By Frank

Things have been quiet of late at Lee’s Palace, which has been closed since the start of July for renovations. The venue will remain dark for the next week, but will reopen next Wednesday the 13th just in time to host the Toronto debut of The Go! Team, also this week’s NOW cover story.
With their 2004 debut album Thunder, Lightning, Strike, the Brighton UK outfit has been creating huge buzz with their addictive blend of dance, rock and hip-hop. Even in Toronto they should have no problem getting the hipsters to shake what they’ve got. Tickets were $13.50 but this has been ridiculously sold out for ages now, so if you’re without ducats and want to get in, good luck to you.
But Wednesday is a long ways off – there’s other stuff going on in town this weekend. Check it out after the jump.

Thursday, July 7:
Alt-country diva and honourary Canadian Neko Case takes the stage at Harbourfront Centre’s CIBC Stage with The Corb Lund Band (admission $20). Neko is finishing up support of last year’s live The Tigers Have Spoken before turning her attention to the new New Pornographers album and tour this Fall. Her new studio album should be out next March. Elsewhere, Kathryn Rose celebrates the release of her new self-titled album at the Mod Club, tickets $10.
Friday, July 8:
Celebrate Toronto kicks off at Dundas Square with free performances from Great Big Sea, Holly Cole, Jully Black and Broken Social Scene. Get there early, the crowds for this one will be massive.
Saturday, July 10:
Two generations of college rock gods come together at the Molson Amphitheatre when Pixies and Weezer entertain the bespectacled. Tickets $33.25 to $58.75. And just down the waterfront, the Beats, Breaks & Culture festival goes down at Harbourfront Centre. Featuring performances from bands like Out Hud, LAL and Dragonette as well as DJ sets and breakdancing, admission is free.
Sunday, July 11:
The 271st edition of Wavelength presents Montreal’s Aidswolf, Rhode Island’s Athletic Automation and Edmonton’s All Purpose Voltage Heroes. Sneaky Dee’s, pay what you can. Or if you want the complete opposite of this bill, head down to the Molson Amphitheatre to catch Black Eyed Peas, Talib Kweli and Fatty Koo. Also pay what you can, as long as you can pay between $40 and $50.
Monday, July 11:
Anyone who knows of anything going on in town on Monday has better intel than I do.
Tuesday, July 12:
That funny smell coming from the Toronto Islands would be The Big Summer Classic tour going down at Olympic Island. Bands in attendance include the String Cheese Incident and Michael Franti & Spearhead. Tickets $37.50. New wave wannabes The Bravery are at the Opera House with The Dead 60s ($16.50), the best rapper to ever come out of Nova Scotia Buck 65 is at the Mod Club ($16.50) and British blues legend John Mayall and his Bluesbreakers are at the Phoenix, tickets $28.50.
Wednesday, July 13:
Definitely the whitest man in blues, maybe the whitest man in music, Johnny Winter does the blue rock thing at the Opera House, tickets $34.50.
Thanks as always to Zoilus and Stille Post’s Splendid Butterfly for their invaluable Toronto gig guides.