be rolling out the red carpet for a free Oscars party. The event will be hosted by Gwynne Phillips and Briana Templeton of sketch comedy duo The Templeton Philharmonic.

michelled@nowtoronto.com | @michdas

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