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Urban Planner: September 7, 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 Elba Ramalho, “the Brazilian Tina Turner,” courtesy of Brazilian Day Canada.
CULTURE: Happy Brazilian Independence Day! Yes, 127 years ago this day, Brazil gained its independence from Portugal, and today everyone in Toronto can celebrate with some traditional music, food, and dance. Yonge-Dundas Square will play host to the celebrations, which will include samba music, Globo TV host Luciano Huck, a performance from “the Brazilian Tina Turner,” Elba Ramalho, and a closing performance by Latin Grammy Award–winner Carlinhos Brown. Yonge-Dundas Square, 2–7:30 p.m., FREE (donations of non-perishable foods accepted for the Daily Bread Food Bank).
PARADE: Aside from Brazil’s Independence Day, it’s also Labour Day, and the good news (besides getting a day off work) is that you don’t need an invitation to enjoy the Labour Day Parade. For those who aren’t still smarting from the strikes this year (garbage, city workers, York University), this annual parade is a celebration of workers and the labour movement. The theme this year is “good jobs for all,” which, considering the sad state of employment this summer, is a good sentiment to have. Parade starts at Queen Street and University Avenue, ends at the CNE fair grounds; 9:30 a.m.; FREE (includes free admission to the CNE).
THEATRE: Bruce Horack is the embodiment of cancer in his one-man show, This Is Cancer!, playing for only one night at the Comedy Bar. The show earned Horack a Betty Mitchell Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy in 2007. Horack’s own father passed away from cancer, and it’s this and other experiences that have informed his thought-provoking lounge show. The Comedy Bar (945 Bloor Street West), 8 p.m., $20.
CELEBRITY: Today marks the inaugural Italian Walk of Fame ceremony. The inductees are actor Giancarlo Giannini (Seven Beauties, Casino Royale), Hockey Hall of Famer Phil Esposito, broadcaster Johnny Lombardi, real estate developer Rudy Bratty, OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino, and singer Connie Francis. A gala dinner will follow the ceremony, with performances by pop-rock group Abraham’s Children, illusionist Timothy Drake, and comedian Frank Spadone. CHIN Building (622 College Street), 1:30 p.m., FREE (gala awards dinner is $150).