Movies
Open Roof Festival The summer-long fest of movies and music kicks off with a screening of the Oscar-nominated doc Exit Through The Gift Shop, followed by a performance by local band the Little Black Dress. 7:30 pm. Amsterdam Brewery. See listing.
Stage
Something Red Greg Kramer directs a new production of Tom Walmsley’s gritty 1978 about friends who have grown apart. At the Meta Gallery. See interview with producer/actor Todd Sandomirsky.
NXNE Comedy Showcase Terrific comics Kathleen McGee, Mark Debonis and others get laughs at the Labyrinth Lounge as part of the NXNE Fest. See listing.
Books
Trillium Book Award Readings Five authors – Emma Donoghue, Rabindranath Maharaj, Michael Winter, Ken Sparling and Paul Vermeersch – shortlisted for the Trillium Book Prize, awarded to the best book published in Ontario, read at the Reference Library. See listing.
Here’s a review of Donoghue’s shortlisted book Room.
For an interview with Donoghue, see here.
For a review of Maharaj’s The amazing Absorbing Boy, see here.
Community
Sacred Waters H2O is a highly politicized issue in the world today, but it also has its spiritual dimensions. As part of the ROM’s Water Symposia, a day-long session features reps from Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity speaking on water’s role in sacred practices. Speakers include Geri Durbin from Holy Blossom Temple, Edward Keall, ROM curator and more. 10:30 am-6:30 pm. Free w/ admission. Royal Ontario Museum. See listing.
Inner Suburbs at Stake: Investing in Scarborough’s Communities A forum featuring Deborah Cowen and Vanessa Parlette, authors of a study in overcoming poverty and driving change in Scarborough, discusses strategies for re-visioning this part of the ‘burbs in an era of austerity. 6 pm. Free. Scarbrough Civic Centre. See listing.
Mark the 11th Anniversary of the Queen’s Park Riot Eleven years ago, grass-roots groups protested against the Conservative government of Mike Harris and met with out-of-control Toronto police. This funder/party features politics, dancing and music by LAL + Redslam + DJ Tanner + B#. All proceeds to OCAP, The Algonquins of Barriere Lake, Jane-Finch Action Against Poverty. 8pm. $5-$20 sliding scale.Blue Moon Pub, 725 Queen E.
