If trolling around for cheap trinkets and market food this weekend in celebration for the Lunar New Year isn't your idea of a good time, may I suggest a more livelier event happenning in all places ... Scarborough.

On the border of what we consider to be Toronto and Scarborough, sits Mr. Slates Sports Bar which is hosting a benefit concert where all proceeds will be made to the Red Cross Tsunami Relief Fund.

Other than the good cause, there will be some of the best local talent this city has seen .. or not seen, yet. When I say these artists are good, they really are good ... and let me tell you, I've seen and heard a lot of garbage as a radio host.

All members of the ever growing Asian Arts Community in Toronto, they dazzle and often surprise listeners with their unique brand of alt rock, power ballads, folk tunes and soulful grooves. It will be a live show of full and acoustic sets of originals and perhaps a few covers. But all in all, I can guarantee it's going to be show to remember.

About half of the artists on the bill, I know personally, which makes me especially proud to be telling you this.

If you had been strolling around Queen and Spadina on summer weekends, you may have just heard Chisai Jackson's butter vocals emerging from the Gorilla Monsoon. Should you just happen to catch her, Moulann would've shared vocals with him, but generally plays the Renaissance Cafe on the Danforth with fellow 'upper eastside' musician JP Sunga. JP was one 6th of a collective band of musicians called the Rice Junkie Collective, but since the departure of their lead vocalist, him as well as Keith Javier and Fergus Chow have since gone off to pursue their own musical endeavours. Producer Rodney Ronquillo will also be gracing the stage. I've heard great things come from him, but I've never seen him perform, so this will be a treat.

Show starts at 8pm and cover is $10 going to the Red Cross.

If you still want to cash in on celebrating the Lunar New Year, but are tired of the same ol' dragon, lion etc etc ... then check this event for a great cause.