Toronto is a hub of activity this weekend

By News staff

As it usually is, Toronto will be a gathering place for arts and culture, music, street festivals, and food experiences this weekend. Below are some events taking place to help you plan your fun agenda.

And is always the case over the weekend, there will also be road and TTC closures, so make a note of them (scroll below for the list).


Events

Music, arts and culture at the square
If you love indie music, Yonge-Dundas Square is the place to be on Friday for Indie Fridays. From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., listen to a slew of performances that will get you pumped for the weekend. Indie Fridays started at the end of June and continues into August, click on the calendar for information on performers.

Then on Saturday, the square will be converted in a “souk” for Taste of the Middle East. A souk, or souq, is a marketplace of connected alleyways that originated in the Middle East and North Africa, dating back to the sixth century BC. The re-created souk at Yonge-Dundas Square will offer mouth-watering Middle Eastern food and traditional drinks, handmade jewelry and glassware, vibrant music and dance, fortune-telling, and more. Proceeds from the event will go to the food rescue charity Second Harvest.

Bring your hula spirit
This Saturday, you can experience the Polynesian culture at AlohaFest, which is taking place at Mel Lastman Square. There will be colourful dance and lively musical performances, as well as an array of unique Hawaiian treats to indulge in. Of course, no festival is complete without a marketplace and crafts for kids.

Street festivals
A stretch of Ossington between Dundas and Queen streets will be turned into a street party on Saturday for OssFest. Now in its fourth year, the pedestrian-friendly event features yoga classes, vendors showcasing their arts and crafts, more than 20 extended patios, live music , and more.

If you are in the mood for another street party, head down to Kensington Market on Sunday for another edition of Pedestrian Sundays. The area will be bustling with live music, dance, great food and other outdoor vendors. The next one is on Aug. 25.

Last weekend of the Beaches jazz
Not been to the Beaches International Jazz Festival yet? Well, this is your weekend to soak up all things jazz. From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, Queen Street East between Woodbine and Beech avenues will be home to StreetFest. The mainstage at Woodbine Park will also showcase various sub-genres of jazz from Friday to Sunday. On Sunday, you can cheer on those taking part in the Beaches Jazz Run, which is now sold out.

Transit

Subway service on Line 2 between St. George and Broadview stations will start by noon Sunday due to beam replacement work on the Prince Edward Viaduct. Shuttle buses and Wheel-Trans service will be running.

Road closures

Beaches International Jazz Festival StreetFest (Thursday to Saturday closure): Queen Street East between Woodbine and Beech avenues will be closed 6 p.m. to midnight daily from Thursday until Saturday. TTC streetcars will be diverting around the closure.

Taste of the Middle East (Saturday-Sunday closure): Dundas Square will be closed from Yonge Street to O’Keefe Lane, and the west curb lane on Victoria Street between Dundas Square and Shuter Street will be closed from 6 a.m. on Saturday to 2 a.m. on Sunday.

Oss Fest (Saturday-Sunday closure): Ossington Avenue will be closed from Queen to Dundas streets from 6 a.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday.

Pedestrian Sundays (Sunday closure): Parts of Kensington Avenue, Augusta Avenue, Baldwin Street and St. Andrew Street will be closed from noon to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.


Correction: The TTC initially said trains wouldn’t be running in Line 1 between Sheppard-Yonge and St. Clair stations this weekend, but have since cancelled that closure.

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