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Urban Planner: June 21, 2009
Urban Planner is Torontoist’s daily guide to what’s on in Toronto, published every morning. If you have an event you’d like considered, email all of its details—as well as images, if you’ve got any—to [email protected].
Diana of the High Park Nature Centre leads kids on a walk through the forest. Photo by Chris Wodskou, courtesy of Little Paper.
KIDS: Don Kerr, Little Paper, and Tinars for Tots present an afternoon of park loving for kids at Totstock, a fundraiser for the budding High Park Nature Centre. Children’s book readings, musical performances (from Don Kerr, I Eat Kids, and Cirque Dirt, plus David Wall performing The Lorax, and more), and a big game of Ninja Cowboy Bear fill the main stage. Staff and volunteers from the Nature Centre will lead eco-based crafts and exploratory activities around the park. It’s a great way to spend Father’s Day. Sorauren Park, 2–5 p.m., pay-what-you-can (by donation).
SOLSTICE: At the crack of dawn in Nathan Phillips Square this morning there was a First Nations sunrise ceremony and a flag raising to mark National Aboriginal Day and the Summer Solstice. Aboriginal Day Live festivities (scheduled in Winnipeg and Whitehorse) will be broadcast all day on APTN and simulcast by CIUT, among others. The Toronto Zoo jumps on the bandwagon with traditional storytelling, teachings, drumming, and dancing at the Savanna picnic site today. Toronto Zoo (361A Old Finch Road, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., FREE with zoo admission ($21, $15 seniors, $13 ages 4–12).
THEATRE: Tallulah’s Cabaret at Buddies in Bad Time Theatre hands over the stage to Sky Gilbert as Jane, a rebel beauty queen. Jane presents a reading of one-act play Why Raid Identity by Jesse Strong, directed by Edward Roy. After intermission the stage is cleared for the open mic session at 9:30, with a promise of no holds barred. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street), 8 p.m., FREE.
FILM: The Bloor Cinema hosts Queer View, a really interesting series of films chosen and presented by queer artists and organized by filmmaker Malcolm Ingram. Toronto favourite Bruce LaBruce launches the series tonight with a double bill featuring lesbian thriller Windows (starring Talia Shire), followed by army “buddy” classic The Sergeant (starring Rod Steiger). Stick around after the screenings for a possible question and answer session. Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor Street West), 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., $10 per film or $15 for both.
PARTY: Award-winning music video producers Vision Entertainment and partner Embrace Productions have booked the CiRCA nightclub to host the type of MuchMusic Video Awards after-party they always wanted to see. The video company has put their former music clients to work on stage, spinning the tunes for the rocking public—you. Music includes DJ sets from Lights, K-OS, Lil Jaz, George Petit (Alexisonfire), Éclair (Bedouin Soundclash), Tim and Dave (The Stills), Rob Dyer (Skate for Cancer), and more. CiRCA also happens to be hosting the after-party for this year’s Northern Ink Xposure Tattoo Expo. CiRCA (126 John Street), 8 p.m. doors, $20.
FESTIVAL: There are ten hours left of this weekend’s Taste of Little Italy street festival, with plenty of local bands, artisans, restaurants, and crowds spilling into the temporary piazza of closed-to-traffic College Street. Bellisimo! College Street between Bathurst Street and Shaw Street, 12 p.m.–10 p.m., FREE.