Photo by Marc Lostracco from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

ART: A new exhibit called “Strip Mining for Creative Cities” at the Toronto Free Gallery examines the tendencies of gentrification to strip a thriving neighbourhood of its means by white-washing existing community infrastructure with consumer architecture. The exhibit is a collaboration between artists, students, architects, and urban geographers. The opening reception is tonight, followed by a party with DJs Dorian and Dorian. Toronto Free Gallery (1277 Bloor Street West), 7 p.m., FREE.
WORKSHOP: Parkdale was chosen—along with nine other waterfront communities—as a focus of Walk and Bike for Life’s “Trails for Active Transportation” project. Urban strategist Gil Penalosa will be running a workshop for creating walking and biking trails as major routes of transportation through Parkdale. The workshop starts with a lesson on successful models used elsewhere. High Park Public Library (228 Roncesvalles Avenue), 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m., FREE.
WORDS: Peter Victor—one of our heroes—is launching his new book, Managing Without Growth: Slower by Design, Not Disaster from the Munk Centre for International Studies at noon today. The book challenges the viability of growth as the key economic factor in a future global economy. Please register with insiya.powi@gmail.com. Munk Centre for International Studies, North House, room 208N, (1 Devonshire Place), 12–2 p.m., FREE.
ART: Two new student exhibits are opening at the Ontario College of Art and Design and both hold their opening receptions this evening. “Make Believe” is a multi-format look at the engaging power of childhood imagination. Student Gallery (285 Dundas Street West, 1st Floor), 5–7 p.m., FREE. “Draw Like Leonardo” is a showcase of first-year industrial design drawing. Transit Space (100 McCaul Street, 2nd Floor), 5–7 p.m., FREE.
MUSIC: Sadly, the Femi Kuti show at the Opera House has been cancelled. However, two rising stars of Montreal play the Horseshoe tonight. Land of Talk are touring in support of their new album Some Are Lakes. Along for the ride are Zeroes, a band that has managed to create a wonderfully melodic space-noise type of sound. Little Scream open the show. Horseshoe Tavern (368 Queen Street West), 9 p.m., $12.