The Weekender: Roncey yard sale, a kiddie–foodie opera and six other things to do this weekend
1. GET STUFFED (FREE!) An ode to eating your veggies, this kid-friendly opera sings the praises (excuse the pun) of eating right. Composed by Toronto’s Richard Payne and Montreal native Alexis Diamond, the opera is set in a school cafeteria and tells the story of a new chef on the block, whose talking veggies vie for children to eat them. May 15. Trinity Square, 55 Mill St., 416-537-6066, ext. 224, getstuffed.ca.
2. A JEW GROWS IN BROOKLYN Drummer and writer Jake Ehrenreich explores the inevitable culture clash between balancing family tradition and being a regular kid in an immigrant family in this semi-autobiographical musical comedy. His parents escaped Nazi Germany, and he once had a bit of a coke habit and auditioned to tour with Kiss. To May 16. $30–$60. The Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge St., 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
3. NEWMINDSPACE PILLOW FIGHT (FREE!) Originally scheduled for last weekend, the less-than-stellar weather meant a rain date was in order. Luckily, the forecast for this weekend looks clear, so head uptown for this year’s fight, which has moved to Yonge-Eglinton Square. The location might be different, but the rules remain the same: bring soft, feather-free pillows, and when the signal sounds, start swinging (but lightly, and not at people without pillows). May 15. 3 p.m. Yonge-Eglinton Square, newmindspace.com.
4. SALUT GRAND TASTING OF INTERNATIONAL WINES Part of the Salut Wine Festival, this event has a strong emphasis on the original wine country: France, though such regions as Ontario, Australia, Argentina and Italy are also represented. Tasting stations will be scattered throughout the courtyard and the Great Hall, with TV chef Chuck Hughes serving snacks at his demo table. May 14. $75. Hart House, University of Toronto, 7 Hart House Cir., 1-888-711-9399, salutwinefestival.com.
5. GREEN THUMBS GROWING KIDS’ GARDEN PARTY AND FLOWER TASTING The Victorian-era greenhouses and new children’s garden at Allan Gardens are the venues for this fundraiser, which supports Green Thumbs, an environmental education program that introduces kids to grow-your-own grub. We’re excited about the springtime menu of scones, tea sandwiches, mocktails and shortbread, all featuring local, organic flowers in the ingredient list. May 16. $50 per adult, children under 12 are free. Allan Gardens Children’s Conservatory, 19 Horticultural Ave., kidsgrowing.ca.
6. RONCESVALLES YARD SALE (FREE!) Yard sale season has come around again, and what better way to kick things off than with a giant neighbourhood-wide sale? For the third year, Roncey-area residents stock their front lawns and driveways with all manner of odds and ends starting at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. May 15, 9–3. Roncesvalles, Sunnyside and High Park neighbourhoods, roncesvalles-area-yard-sale.blogspot.com.
7. DANFORTH BIA ROAD HOCKEY CHARITY CHALLENGE (FREE!) It’s too late to start a team and get in on the action at this annual road hockey tourney, but spectators are very much welcome. If smaller hockey fans get bored of watching, they can check out the play area, with equipment donated by the Toronto Marlies. May 16. Danforth Ave. (Ellerbeck St. to Jackman Ave.), charityroadhockeychallenge.com.
8. ISOLATED INCIDENTS Celebrated choreographer and dancer Nova Bhattacharya’s style is an elegant combination of bharatanatyam (a classical Indian style) and contemporary dance. Part of DanceWorks’ Next Step series, she performs a series of solos, each one a vignette about a random moment in one woman’s life. May 13 to 15. $28. Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
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