Urban Planner: April 28, 2010

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].

Eating Breakfast by Steven Beckly. Courtesy of Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Exhibition and Launch Projects.

PHOTOGRAPHY: As you’re eating breakfast this morning, consider Steven Beckly‘s Eating Breakfast. It is one of the pieces being exhibited as part of the “Before and After” group show at Launch Projects, in partnership with the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. A dozen photographers are participating in the show, which is said to be about “the way in which photography informs and transforms behavior and examines connections between mass media, consumerism, advertising, art, and photography.” The show runs through May 16 with an opening reception on Saturday (2–5 p.m.). Launch Projects (404 Adelaide Street West), 12–5 p.m., FREE.
ART: The Ontario College of Art and Design has a reputation for pumping out innovative and passionate graduates who are critical thinkers. After ninety-five years, the institution still has a lot to celebrate with its annual Graduate Exhibition, “Next Big Thing.” The art sale and exhibition, which is sponsored by Aboveground Art Supplies, showcases the work of art and design students from the class of 2010 in a variety of media. The exhibition opens today and runs through May 22, with a reception tomorrow night (5–7 p.m.). OCAD Student Gallery (285 Dundas Street West), 12–6 p.m., FREE.
WORDS: Vancouver artist and novelist Douglas Coupland will be joined by authors Jane Urquhart, Nino Ricci, and Andrew Cohen for a talk this evening to discuss their respective new biographies of Marshall McLuhan, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Pierre Trudeau, and Lester B. Pearson. The discussion is taking place as part of Penguin Books’ Extraordinary Canadians series, and will be moderated by the series’ General Editor, John Ralston Saul. Be sure to stick around after the talk for a book signing with the authors. Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre, Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queens Park), 7–8:30 p.m., $18–20.
MUSIC: Tennessee trio the Royal Bangs are bringing their sci-fi–inspired brand of electronic and indie rock fusion to town tonight. The band has gained a steady following since the release of their sophomore album, Let It Beep, last fall. After a few North American dates, the Bangs will head to Europe to play some springtime shows, and return Stateside just in time for the summer festival season to play Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. The Garrison (1197 Dundas Street West), 9 p.m., $10.