Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this December 28-30, 2012.

FOOD & DRINK

The Official Bourbonite Regret Society of Toronto Launch Party
We regret to introduce The Official Bourbonite Regret Society of Toronto, a group of locals who enjoy bourbon, country bluegrass music, and nights of inebriated regret. Launching their club at Clinton's Tavern this Sunday night, the party-throwers at BRST have invited Mikey Chuck Rivers and the Old Salts to perform and will be raffling gift cards to Goorin Bros. Hat Shop. The PBR will be cheap, music will be good and plenty and regrets many.
Clinton's Tavern (693 Bloor Street West), December 30, 2012, 9PM $5

For more food and drink listings, check out our This Week In Food post.

SPORTS

Women's Arm Wrestling for Charity
Sick Kids needs some lady strength so female wrestlers like Scarlett O'Terror, Faye Tality, LumberJackie and Biceptual gather at the 751 Lounge this Saturday night to arm wrestle for charity. Outside participants are welcome to join--just select your fake name and costume, your entrance music, and show up early to register the day of the event. Betting on the wrestlers is encouraged (it all goes to charity!) and prizes will be awarded for best name, costume and, of course, the champion of arm wrestling. To participate, it's only $5 to get in (or $10 to be a spectator, gentlemen).
751 Lounge (751 Queen Street West), December 29, 2012, 9PM $10

THEATRE

Cinderella in Muddy York
The classic fairy tale of Cinderella set in 1834, when Toronto was still muddy old York, Cinderella in Muddy York explores Toronto history with marionette puppets. A theatrical performance by creators Ann Powell and David Powell, the play explores settler life in Canada with subtle humour as Cinderella is expected to be a slave to her recently immigrated stepmother and sisters. The performances are suitable for both children and adults with tickets available at the Theatre Passe Muraille box office or on the theatre website.
Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace (16 Ryerson Avenue), December 28, 2012-January 5, 2013 2PM $25 adult $20 child/senior/student

This Is War
It's 2008. A critical event takes place in Panjwaii, a region of Afghanistan, where the Canadian Forces are on active duty. An unseen journalist interviews three soldiers and a medic about the events after they have occurred. This is the basis of Hannah Moscovitch's This Is War, which premieres at the Tarragon on Friday night for a 6-week run. Directed by Richard Rose and starring Lisa Berry and Ari Cohen, This Is War is a gripping drama exploring Canada's role in the real events that took place in the Afghani conflict. Tickets are available through the Tarragon box office.
Tarragon Theatre Extra Space (30 Bridgman Avenue), December 28, 2012-February 3, 2013, 8PM $27-$53

For more theatre listings, check out our This Week In Theatre post and our wrap-up of the year's best theatre productions and news.

MUSIC

Boxing Day Special
Fuck Boxing Week sales, when The Garrison is hosting 3 days of international DJs spinning every night at Boxing Day Special. Names like Brian Borcherdt of Holy Fuck and BB Guns will headline, with sets by other DJs such as Revolvers and Tess Parks. Admission is $5 and a non-perishable food item that will go to the Parkdale Food Bank.
The Garrison (1197 Dundas Street West), December 28-30, 2012 9 PM $5

What's In The Box?
A mini music festival for fans of local indie names, What's In The Box? is The Drake's answer to the relative draught of shows happening during the season. Featuring sets by individuals from Toronto bands like July Talk and Austra, and performances by BADBADNOTGOOD, Austra's Katie Stelmanis and Soul Proprieter, the festival takes place over five nights and features five shows, all happening in the Underground. In keeping with the rule of five, cover is only $5.
The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West), December 28-30, 2012, 8PM $5

Nu Sensae with Ell V Gore
Noise rock riffs and leather vests will fill The Shop Under Parts & Labour this Friday night because Nu Sensae is in town. The Vancouver noise punk band performs in the Parkdale basement bar with Toronto gore punk friends Ell V Gore and additional acts like Greys and Fill Spectre. It's going to be a sweaty little mess in the Shop because Ell V always sells out a venue so get your tickets in advance at Rotate This and Soundscapes.
The Shop Under Parts & Labour (1566 Queen Street West), December 28, 2012, 10PM $8.50

Flosstradamus
DJ duo Flosstradamus plays The Hoxton this Friday night. Hailing from Chicago, the duo consists of Autobot and J2K (the brother of rapper Kid Sister), who have frequently collaborated with A-Trak and joined Chromeo on his 2007 world tour. The duo has released 5 EPs in 2012 alone, so there will be lots of hip hop and trap to dance to at this show. Tickets will be available at the door.
The Hoxton (69 Bathurst Street), December 28, 2012, 10PM $15

Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris, the Scottish synthpop DJ who has produced a string of hits with the world's biggest pop stars this year, makes an appearance at Uniun Nightclub this Friday night. A DJ worth tolerating horrendous club lines and intolerable people for, Harris' will hit the stage late for his set following opener Manzone & Strong. The event is 19+ with tickets available at inktickets.com.
Uniun Nightclub (473 Adelaide Street West), December 28, 2012, 10PM

Felix Cartal
Playing The Hoxton this Saturday night is Vancouver DJ and producer Felix Cartal, who is just coming off MSTRKRFT's world tour and is currently promoting his 2012 album Different Faces as well as his two remix albums out this past Fall, Black To White Remixes and Tonight Remixes. The 25-year-old electro house musician has collaborated with big names like Sebastien Grainger of Death From Above 1979 and Steve Aoki and has already played several large festivals like SXSW. Advance tickets are available through Ticketweb. Sorry, kids, this is a 19+ event.
The Hoxton (69 Bathurst Street), December 29, 2012, 10PM $15

EMERGE Artist Showcase
EMERGE Artist Showcase gives local musicians a chance to showcase their music to the public in an all-night evening of rock, soul, R&B, jazz, and folk. Revival Bar is where it's all happening on Saturday night with 10 acts like Drew Leith and The Foundation, The Pick Bros., Selena Evangeline, and Beth Moore performing live. Tickets are $15 at the door but are reduced to $10 if you buy online at emergeartists.eventbrite.ca prior to the event.
Revival Bar (783 College Street), December 29, 2012, 7PM $15

For more music listings, check out our Hot Ticket and December concerts posts.

PARTY

SheDoesTheCity Presents: #STAYGOLDEN Holiday Hangover
In the mood for a classic rock dance mess? She Does The City is hosting a holiday party, nestled neatly between your Christmas hangover and your New Year's Eve hangover, at The Gladstone Hotel this Friday night. The #STAYGOLDEN Holiday Hangover party will play only classic rock anthems--like the ones your parents probably sang while drunk at Christmas dinner--with DJ Cherry Pop on the turntables. Photographer Becca Lemire will be snapping away, so tease your hair and wear your Canadian tuxedo so you'll be extra sweaty and messy for the photos.
The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West), December 28, 2012, 10PM $5

F**k New Years III
The third annual anti-New Year's Eve party for people who just don't want to bother with the hype starts early this year, taking place on Sunday night at The Rivoli. The doors open at 8PM for an all-night (and ostensibly mellow) event featuring four musicians performing--Zachary Bennett of Tin Star Orphans, Luke Correia-Damude of Boys Who Say No, J.M. McNab of Vistavision and Tim Moxam of Great Bloomers. Food and booze, of course, will be available for purchase so come out to the party so you can use your hangover as an excuse to miss out on those other parties you don't want to attend.
The Rivoli (334 Queen Street West), December 30, 2012, 8PM PWYC

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.