When telling the story of the Holocaust, one effective way to overcome our sheer inability to comprehend the scope and scale of such atrocities is to zoom in on one or two stories: share one particular experience, in all its brutal specificity, and we have at least a small way into the event—the small details illuminate the larger whole.

One theatre company from the Netherlands, Hotel Modern, takes a related approach in KAMP (CAMP). The production depicts a typical day at the Auschwitz concentration camp, but instead of zooming in into a closeup, it shrinks everything down, literally, into miniature. It’s the accumulation of thousands of small details that has the impact in this case.

Eleanor McMahon thinks it’s time to change the conversation around cycling in Ontario.

McMahon is the founder of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, who will be hosting the fifth annual Ontario Bike Summit this week in Toronto. She says that we need to stop talking about things like bike lanes and other bicycle infrastructure as a zero sum game between cars and bikes.

“We do polling, and our polling tells us that 89 per cent of Ontarians are both drivers and cyclists,” she says. “The notion that it’s cars versus bikes is overblown, and it’s really not working anymore. Deciding to change the conversation means going out of our way to poke holes in that idea and say from the get go ‘We don’t buy into that philosophy, and just because you say it, doesn’t make it true.’ ”

Image courtesy of The Great Canadian Burlesque.

The Great Canadian Girlesque Expo
Various locations
January 25–27
$20–$78

This coming weekend, Toronto will once again play host to the largest burlesque convention in Canada, The Great Canadian Girlesque Expo. An annual winter showcase now in its eighth year, it features legends of burlesque and active performers at the height of their power alongside local stars and emerging artists. Over three days, there will be more than 60 burlesque acts from across the country, as well as displays, vendors, and workshops.

The Girlesque Expo is put on by the Great Canadian Burlesque, an association of burlesque performers who also run the Canadian Burlesque Hall of Fame. Founded nearly a decade ago by Toronto-based mentalist, magician, and variety performer Mysterion, the Girlesque Expo is now setting the standard for grandeur in the Canadian burlesque scene.

During an interview, Mysterion immediately identifies the act he’s most excited to see this weekend: Tempest Storm. The pop-culture icon and burlesque legend will appear in Toronto for the first time in over 30 years. A contemporary of Bettie Page, Storm performed for well over 60 years, and her career has taken her as far as Hollywood. She retired in 1995, but still makes special appearances. Also coming: Tiffany Carter, another legend, who Mysterion says “has been performing since the 1960s and never retired.” Other performers will include Tanya Cheex, Jo Boobs Weldon, Burgundy Brixx, Coco Lectric, Fionna Flauntit, and Chaos Divine.

The appearances of legendary performers from the ’50s and ’60s alongside new and emerging performers is something that Mysterion is extremely proud of. Events like this, he says, “validate the Toronto burlesque scene.” He believes that Toronto’s burlesque performances “are at least on par, if not better than anything else out there.”

“[Toronto has] a nurturing scene,” he adds, “and is a city with a dance school on every corner, access to great cloth and crystals and costume makers. There are aerialists and circus schools. Toronto has so much that can allow people to become excellent performers.”

According to the Great Canadian Burlesque’s website, “Burlesque is not a synonym for stripping or exotic dancing. Burlesque is performance art that shines a spotlight on striptease that showcases skits, comedy, variety and seduction.” To this effect, Mysterion says part of the purpose of the expo is education, both for the performers and for the audience. The former have the opportunity to see their contemporaries at work. The latter get to see how far burlesque has come as an art form.

In addition to the performances, eight workshops will be offered over the course of the expo, on subjects ranging from costumes, to how to do a “glove peel.” There will even be a session with Tempest Storm on the psychology of burlesque.

Mysterion hopes audiences will come away with a new appreciation for their city’s steamy side. It’s important, he told us, to remember that “Toronto the Good” can also be naughty.

Forget compasses, GPS, or helpful Sherpas. From June 11 to 17, Torontoist is here to be your guide to everything NXNE.

Teenanger bassist Melissa Ball.

The first night of NXNE may have got off to a bumpy start, with the sudden cancellation of the hip-hop showcase at The Rivoli, but thankfully a night full of strong performances helped make up for it.

Petty Victories
FROM: Toronto, Ontario
PERFORMED: June 13, 8 p.m. at The Monarch Tavern

Pre-Show Hype: Minimal. Minutes before the show began there were only a few people in the pub.

Performance: Engaging, if not for slightly uneven sound quality.

Best Moment: “Come closer.” The gig became much stronger and intimate once the crowd was invited to come a few steps nearer to the band.

Miscellaneous: The Tavern’s grand piano sounded great—a very nice touch for this set.

Verdict: Very easy-going music and a nice way to enter NXNE—check them out if you’re looking for something calming or an album to listen to on a long car ride home.

Gus + Scout
FROM: New York, New York
PERFORMED: June 13, 10 p.m. at El Mocambo (Downstairs)

Pre-Show Hype: Growing by the minute as show-time approached. The word appeared to be out on this one, as an empty room became a bustling hotspot in an instant. There were likely more than a few rubberneckers in attendance curious to see if Scout WIllis (yes, daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis) was capable of carrying a tune.

Performance: The duo, backed by a bassist and drummer who apparently don’t warrant additional ampersands in the band’s name, ambled through ragged blues-tinged numbers that straddled a pleasing line between rock and country. While the temptation for most may be to dismiss the group as the mere dalliance of a spoiled celebrity daughter, Scout’s voice carried a soulful tone that lent itself perfectly to the genre. She still has a reluctant stage presence (perhaps owing to her age), with a tendency to pick her fingernails or hook her thumbs into her Daisy Dukes when not singing. And there’s something about her relationship with baby-faced Gus that seems tailor-made for an upcoming reality television show. At face value, though, a solid festival appearance.

Best Moment: It was poised to be the tender kiss that Scout planted on Gus’S cheek after one of his barn-burning solos, until she later finished the set by rewarding him with a full-on lip-lock. Possibly a great conclusion to an episode of the aforementioned hypothetical reality show?

Miscellaneous: Even drummer Noah seemed surprised when he was introduced by Scout as “the baddest motherfucker you’ll ever meet.”

Verdict: The girl can sing. Though there are rough edges to be polished, this remains a combination to keep an eye on.

Sexy Mathematics
FROM: Toronto, Ontario
PERFORMED: June 13, 10 p.m. at The Detour Bar

Pre-Show Hype: Strong—the venue had a healthy number of people before the show started (and the excitement was definitely showing).

Performance: Solid, boosted by the choice of a small venue. These guys could definitely benefit from including an instrumental or two in their set though.

Best Moment: Announcing “we’re going to slow it down a bit” and then launching into what was essentially a dance-inducing jam.

Miscellaneous: The disco lights added nicely to the atmosphere.

Verdict: The venue was a perfect choice for this set—intimate and small enough to fill up with their sound easily. The instrument transition in the last two songs made the set worth seeing, though it would have been even better if they had boosted the sound of the mics.

Tess
FROM: New York, New York
PERFORMED: June 13, 11 p.m. at The Crawford

Pre-Show Hype: Pretty much nil. We were actually there to see The Lytics, but there was a schedule change.

Performance: If there’s one problem with NXNE-type festivals, it’s that the acts don’t always blend together very well. For example, it would be hard to imagine a worse lead-in for Tess’ dance-pop flavoured R&B than the testosterone-laden aggro-rap of Tomasi. That said, the New York–based songstress did a great job of playing the hand she was dealt: stretching her voice to the limit, coming into the shy Toronto crowd, dancing until she was dripping in sweat, and breaking into tears on one of the slower, more emotional numbers.

Best Moment: Undoubtedly when she covered The Police’s “Roxanne,” then passed the mic to the audience during the chorus.

Miscellaneous: Her back-up singer, Jack Fuller, has a powerful enough voice that he could easily be a leading act in his own right.

Verdict: The next time Tess plays Toronto, it will be on a much, much larger stage.

Amos The Transparent
FROM: Ottawa, Ontario
PERFORMED: June 13, 11 p.m. at El Mocambo (Downstairs)

Amos the Transparent, far more visible than their name would suggest.

Pre-Show Hype: Fairly palpable. One of those Canadian bands deserving of a wider audience, they released their second album, Goodnight My Dear… I’m Falling Apart to strong reviews earlier this year. As singer Jonathan Chandler remarked at one point, the venue appeared to be filled with the familiar faces of loyal fans, but also some new converts.

Performance: The strength was all in the delivery, as the sextet provided the kind of loose and fun set that can only develop with hard work and time. With offerings that ranged from jangly, earnest anthems like “Slow as the Weather” to melancholy-laced slow burners, they nearly all succeeded in hitting their desired mark. Each band member brought his or her own invaluable contribution to the mix.

Best Moment: It’s hard to pull off an effective background vocal sing-along with any audience, let alone one in Toronto, but this improbable feat was achieved to satisfying results.

Miscellaneous: The band has generously made the new album available as a free download on their website.

Verdict: A great way to get the festival started and another reminder of the level of talent flying under the radar in Canada.

Teenanger
FROM: Toronto, Ontario
PERFORMED: June 13, 12 a.m. at The Garrison

Teenanger vocalist Christopher Swimmings at The Garrison.

Pre-Show Hype: Fairly high—both NOW and the AV Club tapped Teenager as one of the acts to watch at this year’s NXNE, and they were the subject of a write-up in the Globe and Mail back in February.

Performance: It’s hard for a band to live up to that kind of expectation, but Teenanger managed to pull it off. Their jam-packed half-hour set was fast and tight, and lead vocalist Chris Swimmings’ nasal vocals were loud enough to rattle your chest. They didn’t talk between songs, but they did drink, spit, sneer, and generally kick ass.

Best Moment: Any time Swimmings spat into the crowd.

Miscellaneous: When they finished their set, they pretty much just dropped their gear and walked off stage.

Verdict: Teenanger is loud, snotty, obnoxious, and pretty much everything you’d ever want from a punk band.

Teen Violence
FROM: Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
PERFORMED: Jun 13, 12 a.m. at The Detour Bar

Geoff Albrecht (left) and Marcus Wanka of Teen Violence. Detail of a photo from their Bandcamp page.

Pre-Show Hype: Not much. No Twitter handle or hashtag (a couple of pre-show fan tweets), no mentions in any online publication’s NXNE previews or picks, one June interview in Fuss Magazine.

Performance: The Detour had a healthy (though not capacity) crowd when we arrived at midnight, and Teen Violence was already into their set. Frontman Marcus Wanka and lead guitarist Geoff Albrecht were joined by a bassist and very capable drummer for a four piece set-up, and the crowd seemed appreciative, though not initially pressing the stage. The first full song we heard was “The Only Way (We’ll Stay Together),” which had some unison vocals from the two regular members, and a decent surf-pop vibe. Our initial impression: punkier Monkees.

Best Moment: After several invites to dance or come closer, Wanka got the crowd to close the gap for their final three songs, all new (“These are fresh! Fresh as hell!”), two minute miracles.

Miscellaneous: “I like the Everly Brothers” announced Wanka mid-way through the set, and sure enough, their ’50s/’60s sound was worn heart-on-sleeve. Also, their horizontally striped attire made an impact.

Verdict: A strong first impression. While their 7-inch wasn’t on hand as they’d planned, that recording and a second EP are in the pipeline, as well as two videos. We’ll be keeping tabs on them.

Blake Carrington
FROM: Toronto, Ontario/Buffalo, New York
PERFORMED: June 13, 12:50 a.m. at The Crawford

Pre-Show Hype: Minimal.

Performance: Blake Carrington is a machine. His stage presence borders on epic. He jumps around like an over-sugared toddler, but doesn’t let it affect his smooth, measured delivery in the slightest. He managed to occupy every inch of The Crawford’s tiny stage (seemingly at once), did a masterful job of engaging the crowd, and did it all without ever seeming to tire.

Best Moment: When Carrington invited MC/producer Rich Kidd on stage with him. Kidd was supposed to headline the cancelled SmashMouth showcase at The Rivoli, so it was good to get to see him get a little stage time.

Miscellaneous: Carrington was actually supposed to go on stage at midnight. Remember what I said about hip-hop standard time?

Verdict: Young rappers should watch Carrington and take notes. He may be one of the best live performers in hip-hop right now.

We Were Lovers
FROM: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
PERFORMED: June 13, 1 a.m. at The Boat

We Were Lovers vocalist Elsa Gebremichael.

Pre-Show Hype: Minimal.

Performance: Things got off to a rough start when technical difficulties forced the band to stop twice during their opening song. Thankfully, their performance was worthy of the crowd’s patience. Elsa Gebremichael’s smooth vocals combined nicely with electro dance beats and guitarist Ash Lamothe’s rock infusion.

Best Moment: “Islands,” off their upcoming album, Pyramids

Miscellaneous: Gebremichael used to be in a band called From Chimpan-A to Chimpan-Z.

Verdict: This young prairie duo has a lot going for them.

CLARIFICATION: June 17, 2012, 10:10 PM This post originally referred to the back-up singer for Tess by a nickname; his full name, Jack Fuller, has been added above.

Forget compasses, GPS, or helpful Sherpas. From June 11 to 17, Torontoist is here to be your guide to everything NXNE.

A crowd at Yonge-Dundas Square awaiting Iggy Pop at NXNE 2010. Photo by Nancy Paiva/Torontoist.

Welcome to the first edition of Torontoist‘s daily picks for NXNE 2012. Our team of intrepid writers has put together a by-no-means-complete (and totally subjective) list of the evening’s best acts to help you make the most of day one of the music festival.

Army Girls
Supermarket (268 Augusta Avenue)
9 p.m.

Carmen Elle and Andy Smith, together as Army Girls, provided us with a smooth but powerful shot of power-punk to get our day started back in April on Record Store Day. Every time we’ve seen the two perform, since our first time in a living room at a now-defunct (and sorely missed) musician-house-party hot spot, they’ve grown exponentially in panache and confidence, which is probably why the duo is hotly tipped in many publications for this year’s NXNE.

Go if: You enjoy drums and guitar with a powerhouse lead vocalist.

Sexy Mathematics
The Detour Bar (193.5 Baldwin Street)
10 p.m.

Mathematics is sexy. But you already knew that, right? As for music, well, that’s sexy too. Led by vocalist Chris Daviduik, this up-and-coming electro/indie group blends synths and guitar harmonies together to form a sound that’ll have you rocking out of your socks. Their debut album, Future Nights, which is streaming in full on their website, should give you a strong indication of the type of party you’re in for.

Go if: You want to start your NXNE dancing.

Denzil Porter
The Rivoli (334 Queen Street West)
12:20 a.m.

Bronx-based Denzil Porter has been every rap blogger’s favourite underappreciated MC ever since his song “Kanye West”—about the joys of being an asshole—went viral late last year. Given Porter’s classic East Coast flow, his distinctive tenor voice, and his penchant for rhyming over melodic beats that verge on pretty, he probably won’t be underappreciated for much longer. Catch him now so you can say you saw him when.

Go if: You also occasionally enjoy being an asshole.

Nixon
El Mocambo (upstairs) (464 Spadina Avenue)
1 a.m.
UPDATE 5:19 PM: Nixon’s manager has just informed us that the band will not, as previously scheduled, be playing the El Mo at 1 a.m. Instead they will be playing a party at 586 Richmond Street at 7 p.m., along with Dinosaur Bones.

A lot has happened since the band formerly known as Tiny Danza won Indie Week in October of last year. Aside from the name change, the hip-hop infused rock group has signed a record deal, played SXSW, and taken their talents overseas. MC Galen Hogg and R&B singer Andrew Cameron complement each other magnificently, and they’re backed by a legitimately tight group of musicians. If the group’s notorious reputation holds true, expect a high-energy performance with some even harder partying to follow.

Go if: You don’t have to work Thursday. You want to feel like you are in the know on one of NXNE’s off-the-radar shows.

MJ Cyr
Czehoski (678 Queen Street West)
1 a.m.

MJ Cyr. Photo by Victoria Kucher.

When we profiled MJ Cyr for last year’s NXNE, she was in the middle of recording an album inspired by Bahá’í devotional prayers, using them as the lyrics. She’s since finished that album, called Canopy, and has just returned to Toronto from yet another East Coast tour. She’ll be primed for her first set back.

Go if: You enjoy cleverly looped guitar and snyth-pop sounds, like Imogen Heap. Or early Florence + The Machine.

Topless Gay Love Tekno Party
The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West)
1:05 a.m.

Let me be very frank here. Even if I knew nothing about Topless Gay Love Tekno Party, I would recommend you see them based solely on their name and the fact they are playing at 1:05 in the morning. That the Vancouver-based band makes super catchy dance-rock, has referred to themselves as “visual performance art,” and does a really weird Arcade Fire cover is just a bonus.

Go if: You’re hoping your night takes a turn for the weird.

For those of you who don’t feel like running around all night, we’ve taken the liberty of selecting the evening’s best single-venue line up.

http://youtu.be/NwrdjXgU9pA

Best Line-Up
The Painted Lady (218 Ossington Avenue)

The Painted Lady boasts an intriguing mish-mash of guys and gals. From Avery Island (9 p.m.) to the ladies of Sidney York (11 p.m.), the line-up places some talented females front and centre. The trend continues with Australian rockers The Aves (9 p.m.) and the powerful vocals of Juliana Ronderos in Il Abanico (midnight). And let’s not forget about the men of Boston’s Animal Talk (10 p.m.) and their brand of body-moving electro-pop. Also, Toronto’s own purveyors of lush psychedelia, HiFi Phantom (2 a.m.).

Go if: You want a diverse range of acts in one spot.

NXNE is an embarrassment of musical riches, but it can be hard to find the best acts. Even so, don’t panic. We have put together a comprehensive guide to the festival.

The Raveonettes at NXNE 2010.

The word “rock” can mean so many things these days. At NXNE, you’ll find everything from “folk” to “kraut” varieties. It can be a bit much to navigate. Here is some help…

What to Bring: An open mind. Not every act you see will be earth-shattering, but sometimes a hidden gem opening for a couple of bigger names will leave an impression. It’s sifting through the talent that provides so much of the enjoyment at a festival like this.

Where to Go: The biggest no-brainer would be to catch the free Flaming Lips show at Yonge-Dundas Square on June 16 (9 p.m.). Expect confetti cannons, folks in dancing animal suits, and a good possibility of Wayne Coyne walking across the crowd in a giant bubble. Oh, and be sure to get there early for Of Montreal, who are, in fact, from Georgia (7 p.m.). Or, pop into the Horseshoe on June 14 for Hooded Fang (10 p.m.), the El Mocambo on June 15 for Paper Lions (midnight), or watch Goodnight, Sunrise close the fest down on June 17 at Rancho Relaxo (10 p.m.).

Dos and Don’ts: When the occasion calls for it and the music all but demands it do take the opportunity to move those dancing feet. But in those quiet moments between songs, don’t be that guy who shouts out requests for “Free Bird.” Just kidding, keep doing that.

Long-time lovers, cancel your boring bistro reservations and try something a little spicier: one of Toronto’s umpteen V-Day burlesque shows. Va-va-voom vaudevillians The Harlettes will be shimmying down at Ossington it spot LeVack Block (88 Ossington); cover is $10. The Gladstone (1214 Queen Street West) has Skin Tight Outta Sight for their seventh annual Bump’n'Grind Valentine; $25 at the door, $18 in advance. At Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor Street West), stripshow princesses Sasha Von Bon Bon, Kitty Neptune and the rest of The Scandelles present their unique style of “conceptual cabaret”; $20 at the door, $18 in advance. And even the Annex Wreckroom gets adventurous with Love Bomb, featuring presumably explosive performances by Sex City Sluts Cabaret, Miss Mitzy Revue and others; $10 at the door, $7 in advance.
If you’ve chosen the best/worst day of the year for a first date, test the affection of your potential paramour with surprise tickets to… Evil Dead: The Musical! Yes, Toronto’s favourite B musical is back just in time for a totally killer Valentine’s. Wear a raincoat, bring a healthy appreciation for low art, and cross your fingers your bloody valentine doesn’t leave you loveless after this shlocky gorefest. Tickets range from $29.50 to $75 and are available at the Diesel Playhouse Box Office (56 Blue Jays Way) or online. The show is on at 8 p.m. Thursday, February 14 and runs through April 5, 2008.

Photo by Loser Prince from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.
Singles in the city can a) spend the night drinking gin-and-tears at the nearest little dive bar, using up all their laundry quarters to play “One is the Loneliest Number” three dozen times on the jukebox or b) get over themselves and head to a bigger dive—the El Mocambo, 464 Spadina Avenue—for Open Hearts, a live music fundraiser for Amnesty International. The lineup includes Blurred Vision, Luke Sneyd, Joel Lightman, the Hallelujah Drummers, and Chris Bottomley & Brainfudge. Doors at 7 p.m. $15 cover, $10 if you bring a can of food.
For those who aren’t about being in love, just making it, House of Helder presents Hot Stuff at The Social (1100 Queen Street West). DJ sets by Syntronics, Jaime Sin and Will Munro, and Fritz Helder and Diego promise to make your heart beat harder, better, faster… yeah, yeah. You’re just going for the 95 percent chance of dancefloor action, cinnamon-flavoured makeouts, or a (very) dirty bathroom rendezvous. Cover is $5 and there’ll be a slow dance at the end of the night, just to make extra sure no one goes home alone.
And finally, if you think Valentine’s is a total joke, Yuk Yuk’s wants you. Last Comic Standing—the NBC reality show about… well, guess—is holding an open casting call at the downtown Toronto comedy club (224 Richmond Street West, 416-967-6425) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The best of the stand-up hopefuls will perform in a public show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.

This Week

Friday, January 25
Beniffer Editions @ Teranga with DJ Free I-Pod and DJ Duffs.
Nocturnal Magazine @ The Harbourfront Natrel Rink with Andy Reid, Simon Jain, and Matt Shaw. Free. 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Rehab @ Footwork with Vinyl Junkies, Sydney Blu, and The Roaches (Nathan Barato and Carlo Lio).
Non Stop @ Drake Underground with Cosmo Baker, Graemzilla, and Fistfight Andrew. $5.
Soho Fridays @ This is London! with Mauro Picotto, Manzone & Strong, and Greg Gow.
Purplelectricity@ Ultra Supper Club with DJ doctor BAGGIEand Chris La Roque. $15.
Randomland @ CiRCA. Main Room: John Acquaviva, Thomas Schumacher, and A.D/D; Mirror Ballroom: K.I.M. Aviance and DJ Jamal; SKYY Cinema: The Beatfreakers, Special ED, Fawn Big Canoe, and Justin Tyce; Bathroom Bar: Matt Sims, ViVi Diamond. and Cobra Cut. $15.
Saturday, January 26
Fascination @ Andy Poolhall with Mike Tull and Andrew Allsgood. $5.
Do Right! Saturdays @ Super Market with John Kong, Circle Research, and Abdominal. $5 before 11.
Shut Em Down: King of New York Edition @ 751 with Kaewonder and JC. $5.
Vanderpark @ Revival with The Sea Inside and USS. $10 adv.
The Virgins Afterparty @ Levack Block with The Virgins (DJ set), Huggs and Lucie Tic.
Apples @ Slack’s with DJ doctor BAGGIE and DJ Delicious. No cover.
Shake a Tail @ Clinton’s. $5.
Rene Amesz @ Footwork.
Contact @ The Guvernment. The Guvernment: Markus Schulz, Menno De Jong, Rank 1, Blake Jarrell, and Mark Oliver; The Drink: Paul Harris and Manzone & Strong; Orange Room: DJ Aristotle; D’Luxe Lounge: 4 Korners; The Gallery: Nathan Barato, Sydney Blu and Jason Myles. $25 adv.
Sunday, January 27
Edge 102.1 Live to Air @ Velvet Underground with Martin Streek.
Go Loco Sundays @ Funhaus with DJ Rudee, Paranoid Jack, Flipside, El Duran, Mute & Laki, and more. 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, January 28
Manic Mondays! @ Dance Cave with DJ Shannon. No cover.
Make it Mondays @ Raq n’ Waq with Viper Crew. No cover.
Tuesday, January 29
Footwork Tuesdays @ Andy Poolhall with DJ Fase. No cover.
Totally Wired Tuesdays @ Embassy with DJ Richie Volume.
Wednesday, January 30
DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist @ The Phoenix with Kid Koala. $29.50 adv.
Remix This! @ Andy Poolhall with Rock Steady Drew. No cover.
Hump Day Bump @ Gladstone Melody Bar with May and Shane. No cover.
Flop House Wednesdays @ TOI Bar with Alicia Hush,Jason Myles, and DJ LT. No cover.

This Week

Monday December 17
Kirov Orchestra @ Roy Thomson Hall, $69.50-$199.50
Tuesday December 18
David Occhipinti @ Drake Lounge, Free
Jason Collett and guests @ Dakota Tavern, $15
Aimee Dawn Robinson, Castlemusic, and Anna Linda Sidd @ Tranzac, $5
Playdef, Strawman, and Orange Fuzz @ Lee’s Palace, $5
Wednesday December 19
Rhett Miller @ Horseshoe, $15
Epigram, Now Yr Taken, and Proelis Fere @ Cameron House
Danielle Duval @ Rivoli, $5
Thursday December 20
The Darcys and Zesty @ Supermarket, $5
Handsome Furs and guests @ Lee’s Palace, $12
Danko Jones, C’Mon, and Sons of Otis @ Horseshoe, $17.50
Chimaira @ Opera House, $22
Megan Hamilton & Volunteer Canola, Products of Better Living, Shelby Lamb, and Deromantic @ El Mocambo, $8
Forthwall @ Sneaky Dee’s, $5
Friday December 21
Ill Scarlett @ Opera House, $20
Skydiggers @ Horseshoe, $20
Cancel Winter @ El Mocambo, $8
Old Soul @ Dakota Tavern,
Saturday December 22
The New Deal @ Opera House, $20
Skydiggers @ Horseshoe, $20
Wayside Ramblers, Clayton Park, and Hello Amsterdam @ Silver Dollar, $5
Sunday, December 23
Kevin Quain and the Mad Basards @ Cameron House, $5

Just Announced

January 7: Kate Nash @ Mod Club, $17
January 21: The Mars Volta @ Phoenix, SOLD OUT
January 22: Editors, Hot Hot Heat, and Louis XIV @ Kool Haus, $22.25
January 29: Mika @ Kool Haus, $39.50
January 31: Wintersleep @ Phoenix, $17.50
February 27: Matt Costa and Jonathan Rice @ Phoenix, $18.50
Photo of Kirby Best of The Darcys by Jeremy North-Lewis