Happy Canada Day!

To Canadians and visitors, everyone at Backpackers On Dundas wishes you a happy and fun July 1st!





Canada Day cartoon courtesy of, and can be found at: http://www.fewings.ca/TodaysCartoon/Blog/tabid/958/EntryID/708/Default.aspx

Toronto’s 21st Annual Beaches International Jazz Festival is back!

For those lucky BoD fans and international packpackers who find yourselves in Toronto for the Jazz Festival, get your dancing shoes ready...because its almost here.

For those international travelers caught by surprise - call, book your bed quick at our favorite international hostel and then hop on a plane, train, or get out that thumb! This not to be missed event is one of Toronto’s most fun and most musical, and here’s the scoop on this year’s great lineup of events. Bring a hat, a blanket or folding chair, or come empty handed and hang out - perhaps in one of the many beer gardens!

The Toronto worker strike is affecting some of the planned activities, so I’ve tried to confirm that all are going ahead. To be extra sure, keep an eye out on the Jazz Festival website, and check out all the great events while you’re there.

Event: 21st Annual Beaches International Jazz Festival
When: The Toronto Beach Community
Festival Events:

• Woodbine Park, Lakeshore and Coxwell -July 17-19
• StreetFest Queen St E, – July 23-25
• KEW Gardens Queen St E, OLG main stage – July 25-26
• Workshops 1774 Queen St E - July 20 to 25, 7-9pm
• Marathon KEW Gardens, Martin Goodman Trail – July 26 8:30 (20k), 9:30 (10k), 10am (5k)

Price: Free

Lakeside, at Woodbine Park is the launch and kick-off for this year's celebrations. You’ll find numerous outdoor concert stages including the "New Generation" and "Youth" stages celebrating some awesome and upcoming young musicians.

During StreetFest, Queen Street E. is closed for 2km to all but foot traffic each night - 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm. Get your groove on as about 50 bands over the 3 nights are there to entertain you. Featuring Big Band, Swing, Dixieland, Smooth, Post-Bop, Afro-Cuban, Fusion, Funk, R&B and Soul – its not a festival, its a pilgrimage for close to a million people each year!

At KEW Gardens, notable international and local jazz musicians headline on the main stage of Toronto's Beach community – all free!

Free interactive workshops given by industry specialist such as Tony Tobias (President and owner of Pangaea Media & Music Inc), Jazz trumpeter and Yamaha Artist Chase Sanborn, are designed to complement, diversify and broaden your "jazz experience" with the Festival. Check out the website for more information.

You can sign up for the marathon for just $5, or for $20 you’ll get a jazz fest t-shirt, a ticket to the post-run barbeque, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping the local Toronto Beach Rotary Club in supporting important groups and projects. There is a cap of 1,000 participants, so they tell you to enter early or risk being disappointed!

Canada Day Celebrations in Toronto

Happy Birthday Canada!

This Canada Day, instead of sitting around in your favorite international hostel and playing xbox on the BoD flat screen TV and munching snacks from the kitchen, why not go out and join in on the many many Canada Day celebrations happening this July 1st, 2009.

The Toronto worker strike is affecting some of the planned activities, so I’ve tried to confirm that the ones I’m listing are still going ahead. To be extra sure, why not check out the great activities happening in and around Toronto. I have kept the list to those accessible by bus (from TTC, nearby Union Station or the GO).

Event: Ontario Place Festival of Fire
When: Wednesday July 1st - 9 pm – 11 pm
Where: 915 Lakeshore West (along the lake)
Price: Free if you get near Ontario Place, $17.75 for grounds admission only; $30 for play all day including access to the waterpark and rides.

On Canada Day Ontario Place (open from 10am to 11pm) is smack in the middle of the themed fireworks displays set to music. If you are in the park, the music will be playing on the loud speakers but you can still hear them if you’ve opted for the totally great cheap seats (the grass) outside of Ontario place – just bring blanket and a radio and tune into fm 98.1 (there are actually 3 nights for fireworks, including Saturday June 26th and Saturday, July 4th). You can also buy a ticket for reserved bleacher seating during the fireworks displays.

Event: Fireworks and Festivals in the Beach
When: Wednesday, July 1st – all day, all evening!
Where: The Beach, between Queen Street East and Woodbine Beach
Price: Free
This day in the Beach, with 3 great events happening, it is a great place to be. Use the TTC and take either the Queen Street East streetcar across to Coxwell or Woodbine and head a bit east along queen, or south to the lake. All 3 are within wandering distance of each other once you’re at The Beach, so enjoy!
The Beach events:

• BEACHES LIONS CANADA DAY FAMILY FESTIVAL - noon - 6 p.m. at Kew Gardens (Queen St. East just east of Woodbine Ave) This years events features a Beach Idol competition, kids carnival, craft show and great live entertainment
• CANADA DAY NEW COUNTRY JAM MUSIC FESTIVAL - happening from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at Woodbine Park, near Lakeshore and Coxwell
• CANADA DAY FIREWORKS DISPLAY - after 9:30 p.m. - Ashbridge's Bay, along the lakeshore south of Coxwell, but its definitely best to come early. Bring a blanket and stake out your spot!!

If you would rather get out of Toronto to see the various Canada Day celebrations, take a look at 400 Eleven for some of the many festivals and events happening near and far, in addition to the following small list of events going on within an ½ hour to 2hours of Toronto and available by bus or the GO. The plus with these events is that there is no garbage strike!

Around Toronto events:

• Canada Day Parade & Street Dance & Fireworks in Barrie
• Toronto Ribfest in Etobicoke
• Celebrations and Fireworks at Fort George in Niagara-on-the-lake
• Free concerts and Pizza Pizza Falls Fireworks in Niagara Falls

This weekend in Toronto: Pride Parade!

We talked about this weeks pride events in a previous blog (This weekend in Toronto: The Dragon Boats are back!). And with so many different events happening, I am as usual listing just a few of them for those of you traveling in and around Toronto this week. Check on Toronto.com for a full listing of June events. Once you’ve booked online, arrived at your favorite international Hostel, and are sitting there looking wondering what to do… every event listed is within walking distance or available from Union station just a few short blocks away.

Event: Communities in Bloom Gardens
When: Saturday June 19 – Sunday June 28, 2009
Where: Downtown Toronto at the CN Tower
Price: Free
This summer launches with 10,000 tulips blooming along the CN Tower grounds. A part go green effort, these beautiful gardens are worth a wander and a picnic. Time it right and maybe you can join the nearby Steam Whistle singles brewery tour event happening this weekend.

Where: Live Music at the Prince of Ales
When: Saturday June 19 – Sunday June 28, 2009
Where: downtown Toronto, Close to the St. Lawrence Market (Front and Church)
Price: Free
Live at the Prince of Ales enjoy free live music while sipping on something cold and frosty
Upcoming events:

• Sean Pinchin Friday, June 26, 9:00 PM new bluegrass mixed with some classic folk and blues
• Trevor Campbell Saturday, June 27, 9:00 PM classics and his new pop works

Event: ROMwalks 2009
When: ‘til Sept 30, 2009
Where: downtown Toronto
Price: Free

Learn more about the history of the city with these free walking tours. Tours take place every Sunday and Wednesday ‘til October.
Upcoming tours:

• The Danforth Wednesday, June 24, 6 PM at Danforth and Cambridge Ave. (Cambridge Ave is north side of Danforth, one block west of Broadview Subway Station).
  TTC: Broadview Subway Station.


• Hidden Treasures - Sculpture in the City Sunday, June 28, 2 PM at King Street and Church.
  TTC: King Subway Station or King Streetcar to Church.

Event: Ice Cream Summerfest 2009
When: Jun 27, 2009
Where: Molson Amphitheatre – Ontario Place - 909 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Price: $45.50 - $79.50

Annual hip-hop and R&B music festival, hosted by comedian Joe Clair, held in the awesome outdoor Molson Amphitheatre in Ontario Place on the lakeshore, across from the CNE.

TTC: Union Station, take Bathurst streetcar to CNE, walk south (head to the water!) through CNE grounds across bridge over the lakeshore to Ontario Place (approx. 10 min walk)

Unique Toronto Neighbourhoods: The Distillery District

Where: Trinity and Mill Street in the Parliament and Front St. area
How to get there: TTC bus 72A or 172A from Union Station
$: $0 - thousands (just in case you see that must have a piece of art)

In a previous Toronto Neighbourhood BoD blog (Unique Toronto neighbourhoods: Kensington Market), we introduced Toronto travelers and backpackers to the eclectic Kensington Market. This time, when you’ve checked in at our favorite Toronto hostel and are wondering where to go and what to do, why not check out the historic Distillery District - so called because, yes, it was an actual working distillery. Imagine…13 acres devoted entirely to making booze!

OK, BoD fans, quick synopsis: Founded in 1832 by Gooderham and Worts (brother-in-laws) and the largest distillery in the British empire; largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture in North America; national historic site. That’s right. You can check out the details of the historic information here.

I’d like to concentrate on the awesome place it is to visit today. As the first pedestrian only village, this unique neighbourhood attracts the best of the best. From international galleries to artists of all genres, theatres, restaurants, cafes, and boutiques the Distillery District is fascinating and fun.

Found, of course, within minutes of our favorite Toronto hostel, this is a must see neighbourhood. Enjoy strolling exhaust free in the heart of Toronto on brick lined streets, sip a drink on a patio in the piazzas and people watch, stroll through the great little galleries and studios soaking up the great industrial architecture.

This great neighbourhood is a great place to visit year round and there is always a festival going on or coming up to add to the atmosphere – as if it needs it! This summer’s events in the Distillery include:

June 27/28, 2009: Toronto City Roots Festival
July 9, 2009: Boys Night Out
July 26, 2009: Portobello East Fashion and Art Market
August 1-3, 2009: Artisans at The Distillery Craft Show
August 8, 2009: Tamala presents “Mamaya Toronto”

So Cheers! And see you there soon BoD fans!

This weekend in Toronto: The Dragon Boats are back!

As usual there is so much happening that I can only select a few really great events (see the Dragon Boat, the Steam Whistle brewery tour and Pride Week!) to list for those of you traveling in and around Toronto this week.

Check out Toronto.com for a full listing of June events - and don’t forget to look at booking online with your favorite international Hostel located right downtown close to everything. Really.

Event: Worldwide Short Film Festival
When: Tuesday June 16 - Sunday June 21, 2009
Where: downtown Toronto
You'll see Short films presented in themed programs at five different venues in downtown Toronto.

Event: North by Northeast Music and Film Festival & Conference
When: Wednesday June 17 - Sunday June 21
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Yes, again at our BoD fan’s favorite place to go in Toronto we have hundreds of bands and performers from around the world filling up various Toronto clubs, with additional concerts at Yonge-Dundas Square. And you get music conference and music film screenings to round out the festival.

Event: Toronto International Dragon Boats Race Festival
When: Saturday June 20 - Sunday June 21, 2009
Where: Toronto’s Centre Island
Head out to Toronto Centre Island for a free and really fun weekend of dragon boat races and multicultural performances and really good food...
Event: Pride Week
When: Saturday June 19 – Sunday June 28, 2009
Where: downtown Toronto
Don’t miss out on this awesome annual event that includes Street fairs and entertainment. All week’s entertainment leads up to the Pride Parade to end the festivities on the last Sunday (28th).

Event: Northern Ink Xposure
When: Friday June 19 - Sunday June 21, 2009
Where: Downtown Toronto Hilton
Tattoo artists and enthusiasts are heading down to the Downtown Hilton for the weekend. You’ll find exhibits, entertainment, and – while you’re there, find the time to get that tattoo you’ve been lusting after.

And here’s just a few fun booze filled events for you to enjoy while you’re at it:

• JUNE 17, 2009 (WED)
  Toronto: Wine, Dine and All That Jazz
• JUNE 19, 2009 (FRI)
  Toronto Wine and Spirit Festival
• JUNE 27, 2009 (SAT)
  Toronto Singles Steam Whistle Brewery & Beer Tasting Tour
• JUNE 27, 2009 (SAT)
  Yellow Wine Club presents - Graze the Bench Wine Tour

What’s happening in Toronto this weekend?

So you’ve traveled all the way to Toronto, booked your bed at your favorite international hostel, of course, and now you’re ready to explore our weekend events. Our BoD fans find some of the best happenings right here, so let’s see if we can find something you’ll enjoy. As usual, there are so many we’ll just look at a few and you can find many more here at Toronto.com.

The weather is beautiful so take advantage and join our BoD backpackers and fans in the revelry!

Woofstock!
Pets, get your owners ready! Starting at 10am today, Jun 13th and running until tomorrow, Jun 14th at 6pm the annual Woofstock Festival is taking over the St. Lawrence area. Notably billed as the LARGEST festival for dogs in North America, this event is both handy and fun.

The weather is perfect; the events are free; the pets are primped; and dressed to perfection (and silliness) for the doggy costume contest. This fun and quirky event is not to be missed – unless you’re allergic to dogs and their owners, in which case check out the Waterfront Blues Festival happening at Woodbine Beach below. At a Starbucks along the Danforth, I recently met the reining champ - 2 years running - of the costumed affair, Daisy (friend of Basset Hound Rescue of Ontario), but she wouldn’t divulge this years’ costume. I’ll just have to join you all there and see it for myself.

Waterfront Blues Festival
Friday June 12 - Sunday June 14
Enjoy the all-free performances at Woodbine Park in the Beach, starting at noon Saturday, June 13th going until 10pm; and again tomorrow, June14th, Sunday Noon-6pm. You’ll find it along the southbound Lakeshore, just across from the beach. Come; plan to spend the whole day enjoying yourself in the sun, the sand, and the blues!

Luminato
If you’d prefer to stay in the downtown core, then check out (where else) Yonge/Dundas square for the Luminato events happening. Drop into their Artist Hub in the Hard Rock Café just off Yonge-Dundas Square. Join Raoul and The Big Time (NOW magazine's Best Blues Artist of 2007), along with guest artists from other Guitar Festival events. Of course, it's free, so hang out and enjoy!

And don’t forget to visit Toronto harborfront festivities for the closing weekend festivities, where the harborfront has been transformed for the Cirque du Soleil’s special free final performance at 9pm Sunday, June 14th. I can’t wait and will definitely join you, Stella, and our BoD fans there!

Happy Luminato Festival 2009 Toronto!

What: Luminato and L’Oreal Festival
When: June 5th to 14th
Where: Various Venues, including

• Many, many downtown Toronto & GTA locations
  Check out their website, as there are really too many to mention

$:

• free events: many, many…check out their site for all
  - Try not to miss out on the Closing Weekend Celebrations, 12th to 14th, featuring Cirque du Soleil and happening on the waterfront
• not so free events:
  - again too numerous to list…just check out their website for event and ticket information

The Luminato and L’Oreal Festival of Arts and Creativity is on again…and Torontonians (and visiting Toronto travelers) get to attend all kinds of free and not so free events with this years festival. Again, there are so many that it’s best you check the times and places out on their site for the events you’re interested in…but I want to talk about by far the coolest event of the festival so far.

On Saturday, June 06 @ 2pm – at where else but our favorite Yonge/Dundas Square – over 1600 guitarists (1623 to be exact) gathered at the square to play Neil Young’s Helpless for what was potentially going to be the world’s biggest jam session.

Why was this happening you ask?

Because Toronto was hoping to create history! That’s right…but an attempt to create a new world record and earn our – and therefore your - place in the Guiness Book of World records was unfortunately unsuccessful in beating the current record (Just in case you’re curious, the current record is held by Germany where 1,802 guitarists gathered to play Smoke on the Water). Oh well, so we didn’t quite make it – we gave a valiant attempt – but came just shy of the mark. We're still happy because we all had fun, and being Torontonians and great BoD fans…we’re always up for anything fun, yes?!

Anyway, if you’re heading to Toronto to join us in the Luminato celebrations – or not – book your bed at our favorite International hostel in Toronto and you’ll find yourself close to everything fun!

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Belle Nuit - Benefit Concert in Toronto

Bod Toronto Hostel is donating our blog space today to this awesome upcoming Toronto event:

Hey, looking for something to do in Toronto this weekend? How about an inexpensive concert that benefits TWO great causes? Proceeds of this concert got to Toronto Sick Kids Hospital and Toronto Humane Society.

The CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival is almost here

What: Worldwide Short Film Festival (WSFF)
When: June 16th to 21st
Where: The following venues:

• Opening Night: Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West
• Screenings: Cumberland 4, 159 Cumberland Street / ROM / 100 Queen’s Park
• Symposium: Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue (U of T Campus)

Tickets and Pricing:

• Opening Night Gala (includes post screening party) : $20
• Festival Six Pack: $50
• Festival Pass (includes opening night): $110
• Daytime Screening Pass: $40
• Do-it-all Combo Pass (including symposium): $170
• Symposium Four-Pack: $60
• Single Screening Ticket: $10

We, at Toronto's favorite hostel, and our most excellent BoD fans are so excited! The Canadian Film Centre’s Worldwide Short Film Festival is celebrating its 15th year as the leading venue exhibiting and promoting short film in North America. The WSFF will be presenting 295 films from over 46 countries and is offering one of the largest prize packages for short film in the world.

This year’s awards categories (there are 12 programs of official selection) include collective film projects, cutting edge music videos, late night and sci-fi shorts, filmmaking, kid-friendly flicks, comedies (such as Oh Canada! Canadian Comedy Shorts, and Accidentally Funny), country spotlights, animation, Film School Spotlight shines a retrospective light on ten years of highlights from London's Royal Academy of Arts.Visit http://www.shorterisbetter.com/ for more scheduling information

If you're travelling to Toronto for the WSFF, it's not too late to book your bed at your favourite hostel. We're looking forward to meeting up with all you film loving international travelers and BoD fans soon!