Things to do in Toronto June 18-19, 2011

Well another weekend approaches. If the weather is good it's time to hit the patios, meet some friends - maybe Monica and Chandler - but try to avoid the annoying Janice, and enjoy the spoils of the weekday grind. In Toronto the summer means exciting and fun things to see and do in the big smoke. You can even dance in Bellevue Square Park in a pink bustier. Beverages feature in many of the activities so arrive thirsty honey. Heck, there is so much going on that they can't even squeeze it all into the weekend, so check this stuff out along the way.

Monday June 13 to Sunday June 19: North by Northeast Music Festival NXNE which features 650 bands, 40 films and panels. Toronto loves a good soundtrack to life - fill your ipod with some of the music you discover in this creative festival. There will be a number of NXNE events in Yonge-Dundas Square starting on Thursday.

Friday June 10 to Sunday June 19: Luminato Festival. Explore Toronto, explore culture see the city 'illuminated with arts and creativity'. Don't forget the weekend's Taste of Toronto event.

Thursday June 16 to Saturday June 18: Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival at Polson Pier.

Friday June 17 and Saturday June 18: The Toronto Pro Supershow at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The Fitness Expo in Hall B only costs $10 and includes strongman, bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting, armwrestling and a fitness and bikini model search. If you want to spend more there is the IFBB mens and ladies Qualifiers (buy tickets online to save a few bucks) as well as the Combatative Sports Area. See my photos of the Friday preliminaries here.

Friday June 17 to Sunday June 19: Northern Ink Xposure Tattoo Show at the Downtown Toronto Hilton. Hundreds of tattoo artists are expected to be on hand and they say 'get tattooed by the best in the world'. Tattoo's are so big nowadays that almost everyone has one. I think it's because grandmothers are against body ink and in rebellion the grandkids want one by the time they turn 12. I want to get some good tat shots.


Friday June 17 to Sunday June 19: Beach BBQ and Brews Festival at Woodbine Beach. Includes live entertainment.

Saturday June 18: Bells on Bloor - meet at noon at the Bloor Street entrance to High Park then travel to Queen's Park to raise awareness for bike lanes on Bloor.

Saturday June 18: Strawberry Festival at the St Lawrence Market. It's always a treat to go to the historic market and if you are lucky there will be some cute little puppies left over from Woofstock.

Sunday June 19: Clay and Paper Day of Delight at Dufferin Grove Park, a celebration of love, courtship and desire - sounds like a cool event 

The 2011 Much Music Video Awards (MMVA) are on Sunday, June 19 down at the Much Music Building on Queen Street West. Selena Gomez will co-host and performers include Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Avril Lavigne.

fuse reporter and the MMVA stage construction

And don't forget next weekend.

Saturday, June 25: Toronto Roller Derby TORD (http://www.torontorollerderby.com/) has the Battle for the Boot - the championship game of rockem, sockem action in a bout between the Chicks Ahoy and the Gore-Gore Rollergirls in their fight for flat track supremacy.