What to do in Toronto this weekend: June 9 to 11

Toronto has a lot going on this weekend. Here’s a sampling of what’s on. (Event schedules are subject to change due to air quality concerns.)

The annual Do West Fest is back in the heart of Little Portugal. From Friday to Sunday, the street festival will bring live music, dance workshops, a parade, a drag show, food and more along 16 blocks of Dundas Street West, from Shaw Street to Lansdowne Avenue.

“People can expect a true community festival,” said AnaBela Taborda, chair of the Little Portugal Business Improvement Area. “We want to be something that people feel — we want to have that feel of community.”

One of this year’s highlights will be the June 10 unveiling of an art project made from recyclable material. “The art installation is absolutely amazing,” she said. “It’s going to be gigantic.”

Though more than 500,000 attendees are expected this year, Taborda said it’s not about the number, it’s about “the community spirit.”

Do West runs Friday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Portugal Day parade is set to begin Saturday at 9 a.m. on Dundas.

The award-winning exhibition for 2SLGBTQIA+ small businesses, Flamingo Market, is returning on June 10 and 11 to Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander St.). There will be more than 100 queer and trans artisans, businesses and non-profits on hand, including a piercer and tattoo artist as well as a drag show. Entrance to Flamingo Market is free for all ages.

The Toronto Art Crawl is bringing local creatives and art lovers together in Liberty Village at the Bentway (250 Fort York Blvd.), under the Gardiner Expressway, on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Founded in 2013 by artist Nadia Lloyd, the event provides artists and designers with a place to sell their creations and promote the city’s art scene. This year, the event’s 10th anniversary, more than 100 artists will bring their photography, sculptures, fashion, jewellery, home decor and more. There will also be food, live music and demonstrations. Admission is free, and leashed pets are welcome.

Now in its sixth year, the Furlani Grilled Cheese Challenge festival is running on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hosted by the Lakeshore Village BIA, the festival, which features live music, a beer garden, shopping, a classic car show, kids’ fun zone and more, stretches along Lake Shore Boulevard West, from Islington Avenue to Second Street. Sandwich enthusiasts will compete to cook up their most delicious or creative (or both) take on the grilled cheese for the chance to win prizes.

On Friday at 7 p.m., the Art Gallery of Ontario hosts a special show by drag performer Priyanka. Also on Friday, Charlie Puth is performing live at Budweiser Stage at 7:30 p.m. Canadian Music Week wraps up on Saturday with performances by Mobley, Ethan Surman, Softcult and others at the Horseshoe Tavern, starting at 7 p.m. That night Irish singer Dermot Kennedy takes the Budweiser Stage at 7 p.m. On Sunday at 1 p.m., DJ Kaskade spins at the Cabana Pool Bar. Also on Sunday, Disney’s immersive animation experience continues, with multiple time slots available at Lighthouse ArtSpace.