Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of June 21-23
In this edition of The Weekender, a Gatsby Garden Party, the Toronto Jazz Festival and three more things to do in Toronto on the weekend.
BALLET
The Man in Black
The National Ballet of Canada’s rough-and-tumble Toronto premiere of James Kudelka’s The Man in Black is set to the songs of country music icon Johnny Cash. The clash of styles alone is worth the price of admission, and principal dancer Guillaume Cote delights with his gravity-defying grace. June 19-23. $25-$180. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca
PARTY
Gatsby Garden Party
The Spadina Museum is hosting a “Gatsby Garden Party” on Sunday afternoon, reviving the fancy high-society soirees and smuggled whiskey of the Roaring Twenties. There’s lemonade, croquet and a best-dress contest. You have to smuggle the booze yourself. June 23. $5. Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Rd., 416-392-6910, facebook.com/spadinamuseum
MUSIC
Toronto Jazz Festival
The 26th annual jazz fest brings over 300 artists to 40 different venues across the city. Headliners include Smokey Robinson (Bob Dylan called him “America’s greatest living poet”) and six-time Grammy-winner Dr. John. Willie Nelson kicks off the event Thursday at Massey Hall. Prices vary. June 20-July 1. Various locations, torontojazz.com
SPORTS
Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival
On Saturday and Sunday at Toronto Island, crews of up to 28 people race ornate, mythical boats carved to look like dragons for half a kilometer. Over 5000 paddlers from 200 different teams are expected to participate as the festival celebrates its 25th year. $7 (ferry ticket). June 22-23. Centre Island, 416-595-0313, dragonboats.com
MUSIC
Authority Zero
The Arizona-based punk band that has been pumping out infectious ska rhythms for almost two decades brings their Summer Sickness Tour to Lee’s Palace. Vocalist Jason DeVore has been called “the punk version of Freddie Mercury.” $15. June 23. Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., 416-532-1598, leespalace.com
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/things-to-do-in-toronto-june-21-23/&title=Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of June 21-23&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Things-to-do-in-Toronto-624x395.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_219939" align="aligncenter" width="656"] (Image: National Ballet of Canada)[/caption]
In this edition of The Weekender, a Gatsby Garden Party, the Toronto Jazz Festival and three more things to do in Toronto on the weekend.
BALLET
The Man in Black
The National Ballet of Canada’s rough-and-tumble Toronto premiere of James Kudelka’s The Man in Black is set to the songs of country music icon Johnny Cash. The clash of styles alone is worth the price of admission, and principal dancer Guillaume Cote delights with his gravity-defying grace. June 19-23. $25-$180. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca
PARTY
Gatsby Garden Party
The Spadina Museum is hosting a “Gatsby Garden Party” on Sunday afternoon, reviving the fancy high-society soirees and smuggled whiskey of the Roaring Twenties. There’s lemonade, croquet and a best-dress contest. You have to smuggle the booze yourself. June 23. $5. Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Rd., 416-392-6910, facebook.com/spadinamuseum
MUSIC
Toronto Jazz Festival
The 26th annual jazz fest brings over 300 artists to 40 different venues across the city. Headliners include Smokey Robinson (Bob Dylan called him “America’s greatest living poet”) and six-time Grammy-winner Dr. John. Willie Nelson kicks off the event Thursday at Massey Hall. Prices vary. June 20-July 1. Various locations, torontojazz.com
SPORTS
Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival
On Saturday and Sunday at Toronto Island, crews of up to 28 people race ornate, mythical boats carved to look like dragons for half a kilometer. Over 5000 paddlers from 200 different teams are expected to participate as the festival celebrates its 25th year. $7 (ferry ticket). June 22-23. Centre Island, 416-595-0313, dragonboats.com
MUSIC
Authority Zero
The Arizona-based punk band that has been pumping out infectious ska rhythms for almost two decades brings their Summer Sickness Tour to Lee’s Palace. Vocalist Jason DeVore has been called “the punk version of Freddie Mercury.” $15. June 23. Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., 416-532-1598, leespalace.com){kind=link}