SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH

MUSIC | New Ancient Strings: Contemporary Persian Music
Some musical instruments are truly 'evocative': hearing them transports the listener to a different time, place, and space.... The Persian santur is just such and instrument. Its Western equivalent is the hammered dulcimer, but there are structural differences, and some differences in playing technique. Santur player Amir Amiri has a strong foundation in his culture's music and tradition, but has also been devouring Western music and theory for years, starting with his residency at the Banff Centre where he collaborated previously with percussionist Ziya Tabassian. These two will come together again this evening for a duo performance that will use traditional Persian music as a launching point for improvisation. Opening this concert will be the duo of Araz Salek and Pedram Khavarzamini, playing the tar (Persian lute) and tombak.
The Music Gallery (197 John Street ) 8PM $15 / $10 students and seniors

THEATRE | Shakespeare Toronto: Romeo & Juliet
The second installment in Shakespeare Toronto's "Evening Series," The Bard's "Romeo and Juliet", will grace the stage at the Bathurst Street Theatre in the Annex tonight. This is the original "boy meets girl" story that never grows old. Many consider this to be among Shakespeare's greatest works, and this production has been receiving accolades across North America.
Bathurst Street Theatre (736 Bathurst Street) 7:30PM $28/$20 student and seniors

MUSIC | The Scenic Route
With the abundance of DJ-centric "Funk Nights" here in TO, it's easy to forget the power and energy that a live band delivering the goods can provide. Vinyl rules, for sure, but nothing can match the vibe of some groove being served up live with some sweat! Catch some badass sets by Wooden Ivory, The Voodoo Children, Cool Man Cool, and Downtown Funk Connection. Get down!
Lee's Palace (529 Bloor Street West) 8:30PM $7

SHOPPING | Shop Cats presents: The Toronto Etsy Street Team Spring Craft Show
Another awesome instance of the 'virtual' and 'real' worlds connecting! A selection of Toronto-area sellers on etsy.com will gather this morning and afternoon for a Spring Craft Show at the Gladstone Hotel. Come and support local artisans and get some Mother's Day shopping done... Or just treat yourself to some handcrafted jewellery to bling yourself out, or maybe some crafts or fine art to take your HQ's decor up a notch or two. The event runs until 4PM.
The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West) 10AM FREE

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SATURDAY RADAR

• Musically Zouk, Exclusively Creole: Carimi ft Princess Lover
• Lipstick, Cherry with Electric Youth
• Half Halloween 2011!

SUNDAY, MAY 1ST

MUSIC | Tame Impala
Australia's psychedelic rockers, Tame Impala, hit town tonight for a much anticipated show at The Phoenix. These guys have been busy since the release of their debut album, "Innerspeaker", which garnered them praise from Pitchfork and other important sources of musical 'cred'. They have since toured with MGMT, and also played tons of fests on the other side of the Pond. Opening the show is Yuck, a UK band that some have compared to Dinosaur Jr and Sonic Youth.
Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne Street) 8PM $20

FUNDRAISER | May Day Poetry Marathon
If poetry and spoken word is your thing, you'll get your fix beginning this afternoon at The Garrison. A wide variety of established and beginning poets will take the mic for five minutes each for five hours! This fast-paced event will include readings from Amai Kuda, Vivek Shraya, Zoe Whittall and many more. All door proceeds will go towards the Mayworks Festival happening this month here in TO.
The Garrison (1197 Dundas Street West) 3PM $10

FILM | Movies in the Mess Hall presents: Boom!
A movie night at The Drake tonight, with props to the late Elizabeth Taylor! "Boom" is a film that was... well... kind of a "bomb" with the critics when released in the late '60s, but maintains a cult status with Taylor/Burton fans. The couple stars in this loose adaptation of Tennessee Williams', "The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore" along with the great NoÍl Coward. Should be a blast!
The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) 7PM $15 (w/dinner $5 film only)

LITERATURE | Kate Evans' "Where Ghosts Meet"
Kate Evans' new novel, "Where Ghosts Meet" has been shortlisted for both the APMA Best Atlantic-Published Book Award and also for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award. The author will read from this unusual family drama that takes place on two continents over several decades.
Dora Keogh Irish Pub (141 Danforth Avenue) 3:30PM FREE

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SUNDAY RADAR

• The Kills, Cold Cave + The Entrance Band @ The Sound Academy
• Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Exhibit 'Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon
• States of Undress: The Big Easy

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

For Toronto movie showtimes, view our Movie Listings section.

Photo by asianz in the blogTO Flickr pool.