Urban Planner: July 9, 2013

In today's Urban Planner: The Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival has its official launch, CityPlace gets some farmers' markets, and a chance to visit one of Toronto's greenest rooftops.

By Torontoist

• Parties: Jump up and head to Nathan Phillips Square to take part in the official launch of this year’s Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival. Get into the spirit of the islands while experiencing a taste of what’s to come in the three week celebration of Caribbean culture, food, music, art, and dance. Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen Street West), 12 p.m., FREE. Details
• Food: Condo-ville isn’t exactly known for its access to organic and locally grown foods. MyMarket is trying to change that with weekly farmers’ markets set up in the CityPlace complex. Residents can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables virtually from their doorstep, while supporting local farmers. Everyone wins! Canoe Landing Park (Fort York Boulevard & Dan Leckie Way), 3:30 p.m., FREE. Details
• Outdoors: If the environment is your thing, what could be better than networking with a bunch of like-minded individuals on one of the leafiest rooftops in the city? That’s what Green Roof Gathering is all about. This installment features presentations from two people working to make our world a greener place—Alex Versluis, VP of YMCA Property Management; and Lara Mrosovsky, a health promoter who has organized the first green roof atop an Ontario Community Health Centre. Carrot Common (348 Danforth Avenue, 2nd Floor), 5:30 p.m., $20 for GRHC members, $30 for non-members. Details
• Books: Discover new perspectives on mental illness with Mad Matters: A Critical Reader in Canadian Mad Studies. Presenting a variety of voices—from psychiatric survivors, to academics, and mental health activists— the book challenges our understanding of “madness.” The launch features appearances by the co-editors, and several writers who will discuss their contributions, as well as stand-up from the Mad Comedy Jam. 246 Sackville Street, Large Meeting Room (246 Sackville Street), 7 p.m., FREE. Details

Ongoing…

• History: The name “Mesopotamia” derives from a Greek term meaning “land between the rivers.” The Royal Ontario Museum’s latest major exhibit, which opens on June 22, takes this literally, as visitors flow between painted representations of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers on the floor.

  Presented by the British Museum and rounded out with pieces from institutions in Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia, “Mesopotamia: Inventing Our World” covers 3,000 years of human development in the cradle of urban civilization. Most of the 170 artifacts on display have never been shown in Canada. Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queens Park), 12 a.m., $27 (Includes general admission). Details

• Theatre: From July 3 to 14, some of the world’s most exciting performers and theatremakers (as well as plenty of total unknowns) will be performing at the annual Toronto Fringe Festival, which is curated solely by a random lottery. With almost 150 shows and over one thousand artists involved this year—the Festival’s 25th anniversary—there are bound to be some extraordinary shows, some mediocre ones, some gruesome ones, and most of all, something for everyone. Multiple venues, 12 a.m., Tickets $11 advance, $10 door. Details
• Art: “To Be Near You” is a new art exhibition that explores the relationship of colours and experiences to our existence. These uniquely abstract pieces of art come to you via artist Christina Wollesen. The opening reception is on July 4 at 7 p.m. While you’re at Hashtag, you also have the chance to check out their “Send-A-Postcard Wall”, which lets you send art to anyone in the world so they can enjoy the show too. #Hashtag Gallery (801 Dundas Street West), 12 a.m., FREE. Details
• Theatre: Soulpepper Theatre collaborates on a Joe Orton play, Entertaining Mr. Sloane, with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre’s artistic producer Brendan Healey. Guest director Healey has coached some Soulpepper theatre stalwarts—Stuart Hughes, Fiona Reid, Michael Simpson, and David Beazley—for this dark comedy about a charming lodger who incites illicit passions among his other housemates. Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane), 8 p.m. and 8 p.m., $5-$68. Details
• Music: Nelly Furtado’s backup singer and opening act since 2009, Celia Palli is stepping out of the shadows as a singer-songwriter. Born in Spain, and raised in the Netherlands, Palli will be spending July in her adopted home of Toronto for a residency at the Cameron House. Cameron House (408 Queen Street West), 6 p.m., FREE. Details
• Sports: Some people unwind with retail therapy, others do yoga. Now you can combine both activities with free yoga in the Town Square at The Shops at Don Mills. Regardless of your skill level, bring a mat and join the group for sessions twice weekly, courtesy of Titika. Shops at Don Mills (1090 Don Mills Road), 7 p.m., FREE. Details
• Performing Arts: Cats is a challenging musical to stage for a number of reasons. The narrative is thin and strange; the lyrics are drawn primarily from T.S. Eliot’s poetry collection Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats, with more borrowed from some other Eliot poems, “Rhapsody on a Windy Night” (which original director Trevor Nunn adapted into the song “Memory”) and “Moments of Happiness.” The result is not so much a story as ideas and character sketches. Old Deuteronomy, patriarch of the Jellicle Cats, calls the creatures together once a year to celebrate, and for one cat to be chosen to ascend to the Heaviside Layer (essentially, to die and be reincarnated). Most of the songs detail the adventures and virtues of a single cat in particular, essentially serving as that cat’s audition for the honour of ascension. Panasonic Theatre (651 Yonge Street), 7:30 p.m., $60–$110. Details
• Theatre: The hockey season may have ended only days ago, but we bet you’re already feeling the withdrawal. No doubt, that’s why the Second City had the bright idea to bring one of the most classic hockey films to the stage. Check out Slap Shot Live!, a comedic re-enactment of the Charleston Chiefs minor league hockey team’s fight for victory in its final season. Second City (51 Mercer Street), 8 p.m., $29-$34, plus tax.. Details
• History: Inspired in part by Slings & Arrows (and this comedy series), there are going to be four nights of Canadian theatre veterans spinning ribald yarns about backstage antics. Hosted by Diane D’Aquila, the first night of Drunk Theatre History will cover the Stratford Festival exclusively, followed by nights focusing on the sordid tales of Canadian theatre in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, with guests like playwright Brad Fraser, Governor-General Award winner Paul Thompson, and director Peter Hinton. Tickets can be reserved by calling The Downstage at 416-997-7018, or via email ([email protected]). The Downstage (798 Danforth Avenue), 8 p.m., $10. Details
• Film: Cult films are generally defined as obscure pieces, or box-office bombs, that have been shunned by the mainstream but are beloved by a dedicated underground fanbase. And while Yonge-Dundas Square is hardly a little-known moviehouse tucked away in the trendiest part of the city, it is a great place to watch movies outdoors. Every Tuesday, the City Cinema: Cult Classics program will feature fan-favourite films like Edward Scissorhands (July 9), Napoleon Dynamite (July 23), and The Goonies (July 30) in the square. Yonge-Dundas Square (1 Dundas Street East), 9 p.m., FREE. Details

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 us with all the details (including images, if you’ve got any), ideally at least a week in advance.