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Weekend Planner: April 24–25, 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].
Illustration from Watch This Space: Designing, Defending, and Sharing Public Spaces by Hadley Dyer and Marc Ngui.
KIDS: Children’s artwork will enliven the blacktop at Wychwood Barns as part of Doing It In Public. Kids (ages eight to fourteen) are invited to participate in a street art chalk drawing contest to celebrate the launch of Hadley Dyer and Marc Ngui’s new book, Watch This Space: Designing, Defending, and Sharing Public Spaces. The book provides kids with an introduction to the concept of public space, its importance, and how best to use it. The event will also bring together Spacing‘s Matt Blackett, author Hadley Dyer, illustrator Marc Ngui, City Trustee Josh Matlow, and City Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21, St. Paul’s West) for a discussion on the topic. Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street), Sunday 2–5 p.m., FREE.
FILM: Last weekend’s Record Store Day saw many artists release new albums, special vinyl, and rare tracks. Among these exclusive releases was The Mountain Goats‘ concert film by Rian Johnson, The Life Of The World To Come. The film documents frontman John Darnielle’s piano and guitar performance at a Pomona College venue that brings back childhood memories for him as a music student. To celebrate the release, a special screening is being hosted this weekend. Double Double Land (209 Augusta Avenue), Saturday 8 p.m., $5.
WORDS: It’s nearing the end of National Poetry Month, but there are still plenty of literary happenings around town, including the Toronto Poetry Slam finals. Since its inception in 2005, TPS has become a popular venue for performance poetry, drawing a sizable audience each month. The season slamming finals will determine who will make the local team to participate in the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in Ottawa this fall. For the occasion, TPS is proud to present New York City’s feisty poetess, Jeanann Verlee. Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas Street West), Saturday 8 p.m., $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
ART: Local artist Kathleen Reichelt and friends—dummies, machines, and humans—have put together a program of experimental shorts, video loops, audio, and performance art entitled The Desert of Woo woo. The program, which was inspired by the twin concepts of Aleatoricism and Woo woo, will see mysticism and new-age beliefs intersect with randomness and pseudoscience. The show runs for one night only at 253469, an interdisciplinary art space that is said to be managed by 253 and 469. 253469 (1267 Bloor Street West), Saturday 8 p.m., FREE.
FUNDRAISER: Victoria College students are rallying together to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. The fundraiser, which kicked off on Friday with “Cuts for Cancer,” continues with a charity garage sale. Students are vacating their residence rooms and have donated gently used clothing, books, and electronics (because really, it’s much easier to get rid of stuff than move it). Support a good cause and help these students turn chore into charity. Victoria College, University of Toronto (89 Charles Street), Sunday 9 a.m.–1 p.m., FREE.
FOOD: The Cake Show—not to be confused with a musical performance by the California rock act—is bringing confectionary splendour to town this weekend. Hosted by the Bonnie Gordon School, the show will feature the talent of bakers and cake decorators who have honed their design, baking, and decorating skills under the direction of none other than the local wedding cake designer herself, Bonnie Gordon. Partial proceeds from the show will be donated to The Stop Community Centre. Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street); Sunday 12 p.m.; adults $10, children $5, families $25.