One of the city's most well-kept parkshas just announced their summer outdoor movie schedule and this lineup includes live shows.

St. James Park, just up the street from the St. Lawrence Market, will feature free film screenings on Thursday nights starting with Pride on June 22. All films start at sundown (around 9 p.m.), but the season opener will also include a bonus drag show at 8 p.m. in the gazebo. 

One July 27 they'll show the Lego Batman Movie and August 24 they'll screen Grease, with a special pre-show at 8 p.m. starring cast members from the Toronto production of this hit musical about high schoolers in the 1950s.

All films are free and the festivities usually wrap up at 11 p.m.

You'll want to avoid Queen Street, between Yonge and Bay streets, this weekend if you're driving a car. That's because this section of the street will be shut down to traffic as work crews remove the Eaton Centre's existing sky bridge. 

The closure starts at 11 p.m. tonight (Friday, May 19) and extends until Monday, May 22 at 5 a.m. According to the City of Toronto "eastbound traffic on Queen Street will be diverted at Bay Street while westbound traffic will be diverted at Yonge Street."

What this means is that there will be considerable backlogs leading up to the diversionary points. Even if you're not trying to pass through Yonge and Bay, it'd be a good idea to give the area a wide berth if you want to avoid getting stuck in traffic. 

On the bright side, pedestrians will have access to area, except for brief periods when crews do crane hoisting work.

Once the bridge is removed, the second floor connection to The Bay / Saks from the Eaton Centre will be out of commission until a fancy new bridge is installed in the fall.

Nearly half of the Toronto Islands Park is under water, which is why the city cancelled all Island park permits until June 30 and continues to urge Torontonians to stay on the mainland as water levels continue to rise.

Life on the Islands continues, albeit with thousands of sandbags and pumps running 24-7. Local businesses, however, are currently treading water, especially on the eve of the first big warm weather long weekend.

"It’s the first time we haven’t been able to open on Victoria Day weekend," says Shawnda Walker, the director of marketing at Centreville Theme Park. Centreville employs between 300 to 400 students and young people each summer, and they're currently unable to work.

Much of the children's amusement park has been spared, except for the train tracks and some animal pens and barns. On Thursday, the animals were moved to the Beasley family farm (the Beasley family runs Centreville) in Schomberg, Ontario. 

Walker, however, remains optimistic and hopes Centreville will be able to be up and running within the next few weeks. Zorah Freeman-McIntyre, a co-owner at the Island Cafe, is also hopeful, but cautiously so.

"This weekend is traditionally the weekend when the island really opens up," he says. "So really, this weekend is going to be the test of whether businesses survive without regular ferry service, without people being allowed over."

Already, he's had to let go of 10 employees and can't provide his remaining staff with regular hours right now. 

However, he's still planning to run the cafe's music series and hopes Torontonians will make it over to this island this summer.

Longterm resident Linda Rosenbaum was planning to launch a new Ward's Island walking tour business with another Islander this summer. Now, those tours are on hold.

She says everyone's been affected differently, but the community's been rallying together. Last week, they held potluck lunches at Ward's Island Recreation Association Clubhouse with lots of homemade soups, stews and baked goods for the various personnel working to help protect the Islands.

Some of her neighbours recall when the Islands flooded in the 1970s - things haven't been this bad since then.

"People remember it and they have stories about carp getting stuck in their bicycle spokes," she says, noting how she didn't really believe them until she saw fish spawning all over, including at the Hanlan's Point baseball diamond.

While she knows Islanders are resilient, she isn't sure what the former peninsula - which became a series of islands after a storm in 1858 - will look like once the water recedes.

"The Islands are never going to look the same again because there are areas that have just been washed away."

Perhaps we'll all get a peek if it's business as usual on July 1.

Self-driving cars might not be tearing up Toronto roads just yet, but electric vehicles are certainly becoming more commonplace.

And we might soon see more of them on the road now that the Plug'n Drive Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre (EVDC) is open at 1126 Finch Ave. W.

It displays all sorts of electric cars, including the BMW i8, Chevrolet VOLT, Mitsubishi i-MiEV and Tesla Models and lets you test drive the, BMW i3, Chevrolet BOLT, Ford C-Max Energi and Nissan LEAF.

You won't be able to buy a car on site, but staff at the EVDC will point you in the direction of a dealership.

The EVDC received a $1 million grant from the provincial government, as City News reports, and it also receives funding from the private sector. The province is aiming to "expand EV sales to 5 per cent of all new vehicles sold by 2020," according to the Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan.

This is apparently the first electric vehicle centre of its kind in the world.

Events at Ontario Place for summer 2017 will keep this old amusement park filled with people for the entire season. From food festivals to arts and cultural programming, you can expect something nearly every weekend for the next few months.

Traffic in Toronto is a major drag, but this wasn't always the case. There was a period in the 1960s and 70s when the city built plenty of new infrastructure and the burgeoning population had yet to max it out. 

The first phase of Highway 401 opened in 1947, which was followed by massive expansions until 1968. Meanwhile, far more sleepy versions of the Gardiner Expressway and DVP witnessed their first vehicles in 1955 and 1961, respectively. 

Back in the early days, these major expressways looked dramatically different, with huge spaces between fast-moving cars. Sure, there were still delays and traffic jams thanks to accidents and occasional roadwork, but it was nothing like today.

After all, much of the same infrastructure deals with hundreds of thousands more people each day. And the TTC hasn't gotten a whole lot better, either.

It wasn't just Toronto's highways that looked deserted during this period. As we've seen before, prior to the the massive development boom we're still experiencing today, the city's downtown was often sparsely populated, whether you're talking about cars or people. 

Exercises like this one are always a bit dishonest, I must confess. The photos have been chosen to convey a sense of emptiness that isn't necessarily present in all images from the era.  

Still, the point isn't to claim that the city was perpetually traffic-free during this time, so much as to underscore just how profoundly different our roads looked. Toward that end, it's a useful nostalgia trip.

Behold, what Toronto traffic looked like in the 1960s and 70s.

The early days of the 401. Looking east from the Allen Road off ramp.

Not much going on at Front and York streets in the late 1960s.

Photos always show plenty of cars parked in Toronto; just not many in motion. This is Front Street East near Church, late 1960s.

Etobicoke strip mall, early 1960s.

King Street East approaching St. Lawrence Hall in the late 1960s. Empty Yonge Street, south of Bloor in the late 1960s.

Where's all the action on Queen Street West (near Beverley) in the late 1960s?

Front Street looking east from Yonge Street, early 1970s.King at York streets, early 1970s.The CN Tower rises over a mostly empty Gardiner Expressway in the mid 1970s.

With Gardiner traffic so low, Lake Shore Boulevard and Queens Quay were also quiet in the 1970s.

Looking across Wellington at John in the 1970s. This was a typical Toronto scene.

More parked cars and industrial remains, but no traffic at Wellington and Peter streets in the 1970s. 

Bathurst and Lake Shore wasn't the nightmare intersection that it is today back in the 1970s.

No traffic for as far as the eye can see. King Street East looking towards the Financial District, late 1970s.

The fencing has finally come down around One Spadina, or the Daniels Building, which is now home to the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto.

For years, this heritage building— which could have been razed to make room for the Spadina Expressway — sat empty and relatively ignored in the middle of a major thoroughfare.

Looking south towards the building from Spadina. Photo by Nic Lehoux.

On May 27 and 28, however, during Doors Open, anyone will be able to take a peek inside of this already award-winning building, designed by NADAAA, along with Adamson & Associates, landscape architects Public Work and heritage architects ERA. 

One of the dramatic spaces nearing completion on the north side of the building. Photo by Nic Lehoux.

The 156,000-square-foot space will welcome students this fall. Some staff members have already moved into the building, which — thanks to a so-called "interior street" the runs the length of the main floor — is meant to connect the university with neighbouring Harbord Village.

This classroom used to be a chapel at the former Knox College. Its original features were uncovered and are now being restored. Photo by Nic Lehoux.

One Spadina used to be the site of the Presbyterian theological school Knox College. And it's easy to see this history in the building thanks to the ornamental windows and original archways found in classroom and all around the building.

The original building mainly features classrooms as well as faculty and administration offices. Together with the new addition, the project cost $69 million dollars.

The expansive graduate design studio. Photo by Nic Lehoux.

While the new structure stands in contrast to the historic portion of the building, it includes some standout features, including the 110-feet wide, column-free graduate design studio. 

The Principal Hall is supposed to be a communal gathering space, so it's fitting it's located inside Knox College's former courtyard. This expansive room is modular and has capacity for 450 people. 

The building is purposely monochromatic and it'll be brought to life with student work. Photo by Nic Lehoux.

The building also features a green roof testing lab (on top of the building of course), 3D printing labs, a library and reading room, and a black box art gallery that aims to showcase architectural and design work.

If you walk by, One Spadina still looks kind of like a construction zone as crews continue to work on the landscaping and final touches inside. But once it's complete, it'll be impossible ignore. 

Toronto party boats are great, boozy escapes from the mainland. There are plenty of options when it comes to finding a vessel full of party pirates, whether you're looking for a classy dinner, work party, or full-out summertime rager, there's a boat leaving the harbour with your name on it.  

Here are my picks for the top party boats in Toronto,

Stella Borealis

This is the boat that hosts the Caribana Cruise, the Victoria Day boat party and other dance parties throughout the summer. The ship carries 280 guests for cocktail parties, and 200 for sit-down dinners. There are two decks and the upper one has a retractable roof.

The Oriole

Recently renovated, this Great Lakes Steamship replica is one classy boat. If you're looking to host a big dinner, or a fancy cocktail evening, this is the floating event space you want. It holds 50 to 80 comfortably.

The River Gambler

This party ship boasts the largest open deck dance floor in Toronto. There are two fully-equipped bars on board this vessel that's happy to host bands and ample space for dinner parties and other forms of food service.

Tall Ship Kajama

The Tall Ship Kajama is a 165-foot, three masted schooner with space for 225 people. Apparently, the only other place this kind of cruise is available is in the Caribbean. This floater focuses on corporate events, weddings and educational cruises.

Empress of Canada

This regal-sounding ship has been rockin' the dinner cruise scene since 1989, and holds the greatest number of passengers of anyone on this list at 489.

The top dance parties and bars in Toronto give movers and shakers who want to do the two-step, but side-step the club, ample options around town. These regular events in bars span the musical gamut to satisfy pretty much any type of party mood. 

Beam Me Up! at The Piston

Toronto's ultimate disco party will make you a very sweaty mess, so be prepared with layers. A Digital Needle and Cyclist spin this sexy journey through disco's greatest hits and best tracks  inside one of the best sounding bars in the city.

Big Primpin' at Miss Thing's

Behind this tiki-inspired Parkdale restaurant is the Coconut Room, which hosts the city's longest-running, all inclusive, mostly gay (but all are welcome) hip hop dance party. The rotating cast of DJs and fashion forward, dance-hungry crowd ensure it's lit every time.

Chronologic at The Garrison

This popular event through time takes over this Dundas West live music venue once a month. It provides a survey of music from 1890 until today played in chronological order. 

Footprints at the Rivoli

This very well might be Toronto's most famous dance party, and it just keeps going. It brings quality house, deep house, funk and soul along with visuals. The DJs who spin are basically Toronto royalty.

Get Lo at Clinton's Tavern

It's hard to pin down one party at this tight Koreatown dance spot. They have various 1990s nights, but it's the Get Lo party on Thursday nights that gets people rowdy and ready for the weekend. 

Hey Girl Hey at The Steady

Covered in palm leaves, flamingo wallpaper and their now infamous tiki hut DJ booth, this Bloor St. bar hosts countless monthly dance parties. But it's Hey Girl Hey which celebrates all female dance anthems and a monthly performance from Beardonce that is a guaranteed great time. 

Love Saves The Day at The Beaver

This inclusive queer bar, cafe and restaurant is a space where everyone should feel free. Jaime Sin and Kevin Ritchie spin their fave disco, techno, house and whatever strikes them at this reliable West end monthly. There's no cover, ever.

Motown Party at Studio Bar

This Dundas West bar is host to many-a-niche dance party throughout the month, but it's the Motown bash that really takes the cake. Expect dancers, videos, and Motown hits mixed in with modern-day  anthems.

Soulskank at Handlebar

Deep inside this Kensington Market favourite is this monthly soul party that spills onto the nicely-sized dancefloor in the back. Expect soul, funk, reggae, sky and Motown with all-vinyl DJ sets and live sax players.

Thursdays at Boots' N 'Bourbon

Keep an eye on this Riverside saloon's Facebook page for the monthly dance nights. When it's not occupied by a mechanical bull, the dance floor at this honky tonk spot hosts line-dancing on Thursdays for those who are a little bit more country than rock and roll.

Toronto bike paths offer a way of travelling through the city that's both scenic and efficient. Removed from traffic, you can let loose and focus on the ride rather than dodging TTC streetcar tracks and turning cars. Our bike paths take us along the water, through ravines, and along old railway beds. They're a great way to see the city.

Here are my picks for the top bike paths in Toronto.

Lower Don Recreation Trail

Running between the waterfront and ET Seton Park, the Don trail system is one the best ways to enjoy nature without leaving the city. There are numerous entry points to this pathway, with the mains ones at Cherry St. and Lakeshore Blvd., Riverdale Park (look for the bridge), and Pottery Road.

Bayview Multi-Use Trail

This new alternative to the Lower Don trail is helpful given ongoing construction issues near the Riverdale Bridge. The separated path leads from Pottery Road past the Brick Works to Rosedale Valley Road. Note well: if you continue south, you have to hit the road.

Martin Goodman Trail

Part of the more extensive Waterfront Trail, the Martin Goodman Trail runs mostly uninterrupted from around Park Lawn Avenue in the west all the way to the R.C. Harris Filtration plant near Queen St. and Victoria Park. At times it runs immediately beside the lake, making it perfect for hot summer days.

Humber Valley Trail System

Exceeding the Don system in length, with only a few detours onto surface routes, you can take the paths along the Humber all the way from the lake to the top of the city. The paving is a little rough in places, but this a tranquil place to explore for hours on end. 

Taylor Creek Park

Some think the Taylor Creek trail part of the Lower Don because many cyclists hit both trails in a given ride, but they're separate paths. Starting from the meeting place of the Lower Don and ET Seton trails (Don Mills just north of O'Conner Dr.) this pathway heads southeast to Victoria Park. 

Leslie Street Spit (Tommy Thompson Park)

Tommy Thompson Park is my favourite place to ride on a blistering hot day. The further you get out into the lake, the cooler it gets. Along with the breeze off the water, here you'll enjoy the scenic landscape and the wildlife that's reclaimed the Leslie Street Spit. Technically you're only allowed to ride on weekends.

Kay Gardner Beltline Park

Originally a commuter railway built to service what were then suburbs like Moore Park, the Beltline was officially converted into a recreational path in 1999. It's not super long, but it's still a great way to cut across the city in relative seclusion. Main Access points are found at Merton and Yonge, Oriole Park, and Bathurst just south of Roselawn.

Moore Park Ravine

A short all-downhill trail (if you start at the north end), the Moore Park Ravine is a pretty little dirt path that takes riders to the Brick Works or allows them to loop around and climb out of the ravine at David A. Balfour park.

E. T. Seton Park

This route alternates between low-traffic park roads and dedicated bike pathways linking the Lower Don with Sunnybrook Park. There are many break-off trails for leisure riders (towards Edwards Gardens) and mountain bikers (on the west side of the river). 

Morningside Park / Colonel Danforth Park

For those in Scarborough, there's a great set of paved paths that bisect U of T's campus while heading from Kingston Road to the Bluffs (and vice versa). On the east end, you can even hook up with a trail that'll take you to Pickering.

Finch Hydro Corridor

The first phase was completed back in 2015, so this relatively new multi-use trail is still smooth as silk. It's almost always quiet, and you can really kick up the speed if that's what you're into. Alternately, you can just enjoy the mix of nature and hydro towers on display. 

West Toronto Railpath

Eventually this path will be extended well beyond its current length of 2.1 kilometres, but even as it is now it's a great way to cut through the Junction Triangle down to  Dundas and Sterling.

Secret beaches in and around Toronto offer a reprieve from the crowds that you'll find at Woodbine and on the Islands in the summer. From quiet spring-fed lakes to windswept shores beside hulking power plants, there's lots of under the radar spots to explore.

Here are 7 secret beaches to seek out in and around Toronto.

Marie Curtis

Surely the most under-appreciated of Toronto's official beaches, Marie Curtis Park is a breath of fresh air if you're used to crowds that flock to Woodbine and the Scarborough Bluffs in the summer. It's a relatively short stretch of sand, but it's nicely secluded from the rest of the city.

50 Point Beach

Tucked away near Hamilton, 50 Point Beach offers a stunning view of Toronto in the background, but also a lovely protected beach that never gets super busy based on the other options in the area (e.g. Beach Park). Water temperatures here are consistently some of the warmest in Lake Ontario.

Christie Lake Conservation Area

Christie Lake can get busy on mid-summer weekends, but it still feels like a hidden place tucked away in a conservation area in Dundas, Ontario. In the past, the water was chlorinated to keep bacteria levels down, but that practice ended years ago. It's now a far nicer place to swim.

Cedar Beach

Located on the spring-fed Musselman Lake in Stouffville, this beach offers excellent shallow water swimming (it's a bit weedy when you get far out). Most of the waterfront here is privately owned, but access to Cedar Resort is cheap and easy, which gets you to this sandy beach just 40 minutes from Toronto.

Frenchman's Bay

Surely one of the strangest beaches in the province, Frenchman's Bay sits right beside the Pickering Nuclear Station. The beach itself is also intriguing in that it forms a barrier between Lake Ontario and the bay after which it's named, making it a shallow sandy strip in the midst of the huge landscape that surrounds it. It's a stunning landscape.

Jack Darling Memorial Park

Sometimes it pays to drive a little bit out of the city for your beach experience. Located at the southern tip of Mississauga, Jack Darlin Memorial Park faces the Toronto skyline but it feels a world away as the rustic beach is never crowded and a great place to camp out for a disruption-free day.

Tottenham Conservation Area

The sandy beach at this mostly hidden conservation area stretches just over 100 metres alongside a small lake that reaches comfortably swimmable temperatures in late spring. The ample grassy areas beyond the beach also make this an ideal place to picnic between dips in the water.

Cheap drinks in Toronto can be even cheaper than you might expect, as in, three bucks cheap. While there are happy hour specials galore, these $3 drink deals are the best booze for your buck in town. 

Here are my picks for the top $3 cheap drink deals in Toronto.

Wide Open

This dive bar on Spadina just south of Richmond is very proud of its amazing daily drink specials. Each day of the week they offer a deal for their budget conscious clientele including $2.75 drinks on Thursdays between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Lakeview Restaurant

This Dundas West diner is a favourite among the neighbourhood's late-night crowd. If you can manage to roll out of bed a little earlier on the weekend, you can take advantage of The Lakeview's $3 mimosas.

Crocodile Rock

No need to break the bank at Croc Rock on Richmond. There are $2.50 drinks all night on Wednesday and that same $2.50 deal until 10 p.m. on Friday. 

Bar 244

Regardless of the day of the week, Bar 244 has $3 mixed drinks and domestic bottles. So, whether you're drinking away the blues on a Friday or got the club going up on a Tuesday Bar 244 will keep you liquored for cheap.

Farmhouse Tavern

Every Sunday the restaurant hosts their F*ck Mondays event. They offer rolling hourly specials including $3 mimosas from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Kinka Izakaya

If you find yourself at one of their various locations throughout the city on Wednesday or Thursday you can down sake bombs for just $3 a pop. It's the perfect accompaniment to their delicious eats.

H Bar

$3 drink specials can be found on Sundays at this West Queen West restaurant. For just the cost of three bucks take down house drinks of vodka, rum, rye or gin with a mix of your choice.

Labyrinth Lounge

The Lab is a favourite among U of T students. $3 drink specials are on throughout the week including $3 Wiser's shot on Wednesday, $3 Amsterdam Mugs and bar rail shots on Thursday, $3 Jameson shots on Friday, $3 Absolut shot on Saturday and $3 bar rail shots on Sunday.

Real estate in cottage country near Toronto isn't cheap, especially in spots like the Muskokas. These mega-mansions on the lake are all around $10 million and come with a range of amenities and boathouses bigger than most condos in the city.

Here's what a $10 million cottage near Toronto looks like.

$11,998,888 on Lake Joseph (top photo)

Okay, this one's a little over $10 million, but it comes with a 10-acre private island, three guest cabins, six bedrooms in the main house and a seven slip boathouse. 

$10,800,000 on Lake Muskoka

This 11,000 square foot estate sits on 11 acres of land and features a spa with handmade heated marble floors, an indoor plunge pool and a hot tub that overlooks the lake. Why you would ever leave this place is beyond me.

$10,000,000 on Lake Simcoe

You might want to build an in-ground pool if pick up this pad, which features 5,600 square feet of living space and a 132-foot waterfront.

$9,699,000 on Lake Joseph

Lake Joseph is one of the swankiest spots in the Muskokas, so if you're into all that, check out this rustic-chic cottage with five bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

$8,500,000 on Lake Joseph

This waterfront palace is basically a steal, and it's advertised as being great for converting into a veritable compound, which makes sense considering it already has a full-size heli-port on site.

Fireworks and drone light shows aren't the only reasons to celebrate this Victoria Day long weekend. The Toronto Police Service just announced that parking on the street will be free all day this holiday Monday.

While pay and display parking metres will still technically be functional, make sure to save your money as parking enforcement officers will not be enforcing pay parking regulations, nor any parking rules that specifically apply to Mondays.

That means vehicles won't be ticketed for failing to pay the parking meter nor will cars be ticketing for idling on routes that are normally no parking zones during the weekday rush hour.

Of course, this isn't an excuse to start breaking general motor vehicle or parking laws so please park and drive sensibly.

Free events in Toronto this week include movie screenings, concerts and talks, but it's the Barbados on the Water festival that will truly give you all the bang for your (no) bucks. This free waterfront fest includes dance parties, food, a fashion show, and comedy. 

Every generation has a slate of local kids TV shows that seem to transcend the medium, and not always in a good way. Back in the day, Toronto unleashed an avalanche of utterly loopy kids programs onto an unsuspecting public, the effects of which probably still keep a fair amount of psychiatrists busy today.

These are the 10 nuttiest, most brilliantly insane slabs of Toronto TV culture that equally inspired and shocked a generation of kids.

Today's Special

This TVOntario series attained a massive cult following in the United States thanks to its appearance on Nickelodeon. Mannequin Jeff magically comes to life after hours at the downtown Simpson's department store and experiences the joys and sorrows of life along with his friends Jody, Muffy and security guard Sam Crenshaw.

There are many unforgettable moments, including episodes about alcoholism, death and jealously and musical guests as varied as Bruce Cockburn and Oscar Peterson. Criminally unavailable on home video or online, other than fuzzy off-air recordings.

Rocket Robin Hood

Canada's first colour cartoon series in 1967 was animated and dubbed in Toronto, but looked cheap as chips even with a purported budget of almost $2 million. It's best remembered for its head-ache inducing psychedelic intro, and the cuckoo episode "Dementia 5" about trans-dimensional demons who later turn up in an episode of Spider-Man.

The Elephant Show

Sharon, Lois and Bram were like the original Wiggles - folk singing grown-ups whose music was strangely irresistible to youngsters. Their TV show mixed live concert footage with life lesson parables starring an Elephant costume who spoke only in Tuba bursts.

Read All About It!

Extremely spooky edu-tainment screened in classrooms to teach Grade 5's writing and grammar in the 1980s, this TVOntario Sci-Fi serial mostly played like a Toronto set episode of Doctor Who, with an evil alien warlord (floating silver head Duneedon), time travel back to the War of 1812, and sentient monitors and type-writers.

The giallo-esq overtones in the opening episode alone elevate this creepshow to the upper pantheon of classic WTF Canadian television. It was created and written by Clive Endersby (who also novelized the series), a veteran of other classic TVO fare such as Today's Special and Dear Aunt Agnes.

Just Like Mom

After running for what felt like an eternity, "wholesome" memories of the Toronto-shot Just Like Mom game show consisted mostly of announcer Dave Devall, shots of Camp Onondaga, and kids baking cookies. That is until someone uploaded a supercut of host Fergie Oliver's creepy behaviour and the whole thing took on a sinister vibe.

Circle Square

Well-intentioned religious kid's show unmercifully teased in the 1970s and 80s for its overt zeal and hokey sing-alongs. Featuring a revolving group of kid hosts (including a young Marci Ien, better known now as co-host of Canada AM) and some poorly made puppets who focused on life lessons through the prism of Christianity. 

The Friendly Giant

Serene TV magic featured the baritone voiced Bob Homme telling stories and playing music with his puppet friends Jerome the Giraffe and Rusty the Rooster in a castle way up in the sky. Running 15 minutes per episode, featuring a conversational tone, freestyle jazz sessions, and a silver haired host, this type of show is now unimaginable.

The Hilarious House of Frightenstein

Frankly bonkers sketch comedy show for kids featuring man-of-a-thousand faces Billy Van as multiple gruesome characters inhabiting the titular House, alongside Vincent Price, Fishka Rais and Guy Big (supposedly the inspiration for the Austin Power's Mini-Me character).

Although shot in the Hammer, this was Toronto man Billy Van's playhouse; his menagerie of monstrous types included Grizelda, The Librarian, Bwana Clyde Batty, Dr. Pet Vet, The Wolfman, and The Oracle. Even after 4 decades this unique and brilliantly demented series still defies sense, genre or even definition.

Uncle Bobby

Like some lost character from a Paul Thomas Anderson film, Uncle Bobby remains as mysterious today as he was back in the 1960s when he started daily at CFTO in Toronto.

Portrayed by ex-pat Bobby Ash, Uncle Bobby had strange wisdom to impart upon kids ("Be good, but not so very, very good that someone comes up to you and asks what have you been up to?") and also a Pied Piper like ability to inspire and lead them.

Polka Dot Door

Based upon the popular BBC kid's show Play School, Polka Dot Door is now best remembered for its monosyllabic mascot Polkaroo. The series rain daily from 1971 until 1993 on TVOntario, during which time the male host always managed to step away and miss Polkaroo due to the creature's affinity with the female hosts.

Other notable characters included the long suffering toys (Humpty, Dumpty, Marigold and Bear) who spoke in silent code, inanimate story-time mouse, and rarely seen French Canadian cat Minou. During its peak, Polka Dot Door was sold to more countries than the mighty Sesame Street.

Ed Conroy's Retrontario plumbs the seedy depths of Toronto flea markets, flooded basements, thrift shops and garage sales, mining old VHS and Betamax tapes that less than often contain incredible moments of history that were accidentally recorded but somehow survived the ravages of time. You can find more amazing discoveries at www.retrontario.com.

Rainy days in Toronto can sap your desire to leave the house. While we don't suffer the same number of wet days as cities like Vancouver or Halifax, we see our fair share of showers here in Toronto, so it's useful to find some inspiration for some rainy-day fun.

Here are some things to do on a rainy day in Toronto.

Take in some culture at the AGO

The architecture alone at the Art Gallery of Ontario is worth a rainy day visit, with the pitter-patter of droplets hitting Frank Gehry's arch of windows in the Galleria Italia. If that's not enough there's more than 90,000 works of art in the gallery's collection.

See what's new at the Design Exchange

Housing many articles of Canada's unique design history in its permanent collection, as well as some impressive exhibitions, there's always something sure to delight at the Design Exchange. 

Visit the Aga Khan Museum

Toronto's newest museum celebrates the artistic accomplishments of Muslim civilizations from the Iberian Peninsula to China. Some of the world's most exciting Islamic art is on display, including paper works, ceramics, metalwork, ivory, stone, textiles, and other objects.

Scope out the Ryerson Image Centre

Dedicated to photography and related disciplines, the Ryerson Image Centre is a great place to spend a rainy afternoon. Some of this year's most notable exhibits include work from Canadian artist Suzy Lake.

Explore exhibits at the ROM

Toronto is home to some amazing museums and the Royal Ontario Museum shouldn't be overlooked. A must visit exhibit this year is their Out of the Depths: The Blue Whale Story. It's a chance to get up close to one of the world’s most mysterious and largest animals.

Photo by Andrew Williamson at Ripley's Aquarium.

Go under the sea at the aquarium

If the weather wasn't wet enough, you can get fully aquatic at Ripley's Aquarium. There's underwater tunnels and observation rooms surrounded by water and sea life. They've got thousands of different types of creatures, including many varieties of sharks.

See a play

Fans already know of the abundance of great theatre in Toronto, but those unfamiliar with the many productions around should take some time on a grey-skied day and explore the local options. Check out the listings at theatres like Crowsnest, Mirvish, Tarragon and more.

Watch a flick

Toronto is a well-respected movie town — we are Hollywood North, after all. With that in mind, the best place to watch a film in this city is not your couch.

Visit the TIFF film library

TIFF's Film Reference Library carries thousands of cinema related books and magazines, scripts, and importantly for those rainy-day wanderers, viewing stations with 11,000 film and TV programs to plug into. 

Have a laugh at a comedy bar

Moody weather can be directly combatted with a steady stream of laughs, so why not seek out some comedy the next time the clouds roll in? Major sites for comedy in Toronto include Yuk Yuk's, Second City and Absolute Comedy.

Photo by Hector Vasquez at Real Sports.

Cheer on your favourite sports team

Most of Toronto's best sports stadiums are covered, making them perfectly enjoyable no matter what the weather. Don't have enough dough for tickets? Hit up your neighbourhood sports bar instead.

Bowl a strike

Bowling is a wonderful pastime, and a great nostalgic trip when the weather is less than pleasant. The Ballroom may be the only downtown spot to bowl, though Bowlerama is always classic choice. 

Bump, set and spike at beach volleyball

Even on a sunny day, you may not consider Toronto a location for beach volleyball, so it seems like a stretch that such a sport could be enjoyed on a grim, wet day. Not so. Both Beach Blast and North Beach Volleyball offer year-round indoor beach volleyball with actual sand.

Serve aces playing tennis

Indoor tennis is another thought for a rainy day. Both North York Winter Tennis Club and Eglinton Flats Winter Tennis Club have rates everyone can afford.

Go for a swim

Sometimes the way to best deal with a rainy day is to dive right in. Many neighbourhoods have their own indoor community pool like the Regent Park Aquatic Centre. There are university pools like U of T's, or the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre too.

Photo by Hector Vasquez at Smash Ping Pong.

Test your skills at ping pong

There are lots of outdoor table tennis locations around the GTA, but what happens when the sky rains on your ping-pong parade? The next best option is a ping pong bar. There's SPiN Toronto  and Smash Ping Pong Lounge where you can eat, drink and hit the court.

Work on your golf swing

Who said hitting the green was a sunny, summertime pursuit? You can also belt out some irons when the weather is rotten. Try Tee Times Indoor Golf or Metro Golf Dome.

Try a new sport like curling

If there is one thing that's more Canadian than skating, it's curling. I have yet to understand all the rules, and think the next time the weather turns I'll head to one of the many clubs in Toronto and get a better grip on one of the nation's favourite sports.

Sharpen your skates and hit the ice

Many community centres and parks have rinks, and what's more Canadian than taking a spin on the rink? Thanks to the city's indoor rinks this is an all-season, all-weather option.

Hit the slopes

Thanks to Axis Freestyle Academy you can now hit the slopes indoors. Yes, really! Whether you're a skier or snowboarder this facility offers hills and ramps for you hit the slopes no matter the season or weather. 

Photo by Jesse Milns at Ride.

Get your spin on at a local studio

Want to combine exercise, cycling and nightclub energy? Find a spinning class. The city is bustling with options including Ride Cycle Club, SoulCycle, Torq and SPINCO.

Reach new heights rock climbing

An indoor gym is a fantastic way to enter into the world of rock climbing, with qualified instructors, safe climbs and mats and rentable gear. Boulderz Climbing, Basecamp Climbing and Toronto Climbing Academy are all available for amazing climbing experiences.

Embrace your inner ninja doing parkour

Wet weather makes some sluggish, so to keep the blood moving, it's best to move. The Monkey Vault training centre is a huge indoor space set up for parkour. There's room for free running, tricking, gymnastics, breakdancing, even a place to work on your circus acts.

Visit a DIY spot

We could all learn a new skill or two, and there is often a shop with highly skills persons there to help lead the way. You can learn to fire a mug at All Fired Up, or fashion some outfit The Workroom. You can even make jewellery at Devil's Workshop.

Unleash your inner artist

Painting isn't everyone's cup of tea, but drop into a Paintlounge some rainy day and the hesitancy will subside. They provide the supplies, right down to the canvas, and there are knowledgeable instructors to help you get the hang of being a real-life artiste.

Photo by Jesse Milns at Snakes and Lattes.

Get competitive at a board game cafe

An overcast sky can be a welcome indication of a cozy afternoon, tucked away with a book or a board game. Board game cafes have sprung up all over the GTA to offer just such a respite on a rainy day.

Get lucky at a bingo hall

Bingo seems a little sacrilegious on a sunny day so it makes it the ultimate rainy day activity. So next time the the clouds roll in grab your stampers and strips and head on down to the hall for some games, and when you win a round, raise up those arms and scream BINGO!

Sing your heart out at karaoke

Sing your heart out in one of those private karaoke rooms the next time the weather turns sour. They usually have no windows anyway and are illuminated by the background videos of cheesy beach walkers and eye-gazing lovers while you read the accompanying lyrics. 

Get stuck in an escape room

Next time the showers start, why not grab a couple of your wisest friends and book yourselves in at escape room? The principle sounds terrifying, lock yourself in a room and race against the clock to figure your way out but it sure is fun. 

Race a car

Did you know Toronto has a simulating racing centre? RaceSim1 is the first of its kind in the city and it allows Torontonians to race luxury cars without the the cost, danger, and anger management issues incurred from driving on the real streets.

Chinese lobster is widely available in Toronto, though not to the degree that you'll find the more ubiquitous steamed and grilled varieties. You'll need to know where to go to find Cantonese-style lobster, which is typically a dramatic-looking dish featuring infusions of flavour and impressive plating. 

Here are my picks for the top restaurants to hit up for Chinese and Cantonese-style lobster in Toronto.

Wah Sing

A staple among Chinese lobster lovers in Toronto, Wah Sing's lobster special (two for $45.95) will easily trump most other options. My personal favourite here is the one done with black bean sauce.

Hua Sang

Located somewhat oddly right underneath Wah Sing (no, seriously), Hua Sang is your other slightly less known option for two for one lobster specials. The interior and overall appearance of the restaurant is, in my opinion, shabbier than its upstairs counterpart.

Fishman Lobster Clubhouse

This spacious spot is the go-to place for Chinese lobster in the 905. The interior is quite fancy, but you won't care as you elbow your friends trying to take photos of the towering eight pound lobster dish standing on your table.

Fishman Wharf Seafood

A Scarborough gem, this restaurant serves up a number of large lobster and king crab specials. My favourite is the lobster set which features five courses and includes sweet and savoury lobster in Maggi sauce.

Yu Seafood

The Richmond Hill restaurant boasts a swanky interior and delectable seafood dishes. There's a main dining room as well as 10 VIP rooms for private dining. One of the main highlights of the menu is their lobster combos that feed four to five people. 

Maple Yip

One of the best places for all-around Cantonese food, Maple Yip is well-known for its dated interior, hurried atmosphere, and astoundingly delicious lobster at really cheap prices. The light, steamed garlic variety is my favourite here. 

Omei

At this long-standing Richmond Hill favourite the must-order is their famous lobster cooked four ways in which each dish features a different part of the lobster. There's the classic deep fried lobster, fried rice with lobster innards plus a whole lot more. 

Mr. Congee

Despite the chaotic atmosphere, Mr. Congee remains wildly popular with Scarborough residents looking for cheap and good Cantonese food. I've tried their stir fried lobster with ginger here, and at $22.99 I can honestly tell you that it's one of the best values you'll get.

Magic Wok

If you want good old-fashioned solid lobster dishes without any of the frills that you get in some other restaurants, Magic Wok is worth a try. It's the epitome of a solid, no-nonsense Chinese family restaurant that serves up fresh and delicious lobster. 

Congee Queen

If you're looking for lobster excellence, look no further than Congee Queen. The only chain restaurant on this list, they win points for their classic stir-fried lobster with ginger. The lobster may be on the small side, but it's still absolutely tasty.

Cheap patio furniture in Toronto is tough to find outside of box stores like Canadian Tire and Home Depot. Fortunately, there are a handful of shops around the city that carry stylish outdoor furniture that won't completely break the bank.

Here are my picks for the top places to buy cheap patio furniture in Toronto.

Modani

Patio sets start at $590 at Modani, though you can sometimes do better than that during off-season sales. Chairs start at $160 in a variety of styles, all of which show off contemporary design that's far nicer than the price might indicate.

Cabana Coast

Cast aluminum patio furniture starts at around $150 at Cabana Coast. It goes up to $1,500+ of course, but those on the lookout for more affordable options should target their basic lines, which feature pared down pieces good for those who want to outfit an outdoor space.

Kitchen Stuff Plus

The kitchen friendly chain has a whole collection of outdoor furniture available both online and in-store. Patio sets with chair, tables and umbrella are available for as low as $399. 

Wicker Park

Wicker Park is a good spot to target for significant discounts on patio furniture that's on the more expensive side when its marked at full price. You should, however, be able to find a selection of three-piece sets in the $500 range even in the absence of a discount.

Urban Barn

This chain of furnishing shops has a wider selection of outdoor accents than it does furniture, but its patio sets are smart-looking and reasonably priced. The three-piece teak set at $349 would be an excellent way to outfit a balcony.

CB2

The Crate and Barrel offshoot at Queen and Bathurst has a small but top notch selection of outdoor patio furniture. Hammocks, chairs and accessories can all be found for under $400.

InsideOut

You could spend a lot of money on the larger sets at InsideOut, but once again, there are deals to be had on the bistro sets on offer. Made from teak and cast aluminum, these tables and chairs are classic in style and highly durable.

West Elm

West Elm has a great selection of patio furniture for under $400. Instead of buying pre-packaged three-piece sets, you can purchase each piece separately to assemble the outdoor set-up that makes the most sense for your space.

IKEA

It should come as little surprise that IKEA is an excellent source for stylish but affordable patio furniture. Chairs start for as little as $15, but the best feature of IKEA's lineup is the variety of price points. Three-piece sets range between $49 and $269.

The Bay

If you shop at the right time you can score some big discounts on patio furniture at Canada's iconic retailer. Chairs, lounges and dining sets are just some of what's on offer from their Chilewich and Glucksteinhome collections.

The top Toronto music videos of all time take a track that was excellent in the first place and propel it into the great beyond. From CN Tower to Shoppers Drug Mart cameos, if I had a million dollars I'm still not sure if I could make a more quintessentially Toronto video than these. 

Here are the top 30 Toronto music videos of all time.

The Arkells - Knocking at the Door

A Toronto band never made the Esplanade look so good. City views, subway cars, Paul's Boutique in Kensington Market, Union Station and a house party all make this a video love letter to our fine city.

Austra - Beat and The Pulse

Austra's video for "Beat and the Pulse" catapulted them to worldwide indie fame, yet a video that oozes this kind of sexy, creepy, feminist-ish art directioner fashion-blog-c-2010 gothness can't help but be firmly planted in Toronto's west-end indie electro-pop scene. 

Barenaked Ladies - Lovers in a Dangerous Time

The video for BNL's "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" cover will always touch my heart. Look at those adorable winter clothes. Look at them driving around Scarborough. The huddles and harmonies. This vid reminds us Toronto boys can be super cuddly.

Big Wreck - That Song

Shots of the TTC seem to serve as passports to this list, but "That Song's" quirky and slightly creepy nostalgic elements solidify it as beating with pure Torontonian blood.

Brendan Canning - Love is New

The video starts with a swooping shot of the CN Tower, onto a TTC train and follow's the Broken Social Scenester through Kensington Market with dozens of Toronto musicians scattered throughout. 

Cancer Bats - French Immersion

Nothing is more Toronto than angry night biking. Metal's tribute to Toronto and to angry cyclists world wide.

Choclair - Let's Ride

By bike, convertible, motorcycle, or hum-vee, sometimes you just gotta cruise through Toronto with your pals. Though I usually do this with my clothes on — to each their own.

Dido - Here with Me

Follow Dido and her magically low tank top from a warehouse photo shoot and then down Yonge and King West as streetcars pass by. She rudely litters, walks in the middle of the street, and then drops her coat for no one to pick up. 

Drake - 5am in Toronto

Drake goes lo-fi for "5am in Toronto" and the track title says it all. 

Drake - Started from the Bottom

The first five seconds of this video manages to showcase a huge Toronto Parks & Rec logo. Then Drake is rapping in (fake) snow in and around a convertible and the rest of the video is more or less set in Shoppers Drug Mart.

Esthero - That Girl

Another Pearson airport video, but this one takes things to another level with Esthero trapped in a futuristic box, which also pops up around Bay Street? Clearly she's from another planet and can't handle the Toronto air quality.

Feist - My Moon My Man

Ok, Ok, so 1,2,3,4 comes to mind obviously, but it doesn't quite compare to the Pearson airport choreography and utterly perfect mood and styling of this Feist clip.

Grimes - Kill V. Maim

You'd never know it, but this video was filmed in lower Bay station. Grimes and her rave-y friends (many of whom are Toronto nightlife, dance and drag legends) have a great high-speed time and then a blood-covered dance party. 

Kardinal Offishall - The Anthem

"This is where we're calling home" chants Kardinal. The rapper spends a lot of time hitting up Toronto tourist spots, Scarborough, and the club district. If you're ever feeling homesick, this is a video to watch. 

Kids on TV - Breakdance Hunx

Kids on TV were born out of Toronto's late '90s and early 2000s queer scene, and this video involved so many quintessential characters from the era. This is a bookmark in gay Toronto's history. 

K-os - Crabbuckit

Trinity Bellwoods park never looked so lush and green. Filmed all over West Queen West, K-os then makes his way into some sort of jazzy dance club we all wish really existed. 

Leonard Cohen - Closing Time

The late, great Leonard Cohen's 90s jam was filmed inside Club Matador. He doesn't have many scenes on camera, but all the floating people and furniture sure do. 

Maylee Todd - Baby's Got It

It sure looks like Maylee and her crew had fun filming this dance-y track. Find her on the beach, don't neighbourhood streets, and in all kinds of friendly, art-like situations. 

Maestro Fresh Wes - Stick to your Vision

Be careful under all those hydro wires, Maestro! He raps about Don Mills and Eglinton and drives around St. James Town in this seminal song. This one was directed by none other than Director X, then known as Little X.

Moffats - Misery

The Toronto boy band took a trip to the Island, which provides some great skyline shots. It's just too bad they're so sad, and then they get caught in a huge rainstorm. A preview of days to come?

Nelly Furtado - Powerless (Say What You Want)

Nelly dresses for fall weather in this happy clip that sees her hang out on a couch in the Beach and dance in the streets at King and Simcoe.

Our Lady Peace - One Man Army

Raine Maida and Our Lady Peace hurt and fly all over Bay Street and at the intersection of King and Victoria until you can't take it anymore. 

Parachute Club - Rise Up

Have you ever felt like gathering all your super annoying theatres school friends on the back of a truck and parading around the streets of Toronto? Allow the Parachute Club to make that happen for you.

The Pursuit of Happiness - I'm An Adult Now

Toronto still has its bad boy rockers, and Toronto's new bad boy rockers learned everything they know from "I'm an Adult Now." Right? Or is that just a coincidence?

Radio Radio - Cliche Hot

This video from the Nova Scotian hip hop crew is basically a love letter to Honest Ed's.

Romantic Traffic - ‪The Spoons‬

When was the last time you showed a TTC busker some love? This vintage subway vid will tug at your heart strings for a big haired, new romantic Toronto that blossomed for a brief (3 min 58 sec to be exact) moment.

Rush - Subdivisions

A helicopter shot! You know you've made it when the label will give you a helicopter shot. Rush travel from downtown to Scarborough and sweep above the Don Valley Parkway in this intensive investigation into suburban living.

The Shuffle Demons - Spadina Bus

The most famous musical tribute to the TTC will likely always be these goofy, parachute-pant-wearing dudes climbing on the Spadina bus and jamming about how great the Spadina bus was. Plus, there's a sequel.

Tears for Fears - Head over Heels

No clue how the hell this happened, but the UK band's video was shot inside U of T's Emmanuel College Library.

Kal Ho Naa Ho - Kuch Toh Hua Hai

Who cares if Bollwood star Kal Ho Naa Ho is pretending he's in New York. It does a better job of showing off Toronto than most Toronto videos! There's Streetcar dancing and hot dog stand tasting involved.