Weekend need to know: COVID-19 third anniversary ceremony, March Break; road closures

Schools out for a week starting this weekend as elementary and secondary schools are taking their annual March Break from March 13 to 17.

Family-friendly events around the city are happening this weekend and some are going throughout the week. Click here for a list of more things to do with family during the break.

Toronto also marks the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic with a ceremony on Saturday.

There are no scheduled subway closures this weekend. But some new and ongoing road closures continue in the city.

Also, keep in mind that Daylight Saving Time returns this weekend, which means clocks spring forward an hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday.

Here’s what’s happening this weekend:

Top events

COVID-19 third anniversary ceremony

The City of Toronto is marking the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic with a gathering and public art installation.

The installation is called The Burn and can be viewed at Nathan Phillips Square from Saturday at sunset to Sunday at sunset.

Starting Saturday at sunset, the commemorative gathering will include an Indigenous welcome, a moment of silence to acknowledge lives lost, a special appearance by singer-songwriter Jully Black, and a water-themed integration zone in the City Hall Rotunda featuring 24 hours of wellness programming.

The interactive installation is meant to help people heal and cleanse through the restorative power of rising heat, ash, smoke and water of The Burn.

Support will be available from accredited mental health and grief counselling professionals, and community specialists in the City Hall Rotunda during the event.

The Burn was created by artists Roger Mooking, Javid JAH, and Wyandot Elder Catherine Tammaro.

The Burn, 2023 | Rendering by Javid JAH

Lumière: The Art of Light

Lumière: The Art of Light is now in its new home in Trillium Park.

This free outdoor light exhibition allows visitors to explore the park and experience art developed by Ontario artists.

The theme for the exhibit is “renewal,” celebrating the change of seasons from winter to spring.

Lumière is open seven nights a week from dusk to 11 p.m., opening to the public on Friday, and running until May 7.

Imagine Dragons at Casa Loma

Imagine Dragons is described as a world of fantasy in an era of dragons and adventure.

The immersive, theatrical experience is staged at Casa Loma and is open through the March Break week, premiering on Saturday and running through to Sunday, March 19.

The experience includes multiple interactive live performances in the castle featuring period costumed characters who will transport visitors back in time to an era of knights, maidens, and fairies.

Programming also includes interactive and educational plays demonstrating medieval sword action, and “Knight School” where guests can participate in basic swordsmanship.

Photo credit: Casa Loma

Tibet cultural fundraiser

Tibetan Children’s Village Alumni Association of Ontario is organizing a fundraising gala dinner on Saturday starting at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre in Etobicoke.

The non-profit is an organization based in Toronto, providing education scholarships to more than 100 children at the Tibetan Children’s Village schools in India.

Entertainment at the dinner includes performances by Grammy-nominated artist Tenzin Choegyal, and a film screening for the movie Amala – The Life and struggle of Dalai lama’s sister.

TIFF contemporary Quebec cinema

The programme TIFF Cinematheque is shining the light on contemporary Québécois films at TIFF Bell Lightbox starting Friday, March 10 to Sunday, March 26.

On Friday, Canadian director Chloé Robichaud joins a special screening of her 2016 political satire Boundaries (Pays).

General admission tickets start at $10. The event is free for TIFF Members.

Road closures

Ongoing closures

• Starting at midnight on Saturday, Rosedale Valley Road will be closed between Park Road and Bayview Avenue for bridge removal. The road should be open by 6 a.m. Monday.
• Westbound Queen from Yonge to Bay streets, the right lane will be closed until late 2023 for work on the Ontario Line.
• Military Trail is closed from Ellesmere Road to Highcastle Road for road rehabilitation and slope stabilization. The project completion date has been delayed to the summer.
• Keele Street is reduced to a single lane about 100 metres north of Langstaff in Vaughan. Construction work is scheduled to finish in the spring.
• East and Westbound Queen Street is reduced to one lane between Bay Street and Yonge Street for work on a hydro vault. Work is expected to be completed this month.
• Northbound Yonge Street is reduced to one lane between Wellington and King Streets for TTC construction. The project is scheduled to continue into 2024.
• Bloor Street is impacted by long-term construction, which is behind schedule, between Parliament and Sherbourne streets.

With files from Kyle Hocking and Jordan Kerr of CityNews