In this edition of The Weekender, the Wychwood Barns turn 100, a chance to clean up the lakeshore and three more things to do in Toronto this weekend.
Grow Op: Exploring Landscape and Space
For the second year in a row, the Gladstone Hotel hosts Grow Op, a display of 26 new art projects that engage, in various ways, with landscapes and urban design. Visitors will be able to view installations in the hotel’s hallways, rooms and stairwells. Among the participating artists is Bruno Billio, who has lived at the Gladstone for the past decade as an artist-in-residence. His Gentleman’s Palm Room attempts to recreate the effect of a genteel greenhouse. Until Apr. 27. $10. The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W.,gladstonehotel.com
Barns Birthday Bash (FREE!)
The Wychwood Barns turn 100 this weekend, and Artscape is hosting a public party to celebrate. The day’s fairground-style agenda includes cake, face painting, balloon animals and performances by Zero Gravity Circus. Food trucks will be on site. Apr. 27. Free. Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St.,facebook.com
Spring Wedding Show
Why browse Pinterest for wedding ideas when you can live Pinterest this weekend at the Drake Hotel? The annual Spring Wedding Show brings together artisans with the skills to make sure all those wedding photos are duly impressive. Apr. 26. $10. The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W., theweddingco.com
Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup (FREE!)
Early spring is a messy time for Toronto streets, as winter’s petrified cigarette butts and coffee cups fall out of snowbanks and into gutters. The situation is similar along the city’s waterways, where the season’s accumulation of junk is messing up waterfront vistas and making seagulls weep. As part of this season’s Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, a number of volunteer-based litter-collection events are planned. Downtown nature lovers may want to consider helping the Toronto Urban Fishing Ambassadors clean up Tommy Thompson Park, on the Leslie Street spit. Water, snacks, gloves and garbage bags will be provided. Apr. 27. Free. Tommy Thompson Park, shorelinecleanup.ca
The Green Living Show
Anyone who missed out on Earth Day can assuage their guilty consciences at the Green Living Show, where exhibitors will be showing off countless products and services designed to make home life a little gentler on the planet. New to this year’s event is Sunday’s fashion-accessory swap, during which participants will be able to swap their old jewellery, belts and scarves for other pre-owned items, on a one-for-one basis. Apr. 25-27. $16 advance, $18 door. Direct Energy Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd., greenlivingshow.ca