EVENTS: How Earth Hour is being observed across the GTA.
Around the GTA, there’s plenty to do when the lights go out
What will you be doing when the lights go out?
Mixing a batch of signature Earth Hour martinis is what Iwanka and Joe Isabella have on their calendar as they mark the big night with friends.
The Mississauga hosts with the most will be shaking their special fruits-of-the-earth martinis — sour apple and cranberry are crowd favourites — for their annual lightsout-candles-glowing soiree. The only electricity will be between the guests as they party. Everyone joins in the countdown to Earth Hour, which starts at 8:30 p.m. The lights stay off to keep the party cosy.
“We’ve supported Earth Hour from the very beginning,” said Iwanka, who always has a house full of celebrants. “I think Earth Hour is a great idea. As for our part, not only are we turning out the lights, everyone who attends has theirs off, too. That’s a good thing.”
One highlight of the evening is watching lights go out all over Mississauga’s downtown and listening as a hush comes over the city. There’s no better place to experience the magic than from their 14th floor balcony, according to Joe.
The environmentally conscious couple has been shutting off the lights for Earth Hour since it was first celebrated by the World Wildlife Fund in Australia in 2007. That year, more than 2.2 million people and more than 2,000 businesses switched off for one hour. Canada and the rest of the world officially joined in 2008. Toronto happened to be the first Canadian city to sign up. Last year, hundreds of millions of people across 135 countries switched off for an hour. And 2012 marks the fifth year that municipalities and utilities across the GTA and beyond will be switching off non-essential lights.
For those not lucky enough to be on the Isabella’s A-list, there are plenty of events to celebrate Earth Hour in and around Toronto. Before heading out, sign up for the Earth Hour Team and make Canada’s the biggest in the world. Go to www.wwf.ca. Here are some not-to-be-missed events:
TORONTO
They’ll be singing in the streets at the Distillery District — party central in Toronto for the World Wildlife Fund Canada Earth Hour celebration starts at 7:30 p.m. The Earth Hour anthem will be performed live for the first time during the rally just before the lights go out Saturday. It was written by Toronto composer Andrew Huang using lyrics submitted by Canadians to the WWF Facebook page. Bring your own candles, lanterns, glow sticks and flashlights as well as a reusable mug.
Get your sensible shoes on for the third annual candlelight walk in Roncesvalles Village, starting at 8:30 p.m. Meet at the Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Ave., at 8:15 p.m. Kids are invited to a lanternmaking workshop at High Park Baptist Church (Hewitt and Roncesvalles), from noon to 4 p.m.
The City of Toronto’s Live Green program is joining forces with Big On Green and Humber College for a daylong celebration featuring a Green Marketplace and symposium at Humber College North Campus, 205 Humber College Blvd., starting at 12 p.m. The event concludes with an arts celebration starting at 6 p.m., including a pedal-powered concert in the dark.
The Ontario Science Centre is holding free outdoor events from 7:30 to 10 p.m. in Teluscape, at the main entrance. Guests will view Saturn and other objects in the night sky through telescopes with members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
High Park Zoo Earth Hour Candlelight Walk: Bring a candle or lantern and meet at 7:45 p.m. in the parking lot of the Grenadier Restaurant. Walk starts at 8 p.m. Afterwards, there will be a gathering by the fireplace at the Grenadier.
Toronto Island Film Festival 2012 will be held at the Algonquin Island Association clubhouse, where a potluck candlelit banquet is on the menu. Diners will be serenaded by local performers. Environmentally sensitive films to be screened before and after Earth Hour. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. Admission free with potluck contribution.
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel will light more than a thousand candles in the lobby for Earth Hour. Along with the lights, the hotel’s landmark neon rooftop sign will go dark, along with the exterior awning and canopy light. The health club whirlpool and swimming pool will be illuminated by the glow of candles. The special candlelight swim is offered exclusively to hotel guests from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
VAUGHAN
Join the fifth annual Lantern Walk, which for the first time begins at the new Vaughan City Hall. Organized by the city, Earth Hour committee, Power Stream and Woodbridge Agricultural Society, the event includes plenty of activities for the whole family starting at 6:30 p.m., including indoor exhibits of energy-saving ideas and devices from Vaughan high school students, followed by the lantern walk at 8:15 p.m. The evening wraps up back at city hall with a presentation of a Green Hero Award and prize draws. Residents are asked to bring an environmentally friendly light for the walk and their own cup for refreshments.
Powerstream, serving York Region and greater Simcoe County, will be powering down in Vaughan, Markham and Barrie. And there will be plenty to celebrate at the Barrie Earth Hour Music Festival in front of city hall, as well as activities at the Markham Museum.
WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
The lights will be switched off at the following town facilities: Lebovic Leisure Centre, pavilion at Memorial Park, Latcham Hall, Ballantrae Community Centre, Lemonville Community Centre, Whitchurch- Stouffville Museum & Community Centre, Nineteen on the Park, the train station, municipal offices, Silver Jubilee, parks shop, lawn bowling building, Whitchurch-stouffville operations centre on Bethesda Rd., and the works yard on Main St.
OAKVILLE
Songs & Prayers for the Earth, Air, Water and Fire will be performed by candlelight at St. Jude’s 5th Annual Concert-in-the-dark starting at 8:15 p.m. The Brian Hayman jazz ensemble presents a special program, with a guest appearance by Masterworks of Oakville, directed by Charles Demuynck. The evening benefits the Halton Environmental Network. Voluntary donations accepted. 160 William St. 905-8443972
Kick energy conservation up a notch by doing more than turning out the lights. Town officials recommend residents lower their thermostats and unplug their televisions, DVD players, microwaves and other electric gadgets to enjoy some peace and quiet in the dark.
OSHAWA
The Oshawa Environmental Advisory Committee and the Foundation for Building Sustainable Communities invite revelers for a night of music and drumming at the Mclaughlin Library Auditorium starting at 7:30 p.m.
MISSISSAUGA
Peel Environmental Youth Alliance is holding a Blackout 2012 Dance for high school students only, featuring DJ Willy, rapper Cypher and beatboxer Enkaye. The party celebrates Peel schools and students that have reduced energy consumption. Dance will be from 7:30—11 p.m. at Blind Duck Pub, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N. No alcohol will be served. Tickets, $10 each, include a free non-alcoholic drink. Identification required.