Dinner at Jamie Kennedy’s farm, an Ellie Goulding concert and six other things to do this week
A dinner at Jamie Kennedy’s farm The superstar chef is inviting devoted pilgrims to his rural retreat in Prince Edward County every Saturday night this summer for food, wine and fun in a picture-perfect setting. After a walk through his organic gardens (complete with sparkling wine and apps), guests will sit down in an Instagrammble barn to enjoy a meal made by the man himself with locally sourced ingredients. Starting Saturday, June 18. $225. Hillier, Prince Edward County, jamiekennedy.ca.
An electrifying Ellie Goulding concert The British synth-pop star debuted in 2010, but she truly exploded in 2015, when she unleashed Delirium and its inescapable hits “Love Me Like You Do” and “On My Mind” to the Spotify-addicted masses. Those EDM-tinged anthems and older like “Lights” will dominate this performance, a sparkling barrage of singalong choruses and energetic dance moves. Sunday, June 19. $36.50–$72. Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay St., ticketmaster.ca.
The haunting steps of the National Ballet’s Giselle The National Ballet revives one of its warhorses, the story of a peasant girl who falls unwisely in love with a nobleman The romantic tragedy about love, class and betrayal is among the company’s most physically demanding and powerfully emotional efforts. A highlight: the ethereal movements of the vengeful ghosts in the second act. Wednesday, June 15 to Sunday, June 19. From $37. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W., national.ballet.ca.
NXNE, indie insiders’ favourite week of the year This year, the multi-day music fest ramps down the bar-hopping in favour of more shows at Yonge-Dundas Square, a fest in the Port Lands and a gaming and tech conference at Ryerson. Psych-folk hero Father John Misty and fierce rap master Ghostface Killah headline, while doom-soul diva Cold Specks and sax superstar Kamasi Washington round out the lineup. Wednesday, June 15 to Sunday, 19. From $13.50. Various venues, nxne.com.
A free-for-all food festival at Union Station While the rest of the fest carries on at the Hearn, Luminato is also hosting a weekend-long food fest outside Union Station. More than 16 local vendors—Khao San Road, Caplansky’s, Valdez, Death in Venice Gelato among them—will be serving up dishes for $6 each while folks from Parts and Labour man the bar. Bonus: giant Jenga. Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19. Free. Union Station, 65 Front St. W., luminatofestival.com.
Engaged, a crackling comedy at the Shaw Festival In a break from his storied partnership with Arthur Sullivan, W. S. Gilbert crafted this three-act satire about wealth and marriage in Victorian Britain. The action follows a love-dazed bachelor who is engaged to two women, possibly married to a third and about to face the ruinous consequences of an unwise financial investment. This Shaw revival highlights Gilbert’s sharp humour, a precursor to the comic wit of Oscar Wilde and Noël Coward. Previews Wednesday, June 15 to Thursday, June 23; opens Friday, June 24. From $35. Royal George Theatre, 85 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, shawfest.com.
A paddle through Toronto’s largest park Not even Rouge Park’s impressive network of trails covers all 79 square kilometres of the city’s biggest green space—some sections are only accessible by boat. This Saturday’s critical-mass paddle from Rouge Beach to Glen Rouge Campground is your chance to see secret shores and plenty of urban wildlife. Canoes and kayaks will be available for rent, and proceeds will support Wildlands League, a not-for-profit conservation organization. From $30. Saturday, June 18. Rouge Beach, wildlandsleague.org.
An all-you-can-eat-and-drink bonanza The Stop’s Night Market is returning to Sterling Road for two nights of unadulterated outdoor gluttony. Each night features more than 35 chefs from the city’s hottest restaurants (Boralia, Bar Fancy, Rose and Sons, The Commodore, Momofuku Shoto) and a dozen or so drink vendors, including Dillon’s Distillery, Great Lakes Brewery, Sailor Jerry, Tawse Winery, Woodhouse Brewing. It’s an all-you-can-eat-and-drink fundraiser for The Stop Community Food Centre, so don’t hold back. Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15. $100. 158 Sterling Rd., nightmarket.thestop.org.
