Urban Planner: December 23, 2009

By Alison Horn

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].

Pretzel Ride by Lowell Bradshaw. Courtesy of Hunter and Cook.

ART: Hunter and Cook, the gallery (with boutique and studio space) that exhibits artists affiliated with Hunter and Cook magazine, is hosting an exhibition of drawings and photos by thirty-seven Canadian artists including (we’re drawing names out of a hat here…) Olia Mishchenko, Tyler Clark Burke, Eva Michon, Alberto Guedea Zamora, Victoria Kent, Mark DeLong, Lowell Bradshaw, Michael Comeau, and Morley Shayuk. “Full Service,” which opened on Sunday and runs through January 5, features a slew of pieces all priced at fifty dollars—perfect for adding to your own art collection or for some last-minute holiday shopping. Hunter and Cook (15 Ossington Avenue), 12–7 p.m., FREE.
MUSIC: If you’re looking for something to do that’s festive and family-friendly, sweet voices will resonate through the rotunda of City Hall this morning, summoning Santa and his reindeer. As part of the annual Christmas Choral Concert, gifted young musicians from the Regent Park School of Music, Toronto Beaches Children’s Chorus, and Toronto Mass Choir, along with accompaniment from the Tower Brass, will perform seasonal classics and modern holiday tunes. The one-hour performance will conclude with a visit from Jolly Ol’ St. Nick himself. Toronto City Hall (100 Queen Street West), 11:30 a.m., FREE.
BENEFIT: Juno Award–winning local hip-hopster Kardinal Offishall is bringing together some friends for the twelfth annual Christmas Gala, with proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada. Kardi will be joined by comedian Russell Peters, who is hosting the show. It will also feature appearances by Estelle, Luther Brown, Dina Pugliese, Jully Black, and Divine Brown, among others. This Is London (364 Richmond Street West); 9 p.m.; $25 in advance, $35 at the door.
MUSIC: Rebel Emergency are ready to “Rock Your Stockings” with their repertoire of catchy tunes that blend together rock, reggae, and ska. This high-energy all-ages Christmas bash will also include performances by Street Pharmacy, Dodger, Walk Off The Earth, and Ko Kapches. Just in case they’re not talking about the stockings you hang over the fireplace, we recommend ladies wear a garter belt to avoid actually having their stockings rocked off. Sound Academy (11 Polson Street), 8 p.m., $15.