The Weekender: Nuit Blanche, Paper Bag’s 10th anniversary and six other events on our to-do list
1. SCOTIABANK NUIT BLANCHE (FREE!)
From dusk to dawn, the streets of Toronto will be packed with art and art lovers for the seventh iteration of Nuit Blanche. Over 150 contemporary projects will sprawl across three mostly downtown zones. Highly anticipated events include Reflexion, a 20-by-20-foot interactive “video crystal” at Yonge-Dundas Square, and Museum for the End of the World, a cluster of artworks in and around city hall (even inside council chambers). Check out our top 20 picks. September 29. Various venues. scotiabanknuitblanche.ca
2. CANADA’S BAKING AND SWEETS SHOW
Those looking for an excuse to take a “cheat” day from that diet can indulge themselves at Canada’s Baking and Sweets Show. Professional chefs and amateur bakers will sample and swap recipes, with tons of workshops, baking competitions and product demonstrations packed into the three-day convention. Headlining the show are Duff Goldman of Ace of Cakes, Anna Olson and the cast of Sugar Stars. We’d advise multiple bags for all the goodies, and perhaps some carrot sticks to counteract the inevitable sugar rush. September 28–30. $14. The International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd., canadasbakingandsweetsshow.com
3. PAPER BAG RECORDS’ 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Given Paper Bag Records’ impressive contributions to Canadian music (the label helped kickstart the careers of Stars, Broken Social Scene and Tokyo Police Club), it’s fitting that its 10th-anniversary celebration is being spread over three days, with 14 artists performing. Highlights include sets from Austra, a reunited You Say Party, PS I Love You, Born Ruffians and the Rural Alberta Advantage. Superfans of Toronto indie rock from the past decade should opt for the SuperPass, which gets you into all three shows. September 27–29. $25–$95. The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W., paperbagrecords.com
4. JULIA SASSO DANCES AT HARBOURFRONT (SLOE)
The shifting, dreamy and abstract Simple Lines of Enquiry was one of the last works created by Toronto composer Ann Southam before she died in 2010. Acclaimed Toronto choreographer and dancer Julia Sasso, a friend of Southam’s, brings her troupe to Harbourfront for SLoE, a new work based on the cycle. Pianist Eve Egoyan (sister of Atom), for whom the piece was composed, performs alongside the six dancers as they twist, pull and shape their figures to accompany the exquisite stillness of the music. September 27–30. $25–$35. Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com
5. REHEARSAL OF DIE FLEDERMAUS (FREE!)
Take a peek behind the curtain at the Canadian Opera Company—a rehearsal of the first half of Die Fledermaus is open to the public as part of Culture Days. While it may not exactly be a popcorn-appropriate affair, the audience can look forward to seeing how the sparkling Johann Strauss II comedy gets put together. There will also be a pre-rehearsal Q&A with costume designer Constance Hoffman and set designer Allen Moyer. September 28. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W., 416-363-8231, coc.ca
6. MUSEUM OF INUIT ART—COLLECTOR’S NIGHT
Serious collectors of Inuit art, as well as the merely curious, are invited to gather at the Museum of Inuit Art this Friday. For a small fee, they can learn about the collection on a short tour, listen to a talk from the gallery’s director about the Inuit art market, jumping off from a discussion about sculptor Nuna Parr, and get tips on how to make a profit collecting (there’s also the requisite wine and cheese). September 28. $10. Museum of Inuit Art, 207 Queen’s Quay W., 416-640-1571, miagallery.ca
7. GLUTEN FREE EXPO
Over the past few years, gluten-free foods have moved from being the obsession of an eccentric few to a mainstream foodie phenomenon. While the scientific evidence of the benefits of a gluten-free diet is mixed, it’s undeniable that it can be difficult to find, say, a decent GF brownie without trucking out to Bunners or Tori’s. Look no further than the Gluten Free Expo, an annual mecca for celiac suffers, disciples of Wheat Belly and other fellow travellers. Over 100 vendors and workshops will help educate and entice. September 30. $9–$12. DoubleTree by Hilton, 655 Dixon Rd., 604-430-2090, glutenfreeexpo.ca
8. ABILITIES ARTS FESTIVAL (FREE!)
The Abilities Arts Festival bills itself as a celebration of disability and culture. While it started last Thursday, the annual fest carries on this weekend, with a Nuit Blanche exhibit that draws attention to the Queen streetcar’s lack of accessibility by making it accessible on the outside (it will be decorated with photographs from the Toronto: Street Level exhibit). At the Listening Post the next afternoon, participants can download a “podplay” (think theatrical podcast) from the website and immerse themselves in a tour of the Queen Street corridor (starting at McCaul Street and heading west) that’s remapped by one of four artist guides into the experience of a disabled person on the street. September 30. Along Queen St. W., starting at 49 McCaul St., 647-725-5064, abilitiesartsfestival.org
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/food/toronto-events-sep-28-30/&title=The Weekender: Nuit Blanche, Paper Bag’s 10th anniversary and six other events on our to-do list&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Julio-Sasso-Sloe-624x459.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_169339" align="aligncenter" width="656"] Julia Sasso’s SLoE plays Harbourfront’s Enwave Theatre this weekend (Image: John Lauener)[/caption]
1. SCOTIABANK NUIT BLANCHE (FREE!)
From dusk to dawn, the streets of Toronto will be packed with art and art lovers for the seventh iteration of Nuit Blanche. Over 150 contemporary projects will sprawl across three mostly downtown zones. Highly anticipated events include Reflexion, a 20-by-20-foot interactive “video crystal” at Yonge-Dundas Square, and Museum for the End of the World, a cluster of artworks in and around city hall (even inside council chambers). Check out our top 20 picks. September 29. Various venues. scotiabanknuitblanche.ca
2. CANADA’S BAKING AND SWEETS SHOW
Those looking for an excuse to take a “cheat” day from that diet can indulge themselves at Canada’s Baking and Sweets Show. Professional chefs and amateur bakers will sample and swap recipes, with tons of workshops, baking competitions and product demonstrations packed into the three-day convention. Headlining the show are Duff Goldman of Ace of Cakes, Anna Olson and the cast of Sugar Stars. We’d advise multiple bags for all the goodies, and perhaps some carrot sticks to counteract the inevitable sugar rush. September 28–30. $14. The International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd., canadasbakingandsweetsshow.com
3. PAPER BAG RECORDS’ 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Given Paper Bag Records’ impressive contributions to Canadian music (the label helped kickstart the careers of Stars, Broken Social Scene and Tokyo Police Club), it’s fitting that its 10th-anniversary celebration is being spread over three days, with 14 artists performing. Highlights include sets from Austra, a reunited You Say Party, PS I Love You, Born Ruffians and the Rural Alberta Advantage. Superfans of Toronto indie rock from the past decade should opt for the SuperPass, which gets you into all three shows. September 27–29. $25–$95. The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W., paperbagrecords.com
4. JULIA SASSO DANCES AT HARBOURFRONT (SLOE)
The shifting, dreamy and abstract Simple Lines of Enquiry was one of the last works created by Toronto composer Ann Southam before she died in 2010. Acclaimed Toronto choreographer and dancer Julia Sasso, a friend of Southam’s, brings her troupe to Harbourfront for SLoE, a new work based on the cycle. Pianist Eve Egoyan (sister of Atom), for whom the piece was composed, performs alongside the six dancers as they twist, pull and shape their figures to accompany the exquisite stillness of the music. September 27–30. $25–$35. Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com
5. REHEARSAL OF DIE FLEDERMAUS (FREE!)
Take a peek behind the curtain at the Canadian Opera Company—a rehearsal of the first half of Die Fledermaus is open to the public as part of Culture Days. While it may not exactly be a popcorn-appropriate affair, the audience can look forward to seeing how the sparkling Johann Strauss II comedy gets put together. There will also be a pre-rehearsal Q&A with costume designer Constance Hoffman and set designer Allen Moyer. September 28. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W., 416-363-8231, coc.ca
6. MUSEUM OF INUIT ART—COLLECTOR’S NIGHT
Serious collectors of Inuit art, as well as the merely curious, are invited to gather at the Museum of Inuit Art this Friday. For a small fee, they can learn about the collection on a short tour, listen to a talk from the gallery’s director about the Inuit art market, jumping off from a discussion about sculptor Nuna Parr, and get tips on how to make a profit collecting (there’s also the requisite wine and cheese). September 28. $10. Museum of Inuit Art, 207 Queen’s Quay W., 416-640-1571, miagallery.ca
7. GLUTEN FREE EXPO
Over the past few years, gluten-free foods have moved from being the obsession of an eccentric few to a mainstream foodie phenomenon. While the scientific evidence of the benefits of a gluten-free diet is mixed, it’s undeniable that it can be difficult to find, say, a decent GF brownie without trucking out to Bunners or Tori’s. Look no further than the Gluten Free Expo, an annual mecca for celiac suffers, disciples of Wheat Belly and other fellow travellers. Over 100 vendors and workshops will help educate and entice. September 30. $9–$12. DoubleTree by Hilton, 655 Dixon Rd., 604-430-2090, glutenfreeexpo.ca
8. ABILITIES ARTS FESTIVAL (FREE!)
The Abilities Arts Festival bills itself as a celebration of disability and culture. While it started last Thursday, the annual fest carries on this weekend, with a Nuit Blanche exhibit that draws attention to the Queen streetcar’s lack of accessibility by making it accessible on the outside (it will be decorated with photographs from the Toronto: Street Level exhibit). At the Listening Post the next afternoon, participants can download a “podplay” (think theatrical podcast) from the website and immerse themselves in a tour of the Queen Street corridor (starting at McCaul Street and heading west) that’s remapped by one of four artist guides into the experience of a disabled person on the street. September 30. Along Queen St. W., starting at 49 McCaul St., 647-725-5064, abilitiesartsfestival.org){kind=link}