Urban Planner: July 27, 2009

Urban Planner is Torontoist's daily guide to what's on in Toronto, published every morning. If you have an event you'd like considered, email all of its details—as well as images, if you've got any—to events@torontoist.com.

Photo of Jack Layton appearing at Monkey Toast by ardenstreet from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

COMEDY: Having just been nominated for four Canadian Comedy Awards, Monkey Toast: The Improvised Talk Show is still going strong after several years as one of Toronto's foremost comedy shows. The premise is simple: the host, David Shore, interviews a few local celebrities (past guests include Mayor David Miller, writer/actor Don McKellar, and musician Peaches), and then a team of improvisers create skits based on the interviews. Tonight, musician Big Rude Jake, Susan Fischer character Evelyn Reese, NDP leader Jack Layton, and MP Olivia Chow will sit down with Shore. The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West), 8 p.m. (doors at 7:30 p.m.), pay-what-you-can.

MUSIC: In the same building as Monkey Toast (two birds, one stone, people) is the newly relocated Groovy Mondays, which has made the move from Mitzi's Sister to the Gladstone Hotel's Melody Bar. Having run since August 2001, this long-standing Monday-night feast of open-mike goodness is all about experiencing the talent Toronto (and the world) has to offer. Musicians are invited to sign up and play two songs (or more, if time allows), and at 10 p.m. the featured performer takes the stage. This week's featured artist is Eric Fisher. Gladstone Hotel, Melody Bar (1214 Queen Street West), doors open and musician sign-up at 8 p.m., FREE.

FILM: Courtesy of the horror-loving scribes at Rue Morgue, the 1964 Brazilian horror flick At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul will have a special screening at the Bloor Cinema, followed by a Q&A with the writer/director/actor, José Mojica Marins. The film was the first in a trilogy featuring the villain Coffin Joe, a character that was inspired by a dream the director once had. This is a particularly violent film, considering its age, and it involves several murders, a fortuitous gypsy (kind of like another recent old-school horror film), and rape. This is Marins' first appearance in Canada and a rare chance to see what's considered Brazil's first horror film. Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor Street West), 9:30 p.m., $10.

WORDS: After forming at the finals in this past April's Toronto Poetry Slam, 4Women—the self-proclaimed first ever Canadian all-female poetry slam team—have set their sights on Florida for the American National Poetry Slam Championships, but they need your help getting there. You can show your support tonight at their fundraiser at Clinton's Tavern. They'll be performing some new material and holding a silent auction of things such as dinner for two at some local restaurants, gift baskets, books, and gift certificates. Clinton's Tavern (693 Bloor Street West), 7:30 p.m., $10.