FRIDAY FEB. 3:
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Bringing the Vatican to Toronto, this exhibit showcases Michelangelo’s exceptional art up close like never before.
With special expertise and care, the ceiling paintings from the Sistine Chapel have been reproduced using licensed high-definition photos.
Brought to life using a special printing technique that emulates the look and feel of the original paintings, visitors are given a chance to engage with the artwork in ways that were never before possible: seeing every detail, every brushstroke, and every colour of the artist’s 34 frescoes.
Each image is accompanied by informative signage, and audio guides are available to rent for an even more in-depth experience.
The exhibit is open from Feb. 3 to April 2. Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
AGO Friday Nights: Rise Edutainment: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
(Courtesy: Art Gallery of Ontario)
Join the Art Gallery of Ontario in Walker Court on select Fridays in February for performances by RISE Edutainment artists celebrating Black excellence, joy and the power of art.
Share in the unique space where dance, poetry, hip hop and song are transformed through their edutainment methodology.
Prepare to be inspired, engaged and entertained.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
Free Lunar New Year dumpling class: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
This Free Lunar New Year class is sponsored by Food Basics. You can find all your Lunar New Year grocery essentials in the Food Basics Kitchens of the World aisle.
Learn how to make pan-fried dumplings from scratch at Le Dolci Culinary Classroom & Studio.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
Sin City Illusions – An Evening of Magic and Mystery: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Head to the Rec Room downtown for a hilariously amazing night of magic and illusions, featuring three of Toronto’s finest magicians.
You’ll be treated to laughs, magical trickery, amazing illusions, and mind-blowing mentalism.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
(Courtesy: Eventbrite/Sin City Illusions)
A Stand-Up Comedy Showcase: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m
Taking place at The Corner, you’ll need to use a secret entrance for this event, found on their website.
Designed specifically for the true stand-up comedy fan and dedicated to providing an uncensored comedy experience, watch Canada’s most established and fastest-rising comedians.
There will be a variety of headliner-worthy comics on every show performing 10 to 15 minute sets.
Tickets are cheaper in advance, but there will be more at the door.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
All of Us Are Asian: Comedy Show: 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
(Courtesy: Eventbrite/SoCap Comedy Theatre)
This comedy show features some of the best Asian comedians in the city.
It’s set to be Toronto’s hottest improv comedy show that will take you on a wild and hilarious ride.
Doors open at 8 p.m. Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
Bikini Bottom Rave: 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
(Courtesy: Modo Live)
Pull out your striped sweaters and floral swim trunks Toronto, because this SpongeBob SquarePants-themed event is floating down to the Opera House.
“This 19 and over event promises that even though it’s dumb, you should just come and have fun,” their website says.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
Forgive Me! A Queer Dance Party: 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.
(Courtesy: Eventbrite/THROB)
This event is meant to be a positive and loving space that includes everyone in the LGBTQ+ community.
Join the party for a spiritual, transformative experience in a place for connection and release. Let it all out on the dance floor!
This 19 and over event has tickets available online.
SATURDAY FEB. 4:
Honouring Black History in Our Community: Oakwood Village Celebration and Marketplace: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
(Courtesy: Eventbrite/ Oakwood Village BIA)
The Oakwood Village BIA is partnering with the Afro Caribbean Farmers Market to host an exciting and amazing event to celebrate and honour the Black History in the Oakwood Village Community.
There will be 20 to 25 vendors from the Oakwood Village and Toronto area, with complimentary snacks while quantities last.
There will be a showcase of local Black-owned businesses and live music through the entire event.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
Afternoon Paint Party: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
(Courtesy: Paint Cabin)
Paint Cabin has taken the typical traditional paint night, and turned it into a Paint Party!
There is no set image planned for the night, which means you can paint whatever you’d like.
They will have image booklets you can look through and choose from, but you can bring in your own inspiration and they will do their best to help you create it.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
Gay Professionals Pre-Valentines Speed Dating: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Get ready to take a break from swiping and meet men in real life.
In this particular event, the focus is on single professional men who are looking for genuine connections with other men, in their mid 30s, 40s and 50s.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
Food and skating with Mavericks Burger Co.: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
February is time for some flirtatious fun, making new friends, and meeting like-minded people.
Celebrate with Mavericks Burger Co. A cover charge of $25 gets you one event entry, one beverage ticket, two sliders, one single portion of fries or cole slaw and one sweet treat.
And you’re encouraged to wear red if you’re looking for a valentine.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
In-Studio Paint Night – Abstract Geometric Modern Art: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
You will be guided step-by-step by one of Fresh Paint Studio’s experienced artists to create your version of the featured image, using acrylic paints during this paint night.
No experience necessary! They will provide the paint, smocks and all materials. This painting session includes a 12×12 canvas.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
A Super Secret Stand-Up Show: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The lineup at Comedy Bar is top secret but they do say the night will feature a mix of Canada’s top professional comedians and a few surprise drop-ins too.
Your host John Mostyn presents comedians who have performed at Just For Laughs, Netflix, CBC, MTV and Comedy Central.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
Black History Month Concert: 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
(Courtesy: Eventbrite/Alliance Francaise Toronto)
Batuki Music Society and Alliance Française celebrate Black History Month with a concert featuring Naxx Bitota.
She is committed to her craft and continues to pursue her inspiration in an “afrorhythm” style.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
Shakey’s Trivia Night Fever: 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
(Courtesy: Eventbrite/Question Everything Trivia)
Get pumped for a pop culture trivia extravaganza hosted by comedian Ari Issac.
There will be ten categories and interactive games focused on pop culture’s best and brightest celebs, TV, movies, music and more.
Bring your friends, there are two to six people to a team.
There will be extra points and prizes to best team name and best costume.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
60s Soul Party – With it! 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Head to Toronto’s 60s soul dance party, a tradition that has been running for the past nine years.
Host DJ Nico + guests spin 60s soul, RnB, RnR, girl-groups, funk, garage, northern soul, reggae, mod, stax, motown and more all on vinyl.
This month’s guest DJ is Parka Pat from Montreal.
Learn more about the event here.
IRemember – Marley Celebration: 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Celebrate 78 years of the late reggae legend Bob Marley.
There will be selections from the founders to the originators to the innovators of reggae music, played by the best in the city.
Learn more about the 19 and over event, and buy tickets here.
SUNDAY FEB. 5:
Love and Friendship Arts Market: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Riverdale Hub presents the Love and Friendship themed Arts Market.
Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for a family member, friend or partner? Their curated local artists and artisans have unique creations for everyone’s special someone.
All proceeds from the Love and Friendship Market go toward programs and initiatives for immigrant, refugee, newcomer and equity-deserving women and gender-diverse folks at the Riverdale Hub.
Learn more about the event here.
Canadian Opera Company: Salome: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
If you’re looking for something introspective and artistic, head to this opera by Richard Strauss.
Directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Atom Egoyan, this piece is described as an explosive, modernist score that propels the action, redefining musical storytelling.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
Letters to My Future Self: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
(Courtesy: Harbourfront Centre)
Presented by Kuumba and JAYU, Letters to My Future Self is a prompt dedicated to highlighting Black futures and all their possibilities.
Audiences can expect a diverse range of stories told by ten artists as they write letters to their future selves.
Hosted by Harbourfront Centre, it is a journey of diverse storytelling by a range of intergenerational poets, visual artists and many more looking to the future.
Learn more about the event and register here.
The Roast of Star Trek: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Head to Comedy Bar West for a night of Star Trek fan-favorite characters (played by Toronto’s finest comedians) like Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Captain Picard and more as each gets their turn in the spotlight to roast all things Trek.
They’re setting their phasers from stun to kill, so nothing Star Trek will be safe.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
But That’s Another Story: February Edition: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Join co-hosts Christel Bartelse, Briane Nasimok and their guest tellers, Paul Bellini, Andre Grop, Joanne O’Sullivan, Chris Rosati and Dan Yashinsky Sunday evening for 90 minutes of true stories live at the Rivoli.
In honour of Valentine’s Day, proceeds go to the Red Door Shelter, which supports women and their children as they find new ways of life that are free from violence.
If you head to the Rivoli for dinner, you will receive 10 per cent off on your food order.
Learn more and buy tickets for the event here.
