Five things to do in Toronto on Family Day weekend

Five things to do in Toronto on Family Day weekend

Coleman Lemieux and Compagnie reprise last year’s sold-out From the House of Mirth this weekend (Image: Bruce Zinger)

In this edition of The Weekender: Family Day fun at the Lightbox, an indie-rock music festival and three more things to do in Toronto.

MUSIC
Wavelength Music Festival—Thirteen
The venerable indie rock showcase that famously helped launch the careers of Broken Social Scene and Fucked Up celebrates its 13th anniversary with four shows and three in-store performances. The biggest names on the bill: Toronto post-rockers Do Make Say Think, Edmonton rapper Cadence Weapon, Montreal’s glitchy techno-popper Doldrums and the reunion of Henri Fabergé and the Adorables. $10–$39. February 14–17. Various locations, wavelengthtoronto.com

DANCE
From the House of Mirth
A remount of last year’s sold-out show, James Kudelka’s ambitious adaptation of Edith Wharton’s 1905 novel The House of Mirth tells Lily Bart’s tragic tale through song and dance: four male singers narrate the story while four female dancers add depth and pathos. $50. February 14–20. The Citadel, 304 Parliament St., 416-364-8011, colemanlemieux.com

MOVIES
Family Day at the TIFF Bell Lightbox (FREE!) 
Instead of merely trucking out the usual array of kiddie films to pacify the tots on their day off (although they have those too), TIFF has programmed a whole slate of free activities for Family Day. Expect pop-up magic shows on the third floor, a button making workshop and even a green screen setup where kids can magically appear in movie scenes. February 18. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-599-8433, tiff.net

MUSIC
Beethoven’s Ninth
Watching a live performance of Beethoven’s final symphony, with its triumphant “Ode to Joy” chorus, can be an overpowering musical experience. This year, the TSO brings together the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, English conductor Matthew Halls and a quartet of soloists including rising Canadian soprano Erin Wall. $29–$145. February 13–16. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-872-4255, tso.ca

CARS
Canadian International AutoShow
The core appeal of the AutoShow remains ever-true: getting within stroking distance of drool-worthy four-wheeled fetish objects from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin. $22. February 15–24. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Bldg., 255 Front St. W., 416-778-8289, autoshow.ca