Mr. Toronto

BARGAIN CULTURE

I’ve always said that to really enjoy New York City you either have to be a millionaire or a poverty-stricken student. I never went the millionaire route (shame), but at least I went to university in NYC (many moons ago) and had the time of my life as a student.  Galleries, museums, plays, concerts were all either free or heavily discounted.  Well, I’m pleased to report that Toronto is very much a bargain centre for the under-30 set as well…this roundup of deals comes courtesy of Nicki Thomas/Toronto Star:

1)      The National Ballet of Canada offers $30 tickets (tax included) for anyone under 30 who signs up for their Dance Break program (www.dancebreak.ca)

2)      The Canadian Opera Company offers $22 performances through its “Opera for a New Age” program (www.coc.ca). There are also free concerts throughout the season in the lobby of the new(ish) Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

3)      The Toronto Symphony Orchestra offers $14 tickets if you are a “Soundcheck” member, up until age 35 (www.tso.ca)

4)      Soulpepper Theatre Company gives access to $12.50 tickets to almost every performance through their C-Stage program if you’re under 29 (www.canadianstage.com or 416-368-3110). There are also pay-what-you-can Monday night performances.

5)      The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts has an under-30 “Rush Club”, which offers $15 tickets for anything they are hosting (from music like Elvis Costello to Bollywood Musicals).  Sign up for the program at www.sonycentre.ca, and you’ll receive an email 3 days beforehand if tickets are available.

6)      Mirvish productions often has student rush seats for many of its performances. Check out www.mirvish.com, or better yet, join their facebook or twitter group!

7)      Both the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum offer free admission (for all ages!) on Wednesdays.  AGO free hours are 6-8:30 pm, ROM is 3:30-5:30

And finally – again for all ages – don’t forget about T.O Tix, the discounted ticket booth at Yonge-Dundas Square.  It ain’t no Times Square TKTS – its selection is usually quite limited – but there are no lineups and you’ll find something to see!

Culture – with money left over for a beer afterwards.  What could be better?

Mr. Toronto

Two major events happen in Toronto every May.  First, I finally change my wardrobe over (slowly) from sweaters to t-shirts.  Secondly, our sad, no-win sports teams are replaced with a new optimism that comes with two teams who – at least at this time of the year – still stand a chance.

Gone are the Toronto Maple Leafs, who actually gave hockey fans here a brief thrill when they had a miniscule chance of making the playoffs.  Gone are the Toronto Raptors, who thought at the beginning of the season that maybe they could do it without star Chris Bosh.  They couldn’t.

But a new day – and season – is dawning, as the “Boys of Summer” are back on the Rogers Centre field.  And looking surprisingly good for a relatively young and inexperienced team.  Nobody really expects them to make the playoffs this year, but everyone thinks that with the raw talent we have, the stage is being set for next year.  We’ll see, but at least at this time of the year, we’re still enjoying the ride!

And then there’s Toronto FC, our relatively new (has it really been 5 years already?) soccer team.  Although they’re not great, no one else in the league (MLS) seems to be either, so we have a chance of keeping up…. and games are always a lot of fun to watch at the intimate BMO Field at Exhibition Place.  I actually got out to a chilly game a couple weeks back to see the (in)famous David Beckham play when his LA Galaxy came to town. Pretty uninspired playing by both teams (final score 0-0), but at least David played the whole game and I got to see him – and his tattoos – before he took off for the Royal Wedding…

If you can’t make it to a game live while you’re here, there are some great sports bars to catch the action.  Blue Jays fans love Opera Bob’s at Dundas and Ossington (416-536-5585), and FC supporters head to the Football Factory on Bathurst (416-368-4625).  Lots of screens, giveaways and good munchies.  And, of course, for the ultimate experience watching any sport, you have to check out the new Real Sports Bar and Grill next to the Air Canada Centre (416-815-7325), with its 1000 seats, 199 screens (including one that’s bigger than my house) and lots of beautiful people – both eating/drinking and serving…

Here’s to a winning season!

Mr. Toronto

P.S. I would be remiss if I did not even mention our Toronto Rock lacrosse team, who at the time of this writing are in the semifinals and may go all the way!  And Rock games are a real hoot – fast paced, violent, high-scoring – and inexpensive!  So make sure to check out a game next season at the ACC….