Events: December 2008 Archives

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THEATRE: Clown spectacular Aga-Boom uses the theme of "paper" as its starting point and takes the audience on a crazy joyride from there. Tonight is the Canadian premiere for the acclaimed production designed by Cirque du Soleil veteran Dimitri Bogatirev, but the production has a very short run (until January 3). Partial proceeds from the show will be donated to The Hospital for Sick Children. Bluma Appel Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts (27 Front Street West), 1 p.m.......

COMEDY: David Shore and a full cast of guest improv artists host a bi-weekly show called Monkey Toast: The Improvised Talk Show. For each "episode" David Shore interviews up to three celebrity guests, providing the inspiration for the improv act to follow. Tonight's guests are Big Rude Jake and Jaymz Bee, which should make for some interesting moments. Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West), 8 p.m., pay-what-you-can. MUSIC: Be prepared for a full metal onslaught at The Underdogs Indie Music Festival. Most of these independent bands, with......

HOLIDAYS: The ROM has created a holiday companion for its new Earth's Treasures gem exhibit. Special holiday activities include mining for gems, panning for gold, making diamond tiaras, and constructing scientific models of diamonds. The museum has arranged family fun on all levels of the Lee-Chin Crystal, and on New Year’s Day each adult, senior, or student admission gets one child in for free. Royal Ontario Museum, (100 Queens Park), 11 a.m.–5 p.m., $22. MUSIC: It’s time to dance off all that turkey—or latkes, or tofurkey, or whatever.......

HOLIDAYS: Santa will be visiting the Toronto Humane Society on December 24. In exchange for a donation, Santa’s elves will give out free wicker pet beds made, their press release assures us, at the North Pole. Toronto Humane Society (11 River Street), 12 p.m., December 24, FREE. HOLIDAYS: If you were ever curious about the acoustics in the City Hall rotunda, you might get some answers on Wednesday. Triple choir madness is happening there at the City of Toronto’s Christmas Choral Celebration. The three choirs—All King's Voices, Toronto Beaches Children's......

HOLIDAYS: Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without a look at the seasonal window display of the Bay. The Bay calls this year’s theme “Enchanted Forest.” They’ve brought back last year’s animated Santa window, referring to it as an “encore presentation.” We’ll call it "used," but even Santa can be forgiven for being on a budget this year. The Bay Queen Street (176 Yonge Street), any time, FREE. MUSIC: Paul Linklater and Dave Bidini have alternated regular Tuesday night gigs at the Cameron this month. Tonight (and next Tuesday) they......

PARTY: Toronto’s own Chemical Sound Recording Studio is hosting a Christmas party at the Horseshoe. The bands that Chemical have invited to play at their party are Boys Who Say No, Invasions, and The Elwins. Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen Street West), 9 p.m., $5. COMEDY: What’s a Monday without comedy? Debra DiGiovanni hosts the Alt.Comedy Lounge this week, with stand-up performances by Daniela Saioni, James Butlin, Ben Mercer, Martha O'Neill, Nick Reynoldson, Bill Curry, Vida Zukauskas, Azfar Ali, and Johnny Legend. Rivoli Tavern (334......

FESTIVAL: Kensington Market Festival of Lights brightens the longest night of the year with music, dance, theatre, and a parade led by Olivia Chow. The parade is participatory, so bring something to make noise with—drums, pots and pans, bells, a loud voice—and a lantern. The parade ends with a celebratory fire at Bellevue Square Park. Intersection of Oxford and Augusta, 6 p.m., FREE. BRUNCH: Things are getting festive at the Tranzac today, in the form of Ye Olde Christmas Brunch. Hosts Victoria Kent, Erinn Langille, Mike LeBlanc, and Jeremy......

ART: Creature illustrator and Rue Morgue art director Gary Pullin is exhibiting his work for the first time ever. “I Remember Halloween: The Art of Ghoulish Gary Pullin” opens tonight with chilling Rue Morgue fanfare. The launch includes morbid music by DJ Tomb Dragomir and DJ Shannon, a foul feast of classic horror trailers, and sordid giveaways. The Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West), 8 p.m., $10. MUSIC: The delectable band from Montreal known as The Golden Hands Before God Conducts Incredible Magic Band and the......

DANCE: The Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre has put together Wintersong, a collection of dance pieces that celebrate the winter solstice. The troupe’s dancers are all under twenty-one years of age and are lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with some top choreographers. Themes for this year’s performance include the changing of the seasons, the poetry of William Butler Yeats, and Klezmer music. Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre (207 Queens Quay West), 8 p.m., $18 and $28. THEATRE: The comic writers at Cow Over Moon have......

MUSIC: Remember baggy pants, pure MDMA, and walking home as the sun cast its judging rays across the still streets at 7 a.m.? Well, the Crystal Method are back to do it all over again. Head down to hipsterville and catch their DJ set tonight. The Social (1100 Queen Street West), 10 p.m., $19.50 in advance. COMEDY: Laugh your ass off and help kids in need instead of laughing at them, you cruel monster. Bring a toy to donate to the Sick Kids Hospital and watch comedians Johnny Legend,......

THEATRE: Check out the last Harold Night improv show of the year this evening, featuring the brightest, most twisted comedic minds from across our fair city, in a team versus team battle for laughs. Tonight's competition features Beat Surrender, Charm School, and Away from the Numbers—whoever loses is forced to watch Love Guru. Bad Dog Theatre (138 Danforth Street), 8 p.m., $5. FILM: NFB Mediatheque presents World of Shorts (insert joke about gay soft core porn here) tonight, a collection of short films put together by the Canadian Film......

MUSIC: Human Highway is the result of a collaboration between singers Jim Guthrie and Nick Thorburn. They are currently touring their new album Moody Motorcycle, which brings them to the Tranzac Main Hall tonight. The Magic performs as the opening act. Tranzac (292 Brunswick Avenue), 8 p.m., $12. WORKSHOP: The latest do-it-yourself workshop at the Linuxcaffe covers the art of making jewellery from recycled electronic parts. No need to toss that keyboard into the trash when it can be reinvented as a lovely necklace......

WORDS: Get cozy on a hard church pew and listen to CBC’s Bill Richardson read the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Perhaps hearing the familiar voice relate how the power of Christmas spirit can overcome hard times will make the current hard times more enjoyable. Bloor Street United Church (300 Bloor Street West), 7 p.m., $15. FILM: If you’ve had it with the Christmas spirit, you may want to take advantage of the last chance to see Swedish vampire film Let The Right One In on a......

SPORTS: It’s the last day to get your fill of chrome and leather at the Toronto Motorcycle Show. “Extreme” biker Jason Britton will be showing off and signing autographs, and stunt siblings Cody and Kyle Ives will be riding around inside a steel-cage globe. For some unknown reason, there is also a birds of prey exhibit. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, south building (222 Bremner Boulevard), 10 a.m.–5 p.m., $15. MUSIC: Every Sunday between now and December 28, present and former members of Canadian Creative......

ART: The Institute for Contemporary Culture—the arm of the Royal Ontario Museum responsible for the recent "Unbuilt Toronto" exhibit—initiates phase two of “Housepaint,” an installation that invites Canada’s best street artists in from the cold. The project is a collaborative memorial to Toronto's former tent city, and is intended to continue addressing the issue of homelessness in Toronto. The resulting canvas houses will be auctioned off to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Royal Ontario Museum, Roloff Beny Gallery (100 Queen’s Park), 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.,......

ART: The Harbourfront Centre's Power Plant Gallery kicks off its winter season with a public reception tonight with three exhibitions addressing the uncertainties of the world around us. "If We Can't Get It Together," "Headless," and "Beauty Plus Pity" all feature homegrown and international artists, and the gallery promises an exciting series of lectures, films, and other ways to approach the idea that we've over-consumed our way into absolute emotional and fiscal bankruptcy. Happy holidays! The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery (231 Queen's Quay West), opening tonight 7:30–11 p.m.,......

MUSIC: Anti–bill C-61 filesharing defenders The Craft Economy celebrate the release of their new E.P., Is On Your Side, at Sneaky Dee's tonight with Provincial Parks and Whale Tooth. Copies of The Craft Economy's new album will be available at the show (we'd publish a direct link to download it, but that would probably be a bit cruel). Sneaky Dee's (431 College Street), 9 p.m., $7 ($5 with food donation). COMICS: Alternative comics, grassroots publishing, little napkins with scribbles on them we found on the bathroom......

"Socrates was a shit-disturber and Darwin was a super-nerd," says Peter Stevens, working on his "shortlist" of philosophers (and philosophies) to include in his "All the Philosophy" lecture this Thursday. Even if Hegel isn't your homeboy, Stevens claims he can help you find that certain someone—that certain "old, bearded, white dude"—who'll knock your proverbial socks off. Although Stevens acknowledges that Wikipedia has helped many epistemologically challenged individuals find "their" philosopher, the MEI Academy TA and Second City alum believes that his way of lecturing is the best way for you to find......

ART: Side Space Gallery open their "new.Re.new" exhibit today, featuring five artists. Each piece of fibrework, sculpture, or painting is by an artist either new to the gallery, new to the neighbourhood, or new to art creation in general, so be nice and offer directions to any amateur artists you find wandering aimlessly near the gallery. Side Space Gallery (1080 St. Clair Avenue West), opening reception at 7 p.m., runs until January 16, 2009, FREE. MUSIC: Feminist teen-mag Shameless celebrates its twelfth issue tonight with an all-ages dance party.......

Music and deafness haven't always been strangers. Rumour has it that Ludwig van Beethoven played on a legless piano so he could feel the vibrations of different notes when he lost his hearing. Today, he is celebrated not only for his musical achievements and timelessness, but for overcoming his disability, triumphing over something that could have otherwise muted his great masterpieces. But even Beethoven is merely one man. Fast-forward roughly two centuries, to a time when indie rock, rap, and anything-goes comprise the soundtrack for the Zeitgeist. Everything is grander, bigger, and multiplied.......

LECTURE: Part two of Spacing’s "The New Art of Suburbia" lecture and podcast is being presented tonight. “The Suburban Art Scene” has panelists Catherine Hernandez, Rafael Gomez, and Erika DeFreitas discussing the nature of support for the arts in the suburbs and questioning what's required to sustain the cultural scene. Spacing associate editor Shawn Micallef moderates. Centennial College Residence and Conference Centre, Scarborough Room (940 Progress Avenue), 7 p.m., FREE. MUSIC: It’s hard enough to make it as an indie band, but Australia’s Rudely Interrupted have had......

WORDS: In his newest book, Climate Wars, Canadian-born journalist Gwynne Dyer predicts a bleak future in the coming years should the current climate-change crisis remain unchecked. Popjournalism reviewer Ian Goodwillie calls the book a good choice if you want the crap scared out of you. The University of Toronto Bookstore Reading Series has invited Dyer to lecture about the subject of Climate Wars, so get ready to grab the edge of your seat in despair. MacMillan Theatre (80 Queens Park), 7:30 p.m., $25 ($10 for students). LECTURE: We......

The Buffalo Bills are back—and this time, it's for real! That's what Rogers' resident revisionist historians would have us believe, anyway. The first of the eight-game "Bills Toronto Series," a tepid preseason affair back in August, has been more-or-less dismissed as an experiment, a mere dry run in anticipation of today's "actual" game between the Bills and the Miami Dolphins. It's a convenient way of explaining away some of that game's glaring issues—notably a reported ten thousand comped tickets—but it's also an insult to the fans who paid good money to witness what......

FILM: Check out the new documentary Good Morning Kandahar for some insight into what Canada’s mission in Afghanistan means to Afghan-Canadian youth. Canadian filmmaker Ariel Nasr visits other young Afghanis around the world—including those in both homelands of Canada and Afghanistan—who grapple with living in countries at war with their own. Nasr will be in attendance. NFB Mediatheque (150 John Street), 2 p.m., $6. CRAFTS: The Workroom is a place that rents out sewing machines by the hour to those crafters who don’t have one of their own. The......

POLITICS: Canadian politics finally got juicy this week. Stephen Harper proved he didn’t understand how a Canadian parliament actually works, former NDP leader Ed Broadbent called him a liar, and Governor General Michaëlle Jean set in stone an alarming precedent. Canadian groups on both sides are holding rallies in Toronto this weekend. Try not to end up at the wrong one. Conservative supporters call theirs Rally for Canada. (Queen’s Park, 12–2 p.m., FREE.) Those supporting a collaborative majority of opposition parties will be at City Hall. (

SLUMBER PARTY: Kids are invited to pass out on the floor of the museum, without getting dragged out by security guards like you did during frosh week. The Royal Ontario Museum opens its doors tonight for a sleep-over like no other—children five and older are invited to check out dinosaur exhibits, talk to experts, watch a screening of A Night at the Museum, and take part in a late-night DJ/PJ party at ROMkids Sleepover: December. The night includes an evening snack, a healthy breakfast, and a high likelihood of someone looking......

We've all been there―after weeks of awaiting the holiday gift exchange, days of patiently repressing the urge to peek inside others' shopping bags, tiptoeing around on the morning of to shake and guess the contents of each gift, and, finally, ferociously ripping open a carefully wrapped package to uncover a pair of atrociously knit gloves, flower-scented soap, or of course, the inevitable socks and underwear combo. Even imitating reactions from Best Buy commercials can't save you now. While it's disappointing, it's important to understand that it......

FILM: Ah, Bruce LaBruce, with his blood, penises, more blood, and even more penises (we thought the Santa Claus Parade was missing something this year). Bruce LaBruce: A Retrospective hits the Royal Cinema tonight, featuring classics and the release of his new film, Otto; Or, Up With Dead People. As if that wasn't enough, a little duo named Crystal Castles are opening up for the first-night premier of Otto at 9 p.m. Gay porn and electro-punk? Now that's a Christmas party. Royal Cinema (608 College Street), December 4–6,......

Our response to the above juxtaposition was originally going to hinge on the observation that "The Simpsons already did it." (And so they have.) But upon learning that Kevin Bracken, the male half of Newmindspace, intends to permanently return to New York next month—putting the future of the group in the air—we must acknowledge that the lolgay takes on an unintended wistfulness. One of Toronto's best-known straight couples whose names your parents wouldn't know, Kevin Bracken and Lori Kufner were alternately described as artists and activists, as organizers and ravers,......

Pity the poor shopper just trying to muddle through a holiday checklist. As economic and environmental issues continue to dominate the news, shopping is becoming an increasingly fraught experience—how and where we spend our money is now a subject of moral analysis. In the last few days we’ve been buying artisanal, buying a lot, and buying nothing at all. This week’s message: buy local. Cities across North America are celebrating Buy Local Week from December 1–7. Toronto’s participation is co-sponsored by TABIA, the association of business improvement areas,......

DISCUSSION: Are re-runs of Inside the Actors Studio starting to bore you? Then check out View Points: Inside the Musicians Studio tonight, with DJ and journalist Denise Benson stepping in for James Lipton, and Rolf Klausener of The Acorn and Slim Twig stepping in for Al Pacino. Learn about the complex thought processes and strains of really good weed behind the magic that is song writing. Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West), 7 p.m., $5 at the door. MUSIC: Toronto's Telephone Explosion Records light up Sneaky Dee's tonight......

COMEDY: This week’s Sketch Comedy Lounge is hosted by Andrew Johnston, former Video on Trial comic. Featured guests are The Imponderables (the clowns behind The Waldo Ultimatum). Ron Sparks, another Video on Trial alumnus, will read from his desk. The Chapuda Brothers also perform. The Rivoli Back Room (332 Queen Street West) 9 p.m., pay-what-you-can. THEATRE: Calgary troupe One Yellow Rabbit give their opening performance of Sylvia Plath Must Not Die. The play looks at the lives of Anne Sexton and