Movies
Canada’s Top 10 Check out the annual roundup of the best in Canadian features and shorts this weekend at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. See related story.
The Godfather: Part II Some people think Coppola’s sequel to his 1972 masterpiece about the American mafia is even better than the original. They both won the Best Picture Oscar, and they’re still gripping viewing. Screens Saturday night at the Bloor.
Incendies Denis Villeneuve’s epic film about a history of violence in a Montreal family has made the Oscar short list for best foreign language film. We’ll find out on Tuesday if it makes the cut. In the meantime, make sure you can talk about it with authority by reading an interview with the director here and the review here.
Stage
Ruined The Obsidian/Nightwood production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Lynn Nottage is getting some of the best reviews of the year. Don’t miss it – word is, Oprah has bought up the film rights and wants to star in it herself. See our review of the show, currently at the Berkeley Street Theatre, here.
Lisa Lampanelli Raunchy stand-up comic Lampanelli just made news with her tweet about Zsa Zsa Gabor. Expect her to talk about it as she brings her act to Massey Hall on Saturday. See listing here.
Boston Marriage Former Second City performer Rebecca Northan plays a conservative Victorian era lesbian in David Mamet’s lesser-known play. On Saturday and next weekend at a secret location revealed when you buy your ticket. See interview with Northan here.
Music
Lauryn Hill The hip-hop soul diva is back, but will she make Toronto wait tonight at Sound Academy? See listing.
The Magician Former Aeroplane member flies solo tonight at Wrongbar, playing cosmic disco, italo, and Balearic flavours. See listing.
Robert Plant The classic rock legend kicks off a two-night stand at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. See listing.
Chromeo The Montreal electro funk duo play two nights at the Opera House this weekend, but make sure you get there early enough for MNDR. See listing.
Community
Downtown Budget Info Session Service cuts – not what we voted for! Still, the Ford gang is talking about closing the Urban Affairs Library branch, cutting nighttime TTC routes downtown and ending free rec for the low-income. Come and strategize at a session co-hosted by councillors Kristyn Wong-Tam, Pam McConnell & Adam Vaughan, 2 – 4 pm. Free. City Hall, Council Chambers. See listing.
Great MInds for Whose Future? Is the business invasion of the campus costing us intellectually? A day-long teach-in explores corporatization’s effects on higher learning and features author Linda McQuaig, United Steelworker lawyer, Mark Rowlinson and more. Free. 10am to 5 pm. Sidney Smith Hall. U of T. See listing.
Tipping Point: The Age of the Oil Sands Sometimes environmental activism is all about connecting the dots: watch a flick about the northern Alberta community of Fort Chipewyan which has stunningly been plagued by rare cancers. Are the tar sands the toxic culprit? You decide. Co-director Niobe Thompson will be present for questions and commentary on Sunday night. 7-9 pm. $18, stu/srs $12. Royal Ontario Museum. See listing.
Art
The Toronto Show Stephen Bulger has a knack for finding fantastic historical photos, so we’re looking forward to this show of old images of our town mixed with recent ones by Scott Conarroe, Joseph Hartman, Josef Hoflehner, Volker Seding and Dario Zini. Reception this afternoon at Stephen Bulger Gallery. See listings.
JJ Lee Every Sunday at 3 pm for the duration of illustrator Lee’s show, she and author Fabian Boutillier will take part in a Q&A and read from The White Tortoise Of Ch’u, their folk tale about the emperor’s sacred tortoise based on writings by ancient Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu. At Loop Gallery. See listing.
