SATURDAY, APRIL 16TH

CULTURE | Record Store Day
Yes, folks, it is official! In case you weren't certain, Record Store Day is "for real," and has been celebrated since 2007, falling on the third Saturday in April. Over the last couple of years, many bands have released special EPs, and singles on this day, to celebrate the great art of Recorded Music. While the business of making "records" has changed drastically in the last few decades, the experience of buying and finding new music has changed even more! Record shops are the place where these great and personal discoveries used to be made, and they are still of great value to those who need an expert opinon or some advice that's more reliable than Wikipedia or Google. Vortex is one such shop, and will be offering some great bargains, and extended hours over the weekend. Be sure to patronize your local shop, as well! There are several great places in TO you should support, because they do a lot to support local music, and many local music habits. There's Soundscapes, Sonic Boom, Criminal Records, and others. Show them some love!
Vortex Records (2309 Yonge Street) 10AM

MUSIC | Tarun Nayar (Delhi 2 Dublin)
The Drake is the place tonight for some deep Indo-fusion vibes, courtesy of Tarun Nayar, of Delhi 2 Dublin fame. After extensive touring and worldwide travels, Tarun, aka Tspoon has distilled all of his exotic musical experiences into his solo CD, "22 Degrees of Beatitude". He will be joined by a few instrumentalists, and a VJ to provide an very funky, multisensory experience. Definitely a gig to check out! Openers BPM from Vancouver get things kicking.
The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) 8PM $10

FUNDRAISER | Creative Heart Collective Spring Show & Sale
The Gladstone Hotel will be decked-out with all sorts of handmade goods to check out, from crafts and paper goods to handmade jewellery, and other wares. Homemade treats and other food will be available, as well. All admission proceeds from this "Spring-themed" event will go to The Corsage Project: a non-profit organization devoted to helping high school girls make their prom something special, in style. This event also runs tomorrow (Sunday).
The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West) 11AM PWYC

CULTURE | The Words to the Songs of Michael Hurley
Montreal publisher L'Oie de Cravan presents a combination of book launch and concert tonight! Byron Coley's "C'est La Guerre", and Jeff Ladouceur's "Holy Moly", will get readings, and there will be a serious lineup of musical performances paying tribute to Michael Hurley. Hurley was an American songwriter known for eccentric themes and characters in his songs, that ranged from the supernatural to Romantic to animal folk fables. Local luminaries such as Sandro Perri, Lisa Bozikovic, Evening Hymns, and many more will be sharing some music.
Tranzac, Main Hall (292 Brunswick Avenue) 7:30PM $10

OTHRE EVENTS ON OUR SATURDAY RADAR

• FLUID - Abstract Paintings by EMILY SCHAEFER and FRANCES THOMAS
• Make Some Noise: an evening with The Sadies
• Strumbellas / Boys Who Say No / Topanga

SUNDAY, APRIL 17TH

MUSIC | University Settlement presents: A Festival of Music and Culture
University Settlement Music and Arts School celebrates its 90th anniversary with what is sure to be an amazing concert at the Glenn Gould Studio this afternoon. This concert and event is meant to be a "multicultural event to celebrate diversity", and the lineup of performers certainly has a strong "global" flavour! Indo-fusion group Autorickshaw is in the house, along with Chinese erhu player Yuan Wang, plus some Kathak Dance led by Joanna De Souza, and much more!
Glenn Gould Studio (250 Front Street West) 2PM $45/$20 (seniors/under 18)

ENVIRONMENT | Downsview Park Earth Day Tree Planting
Planting a tree can mean many things, and it a custom in many cultures. It can mean sustaining the environmental "green", it can be giving back to the Earth... And it is a great way to celebrate Spring! Today at noon in Downsview Park, you can plant a tree at no cost - just show up, and (while supplies last, of course) you will be given a tree and the necessary tools to make it happen. Dig in!
Downsview Park (1-35 Carl Hall Road) 12PM FREE

CULTURE | Constance Hamilton: A Rebel With Many Causes
For those who are interested in the city's history, the Spadina Museum offers an excellent presentation with Ann McDougall this afternoon. Hamilton was Toronto's first female member of the City Council, and the first female in an elected office position at any level of government. She was also edgy for the time, in having several "pet causes", such as equal rights, and immigration. Pre-registration is required.
Spadina Museum (285 Spadina Road) $12

MUSIC | Sunday Sesh
Another great and very musical way to spend your Sunday night, courtesy of Jamtastic! This "Sunday Sesh" promises to be a great lineup of "up and coming" musical talent, all of whom have some sort of "funk", "folk", or "groove" thing happening! Included on the bill are Your New Friends, The Folk, Toast, and Wide-Eyed Tour Guide. Come on out and support live music!
Sneaky Dee's (431 College Street) 8:30PM $7

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SUNDAY RADAR

• Libera in Concert
• Sounds Like a Song
• Malbec World Day

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 byronjyu in the blogTO Flickr pool.