by Nicole Gottselig
Visitors seeking experiences that are quintessentially Toronto have plenty of options in our fair city of neighbourhoods. From museums after dark, pulsing thematic dance parties flower markets and fleas, here are the monthly events we recommend checking out while you’re in town. [Image credit: iStock.com/shironosov]
When the doors close to the public for AGO First Thursdays, one of North America’s most distinguished art museums transforms into a coveted party spot. Grab a cocktail and rub elbows with more than 2,000 partygoers before hitting the dance floor and revelling in the views of Frank Gehry’s slick spiraling staircase. DJs supply crowd-pleasing beats to a packed house (past performers include Patti Smith and Grandmaster Flash). The event always sells out, so buy tickets early.
From May to October, a secret garden blooms on West Queen West every month, when Ontario gardeners fill Shaw Park with blush pink peonies, bulbous jade green succulents and pokey pastel dahlias for the Toronto Flower Market. Grab a sweet nibble from one of the stalls before meandering through the rows of pre-made and mix-and-match stems. Vendors include dreamy blooms by Buds Cutting Gardens in Riverdale, beautiful bunches from Moss Park’s Patchouli Design and elegant blossoms from Little Italy’s Pink Twig.
Every month, Louis Calabro and Matt Cully will dance you through the ages when they hit the decks for Chronologic, referred to as Toronto’s best dance party, at The Garrison. The set list starts with waltzes and famous movie themes before moving through jazz, soul, rock and roll, disco, hip hop, new wave, punk, techno, pop, anti-pop and everything in between. Cully explains, “You can sing ‘I Want to Dance with Somebody’ at the top of your lungs one minute and get down to Kendrick Lamar the next.”
Treasure hunters flock to the east end for The Leslieville Flea, a monthly curated flea market specializing in vintage, upcycled and handcrafted items. “It’s an experience where people can meet the maker of the item, or the person who found the treasure and get the history and unique tale of where it came from,” says Brigid Elmy, co-founder and event organizer. For visitors new to the flea, Elmy has a few recommends: Vintage 30 for amazing vintage finds and upcycled pieces, Wild Thing Vintage for fall and winter coats, and LuckyDog for insanely cute handmade bow ties for pooches.
Not your average flea, the Gladstone Hotel, aka West Queen West’s “beacon of culture,” features a polished and impeccably curated market. Before perusing, fuel up on a killer benny with a side of house-made cheddar biscuits – named best hotel brunch in Toronto by En Route Magazine — before browsing for statement jewellery from COVEN by Sonia Kang and Bread&Circus or a photorealistic sweater bursting with colours and images of Justin Trudeau or chocolate chip cookies by Shelfies. Vendors rotate and new ones pop up often so you never know what you gem you might find.
Pull out your best party outfit and dancing shoes for one of the most legendary Friday nights Toronto has to offer. The magic happens when Canada’s largest museum of natural history and world cultures opens its doors to up 3,000 partygoers and culture lovers for a night of dancing, imbibing and nibbling with gigantor dinosaur replicas in your peripheral vision. ROM Friday Night Live (#FNLROM) takes place over nine weeks with a different theme each time.
The Business Woman’s Special (BWS), Toronto’s premier LGBTQ party, packs the ROUND venue every month in Kensington Market. While each party is a different theme – from mesh tops and Beyoncé to Dolly Parton – expect to swill a cheap cocktail alongside some of the city’s most glorious drag queens. “The party is named after a Romy and Michele's High School Reunion quote after all,” says April Wozny, co-founder and host of BWS.
