An event for everyone this weekend in Toronto

Feb 5, 2016 | Life

Krysten McCumber

This upcoming weekend in Toronto has a bit of something for everyone: food, music, culture and, of course, Super Bowl parties.

Take in some culture and learn about the North American African community this weekend at the Kuumba festival. Celebrating and exploring the culture through panels, music, film and poetry allows people from all backgrounds to enjoy the discussions and entertainment provided at the Harbourfront Centre.

“It’s actually the oldest Black History Month festival in Toronto, so it’s been running for 20 years,” said Umair Jaffar, Kuumba programmer. “[With] the events that we program we keep in mind the diversities of the audience in terms of multi-generational audience and also people with different backgrounds.”

“They can definitely expect an exceptional dish, something that a lot of the chefs put extra thought and a lot of heart into creating something special.” – Na’eem Adam, Co-founder La Poutine Week

While celebrating an old culture, Torontians can also celebrate a classic Canadian dish. La Poutine Week has been featuring specialty poutines at 17 different restaurants across the city. Co-founder Na’eem Adam is positive that participants will be thoroughly pleased.

“They can definitely expect an exceptional dish, something that a lot of the chefs put extra thought and a lot of heart into creating something special,” Adam said.

This isn’t all to expect from La Poutine Week though, as Adam ensures participants of more to come in the following years.

“We’re hoping that it grows to be something a lot better, a lot bigger. We’re going to invest quite a bit of time and energy in getting some really good restaurants on board for next year,” he said.

If something more glamorous is in your dreams for the first weekend of February, maybe a pre-Valentine’s Day celebration is in order. The first Bride to Be Wedding Show is this Sunday, but it’s not one to forget. With nearly 60 exhibitors and free goodies galore, this free bridal show is a must-see if wedding bells are in your future.

“We’ve been planning events for several years, but not a bridal show. So this is the very first one,” co-owner Sandra Vitale said. “We have just under 60 exhibitors and they range from everything basically: bridal shops, cakes, jewelry, all sorts of different things.”

Finally, if you want to celebrate Super Bowl 50 while helping out a community market then the Souper Bowl is exactly where to go Sunday morning. Making 400 liters of a vegetarian Guinness based Irish stew this event is perfect to warm up on a, relatively, chilly February weekend.

“We’re actually starting preparations for it today. We have volunteers coming out from the community to help chop vegetables,” said Madi Chambers, assistant manager at Leslieville Farmers Market.

With options of staying for the soup or bringing it back to your own party this event celebrates the market and all they do for the community. Any and all donations are accepted at the Souper Bowl as the money goes directly back into the market and the programs they support.

The map below features a variety of events throughout the city to fill any craving you may have.