What’s closed for the G20 weekend

TORONTO – For those planning on finding ways to distract themselves from the G20 summit meetings this coming weekend, keep in mind that many places will keep their doors shut.

Theatres in the downtown core will keep their curtains closed this weekend. Performances of Mirvish musicals “Rock of Ages” and “Mamma Mia” have been cancelled through to Sunday, and Factory Theatre ended its season on June 20, due to anticipated issues over public movement.

Museums which will be closed include the Art Gallery of Ontario, which closes to the public at 4 p.m. Friday, with plans to reopen Monday. The Hockey Hall of Fame and the Gardiner Museum will be closed Saturday and Sunday. The latter will be open on Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but all classes have been rescheduled and drop-ins have been cancelled.

Those hoping to catch a baseball game this weekend are out of luck, as the Jays series against the Phillies has been relocated to Philadelphia.

The Toronto Fashion Incubator will keep its doors shut from Friday through to Sunday. At Harbourfront, the International Marketplace and World Cafe will also be closed. The centre’s site and facilities will remain open, but festival weekend programming is not scheduled.

Those planning on enjoying a cool drink this weekend should take note that seven LCBO locations will be closed from Friday through Sunday (Queens Quay, First Canadian Place, Union Station, St. Lawrence Market, Loblaws Plaza, King and Spadina, and the 337 Spadina Ave location). The Steam Whistle Brewery is also shut for the duration.

Those planning on dining out will be out of luck if they wanted to eat at Canoe, which is closed on Saturday and Sunday, and it is a Friday through Sunday closure for Jump, Biff’s Bistro, and Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill at Yonge and Front.

As for municipal services, the Metro Hall Child Care Centre has been closed since Monday, and will remain shut through to Friday. The Urban Affairs Library will keep its doors shut on Friday, and the Queens Quay Bookmobile stop on Friday and the Ward’s Island Bookmobile Stop on Saturday have been cancelled.

Starting Thursday, Canadian banks in and around the security perimeter (CIBC, TD, Scotiabank, Bank of Montreal, and RBC as well as their head office) are shut until Monday. The Ontario legislative building at Queen’s Park is also closed, and the windows of the ground floor have been boarded up.

The University of Toronto’s exams will be rescheduled.

Finally, if you’re planning on staying in downtown Toronto, the Intercontinental, Strathcona Hotel, the Fairmont Royal York, the Westin Harbour Castle, Renaissance Toronto Hotel, Hyatt Regency and Sheraton Hotel are completely booked for the summit.

And while the CN tower remains closed to the public, the tower plans on having a G20 light show. They will showcase participating country’s respective flags each night beginning at dusk through to Sunday.

Onlookers will notice the actual flag design passing from right to left through the Tower’s elevator shaft, while the lighting on the Tower’s upper portions represents the colours of the flag.