events
Urban Planner: December 2, 2011
In today's UP: Christmas arrives at the Distillery; "Topdog" theatre shows close this weekend; NYC's the Strokes inspire a photo exhibit and dance party; Festive Flirt Friday's free burlesque; and concerts featuring Hooded Fang, Mantler, and Kidstreet
Kidstreet plays Rollin' & Scratchin's four year anniversary blowout at the Supermarket tonight.
MARKET: Those who bah-humbug early Christmas decorations and festivities have a lot less justification now that we’re into the first week of Advent (and also, December). Tonight, the Distillery District kicks off its Christmas Market (which runs daily until December 18) with an opening ceremony and lighting of the tree, and special guests including Steven Page, Citytv host Frank Ferragine, and a really special guest—Santa Claus. Distillery District (55 Mill Street), 6 p.m.—9 p.m., FREE.
THEATRE: Yesterday’s Urban Planner profiled no fewer than five theatre openings; with all those new shows bursting onto stages, we should also acknowledge several buzzed-about shows leaving by the end of the weekend. The hardest ticket to get will be for Ride The Cyclone (Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace, 16 Ryerson Avenue, Fri.–Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2:30 p.m., $30–$35), which has been sold out for most of its run, but there’ll be PWYC tickets available for tomorrow’s matinee to those who line up ridiculously early (and it’s not impossible to think that there might be a ticket or two available at the door for tonight or tomorrow night’s evening shows.) Also well received and closing this weekend: d’bi.young anitafrika’s The Sankofa Trilogy (Tarragon Theatre Extra Space, 30 Bridgeman Avenue, Fri.–Sat. @ 8 p.m., Sat.—Sun. @ 2:30 p.m., $20–$35), Modern Times’ production of Hallaj (Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street, Fri.–Sat. @ 8 p.m., $18—$35, Sun. @ 2:30 p.m., PWYC), and Obsidian Theatre’s too-short run of Topdog / Underdog (The Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen Street West, Fri.—Sat. @ 7 p.m., Sat.—Sun. @ 2 p.m., $20–$30.)
BURLESQUE: There’s plenty of holiday-themed burlesque happening in the next few weeks around Toronto—but how much of it will be free? That’s the “tease” for Festive Flirt Friday; well, that and the lineup of saucy minx and twinks like Cherry Temple, Mickey D’licious, host St. Stella, and more, plus intermission and post-show dancing with DJ Yahenda. Wise Guys Deluxe Bar & Grille (2301 Danforth Avenue), 8 p.m., FREE.
MUSIC: Sure, there’s the Ghostface Killah show at the Sound Academy (11 Polson Street, doors at 9:30 p.m., $29.50), but we’re more keen on rising local talent; folks like veteran crooner Mantler, celebrating the reissue of his 2000 debut album Doin’ It All (Holy Oak Cafe, 1241 Bloor Street West, 9 p.m., $5). Also playing tonight: Hooded Fang, releasing this year’s Tosta Mista on vinyl and saying goodbye to members Lorna Wright and Nick Hune-Brown (who are taking breaks from the band to focus on writing). (Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen Street West, doors at 9 p.m., $7 in advance). And—because we really couldn’t pick—Rollin’ & Scratchin’, is celebrating their fourth anniversary of epic dance nights, with special guests Kidstreet. Supermarket (268 Augusta Avenue), 10 p.m., $5 before midnight.
EXHIBIT: Photographer and Oz Studios curator/owner Joe Fuda, whose excellent live show photography has been featured on Torontoist frequently, has a one night only party/exhibition, YES NEW YORK, inspired by the Strokes and the other buzz bands from NYC in the early 2000s. There’s also going to be a trio of DJs on hand—Michael Jof, Stacey Boat, and Jonathan Dekel—spinning at the licensed event. Oz Studios (134 Ossington Avenue), 10 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].