Rating: NNNNN
Good intentions aside, it’s awfully hard to get excited about this weekend’s Concert For Toronto. Sure, after weeks of SARS scares, hysteria about West Nile and fears about letting children outside, most Torontonians feel like they’ve been thrown down a flight of stairs. But a slapped-together all-star show featuring Sarah McLachlan, Diana Krall and Remy Shand – a concert where the performers show their love for the city by jetting into town, playing a few tunes and collecting their full fees – doesn’t exactly lift the spirits.
The truth is, there’s an over-abundance of cool stuff happening week in, week out – things that can make you much prouder of living in Toronto than a feel-good pop concert. In true hipper-than-thou style, though, we’re often too cool to look beyond College Street at what this city has to offer.
If you’re new to Toronto, or just new to exploring the city you live in, here are a few starting places.
The official site, with info on every city-sponsored summer festival, event and street party.
www.nowtoronto.com
The word on the street. You already knew that, though.
A slick guide to what’s happening around town, with a focus on the bigger mainstream events.
www.torontotourism.com
See how the suits here are selling our city abroad.
www.toronto.cbc.ca/metromorning
Some joker sends out a twice-weekly e-mail newsletter on things happening around town.
The mag might appeal to the moneyed set, but Toronto Life’s Web site and weekly e-mail flyer dig deeper.
www.whatsuptoronto.com
Like the name suggests, a site listing things happening around Toronto, sponsored, oddly enough, by Alliance Française. Not to worry – the events aren’t in French.
www.city.toronto.on.ca/cycling/cyclingmap_2003.htm
A map of recommended bike lanes, routes and paths.
Check for word on today’s smog before you head out for the day.
www.cheapeatstoronto.com
Publishers of the fab cheapeats guide to eating, uh, cheaply in Toronto.
www.harbourfront.on.ca
Summer in the city wouldn’t be the same without Harbourfront.
www.city.toronto.on.ca/parks/to_islands/ferry.htm
The schedule for the “world’s shortest ferry ride.”
Start your wining lessons now for this summer’s Caribana/Carnival/ Caribbean throwdown – assuming the board of directors doesn’t melt down again.
mattg@nowtoronto.com
