by Jenn Reid
The leaves are changing colour, the temperature is dropping (or at least it should be) and everything tastes like pumpkin – it must be October! Fall is a time of transition in Toronto, with the last of the sunny outdoor fests making way for cozy indoor events. You’ll get a good mix of the two this month, with a few spooky Halloween-inspired events too of course! Check out the best events happening this October in Toronto. [Photo courtesy of Legends of Horror]
Music of John Williams
Even if you don’t recognize the name, you’ll know the music! Legendary film composer John Williams is behind the scores for Star Wars, E.T., Jaws, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and more, and the TSO is paying tribute to his lengthy career over three nights. The symphony will play select scores from Williams’ repertoire live.
Legends of Horror
Get in the Halloween spirit with Casa Loma’s Legends of Horror! The Casa Loma grounds and castle are transformed into a spooky theatrical adventure. Live actors are there to enhance the experience as you walk through Dracula’s lair and the Creature from the Black Lagoon’s swamp. This year, there’s also a special Justice League section where you can pose with statues of the iconic heroes, and even win passes to the film’s premiere.
Hot Docs Podcast Festival
Hot Docs’ successful podcast fest is back for a second year. Some of the biggest and most popular podcasts will be putting out live shows, including Missing Richard Simmons, Intercepted, Modern Love and Canadaland. There will also be panels and networking events, for those who want to learn more about getting into the podcasting biz.
Toronto After Dark
Toronto’s best horror and sci-fi film festival is always a must in October! The nine-day festival’s lineup includes the Canadian premiere of Cult of Chucky, the latest in the Child’s Play series, as well as Sundance Film Festival hit My Friend Dahmer, about a high school age Jeffrey Dahmer. You can check out the full lineup and schedule here.
Bill Murray, Jan Vogler and Friends
Have you ever wanted to hear Bill Murray recite prose while a cellist plays classical music? Well, you’re in luck! This event brings the two, seemingly random, ideas together at Koerner Hall. Bill Murray will read from Hemingway, Twain and Whitman while his friend, cellist Jan Vogler, leads the ensemble through works of Bach, Piazzolla, Ravel and Bernstein. Gala tickets are also available, which include dinner, cocktails and a reception with the artists
International Festival of Authors
Booklovers should be sure not to miss the International Festival of Authors. The annual fest brings some of the best and most acclaimed writers from around the world to Toronto for author readings, book signings, panels and more. This year’s authors include Vincent Lam, Hideo Furukawa, Colm Tóibín, Linda Spalding and more.
Planet in Focus
While some might dedicate October to horror movies, Planet in Focus is about a different kind of scary story. The annual film fest is all about environmental issues, with movies from around the world showing the good and bad about our planet’s current state. This year’s films cover a range of topics, from radioactive waste and the garbage produced by tech gadgets to the importance of community gardens and saving animals from captivity.
Art Toronto
Art Toronto is a chance to see some of the best contemporary and modern art from Canadian and international artists. The annual art fair has panels and lectures from visiting artists, plus curated exhibits and a chance to gallery hop to some of Toronto’s best contemporary galleries.
At Home with Monsters
The AGO is paying tribute to iconic genre director Guillermo del Toro this fall! At Home with Monsters is a chance to see some of the art, artefacts, books and props from del Toro’s personal collection, both from his own works (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy), and the films that inspired him.
Night of Dread
Night of Dread is an annual Halloween parade and festival that’s equal parts theatrical, spooky and family-friendly. Anyone can join the parade, but the dress code is black and white, and there are mask-making events leading up to the big day. After the parade, there are fire-spinners, puppets, stilt-walkers and more.
