Weekend events in Toronto: February 28 - March 2 2014
Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this Feb 28 - March 2, 2014.
The Boylympics
Boylesque T.O. just didn't think the real Olympics were campy enough, so they're showing their athletic side tonight at Lee's Palace with Mens Interpretive Figure Skating, Bobsledding, Competitive Doping, a torch lighting ceremony (naturally) and more. All the games, non of the troubling socioeconomic and political issues. Which Pussy Riot member will you dress up as? There are actually like twenty, you know. Friday, February 28, 9pm, Lee's Palace (529 Bloor St W) $22/$28.
MUSIC
Good Music - new record store opening
A new record shop will open on Queen West tomorrow, meaning another spot for the city's already spoiled vinyl collectors to get their grip on. Lincoln Stewart, manager of Vortex Records, is opening Good Music at 256A Queen West inside Black Market, taking over where Penguin Music used to be (and downstairs from the old Pages Books spot - RIP). Read more about the new shop here. Saturday, March 1, 11:30am - 6pm, Good Music (256A Queen Street West - inside Black Market Vintage).
The C'mons CD release
We listed The C'mons as a break out band from 2013, and their lead-singer Steph Bosch made the top 10 queer Toronto musicians list for having her talented paws in a whole bunch of exciting upcoming projects. This show is for the release of the band's first LP. Local bands Hue, Morakoza, and beau will also be on hand, and rumour has it that some of the musicians will be getting tattooed at the show. Which sounds totally sanitary. Friday, February 28, Tattoo Rock Parlour, 9pm, $10.
Silent Shout: Digits, Ken Park, Mekele, Farragoes
Toronto artist Digits just dropped his new mixtape Shake Your Body Down. I'm going for it: shake your digits down at this release show. Slam dunk. Encore Studios (76 Geary Ave), Friday, February 28th, 9pm.
See also
For more music listings, check out our This Week in Music post.
ART
Anser's Crowded Kingdom
ANSER's portraits, which you've likely seen around Toronto unless you're a major shoegazer, are unmistakable. Known as the "Mysterious Date," the faces show off an ability to fuse "high art" portrait techniques with street-graffiti bombing tactics. This is the artists' first major exhibit in over six years. Read our interview with ANSER here. Until March 9, Hashtag Gallery (801 Dundas St W).
Simulators II - artist talk
This group show at Angell explores digital-imaging in fine art, and Saturday afternoon you can catch Napoleon Brousseau, Philippe Blanchard, Mitchell Chan, Aamna Muzaffar, and Rafael Ochoa (above) giving a talk on their work and processes. The exhibit runs until March 22. Saturday, March 1, 2-3pm, Angell Gallery (12 Ossington Avenue).
See also:
For more art listings, check out our Top 10 Must-See Art Shows This Winter post.
FOOD
Amulets: Knaves Kitchen at Videofag
It's too cold outside to huddle in a makeshift theatre watching movies - unless there's soup involved. Then you're gold. Head to Videofag tonight for Guillermo del Toro's debut feature CRONOS and animation by Sarah D'angelo, plus the main event: Black Bean Soup in homemade Sour Bread Bowls for ten bucks each (veggie options available), Chipotle Brownies for four bucks, and Vanilla Atole traditional Mexican hot drinks. Buy a beer if you're not feeling the hot drinkables - Videofag only needs to sell 6,720 to make rent. Friday, February 28, Videofag (187 Augusta Avenue), 7pm.
See also:
For more food events, check out our Toronto Food Events post.
FILM
Human Rights Watch 2014
This year's Human Rights Watch festival is, once again, dedicated to bringing Toronto cinephiles a collection of important films that aren't always easy to watch. Leading the bunch is Cambodian documentary filmmaker Rithy Panh' extremely ambitious film about the devastating effects of the Khmer Rouge, The Missing Picture (Monday, March 3 at 6:30PM), illustrated via handmade clay figurines and dioramas. The effect is of watching a something that almost looks like a children's film, except for the soul-crushing content that delivers the opposite. Prepare for cognitive dissonance. Until February 27 - March 6, TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King St W).
Son of God
Easter is still a little less than two months away, but what better way to dive into your Lent fasts than to catch up, once again, with the story that led up to that fateful resurrection. Unlike Mel Gibson's sadistic take on Christ's final days, Son of God is the Jesus film the whole family can enjoy. Apparently one of the most anticipated films in cinema history (church groups have already pre-ordered over half a million tickets), you might want to place your own advanced order if you intend to see this opening weekend. Check showtimes here.
See also:
PARTY
Bitches Love Triangles
Shake it like it's 2009 and your mom has a crush on Pictureplane and/or that one guy from SALEM. Because in some reality, that's still the present. Nah I'm kidding, this party is going to be great and you should put on some black lipstick and grab a vampy cutie pie to dance with. SINS is on decks with Kill Your Rapist - does she have the best DJ name in the city? Yes. Nocturne (550 Queen Street West), Friday February 28th, 10pm, $5 (free if you're a bat).
Jimpster
UK deep house DJ/producer Jimpster is the son of jazz musician parents, and he brings much of that sense of musicality to both his DJ sets and productions as well as the music he releases on his label Freerange. This event is at an undisclosed secret location for extra old school warehouse authenticity, so make sure you get on the mailing list if you want to attend. Saturday, March 1st, venue TBA, 10pm, $20.
See also
For more dance parties, check out our top dance parties in Toronto March 2014 post.
THEATRE
Metamorphosis
There's nothing that quite compares to the comically dark open line of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis: "As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect." Not figurative, without hyperbole or irony, Gregor is full insect. Kafka's wildly imaginative and influential literature has been adapted for the stage by British playwright and director David Farr and actor/director Gisli Ăârn Gardarsson. Time is running out on this one, so get on it! Until March 9, Royal Alex Theatre, various showtimes, $25-$99.
For more events on stage, check out our The top theatre productions in Toronto February 2014 post.
COMEDY
BeerProv
BeerProv is a Toronto / New York thing that combines two of humankind's most beloved pursuits: sitting down and wearing semi-casual clothing. Wait, I meant drinking beer and laughing. Beerprov has been called "one of Canada's most uniquely hilarious live comedy shows" and if you want to go formal or full casual, I'm all for it. Friday, February 28, Comedy Bar (945 Bloor Street West), 10:30pm, $15.
FASHION
Bespoke Trunk Show
This Saturday, Leatherfoot will be hosting a trunk show of a different kind. Their previous events have featured renowned shoemakers, giving guests the opportunity to order luxury footwear custom-built for their feet. But until Saturday they're bringing in Canadian master tailor Michel Karkar of Michel's Bespoke - and a lovely array of high-end fabrics - to create a suit made just for you. To book an appointment, call 416-967-3668 or email events@leatherfoot.com. Now until Saturday, March 1, Leatherfoot, (24 Bellair St).
For more fashion listings, check out our This Week in Fashion post.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Queering Black History Month
You can take part in the last day of Black History Month with activist and academic speakers Mia McKenzie of blackgirldangerous.org, janaya khan, Monica Forrester, and Christopher Smith at the Ryerson's Students' Union Centre for Queering Black History Month, which will examine experiences and achievements of queer and trans African, Black and Caribbean people. Friday, February 28, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Ryerson's Students' Union (Centre 55 Gould St.) Rm 115.
SPORTS
28th Annual Toronto International Bicycle Show
Brave winter bikers or more tepidly enthusiastic summer cyclers will want to ogle the goods this weekend at the Toronto International Bicycle Show. 150+ exhibitors will be on hand. Look for e-bikes (love 'em or hate 'em), a test ride zone, frame building, and more. There will be free bike parking! Just like... everywhere else? No bike valets, too bad. Better Living Centre in Exhibition Place (200 Princes' Blvd), Friday February 28 - Sunday, March 2, various times, $13 (or passes available).
Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.
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