Today in Toronto theatre nerds will flock to Factory Theatre for the kick off of the Next Stage Festival. Spend the night catching stage indie performances like Agamemnon, Mockingbird and Stuck. If you're more interested in getting in some laughs, it's the final evening of Comedy Bar's Festival of New Formats.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Festival of New Formats (Comedy Bar)
• Next Stage Festival (Factory Theatre)
• Holodeck Follies (Social Capital Theatre)
• Steam Whistle's Good Beer Folks Art Show (Steam Whistle Brewing)
• Music Bingo (Gladstone Melody Bar)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section.

Production photo from Mockingbird.

The top street styles in Toronto from 2015 do not reflect any one sensibility. The ensembles you see here range from subtle and minimalist to loud and bold - and sometimes they're a mix of the two extremes, as with the pairing of bright shoes with an otherwise monochrome outfit.

Here are my picks for the top 20 street style looks from 2015.

1. Vanesa (pictured at top)

2. Sharad

3. Kyle

4. Sarah

5. Alex

6. Brooke

7. Sam

8. Kerrie-Ann

9. Savleen

10. Elana

11. Antonin

12. Ania

13. Celia

14. Sands

15. Maura

16. Krsh

17. Siffat

18. Clinton

19. Viona

20. Rebecca

Which one's your favourite? Let us know in the comments.

Photos by Mauricio Calero and Jesse Milns

It was a crazy year for real estate in Toronto, so it should come as no surprise that we've surpassed yet another record for the GTA. This time, it's for the number of homes sold by Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) members - 101,299 to be exact.

That's up 9.2 percent from 2014. "If the market had benefitted from more listings, the 2015 sales total would have been greater," said TREB president Mark McLean in a news release. "As it stands, we begin 2016 with a substantial amount of pent-up demand."

The TREB notes that the average price for all Toronto-area homes, including condos and semi-detached and detached houses, is $622,217, a 9.8 percent increase since 2014.

According to a Canadian Press report, the TREB will release its outlook for 2016 within the next few weeks.

Photo via our House of the Week.

New brunch restaurants hatched all across Toronto in 2015. These stellar spots satisfy our collective lust for bennies, waffles, pancakes and more. Toronto's hunger for brunch has never been greater, but there's also never been so many options.

Here are my picks for the top new brunch restaurants in Toronto by neighbourhood.

See also:The top 50 brunch restaurants in Toronto

BALDWIN VILLAGE
Served Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., brunch at Reforma 35 features poached eggs with avocado, steak and eggs atop tortillas, and more.

BLOORDALE VILLAGE
D-Beatstro serves up vegan brunch on weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The menu is meatless (obviously) but offers a healthy array of morning fare including breakfast burritos, red velvet waffle sticks, and house-made pop tarts.

CABBAGETOWN
The menu at Little Schmidy's Hot Meat House is constantly evolving, but look forward to brunch fare like the open-faced brisket sandwich with fried egg, French toast stuffed with maple-spun goat cheese, and a chicken schnitzel Double Down with bacon and cheddar on duck fat-buttered brioche.

CORKTOWN
Blurring the lines between breakfast and lunch, Corktown Kitchen considers offerings like its Triple Bacon Mac 'n Cheese and Eggs and a burger blanketed with a fried egg and hollandaise sauce as part of brunch.

THE DANFORTH
Hollandaise Diner offers a selection of specialty Benedicts plus the option to build your own. If eggs aren't your thing, opt for the pancakes that come in three mix-and-matchable flavours with toppings and sauces too.

DISTILLERY DISTRICT
Cacao 70 isn't just a dessert cafe, it does brunch too. Sweet tooths can select from a variety of decadent crepes while the menu also lists savoury foods like omelettes, frittatas, and egg dishes.

DUNDAS WEST
The weekend brunch menu at Antler features the Forager's Omelette loaded with seasonal hand-picked mushrooms, as well as a three-egg breakfasts with house-smoked pork belly, French toast
accompanied by wild blueberry compote, and a game burger with optional fried egg.

ETOBICOKE
Full English breakfasts, quiche, and mushrooms on toast are all on the brunch menu at Kitchen on Sixth.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT
Maman serves brunch on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. On the menu you'll find egg salad tartinette, de-constructed avocado toast, and peameal bacon sandwiches on brioche.

KENSINGTON MARKET
Trinity Common is a smokehouse where the brunch menu boasts duck confit and sweet potato hash, slow-cooked eggs on cornbread waffles, and hot links with eggs.

KING WEST
Figo is an elegant Italian restaurant at Adelaide and John where brunch opens with pastries before moving on to baked eggs, pancakes and frittatas.

LESLIEVILLE
Ashdale Brunch and Espresso satisfies cravings for all day breakfasts in this 'hood. The menu bills savoury dishes like daily omelettes and chimichurri pork and eggs, plus sweet items like waffles and cinnamon apple fritters.

LIBERTY VILLAGE
The Craft Brasserie prides itself on offering 120 draught beers but if you sample a few too many the night before, swing back in the a.m.. The weekend brunch menu features breakfast burgers, chicken and waffles, blueberry pancakes and more.

LITTLE ITALY
Big English breakfasts are the specialty at The Old Laurel. Try "the Glasgow," a sandwich loaded with square sausage, fried egg and cheddar loaded onto a potato scone.

NORTH YORK
Pancer's Original Deli on Bathurst does Jewish-style brunch week-round until 1 p.m. Tongue or baby beef with eggs are among the house favourites, but you'll also find fried salami and eggs, yogurt parfaits, and smoked salmon platters.

PARKDALE
Raca Cafe serves up a brunch menu including breakfast pizza, panko crusted eggs, smoked salmon with goat cheese, and a poached egg on croissant.

QUEEN WEST
The recently revamped Peter Pan Bistro offers fresh baked scones with house jam at brunch along with dishes like scrambled eggs with lox and shakshuka topped with eggs, labne and a sprinkling of za'atar.

RIVERSIDE
You could could go the sweet or savoury route at The Peasant Table, where the brunch menu offers profitteroles filled with chantilly cream, frittatas with wild boar meatballs, and steak and eggs with smashed potatoes.

WEST QUEEN WEST
Cafe Neon already boasts a location in the Junction Triangle, and now this newly opened outpost on West Queen West. All-day breakfast is available week-round and includes choices like Greek yoghurt, granola, oatmeal pots, egg-centric dishes and breakfast sandwiches.

YONGE & WELLESLEY
The Wickson Social is a swank new pub where brunch includes eggs and scones smothered in hollandaise, buttermilk pancakes with maple butter, and BLT sandwiches built with maple braised pork belly.

YORKVILLE
Enjoy breakfast bento boxes, and bincho grilled steak and eggs for brunch at Kasa Moto on weekends.

What did I miss? Disagree with my selections in the comments.

Lead photo from Hollandaise Diner.

This large coffee shop is something of an oasis around Yonge and Gerrard for those looking for a caffeine or chocolate fix, even if the space feels a bit corporate. There's also decent snacks and lunch offerings to go along with the ample space and outlets. Ryerson students - take note.

Read my review of Zavida Coffee in the cafes section.

The best new design stores in Toronto for 2015 helped outfit bars and revamp living spaces across the city. Ultra-modern furniture shops, rustic vintage boutiques, and stores touting stylish local goods joined the city's home decor scene this past year, offering design-savvy city dwellers more than a few good reasons to skip IKEA.

Here are the best new design stores in Toronto for 2015.

In what is Anthony Rose's fifth venture on Dupont, this 40-seat Paris-meets-Brooklyn style bar is sure to be a hit with its cocktails on tap, dry cider selection, and small plates of bistro-style food.

Read my profile of Bar Begonia in the restaurants section.

Winter events and activities in Toronto offer an antidote to the urge to cozy up indoors and hibernate for a fews months. The good news is that this winter isn't projected to be anywhere near as nasty as the last two, so there you'll have more incentive to get out there and enjoy what Toronto has to offer.

Here are 41 things to do this winter in Toronto.

ARTS + CULTURE

See a show at Fringe's Next Stage Theatre Festival
For 12 days (January 6 to 17), Fringe brings work from up-and-coming artists to the Factory Theatre. There's a full roster of shows, including everything from full-length musicals, dance performances and a Broadway revue. Tickets run between $10 and $15.

See the best in Canadian cinema at TIFF's Top 10 Film Fest
2015 was another stellar year for Canadian cinema. Celebrate it at TIFF's annual Top 10 Film Fest happening January 8 to 17. The festival not only spotlights features, but also documentaries, shorts and student films.

Spot the latest decor trends at the Interior Design Show
If you believe that IKEA is the pinnacle of home decor, you should probably reserve tickets for the Interior Design Show now. The event will introduce you to leading brands and homegrown talent, showcasing pieces much more interesting than EKERÖ armchairs and LEIRVIK bed frames.

Explore local design at TODO
For one week, between January 18 and 24, this city celebrates the Toronto Design Offsite Festival, which includes a myriad of exhibitions, installations and events at stores, galleries and venues.

Explore immersive installations at the Gladstone
The 13th edition of Come Up To My Room kicks off on January 21, bringing the works of Canadian and American artists, designers and collectives to the Gladstone. If you want to party with art-minded individuals, head to the hotel on the 23rd for the Love Design Party. You'll get the chance to drink and dance in the ballroom and then head up to explore the exhibits.

Watch classic movies inside one of Toronto's best music stores
Hateful Eight isn't the only movie you can see on film this season. If you make it to Sonic Boom at 11 p.m. on January 27, you can watch the classic 1974 monster flick Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla in 16mm. This is an ongoing screening series so check back for future dates.

Got lost in a maze of doors at the AGO
Multidisciplinary artist Song Dong will convert the AGO's Signy Eaton Gallery into a maze made up of 100 vintage Chinese wardrobe doors. This immersive installation is inspired by Beijing's communal living spaces and is supposed evoke a sense of our contemporary urban experience.

Get a dose of contemporary art
The annual Artist Project is a safe introduction for those looking to get a glimpse at this city's burgeoning contemporary art scene. Outside of the commercial work, be sure to visit the UNTAPPED Emerging Artist section, which features 20 of Canada's notable up-and-comers.

Run Away to the circus
The First Annual Something Strange Circus Sideshow Festival isn't your typical circus. But, it's billing itself as "the biggest sideshow expo in the history of the country." So, you'll definitely be entertained by the various performers, vendors, oddities and curiosities.

Check out public art in the Beaches
If you spent October 1 fawning over outdoor exhibitions at Nuit Blanche, Winter Stations will be right up your alley. The competition will turn up to 13 life guard stations in the Beaches into works of art from February 13 until March 20.

Laugh along with Shaq
While the NBA's all-star weekend will naturally be dominated with basketball there will be plenty of other events, including Shaquille O'Neal's All Star Comedy Jam happening on February 12 at the Sony Centre.

Get your fill of dance and performance art
The 37th annual Rhubard Festival returns to Buddies in Bad Times Theatre from February 17 to 28. The two week long event features a slew of experimental, boundary pushing performances.

Gather for a community meal
If you're looking for a different sort of dining experience, head to the Theatre Centre Cafe for one of their monthly community meals. It's a very affordable $5 but food generally runs out as it's first come first served. Check their web site for upcoming dates.

Get hungry while watching movies
On March 2, the Toronto International Film Festival is bringing back its fifth annual Food on Film series. Food writer Naomi Duguid is hosting and you can expect to hear from chefs and other culinary masters.

MUSIC + PARTIES

Check out Toronto's new crop of record shops
Toronto saw an influx of record shops this year, so why not sample a few? Instead of spending the entire season watching Netflix, get out of the house and hunt for some new music at Kops on the Danforth, SRC Vinyl, City Beat Records, Dead Dog Records, or Quixotic Sounds.

Party at the Galleria Mall
Long Winter is bringing its art and music festival to this rather rundown, yet beloved Toronto mall. Expect to dance your face off in empty storefronts and wander through hallways filled with installations by local artists on January 30.

Embrace your inner emo kid
On January 12 reformed emo kids will trade in their boring 9-to-5 gear for tattered MCR tees and flock to Lee's Palace for a night of nostalgia. The venue is hosting an evening filled with emo and pop punk jams from the late 90s and mid 00s, so break out your Taking Back Sunday and All Time Low CDs in preparation.

Attend a rap battle
Venture to 99 Sudbury on February 19 and 20 to watch the lyrically gifted go head-to-head for the city's biggest rap battle event. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Drake will be making an appearance this year.

Get a groove on at Wavelength
Add some rock-and-roll to your Valentine's Day plans and head to this annual music festival. There's still no word about artists or a venue, but expect to blown away by local bands and musicians.

Celebrate the re-opening of the Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground will make its triumphant return on Friday, February 12 with a grand re-opening party. Since it'll now be more music venue than a club, Toronto's TR/ST will headline. \ Tickets are on sale now.

Get your fill of blues and roots music
If you want to forgo a pricey dinner out, spend your Valentine's Day weekend at the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival, happening at the Black Swan Tavern and other venues on the Danforth from February 12 to 14.

HOBBY + ADVENTURE

Try to escape from Casa Loma's famous tunnels
Company and Co.'s newest escape game takes you deep into Casa Loma's tunnels. While tickets are nearly sold out for most weekends in January and February, there's still plenty of availability from Monday to Thursday.

Participate in the world's largest video game jam
From January 23 to 25, get ready to spend your entire weekend creating a one-of-a-kind video game based around a secret theme; the event organizers won't reveal it until right before you start.

Take a trip through the cosmos with Neil deGrasse Tyson
Science superstar (and Twitter aficionado) is playing a two night engagement at the Sony Centre this winter. Take advantage of this opportunity to expand your mind and grab tickets to see this world-famous astrophysicist live.

Learn how to make things out of wood
Winter is probably the dullest season as far as activities are concerned. Instead of moping around and waiting for the days of giant slip and slides to return, why not learn to DIY a thing or two? Newly opened Unplugged Woodshop has classes on everything, from how to use a handsaw to cabinet crafting.

Take a staycation at one Toronto's nicest Airbnb properties
Not all of us have the time or money to be jet-setters. If you can't make it out of the GTA, opt to spend some time away from home at a local Airbnb. Willing to go a little farther? There are some pretty sweet cribs for rent just outside the city.

Get a dose of humidity at one of Toronto's indoor gardens
Though there's a good chance we won't be cursed with another polar vortex this year, there's not a lot of greenery outdoors between December and March. If you're longing to see a bit of plant life, head to a place like Allan Gardens or Centennial Park Conservatory to get your fill of fauna and flora.

FOOD + DRINK

Hit up a tiki bar
If you aren't fortunate enough to spend a few weeks this winter on a tropical island, take a trip to a local tiki bar instead. Miss Things, The Shameful Tiki Room and The Shore Leave all opened last year and flaunt Polynesian-inspired decor, drinks and fare.

Make Winterlicious reservations
Winterlicious makes it easier (i.e. cheaper) to eat at some of Toronto's priciest and most sought after restaurants. Take advantage of this winter food fest and its affordable prix fixe menus. Just be sure to make your reservations early.

Eat some hot pot
You'll find few things more satisfying in the winter than a steaming hot bowl of brothy soup. Head to one of the city's newest hot pot joints to stack your bowl with everything from veggies to Chinese sausage. Moral's Village, Little Pig and HOPO are three of the latest and greatest.

Sip on a winter cocktail
Get your drink on this winter with seasonal cocktails that'll warm you up from the inside out. Along with soothing hot toddies, there are plenty of interesting flavours to shake up your long winter nights out.

Let felines warm your heart at the new cat cafe
TOT The Cat Cafe blends two of the world's most comforting things: cats and coffee. Instead of spending the winter months cooped up in a Starbucks, head here for a dose of feline TLC with your caffeine.

Have a drink on one of Toronto's newest winterized patios
Winter may not be considered patio season, but there are still few places that offer outdoor drinking and dining. Bar Raval and Cactus Club are the newest kids on the block, flaunting chic, winterized patios where you can enjoy a beverage when it's below zero.

Do a pub crawl
Keep yourself warm and toasty this winter by hitting up some of Toronto's newest pubs. Luckily, quite a few are clustered together in both the east and west sides of the city, meaning you want have to travel far to get your drink on.

Celebrate the year of the Monkey
The Year of the Monkey kicks off on February 8 and there are plenty of celebrations happening to honour it. The two largest are the TSO's festive concert and the Dragon Ball at the MTCC.

Drink up at Toronto's first Winter Brewfest
On February 19 and 20, the Enercare Centre will be filled with brew-loving Torontonians for the city's newest beer event: Winter Brewfest. If you want to take part in even more beer-based fun, the tried and true Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival happens January 30.

Buy some ice wine
Unfortunately you can't buy wine in grocery stores (yet). But that shouldn't stop you from enjoying Ontario's sweet, sweet wintry nectar. While you can grab a bottle of ice wine from an LCBO or Wine Rack, your best bet is to plan a short trip to wine country to buy it directly from the source. Areas like Beamsville are beautiful in the winter and the wineries aren't jammed with tourists.

SPORTS + OUTDOORS

Skate outdoors to the beats of a DJ
Amp up your skating routine with music from both local and international DJs. The Harbourfront Centre hosts on-ice parties weekly until February 20.

Go cross country skiing on the Toronto Islands
There are plenty of places to go cross country skiing in and around Toronto, but none match the beauty of the Toronto Islands, which offer sweeping views of the skyline beside a natural setting that's as serene as it is pretty. Yes, the Islands are a magical place this season, and the ferry ride through the ice in mid-winter will make you feel like a kid again.

Break a sweat at Bieber and Beyonce dance classes
If stuffy gyms aren't for you, break a sweat dancing to some of your favourite artists instead. Toronto now has Bieber and Beyonce choreography classes that will whip your body into shape while allowing you to learn some of their signature moves.

Stalk Drake at the NBA All Star Game
This is a big year for Toronto Raptors fans, as the team will host the NBA's All Star festivities in mid February. Snagging tickets to the big game will be a tough (and expensive) task if you're not a season ticket holder, but there's sure to be a host of community events surrounding the game.

What did we miss? Add your suggestions for winter activities and events in Toronto via the comments.

Writing by Amy Grief, Alice Prendergast, and Derek Flack. Photos by Hector Vasquez, Matt Forsythe, Jesse Milns, Brian C., Natta Summerky and Francis.

Toronto may be the centre of the universe, but sometimes, you just need to get out of the city. Thankfully, there's now an even cheaper way to fly across the country.

The ultra-low-cost NewLeaf Travel Company will operate out of so-called second-tier airports, so don't expect to fly out of Pearson or Billy Bishop; you'll have to get to Hamilton if you want to catch a bargain.

Prices for one-way flights start at $99, including taxes and fees, and won't go higher than $149, reports CBC News. Like other budget airlines, you'll have to pay more for priority boarding, snacks and checked and carry-on baggage ($25). Though, as CBC notes, if your carry-on fits beneath the seat in front of you, it's free.

For now, you'll be able to get to Halifax, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina and Kelowna from Hamilton. NewLeaf is partnering with Vancouver-based charter airline Flair for all of its flights. Expect to travel on a 156-seat, Boeing 737-400 passenger jet.

You can start booking now, but NewLeaf won't hit the air until February 12.

Today in Toronto you can catch Marilyn Monroe's last performance on the silver screen at TIFF. The Misfits, starring the platinum-haired starlet and Clark Gable, is the last flick being shown in the Liz & Marilyn: Black and White in Colour series. If you prefer live performances the Next Stage Festival is in full swing at the Factory Theatre and there's plenty of shows this evening.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Next Stage Festival (Factory Theatre)
• An Evening With: No Shelter (Dance Cave)
• Jeff Martin (Horseshoe Tavern)
• You Can't Say That On Television (Comedy Bar)
• The Misfits (TIFF Bell Lightbox)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section.

Still from the Misfits.

Toronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

OPEN NOW

• Ufficio, a new pescetarian Italian restaurant featuring a menu from chef Craig Harding (Campagnolo) is now open at 1214 Dundas Street West.
• Showtime Bistro at 2671 Markham Road in Scarborough is now open and serving up a menu featuring burgers and sandwiches. The restaurant is a collaborative effort between Chef Life Toronto and Halal Food Fest TO.
• COO Café Bread or Rice is open and serving up homestyle Japanese cuisine at 1049 Bloor Street West.
• Healthy take-out counter, the Feel Good Guru has relocated to 135 Tecumseth Street.
• Swan Dive Bar is now open at 1635 Dundas Street West.

RECENTLY REVIEWED

• Fool Coffee
• Crown Pastries
• Imanishi Japanese Kitchen
• Seesaw Cafe
• Zavida Coffee
• Bar Begonia

OPENING SOON

• Greta Solomon's Dining Room is set to replace Glas Wine Bar this spring at 1118 Queen Street East in Leslieville.
• Plentea, a new tea bar is in the works at the bottom of a new condo at 1205 Queen Street West in Parkdale.
• Lil Baci looks to be expanding again with a new location going in at 909 Davenport Road.

CLOSED

• Carens Wine & Cheese Bar in Yorkville will close January 16 as owners shift focus to Carens Rosedale, which recently opened at 1118 Yonge Street.

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to liora@blogto.com.

Late last year, we asked: "Is The Shops at Aura Toronto's worst mall?" The subterranean shopping centre is usually devoid of foot traffic and is filled with a slew of unoccupied storefronts.

Now, according to a Toronto Star report, the condo corporation is suing developer Canderel Residential and The Residences of College Park IV.

As the Star notes, among other the allegations that have yet to proven in court, the nearly $32 million lawsuit alleges that the developers "misrepresented" the space.

Retail condo owners thought they were buying into a "first class" shopping mall that'd eventually be connected to the PATH. But thus far, for instance, there are no concrete plans to the Shops at Aura to Toronto's underground pedestrian walkway.

The Star details how in the food court, nine out of the 12 possible kiosks remain empty. And that's not surprising considering when we visited, we described the place as a ghost town.

Photo by Derek Flack.

This ultra modern three level penthouse at 1 King West might have one of the best views in the city. Offered at $4,500,000, the hotel residence in the heart of the Financial District features three plus bedrooms, four bathrooms and plenty of angles on the skyline.

This condo/hotel was originally a bank, redeveloped in 2006 into a heritage-designated 51-storey skyscraper. A cool feature of the historic building is the original steel vault that still exists in the basement, now used for hosting private functions and instagramming wedding photos.

This suite on the forty-ninth floor is bigger than most houses (at least in the city) at 4,300 square feet. The main floor boasts a kitchen and a combined living and dining room. A glass staircase leads to the second and third levels with a sweeping master bedroom, and soaker tub with a private view of the CN Tower.

SPECS

• Address: #4903 - 1 King West
• Price: $4,500,000
• Square feet: 4,300
• Bedrooms: 3+2
• Bathrooms: 4
• Parking: 1
• Taxes: $13,936
• Maintenance fee: $2,087.66/monthly
• Walk Score: 100
• Listing agent: Ding Li, JDL Realty

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Three-level penthouse
• Glass staircase
• Modern eat-in kitchen
• Panoramic views of the city and CN Tower
• Hotel amenities including swimming pool and room service

GOOD FOR

Anyone who hates cleaning. Hotel amenities are an added bonus when living at 1 King West. Room service, housekeeping, valet parking are just a few of the posh services included with this suite. Sure, you're paying top dollar (the maintenance is more than 2,000/month, annual taxes over $13,000) and you have to share your pool with hotel guests, but still, is anyone really complaining?

MOVE ON IF

You need a balconey. While looking down from a vertigo-inducing high-rise won't appeal to
everyone, outdoor space is a nice feature in any condo. Plus, the building is connected to the underground PATH system, and you can literally travel through the city without seeing the light of day or wearing a coat.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd, Brokerage for sponsoring our House of the Week. All content and editorial selected and written by blogTO.

You won't be able to buy your concert tickets on West Queen West anymore because neighbourhood stalwart Rotate This is packing up.

Though don't get too worried because the beloved record store's new home will be just a quick jaunt away at 186 Ossington Ave., in the old Vintage Mix 1 space.

According to a note on the Rotate This website, the Dundas and Ossington location should open up some time at the end February. Until then, you can expect a massive moving sale at the West Queen West outpost - get ready to stock up on some vinyl soon.

Rotate This joins a number of other businesses vacating the area, including Cabaret Vintage and Girl Friday.

Photo by Matt Forsythe.

If you see a horde of pantless people in Toronto this weekend, don't be alarmed. They're likely celebrating the 15th annual No Pants Subway Ride that'll go down this Sunday, January 10.

And, our local No Pants Society is upping the ante for 2016 by hosting its first ever weekend-long No Pants Festival because who even likes wearing pants anyways?

As the folks behind the No Pants Society say, "break out of leg jail," and head to the Dundas West area for events such as the nostalgia-inducing Netflix and No Pants slumber party, the No Pants Art Show at Hashtag Gallery, the Superhero Dance Party at Studio Bar and the No Pants body positivity and sexuality workshop. Everything's happening at either Hashtag Gallery or Studio Bar.

You can participate in the full roster of activities for $15; individual tickets are also available.

The New York City-based group Improv Everywhere started the No Pants Subway ride back in 2002. Since then, cities around the world have embraced this annual au naturel tradition.

Three stylists, formerly of Parlour, have opened a new salon named after the Filipino word for grandmother. The owners want to take good care of your needs, just as granny would.

Read my profile of LOLA Salon in the fashion section.

In 2014, Vogue named Toronto's West Queen West as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world. Since then, it seems like we've been on the up-and-up in the eyes of high-profile American publications, especially now that the New York Times has featured us in its annual list of "52 Places to Go in 2016."

Toronto comes in at destination number seven, between Mozambique and the Abu Dhabi. "Toronto is remaking itself as Canada's premier city, quietly slipping out of the shadow of Montreal and Vancouver," gushes the Times.

To entice jetsetters to Hogtown, the short write-up highlights The Junction as a formerly industrial area that has transformed into "Toronto's most stylish neighbourhood for its bars, live music and coffee shops."

It also mentions perks such as the revitalized Queens Quay, TIFF and the Union Pearson Express. Yes, the oft-derided train finally seems to be getting some good press.

The Southern Gulf Islands in British Columbia is the only other Canadian location to make this list.

Photo by Vincent Demers in the blogTO Flickr pool.

The top weekend events in Toronto will have you hitting up indie shows and watching homegrown cinema. The Silver Dollar's Class of 2015 is in full swing, offering two nights of live music this weekend. If you consider yourself more of a film buff, Canada's Top Ten kicks off on Friday and will spend over a week showing the city what Canada cooked up in the world of film last year.

For more events this weekend click on over to our Events section.

MUSIC

Syrian Refugee Support Show (Jan. 8)
Toronto's art-music underground is doing its part to welcome the new Syrian refugee influx with this eclectic benefit show. PWYC and catch cool locals such as multisensory electronic artist Petra Glynt, muddy garage band Dirty Frigs and post-goth project Vallens, among others.

Class of 2016 (Jan. 8-9)
If you didn't get your fill of indie music at What's In The Box, hit up the Silver Dollar this weekend. The venue's indie music honour roll series has shows on both Friday and Saturday, with acts like PONY, Bueller, Kurt Marble, Casper Skulls and more slated to perform.

THEATRE

Next Stage Festival (Jan. 6-17)
Looking for something to tide you over until the next Fringe Fest in June? The Next Stage festival, now in full swing, has indie theatre lovers flocking to the Factory Theatre to see the works of Fringe up-and-comers. Some shows feature talkbacks at The Hoxton, if you want to engage with the artists over cocktails.

ART

Kent Monkman: The Rise and Fall of Civilization (Oct. 15 - Jan. 10)
This is the last weekend for Kent Monkman's largest installation to date. Since opening in October, it has won much acclaim. Like much of Monkman's work, it carefully explores the relationship between Indigenous and European cultures by depicting imagery from the 19th century when settlers nearly drove the North American bison population to extinction.

Midnight Bloom (Jan. 8-30)
For this solo show happening Angell Gallery, Toronto-based artist Erin Loree will debut her newest abstract paintings. Her canvases are often filled with heavy coats of paint and a bright colour palette; you can't help but to be drawn into her work.

FILM

Canada's Top Ten (Jan. 8-17)
Get acquainted with some of the best homegrown cinema at Canada's Top Ten. The 10-day fest offers up public screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, industry panels, special events and more. A huge plus: tickets are (fittingly) a mere $10.

Japanese Movies at the Bloor Cinema (Jan. 10-24)
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema is hosting free screenings of Japanese films throughout January. If you're not fluent in Japanese, no worries, all flicks will feature English subtitles. The series kicks off this Sunday with a screening of The Floating Castle.

ENTERTAINMENT

Wannabe: The Spice Girls Tribute (Jan. 8)
Miss the days of platform shoes and girl power? Head to the Mod Club this weekend to see the Spice Girls (note: not the real Spice Girls) take the stage to perform their greatest hits. I suggest watching Spice World in advance as preparation.

Do Right On Ice (Jan. 9)
Head to the Harbourfront Centre on the night of the 9th for another DJ Skate Night. This week's instalment will feature music by Do Right Music label head, John Kong. You may not be downing shots on the dancefloor, but it's much more cost effective and probably just as fun.

No Pants Subway Ride & Dance Party (Jan. 10)
Let's be real, nobody actually likes wearing pants - and this Sunday you won't have to. On January 10th join hundreds of Torontonians as they drop their drawers, dance and travel around the city on the subway. If you don't plan on getting in on the action yourself, it's still quite the spectacle - just don't get creepy.

For more events this weekend click on over to our Events section. Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit it for free using this form.

With contributions by Shazia Khan and Amy Grief.

You'll want to play hooky to visit the Gladstone Hotel's 13th annual Come Up To My Room art and design exhibition because a Toronto artist will be recreating a bedroom you might've dreamed about in the past, especially if you're a fan of John Hughes' movies.

Sarah Keenlyside's project looks like it's going to be 31 flavours of awesome because she's transforming one of the Gladstone's 120-year-old hotel suites into Ferris Bueller's bedroom.

"I like to call it an exercise of extreme nostalgia," says Keenlyside in a short video posted to the Gladstone's Instagram.

Keenlyside and her creative collaborator Joseph Clement launched what they call a "world-wide scavenger hunt" to source 1980s-era items - including an E-MU II Emulator, a Bertoia side chair and a Charlie Sexton Pictures for Pleasure poster - necessary for an authentic Ferris Bueller experience.

"I thought, wouldn't it be fun to create an immersive experience where people could explore a room that perhaps they'd fantasized about as teenagers," Keenlyside continues in the Instagram clip.

Come Up To My Room runs from January 21 to 24; if you don't move fast, you could miss it.

A video posted by Gladstone Hotel Toronto (@gladstonehotel) on Jan 7, 2016 at 1:14pm PST

Will you be visiting Ferris Bueller's bedroom? Let us know in the comments.

Toronto Food Events rounds up the most anticipated events, festivals, pop-ups, winemaker dinners, supper clubs and other food-related happenings in Toronto this week and next. You can find us here every Friday morning.

THIS WEEK

• TOCA's Cheese Cave Event Series is on Saturday, January 9 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at TOCA (181 Wellington Street West). This month's event will feature cheese fondue paired with scotch and more. Tickets are $45 per person.
• Lot 40 Canadian Whisky Month continues at The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) on January 11 starting at 8 p.m. Ivy Knight and Canadian Whisky Ambassador Dave Mitton co-host the cocktail battle between Sarah Fiore of Buca, Jon Vettraino of The Commodore, and Luke Kennedy of Jump.
• BevLab presents a winter workshop on Tuesday, January 12 at the Future Food Studio (35 Mowat Avenue). Happening from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., participants will be guided through a laboratory of tools to develop original ideas for the future of beverages while exploring the science of flavour. Tickets are $60.

UPCOMING

• Tickets for Chefs for Change go on sale on January 21. The event will take place over five nights: January 21 and 28, February 18 and 25, and March 3. 40 chefs from across Canada will come together at Propeller Coffee Co. (50 Wade Avenue) to present collaboratively prepared meals in support of Community Food Centres Canada. Tickets are $125, which gets you a four-course dinner with cocktails.
• Sicilian chef Pino Cuttaia of La Madia joins Rob Gentile at Buca Yorkville (53 Scollard Street) on February 4 for the next installment of Sotto una buona stella (Under a lucky star). It's a six-part dinner series presented by The King Street Food Company in partnership with the Consulate General of Italy, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, the Italian Trade Commission and George Brown College's Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts. Tickets are $300.

Know of a Toronto food event coming up? Email liora@blogto.com.

Photo via BevLab.