Frugal summer guide for August

Who says you need a cottage and a million bucks to enjoy the summer? Enjoy it right where you are and save money on top of it. The city is thriving with a multitude of free fun events that are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of tastes. Whether it’s food, visual arts or dancing in the street, you’re sure to find something to keep you happy and busy this summer.

WHAT: Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto
WHERE: Various venues
WHEN: July 17 to Aug. 5, different event times
FREE: Some events are free
HOW: Take part in this exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine and revelry as well as visual and performing arts.

WHAT: Dusk Dances
WHERE: Various locations
WHEN: July 31 to Aug. 5 at Withrow Park, Aug. 11 at Chalkfarm Park and Aug. 16 to 19 at Earlscourt Park. Performances start at 7 p.m.
FREE: Pay What You Can (PWYC)
HOW: Highly physical, gently magical, charmingly fun.

WHAT: Adventures In Slumberland
WHERE: Lagoon Theatre, Centre Island, Toronto Island Park
WHEN: Wednesdays to Sundays through to Aug. 26, shows at 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m.
FREE: $10 online, PWYC rush seating
HOW: Adapted from Winsor McCay’s 1905 comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland, these 30-minute performances feature original circus-inspired puppetry, masks, and music.
NOTE: More shows may be added.

WHAT: Shakespeare in High Park: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
WHERE: High Park Amphitheatre, High Park, Bloor Street West and High Park Avenue
WHEN: Nightly (except Mondays) through to Sept. 2, 8 p.m.
FREE: PWYC, suggested donation $20
HOW: Performed under the stars in High Park, this light-hearted tale follows the adventures of four lovers and a group of amateur actors as they stumble through a mysterious and enchanted evening.

WHAT: TIFF in the Park
WHERE: David Pecaut Square (just west of Roy Thomson Hall)
WHEN: Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 8:30 or 9 p.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: Laugh your way through a curated selection of classic screwball comedies.

WHAT: Dancing on the Pier
WHERE: Harbourfront Centre.
WHEN: Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 7 p.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: Join the best choreographers, social dance clubs, DJs and live bands for social interaction that explores global dance trends.

WHAT: The Edwards Summer Music Series
WHERE: Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. E.
WHEN: Aug. 2, 9, 16 and 23, 7 p.m.
FREE: $2 (members and children under 12 are free)
HOW: Experience music and dance from across the artistic spectrum set within the beautiful gardens.

WHAT: Open Roof Film Festival
WHERE: Amsterdam Brewery, 21 Bathurst St.
WHEN: Aug. 2, 9, 16 and 23, 7:30 p.m.
FREE: $15
HOW: Watch hot and hip documentaries, stunning indie dramas or quirky comedies, listen to live music and eat sizzling food.
NOTE: In case of rain, the event moves indoors to the Amsterdam Brewery.

WHAT: Island Soul
WHERE: Harbourfront Centre
WHEN: Aug. 3 to 6
FREE: Yes
HOW: Check out the music, dance and drumming at this popular Caribbean festival that commemorates the 50th Anniversary of Independence of Jamaica as well as Trinidad and Tobago.

WHAT: IRIE Fest Toronto
WHERE: Yonge-Dundas Square/Nathan Phillips Square
WHEN: Aug. 3 to 6, see schedule for specific times
FREE: Yes
HOW: Enjoy reggae, soca, spoken word/literature, visual arts exhibition, delicious tropical food and drinks, and more.

WHAT: Cultura Festival
WHERE: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
WHEN: Aug. 3 and 10, 5 to 10:30 p.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: A celebration of food, art, music and film that seeks to reflect the rich cultural diversity of the GTA.

WHAT: Movies Under the Stars
WHERE: Downsview Park
WHEN: Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 at sunset
FREE: Yes
HOW: Catch family-friendly films, including The Muppets and Puss in Boots.

WHAT: Mariachi Fuego
WHERE: The Power Plant Lakefront Terrace, 231 Queens Quay W.
WHEN: Aug. 4, 6 to 7 p.m., and Aug. 26, 5 to 6 p.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: Composed of veteran mariachi musicians from the GTA , Mariachi Fuego offers a refreshing twist to all their performances.

WHAT: History Comes Alive in Old Town Toronto
WHERE: St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood
WHEN: Aug., 4, 9, 11, 18, 23, 25 and Sept. 1, noon until 3 p.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: Commerating the War of 1812, performers dressed in period costume as soldiers, militia and townspeople stroll through St. Lawrence Market and interact with the public. In addition, theatre in the round performances will take place from noon to 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays in Berczy Park, 35 Wellington St. E., and at the same time on Saturdays in Market Lane Park, at Front and Jarvis.

WHAT: Sunday Serenades
WHERE: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
WHEN: Aug. 5, 12 and 19, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: Big band orchestras at their best — don’t forget your dancing shoes.

WHAT: Movies in the Park
WHERE: Riverdale Park East
WHEN: Aug. 5 and 19 at sunset
FREE: Yes
HOW: Be entertained by these PG-rated favourites, Back to the Future and The Princess Bride.

WHAT: Taste of the Danforth 2012
WHERE: Danforth Avenue between Broadview and Jones
WHEN: Aug. 10, 6 p.m. to midnight, Aug. 11, noon to midnight, Aug. 12, noon to 8 p.m.
FREE: Yes (but not the food)
HOW: Dozens and dozens of tasty food stations from Danforth’s amazing array of multi-ethnic restaurants plus music, dance and other family-friendly activities.

WHAT: Toronto Queer Arts Festival
WHERE: Various locations
WHEN: Aug. 10 to 18
FREE: Many events are free, others are $5.
HOW: An alternative to Pride Day, this festival features a historical tour, spoken word events, a community fair, art gallery tours by bicycle, an alterna-queer music concert, and films.

WHAT: Planet Indigenus
WHERE: Harbourfront Centre and various off-site locations
WHEN: Aug. 10 to 19
FREE: Yes
HOW: This huge international indigenous arts festival includes visual art, crafts, dance, film, theatre, storytelling and more.

WHAT: Wheels on the Danforth & Fun in the Park
WHERE: Danforth Avenue at Danforth Road
WHEN: Aug. 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: View antique and classic cars while the kids can check out Odessa Mater, a replica of the tow truck featured in Disney’s Cars.

WHAT: Jerk Fest — Jerk Food Festival
WHERE: Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Rd.
WHEN: Aug. 11, starts at 2 p.m. with the last act at 8:30 p.m.; Aug.12, starts at 2 p.m. with the last act at 8 p.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: Gorge your way through a jerk chicken eating competition, sway to pulsating music, and take in good vibes and family-friendly entertainment.

WHAT: Christie Pits Film Festival
WHERE: Christie Pits
WHEN: Aug. 12, about 9 p.m. or 15 minutes after sunset
FREE: Free/PWYC + BYOBlanket
HOW: Viewer’s Choice — vote here.

WHAT: Polytoxic — Dance Theatre
WHERE: Toronto Public Library, Parliament Branch, 269 Gerrard St. E.
WHEN: Aug. 17, 10 to 11 a.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: Fusing traditional Polynesian, contemporary and street dance styles, Brisbane-based Polytoxic returns to Toronto with a striking new work that combines stunning projections and bold costuming.

WHAT: Rabbit and Bear Paws
WHERE: Toronto Public Library, North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge St.
WHEN: Aug. 17, 2 to 3 p.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: This series, set in 1750s colonized North America and using traditional native teachings and humour, features the comical adventures of two brothers, Rabbit and Bear Paws.

WHAT: Canadian National Exhibition
WHERE: Exhibition Place
WHEN: Aug 17 to Sept. 3, 10 a.m. to midnight (Labour Day Monday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
FREE: $16 for adults, $12 for children/seniors, kids under four are free (rides extra) — $5 after 5 p.m. special, Mondays to Thursdays except Labour Day Monday.
HOW: The Ex features concerts, the midway, rides, a talent competition, and much more.

WHAT: Scotiabank BuskerFest
WHERE: St. Lawrence Market area
WHEN: Aug. 23, noon to 10 p.m., Aug. 24, noon to 11 p.m., Aug. 25, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Aug. 26, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
FREE: Admission is by donation in support of Epilepsy Toronto
HOW: “[S]ilent comedy and slapstick, daredevils and magicians, high skill circus acts and a wide variety of music, clowns, contortionists, acrobats, aerialists, puppets, fire and a few things we have no words to describe."

WHAT: TELUS TAIWANfest
WHERE: Harbourfront Centre.
WHEN: Aug. 24 to 26
FREE: Yes
HOW: A three-day culinary arts, music, dance and film fest that will spark a dialogue between new immigrants and Canadians who have been here for generations.

WHAT: Tommy Thompson Park Butterfly Festival
WHERE: Tommy Thompson Park, 1 Leslie St. (at the foot of Leslie Street, south of Lake Shore)
WHEN: Aug. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: Celebrate monarch migration at this critical butterfly habitat.
NOTE: In the event of rain call the park hotline at 416-661-6600, ext. 5770.

WHAT: RastaFest
WHERE: Downsview Park, Keele and Sheppard
WHEN: Aug. 25, 1 to 10 p.m.
FREE: $2 plus donation of canned food
HOW: Drawing from the rich and diverse Rastafarian lifestyle and history, the festival features a live concert with international and national reggae artists plus dance, drumming, arts and crafts, theatre, and more.

WHAT: Ashkenaz Festival
WHERE: Harbourfront Centre
WHEN: Aug. 28 to Sept. 3
FREE: Most events free
HOW: This Jewish and Yiddish festival highlights Yemen Blues, an innovative “movement theatre” show, and a parade that will transform Harbourfront Centre into a swirling caravan of music, dance, theatre, stilt-walkers and giant puppetry.