Urban Planner: August 4, 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 piece from last year's Dusk Dances by jbach from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

DANCE: Dusk Dances are well into their fifteenth season, bringing contemporary and traditional dance to scattered parks across the GTA. This year, Dusk Dances are performing in three different locations—the first being Earlscourt Park last month. Starting tonight they will have their second run at Withrow Park, presenting five eclectic dance pieces inspired by the park itself. Once dusk descends, music from Samba Squad will start the show. Audience members will be led to each dance piece, set up in different areas of the park and lasting ten minutes each. Withrow Park (725 Logan Avenue), 7 p.m., pay-what-you-can.

LECTURE: The Real News Cafe has been on hiatus for a few months, but tonight it makes up for lost time with a lively discussion between writer Eric Margolis and Real News Senior Editor Paul Jay. Tonight's discussion asks the question, "Why are we in Afghanistan?" Much of the discussion will stem from Margolis' latest book, American Raj: Liberation or Domination? Resolving the Conflict Between the West and the Muslim World, but it will also cover recent issues concerning Iran, Pakistan, and the surrounding region. For those who can't make it to the live discussion, the whole thing will be streamed from the Real News website, and you can participate in the live chat there. Gladstone Hotel, Melody Bar (1214 Queen Street West), 7 p.m., FREE (RSVP here or call 416-916-5202; arrive early to get a seat).

ART: The photos seen on Coffee Stained Cards' handcrafted cards are often nostalgic, sometimes funny, and always thoughtful. Tonight, the boutique greeting card company brings their art off the standard four-and-a-half by five-and-a-half-inch card stock and onto the walls of Not My Dog for an exhibition of photographer Trish Cook's work. Cook, owner and operator for Coffee Stained Cards, will be there to discuss her work, and musician Dan Gordon will provide the tunes. Not My Dog (1510 Queen Street West), 8 p.m., FREE.

MUSIC: Amazing Baby have just gotten off a successful run opening for French pop band Phoenix's latest tour and are now on a little jaunt of their own. Tonight they're hitting up the Drake Underground with local favourites Everything All The Time as openers. Amazing Baby's sound has that sort of dirty rock flavour of more modern times, but their roots are placed firmly in campy '80s garage rock (an impression intensified by their "Hungry Like the Wolf"–esque music video for "Headdress"). Drake Hotel, Underground (1150 Queen Street West), 8 p.m., $13 at Rotate This, Soundscapes, or Ticketmaster; $15 at the door (19+).