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Urban Planner: February 18, 2009
WORDS: Authors at Harbourfront kick-starts its 2009 weekly program with three very different authors reading from their new works. Canadian Giles Blunt intrigues us with his new El Salvador–set thriller Breaking Lorca, UK author Chris Cleave describes the fate of his tragic heroine in Little Bee, and Canadian Ken Rivard amuses us with office politics in his short story collection Missionary Positions. York Quay Centre, Brigantine Room (235 Queens Quay West), 7:30 p.m., $8 (FREE for students with ID).
POLITICS: The I Vote Toronto campaign has invited Toronto councillor Joe Mihevc, Centre for City Ecology Executive Director Jane Farrow, and FCJ Refugee Centre co-director Loly Rico to speak about the need to grant Toronto’s non-citizens a direct route to civic engagement—specifically, the right to vote in municipal elections. The round-table discussion explores the issue of the two hundred thousand permanent tax-paying Toronto residents who have no voice in city politics. The topic will be opened to the floor for question and answer fun following the panel discussion. Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street), 7–9 p.m., FREE.
ROMANCE: We’re not sure that men are the only ones who need lessons in hazard-less flirting how-tos, but they are the pupils being summoned to tonight’s Men Flirting with Women workshop run by Dana Shaw. Male participants should expect to come away with confident flirtation techniques that avoid the usual trappings of over-aggressiveness, shyness, or general douchebagness. Come As You Are (701 Queen Street West), 7:30 p.m., $30.
FOOD: Cheese lovers will be salivating about a new series of “cheesy soirées” launched by Canadian artisanal cheese expert Gurth Pretty and his Cheese of Canada project. Tonight’s premiere mixer brings together authorities on the safety, health benefits, and regulations surrounding raw milk cheese in Canada. Tickets for the evening include cheese tasting, a glass of wine or beer, and the chance to mingle and learn about all things cheesy. Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor Street West), 6–9 p.m., $40 (plus tax).
MUSIC: After over two and a half years singing for his supper on cruise lines, Toronto’s Jeigh Madjus is finally sharing his sweet voice with a home-town audience. He will be crooning upstairs in the forty-seat capacity Statler’s Piano Lounge, making it unlikely that many people will get to enjoy the show. We advise calling ahead for reservations at 416-962-1209. Statler’s Piano Lounge, upstairs (487 Church Street), 8–9 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.), $10.