Recently in Canada Category

From November 7-16, 2008, Toronto will celebrate the bounty of the Canadian harvest at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. Now in its 86th year, the fair welcomes thousands of visitors to the Exhibition Place on the shores of Lake Ontario to watch growers, breeders, and special exhibitors compete for prizes, while enjoying delicious farm-fresh food and local spirits. Competitions categories include beef, livestock, and agricultural competitions as well as equestrian competitions and a good old fashioned Canadian-style rodeo. I'm partial to the "black and white" category, a class of dairy cattle that exhibit those perfect spots that make herds so recognizable. In between the competitions, be sure to sample a few locally-produced wines from vendors across Ontario. It's a good way to stay warm as the cold weather descends on the great white north. The fair is convenient to several Starwood properties, including the nearby Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto.

"Le Smoking," Yves Saint Laurent's female tuxedo, unveiled in 1966, is considered one of the twentieth century's most iconic pieces of fashion design. A true work of fine art in the eyes of many, the sleek, sexy piece of couture that bristles with a perfect combination of both masculinity and femininity, joins nearly 150 outfits at Montreal's Musee des Beaux-Arts, through September 28. Culled from the temperature-controlled archive of Fondation Pierre Berge Yves Saint Laurent, the exhibition includes sixty, never before exhibited pieces, as well as drawings, photographs, and videos.

Forty years of the revolutionary Algerian designer's career are presented in four different sections - "Masterful Pencil Strokes," "The Yves Saint Laurent Revolution," "The Palette," and "Lyrical Sources." Together, they trace the evolution of the designer's oeuvre, from the early sketches, to the merging of masculine and feminine elements, to the exploration of color, to the influence of history and literature. Pieces like the Mondrian cocktail dress from 1965, illustrate Saint Laurent's relationship with popular artists of the time, while evening gowns from the 1970s and 1980s show the degree of power with which he endowed his glamorous clientele. Since the designer's death this past June, this dazzling retrospective has become all the more relevant, and surely makes an imperative visit for those staying at the exquisitely fashionable Le Meridien Versailles, just two miles up the road from the Musee des Beaux-Arts.

Prepare for the exhibition by watching this fascinating footage from one of Saint Laurent's first fashion shows, in 1962.

Montreal

Edmonton, Alberta has a reputation as a wild and woolly place, but it boasts a rich cultural scene as well. From August 29 to September 1, 2008, the rough and refined sides of Edmonton will come together as the city celebrates its Symphony Under the Sky Festival. William Hawrelak Park provides a stunning outdoor setting for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra as it performs selections entitled Romantic Masters, Ballet's Greatest Hits, Night at the Movies, and Classical Mystery Tour. A family barbecue event on Saturday will ensure that nobody has to listen to music on an empty stomach. On Sunday, bring the kids to the Teddy Bear Picnic, where mascots, face painters, and a petting zoo will keep the little ones happy as they experience classical music the fun way. Starwood has two hotels in Edmonton, the Westin Edmonton and the Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South.

[image via CBC]