Toronto events!!!

Toronto Fun Parties

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Explosive tanker fire completely closes off major Toronto highway

Multiple people are dead and hundreds more are sitting in traffic with their cars turned off this evening rush hour after a tanker truck burst into flames on Highway 407.

All eastbound and westbound lanes of the 407 between Keele and Dufferin are currently closed due to what Ontario Provincial Police say was a multi-vehicle collision that occurred shortly before 5 p.m.

"The collision is massive. The fire is still burning," said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt around 6 p.m. on Wednesday in a video shot on scene.

"The investigation will take some time while they continue to fight the fire," he said. "There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered."

Witnesses, all of whom are still on the 407 and unable to move, describe a terrifying scene with flames shooting up to 40 feet in the air.

Large plumes of smoke can currently be seen above the area from all over the city.

From afar, the smoke can be seen wafting across the Don Valley.

Police are appealing for witnesses and advising all motorists to avoid the area if possible as firefighters work to control the situation.


by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO

This is what fall colours look like in Toronto this year

This is what Happy Place in Toronto looks like

HAPPY PLACE, the highly-anticipated exhibition of candy, confetti, and kisses has finally hit Toronto, and you know what—it's pretty great. 

Bringing its rainbow-filled rooms to the old PawsWay Building at Harbourfront, this installation has already made its rounds in L.A. and Chicago, making Toronto its third pop up so far. 

happy place torontoOpen from Nov. 1 until Jan. 1, 2019, even the most cynical residents of the Screwface Capital will find it hard to resist the over-the-top installations at this fleeting affair. 

happy place torontoYes, this multi-roomed exhibit is essentially one giant photo-op, which might deter the photo-averse.happy place torontoBut even for non-Instagram influencers, there are some really enjoyable elements to this project that just might make a trip here worth the $39.50 weekend ticket (or $32.50 for weekdays). 

happy place torontoUnlike other art extravaganzas that have visited Toronto in the past, Happy Place's online tickets have timed entry, meaning you have to book the exact time slot you want to visit the exhibit. 

That means no line ups, and being able to explore all 20,000 square feet of installations at your leisure, though it shouldn't take you longer than half an hour to get through the whole thing. 

happy place torontoAccording to Happy Place's production manager Jacob Klensin, the team only began unloading the trucks three weeks ago, meaning it was a mad dash to get the project done. But the end result is six sections of colour-saturated fun. 

happy place torontoThere's the candy room, with its seven-foot candy-filled stilettos and a wall of gum ball machines in the corner. 

happy place torontoIf you need a sugar boost to get you hyped for the exhibit, grab some M&M's from the John's Candy Shop bar, which features a fake menu of Canadian-themed treats. 

happy place torontoPast that is the upside down room, which has some cozy furniture bolted on to the ceiling to create a cool topsy-turvy photo effect. 

happy place torontoThe rubber duck room with a ball-filled yellow bathtub is the lounging experience you didn't know you needed. 

happy place torontoNaturally, nearly all of these areas are designed to be photogenic as possible, so if you're looking for a new profile pic, this is where to get it. 

happy place torontoMy favourite section is the dimly-lit superbloom room. Climb up a ladder to poke your head out over a field of 40,000 fake flowers, with some more dangling overhead. 

happy place torontoThe six-foot-tall X's and O's are made up of thousands of little mirrors, with walls covered in 1,000 red lipstick marks. 

happy place torontoUnique to the Toronto exhibit is the cookie room, which features a giant cookie (they 3D scanned an actual regular-sized cookie to make it) and wallpaper that actually smells sweet if you sniff it up close. 

happy place torontoThe confetti room lets you have your moment in the spotlight with some streamers, a platform, and wads of colourful paper to pick up and throw to your heart's delight. 

happy place torontoPast this area are the main attractions, where the endorphins will really get you going. 

happy place torontoThe adult-sized ball pit is the thing childhood dreams are made of, allowing you to jump off a six-metre tall double rainbow into a pit of pure happiness. 

happy place torontoAnd the confetti dome is perhaps the most epic of all. Boasting itself as the largest in the world, the dome uses half a million pieces of colourful confetti, which will make for an incredible photo and also one of the best 60 seconds of your day. 

happy place torontoJust overhead on the second floor is where you'll find the food, made by local hospitality group Pegasus. The menu has everything from rainbow s'mores to pretzel bites, cookie sandwiches, and hot chocolate.

happy place torontoObviously the most photogenic order is HAPPY PLACE's signature rainbow grilled cheese, which uses natural dyes with its mix of mozzarella and provolone. Apparently Toronto's version of the sammie has achieved the best cheese pull of them all—go T.O. 

Near the Canadian mural and canoe, there's also a free lemonade stand, where you can learn about Happy Place's partnership with the York Region Arts Council. 

happy place toronto


by Tanya Mok via blogTO

Molson confirms cannabis beer will be coming next year

Mmmm, non-alcoholic cannabis-infused beverages...

They're coming, thanks to a newly-officialized joint venture between Molson Coors Canada and the  Quebec-based cannabis producer HEXO Corp., and they're coming fast.

Called Truss, the new company was created to "pursue opportunities to develop non-alcoholic, cannabis-infused beverages for the Canadian market following legalization."

In other words, to make and sell weed beer — once THC edibles are legal in Canada, that is, which the federal government says should happen sometime next year.

"We will be in a ready-to-go position and, you know, one of the first on the playing field as the market opens up," said Molson Coors Brewing Co. CEO Mark R. Hunter in a conference call with analysts on Wednesday.

"We decided as a business that we did not want to be a spectator as this new market opened up and we clearly wanted to be a participant."

Cool, but what will these drinks look — and more importantly, taste — like?

Hunter said that they're still in the research stage, with concrete details scheduled to be announced early next year.

It is his hope that cannabis-infused, non-alcoholic beverages will eventually make up a whopping 20 to 30 per cent of the legal cannabis market in Canada.

With estimates for that market's value projected at $7 to $10 billion, that weed beer could translate into some serious cash and some seriously high dads at barbecues next summer.


by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO

The top 16 warehouse sales in Toronto this November

The top warehouse sales in Toronto for November 2018 offer huge savings on everything to keep you fresh during fall. Brands like GUESS and The North Face are slashing prices on signature apparel while Shiseido has cosmetics on the cheap.

Events you might want to check out:

Triluxe Designer Sample Sale (November 1-3 @ TRILUXE)
Emerging fashions for men and women are all on sale up to 80 per cent off from brands like J. Lindeberg, SAND Copenhagen, G-LAB and more.
The North Face Sample Sale (November 1-6 @ 1305 Dundas St W)
Thermals, backpacks and footwear to get you ready for fall is all on sale during this sample sale. Cash only and sizes are limited!
Textile Treasures Sale (November 2-3 @ Artscape Youngplace)
Fabrics, upholstery, yardage, drapery, sample squares and more is for sale with proceeds going to support the Textile Museum programming.
Shiseido Warehouse Sale (November 2-4 @ Shiseido)
Shiseido's line of skincare, make-up, fragrance and hair care products are all getting the slash, with savings of up to 60 per cent off.
Bulova Warehouse Sale (November 3-4 @ Bulova Watch Company)
If you're looking for gift ideas or something for yourself, men's designer watches from Bulova, Caravelle New York are all up to 80 per cent off.
Riedel Warehouse Sale (November 3-5 @ Pop-Up at 3407 Yonge Street)
Riedel is having its first ever pop-up warehouse sale with 50 per cent off a secretion of decanters, glasses, tumblers and lots more.
Evolve Showrooms Sample Sale (November 3-8 @ Evolve Showrooms)
Men's and women's designer fashions are all on sale with big savings on stuff from Ava & Kris, Baciano, Boy London, Criminal Damage and lots more.
Toni Plus Warehouse Sale Fall 2018 (November 6-18 @ Toni Plus Warehouse Outlet)
Designer brands like Samoon, NYDJ, Elieen Fisher, Arytight and more can be found in sizes 14 to 22 for up to 80 per cent off.
Haggar Warehouse Sale (November 7-10 @ 91 Martin Ross Ave)
Haggar is practically giving away a big selection of men's and women's apparel with everything priced under $15 and Kenneth Cole shoes starting at $10.
Guess Warehouse Sale (November 7-11 @ International Centre)
Guess is knocking the prices down 90 per cent on a big selection of denim, footwear, tops, hoodies, dresses, outerwear, handbags and more.
Rudsak Sample Sale (November 8-11 @ 99 Sudbury)
Just in time for fall, Rudsak leather jackets, outerwear, footwear, handbags, accessories and more can all be found for up to 70 per cent off.
Designer Shoe Warehouse Sale (November 8-11 @ Markham Fairgrounds)
A shoe lovers paradise awaits with savings of up to 80 per cent off on brands like Vince Camuto, Cole Hasan, Sam Edelman, Naturalizer and more.
Bugatti Warehouse Sale (November 8-17 @ 81 St Regis Crescent S)
This might be a good opportunity to pick up some fresh looks as a big selection of designer menswear is on sale for up to 80 per cent off.
Geox Warehouse Sale (November 8-18 @ International Centre)
Whatever the weather, you can save on Geox's fall and winter footwear, outerwear and apparel, all slashed up to 75 per cent off.
Bridal Sample Sale (November 17-18 @ Dina Alonzi Bridal)
Everything needed for the perfect weeding is on sale with a big range of designer bridal gowns for up to 90 per cent off.
Millenium Group Sample Sale (November 20-24 @ Millenium Group)
French Connection, ESPRIT, Holly Bracken and Hudson are just some of the designer brands on sale with looks for men, women and kids.

by Lisa Power via blogTO

The top 5 new tap rooms in Toronto

New tap rooms in Toronto pop up all the time, and discerning beer drinkers in this city make it their duty to investigate as many as possible, sampling as many different beers as they can along the way. Whether you identify as one of these die-hards or just want to relax with a fresh flight, hop to it and check out these newly opened spots.

Here are my picks for the top new tap rooms in Toronto. 

Black Lab Brewing

Party with your pooch in Leslieville at this brewery named for the owners dog. The 3600-square-foot space full of live-edge tables and barrels is housed in a 1940s building.

People’s Pint

Since this place actually lets hobby brewers use their equipment, it’s one of the best tap rooms in town for checking out one-off experimental beers you’ll never see anywhere else again. Bonus: you’re encouraged to order delivery to the brewery. 

Junction Craft Brewing

One of the biggest craft breweries in the city makes its home in this imposing space in the neighbourhood for which it’s named. Light floods in through tall windows, picnic benches and communal tables provide seating, and the Conductors and just keep flowing. 

Brunswick Bierworks

Contract brewing for some of the biggest craft brands in the city and from all over the world takes place here. Sample hearty but pure Stockholm-born Zodiak, traditionally produced Trappists beers, and rare collab brews. 

Aviary Brewpub

Home base for Longslice Brewing is now in the Canary District. Play pool or an arcade game or just chill on an idyllic wraparound patio. 


by Amy Carlberg via blogTO

The Toronto Raptors mascot is a T-Rex for Halloween

Prepare to not be sick of those inflatable T-Rex costumes for about a minute, friends, because Toronto's most famous dinosaur just made a Halloween funny.

The Toronto Raptors mascot, known simply as "The Raptor," is one of the most energetic and consistently hilarious mascots in professional sports. 

He's been known to dress up for Halloween in the past (as well as to troll NBA superstars). Heck, in 2016 he changed costumes 21 times and performed Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' during an October 31 game at the Rogers Centre.

The team has Halloween off this year, but that didn't deter the Raptor from having some fun at last night's home game against the 76ers.

Lead by new player Kawhi Leonard, Toronto crushed Philadelphia last night in a 129-112 victory, leaving the team undefeated on home turf this season.

The Raptor himself also won — my respect, that is, by dressing up as much larger breed of dinosaur.

A Velociraptor dressing up a Tyrannosaurus rex is like a beagle dressing up as a Great Dane, or a shih tzu dressing a St. Bernard, or an Italian Greyhound dressing as a regular Greyhound. It's hilarious.

Neither the raptor costume or the inflatable T-Rex costume are anything close to anatomically correct (obviously) and scientists aren't even sure if they were ever on Earth at the same time, but you get the idea.

Animal humour is the best kind of humour, even when those animals are long dead and never coming to back to life (I'm talking about the dinosaurs, not your belated shih tzu).


by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO