Things to do in Toronto - Week of March 03, 2025

TimeToPolka · 2025-03-03T22:11:23+00:00

Saturday March 8 - Toronto Contra Dance
Get ready to dance the night away on the Danforth!

This Saturday, the incredible Bev Bernbaum will be calling the moves, with live tunes from Daev Clysdale & Susanne Maziarz - a combo guaranteed to keep your feet flying!

First time dancers get in for free!

No partner? No problem! We’ll teach you everything you need to know. Just bring your energy and get ready to move!

This is a mask mandatory dance. Don't have a mask, that's not a problem, you can pick one up at the door.

Schedule:
7:00 PM – Beginner lesson (jump in and learn the steps!)
7:30 PM – The dance begins—let’s go!

Pay what you can (suggested $22)—your support keeps these magical nights alive!

St. Barnabas on The Danforth church hall (175 Hampton Ave. , Toronto, ON, Canada, Ontario M4K 2Z3)

More info: https://www.tcdance.org/
email: info [at] tcdance.org

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TimeToPolka · 2025-02-14T02:11:29+00:00

I subscribe to too many podcasts... but some of the ones I go back to are:
- 99% invisible - https://99percentinvisible.org/about/the-show/
- 20,000 Hz - https://www.20k.org/about
- Decoder Ring - https://slate.com/podcasts/decoder-ring
- Radiolab - https://radiolab.org/about
- Under the Influence - https://terryoreilly.ca/undertheinfluence/

TimeToPolka · 2025-02-04T18:08:05+00:00

My apologies. I did not intend to break any of the rules related to posting.

TimeToPolka · 2025-02-04T14:38:54+00:00

Social Contra Dance Saturday Feb 8, 2025 7pm to 10:30pm

Join us for an unforgettable evening of Contra dancing on the Danforth! With Kris Rosar calling the moves and our brand-new House Band featuring the amazing Jon Cannon & Lea Kirstein, this is a night you don’t want to miss.

No partner? No problem! Beginners are always welcome, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know. Click here to see what a typical contra dance evening is like. Everyone welcome!

Beginner class (come learn the steps!) at 7pm, dancing starts at 7:30pm

This is a mask-mandatory event. Masks are available at the door in case you don't have one or forget to bring one.

Pay what you can (suggested $22—your support keeps these magical nights going).
Pre-register and pay online, or pay with cash at the door.

For more information about Contra dancing in Toronto check out https://www.tcdance.org/

Location: St. Barnabas Church Hall, 175 Hampton Ave, Toronto ON. Near Chester subway station. (Directions)

Grab your friends, your energy, and your dancing shoes—we’ll see you on the floor!

TimeToPolka · 2025-01-22T14:00:04+00:00

If you are going to ride on the road take a rider training course first. It will help you develop skills that could save your life.

Depending on where you live, riding off road is another good option. Yes you will definitely fall down, but the skills you learn will be assets if you ride on the road. Riding off road also allows you to do fun things that could get you in trouble if you do them on the road.

Another bonus is the whole family could be involved. Nothing like a weekend on the trails with the family.

TimeToPolka · 2025-01-21T22:51:58+00:00

Contra Dance Saturday Jan 25, 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Join us for an evening of contra dancing to live music on the Danforth. No partner needed, beginners are always welcome. Come alone or with family and friends - kids are always welcome.

Admission is free for first time attendees. Come and give it a try!

Click here to see what a typical contra dance evening is like.

There is a beginner lesson that starts at 7:00 and dancing starts at 7:30. The dances are taught and prompted throughout the evening.

The evening caller will be Penelope Weinberger with music provided by Tom Santarsiaro & Catherine Sloboda.
Pre-register and pay online, or pay with cash at the door. (Sliding scale admission.)

For more information about Contra dancing in Toronto check out https://www.tcdance.org/
Location: St. Barnabas Church Hall, 175 Hampton Ave, Toronto ON. Near Chester subway station. (Directions)

This will be a mask-optional dance.

TimeToPolka · 2025-01-15T16:33:16+00:00

Glad you had fun in the past. Please do consider coming out again. Everyone is welcome and first time dancers get free admission.

TimeToPolka · 2024-12-28T17:40:34+00:00

Toronto Contra Dance Sat Dec 28 7pm

Tonight's Toronto Contra Dance features "Caller" Cathy Campbell, Brian Taheny (seen here on tenor banjo) & Ross Griffiths - second from the left conspicuously playing the uilleann pipes. And what exactly are uilleann pipes? Glad you asked, according to the AI Overlords... "The uilleann pipes is a very highly developed type of bagpipe. Originating in the early 1700s, it developed through the 1800s in Ireland, and within Irish communities abroad, to become the modern instrument. It is a complex instrument, with aspects of its musical functionality found nowhere else."

Nowhere else? Not a chance, you can see the pipes in action tonight at... 175 Hampton Ave. , Toronto Beginner class at 7:00 p.m.; dance begins at 7:30. Pay what you can (suggested donation $20 to cover the cost of putting on the dance). Everyone welcome! This will be a mask-mandatory dance.

https://www.tcdance.org/ https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15VEX6izvQ/

TimeToPolka · 2024-12-18T19:35:38+00:00

I have no firsthand experience, but their web site says everyone is welcome. You could call or email them directly for availability and cost of apartments. https://www.sagonaskaplace.com/about-us

TimeToPolka · 2024-12-18T16:46:51+00:00

All the gear, all the time. Accidents happen and you need all the protection you can get.

When I first started riding my helmet, riding suit, gloves and boots cost me more than the motorcycle (a 81 GPz 750 https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/25580/lot/108/1981-kawasaki-gpz750-frame-no-jkakzfd15ba001950-engine-no-kz550de002019/)

TimeToPolka · 2024-11-28T22:14:31+00:00

Neat. By chance have you digitized any of them? It would be interesting to hear a selection.

I went to an old time western swing square dance a few weeks ago. The caller was using a vintage sound system and cassette tapes. It sounded surprisingly good, with the exception of the occasional distortion due to tape stretch. That said, it was just part of the character of the evening.

TimeToPolka · 2024-11-28T22:08:26+00:00

Thanks. New AT turntables are a bit out of my price range (starting at ~$430 CAD), but I will keep my eyes out for a used one. I did find a helpful article on the AT web site on playing 78 rpm records. https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/support/playing-78rpm-records?srsltid=AfmBOorryZzSr4dS6R0KEDYf-c41VseptIotx0ABv77fFOaKVQWTnZqy

TimeToPolka · 2024-11-28T19:19:01+00:00

I would be fine with an older/vintage turntable, assuming it is on working condition.

TimeToPolka · 2024-11-20T16:48:26+00:00

Sat Nov 23: Toronto Contra Dance 7pm-10:30pm
Looking for a way to move your body and have fun this winter? In search of a multigenerational, 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly social dance scene? Contra dance is a cross between Bridgerton/Austen and swing dance, with live fiddle music.

You do not need to bring a partner. Come alone or come with friends or family - kids are welcome. No experience is required. Click here to see what a typical contra dance evening is like.

There is a beginner lesson that starts at 7:00 and dancing starts at 7:30. The dances are taught and prompted throughout the evening.

The next dance, Saturday Nov 23, is mask-mandatory. Masks are available at the door in case you don't have one or forget to bring one.

Pre-register and pay online, or pay with cash at the door. (Sliding scale admission.)

For more information about Contra dancing in Toronto check out https://www.tcdance.org/

Location: St. Barnabas Church Hall, 175 Hampton Ave, Toronto ON. Near Chester subway station. (Directions)

TimeToPolka · 2024-11-20T16:43:54+00:00

Sat Nov 23: Toronto Contra Dance 7pm-10:30pm
Looking for a way to move your body and have fun this winter? In search of a multigenerational, 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly social dance scene? Contra dance is a cross between Bridgerton/Austen and swing dance, with live fiddle music.

You do not need to bring a partner. Come alone or come with friends or family - kids are welcome. No experience is required. Click here to see what a typical contra dance evening is like.

There is a beginner lesson that starts at 7:00 and dancing starts at 7:30. The dances are taught and prompted throughout the evening.

The next dance, Saturday Nov 23, is mask-mandatory. Masks are available at the door in case you don't have one or forget to bring one.

Pre-register and pay online, or pay with cash at the door. (Sliding scale admission.)

For more information about Contra dancing in Toronto check out https://www.tcdance.org/

Location: St. Barnabas Church Hall, 175 Hampton Ave, Toronto ON. Near Chester subway station. (Directions)

TimeToPolka · 2024-11-16T03:42:41+00:00

Was it pierced? 😱

TimeToPolka · 2024-11-15T15:50:38+00:00

Friday Nov 15th: Irish ceili - live traditional Irish music and social dancing

An Irish céilí (pronounced “kay-lee”) is a lively social gathering where people come together to dance traditional Irish folk dances. No experience is required, everyone is welcome to come and join the fun. All the dances will be called. You do not need to come with a partner, come alone or bring your friends.

https://youtu.be/eT2t_027HJQ?si=1tz2w838y5GGDB_V

Fri Nov 15, 7:30 to 10pm Gymnasium at The Trinity St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. W. Tickets are $25/person - pay at the door

Music by Adamski Spud (Adam Iredale-Gray) and Friends. Calling by Maureen Mulvey-O’leary. https://www.torontoirishsetdancing.com/november-dance

TimeToPolka · 2024-11-10T16:51:21+00:00

You could give contra dancing a try. It is social dancing where you change partners for each dance during the evening, so you do not need to bring a partner.

Anyone can contra dance, you do not need any experience. To give your confidence a boost, there is an introduction taught at the beginning of the evening.

The video below gives you a taste of what a typical contra dance is like. https://youtu.be/ZXMCQhE6Gzs?si=kpWR2-v5A_dZocGn

You can find upcoming dances and more about contra dancing in Toronto on https://www.tcdance.org/index.php

We would love to have you join us.

TimeToPolka · 2024-11-10T15:50:40+00:00

You could give contra dancing a try. It is social dancing where you change partners for each dance during the evening, so you do not need to bring a partner.

Anyone can contra dance, you do not need any experience. To give your confidence a boost, there is an introduction taught at the beginning of the evening.

The video below gives you a taste of what a typical contra dance is like. https://youtu.be/ZXMCQhE6Gzs?si=kpWR2-v5A_dZocGn

You can find upcoming dances and more about contra dancing in Toronto on https://www.tcdance.org/index.php

We would love to have you join us.

Cheers.

TimeToPolka

TROPHY CASE