If you haven't yet seen the extended, reimagined Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), don't wait any longer. Aside from Frank Gehry's spectacular extension, the museum now houses a bigger and better collection of art, with some tremendous additions from the Thomson and Frum collections. They include a flotilla of extraordinary model ships, an array of art and sculpture from sub-Saharan Africa, and a recent anonymous donation of the most significant collection of Australian Aboriginal art outside Australia. Plus there's the old favourites: 11000 years of Canadian art, Dutch and Flemish masters, Henry Moore, and a massive contemporary collection now overlooking Grange Park. The AGO is now as unique on the inside as it is on the outside. Get updated on the AGO site.

The Cinématheque presents a Jacques Tati retrospective

The Cinématheque's Summer season runs to August 23, and it's crammed with gems. For the Francophiles, there's lots: The Scatter-Brained Angel is a program of the films of Jacques Tati, in a full set of new 35mm prints imported from France. The French New Wave: Then and Now will include many established classics of the Nouvelle Vague, but also and rarely-screened films. And a retrospective of Jean-Pierre Melville's work will feature, among others, the recently re-released Army of Shadows. A long awaited programme of Otto Preminger's films will span the great Hollywood director's career, including Laura and The Man with the Golden Arm.

Keep an eye on the Cinématheque site, and drop in to Le Sélect before or after to discuss the movie. Cinématheque screenings take place at Jackman Hall in the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) - enter on McCaul St south of Dundas.

At the Royal Ontario Museum, better known as the ROM, most of the galleries are now open and there's lots to enjoy, including the collection of crystals which inspired Daniel Liebeskind's glass and metal siding extension. Light & Stone: Gems from the Collection of Michael Scott runs to November 15. Wedgwood: Artistry and Innovation collects 100 of the best examples of the English ceramics manufacturer (to July 5, 2009). Plus there's the permanent collection - everything from Chinese temple art to every kid's favourite, the Bat Cave. The ROM is also set to host an exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This collection of almost 900 ancient manuscripts includes portions of the Old Testament written in Aramaic, Greek and Hebrew. The first scrolls were accidentally discovered by a Bedouin, beginning in 1947, near the ruins of the ancient settlement of Khirbet Qumran, on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, then part of the British Mandate of Palestine. The majority of the scrolls collection was then excavated by teams of French and Jordanian archaeologists in the mid fifties and housed in a museum in East Jerusalem, which was then captured –along with the West Bank– by the Israeli army in 1967. The ROM has undertaken to present, along with some twenty scrolls, some background information on their turbulent recent history and their cultural importance.

At Leo Kamen Gallery, at 80 Spadina just north of King, they're preparing their summer show. Get updates on the Leo Kamen site.

Paintings by Douglas Walker at Nicholas Metevier Gallery

Still in our neighbourhood (and even closer to Le Sélect) is Nicholas Metivier Gallery, 451 King St West, west of Spadina. To June 20, see paintings by Douglas Walker. Check out the gallery website.

Factory Theatre is also an easy walk from Le Sélect, and always features outstanding new Canadian theatre. They're currently preparing the 2009-10 season, the theatre's fortieth, which will start on October 1 with True Love Lies by Brad Fraser. See more on the Factory Theatre website

The Canadian Opera Company is now at the Four Seasons Centre at Queen and University. In a special event for the start of summer, Mozart's Cosí Fan Tutte is on from June 15 to 21 at the Imperial Oil Theatre at 227 Front Street East - that's the old home of the Canadian Opera. Tickets are sold out, but more may become available closer to the time. Also, get familiar with the COC's free concert series- a run of lunchtime gigs covering everything from world music to dance to chamber music. The 2009-10 season starts on September 26 with Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Check the COC website for details.

Carmen

Also sharing the Four Seasons Centre is the National Ballet. The season closes with a provocative re-imagination of Carmen by Italian choreographer Davide Bombana, from June 6 to 14. Finally, they're putting on a specatcular fundraising gala on June 18. The 2009-10 season is due to kick off with Sleeping Beauty on November 13. More info on the National Ballet website.