Toronto events on Thursday, June 13, 2013

MUSIC | NXNE
Imperial State Electric, The Flatliners, Old Man Markley and Social Distortion play Dundas Square tonight for NXNE, Toronto's best music festival for emerging and established musicians, music-based filmmakers, comedians, performers and artists. The show starts early which means that the afternoon crowd will be around and the Square will be packed, so arrive early for prime standing location. If you can't quite stay sane in Dundas Square, check out NXNE's website for smaller shows happening throughout the city (or just check them out after the fact; this show ends at 11PM). Not feeling the indie music? The Young Rival documentary featuring Arkells, Hollerado, The Sheepdogs and Born Ruffians opens tonight as part of the NXNE Film Fest.
Dundas Square (1 Dundas Street East) 6PM Free

FOOD | Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival
A festival that hands you a sampling cup the moment you arrive is a good festival. The Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival kicks off tonight at Sugar Beach, where ticketholders will sample wines and craft beers by the water while taking in live performances and participating in pairing seminars that will offer up cheeses, tapas and appetizers. Purchase vouchers upon arrival for as low as $1 for 5 tickets and drink until your liver is no longer content. The festival runs until Saturday.
Sugar Beach (11 Dockside Drive) 6PM $21.50

MUSIC | Live in Bellwoods: Great Heart Festival 2013
A mini-festival within a festival, Live in Bellwoods presents the return of Great Heart Festival in Trinity Bellwoods. Beginning this afternoon, this unofficial NXNE event will see park performances by guests like Maylee Todd, Alright Alright, Donovan Woods, Paper Lions, Absolutely Free, Jane's Party, Tyler Kyte, Still Life Still and Meanwood in the dog bowl. The full four-day schedule is available on the Young Lions Music Club Facebook page and over 1000 of your coolest friends are expected to show up so arrive early for the best spot. Happy listening, folks.
Trinity Bellwoods Park (790 Queen Street West) 2PM Free

ENTERTAINMENT | Socialist Games
Summer camp-style games with a bunch of strangers are some people's version of torture but if you'd classify yourself as exceptionally extroverted, you'll be all over this. Socialist Games is a playful event for people who like people, where the object is to participate in the games of your youth in order to get to know others. Taking place at The Theatre Centre Pop-Up on each Thursday in June, the games begin tonight and are hosted by the performance art group Mammalian Diving Reflex so each game will be somewhat of a show. The games have yet to be announced but if you're looking for a good laugh, you can check out their Facebook page to see what ideas attendees have come up with.
The Theatre Centre (1095 Queen Street West) 7PM PWYC

ALSO OF NOTE:

• Frische Magazine Launch Party
• Yigal Ozer Opening Reception
• Contemporary Culture Film Series--Exit Through the Gift Shop

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo by Josh Jensen in the blogTO Flickr pool