Motorcyclists at Lake Balaton, 1954. Photo by Gabor Szilasi.

• Photography: Photographer Gabor Szilasi has been taking pictures for half a century. Now his pieces, taken primarily in 1950s and post-1980s Hungary, 1970s Rural Quebec, and 1950s-present Montreal make up his exhibition, The Eloquence of the Everyday. Organized by the Musée d’art de Joliette and the National Gallery of Canada, and curated by David Harris, each section combines portraits with cityscapes and rural life, illustrating Szilasi’s focus on the centrality of community. Ryerson Image Centre (33 Gould Street), 7 p.m., FREE. Details
• Food: If you’ve ever tried to stick to a gluten-free or vegan diet, you know it isn’t always easy. Join Laurie Sadowski, The Allergy-Free Cook, as she hosts a seminar on allergy-friendly baking. Armed with tips and tricks to try at home, she’ll be prepared to answer all your questions about baking without gluten, soy, eggs, and dairy. Brentwood Branch, Toronto Public Library (36 Brentwood Road North), 7 p.m., FREE. Details
• Dance: Who says ballerinas can’t wear cowboy boots? Dancers of the National Ballet of Canada will do just that during the production of James Kudelka’s The Man in Black. Set to songs by the man in black himself—Johnny Cash—the choreography borrows from line, swing, and step dancing. As an added bonus, the show also includes a performance of Jorma Elo’s Pur ti Miro, Guillaume Côté’s No. 24, and George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen Street West), 7:30 p.m., $25-$239. Details

Ongoing…

• Art: Theatre, Dance, Opera, Music, Magic, and so much more; the 2013 edition of the Luminato Festival has something for just about everyone. You can read our preview coverage, or keep track of our ongoing coverage right here. Multiple venues, 12 p.m., FREE—$125. Details
• Theatre: One of the Fringe Festival’s greatest successes, and definitely Soulpepper’s biggest post-millennial hit, Ins Choi’s corner store comedy Kim’s Convenience returns for another extended run into the the summer season. Most of the principal cast, including Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as larger-than-life patriarch Appa, are back. Here’s our review of the first Soulpepper remount. Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane), 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., $5–$68. Details
• Performing Arts: Cats is a challenging musical to stage for a number of reasons. The narrative is thin and strange; the lyrics are drawn primarily from T.S. Eliot’s poetry collection Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats, with more borrowed from some other Eliot poems, “Rhapsody on a Windy Night” (which original director Trevor Nunn adapted into the song “Memory”) and “Moments of Happiness.” The result is not so much a story as ideas and character sketches. Old Deuteronomy, patriarch of the Jellicle Cats, calls the creatures together once a year to celebrate, and for one cat to be chosen to ascend to the Heaviside Layer (essentially, to die and be reincarnated). Most of the songs detail the adventures and virtues of a single cat in particular, essentially serving as that cat’s audition for the honour of ascension. Panasonic Theatre (651 Yonge Street), 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., $60–$110. Details
• Offbeat: Folks who are planning on having a swim in the pool at Scadding Court Community Centre over the next few days may find themselves a little disappointed. Those who want to go fishing, however, will probably be ecstatic.

  For the rest of the week, the Community Centre will be holding its annual Gone Fishin’ event, meaning its indoor pool will be an indoor fish pond. The pool has been drained, dechlorinated, and refilled with 2,000 rainbow trout, to be caught by local children and families. Scadding Court Community Centre (707 Dundas Street West), 3:30 p.m., $2. Details

• Art: HUNTCLUB brings Montreal artist Fred Caron’s Trust Isn’t an Issue to its gallery for a two-week exhibition, beginning with an opening on Monday, June 10. The street artist is focusing on aspects of Stockholm syndrome for his installation’s short run in Toronto; later this summer, he’ll be the co-curator for on-site art at the Osheaga Festival. In addition to the opening, Caron is also doing an artist’s talk on Tuesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. HUNTCLUB (709 College Street), 6 p.m., FREE. Details

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 us with all the details (including images, if you’ve got any), ideally at least a week in advance.

François Cluzet and Omar Sy star in Intouchables. Photo courtesy of The Weinstein Company.

• Film: Not interested in any of the summer blockbusters occupying theatre screens right now? Why not check out what the Toronto Public Library has in store with their Afternoon at the Movies series? The feature of the day is 2011′s French film, Intouchables: a comedic story of an aristocratic quadriplegic, his attendant from the projects, and the unconventional friendship that blooms between them. Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street), 2 p.m., FREE. Details

Ongoing…

• Art: Theatre, Dance, Opera, Music, Magic, and so much more; the 2013 edition of the Luminato Festival has something for just about everyone. You can read our preview coverage, or keep track of our ongoing coverage right here. Multiple venues, 12 p.m., FREE—$125. Details
• Art: HUNTCLUB brings Montreal artist Fred Caron’s Trust Isn’t an Issue to its gallery for a two-week exhibition, beginning with an opening on Monday, June 10. The street artist is focusing on aspects of Stockholm syndrome for his installation’s short run in Toronto; later this summer, he’ll be the co-curator for on-site art at the Osheaga Festival. In addition to the opening, Caron is also doing an artist’s talk on Tuesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. HUNTCLUB (709 College Street), 6 p.m., FREE. Details
• Theatre: Passion Play is an epic cycle of three plays that explores how religion, politics, and theatre intersect. The three-act play, which starts off in Withrow Park before moving down to Eastminster United Church, depicts traditional passion plays throughout three historical periods. This play by Sarah Ruhl is presented by Outside the March, Convergence Theatre, and Sheep No Wool. Multiple venues, 7 p.m., $25. Details
• Theatre: One of the Fringe Festival’s greatest successes, and definitely Soulpepper’s biggest post-millennial hit, Ins Choi’s corner store comedy Kim’s Convenience returns for another extended run into the the summer season. Most of the principal cast, including Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as larger-than-life patriarch Appa, are back. Here’s our review of the first Soulpepper remount. Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane), 7:30 p.m., $5–$68. Details
• Performing Arts: Cats is a challenging musical to stage for a number of reasons. The narrative is thin and strange; the lyrics are drawn primarily from T.S. Eliot’s poetry collection Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats, with more borrowed from some other Eliot poems, “Rhapsody on a Windy Night” (which original director Trevor Nunn adapted into the song “Memory”) and “Moments of Happiness.” The result is not so much a story as ideas and character sketches. Old Deuteronomy, patriarch of the Jellicle Cats, calls the creatures together once a year to celebrate, and for one cat to be chosen to ascend to the Heaviside Layer (essentially, to die and be reincarnated). Most of the songs detail the adventures and virtues of a single cat in particular, essentially serving as that cat’s audition for the honour of ascension. Panasonic Theatre (651 Yonge Street), 7:30 p.m., $60–$110. Details

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 us with all the details (including images, if you’ve got any), ideally at least a week in advance.

Literally everyone in the city came out to see The National on Friday night.

NXNE has come to a close for another year. Here’s the best and weirdest of what we saw. (Now please excuse us as we attempt to readjust to a regular sleep schedule and a diet that doesn’t just consist of free barbecue.)

Best Songs About Murder: This Hisses
FROM: Winnipeg, Manitoba
PERFORMED: Wednesday, June 12, 12 a.m. at the Hard Luck Bar

Pre-Show Hype: Moderate. Last year the group played to far too few audience members, but this year it had more support.

Performance: Great. The band’s smoky, swoony post-punk noir was a great fit for the comfortable griminess of the Hard Luck Bar. The set had a tightly coiled, shivering energy to it. Launching into the title track of its new record, Anhedonia, the band channelled the kind of cracking, electric energy that usually heralds a thunderstorm.

Best Moment: A live rendition of stunning murder ballad “My Love He Shot A Sparrow” was breathtaking. Vocalist and bassist Julia Ryckman’s voice was both tragic and syrup sweet.

Miscellaneous: Julia Ryckman may have been wearing the most stunning red dress I have ever seen in my entire life.

Verdict: The members of This Hisses are on the cusp of greatness, improving their stage presence and confidence each time they perform. Their set was one of the underground wonders of NXNE this year.

Best Cover: Gentleman Reg
FROM: Guelph, Ontario
PERFORMED: Thursday, June 12, 12 a.m., at The Rivoli

Gentleman Reg (indie) rocks the Rivoli.

Reason: There are all sorts of reasons for music acts to bust out a cover. Mikal Cronin used one to supercharge his closing number for an already fired-up crowd (in Cronin’s case, Wreckless Eric’s “Whole Wide World”). Dance outfit Bear Mountain used snatches of a familiar tune (Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”) in the middle of their own composition to lend it some familiarity. Vancouver duo Data Romance put their own haunting touches on Johnny Cash’s “If I Were a Carpenter” for a small but rapt crowd. But newly indie (again) artist Gentleman Reg’s cover of Sheryl Crow’s “If It Makes You Happy” was our favourite of the fest, thanks to vocals by both him and bandmate Kelly McMichael.

Best Moment: Reg stepped down to the lip of the stage for this one, to serenade the crowd.

Miscellaneous: “She’s awesome,” sighed a girl in the audience as McMichael started in on the song’s namesake refrain line.

Verdict: All of these artists had their own strong material. But it’s always a treat when a musician shares a favourite tune, and Reg and Kelly have made this one a lovely signature.

Best Band We Saw Out of Boredom: Janitors
FROM: Toronto, Ontario
PERFORMED: Wednesday, June 12, 12 a.m. at the Velvet Underground

Pre-Show Hype: Absolutely none. There literally could not have been less hype surrounding this show. We couldn’t even find a video of these guys to run with this post.

Performance: With hundreds of acts playing dozens of venues, you’d think it would be pretty much imposssible for there to be a dead spot in the NXNE schedule. Yet at least once a festival, we find ourselves looking at our smartphones saying, “I don’t really want to see any of this shit.” While most people would take this as a welcome chance to get some food, we just chose a band at random at hoped for the best.

In this case, we lucked out. The boiler-suit-and-Zorro mask-clad Janitors are the latest in the great Torontonian tradition of unbelievably loud two-person bands. They play high-energy, thrashy garage-punk with thoroughly bizzare lyrics. If we knew we were going to like them this much, we probably would have planned to see them.

Best Moment: Their stage banter, which consisted almost entirely of yelling “Janitors suck” in between songs.

Miscellaneous: They have a song called “This is Not a Song About Oscar Pistorius.”

Verdict: They’re still a work in progress, but what they lack in polish, they more than make up for in charisma and fun.

Best Outdoor Show: The Balconies
FROM: Ottawa, Ontario
PERFORMED: Thursday, June 13, 7 p.m., at St. James Park Gazebo

Reason: If you were taking a NXNE audience “best show” poll, The National would surely win, purely by dint of the fact that seemingly half of Toronto crammed into every available nook and cranny surrounding Yonge-Dundas Square to watch the band’s free show. NXNE certainly got its money’s worth from The National, who put on a typically accomplished performance. But we were more impressed by The Balconies, who drew and held a (much, much smaller) crowd for their evening park set, despite pouring rain.

Best Moment: This was our first time seeing the Balconies as a four-piece act, with former drummer Liam Jaeger moving to lead guitar and newcomer Theo Mckibbon taking the drum kit. Another guitar has given lead singer and guitarist Jacquie Neville more flexibility to move, and a highlight of many songs was when she started swinging her now flame-bright hair around, which nearly qualifies as its own instrument.

Miscellaneous: A tipsy couple wandering through the park ambled up to the side of the gazebo, and between songs, shouted out, “You’re better than Bon Jovi!” The band politely thanked them for the compliment.

Verdict: We already knew The National could entertain and hold the attention of a stadium-sized crowd. Now, we’re starting to think The Balconies aren’t that far behind.

Worst Timekeeping: Comedy Records/Happy Contest Time
FROM: Los Angeles, California via Toronto, Ontario
PERFORMED: Thursday, June 13, 10:45 p.m.—12:30 a.m., at the Lower Ossington Theatre Cabaret

Co-host Deborah Robinson talks to the judges of Happy Time Contest, who evaluate comics despite being less than fluent in English.

Reason: We were exceedingly happy with the amount of comedy in this year’s NXNE schedule, and how it was fully featured in the program.

But we did have an issue with the comedy program: unlike the rock acts, which are timed down to the minute, many comedy shows started late, and ran later. This caused a cascade effect for those of us seeing multiple shows. Happy Time Contest, for instance, started nearly 45 minutes late, and ran an hour over its scheduled time. Unfortunately, much of the audience left before the winner was announced.

Best Moment: Happy Time Contest winner Amanda Brooke-Perrin, who also co-hosted Wednesday’s Chuckle Co. cabaret with Michael Kolberg, silenced a six-beers-in heckler asking questions about her online dating routine by explaining her username and singing a few bars of Montell Jordan’s “This Is How We Do It,” delighting the crowd and the judges.

Miscellaneous: The Laugh Sabbath Film Festival (which did run roughly on time) recognized some exceptional comedy shorts. $250 prizes were awarded to Daniel Warth and Deborah Robinson’s “Future Assassin,” and The Sufferettes’ “Ben.” The $1,000 grand prize went to Tony Ho Comedy’s “Japan,” which the sketch trio plans to bring to other festivals.

Verdict: It’s great that comedy is in the regular NXNE program. But now that it is, comedy producers need to get with said program. When you’re running later than the hip-hop showcases, that’s a definite problem.

Most Joy-Filled Live Set: Imaginary Cities
FROM: Winnipeg, Manitoba
PERFORMED: Friday, June 14, 9 p.m. at the Virgin Mobile Mod Club

Pre-Show Hype: Decent. Many people had come to see showcase headliners July Talk, and then wound up being completely sucked in by Imaginary Cities.

Performance: There is a pure, effervescent joy in the way Imaginary Cities perform. The chemistry between vocalist Marti Sarbit and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Rusty Matyas is palpable, and it’s clear that together they adore every minute of stage time. Having recently released their sophomore effort, Fall of Romance, there was an additional layer of excitement to the performance.

Best Moment: The way they were able to inject even their most plaintive and soulful pieces with a sense of hopeful joy.

Miscellaneous: Marti Sarbit’s ivory and gold dress was like a piece of wearable confectionary; in other words, perfect.

Verdict: With layered production and the liberal use of field recordings and unexpected sound elements, it would be easy to assume that Imaginary Cities is strongest in the studio rather than on stage. As it turns out, even without real bells from Cologne playing on “Bells of Cologne,” the group is still capable of something magical.

Best Instrumental Metal Set: Shooting Guns
FROM: Saskatoon, Sakatchewan
PERFORMED: Friday, June 14, 10 p.m. at the Hideout

Pre-Show Hype: Less than there should have been. Having made the Polaris Prize long list last year for Born To Deal in Magic: 1952-1976, this band’s show should have been absolutely packed rather than simply rather full.

Performance: Instrumental aggressive music is challenging to pull off in any context, and the sheer cloudy density of the doom-inspired material that Shooting Guns writes could easily become greyed out and featureless if executed without precision. This performance ebbed and flowed appropriately. It’s rare to see a band navigate so dense a set so deftly.

Best Moment: The complete and utter lack of stage banter. There was just a wall of tar-thick, poppy-sweet, hallucinatory riffs and clattering, insistent drums.

Miscellaneous: Props for the keyboard/synth/effects master’s radical Lavagoat shirt.

Verdict: If this is what comes out of the frozen wastes of our most rectangular province, we need more psychedelic, stoner doom from Saskatchewan.

Best Unexpected Catharsis: Pick a Piper
FROM: Toronto, Ontario
PERFORMED: Friday, June 14, 11 pm, Comfort Zone

Pre-Show Hype: Orginally an electronic side project of Caribou drummer Brad Weber, with Angus Fraser and Dan Roberts, the buzz for Pick a Piper was what you’d expect: very enthusiastic, if a little on the sparse side. With Pick a Piper, though, you could actually watch the kinetics of word-of-mouth publicity, as the floor at Comfort Zone went from tumbleweed-bare at the beginning of the set to full and attentive by its end.

Performance: Pick a Piper took the stage a little after 11 p.m., joined by trombone player Steve Ward. For the group, about to embark on a tour of western Canada, there was evidence of energy waiting to explode, supernova-style. At other times, the dark, undulating tones of the group’s electronic/organic style seemed restrained, but focused and simmering, setting the baseline for the night. The percussive severity of Pick a Piper overlaid with Ward’s mournful trombone made us scribble the words “plaintive urgency,” which endures as the best lingering impression of Pick a Piper’s performance. More on that below.

Best Moment: The optics of a studious, deliberate performing style grinding out this blisteringly intense, almost angry sound. The evidence of academic musicianship in action.

Miscellaneous: In the context of that plaintively urgent theme we mentioned, the name “Pick a Piper” came across as particularly salient. This is the music that plays as skylines burn and chaos rages, at least in the back of our Friday-night imagination. The idea of “pick[ing] a piper”—the idea of choosing a side—reflecting the subtly dramatic feel of the group’s sound, as if it was the theme music underpinning the third act of…well, something. Like Godspeed or A Silver Mount Zion, only more aggressive.

Verdict: Pick a Piper slot pretty neatly into that Godspeed description, actually. Making new fans may be a more deliberately nuanced process for the group, but holy hell, will those fans ever be merited. Solidly an 8.

Best Nostalgia Show: Sloan
FROM: Toronto, Ontario via Halifax, Nova Scotia
PERFORMED: Friday, June 14, 11 p.m., at The Great Hall

Sloan celebrate two decades of Murderecords at The Great Hall.

Reason: There were plenty of veteran pop rock acts that fans were waxing nostalgic about this year at NXNE. Local band Tangiers reunited after 10 years apart, turning The Garrison into a sweaty sauna during their 10-song set. Evan Dando thrilled fans at the Rivoli with renditions of classic Lemonheads songs like “Confetti.” But the biggest crowd pleaser was Sloan. The band, now recognized as the quintessential Canuck rock band of the ’90s, thrilled long-time adherents by playing its first-ever EP, Peppermint, from start to finish.

Best Moment: It’s a tough call, but during “Lucky For Me,” we quickly jotted down “thunderous,” and, “drummer (Andrew Scott) is crushing it,” so let’s go with that.

Miscellaneous: Nearly as many fans stuck around after Sloan’s set to see fellow ’90s east coasters Superfriendz.

Verdict: Sloan is Canuck-rock royalty, and the Great Hall was as packed as we’d ever seen it with fans there to pay homage.

Best Surprise Guest: White Lung
FROM: Vancouver, British Columbia
PERFORMED: Friday, June 14, 2 a.m. at BLK BOX

White Lung’s Mish Way tries to figure out how she’d review her own show.

Pre-Show Hype: Hard to say. People were really stoked for this Saturday night show at The Horseshoe, but no one actually knew the show was happening until a couple hours beforehand.

Performance: Having White Lung’s tough, urgent, art-damaged thrash come on after a low-key, melancholic set by Gold & Youth was kind of an odd call, but we’ll take this band any way we can get it. It more than delivered, with a hard, aggressive set that even managed to motivate the slightly heavy-lidded crowd to start a small pit.

Best Moment: When Gold & Youth finally announced that yes, White Lung were up next.

Miscellaneous: Frontwoman Mish Way is also an accomplished music journalist.

Verdict: White Lung are bad ass.

Number One Hometown Hero: Rich Kidd
FROM: Toronto, Ontario
PERFORMED: Saturday, June 15, 11 p.m. at Wrongbar

Pre-Show Hype: Medium to high. People were mostly there to see headliner Joey Bada$$, but Kidd was certainly a draw in his own right.

Performance: In the hip-hop community, Toronto is widely referred to as “The Screwface Capital,” thanks to our tendency to produce scowling, skeptical audiences. Local acts notoriously get the worst of this treatment. On Saturday night, Rich Kidd was the exception to the rule. The incredibly dynamic MC and producer had the Wrongbar crowd rapt. The entire room was screaming back the lyrics from his latest mixtape, In My Opinion.

Best Moment: When he ran into the crowd and instructed several young women to “Rub on my chest like I’m Usher.” They obliged.

Miscellaneous: After his own set ended, Kidd stayed on stage and acted as Deniro Farrar’s impromptu hype man.

Verdict: Drake may be the city’s most famous MC, but Rich Kidd may be challenging him for his crown as King of the City.

Weirdest Audience Interaction: Deniro Farrar
FROM: Charlotte, North Carolina
PERFORMED: Sunday, June 16, 4 p.m. at Yonge-Dundas Square

Deniro Farrar raps to one child, ignores everyone else.

Pre-Show Hype: Medium. He played two very well received sets at Wrongbar over the course of the week.

Performance: In retrospect, Deniro Farrar may not have been the best choice for the 4 p.m. time slot at Yonge-Dundas Square. It’s not that he wasn’t good—he was amazing—but his bleak, intense, thugged-out rhymes were probably a little heavy for the early hour. That said, he made the most of it, getting the audience involved and winning over the crowd with his captivating presence and laser-focused delivery.

Best Moment: When he rapped directly to one 10-year-old child in the front row.

Miscellaneous: We saw Farrar play twice this week. Apparently he’s incapable of rapping while wearing a shirt.

Verdict: Farrar calls his subgenre “cult rap.” We see why now. He has the sort of charisma that could get people to move to a remote compound.

Earliest Finisher: Ludacris
FROM: Atlanta, Georgia
PERFORMED: Sunday, June 16, 9 p.m. at Yonge-Dundas Square

Ludacris was also kind of bummed out that Big Boi had to cancel.

Pre-Show Hype: High-ish. On one hand, he was headlining Yonge-Dundas Square. On the other hand, he was called in as a last-minute replacement after original headliner Big Boi injured his knee and had to cancel.

Performance: While most NXNE sets clock in around 40 minutes, Dundas Square headliners are given two hours. Apparently no one told Ludacris. After starting 20 minutes late, Luda ran through a tight, high-energy, hit-heavy set, and wrapped things up half an hour early. People had a good time, and we guess it’s better to leave ‘em wanting more, but we still felt a little let down at the end.

Best Moment: When everyone from patch-covered crust punks to Persian moms started dancing to “What’s Your Fantasy?”

Miscellaneous: Apparently Luda’s Disturbing Tha Peace label still exists? Who knew?

Verdict: We would have been happier with Big Boi.

CORRECTION: June 18, 4:30PM We previously stated that the Balconies’ new drummer was Steve MoLella, when it is in fact Theo Mckibbon. The correction has been made above.

• Music: Vancouver drums and guitar dynamic duo Japandroids look to be the first band to play a public show at the newly renovated Adelaide Music Hall. Japandroids, whose song “The House That Heaven Built” was recently selected as the Vancouver Canuck’s entrance music, will christen the new club, along with openers Crocodile, with a bracing bout of rock and roll. Adelaide Music Hall (250 Adelaide Street West), 8 p.m., $25. Details
• Comedy: The monthly underground comedy showcase Laughable, hosted and produced by Nick Flanagan and Steph Tolev, welcomes a typically eclectic bill of guests, including veteran local stand-up Todd Graham, Picnicface’s Cheryl Hann, and fellow east coaster Kyle Hickey. Unlovable (1415 Dundas Street West), 9 p.m., PWYC. Details

Ongoing…

• Art: Theatre, Dance, Opera, Music, Magic, and so much more; the 2013 edition of the Luminato Festival has something for just about everyone. You can read our preview coverage, or keep track of our ongoing coverage right here. Multiple venues, 12 p.m., FREE—$125. Details
• Art: HUNTCLUB brings Montreal artist Fred Caron’s Trust Isn’t an Issue to its gallery for a two-week exhibition, beginning with an opening on Monday, June 10. The street artist is focusing on aspects of Stockholm syndrome for his installation’s short run in Toronto; later this summer, he’ll be the co-curator for on-site art at the Osheaga Festival. In addition to the opening, Caron is also doing an artist’s talk on Tuesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. HUNTCLUB (709 College Street), 6 p.m., FREE. Details
• Theatre: Passion Play is an epic cycle of three plays that explores how religion, politics, and theatre intersect. The three-act play, which starts off in Withrow Park before moving down to Eastminster United Church, depicts traditional passion plays throughout three historical periods. This play by Sarah Ruhl is presented by Outside the March, Convergence Theatre, and Sheep No Wool. Multiple venues, 7 p.m., $25. Details
• Theatre: One of the Fringe Festival’s greatest successes, and definitely Soulpepper’s biggest post-millennial hit, Ins Choi’s corner store comedy Kim’s Convenience returns for another extended run into the the summer season. Most of the principal cast, including Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as larger-than-life patriarch Appa, are back. Here’s our review of the first Soulpepper remount. Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane), 7:30 p.m., $5–$68. Details

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 us with all the details (including images, if you’ve got any), ideally at least a week in advance.

This guy is so stoked for the Sunday night hip-hop show, he can’t even keep it together.

How did everyone enjoy The National? Are there any good day shows we should know about? Let us know. Anyway, here are our selections for Saturday and Sunday.

Tre Mission

When: Saturday, June 15, 9 p.m.
Where: Wrongbar (1279 Queen Street West)

We’ve been pretty high on local MC/producer Tre Mission for about a year now, which is also roughly how long we’d waited for his next mixtape, Malmaison. (The project was supposed to be done in time for last year’s NXNE, but rappers aren’t always huge on punctuality. It came out on Tuesday.) Mission may be one of the most intriguing characters in rap, not only locally, but period. A North American MC who made his mark in the very British grime subgenre, he’s equally comfortable talking street shit or analyzing his own self-doubt, and he does things like rhyme over instrumentals from Jamie xx and sample Imogen Heap.

Go if: You like a mix of sharp wordplay and unexpected influences.

(Chris Dart)

White Lung

When: Saturday, June 15, 11 p.m.
Where: The Horseshoe Taven (370 Queen St. W.)

Vancouver’s White Lung is one of Canada’s aggressive music gems. The band’s last record, Sorry, is an incredible piece of punk songwriting, fusing acerbic wit and relentlessly infectious song structures. Mish Way is a commanding frontwoman (and a great music journalist as well, who broke taboo and reviewed her own record for Vice), and we fully expect this set to steal the show at the incredibly strong punk showcase it’s part of.

Go if: The idea of fast, menacing, yet cerebral punk is irresistible.

(Natalie Zina Waschots)

Ryan Hemsworth

When: Saturday, June 15, 1 a.m.
Where: BLK BOX (1087 Queen Street West)

Halifax producer Ryan Hemsworth is at the forefront of the cloud-rap trend. In the last 12 months, he’s become one of the most sought-after remix artists around, and has reworked songs by everyone from Grimes to Lil B to Lana Del Rey. His original productions blur the lines between rap instrumental and electronic experiments, and his big, expansive soundscapes, dense layers of synths, and dramatic builds work equally well when backed with a house-music thump or a skittering hi-hat.

Go if: You want to see whether his studio wizardry translates to his live shows.

(Chris Dart)

Deniro Farrar

When: Saturday, June 15, 12 a.m.
Where: Wrongbar (1279 Queen Street West)

When: Sunday, June 16, 4 p.m.
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square (1 Dundas Square)

Charlotte’s Deniro Farrar has compared himself to both Tupac Shakur and Charles Manson. He’s dubbed his incongruous, sometimes jarring blend of pretty, ethereal cloud-rap beats and ultra-thuggish rhymes “cult rap.” In short, he’s supremely weird, but he may be one of the more interesting acts at this year’s festival.

Go if: You dig this whole “cloud-rap” thing, but wish it had more edge.

(Chris Dart)

Tangiers

When: Saturday, Jun 15, 12 a.m.
Where: The Garrison (1197 Dundas Street West)

A decade ago, Tangiers were often being mentioned in the same breath as the Strokes (or being unfairly compared to them), and the energetic young post-punk rockers were one of Toronto’s fastest rising rock acts. But Tangiers burned too brightly, and its members scattered to other projects (Josh Reichmann has had a particularly eclectic solo recording career). Now, however, the band has reunited for one hometown show.

Go if: You want to see the original line-up responsible for 2003′s Hot New Spirits rip through those blitzkrieg tunes again.

(Steve Fisher)

Joey Bada$$

When: Saturday, June 15, 1 a.m.
Where: Wrongbar (1279 Queen Street West)

When: Sunday, June 16, 8 p.m.
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square (1 Dundas Square)

Brooklyn-based MC Joey Bada$$ may only be 18, but his style is strangely reminiscent of the classic east-coast MCs of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. His breakout 2012 mixtape, 1999, was filled with with sharp wordplay and sample-heavy beats. Rap nerds have spent years waiting for someone to resurrect “real” New York rap. (The Southern-influenced styles of A$AP Rocky and French Montana don’t really count, area codes be damned.) This guy looks like the man for the job.

Go if: You’re out to see the next big thing.

(Chris Dart)

Fat Tony

When: Sunday, June 16, 6 p.m.
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square (1 Dundas Square)

Houston’s Fat Tony became a blog darling after he released “Hood Party” earlier this year. The song was both a high-impact party jam and a scathing sendup of gentrification. It also did a great job of encapsulating what’s great about Fat Tony: a versatile flow that can go from fast and syncopated to slow and laconic on a dime, as well as scads of smart references. You’re going to like him.

(Chris Dart)

Go if: You’ve recently bought a fixer-upper in a formerly blue-collar neighbourhood.

Unite with fellow redditors at a global meetup. Image courtesy of Reddit.

• Dance: Here’s something you don’t get to do very often. The National Ballet of Canada is pulling back the curtains slightly to give the public a chance to check out the dancer’s daily ritual. In Class on Stage you’ll get an up close look at how ballet dancers train, which will be led by Artist-in-Residence, Rex Harrington (Senior Ballet Master, Peter Ottmann, will be doing the commentary). Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen Street West), Saturday at 11 a.m., $10 adults, $5 children. Details
• Music: Amidst the chaos of NXNE, you might come across as sorts of music that you’ve deemed worthy of getting your hands on. The Independent Label Market offers just the opportunity to search for records (all vinyl, no mp3s) from Canada’s finest indie labels. Some of the participating companies include Paper Bag Records, Arts & Crafts, The Outside Music Label, Last Gang Records, and many others. Ryerson University Campus Common (50 Gerrard Street East), Saturday at 11 a.m., FREE. Details
• Outdoors: Reddit is once again hosting its worldwide meet-up for its users so if you haven’t seen the sunlight for a while, now’s a good chance to get out there and see what’s up. The Toronto Global Reddit Meetup will start at Trinity Bellwoods Park, which will be an all-ages bash featuring some fun in the park. The second half of this day will then take place at The Office Pub for some 19+ happenings. Trinity Bellwoods Park (155 Crawford Street), Saturday at 2 p.m., FREE. Details
• Music: Lovers of Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim can feel free to unleash their giddiness. A Sondheim Jazz Project is exactly what it sounds like. A group of jazz artists have taken the melodies of some of Sondheim’s tunes to the compositions of Wayne Shorter, Terence Blanchard, and more. Click here to listen to some of the rearranged tracks for yourself (from their debut album, City of Strangers). Chalkers Pub Billiards & Bistro (247 Marlee Avenue), Saturday at 6 p.m., $10. Details
• Books: Remember in elementary school where you got to read aloud with the class whenever you were going through some book? This could be like that. The Ruckus Reading Series is a new spin on traditional reading series which encourages audience participation. So check out its very first instalment which promises storytelling, live music, and good beer. The Only Cafe (972 Danforth Avenue), Saturday at 7 p.m., FREE. Details
• Offbeat: If you like searching for old things (and we know you do), be sure to drop in on the inaugural Leslieville Flea. At this flea market you’ll be able to find vintage items, antiques, art, photography, and much more to satisfy your antiquarius needs. It’ll run every third Sunday of the month going forward. Behind The Duke Live (Queen Street and Leslie Street), Sunday at 10 a.m., FREE. Details

Ongoing…

• History: Looking to brush up your cultural and history knowledge on all things Toronto? Heritage Toronto 2013 Tours offers you an enormous chance to learn tons and tons about the city you love via walking tours, bike tours, and more. Some of the events on the agenda of this weekly series include tours of Fort York, Korea Town, Don Valley, and Black Creek. It’s running all summer long so don’t miss out! Multiple venues, Saturday at 12 a.m. and Sunday at 12 a.m., FREE. Details
• Art: Theatre, Dance, Opera, Music, Magic, and so much more; the 2013 edition of the Luminato Festival has something for just about everyone. You can read our preview coverage, or keep track of our ongoing coverage right here. Multiple venues, Saturday at 12 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m., FREE—$125. Details
• Theatre: Broadway’s second longest running show prowls into Toronto, boasting an entirely Canadian cast. The all-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS combines established acting talent, a known and loved score, and holographic set design. Directed by Dave Campbell, and featuring performances by Eric Abel, and original Canadian company member Susan Cuthbert. Panasonic Theatre (651 Yonge Street), Saturday at 1:30 p.m.,7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m., $40-$110. Details
• Theatre: One of the Fringe Festival’s greatest successes, and definitely Soulpepper’s biggest post-millennial hit, Ins Choi’s corner store comedy Kim’s Convenience returns for another extended run into the the summer season. Most of the principal cast, including Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as larger-than-life patriarch Appa, are back. Here’s our review of the first Soulpepper remount. Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane), Saturday at 1:30 p.m., $5–$68. Details
• Theatre: It’s a sure sign of summer when theatre productions start popping up in green spaces across Toronto. Launching into their eighth season, Bard in the Park is happy to present The Merry Wives of Windsor. In this Shakespearean comedy, the vain, yet cowardly, knight Sir Falstaff attempts to pursue two wealthy women in hopes of financial gain. Embarrassment ensues. Kew Gardens Park (2075 Queen Street East), Saturday at 2 p.m.,7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., $10 suggested donation. Details
• Art: HUNTCLUB brings Montreal artist Fred Caron’s Trust Isn’t an Issue to its gallery for a two-week exhibition, beginning with an opening on Monday, June 10. The street artist is focusing on aspects of Stockholm syndrome for his installation’s short run in Toronto; later this summer, he’ll be the co-curator for on-site art at the Osheaga Festival. In addition to the opening, Caron is also doing an artist’s talk on Tuesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. HUNTCLUB (709 College Street), Saturday at 6 p.m., FREE. Details
• Theatre: Passion Play is an epic cycle of three plays that explores how religion, politics, and theatre intersect. The three-act play, which starts off in Withrow Park before moving down to Eastminster United Church, depicts traditional passion plays throughout three historical periods. This play by Sarah Ruhl is presented by Outside the March, Convergence Theatre, and Sheep No Wool. Multiple venues, Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m., $25. Details
• Photography: Canadian indie music label, Arts & Crafts, are celebrating their tenth anniversary. As part of the celebrations, they’re showing a new exhibition from Toronto photographer, Norman Wong. The exhibition features images of various artists over the years including Feist, Kevin Drew, Emily Haines, and many more. You’ll be able to buy a book of photography there and a portion of the proceeds from the event will go to Testicular Cancer Canada and MusiCounts. 1093 Queen Street West, Unit 2 (1093 Queen Street West), Saturday at 7 p.m., FREE. Details
• Dance: Even if you aren’t familiar with the opera Carmen, chances are you’re familiar with at least some of its score (if you are, chances are equally strong that you’ll have a difficult time getting this melody out of your head today). Though initially a flop when it debuted in 1875, Carmen went on to enjoy critical acclaim and has since become one of the most performed operas of all time. It’s now omnipresent in popular culture. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen Street West), Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., $25 – $180. Details
• Theatre: Set your phone to vibrate and prepare for a voyage into uncharted territory with Asiansploitation: The Text Generation. Self described as “sketch comedy with a slant,” the show tackles important issues such as our culture’s dependency on technology, while imagining what the love life of Star Trek‘s Data might be like. Audience-influenced scenes and song parodies abound! George Ignatieff Theatre (15 Devonshire Place), Saturday at 8 p.m., $20. Details
• Theatre: A poetic and acrobatic one-woman show, Sappho…In 9 Fragments has already played to acclaim in London, England. Directed by Jessica Ruano and starring Victoria Grove, this show by Jane Montgomery Griffiths plays with myth and modern day romance, juxtaposing Greece’s first female poet with the seduction of an American chorus girl. The play has a brief two-night run at Videofag before moving on to dates in Ottawa and Montreal later this month. Videofag (187 Augusta Avenue), Saturday at 8 p.m., $15. Details

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 us with all the details (including images, if you’ve got any), ideally at least a week in advance.

Social Distortion plays for a damp crowd at Yonge-Dundas Square. Photo by John Tavares, Jr. from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

How was everyone’s first full night at NXNE? Was the Social Distortion show wet enough for you? Did someone block your view with an umbrella? Don’t worry. Tonight is supposed to be much nicer. Here’s our rundown of what to see.

The National

When: Friday, June 14, 9 p.m.
Where: Yonge Dundas Square (1 Dundas Street East)

The National returns to Toronto with its new record, Trouble Will Find Me, already flying off (e-)shelves. Husky baritone Matt Berninger and his bandmates will play for free at the “centre of Toronto,” Yonge-Dundas Square. This is one of just a handful of shows that could conceivably outdraw last year’s free Flaming Lips gig.

Go if: Crescendo Rock is just the rock for you.

(Steve Fisher)

Shooting Guns

When: Friday, June 14, 10 p.m.
Where: The Hideout (484 Queen St. W.)

Saskatoon’s Shooting Guns might hail from the frozen tundra of our most rectangular prairie province, but its sound is vast, buttery, and full of sweet, hot smoke. With bits of drone, stoner metal, and sludge mixed into each track, the group’s compelling and hallucinatory record, Born To Deal in Magic: 1952-1976, earned it a spot on last year’s Polaris Prize long list. Expect this NXNE performance to be heavy, psychedelic, and remarkably dense.

Go if: You like your riffs fat, fuzzed and deliciously droning.

(Natalie Zina Walschots)

Blowfly

When: Friday, June 14, 1 a.m.
Where: The Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen Street West)

It’s probably a bit of a stretch to call Blowfly a hip-hop artist, but for NXNE’s purposes he doesn’t really fit anywhere else. The masked soul singer from the ‘60s and ‘70s is often considered to be the first-ever rapper because of his penchant for almost mind-blowingly filthy rhyming couplets.

Go if: You want to hear a really filthy version of the alphabet song.

(Chris Dart)

Sabrina Jalees. Photo by David Leyes.

• Art: Theatre, Dance, Opera, Music, Magic, and so much more; the 2013 edition of the Luminato Festival has something for just about everyone. You can read our preview coverage, or keep track of our ongoing coverage right here. Multiple venues, 12 p.m., FREE—$125. Details
• Art: Presenter Melissa Owac has collaborated with chef Christopher Matthews and eight different single malt distilleries on Blending Creations: Scotch & Art, a hybrid scotch tasting and art exhibition event. And $100 tickets seem like a very good deal when you consider you’ll be sampling eight top-shelf scotches, plus food pairings, while taking in the current exhibit at the Norman Felix Gallery, Reality Vs. Illusion. Norman Felix Gallery (627 Queen Street West), 6:30 p.m., $100. Details
• Comedy: Stand-up comic Sabrina Jalees is a Toronto hometown gal, but she hasn’t been here much the past few years. She’s been in New York and all over the United States, getting called things like a “Top Ten Female Comic to follow on Twitter” by the Huffington Post, and appearing on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Now, she’s on her “Brownlisted” Canadian tour, and her first stop is T.O., appearing at Innis Town Hall with openers Kathleen Phillips and Sara Hennessey. Innis Town Hall (2 Sussex Avenue), 8 p.m., $20. Details
• Theatre: A poetic and acrobatic one-woman show, Sappho…In 9 Fragments has already played to acclaim in London, England. Directed by Jessica Ruano and starring Victoria Grove, this show by Jane Montgomery Griffiths plays with myth and modern day romance, juxtaposing Greece’s first female poet with the seduction of an American chorus girl. The play has a brief two-night run at Videofag before moving on to dates in Ottawa and Montreal later this month. Videofag (187 Augusta Avenue), 8 p.m., $15. Details

Ongoing…

• Art: HUNTCLUB brings Montreal artist Fred Caron’s Trust Isn’t an Issue to its gallery for a two-week exhibition, beginning with an opening on Monday, June 10. The street artist is focusing on aspects of Stockholm syndrome for his installation’s short run in Toronto; later this summer, he’ll be the co-curator for on-site art at the Osheaga Festival. In addition to the opening, Caron is also doing an artist’s talk on Tuesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. HUNTCLUB (709 College Street), 6 p.m., FREE. Details
• Theatre: Passion Play is an epic cycle of three plays that explores how religion, politics, and theatre intersect. The three-act play, which starts off in Withrow Park before moving down to Eastminster United Church, depicts traditional passion plays throughout three historical periods. This play by Sarah Ruhl is presented by Outside the March, Convergence Theatre, and Sheep No Wool. Multiple venues, 7 p.m., $25. Details
• Photography: Canadian indie music label, Arts & Crafts, are celebrating their tenth anniversary. As part of the celebrations, they’re showing a new exhibition from Toronto photographer, Norman Wong. The exhibition features images of various artists over the years including Feist, Kevin Drew, Emily Haines, and many more. You’ll be able to buy a book of photography there and a portion of the proceeds from the event will go to Testicular Cancer Canada and MusiCounts. 1093 Queen Street West, Unit 2 (1093 Queen Street West), 7 p.m., FREE. Details
• Theatre: It’s a sure sign of summer when theatre productions start popping up in green spaces across Toronto. Launching into their eighth season, Bard in the Park is happy to present The Merry Wives of Windsor. In this Shakespearean comedy, the vain, yet cowardly, knight Sir Falstaff attempts to pursue two wealthy women in hopes of financial gain. Embarrassment ensues. Kew Gardens Park (2075 Queen Street East), 7 p.m., $10 suggested donation. Details
• Theatre: Broadway’s second longest running show prowls into Toronto, boasting an entirely Canadian cast. The all-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS combines established acting talent, a known and loved score, and holographic set design. Directed by Dave Campbell, and featuring performances by Eric Abel, and original Canadian company member Susan Cuthbert. Panasonic Theatre (651 Yonge Street), 7:30 p.m., $40-$110. Details
• Theatre: One of the Fringe Festival’s greatest successes, and definitely Soulpepper’s biggest post-millennial hit, Ins Choi’s corner store comedy Kim’s Convenience returns for another extended run into the the summer season. Most of the principal cast, including Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as larger-than-life patriarch Appa, are back. Here’s our review of the first Soulpepper remount. Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane), 7:30 p.m., $5–$68. Details
• Theatre: Set your phone to vibrate and prepare for a voyage into uncharted territory with Asiansploitation: The Text Generation. Self described as “sketch comedy with a slant,” the show tackles important issues such as our culture’s dependency on technology, while imagining what the love life of Star Trek‘s Data might be like. Audience-influenced scenes and song parodies abound! George Ignatieff Theatre (15 Devonshire Place), 8 p.m., $20. Details

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 us with all the details (including images, if you’ve got any), ideally at least a week in advance.

CORRECTION: June 14, 2013, 4:00 PM This post originally said Chris Locke would be appearing alongside Sabrina Jalees at her stand-up show on June 14. Locke has now been replaced, on the bill, by Kathleen Phillips.

Photo by Phil Marion from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

You already read us. You love Toronto. And you have a way with syntax and em dashes.

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Copy Editor

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Outdoor shows start at Yonge-Dundas today. Come join the sea of humanity. Photo by Loni Schick/Torontoist

Last night was a warmup. Tonight, the festival starts for real. Get your schedules ready.

Poirier

When: Thursday, June 13, 10 p.m.
Where: The Hoxton (69 Bathurst Street)

Way back in 2005, Montreal producer and DJ Ghislain Poirier started a club night called Bounce Le Gros, where he spun club music from around the world, mashing together everything from soca to grime to Baltimore club. The night became a phenomenon before shutting down in 2007. Since then, Poirier has begun combining all those sounds into one intoxicating, ass-shaking, brilliant mess. He’s made a soca record, a dancehall record, and a rave-influenced album, and is generally thought of as a bit of a mad sound scientist. If you’ve never seen him before, you’re missing out.

Go if: You want to get really sweaty and possibly make out with a stranger.

(Chris Dart)

D-Sisive

When: Thursday, June 13, 10 p.m.
Where: Sneaky Dee’s (431 College Street)

Local hero D-Sisive was supposed to retire from rap after the release of last year’s Jonestown 3, but so far he’s been terrible at quitting, which is a good thing for hip-hop heads. His blend of wordplay and storytelling is second to none, and his between-song stage banter is an attraction in and of itself.

Go if: You like your rap smart and insightful.

(Chris Dart)

Your Pretend Boyfriend

When: Thursday, June 13, 11 p.m.
Where: Johnny Jackson (587 College Street)

YPB’s bio describes him as “a one man audio/video wrecking machine.” We just think he makes weird, glitchy music that we can’t stop listening to.

Go if: You need something wrecked with audio.

(Chris Dart)

White Cowbell Oklahoma

When: Thursday, Jun 13, 12 a.m.
Where: Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor Street West)

There are plenty of veteran bands reuniting and coming to town for this year’s NXNE, but there are also bands that haven’t gone “on hiatus”—aging bands that have been touring and entertaining continually. That describes White Cowbell Oklahoma, though it doesn’t begin to describe the group’s act. If you’ve never seen Cowbell’s faux-Southern, countrified live show, you’re in for a tassel-twirling, chainsaw-spinning good time.

Go if: You like your rock and roll loud, lewd, and lascivious.

(Steve Fisher)

Blue Hawaii

When: Thursday, June 13, 1 a.m.
Where: Comfort Zone (480 Spadina Avenue)

Simultaneously pretty and driving, Blue Hawaii is more or less everything you’d ever want in a synthpop band. The duo, which is fronted by Braids’ Raphaelle Standell-Preston, is able to get crowds eating from their hands with their mix of hypnotic loops and pop hooks.

Go if: You like things that sound like Grimes.

(Chris Dart)

Pretty Mouth

When: Thursday, June 13, 1 a.m.
Where: The Shop, Parts & Labour (1566 Queen St. W.)

Ah, nothing like a little powerviolence to keep things interesting on a Thursday evening. Toronto-based Pretty Mouth incorporates crust punk, noisy hardcore, and grind into its chaotic sound, all with the intention of making each performance as relentless and virulent as possible. While the music’s speed may be frantic, the delivery is entirely deliberate and evil.

Go if: The idea of having your face melted off sounds like a pleasant evening.

(Natalie Zina Walschots)

Abstract Random

When: Thursday, June 13, 1 a.m.
Where: May (876 Dundas Street West)

Profoundly weird self-described “electro dub hop” trio Abstract Random have been combining the politically outspoken with the straight-up absurd for a while now, and we dig it. Their live shows often involve people running around in giant papier mâché heads, and that’s enough for us.

Go if: You want things to get weird.

(Chris Dart)

Kontravoid

When: Thursday, June 13, 2 a.m.
Where: BLK BOX (1087 Queen St. W.)

Kontravoid—a sleek, sinister, minimalist post-punk/industrial project from former Crystal Castles drummer Cam Findlay—offers a peculiarly sophisticated kind of horror. The urgent, throbbing structures of its songs are often contrasted against tight, minimal instrumentation. This is music that doesn’t just confront audiences, it also pursues stalking listeners like prey.

Go if: You like to be unsettled as well as entertained.

(Natalie Zina Walschots)

• Film: Is there anyone who doesn’t love the world’s most famous (yet somehow still anonymous) graffiti artist, Banksy? If you haven’t yet been acquainted, check out a screening of this great documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop which explores the often misunderstood world of street art. And while you’re thinking about Banksy, go ahead and recall that time he stopped by Toronto. Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor Street West), 6 p.m., PWYC. Details
• Dance: Ever wanted to learn to square dance? Triangle Squares is offering the opportunity you need to do away with your two left feet. No dancing experience (or partner) is required and there’ll be snacks and prizes in addition to the modern art of square dancing. Here’s a video to help you get into the mood. The 519 Church Street Community Centre (519 Church Street), 7 p.m., FREE. Details
• Offbeat: Mammalian Diving Reflex wants you to get on your feet this summer with a weekly event series called Socialist Games. Here, you’ll get to meet with other strangers and play various summer-campish activities. If you’re looking for something unique to get involved with, let this be it! The Theatre Centre Pop-Up (1095 Queen Street West), 7 p.m., PWYC. Details
• Books: The Authors at Harbourfront Centre is wrapping up its 39th season of weekly readings with a series of events including this interview between two established authors. Carl Hiaasen (author of 12 novels) will be having a sit-down with bestselling author, Andrew Pyper; they’ll be discussing Hiassen’s latest effort, Bad Monkey. Harbourfront Centre (235 Queen’s Quay West), 7:30 p.m., $10. Details

Ongoing…

• Art: HUNTCLUB brings Montreal artist Fred Caron’s Trust Isn’t an Issue to its gallery for a two-week exhibition, beginning with an opening on Monday, June 10. The street artist is focusing on aspects of Stockholm syndrome for his installation’s short run in Toronto; later this summer, he’ll be the co-curator for on-site art at the Osheaga Festival. In addition to the opening, Caron is also doing an artist’s talk on Tuesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. HUNTCLUB (709 College Street), 6 p.m., FREE. Details
• Wheels: If you enjoy biking in the city (and of course you do) then get your wheels tuned up and join in Ward 29 Bikes’ weekly summer series, Thursday Night Rides. Here, you’ll have an opportunity to spin around neighbourhoods you might not normally explore on your own while getting to meet other like-minded cycling citizens. Be sure to check out their website for the starting point and schedule (also to get confirmation that the ride’s still a go due to weather, etc.). Multiple venues, 6:15 p.m., FREE. Details
• Theatre: Passion Play is an epic cycle of three plays that explores how religion, politics, and theatre intersect. The three-act play, which starts off in Withrow Park before moving down to Eastminster United Church, depicts traditional passion plays throughout three historical periods. This play by Sarah Ruhl is presented by Outside the March, Convergence Theatre, and Sheep No Wool. Multiple venues, 7 p.m., $25. Details
• Photography: Canadian indie music label, Arts & Crafts, are celebrating their tenth anniversary. As part of the celebrations, they’re showing a new exhibition from Toronto photographer, Norman Wong. The exhibition features images of various artists over the years including Feist, Kevin Drew, Emily Haines, and many more. You’ll be able to buy a book of photography there and a portion of the proceeds from the event will go to Testicular Cancer Canada and MusiCounts. 1093 Queen Street West, Unit 2 (1093 Queen Street West), 7 p.m., FREE. Details
• Theatre: It’s a sure sign of summer when theatre productions start popping up in green spaces across Toronto. Launching into their eighth season, Bard in the Park is happy to present The Merry Wives of Windsor. In this Shakespearean comedy, the vain, yet cowardly, knight Sir Falstaff attempts to pursue two wealthy women in hopes of financial gain. Embarrassment ensues. Kew Gardens Park (2075 Queen Street East), 7 p.m., $10 suggested donation. Details
• Theatre: Broadway’s second longest running show prowls into Toronto, boasting an entirely Canadian cast. The all-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS combines established acting talent, a known and loved score, and holographic set design. Directed by Dave Campbell, and featuring performances by Eric Abel, and original Canadian company member Susan Cuthbert. Panasonic Theatre (651 Yonge Street), 7:30 p.m., $40-$110. Details
• Theatre: One of the Fringe Festival’s greatest successes, and definitely Soulpepper’s biggest post-millennial hit, Ins Choi’s corner store comedy Kim’s Convenience returns for another extended run into the the summer season. Most of the principal cast, including Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as larger-than-life patriarch Appa, are back. Here’s our review of the first Soulpepper remount. Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane), 7:30 p.m., $5–$68. Details
• Theatre: Set your phone to vibrate and prepare for a voyage into uncharted territory with Asiansploitation: The Text Generation. Self described as “sketch comedy with a slant,” the show tackles important issues such as our culture’s dependency on technology, while imagining what the love life of Star Trek‘s Data might be like. Audience-influenced scenes and song parodies abound! George Ignatieff Theatre (15 Devonshire Place), 8 p.m., $20. Details

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 us with all the details (including images, if you’ve got any), ideally at least a week in advance.

Damian Abraham is so stoked for the start of NXNE.

North by Northeast tends to start slow, but there are still enough good acts playing that it’s worth going out. Here are recommendations to help you start things off on the right foot.

Mozart’s Sister

When: Wednesday, June 12, 11 p.m.
Where: The Rivoli (334 Queen Street West)

This will be the third music festival where we’ve enthusiastically endorsed Mozart’s Sister, after last year‘s NXNE, and this spring‘s Canadian Music Week. Caila Thompson-Hannant makes it very easy for us. The Montreal-based Grimes contemporary has released an EP, Hello, that takes her bedroom recordings and Cyndi Lauper-style vocals and gives them a polished sheen, and she’s grown substantially as a live performer, stepping out from behind the table of equipment more often.

Go if: You want to kick off your NXNE seeing a clever pop star in the making.

(Steve Fisher)

Deniro Farrar

When: Wednesday, June 12, 11:25 p.m.
Where: Wrongbar (1279 Queen Street West)

Charlotte’s Deniro Farrar has compared himself to both Tupac Shakur and Charles Manson. He’s dubbed his incongruous, sometimes jarring blend of pretty, ethereal cloud-rap beats and ultra-thuggish rhymes “cult rap.” In short, he’s supremely weird, but he may be one of the more interesting acts at this year’s festival.

Go if: You dig this whole “cloud-rap” thing, but wish it had more edge.

(Chris Dart)

JellyTooFly

When: Wednesday, June 12, 11:35 p.m.
Where: Nocturne (550 Queen Street West)

JellyTooFly, Toronto’s self-proclaimed Queen of the Game, has spent the last few years dropping mixtapes and honing a style that could best be described as stoned, slit-eyed malice. She’s developed a strong cult following around the city, and for good reason. While her rhymes are strong on her records, her brand of slow-moving, menacing rap really shines live.

Go if: You want to see the closest thing Toronto has to Snoop from The Wire.

(Chris Dart)

This Hisses

When: Wednesday, June 12, 12:00 a.m.
Where: The Hard Luck Bar (772 Dundas Street West)

Having released their exquisite new record, Anhedonia, in February of this year, Winnipeg-based post-punkers This Hisses are bound to put on a hell of a show. Their sound has a deep, lingering richness, with moments of sparking effervescence overlaid on a deep well of sadness. Their aesthetic combines a garage-rock energy with rich, velvety, and even gothic tones, earning their style the moniker “surf noir.”

Go if: You like your punk dark, dense, and a little spooky.

(Natalie Zina Walschots)