The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) unveils the Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth's Treasures located on Level 2 of the Weston Family Wing on December 20, 2008. Composed of the Vale Inco Limited Gallery of Minerals, the Gallery of Gems and Gold and the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Gallery, the galleries occupy a combined total of 6,900 square feet and showcase over 2,300 of the ROM’s exceptional specimens of minerals, gems, meteorites and rocks, a collection among the finest in North America. The fascinating displays are contextualized by over 40 interactive touch-screen stations, compelling video exhibits and engrossing information on Canada’s mining industry.

Location: Royal Ontario Museum -- 100 Queen's Park (Avenue Rd. and Bloor St. West)

Opening at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) on May 16, 2009, the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity is devoted to exploring our world’s biodiversity and the numerous factors affecting its conservation and survival. This innovative and interactive gallery combines seven ecosystem experiences, approximately 2,500 specimens and the Earth Rangers Studio featuring live animal ambassadors to convey an important message about the stunning variety of life on Earth, the interconnectedness of nature’s amazing web, and the ability that each of us has to care for the environment.

Location: Royal Ontario Museum -- 100 Queen's Park (Bloor and Avenue Rd.)

Newly re-installed gallery features nearly 600 of the most exquisite gems and jewels from the ROM’s vaults. On December 19, 2009 the Museum proudly opens the Gallery of Gems and Gold, the final stage of the Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasures, on Level 2 of the Weston Family Wing. Nearly 600 beautiful and rare gems, gem crystals, jewellery and gold specimens will be on display representing the wide diversity and colour of precious stones, and some of the finest gems and jewellery in Canada. Highlighted in the gallery is the famed 900-carat Light of the Desert, the largest faceted cerussite gem in the world.

Location: Royal Ontario Museum -- 100 Queen's Park (Avenue Rd. and Bloor St. West)

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is pleased to announce the re-opening of the famed Bat Cave on February 27, 2010! Completely renovated and updated, the new Bat Cave is larger and more interactive with animatronic technology as well as audiovisual displays guiding visitors through a multi-sensory journey inside a recreated bat habitat. From the shadowy cave mouth, home to hundreds of roosting bats, to its finale, featuring a dramatization of the nightly exodus of the bat colony taking flight, the new Bat Cave promises a fascinating immersive and educational adventure. The Bat Cave is located on Level 2, Philosophers’ Walk Wing in the ROM’s Heritage Building. First opened in 1988, the gallery realistically portrays the renowned St. Clair Cave in Jamaica. The remodeled 1.700-square-foot gallery features more than 20 bat specimens and over 800 models, some mechanized, to thrill visitors of all ages while teaching them about bat species, navigation and behaviour, as well as the ecology of the cave in which they live.

Location: Royal Ontario Museum -- 100 Queen's Park (Avenue Rd. and Bloor St. West)

The Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) announces the acquisition Straying Continents, an original new work by world renowned Ghanaian visual artist El Anatsui created specially for the Museum’s permanent collection. This stunning 12 metre by 5 metre wall sculpture will be on display in the Shreyas and Mina Ajmera Gallery of Africa, the Americas and Asia Pacific on Level 3 of the Michael Lee Chin Crystal, as of Thursday, September 30, 2010. “This original work by El Anatsui is an iconic addition to the ROM’s collections, one that powerfully conveys Africa in a poetic and contemporary way,” said Janet Carding, ROM Director and CEO. “Featured within our World Culture galleries, this massive new wall sculpture will encourage our visitors to discover and explore the continuing creativity of African art.”

Location: Royal Ontario Museum -- 100 Queen's Park (Avenue Rd. and Bloor St. West)

Born in the age of post-war exuberance, nurtured by the dynamism of the machine and seduced by the lure of the exotic, the Roaring 20s infused society and fashion with an energetic modernity. As hemlines rose, shoes became increasingly important for stylish women and many of the decade's exceptional shoes illustrate the electrifying synergy between fashion and design. The Roaring 20s: Heels, Hemlines & High Spirits focuses on the wardrobe and widening horizons of the "New Woman" and will take a look at how the myriad influences of the period such as cinema, speakeasies, and world travel influenced the shape of fashionable footwear.

Location: The Bata Shoe Museum -- 327 Bloor St. West (at St. George Subway Station)

In celebration of the arrival of NASA’s Dawn mission to the asteroid Vesta, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) presents the world’s most comprehensive collection of meteorites thought to be from that asteroid. On temporary exhibition in the Vale Gallery of Minerals, inside the Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasures, the display houses 30 diverse specimens from Vesta, the second most massive asteroid in our solar system.

Location: Royal Ontario Museum -- 100 Queen's Park (Bloor and Avenue Rd.)

Adrianne Pieczonka is Giacomo Puccini's (1858-1924) prima donna, Tosca. The return of our lavish production brings the chapels, palaces, and fortresses of Rome of life, and showcases the phenomenal Adrianne Pieczonka as Tosca. One of the best-loved operas of all time, Puccini's tale of a passionate woman caught in a web of corruption, lust, and betrayal has been thrilling audiences since its premiere. This compelling heroine navigates a twisted path through the beautiful and dangerous world of 19th-century Rome. Sung in Italian with English SURTITLES. Contact: 416-363-8231 or 1-800-250-4653.

Location: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts -- 145 Queen St. West

Cirque meets Saariaho. Daniele Finzi Pasca, best known for his work with Cirque du Soleil, brings his signature style to this virtually arresting production featuring an all-Canadian cast. The 12th and 21st centuries meld seductively in acclaimed Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho's (1952 - ) Love from Afar, a haunting and vivid musical creation that has become one of the most performed 21st-century operas. Weary of his current life and anxious to explore love's frontiers, a medieval troubadour from France hears of a beautiful woman living in Tripoli. A pilgrim carries messages of yearning between the lovers, until the troubadour finally journeys to meet his distant desire, putting reality and fantasy to the test. Sun in French with English SURTITLES. Contact: 416-363-8231 or 1-800-250-4653.

Location: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts -- 145 Queen St. West

Amelia eagerly waits for her husband to return from battle, but when he does, she discovers his motives for war are disturbingly personal. Internationally acclaimed director Atom Egoyan and celebrated actress Arsinée Khanjian collaborate for the first time on stage in this provocative and playful drama from one of Britain’s foremost contemporary playwrights.

Location: Bluma Appel Theatre -- 27 Front Street East

The works in this collecting area have traditionally represented a survey of European art from the Italian Renaissance to the mid-1900s. More than 1,000 works of art from the Thomson Collection have bolstered the core strength of the European holdings, adding mostly small-scale sculpture dating from the Middle Ages to the 1700s. While the centrepiece of the Thomson Collection is Peter Paul Rubens’s monumental Flemish Baroque painting Massacre of the Innocents (c. 1611–1612), the works that most typified Kenneth Thomson’s collecting interests were diminutive, precious and made from natural materials such as ivory and boxwood. Among the objects that comprise the Thomson Collection are sacred Medieval enamel and ivory works, Medieval and Renaissance devotional diptychs and secular ivory and boxwood utilitarian objects, Renaissance rosaries and prayer beads; Baroque secular boxwood and ivory sculptures, goldsmith works from the 1300s to the 1600s, and painted and carved portrait miniatures. Other prominent additions from the Thomson Collection include diminutive Egyptian antiquities, small-scale Greek and Roman antiquities, Asian works of art, Chinese snuff bottles dating back to the 1730s, Japanese wood and ivory netsuke and ojime carvings, and some Japanese lacquered objects from the early 1900s. A significant portion of the Thomson Collection is devoted to European ship models.

Location: Art Gallery of Ontario -- 317 Dundas St. West

The Design Exchange Awards promote Canadian design excellence and recognize the critical role of design in all types of organizations. This exhibition showcases the winning work from across Canada, and offers an opportunity for visitors to explore the various design disciplines, and appreciate the most current and innovative projects being produced by Canadian designers. From architecture to fashion, the Design Exchange Awards exhibition offers something for every creative mind. Join us in celebrating Canadian design.

Location: Design Exchange Exhibition Hall

This Winter season, The Power Plant presents two timely and important exhibitions that delve into a wellspring of cultural history and the archive of the social. Stan Douglas: Entertainment: Selections from Midcentury Studio, curated by Melanie O’Brian, features selections from the Vancouver artist’s outstanding new photographic project. An artist whose work has been shown extensively at significant institutions and biennials world wide, Stan Douglas returns to The Power Plant with an exhibition drawn from his recent Midcentury Studio project that includes images of novelties and divertissements, as well as the world premiere of Malabar People – a suite of sixteen portraits of the denizens of a fictional 1950s nightclub. The bars and clubs that appear in the group exhibition Coming After , however, are absent of revelers – as if the party is over. Coming After puts forward fifteen artists’ interpretations of what could be called “queer time.” All born after 1970 and largely not represented by the commercial gallery system, these artists of different nationalities either reflect on and revive past (queer) historical moments or capture a sense of arriving too late, as if these past junctures represent paths not taken. The exhibition, curated by Jon Davies, was inspired by the increased attention paid recently to the key cultural moment of the mid-1980s to early 90s that was decisive in terms of the dawn of the Culture Wars, the AIDS crisis (and the impact of AIDS activism) and of “queer” as an identity and theory.

Location: The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery -- 231 Queens Quay West

Harbourfront Centres DJ Skate Night transforms the Natrel Rink into funky skating sessions. Every Saturday night from Dec. 3, 2011 to Feb.18, 2012 (except Christmas Eve and New Years Eve) features a new DJ spinning groovy tunes including house, funk, soul, reggae, soca and pop-rock from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. This winters DJ Skate Night series features 10 FREE late-night skating events with some of Torontos best mix-masters including CHERRY BOMB DJs, 1 LOVE T.O., Cratery, DJ medicineman, Promise DJs and FLOW 93-5 FM. January events include a special LunarFest skate party celebrating Asian culture. Other highlights include a Kuumba Black History Month skate celebrations featuring Dr. Jay de Soca Prince followed by a reggae skate jam with CIUTs DJ Patrick Roots. If the chilly winter weather gets a little too cold, skaters can warm their fingers and toes by the outdoor fire pits right next to the rink! Patrons can also get cozy in our new lounge area inside the Lakeside Eats restaurant where they can rent board games, watch movies and sporting events, warm up by the fireplace and enjoy soups, chili, gourmet coffee and hot chocolate in between skate time! For additional information and complete event listings, the public may visit harbourfrontcentre.com or call the Information Hotline at 416-973-4000. DJ Skate Night is a part of Harbourfront Centres SKATE CULTURE programme that celebrates Canadas winter culture. All SKATE CULTURE events take place on the beautiful Natrel Rink located along the scenic shores of Lake Ontario at 235 Queens Quay W, in the heart of Torontos downtown waterfront.

Location: Natrel Rink -- 235 Queens Quay West

Start your Christmas preparations by creating your own wreath using nature’s bounty. This 2-hour workshop is a popular social activity and the Lodge offers a cozy historic ambience for this seasonal craft. A tour of the Lodge's decorated rooms and light refreshments are included. Call 416-392-6916. Adult and Child (7 to 10 years) - Saturday, November 26 at 2 p.m. & Sunday, December 4 at 10 a.m. Pre-register. $40 plus tax for one adult and one child. $10 plus tax for an additional child. Adult and Youths (10 to 15 years) Sunday, November 27 at 2 p.m. Sold Out! Adults - Saturday, December 3 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Thursday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m. All adult sessions are now Sold Out! Pre-register. $30 plus tax.

Location: Colborne Lodge

Robert Lepage, Canada’s internationally acclaimed theatrical genius, brings Toronto a must-see event! The Blue Dragon is the evocative tale of a Canadian in modern day China, told with eloquent dance, electrifying performance and spectacular, cinematic staging. The life of an expat Canadian living in Shanghai is turned upside down by two women — one from his Western past and one from his Asian present. Written by Robert Lepage and Marie Michaud, The Blue Dragon is a sequel to their brilliant collaborative work, The Dragon's Trilogy. The Blue Dragon shimmers with all Lepage’s hallmark hi-tech wizardry and storytelling magic!

Location: Royal Alexandra Theatre -- 260 King Street West

Toronto's favourite winter foodie celebration turns 10 in 2012 and continues to shine the spotlight on our fantastic local restaurant industry. Explore the Culinary Events series, with 11 unique experiences celebrating diverse cuisine while educating and entertaining. Plus, 175 of Toronto's top restaurants serve up delicious three-course prix fixe menus at appetizing price points. Don't hibernate this winter; get out and savour Toronto's fantastic restaurants and local food.

Location: Various Restaurants

Soulpepper Academy alumnus Ins Choi's hilarious and touching debut play set in a Regent Park Korean convenience store was the smash hit of the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival. The journey of a fractured but loving family confronting the future and forgiving the past is a Toronto classic in the making. Directed by Weyni Mengesha (Soulpepper Academy alumna) Featuring Clé Bennett, Ins Choi, Esther Jun, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Jean Yoon.

Location: The Young Centre for the Performing Arts (Distillery District) -- 55 Mill St., Building 49

Parents, the next time you hear "There’s nothing to do!" bring your children aged 3 to 9 over for fun shoe-themed activities, try on shoes, and go on a treasure hunt in the galleries! Every Saturday and Sunday. 11:00-4:00 pm on Saturdays and 12:00-4:00pm on Sundays; drop in Visit our website for details on arts and crafts activities. Regular Museum admission plus $2 per mini-clog: $14 adult; $12 senior; $8 students; $5 children (5 - 17 years); Children under 5 are free; Family passes are also available. Free for Museum members.

Location: Bata Shoe Museum -- 327 Bloor Street West (at St. George)

This February, TD Bank Group is once again pleased to present an inspiring and entertaining cultural showcase of one of Canada’s prominent communities. Called Then & Now, the lineup of events includes films, concerts, exhibitions and performances by a host of Canadian and international artists, including an exploration of black women in cinema at the Canadian Film Center, the Kuumba Festival and performances by Acting Up Stage Company. Come celebrate Black History Month: who knows, with so much excitement around, you may end up creating some history of your own.

Location: Various Locations Across Toronto

Kids will fish for the truth (or is it legend?) about 1813 and High Park when you bring them to Colborne Lodge. Purchase a Grenadier's shako (hat) for $2.25 plus tax for your kids.

Location: Colborne Lodge

Kids can try an authentic War of 1812 soldier's drill, learn how officers trained with the sword, and take part in a game that the Garrison children would have played. Take a guided tour of the site including the Officers' Mess and 1826 kitchen. Stroll the grounds and other buildings and walk the ramparts of this national treasure.

Location: Fort York National Historic Site

Drop in on your neighbours and friends from Willowdale circa 1851! Calling on neighbours was a popular winter pastime for early settlers and the Gibson home is ready for your visit. Enjoy warm cider in front of the historic kitchen's crackling fire. Children can help to prepare treats for the open hearth. Relax in the parlour and hear the fascinating stories about this family who helped found the town north of York.

Location: Gibson House

Bring your family to the home of William Lyon Mackenzie and his family! Print a souvenir of your visit on our 1845 printing press, and try your hand at paper weaving.

Location: Mackenzie House

Come to Montgomery's Inn for where you can join the cooks in the historic kitchen and prepare tasty treats over the fire.

Location: Montgomery's Inn

Visit the museum for lots of fun activities for the whole family. Enjoy pioneer crafts, snow painting, scavenger hunts, wood stove baking and hot chocolate for everyone. On P.A. Day Fridays, sign your child up for our Super Fun Day Camp. $32.30 per child. For details www.toronto.ca/camps.

Location: Scarborough Museum

Tours every 45 minutes beginning at 12:15 p.m. Your family will enjoy a tour which includes a scavenger hunt and decorating cupcakes in our historic 1930s kitchen.

Location: Spadina Museum

Join us for site tours, take-home crafts for children and tasty treats prepared on our 19th-century open hearth.

Location: Todmorden Mills Heritage Site

Thursday, February 2 until Wednesday, February 29. Papermill Gallery hours: Wednesday to Sunday 12 to 4 p.m. This show is a series of paintings based on a simple theme. It all started with a small painting that gathered together a few elements that were vaguely related. The intent was to create a pleasing composition and a kind of trompe l'oeil. The focus eventually shifted to the folded paper backgrounds which are the theme of Paperfolds.

Location: Todmorden Mills Heritage Site

The Saturday Adventurers Club for Ages 5 to 12 at Scarborough Museum. Mad Scientists. Saturday February 4, 11, 18, 25, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday Adventurers welcome to the lab! See what crazy concoctions you create. Strange science each and every week! Pre-register online at www.toronto.ca/torontofun or call 416-338-4FUN. For more information call the museum at 416-338-8807. 4 Saturdays for $60. Course Code: 1884288.

Location: Scarborough Museum

He has crossed oceans of time for you... Friday, Februay 3; Saturday February 4; Friday February 10. 7:30pm doors open 8:00pm show time.. Presented by Brant Theatre Workshops. Casa Loma is pleased to announce the return of DRACULA, A LOVE STORY (by Sharyl Hudson) based on one of the greatest horror stories in English literature. Follow the actors as they unearth the dark secrets of Dracula in Toronto's own gothic mansion, Casa Loma. Venture into unknown territory...we dare you. $34.00 plus HST Space is limited. Pre-registration is necessary. Phone 647-725-1822 to register.

Location: Casa Loma -- One Austin Terrace (close to Dupont Subway Station)