Reading week is finally here! If you aren’t planning to fly to sun-soaked beaches, but want to spend your reading week doing more than, well, “reading,” why not plan a “staycation”? Try something new this week: you might feel as though you’ve left home without even leaving town.
Allan Gardens Conservatory
Didn’t think it was possible to step into a warm floral atmosphere in the middle of February in Toronto? Think again. Allan Gardens is run by Toronto Parks and offers a perfectly cultivated oasis in the middle of the city. Undo your coat and recline in the tropics while the wind and snow blow against the greenhouse panes. Allan Gardens features incredible orchid, cactus, and succulent flower gardens, as well as indoor ponds and fountains. Bring a novel or your iPod and stay awhile on one of the several benches. The best part about this mini oasis? It’s completely free.
Price: Free. Location: Intersection of Carleton St. and Jarvis St. Hours: 10 am to 5pm daily. More Information: [email protected]
Toronto Poetry Slam
The Toronto Poetry Slam has become so popular these days that the organizers have had to up their slams to twice a month. The quick-witted, word-spitted rhyme-time goes down at the Underground at the Drake Hotel. The Slam consists of an open mic opener, followed by three rounds of fierce slamming — 12 poets in round one, six in round two, and three in the final round, competing for a chance at $80 and the respect and applause of audience members. Judges are chosen randomly from the audience and award slammers a mark out of ten, often followed by much hissing or finger snapping as the audience reacts to the scores. Wanna be a slammer yourself? Have at least three poems prepared, no longer than three minutes each, and be sure to arrive by 7:30pm sharp to sign up for chance at beatnik glory. Just wanna watch the battle go down? Show up early all the same, because seats are limited! Cover is only five dollars, but beware the hefty price tags that accmpany drinks at the Drake. Doors at 7pm, sign up at 7:30pm, starts at 8pm.
Location: The Underground, The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. West. Date: Sunday, February 25th, 2012. More information: torontopoetryslam.com
Casa Loma
Couldn’t get to Europe this reading week, and mourning Toronto’s lack of medieval castles and accompanying history? If you haven’t visited it before, take a trip to Toronto’s own castle, Casa Loma. Casa Loma’s history is uniquely Canadian and anything but boring. Unearth the history of the Pellatt family who built the castle, their place in Toronto history, and their abrupt departure from the castle they built from foundations. Casa Loma’s interior is stunning, and the view of the city from the top of the tower makes climbing all those stairs well worth it. Although this castle is certainly not medieval — its construction began in 1911 — the interesting life of the Pellatts, the beauty of the building itself, and the rumours of ghosts are enough to pique anyone’s interest. Guided tours are available, or you can stroll through the many rooms on your own.
Cost: $20.55 for adults. Location: 1 Austin Terrace. Hours: 9:30 am to 5pm (last admission 4pm). More Information: www.casaloma.org
