Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this July 4-6, 2014.

TURF (Toronto Urban Roots Festival)
After confounding everyone with their 2013 debut, "what the heck is the Toronto Urban Roots Fest?" can finally be dropped. Put on by some of the most well-respected members of the Toronto music community, TURF has expanded to three days and seven club nights in only its second year. Headlined by Beirut, Sam Roberts Band, and Neutral Milk Hotel, there's a deep lineup behind those three with lots for fans of indie rock to love. July 4-6, Garrison Commons (Fort York). -MF

THEATRE

Fringe Festival
Toronto's largest indie theatre festival has kicked off summer with one of the most exciting and jam-packed weeks on the arts calendar: the fest spans 12 days and features over 140 shows across 35 different venues in the city. The list of addition programming (FringeKids!, a site-specific Art Category, Fringe Club, Tent Talks, etc.) will make your head spin. To plan your fringe journey, pick up a guide book at one of the locations listed on their website, or better yet check out our guide to the 2014 Fringe Fest here. Until July 13. DF

For more events on stage, check out our The top theatre productions in Toronto July 2014 post.

ART

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
Browse works by the 350-ish artists taking over Nathan Phillips Square this week. Wander the stalls having deep talks about the state of painting today, admire some kitschy trinkets, seek out some up and coming local illustrators, or find a photo of your favourite Toronto spot (unless that spot is the bathroom at Jilly's, then this might not be the fair for you). Bonus: if you find something that will look just darling over your mantle, you get mad points for supporting the arts. July 4-6, Nathan Phillips Square.

Proof of Existence - Brendan George Ko
Starting tonight Le will showcase the playful work of Toronto photographer Brendan George Ko. This show will be hot - Le Gallery, please, air conditioner! Check out Ko's super-cute Say Cheese series on his website here. Reception is July 4, 6-9pm. Le Gallery (1183 Dundas St West).

Artist Talk - Lethe Baptism, with Tasman Richardson
In Lethe Baptism Tasman Richardson, one of Toronto's most fascinating new media artists, VHS portraits are "copied and recopied from tape to tape - until erased" as Richardson searches for a way to both portray the natural decay of human memory, and hang video art on a way without electricity. Quote Richardson, what some have "mistaken for a static photo print show" is actually "animated lenticular... the video component behind the blue velour curtain is a memory experiment best experienced alone." Saturday is your last chance to see the show - stop by at 1pm to hear more from Richardson himself. Neubacher Shor Contemporary (5 Brock Ave), Saturday July 5, 1pm.

See also

• Dr.Sketchy's (Friday, Round)
• New Membership Edition Launch (Friday, Mercer Union)

For more art listings, check out our Top 10 Must-See Art Shows This Summer post.

FOOD

Summerlicious
It all goes down over the next two weeks (down to your stomach, naturally). Toronto's annual summer prix fixe bonanza Summerlicious starts today and is on until July 20. It's a great chance to check tons of restaurants you've been curious about around Toronto off your list - over 200 will offer three-course prix fixe menus as part of the festival. Deal hunters and even the most casual foodies should check out our preview of the top 20 restaurants to eat at for Summerlicious 2014, and forget their belts at home. Friday, July 4 - July 20.

Festival Libre
The Bacardi Festival Libra will transform The Distillery District into Little Havana starting tonight until Sunday. The weekend event will feature live musical acts, Cuban food stations, street dancing, buskers and cigar rolling. Check out the list of performers here. July 4-6, The Distillery Historic District, various times. LI

For more food events, check out our Toronto Food Events, Summer Food Events, and Summer Beer Events post.

PARTY

Kajama Midnight Moon Sailing Cruise
Promise and AlienInFlux's annual cruise on the Kajama tall sailing ship is always one of the more memorable events on the water, and much different than your typical party-boat outing. This year they're bringing in Scottish electronic music veteran Funk D'Void, who excels at bridging the gap between techno and house. Friday, July 4, 235 Queens Quay West, 11:15pm, $45. BB

Summerdaze
For the fourth installment of the Summerdaze patio party series, they're rotating their location back to Gossip Restaurant on the CNE grounds, and teaming up with Box Of Kittens for a bit more techno flavour than previous parties. Berlin-based Torontonian Sid Le Rock performing live alongside DJ sets by Jamie Kidd, Mike Gibbs and LeeLee Mishi. Check out our review from the first Summerdaze here. Sunday, July 6, Gossip (50 Prince Edward Island Crescent), 2pm, $15. BB

See also

• RL Grime (Friday, Hoxton)
• Gingy & Antihero (Friday, Bambi's)

For more dance listings, check out our Top Dance Parties in Toronto in July post.

FILM

Horror Fest
The Lost Episode Festival in Toronto presents Horror Fest this weekend at Hot Docs. On offer are the Canadian premiere of Star Trek Continues, plus lots of zombies and general evil-ness. There will be beer, and you will be scared. July 5-6, Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (506 Bloor St W).

Christie Pits Film Fest
Rosie O'Donnell, Geena Davis, Lori Petty, and Madonna playing baseball - at Christie Pits? CPFF opens this weekend with A League of Their Own, plus a costume contest. The Peaches are the only baseball team I can name. Bring a blanket and whatever donation you can muster. If you're hungry, Tallboys and Wild Child's Kitchen are the night's food vendors. Sunday, July 6, 7:30-11pm, Christie Pits Park.

See also

• A Public Conversation on Diverse Media Exhibition & Open Screening (Saturday, Cinecycle)
• Video Vengeance - Robo Vampire - Free VHS Screening! (Sunday, KITCH)

MUSIC

Rakim
The legendary MC flies solo these days after his split with Eric B in the early 90s. A massive solo career has followed though, and he'll be testing the waters in Toronto this summer. Check him out over on Sherbourne when he lights up The Phoenix. Friday, July 4, 8pm, The Phoenix (410 Sherbourne). AG

Deltron 3030
This supergroup puts it together well, though not quite with the same brilliance as Del's old Hiero days. Kid Koala and Dan the Automator are nothing to cry about though, and this trio will be stopping by Toronto in the wake of their return from a 13-year album hiatus. Saturday, July 5, Tattoo. AG

Bastid's BBQ 2014 Toronto
DJ Skratch Bastid hosts a mean BBQ - and invites some pretty cool friends. See the likes of Tony Touch, Starting From Scratch, Rich Kidd, Wristpect, DeMiggs & Tom Wrecks Itzsoweezee, Jesse Futerman Live, Jim Sharp UK, The Gaff, Big Jacks, Love Handle Catalist & Famous Lee, Big Toe's Hifi, Your Boy Brian, and Mark Brand while chowing down and soaking up the summer. Saturday, July 5, 3-11pm, 306 Queen Street West, $12 advance.

See also

• Girls' Art League Fundraiser w/ Army Girls (Friday, Garrison)
• Happy America Day w/ Darlene Shrugg (Double Double Land)
• No Joy (Friday, Smiling Buddha)
• Feast In The East 39: Silkken Laumann (Saturday, Jam Factory)
• High Park Record Garage Sale (Saturday, 223 Quebec Ave)
• Solids + Dirty Nil (Saturday, Sneaky Dee's)

For more music listings, check out our This Week in Music, July Concerts, Summer Concerts, and Summer Music Festivals posts.

COMMUNITY

Taste of Lawrence
IFrom July 4-6 this street festival's sights and sounds will prove that Lawrence Ave is worth that arduous bike ride. Explore Toronto - unless this is your hood (then you've got it easy for once). July 4-6, Lawrence Ave E. from Warden Ave. to Birchmount Rd.

Afrofest
Stop by Woodbine Park for Afrofest, Toronto's celebration of African culture. Music, art, food, workshops and a marketplace and more await you in the east end. Woodbine Park (1695 Queen Street East), July 5-6.

Cultura Festival
Why do anything indoors? (I say this to my boss in a whiny voice - ineffective.) Cultura Fest is at Mel Lastman Square July 4, 11, 18, and 25. Performers, art installs, and film screenings are all free. Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge Street).

FASHION

Pop-Up Shop: The Queen's Trunk
Hit the Norman Felix Gallery this Saturday for designer wearables straight from the UK. British fashions have been selected by London stylists just for you - you'll need to have brunch at the Bristol after, naturally. Saturday, July 5, 11am-6pm, Norman Felix Gallery (445 Adelaide Street West).

See also

• Jeremy Laing and CALLA Spring Sample Sale (Saturday, Cooper Cole)
• The Leslieville Flea (Sunday, Harbourfront Centre)

HOARDING

Geek Swap & Sale
Swap your geek stuff! Everything from VHS tapes to toys will be on offer here. Bring a flask and swig once for every copy of the Maxtrix (twice for every sequel and three times for the last one). Just kidding, that is terrible advice. Financial transactions are not discouraged, but swapping is cheaper and makes better friends. Saturday, July 5, 12-7pm, Back Space Toronto (587A College Street).

PETS

City of Toronto Mega Adoption Weekend
While this row of empty cages is depressing when you imagine them full of the homeless animals who will call them their home at the CNE this weekend, this is actually a story with a happy ending for hopefully hundreds of needy pets. Go down to show the dogs and cats some love, and maybe find a new best friend. Aw. July 4-6, CNE Grounds Queen Elizabeth Building (200 Princes Blvd).

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Contributions by Matt Forsythe, Benjamin Boles, Derek Flack, Adam Golfetto, Liora Ipsum. Photo of TURF by Roger Cullman