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The Dresden Dolls
El Mocambo (464 Spadina), tonight (Thursday, August 12)
The notion of Brechtian cabaret punk may sound like the stuff of Tim Burton’s worst nightmares, but Boston duo the Dresden Dolls are rumoured to put on a great show… and aren’t you curious to hear what a marriage of Joan Jett and Kurt Weill sounds like?
Lila Downs
Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West), Friday (August 13)
The Mexican-American diva with the killer pipes brings the haunting, politically charged tunes from her new One Blood/Una Sangre disc to Harbourfront’s Planet IndigenUs fest. See feature, page 54.
Hiphop Peace And Unity Fest
Metro Hall Square (55 John), Saturday and Sunday (August 14 and 15)
With a roster that includes locals like Eternia alongside bigger acts like Jeru the Damaja, the two-day Hiphop Peace And Unity Festival is probably the most massive celebration of hiphop culture the T-dot’s ever seen. Even better, it’s free!
Warped Tour
Molson Park, Barrie, Saturday (August 14)
Brave the traffic and trek out to Barrie for this extreme sport/punk rockstravaganza. See feature, page 51.
Andy Stochansky, Jason Collett
El Mocambo (464 Spadina), Saturday (August 14)
Scream your way into indie rock history when local alt-pop heartthrob and former Ani DiFranco second banana Andy Stochansky lays down tracks for a CBC live recording at the El Mo.
Honey Jam
Phoenix (410 Sherbourne), Sunday (August 15)
Host Michie Mee is joined by great femcees like Eternia and Masia One at the 9th annual Honey Jam celebration of up-and-coming urban female talent. See feature, page 67.
Slayer, Judas Priest
Molson Amphitheatre (909 Lakeshore West), Wednesday (August 18)
Pack earplugs and prepare to flash the devil horn sign ad infinitum when satanic metal beasts Slayer and Judas Priest take over the Amphitheatre.