According to CBC’s Chris Boyce, the goal of this weekend’s CBCMusic.ca Festival is twofold. First and foremost, the CBC wants to celebrate Canadian music. Second, it wants to celebrate CBC Music, the broadcaster’s online music service, which launched a little over a year ago.

In 1996, Theatre Columbus premiered playwright Michael O’Brien’s “freely adapted” take on the famous Beaumarchais play The Barber of Seville, which was written in 1775. O’Brien’s version mixed in music from the 1816 opera of the same name by Gioachino Rossini, as well as original tunes by composer John Millard. The adaptation also propelled the story forward a couple centuries, with pop culture references galore. With Theatre Columbus co-founder Leah Cherniak at the helm, the musical ended the season with six Dora Award nominations (it won three) and plenty of critical acclaim.

Seventeen years later, Soulpepper Theatre is remounting this zany reimagination of The Barber of Seville, updated once again by O’Brien, Millard, and Cherniak. But, for some reason—the change in decade, or company, or sense of humour—whatever had made the original so magical, has faded, save for a few key performances.

Kristyn Wong-Tam speaking at last year's Pride flag-raising ceremony. Photo by {a href="https://secure.flickr.com/photos/alfredng/5877386995/"}alfred ng{/a} from the {a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/torontoist"}Torontoist Flickr Pool{/a}.

• The ceremonial raising of the Pride flag happens today, though once again our Mayor has confirmed that he’s occupied with pressing business elsewhere. Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Ward 27, Toronto Centre-Rosedale) will be doing the Mayor’s job for him, hosting and officiating on behalf of the City of Toronto. Nathan Phillips Square (Queen Street West and Bay Street), noon, FREE.
• Just prior to (and during) the official flag raising, Nathan Phillips Square will also be the site of a flash mob “die-in” protesting generalized homophobia and transphobia, cuts to services affecting the queer and tran communities, and more. Participants are encouraged to dress in black or funeral attire. Nathan Phillips Square (Queen Street West and Bay Street), 11:30 a.m., FREE.
• The same group, Queers For Social Justice, is staging a night march, since so much of the violence against the queer and trans communities happens at night (such as the still-unsolved murder of Christopher Skinner). The march will depart from City Hall, and unlike the die-in, it will be noisy, loud, and festive; participants are encouraged to bring glowsticks and wear flashy clothing. Nathan Phillips Square (Queen Street West and Bay Street), 8:30 p.m., FREE.

FUNDRAISER: The annual Glida’s Awards luncheon takes place today, celebrating comedians Ron James and Andrea Martin, St. Joseph’s Communications’ (and Torontoist owner) CEO Tony Gagliano, representatives from the Princess Margaret Hospital, and more, for their contributions to the cancer-support charity. Colin Mochrie hosts. Royal York Hotel Concert Hall (100 Front Street West), noon—2 p.m., $80 (and up, way up, for tables).

PERFORMING ARTS: Toronto’s theatre, opera, and dance communities celebrate the best of the past year at tonight’s Dora Mavor Moore Awards, produced by the Toronto Alliance For the Performing Arts. Pretty much anyone who’s anyone on—or behind—Toronto stages will be in attendance. As with last year, there’s even a recent and controversial scandal sure to be on everybody’s lips—the summary firing of Ken Gass from Factory Theatre. After the ceremony, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the attendees will spill out onto the street for a ritzy late-night street after-party. St. Lawrence Centre, Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front Street East), 8 p.m., $165 (awards and after-party plus VIP reception); $65 (awards and after-party); $18 (after-party only).

MUSIC and FILM: The Garrison’s regular “Rock Docs” series tonight features a triple bill (well, two features and a pair of shorts) of films centred on the Rolling Stones: Jean-Luc Godard’s Sympathy For The Devil, Kenneth Anger’s Invocation of My Demon Brother and Lucifer Rising, and Albert and David Maysles’ Gimme Shelter. As usual, the films are free, the popcorn’s free, and there will be prizes. The Garrison (1197 Dundas Street West), doors at 8 p.m, first screening at 8:30 p.m., FREE.

Urban Planner is Torontoist‘s guide to what’s on in Toronto, published every weekday morning, and in a weekend edition Friday afternoons. If you have an event you’d like considered, email all of its details—as well as images, if you’ve got any—to events@torontoist.com.

Mark Little and Kayla Lorette, co-stars in the upcoming film Rollertown, are both nominees at tonight's 1st Annual I Heart Jokes Awards for local comedy.

COMEDY: I Heart Jokes, which produces comedy shows all over Toronto, have spent the last month gathering nominations for tonight’s 1st Annual I Heart Jokes Awards, hosted by producers/stand-ups Evan Desmarais and Rob Mailloux. Some of the awards, like the “Light Blower Award” (awarded to a performer “who consistently goes over their set time”) poke good fun at the nominees. Other awards are being hotly contested; Georgea Brooks-Hancock and Rhiannon Archer have been tongue-in-cheek mudslinging on Twitter over their competing “Comedy Babe of the Year” nominations. After all the awards have been handed out, the open bar party (beer is included in the ticket) will begin. Comedy Bar (945 Bloor Street West), 8 p.m., $20.

HOT DOCS: It’s North America’s biggest documentary film fest, it’s celebrating a new home cinema, and it’s got everything from the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling to a penis museum. What’s not to love? Everything you need to know about Hot Docs 2012 is at our festival hub.

Correction: April 30, 1:30PM – The reading series mentioned is being presented by Playwrights Guild of Canada, not Playwrights Canada Press, as previously stated. The above has been corrected.

Urban Planner is Torontoist‘s guide to what’s on in Toronto, published every weekday morning, and in a weekend edition Friday afternoons. If you have an event you’d like considered, email all of its details—as well as images, if you’ve got any—to events@torontoist.com.

A still from the film Wild Combination.

TALK: Let’s talk about sex baby, let’s talk about you and me. The Salt-n-Pepa song is the perfect theme for tonight’s event at the AGO called I’m a Very Sexy Baby. Authors Chris Kraus, Tamara Faith Berger, and Sheila Heti have all written about sex and will sit down with Darren O’Donnell to talk about their experiences with the subject. The talk is part of Margaux Williamson’s residency at the AGO. Art Gallery of Ontario, Jackman Hall (317 Dundas Street West), 7–10 p.m., $5–$7.

DISCUSSION: An organization for people in their 20s and 30s is hosting an evening of drinks and discussion about social change in Israel. New Generations Canada is asking participants the question “How Would You Build a More Inclusive Israel?” Former IDF Brigadier General Israela Oron will be on hand to help guide the discussion and will focus on themes such as gender equality and democracy. Supermarket (268 Augusta Avenue), 8 p.m., FREE.

FILM: If you’re a fan of music and film, then a documentary series at the Garrison is the ticket for you. Tonight’s Rock Docs event features two films. the first—Wild Combination—is a portrait of the life of composer, singer-songwriter, cellist, and disco producer Arthur Russell, which the New York Times said was “a tender, fascinating documentary [that] will delight the Russell cult and instantly convert new members.” The second film is called You’re Gonna Miss Me and tells the story of rock pioneer Roky Erickson’s rise and subsequent fall, including institutionalization and struggle amongst his family to improve his care. The Garrison (1197 Dundas Street West), 9 p.m., FREE (with popcorn!).

Urban Planner is Torontoist‘s guide to what’s on in Toronto, published every weekday morning, and in a weekend edition Friday afternoons. If you have an event you’d like considered, email all of its details—as well as images, if you’ve got any—to events@torontoist.com.