We’re introducing a new column of hot happenings! It will include events, product information, community profiles and a mish-mash of assorted self-propelled items of interest. Please feel free to send in your thoughts and suggestions to: toronto@momentumplanet.com

Pedaling Puppets

Random silliness can happen at any time and at any given place. Clay and Paper Theatre’s new project known as “CYCLOPS – Cycling Oriented Puppet Squad” performs at many community events, in addition to random street corners and parks throughout Toronto.

Performances of “Bicycle Revolution,” the beloved cantastoria featuring a short bicycle rap, or “Cycle Path to Love,” a short, cranky movie that includes a community ritual, are well received every evening. “One of the things we do is animate events,” says Catherine McLeod – development associate/CYCLOPS coordinator of the Clay & Paper Theatre.

CYCLOPS has also recently taken part in Critical Mass and marched with the 519 Church Street Community Centre in the Pride Parade. Keep your eyes and ears open to find out where their next performance will take place. This past season saw “Between Sea & Sky” staged between the skating rink and the field house, a small, brick building beside the soccer field. Nice.

Get into the show at clayandpapertheatre.org

Gallery Spin

A guided bike tour of art galleries in Toronto’s west end led by Mia Nielsen, curator at the Drake Hotel, will take place on Thursday September 24. Get there early, as the first 20 people to arrive will receive a complimentary drink ticket for a Quick Fix at the Drake and prizes will be given for the most festively decorated bike, so get out your balloons and streamers.

Meeting point: Trinity Bellwoods Park at the Queen Street gate, between 6:30–7 pm, tour starts at 7pm.

For more info contact Riu Pimenta at: info@mediancontemporary.com

Green Gears

The Tour de Greenbelt is an annual event described by its organizers as a “fresh air festival on wheels” for recreational riders. It happens every September in and around the Golden Horseshoe. The event takes place over two weekends and has a variety of courses for everyone from families to the avid cyclist, ranging from 25 to 100 kilometres in length.

Pre-registration is $40 per day, with children 14 and under allowed to ride free. This fee includes a map, support, snacks and beverages throughout and a full BBQ at the end of the ride. Round trip shuttles to the event will be available from Mountain Equipment Co-op in Toronto.

The greenbelt comprises nearly two million acres and encompasses the Niagara Escarpment, the Oak Ridges Moraine, Rouge Park, hundreds of rural towns and villages and some 7,000 farms. It is the largest and most diverse greenbelt in the world. The Greenbelt Foundation is an independent charitable foundation dedicated to promoting and sustaining the region.

More goodness can be found here: tourdegreenbelt.ca

Bicycle Stencil Art

Janet “Bike Girl” Attard presents her two-month open studio events, every Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm during September and October. Drop by to view a selection of bicycle stencil art prints, bike stencil T-shirts and bicycle buttons. Toronto-born Attard is a true cycling activist/artist, having works published in several magazines and shows at many international art exhibitions.