Queen Victoria Long Weekend

We have a long weekend coming up – May 19-21 – there’ll be quite a few events specially held during this weekend with fireworks displays usually on the Monday (public holiday).  Banks, schools, many stores and restaurants are closed on the Monday. Call ahead to find out about other attractions and tourist spots. Public transportation will run on a holiday schedule.

Asides from the usual attractions you can go to, here’s a couple of extra events that are happening:

Royal Visit

If you’re interested in getting a glimpse of Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, well you’ll have a chance to this weekend in Toronto. To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Prince Charles and Camilla are visiting Toronto for a couple of days and it happens to be during our long weekend.

They will arrive in Toronto on Monday, May 21 (Queen Victoria Day), 5:10 pm at Toronto Pearson International Airport and will be watching the Fireworks Display (I believe at Ashbridges Bay – The Beaches) at around 9:30 pm.

Then they have a full day visiting in and around Toronto on Tuesday, May 22. After that they will leave Toronto for Regina.

As you will see from their Itinerary, it’s a ‘whirlwind’ visit but there will be chances for you to catch them on Yonge Street or elsewhere in our city.

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Brewer’s Backyard

On the Monday (May 21) at the Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Ave, Toronto) the Brewer’s Backyard, a new craft beer series, will be kicking off the summer at the BrickWorks.

Expect to see beers from Great Lakes Brewing of Toronto and sandwiches from Fidel Gastro’s.

Where: Koerner Gardens & Holcim Gallery
When: Noon–4pm
Cost:
Beer tasting: $6 per glass; Sandwiches: $6 each

Their Royal Highnesses, accompanied by the Premier of Ontario, meet with members of emergency services and their families to highlight the importance of service in communities, before observing Toronto’s fireworks display in honour of Victoria Day.
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Much Music Video Awards “MMVAs”

Every year the MMVAs are held at CHUM City/MuchMusic building along Queen Street West and with each year, it just keeps getting bigger.  Past years have seen performers such as Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, New Kids on the Block “NKOTB” and so many others who have presented or made appearances – David Guetta, Selena Gomez, The Wanted just to mention a couple.

  • Where: Much Music, 299 Queen St West, Toronto
  • When: Sunday, June 17, 2012
  • Time: 6 am (line-up to get into area); 6-7:15 pm (Wristband section); 6-8pm (approx, Red Carpet); 8 pm (MMVAs)
  • What to Expect: Huge crowds, Queen Street West closed off to traffic, lots of scaffolding in the area and on the night, jammed packed with people!

This year, it’s not going to be any different. This awards show offers the fans an up close and personal night with their idols.

First artist to confirm attendance to the #MMVA12 is Katy Perry. Once others are confirmed, I will post them here.

 

Attendees:

  • Katy Perry

Wristbands

In order to get INTO the parking lot to be ‘real close’ to the stages and performers, you must have a wristband.  These babies are not easy to come by as there is such a high demand for them.  AND, remember, if you have a wristband you won’t be able to check out the red carpet as wristband holders usually have to be in their specified area by 7:15 pm.

Now, if you still want to try and get one of these wristbands, be prepared to line up (for days/nights) with others who camp out outside the building  (keep in mind, they only give out so many). But there are other ways you might get the chance to own one of these precious items. Through contests and via @MuchMusic on Twitter.

Also, with being in close range of the stages and artists, there is an official list of what you can and cannot take in with you. Please familiarize yourself with this LIST of do’s and don’ts.

Red Carpet

Now, you don’t need a wristband for everything that happens outside of the lot nor on the red carpet. Hang out along the red carpet at John and Richmond. No age restrictions but remember, there is no camping out allowed and they usually ask that no line ups form BEFORE 6am the day of the Awards.

Leading Up to the Awards Night

The MMVAs are outside and as the artists have to rehearse their performances, this means they must rehearse outside!  Make sure you’re in the vicinity/area during the weekend of the Awards cos you’re sure to catch some of those rehearsals – which is pretty kool.

Go Prepared

So, you’ve decided to do it live and not watch from in front of your telly. Word of advice: Leave the heels at home. Try to dress comfortably for the whole day/night. You might regret wearing open-toed shoes/sandals, cos remember, you’re in a crowd and your tootsies could very easily get stepped on!

It’s in June, so temps could be in the high 20s/30s celsius. Even if the temps aren’t that high, you’ll be in amongst a crowd – body heat. You’ll be hot waiting in line and standing all day. If, by any chance it gets cool in the evening, remember to wrap a sweater around your waist so that you can continue to enjoy the night of entertainment.  Travel light that day but remember to carry liquids (the disposable kind), your camera is a must – if you have an extra battery you’ll need that!

On the day of the Awards show, there will (most definitely) be a long lineup, especially if you’re not going to get there early in the morning, and a long wait after that – great way to meet and chat with fellow fans.

Once in, just have fun, get your vocal chords ready to scream and sing the night away.

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Fielding Estate Winery (Beamsville) – May 12

Fielding Estate Winery to host Wine & Cheese 101

At Fielding Estate Winery’s Wine & Cheese 101, some of Canada’s finest artisanal cheeses will be paired with award-winning wines, with some experimentation to find out what works best together.

Some of the planned pairings include a sparkling Riesling with fresh goat cheese, a Pinot Gris with a cloth-bound cheddar and Cabernet Franc with a big cheese like an aged bleu. There are also plans to give attendees a sneak sample of the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, not scheduled for release until June, with the Comfort Cream from Upper Canada Cheese Company.

When: May 12th at 2 p.m.
Where: Fielding Estate Winery
Cost: $25 per person or $20 for wine club members. Call 1-888-778-7758.

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Cricket All-Star T20 – Rogers Centre

Are you into cricket? Well, there’s some well-known names who will be participating in TODAY’s All-star game at the Rogers Centre here in Toronto

When: Saturday, May 12, 2012 @ 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25.00, $39.00, $69.00, $99.00 || VIP Tickets: $199.00
You can pick up tickets via Ticketmaster or at the Rogers Centre – Gate 9.

Who’s Playing:

Asia XI

  • AshishBagai (Can) Replacing Mohammad Hafeez
  • SanathJayasuriya (SL)
  • NasirHossain (Bang)
  • Hiral Patel (Can) Replacing HammadAzam
  • RavinduGunasekera (Can) Replacing Umar Akmal
  • DanukaPathrana (SL) Replacing Misbah-ul-haq
  • RizwaanCheema (Can) Replacing ShahidAfridl
  • ChanakaWelegedera (SL)
  • •SaqlainMushtaq (Pak)
  • •Sunil Joshi (India)
  • •Jimmy Hansra (Can) Replacing SaeedAjmad

Intl XI

  • Brian Lara (WR)
  • Grant Flower (Zim) Replacing Rizwan Cheema
  • Prosper Utseya (Zim)Replacing Ashish Bagai
  • Mark Boucher (SA)
  • Brendan Taylor (Zim)
  • Jacob Oram (NZ)
  • Devon Smith (WI)
  • Stuart MacGill (Aus)
  • Tim Southee (NZ)
  • Tino Best (WI)
  • Kyle Mills (NZ)
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Tightrope walk over Niagara Falls

It’s finally been agreed to, by the appropriate U.S. and Canadian government departments, that daredevil Nik Wallenda will be allowed to walk the tightrope over the Niagara Falls on June 15 (Friday)!!

Tightrope walking Niagara Falls on June 15, 2012According to Niagara Falls Tourism, the first tightrope walker to cross the falls was Jean Francois Gravelet, better known as “The Great Blondin,” in 1859. The last person to cross the gorge on a wire was James Hardy in 1896, but Wallenda said he will be the first to cross directly over the waterfall.

“Not only is it a dream, but we had to change two laws in two countries that were over 100 years old,” Wallenda, 32, told media gathered in Niagara Falls on Wednesday.

If you’re intending to go and see this ‘once in a lifetime‘ feat, go early and be prepared to wait. There will most definitely be LARGE crowds going to watch this spectacular performance.

 

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