In case you're not into any CMW bands playing this year like these guys, or you want to avoid the boozing and schmoozing music industry folks (who are desperately clinging to their jobs), you might consider checking out the Pitter Patter Festival running concurrent to CMW. Featuring more than 80 local and non-local bands playing in Toronto, Hamilton and Oshawa, this year's line-up is a competitive, if not superior alternative to Canadian Music Week. Organizer......

Despite the crappy weather outside Toronto's musicians seem to have come out of hibernation. If you have the stamina and money burning a hole in your pocket you could probably hit almost a dozen shows and enjoy each one. Start tonight by going to see Henri Faberge and the Adorables celebrate their first birthday at the Embassy. This one's free so you're spending your money on drinks, which is a very good thing. Or head......

The temperature hasn't crept above freezing outside but that doesn't mean that you should stay in. There are a few crazy good shows in town tonight, and it's only Tuesday! UK buzz band of the moment The Arctic Monkeys ($18.50) end their two night stand at the Phoenix. Across town Scandinavian popster Annie ($17.50) will try to exorcize all those demons of bad Scandinavian groups past. If neither of these appeal there's Deep Dark United......