Showing posts with label Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Events. Show all posts

Friday, 30 September 2011

Science Fiction and Fantasy Events in Toronto, October 2011

These events are from the science fiction & fantasy calendar I run.  If you have an event that's not listed, email me (jessica.strider@gmail.com) and I'll put it on the calendar and add it here.  While I try to get the details correct, always check the links to confirm event information. I'll be updating this post as I learn of more events.

Thursday October 6

Dr Who Information Network (DWIN) Pub Night

There is a regular Doctor Who Tavern/Pub gathering in Toronto on the first Thursday of each month
Where: Paupers Pub, 539 Bloor Street West (near Bathurst). We meet up at the back near the dartboards.
When: People usually start to arrive around 8:00pm.

Friday October 7 - Sunday October 9

Creation Entertainment's Salute to SUPERNATURAL
Where: Sheraton TORONTO Airport Hotel and Conference Centre (810 Dixon Road, Toronto)
Cost: Varies by pass

It is indeed a great pleasure for us to bring Creation Entertainment's Salute to SUPERNATURAL to one of the most beautiful cities in the world, TORONTO! We're rolling out the red carpet to welcome fans from around the world to join in this first in the area celebration of television's hottest series and we're doing it up in major style by presenting the three sensational headliners that every fan will want to see: JENSEN ACKLES, JARED PADALECKI and MISHA COLLINS! If another TV show boasts better stars than these guys we want to know about it and we thank all three for being so supportive of our events and company over the last several years!

Saturday October 7

1. Toronto Screening of "Stiffs On The Green"
Where: Toronto Underground Cinema 186 Spadina Avenue, TorontoToronto, ON
When: 7-9 PM
Cost: $10

This is a crazy dark horror comedy about a killer on the golf course, murdering the pro players and anyone that gets in his path. It's all up to the staff workers at 'The Chip Off The Old Tee' Golf course to stop him before the big tournament.

Wednesday October 12

Toronto International Film Festival Light Box Presents:
Otherworldly Exhibit Special Talk:
From Concept to Reality: Creating an Extraordinary Creature Called “Dren”
Special guests Amro Attia and Alex Kavanagh
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox is located at Reitman Square on the north-west corner of King and John Streets (350 King Street West)
When: Wednesday, October 12 at 7:00 pm
Cost: Ticket Sales and booking information for the special events will be available at tiff.net in late September 2011.

TIFF presents a rare, intimate salon-style session with creature designer Amro Attia and costume designer Alex Kavanagh, as they take audiences behind the scenes of Vincenzo Natali’s Splice and discuss the process involved in the development of its genetically altered protagonist, “Dren.”

Saturday October 15

Toronto SpecFic Colliquium
Where: Toronto Underground Cinema (186 Spadina Ave.)
When: 9 am - 11 pm
Theme: Modern Mythologies
Guest of Honour: Mike Carey
Ticket prices varry by age and purchase date.  Go here to buy online.

Monday October 17

Mike Carey talks at the Merril Collection of Science Fiction
Where: Lilian H. Smith Library, 239 College Street, basement
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Mike Carey, author of numerous graphic novel series including Lucifer, Faker, as well as the Felix Castor supernatural detective novels, will be the guest of the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, speaking in the basement of the Lillian Smith branch, 239 College Street.

Wednesday October 19

Toronto Public Library Author Talk
The Sky's Dark Labyrinth by Stuart Clark
When: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Runnymede Program Room

The first novel in a trilogy which brings to life those turning points in history which forever changed our view of the universe. Acclaimed astronomy writer Stuart Clark This is the story of Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei, two men trapped by human ignorance and irrational terror in one of the darkest, yet also enlightening periods of European history.

Thursday October 20 - 27

Toronto After Dark Film Festival
8 nights of horror, sci-fi, action and cult movies
Oct 20-27
Where: Toronto Underground Cinema (186 Spadina Ave)
single price tickets $13 ($15 for opening/closing gala screenings), 250 all access passes on sale for $139
screenings are for those aged 19 and older

Friday October 21

Daniel Clowes The graphic novelist is interviewed by Seth Mariko as part of the International Festival Of Authors.
Where: , Harbourfront Centre Brigantime Rm, 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, 416-973-4000, readings.org
When: 8 pm
Admission: $18, stu free

Saturday October 22

9TH ANNUAL TORONTO ZOMBIE WALK
Where: Trinity Bellwood's Park (tentative)
When: 3 pm
cost: free! 
For all ages!  Please observe that there's a NO WEAPONS policy in effect

Get their early for a chance to win fiendtastic prizes, and the Henry’s zombie photo booth, plus a special scaremony, details to be announced soon!!!
The 2011 Toronto Zombie Walk route will be announced at a later date. So keep your eyeballs peeled.
Please register for the walk at:
http://www.torontozombiewalk.ca/2011_registration.php
It’s free!! There will be NO registration booth at the park, but save your registration slips for a chance to win spooktacular prizes.
After the walk, this year’s evening entertainment will be hosted by the the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. From 7pm onwards join us at the screening venue, the Toronto Underground Cinema, 186 Spadina Avenue, just north of Queen, for a double bill screening of two brand new zombie films, with a special discount for the undead! And then from 11.30pm until late, at Tequila Bookwork on Queen Street, stay feasting until the wee hours with the official after party! Please note evening events hosted by Toronto After Dark including screenings and after party are restricted to age 19+. Complete details on Toronto After Dark Film Festival, 8 Nights of New Horror, Sci-Fi, Action and Cult Movies, Oct 20-27, 2011 here:
http://www.torontoafterdark.com/
Drop by the Henry’s Tent at the 2011 Zombie Walk from 2pm on and get a professional 4×6 picture of you and your Zombie friends for a only $2 each.  All proceeds will go to the Connect Learning Centre.  Check out Henry’s online at www.henrys.com.
2011 Brain Drive
Once again we are running a brain drive to help cover the numerous costs of the walk such as permits and insurance.  Check it out here for a chance to win some fiendtastic prizes!
Weapons Policy
The Toronto Zombie Walk is a weapon free event. This is to avoid confusion and added stress for the city during the walk. We agree to no weapons when we apply for our permits.
Problems arising from weapons and prop weapons can put the walk and everyone’s enjoyment of the walk in Jeapordy, we therefore must stress that NO WEAPONS are permitted on the walk.

Sunday October 23

The Word Doctors Are In A masterclass for aspiring authors is part of the International Festival Of Authors.
Where: , Harbourfront Centre Brigantine Rm, 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, 416-973-4000, readings.org
When: 11 am
Admission: $18, stu free

Tuesday October 25

Lev Grossman/Erin Morgenstern/Simon Toyne Round table discussion on magic, myth and the forces beyond reason.
Where: , Harbourfront Centre Studio Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, 416-973-4000, readings.org
When: 8 pm
Admission: $18, stu free

Wednesday October 26

The Chemistry of Sex, Drugs and the Brain
Where: Toronto Reference Library Elizabeth Beeton Auditorium
When: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Professor William J. Pietro will provide an expose of how nerve cells communicate in the human brain through chemical messengers. He will show how molecules designed to mimic these natural substances can be used to treat depression, schizophrenia, and psychosexual dysfunction. Principles of drug discovery and pharmacology will be discussed using the action of street drugs as an example.

Saturday October 29

1. Toronto International Film Festival Light Box Presents:
Otherworldly Exhibit Special Talk:
Curatorial Perspectives Tour 
Where: Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox is located at Reitman Square on the north-west corner of King and John Streets (350 King Street West)
When: Saturday, October 29 at 11:00 am
Cost: Ticket Sales and booking information for the special events will be available at tiff.net in late September 2011.

Sylvia Frank, Director of TIFF’s Film Reference Library and Special Collections and curator of Otherworldly: The Art of Canadian Costume Design, offers an exclusive guided tour of the exhibition and an in-depth look at its creation, including its original conception, the selection process and design parameters.

2. Rue Morgue's Banquet of Blood, 14th Anniversary Halloween Party
Where: Revival (783 College St)
When: 9 pm
Cost: $25 advance / $30 at the door

Featuring Twitch Couvier as The Master of Ceremonies, MiMi Cherry as Countess Bathory, Bon Bon Bombay as The Strangled Bride, Mia Culpa in Flash Flood, the Rue Morgue Go-Go Ghouls, a Midnight Costume Contest and terror tunes courtesy of Manny G. Eric Von Eric and Tomb Dragomir

IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must present a PRINTED COPY OF YOUR CONFIRMATION E-MAIL in order to pick up your tickets at the venue. No tickets will be issued without a printed confirmation.

Sunday October 30

8th Annual Canadian Action Figure Expo
Where: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel - Toronto Airport, 655 Dixon Road
When:10/11 - ? (website doean't give closing time)
Cost: Earlybird admission (10am) $20, Regular admission (after 11) $10, Children 5-12 $5, under 5 are free

Huge selection of vintage 80s toys and all the latest releases from today.
Costume contest.

Monday October 31

Halloween!!!

Wednesday, 31 August 2011

Science Fiction and Fantasy Events in Toronto, September 2011

These events are from the science fiction & fantasy calendar I run.  If you have an event that's not listed, email me (jessica.strider@gmail.com) and I'll put it on the calendar and add it here.  While I try to get the details correct, always check the links to confirm event information. I'll be updating this post as I learn of more events.

Thursday September 1

Dr Who Information Network (DWIN) Pub Night

There is a regular Doctor Who Tavern/Pub gathering in Toronto on the first Thursday of each month
Where: Paupers Pub, 539 Bloor Street West (near Bathurst). We meet up at the back near the dartboards.
When: People usually start to arrive around 8:00pm.

Friday September 2

Toronto International Film Festival Bell Lightbox Presents:
Otherwordly: The Art of Canadian Costume Design
Where:Reitman Square on the north-west corner of King and John Streets (350 King Street West)
When: September 2 - March 2012, hours
Cost: free

Free exhibition focuses on the work of Canadian costume designers in celebrated fantasy, science fiction and horror films; presented in partnership with the Canadian Alliance of Film and Television Costume Arts and Design and complemented with special guests.

The Infinite Kung-Fu Launch Party Graphic novel launch and live music/film event featuring Hop-Fu.
Admission: $5 or free w/ book purchase
Where: Revival, 783 College, Toronto, 416-535-7888
When: 9 pm

Saturday September 10

Friends of the Merril Collection Annual SF/Anime Flea Market
Where: Beeton Auditorium at the Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street
When: 10 am - 4 pm
Admission: Free
It's time once again for the Friends of the Merril annual SF / Anime Flea Market, one-stop shopping for all of your genre needs. We'll have books, DVDs, games, costume supplies,collectibles, and more avaialble at bargain basement prices.

Sunday September 11

Phineas Phlensing’s Monthly Steampunk Pub Social
Where: Rover’s Pub on Bloor Street West, west of Bathurst across the street from Honest Ed’s.
When: Festivities start at around 1PM.
Costume optional.
(via Lloyd & Yvonne Penney's event email)

Wednesday September 14

Fantastical Fiction Readings by speculative fiction authors Guy Gavriel Kay, Douglas Smith, Hayden Trenholm, Holly Bennett, Erin Bow, Paul Glennon and Robert Paul Weston.
Admission: $10, stu free
Where: , Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, 416-973-4000, readings.org
When: 7:30 pm

Authors at Harbourfront Centre:
Paul Glennon, Bookweirder (juvenile fiction)
Where: The Brigantine Room 235 Queens Quay West
When: 7:30 pm
Cost: $10, free for members/students with ID/youth 25 and younger
Chiraroscuro Reading Series Presents: A Chill in the Air
Where: Augusta House, 152 Augusta Avenue
When: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Join the Chiaroscuro Reading Series for a night of deliciously chilling stories featuring Katherine Govier, Helen Marshall and Mark Sedore.



Chemists have Solutions
Where: Toronto Reference Library, Elizabeth Beeton Auditorium
When: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join Professor Robert H. Morris, Chair of the Chemistry department at the University of Toronto, in celebrating the International Year of Chemistry. Pivotal moments in research, the role of chemistry in everyday life, and the future of chemistry with examples of current research at the U.of T. will be discussed.

Saturday September 17


Book Launch
Tesseracts 15: A Case of Quite Curious Tales
Where: Bakka-Phoenix Books (84 Harbord Street, just west of Spadina)
When: 3-6 p.m
More info
Sunday September 18

Space-Time Continnum meeting
Where: Bakka Phoenix Books, 84 Harbord Street
When: 1 PM
Discussion topic: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Wednesday September 21

Toronto Public Library Author Talks
Eoin Colfer
When: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Toronto Reference Library The Appel Salon
Cost: free, but ticket required (details below)

Irish author Eoin Colfer, best known for his Artemis Fowl series for young readers, discusses his much-anticipated adult crime-fiction debut Plugged.

Colfer's novels have often been compared to the works of J.K. Rowling. In 2008, he was commissioned to write the sixth instalment of the popular Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, And Another Thing. His other works include the New York Times bestseller Airman.

Note: Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are required for admission to all Appel Salon events. Tickets are free, and are available online, at torontopubliclibrary.ca/appelsalon, sstarting four weeks before the event, unless otherwise noted.

As most Appel Salon events are free of charge, it is our policy to overbook. In the case of a full program, your free reservation may not guarantee admission. Unclaimed reservations will be released to standby customers ten minutes prior to the start of the program. We recommend that you arrive early.

Sunday September 25

Word on the Street, National Book and Magazine Festival
Where: Queen's Park
When: 11am - 6pm
Authors in attendance include: Robert J. Sawyer, Kelley Armstrong, Kenneth Oppel

Tuesday September 27

Toronto Public Library Author Talks
The Medieval Muslim World's Forgotten Contributions to Science 
When: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

During the eighth and ninth centuries, while Europe was locked in the Dark Ages, Muslim civilization was at its zenith. Were it not for the scientists and thinkers of the medieval Islamic world, the modern world would not have algebra, modern medicine, astronomy and much else. Presented by Dr. Aliya Khan, Professor of Clinical Medicine, McMaster University.

Wednesday September 28

Author Reading
Erin Morgenstern
Where: 27 Dudurn St. North (One Block North of King St.)  HAMILTON
When: 7 pm
Cost: $3
Info:  princebooks.net 

Friday September 30

Toronto Cartoonists Workshop: Industry Night Presents DC New 52: Francis Manapul (Flash #1)
Where: 587A College (at Clinton)
When: 7 - 11 pm
Admission: Pay what you can (suggested $4)
- gallery exhibition and art sale
- proceeds from admission go to the Joe Shuster Awards

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Science Fiction and Fantasy Events in Toronto, June 2011

These events are from the science fiction & fantasy calendar I've started.  If you have an event that's not listed, email me (jessica.strider@gmail.com) and I'll put it on the calendar.  While I try to get the details correct, always check the links to confirm event information. And I'll be updating this post as I learn of more events.

Sunday June 5

World's Biggest Bookstore Presents: Horror
Meet horror authors David Nickle (Eutopia), Gemma Files (A Book of Tongues) and Brent Haywood (The Fecund's Melancholy Daughter).
Where: World's Biggest Bookstore (20 Edward Street)
When: 2 pm
Call the store at 416-977-7009 for more information 

Tuesday June 7

Chiaroscuro Reading Series: Book Launch for Susie Moloney's THIRTEEN
Where: Trane Studio (964 Bathurst St.)
When: 8 - 11 pm      "Haven Woods is suburban heaven, a great place to raise a family. It's close to the city, quiet, with great schools and its own hospital right up the road. Property values are climbing. The streets are clean, people keep their yards really nicely. It's fairly pet friendly, though barking dogs are not welcomed. The crime rate is practically non-existent, unless you count the odd human sacrifice, dismemberment, animal attack, demon rape and blood atonement. When Paula Wittmore goes home to Haven Woods to care for a suddenly ailing mother, she brings her daughter and a pile of emotional baggage. She also brings the last chance for twelve of her mother's closest frenemies, who like to keep their numbers at thirteen. And her daughter, young, innocent, is a worthy gift to the darkness.
     A circle of friends will support you through bad times. A circle of witches can drag you through hell."


Saturday June 18

How to Write a Bestseller Workshop (MISSISSAUGA)
With book editor Brian Henry & New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong
Where: Chartwell Baptist Church
1880 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga
When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fee: $38.94 + 13% hst = $44 paid in advance
or $42.48 + 13% hst = $48 if you wait to pay at the door
To reserve a spot now, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Saturday June 19

Space-Time Continuum Reading and Discussion Group
Topic: Galvaston by Sean Stewart
Where: Bakka Phoenix Books (84 Harbord Street)
When: 1 pm

Tuesday June 21

Book Launch: Once Every Never by Lesley Livingston
Where: Dominion on Queen (500 Queen St. East)
When: 7 - 10:30 pm



Saturday June 25

Toronto Cosplay Picnic
Where: Center Island (via ferry)
When: 11-6
Cost: round trip ferry ticket ($4 students, $6.50 adults)
*Note, rain date is Sunday 26th, check website the day before to confirm
We will be meeting in the area in front of the docks at 10:30am. This area is accessible without buying a ticket for the ferry and features a few grassy knolls and trees. Your event organizers, Elemental and Pan, will be there early, and will poke you if you are in costume. The giant group of people in costume should not be too hard to spot.

We will depart from the docks at 11am. If you're late, hop on the ferry and head towards Centreville. We usually set up camp in a shaded area near Centreville, so it'll be hard to miss us. If you know you will be late and are worried about getting lost, feel free to contact Elemental. Her e-mail address is: tocosplaypicnic[at]gmail[dot]com. 

Friday, 11 February 2011

Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Events Calendar

I've started up a Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Events Calendar as one of my 'pages' (in the left menu bar).  At the moment it's experimental, as I discover how much time and effort inputting events and maintaining it is going to be.  I'm using a free online calendar and file sharing service called KeepandShare, which I'm trying out for the first time.

I know the majority of people who come to this blog aren't in the Toronto area, so the calendar is also to lessen the number of 'Event in Toronto' posts I do (not eliminate them, mind you, just reduce them).  And I've been hoping for a while that someone would do a calendar that includes all the SF/F events in the city as I hate hearing of things after the fact that I'd have loved to go to.

If you are in Toronto and know of an event that's not on my calendar, please email me the details (event title, website url, date/time, venue and cost).  Also email me if you notice a mistake on the calendar or with an event.  Please put 'calendar events' in the subject line and send the information to: jessica.strider@gmail.com


And now for the disclaimer.  I'm doing this on my own time because I like the idea of knowing what's happening so I can plan what to attend.  I can only add events I hear about, so I know not everything will make the calendar.  I also only know what I'm told or discover on websites, so mistakes are possible (either with data entry on my end or changes on theirs).  I'll link to websites whenever possible, so always double check the information. 

This is experimental so if it turns out to be too much work to maintain or the site I'm using starts giving me problems, I might have to let the idea go.  On the other hand, if everything goes well for the first few months of just doing Toronto, I might branch out and add larger events from areas around the GTA as well.