Toronto is world-renowned for its theatrical community, and though there are larger venues, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres are the crown jewel; they are the last surviving Edwardian stacked theatres in the world.  When construction was first completed in 1913, the venue was primarily home to vaudeville shows.  But with the genre’s decline in the late 1920′s, the theatres gradually fell out of use and into disrepair.  After an extended run as a cinema, the venue went back to serving primarily for live theatre.  The Mirvish Company makes regular use of it for a variety of shows.  The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) uses the site for showings.

There are guided tours twice a week, Thursdays at 5 p.m and Sundays at 11 a.m that are open to the public.

**For a chance to see the insides and learn about the story behind one of Toronto’s truly hidden gems, ask your guide to be let off at Stop 21.  It’s just a short walk away in the heart of the Entertainment District.**

One of the most fun events of the whole summer kicks off this Friday!  Though the roller coaster rides (and the cotton candy) are the main attractions, there’s literally something for everyone at the Canadian National exhibition.

From the Toronto.com website: “The Canadian International Air Show drops jaws every summer when their pilots perform dare-devil loop-de-loops and synchronized maneuvers on the last weekend of the summer. Alongside the rides, games and food, the CNE boast loads of concerts, performances and special events.”

Everything will be taking place at the Exhibtion grounds, so if you happen to be riding with us stop number 1 will be the closest location.  Be sure to ask your tour guide how to get there:  It’s just a short streetcar ride away from there!

The Art Gallery of Ontario (the AGO), is currently putting on a new cutting edge exhibit until September 26.  From the AGO website: “An art experience unlike any other. Featuring artwork inspired by the theatre, presented “on stage” with live performers, full-scale sets and period lighting. See works by Degas, Delacroix and other masters!”

Toronto is actually the third (and final) stop for the exhibit after stays in Marseille, France and Rovereto, Italy. 

**If you are thinking of visiting the AGO while you are riding with us, be sure to ask your guide for stop 20.**

One of the world’s premier men’s tennis tournaments is back in our fine city.   This year’s field looks to be as strong as ever, with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and many others all appearing in the Main Draw.  The tournament is also kid-friendly, with free events planned all day on Saturday August 7.  For  more information on Free Family Weekend, check out: http://www.rogerscup.com/men/english/currentNews.php?id=RogersCupFunFreeandFamilyFriendly.

All of the games will be played at the Rexall Centre near York University, with the finals taking place Sunday August 15.  Check out the official Rogers Cup website at http://www.rogerscup.com/men/english/home.php for all the details.

One of Toronto’s favourite food festivals will be taking place this weekend.  From Friday through to Sunday,  in addition to the food tasting (and don’t miss out on the souvlaki, my personal favourite), the Taste of the Danforth has a little bit of everything from Greek culture.  Now in its 17th year, there will be live music and performers to keep attendees entertained while they chow down on authentic mediterranean fare.  The event has a street party feel to it, and there will be road closures to keep the party going all day and late into the night.

For more information, be sure to check out:  http://www.tasteofthedanforth.com/tasteofthedanforth.php

One of the summer’s bigggest events is scheduled for this Saturday.  Beginning at 10 a.m, the parade will start in Exhibition Place and wind its way down Lakeshore along the waterfront.  While the two week festival boasts a wealth of other events, the parade is what it’s all about.  Over 1 million people will line the streets to catch a glimpse of the glamorous costumes and sway to the beats.  Expect the whole city to come alive for this incredible event.

**If you are riding with us this weekend, ask your guide to be let off at stop number 1.  From there, make your way west along Lakeshore until you see the party!**

Second City’s run of its triumphant sketch revue “Second City for Mayor” is coming to an end.   The main focus is, of course, on the Toronto Mayoral race, and no one is spared from the group’s biting satire.  Rob Baker’s improv-based bit about politicans that pander to the public is the biggest success, but sharp pieces about Xtreme Fitness are also right on the mark.  The legendary comed group has delivered again, so don’t miss out before this run is over!

**If you are riding with us, be sure to ask your guide to let you off at stop 21.  It’s just a short walk from there down to the Second City theatre at 51 Mercer Street**

The supergroup will be playing two shows in Toronto this week (July 27 + 28) at the Air Canada Centre.  Due to release their sixth studio alum shortly, will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo, apl.de.ap and their supporting cast will be lighting up the stage for the thousands of fans in attendance.  Expect a stunning light show and outrageous production value that comes from having a budget as big as the Black Eyed Peas’.  If you’re lucky enough to have tickets already, you’re sure to be delighted by their mega-hits such as “Boom-Boom Pow”.

**If   you’re riding with us before the concert this week, be sure to ask the guide to let you off at either stop 23 or 24.  From either one, it’s just a short walk down to the Air Canada Centre**

…In musical form.  RAIN — A Tribute to the Beatles will be runing through August 1st at the Canon Theatre.  A Mirvish production, this two and a half hour show (with intermission) features outstanding covers of Beatles’ songs ranging across the entire discography.  There have been outstanding reviews of the show from all corners, and audiences in Toronto have been impressed.  All the songs are performed live by these outstanding actors and musicians.  So if you are looking for a little nostalgia, or maybe you weren’t alive when the Beatles were in their heyday, this is as close as you’re gonna get to seeing them live again. 

**If you are riding with us before going to see the show, be sure to ask your guide to be let off at stop number 10 for Dundas Square.  You’ll be just a hop, skip and a jump from the Canon.**

As if there weren’t enough reasons to visit Casa Loma already, members of Canada’s SIX AH WI Artists’ Collective are bringing the Art of Mas to the general public.  The Mas Hysteria exhibit is the first of its kind, and will explore the many dimensions of mas making.  This Carribean art form dates back more than 200 years, with a long and complicated history.  From the Casa Loma website:

“Integrating African, European and South Asian harvest, wedding, funeral and monarchical festival traditions, mas art tells dramatic colonial and contemporary stories from depictions of the Canboulay (cane burning) night festivals of the 1800s when Trinidadian land owners dressed up, imitating their negres jardins (garden slaves) and freed slaves masqueraded as their former masters, to contemporary tales of political intrigue and scandal.”

The exhibit is included with the purchase of a general admission to Casa Loma, which you can of course get aboard any of our buses. 

**If you are riding with us and considering checking out the Mas Hysteria exhibit, be sure to ask your guide to be let off at Casa Loma, stop 15 **