Today in Toronto: the 33rd edition of Buddies' Rhubarb Festival begins, the Drake hosts an eight-day birthday celebration starting with indie pop band Ohbijou, and two-man play Hughie starts a two and a half week run at the Theatre Centre.

By Laura Hewitt

Ohbijou. Photo by Reynard Li.

FESTIVAL: For the 33rd year in a row, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is presenting The Rhubarb Festival, Toronto’s longest-running new-work festival. Rhubarb will go on for two weeks, and will feature over 100 artists, all of them aiming to entertain with a mix of theatre, dance, music, performance art, poetry, video, and more. There’s lots on the schedule for tonight, including the festival’s kick-off bash with DJ Phil V, MC Jazz, and Messapotamia LeFae. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street), various times, FREE–$20.

MUSIC: You might think a typical eighth birthday party would be full of clowns, cupcakes, and loot bags, but not when the birthday is the Drake Hotel’s! The hot spot is hosting an “8 Days a Week” celebration with eight-themed everything, including cocktails, hotel rooms, and an art show with 88 pieces. Beginning the celebration is Toronto indie pop act Ohbijou, who will be playing at the Underground tonight. The Drake Hotel Underground (1150 Queen Street West), 8 p.m., $20.

THEATRE: Eugene O’Neill’s Hughie is coming to the stage at the Theatre Centre. Michael Kash will be playing the role of Erie Smith, and Dean Ifill will be taking the title role, Charlie Hughes. The play, a 45-minute, two-character, one-act performance about a small-time hustler and hotel night clerk, set in 1928 New York City, has graced the Broadway stage a number of times, including in 1996 with Al Pacino as the main character. Performances run Tuesday through Saturday until March 3. The Theatre Centre (100-1087 Queen Street West), 8 p.m., $20–$25.

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