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Urban Planner: June 21, 2011
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].
Precious Chong appears tonight in the Rag Bag Cabaret at the Drake Underground. Photo by Shawn MacPherson.
Today in Toronto: it’s National Aboriginal Day and you can join the celebrations at Yonge-Dundas Square; the National Ballet of Canada hosts it’s MAD HOT Wonderland gala; the Rag Bag Cabaret takes to the Drake Underground stage with a mix of performances; and comedian Paul Hutcheson’s Pride Package (A Comedic Cabaret) brings local and international comedians to Buddies in Bad Times.
CULTURE: Today is National Aboriginal Day and there are a number of related events taking place around the city. Among them, the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto is hosting a celebration at Yonge-Dundas Square with performances by Crystal Shawanda, Inuit throat singers, Métis fiddlers, and others. Yonge-Dundas Square (1 Dundas Street East), 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., FREE.
FUNDRAISER: The National Ballet of Canada doesn’t just know how to present beautiful performances—they can also throw a great party. Tonight is the ballet’s annual fundraising gala, and this year’s theme is MAD HOT Wonderland. The evening will include excerpts from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and a post-performance reception. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen Street West), 6:30 p.m., $55–$133.
PERFORMANCE: Tonight, the Drake Underground hosts the eclectic Rag Bag Cabaret featuring a mix of stand-up comedy, burlesque, characters, clown, dance, music, and circus acts. Performers include Sandra Battaglini, Precious Chong, Helen Donnelly, Jeff Fesso, Winston Spear, The Atomic Cherries, Phil Luzi, Christopher Sawchyn, and Cleopatra Williams. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Imani Artist Collective in Kenya. Drake Underground (1150 Queen Street West), 7:00 p.m., $15.
COMEDY: Comedian Paul Hutcheson is taking to the stage at Buddies this evening for Paul Hutcheson’s Pride Package (A Comedic Cabaret). The cabaret will also feature a mix of international and local character comedians, including John Murdock, Sharon Nowlan, and the Screw You Revue. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street), 8:00 p.m., $10–$12.