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Urban Planner: June 30, 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].
THEATRE: To celebrate Multiculturalism Day (which just passed on June 27) and the launch of a new theatre project, High Rise: 19 stories in 19 storeys (set in Jamestown/Rexdale), the good people at Expect Theatre are throwing a launch party for this ambitious three-year project. Nineteen youth who live in the area were given video cameras with which to record the community they live in, capturing the hardships and the triumphs that people in this diverse community experience. This raw material will provide the base for the project. At the launch there will be performance by award-winning artist d’bi young, a chance to share your story with film director Joel Gordon, and community members can have their picture taken by photographer Steve Carty. The Jamestown and Rexdale areas of Toronto are among the most ethnically diverse areas in the city, many of the residents being immigrants living in public housing. This theatre piece will combine several different media to produce a show in 2011, with a workshop starting next year. Albion Library (1515 Albion Road), 5–7 p.m., FREE.
PARTY: It’s Canada Day eve and the whole city is gearing up to party like they don’t have to go to work tomorrow. “Goin’ Down the Road” is Toronto’s only annual all Canadian dance party, and, with the help of DJs Mansbridge, Peter North, and Stephen Harper’s Wife, they plan to bring out the Canadian pride all night long. Have any requests? Post them on the event’s Facebook wall and they’ll try to get them played. The Boat (158 Augusta Avenue), 9 p.m., $5.
FILM: From Canada Day celebrations here on earth, to daily life on the Mir space station (circa 1991). The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery presents Out of the Present (1995), a documentary by Andrei Ujica that has achieved cult classic status and is well-regarded in cinema-loving circles. The film follows the day-to-day routine of Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev during his ten-month stay in Mir, which coincides with the collapse of the Soviet Union, contrasting the beauty of the solar system with the harsh reality of human conflict on the planet below. Out of The Present will be preceded by British artist Mark Wallinger’s 35 mm short, The End (2006), which is a credit roll of every character in the Bible set to Johann Strauss’s “The Blue Danube.” Studio Theatre, Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West); 7 p.m.; $4 members, $6 non-members.
PARTY: If you’re still reeling over the death of Michael Jackson and are looking for a way to appropriately honour the fallen legend, Sneaky Dee’s and Shadows Of Motown submit “Remember the Time: A Michael Jackson Party” for your consideration. There will be a cash prize for the best Jackson costume and impersonation, so dust off that rhinestone glove or that red leather jacket, grease that geri curl and head over to College West. Sneaky Dee’s (431 College Street), 10 p.m.–3 a.m., $3 (or FREE with a Michael Jackson costume).
MUSIC: Sonic Youth—the ultimate “favourite band” of many a hipster—is in town to play a one-night gig at Massey Hall. Their stellar performances are well-documented, and they are definitely one of those bands that you just have to see live. The Entrance Band will be opening, and with their psychedelic mix of blues and folk rock will be an excellent complement to Sonic Youth’s proven prowess. Massey Hall (178 Victoria Street), 8 p.m., $36.50–$46.50.
FASHION: Safari Couture presents “Haute Hope,” an event to celebrate the Quarter for Change Project. The project has been set up to help improve the quality of life for lower-income earners in the community. Safari Couture is an online boutique that deals with one-of-a-kind, handmade jewellery made with semi-precious stones, woods, crystals, gold, and silver, among other things. The jewellery label will be offering deals from ten to twenty percent off of Safari Couture items, and if you purchase from the Quarter for Change line (made out of recycled material and priced at twenty-five dollars each), five dollars of the sale will be donated to the project. You can also donate old jewellery, and pick up a swag bag for each purchase. Girls & Pearls (1919 Avenue Road), 7–9 p.m., FREE (RSVP here).