Easter Weekend Toronto 2011
Here's a roundup of events in Toronto over Easter weekend 2011.
SATURDAY, APRIL 23RD
FILM | Keiichi Tanaami Animation Retrospective: Japan Benefit Screening
Keiichi Tanaami is one of Japan's great pop artists of the '60s and beyond. Influenced by US pop culture during this period, he also expanded into animation, film and fine art. This evening's screening is billed as a 'retrospective' of Tanaami's animation, featuring 10 short films that promise to deliver the "world of eye-popping free form Japanese psychedelia". As a bonus, all proceeds from this event will go to the Red Cross Japan Earthquake Fund.
CineCycle (129 Spadina Avenue (rear)) 8PM $8/$5 students
MUSIC | Easy Star All Stars + Cas Haley
Since first gaining notoriety and great acclaim for their debut release "Dub Side Of The Moon", the Easy Star All-Stars have been steadily climbing upward and onward. Originally put together as a studio 'wrecking crew' by Easy Star Records, they have functioned as such on a number of the label's releases, but have also followed up the success of "Dub Side" with their interpretation of Radiohead's "OK Computer" and The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper". They just dropped their first album of original material, "First Light" and their visit to town tonight finds them touring on that release. They will be joined by Cas Haley and DJ Scootz.
The Great Hall (1087 Queen Street West) 8PM $21.50
LITERATURE | Sarah Selecky Reading at The Holy Oak
Toronto's own Sarah Selecky has had her work published in numerous literary journals and quarterlies such as Prairie Fire, Geist, The Walrus, and others. She will be reading from her first book, a collection of short stories entitled, "The Cake Is For The Party", which was nominated for a Giller Prize last year. The Holy Oak Book Club is an informal monthly gathering featuring local writers reading their work to a receptive audience.
The Holy Oak (1241 Bloor Street West) 7PM FREE
MUSIC | DJ daShank (Amsterdam) guests at DoRight!
Do Right Saturdays goes down every week at Supermarket, where you know you'll find the Funk, plus some great disco, hip hop and all the groove you need. They're taking things up a notch this week, with a guest appearance by DJ daShank from Amsterdam, who will be joining the night's regular host, DJ John Kong. daShank has a solid rep for delivering soul-funk and rare groove wherever he spins, so do yourself right and get your groove on!
Supermarket (268 Augusta Avenue) 10PM $5 (before 11pm)
OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SATURDAY RADAR
SUNDAY APRIL 24TH
MUSIC | Dirty Vegas, Isis Salam, DJ Medley
After making an appearance at the Coachella festival in California, Dirty Vegas will hit town tonight as they head eastward from Vancouver. This dance oriented group has been making good waves since getting back together a few years ago. Their original claim to fame was the hit "Days Go By" which was used on a television commercial and gave them great exposure, as well as winning a Grammy Award in 2003 for Best Dance Recording. The are supported tonight by Isis Salam and DJ Medley.
The Mod Club (722 College Street) 9PM $18
CULTURE | Salon Noir
Those who can recall what underground nightlife was like here in TO many years ago, may find tonight's event at Lula of interest. Salon Noir harkens back to the glory days of the afterhours scene when clubs like Voodoo, Pariah, and the Night Gallery were in full swing and 'goth' culture was taken seriously as a lifestyle, not merely a fashion statement. The curators of this event are also calling out to other culture mavens, such as "steampunk[s], lolita[s], tribal fusionist[s], burner[s]". There will be DJs, and a host of musical performances by acts such as: Voltaire, TyLean, Serpentina North Ensemble, and more, plus a number of local 'dark retailers' will have merch tables set up in the foyer.
Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas Street West) $25 8:30PM (Dinner 7PM)
ART | Sunday Scene: Power Plant Animateurs
Every Sunday, The Power Plant invites a speaker to discuss the gallery's current offerings, and how the might relate to the 'greater scheme' of the art world at large. Speakers can vary from local artists, academics, critics, or in the case of this weeks lecture, the Power Plant staff. Specifically, The Power Plant's animateurs will give their take on what's happening at the gallery, and who would know better about what's "hot" or "not" with the general public, than those on the front lines? This promises to be an 'animated' discussion.
The Power Plant (235 Queens Quay West) 2PM FREE w/ gallery admission
VARIETY | The Drake Hotel Staff Talent Night
Come out and support your favourite staff at The Drake Hotel's "Staff Talent Night"! This will be a night of surprises, and it's hard to know what to expect.... All door proceeds will go to "Japan relief", and you will definitely get to know Toronto's hardest working hotel crew a whole lot better!!
The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) 8PM PWYC
OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SUNDAY RADAR
Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.
For Toronto movie showtimes, view our Movie Listings section.
Photo by DWallis in the blogTO Flickr pool.
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