September’s end to October’s beginning: Nuit Blanche among the weekend diversions

By Patricia D'Cunha and Samantha Knight

It is poetic that the last day of September and the first day of October are converging this weekend. For those who love summer, the heat has come to an end. But fans of autumn are finally about to get their cooler air. Nuit Blanche – the all-night, and at times, outdoor living art gallery – will bring summer and autumn lovers together as they celebrate diverse art.

Nuit Blanche

Contemporary art comes to the masses this weekend, as the contemporary arts festival Nuit Blanche takes centre stage. From 6:58 p.m. on Saturday to sunrise on Sunday, art-lovers can consume themselves with more than 85 arts installations created by 250 local, national and international artists.

The four main exhibition areas, curated by artists, are:

  • Taking to the Streets – Queen’s Park and University of Toronto
  • Calculating Upon the Unforeseen – Dundas Street from the Art Gallery of Ontario to Yonge-Dundas Square
  • Life on Neebahgeezis; A Luminous Engagement – on Bay Street between Queen Street and King Street
  • Monument to the Century of Revolutions – Nathan Phillips Square

 

There are also several independent projects curated by cultural and educational organizations and artists scattered across the city, as well as projects from 10 of the city’s arts and culture institutions. There are two special projects, including one at Yonge-Dundas Square and another at the Design Exchange.

Click here to scroll through the event by map or via a list.

Road closures
A portion of Queen’s Park Crescent will be closed from 3:30 p.m. on Saturday until 8:30 a.m. on Sunday. Road closures will also take place along Queen Street West and Bay Street. Click here for a full list.

Road closures will also be in effect for other events taking place this weekend. Click here for a list.

Transit info
Trains on Line 1 (Yonge-University-Spadina) and Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) will run overnight starting at 1:30 a.m. and until 8 a.m. on Sunday. The TTC will increase service on Saturday night on the following surface routes: 509 Harbourfront, 510 Spadina, 307 Bathurst, 29 Dufferin, and 196 York University Rocket. The 501 Queen streetcar will be diverted onto King Street between Spadina Avenue and Church Street. Click here more information on TTC service during Nuit Blanche.

GO Transit will be providing special homebound trains early Sunday morning on the Lakeshore East and West lines and the Barrie line. Special service will also run on the Milton, Kitchener and Stouffville lines. Click here to locate your schedule.

Other events

Invictus Games closing ceremony
The Invictus Games wraps up in Toronto on Saturday, with the closing ceremony at 7:30 p.m. The star-studded lineup of artists performing at the ceremony includes Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Bachman and Turner, Coeur de pirate, and Kelly Clarkson. The Games will be passed on to Sydney, Australia, next year.

 

CIBC Run for the Cure
Hundreds of runners will be lacing up their sneakers for the annual CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday. Registration for the run opens at 8 a.m. at the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus. The event offers a 5K run at 10 a.m., taking off from Queen’s Park and a 1K run at 10:15 a.m., starting at the University. All proceeds go towards the Canadian Cancer Society to help create a future without breast cancer.

 

Yoga & Wellness Show
Namaste your weekend away at the Yoga & Wellness Show. The event features all things yoga and allows guests to learn, teach, shop and discuss everything associated with a healthy lifestyle. Vendors include yoga studios, gyms, naturopathy, spiritual well-being, meditative arts and aromatherapy. Yoga Show-goers are invited to bring their own mat – or buy one – to take part in free yoga classes in the “Zen Zone.” The show will be held Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. in Hall C of the Enercare Centre.

Oktoberfest Party at Mill Street Brewery
Dig out your Dirndl dresses and Lederhosens for the 5th annual Oktoberfest Party at the Mill Street Beerhall on Tank House Lane. There will be 18 beers on tap, including Nightmare Pumpkin Ale and Mill Street’s signature Oktoberfest beer. Live music and German-themed entertainment will be offered all night long. Tickets include three beer tokens and a souvenir mug.

Halloween Haunt opening night
Halloween is about a month away, but ghouls will descend on Canada’s Wonderland starting this Saturday for the Halloween Haunt. For 14 select nights until All Hallows’ Eve, prepared to be terrified as you encounter horrifying mazes, scare zones and 700 monsters out loose in the theme park. The haunted attraction is not recommended for children under 13.

World of Taste
Part of the Enercare Centre will be transformed into the World of Taste this Friday through Sunday. The event features different country pavilions, including Canada, Africa, Middle East, Asia, Australasia, Latin America and Europe. Attendees will be able to indulge in international cuisine, take advantage of special holiday packages and watch cultural shows. The event kicks off Friday at 10 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

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