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Toronto Hot Summer Guide 2011






The summer's best concerts The summer concert season is still going strong, with a ton of big shows hitting town, and lots of road-trip-inspiring out-of-town events over the next few weeks. Feeling overwhelmed by all the options? Here are a few tips to get you started.


The summer's best stage The official theatre and dance season doesn't kick off until September, but there's still lots to see in the last days of summer: the latest Cirque du Soleil show, Totem, written and directed by Robert Lepage (August 10), and the second annual Dance 2 Danse Festival (August 15 to 21). Here are some other events to check out this month.


The summer's best movies After watching Transformers, Harry Potter and Captain America lay waste to our megaplexes, it's time to make room for smaller, odder things. If neither The Help nor Conan The Barbarian gets your motor running, here are some other suggestions for enjoying the dog days.


Out of town: Concerts Concerts rock indoor and outdoor venues just hours from the city





The summer's best concerts Hot gigs from soul legends, metal maniacs and canrock icons
NXNE 2011 North By Northeast continues to grow and this year features up to 650 bands taking over T.O. clubs June 13 to 19, plus a ton of panel discussions and music-related films.
Toronto Jazz Festival This year's list of headliners makes it pretty apparent that the Toronto Jazz Festival (June 24 to July 3) isn't focusing strictly on jazz any more.
Q&A: Jian Ghomeshi
Q&A: Diamond Rings (aka John O'Regan)
Q&A: Jeremy Greenspan


Revisiting the G20
Festival spotlight: Luminato Major local and international talents mingle at one of the year’s most varied and impressive arts festivals
The summer's best free stuff You can leave your wallet at home at these great events
Q&A: Brian Francis
Q&A: Brent Carver


The summer's best movies Harry Potter bows out and Steve Carell gets some dating advice on the big screen this season
Q&A: Ryan Belleville


The summer's best theatre Feast on the fab festivals, hunker down in high park or get kink-y on summer stages
The summer's best dance Movement comes in a range of forms - from classical to Indian and beyond
The summer's best comedy Yuk it up with queer comics, female vets and talk guy Craig Ferguson
Q&A: Greta Hodgkinson


70s swim Even if you skip the floral fascinator and the towering platforms, there's no denying there's a 70s spin on swimsuit style this season.


Out of town: Concerts Hear cool music at outdoor venues just hours from the city
Out of town: Theatre Cross-casting and classics blend with contemporary politics in exciting theatre playbills


Heat up Hot weather, hotter food - time for the 20 hottest summer restaurants. We tell you what they are and why, so you can nosh the best of summer NOW.
Q&A: Roger Mooking
Q&A: Devin Connell
Drink Up: Molson Canadian Lager
Drink Up: Hitachino Nest White Ale
Drink Up: Railway City Iron Spike Blond Ale
Drink Up: Dieu du Ciel! Rosée Hibiscus
Drink Up: Black Oak Pale Ale

Check out NOW's Hot Summer Guide listings!

Daily Listings Make a plan using NOW's survey of the season's essential events
Music Plan your sounds of summer with our giant music listings package
Out of Town Let our packed concert calendar guide your summer soundtrack
Index: Attractions/information Awesome attractions make our city a hot spot every day of the week