159 Manning's parties started like most do - as friendly gatherings with a reputation for a good time. Toss in a stage, some bands, a barbecue, and understanding neighbours, and years later, these parties are officially on the NXNE map. If you missed the first of this year's two Manning concerts/BBQs on Friday, featuring Biblical, Choir!Choir!Choir!, and Buck 65, don't miss the second one, coming up on Friday, June 20 with KC Accidental, Xiu Xiu, Beliefs, and more. Remember: it's BYOB, and don't touch the books.

Check out our photo gallery from Friday's show at 159 Manning

Once located near Harbord and Spadina, this bike shop moved to its new home in the Junction Triangle last year. This is a place to go for rarely stocked messenger bags, track parts, custom builds and top notch service (the tune-up goes well beyond what's standard). Run by former bike messenger Nadir Olivet, bike fanatics will appreciate the Euro-inspired parts and apparel, as well as the conversation.

Read my review of La Carrera Cycles in the services section.

If you've ever dreamed of opening up your own restaurant, this just might be the time: A new crop of restaurants, from cozy bakeries to Irish pubs, has recently landed on the market. Though the city's food scene is undeniably going strong, with new restaurants opening every week, some never get past the opening hurdles, some restaurateurs get stretched thin between too many locations, and some decide to leave the business altogether. (And some of us fall by the wayside, and some of us soar to the stars.)

Ready to make another business's loss your gain? Here are five restaurants currently up for sale in Toronto.

Whelan's Gate
According to the real estate listing, the current owner of this Irish pub near High Park is about to retire. For $235,000, you get a 1,800-square-foot interior, a front and back patio, and all the wood paneling and Guinness signs you can handle.

Hey Meatball!
Word on the street is the Roncy restaurant formerly known as Hey! (a sister spot to the location on College St.) has actually been for sale ever since it opened - though they've had offers, they've reportedly been waiting for the right price. It's currently listed at $169,000; the posting touts the restaurant's "casual décor" and "great street exposure", noting "it can accommodate any type of cuisine."

El Cafetal
This Mexican/Colombian/Peruvian restaurant and bakery at St. Clair West and Oakwood has already changed hands once in the past year. The cozy spot is, once again, on sale for just $49K; the listing says it would be ideal for a family business, an all-day breakfast joint, or some type of franchise. Bonuses include a corner location and a small patio.

Sandoozles
The barbecue and sandwich joint near Eglinton and Mount Pleasant has shut its doors after less than nine months of existence; they closed a month ago for "renovations". (Tragically, not even the Parks & Rec reference could save it.) If you're in the market, $99,000 gets you 970 square feet of restaurant space in what the listing touts as an "upscale" neighbourhood. Please note: This barbecue joint lacks its own smoker, which might have contributed to those mixed reviews.

Swish by Han
The tempestous life of the Han brothers' Korean-fusion joint may soon be drawing to a close: Though they're open for now, the 1600-square-foot restaurant at Church and Wellington is currently listed for $199,000. (Sister restaurant Oddseoul, thankfully, is still going strong.)

Know of any other restaurants up for sale? Leave them in the comments.

Estrella Taqueria, the massive taco joint at Yonge and Sheppard that opened last year during the end of Toronto's taco boom, seems to have shuttered its doors for good. The restaurant, loosely inspired by Chicago's famed Big Star, never really caught on with diners, receiving mostly critical reviews for its shoddy service and uneven offerings from the kitchen.

A notice has been affixed to the front door for weeks announcing the restaurant will be closed June 2nd and 3rd but it's been all tumbleweeds since. The Twitter and Facebook have been silent, Open Table is no longer taking reservations and a call to their still-working phone number just gets you a message that their mailbox is full.

Will you miss Estrella Taqueria? Reminisce in the comments below.

Photo by Jesse Milns

The summer theatre season is upon us in Toronto, and there's lots to look forward to. Along with annual favourites like the Fringe and Summerworks festivals, local theatre-goers will be treated to a host of opportunities to see Shakespeare under the stars, a new production from Cirque du Soleil and a masterful allegory by Arthur Miller. The Toronto production of Titanic has been delayed, but there's no need to cry about it much, as there's so much else to see in the coming months.

Get primed for summer with our top picks for Toronto theatre this season.

Fringe Festival
Toronto's largest indie theatre festival kicks off summer with one of the most exciting and jam-packed weeks on the arts calendar. The fest spans 12 days and features over 140 shows across 35 different venues in the city. The list of addition programming (FringeKids!, a site-specific Art Category, Fringe Club, Tent Talks, etc.) will make your head spin. To plan your fringe journey, pick up a guide book at one of the locations listed on their website.

Shakespeare High Park - As You Like It and Titus Andronicus
Quite possibly the most romantic and summer-focused theatre of the year is that which takes place outdoors. Of the various options in Toronto, CanStage's Shakespeare in High Park is the best-produced and most popular. This year's offerings are As You Like It and Titus Andronicus - one comedy and one tragedy. The best bet is to see them both. Pack a picnic, discreetly sip on some wine, and just be thankful that you're not eating human pie. July through September - free.

Return to Grace
If you love rock 'n roll-style musicals, this one is for you. Giving an American music icon his due, Return to Grace tracks the highlights of Elvis' career via a well cast Steve Michaels as the King. This is a fast-paced upbeat production that will make older music fans particularly fuzzy and nostalgic. One of Mirvish's big productions this summer, you can expect the Ed Mirvish Theatre to be rockin'. Starts July 8. Tickets $30 to $100.

Humber River Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet
Now this might just be the ultimate date night. Humber River Shakespeare presents outdoor theatre across the GTA, even venturing as far as Aurora, Caledon, and Collingwood. The production of choice this year is none other than Romeo and Juliet, the tragedy of two star-cross lovers from the warring houses of Capulet and Montague. In Toronto, you can find Humber River at Black Creek Pioneer Village, the Montgomery Inn, Old Mill Inn, and Etienne Brule Park. Full schedule and dates available here.

Guild Festival Theatre - The Importance of Being Earnest
Now in its fourth season, the Guild Festival Theatre presents a play each summer by the Scarborough Bluffs at Guild Gardens, a sprawling space dotted with old Toronto architectural details (part of the glorious old Temple Building resides here) that seems built for outdoor theatre. Past productions include an adaptation of Aristophanes' The Clouds in 2012 and Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard in 2011. This year the company presents The Importance of Being Earnest, the great Oscar Wilde comedy. July 17 to Aug 10 2014. Tickets $25.

Dusk Dances
If you haven't yet experienced Dusk Dances, there's something incredible about seeing a park crowd swell with spectators as the roving performances unfold. While it's a shame that Withrow will once again be the only Toronto park to host this year's series, there are sure to be some standout pieces among the works assembled this year: La vie (Sylvie Bouchard), Through the Mask (Peter Chin), Inner City Sirens Part II (Julia Aplin), Platoon (Milan Gervais), Doun Doun Dance (Sis Robert Hibbert), Incandescent (Kate Franklin and Meredith Thompson). August 4 to 10 - $10 suggested donation.

Summerworks
Running from August 7 to 17, the Summerworks Festival just seems to get better and better. The 2014 lineup of live art, music and theatrical performances has just been announced and features over 50 performance spread over its 11 days in venues like Theatre Passe Muraille, the Lower Ossington Theatre, the Factory Theatre, and a host of special venues. Check the festival website for the complete schedule, and stay tuned for our dedicated preview in the coming weeks.

Shakespeare in the Ruff - Cymbeline
This young and enthusiastic Shakespeare company enters its third year in Withrow Park with the somewhat under-appreciated problem play, Cymbeline. Less formal than Shakespeare in High Park, the performance takes place between two trees, which create something of a stage that viewers can setup rather close to. This is as intimate as it gets. And Cymbeline is as wild as it gets from both a narrative and stage direction standpoint. Runs August 12-31.

Cirque du Soleil's Kurious - Cabinet of Curiosities
Cirque du Soleil returns to Toronto this summer under the big tent in the Port Lands. Already hailed as one of the better productions for the troupe in years, Kurious brings steampunk into the big time with a dazzling spectacle that probes by the spirit of invention and notions of the real. This promises to be circus performance at its best. Starts August 28. Ticket prices are all over the map, so check the Cirque website for more info.

The Crucible
Arthur Miller's masterpiece returns to Toronto courtesy of Soulpepper. While McCarthyism might seem like a distant memory, the allegorical take on the Red Scare via an examination of the Salem Witch Trials hasn't really aged so much given contemporary rhetoric surrounding otherness (not to mention the intolerance and fear than still marks North American culture). Starts August 30th. Tickets $29 to $74.

BONUS

Labcab Festival
Taking place on the last weekend in July, Parkdale's Labcab Festival will stretch across Queen St. from Dufferin to Roncesvalles with a variety of live performances, art exhibits, and concerts. Check out the full lineup here.

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.

With contributions by Keith Bennie

World Pride 2014 will be held here in Toronto the good this year. It will mark the first World pride in North America, and the fourth ever international Pride festival. While Toronto's Pride week brings out about a million visitors each year, we'll see an even greater number of guests for this edition. So dig up your rainbow booty shorts, dancing shoes, and craziest wig, and start marking your calendars for one big, huge, proud festival.

Here's a breakdown of top events for World Pride 2014 (parties to come next!).

Opening ceremonies at Nathan Phillips Square
The rainbow flag will be raised at City Hall on June 20, with the ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. This year, Melissa Ethridge, Deborah Cox, and Steve Grand will perform, adding a little extra pizazz beyond the usual news that Rob Ford refused to show up. Gilbert Baker, the artist who designed the iconic Pride flag, will be present at the free event, and drinks will be served, too.

WorldPride Gala and Awards
The World Pride gala and awards are held in support of Camp fYrefly, the country's only national leadership retreat for Canada's LGBTQ++ youth. k.d. lang and Lea DeLaria will perform. The gala will be held at the Arcadian Court, above The Bay at Queen and Yonge, on June 25, 6:30 until 11 p.m. For ticket information, email ben@pridetoronto.com.

Streetfair
The gay village will close down to cars and open to pedestrians from Friday, June 27 until Sunday, June 29. Browse through a marketplace full of wares created by local artists and artisans, and sample some of Toronto's gastro delights, all while celebrating the city's many and diverse queer community. The street fair runs through until 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and entrance is free.

The Big Pride Sing Along
Singing Out is Toronto's own LGBTQ++ chorus, and they'll be presenting a special World Pride show on June 28. There will be two shows, to be specific, one at 7 p.m. and one at 9:15 p.m., both at the Betty Oliphant Theatre in the village. Tickets are $15, and I would hurry if I were you because this is a can't-miss. You'll catch everything from drag king Mounties to Madonna vs. Lady Gaga mashups.

Catch some gay theatre at Buddies
Buddies in Bad Times theatre is presenting a ton of queer programming throughout the month. Their plays cover everything from open mic to strip tease and The Lady Hamlet, with something new on stage just about every night during Pride.

Greenspace: World Pride Edition
An annual days-long event orchestrated by the 519 Community Centre, this year's Greenspace will be amped up a few notches. The Ryerson Quad and Cawthra Square Park are turned into giant gay celebrations, running from 1 p.m. until 1 a.m. Parties like Lipstick Jungle, Starry Night and TreeHouse are what Pride is all about, for many of us. Check out more details on their site.

Human Rights Conference
All past International Grand Marshals will participate in this year's human rights conference, alongside this year's Marshal, Georgian human rights activist Anna Rekhviashvili. Some of the topics to be explored include challenging the colonial anti-sodomy law legacy, LGBTQ++ issues in the global workplace, sex work activism, and greater inclusiveness in schools. The conference runs from June 25 to 27, with further scheduling available online.

Closing ceremonies
Tegan and Sara and Rich Aucoin, among others, will perform in Yonge-Dundas Square to mark the closing ceremonies of World Pride 2014. Parade awards will be handed out, and the nest World Pride host city honoured. The event, on June 29 at 5 p.m., is free. And alcohol will be served, in case you were wondering.

Art Shows

Generations of Queer exhibit at OCAD
Generations of Queer features diverse work by artists Robert Flack, John Greyson, Elisha Lim and Kiley May. It's all about storytelling, exploring the relationship between the two older artists who have paved the way through their activism, and the resulting world the younger artists grow up in as a result of that. It also features an interactive component made to honour LGBTQ++ people worldwide in the form of the blog The Queer Pride Chronicles.This exhibit is already on at OCAD, and will continue through until June 28.

What It Means To Be Seen: Photography and Queer Visibility
What It Means To Be Seen chronicles the importance of visibility when it comes to widespread acceptance of people within LGBTQ++ communities. It will include a range of photographs from Ryerson's Black Star collection, the Canadian Lesbian + Gay Archives, and other collections from the U.S. and Europe.The exhibit is organized and presented at the Ryerson Image Centre, in collaboration with the AGO and WorldPride 2014.

Over the Rainbow: Seduction and Identity
The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art will take a look beyond the campy mainstream portrayal of queer sexuality and identity, looking deeper into a more authentic queer identity, and the influence that identity has had on more "mainstream" culture. Artists include Stephen Andrews, Attila Richard Lukacs, and Public Studio, among others. The opening reception is on Saturday, June 21, and in case you're already tied up throughout Pride, it runs through until August 17.

Fan the Flames: Queer Positions in Photography
This AGO exhibit will examine gender play in both photography and video. Specifically, the show will "question and extend the practice of drag," and will feature the work of both Canadian and international artists. Fan the Flames will open to the public June 18, and it will run until September.

Parades and Marches

Trans* March
The Trans* March is for any and all who identify as trans*. It begins with a rally at the north stage, at the Church and Isabella intersection. This will involve both inspirational chants and a quick teaching session for everyone to learn the chants that go along with the march. This year's Trans* March is Friday, June 27, with the ally beginning at 7 p.m. and the march itself at 8 p.m.

Dyke March
The Dyke March is one of the more serious events taking place during Pride week. It's not a parade, but a political demonstration in which LGBTQ++ women and trans* folk take over the streets. The march begins at 12:30 p.m. on June 28 with sign making in Allan Gardens, then winds along carlton and up Yonge Street.

Main parade
This is one of the only vastly overcrowded events in the city's summer heat during which I am able to stay ferociously stoked the entire time. Seeing everyone from condom companies to accountants come out and march for gay pride is just unbelievably heart-warming and fun. Though things aren't perfect and there are still many bigots out there on the loose, the parade shows just how loving and beautiful people can be. You can also probably show up naked to this one and not get arrested..as long as you're not affiliated in any way with the TDSB.

Photo by Mauricio Calero

Photo by Ronnie Yip in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto 360 degrees of screens will present the world debut of "The Shift" at the Drake Underground. Film makers and musicians have collaborated to overwhelm you with "4 life-size surround projection screens, live-feed video cameras, stunning musical performances and state-of-the-art body/camera rig technologies." At Ryerson Image Centre visual activist Zanele Muholi will speak about her Faces and Phases exhibit, which is part of RIC's Pride programming. Merchandise, Ukiah Drag, S.H.I.T., and Black Baron are playing The Horseshoe. If you've got the dough, Bent Lens: Pride on Screen is raising money at TIFF with DJs Bruce LaBruce and Deko-ze. For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Film: The Shift- World Premiere (The Drake)
• Music: Merchandise (The Horseshoe)
• Art: RIC Lecture: Zanele Muholi (Ryerson Image Centre)
• Party: Get Bent! (TIFF)
• Food: Caplanskypalooza! (Caplanksy's)
• Lit: Descant celebrates the launch of its 165th issue (Paupers Pub)
• Comedy: Fountain Abbey (Fountain Enterprises)
• Music: Jello Biafra & Guantanamo School of Medicine (Opera House)

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

Image from The Shift

First, a real exchange between two strangers on the steps to the upper viewing arena in the Kool Haus Sunday night.

Rick Ross fan No. 1: "Man, this is one of best hip-hop concerts I've seen in a long time!"
Rick Ross fan No. 2: "Uh, it's midnight and no one has been on stage yet."
Rick Ross fan No. 1: "That's not the point. It's the vibe. You know what I'm saying, right?"

How much a concertgoer enjoyed Rozay's 47-minute set in support of the one-man beard gang's banging new Mastermind LP Sunday night at Kool Haus was very much dependent on expectations.

Those who showed up at 9pm looking for flawless breath control, surprise guests, polished video accompaniment, a live band, a deep dive into less-heralded cuts from his six albums, or stage diving left short-changed - perhaps feeling like Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh weren't the only ones who could've repped a little harder for Miami on this night. A ticket at the door could be had for a cool $80.

But those - such as Ross fan No. 1 - content to listen to club-rattling beats twisted to 11, watch avid clubgoers dance lustily atop gigantic subwoofers on floors slippery with cranberry-vodka - well, they found their happy place.

After a prolonged and Drake-heavy warm-up set by DJ John J that stretched past the Heat's failed NBA title defense and into Monday, the Bawse took the stage at 12:20am to the thunder of "B.M.F. (Blowing Money Fast)," supported by DJ Scream, one hypeman and cardboard advertisements for his liquor and his album.

Decked out in a canary-gold watch, matching bracelet and one more chain than 2 Chainz (that's three chains, for those scoring at home), the jewels sparkled in the smartphone glare off Ross's black tee-back jeans-black sunglasses ensemble.

For reasons apparent to maybe two people, Ross toted out middleweight Canadian boxer Jean Pascal, who slung a pair of championship belts over the big man's shoulders, increasing the bling factor. Then he left.

With little banter or crowd interaction, the former corrections officer ran through a string of his surefire smashes: "John," "I'm a Boss," "New Bugatti," "Hustlin'," "Fuckwitmeyouknowigotit," "Devil Is a Lie," "Pop That," "Diced Pineapples," "I'm on One," "Stay Schemin'," "Aston Martin Music" (slam dunks, all).

Halfway through the set, though, you realize just how reliant on stellar guest appearances those singles are, and how a portion of the magic gets stripped away by their performance live in a Ross solo set. You want badly to here "Sanctified," a standout from Mastermind, yet the song goes un-played, but you remember that Kanye West and Big Sean had the best roles in that tune anyway.

Rozay finishes with his Soul of Mischief-jacking Lil Wayne collab "Thug Cry," then asks his DJ to play labelmate Meek Mill's new single, "I Don't Know," over the speakers. So what if the climax is Ross nodding his head to someone else's song? He's always pushing the brand.

Then the rich man shakes and pops a black bottle of champagne, spraying the crowd before he exits, sans encore. The symbolism splashes well beyond first three rows.

Writing by Luke Fox, photos by Christian Bobak

Reset that "__ days without a DineSafe closure" sign after health inspectors halted Cineblossom's Scarborough operation for unsanitary, insect-infested conditions. In other news, La Prep at the North York City Centre gets a conditional pass this week - the latest location to make the list from the frequently-offending franchises.

Here is the rest of this week's worst on DineSafe.

Eskimo Tea House (336 Dundas St. West)
Inspected on: June 9, 2014
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 1 (Minor: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Burro Burrito (388 Richmond St. West)
Inspected on: June 10, 2014
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Employee fail to wash hands when required

Factory Girl (193 Danforth Ave.)
Inspected on: June 10, 2014
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated

Cineblossom (1183 Victoria Park)
Inspected on: June 12, 2014
Inspection finding: Red (Closed)
Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 3, Significant: 2, Crucial: 3)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to prevent an insect infestation; operator fail to prevent gross unsanitary conditions; operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4 C (40 F) or colder.

Yours Truly (229 Ossington Ave.)
Inspected on: June 12, 2014
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4 C (40 F) or colder.

Chatime (132 Dundas St. West)
Inspected on: June 12, 2014
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Significant: 6)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

La Prep (5150 Yonge St.)
Inspected on: June 13, 2014
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

The British are coming. Newly relocated from Christie Pits to Queen and Ossington, this perpetually-packed public house has found a new home in the Great Hall, where it can accommodate more guests than ever for its big (and I mean monstrous) breakfast specialties, pies and Brit-style curries.

Read my profile of The Bristol in the restaurants section.

School may be out, but summer in Toronto is the perfect time to learn something new. If you're brave enough to leave the safety of the patio or the Ed's Real Scoop line, there are many weird and wonderful lessons available to help you pick up a new hobby, uncover a hidden talent, or finally live out a fantasy. Whether you're looking to take to the seas, join the circus, or just put on your eatin' pants and kick back, there's a class out there to help you make the most of the season.

Here are 10 fun things to learn how to do this summer in Toronto.

Learn to shipwreck
Southern Ontario waters are teeming with sunken boats waiting to be investigated by adventurous divers comfortable with deep, coldwater exploration (an activity known as "shipwrecking"). Take some recreational scuba courses from the Toronto Scuba Club (among others) and discover the wrecks for yourself (with the help of some online databases), or join up with the Toronto chapter of Save Ontario Shipwrecks for group explorations and nautical archaeology courses intended to preserve our wrecks and inform divers about their history.

Learn to be a BBQ pitmaster
Nothing says summer like sweating in front of a 400 degree flame in 30 degree heat, and nothing tastes like summer like a grill-marked ribeye or sweet, roasted cob of corn. As char snobs will insist, barbecuing is an art and it's trickier than it looks. Luckily, The Chef Upstairs, The Healthy Butcher and the Culinary Adventure Company, among others, offer classes to teach both 'cue kings and first-time grillers how to make the perfect hot weather meal - including roasting a whole hog.

Learn to drive a race car
While you could wait for your midlife crisis to drive a fancy sportscar, you could get a jumpstart on the inevitable and check out one of Southern Ontario's racing schools. Operating at racetracks just outside of the GTA, Bridgestone Racing Academy, Racing Adventures, Exotic Car Tours, and Sweetie Girl Racing give drivers a chance to test vehicles like the Reynard Formula 200 or an FFR Cobra replica (or even a replica cop car), while learning the basics of racing and defensive driving. Toupee and trophy wife not included.

Learn to slackline
Common in many downtown parks, slacklining is a bit like walking across a low, constantly moving tightrope. It takes some practice, but it's a great way to build strength and quiet your mind (especially if you're terrible at yoga). To get started, seek out Toronto Slapliners, the city's biggest slacklining group who host classes periodically at The Circus Academy, or check out True North Climbing, where you can get access to two indoor slacklines and introductory instruction.

Learn to stand-up paddleboard
Stand-up paddleboarding - or SUP, in cool kid vernacular - is a board-based sport that doesn't require waves, making it perfect for Ontario waters. Beginners should head to Paddleboard Addict's classes at the Scarborough Bluffs to learn the basics of navigating the board and getting on your feet. Once you're more comfortable, check out classes from Paddleboard Addict's partner schools Supsurf and WSUP, Surf Ontario, or SUPgirlz, including board-based yoga, meditation, guided tours, bootcamp workouts, hula-hoop classes, and sunrise paddle sessions (where bringing your own coffee is encouraged).

Learn to be a circus performer
For those looking for something completely different this summer, Toronto's several circus schools, including the Toronto School of Circus Arts, The Circus Academy, and Cirque-Ability, play host to a variety of classes where you can learn to become an amateur hula hooper, trapeze artist, acrobat, juggler or even a vaudevillian entertainer. They also offer fitness classes that incorporate circus equipment into your workout.

Learn to make your own beer
Hot, hazy summer evenings are the perfect excuse to crack open a cold one - so why not try brewing your own? Head to the city's only remaining on-site brewing facility Fermentations, where you can learn about the brewing process and concoct your own. To get even more involved with the process, try buying your own kit from Toronto Brewing and check out The Great Canadian Homebrew Conference, hosted by The Canadian Amateur Brewers Association.

Learn to skydive
Saying "I want to go skydiving," is usually just first-date code for "I really don't want you to find out that my actual idea of fun is staying home and playing with my cats." But if you genuinely want to jump out of a moving aircraft, Skydive Toronto, the Parachute School of Toronto, and Skydive Burnaby all offer classes and diving sessions for both novices and frequent flyers just outside of the GTA.

Learn to kiteboard
Kiteboarding -- a hybrid of sailing and wakeboarding where you navigate both a board and the "kite" that helps propel you -- is typically classified as an extreme sport. If you have the guts, Toronto has a few schools to get you started, including iKite, Kiteaddict and Toronto Kite Club, which offer theory classes, on-board instruction, and use of their equipment. A tough constitution is mandatory and a familiarity with similar watersports is recommended (armband tattoos and energy drink sponsorships remain optional).

Learn to ride a unicycle
Cycling is an important part of the city's ecosystem, from getting thousands of residents where they need to be to enraging city councillors. But if two wheels don't do it for you, make like that fedora-wearing kid in your high school drama class and try unicycling. Though you'll need your own equipment, Toronto Unicyclists holds weekly practice sessions for both new and experienced riders throughout the summer, as well as events like unicycle basketball.

Thanks to Growers Cider for sponsoring this post.

For more fun things to do this summer, check out our Toronto Fun Guide.

Writing by Ashley Petkovski / Photo by Allan Parke

Five Wellesley Cottages is a dream, a cottage dream. Ever wanted to live on one of Toronto's "Hidden Streets?" This is it. Built as worker's cottages in the 1880s, this secluded street feels like a step into the past. But don't be fooled - once you step through the front door of the home, you're transported right back to the present. Bamboo flooring, open concept kitchen, modern appliances, remote skylight shades - the interior is all modern living. An addition to the rear of the home accommodates two bedrooms and two and half bathrooms, leaving much more room for you to stretch out than there was for the original owners.

Large doors open off of the living room into a tastefully landscaped back yard, making the small space seem, um, somehow more. OK, so maybe this is only relevant in Toronto for four months of the year, but a glorious four months they could be! Even in inclement weather, the large windows bring in lots of light. And anyway, I prefer to pretend those chillier months don't exist.

SPECS

Address: 5 Wellesley Cottages
Price: $1,299,000
Lot Size: 20 x 136.75
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Parking: 1
Taxes: $4,407
Walk Score: 90

NOTABLE FEATURES

Historic home located on secluded street in Cabbagetown
Preserved facade with modern interior
Large windows opening on landscaped back yard

GOOD FOR
Cabbagetown enthusiasts with a modern bent. As far as Cabbagetown locations go, this one is about as iconic as they get. And if your ideal home is more 21st century than Victorian, this could be the perfect combo of old and new. Living in modern comfort in a historic neighbourhood - what could be better?

MOVE ON IF

You think this type of renovation removes the original character from the home. Or maybe you had another sort of renovation in mind. The renovation and addition don't leave too much room for your imagination. And at $1.3 Million, maybe not much cash left for changes either!

MORE PHOTOS

Writing by Isabel Ritchie

Read other posts in this series via our House of the Week Pinterest board.

First, a real exchange between two strangers on the steps to the upper viewing arena in the Kool Haus Sunday night.

Rick Ross fan No. 1: "Man, this is one of best hip-hop concerts I've seen in a long time!"
Rick Ross fan No. 2: "Uh, it's midnight and no one has been on stage yet."
Rick Ross fan No. 1: "That's not the point. It's the vibe. You know what I'm saying, right?"

How much a concertgoer enjoyed Rozay's 47-minute set in support of the one-man beard gang's banging new Mastermind LP Sunday night at Kool Haus was very much dependent on expectations.

Those who showed up at 9pm looking for flawless breath control, surprise guests, polished video accompaniment, a live band, a deep dive into less-heralded cuts from his six albums, or stage diving left short-changed - perhaps feeling like Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh weren't the only ones who could've repped a little harder for Miami on this night. A ticket at the door could be had for a cool $80.

But those - such as Ross fan No. 1 - content to listen to club-rattling beats twisted to 11, watch avid clubgoers dance lustily atop gigantic subwoofers on floors slippery with cranberry-vodka - well, they found their happy place.

After a prolonged and Drake-heavy warm-up set by DJ John J that stretched past the Heat's failed NBA title defence and into Monday, the Bawse took the stage at 12:20am to the thunder of "B.M.F. (Blowing Money Fast)," supported by DJ Scream, one hypeman and cardboard advertisements for his liquor and his album.

Decked out in a canary-gold watch, matching bracelet and one more chain than 2 Chainz (that's three chains, for those scoring at home), the jewels sparkled in the smartphone glare off Ross's black tee-back jeans-black sunglasses ensemble.

For reasons apparent to maybe two people, Ross marched out middleweight Canadian boxer Jean Pascal, who slung a pair of championship belts over the big man's shoulders, increasing the bling factor. Then he left.

With little banter or crowd interaction, the former corrections officer ran through a string of his surefire smashes: "John," "I'm a Boss," "New Bugatti," "Hustlin'," "Fuckwitmeyouknowigotit," "Devil Is a Lie," "Pop That," "Diced Pineapples," "I'm on One," "Stay Schemin'," "Aston Martin Music" (slam dunks, all).

Halfway through the set, though, you realize just how reliant on stellar guest appearances those singles are, and how a portion of the magic gets stripped away by their performance live in a Ross solo set. You want badly to here "Sanctified," a standout from Mastermind, yet the song goes un-played, but you remember that Kanye West and Big Sean had the best roles in that tune anyway.

Rozay finishes with his Souls of Mischief-jacking Lil Wayne collab "Thug Cry," then asks his DJ to play labelmate Meek Mill's new single, "I Don't Know," over the speakers. So what if the climax is Ross nodding his head to someone else's song? He's always pushing the brand.

Then the rich man shakes and pops a black bottle of champagne, spraying the crowd before he exits, sans encore. The symbolism splashes well beyond first three rows.

Writing by Luke Fox, photos by Christian Bobak

Rob Ford is set to return from rehab to City Hall. The Mayor of Toronto filed a document with the city clerk earlier today indicating that he would be back at work on June 30th. Well, to be more specific, he plans to return to his (limited) mayoral responsibilities some time "in the later portion of the afternoon" on the 30th. Way to come back sharp, Rob. I'm not exactly sure why I find this so funny, but it strikes me as priceless. Ford can't even commit to a time that he'll be in after 1pm.

More seriously, this news is bound to light up the mayoral race, which has actually been rather boring so far. Ford left for rehab in early may, making his stint roughly two months long. There will be many questions that accompany Ford's return, the most obvious of which being can he get himself back into the race? One suspects that if he stays clean and if there aren't more bombshell allegations waiting to be revealed, he has a very good chance of doing just that.

Also of note from Ford's return letter, he signs his name twice. You know, just to make sure that the recipient knows who the author is.

We tend to think of Pride as a 'round the clock party - and this year's blowout World Pride festivities are absolutely no exception. But perhaps, instead of merely dancing until you pass out, you'd like to take in some culture (and then dance until you pass out).

This Saturday, June 21, a late-night queer art crawl (in the vein of, you guessed it, Nuit Blanche) will be taking over Church-Wellesley Village and West Queen West. The aptly titled Nuit Rose features a sizeable lineup of visual art, performances and installations - ranging from the heartbreaking to the campy and everything in between.

Among the 50-plus events: the Grindr-powered portrait exhibit Tryst Pic, massive portraits of fixtures of New York's queer nightlife by Xtra photog John Simone, and manicures from an artist dressed up as a watermelon. After it's all over, the Gladstone will be hosting an afterparty that's set to rage on until 4am.

The best part: unlike Nuit Blanche, you could concievably see everything you want to see in one night, and a bus will shuttle revellers from the 519 Community Centre to the Gladstone Hotel, bridging the gap even further. Start making your schedule over at the Nuit Rose website.

Image from FeD, JOEL, OMAR and SEB by Nigel Nolan.

The Global Village Backpackers building is up for sale. Founded as the Richardson House Hotel way back in 1873, the building has also been referred to as the Falconer, the Ziegler, and later, the Spadina Hotel. With the closure of the hostel in January, the site is now on the open market. There's no established price, as the property is "being offered for sale on an unpriced modified bid basis." Just exactly how much the 130 year old building will go for is difficult to guess.

The site has been listed on Toronto's heritage registry but lacks the protected status that comes with official designation. In any case Heritage Preservation Services will be involved in any applications to modify the property. At present, the building height at 460 King St. is restricted at 39 metres, which means space could possibly be added atop the current structure.

One can only hope that someone will restore the building in the same manner as we saw with the Big Bop or, more recently, the Dineen Building at Yonge and Temperance. Given that the building has functioned as a hotel/hostel for the entirety of its existence, one can dream that it would be reborn as a boutique hotel along the lines of the Drake but with the added pomp of a King West address. Sure, I probably couldn't afford to stay at this hypothetical place, but it'd be a nice addition at one of Toronto's marquee intersections.

Photo by Chris Barker

The 2014 MMVAs reminded us that while all-ages shows and Girls Rock Camp are cool, many young people embrace a different form of teen culture - namely one where musicians are called "celebrities," because really, what's the difference? Very astute, young teens. Celebrity performers included Lorde, Imagine Dragons, and someone name Kiesza, while the real star of the red carpet was, as always, the deafening noise pollution at Queen and John. Hedley won more awards than Drake this year, to which we throw up our hands and say "do what thou wilt, teens of Canada."

Check out our photo gallery from red carpet and glitzed out stage at the 2014 MMVAs.

The new rules for food trucks were enacted earlier this year, but for Toronto's fleet of mobile kitchens it's business as usual, and that doesn't involve roaming the streets scouting out parking spaces for limited service periods.

As we earlier reported, most trucks chose not to sign up for the new permits that would allow them to park curbside because they see them as too costly and too restrictive. So where are Toronto's food trucks hanging out this summer?

For the most part, trucks are staking out regular spots on private lots or sharing a schedule at food truck-friendly rendezvous points.

Here are the top food truck locations so far. For an up-to-date listings of truck whereabouts and service schedules, check out torontofoodtrucks.ca.

REGULAR RALLY POINTS

Sony Centre (1 Front St. East)
Food trucks congregate under the marquee at the mouth of this downtown theatre so long as there isn't already an event scheduled inside. On weekdays expect to find three to five trucks on site for lunch from 11am to 2pm including favourites like The Food Dudes, Per Se Mobile and Caplansky's.

10 Bay St.
Conveniently located just north of Queens Quay where the ferries depart to the Toronto Islands, you'll find food trucks in service at this privately owned parking lot on weekdays from 11am to 2pm. The trucks cycle through but so far have included the likes of Curbalicious, La Loteria, Dobro Jesti, Frank Fettucine and Randy's Roti.

Yonge and Bloor
The Hudson Bay Centre gets in on the gourmet street food craze every Thursday from noon to 8pm on Yonge Street beside the Royal Bank, weather permitting. Recent trucks onsite have included Urban Smoke, Buster's Sea Cove and Gorilla Cheese.

John St. and Pearl St.
This parking lot just north of the Bell Lightbox has become a recurring spot for food trucks, though the service schedule tends to be sporadic.

Roundhouse Park
On Blue Jays game days from Friday to Sunday in front of the Steam Whistle Brewery, you're likely to find a line up of trucks like Hogtown Smoke and the Blue Donkey Streatery catering to Jays fan's pre-game hunger pangs.

DESIGNATED SPOTS

1298 Gerrard St.
Next to Zero Gravity Circus, you'll find Stoke Stack, a Texas-style BBQ truck known for massive meaty sandwiches and old school barbecue platters served on butcher paper. Expect the truck to be there 3 or 4 days each week from 11am to 8pm. Picnic tables on site mean you'll have a spot to mow down too.

Dufferin and Dupont
Kitty corner to Galleria Mall, you'll find the We Got Balls meatball truck making the north east corner its default spot when not out at an event. Service updates are regularly posted to twitter, but dropping by to have a ball on most afternoons is a pretty sure thing.

Rona Stockyards (110 West Toronto St.)
Fat Louie's BBQ has made the parking lot at this big box hardware store its permanent home and can generally be found serving up low and slow cooked staples like ribs, pulled pork sandwiches from 11am to 6pm daily. They've been in the same spot for three years.

Toronto Premium Outlets
BeaverTails had made the parking lot where the 401 and the 407 intersect its permanent home and is working mall hours all summer long. Expect to see other trucks occasionally roll in on the weekends too.

16 Orfus Rd.
Choco Churros sweetens up the day for hordes of deal hunters and outlet shoppers from this prime parking spot near Yorkdale Mall.

BONUS

Willcocks and St. George
Presented by Ueat on UofT campus, the Friday tradition brings a pair of truck to the campus weekly from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. throughout the school year. Currently on hiatus for summer break, expect a new season to kick-off in September and run through 'til May.

Royal Bank Plaza
On Fridays at the corners of Bay and Front you'll regularly find a food truck or two dishing up quick lunches to hungry local office workers between the hours of 11am to 3pm.

Unofficial shows at NXNE are often the most exciting part of this jam-packed week. There's no doubt you've heard about all of the amazing bandscoming to Toronto for NXNE, but not all the noise being made in the city is part of the festival. In fact, independent shows pop up each year to give music lovers the choice to go their own way. Over time, a few of these traditions have been swallowed up by the fest, such as Dan Burke's infamous NeXT series and Tim McCready's 159 Manning BBQ, but as NXNE grows, I hope to see more and more unofficial shows taking place in small venues and loft spaces all over the city. Just remember, your festival wristband won't get you in the door.

Here are the 10 best unofficial concerts happening during NXNE this week.

Merchandise / June 17 / Horseshoe Tavern / $15
I'm surprised DIY punk collective Stuck In The City aren't doing a full weekend of shows at their new S.H.I.B.G.B's space on Geary, but they're helping kick off the week with one of the highlights from last year's NXNE. Tampa's Merchandise will preview songs from their upcoming After the End LP (out Aug. 25th on 4AD) tonight at the Horseshoe. Led by the Morrisey-influenced crooning of frontman Carson Cox, Merchandise stand out from the retro-gazer set by adding equal parts dub and kraut soundscapes with the cut and paste aesthetic of early post-punk. Their early sets at Soybomb HQ and Parts & Labour were chaotic and intense affairs - let's hope they can translate that energy to the stage at the Horseshoe. Check out the video for "Little Killers" below.

Negative Approach / June 17 / Opera House / $22.50 advance
Former Dead Kennedys leader Jello Biafra is, with good reason, one of the most well-known names in punk rock, and he brings his new outfit the Guantanamo School of Medicine to town. But the real draw for this show is reformed Detroit hardcore legends Negative Approach. John Brannon's seething, scathing roar is as menacing today as it was in 1982. Since reforming, the band hasn't missed a beat. Expect to hear most, if not all, of the band's classic self-titled EP and the best parts of "Tied Down." This video of NA performing on Detroit public access should act as a primer for the uninitiated. Skip to the 5:20 mark for the live set.

Judge & H20 / June 19 / Hard Luck / $24.50 advance
Speaking of hardcore reunions, New York hardcore band Judge carry the youth crew torch well into middle age. Led by Youth of Today guitarist Porcell and frontman Mike Judge, you can expect lots of sing-alongs and stagedives at Hard Luck on Thursday. Although I was never big on NYHC outside of the Cro-Mags (who will be in Toronto August 1st at Sneaky Dee's), recent reunions by Youth of Today and Gorilla Biscuits have had me smiling from ear to ear. Video from last year's This Is Hardcore fest hints that Judge can still bring it.

Black Flag / June 19 / Coda / $26
Sick of punk reunions yet? I am! This show could go either way. Not to be confused with the Keith Morris-fronted Flag, this is the Greg Ginn-led lineup of the band with professional skateborder Mike Vallely taking over vocal duties. The jury is still out on this one, but Ginn is a guitar innovator and seeing him play should be incredible no matter who is doing karaoke up there with him.

Construction / June 20 / Double Double Land / $5-$10 / all-ages
This line-up curated by Fucked Up's Mike Haliechuck features London synth pop up-and-comers New Zebra Kid with Toronto's Wild Highways and Zoo Owl. The Construction series is on a roll having presented last week's Comet Control record release and a sweat-drenched party with The Dirty Nil. With the sliding scale pricing, teenagers on a budget will be keen to check this out.

Lauryn Hill / June 21 / Sound Academy / $60 advance
Former Fugee and five-time Grammy Award Winner Lauryn Hill brings her blend of R&B, neo soul, hip hop and reggae back to Toronto. I recently got into an argument over whether or not Hill was a one-hit wonder with "Doo Wop (That Thing)" but between her classic The Miseducation Of album and her Fugees tunes, Hill will be belting out a full set of familiar songs.

Summer Melt / June 21 / Soybomb / $10
Local DIY labels Telephone Explosion and Pleasence have teamed up for a stacked line-up at Soybomb. Cleveland post punks Pleasure Leftists make their Toronto debut after car trouble prevented them from playing a recent support slot at the Horseshoe with Cloud Nothings. The band's newest LP on Deranged Records (Fucked Up, White Lung) mixes the plaintive wailing of Siouxsie Sioux with the jagged guitars and driving rhythm of Unknown Pleasures-era Joy Division. The bill boasts some of the best Toronto acts not appearing at NXNE including Teenanger, Das Rad, Petra Glynt, Toronto Homicide Squad, and Wrong Hole, plus expect some fun surprises.

Dusted / June 21 / Sonic Boom Records (Bloor & Bathurst) / free / all-ages
Baby Eagle / June 22 / Sonic Boom Records / free / all-ages
If you miss Dusted's Friday night appearance at Smiling Buddha, you can catch them in-store at Sonic Boom on Saturday. With Brian Borcherdt's main band Holy Fuck touring again, I highly recommend you catch his side project whenever you can. If you don't feel like sawing off your feet from standing until 4am all week, Sunday's in-store line-up is not to be missed. Steve Lambke of Constantines and You've Changed Records performs as Baby Eagle. Army Girls, Courtney Barnett, and Weaves round out the bill. Both shows are free and all-ages.

Zacht Automaat / June 22 / Artscape Gibraltar Point / $10
If Toronto Island is left standing after the epic Vice party on Thursday, you can wind down after the weekend with the excellently curated Unaffiliated 01, brought to you by No Visible Means, Weird Canada, and artists Julia Dickens & Halloway Jones. In addition to visual art and delicious snacks, there's a full line-up of art-damaged music including Zacht Automaat, Man Made Hill, Halifax's Old and Weird, and a special secret guest.

Secret Show / June 22 / Smiling Buddha / all-ages
I haven't leaked the details about this show yet, but cryptic messages from Just Shows' Twitter account suggest this is going to be something you won't want to miss. Trust me!

See also

• The top 25 bands to catch at NXNE 2014
• The top 30 Toronto bands at NXNE 2014
• 15 free shows and events at NXNE 2014

Thanks to MiO for sponsoring our coverage of NXNE 2014

Writing by Mark Pesci. Photo of Teenanger by D Andrew Reid.