Following one of the coldest snaps in recent history, it’s time to shed layers, start fresh or just get the heck out of the house. Here are 12 events for the kids during March Break, or anyone with renewal on their minds.
If you’ve spent the last two months hibernating … try a flower bed instead of a king-size bed.
Canada Blooms: You can tell which exhibitors and speakers have the best new ideas about flowers – they’re the ones with a bulb above their heads. To March 22. Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes' Blvd., 416-263-3000 or nationalhomeshow.com.
If you’re suffering from cabin fever … get out of town.
Vanishing Ice: Alpine and Polar Landscapes in Art, 1775-2002: Of course we take global warming seriously, but the idea of “vanishing ice” is very appealing this time of year. To April 26. McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg, Ont., 1-888-213-1121 or mcmichael.com.
Maple Syrup Festivals: Time to get happy and sappy, with bucketloads of activities scheduled at the sugar shacks of Woodbridge’s Kortright Centre for Conservation, Stouffville‘s Bruce's Mill Conservation Area and Oakville’s Bronte Creek Provincial Park. Info at ontariomaple.com.
If you’ve had it up to your eyeballs with Netflix … get off the couch and check out a gallery or museum.
Art Gallery of Ontario: Inspired by the street-smart neo-expressionist painter Jean-Michel Basquiat, the AGO offers beat-box, dance and skip-roping performances, as well as drop-in activities for children. March 14 to 22. 370 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648 or ago.net.
Royal Ontario Museum: Interactive theatre happens during a futuristic-themed week of programming which, among other things, encourages kids to build a city of the future. March 14 to 22. 100 Queen’s Park, 416-586-8000 or rom.on.ca.
If this winter’s death of Star Trek’s Leonard Nimoy and the near-death of Star Wars’ Harrison Ford have you down … get yourself back up to warp speed.
Star Trek (2009:) J. J. Abrams’s sci-fi action epic is screened, with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony providing the live score that includes many solos but not one Sulu. March 21. Sony Centre For The Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E., 1-855-872-7669 or sonycentre.ca.
Legoland Discovery Center: Toronto Kids go galactic over a toy-brick playground that includes a walk-through exhibit based on George Lucas’s Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones from 2002. March 15 to 22. At Vaughan Mills, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr, Vaughan, Ont., 1-855-356-2150 or legolanddiscoverycentre.ca.
If you’re sick of groundhog burrows and arbitrary winter-weather prognostications … it’s time to hit a rabbit hole.
National Ballet of Canada: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: The visually spectacular ballet adapted from Lewis Carroll’s whimsical children’s story is catnip for the kids and a dazzler for adults. March 14 to 29. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., 416-345-9595 or national.ballet.ca.
If you’ve burned through your library card … it’s time to check out some book-based live entertainment.
Pinocchio: When it comes to classic puppet stories, there’s no business like nose business. March 14 to 21 (two shows daily, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.). Young People’s Theatre, 65 Front St. E, 416- 862-2222 or youngpeoplestheatre.ca.
Soulpepper: Route 66 - The Heartland: An interdisciplinary concert inspired by the road-hitting writings and wanderings of Jack Kerouac and John Steinbeck has performances by Jackie Richardson, Murray McLachlan and fellow travellers. March 17, 20, 24 and 25. Young Centre, 50 Tank House Lane, 416-866-8666 or soulpepper.ca.
If the growing season refers to your waistline … head to the country in the city.
Dufferin Grove Park Farmer’s Market: While most food bazaars don’t get going until May, this weekly fair of meat, produce and baked goods is open year-round. Thursdays, 3 to 7 p.m. Rinkhouse, 875 Dufferin St., 416-392-0913 or dufferinpark.ca.
Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market: The bad news is that the Riverdale Farmers’ Market, after 14 seasons, won’t be returning this year. The good news is the indoor festival of local growers at the Brick Works keeps on keepin’ on. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 550 Bayview Ave., 416-596-1495 or evergreen.ca.