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Urban Planner: September 21, 2009
Urban Planner is Torontoist’s guide to what’s on in Toronto, published every weekday morning, and in a weekend edition Friday afternoons. 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].
Photo of WDWMKR by Kevin Thom.
COMEDY: The Toronto Improv Festival is back in its ninth year to take over the Comedy Bar for a week-long celebration of improvisational theatre, comedy, and music with thirty-five acts over fourteen shows. The festival kicks off tonight with three local outfits: the double X-chromosome crew WDWMKR (pronounced “widowmaker”), Standards and Practices, and The Carnegie Hall Show, followed by live band karaoke. Check out the full schedule of events for the week, which includes the revival of a festival favourite on Wednesday night with the ’80s-themed Improv Prom, brimming with taffeta and booze. Comedy Bar (945 Bloor Street West), 8 p.m., $10 per show or $49 for a festival pass.
MUSIC: From long list to short list, we can’t wait to hear the news from tonight’s Polaris Music Prize gala, hosted by CBC Radio 3’s Grant Lawrence. The gala—which we’ll have a report about once it’s over—will feature performances by all ten of the short-listed, homegrown hopefuls who are vying for the twenty-thousand-dollar prize: Elliott BROOD, Fucked Up, Great Lake Swimmers, Hey Rosetta!, K’NAAN, Malajube, Metric, Joel Plaskett, Chad VanGaalen, and Patrick Watson. Dan Snaith of Caribou, who snagged the prize last year, will be there to crown the 2009 winner. Chances are you weren’t invited to bask in the coolness of tonight’s event, but you can enjoy the live broadcast on Sirius Channel 86, as well as online at CBC Radio 3 and Muchmusic.com. Keep your eyes on Torontoist today and tomorrow for lots more Polaris goodness. Masonic Temple (888 Yonge Street), 9 p.m., By invitation only.
ENVIRONMENT: The University of Toronto Environment Resource Network (UTERN) and Bike Chain are joining forces to present EarthCycle, a week-long festival of student activism in recognition of Environment Week. The festival, which runs through Saturday, will feature twenty-eight events including a Car Free Day festival and eco-tour of the university on Tuesday, as well as lectures by world-renowned speakers, documentary film screenings, and musical performances throughout the week. Today’s launch coincides with Avaaz.org’s “Global Wake-Up Call” on climate change. Hart House presents a screening of Fight For The Planet, a documentary about climate change from a youth perspective by sixteen-year-old Colin Carter, this afternoon, while the Medical Sciences Building will host a screening of Shielded Minds by Canadian Roots followed by a discussion with activists who participated in the film this evening. Hart House, South Dining Room (7 Hart House Circle), 12 p.m., FREE. Medical Sciences Building, Room 3154 (1 King’s College Circle), 7 p.m., FREE.
DESIGN: Take a stroll through Toronto and you can’t miss the significant contributions that architects, landscape architects, urban designers, artists, design students, and city builders make to our streets and neighbourhoods. In honour of these contributions, the City of Toronto is hosting the annual Urban Design Awards tonight. This year, the city received 117 entries in seven categories. This evening’s event will feature a keynote address from Mayor David Miller, an awards presentation, and a catered cocktail reception. After tonight’s ceremony, all entries will be showcased at City Hall for a week-long exhibition that is open to the public. Palais Royale (1601 Lake Shore Boulevard West), 5:30 p.m., $50 (includes one complimentary beverage ticket).