Events in Toronto on July 1st, 2011:

MUSIC | The Tragically Hip at Downsview Park
Downsview Park may have chosen to forego the fireworks this year but rest assured The Tragically Hip will help celebrate Canadiana at the park by putting on a large outdoor concert. The Hip, who are currently working on new music for an upcoming album, will perform classics from their 12 studio albums and welcome a festival-caliber group of special guests, including Weezer and fellow Canadian acts Broken Social Scene, Hey Rosetta! and Buck 65. Performances will begin at 3:45PM and will run all evening, promising a long day of music, beer and patriotism, just as our nation's founders would have wanted.
Downsview Park (75 Carl Hall Road) 2:30PM $59.50

THEATRE | The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams' 1944 play The Glass Menagerie premieres tonight on the stages of the Young Centre for the Performing Arts under the direction of Gemini Award winner Ted Dykstra. The four-character memory play is believed by many to be based on Williams' own family life and examines the breakdown of the Wingfield family as Tom watches his fragile and ill sister Laura discover that the man she is in love with is engaged to another woman. The play, starring Stuart Hughes, Jeff Lillico, Nancy Palk and Gemma James-Smith, runs until September 10th.
Marilyn & Charles Baillie Theatre (55 Mill Street, Building 49) 7:30PM $67.81 premium, $50.86 regular, $31.65 student

LITERATURE | Underground Inspirations: Parkdale Street Writers Zine Launch
Parkdale Street Writers is a writing collective that formed in 2008 as a means to give hands-on experience to local 16-29 year olds interested in writing. Coordinated by award-winning Toronto author Emily Pohl-Weary, the Parkdale Street Writers are launching their latest work with a party that will feature readings from the young contributors. The launch party will offer performances, food, books, art and a DJ as well as special guests Rose and Nic from Toronto music collective LAL and dub hop trio Abstract Random. Come out and support local youth writers!
Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West) 7PM Free

FILM | Voulez-vous coucher avec God?
The TIFF Bell Lightbox is honouring Canada's 144th birthday the best way they know how--with a free screening of a Canadian film. Voulez-vous coucher avec God? is a countercultural piece of Canadian cinema starring beatnik poet Tuli Kupferberg as the bizarre God in Hashish Seventh Heaven, where he rules the world from his bathtub. This 1972 film, directed by Jack Christie and Michael Hirsh, is a wacky, vulgar and highly entertaining film shot in Peterborough that is definitely not for the faint of heart with its many gross-out moments. Head over to the Lightbox at 10AM to pick up your free tickets as there is a limit of 2 per person and this Canadian camp classic will quickly sell out.
TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West) 7:30PM Free

CULTURE | Canada Day at Dream in High Park
Dream in High Park presents a free, family-friendly day of activities for those who want to spend their holiday under the shade of the trees. Crafts and interactive games for all ages will be available while the cast of Canadian Stage's The Winter's Tale will run workshops and give tours of the High Park Amphitheatre. Musical performances and carnival games will happen throughout the day and will be followed by a free performance of The Winter's Tale. Best of all, in honour of Canada's birthday, there will be free cake!
High Park Amphitheatre (200 Parkside Drive) 4PM Free

ALSO ON OUR RADAR:

• Trans March
• Retro Revisited Closing Party
• Let There Be Art 2

Photo by ryan.melissa in the blogTO Flickr pool.