By Anne Joyce

Urban Planner is Torontoist’s guide to what’s on in Toronto, published every weekday morning, and in a weekend edition Friday afternoons. 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.

DJ Anuj Rastogi (seen here at Toronto’s 2006 festival) will be spinning unreleased material and select cuts from his new EP, Dark Material, at this year’s Indian Electronica Festival. Photo by Qasim Virjee.

MUSIC: There’s no denying that South Asia has a rich and varied musical tradition, in keeping with every other facet of the region’s vibrant cultural make-up. And with a country like India at the forefront of the technology boom, it’s not surprising that a unique fusion of new and old is emerging from the region and gaining popularity around the world. Toronto-based Indian Electronica—an online community, record label, and radio station—prides itself on promoting avant-garde electronic music inspired by South Asian traditions. In 2006, IE pulled together their first music festival, which has since travelled to London, New York, and Bombay. This year marks the return of the festival to its hometown, with some incredible talent on board. DJs like Abdul Smooth, Nathan Lee and Anuj Rastogi will be steaming up Rolly’s Garage—a fully functional auto-mechanics garage turned party palace. Broadcast live on IE Radio, this is one party that shouldn’t be missed by anyone who appreciates electronic or South Asian music (or both!). Rolly’s Garage (124 Ossington Avenue); 9 p.m.–3 a.m.; $5 before 10 p.m., $10 after.
FESTIVAL: Some like it hot and some like it really, really hot, which is why the twelfth edition of Toronto’s Hot and Spicy Food Festival is sure to draw as many salivating palettes as years previous. Tonight kicks off a weekend of festivities combining a passion for spicy food from around the world with sizzling music and other art forms. At the Red Hot Marketplace, you can dare to sample all kinds of spices, sauces, marinades, and dips from over twelve vendors. In sync with the theme of food that pushes boundaries is tonight’s screening of Michael Schmidt: Organic Hero or Bioterrorist, a documentary that outlines the near-celebrity farmer’s fight to legalize raw milk and products made from it. Schmidt will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. Also on today’s menu is the strange stylings of the Sauce Boss, who demonstrates his gumbo-making and rock-’n'-roll skills all on the same stage, in the same performance. Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West), 6 p.m., FREE.
MUSIC: On its fourth compilation, Hi-Hat Recordings introduces us to seventeen of Canada’s best independent bands. What began as a DIY affair—with self-manufactured CDs and cover art designed by fans—is now distributed nationally by Sonic Unyon. To celebrate its release, Hi-Hat has organized two wicked nights of music at Rancho Relaxo. Friday’s bill includes Toronto’s own Spookey Ruben, as well as a variety of upcoming bands you may not have heard (of) before like Black Hat Brigade. Rancho Relaxo (300 College Street); doors at 9 p.m.; $7 for show, $10 for show plus compilation.
ENVIRONMENT: With no Ontario stewardship program available to help us recycle them, microwaves—owned by 95% of the Canadian population—are a key contributor to the more than 144,000 tonnes of e-waste being tossed into landfills each year. The first of its kind, Panasonic’s weekend-long event, “Trade Your Wave,” encourages Torontonians to bring in their old microwaves to be safely recycled. As well as conserving waste, you can earn up to fifty dollars towards a brand new microwave if purchased at the trade-in. Select Futureshop locations: 2400 Yonge Street, 2625A Weston Road, 845 Eglinton Avenue East, 10 Old Stock Yards Road; noon–8 p.m.