news
Weekend Planner: March 27–28, 2010
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 Honest Ed’s during last year’s Earth Hour by Miles Storey/Torontoist.
EARTH HOUR: According to a recent survey by Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), nearly three-quarters of residents plan to flick the switch and participate in Earth Hour this year—that’s up from just over half last year. Love it or hate it, the event focuses on raising awareness and mobilizing people to take action on climate change. This year’s event includes a concert featuring Chantal Kreviazuk, Jarvis Church, and Justin Nozuka. In addition to live music, there will be plenty of family-friendly activities including arts and crafts, face painting, aerial artists, fire-throwers, and hip-hop dancers. Yonge-Dundas Square (2 Dundas Street East), Saturday 5:30–9:30 p.m., FREE.
SPORTS: Once a popular sport in the ’70s, roller derby is making a comeback in town with the Toronto Roller Derby League (ToRD). Today’s version, which is rooted in a punk and DIY ethos, is a brutal contact sport that blends skating, hockey, and wrestling. This weekend’s estrogen-infused battle, Quad City Chaos, will be a clash between teams from Vancouver (Terminal City All-Stars), Montreal (New Skids on the Block), Hamilton (Hammer City Roller Girls), and Toronto (CN Power). The event also launches ToRD.tv, which has videos of previous games and will feature live coverage of the bouts in the future. Downsview Park Hangar (75 Carl Hall Road, Unit 2), Saturday 2–8 p.m. and Sunday 1–5 p.m., $18 or $25 for a weekend pass.
DANCE: In the second of two evenings, the fifteenth annual U of T Festival of Dance will showcase the diversity of dance styles from around the world with sixty works and more than two hundred performers. The festival program includes everything from jazz and ballet to Egyptian belly dancing and Bollywood, performed by promising dance students from all three U of T campuses. Hart House Theatre (7 Hart House Circle), Saturday 7:30 p.m., $10–12. Tickets available online.
MUSIC: Thrush Hermit emerged in the ’90s, born out of the same East Coast indie rock scene that produced such prolific bands as Sloan and Eric’s Trip. After a decade-long hiatus, Ian McGettigan, Rob Benvie, and Joel Plaskett have reunited for a nine-date tour to promote the release of a new eight-disc box set that chronicles their musical career from 1993–99. If you thought you were out of luck when the first two shows at Lee’s Palace sold out, the band has decided to add an all-ages matinee performance on Sunday. Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor Street West), Saturday 9 p.m. and Sunday 2:30 p.m., $17.50.
MUSIC: Whether you’ve been a lifetime LP lover or you’ve recently ditched digital to participate in the vinyl revolution, there will be something for you at the bi-annual Toronto Downtown Record Show. You can expect countless milk crates filled with records, along with CDs, posters, and concert memorabilia for sale. If you’ve got some old albums kicking around that you’re looking to sell, bring them along to take advantage of the free appraisal service that will be offered. The Estonian House (958 Broadview Avenue), Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m., $5.
WORKSHOP: In Ukrainian culture, handmade easter eggs or “pysanky” are an ancient art form and are cherished as heirlooms for future generations. Using a wax-resist technique, the eggs are decorated with stunning patterns, geometric designs, and traditional symbols. A workshop this weekend will provide you with an explanation of techniques and step-by-step instructions on how to create your own folk art masterpiece. The workshop is open to everyone and the fee includes all the materials you need to get crackin’. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Pysanka Orphanage in Potelecha, Ukraine. Plast Ukrainian Youth Organization (2199 Bloor Street West), Sunday 2–6 p.m., PWYC ($10 minimum). Register by emailing [email protected].