Urban Planner: October 5, 2009

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.

Photo of Night of Dread death mask dancer in 2006 by TorontoStreet, from Torontoist Flickr Pool

CRAFTS: On October 24, Clay & Paper Theatre's 10th Annual Night of Dread parade will take place at Dufferin Grove Park, drawing inspiration from the various festivals of death and remembrance observed in different cultures around the world (think Mexican Day of The Dead mixed with fire spinners). In preparation for the Night of Dread parade, a series of drop-in workshops will be held at the Dufferin Clubhouse starting today. As a volunteer you'll be helping the Clay & Paper Theatre create the monstrous costumes that you and other revellers can don come October 24. You can use your imagination when creating the creatures that most strike fear into your heart, but just so you know, Stephen Harper has been done before. Dufferin Clubhouse (875 Dufferin Street), 12–8 p.m., FREE.

SCIENCE: Café scientifique is a pretty cool idea that was born in the United Kingdom and is spreading quickly to other countries. Held in a café or bar, scientists gather with everyday people and talk about their work in terms any layman can understand. SickKids Research Institute is hosting a Café scientifique today called "It's Gettin' Hot In Here: Climate Change and Global Patterns in Emerging Infectious Diseases." SickKids researchers Dr. David Fisman, Dr. Nicola Jones, and Dr. Amy Greerwill will join moderator Dr. Brent Derry in a discussion about the effect that climate change will have on global health issues. Once the discussion is done you can learn how well scientists take in a pint! The Pilot Tavern, Stealth Lounge (22 Cumberland Street), 6–8 p.m., FREE.

WORDS: James Ellroy—master of noir-esque crime fiction books such as L.A. Confidential, The Black Dahlia, and White Jazz—is in Toronto today to read at the Harbourfront Centre from Blood's a Rover, his first novel in eight years. Film critic Richard Crouse will conduct an interview with the delightfully blunt author, who's had many of his novels translated onto the screen (to varying degrees of success). York Quay Centre (235 Queens Quay West), 7:30 p.m., $8 (free for members and students).

WORDS: It's time to get your cry on. Tuesdays with Morrie author Mitch Albom will appear today at Indigo's flagship store at Bay and Bloor streets. He'll be discussing his first non-fiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have A Little Faith, and signing books afterwards. Have a Little Faith is similar to Tuesdays in that Albom, the main character, has to have a series of deep conversations with a rabbi from his hometown after he is asked to write the rabbi's eulogy. Indigo (55 Bloor Street West), 7 p.m., FREE.