ART | Nuit Talks: Is Contemporary Art Becoming Extinct?
In a prelude to Nuit Blanche, the ROM hosts Nuit Talks, a series of free discussions themed around Saturday evening's artists and works that will be littered throughout the city. This afternoon's talk focuses on contemporary visual arts and the postmodern condition (some say dilemma) of borrowing. The panel includes artists Andrew Kearney, Chris Hanson, Hendrika Sonnenberg, Faisal Anwar, and Siobhan O'Flynn with Francisco Alvarez of the ROM's Institute for Contemporary Culture moderating. This event is free and open to the public.
Royal Ontario Museum Theatre (100 Queen's Park) 12:30PM Free

BOOKS & LIT | "Too Asian?" Book Launch
Two years ago, Maclean's splashed the headline "Too Asian?" across their cover as an unpalatable opener for a discourse on race in higher education. In a new collection, editors RJ Gilmour, Davina Bhandar, Jeet Heer, and Michael C.K. Ma have gathered writings on the issues of race and privilege in Canadian universities in a book that takes on the title of the controversial 2010 article. "Too Asian?" launches at Toronto Women's Bookstore tonight with a small reception, and the event is free and open to all.
Toronto Women's Bookstore (73 Harbord Street) 6:30PM Free

TECH | SCREENS 2012
Developers, digital entrepreneurs, and innovators gather at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for SCREENS 2012, a digital conference all about developing for mobile phones, tablets, eBooks and computers. Over 40 speakers such as Jesse Freeman (Microsoft), Sachin Monga (Facebook), and Kristofer Joseph (Adobe) will present at the conference over the course of two days, on topics ranging from HTML5, to app to game development. Check out the FITC website for the full list of speakers, panels and workshops that will be a part of SCREENS.
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building (255 Front Street West) 9AM $249

MUSIC | Viva Mars, Erik Lind & The Orchard, and Tremor
The Indie Machine has gathered three virtually unknown bands for a good time show tonight at Clinton's. Oshawa's Viva Mars headline with an indie rock set that will include new songs. Openers include the Toronto indie blues band Tremor (the side project of Paradise Animals guitarist Kerri Silva), and Montreal folk pop band Erik Lind & The Orchard, whose soothing indie sound is just the right opener for a Thursday night at Clinton's. Admission is paid at the door and bands will hit the stage at 10PM.
Clinton's (693 Bloor Street West) 9PM $6

ART | DARKNESS opening reception
Darkness falls over the Milk Glass Co. Gallery with the opening of a multidisciplinary exhibit brought together by 18 independent artists. Paintings, photographs, and installations force a gloomy cloud over the gallery in DARKNESS, which examines light deficiencies, both intentional and captured. DARKNESS, which boasts works by experienced and new artists, runs until October 28th.
Milk Glass Co. Gallery (1247 Dundas Street West) 7PM Free

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR:

• David R. Elliott // Clara Engel // Year of Glad
• Trio Magnus: Triple Triple
• Quattro Books Fall Book Launch

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Photo by AshtonPal in the blogTO Flickr pool