backstage

Weekend Radar: June 27 + 28, 2009

Photo: "backstage" by carl w. heindl, member of the blogTO Flickr pool

Events on Toronto's Radar for SATURDAY JUNE 27 and SUNDAY 28, 2009
... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

FILM | The Harder They Come
In anticipation of the North American premiere of the musical at the Canon Theatre, a newly struck 35mm print of Henzell's film The Harder They Come will be screening for one night only. The film that introduced reggae music to the world!
Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St W / 9:30 pm / $5

COMMUNITY | Light Up Our Alley
The Light Up Our Alley street festival will take over the corner of Dupont and Spadina to celebrate the reclamation of public space with music, art, a community rummage sale, and a night time lantern walk. BBQ, potluck, local vendors, and performances by Boxes & Bags, Flying Museum Band, the Winks and more will bring a feeling of community to the area never seen before!

MUSIC | Wavelength Special Event! Magik Markers, Mouthus + more in the MG Courtyard!
Connecticut's Magik Markers provide "the most satisfying psychotic listening experience you'll have this year", in a special co-presentation by the Wavelength Music Arts Projects and the Summer Courtyard Series. With Mouthus and GFR vs Wasted Nymph.
The Music Gallery Courtyard, 197 John St
9pm / $12 advance, $15 door ($10 MG members)

PARTIES | PRIDE Saturday at the Barn feat. Larry Tee (NYC)
The official launch party for Drink The Glitter, Canada's most visited celebrity gossip site, features a DJ set from the legendary LARRY TEE, who introduced the Love Machine and Disco 2000 parties to NYC in the 80s.
The Barn, 418 Church St / $5 before 11:30

MUSIC | Everything All The Time @ the Horseshoe
Everything All The Time's complex synth-pop sounds top a bill that includes fellow locals Modernboys Moderngirls, the Balconies and Gentlemen Husbands
Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen Street W. / 8pm / $6

MUSIC | City Roots Festival
Toronto's 6th annual City Roots Festival starts today with performers from all over the city including Liam Titcomb, Dala, Jason Fowler, Revival Dear, David Newland, Swamperella, Mr Something Something, and many more!
Distillery District, Saturday-Sunday

PARTIES | Modern Life Is Rubbish
DJ Colonial spins primarily British music from 1990 to the present, with emphasis on the 'Cool Britannica' and 'Shoegaze' eras - musical styles originally associated with the 'Madchester' and 'Triphop' scenes of Manchester and Bristol England.
The Cloak & Dagger Pub, 394 College St. / 10pm

COMMUNITY | Multicultural Summer Festival
Celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day with a variety of traditional activities and performances including Samba music, belly-dancing, face painting, Henna tattoos, and delicious ethnic cuisine.
Children's Peace Theatre, 305 Dawes Road

CONVERSATION | ARTIST TALK - Alex Grey
Following the opening of his solo exhibition "Anatomy of Being" at Meta Gallery, Alex Grey speaks about his art and life, and will be available to sign books afterward.
St. Stephen-in-the-Fields Church, 103 Bellevue

MUSIC | Toronto Jazz Orchestra and Ingrid Jensen
The Toronto Jazz Festival presents juno-nominated trumpet player Ingrid Jensen performing with the Toronto Jazz Orchestra with guest vocalist Sophia Perlman.
The Rex Hotel, 194 Queen Street W / 1-4pm

PARTIES | Can't Stop Esther the Madonna Marathon
The special Pride edition of Can't Stop Esther is a hi-NRG, non-stop, multimedia Madonna extravaganza! Madonna tribute troupes Madgesty and Aldonna perform, with DJ Dr Baggie spinning Madonna tracks all night long. Prizes for best Madonna-wannabes and voguers.
Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W. / 9pm / $5 before midnight, $10 after

MUSIC | No Limits: A Celebration of Gospel and Inspirational Music and Dance
TC3 (The Toronto Children's Choir and Performing Arts Company) under the direction of Rev. Denise Gillard presents this concert of uplifting music with special guests Neuvo Elementos Latin Band & Joy Lapps - The Princess of Pan.
Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St. / 7pm / Tickets $15-$35, Seniors/Students $15-$20

Sunday, June 28

PRIDE | Pride Parade 2009 | "CAN'T STOP: WON'T STOP"
One of the world's best Pride Parades promises to transport us into a world filled with music, creativity, excitement and pride. Begins at 2 pm - Sunday, June 29th and travels west on Bloor St. between Church and Yonge, south on Yonge St. from Bloor to Gerrard, and east on Gerrard St. to Church.
2pm-5pm | free

COMMUNITY | Gargantuan Garage Sale BBQ Corn Roast
A massive garage sale including CDs, posters, tools, accessories, clothes, games, books, appliances, arts & crafts, art, roasted corn, lemonade and much more. Proceeds help fund Project 165 and Methinks Presents' next traveling art project We Made a Deal with the Devil, which tours across Eastern Canada for the month of August.
Project 165, 165 Augusta Ave. / 11am-6pm

COMMUNITY | MyMarket Liberty Village Grand Opening
City and provincial politicians Joe Pantalone and Rosario Marchese open the market for the season at 10:30pm. Face painting, musical artist Robin Byrd performing, and culinary demos and free samples by local chefs.
Liberty Village / 9am-2pm

GALLERY | Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Sex Relics
A unique opportunity to see an exhibition of Ancient Chinese Sex Relics, organized by the Toronto Sex Museum, on display for the first time in North America, revealing a fascinating approach to sexuality that has been hidden from outside view for years.
Delta Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard Street W.

MUSIC | Alterna-Queer
AlternaQueer showcases alternative artists that support the underground music scene of punk, industrial, electro, indie, new wave and no wave, with performances by fantastic bands such as the Craft Economy, Loveshot, Opopo, Lioness and more! DJ Triple-X spins.
Alexander Parkette, 12 Alexander Street / 12-11pm

MUSIC | Veda Hille and Christof Migone play "Escape Songs"
In their first live performance together since they began collaborating in 1999, multi-disciplinary musicians Veda Hille and Christof perform experimental pieces from their album "Escape Songs" as part of the Summer Courtyard Series
The Music Gallery Courtyard, 197 John St.
9pm / tickets $15 advance, $20 at the door ($15 MG members)

For full listings, head on over to our events calendar
Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO calendar, contact us directly, or use our handy Facebook app.

For Toronto movie showtimes, view our Movie Listings section


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Radar

15 things to do in Toronto this weekend

Santa Claus Parade route and road closures in Toronto for 2024

There's a free month-long Filipino night market in Toronto for the holiday season

Law & Order star brings Los Angeles-inspired dancing event to Toronto

There's a free outdoor concert and tree lighting ceremony in Toronto this weekend

15 things to do in Toronto this week

15 things to do in Toronto this weekend

Christmas market is back in the Distillery District and this might be the best year yet