Hello Fun, Hello Sun.

Once the degrees become two digit numbers, and we all tuck our mittens and coats away, we can rest assured that summer is coming by. Thankfully, the well loved season isn't some door-to-door salesman we quickly ignore. Summer is more like a pizza delivery man we embrace with open arms. Summer, we've been hungry for you.

Now, here we find ourselves at a delicious summer buffet. So many possibilities; can we even fit it all on one plate? For those already lathering on the sunscreen, waiting for the beach to warm up, here are my ideas as to what makes for an amusing, entertaining summer.

1.

The stunning, smart, sophisticated Jennifer Lindsay of Peacock Productions Inc. is making a directorial debut with the play Cowboy Mouth, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Sam Sheppard. It tells the story of the dysfuntional relationship between a deranged woman and an unstable, wannabe rockstar. There's a giant lobster involved in there somehow! So why not check it out and support local theatre. The three-day event at the Poor Alex Theatre generously offers live music too, including acclaimed (by bar goers in Brampton) band Big City Nights.

Tickets are $10 when purchased at La Casa del Habano at 141 Yorkville Ave. Tickets are $15 at the door.

2.

Running from now until August 30th at the recently renovated Art Gallery of Ontario is an exhibit of all things surreal. From fashion, film, photography, furniture there's plenty to explore when diving into the twisted relationship between surrealism and commercialism.

General admission is $18. For full-time students with i.d. it's only $10.

3.

Arguably the best thing out of Sweden since ABBA, Lykke Li will grace us fans with her music Sunday, August 9th at The Sound Academy.

It seems this beautiful nomad barely released her first studio album, Youth Novels, and this will be her second time performing in Toronto since the album dropped. In a recent half hour interview on Carson Daly, Lykke Li says "I just want my fans to have an open mind" in regards to the genre of music she makes. She's collaborated with rapper Kanye West on a N.A.S.A. track, she sang on electropop performer Kleerup's recent album and even got away with covering a grungy Kings of Leon tune and making it her own. Lykke Li proves so consistently that she can make a gem out of any kind of genre, and that is something very rare in music artists these days.

Tickets for the show are $26.50 at Rotate This (801 Queen St. West) or at ticketmaster.ca.

4.

Game. Set. Match. Summer's the best time to unleash your inner Andre Agassi and play some tennis. No, not on the wii, the REAL thing! One thing that makes tennis a fine sport is that it's something anyone can play independently (unless, of course, you're playing Doubles). No team of twelve required. Courts are usually free and available everyone in and around the city.

Granted, there's more than four ways to entertain yourself this summer season. But perhaps this list can be a stepping stone for some people, including hermits. Astronomically speaking, summer doesn't officially begin until June 21st, but go ahead, knock yourself out, have some premature fun.