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Urban Planner: February 25, 2009
MUSIC: The Phonemes present the last of their Wombat Wednesdays tonight, raising the question of who will take up next month’s humpday slack. HANK’s Magali Meagher hosts the final show featuring warm and fuzzy music from HANK, Mister Nobu and the Mighty Sparrows, and PDF Format. Tranzac Main Hall (292 Brunswick Avenue), 8–11 p.m., $6.
SALON: Louise Bak hosts quarterly culture showcase Box Salon, an evening of performances, readings, screenings, and networking opportunities. Presenting new work for the February Box salon are novelist Claudia Dey, musician Amer Diab, short-story writer Sharon English, animator Nick Fox-Gieg, performance artist Irene Loughlin, musician Steven McKay, photographer Fraser Stables, and sound artist Peter Venuto. Many of Toronto’s small press outfits will be giving away paper goodies at the door. The Rivoli (332 Queen Street West), 8 p.m., $5–$10 suggested donation.
FUNDRAISER: Contemporary R&B singer Ayah and cohort Zaki Ibrahim raise a hip-hop flag of peace to help recently besieged Gaza residents (as of last week, thousands remain homeless). A Peace for Gaza aims to raise awareness, too, with activist guest speaker Rafeef Ziadah in the house. All proceeds from the event go directly to British-based charity Medical Aid for Palestinians. Revival Bar (783 College Street), 7 p.m., $20.
DANCE: AKA Dance presents White Moon Dance Nights in honour of the eightieth anniversary of Japanese Canadian relations. The four night program (on until February 28) showcases contemporary Japanese and Canadian dance while exploring the strong connections between the two cultures. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Michael Young Theatre (55 Mill Street, Building 49), 8 p.m., $30 ($20 students).
FOOD: It may have a hefty price tag, but tonight’s Big(ger) Reds event hosted by Coupe Magazine‘s Tasting Club at their new space in Leslieville offers bang for the buck. Top sommelier Anne Martin guides participants through eight different big bold reds while educating the tongue and noting perfect pairings with accompanying tapas. But that’s not all: the evening kick-starts with a welcome cocktail and pre-tasting treats then finishes by sending tipsy tasters home with a source list and tasting notes of the evening’s servings. Coupe Space (998 Queen Street East), 7–9 p.m., $75.