NOW Magazine Online Edition

performing arts festival Elementary and high school bands, choirs and dance groups perform. Free w/ admission ($10-$15). Ontario Place, 955 Lakeshore W. www.ontarioplace.ca. June 6 to 24

north by northeast film festival Screening of films where music is the star, including Tapestry Goes West, Mix Tape and The Ramones And I. Screening w/ $24 wristband, conference pass $99 pass. Various cinemas. www.nxne. com/filmfest. June 9 to 12

north by northeast music festival Three nights, 31 clubs, 400 bands. Various venues. $24 all-access wristband. 416-870-8000, nxne.com. June 9 to 11

distillery district blues festival Blues take to the cobbled streets and patios of the district. Free. 55 Mill. www.thedistillerydistrict.com. June 10 to 12

sexy pride Festival of queer performance. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555. www.buddiesinbadtimes.com. June 14 to 25

worldwide short film festival Shorts from Canada and 25 other countries and a symposium. $8.50-$20, passes $60-$100. 416-445-1446 ext 815, www.worldwideshortfilmfest. com. June 14 to 19

barbados on the water Music by the Mighty Gabby, Susan MacIntosh, NEWA, John King, Trevor Walcott and more. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, www.harbourfrontcentre.com. June 17 to 19

taste of little italy Sample more than 20 bands performing on street corners, plus Italian foods and beverages. Free. College btwn Euclid and Shaw. www.tasteoflittleitaly.com. June 17 to 19

beyond our roots Latin American festival of music, dance, video, spoken word and DJs. $8, three-day pass $15. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen W. 416-531-4052. June 20 to 22

caravan Pavilions showcase global cultures, dance, music, cuisine and arts. Passports from $35. Downsview Park, Keele and Sheppard. 416-856-6482, www.caravan-org. com. June 21 to July 4

pride week Parties, theatre, cabaret, comedy, art, music, beer gardens, a family day, the Dyke March, Pride Parade and more. www.pridetoronto.com. June 21 to 26

cooking fire theatre festival Outdoor performances celebrating theatre, music, food and public space. Pwyc ($10 sugg). Dufferin Grove Park, Dufferin S of Bloor. www.dufferinpark.ca/arts/theatrefestival2005.html. June 22 to 26

aloud Literary festival for young people with readings and signings by Connie Kaldor, Sheree Fitch, Clem Martini and others. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, www.readings.org. June 24 to 26

downtown jazz festival Music from around the globe, a youth stage, workshops and more. Some events free. Nathan Phillips Square and other venues. www.torontojazz.com. June 24 to July 3

dragon boat race festival Races, multicultural music and dance, arts, food and more. Daily from 8 am. Free. Centre Island. 416-595-1739, www.torontodragonboat.com. June 25 and 26

scream literary festival The 13th annual festival of literary happenings runs at venues across the city, culminating in the Jul 11 Scream In High park (free). www.thescream.ca. June 29 to July 11

Caribana, July 15

Photo By JOHN SCULLY

july

fringe theatre festival Independent theatre by 138 local and international artists including TJ Dawe and Nicola Gunn, Kidsvenue shows, playwriting contest, talk show and more. $10 or less per show, passes $40-$90. 416-966-1062, www.fringetoronto.com. July 6 to 17

cinema of jazz Experience the world of jazz on film. $10/screening, opening night gala $40-$200 (Royal Cinema, 606 College). Camera Bar, 1028 Queen W. www.cinemaofjazz.ca. July 7 to 14

beats, breaks & culture Electronic music festival with Quantic Soul Orchestra and Platinum Pied Pipers, a dance music flick and breakdancing competitions. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, www.harbourfrontcentre.com. July 8 to 10

celebrate toronto street festival Music, street theatre, circus arts, dance and more take over the city's main intersections. Yonge at Dundas, St Clair, Eglinton and Lawrence. Free. 416-338-0338, www.toronto.ca/special_ events. July 8 to 10

corso italia Celebrate all things Italian with bands, food sampling and street performers. Free. St Clair btwn Lansdowne and Westmount. www.torontofiesta.com. July 8 to 10

the indy Warm-ups, car races, parties, special guests and more hit the tarmac. Details www. molsonindy.com. July 8 to 10

starving short film festival Films by Humber College 2005 film and television program graduates. $4, both nights $7. Innis College, 2 Sussex. www.utoronto.ca/townhall/ith%20calendar.htm. July 8 and 9

afrofest African music and dance with Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi, King Mensah, Allakomi and more. Free. Queen's Park. 416-469-5336, www. afrofest.org. July 9 and 10

small world music festival Concerts by Oliver Mtukudzi, Narcotango and Niyaz. $15-$30. Various venues. www.smallworldmusic. com. July 13 to 17

friendly spike arts and information festival of human rights and wrongs Cabarets, music, tours and more. Various downtown venues. 416-516-4740. July 14 to 17

all over the map Festival of global sounds with Senegal's Daara J, Tinariwen, Sasah Zarif Dance and more. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, www.harbourfrontcentre.com. July 15 to 17

beaches international jazz festival Jazz, blues, world beat, Latin bands and street performers. Free. Kew Gardens, Queen and Lee. www.beachesjazz.com. July 15 to 24

beaches parti gras Mardi Gras-style street party. Distillery District, 55 Mill. Free. www.thedistillerydistrict.com. July 15 to 17

folsom fair north Leather and fetish festival has a kinky carnival, bondage show, entertainment, DJs and a marketplace. Allen Gardens (Jarvis and Church, $5) and area clubs. www. folsomfairnorth.com. July 15 to 17

salsa on st clair festival Latin culture celebration of music, dancing, artisans and food. Free. St Clair btwn Winona and Christie. 416-419-9953. July 15 and 16

caribana North America's largest Caribbean street festival comes to town, with steel band and costume competitions, parades, a kids' show, outdoor concerts and more. www.caribana.com. July 15 to August 1

toronto arab film festival Features, documentaries and shorts from Egypt, Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, Jordan, USA, Australia and Canada. $10. NFB Cinema (150 John) and Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor W). www.taff.ca. July 20 to 24

dim sum Festival of contemporary Chinese culture has music by Jin and Kid Koala, dance, readings by Chinese-Canadian authors and playwrights. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, www.harbourfrontcentre.com. July 22 to 24

The Toronto International Circus Festival comes to the Distillery July 22 to 24.

Photo By Laurence Aclund (Caribana)

toronto international circus festival Comedy, acrobatics, stiltwalkers, mimes, fire eaters, musicians and more from Central Asia, Africa, Canada and the U.S. $35, adv $25. Distillery District (55 Mill) and Yonge-Dundas Square. www.TOCircusFestival.com. July 22 to 24

métis arts festival Music, dance, song and art by Métis, First Nations and Inuit artists. 11 am-5 pm. $11, stu/srs $10, child $7. Black Creek Pioneer Village, Jane and Steeles. 416-736-1733. July 23 and 24

dub poetry festival Readings, panels, performances and improv with Lillian Allen, Clifton Joseph, Klyde Broox and others. Various locations. www.dubpoetscollective.com. July 28 to August 1

hot & spicy food festival Music by the Last Poets and Charanga Cakewalk, chefs competition and Caribbean food. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, www.harbourfrontcentre.com. July 29 to August 1

irie music festival Music, dance, arts and culture. 10 am-8 pm. Free w/ admission ($15). Ontario Place, 955 Lakeshore W. www.ontarioplace.com. July 29 to August 1

Masala! Mehndi! Masti!, August 3

Photo By Berge Arabian

august

masala! mehndi! masti! South Asian arts festival of music, dance and more. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, www.harbourfrontcentre.com. August 3 to 7

summerworks Juried theatre festival of more than 40 plays including works by Hannah Moscovitch, Sonja Mills and Norman Yeung. $10, 7 plays $50. Factory Theatre (125 Bathurst), Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson). 416-410-1048, www.summerworks.ca. August 4 to 14

festival of beer Talks on brewing history, live music, sampling, grilling demos and more. $25. Fort York, 100 Garrison. 416-392-6907, www.beerfestival.ca. August 5 to 7

francophonie en fête Celebration of Ontario's French language, culture and music. 10 am-8 pm. Free w/ admission ($15). Ontario Place, 955 Lakeshore W. www.ontarioplace. com. August 5 to 7

taste of the danforth Foodie festival closes the street for tastings and street entertainment. Free admission. Danforth E of Broadview. www.tasteofthedanforth.com. August 5 to 7

wakestock Action sports and music festival featuring wakeboarding, skateboarding, MBX, FMX and live bands. Centre Island. www.wakestock.com. August 11 to 16

t.o. twang Billy Joe Shaver, the Derailers, the Sadies and others perform at a country music festival. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, www.harbourfrontcentre.com. August 12 to 14

ffida international dance festival Celebrates the choreographer's and performer's art. Prices tba. Distillery District, 55 Mill. www. ffida.org. August 12 to 21

toronto international improv festival Comedy festival showcasing talent from across the country and the U.S., plus panel discussions with improvisors/authors, workshops and more. Various prices and locations. www. torontoimprovfest.com. August 15 to 21

east coast rhythms Festival of Atlantic Canada's culture with Mocean Dance, Gordie Sampson and others. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, www.harbourfrontcentre.com. August 19 to 21

outdoor art exhibition Juried show of painting, drawing, sculpture, glass art and more. Distillery District, 55 Mill. www.thedistillerydistrict.com. August 20 and 21

buskerfest Street theatre with local and international acrobats, break-dancers, percussionists, sculpture clowns, fire performers and more. Pwyc. St Lawrence Market neighbourhood, Front and Jarvis. 416-964-9095. www. torontobuskerfest.com. August 25 to 28

kick up your heels Dance festival. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, www.harbourfrontcentre.com. August 26 to 28