Photo: "Cirque and Ye Shall Find" Joanne Dale, member of the blogTO Flickr Pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for TUESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2009... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar.

BOOKS AND LIT | General Rick Hillier at Indigo Books
General Rick Hillier was a thorn in the side of many politicians during his tenure as Canada's top soldier, consistently showing himself unafraid to criticize government officials in his attempt to win the war in Afghanistan. Hillier retired in July 2008, and it didn't take him long to release a patently frank memoir about his time at the helm of NATO's Afghan mission. He discusses A Soldier First: Bullets, Bureaucrats, and the Politics of War tonight at Indigo's Bay Street flagship store.
Indigo, 55 Bloor St. W., Free, 7:30 pm

MUSIC | Julie Doiron and Herman Dune
Monctonite Julie Doiron began her career almost 20 years ago as part of the influential indie group Eric's Trip. Since then she's won a Juno, sang with the Tragically Hip, had three kids, and been nominated for the Polaris Prize for her 2007 album Woke Myself Up. The hard-rocking and still-touring woman has had a substantial influence on a generation of Canadian indie musicians, and comes to Lee's Palace tonight with French duo Herman Dune.
Lee's Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., 9 pm, $13.50

LECTURE | Fourth Annual Eva Holtby Lecture with Lewis Lapham
The annual Eva Holtby lecture on contemporary culture was initiated four years ago as part of the revitalization of the Royal Ontario Museum. Past editions of the lecture have been highlights of the cultural calendar, and this year is no different. Taking his cue from the museum's ongoing Vanity Fair photograph exhibit, celebrated American editor and author Lewis Lapham will discuss the importance of celebrity in modern society in a lecture entitled "Celebrity in Contemporary Culture." First come, first served.
Signy and ClĂŠophĂŠe Theatre at the ROM, 100 Queen's Park, Free, 7 pm

FILM | Red Carpet Shorts
A lot of great art in this country is produced as the result of financial grants. Just ask Neko Case, Buck 65, the New Pornographers, or hundreds of others of FACTOR beneficiaries. Newstyle arts channel Bravo has also thrown its hat into the cultural ring by launching its Bravo!Fact program, financing Canadian short filmmakers with otherwise limited budgets (only the films are short; the filmmakers are regular size). The Royal Cinema hosts a screening of Bravo!Fact recipients tonight, all of which were shown at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.
Royal Cinema, 608 College St., 7 pm

COMEDY | Stand-up Showdown
Toronto's favourite comedic battle royale returns tonight with all new material from eight of the city's emerging comics. This is a no-holds-barred, winner-take all tournament, with the comedians given three different topics on which to expound. Their ability to do so will be harshly and hilariously judged by a less-than-honest referee. Comics include Rebecca Kohler, Bobby Mair, and Marilla Wex. Always an amusing night out.
Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W., $7, 8 pm

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