Celebrating 25 years of world tours, Slava's Snowshow is returning to Toronto and I couldn't be more excited! It has been 20 years since the tour last brought them to our city, which was long before I got married and had two kids. In short, it was a lifetime ago! This  Olivier  Award-winning show will be taking place from  December  7-16,  2018at  the  Bluma  Appel  Theatre at St. Lawrence Centre. It's a must-see event that promises to be full of theatrical magic, colourful clowns and dazzling effects.

Created by one of the great living minds in theatre, and one of the world’s most famous living clowns – Slava Polunin – Slava's disarming troupe of clowns will take you on a visual and musical extravaganza where audiences members both young and old will experience a sense of childlike amazement and joy.

Also, on Wednesday, December 5 at 5pm, Slava's Snowshow and its world-class clowns will be making a special appearance at Nathan Philips Square for the official launch of Holiday Fair In The Square! Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be in attendance for this FREE, family event. This is the only public appearance Slava's Snowshow will be making while in Toronto in support of local charity Epilepsy Toronto and in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Slava’s Snowshow.

One lucky Toronto Teacher Mom reader will win a family 4-pack to attend Slava's Snowshow, a package valued at $360. This giveaway is open to residents of the GTA or surrounding areas and must be able to arrange his/her own transportation to and from the event. Parking is not included. To be eligible to win, please complete the Rafflecopter form below.

Disclosure: I have received complimentary tickets for my family to attend Slava's Snowshow.

I have seen my fair share of cartoon series but never have I come across a show with a title that makes me giggle as much as Wishfart. Contrary to what you might think, the show has nothing to do with gas. Rather, a "wishfart" is more like a "brainfart" - a magical wish that goes awry. The all-new Canadian series, which airs Saturday mornings at 10:30am on Teletoon, follows the adventures of Dez, a maverick teen leprechaun with rookie wish-granting powers, who goes on wild escapades with his friends, a Japanese ghost girl named Akiko and a puffin called Puffin, as they wrestle with wishes gone fantastically out of control. If you haven't seen it yet, check out the trailer below:

Vibe Arts, a local arts support group for under-resourced communities, is partnering with the producers of Wishfart to put on an evening of free arts and entertainment for youth at Trinity Bellwoods Park. It'll be the last week of summer vacation for most families in the city and we want to give everyone a free keep-the-summer-alive event!

What: Vibe Arts and Wishfart presents: Free Art Making and Screening for Youth! 

Everything is free, including can't-miss giveaways, arts workshops, and three new episodes of the globally popular animated series, Wishfart.

When: Monday, August 27th, 6 pm-8:30 pm (screening starts at 7:45pm)

Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park, next to the playground and Trinity Community Recreation Centre at 155 Crawford St, Toronto, ON M6J 1G3

Rain contingency: If it rains on Monday, August 27th, the event will be shifted to the following day at the same time, August 28th at 6 pm. 

As much as I love the idea of checking out souped up cars and watching them race at breakneck speeds, the thought of driving out to Bowanville and spending the day with the family at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park rarely crossed my mind. I honestly never thought of the place as a family destination because, in my mind, it was a place for car racing fans who actually followed the sport. Ka-chow! Was I ever wrong. As special guests of CTMP, the kids and I took a trip just east of Toronto to experience Castrol Presents Victoria Day Speedfest and the many family friendly activities available on site. And, from the moment we pulled up to the entrance, I knew we were in for a real treat!

First of all, I was stunned by the sheer size of the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park grounds. The place looked so much bigger than what I had envisioned after looking it up on Google Maps. The place encompasses over 900 acres and offers a mix of beautiful parkland, open fields, and great vantage points around the 3.957 km road course. This is something to keep in mind since you will easily be clocking your way towards you daily step goals in no time. Comfortable walking shoes are a definite must. And earplugs, too!

A bit further down, we came across the Canadian Tire action zone with activities like face painting, bouncy castles, high-tech simulators and some virtual reality fun. There was even a Hot Wheels booth where kids could design their own car and grab a free Hot Wheels sample. The action zone is also where you will find live bands and fireworks at dusk. This will be a highlight yet again at the Chevrolet Silverado 250 Series in August.

Plus, the crews were incredibly friendly and you could even ask to sit inside an actual race car. I think the one above would suit me quite well, wouldn't you say?

The highlight of our visit took place just prior to the NASCAR Pinty's Series. We were granted a unique insider's vantage point from on the pit lane and watched as the race car drivers were introduced and headed into their cars to begin the race.

It was truly awesome to be right there, on the track, next to so much talent and some pretty cool rides. While this was a special blogger perk, I am happy to share that attendees can enjoy a similar experience during the Mobil 1 Sportscar Grand Prix taking place from July 5-8, 2018. For the Open Grid Walk on Sunday morning, spectators are allowed to gather in pit lane, along with all the cars, drivers and crews!

And is if this family friendly experience couldn't get any better, children 16 and under are free with paid adult admission! For more information on Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and any of the major events hosted here, visit canadiantiremotorsportpark.comhttps://canadiantiremotorsportpark.com.

Disclosure: Our family enjoyed a special VIP experience courtesy of CMTP to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Pssst! 

I have some exciting news to share. 

This month, I signed on as a Gaiam Canada Ambassador! If you have been following my blog for a while, you may recall that I have shared some of my favourite Gaiam products in the past, including their Metro Gym Bag and other yoga essentials, yoga apparel, and instructional DVDs featuring... yup, you guessed it - yoga! Truth be told, I have to credit internationally acclaimed yoga instructor Rodney Yee with inspiring me to continue learning yoga by way of Gaiam videos. Only back then, they were on VHS. (Those are analog video cassette tapes for you millennials.)

Thanks to Gaiam Canada, I am going to yoga like a boss this weekend at the The Yoga Show here in Toronto. They sent me a fun and fabulous outfit and I can't wait to show it off! Are you planning on attending? I cordially invite you to stop by the Gaiam Canada booth #810 to check out their latest products. Each purchase includes a FREE Dual Grip Headband (while supplies last). And don't forget to bring your old yoga mat. You will get a $10 coupon towards the purchase of a new Gaiam mat! You may also want to follow @GaiamCanada on Twitter. They've shared a link to register for a free floor pass to the Toronto Yoga Show:

Don't forget to grab your free pass to this week ends Toronto Yoga Show and come say hi to us at our booth.https://t.co/9tf3VpJ4dC#yoga #torontoyogashow #yogashow #yogatoronto #torontoyoga pic.twitter.com/rWE92aRnoN

— GaiamCanada (@GaiamCanada) April 12, 2018

Disclosure: I am a Gaiam Canada Ambassador and have received special perks. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Look into the future at the Art Gallery of Ontario this March Break with nine days of futuristic programming for the whole family. Journey through time and space as you enjoy their current exhibition Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors and Kusama’s playful world of light and colour. Transform cardboard boxes into a massive futuristic city coordinated by Toronto artist Sean Martindale, make a lantern or a silly Emoji face mask, or print a kaleidoscope of coloured patterns. And don't forget to commemorate the day with a family photo in front of the interactive selfie wall!

March Break programming runs from Saturday, March 10 to Sunday, March 18 (including Monday, March 12) on a drop-in basis, and is free with General Admission. (General Admission is free for AGO members and children five and under.)

During March Break, Family Passes purchased in advance online will be discounted by $10, lowering the price to $39. Family Passes admit two adults and up to five youths (ages six – 17). Family Passes can also be purchased in-person for $49. Individual tickets are $11 for youth ages 17 and under, $16 for seniors and $19.50 for adults and can be purchased at ago.net, in person and over the phone at 416-979-6648.

One lucky Toronto Teacher Mom reader will win a Family Pass to the Art Gallery of Ontario this March Break. The Family Pass, valued at $49, admits two adults and up to five youths (ages six to 17). Children under five are free. For a chance to win, please complete the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you ever wondered what life on Mars could look like? On Wednesday, November 15, 2017, approximately 300 youth from the Greater Toronto Area will be doing just that at the Canada 2067 youth conference. Their challenge will be to envision what the future on Mars could be like, with the ultimate goal of re-imagining science learning in Canada. 

But before they get started, they will hear from youth and professional speakers about the STEM careers paths. Join them via livestream to hear from Bonnie Schmidt, CEO of Let's Talk Science, and speakers from organizations that are changing the world we live in today and helping to shape the future through space discovery, software innovations, and more.

Hosted by Canada 2067, a national initiative to shape the future of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning, focusing on Kindergarten to Grade 12, this day-long event is a unique opportunity for collaboration between inspiring youth, professional speakers and breakout groups of students.

Recognizing the growing need for critical thinkers, problem solvers, innovators and global citizens, Canada 2067 will use the results from this youth conference as part of the Canada 2067 action plan and national vision for STEM learning that will ensure young Canadians will graduate with the skill set they will need to succeed in the rapidly changing world of tomorrow.

As select portions of the agenda will be streamed live, I hope you will be able to join in either on the Canada 2067 Facebook page or on Canada2067.ca on Wednesday, November 15 at 8:30 AM to noon EST to listen to the amazing speakers.

Canada 2067 is presented by Let’s Talk Science with founding partners including Amgen Canada, 3M Canada, H+K Strategies and Trottier Family Foundation. 

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colourful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.

Since Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in theatres on November 22, I thought I would share some colouring pages courtesy of Walt Disney Motion Pictures Canada. Simply click on the thumbnail below to download or print a copy. 

For my readers in the GTA, I have three family passes to give away for an advance screening taking place this Wednesday, November 8 at 7:00 pm. Each pass admits four people and there will be one (1) family pass for each of the screening locations below:

• SilverCity Richmond Hill at 7:00 pm
• Landmark Whitby at 7:00 pm
• Cineplex Cinemas Mississauga at 7:00 pm

To be eligible to win, leave a comment on this post stating which screening location you would prefer and complete the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ever since I was a young girl, I found myself captivated by the theatrical magic of Cirque du Soleil. The costumes, the special effects, the music, and the formidable performers, all of them coming together in celebration of circus arts and street performance. VOLTA, Cirque du Soleil’s 41st original production since 1984, and its 18th show presented under the Big Top, is no different. My family and I recently had a chance to see the show here in Toronto and we were all mesmerized.

VOLTA is a story about the freedom to choose and the thrill of blazing your own trail. Featuring a number of thrilling sports including BMX, parkour, shape diving, roller skating, rope skipping and more, VOLTA is inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of action sports.

In the story, we meet WAZ, a popular gameshow host who has lost touch with his inner self in the pursuit of fame. Enlightened by childhood memories as he encounters FREE SPIRITS, he slowly rediscovers his true colours and embarks on a search for meaning.

VOLTA manages to weave acrobatics, dance and action sports into a visually striking display of talent that is perfectly complemented by a stirring melodic score.

Photo credit: Benoit Z. Leroux

My favourite scene, featured above, took my breath away, it was so stunning. And yes, she really is hanging by her pony tail!

Photo credit: Michael Kass

If you've been following my blog for a while now, you can attest to my love of all things Marvel, in particular any movie in which you will find Thor or Iron Man or Captain America. Thanks to "Captain America: Civil War", I've had my Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans fix but I have sure been missing Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston. Fortunately, we will finally see them together again on the big screen in "Thor: Ragnarok." 

In Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor finds himself imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and battles against the clock to get back to Asgard to face Hela the goddess of death in the hopes of preventing Ragnarok - the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization. As part of his journey, he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest in which he must fight his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk.  

“Thor: Ragnarok” features a star-studded cast that includes Chris Hemsworth as the hammer-wielding hero of Asgard, Golden Globe winner Tom Hiddleston as Thor’s duplicitous adopted brother, Loki, two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanche as the villainous Hela, Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner Idris Elba and Jeff Goldblum, to name a few. This long-awaited film thunders into theatres on November 3, 2017 but one lucky Toronto Teacher Mom will get to attend an advance screening!

For a chance to win one (1) double pass to the Toronto screening of “Thor: Ragnarok” on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 7:00 PM at Scotiabank Toronto, please complete the Rafflecopter form below. 

Last Thursday, approximately 4,000 people united together in peace as part of the Lolë White Tour, presented by PANDORA Jewellery, at Exhibition Place here in Toronto. It was the first time that I actually participated in the event and I am still pinching myself over how surreal, serene and strikingly beautiful it was to join in meditation and yoga under the stars with so many people.

As if the spectacular view of the Toronto skyline and the indigo blue skies weren't enough, we were so very fortunate to be lead in a 15 minute meditation by Marla Meenakshi Joy, co-founder of Toronto’s Downward Dog Yoga Centre, followed by an amazing yoga session with Colleen Saidman Yee and my yoga hero Rodney Yee.

When I was first introduced to yoga roughly 20 years ago thanks to a dear friend, we learned from an amazing instructor who lead sessions at our women's only club. But after about a year, she left the club and the classes just weren't the same. It wasn't until I discovered Rodney Yee's instructional yoga videos that I began to enjoy yoga again. So to be able to participate in a live yoga session under the stars with him and his amazing wife, I felt so blessed.

Since the first Lolë White Tour in 2012, over 50,000 participants all dressed in white have come together to practise as one. If you would like to learn more about an event near you, bookmark lolewhitetour.com. You can enjoy the Yogi Experience at a pre-sale cost of $44, which includes an evening yoga session, a free Lolë yoga mat, a gift bag and a $15 Lolë promo card. There is also a VIP Jewellery PANDORA Experience, which includes an evening yoga session, a free Lolë yoga mat, a gift bag, a $30 Lolë promo card, a PANDORA Essence signature bangle valued at $70, fast lane access to the event, a reserved section near the main stage, and free drinks and snacks, such as cheese, crackers, tapenade, olives, raw vegetables, iced tea, kombucha and more. The tour heads to Montreal on August 12 where they are extending it to a day-long event, which means you can choose a morning, afternoon or evening session, or a morning and evening combo. It makes me wish I lived closer to Montreal...

When it comes to pushing the limits of live entertainment, no one does it better than Cavalia's Odysseo. The show, which opened in Mississauga last month, features a magical blend of equestrian arts, stage arts and high-tech theatrical effects that will leave spectators in awe. Inspired by the beauty and harmony of the ancient relationship between horse and man, Odysseo features 65 horses and 50 artists from the world over. 

We are then taken on a great journey into various worlds that make you feel like you are a part of the voyage, thanks to spectacular visual effects and a larger-than-life, curved screen that serves as the backdrop for the show. There are several breathtaking scenes that include Les Fées, Fête du Village, Liberté, and Les Voyageurs (see above) before we make a stop at Carosello. This is where a full size merry-go-round descends from above and slowly rotates as acrobats perform gravity-defying acts and feats of sheer strength.

The journey continues as we watch Nomades, L'Odysée and a stormy Tempête before Appel d'Afrique in which performers teach audience members the "Call of Africa": O walu guere moufan! I love this scene not only for the interactive component but also for the simple message behind the call: No more war! We take a Paseo (Spanish for walk) and move on to a stunning scene called Les Anges. The aerial silk performers really do look like angels from heaven.

I was really looking forward to the final scene La Grande Aventure. It is during this scene that a lake appears on stage. It is created using a system of pumps with two water tanks that are hidden behind the scenes and fill the pool with 40,000 gallons of water. 

Watching the horses gallop through the lake is like nothing I've ever seen before. The water splashes about, beckoning audience members to join in the fun like a child plays in a puddle after a rainfall. The viewers in the front row, however, may experience some of the splashing first hand.

While I have seen Cavalia's Odysseo twice before (you can read my 2015 Odysseo review and 2013 Odysseo review), I am still in utter awe of the beauty that is Odysseo. The show features 65 horses of 12 different breeds including the Appaloosa, Arabian, Canadian Horse, Holsteiner, Lusitano, Paint Horse, Percheron Hanoverian Cross, Quarter Horse, Selle Français, Thoroughbred, Spanish Purebred (P.R.E.) and Warlander, which come from from Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, the United States and Canada. Among the 50 incredibly talented artists are riders, acrobats, aerialists, dancers and musicians who come from around the world including the United States, Canada, Brazil, France, Italy, Guinea, South Africa, Poland, Russia, Spain and Ukraine.

And, as if the show itself isn't incredible enough, the VIP experience will surely blow you away. Rendez-Vous VIP tickets grant you access to the private Rendez-Vous VIP Lounge and Patio 90 minutes before the show, during the intermission as well as after the show. You will also enjoy center-row seats, a full meal buffet before the show, various refreshments available at will, a dessert buffet, coffee and tea served during the intermission, an exclusive stable visit after the show and an Odysseo souvenir. Allow me to recommend the top sirloin steak and kale salad, which pairs quite nicely with a serving of cocktail shrimp. And for dessert, try the carrot cake! Also, keep your eyes peeled for celebrities while lounging in the VIP tent. This year, I spotted Clive Standen who plays Rollo on one of my all-time favourite shows Vikings. 

Cavalia's Odysseo has extended its matinee and evening performances through July 30, 2017. It is located under the White Big Top next to Hershey Centre in Mississauga. Tickets are priced from $39.50 to $139.50 for adults and from $39.50 to $124.50 for children, depending on their age, plus applicable taxes and fees. VIP tickets range from $139.50 up to $239.50. If you haven't bought your tickets yet, you can save 15% on select tickets by visiting cavalia.com/live and using promo code SOCIAL. This promotion is valid until July 23.

Disclosure: I received complimentary VIP access as part of Social Media Week. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own. Photos courtesy of Cavalia unless otherwise noted.