Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this Sept 5-7, 2014.

Riot Fest
How does a band come to define one's sense of self - is it because we form our identities during the moments of greatest turmoil - moments when we also relied on the emotional support of Robert Smith and Ben Gibbard? Pop music is perhaps our generation's most beloved crutch and illusionary cloak, yet it also acts as an adhesive between us wandering and lonesome generation-whatevers, a rare glue in a craft cabinet containing rows upon rows of decorative ornaments but very little instruments of support. The Cure, Metric, and The National headline. Saturday-Sunday, Sept 6-7, Downsview Park.

FILM

TIFF
"I'm trying to show what it's like to be human and to be alive" Roy Andersson told The Guardian. The Toronto International Film Festival will be the second fest to show Andersson's A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence, nearly a decade in the making. He claims this will not be his last film, and we expect this will not be our last TIFF whirlwind, but who can say? Life quivers before an uncertain future - even these lives. One of the most prestigious film fests in the world, TIFF was named by Time as fall's most influential festival, period. Tip: don't spend the whole fest in the dark and miss the street festival. Sept 4-14.

Check out some of our picks:

The top 10 movies to watch at TIFF 2014
The top 10 foreign films to see at TIFF 2014
15 must see films at TIFF according to its programmers
10 movies getting the biggest advance buzz at TIFF 2014
The top 10 documentaries to watch at TIFF 2014
The top 10 Canadian films to look out for at TIFF 2014

See also

• Goethe Film Talk: Christian Petzold & Nina Hoss (Friday, Goethe-Institut)

PARTY

Dirtybird BBQ
Any new project entails risk. A San Francisco barbecue among friends. A record label. A tour. Suddenly you're a chef on the road with DJs like Claude Von Stroke, Justin Martin, J. Phlip, and Christian Martin, and Canadians unknown to you are complaining that they have to pay $25 to enter a park you've never seen where you plan to cook them free BBQ all day until supplies run out. And supplies will run out, but you believe people will have a good time. A friend from SF will text "how's Canada?" and you'll reply, "Awesome." Sunday, September 7, Sherbourne Common.

See also

• Art Department (Friday, Maison Mercer)
• Otherland (Friday, Tattoo)
• Bruce LaBruce presents THUMPER (Friday, Bambi's)
• Fool's Gold (Saturday, Muzik)
• ENDhatelaws: Dance Party (Saturday, Steady)
• Shit Fun (Saturday, Round)

For more dance listings, check out our Top Dance Parties in Toronto in September post.

ART

Art Spin
The final art spin of summer. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I hold my handlebars tightly, trying not to let on to my dearest companion that I am frightened. That soon things will change for us. Learn more about the bicycle art tour's plans for this evening here. Friday, Sept 5, meeting at 6:30pm in Sorauren Park.

See also

• Fall Exhibition Openings (Friday, Mercer Union)
• TBD (opening Friday, MOCCA)
• The 38th annual Cabbagetown Festival of the Arts (Saturday)
• Lauchie Reid (Saturday, Narwhal)
• Artscape Youngplace Celebrates 100 Years (Sunday)
• End of Summer Block Party (Sunday, Clay & Paper)

For more art listings, check out our Top 10 Must-See Art Shows This Summer post.

FOOD

AwesTRUCK 2014
Even though the rain made last year's annual food truck extravaganza a bit of a bust, we can't resist wishing food truck events the best. Coming in at the tail end of the summer, the food truck rally has moved west from Fort York to new digs just outside the city at Celebration Square in Mississauga (yes, I know that's not technically in Toronto). Admission is free and the award ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 6th. Expect many tacos and other gourmet food truck fare to be consumed. Sept 5-6. LI

See also

• Vegetarian Food Festival (Friday-Sunday, Harbourfront)

For more food events, check out our Toronto Food Events, Summer Food Events, and Summer Beer Events post.

COMMUNITY

Taste of the Kingsway
Each year, on the weekend after Labour Day, the Kingsway comes alive with midway rides, beer and wine gardens, live performance and samples upon samples of local food. This year, it falls between September 5 to 7 The street festival will run from Prince Edward Dr. to Montgomery Rd., and in case you missed Woofstock in May, it also features a dog show. SR

See also

• Korean Harvest Festival - "Hangawi" (Sat-Sun, Mel Lastman Square)

MUSIC

Wavelength's Island Show
Can't afford Riot Fest? This one is free - and instead of nostalgia it's up-and-comers, as is Wavelength's general deal. Weaves headline with Fresh Snow, Most People, MATROX, and more (look out for special guests). Sunday Sept 7, Artscape Gibraltar Point, Toronto Islands.

See also

• Loving in the Name Of (Friday, Mod Club)
• Battle Trance (Friday, Array)
• Blood Ceremony (Saturday, Silver Dollar)
• Jad Fair (Saturday, The Cave)
• BA Johnston (Saturday, Smiling Buddha)
• IMSTA FESTA (Saturday, Ryerson)

For more music listings, check out our September Concerts, Summer Concerts, and Summer Music Festivals posts.

FASHION

Inland
This two-day shopping experience featuring 80 Canadian designers has nothing to do with David Lynch's Inland Empire. Check out our mini-preview of September's biggest fashion event here, and get ready to shop Canadian vintage, hand-mades, and designer til you drop. Off the face of reality. September 6-7, 99 Sudbury.

See also

• Geek Swap (Saturday, Back Space Toronto)
• The Leslieville Flea (Sunday, Harbourfront Centre)

THEATRE

True
Celebrated playwright Rosa LabordĂŠ explores the confining qualities of memory in the Fringe-lauded True, about three sisters who must confront the past when their estranged father unexpectedly re-enters their lives. Boasting a talented cast, Layne Coleman, Shannon Taylor, Ingrid Doucet, Sabrina Grdevich and Scott McCord, and some of the city's best designers, Thomas Ryder-Payne, Trevor Schwellnus and Lindsay Walker, there's a reason this one returns for a remount. Citizenry, September 3-13, $24. KB

For more events on stage, check out our The top theatre productions in Toronto September 2014 post.

GETTING LIT IN THE PARK

High Park Reading Festival
Get litery in the park tomorrow with over 50 live readings and an after party at Inter Steer in Roncesvalles Village. Bring snacks, picnic blanket, and your prose-loving pooches. Saturday, Sept 6, High Park, rain or shine.

See also

• Marijuana Scavenger Hunt (Sunday, High Park)

PROCLAMATIONS

Bill Murray Day
Celebrate Bill Murray Day during TIFF's first weekend by looking in the mirror with a perplexed yet resigned face while sucking in and pushing out your gut. Who you gonna call? Friday, September 5.

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

Contributions by Sarah Ratchford, Liora Ipsum, Keith Bennie.