Five things to do in Toronto on the long weekend of August 30–September 2
In this edition of The Long Weekender, the CNE’s annual air show, a spicy food fair and three more things to do in Toronto.
FAMILY
Canadian International Air Show
As usual, the CNE marks its closing weekend with jets. Lots and lots of jets. The theatrics range from the RCAF Snowbirds’ aerobatics to a “dead-stick” routine in which the pilot shuts off the engine at 6,000 feet. If crowds aren’t your thing, a VIP “Flight Deck” ticket allows you watch from a patio on the water’s edge. Aug. 31–Sept. 2. $12–$16 for general CNE admission; VIP costs vary. Exhibition Place, 416-263-3650, cias.org
FOOD
Hot and Spicy Food Festival (Free!)
This celebration of gustatory daredevilry—one of Harbourfront Centre’s largest summer festivals—has a taco showdown, live music, the semi-finals of the International Iron Chef competition and chef demos from the likes of Ursa’s Jacob Sharkey and THR & Co.’s Curt Martin. The main draw, however, is the tongue-tingling array of spicy snacks for sale. Aug. 30–Sept. 2. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com
MUSIC
Kiss 92.5 Wham Bam
The radio station pulled together an all-Canuck roster for its long weekend jam at the Molson Amphitheatre. “Blurred Lines” singer (and recent Miley Cyrus molestee) Robin Thicke will be joined by Shawn Desman, rapper Classified and Avril Lavigne. As the name suggests, a good way to end your summer with a bang. Aug. 31. $17–$88.25. Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 1-855-985-5000, ticketmaster.ca
MOVIES
Endless Summer: The Birth of the Blockbuster
This Labour Day weekend, the TIFF Bell Lightbox looks back on the movies that made audiences equate summer with blockbusters. The lineup reads like an essential collection: Jaws, Back to the Future, Top Gun and E.T. and more. Aug. 30–Sept. 1. $8.50–$12. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-968-3456, tiff.net
MUSIC
Zac Brown Band
The Atlanta-based country-folk band behind “Chicken Fried” has found mainstream success after years of tireless touring. Their latest album, Uncaged, debuted at pole position on the Billboard 200 last summer. Aug. 30. $43.50–$93.50. Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 1-855-985-5000, ticketmaster.ca
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In this edition of The Long Weekender, the CNE’s annual air show, a spicy food fair and three more things to do in Toronto.
FAMILY
Canadian International Air Show
As usual, the CNE marks its closing weekend with jets. Lots and lots of jets. The theatrics range from the RCAF Snowbirds’ aerobatics to a “dead-stick” routine in which the pilot shuts off the engine at 6,000 feet. If crowds aren’t your thing, a VIP “Flight Deck” ticket allows you watch from a patio on the water’s edge. Aug. 31–Sept. 2. $12–$16 for general CNE admission; VIP costs vary. Exhibition Place, 416-263-3650, cias.org
FOOD
Hot and Spicy Food Festival (Free!)
This celebration of gustatory daredevilry—one of Harbourfront Centre’s largest summer festivals—has a taco showdown, live music, the semi-finals of the International Iron Chef competition and chef demos from the likes of Ursa’s Jacob Sharkey and THR & Co.’s Curt Martin. The main draw, however, is the tongue-tingling array of spicy snacks for sale. Aug. 30–Sept. 2. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com
MUSIC
Kiss 92.5 Wham Bam
The radio station pulled together an all-Canuck roster for its long weekend jam at the Molson Amphitheatre. “Blurred Lines” singer (and recent Miley Cyrus molestee) Robin Thicke will be joined by Shawn Desman, rapper Classified and Avril Lavigne. As the name suggests, a good way to end your summer with a bang. Aug. 31. $17–$88.25. Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 1-855-985-5000, ticketmaster.ca
MOVIES
Endless Summer: The Birth of the Blockbuster
This Labour Day weekend, the TIFF Bell Lightbox looks back on the movies that made audiences equate summer with blockbusters. The lineup reads like an essential collection: Jaws, Back to the Future, Top Gun and E.T. and more. Aug. 30–Sept. 1. $8.50–$12. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-968-3456, tiff.net
MUSIC
Zac Brown Band
The Atlanta-based country-folk band behind “Chicken Fried” has found mainstream success after years of tireless touring. Their latest album, Uncaged, debuted at pole position on the Billboard 200 last summer. Aug. 30. $43.50–$93.50. Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 1-855-985-5000, ticketmaster.ca){kind=link}