Top Toronto event picks for WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18th, 2009:

STAGE | Tshepang
Lara Foot Newton's Tshepang takes place in a town of no event, which becomes politically and emotionally heated after learning of a dark secret. Loosely based on a true story of child rape in South Africa.
Studio Theatre, York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. (416) 973-4600.
8pm / $30 / website

FILM | Team Awesome Present: Fight or F*&K! Film Festival
Hit the Beer Store, bring in a 2-4, and get all riled up for a double shot of rowdiness, with a feisty Ed Norton and Brad Pitt in Fight Club, introduced by violent cartoons pitting Popeye against Bluto. Pow! Pow!
Cineforum, 463 Bathurst Street.
7pm / $20, $10 under 21 / website

FOOD | A Cheesy Soiree
Cheese experts speak on the legalities and safety of raw milk cheese, with obligatory sample tastings and a complimentary glass of wine or beer. Proceeds go towards the Ontario Cheese Society and Slow Food: Toronto.
Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street W. (416) 346-4236.
6-9pm / $40 / website

LECTURE | War Child: A Child Soldier's Story - Emmanuel Jal
Hip-hop musician Emmanuel Jal speaks about his past as a former Sudanese child soldier. Book signing follows.
Hart House Debates Room, 7 Hart House Circle. (647) 342-7995.
730pm / FREE / website

MUSIC | Zeus with The Golden Dogs
An incredible indie-pop fiesta at the Dakota, with Zeus, The Golden Dogs, and The Elkas Band. Pretty fun way to bid farewell to another hump day.
Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Avenue. (416) 850-4579.
9pm / FREE / website

STAGE | Rhubarb Festival: Week Three
Buddies in Bad Times launches week two of Rhubarb Festival's program of new works. Shows in this final week run to February 22 and include Alistair Newton's Leni Riefenstahl vs the 20th Century, Ame Henderson's /Dance/Songs and Michael Rubenfeld's An Exercise in Futility: A Nihilist's Tale.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. 12 Alexander Street, (416) 975-8555.
$17 evening pass, $25 week pass / website

WORDS | Authors at Harbourfront Centre
Three authors kick off the 2009 reading series, with Giles Blunt reading from Breaking Lorca, Chris Cleave with Little Bee, and Ken Rivard's short fiction collection, Missionary Positions.
Brigantine Room, York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. (416) 973-4000.
730pm / $8 / website

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Photo: "Looking west from the Market" by timescan, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.