Urban Sketching

Hi everyone! We're doing an afternoon impromptu hangout at the MaRS Building food court tables- Enter MaRS from Collage Street where the statue of two men are sitting by the glass doors. Turn left and head down the escalator. Turn left at the bottom of the escalator and head down the hall past another escalator and Foosball table the event will be held at the far end of the food court. **First time meeting us and still not sure about the vibe?** Check out photos from **[past in-person events of 2023](https://www.meetup.com/artsrecto/photos/34212927/)** Bring your art supplies (mainly dry medium or small watercolour set), and order a warm drink and snacks. \*Note the food court is closed but there are a couple of coffee shops in the area at street level. **Where to meet exactly?** MaRS Discovery District at 2pm **How to get there?** \- Public transit \- get off at Queens Park subway station\, walk East along Collage you should see glass doors with a statue of two men sitting at a table outside\. Instructions stated above Looking forward to meeting you all :) === ================ **Support This Group 🥰🤩** We hope you're enjoying the Arts & Rec events! If you'd like to give support, please consider making a small Ko-fi donation of $5-10 USD at [https://www.ko-fi.com/artsnrectoronto](https://www.ko-fi.com/artsnrectoronto.) . This helps cover meetup and miscellaneous expenses with hosting events! For more inquiries, please PM me for more info! Thank you all so much!

**🏀 Drop-In Basketball at the Miles Nadal JCC** Come shoot hoops, stay active, and connect with other players — right in the heart of the Annex! Join us for **friendly, casual basketball** at the Miles Nadal JCC, just steps from Spadina Station. Whether you're looking for a good run, some solid practice, or just a fun way to break a sweat, this drop-in session is for you! *** **🏀 Event Details:** 📍 **Location:** 750 Spadina Ave. (enter through the Spadina doors) 🛑 **Check-In:** Stop by security and check in at the front desk when you arrive *** **🏀 Registration & Payment (Required in Advance):** RSVP on Meetup **does not reserve your spot**. To participate in Drop-In Play, you must register and pay in advance through our system. 👉 **[Register here](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=xRJXn5p)** 📞 **Or register by phone:** 416-924-6211 🔢 **Space is limited** to ensure quality play — once full, no additional participants can be accommodated. *** **🏀 Other Info:** • Basketballs are available for loan at the front desk with a $20 cash deposit and valid ID • All skill levels welcome — come ready to play and have fun • Games are self-organized with regular rotation for equal court time • Friendly, inclusive environment *** Come shoot, pass, dribble, and dunk your way into a great afternoon of basketball. We can’t wait to see you on the court!

❄️🚶‍♂️ **JANUARY WALK: SPADINA ➡️ WATERFRONT + LUNCH & DAY DRINKING** 🍔🍹 **Because winter doesn’t scare us — we scare winter.** “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” So layer up, grab your cutest toque, and let’s make January our personality 😏 Join us for a **city walk through some of Toronto’s most iconic neighbourhoods**, ending with lunch, drinks, and that smug feeling you get when you actually *leave the house in winter*. Miss this and your January will officially be beige. FOMO will be real. *** ### THE WALK 🗺️✨ We’ll start at **Spadina Station** and head south, soaking up the city one fabulous step at a time. • **Kensington Market** 🛍️ – over 100 years of history, culture, and vibes. From its roots as a Jewish market to the many immigrant communities that shaped it, this place is Toronto’s heartbeat. • **Chinatown** 🏮 – now home to many Asian communities, buzzing with markets, food, and energy. • **Graffiti Alley** 🎨 – yes, *world-famous*. Iconic murals, photoshoot moments, and peak Toronto cool. • **Mueseum of Toronto** 🖼️ **-** This is free a mueseum - Mr. Dressup to Degrassi: 42 Years of Legendary Toronto Kids TV • **The Well** 🏗️ – shiny, new, and very “Toronto glow-up.” • **Crumbl Cookies** 🍪 – because walking burns calories and we deserve happiness. • **Waterfront** 🌊 – fresh air, winter drama, and main-character energy. After the walk, we’ll head for **lunch and drinks at a local spot**. Did someone say **day drinking???** 👀🍹 *** ⚠️ **IMPORTANT NOTES** • This is **NOT a historic walking tour** — it’s an introduction to neighbourhoods and communities (with commentary when the mood strikes). • This walk happens **rain, snow, cold, drama, or vibes** ❄️ • **Do not sign up** if you’re not prepared to walk in winter. • Event will only be cancelled if it hits **-20°C** (because we are brave, not reckless). *** ### MEETUP DETAILS 🧤🧣 📍 **Meetup Location:** Outside the **main exit of Spadina Station** 👀 **How you’ll spot me:** I’ll be wearing my **MOOSE HAT**. You can’t miss it. ⏰ **Meetup Time:** 11:00 AM (I wait **5 minutes**, because winter waits for no one) 🏁 **End Point:** **Shoeless Joe’s** for lunch! 💰 $5 (cash 💵 or e-transfer 📲 to \*\*[mathewmaclean@hotmail.com**](http://mathewmaclean@hotmail.com%2A%2A/)) You can send it before or on the day of the walk. 👟 **PLEASE WEAR GOOD SHOES OR BOOTS** — this is a long walk and icy sidewalks are sneaky. *** ### WHAT TO BRING 🎒 • Water • Good walking shoes or boots • A snack • A sense of humour about the cold *** ⏳ **HOW LONG?** About **3 hours**, including a small break. 🚪 **Can you leave early?** Absolutely — Irish goodbye anytime. 👀 **NOT SURE YOU CAN MAKE IT?** Just show up. Literally. January is hard enough. 📱 **Don’t forget to join our WhatsApp group** – [CLICK HERE!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H59mSCbsAi018gYANrKAnc?mode=ac_t) Get updates, chat with other walkers, and stay in the loop for future events! *** Mathew is the organizer for this meetup. If you need to contact him, please post on the wall or email: 📧 **torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com** ✨ Bundle up. Come walk. Eat cookies. Drink in daylight. If you miss this… yeah. You’ll hear about it. ❄️🔥

Join us for an easy walk at Tommy Thompson Park. We'll be meeting at Tommy Thompson Park Pavilion at 1pm. (Next to the parking lot and washrooms). We will wait 15 mins for people to show up and then will start walking at 1:15pm. Total distance approx 5-7km. The path is pretty straightforward and mostly paved (no uphill/downhill). **Free Parking** Parking lot - small/medium sized parking lot Street Parking - Leslie Street, Unwin Ave **TTC** TTC bus stop is 5 mins walk to meeting spot. TTC street car is 15 mins walk to meeting spot. 💬 **Stay Connected:** ***Join Whatsapp Group - [CLICK HERE](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflzD3fDrU5sLARAT5yDF3OhEu3Vj-2P7ci8mP5FYX46rt1NQ/viewform)*** ***Follow on Instagram - [CLICK HERE](https://www.instagram.com/tam.club/)***

**🎾 Novice Pickleball Mixer at the Miles Nadal JCC** Looking to level up your game in a fun, social setting? Join our *Novice Pickleball Mixer* — designed for players at the 2.0–2.5 level! Build your skills, meet fellow pickleball enthusiasts, and better understand your playing level — all in a welcoming, low-pressure environment. Don’t miss your chance to join this active and friendly group. Whether you’re ready to commit to the full season or just want to drop in and try it out, we’ve got flexible options! *** **🏓 Event Details** 📍 **Location:** Miles Nadal JCC — 750 Spadina Ave. (enter through Spadina doors) 📅 **Spots are open in upcoming sessions — jump in anytime!** 💻 **Registration is required in advance** > **Please note:** RSVP'ing on Meetup does **not** reserve your spot. > 👉 [Register online](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=xELKp9O) > ☎️ Or call 416-924-6211 *** **🎟️ Fees** * **Early Bird Discount:** Save 10% when you register by **December 15, 2025** * **Full Session Registration:** Available (with prorated rates if you join after the start date) *** **🏆 What to Expect** ✔️ Weekly round-robin format ✔️ Facilitated by a knowledgeable pickleball instructor ✔️ Rotate through a variety of opponents to gain experience ✔️ Fun, friendly competition ✔️ Paddles and balls provided (or bring your own) ✔️ A social, supportive environment for improving your game *** **Who Should Join?** This mixer is ideal for **experienced beginner players** (2.0–2.5) who already know the **basic rules, scoring, and court positioning**, and are looking to improve in a structured, social environment. **Note:** This is *not* a learn-to-play session. Participants should have **prior Pickleball experience** and be comfortable rallying, serving, and keeping score. If you’re brand new to the game, we recommend starting with our **Intro to Pickleball clinic or course**. *** **🎉 Come ready to rally, compete, and connect! We can’t wait to see you on the court.**

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** Art Deco is all around us. Streamlined Modern or Art Modern are two other fascinating ways to say the same thing. Whichever way you plan on saying it, Art Deco buildings tell a rich story of optimism and positivity during one of the most darkest decades in history, the great depression of the 1930s! This walking tour explores our built environment of our downtown core. Toronto Stock Exchange built in 1937, along with the Royal York Hotel and the Canada Permanent Trust Company are prime examples. But others line Spadina Avenue during the challenging years of the depression, but also during the tensions which were bubbling in the Garment Industry. Art Deco buildings were centre stage! These buildings tell a story that goes beyond style into the heart of the Toronto story itself! Built at the height of the roaring 1920s and 1930s, the bubble was about to burst however, and the depression was just settling in. But a new style would set the tone, and it was called Art Deco! Toronto built some of its most enduring buildings, and left a built legacy of Art Deco during the 1930s which should be treasured and protected. Losing any of these treasures would surly be a loss to the community. They tell a rich and inviting story about the growth of Canada, and Toronto! This walking tour is for all walking levels. Please dress for the season, and hope to see you there. Please meet under the **clock tower** of the Queens Quay Terminal at 207 Queens Quay West on the south side just west of York Street! We end on Spadina and Richmond Street! This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person. \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

\*\*NOTE: This meetup currently lacks a regular host. (The current hosts are volunteers for online organizational purposes; they show up in person occasionally.) If you arrive and there is no host, don’t worry. Whoever is the longest-running member (or whoever wants to) can set the timer for the writing session. In this way, the meetup is self-sustaining, and not dependent on any one person. Thanks for your understanding.\*\* Join us for an hour of quiet writing, followed by an hour of (optional) socializing. \*\*SILENT WRITING BEGINS AT 1:15 PM. IF YOU'RE LATE, WELCOME! WE WILL IGNORE YOU (BECAUSE WE'RE BUSY WRITING) UNTIL 2:15 PM.\*\* This meetup is open to everyone, whether you’re writing a novel, blog, class paper, or journal entry—or something completely different. Anyone interested is welcome to attend :) LOCATION: 5 Elements Cafe, basement level RSVP: Please be advised that seating is first-come, first-served, even if you have RSVP'd. Seats are not reserved and we can't control how many other people are in the cafe. We recommend coming down to the basement to grab a spot before you buy anything, just in case. SCHEDULE: 1:00 to 1:15 PM: Arrive and get settled in. 1:15 to 2:15 PM: Write in silence for an hour. \*\*If you arrive after 1:15, please silently find your own place to sit. We'll welcome you to join the group at 2:15.\*\* 2:15 PM: Introduce yourself. We'll go in a circle; just say your name and 1–2 sentences about what you're writing. (E.g., "I'm Rudolph and I'm writing a non-fiction book about reindeer.") 2:20 PM onwards: Chill/leave. Chat, hang out, keep writing if you want, leave whenever.

Intermediate to advanced men's 5X5 indoor basketball. First game free! Plz confirm in advance with me. Parking options available too.

We're cleaning the entire Toronto shoreline, from Mississauga to Pickering. Weather permitting, we'll continue from where we left off the previous week. Location will be announced the Monday before each event. If you're running late, start walking east along the shore and look for the trash grabbers! I will have three trash grabbers available, along with bags and gloves. Picking up trash is optional. All Toronto parks and nature appreciators are welcome to join us for the walk! [See the “Safety Tips” section of this City of Toronto website.](https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/clean-toronto-together/)

Are you looking to get some fresh air and exercise after the holidays? Come for a 5 km hike at gorgeous Rouge National Urban Park. 🛑This will be an adults only hike. ❄️If you are new to hiking that is ok ❄️Beginners welcome ❄️All ages welcome We will walk at a moderate pace. This route will be an out and back, terrain is varied and considered moderate in difficulty. If you have crampons or micro spikes you are welcome to wear them as conditions might be icy. Be prepared for the weather, wear good sturdy shoes and warm clothing. This classic Rouge Valley hike features excellent examples of rare Carolinian ecosystems while traversing a 200-year-old former logging route where pine trees were cut and floated down the river, eventually bound for ship building yards in Europe. We will meet in the south parking lot off of Kingston Rd 🅿️ 📍South trailhead 7450 Kingston Road, Toronto Lat: 43.805583, Long: -79.136111 Bring a water bottle, some snacks and warm clothing. See you at the park 😉

Come join us at the lovely, well-lit, and cozy Theatre Centre Cafe for an hour and a half of silent writing (on whatever writing projects you will)! After silent writing is done, feel free to stay and chat or go as you please. If you are late you are welcome to join us (quietly and not disruptively). Please note this is a casual event, and we will NOT be critiquing each other’s work. **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: #TheTheatreCentre (no password, open access) Travel / Parking info: There is paid street parking as well as Green P underground parking located at 45 Abell St (2 mins walk from the venue) . Venue Guidelines: Please thank our hosts by purchasing something.

Join us for our in-person Saturday critique session! We'll be meeting in the basement of **The Blake House**, which is located near Wellesley and Jarvis, about a 10-minute walk from Wellesley Station or Sherbourne Station. **In respect to the Blake House for hosting us, we humbly request that attendees purchase a meal, dessert, or drink if you are able to do so.** Feel free to bring in a piece of writing up to **2000 words** for reading and critique. Please bring paper copies so that listeners can easily follow and make notes. Dedicated listeners are equally welcome. In larger groups, please be mindful of giving everyone a fair chance to speak. Our group values and meeting structure can be found here: [https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines](https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines) We ask that writers provide content warnings when necessary. To limit the spread of diseases, we kindly ask that you stay home if you're feeling sick. We will be here every week! **\*\*We support the hard work and effort that goes into writing fiction, and do not condone the use of AI to replace the creative process.\*\*** And, that's everything! See you there!

**NO MUSICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED** **About Drum & Soul** The only intention behind Drum & Soul is to help create vibrant, healthier, and more united communities – together. We believe art is the best channel for that purpose. This is more than a drumming circle. It is a practical space where we do two things at once: we develop useful skills and cultivate inner qualities, and we help others grow those same qualities. Through rhythms from many cultures, collective singing and meaningful conversation around a focused theme, we practise skills that strengthen both the individual and the community. **Why come** If you want to expand your expressive capacity, practise listening with depth, learning to lead or join others who take community wellbeing to heart, Drum & Soul is for you. This is a place to try courageously, to learn deeply, and to contribute authentically. Everyone is welcome regardless of background or musical experience. If you feel shy in groups, that is completely natural and we got you. A few of us will gently hover around newcomers like butterflies, offering a warm welcome and quiet space so nobody feels out of place. Many people tell us they arrived nervous but soon felt as if they had stepped into a family home. **How it works** At the start of each session we centre with a short breathing exercise, followed by a demonstration of simple rhythms, then break into small groups for guided conversation. Finally we move into collective jamming and improvisation. We finish by socializing and sharing a potluck meal and continuing our conversation and connection as a human family. **Typical meeting flow** 1. 🫱🏽‍🫲🏻 Arrival & social time – 20 min 2. 🙋🏻‍♀️ Welcome, check in and centring – 10 min 3. 🪘 Call & Respond **Drumming & demo** – 10 min 4. 💬 Facilitated **Discussion** on the Theme (groups of three) – 20 min 5. ☕ Potluck **dinner** – 40 min 6. 🕺🏽 Open **Jamming** with multiple instruments – 20 min 7. 🦋 **Tear down** and social time afterwards ... *This outline is flexible and may shift to suit the group and the space.* **Logistics and what to bring** We meet in a large beautiful space. Drums are available on a first come first served basis. We also provide plenty of small percussion instruments so every hand can play. You are welcome to bring your own drum or instrument. After our time of drumming and dialogue, we share a simple potluck dinner, an extension of our circle where conversation continue to flourish over nourishing food. Feel free to bring whatever you love to share. **Cost and contributions** This is a free event. As a community we are encouraged to contribute even a small snack to share with everyone, or pay what or if you can, to cover the costs of refreshments and material, by E-transfer to: **hooshmandnyc@gmail.com** – Contributions are optional. **Helpful notes** No prep needed. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Please arrive by then so we can start at 4:00 p.m. sharp and keep the flow. Location and any last minute updates are posted on Meetup and in our WhatsApp group. We recommend joining the WhatsApp group (ask us for the link) for quick notices. **Why this matters** In a world aching for healing, we believe our sacred mission is to nurture one another, define our roles in service to our fellow humans, and become living temples of unity. Growth unfolds through both self‑discovery and collective effort, and one cannot truly flourish without the other. Come open and prepared to learn, to offer your gifts, and to be strengthened by the power of community. *This ad is also posted in other groups* 📷 Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/artsoultoronto/) 🎥 [A glimpse from one of our sessions](https://youtu.be/ejfeV1PF-0k)

First Sundays are free admission at Franklin Park Conservatory. Sunday, January 4th, is also the last day The Palm House will be open before renovations begin. Let’s meet, enjoy a respite from January weather, and wander the gardens. Free neanthe bella palms are available to guests, beginning at 10am, while supplies last. Afterwards, we can visit the nearby East Market (212 Kelton Avenue).

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm the second & fourth Wednesday of every month at Two Dollar Radio Headquarters (HQ). Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens around 6:45pm. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Two Dollar Radio HQ! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! Other customers are welcome at Two Dollar HQ at the time, so please bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **ACCESSIBILITY:** Two Dollar Radio HQ's entrance door on Cline Street is wheelchair accessible, they have two gender-neutral bathrooms that are both wheelchair accessible, and their ordering and table-seating area is as well. Working service dogs are allowed. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Two Dollar Radio HQ does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public street parking on all surrounding streets, on both sides of Parsons Ave. You are also welcome to park in the Columbus Metropolitan Library parking lot across the street (1113 Parsons Ave). Two Dollar Radio HQ has a bike rack on the corner of Cline and Parsons, and the library has bike parking (across Parsons). * **FOOD/BEVERAGE:** Two Dollar Radio HQ is a bar and vegan cafe. Their food is 100% vegan and made from scratch, with love. They also serve a range of wine, beer, and cocktails, as well as coffees and teas. If you're able to, please consider thanking our venue by purchasing something!!

Step into 2026 with intention, clarity, and a creative practice designed to help you see yourself more clearly. In this special Confidence Lab session, we’ll explore confidence as something you can curate - through the choices you make, the qualities you amplify, and the story you choose to step into. We’ll start with a short guided reflection to surface the traits, habits, and energies you want to nurture in the coming year. Then, using collage materials selected specifically for this workshop, you’ll translate those insights into a visual composition that represents the version of yourself you’re ready to grow toward. This isn’t about resolutions or perfection. It’s about crafting a grounded, imaginative vision of your next chapter - one that feels honest, energizing, and fully yours. All materials are provided. Just bring yourself (and a friend) and a willingness to explore what confidence can look like for you in 2026. **Featured Partner: Columbus Collage Collective** The Columbus Collage Collective was started in August of 2023 by Emily Morgan (aka Lovely But Dead) and Douglas Cuckler (aka Wonder Doug) as a place for collage enthusiasts to gather and create art together. The collective has since become a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to hold free or low-cost collage events across central Ohio. The CCC welcomes all artists of all backgrounds and skill levels and encourages folks to take this time to step away from everyday existence and create art with people who share a love for this dynamic art form. All materials—magazines, scissors, craft knives, glue, paper, cardboard, and more—are provided, so there's no need to bring anything at all (though you're welcome to bring a friend or a favorite tool if you'd like!). We also encourage folks to take home magazines and materials from our events to support continued creativity! Find us on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/columbuscollagecollective/](https://www.instagram.com/columbuscollagecollective/) Register or sign up for the newsletter at [https://www.columbuscollagecollective.com/](https://www.columbuscollagecollective.com/) **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*

Let’s meet for lunch at Tensuke market. They offer a variety of sushi and other Japanese food. Within Tensuke market is the restaurants Sushi Ten and Tensuke Ramen.

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [5 Bean Coffee](https://5beancoffee.com/)!

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Sunday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at noon on Sundays. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 12:00 - quick intros. 12:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 1:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 1-1:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Sunday!