NEW PRODUCT GUIDE 2013 - SPRING EDITION
Click here to download PDF version of the New Product Guide 2013 - Spring Edition.
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THEATRE
ONGOING
Mysteriously Yours
mysteriouslyyours.com
Come and join the fun! Enjoy a fabulous 3 course dinner and then participate in the solving of a hilarious whodunit?
Medieval Times Dinner and Theatre
medievaltimes.com/toronto
NEW ongoing Show!!
A SIEGE ON THE SENSES - THE NEW SHOW AT MEDIEVAL TIMES DINNER & TOURNAMENT
Two Years in the Making - Arrives in Toronto. North America’s longest running dinner attraction invites guests to travel back to the 11th Century with the premiere of their new show. While the show offers many new elements, the most popular traditions remain. Guests are swept away in the excitement and encouraged to cheer for one of six “Knights of the Realm,” named after historic regions of medieval Spain.
Almost two years in the making, the new live production delivers audience favorites; live jousting, riveting medieval combat, pageantry, sword-clashing battles, a delicious 4-course feast, a dynamic new score and the unveiling of a unique ‘liberty’ scene where guests witness an Andalusian Stallion at liberty - performing without a rider.
The Second City: Dinner and Theatre Package
secondcity.com
Start your night off right with a pre-dinner, cocktails or appetizers in the famous Wayne Gretzky’s Restaurant. Wayne Gretzky’s provides unique access to The Second City Theatre and has reserved seating for Second City ticket holders. Special menus and pricing are available when purchased with your tickets.
The Canadian Opera Company
coc.ca
The Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The 2013/2014 season includes-Cosi fan tutte, Un ballo in maschera, Hercules, Roberto Devereux and Don Quichotte.
Save up to 25% on group bookings. For reservations and more information call our Group Sales Office at 416-306-2356. For Individual tickets call our Box Office at 416-363-8231, or visit us at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office or online at www.coc.ca
APRIL
The Book of Mormon (Mirvish Productions)
mirvish.com
April 30 - June 9, 2013, Princess of Wales Theatre
Nine 2011 Tony Awards® say it’s the Best Musical of the Year. Vogue says “It’s the best musical of the last 25 years.” And The New York Times says, “It’s the best musical of this century.” It’s THE BOOK OF MORMON, the Broadway phenomenon from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez. The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart calls it, “A crowning achievement. So good, it makes me angry.” Contains explicit language.
MAY
Under the Big Top! (Famous People Players)
fpp.org
February - May
Welcome back to the good old days when the circus came to town. Tightrope walkers will have you holding your breath; see the mouse cleaning up after the elephant; a lion being manicured and fanned by baby chicks; bouncing balls swinging off a trapeze and oops... when they fall - we send in the best act of all - the Clowns! Watch out for the banana peel and the strong man as someone may get shot right out of a cannon!
For every one who loves the CIRCUS!
Beethoven Missa Solemnis (Toronto Mendelssohn Choir)
tmchoir.org
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 7:30pm, Koerner Hall, TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning
Noel Edison, conductor
Guest Artists: Festival Orchestra; Shannon Mercer, soprano; Krisztina Szabo, mezzo-soprano; Michael Colvin, tenor; Michael Adair, baritone.
Immerse yourself in this grand symphonic work, an artistic testament to Beethoven’s spirituality.
Eifman St. Petersburg Ballet Presents Rodin
sonycentre.ca
May 23-25, 2013, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
RODIN is the tumultuous tale of two artists, Auguste Rodin and his muse and mistress, Camille Claudel. A ballet of love, lust and jealousy, RODIN turns moments, frozen in stone, into an irrepressible stream of sensuous body movements. Visionary choreographer Boris Eifman has created a contemporary performance where the dancers literally turn into the sculptor’s material. Set to music by Saint-Saëns, Massenet and Ravel, RODIN is a tale of artistic innovation and the terrible price of genius that comes with it.
CATS (Mirvish Productions)
mirvish.com
Begins May 28, 2013, Panasonic Theatre
A new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved musical masterpiece. This will be the first time in over 25 years that an all-Canadian cast will grace a Toronto stage in CATS.
JUNE
BADA BOOM BADA BING (Famous People Players)
fpp.org
June 2013
"When the Moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie"...you're in love with Famous PEOPLE Players in this Italian extravaganza.
June is Italian heritage month and we are celebrating in a big way.
Young and Old will delight in this musical that is sure to have you feel as if you're travelling down the rivers of Venice or walking the cobbled roads of Florence.
From the culinary meal to the performance its Bada BOOM, Bada Bing when the curtain rises!
JULY
Anything Goes (Mirvish Productions)
mirvish.com
July 16 - Auguest 18, 2013, Princess of Wales Theatre
Noel Edison, conductor
ALL ABOARD for this saucy and splendid production of Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES, winner of three 2011 Tony® Awards including Best Musical Revival and Choreography and starring critically-acclaimed actress Rachel York! One of the greatest musicals in theater history, Cole Porter’s first-class musical comedy is sailing to Toronto, while it continues a triumphant run on Broadway where The New York Times calls it “MUSICAL-COMEDY JOY” and USA Today hails it as “GLORIOUS and EXHUBERANT!”
OLDIES BUT GOODIES (Famous People Players)
fpp.org
July 2013 - October 2013
One o'clock two o'clock three o'clock will now rock at lunch 12noon and dinner at 7.
Everyone get their blue suede shoes out and visit heartbreak hotel and see the going on's with run-around-Sue. Poison ivy will creep around looking for that itsy bitsy teeny weenie polka dot bikini. Then we will splish splash and take a bath as the drain reveals the missing bomp in the bomp sha bombde bomp.
Great photo op of you back in the 1950's... creating memories to last a life time!
AUGUST
HI YO SILVER - THE MUSICAL (Famous People Players)
fpp.org
August 24 & November 9
Noel Edison, conductor
Diane Dupuy plays herself in this very inspirational musical, which takes you from her childhood to the founding of Famous PEOPLE Players. This show piece captures the heartbreak of being bullied and failing in school to the triumph of an opening night on Broadway. A great production for all ages. This spellbounding performance fills your heart full of hope and will have you on your feet shouting Bravo as this company reaches for the unreachable star!
Call for reservation 416-532-1137 - 1-888-453-3385 or
NEW! For your convenience: online booking available for selected dates only: August 24, 2013, Saturday November 9, 2013
OCTOBER
Les Misérables (Mirvish Productions)
mirvish.com
Begins October 2013, Princess of Wales Theatre
Cameron Mackintosh presents his acclaimed new production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, Les Misérables, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and for the last two and a half years has broken box office records right across North America as well as internationally. The New York Times calls this production of Les Misérables “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish.” The London Times hails the new show “a five-star hit, astonishingly powerful.” The Star-Ledger says “a dynamically re-imagined hit. This Les Misérables has improved with age,” and NY1-TV proclaims “this new production actually exceeds the original. Musical theatre fans can rejoice: ‘Les Mis’ is born again.” Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” “Master of the House” and many more.
I Love Lucy® Live On Stage(Mirvish Productions)
mirvish.com
Begins October 15, 2013, Royal Alexandra Theatre
Adapted for the stage and with new material by Kim Flagg & Rick Sparks. Staged & Directed by Rick Sparks
CANADIAN PREMIERE
I Love Lucy® Live On Stage, the brand new hit musical stage show adapted from the longest-running and most beloved television program in history, starring Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel: America’s favorite foursome, is coming to Toronto for the very first time!
GOOD OLD ROCK N' ROLL (Famous People Players)
fpp.org
October 22nd –October 31st 2013
People keep asking when Heaven is going to Rock? Back by popular demand Michael Jackson meets Elvis in Heaven!
The two great music legends dance amongst the stars. Sparks fly, comets twirl and skeletons dance on top of gravestones…this is what happens when the full moon comes out at night! It is the best to see this in the dark! First premiered for Quincy Jones in 2001 who was THRILLED beyond words with what he saw! Not to be missed! Fun for the whole Family to enjoy Ages 2 -102 will all have a BLAST!
NOVEMBER
Aladdin (Mirvish Productions)
mirvish.com
November/December 2013, Ed Mirvish Theatre
World Premiere
In an exotic, faraway land, one man’s life is about to change with the lucky rub of an ancient lamp—this is Aladdin, Disney’s new musical, adapted from centuries-old Arabian folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights.” Aladdin will feature a full Broadway score including the five beloved songs from the film by Academy and Tony Award®-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, plus new songs by Menken and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Beguelin.This musical comes from the producer of Toronto’s record-breaking hits The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast and will be directed and choreographed by Tony® -winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon). Aladdin will feature the award-winning, acclaimed design team of Bob Crowley (sets), Gregg Barnes (costumes) and Natasha Katz (lights), with illusions by Jim Steinmeyer. With its timeless story, extravagant sets and costumes and a host of memorable characters and songs, Aladdin will transport audiences to a place known only in their dreams. Audiences will discover a whole new world, in a whole new way.
Once (Mirvish Productions)
mirvish.com
November/December 2013, Royal Alexandra Theatre
Playwright Enda Walsh. Music & Lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Directed by John Tiffany
CANADIAN PREMIERE
Winner of eight 2012 Tony® Awards including BEST MUSICAL, Once is a truly original Broadway experience. Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, Once tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights... but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance. Emotionally captivating and theatrically breathtaking, Once draws you in from the very first note and never lets go. It’s an unforgettable story about going for your dreams... not living in fear... and the power of music to connect all of us.
God of Carnage (Mirvish Productions)
mirvish.com
November/December 2013, Panasonic Theatre
By Yasmina Reza. English Translation by Christopher Hampton. Directed by Joel Greenberg
TORONTO PREMIERE
A David Mirvish Presentation of a Studio 180 Theatre Production
This hilarious award-winning comedy begins when two sophisticated couples meet to discuss a playground incident involving their children. What starts as a civilized get-together quickly devolves into a scrappy, laugh-out-loud evening that The New York Times called “A study in the tension between civilized surface and savage instinct.”
COOL YULE (Famous People Players)
fpp.org
November 2012 - December 2012
With the snow falling under black light and the Elves shoveling as the trees skate across the stage, you will see the penguins making a Christmas pudding while the turkey runs from the abominable snow man. This show is a real charmer. This performance is as cool as any holiday show we have ever produced. Fun for the whole family. Photos can be taken with our in house Santa and on stage with the props following the performance to last a life time. Watch out for the mistletoe! Create memories for the whole family!
HI YO SILVER - THE MUSICAL (Famous People Players)
fpp.org
November 9, 2013
(See August.)
ATTRACTIONS
COMING SOON!
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
Summer 2013
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is Toronto's newest attraction. The Aquarium features 13,500 exotic sea creatures, over 400 species and North America's longest underwater viewing tunnel. It will be a 12,500 square-metre (135,000 square-feet) world-class family attraction with more than 5.7 million litres (1.5 million gallons) of water depicting marine and freshwater habitats from around the world. Opens summer 2013, next to the CN Tower. For further inquiries please contact: Melissa Jurchison at jurchison@ripleys.com
The Niagara Parks Commission
niagaraparks.com
With a $7 Million Provincial investment, The Niagara Parks Commission announced that the next phase of its redevelopment project at Table Rock Centre is now underway to upgrade the Falls Incline Railway. The new Railway improves the link between the Niagara Parks attractions at Table Rock and the Fallsview Tourist Area, including hotels and the Fallsview Casino Resort. The Railway will allow riders to easily reach the “Bridge of Flowers” pedestrian crossing over the Niagara Parkway into Table Rock. This major development will meet accessibility standards, providing visitors with disabilities, and families with strollers, full and safe access to both levels of Table Rock. The new Falls Incline Railway is enclosed and will operate year-round. Opening is anticipated for spring, 2013.
ONGOING
BRAND NEW! Legoland Discovery Centre
legolanddiscoverycentre.ca/Toronto
Canada’s first Lego attraction is officially open. Parents and kids can explore the Legoland Discovery Centre at the Vaughan Mills mall north of Toronto. The 34,000-square-foot indoor facility includes a 4D movie theatre, a Lego Master Builder Academy, a MINILAND Lego replica city of Toronto, and so much more.
BRAND NEW! Sky Zone Toronto
www.skyzone.com/toronto
SkyZone Toronto opened its doors on March 1, 2013. Boasting over 15,000 square feet of patented walled trampoline playing courts, Sky Zone has something for everyone in its brand new $1.5 million facility. Leap on the main court, fly into the giant foam pit, and soar on the Sky Slam court where everyone can dunk a basketball. How about dodgeball in 3-D? Sky Zone Toronto has three all-trampoline dodgeball courts, where you can take the game to a whole new level of fun and excitement. Skyzone also offers some amazing programs including SKyRobics classes, Toddler Time, and Sky Jam. An excellent venue for birthday parties, team parties, corporate and team building events Sky Zone is all about active fun for all ages.
Casa Loma
casaloma.org
Casa Loma is proud to offer many exciting events and activities throughout the year. On many weekends we offer archery classes in our Carriage Room, located in the Casa Loma stables complex. We are also featuring theatrical productions on many evenings throughout the year. Please go to our website www.casaloma.org for details on dates, times and prices.
Evergreen Brick Works
ebw.evergreen.ca
Evergreen Brick Works is a community environmental centre that inspires and equips visitors to live, work and play more sustainably. Evergreen, a national charity, has transformed the former Don Valley Brick Works from a collection of deteriorating heritage buildings into an international showcase for urban sustainability and green design that is open year-round.
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
coc.ca
Backstage Tours!!
Discover why the acoustics of the R. Fraser Elliott Hall have been rated amongst the best in the world, visit private member lounges, and take in the architecture of the magnificent Isadore & Rosalie Sharp City Room. Then step behind the curtain of Canada’s first and only purpose-built opera house and walk in the footsteps of its greatest stars. You will have the opportunity to see wardrobe and wig rooms, stars’ dressing rooms, the orchestra pit, green room, ballet rehearsal studio and much more.
CURRENTLY HAPPENING NOW…
BIG (Royal Ontario Museum)
rom.on.ca
Now until fall 2013
The ROM goes BIG with Fashion and Textiles
Patricia Harris Gallery of Textiles and Costume, Level 4
The newest ROM exhibition showcases textiles and costume that, each in its own remarkable way, are BIG… BIG in size, BIG in historical importance, BIG in the news, perhaps created by a BIG name, and often carrying a BIG price tag.
Funky and unique, 40 objects–both historical and contemporary, all gathered from the ROM’s extensive collections–showcase BIG from around the world. They range from Egyptian clothing to 18th- and 19th-century Western costumes to 20th-century Haute Couture. Some have never before been on display.
Game ON 2.0 (Ontario Science Centre)
ontariocsciencecentre.ca
Now until September 2, 2013 - Free with Group Admission
Play your way through the history and evolution of video games with over 150 influential games. Game On 2.0 focuses on key game developments between 1962 and today, and takes a global perspective at gaming’s fascinating past and limitless future. From Pong to Gran Turismo, explore over 50 years of electronic gaming. Play through the past, present and future of global gaming, from the very first commercial coin-op game to the latest in virtual reality and 3D technology. Exhibition organised and toured by Barbican Centre which is owned and funded by the City of London Corporation.
Shoppers Drug Mart OmniMax Theatre - FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLIES (Ontario Science Centre)
ontariosciencecentre.ca/IMAX
Opens April 2013
FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLIES is an astounding journey captured on film. It was a Canadian who engaged the world’s first team of “citizen scientists”, found the secret hideaway of the monarch butterflies, and discovered the most incredible migration on Earth – a scientific adventure at its most humbling. Follow the story, and the year-long, multi-generational migration cycle, of hundreds of millions of orange-and-black monarchs from their remote overwintering sanctuaries in Mexico, across the United States, to Canada. Then return to Mexico with the new “super generation” of monarchs that miraculously finds its way back to a few isolated mountaintops in Mexico – a place only its ancestors have ever been! Flight of the Butterflies is an SK Films release, with major funding provided by the National Science Foundation. OMNIMAX® Theatre admission required.
Hockey Hall of Fame
hhof.com
Now until September 2, 2013 - Free with Group Admission
Stanley's Game Seven (3D), the Hockey Hall of Fame’s latest film, is now playing! This exciting new film combines a stunning mix of original live-action, computer generated 3D animation, and classic archival footage of some of the most renowned moments in playoff Stanley Cup history. The 22 minute film plays at the top and half past the hour in the Hockey Hall of Fame's new TSN Theatre and is included in the price of admission.
Between Princely India and the British Raj: The Photography of Raja Deen Dayal (Royal Ontario Museum)
rom.on.ca
Now until January 12, 2014
Hilary and Galen Weston Wing, Level 3
Raja Deen Dayal (1844 – 1905) was the first Indian photographer to earn international renown. Noted for remarkable beauty, aesthetic nuance and technical skill, Deen Dayal's photographs capture the architectural heritage of India, its landscape and people, and provide a lens through which we can explore a dynamic time in India's history and the role Deen Dayal had in fashioning a new identity for an emerging nation.
This exhibition features over 100 works from three major collections, including the ROM's collection of photograph albums produced by his studio in the latter decades of the 19th century. It also features one of the cameras used by the Dayal Studio in the last decade of the 19th century.
The exhibition is presented in association with The Alkazi Collection of Photography, New Delhi, and coincides with a major new publication "Raja Deen Dayal: Artist-Photographer in 19th-century India." It is a feature exhibition of the 2013 Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. CONTACT is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Celebrate Ontario, the Ontario Arts Council and the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund.
GENESIS: Sebastião Salgado (Royal Ontario Museum)
rom.on.ca
North American Premiere. Now until September 2, 2013.
Roloff Beny Gallery, Michael Lee Crystal, Level 4 and Centre Block, Level 3
GENESIS by internationally renowned social documentary photographer Sebastião Salgado makes its North American premiere at the ROM presented in partnership with the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. GENESIS is an eight year photographic expedition travelling to 32 different locations around the planet, showcasing over two hundred hauntingly beautiful and provocative photographs aspiring to share the raw beauty of the landscapes, seascapes and people that have escaped the destructive reach of modern society. Curated by Lélia Wanick Salgado, GENESIS takes you on a journey to rediscover the far corners of the world and urges you to consider what is left of our planet, what is in peril and what is left to be saved.
Through innovative exhibitions and contemporary projects, ROM Contemporary Culture provides insight and inspiration to help our community make sense of the modern world and connect with one another. This season, ROM: Contemporary Culture explores the issues of environment and climate change, asking: how does landscape change a culture and how does culture change a landscape?
MAY
Canada's Wonderland
canadaswonderland.com
Open May to October
Canada’s Wonderland offers thrills and family fun with 200 world-class attractions. Experience 68 rides including 16 roller coasters, highlighted by Leviathan – Canada’s tallest and fastest roller coaster. Discover Dinosaurs Alive! – an animatronic dinosaur park with over 40 life-sized dinosaurs! Families can spend the perfect day together in Planet Snoopy and KidZville play areas filled with kid-sized rides and adventures. New in 2013: British Invasion – a brand new journey from classic to contemporary UK hits, and Charlie Brown’s Jungle Journey – a musical adventure with the Peanuts gang. Park admission includes Splash Works – a 20-acre water park. Contact Krystin for Special Ticket Rates (905) 832-7502 or krystin.diceman@canadaswonderland.com.
GIANT PANDAS (Toronto Zoo)
torontozoo.com
Mid-May
Two lovable black and white giant pandas have arrived at the Toronto Zoo. The Toronto Zoo welcomed the arrival of the two five-year old giant pandas Er Shun and Da Mao. Giant panda Er Shun came to the Toronto Zoo from Chongqing Zoo, China. The male giant panda Da Mao came from Chengdu. The new Giant Panda Exhibit is situated at the former Amur tiger exhibit in the Zoo's Eurasia section. In addition to the Giant Panda Exhibit, which opens May 2013, there will be a new Panda Interpretive Centre that will engage visitors and educate them about the giant panda as well as the importance of the world wide effort in the conservation of this important species.
Waterfront BIA
waterfrontbia.com
May 25 & 26, 2013
Doors Open on Toronto’s Waterfront presented by The Waterfront BIA is part of the 14th Annual Doors Open Toronto on May 25 and 26. NEW this year, tour the Toronto Police Marine Unit, and the William Lyon Mackenzie Fire Boat at the Toronto Fire and Marine Station 334. The Toronto Harbour Commission building is open to the public and Queen’s Quay Terminal features Toronto on the Water, a FREE exhibit of archival photographs showcasing the history of Toronto’s waterfront. Vessels from Great Lakes Schooner Company, Jubilee Cruise Lines, Mariposa Cruises, Nautical Adventures and Toronto Brigantine are open to the public for FREE deck tours.
Waterfront BIA
waterfrontbia.com
May 25 & 26 – Sept 2, 2013
Visitors to Queen’s Quay Terminal can trace the visually stunning waterfront history through Toronto on the Water presented by The Waterfront BIA, a photo exhibit that features over 100 archival images on loan courtesy of Toronto Star Archives, Toronto Port Authority, City of Toronto Archives and Queen’s Quay Terminal. The exhibit will launch at Doors Open Toronto and will remain on display throughout the main level of Queen’s Quay Terminal until Labour Day. Admission is FREE. Visit www.waterfrontbia.com for more information.
JUNE
Fort York War of 1812 Festival
toronto.ca/museums
June 16 – 17, 2013
This Festival will include a Military Encampment and Re-enactment on Garrison Common, 1812-Period food presentations, dance workshops, traditional music of the era, a Regency fashion show, and Trades and artisans Demos.
Mesopotamia (Royal Ontario Museum)
rom.on.ca
Opens June 22, Westin Exhibition Hall, Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, Level 2B
More than 170 priceless objects from the eminent collections of the British Museum provide the lens through which we explore over 3,000 years of accomplishments in the area, and discover the relevance many still have on our daily lives today.
Urban civilization originated here, accompanied by the establishment of the first cities and complex forms of social organization and economic activity. Trace the benchmarks of Mesopotamia's social and technological developments and the emergence of city-states in ancient Sumer (4000 – 2000 BCE); the dominance of the Assyrian World Empire (1000 – 600 BCE); and the dramatic rise and fall of Babylon (600 – 540 BCE).
Objects including impressive wall reliefs, dramatic stone sculpture, and stunning jewellery shed light on the society's sophistication. Mesopotamia showcases a collection of priceless objects from the British Museum, most never before seen in Canada. These are augmented by objects from the ROM's own renowned collections and other leading institutions, including the University of Chicago Oriental Institute Museum, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (Penn Museum, Philadelphia), and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
JULY
The Fringe Festival
fringetoronto.com
July 3-14, 2013
The Fringe Festival – Toronto’s largest theatre festival – is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year! A hot spot for local, national, and international talent, the Fringe Festival brings you an indie theatre experience that is unjuried, unexpected, and unforgettable. With shows ranging from comedy, drama, musical theatre, and experimental performance art.
In addition to the 120+ productions, the festival also includes kids’ programming, site-specific performances, local visual artists, and the Fringe Club – the festival’s central hub where you can have a beer , meet the performers, and get caught up in this celebration of indie culture.
HOTELS
Metropolitan Toronto converting to DoubleTree by Hilton
doubletree.com
Metropolitan, in downtown Toronto located at 108 Chestnut St, Toronto, is one of Canada’s luxury boutique hotel operators who completed the sale of the Metropolitan Hotel Toronto to Bayview Hospitality Group on January 10, 2013. In addition, the hotel will become downtown Toronto’s first DoubleTree by Hilton with an anticipated opening of summer 2013. With extensive refurbishment to the hotel, the new design direction and upgrades will bring a heightened level of comfort and a sophisticated, urban look and feel to the full service hotel.
The Grand Hotel & Suites – Recent Renovations
grandhoteltoronto.com
The Grand Hotel & Suites has just completed some very exciting renovations to both our meeting spaces and our guest room floors!
Our guest room hallways have been revitalized with beautiful new carpets, fresh paint and subtly patterned wallpaper that ties the space together and creates a warm and fresh ambiance.
Upon entering our meeting rooms, guests will immediately feel the cordiality and professionalism of the new décor. Similar to the guest room hallways, printed wallpaper and new paint has been added to each meeting room. The ballroom now features state of the art audio/visual equipment to ensure seamless events!
Town Inn Suites, Toronto – Recent Renovations
towninn.com
Please check out our most newly renovated corporate One Bedroom Queen suites with a full living area, full kitchen and a balcony. These spacious, beautifully furnished suites feature hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops in the kitchen, and ensuite washer and dryer. Rates include use of all hotel amenities including a heated indoor swimming pool, saunas and a fitness room.
The Ritz-Carlton Toronto – New Spa Treatment
ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Toronto
The Hydra Facial™ is here!
We are very excited to announce the arrival of the Hydra Facial™ treatment, an exclusive results driven treatment. The HydraFacial™ resurfacing procedure thoroughly cares for your skin, providing cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, and hydration, including Vortex-Fusion® of antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. The HydraFacial™ is a non-invasive, non-surgical hydradermabrasion procedure that delivers instant results with no discomfort or downtime. The procedure is immediately effective.
Delta Chelsea Toronto
deltachelsea.com
The Hydra Facial™ is here!
The Delta Chelsea Hotel has completed the installation of Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) service throughout the entire hotel – and complimentary for everyone. As Canada’s largest hotel and the only first-class hotel property in downtown Toronto, this service includes 1590 guest rooms, meeting space, lobby, restaurants and lounges. Wi-Fi has become an important amenity for travelers, especially a service that is complimentary and with a good connection.
The Fairmont Royal York
fairmont.com
The Fairmont Royal York is pleased to announce a multi-million dollar renovation plan. Renovations are expected to take place over the next four years and will include the full renovation of all guestrooms and the hotel’s Fairmont Gold floor; re-concepting of all food and beverage outlets and updates to the hotel kitchen; the addition of meeting space and a new health club & spa.
The first phase of renovations has begun with the hotel commencing the complete renovation of 200 guestrooms.
The hotel will continue to fully operate throughout the renovation providing a true Fairmont experience for guests.
The King Edward Hotel
thekingedwardhotel.com
Celebrating 110 years of elegant hospitality this May, The King Edward Hotel’s guest book reads like a who’s who of politics, royalty, music, writing, business and sport, ranging from one-time resident Ernest Hemingway to headline acts like the Beatles, Britney Spears and David Beckham. The King Edward Hotel takes pride in its high-level of service and continuing traditions like Afternoon Tea and Sunday Brunch. A combination of Old Toronto charm and modern sophistication with its newly revamped Fitness centre, which combines advanced technology with the grand sophistication of a century-old hotel.
And if you’re looking to escape to the city and would like to stay a little longer, check out our Stay longer and Save package! http://www.thekingedwardhotel.com/packages/staylonger
Park Hyatt
experience.hyatt.com
After the largest guest listening exercise in Hyatt’s history, Park Hyatt Toronto takes part in the evolution of the guest experience. Each of the new enhancements offered at Park Hyatt Toronto are based on insights collected from female travelers.
Because women are such a critical segment of travelers, Hyatt focused its efforts on creating solutions to what many women face on the road. While each feature was driven by insights from women travelers, Hyatt believes all guests can appreciate these new enhancements. They include the launch of Hyatt Has It, a service for all guests that will offer essentials and guests will enjoy new menu offerings that include fresh juices and smoothies, balanced portions and “create your own” options grounded in our industry-leading food and beverage philosophy, Food. Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served.
TOURS
Foodies on Foot
foodiesonfoot.ca
In 2013, Foodies on Foot is adding the following food tours to what is already the largest variety of food tours offered in Toronto: Parkdale walking food tour, Kensington Market walking food tour, St. Clair transit food tour. They have also introduced the "Ultimate Foodie Experience" which provides an pre-planned evening that includes exclusive experiences at restaurants, lounges, and private member clubs. Foodies on Foot is also launching their "Food for Thought" series, a bi-weekly networking event, with food themed games, speakers, etc. Finally, Foodies on Foot is expanding into providing more private and custom tours and events, as well as launching a series of large scale food festivals. You can count on Foodies on Foot to provide you with all your food related tours and event needs.
Village of Islington
villageofislington.com
For groups of 10 or more the Village of Islington BIA offers FREE guided tours of our award-winning murals. You can also take a self-guided iTour of the area.
Islington is a special, tree-lined community with colourful plantings, wide brick-bordered sidewalks, historic buildings, and 25 beautiful murals. The historic village located on Dundas Street West between Montgomery Road and Kipling Avenue is an up and coming neighbourhood that is host to over 200 businesses open to serve you.
Niagara Vintage Wine Tours
niagaravintagewinetours.com
Providing both pick up and drop off service for all of our tours, our guests will visit and tour Niagara’s wine country in style and comfort with our classy new vehicles. The $150,000 investment increases and upgrades our fleet of vehicles, offering our tours in our new luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinters! We have added two 14 passenger executive Sprinters, allowing for larger groups to travel in luxury as well as the smaller groups travelling in our 11 passenger Mercedes Benz Sprinter or 5 passenger Mercedes-Benz sedan. These spacious new vehicles are available for private group functions as well as our daily tours. The individual bucket seats offer each guest comfortable personal space while travelling in the vehicles and the high top design will allow most guests to stand up in the vehicle for easier entry and departure along with the fully sliding door and side step to increase accessibility for most any guest. The vehicles offer rear air throughout and ample storage space for all guest purchases. To view photos or reserve a tour visit http://niagaravintagewinetours.com/ or phone 1-866-628-5428.
Tasty Trio. Munch & Sip in Style – Chateau Des Charmes Winery (Niagara-on-the-lake)
http://www.chateaudescharmes.com
$55 per couple, taxes included.
Explore local flavours through a trio of delectable nibblies created especially by chefs from Queen’s Landing and Vineyard Sweets to pair with three of our premium wines, including Icewine. Your guide will help to demystify the art of wine and food pairing. But only you can say if the pair is a match or not. Our ‘Winegrowing 101’ is included in this experience.
This program is offered all year round.
Toronto Bicycle Tours
torontobicycletours.com
Get outdoors and get familiar with Toronto’s places, people, parks and culture in a fun and exciting way! Our tours are led by experienced local guides. You don’t have to be a regular cyclist to love our rides, as our pace is leisurely and safe, with plenty of stops and conversation. NEW tours for 2013 include our day long ‘Round the City’ tour with picnic lunch, an evening tour across the Toronto Islands, and our festival themed rides through the spring and summer. Private and group tours available.
FOODIES
Against the Grain Urban Tavern
atgurbantavern.ca
Against the Grain Urban Tavern is a new bar and restaurant in the heart of Toronto in Leaside Village. A multi-million dollar space with 3 bars, 2 patios and 436 seats, the new space welcomes you with a warm and contemporary décor. Its beverage line up is comprised of 18 craft and micro brews on tap and 2 rotating cask ales for the beer aficionado. It offers an extensive wine list with eclectic local and international finds and over 20 available by the glass. Its menu features classic favourites such as its ATG signature burger, Smoked Pork Ribs and Steak Frites, but also finds global inspiration in its Lemongrass-cured Trout, Duck Confit and Kimchee Tacos and Thai Red Curry Mussels. Multiple big screens ensure that every seat is the best seat in the house for sporting events and on weekends its house DJ kicks old school and top forty upstairs. Seasonally, its two patios are the perfect place for relaxing with a cocktail or pint.
Toronto Pearson International Airport
torontopearson.com
The new Toronto Pearson International Airport dining options are open to the public. First up, health food take-out stand Cibo Express, which opened in January 2013 in Terminal 1, followed by Heirloom, a new health-conscious bakery café from Devin Connell (Delica, Paulette’s) and Massimo Capra’s Italian restaurant, Boccone. In February 2013, Mark McEwan’s Fetta Panini Bar opened, and by this summer, look for Marathi, a casual curry-meets-street-food spot from Hemant Bhagwani of Amaya.
Mill Street Brew Pub
millstreetbrewpub.ca
Located in the heart of Toronto’s historic Distillery District in the original Gooderham and Worts Tankhouse, Mill Street Brew Pub recently renovated this year to include a newly expanded 100 seat patio complete with a comfortable lounging area and bar. Offering free daily pub tours, beer-tasting and a retail store where Mill Street’s full selection of beers along with a wide range of great merchandise can be purchased, Mill Street Brew Pub is one of Toronto’s premier tourist destinations. Tours of the brewery are at 4pm from Monday to Friday, and 3pm and 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
GREEN/ECO FRIENDLY
Transportation Options
welcomecyclists.ca/toronto
As of mid April, the Welcome Cyclists Network is expanding to Toronto. Visitors coming to the city with their bikes will now be able to find certified bicycle friendly accommodations in Toronto with secure overnight bike lock-up and other amenities provided. Other visitors interested in touring the city by bike can easily access information on cycling tours, rental locations, BIXI bikes, cycling events, city street and trail bike network for self guided tours. There is really no better way to take in all the sights and sounds of the city than exploring Toronto by bike.
SPECIAL SERVICES
Gray Line Toronto - Truly, The Local Expert
grayline.ca
Is pleased to offer a package from Toronto to Canada’s Wonderland that includes round-trip bus transportation as well as entrance into Canada’s Wonderland. Gray Line will also be launching 2 new Niagara Falls tour products for our 2012 season. Gray Line Toronto & Shaw Festival will be partnering to promote a day tour from Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake. This package will include hotel pick up from any downtown Toronto hotel, bus transportation, tour commentary through Niagara-on-the-Lake as well as a theatre ticket to a Shaw Festival performance. Gray Line Toronto & Niagara Vintage Wine Tours will also be partnering for a day tour from Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake with a specialized wine tour. This package will include hotel pick up from any downtown Toronto hotel, bus transportation, tour of Niagara-on-the-Lake and an educational wine tour led by industry professionals and sommeliers through 3 wineries which include a cheese & charcuterie pairing. This tour will feature 3 - 4 tastings at each winery, a grand tour and an educational wine seminar. All Gray Line Niagara Tours are aboard our newly upgraded motor coaches and feature highly qualified, trained guides & extensively trained drivers with a strong focus on passenger safety. Call 1-800-594-3310 to speak to one of our Representatives to learn more about our products!
Insider Shopping Toronto Ltd.
insidershoppingtoronto.com
Specializing in customized up-scale shopping excursions for visitors or locals who don’t have the time or interest to shop alone. Guests are picked up in a licensed Limousine and treated to a full or half-day of shopping, lunching tea-ing, and sightseeing with their own personal guide and stylist. The whole day is about you and showing you some of the city’s insider shops and areas you may not easily discover on your own. Groups up to 7 are welcome (women and men) and are customized to fit your wishes.
T.O. TIX
totix.ca
T.O.TIX - Toronto’s Official One Stop Ticket Shop, located on Yonge-Dundas Square, now sells the Toronto CityPASS! Discover Toronto’s must-see attractions with this deep-discount pass. Visitors skip lines and save nearly half off regular admission prices to the CN Tower, Casa Loma, Ontario Science Centre, Royal Ontario Museum and the Toronto Zoo. You receive 40% savings and is valid for up to 9 days!
ShowTimeTickets.com
showtimetickets.com
NEW Savings: $25 off your next ticket purchase with discount code 'TORCVB'
NEW Commissions: Partner with us to 'Be the Source' for preferred access to all the best tickets.
NEW and Exciting Events: www.showtimetickets.com
NEW Storefront Office: Conveniently located right by the major entertainment venues like Rogers Centre, Air Canada Centre and the Sony Centre for Performing Arts.
ShowTimeTickets.com provides our customers with unlimited access to all the best sports, concert and theatre events (local and worldwide).
Canada's leading full service ticket agency for over 25 years (est. 1985).
We are Never Sold Out!
Call 416.855.SHOW or Sales@ShowTimeTickets.com
Sign up for our monthly Event Guide and Last Minute Ticket Blowouts, www.showtimetickets.com/subscribe
TRANSPORTATION
Coach Canada
coachcanada.com
Coach Canada’s low-cost, intercity travel brand “Megabus” has grown exponentially over the past year, with increased trips between Toronto and Montreal, as well as the addition of Cornwall, Belleville, Buffalo and Buffalo Airport stops with routes starting from as low as $1.
Pacific Western Transportation
torontoairportexpress.com
Airport Express “CONNECT” service is our new van service connecting passengers between Lester B. Pearson International Airport and downtown Hotels that are off the route of our regular Airport Express buses. Van passengers transfer from our luxury Coach service at the Downtown Connection Location. Airport to Downtown Service: 7:15 am to 10:25 pm. Downtown to Airport service 8:10 am to 10:30 pm.
Reservations for Airport Express Connect can made online at www.TorontoAirportExpress.com or by calling 1-855-595-5559. Online reservations for transportation between your hotel and the airport must be made at least 24 hours prior to your desired pick-up (phone reservations may be made 2 hours prior).
VIA Rail
viarail.ca
VIA Rail currently offers more departures and more flexibility in and out of Toronto than ever before. Downtown to downtown service provides stress-free travel and new exclusive on-line Escape fares provide a very affordable option. Passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi in both economy and business classes. VIA is increasing their connectivity with other transportation modes as well, making your travel experience seamless while providing greater accessibility to the VIA network. Look for the launch of a New Business Class this summer. More information is available at viarail.ca.
Toronto Motorcoach Parking Information
seetorontonow.com/Leisure-Trade/MotorCoachParking.aspx
Please visit our website to learn more about motorcoach parking in the city.
ADDED VALUE
CityPass Toronto
citypass.com/toronto
Five famous attractions, save 45%, avoid most ticket lines. Includes tickets to CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo and Casa Loma. On sale at any of the participating attractions, www.citypass.com or for additional information info@citypass.com.
NEW TOUR PLANNING RESOURCES AT TOURISM TORONTO
International Tourism Toronto Sites
Chinese - seetorontonow.com/zh
Japanese - seetorontonow.com/ja
Korean - seetorontonow.com/ko
Spanish - seetorontonow.com/es
Portuguese -seetorontonow.com/br-pt
French - seetorontonow.com/fr
German - seetorontonow.com/de
Italian - seetorontonow.com/it
Student and Youth Website
www.seetorontonow.com/studenttravel
Toronto will inspire creativity as your student groups explore the excitement that abounds in our energetic city! From record breaking thrill rides, wonders of the world and interactive science to rockin’ stage productions, medieval battles of courage and more, student’s imaginations will be unleashed as they discover Toronto, our living classroom.
Tourism Toronto's APP!
Make sure you download our APP which is now live and ready to download on itunes for FREE. It’s called “See Toronto” and is the official visitors guide for Toronto, Mississauga & Brampton. Android, Blackberry and Microsoft versions also available.
To download visit: www.seetorontonow.com/mobile-app
2013 LIST OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND FESTIVALS