Will be missed! The "metal monster" at The Distillery

Update on The Distillery

I was at The Distillery last week and the huge metal creature greeting us on the west side of the site was still standing. Just learned from a blog by Steve Kupferman for torontoist.com that it's been dismantled. It's when it's gone that you realize how much outdoor art adds to a place.

It's a good thing the "giant spider" located further east by the food market is still there! Kids love that one too.

Victoria Day fireworks at Ashbridge's Bay Park

Want a big finish to Victoria Day Weekend?
Enjoy the annual fireworks display at Ashbridge's Bay Park on Monday May 20th at 10 p.m.

The streetcar stops and the sidewalks will get quite crowded as you get closer to Woodbine Beach (which sits at the foot of Coxwell Avenue, just east of Ashbridge's Bay and offers the best viewpoint) but once you get to the large and wide beach, there's plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the experience. 

Bring extra sweaters (it's always a bit more chilly by the water) and a thick blanket to sit on. Try to grab a few sparkles for the kids at a convenience store, take some drinks and snacks with you (and maybe some beach toys for the younger siblings to kill the time until the show starts).

Then, feeling the anticipation build up is a big part of the fun. The show starts at 10 p.m. and lasts approximately 15 intense minutes. 

It is lovely the way the fireworks light up the sand and how everyone is so ready to be pleased by the display. No one is ever disappointed by the Ashbridge's Bay fireworks.

To get there
To get to Woodbine Beach, we always try to park along a side street in Leslieville and then take the eastbound streetcar on Queen Street East. Of course, the return is a bit chaotic and more easily handled using the public transit, but everyone is in such good spirit that we normally think it's a small price to pay for a great Victoria Day tradition.

Woodbine Beach during Victoria Day Weekend (May 18, 2012)

Win-Win evening at the YPT on May 28!

Would you want to get the chance to win a FREE performance for the school of your choice?

I did not realize this when writing my last post on tips to have the best family evening around Young People's Theatre but those who reserve their seat (by clicking on this link) to the FREE showcase offered by Prologue on May 28 at 7 p.m. at the YPT will have a chance to win a FREE performance for the school of their choice!

Wouldn't this be awesome?

Prologue's FREE show at Young People Theatre on May 28

I'm a believer!
As the author of Toronto Fun Places (always interested in anything related to activities for children), I've been involved with Prologue to the Performing Arts for the last 8 years. That's why I strongly recommend you take advantage of their free (unadvertised) showcase on Tuesday May 28 at 7 p.m. at the Young People's Theatre.

Prologue is a fantastic not-for-profit organization facilitating the presentation of over 2,200 children shows every year in schools and public venues throughout the province of Ontario.

Once a year they organizes a showcase at the Young People's Theatre (YPT) to promote the amazing roster of artists and company they represents. First, Prologue invite teachers with their kids, then they open the showcase to the general public to fill the rest of the seats. The dynamic evening allows us to sample six different companies. Nobody gets bored at a Prologue showcase!

This year's showcase is at 7 p.m. on May 28
On Tuesday May 28, Prologue's line-up will include companies with international reputation such as Motus O Dance Theatre (who will be performing at the Markham Theatre on May 30 at the cost of $30/adults and $22/children, you'll get to see them for free), the truly original Corpus, the wacky Puzzle Theatre from Montreal, the music of Sonic Escape and The Celtic Rathskallions and Tribal Vision Dance.

Click on this link to RSVP! You must confirm your presence to ensure your family gets seats for the 7 p.m. Prologue show at Young People's Theatre on May 28. Meet you there!

Tips for a great family evening!

I scouted the surroundings of Young People's Theatre for you. Here are a few tips to make the most of your visit in the area before the evening show.

Best parking option

The YPT is located at 165 Front Street East, west of Sherbourne. There's a Starbucks facing the theatre. Just north of it, in the same building, is the indoor Frederick Street Garage, offering a $5 flat rate from 4 p.m. (Note that most parking lots around the theatre offer a $5 flat rate from 6 p.m. and on the weekends.)

Want them to burn off some energy?

You know your kids. If you feel they'd better enjoy the show after a stretch in the park, take them to David Crombie Park (a 5-minute walk). It is a long and narrow park including an inviting large climbing structure, a great mural, a fountain and plenty of space to run (see photos at the end of the blog). 

To get there from Frederick Street Garage, walk east on Front Street, along the theatre, then turn south on Sherbourne and left on The Esplanade. At the corner of Lower Sherbourne and The Esplanade, you'll find a line-up of places where you could grab some food to eat in the park: Coffee Times, Pizza Novo, a sushi place and a convenience store.

Want to take them to an exotic place?

Or, you could take your family to a truly whimsical mexican-food restaurant called Pacific Junction Hotel (no, it's not a hotel). (Simply walk north from Frederick Street Garage and turn right on King Street. The restaurant is at 236 King East , just east of Sherbourne.)  

That's where you might have a chance to sit in a half-bath tub, play pool or ping-pong and try alligator meat tacos (tastes like chicken) or more traditional tacos and nachos. I've shared a large bowl of Mojito with my girlfriends there once, but that's another kind of outing isn't it?

The game room at Pacific Junction Hotel

Facing David Crombie Park

Western part of David Crombie Park

Middle of David Crombie Park

Eastern part of David Crombie Park

High Park in full bloom

This week's family outing of the week on torontofunplaces.com:

High Park with its Cherry Tree Lane in full bloom, combined with a stop at the superb wooden castle inside the park. Spring at its best!

Update, as of May 5: A friend tried to visit High Park this weekend and the traffic was so heavy, they could not access it. She said that next time when visiting on the weekend during the full bloom period, she would take the subway. (It would take you 15 minutes to walk from High Park Subways Station to Grenadier Restaurant, not far from the Cherry Tree Lane.)

Cool playgrounds: Jamie Bell Adventure Park in High Park

Firing up imaginations

By the entrance of the large playground with wooden castle structure in Jamie Bell Adventure Park, in High Park, you'll see Arthur's sword in a stone! 

It was added by Mike Holmes after the popular contractor volunteered to restore the burned section of the beloved wooden castle in 2012.

Almost time to see the cherry trees in full bloom. Check this blog. (From the playground, walk through the little zoo to Grenadier Pond and go down the cherry tree lane by Grenadier Pond.)

More about the playground on www.torontofunplaces.com.

About the author: How it all started!

First, I lost my babysitter...
When I suddenly lost my babysitter, my son was two. I chose to quit my job in communication at TFO (the French side of TVO) and started to explore the Greater Toronto Area, kid in tow. 

Having just moved to Toronto from Montreal three years ago, I still had a tourist mentality and was thrilled to discover so many fun things to do and see  with my son.

I soon realized that all the Toronto guides were written for tourists, not really useful for local parents. My marketing background kicked in (I've got an MBA in marketing from McGill University). I decided to fill the need for a guide for local parents and launched into a major exploration of Toronto and its surroundings. My daughter was born 4 years later and joined the club.

The resulting guide, Toronto Fun Places... for families, was self-published under Word-of-Mouth Production. It is currently in its 5th edition and has sold over 40,000 copies in the GTA. (I now hook up with moms of younger children to continue my research.)

It was followed by two guides Toronto Urban Strolls... for girlfriends 1 & 2. But that's another story.

An author on a mission
My then little blond guy is now a 6-foot musician and my baby girl has turned into a mini version of myself at 16 (but much cuter). And you know what? It will happen to you too!

My wish is for my guide Toronto Fun Places to inspire you to steal some time now and then from your busy schedule to enjoy the ride with your friends and family. believe me, those are the moments that will stick with you for years to come.

Have fun with your loved one!

Nathalie Prezeau
Author/photographer/publisher