Friday

“If you could read my mind love…” If you know the next lyric to that song (BTW it’s “What a tale my thoughts could tell”) then check out The Way We Feel: A Celebration of the Music of Gordon Lightfoot tonight. The annual event pays tribute to the Canadian folk icon at Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas St. W.) for three nights starting January 18^th. Writer and musician David Newland is hosting and Lightfoot’s classic songs will be performed by Toronto chanteuse Lori Cullen, and Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson of Skydiggers (the Insider loves those guys!) to name a few. Tickets are $36 in advance and $38.50 at the door. Request a reservation at hughsroom.com.

Saturday

Dance Ontario Dance Weekend is on at the Fleck Dance Theatre at Harbourfront (207 Queens Quay W.) from January 18^th to 20^th. Hundreds of Toronto’s hottest dancers will take the stage during Dance Weekend, performing everything from contemporary to urban dance. This year’s event features two world premieres: Gadfly will create Stygmata with six performers dancing on pointe (3 p.m. Saturday and 2:45 p.m. Sunday) and Benjamin Landsberg will transform the stage with five dancers in a combative performance (2:35 p.m. Saturday and 2:15 p.m. Sunday).

After spending Christmas break trying (and miserably failing) to master the choreography of California Gurls on Just Dance 3 on the Wii, the Insider has an even greater appreciation for real dancers. Admission is $10 at the door.

Sunday

I hear more snow showers are on the way, which could work out well on Sunday, Winter Fun Day at Colborne Lodge (11 Colborne Lodge Dr.) in High Park. On from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., it’s going to be a day of yummy wintery activities including taffy pulling in Colborne lodge, marshmallow roasting and sipping warm cider. As any parent knows, your kids won’t feel the cold, no matter how low the temperature dips so make sure you bundle up like you live in Ottawa. (The Insider brrrred through a sub-zero Winterlude weekend once and will never forget the numbing Arctic chill.) If you’re taking the TTC, get off at the High Park stop. The 501 Streetcar also stops at Colborne Lodge Drive (then it’s a short walk up the road to the Lodge).