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Urban Planner: October 25, 2008
TOURNAMENT: World Rock-Paper-Scissors Society originators Doug and Graham Walker have built an international event to celebrate this centuries-old decision-making process. Steam Whistle Brewing hosts the World Rock-Paper-Scissors Championship this evening, as competitors vie for a total of $13,000 in prize money. The Roundhouse (255 Bremner Boulevard), 8 p.m., $40 (competitors), $12 (spectators).
ACTIVISM: For those who would like to effect positive change, there are two options today. The Yes In My Backyard festival is being held at the Gladstone Hotel, bringing together organizations and citizens who focus on ways to better the quality of our lives, minimize the footprints we leave behind, and build a better Toronto. The Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West), 11 a.m.–5 p.m., FREE; Guluwalk, in support of the children of northern Uganda, starts at Lawrence Park at 1 p.m. and finishes in Queen’s Park at 2:30 p.m., followed by speaker presentations. This year the young Dominic Akena, one of the kids from the documentary film War/Dance, will be taking part as a special guest speaker. Lawrence Park, 11:30 a.m., FREE.
FAKE ACTIVISM: Improv In Toronto hosts an improv invitational to protest the “Unfair Treatment of Dinosaurs.” Why are Dinos treated unfairly? That’s up to you. Willing participants should meet at the big statue at the north end of Queen’s Park at 1 p.m. with their own protest materials (signs, markers, etc), before moving on to the ROM for the protest. Be prepared to deal with actual protesters when Guluwalk passes by mid-afternoon. Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen’s Park), 1–4 p.m., FREE.
READING: What do Ireland, Lynda Barry, conflict-zone journal writing, and Batman Manga all have in common? They’re a taste of what’s being presented today as part of Harbourfront’s International Festival of Authors (on until November 1st). Book signings (FREE) by participating authors are scheduled over the course of the day in the IFOA Bookstore, set up in the Marilyn Brewer Community Space. Harbourfront (235 Queens Quay West), 12–8 p.m., $15 per event.
DANCING: The fabulous Footprints collective of Jason Palma, General Eclectic, DJ Stuart, and Lybido mash it up funky-style in the back room of the Rivoli tonight for their October session. Get there before 11 p.m. for half-price entry. There’s a free DJ Eclectic CD for the first twenty-five to arrive. Rivoli Tavern (334 Queen Street West), 9 p.m., $10.
Photo by Amanda Buckiewicz from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.