Results tagged “ranchorelaxo”

"It basically started as a way to hopefully get free CDs." In what seems like a dream to those of us yet to turn our internet noise into an escape from day jobs and a licence to sleep in, Dan Wolovick has, in a few short years, turned his reviews-based music blog Two Way Monologues into a full-time job. "I became inspired [to put on live shows] by a friend from a band who challenged me for never doing anything [besides] criticizing bands in reviews, and I've never looked back."

THEATRE: Tony Award–winning rock musical Spring Awakening starts its month-long run tonight at the Canon Theatre. Adapted from the 1891 play by Frank Wedekind, the decidedly alternative musical (with a score by Duncan Sheik and lyrics by Steven Sater) follows the sexual discoveries of formerly oppressed teenagers living at the turn of the nineteeth century in Berlin. The play, when it was first released, was initially banned in Germany because its not-so-feel-good topics include abortion, suicide, and rape. Parents all across the province are sure to grimace as their puberty-stricken daughters and sexually ambiguous sons announce they simply have to go see a bunch of former child actors take their clothes off on stage. But seriously, this musical is supposed to be really good. Canon Theatre (244 Victoria Street), 8 p.m., $28–$89.

FILM: There are a couple of film screenings today. Patti Smith: Dream of Life, Steven Sebring’s new documentary about the singer/songwriter/artist, opens today and will screen until October 2 at the Royal Cinema (608 College Street, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., <$10). As well, Mixed Greens, the monthly environmental film series at the Gardiner Museum, will be screening Marie-Monique Robin’s documentary, The World According to Monsanto. The film is presented in association with the upcoming Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival, which will take place during the week of October 22 (111 Queen’s Park, 6:45 p.m., PWYC [$7 suggested]).

FESTIVAL: A two-day tribute to cult film The Big Lebowski is going down this weekend. LollapaDUDEza kicks off tonight with a screening of the film at Rancho Relaxo, and a Lebowski-themed costume contest. Following the screening, there will be a Lebowski trivia competition, as well as karaoke. Your ticket also gets you a free drink at the bar! If you can't make it out this evening, LollapaDUDEza has booked the Bathurst Bowlerama for three hours of (what else?) bowling tomorrow, from 4–7 p.m. After that, there will be a tribute night back over at the Rancho where local bands will be covering CCR songs and other Big Lebowski soundtrack gems. Rancho Relaxo (300 College Street), 9 p.m., $15 (or $25 for a two-day pass, which includes admission to bowling).

SPORTS: It's Labour Day weekend, and you know what that means! It's time for the annual three-day soundtrack of the pending apocalypse. In layman's terms, it's the Canadian International Air Show, a celebration of flight and scared looks on tourists' faces as planes fly a little too close to the Toronto skyline. This year's performers include the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team, the Canadian Snowbirds Demonstration Team, and the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Admission to the show is included when you visit either Ontario Place or the CNE. Until Monday. Exhibition Place (200 Princes' Boulevard), 1 p.m.

WORDS: Join the Toronto Cyclists Union at CineCycle tonight for the launch party of Dandyhorse, a new Toronto-based urban cycling magazine. The magazine will feature articles about commuting, advocacy, couriers, safety, fashion, and anything else related to bikes, and the party will have DJs, a cash bar, cake, and—of course—lots of brand new magazines. CineCycle (behind 129 Spadina Avenue), 7:30 p.m., $5.

DANCE: German electrohouse duo Booka Shade returns to Toronto for what will undoubtedly be a sweaty, sweaty dance party at CiRCA tonight. Hey, remember when CiRCA first opened and everyone was being all “Yeah right, I'm never going to CiRCA!"? Looks like the joke is on you, if you're a Booka Shade fan. CiRCA (126 John Street), 10 p.m., $18.50.

MUSIC: Coldplay's in town. If you're looking for tickets, look no further than the friendly scalpers who will undoubtedly swarm the ACC around 6 p.m. tonight. Make sure you've made a hefty cash withdrawal beforehand, though—even on Craigslist, it's hard to find a nosebleed ticket selling for less than $100. I guess some people still really like "Clocks." Air Canada Centre (40 Bay Street), 7:30 p.m., $49.50–$97.50.

If you are saddened by your procrastination that cost you Richard Hawley and Jose Gonzalez tickets this week, you can direct your attention to the eclectic choice of shows as a mild substitute. It does, however, appear as if local label Arts and Crafts have successfully cornered the market on this week's moderately sized shows (read: tickets that cost no more than $35). Tuesday you can catch Jason Collett with a surprise guest at the...

Now that you're informed about the unhappy and scary state of the earth, it's time to do something about it. The next ArtJam will not only showcase the usual fusion of art and music, but will be a fundraiser for WTF, or the Weather Task Force. Come out to Rancho Relaxo on Friday, June 29 at 8 p.m. and pay $7 cover to help out this environmental alliance—after all, WTF organizes a bunch of those Earth Day events and activities you participate in. Listen to tunes by Teknostep, The Flying Museum Band, Tripped on Water, and Dangerous Brains and check out art by Bradford Wilson, Barrie Biederman, Stephanie Latulippe, and Lex Buchanan in the name of fighting climate change. If you can’t make it tonight, you'll still have many more opportunities to contribute—a portion of proceeds from all future ArtJams will go towards the development of renewable resources.

Indie comic artist Shannon Gerard is launching issue 2 of her moving and gorgeously illustrated comic Hung tonight at Rancho Relaxo. You can see samples of her work on her site but what intrigues us even more is the promised session(s) of Hipster Bingo at her event. Also, the aptly named Live Country Music will also be providing entertainment.

Two more chances to see the much talked about Laura Barrett before the year is up: She'll be playing/baking at the Rancho Relaxo for the Band Bake-Off tonight and playing only at a Amazing confluence of Music and Funny! Holiday Fundraiser at the Silver Dollar on Thursday.

Those wise sages at Loverboy know what they're talking about! Torontoist spent a good part of the week recovering from the amazing Wavelength Fifth Anniversary shows last weekend. This weekend seems to be just as packed with musical goodness.

Much of today's mixtape purports to be funny, with varying success. The video is funny-sad, the lyrics are funny-deranged, the song title is funny-eccentric, and the sitcom song is outright funny. Torontoist even tries to make funny about our rampant spelling mistakes. Now THAT is funny.

Last time Taddle Creek had a launch party they gave away Krispy Kreme donuts and beer. Not the most savoury combo, but a welcome freebie if you could exercise enough restraint to go with one or the other. This time round the invite makes no mention of free dough, perhaps because Krispy Kreme is no longer in a position to give things away for free. Regardless, the readings promise to be short, the evening therefore sweet. Music by the Shovels, and door prizes galore. So get lit. At Rancho Relaxo.

Ear to the Ground, a new independent arts festival, won't take hold of the city until next September, but in the interim your ear can be the first to the floor when the group holds a fundraiser tomorrow night at Rancho Relaxo. Snoovy, Bandwidth X and Convertible Robots will play, with DJs spinning intermittently. On top of that, there will be raffles for Bloor Cinema passes, CDs and "fine, fine merch." Doors open at 8pm. Note - Torontoist doesn't endorse actually putting your ear on the floor of Rancho Relaxo.