EDITOR'S PICKS

As summer sizzles, the cool waters of Lake Ontario beckon.

DAY TRIPPER
The newly transformed Torontonian from the Mariposa Cruise Lines fleet gives the Toronto Harbour a splash of colour with a kaleidoscope of airbrushed butterflies. Book a Sunday cruise for a leisurely sojourn. $24.95 to $48.95; call 416-203-0178 to reserve.

TORONTO BY NIGHT
Enjoy views of the city by moonlight aboard the Toronto Harbour Tour , a one-hour evening cruise that wends around the inner harbour and picturesque island lagoons. $14.95 to $24.95; call 416-869-1372 for details.

LAND & LAKE
See the city two ways with The Bus and Boat Company, a tour of neighbourhoods and top attractions on a double-decker bus, followed by a boat exploration of 14 islands. $15 to $31.50; call 416-410-0536 to book.

PLAY WITH THE STINGRAYS
On Now! Go hand to fin with some fishy friends at Stingray Bay: A Touching Experience, an exclusive exhibit at the Toronto Zoo. Meet up to 30 of these docile, diamond-shaped creatures related to the shark family, including the cownose and southern ray stingrays. Supervised feedings and keeper talks, too. 361-A Old Finch Avenue, general admission $12 to $20, plus special admission ($3) for show; call 416-392-5929 for details.

SHAKESPEARE BENEATH THE STARS
On Now! What would the Bard have written if he had been a hip-hop artist instead of a poet? A Midsummer Night's Dream, the latest offering from the Canadian Stage Company's Dream in High Park, offers an urban twist on one of the British playwright's most popular works. Expect mischievous fairies and mismatched lovers seeking refuge while causing mayhem in this enchanted forest turned industrial wasteland. High Park Amphitheatre, Tuesday to Sunday 8 p.m., tickets PWYC ($20 suggested); call 416-367-1652 for information.

PRE-THEATRE FUN
July 6, 13, 20 & 27: before the show, peek behind the scenes with Family Nights at the Dream, featuring free backstage tours, interactive craft and costume workshops and games. High Park Amphitheatre, 5 p.m.; registration required, call 416-367-8243, ext. 277 to book.

STREET SMARTS
Opens July 29. Avenue Q is the kind of place people end up on their way to Sesame Street -- if their car breaks down in the wrong neighbourhood. In this politically incorrect but hysterical musical, puppets -- and actors bringing them to life -- parody existence on one of childhood's most famous thoroughfares. But instead of learning their ABCs, its denizens humorously confront complex issues such as addiction, depression and unemployment. Elgin Theatre, Tuesday to Saturday 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. and select Sundays at 7:30 p.m., $50 to $100; call 416-872-5555 to buy.

THE PLAY'S THE THING
July 2 to 13. The Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival, the city's biggest thespian celebration, marks its milestone 20th anniversary with more than 150 shows. Blood Orange Theatre stages playwright Anna Standish's dark comedy Pokeroot and Mistletoe about a demon who takes on a young boy as his pet project. Standish was the runner-up in last year's 24-Hour Playwriting Contest, which returns this year as a continuous caffeine-fueled 20-hour writing experience. Tickets $10 or less; call 416-966-1062 for tickets, a schedule and venues.

BATTLE OF THE BACKHANDS
July 19 to 27. Watching a yellow ball zoom back and forth has never been as exciting as when it's being slammed across the court by tennis's top stars at the Rogers Cup. The game's marquee names, including Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, compete stroke for stroke in hopes of securing the $2.45 million US purse. Novak Djokovic, who beat out No. 1 seed Federer last year in Montreal, also returns to defend his title. Catch the match point at the finals on July 27. Rexall Centre, $10 to $285; call 1-877-283-6647 for tickets.

LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING
July 23 to 27. Comedy's biggest names headline bust-your-gut-giggling gala performances as part of the Just For Laughs Toronto Festival. Canada's own Martin Short hosts the fun on July 24, followed by Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) on July 25 and Jimmy Fallon (Saturday Night Live) on July 26. Massey Hall, 7 & 9:30 p.m., $55 and up; call 416-872-4255 to buy.

ISLAND JAM
On Now! Get into the island groove with the rhythmic tones of calypso, soca, reggae and chutney music styles, which provide the soundtrack for Scotiabank Caribana. This beloved annual celebration of all things Caribbean is the largest in North America. The party officially kicks off on July 15 at Nathan Phillips Square (Queen and Bay streets). Don't miss the traffic-stopping parade on August 2, which wends its way along Lake Shore Boulevard. The shimmering -- and often skimpy -- costumes and elaborate headpieces in a spectrum of colours are a true fashion statement. Call 416-391-5608 for more information.

YOU'VE GOTTA HAVE FAITH
July 17. George Michael is waking up and go-going on tour. The former Wham! frontman celebrates his silver anniversary in the music industry with his first North American tour in nearly two decades. Along with the cross-continent performances, the English singer-songwriter released a double-CD retrospective entitled Twenty-Five with 29 of his top hits including "Faith" and "Careless Whispers." Air Canada Centre, 8 p.m., $69.50 to $199.50; call 416-870-8000 for tickets.