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Urban Planner: September 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].
The Distillery District will no doubt feature heavily into Craig Heron’s lecture on the history of booze in Toronto. Photo by gab|e from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.
Today in Toronto: The Book Revue pays tribute to Harvey Pekar, historians celebrate the city’s boozy past, Nuit Blanche launches a lecture series, and Raindance teaches filmmakers about viral marketing.
FILM: Every month the Revue Cinema explores the nebulous territory of film adaptations of works of literature with The Book Revue, exploring popular examples to seek out what works and what doesn’t. On the examining table this month is American Splendor, in honour of author Harvey Pekar who passed away this summer. Pekar’s autobiographical comic series was adapted into a feature film starring Paul Giamatti in 2003, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Having made his career playing misanthropes (see: his recent run at TIFF in Barney’s Version), Giamatti excels as the terminally anxious, self-loathing Pekar. The screening will be followed by a discussion led by Toronto Star critic Geoff Pevere. The Revue Cinema (400 Roncesvalles Avenue), 6:30 p.m., $10.
WORDS: History Matters is a new lecture series by the Toronto Public Library that seeks to connect the public with local historians, weaving tales of the history of our city. Today’s event proves that even musty academics aren’t averse to the occasional tipple with I’ll Drink to That: Booze in Hogtown. Hosted by historian, York University professor, and author of Booze: A Distilled History Craig Heron, the session will trace Toronto’s long and colourful past with alcohol. Unfortunately, no word has been given regarding samples. Toronto Public Library Annette Street Branch (145 Annette Street), 7 p.m., FREE.
ART: The lead-up to this year’s Nuit Blanche begins with Nuit Talks, a series of discussions on important matters in the art world. Tonight kicks off the five-night chain with From Galleries to Alleys, a panel set to explore the shift of art from upper class gallery settings into more accessible public spaces. The interdisciplinary group of panelists will be moderated by artist, curator, and educator P. Elaine Sharpe. Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West), 7 p.m., FREE.
LECTURE: Ever since The Blair Witch Project introduced the world to viral marketing, social media has been a powerful tool in the realm of film marketing. These days even Hollywood blockbusters have Twitter feeds and underground memes to drive up the hype for opening night. The good people at Raindance want to help burgeoning filmmakers get a handle on these essential marketing skills, and so they’re hosting a panel discussion on social media marketing for filmmakers. Learn from industry experts how to effectively go viral—hopefully more effectively than Disney. Spice Safar Cafe (510 King Street West), 7 p.m., $10.