This weekend is all about Earth Hour, musical performances, and storytelling! With a reading by Franklin The Turtle in person, musical stylings by The Monkey Bunch, science and wonder at The Ontario Science Centre, and an interactive magic show featuring a bunny, families will find T.O. is the place to be this weekend.
Paulette Bourgeois & Franklin The Turtle
Saturday, March 26th, 2 pm, Chapters, 1950 The Queensway, Etobicoke
Come for a special reading of the book that started it all! In celebration of Earth Hour, author Paulette Bourgeois and Franklin the Turtle himself will lead a storytime reading of Franklin in the Dark: www.chapters.indigo.ca
The Monkey Bunch At JUNO Fest
Saturday, March 26th, 2:30 pm, The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West, Toronto
JUNO nominated children’s group, The Monkey Bunch, are here to change the way that you think of children’s music! Playing with a variety of musical stylings, The Monkey Bunch engages kids with musicality and humour, with fun but important messages about the environment. This high-energy concert will have your kids dancing, rushing the stage and going bananas: themonkeybunch.com
Toronto Storytelling Festival – Bata Shoe Museum
Sunday, March 27th, 10 am – 2 pm, (festival runs from March 25th – April 3rd, see all venues here, Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto
Bring the kids to the Bata Shoe Museum for the 33rd Annual Toronto Storytelling Festival! With stories for every age group, like “Where are you tiny mouse?” for kids up to age four, and “Animal Tales” for kids up to age six, the whole family will love this magical storytelling experience: www.torontofestivalofstorytelling.ca
‘Cheeky’s Security Blanket’, Author Signing & Reading
Sunday, March 27th, 12 pm – 2 pm, Chapters, Unit #132 in Bayview Village, 2901 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Presented by Lindsay Lewchuk. What could be more important… than a security blanket? This is what makes a puppy feel happy and secure! But Lindsay teaches Cheeky that some things are more important. Can you guess what they are? This is a real story about a real puppy and her very loving owner. Story for ages three to seven: www.chapters.indigo.ca
Piff Paff Poof: Toronto’s Interactive Magic Show
March 26th – March 27th, 3 pm, Lower Ossington Theatre, 100a Ossington Avenue, Toronto
Welcome to a world of wonder – the world of Piff Paff Poof! Poof is a bunny – a very special bunny. And what would a bunny be without a magician? Poof’s magician is Julie Eng and together they perform some amazing magic: colourful, visual, participatory, funny and, most of all, magical…they have even been known to levitate a mom or two! Ages five to 12: lowerossingtontheatre.com
Earth Hour At The Science Centre
Saturday, March 26th, afternoon performances 2 pm & 3:30 pm, evening event 8 pm – 10 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
The TVOKids Don’t Sit Still Tour, presented by EatRight Ontario, will present live, high-energy performances with songs and fun dance moves to get the whole family involved. The evening performances will be outdoors as part of an Earth Hour celebration. Observe Saturn and other objects in the night sky through telescopes. Heat up the night with the sounds, rhythm and science of Mystic Drumz. Explore the ancient skies with a First Nations storyteller. And meet creatures that that thrive at night. Hot chocolate for first 200 people who bring their own mug: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
The Science Of Song (JUNO Week At The Ontario Science Centre
Friday, March 25th, 2 pm, Challenge Zone, Weston Family Innovation Centre, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
How exactly do you write a hit song? Is there a formula? Join JUNO nominee SHILOH as she breaks down the inspiration, and the simple mathematics and problem solving involved in writing a song: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Tickle Your Senses
Friday, March 25th, 3 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Engage your five senses and experience sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing in a fun and interactive new way. This workshop will have kids blindfolded, mesmerized, and seeing things in a whole new way: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Colour Your World
Saturday, March 26th, 2 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
What do you get when you mix red, blue and green? Discover a colourful new world in this hands-on workshop that explores the difference between the colours of light and paint: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Farther Afield:
Sing & Dance with Jack Grunsky
Saturday, October 2nd, 10:30 am / 12:30 pm / 3:30 pm, Solar Stage Children’s Theatre, 100 Upper Madison Avenue, North York
The JUNO award-winning Jack Grunsky is back with his musical journeys. Kids love his upbeat music and friendly personality, and he always delivers a fun and interactive performance. Be sure to buy tickets early to avoid missing out: www.solarstage.on.ca
The Shoestring Magic Flute (Opera For Children)
Saturday, October 2nd, 10:30 am / 12:30 pm / 3:30 pm, Solar Stage Children’s Theatre, 100 Upper Madison Avenue, North York
Introduce your children to the magic of opera! Shoestring Opera presents Mozart’s famous story of Allegra and the dark forest. When Papageno enters pursued by a Dragon prepare to enjoy the fun and marvelous singing. Ages four to 10: www.solarstage.on.ca
Do you have an event you would like to see in our weekend guide? Then send us your details and we’ll help you get the word out. Looking for a feature listing? Contact Erin, our Director of Sales and Marketing, for more information.
And we wanted to remind you to always call or visit the website for event info before you head out just in case any changes have been made since we posted it. And of course, have fun!