Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of October 4–6
In this edition of The Weekender, a classic Italian opera, what to see at Nuit Blanche and three more things to do in Toronto this weekend.
Festival des Métiers (FREE!)
French luxury brand Hermès has created a mini-atelier at the Design Exchange highlighting the work that goes into its iconic accessories. Watch craftspeople sew silk ties, screenprint scarves, and painstakingly assemble $6,500 Kelly purses. Oct. 2–Oct. 6. Free. Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street, dx.org
La Bohème
The Canadian Opera Company’s production of Puccini’s crowd-pleaser begins a four-week run today. First performed in 1896, the opera follows the struggles of a young bohemian couple living in Paris’s Latin Quarter. American Dimitri Pittas, who performs as Rodolfo this weekend, won praise for his suave take on the role with the Metropolitan Opera Company. Oct. 3– Oct. 30. $54–$365. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W., coc.ca
Fall Foliage Train Ride: York-Durham Heritage Railway
Geek out like Sheldon Cooper and take a 90-minute ride on a heritage train from the 1920s through the colourful autumn foliage of the Oak Ridges Moraine. Common sightings include: horses, water birds, beavers and giddy tourists. Oct. 5– 6. $12–$17. York-Durham Heritage Railway, 18 Heritage Street. ydhr.ca
Nuit Blanche (FREE!)
For the eighth year, the dusk-till-dawn event gives contemporary art lovers (and those who enjoy a party) a sleepless night. Need help navigating the 110-plus installations on the roster? Our top 15 picks include a bicycle-powered salmon smoker, a scent installation that evokes Paris in 1919, and an enormous float made of 6,300 origami helmets. Oct. 5, 7 p.m.–7 a.m. Free. Various locations; see map at scotiabanknuitblanche.ca
Bellwoods Block Party (FREE!)
A quiet street south of the park plays host to a late-night block party on Saturday night—the perfect pit-stop for flagging Nuit Blanchers. Along with two hip-hop DJs, the festivities include a slew of stalls with cocktails and boozy coffee, art, handcrafted purses and vintage knick knacks. Oct. 5. 8 p.m.–1 a.m. Free. 198 Walnut Avenue, Facebook
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/food/things-to-do-in-toronto-october-4/&title=Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of October 4–6&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Boheme-MC-1398-624x395.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_239022" align="aligncenter" width="656"] Dimitri Pittas as Rodolfo and Grazia Doronzio as Mimì in the Canadian Opera Company production of La Bohème (Image: Michael Cooper)[/caption]
In this edition of The Weekender, a classic Italian opera, what to see at Nuit Blanche and three more things to do in Toronto this weekend.
EXHIBITION
Festival des Métiers (FREE!)
French luxury brand Hermès has created a mini-atelier at the Design Exchange highlighting the work that goes into its iconic accessories. Watch craftspeople sew silk ties, screenprint scarves, and painstakingly assemble $6,500 Kelly purses. Oct. 2–Oct. 6. Free. Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street, dx.org
OPERA
La Bohème
The Canadian Opera Company’s production of Puccini’s crowd-pleaser begins a four-week run today. First performed in 1896, the opera follows the struggles of a young bohemian couple living in Paris’s Latin Quarter. American Dimitri Pittas, who performs as Rodolfo this weekend, won praise for his suave take on the role with the Metropolitan Opera Company. Oct. 3– Oct. 30. $54–$365. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W., coc.ca
NATURE
Fall Foliage Train Ride: York-Durham Heritage Railway
Geek out like Sheldon Cooper and take a 90-minute ride on a heritage train from the 1920s through the colourful autumn foliage of the Oak Ridges Moraine. Common sightings include: horses, water birds, beavers and giddy tourists. Oct. 5– 6. $12–$17. York-Durham Heritage Railway, 18 Heritage Street. ydhr.ca
ART
Nuit Blanche (FREE!)
For the eighth year, the dusk-till-dawn event gives contemporary art lovers (and those who enjoy a party) a sleepless night. Need help navigating the 110-plus installations on the roster? Our top 15 picks include a bicycle-powered salmon smoker, a scent installation that evokes Paris in 1919, and an enormous float made of 6,300 origami helmets. Oct. 5, 7 p.m.–7 a.m. Free. Various locations; see map at scotiabanknuitblanche.ca
PARTY
Bellwoods Block Party (FREE!)
A quiet street south of the park plays host to a late-night block party on Saturday night—the perfect pit-stop for flagging Nuit Blanchers. Along with two hip-hop DJs, the festivities include a slew of stalls with cocktails and boozy coffee, art, handcrafted purses and vintage knick knacks. Oct. 5. 8 p.m.–1 a.m. Free. 198 Walnut Avenue, Facebook){kind=link}