Toronto skywatchers might want to keep an eye on the northern horizon this weekend. A geomagnetic storm is expected to intensify aurora activity across Canada after a solar eruption earlier this week, and while nothing is guaranteed, the setup could give parts of southern Ontario a rare chance to spot the northern lights!

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is now carrying a G2 watch from March 19 to 21, and Canada’s Space Weather service has also posted a storm watch for Thursday afternoon into Friday morning.

For Toronto, the most active periods are expected to arrive roughly Thursday evening through after midnight, with another bump late Friday night into the pre-dawn hours Saturday. Forecasts can shift quickly, though, so there’s still real uncertainty around the timing.

The weather may matter almost as much as the geomagnetic forecast. Environment Canada’s Toronto forecast calls for partly cloudy skies Thursday night, then cloudier conditions Friday, while Saturday looks better during the day before cloud periods return at night. Looking across the country, The Weather Network says the timing of this storm could favour central and western Canada for the strongest displays, while northwestern Ontario appears to have some of the better clear-sky potential in the eastern half of the country.

The science behind the northern lights is surprisingly straightforward (and honestly, somewhat geeky). According to NOAA, the Sun is constantly throwing off charged particles in the solar wind, and when a stronger burst of solar material reaches Earth, it can dump extra energy into our magnetic field. That energy helps accelerate particles into the upper atmosphere near the poles, where they collide with oxygen and nitrogen and release light, creating the Aurora Borealis (aka, the northern lights). Green is the most common aurora colour, while reds, pinks, blues and purples can show up, depending on which gases are hit and at what altitude.

If you’re still interested in chasing the lights over the next few nights, head somewhere dark, keep your eyes on the northern horizon, and watch the forecast right up until you leave. The best aurora is typically seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. away from city lights.

For years, Banksy’s identity has existed somewhere between urban legend and art-world gossip. Now, a new Reuters investigation claims the mystery may finally be solved. According to the report, the elusive street artist is Bristol-born Robin Gunningham, with Reuters tying the name to a 2000 New York arrest record and a handwritten confession linked to a vandalism case. Banksy hasn’t commented, and his longtime lawyer challenged parts of Reuters’ reporting, arguing that revealing the artist’s identity could put him at risk.

Still, Reuters apparently has a paper trail. Investigators were able to connect Gunningham to Banksy through public documents and court records, with later evidence suggesting he adopted the name David Jones, which the outlet says helped him continue moving anonymously (this might also explain how Banksy was able to appear in Ukraine in 2022 while still seeming to stay invisible in public life). You can read about the full investigation here.

Banksy’s works have generated an estimated $248.8 million in secondary-market sales since 2015, and Toronto still has a couple of pieces tucked away in plain sight! The artist made an overnight mark on the city in 2010 while promoting Exit Through the Gift Shop, leaving seven works around the city before most were painted over, removed or perhaps lost.

But two pieces are still viewable today at no cost. The easiest one to see is “Guard with Balloon Dog” at One York Street. It was originally painted on the rear façade of 90 Harbour St, and the work was preserved by Menkes after the property was acquired for redevelopment. It was restored and is now propped up in a glass case on the PATH level of One York.

 

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The other is a smaller piece on the west side of Church St, just north of The Esplanade, called “Men Onlooking”. It sits in an alley behind Goose Island Brewhouse and has been protected behind glass to keep it from being vandalized or buffed out completely. It’s far less theatrical than the One York installation, but maybe that’s part of the appeal.

 

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You can read more about these pieces here (or just go see them in person)!

Toronto’s long list of niche social nights has a new addition, and this one’s equal parts bingo game and swap meet. Other People’s Treasure Bingo is an event that asks guests to bring something from home they once loved but no longer need, then put it into the prize pool for the night! As numbers are called, the host chats with each person about the item and the story behind it, turning each round into a mix of classic bingo and low-stakes show-and-tell.

The whole idea is to give old treasures a new home while having a good time.

Past events have included treasures like skateboards, boomerangs, raccoon art, olive plants, churro makers, heart-shaped dishes, shoes, book stamps, hair dye, torso mannequins, magic kits, Harry Styles CDs, toy bumper cars, beer hats, Blockbuster video cases, unworn toe socks, and even more interactive treasures like live poem readings and comfy bear hugs!

At last month’s event, things got a bit weirder: one woman brought her ex-husband’s desk chair, another touted some wedding photos, another a boxful of candles gifted by her mother-in-law, while one participant hawked a cigar she found on her makeup desk.

 

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The next Toronto edition is scheduled for Thursday, April 9 from 7:30–10 p.m. at The Rhino (1249 Queen St. W). Check-in is from 7:30 to 8 p.m., with bingo running from 8–9:30 p.m. Regular tickets are listed at $25.

The event is transit-accessible, with food, vegetarian options and alcohol available for purchase! It’s super low-key, so no dress code, no coat or bag check and no parking. If nothing else, it’s the perfect way to do something you wouldn’t normally do and meet new people, with the icebreaker being whatever strange object you pulled off a shelf before leaving home. Bonus: It’s the only bingo night where everyone goes home a winner!

Visit Other People’s Treasure Bingo for more info or follow @treasurebingo for updates.

Toronto’s pop-up scene is about to get a little more gothic. Over a century and a half after Edgar Allan Poe’s death, the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy is bringing some of his most beloved stories off the page and onto the stage. Guests can expect a four-part immersive evening filled with storytelling and themed drinks in a brooding, theatrical atmosphere on Queen West.

The 19+ event takes place Friday evening, May 15, at Parkdale Hall, with each session running about 75 to 90 minutes. If nothing else, it’s great for a dramatic date night or a night out with friends!

The concept is built around four of Poe’s best-known tales: The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, The Masque of Red Death and The Black Cat. The stories are retold by Poe historians, while a lead mixologist turns each one into a themed cocktail pairing.

Think of it as a tipsy Victorian fever dream, with cocktails like the Pale Blue Eye (a light blue cocktail made with blueberry vodka, fresh lemon juice, rose syrup and topped with La Croix), Cocktail of Red Death (a bright vibrant cocktail made with 100-proof vodka, cherry cherry liqueur, Bénédictine, lime juice, pineapple juice and bitters), Edgar’s Twisted Brandy Milk Punch (equal parts Kentucky bourbon and French brandy, mixed with vanilla cream, milk syrup and half and half, then topped with star anise) and The Nevermore (a black and gold cocktail fueled by orange peach blossom vodka, lime juice and secret spices).

Reservations are limited to a small number of guests, so this one might sell out quickly once Toronto horror fans clock it.

The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy pop-up takes place Friday, May 15, at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at Parkdale Hall, 1605 Queen St. W. General admission: $56 + tax. Click here for more info and tickets.