CAMP DRAKE: COME PLAY ALL SUMMER LONG
Summer in the city just got a whole lot better. Camp Drake returns for a second season of easy, breezy, laid back fun, where cabins are Crashpads, counselors are bartenders and the tuck shop is a bona fide Tiki Bar. It’s casual and carefree as the Drake Hotel brings camp fun to the core of the city.
NEW Summer Exhibit: Thursday, July 1st to Monday, August 30th
Drake’s summer exhibition Earnest Reverie features paintings, installations and mixed media works that embrace the camp theme. Works include Andrew Harwood’s iconic compositions in sequins, a floral sculpture made of pills by Lynne Heller, Bonnie Lewis’s densely delicate paintings, and an installation by Laura Kikauka that includes a rhinestone encrusted skull and record player. This exhibition was curated by Colleen O’Reilly, Anastasia Hare and Meghan Bissonnette, graduate MFA students from York University.
NEW Tiki Bar: Now Open
Have you tried Drake’s lavender lemonade yet? Summer cocktails like the Mai Tai, blackberry mojito, jugs of red sangria with boozy fruit, frozen margarita slushies and tubs of ice cold beer, are the perfect pairing for hot sun and old friends. Head upstairs to check out Drake’s newest addition, an island-inspired Tiki Bar with a drink list to match. Visit http://www.thedrakehotel.ca/dining/sky-yard for more info.
Gallery Spin: Thursday, August 5th and Thursday, September 2nd at 6:30 p.m.
Gallery Spin, a series of bike-led gallery tours is riding through the streets, alleys and parks of Toronto’s west end. Hosted by bike-riding fashion collective The Deadly Nightshades, each event includes a “hot ride rolling fashion show”, exhibitions and an artist talk. Each Gallery Spin begins at the front gates of Trinity Bellwoods Park and ends at the Drake Hotel for an art-themed after-party featuring a pop-up shop by local designers in the Lounge. Visit http://www.thedrakehotel.ca/events for more info.
Camp Drake Escape: Available now, until Monday, September 6th
The ultimate green city getaway returns with a summer camp style hotel package. Room rates begin at $239 and include the usage of two cruiser bicycles from Amsterdam, a custom-packed picnic lunch, and a fun guide mapping out a series of bike-able events, galleries and fairs in the city. Call 416.531.5042 ext. 3 for reservations.
Sing-along Sundays: EVERY Sunday at 9 p.m. from July 4th to September 5th
Based on the summer camp variety show, Camp Drake Sing-Alongs are back for a second summer of live music and laughs. Join local bands, singer-songwriters, comedians, and a slew of other performers each week in celebration of live music and comedy, taking place in Drake’s Lounge. The performances are completely free, the beer is cheap and good times await. Visit http://www.thedrakehotel.ca/singalong for more info.
Movies in the Mess Hall: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. from July 6th to August 31st
Celebrate favourite summer flicks with Sloppy Joes, pints of beer and a weekly movie series – all for only $5. The Underground will be transformed into a casual screening space as various film buffs and local celebrity hosts (including Richard Crouse, William Huffman and RM Vaughan) present weekly films like The Goonies, Top Secret and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Admission includes a Sloppy Joe (with vegetarian option), a beer, buckets of popcorn and more. Visit http://www.thedrakehotel.ca/movies for the full list of films.
Summerlicious – Friday, July 8th to Saturday, July 25th
Summerlicious returns for two weeks of seasonal, homespun dishes by Chef Anthony Rose and team, created from summer ripened ingredients at affordable prices. Drake’s Summerlicious menu features fresh cream of tomato soup, zucchini, arugula and pecorino salad, cornmeal fried perch with cherry tomato relish, bacon-wrapped barbecued chicken with Ezell’s sweet summer slaw, “smash and whip” with seasonal berries and crushed meringue, and so much more. Make a lunch date for only $20 per person, or treat someone extra special to the three-course dinner starting at $35 per person. Call 416.531.5042 ext. 1 to reserve your seat today.
Garden Dinner – Wednesday, August 25th
The ultimate backyard party returns to Drake’s urban garden with a one-time-only soirée featuring a pig roast, provided by Eigensinn Farm, as well as other delicacies prepared by Chef Anthony Rose. The mouthwatering feast includes barbecued pulled-pork, garden-fresh succotash, summer wines, cocktails and more. The event will also feature homegrown Drake produce like fresh corn and heirloom tomatoes, as well as organic ingredients from local farms. Due to the intimate nature of this event, seating is limited. Tickets are $45 per person. Call 416.531.5042 ext.1 for reservations.
The Drake Hotel is located at 1150 Queen Street West (between Dovercourt and Dufferin). Visit http://www.thedrakehotel.ca or call 416.531.5042 for more information.
Images provided by: Connie Tsang
Posted by: Amy Jessica Weeks
amy@sugarcainent.com
