Photo: "Sunset at Kew Beach" by Batara, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12 2009
... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

MUSIC | Pitter Patter Nights Presents Wombat Wednesdays w/ The Magic
Keith Hamilton's Pitter Patter Nights presents an evening of music and community with indie-pop hotshots The Magic, fronted by Guelph's go-to brother tag team of Geordie and Evan Gordon, who are fresh from recording the new Islands album in NYC. The show will also feature performances by The Meat, Justin Chee, Wet Dirt, The Skeletons Four, a DJ set by Daps Duo, comedy with The As Is Syndicate, and laser art installations by Jesse Foster and Kevin Marchand.
Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave / 7:30pm / $5 / ALL AGES

FILM | Labyrinth Masquerade!
Harbourfront's Free Flicks series continues with a free screening of the 1986 cult hit Labyrinth (starring David Bowie) with Rocky Horror-esque crowd participation and dancing. Costumes encouraged!
Sirius Stage at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W / FREE

GALLERY | Chamber Music
In Kenny Lee's mixed media works exhibit "Chamber Music", he explores the public realm of debate as a metaphor for an individual's inner dialogue, constructing a miniature diorama of a parliamentary assembly and representing the various figures within through a series of paintings and drawings.
Launch Projects, 410 Adelaide St W

Photo: "toronto_lake ontario" by ezhilinksy, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for TUESDAY AUGUST 11, 2009
... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

MUSIC | Off Season: "These Black Spaces" by Cory Latkovich
Ohio native Cory Latkovich is an avant garde composer and improviser whose work displays a strong devotion to the DIY attitude and confrontational nature of punk rock, sometimes comparable to the works of John Cage. His love of exploring extremes in music and performance is demonstrated here with two lengthy compositions and two improvised pieces.
Music Gallery, 197 John St. / $8 / 7pm

GALLERY | Elizabeth Siegfried "Termina"
Elizabeth Siegfried's exhibit "Termina" tells the story of her family's past generations through a series of films shot between 1922 and 1945, and asks questions about the future of family in both personal and universal contexts, contemplating the ending of her family tree and the social implications of living in world with fewer children.
Stephen Bulger Gallery, 1026 Queen St. W.

Photo: "Oil Painting" by Tomitheos, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for MONDAY AUGUST 10, 2009
... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

PARTIES | Friendly Fires After-Party at The Social
Hotly tipped UK band Friendly Fires have been one of the most talked-about bands of the year, nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and playing sold out shows and high-profile festivals throughout the summer. Their danceable indie-pop sound translates perfectly to the dancefloor as well as the stage, so check out their DJ set after the show at Lee's Palace.
The Social, 1100 Queen St. W. / 19+

FILM | Canadian Cinema in Revue
This monthly series showcases features and short films made by Canada's most interesting and innovative filmmakers, this month featuring Michael Dowse's ode to DJ culture "It's All Gone Pete Tong", with a Skyped-in Q & A with the director following the show.
Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Ave. / $10, $8 for Revue members

Photo: "Ronaldo Goal" by sjgardiner, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for SATURDAY AUGUST 8 and SUNDAY AUGUST 9, 2009
... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

MUSIC | Gentleman Reg at the Horseshoe Tavern
Gentleman Reg has been an easily recognisable figure onstage in Toronto for years as a collaborator with some of the city's most respected musicians including Final Fantasy, The Hidden Cameras, Broken Social Scene, Jim Guthrie and the Constantines. Earlier this year, his debut album for Arts & Crafts "Jet Black" was released across North America, displaying his talent for writing warm, understated melodies and arrangements.
Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St W / 9pm / $13 / 19+

FILM | Open Screening Under the Stars
An opening screening for anyone willing to include a piece of experimental film, whether finished or unfinished, found or stolen, homemade or studio, new or old. Formats accepted include 16mm, 8mm, Super8, VHS, DVD and mini DV, to a maximum of ten minutes per clip.
The Courtyard at 401 Richmond St W / 9pm

SPORTS | Gore-Gore Rollergirls VS Death Track Dolls
All-girl Roller Derby, Toronto's favourite alterna-sport, continues with the as-yet-undefeated Gore-Gore Rollergirls up against the Death Track Dolls in a bloody battle which will tip the scales as to which teams will be competing in the championships this year.
The Hangar Sports Complex @ Downsview Park, 75 Carl Hall Road, Unit 2 / $12 advance / 7pm

Photo: "all my instincts they return" by spyhopphoto, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for THURSDAY AUGUST 6, 2009
... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

FESTIVAL | Toronto's Festival of Beer
A celebration of Canada's rich brewing history, hosted by experts of the brewing craft from around the country. Featuring more than 200 brands of beer on-site, this is an excellent opportunity for Torontonians to sample some exotic brews and learn more about the art of making a great beer!
Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place, 200 Princes Blvd / 4pm-10pm / 19+

GALLERY | Symbolic Logic
Toronto artist Bill Buzádi showcases a series of paintings and a short animated film based around the story of an organ grinder striving for acceptance in the world outside the factory. Part of the Summerworks Festival, a celebration of Toronto's best in theatre, music, art and culture.
Cream Tangerine Gallery in The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St W / 7pm-11pm

MUSIC | Tom Fun Orchestra at Criminal Records
Nine-piece east coast group Tom Fun Orchestra combines the multi-instrumental "collective" aesthetic of bands like Arcade Fire with a sound more akin to Tom Waits or The Pogues, and have already made a big impression on Toronto's indie-rock scene. Catch them at this instore appearance before their big show tonight at the Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen St W)
Criminal Records, 493 Queen St W / FREE / 6pm / ALL AGES

Live music picks for WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5 through TUESDAY AUGUST 11, 2009

THURSDAY AUGUST 6 / SUMMERWORKS FESTIVAL: MIRACLE FORTRESS / THEATRE CENTRE / 1087 QUEEN ST W / $10 / ALL AGES
Montreal's MIRACLE FORTRESS kick off the annual Summerworks Festival at the Theatre Centre with a heady mix of atmospheric guitars and electronics. Primarily the solo project of GRAHAM VAN PELT, the live band also features members of other Montreal standouts SUNSET RUBDOWN, THE LUYAS and TELEFAUNA.
www.myspace.com/miraclefortress

FRIDAY AUGUST 6 / SUMMERWORKS FESTIVAL: THINK ABOUT LIFE + DD/MM/YYYY / THEATRE CENTRE / 1087 QUEEN ST W / $10 / ALL AGES
One of the most exciting double-bill shows of the year, Montreal band THINK ABOUT LIFE go head-to-head with Toronto's DD/MM/YYYY for a neon synth-splashed freakout as part of the Summerworks Festival. Don't miss!
www.myspace.com/thinkaboutlife
www.myspace.com/ddmmyyyy

SATURDAY AUGUST 8 / ST VINCENT / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 370 QUEEN ST W / $13 / 19+
ST. VINCENT is the stage name of ANNIE CLARK, an American singer/songwriter whose vivacious singing voice lends itself perfectly to the daringly complex tunes she performs, and has landed her opening slots for Andrew Bird, Death Cab For Cutie and Television.
www.myspace.com/stvincent