events
Urban Planner: October 11, 2011
In today's Urban Planner: check out the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word; listen to some blues at a CD release for Harrison Kennedy; and stop by a new comedy show at Stella.
Poet LipBalm, a member of the Toronto Poetry Slam team, performing at Hugh's Room. Photo by Emily Muir.
FESTIVAL: It’s poetry slam competition time! The best of the best are here in Toronto for the 2011 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, which is on until Friday at various venues downtown. Poets from coast to coast will duke it out in the evenings, while daytime activities include workshops and showcases. The opening showcase takes place today at the Drake Hotel and will feature performances by Lillian Allen, Andrea Thompson, Sheri-D Wilson, Eddy Da Original One, and RC Weslowski. Drake Hotel Underground (1150 Queen Street West), 5 p.m., FREE.
MUSIC: Juno nominee and Hamilton native Harrison Kennedy has made his rounds in the music scene, including as a member of famed ’70s soul group The Chairmen of the Board. The blues singer and songwriter is back with a solo album called Shame The Devil, which he will be celebrating tonight at a CD release party. The album officially comes out in November and features the musician on guitar, slide guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, and percussion. The Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar (1214 Queen Street West), 9 p.m., FREE.
COMEDY: Some say Toronto is missing a little “je ne sais quoi.” What better way to prove them wrong than to have a good laugh at yourself? A new addition to the comedy show scene is hitting the stage tonight with its second performance. Stella and Me: A Comedy Show is hosted by Big Tease alum Tim Simms and Jordan Foisy, who will be joined on stage this week by Hunter Collins, Tim Golden, Chris Locke, Matt O’Brien, and Mike Rita. Stella (1261 Bloor Street West), 9:30 p.m., FREE.
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].