MUSIC | Sade: In Concert
Grammy Award-winning English group Sade returns to Toronto tonight for a large-scale performance at the ACC. Just a week into the North American leg of their tour, the band and their namesake lead singer will be in the Big Smoke to perform the hits from their six studio albums of the last 28 years. The foursome, who have been ranked in the top 100 of VH1's Greatest Artists of All Time, have recently come out of retirement with their latest album Soldier of Love. The soulful album sees the continuation of their trademark quiet storm sound and has reached #1 on the charts since its release in February 2010.
Air Canada Centre (40 Bay Street) 8PM $57.50-$179.50

LITERATURE | Book Launch Party for Markets of the World
Travel photographer Dean Bradley's Markets of the World celebrates its release tonight with a launch party at--where else?--the St. Lawrence Market. The book is a compilation of photographs from 15 countries, exploring local markets while examining the relationship between merchant and customer. Powerful images of fruits, local delicacies, flowers and handicrafts stress the need for markets in small communities while providing insight into the functioning of market life. The book will be available for purchase at the event and Bradley will be in attendance to discuss his travels and work with attendees.
St. Lawrence Market (92- 95 Front Street East) 6PM Free

CULTURE | Stonewall Riots: 30th Anniversary of the Bath Raids in Toronto
Thirty years ago, one of Canada's largest mass arrests targeting the gay community took place in four of Toronto's bathhouses. In memory of the raids and as a part of Pride Week, activists, filmmakers and writers will gather tonight to discuss the events as well as the continuing progress and challenges affecting LGBTQ individuals. Moderated by Doug Kerr, the co-founder of the LGBT Giving Network, the evening will begin with a screening of Stand Together (2002), a documentary about the night of February 5th, 1981 when police began the raids known as Operation Soap. Filmmaker, activist and published author Professor Nancy Nicol will be present on the panel with fellow activists Dennis Findlay, AndrĂŠ Goh and artist Syrus Marcus Ware to converse about the progress of queer and trans human rights since the raids.
The 519 Church Street Community Centre (519 Church Street) 6PM Free

ART | Art Battle 15
Toronto's competitive live painting show returns tonight for its 15th session where 16 painters will vie for the title of Art Battle Champion, which brings with it a cash prize of $300 and bragging rights. Audiences are invited to cheer and jeer as the painters--8 of who are pre-selected--take their canvasses to task in 20-minute rounds. As always, only acrylic paints will be used in the competition and all paintings created will be auctioned off at the end of the championship. Holotape will perform for audiences as the painting happens live.
The Great Hall (1087 Queen Street West) 7:30PM $15

FILM | Prom Queen at the Revue
The Revue Cinema opens its doors this evening in support of PFLAG with a screening of Prom Queen (2004) as a part of Pride Week 2011. The story of Marc Hall, the Oshawa teen who was banned from his high school prom in 2002, Prom Queen dramatizes the events surrounding the court case that took place as a result of Hall's struggle with his school board. Marc Hall will be present at the screening along with the film's director John L'Ecuyer as well as producers, writers and actors who will discuss the challenges and changes that have taken place since. The Revue will be donating half of the proceeds to PFLAG Canada so dig deep into those pockets at this PWYC event tonight.
The Revue Cinema (400 Roncesvalles Avenue) 7PM Pay What You Can

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR

• JUNCTION pink TRIANGLE PRIDE BBQ
• Farmers' Market on Gould - Strawberry Fest
• Keren Ann at Drake Underground

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

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Photo by The Nexus in the blogTO Flickr pool