by Rachel Robinson

As February’s Reading Week is almost here, the cold weather is definitely an incentive to get lots of grading, reading and essaying done. However, we still live in Toronto! Here are some reasonably-priced (and often free) activities to do during this week away from school.

Feb. 15: Free Tour and Tasting at Amsterdam Brewery, between 1 to 5pm. http://amsterdambeer.com/retail-store/

Feb. 15: Free Ice Skating at Harbourfront Centre, with guest DJ “Yes Yes Y’all”, a queer-friendly Valentine’s theme skating dance party, from 8 to 11pm. http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/whatson/seasonalfestivals/index.cfm?id=5678&festival_id=154

Feb. 18: See at movie at Rainbow Cinemas’ in St. Lawrence Neighbourhood for $5. http://www.rainbowcinemas.ca/A/?theatre=Market_Square&

Feb. 18: Free silent film showing, Very Valentino, at Drake One Fifty at 8pm. http://www.drakeonefifty.ca/whatson/listings/film/?page=1

Feb. 19: Free Jazz Series at the Canadian Opera Company, this week featuring “The Universe of John Lennon” from 5:30 to 6:30pm. http://www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/FreeConcertSeries/February.aspx

Feb. 19: Free from 6 to 8:30pm, the Art Gallery of Ontario’s general exhibit. You can also pay $12.50 to see their featured exhibition, “The Great Upheaval: Masterpieces from the Guggenheim Collection, 1910- 1918” (normally $25 with general admission). https://www.ago.net/home/

Feb. 20: Free exhibit at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre: “Moving On: An Exhibition of Photographs by Ryerson Students Exploring Urban Transportation in the Greater Toronto Area.” From 11am to 3pm. http://www.toronto.com/events/moving-on/

Feb. 21: See the permanent gallery at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) for the student price of $9 (usually $14.50), or include the “Wildlife Photography” exhibit for $13 (usually $18.50). For the Friday discount to apply, tickets must be bought online. http://www.rom.on.ca/en/visit-us/tickets-hours

Feb. 21: Pay-what-you-can at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA), from 11am to 6pm. http://www.mocca.ca/

Feb. 22: Ryerson’s Philosophy Graduate Students’ Conference! See the Conference link on our website for more details.

Feb. 22- 23: Free “Icefest” at Bloor-Yorkville. Check out amazing ice sculptures. http://www.bloor-yorkville.com/icefest/

All week: Enjoy a “Winter Brew.” See a decent list of suggestions at: http://www.toronto.com/articles/best-winter-brews-in-toronto/

All week: Enjoy a beer at the Beer Academy (located super close to Ryerson), where their beer tasting menu includes 3 four-ounce beers for $6. http://www.beeracademy.ca/