AGO First Thursdays - April 3rd 2014

What is usually a quiet and reserved atmosphere becomes a whole new experience on Thursday nights at the AGO. Walking into the museum, you’ll be greeted by the sounds of live electronic and trance music coming from the central atrium area. The crowd surrounds the artistic performance. Some are happily watching while others are dancing with a drink in their hand. The performance is complemented with a creative light show and two visually stimulating screen projections to match the music.

Although you’ll never get tired of watching the show, it’s worth it to leave and roam the gallery on this night. It’s really the only time you’ll get to experience the art with a vodka soda in your hand. Let’s face it, art takes on a whole new meaning when you’re drinking.

Eventually, you’ll make your way upstairs to the beautiful cafeteria, which at this time turns into an energetic party with a live DJ, drinks and food. It’s a great time to network with other creative types and like minded people. If you’re feeling quiet and creative, how about creating your own artistic masterpiece? Every month is something new. On this evening, guests were creating their own art sculptures.

AGO’s First Thursdays party is a cultural celebration of art, music, networking and creativity. Check it out under Special Events on Venue Toronto (coming soon to the App and Play store).

The Venue Team

The Real Canadian Craft Beer Fesitval

This weekend marks the inaugural year of the Real Canadian Craft Beer Fest (RCCBF), a festival celebrating the best craft beers from across Ontario and local breweries. It's no secret that Canadians love beer. In fact, according to a report by the Conference board of Canada, last year each Canadian drank the equivalent of 235 bottles of beer. And the approximate 10 million beer drinkers in Canada (roughly one third the total population) spent about $9 billion on beer in 2012. So any festival celebrating the beloved golden brew is more than welcome here.

The RCCBF is a one-day event, offering music, food, and beer for the beer enthusiast. While the more hard-core beer fans can attend seminars throughout the day to expand their knowledge on all things ale. 

Ben and Mike (AKA Starsky & Hutch), two students of Canada's first brewery management program at Niagara College lead the charge hosting a seminar at 11:30am. There teacher Jon Downing, decorated brewmaster, will host his own seminar on "The Process of Brewing and History of Niagara Breweries" at 3pm. In between those two, you can join beer specialist Mirella Amato for a guided beer tasting at 1pm. Mirella was the first female to become a certified Cicerone® (beer sommelier) and the first non-US resident to earn the title of Master Cicerone® (1 of only 7 in North America). Then to finish off the seminars, Jordan Mills, certified cicerone® will host "Treating Your Beer Right and Tutored Tasting" at 5pm.

Local restaurants will be providing food for the hungry festival goers, while live music will fill the air throughout the day. And most importantly, you can't have a beer festival without the beer drinking. RCCBF is bringing roughly 20 brewing companies together. Use your beverage tickets and fill your mouth with flavours from the likes of Flying Monkey, Mill Street, Brimstone, Silversmith, Kilannan and others.

The RCCBF is a one-day event happening April 5th at the Scotiabank Convention Centre from 11am to 9pm. Order tickets here while they last. 

Cheers,

The Venue Team