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Summer events that will be going virtual—or are just cancelled

After months of freezing cold and spring showers, summer is almost here and people can’t wait to get out and have fun outdoors

Oh wait. Coronavirus.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has other plans as events continue to stay closed to the public.

However, there is still some hope as some of your favourite and much-anticipated events are joining the virtual scene.

Here are a few events that are a go for online.

Toronto Jewish Film Festival: May 30 to June 7

The film festival is going on with a wide range of genres from dramas to documentaries. Admission for adults and seniors is $15, weekday matinees before 5 p.m are $11, next gen for ages 18–35 with I.D. is $9 and special events are $20. Special passes valid for 20 films /events are $200. You can order online with a $0.50 service charge or over the phone with a $1.00 service charge.

Phone- 416-324-9121.

City Hall Live: Futuro Libre Presents Digging Roots

ShoShona and Raven from Digging Roots will be singing songs of their land and Indigenous Anishanable and Onkwehonwe traditions on Turtle Island on June 8 at 12:30 p.m. online.

LOMOPALOOZA

LOMOPALOOZA is a one day virtual event focusing on health and awareness, personal health and growth and fun. Their goal is to raise $5000 each for Feeding America and Food Banks of Canada. The event is free and will take place on June 11 from 10 a.m to 7 p.m.

Luminato Festival Toronto: Virtual 2020

The Luminato Festival is going virtual. Join the stream at luminatofestival.com for a day for free and enjoy three days of music,films,theatre and more.The events start on June 11 from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Second City presents The Really Awesome Improv Show

Second City is putting on a family friendly show that is free Hhowever they are accepting donations in support of the Second City members who are experiencing critical health and financial challenges.The show starts on June 4 at 2 p.m. Register online and donate online.

Pride Toronto

The Toronto Pride Parade will continue to connect the trans and queer community with innovative and exciting ideas despite the pandemic. The event will kick off with a ballroom party in Club Quarantine on June 1 and will end with a virtual parade on June 28 at 2 p.m.

Beaches International Jazz Festival

Beaches is going virtual. From July 17 to 26 you can catch live performances, workshops and interviews on their website, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook pages.

Hot Docs Festival

The Festival continues online with more than 140 official selections to choose from. From May 28 to June 6 Ontarians can stream documentaries and pre-recorded Q&A’s or partake in virtual live events on hotdocs.ca. Tickets are $9 (Hot Docs members $8) and a five-film streaming bundle is available for $40 (Hot Doc members $36).

Grace Internal JerkFood and Music Festival

Jerkfest has not been cancelled despite being on the city’s list for closures. The festival will be taking place virtually on August 8–9. For more information visit www.jerkfestival.ca.

 

Some other event organizers are instead trying to find new dates for their events.

Wine and Spirit Festival

The Wine and Spirit Festival will be taking place — just not this summer. The festival has been rescheduled for Oct. 2 and 3 at Sugar Beach.They will be celebrating 12 years and bring wine, beer, cocktails, food, live music and more.

Redpath Waterfront Festival

Redpath Waterfront Festival, best remembered for the worlds largest rubber duck in 2017, should be celebrating their 10th anniversary. However, the event has been postponed due to Toronto City festival regulations. Organizers have since posted on their website that their team is currently searching for alternate dates. Get the latest from its website.

Kidz Bop Live 2020 Tour

This kid friendly tour known for remixing popular songs to make them family appropriate will be rescheduling their June and July tour dates. They have also offered a link for ticket holders to get a refund on their website. Check the website.

Toronto Craft Beer Festival

It’s a bittersweet feeling for beer lovers as the Toronto Craft Beer Festival have postponed their event for the foreseeable future. The organizers had to forgo the event due to city regulations and are actively investigating new dates. Check online for the latest news.

 

Unfortunately some fan favourites did not make the virtual cut. Here’s a list of events that will not be taking place this year.

Canada National Exhibition

Lovingly dubbed the Ex, the festival will not be taking place this year due to city regulations for festivals and events during COVID-19. The festival association released a statement on their website stating that the iconic celebration will not be lighting up this summer. “Safety always comes first at the CNE, and the decision to cancel our event is the right decision during this critical time to protect the health of all Canadians,” John Kiru, President of the CNEA said in the post.

Great Ontario Salmon Derby

Due to COVID-19 and the city’s regulations, the Salmon Derby had to cancel. This would have been its 24th edition, however they are looking forward to hosting in 2021and are already making plans.

Toronto Caribbean Festival (Caribana)

Known for its flashy outfits and energetic music and dancing, this festival is a highly anticipated annual event for the Caribbean population. However, its board of directors has decided that due to the continued developments concerning the spread of COVID-19, the severe public health threat, and global health crisis, the month-long events held in July-August are cancelled.

Volleyball Canada

The Mens and Womens Volleyball Nations League has been officially cancelled. The VNL was set to start on May 19 for women and May 22 for men. However, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball announced the cancellation of the 2020 games due to the global pandemic. For more info please check out the website.