Events Guide: theatre festival, art show, urban design exhibition, and more…

WHAT: Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival
WHEN: On until July 13
WHERE: At various locations across the city

Toronto’s largest theatre festival will host over 800 artists from Ontario, Canada and around the world in 2008, with over 135 unique productions in more than 25 venues. Productions range from dramas to musical extravaganzas to improv. A KidsVenue hosts eight plays exclusively for children and families. The festival also hosts a beer tent, two outdoor patios and a free nightly Cabaret.

Visit www.fringetoronto.com for more information and play listings.

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WHAT: 4 in 1 Art Show
WHEN: On until July 31, 12 pm – 10 pm
WHERE: Rainbow Market Square Gallery (80 Front St. East between Church & Jarvis)

The Rainbow Market Square Gallery, whose mission is to bring works of art to workplaces and public spaces, present the following artists during July:

Senay Johnson – Photographer is showing her ‘memories of Japan’ with aunique look at architecture and life in Japan

Patricia Whittingham – Abstract Artist and Art Teacher – is showing her soft tone turneresque style abstract paintings

Gil Boudreau – Painter is showing his primitive style flower paintings in bright colours, he is very enthusiastic about art despite his challenges with Polio

Jackie Ramo – Sculptor is showing her bright and exciting Art Tiles with bright colours and stimulating themes.

Visit www.artforallcanada.org for more information.

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WHAT: FRINGE BENEFITS – Cosmopolitan Dynamics of a Multicultural City
WHEN: July 9th to September 23rd, 2008
WHERE: Design Exchange (234 Bay St.)

Fringe Benefits: Cosmopolitan Dynamics of a Multicultural City is an exhibition curated by Ian Chodikoff, urban designer, architect and editor of Canadian Architect magazine. The exhibition explores questions and ideas that will alter the future identity of our suburbs—a geography constantly evolving into something much more dynamic than big-box retail outlets and cookie-cutter housing subdivisions.

Visitors to the exhibition will appreciate how the design of new schools, religious buildings, community centres and sports facilities are adapting to the needs of their ethnically diverse communities while remaining inclusive to all Canadians.For many years, the car-dominant strip-mall landscape of the suburb was derided by architects and urban designers as a wasteland devoid of culture and replete with tacky buildings. Hardly an environment for thoughtful and innovative urban design, until now. Through photography, video, maps and art, Fringe Benefits explores the surprising ways in which diverse contemporary multiculturalism is making the cities of the GTA increasingly cosmopolitan.

Visit www.dx.org for more information.
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WHAT: International Street Food Festival
WHEN: July 11, 18, and 25; 6 pm — 9 pm
WHERE: Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge St. )

Every Friday night in July the International Street Food Festival will be taking place in Mel Lastman Square. The event will include a variety of diverse food vendors as well as cultural entertainment.

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WHAT: Movies Under the Stars – Alvin and the Chipmunks
WHEN: July 11, 9 pm – 11 pm
WHERE: Parc Downsview Park (35 Carl Hall Rd.)

Downsview Park is pleased to present free movies under the stars Friday nights throughout July and August, sponsored by 97.3 EZ Rock and Toronto Community News. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs with your family, friends and neighbours and enjoy a free family-friendly movie under the stars as the sun sets at Downsview Park. Free popcorn and additional concessions available on site.

Visit www.downsviewpark.ca for more information.

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WHAT: 2008 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
WHEN: July 11 from 10am – 8pm; July 12 from 10am – 7pm; July 13 from 10m – 6pm
WHERE: Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St West)

The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition is a juried showcase featuring contemporary fine art and craft that takes place on Nathan Phillips Square every July. The TOAE offers a fresh-air alternative to conventional art shows and galleries. More than 500 artists participate and 100,000 visitors attend the exhibition. Side by side, established artists, undiscovered talents and innovative students sell their work directly to the public and make lasting connections with art dealers and collectors.

Visit www.toronto.ca for more information.

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WHAT:Bloor-Yorkville hosts free concerts in July
WHEN: Saturday and Sundays from 2 pm – 5pm throughout the month of July
WHERE: Village of Yorkville Park (Cumberland St.and Bellair St.)

Toronto, July 2008 — The sound of music is in the air in the Village of Yorkville Park
during the month of July, as a series of musical acts perform songs for shoppers and
strollers in the Bloor-Yorkville area.

Performers to look forward to in the next week:
July 12: Paul Lamoreaux Trio
July 13: More Than Words
July 19: Don Guinn Jazz Trio

Visit www.bloor-yorkville.com for more information.

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WHAT: Streets are for Picnics
WHEN: Sunday, July 13, 2 pm — late
WHERE: Bathurst Street between Bloor & Dupont

Bathurst has trickled to a mere one lane of traffic leaving three lanes open for play! In conjunction with closing night of an eco-themed show at Keep Six Contemporary art gallery (938 Bathurst), we’ll take back the streets with giant games, bike races, a life-sized redesign Bathurst charette, films (including the Urban Repair Squad’s latest) and a live performance by the New Kings. Free! Bring blankets, picnic baskets, bikes, games — anything that strikes your fancy.

Visit www.streetsareforpeople.org for more information.

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WHAT: ROMwalks: Along the Front
WHEN: July 13, 2 pm
WHERE: Meet at Front St. & Jarvis St.,look for the blue umbrella.

Discover Toronto’s unique architecture and rich history through ROMwalks, a series of free, guided walking tours of the city. Along the Front walk highlights include: St. Lawrence Market, Old Warehouses, Flatiron Building, Berczy Park, BCE Place, Dominion Public Building, Royal Bank Plaza, Royal York Hotel, Union Station.

Visit www.rom.on.ca for more information.

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WHAT: ROMANTIC REELS
WHEN: July 15, 9 pm – 11 pm
WHERE: Yonge-Dundas Square

Nine movies, thirty Oscars and a box full of tissue. Join YD Square as they count down the most romantic movies of all time, as selected by you…

This week’s film: Baz Lurhmann’s adaptation of Romeo + Juliet

Visit www.ydsquare.ca for more information.

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WHAT: ROMwalks: Parkdale
WHEN: July 16, 6 pm
WHERE: Meet in front of the Parkdale Public Library (1303 Queen St. West), look for the blue umbrella.

Discover Toronto’s unique architecture and rich history through ROMwalks, a series of free, guided walking tours of the city. The Parkdale walk highlights include: St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Masaryk Hall, the home of Mazo de la Roche, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Melbourne Place.

Visit www.rom.on.ca for more information.

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The Events Guide is a regular feature on Spacing Toronto. To submit alisting, email eventsguide@spacing.ca. Please note that, due to demand, we cannot guarantee publication of your listing.

Photo of Major Maker who will be performing July 12 at the Fringe Club courtesy the Toronto Fringe Festival.