Photo: "untitled" by smuncky, member of the blogTO Flickr Pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2010... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar.

BOOKS AND LIT | Ben McNally Travellers Series
As far as great jobs go, travel writer is right up there with beauty pageant judge and quality assurance tester at a liquor factory. Tonight three authors come to the Harbourfront to share inspiring stories from their journeys around the world and give some tips on how to tour the globe on your editor's dime. National Geographic writer Glenn Dixon will read from his newest book Pilgrim in the Palace of Words, the result of his international trek to understand the way language shapes culture. Deirdre Kelly cares more for couture than ancient culture and recounts living every little girl's dream by coming of age on assignment in France in Paris Times Eight. Having written for Maxim, Men's Journal, and WWE Magazine the macho Chuck Thompson will provide an interesting counterpoint to Kelly with To Hellholes and Back, an account of extreme tourism in some of the world's most dangerous places. Hosted by independent bookseller Ben McNally.
Brigantine Ballroom - York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, $8, 7 pm

CABARET | Eros, Thanatos, and the Avant Garde
Eros, Thanatos and the Avant Garde is a cabaret company that specializes in intimate, multi-media performances connected to the universal themes of love, sex, and death. A sizeable line up of artists including Marty Topps, the Ismailova Theatre of Dance, and the Daunting Divas combine for an intense show that utilizes film, dance and music to create a performance the likes of which you'll be hard pressed to find elsewhere in the city. To kick off their 2010 schedule, Eros is joined by Montreal theatrical pop songstress Amanda Mabro.
The Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., $10, 9 pm

PARTY | Haiti Unplugged: Fundraiser and Mindraiser
None of us would be naive enough to think that just because news coverage of the terrible earthquake that hit Haiti last month has dropped off that all the impoverished country's problems are solved. That's why the Harlem Restaurant has dedicated every Wednesday night for the next year to fundraising events for the earthquake's victims. For Harlem's first Haiti Unplugged Ottawa author and poet Oni the Haitian Sensation, who has already raised $50,000 in her hometown, is joining forces with Toronto spoken word artists Ian Kamau and Motion to bring you sizzling performances as well as first-hand accounts of the situation in Haiti. All funds go to Oxfam.
Harlem Restaurant, 67 Richmond St. E., Suggested $10 donation, 8 pm

MUSEUM | 'Til 10 at the BSM
To be honest I've never understood the fuss about shoes, but at least 51% of the population seems to think they're a pretty big deal. Hence the existence of an entire museum dedicated to footwear in the middle of our city. Tonight the Bata Shoe Museum stays open late for a special after hours event that includes cocktails at its swanky 'Til Ten lounge and a performance piece by artist and photographer Faye Mullen. You'll also have a chance to check out the BSM's new Renaissance exhibit, featuring 50 cm Venetian high heels that even Lady Gaga would have a tough time pulling off.
Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W., PWYC, 7 pm - 10 pm

GALLERY | Repose
This solo exhibition from painter Cheryl Buchwald takes us behind the curtain to examine the offstage lives of dancers. Usually depicted in movement and on display, Repose offers a candid glimpse of dancers still and unobserved. Stripped of their costumes and makeup, are they still the strong, beautiful creatures we see on stage? Based in Toronto and specializing in both abstract and figurative painting, this is Buchwald's fifth solo exhibition. Runs til February 28 with an opening reception Saturday from 1 pm - 5 pm.
Launch Projects, 404 Adelaide St. W., Wednesday - Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm

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