The Weekender: Grey Cup Festival, Terminus and five other events on our to-do list
1. 100TH GREY CUP FESTIVAL
The Toronto Argos are going for grey on home turf this weekend, facing off against the Calgary Stampeders. For the past week, Toronto has had football fever (it doesn’t hurt that the NHL is still in lockout) with football-themed events—a mini football field in Yonge-Dundas Square, the Scotiabank Fan Zone at the MTCC—dotted around the city. Highlights of the festival include a zip line over council chambers at City Hall and performances by Zeus and Our Lady Peace. The mayor, of course, is in the spirit, even more so than most. Go Argos! November 15–25. Various prices. Various locations, 100thgreycupfestival.ca
2. ONE OF A KIND CHRISTMAS SHOW AND SALE
The One of a Kind Christmas Show is an annual mecca for brand name snubbers looking for that perfect holiday-themed knick-knack, ornament or handmade gift. The exhibitors at this year’s show were asked to produce one work in their chosen medium with the theme of “under the mistletoe,” so expect lots of kissing-inspired pieces. For the craft-averse there’s even a dedicated mancave designed for the weary husband or boyfriend to rest and recuperate while the women continue to shop (although craft-inclined gents aren’t required to abide by old-school gender stereotypes). November 22–December 2. $14. Direct Energy Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd., 416-960-3680, oneofakindshow.com
3. SNOW WHITE—THE DELICIOUSLY DOPEY FAMILY MUSICAL
Canadian Idol winner Melissa O’Neil stars as the title character in Ross Petty’s revamped and uber-campy version of Snow White. While Snow White is still a young raven-haired girl, the seven dwarves have been combined into 007 (get it?), played by The Border’s Graham Abbey. A host of other fairy-tale characters and an evil stepmother, played by Petty in drag, round out the cast of this pop culture-steeped pantomime production. November 23–January 5. $32–$90. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 1-855-985-5000, rosspetty.com
4. WOMEN’S BLUES REVUE
For the 26th annual Women’s Blues Revue, the Toronto Blues Society has rounded up the likes of Tanika Charles, Kellylee Evans and Saidah Baba Talibah for a chance to hear the blues belted out by women at Massey Hall. Accompanying them is an eight-piece all-female band of some of the city’s best hired guns. November 24. $25–$55. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255, masseyhall.com
5. ALCHEMY
In many South Asian dance styles, facial expressions are just as important as the body movements that dominate Western dancing. For this triple bill, rising U.K. star Aakash Odedra and members of India’s Sadhya join Mississauga’s Sampradaya Dance Creations, led by the inimitable Lata Pada. The pieces are all contemporary Indian works that stem from traditional styles, and include the world premiere of Bridges by Ottawa choreographer Natasha Bakht. November 22–24. $20–$35. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com
6. TERMINUS
In September, Mirvish Productions surprised the Toronto theatre scene by launching Off-Mirvish, a series of smaller (and theoretically more artistically ambitious) works. Terminus, the Irish “rap-opera” (no, really) that drew raves at Summerworks this year, kicks off the series in a decidedly unconventional venue. The 200-member audience will be seated on the Royal Alex’s stage, facing the auditorium, with the action taking place at the foot of the stage, and the 105-year-old theatre itself acting as the backdrop. Nov. 21–Dec. 9. $69. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W., 416-872-1212, mirvish.com
7. TORONTO WOMEN’S BOOKSTORE CLOSING PARTY (FREE!)
It had a good run, but after 39 years, Toronto’s pioneering feminist bookstore is finally calling it quits. But instead of going out with a whimper, Victoria Moreno, who bought the shop and attempted to revive it two and a half years ago, is closing down in style this Saturday. Expect talks from the shop’s former owners and employees, a performance by alt trio Las Zorras and a DJ. Nov. 24. Toronto Women’s Bookstore, 73 Harbord St., 416-922-8744, womensbookstore.com
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/food/toronto-events-nov-23-25/&title=The Weekender: Grey Cup Festival, Terminus and five other events on our to-do list&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/terminus-weekender-624x415.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_177977" align="aligncenter" width="656"] Terminus, the first production in the Off-Mirvish series, opens this week at the Royal Alex (Image: Mirvish)[/caption]
1. 100TH GREY CUP FESTIVAL
The Toronto Argos are going for grey on home turf this weekend, facing off against the Calgary Stampeders. For the past week, Toronto has had football fever (it doesn’t hurt that the NHL is still in lockout) with football-themed events—a mini football field in Yonge-Dundas Square, the Scotiabank Fan Zone at the MTCC—dotted around the city. Highlights of the festival include a zip line over council chambers at City Hall and performances by Zeus and Our Lady Peace. The mayor, of course, is in the spirit, even more so than most. Go Argos! November 15–25. Various prices. Various locations, 100thgreycupfestival.ca
2. ONE OF A KIND CHRISTMAS SHOW AND SALE
The One of a Kind Christmas Show is an annual mecca for brand name snubbers looking for that perfect holiday-themed knick-knack, ornament or handmade gift. The exhibitors at this year’s show were asked to produce one work in their chosen medium with the theme of “under the mistletoe,” so expect lots of kissing-inspired pieces. For the craft-averse there’s even a dedicated mancave designed for the weary husband or boyfriend to rest and recuperate while the women continue to shop (although craft-inclined gents aren’t required to abide by old-school gender stereotypes). November 22–December 2. $14. Direct Energy Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd., 416-960-3680, oneofakindshow.com
3. SNOW WHITE—THE DELICIOUSLY DOPEY FAMILY MUSICAL
Canadian Idol winner Melissa O’Neil stars as the title character in Ross Petty’s revamped and uber-campy version of Snow White. While Snow White is still a young raven-haired girl, the seven dwarves have been combined into 007 (get it?), played by The Border’s Graham Abbey. A host of other fairy-tale characters and an evil stepmother, played by Petty in drag, round out the cast of this pop culture-steeped pantomime production. November 23–January 5. $32–$90. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 1-855-985-5000, rosspetty.com
4. WOMEN’S BLUES REVUE
For the 26th annual Women’s Blues Revue, the Toronto Blues Society has rounded up the likes of Tanika Charles, Kellylee Evans and Saidah Baba Talibah for a chance to hear the blues belted out by women at Massey Hall. Accompanying them is an eight-piece all-female band of some of the city’s best hired guns. November 24. $25–$55. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255, masseyhall.com
5. ALCHEMY
In many South Asian dance styles, facial expressions are just as important as the body movements that dominate Western dancing. For this triple bill, rising U.K. star Aakash Odedra and members of India’s Sadhya join Mississauga’s Sampradaya Dance Creations, led by the inimitable Lata Pada. The pieces are all contemporary Indian works that stem from traditional styles, and include the world premiere of Bridges by Ottawa choreographer Natasha Bakht. November 22–24. $20–$35. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com
6. TERMINUS
In September, Mirvish Productions surprised the Toronto theatre scene by launching Off-Mirvish, a series of smaller (and theoretically more artistically ambitious) works. Terminus, the Irish “rap-opera” (no, really) that drew raves at Summerworks this year, kicks off the series in a decidedly unconventional venue. The 200-member audience will be seated on the Royal Alex’s stage, facing the auditorium, with the action taking place at the foot of the stage, and the 105-year-old theatre itself acting as the backdrop. Nov. 21–Dec. 9. $69. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W., 416-872-1212, mirvish.com
7. TORONTO WOMEN’S BOOKSTORE CLOSING PARTY (FREE!)
It had a good run, but after 39 years, Toronto’s pioneering feminist bookstore is finally calling it quits. But instead of going out with a whimper, Victoria Moreno, who bought the shop and attempted to revive it two and a half years ago, is closing down in style this Saturday. Expect talks from the shop’s former owners and employees, a performance by alt trio Las Zorras and a DJ. Nov. 24. Toronto Women’s Bookstore, 73 Harbord St., 416-922-8744, womensbookstore.com){kind=link}