... what better way to celebrate the first day of summer than with a Heritage Toronto walking tour - "Journalists and Editors in 19th Century Toronto". (kinda makes you question my sanity, doesn't it?)

Well, uncharacteristically, I'm not going to bore you with the details.

Instead - how about the free concert we stumbled upon in Nathan Phillips Square. The Toronto Jazz Festival's free noon time concert - featuring Lighthouse! (You young 'uns will just have to look 'em up!)

Art Battle Mississauga!!!!

... 3 rounds ...

... 6 artists per round ...

... 20 minutes to create a canvas while the

assembled company watches over your shoulder  ...

.... and then votes for their favourite painting ...

... winning artist moves on to the next round ...

... the winner of round 3 is crowned champion and moves onto
the National Art Battle Finals at the Mattamy Centre on July 26th ...

 

At the end of each round, all paintings are offered for silent auction.  I did bid on this painting (photo doesn’t do the painting justice – artist used mauve and sky blue.)  Had to drop out of the bidding at $ 125.00

 

 

This is the Art Battle Mississauga winning painting and artist, Puneet Kohli.

 

… a Heritage Toronto walking tour ...

the murals of Islington Village

A total of 24 murals painted on the sides of bridges and businesses on Dundas Street West between Islington and Kipling Avenues, all but three painted by John Kuna.  Definitely worth an afternoon stroll – even in the rain!  

Just a few highlights ...

 

... a panel of the "Welcome Mural" (on the Mimico Street Bridge)

(but you must go yourself to see the naughty mural painted on the exterior wall of the naughty lingerie store!)

... when you are foot loose, fancy free, and gainfully unemployed ... you can

spend the entire afternoon at the Royal Botanical Gardens .....

 

 

... looking at the lilacs ...

 

 

 

 

... and the tree peonies ....

 

 

 

 

... and taking artsy, farsty photos of water lilies ....

 

 

(I'll bet you just can't wait for the roses to be in bloom in two weeks time!)