Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of August 9–11

Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of August 9–11

(Image: synestheticstrings)

In this edition of The Weekender, the annual Taste of the Danforth festival, a rare breed dog show and three more things to do in Toronto this weekend.

FOOD
Taste of the Danforth (FREE!)
Toronto’s most popular neighbourhood food fest celebrates 20 years of Hellenic cuisine and culture in the east end. This year’s edition features exhibitions from local pro teams, an attempt to perform the world’s largest Zorba dance and, as always, more street food than you can shake a skewer at. More than a million people are expected to attend. Aug. 9-11. Free. Danforth Ave. (from Broadview to Jones Aves.), 416-469-5634, tasteofthedanforth.com

THEATRE
SummerWorks Performance Festival
Canada’s largest juried theatre festival has been described as a “smaller, hipper Luminato.” This year, it comprises 35 theatrical productions, plus a host of concerts, performance art and workshops. Highlights include the epic The Life of Jude (the largest show in SummerWorks history) and a live art piece called “Tackle Me for a Dollar,” which is exactly as billed. Aug. 8-18. $15 per show. Various venues, 416-628-8216, summerworks.ca

BEER
Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival
This low-key affair brings Ontario craft brews and food trucks together for two days of palate-pleasing consumption. Buying a sampling glass is required, but it only costs $2 to fill it. Aug. 10-11. $10–$15 per sampling cup. Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremner Blvd., 416-362-2337, craftbeerfest.ca

PUPPIES
Rare Breed Dog Show (FREE!)
If you’re the type to DVR the Westminster Show, head to this parade of unusual pooches at the headquarters of PawsWay, a group of animal lovers who hold regular exhibits for pet education and appreciation. If your kids didn’t want a dog before, they certainly will now. August 10-11. Free. PawsWay Toronto, 245 Queens Quay W., 416-360-7297, pawsway.ca

SPORTS
Rogers Cup presented by National Bank
The women battle for the title and more than $400,000 in prize money in Canada’s premier tennis tournament, which draws to a close at the Rexall Centre this weekend. Perpetual frontrunner Serena Williams is the favourite. To Aug. 11. From $65. Rexall Centre, 1 Shoreham Dr. #100, 1-877-283-6647, toronto.rogerscup.com