Here are my picks for the top events in Toronto this January.
Canada's Top Ten (January 2-11, TIFF)
TIFF excites the city each year, but it's our homegrown talent that fills our hearts with pride the most. The nominees for best Canadian picture are Denis Villeneuve's Enemy, Michael Dowse's The F Word, and Xavier Dolan's Mommy. In addition to these major films, the festival will Canadian docs and feature interviews with Naomi Klein, Avi Lewis, and Agent Johnny Utah (you know, Keenu Reeves). DF
Class of 2015 (January 3-30, Silver Dollar)
No need to mope around after the NYE fuss is over - starting this weekend live music fans will have more fun launching 2015 with the New Year's Indie Music Honour Roll series at Silver Dollar. On weekends in January catch seven different line ups including Pet Sun, CROSSS, Mimico, Pistol George Warren, New Fries, CHOBO, and Bile Sister. Check out the line ups here.
Next Stage Theatre Fest (January 7 - 18)
The Toronto Fringe's annual Next Stage fest is a must-hit for indie (/punk?) theatre fans, as is the beer tent. Tickets and schedule are available via Next's website.
Villa Toronto (January 16-23, Union Station)
Co-organized by Raster Gallery in Warsaw and Art Metropole, over 20 contemporary art galleries will take over Union Station for Villa Toronto, a major contemporary art festival that's previously been held in Tokyo and Reykjavik. Concerts and other events will run in conjunction with the fest. Read more here. DF
Toronto Design Offsite Festival (January 19-25)
Each winter, design installations and unusual prototypes get rolled into public spaces for Design Offsite. This year's fest features screenings, panels, window installations, and more; check out the festival's site for the growing lineup. A highlight each year is the Gladstone's Come Up to My Room exhibit, which gives designers free rein on the hotel's rooms on the second and third floor. DF
Guvernment Closing Weekend(Guvernment, January 23-25)
The Guvernment's closing party is going to be big, and it makes sense that Canadian EDM superstar Deadmau5 is headlining, seeing as he played many pre-stardom gigs at the sprawling mega-club. Still, we hope the DJ keeps his promise to let longtime mainroom resident Mark Oliver play the final hour. The weekend also includes Armin van Buuren and Knife Party. Move fast on tickets, it looks like Deadmau5 and Armin van Buuren are already sold out. BB
Eat and Greet with the Band (Starts January 24)
Dinner and a show? Collective Concerts and Rose & Son's is kicking off a series of pre-show dinners where fans will have the chance to mingle and munch with their favourite musical acts. The first event happening Saturday January 24 at the Phoenix will feature a menu from Big Crow tailored to the tastes of Canadian alt-country trio, Elliott Brood. LI
Winterlicious (January 30 - February 12)
The prolific prix-fixe festival returns at restaurants citywide. 2015's menus have been released by the City of Toronto. Over 200 restaurants are participating, including Spice Route on King who plan to recreate an Asian street market. LI
Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival (January 31, Steam Whistle Brewery)
The second annual Winter Craft Beer Festival hosted by Steam Whistle Brewery returns to the Roundhouse Park from 11am to 5pm. Over 20 breweries and 5 food trucks have already confirmed they'll be in attendance, and the first 500 people through the gates will get a 2015 festival toque. Tickets are on sale now for $20 (+$5 at the gate). LI
Douglas Coupland (January 31 - April 19, MOCCA + ROM)
Canlit fans will be excited about this upcoming exhibition at MOCCA and the ROM: Douglas Coupland's everywhere is anywhere is anything is everything installation will continue the writer's obsession with tech and pop culture via whatever means necessary - including Lego.
See also: 50 things to do this winter in Toronto 2015
What did we miss? Leave the January event you're most excited about in the comments.
Contributions by Derek Flack, Liora Ipsum, Benjamin Boles
Photo via Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival
by Aubrey Jax via blogTO
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