Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of March 15–17

Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of March 15–17

Guillaume Côté and Elena Lobsanova in Romeo and Juliet (Image: Bruce Zinger)

In this edition of The Weekender: a timeless, romantic ballet, a play about condo life and three more things to do in Toronto.

DANCE
Romeo and Juliet
The National Ballet has staged different versions of Prokofiev’s classic ballet for almost 50 years. This new production commissioned from Russian choreographer Alexei Ratmansky is a dazzling display of athleticism, and it was a hit when it first opened two years ago. $25–$239. March 12–17. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca

EXHIBITIONS
Canada Blooms 

Toronto’s annual flower show is a sure sign spring is coming. Expect acres of demonstration gardens, scores of gardening talks and even a special children’s area where kids can play in the dirt while their parents plan their fantasy annuals beds. $20 (includes admission to the National Home Show). March 15–24. Direct Energy Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd., 416- 447-8655, canadablooms.com

THEATRE
Iceland

Nicolas Billon’s latest drama—a highlight at last year’s SummerWorks festival—depicts the effects of the financial meltdown on a high-strung condo dweller, a money-hungry real estate agent and an Estonian sex worker. $32–$42. To March 24. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St., 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca

FAMILY
Bell Free Weekend (FREE!)
To close March Break, TIFF has programmed a slate of kid-friendly craft workshops and screenings. Everything else at the Lightbox is also free, including their special 70 mm screenings of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Vertigo. March 16–17. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W. 416-968-3456, tiff.net

MUSIC
The Yeats Project
The Music Gallery presents an elevated alternative to the usual St. Patrick’s Day debauchery. Singer Sarah Jerrom leads a nine-piece jazz-folk ensemble performing her own settings of great Irish modernist William Butler Yeats’ poems. $25. March 16. St. George the Martyr Church, 197 John Street, 416-204-1080, musicgallery.org