TIFF, charity events take the spotlight this weekend in Toronto
Posted September 8, 2016 11:45 am.
Last Updated September 8, 2016 2:19 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Hollywood stars, film aficionados, star-gazers and international media are once again descending on the city for the annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which sets the stage for the upcoming award season.
Aside from the glamour of TIFF, don’t forget about the other local events happening across the city such as charity walks and runs and a bicycle-music festival.
There is a partial subway closure this weekend, but it only affects two stations.
And, if you are planning to drive downtown this weekend, a portion of King Street West is closed for TIFF.
Events
Toronto International Film Festival
The 10-day star-studded film festival begins Thursday and runs until Sept. 18.
The city is the place to be as Hollywood and international stars screen their movies and strut the red carpet to a captive audience. Around 400 films from 83 countries will be screened, and almost 140 of the films are world premieres.
The film fest will open with the world premiere of a remake. Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke are among the stars of ‘The Magnificent Seven,’ a remake of a 1960 western that was itself a remake of the1954 Japanese film ‘Seven Samurai.’
For the third year in a row, TIFF is hosting Festival Street on King Street West, which means a portion of the street will be off-limits to drivers starting on Thursday.
Toronto Bicycle Music Festival
“We don’t care if they laugh at us, let ’em take the bus and leave the cycle to us,” Fats Domino sings in Rockin’ Bicycle from 1961.
On Saturday, the bicycle will be celebrated as riders listen to live music and pedal their way along the Lower Don Trail from Evergreen Brickworks to Prairie Drive Park.
Several artists will be performing at Evergreen Brickworks and Prairie Drive Park, including the Heavyweights Brass Band and Nhapitapi, as the music is “amplified by a bike-powered sound system.” There will also be live mobile performances.
The event, which has been organized by the Tune Your Ride Collective since 2010, has partnered with Cycle Toronto since 2014.
Taste of the Kingsway
A portion of Bloor Street West will be closed for almost three days starting Friday for the Taste of the Kingsway, one of the most popular events in Etobicoke.
The family event boasts music on four stages, lots of food, and a special charity run for dogs. The event has been a staple in the community since 1998 and money raised goes to support Out of the Cold and the Dorothy Ley Hospice.
Runs, walks and a parade
Several running and walking events are taking place in the city this weekend, and there is also a parade.
Bang & Olufsen Yorkville Run
On Sunday, the popular run takes over the streets of Yorkville from 8 a.m. until noon.
Money raised by participants goes to a number of charities including YWCA Toronto, Prostate Cancer Canada and the Sinai Health System. In its six years, this run has raised $600,000.
Toronto 5K for Sick Kids Hospital
The charity run starts in midtown Toronto at Wells Hill Park on Saturday morning. All funds raised go to the hospital.
AIDS Walk Toronto
The annual AIDS Walk is set for Sunday starting at noon. People will be gathering in Barbara Hall Park on Church Street for the opening ceremony at 11:30 p.m. and then begin the walk. Click here for the route map.
All funds raised at the event go to help support services and programs from the AIDS Committee of Toronto, which has been leading the fight against HIV and AIDS for over 30 years. Everyone is invited to participate in this family-friendly event.
Rexall OneWalk to Conquer Cancer
You’ll see enthusiastic participants walking through the city Saturday as part of the annual walk to raise money for cancer research.
It starts and finishes at Nathan Phillips Square, with walkers clocking 25 kilometres throughout the entire day. Proceeds from the event go to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Parkinson SuperWalk
Pull out your walking shoes and join the 10,000 people expected to take part in the national fundraising event for Parkinson Canada on Sunday. In Toronto, the walk will be held at Earl Bales Park at Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West at 11 a.m.
Jesus in the City Parade
The area around Queen’s Park Crescent will shut down on Saturday for the 17th annual parade, which starts at noon.
Organizers say it’s a way to show their devotion through arts and music.
TTC and road closures
Subway closure
The subway closure on Saturday and Sunday won’t be a large one, thankfully. Trains won’t be running between two stations – Wilson and Downsview – on Line 1 (Yonge-University) due to track work. Shuttle buses will be running between the stations.
Next weekend, the subway closure continues on Line 1, this time between St. Clair West and Downsview stations, because of signal upgrades. Shuttle buses will be running.
Road closures for events
TIFF: King Street West is closed from University to Spadina avenues until 5 a.m. on Monday.
Taste of Kingsway: Bloor Street West will be closed between Prince Edward Drive and Montgomery Road from noon on Friday to 11 p.m. on Sunday.
Jesus in the City parade: Queen’s Park Crescent East will be closed between College and Bloor streets from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
5K Run for Sick Kids Hospital Foundation: Road closures will be in effect in the St. Clair Avenue, Russell Hill Road, Davenport Road and Christie Street area from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Click here for the parade route.
Cabbagetown Festival: Parliament Street will be closed from Gerrard to and Wellesley streets, and Carlton Street between Parliament and Berkeley streets from 6 a.m. on Saturday to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Bang & Olufsen Yorkville Run and Canadian 5K Road Race: Road closures will be in effect in the area of Davenport Road, University Avenue/Queen’s Park/Avenue Road, and Dundas Street from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday.
Streetcar diversions for TIFF
With the closure on King Street West, TTC riders will see changes on the 504 King and 514 Cherry streetcar routes.
The 504 King streetcar will be split into east and west sections; however, streetcars won’t be servicing stops between York and Charlotte streets. Click here for a list of the service changes.
Road work
Ongoing work
Shuter Street, from Yonge to Sherbourne streets, will be reduced to one lane in both directions until Oct. 28 for watermain replacement and road work.
Drivers will encounter lane reductions on Bayview Avenue from Rosedale Valley Road to Pottery Road to build a multi-use trail and for other road work. The closure is expected to last until Nov. 30.
Gerrard Street, from University Avenue to Elizabeth Street, is reduced to one lane until Oct. 15 for watermain and other road work.
Richmond Street West is reduced to one lane of traffic between Church and York streets until Nov. 30 for TTC track work, watermain replacement, and road and sidewalk repairs.
