SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH

ART | Art Battle
Art Battle is a group that organizes live painting competitions around TO on a semi-regular basis. Tonight's event is dubbed "Cage Matches," and Art Battle will be constructing a large cage in the basement of Parts & Labour to contain the artistic fury and adrenalin that will be unleashed, as a series of nine one-on-one live painting battles go down for your eye-popping pleasure! DJ Cam DeLaat, known for his superior taste in vintage soul, funk and all sounds groove-related, will be on the decks.
Parts & Labour (1566 Queen Street West) 9PM $5 after 11pm

MUSIC | Mother Mother, Sweet Things, Whale Tooth
West Coast rockers, Mother Mother, land in town tonight for a show at the Sound Academy. In a few short years, this band has risen to the top of their game, garnering much praise along the way from music press in Toronto and Vancouver as being the "band to watch." Their third album, "Eureka" was released in March, and began its life on the Canadian charts at number eight - not bad! They are joined tonight by Sweet Things and Whale Tooth. Should be rockin'!
Sound Academy (11 Polson Street) 8PM $25

LITERATURE | Book Launch for Maureen Jennings - Season Of Darkness
Acclaimed author, Maureen Jennings, launches her latest novel, "Season Of Darkness" tonight at the Tranzac. Jennings penned the well-known Detective Murdoch mystery novels, on which the television series "Murdoch Mysteries" is based. "Season Of Darkness" is a slice of British life in the Summer of 1940, when the German Nazi army was in full-force, invading the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and England was in a state of alarm.
The Tranzac Club (292 Brunswick Avenue) 7PM

MUSIC | Tequila Mockingbird w/ Yuka & DJ ?uesquecest
An awesome lineup tonight at the ElMo! The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra comes to us from Victoria, BC, and have a unique sound and approach. Combining engaging lyrics and vocals with acoustic instrumentation including a front line featuring fiddle, mandolin, and accordion, this band lives up their "gypsy-ska-folk-grass" reputation! Also on the bill is Yuka: an energetic, horn-heavy funk combo from here in TO, who are all about tight lines, groove and pocket! DJ ?uesquecest will fill in the gaps, and keep the beats going.
El Mocambo (464 Spadina Avenue) 9PM $12

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SATURDAY RADAR

• Karkwa + Barr Bros @ Lee's
• Wilco @ Massey Hall
• MONTH OF SUNDAYS artist performance and closing week reception

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH

FESTIVAL | WombManifesto
As part of the ongoing Manifesto Festival that began on Thursday, the events at Revival both today and this evening will take things up a notch! Manifesto is a cultural event, aiming to bring together "community" in a constructive creative partnership and ongoing dialogue. "WombManifesto" is a special thing - a celebration, examination and conference revolving around "womankind" from the angle of nature, nurture and politics. The daytime events at Revival will feature workshops and panel discussions on topics such as body ornamentation (both modification and decoration), grass roots sound recording, decolonization, hip hop vs. feminism, and other hot topics. The evening portion of this event will be a showcase of musical talent including Jani Lauzon, Kumari, Aquilla, and many more. Respect!
Revival (783 College Street) 12PM and 7:30PM $15 (showcase)

MUSIC | Human League with Men Without Hats
Party like it's 1981! A cool double-bill tonight for those who like their sounds retro-style! The Human League were / are one of the most influential synth-pop bands ever, pioneering a sound that has often been imitated and sampled. Their singles "Don't You Want Me," "Being Boiled," "Mirror Man" and others are classics! They are joined by their Canuck contemps, Men Without Hats, whose single "The Safety Dance" put them on the map, big time. As far as they are concerned, you are free to dance if you want to. Supporting DJs include DJs Skin, Lazarus, Edwin Somnambulist.
The Guvernment Nightclub (132 Queens Quay East) 7:30PM $45

LITERATURE | Maria Meindl Book Launch
Maria Meindl's first book "Outside the Box: The Life and Legacy Of Writer Mona Gould, The Grandmother I Thought I Knew", is a story that unfolds as Meindl goes through her late grandmother's writings and papers, discovering more and more about who she really was. Mona Gould, herself a poet and writer, also enjoyed a successful career in radio. There are many secrets to learn about, as Gould's career fizzled out, and her life came to involve addiction, and poverty. Not only is this book an account of a personal journey for two women, but it also captures moments in Canadian cultural history. Meindl launches this book this afternoon at The Dora Keogh Pub.
Dora Keogh Pub (141 Danforth Ave) 4PM FREE

ART | Creative Heart Collective Fall Show & Sale
Creative Hearts Collective was formed to create opportunities for emerging artists to display and share their work, and just as importantly, for this work to inspire others to create, thereby sustaining the arts community. This show has emerging artists as its focus, as well as crafters of jewellery, toys, and apparel. There will also be homemade food and treats to consume. Come out and check out the good, and support your craft community.
Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West) 12 - 6PM PWYC

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SUNDAY RADAR

• Reaction: Taylor A, Gracious Collective, Stacey Y and Neighbourhood Watch
• Toronto Beer Quest
• 2011 Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research

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 Raquel.. in the blogTO Flickr pool