Toronto events April

Weekend events in Toronto: April 5-7, 2013

Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this April 5-7, 2013.

MUSIC

k-os Plus Rich Aucoin
Rich Aucoin, Canada's golden boy of indie rock and recent Prism Prize winner, plays a show at the Danforth Music Hall with Toronto rap icon k-os. Though an opener in title, Rich Aucoin acts as a co-headliner for the 12-city Canadian tour in his own right, as he comes with a large fan base given the success of his 2011 LP We're All Dying To Live. k-os tours to support his fifth studio album, a double LP titled BLack on BLonde. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
The Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth Avenue), April 5, 2013, 9PM $34

The Elwins at the Horseshoe
Indie pop jangle merchants The Elwins are headlining a show at the Horseshoe on Saturday night to celebrate the release of their new 7" single, "Forgetful Assistance." Also playing are Toronto mainstays Will Currie & The Country French and By Divine Right as well as Edmonton's Michael Rault.
The Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen St West) 9PM / $10

For more live music suggestions, check out This Week in Music and our April concert listings.

PARTY

The Store-Fun-Tier
The Storefront Theatre does the Wild West with a day of PG family fun followed by a nighttime saloon that will be the exact opposite. Cheap whiskey, body painting and a performance by The Midnight Society will make this wholesome day turn into a sweaty night of dancing (just how we like it). The full day's events support The Playwright Project 2013 through silent auction prizes and the $10 all-day entrance fee. Be good, then turn bad, it's your choice in the Wild West.
The Storefront Theatre (955 Bloor Street West), April 6, 2013, 12PM $10

Ancient Prom
Hosted by MTV's Aliya-Jasmine Sovani and CP24's Gurdeep Ahluwalia, Ancient Prom is the luxurious answer to the gap left by Friday Night at the ROM. Gourmet food, dancing, music by DJ Rory Them Finest and more live entertainment and special activities will take place throughout the night as guests are allowed to roam through the museum. Proceeds from the event go toward exhibits, galleries and programs. Don't be the mess-opotamia at this prom. Party with class like ancient civilizations did.
Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen's Park), April 6, 2013, 9PM $125 members, $150 non-members

FILM

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
The good news here is that Big Picture Cinema is putting Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas back on the big screen. The better news is that this is a 420-friendly screening. Part of the continuing stoner event series at Big Picture, the theatre owners invite everyone to join them for the Terry Gilliam's adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's acclaimed novel and is even advertising that you can bring your own bongs. One of the greatest road trip movies starring just about everyone (Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Tobey Maguire, Gary Busey, Ellen Barkin, Lyle Lovett and even Flea from Chili Peppers), this sounds like an excellent Friday night at the movies to me.
Big Picture Cinema (1035 Gerrard Street East), April 5, 2013, 9PM $10

For more screenings, check out This Week in Film.

Food Dudes Truck

FOOD

Good Food & Drink Festival
This one is going to be so good, it only needs a simple name: The Good Food & Drink Festival is a foodie's dream with a three day exhibition of the newest food trends, international cuisine samples and gourmet drinks. Celebrity appearances this year include The Food Network's Anna Olson and Eat St.'s James Cunningham (yep, that's right, there's going to be food trucks there). Walk the Direct Energy Centre tasting something new at each booth while watching cooking demos all weekend. The more you sample, the more you get your money's worth.
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place (100 Princes' Boulevard), April 5, 2013, 12PM $11 online, $14 doors

Craft Beer & Cheese: A Love Story
Beer columnist and Prud'homme Beer Sommelier Crystal Luxmore is attempting to prove that beer is a better pairing for cheese than wine. While this isn't completely believable for those of us that don't like messing with a good thing, it sure would be enjoyable to test out. Craft Beer & Cheese: A Love Story is a Friday night taste test that will feature five combinations of craft beer and gourmet cheeses that may (or may not!) prove a point. Register on the Uniiverse website to reserve a space.
Uniiverse Headquarters (111 Jarvis Street), April 5, 2013, 7PM $35

For more Toronto food events, check out our weekly roundup.

ART

Design Hope
25 works based on the theme of shelter will be displayed at Design of Hope, the 8th annual art auction in support of Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre and Edmond Place, a housing complex for people with mental issues. Local artists have contributed one-of-a-kind artworks to be auctioned by host Asha Tomlinson from CBC News Network and auctioneer Bill Kime of Waddington's at this Friday evening charity event. There will be drinks and dancing all night long with all proceeds going to the complex. Donations also welcomed.
St. John's Parish Hall (186 Cowan Avenue), April 5, 2013, 7PM $20 or PWYC

The Past Is Present
Vietnamese artist and winner of the 2012 Dogma Award, Vietnam's national portrait prize, Ngo Van Sac opens The Past Is Present at The East Gallery this Saturday afternoon. Van Sac examines the overlap of time in an attempt to portray Vietnam as a country quickly modernizing while still clinging to the past. Using a mix of textured collages, paintings, engravings and wood-burned surfaces, the artist captures a cultural struggle while capturing a past that has been re-contextualized by a government. The show runs until May 5th.
The East Gallery (334 Dundas Street West), April 6, 2013, 3PM Free

COMEDY

J. Sean Elliott Hashtag Tour 2013
J. Sean Elliott is the type of comedian who can make you laugh just looking at him. The character actor and musical comedian is joined by Blair Irwin and Donna Garner with maestro Konrad Pluta tonight at Winchester Kitchen to perform his original comedy songs mocking politics, pop culture and, probably, you. The Hashtag Tour (actually a two-evening performance schedule) runs until Sunday night with tickets available through the comedian's website, jsean.com.
Winchester Kitchen (51A Winchester Street), April 5-6, 2013, 8PM $12 advance, $15 door

For more comedy listings, check out This Week in Comedy.

FASHION

Antiques & Vintages Show
Selected and invited vendors gather at a Bayview and Finch boutique this Sunday for the Antiques & Vintages Show, a sale featuring clothing, accessories, furniture and other antiques from the mid-century and earlier. Vendors have driven in from across Ontario and Quebec with estate pieces and market finds to sell to Torontonians willing to drive north of Bloor--and this will be worth it as the sale is just one day, only taking place every other month. Be feisty--there will be some vintage-shopping vultures at this show.
The Grand Luxe Event Boutique (3125 Bayview Avenue), April 7, 2013, 9:30AM $5

For more fashion events, check out This Week in Fashion.

MARKET

The Bazaar of the Bizarre - Circus Sideshow
An alternative marketplace--fittingly named The Bazaar of the Bizarre--this circus sideshow-themed sale will feature stilt walkers, magicians, tarot card readers and mind readers running around the family-friendly venue. There will be arts & crafts, clothing, food, toys and accessories for sale from over 50 Toronto vendors, including Sci Feye Candy, charlotte & stewart, Plastik Wrap, Zombie Nogs and Peculiar Potions. Music will play and it is free to enter so swing by to see where weirdos play on Saturdays.
918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media & Education (918 Bathurst Street), April 6, 2013, 11AM Free

THEATRE

Sea Change--A Night of New Performance
Sea Change's mission is to provide a platform for theatre artists to present their newest works, and those still in progress, with the hope of building community ties and developing new works. At this month's installment of the Theatre Caravel initiative, five entertainers will perform their plays, puppetry, music and comedy acts while artist Rob Faust will have his performance masks on display for sale. Come out to support community theatre and emerging performance artists by helping them workshop their newest pieces. The event takes place at Cinecycle with snacks included in the ticket price.
CineCycle (behind 129 Spadina Avenue), April 5, 2013, 8PM $7

For more show listings, check out This Week in Theatre.

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

Lead photo of the Elwins


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