It's all about choice this Summer...As I sit down to write the "Special Canada Day Edition" of the Technicolour Report...I thought that this month I would love to share some cool things you can do for free during the summer.
Let's face it our spending habits have changed over the past few months as gas, food and other costs have gone up while incomes perhaps have stayed the same. In fact in the Toronto Star this week, they wrote about the fact that "Stagflation" was fast becoming the term to describe the economic climate. Stagflation is when the economy stagnates...and doesn't grow much and inflationary pressures from rising oil and gas costs begin to take root not only at the pumps but also in other products and services we buy.
So...that's the bad news...costs are going up...but does our sense of fun and wonder have to follow suit this summer?
I say no way.
In fact here are a few things you can do for free this summer...
1) At Mel Lastman Square in North York from July 20th until the end of August there are "Free" concerts every Sunday night...it's usually big band music...but it's fun to people watch and there is lot's of dancing...it starts at 7:30 pm...but you might want to get there early to get a good seat. Mel Lastman Square is located off of Yonge St.just north of Sheppard in the North York City Hall. http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/serenades/index.htm
2) It's not free but it's darn close. The Bad Dog Theatre does improv. Man with gas prices shooting up we need a good laugh and the Bad Dog Theatre delivers. Located on the Danforth near Broadview Street and Station...it's fun night out on a Saturday to see live Improv theatre for just $10.00. Check them out online at ... http://www.baddogtheatre.com/modules/news/
3) Right in the heart of downtown Toronto is Nathan Phillips Square and on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the summer they Fresh Wednesdays and Tasty Thursdays...market grown foods for sale on Wednesdays and gourmet lunches on Thursdays...plus there is music at the bandshell each lunch time. I went down a few years ago...and saw the Satellites...you might remember that band...with one of their hit songs being "Just give me some kind of sign girl". These concerts are free...and the food is fairly well priced and it's pretty healthy too. Log onto http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/wednesdays/index.htm for Fresh Wednesdays and then check out http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/thursdays/index.htm for Tasty Thursday's if you spend $12 at most for lunch and TTC downtown then you've spent too much.
4) Another cool thing you can take on this Summer...is go to the Islands man...Well...the Toronto Islands...pack a picnic and take a low cost ferry ride to the Islands and it feels like you got away for the day...there are a few Island destinations to choose from...I like Wards Island personally...here is the link to information the ferry rides and the Islands themselves...
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/#wards
5) In Pickering you can enjoy a free concert series too...at Millennium Square Park by the waterfront there are free concerts starting at 7 pm on Thursday's through July and August...
It's a nice night out...gives you something else to do and get's you connected with your community... log onto http://www.durhamtourism.ca/events.aspx?id=13323 for more information on the concerts in Pickering...
6) Not to be outdone by Pickering...the town of Brooklin in North Whitby also has a free concert series on Thursday nights too at Grass Park at 41 Baldwin St. This event goes from 7 pm until 8:30 pm...and it's free too...bring your own lawn chair though...Concerts start on July 3rd and goes until August 28th...
7) The Town of Whitby has a beautiful central library and they too have free jazz concerts in the square at the library...so check that out too...plus...having a library card costs nothing and you have access to books, CD's and DVD's to watch and listen too respectively. Log onto http://www.durhamtourism.ca/events.aspx?id=14151 for events at Celebration Square at the Whitby Library...
8) Nature Trail Walks...I walked on Sunday after my radio show (June 22nd) from Rotary Park in Ajax to the Senataph...I reached the peak of the escarpment and yelled and jumped up and down like Rocky...and then walked back. By the time I had finished an hour had gone by and I ended my walk by pushing some kids out of the way at the kids zone splash area...I ran through the cold sprinklers 3 times and got soaked but got cooled off nicely...there are many nature trails in Durham. One in Ajax, one just past the GM head office in Oshawa and Lynde Shores in Whitby...there are others believe me...but these are some personal favourites...
9) The Driftwood theatre group is hosting Romeo and Juliet in July...on the 22nd...it's a pay what you can for the event so if bucks are tight pay what you can...the suggested price is $15.00...but again...it's a pay what you can o do your best...that's all you can do. Log onto http://www.driftwoodtheatre.com/ for more information...it's outdoor theatre and it's a nice night out.
10) Lastly I love the 4th Line Theatre company in Millbrook, Ontario...just north of Hwy 401 off of 115 (towards Peterborough and Lindsay)...they are putting on the Last Green Hill this July and then the "School House" in the August and it's stunning outdoor theatre set on a farm in Millbrook...they use all the elements of the farm and outdoors too...for $20.00 you're in like Flynn... log onto http://www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca/ to learn more...
So there you go...your budgets maybe limited...but your fun quotient doesn't have to be. Log onto www.durhamtourism.com and or www.city.toronto.on.ca for fun things you can take in this summer...
Now...usually I embed a video...in my newsletters...well this edition has a gem for you this month and a touch of nostalgia...I have Summer Nights from the movie Grease...enjoy the video and...
Have a great summer and Happy Canada Day eh?
David Cohen
