Welcome to our newsletter...in it we have information, articles, events to help you propel your business forward. I am really excited about adopting this new format for my newsletter and hope that you like what it's all about.
This is the special Canada Day Edition...like last year, I shared 10 events and places you can go this summer to enjoy the arts, music, culture and be entertained for free.
If you're like most small business owners these days, money has been a little tighter this year, sales may be flat...but that doesn't mean our spirits have to be that way? It doesn't mean there isn't fun things you can do and it doesn't mean that you have to spend a bundle to enjoy the pleasures of life...
So here goes...our annual list of the top 10 things you can do for little or no money...Have a Happy Canada Day and a beautiful, bountiful summer.
Cheers/David Cohen
1) Unionville in Markham has a number of events and music concerts throughout the summer that are absolutely free, now if you do want to spend some money, Unionville is a quaint area with shops and restaurants for you to enjoy as well. The highlight events in Unionville include; The Markham Jazz Fest in mid August and the Big Band Street Festival on Labour Day Monday...both are top notch! Here is the link... http://www.unionvilleinfo.com/
2) If you love the Lake, then you'd love hanging at Harbourfront...there are all kinds of concerts, cultural events, shops, restaurants and it's accessible by TTC...plus it's right on Lake Ontario...
Check out the goings on this summer at Harbourfront... there is music, art, free movie nights (outdoors) and much more...here is the link http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/
3) If you live East in the city or in Durham Region...there are free concerts everywhere...in the park, at a school, in a field, it's just the rule...I like my music in a park, I like my music anywhere...check out the Durham Tourism site Sam I am... Okay, in all seriousness and with respect to Dr.Suess, here is the Durham Tourism events site link http://www.durhamtourism.ca/events.aspx
4) If humour, or improv theatre is your thing and Lord knows we all need a laugh or two...then check out a little place on Danforth Avenue in Toronto, called the Bad Dog Theatre, they have improv comedy events starting at $5.00...plus if you want to study improv theatre, they hold workshops as well...lot's on the go at the Bad Dog theatre and kinda fun too! Here is the link for the Bad Dog... http://www.baddogtheatre.com/modules/news/
5) One of my favourite places is an outdoor theatre company in Millbrook...they do exquisite outdoor theatre on a farm. Rob Winslow is the theatre director and turns the "Winslow" family farm into a stage from July 1st through to the end of August with powerful, historical plays. It does cost money...but you get total value for your dollar... log onto http://www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca/
6) Once the City of Toronto strike is over...be sure to check out Mel Lastman Square in North York on Sunday nights from July through to the end of August for the Sunday Night Seranades...dancing outdoors, nice music and set in a family atmosphere...if you want to impress a woman with how nimble you are on your feet...I promise you she will enjoy dancing to the music at Mel Lastman Square... http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/index.htm
7) Also...when the strike settles...at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto there are free concerts at lunch on Wednesday's and Thursday's ...lot's of fun and a bit of a get-away in the middle of the day. It can break up your nose to the grindstone business routine nicely...again log onto the City of Toronto website at http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/index.htm
8) If you're into sports...you can grab a Blue Jay ticket for $9.00...if you collect Air Miles ...70 air miles gets you a pair of free tickets to see pro baseball for free in the 500 level seats...log onto
9) If you want to see free pro baseball...check out an intercounty league game and see the other Toronto Maple Leafs play...this team has some heart though...log onto http://www.leafsbaseball.com/ to watch semi-pro baseball...it's a fun day out...
10) Last but not least is Downsview Park...with events, movies under the stars, farmers markets and more...it's where the Pope was a few years ago and is accessible by the TTC as well. Log onto
http://www.pdp.ca/en/events/index.cfm to check out the events and goings on at Downsview Park...
Here is a bonus too...if you're familiar with business networking groups you can pay a lot of money...well if you run a business there are two networking events that you can go too for free...one is in Durham and one is in Toronto...
Log onto http://www.smallbizhomebizunited.com/ to attend free business networking events in Pickering...George Wellsbury and Lesley Roper host business networking events from their home...and in September they are organizing a business trade show too...it's well worth checking out...
Plus, you can email me at work to attend free networking events at the Learning Enrichment Foundation each month... I am at dcohen@lefca.org and our website is http://www.lefca.org/
We have guest speakers and networking all rolled into one!
I wish you all an abundant, healthy summer...have a great time and now you can have fun, network and do it for free all at once!
David
