NXNE Guide to Day Shows, Parties and BBQs: Over 35 Mostly-Free Events

NXNE isn't just late-night shows at bars. For those looking to enjoy their music and their sunshine, the festival offers a variety of fun events and activities during the day. From bands in parks to free yoga classes, Spinner has compiled a comprehensive list of things to do at NXNE during the day.

Ongoing

NXNE Yoga:
Running around from show to show can be stressful. This year the festival is offering free yoga workshops to all showcasing artists, volunteers and passholders. So grab a mat, relax and take a deep breath in between all those loud rock shows!
What: Yoga sessions
When: Daily schedule up on the NXNE website
How Much: Free

The 3^rd Annual Live in Bellwoods Picnic Festival:
Because with summer festivals comes picnic jams in the park. Back for a third year, Young Lions Music Club presents Live in Bellwoods, four days of bands performing at Trinity Bellwoods Park. So if you're tired of show-hopping or standing around, grab a blanket and enjoy a day at the park! Full line up of bands here.
What: Daytime shows
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park
When: All afternoon
How Much: Free

Sonic Boom in-stores:
Every year, Sonic Boom is the place to be for the festival's top notch in-stores. The full lineup hasn't been announced yet but expect free performances from Parlovr, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Rikers and the Dirty Mags.
What: In-store
Where: 783 Bathurst St.
When: All day
How Much: Free

NXNE Park Series 2012:
If the Bellwoods shows don't provide enough picnic jams for you, NXNE has organized additional shows in various parks around the city this year. Starting Monday, June 11 and going till Friday, June 15, catch a number of bands at Market Lane, Berczy Park and Trinity Square. For all the details, go to the NXNE website.
What: Daytime shows
Where: Parks around the city
When: All afternoon
How Much: Free

The Exhibition About You -- The Audience:
Photographer David Waldman, also known as Kid With Camera, will be displaying his unique photo show at the Great Hall for the week. The exhibit will feature hundreds of his favourite shots of the audiences throughout his years of shooting shows.
What: Photo exhibit
When: Everyday
How Much: Free with NXNE wristband/badge; open to everyone on Saturday

Tuesday, June 12

Toronto Music Industry Association Presents Toronto Loves Vancouver:
CBC Radio 3 will be transporting a group of bands from Vancouver to NXNE this year via train and the Toronto Music Industry Association have planned a welcome party for the guests.
What: Welcome party
Where: 404 Loft (263 Adelaide St. W, 4th Floor)
When: 6:30 p.m.
How Much: Free, must RSVP here

In-Store at Lavish & Squalor:
These in-stores on Tuesday and Wednesday are presented by Kops Records and will include free performances from Carnival Moon, the Weather Station, Jane's Party and more.
What: In-Store
Where: Lavish & Squalor (253 Queen St. W)
When: 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday
How Much: Free

Music Meets Photography:
Photography enthusiasts can catch this exhibit of live photography from past years of NXNE at #Hashtag Gallery throughout the festival. Some of the city's best photographers will showcase their work. The official launch is on Tuesday.
What: Launch party
Where: #Hashtag Gallery (801 Dundas St. W)
When: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
How Much: Free

Wednesday, June 13

Ages & Stages Afterparty:
This year, NXNE will be screening Ages & Stages, a documentary on Toronto rockers the Meligrove Band. To celebrate the screening of the long-awaited film, there will be an afterparty post-film which will include performances by Dinosaur Bones, Magneta Lane, the Two Koreas, Nixon, The Fabulous Yawn, and a surprise guest. This party will also be accompanied by the Caplansky's food truck because nothing goes better with loud rock tunes than great food truck eats!
What: Afterparty
Where: 586 Richmond St.
When: 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
How Much: Free

Static Zine and Of A Kind NXNE Kick Off:
Local zinesters Static Zine are teaming up with new record store, Of A Kind, to throw a NXNE kick-off party featuring free in-store performances by the Danks, the Dead Ships and more. This will also mark the launch of the zine's fourth issue.
What: In-store
Where: Of A Kind (1037 College St. W)
When: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
How Much: Free

Shows at Pearson Airport:
At NXNE, they like to greet out-of-town guests as soon as they step off the plane, literally. Bands such as the Sadies, Justin Rutledge, Indian Wars and more will play free sets at Pearson Airport on Wednesday and Thursday.
What: Day show
Where: Pearson Airport
When: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., Wednesday - Thursdsay
How Much: Free

Sunrise Records In-Store:
Hayes Carll will perform a free in-store at Sunrise Records.
What: In-store
Where: Sunrise Records (336 Yonge St.)
When: 5:30 p.m.
How Much: Free

Thursday, June 14

Steam Whistle presents Audioblood & Bonsound's Rooftop Riot:
Enjoy this daytime rooftop party with performances from the Balconies, Les Breastfeeders, Sandman Viper Command, Mama Rosin, the Town Heroes, Punctuation and Hue. There will also be $3 haircuts and tattoos!
What: Rooftop party
Where: 345 Spadina Ave., alley way
When: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
How Much: Free with an #ABDOESNXNE tweet

JanSport Bonfire Sessions:
Not necessarily an official NXNE event, but for those who would rather spend the day on Toronto Island, JanSport Bonfire Sessions will be hosting a free Smith Westerns/Dusted show at Artscape Gibraltar Point as part of an ongoing concert series across North America.
What: Day show
Where: Artscape Gibraltar Point, Toronto Island
When: 5:30 p.m.
How Much: Free (not including the ferry ride)

Analogue Gallery & Slapback Media's NXNE Daytime Showcase: For a second year in a row, Analogue Gallery and Slapback Media will present their daytime showcase at the Queen Street West gallery space. The patio party will feature a packed lineup of local artists including: Holly Andruchuk, Jane's Party, Parks & Rec, Beekeeper, HONHEEHONEHEE, Neon Windbreaker, Mondernboys Moderngirls, Topanga and Northern Baptists.
What: Daytime showcase
Where: Analogue Gallery (673 Queen St W)
When: 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
How Much: Admission is free for those who RSVP to info@analoguegallery.com, or join their Facebook event.

I Blame Yoko NXNE Daytime Showcase:
The Horseshoe Tavern isn't just for late-night shows. I Blame Yoko and Katuwapitiya.com are hosting a daytime show at the popular venue which will feature performances by Cai.ro, The Tins, Elk, Allosaurus, The Waxbills, Son of the Sun, and Serena Pryne & The Mandevilles.
What: Daytime showcase
Where: Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen St. W)
When: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
How Much: Free

Jang Bang's Unofficial NXNE Party:
This relatively new korean taco joint will host a day show filled with beer, bands (Army Girls, Cold Warps & Cartoons) and, of course, tacos.
What: Day show
Where: 430 College St.
When: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
How Much: Free

Lomography presents an Enormous Launch Party:
The popular photography brand will host a party at their Queen Street West location to celebrate the launch of a new camera with bands to be announced.
What: Launch party
Where: 536 Queen St. W
When: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
How Much: Free

Grasshopper Records in-store:
The Men, one of the festival's must-see acts, will play a free in-store at this new shop, so if you can't catch them at either of their evening showcases this will be the perfect time to get your fill of some of the year's best aggressive indie rock.
What: In-store
Where: 1167 Dundas St. W
When: 3 p.m.
How Much: Free

Friday, June 15

NXNEXPERIMENT II:
For a second year in a row, bands will play a backyard hidden away in Kensington Market. Bands performing this year include The Men, Doldrums, DIIV, Bass Drum of Death, Mac Demarco, Prince Innocence, Ell V Gore, Idiot Glee, Walter TV and a very special guest that's to be announced. Food and drinks will be available.
What: Day show
Where: 214 Augusta Ave, back alley
When: 1 p.m. – 11 p.m.
How Much: $10

Urban Outfitters In-Store:
The popular store will host bands at their Yonge St. location on Friday and Saturday, featuring performances by DIIV, Vacationer, Young Magic, Zulu Winter and more.
What: In-store
Where: Urban Outfitters (235 Yonge St.)
When: 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday
How Much: Free

Jagermeister & Exclaim presents Boneyard BBQ:
This industry party is invite-only but you can win tickets through Exclaim. Along with food and drinks, there will be DJ sets by Death From Above 1979's Sebastien Grainger and Young Empires.
What: BBQ Party
Where: 291 College St.
When: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
How Much: Free, but you must win tickets through Exclaim.ca.

Wasted Away Again:
Musi Artist Development presents this free day show which will feature performances from Sound of Lions as well as two UK acts, Kovak and Heliopause.
What: Day show
Where: 627 Queen St. W.
When: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
How Much: Free

Saturday, June 16

NXNE Record Show 2012:
Feel like doing some shopping? This year, local record shop Kops Records is presenting the NXNE Record show, a one day vinyl show that will feature record dealers from across Ontario.
What: Record show
Where: Hyatt Regency Toronto, King Ballroom, Mezzanine Level
When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
How Much: $5 admission/free with NXNE pass or wristband/free for people under the age of 12

159 Manning BBQ:
The 4^th annual 159 Manning BBQ is back with 10 musical acts on three stages, five readers, four comedic acts, three DJs and not one but two 50lb pigs on a spit. This might not be a free event but, as proven year after year, this daytime event will be worth every penny. In Manning BBQ tradition, the line-up won't be revealed till the day of the event.
What: BBQ party
Where: 159 Manning
When: 1 p.m. – 11 p.m.
How Much: $30; limited amount of tickets on sale right now.

Panache & M For Montreal Present NXNE's Bruise Cruise:
Sick of partying on land? Then take it to the waters! The Bruise Cruise returns this year for a one-of-a-kind show experience on a boat. This year, Bleached, Mac DeMarco, Teenanger, Hooded Fang and Mr. Johnathan Toubin will perform.
What: Boat party
Where: Board at 207 Queens Quay W.
When: Boarding at 1 p.m., departing at 1:30 p.m., docking at 4:30 p.m.
How Much: Free for NXNE pass holders, $5 pre-sale, $10 at the door

NXNE DAYPARTY @ 218 Brock Ave:
Feel like you're not catching enough bands? Then head over to this day party where more than 20 bands will play 10 minute sets. The extensive list of bands include: Army Girls, Doldrums, Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians, Sean Nicholas Cage, Moon King, Foxes in Fiction and many more.
What: Day show
Where: 218 Brock Ave.
When: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
How Much: Free

Converse Presents a Free BBQ:
Free BBQ, a mini ramp and a best trick contest with a $1,000 prize. Not only do you not have to pay for this party, you might be able to leave with money!
What: BBQ party
Where: The Baitshop (358 Dufferin St, Suite 117)
When: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
How Much: Free

Silent Shout NXNE Synthbeque:
This day show/BBQ will feature some of the festival's most synth-tastic acts, including TOPS, Sean Nicholas Savage, Young Liars, Tezeta, Sexy Merlin and Cellphone.
What: BBQ party
Where: Milk Glass Co. (1247 Dundas St. W)
When: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
How Much: $5