This week there is a huge line up of events in and around Markham! The Markham Jazz festival kicks things off with other live musical events at the Markham Museum, Ridge Meadery and at Middlefield Road this weekend. Laugh your socks off at a comedy show or go a bit further afield and visit The Ex which starts on Friday this and lots more besides – find out What’s On in Markham – Aug 18th – 24th by just scrolling down the page.
Markham Jazz Festival – Aug 19th – 21st
The summer jazz scene isn’t complete without a stop at the TD Markham Jazz Festival in beautiful Unionville, Ontario and surrounding areas. Even better, 2022 is our 25th anniversary! Three days, three stages, terrific restaurants and shops to visit along Main Street Markham and a lineup of stunning new talent and fan favourites from past MJFs – all free to attendees.
Friday, August 19 kicks off at the Millennium Bandstand with the brilliant Emily Steinwall, just-named winner of the 2022 SOCAN Songwriting Prize, followed by MJF “alum” Shakura S’Aida, one of the most dynamic blues artists you’ll ever see.
Saturday, August 20 is chock full of jazz genius and fun. On the Bandstand stage, catch Josh Grossman’s Toronto Jazz Orchestra. (Josh is a founding Artistic Director of the MJF.) Then it’s guitar marvel Eric St-Laurent followed by ES:MO – Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipinti (another former MJF Artistic Director). As evening falls, Attila Fias takes to the piano ahead of a smashing performance by legend Molly Johnson, with Robi Botos on piano and Mike Downes on bass. Wow!
Wander up to the Varley Art Gallery Patio to hear bassist Richard Whiteman, then Caity Gyorgy, 2022 Juno winner for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. At the McKay Wine & Beer Garden, savour the summer vibe with Carlo, Jessica Lalonde and Adrean Farrugia, Virginia MacDonald with Laura Anglade, and Alex Pangman and the Sweet Hots.
Sunday, August 21, the magic continues on all three stages. From Irene Torres to Gigi Marentette to Queen Pepper to Sammy Jackson and many more, the sounds are sensational. We wrap with pianist/composer Amanda Tosoff featuring vocalist Emilie-Claire Barlow.
For more details click here. Price: FREE
Night At The Museum presents Chris Vrijenhoek & Everflowing – Aug 18th – 7pm
Chris Vrijenhoek is a musician originally from The Netherlands and now based in Toronto. Now mainly playing music from the R&B, Jazz, and Soul traditions in various band formations. For this occasion, Chris will be on vocals and playing with Daniel Walsh on bass, Danny Zaidman on guitar and Lorie Wolf on drums.
Everflowing was formed during covid by Sabrina Shallop and Jacob Fleischmann – two kindred spirits who have a shared love for music and a thirst for wisdom.
A stunning line up for a wonderful night at Markham Museum – just bring a blanket, a lawn chair and some friends!
For more details click here. Price: FREE
Bubble Tea Comedy Show – Aug 20th – YES Cafe
Make your Saturday evening even better by watching some hilarious local stand up comedians. We got 4 funny comedians and an awesome headliner for only $5 through eventbrite ($7 at door). You don’t need to drain you bank account to have fun! Fun friendly show with some adult content (16+).
Our line up for the evening:
Your Host: Jason Luu
Headliner: DK Phan!
DK Phan is a Vietnamese/Chinese Canadian stand-up comedian and voice actor based out of Toronto. Since getting his start in 2010 at the Second City Training Centre where he studied stand-up, improv comedy, and acting – he has been performing all across North America including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, New York, and LA. His relatable and down to earth style of writing has earned him time on Rogers TV, Absolute Comedy and Yuk Yuks stages, and has been showcased for the Just For Laughs festival.
Featuring: Ricardo Mejias, Rebecca McDonald, Jon Depaola & Ruthie Miller!!
When: Saturday, Aug 20th – 7:30pm doors open/8pm show starts
Where: Yes Cafe, 22 Esna Park Dr, Markham – Located on the north side of the street. Follow the long road and you will see a large building at the end. Please go to the west side of the building for the entrance.
For more details click here. Price: from $5
Open Street Markham – Sundays – Middlefield Road -Aug 21st – Sept 4th
For the third Summer in a row, the City of Markham is helping residents stay active with Open Street Markham, presented by York University.
The Open Street initiative was created to allow for more outdoor space and opportunities for residents to get active during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The initiative also supports the City’s Active Transportation Master Plan by closing Middlefield Road, between Highglen Avenue and Denison Street, to motorized traffic, every Sunday from July 31 to September 5, including the Civic and Labour Day holidays.
What to expect?
We encourage you to bring your bicycles to ride and/or walk on this car-free street. Also, at every closure, a variety of activities are planned to help make being active even more enjoyable!
August 21st:
- Zumba from 10 to 11AM
- Live performances from 11AM to 2PM
- Henna from 1 to 4PM
- Book Bazaar from 10AM to 4PM
For more details click here. Price: FREE
Live Music at Ridge Meadery – Aug 20th – 2.30pm
Live music & art showings every Saturday afternoon along with mead flights and charcuteries. Come visit York Regions’ first commercial honey winery. We are proud to partner with the Markham Arts Council and Central Counties Tourism to bring quality live music to our community. Free parking and country air. Tables are first to come or bring your own lawn chair sit back and enjoy the tunes, country air, and of course the mead! Dogs must be on a leash at all times. No outside coolers. Talented musicians are encouraged to message us below if you’d like to play our venue.Here is the line-up of talent scheduled to hit the Ridge Meadery stage:
August 20th – Missouri Boggs Coalition: 2:30 to 5:00pm August 27th – Monkey Wrench 2:30 to 5:00pm September 3rd – Falsies: 2:30 to 5:00pm September 10th – Jimmy and the Buzz: 2:30 to 5:00pm September 17th – The Fabulous Trash Pandas: 2:30 to 5:00pm
For more details click here. Price: FREE
Online Lecture: Railway Technology in Canada WW1 Effort – Aug 18th – 7pm
Join the Toronto Railway Museum as they explore the complexities of transportation and logistics in the forward areas of the Western Front during the First World War. During this online lecture, you will learn about how railway technologies and expertise were gradually integrated into the British (and Canadian) transportation system, in an effort to streamline and rationalize the movement of ammunition, supplies, and personnel.
Registration is required. Attendees will get access to our exclusive Zoom meeting room, where they can engage directly with the presenter and museum historians in a post-lecture Q&A.
Presenter Andrew Larocci teaches history at Western University. He is a former collections manager (transportation and artillery) at the Canadian War Museum. His research interests include First World War operations and logistics, the material culture of the Canadian Army, and military transportation design. He is the author of A Nation in Conflict: Canada and the Two World Wars, and Shoestring Soldiers: The 1st Canadian Division at War, 1914-1915.
For more details click here. Price: FREE
Lake Shore Inflatable Waterpark – until Aug 28th
Lake Shore Inflatable Waterpark is Ontario’s largest, tallest, most exciting on water experience!
Some items include the trampoline, slides, jumps, obstacles and the world’s largest Blob launch. Think WipeOut meets Amazing Race!
Our waterpark is the LARGEST of its kind in Ontario, and is located right off Lake Shore and Ontario Place Blvd, next to Budweiser Stage of Ontario Place in Toronto, Ontario.
Cost: $35 + HST (2 hours)
Tickets are sold in 2hr blocks. Age 6-10 with an adult who is 16 and up and age 10 and up, without an adult. All patrons entering the waterpark must sign a waiver.
For more details click here. Price: $35 for 2 hours
Canadian National Exhibition – Aug 19th-Sept 5th
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE or The EX) is Canada’s largest annual community event. Taking place over the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day, the CNE offers a wide variety of entertainment and events including Bandshell concerts, celebrity chef demonstrations, aerial acrobatics, an ice skating show, a dog show, a working farm, parades and a three-day Air Show, all of which are FREE with admission to the CNE. Midway rides and games, wacky fair food as well as international food and shopping are also popular highlights of this major Toronto event. Over the course of its 18 day run, the CNE attracts more than 1.5 million people each year.
For more details click here. Price: from $20
Movies in the Park – The Bad Guys – Memorial Park Stouffville – 9pm
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy family favourites under the stars! A food vendor will be available at each movie selling a variety of treats for you to enjoy while watching a spectacular movie.
For more details click here. Price: FREE
Toronto Chinatown Festival – Aug 20th-21st
On August 20 & 21, 2022, the Toronto Chinatown Business Improvement Area (CBIA) will host the 22nd Toronto Chinatown Festival (TCF) under the theme of the “Eight Immortals” (八仙), taking after the popular Chinese mythology. In Chinese mythology, the Eight Immortals are believed to know the secrets of nature. They represent separately male, female, the old, the young, the rich, the noble, the poor, and the humble.
The Eight Immortals are:
- Lü Dongbin (呂洞賓) – a scholar and poet considered to be the leader of the Eight Immortals.
- He Xiangu (何仙姑) – in the modern context generally seen as the only female of the group, often depicted holding a lotus flower.
- Cao Guojiu (曹國舅) – related to a Song dynasty emperor before he became an immortal.
- Li Tieguai (李鐵拐) – associated with medicine and easing the suffering of the sick and needy, identified by his iron crutch and Calabash bottle.
- Lan Caihe (藍采和) – originally pictured as female later developed an ambiguous or more accurately, a “transformative” gender and is considered the patron of florists and gardeners.
- Han Xiangzi (韓湘子) – a flute artist.
- Zhang Guolao (張果老) – a Taoist symbol of longevity.
- Zhongli Quan (鍾離權) – associated with death and the power to create silver and gold, often depicted holding a fan.
After a turbulent whirlwind of events in the last two years, the CBIA is pleased to bring back the iconic annual festival bringing over 250,000 visitors every year during the two-day event. Visitors may expect an enchanted two-day program filled with cultural performances, traditional street eats, family activities on Huron St., a parade from the 8 Immortals, Dragon and Lion Dance performances and many more!
For more details click here. Price: FREE
Taste of Ireland at Canada’s Wonderland – Aug 20th
The flavours and spirited culture of the Emerald Isle will arrive at Canada’s Wonderland for the new Taste of Ireland food festival! Kick up your heels with lively street entertainment, traditional Celtic music and dancers while savoring hearty Irish fare like Guinness BBQ Pork Ribs, Irish Shepard’s Pie and Irish Whiskey Glazed Beef Skewers. Then treat yourself to a sweet dessert-like Chocolate Guinness Cake or Butterscotch Apple Cake. The luck of the Irish will be in the air, so don’t miss it!
For more details click here. Price: from $59.99
Afro Carib Fest 2022 – Aug 20th-21st – Thompson Memorial Park – Scarborough
The award winning Afro- Carib Fest is back, LIVE and Outside in person on Saturday August 20th and Sunday August 21st, 2022 at the Thomson Memorial Park, Scarborough ON from 12pm to 9pm both days.
Experience the best in African and Caribbean culture with a fun packed event. There will be live performances from diverse talented Afro-Caribbean artists and interactive activities.
FREE Entry! FREE Parking! Live Music! DJ Lounge featuring the best in the city. Cultural Parade. Dance Competitions. Vendors. Food Trucks. African Drumming and Dance Lessons. Kids Zone and much more! We are back LIVE and we are Outside! Ready for the best time you’ve had this summer? Join us for the best in the display of African and Caribbean culture!
For more details click here. Price: FREE
Scugog Heritage Day – Aug 21st – Scugog Shores Museum
See the village come to life to the sounds of the blacksmith, printing press, looms, and more.
Scugog Heritage Day will take place on Sunday, August 21st, 2022, and run from 11:00am until 4:00pm.
Join us at the Museum Village to celebrate the heritage of Scugog! Visitors will be treated to heritage demonstrations such as blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, and operation of a printing press. Explore the museum’s twelve historic buildings and Ojibway Heritage Interpretive Lands to experience how the settlers and Indigenous peoples of Scugog lived in the 19th century. The young and young-at-heart can take part in crafts, games, and discovery stations throughout the village.
For more details click here. Price: from $3
Jr Forest Explorers: Pollinator Pals – Aug 22nd – Downsview Park
Think like a moth! Communicate like a bee! Explore like a butterfly! Join us as we learn how pollinating insects, and other living beings keep plants and humans healthy.
Jr. Forest Explorers runs every Monday morning during the summer. Each program is 90 minutes and is for children between 18 months and three-and-a-half years. Caregivers are required to stay for the duration of the program.
For more details click here. Price: FREE