Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Watch for it here on Fridays around midday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this weekend, April 20-22, 2012.

PARTIES

Friday Night Live at the ROM
There is a party happening at the ROM tonight. Yeah, you heard us. To put it in their words, "history just got hot." This is the kick off to ROM's themed programming happening every Friday for the next 10 weeks. Check out more details on the events that'll follow this one. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, April 20, 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., $9 general cover, $8 for students and ROM members free entry. Food and drinks start at $5. Visitors must be 19 years of age and provide ID.

Hip-Hop Karaoke
What we can only imagine will lead to embarrassing yourself after having one too many drinks - hip-hop karaoke is happening tonight at Revival. Hosted by Abdominal & More or Les with DJ Numeric & Ted Dancing. There will also be over 600 rap anthems to choose from. Revival Bar, 783 College St., April 20, doors open at 10 p.m., cover is $10 before 11 p.m.

FESTIVAL

Yo La Tengo Presents: The Sound of Science (Image Festival Closing Night Gala)
The closing night gala for the Images Festival is happening Saturday. The gala will feature the Sounds of Science alongside an original soundtrack composed and performed live by Yo La Tengo. Toronto Underground Cinema, 186 Spadina Avenue, April 21, buy your tickets online or at Rotate This and Soundscapes for $25.

MUSIC

Record Store Day at Sonic Boom

Saturday marks international record store day and Sonic Boom is celebrating with tons of exclusive releases, give-a-ways and live performances. Army Girls, The Darcys, Born Ruffians and Fresh Snow are just some of the bands that will be playing. Sonic Boom, 782 Bathurst St., April 21, 1 - 10 p.m. Admission is free, but please bring a non-perishable food item for the Ft. York Food Bank.

The Thing Is: CD Release and Graphic Art Exhibit
Enjoy jazz music Sunday night. The Things Is will be having their CD release and art exhibition. The exhibition will be open before the concert for viewing. Bathurst Culture, Arts and Media Education Centre, 918 Bathurst, April 22, 7:30 p.m.

Manitoba (ex Dictators) at Horseshoe
There's also a rock concert to go to on Sunday night if jazz isn't your thing. Manitoba, formally known as Dictators, are playing the Horseshoe. So if you want some "simple, unpretentious, loud and fun" (their words, not ours) rock and roll then don't miss this night. Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St W, April 22, 8 p.m.

For more concerts, check out our weekly Hot Ticket post.

ART

Grand Opening: Gelico Gallery
One of the best parts of living in a city like Toronto is that there's always a new gallery popping up somewhere. One of the newest, Gelico Gallery, will be opening tonight and the work "Paradigms" will be on exhibit. April 20, Gelico Gallery, 264 Christie Street, 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m., Free.

The Keyhole Sessions: Girls on Film VI
Calling all Peeping Toms and voyeurs, it's a time and place to satisfy your fantasy in a creative, unique, (and legal!) way. The Keyhole Sessions offers the chance for photographers to shoot models paparazzi-style for two hours. Tickets must be bought in advance here and the location of the event will be revealed to ticket holders. April 22, Location announced to ticket holders, 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

EARTH DAY

Earth Day 2012
Celebrate Earth Day with the family this Saturday at Evergreen Brick Works. There is going to be plenty of activities including a farmers market, tree tours, public planting and living music to keep the kids and parents happen. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave., April 21, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Earth Day Book Swap
Little known fact: spring is also known as the outdoor reading season. So, for all those people who maxed out their bookshelves this past winter, there's a perfect all-weekend event. It's so simple, bring one or two books to the swap, and leave with one or two new ones. Genius and environmentally-friendly! There will also be some CDs and DVDs available for tradesies. April 20-22, Ransack the Universe, 1207 Bloor Street West, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Free.

FILM

The Buffer
The Buffer is a short documentary film about a man who removes graffiti for a living (maybe this guy should talk to our Mayor). He's taken down the likes of Banksy and others. It will be followed by a Q&A session. Innis Town Hall @ U of T, 2 Sussex Ave., April 20, 7 p.m., admission is free but donations will be accepted.

For more, check out This Week in Film.

WORKSHOP

The Urban Charm School
Learn about how to look great in photos and then put it into practice with a mini photo shoot. This seems like good practice for those who are considering a career in modelling. Participants will get photos emailed to them after the shoot. Centre for Social Innovation, 720 Bathurst St., April 20, 7 - 8:30 p.m. $10

CHARITY

Red & White Ball
This gala event is targeted to raise money in support of Rethink Breast Cancer. Go dressed in Red and White, not the pink that is traditionally associated with breast cancer. There's going to be a complimentary wine bar, snacks and plenty of treats and giveaways. The Courthouse, 57 Adelaide St E, April 20, 9 p.m.

WWF'S 22nd Annual CN Tower Climb
There's never been a more perfect Toronto event to find out just how out of shape you are. Climb the 1,776 steps of the CN Tower to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund. Register for the climb here. April 21, CN Tower, 301 Front Street West, Registration opens at 6 a.m., Registration fee is $25 and climbers must raise $75 to participate.

Art Mart: A Silent Auction to Benefit the CLGA and Casey House
The CLGA (Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives) and the Casey House are joining forces and hosting a silent art auction. There will be a lots of pieces on sale, from water colours to erotic images, with all proceeds going towards the two establishments. April 21, Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives, 34 Isabella Street, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Free.

LIT

Footprint of an Elephant: Official Book Launch
Toronto author Anil Persaud will be reading from his new book, Footprint of an Elephant, a collection of 49 poems and local band The Uplifters will be performing this Sunday, making it a perfect afternoon of poetry and music. April 22, Gerrard Art Space, 1390 Gerrard Street East, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., Free.

CONVENTION

Toronto Art Expo
Toronto's premier art and cultural event kicked off yesterday and is happening until Sunday. Enjoy galleries from Canadian and international artists. It's a weekend not to be missed by art connoisseurs and for those just looking to gawk at art. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West, April 19 - 22, adult tickets $14, students and seniors $10 and children under 12 are free. More visitor info here.

Made by Hand Show
Over 150 vendors are going to be showcasing their, you guessed it, handmade work on Saturday. The first 100 guests of the event will receive a free swag bag, and the day will be punctuated by craft sessions, door prizes, and kid-friendly events. April 21, International Centre, Hall 4, 6900 Airport Road, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., $2.

City of Craft Spring Show
This event has a little bit of everything. Vendors, installations, and tons of deals, will be there with something to satisfy every varied palate, ranging from vintage goods to the handmade. April 21, Trinity Paul's United Church, 427 Bloor Street West, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

ADULT

7th Annual Good for Her Feminist P*rn Awards Gala
It's naughty going to be you're average evening, see what I did there? This event highlights the best of the best in the feminist porn industry. There will be live entertainment from Ill Na Na, Olive-or-Oliver & CoCo La Creme as well as some very sexy movie clips. It might go without saying that this event is 19+. April 20, Berkeley Church, 315 Queen Street East, 9 p.m., $25 advance/$30 door/$75 VIP.

FOOD

Borscht Battle
It's time again for "Battle of the Bubbies." Competitors are serving up their tastiest borscht to be judged by a panel of experienced Bubbies, hoping to be crowned as the best of the best in Toronto. The prize? Bragging rights and a soup bowl trophy, of course. April 22, Caplanky's Deli, 356 College Street, 8 p.m.

For more food-related events, check out This Week in Food.

Photos by Derek Flack, Natta Summerky, and Good For Her.

Writing by Mariam Matti and Roxanne Hathway-Baxter