Featured video: Basma Elbahnasawy
Cabana Pool Bar
Matt Dionne
Editor-in-Chief
Summer ‘17 is here, and if you’re looking to show off your summer body while also experiencing Toronto’s thriving nightlife, Cabana Pool Bar is the place to go! Located at Polson Pier downtown, CPB offers plenty of shared tables along with private rooms and cabanas, a full menu provided by Oliver & Bonacini, and a new 100-foot poolside bar. It’s a little on the pricey side, as cover on Saturdays is $20 to get in and another $20 for pool access, and most drinks start at $7.50, but it’s worth it for the atmosphere. There are also frequent live shows throughout the summer, and this year’s lineup includes Armin Van Buuren, Duke Dumont, Afrojak, Lil John, and Hardwell. So if you want to experience a tropical resort while staying in The 6ix, hit up Cabana Pool Bar, and maybe I’ll see you there!
Casa Loma
Émilie Miranda
Executive Editor, Online
Aside from serving as the inside of Professor X’s mansion in X-Men, Casa Loma is one of Toronto’s most popular tourist attractions, offering live entertainment, a museum-like setting, and an escape room series. This summer from June to August, Casa Loma will host Juno Award-winning artist Sean Jones on Monday evenings and the Toronto Concert Orchestra on Tuesday evenings, each for $25 per ticket. During the day, visitors can walk the grounds and explore the castle itself for $25 for adults aged 18 to 59. Casa Loma also hosts three escape rooms for groups of 12 or 16 people, complete with live actors and immersive sound and settings. The escape rooms are based on events in the castle’s history during 1920’s Prohibition and World War II, and are perfect for team-building with your coworkers or having a fun night with friends. The rooms are priced at $37 per person.
Head outdoors
Munirul-Haq Raza
News Editor
If you’re hoping to get in shape this summer and are in the mood to hit the great outdoors, give a try at biking or parkour! The Monkeyvault is a 10,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor space dedicated to parkour, freerunning, gymnastics, and much more. However, if you want to do something more light while still staying fit, pick up a helmet, pick a trail for riding, take in the fresh morning air, and watch the sun rise while you ride with the wind. Ready to challenge yourself and help out a good cause? Consider running, walking, or biking with Ride for Heart on June 4th, run by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, who aims to raise money for research for heart disease and stroke. Want to give back even more? Join the Ride to Conquer Cancer on June 10th, a ride of over 200 kilometres from Toronto to Niagara Falls for the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top five cancer research centres in the world. So, what are you waiting for? Get up off your feet and get outside!
Party at Caribana
Dennis Bayazitov
Assistant News Editor
Once a three-day event, Caribana has now become a three-week city-wide celebration, enveloping any passers-by with its enthralling Caribbean energy. Since its inception in 1967, the annual Toronto Caribana Festival has exploded—it’s now North America’s largest cultural festival, attracting a diverse range of groups, from adventurous families from the States and beyond to open-minded locals, young singles looking to party, and even celebrities throwing Caribana-style parties across Toronto’s nightlife. An estimated one million tourists are expected to drop by this year during the August (3rd-7th) long-weekend. Among the many festivities hosted by Caribana is Drake’s OVO Fest, which is, without a doubt, the largest Caribana event, featuring special guests and attracting well over 40,000 fans. Past talent has included Future, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Eminem, and many more.
Rave like there’s no tomorrow
Angelica Babiera
Arts Editor
If you’re in Toronto in August, one of the greatest ways to spend your weekend is by going to Downsview Park for Veld Music Festival, running on August 5th and 6th. Veld is one of the biggest electronic dance music festivals in Toronto that will make your heart and body thump along with the bass. The lineup this year includes rappers such as Future, Migos, Tory Lanez, A$AP Ferg, and beatdropping DJs like Tiesto, Zedd, and many more. It’s an exhilarating and thrilling event that is best spent with people who share the same good vibes as you. Ravers, come to dance, and wait for the beat to drop until the day turns to night.
Scarborough Bluffs
Jodie Vanderslot
Health Editor
While the city life can be vibrant, sometimes it’s nice to pretend that it doesn’t exist. Some of the greatest adventures can be found right here in the GTA, at places like the Scarborough Bluffs. The Bluffs are a perfect place to go for a hike and explore, with 11 different parks to visit, three with eyecapturing photography opportunities. Collectively, the trail runs for 15 kilometres including beaches, gardens, and cliffs with a view of the brilliantly-blue Lake Ontario. Bluffer’s Park trail allows access to the lakefront through Brimley road, as well as East Point Park on Beechgrove and Copperfield road. It’s a beautiful hiking trail, and the perfect place to enjoy a little picnic and warm summer afternoon.
Downsview area
Alexander Colle
Sports Editor
The Downsview area has tons of fun activities to try! If you’re with a group that’s looking to get active, there are two different archery tag arenas to try out: Archers Arena and Battle Sports. If you’re craving more of a problem-solving environment, look out for two puzzling escape rooms: Escape Games Canada and Mystery Room. Climbers can also check out True North Climbing, which has a wonderful selection of indoor rock climbing walls just outside Downsview Park. Finally, a personal favourite would have to be the Toronto School of Circus Arts, where you can sign up for weekly daytime or evening classes in circus arts such as flying trapeze, trampoline, and silks. Schedule and registration can be found on their website.
Toronto’s Haunted Walk
Anna Voskuil
Copy Editor
Think that hearing of the things that go bump in the night is a special treat only for the lone month of October? Think again. The Haunted Walk has been weaving chilling tales for 20 years, taking guests on walks through historical Canadian landmarks to hear of roaming spirits and local unsolved mysteries. The company provides tours all year round in the Kingston, Ottawa, and Toronto areas to a variety of nearby sites—and this summer, they are running a Toronto walk from May to June, from Tuesday to Thursday every week. The tour departs from the Hockey Hall of Fame, each going from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm. The cost is $19.75 for adults, $16.75 for youth ages 10-14, and children under the age of 10 are free with an accompanying adult. So, what are you waiting for? Take a trip through old Hogtown—the spirits await you.
Movies under the stars
Basma Elbhahnasawy
Photo/Video Editor
There is no better way to celebrate the summer than enjoying a movie under the stars. This summer, Toronto will be a hotspot of free outdoor film screenings. One outdoor movie screening will be at Corktown Common, which will be running from July 6 to July 20 every Thursday evening. Food vendors will be available starting 7 p.m., and bringing personal blankets is recommended. Sail-in Cinema is another popular option, transforming Sugar Beach into a unique two-sided floating movie experience, the first in the world of its kind. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a variety of activities, foods and entertainment. Feel free to drop in by boat, or by grabbing a comfy chair. Enjoy the show!
