Shameless Recommendations

Christina has assembled some excellent alternatives to city-run programs and services but one of the best ways to beat the strike is to do a little demonstrating of your own: demonstrate your creativity, your ingenuity, your fabulous neighbourhoods and your undaunted, co-operative spirit.

On the first night of the strike, in parks all over Toronto, families whose soccer games had been cancelled gathered together anyway, brought their own balls and nets, picnic blankets and al fresco suppers and just hung out. We encourage you to create community happenings in your neighbourhood to bridge the gap during the strike.

Organize a game of tag, kick the can, sardines, or whatever you played as a kid in your neighbourhood park, invite the neighbours, welcome all comers and have fun. See if you can share childcare with your friends: six friends who agree to each take six kids for one week means a half dozen weeks of free childcare in exchange for one week of getting to know your child and her friends a whole lot better! read on >>

Weekend Tipsheet: 4-5 July

For a shortlist of family fun in and around Toronto this weekend, have a look at this Weekend’s Tipsheet or, for complete listings, pick up a copy of The Little Paper at your local library, community centre, drop-in or family-friendly retailer. There’s a wonderful map of all the places you can find a copy on the website too… 

Feeling the economic strain? Check this out! Most libraries offer the Sun Life Financial Museum and Arts Pass, which provides free admission to museums and attractions. The passes are available on Saturdays (first come, first served) and can be taken out with an adult library card. Attractions include: The Art Gallery of Ontario; The Bata Shoe Museum; Black Creek Pioneer Village; The Gardiner Museum; The Museum of Inuit Art and The Textile Museum of Canada. There are also a limited number of passes available at some branches to Casa Loma and the Royal Ontario Museum.

Starting 8 July, The fun and vivacious JennieLea of Circlesing is running her drop-in/join-in music circles on Wednesdays at 11am in the High Park Adventure Playground and on Thursdays at 11am at the Kew Beach Pavilion. The cost is PWYC/$5-$10 suggested.

If your family is interested in a little community gardening, a few small plots might still be available and there are gardens which host meet-ups where families can come and help with garden maintenance. On Wednesdays from 7-8pm, The West End Flower Fairies meet at Grafton Community Garden (Roncesvalles & Queen) to spruce things up. The H.O.P.E. Garden in Parkdale also has drop-ins for families.

Finally, If you’re wondering where your favourite art school disappeared to, look across Bloor and up Jane just a few blocks for the new home of Art Works Art School. Long-time Little Paper supporter Danica Loncar and her dedicated team have outgrown their current space and will be welcoming old and new campers and students to their brand new studio at 238 Jane Street as of June 30th. Good Luck and best wishes Danica! 

SATURDAY

Bavia Arts Open House
898b St Clair Ave W

Brickworks Farmer’s Market
The Brick Works

Farmer’s Organic Market
St. George the Martyr Church

Green Barn Farmers’market
Wychwood Barns

Mexican Cultural Festival
Yonge Dundas Square

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Fringe Kids Festival 
The Palmerston Library

High Park Organic Farmers Market
Grenadier Teahouse and Café

The Hot Spot Festival
Harbourfront Centre

SUNDAY

Drop-In Clay Class
Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art

Distillery Farmers Market
Historic Distillery District - Market Lane

Liberty Village Farmers’ Market
Liberty St at Atlantic Av

Mount Pleasant Cemetary Summer Concert Series
Tent E of Mount Pleasant Entrance