Mirvish - Anything Goes

This show was lots of fun.  The campy dialogue, cute but not stale, and the Cole porter songs are bound to keep a smile on your face.

Some strong vocal leads, particularly the female lead, who demonstrated a wide range of talent, and a few amazing tap numbers.

I highly recommend this show for an evening of good clean fun and lots of laughs.

Evergreen Brick Works - Saturday Market

The Saturday market during the summer is a great draw for a light brunch from the vendors in the market, followed by a nice walk along the trails or on the grounds. Lots of great things for the kids to do. Go with a group and let the kids run free while the adults shop and relax with a delicious coffee. I particularly like the cheese and bread stalls. The market closes around 1 so morning visits are best.

Outdoor Art Show - Nathan Phillips Square

Absolutely love this show. Can’t pass by my favourite jewelers – two of them were here this year (Lisa Ridout and Annette van Leuwen). In addition to my purchases from them, I purchased a few items from two other jewelers. And, of course, added a few more of Tom Aitken’s dishes, with designs by Kate Hyde, to my collection. The City Hall Square is a great outdoor venue for this show and the artisans are always top notch, so you really should put this show on your calendar, always falling on the weekend after Canada Day.

Luminato - The Daisy Theatre

Ronnie Burkett is the most awesome puppetter. This series of vignettes, created for Luminato and incorporating audience participation and improv was as good, if not better, than his full length plays. He brings his puppets to life, with emotion and feeling, creating endearing characters that you feel you have known all your life. They are every-day characters, with the foibles and innocence of the young, naïve or very trusting.

Every show will be different so you could go more than once - hooray! I heard of one couple who did and Ronnie worked the young man's marriage proposal into the show on the last night. Sigh - I wish I were there for that performance ....

Prince Edward County

Took a little end of school year jaunt with my mother, sister and daughter. Decided to explore Prince Edward County a little.

Day 1 - Isaiah Tubbs - Perfect room for four, with a separate bedroom for the early sleepers and a screened-in porch for the early risers. Meal plan is a great deal, even if you don't want to eat dessert every day. $50 per day covers your 3 course dinner and next day breakfast, including non-alchoholic beverages. Mains for dinner in the dining room range $25 to $33 and everything we tried was delicious. You can skip the meal plan and eat in the lounge (lighter fare),  at the little pizza place a 5 min walk down the road or have breakfast in your room - there is a fridge and microwave, but you will need to bring your own utensils.

Day 2 - Bloomfield - Enjoyed a stroll along main street, stopping in at several interesting shops in search of unique jewelry, clothing and household accents. Some great finds from local artisans. Stopped for really yummy fresh made ice cream at Slickers, then at a lovely garden café for a light lunch and some fresh, home made treats (Saylor House Café). Last stop was my favourite glass studio - Elements.

Day 3 - Sandbanks Provincial Park - A great way to spend the day, swimming, hiking, playing around in the dunes, building sand structures, or just lying in the shade with a book. I never knew we had sand like this in Ontario!! There is a fast food joint on the beach or a small restaurant further in the park, if you don't feel like packing a picnic lunch.

Day 4 - Port Hope - Took the scenic route along hwy 2 to Port Hope and had a very enjoyable ride. Got out to stretch out legs and visit some of the interesting shops. Had a delicious coffee in a lovely french café, with the most amazing deserts and cookies. Then it was on to the 401 and home.

Soulpepper - The Barber of Seville

An absolutely enjoyable cornucopia of romance, drama, class struggle, secrecy, deceit and comedy. As we have come to expect from Soulpepper, the acting was stellar, the performers drawing you into the endearingly quirky characters. We loved this play and are sending our teens this weekend. Note its run concludes this Saturday, so don't delay.

AGO - Renaissance and Patti Smith

Dropped in on the members night to see the Early Renaissance Show (Secrets in Florentine Art) and Patti Smith's photographs (Camera Solo).

While not keen on the crowds in the Renanaissance gallary, I was nonetheless pleased to see so many members. The detail in the pieces was incredible and definitely compelling to study - I strongly recommend you see this show. But hurry - its only around for a few more weeks.

Of course, there are lots of other interesting exhibits to visit, but we enjoyed the Patty Smith show and were typically non plussed by the Cardiff and Miller show (Lost in Memory Place). I have just never understood modern art - its pretty much the emperor with no clothes to me ..............