Top Toronto event picks for Wednesday, January 21, 2009:

1. DEAN'S LECTURE SERIES: PAUL GROSS
On the heels of Passchendaele's late 2008 release, Paul Gross discusses his role as an actor, director, writer, and producer. And you thought mounties couldn't multi-task.
George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, Ryerson University. 245 Church Street, Rm 103, (416) 979-5000 x4282.
LECTURE / 6pm / free / website

2. THE WAY I ARE
Inspired by Timbaland's "The Way I Are", this group art exhibit investigates the allure of contemporary slang. Fo' realz, yo. Opening reception tonight, runs to March 1. (Downtown shuttle bus leaves from Gladstone Hotel at 6pm, returns at 9pm.)
Blackwood Gallery, U of T Mississauga. 3359 Mississauga Road North, (905) 828-3789.
ART OPENING / 6-9pm / free / website

3. SPIRITS OPEN MIC with JO-ANNA DOWNEY
Join host "Mama" Jo-Anna Downey every Wednesday as wannabe comedians make the drunken masses laugh... or at least try to.
Spirits Bar + Grill. 642 Church Street, (416) 967-0001.
COMEDY / 9pm / PWYC / website

4. A WORLD OF SHORTS
Monthly screening of international short films, curated by the programming manager of the Worldwide Short Film Festival. Great for A.D.D./non-committal types.
NFB Mediatheque. 150 John Street, (416) 973-2187.
FILM / 7pm / $6, $4 students, seniors, members, passholders / website

5. BEASTIE BOYS TRIBUTE NIGHT
D-Sisive, Matt Collins (ex-Ninja High School), Mark Inside, Party Wallet, and others bring you more rhymes than Phyllis Diller and more mad hits than Rod Carew. Comedian Nick Flanagan hosts.
Velvet Underground. 508 Queen Street W, (416) 504-6688.
MUSIC / 9pm / $7 / website

6. DVORAK'S "AMERICAN" QUARTET
The Tokai Quartet performs Beethoven's "Serioso" Quartet and Dvorak's Quartet No. 12 in F major, "The American." Even if you're not a fan of the music, it's worth the free hour-long looksie inside the Four Seasons Centre.
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. 145 Queen Street W, (416) 363-8231.
MUSIC / 12-1pm / free / website

7. UBUNTU: THE CAPETOWN PROJECT
Canadian and South African artists tell a story about spirit and community through music and dance. Previews tonight and runs to March 1.
Tarragon Theatre. 30 Bridgman Avenue, (416) 531-1827.
STAGE / 8pm / $19 / website

For full listings, head on over to our events calendar.

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO calendar, contact us directly, or use our handy Facebook app.

---

Photo: "Untitled" by -stacey-, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.