World Cup soccer and Toronto patios are the perfect combination. Short of being at the tournament in Brazil, taking in the action with other fans under the sun is your best bet. Naturally, Toronto is teeming with options. We've already rounded up our top 60 places to watch the World Cup, but here's a more tightly focused list of patios at which you can watch the games. Not all of these spots are traditional soccer-watching destinations, but it's the World Cup, and that means some places are pulling out all the stops for this special occasion.

Here are the top 10 patios to watch the World Cup on in Toronto. For more patio options across the city, check out our Toronto Patio Guide and our Toronto Patio Guide iPhone App.

Cafe Diplomatico
Sometimes the most obvious choice is still the best choice. Such is the case with Cafe Diplomatico's patio for World Cup watching. Good luck getting a seat when Italy's on the pitch (you could always just arrive early and stay all day), but almost all the other games will be aired here as well, most of which will be in lower demand. This is World Cup headquarters in Toronto.

Bairrada Churrasqueira
This well-treed back patio is one of Toronto nicest for kicking back with some barbecue chicken and a few bottles of Sagres. Come World Cup and Euro time, however, it becomes the best spot to watch Portugal in action. The street side patio on Dundas is also nice, but the College St. location takes the cake for atmosphere.

Cabana Pool Bar
I wouldn't normally think of Cabana Pool Bar as a place to watch soccer, but they've pulled out all the stops for this World Cup, bringing in a 21ft LED screen to screen games. The South Beach-style venue will be showing games Tuesday through Sunday, with no cover charge on weekdays. While there isn't really a major country affiliation, the venue also plans to host a Brazilian beach party on June 21.

Scallywags
Scallywags is a soccer-hungry type of place pretty much all the time, so it's not much of a surprise to see the place filled to the brim with football fans of all types during the World Cup. The overall allegiance might be to England, but the fan base is diverse enough here to make most games an event. Bonus points for the multiple patio options, including a covered area in case it rains.

Football Factory
The Football Factory is up there with Diplomatico for the title of establishment that's most excited the World Cup is on. Less driven by allegiance to any one country than by the spectacle of the event in general, patio-goers here are typically knowledgeable soccer fans out to watch the game with like-minded folk.

Valdez
Valdez isn't typically much of a soccer viewing destination, but why not marry its focus on Latin street eats with World Cup games. The rooftop patio will play host to games throughout the tournament, with a particular focus on Latin American teams.

Hemingway's
Hemingway's touts itself as a little bit New Zealand in Toronto, but for the World Cup it's pretty much neutral territory. Its multi-level patio is well-shaded a good spot to take in games during the day, when you'll want to hide from the sun at least a little. The bar will broadcast games daily throughout the tournament.

Against the Grain (Leaside)
The Leaside outpost of Against the Grain features two massive patios, though the rooftop offering is arguably the nicer of the two. World Cup games will be broadcast here throughout the fest, and while not a soccer destination per se, the ample space and and large screen TVs make this one of the best bets in the area.

Duke of York
This quiet backyard patio in the Annex is set to get animated for England matches. With a semi-secluded location (at least it feels that way) and decent pub grub, this is a pretty good bet even if you're not an English fan. The pub will be hosting a number of World Cup viewing parties, which you'll need to reserve a spot for in advance.

The Musket
This is your best patio option if you're a German fan. The side patio overflows when Die Mannschaft hit the field. Towering steins of Bavarian beer will be spilled as the crowd cheers on the team while feasting on schnitzel and pork hox. Better wear your fat pants for a game here.

BONUS

McGugan's
This east side pub will be screening games daily from its back patio near Gerrard and Jones. A laid back place, you're unlikely to find the absolutely rabid English fans you might at a place like the Duke of Gloucester. I say that's a good thing if you're just interested in grabbing a quiet pint and taking in some world class soccer.

What did we miss? What's your go-to patio for World Cup watching?

Photo by Shreyans Bhansali

Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this June 13-15, 2014.

Taste of Little Italy
Hope you're ready for BBQ, churros, and gelato (and soccer jerseys), because if you haven't heard it's summertime on College Street. Taste of Little Italy is a lighter version of that more popular culinary street festival that happens east of the Don Valley in August - less congestion and a shorter distance, but offering a similar array of food that has little to do with the neighbourhood's original cultural establishment. Live music and performances will compliment the eats all weekend. June 13-15, Little Italy (College between Bathurst and Shaw).

SPORTS

World Cup
People are yelling and getting excited! Let me tell you, yesterday I decided my team is Brazil. Love you, Antonio. Not to make light of what is for some people a very serious game - World Cup fever is stronger than ever in Toronto this year. We've got a list of the city's best patios from which to watch, and a round up of where to watch the game depending on which country has the cutest dogs - I mean which country you hope kicks balls with the rawest passion.

ART

Luminato
On now in Toronto, the Luminato festival celebrates the best and boldest of creative minds, enlivening the city with cultural activities. Check out our full preview here and don't forget to stop by the Cardboard Beach installation at David Pecaut Square. June 6-15th.

NXNE The Photo Show
NXNE's annual photo show is back. See some of the city's best music photography as part of NXNE's art programming. Not feeling the quiet gallery-gaze vibe? The opening party is Tuesday, June 17th from 7:30pm until late. June 13-18, The Black Cat Gallery, (2186 Dundas St W).

See also

• Liberty Village Art Crawl (Friday)
• Alex Kisilevich New Works Opening Reception (Saturday, Angell Gallery)
• Beaches Arts and Crafts Show (Saturday, Kew Gardens)
• Carl Zimmerman: Cold City (opens Saturday, Stephen Bulger)
• Free Life drawing Marathon at TAAFI (Saturday, George Brown Waterfront Campus)

For more art listings, check out our Top 10 Must-See Art Shows This Spring post.

FOOD

The Session Craft Beer Festival
The close of Ontario Craft Beer week and something like the official start of summer for beer drinkers, Session this year is even bigger than ever before. Taking place June 13-14 at the ridonkulously high profile location of Yonge and Dundas square, this year's festivities include live music, food, and over 100 craft beers, including 30 made just for the event in collaborations between craft brewers and artists for "Collaboration Nation" (including, ahem, a hotly anticipated collaboration between this writer and Canadian Brewery of the Year, Great Lakes). Tickets tickets will cost $39.50 and this includes your glass and five tasting tokens. June 13-14, 5pm, Yonge & Dundas Square (1 Dundas St E).

The Junction Craft Food Truck Series
The Junction Craft Food Truck Series is back all weekend with Frankie Fettuccine at the Junction Craft Brewery (90 Cawthra Ave.) on Saturday, June 14 from noon 'til 6pm. Tickets for a special Father's Day edition on Sunday, June 15 are $25 and include beers and BBQ from Hogtown Smoke.

Vegan Pop Up Shop
This pop-up will take place Sunday at Bento Miso. Vendors like ApieCalypseNow! and Hot Beans will be in there between 11am and 5 pm, showcasing baked goods, meals, snacks, body care items, zines and more. Sunday, June 15, 11am-5pm, Bento Miso (862 Richmond St.).

See also

• The Gluten Free Market (International Centre, Mississauga)
• Halal Food Festival TO (Saturday, The International Centre, Entrance 5)
• Ontario Craft Beer Week (June 13-21)

For more food events, check out our Toronto Food Events, Spring Food Events, and Spring Beer Events post.

MUSIC

159 Manning BBQ 2014 - Part 1
Wish NXNE was more like SXSW? This Friday and next, Tim McCready wants you to come by his backyard, his living room, and his basement for three different stages of music. It's a house show / BBQ, and it's cheaper than going to Austin. You're already missing this today - but don't fret, it's on until 11pm and Buck 65, Bizzarh, Biblical, the Golden Dogs, Ice Cream, the Pairs, Choir!Choir!Choir!, and Almighty Dreem Egg can still be yours for the watching. It's BYOB and "plates of food" (mmm, food) are $10. Friday, June 13, all day until 11pm, 159 Manning, $20.

Hiawatha / June 14 / Handlebar (159 Augusta) / 9pm / $5
Trying to keep your music local? It's a pretty good plan this Saturday - catch Voidfolk, Alpha Strategy, and Retired play with Hiawatha (Last Gang Records) aka Egyptrixx (David Psutka) and Cameron Gilpin. Inyrdisk's Kevin Hainey is DJ-ing - have you seen this guy's record collection? Un. Real.

NXNE Park Shows
What better way to enjoy free music than to also sit outside in a park on a sunny afternoon or early evening? Parks all around the city - including Trinity Square Park in the Eaton Centre courtyard, Berczy Park in the Distillery Distinct and St. James Gazebo between Church and Jarvis - will feature lunch hour and afternoon performances. Learn more on NXNE's website. June 14-21.

TimesTalks Luminato: David Byrne
Just go to this talk, 'cause it's frickin' DAVID BYRNE (current cultural Renaissance man, of Talking Heads fame). He'll be talking to a pop music critic from the New York Times, as part of a series of talks presented by the newspaper. June 15, 6pm, MaRS Discovery District (101 College St.), $25.

MMVA's
Queen Street is the place to be Sunday night! If you don't value your ear drums. Screaming teenagers will be there to see some of their fave musicians, which they refer to as "celebrities" because what is the difference? Very astute, young teens. If you want to save your ears the whole event will be live streamed for the very first time. Some celebs I'm too old to have heard of will be on the red carpet. Eeee. Sunday, June 15.

See also

• Venetian Snares (Saturday, The Great Hall)
• Luminato: The Lost Songs of Toronto (Sunday, Edward Day Gallery)
• Rick Ross (Sunday, Sound Academy)

For more music listings, check out our This Week in Music, June Concerts, Spring Concerts, and Spring Music Festivals posts.

ALL-AGES

Girls Rock Camp at NXNE
Girls Rock Camp Toronto, the cool initiative that offers girls and young women a chance to learn an instrument of their choice with strong female mentors and role models has teamed up this year with NXNE for an afternoon at Harbourfront Centre. There'll be a performance with Unicorn Patrol and Brighid Fry on the Redpath Stage, a screening of Girls Rock! The Movie in the Studio Theatre and Women Who Rock! Bingo! in the Boulevard Tent. Saturday June 14, Harbourfront Centre.

FILM

The 2014 Toronto Animation Arts Festival
TAAFI will bounce ever-so-perfectly Friday, June 13 until June 16 at Corus Quay and George Brown College on the Waterfront. The fest's programming schedule includes a gala party, tons of screenings, talks, workshops, demos, kid-friendly programming (I won't get into animation not being just-for-kids because we're all past that, right?), a market, free costumed life drawing, and more. This year's highlights will include Michel Gondry's new Noam Chomsky-starring animated feature and a tribute to Norman McLaren, arguably Canada's best known animator. Ticket info can be found here. June 13-16, Corus Quay & George Brown College on the Waterfront.

NXNE Films
North x North East's film portion is on June 13-15, Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (506 Bloor St. West). At the Corner of Queen and Bathurst, a film about Big Bop (RIP), will screen, as will Born To Ruin which will attempt to prove Toronto indie group Wildlife are a documentary-worthy band - looks like dressing up Pussy Riot helps? Sorry, got a bit sassy there. Check out NXNE's full film line up here. June 13-15, Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (506 Bloor St. West)

Video Vengeance
This free cult VHS screening is back with MegaForce, a 1982 film staring hero Ace Hunter! Necessary exclamation after Hunter, I believe. Sunday, June 15, 8pm, KITCH (229 Geary Ave).

See also

• Breakthroughs Film Festival 2014 (Al Green Theatre)
• imagineNATIVE's festival award winning shorts (Bloor/Gladstone Library)
• TV Party - Game of Thrones (Sunday, Bambi's)

THEATRE

All The Sex I've Ever Had - Luminato
Youth is wasted on the young, especially when it comes to dialogues about sex. Toronto-based research-art atelier Mammalian Diving Reflex present All The Sex I've Ever Had, a performance/discussion with a group of older members of society, where they will provocatively regale their audience with stories about their sexual adventures and misadventures. Having been performed internationally, Toronto will be the seventh stop for the show, bringing in a roster of international players, speaking German, English, Czech, and Mandarin (with English subtitles). June 12-15, Isabel Bader Theatre (93 Charles St. West), $35.

For more events on stage, check out our The top theatre productions in Toronto June 2014 post.

BOOKS

'100 Crushes' Book Launch and Signing
One for fans of comics and graphic novels: Elisha Lim's 100 Crushes brings five years of queer comics together in one soft cover book. That book ain't free, but the launch is, and you can also check out Robert Flack / John Greyson / Elisha Lim / Kiley May's Generations of Queer, too. Sunday, June 15, 2pm, Onsite [at] Ocadu (230 Richmond Street West, Street Level).

Luminato's Day of Literary Activity
Luminato is showing their bookish side on Sunday. Lit fans should be in Trinity Bellwoods this Sunday for A Literary Picnic, plus take a Literary Walk through Kensington Market, the ravines, and/or Queen Street West.

PARTY

Full Moon Party
This nude beach island party is inspired by the Full Moon Party in Thailand. It's a pot luck, and there will be drumming. Dress code, we assume, is "whatever." Friday, June 13, Hanlan's Point Beach, Toronto Island (Hanlan's Point Beach).

Algorithmic
This two-room warehouse party is pretty much the opposite of the bottle service club scene: BYOB (no glass), chai & smoothie bar, and an "Interactive Labyrinth Installation". The techno room features live performances by Arthur Oskan, Mark & Matt Thibideau, and Spooloops, while in the bass room you can catch DJs like Anthologic, Jonah K and many others. June 14, Jam Factory (2 Matilda Street) 10pm, $25.

See also

• George Fitzgerald (Friday, CODA)
• Synthesexer (Friday, The Piston)

For more dance listings, check out our Top Dance Parties in Toronto in June post.

COMEDY

The Free Show: Improv Against Humanity
Cards Against Humanity comes alive. Get tasteless for free! (Taste is expensive.) Saturday, June 14, 8pm, Black Swan Tavern (154 Danforth Ave).

COMMUNITY

Roncy Rocks
Roncy's street fest has a packed music line up on several stages, plus a juried art sale, a sidewalk sale, and more. They even put a sampler together on Reverb Nation if you'd like to hear the bands in advance, which is pretty endearing. Saturday, June 14, Roncesvalles Village.

FASHION

Father's Day Gifting Shoppe
Did you forget your pops? Hey, it's not like he's going to disown you for that (not for that). Shop men's fashions and gift items (by appointment or by dropping in) while sipping some Stella Artois. Until June 15, 399 Queen Street West.

See also

• Roncesvalles Area Yard Sale (Saturday)
• Leslieville Flea Market (Sunday, 1444 Queen Street East)

LIFESTYLE

Toronto Flower Market
Why not go spend some time with flowers? Here's a sneak peak at what the market looks like in its new digs this year. Saturday, June 14, 10am-3pm, 1056 Queen St. West.

Northern Panic: Cosplay Clambake & Food Drive w/ Scavenger Hunt!
Bring donations of non perishable food items (plus snacks, toys, sunscreen, and picnic blankets) to this food drive / scavenger hunt with a twist. The twist is that everyone is dressed up in cosplay (cool costumes), because dressing up in cool costumes and going to the park is awesome. Bonus: I'm so feeling the Allan Gardens dog park lately - so many cute pugs with overbites. I think I might dress as a pug dressed as Sailor Moon, so say hi to me. Saturday, June 14, 11am, Allan Gardens (19 Horticultural Ave).

See also

• Toronto Pearson Runway Run (Saturday, Pearson)
• The EVERYTHING Show (Saturday, The Hilton Garden Inn)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Contributions by Liora Ipsum, Benjamin Boles, Wini Lo, Ben Johnson, Denise Ing,

Photo by That Boy in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today we're opening up voting in our latest Best Of poll. Now you can have your say in 7 categories including ice cream, Caesars, BBQ restaurants and hummus.

Take the best of poll here

Voting in the poll ends at midnight this Wednesday June 18th.

Last week marked 34 years since the riot at Ontario Place that was the highpoint of the career of Teenage Head, the Hamilton punk band that attracted thousands of fans to the Forum, the circular waterfront amphitheatre that could only seat 3,000. The riot is a watershed moment in the history of the band, as told by Geoff Pevere in his recently released - and wonderfully titled - Gods Of The Hammer, but it was one from which they'd never recover.

The Forum is long gone, and Ontario Place has been closed since 2012, so I ask Pevere to meet me at another key location in the history of the band - the site of the New Yorker Theatre on Yonge Street where a 1976 Ramones concert galvanized Toronto's nascent punk scene, and where the members of Teenage Head, in a scene described ruefully by Pevere, left the theatre on a wave of youthful energy and ran around the back of the theatre to try and meet the band, only to find them arguing about what to play for an encore.

The New Yorker closed not long after that Ramones gig, but it survives as the Panasonic Theatre, clad in a sheath of aluminum siding, and outside the backstage door where the two bands met a bunch of stagehands are taking a break from setting up a new musical. Pevere and I agree that this stretch of Yonge is probably still about as dismal as it was on that night, but that the city - and the music industry - that respectively made and destroyed Teenage Head have changed a lot.

"It was a very different city, a very tough city," Pevere recalls. " (Head guitarist) Gord Lewis said that the couple of years in Toronto were the most amazing he ever had, and I get that, because for a lot of the people who were in that scene, to play in it and write about it and hang out in it, for the first time you could feel at home. Going to the Colonial, going to the Crash and Burn, for the first time you could feel OK about who you were."

Teenage Head had already been together for a year when they eavesdropped on the arguing Ramones behind the New Yorker, and they when they drove down the QEW to Toronto to gig on the local punk scene, they were tighter and more fully formed than any other band here. With Lewis' songs and a charismatic front man in the late Frankie Venom, they were the band to beat live, and very few people ever did.

"You know you've got something," Pevere says, "when you arrive in Toronto, one of the most difficult, intolerant, urban cultural contexts of all and you have blown them away, you have knocked them out. You have not only done that, but you single-handedly suggested with your skill that you guys have to kick up your game. And so you know you're good, and when somebody comes up to you and says they're going to take you up to the next level, that you have already been playing five years to get to, you're going to make it. And then, of course, what happens next is the inevitable..."

The inevitable was a deal signed with manager Jack Morrow, the band's Colonel Tom Parker, and the reason why they made it as far as they did - and no further. After two great records and almost constant gigging, they reached their apogee with the Ontario Place riot, and their nadir when, a couple of months later, Lewis was severely injured in a car crash just before a showcase gig in New York City.

They never regained their momentum, but you could always rely on seeing them either on endless tours that took them through pubs, taverns and high school gyms all over the country, or in Toronto dives like the Rondun Tavern or as the virtual house band at the Headspace, the basement bar in the fantastically seedy Larry's Hideaway on Carlton Street. It was during this period that Pevere, a die-hard fan from the beginning, admits he sort of checked out.

"For some reason I turned away, and I think I turned away shortly after Ontario Place the accident, around 1980. Because it looked at that point like they weren't going to make it, yet they were still playing all over the place and I think for somebody like me who had been an early adapter, I stopped paying attention ."

Gods Of The Hammer, Pevere admits, was his attempt to understand what happened to the band, and to dive deep into punk, a cultural moment that meant a lot to him - one that he's sure now was a swansong of sorts for the music he and Teenage Head loved.

"What I understand now, which I didn't then, was that we grew up in the center of rock's cultural dominion, and when you've got that temple cathedral above you it doesn't feel like it's ever going to crumble and fall down," he tells me.

"Of course that's completely naive - looking back, we know it was always going to be compromised by commercial interest, and it was always going to be a highly attractive, warm pool of water for sharks, but something transcended that. But when it came to the vigorous debate about who was a real punk, what rock authenticity was and all that, with punk we're realizing that it might have been the absolute last spasm of rock as something vital. "

"And again I'm not saying that romantically, the fierceness with which it's being debated and the fact that it had a sort of transcendent cultural fascination is because of the implicit understanding that it was kind of gone after that."

Getting sick or injured in the Toronto of the 1820s was a terrifying proposition. The city's first civilian hospital, a basic brick building at King and John streets, was staffed with caring military doctors from Fort York, but even diseases and infections considered easily curable by modern standards were potentially fatal.

The road to world-class healthcare in Toronto would be a long one.

The first medical centre, one of three general hospitals in the city's history, was funded with a gift of £4,000 from the Loyal and Patriotic Society, a charitable group formed in the wake of the War of 1812 that provided for widows and orphans of fallen soldiers. The start-up cash was what was left in the group's account after everyone had been looked after.

The structure, which hugged the southeast corner of the lot, was designed by John Ewart, the architect of the original portion of Osgoode Hall. It cost £3,000 and covered just 4,356 square metres of the sprawling lot that stretched as far west as Peter Street. Spread over two floors, the size was considered adequate for the population of a little under 20,000 people.

The final bricks were still freshly in place when the provincial government commandeered the building for use as a legislature. Upper Canada's second parliament building, built at Front and Parliament streets to replace the one torched by invading Americans in 1813, had accidentally burned to the ground, and the members needed somewhere to meet.

Five years later than scheduled, the building was turned over to the town's sick and ailing. It was good timing too--a measles epidemic that year ensured the doctors (and undertakers) were kept busy.

The biggest test for the General Hospital came in the summer of 1847. A devastating famine in Ireland forced thousands, many of them sick with typhus, to flee the country for the new world. Though there was a screening process designed to block anyone with symptoms of the dread disease--red rash, severe fever, delirium--reaching Canada, up to 1,000 sick people landed in Toronto every day, overwhelming the town's modest facilities.

Many more died on the ocean crossing and were buried at sea.

Sensing the impending crisis, Bishop Michael Power, the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Toronto, lobbied for the construction of wooden "fever sheds" that were built on the hospital grounds as overflow wards. Power ministered to the sick beside the doctors and nurses until he, like so many others, died from the disease.

Many of dead were brought to St. Paul's Basilica on Queen Street East where the coffins were laid in rows at the bottom of giant trenches--there was no time to dig individual pits. St. Paul Separate School and the ramps to the Don Valley Parkway at Power Street now cover the place where the bodies were buried.

(Construction unearthed human remains beneath the school's concrete play area in recent years, but none could be definitely tied to the epidemic. The majority of the remains were moved to other cemeteries when the graveyard was closed. Many were simply left behind and sealed beneath later buildings.)

The typhus tragedy underscored the need for a bigger hospital, but funding was limited. The city's population was rapidly expanding and the John Street building was woefully inadequate. It was, however, sitting on an increasingly prime piece of real estate. The city decided to sell the land and move the hospital elsewhere.

In 1854, the second Toronto General Hospital was completed on the northwest corner of Gerrard and Sumach streets, close to the Don Valley, a location chosen in part because of the cheap price of land.

As assistant University of Guelph professor Jennifer Bonnell recalls in her thesis on the Don Valley, an editorial in the medical journal of the day argued against the east-end location due to the prevalence of ague, any one of several illnesses characterized by fever and chills, and its remoteness from the central city.

"Only picture to yourself," the Upper Canada Journal of Medical, Surgical and Physical Science wrote, "the necessity of conveying in the middle of winter, perhaps upon a shutter, any poor man who may chance to meet with a serious accident at the western end, a distance of four or five miles, before he could be received into hospital."

Despite the concerns, the 22-ward medical facility opened in 1856 with room for 400 patients. There was space dedicated to "extreme surgical cases," a maternity ward, an operating theatre complete with viewing gallery (directly above the morgue,) an eye and ear unit, and even "a chamber for a museum" on the upper floors of one of the towers.

The building was designed by William Hay, a Scottish architect responsible for two of the original buildings of St. Michael's College and Yorkville Town Hall. It cost £17,000.

"The style is old English, partially modified," The Globe reported in December 1856. "The most novel and original features in the edifice are the roofed towers. These give a singular boldness of character and outline to the entire structure, which is simple and free from extraneous detail, but grouped into a remarkably pleasing composition."

The Toronto General Hospital on Gerrard was the city's principal medical facility for 60 years. In 1861, a nursing school, just the second in Canada, was added to the grounds.

TGH moved to its present location on College Street in June 1913, 101 years ago this week. The central brick building is now part of the MaRS Discovery District.

Simple historical plaques are all that mark the location of its predecessors.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Images: City of Toronto Archives.

"Vegetarian butcher" may sound like a bit of an oxymoron, but in Little Italy, it's now a delicious reality. Veggie-lovers can choose from a smorgasbord of meatless protein options, as well as delicious fresh juices, condiments, and other finishing touches for your meal. Trust us - you won't be left asking "where's the beef?"

Read my review of YamChops in the grocery section.

Dogs on Instagram in Toronto lead rich lives. I should know - my dog got his own Instagram account three weeks ago, and he's already beating my personal account in both followers (650+ in three weeks) and level of engagement (his photos generally get 100+ likes). I'm totally jealous.

Mostly, he follows other dogs, especially Toronto dogs. It's led to some pretty fun encounters. We've met pooches on the street only to find out we're already friends! We've also set up playdates, discovered dog walkers, pet food delivery services and meet-ups - all via Instagram. Sure, I'm totally verging on crazy dog owner status, but at least my cute four-legged obsession has its own forum (I hear this same sentiment from other dogs of Instagram owners too) - and I can spare my people friends the obnoxious pet updates.

Here are my top 15 Toronto dogs on Instagram.

mypetmonzie

frankismalls

howard_the_great

taco_the_bulldog

iamfoxthedog

duketherottweiler

bettytheeskie

sidney_the_sausagedog

harleythechug

schnauzerstanley

kittytheyorkie

snoopykobayashi

paddingtonpaws

rowdyruskin

remixthedog

violet_theminiaussie

Who did I miss? Share your favourite Toronto dogs on Instagram in the comments.

The top art shows in Toronto this summer range from digital installations and lenticular VHS portraits to wax sculptures, but of course the summer's art scene will be dominated by World Pride, with the AGO and MOCCA joining smaller galleries and establishments like the Gladstone and Drake hotels to celebrate Toronto's queer-est summer ever.

The season also marks transitions for TO's art scene: AWOL will be forced to move (and will literally be a.w.o.l. for a while), while Clint Roenisch is slated to re-open later in summer. These shows will open over the next few months, but John Monteith's At Night All Cats Are Grey at o'born contemporary is worth a visit (on until July 26).

Here are my picks for the must-see art shows in Toronto this summer.

Carl Zimmerman - Cold City / Stephen Bulger / June 14 - July 12
Opening Saturday, June 14 at Stephen Bulger Gallery (1026 Queen Street West), Carl Zimmerman's latest photo manipulations (you might remember Lost Hamilton Landmarks) are inspired by the cold architecture of the ex Soviet Union and imposing structures in remote locales. Zimmerman isn't traveling to Siberia for these shots, however - rather the artist builds and photographs architectural models, the results of which are manipulated digitally. False landmarks, yes please.

World Pride / various venues and dates
World Pride is taking over Toronto at the end of June, and tons of galleries are taking part. Most notably Fan the Flames: Queer Positions in Photography opens June 18 at the AGO (also showing Francis Bacon until July 20th). MOCCA will have two Pride exhibits from June 21 - Aug 17 (Over the Rainbow and Par Amour/Paramour) while the Gladstone will show That's So Gay 2014 June 20 - July 27. At Ryerson Image Centre you can check out What It Means to Be Seen and Zanelle Muholi. Then Pimiento has plans in Leslieville, OCADU's Generations of Queer is on until June 28, Videofag is, naturally, hosting an array of programming, The Drake will show Marlon Griffith June 21 - 26, p|m has Hit Parade from June 24 - July 6, and Gallery 44's Proof (June 20 - July 26) looks to be a cool one.

Outreach 2014 - Connect / Gallery 44 / June 20 - July 26
Fifty young photographers from the GTA will show what they've learned in black & white workshops as part of Eva's Phoenix, NIA Centre for the Arts, PEACH, Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, and UrbanArts. There will be a reception and zine launch Friday June 20, 6-8pm. Stop by for some unique perspective on Toronto, and to see some up and coming photography talents.

Jennifer Rose Sciarrino - Patterned Recognition / Daniel Faria Gallery / June 21 - July 19
Jennifer Rose Sciarrino's sculptures aim to bring 3D digital aesthetics to life. A sterile arrangement of tables will stretch through the gallery holding "plaster sculptures shaped through a CNC process emerge from underneath printed fabric." The plaster surfaces will take on various patterns and textures, mimicking the results of 3D modeling - but you can almost touch it (don't touch the art, please & thanks). Fans of digital art and 3D printing will definitely want to check this out. Opening reception is Saturday, June 21, 2-5pm.

Penelope Stewart - Venitas / Koffler Gallery / June 26 - Aug 31
Koffler Gallery in the new Artscape Youngplace building at 180 Shaw will see Toronto's Penelope Stewart transform the space into a honeycomb of sorts - her beeswax tiles will cover the walls with intricately detailed patterns and flowers. Reception is Thursday, June 26, 6-9pm.

Pedro Reyes - Sanatorium / The Power Plant / June 28 - Sept 1
One of the show I'm most looking forward to this summer is this therapy hub by Mexico's Pedro Reyes, which might say something about me, I'm not sure. The ongoing performance piece offers short therapy sessions for those feeling the woe of urban life - a receptionist will schedule an appointment just for you, you'll sit in a waiting room with other gallery visitors, and then a Reyes-instructed therapist will do their best to settle some ennui. The physical installations themselves look to be interesting as well. (See lead photo.)

Brendan George Ko / Le / July 4-26
This July Le will showcase the playful work of Toronto photographer Brendan George Ko. The show will be hot - Le Gallery, please, air conditioner! Check out Ko's super-cute Say Cheese series on his website here. Reception is July 4, 6-9pm.

Summer Group Exhibition / Nahwhal / July 19 - Aug 17
Narwhal moved again - no longer in the Junction, the often-traveling contemporary gallery is now near the corner of Dundas and Roncesvalles. Pay a visit to their new spot on 2104 Dundas Street West for Carly Waito's delicate Microgeographica show (up until June 28) or later this summer to see abstract works by Matthew Feyld, Alvaro Ilizarbe, and Paul Wackers.

Wynne Neilly - Female to "Male" / Ryerson Image Centre / July 23 - Aug 24
Toronto's Wynne Neilly has documented his transition from female to "male" (Neilly's quotations) every week. Neilly "insists on the use of quotation marks around the word "male" stating that his identity is something fluid that cannot be easily defined by use of a single word" and sees his gender transition as fluid and unending, rather than as a fixed "shift." Objects and audio installations from Neilly's evolution have been collected as part of the project as well.

Before and after the Horizon / AGO / July 26 - Nov 25
Before and after the Horizon: Anishinaabe Artists of the Great Lakes will showcase contemporary and traditional Anishinaabe art by Norval Morrisseau, Bonnie Devine, Robert Houle, Michael Belmore, and many more. Artifacts such as birchbark wall pockets and beaded bags will be juxtaposed with contemporary painting work. The nations of Algonquin, Mississauga, Nippissing, Ojibwe (Chippewa), Odawa (Ottawa), Potawatomi and Saulteaux make up the Anishinaabe's region.

BONUS - ON NOW

Tasman Richardson - Lethe Baptism / Neubacher Shor Contemporary / June 12 - July 5
In Lethe Baptism Tasman Richardson, one of Toronto's most fascinating new media artists, VHS portraits are "copied and recopied from tape to tape - until erased" as Richardson searches for a way to both portray the natural decay of human memory, and hang video art on a way without electricity. Quote Richardson, what some have "mistaken for a static photo print show" is actually "animated lenticular... the video component behind the blue velour curtain is a memory experiment best experienced alone." The exhibit has audio components as well.

Jonathan Monaghan - Dauphin 007 / Angell Gallery / June 14 - July 5
Perhaps the coolest and strangest exhibit you'll see this summer, Jonathan Monaghan's French Revolution-themed short animation is a must-hit for fans of 3D animation. A baby lion grows old and eventually - well, you know how the revolution turned out (bad for lions?). Alex Kisilevich's exhibit is on in the west gallery as well.

Matthew Barney - Drawing Restraint / AGO / May 31 - Sept 28
Can't sit through a 700 hour movie because, you know, life? A few of Matthew Barney's Drawing Restraint short films run until Sept 28, 2014 at the AGO. The ongoing video work (the project started in 1987) where Barney employs his life as a former athlete to "foreground the physical body and its tensions in a studio practice" climaxes with his newest piece, a hi-def story that jumps between two video screens a follows, instead of Barney himself, the strange journey of a young female Swiss athlete. If you have the patience to stand (there are no chairs offered) the slow turn of events is gripping, and the final moments are beautiful.

What shows are you excited for this summer? Let us know in the comments!

Thanks to Pure Leaf for sponsoring our summer adventures. For more things to do this summer, check out our Best of Summer page.

Image credits in order: Pedro Reyes, Sanatorium (2013), Photo: Dan Weill; Carl Zimmerman Exterior with Columns c Stephen Bulger Gallery; Anna Jane McIntyre, That's So Gay 2014: On the Edge; Group Photo by Dayan Walter, PEACH, 2014, OUTREACH 2014; Patterned Recognition, Jennifer Rose Sciarrino: Patterned Recognition; Daphne Room, Penelope Stewart, beeswax architecture. Photo: Wayne McCall; Brendan George Ko, Palm Hugger, Say Cheese; Alvaro Lizarbe, Brown, 2014; Wynne Neilly, January 24th 2014 - 24th Shot, 2014, Fuji Instax film; Bonnie Devine (Ojibwe), b. 1952, Letter to William, 2008, National Museum of the American Indian 26/9026, Courtesy of the artist. Photo by R.A.Whiteside, via AGO; Tasman Richardson - Scream, Edition 1 of 1, 2014; Lenticular animated printMatthew Barney image copyright Matthew Barney, Photo: Chris Winget, Jointly owned by Laurenz Foundation, Schaulager, Basel; and The Museum Of Modern Art, New York, Richard S. Zeisler Bequest and The Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller Fund (both by exchange).

Photo by Paul Hillier in the blogTO Flickr pool.

The top furniture upholstery shops in Toronto can completely transform a piece of furniture, offering a great way to inject some personality into your space. When a piece of furniture is built well, re-upholstering might even save money than if you were to buy new. That's not always the case though, so be sure to compare an upholsterer's quote to the cost of buying new.

Here are my picks for the top furniture upholstery options in Toronto.

Angel Interior and Custom Upholstery
Run by John Angel, Angel Interior and Custom Upholstery has a solid reputation among the interior designers of Toronto. Located in the St. Clair area, they're more than just an upholstery shop - they sell a number of home decor items and offer drapery services too.

The Big Stuff
Well-known within the city's design community, Charlene Gilmour and her husband, Grant, have worked with a number of designers for furniture upholstery. The Kensington Market studio has collaborated with a number of design studios, rebuilt furniture pieces for the Drake Hotel, and earned mentions in the likes of House & Home magazine.

RE:Style Studio
This spot doubles as a DIY space, offering workshops that will let you finish all kinds of home decor projects yourself. But if you're short on time (or skills), RE:Style offers a full range of upholstery services, as well as interior consultations and custom fabric design.

Steve's Custom Upholstery
Steve, who runs the eponymous Leslieville upholstery studio, has been in the business for over 35 years. He's done commercial and private jobs as well as upholstery work for sets and movies. With his health not as great as it used to be, he's slowed down on his orders but, he says, "I'm still working." An experienced craftsman, Steve doesn't cut any corners in his work.

New Hope Upholstering
Operated by Garnett Graham, New Hope Upholstering has been serving Toronto for 16 years. They offer reupholstering and antique restoration - or if you're looking to get a custom piece of furniture built from scratch, they can help you with that too. They're known for their quality, and have been featured on TV shows like Colin + Justin and Cityline.

David Upholstery
This full-service upholstery shop is located on Dawes Road in East York. David was trained in furniture upholstery in France and has experience working in several antique and upholstery shops in Paris. He later moved to Canada, opening up his own shop in 2010. With 20 years of experience under his belt, David can do anything from swapping out fabric to completely reassembling a piece of furniture.

Soft Option Upholstery
Patrick Kennedy, who runs Soft Option near Gerrard and Woodbine, is a graduate of George Brown College's Furniture Woodworking and Refinishing program (a program no longer offered by the college). Patrick provides re-upholstery services, as well as new manufacture of furniture. He also owns a fabric store, macFAB in Riverside, which means a wide selection of fabric to choose from for your next project.

Princess Perfect
A former apprentice of Charlene and Grant Gilmore (owners of The Big Stuff), Lisa Jo Moore opened her own business at Pape and Mortimer in 2001. Since then, she's built herself a strong clientele and solid reputation, setting herself apart from her competition around Toronto by also specializing in fabric slipcovers.

Burkcraft Furniture Restoration
Located in Scarborough, Burkcraft does it all: re-upholstering, wood finishing, antique refinishing (they've worked with 200-year-old pieces), repair and custom made furniture. They're particularly noted for specializing in leather upholstery, and carry a number of leather colours and finishes.

Re-Wrap Custom Upholstery
Located near Dundas and Parliament, Re-Wrap prides themselves in providing cost-effective and timely service. In addition to re-covering a piece, they can also fix damage to the wood structure of a piece itself - their gallery of before-and-afters shows some pretty dramatic results. As a bonus, they also offer free pick-up and delivery.

Did we miss any? List your favourite furniture upholstery shop in the comments.

Writing by Manal Aman.

Are you a university student looking for a nearby study group, an extra player for pick up basketball, or a social event in your dorm on a Friday night? Soon you'll be able to look to Toronto startup Spot to hook you up.

Spot is a free, location-based platform for communicating what's happening in and around your University campus. Once you've created a profile, you can tag any location as a "Spot". Maybe it's a cafe, a park bench, the location of your weekly study group or your dining hall - you can make any Spot public or private.

Creating a Spot activates a discussion board where members can post information and interact with each other, creating a live feed tied to that precise location. Connect to any Spot located on your campus when you're within 500 metres, and you'll always be connected to nearby campus micro-communities around you.

This Toronto startup, founded by Christy Luo and Urban Lee, is currently available for iOS and Android, but still considers itself in soft-launch stage. The company is running pilots with three Ontario universities - Western, Waterloo and Queens - starting in September 2014 that will further inform the evolution of the app. Co-founder Christy gave me a quick tour of what her startup is all about.

What's the vision behind Spot?

Our vision is to build intelligent micro-communities, online communities of under 100 people, to facilitate interaction. We were inspired by the idea of the "internet of places" starting with school dorms. Using Spot, places and spaces are intelligent, information is open, your location is your community. We want to make everyone who already lives and plays close to each other even closer.

How do you make money?

Spot is currently a free app and our current focus is customer acquisition. We have plans to monetize, but we're looking to reach a critical mass of users first.

Who do you consider your competitors?

The current alternatives are Foursquare and Reddit, but we take the best of an open forum and make it hyperlocational. We aim to make the digital age more friendly by creating micro-communities where people physically are, like student residences, events, condominiums. No emails, no need to add "friends", no need to be "invited to join", just turn on the app and you are already a part of the discussion all around you.

What's next for Spot?

We are piloting at some large-scale events as the official communication platform that will add a social media element to event goers. Spot being will be broadcasting announcements from event organizers to attendees, it will also bring live location-based AskMeAnythings (akin to Reddit) for local performers. You will also see other features like real-time scavenger hunts. Come September 2014, when we launch at Western, Waterloo and Queens, our goal is to become the new standard for community chat in student residences.

The top wheelchair accessible cafes in Toronto provide barrier-free access to Toronto's favourite caffeine fix. Whether you're in a wheelchair, pushing a baby carriage or nursing a broken ankle, there are plenty of places to grab a convenient coffee fix.

In no particular order, here are my picks for the top barrier-free cafes in Toronto.

See also:The top 10 wheelchair accessible restaurants in Toronto

Fahrenheit
This cafe, owned by top Toronto barista Sameer Mohamed, is simply designed to let you grab your coffee and head back to the office. Two long bar height tables are available to sit or stand, but there are no washrooms available to the public. As Fahrenheit does not offer food (aside from baked goods) or a structured seated area, they are not required to provide washroom facilities. The wide 34 inch door and large space in front of the ordering counter, however, really adds to Fahrenheit's accessibility.

The Bandit Coffee Group
This indie coffee shop near Gerrard and Woodbine serves up good coffee and fresh pastries to a loyal following of neighbourhood locals. The front entrance is 30 inches wide with no obstructions, and inside, the space is kept open with a simple rectangular table in the middle. The single washroom is on the main floor, but the doorway and overall space is a tad small. If driving, there is street parking on both major streets of Gerrard and Woodbine.

Dineen Coffee Co.
Located in the Dineen Building, this cafe allows patrons to experience a bit of heritage while sipping on their cortados. There are two main street entrances to Dineen that both feature a wide set of double doors. Off Temperance St., you can access the beautiful sidewalk-level patio. The interior features wide aisles and two very clean accessible private washrooms. There is no street parking available nearby, although the accessible Bay-Adelaide parking garage almost neighbours this coffee shop. Queen subway station is a short block away.

Crema Coffee Co. (Danforth)
Crema's Danforth outpost is made accessible by the inspirational StopGap initiative, which provides removable ramps to any establishment. The ramp is sturdy enough for any mobility device as long is someone is available to assist with the door. The entrance measures at 34 inches, and once inside, there are standard-height tables available in the front and back of the cafe. The only washroom available to customers is wheelchair accessible: 34 inch wide door, a grab bar, and a floating sink 29 inches from floor.

Green Beanery
This Annex coffee shop and retailer boats a large 34-inch doorway allows anyone to get in, although there is no automatic button. Inside, the 2650-square-foot store leaves enough space to sit and grab a coffee or browse their products. There is an accessible washroom located on the main floor indicated by a blue sign that has two grab bars, 72 by 72-inch dimensions and a 34-inch door. There are no level changes in the store, and the take out window is a nice touch. Green Beanery is around the corner from Bathurst subway, which is accessible, and there is a large outdoor parking lot north of Bloor on Bathurst.

Baka Gallery Cafe
If it wasn't for this coffee shop's beautiful patio, I think I may have walked right by it: The spacious, accessible patio is as comfortable as it is inviting. The entrance to this Bloor West Village cafe is 34 inches, with a working automatic button. The interior is small, but there is a walkway wide enough to access the single family style washroom. In regards to parking, there is a "Green P" right across the street on Beresford Ave. Runnymede subway station is not accessible, so Jane would be your next best option.

Te Aro
At this Leslieville coffee shop, the spacious front sidewalk patio looks like the perfect place to hang out all day long - and then you walk in to order your espresso, and realize that the inside is just as accessible! A large entranceway can accomodate any scooter or power chair, and there is a clear pathway to the left that leads to the large, accessible bathroom. My only complaint would be that public transportation options are limited to the inaccessible Queen streetcar and an always-busy Pape bus.

Thor Espresso Bar
Down the street from the Thompson Hotel, Thor's entrance and spacious patio are on the sidewalk level. Indoors there is only bar seating and one large washroom at the back for everyone to use, featuring a 36-inch door, a 29-inch-tall sink, and two grab bars. A large parking lot is located behind the cafe; you also may be able to find street parking on Niagara St. Both are paid parking.

Early Bird Espresso
At Early Bird, the coffee is delicious and the bearded baristas are friendly and helpful. Free Wi-Fi and a mix of smaller and larger tables makes this a great place to either stop in for a quick snack or spend a cozy afternoon with a book. The 37-inch front doorway provides ample space to enter, and there is an automatic door opener. There is a corner that must be negotiated in order to enter, which may be an issue for larger scooters. There is a generous route to the counter, and a single accessible washroom at the back of the store.

Coffee Tree
This Bloor West Village coffee shop just celebrated its 26th anniversary; it's not surprising that Coffee Tree has stood the test of time. The front entrance measures at 34 inches wide and indoors there are approximately 10 standard height tables available with 40-inch pathways throughout the area. The toilet facilities consist of separate single-stall washrooms. Coffee Tree is located next door to the accessible Jane subway station and the neighbourhood offers many Green P parking options.

Did I miss any? Add your favourite wheelchair accessible cafes in the comments.

Written by Silvia Guido, a Toronto-based physiotherapist specializing in neurological rehabilitation. Comprehensive reviews and pictures can be found on Silvia's blog at www.accessto.ca.

Third time's the charm for this beloved Toronto seafood shack. A new location has popped up in Leslieville, with three (count 'em) patios and a menu that cherry-picks favourite dishes from the menus of both previous locations. Thankfully, the delicious seafood boils and lobster-tail Caesars have come along for the ride.

Read my profile of Rock Lobster (Leslieville) in the restaurant section.

Free events in Toronto this week will likely reach their peak for the whole year thanks to Pride, NXNE, and the summer solstice. Free food at BBQs, free parties, and massive free concerts at Yonge and Dundas Square are raining down on the city - you're a sucker if you pay for anything in June (just kidding, paying for stuff is great if you can swing it). From pen pal clubs to art openings to barista / sommelier competitions, there's something here to get you out in the sun, no matter how depressed about your finances you are.

Here's how to have the best summer ever for free for Toronto this week.

NXNE 2014
Free concerts at YDS are back. This year from June 19-22 you can see St. Vincent, Spoon, Sleigh Bells, Swans, and way more. Check out our preview of highlights for this year, and (most importantly) our guide to staying sane at Y&DS. More importantly, here are all the other free events at NXNE - from free park shows to Sonic Boom in-stores to comedy shows to record swaps. Until June 22.

Author Readings and Reception - 2014 Trillium Book Award Finalists
If you want to hear readings by the Trillium finalists, register here and arrive early. Monday, June 16, 6:30pm, Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street).

Nerdy Talk
Fan Fiction performers Jason Donovan, Tim MacLean, Ari Leask, Jeff Clark will tell stories about "video games, dating, Star Wars and everything in between." Monday, June 16, 9:30pm, Black Swan (154 Danforth, 2nd Floor).

RIC Lecture: Zanele Muholi
Zanele Muholi will speak about her Faces and Phases exhibition at Ryerson Image Centre, on for World Pride June 18 - August 24. Muholi using art as an activist tool for LGBTI rights in South Africa. Tuesday, June 17, 7:30pm, Ryerson Image Centre (33 Gould St).

Descant celebrates the launch of its 165th issue, A Summer Reader
This edition of Descant wants to take you away, so go on an imagication with these literary folks. Poets Mary Corkery, Stevie Howell and Assia Messaoudi, fiction writer Heather Babcock and essayist Mark Kingwell will read. There will be raffle prizes too. Tuesday, June 17, 7pm, Paupers Pub (539 Bloor Street West).

Spring Fling
The Piston is giving the last weeks of spring a rush of fun with The Order of Good Cheer (who are releasing an album), Dine Alone Foods, Collective Arts Brewing, and Gooch's World Famous Smoked Meat. For PWYC you can show up to win prizes, see bands, dance to DJs, and see surprise guests. June 18 & 25, 9pm, The Piston (937 Bloor St West).

Regent Park Film Festival - Under the Stars
Free films from June 18 - August 20! Mark them all down. This Wednesday is Omar (2013), directed by Hany Abu-Assad. Wednesday, June 18, 9pm, Outside Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas Street East).

Public opening: Ryerson Image Centre Summer Exhibitions
Ryerson Image Centre is going hard for World Pride. Check out their new exhibits at the opening on Wednesday including What It Means To Be Seen: Photography and Queer Visibility, Zanele Muholi, Aleesa Cohene and Benny Nemerofsky Ramsay, and Julie Gemuend. Wednesday, June 18, 5:30-8pm, Ryerson Image Centre (33 Gould Street).

Post A Letter Social Activity Clubc at Wise Bar
What's a letter-writing circle? Post a Letter Social Activity Club AKA Pal-Sac can tell you - and hook you up with a pen-pal. It's like Twitter DM's but IRL? Wise Bar is a new cozy spot, possibly just with a chalk board in the window still. Wednesday, June 18, 6-9pm, Wise Bar (1007 Bloor St West).

Live in Bellwoods: Great Heart Festival (Trinity Bellwoods Park)
It's back: Young Lions Music Club will hold this unofficial but friendly show in Trinity Bellwoods Park, shows run from Thursday - Sunday and of course, admission is free. One of summer's chillest spots to hang, it's also all-ages. The full line up is here. June 19-22, Trinity Bellwoods Park.

Central Canadian Barista Competition
The new Propeller Roastery will host this bloodbath - I mean espresso bath - between Central Canada's best baristas. The winners will go to Nationals... and then conquer the world. I can't even foam properly. Friday, June 20, Propeller Roastery (50 Wade Ave).

Grease! Free live movie night in The Esplanade
Sooo self explanatory. Saturday, June 21, 8pm, David Crombie Park (131 The Esplanade).

Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival
The Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival is splashing in Lake Ontario this weekend. 180 to 200 teams will compete in the 26th year of the competition. June 21, 8am-5pm, Centre Island, Toronto Islands.

Perth Sterling Summer BBQ
Celebrate the solstice with free food from Castlepoint Numa & RioTinto. Rub your eyes and read that again, yup! Free BBQ in honour of the Perth Sterling revitalization project. Saturday, June 21, 11:30am, 181 Sterling Road.

Olivia Chow's World Pride Party
More than a little transparent considering her Mayoral bid, but that's politics for you. Not free / a thing: Rob Ford's World Pride Party. Yep, that's definitely not a thing. Saturday, June 21, 9pm, Woody's (467 Church Street).

"Over the Rainbow: Seduction and Identity" Opening Party
Check out MOCCA's double rainbow double Pride exhibits Over the Rainbow: Seduction and Identity and Par Amour / Paramour. Party in the courtyard - it's summertime. June 21, 7pm, MOCCA (952 Queen Street West).

Liza Uncorked: The Pirate
I kinda wish I was Sally Bowles in Cabaret, and hey - so do you. Jennifer Wells will be doing her best Liza Minnelli, and maybe if you ask nice she'll give you some tips afterward. The Drake will also screen Vincente Minnelli's The Pirate starring Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. Delic. Sunday, June 22, 9pm, Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West).

Open Farm - Fresh City's Season Launch Event
This farmer's market is going all out: there will be bees! Check out the bees, go on a scavenger hunt, and see some live music. If you can afford the craft beer, this can get even better. Sunday, June 22, 1-5pm, Downsview Park (70 Canuck Avenue).

Film Screening -- Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call: New Orleans
I didn't think a Bad Lieutenant remake was a good idea, but I was wrong. So were you. Watch out for lizards - and Werner Herzog and Nicolas Cage). Sunday, June 22, 8:45pm, Bar Radio (615 College St.).

Best Ontario Sommelier Competition 2014
Decanting Service, Champagne Service, Food and Wine Pairing, and Blind Tasting - think you've got what it takes? These three finalists do, but only one will win. Let's hope none of them come down with a cold (if so, maybe Derek Flack could step in?). There's a $5 wine tasting afterward. Sunday, June 22, 1pm, Arcadian Loft (401 Bay Street).

• Elvis Mondays at the Drake
• Foosball Battle Royale, Monday, Disgraceland
• Art Gallery of Ontario free evening, Wednesday, 6-8:30pm.
• IFOA Weekly, free for supporters, students, & youth under 26, Wednesday, Harbourfront Centre
• Skin of My Nuts Comedy Show, Thursday, Sonic Espresso Bar
• Canadian Opera Company's Free Concerts series
• While nearly all art galleries in the city are free to enter, it's worth noting The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA) is always PWYC.
• The ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) offers discounted tickets on Fridays ($10).

Do you want everyone to know about your kinda random free or pay-what-you-can event? Submit it to our event section. (You can also submit your for-money events here, greedy-pants.)

Photo by b.m.a.n. in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto you can do your best Rob Ford impersonation at the open call for Rob Ford the Musical (yes, real thing) at Second City (51 Mercer St). It's a political day - Hillary Clinton is in town in support of her new book at Indigo Bay & Bloor, 2pm. Then Hermann & Audrey on Dundas West is hosting an NXNE pop up from 4-8pm, while Puppet Allsorts is hosting a puppet slam and fundraiser in the Junction at 3030. For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Theatre: Casting for Rob Ford the Musical (Second City)
• Art/Fashion: Hermann & Audrey Art Outpost (Hermann & Audrey)
• Theatre: Wrecking Ball #16: #YesAllWomen (Theatre Centre)
• Lit: Readings at the Common (The Common)
• Comedy: Nerdy Talk (Black Swan, 2nd Floor)
• Puppets: Puppet Allsorts SLAM and Fundraiser (3030)
• Music: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (Horseshoe)
• Music: Jenny Omnicord (Market Lane, noon)
• Politics: Hillary Clinton book tour (Indigo at Bay & Bloor)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

This Week in Music rounds up the latest news, releases and concerts coming to Toronto.

NXNE to host a panel called "WHY NXNE SUCKS" (yes, all caps)
Long story short, last week an interesting exchange happened between myself and NXNE after we reported on a disturbing Twitter conversation. The fest's been feeling the heat all year for their radius claus, non-transparency, use of SonicBids, not paying small bands, and more, but what happened between the fest director and Weird Canada's Aaron Levin was unusually odd. The director of NXNE has since deleted his heated communiques, generating interest in what exactly was said. No one needs to feel gas-lighted here, so we've documented the conversation as it stood when we posted about it last week. Read screencaps of the full Twitter convo here.

I'll be speaking at the actual WHY NXNE SUCKS panel (tellingly named by NXNE themselves, who have a reputation for taking a "haters gonna hate" stance to anyone who comes to them with genuine concerns) along with Paul Lawton (Ketamines), Daniel Seligman (Pop Montreal), and moderator Shaun Bowring (The Garrison). If you have any concerns you'd like to see addressed at the panel, email aubrey@blogto.com (off record or on) or come out to ask questions or speak concerns from the floor. OMG NXNE SUCKS LOL is free to attend Friday June 20, 1pm, Hyatt Regency Toronto (370 King St. West), Regency A, Mezzanine floor. Is it a trap?

Lil Wayne will be at OVO
Probably. Check out their tour dates together (starting a couple of days after OVO Fest) here. There's no Toronto date (probably) because OVO is a big fun secret. If I'm wrong I apologize in advance, but... Lil Wayne will be at OVO.

Death From Above 1979 announce new album
Death From Above 1979 seem serious about this new album The Physical World, which will allow them to tour the world they way they want, and play the music people want to hear. Or will they?

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Airplane Boys drop Egos and Expectations album for free
The Beau Monde Collective has release APB's album Egos and Expectations for free - I'm not even sure why we get to be this lucky, but download it before they (or some major) take it down. Drake-style rap/r&b vocals, production's good, Scarborough tough/sensitive guy vibes, more macho than I was expecting from "Harvest" but I don't know these guys or where they're coming from. Check out "Under the Influence," "Different Worlds," "Industry People," (so Crystal Castles-y) "Scarborough Kids," and of course "Harvest."

Stream Greys new album If Anything
If Anything is all online. Spoiler: it's loud. Greys are one of Toronto's loudest hype bands - you can call them noise rock if you want. Check out our Breakout Band feature on Greys and then catch them at NXNE.

New Toronto songs & vids

Tasha the Amazon - Fearless and Peerless
"Half the people I meet make me want to claw their eyes out but who these kids look up to if I was serving 20 to life now?" Tasha, It's like you know my life (except for the Amazon vacation thing). Toronto ball-cap looks rad in the jungle in this nature-ific video. Lizards rule.

Man Made Hill - Speed Dating
Huckleberry Friend's fan vid for "Speed Dating"is like if David Cronenberg had a Tumblr as a very troubled teenager. The endless flashing pics really highlight the creepiness of the song.

Babe Rainbow - Falling Apart
Toronto producer Babe Rainbow's now teased three tracks from his upcoming album on Kinky Begger, Falling Apart. The title track is especially nice - download it via xlr8r here.

Hot ticket concerts

NXNE / various / until June 22
Those free Yonge and Dundas shows at Toronto's largest music fest run from Thursday to Sunay. From rap to indieTM to Swans, check out our preview of what to see at NXNE here including Future Islands on Toronto Island and some late night dance parties, and don't forget about the local bands playing NXNE and the load of free events like record swaps and in-stores to hit up.

Local hot ticket shows

Construction Unofficial NXNE / June 20 / 9pm / Double Double Land / PWYC $5-10
Digging this line up: New Zebra Kid, Wild Highways, and Zoo Owl will perform as part of Long Winter's summer series Construction at DDL on Friday. Check out our Breakout Band feature on Wild Highways here. The show is all ages, and you can pay on a sliding scale from $5-10

Unaffiliated / Artscape Gibraltar Point / June 22 / 2-11pm / $10
This unofficial NXNE show doesn't really want you to call it that, but it does want you to notice it's unaffiliated with the festival even though it occurs on the final Sunday. Unaffiliated Events (Halloway Jones & Julia Dickens), No Visible Means (Jesse Locke & Tom Avis) and Weird Canada will combine forces to bring Zacht Automaat, Petra Glynt, Man Made Hill and more to Artscape Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island along with food, refreshments and art installations.

Recently announced concerts

• Darlene Shrugg / July 4 / Double Double Land
• FKA Twigs / Aug 8 / Danforth Music Hall
• Frog Eyes / Aug 29 / Drake Underground
• Constantines opening for Arcade Fire / Aug 29 / Molson Amphitheatre
• Fujiya & Miyagi / Aug 30 / Lee's Palace
• Grouplove + Portugal, The Man / Sept 9 / Sound Academy
• Califone + The War On Drugs / Sept 15 / The Phoenix
• Ty Segall / Sept 21 / Danforth Music Hall
• YACHT / Sept 26 / The Hoxton
• Lykee Li / Sept 30 / Kool Haus
• Alt-J / Nov 11 / Kool Haus

What we got up to this week

• Whatever happened to Teenage Head?
• 15 free shows and events at NXNE 2014
• The top 25 bands to catch at NXNE 2014
• Sam the Record Man sign headed to Yonge & Dundas?
• The top 30 Toronto bands at NXNE 2014
• Field Trip storms Fort York for biggest festival yet
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Future Islands photo by Adam Kissick

Prime cuts of meat and morsels of fresh seafood done over red-hot charcoals are the main attraction at this new Japanese grill house on Adelaide St. West. Expect a sizzling menu along with delicately crafted sushi and sashimi selections from the raw bar.

Read my profile of Shibui Robata Bar in the restaurants section.

Get the wet-naps ready because barbecue season is upon us and there are seriously good smokehouse, charbroiled and grill-top favourites ready to seduce citywide. Over the past week we challenged our readers to share their favourite photos of barbecued goodness in Toronto, to which they responded with a diverse selection of sticky and sweet shots.

We're excited to announce that ddnguyen__, who captured the meaty spread above at The Stockyards is the winner of a Pure Leaf Real Brewed Kit. You can check out all the submissions in our barbecue stream.