Japanese Centre and big bazaar

The great thing about this weekend is that I'm going to Montreal for a girlfriends reunion. The sad thing about this weekend is that I'm going to miss the annual bazaar of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre! This Saturday, May 3, from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

I'm been eying this event for a little while. It is apparently the most fun event of the Japanese Centre (located a few minutes drive north of the Science Centre). I even went to visit the centre ahead of time. Here are my best shots of this amazing cultural centre.

The surroundings don't look too appealing but as soon as you step into the centre, you'll be seduced by the design. I don't know how the bazaar affects their regular offering but here's what I saw during my visit.

Downton Abbey exhibition is sold out but all is not lost!

Spadina House is still going strong

Spadina House (and Gardens) may be more modest that its flashy neighbour Casa Loma, but at first glance, its visitors realize the large castle pales in comparison. To discover its splendors, nothing beats a guided tour by one of their knowledgeable history buffs. 

Fans of the Downton Abbey series will be sad to know that even though the current exhibition Dressing for Downton: Costumes from Downton Abbey is going on until April 13, the tours are sold out. (Update May 15, 2014: Due to the success of the event, Spadina House will offer Downton Abbey-inspired tours on Sundays!)

The good news is that on April 15th, they'll resume the great Meet the Austins tours normally offered (and included with the admission price). Spadina's guides are fiercely passionate about history and heritage restoration. And I would bet they'll pepper their tour with allusions to Downton Abbey, after the full immersion they just had. 

Spadina House was recently restored to its splendour of the 1920s and 1930s (which was a perfect fit for the period covered in the famous series). 

In those days, they didn't just through away all the furniture to make room for the new. In the 1920's, Spadina House did not have an Art Deco vibe. It still had the air of a Gran Victorian Lady. A real beauty to visit.

There are a few tables on the lower floor past the little gift shop and they sell coffee and snacks on the premises.

When you're done, take a stroll up and down the Baldwin Steps located between Spadina Museum and the Casa Loma. It is quite a workout! 

Spadina House and Gardens

www.toronto.ca

 416-392-6910

Where: 285 Spadina Road, Toronto (est of the Casa Loma).

Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. The tours are offered Tuesday to Friday at 12:15, 1:15, 2:15, 3:15 and 4 p.m.. Saturday and Sunday, tours start at 12:15, 1, 1:45, 2:30, 3:15 and 4 p.m. 

How much: $9/adults, $5.50/6-12 years old. There's a vast pay parking lot at the Casa Loma.

The 3rd floor was open to the public
for the first time during the exhibition.
It hosted the servants quarters.

Walk through the Sculpture Garden at McMichael

A few weeks ago, I took my friends visiting from Montreal to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, very glad to finally have a chance to stroll around the outdoor Sculpture Garden inaugurated in 2011.

A short walk from the parking lot, it features nine monumental sculptures donated by the artist Yvan Eyre. (And I mean big; they weight between 2000 to 4000 pounds!) The loop sinuous trail, which takes no more than 10 minutes to complete, is perfect to generate anticipation as you keep wondering what lies around the next corner. I'd gladly return in the fall to do the surrounding trails.

Outdoor Sculpture Garden at McMichael Canadian Art Collection 

Til death do us apart
The Sculpture Garden sits across from the Group of Seven cemetery where I had the surprise to find natural stones bearing plates with the names of the gallery co-founders Robert and Signe McMichael along with those of six of the ten members of the Group of Seven and their spouses (Lismer, Varley, Harris, Johnston, Casson and Jackson). 

The gallery's website confirms that it is indeed the resting place for them and not just a memorial. The founders truly were art lovers!
  
While you're there
You don't have to pay admission to the gallery to access the Sculpture Garden. All you have to do is pay the $5 parking fee at the gate. 

You can also admire the artists' shack, the carved rock and the guarding wolves near the main building. And while you're at it, enter the gallery's lobby to see the totem (with a twist... you'll need to have an up-close look to see what I mean).


There's a café on the premises, open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Its vast patio is the perfect spot for a glass of wine or coffee with a gourmet cookie. They serve food. I must say we found the grilled cheese sandwich and hamburger with fries quite disappointing but our neighbours seemed pleased with their quiche and salad.

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