Top Toronto event picks for the weekend of February 7 + 8, 2009

1. FESTIVAL | KUUMBA: AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH
A multi-genre celebration of African and Caribbean arts takes over Harbourfront. Highlights include a paid concert by Batuki Music's Daniel Nebiat and Kemer Yousef, Somaliwood, a film festival highlighting Somalian culture, and plenty of performance freebies. Runs February 7-8 and 14-15.
Harbourfront Centre. 235 Queens Quay W, (416) 973-4000.
MOSTLY FREE / website

2. COMEDY | THE SEAN SCHAU
With Sean Cullen at the helm of this late-night talk show, I can't even predict what will happen, except that your head may explode from laughter, into tiny crumbles of delicious ricotta cheese. Tonight's guest is This Hour Has 22 Minutes' Geri Hall.
Comedy Bar. 945 Bloor Street W, (647) 898-5324.
930pm / $10 / website

3. MUSIC | WINTERCITY: THE STILLS
Arts&Crafts' The Stills perform a free outdoor show, likely pimpin' a lot of material from last year's Oceans Will Rise.
Nathan Phillips Square. 100 Queen Street W.
8pm / FREE / website

4. PARTY | CARNIVAL GORIE: FUNDRAISER FOR THE GORE-GORE ROLLER GIRLS
A circus for adults, with carnies, midway games, raffle prizes, and a chance to arm-wrestle a Gore-Gore roller girl. The Great Orbax, Burlesque by Skin Tight Outta Sight's Anastasia, The Sasselini Sisters Trapeze Troupe, and "a secret show by Toronto's CREEPiest psychobilly band" perform.
El Mocambo. 464 Spadina Avenue, (416) 777-1777.
930pm / $10 / website

5. STAGE | 30th RHUBARB FESTIVAL
Festival of contemporary new works in theatre, performance and dance: creativity and ingenuity are encouraged, and mediocrity gets the heave-ho. Artists Lex Vaughn, Jenn Goodwin, Erin Shields, Meav Beaty, Andrea Donaldson, Amos Latteire, and others take the stage. Runs to February 22.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. 12 Alexander Street, (416) 975-8555.
various times / $17-60 / website

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8
1. ART | DOLLAR MENU: A FAST FOOD AESTHETIC
Artist Matthew Eskuche takes still life for a spin, creating art pieces representing our wasteful, over-consumptive ways. Opens today. Runs to March 8.
Sandra Ainsley Gallery. 55 Mill Street Building 32.
12-5pm / FREE / website

2. COMEDY | MONKEY TOAST IMPROV
The organizers of Monkey Toast sure know what pleases a crowd: this week's guests include NDP's Jack Layton and Whose Line is it Anyway's Colin Mochrie. Get here early if you want a seat; even under normal non-political leader, non-Whose-Line circumstances, these shows sell out fast.
Gladstone Hotel. 1214 Queen Street W, (416) 531-4635.
PWYT / 730pm doors, 8pm show / website

3. DESIGN | RADIANT DARK: ELEGANT CORRUPTIONS
Radiant Dark joins the design festival bandwagon, displaying work by emerging Canadian designers, artists, and architects. Today's free Walk and Talk program brings together eight studios who lead a guided tour through the exhibit. Closes today.
11-6pm, Walk and Talk 12-1pm / FREE / website

4. MUSIC | KENSINGTON HILLBILLYS
Kensington Hillbillys play an early set to go with your late-afternoon beer buzz.
The Cameron House. 408 Queen Street W, (416) 703-0811.
6pm / PWYC / website

5. OTHER | WINTERCITY: PYROTECHNIC SHOW
If you love loud noises and sparks and tend to gravitate towards bright, shiny things, head down to Nathan Phillips Square for the pyrotechnic extravaganza. "Ooh" and "ahh" your night away.
Nathan Phillips Square. 100 Queen Street W.
6pm / FREE / website

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

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Photo: "Untitled" by mikepop2ca, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.