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The Downtown Yonge BIA is a not-for-profit organization. Learn more about who we are here.

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Latest news & updates

Explore to win 2024 contest

An exciting contest is coming your way this summer, as we’re giving you a chance to win 1 of 22 $300 prize packs just for shopping in the neighbourhod!

New Trainings for Members

New webinars and trainings available to Downtown Yonge BIA members.

Strategic Plan 2023 – 2028

The Downtown Yonge BIA is excited to launch a new strategic plan, one that outlines the priorities, actions, and ambitions for the organization over the next five years.

Check out what’s coming up:


"artifacts and the shapers of space" + “moved by the invisible”

11-30-2024

Presented by Gallery Arcturus at Gallery Arcturus, Toronto
Upcoming Dates: Tue, Oct 22 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Oct 23 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Oct 24 @ 12:00 pm + 27 more dates and times

Fri, Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Oct 26 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 29 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Oct 30 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Oct 31 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 01 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 02 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 05 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 06 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 07 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 08 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 09 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 12 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 13 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 14 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 16 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 19 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 20 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 21 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 22 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 23 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 26 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 27 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 28 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 29 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 30 @ 12:00 pm - less dates and times

The two exhibits “artifacts and the shapers of space” & “moved by the invisible” in the west and east rooms of the Genesis gallery space. Explore a complete environment of artworks -- including hard and soft sculpture, collage, painting and even digital images. Experience pieces by Ramona Zoladek, Floyd Kuptana, Travis Shilling, deborah harris, Peggy Mersereau and Sae Kimura.

Work is regularly installed throughout the building -- continue up to the second and third floors -- including our newest display room, the Photographic Gallery.

All installations are created by curator deborah harris in collaboration with her assistant Sae Kimura and collaborating artists.

Voyage through nine exhibit spaces from Tuesday to Saturday, 12 noon to 5:30pm.

Supported by the Foundation for the Study of Objective Art, a registered charity.

[less-]
Tags:   Art Culture & Heritage Free Media & Design

In the Collage Gallery: 8 Works +

11-30-2024

Presented by Gallery Arcturus at Gallery Arcturus, Toronto
Upcoming Dates: Tue, Oct 22 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Oct 23 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Oct 24 @ 12:00 pm + 27 more dates and times

Fri, Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Oct 26 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 29 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Oct 30 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Oct 31 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 01 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 02 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 05 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 06 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 07 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 08 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 09 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 12 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 13 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 14 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 16 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 19 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 20 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 21 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 22 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 23 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 26 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 27 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 28 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 29 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 30 @ 12:00 pm - less dates and times

This is the first exhibit by collage and “assemblage” artist Eduard Zibnitski. Eight of his...

[more+]

This is the first exhibit by collage and “assemblage” artist Eduard Zibnitski. Eight of his works are featured in the second-floor Collage Gallery at Gallery Arcturus, along with collages by gallery artists. Says Zibnitski about his work: "Never being completely serious, I feel fine with my art looking naïve, ugly or confusing; and too plain, or too rough sometimes too. But still, [a] feeling of mysterious presence is rather essential for me; it's what I try to achieve.”

More at the artist's website here

All installations are created by curator deborah harris in collaboration with her assistant Sae Kimura and other artists.

Voyage through nine exhibit spaces from Tuesday to Saturday, 12 noon to 5:30pm.

Supported by the Foundation for the Study of Objective Art

--
The Genesis Gallery: https://arcturus.ca/genesis/
--
Up North Gallery:
https://arcturus.ca/north/
--
Ascending Gallery:
https://arcturus.ca/ascending/
mobile sculptures, paintings, pastels
--
Collage Gallery:
https://arcturus.ca/collage/
rotating works including by harris, Boyd, Kimura
--
The Library:
https://arcturus.ca/library/
Floyd Kuptana sculpture from the permanent collection + an indoorgarden
--
The Dark Room:
https://arcturus.ca/darkroom/
--
The Drawing Room:
https://arcturus.ca/drawing-room
works by D Hanequand, O Kassian, D Sapp & EJ Gold

--
The Photographic Gallery:
https://arcturus.ca/darkroom/
Sim Posen: harvesting the sun

The Studio:

https://arcturus.ca/studio/
come to the lower level for an often busy working space
--
Subscribe to our email lists:
Gallery events via info@arcturus.ca
Get images and text by signing up at https://www.dailyartblog.ca/
--
Gallery Arcturus, 80 Gerrard St. East, 416-977-1077  info@arcturus.ca
Hours:  Tues – Sat  12noon – 5:30pm
The Foundation for the Study of Objective Art

[less-]
Tags:   Art Culture & Heritage Media & Design

The The: Ensouled World Tour

10-22-2024

Presented by Live Nation at Massey Hall, Toronto
Upcoming Dates: Tue, Oct 22 @ 8:30 pm

The The: Ensouled World Tour

The The: Ensouled World Tour

[less-]
Tags:  Music

HORROR Shorts Festival (Best of 2024). FREE Event. (Thur. Oct. 24th. 7pm)

10-24-2024

Presented by Wildcard Pictures Corp. at Carlton Cinemas, Toronto
Upcoming Dates: Thu, Oct 24 @ 7:00 pm

Thursday October 24th. 7pm SHARP.
Event ends at 9pm.
94 minute program of films. Followed by Q&A...

[more+]

Thursday October 24th. 7pm SHARP.
Event ends at 9pm.
94 minute program of films. Followed by Q&A with filmmakers in attendance.

Carlton Cinemas in downtown Toronto.
20 Carlton St., Toronto, ON M5B 2H5
(College Street Subway)
MAP to cinema

See the Full Program: https://wildsoundfestivalreview.com/horror-in-person-festival/

Tickets are FREE or Pay as you like. (Tickets generally sell out. First RSVP. First served.)

Email festival to RSVP tickets@wildsound.ca
Or, text the festival directly at 416-568-9046

SEE THE LINEUP OF FILMS:

THE INHABITANCE, 13min., Canada
Directed by Prachi Chopra
Tasha returns home after visiting her parents.

NIGHT FEED, 1min., UK
Directed by William Allum
Late one night a baby is terrorised by a monster in their room. Inspired by many sleepless nights, along with the strange and often stressful experience of becoming a first-time parent. It must be strange being a baby, everything is unknown and scary. Created during the covid-19 lock-down.

MONSTR, 6min., Canada
Directed by Tank Standing Buffalo
How do you go on living when everything is taken from you in the blink of an eye? A young artist confronts his inner demons while apprenticing with a northwest totem carver after the death of his beloved.
https://www.instagram.com/puppet_flogger/

PRIVILEGE, 13min., USA
Directed by Matthew Ellis
An amateur white male actor is finally given a shot at making it in Hollywood by an established Casting Director but in order to get the role he has to fulfill a deal made by his ancestors thousands of years ago with blood.

WHAT A CATCH, 5min., UK
Directed by Thomas Pickering
On a late night trip to the lake, a victorian fisherman’s evening takes a sinister turn.

MY BABY, 18min., France
Directed by John Dada
Laura is pregnant. With her husband Francisco, they move into a new house in the countryside. But the baby’s arrival will be more unsettling than they anticipated and an intriguing neighbour will disturb their uneventful everyday.
https://www.instagram.com/johndada_weathermen/

HORNED, 4min., USA
Directed by Jerrod D. Brito
When a cocky cam boy jokingly live-streams a creepypasta dare, he inadvertently summons an ancient demon who craves more than just his soul.
https://facebook.com/JerrodDBrito
https://twitter.com/JDBrito

FishBowl, 12min., Canada
Directed by Ryan M. Andrews
Fed up with the limelight, a rock legend hides out at the apartment of an overzealous fan. But he will soon learn that he can’t hide from his struggles with addiction and his enabling wife forever.

BE BAD, 4min., USA
Directed by Lauren Hart
A new dad is forced to take action when he realizes that his middle finger has been up in every photo he’s ever taken.

PAINTINGS ON THE WALL, 5min., Canada
Directed by Liam Hoban Thrush
An isolated and deranged artist who’s haunted and consumed by a creation of his own Is faced with horror when trying to stray to a new art form.
https://www.liamhobanthrush.com/portfolio/paintingsonthewall

SHIVA, 13min., Canada
Directed by Josh Saltzman
Shiva is an unnerving tale about a recently widowed woman who breaks with a long-held Jewish mourning ritual in hopes of connecting with her deceased husband.

 

[less-]
Tags:   Film Media & DesignArt

Opera Atelier - Acis and Galatea

10-27-2024

Presented by Opera Atelier at The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres, Toronto
Upcoming Dates: Thu, Oct 24 @ 7:30 pm Sat, Oct 26 @ 7:30 pm Sun, Oct 27 @ 2:30 pm

Handel’s Acis and Galatea is one of the composer’s most beloved and successful operas. Sung...

[more+]

Handel’s Acis and Galatea is one of the composer’s most beloved and successful operas. Sung in English and featuring some of Handel’s most ravishing music for singing and dancing, Acis and Galatea is the perfect introduction to opera and ballet for the entire family.

[less-]
Tags:   Music Stage

Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets

10-25-2024

Presented by Collective Concerts at TD Music Hall, Toronto
Upcoming Dates: Thu, Oct 24 @ 8:00 pm Fri, Oct 25 @ 8:00 pm

Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets

Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets

[less-]
Tags:  Music

"artifacts and the shapers of space" + “moved by the invisible”

11-30-2024

Presented by Gallery Arcturus at Gallery Arcturus, Toronto
Upcoming Dates: Tue, Oct 22 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Oct 23 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Oct 24 @ 12:00 pm + 27 more dates and times

Fri, Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Oct 26 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 29 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Oct 30 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Oct 31 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 01 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 02 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 05 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 06 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 07 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 08 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 09 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 12 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 13 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 14 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 16 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 19 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 20 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 21 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 22 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 23 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 26 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 27 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 28 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 29 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 30 @ 12:00 pm - less dates and times

The two exhibits “artifacts and the shapers of space” & “moved by the invisible” in the west and east rooms of the Genesis gallery space. Explore a complete environment of artworks -- including hard and soft sculpture, collage, painting and even digital images. Experience pieces by Ramona Zoladek, Floyd Kuptana, Travis Shilling, deborah harris, Peggy Mersereau and Sae Kimura.

Work is regularly installed throughout the building -- continue up to the second and third floors -- including our newest display room, the Photographic Gallery.

All installations are created by curator deborah harris in collaboration with her assistant Sae Kimura and collaborating artists.

Voyage through nine exhibit spaces from Tuesday to Saturday, 12 noon to 5:30pm.

Supported by the Foundation for the Study of Objective Art, a registered charity.

[less-]
Tags:   Art Culture & Heritage Free Media & Design

In the Collage Gallery: 8 Works +

11-30-2024

Presented by Gallery Arcturus at Gallery Arcturus, Toronto
Upcoming Dates: Tue, Oct 22 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Oct 23 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Oct 24 @ 12:00 pm + 27 more dates and times

Fri, Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Oct 26 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 29 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Oct 30 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Oct 31 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 01 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 02 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 05 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 06 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 07 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 08 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 09 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 12 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 13 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 14 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 16 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 19 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 20 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 21 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 22 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 23 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 26 @ 12:00 pm Wed, Nov 27 @ 12:00 pm Thu, Nov 28 @ 12:00 pm Fri, Nov 29 @ 12:00 pm Sat, Nov 30 @ 12:00 pm - less dates and times

This is the first exhibit by collage and “assemblage” artist Eduard Zibnitski. Eight of his...

[more+]

This is the first exhibit by collage and “assemblage” artist Eduard Zibnitski. Eight of his works are featured in the second-floor Collage Gallery at Gallery Arcturus, along with collages by gallery artists. Says Zibnitski about his work: "Never being completely serious, I feel fine with my art looking naïve, ugly or confusing; and too plain, or too rough sometimes too. But still, [a] feeling of mysterious presence is rather essential for me; it's what I try to achieve.”

More at the artist's website here

All installations are created by curator deborah harris in collaboration with her assistant Sae Kimura and other artists.

Voyage through nine exhibit spaces from Tuesday to Saturday, 12 noon to 5:30pm.

Supported by the Foundation for the Study of Objective Art

--
The Genesis Gallery: https://arcturus.ca/genesis/
--
Up North Gallery:
https://arcturus.ca/north/
--
Ascending Gallery:
https://arcturus.ca/ascending/
mobile sculptures, paintings, pastels
--
Collage Gallery:
https://arcturus.ca/collage/
rotating works including by harris, Boyd, Kimura
--
The Library:
https://arcturus.ca/library/
Floyd Kuptana sculpture from the permanent collection + an indoorgarden
--
The Dark Room:
https://arcturus.ca/darkroom/
--
The Drawing Room:
https://arcturus.ca/drawing-room
works by D Hanequand, O Kassian, D Sapp & EJ Gold

--
The Photographic Gallery:
https://arcturus.ca/darkroom/
Sim Posen: harvesting the sun

The Studio:

https://arcturus.ca/studio/
come to the lower level for an often busy working space
--
Subscribe to our email lists:
Gallery events via info@arcturus.ca
Get images and text by signing up at https://www.dailyartblog.ca/
--
Gallery Arcturus, 80 Gerrard St. East, 416-977-1077  info@arcturus.ca
Hours:  Tues – Sat  12noon – 5:30pm
The Foundation for the Study of Objective Art

[less-]
Tags:   Art Culture & Heritage Media & Design

The The: Ensouled World Tour

10-22-2024

Presented by Live Nation at Massey Hall, Toronto
Upcoming Dates: Tue, Oct 22 @ 8:30 pm

The The: Ensouled World Tour

The The: Ensouled World Tour

[less-]
Tags:  Music

HORROR Shorts Festival (Best of 2024). FREE Event. (Thur. Oct. 24th. 7pm)

10-24-2024

Presented by Wildcard Pictures Corp. at Carlton Cinemas, Toronto
Upcoming Dates: Thu, Oct 24 @ 7:00 pm

Thursday October 24th. 7pm SHARP.
Event ends at 9pm.
94 minute program of films. Followed by Q&A...

[more+]

Thursday October 24th. 7pm SHARP.
Event ends at 9pm.
94 minute program of films. Followed by Q&A with filmmakers in attendance.

Carlton Cinemas in downtown Toronto.
20 Carlton St., Toronto, ON M5B 2H5
(College Street Subway)
MAP to cinema

See the Full Program: https://wildsoundfestivalreview.com/horror-in-person-festival/

Tickets are FREE or Pay as you like. (Tickets generally sell out. First RSVP. First served.)

Email festival to RSVP tickets@wildsound.ca
Or, text the festival directly at 416-568-9046

SEE THE LINEUP OF FILMS:

THE INHABITANCE, 13min., Canada
Directed by Prachi Chopra
Tasha returns home after visiting her parents.

NIGHT FEED, 1min., UK
Directed by William Allum
Late one night a baby is terrorised by a monster in their room. Inspired by many sleepless nights, along with the strange and often stressful experience of becoming a first-time parent. It must be strange being a baby, everything is unknown and scary. Created during the covid-19 lock-down.

MONSTR, 6min., Canada
Directed by Tank Standing Buffalo
How do you go on living when everything is taken from you in the blink of an eye? A young artist confronts his inner demons while apprenticing with a northwest totem carver after the death of his beloved.
https://www.instagram.com/puppet_flogger/

PRIVILEGE, 13min., USA
Directed by Matthew Ellis
An amateur white male actor is finally given a shot at making it in Hollywood by an established Casting Director but in order to get the role he has to fulfill a deal made by his ancestors thousands of years ago with blood.

WHAT A CATCH, 5min., UK
Directed by Thomas Pickering
On a late night trip to the lake, a victorian fisherman’s evening takes a sinister turn.

MY BABY, 18min., France
Directed by John Dada
Laura is pregnant. With her husband Francisco, they move into a new house in the countryside. But the baby’s arrival will be more unsettling than they anticipated and an intriguing neighbour will disturb their uneventful everyday.
https://www.instagram.com/johndada_weathermen/

HORNED, 4min., USA
Directed by Jerrod D. Brito
When a cocky cam boy jokingly live-streams a creepypasta dare, he inadvertently summons an ancient demon who craves more than just his soul.
https://facebook.com/JerrodDBrito
https://twitter.com/JDBrito

FishBowl, 12min., Canada
Directed by Ryan M. Andrews
Fed up with the limelight, a rock legend hides out at the apartment of an overzealous fan. But he will soon learn that he can’t hide from his struggles with addiction and his enabling wife forever.

BE BAD, 4min., USA
Directed by Lauren Hart
A new dad is forced to take action when he realizes that his middle finger has been up in every photo he’s ever taken.

PAINTINGS ON THE WALL, 5min., Canada
Directed by Liam Hoban Thrush
An isolated and deranged artist who’s haunted and consumed by a creation of his own Is faced with horror when trying to stray to a new art form.
https://www.liamhobanthrush.com/portfolio/paintingsonthewall

SHIVA, 13min., Canada
Directed by Josh Saltzman
Shiva is an unnerving tale about a recently widowed woman who breaks with a long-held Jewish mourning ritual in hopes of connecting with her deceased husband.

 

[less-]
Tags:   Film Media & DesignArt

Opera Atelier - Acis and Galatea

10-27-2024

Presented by Opera Atelier at The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres, Toronto
Upcoming Dates: Thu, Oct 24 @ 7:30 pm Sat, Oct 26 @ 7:30 pm Sun, Oct 27 @ 2:30 pm

Handel’s Acis and Galatea is one of the composer’s most beloved and successful operas. Sung...

[more+]

Handel’s Acis and Galatea is one of the composer’s most beloved and successful operas. Sung in English and featuring some of Handel’s most ravishing music for singing and dancing, Acis and Galatea is the perfect introduction to opera and ballet for the entire family.

[less-]
Tags:   Music Stage

Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets

10-25-2024

Presented by Collective Concerts at TD Music Hall, Toronto
Upcoming Dates: Thu, Oct 24 @ 8:00 pm Fri, Oct 25 @ 8:00 pm

Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets

Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets

[less-]
Tags:  Music

Yonge Street Looking North, Taken from South of Dundas. Pedestrians on sidewalk and cars on road.

Located in the heart of Toronto, the Downtown Yonge neighbourhood is a vibrant melting pot of arts and culture and history, showcasing a diverse business mix of restaurants, retail, services and more!

Member Businesses

Pedestrians Annually

Residents

A busy intersection showing a lot of cars and people walking.

Since

2001

A world leading downtown neighbourhood renowned for its culture, commerce, opportunity and liveability.

The Downtown Yonge B.I.A has been working to ensure our members thrive by strengthening the culture and economy of the neighbourhood through our programs, partnerships and advocacy.

community

Our Values

Responsive

We recognize and prioritize the challenges that are imminent & time sensitive with targeted programming and collaboration.

Collaborative

We recognize the need to develop partnerships that focus on addressing key challenges affecting the local area.

Inclusive

We represent the needs of diverse people & businesses. We convene conversations that balance these perspectives.

Innovative

We are creative and forward-thinking in our approach to solving challenges, building partnerships, and developing strategies.

Results-Oriented

We focus on delivering services and solutions that are effective, measurable, and scalable.