Urban Planner: October 22, 2009

By Vicky Peters

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].

Grassfire by Will Gorlitz, courtesy of Jeffrey Spalding C.M., Art Toronto’s Heartland curator.

ART: The country’s largest art exposition Art Toronto fills the Metro Convention Centre this weekend, celebrating its tenth anniversary with a focus on the contemporary Canadian art scene, a flagship project called “Heartland.” The massive international art fair opens tonight with a big fundraising preview to benefit the Art Gallery of Ontario. The rest of the riffraff get to experience the more than five thousand works of art beginning tomorrow (through October 26). Don’t miss the Gladstone’s off-site upArt contemporary Art Fair, reached from the Convention Centre via York University’s unconventional Performance Bus. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building Exhibit Halls A and B (255 Front Street West), 6:30 p.m., $190 (AGO Benefit); Public Opening: Friday 12 p.m., $18.
WORDS: Broken Pencil magazine and ECW Press have teamed up to raise their middle finger at the stuffy behemoth known as CanLit. Can’tLit: Fearless Fiction From Broken Pencil Magazine is Broken Pencil‘s first ever anthology, containing the best fiction in Broken Pencil’s close to fifteen-year history. Contributing authors will be on hand at tonight’s launch to read from the new un-CanLit-like—but supremely Canadian—collection of fiction. Dakota Tavern (249 Ossington Avenue), 6 p.m., FREE.
FILM: Cineplex screens a one-night-only showing of new Monty Python documentary Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut). The hundred-minute big-screen version is in advance of next week’s six-part DVD release, celebrating the legendary comedy troupe’s fortieth anniversary. The preview documentary includes some of the Monty Python’s favourite sketches, early footage, footage from the recent New York reunion, and special bonus clips. Were you expecting the Spanish Inquisition? SilverCity Yonge-Eglinton Cinemas (2300 Yonge Street), 7 p.m., $10.95 (plus tax).
MUSIC: Seattle’s Say Hi are in town opening for former Pedro the Lion front man David Bazan. Say Hi step in as part of Bazan’s backing band for the headlining act. The band has just released new album Oohs & Aahs, expanding on their sweet melancholy repertoire. Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor Street West), 9:30 p.m., $13.
BIRTHDAY: VICE Magazine, that Canadian vixen of lifestyle and, uh, styles of life, turns fifteen this year! VICE’s publishers have jumped into bed with Fred Perry to celebrate by hosting three parties in each of Canada’s largest cities. Toronto gets its turn tonight, with bands Dum Dum Girls and Anagram joining the fray and DJ Gabe Knox playing the accompanying soundtracks. RSVP is a must. Burroughs Building (639 Queen Street West), 9 p.m., FREE.